THE MANILA TIMES | MAY 24, 2019

‘Hot money’ outflows dip to $299M in April ++

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FRIDAY, MAY 24, 4 2019

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Trillanes, LP behind viral videos –‘Bikoy’Â

BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

T

HE man who accused President Rodrigo Duterte’s family of accepting drug money has changed his tune, now claiming the charge was fabricated by the ³BikoyA2 opposition to unseat the government.

NEW STORY Peter Joemel Advincula again surfaces, this time at Camp Crame. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Misibis Bay owner files raps vs ‘Bikoy’, Facebook, YouTube A BUSINESSMAN implicated in the viral “Ang Totoong Narcolistu VIDEOS HAS kLED A 0 billion lawsuit against Facebook, YouTube and the self-confessed “Bikoy� who claimed to have facilitated drug payoffs to members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family.

Hotel and resort magnate Elizaldy Co lodged complaints before the Legazpi Pros-

ECUTORS /FkCE CLAIMING THAT THE SOCIAL MEDIA giants had repeatedly ignored requests to take down the clips.

Co and the management of the Misibis Bay resort said respondents should be indicted based on Section 4 of Republic Act 10175 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act� in relation to

ÂłRapsA2

CPJ should protect Philippine press from US media’s bias and incompetence

T

HE following is a letter I emailed yesterday to Shawn Crispin, the Southeast Asia correspondent of the New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), in reaction to his recent blog entitled, “Rappler-CIA plot claim is attempt to cut funding, Philippine

journalists say.�

Dear Shawn, I was surprised that in in your strident tirade against the present administration posted as a blog of the Committee to Protect Journalists, you referred to me as “ex-government spokesÂłTiglaoA5 person Rigoberto Tiglao.â€?

RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

‘Hintayin mo ako’, Go tells Trillanes SENATOR-ELECT Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, accused of accepting drug money in a series of viral videos, on Thursday threatened to summon an outgoing legislator said to have fabricated the charge.

Peter Joemel Advincula, who as “Bikoy� claimed to have facilitated payoffs to Go and members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family, earlier in the day recanted and said Sen.

Antonio Trillanes 4th and the opposition were looking to unseat the government. “Trillanes, hintayin mo rin. Baka ikaw rin ang ipatawag ko (Just wait, Trillanes, I might summon you, too),�

Go said in radio interview. “Pasalamat rin ako kay Trillanes, kung hindi n’ya ako tinawag d’yan baka hindi ako naging senador ngayon (I also thank Trillanes. If he

did not summon me there, I may not be a senator now),� he added. ! kERCE CRITIC OF $UTERTE 4RILLANES last year summoned Go to a Senate inquiry into allegations that he meddled with a multibillion-peso frigate weapons deal.

Go, formerly Duterte’s top aide, said authorities should respect Advincula’s constitutional rights and thoroughly

ÂłGoA2

Compostela Valley now Davao de Oro PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill renaming the province of Compostela Valley as Davao de Oro. Republic Act (RA) 11297 was signed by the President on April 17, but was only released to the media on Thursday. “The renaming of the province of Compostela Valley as the province of

Davao de Oro shall be subject to ratikCATION BY A MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST

BY THE QUALIkED VOTERS IN A PLEBISCITE TO be conducted in the present province of Compostela Valley,� the law states.

The plebiscite will be conducted and supervised by the Commission on Elections.

RA 8470, creating the province

ÂłDavaoA2

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

What’s inside TIMES COLUMNIST JOJO ROBLES WRITES 30 NewsA3

IT’S EXPERIENCE AGAINST YOUTH WHEN PACQUIAO MEETS THURMAN SportsC1

CEBU CELEBRATES MANGOES FESTIVAL

COMELEC IS NOT USER FRIENDLY

OngpinA4

LifestyleD1

MARAWI CITY A TOOL FOR JIHADIST RECRUITMENT MARAWI: Two years after Marawi City was overrun by jihadists, it remains in ruins, with experts warning that stalled reconstruction efforts are bolstering the appeal of extremist groups in the volatile region.

The May 23, 2017 invasion by GUNMEN WAVING THE BLACK lAG OF THE Islamic State (IS) group sparked a

ÂłJihadistA8

TWO YEARS AFTER Soldiers commute on a military truck past destroyed buildings in Marawi City on Thursday. AFP PHOTO

A2

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FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Bicam approves bill on cheaper electricity A

BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

BICAMERAL conference committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday approved the harmonized versions of two bills that will solve energy-related problems plaguing the energy sector.

Approved were the Murang Kuryente (Cheaper Electricity) Act, an act reducing electricity rates by allocating the net national government share from the Malampaya Natural Gas Project for the payment of the stranded contract costs and stranded debts of the National Power Corporation (NPC); and the Anti-Obstruction Power Line Act, an Act penalizing construction of structures, prohibiting planting of tall growing plants and erecting hazardous improvements along power line corridors.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate energy committee, said the two measures would be transmitted next week to the Senate and the House of RepreSENTATIVES FOR RATIkCATION The enrolled bills will again be transmitted to the Palace for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Under the Murang Kuryente Act, Filipino consumers would be less burdened in paying their electricity

bills once the government’s share of the Malampaya fund is tapped to cover the stranded debts and contract costs of the NPC instead of expanding the coverage and increasing the lifeline rate subsidy, Gatchalian said.

The lawmaker explained that using the Malampaya fund to pay off the stranded contract costs and stranded debts of the NPC would be substantial enough to lower power costs than using it in expanding the coverage and increasing subsidies for households, which use small amounts of electricity through the lifeline rates. “Based on our internal research, we determined that increasing subsidies and expanding the coverage of lifetime rates with the use of THE NET PROkT SHARE EARNED BY THE government from the operation of the Malampaya Natural Gas Project will have little impact on the average household,� Gatchalian said.

He said lifeline rates — a sub-

sidy for those consuming less than 100 kilowatt hour (kWh) per month — were already being implemented.

Households consuming more than 100 kWh shoulder the lifeline rates.

Using the Malampaya fund to subsidize the lifeline rates will only give an average household consuming 200 kWh a total monthly savings of P21.54 — equivalent to a half kilo of rice — compared with the P172-monthly savings that the same household will get with the implementation of the Murang Kuryente Act. Gatchalian said the bigger savings could be used to buy an additional 3 to 4 kilos of rice per month, or roughly a sack of rice per year.

The Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act, according to the senator, once signed by the President into law, would ensure the continuous and uninterrupted transmission of electricity from power plants to consumers.

He said the enactment of the measure was brought about by experience in the past that showed that some hours-long power interruption were caused by dangerous obstructions such as plants and tall structures.

The Anti-Obstruction of Power Lines Act of 2018 introduces pen-

alties to those breaching right-ofway clearances around the power transmission lines and outlines the duties and responsibilities of power generation companies, distribution utilities and concerned owners and operators in the prevention and removal of any obstructions to the power lines, whether these be located on public and private property.

In preventing or removing power line obstructions, the owner or operator of the power lines may seek the assistance of the local government unit ofkCIALS THE 0HILIPPINE .ATIONAL Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as may be deemed necessary.

Violators may be punished with arresto mayor or imprisonment OF ONE TO SIX MONTHS OR A kNE OF P50,000 or both at the discretion OF THE COURT FOR THE kRST OFFENSE prision correccional or imprisonment of six months to six years OR A kNE OF 0 OR BOTH FOR the second offense; and prision mayor or six years to 12 years jail TERM OR A kNE OF 0 FOR THE third offense.

Gatchalian said he expects the Murang Kuryente Act and the Anti-Obstructions of Power Lines Act to be signed by the President before the 17th Congress adjourns on June 7.

Q RAPS FROM A1

Misibis Bay owner files raps libel under Articles 353, 354 and 356 of the Revised Penal Code.

Aside from Peter Joemel “Bikoy� !DVINCULA THE kRST CHARGE SHEET included Facebook Philippines, represented by country director John Rubio, and other unidentikED INDIVIDUALS AS RESPONDENTS Co asked for P150 million in moral damages and P100 million in exemplary damages as well as payment of 10 percent for attorney’s fees or a total of P550 million. “The truth is finally out. By his own admission, ‘Bikoy’ said everything in the viral video series that implicates me, Misibis Bay Resort and other personalities in the illegal drug trade are pure fabrication,� he said in a statement on Thursday. “While my family and I are hapPY THAT THIS EPISODE IS kNALLY OVER

OUR kGHT TO CLEAR OUR TARNISHED name and reputation continues,�

Co added.

In the second complaint, he charged Advincula and Google Philippines as owner of Youtube, through country manager Kenneth Lingan, and other unidentikED PERSONS Co demanded the same amount of damages for a total claim of at least P1.1 billion.

He said the “false, malicious and libelous accusations in the video� affected not only his business reputation but also the operations of the popular resort destination in Albay. “Like Bikoy, Facebook and Youtube must be held accountable.

Our legal system shouldn’t allow them to be part of a systematic campaign to destroy people and simply get away with it,â€? Co said. “Evidently, my good name, business reputation and social standing, as well as the good name, business reputation and good will of Misibis Bay Resort, as well as its owner ‌ Misibis Resort and Hotel Management Inc., which were painstakingly built through the years, were gravely tarnished, irreparably tainted and/or unduly smeared as a result of the publication of the subject video.â€?

JOMAR CANLAS

FLAG DAY

Workers show off a huge Philippine flag on Thursday ahead of Flag Day, May 28.

PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN

Q GO FROM A1

‘Hintayin probe his claims. “I must also say that the country needs to know the whole truth. After all, the truth will set us free� he said in a statement. “May panahon din ito. Naniniwala ako na bilog naman ang mundo (There will be a time for this. I believe the world is round),� he added. “Nakakalungkot nga lang malaman na kung sino pa ‘yung mga sinasabing ‘disente’ na nagmamalinis sa ating lipunan ay sila pa ang may pakana ng maruruming paninira sa kapwa tao (It is saddening to know that those said to be ‘decent’ and claiming to be clean in society are those seeking to besmirch their fellow men),� Go said. “ Hindi ito ang uri ng pamumulitika na natutunan ko kay Pangulong Duterte. Hindi ito ang uri ng pamumulitika ng isang simpleng probinsyanong

Q DAVAO FROM A1

Compostela Valley now

gaya ko na walang ibang hangad kundi pagserbisyuhan ang kapwa ko Pilipino (This is not the kind of politics that I learned from President Duterte. This is not the kind of politics of a simple man from the provinces like me, who has no desire other than that of serving my fellow Filipinos).�

Presidential son Paolo “Pulong�

Duterte, who was also accused along with Go and brother-in-law Manases “Mans� Garpio of accepting drug money, also called for an investigation. “From the very start, it was clear that the Bikoy videos were fabricated with a narrative taken straight from the playbook of people whose desire is to destroy our name and our reputation,� he said on Facebook. “All the lies presented were also meant to crush the trust of the Filipino people in the authorities and inspire public disgust against

the government — truly the handiwork of people who want to undermine the Duterte administration,� he added. “Without a doubt, as I have said before, Sen. Antonio Trillanes [4th] was behind it. And now that many names have also surfaced, to include Sen. Risa Hontiveros and several lawyers, I believe a proper investigation is in order.�

Paolo, former vice mayor of Davao City, was elected last week as the city’s First District representative.

His sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, said Bikoy was a “scam� created by the opposition. “This group is so disorganized THEY CANNOT EVEN GET TO kRST BASE because the path to their objective is in disarray,� she said in statement.

She also said that if she were the leader of the opposition, she would kill herself to “get rid of the brain that is not useful.�

CATHERINE S. VALENTE, AL JACINTO AND RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

of Compostela Valley, was amended by the new law, which will take effect 15 days after its publication in the /FkCIAL 'AZETTE or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Compostela Valley is the only

province in the Davao Region without “Davao� in its name.

The province was created in 1998 through RA 8470 that divided the province of Davao del Norte.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Paulo, Sara speak up

Q BIKOY FROM A1

Trillanes Peter Joemel Advincula, who earlier this month announced that he was the hooded “Bikoy� in the viral “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos, surrendered to police on Thursday and declared that the clips were masterminded by outgoing Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th ‡ A kERCE CRITIC OF $UTERTE ‡ AND the Liberal Party (LP).

The opposition immediately issued denials and Advincula’s retraction was met with skepticism, especially since the government itself had earlier cast doubt on his credibility.

Bikoy had claimed to have facilitated payoffs to Duterte’s son, former Davao City vice mayor Paolo “Pulong� Duterte, son-inlaw Manases “Mans� Carpio and former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go, among others.

‘Scripted lies’ In retracting the charge, Advincula said Trillanes — a member of the Nationalista Party — was behind the videos’ production.

He also tagged incumbent Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa� Hontiveros and members of the LP-led Otso Diretso Senate slate that lost in last week’s elections. “Ito na ‘yung totoong tawag ng konsensya ko. Napakahirap mabuhay sa kasinungalingan. Napakahirap mabuhay sa isang buhay na mayroong director, mayroong nag-i-script ng gagawin mo (This is what my conscience is truly telling me. It is hard living lies and a life where there is a director and someone writing a script to follow),� he said.

Advincula claimed to have met with Trillanes, who promised P500,000 in exchange for participating in the scheme. “If the public will still believe me after this, all that happened in the ‘Ang Totoong Narcolist ,’ all that I recorded, all those were scripted lies because the opposition camp wanted to divert the issue, the attention of the public from the high ratings of the administration,� he said in Filipino.

The ultimate goal supposedly was the removal of Duterte as President, which would allow LP chairman and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni� Robredo to take over, with Trillanes as her deputy.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who previously dismissed Advincula as an “information peddler,� said they allowed him to make the retraction, as “we cannot deny his freedom of speech.� “Perhaps he felt the pressure of the manhunt operations against him,� he added, referring to an arrest warrant issued in connection with an estafa case.

Advincula, who went into hiding after the Integrated Bar of the Philippines denied his request for legal aid to go after the Dutertes, said he feared LP reprisals following the Otso Diretso defeat. “I felt that they would let me take the fall... I fear that they might eliminate me as I have already served my purpose.�

‘Sinister plot’ MalacaĂąang, which earlier branded the videos as “black propaganda,â€? said Advincula should substantiate his latest claims. “As a lawyer, I just don’t believe in what a person says,â€? Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo told reporters. “First he has to submit a sworn statement. Second is to submit proof on his allegations naming certain personalities involved in conspiracy to produce that video,â€? he added.

The Palace spokesman also said investigations could bolster the “Oust Duterte� matrices released by the government in reply to the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos. “We will leave it to the concerned authorities to investigate and ferret out the truth in Mr. Advincula’s narratives on the opposition’s sinister plot to oust the Duterte administration with the involvement of certain personalities he mentioned,� he said.

MalacaĂąang claims that members of the media, the LP, Magdalo party-list group and other personalities are plotting to unseat Duterte, but has declined to provide proof.

‘Most absurd’ 4RILLANES THREATENED TO kLE CHARGES against Advincula, calling the latter’s retraction “another ploy to harass the opposition.�

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, an LP stalwart, said: “We deny the accusations. That the Liberal Party connived with an obviously professional con artist to topple the government is most absurd.� “It is ridiculous on so many levels. It’s excruciating to have listened to all his lies. I urge the Philippine National Police to get to the bottom of this Bikoy issue AND kLE THE APPROPRIATE CHARGES u he added.

Hontiveros, for her part, said: “I find it odd that when Bikoy came out with his video accusing President Rodrigo Duterte, his family and close friends of links to illegal drugs, this administration was quick to shoot down his credibility, even going so far as to threaten him with arrest.� “And now, when he sings a different song and accuses the opposition of outlandish things, all of a sudden his credibility is restored?

How absurd,� she added.

Robredo also questioned Advincula’s renewed credibility and said she would never join an ouster plot. “Waste of time ‘yung pagpaplano para pabagsakin ‘yung administrasyon, tsaka tingin ko subversion iyon ng will ng mamamayan (Planning to destabilize the administration is a waste of time and I think that is a subversion of the people’s will),â€? she told reporters. “Pero ito kasi, kung naaalala natin ‌ noong lumabas iyong mga videos na iyon, parang shinootdown na kaagad iyong credibility.

So, ang hindi ko maintindihan ‌ ngayon na oposisyon naman iyong inaakusahan niya, parang all of a sudden credible siya ulit (But if we recall‌ When those videos came out, his credibly was immediately shot down. So, what I do not understand is‌ now that it is the opposition that he is accusing, he is credible again all of a sudden),�

Robredo said.

‘Show more than a narration’ Senate President Vicente “Tito�

Sotto 3rd, who earlier declared that Advincula was not credible as he had earlier tried to peddle claims that former president Benigno “Noynoy� Aquino 3rd had received drug money, said a Senate probe would be left to “the discretion of the respective chairmen of the appropriate committees.�

Sen. Panfilo “Ping� Lacson, who had also canceled an initial committee hearing on the claims against the Dutertes, said he would rather leave to the proper authorities to conduct the appropriate assessment of Advincula’s latest revelation. “As far as I’m concerned, being A FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFkCER with quite a good experience in intelligence and investigation, Bikoy has to show more than just a narration of what he says now as the real facts,� Lacson said.

He said Advincula “suffers from a serious credibility problem that he must overcome if he wants to be believed this time.� “He can only do it by presenting solid and substantial proof of his alleged meetings and regular communication with the people that he is now turning the tables on.�

Lacson also commented on the PNP’s allowing Advincula to accuse the opposition, saying: “If I were to handle the situation, I would devote more than enough effort and time to check and countercheck his new allegations, AND kND OUT IF IT S WORTH THE TIME of the public to even spend time listening to him.� “Presenting him to media right away is ill-advised to say the least.�

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA, BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO AND REINA C. TOLENTINO

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FRIDAY May 24, 2019

A3

Senators to push sin tax bill OK !&4%2 SAYING THAT NO TAX BILL WOULD BE PASSED BEFORE #ONGRESS CLOSES ON *UNE SENATORS ON 4HURSDAY AGREED TO PUSH THE PASSAGE OF THE SIN TAX BILL BEFORE THE END OF THE TH #ONGRESS 3EN *UAN -IGUEL :UBIRI SAID THE SENATORS HAD A CHANGE OF HEART AFTER MEETING WITH &INANCE 3ECRETARY #ARLOS $OMINGUEZ RD WHO REITERATED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE 5NIVERSAL (EALTH #ARE 5(# PROGRAM g7E DISCUSSED ONLY SIN TAXES PARTICULARLY TOBACCO TAX 4HE 3ECRETARY REITERATED THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR OUR NEW 5NIVERSAL HEALTH CARE MEASURE AS WE HAVE A LARGE BUDGET DEkCIT FOR THAT PROGRAM 7E THE SENATORS ALL AGREED TO DO OUR BEST TO PASS THIS BEFORE THE BREAK u SAID :UBIRI IN A TEXT MESSAGE (E SAID SPONSORSHIP WILL START ON -ONDAY -AY %ARLIER 3ENATE 0RESIDENT 6ICENTE 3OTTO RD TOLD REPORTERS

THAT THE MEASURE SEEKING TO RAISE THE EXCISE TAX ON TOBACCO PRODUCTS MAY HAVE A ROUGH TIME IN THE 3ENATE 3EVERAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN kLED IN #ONGRESS SEEKING TO RAISE SIN TAXES ESPECIALLY TOBACCO TAX 3ENATE "ILL INTRODUCED BY 3EN %MMANUEL g-ANNYu 0ACQUIAO PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE UNITARY CIGARETTE TAX TO 0 -EANWHILE 3ENATE "ILL

WRITTEN BY 3EN *OSEPH 6ICTOR g*6u %JERCITO SETS THE EXCISE TAX TO 0 "OTH MEASURES REMAIN PENDING AT THE COMMITTEE LEVEL 4HE 3ENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY 3EN *UAN %DGARDO !NGARA CONDUCTED HEARINGS ON THE BILLS RAISING SIN TAXES TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE REVENUE GENERATED COULD FUND THE PROPOSED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM g3IN TAXES HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN FUNDING HEALTH PROGRAMS OF THE GOVERNMENT u !NGARA SAID IN A STATEMENT JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Times columnist Jojo Robles writes 30 The Manila Times’ columnist Jojo Robles died on Thursday of colon cancer at the age of 57.

Robles joined The Manila Times in March 2018. His column, Lowdown, was published four times a week, from Wednesdays to Saturdays.

His last column titled “Mythical Beasts,� which discussed blogger Jover Laurio, was published in January.

Prior to joining the Times, he was

editor in chief of The Manila Standard. He also had a radio program, “Karambola,� on DWIZ. According to his former colleague and fellow editor, Joel Lacsamana, Robles’ remains are at the Felicidad Chapel of the Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.

Interment will be at the Holy Gardens Memorial Park in Taytay, Rizal on May 28, after a Holy Mass at 11 a.m. ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Filipinos refuse to leave Tripoli 4(% $EPARTMENT OF &OREIGN !FFAIRS $&! ON 4HURSDAY EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT AROUND &ILIPINOS MIGHT GET TRAPPED IN THE WORSENING CLASHES IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF 4RIPOLI #HARGES D !FFAIRS AND 0HILIPPINE (EAD OF -ISSION TO ,IBYA %LMER #ATO SAID ALMOST &ILIPINO NURSES AND ENGINEERS gREFUSED TO RELOCATE FROM AREAS IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF 4RIPOLI

WHERE HEAVY kGHTING CONTINUES TO RAGE u g!NOTHER ARE AT RISK IF THE kGHTING ENTERS 4RIPOLI PROPER ITSELF u #ATO SAID ON 4WITTER 4HERE ARE ABOUT &ILIPINOS

SPANKING NEW

BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), one of the Philippine Navy’s two modern frigates, was launched at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The event was attended by HHI executives and top Philippine military officials. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Missile-armed frigates to patrol West PH Sea U

BY DEMPSEY REYES

LSAN, South Korea: The Philippine Navy launched on Thursday its two missile-armed frigates, which will be deployed to patrol the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

6ICE !DM 2OBERT %MPEDRAD

THE 0HILIPPINE .AVY lAG OFkCER IN COMMAND LED THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY FOR "20 *OSE 2IZAL && AND KEEL LAYING OF BRP !NTONIO ,UNA && AT THE (YUNDAI (EAVY )NDUSTRIES (() SHIPYARD HERE "20 *OSE 2IZAL HAD ITS KEEL LAID IN /CTOBER WHICH SIGNIkED THE START OF THE SHIP S CONSTRUCTION !CQUIRED FROM 3OUTH +OREAN BASED (() BOTH SHIPS MEASURE

FOOT LONG AND FOOT WIDE AND HAVE MAXIMUM SPEED OF KNOTS 4HESE CAN ALSO TRAVEL UP TO

NAUTICAL MILES AT A CRUISING SPEED OF KNOTS AND HAVE DAYS OF OPERATIONAL PRESENCE 4HE SHIPS ARE EQUIPPED WITH SURFACE TO AIR AND SURFACE TO SURFACE MISSILES TORPEDOES LAUNCHERS AND WEAPON SYSTEMS FOR FOUR DIMENSIONAL WARFARE 4HEY WILL ALSO BE ARMED WITH /TO -ELARA MM 3UPER 2APID CANNON AND AN

!SELSAN 3-!3( MM REMOTE CONTROLLED ESTABLISHED NAVAL GUN g4HIS SHIP IS A BIG SHIP )T CAN PATROL THE 7EST 0HILIPPINE 3EA

EVEN THE 0HILIPPINE 2ISE !ND EVEN IN THE 0ACIkC /CEAN THIS CAN GO THERE u %MPEDRAD TOLD REPORTERS g4HIS SHIP IS VERY STABLE THAT IS WHY THIS IS A WONDERFUL ACQUISITION OF THE 0HILIPPINE .AVY AND THE !RMED &ORCES AS A WHOLE u HE ADDED $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELFIN ,ORENZANA REPRESENTED BY $EFENSE 5NDERSECRETARY FOR &INANCE AND -ATERIEL 2AYMUNDO %LEFANTE

SAID THE FRIGATES WOULD SERVE AS A gSHINING SYMBOL OF OUR PEOPLE WHO COME FROM A PROUD RACE OF SEAFARERS u g4HEY WILL ALSO MANIFEST OUR COUNTRY S MARCH TOWARD REAL INDEPENDENCE AND SELF DETERMINATION

BELGICA NAMED ADVISER FOR RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS

IN 4RIPOLI WORKING IN HOSPITALS AND VARIOUS SERVICE SECTORS &OREIGN !FFAIRS 3ECRETARY 4EODORO ,OCSIN *R ON -AY ORDERED THE MANDATORY EVACUATION OF &ILIPINOS IN 4RIPOLI #ATO SAID THE 0HILIPPINE EMBASSY IN ,IBYA WOULD NOT GIVE UP ON &ILIPINOS gWHO INSIST ON STAYING IN 4RIPOLI DESPITE THE LOOMING DANGER u g7E WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO CONVINCE THEM TO OPT FOR REPATRIATION OR MOVE TO SAFER GROUNDS BEFORE FIGHTING GETS CLOSER TO THEIR HOMES OR WORK PLACES u HE SAID BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

02%3)$%.4 2ODRIGO $UTERTE HAS APPOINTED 'REPOR "ELGICA AS THE 0RESIDENTIAL ADVISER FOR 2ELIGIOUS !FFAIRS "ELGICA A "ORN !GAIN PASTOR IS THE FATHER OF 'RECO "ELGICA COMMISSIONER OF THE 0RESIDENTIAL !NTI #ORRUPTION #OMMISSION (E WILL RECEIVE A COMPENSATION OF 0 PER ANNUM "ELGICA WAS ONCE TAGGED AS THE 0HILIPPINES MOST NOTORIOUS DELINQUENT DURING THE ADMINISTRATION OF LATE DICTATOR &ERDINAND -ARCOS (E WAS IMPRISONED FOR MURDER AT THE AGE OF

!FTER HE WAS PARDONED BY -ARCOS HE BECAME A PASTOR -EANWHILE $UTERTE ALSO APPOINTED -UDJIB #OMPANIA !BU AS A MEMBER OF THE "ANGSAMORO 4RANSITION !Uthority, replacing the late 'HAZALI *AAFAR WHO DIED IN -ARCH OF THIS YEAR (E ALSO APPOINTED &ERNANDO "ORJA AS SPECIAL ENVOY TO *APAN FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (E WILL SERVE A TERM OF SIX MONTHS 4HE 0RESIDENT ALSO APPOINTED *OSE 3OLIDUM AS ASSISTANT #ABINET SECRETARY 4ERESITA

-ARANON AS "OARD MEMBER OF THE #OCONUT )NDUSTRY )NVESTMENT &UND /IL -ILLS 'ROUP

,EONOR ,IM AS MEMBER OF THE 0HILIPPINE #OUNCIL FOR -ENTAL (EALTH #ELERINO 5MANDAP AS MEMBER OF THE "OARD OF 4RUSTEES OF THE /VERSEAS 7ORKERS 7ELFARE !DMINISTRATION

$ATU 3INSUAT *R AS $IRECTOR OF THE .ATIONAL #OMMISSION ON -USLIM &ILIPINOS 2OLYN :AMBALES AS $IRECTOR OF THE $EPARTMENT OF THE )NTERIOR AND ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT AND *UDITH 0AGSANJAN AS $IRECTOR OF THE $EPARTMENT OF 4RANSPORTATION RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Proof of ownership Dear PAO, My mother obtained a free patent covering a certain land in 1985.

When she was still alive, she allowed her cousin to stay on a portion of the land. After the demise of her cousin, the latter’s heirs claimed that they were the real owners of the land and wanted me to reconvey the land to them.

They presented a tax declaration issued in the name of their mother IN THEY ALSO HAVE A CERTIkCAtion from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) stating that the records pertaining to the application of my mother cannot be found. According to them, the tax declaration was enough to prove their ownerSHIP AND THAT THE SAID CERTIkCATION WAS ALSO SUFkCIENT TO PROVE THAT my mother’s title was fraudulently obtained. Are they correct?

