THE MANILA TIMES | MARCH 23, 2019

DA halts onion imports, probes price manipulation ÂťStory on B1 ++

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•• 5 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 161 28

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019

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HATS OFF

Graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy throw their hats in the air during the academy’s 40th commencement exercises in Silang, Cavite on Friday. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

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Duterte bans govt junkets Women are better than men

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BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an execuTIVE ORDER %/ PROHIBITING GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS AND EMPLOYEES FROM GOING ON JUNKETS ABROAD

IN MY LINE

N OF SIGHT March 15, 2019, two mosques in New :EALAND CAME UNDER kRE FROM AN EXtremist who had what appears to be an anti-immigrant and extreme nationalist agenda, if his emailed manifesto is to be believed. ÂłTulfoA5

RAMON T. TULFO

meet the needs of the department or GOVERNMENT OFkCES IF THE PRESENCE OF THE OFkCIAL OR EMPLOYEE IS CRITICAL TO the outcome of the meeting, conference, seminar, consultation or any

ÂłJunketsA2

Sotto, Arroyo vow to end budget deadlock soon SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Friday vowed to end the budget deadlock that has pitted the two houses of Congress against each other.

Sotto said the House only needed

Rape exists because of rapists

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HIS is ON THE that CONTRARY moment when my position on an issue leads me to agree with a political personality I do not particularly support. ÂłContrerasA4

5NDER %/ AN OFkCIAL LOCAL OR foreign travels and assignment would only be allowed if there were essential to the effective performance of an OFkCIAL OR EMPLOYEE S MANDATES OR functions; if they were required to

to submit the measure as approved in February by the bicameral conference committee, which he would then submit to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature next week. g,EAVE IT AS IT IS WHAT WE RATIkED

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ANTONIO CONTRERAS

CHINESE ARRESTED

The National Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Division presents 18 Chinese arrested for illegal online gambling and access device fraud at the bureau’s headquarters in Manila on Friday. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA Story on A8

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What’s inside ‘BATANG TONDO’ IS TOP GRAD OF PNP ACADEMY NewsA2

FULLIDO’S LIBEL CHARGES VS FELLOW TV STAFF DROPPED NewsA8

MANILA WATER OPEN TO ISSUING REBATES NewsA3

ICC assembly chief regrets PH withdrawal

THE president of the Assembly of States Parties, O-Gon Kwon (from the Republic of Korea), has expressed regret over the withdrawal of the Philippines from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

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Junjun Binay sees politics in hit on aide

‘MYSTIFIED’ BRINGS ‘ENCANTADIA’S’ WOMEN BACK TO LIFE

EntertainmentD1

DURANT POWERS WARRIORS PAST PACERS, NUGGETS WIN

SportsC1

WHILE police have yet to rule if the hit on former Makati City mayor Jejomar Eerwin “Junjun� Binay Jr.’s secretary was an election-related violence, he said he believed that it c ould easily have been politically motivated.

Junjun, who is running for Makati mayor in the May elections on Friday, said the shooting “lends credence� to suspicions that it was a politically motivated attack,

ÂłPoliticsA8

ESPORTS PROPONENTS

(From left to right) Momentum eSports TV Battle League organizers Jennifer Jones, Joanna Paola DV Ang, Marc Christian Jarlego and Rosalyn Faustino pose for a photo with The Manila Times sports columnist Eddie Alinea (extreme left) during a news conference on Friday in Intramuros, Manila. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Momentum launches eSports competition AROUND 300 players from across the country will see action in Momentum eSports TV Battle League from April 21 to May 19.

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Change Facebook passwords, privacy chief tells users THE HEAD of the National Privacy Commission on Friday urged Filipinos to change their Facebook passwords especially if given a noti-

kCATION BY THE SOCIAL NETWORKING GIant, after it was found that hundreds of millions of users’ passwords were

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

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News

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY March 23, 2019

‘Batang Tondo’is top grad of PNP Academy A

YEAR OLD from MaNILA S WORKINGCLASS DISTRICT OF 4ONDO LED THIS YEAR S NEW BATCH OF POLICE OFFICERS AS 201 cadets of the 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL 0OLICE !CADEMY (PNPA) graduated ON &RIDAY Jervis Allen Ramos was hailed as the valedictorian of Sansiklab Class of 2019, as he bested 200 other cadets from his batch.

He received the Presidential Kampilan Award, the Chief PNP (CPNP) Kampilan Award and Best in Forensic Science and Best in Thesis recognitions.

In his valedictory speech, Ramos thanked his family, his batchmates and his Christian organization Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) for surviving his training in the PNPA. He described himself as just a “simple teenagerâ€? who was just shaped by the reality he had in Tondo. “It seems like it’s just a dream that a simple teenager who was shaped by the reality of the life in Tondo is standing in front and speak before thousands of Filipinos‌ It is an honor to be a scholar of the country by being funded by the tax of the masses so that is why I thank them from the bottom of my heart,â€? Ramos said in Filipino.

He vowed that his batch would never bite the temptation of corruption and illegal activities as they serve the public.

‘SERVE AND PROTECT’

President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the Philippine National Police Academy’s 40th commencement exercises on Friday in Cavite. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA “We cannot deny that there are criticisms that are forcefully attached to our chosen profession‌ This is an obstacle that challenges our strength and loyalty. We will never have a weak mind and we will continue to serve with our chosen profession,â€? Ramos said.

Six women belong to the top 10 of the Sansiklab Class of 2019.

4HEY ARE -ERRIkN #ARISUSA SECond), Mary Grace Pabilario (third), Janila Andrea Garan (sixth), Ciara Ley Capule (seventh), Mary Ann de los Santos (eighth) and Anne May Mangabo (ninth).

Carisusa also received the Vice Presidential Kampilan, Journalism Kampilan and Best in Public Safety and Best in Leadership Management awards.

Pabilario received the Secretary of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Kampilan and Chief of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Kampilan award.

Out of the 201 graduating cadets, 47 were women.

The 201 members of the Sansiklab Class of 2019 each graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public safety.

A total of 138 cadets will go to the PNP, 22 to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and 41 to the BFP. President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leniâ€? Robredo, Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo and Police Deputy Dir. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa were present at the commencement exercises to give diplomas and awards to the garduates.

The President enjoined the new graduates to desist from being blinded by “power and fame� as they start their service to the nation.

In his speech during the graduation in Silang, Cavite, he challenged the country’s new batch

OF POLICE OFkCERS TO BECOME THE “greatest version� of themselves and remain loyal, compassionate and patriotic. “Your goal must now be to serve and protect our people and country to the best of your ability.

I therefore challenge your class, the Sansiklab Class of 2019, to be the greatest version of yourselves,�

Duterte said. “Excel in your chosen pursuits, lend your abilities to all our communities and stand by your principles at all costs. Never be deceived by power or fame. What is important is your honor, for it is your badge toward genuine success,� he added.

Duterte called on the new police OFkCERS TO SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTE to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, terrorism and corruption.

ROY NARRA AND CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Palace open to releasing Kaliwa Dam papers MALACAĂ‘ANG is open to releasING COPIES OF OFkCIAL DOCUMENTS related to the Kaliwa Dam project, based on Freedom of Information (FOI) rules, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said on Thursday.

Medialdea made the statement on a request of some groups for the release of the documents of THE DAM PROJECT TO BE kNANCED BY a loan from China. “This administration early on has made it clear that it will be

transparent. We will abide by the FOI rules in place,� Medialdea said in a text message.

In a letter sent to Medialdea and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday, groups led by Senate hopeful Jose Manuel Diokno specifically asked for copies of the Preferential Buyer’s Credit Loan Agreement between the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System (MWSS) and Export-Import Bank of China,

and the Commercial Contract between the MWSS and China Energy Engineering Corp.

The Kaliwa Dam project in Tanay, Rizal, which will cost $248 million or P12.2 billion, is facing opposition from environmental GROUPS AND LOCAL OFkCIALS AMID CONCERNS IT WOULD RESULT IN lOODing and displace residents.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco assured the public the Kaliwa Dam construction would not proceed without the

approval of thousands of Dumagat tribe members in their ancestral land and residents of Barangay Laiban.

A 27-kilometer tunnel will connect the water source from General Nakar and Infanta towns in Quezon to a water treatment plant in Antipolo and Teresa in Rizal to supply water to Metro Manila and nearby areas.

It is expected to provide 600 million liters of water per day.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Q BUDGET FROM A1

TORS 0ANkLO ,ACSON AND 'REGORIO “Gringo� Honasan.

Arroyo denied anew her supposed hand in altering the already RATIkED NATIONAL BUDGET “We’ll end the impasse as soon as possible. That’s my instruction.

I did not micromanage the putting together of the budget. I don’t want to micromanage also their negotiations because the ones who did the budget know what they did and KNOW WHAT THEIR lEXIBILITIES ARE u Arroyo said.

She initially denied that the House had withdrawn its version OF THE BUDGET DESPITE CONkRMAtion by Zamora on Monday.

But on Wednesday, the House “physically retrieved� its version of the budget it sent to the Senate last March 11 because the refusal of Sotto 3rd to sign the “porkkLLEDu MEASURE GLEE JALEA AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Q JUNKETS FROM A1

5NDER THE NEW %/ OFkCIALS ARE required to minimize travel cost, if travel is allowed.

If possible, teleconferencing, videoconferencing or submission of briefs and position papers could be made as alternatives to travel, as long as these do not compromise NATIONAL SECURITY AND CONkDENTIALITY OF OFkCIAL COMMUNICATIONS Private individuals, consultants and family members of governMENT OFkCIALS EXCEPT WHEN DIPlomatic protocol or established international practices provide otherwise, will not be issued foreign travel authorities. They will also not be entitled to government funding for foreign trips.

Sotto and what we agreed upon, [it should] remain in the budget for Public Works and Highways, which is already itemized originally in that state‌if this happens, there’s no more problem with the rest of the budget,� the Senate chief said.

Senators claim the House tinkered with the approved budget and moved around some P95 billion in public works funds.

Arroyo said Congress would “end the impasse as soon as possible,� after she instructed a three-man team composed of Representatives Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, Edcel Lagman of Albay and Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan City to negotiate with the Senate.

The Senate panel consists of Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Loren Legarda and Sena-

Duterte official activity to be attended, and if projected expenses are not excessive. “The conduct of strategic planning workshops or team building activities abroad shall not be allowed. The taking of a personal leave immediately before or after THE OFkCIAL ACTIVITY IS HIGHLY DIScouraged,� stated the order, dated March 15.

In his speeches, Duterte often DISCOURAGES GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS from travelling overseas. He has fired a number of government OFkCIALS FOR GOING ON JUNKETS INcluding the heads of the National Anti-Poverty Commission and Maritime Industry Authority.

Duterte, however, has also come under criticism for bringing large entourages to his overseas trips.

Speaking engagements The only foreign travels that may be authorized under the measure are international conferences or

Military backs ending talks with communists THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines on Friday backed the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to cancel peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., the military’s deputy chief of staff for civil-military operations (J7), deplored what he described as the communist rebels’ “31 years of deceptive ploys� across five administrations.

Parlade said peace talks had only resulted in more “terrorist�

New People’s Army (NPA) members being released to recruit members and recover lost areas OF INlUENCE “They had their best chance when peace was offered again to them by [President Duterte], offering Cabinet posts in good faith for them to help in good governance, but they blew it by attacking projects, killing security forces and even innocent civilians,� he said in a statement. “Now that their foreign sources of funding are threatened and droves of regular NPAs are surrendering with our E-CLIP (Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program), they again attempted to reach out to the President,� the MILITARY OFkCIAL ADDED On Thursday, the President announced the cancellation of talks with the NDF peace panel, a day after he dissolved the government’s peace panel. Duterte also told the communists to talk to the next president.

4HE /FkCE OF THE 0RESIDENTIAL Adviser on the Peace Process has announced the formation of another peace panel focused on localized peace talks.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Philippine Army spokesman, also expressed support for the decision of Duterte. “We commit to the pro-peace

and development thrusts of the government which is centered on the whole-of-nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace,� Zagala said.

‘Like an old broken record’ Exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma� Sison said the announcement of the President was not news to him at all, citing Proclamation 360 in 2017 that terminated peace negotiations with the NDF, the negotiating arm of the rebels. “As far as the [NDF] is concerned, Duterte formally killed the peace negotiations on Nov. 23, 2017 with his Proclamation 360,� he said in a separate statement. “Since then, what Duterte has been doing is merely driving more NAILS INTO THE COFkN OF THE PEACE negotiations under his regime,�

Sison added.

Sison frowned at the idea anew of localized negotiations, describing it as “fake, staged and controlled� by the Armed Forces.

But he agreed with one point raised by Duterte — the resumption of the peace talks under the next administration. “The Duterte regime is not eterNAL IT CAN BE kNISHED WITH THE SUCcess of the oust movement, with the end of his term in 2022 or with his certain overthrow as he forces his way to a fascist dictatorship,�

Sison stressed. “In the meantime, the revolutionary forces and the people need to defend themselves actively and advance their revolutionary cause by all possible forms of resistance,� he added.

DEMPSEY REYES WITH JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Pagasa declares start of hot, dry season THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) OFkCIALLY DECLARED THE START OF THE dry season on Friday.

This was weeks earlier than last year’s start, declared on April 10.

The weather bureau said the dry season would bring warmer weather gradually.

The hottest temperatures are expected to reach up to 40.7 degrees Celsius in Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley.

The earlier onset of dry season is also expected to prolong the ef-

fects of El NiĂąo, such as a longer dry spell.

Pagasa said the prevailing northeast monsoon or amihan ended with “the shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly over most parts of the country due to the establishment of the high-pressure area over the NorthWESTERN 0ACIkC u It warned of possible heat stress and advised the public to “optimize personal and domestic water consumption� to help conserve water.

DIVINA DELA CRUZ

meetings, which the government has commitments to, or to underTAKE OFkCIAL MISSIONS OR ASSIGNments which cannot be assigned to government officials posted abroad; scholarships, fellowships, trainings and studies abroad, which are grant-funded or undertaken at minimal costs; or invitations for speaking engagements or receiving awards from foreign governments or institutions, whether fully or partly funded by the government, upon the endorsement of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The foreign travels will also be APPROVED kRST BY HEADS OF OFkCES The officials who will go on foreign travels will be given predeparture expenses not exceeding P3,500, which will be used for taxi fare, passport processing, immunization and medical laboratory fees, photographs, porterage, airport terminal fees and other possible expenses.

Reimbursement of airport terminal fees will be allowed upon completion of the trip.

Clothing expenses are also provided for personnel who travel to certain countries for a certain period.

The funds range from $200 to $400, to be given once every two years.

Business class Trips of department secretaries, undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and such ranks that are more than four hours without lay-overs will be allowed to have business class airfares, but are subject to THE APPROVAL OF THE /FkCE OF THE President.

The same goes for local travels. Government officials will have to seek the approval of the appropriate heads for local travels.

Travels paid for by a private source should also be fully disclosed, according to the EO.

News Manila Water open to issuing rebates

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY March 23, 2019

BY FRANCIS EARL CUETO

C

ONCESSIONAIRE Manila Water Inc., on Friday said that it was studying the proposal of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to suspend water bills or issue rebates to customers affected by the water shortage in Metro Manila and Rizal province. &ERDINAND DE LA #RUZ PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER OF -ANILA 7ATER TOLD $:"" THAT THEY WOULD MEET WITH OFkCIALS OF THE -733

INCLUDING CHIEF REGULATOR 0ATRICK 4Y

OVER THE MATTER ON -ONDAY “+ASI PO MALAKAS PO ANG REQUEST NG PUBLIKO ;NANG= AMING TINGNAN ITO ITONG ANGGULO NG REBATE LALO na po doon sa mga customers na NAWALAN NG TUBIG 0UBLIC REQUEST

FOR REBATE IS STRONG PARTICULARLY FOR CUSTOMERS WHO LOST ACCESS TO WATER FOR MORE THAN HOURS AND FOR A FEW DAYS WHICH IS QUITE NOT NORMAL u HE ADDED -ANILA 7ATER HAD APOLOGIZED FOR THE WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS AND BLAMED THE %L .IĂ„O PHENOMENON FOR THE INADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY %ARLIER -733 SAID THEY WOULD ASK

-ANILA 7ATER TO TEMPORARILY CEASE FROM CHARGING THE MILLION CUSTOMERS UNTIL THEIR SERVICES NORMALIZE 4Y SAID THE AGENCY COULD ALSO PENALIZE THE COMPANY FOR VIOLATING ITS MANDATE TO PROVIDE WATER SERVICE HOURS A DAY THROUGH A REBATE 4HE AMOUNT OF REBATE WOULD BE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF RESUMING THE NORMAL OPERATIONS OF THE CONCESSION 4Y SAID -733 ADMINISTRATOR 2EYNALDO 6ELASCO MEANWHILE ASSURED THE PUBLIC AND 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE THAT THEY COULD SOLVE THE WATER CRISIS OTHERWISE THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS g7E CAN DELIVER AS FAR AS ) KNOW "UT KUNG short pa rin ‘yan (it reMAINS SHORT WHO ARE WE 4HAT IS THE CALL OF THE 0RESIDENT u HE SAID 0RESIDENT $UTERTE LAST 4UESDAY

THREATENED TO kRE -733 OFkCIALS and terminate the concessionaires’

CONTRACTS IF THEY FAIL TO SOLVE THE WATER CRISIS Ty said the concessionaires’ CONTRACT WILL END IN BUT THE President might order them to TERMINATE IT BASED ON !RTICLE OF THE CONCESSION AGREEMENT &AILURE TO PERFORM AN OBLIGATION

such as jeopardizing the provision OF ESSENTIAL WATER AND SEWERAGE SUPPLY SERVICES SHALL CONSTITUTE gCONCESSIONAIRE EVENT OF TERMINATION u “Ang SERVICE OBLIGATION ng -ANILA 7ATER ay mag-provide dapat SILA SA PUBLIKO NG na WATER SUPPLY .GUNIT ALAM PO NATIN HINDI PO NILA NADE DELIVER po ito 0OSIBLE PO NA IPA-terminate ang CONCESSION BASED ON THAT VIOLATION 4HE SERVICE OBLIGATION OF -ANILA 7ATER IS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH WATER SUPPLY 7E KNOW THEY HAVE NOT DELIVERED )T IS POSSIBLE TO TERMINATE THE CONCESSION u

REELECTIONIST Sen. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito on Friday thanked Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd for assuring him that local bets of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) would campaign for him. “I am very thankful to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd for his kind words and his assurance that local candidates of the Nationalist People’s Coalition [whom Sotto heads], our party, would push hard for my candidacy when the campaign period for locals sets in,� Ejercito said in a statement. “At talagang nakakataba ng puso ang sinabi ni Senate President Sotto na naniniwala siya na ako ay winnable,� (I was elated by the statement of Senate President Sotto that he believes that I am winnable), he added.

Ejercito also thanked senators who have similarly inspiring words for him, including Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva,

Q eSPORTS FROM A1

Momentum six months after it turned into A PROVISIONAL REPUBLIC OF WHICH ! G U I N A L D O WA S T O B E C O M E CHIEF EXECUTIVE /N *AN

BY VIRTUE OF THE -ALOLOS #ONSTITUTION THE 0HILIPPINES LED BY !GUINALDO

BECAME A REPUBLIC ) N ! G U I N A L D O DECLARED WAR AGAINST THE 53

MARKING THE START OF A THREE YEAR GUERILLA WARFARE )N THE FIGHTING CAME TO AN END AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED IN HIS HEADQUARTERS IN 0ALANAN

3IERRA -ADRE CATHERINE A. MODESTO

AGUINALDO AT 150

Cabinet Secretary Alexei Nograles (center) leads the flag ceremony in Kawit, Cavite in honor of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the first Republic of the Philippines. Inset: Philippine Postal Corp. Chairman Norman Fulgencio presents Nograles with the commemorative stamps celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of President Aguinaldo at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite on Friday. PHOTOS BY BOY JOSUE

When conviction becomes final and executory Dear PAO, My father has been incarcerated for three years already, pending his case. While we were told that such period shall be tacked to whatever penalty he shall ultiMATELY GET UPON THE kNALITY OF his sentence, we want to know: When will his “judgment of conVICTIONu BE kNAL AND EXECUTORY Annjaneth Dear Annjaneth, For your information, a judgment

Q WITHDRAWAL FROM A1

ICC

+WON SAID THE !SSEMBLY OF 3TATES 0ARTIES COMPRISING MORE THAN MEMBERS FROM ALL REGIONS OF THE WORLD WAS FULLY COMmitted to the court’s mandate to HELP PUT AN END TO IMPUNITY FOR the most serious crimes of concern TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY g) SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE DEPARTURE OF THE 0HILIPPINES FROM THE 2OME 3TATUTE IS ONLY TEMPORARY AND THAT IT WILL REJOIN THE 2OME

OF CONVICTION BECOMES kNAL AND executory on the instances that are mentioned in the case of 0EOPLE OF THE 0HILIPPINES VS 3ALLE *R (GR

$EC

Ponente: !SSOCIATE *USTICE (ILARIO $AVIDE *R TO WIT

“A judgment of conviction beCOMES kNAL A WHEN NO APPEAL IS SEASONABLY PERFECTED B WHEN the accused commences to serve THE SENTENCE C WHEN THE RIGHT TO APPEAL IS EXPRESSLY WAIVED IN WRITING EXCEPT WHERE THE DEATH PENALTY WAS IMPOSED BY THE TRIAL COURT AND D WHEN THE ACCUSED APPLIES FOR PROBATION THEREBY WAIVING HIS RIGHT TO APPEAL u Thus, if any of the above instances attend to the situation of your father, his judgment of CONVICTION MAY BE IN THE kNAL AND

3TATUTE FAMILY IN THE FUTURE %NCOURAGING UNIVERSAL ADHERENCE TO THE 2OME 3TATUTE IS KEY IN STRENGTHENING OUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ATROCITY CRIMES AND THE RULE OF LAW u he added in a statement posted on THE )## WEBSITE +WON SAID THE )## RELIES ON THE continued support of the internaTIONAL COMMUNITY TO ENSURE ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN THE kGHT AGAINST IMPUNITY 4HE !SSEMBLY OF 3TATES 0ARTIES is the management oversight and LEGISLATIVE BODY OF THE )## )T IS composed of representatives of

ALL 3TATES THAT HAVE RATIkED AND ACCEDED TO THE 2OME 3TATUTE 4HE 0HILIPPINES DEPARTURE FROM THE )## ON -ARCH CAME IN THE WAKE OF ITS PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S BLOODY WAR ON DRUGS THAT HAD KILLED THOUSANDS OF SUSPECTED DRUG USERS AND PUSHERS 4HE )## PROBE WILL DETERMINE IF THERE IS REASONABLE BASIS TO PROCEED WITH AN INQUIRY INTO CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY 3INCE $UTERTE WAS ELECTED IN

some 5,000 suspected drug users AND PUSHERS WERE KILLED IN POLICE operations or had been executed by

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA

ALREADY ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM ON WATER SUPPLY SPECIkCALLY IN kVE PROVINCES 3IBUGAY :AMBOANGA 4UGUEGARAO +IDAPAWAN AND )LOCOS .ORTE “Ang mga WATER DISTRICTS po ay NAGBIBIGAY SILA TANKERS .AGDIdistribute s ILA (INDI LANG HO KASINGLAKI NG PANGANGAILANGAN ng -ETRO -ANILA .AGBIBIGAY po tayo ng advertisements KUNG PAANO MAKATIPID NG TUBIG (Water DISTRICTS ARE GIVING ;WATER= TANKERS DISTRIBUTE )T S NOT JUST AS BIG AS -ETRO -ANILA S NEED 7E PUT ADS ON HOW TO SACE WATER u HE ADDED ,75! SOURCES PERCENT OF ITS WATER SUPPLY FROM DEEP WELLS

,APUS SAID (E SAID CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHOULD COME UP WITH LONG TERM SOLUTIONS SUCH AS WATER impounding in mountain and reforestation to avoid having the SAME PROBLEM

Ejercito thanks Sotto for support

POST OFFICE RELEASES EMILIO AGUINALDO STAMPS 4(% 0HILIPPINE 0OSTAL #ORP 0(,0OST HAS RELEASED %MILIO !GUINALDO COMMEMORATIVE stamps on Friday in honor of the REVOLUTIONARY LEADER S CONTRIBUTION TO RECLAIMING 0HILIPPINE DEMOCRACY IN 4HE !GUINALDO STAMPS WERE MADE AVAILABLE AT THE 0HILATELIC #OUNTER -ANILA #ENTRAL 0OST /FFICE IN ,IWASANG "ONIFACIO

-ANILA AND ALL OTHER POST OFkCES NATIONWIDE ON THE TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE kRST AND YOUNGEST 0HILIPPINE PRESIDENT 0(,0OST IN HOUSE ARTIST 2ODINE 4EODORO DESIGNED THE COLORFUL ILLUSTRATION OF !GUINALDO IN 0 DENOMINATIONS 4HE SOUVENIR SHEET WILL BE SOLD AT 0 EACH 4HE POSTAL AGENCY PRINTED 50,000 pieces of the stamps, WHICH WERE LAUNCHED AT THE HISTORICAL !GUINALDO MANSION IN +AWIT #AVITE 0(,0OST #HAIRMAN .ORMAN &ULGENCIO GAVE THE COMMEMORATIVE !GUINALDO STAMPS FRAME TO #ABINET 3ECRETARY +ARLO !LEXEI .OGRALES IN PLACE OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE )N .OVEMBER $UTERTE S I G N E D 0 R O C L A M A T I O N D E C L A R I N G - A R C H A S g % M I L I O ! G U I N A L D O $ A Y u FOR EXEMPLIFYING SELF RELIANCE

independence and freedom FROM OPPRESSION !GUINALDO FOUGHT AGAINST 3PANISH AND LATER !MERICAN RULERS FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE 0HILIPPINES 4HE 3PANIARDS WHO COLONIZED THE COUNTRY FROM TO

CEDED THE 0HILIPPINES TO 5NITED 3TATES THROUGH THE 4REATY OF 0ARIS ON $EC

4Y SAID -ANILA 7ATER SAID IT PLANS TO RESTORE PERCENT OF WATER AVAILABILITY IN THEIR CONCESSION AREA BY END OF -ARCH “3A AMING BANDA /N OUR END

WE TAKE THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE 0RESIDENT VERY SERIOUSLY THAT S WHY KAMI PO AY WE ARE na hindi NATUTULOG NOT SLEEPING u DE LA #RUZ SAID -AYNILAD ON THE OTHER HAND

SAID IT gHAS ALWAYS HELD ON TO THE sanctity of the concession agreement and the commitments it has UNDERTAKEN UNDER IT u 4HE WATER CRISIS IS ALSO FELT in other parts of the country AS THE ,OCAL 7ATER 5TILITIES !DMINISTRATION ,75! REVEALED THAT SOME PROVINCES WERE EXPERIENCING SHORTAGE IN WATER SUPPLY ,75! ADMINISTRATOR *ECI ,APUS TOLD '-! .EWS THAT THE AGENCY WAS

A3

4OURNAMENT ORGANIZER -Omentum said the competition WOULD FEATURE POPULAR MOBILE PHONE GAME g-OBILE ,EGENDS "ANG "ANG u -ARC *ARLEGO -OMENTUM OPERATIONS MANAGER SAID THE -OBILE ,EGENDS GAME IS THE MOST POPULAR ONE AMONG &ILIPINOS “-AGLAU LAUNCH PO KAMI NG @-OBILE ,EGENDS "ANG "ANG DAHIL ITO po ang number one na POPULAR na LARO SA BUONG 0ILIPINAS SA SOBRANG daming nag DOWNLOAD nito (We WILL LAUNCH @-OBILE ,EGENDS "ANG "ANG SINCE THIS IS THE MOST POPULAR ONLINE GAME IN THE 0HILIPPINES

WITH ITS NUMEROUS DOWNLOADS u HE SAID IN A NEWS BRIEkNG ON &RIDAY “-AS MADALI SIYANG BITBITIN

KAHIT SAAN PO PWEDE MONG LARUIN

BASTA MERON KANG Wi-Fi connection O LOAD )T S EASY TO CARRY AND YOU CAN PLAY IT ANYWHERE YOU GO AS LONG AS YOU HAVE WI k CONNECTION AND PREPAID CREDITS u *ARLEGO ADDED 4HE MOBILE GAME CURRENTLY HAS MILLION DOWNLOADS WORLDWIDE

Panfilo Lacson and Loren Legarda.

He said the motivation coming from his peers was recognition of his satisfactory performance in the Senate. “They, and the rest of the Senate community, have witnessed up close and personal my diligence and hard work for the legislation of measures that I feel would raise the quality of life of every Filipino, ‘Ginhawa ng Bayan,’ like the Universal Health Care Law and the Creation of Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Law,�

Ejercito stated. “Ako ay naniniwala na ang aking mga nagawa ay hindi nalilingid sa ating mga kababayan kaya tiwala ako na ako ay kanilang sinusuportahan at pinaniniwalaan,� (I believe that all of my accomplishments are known to our people, and that’s why I am confident that they are supporting me), he stressed.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL AND THEN SEMIkNALS AND kNALS u HE ADDED !CCORDING TO -OMENTUM S 2OSALYN &AUSTINO THE TEAMS OF kVE TO SIX PEOPLE EACH WILL BATTLE IN THE ELIMINATION ROUND OR QUALIkERS 4HEY WILL BE NARROWED DOWN TO TEAMS THEN TEAMS

Moonton’s support 7INNERS OF THE EVENT WILL BE AWARDED 0

INCLUDING

gDIAMONDSu OF SUPPORT AND REDEEMED CODES FROM -OONTON THE PARENT COMPANY OF -OBILE ,EGENDS “Diamonds are the source of inCOME OF -OONTON u SHE SAID g4HE diamonds are used for character SKINS 4HE EXPENSIVE SKIN BOUGHT FOR -OBILE ,EGENDS IS AROUND 0

0 AND THE CHEAPEST IS AROUND 0 4HAT IS AROUND DIAMONDS u

Venues

%DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A DAILY COLUMN OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT TO DEARPAO MANILATIMES NET

4HE -OMENTUM LEAGUE WILL HAVE AMATEUR AND SEMI PROFESSIONAL TEAMS WITH kVE OR SIX PLAYERS PER TEAM g4HE TEAMS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO BRACKETS u *ARLEGO SAID g7E WILL HAVE AN ELIMINATION ROUND THEN A PRELIMINARY ONE

/RGANIZER *ENNIFER *ONES SAID WHILE THE INITIAL ROUNDS WOULD BE PLAYED ONLINE -OMENTUM WOULD LATER PARTNER WITH MALLS g4HE ELIMINATION ROUNDS WILL BE DONE ONLINE BUT THE SEMIkNALS AND kNALS WE RE TRYING TO PARTNER WITH MALLS SO THAT WE CAN HOLD A TWO DAY EVENT ;ONE FOR THE SEMIkNALS AND ONE FOR THE kNALS= u SHE ADDED 4HE EVENT WILL BEGIN ITS TEST broadcasts via 4HE -ANILA 4IMES 46 ON !PRIL )T WILL BE AIRED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM TO P M ARIC JOHN SY CUA

MOTORCYCLE RIDING GUNMEN 4HE 0RESIDENT HAS PUBLICLY SAID HE INTENDS TO KILL MORE DRUG SUSPECTS UNTIL HE STEPS DOWN IN /PPOSITION CANDIDATES ALSO ON &RIDAY HAILED THE MOVE OF FORMER &OREIGN !FFAIRS SECRETARY !LBERT DEL 2OSARIO AND RETIRED /MBUDSMAN #ONCHITA #ARPIO -ORALES TO SUE #HINESE 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING BEFORE THE )## g4HE CASE kLED BY THE TWO FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS BEFORE THE )## AGAINST #HINA IS LONG OVERDUE

something that this government SHOULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME

AGO u VETERAN ELECTION LAWYER 2OMULO -ACALINTAL SAID 4HE FILING CAME AFTER 2OSARIO

-ORALES #ARPIO AND A GROUP OF kSHERMEN WENT TO THE )## S /FkCE OF THE 0ROSECUTOR LAST -ARCH AND ACCUSED 8I AND OTHER #HINESE OFkCIALS OF COMmitting crimes against humanity for CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE IN THE 3OUTH #HINA 3EA 7EST 0HILIPPINE 3EA &ORMER SOLICITOR GENERAL &LORIN (ILBAY EXPRESSED HIS gUNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORTu TO THE TWO GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS g!LL THESE TRANSGRESSIONS DONE

BY THE #HINESE GOVERNMENT WERE

POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF A SINGLE REASON THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION FAILED TO PROTECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY WHEN ;IT= REFUSED TO DEFEND THE TRIBUNAL S DECISION IN THE CASE WE WON AGAINST #HINA LAST *ULY u HE SAID REFERING TO THE INTERNATIONAL ARBITRAL COURT BASED IN 4HE .ETHERLANDS &OR -AGDALO 2EP 'ARY !LEJANO

AND FORMER $EPUTY 3PEAKER %RIN 4ANADA THE MOVE OF DEL 2OSARIO AND #ARPIO -ORALES WAS A gSLAPu ON the administration for its stance on ISSUES INVOLVING #HINA AL JACINTO AND GLEE JALEA

EXECUTORY STAGE ALREADY 7E kND IT NECESSARY TO MENTION THAT THIS OPINION IS SOLELY BASED ON the facts you have narrated and our APPRECIATION OF THE SAME 4HUS THE OPINION MAY VARY WHEN THE FACTS ARE CHANGED OR FURTHER ELABORATED 7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ENLIGHTEN YOU ON THE MATTER

64 teams of 5 to 6

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Dispelling the myth of a Chinese workers’ invasion

C

HINESE workers are not stealing valuable construction jobs from Filipino workers, despite the popular perception that they are, said Assistant Finance Secretary Antonio Joselito Lambino 2nd on Wednesday.

He was trying to allay fears of a “Chinese invasion� of Philippine infrastructure projects, particularly those being funded by loans or grants from China.

Lambino pointed out that only 173 Chinese workers are employed under the two major China-backed projects curRENTLY UNDERWAY AND THEY ARE ALL kLLING HIGHLY TECHNICAL POSItions. Yes, there are others, such as the 85 Chinese engineering personnel who are working on the $62.09-million Chico River Pump project in Northern Luzon, while 88 more are working on the Estrella-Pantaleon and Binondo-Intramuros bridge projects. Construction of these bridges are funded by Chinese grants amounting to $290.8 million.

If the much-anticipated New Centennial Water ProjectKaliwa Dam gets underway, the situation would be similar: A workforce comprising a relative handful of Chinese technical personnel, and several hundred local workers.

The fears that Chinese workers are stealing jobs that should be done by Filipino workers have an understandable basis. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd disclosed earlier that about half, or approximately 85,000, of the foreign worker permits issued by the Department of Labor and Employment over the last three years were given to Chinese workers. A “sizeable number� of those, however, were for workers in the offshore gaming industry, Bello said. The ongoing dispute over Chinese encroachment in the West Philippine Sea also fuels the perception that the Chinese are gradually overrunning the country’s labor sector.

Even though the source of the perception is understandABLE IT IS SIMPLY NOT JUSTIkED 4HE &INANCE $EPARTMENT S data is reliable evidence to the contrary, and it is in line with extensive research that shows the Chinese, as a rule, do not export large numbers of workers for their overseas projects.

A seven-year study presented at the 6th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference in 2015 showed that contrary to the same fears among African countries – and repeated uncritically by US and European politicians – the vast majority of workers in Chinese companies or projects in Africa were local workers. The study’s two authors, Dr. Barry Sautman of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Dr. Yan Hairong from Hong Kong 0OLYTECHNIC 5NIVERSITY SURVEYED #HINESE kRMS ACROSS Africa, and found that between 80 and 95 percent of the workforce were natives. In countries where the proportion of Chinese workers was on the high end of that range, such as Angola, it was attributed to a lack of local skilled workers. Angola endured a 27-year civil war, which drove many of its educated citizens out of the country.

The researchers concluded that, any other considerations aside, employing local workers for projects or in the local operations of Chinese businesses was a simple matter of practicality. It costs much less to hire local workers than to import Chinese employees from their home country.

The same conditions apparently apply here in the Philippines, as the Finance Department’s data indicates. Chinese WORKERS ARE SIMPLY kLLING GAPS IN AVAILABLE SKILLS That does raise an issue that our own labor policies should address, however. There is no reason why Filipinos should not or cannot acquire the technical skills being supplied by China, or any other country. The opportunity for skills and technology transfer offered by foreign investment should be MAXIMIZED AT ALL TIMES SO THAT &ILIPINOS ARE ABLE TO kLL THE available jobs in increasing numbers. It is the responsibility of the Labor Department and other relevant agencies to ensure that not only is foreign employment limited to absolute necessity, but that it provides added value to our own workforce.

~

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 161

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

Panel on climate science vs Green New Deal First word ATURDAY is usually the time when I introduce to readers the latest harvest from my monitoring of the climate change debate.

This March has been rich in developments that extend the range of discussion. The biggest development plainly is the confrontation between two major proposals: 1. Donald Trump’s plan to apPOINT A PANEL TO kND OUT IF MAN made climate change is actually causing an imminent, irreversible, insurmountable, inescapable crisis that threatens not only the entire human species, but planet Earth.

2. The proposed Green New Deal advanced by US Democrats to combat climate change and radically transform the US economy and society. “Green New Deal vs Panel on Climate Change� sounds like a marquee struggle comparable to the duel between Batman and Superman in the superhero movies.

It sounds like a formula to grab the attention of ordinary people in “the West and the rest.�

0ERSONALLY ) kND THIS BATTLE OF ideas enlightening.

S

US panel on climate science In Washington, Donald Trump

known professor of Physics at Princeton, to head the presidential committee on climate science.