Betilda Dear Betilda, The free patent or original cerTIkCATE OF TITLE ISSUED IN THE NAME OF YOUR MOTHER IS CONCLUSIVE AGAINST ALL PERSONS 4HIS FINDS

SUPPORT UNDER 3ECTION OF THE 0RESIDENTIAL $ECREE OR THE g0ROPERTY 2EGISTRATION $ECREE u WHICH STATES THAT g4HE DECREE OF REGISTRATION SHALL BIND THE LAND AND QUIET TITLE THERETO SUBJECT ONLY TO SUCH EXCEPTIONS OR LIENS AS MAY BE PROVIDED

BY LAW )T SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE UPON AND AGAINST ALL PERSONS INCLUDING THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND ALL BRANCHES THEREOF WHETHER MENTIONED BY NAME IN THE APPLICATION OR NOTICE THE SAME BEING INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL DESCRIPTION @TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN u 4HE TAX DECLARATION ISSUED IN IS NOT AN EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP 4HIS IS IN CONSONANCE WITH THE CASE OF 0ALALI VS !WISAN (GR

&EB

Ponente !SSOCIATE *USTICE -ARIANO DEL #ASTILLO WHERE THE 3UPREME #OURT DECLARED THAT “XXX 4AX DECLARATIONS

BY THEMSELVES ARE NOT CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP OF REAL PROPERTY u &URTHER THE $%.2 CERTIkCATION STATING THAT NO RECORDS WERE FOUND IN THAT OFFICE IS NOT ENOUGH TO

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA PROVE THE ALLEGATION OF FRAUD )N THE CASE OF THE (EIRS OF 4EODORA ,OYOLA VS #OURT OF !PPEALS AND !LICIA ,OYOLA '2 *AN

THE 3UPREME #OURT THROUGH !SSOCIATE *USTICE -ARVIC -ARIO 6ICTOR ,EONEN STATED g(OWEVER THESE CERTIkCATIONS CONTAIN NO EXPLICIT STATEMENT THAT RESPONDENT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PATENT APPLICATION 7HAT WAS CERTIkED RATHER

WAS THAT THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS WERE NOT TO BE FOUND IN THEIR PARTICULAR OFFICE 3OME OF THESE CERTIkCATIONS EVEN REFER TO OTHER OFkCES WHERE THE DOCUMENTS MAY BE FOUND 4HERE IS NO CATEGORICAL STATEMENT THAT THE DOCUMENTS DO NOT EXIST g3UCH CERTIFICATIONS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO PROVE RESPONDENT S AL-

LEGED FRAUD AND IRREGULARITY g&RAUD AND IRREGULARITY ARE PRESUPPOSED IN AN ACTION FOR RECONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY 4HE PARTY SEEKING TO RECOVER THE PROPERTY MUST PROVE

BY CLEAR AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE THAT HE OR SHE IS ENTITLED TO THE PROPERTY AND THAT THE ADVERSE PARTY HAS COMMITTED FRAUD IN OBTAINING HIS OR HER TITLE !LLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ARE NOT ENOUGH )NTENTIONAL ACTS TO DECEIVE AND DEPRIVE ANOTHER OF HIS RIGHT OR IN SOME MANNER INJURE HIM MUST BE SPECIkCALLY ALLEGED AND PROVED )N THE ABSENCE OF ANY PROOF THE COMPLAINT FOR RECONVEYANCE CANNOT BE GRANTED g&URTHERMORE WE SUSTAIN THE #OURT OF !PPEALS FINDING THAT PETITIONERS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY PROVE THEIR CLAIM OVER THE PROPERTY AGAINST RESPONDENT 4HE TESTIMONIES OF THEIR WITNESSES AND THE TAX DECLARATION ISSUED IN WITHOUT TAX RECEIPTS ARE NOT SUFkCIENT TO OVERCOME THE PRESUMPTION OF VALIDITY OF PATENTS AND TITLES AS WELL AS THE PRESUMPTION OF REGULARITY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF OFkCIAL DUTIES

OF THE GOVERNMENT OFkCES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ISSUANCE u !PPLYING THE ABOVE QUOTED DECISION IN YOUR SITUATION THE STATEMENT OF THE HEIRS OF YOUR MOTHER S COUSIN IS NOT CORRECT )N FACT THEY CANNOT SUBSTANTIATE THEIR OWNERSHIP OR CLAIM OVER THE LAND WHICH YOU INHERITED FROM YOUR MOTHER 4HE TAX DECLARATION THEY PRESENTED IS NOT A CONCLUSIVE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP WHILE THE CERTIkCATION ISSUED BY THE $%.2 THAT NO RECORDS WERE FOUND IN THAT OFkCE IS NOT ENOUGH TO PROVE THAT THE FREE PATENT ISSUED TO YOUR MOTHER WAS FRAUDULENT 7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUERIES 4HIS ADVICE IS BASED SOLELY ON THE FACTS YOU HAVE NARRATED AND OUR APPRECIATION OF THE SAME /UR OPINION MAY VARY WHEN OTHER FACTS ARE CHANGED OR ELABORATED

%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

THUS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FRIGATES TO OUR COUNTRY S PRESENT AND FUTURE CANNOT BE OVERSTATED u HE ADDED IN HIS SPEECH READ BY %LEFANTE %MPEDRAD SAID THE .AVY HAD PLANS TO ACQUIRE TO SHIPS IN THE NEXT kVE TO YEARS INCLUDING CORVETTES OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS AND SUBMARINES ,ORENZANA HAD SAID -ANILA WOULD BE ACQUIRING SUBMARINES SOON AND SEVERAL COUNTRIES INCLUDING 2USSIA &RANCE THE 5NITED 3TATES AND 3OUTH +OREA HAVE PROPOSED TO MANUFACTURE THE EQUIPMENT g4HERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT (YUNDAI ;(EAVY )NDUSTRIES= WILL BUILD SOME OF THEM THERE IS A POSSIBILITY ;ALSO= THAT OTHER SHIPBUILDERS IN THE WORLD WILL ALSO BUILD THEM u %MPEDRAD SAID

SC finds more wet ballots MORE “wet ballots� from Bicol were discovered as the Supreme Court (SC), sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), continues the revision of ballots in the election protest filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong�

Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leonor “Leni� Robredo.

The high court confirmed the findings of the PET Ad Hoc Committee that wet ballots were discovered and the election returns and ballot boxes were indeed violated.

The wet ballots came from Camarines Sur. The PET said the wet ballots were under clustered precinct 2 in Barangay Ayugan, Ocampo under revision table 40; clustered precinct 28 in Barangay Igbac, Buhi under revision table 12; clustered precinct 54 in Barangay San Isidro, Buhi under revision table 6; and clustered precinct t 58 in Barangay San Ramon, Buhi under revision table 9.

These were all revised on Feb. 8, 2019 using decrypted ballot images.

Other irregularities were also found such as the absence of election returns in Barangay Tubtubon, Sibulan, Negros Oriental where the certified true copy of election returns (ERs) from the Commission on Elections was unreadable.

Meanwhile, there were no ERs inside the ballot box from clustered precinct 42 in Barangay Sagbang, Valencia, Negros Oriental under revision table 2.

The head revisor requested for said ERs, but none were issued.

In his protest, Marcos assailed the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts.

Marcos, who lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes, accused her of massive electoral fraud such as preshading of ballots, mounting of preloaded Secure Digital cards, misreading of ballots, malfunctioning vote counting machines, and an “abnormally high� unaccounted votes/undervotes for the position of vice president.

JOMAR CANLAS

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Bikoy saga weaves new tale of betrayal

T

HE “Bikoy� saga is turning more into a twisting thriller WORTHY OF A PLACE IN !GATHA #HRISTIE S CRIME kCTION In a press conference yesterday at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Peter Joemel Advincula, the self-confessed Bikoy in the anti-Duterte video series, made a complete turnaround and declared as fake his previous “Ang Totoong Narcolist� claims linking the Duterte family to the illegal drug trade.

He said it was all scripted to destroy the credibility of Duterte administration to pave the wave for this President’s ouster.

He then made new “revelations� about who was behind the Oust-Duterte plot with these details: — The “Ang Totoong Narcolist� video series was part of a bigger plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte as organized by the Liberal Party under the supervision of Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th as the mastermind and puppet master, Advincula said.

Trillanes wanted to topple President Duterte, so Vice President Leni Robredo could succeed him. Robredo as president could then appoint a member of Congress as her vice president.

Trillanes expected to be named as the new vice president. — Essential to the plot was the destruction of Duterte and his family. The Bikoy video series, which is purported to portray the Dutertes as recipients of illegal drug money, is essential to the plot to destroy public trust in the President. This would lead to his overthrow.

Advincula’s main task was to mouth the script written for the character of Bikoy, who made the outrageous “disclosures� in the videos. He said the videos took nine months to produce, which was later hawked on social media.

For his efforts, Advincula was promised the sum of P500,000, which he now claims he never received. Also part of the deal WAS HIS CLEARANCE FROM ALL CHARGES PREVIOUSLY kLED AGAINST HIM for his other past crimes. ‡ !DDITIONALLY THE PLOT WAS DESIGNED TO BOOST THE lAGGING election chances of the Otso Diretso candidates and the opposition, he said. The scandal over the Duterte drug connection was supposed to repel the voters enough for them to shift their support to the opposition. — Known members of the Liberal Party took part in the planning and execution of the scheme. The plotters held meetings in a posh condominium, at the Ateneo and La Salle universities, which are both known for harboring anti-Duterte sentiment.

One could not take such “revelations� at face value, of course. It was as hollow as earlier efforts to smear the reputation of President Duterte.

Bikoy has become more frenetic, even desperate because of the dismal loss of the opposition in the May midterm elections, and the nearing end of Trillanes’ term as senator on June 30 this year.

7HEN !DVINCULA kRST MADE HIS SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES AGAINST Duterte in support of his original Bikoy videos at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on May 6, seasoned politicians such as former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the media QUICKLY POINTED THE kNGER OF SUSPICION AT 3ENATOR 4RILLANES AS the possible mastermind of the entire Bikoy plot.

The plot bore all the signs of a Trillanes caper, foolishly using stratagems and plot lines that the senator has previously used in his many efforts to destroy the President, they said.

The truth should come out in the thorough investigation that should now be conducted on Advincula and the Bikoy saga, and all those implicated in it. That includes the suggested complicity of the Liberal Party and the opposition.

The matter is best investigated by the NBI and the PNP, which have the professional investigative capabilities and resources as they have also been engaged in apprehending Advincula. This is not for politicians to investigate and use for grandstanding.

A good name is a jewel

“H

E who steals my purse steals trash but he who kLCHES MY GOOD NAME ROBS ME OF that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed,� wrote Shakespeare in “Othello,� saying that a good name is the “immediate jewel of [our] souls.�

A week ago, Nela Charade Puno, who I had not met or known, approached tigulang me at the lobby of the Manila Hotel where I had a meeting.

She was in grief, feeling forlorn, dejected and rejected about being sacked as Food and Drug Administration chief, for alleged corruption, about which she had not the foggiest notion. To rub salt in the wound, my pal, Sal Panelo, said that she was fired in line with the Prez’s anticorruption campaign. But she, a board topnotcher in pharmacy, had not been charged or probed and had to wonder what the Palace was talking about, so ghastly consistent with its despicable name-and-shame campaign, so at war with human rights.

The government says some narcopoliticians won. Have they been given due process?

Suppose a winner uses medical marijuana as a painkiller, the way Digong uses deadly Fentanyl for the same purpose.

Why smear needlessly?

The Palace also did it with Philip Jurado, the head of the Office of the Government Cor-

~

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 223

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

T

T.G.I.F. RENE SAGUISAG porate Counsel (GOCC). Puno is a respected family name. And so is Jurado. Philip’s father, Justice Desi, with whom I taught at San Beda, was a respected veteran honored for his role in the Bessang Pass victory in June 1945, which glory Macoy tried to steal, when he was hundreds of kilometers away on the 14th to 15th of that month when the decisive battle was fought.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s Sandra Cam denounced irregularities in the agency. She was told to prove same. It seems better to me for the Palace to have said that it was going to look into the matter, even if discreetly. But not through the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC). I submit that while the Prez may create a temporary or ad hoc committee to probe a matter or two, he may not create a more or less permanent commission, which only our timid Congress may do. Marahil po ay natutulog sa pansitan ang ating mga magigiting na senador at kongresista. Mga dyaskeng pindeho .

The PACC’s first business is

to probe itself as to whether it legally exists. And to probe corruption, we have the Department of Justice, the NBI, the PNP and the Office of the Ombudsman. The Commission on Audit may also butt in to see the need for another investigating body or attack dog.

The Ombudsman may also see whether PACC personnel have submitted their statement of assets, etc. in conformity with Sec. 7 of RA 3019 and Sec. 8 of RA 6713 and whether Digong has those bank deposits, and Polong that tattoo.

Sal Panelo also intriguingly said that he would neither confirm nor deny that the Prez is unwell. A negative pregnant is the “ dating � or “arrive.� Were I asked where I was on a certain day, say Monday, i.e. , if I was at the scene of a crime committed that day, I may not say I wasn’t there Sunday or Tuesday. Nor “ seeecret .�

A senator who looked like Tito Guingona once advised me that if suspected of infidelity by my wife last Sunday, “deny, deny, deny until you die.� Instead of denial, mentioning Saturday or Monday, and looking hurt, I should ask “have I ever lied to you�? Anyway that was never a problem with torpe me, wink, wink.

Art Montesa, my fellow Bedan and splendid wordsmith,

who introduced me to Dulce, my late wife, in 1967, had to spoil my day last Tuesday when he emailed noon-ish that the Golden State Warriors had just ousted the Portland Blazers. I had planned to watch the delayed telecast later that night.

I had to settle for kare-kare that evening, in an urgent meeting.

No Curry v. Curry, enjoyed by their parents as shown on TV, unlike Binay v. Binay, which Compaùero Jojo and Dra. Elenita didn’t, I am sure.

Jojo and Erap weren’t the only losers last week. But, life has to go on. They have productive years left, in the service of our people. I’ll remember them by their best.

Last week’s winners deserve support and the benefit of any doubt. Let’s hope that they will go by the non sibi sed patriae lodestar and they will see beyond the next election to work for what is best for the next generations.

I recall that Manong Ernie Maceda and I were never late, much less absent, in 1987-1992. I just read that Rep. Meniong Teves also had perfect attendance.

May the winners work, toil and pray and never lose a sense of where they are. Voting for the anti-poor death penalty is not the way to go.

I am missing GMA already.

Comelec is not user friendly

H I S i s my w i s h l i s t f o r Comelec: Please be more pro-active than reactive in your constitutional duty to assure clean elections.

As an independent constitutional body with quasi-judicial functions, should you not demand a better electoral law regarding premature campaigning as well as the obvious use of government resources by certain administration candidates? If there is a loophole regarding this matter that stops you from calling it what it is, please be pro-active enough to request Congress to pass a law to close whatever loophole you see that can be implemented against these abuses.

Moreover, the law on where to post campaign materials might as well not be there. Comelec complains but does not sanction violators. As it is, campaign materials are on electric posts, public walls, along electric lines, in public transport, everywhere. The few token attempts to bring them down are just that — pro-forma, ineffective and in fact ludicrous, for being a total failure.

It is time to sever the relationship with Smartmatic. The mechanics of recording the votes has become subject to more and more glitches. While this

AMBIENT VOICES MA. ISABEL ONGPIN may be the usual routine mechanical errors, their increase from election to election raises suspicions that are not good for the body politic. Smartmatic has not improved. It has failed.

Again, it is time to amend the electoral law and allow some kind of transparency on the precinct level. Votes should be counted there manually for all who care to witness the results from their precincts. Then send them off electronically.

IT experts have time and again suggested this feature to the Comelec, but which seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Perhaps a few more IT persons should be appointed to the Comelec as commissioners.

They might help stop the glitches and nontransmissions. They might also be more creative and effective in undoing other electronic mischief. And maybe they can answer the questions about the process better.

Comelec commissioners, particularly the chairman, should be at the forefront on election day to reply to questions.

During the seven-hour nontransmission from the transparency server, there was no real explanation, apparently no perturbation on Comelec’s part, or any attempt to do something despite the rising number of questions and demands for explanations. Your spokesman is too laid-back. Too tranquil for the situations he needs to explain. Seems to be inured to glitches, questions, demands, explanations or concerns of voters. The public needs the Truth not a suave voice forever telling us there is no cause for concern.

Comelec should also be more forceful about making candidates face the public in debates or to answer questions. How come IT HAD NO INlUENCE TO BEAR ON administration candidates to face the public in electoral forums?

Also, what is this nonsense about making the Nacionalista Party the main opposition party? Another travesty, because the way this party walks and talks is not opposition but distinctly pro-administration.

Comelec must also give a coherent and acceptable reply to why it constantly marginalizes Namfrel and other IT and watchdog groups that want to help ensure clean and credible elections.

As for vote-buying which was

obvious, what did Comelec do? Pass the buck to the police is what we see. No candidates were pointed to, no one was sanctioned, only some buyers and voters put in jail and then released. This is a travesty because the sources of the corruption are candidates.

Regarding the party-lists and the farce of so-called marginalized persons being substituted by moneyed candidates, dynastic candidates and unqualified candidates, why is Comelec so helpless it cannot declare when a travesty or a farce is happening in the party-list candidates?

As a quasi-judicial body, the Comelec is expected to make judgments and the party-list candidates gaming the system must be called down.

Comelec is not user-friendly — not in the polling place with its failing machines and corrupted cards and no immediate emergency attention. It continues with no realistic answers to questions asked by the public about how things are NOT going well.

This is not good govern ment service as can be seen by the numerous complaints, the unanswered demands and the suspicions raised.

We all wish it could be better.

Comelec should wish the same.

˜ The Manila Times

Opinion

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FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Academic writing in graduate school

CPJ should protect Philippine press from US media’s bias and incompetence That would be as if a current news article referred to ABC News chief anchor George Stephanopoulos as “former Bill Clinton spokesman.�

For chrissakes, I was the spokesman and then chief of staff of President Arroyo over 15 years ago!

You should know better as I was your colleague at the Far Eastern Economic Review, where I worked as a correspondent and then Manila Bureau Chief for 10 years. You even visited Manila once and we had drinks with my close friend, the late Rodney Tasker, who recruited you to the Review straight from college in Ohio.

You refer to me as such because that obviously helps your false narrative that the present government is out to suppress media.

Hiatus Being a “government spokesman� was a brief hiatus in my career in journalism that I am proud of.

I was even the main founder in 1989 of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), which over the years has sadly deteriorated as a venue for spreading American neocons’ views in this country, especially its loathing for President Duterte I am the only recipient of all four of the most prestigious awards given to Philippine journalists, among them Catholic Mass Media Awards for 1983, the TOYM award as the most outstanding print journalist for 1992, the1991 Mitsubishi Foundation Best Asian Journalist, and 1988 fellow of Harvard’s Neiman Foundation.

I report at some length my background to emphasize that the criticisms against Rappler, PCIJ, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and VERA Files aren’t a government plot, but undertaken by veteran nationalist journalists — such as Yen Makabenta whom you also lambast — with distinguished careers.

I’ve devoted my life to Philippine journalism and I won’t let it be used by some foreign power, which in this case is obviously the US, whose Deep State loathes Duterte for his “rebalancing� of our foreign policy, putting America and China on the same footing. I certainly won’t allow my country to be painted black by an American, Maria Ressa, who’d just return to her New York suburban house if things don’t work out well for her here.

Why would the US State Department provide funding to the PCIJ and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility for over 11 years? Because people of so diverse worldviews like Madeline Albright, Collin Powell, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and Mike Pompeo share the same passion for developing journalism in the Third World?

Mission The mission here in this country of Rappler, PCIJ, CMFR and VERA Files is quite obvious from the fact that they have focused their resources on the issue of “human rights abuses,� the same issue that the US has been using for two decades now used to push for “regime

changes� in Third World countries all over the world. The aim to topple Duterte has become urgent for the US as he has torpedoed its plot to drive a wedge between the Asean countries and China, and has drawn the country from the US to the new superpower.

It was I, not some government plotter, who exposed in a series of columns back in 2016 that Rappler was surviving because of its $2-million funding from Omidyar Network and North Base Media.

It didn’t even need investigative journalism work since Rappler’s Ressa who never read the Constitution boasted about getting such huge funding. It is to Duterte’s credit that he didn’t stop the Securities and Exchange Commission (the agency that DETERMINES IF kRMS VIOLATE THE foreign-funding constitutional restrictions) from investigating Rappler, even if it would risk — as it did — being accused of suppressing the press.

This is the first time ever in our nation’s history that foreignERS ARE IN MEDIA kRMS SINCE THIS is categorically banned by the Constitution, in its 1935, 1973 and 1986 versions. The PCIJ and Rappler took advantage of the then questionable issue of whether a PURELY WEB BASED MEDIA OUTkT WAS covered by such a ban. The Securities and Exchange Commission has since ruled that they are.

I have been a nationalist all my life, and I took on bigger violations of our Constitution such as the Indonesian Salim’s control of public utilities in the country way beyond the Constitution’s 40-percent limit.

Discipline Shawn, it is obvious you didn’t imbibe the Review’s discipline of unveiling lies by simply doing what a reporter should do, which is to dig up facts.

There are only two serious lawSUITS kLED AGAINST 2APPLER OTHER than the SEC order to dissolve it for violating the constitutional ban on foreign money in equity. /NE IS FOR LIBEL kLED BY A BUSINESSman for a Rappler article published back in 2012 that claimed he was a drug lord, and that he was a supporter of then Chief Justice Renato Corona, against whom former President Aquino moved heaven and earth to remove in his attempt to protect his clan’s Hacienda Luisita. The guy’s business partners left him, after reading the article, fearing Aquino would also go after them. Even as the Rappler article was totally false, it refused to delete it from the web.

Do you blame the businessman for pursuing his libel suit?

The second suit demonstrates Ressa’s rank incompetence as A kRM S #%/ BORDERING ON THE hilarious. When she realized Rappler’s foreign money was in violation of the Constitution, she got the two funders to declare it as “gifts� to its managers. When the managers refused since this would entail huge gift taxes beyond their means, she got her lawyers to claim that the investments were depositary receipts, WHICH THE 3ALIM kRMS USED TO skirt the constitutional limits.

got into trouble despite his indepth reporting, was distraught, and so angry at himself for letting a reporter so greenhorn and so arrogant write a sentence that angered the King, but wasn’t necessary at all to the article.

Danger to society

Thailand’s biggest newspaper in 2010, The Nation, reported your woes rather sympathetically that even at that time eight years later, you were on Thai immigration’s “fourth-level secret list,�

CLASSIkED AS A DANGER TO SOCIETY “This harassment of the press is extending through successive governments,� you wrote.

Has the Duterte government ordered deported a single foreign correspondent who has written such blatant lies as “27,000 killed� in the government’s war vs drugs, or even for claiming that it is systematically harassing the press?

No. It is of course unfortunate for your career that being blacklisted by the Thai government made you unattractive for recruitment by mainstream US media to cover the country, that you had to join an NGO like CPJ. You have now become so hateful of all Asian governments, suspecting each one of them to be like the Thais in 2002.

Your blog clearly implies that I and Makabenta as well as the Manila Times are merely tools of this government to harass journalists like Ressa and the other foreignFUNDED MEDIA OUTkTS Capital gains That is a blatant lie, and a very serious affront to me and Oops, the issuance of depositary my colleagues in the Manila receipts involved huge capital gains Times . Other than these four Passion since a peso worth of shares at par FOREIGN FUNDED OUTkTS NO OTHER It is because of this same passion value had to represent, say, P100 of news entity has ever claimed that I took a special interest in Rap- the actual foreign money. Of course, that there is press suppression pler’s gross violation of the Con- the Bureau of Internal Revenue, as in this country, not even those tax collectors all over the world do, CONTROLLED OR HEAVILY INlUENCED stitution’s nationalist provisions.

From Rappler, I investigated read newspapers, and investigated by those opposing Duterte. The PCIJ, CMFR, Rappler and VERA it, concluding that Rappler owed 40 or so editors and staff — even Files, and discovered the shock- government P170 million. including their janitors — of the Tax collectors don’t care about FOUR FOREIGN FUNDED MEDIA OUTkTS ing fact that they had been getting money — for more than 10 years politics, as long as they can report are barely 1 percent of the 3,000 IN THE CASE OF THE kRST TWO OUTkTS bigger revenues. If your Internal Filipino editors and reporters. — from the US State Department, Revenue Service found that the For the sake of fairness and jourNew York Times had not paid nalistic ethics, I demand that this and had kept this secret.

Honestly, would you see noth- $100 million in taxes, do you think letter be posted in your website. ing wrong if, say, you found out Trump would have ordered it to Your Committee to Protect that Russia’s Ministry of Foreign back off, fearing that the Times Journalists should protect us Affairs has been funding Huff- would claim it is being harassed by Third World journalists from the ington Post since it was set up in the president it wants to remove? biases and incompetence of US For all her melodrama that she media, from reporters like you 2005, or if the Los Angeles Times has depended for its revenues on is being persecuted by Duterte, who are either so gullible or too the charges against Ressa are so lazy to do their work, that they Huawei advertisements?

To this day, the heads of the mundane — for libel of a private accuse us of complicity in government’s suppression of the press. four outfits, have not justified individual and for tax evasion.

C’mon Shawn, of all American Sincerely, why they have been getting funds Bobi from the US State Department. As journalists you should know P.S. I’ve noticed that in your you will see in your blog itself, what suppression in the Third blog you have reported a lot on they refer only to a generic “for- World really means.

A 2002 article you wrote that the suppression of the press in eign funds� in its attempt to put in readers’ minds the idea that included Rodney in the byline the Philippines, Myanmar, Vietthey are getting funding solely merely stated that there were nam, Malaysia and Indonesia, from philanthropic foundations “tensions between then prime and not one regarding Thailand, the likes of Ford and Asia founda- minister Thaksin Shinawatra and which has been a military dictations, and not from a superpower. the king of Thailand, Bhumibol torship since 2014. Yet you know You claimed in your blog: Adulyadej.� For that, you two the situation on the ground in “Duterte’s government has since WERE OFkCIALLY DECLARED BY THE Thailand as you live there. You piled up lawsuits against Rappler, Thai government as threats to like Bangkok a lot, don’t you? including a charge over foreign national security and ordered Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ funding it received through deported. The Review had to gmail.com depositary receipts from the US- apologize for that article so that Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao based philanthropic investment the Thais would not kick you out Twitter: @bobitiglao firm, Omidyar Network, that of the country ASAP. Rodney, who had lived in ThaiBook orders: www.rigobertotithreaten to jail its executives and land for two decades and never glao.com/debunked revoke its operating license.�

Part 1 – State of academic writing

A

CADEMIC writing in graduate school is far different from that of the undergraduate. It demands a variety of writing types and needs a set of writing skills. As a form of communication, it is mostly the medium of how lecturers gauge student learning. Thus, every subject requires written assignments. After passing all required subjects, students are to take and pass the comprehensive examination. As in their written assignments, academic writing is called for. How different would an answer be to a question which asks an examinee to discuss than explain, or distinguish as differing from contrast or compare?

After passing the comprehensives, students as degree candidates begin to write their thesis/dissertation proposals. Obviously, graduate students need academic writing skills to help them succeed not only in obtaining their degrees but to further their careers.

World studies on using English.

The Philippines got far ahead than most of 72 countries which ranked MISERABLY PROkCIENCY WISE IN USING English, according to the October 2018 results of the EF English ProkCIENCY )NDEX %0) 4HE %0) IS THE world’s largest ranking of countries

by English skills, surveying 72 countries and territories. Sweden, scoring 70.72, topped countries with the HIGHEST PROkCIENCY, followed by 11 other countries, the 11th being Austria, scoring 63.13. The next group WITH HIGH PROkCIENCY WERE 0OLAND

scoring 62.45, the Philippines, with 61.84, followed by 13 other countries, with Argentina last, scoring 57.58. The succeeding groups are 17 countries of MODERATE PROkCIENCY, 21 with LOW PROkCIENCY and the last group, 23 countries with very low PROkCIENCY <https://en.wikipedia.

ORG WIKI %&?%NGLISH?0ROkCIENCY? nIndex>. However, this is no excuse for us to cold shoulder these results.

Regional and local studies show that indeed we have declined overtime in our use of English.

Offshore universities academic writing support. British universities maintain academic writing centers which regularly conduct formal sessions or workshops, or an online interactive course on academic writing.