In an effort to prevent the formation of this committee, a vicious defamation campaign has been launched against Dr. Happer. He has been accused of once again has demonstrated his lacking expertise in the subject ENORMOUS INlUENCE IN CHANNELING matter and of being in the pocket and widening the scope and focus of the fossil fuel industry. of the climate change debate.

5PON ACCESSION TO OFkCE HE GOT Green New Deal the attention of the world when he announced that he would pull In comparison, the Democrats’ the US out of the 2015 Paris Agree- proposal is awesome. ment on climate change.

The Green New Deal calls for a Now, he has launched another reduction of net CO2 emissions major initiative that rocks. If imple- down to zero within a decade. mented, it could forge a break- So-called “renewables,� which through in the debate between cli- currently provide 17 percent of US mate alarmism and climate realism. electricity, would have to be scaled The Washington Post ran a up to provide 100 percent. And that story on February 20, centered on doesn’t even address the majority of leaked National Security Council US energy use, which is not electricplanning documents regarding an ity. Transportation by air, land and executive order to establish a com- sea is overwhelmingly powered by mittee “to advise the President on hydrocarbons. What would it take SCIENTIkC UNDERSTANDING OF TODAY S to transition to 100 percent electric climate, how the climate might surface transportation? And would change in the future under natural this even be technically possible for AND HUMAN INlUENCES AND HOW A air and water transportation?

This absurd goal is belied by changing climate could affect the the world’s rapidly increasing use security of the United States.�

Trump has asked Dr. William of fossil fuel energy to eliminate Happer, a distinguished and well- poverty and provide high living

OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

standards. China’s CO2 emissions tripled from 2000 to 2012. During that period, poverty in China decreased from 40.5 percent in 1999 to 6.5 percent in 2012, according to the World Bank. Even under the Paris Agreement, Chinese CO2 emissions are expected to double by 2030, while those from India are expected to triple.

Patrick Moore, an early and inlUENTIAL MEMBER OF 'REENPEACE

has quit the organization and opposes the Green agenda.

Moore said: “I suppose my main objection is the effective elimination of 80 percent of the world’s energy would likely eliminate 80 percent of the world’s people in the end. I mean, just growing food, for example — how would we grow food for the world’s people without tractors and trucks, and all of the other machinery that is required to deliver food, especially to the inner cities of large centers like Moscow, Shanghai and New York City?... So, that is just a little bit of why I think it’s a ridiculous proposal.�

Climate science is not settled Dr. Roy W. Spencer, principal research scientist in the Earth

ÂłMakabentaA5

Q CONTRERAS FROM A1

Rape exists because of rapists I have no love lost for Leni 2OBREDO AND ) SOMETIMES kND IT hard to make sense of her incoherence, or her sophomoric take on issues. Recently, she even had the audacity to push for electoral reforms, particularly on the use of social media during election campaigns. This, coming on the heels of her own election that is tainted by allegations, many of which are supported by evidence, of irregularities and fraud. Worse, she is advocating for state regulation of social media, perhaps FORGETTING THAT SHE IS kGHTING FOR the freedom of speech of Rappler and Maria Ressa.

However, when Robredo was quoted to have said that rape exists because of rapists, and was being attacked for it, I had to take her side. After all, this one goes beyond partisan politics. I am doing it not for her, but for all women who have been raped or have been sexually assaulted.

The derisive posts attacking Robredo made fun of the statement she made. The main contention is that it appeared silly.

But of course, her critics say, rape exists because of rapists.

But this has to be said, and it makes a lot of sense. It is actually to counteract the dominant narrative that makes it appear that rape survivors could also share the blame, and that women, and some men, somehow acted in ways that caused the rape to happen. In a world where women are expected to behave in prudish and

restrained ways, rape survivors are often painted as women who transgress moral conventions.

It is therefore not uncommon for people to comment on the looseness of the morals of a woman who is gang-raped by men with whom she had a drinking session, the way the 16-yearold girl from Tondo is now imaged. Reading the comments made by people on the news article featuring the unfortunate incident is a painful experience of how the girl, already gang-raped by six men, is raped once again with unkind accusations of being a woman of loose morals.

It is as if any woman in her right mind will ask to be raped. But in our patriarchal world where misogyny silently creeps into the subconscious, women who are survivors of rape or of sexual assault are being taken to task and blamed for many things, from dressing seductively, to being a lIRT TO BEING OUTRIGHT PROMISCUous. It is precisely because of this straitjacketing of women that they become the object of control and policing not only by their families but even by society.

And this cuts across cultural and national boundaries. Women everywhere are clothed and veiled and bound. Their bodies become the templates upon which societal CONTROL IS PAINTED !ND THE JUSTIkcation used is usually presented as a protective mechanism to shelter women from the unbridled but natural sexual urges of men. And

when they transgress the moral boundaries imposed by society, they are shamed and are called promiscuous and loose. The tragedy is compounded when these myths that objectify women are perpetuated with active complicity by other women, by mothers who rear their children to imbibe these stereotypes. In fact, many of those who blame the 16-year-old girl who was gang-raped are women.

What is established here is the fact that the reason why women are admonished to be modest is that if they behave otherwise they became prey to male sexual advances. A protective father would be more strict with his daughters than his sons because he is afraid of a world full of men who are ruled by their genitalia and their sexual urges. And this is a fear shared by mothers.

Of course, this stereotype of men as sexual predators is as bad as stereotyping liberated and playful women as moving sexual targets. But if there is anything that should be impressed on people, it is the fact that no matter how liberated a woman is, she can only be raped or sexually assaulted when there are men who would not be able to control their urges.

After all, how can you explain the case of nuns being raped, or of young girls and infants being sexually molested? Certainly, they could not be accused of having acted loosely, or having dressed up seductively.

Indeed, rape exists not because

of women’s behavior or actions.

Rape exists because there are men who become rapists. Leni Robredo is right. And I agree with her.

Some people attack the logic of the statement simply because it is uttered by Robredo, someone that they image as allegedly not being too bright.

However, many people also attack the argument armed with their misogynist misunderstanding of gender politics associated with rape and sexual assault.

Somebody even had the temerity to liken women who are raped after going out at night, partying with the boys, or dressing up seductively, to unlocked cars or houses that are robbed.

And yet, these are the very same people who erupt with rage when persons high on drugs rape young girls. It is simply beyond comprehension that someone who is appalled when children are raped could also argue that rape could not solely be attributed to their perpetrators, and that the victims have somehow asked for it.

It is bizarre that those who vigorously defend the President’s war on drugs, even wishing that his critics would not feel the pain of their loved ones being raped by drug addicts, would be so insensitive to the plight of rape survivors. And it is odd that someone who wants to impose the death penalty on rapists would blame the 16-year-old girl from Tondo who was gang-raped by six men, as if it was her fault.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TULFO FROM A1

Women are better than men A total of 50 people died, and about 50 others wounded.

On Jan. 27, 2019, two bombs exploded at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.

The perpetrators of the bombings were linked to the Islamic State, which took responsibility for the attack.

In the Jolo incident, 20 people were killed, with 102 others injured.

And yet, the global outcry for our poor people who died in Sulu was much less than that for New Zealand.

Both are horrific, disturbing and disgusting events.

Both show how dangerous religious and extremely nationalist sentiments can be, when turned towards violent ends.

In both cases, I say we should behead the perpetrators, and then throw their bodies in places where wild beasts can feast on their remains.

But I express outrage that the Jolo bombings have been given less importance.

Is it because the Philippines is a Third World nation, where it’s expected that bombings take place as a matter of fact?

Is it because we Filipinos

just aren’t as important in the world’s estimate?

Make no mistake: I stand in solidarity with the citizens of New Zealand in their suffering.

But the Jolo bombings — there were two bombs that exploded in the church premises — should also be treated with equal attention by the whole world.

This twisted, extremist thinking of killing for the sake of religion, culture or nationality is abominable and must be condemned to the fullest extent.

It’s not about which is more important in the news.

All terrorism-driven tragedies must be given equal importance. *** As an aside, I’m reminded once again of my friend and spiritual mentor, George Sison, who passed away recently.

Religion, George said, divides people and is the cause of major wars.

And he was speaking the truth: Catholics vs Protestants; Islam vs Christianity; Sunni Muslims vs Shiite Muslims; Hinduism vs Islam, etc. *** The Philippine Army, until recently a man’s world — so to

speak — has its first-ever female brigade commander, Col. Jocelyn Bandarlipe.

And since she’s leading an Army brigade, which is composed of 4,000 officers and men, she may be promoted to brigadier general soon.

Bandarlipe heads the 53rd Engineering Brigade. “Col. Bandarlipe (now commands) the engineers, she has a role to play — to dig wells, to build communities,� said Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, the Army spokesman.

You can be sure Bandarlipe will be up to the job.

I’m talking here from experience, as my staff at “Isumbong mo kay Tulfo� public service program is composed of women.

I couldn’t have made a better choice. My angels, as I call my “Isumbong� staff, are highly efficient and dedicated.

B a s e d o n my e x p e r i e n c e, women are better than their male counterparts in many respects, except when it comes to manual labor.

And they’re even more intelligent.

At the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), women outnumber their male counterparts in the “Top

Ten� graduating cadets, 6:4.

The 10 topnotchers of the yearly Bar exams are mostly women.

Why is this so?

According to studies, up to 80 percent of a child’s IQ or intelligence quotient is acquired from the mother. *** If memory serves, the late Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew got into trouble with his constituents when he said that intelligent women in his city-state should have more offspring in that country where only married couples are allowed to have children.

Lee wanted to increase Singapore’s intelligent population by allowing women with high IQ to bear more children.

Here’s unsolicited advice to single men: Marry intelligent women, so you will have intelligent children. *** The Manila city government complains that it lacks funds in its coffers.

Why doesn’t the city look at a 3,800-square meter piece of real estate on Masangkay (formerly Magdalena) Street in Binondo?

Start up Asean wetlands law

W

ETLANDS ("where water meets AMBASSADORS’ life") refer to a wide range of CORNER inland, coastal and marine habitats which share a number of common FEATURES 4HEY ENCOMPASS MUDlATS

estuaries, rivers, lakes, mangroves, MARSHES RESERVOIRS kSHPONDS COASTAL human activities. Among them: lagoons, seagrass beds, peatlands, etc. urban, industrial and agricultural EXPANSION NATURAL HAZARDS LIKE lASH Benefits and functions lOOD EARTHQUAKE TYPHOON OIL AND of wetlands hazardous chemical pollution; land reclamation for housing, roads and Wetlands are our most produc- harbor projects; and utilization as tive ecosystems. They are places for garbage dumping grounds. That we people’s livelihood and sustenance. are losing wetlands at an alarming rate They support high concentration of is a fact in Asean countries.

WATERBIRDS MAMMALS REPTILES kSH and invertebrate species. In short, Wetlands in Asean they are an important storehouse, or jurisprudence "supermarkets," of genetic material.

Structurally, wetlands are "natural Ironically, although wetlands are engineers" for the protection of the now considered as one of the most environment — as water storage and threatened type of ecosystems and FOR lOOD AND SOIL EROSION CONTROL have been singled out as requiring They are the "kidneys" of the earth SPECIkC CONSERVATION MEASURES A LEGAL because they filter water. From a requirement for wetland conservaclimate change perspective, wetlands tion has not yet been effectively set in are the sinks of carbon and regarded place in the Asean region. Thus, loss as "natural refrigerators." and damage to wetlands and their From the viewpoint of teaching- biodiversity continues. learning, wetlands provide an There is, in fact, no clear and comexcellent biological laboratory for prehensive enunciation of wetlands natural history, cultural heritage conservation policy in many of the and ecosystem services.

Asean countries. It is still developing through a series of laws, regulations Major threats: loss and and decisions on the part of various degradation government agencies, particularly the FORESTRY kSHERIES ENVIRONMENT MINISStudies on the Convention on Wet- tries or departments, to mention a few. lands of International Importance Wetlands are simply included in Especially as Waterfowl Habitat forestry, wildlife, parks/protected (Ramsar Convention 1971) yielded AREAS OR kSHERY LAWS DEPENDING ON 30 categories of natural wetlands their location. They are also accomand nine categories of manmade modated in coastal zone, marine, ones based on their basic biological public works, tourism, agriculture, and physical characteristics. Among irrigation and other conservation member states of Asean (Asso- laws, depending on the resources ciation of Southeast Asian Nations), found in the wetlands type. mangroves are the most widely The governance of wetlands are recognized natural wetlands while also found in land laws (e.g. pubkSHPONDS ARE ARTIkCIAL WETLANDS lic and private land laws, zoning Wetlands has been continuously rules), pollution legislation (e.g. threatened by natural causes and water pollution control, waste man-

AMADO S. TOLENTINO, JR.

agement, pesticides regulation) as well as in general environmental legislation (e.g. environmental impact assessment (EIA Law).

Be that as it may, it is very common for legislations not to distinguish between various types of wetlands or, alternatively, list as protected areas all or almost all wetland types found in the country. Among wetland types in the Asean region, mangroves are mostly the ones protected by law and a permit requirement for the use of the area and its resources is in place.

Seldom are rice paddies mentioned as wetlands.

In general, Asean laws classify wetlands either as forests or protected areas depending on their location and the species that inhabit them and are set aside for protection under different laws with varying objective and different levels of protection.

The various agencies of the government charged with the protection and management of wetland areas do not coordinate their activities and synchronize/harmonize their rules and regulations in order to implement management schemes.

enforcement of wetlands law will be rendered more effective by providing applicable laws, rules and regulations with guidelines for easier compliance with requirements. Improved coordination among concerned agencies will also achieve improved law implementation.

Wetlands law for environmental sustainability

Mention should be made that after the adoption of the Ramsar Convention (1971), Asean countries became signatories to other wetlands-related multilateral environmental agreements. Among them, the World Heritage Convention (1972), the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites 1993).

Wetlands require a mutually reinforcing system of international, regional and national environmental legislations for their establishment, maintenance and management. While international legal instruments establish a Alternative wetlands harmonized set of obligations, legal framework regional and national legal instruThere are alternative legal frameworks MENTS RElECT THOSE OBLIGATIONS FOR for the management of wetlands. appropriate implementation and /NE IS PROVISION OF SPECIkC DETAILED action. An Asean agreement on wetlegislation to individual areas. This, lands management would be most however, could be cumbersome appropriate in this regard. In turn, AND WOULD kT ONLY WETLANDS OF GREAT innovative national legislations will international, regional or national provide a basis and impetus for furSIGNIkCANCE 4HE OTHER IS A GENERAL ther development of wetlands law. wetlands legislation which designates Regional and national laws the areas which would fall under the should, therefore, be strengthened rubric of the law and lays down strict if Asean wetlands are to be manplanning controls but allows certain aged effectively for global environregulated activities within the area. mental sustainability.

Either way, integration or inclusion Indeed, wetlands should be treaof wetlands in the national protected sured and nurtured for the life they areas system and highlighting their support and the resources they proecological and economic importance vide. They should be restored, protectis highly recommended. ed and managed wisely with the use A determined implementation and of law for sustainable development.

The property is in the name of a corporation, composed of prominent Chinese-Filipino businessmen, which has converted it into a paid parking lot.

But the title to the property, my sources told me, is fake as there are no records at the Manila office of the Land Registration Authority (LRA).

The papers could have been made in Recto, a reference to a short stretch of shops on Claro M. Recto Avenue, Sta. Cruz, where forged documents like birth certificates, licenses, school of transcript of records, and even marriage certificate are made for a fee.

If the city government were to get hold of the property and sell it, City Hall could earn P600 million for it, at the very least. *** A man nicknamed Babe is so rich he travels abroad always on business class, lives in a mansion, and owns a stretch Mercedes Benz limo.

A former president and CEO of a large land development firm, he is married to the daughter of a former Cabinet member and a friend to a defeated

presidential candidate, himself a filthy rich guy. Emphasis on “filthy� (read: stolen wealth).

This multimillionaire has a family name which is in Manila’s “Who’s Who� list.

But this very rich man has a reputation: he never pays his debts or loans.

He owes $10 million to a Malaysian company.

He owes a $2-million unpaid loan from his friend, Kenneth Fong, an American married to a Filipino and lives in Hawaii.

Fong was so stressed out he had a stroke because this guy, his friend, didn’t want to pay him.

When he visited Fong at the hospital, all he said was that he was going to pay him but that he didn’t have the money yet.

He kept on telling Fong that — “I have no money yet� — and it drove the poor fellow into a depression.

Being a lawyer, he knows that he can’t go to prison because under our laws one can’t be jailed for a debt.

Moral of the story: Don’t lend money to close relatives or close friends.

More likely than not, they’ll not pay you back.

Standing tall and shouting The Mandirigma stand

O

N the evening of the day the media exploded with the news that PCSO General Manager Alexander F. Balutan had been sacked, the famed Mandirigma texted me a curt message: “You will be more proud of me with this decision. Bring back the pride. Always stand tall. God bless the Filipino nation.�

Serious practitioners in the Fourth Estate organized a lunch meeting where they hoped to get word on the issue direct from the general’s mouth.

The event took place at the Mama Rosa Resto, an unassuming eatery in Barrio Kapitolyo, Pasig, but reportedly rated by Esquire magazine as belonging to the country’s Top 12.

The revelations boiled down to one point: the Mandirigma had proved true to the cardinal tenet of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) where he had graduated from — “A cadet does not lie, does not steal, does not cheat, nor tolerate any of these three.�

From the discussions, it appeared that from the start of General Balutan’s assumption of his PCSO post, efforts were under way already whereby the entire operation of the agency’s Small Town Lottery (STL) was being coveted by famous gambling honcho Charlie “Atong� Ang. General Balutan made no bones about his distaste for the idea. “Alam naman natin kung sino si Atong,� the general declared.

MY SAY

MAURO GIA SAMONTE

against Sandra Cam, a member of the PCSO board of directors. Cam together with Ang when the latter visited Mandirigma at the start of his watch as PCSO GM. Cam eventually landed as a member of the PCSO board. The case to be kLED AGAINST #AM HAS TO DO WITH what Lim claims — elaborated in his interview with Henry Omaga Diaz — as big landholdings allegedly acquired during the short period of her incumbency as PCSO director. Lim claimed the the properites have an aggregate value of P550 million. These properties consisted of an entire island off the coast of Masbate which, Lim said, had been turned into a resort worth over P100 million; thousands of hectares of raw land, also in Masbate, and a prime property in Alfonso, Cavite on which, according to Lim, Cam established a school worth some P300 million.

This column welcomes any assertion by Ms Cam on the issue. At any rate, Lim’s complaint at the Ombudsman stems from those alleged Cam properties not having been included, as required by law, in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

As recounted by Solmerin, Cam’s life story can be an epic chronicle of a poor Bicolona caregiver earning a living washing someone else’s ass but rePandora’s box sorts to all Machiavellian means The event turned into the opening to rise above her lowly beginnings. But it will need one whole of a Pandora’s box.

Joining the discussions was book to do the opus. I will not erstwhile PCSO deputy spokes- even attempt to summarize it man Bong Solmerin, who talked for the purpose of this column.

3UFkCE IT TO SAY THAT THE -AMA OF A CASE STILL TO BE kLED IN THE Ombudsman by one Lino Lim Jr. ÂłSamonteA6

Q MAKABENTA FROM A4

Panel on climate science vs Green New Deal System Science Center of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, has perhaps written the most cogent commentary on the need for a science review with his opinion piece in the Washington Times on March 13, 2019 titled “The science of climate change is anything but settled.�

I reproduce the piece here in full. He wrote: “On March 5, 58 senior military and national security leaders sent a letter to President Trump denouncing his plan to form a National Security Council panel to take a critical look at the science underpinning climate change claims. Their objections to such a Red Team effort were basically that the ‘science is settled.’ "But if the science is settled,

what are they afraid of? Wouldn’t a review of the science come to the same conclusion as the supposed consensus of climate scientists?

"The letter claimed, ‘Climate change is real, it is happening now, it is driven by humans, and it is accelerating.’ "While climate change is indeed real, it is not at all obvious how much humans have to do with it. Even the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) admits this, saying only that over half of warming since the 1950s is believed to be human-caused. So, ‘driven by humans’ is an exaggeration, even by the IPCC’s rather alarmist standards.

"The additional claim that climate change is ‘accelerating’ can also be challenged. In recent

decades, warming actually decelerated, and there is a growing gap between climate model forecasts and measured global temperature.

"In their letter, the Gang of 58 used Hurricane Florence from last year as a supposed example of human-caused climate change.

Seriously? Until 2017, The US went a record-setting 11-plus years without a major hurricane strike (Cat 3 or greater), and Hurricane Florence was normal and expected from a climatological point of view, making landfall as a Category 1 storm.

"The letter implies Mr. Trump HAS POLITICAL RATHER THAN SCIENTIkC motives. But science does not determine policy, it merely informs the policymakers. The policymakers need an unbiased review of

the science. It doesn’t matter if the vast majority of scientists support global warming alarmism. Their careers now depend upon it, and they try their hardest to prevent minority views from appearing in peer-reviewed journals‌ "In 1931, after being informed a book had been published titled 100 Authors against Einstein , Albert Einstein responded, ‘Why 100 authors? If I were wrong, then one would have been enough!’ As Michael Crichton once said, ‘There is no such thing as consensus science. If it’s consensus, it isn’t science. If it’s science, it isn’t consensus. Period.’ "It’s time for the science of climate change to be independently reviewed by a body whose mem-

bers do not depend upon climate alarmism to sustain their careers.�

Science is not fashion With climate catastrophe hoisted over our heads by the United Nations, I will not watch this battle of proposals as a mere spectator.

I am weary of the claims of climate alarmists that the science of climate change is settled, and that 97 percent of scientists have established a consensus behind climate change.

I want to know why up to now, there has been no meaningful survey of all scientists with relevant knowlEDGE IN THE kELD OF CLIMATE SCIENCE The question is not whether but to what extent humancaused changes in the atmo-

sphere drive climate variations.

How can any such changes be determined? An individual like yours truly cannot possibly notice that the climate is changing through personal experience, which is necessarily limited in location and time. And it is absolutely ludicrous to claim that anyone could know, through his personal experience of weather, the cause of any such changes.

A true, adversarial review of supposedly “obvious� climate truths is imperative.

Absent this happening, I will hold on to my skepticism. I feel more comfortable with a guy like Albert Einstein on my side.

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

Regulators must impose service interruption penalties ALL INSIGHT T AL S. HE Merriam Webster Dictionary DEkNES INTERRUPTION AS gA STOPPAGE OR HINDERING OF AN ACTIVITY FOR A TIMEu AND gSOMETHING THAT CAUSES A BREAK IN THE CONTINUITY OF SOMETHING u -EANWHILE SERVICE IS DEkNED AS gA FACILITY SUPPLYING SOME PUBLIC DEMANDu AND gPERFORMANCE OF ANY OF THE BUSINESS FUNCTIONS AUXILIARY TO PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION OF u ! LAW DICTIONARY TELLS US THAT SERVICE INTERRUPTION MEANS A SERVICE OUTAGE AFFECTING A NUMBER OF SUBSCRIBERS OR CUSTOMERS )T MAY LIKEWISE BE A DIMINUTION IN THE QUANTITY OR QUALITY OF SERVICE 4HIS IS LEGALLY DEkNED WITH RESPECT TO A SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT 3,!

4HIS WEEK S CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON THE VERY RECENT WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTION EXPERIENCED

BY THE SUBSCRIBERS CUSTOMERS OF THE -ANILA 7ATER #OMPANY )NC -7#) REVEALED THAT BOTH THE REGULATOR THE -ETROPOLITAN 7ATERWORKS AND 3EWERAGE 3YSTEM -733 AND THE %AST :ONE SERVICE AREA CONCESSIONAIRE -7#)

DO NOT KNOW THE SERVICE LEVEL THRESHOLD THAT SHOULD BE OBSERVED 7ORSE THERE MIGHT NOT EVEN BE A SERVICE LEVEL INTERRUPTION PENALTY STIPULATED IN THE CONCESSION AGREEMENTS 7ELL IT SEEMED THAT THESE AGREEMENTS WERE EXECUTED WITHOUT A PRIOR REVELATION OF ITS PROVISIONS AND STIPULATIONS TO THE PAYING PUBLIC

VITANGCOL 3RD

MAY BE FOR A SHORT TERM ONLY MAYBE A FEW HOURS OR FOR A LONG TERM A NUMBER OF DAYS )NTERRUPTIONS SHOULD BE PREVENTED AND MITIGATED IN CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES #RITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES INCLUDE POWER TRANSMISSIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS AND EVEN TOLLWAY INFRASTRUCTURE AMONG OTHERS 7HAT WILL HAPPEN IF A POWER OUTAGE OCCURS FOR A LONG TIME SAY A COUPLE OF WEEKS 4HIS KIND OF A POWER SERVICE INTERRUPTION WILL AFFECT EVEN THE MOST BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES &OR EXAMPLE IN AN EXTENDED BLACKOUT MAJORITY OF GAS STATIONS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO OPERATE THEIR GAS PUMPS !4- MACHINES CANNOT DISPENSE CASH TRAFkC LIGHTS IN MAJOR INTERSECTIONS WOULD GRIND TO A HALT #AN YOU IMAGINE A BANK REFUSING TO ACCEPT TRANSACTIONS FROM CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF POWER FAILURE !GAIN IMAGINE THAT THE )NTERNET OF 4HINGS CANNOT BE ACCESSED BECAUSE OF A LONG TERM SERVICE INTERRUPTION COURTESY OF THE DUOPOLY OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY "USINESSES THAT THRIVE ON ONLINE DEALINGS WOULD BE FORCED TO HIBERNATE 0EOPLE CANNOT COPE WITH A MOBILE PHONE LEFT AT HOME

HOW MUCH MORE WITH NO SIGNAL Service interruptions FOR WEEKS (OW CAN YOU CALL g u FOR AN EMERGENCY IF THERE )NTERRUPTIONS OF PRIVATELY PROVIDED IS NO TELEPHONE SIGNAL AVAILABLE PUBLIC SERVICE MAY TAKE SEVERAL #AN YOU THINK OF LIFE NOWADAYS FORMS AND LEVELS )NTERRUPTIONS WITHOUT THE INTERNET

,ET S GO BACK TO THE WATER SUPPLY 4HERE WAS NO WATER FROM THE TAP FOR THE %AST :ONE SERVICE AREA CUSTOMERS FOR A WEEK "USINESSES RELYING HEAVILY ON WATER

LIKE LAUNDRY SHOPS AND CAR WASH STATIONS STOPPED THEIR OPERATIONS (OSPITALS LIMITED THEIR ADMISSION OF PATIENTS AND CANCELED MAJOR SURGERIES BECAUSE OF HYGIENIC ISSUES ARISING FROM LACK OF WATER /F COURSE EVERYONE SUFFERED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER E G NO DAILY BATH NO CLEANING OF RESTROOMS NO CHANGE OF CLOTHING FOR THIS WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTION -AKE THIS WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTION LONG TERM AND VISUALIZE THE VARIOUS SCENARIOS LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE

Securing crucial services (OW DO WE MITIGATE IF NOT PREVENT THESE INTERRUPTIONS OF CRUCIAL PUBLIC SERVICES 4HE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN MAKING AN ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY AND DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK AND DOABLE PROGRAMS TO ELIMINATE THESE POSSIBLE SOCIAL VULNERABILITIES "UT

ALAS WE DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MINDSET IN OUR GOVERNMENT 0ALAGI BAHALA KAYO SA BUHAY NINYO 4HE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION SHOULD TAKE THE RECENT WATER CATASTROPHE AS A WAKE UP CALL AND START DOING ITS JOB ‡ PROTECTING ITS CONSTITUENTS AND CITIZENS 2EMEMBER MOST OF THESE CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR 4HUS

THE GOVERNMENT MUST DEVELOP COOPERATIVE PRIVATE PUBLIC PLANS

TO SECURE CRUCIAL SERVICES -EANWHILE HEAVY SERVICE INTERRUPTION PENALTIES MUST BE IMPOSED ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO KEEP THEM ON THEIR TOES MUCH MORE TO HONOR THEIR COMMITMENTS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE ***

Is Pulse Asia bogus, too? )N ANOTHER AREA THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC FAILED TO SERVE SUMMONS TO 0ULSE !SIA 2ESEARCH )NC BECAUSE THE LATTER IS NO LONGER IN ITS gPUBLISHEDu ADDRESS !N ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THAT 0ULSE !SIA S ADDRESS IS AT 033# "UILDING

#OMMONWEALTH !VENUE 1UEZON #ITY (OWEVER THE SHERIFF S REPORT STATED THAT 0ULSE !SIA MOVED OUT OF 033# "UILDING WAY BACK IN 4HE WEBSITE OF 0ULSE !SIA AT WWW PULSEASIA PH NEITHER CONTAINS ANY PHYSICAL BUSINESS ADDRESS NOR AN ACTIVE TELEPHONE NUMBER ,IKEWISE A BUSINESS ADDRESS IS ABSENT IN ITS &ACEBOOK ACCOUNT 5NLIKE OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS WHICH HAVE A BUTTON FOR SENDING MESSAGES 0ULSE !SIA S &ACEBOOK ACCOUNT DOES NOT HAVE ONE #ALLING ITS LISTED TELEPHONE NUMBER

PROVED FUTILE )T SEEMS THAT 0ULSE !SIA IS A COMPANY THAT DOESN T WANT TO BE LOCATED )F ITS PLACE OF BUSINESS IS BOGUS

HOW MUCH MORE ARE ITS SURVEY RESULTS #AN THE REAL 0ULSE !SIA STAND UP AND SEND ITS OFkCIAL BUSINESS ADDRESS TO THE EMAIL BELOW

ALLINSIGHT MANILATIMES GMAIL COM WWW FACEBOOK COM !LL )NSIGHT -ANILA 4IMES

Q SAMONTE FROM A5

Standing tall and shouting 2OSA 2ESTO DISCUSSIONS CAUSED MORE EVILS EXTRANEOUS TO THE 0#3/ BROUHAHA TO lY OUT OF THE 0ANDORA S BOX 4HE TALK lASHED BACK TO THE *OSE 0IDAL BANK ACCOUNT SCANDAL IN IGNITED BY 3EN 0ING ,ACSON S ACCUSATIONS OF MONEY LAUNDERING AGAINST &IRST 'ENTLEMAN -IKE !RROYO .EED WE SAY THIS WAS IN PURSUIT OF HIS NEVERENDING QUEST FOR VENGEANCE AGAINST THEN 0RESIDENT 'LORIA -ACAPAGAL !RROYO .O NEED TO lAUNT THE OBVIOUS )GNACIO THE &' S BROTHER ADMITTED OWNING THE BANK ACCOUNT BUT ,ACSON INSISTED IN HIS ACCUSATIONS OF -IKE !RROYO

AND IN ORDER TO BUTTRESS HIS CLAIM

HE SCHEMED TO HAVE THE #)$' S CRIME LABORATORY EXPERT TESTIFY IN A 3ENATE INQUIRY THAT THE PENMANSHIP OF THE *OSE 0IDAL SIGNATURE IN THE BANK ACCOUNT WAS THAT OF THE FIRST GENTLEMAN "UT -R #RIME ,ABORATORY %XPERT MADE A SUDDEN TURNAROUND AND IN THE 3ENATE INQUIRY HE TESTIkED THAT THE SPECIMEN SIGNATURE OF *OSE 0IDAL WAS NOT THAT OF kRST 'ENTLEMAN -IKE !RROYO

$OTERS ON THE ROMANCE OF FATE THEREFORE COULD RATIONALIZE THAT THE CURRENT EFFORTS TO CRUSH THE -ANDIRIGMA IF VIEWED ACCORDING TO THE WORKINGS OF A 'REEK TRAGEDY COULD BE A HANDIWORK OF 3ENATOR ,ACSON &OR RECKON IF ,ACSON HAD NOT THIS OBSTINATE DESIRE TO DAMN '-!

THEN HE WOULD NOT HAVE SOLICITED THE SERVICES OF -R #RIME ,ABORATORY %XPERT WHO COULD NOT HAVE TURNED AROUND ON THE 0ING SCHEME TO DAMN '-! AND WHO

FOR SUCH TURNAROUND WAS AWARDED IN ALL GOOD FAITH THE PLUM OVERALL "ICOL REGIONAL #)$' COMMAND

THEREBY LEADING HIM TO THE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONCE ASS WASHER WHO WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN WHISTLEBLOWER FOR GETTING INTO A FAR BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE 0HILIPPINES *UETENG +ING )MAGINE WHAT MORE HORRIFYING EVILS WOULD COME lYING OUT OF THE 0ANDORA S BOX IF ,ACSON ALL FOR WANTING TO DAMN '-!

PERSISTS IN OBJECTING TO THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS !CT "UT THAT S FOR ANOTHER COLUMN TOPIC

Q Gen. Alexander F. Balutan upright Philippine Marines officer.

The phoenix Cathedral of Manila

A

",/#+ AWAY FROM THE -ANILA Times )NTRAMUROS OFFICE IS THE -ANILA #ATHEDRAL DUBBED BY 0OPE &RANCIS AS gTHE MOTHER AND HEAD OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS NATION u 1UIAPO #HURCH MAY BE THE ACTUAL SPIRITUAL CENTER OF #ATHOLICISM HERE AND #EBU MAY JUST BE THE kRST #ATHOLIC PARISH BUT -ANILA #ATHEDRAL IS THE MOTHER DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN 0OPE 'REGORY TH ESTABLISHED THE $IOCESE OF -ANILA ABOUT YEARS AGO IT CONSISTED OF THE WHOLE ISLANDS BEFORE THE METROPOLITAN SEE OF THE 0HILIPPINES WITH THREE OTHER DIOCESES‡#EBU .UEVA 3EGOVIA 6IGAN AND .UEVA #ACERES WERE ESTABLISHED BY 0OPE #LEMENT TH -Y FAMILIARITY WITH THE #ATHEDRAL BEGAN WHEN ) kRST MARVELED AT ITS HUGENESS IN WHEN ) WAS IN GRADE 3INCE THEN ) HAVE VISITED NUMEROUS TIMES AS A TOUR DOCENT TALKING TO PEOPLE ABOUT ITS SIGNIFICANCE )N THE 3PANISH SYSTEM OF REDUCCION THE CENTER OF THE TOWN WAS THE CHURCH THE CENTER OF THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE UNDER COLONIALISM WAS THE CHURCH (ENCE THE PLAZA IN )NTRAMUROS AND THIS CATHEDRAL WAS THE CENTER OF THE 3PANISH %MPIRE IN THE %ASTĂœ 4HAT S WHY IT WAS SUCH A JOY TO LEAF THROUGH THE PAGES OF THE COFFEE TABLE BOOK -ANILA #ATHEDRAL 2ESTORING ! -ONUMENT TO &AITH

!RCHITECTURE AND (ISTORY CREATED BY 'ERARD ,ICO AND HIS TEAM )T WAS LIKE GETTING TO KNOW AGAIN AN OLD FRIEND WHOM YOU KNOW

YET STILL HAS SOME MORE SURPRISES TO SHOW 4HE TEXT WAS FULL OF FAMILIAR FACTS PEPPERED WITH MORE UNFAMILIAR DETAILS 4HE PHOTOS

BOTH ARCHIVAL AND CONTEMPORARY MAKES YOU KNOW EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY AND THE MEANINGS OF MANY OF ITS SYMBOLS AND ART 4HE -ANILA #ATHEDRAL IS A TRUE TREASURE TO THE NATION 4HE BOOK IS ALSO A TREASURE 4HE FIRST #ATHEDRAL OF WAS MADE OF NIPA AND BAMBOO AND WAS PLACED UNDER ITS PATRONESS /UR ,ADY OF THE )MMACULATE #ONCEPTION )T WAS RAISED INTO THE STATUS OF A CATHEDRAL AND WAS REBUILT IN BUT WAS DESTROYED AGAIN BY A CITY WIDE kRE IN !LL FIRST THREE CATHEDRALS WERE MADE OF NIPA AND THE LAST OF THEM WAS kNISHED OFF BY A HURRICANE IN ! CATHEDRAL WAS DESTROYED BY A STRONG TYPHOON

AND IN A STONE CATHEDRAL WAS kNISHED BUT BY IT WAS AGAIN DAMAGED BY AN EARTHQUAKE !NOTHER EARTHQUAKE AND SUBSEQUENT AFTERSHOCKS kNISHED THE CATHEDRAL AGAIN IN A TRAGEDY THAT TOOK PEOPLE IN THE WHOLE CITY )T WAS NOT ONLY &ILIPINOS WHO WORKED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 3PANISH STONE CHURCHES BUT ALSO THE #HINESE AN ISSUE THAT STILL RESONATES UP TO THIS DAY $URING THE TIME OF THE 3PANIARDS THE ONE

WALKING HISTORY MICHAEL “XIAO� CHUA WITH MORE EXPERIENCE ON STONE WORKS WOULD BE THE #HINESE )N THE FOURTH CATHEDRAL WAS BEING DEDICATED 4HE FIFTH CATHEDRAL WAS FINISHED IN AND THIS CATHEDRAL LASTED UNTIL THE EARTHQUAKE OF 4HE SIXTH CATHEDRAL WAS OPENED IN ONLY TO BE DESTROYED BY ANOTHER DEADLY EARTHQUAKE IN WHICH KILLED PEOPLE INSIDE DURING VESPERS

INCLUDING THE &ATHER OF 3ECULARIZATION 0EDRO 0ELAEZ )N WORK STARTED FOR THE SEVENTH -ANILA #ATHEDRAL WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN AND WAS DESIGNED BY ,UCIANO /LIVER WHO ALSO DESIGNED 3AN "ARTOLOME #HURCH IN -ALABON AND THE BIGGEST #ATHOLIC TEMPLE IN THE COUNTRY 4AAL #HURCH 4HE BELL TOWER WHICH WAS THE REMAINING PART OF THE CATHEDRAL THAT SURVIVED THE EARTHQUAKE GAVE UP AND FELL IN THE EARTHQUAKE OF 5P UNTIL THE WAR THE CATHEDRAL WOULD HAVE NO BELFRY .OT MANY PEOPLE REALIZE THAT AFTER THE SEVENTH CATHEDRAL WAS DESTROYED IN ITS RECONSTRUCTION HAD TO WAIT UNTIL

LEAVING -ANILA WITH NO CATHEDRAL FOR MORE THAN A DECADE !RCHITECT &ERNANDO /CAMPO DESIGNED THE CHURCH WHILE 'ALO /CAMPO CREATED THE &ILIPINIZED STAINED GLASS DESIGNS 4HROUGH THE BOOK ) REALIZED THAT THE IMAGE OF THE )MMACULATE #ONCEPTION USED TO BE GOLD INSTEAD OF COLORED THAT 3T 0ETER AND #HINESE COLLARED 3T ,ORENZO 2UIZ WERE MADE BY &LORANTE #AEDO AND THE DESIGN AT THE MAIN ALTAR WERE MADE BY %DGAR 4ALUSAN &ERNANDEZ 4HESE AND OTHER THINGS MAKE THE POST WAR -ANILA #ATHEDRAL A REAL REPOSITORY OF OUR TALENT AND HERITAGE A TRULY &ILIPINO #ATHEDRAL 4HAT S WHY THE LATEST CONSERVATION EFFORTS FROM TO WAS IMPORTANT !S A GIFT TO THE &ILIPINO CHURCH HIMSELF ,UIS !NTONIO #ARDINAL 4AGLE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE US WITH HIS WORDS DESCRIBING THE #ATHEDRAL g)T CAN BE CONSIDERED A SYMBOL OF THE &ILIPINO PEOPLE &IRE DESTROYED THE kRST CATHEDRAL THE SUCCEEDING kVE CATHEDRALS WERE EITHER PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY DAMAGED BY EARTHQUAKES 4HE SEVENTH CATHEDRAL WAS MERCILESSLY BOMBED ALONG WITH THE OTHER BUILDINGS DURING THE "ATTLE OF ,IBERATION 4HIS #ATHEDRAL HAD BEEN RAZED TO THE GROUND MANY TIMES BUT IT REFUSES TO DISAPPEAR )T BOLDLY RISES FROM THE RUINS JUST LIKE THE &ILIPINO PEOPLE u 4HE -ANILA #ATHEDRAL IS A PHOENIX THAT RISES FROM THE ASHES

FOCUS

NZealand banned assault weapons. In US, it’s more complicated WASHINGTON: New Zealand’s swift ban on semi-automatic weapons after the Christchurch massacre showed how political courage can spur change, but in gun-obsessed America, lawmakers and activists desperate to curb firearm violence looked on with both admiration — and bitterness. “Not thoughts. Not prayers. Action,� urged Ted Deutch, a Democratic congressman from Florida where a deadly school shooting last year galvanized a youth gun control movement, but produced no tangible change to federal laws.