These services, as academic support to graduate students, especially those WHOSE kRST AND SECOND LANGUAGES ARE not English, are usually free. Several such universities are the University College London, Manchester University, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Leicester where, in the latter, four one-hour lectures are regularly conducted for graduate students.

In some universities, academic writing support is only for doctoral students such as at the Center for Academic English of the Imperial College in London <http://www.imperial.ac.uk/ academic-english/phd-students/phdacademic-writing-courses/>.

US universities, too, conduct academic writing courses based on a syllabus, are credit-bearing, and charge a fee, such as at the University of Maryland and Cornell University.

At Columbia University, academic writing is one of three advancedlevel, part-time English courses conducted by its American Language Program (ALP). At Berkeley, academic writing is a formal course conducted by its Graduate Writing Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This unit offers workshops on topics such as academic writing, grant writing, dissertation writing,

A5

FLASHBACKS/ INSIGHTS TERESITA TANHUECOTUMAPON editing, and preparing articles for publication, in addition to writing groups and individual consultations on these topics for graduate students.â&#x20AC;? Universities in other countries would likely have similar academic writing support service, or offer them as credit courses for a fee.

Academic writing support in local universities. I checked the web for formal courses on academic writing, whether online or conducted as workshops or tutorials in Philippine universities. I came across an upcoming Basic Academic Writing Workshop scheduled for June 13-15, 2019 at the International Graduate School of Leadership (IGSL) in Quezon City<http://www.igsl.asia/>.

There may be other such support services, but are not in the web or I may have missed the websites. I did find Philippine blog writers commenting that academic writing is generally better in urban than in provincial universities, due to better web, book resources and university support services. Academic writing should not be confused with English or literature or creative writing courses. Check the web for online sessions on academic writing; inquire if there are fees to pay.

English language teaching approach and resources. Writing about teaching approaches in academic writing will take up a lot of column space.

3UFkCE IT TO GIVE THIS kRM BUT GENTLE persuasion to our graduate students: that they keep improving their skills in academic writing. They will need this skill not only in their written assignments or in the comprehensive examinations; but more so when they begin writing their thesis or dissertation.

Since most of graduate students are working professionals, and have less time, the temptation to cut and paste essays with a modicum of thought beckons, but may not be in their best interest. Hence, we have to help them. /UR GENERALLY DECLINING PROkCIENCY IN English could also be caused by how we were taught formal English writing. In a Jesuit school, where I taught, Freshman English (which was six credit units) consisted of writing paragraphs from Monday to Friday using the paragraph imitation method. Narrative, descriptive, analytic, etc. model paragraphs, are provided. Students choose a topic sentence, then develop a paragraph imitating a model appropriate to their chosen topic sentence.

This writing approach is paired using the SRA Reading Laboratory â&#x20AC;&#x153;an easyto-use box of self-guided and leveled readers using appropriate levels of the Grade Levels: K-12.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personalized K-12 reading content (ensured) that each student (worked) at the right level and (moved) ahead at his or her own [pace]â&#x20AC;? <www.srareadinglabs. com/print/pages/homephp>.

Understandably, academic writing to be articulate would require one to be a reader who can understand what he/she is reading and has enough appropriate vocabulary to render his/her thoughts in writing clearly, logically.

Next: Main types of and tips on academic writing Email: ttumapon@liceo.edu.ph

With Huawei, Trump confronts Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tech threat head on WASHINGTON, DC: Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name is often translated in English as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinese excellence.â&#x20AC;? The Trump administration last week embarked on a campaign to rebrand the tech giant, in effect, as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Chinese threatâ&#x20AC;? and check its expansion in the West.

The Huawei assault may be the Trump administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most important long-term strategic decision, because it confronts Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technological challenge to America head on. The goal is to prevent Huawei from dominating 5G wireless communications, the next phase of the digital revolution, by blocking use of its technology by America and its partners.

President Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action was

The wiring of the global economy is entangled, so the Commerce Department granted a 90-day delay, probably to allow Google to send security patches and other urgent fixes. Commerce, meanwhile, has 150 days to draft rules that would block US companies the digital version of a combat- from buying Huawei equipment, mobilization order. Because of Hua- though legal experts predicted that weiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alleged threat to US national Huawei might successfully chalsecurity, he put it on the so-called lenge that ban in US courts.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a measure of Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ergENTITY LIST u WHICH FORBIDS 53 kRMS from selling technology to it with- ratic deal-making style that the out special permission. The impact kRST QUESTION FOR MANY OBSERVERS was clear Monday when Google was whether the president was announced that it would stop sell- serious about banning Huawei, or ing updates of its Android operating whether he was simply applying more pressure to get his stalled system for Huawei phones.

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

DAVID IGNATIUS

trade deal. Trump backed off last year from a similar squeeze against ZTE, another big Chinese telecom company, after a personal plea from President Xi Jinping.

Trump-watchers doubt heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bluffing this time. He recently told close advisers, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have to win the 5G kGHT PERIOD u ACCORDING TO FORMER House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who attended the session. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think we have any choice,â&#x20AC;? Gingrich told me, because the alternative to checking Huawei is Chinese dominance of digital infrastructure. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Huawei is the poster child of China Inc.,â&#x20AC;? argued Christopher Johnson, a former top CIA analyst whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s now with the Center for Stra-

tegic and International Studies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If this campaign is successful, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve demonstrated that Xiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whole narrative that China has created an alternative to the West is false.â&#x20AC;?

The danger, Johnson cautioned in an interview, is that if Trump forces European allies to choose between America and China, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You may not like their response.â&#x20AC;?

Working with allies, never Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strong suit, will be crucial here. Right now, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no good alternative to Huaweiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5G technology. Somehow, the US needs to encourage catch-up work by South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Samsung, Finlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nokia and Swedenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ericsson. Bizarrely, the administration didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pre-brief

allies on its Huawei plan.

US intelligence agencies will applaud Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action. For a decade, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve warned that Huawei was creating a global platform for Chinese spying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These measures were taken in the nick of time, before 5G from Huawei became engrained in our technological society,â&#x20AC;? argued one former senior #)! OPERATIONS OFkCER But Americans, and Chinese too, should think carefully about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ahead. Analysts this past week have talked of a technological â&#x20AC;&#x153;decouplingâ&#x20AC;? and a â&#x20AC;&#x153;digital Iron Curtainâ&#x20AC;? descending on the global economy.

That sounds like a description of

ÂłIgnatiusA6

A6

Opinion

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Public-private partnerships fad fails BYÂ JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM

After the failure and abuses of privatization became apparent, publicprivate partnerships have since been promoted ostensibly to mobilize PRIVATE kNANCE FOR THE PUBLIC PURpose. In all too many cases, PPPs have socialized costs and losses while ENSURING PRIVATE kNANCIAL GAINS KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: After the failure and abuses of privatization and contracting-out services from the 1980s, there has been renewed appreciation for the role of the state or government.

Earlier promoters of privatization have taken a step backward, only to take two more forward to instead promote public-private partnerships (PPPs).

PPPs for most purposes PPPs are essentially long-term contracts, underwritten by government guarantees, with which the private sector builds (and sometimes runs) major infrastructure projects or services traditionally provided by the state, such as hospitals, schools, roads, railways, water, sanitation and energy.

PPPs are promoted by many governments associated with the

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and some multilateral development banks â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially the World Bank Â&#x2021; AS THE SOLUTION TO THE kNANCING shortfall needed to achieve development, including the Sustainable Development Goals.

Since the late 1990s, many countries have embraced PPPs in many areas ranging from healthcare and education to transport and infrastructure â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with mixed consequences. They were less common in developing countries, but that is changing rapidly, with many countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa now introducing enabling legislation and initiating PPP projects.

PPPs are now an increasingly POPULAR MEANS TO kNANCE MEGA infrastructure projects, but dams, highways, large plantations, pipelines and energy or transport infrastructure can ruin habitats, displace communities and devastate natural resources. Typically, social and environmental legislation is weakened or circumscribed to attract investors for PPPs. There are also a growing number of "dirty" energy PPPs, devastating the environment, undermining progressive environmental conservation efforts and

exacerbating climate change. PPPs have also led to forced displacement, repression and other abuses of local communities, indigenous peoples, displaced farmers and laborers among others.

have become means for foreign governments to support powerful corporations bidding for PPP contracts abroad, especially in developing countries. Incredibly, such arrangements are increasingly counted as overseas development assistance, as North-South, South-South or PPP financing more triangular development cooperation. public than private Like privatization, PPPs often Nevertheless, experiences with increase fees or charges for users.

PPPs have been largely, although PPP contracts often undermine the not exclusively, negative, and very public interest in other ways, with few PPPs have delivered results generous host government incenin the public interest. There has tives and other privileges, often been some supposed success compromising and undermining with infrastructure PPPs, mainly the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obligation to regulate in DUE TO kNANCING ARRANGEMENTS the public interest. PPPs can limit Generally, PPPs for hospitals and government capacity to enact new schools have much poorer re- legislation and other policies â&#x20AC;&#x201D; cords compared to infrastructure. such as strengthened environmen/NE CAN HAVE GOOD kNANCING tal or social regulations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that arrangements, due to preferential might adversely affect or constrain interest rates, for a poor PPP proj- investor interests.

ECT .EVERTHELESS PRIVATE kNANCE all over the world still accounts PPPs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; public pain, for a small share of infrastructure private gain? kNANCING (OWEVER GOOD kNANCing arrangements will not make a PPP contracts are typically complex. bad PPP project any better.

Negotiations are subject to comPPPs typically involve public MERCIAL CONkDENTIALITY MAKING IT kNANCING FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES hard for civil society and parliaTO ATTRACT BIDS FROM INlUENTIAL PRI- mentarians to provide checks and vate companies, often from abroad. balances in the public and national Ă?"LENDED kNANCE Ă? EXPORT kNANCING interest. Such limited transparency and new supposed aid arrangements significantly increases the likeli-

hood of corruption and undermines democratic accountability.

It is important to establish the circumstances required to ACHIEVE EFkCIENCY GAINS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE LONGER TERM kSCAL implications of PPP-related contingent liabilities. Shifting public debt to government guaranteed debt does not really reduce government debt liabilities, but obscures accountability as it is taken off-budget and is no longer subject to parliamentary, let alone public scrutiny.

(ENCE 000S ARE MORE LIKELY TO be abused because they are typically "off balance sheet" so that they do not show up as government debt, giving the illusion of "easy money" or credit. Despite claims to the contrary, PPPs are typically riskier for governments than for the private companies involved, as the government may be required to step in to assume costs and liabilities if things go wrong.

PPPs also undermine democracy and national sovereignty as such contracts tend not to be transparent and subject to unaccountable international adjudication â&#x20AC;&#x201D; due to investor-state dispute settlement commitments â&#x20AC;&#x201D; rather than national or international courts. Under World

Bank-proposed PPP contracts, for example, national governments can even be liable for losses due to strikes by workers.

Government procurement One alternative, of course, is government or public procurement. In many instances, PPPs have become the most expensive kNANCING OPTION AND MUCH LESS cost-effective than transparent competitive government procurement. They cost governments SIGNIkCANTLY MORE IN THE LONG RUN than if the government procures on an open competitive basis, or IF PROJECTS ARE DIRECTLY kNANCED BY government borrowings.

Generally, PPPs are much more expensive than government procurement despite government SUBSIDIZED CREDIT (OWEVER WITH a competent government doing good work, government procureMENT CAN BE EFkCIENT AND LOW COST With a competent government and accountable consultants, efkCIENT GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT has generally proved far more costeffective than PPP alternatives. It is therefore important to establish when and why meaningful gains can be achieved through PPPs, and IPS when these are unlikely.

FOCUS

FOCUS

Bangladeshiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diary spotlights Singapore migrant struggles

Russia forges on with Europe gas project despite US sanctions threat

SINGAPORE: Toiling for long hours for meagre salaries and living in crowded dormitories, migrant construction workers have helped build modern-day Singapore but remain all but invisible TO MANY IN THE AFlUENT CITY STATE Now an award-winning book by a Bangladeshi man is shining a rare light on the lives of laborers who have come in their thousands from poorer parts of Asia in search of a better future.

M.D. Sharif Uddinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of diary entries and poems, Stranger to Myself , describes the ups and downs of his years in Singapore, from high hopes on his arrival to frustration and heartache at missing his family. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People will never understand the hardship we migrant workers go through. People [back home] think that we live a luxurious life in a foreign land where we earn a lot,â&#x20AC;? the 40-year-old told AFP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even after 11 years here I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enjoy life, I am always struggling,â&#x20AC;? he added.

There are about 280,000 foreign construction workers in the city of 5.6 million, which has developed over the decades at a dizzying pace, from a poor trading OUTPOST TO A kNANCIAL HUB HOME to high rises and shopping malls.

Uddin is in many ways not a typical Singapore migrant workER (E OWNED A BOOKSHOP BACK in Bangladesh, but fell on hard times and was forced to leave his pregnant wife to go abroad TO kND WORK (E WAS ILL PREPARED FOR HIS new life. From being a boss with a small staff in Bangladesh, he found himself relegated to the position of a laborer doing the kind of back-breaking work native Singaporeans often shun.

after he was promoted to become a safety supervisor but is still far below the average wage in the city-state.

Uddin writes of living an â&#x20AC;&#x153;exileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life,â&#x20AC;? far from his family, and unable to feel truly at home in Singapore. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes I feel what it means to be lonely in the crowd of migrants, feeling the burden of age though I am relatively young,â&#x20AC;? he writes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe my exile from home and nation is a punishment for past sins.â&#x20AC;?

(E IS AN AVID READER AND HAD long kept a diary and written poetry, but his work was only discovered when he began submitting poems to a Bengali language publication in Singapore in 2013.

(E STARTED GETTING INVITES TO POetry and book readings, and later agreed to have his work translated from Bengali to English and published as Stranger to Myself: Diary of a Bangladeshi in Singapore.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Eye-openingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Published in 2017, it has sold more than 700 copies and last YEAR WON THE BEST NONkCTION TITLE at the Singapore Book Awards.

Goh Eck Kheng, founder of Uddinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publisher Landmark Books, said the bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;depth of subject matter, the depth of feelingâ&#x20AC;? contributed to its success. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very authentic, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyeopening,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Despite the challenges, there is no shortage of foreign laborers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from Bangladesh, and other countries including Indonesia and China â&#x20AC;&#x201D; keen to come and work in the construction sector in Singapore.

There are laws in place to protect foreign workers and to regulate their housing, and most employers are responsible and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Exileâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; treat staff well, according to the Daily life is not easy, living in a ministry of manpower.

Salaries are usually higher dorm with about 25 other construction workers and typically than many migrants can earn toiling from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. back home, or in other foreign Uddin lives quite centrally countries where they could work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many foreign workers conbut many migrant construction workers are housed in self-con- sider Singapore an attractive tained dormitory complexes in destination country, and want to less desireable areas of the city, come here to work,â&#x20AC;? a ministry meaning many Singaporeans spokesman said.

Uddin is generally positive have little contact with them.

(E IS CONTRACTED TO WORK about Singapore and his book is days a month but if he does even dedicated to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overtime, or a project needs to founding leader Lee Kuan Yew. But he believes migrant workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; be completed in a hurry, he may gLABOR AND SACRIkCEu WHICH HELPED not get a day off at all.

When he arrived, his salary drive Singaporeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transformation was Sg$18 ($13) a day â&#x20AC;&#x201D; busi- remain largely unrecognised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nobody can wipe away the ness-focused Singapore has no workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; agonies etched on every minimum wage.

It has increased to about Sg$50 brick of Singapore,â&#x20AC;? he said. AFP

BOVANENKOVO, Russia: Deep in the Russian Arctic anticipation runs high ahead of the launch of a natural gas pipeline that has emerged as a source of tensions pitting Moscow and Berlin against Washington.

Gas sourced from the giant "OVANENKOVO kELD ON THE REMOTE Yamal Peninsula far above the Arctic Circle will feed the Nord Stream 2, a multi-billion-euro energy link between Russia and Germany.

Critics of the Gazprom-led project â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in particular Washington and Kiev â&#x20AC;&#x201D; say the pipeline aims to increase Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reliance on Russian gas and isolate Ukraine, which it bypasses.

US Secretary of Energy Rick Perry said in the Ukrainian capital Kiev this week that Washington was moving towards imposing restrictions on the companies involved in the project.

The Nord Stream 2 consortium and supporters of the project say the 1,230-kilometer (765-mile) pipeline that runs under the Baltic Sea will help secure Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rising gas needs at lower prices. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have all these political discussions saying itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a political project,â&#x20AC;?

(ENNING +OTHE CHIEF PROJECT OFkCER at Nord Stream 2, told reporters durING A TOUR OF THE kELD ON 4UESDAY But, he added, the shortest way for gas to reach Europe was â&#x20AC;&#x153;via Nord Stream 2, which is 2,000 kilometers shorter than the existing route through Ukraine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is for me a fact and not politics,â&#x20AC;? he said.

(ALF OF THE BILLION EURO ($10.6-billion) project is financed by Gazprom, with the rest covered by its European partners: Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wintershall and Uniper, Anglo-Dutch Shell, Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Engie and Austriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s OMV. The consortium insists that Ukraine will retain its role as a transit country.

The project had been due to be launched in late 2019, but Gazprom said Sunday it could

Q Gas sourced from the giant Bovanenkovo field on the remote Yamal Peninsula far above the Arctic Circle will feed the Nord Stream 2, a multi-billion-euro energy link between Russia and Germany. AFP meters, and plans are under way to increase its capacity to 140 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year from 115 bcm now.

More than a thousand kilometers of pipes have already been laid in the Baltic Sea. Pipelay vessels are working to install 8 kilometers of pipelines a day.

The twin pipeline system consists of two 1,230-kilometerslong pipelines.

nomic affairs department, said ending the year without completing Nord Stream 2 and without a transit deal with Ukraine would be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;nightmare scenario.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unfair competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The threat of US sanctions also looms large.

US President Donald Trump charged US Secretary of Energy Perry in angry tweets last year that the said the planned bill would have project made Germany a â&#x20AC;&#x153;captiveâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;very, very onerous restrictions of President Vladimir Putinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Russia. on companies that continue to Speaking after talks with Ausdo business with Nord Stream 2.â&#x20AC;? trian President Alexander van der Kothe downplayed the risks, Bellen last week, Putin accused saying that none of the partners Washington of â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfair competi- â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nightmare scenarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; had left the project. tionâ&#x20AC;? and using political pressure Some experts say the possible Pushing back the launch date could to sideline a competitor. sanctions would hardly affect â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our partners know that their CREATE CONSIDERABLE DIFkCULTIES Most of Russiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gas destined for the project but will put the Europroduct is more expensive and its pean Union on a direct collision quality is by no means better,â&#x20AC;? Putin Europe passes through Ukraine.

But the transit agreement be- course with the United States. said, referring to the United States.

Elina Ribakova, deputy chief The Austrian president said for tween Kiev and Moscow expires economist at the Washingtonhis part that his country had no at the end of the year.

With the two countries at log- based Institute of International intention to quit the project. g53 LIQUIkED GAS IS CONSIDERABLY gerheads over Crimea, Ukraineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Finance, said it was too late to stop more expensive than our current territory annexed by Russia, and the construction so US Congress sources,â&#x20AC;? he told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So A SEPARATIST CONlICT -OSCOW AND felt it can only call for sanctions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a highly controversial issue thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no economic reason what- Kiev have struggled to agree on for Germany and therefore parthe dealâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extension. soever to change our position.â&#x20AC;?

Dmitry Khandoga, deputy ticularly risky for US-German relaThe fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gas reserves are estimated at 4.9 trillion cubic head of Gazpromâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s external eco- tions,â&#x20AC;? she said on Twitter. AFP go online in 2020.

Denmark has still not issued a permit for the pipeline to cross its waters.

Q IGNATIUS FROM A5

With Huawei, Trump confronts Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tech threat head on a world in which everyone would be worse off â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a mobilization for A CONlICT LIKE 7ORLD 7AR WHICH historians now judge was unwise and unnecessary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are stuck in a reactive game of tit for tat,â&#x20AC;? warns a senior executive of a giant US technology COMPANY (E SAYS !MERICA MUST think carefully about â&#x20AC;&#x153;what hybrid international order we are seeking, recognizing that it has to be one

where we coexist with China as a major power.â&#x20AC;? This executiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concern, shared by others, is that Trump is making decisions with big long-term consequences for short-term political reasons. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the kind of blunt and risky instrument one might employ as the last step on the escalatory ladder,â&#x20AC;? said former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns in an interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I worry that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

leaped over other, more targeted tools that could have addressed OR MITIGATED SPECIkC CONCERNS WITH less collateral damage.â&#x20AC;?

As so often with Trump, the real question is what end-state he seeks with his campaign of maximum pressure. What does success look like? Is it the destruction of (UAWEI AS A ' COMPETITOR OR simply a reduction of its market reach? Does Trump want technol-

ogy coexistence or a restoration of American dominance?

Trump is about building walls.

But he should be especially careful about this digital barrier, behind which the U.S. might stand while the rest of the world races forward.

(C) 2019, WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

Follow David Ignatius on Twitter: @IgnatiusPost

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Regionsinbriefs 2 DEAD, 7 INJURED IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL ACCIDENT BACOLOD CITY: At least two people were killed while seven others were seriously injured after a delivery truck plunged into a creek along Sitio Plasanon in Barangay Salong, Kabankalan City on Thursday morning. Police identified the fatalities as Jenalie Alfonso, 49, the truck owner, and Antonio Miralles. The injured were Alberto Timtim, 36, truck driver; Marvin Ballerta, 19; Nelson Barabas, 19; Rene Boy Atong, 20; Manuel Solina, 23; Marjon Marino, 22; and Elmer Moralla, 25. Witnesses said the truck was traversing the area at about 4:10 a.m. when it fell over to the left side of the road and plunged into the 12-foot deep creek. Timtimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leg was crushed in the wreckage, while Alfonso and Miralles were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

In a radio interview, Timtim admitted that he was intoxicated and fell asleep while driving. He said they were heading to Barangay Tabugon in Kabankalan to deliver cooking oil and salt.

EUGENE Y. ADIONG

MAN BURNS SELF TO DEATH IN CEBU A MAN believed to be under the influence of illegal drugs burned himself to death inside his bedroom in Sitio YLE, Barangay Basak in Lapu-Lapu City on Thursday. The Lapu-Lapu City Fire Department identified the fatality as Norman Oyao, 56. Senior Fire Officer 2 Climaco Salisid said the 8 a.m. blaze was immediately placed under control by Oyaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighbors. Salisid added that they were still investigating Oyaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motive in setting himself on fire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There were allegations that he was under the influence of illegal drugs, but this was subject to confirmation,â&#x20AC;? he told The Manila Times. RHEA RUTH ROSELL

5 FOUND DEAD INSIDE DRUG DEN IN BULACAN CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan: Five drug suspect were found dead with gunshot wounds in their bodies, believed to be victims of summary execution inside a house allegedly used as a drug den in Purok 4, Barangay San Pedro in this city on Thursday morning. Police Lt. Col. Orlando Castil Jr., city police chief, identified the victims as Juliet Fernandez, alleged maintainer of the drug den; Norberto Oden, 63, alleged cohort of Fernandez; Manuelito Bergonio, alias â&#x20AC;&#x153;Noknok,â&#x20AC;? 35, and included in the unified list of the Philippine National Police/Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency with a pending case of carnapping; one alias â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mel Diezel,â&#x20AC;? also on the said drug watchlist; and one unidentified fatality. Sergio Yumol, who lives in the neighborhood, discovered the bodies of the victims at the living room of the said house at about 6:10 a.m. The Bulacan Scene of the Crime Operatives led by Police Lt. Mario Lazaro recovered at the crime scene about 20 spent shells ammunition for various calibers and one large heat-sealed plastic containing seven small sachets of shabu.

FREDERICK SILVERIO

SUSPECT IN BATANGAS STUDENT RAPE-SLAY NABBED BATANGAS: The suspect in the rape-slay of a college student in Lipa City last week was arrested by the police. Police Col. Edwin Quilates, Lipa City Police chief, said suspect Jorge Benedicto, 24, a security guard from Barangay San Mariano, Victoria in Oriental Mindoro, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon. Benedicto is the suspect in the rape-slay of Fidex Therese Maranan, 21, a fourth year student of De La Salle Lipa. The victimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin, Romulo Maranan, discovered her body on May 17 at her residence in Miracle Heights Subdivision, Barangay Antipolo del Norte in Lipa City. A security footage showed Benedicto outside the guardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s barracks on the night of May 15 casually walking towards Saint Rafael Street corner Lourdes Street of the same subdivision where the victimâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body was found.

BELLY M. OTORDOZ

Regions Bangsamoro poll tensions may cause conflict â&#x20AC;&#x201C; group FRIDAY May 24, 2019

BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

M

ARAWI CITY: Incidents of election fraud and violence in the Bangsamoro during the May 13 polls might lead TO A MULTITUDE OF CONlICTS A NONGOVERNMENT organization warned on Thursday. !CCORDING TO A POST ELECTION REPORT RELEASED BY )NTERNATIONAL !LERT A 5+ BASED PEACEBUILDING ORGANIZATION OPERATING IN THE 0HILIPPINES THE VIOLENCE THAT ATTENDED THE RECENT ELECTIONS HAD CREATED NEW STRINGS OF CONlICT AS FIGHTS BETWEEN RIVAL POLITICIANS MORPH INTO kGHTS BETWEEN CLANS EXACTING REVENGE 4HE GROUP S CRITICAL EVENTS MONITORING SYSTEM #%-3 CAPTURED REPORTS OF ELECTION RELATED INCIDENTS FROM -AY TO IN THE PROVINCES OF ,ANAO DEL 3UR -AGUINDANAO Â&#x2021; INCLUDING #OTABATO

#ITY Â&#x2021; PARTS OF .ORTH #OTABATO

3ULU AND 4AWI 4AWI -OST OF THESE INCIDENTS INVOLVED RIVAL CLANS WITH THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN PROLONGED REVENGE KILLINGS

SAID !LERT #%-3 IS A REAL TIME 3-3 BASED MONITORING PLATFORM USED BY )NTERNATIONAL !LERT AND AN EARLY RESPONSE NETWORK TO DISASTER AND CONlICT BASED IN -ARAWI #ITY

Explosions and fistfights 4HE )NTERNATIONAL !LERT S REPORT

SAID THE ELECTION PERIOD SAW FEWER SHOOTING INCIDENTS BETWEEN RIVAL CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTERS THAT WERE A STAPLE OF PREVIOUS ELECTORAL BATTLES )NSTEAD GRENADES AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WENT OFF TO SCARE VOTERS AND DIVERT THE ATTENTION OF THE POLICE AND THE MILITARY DEPUTIZED

BY THE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS TO ENSURE ORDER DURING THE POLLS 4HERE WERE REPORTS OF AT LEAST kSTkGHTS AND SCUFlES THAT BROKE OUT AMONG THE CANDIDATES SUPPORTERS AND POLL WATCHERS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE POLLING PLACES IN )NTERNATIONAL !LERT S AREAS OF COVERAGE "OMBING AND BRAWLING SEEM TO HAVE REPLACED THE VIOLENT GUN BATTLES OF THE PAST ! LOT OF THIS OWES TO THE TIGHT MILITARY AND POLICE PRESENCE AND CONTROL IN THE "ANGSAMORO THAT STARTED EARLY THIS YEAR DURING THE PLEBISCITE FOR THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW

A7

AND CONTINUED UP TO ELECTION DAY

NOTED )NTERNATIONAL !LERT )N $ECEMBER #ONGRESS APPROVED A MONTH EXTENSION OF MARTIAL LAW IN -INDANAO AFTER 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE PUSHED FOR MAINTAINING TOUGH SECURITY MEASURES IN THE REGION TO STOP EXTREMIST VIOLENCE 4HE IMPORTANT QUESTION NOW AND IN THE POST ELECTION PERIOD IS WHETHER MARTIAL LAW WOULD CONTINUE ACCORDING TO THE PEACEBUILDING GROUP #LAN FEUDING REVENGE KILLINGS AND EXTREMIST VIOLENCE WERE EXPECTED TO RISE IN THE ABSENCE OF A NEGOTIATED POST ELECTION SETTLEMENT ON THE CARRYING AND USE OF kREARMS AGREED BY VARIOUS GROUPS SUCH AS THE SECURITY SECTOR LEADERS IN THE NEW "ANGSAMORO GOVERNMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS

TRADITIONAL LEADERS AND CIVIL SOCIETY THE GROUP WARNED

Comelec stops CamNorte vice gov proclamation LEGAZPI CITY: The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied the proclamation of reelected Vice Gov. Jonah Pedro Pimentel for seeking a fourth term as vice governor of Camarines Norte.