The speed of New Zealand’s response — days after a white supremacist slaughtered 50 people at two mosques — stood in stark contrast to the congressional inaction that has followed a string of horrific mass shootings in the United States in recent years.

Nearly 40,000 people were killed by firearms in the United States in 2017 — two thirds of them suicides — the highest annual toll in five decades, according to government figures.

The numbers suggest Americans should be scrambling to clear the hurdles to combatting gun violence.

Why aren’t they? It’s complicated. “The role of guns in our society is very, very different. It goes way back

as part of our culture, unfortunately,�

Democratic congressman John Yarmouth told CNN Thursday.

The United States has more firearms than people. Frontier culture and a form of rugged individualism, forged in the 19th century American settlement westward, persist. Citizens can legally carry firearms in some state capitols.

Gun control efforts have always proved divisive, and Republican lawmakers have been highly successful at preventing what they describe as an assault on their right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the US Constitution.

Sandy Hook... then nothing Little has been done at the federal level to rein in gun sales, broaden background checks, or prevent people who may pose a threat from acquiring guns.

Incremental action can take years, and even the most shocking of massacres can fail to move the needle, partly due to the high threshold in the 100-member US Senate, where 60 votes are needed to advance legislation.

After a gunman slaughtered 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, congressional Democrats introduced an

lobbying group beloved and reviled by opposing cultural forces.

‘Inalienable right’

Q Assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons have been banned in New Zealand, with immediate effect, less than a week after a white supremacist gunned down 50 Muslim worshippers. AFP/FILE/ROBYN BECK expansion of background checks. It failed in the Senate.

Today, a similar background checks bill has passed the Democrat-led House, in the wake of several recent mass shootings including last year’s killing of 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue. But it languishes in the Senate despite an overwhelming majority of Americans supporting tightening such checks.

Democratic congressman David

Cicilline offered a bleak rationale for why New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern could act so decisively, while Americans appear unable to reduce gun violence. “Their politicians aren’t bought and paid for by the gun lobby,� Cicilline tweeted.

US civilian gun ownership has been a hotly debated, constitutionally protected right for more than two centuries.

Leading the charge to preserve gun rights is the National Rifle Association

NRA spokesman Dana Loesch appeared to dismiss Ardern’s action as antithetical to America. “The US isn’t NZ. While they do not have an inalienable right to bear arms and to self defense, we do,� Loesch wrote.

Gun control advocates say the NRA exerts powerful influence on US lawmakers by donating millions to their campaigns and giving letter-grade ratings on gun issues. “The @NRA is already exploiting the New Zealand tragedy and subsequent legislative actions to try and juice gun sales in the US,� warned Shannon Watts, founder of gun safety group Moms Demand Action.

Sen.Bernie Sanders — one of several 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls who spoke out in praise of Ardern — called for Americans to stand up to the gun lobby. “We must follow New Zealand’s lead, take on the NRA and ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons in the United States,� Sanders tweeted.

President Bill Clinton signed an

assault weapons ban in 1994, but it came with a 10-year sunset, and renewal efforts failed.

Republican Donald Trump had initially appeared ready to challenge the NRA after the Parkland shooting claimed 17 lives in Florida last year, supporting a rise in the minimum age to buy assault rifles from 18 to 21, and more expansive background checks.

But the president — who championed gun rights during his campaign — subsequently backed away from federal action on either front, and three months later appeared on stage before a cheering crowd at the NRA’s annual conference.

Still, advocates believe progress is possible. The March for Our Lives movement that emerged after Parkland is galvanizing youths and changing American attitudes.

Kris Brown, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said she and others are inspired by New Zealand’s response. “Most Americans are looking at New Zealand and saying ‘Why can’t we do this in the US as well?’� she told AFP, adding that US politicians are aware of the revived interest in taking action. “The NRA’s stranglehold on lawmakers is weakening,� she said. AFP

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Comelec cancels ex-Pasig mayor’s CoC THE Comm ission on Elections (Comelec) denied the appeal of former Pasig City mayor Maribel Andaya-Eusebio to be recognized as a registered voter in the second district of Camarines Sur where she is seeking a Congress seat in the May elections.

Andaya-Eusebio, sister of Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., had requested the Comelec to have her registration records transferred from Pasig City in Metro Manila to Libmanan, Camarines Sur. In a six-page resolution, the Comelec en banc affirmed an earlier decision of the First Division, which found AndayaEusebio guilty of “false material representation” when she claimed in her certificate of candidacy (CoC) that she was a registered voter of Barangay Puro Batia in Libmanan.

“Exerting efforts to have her registration transferred is not the same as being a registered voter already. In fact, in exerting efforts to have her registration records transferred, she knew that she was not yet a registered voter. That it was eventually denied, and her subsequent efforts to have it reversed is of no moment,” the resolution stated.

Records show that the Election Registration Board (ERB) denied her application for transfer of registration records on Oct. 29, 2018 for failure to satisfy residency requirements.

In its ruling, the ERB pointed out that Andaya-Eusebio failed to establish her physical pres-

ence in her supposed new residence in Libmanan; was not able to prove her intent to live in that place; and showed no intent of abandoning her domicile in Pasig City, where her husband was the incumbent mayor and where she herself ran for, and won as mayor in the 2013 elections.

Andaya-Eusebio had appealed successively the ERB’s decision against her before the Third Metropolitan Circuit Trial Court of Libmanan-Cabusao, the Regional Trial Court in Libmanan and the Comelec First Division, but all rejected her pleas.

Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, said Andaya-Eusebio should be promptly investigated and, when appropriate, prosecuted for committing an election offense punishable under the Omnibus Election Code.

Chairman Sheriff Abas, Commissioners Al Parreño, Socorro Inting, Antonio Kho Jr., and Casquejo signed the en banc resolution.

Commissioner Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon and Casquejo were members of the First Division which earlier ruled that Andaya-Eusebio committed “false material representation” because she was not a registered voter in Camarines Sur when she filed her CoC. The First Division resolution added that Andaya-Eusebio’s ineligibility to run for the post warrants the cancellation of her CoC. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Region

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

A7

P283-M AGRI LOSSES DUE TO DROUGHT

Camarines Sur placed under state of calamity L

BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

EGAZPI CITY: Governor Miguel Villafuerte on Thursday declared Camarines Sur under a state of calamity as 8,331.43 hectares (ha.) of palay (unmilled rice) farm lands were destroyed resulting in P282.6 million losses from the onset of the dry spell.

Elena de los Santos, Department of agriculture regional director, said Camarines Sur had the biggest number of farmers and farmlands affected by the early stage of drought brought by the El Niño phenomenon.

Based on the March 14 partial damage report of the agriculture department in Bicol, Camarines Sur and Albay were the most severely affected by drought with almost 2,000 has. of palay plantations having no chance of recovery.

In Camarines Sur at least 1,838 has. of palay plantation and 1,717 farmers were affected with incurred losses of 3,000.12 metric tons or an equivalent of P69.3 million. In Albay, some

1,177.56 has. of palay and 1,712 farmers incurred production losses of 1,495.59 metric tons or P42.3 million.

Masbate province posted 456 ha. with 1,687 metric tons worth P28.6 million production losses, and Camarines Norte with 110.56 ha. with 278.75 metric tons lost or an equivalent of P8.3 million.

At least 3,101 farmers in plantations covering 4,740 has. planted to corn suffered production losses of 6,816 ha. or an equivalent of P133.6 million.

Meanwhile, Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara ordered an inventory of affected farmers and directed the provincial agriculture office to

kELD AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIANS TO monitor farmlands affected by the drought.

He also directed Cedric Daep, chief of the Albay Public Safety Emergency and Management OfkCE TO PREPARE A CONTINGENCY PLAN for the onslaught of the El Niño.

Daep said previous record indicated that areas likely affected by the dry spell were farmlands in the the towns of Guinobatan, Jovellar, Oas, Pioduran, Polangui, Libon and Ligao City in the third district; and the towns of Camalig, Daraga, Manito, Rapu-Rapu and Legazpi city in the second district.

In the first congressional district of Albay, specifically in Barangay Cabasan, Cagraray Island, Bacacay town, palay mostly in the flowering stage had dried up and were left to rat in the absence of rain for more than a month.

The Philippine A t -

mospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the El Niño was just starting and might last until May or longer.

The El Niño Southern Oscillatiion is a recurrent oceanwarming and atmospheric disTURBANCE RESULTING IN DEkCIENT rainfall or prolonged drought in some areas and heavy rains, storms and typhoons in other areas of the world.

According to Pagasa, in the last 50 years, El Niño usually appeared every two to seven years, but the most intense episode took place from 1982 to 1983 because of the unusually worldwide effect of prolonged drought.

The agriculture department in Bicol anticipated that more farmers would be affected by the ongoing episode of the dry spell.

DRY SPELL

A farmer in Barangay Cabasan, Bacacay, Albay checks on his planted palay (unmilled rice) badly affected by the drought.

PHOTO BY RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

NFA to procure 2.5-M sacks of palay in CLuzon TARLAC: The National Food Authority (NFA) is eyeing to procure 2.5 million sacks of palay (unmilled rice) in Central Luzon amid speculations of a rice supply shortage and the impending increase of prices.

In a statement, NFA Regional Director Piolito Santos said the agency was preparing for its target this year which is 3.5 percent of the region’s average in total harvest.

The NFA, he said, was buying hybrid or ordinary palay from farmers at P20.70 per kilo, either dried or wet. Central Luzon, with 38 buying stations, was historically called the “Rice Bowl of the Philippines.”

Since 2009, the NFA had been buying palay at the support price of P17 per kilo, with additional P0.70 per kilo for drying, delivery and cooperative incentives.

In October 2018, the NFA Council approved an additional P3 per kilo buffer stocking incentive, bringing the agency’s total buying price to a maximum of P20.70 per kilo for farmers cooperatives, and P20.40 per kilo for individual farmers.

Santos said until the buffer stock of palay HAD BEEN kLLED

the NFA would continue to buy the crop from farmers anytime,

especially with the need to maintain the supply for calamities and emergencies in the country.

The palay, which had been been disposed of from the buffer stock, would then be sold to prevent it from spoiling as a six-month storage changes its quality, he added.

At present, the agency already procured 120,000 sacks of palay and expected to increase it this month in time for the harvest season.

Interested farmers were advised to bring their produce to the nearest NFA office or palay buying station in their area for details of the procurement processes.

Consequently, the last batch of 650,000 bags of imported rice as supplement to the 1.48 million sacks of stock in the seven provinces in the region were set to be out in the market until August this year.

Santos said the P27-perkilo NFA rice would no longer be available in the market by September.

But, as the agency is undergoing restructuring, he said its officials would continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s plans for agricultural development.

JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

Nationinbriefs VILLAGE OFFICIAL DROWNS DURING RESCUE TRAINING SAMAL, Bataan: A barangay kagawad (village councilman) drowned while undergoing water search and rescue (Wasar) training along the West Philippines Sea in a beach in Bagac, Bataan. Billy Joseph Enriquez, 28, said the death certificate of his father Billy Enriquez, 52, councilman of Calaguiman East in Samal, stated the cause of death as drowning. Kagawad Rodel Bantay said he and the victim were among 120 Samal village officials who participated in the last day of rescue training in the sea after two days of training in a swimming pool in Abucay town. “Of all the councilmen, my father was the strongest. We couldn’t believe that he would drown like that.” He said he checked the beach and learned that the place where his father and the participants started swimming was about a mile from the shore. He said that he and his mother, a public school teacher, were in a quandary as to whom to hold accountable for what happened.

Meanwhile, the local government of Samal, which initiated the training, assured assistance to the family of Enriquez.

ERNIE B. ESCONDE

WAR MATERIEL, MINES RECOVERED IN MAGUINDANAO CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao: The military troops gained another significant accomplishment in separate areas of a continuing combat

Ifugao boosts vaccinations vs measles, encephalitis LAGAWE, Ifugao: Concerned with the low response to the immunization program of the government, the provincial health office intensified its information and education campaign on Japanese encephalitis (JE) and measles mass immunization in the province.

Medical doctor Priscilla Pagada of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) assured the safety of the vaccines being given under the immunization program of the government.

In 2018, Ifugao confirmed three cases of JE where one died while two survived.

“We were expecting to reach out to thousands of children from nine to 59 months old in the province for the massive immunization,” Pagada said.

S h e ex p l a i n e d t h at t h e va cc i n e was assessed by the World Health Organization, thus, it was safe be cause it successfully met the quality, safety and efficac y standards for the target population.

Pagada said the PHO and rural health units had been challenged by the reservations of parents on the immunization campaign due to the Dengvaxia issue in the country.

Earlier this month, the provincial government had rolled off the JE vaccination and measles mass immunization at the Capitol compound where the provincial health office explained the effects and how the dreaded JE could be prevented.

JE is a mosquito-borne disease and the leading cause of viral encepha-

clearing operation against the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the Islamic-State inspired terrorist group in Maguindanao. Major Arvin Encinas, spokesman of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) on Friday said troops of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion on Tuesday, while scouring the discovered BIFF encampment in Barangay Magaslong, Datu Piang recovered anti-personnel mines (APC) components composed of four rifle propelled grenade (RPG) ammunition, two 60mm mortar ammunition, about 1 kilo black powder, one APC plastic container, assorted nails and spoke. He said the encampment was a possible bomb factory of the BIFF. Meanwhile, troops of the 37th Infantry Battalion conducting combat clearing operation in Barangay Penditin, Shariff Saydona Mustapha on Thursday discovered four radio antennas and three APC in an abandoned house. On the other hand, combined troops of the 34th Infantry Battalion and 57th Infantry Battalion, encountered about 10 BIFF gunmen who engaged them to a 20-minute firefight in Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

BULACAN SIGNS COVENANT FOR PEACEFUL 2019 POLLS AS a show of full support for safe, peaceful and honest May 2019 mid-term elections, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO), Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine Army’s 48 Infantry Battalion and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) spearheaded the unity walk, interfaith prayer rally and peace covenant signing with top local officials and candidates at the Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos on Friday. Local bets from different political parties led by Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad and Ernest Balite, with religious and civic groups, private and government agencies and members of the media

litis in Asia and the Western Pacific Region.

Pagada explained that it was a serious and disabling illness that infects the brain, causing inflammation and swelling and brain damage.

“It leads to disabilities among survivors and this can be transmitted by a mosquito found in rural rice-growing and pig farming regions in Asia,” she said.

Statistics show that up to 30 percent of those who develop encephalitis die and about 40 percent suffer serious brain damage, including paralysis and mental disability. “ There is no specific treatment, however, vaccination is the best way to prevent the illness,” Pagada said.

LEANDER C. DOMINGO

participated in the event. Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, Bulacan Police Provincial director said “we are conducting this activity because we want to have a peaceful and orderly election in May 2019.” Mona Ann Aldana Campos, provincial election supervisor, led the integrity pledge that encourages the aspiring candidates to support the conduct of an honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections. Also in attendance were Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Board Member Anjo Mendoza, Rep. Jonathan Sy-Alvarado, Sander Tantoco of Bulacan 1st District, and candidates for the Sanggunian Panlalawigan.

FREDERICK SILVERIO

LANAO SUR BRACES FOR EL NIÑO MARAWI CITY: Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (PRDRRMO) Saripada Pacasum on Friday said Lanao del Sur was ready with contingency for the El Niño, even as there is no official report yet on the effect of the dry season. Pacasum said the local disaster risk reduction management officers in the province’s 39 municipalities and one city organized recently the Early Response Network (ERN) for information sharing using advanced technologies to deter violent conflict, disasters and displacement. Among the ERN focuses to monitor and share information aside from violence and extremism are the expected El Niño and the 2019 midterm elections, he added. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday announced the onset of the dry season.Meanwhile, Pagasa climate monitoring chief Analiza Solis said “weak El Niño” had an impact on for the early onset of the dry season which duration would be prolonged.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

News Fullido’s libel charges vs fellow TV staff dropped A8

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

BY ARIC JOHN SY CUA

T

(% 15%:/. #ITY 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE HAS DISMISSED LIBEL CHARGES kLED BY !"3 #".

ENTERTAINMENT ANCHOR AND REPORTER 'RETCHEN &ULLIDO AGAINST COLLEAGUES #ECILIA 6ICTORIA g#ESu $RILON AND -ARIE ,OZANO In court orders sent to The Manila Times on Friday, the charges against Drilon and Lozano were junked because their actions, according to the court, were not defamatory.

Fullido accused Drilon and Lozano of libel, along with C h e r y l Fav i l a a n d M a r i c a r Asprec, whom the “Star Patrol� anchor also accused of sexual harassment.

On Twitter, Drilon posted the word, “Dismissed,� describing the libel charge against her.

In a private message, Fullido’s

lawyer Marvin Aceron said they were not happy with the decision of the Quezon City Prosecutor’s /FkCE g7E WILL kLE A MOTION FOR A reconsideration or a petition for a review with the Secretary of Justice in due time,� he added.

In October, Fullido — who anchors TV Patrol’s segment “Star Patrol� and DZMM’s weekend program “#Chismax� — filed a sexual harassment case against Favila, former ABS-CBN News executive, and Asprec, ABS-CBN News segment producer, before

the City Prosecutors’ Office of Quezon City.

The entertainment reporter alleged that Favila and Asprec sent her text messages “loaded with sexual innuendos, which amounted to requests for sexual favors.�

Fullido said that when she rejected these advances, “the two retaliated and made it difficult for her to work as a reporter and news anchor for TV Patrol.�

Favila and Asprec’s legal counsel Evalyn Ursua called the charges “baseless� and “a classic example of discrimination against LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) individuals and gender stereotyping against them in matters

of sexuality.� “It is unfortunate that Gretchen Fullido has chosen to pursue a criminal complaint of sexual harassment against my clients Cheryl Favila and Maricar Asprec despite [the fact] that the same complaint had been previously dismissed as baseless after a thorough formal investigation within ABSCBN,� Ursua said in a statement after Fullido filed the charges.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

18 Chinese nabbed for illegal online gambling THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested 18 Chinese IDENTIkED AS ILLEGAL ONLINE GAMbling operators.

NBI Director Dante Gierran said the arrest stemmed from information that there were activities involving cyberfraud and offshore gambling at Royal Genghis International Development Inc. in Savers Mall on McArthur Highway in Balibago, Angeles City.

Law enforcers served a search warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 66 in Capas, Tarlac.

Gierran said agents of the NBI cybercrime unit found the suspects were “indeed operating online casino sites,� as well as evidence supporting allegations of access device fraud.

A counterfeit access device means “fictitious, altered, or forged, or an identifiable component of any card, plate, code, account number, electronic serial NUMBER PERSONAL IDENTIkCATION number, or other telecommunications service, equipment, or instruMENTAL IDENTIkER OR OTHER MEANS of account access that can be used to obtain money, good, services, or any other thing of value or to initiate a transfer of funds.�

Seized in the NBI operation were mobile phones, desktop

COMPUTERS LAPTOPS ROUTERS lASH drives, skimming devices and various debit cards, as well as unused SIM cards.

The NBI chief said the foreigners were already presented before the Department of Justice for inquest proceedings.

They are accused of violating Republic Act (RA) 8484 or “Access Device Regulation Act of 1998� and Presidential Decree 1602 or the “Illegal Gambling Law� as amended in connection to RA 10175 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.�

Violators of RA 8484 may face imprisonment of 6 to 20 years and A kNE OF 0 4HERE WERE ONLY 57 licensed online gaming operators in the country, said Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Chairman Andrea Domingo on Thursday.

Domingo said the problem persists because foreign offshore gaming operators could not be deported immediately.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that if a foreigner was found guilty, he or she should serve jail time before deportation.

Gierran stressed that the public also had a responsibility to report crimes. CATHERINE A. MODESTO

Q PASSWORD FROM A1

of negligent workers.

4HOSE AFFECTED AND NOTIkED BY Facebook should change their passwords immediately, Liboro said. Users should also enable “multi-factor authentication� in which email addresses and phone numbers are also used to verify a user’s identity.

The incident reveals yet another huge and basic oversight at a company that insists it is a responsible guardian for the personal data of its 2.3 billion users worldwide.

The security blog KrebsOnSecurity said Facebook may have left the passwords of some 600 million Facebook users vulnerable.

In a blog post, Facebook said it would likely notify “hundreds of millions� of Facebook Lite users, millions of Facebook users and tens of thousands of Instagram users that their passwords were stored in plain text.

Facebook Lite is a version designed for people with older phones or low-speed internet connections.

Facebook said it discovered the problem in January. But researcher Brian Krebs wrote that in some cases the passwords had been stored in text since 2012. Facebook Lite launched in 2015 and Facebook bought Instagram in 2012.

The problem, according to Facebook, wasn’t due to a single bug.

During a routine review in January, it said it found that the plain text passwords were unintentionally captured and stored in its internal storage systems. This happened in a variety of circumstances — for example, when an app crashed and the resulting crash log included a captured password.

TYRONE C. PIAD AND AP

Facebook stored in a format readable by its employees.

In a statement, Privacy Commissioner Raymund Liboro, quoting Facebook Privacy and Public Policy -ANAGER FOR !SIA 0ACIkC !RIANNE Jimenez, said there was “no evidence so far that anyone internally abused or improperly accessed the said dataset and said they will be notifying everyone affected.� “The storage of Facebook passwords in plain text needlessly exposed people to risk. Passwords that are stored in plain text are more easily and readily stolen by those who intend harm; they may even be compromised by accident,� he said.

Facebook claimed there was no evidence its employees abused access to this data. But employees could have searched them.

The company said the passwords were stored on internal servers, where no outsiders could access them. Even so, some privacy experts suggested that users change their Facebook passwords.

Liboro pointed out that “Even if there is shown to be no evidence of abuse, there is little comfort in knowing that the world’s largest repository of personal data practices such lax internal controls.�

He cited a 2018 study by the Ponemon Institute, a global information security think tank, which found that 60 percent of businesses had data breaches because

Q POLITICS FROM A1

Junjun Binay given that it took place exactly a week before the start of the campaign period. “I call on the [Comelec] to consider declaring Makati City an election hotspot, with the end in view of preventing similar attacks in the future,� Junjun said in a statement on Friday after the shooting of his secretary on Thursday night.

(E SAID THIS WAS NOT THE kRST time one of his supporters was attacked.

Junjun is embroiled in a hot contest for the Makati mayoralty against his sister, incumbent Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby�

Binay and neophyte candidate Ricky Yabut, son of former city mayor Nemesio Yabut Sr. -ONALISA "ERNARDO IDENTIkED AS Junjun’s secretary and friend of 30 years, was shot a few meters away from her house on Makiling Street moments after arriving from work.

Witnesses said the gunman, on a blue motorcycle, came from be-

hind Bernardo and shot her once BEFORE lEEING WITH AN UNIDENTIkED companion toward South Avenue.

Police recovered a spent caliber .45 shell from the crime scene.

The former Makati mayor noted that the Court of Appeals had upheld its previous decision reversing his dismissal as Makati mayor in 2015 in connection with the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2.

This, according to him, was also a possible motive for the attack.

Former vice president Jejomar Binay, appealed for composure among residents so as not to worsen the situation by insinuating motives and speculating on who directed the hit on Bernardo.

The former vice president added that Makati is not a violent place and that it was also not a time for anger and politics as “we are supposed to be praying for Monette’s recovery and safety.� “I am ready to give a P1 million reward for any information that would lead to the persons behind the crime,� Binay said in a statement.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

CURRENCY RATE

PSEi 8,013.42 UP 0.74%

P52.32 TO $1

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: V S h a n g h a i 0 . 0 9 %

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DTI, TESDA INK DEAL FOR CAPACITY BUILDING

Business Times W S i n g a p o re 0 . 0 5 %

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PILIPINAS SHELL PROFIT DOWN TO P5.1B

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ICTSI STAKE HIKE IN MANILA NORTH HARBOUR OKD Corporate NewsB3

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‘STRONG’ OUTLOOK FOR US GROWTH – IMF

»Foreign BusinessB4

REMEMBER once being told BEING kNANCIALLY INDEBTED IS LIKE HAVING ONE FOOT BURIED )T WILL NOT DO ME ANYTHING GOOD )T SERVED ME THIS PRESUMPTION THAT DEBTS SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COST 4HAT ) SHOULD SAVE UP FOR SOMETHING ) INTENT TO BUY 4HIS IS HOW A &ILIPINO ARCHETYPAL CONSUMER GOT USED TO WHILE GROWING UP "UT WILL THIS APPLY IN AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SETTING !FTER STUDYING HOW BUSINESSES WORK AND OPERATE ) REALIZED DEBTS ARE NOT INHERENTLY EVIL AT ALL )N FACT IT FORMS PART OF THE BUSINESS kNANCIAL STRUCTURE TOGETHER WITH CAPITAL %NTREPRENEURS SHOULD LEARN TO ACCEPT HAVING LIABILITIES IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE BUSINESS TO THRIVE 4HAT THE PRECONCEIVED NOTIONS ABOUT UTANG SHOULD NOT HINDER THE BUSINESS GOAL m kNANCIAL SUCCESS AND GROWTH 4O STATE A FEW THE BENEkTS DEBT PROVIDE IN BUSINESSES ARE )T AUGMENTS CAPITAL FOR INVESTMENT OR LONG TERM DEBT 4O PROVIDE AN ILLUSTRATION A COMPANY CONTEMPLATING ON ACQUIRING EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY FOR OPERATIONS OR EVEN PLANNING TO EXPAND ITS STORE TO PENETRATE A MUCH BIGGER MARKET OR A PRODUCTION PLANT NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT AND SERVICES )T SERVES AS SOURCE OF TEMPORARY WORKING CAPITAL OR SHORT TERM DEBT 4HIS ACCOMMODATES THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS IN ITS DAILY ACTIVITIES &OR EXAMPLE A TRUSTED BUYER S DEMAND FOR PRODUCTS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED BUT THE BUSINESS

V Jakarta 0.36%

T

HE Agriculture department on Friday announced a temporary halt to bulb onion imports pending a probe of alleged price manipulation.

4HE 0HILIPPINE #OMPETITION #OMMISSION 0## AND THE .ATIONAL "UREAU OF )NVESTIGATION .") HAVE BEEN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE REPORTED CLOSURE OF COLD STORAGE FACILITIES IN .UEVA %CIJA IN A BID TO FORCE FARMERS TO ACCEPT LOW PRICES 4HE IMPORT SUSPENSION !GRICULTURE 3ECRETARY %MMANUEL 0IÄOL SAID WILL gPREVENT THE CARTEL FROM BENEFITING FROM THEIR OPERATIONS WHERE THEY FORCED THE DROP IN THE BUYING PRICE OF LOCAL ONIONS BY LEASING AND CLOSING COLD STORAGE FACILITIES TO ONION FARMERS u

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

V B a n g ko k 0 . 7 5 %

0IÄOL CLAIMED THAT gTRADERS HAVE STARTED THEIR MANIPULATION OF THE MARKETu GIVEN BUMPER HARVESTS IN #ENTRAL ,UZON -INDORO AND )LOILO !MONG THE FACILITIES BEING INVESTIGATED ARE 2IVSON #OOP 3TORAGE )NC

!RGO #OLD 3TORAGE &ACILITY +ATIPUNAN NG MGA 3AMAHANG -AGSISIBUYAS NG .UEVA %CIJA +ASAMNE ALL IN 0ALAYAN #ITY AND 4ITAN /NION #OLD 3TORAGE IN "ONGABON #ITY 2EPRESENTATIVES OF THE kRMS WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT

0IÄOL CLAIMED THAT SOME OF THE STORAGE FACILITIES WERE GOVERNMENT FUNDED AND TURNED OVER TO FARMER COOPERATIVES

SOME OF WHICH gCONNIVE WITH BIG TIME TRADERS NOW u 4HE IMPORT BAN IS EXPECTED TO HELP ADDRESS AN OVERSUPPLY THAT HAS LED TO ONION PRICES FALLING TO 0 PER KILO FROM A HIGH OF 0 BEFORE THE START OF THE HARVEST SEASON g4HE $! HAS DIRECTED THE ;"UREAU OF 0LANT )NDUSTRY= TO SUPPORT THE TEMPORARY BAN ARRANGEMENT BY SCHEDULING THE PROCESSING OF ;SANITARY AND PYTHOSANITARY= PERMITS 303 UNTIL AFTER THE HARVEST SEASON 4HE MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF 303 PERMITS WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL SUCH TIME THE 0## AND .") HAVE TERMINATED THEIR INVESTIGATION u 0IÄOL SAID

!!! 3OUTHEAST %QUITIES )NC 0RESIDENT -ATTHEW #ABANGON FOR HIS PART SAID THE MARKET GAINED AS BOTH THE &ED AND THE "30 DECIDED TO KEEP RATES UNCHANGED AS EXPECTED g4HIS UNCHANGED &ED RATES IS VERY GOOD NEWS FOR 0HILIPPINE ASSETS AS INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS ARE MORE ENTICED TO ENTER HIGHER YIELDING MARKETS LIKE OURS u #ABANGON SAID g7ITH THE "30 ON HOLD THERE IS LESS PRESSURE ON THE PESO TO DEPRECIATE AND A CONTINUATION OF THE TREND OF LOWER INlATION SHOULD BE INTACT u HE ADDED 4HE MARKET ALSO TOOK ITS CUES FROM OVERNIGHT GAINS ON 7ALL 3TREET WHERE INVESTORS SHRUGGED OFF 53 SLOWDOWN FEARS THAT HAD

KARLO GARCIA IS OPERATING ON A TIGHT BUDGET !

NEED FOR kNANCING ARISES THAT WILL NOT ONLY BENEkT THE OPERATIONS BUT ALSO STRENGTHEN BUYER SELLER PARTNERSHIPS !FTER ALL MAINTAINING TRUST WITH CUSTOMERS IS ONE OF THE INGREDIENTS OF COMPANY TRIUMPH &IRST #IRCLE PROVIDES FAST AND SIMPLE BUSINESS FUNDING FOR 3MALL AND -EDIUM %NTERPRISES 3-%S HAVING DIFkCULTY IN BRIDGING THEIR WORKING CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS )T OFFERS PURCHASE ORDER FINANCING ENABLING BUSINESSES TO TAKE ON LARGER DEMANDS WITH CUSTOMERS AND INVOICE kNANCING THAT HELPS GET THE FUNDS NEEDED WHILE WAITING FOR CLIENTS TO PAY PENDING INVOICES )N ADDITION APPLYING FOR A LOAN WITH &IRST #IRCLE ONLY TAKES A FEW BUSINESS DAYS TO GET APPROVED $EMYSTIFYING THE NOTION OF HORROR IN TAKING DEBTS IS NOT TAKING THE LOAN ITSELF BUT THE PART OF PAYING OFF ! RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS OWNER OR EVEN CONSUMER SHOULD ALWAYS KNOW WHEN PAYMENTS ARE DUE AND MUST LEARN TO NEGOTIATE WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE IN MAKING PAYMENTS /BTAINING A LOAN AFTER ALL IS UNLIKE FREE LUNCH ! BUSINESS CONCEPT ONE MUST PUT INTO CONSIDERATION IS

³SME B2

³Price B2

ROME: #HINESE 0RESIDENT 8I *INPING KICKED GIANT S NEW 3ILK 2OAD PROJECT 0RIME -INISTER 'IUSEPPE #ONTE IS TO OFF A WHISTLESTOP %UROPEAN TOUR IN 2OME ON &RIDAY AMID GROWING 7ESTERN UNEASE SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING OVER )TALY JOINING THE EVER EXPANDING !SIAN ³Bumpy B2

Q China’s President Xi Jinping (left) and his wife Peng Liyuan wave after landing at Rome’s Fiumicino airport for a two-day visit to Italy on March 21, 2019. AFP PHOTO

³High B2

SME FIRST CIRCLE

*AYSON #AINGLET EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF 3AMAHANG )NDUSTRIYA NG !GRIKULTURA 3INAG TOLD 4HE -ANILA 4IMES THAT THE !GRICULTURE DEPARTMENT HAD MOVED gTOO LATEu AS THE gDAMAGE HAS BEEN DONEu #AINGLET SAID THE INDUSTRY HAD BEEN ASKING FOR AN IMPORT BAN FOLLOWING A NEARLY THREE FOLD INCREASE ON IMPORTS TO MILLION KILOS FROM A YEAR EARLIER 7HILE 0IÄOL SAID THAT NO 303 PERMITS HAD BEEN ISSUED SINCE /CTOBER

#AINGLET CLAIMED THAT IMPORTS WERE STILL ENTERING THE COUNTRY IN .OVEMBER AND $ECEMBER g%VEN IF THE $! $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE HAS BANNED THE IMPORTATION THE TRADERS ARE ALREADY HAPPY BECAUSE THE IMPORTS ARE ALREADY lOODING THE MARKET AND

China’s new Silk Road gets bumpy as Xi visits Italy

Changing the Filipino mindset on financing

I

V To k yo 0 . 0 9 %

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

PSEi back at 8,000, hits one-month high 4(% STOCK MARKET RETURNED THE

LEVEL ON &RIDAY ‡ A ONE MONTH HIGH ‡ AS INVESTORS CHEERED POLICY DECISIONS BY THE 53 &EDERAL 2ESERVE AND THE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 4HE BENCHMARK 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I ROSE

BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO kNISH AT 4HE LAST TIME THE INDEX SETTLED AT THE SAME LEVEL WAS ON &EBRUARY WHEN IT CLOSED AT

4HE WIDER !LL 3HARES GREW BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO END AT

0 0 4RADE /NLINE SALES ASSOCIATE 'ABRIEL *OSE 0EREZ SAID TRADING WAS PARTICULARLY DRIVEN BY THE &ED S HAVING INDICATED THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER HIKE INTEREST RATES THIS YEAR GIVEN A SLOWING 53 ECONOMY

V Seoul 0.09%

DA halts onion imports, probes price manipulation

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PH RENEWS PLEDGE TO HELP PEERS

B1

www.manilatimes.net

How walkable is your city?

&

),)0)./3 LONG FOR A FUTURE WITH CLEAN AIR CONVENIENT ACCESS TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND GREEN PUBLIC SPACES THAT PEOPLE CAN WALK TO PLAY IN AND ENJOY 9ET

OUTSIDE OUR DOORSTEPS WE kND A FUNDAMENTAL CONSTRAINT‡THE POOR WALKABILITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS 3IDEWALKS ARE MISSING UNEVEN

TOO NARROW OR kLLED WITH OBSTRUCTIONS INCLUDING ELECTRIC POLES AND PRIVATE MOTOR VEHICLES ILLEGALLY PARKED. !LTHOUGH THE TRAFkC CODE PENALIZES DRIVING OVER OR PARKING ON SIDEWALKS ENFORCEMENT OF THIS PROVISION OF 2! HAS BEEN LAX !ND IN SPITE OF LAWS REQUIRING PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES TO BE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE WITH PROPER RAMPS FEW SIDEWALKS PASS THE TEST )N SOME CITIES THE WELFARE OF PEDESTRIANS IS SACRIkCED TO MAKE CARS GO FASTER 'ROUND LEVEL PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS ARE REMOVED AND PEDESTRIANS ARE MADE TO CLIMB STAIRS AND USE AN ELEVATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN

PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITY OR THOSE CARRYING HEAVY PACKAGES ARE NOT CONSIDERED IN SUCH DECISIONS 4HIS IS WRONG POLICY AT A TIME WHEN WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE MORE WALKING CYCLING AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND LESS PRIVATE VEHICLE USE 7HEN SIDEWALKS ARE MISSING OR OBSTRUCTED PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO WALK ON THE ROADWAY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD BOTH FOR THE PEOPLE WALKING AS WELL AS THE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD 7HEN ROADS ARE WITHOUT STREETLIGHTS THEY BECOME MAGNETS FOR CRIME PEDESTRIANS THEN AVOID

MOBILITY MATTERS

ROBERT SIY WALKING AROUND WHEN IT IS DARK. )N THE END ALL OF US ARE PEDESTRIANS 7E NEED TO HAVE SAFE WALKWAYS SO PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES CAN MOVE AROUND OUR CITIES 7HERE PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE IS LACKING OR POOR QUALITY PEOPLE S MOBILITY IS RESTRICTED 7ITH LIMITED MOBILITY, PEOPLE S RIGHTS TO HEALTH WORK

EDUCATION AND PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIFE ARE VIOLATED. 0EDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD BE IMPROVED IN TANDEM WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES )F PEOPLE CANNOT GET TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT BECAUSE SAFE WALKWAYS ARE MISSING

THE BENEkTS FROM MASS TRANSIT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE MUTED 7HEN STREET DESIGN DISREGARDS THE NEEDS OF PEDESTRIANS THE IMPLICIT MESSAGE IS THAT STREETS ARE FOR CARS NOT PEOPLE 4HIS MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE REJECTED 7ALKABILITY IS NOT JUST ABOUT SAFETY AND ACCESS ! WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD IS VIBRANT ATTRACTIVE AND FUN !N AREA WHERE PEOPLE ENJOY STROLLING OR CONGREGATING IS ALSO WHERE ENTERPRISES THRIVE -ANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY CHOOSING NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE ACTIVE STREET LIFE PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

OUTDOOR RECREATION, SOCIAL INTERACTION AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY "ECAUSE THE WALKABILITY OF OUR STREETS AFFECTS PEOPLE S SAFETY

HEALTH PRODUCTIVITY AND EVEN HAP-

PINESS ITS LACK IS A GROWING CONCERN &OR THIS REASON COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE BUILDING AWARENESS ON AND PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR WALKABILITY IMPROVEMENT 3EVERAL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS WANT WALKABILITY AND MOBILITY TO BE PROMINENT ELECTION ISSUES "IG INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS RAIL SYSTEMS AND TERMINALS ARE ESSENTIAL *UST AS IMPORTANT IS SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE-POCKET PARKS STREET LIGHTING

JEEPNEY STOPS BIKE LANES AND WALKWAYS WITH GREENERY AND SHADING 4HE $EPARTMENT OF "UDGET AND -ANAGEMENT GAVE WALKABILITY A BIG PUSH IN WITH ITS 0 BILLION g'REEN 'REEN 'REENu 0ROGRAM, OFFERING GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF gGREENu AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SPACE. 4HIS MORNING A SYMPOSIUM IS BEING HELD FROM AM TO PM AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF !SIA AND THE 0ACIkC 5! 0 IN /RTIGAS #ENTER TO TALK ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE WALKABILITY 5NDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE SCHOOL S ADMISSIONS OFkCE AND !NIMA A 5! 0 STUDENT ORGANIZATION THE SYMPOSIUM WILL EXPLORE HOW LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH GOVERNMENT TO EXPAND PUBLIC SPACE AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS MORE WALKABLE 4HE SPOTLIGHT WILL BE ON A CAMPAIGN TO IMPROVE WALKABILITY ON 0EARL $RIVE THE BUSY ROAD ALONG THE PERIMETER OF 5! 0 ! g#HANGE /RGu PETITION WAS LAUNCHED IN /CTOBER ASKING THAT A LINEAR PARK

³Mobility B2

BSP: Virtual currency ATMs must be registered "!.'+/ 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 SUPERVISED kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS NEED TO REGISTER AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES !4-S THAT OFFER VIRTUAL CURRENCIES A SENIOR CENTRAL BANK OFkCIAL SAID )N -ARCH MEMORANDUM

"30 $EPUTY 'OVERNOR #HUCHI &ONACIER SAID THAT gOPERATORS OF !4- THAT ALLOW PURCHASE OR EXCHANGE OF 6#S FOR EXAMPLE

BITCOIN OR OTHER DEVICES WITH SIMILAR FUNCTIONALITY AND CAPABILITY ARE CONSIDERED 6#%S VIRTUAL CURRENCY EXCHANGES AND SHOULD REGISTER WITH THE "30 u 4HE REMINDER IS PURSUANT TO "30 #IRCULAR THAT REFERS TO 6#%S AS ANY ENTITY THAT OFFERS SERVICES OR ENGAGES IN ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE FOR THE CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE OF kAT CURRENCY TO 6#S OR VICE VERSA ! VIRTUAL CURRENCY IS ANY TYPE OF DIGITAL UNIT THAT IS USED AS A MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE OR A FORM OF DIGITALLY STORED VALUE CREATED BY AGREEMENT WITHIN A COMMUNITY OF USERS #IRCULAR ALSO PROVIDES DETAILED RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE REGISTRATION OPERATIONS AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS OF 6#%S IN THE 0HILIPPINES g!S REGISTERED 6#%S THEY SHOULD COMPLY WITH ANTI MONEY LAUNDERING TERRORIST kNANCING LAWS AND

³Registered B2

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

BSP to trim TDF volume before holidays, tax season T

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

HE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said its weekly term deposit facility (TDF) would be cut to P30 billion from P50 billion on March 27 ahead of the holidays and the tax season in April.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ON !PRIL TO FOR THE OBSERVANCE OF THE (OLY 7EEK AND THE !PRIL DEADLINE FOR TAXPAYERS kLING OF THEIR ANNUAL INCOME TAX RETURNS TO THE "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE ")4 g2EMEMBER IF THE CLIENTS OF THE BANKS HAVE ALTERNATIVE USES OF THEIR MONEY INSTEAD OF JUST DEPOSITING IT TO THE BANKS AND THE BANKS IN TURN WILL DEPOSIT IT INTO THE "30 THEN WE WILL HAVE TO ADJUST THE VOLUME OF OFFERING u HE ADDED 4HE 4$& IS ONE OF THE LIQUIDITY MOPPING TOOLS INTRODUCED BY THE

"30 FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF THE INTEREST RATE CORRIDOR IN *UNE )T AIMS TO IMPROVE THE CENTRAL BANK S INlUENCE ON MARKET RATES AND ULTIMATELY ENHANCE MONETARY POLICY $URING THE LAST AUCTION THE "30 FULLY AWARDED THE 0 BILLION 4$&

WITH TOTAL BIDS FOR THE SEVEN

AND DAY FACILITIES REACHING OVER 0 BILLION "IDS IN THE SEVEN DAY TENOR TOTALED 0 BILLION THE DAY TENOR ATTRACTED 0 BILLION IN BIDS AND THE DAY FACILITY GARNERED 0 BILLION

&OR THE DAY FACILITY THE WEEKLY OFFERING WILL BE TRIMMED TO 0 BILLION FROM 0 BILLION 4HE SEVEN DAY FACILITY WILL BE KEPT AT 0 BILLION -EANWHILE THERE WAS NO VOL-

UME SET FOR THE DAY TENOR g)TS TWO REASONS THE (OLY 7EEK AND THE TAX SEASON IN !PRIL u "30 $EPUTY 'OVERNOR $IWA 'UINIGUNDO SAID IN AN INTERVIEW LATE ON 4HURSDAY 'UINIGUNDO IS REFERRING TO THE

Q HIGH FROM B1

PH renews pledge to help peers

PSEi back WEIGHED ON 7EDNESDAY S RESULTS )N !SIA MOST REGIONAL MARKETS kNISHED SLIGHTLY HIGHER 4OKYO ENDED PERCENT UP AND 3HANGHAI GAINED PERCENT WHILE 3YDNEY ADDED PERCENT 3EOUL ROSE PERCENT AND 7ELLINGTON JUMPED ONE PERCENT 3INGAPORE 4AIPEI AND "ANGKOK WERE ALSO WELL UP "UT (ONG +ONG FELL PERCENT IN THE AFTERNOON WHILE -UMBAI AND *AKARTA WERE LOWER 4HE NEXT POSSIBLE MARKET MOVING CATALYST COULD BE NEXT WEEK AS TOP 53 OFkCIALS HEAD TO "EIJING ON -ARCH FOR A NEW ROUND OF TRADE TALKS

FOLLOWED BY A TRIP TO 7ASHINGTON BY #HINA S TOP NEGOTIATOR IN !PRIL 7HILE THERE IS OPTIMISM A DEAL WILL EVENTUALLY BE STRUCK $ONALD 4RUMP CAUSED RIPPLES WHEN HE SAID 7EDNESDAY THAT 53 TARIFFS ON #HINESE IMPORTS COULD REMAIN IN PLACE FOR A gSUBSTANTIAL PERIODu

DAMPENING HOPES THAT AN AGREEMENT WOULD SEE THEM LIFTED SOON "ACK IN -ANILA MOST SECTORAL RESULTS kNISHED IN THE GREEN EXCEPT FOR MINING AND OIL WHICH DIPPED

BY PERCENT -ORE THAN BILLION SHARES VALUED AT 0 BILLION WERE TRADED 7INNERS LED LOSERS TO WHILE ISSUES REMAINED UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS AND AFP

Q PRICE FROM B1

DA halts SOME HAVE BEEN STORED IN THE COLD FACILITIES 7HAT THE $! SHOULD DO IS TO HELP FARMERS SELL THEIR PRODUCE AT A PRICE OF AT LEAST 0 PER KILO TO ENSURE FARMERS WILL NOT LOSE MONEY u HE SAID IN A PHONE INTERVIEW -EANWHILE 0IÄOL SAID THE !GRICULTURAL #REDIT 0OLICY #OUNCIL HAD BEEN DIRECTED TO EXTEND LOANS THAT WOULD HELP ONION COOPERATIVES BUY PRODUCE FROM FARMER MEMBERS !GRICULTURE 5NDERSECRETARY FOR !RIEL #AYANAN WAS ALSO DIRECTED TO ENGAGE OTHER PRIVATE COLD STORAGE FACILITIES FOR TEMPORARY USE BY ONION FARMERS 4HE DEPARTMENT ALSO COMMITTED TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THREE MORE COLD STORAGE FACILITIES THIS YEAR IN )LOILO -INDORO AND 4ARLAC )N LOCAL ONION PRODUCTION FELL BY PERCENT TO

METRIC TONS -4 YEAR ON YEAR 4HE VALUE OF PRODUCTION AT CURRENT PRICES ALSO FELL

BY PERCENT TO 0 BILLION

Q MOBILITY FROM B1

How BE CREATED ALONG 0EARL $RIVE OUT OF A SMALL STRIP OF LAND BETWEEN THE SIDEWALK AND ,ANUZA #REEK THE NARROW STRIP OF LAND IS CURRENTLY USED AS A PARKING LOT /VER

SIGNATURES WERE COLLECTED FOR THE PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF "ARANGAY 3AN !NTONIO IN 0ASIG #ITY AND FROM 5! 0 STUDENTS AND FACULTY 0ETITIONERS CITED THE DANGER STUDENTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO WHEN CARS DRIVE OVER

4(% 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT HAS RENEWED ITS COMMITMENT TO FURTHER COLLABORATE WITH FELLOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FOR COLLECTIVE HELP AND SELF RELIANCE .ATIONAL %CONOMIC AND $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY .EDA CHIEF %RNESTO 0ERNIA MADE THE VOW DURING HIS RECENT SPEECH AT THE 3ECOND (IGH ,EVEL 5NITED .ATIONS #ONFERENCE ON 3OUTH 3OUTH #OOPERATION IN "UENOS !IRES !RGENTINA 0ERNIA LED THE 0HILIPPINE DELEGATION COMPOSED OF THE $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS .%$!

AND THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY TO THE CONFERENCE HELD FROM -AY TO 4HE EVENT MARKED THE TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE "UENOS !IRES 0LAN OF !CTION "!0!

A BLUEPRINT THAT DETAILS APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND EMPHASIZES COLLECTIVE SELF RELIANCE AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AS A FOUNDATION FOR A NEW INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ORDER g7E WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OUR FRIENDS IN THE !SEAN AND THE LARGER !SIA 0ACIkC REGION -OVING FORWARD WE WILL

ALSO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENTS WITH ,ATIN !MERICA AND !FRICA AS MUCH AS OUR RESOURCES ALLOW u 0ERNIA SAID )N 3EPTEMBER THE 0HILIPPINES WAS ONE OF COUNTRIES TO ADOPT THE "!0! TO PROMOTE AND IMPLEMENT TECHNICAL COOPERATION AMONG DEVELOPING COUNTRIES g&OUR DECADES AGO OUR COUNTRIES GATHERED HERE IN "UENOS !IRES TO AFkRM THE VALUE OF MUTUAL HELP AND SELF RELIANCE )T WAS AN OUTSTANDING TRIUMPH OF SOLIDARITY OVER NARROW SELF INTEREST IN AN ENVIRONMENT THEN RIFE WITH IDEOLOGICAL CONlICT 4ODAY WE LOOK BACK TO CELEBRATE OUR SUCCESSES EVEN AS WE SET A NEW DIRECTION FOR 3OUTH 3OUTH COOPERATION u SAID 0ERNIA 0ERNIA WHO DELIVERED THE 0HILIPPINE COUNTRY STATEMENT

VOWED THAT THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT WILL SHARE ITS KNOWLEDGE AND BEST PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION -3-%S CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION AND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION WITH OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THROUGH THE 4ECHNICAL #OOPERATION #OUNCIL

OF THE 0HILIPPINES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES g)T IS ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT MANY ARE STILL LEFT BEHIND EVEN IN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED FROM LOW INCOME RANKS 4HE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT CAN NEVER BE OPTIMIZED IF VAST INEQUALITIES PERSIST WITHIN AND BETWEEN STATES 4HIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN THE FACE OF RAPID AND DISRUPTIVE CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE &OURTH )NDUSTRIAL 2EVOLUTION u HE SAID 0ERNIA SAID THE 0HILIPPINES WILL ALSO USE ITS RESOURCES WISELY TO SUSTAIN ITS HIGH GROWTH TRAJECTORY (E ADDED THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO HELP LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES g7E REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE "UENOS !IRES 0LAN OF !CTION ,ET US WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD OUR HUMAN CAPITAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES AND CONTINUE TO SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE AND TECHNOLOGY ,ET US ALSO DEFEND AN OPEN AND RULES BASED GLOBAL ORDER THAT ALLOWS US TO DO ALL THESE FROM WHICH WE BENEkT u SAID 0ERNIA ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Number of Pinoys in urban areas up 4(% NUMBER OF &ILIPINOS RESIDING IN URBAN AREAS INCREASED IN

THE 0HILIPPINE 3TATISTICS !UTHORITY 03! SAID IN A REPORT 03! SAID THE LEVEL OF URBANIZATION OR THE PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION RESIDING IN URBAN AREAS WAS AT PERCENT IN FROM PERCENT IN g4HIS MEANS THAT A TOTAL OF MILLION PERSONS RESIDED IN BARANGAYS CLASSIkED AS URBAN 4HERE WERE

BARANGAYS CLASSIkED AS URBAN AND AS RURAL u SAID 03! )N THE TOTAL NUMBER OF THOSE RESIDING IN URBAN AREAS WAS AT MILLION 03! SAID ACROSS REGIONS ASIDE FROM THE .#2 WHICH IS CLASSIkED

AS ENTIRELY URBAN FOUR OTHER REGIONS POSTED A LEVEL OF URBANIZATION HIGHER THAN THAT OF THE NATIONAL LEVEL 4HESE INCLUDE 2EGION !

PERCENT 2EGION PERCENT

2EGION PERCENT AND 2EGION PERCENT )N THE SAME kVE REGIONS POSTED THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF URBANIZATION -ORE THAN HALF PERCENT OF THE URBAN BARANGAYS IN !REAS /UTSIDE .#2 !/.#2 IN WERE CLASSIkED UNDER #ATEGORY THAT IS

THEY HAD A POPULATION SIZE OF AT LEAST

!LTOGETHER THE POPULATION OF THESE #ATEGORY URBAN BARANGAYS IN !/.#2 TOTALED TO MILLION 03! SAID BARANGAYS OUTSIDE .#2 CLASSIFIED AS URBAN BASED ON THE

PRESENCE OF ESTABLISHMENTS WITH AT LEAST EMPLOYEES #ATEGORY TOTALED TO IN MAKING UP PERCENT OF THE TOTAL URBAN BARANGAYS IN !/.#2 4OTAL POPULATION UNDER THE CATEGORY WAS AT MILLION 4HE REMAINING URBAN BARANGAYS

OR PERCENT OF THE TOTAL URBAN BARANGAYS IN !/.#2 IN

HAD AT LEAST FIVE ESTABLISHMENTS WITH TO EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE BARANGAY AND AT LEAST kVE FACILITIES WITHIN THE TWO KILOMETER RADIUS FROM THE BARANGAY HALL 4HESE URBAN BARANGAYS BELONGED TO #ATEGORY 03! SAID URBAN POPULATION UNDER THE SAID CATEGORY WAS AT MILLION ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Q SME FROM B1

TO CONSIDER THE IDEA OF kNANCING

+ARLO 'ARCIA IS A GRADUATE OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS WITH A DEGREE IN "ACHELOR OF 3CIENCE THAT THE BENEkTS IT PROVIDES MUST IN !CCOUNTANCY (E IS A #ERTIkED OUTWEIGH THE COSTS IT ENTAILS /NLY 0UBLIC !CCOUNTANT #0! WITH THEN WE WILL KNOW WHEN IT IS SMART WORK EXPERIENCE FROM A TOP AC-

COUNTING kRM IN THE 0HILIPPINES WHERE HE SPECIALIZED IN #ORPORATE 4AXATION (E IS CURRENTLY A 2ISK /PERATIONS !NALYST AT &IRST #IRCLE

SUPPORTING THE GROWTH OF 3-%S IN THE 0HILIPPINES (E CAN BE REACHED THROUGH HIS EMAIL AT KARLO GARCIA kRSTCIRCLE COM

ANCE FRAMEWORK ARE ADOPTED TO MANAGE THE ASSOCIATE TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER OPERATIONAL RISKS AND PUT IN PLACE ADEQUATE CONSUMER PROTECTION AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT

REGULATIONS ENSURE SUFkCIENT AND AMONG OTHERS u &ONACIER STRESSED APPROPRIATE CONTROLS AND GOVERN3EVEN 6#%S &YNTEGRATE )NC

:Y"I 4ECH )NC "ETUR )NC 2EBITTANCE )NC "LOOM3OLUTIONS

%4RANSS AND 6IRTUAL #URRENCY 0HILIPPINES )NC HAVE SO FAR BEEN ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN THE COUNTRY

BY THE "30 MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

THE SIDEWALK TO GET IN AND OUT OF A PARKING LOT ALONGSIDE THE CREEK -ANY STUDENTS RECOUNT NEAR COLLISIONS WHEN THEY ARE FORCED TO WALK ON THE ROADWAY BECAUSE PARKED CARS WERE BLOCKING THE SIDEWALK 4HERE IS ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE SIDEWALK FROM THE DAILY LOAD OF CARS THAT DRIVE ON TOP OF THE PAVED WALKWAY WHICH WAS NOT DESIGNED TO CARRY THE LOAD OF A MOTOR VEHICLE 4HE 0EARL $RIVE MATTER IS STILL TO BE RESOLVED #ARS CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON TOP OF THE SIDEWALK TO GET TO PARKING SPACES BESIDE THE CREEK -EANWHILE STUDENTS AND

PRESENT HIS VISION OF WHAT 0EARL $RIVE COULD LOOK LIKE WITH A LINEAR PARK AND gGREENWAYu CREATED OUT OF TODAY S PARKING LOT 0EARL $RIVE IS ONE BRIGHT SPARK OF LOCAL INITIATIVE 4HE HOPE IS THAT THIS SMALL SPARK WILL kRE UP THE INTEREST AND DETERMINATION OF THOUSANDS MORE &ILIPINOS TO MAKE THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WALKABLE AND LIVABLE

Changing

Q REGISTERED FROM B1

BSP: Virtual

BARANGAY RESIDENTS ARE HOPING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT THE LAND OWNER AND THE PARKING LOT OPERATOR WILL SEE THE MERITS OF RE PURPOSING THE NARROW PIECE OF LAND FOR THE SAFETY OF PEDESTRIANS AND IN THE LARGER PUBLIC INTEREST !NOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY S SYMPOSIUM WILL BE THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY !RCH 0AULO !LCAZAREN

THE DESIGNER OF )LOILO S FAMOUS %SPLANADE AND ONE OF THE LEADING ADVOCATES OF INCLUSIVE MOBILITY 0AULO S TALK ENTITLED g%VERYONE 7ALKS IN A 7OKE #ITYu WILL NO DOUBT SHARE HIS DREAM OF A g7ALKABLE 0HILIPPINESu 0AULO WILL ALSO

2OBERT 9 3IY IS A DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIST CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNER AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT ADVOCATE (E CAN BE REACHED AT mobiliTYMATTERS PH YAHOO COM OR FOLLOWED ON 4WITTER 2OBERT2SIY

DTI, Tesda ink deal for capacity building AN agreement was sealed between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to promote the construction industry amid the government’s aggressive infrastructure drive.

“The said agreement aims to develop and implement programs in a smooth and effective manner on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit to accelerate the delivery of the Build, Build, Build Program by providing competent construction manpower,” DTI said in a statement on Friday.

The DTI said the agreement was made through the Construction Industry and Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) and DTI’s Construction Manpower Development Foundation (CMDF).

The deal mandates Tesda and CMDF to conduct internal and external trainings for capacity building.

CMDF’s Construction Manpower Development Center in Cavite could be

used as venue for training and construction assessment programs, DTI said.

The training materials to be provided by CMDF to Tesda trainings will be “synchronized and anchored” to the Philippine Qualification Framework (PQF) which is the “national policy describing the levels of educational qualifications and sets the standards for qualification outcomes.”

Apart from this, CMDF is also making its project Enhanced Construction Managers’ Training and Certification Program (ECOMTCP) parallel to PQF. ECOMTCP is CMDF’s program that provides credits to professionals under the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Law of 2016.

“The learning activities professionals engage in [aim] to develop and enhance their abilities, as a mandatory requirement in the renewal of professional license and accreditation system for the practice of professions,” DTI said.

TYRONE C. PIAD

Q BUMPY FROM B1

A gRIVALu TO THE BLOC AS WELL AS ITS BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER #ONTE IS EXPECTED TO REASSURE %UROPEAN PARTNERS ABOUT THE NON BINDING -O5 AT AN %5 SUMMIT IN "RUSSELS ON 4HURSDAY AND &RIDAY

BEFORE HEADING BACK TO 2OME FOR THE SIGNING &RANCE ON 4HURSDAY ANNOUNCED THAT 0RESIDENT %MMANUEL -ACRON WILL HOLD TRADE AND CLIMATE TALKS ON 4UESDAY WITH 8I 'ERMAN #HANCELLOR !NGELA -ERKEL AND %UROPEAN #OMMISSION PRESIDENT *EAN #LAUDE *UNCKER !S HE ARRIVED FOR THE %5 SUMMIT IN "RUSSELS -ACRON WELCOMED WHAT HE CALLED %UROPE S gAWAKENINGu TO THE CHALLENGE POSED BY #HINA "UT HIS OFFICE STRUCK A MORE CONCILIATORY TONE IN ANNOUNCING 4UESDAY S TALKS SAYING IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN %UROPE S STRATEGY AND SEEK gPOINTS OF CONVERGENCE BETWEEN %UROPE AND #HINAu 4HE MEETING COMES AHEAD OF A #HINA %5 SUMMIT IN "RUSSELS NEXT MONTH AS THE BLOC STRUGGLES TO FORGE %UROPE WIDE #HINA POLICIES g#HINA HAS A BIG ADVANTAGE BY PLANNING YEARS IN ADVANCE

WHILE 7ESTERN COUNTRIES PLAN FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR u SAID 'IULIANO .OCI #HINA EXPERT AT -ILAN 0OLYTECHNIC BUSINESS SCHOOL g)N THIS SENSE THE #HINESE WILL ALWAYS BE AT AN ADVANTAGE u .OCI TOLD !&0

China’s WITH 8I ON 3ATURDAY FOR )TALY TO JOIN THE TRILLION "ELT AND 2OAD )NITIATIVE THE kRST ' MEMBER TO DO SO DESPITE APPARENT DIVISIONS WITHIN THE RULING COALITION 8I ARRIVED IN 2OME ON 4HURSDAY NIGHT AND WAS TO MEET HIS )TALIAN COUNTERPART 3ERGIO -ATTARELLA ON &RIDAY DURING A TRIP THAT WILL ALSO TAKE IN PARLIAMENT AND THE #OLOSSEUM !ROUND EXTRA POLICE HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AROUND 2OME FOR THE STATE VISIT BEFORE 8I HEADS TO 0ALERMO WHERE HIS SINGER WIFE 0ENG ,IYUAN REPORTEDLY WANTS TO SEE THE 4EATRO -ASSIMO OPERA HOUSE )N WHAT SOME PERCEIVED AS A SNUB )TALY S FAR RIGHT $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER -ATTEO 3ALVINI SAID HE WOULD NOT ATTEND 3ATURDAY S STATE DINNER FOR 8I AT -ATTARELLA S 1UIRINAL 0ALACE 3ALVINI HAS SAID )TALY WOULD BE gNO ONE S COLONYu AND URGED CAUTION ABOUT USING TELECOM GIANT (UAWEI S NEXT GENERATION ' MOBILE TECHNOLOGY WHILE COALITION PARTNER ,UIGI $I -AIO IS KEENER FOR #HINESE PARTNERSHIPS 4HE 5NITED 3TATES HAS WARNED %UROPEAN ALLIES THAT (UAWEI COULD USE ITS ' TECHNOLOGY AS A gBACKDOORu FOR SPYING WHILE #HINA HAS LASHED OUT AT gIMMORALu ATTACKS .!4/ MEMBER )TALY S PLAN TO JOIN #HINA S AMBITIOUS MARITIME

RAIL AND ROAD VENTURE WHICH CRITICS WARN MAINLY BENEkTS #HINESE kRMS HAS RAISED EYEBROWS AMONG 7ESTERN ALLIES AND WITHIN )TALY

‘Trojan horse’ 2OME IS AT RISK OF BECOMING gA SORT OF #HINESE 4ROJAN HORSE IN %UROPE u SAID -ARIASTELLA 'ELMINI OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER 3ILVIO "ERLUSCONI S &ORZA )TALIA PARTY $EBT RIDDEN )TALY IS TECHNICALLY IN RECESSION AND KEEN TO HAVE MORE BUSINESS WITH #HINA g) THINK THAT ANY NEW THING NEEDS TO GO THROUGH A DEVELOPMENT PROCESS u #HINA S 6ICE -INISTER OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS 7ANG #HAO TOLD JOURNALISTS OF THE CONTROVERSY IN )TALY 7HITE (OUSE OFFICIAL 'ARRETT -ARQUIS LAST WEEK TWEETED THAT THERE WAS gNO NEEDu FOR )TALY TO ENDORSE g#HINA S INFRASTRUCTURE VANITY PROJECTu $EPUTY 0RIME -INISTER $I -AIO OF THE ANTI ESTABLISHMENT &IVE 3TAR -OVEMENT IS TO ADDRESS A #HINA )TALY BUSINESS FORUM ON &RIDAY 8I S VISIT COMES A WEEK AFTER THE %UROPEAN 5NION RELEASED A POINT PLAN OUTLINING A SHIFT TO MORE ASSERTIVE RELATIONS WITH "EIJING WARNING THAT #HINA WAS

Strategic ports "EIJING IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN )TALIAN PORTS TO HELP FUNNEL ITS PRODUCTS INTO %UROPE

AMID WARNINGS THAT 2OME MUST AVOID THE MODEL OF THE 'REEK PORT OF 0IRAEUS WHICH WAS TAKEN OVER BY #HINESE SHIPPING GIANT #OSCO IN 3UPPORTERS OF THE -O5 SAID THAT IT WILL LEAD TO #HINA COMPLYING WITH %UROPEAN 5NION STANDARDS AND CANNOT BE COMPARED TO DEBT INDUCING DEALS "EIJING HAS SIGNED WITH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 4HE #%/ OF )TALIAN TYRE GIANT 0IRELLI WHICH IS PERCENT #HINESE OWNED SAID THAT ANY AGREEMENTS MUST BE gBALANCEDu g7E NEED TO STABILISE THE RULES OF THE GAME BUT INTERESTS ARE CONVERGING AND WE CAN T LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY u -ARCO 4RONCHETTI TOLD #ORRIERE DELLA 3ERA $ESPITE APPARENT WARMING TIES 8I IS NOT EXPECTED TO MEET 0OPE &RANCIS 4HE 6ATICAN HAS DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH 4AIWAN AND NOT "EIJING SO THE ENCOUNTER WOULD BE UNLIKELY DESPITE AN AGREEMENT ON APPOINTING BISHOPS IN #HINA SIGNED LAST YEAR 8I HEADS TO -ONACO ON 3UNDAY AND THEN ON TO &RANCE TO CAP HIS %UROPEAN TOUR AFP

Corporate News Pilipinas Shell profit down to P5.1B ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

P

ILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. saw its net income hit P5.1 billion last year after facing aggressive competition and higher pump prices in the period.

In a disclosure on Friday, the listed oil company reported that the amount was a 51-percent decrease from P10.4 billion in 2017.

While Pilipinas Shell did not

cite any reason for the decline, it also reported that it had generated P14.1 billion from operations, WHICH WAS SUFkCIENT TO COVER ITS capital expenditures (capex) and

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

dividend payments. &OR THIS YEAR THE kRM ALLOTTED 0 billion to support the expansion of its retail business and optimization projects in the manufacturing and supply segment.

Last year’s capex reached P4.1 billion. At yearend, return on average capital employed stood at 15 percent, while gearing ratio remained low at 17 percent. “Our strong cashflows have enabled us to deliver superior

ICTSI unit gets $300-M loan A UNIT of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has sealed a loan term agreement worth $300 million with the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank).

In a filing on Friday, the Razonled port operator said subsidiary ICTSI Global Finance B.V. secured the loan, which would have a seven-year tenor.

Its board of directors approved the listed company’s move to act as the loan’s guarantor, it added. “Proceeds of the loan will be used to fund capital expenditures, to refinance existing obligations and for other general corporate purposes,� ICTSI told The Manila Times.

The company reported earlier this month that its net income attributable to equity holders

climbed by 22 percent to $221.5 million last year from $182.1 million in 2017.

Revenues from port operations rose by 11 percent to $1.4 billion in 2018 from $1.2 billion a year earlier. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped by 11 percent to $642.2 million from $578 million. ICTSI also saw growth in the 20-foot equivalent units of cargo handled last year, posting a consolidated volume of 9.73 million TEUs, a 6-percent increase from 9.15 million TEUs in 2017. Capital expenditures for this year, meanwhile, may reach $380 million to finance expansion plans in Manila, Mexico and Iraq, as well as acquiring additional equipment. LISBET K. ESMAEL

Philex Mining earnings drop 63.3% to P608.4M PHILEX Mining Corp. reported on Friday that its net income declined by 63.3 percent to P608.4 million in 2018 from P1.6 billion the year before, partly caused by the increase in the excise tax on mining and reduction in ore grades.

In a disclosure, the Pangilinan-led mining kRM ATTRIBUTED THE DROP TO VARIOUS HEADWINDS

PARTICULARLY gRISING INlATION REGULATORY HURDLES and depleting ore grades,� which resulted in lower metal production.

Consolidated revenues slipped by 16 percent to P7.64 billion from P9.14 billion, which the company blamed on lower tonnage across all products. This, it said, negated the impact of improved metal prices and favorable exchange rates.

Philex Mining’s Padcal mine in Benguet province milled 8.51 million tons of ore last year, down 1.80 percent from 8.67 million in 2017.

Gold output dipped to 61,977 ounces from 84,638 ounces. Copper output also fell to 26.575 million pounds from 30.118 million pounds.

Lower metal output, Philex Mining said, was due to marginal ore grades, which were inherent within the fringes of the mineral body. “In addition, mining operations were also hampered by the impact of typhoons, causing power disruptions and manpower safety concerns, leading to [fewer] operating days,� it added.

During the period, average realized price for gold was $1,294 per ounce from $1,273 per ounce. For copper, it was $2.92 per pound

from $2.96 per pound.

Total production costs decreased to P4.408 billion from P4.412 billion amid higher prices for input materials and utility rates.

General and administrative expenses also dropped by 16 percent to P306 million from P363 million, while depletion and depreciation rose by 3 percent to P1.601 billion from P1.551 billion.

Last year, Philex Mining’s excise tax and royalties grew by 12 percent to P506 million from P452 million in 2017. This was because of the implementation of Republic Act 10963 or the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act� at the start of the year, which doubled the excise tax levied on mining from 2 percent to 4 percent. “We continue to address the complexities of the diminishing ore state of Padcal through various operational enhancements,� said Eulalio B. Austin Jr., president and chief executive OFkCER OF 0HILEX -INING “We are aggressively working on key project requirements in preparation for the eventual transition to Silangan. At the same time, while interim prospects remain subdued, we are determined to maximize the remaining mine life of Padcal,� he added.

Incorporated on July 19, 1955, Philex Mining is into the large-scale exploration, development and utilization of mineral resources. It has been operating the Pacdal mine for more than 50 years.

Philex Mining shares slid by 5 centavos or 1.31 percent to close at P3.77 apiece on Friday.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

Businessinbriefs SEC OKAYS CENTURY PROPERTIES’ P3-B BOND ISSUANCE THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has permitted Century Properties Group Inc. to issue fixed-rate bonds worth P3 billion. The listed property developer told the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday that the agency approved the move during its March 21 meeting. The bond issuance has an aggregate principal amount of P2 billion and an oversubscription option of up to P1 billion. Details such as tenor and other terms and conditions would be determined next week. This came after Century Properties Chief Finance Officer Ponciano Carreon Jr. told reporters earlier this week that the issuance would help the company raise P10 billion as capital expenditures. Century Properties had tapped China Bank Capital as its lead underwriter and bookrunner for the issuance.

Public offer will start on the first week of April while official listing on the Philippine Dealing Exchange will be on April 15. Century Properties shares shed 1 centavo or 1.79 percent to close at 55 centavos each on Friday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

ALSONS CONSOLIDATED INCOME RISES TO P563M ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. saw its consolidated earnings grow by fourfold last year, fueled by its coal-fired power plant in Sarangani province. In a disclosure on Friday, Alsons said its consolidated profit hit P562.95 million in 2018, compared with P103 million a year earlier. Consolidated revenues climbed by 2 percent to P6.66 billion last year from 2017’s P6.51 billion. Sarangani Energy Corp.’s baseload coal-fired power plant in the province’s Maasim town, the firm said, continued to drive the growth in its earnings. Operating profit rose by 9 percent to P1.49 billion from P1.37 billion, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization jumped by P2.66 billion from P2.32 billion. Alsons shares increased by 7 centavos or 4.96 percent to end at P1.48 each on Friday.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

dividends to our investors since the IPO (initial public offering) at levels that keep us among the highest dividend-yielding stocks listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange,� Pilipinas Shell President AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER #ESAR Romero said.

Pilipinas Shell said its marketing business delivered robust earnings despite the competition and increased pump prices for most of 2018.

Although the manufacturing segment recorded its highest reliability in five years, contribution to the integrated business was affected by the sudden decline in crude prices in the fourth quarter and depressed REGIONAL REkNING MARGINS “Strong corporate governance, consistent strategy and commitment to our core values give us the CONkDENCE TO COMPETE IN A CHALlenging business environment,�

Romero said.

B3

Incorporated and registered AS 4HE 3HELL 2EkNING #O 0HILippines) Inc. on Jan. 9, 1959, 0ILIPINAS 3HELL IS INTO REkNING AND marketing petroleum products. It distributes them through its 27 fuel distribution terminals, 10 lubricants warehouses and two bitumen import facilities throughout the country.

Shares of Pilipinas Shell added 15 centavos or 0.30 percent to close at P50 apiece on Friday.

ICTSI stake hike in Manila North Harbour OKd INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) stake in Manila North Harbour Port Inc. (MNHPI) increased by 15.17 percent to 50 percent after securing the approval of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).

In a statement on Friday, the state-run competition watchdog said it greenlighted the Razon-led port operator’s acquisition of additional MNHPI shares from Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. in a March 14 decision.

These additional shares number 4.55 million and are worth P910 million, ICTSI reported in September. MNHPI parent San Miguel Holdings Corp. holds 43.33 percent of the remaining shares; IZ Investment Holdings Inc., 6.5 percent; and Petron Corp., 0.17 percent.

The approval came after the PCC reviewed the purchase to see it if that would lessen competition in port-operation services for foreign cargoes in the port. It said both companies had different markets and were mandated by an “existing regulatory barriers to entry.�

Citing the concession agreements

signed by both parties with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the PCC said there was a restriction on the types of cargo that might course through both terminals.