The Comelec Second Division on May 10 ordered the cancellation of Pimentelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Certificate of Candidacy (Coc), who has served three consecutive, and thus is no longer eligible to run for the same position.

Pimentel, a political ally and running mate of Gov. Edgardo Tallado whose CoC was also canceled by Comelec, was elected vice governor from 2010 to 2019, or for three con-

secutive terms, but again ran under Talladoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban party despite serving his last term in office.

Commissioners Louie Tito Guia (Second Division presiding commissioner), Socorro Inting and Antonio Kho Jr. ordered the cancellation of Pimentelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CoC on the day of the midterm polls.

The Comelec also ordered the suspension of the proclamation of Pimentel as vice governor in the event he wins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The provincial election supervisor in Camarines Norte is hereby directed to immediately serve the order to Pimentel

and the provincial board of canvassers of Camarines Norte,â&#x20AC;? the order stated.

Pimentel got 121,000 votes, a thousand more than his political rival, outgoing Mayor Ricarte Padilla of Jose Panganiban town, who had 120,000 votes.

On May 13, however, his CoC was cancelled by the Comelec, rendering Padilla as the sole candidate for vice gubernatorial race.

Padilla has filed a motion with the Comelec to proclaim him as vice governor of Camarines Norte as the only qualified candidate.

Both Pimentel and Talladoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CoCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s were

cancelled as provided under the Local Government Code and 1987 Philippine Constitutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruling, that they were no longer eligible to run in the same position they held. On May 9, the Comelec en banc declared Tallado ineligible to run again having served three consecutive terms as governor of Camarines Norte.

Tallado, however, secured a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court two days before the midterm polls and won against former Camarines Norte Rep. Catherine Barcelona-Reyes.

RHAYDZ B. BARCIA

News No protest over Morales detention M A8

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

ALACAĂ&#x2018;ANG on Thursday said there WAS NO NEED TO kLE A PROTEST OVER THE detention of former Ombudsman #ONCHITA #ARPIO -ORALES AND HER FAMILY IN Hong Kong.

The 77-year-old Morales and her family were held at the Chek Lap Kok International Airport for fo ur hours on

Tuesday for supposedly being a â&#x20AC;&#x153;security threat.â&#x20AC;?

Sen. Ana Theresia â&#x20AC;&#x153;Risaâ&#x20AC;? Navarro

Hontiveros urged MalacaĂąang to protest the detention.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Morales was not harassed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We said that we will be providing government assistance to all those in NEED ABROAD AND THE kRST THING THAT I did when I heard about it coming from some of you, I called up the former ombudsman and we talked on the

phone and she told me she was called up by a consul. In other words, we helped. The others seemed to want to hit back,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I asked her how she was treated, because if she was mistreated, that is not acceptable. We WILL DEkNITELY PROTEST BUT IT DID not happen. She did not complain that she was treated poorly. She was just irritated because her plans

for her grandchildren were ruined,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Panelo said the country could not do anything about the issue because Hong Kong has the right to stop the entry of foreigners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is the same [for] us, if we are barring foreigners from entering, we put them inside a room and we ask them. So, in the same way that we do not want to be subjected to interference with respect to how we treat people

coming in, we will not meddle with them,â&#x20AC;? he said.

In March, Morales and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario filed a communication against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court for â&#x20AC;&#x153;implementing a systematic plan to controlâ&#x20AC;? the contested South China Sea (West Philippine Sea) and violating the rights of Filipino fishers.

DoST chief highest paid Cabinet member

TIME TO PRAY

Members of the Muslim community in Baseco Compound in Manila pray before breaking their fast on Thursday.

PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

SCIENCE and Technology (DoST) Secretary Fortunato de la PeĂąa was the highest earner among Cabinet members in 2018, based on the Commission on Auditâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (CoA) 2018 Report on Salaries and Allowances (ROSA).

De la PeĂąa earned P4.1 million in 2018.

He was also the highest paid Cabinet member in 2017 with P3.29 million.

Based on the 2018 ROSA, de la PeĂąa is followed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones (P3.95 million), Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd (P3.714 million), Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd (P3.705 million), Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (P3.529 million), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (P3.527 million), Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd (P3.492 million); Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (P3.492 million), chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo (P3,489,791.02), Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel PiĂąol (P3.49

million), Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (P3.469 million), then-Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno (P3.442 million), Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones (P3.43 million) and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (P3.412 million).

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar earned P3.372 million; Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, P3.329 million; National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., P3.321 million; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, P3.14 million; former Presidential adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza, P3.081 million; Eliseo Rio Jr., then-Acting Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, P2.928 million; Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, P2.867 million; former Technical Education secretary Guiling Mamondiong, P2,786,972.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

MARCOS BRIDGE TO BE CLOSED SATURDAY PDEA wants Shanti THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Thursday that the Marcos Bridge in Marikina City would be closed on SatURDAY -AY AT P M FOR rehabilitation.

MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said the Department of Public Works and Highways had given the go-signal for the closure after the MMDA arranged a new traffic rerouting plan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We [did an ocular inspection] on May 1; the rerouting was not yet ready. After two weeks of preparations, this will be definite now,â&#x20AC;? Garcia said in a press briefing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Private contractors are now ready to push through with the rehabilitation after complying with the necessary requirements they need to address,â&#x20AC;? he added.

The bridge, built in 1979 at

the boundary of Marikina and Pasig cities, has an average daiLY TRAFFIC OF VEHICLES PER hour in both directions.

The MMDA will first close the eastbound side for rehabilitation, followed by the westbound side, which will be closed next for four more months.

Garcia said the closure would trigger monstrous traffic in Katipunan Avenue and proximate areas.

Starting Saturday night, light vehicles going to Antipolo may take the westbound direction, while light vehicles going to Cubao may use the service road in front of the SM Marikina mall.

Road traffic advisories were also installed around the site of the project.

Motorists and truckers are advised to take alternative routes.

Those taking the Cubao to Antipolo route may utilize

Aurora Boulevard, make a right turn to Katipunan Avenue, take the service road of Libis underpass, turn left to Boni Serrano, and take FVR Road straight to Macapagal Bridge then Marcos Highway to Antipolo From Cubao, they may also take a right turn to 15th Avenue, make a left turn to Boni Serrano, take FVR Road straight to Macapagal Bridge then Marcos Highway to Antipolo.

Trucks from Cubao to Antipolo may take Aurora Boulevard, then turn right to Katipunan Avenue, take the service road of Libis underpass, make a left turn to Boni Serrano straight to FVR Road, take Macapagal Bridge then Sumulong Highway to Antipolo.

Vehicles coursing the Antipolo to Cubao routes that are coming from Antipolo may take Sumulong Highway then A. Bonifacio Avenue and head

straight to Aurora Boulevard to Cubao.

Said vehicles may also take Marcos Highway and turn right to Fernando Avenue, then take A. Bonifacio Avenue straight to Aurora Boulevard to Cubao.

They may also take Marcos Highway, then the service road of Marcos Bridge, then FVR Road, turn right to Katipunan Avenue, and then turn left to Aurora Boulevard to Cubao.

Another route from Antipolo is through Marcos Highway, then FVR Road to Boni Serrano Avenue, THEN RIGHT TURN TO TH !VENUE AND then left turn to Aurora Boulevard to Cubao Trucks from Antipolo to Cubao, meanwhile, may take Marcos Highway, then FVR Road, turn right to Katipunan Avenue, and turn left to Aurora Boulevard to Cubao.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Q JIHADIST FROM A1

MARAWI CITY A TOOL FOR JIHADIST kVE MONTH BATTLE THAT SHATTERED swathes of the southern city.

Demolition of blast-pocked buildings has finally begun, but after several false starts, the government does not expect REBUILDING TO BE kNISHED BEFORE THE END OF The delays have left about

RESIDENTS IN SQUALID RElocation camps or sharing homes with relatives, feeding simmering anger among the displaced and providing a recruiting tool for extremists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The narratives [to join IS] used to be about the Middle East and the plight of Muslims around the world,â&#x20AC;? said Mouhammad Sharief, who co-founded a support group for Marawiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s closer to our hearts because the narrative is Marawi,â&#x20AC;?

SAID YEAR OLD 3HARIEF WHO WAS HIMSELF DISPLACED BY THE kGHTING Marawi is symbolically important because it is the Muslim capital of the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s south, which has been locked in a cycle of poverty and extremism as separatist insurgencies have raged for decades. )T IS ALL THE MORE SIGNIkCANT AS IS works to maintain a presence VIA ITS GLOBAL AFkLIATES FOLLOWING

the fall of its self-proclaimed â&#x20AC;&#x153;caliphateâ&#x20AC;? in the Middle East.

IS regularly claims responsibility for killings of Philippine government troops and took credit for the January bombing of a Catholic cathedral during Sunday Mass that was the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadliest attack in years.

Duterteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orders The organization has links to local extremist networks, including the kidnap-for-ransom group Abu Sayyaf that have long operated in the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; restive south.

In this context, an angry displaced population in Marawi was not a risk that could be ignored, experts say. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The government needs to be concerned about the threats of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) attracting young [locals] because of the ongoing resentment from the failure to rebuild and general anger over the destruction,â&#x20AC;? analyst Sidney Jones said.

Fixing the city has been repeatedly delayed. A Chinese-led consortium initially tapped to spearhead the rehabilitation plan WAS DISQUALIkED OVER LEGAL AND

kNANCIAL ISSUES step before the actual construc4HE CLEARING OF DEBRIS THE kRST tion, also hit a snag due to legal

Dope rap song banned THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) took issue with a new rap song promoting the use of marijuana and sought to ban its playing on television and radio nationwide.

The PDEA trained its guns on local rapper Shanti Dopeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amatz,â&#x20AC;? which apparently narrates the effects of using marijuana. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We respect and appreciate our artists in the music industry; however, we strongly oppose the promotion of musical pieces or songs that encourage the recreational use of drugs like marijuana and shabu. It IS CONTRARY TO OUR kGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL drugs,â&#x20AC;? PDEA chief Aaron Aquino said in a statement on Thursday.

The PDEA was particularly upset with some lines in the song, which went: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lakas ng amats ko, sobrang natural, walang halong kemikal,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ito hinangad ko lipadin ay mataas pa, sa kaya ipadama saâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;yo ng gramo, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;di bale nang musika ikamatay.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It appears that the singer was referring to the high effect of marijuana, being in its natural/organic state and not altered by any chemical compound,â&#x20AC;? Aquino said.

He warned the song could mislead the youth into thinking that there is nothing wrong with using illegal drugs. !QUINO kLED ON -AY BEFORE the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit and ABS-CBN a request to bar the airing of the song and its promotion in different media stations throughout the country.

This is not the first time that a GOVERNMENT OFkCIAL CALLED FOR A BAN of a song that supposedly alludes to drug use. Sen. Vicente Sotto 3rd called on radio stations in 1995 to stop playing Eraserheadsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Alapaap,â&#x20AC;? alleging that the song entices listeners to use illegal drugs.

NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

problems and the government HOPES IT WILL kNALLY BE kNISHED in November. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will be used as an example again of government discrimination against Muslims and the government neglect for the responsibility of rebuilding Marawi,â&#x20AC;? said Francisco Lara, an adviser with peace group International Alert.

The government says it is making progress in repairing the city, which was pounded by military air strikes and artillery as it struggled to dislodge the jihadists. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are following the guidance and instructions of President [Rodrigo Duterte] that he will see to it that Marawi will rise as a prosperous city again,â&#x20AC;? Eduardo del Rosario, a retired general overseeing the rebuilding efforts, told journalists this week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We... are all undertaking the task given to us as per instruction of the President,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Though Duterte has tried to portray himself as sensitive to the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Muslim minority, he has sent mixed signals about Marawi.

He has claimed the city was home to illegal drug activity, a very serious accusation from a leader whose narcotics crackDOWN HAS KILLED OVER ALleged dealers and pushers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think that I should

be spending for their buildings. People there have a lot of money,â&#x20AC;? he said in reference to Marawi in an April speech.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday honored the soldiers killed in Marawi.

Former Joint Task Force Marawi commander and now Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista, the guest of honor, said the SACRIkCE OF THE FALLEN WOULD NEVER be forgotten. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By commemorating the lives of uniformed personnel who perished during the siege of Marawi City, civilians and uniformed personnel alike, we remind the nation that together as in one people, one nation, in the name of God, the Filipino can and the Filipino is invincible,â&#x20AC;? Bautista, a retired Army chief lieutenant general, said.

Col. Romeo Brawner, comMANDER OF THE RD "RIGADE based in Marawi City, said civilians and the Armed Forces had learned a handful from the siege. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people have learned not to tolerate terrorism or violent extremism. Reports coming from civilians about threats are reported promptly,â&#x20AC;? Brawner told reporters.

The military, he added, also learned a handful from its shortfalls.

AFP WITH NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 1 . 3 6 %

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

PSEi 7,804.03 DOWN 0.14%

P52.50 TO $1

www.manilatimes.net

What’s inside ADB APPROVES $2.75-B FUND FOR LUZON RAILWAY

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LANDBANK PRIORITY SECTOR LOANS UP 20%

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Denying public disclosures of material facts

W Seoul 0.26%

W To k yo 0 . 6 2 %

V Jakarta 1.58%

PWC’S NEEDLES IN A HAYSTACK

W H o n g Ko n g 1 . 5 8 %

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HE REPORTED HIS ACQUISITION OF 0 WORTH OF 2#) COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH (IS ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL

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Preventing pilferage in the supply chain FINEX FILES

J. ALBERT GAMBOA

M

!.9 BUSINESSES TODAY ARE SUFFERING FROM THE RISING CASES OF CARGO PILFERAGE AND THEFT !SIDE FROM INVENTORY LOSSES THE IMPACT OF GROWING PILFERAGE WEIGHS HEAVILY ON LOGISTICS OPERATIONS !DDING TO THE COST OF STOLEN INVENTORY ARE INDIRECT kNANCIAL LOSSES SUCH AS COSTS OF RESTORING SUPPLY CHAIN FACILITIES AND REPLACING MISSING ITEMS $AMAGE COMPENSATION COULD ALSO BUILD UP IN TERMS OF REIMBURSING TRANSPORTERS DRIVERS

AND OTHER THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDERS -EANWHILE OPERATIONAL OVERHEAD COSTS LIKE SHIPMENT INSURANCE VEHICLE DOWNTIME AND BUFFER INVENTORY COULD SPIRAL 0ILFERED GOODS ALSO RESULT IN THE LOSS OF MARKET OPPORTUNITIES DUE TO UNAVAILABLE INVENTORY TO FULkLL IMMEDIATE DEMAND WHICH AFFECTS THE kRM S COMPETITIVENESS /NE BUSINESS REELING FROM INEFkCIENT LOGISTICS AND GROWING PILFERAGE IS THE LIQUEkED PETROLEUM GAS ,0' INDUSTRY WHICH IS PART OF THE DOWNSTREAM OIL SECTOR 4HE TOTAL ,0' MARKET IN THE 0HILIPPINES IS ESTIMATED AT

³Gamboa B2

W B a n g ko k 1 . 0 5 %

‘Hot money’ outflows dip to $299M in April

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

F

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LOWER THAN -ARCH S MILLION AND REVERSING THE MILLION INlOW POSTED A YEAR AGO "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 DATA SHOWED ON 4HURSDAY

!CCORDING TO THE CENTRAL BANK

THIS CAME AS LARGE OUTFLOWS FOR ALL OTHER INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS OFFSET INVESTMENTS IN PESO TIME DEPOSITS 2E G I S T E R E D F O R E I G N P O R T F O L I O INVESTMENTS AMOUNTED TO MILLION FOR THE MONTH A PERCENT

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AND THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE !PRIL EARTHQUAKE THAT JOLTED PARTS OF ,UZON AND 6ISAYAS u g)NVESTORS ALSO STAYED CAUTIOUS AMID THE LACK OF FRESH CATALYSTS IN THE MARKET AND ONGOING TRADE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND #HINA u IT ADDED 4HE BULK OR PERCENT WAS INVESTED IN 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE 03% LISTED SECURITIES MAINLY PROPERTY COMPANIES HOLDING FIRMS BANKS FOOD BEVERAGE AND TOBACCO COMPANIES AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES COMPANIES 4HE REST WENT TO PESO GOVERNMENT SECURITIES AND PESO TIME

Q A man looking at his smartphone past a Huawei retail shop is seen through a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing on May 21, 2019. AP PHOTO

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B2

W

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

DICT: Huawei issue to have little impact 4(% $EPARTMENT OF )NFORMATION AND #OMMUNICATIONS 4ECHNOLOGY $)#4 ON 4HURSDAY SHRUGGED OFF WORRIES ABOUT RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN THE 5NITED 3TATES AND #HINA BASED (UAWEI 4ECHNOLOGIES #O ,TD SAYING THEY ONLY HAD MINIMAL IMPACT ON THE LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR g,OCAL TELCOS HAVE MADE PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT THEY WILL DIVERSIFY IN THEIR PRESENT AND FUTURE PROCUREMENTS OF EQUIPMENT TO MAKE THEIR NETWORKS MORE ROBUST AND FUTURE PROOF u THE DEPARTMENT SAID IN A STATEMENT )T COMES AFTER 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP DECLARED LAST WEEK A NATIONAL EMERGENCY TO BAR 53 COMPANIES FROM USING FOREIGN TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT DEEMED A SECURITY RISK A MOVE SEEN AS TARGETING (UAWEI WHICH 7ASHINGTON SUSPECTS OF BEING A POTENTIAL PROXY FOR #HINESE INTELLIGENCE

SERVICES &OR ITS PART THE 53 #OMMERCE $EPARTMENT ALSO ANNOUNCED AN EFFECTIVE BAN ON 53 COMPANIES SELLING OR TRANSFERRING 53 TECHNOLOGY TO (UAWEI

THOUGH IT LATER ISSUED A DAY REPRIEVE %ARLIER THIS WEEK 53 INTERNET GIANT 'OOGLE SAID IT WOULD PARTIALLY CUT OFF (UAWEI DEVICES FROM ITS !NDROID OPERATING SYSTEM /3 (UAWEI HAS SINCE INDICATED THAT IT COULD ROLL OUT ITS OWN /3 THIS YEAR IN #HINA AND INTERNATIONALLY NEXT YEAR /THER FIRMS INCLUDING CHIPMAKER !2- )NTEL #ORP 1UALCOMM )NC

,UMENTUM (OLDINGS AND 0ANASONIC

HAVE FOLLOWED 'OOGLE S LEAD 4RUMP S MOVE CAME DAYS AFTER HE INCREASED TARIFFS ON BILLION IN #HINESE GOODS PROMPTING "EIJING TO HIKE DUTIES ON BILLION IN !MERICAN PRODUCTS

/N THREATS TO THE COUNTRY S CYBERSPACE THE $)#4 ASSURED THAT THERE WAS NO gNATIONAL SECURITY BREACH FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE NETWORKS PREDOMINANTLY USING (UAWEI EQUIPMENT u 4HE DEPARTMENT gWILL CONTINUE TO REQUIRE LOCAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES TO MONITOR THEIR NETWORKS THROUGH WORLD CLASS CYBERSECURITY AUDIT TEAMS AND ASSURE THE GOVERNMENT THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE NETWORK WILL NOT BE COMPROMISED OR THEY MAY SUFFER LOSING THEIR LICENSE TO OPERATEu IT SAID g4HE SAME REQUIREMENT WILL ALSO BE IMPOSED ON THE INCOMING THIRD TELCO u IT ADDED REFERRING TO THE -ISLATEL CONSORTIUM MADE UP OF $ENNIS 5Y LED 5DENNA #ORP AND #HELSEA ,OGISTICS (OLDINGS #ORP AND STATE RUN #HINA 4ELECOMMUNICATIONS #ORP WHICH WAS CHOSEN

³Impact B4

DEPOSITS 4HE 5NITED +INGDOM THE 5NITED 3TATES 3INGAPORE (ONG +ONG AND ,UXEMBOURG WERE THE TOP kVE INVESTOR COUNTRIES MAKING UP PERCENT OF THE TOTAL !PRIL S OUTlOWS OF BILLION

MEANWHILE REPRESENTED A PERCENT DECREASE FROM -ARCH S BILLION

BUT MARKED A PERCENT INCREASE FROM BILLION A YEAR AGO 4HE 5NITED 3TATES REMAINED THE MAIN DESTINATION OF REPATRIATED FUNDS

ACCOUNTING FOR PERCENT 4AKING PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE kRST

³Outflows B4

Debt-to-GDP ratio up 44% on domestic borrowings DOMESTIC borrowings made by the national government pushed the Philippines’ debt-togross domestic product (GDP) ratio higher at end-March, the Department of Finance (DoF) reported on Thursday.

National government debt as a percentage of GDP rose to 44 percent as of end-March from 42.6 percent a year ago, which the department attributed to the increase in domestic debt.

A report released earlier by the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the national government’s outstanding debt ballooned to a record-high P7.802 trillion in March.

Domestic borrowings totaling P5.196 trillion — up 6.1 percent from the previous month — accounted for the bulk of outstanding debt.

This resulted in domestic debt-to-GDPratio of 29.3 percent as of end-March, higher than the year-earlier’s 27.6 percent “as the government shifted to local sources of borrowing to reduce foreign-exchange risks,” the Finance department said.

In a comment, Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice President and lead economist Emilio Neri Jr. expressed concern on the impact of higher debt-toGDP ratio on the country’s credit-worthiness.

“We hope this won’t signal that we have seen a medium-term bottom for the Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio,” he said “A reversal in this key indicator can have significant implications on the aspirations of the administration to get an ‘A’ rating among the major risk-rating agencies,” he added.

On the other hand, external obligations

³Borrowings B4

Central bank cuts small banks’ RRR by 300 bps 4(% BANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 BANK HAS REDUCED THE RESERVE REQUIREMENT RATIO 222 OF SMALL BANKS ON 4HURSDAY WITH MONETARY AUTHORITIES ORDERING A TOTAL OF BASIS POINTS BPS REDUCTION ON THE LIQUIDITY MOPPING TOOL g4HIS MORNING THE -ONETARY "OARD DECIDED TO CUT THE 222 FOR THRIFT SAV-

INGS ;RURAL= AND COOPERATIVE BANKS u "30 'OVERNOR "ENJAMIN $IOKNO ANNOUNCED IN A MESSAGE TO REPORTERS 4HRIFT AND SAVINGS BANKS RESERVE REQUIREMENT WILL BE REDUCED BY A TOTAL OF BPS TO PERCENT FROM THE CURRENT PERCENT !N INITIAL BPS REDUCTION WILL TAKE EFFECT ON -AY 4HIS WILL BE FOL-

LOWED BY BPS CUTS ON *UNE AND BY *ULY -EANWHILE THE 222 OF RURAL AND COOPERATIVE BANKS WILL BE SLASHED BY BPS TO PERCENT FROM THE CURRENT PERCENT 4HE REDUCTION COMES A WEEK AFTER THE -ONETARY "OARD DECIDED TO CUT UNIVERSAL AND COMMERCIALS BANKS PERCENT RESERVE REQUIREMENT TO PERCENT

4HE BPS REDUCTION ACCORDING TO ANALYSTS WILL INFUSE ABOUT 0 BILLION ADDITIONAL LIQUIDITY INTO THE kNANCIAL SYSTEM 4HE 222 IS THE PROPORTION OF CURRENT DEPOSITS THAT BANKS NEED TO KEEP WITH THE CENTRAL BANK AGAINST THE SUM THEY CAN LOAN OUT TO BORROWERS

³Cuts B4

Vehicle-import sales PSEi down on lowered climb 12.1% in April forecast, profit-taking 3!,%3 OF IMPORTED VEHICLES CONTINUE TO GROW FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH

REACHING UNITS IN !PRIL ON THE BACK OF INCREASING DEMAND )N A REPORT ON 4HURSDAY THE !SSOCIATION OF 6EHICLE )MPORTERS AND $ISTRIBUTORS !6)$ SAID THE kGURE WAS A PERCENT IMPROVEMENT FROM UNITS A YEAR AGO !PRIL S GROWTH WAS STRONGER THAN THE PERCENT POSTED IN -ARCH WHEN

UNITS WERE SOLD 4HE GROUP HAS BEEN POSTING SALES OF PLUS UNITS SINCE &EBRUARY

RECOVERING FROM THE UNITS SOLD IN *ANUARY g4HE STRONG !PRIL PERFORMANCE SIGNIkES THAT DEMAND FOR AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES IS SLOWLY INCREASING EVENTUALLY LEADING TO WHAT WE FORECAST AS A STRONG INDUSTRY RECOVERY u !6)$

³Sales B4

4(% STOCK MARKET RETREATED ON 4HURSDAY AS INVESTOR SENTIMENT WAS DENTED

BY ANOTHER CUT IN THE COUNTRY S ECONOMIC GROWTH FORECAST WHILE PROkT TAKING BROKE FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS OF GAINS 4HE BENCHMARK 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX 03%I DROPPED BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO CLOSE AT

WHILE THE WIDER !LL 3HARES DECLINED BY PERCENT OR

POINTS TO END AT

"ROKERAGE kRM 0HILSTOCKS &INANCIAL )NC SAID THE DECISION OF &ITCH 3OLUTIONS TO DOWNGRADE ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH OUTLOOK HAD DAMPENED SENTIMENT 4HE &ITCH 'ROUP UNIT ANNOUNCED ON 7EDNESDAY THAT IT HAD TRIMMED THE COUNTRY S ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR TO PERCENT FROM THE PRE-

³Downgrade B4

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

ADB approves $2.75-B fund for Luzon railway 4

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

HE !SIAN $EVELOPMENT "ANK !$" ON 4HURSDAY APPROVED A BILLION FUND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE KILOMETER PASSENGER RAILWAY CONNECTING -ALOLOS "ULACAN TO #LARK )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT g4HIS IS THE LARGEST !$" kNANCED PROJECT EVER AND FROM A DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE 7E ARE DELIGHTED THAT IT IS HAPPENING HERE IN OUR HOST COUNTRY THE 0HILIPPINES u SAID !$" #OUNTRY $IRECTOR IN THE 0HILIPPINES +ELLY "IRD IN A MEDIA BRIEkNG 4HE -ALOLOSm#LARK RAILWAY IS PART OF THE .ORTHm3OUTH #OMMUTER 2AILWAY .3#2 PROJECT A KM SUBURBAN RAILWAY NETWORK STRETCHING FROM .EW #LARK #ITY IN 4ARLAC TO #ALAMBA IN ,AGUNA )T IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY !$" 0RINCIPAL 4RANSPORT 3PECIALIST FOR 3OUTHEAST !SIA -ARKUS 4OESNER SAID THE PROJECT INVOLVES

THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO RAIL SEGMENTS A KM SECTION FROM -ALOLOS #ITY IN "ULACAN AND A KM EXTENSION CONNECTING .3#2 TO "LUEMENTRITT STATION IN -ANILA WHERE AN ELEVATED INTERCHANGE STATION FOR ,IGHT 2AIN 4RANSIT ,INE WILL BE BUILT 4HE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO CUT TRAVEL TIME FROM -ETRO -ANILA TO #LARK !IRPORT TO LESS THAN AN HOUR FROM THE CURRENT TO HOURS BY CAR OR BUS TODAY )T IS COkNANCED WITH UP TO BILLION BY THE *APAN )NTERNATIONAL #OORPERATION !GENCY *)#!