MNHPI, it explained, was prohibited from providing terminal services to foreign vessels and should only “cater to domestic vessels transporting domestic containerized, bulk and break-bulk cargo.� “PCC found that [MNHPI] is not a likely entrant in the relevant market and the proposed transaction will not lead to a loss of potential competition,� the agency said. “The transaction approval was hinged on the concession agreements with the PPA and the current regulatory regime. The commission approved the transaction, but noted that it may exercise the powers of the antitrust law if there were changes in the circumstances relevant to the transaction,� PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan said, referring to Republic Act 10667 or the “Philippine Competition Act of 2015.�

Since 2016, PCC has approved 165 proposals out of 177 transactions

amounting to P2.82 trillion.

Created under RA 10667, the PCC is a tasked with reviewing mergers and acquisitions for possibly adverse effects on competition and also investigating anticompetitive practices.

Incorporated on Dec. 24, 1987, ICTSI is into the operation, management, development and acquisition of container terminals. It operates in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and South Cotabato; and the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Olongapo in Zambales province.

It also owns and operates the Manila International Container Terminal, which services international cargo from the Port of Manila.

The port manager is involved in 31 terminal concessions and port development projects in 18 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Croatia, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Mexico, Papua New Guinea and Poland.

ICTSI shares added P2.80 or 2.31 perCENT TO kNISH AT 0 APIECE ON &RIDAY TYRONE C. PIAD WITH A REPORT FROM ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Foreign Business ‘Strong’ outlook for US growth – IMF W

B4

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

ASHINGTON, D.C.: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday (Friday in Manila) said the US economic outlook remained “strong,� a day after the Federal Reserve (Fed) trimmed its median growth forecasts for the year. “We believe the outlook for the US economy is strong with historically low unemployment, high levels of business and consumer CONkDENCE HELPED BY THE kSCAL EXpansion that’s underway,� spokesman Gerry Rice told reporters.

The Washington-based crisis lender is due to publish updated global growth forecasts on April 9.

And Rice said the IMF would have more to say on the US economy at that time, in addition to reports on trade and tariffs.

Last year, the United States began a trade war with China, and the world’s two largest economies

HAVE SINCE EXCHANGED TARIFFS ON more than $360 billion in two-way goods trade.

While the sums involved are comparatively small, the IMF and many economists warn the trade war could have larger ripple effects, denting the global economy.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve lowered its 2019 US growth forecast to 2.1 percent, down from a 2.3 percent estimate in December, which was also a downward revision.

However, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell told reporters the central bank’s outlook was still

“a positive one.�

The most recent IMF forecast for the United States calls for GDP growth of 2.5 percent. And Rice said the multilateral institution also approves of the Fed’s current monetary policy decisions.

The Fed’s median estimate now calls for no interest rate increases at all this year, after FOUR INCREASES IN BUT THIS IS SUBJECT TO REVISION “Given the range of global uncertainties facing the US economy we support the Fed’s decision to be patient in determining future changes to the federal funds rate,�

Rice said Thursday.

He also said the Fed’s self-declared data dependence and clear public communication would HELP gMINIMIZE ANY MARKET DISruptions and spillovers from its policy decisions.�

AFP

Q In this file photo taken on Sept. 4, 2018, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) sign is seen in Washington, D.C. The IMF on March 21, 2019, said the US economic outlook remained ‘strong,’ a day after the Federal Reserve trimmed its median growth forecasts for the year. AFP PHOTO

Musk calls on workers Indonesia’s Garuda cancels 49-jet Boeing 737 deal to help deliver cars SAN FRANCISCO: Tesla chief Elon Musk on Thursday (Friday in Manila) urged workers to make helping with the “biggest wave� of deliveries in the electric carmaker’s history their top priority, Business Insider reported.

The news website posted a copy of an internal email from Musk rallying Tesla troops to pitch in with “a massive wave of deliveries� throughout Europe, China and North America. “This is the biggest wave in Tesla’s history,� the email read. “For the last 10 days of the quarter, please consider your primary priority to be helping with vehicle deliveries. This applies to everyone.�

4HE kRM IS EXPERIENCING THE KIND of tremendous increase in delivery demand seen in North America last year in Europe and China, according to the email, which added the situaTION WAS EXACERBATED BY COMPONENT supplier shortages in Europe.

Musk was reportedly seeking volunteers to drive Tesla cars to destinations such as shipping points, but SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT THE DELIVERY crunch to recur in future quarters.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

Meanwhile, a message from 4ESLA S OFkCIAL 4WITTER ACCOUNT ON Tuesday said that due to trouble processing an unusually high volume of online orders, a planned slight increase in prices of some models was postponed a day.

Tesla currently makes all its cars at a plant in the Northern California city of Fremont and aimed to deliver 400,000 cars this year.

4HE kRM RECENTLY INTRODUCED A new electric sports utility vehicle SLIGHTLY BIGGER AND MORE EXPENSIVE than its Model 3, pitched as an electric car for the masses.

Tesla last week showed the allelectric Model Y with a starting price of $39,000 for a version with a 230mile (370-kilometer) range. $ELIVERIES WERE EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATE NEXT YEAR THAT MODEL WITH THE STANDARD range version likely to get to buyers by spring 2021, according to the company.

Musk, 47, is a visionary and inventive boss but also highly unpredictable, especially on social network Twitter, where he has often COMMUNICATED IN DEkANCE OF RULES IMPOSED ON EXECUTIVES OF PUBLICLY traded companies.

AFP

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s national carrier Garuda has told Boeing it will cancel a multibillion-dollar order FOR "OEING -AX JETS AFTER the model was involved in two fatal crashes.

The move could spark more CANCELLATIONS FROM OTHER MAJOR carriers, an aviation analyst said, as Boeing and US federal REGULATORS GET SET TO FACE THEIR kRST public grilling by Congress since the deadly incidents. “We have sent a letter to Boeing requesting that the order be cancelled,� Garudaspokesman Ikhsan Rosan said. “The reason is that Garuda passengers in Indonesia have lost trust and no longer have the conkDENCEu IN THE PLANE HE SAID ADDing that the airline was awaiting a response from Boeing.

Boeing officials will visit InDONESIA NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS 'Aruda’s plans to call off the order, he told AFP. Garuda had already received one of the planes, Rosan said, part of a 50-aircraft order worth $4.9 billion at list prices when it was announced in 2014.

Garuda is also talking to Boeing about whether or not to return the PLANE IT HAS IN ITS lEET THE SPOKESman said.

The Indonesian carrier had so far paid Boeing about $26 million, while the company’s head told local media outlet Detik that it would consider switching to a NEW VERSION OF THE SINGLE AISLE JET “In principle, it’s not that we want to replace Boeing, but maybe we will replace (these planes) with another model,� Garuda Indonesia director I Gusti Ngurah Askhara Danadiputra told Detik.

A Boeing spokeswoman in Singapore told AFP on Friday: “We do not comment on customer discussions.�

Shukor Yusof, head of Malaysiabased aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, said Garuda’s announceMENT APPEARED TO MARK THE kRST formal plans by a carrier to cancel AN ORDER FOR THE -!8 It “will probably not be the last.

There is a risk that Garuda’s rival Lion Air, which also has many 737 -!8 ORDERS MIGHT MAKE THE same decision,� he said. “That is a risk. This has been

made public by the Lion Air CEO. He stated publicly that he is considering� a cancellation.

"UT HE ADDED THAT IT WAS DIFkCULT TO PREDICT WHETHER MORE MAJOR CARriers would follow suit. “There are many unanswered questions and each airline has SPECIkC NEEDS u 9USOF SAID This month, Lion Air said it was postponing delivery of four of the JETS AFTER AN %THIOPIAN !IRLINES "OEING -!8 WENT DOWN MINUTES INTO A lIGHT TO .AIROBI

killing all 157 people on board.

The Ethiopian tragedy came afTER A ,ION !IR JET OF THE SAME MODEL crashed in Indonesia in October, KILLING ALL PEOPLE ON BOARD Budget carrier Lion — Southeast !SIA S BIGGEST AIRLINE BY lEET SIZE AND A MAJOR "OEING CUSTOMER ‡ SAID THE now-postponed planes had been on track for delivery this year.

Lion did not immediately respond to AFP’s request Friday for comment on its current plans following Garuda’s announcement. ,ION !IR OPERATES -AX JETS

part of a then-record $22 billion order from Boeing made in 2011.

The airlines are the only two that

USE THE -AX IN )NDONESIA Both crashed planes reportedly EXPERIENCED ERRATIC STEEP CLIMBS AND DESCENTS AS WELL AS lUCTUATING airspeeds before crashing shortly after takeoff.

Investigators have honed in on an automated anti-stalling system introduced on the plane that is designed to point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling.

From now on, all Boeing’s stateOF THE ART MODEL WILL BE OUTkTTED with a warning light for malfunctions in the anti-stall system, an industry source told AFP Thursday, standardising a feature previously SOLD AS AN EXPENSIVE OPTIONAL EXTRA The development comes as the US manufacturer struggles to cope with the fallout from the two crashes, which have cast a spotlight ON THE SAFETY CERTIkCATION PROCESS AND SHAKEN CONkDENCE IN A PLANE that is crucial to its future plans.

Boeing and the US Federal Aviation Administration are under investigation by the Transportation Department for how the rollout of THE JET WAS HANDLED INCLUDING THE anti-stall system.

AFP

Energy giants spent $1B on climate lobbying, PR since 2015 Nike shares fall on slower NAmerican sales growth

PARIS: The five largest publicly listed OIL AND GAS MAJORS HAVE SPENT BILlion since the 2015 Paris climate deal on public relations or lobbying that is gOVERWHELMINGLY IN CONlICTu WITH THE landmark accord’s goals, a watchdog said on Friday.

Despite outwardly committing to support the Paris agreement and its aim TO LIMIT GLOBAL TEMPERATURE RISES %XXonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP and Total spend a total of $200 million a year on EFFORTS gTO OPERATE AND EXPAND FOSSIL FUEL OPERATIONS u ACCORDING TO )NlUENCE-AP

a pro-transparency monitor.

Two of the companies — Shell and #HEVRON ‡ SAID THEY REJECTED THE WATCHDOG S kNDINGS “The fossil fuel sector has ramped up A QUITE STRATEGIC PROGRAMME OF INlUENCING THE CLIMATE AGENDA u )NlUENCE-AP %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR $YLAN 4ANNER TOLD Agence France-Presse. “It’s a continuum of activity from their lobby trade groups attacking the details of regulations, controlling them all the way up, to controlling the way the media thinks ABOUT THE OIL MAJORS AND CLIMATE u The report comes as oil and gas gi-

ants are under increasing pressure from shareholders to come clean over how greener lawmaking will impact their business models.

As planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions hit their highest levels in huMAN HISTORY IN THE kVE COMPANIES WRACKED UP TOTAL PROkTS OF BILLION At the same time, the International Panel on Climate Change — composed of the world’s leading climate scientists —issued a call for a radical drawdown in fossil fuel use in order to hit the 1.5C (2.7 Fahrenheit) cap laid out in the Paris accord. )NlUENCE-AP LOOKED AT ACCOUNTS LOBBYing registers and communications releases since 2015, and alleged a large gap between the climate commitments companies make and the action they take. )T SAID ALL kVE ENGAGED IN LOBBYING AND “narrative capture� through direct contact WITH LAWMAKERS AND OFkCIALS SPENDING millions on climate branding, and by employing trade associations to represent the sector’s interests in policy discussions. “The research reveals a trend of carefully devised campaigns of positive messaging combined with negative policy lobbying on climate change,� it said.

It added that of the more than $110 BILLION THE kVE HAD EARMARKED FOR CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN JUST BN WAS GIVEN over to low-carbon schemes.

The report came one day after the European Parliament was urged to strip %XXON-OBIL LOBBYISTS OF THEIR ACCESS AFTER the US giant failed to attend a hearing WHERE EXPERT WITNESSES SAID THE OIL GIANT has knowingly misled the public over climate change. “How can we accept that companies spending hundreds of millions on lobbying against the EU’s goal of reaching the Paris agreement are still granted privileged access to decision makers?� said Pascoe Sabido, Corporate Europe Observatory’s climate policy researcher, WHO WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE )NlUENCEMap report.

4HE REPORT SAID %XXON ALONE SPENT million a year on “climate branding� and $41 million annually on lobbying efforts.

In 2017 the company’s shareholders voted to push it to disclose what tougher emissions policies in the wake of Paris would mean for its portfolio.

7ITH THE EXCEPTION OF &RANCE S 4OTAL

EACH OIL MAJOR HAD LARGELY FOCUSED CLI-

MATE LOBBYING EXPENDITURE IN THE 53

the report said.

Chevron alone has spent more than MILLION IN 53 POLITICAL DONATIONS since 1990, according to the report.

AFP contacted all five oil and gas companies mentioned in the report for comment. “We disagree with the assertion that Chevron has engaged in ‘climate-related branding and lobbying’ that is ‘overWHELMINGLY IN CONlICT WITH THE 0ARISAgreement,� said a Chevron spokesman. “We are taking action to address potential climate change risks to our business and investing in technology and low carbon business opportunities that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions.�

A spokeswoman for Shell — which the report said spends $49 million annually ON CLIMATE LOBBYING ‡ SAID IT gkRMLY REJECTEDu THE kNDINGS “We are very clear about our support for the Paris Agreement, and the steps that we are taking to help meet society’s needs for more and cleaner energy,� they told AFP. "0 %XXON-OBIL AND 4OTAL DID NOT provide comment to AFP. AFP

German manufacturing woes drag down eurozone FRANKFURT AM MAIN: Signs of a weak first QUARTER FOR THE EUROZONE MOUNTED ON &RIday as a closely-watched survey pointed to March output being dragged further down by manufacturing weakness, especially in Germany, Europe’s largest economy. $ATA COMPANY )(3 -ARKIT SAID IN A kRST estimate for the month that while services kRMS PROVED gRESILIENT u MANUFACTURERS in the 19-nation single currency bloc gREPORTED THEIR STEEPEST DOWNTURN FOR SIX years� as pressure mounted from trade WARS AND "REXIT FEARS At 47.6 points — down from 49.3 last month — the manufacturing purchasING MANAGERS INDEX 0-) SANK FURTHER below the crucial 50-point threshold BETWEEN EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION

A headline “composite� figure that also includes services remained in positive territory, although it shed 0.6 points compared with February to land at 51.3.

In Europe’s largest economy Germany, “factory orders deteriorated to the greatest EXTENT SINCE THE HEIGHT OF THE GLOBAL kNANcial crisis in April 2009,� IHS Markit said.

The industrial powerhouse barely avoided falling into recession at the end of last year as it suffered knock-on effects from America’s trade war with China and new emissions tests hit the vital auto sector.

Uncertainty over the threat of US tariffs on European cars and a possible no-deal departure for Britain from the EU have added to the gloom. “While recovery from one-offs is still

EXPECTED IN 'ERMAN MANUFACTURING OUTput, uncertainty about global economic factors is weighing heavily,� ING econoMIST "ERT #OLIJN COMMENTED &RANCE THE EUROZONE S SECOND LARGest economy, has also suffered in recent months as “yellow vest� protesters have disrupted economic activity.

Orders fell again in March, dashing hopes that a rise in February marked the start of a rebound.

But the picture was brighter elsewhere IN THE EUROZONE Outside Germany and France, “the rate of output growth accelerated to its highest since last September,� IHS Markit found, although all of the boost came from services kRMS WHILE MANUFACTURERS gSTAGNATED u

“Today’s PMI indicates that GDP growth is unlikely to have bounced back�

IN THE kRST QUARTER SAID ANALYST #OLIJN g4O kRE ON BOTH CYLINDERS AGAIN THE EUROZONE SEEMS TO REQUIRE THE GLOBAL growth outlook to improve. Unfortunately, uncertainty is continuing into April.�

Hopes of a quick deal between WashINGTON AND "EIJING THAT COULD HELP DISPEL weakness in global trade have so far been disappointed, with a new round of talks SLATED FOR NEXT WEEK IN THE #HINESE CAPITAL Meanwhile the EU agreed a short "REXIT DELAY TO !PRIL WITH "RITISH Prime Minister Theresa May late Thursday, leaving uncertainty dangling over future relations with one of the euroZONE S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNERS AFP

NEW YORK: Nike shares fell on lower sales growth in North America on Thursday (Friday in Manila) as the company returned to thirdQUARTER PROkTABILITY WHILE TOUTING NEW INVESTments in e-commerce and women’s athletics.

The sports giant scored profits of $1.1 BILLION IN THE QUARTER ENDING &EBRUARY

compared with a $921 million loss in the YEAR AGO PERIOD DUE TO A ONE TIME TAX CUTS Revenues rose seven percent to $9.6 billion. Sales growth was led by China with 19 percent, but increased in all regions.

But sales in North America rose seven percent, which was slower than the level in the second quarter and below leading forecasts.

Nike continued to boost spending on digital commerce through new mobile applications, enhanced customer memberships and loyalty programs.

The initiatives are partly motivated by a commercial shakeout in the retail business that has derailed some chains that once sold the brand and sharpened the need for direct sales. #HIEF &INANCIAL /FkCER !NDY #AMPION TOLD an analyst conference call that the investments stem from a belief that “from a longterm perspective, we see digital comprising THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUSINESS u Nike is also focusing marketing and product development dollars on female customERS UNVEILING A MAJOR g$REAM #RAZIERu AD campaign narrated by Serena Williams that HAS BEEN VIEWED NEARLY MILLION TIMES on YouTube and has been most-ever-shared ITEM ON )NSTAGRAM IN .ORTH !MERICA EXECUtives said. #HIEF %XECUTIVE -ARK 0ARKER SAID .IKE S OVERALL SALES ARE STILL gUNDERINDEXEDu TO WOMen and that the market offered “tremendous upside� worldwide, including in China for products such as running gear and sports bras.

Shares of North America fell 4.6 percent to IN AFTER HOURS TRADING AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Searca in meeting for climate change THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), which manages the Asean Working Group on Social Forestry (AWG-SF) Strategic Response Fund (ASRF), will participate in THE TH -EETING OF THE !D (OC 3TEERing Committee on Climate Change and Food Security to be held in Bali, )NDONESIA ON -ARCH TO Asean is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “Searca will present its key initiatives on food security in addressing climate change in the Asean member-states (AMS). Likewise, it will share initial gains in the implementation of the ASRF. This includes the IMPLEMENTATION OF NINE PROJECTS IN eight AMS under its reserved grants and the funding of three grantees to participate in conferences,� the agency said in a statement.

Moreover, the initial draft of the paper “Stocktaking of Asean Cooperation in Food, Agriculture AND &ORESTRY IN THE #ONTEXT OF THE Sustainable Development Goals,� developed by Roehlano Briones, technical consultant, with support from Searca upon the request of the Asean Secretariat, will be discussed.

Inputs and recommendations from the participants will aid in the PREPARATION OF THE kNAL DRAFT THAT will be submitted for endorsement by the relevant Asean bodies.

Doris Capistrano, Asean-Swiss Partnership on Social Forestry and Climate Change (ASFCC) regional advisor, will provide updates on recent developments on the Asean Multi-Sectoral Framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards Food Security and ASFCC’s future support to it. Various Asean working groups and sectoral bodies will share updates on key initiatives and relevant frameworks on climate change.

As a side event of the meeting, the AWG-SF Secretariat will host a meeting of ASFCC partners on March 30 to 31. The meeting will discuss PREPARATIONS FOR THE !SIA 0ACIkC &ORestry Week in Incheon, South Korea on June 17 to 21.

THE TIMES

Y

ESTERDAY, March 22, amid THE ONGOING gARTIkCIAL WATER crisis� that affected around 1.2 million residents of Metro Manila, we celebrated World Water Day. This year’s theme is “Leaving No One Behind,� an adaptation of the central promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — as sustainable development proGRESSES EVERYONE MUST BENEkT According to United Nations (UN) Water, we must focus our efforts towards including people who have been marginALIZED OR IGNORED 7ATER SERVICES must meet the needs of marginALIZED GROUPS ‡ WOMEN CHILdren, refugees, indigenous peoples, disabled people and many others — and their voices must be heard in decision-making processes. Regulatory and legal FRAMEWORKS MUST RECOGNIZE THE right to water for all people, and SUFkCIENT FUNDING MUST BE FAIRLY and effectively targeted at those who need it most.

Since the start of the year, I have been involved in four local and international conferences: Efficient 2019 10th International Water Association (IWA) Conference on Effective Urban Water Management with THE THEME g7ATER %FkCIENCY ‡ Driving Sustainable Development� and the International Workshop for Sanitation Value Chain with the theme “Social Acceptance of New Technology,� both held in January; and the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) 40th National Convention with the theme “Water Districts: Addressing Challenges Through Innovations,� and the 2019 Student Leadership Conference on Development at the United

Green Industries

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

B5

Green technology-trained workers key to sustainability

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO

W

ORKING towards a sustainable social and economic development while mainstreaming environmental concerns INTO THE WORLD OF WORK A MINING kRM IN .UEVA Vizcaya maintains its pool of highly trained green technology workforce in partnership with an Australia-based training provider.

In 2015, OceanaGold Philillipines Inc. (OGPI) with an investment of $1.4 million collaborated with Site Skills Training (SST) in Clark, Pampanga to provide interNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED UNDERGROUND mining training to residents of its HOST AND OTHER ADJACENT COMmunities in the mining area.

David Way, OGPI general manager, said local residents in the community were sent to SST and had graduated, receiving an )NTERNATIONAL #ERTIkCATE IN 5Nderground Metalliferous Mining Work Readiness Course.

SST is part of Site Group International, a registered training

ORGANIZATION UNDER THE !USTRAlian Skills Quality Authority DELIVERING !USTRALIAN RECOGNIZED and international best practice tailored training, assessment and competency assurance for trade SPECIkC AND INDUSTRIAL SKILLS IN the oil and gas, mining, construction and services industry. “To date, 94 students have graduated from the course and have taken on roles with the Didipio’s green mining technology,� Way said. !N !USSIE MINING kRM /'0) operates the Didipio Mine in the mineral deposit-rich upland village of Didipio in Kasibu town in .UEVA 6IZCAYA PROVINCE $IDIPIO

Mine is a high-grade underground gold and copper mine. In 2006, THE COMPANY ACQUIRED THE PROJECT THROUGH A MERGER WITH #LIMAX Mining Ltd. and commenced commercial production as an open pit operation in 2013. The mine transitioned in 2016 from an open pit to underground operation, with production from the underground commencing in early 2017. g7E EMPLOY APPROXIMATELY

PEOPLE PERCENT ARE &ILIpinos, 55 percent reside in the host PROVINCES OF .UEVA 6IZCAYA AND Quirino, and 30 percent reside in the host, community of Didipio,�

Way said, adding that only 2 perCENT OF EMPLOYEES ARE EXPATRIATES One of OGPI’s more prominent green technologies used in the Didipio Mine is the $6.1-million automated water treatment (AWT) faCILITY WITH WATER RECYCLING EFkCIENCY increased by up to 90 percent. With AWT, the mine’s processing plant has drastically reduced reliance on freshwater, maintaining the health of aquatic environments.

Another technology is an en-

vironmentally friendly paste BACKkLLING METHOD FOR ITS UNDERground tunnel preventing ground subsidence or gradual caving in and sinking of an area and other related issues. “Being green and responsible, the environment need not be harmed and even returned to a fertile, lush state if there is enough will and wherewithal to back it up,� Way said.

units and communities. g2EGULAR INTERNAL AND EXTERnal audits are conducted on our compliance with the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement, EXISTING PERMITS AND WITH 0HILIPpine laws, rules regulations and our corporate policies,� Way said.

The Philippines, having a highly educated workforce with a passion for learning, OGPI has continually invested in providing skills and technical training.

Gender equality “We value and respect our emand workers’ rights ployees and without them, we could not run our operation. We (E SAID PERCENT OF THE EMPLOY- PRIORITIZE FAIR REMUNERATION A SAFE ees were female and the company and inclusive workplace and take was working towards a target of 20 EMPLOYMENT BENEkTS AND LABOR percent, including women in sup- rights very seriously and that we port services, underground mining, provide benefits beyond those technical and engineering roles, mandated by law,� Way said. including management roles.

In 2013, OGPI employees also /'0) S OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO ORGANIZED THE 0UN OH OHHAAN (I regular monitoring, inspection Kiphodan, a labor union, which AND VERIkCATION BY VARIOUS GOVERN- successfully negotiated with the ment agencies and by a multipar- company and signed two succestite monitoring yeam composed sive collective bargaining agreeof members from national govern- ments and continue collaborating ment agencies, local government in dealing with workers’ concerns.

Haribon, Real LGU sign pact to restore Kalaw habitat

Q From left: Haribon Foundation Chief Operating Officer Maria Belinda de la Paz, Mayor Abigail Aquino of Real, Quezon and forester Lupo Telan from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sign the memorandum of agreement for the Forests for Life movement, a campaign to restore denuded forests in the country.  HARIBON PHOTO

CONSERVATION group Haribon Foundation represented by Chief Operating /FkCER -ARIA "ELINDA DE LA 0AZ AND -AYOR !BIGAIL !QUINO OF 2EAL 1UEZON

Lupo Telan as witnessed by forester, recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) at the Mayor’s /FkCE IN 2EAL TO RESTORE DENUDED FORESTS IN AREAS KNOWN AS THE EXISTing habitat of the northern rufous hornbill "UCEROS HYDROCORAX , or locally known as Kalaw.

Telan is from the Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesCommunity Environment and .ATURAL 2ESOURCES /FkCE IN 2EAL As part of the agreement, 32.56 hectares of deforested land located in the portion of Presidential Proclama-

tion 1636 parcel of land in Barangay Tanauan, Real, will be restored through Haribon’s Forests For Life (FFL) movement, a campaign to bring back Philippine forests using native trees.

Five out of the over 30-hectare restoration area will also be the site FOR THE HABITAT RESTORATION AND EXPANsion of the northern rufous hornbill, A NEW CONSERVATION PROJECT BY (ARIbon with Philippine-based business process outsourcing company Magellan Solutions. “There are not many studies that have been done to understand the kalaw, including their population and breeding capacity,� Haribon Conservation Specialist J. Kahlil 0ANOPIO EXPLAINED !CCORDING TO

BirdLife International, the northern rufous hornbill that can only be FOUND IN THE ISLANDS OF ,UZON HAS been listed as “vulnerable� from to massive habitat degradation and hunting over the past years.

The agreement was also followed by a MoA-signing between the Haribon Foundation represented by de LA 0AZ "ARANGAY 4ANUAN &ARMERS Association President Francisco Elle and captain Rodelio Torres of Barangay Tanauan. “If there should be a priority, it should be the conservation of the environment because all other services such as economic, social and infrastructure will be futile if we destroy it,� said Aquino, the mayor of Real.

Tubig! tubig! tubig!

ALL ABOUT CHOICES LUDWIG O. FEDERIGAN Nations with the theme “Ensuring 3AFE 3UFkCIENT AND !CCESSIBLE 7Ater and Sanitation for All,� both held last month. All focused on water-related issues where I had the opportunity to deliver presentations in three of these events.

In these events, I was deeply involved with the 2019 Student Leadership Conference on Development at the UN where our ORGANIZATION THE 9OUNG %NVIRONmental Forum, had the privilege of sending 43 young leaders as delegates representing the 23 educational institutions namely: Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology, Bicol UniversityTabaco Campus, Bulacan State University, Cavite State University, College of the Immaculate ConCEPTION $R *OSE 0 2IZAL 3ENIOR (IGH 3CHOOL .UEVA %CIJA 5NIVERsity of Science and Technology, Philippine Normal UniversityManila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, National UniVERSITY .AZARETH 3CHOOL 4ALUGTUG .ATIONAL (IGH 3CHOOL !NNEX Saverona, University of Caloocan City, University of Makati, University of the Philippines-Baguio, University of the Philippines-Los BaĂąos, University of Santo Tomas, ACLC of Tacloban City, Eastern Visayas State University, Visayas State University, West Visayas State University, Sultan Kudarat State University, University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and University of Southern Mindanao.

Three weeks prior to the event

after all the delegates were selected, we held virtual meetings that lasted until midnight where the delegates discussed and drafted their well-thought resolutions. I find this an opportune time to share with you seven resolutions kNALIZED BY OUR YOUNG LEADERS on three subthemes, namely:

On Water and Sanitation Resource Management and Innovation Under the subtheme “Water and sanitation resource management and innovation� led by Anne LouISE 4OLEZA "ULACAN 3TATE 5NIVERSIty) and Jefferson Estela (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), three resolutions were prepared and presented: Urging the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mainstream the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) in the formulation of the Integrated Water Quality Management Framework and Water Quality Management Area Plan.

Encouraging the DENR and NWRB in partnership with the local government units (LGUs) and other concerned agencies and stakeholders to strengthen the policies and intensify actions addressing water issues, and the RIGHT TO WATER ITS SUFkCIENCY SAFETY

accessibility and affordability as RECOGNIZED BY THE 5.

Urging NWRB to nationally device the Integrated 3D Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based Water Resources Management Information System to be piloted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency in the provinces of

Bulacan and Pampanga.

On water sanitation and infrastructure Under the subtheme “Water sanitation and infrastructure� led by Mary Grace Garingo (Sultan Kudarat State University) and Jay-Ar Catabona (Talugtug National High School !NNEX 3AVERONA A RESOLUTION WAS prepared and presented: Urging all national government agencies whose main responsibility are in water to provide the public a current situationer and the challenges of our water sanitation and infrastructure that will eventually pose a problem to the entire society.

On water pollution Under the subtheme “Water pollution,� led by Aldwin Silfavan (West Visayas State University) and Raymark Paul Rigor (University of the Philippines-Baguio), three resolutions were prepared and presented: Urging the government to strengthen environmental compliance under Presidential DeclaRATION WHERE EVERY PROJECT have to comply with the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System and secure the corresponding Environmental ComPLIANCE #ERTIkCATE OR #ERTIkCATE OF Non-Coverage in order to mitigate the negative effects of contamination; the DENR, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with nongovernMENT ORGANIZATIONS .'/S TO conduct environmental awareness campaign and forums in order to inculcate consciousness to the Filipinos such as the youth sector and business establishments; and

all LGUs to implement proper urban and land use planning and to educate and enlighten our people in rural and urban areas on the negative impacts of groundwater contamination to health.

Urging government agencies such as the DENR and DepEd to conduct seminar-workshops and intensive awareness campaigns on solid waste management and by incorporating these topics in the Youth Development Sessions and Family Development Sessions of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development; the LGUs to participate in symposiums in the local, regional, and national levels TO GAIN ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITIES and professional knowledge on solid waste management and to adhere to the 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan as stipulated under Republic Act 9003 and to immediately implement an action plan that will monitor proper collection and disposal of solid waste, and partner with the stuDENT BODY ORGANIZATIONS IN BOTH in public and private schools so as with the private sector in order to raise the awareness on solid waste management; politicians in all levels of government to pay attention and give high priority to solid waste management by creating technical working groups that will monitor and implement local activities in mitigating solid waste that results into lesser water pollution; and entertainment and SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS TO PUBLICIZE ads, campaigns, commercials, and other means of education and information dissemination to ensure effective awareness.

Urging government bodies such as the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau and Fertil-

IZER AND 0ESTICIDE !UTHORITY to provide countermeasures and mitigate the proliferation and effects of agrochemicals to the bodies of water; encouraging government bodies such as the DENR, DepEd and Department of Agriculture to conduct seminar-workshops and intensive environmental awareness campaigns and fora to instil mindfulness to the Filipino people especially to those people in the farming industry and agricultural community; and the LGUs to immediately implement an action plan that will monitor the contribution of agrochemical wastes to water pollution and educate our PEOPLE ON ITS THE HAZARDS In his inspirational message, Climate Change Commission %MMANUEL DE 'UZMAN SAID “With the synergies that we are continuing to build, I am CONkDENT THAT WE CAN COLLECtively step up our game. We can COLLECTIVELY kND NEWER MORE EFkcient, more creative, more united pathways for climate action. And with a single resounding voice, we will continue to champion our cause within government and beyond.�

We ended the conference with a greeting “Tashi Deley.� It is a Tibetian greeting that means:“I honor the greatness in you! I honor the place in your heart where lives your courage, honor, love, hope and dreams.�

NNN I will deliver a presentation on “Diminish Plastic� on March 27 during the launch of the Hotel and Restaurant Management Society Movement for Environmental Sustainability at the University of Santo Tomas.

B6

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SATURDAY March 23, 2019

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*HQHUDO 7HUPV DQG &RQGLWLRQ DQG VSHFLÂżFDWLRQ RI WKH LWHPV XQGHU WKLV ,QYLWDWLRQ WR %LG may obtain on the above address for information and compliance by the Bidder.

The PNP HS-BAC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid proposal, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

Very truly yours,

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that HONEYCOMB BUILDERS, INC. RZQHU GHYHORSHU KDYH ÂżOHG ZLWK this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of lots and units at URBAN LOFT LOURDES located at 3876 Dangal St., Brgy., 617, Zone 61, District IV, Bacood, 6WD 0HVD 0DQLOD VSHFLÂżFDOO\ described as Lot No. 13, Block No. 16, Pcs-2793 covered by TCT Nos. 002-2018000563 with a total area of 325.4 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of SEVEN HUNDRED FIVE THOUSAND SEVENTY SEVEN and 79/100 (Php705,077.79) in a trust account under Escrow Agreement executed on February 8, 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD, HONEYCOMB BUILDERS, INC. and BDO UNIBANK, INC., TRUST AND INVESTMENTS GROUP as its compliance to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884.

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

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

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Feb. 21, 2019 (SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City NOTICE Notice is hereby given that SPRINGTOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (owner/developer) KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV %RDUG IRU WKH sale of condominium units at LEAF RESIDENCES located at Lot 9, National Highway cor. Susana Heights Road, Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City as described by Lot No. 9, Plan Psd-13-001541, covered

by TCT No. 014-2018000079 having a total area of 17,889.00 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Php8,803.397.70 in a trust account no. 01707043TA01 under Escrow Agreement executed on 22 February 2019 between the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Springtown Development Corporation and China Banking Corporation – Trust and Asset Management Group as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884.

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that JACKSTONES PROPERTIES, INC. RZQHU GHYHORSHU KDYH ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of lots and units at MICHELIA RESIDENCES located Champaca St. cor. Gen. Ordonez, Brgy., Marikina Heights, Marikina &LW\ VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG DV /RW Block No. 49, plan Pcs-4233 covered

by TCT No. 009-2018007700 with a total area of 2,651.30 square meters.

(SGD.) ALBERTO A AVILA Police Senior Superintendent Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee

Notice is hereby given that TOMAS B. AGUIRRE/ HIMLAYANG PILIPINO, INC. (owner) and HIMLAYANG PILIPINO, INC. (Developer) KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV %RDUG IRU the sale of vaults/niches at DAMBANA NG ALAALA located at Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park, Brgy.

Pasong Tamo, Quezon City VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG DV /RW 718-D, FLS-730-D covered by TCT No. RT-38208(205067) portion only and Lot 718-E, FLS-730-D covered by TCT No. RT-110504(214567) portion only having a total area of 3,901.98 square meters.

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

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI shall forthwith be issued after ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW GD\ of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 8, 2019 (SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment/ Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of ONE MILLION NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY ONE THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT PESOS and 28/100 (Php 1,981,428.28) in a trust account under Escrow Agreement executed on March 1, 2019 between the HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD, JACKSTONES PROPERTIES INC. and ASIA UNITED BANK as its compliance to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended

by Republic Act No. 10884.

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

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

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 13, 2019 (SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH th 6 Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that ANGLO PHILIPPINE MARITIME, INC., (owner) and PHINMA PRISM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, (developer), has ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV %RDUG IRU WKH VDOH RI house & lot at LIKHA RESIDENCES located at Km. 19 West Service Road, Brgy. Cupang, Muntinlupa City, described as Lot Nos. 1, 4, 5 (Road), (LRA) Pcs-E2018000485, covered by TCT Nos. 0142018002424, 014-2018002427 and 014-2018002428 with total area of 12,892 square meters.

Notice is hereby given that FILINVEST LAND, INC. (owner/ GHYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV Board for the sale of subdivision lots at THE ENCLAVE ALABANG 2 located at Daang Hari Rd., Brgy. Almanza Dos, Las PiĂąas &LW\ VSHFLÂżFDOO\ GHVFULEHG DV LOT RESERVED FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Block No. 17, Plan No. Pcs-00-015034 covered

by TCT No. 005-2016003701 having a total area of 35,872.00 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing ROSEWOOD PLACE located at Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece 0DUWLUH] &DYLWH LVVXHG &HUWLÂżFDWH of Accreditation No. CA-201904 as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act. 7279 as amended by R.A. 10884, “Balanced Housing Development Program Amendments.â€?

NOTICE

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment – Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Fifteen Million Three Hundred Eighty One Thousand One Sixty Pesos and Eighteen Centavos (P15,381,160.18) in Trust Account No. 01692992TA01 under Escrow Agreement executed on 08 March 2018 between the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, PHINMA Prism Property Development Corporation and China Banking Corporation – Trust and Asset Management as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884.

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

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

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

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

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 13, 2019

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 13, 2019

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 13, 2019

(SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

(SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE 1ST DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE REGIONAL OFFICE IX Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City

NOTICE

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

Absent any legal impediment, the name of the above-cited project is GHHPHG UHJLVWHUHG DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH ODVW day of publication.

M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital 5HJLRQ )LHOG 2IÂżFH 6th Floor, Sunnymede IT Center, 1614 Quezon Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City Notice is hereby given that BAYPRIME PROPERTY, INC. RZQHU GHYHORSHU KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV Board for the sale of condominium units at BAYPRIME HOTEL located at Lot 2 Blk. 2, East District, ASEANA Business Park, Tambo, ParaĂąaque City as described by Lot No. 18 C, Psd-00-082330, covered

by TCT No. 010-2016003999 having a total area of 2,180 square meters.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment – Incentivized Compliance, by depositing the amount of Php 4,482,227.89 in a trust account no.

001-03-005600-9 under Escrow Agreement executed on 17 December 2018 between the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Bayprime Property Inc., and Asia United Bank as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

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

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Mar. 8, 2019 (SGD.) ATTY. NORMAN JACINTO P. DORAL 2IÂżFHU ,Q &KDUJH

1. &RQWUDFW ,' 1R -% Contract Name : Widening of Bridge – Tangian Br. (B00431MN) along Dipolog – Sindangan – Liloy Road.

Contract Location : Tangian Br. (B00431MN) along Dipolog – Sindangan – Liloy Road.

Brief Description : Widening of Bridge Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): P 40,180,000.00 Source of Funds : FY 2019 DPWH Infrastructure Program based on NEP Contract Duration : 238 cal. Days The BAC is conducting the public bidding for this Contract in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

To be eligible to bid for this Contract, a contractor must meet the following major requirements: (a) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership/ corporation with PCAB license for Size Range Medium A, (b) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of the ABC*, and (c) Net Financial Contracting Capacity (NFCC) at least equal to the ABC. The DPWH will use non-discretionary “pass/failâ€? criteria in the eligibility FKHFN SUHOLPLQDU\ H[DPLQDWLRQ RI ELGV HYDOXDWLRQ RI ELGV SRVW TXDOLÂżFDWLRQ and award.

The schedule of key procurement activities for this Contract is shown below:

2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Receipt by the BAC of Bids 4. Opening of Bids

March 25, 2019 to April 12, 2019 April 02, 2019 at 9:00 A.M. Deadline: April 12, 2019 at 10:00 AM April 12, 2019 at 10:00 A.M.

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

'HSDUWPHQW RI 3XEOLF :RUNV DQG +LJKZD\V

The DPWH ZN 1st 'LVWULFW (QJLQHHULQJ 2IÂżFH , through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites contractors to submit bids for the following Contract:

Time

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M.T.-March 16 & 23, 2019

INVITATION TO BID (Re – Publish)

$FWLYLW\ 1. Issuance/Downloading of Bidding Documents

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

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

Please be guided accordingly.

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region )LHOG 2IÂżFH 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City

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Sealed Bids in three (3) copies, Pursuant to Sec. 17 of Revised IRR of RA 9184, all entries typewritten with the item(s) described in the accompanying Bidder’s Tender for the Procurement of Food Supplies, Procurement of Drugs & Medicines, Procurement of Medical, Dental & Laboratory Supplies, Procurement of Other Supplies & Materials, Procurement of Medical Equipment for Physical Medical Rehabilitation Section (PMRS), PNPGH and other general services and in the total amount of Five Million Six Hundred Fifty Thousand Four +XQGUHG 7KLUW\ 3HVRV DQG (LJKW\ &HQWDYRV 3 for the use of PNP Health Service. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders from 0DUFK WR $SULO IURP $ 0 WR 3 0 during working days and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for their bidding documents. Pre-Bid Conference will be held on $SULO DW 3 0 Last day of submission of bids is until April 15, DW 3 0 and must be submitted to HS Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) at the HS Conference Room. Opening of Bids is on the same time, date and place and will be opened in the presence of participating bidder.

MT – Mar. 23 & 25, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

3ODFH Hard copies at BAC Secretariat, Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City. %$& 2IÂżFH 6WD ,VDEHO Dipolog City %$& 2IÂżFH 6WD ,VDEHO Dipolog City %$& 2IÂżFH 6WD ,VDEHO Dipolog City

Bidders shall pay the BAC a non-refundable fee of For Contract ID No. 19JB0072 Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P25,000.00). for the Bidding Documents, upon securing hard copies of the Documents. Bidders that download the Documents from the DPWH/ PhilGEPS website shall pay the fee upon submission of their bids.

&RQWUDFW ,' &RQWUDFW 1DPH

-% -% -% -% -%

5HWUR¿WWLQJ 6WUHQJWKHQLQJ 5HSDLU RI %ULGJH ¹ 'LVDNDQ %U (B00444MN) along Dipolog – Sindangan – Liloy Road.

2.) Rehabilitation of Sitog – Bulawan Bridge, Brgy. Sitog, Katipunan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

3.) Concreting of Road, Sitio Dagum, Brgy. Nato, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

4.) Construction of Level II Water System, Sitio Layasan, Purok 3, Brgy. Galokso, Pres. Manuel Roxas, Zamboanga Del Norte.

5.) Construction of Multi – Purpose Building (Home Economics Building), Sitio Dicoyong Diot – Dicoyong Elementary School Extension, Brgy. Dicoyong, Sindangan, Zamboanga Del Norte.

Location of the Contract: Zamboanga Del Norte

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE 1ST DISTRICT ENGINEERING OFFICE REGIONAL OFFICE IX Sta. Isabel, Dipolog City %,' %8//(7,1 12 SUBJECT : Resetting of the Dropping /Opening of Bids This Bid Bulletin No. 06 is issued to amend provisions in the Bidding Documents (BDs) for the above stated Contract, as follows: Current Provision of BDs LQFOXGLQJ 3UHYLRXV $PHQGPHQWV

Amended Provision of BDs under this BID Bulletin

6FKHGXOH RI 'URSSLQJ RI %LGV March 22, 2019 (10 A.M.)

6FKHGXOH RI 'URSSLQJ RI %LGV On or before March 29, 2019 (10:00 A.M.)

6FKHGXOH RI 2SHQLQJ RI %LGV March 22, 2019 (10:00 A.M.)

6FKHGXOH RI 2SHQLQJ RI %LGV March 29, 2019 (10:00 A.M.) * NOTE: Adjustment of Program of Works (POW) are still on Process.

This Bid Bulletin shall form an integral part of the said Bidding Documents.

For guidance and information of all concerned.

RAY S. CADAVEDO Chief, Construction Section BAC Vice Chairperson

MT – Mar. 23, 2019

The DPWH ZN 1 'LVWULFW (QJLQHHULQJ 2IÂżFH reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and to annul the bidding process any time before the Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders, in accordance with the provisions of Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR. st

Any requests for additional information concerning this bidding shall be directed to the following: BAC Chairperson: Address: Telephone No.: Email Address:

RAY S. CADAVEDO DPWH ZN 1st DEO, Sta. Isabel Dipolog City 908 - 2881 / 212 - 2538 dpwh_zn1_deo@yahoo.com

BAC Secretariat: Address: Telephone No.: Email Address:

ROY ROGER M. PASTRANO DPWH ZN 1st DEO, Sta. Isabel Dipolog City 908 - 2881 / 212 - 2538 dpwh_zn1_deo@yahoo.com

Approved by: RAY S. CADAVEDO Engineer III BAC Chairperson MT- Mar. 23, 2019

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World

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

B7

NKorea yanks liaison office staff S

EOUL, South Korea: North Korea abruptly WITHDREW ITS STAFF FROM A LIAISON OFkCE WITH South Korea on Friday, a development that is likely to put a damper on ties between THE COUNTRIES AND FURTHER COMPLICATE GLOBAL DIPLOMACY ON .ORTH +OREA S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

The North Korean action came a week after its vice foreign minister threatened to pull out of nuclear negotiations with the United States, citing a lack of US steps to match disarmament measures it took last year. Her warning followed a US-North Korea summit in February that collapsed due to disputes over US-led sanctions on the North.

North Korea informed South +OREAN OFkCIALS OF ITS DECISION during a meeting Friday at the

LIAISON OFkCE IN THE .ORTH +OREAN border town of Kaesong, Seoul’s 5NIkCATION -INISTRY SAID North Korea said it was withdrawing its staff under instructions from unspecified “higherlevel authorities,� according to A 5NIFICATION -INISTRY STATEment. It didn’t say whether the withdrawal would be temporary or permanent.

South Korea called the North’s decision regrettable and urged the North to return its staff to the

LIAISON OFkCE SOON The withdrawal is a major setback for South Korean President -OON *AE IN WHO HAS SOUGHT improved relations with North Korea alongside the nuclear negotiations between the North and the United States.

-OON S OFkCE SAID PRESIDENTIAL national security adviser Chung Eui-yong convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the North Korean withdrawal.

-OON SAYS INTER +OREAN RECONciliation is crucial for achieving progress in nuclear negotiations, but the breakdown of last month’s summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean LEADER +IM *ONG 5N HAS CREATED A DIFkCULT ENVIRONMENT TO PUSH engagement with the North. North

Korean state media have recently demanded that South Korea distance itself from the U.S. and resume joint economic projects that have been held back by the U.S.led sanctions against the North.

4HE 5NIkCATION -INISTRY STATEment said North Korea said it “will not mind the South remainINGu IN THE LIAISON OFkCE AND THAT it would notify the South about practical matters later. South +OREAN 6ICE 5NIkCATION -INISTER Chun Hae-sung told reporters that the South plans to continue TO STAFF THE LIAISON OFkCE NORMALLY and expects the North will continue to allow the South Koreans TO COMMUTE TO THE OFkCE 4HE OFkCE OPENED LAST 3EPTEMBER AS PART OF A lURRY OF RECONciliation steps that also included North Korea’s participation in

EU shows united front on Brexit, loses trust in May BRUSSELS: European Union leaders took back control of the Brexit PROCESS FROM "RITISH 0RIME -INISTER 4HERESA -AY SAYING &RIDAY THEY believe the risks were too great and that action was needed to protect the smooth running of the world’s biggest trading bloc.

-AY S MANTRA SINCE THE "REXIT referendum in 2016 has always been about “taking back control� of UK affairs from the EU. But leaders from the bloc showed at a Brussels summit that they too have a big say in how Brexit ends up, as the political tussle resumes in the British Parliament over how to proceed.

In a move that underlined their loss OF CONkDENCE IN -AY AS SHE BATTLES for her political survival, the leaders set two deadlines for Britain to leave or to take an entirely new path in considering its EU future.

At marathon late night talks in "RUSSELS THEY REJECTED -AY S REQUEST to extend the Brexit deadline from -ARCH ‡ JUST ONE WEEK AWAY ‡ UNTIL *UNE Instead, the leaders agreed to exTEND THE DATE UNTIL -AY ON THE EVE of EU elections, if she can persuade the British parliament to endorse the "REXIT DEAL &AILING THAT -AY WOULD have until April 12 to choose a new path. “British politicians are incapable of implementing what the people asked them,� French President Emmanuel

-ACRON TOLD REPORTERS g4HIS CRISIS IS British. In no way must we (the EU) become stuck in this situation, so that is why we have given two deadlines.

We are organized.�

The aim of the EU move is to ensure that Britain doesn’t take part in THE -AY ELECTIONS IF IT IS LEAVING Candidates for the Europe-wide polls, being held amid deep concern that mainstream parties could lose seats to anti-immigrant groups and populists, must be enrolled by April 12. “The UK government will still have a choice of a deal, no-deal, a long extension or revoking Article 50. The 12th of April is a key date,� said EU Council President Donald Tusk, who chaired the summit.

The leaders seized hold of the "REXIT PROCESS WHEN -AY ‡ AFTER repeated questioning — proved unwilling, or perhaps unable, to tell them what she planned to do next week if she fails yet again to convince a skeptical British Parliament to endorse the deal, EU ofkCIALS SAID “We have to move forward. Our citizens, our companies have to be able to understand what the choice of the British Parliament is. We hope that it will be a rational choice, that it will be a choice to maintain close economic and security links with the European Union,� Belgian Prime -INISTER #HARLES -ICHEL SAID &RIDAY AP

K-pop star arrested for filming, sharing sex video SEOUL: + POP STAR *UNG *OON YOUNG has been arrested, hours after he APOLOGIZED FOR kLMING AND DISTRIButing illicit sex videos, in a scandal that has rocked South Korea’s entertainment industry.

The singer-songwriter last week ADMITTED TO kLMING HIMSELF HAVING sex and sharing the footage without his partners’ consent.

The videos of at least 10 women were shared through mobile chat rooms in 2015 with recipients including fellow K-pop star Seungri of BIGBANG. The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrant late Thursday, HOURS AFTER *UNG APPEARED AT A HEARing and apologized for committing “unforgivable crimes,� the South’s Yonhap news agency reported. “I am sorry. I made a big and inexcusable mistake, and I admit my guilt,� he said. “I will live my days repenting for

the sins.�

Following the hearing, the 30-yearold was led away in handcuffs and taken to a police station to await the court’s decision on the warrant. *UNG ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT from the entertainment industry last week and two other male singers have also quit after admitting they watched the illicit videos.

South Korea has been battling a growing epidemic of so-called “molka,� or spycam videos—mostly of women, secretly filmed by men in schools, toilets and offices. “Revenge porn�—videos taken of sexual relations without the partner’s consent—is believed to be equally widespread.

Thousands of women protested in Seoul last year on several occasions against the videos as part of the counTRY S GROWING Ă›-E4OO MOVEMENT AFP

tory park, which provided North Korea with much-needed foreign currency.

Chun said a number of North Korean officials left the liaison office carrying documents, but most of the equipment was left behind.

While the liaison office was one of the main agreements reached in three summits beTWEEN -OON AND +IM LAST YEAR

Chun said it’s too early to say whether North Korea is renegading on the deals. “We don’t think this could be called a violation of an agreement,� Chun said. “We want to monitor the situation for a bit longer and respond to the developments, instead of making predictions or premature judgme nts.�

AP

TRAGEDY

Firemen battle blaze caused by an explosion at a chemical plant in Yancheng in China’s eastern Jiangsu province early Friday. PHOTO BY STR / AFP / CHINA OUT

China probes factory blast as death toll rises to 47 YANCHENG: Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered local governments on Friday to prevent any more industrial disasters after a chemical plant blast left 47 people dead, injured hundreds and flattened an industrial park in the latest such catastrophe to hit the country.

Thursday’s explosion in the eastern city of Yancheng, Jiangsu province was one of the worst industrial disasters to hit China, with Xi acknowledging that the country has seen a rash of major accidents in recent years.

Xi—who is on a state visit to Italy— urged “all-out efforts� to rescue those trapped and to identify the cause of the accident “as early as possible,� according to the official news agency Xinhua.

The State Council, China’s cabinet, has established a team to investigate the explosion, state media said.

The explosion toppled several buildings in the industrial park and caused a huge fire that raged through the night, while rescuers scrambled to find survivors in the wreckage of the plant owned by a company with a chequered past.

More than 600 people have received medical treatment following the blast, said the city government on its official Twitter-like Weibo account.

Among them, at least 90 are seriously injured. Hundreds of rescuers have been dispatched to the scene, local authorities said, and some 4,000 people have been evacuated from the blast site.

Local authorities, who are investigating the cause of the accident, said an unspecified number of people were taken into police custody on Friday.

The facility involved in the explosion belonged to Tianjiayi Chemical, a firm with 195 employees established in 2007 that mainly produces raw chemical materials, including anisole, a highly flammable compound.

Tianjiayi Chemical has a history of violating environmental regulations, according to online records from Yancheng city’s environment and ecology bureau.

In 2015 and 2017, the firm was fined for violating rules on solid and water waste management.

Toxic water In the aftermath of the explosion, several residents told Agence France-Presse they were concerned about pollution from the industrial accident. “We don’t have drinkable water here,� said one 60-year-old woman surnamed Xiang. “Why hasn’t the government sent

Worldinbriefs HUN SEN DENIES CAMBODIA IS CHINESE ‘COLONY’ PHNOM PENH: Cambodia broke ground on Friday on a $2 billion Chinese-funded expressway as strongman Premier Hun Sen denied his country was in danger of becoming a colony of Beijing. Once complete in 2023 the expressway will connect the capital Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville, a southern resort and seaport that has become a honeypot for Chinese gamblers and investors. The near 200-kilometer road is being constructed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and is a part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road project. The road is a tremendous project, Hun Sen said during the groundbreaking ceremony in Kampong Speu province, but he defended the Chinese investment. Hun Sen belies critics claims that “China is colonializing Cambodia� and added that “although China wishes to control Cambodia, Cambodia will not let it do so,� Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou, who attended the ceremony, also brushed off concerns over Beijing’s influence.

SIX DEAD AS CAR HITS CROWD IN CHINA, POLICE KILL DRIVER BEIJING: A man rammed a car into a crowd in central China on Friday, killing six people and injuring eight others before he was fatally shot by police, said local officials. The Q K-pop star Jung Joon-young (right). AFP PHOTO

last year’s South Korean Winter Olympics, the mutual dismantling of front-line guard posts and the halting of military exercises along their border.

4HE LIAISON OFkCE IS THE kRST since the peninsula was split into a US-backed capitalistic South and a Soviet-supported socialist North in 1945. The Koreas previously used telephone and fax-like communication channels that were often shut down in times of high tension.

Kaesong is also the location of a now-shuttered factory complex that was jointly run by the two Koreas. It combined South Korean capital and technology with cheap North Korean labor.

Both Koreas want the US to allow exemptions from the sanctions to permit the reopening of the fac-

us some water?�

She said she had harbored concerns about safety and pollution at the site for a long time.

According to a report released Friday

by Jiangsu province’s ecology and environment department, several rivers near the blast site are contaminated with chemicals, including chloroform and dichloromethane.

The force of the explosion—which was so powerful that it apparently triggered a small earthquake—blew out windows and dented metal garage doors of buildings as far as four kilometers (2.5 miles) from the site.

Nearby residents—many of them elderly—have started sweeping up glass, and in some cases, seemed to have abandoned their homes entirely. Black smoke could still be seen rising from the chemical plant on Friday morning before dissipating.

On the road where Xiang lived, consisting of basic two-storey homes, almost all the windows and some window frames were blown in.

The woman was sitting at home when the explosion occurred and said the force rocked her house and badly damaged her front door.

There was no immediate government help, she said, and residents were clearing the street themselves. “I have no one to help me here,� said a grandmother and single mom surnamed Wang. “What am I going to do with all the shattered glass on the floor and a broken wall?� the 57-year-old told Agence France-Presse, tearing up.

Images broadcast on local media showed how the blast toppled factory buildings, trapping workers inside. State broadcaster CCTV showed rescuers pulling a survivor from the wreckage.

Workers covered in blood were seen running out of the factory, said official news agency Xinhua on Thursday, citing witnesses.

An aerial view of the blast area showed a large swath of destruction in the industrial park, where multiple fires had initially raged.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze Friday after battling raging flames through the night. Three chemical tanks and five other areas had been on fire.

Deadly industrial accidents are common in China, where safety regulations are often poorly enforced.

AFP

suspect, a 44-year-old named Cui Lidong, wounded his wife and daughter at home before plowing a car into pedestrians, said the Zaoyang City government in Hubei province in an online statement. The case is under investigation and the injured are being treated, it added. China has suffered a spate of similar incidents in recent months. Last September, 11 people died and dozens were injured when a car struck a crowd in a public square in the central Hunan province city of Hengdong. Police detained the driver, a man in his 40s, and described him as a “vengeful repeat offender� who had daggers in his car and intended to “cause serious damage.�

VIETNAM JAILS TWO FORMER OIL EXECS FOR ‘ABUSING POWER’ HANOI: A Hanoi court jailed two former senior oil executives on abuse of power charges on Friday, as Vietnam forges ahead with a crackdown on graft.

Former director-general Tu Thanh Nghia and ex-chief accountant Vo Quang Huy were sentenced to 3.5 years and seven years respectively, state-controlled Vietnam News Agency reported, with both also banned from holding managerial positions in state agencies and enterprises for three years after their release.

Both men were accused of pocketing excessive interest payments from Ocean Bank, a privately-owned lender already embroiled in its own corruption scandal. Dozens of Ocean Bank employees have been convicted including former director Nguyen Xuan Son, who was sentenced to death for embezzlement and economic mismanagement in 2017.

AFP

SSATURDAY AT URDAY MARCH 23,, 2019

Public Square

B8 Public Square appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Voice call service proves AI and humans can co-exist [2

4]7 Active Share, the proprietary voice call service of multinational BPO company [24]7.

AI CONTINUES TO PROVE THAT ARTIkCIAL intelligence (AI) and humans can actually complement each other to INCREASE EFkCIENCY IN CUSTOMER SERvice. This voice call solution remains as the only one of its kind in the industry today, serving clients and its customers from all over the world.

In recognition of this innovative milestone, Enterprise Asia — a leading nongovernment organization (NGO) for entrepreneurship in Asia — awarded [24]7 Active Share with a distinction in the product category during the International Innovation Awards (IIA) held recently at MGM

Cotai, Macau, China.

A highly coveted recognition program around the world, the NGO recognized Active Share for its innovativeness that leads not only to improved business performance, but also to positive social and economic impact. “As a company, we are grateful for the recognition. It gets us exposure, puts us front and center. But what really matters to us is that we have made a difference to our clients’ customers, so their words of praise are the daily recognition we live for,� says Rienzi Ramirez, president and country manager of [24]7.ai in the Philippines.

3INCE ITS kRST ROLLOUT IN ; =

Active Share has raised revenues for clients because of the increased efkCIENCY OF HANDLING CALLS FROM THEIR respective customers. The system has made it easy for customers to facilitate their online transactions using their smartphone or other connected mobile devices, giving them a richer and more productive experience throughout the entire call.

In using [24]7 Active Share, the agent pushes dynamic interactive content on the calling customer’s connected device so they can both see the online transaction happening in realtime. Together, both agent and customer can address complex concerns with utmost flexibility, convenience, and security.

Q Rienzi Ramirez, president and country manager of [24]7.ai

Microsoft supports education for youth for future-ready APAC IN an effort to close the digital skills gap, Microsoft has kicked off Future Ready, an annual initiative run in partNERSHIP WITH NONPROkTS AND SCHOOLS to generate interest among students to learn computer science and empower teachers with skills to teach the course.

Launched in conjunction with Computer Science Education Week, -ICROSOFT EMPOWERS CLOSE TO

youth — particularly from underserved communities — with opportunities to pursue their passion in comPUTER SCIENCE AND MORE THAN

educators to teach high-quality and inclusive computer science across Asia 0ACIkC OVER THE NEXT YEAR “Microsoft believes that education is essential to personal and country-wide economic growth,� said lawyer Raul Cortez, Corporate External and Legal Affairs director of Microsoft Philippines. “We are keen on extending necessary help needed

Q Microsoft Philippines, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga, holds the Future Ready initiative with the students and educators of Sitio Ibabaw ng Gabihan School in Tanay, Rizal by educators to ignite students’ inter- nered with Code.org to provide young nect in-class experiences to real-world people the opportunity to learn the concepts,� noted Cortez. est in computer science.�

Microsoft, through its latest colFuture Ready aims to increase basics of coding through its game-based access to computer science as learning program, “Minecraft Hour of laboration with Gawad Kalinga, empowers the community through Microsoft drives workshops for Code Tutorial: Voyage Aquatic.� “Future Ready aims to achieve three providing cash grants and technolo EDUCATORS TO TEACH THEM how to facilitate engaging and in- objectives: introducing the basics of GIES TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF NONPROkTS clusive computer science classes computer science, providing hands- to teach high-quality computer scion coding experience, and facilitating ence education to underserved youth TO MORE THAN YOUTH For its fourth year, Microsoft has part- access to role models who help con- via its digital skills program.

challenges that might arise from disruptive blockchain technology.

EY Principal and Global Blockchain leader Paul Brody led the roundtable, where he presented an overview of blockchain and its developments and applications across industries. EY Global Blockchain Innovation Operations Lead Eli Wolfsohn from EY Shanghai, EY Asia0ACIkC "LOCKCHAIN ,EADER *IMMY /NG from EY Singapore, and SGV Advisory Principal Armand Cajayon Jr. participated in addressing questions during the open forum that followed the talk.

minimum order requirements of an external printing company and are free to print labels as and when they need them. “We no longer have to delay launches while we wait for another company to deliver our labels. It’s been great for our sales, as we can now release new products as soon as they’re ready,� she says. “And has also helped us to sell more of them, as the new labels look fantastic.�

4HE # USES -ICRO 0IEZO printhead — a patented system that uses mechanical pressure, rather than heat, to deposit microscopic droplets of ink onto its labels at a RATE OF TIMES A SECOND

The ARK - that were launched last year.

To make the experience more relevant to customers, each branch is designed to prioritize services that match the needs of the client depending on the location. This will ensure that the pain points of customers are addressed and they are able to maximize their visit. g7E IDENTIkED THE PAIN POINTS of the customers, and so we built a place where banking is redekNED WHERE DIGITAL IS EMBRACED

AND WHERE OFlINE TO ONLINE IS seamless,� said UnionBank PresiDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER Edwin Bautista. “Like its biblical

FANS of the land of the rising sun, Japan, and all it has to offer, no lonGER HAVE TO lY OUT TO EXPERIENCE THIS dream destination, as McDonald’s brings a piece of the country to the Philippines with the launch of its Flavors of Japan offers.

Filipinos can now enjoy the same mouth-watering products that were also made available in McDonald’s restaurants across the world starting February 27, with four new and exciting Japanese-inspired products, including the new Ebi Burger, Teriyaki Samurai Burger, Nori Shake Shake Fries, and Strawberry Sakura McFloat.

Can’t wait to try them all? The Sakura Meal is comprised of a choice of any of the two Flavors of Japan burgers, Nori Shake Shake Fries and

Strawberry Sakura McFloat for a complete Japanese experience.

The new Flavors of Japan products are available for dine-in, take-out, DriveThru and McDelivery.

Fear of God now available in Popcorn General Store

Q EY Principal and Global Blockchain Leader Paul Brody (standing) presenting an overview of blockchain.

UnionBank launches five new ARKs in key PH cities IN a bid to strengthen its digital offers and enhance the digital banking experience for its customers, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) recently launched kVE NEW 4HE !2+ BRANCHES IN KEY cities all over the country.

The new branches are located at the UnionBank Plaza in Pasig City; ND 3TREET IN 4AGUIG #ITY "INONDO IN Manila City; as well as a branch each in Cebu City and Davao City. This brings the bank’s total number of fully DIGITAL BRANCHES TO FOLLOWING THE kRST !2+ BRANCH THAT WAS LAUNCHED IN LATE AND THE NINE !2+LITES ‡ smaller, stripped-down versions of

MAKING siopao buns for her family and friends is a regular affair for Nelly Co, until she suddenly struck with what seems like a crazy idea: could this become a business?

More than two decades later, those same siopaos are enjoyed by thousands of Filipinos every day in the Philippines because Nelly Co’s home cooking became Nathaniel’s, which over the years has grown into a VENUE STRONG FOOD CORPORAtion that also exports products to Japan and the United States.

According to her daughter Faye Nerissa, who now works as the company’s sales and marketing director, by giving the company the tools to oversee its own laBEL PRODUCTION %PSON S # printer helps it stay true to its do-it-yourself family values.

Owning one means Nathaniel’s doesn’t have to meet the

McDonald’s brings exciting Flavors of Japan to PH

SGV hosts high-level blockchain roundtable for top business leaders SYCIP Gorres Velayo & Co. Chairman and Managing Partner J. Carlitos Cruz and SGV Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing Partner Wilson Tan, with the SGV Advisory team, recently hosted an exclusive roundtable discussion with key business executives on how blockchain technology could impact various industries.

The event introduced C-level executives from the country’s top conglomerates, banks, retailers and logistics companies on the potential opportunities and

Redefining the F&B business

counterpart, UnionBank’s The ARK is meant to ferry customers to the future of banking.� )N 5NION"ANK LAUNCHED 4HE !2+ THE kRST EVER FULLY DIGITAL AND paperless bank branch in the Philippines. Since then, the bank has won recognition from numerous organi-

zations all over the world, including Best Branch Customer Experience in THE !SIA 0ACIkC AT THE 2ETAIL "ANKER International Customer Experience Financial Services Awards, and was CITED BY kNANCE WEBSITE 4HE &INANCIAL "RAND AS AMONG THE 4OP BEST BANK branch designs in the world.

JERRY Lorenzo’s brand, Fear of God, was recently launched in Manila via Popcorn General Store.

The Los Angelesbased brand has introduced a collection of robust basketball shoes as well as hiking and utilitarian sneakers that have set the streetwear scene ablaze.

The shoes are made in Italy in a monochrome construction with buffed leather uppers, this premium high-top style sits atop a serrated rubber sole unit that will

surely make heads turn and add an injection of court-ready attitude to any ensemble for years to come.

Popcorn General Store continues to be at the forefront of bringing coveted and exciting brands in the streetwear scene that caters to the Filipino youth.

Bless Amare CafĂŠ opens at Aseana City

Toshiba brings takumi spirit in today’s home appliances

WITH its impressive line of state-ofthe-art appliances, Toshiba brings the inimitable takumi spirit, cognizant of the needs of sensible Filipino consumers who seek nothing less than superior Japanese reliability, durability, and harmonized design.

Takumi refers to a craftsman’s approach to work in his relentless pursuit of perfection.

For breezy and trouble-free LAUNDRY WORK THE 4OSHIBA 4 7ASHER AND THE FLAGSHIP 4 Washer-Dryer comes with a humanistic-oriented design that is aimed at providing exclusive laundry care for the family, powered by its proprietary technologies that allow for controlled rotation speed for better energy savings; improved color protecting performance; enhanced detergent dispensation; increased detergent dissolution;

Q Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony (from left) Ambassador Clemencio Fortu Montesa; Ambassador Daniel Victoria; Jessie Maloles, chief executive officer and co-owner of Bless Amare Group of Companies; Nelson Mendoza, business partner of Bless Amare Group of Companies; and Rep. Eric Olivarez, 1st District of ParaĂąaque City.

Q Present at the launch (from left) Toshiba Lifestyle Corp. International General Manager Hiro Onda, Concepcion Industrial Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Raul Joseph Concepcion, Midea Asean Region General Manager Peter Guan, Rooney Xiao, general manager of Overseas Market – Laundry Division; Zeal Jiang, general manager of Overseas Market – Refrigerator Division; Concepcion Industrial Corp. Consumer Solutions Division President Harold Pernikar Jr., and Chief Communications Officer Rafael Hechanova Jr. for longer, but it also transforms by heating and cooling. Low electrical and superior drying capacity.

Meanwhile, Toshiba OrignFresh expanding — increasing capacity by consumption and safe operation is 4-Door Inverter Refrigerator that not PERCENT ‡ RIGHT WHEN YOU NEED IT also assured, thanks to the two-step Toshiba also takes pride in its top protection cut-off and an insulated only keeps food in its original state of freshness, vitality and nutrition loading water dispensers, offering fast rust-free body material.

SPANISH, Japanese and Filipino cuisine fusion takes centerstage as Bless Amare CafĂŠ opens at the Hop Inn Hotel in Aseana City, ParaĂąaque City.

As it continues to wow guests and casual diners at the Bless Amare Boutique Hotel, owner Jessie Maloles, co-owner and chief executive officer of Bless Amare Group of Companies, said that it was time for Aseana City to experience Bless Amare CafÊ’s superb food offerings. “Bless Amare CafĂŠ is a dining hub where aroma meets fresh, sophisti-

cated blends of traditional Filipino, Spanish, and Japanese fusion to create an extraordinary culinary experience at an affordable price that appeals tremendously to discriminating diners,� explained Maloles.

With a sleek and elegant interior DINING SPACE THAT EVOKES A REkNED and sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance, Bless Amare CafĂŠ promises diners an unforgettable dining pleasure that has become its signature trademark.

Bless Amare CafĂŠ is part of the Bless Amare Group of Companies.

Sports

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Q Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant (left) blocks a shot from Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner (No. 33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Oakland, California. AP PHOTO

Durant powers Warriors past Pacers, Nuggets win

O

AKLAND California: Kevin Durant AKLAND, established Golden State’s defensive energy by swatting away shots early.

Eventually, the Warriors got going on the other end as they almost always do.

Durant had 15 points, six assists and three blocks after losing a close friend earlier in the day, and the Warriors ran away from the Indiana 0ACERS ON 4HURSDAY NIGHT Durant led a balanced Warriors attack, playing the same day childhood friend Cliff Dixon was shot to death in Atlanta.

Warriors guard Quinn Cook also was close with Dixon as they’re all from the Washington D.C./Maryland area.

Stephen Curry scored 12 of his 15 points with four 3-pointers during the Warriors’ 35-point third quarter IN WHICH THEY LIMITED )NDIANA TO “Tonight I thought our spirit and our energy were fantastic,� coach Steve Kerr said, crediting his group for being “engaged.�

4YREKE %VANS SCORED POINTS OFF THE bench and Thaddeus Young added 18 for the Pacers, who were without coach Nate McMillan for family reasons.

Indiana ended its four-game swing out West by losing an eighth straight road game and missing another chance to clinch a playoff berth folLOWING A DEFEAT AT THE #LIPpers on Tuesday night.

The Warriors, whose defense has become a greater focus with the playoffs approaching, have allowed their fewest points in two of the past four games.

Oklahoma City scored 88 points Saturday before the two-time defending champions held down Indiana. +LAY 4HOMPSON BEGAN FOR

MISSING HIS kRST kVE POINTERS AND wound up with 18 points on 7-for-18 SHOOTING (E SCORED HIS kRST kELD GOAL of the night, which he followed with another basket the next possession, at

the 7:46 mark of the second quarter AND HIS kRST CAME IN THE kNAL MINUTE OF THE kRST HALF AS 'OLDEN 3TATE built a 53-43 lead at the break.

Golden State returned from an impressive 3-1 road trip — with wins at Houston, Oklahoma City and Minnesota and a loss at San !NTONIO ‡ TO PLAY ITS kRST GAME AT /RACLE !RENA SINCE A lOP AGAINST LOWLY 0HOENIX ON -ARCH DeMarcus Cousins returned after missing two games with a sore right ANKLE AND HAD POINTS AND REbounds, while Andrew Bogut received a warm welcome for his home debut after re-joining the Warriors on the road. The 7-foot big man played on Golden State’s CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM AND THE

win team the following season that lost in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to LeBron James and the Cavaliers, and he got hurt IN 'AME OF THE kNALS AND MISSED THE rest of the series.

Both teams had slow starts: The game WAS TIED AT AFTER THE kRST QUARTER WHEN THE 7ARRIORS WERE OF ON S Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 11 assists, and the Denver Nuggets beat the fading Washington 7IZARDS ON 4HURSDAY &RIDAY IN -ANILA FOR THEIR kFTH STRAIGHT VICTORY Paul Millsap, Gary Harris, Jamal Murray and Torrey Craig also added 15 points for the Nuggets, who were PLAYING FOR THE kRST TIME SINCE CLINCHING THEIR kRST PLAYOFF BERTH IN SIX YEARS with Monday’s win in Boston. AP

Fredette returns NBA fines Boston guard Smart to NBA after $50K for shoving Embiid three years in China NEW YORK: Fredette, who spent five seasons in the NBA before moving to China in 2016, has signed a deal to return stateside with the Phoenix Suns, according to multiple reports on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The 30-year-old guard, selected 10th in the 2011Â NBAÂ Draft, will join the Suns for the final nine games of a woeful campaign which has them 17-55, worst in the Western Conference and second-worst overall.

The Suns will miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season.

Fredette spent the past three seasons with the Shanghai Sharks, averaging 36.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists this season in the Chinese Basketball Association.

He connected on almost 42 percent of shots from 3-point range for the Sharks, who were ousted from the playoffs on Tuesday.

Fredette played three seasons with Sacramento before stops at Chicago, New Orleans and New York. He managed only six games combined with the Pelicans and Knicks in the 2015-16 campaign before heading to China.

Fredette, who last played in the league in March 2016, has averaged 6.0 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 235Â NBAÂ appearances.

Timberwolves lose Rose, Covington, Teague Minnesota’s slim NBA playoffs hopes suffered a major setback with the announcement that guards Derrick Rose and Jeff Teague and forward Robert Covington were ruled out for the rest of the season.

The T-Wolves are 32-39 after dropping seven of their past 10 games and would need to win at least 10 of their final 11 to reach the post-season.

Rose and Teague missed Minnesota’s past four games, Rose with a sore right elbow and Teague after re-aggravating a left foot injury first nagging him in December.

An MRI of Rose’s elbow showed a chip fracture and treatment is being considered while Teague was given an anti-inflammation medication and will wear a boot before being reevaluated after the season.

Covington has been out for 34 games with a right knee bone bruise.

Covington averaged 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.3 steals this season for the T-Wolves while Rose averaged 18.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists and Teague contributed 12.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns has led Minnesota this season, averaging 24.6 points and 12.3 rebounds.

AFP

NEW YORK: Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was fined $50,000 by the NBA on Thursday (Friday in Manila) after forcefully shoving Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid to the floor in a loss a night earlier.

Smart received a flagrant foul and automatic ejection for the shove, which took place with 7:06 remaining in the third quarter of Philadelphia’s 118-115 home victory over Boston on Wednesday.

Cameroonian center Embiid was sent sprawling to the court in the encounter but finished with game highs of 37 points and 22 rebounds for the 76ers.

Philadelphia improved to 47-25, third in the Eastern Conference, while dropping the Celtics to 43-29, fifth in

Q Japeth Aguilar of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (No. 25) scores as Magnolia’s Paul Lee (No. 3) and Ian Sangalang look on during a Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Q Marcus Smart AP PHOTO

the East and four games behind the Sixers.

The fine was based in part on Smart’s repeated acts of unsportsmanlike conduct during NBA games, including two prior incidents this season that resulted in fines.

The NBA fined Smart $35,000 in January for being involved in an altercation with Atlanta forward DeAndre Bembry, the league saying it punished Smart for “aggressively pursuing an opponent in an attempt to escalate a physical altercation and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection.�

Smart was fined $25,000 in October for escalating an altercation with Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith in a pre-season game. AFP

BASKETBALL SLEUTH MICHAEL ANGELO B. ASIS

Kai Sotto and the future of Philippine basketball T

HE highlight reel has gone viral.

Jalen Green dunks on 7-2 Kai Sotto. It pretty much sums up their game: Green is crazy athletic, Sotto is tall. One represents Philippine basketballs great hope, and the other represents its great loss.