WHICH WILL FUND THE ROLLING STOCK AND RAILWAY SYSTEMS !$" WILL kNANCE THE CIVIL WORKS

OF THE RAILWAY PROJECT INCLUDING THE STATIONS BRIDGES AND VIADUCTS FOR THE ELEVATED RAILWAY ALIGNMENT

AND A TUNNEL LEADING TO THE UNDERGROUND STATION AT #LARK !IRPORT 4HE RAILWAY PROJECT WILL HAVE SEVEN STATIONS WHICH WILL BE LOCATED IN #ALUMPIT !PALIT 3AN &ERNANDO !NGELES #LARK #LARK )NTERNATIONAL !IRPORT ALL THE WAY TO "LUEMENTRITT 0ARTIAL OPERATION WHICH IS EXPECTED TO START BY CAN SERVE AT LEAST PASSENGERS DAILY g4HE OPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE OF THE PROJECT WILL BE BID OUT TO PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES WHICH HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE ESPECIALLY IN TAKING CARE OF THE HIGH TRAFFIC DEMAND AND THE HIGH SPEED KM PER HOUR THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE ACHIEVED ON THIS LINE u SAID 2OESNER $EPARTMENT OF 4RANSPORTATION $/4R !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY 'ODDES (OPE ,IBIRAN SAID CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT ALONE WILL EMPLOY

WORKERS

g4HE .3#2 IS ONE OF THE VARIOUS RAILWAY PROJECTS UNDER THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION AS WE AIM TO EXTEND THE EXISTING KM OF RAILWAYS TO A TOTAL OF KM OF RAIL LINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY u SHE SAID "ASES AND #ONVERSION $EVELOPMENT !UTHORITY "#$! 0RESIDENT 6INCE $IZON MEANWHILE SAID THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER BOOST ECONOMIC GROWTH OUTSIDE -ETRO -ANILA g4HE VISION FOR THE #LARK AREA IS TO MAKE IT THE NEXT METROPOLIS THE NEXT URBAN AND ECONOMIC CENTER FOR THE COUNTRY 4HE -ANILA TO #LARK RAILWAY IS A KEY COMPONENT OF MAKING THIS VISION A REALITY u HE SAID &INANCE !SSISTANT 3ECRETARY 4ONY ,AMBINO SAID THE PROJECT WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT ACHIEVE ITS !MBISYON GOALS g4HE !MBISYON .ATIN IS ABOUT GETTING TO HIKE INCOME COUNTRY STATUS BY AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF COUNTRY THAT WILL HELP US GET THERE u HE SAID

‘Lean-and-mean’ NFA gets nod THE proposed restructuring plan of the National Food Authority (NFA) has been approved by the NFA Council, the decision-making policy body of the grains agency.

It now awaits review and approval from the Governance Commission for Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GCG) as stipulated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tarrification Law. In a statement, NFA acting administrator Tomas Escarez said the NFA Council on Tuesday approved the restructuring plan “with minor reservations.” The reorganization of the grains agency was seen to displace 869 employees.

“While our reorganization is still a work in progress, we are happy to announce that majority of what we have planned, and agreed on, based on the nationwide consultations conducted by our Change Management Team (CMT), were approved by the NFA Council,” Escarez said.

“With the Council imprimatur, we are confident that the outcome of this restructuring will be a win-win situation for our employees,” he added.

Based on the released IRR of RA 11203, the NFA is given a 60-day transition period from the effectivity of the IRR to restructure or reorganize. The grains

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Denying SHARES AT 0 EACH !%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH

!%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH !%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH !%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH /N -AY

HE BOUGHT

!%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH (IS ACQUISITIONS TOTALING

!%6 COMMON SHARES ARE ALL LODGED WITH 0#$ .OMINEE #ORP ACCORDING TO HIS OWN kLING

AEV insider !NA -ARIA ! $ELGADO IS A REGULAR MEMBER OF !%6 S NINE PERSON BOARD /N -AY

HER ACQUISITION OF !%6 COMMON SHARES AT 0 EACH INCREASED HER INDIRECT HOLDINGS TO

!%6 COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT

OF WHICH SHE DIRECTLY OWNS !%6 COMMON SHARES 3HE SAID THAT AS OF -AY

SHE HELD

!%6 COMMON SHARES INCLUDING !%6 COMMON SHARES WHICH SHE SAID SHE DIRECTLY OWNS /N -AY

!%6 COMMON SHARES OPENED TRADING AT 0 HIT

Q GAMBOA FROM B1

Preventing MILLION METRIC TONS ANNUALLY 3OUTH 0ACIkC )NC 30) IS A FAST RISING COMPANY IN THIS INDUSTRY "ARELY FOUR YEARS OLD 30) HAS ALREADY BECOME THE COUNTRY S THIRD LARGEST ,0' kRM WITH TWO EXISTING TERMINALS LOCATED IN "ATANGAS AND #EBU PROVINCES 30) 0RESIDENT )NIGO g*UNu 'OLINGAY REVEALED IN A MEDIA INTERVIEW THAT HAVING THE BIGGEST ,0' STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY CONTRIBUTED TO 30) S PHENOMENAL GROWTH IN SUCH A SHORT SPAN OF TIME g4HE NAME OF THE GAME IS LOGISTICS 7E HAVE OUR OWN lEET UNLIKE COMPETITORS THAT RELY ON THIRD

agency is given 30 days to submit its Restructuring and Reorganization Plan to GCG for review and approval within 30 days.

Some of the salient revisions in the proposed restructuring plan included that “NFA shall become a lean and mean organization, with just the right structure and personnel complement to suit its new mandate of buffer stocking with financial stability.”

Escarez said the plan would offer affected employees options to apply for vacant positions under the new structure; be matched with another employee who is not affected, based on qualification standards of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), or avail of the compensation package.

“As approved by the Council, there will no longer be CTI (co-terminus with the incumbent) positions in the new NFA structure. Thus, all CTI positions under EO (Executive Order) 366 reorganization are automatically affected. The same options as those employees affected by the RA 11203 reorganization will apply,” Escarez said.

With the NFA Council’s endorsement, two sets of compensation package were proposed for GCG’s final determination, Escarez said. Affected employees may choose a maximum of one and a half months’ salary

A HIGH OF 0 DROPPED TO LOW OF 0 AND CLOSED THE SESSION AT 0 4HE STOCK REPORTED A DAY HIGH OF 0 AND DAY LOW OF 0

Ownership profile !S OF -ARCH

THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS OF 'LOBE 4ELECOM )NC ',/ WERE LISTED AS HOLDERS OF

MILLION ',/ COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT OF

OUTSTANDING ',/ COMMON SHARES ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY S PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REPORT 0/2 'LOBE 4ELECOM ALSO LISTED 3INGAPORE 4ELECOM )NT L 0TE ,TD AS HOLDER OF

',/ COMMON SHARES

OR PERCENT AND !YALA #ORP AS OWNER OF

',/ COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT !S PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS !# AND 3INGAPORE 4ELECOM COMBINED FOR DIRECT OWNERSHIP OF

',/ COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT 4HE QUESTION COULD BE HOW A FOREIGN COMPANY SUCH AS 3INGAPORE 4ELECOM EXCEEDED PERCENT WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIMITED TO OWNING UP TO A MAXIMUM OF PERCENT OF OUTSTANDING )N A kLING DATED -AY

'LOBE 4ELECOM REPORTED gADDITIONPARTY FLEETS ,OSSES ON PRODUCT DELIVERY IS AVOIDED BECAUSE WE OWN THE TRUCKS FOR GREATER RELIABILITY AND WE HIRE THE DRIVERS FOR CONTINUOUS SERVICE u HE SAID 7ITH BIGGER STORAGE CAPACITY COMES THE CRITICAL VOLUME TO JUSTIFY PROPER TURNOVER ON THE USE OF STORAGE 4O MANAGE ITS PILFERAGE LEVELS

ALL OF 30) S MORE THAN TRUCKS HAVE '03 CAPABILITY AS WELL AS FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS TO COUNTERACT THE STEALING OF PRODUCTS g30) S DRIVERS EARN COMPETITIVE SALARIES AT PAR WITH THE INDUSTRY STANDARD 7E CAN COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THEM DOWN TO THE SPEED AT WHICH THEY ARE DRIVING 4HE MONITORING OF TRUCKS IS ON A PER DELIVERY BASIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO INSTILL IN THE DRIVERS MINDS NOT TO RISK COMMITTING PILFERAGE u

for every year of service, as stated in the IRR of RA 11203 or maximum of two months’ salary for every year of service, based on the compensation package given to former employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) who were displaced in the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Law. “While waiting for the GCG approval, our CMT and NFA Management shall proceed with preparations related to the succeeding procedural requirements of restructuring under the IRR. General and specific guidelines on the step-by-step procedures for the implementation of our restructuring plan shall be finalized,” Escarez said.

The Rice Tarrification Law has revised the NFA’s mandate from ensuring national food security and stabilizing supply and prices of rice, to buffer stocking for emergencies and calamities.

The new law also stipulates that NFA shall source its buffer stock solely from local farmers.

Currently, the NFA buys clean and dry paddy rice at P20.70 per kilo, giving local farmers with a P3.70 incentive per kilo to the P17 per kilo buying price.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

AL ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARESu

WHICH COVERS THE gCOMPANY S LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN ,4)0 AND EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN TOTALING COMMON SHARES AND COMMON SHARES

RESPECTIVELY u 'LOBE 4ELECOM SAID THE ADDITIONAL ISSUANCES INCREASED ITS OUTSTANDING COMMON SHARES TO

)T ALSO ISSUED

VOTING PREFERRED SHARES AND MILLION 3ERIES ! NON VOTING PERPETUAL PREFERRED SHARES 7HEN ADDED 'LOBE 4ELECOM SHOULD HAVE

OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK DIVIDED INTO COMMON VOTING AND NON VOTING PREFERRED SHARES 'LOBE 4ELECOM S COMMON SHARES TRADED AT 0

HIT A HIGH OF 0

FELL TO A LOW OF 0

AND CLOSED THE SESSION AT 0

4HE STOCK RECORDED A DAY HIGH OF 0 AND A MONTH S LOW OF 0

Due Diligencer’s take 4HE 3ECURITIES AND %XCHANGE #OMMISSION SHOULD HAVE NOTIkED TOP EXECUTIVES OF LISTED COMPANIES THAT IT WOULD BE UNETHICAL TO EITHER BUY OR SELL THE COMMON SHARES ISSUED BY THEIR OWN COMPANIES HE ADDED !NOTHER BIG INVESTMENT IS THE BUILDING OF TERMINALS WITH JETTIES TO FACILITATE THE DELIVERY OF PRODUCTS BY SEA 30) INVESTED AROUND 0 MILLION FOR ITS #EBU TERMINAL CUM JETTY THAT STARTED OPERATIONS RECENTLY g7E ARE BUYING ADDITIONAL TRUCKS SO WE CAN DELIVER EVEN IF THE SMALL CUSTOMERS DON T HAVE THEIR OWN VEHICLES u 'OLINGAY DISCLOSED EXPLAINING THAT gTIMELY DELIVERY IS IMPORTANT TO US AND HAVING OUR OWN lEET DIFFERENTIATES US FROM OUR COMPETITORS ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM TRUCK BREAKDOWNS AND THE ATTITUDE OF DRIVERS u .ON RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS HAS BECOME ONE OF 30) S STRENGTHS AND WHEN THE BUSINESS GROWS ITS lEET WILL INCREASE FURTHER 4HE kRM WILL NOT

4HESE INSIDERS WHO ARE AT THE SAME TIME REGULAR DIRECTORS REPRESENT THE VERY RICH FAMILIES THAT CONTROL THE BOARD !T THE SAME TIME

THESE REGULAR DIRECTORS APPOINT THE )$S 7ILL ANY OF THESE )$S OPPOSE THE MANAGEMENT THAT APPOINTS THEM (ERE IS WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS A PARADOX 'LOBE 4ELECOM ISSUED ADDITIONAL ISSUANCE OF COMMON SHARES )T EVEN HAD VOTING PREFERRED AND NON VOTING PREFERRED SHARES AS PART OF ITS OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK WHICH INCREASED ITS OUTSTANDING CAPITAL STOCK TO

SHARES 4HE PROBLEM IS DESPITE THESE ADDITIONAL ISSUANCES THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS OWNERSHIP LEVEL DROPPED TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT

AND PUBLIC OWNERSHIP LEVEL TO PERCENT FROM PERCENT 4HIS MAY ONLY BE A REMOTE POSSIBILITY %VEN SO 'LOBE 4ELECOM SHOULD NOT HAVE PAMPERED ITS FOREIGN STOCKHOLDER BY ISSUING TO IT VOTING PREFERRED SHARES "Y THE WAY ARE 'LOBE 4ELECOM S PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS FULLY INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF VOTING PREFERRED SHARES HELD BY 3INGAPORE 4ELECOM *UST ASKING

ESDPEREZ GMAIL COM COMPETE ON THE RETAIL LEVEL BUT SUPPORTS ALL BRANDS AND SELLS MOSTLY TO INDEPENDENT NEW PLAYERS -ORE TERMINALS ARE BEING PLANNED IN THE 6ISAYAS AND -INDANAO REGIONS

WITH MAJOR CITIES BEING EYED SUCH AS )LOILO "ACOLOD 4ACLOBAN #AGAYAN DE /RO :AMBOANGA $AVAO OR 'ENERAL 3ANTOS !CCORDING TO 'OLINGAY 30) S PROJECTED MARKET SHARE FOR IS AT LEAST AND THE GOAL IS TO BECOME .O SOON OWING TO THE PRODUCTION AND REVENUES COMING FROM ITS 6IS -IN OPERATIONS g,OGISTICS IS OUR MAIN CHALLENGE AND ALSO OUR STRENGTH u HE CONCLUDED 4HE AUTHOR IS #&/ OF THE !SIAN #ENTER FOR ,EGAL %XCELLENCE AND #HAIRMAN OF THE &).%8 'OLDEN *UBILEE "OOK 0ROJECT

Return on experience #

534/-%2 CENTRICITY HAS BEEN A COMMON STRATEGY FOR MANY COMPANIES )T IS AN APPROACH OF OFFERING A GREAT CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FROM THE AWARENESS STAGE THROUGH THE ACTUAL PROVISION OF GOODS OR SERVICES AND UP UNTIL THE POST PURCHASE PROCESS 0ROVIDING POSITIVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THE FOREMOST INSIGHT IN 0W# S TH 'LOBAL !NNUAL #ONSUMER )NSIGHTS 3URVEY WHICH INCLUDES RESPONDENTS FROM THE 0HILIPPINES 4HE SURVEY SHOWED THAT APART FROM THE TRADITIONAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT 2/)

WHICH HAS BEEN A WIDELY USED MEASURE TO DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OF AN ORGANIZATION THERE IS A CLAMOR TO INTRODUCE ANOTHER METRIC REGARDLESS OF INDUSTRY TYPE ONE WITH A gLASER FOCUSu ON CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE m RETURN ON EXPERIENCE 2/8 (OW CAN A COMPANY IMPROVE ITS 2/8 3IX CONCRETE ACTIONS WERE DISCUSSED IN THE SURVEY TO HELP COMPANIES IMPROVE ITS 2/8 FUSING CONSUMER EXPERIENCE AND EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE CONVEYING SHARED VALUES TO ENGAGE CUSTOMERS IN MEANINGFUL WAYS BUILDING ON DISCRETE MOMENTS THAT EARN LOYALTY OVER TIME UNDERSTANDING THE CUSTOMERS THROUGH THEIR BEHAVIORS

TREATING CONSUMERS DATA WITH RESPECT AND WINNING OVER CUSTOMERS ON PREMISE BY UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO EXPERIENCE AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS THROUGH EASE OF NAVIGATION BREADTH QUALITY OF SELECTION PRICE OR EXCLUSIVITY ,ET S TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THREE OF THOSE ACTION POINTS

Fuse consumer experience and employee experience "ETTER EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE WILL LEAD TO BETTER CONSUMER EXPERIENCE %MPLOYEES WHETHER OF AN ONLINE OR A PHYSICAL SHOP

STILL INTERACT WITH CUSTOMERS 4HIS MEANS EMPLOYEES ARE IN A POSITION TO SHAPE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AT THE POINT OF PURCHASE SET THE EMOTIONAL TONE AND MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING CONSUMERS AFFECTIONS AND LEAVING THEM COLD 7HEN RESPONDENTS WERE ASKED ON WHAT WOULD IMPROVE THEIR IN STORE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE ACCESS TO SALES ASSOCIATES WITH A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF PRODUCT RANGE RANKED SECOND AT PERCENT %MPLOYEES PERCEIVE THAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE BEGINS WITH A GREAT CULTURE (OWEVER THERE SEEMS TO BE A GAP IN THE WAY THAT LEADERS AND EMPLOYEES VIEW THEIR ORGANIZATION S CULTURE AS REVEALED IN THE LATEST 'LOBAL #ULTURE SURVEY BY 0W# 3IXTY THREE PERCENT OF # SUITE EXECUTIVES AND BOARD MEMBERS SAID THEIR ORGANIZATION S CULTURE WAS STRONG BUT ONLY PERCENT OF NON MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES AGREED 4HIS HUGE DIFFERENCE IN PERSPECTIVE APPEARS ALARMING AND THIS GAP SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FIRST BEFORE A GREAT CULTURE WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION CAN HAPPEN 4O NARROW AND ULTIMATELY CLOSE THE GAP IN CULTURE PERSPECTIVE COMPANIES SHOULD FIRST IDENTIFY THE TRAITS UNIQUE TO THE COMPANY AND RESONATE WITH EMPLOYEES 4HEN IDENTIFY BEHAVIORS THAT SHOULD BE CULTIVATED WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION TO ALIGN WITH THE TRAITS AND COMPANY OBJECTIVES (ARNESSING AND MAINTAINING POSITIVE EMOTIONAL ENERGY WITHIN AN ORGANIZATION ARE CRITICAL IN ACHIEVING CULTURAL CHANGE 4HIS IS THE SAME ENERGY THAT WILL MOTIVATE EMPLOYEES TO GO ABOVE THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO WORK TOWARDS THE OBJECTIVES OF THEIR ORGANIZATION SOMETIMES EVEN WITHSTANDING INCENTIVES SUCH AS PAY AND BENEFITS 7HEN EMPLOYEES ARE ENGAGED AND SATISFIED THEY TURN OUT TO BE THE GREATEST BRAND AMBASSADORS OF A COMPANY

Understand customers (AVING AN UNDERSTANDING OF CUSTOMER BEHAVIORS CAN REVEAL OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERACT IN A MORE MEANINGFUL WAY SUCH AS HELPING MARKETERS DEVISE PERSONALIZED OFFERS AND ENGAGING PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE READY TO BUY #ONSIDERING CUSTOMER BEHAVIORS CAN HELP COMPANIES SEE CUSTOMERS IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT AS COMPARED TO SEGM E N T A T I O N BY D E M O G R A P HICS ALONE &OR INSTANCE THERE ARE CONSUMERS CONSIDERED AS g$IGITAL FIRST MOVERu OR THOSE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN ADOPTING THE LATEST DIGITAL TRENDS )N TERMS OF SHOPPING ACTIVITY

DIGITAL FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ARE THE NORM WITH MORE THAN PERCENT HAVING UNDERTAKEN ONLINE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST MONTHS AND MORE THAN PERCENT OWN OR PLAN TO OWN ALL TYPES OF SMART DEVICES 4HIS TYPE OF CONSUMERS CAN BE A GOOD TARGET FOR LATEST SMART TECHNOLOGY AND DEVICES AND EVEN FOR INVESTMENT IN BITCOIN CURRENCIES /N THE OTHER HAND THERE ARE STILL CONSUMERS WHO ARE CONSIDERED AS g2ELUCTANT DIGITISTu WHO STILL FAVOR TRADITIONAL BUYING METHODS 4HEY ARE LESS INTERESTED IN ONLINE SHOPPING OR DO NOT USE TECHNOLOGY AT ALL FOR THEIR PURCHASES &OR THESE CONSUMERS IT IS STILL IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THE TRADITIONAL TOUCHPOINTS WITH SALES ASSOCIATES 7ITH THE DIFFERENT BEHAVIORAL AND ATTITUDINAL ATTRIBUTES OF CONSUMERS COMPANIES CAN BRING TOGETHER COMMERCIAL INVESTMENTS TO DELIVER SEAMLESS

END TO END EXPERIENCES TAILORED TO A SPECIFIC CONTEXT

Treat customer’s data with respect #USTOMERS ARE DEMANDING GREATER CONTROL OVER THEIR PERSONAL DATA AND GREATER TRANSPARENCY ON WHAT BUSINESSES ARE COLLECTING AND HOW THEY ARE SHARING AND USING THEM ! LESSON CAN BE LEARNED FROM STARTUPS WHICH ENTICE CUSTOMERS TO SHARE DATA BY ENLISTING THEM AS CO DEVELOPERS OF PILOT PROGRAMS FOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WHERE THEY HAVE VESTED INTEREST #OMPANIES CAN FULLY INVOLVE CYBERSECURITY AND PRIVACY PERSONNEL IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION PROJECTS FROM THE START 4HIS WOULD INCLUDE ESTABLISHING POLICIES GOVERNING ACCESS TO )4 ASSETS AND DATA IMPLEMENTING DATA GOVERNANCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING DATA PROTECTION AND MANAGING RISKS FOR THE WHOLE DATA LIFE CYCLE $ATA IS A POWERFUL MEANS FOR COMPANIES TO FULLY TAILOR THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE

AND CONSUMERS WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE MORE DATA IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE THAT THESE ARE BEING HANDLED DISCREETLY AND SECURELY 4HE JOURNEY TO BEING A TRULY CUSTOMER CENTRIC COMPANY CAN TAKE SOME TIME BUT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CHANGES TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR BOTH EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS 7HEN COMPANIES PUT CUSTOMERS FIRST AND AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING THEY DO THIS WILL YIELD SATISFACTION LOYALTY AND GROWTH m THIS IS THE RETURN ON EXPERIENCE

2UTH & "LASCO IS AN !SSURANCE 0ARTNER !SSURANCE ,EARNING $EVELOPMENT 0ARTNER AND -ETHODOLOGY 0ARTNER OF )SLA ,IPANA #O THE 0HILIPPINE MEMBER kRM OF THE 0W# NETWORK &OR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL MARKETS PH PWC COM 4HIS CONTENT IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTATION WITH PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Corporate News

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

B3

SMC units to appeal PSA ruling reglementary period.â&#x20AC;?

The holding company received IRMS under the power arm of listed ON -AY A COPY OF THE HIGH COURT S conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) May 3 ruling that said all power deals on or after June 30, 2015 must WILL kLE A MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION ON signed undergo a competitive selection prothe Supreme Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent decision to subject cess (CSP) for the purchase of electricall power-supply agreements (PSAs) made in ity by distribution utilities (DUs).

CSPs are designed to protect conend-June 2015 onward to public bidding. sumers, and rules under them require In a disclosure to the Philippine owned subsidiaries Mariveles Power DUs to get at least two offers for power Dealing and Exchange Corp. on Generation Corp. and Central Lu- supply before awarding a deal, ensurWednesday, SMC Global Power zon Premiere Power Corp. would ing that consumers get the least cost.

Holdings Corp. said its wholly kLE THE MOTION gWITHIN THE GIVEN The verdict invalidated the resolu-

F

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

tions issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) postponing the CSP requirement in October 2015 and March 2016, respectively â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which the Supreme Court regarded as grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

The decision stemmed from a COMPLAINT kLED IN BY CONSUMER group Alyansa ng Bagong Pilipinas Inc. that named the two SMC Global Power units as among the defendants.

In that complaint, the group asked the high court to stop the ERC

from approving PSAs amounting to P12 billion annually between the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and its AFkLIATES SAYING THESE WERE NEGOTIated, instead of being subjected to competitive bidding.

Meralco has power deals not only with Mariveles Power and Central Luzon Premierem, but also with Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., Atimonan One Energy Inc., St. Raphael Power Generation Corp., Panay Energy Development Corp., and Global Luzon Energy Development Corp.

The plan to ask for reconsideration came despite San Miguel President AND #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER 2AMON Ang saying that his company would COMPLY WITH THE HIGH COURT S VERDICT â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lahat kami, kailangang sumunod sa kautusan ng batas (All of us must FOLLOW THE LA W w 7E DON T NEED TO BE scolded to do that,â&#x20AC;? Ang said during A BRIEkNG AFTER 0ETRON #ORP S ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING ON 4UESDAY San Miguel shares lost P2 or 1.10 percent to close at P179.80 apiece on Thursday.

LandBank priority PH Resorts eyes debt, equity offer for casinos sector loans up 20% LAND Bank of the Philippinesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (LandBank) loans to priority sectors reached P721 billion in the first quarter of 2019, up 20 percent from P600 billion in the same period last year.

In a briefing on Thursday, Cecilia Borromeo, the state-run lenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president and chief executive officer, said loans to these sectors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; farmers; fishermen; agriculture; micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; represented 93 percent of all LandBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loans, which hit P778 billion in January to March.

Outstanding loans to small farmers and fishermen (SFFs) rose by 12 percent to P45.3 billion in the three months from P40.4 billion a year ago. Total loans released to them, meanwhile, amounted to P13 billion, benefiting 128,496 individuals. Total loans supporting agriculture and fisheries reached P172 billion in the period.

Of the amount, P117 billion were for agriand aqua-businesses and the remaining P54.9 billion were loans for agri-aquarelated projects of local government units (LGUs) and GOCCs. To widen LandBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s loan exposure to SFFs, Borromeo said the bank continued to collaborate with the Agriculture and Agrarian Reform departments and LGUs in reducing unbanked municipalities and individuals.

Loans to GOCCs hit P504 billion, of

which P126.7 billion are for utilities, P111.7 billion for SMEs, P59.2 billion for housing, P52.5 billion for transportation, P44.4 billion for communication, P22.3 billion for tourism, P20.5 billion for healthcare, P11.3 billion for environment-related projects, and P9.4 billion for education.

10% increase in income this year Earlier this week, LandkBank reported a net income of P4.75 billion in the first quarter of 2019, a 12-percent increase from P4.26 billion in the same period last year.

For 2019, Borromeo said a 10-percent increase or about P17 billion in net income may be â&#x20AC;&#x153;achievable,â&#x20AC;? as LandBank expects to see strong growth in its loans. LandBank said that for this year, it would open 10 more branches, install an additional 300 automated teller machines (ATMs) and 10 mobile ATMs, put up 40 cash-deposit machines and establish 200 POS cash-out units all over the country.

Areas where these branches would be set up include Maigo in Lanao del Norte province; Aglayan, Malaybalay in Bukidnon province; Bantayan in Cebu province; Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur province; Mangaldan, Umingan and Masinloc in Pangasinan province. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

DENNIS Uy-led PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. plans to tap the debt and equity market by August to raise funds for the construction of its two casinos worth $850 million, and to comply with the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)-mandated MINIMUM PUBLIC lOAT In an interview on the sidelines OF THE kRM S ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS meeting in Pampanga province on Thursday, PH Resorts President Raymundo Martin Escalona said his company could only borrow as much as 70 percent through its subsidiaries, and raise 30 per-

CENT FROM EQUITY TO kNANCE THE $600-million The Emerald integrated resort and casino in Cebu province and the $250-million Clark Resort casino at the Clark Freeport Zone. Total amount from the offers were not disclosed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The intention of PH Resorts, really, is [to comply with the] requirement [of the] PSE [on the] MINIMUM lOAT SO WE WILL GO TO THE market toâ&#x20AC;? for that, he added.

PH Resorts earlier intended to raise P18.5 billion through a followon offer (FOO) covering 1.786 billion common shares, with an

overallotment option of up to 267.95 million at P9 each. It later reduced that to between P3.65 and P5.84 each â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which would let the company generate only P12 billion â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and deferred the FOO in early March, citing suggestions that it should pursue other funding plans.

Under PSE rules, companies seeking to go public are required to have a minimum public ownership (MPO) of 20 percent. PH Resorts went public in January when it acquired a controlling stake in Philippine H2O Ventures Corp. Its public lOAT CURRENTLY STANDS AT PERCENT

It was unclear if the stock offering over the next three months WOULD LIFT 0( 2ESORTS PUBLIC lOAT to 20 percent, but Escalona said the bourse had given the company until 2020 to comply.

During the meeting, shareholdERS APPROVED THE COMPANY S PLAN TO increase its authorized capital stock to P15 billion from the current P8 billion, divided into 15 billion common shares.

3HARES OF 0( 2ESORTS kNISHED UP by 34 centavos or 8.15 percent to P4.51 each on Thursday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

PhilRealty Q1 profit grows 73% to P18.5M PHILIPPINE Realty and Holdings Corp. (PhilRealty) saw its net INCOME IN THE kRST QUARTER OF THE year jump by 73 percent to P18.5 million from P10.7 million in the same period last year.