Kai Sotto has been placed with the burden of carrying Philippine basketball on his shoulders, simply because he is a seven-footer. He’s not THE kRST NOR THE ONLY BUT HE IS YOUNG and his skills can still be polished.

Sotto has dominated high school basketball in the last couple of years and while many would attribute that to his height, that alone is never enough. In the pros, the dominant player is also a big man, 5-time MVP Junemar Fajardo. yet he is not the tallest player there.

Height is not enough anymore.

Sotto may have learned that when his Ateneo Blue Eaglets lost out to the NU Bullpups in the UAAP Juniors championship. Jalen Green just reminded him of that the other day.

Getting dunked in your face especially with a smaller opponent can be a wakeup call. We may be overthinking this highlight and unfairly judging the young center. Getting “posterized� only means you actually bothered to play defense, and that should always be a good thing.

The decision Sotto’s father, Ervin Sotto would know first-hand about height not being enough. He was a 6’7 forward with St. Francis of Assisi, part of a tandem with more illustrious teammate Ranidel De Ocampo. He was eventually drafted seventh overall in the PBA but the Purefoods franchise. He did not have a storied career despite being a big man and was more of a journeyman.

Now that his son has exceeded his height, the elder Sotto would want his scion to exceed his accomplishments as well. The family is now facing a big decision: let Kai stay local and dominate his peers, or face the challenge of being just another tall kid in the international stage.

They now have offers from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, two of the top teams from the Liga ACB—acknowledged as the most competitive basketball league outside the NBA. NCAA Division I schools Texas (Kevin Durant’s school) and Gonzaga (currently a top seed in the tournament) have also communicated.

Sky is the limit for the new skyscraper, and now the Sotto family needs to make a decision. Or has the decision already been made?

Jalen Green and the Team Pilipinas that never was

GINEBRA EYES QF SLOT VS NLEX IN PAMPANGA BARANGAY Gi Ginebra b SSan Miguel shoots for a quarTERkNAL BERTH WHEN IT PLAYS Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) today in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.

The Gin Kings must earn their sixth victory in nine games in their 5 p.m. encounter with the Road Warriors to SECURE A QUARTERkNAL BERTH At No. 4 with 5-3 winloss record, the Gin Kings could still also overtake Ra i n o r S h i n e a t N o . 2 spot with the twice-to-beat advantage if they win their remaining three games and if TNT KaTropa hurdled their last two games in the elimination round.

In case TNT lost, Rain or Shine will remain No. 2 even if Ginebra swept their last three assignments because of the winner over the other rule.

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“We it’s to “W know k it’ going i t be tough playing in coach Yeng’s backyard,� said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “NLEX is also a team on a roll coming off two blowout wins.So we know we have our workout cut for us and we’ll have to respond in kind.

There’s never anything easy playing against Yeng Guiao’s team. You get what you earn.�

N L E X n e e d s t o s we e p its last two games against Ginebra and Magnolia. The Road Warriors are sharing the sixth to eighth spots with Magnolia and Alaska that are carrying identical 4-5 win-loss records. “We really need the win to stay alive and make the cut heading to the playoffs.

Morale is high since we came from two wins. Defensively, we are playing really well,� said coach Yeng Guiao.

Larry Fonacier and Jensen Rios will miss tonight’s game because of injuries

JOSEF T. RAMOS

The Fil-Am USA team that trounced the Ateneo Blue Eaglets was a hastily assembled team (like most of the international teams in the NBTC). As the 12th seed, Fil-Am ended up on a collision course with Ateneo, who dropped to the 5th seed because of their RRUNNER UP kNISH 4HE LASHING tthat the arguably second-best high sschool team in the country took just sshows the talent discrepancy between tthe locals and the immigrants.

The players that caught our attenttion: Green, JeronArtest (yes, he is the sson of Metta World Peace) and KainoaBallungay, whose father is Filipino. n Quick question running on all Pinoy hoops fans: Can they represent the Philippines in FIBA competiTIONS 7E STILL NEED TO kND OUT

FIBA competitions and beyond Looking at the future of Philippine basketball, FIBA or otherwise, the kELD IS kLLED WITH DYNAMIC OR taller players. Ballongay is one, Carl Tamayo of NU is another standout as NU’s undersized yet capable answer to Kai. They are tall and strong enough to face the African behemoths that have become a staple at the collegiate level.

The true future of Philippine basketball is a lockdown shooter. We have hordes of guards who can break a defense like Jayson Castro or even Terrence Romeo. But our shooting has never been consistent.

We lost the two games we hosted in THE &)"! QUALIkERS AGAINST +AZAKHSTAN and Iran) not to mention countless other games as were outshot by our opponents. Perhaps we should stop looking out for big men and freak athletes.

To have a chance at the international stage, we need our local Splash brothers.

We don’t need to look overseas for that.

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Sports

˜ The Manila Times

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

Biùan City’s Wangkay defends walkathon crown I

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

LAGAN CITY, Isabela: Batang Pinoy walkathon girls’ champion Laurize Jeante Wangkay of Biùan City defended her crown while Laguna Province won gold in the relay event in the penultimate day of the Batang Pinoy 2019 Luzon Qualifying leg on Friday at the Ilagan City Sports Complex here.

The 14-year old Wangkay clocked in 11 minutes and 34.8 seconds to rule the 2,000m event.

A ninth-grader of St. Michael’s College of Laguna, Wangkay thumped Jane Krissel Buizon of Pangasinan Province (11:36) and teammate Summer Morante (11:38.9) “The game plan was to start strong so that my competitors won’t go heel-to-heel against me,� said Wangkay, the daughter of former Palarong Pambansa multiple gold winner trackster Genilza Wangkay.

The Palarong Pambansa reigning champion eyes to defend her crown in the Philippine Sports

Commission-organized Batang Pinoy National Finals in October.

Laguna Province, on the other hand, surpassed Baguio City by one gold in the latest medal count , with the former collecting 28 gold, 30 silver, and 27 bronze medals against Baguio City’s 27-31-48, as of 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The Province of Laguna’s Janine Dauba, Kyla Elona, Magvrylle Chrause Matchino and Evita Ruth Belloso ruled the 4x100m girs’ relay with a time record of 52 seconds.

(OST CITY )LAGAN kNISHED SECOND with 52.7sec followed by Pangasinan Province with 52.8.

Pangasinan Province domi-

nated the boys’ 4x100m relay kNALS AT SECONDS BEHIND THE efforts of Rufo Aidan Raguine, Redz Jeronimo Banaag, Irish Vergel Cabanayan and Justine Angelo Munoz.

It was Raguine’s third gold makING HIM THE kRST TRIPLE GOLD MEDalist in the centerpiece athletics.

He was joined by Calamba City’s Erica Marie Ruto in the triple-gold medal column, after winning the sprint in the 400m dash late Friday afternoon.

Ruto, 14, also dominated the 100m and 200m events becoming the fastest girl in the annual meet for in and out-of-school youth athletes aged 15 years old and below.

Baguio City’s Hussein Loraùa took his second gold in the boys’ 5000m finals by registering 17 minutes and 16 seconds, three seconds ahead of Ilagan City’s Mark Daniel Tambot at 17:19.3.

San Fernando, Pampanga bet #RIS *AY 0ASION kNISHED THIRD WITH 17:42.2.

The other gold medalist tracksters were Gilbert Andrei Velasco of Camarines Sur (high jump) and

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Gennalyn Estrada of Pangasinan Province (shot put).

In archery, Puerto Princesa’s Cush Nambong and Lloyd Nueca won the gold in the mixed bowman category. They defeated Pheby Mels Caluza and Jemielle Espiritu of Baguio City and La Union’s Gerimee Ranchez and Neo-Jene Daciego.

Pangasinan (cadet-mixed, cadet-team) and Baguio (cubmixed, cub-team), likewise, bagged two gold medals each in their respective divisions.

Over at the Isabela Sports High 3CHOOL kELD 3TA -ARIA "ULACAN crushed DasmariĂąas City, 7-3, in SOFTBALL GIRLS kNALS 0ASIG #ITY GOT the bronze after beating Tanauan City, 9-8.

The Pangasinan girls’ basketball team defeated Pasig City, 6158, to claim the championship.

Dasmariùas City chess team amassed three gold medals at the open lobby of Xentro Mall courtesy of Daren Dela Cruz (standard girls’ 12-under), Gio Troy Ventura (rapid boys’ 12-under), and Jerlyn Mae San Diego (standard girls’ 15-under).

Q Laurize Jeante Wangkay of BiĂąan City.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Pros banner Sun Life 5150 Triathlon competitors FOUR professional triathletes banner the Sun Life 5150 Triathlon Cebu set on April 28 at the City of Naga Boardwalk.

Australian stalwarts Sam Betten, Dan Brown and Mitch Robins, and Guam standout Manami )IJIMA WILL VIE FOR THE TOP kNISH and the $10,000 prize in the 1.5-kilometer swim-40km bike21km run race.

Sun Life will parade its TriTeam in the relay event led by

actor-triathlete and brand ambassador Piolo Pascual. Pascual, who will see action in the bike leg, is teamed up with Jan Michael Chiu (swim) and Toniel Ty (run).

Pascual’s team will join the relay event of the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao on Sunday at the Azuela Cove here in Davao City.

Other celebrities expected to grace the event are Pascual’s son Iùigo, Enchong Dee, Matteo Guidicelli, Gerald Anderson and

Jake Cuenca.

Sunrise Events Inc. general manager Princess Galura said that the 5150 event is open to all interested athletes. “We at Sun Life and Sunrise try to make people be aware of their health whatever their age, ability and skill level. It’s all inclusive,� said Galura in a news conference at the Seda Abreeza.

Galuria said that perennial racers also have chance to best the

pros as the 5150 event follows the Olympic distance wherein Filipino athletes shone in the last two editions of the Southeast Asian Games.

The Sun Life 5150 Cebu was launched last March 5. It will traverse the City of Naga, Minglanilla and Talisay City.

After the Cebu leg, the Sun Life 5150 will move to Davao City on July 7 in a yet to be undetermined venue. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

ENRIQUEZ, TANGUB EYE PPS CROWNS MULTI-TITLED Sydney Enriquez and Eric Tangub resume their hunt for more PPSPEPP honors as they banner the cast in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Ozamiz National age group tennis tournament, which got under way on Friday at the Ozamiz Tennis Club.

Enriquez has been a dominant force in the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions in past

stops of the year-long, nationwide circuit although the Salug, Zambo del Norte expects a tougher challenge this time against the likes of Jalia Elumba, Kristine Bandolis, Marie dela Cerna and Marie Anghag.

Tangub, from Tucuran, Zambo del Sur, also braces for a stiff encounter with Nash Agustines, Ashton Villanueva, Sebastian Lagamon, Steve Sonsona and Divo Pepito

with a host of others raring to pull off a surprise or two in the Group 2 tournament presented by Dunlop.

Close to 200 players are vying for titles and RANKING POINTS IN THE kVE DAY TOURNAMENT PUT up by Palawan Pawnshop and sanctioned by THE 5NIkED 4ENNIS 0HILIPPINES MADE UP OF PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg with UTP-OIC Ian Villanueva as sponsor.

Keen competition is also seen in five other categories with Aslan Carbonilla, Christopher Sonsona, Zarc Denopol and Agustines, and Judyann Padilla, Elumba and Bandolis headlining the 14-U field, and AJ Bering, Andrei Esick, Cyd Villamar and Pete Bandala, and Angel Denopol and Gwen Bandolis looming as the players to watch in the 12-U side. “As in past PPS-PEPP legs, we expect new faces to emerge and whose surge only underscores the vast talents waiting to be tapped, especially in the countryside,� said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

4ITLES ARE ALSO TO BE DISPUTED IN kVE doubles events.

Next up is the Tangub leg on March 28-April 1. For details and listup, call 09154046464.

SEA Games preparation ‘in full swing’ – Cayetano THE Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) said that preparations for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) are “in full swing,� belying reports that the country may lose its right to host the biennial event due to unfold in November.

The PHISGOC said in a statement on Friday that issues on preparations can be properly addressed without spreading a disinformation. “It may be apparent that there are personalities who are eyeing to sabotage the preparations for the Philippines’ hosting of the SEA games,� reads the statement. “We can resolve all these differences through direct communication and not by disseminating misleading news, insinuations and intrigues which are damaging the reputation of our country and demoralizing our athletes including the entire workforce of the Organizing Committee.�

The PHISGOC explained that budget remains their biggest challenge, adding that it will be discussed with the legislative and judicial branches of the government.

“Despite the budget cuts and various challenges confronting the Philippine hosting of the 30th SEA games, we are unfazed and determined to make this successful.�

The PHISGOC maintained that VENUES MORE SPECIkCALLY THOSE IN Clark, Pampanga, are to be completed by September. “The construction of the New Clark City Sports Complex to be used for the 30th SEA Games is on track for completion by September 2019. The fast construction of these facilities proves the Duterte Administration’s commitment to enhance Philippine sports development to produce more world-class athletes and to host international sporting events in the future.�

Close to 10,000 athletes from 11 countries are expected to participate in the SEA Games, which will take place from November 30 to December 11. It will feature 56 sports with corresponding 523 events. The latest addition is e-sports, which is being considered for inclusion as a demonstration event in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Bell cleared after crash with skate rival Lim SAITAMA, Japan: Figure skating’s ruling body on Friday cleared American Mariah Bell of deliberately attempting to injure South Korean rival Lim Eun-soo during a warm-up at the world championships in Japan. +OREAN OFkCIALS PROTESTED FOLLOWing Wednesday’s incident, in which Lim’s management agency alleged Bell kicked their skater, causing a cut to her leg, while limbering up for the women’s short programme.

But the International Skating Union (ISU) has decided no action was necessary. “Based on the evidence at hand at this point in time, which includes a video, there is no evidence that Ms. Bell intended any harm to Ms. Lim,� the ISU said in a statement. “The ISU met with delegates from both USA and Korea and urged both

PARTIES TO kND AN AMICABLE SOLUTION The ISU maintains that this remains the appropriate approach.�

Video of the coming together quickly surfaced on social media, appearing to show Bell approach Lim from behind at the edge of the ice rink with her leg outstretched before gliding past.

The 16-year-old Lim was pictured grimacing in pain before being patched up and returning to the ice TO kNISH kFTH IN THE SHORT SKATE ONE place ahead of Bell. !MERICAN SKATE OFkCIALS HAVE SO far declined to comment after Lim’s All That Sports agency claimed there was reason to believe Bell’s act was deliberate.

Lim and Bell both train under coach Rafael Arutyunyan, and the Korean skater’s management also

alleged Bell had been “bullying Lim for months� leading up to the world championships, according to local media.

The management company also claimed Bell failed to apologise after the incident, but the American could meet with Lim later on Friday after the women’s free skate.

Rink collisions in practice are not uncommon but the glitzy world OF kGURE SKATING IS NO STRANGER TO controversy, most infamously when American Tonya Harding’s ex-husband and bodyguard arranged an attack on her rival Nancy Kerrigan in the run-up to the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics.

Olympic champion Alina Zagitova leads the standings heading into the free skate at the Saitama AFP worlds.

Sports Austria’s Straka shares lead at Valspar Championship 5 things I wish I could M tell my

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

younger self (Part 2)

little thing Every counts

The decorated UCLA basketball coach John Wooden once said, “It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.� Being a studentathlete taught me a great deal ABOUT MAKING SACRIkCES 7E EVEN sacrificed family time during weekends because of practice and game days. Choose to get that one hour off your phone to complete that eight hours of sleep. Don’t spend too much time going out and drinking and instead use the time to recover from training. Most of of the student-athletes don’t feel yet the effects of a poor lifestyle, but remember it could affect your game. You could use that extra one-inch vertical for a block, or that half a second of sprint to save the ball, even that extra cheer for your teammates when they get a solid kill.

In the end, this is honing your decision-making skills and creating your lifestyle as student-athletes. Most of us who have graduated agreed that we’ve brought the values that we picked up from school to the outside world and it has definitely opened opportunities for us. This also translates to how you, the student-athletes are seen as role models in your school communities and especially the growing volleyball community that we have in this country. Little things do matter, especially closing out that 13all in the fifth and deciding set!

IAMI: Austria’s Sepp Straka took advantage of a depleted field at THE 6ALSPAR #HAMPIONSHIP kRING A BOGEY FREE kVE UNDER TO SEIZE A SHARE OF THE kRST ROUND LEAD WITH *OEL $AHMEN

3TRAKA WHO IS CHASING HIS kRST WIN ON THE 53 0'! 4OUR kNISHED WITH kVE BIRDIES AT THE Innisbrook Golf and Spa resort in Florida.

A number of top players took the week off following the prestigious Players Championship but the event still includes Jason Day, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson.

Russell Knox, Kevin Kisner and Luke Donald are tied for third at four under par and American +EEGAN "RADLEY IS PART OF A kVE PLAYER GROUP AT three under 68, two strokes back of the leaders.

Johnson, Watson and Jim Furyk are tied for 11th and still well within striking distance after opening with a two-under 69. “I played a little bit better than my score,� *OHNSON SAID g"UT kRST TIME BEING HERE IN A while, not real used to the golf course. It was a good score.�

Like Straka, Dahmen has yet to win on the Tour. He rolled in six birdies and just one bogey. He is coming of a tie for 12th at The Players.

American Dahmen already had a top 10

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Q Sepp Straka watches his tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the Valspar Championship on the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Golf Resort on March 21, 2019 in Palm Harbor, Florida. AFP PHOTO

kNISH THIS SEASON WHEN he tied for ninth at the Farmers two months ago.

3TRAKA S BEST kNISH OF THE season was a tie for 13th at the same event.

Knox had one of the more entertaining rounds by making AN ALBATROSS ON THE PAR kVE TH after taking a double bogey two holes earlier. “It’s a good way to go from plus two to minus one very quickly,� Knox said. “Didn’t even have to putt, which was great.�

Defending champion Paul Casey opened with a 70, while Jon Rahm made his tournament debut with an even-par 71.

Early tee times didn’t help Reed, who had a 77, or Day at 74. AFP

CHOI FIRES 65 IN RETURN TO LPGA TOUR

Respect your opponents Like the famous quote goes, “Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.� Respecting your opponents doesn’t necessarily mean you should be all nice and diplomatic during a match. Just because you’re playing a lower ranked team doesn’t mean you would take it easy, or just because you’re playing the No. 1 team in the league doesn’t mean you have the license to perform poorly.

Just go out and play your game!

Volleyball, just like any other sport, whether it’s being played by men or women, brings out the competitiveness in everyone.

Treat every game like it’s a war, wherein you bring your best physical and mental skills. A lot of volleyball players and coaches say that the sport is more mental than physical. It’s a game of rallies, of momentum and every inch counts.

Like my college coach once said, you can always teach skills and technique at practice, but you can’t teach mental toughness or tibay ng dibdib; that’s what you learn during games and that’s what closes out games thrillers. This goes back to the first tip of working hard and pushing yourself to your limit!

Some people trash-talk during games. Personally, I don’t do it but I see the “necessity.� It’s just another technique athletes use to psych up their opponents but there must be a limit. I remember my mom telling me in my second year of playing that I should NEVER kGHT WITH AN OPPONENT JUST because their from another team, because there’s a chance that we will end up being teammates in the future, say at clubs or the national team.

The sport has produced this tight-knit community where everyone knows of everyone! So go ahead, go all out, but leave it in in the court.

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

Q Choi Na-Yeon

AFP PHOTO

PHOENIX: For Choi Na-yeon a boozy round of practise golf may not be what the doctor recommended, but it served its purpose at the time given the pressures involved in returning from a back injury. “I tried to drink some beer and get a little tipsy and playing golf,�

Choi said of an early round in her slow and steady comeback from the injury. “Because we always play golf in serious mode. I just like to play with more fun.�

That’s something the 31-year-old South Korean would never have thought of when she s t o p p e d p l ay i n g o n the LPGA Tour in April 2018 because of nagging back problems. “I just kept playing golf and my swing got worse and worse and hitting my ball going left and right,� said Choi, who fired an opening round 65 in her first round in 11 months on Thursday at the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup. “My mentally was like totally broken, so I just needed my body GET READY kRST u !FTER SHE STOPPED THE kRST PART of her recovery was to take a two week vacation to Europe, forget about golf for a while and get a fresh perspective on life. “I didn’t think about golf,�

Choi said. “I didn’t set the

alarm every day. I just wake up whenever I wanted and I just ate whatever I want. “It was a different life. I was kind of a robot when I was growing up and then playing golf well in LPGA Tour. I was living in the box. I couldn’t do anything besides golf.

Only golf, only golf. Like 100 percent focused on golf.�

The 2012 US Women’s Open champ is one shot behind leader Celine Boutier of France -- which is a big surprise considering her lack of tournament action over the past year. “Golf is really funny game. I didn’t expect any good scores today because this is first day,� said Choi. “I practised hard, of course, but it’s hard to tell how I’m going to shoot.

Less expectations, I think, always give you better result.�

"OUTIER k NISHED HER ROUND OF with a four-foot birdie putt on the par-four ninth hole. She captured the Vic Open last month in Australia for HER kRST ,0'! 4OUR TITLE g)T S DEkNITELY MADE ME MORE CONkdent in my game, my ability to win out here,� Boutier said. “I feel like I was kind OF LACKING THAT CONkDENCE LAST YEAR u Alana Uriell, Charlotte Thomas, Ko Jin-young and Nanna Koerstz Madsen joined Choi at 65.

Top-ranked Park Sung-hyun, Jenny Shin, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum and AFP Cheyenne Knight shot 66.

UAAP softball Final 4 fires off today

DEFENDING champion Adamson University and La Salle are odds on favorites to prevail over National University and University of Santo Tomas, respectively, when the semifinal round of the UAAP women’s softball tournament unfurls today at the historic Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Lady Falcons, who are in quest of a ninth straight title since 2010, battle the Lady Bulldogs in the 9 a.m. opener of their best-o-three series to decide the two teams that will advance to the gold medal round.

The La Salle softbelles versus the Tigresses tussle is set at 11 a.m.

If the outcome of their two previous meetings in the two-round eliminations this season will be used as gauge, the titledefending clouters from San Marcelino St. and the crown pretenders from Taft Ave. should have no problem disposing off their counterparts from Sampaloc and Espaùa, respectively, and move a victory shy of contesting this year’s jewel.

The Lady Falcon of coach Ana Santiago beat the Lady Bulldogs of coach Isidro Abello, 6-0, in regulation 7-inning duel in the first round then, 9-2, in an abbreviated rematch that spelled their superior 11-1 win-loss record heading to the Final Four.

Coach Jasper Cabrera’s La Sallites, on the other hand, routed UST, 8-1 and, 7-0, to emerge the second best team after he elims.

To accomplish their targets, coaches Santiago and Cabrera are expected to start strong with the former opting to dispatch No. 1 hurler Lyca Basa to start.

Cabrera, for his part, should start with strong armed prized recruit from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija, Rica Kiana May Juan, who’s been making waves lately as promising 18-year-old representing the future of NU, probably not now, but in the coming years.

EDDIE G. ALINEA

La Salle thumps archrival Ateneo in UAAP football RAFAEL MONTELIBANO fired a brace as De La Salle University stunned archrival Ateneo De Manila University, 2-1, seizing the second spot at the end of the first round of Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s football tournament on Thursday at the Far Eastern University (FEU)-Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.

Montelibano scored two early goals en route to the Green Booters overtaking the Blue Booters at the No. 2 spot with four wins against three losses for 12 points—three markers behind leading FEU. Coach Alvin Ocampo’s Taftbased squad bounced back from a 1-2 loss to the Tamaraw Booters last Sunday and also snapped its Katipunan rival’s three-game winning streak.

Montelibano scored the first goal in the 13th minute, slotting home Shanden Vergara’s low cross off a counter-attack with a right-footed tap.

The fourth-year standout doubled the Green Booters’ lead just 11 minutes later as he nodded in captain Jed Diamante’s free kick.

Ateneo pulled within a goal on Rupert Baùa’s header off Andreas Maniquis’ set piece in the 26th but failed to find an equalizer against La Salle’s staunch defense.

J ay p e e M e r i d a ’s Ka t i p u n a n booters fell to No. 3 with 10 points on a 3-1-3 win-draw-loss record and a higher goal difference over University of Sto. Tomas.

In the other fixture, Adamson University notched a 2-1 breakthrough victory at the expense of the shorthanded defending champion University of the Philippines (UP).

Allen Lozano netted a brace

in the second half, powering the Soaring Falcons to their first win following a six-game winless run to start the season.

Adamson though remained at the bottom with seven points on a 1-4-2 slate and inferior goal difference to UP and University of the East.

The Maroon Booters played sans six players in JB Borlongan, Christian Lapas, Daniel Saavedra, Kyle Magdato, Miggy Clarino and Ray Sanciangco who reinforced the Philippine Under-23 national team in the 2020 Asian Football Confederation U-23 Championship qualifiers.

M a k i n g m a t t e r s wo r s e, t h e State U had to forfeit its seasonopening 2-1 win over National University for failure to bring IDs last February 28.

UP sank to No. 6 with seven markers off two wins and a draw.

Meanwhile, in the women’s side, Alisha Del Campo netted a double brace towing back-to-back champ La Salle to a 5-1 rout of FEU on Wednesday at the Circulo Verde Football Field.

Del Campo scored thrice in the kRST HALF AND ADDED A LATE ONE WHILE Mae Mendaùo provided the other goal as the Lady Booters wound up on top with 10 points on an unbeaten record of three wins and A DRAW TO CLOSE THE kRST ROUND FEU suffered its second straight setback though it stayed third in THE kVE TEAM TABLE WITH SIX MARKERS Ateneo stunned UP, 1-0, behind Pamela Diaz’s 26th minute strike to halt a three-game skid.

The Lady Blue Booters, however, stayed at the cellar with three points and an inferior goal difference to the Lady Maroon Booters.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Blaze Spikers eye sweep, battle rival F2 Logistics REIGNING champion Petron’s bid to sweep the preliminaries faces a massive roadblock as it battles its bitter rival – F2 Logistics – in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Game time is at 6 p.m. with the Blaze Spikers hunting their 11th straight conquest in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Mikasa, Senoh, Team Rebel Sports, Bizooku, UCPB Gen, Cocolife, Hotel Sogo and Data Project.

Meanwhile, Generika-Ayala looks to add Sta. Lucia to its growing list of victims when they collide in the 4 p.m. appetizer of this league that also has ESPN5 and 5Plus as broadcast partners.

Toting a 3-7 win-loss card, the LifeSAVERS ARE FRESH FROM A GRUELING kVE set victory over Foton late Thursday and a win over the Lady Realtors will improve their chances at claiming one of the four twice-to-beat incenTIVES IN THE QUARTERkNALS But the attention would be trained on Petron and F2 Logistics – two of the best club teams in the country WHO CLASHED IN THE PAST kVE kNALS showdowns.

With Katherine Bell and Stephanie Niemer at the helm and national team members Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Frances Molina, Denden Lazaro and Rhea Dimaculangan providing support, the Blaze

Spikers were practically in cruise control as they won all but one set in their past 10 matches.

The only set they lost came from the HANDS OF THE #ARGO -OVERS IN THEIR kRST meeting this season last March 7.

Still, head coach Shaq Delos Santos is exercising extreme caution. “We still have to go back to the drawing board because the second round will not be a walk in the park,� said Delos Santos, knowing that the wards of head coach Ramil de Jesus is the best in the business when it COMES TO MOUNTING A kGHTBACK “We can’t be complacent against them (F2 Logistics). They will surely prepare so we have to be ready as well.

This is going to be an interesting game.�

De Jesus, however, is treating what looms to be another dramatic encounter as just an ordinary game despite the hype surrounding his import in Lindsay Stalzer and her former teammates whom she led to the Grand Prix title last year. “We’ll treat it as just another ordinary game,� said the 11-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion mentor. “It’s inevitable that we will face each other again. So what we can do is just to play our game and be positive.�

De Jesus said they have careFULLY STUDIED THEIR MISCUES IN THE kRST round, giving them a good chance to

turn the tables and shock the Blaze Spikers in their next encounter. “We may have lost in the first ROUND BUT IT WAS STILL A GOOD kGHT We promise to give them a very good kGHT NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME would be,� said de Jesus, who will again bank on imports Stalzer and Becky Perry as well as the local crew of Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron and Dawn Macandili. '!-%3 4/$!9 (FilOil Flying V Centre) P M 'ENERIKA !YALA VS 3TA ,UCIA P M & ,OGISTICS vs Petron

SSATURDAY AT U R DAY MARCH 23, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net Q Encantadia’s Sang’gres Karylle, Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon and Diana Zubiri are back together in ‘Mystified.’

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Roderick Paulate is all set for QC vice mayor run T

‘Mystified’ brings ‘Encantadia’s’ women back to life F situations. And unlike the original series where the Sang’gres relied on gems and weapons of old, the movie will see their innate powers as sorceresses. “Happily, the four girls were all in on the concept because they’ve also wanted a reunion project FOR A LONG TIME NOW !T kRST ) didn’t think it would happen because they’re now involved in different networks. That was when they proposed, ‘Why not MAKE A kLM u 2EYES CONTINUED “And that was when I thought of setting up Sang’gre Productions TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN u

TADIA u OFFERED #ALZADO g.AG kanya-kanya kami ng landas and life took us to different places but OR 46 BUFFS THE kRST SHOW TO DEkNITELY here we were again, doing the one COME TO MIND AT THE MENTION OF THE thing we know best—to share our ENERGY ON SET WITH ONE ANOTHER u WORD gFANTASERYEu IS THE MOTHER OF Zubiri in turn said she simply ALL &ILIPINO FANTASY SERIES g%NCANTADIA u missed her gal pals. ! PROUDLY ORIGINAL PRODUCTION OF '-! “Actually, matagal ko silang hindi nakasama so ako yung pinaka .ETWORK IN THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL NAKA MISS SA KANILA u SHE DECLARED

CONCEPT AIRED EPISODES BEFORE TAKING A adding that she has been spending BOW WHILE A PROMISING REBOOT GATHERED A more time tending to her business rather than her acting career lately.

NEW GENERATION CAST IN WITH AN EVEN “So you can imagine na sobrang BIGGER TOTAL OF EPISODES excited ako makasama silang tatlo ULIT AT UMARTE u This year, a single major produc- [original Encantadia director] Karylle, who is of course is the tion hopes to thrill Encantadia Mark [Reyes] and the Sangg’res most musical among Sang’gres, fans one more time as entertain- from three years ago to come up Emotional reunion kNALLY SHARED SHE IS ALL THE HAPment streaming service iFlix ven- with the best way to engage a TURES INTO THEIR VERY kRST FULL LENGTH new fanbase for the franchise via According to Encantadia’s women, pier she can express her joy to be Filipino movie project, and with streaming. And with iFlix’s aim to REUNITING ON THE SET OF -YSTIkED reunited with her friends in Mystithe fantaserye’s original cast all in! give viewers what they want to see, turned out to be emotional for all kED S THEME SONG g3IMULA u “The song is about us in real life Yes. Encantadia’s women —Di- we combined all the ideas together four of them. g) CRIED ON OUR kRST DAY WHEN but also it also runs parallel to our ana Zubiri, Karylle, Iza Calzado and arrived at the story of ‘Mystiand Sunshine Dizon — are re- kED u THE EXECUTIVE RECALLED AT THE I saw all of us wearing our cos- roles in the movie. Basically, it’s tumes, and when they saw me about how we’ve found ourselves united as the beautiful and power- movie’s press launch.

Quickly following up dela CRYING THEY ALL STARTED CRYING TOOĂœu while staying connected to one ful Sangg’res in iFlix’s upcoming OFFERING g-YSTIkED u 4HE MOVIE IS Cruz’s introduction, Reyes de- Dizon confessed laughing. “It was ANOTHER u SHE RELATED ready for streaming by March 29. clared, “And what you will see is a very nostalgic and a very special According to iFlix Country more cutting-edge production that moment for all of us because it’s Green and go Manger Sherwin dela Cruz, their will revive the magic of these four always been our dream to have a reunion project.

Thankfully, realizing Mystified team had begun meeting with ACTRESSES ON SCREEN u g) THINK THAT BESIDES -YSTIkED was a smooth sailing process for Elaborating on the plot, Reyes Encantadia’s fab four as early as 2016, expressing to the Sangg’res said Mystified will see Zubiri, reuniting all of us in a project, everyone involved, most especially their desire to bring the fantaserye Karylle, Calzado and Dizon in a we were emotional because we in casting Zubiri, Karylle, Calzado story that takes place both in the also realized that we’ve all been AND $IZON 4HERE WERE NO CONlICTS to the new generation. “We’ve been collaborating with fantasy world and modern day through so much since Encan- with their existing network contracts in appearing on iFlix so they were all given permission to do the movie without a hitch.

Reyes further said it helped that -YSTIkED IS NEITHER A LONG TERM SEries nor a strict remake of the movie ON THE SIDE OF '-! .ETWORK And once production started, the cast and crew — who were also mostly from the original Encantadia — just fell into step with one another making for a truly happy and creative reunion. g%VEN IF WE HAD TO ENDURE kGHT AND STUNT TRAININGSĂœu THE GIRL chimed cheekily in ending.

Q Mark Reyes (center), who directed the original fantaserye, is also at the helm of this iFlix production.

BY NIKA ROQUE

Âťglobalspotlight

Emilia Clarke reveals near-fatal brain aneurysms

LOS ANGELES: “Game of Thrones� star Emilia Clarke suffered two nearly fatal brain aneurysms in the early years of filming the hit series, she said in an essay published Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The British actress — who plays Daenerys Targaryen on the blockbuster show about to enter its final season — wrote that the first aneurysm rupture struck while she was at the gym in February 2011, just after filming the first season. “At some level, I knew what was happening: my brain was damaged,� the 32-year-old wrote in The New Yorker magazine in her piece entitled “A Battle For My Life.� “For a few moments, I tried to will away the pain and the nausea,� she continued. “To keep my memory alive, I tried to recall, among other things, some lines from ‘Game of Thrones.’�

Clarke was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage — a form of stroke triggered by bleeding into areas that surround the brain, which kills about one third of the patients it strikes.

She was 24 at the time of her first brain surgery, and said the recovery period in which she could not even recall her own name —a condition called aphasia — gave her “a sense of doom.� “In my worst moments, I wanted to pull the plug. I asked the medical staff to let me die,� Clarke said. “My job — my entire dream of what my life AFP PHOTO would be — centered on language, on commu-

nication. Without that, I was lost.�

The condition passed and Clarke left the hospital one month after her admission — but doctors had found she had a second aneur ysm that could rupture at any moment. “Even before we began filming Season 2, I was deeply unsure of myself. I was often so woozy, so weak, that I thought I was going to die,� Clarke wrote, saying she took morphine between interviews while promoting the acclaimed show.

During a routine brain scan doctors found her growth had doubled in size and decided to operate — a seemingly simple procedure that resulted in major complications and another month in the hospital.

Today, Clarke says she has “healed beyond my most unreasonable hopes,� and helped develop a charity to offer treatment to patients recovering from stroke and brain injuries. “There is something gratifying, and beyond lucky, about coming to the end of ‘Thrones,’� Clarke wrote. “I’m so happy to be here to see the end of this story and the beginning of whatever comes next."

AFP

HERE’S no turning back for actor Roderick Paulate in his bid for vice mayoralty post of Quezon City even as the Sandiganbayan’s 7th Division ordered his suspension as councilor over A PENDING GRAFT AND FALSIkCATION case filed against him in April 2018.

Serving in the second district of QC on his third and final term, Kuya Dick earlier announced his candidacy as vice mayor under the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) party. “Whatever happens, I am still RUNNING ‡ WALA NANG ATRASAN u the actor told Roving Eye over the phone. %VEN AS THE OFkCIAL CAMPAIGN period for posts in the local government has yet to begin on March 29, the buzz is that Kuya Dick is leading his rivals in the race for QC’s second highest post. That’s why there are some supporters wondering out loud about the timing of the suspension.

Unfazed by the negative publicity as he claims he is innocent of the allegations, Kuya Dick trusts that even without the backing of a major political party, his projects

for his constituents in his many years as councilor will see him through his candidacy.

NNN 'UESS WHO 7HEN THIS UP AND coming actor (UA) was still newcomer and a virtual unknown, he was paired with a young actress (YA) also being built up by a network.

The two were paired in several projects which became successful, so much so that the YA’s mother told UA he should stick with her daughter to assure him of stardom.

Clearly, YA’s mother believed her daughter is more popular than UA and that it’s her fame that’s rubbing off on UA. YA’s mother also started giving UA the cold shoulder when she felt he had plans of courting YA. Eventually, the network decided to break UA and YA’s tandem, but lo and behold, it was UA paired with different actress who became more popular than YA. Today, UA is a highly sought after leading man who’s also BECOME A VERY kNE ACTOR -EANwhile YA has faded oblivion to her mother’s despair to be sure.

ROVING EYE RO RICKY CALDERON CA

Laguna-born Filipina shines in UK C

AVEAT has long been meaning to write about Cynthia Alcantara-Barker, a migrant from San Pablo City, Laguna who now towers over the rest of the pioneering and present wave of migrants who have moved from the Phil- mentality is carried by most OFWs ippines to the United Kingdom like a monkey on the back, a culfor the usual proverbial greener tural baggage of sort. That most pasture. She belongs to a fourth Filipinos think we are inferior and generation of Alcantaras over there the white race is superior. She has now in the UK. observed this among her multiA new lease on life was the main cultural staff of her own company reason why Cynthia journeyed to that she used to manage. To her, UK. In the ‘70s her parents who this mindset is a reality and also a were both school teachers migrat- myth. The cultural baggage is both ed to UK as OFWs. In the mid-’80s an asset and liability but that overshe was taken in by her parents. seas workers must work this out This she revealed in a book and to their advantage to rise above it. a documentary in-progress about Cynthia will also go down in migrants in UK directed by Jowee Morel, a FilipinoBritish director known for his controversial film of an abandoned and homeless aging migrant in UK billed g,EONA #ALDERON u portrayed by Pilar Pilapil and released locally by Viva Films.