In a statement on Thursday, PhilRealty President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo del 2OSARIO SAID THE HIGHER NET PROkT was due to tight operational costs and expenses, despite a soft demand in its real-estate projects during the period.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We made sure that we kept a tight rein on our operational costs and expenses, as we recognized that sales are typically slow at the start of THE YEAR )T WAS EFkCIENT OPERATIONS that kept us in the game during the first quarter of this year,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Rental income increased by 16 percent to P2.8 million in January to March, due to expanded leasable spaces, as well as new leasing agreements entered into by the company.

Last month, PhilRealty an-

nounced its plan to double its authorized capital stock from P4 billion to to P8 billion to facilitate new investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the plan on Monday.

The new capital stock shall be composed of 16 billion common shares with a par value of 50 centavos apiece.

The new shares to be generated, PhilRealty said in an earlier disclosure, shall be issued to Greenhills Properties Inc. and Meridian As-

surance Corp. in exchange for the TWO kRMS REAL ESTATE ASSETS COVERing 3,200 square meters of space in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig.

It also said Meridian Assurance WOULD CONTRIBUTE THREE OFkCE CONdominium units and six parking units in the Philippine Stock Exchange in Ortigas Center, Pasig City as well as two commercial condominium units and two parking units in Icon Plaza in BGC. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

B4

Business

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Q BORROWINGS FROM B1

Q OUTFLOWS FROM B1

Debt-to-GDP â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hot moneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; up 2.04 percent to P2.605 trillion at end-March â&#x20AC;&#x201D; translated to a debt-toGDP ratio of 14.7 percent, lower from 14.9 percent a year ago.

However, the DoF said an alternative measure net debt-GDP ratio, which nets out the national government cash balance from the debt level, dropped to 39.2 percent from 39.6 percent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Net debt or debt net of cash balance is a stronger determinant of emerging country spreads than gross debt based on IMF Working Paper â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Does Gross or Net Debt Matter More for Emerging Market Spreads?,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Metodij Hadzi-Vaskov and Luca Antonio Ricci, December 2016,â&#x20AC;? it noted.

Meanwhile, net debt-to-revenue ratio dropped to 238.3 percent from 249.7 percent, and net debt-to-expenditure ratio fell to 203.7 percent from 214.6 percent in the period, â&#x20AC;&#x153;implying the economyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s higher capability to pay,â&#x20AC;? the department said.

It also reported that interest payments as a percentage of GDP increased slightly to 2.56 percent from 2.48 percent â&#x20AC;&#x153;due to higher interest rates as the US [Federal Reserve] ended its quantitative easing and normalized its monetary policy.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;This led to [a] global rise in interest rates,â&#x20AC;? it said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In general, first-quarter 2019 debt statistics show [the] continuation of the favorable trend toward debt reduction.

These favorable numbers indicate that fears of a forthcoming debt crisis are unfounded,â&#x20AC;? the department said.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

THREE DAYS OF -AY INTO ACCOUNT

YEAR TO DATE HOT MONEY lOWS WERE POSITIVE AT A NET INlOW OF MILLION LOWER THAN 0 BILLION A YEAR AGO 3PECULATIVE FUNDS INVESTED IN kNANCIAL ASSETS ARE A COMPONENT OF THE 0HILIPPINES BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

WHICH SUMMARIZES THE COUNTRY S ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS WITH THE REST

OF THE WORLD OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD 4HE "ANGKO 3ENTRAL EXPECTS THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT TO POST A NET OUTFLOW OF ABOUT MILLION THIS YEAR ,AST YEAR HOT MONEY HIT A NET INFLOW OF BILLION THE HIGHEST IN kVE YEARS AND AN ABOUT FACE FROM S MILLION NET OUTlOW 4HE TALLY WAS ALSO BETTER THAN THE "30 S FORECAST OF A MILLION NET OUTFLOW AND WAS THE LARGEST NET INlOW SINCE S BILLION

Q IMPACT FROM B1

DICT LAST .OVEMBER TO COMPETE WITH THE SO CALLED DUOPOLY OF 0,$4 )NC AND 'LOBE 4ELECOM )NC !LSO ON 4HURSDAY 'LOBE 0RESIDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER %RNEST #U SAID (UAWEI AS ITS EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER FOR ITS &IFTH 'ENERATION ' NETWORK HAD ASSURED HIS COMPANY THAT THEIR DEAL WOULD BE KEPT DESPITE THE 53 BAN

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net g4HEY HAVE BEEN VERY INSTRUMENTAL TO 'LOBE S SUCCESS 7E VE BEEN ASSURED THAT OUR SUPPLY ;WOULD= CONTINUE 7E CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM u HE SAID AT A PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE "LOOMBERG )NDUSTRY IN 4AGUIG #ITY 'LOBE IS ON TRACK TO COMMERCIALLY LAUNCH THE ' NETWORK IN *UNE TAPPING HOME SUBSCRIBERS OUTSIDE -ETRO -ANILA WHERE CONSUMERS CAN EXPERIENCE INTERNET SPEEDS AS FAST AS GIGABIT PER SECOND 'BPS Â LISBET K. ESMAEL WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

Q SALES FROM B1

Q DOWNGRADE FROM B1

Vehicle-import sales climb 12.1% in April

PSEi down on lowered forecast, profit-taking

0RESIDENT -A &E 0EREZ !GUDO SAID IN A STATEMENT !LL SEGMENTS SAW GROWTH LAST MONTH 3ALES OF LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES ,#6 Â&#x2021; ACCOUNTING FOR PERCENT OF THE TOTAL Â&#x2021; JUMPED

BY PERCENT TO UNITS IN !PRIL FROM IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR PASSENGER CARS 0#

BY PERCENT TO

FROM AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLES #6

BY PERCENT TO FROM 9EAR TO DATE THE NUMBER OF IMPORTED VEHICLES SOLD INCHED UP BY PERCENT TO UNITS FROM IN THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR AGO

!S OF END !PRIL SALES OF ,#6S GREW BY PERCENT TO UNITS FROM IN AND #6S

BY PERCENT TO FROM UNITS )N CONTRAST SALES OF 0#S SLUMPED BY PERCENT TO

UNITS FROM LAST YEAR S

0EREZ !GUDO IS OPTIMISTIC THAT SALES WOULD IMPROVE IN THE COMING MONTHS GIVEN THE SOUND MACROECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS g7E ARE BOUND TO ENCOUNTER HEADWINDS THIS YEAR INCLUDING SHIFTS IN BUYING PATTERNS AND HIGHER INTEREST RATES BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE INDUSTRY IS GEARED TO TACKLE SUCH CHALLENGES u SHE SAID TYRONE C. PIAD

VIOUS PERCENT CITING THE LOWER THAN EXPECTED GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT '$0 EXPANSION DURING THE kRST QUARTER DUE TO TRADE TENSIONS AND SOFT EXTERNAL DEMAND )N A SEPARATE COMMENT 2EGINA #APITAL $EVELOPMENT #ORP HEAD OF SALES ,UIS ,IMLINGAN SAID INVESTORS REMAINED ON THE SIDELINES AND TOOK PROkTS AFTER FOUR STRAIGHT DAYS IN THE GREEN 4HE LOCAL MARKET FELL IN LINE WITH ITS GLOBAL COUNTERPARTS )N THE 53 THE $OW *ONES DROPPED

BY PERCENT THE 3 0 DECREASED PERCENT AND THE .ASDAQ SHED PERCENT

)N THE REGION 4OKYO LOST PERCENT 3HANGHAI DECLINED PERCENT (ONG +ONG PLUNGED PERCENT 3EOUL DIPPED PERCENT 3INGAPORE SHED PERCENT AND "ANGKOK DROPPED PERCENT /NLY *AKARTA kNISHED HIGHER UP PERCENT )N -ANILA ONLY THE MINING AND OIL AND PROPERTY INDICES INCREASED UP PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY -ORE THAN BILLION ISSUES WERE TRADED VALUED AT 0 BILLION ,OSERS LED WINNERS TO

WHILE ISSUES WERE UNCHANGED ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Q CUTS FROM B1

Central bank cuts P20B additional liquidity )N A COMMENT 2IZAL #OMMERCIAL "ANKING #ORP ECONOMIST -ICHAEL 2ICAFORT SAID THE LATEST 222 CUTS WOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 0 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL PESO LIQUIDITY TO BE INFUSED INTO THE SYSTEM (E EXPLAINED THAT A PERCENTAGE POINT PPT CUT TO THE 222 OF THRIFT AND SAVINGS BANKS IS EQUIVALENT TO 0 BILLION ADDITIONAL PESO LIQUIDITY /N THE OTHER HAND EVERY PPT CUT TO RURAL AND COOPERATIVE BANKS RESERVE REQUIREMENT IS EQUIVALENT TO 0 BILLION 2ICAFORT ADDED (E ALSO SAID THE 222 CUTS WOULD ALLOW SMALLER BANKS TO INCREASE LENDING ACTIVITIES TO CONSUMERS

BUSINESSES AND THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR ESPECIALLY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OR AREAS OUTSIDE -ETRO -ANILA

WHERE MOST OF THE SMALLER BANKS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE LOCATED g4HUS THE RESULTING INCREASE IN LENDING ACTIVITIES BY THE SMALLER BANKS WOULD HELP CONTRIBUTE TO GREATER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

ESPECIALLY IN THE PROVINCES ;OR= REGIONS AND ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO FASTER OVERALL ECONOMIC GROWTH u THE ECONOMIST ADDED MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

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w w w.manilatimes.net REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 226, QUEZON CITY LERMA COLIFLORES-LOGRONIO, Plaintiff, - versus -

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-18-00989

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World

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

The ˜Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

May’s choice: Quit or be ousted L ONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May dug in Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) against a relentless push by rivals and former allies TO REMOVE HER FROM OFkCE AS HER ATTEMPTS to lead Britain out of the European Union appeared to be headed for a dead end.

May resisted calls to rip up her tattered Brexit blueprint and end her embattled premiership after her attempt at compromise was rejected by both her own Conservative Party and opposition lawmakers.

But it seemed only a matter of time. Amid a feverish mood

as rumors and plots swirled through Parliament, Conservative lawmakers set up a showdown meeting with May on Friday, giving her less than 48 hours to announce she will go or face a renewed attempt to oust her.

This as Cabinet minister quit

with an excoriating letter attacking May’s failure to lead Britain out of the EU and hold her divided government together.

Leader of the House of Commons Andrea Leadsom alleged there had been “a complete breakdown of collective responsibility” in government, and said May’s Brexit plan would not “deliver on the referendum result” that saw voters in 2016 opting to leave the EU. Leadsom campaigned to leave the EU in the referendum and was a strong pro-Brexit voice in Cabinet.

Several other senior ministers were reportedly seeking meetings with May to express unhappi-

ness with her Brexit plan — and possibly urge her to quit. But her spokesman, James Slack, said he was “not aware of any discussions” with Cabinet colleagues.

Lawmaker Tom Tugendhat, a leading Conservative moderate, said the only chance of delivering an orderly Brexit was for May “to go — and without delay.”

In the House of Commons, May RECEIVED A lURRY OF CRITICISM AND hostile questions as she implored lawmakers to support a bill implementing Britain’s departure from the EU that she plans to put to a vote in Parliament in June.

Nearly three years after British voters opted to leave the EU,

May said “we need to see Brexit through, to honor the result of the referendum and to deliver the change the British people so clearly demanded.”

If Parliament rejected her deal, she said, “all we have before us is division and deadlock.”

That could serve as a fair summary of Britain’s current situation.

Lawmakers have already rejected May’s divorce deal with the 27 other EU countries three times, and Britain’s long-scheduled departure date of March 29 passed with the country still in the bloc.

In a last-ditch bid to secure support for her Brexit plan, May recently announced concessions

including a promise to give Parliament a vote on whether to hold a new referendum on Britain’s EU membership — something she has long ruled out.

“I have compromised. Now I ask you to compromise too,” she said.

But there was little sign her plea was being heeded. Pro-EU and pro-Brexit lawmakers have only hardened their positions during months of political trench warfare, and they are in no mood to compromise.

Pro-Brexit Conservatives accused May of capitulating to pro-EU demands, and opposition Labor Party lawmakers dismissed her offer as too little, too late. AP

Soldiers surround Jakarta; Modi headed for reelection in India polls 257 protesters arrested JAKARTA: Tens of thousands Indonesian troops were deployed on the streets of the capital Jakarta Thursday, as a deadline approached for a presidential challenger to file an appeal over claims of widespread cheating in last month’s election.

At least six people were killed—including a 17-year-old high school student— after two nights of rioting as police clashed with protesters opposed to the re-election of President Joko Widodo.

The violence has been fanned by claims from Widodo’s rival Prabowo Subianto, a retired general, that the April 17 poll was a fraud.

Indonesia’s election commission on Tuesday confirmed Widodo had beaten Subianto who had until early Friday to file a formal challenge at the Constitutional Court.

The 67-year-old has appealed for calm and said he would pursue legal channels to contest the results, as he did, unsuccessfully, against Widodo in 2014.

Election officials and analysts have discounted Subianto’s claims.

But many of his supporters appeared convinced of rampant cheating in the world’s third-biggest democracy, after India and the United States.

The streets of the capital were relatively quiet Thursday with police and military personnel keeping a close watch on the heart of the city, including the election supervisory agency building — the center of much of the violence — and the presi-

dential palace amid fears of more unrest.

Nearly 60,000 security personnel were deployed Thursday, nearly double the previous number, after Widodo vowed that he “won’t tolerate” more riots.

Authorities have blamed the violence on “provocateurs” that they claimed had come from outside Jakarta to stir up trouble.

“We’ve detained more than 300 suspects and are now interrogating them,” said national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo.

The elections commission office has been barricaded with razor wire and protected by scores of security personnel for days.

Meanwhile, the Jakarta police have arrested 257 rioters involved in violent election demonstrations and more are expected to be arrested as the demonstrations are still going on, Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said here on Wednesday.

“Those rioters were arrested in the last two days in Gambir, Petamburan and around the Bawaslu building,” Argo told a press conference in his office.

He said the rioters involved in clashes with police were apparently from different groups with supporters of the defeated presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto.

The spokesman said the rioters had been paid to incite chaos and carry out aggressive acts against the police.

“We suspect their acts have been wellplanned,” Argo added.

AFP

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party were off to an early lead as votecounting began Thursday following the conclusion of the country’s six-week general election, sending the stock market soaring in anticiPATION OF ANOTHER kVE YEAR TERM for the Hindu nationalist leader.

Election Commission data at midmorning showed the Bharatiya Janata Party leading in contests for 294 out of 542 seats, with its main rival, the Indian National Congress, ahead in 50 contests.

The data didn’t indicate what percentage of the estimated 600 million votes had been counted.

The count was expected to conclude by Thursday evening.

The election has been seen as a referendum on Modi, whose economic reforms have had mixed results but whose popularity as a social underDOG IN )NDIA S HIGHLY STRATIkED SOCIETY has endured. Critics have said his (INDU kRST PLATFORM RISKS EXACERBATing social tensions in the country of 1.3 billion people.

On the campaign trail, Modi presented himself as a self-made man WITH THE CONkDENCE TO CUT RED TAPE and unleash India’s economic potential, and labeled Congress party president Rahul Gandhi, the scion of a political dynasty that lost power in 2014, as an out-of-touch elite.

Half a dozen exit polls released

2 US warships sail through Taiwan Strait for 5th time TAIPEI: Two US warships have sailed through THE 4AIWAN 3TRAIT FOR THE kFTH TIME THIS YEAR

Taipei’s defence ministry said, in an operation bound to provoke a rebuke from Beijing.

The ships entered the strait from the southwest on Wednesday, according to a short ministry statement which did not identify the vessels.

Taiwan’s military “was closely monitoring the whole process and movements in our neighbouring sea and air space according to protocol to maintain regional peace and stability,” it said.

US warships periodically conduct “freedom of navigation” exercises in the narrow waterway separating the Chinese mainland

COVER ME

and Taiwan, triggering angry responses from Beijing every time. ,OCAL MEDIA SAID 7EDNESDAY WAS THE kFTH time US warships traversed the strait this year.

Beijing views any ships passing through the strait as essentially a breach of its sovereignty — while the US and many other nations view the route as international waters open to all.

China sees Taiwan as part of its territory to BE REUNIkED DESPITE THE TWO SIDES BEING RULED separately since the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949.

The US diplomatically recognizes China over Taiwan, but remains the island’s chief military ally and arms supplier.

AFP

Arrested drug smuggling suspects cover their faces with seized packages of marijuana at a press conference in Banda Aceh. Indonesian police seized 1 ton of packed marijuana during a raid. AFP PHOTO

VICTORY SMILE

An Indian supporter of Bharatiya Janata Party dances as she celebrates the results of India’s general election in Siliguri, India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is headed, and almost certain, of reelection by the world’s largest electorate. AFP PHOTO after voting concluded Sunday showed Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party winning. A party or coalition needs a simple majority, or 272 of the seats in Parliament’s lower house, to govern.

“Mr. Modi’s going to be the next prime minister, we are very assured of that,” said Meenakshi Lekhi, a member of Parliament running for reelection in New Delhi.

Trump demands probe end, walks out of meeting WASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump abruptly stalked out of a White House meeting with congressional leaders Wednesday (Thursday IN -ANILA lATLY DECLARING HE WOULD NO LONGER work with Democrats unless they drop all investigations in the aftermath of the special counsel’s Trump-Russia report.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called it all “very, very, very strange” and said she was praying for Trump and the nation. Trump tweeted his thanks for her prayers but said he would not proceed down two tracks — investigation and legislation.

Democrats said his ultimatum seemed scripted, with signs declaring his innocence already prepared for his outdoor remarks that followed. Yet Trump’s unease with congressional oversight and talk of what he called the “i-word” — impeachment — now threatens to deprive him of legislative accomplishments for the remainder of his term.

The scene playing out live on television was reminiscent of earlier ones at the White House, including during the federal government shutdown, when Trump walked out on Democrats. While this standoff COULD BENEkT HIM POLITICALLY IN THE SHORT TERM WITH his tough talk stirring up supporters, it leaves his trade deals, a new budget and other goals in jeopardy as he heads into a reelection campaign. Democrats called it another Trump temper tantrum.

“I want to do infrastructure,” Trump said he told Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, noting the scheduled topic of the meeting.

“But you know what? We can’t do it under these circumstances,” he said he told them. “So, get these phony investigations over.”

Without ever shaking anyone’s hand, or even taking a seat, Trump turned and left the three-minute meeting. He strode to the Rose Garden where reporters and television cameras had been assembled and proceeded to assail the Democrats, particularly Pelosi for her comment earlier in the morning on Capitol Hill that she believed the president was engaged in a “cover-up” of the Russia probe. AP

By midmorning, India’s Sensex had jumped 2.3 percent to an alltime high over 40,000.

Crowds gathered in New Delhi to watch the results come on big light emitting diode screens at Connaught Place.

Mohammad Shamshad, a 21-year-old mechanical engineer standing among about two dozen men watching live results, said it

was too early to call.

“It’s like a cricket match — anyone can win,” he said.

In the world’s largest democratic exercise, voters cast ballots on some 40 million electronic voting machines, a method India began using 15 years ago after complaints that the manual count of paper ballots was tainted by fraud and abuse.

AP

Worldinbriefs EU POLLS KICK OFF THE Hague: Polls opened in the Netherlands on Thursday for European Parliament elections, launching four days of voting across the European Union (EU) in which populists hope to make big gains. Britain and the Netherlands are the first countries to vote in the polls, with more than 400 million voters across the 28-nation bloc eligible to elect 751 MEPs. Flamboyant Dutch eurosceptic Thierry Baudet and his populist Forum for Democracy are on course to match Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s Liberals with five European Parliament seats each, according to recent opinion polls.

AP

CELEBRITY CHEF BATALI CHARGED BOSTON: Celebrity chef Mario Batali is facing a criminal charge on allegations that he forcibly kissed and groped a woman at a Boston restaurant in 2017. Batali, who recently gave up financial stakes in all his restaurants, is scheduled to be arraigned Friday on a charge of indecent assault and battery, spokesman for Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said. It’s the first criminal charge against Batali resulting from several sexual harassment and assault allegations that crippled his career amid the #MeToo movement.

AP

‘AMERICAN TALIBAN’ TO BE FREED FROM JAIL TERRE Haute, Ind.: The California man who became known as the “American Taliban” after his capture on an Afghanistan battlefield in late 2001 is on the cusp of release from prison. Thirty-eight-year-old John Walker Lindh is scheduled for release Thursday from the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. He has spent more than 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to providing support to the Taliban.

The plea deal called for a 20-year sentence, but Lindh is getting out a few years early for good behavior.

AP

9 IN CHILD ONLINE PEDOPHILE RING ARRESTED LYON: International police group Interpol said Thursday that nine people had been arrested in Thailand, Australia and the US and 50 children had been rescued after investigators took down an online pedophilia ring. More arrests were expected as police in nearly 60 countries pursue investigations stemming from an Interpol operation launched two years ago into a hidden “dark web” site with 63,000 users worldwide. Fifty children were rescued following the arrests. Police are trying to identify an additional 100 in images that had been shared on the internet’s uncharted corners.

AFP

50 CHINESE NABBED FOR ONLINE GAMBLING MILITARY police in Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia arrested more than 50 Chinese nationals suspected of running an illegal online gambling operation in Poipet City. Lt. Col. Bun Nam Eang, provincial military police deputy commander, said his officers cooperated with city military police officers and raided two guesthouses in Poipet commune where the illegal online gambling operation was being run. He noted that the raid, led by provincial court prosecutor Meas Chanpiseth, took place from early morning until about 3 p.m. last Monday, May 20, 2019.

KHMER TIMES

B7

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

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

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Q MANUEL GO AHYONG JR. FROM B8

The creative banker IS ALWAYS SOMETHING WE CAN DO FOR OUR CLIENTS u HE DECLARES g"ANK OF 3INGAPORE IS AN !SIAN PRIVATE BANK WITH A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE .OBODY UNDERSTANDS !SIAN CLIENTS BETTER THAN AN !SIAN BANK (ERE IN THE 0HILIPPINES WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS THAT UNDERSTANDS OUR CLIENTS AND HAS ESTABLISHED MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM OVER THE YEARS )T S NOT UNCOMMON FOR US TO ADVISE ACROSS GENERATIONS IN ONE FAMILY 7E RE DEALING NOT JUST THIS CLIENT

BUT HIS FAMILY AS WELL u

Evolving industry !HYONG NOTES THAT BANKING HAS EVOLVED A LOT UNDER HIS WATCH (E POINTS OUT THE TIGHTER REGULATORY CONTROLS ON ANTI MONEY LAUDERING COMPLIANCE RISK AND DATA PRIVACY THE kNANCIAL REGULATORS HAVE IMPOSED COMPARED WITH WHAT WAS PRESENT AT THE START OF HIS CAREER IN THE MID S g4HE kNANCIAL REGULATORS ARE VERY MUCH LIKE DOTING PARENTS IN THAT ASPECT 4HEY WANT TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE PROPERLY EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE CHANGES HAPPENING IN THE kNANCIAL WORLD THAT YOU ARE READY EQUIPPED AND CAPABLE TO ADAPT TO NEW REQUIREMENTS

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY AT ALL TIMES u !NOTHER CHANGE HE NOTES IS THE ADVENT OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES AS MAJOR COMPETITORS OF BANKS g"ANKS ARE UNDERGOING MASSIVE TRANSFORMATION IN THEIR OWN SYSTEMS PLATFORMS USING ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND ALLOWING CLIENTS TO HAVE EASE OF MANAGING THEIR ACCOUNTS THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS AND MEDIUMS u HE SAYS 7HILE !HYONG HAS TAKEN A PATH DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF HIS ENTREPRENEUR PARENTS -ANUEL 3R AND -ARY !HYONG HE CREDITS THE WORK ETHIC THEY INSTILLED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS SUCCESS (IS FATHER WAS AN IMMIGRANT FROM #HINA WHO CROSSED OVER TO THE 0HILIPPINES TO WORK FOR HIS FATHER IN LAW 4O COMPLEMENT THIS HIS MOTHER WAS VERY MODEST AND FRUGAL g7HATEVER MY FATHER HAS ACQUIRED NOW WAS BECAUSE OF HIS HARD WORK (E KNEW HE HAD TO WORK HARD TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE (E LED BY EXAMPLE -Y MOTHER TAUGHT US TO SPEND ONLY ON THINGS WE NEEDED 3HE

BLESSED LIFE (From right, clockwise) In good form at WackWack Golf and Country Club; a Palawan adventure; with wife Vivian in Tokyo during Sakura season; and at home with Vivian and some of his brood (from left), Timothy, Andrea and David (not in the photo are sons Verne and Joshua)

It might seem strange, but being in banking has challenged me to think more creatively than I ever have in my life. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m learning. If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not learning or imparting something, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the point?

ALWAYS TOLD US TO DO EVERYTHING IN MODERATION u HE SAYS

Simple rules !HYONG BELIEVES THAT HIS PARENTS SIMPLICITY WAS WHAT GUIDES HIM IN LIFE BOTH AS A BANKER AND AS A FAMILY MAN 4HIS IS ALSO WHAT HE HOPES TO IMPART TO HIS kVE CHILDREN 7HILE IT CAN BE DIFkCULT TO kND TIME TO ENJOY AS A FAMILY HE SAYS THEY ARE LUCKY TO TRAVEL ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR TO SIMPLY SLOW DOWN AND ENJOY SOME UNIMPEDED TIME TOGETHER /N WEEKENDS !HYONG INDULGES TWO HOBBIES GOLF AND visiting the SUPERMARKET

4HE FORMER HE DOES ON 3UNDAYS THE LATTER HE DOES MOSTLY TO SHARPEN HIS MIND g) GO TO SEE WHAT NEW PRODUCTS THERE ARE AND HOW THEY RE MARKETED ) LOOK AT THE PACKAGING AND TRY TO SEE WHAT WORKS OR WHAT DOESN T ) ALSO ASK MYSELF IF THE NEW PRODUCTS ) SEE ARE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WILL BUY u !T THE CORE OF IT ALL !HYONG PROUDLY PROFESSES HIS DEVOTION TO THE ,ORD (E ACTIVELY VOLUNTEERS HIS TIME TO SERVE IN VARIOUS CHURCH GROUPS (E ALSO DEDICATES A PART OF HIS DAY TO PRAY AND CONSIDERS this a vital part of keeping his head in the BANKING GAME g) OWE IT ALL TO THE ,ORD Â&#x2021; MY JOB MY FAMILY AND MY CONTINUED ENJOYMENT

OF THESE 7HY SHOULD ) NOT kND THE TIME TO CONTINUOUSLY THANK (IM u (E WISHES TO BE REMEMBERED AS A SERVANT LEADER WHO ACTIVELY LISTENS TO HIS TEAM AND WORKS AS HARD AS THEY DO FOR THEIR CLIENTS (E IS THE kRST ONE TO POINT OUT THAT HE IS THE BOSS MERELY BECAUSE OF HIS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND WILLINGLY listens to members of his team regardless of their position or age. g) WANT TO BE KNOWN AS A FAIR GUY AND ONE WHO WALKS THE TALK )T S HARD TO PRETEND TO BE SOMEONE YOU RE NOT 3O ) TRY MY HARDEST TO SHOW MY TEAM AND MY FAMILY THAT ) LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY ) WORK WITH THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND THAT ) TREAT THEIR SUCCESS AS MY SUCCESS u

WHAT MADE THIS MAN Manuel Go Ahyong Jr. took a different path from his entrepreneur-parents, but it was still their work ethic that guided him to become the success he is today. He shares his bedrocks.

Q My immigrant father led by example. Whatever he acquired was because of his hard work.

Q My mother taught us to spend only on things we needed. Do everything in moderation, she told us.

Q I dedicate a part of my day to praying. I consider this a vital part of helping me to keep my head in the banking game.

Q I owe it all to the Lord â&#x20AC;&#x201D; my job, my family and my continued enjoyment of all of these. I actively volunteer my time to serve in variuos church groups. Why should I not find the time to continuously thank Him.?

~

The Manila Times FRIDAY May 24, 2019

B 8

MANUEL GO AHYONG JR.

Chief Representative and Managing Director Bank of Singapore-Philippine Representative Office

BY LIANE D. REYES Photos by Hermes Singson MANUEL Go Ahyong Jr. has made a name for himself in wealth management and private banking. Now at the helm of Bank of Singapore (BOS)-Philippine 2EPRESENTATIVE /FkCE AS ITS CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE AND MANAGING DIRECTOR !HYONG CREDITS HIS DETERMINATION and his marketing mindset as the main tools in his arSENAL ENSURING THAT HIS CLIENTS ARE GIVEN THE BEST CARE 4HE #EBUANO BORN EXECUTIVE SAYS g) BELIEVE THAT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE BRAINS WOULD HELP YOU A LOT "UT THAT S NOT WHERE IT ENDS 4HE END INGREDIENT IS YOUR DETERMINATION HOW BAD YOU WANT IT AND HOW HARD YOU WORK FOR IT ) M LIVING PROOF OF SOMEONE WHO S PROBABLY AN ABOVE AVERAGE STUDENT BUT GOT TO WHERE HE IS NOW BECAUSE HE WORKED HARD FOR IT u g) WAS TOLD TO APPLY FOR ANOTHER PROGRAM ) GUESS MY EXAM RESULTS DIDN T MAKE THE CUT "UT ) WANTED TO GET INTO THIS PROGRAM SO ) WROTE AN APPEAL 4HINKING BACK IF ) SETTLED FOR WHAT THEY TOLD ME INITIALLY ) WOULD HAVE FOREVER REGRETTED IT u

Shaped by setbacks g) REALIZE NOW THAT IT SHAPED THE WAY ) LOOKED AT SETBACKS /VER THE YEARS ) ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT IF ) WANTED IT BAD ENOUGH THERE WAS NO HARM IN WORKING HARD FOR IT )F ) FAIL ) SHOULD TRY UNTIL ) EXHAUSTED ALL POSSIBILITIES u HE RECALLS )T ENDED UP BEING THE RIGHT MOVE FOR THE YOUNG !HYONG )N A BATCH OF ORIGINALLY STUDENTS HE WAS ONE OF THE WHO GRADUATED !S THE ELDEST SON OF A TRADITIONAL &ILIPINO #HINESE FAMILY HE WAS EXPECTED TO GO BACK TO #EBU AND HELP RUN THE FAMILY BUSINESS "UT HE WANTED TO EXPLORE THE SHINY NEW WORLD OF CORPORATIONS THAT WAS NOW OPEN TO HIM 4HE USUAL PATH FOR MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING GRADUATES WAS TO GO INTO THE FAST MOVING CONSUMER GOODS INDUSTRY AND !HYONG ORIGINALLY WANTED IN g) LIKE TO DO MARKETING WORK INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE AND DEVELOPING NEW PRODUCTS ) LIKE TO USE MY IMAGINATION TO SEE HOW ) COULD PUT THROUGH A PRODUCT OR IDEA FROM START TO END u HE EXPLAINS "UT FATE HAD OTHER PLANS (E STARTED WORKING INSTEAD AT 3YCIP 'ORRES 6ELAYO 3'6 -ANAGEMENT 3ERVICES WHERE HE CONDUCTED ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES FOR DIFFERENT COMPANIES INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT (IS DAYS IN THE !TENEO DE -ANILA DORMITORIES STUCK TO HIM HOWEVER PROMPTING HIM TO GET A MASTER S DEGREE AFTER TWO YEARS OF WORKING g-Y ROOMMATES HAD ALL THESE PLANS TO BE SOMEBODY SOMEDAY AND THE ROAD TO THAT WAS GETTING A MASTER S DEGREE ) GOT INlUENCED SO ) SAID IF THEY WANTED TO DO THAT WHY COULDN T ) u (E TOOK HIS MASTER S IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AT THE !SIAN )NSTITUTE OF -ANAGEMENT WHERE HE ADMITS HE FOUND HIS CALLING "UT WITH THE ECONOMY BEING SO BAD AT THE TIME HE WAS CLOSE TO GIVING UP AND GOING HOME TO #EBU TO MIND THE FAMILY BUSINESS 4HAT S WHEN THE BANKING INDUSTRY CAME CALLING

ABCs of banking 4O BE PRECISE IT WAS #ITIBANK S 4REASURY DEPARTMENT THAT BECKONED !HYONG RECALLS THAT HE APPLIED WITHOUT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT THE TREASURY BUSINESS "UT IMMEDIATELY

Treasury and private banking are like different car models with the same chassis. For Treasury, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with the banksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money. For private banking, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dealing with your clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; money. It really is all about the people

Best from the best

Parental example

Learning the ropes of the Treasury business, Ahyong had the best teachers, including economist Victor Valdepeñas and foreign exchange guru Roy Lacsamana.

They taught him the ABCs of banking, he says.

The bankerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents, Manuel Sr. and Mary, are his biggest role models for their simplicity. His mother always reminded him to spend only on the most essential things.

Product hunting Besides golf, Ahyong relaxes by visiting the supermarket, where he can check on the latest products.

It sharpens his mind seeing what lures people to buy and the creativity behind innovative items.

WHOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE BOS? A private bank from Singapore settles in the Philippines

OCBC

Aa1

$102 billion

Also known as the Overseas-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. It is the parent bank of BOS (Bank of Singapore). Bahren Saari is BOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CEO

Is BOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; credit rating by Moodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Represents BOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Assets Under Management as of Dec. 31, 2018

1,900 staff

SINGAPORE

AWARDS

Are connected with BOS, including 430 private bankers.

Is BOSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; headquarters with branches in Hong Kong and Dubai Financial Center and representative offices in Manila and Dubai. It also has wealth management offices in Luxembourg and London.

Best Private Bank International in the Philippines from Asia Private Banker (2014-2016) and Best Private Bank for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals in the Philippines from Euromoney in 2017

UPON ENTERING THE PROGRAM HE KNEW THAT HE HAD JUST STEPPED INTO A GOLD MINE OF OPPORTUNITY g)T DAWNED ON ME THAT PEOPLE WERE DYING TO GET INTO TREASURY Â&#x2021; THE HEART AND SOUL OF BANKING !ND THERE ) WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO LEARN FROM INDUSTRY GIANTS 4REASURY GURU 6ICTOR 6ALDEPEÃ&#x201E;AS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE GURU 2OY ,ACSAMANA 4HAT S WHERE ) LEARNED MY !"#S OF BANKING u HE SAYS (E WENT ON TO SPEND kVE YEARS IN #ITIBANK S 4REASURY DEPARTMENT BEFORE HE WAS SET ON ANOTHER PATH IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY WHEN HE STARTED WITH !MERICAN %XPRESS (E CREDITS THIS CHANGE AS THE START OF HIS CAREER in private banking. g) INITIALLY JOINED THEIR 4REASURY DEPARTMENT "UT ) WAS INVITED TO JOIN PRIVATE BANKING AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE THEY SAW THAT ) WAS #HINESE AND COULD SPEAK THE LANGUAGE 3INCE ) WANTED TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE IT WAS AN IDEAL CHANGE FOR ME u !HYONG SAYS &ROM THERE HE WENT ON TO JOIN OTHER FOREIGN PRIVATE BANKING INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS "ANQUE )NDOSUEZ $EUTSCHE "ANK 3OCIETE 'ENERALE TO ESTABLISH OR TO GROW THEIR -ANILA OFkCES )N HIS OWN WORDS HIS BANKING CAREER HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT TREASURY AND PRIVATE BANKING g4REASURY AND PRIVATE BANKING ARE REALLY JUST LIKE DIFFERENT CAR MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME CHASSIS &OR TREASURY YOU RE DEALING WITH THE BANKS MONEY &OR PRIVATE BANKING YOU RE DEALING WITH YOUR CLIENTS MONEY !T THE

END OF THE DAY IT REALLY IS ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE u HE SAYS )N !HYONG EMBARKED ON HIS kRST FORAY INTO THE LOCAL BANKING INDUSTRY WHEN HE JOINED THE 2IZAL #OMMERCIAL "ANKING #ORP HEADING ITS 7EALTH -ANAGEMENT GROUP g)T S THE ONLY LOCAL BANK ) HAVE WORKED WITH ) M GLAD ) DID BECAUSE IT GAVE ME A GOOD PERSPECTIVE OF WORKING FOR BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN BANKS u )N HE RETURNED TO THE MILIEU OF FOREIGN BANKS TO ASSUME THE REINS OF THE "/3 0HILIPPINE REPRESENTATIVE OFkCE )N HIS MIND THIS WAS THE PERFECT TIME FOR THE TRANSITION WITH THE COUNTRY BEGINNING TO PROVE ITS METTLE AS AN EMERGING PLAYER IN THE INTERNATIONAL ARENA (E SAYS g!S MORE AND MORE WEALTH IS CREATED HERE IN THE 0HILIPPINES IT IS IMPORTANT FOR "ANK OF 3INGAPORE TO REACH OUT TO THESE PROSPECTS AND SHOWCASE ITS SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES IN THE OFFSHORE PRIVATE BANKING SPHERE 'ONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN WE WERE KNOWN AS A BOND HOUSE u This was foremost in his mind when he dealt with THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN HIS BANKING LIFE THE !SIAN kNANCIAL CRISIS (E DESCRIBES THIS EXPERIENCE AS THE DEkNING MOMENT OF HIS CAREER AS A BANKER g)T WAS A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE TO SEE WHAT INVESTORS AND BUSINESSES HAD TO GO THROUGH SINCE THEY DID NOT HEDGE THEIR EXPOSURE )T HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON ME IN TERMS OF VIEWING RISK AND DIVERSIkCATION 7E NEED TO CONSTANTLY HELP CLIENTS LOOK AT INVESTMENTS

BY CONSIDERING WHAT IS THE WORST SCENARIO THAT CAN HAPPEN AND HOW PREPARED THEY ARE TO ABSORB ITS EFFECTS u HE COUNSELS 3INCE "/3 ACQUIRED ).' !SIA 0RIVATE "ANKING IN

IT HAS GROWN IN SIZE AND STATURE TO THE EXTENT THAT IT NOW OFFERS A FULL SUITE OF INVESTMENT PRODUCTS AND IDEAS u !HYONG SAYS 4HROUGHOUT HIS CAREER IN BANKING HE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHING AND GROWING NEW BUSINESSES LEFT AND RIGHT 4HIS ALLOWS HIM TO SATISFY THE CREATIVE MARKETING SOUL RESTING IN HIS CORE AS A BANKER g)T MIGHT SEEM STRANGE BUT BEING IN BANKING HAS CHALLENGED ME TO THINK MORE CREATIVELY THAN ) EVER HAVE IN MY LIFE ) HAVE BEEN THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK FOR SO MANY TIMES AND ) M GLAD TO BE SINCE ) M LEARNING AS WELL )F ) M NOT LEARNING OR IMPARTING SOMETHING THEN WHAT S THE POINT u 7HILE HE CREDITS TREASURY AS WHERE HIS FOUNDATION IN BANKING WAS FORMED !HYONG ADMITS THAT HE FOUND HIS love for banking in the realm of private banking. On ONE HAND HIS MARKETING PERSONA DELIGHTS IN kNDING NEW WAYS TO HELP CLIENTS kND SOLUTIONS TO THEIR NEEDS BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE g) M ALWAYS DREAMING OR THINKING OF WAYS ON HOW TO DO THINGS BETTER FOR OUR CLIENTS ) ALWAYS ASK MYSELF HOW ) CAN HELP SOLVE THEIR INVESTMENT PROBLEMS ) TELL MY COLLEAGUES WE CANNOT JUST DO NOTHING 4HERE

³Manuel Go Ahyong Jr. B7

Sports

FFRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 M

C1

www.manilatimes.net

Q Manny Pacquiao delivers a rear uppercut during a mitt training session with trainer Buboy Fernandez. PHOTO BY WENDELL ALINEA

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience against youth when Pacquiao meets Thurman I

BY EDDIE G. ALINEA

T will be experience against youth when two World Boxing Association welterweight champions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman battle on July 20 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

This was how the protagonists see their coming encounter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He (Thurman) said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s YOUNG BUT WE LL SEE WHO LOOKS young in the ring on July 20.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to let my fists say everything for me,â&#x20AC;? Pacquiao,

the regular WBA 147-pound belt owner said on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) during the SECOND AND kNAL DAY OF TWO CITY

three media tour day to hype the coming 12-round confrontation. g7E WILL WORK HARD IN TRAINING

CAMP LIKE ALWAYS FOR THIS FIGHT 7E RE NOT GOING TO TAKE +EITH Thurman lightly or underestimate him,â&#x20AC;? the Philippine Senator said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a world champion. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m THANKFUL FOR WHAT HE S BEEN SAYING

because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giving me motivation to prove that at 40-years-old, I feel

Ă? 0ACQUIAO ASSERTED Â&#x2021; REAkRMing what heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been saying since TAKING THE MEASURE OF 4HURMAN S fellow American Adrien Broner last January.

Thurman, for his part said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This IS A BIG kGHT AS FAR AS THE STAGE GOES BUT IT S A BIG kGHT AGAINST A little guy. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a veteran and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve

dismantled veterans in the past.â&#x20AC;?

Thurman expressed belief he could destroy Pacquiao had this kGHT BEEN SCHEDULED AS EARLY AS kVE YEARS AGO g ) VE ALWAYS BEEN ready for this fight. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never FOUGHT SOMEONE LIKE ME WITH THIS KIND OF LATERAL MOVEMENT SPEED and power. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m coming for him, â&#x20AC;&#x153; Thurman, undefeated with an immaculate 29-win-0-loss card WITH +/S AND 0ACQUIAO

+/S KICKED OFF THEIR MEDIA tour on Tuesday at the Gotham (ALL IN .EW 9ORK #ITY The Filipino ring icon pointed OUT HE S BANKING ON HIS EXPERIENCE

Thurman says ready to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;crucifyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Pacquiao BEVERLY HILLS, United States: Keith Thurman vowed to retire Philippine boxing legend Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as the two kGHTERS TRADED VERBAL JABS AHEAD OF the World Boxing Association battle for welterweight supremacy.

4HE UNDEFEATED 4HURMAN

TAKES on Pacquiao in Las Vegas on July 20 in a contest that pits the WBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;super world championâ&#x20AC;? against the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s secondary â&#x20AC;&#x153;worldâ&#x20AC;? champion.

4HURMAN WITH KNOCKOUTS returned from a near two-year layoff to retain his title with a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez on January 26.

Eight-division champion Pacquiao, who last fought in a one-sided demolition of Adrien Broner in January, is 10 years older than his American opponent.

And as the two men came face to face at a press conference in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, Thurman vowed TO MAKE THE AGE DIFFERENCE COUNT â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pacquiaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last fight, Pacquiaoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last fight,â&#x20AC;? Thurman said, while pledging to â&#x20AC;&#x153;dismantleâ&#x20AC;? the 40-yearold Filipino icon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m destroying the legend of Manny Pacquiao,â&#x20AC;? Thurman said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His legacy ends on July 20. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had a wonderful career, and been an inspiration. We all love him and respect him. And Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m RESPECTFULLY GOING TO KICK THE SHIT out of him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a big fight as

far as the stage. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big fight against a little guy. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dismantled veterans in the past, and throughout my career. I would have destroyed him five years ago. g(E S NEVER FOUGHT A kGHTER LIKE ME with the lateral movement, speed, power. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never fought anyone this young, strong and hungry and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m coming for him. g) KNOW HE LIKES TO QUOTE "IBLE VERSES SO ) LL LET YOU KNOW Â&#x2021; HE S GETTING CRUCIkED u Pacquiao, who mixes a political career as a senator in the Philippines with professional boxing, laughed off Thurmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threats of annihilation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All I can say is that most of my OPPONENTS SAY THINGS BEFORE A kGHT u Pacquiao said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I hear from them - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m easy to beatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. But when we get into the ring it changes. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s young in the ring on July 20. g) DON T LIKE TRASH TALKING BEFORE A fight. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to let my fists do

THE TALKING u Pacquiao plans to split his training camp between the Philippines and Los Angeles, wrapping up his preparations under the watchful eye of long-time TRAINER &REDDIE 2OACH WHO IS BACK IN his corner. g-ANNY 0ACQUIAO IS THE BEST kGHTER IN THE WORLD TO WORK WITH u 2OACH SAID 7EDNESDAY g(IS WORK ETHIC IS UNBELIEVable. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve studied Thurman and come up with a game plan. And weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to destroy him.â&#x20AC;?

Pacquiao meanwhile insisted that his advancing years had not diminished his enthusiasm or energy for boxing. g!T AGE ) FEEL LIKE ) M u HE SAID â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is fun. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m enjoying it. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited TO GO BACK TO THE 0HILIPPINES AND GO STRAIGHT BACK TO THE GYM u AFP Q Keith Thurman AFP PHOTO

which, he believes, will be useful against an unbeaten opponent LIKE 4HURMAN g) M GOING TO USE that experience of losing for the kRST TIME u He said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still enjoying kGHTING EVEN AT AGE AND STILL having fun enjoying the sports he loves most.

He said he chose Thurman BECAUSE HE S A GREAT kGHTER HE S undefeated and can give a good kGHT TO THE FANS g) WANT TO MAKE the fans happy on that night and show that I can still go toe-to-toe with any opponent.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy for my opponents

TO TALK BEFORE THE FIGHT AND Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m used to everything they say.

But when we get to the ring, it changes, and it will change on July 20,â&#x20AC;? he stressed.

Pacquiao sees his showdown with Thurman as a once in a lifeTIME kGHT THAT WOULD MERIT TO BE a â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fight of the Year,â&#x20AC;? promising to be full of action from start. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most of my (previous) opponents â&#x20AC;&#x153;were bigger than me and I beat them all. When we get into the ring, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter. This has happened before and it will happen again against Thurman.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Monsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is coming

T

HE battle for the b a n t a mwe i g h t (118 lbs.) divisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iron Throneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has been narrowed down to two proud gladiators: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Monsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Flash.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; In a few months from now, the bantamweight tournament of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) will crown arguably the best 118-pound boxer in the world. After all the pounding and grinding, Naoya â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Monsterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Inoue and Nonito â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Filipino Flashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Donaire *R HAVE EMERGED AS THE kNALISTS AND WILL DUKE IT out for the WBSSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy and the prize money that comes with it. !T STAKE WILL BE )NOUE S 7"! REGULAR AND IBF bantamweight crowns and Donaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s WBA â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;superâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; diadem. Inoue barged into the kNALS BY BAMBOOZLING IN TWO ROUNDS )"& titlist Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico. $ONAIRE EARNED HIS TICKET TO THE LAST DANCE BY KNOCKING OUT LAST MINUTE SUBSTITUTE 3TEPHON Young in six rounds. $ONAIRE

WITH KNOCKOUTS ACTUALLY ENJOYED A SAFER ROUTE TO THE kNALS )N THE QUARTERkNALS HE STOPPED 2YAN "URNETT IN four rounds, or after the Irishman gave up DUE TO AN INJURED BACK )N THE SEMIkNALS

$ONAIRE WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE ON 7"/ champion Zolani Tete, but a bum shoulder forced the South African to withdraw from the tournament. The relatively inexperienced 9OUNG TOOK OVER AND $ONAIRE PREDICTABLY blasted him into smithereens. )NOUE

KNOCKOUTS BARELY BROKE a sweat in going 2-0 in the tournament.

In his opening bout, the Japanese power puncher needed just 70 seconds to stop Juan Carlos Payano. Inoue then breezed through the finals with the aforementioned demolition of Rodriguez.

4HE STAGE IS NOW SET FOR THE UNIkCATION showdown between Inoue and Donaire.

Inoue has been installed as the smart money bet owing to his aggressive style and immense punching power.

9OKOHAMA NATIVE )NOUE ENJOYED A STELLAR amateur career, winning the gold medal in THE 0RESIDENT S #UP IN *AKARTA AND kNISHING SECOND IN THE !SIAN "OXING /LYMPIC 1UALIkCATION 4OURNAMENT !FTER AMASSING A RECORD OF KNOCKOUTS AS AN AMATEUR )NOUE TURNED PRO IN /CTOBER 2012 and has since won world titles in THE LIGHT lYWEIGHT LBS JUNIOR BAN-

tamweight (115 lbs.) and bantamweight divisions.

Inoue recently moved up to No.4 in The Ring magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pound-for-pound list, trailing only Vasyl LomACHENKO 4ERENCE #RAWFORD and Saul â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Caneloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Alvarez. )NOUE

MAY BE THE TOP PICK TO TOP THE WBSS tournament, but truth be told he has not MET ANYONE WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILL SET of Donaire. Going into the WBSS bantam fest, Donaire was nothing more than a wild card PICK HAVING LOST TWO OF HIS LAST THREE kGHTS "UT returning to the bantamweight division which he ruled with impunity in 2011, Donaire, 36, HAS REDISCOVERED HIS GROOVE (E LOOKED DEVASTATING AGAINST 9OUNG lATTENING THE COCKY !MERICAN WITH HIS TRADEMARK LEFT HOOK Donaire has faced better opposition and it goes all the way up to the featherweight (126 LBS DIVISION (E IS NO STRANGER TO TAKING ON POWER PUNCHERS HAVING FACED THE LIKES OF 6IC Darchinyan and Nicholas Walters. Inoueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PENCHANT TO BARGE IN LIKE AN UNINVITED GUEST IS ACTUALLY TAILOR MADE FOR $ONAIRE S STEP BACK counter approach. Case in point: Pressure kGHTERS PUNCHERS LIKE $ARCHINYAN *ORGE !RCE and Fernando Montiel were all creamed by Donaireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-timed counterpunches. &ILIPINO !* @"AZOOKA "ANAL WHO FOUGHT FOR the bantamweight title in 2012, concurs with this writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;3IGURADO AKO DYAN KAY Donaire,â&#x20AC;? said Banal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;+UHANG KUHA TALAGA ang style ng Japanese, BAGAY KAY Donaire. +NOCKOUT SA TINGIN KO ITO KASI KLARO TALAGA SA style nung Japanese.â&#x20AC;?

Donaire and Inoue both parade lethal left HOOKS AND WORK THE BODY WELL $ONAIRE

however, enjoys considerable advantages in terms of height (5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;7â&#x20AC;? to Inoueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;4â&#x20AC;?) and REACH $ONAIRE OWNS A PISTON LIKE JAB WHICH WILL COME IN HANDY IN KEEPING )NOUE AT BAY

and a clubbing counter right hand that can also inflict serious damage. Before getting bludgeoned in the second round, Rodriguez LANDED SOME NIFTY RIGHT HANDS IN THE kRST ROUND OF HIS kGHT WITH )NOUE $ONAIRE DISCLOSED AFTER THE kGHT THAT HE DID NOTICE SOME lAWS ON )Noueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defense. Then again, for all his perceived defensive lapses, Inoueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s punching power has simply overwhelmed foes.

Whichever way you put it, the WBSSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP kNALE kGURES to be worth the wait. If Donaire pulls off THE UPSET WE MIGHT JUST SEE A NEW NICKname for him: Monster Slayer.

BOXER SHORTS

ED C. TOLENTINO

C2

Sports

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Blackwater shoots for solo lead B

BY JOSEF T. RAMOS

LACKWATER shoots for solo lead when it faces crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 7 p.m. tonight in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Elite, under rookie coach Aries Dimaunahan, are coming off a close 94-91 overtime win over Meralco in last Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening game when they collide with the Gin Kings, led by last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Import Justin Brownlee.

Dimaunahan, a Ginebra player in 2005, said he is excited to test his coaching prowess against his former mentor Tim Cone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m facing my former team and my former coach,â&#x20AC;? said Dimauna-

han, who played with Alaska under Cone in the 2011 PBA season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That will be a big test really for a rookie coach. After coach Norman (Black), now it is coach Tim. I will be more motivated. We will do the best game plan and hopefully we get another win on Friday.â&#x20AC;?

Rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr., son of seven-time PBA Best Import Bobby Ray Parks Sr., debuted with 20 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Australia names hoops World Cup squad

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love playing [against] Ginebra,â&#x20AC;? said Parks, a threetime Asean Basketball League Most Valuable Player. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ginebra is a well-coached team. They have a lot of great players, height, diversity. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a great challenge.â&#x20AC;?

B l a c k wa t e r i m p o r t A l e x Stepheson finished with 21 points and 31 rebounds while Mike Digregorio contributed another 21 points.

Meanwhile, Columbian Dyip and Meralco are keen to post their kRST WIN WHEN THEY CLASH IN THE P M kRST GAME Columbian Dyipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s import Kyle Barone had a PBA debut of 30 points and 22 rebounds while Meralcoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s import Gani Lawal finished with 34 points and 21 rebounds in Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opener.

Q Blackwaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rookie Bobby Ray Parks Jr. attempts a lay up while Ranidel De Ocampo looks on during a Season 44 PBA Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cup game on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Giannis, Gobert, George top defensive player votes

TITANS ELIMINATE IRONCON-UST

LOS ANGELES: Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paul George and Utahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rudy Gobert led the voting for the NBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Defensive team of the year, the NBA said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

Antetokounmpo, Gobert and George were also THE THREE kNALISTS FOR THE ."! S $EFENSIVE 0LAYER OF THE 9EAR !WARD AFTER kNISHING WITH NEARLY IDENTIcal point totals.

Gober, a center, was allotted 196 points, including 97 First Team votes, to make the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the third consecutive year while George, a forward, received 195 points (96 First Team votes).

Antetokounmpo who has led the "UCKS TO THE %ASTERN #ONFERENCE kNALS

had 193 points to make the defensive team FOR THE kRST TIME Other members of the defensive team of the year are guards Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics and Eric Bledsoe of Milwaukee.

The winner of the 2018-19 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award will be revealed at the 2019 NBA Awards presented in Los Angeles on June 24.

Gobert is seeking to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award for the second straight season.

AFP

ALSO-RAN Family Mart-Enderun eliminated Ironcon-UST with an 81-74 win on Thursday in the 2019 PBA D-League at JCSGO Gym in Cubao.

Fighting for pride, the Titans weathered a huge fourth quarter attack from the Growling Tigers to end their maiden campaign on a high note with a 2-7 slate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They want to prove something and they accepted their roles for the good of the team,â&#x20AC;? said coach Pipo Noundou.

Valandre Chauca carried Family Mart-Enderun with 31 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the ARC PLUS kVE REBOUNDS AND TWO ASsists. Marvin Hayes almost tallied a triple-double with his 18 points, 12 boards, and seven assists.

The Growling Tigersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shock loss sent them out of the playoffs and gifted St. Clare College Virtual Reality the no. 2 seed, which comes with a twice-to-beat advantage, in the Aspirants Group.

Q Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 34) of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the second half against the Toronto Raptors in game four of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Scotiabank Arena on May 21, 2019 in Toronto, Canada.

AFP PHOTO

THE SCORES: FAMILY MART-ENDERUN 81 -- Chauca 31, Hayes 18, Gotladera 6, Kouakou 6, Vidal 6, Dela Cruz 6, Nunez 3, Gatdula 3, Dungan 2, Escoto 0, Mariano 0, Sacundo 0, Veloso 0.

IRONCON-UST 74 -- Chabi Yo 25, Nonoy 18, Abando 9, Asuncio 6, Concepcion 6, Bataller 6, Paraiso 4, Ando 0, Marcos 0, Yongco 0.

Quarters: 25-11, 46-34, 70-56, 81-74.

Cheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Lu Bar and Grill also booked the no. 4 seat in the process.

Chabi Yoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort of 25 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks went down the drain as IronconUST bowed out of the tourney.

Mark Nonoy got 18 points, four assists, and three boards as the 'ROWLING 4IGERS kNISHED SIXTH DUE to owning the inferior quotient in THE kVE WAY TIE

SYDNEY: Philadephia 76ers star Ben Simmons headlines an NBA player-dominated preliminary Australia squad announced Thursday for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Basketball World Cup in China.

Nine US-based players form the core of the 17-man Boomers squad, including Andrew Bogut of NBA champions Golden State Warriors, Joe Ingles of the Utah Jazz, Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs and another 76er, Jonah Bolden.