Incidentally, Caveat is in the pool of writers of the two aforesaid proj- Q Cynthia Alcantara-Barker makes history as the ects whose focus first-ever elected Filipino councilor in the United is on the post- Kingdom. modernist gaze at decolonization and the politics of WORLD kLM HISTORY FOR OVERSEEING homogenization being negotiated THE AFORESAID kLM STUDIOS IN TWO by the ruling power of the new districts which are under her jurisglobal world order. This is eyed for diction to the present time. Its hisBBC (British Broadcasting Com- tory dates back to the development pany) release by director Morel. of world cinema as early as 1914.

Long story short, Cynthia in 4HE BLOCKBUSTERS g)NDIANA *ONES u 2015 won in an election for two g3TAR 7ARSu FRANCHISES g(ARRY positions, namely as Councilor 0OTTERu SERIES ETC WERE SHOT THERE of Elstree and Borehamwood and At this writing director Jowee 0OTTERS "AR &URZEkELD UNDER THE Morel continues to document Conservative Party, then under Cynthia Alcantara-Barker at her Prime Minister David Cameron. turf in situ at Hertfordshire of Cynthia’s greatest achievement Elstree and Borehamwood Film in the political landscape of UK as Studios, the equivalent of HollyTHE kRST EVER ELECTED &ILIPINO COUN- wood this side of Europe. cilor earned for her an enviable NNN acknowledgment in 2016 the pres'5%33 7(/ 9OUNG HUNKY tigious Community Honors Award actor (YHA) was so panicky and endorsed no less by the Queen pressed for time to shoot his part of England. She now belongs to in a top teleserye that he threw all the exclusive register of public cautions to the wind. He pulled servants in UK. She followed in off his briefs right before the gay the footsteps of the phenomenal costume master in-charge of dressrise of British-Muslim Mayor of ing him up. The costume master ,ONDON 3ADIQ +HAN WHO WAS kRST was so shocked to see in full glory bestowed the same award in 2014. the well-endowed YHA. Looking back, Cynthia conClue: Said teleserye of YHA fessed racism has to go a long way is about to wrap up within the in the West. It is because colonial month.

CAVEAT GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

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Funtimes

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE

It is an ancient privilege accorded to kibitzers and irate partners alike to point out — after play is completed — how declarer should have played and made the contract he has just finished butchering.

In fact, I have it on excellent authority that this right to criticize declarer’s play and call attention to his ineptitude — after the location of all 52 cards is known — was one of the many pledges exacted from King John at Runnymede when he agreed to sign the Magna Carta back in 1215 A.D. Whether this actually occurred I

» CROSSWORD

have no way of knowing, but there is no doubt that the hideous practice of double-dummying partner to teach him the finer points of the game still goes on to this day.

All of which leads us to today’s unusual exercise where kibitzer, butcher and teacher alike are all challenged to score 10 tricks with spades as trump.

This is strictly a double-dummy affair, by which is meant that the reader is invited to study all four hands and take full advantage of seeing the opposing cards. Of course, best defense is assumed.

To get right to the meat of the matter, all declarer has to do to make the contract is to win the opening heart lead with the ace and play his king on it!

This extraordinary stroke increases South’s losers from four to five — but at the same time it renders the defense helpless. Without this highly unusual play, four spades cannot be made.

Three rounds of trump are next drawn, after which South cashes the ace of clubs and ace of diamonds.

West is then presented with his heart trick. Not only that, but West is also allowed to win the next two heart leads while dummy discards two diamonds and declarer two clubs.

South then takes the rest of the tricks, trumping two diamonds in dummy and two clubs in his hand! ©2019 King Features Syndicate Inc.

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

Solution to puzzle

By Samantha Weaver

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (03/23/19). Take bold new ground this year.

Planning and coordinated action forward your career. Summer shines on domestic fun, before work shifts require adaptation.

Step into the professional spotlight next winter, before family changes call you home. Travel and studies reveal new wonders and practical solutions.

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 -- A financial dream or lucrative possibility is within reach. Dress to impress. Do the filing, applications or paperwork required to get wheels into motion.

Sign contracts.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate with someone interesting. Strengthen your partnership for a shared passion. Report your progress, and share results. Listen to intuition. Go for authenticity, excellence and integrity.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 9 -- The pace quickens.

Concentrate to keep steady footing or slow down. The possibility for technical error is high. Schedule carefully. Prioritize health and wellness.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Romantic dreams can come true. Confess to someone you’d like to share them with.

Find a creative way to express a delicious possibility.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Nurture your family and household. Share domestic chores, renovations and repairs.

Imagine the possibilities, and discuss the best options. Bring home a delectable treat.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- An imaginative assignment pays well. Effective communications unlock an important door. Prepare your argument and present it tactfully. Craft your story or pitch.

» SUDOKU

• It was 20th-century American author and futurist Robert Anton Wilson who made the following sage observation: “Only the madman is absolutely sure.”

• Lightning isn’t solely a phenomenon of Earth: Astronomers have noted lightning bolts on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Venus.

• Historians say that Russia’s Peter the Great was nearly 7 feet tall.

• Athletes playing baseball on steroids have been in the news in recent years, but drugs are nothing new in America’s national sport. During the late 1960s and ‘70s, Dock Ellis was a valued pitcher who played for several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates. On June 12, 1970, Ellis took LSD, thinking it was an off day for his team. By the time he realized that the Pirates were scheduled to play the San Diego Padres that evening, it was too late. The drug proved to have no ill effect on Ellis; in fact, he pitched a no-hitter. When he recounted the event to a reporter 12 years later, he said he remembered only bits and pieces of the game, though he felt euphoric. Many years later, after being treated for addiction, Ellis became a coordinator for an anti-drug program in California.

• A woman in Tennessee was once arrested for biking while intoxicated — and she was on a stationary bike at the gym at the time.

• A newspaper reporter once asked Gen. Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces during World War II and later president of the French Fifth Republic, if he was happy. De Gaulle replied, “What do you take me for, an idiot?” *** Thought for the Day: “Before you become a writer, you must first become a reader. Every hour spent reading is an hour spent learning how to write.” — Robert Macfarlane © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Keep your money moving. Bring it in and pay for the goods and services you need.

Monitor balances and statements. Take profitable action.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Wear your confidence like a power cloak. Let your creative imagination run wild.

Dreams reveal your true feelings. Avoid lies like the plague.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Private productivity suits your mood. Clean up messes and make plans for what’s next. Stay sensitive to a loved one’s wishes. A crazy idea could work.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Your friends are your inspiration. Guard against impetuous expenses that could spiral out of control. Conversation provides insight. Listen and share resources and ideas.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 7 -- An attractive career opportunity arises through social participation. Polish your professional presentation. Prepare a fabulous portfolio. Find out what is wanted and need. Show up.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- New travel or study possibilities present themselves. You can enjoy a sense of adventure and exploration without spending a fortune. Try new flavors, music or art.

(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.

˜ The Manila Times

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LIFESTYLE@MANILATIMES.NET

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2019 Q Elegant pearl earrings go well with minimalist easy-to-wear classics and always symbolize the Filipina beauty.

Q This snakeskin tote bag with floral applique is from limited Marilu Batchelor’s Maison Lourdes collection made by local community of artisans.

Q Kultura’s Q Ku Kult ultura’s lttura ra’ a’s’s Summer Summer Hardin Har Ha ard rddin bblooms loooms w with itth Em Emblem mbleem Je Jew Jewelry’s ewe weelr y’ y’s’s eexquisite xq xqu quis issit ite te eelection le lec ect cttioon ooff 24 24K 4K go gold old dipped di ipped ssterling teerliing je jewelry. jew ewe weelr y.

Carry our summer everywhere you go

Q This eco-chic hand woven tote bag

by Island Girl is made from indigenous Nito Vine materials.

W

Q Take a fresh slice of summer in the Philippines wherever you go with Island Girl’s tropical fruit inspired pouches woven and embroidered by women in rural communities.

Each one is made from sustainable pandan leaves.

ITH many soon heading out to destinations abroad for the summer, there’s no reason to leave behind the most famous season of the Philippines, which to many in the northern hemisphere is to-die-for!

In fact, you can actually bring the Philippine summer everywhere you go, advocating tourism and Filipino craftsmanship in the process with pieces The Manila Times Look Book spotted at Kultura’s successful pop-up store at SM Makati’s Upper Ground Level Concourse Area this week.

A curated selling event dubbed “Summer Hardin,” the event showcased the all-Filipino boutique’s latest resortwear and accessories, personal care products and juices.

Zooming in on the jewelry and handbags, standouts included -ICKI /LAGUER S kNE lORAL SILVER

Emblem Jewelry dipped in gold and adorned with genuine gemstones and freshwater pearls; and Marilu Batchelor’ Maison Lourdes Handbags, which is a bespoke and limited edition release specializing in snakeskin and leather clutch bags and totes

bearing Filipino aesthetics; and Island Girl’s fun handwoven and hand-crafted bags made from indigenous materials.

The remaining pieces from these special collections are now available across Kultura boutiques nationwide.

Cute, colorful bags and whatnots for kids to ‘smile and giggle about’ Q Smiggle Game Over backpack and scented embossed hardtop pencil case.

Q Magical, fun and playful unicorn embossed hardtop pencil case.

Q Fall in love with sweet smelling and amazing embossed Smiggle Hello Scented hardtop pencil cases.

Q Smelling Princess Poop Fashionista Shoulder bag has an inner zipped compartment and adjustable strap.

Q This Paradise double decker lunch box is perfect for your lunchtime delights with its two-tier storage to separate all your snacks and its lining that is BPA free and food grade safe.

THERE’s no need for parents to go to Hong Kong or Singapore to get the ever popular line of bags, lunch boxes, pencil cases and other fashion forward stationery products for their children any longer because the inimitable Smiggle brand is now officially in the Philippines.

Known for its quirky designs and innovative materials, Smiggle first opened its doors in Melbourne in 2003 and has since been known and loved by fans around the world, including the Philippines.

The concept took off and the company soon hit 20 stores, where it caught the eye of Just Group, an Australasian leading fashion and apparel retailer with seven well-known brands and over 1,200 retail outlets in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Malaysia, and Singapore. Smiggle joined the group August 2007 and has not looked back since.

In 2008, the brand umped the seas and opened its first international store in New Zealand. In 2011 it expanded into Singapore, in the UK in 2014, and Malaysia and Hong Kong in 2016.

Smiggle products are all about great design and innovation, bold colors, quirky graphics, great value and most of all — giving their fans the tools they need to have stylish fun. The Smiggle Design Lab is getting bigger and better in drawing inspiration from all over the globe. Their ultimate goal is to inspire and develop the creative spirits of their customers, by delivering original, fun and affordable products.

With its name a portmanteau of “smile” and “giggle,” every bag, lunch box, drink bottle, pencil case and other accessories will surely give children and the young at heart a happy “smiggle.”

Just Group’s entry into the Philippine market is made through SM Retail, whose department stores carry the brand’s extensive and latest lines.

Q Keep your lunch fresh in this cool Stylin’ hardtop compartment lunchbox with a zip-up drink bottle holder.

Q This holographic canvas shoulder bag has iridescent belt, fun badges with colourful reversible sequins and a metallic rainbow zip.

Q Smiggle’s Faves collection includes this tri- fold wallet with Velcro fastening and a scented silicone badge.

Q These fold-over backpacks are perfect for school, sport and other activities.

Scented badges, padded adjustable shoulder straps, and built-in carry handle make these more fun and functional.

D4

SATURDAY MARCH 23, 2019

EDITOR Tessa Mauricio-Arriola STAFF WRITERS Christina Alpad & Iza Iglesias DESKMAN Arlo Custodio

Q The collection takes off from the super hero flick’s ‘90s look mixed with elements from military uni-forms, all bearing Captain Marvel’s logo or trademark insignia.

Ladies – and gents – get your Captain Marvel on!

Suit up and accessorize in style with the 0917 Lifestyle x Captain Marvel collection

W

ITH the legendary Captain Marvel still taking the universe by storm via Marvel Studio’s latest blockbuster of the same title, the fashion and accessories world is right on trend with the launch of the 0917 x Captain Marvel limited-edition collection.

The latest entry in the MCU kLM SERIES -ARVEL 3TUDIOS g#APtain Marvel� is set in the ‘90s and tells the story of Carol Danvers, a former US Air Force fighter pilot who transforms into a mighty hero and joins Starforce,

an elite military team of Kree, a SCIENTIkCALLY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY advanced alien race. As planet Earth gets caught at the center of a galactic clash between two alien worlds, Danvers heads home to know more about her past and

TRY TO RESOLVE THE CONlICT As such, the collection takes off from the movie’s ‘90s look mixed with elements from military uniforms, all bearing Captain Marvel’s logo or trademark insignia. Take your pick from the super pieces — cool yet casual t-shirts, including one that features her cat, Goose; eye-catching, comfy outerwear such as a fatigue jacket and a colorful windbreaker; and nifty accessories like a tote bag and fatigue cap.

-IX AND MATCH THE PIECES TO kND your new favorite OOTD. Marvel fans can now get their hands on this new collection

through the Globe Online Shop or Globe Stores in major malls.

Marvel fans may also complement their getups with new digital accessories including the new Flare Smart Watch, phone protector Rhinoshield MOD Crashguard for iPhone XS and a

Jaguar 24kmAh Powerbank.

The 0917 collection, a purveyor of Globe’s immersive, expressive, and integrated digital lifestyle, was launched in August 2016 and has since transformed into a lifestyle brand spanning originally designed collections alongside special

editions. Among the branded collections they have released are collaborations with Marvel StuDIOS g!VENGERS )NkNITY 7AR u g3TAR 7ARS u .ETlIX S g3TRANGER Things,� 0917 x New Balance 574 Collab, and Cartoon Network’s “We Bare Bears.� Meanwhile, thematic seasonal collections have included Camp 917, Holiday, and Block Parade.

The new Levi’s Engineered is made for ‘Reflex’ HE’S an artist, a dancer, and a certified hustler. As one of the misfits proudly donning the new Levi’s Engineered Jeans, Jesse “Reflex��

Gotangco is alll about moving without limits. s.

In fact, he’s gotten so goodd at it that he became one of the first few Filipinos to represent the country at the R16 World Finals, which he did as part of Project P-Noise in 2010. As a solo act, he has already twice claimed the gold for Solo and Freestyle Battles at the R16 Southeast Asia Championship in 2013 and 2017.

But his passion for the performing arts goes beyond the gold and the glory. To him, dancing is an avenue for self-expression and a form of reprieve from the pressures of daily life. “I look at dancing as a platform

to be able to share different things about myself. I get to express social and political issues in a way that is relatable ente and entertaining,� explaine Reflex. explained And iit is this sense of release and artistic exploration p that pushes Gotangco to dedicate pa his passion to build up the building next generation of aartists and per performers. “ a “As dan and avid dancer practitionerr of practitioner thee hip-hopp culture, culture, I ascribe ascribe to thee

‘Each One, Teach One’ motto. It’s our way of paying it forward and empowering people through dance,“ he explains. “I know it sounds clichĂŠ but I feel like we’re able to help people find their

identities, their own style, and even help them go through stress or find an escape when dealing with social or personal issues. So I think that’s a really powerful thing, especially for this generation.�

As movement is the name of the game, Reflex stresses the importance of free, unrestricted motion when it comes to fully expressing one’s self in dance and other forms of the performing art. “With what I do most especially in freestyle and hip-hop, we always believe that you gotta look fresh but at the same time, be able to move,� he intimated. “That’s why I like to keep it loose and simple, and at the same time very

Q Donning the new Levi’s Engineered Jeans, Jesse ‘Reflex’ Gotangco is all about moving without limits.

functional and free.�

For this reason, Gotangco is all praises for the return of the Levi’s Engineered Jeans. Defined by its design and functionality, the collection is fit for the misfits and style junkies who are looking for their own signature style and the comfort of unrestricted motion. “It definitely helps with my movement and it looks just so casual, which is cool because you can wear it every day. And anytime I need to get down

and dance, I can get down with these jeans for sure.�

The Levi’s Engineered Jeans collection are available at Levi’s boutique stores and selected department stores.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Special Feature

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HE friendship of Pakistan and the Philippines has seen 70 springs this year. Over this period, Pakistan and the Philippines have enjoyed resilient ties of friendship regulated through 25 cooperation agreements, memorandum of understanding (MoUs) and memorandum of agreements (MoAs) in political, economic, commercial, defense, cultural and social fields.

Meanwhile, 10 new draft agreements, MoUs and MoAs are currently under consideration of both countries so as to further expand the scope and strength of their relationship. In 2017, a Pakistan Navy Ship paid a goodwill visit to the Philippines.

President Duterte graced the ship with an exclusive visit accompanied by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana as a special gesture of friendship with Pakistan.

Official bilateral relations between the two countries commenced with the establishment of the Philippine Consulate in Karachi on September 9, 1949, followed by the opening of the Philippine Embassy in Karachi in 1956 and Pakistani Embassy in Manila in September 1957. In 1954, both countries became alliance partners in the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (Seato).

Pakistan’s relations with the Philippines form an important component of our “Vision East Asia Policy” which aims at enhancing our collaboration with the region in diverse fields. The Philippines, a founding member of Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean), has been a steadfast supporter of our efforts to strengthen our institutional linkages with Asean including our membership to Asean Regional Forum (ARF) and Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM).

There exists commonality of views between the two countries on various regional and international issues translating into a reservoir of good will between their leadership and people. Both countries have been closely coordinating in promoting global interfaith dialogue and share concerns for global equity, fair trading opportunities and welfare of overseas workers.

Q Father of Nation Muhammad Ali Jinaah

Q Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain

Bilateral trade The Philippines’ is currently Pakistan’s 43rd biggest partner while Pakistan is the Philippines’ 49th biggest partner. The bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Philippines stood at $172 million during 2017 to 2018. Main exports from Pakistan during 2017 to 2018 included chemicals and compounds, rice, medical and pharmaceutical products, fruit and fruit preparations, made-up textiles, woven cotton fabric, surgical instruments and appliances, knitted and crocheted clothes, cotton yarn, paper and paper board, tobacco, leather and leather products and cement. Main imports from the Philippines during this period included automobile machinery parts, ores/ iron and steel and scrap, paper, cigarettes, transmission shafts, miscellaneous edible products, fruit & fruit preparations, essential oils, chemicals and compounds, fixed vegetable fats and oils, old clothing and semi-conductors.

Bilateral political consultation talks The 5th round of the Pakistan-Philippines Bilateral Policy Consultations was held in Islamabad at Foreign Secretary level on January 18, 2018.

The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and identified opportunities and possibilities for further cooperation including in the fields of security, counter-terrorism, economic development and trade, education, science and

I

congratulate all Pakistanis living in the Philippines on the auspicious occasion of “Pakistan Day.” Pakistanis all over the world celebrate March 23 with great zeal and fervor to commemorate the Pakistan Resolution as it reminds of the day in 1940, when the Muslims of Indian sub-continent resol ved to achieve a separate homeland where they could live in accordance with their religious values, culture and traditions in a just and free society. The event gave renewed vigor to the political struggle of the Muslims of India which culminated in attaining an independent State under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 14, 1947.

While celebrating the 79th Anniversary of Pakistan Resolution Day, I can proudly say that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan has emerged as a strong and viable country showing progress in diverse fields, be it economy, science & technology, social development or sports. Living far away from their homeland, Pakistanis are, in many ways, contributing toward the overall progress and prosperity of not only Pakistan, but also of the Philippines. In fact, they act as a bridge between the two countries and are a contributing factor toward further strengthening our bilateral ties.

Pakistan accords great importance to its relations with the Philippines. This year carries a particular significance as it marks the 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relation back in 1949. Both friendly nations are planning joint activities in 2019 in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of PakistanPhilippines diplomatic relations which we call as 70 years of Friendship. Spanning over several decades our relations have flourished in diverse fields translating into a reservoir of goodwill both in the public and private sector. Pakistan accords great importance to its relations with the Philippines.

Since my arrival in this beautiful country, I have personally experienced this goodwill and am sure my Filipino brothers and sisters must have experienced the same cordiality during their visits to Pakistan.

I am particularly excited to apprise the readers of this message of recent developments in continuously upward-going trajectory of our bilateral relations: The National Day Reception organized by the embassy in a local hotel on March 23, 2018 was attended by a large number of politicians, senior civil and military officers of the Philippine government, members of Diplomatic Corps, International/ Multinational Organizations as well as Pakistani community members based in Manila. Moreover, the two widely-circulated local newspapers Manila Times and Business Mirror published exclusive four-page supplements containing articles about Pakistan-Philippines bilateral relations, Pakistan’s trade and economic potential, investment opportunities and joint ventures in tourism and other industries.

In October 2018, Pakistan and the Philippines signed a new Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation in Agriculture sector.

In November 2018, Philippine military sent a big delegation comprising of representatives of all three forces to attend an international Expo of Pakistani Defence Products.

technology and agriculture. Both sides expressed satisfaction at their ongoing collaboration at the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral fora.

Pakistan-Philippines Joint Economic Commission

Q Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

E1

Message

PA K I S TA N N AT I O N A L DAY

70th anniversary of Pakistan-Philippine bilateral relations

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

The Inaugural Session of PakistanPhilippines Joint Economic Commission (JEC) at Deputy Minister level was held in Islamabad on February 27 and 28, 2018. During two days of the JEC session, detailed meetings were

Bilateral trade augmented to $172 million during FY 201718, witnessing a surge of 11 percent over previous fiscal year.

Pakistan and the Philippines Q Aman Rashid initiated feasibilAmbassador of Pakistan to the Philippines ity studies to examine possibility of a preferential trade agreement between the two countries.

Besides the above, regular interactions at various levels between the two countries has afforded an opportunity to review our bilateral relations and open avenues to enhance our mutual cooperation in diverse fields.

A 22-member high level delegation of Pakistan-Philippines Business Council visited Manila last February 26 to 28, 2019 as a follow up of the decision taken at the conclusion of the inaugural session of the Joint Economic Commission (JEC) held in Islamabad on February 27 and 28, 2018. This delegation was not limited to just importers and exporters of products but also comprised of concrete Joint Venture investments between Pakistani and Filipino partnerships to include Royal Life Pharmaceuticals having invested over $50 million in Philippines and Auris Hearing Audiology Centers having invested $0.9 million in six branches. It has laid the fresh foundations of Friendship, Cooperation and Investments for bilateral trade and cultural exchange between Pakistan and Philippines.

Philippines is considered a very important component of our “Vision East Asia Policy” which aims at enhancing our relations with the whole region in diverse fields. I am sure the coming months will witness increased exchanges between the two countries at different levels. I am confident that during my stay in the Philippines, I would receive the desired cooperation and support from the public and private sector to facilitate my job further. I earnestly hope and pray that with this envisaged cooperation, my tenure here will bear fruit and bilateral relations between our two countries will flourish further in the years ahead.

As I mentioned earlier, year 2019 is witnessing 70th Anniversary of Pakistan-Philippines relations and I am zealously working to materialize my dream of twinning Makati and Manila with the Karachi Metropolitan City of Pakistan as sister cities to further concretize the existing linkages between the two countries by enhancing people to people contacts.

In the end I would like to express my sincere thanks to the leadership, the government and the hospitable people of the Philippines for their support and cooperation in the promotion of friendly and cooperative relations between our two countries. Mabuhay! Long-live Pakistan-Philippines friendship.

held between experts of the two sides focusing on trade, investment, energy, agriculture, tourism, health, industries and other matters of mutual interest.

An important decision of the meeting was to conduct feasibility studies on the possibility of Preferential Trade Agreement between the two countries.

Manila visit of PakistanPH business council delegation A 22-member high level delegation of Pakistan-Philippines Business

Council visited Manila from February 26 to 28, 2019 as a follow up of the decision taken at the conclusion of the inaugural session of the JEC held in Islamabad in February of last year.

The Philippines side was headed

by Ceferino Rodolfo, the deputy minister for Industry Development and Trade Policy Group, (IDTPG) of the Department of Trade and Industry, which had laid the fresh foundations of friendship, cooperation and investments for bilateral trade and

³RelationsE2

E2

I

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

Special Feature

The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Pakistan: an emerging economy

N 2016, BMI Research report named Pakistan as one of the 10 emerging economies with a particular focus on its manufacturing hub. The economy of Pakistan is currently the 23rd largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP), and 38th largest in terms of nominal gross domestic product.

Q Among of Pakistan’s exported food includes oranges and mangoes.

Q Manufacturing is the most vibrant subsector of Pakistan’s industrial sector.

Q The textile industry is the largest manufacturing industry in Pakistan.

Pakistan has a population of over 207 million (the world’s 6th largest), giving it a nominal growth domestic product (GDP) per capita of $1,641. In 2018, Pakistan’s economy grew by 5.2 percent and its GDP in terms of purchasing power parity crossed $1 trillion.

Pakistan is a developing country with semi-industrialized economy. It is reckoned by research economists as one of the Next Eleven, the upcoming eleven countries with a potential to be among the world’s booming economies in the 21st century. It is currently undertaking ambitious economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment.

Total volume of Pakistan’s external trade during 2018 stood at approximately $77 billion. Primary export commodities include textiles, agri-products, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, carpets/rugs and medical instruments. Growth poles of Pakistan’s economy are mainly situated in the diversikED ECONOMIES OF +ARACHI AND MAJOR URBAN CENTERS IN THE 0UNJAB

Major sectors of economy x Agriculture The most important crops

are wheat, sugarcane, cotton, and rice, which together account for more than 75 percent of the value of total crop output. Pakistan's largest food crop is wheat.

In fiscal year (FY) 2017-2018, Pakistan produced 26,674,000 tons of wheat, more than all of Africa and nearly as much as all of South America. Pakistan has also cut the use of dangerous pesticides dramatically. Pakistan is normally a net food exporter. Food exports include rice, cotton, fish, fruits (especially oranges and mangoes) and vegetables. x Industry Pakistan's industrial sector accounts for about 20.9 percent of GDP. In 2018 it recorded a growth of 5.80 percent.

Manufacturing is the most vibrant sub sector of Industrial sector having 13.6 per cent contribution in GDP. Major sectors in industries include cement, fertilizer, edible oil, sugar, steel, tobacco, chemicals, machinery, leather, food processing, pharmaceutical products and medical instruments, primarily surgical.

Pakistan is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of surgical instruments. xTextile The textile industry is the largest manufacturing

industry in Pakistan.

The country is the 8th largest exporter of textile commodities in Asia. Textile sector contributes 8.5 percent to the GDP of Pakistan. In addition, the sector employs about 45 percent of the total labor force in the country (and 38 percent of the manufacturing workers).

Pakistan is the 4th largest producer of cotton with the third largest spinning capacity in Asia after China and India and contributes 5 percent to the global spinning capacity.

At present, there are 1,221 ginning units, 442 spinning units, 124 large spinning units and 425 small units which produce textile. xMining Pakistan is endowed with significant mineral resources and is emerging as a very promising area for prospecting and exploration for mineral deposits.

More than 800,000 square kilometers of outcrops area of Pakistan demonstrates varied geological potential for metallic and non-metallic mineral deposits. Mining and quarrying contribute 13.19 percent in industrial sector and its share in GDP is 2.8 percent. The sector grew by 3.04 percent in 2018.

Seafood industry: Making a big splash PAKISTAN’S Fishery and Fishing InDUSTRY PLAYS A SIGNIkCANT PART IN THE national economy.

With a coastline of about 814 kilometers and inland water bodies’ cumulative area of 8-million hectares, Pakistani seafood has a promising export potential, estimated at more than 1 million tons per year from the marine subsector alone.

The commercially important resources include near 250 demersal kSH SPECIES SMALL PELAGIC kSH SPEcies, 15 medium-sized pelagic species AND LARGE PELAGIC kSH SPECIES )N addition, there are also 15 commercial species of shrimp, 12 of cephalopods and 5 of lobster.

0AKISTAN HAS TWO kSHING SEASONS

the August to November season for catching shrimp, and October to *UNE SEASON FOR CATCHING kSH -ARINE kSHERIES ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT PERCENT of the total production, including both fish and shrimps. Shrimps account for only 15 percent of the production, but they are of much SIGNIkCANCE MAINLY DUE TO THEIR VALUE and demand in foreign markets.

Pakistan’s seafood exports during Fiscal Year July 2017-June 2018 were recorded at $451.026 million. In terms of quantity, Pakistan exported 198,420 metric tons during the period. With the facility for exporting frozen seafood to China via land route, put in place since April 2017, COUPLED WITH QUALITY CERTIkCATION THE

growth trend is set to continue.

The Pakistan Government is giving serious attention to its cold storage facilities and phytosanitary standards to increase export of kSHERIES PRODUCTS 4HERE ARE kSH PROCESSing plants in Pakistan with the capacity to PROCESS TON OF kSH AND SHRIMP DAILY /UT of these, 27 plants are involved in production of frozen products, two in canning, and eight FOR kSHMEAL PROCESSING 0AKISTANI kSH AND kSHERY PRODUCTS ARE processed and exported to over 50 countries including Vietnam, UAE, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, Malaysia, Korea, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The European Union HAS ALSO RE STARTED IMPORT OF 0AKISTANI kSH products since 2013. China has, in fact, emerged as the single biggest market for Pakistani shrimp, oyster, lobster and crab, AND THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR kSH WITH the combined market of six GCC countries on the top.

Exporters expect Pakistan to boost seafood EXPORTS TO BILLION IN THREE TO kVE YEARS BY constantly augmenting production through effective implementation of ban on hauling OF JUVENILE kSH FROM DESIGNATED BREEDING AREAS PROMOTION OF MODERN INLAND kSHING METHODS AND INCENTIVIZATION OF kSH FARMING across the country.

This offers a very good opportunity to &ILIPINO BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO EXPLORE JOINT ventures in this sector in Pakistan.

Q RELATIONS FROM E1 cultural exchange between Pakistan and Philippines.

Muhammad Imran Yousuf who is the Consul General of Philippines in Karachi and also the Patron of Pakistan Philippines Business Forum, along with chairs of the both the chapters of Pakistan Philippines Business Forum, participated in the delegation along with prominent businessmen of their regions. Muhammad Aslam, president of the PakistanPhilippines Business council in Manila graciously made all logistical and recreation arrangements for the delegation and hosted a dinner.

Ambassador of Pakistan in Manila Aman Rashid support was duly acknowledged by both sides. He also graced as a co-chair for all meetings. This visit created a new wave of exchange of ideas between the business communities of both countries.

This delegation was not limited to just importers and exporters of products but also comprised of concreate joint venture investments between Pakistani and Filipino partnerships to include Royal Life Pharmaceuticals having invested over $50 million in the Philippines and Auris Hearing Audiology Centers having invested $0.9 million in six branches.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Special Feature

SATURDAY March 23, 2019

E3

ARCHAEOLOGIC AL HERITAGE

T

Ancient tradition key to current splendor

HE CULTURAL INlUENCE OF 0AKISTAN HAS transcended boundaries, geographical as well as political, to areas as far as the edges of South, Central and East Asia. The ancient heritage of Pakistan has chiseled its society and culture to its current splendor.

Near Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan runs a small river, Soan. The banks of this river have been the repository of stone tools, estimated to be more than 500,000 years old. These tools, believed to have been designed by the primitive anthropoids, furnish the oldest traces of human life in Pakistan.

Evidence so far collected by archaeRORJLVWV VKRZV WKDW WKH ÂżUVW YLOODJHV LQ Pakistan were established in Baluchistan and lower Sindh in the closing period of the fourth millennium BCE. A precursor of Indus Valley Civilization, Mehrgarh is one of the most important Stone Age (70003000 BCE) sites discovered in present day Baluchistan.

Evidence of wheat farming and cattle herding as well as making of ornaments from sea shell, limestone, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and sandstone have been discovered at this site. The items discovered, inter alia, LQFOXGH VLPSOH ¿JXULQHV RI ZRPHQ DQG DQLmals. It has been suggested that Mehrgarh’s techniques of jewelry and pottery making, ZLWK SRVVLEOH XVH RI ¿UH DQG ODWHU PHWDO were learnt by the Indus Valley inhabitants who succeeded Mehrgarh in the neighbouring regions, now comprising provinces of Sindh and the Punjab. $UFKHRORJLFDO ¿QGV DW .RW 'LML LQ 6LQGK indicate that only a few hundred years after the emergence of Mehrgarh in Balochistan, settlements along the Indus started developing into cities. Not long after arose the largest Bronze Age river civilization, known as the Indus Valley civilization (3300-1300 %&( ,GHQWL¿HG PDLQO\ E\ WKH WZR SULQcipal cities of Moenjo Daro in Sindh and

Harappa in the Punjab, the Indus Valley Civilization stretched over more than 950 miles from north to the south end. These ancient cities developed a brick manufacturing industry and an elaborate system of drains, sewers and soak pits, pointing to the DYDLODELOLW\ RI HIÂżFLHQW PDVRQV In addition to the artisans who worked in precious stones, silver, shell, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and jadeite, a more popular craft appears to have been the making of seals, used extensively in trade and commerce. &RQVLGHUHG DV WKH PDUN RI LGHQWLÂżFDWLRQ and even distinction of the Indus Valley &LYLOL]DWLRQ WKH ÂżQH HQJUDYLQJV RI WKHVH seals show craftsmanship of high order and use of precision tools.

The art of sculpture was also quite developed and some of the pieces that have survived are proof of the sculptors’ advanced knowledge of human anatomy as well as their impressive craftsmanship. $QRWKHU ¿HOG LQ ZKLFK WKH 0RHQMR 'DUR craftsmen have left their indelible historical mark is that of terracotta miniatures, designed probably as toys for children, though some seem to have been clearly meant for use as ornaments. Cotton grown LQ WKH ,QGXV 9DOOH\ LV FRQVLGHUHG WKH ¿UVW RI LWV NLQG LQ WKH ZRUOG 7KH GLVFRYHU\ RI ¿QH cloth at Moenjo Daro and a similar piece in ,UDT FRQ¿UPHG WKDW VSLQQLQJ DQG ZHDYLQJ were among the popular crafts of the time.

The sixth century BCE saw the rise of Gandhara culture in northern Pakistan.

Its main cities were Peshawar, Charsadda and Taxila. Among others, the local Greek rulers of Gandhara were enthusiastic promoters of arts and craft. Great pieces

Q The first villages in Pakistan were established in Baluchistan and lower Sindh in the closing period of the fourth millennium BCE. of art and craftsmanship were produced during this period. The surviving stone and metal works suggest that during this period conditions were stable enough to attract craftsmen from Iran, Bactria and Central Asia. Their work provided strong impetus to local carpenters, sculptors, pottery makers, jewelers and architects of the era. Between the eighth and the twelfth centuries CE, Pakistan came under the influence of Islam. The province of Sindh was annexed to the Arab Caliphate in 712 CE. In the following centuries, Central Asian Muslims appeared on the northern borders of Pakistan. As a result of their incessant campaigns, northern and central Pakistan became part of Turkic Sultanate which had ambitions to penetrate deep into the heart of South Asia.

The rise of Muslim power in South Asia made a qualitative change in the patterns of people’s living, their social mores and aesthetic values. For the next six centuries, irrespective of whether the entire region was governed by a single powerful emperor or local tribal chiefs, many arts and crafts including calligraphy, miniature painting, book binding,

tile making, furniture making, ornamentation, illumination and construction of beautiful architecture saw immense development.

Synthesizing the ancient and modern Muslim crafts, the artisans touched the peaks of glory during the Mughal period when they produced some of the finest specimens of workmanship. The fame of indigenous carpet-makers, weavers, tile-makers, copper-smiths and architects spread across countries. Peshawar, Lahore, Multan and Thatta

Q A Priest King image by the Moenjo Daro craftsmen.

were the main centers of arts and crafts.

Miniature paintings rendered during this period rank as the finest in the world’s treasury of art.

During colonial era, various edifices were built, which make an integral part of archaeological heritage of Pakistan.

Following Pakistan’s independence, traditional arts and crafts have seen unprecedented revival. Miniature art, wood work and textiles, for instance, have emerged as important expression of creativity. The tradition is carried forward by proud heirs of a glorious culture.

Warm Greetings T

oday, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan commemorates its 79th Pakistan Day - a remarkable milestone in Pakistan-Philippines relations as we witness the 70th anniversary of friendship between the two nations. It is our absolute honour to share our message of appreciation and everlasting cooperation on this momentous occasion.

Sahar group of companies is a Philippine-based conglomerate, operating for over 31 years. Sahar is a well-recognized and distinguished distributor/importer of over 350 pharmaceutical products in the Philippines amongst various other goods and services such as medical devices, cosmetics, foods & beverages, automobile parts, oil/lubricants and has an increasing footprint in the real estate industry.

Sahar group of companies affirms its support and cooperation with all diplomatic staff of both nations in their stewardship to maintaining strong diplomatic ties and economic prosperity. May this longstanding friendship flourish in the years ahead creating more stories like Sahar’s - which rapidly evolved from a small-scale business distributing carpets and bed linens to one of the most reputable and sought after pharmaceutical distributor nationwide.

We wish to convey our best wishes to the His Excellency Prime Minister Imran Khan and his government for setting Pakistan on track to become a rising nation in the region that is, despite challenges, emerging as a strong and viable nation showing significant progress in diverse aspects and fields. We are inspired and feel excited for the opportunities that lay ahead of our two nations.

Mabuhay and Pakistan Zindabad!

Muhammad Ateeque Dhedhi Bhyria Founder & CEO – Sahar Group of Companies Sharjeel Dhedhi Bhyria Adeel Dhedhi Bhyria Saad Sikandar From Management