The NBA has seen a record number of Australian players this year and the Boomers are being touted as the strongest from the country to play at a World Cup. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No doubt, we have the opportunity to put a great team on the floor and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exciting,â&#x20AC;? head coach Andrej Lemanis said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The depth of talent in Australian basketball means that some tough decisions are made at this point and some very good players miss out,â&#x20AC;?

Lemanis added after several hopefuls from Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national competition were overlooked.

Simmonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 76ers lost the Eastern Conference semifinals after an incredible game seven buzzer-beater by the Toronto Raptorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kawhi Leonard earlier this month.

The former NBA rookie of the year took to social media this week to let 76er fans know he was energized for next year after a â&#x20AC;&#x153;tough way to finish the season.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would also like to announce that I am going to be a Boomer for the upcoming events. So stay tuned,â&#x20AC;? Simmons added in a video posted to Twitter.

Sudanese-Australian Thon Maker was pulled from the Boomers squad at the last minute, reportedly at the request of his NBA team the Detroit Pistons.

The final 12-man squad will be selected during team camp in August.

They will take on Canada and the USA in warm-up matches in Perth and Melbourne that month with their World Cup campaign beginning against the Canadians on September 1 in China. AFP

Federer, Nadal threaten 'Djoko Slam' PARIS: Novak Djokovic can become only the second man in history to have twice held all four Grand Slam titles at the same time with victory at the French Open.

However, a returning Roger Federer and rejuvenated Rafael Nadal will once again stand in his way.

World No. 1 Djokovic completed his first private stranglehold of all four Slams with victory at Roland Garros in 2016.

Having clinched the 2018 Wimbledon and US Open titles and then a seventh Australian Open crown in January this year, the Serb is tantalizingly close to another â&#x20AC;&#x153;Djoko Slam.â&#x20AC;?

Federer and Nadal, with 20 and 17 career Grand Slam titles each respectively, may be ahead of 15-time major winner Djokovic in total hauls and have also completed career Slams.

However, not even Federer or Nadal have managed to hold all four of the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest prizes at the same time.

It is such a rare feat that only Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all calendar Grand Slams â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have pulled off the sweep in the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history.

Djokovic, who turned 32 on Wednesday, is playing down his potential date with destiny even if it would put him halfway to a 2019 calendar Slam of his own.

After losing to Nadal in the Italian Open final last weekend, the Serb was in no doubt that it was the Spaniard who would likely be celebrating a 12th Ro-

land Garros title in a little over two weeksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nadal, No. 1 favorite, without a doubt -- than everyone else,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Djokovic, who will be top seed in Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s draw, could be forgiven his caution.

At Roland Garros in 2018, he was shocked by Italian journeyman Marco Cecchinato in the quarter-finals, a defeat which was such a crushing bodyblow that he even contemplated skipping Wimbledon.

Federer is returning to Roland Garros for the first time since 2015 having turned his back on clay court tennis to focus on Wimbledon.

10th anniversary This year marks the 10th anniversary of his one and only Paris triumph and should the 37-year-old defy the odds and clinch the 2019 title he would become the oldest Grand Slam champion of all time.

Age hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dimmed his ability with Federer saving match points to beat Gael Monfils in Madrid and in Rome against Borna Coric as he found his feet again on European red clay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been interesting and fun, but not so challenging, to be honest,â&#x20AC;? said Federer despite his Rome campaign being cut short by a leg injury.

Nadal, whose record at Roland Garros stands at a staggering 11 titles and a win-loss record of 86-2, claimed a ninth Italian

Open title and a record 34th Masters on Sunday.

His three-set win over Djokovic was timely as it was his first title of 2019 and had followed three successive semi-final losses at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.

The last two of those were against Dominic Thiem and Stefanos Tsitsipas, both of whom play with a one-handed backhand, just like Federer.

Thiem, the 2018 runner-up to Nadal at Roland Garros, has defeated the Spaniard four times on clay. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is a new wave coming through with the one-handed backhand that can counter some of Rafaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spins and lefty play,â&#x20AC;? said Federer, a four-time runnerup in Paris.

Outside of Djokovic and Federer, world No. 4 Thiem and sixth-ranked Tsitsipas are the most likely candidates to dethrone Nadal.

The same cannot be said for Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alexander Zverev, for so long touted as the brightest star of the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Next Genâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The Germanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run to the quarter-finals last year remains his best Slam performance while he has yet to get beyond the last eight at any of the European clay events in the run-up to Paris. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has lost his self-confidence, he gets very angry, gets down and destroys himself,â&#x20AC;? said compatriot Tommy Haas, a former world No. 2. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What he urgently needs is a success.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

Sports

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Q Competitors build to accelerate during last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PruRIDE PH. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

LITE cyclists from across Asia will test their mettle in the PruRIDE PH 2019 that rolls off today at the Harbor Point Mall in Subic Freeport Zone.

The second leg of the UCI 2.2 Stage Race will see more than 150 professional riders representing at least 25

international teams compete for individual, team and stage honors, and earn UCI points that will gain them

entry into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Cyclists from Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, Brunei, Ethiopia, Hong Kong and South Korea will challenge top Philippine teams among them Standard Insurance, Go for Gold, and 7-11. g7E ARE HAPPY TO kNALLY HOLD one of three UCI-accredited races

here in our country. We expect to witness healthy competition, and at the same time teamwork among Philippine teams,â&#x20AC;? said Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK senior vice-president and chief customer MARKETING OFkCER DURING A NEWS conference on Thursday at the Golden Restaurant in Subic Freeport Zone in Olongapo.

4ECHNICAL RACE OFkCIAL )AN !LACAR

Taiwanese steals thunder in TPGA Open YOUNG 4SENG 4ZU (AO lASHED AN impeccable short game to card a six-under 66 and grab the clubhouse lead in the rain-delayed Daan TPGA Open at the Ching Chuan Kang Golf Club in Taichung, Taiwan on Thursday.

4SENG BIRDIED THREE OF THE kRST SIX holes after the start of the $100,000 event, originally set at 7 a.m., was pushed back four hours later due to heavy rains that rendered the military layout unplayable. He then bucked a three-putt miscue on No. 11 with four birdies in the last seven holes to emerge the surprise provi-

SIONAL LEADER IN THE kRST 0HILIPPINE Golf Tour Asia event abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My short game and putting just clicked,â&#x20AC;? said Tseng, 22, who saved pars in six times that he went out of regulation.

Early morning downpour submerged the fairways and greens of the par-72 course, forcing the organizers to delay the start of the championship. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fairways and greens were lOODED SO WE HAD TO DELAY THE START of the tournament. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing everything we could and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re CONkDENT WE LL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE

this 72-hole event as scheduled,â&#x20AC;? said Bryan Chen of PGA of Taiwan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll start at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow TODAY FOR THOSE WITH UNkNISHED kRST ROUND u Jay Bayron, the lone Filipino entry IN THE FULL PACKED kELD WHO DREW A P M START DIDN T HIT HIS kRST drive until 4:20 p.m. g)T S A DIFkCULT COURSE AND THE RAIN made it tougher. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just do my best to come up with a good start,â&#x20AC;? said the DavaoeĂąo shotmaker, adding that he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel any pressure being the lone Pinoy bet in the event put up by ICTSI and co-sanctioned

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But Tseng, who honed his skills and talent in Japan, proved tougher in damp conditions, putting in a pair of 33s he spiked with a 24-putt effort on the unreceptive, unpredictable greens.

Song Mengyu, joint fourth in the current TPGA Order of Merit rankings, shot a 69 to trail Tseng by three while Zhang Zepeng and American Tarik Can turned in identical 70s with Xie Jixian scoring a 71 in the event backed by PLDT Enterprise, -ERALCO "$/ AND 0'4 !SIA OFkCIAL apparel Pin High.

Rafael Devers HRs for third straight game

TORONTO: Michael Chavis got his team a win and his teammates some rest.

Rafael Devers joined an exclusive club of young Red Sox sluggers who have homered in three straight games, Chavis hit a tiebreaking homer in the 13th inning and Boston beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Wednesday night (Thursday in Manila).

The teams conclude their fourGAME SERIES WITH AN AFTERNOON kNALE on Thursday. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scheduled to start exactly 13 hours after Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game ended at 11:37 p.m.

No wonder Chavis was so happy about his tiebreaking homer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thank goodness,â&#x20AC;? he said of his reaction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I knew it was getting late and I knew we had an early bus tomorrow for this day game. I got a lot of thank yous.â&#x20AC;?

Among those expressing gratitude was fellow slugger Mookie Betts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super happy,â&#x20AC;? Betts said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Try AND GET BACK AND GET SOME REST $Eknitely good to get the win tonight.â&#x20AC;?

Boston improved to 10-3 in its past 13 road games. The Red Sox are 4-1 in extra innings. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a big win for us,â&#x20AC;? Red Sox right-hander Rick Porcello said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a chance to win the series

FROM MLB.COM

tomorrow and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we need infielder before Walden fanned to do.â&#x20AC;?

Freddy Galvis for the second out.

Devers led off the eighth with a !FTER "ETTS RETURNED TO RIGHT kELD

blast to left off Derek Law, his sixth. Walden escaped the jam by getting It made Devers the sixth player in $RURY TO lY OUT Red Sox history aged 22 or youngBetts put Boston back on top by er to homer in three connecting off Joe Biagini in the straight games. The 12th, his eighth, but Rowdy Tellez others are Ted tied it again with a two-out drive Williams, Babe off Heath Hembree in the botRuth, Carl tom half.

YastrzemChavis restored Bosski, Rico tonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead with a homer Petrooff Jimmy Cordero celli, (0-1), making and Jim HemTabor.

B u t Marcus Walden Q Boston Red Soxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mookie Betts gets out couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold of the way of a wild pitch from Toronto a 4-3 lead for Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez Boston in the during the third inning of a baseball game ninth. Brandon on Thursday in Toronto. AP PHOTO Drury hit a one-out double and pinch-hitbree (1-0) the winner. Chavis has ter Danny Jansen sent the game to 10 homers and 25 RBIs in 28 games. extra innings with a two-out single.

According to the team, the last Toronto used two singles and an time the Red Sox hit multiple gointentional walk to load the bases ahead home runs in extra innings against Walden with one out in the of the same game was April 29, 10th. Red Sox manager Alex Cora 1951, at Philadelphia, when Dom BROUGHT "ETTS IN TO PLAY AS A kFTH DiMaggio and Tom Wright did it in

the 11th and 12th innings.

Cordero, who was claimed off waivers from Washington on May 15, was making his Blue Jays debut.

Toronto has not won back-toback games since a three-game sweep of Oakland from April 26-28.

The Blue Jays are 6-15 since. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a really good game,â&#x20AC;? manager Charlie Montoyo said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of my guys for the game we played today against one of the best teams in baseball.â&#x20AC;?

Mitch Moreland had two RBIs, and Jackie Bradley Jr. and Betts each scored twice for the Red Sox, who have won three of four.

Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run at Rogers Centre, but that was all the Blue Jays got against Porcello, who allowed three hits in six innings. â&#x20AC;&#x153; R i c k wa s o u t s t a n d i n g , â&#x20AC;?

Cora said.

Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez was forced to leave after three innings because of a blister in his previous start, May 17 against the White Sox, but said the blister didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bother him against Boston.

Sanchez, who is winless in five starts, allowed two runs and four hits in six innings. g) CAN T WAIT FOR THIS kNGER ISSUE TO be behind me,â&#x20AC;? Sanchez said.

Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez was held out of the lineup because of a sore back. Martinez sat out the previous two games because of illness, but had been expected to return Wednesday. The two-time All-Star is hitting .308 with nine homers and 28 RBIs. AP

said that the PruRIDE PH had attracted the most number of international competitors in the history of the sport in the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It will be an exciting and very competitive racing because this is by far the biggest contingent we have in the Philippine cycling history. It will be a power packed three days of racing,â&#x20AC;? said Alacar.

The three-stage race will pass

through Harbor Point in Subic going to Bataan and up to the peak of the historic Mt. Samat.

Non-competitive riders can join the Gran Frondo that features 30-kilometer, 60km or 100km options.

Budding racers, meanwhile, can join the Masters Race on Sunday.

The race has a total prize purse of P2 million pesos.

AIBA likely out of Tokyo 2020 LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee recommended Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that amateur boxingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s governing body be stripped of its right to organize the event at Tokyo 2020, but said the sport should still feature at the Games.

The guidance from the IOCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive board â&#x20AC;&#x201D; almost certain to be rubber-stamped by the full IOC membership next month â&#x20AC;&#x201D; followed a months-long investigation into alleged serious mismanagement at the crisis-riddled International Boxing Association (AIBA).

The probe â&#x20AC;&#x153;speaks for itself,â&#x20AC;? IOC president Thomas Bach told reporters in Lausanne.

He said the evidence details â&#x20AC;&#x153;extremely serious issuesâ&#x20AC;? within AIBA ranging from â&#x20AC;&#x153;deficienciesâ&#x20AC;? in governance, to lack of due diligence and conflicts of interest.

In ousting AIBA from the Tokyo Games but creating a new path for boxers to compete, the IOC was seeking to ensure that athletes â&#x20AC;&#x153;can live their dream and participate in the Olympic Gamesâ&#x20AC;? while making sure AIBA faced â&#x20AC;&#x153;the necessary consequences,â&#x20AC;? Bach said in a statement.

The IOC probe was led by audit firm Deloitte, and centred on subjects ranging from finances, governance and ethics to antidoping, refereeing and judging.

The probe determined that AIBA has made â&#x20AC;&#x153;a lack of satisfactory progress,â&#x20AC;? in resolving its issues, the IOC said.

In a statement, AIBA said that it had â&#x20AC;&#x153;taken note of the announcement made by the IOCâ&#x20AC;? but refused to be drawn on what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next move would be. â&#x20AC;&#x153;AIBA is currently reviewing the report from the IOC and will not make any comments until further clarification is made, however AIBA does look forward to working with the IOC in the future,â&#x20AC;? it said.

Matthieu Reeb, Secretary General of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), told Agence France-Presse that â&#x20AC;&#x153;no appeal would be possible until a final decision has been madeâ&#x20AC;? but that the Olympic Charter enables the CAS to rule on an appeal should AIBA decide to file one.

Controversial leadership Formed in 1946, AIBA has overseen decades of signature Olympic moments, notably the 1960 gold medal win in Rome by Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay.

But its reputation has been tarnished in recent years as it careened from crisis to crisis.

Relations between AIBA and the IOC took a sharp downward turn following the 2016 Rio Games, when 36 officials and referees were suspended amid allegations

of bout fixing.

An internal investigation by AIBA raised deeper questions about the judging in Rio, with particular suspicion falling on a French official.

Then in 2017, AIBA executives forced out the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president C.K. Wu, amid claims of multi-million dollar accounting fraud.

Wu, a Taiwanese national, denied wrongdoing and remains a member of the IOC, an indication that he retains the support of senior Olympic officials.

Wu was ultimately replaced by the controversial Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov, who the US Treasury Department has linked to â&#x20AC;&#x153;transnational criminal organizationsâ&#x20AC;?.

Rakhimov, who stepped aside in March, vehemently rejects such charges and insists the allegations against him are â&#x20AC;&#x153;politically motivated liesâ&#x20AC;?.

Bach said that because Rakhimov has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, dealing with AIBA posed a â&#x20AC;&#x153;high risk... (for) anybody who is subject to US jurisprudence.â&#x20AC;?

Complications surrounding Rakhimovâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designation by the US government â&#x20AC;&#x153;played a major role in the deliberations of the inquiry commission,â&#x20AC;? Bach said.

Rakhimov was replaced as interim president by Moroccan doctor Mohamed Moustahsane â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the fourth head of AIBA in 18 months.

Before the announcement, AIBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership had insisted that the organization had met all the requirements stipulated by the IOC. The governing bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chief executive Tom Virgets told Agence France-Presse earlier this month that the organisation had â&#x20AC;&#x153;done everything that has been asked by the IOCâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every single document asked, we produced, every single requirement we have met,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Boxing in Tokyo Addressing boxers hoping to compete in 2020, Bach vowed that â&#x20AC;&#x153;there will be an Olympic tournament in Tokyo.â&#x20AC;?

The IOC has created a special task force led by Morinari Watanabe of the Japanese Olympic Committee to organize both the qualifiers and the Tokyo competition.

Details have yet to be hammered out, but the IOC said qualifications will take place between January and May 2020.

Boxers, Bach said, should rest assured that there will be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;fair competition in which all the athletes have equal and fair chances.â&#x20AC;?

AFP

Football FIFAÂ drops 48-team plan for 2022 L

C4

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

AUSANNE: FIFA shelved a proposed expansion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), dealing a blow to the world football bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s president Gianni Infantino.

The 2022 tournament in the Gulf state will now be played with 32 nations taking part. &)&! SAID IT HAD ABANDONED the expansion plans â&#x20AC;&#x153;following

a thorough and comprehensive consultation processâ&#x20AC;? which led to the conclusion that â&#x20AC;&#x153;under the current circumstances such a proposal could not be made nowâ&#x20AC;?. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(The tournament) will therefore remain as originally planned with 32 teams and no proposal will be submitted at THE NEXT &)&! #ONGRESS ON *UNE u &)&! SAID IN A STATEMENT The expansion was a pet project OF )NFANTINO WHO PUSHED THE IDEA despite the likely need for Qatarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neighbors to put aside a two-year blockade and help to host an expanded tournament. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The involvement of these

countries in the organization of the tournament jointly with Qatar implies the lifting of this blockade, in particular the lifting of restrictions on the movement of people and goods,â&#x20AC;? said a feasibility study SUBMITTED TO -ARCH S &)&! #ONgress in Miami.

The study, seen by AFP, also claimed that a Qatar World Cup with 48 teams would generate â&#x20AC;&#x153;between $300-$400 million MILLION EUROS OF ADditional incomeâ&#x20AC;?.

S p e c i f i CALLY &)&! WAS counting on an additional $120 million i n T V r i g h t s, MILLION in marketing rights and $ 9 0 mil-

lion from ticket sales.

The news comes after Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top football clubs said in March they would boycott an expanded 24-team Club World Cup â&#x20AC;&#x201D; also BACKED BY )NFANTINO Â&#x2021; WHICH IS planned to take place in June and July 2021, replacing the Confederations Cup tournament.

Complicated proposition An announcement of the final decision had not been expected until next

MONTH S &)&! #ONGRESS TO BE HELD in Paris ahead of the womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Cup that takes place in France between June 7 and July 7. &)&! SAID IT HAD EXAMINED the possibility of Qatar hosting a 48-team tournament on its own, but a study â&#x20AC;&#x153;concluded that due to the advanced stage of preparations and the need for a detailed assessment of the potential logistical impact on the host country, more time would be required and a decision could not be taken before the deadline of Juneâ&#x20AC;?. &)&! HAS DROPPED THE PLAN TO expand the 2022 tournament despite rec-

ommending in March that the number of teams should be raised to 48 for that tournament, ahead of the 2026 World C u p i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s, Canada and Mexico.

Expanding the competition for the 2022 tournament was always a complicated propoSITION &)&! HAD SOUNDED OUT potential co-hosts in the region willing to support Qatar, which is subject to an ongoing embargo by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and their allies.

AFP

Q France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris lifts the trophy after France won, 4-2, during the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 15, 2018. AP FILE PHOTO

Paulinho steers Guangzhou into AFC last 16 SARRI TO DISCUSS GUANGZHOU: Former Barcelona star Paulinho edged two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League last 16 Wednesday night, while titleholders Kashima Antlers had to come from a goal behind to avoid an embarrassing group stage exit.

The midfielderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second-half header was the difference for Fabio Cannavaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side in a tense 1-0 home win over South Koreaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Daegu, who had only needed to avoid DEFEAT TO kNISH SECOND IN 'ROUP & )N *APAN A QUICK kRE DOUBLE FROM SUBSTITUTE 3HO )TO GAVE +ASHIMA A 2-1 home win over Group E leaders Shandong Luneng, who had taken a 10th-minute lead courtesy of forMER -ANCHESTER 5NITED MIDkELDER Marouane Fellaini.

Kashima now face an all-Japan clash against Group F winners Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who won 3-1 at Melbourne Victory.

Meanwhile Shandong, who topped the group a point ahead of Kashima, will square off against Guangzhou in a blockbuster allChinese clash when the knockout stage begins next month.

Cannavaroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side began the mustwin game against Daegu without their potent Brazilian attacking MIDkELDER !NDERSON 4ALISCA WHO was out with a knee injury.

Nervy Evergrande, who won Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier club competition IN AND FINALLY GOT the breakthrough on 64 minutes when Paulinho rose to head in via a Daegu defenderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s touch, though the 30-year-old Brazilian gleefully claimed the goal for himself.

Kashima only needed a draw to join Shandong in the last 16 but fell behind early as beanpole Belgian Fellaini powered home a header after good work from Brazilian Gil. The home side struck back in the 68th minute when

SUPER SUB )TO SMASHED HOME FROM close range after the visitors failed to clear a Leo Silva corner.

-OMENTS LATER )TO BEAT THE OFFSIDE TRAP AND APPLIED A CLINICAL kNISH WITH the outside of his right boot to turn the game on its head for Kashima, who had kept Asiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier club title in Japan last year after Urawa Red Diamonds won it in 2017.

Kashimaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comeback meant Korean side Gyeongnamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2-0 home victory over Johor Darul Taâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;zim in the other Group E match was rendered meaningless.

Luc Castaignos fired the KLeague club ahead a little after the hour mark to break stubborn resistance from the Malaysian minnows before Takahiro Kunimoto added an injury-time second.

Japanese veteran Keisuke Hondaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last match in Australia for Melbourne Victory ended in a home defeat as (IROSHIMA CONkRMED THEIR 'ROUP F dominance.

AFP

Q Former Barcelona star Paulinho (red) AFP FILE PHOTO

Messi, Aguero in Argentina Copa America squad BUENOS AIRES:Â Barcelona superstar Lionel Messiand the returning Sergio Aguero headed the 23-man Copa America squad announced by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

Paris Saint Germain winger Angel Di Maria was also included but there was no place for striker Gonzalo Higuain, who is on loan at Chelsea from Juventus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These are the best players in an important time for the national team,â&#x20AC;? said Scaloni ahead of the tournament hosted

by Brazil, which begins on June 14.

Argentina will play in Group B along-

side Colombia, Paraguay and guests Qatar, the 2022 World Cup hosts and current Asian champions.

Messi, who only returned to the Argentina squad in March after an eight-month absence following the World Cup in Russia, will turn 32 during the competition.

Di Maria, like Messi, made his postWorld Cup return in March ahead of friendlies against Venezuela and Morocco, but Manchester Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aguero had not been called up since Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4-3 last 16 defeat to eventual champions France in Russia.

!NOTHER HIGH PROkLE OMISSION WAS )NTER -ILAN FORWARD -AURO )CARDI WHO HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE )TALIAN TEAM S LINE UP for the last two months over a dispute regarding a contract renewal. g+EEPING EVERYONE HAPPY IS DIFkCULT u admitted Scaloni, who said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d had gDOUBTS RIGHT UNTIL THE ENDu OVER THE kNAL squad make-up.

Argentina has not won the Copa America, or any major international tournament, since 1993, losing in the kNAL IN FOUR OF THE LAST kVE EDITIONS OF THE continental showpiece.

AFP

CHELSEA FUTURE

LONDON: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri plans showdown talks with the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hierarchy after next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Europa League final to see if they want the Italian to remain in charge next season.

Sarriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side recovered from a midseason slump in time to secure Champions League football next season via a thirdplaced finish in the Premier League, and could end the season with a trophy when they face Arsenal in Baku on May 29.

However, Sarriâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style of football has not been universally embraced by the Chelsea fans during his first season in charge and rumors in his homeland have linked the former Napoli boss with the vacant managerial roles at Juventus and Roma. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will speak to the club as I want to see if they are happy with me or not,â&#x20AC;? said Sarri on Wednesday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have two more years on my contract.â&#x20AC;?

The Milan stock exchange does not appear to share Chelsea fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; reservations. Juventus shares rose 5.60 per cent on Wednesday afternoon following reports in the Italian press the Italian champions had been in contact with Sarri.

Juventus is looking for a manager after parting last week with Massimiliano Allegri, who won

the Italian title in each of his five seasons in charge. Juventus shares, which dipped below 0.60 Euros last May before Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, reached 1.46 euros on Wednesday.

Sarri insisted any decision on his future should not be dependent on the outcome of the Europa League final. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the situation is like this then I want to go immediately,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ten months of work and then I have to play everything in 90 minutes, that is not right. You are either happy about my work or not happy.â&#x20AC;?

Sarri, though, defended his record after guaranteeing the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal target for the campaign of a return to the Champions League and reaching two Cup finals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think that we had a good season, with a lot of problems of course,â&#x20AC;? he added. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We finished third in the Premier League, final of League Cup, a very difficult competition, now we have the possibility to play the final of the Europa League. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we are able to win then it will become a wonderful season.â&#x20AC;?

Arsenalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparation for the final has been disrupted as midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has decided not to travel on safety grounds due to political tensions between his native Armenia and hosts Azerbaijan. AFP

Q Lionel Messi AFP PHOTO

FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019

Lifestyle

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Savor a colorful getaway at Savoy Hotel Boracay

BY IZA IGLESIAS

T

HERE is no denying that the six-month rehabilitation of Boracay helped the premier island destination achieve cleaner beach and coastline.

Seven months after its reopening, however, the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main roads and passageways remain congested with projects yet to be completed. The result is a stressful journey toward the heart of the paradise.

As such, it is of utmost importance that tourists get to experience a calm and refreshing stay within the island.

Enter Savoy Hotel Boracay, a new property at Boracay Newcoast, which is just a 30-minute drive from the White Beach â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main hotspot.

Boracay Newcoast is a 150-hectare mixed-use leisure and resort development by Megaworld Corporation. It is envisioned to be the grandest tourism destination on the island. It ALSO PRIDES ITSELF AS THE kRST AND the only master-planned leisure oriented township in Boracay.

Despite being a new player in the hotel industry, Savoy Hotel Boracay has been giving its guests a space to enjoy a colorful vacation at their own pace since its opening on April 18, 2017. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our tagline is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Color Your

Experienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; because we knew that black and white are not colors.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just shades. So we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to give our guests a black and white experience. We want it to be colorful and we want them to make memories that will even last for a lifetime,â&#x20AC;? Savoy Hotel Boracay General Manager Christian Adrian Gallares shared with The Manila Times in an interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also take note that travelers to Boracay are not on business â&#x20AC;&#x201D; theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very laid back, relaxed and NOT IN A HURRY 3O WE RE lEXIBLE when it comes to our service and amenities. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a colorful experience we give them. One guest at a time, one day at a time. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our mantra,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Easy island living Savoy Hotel Boracay accommodations are a treat and the embodiment of high island living standards. The hotel features 559 wellappointed rooms with spectacular views of the island. It comes in four room types, all offering the perfect spot for cooling down and relaxing after a day out in the sun.

Q Lila Spa offers invigorating massage and treatment using natural ingredients.

Moreover, each has its own contemporary and colorful dĂŠcor.

The hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restaurants also provide several dining options for snacks, full meals and cocktails, just like Savoy Cafe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an all-day hotel dining where guests can watch their chefs at work and dine indoors or al fresco; Chambery Pool Bar â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an open air bar light snacks and smooth cocktails; and Vienne Lobby Lounge â&#x20AC;&#x201D; formerly a snack bar but now has a modern take on different cuisines using fresh produce, some of which come from the region. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We serve a thousand guests everyday. We want to give them options,â&#x20AC;? Gallares said.

Meanwhile, Executive Chef Allan Mathay highlighted their conscious effort to meet the demands of their guests while staying true to flavors, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We thought about our exquisite menus because we have guests of different nationalities. We want to make sure that everybody will have something enjoy. Right now everybody wants to put their food shots on their social media, so we also want to make sure that the food that we serve will get lots of likes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we still remain true to the lAVORS THAT S WHY WE DID NOT GO into fusion and opted the more TRADITIONAL lAVORS 7E MADE SURE that we get fresh produce, right items, and that our chefs are welltrained to prepare each meal. Finally, we support the farmers in the region. In addition to some of our imported items, we make sure we also support the local market so that they too will be blessed,â&#x20AC;? he continued.

Savoy Hotel Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities indeed allow guests to relax, play, and just be at ease.

They can immerse their senses in the vibrant and hip beach lifestyle as they indulge in the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superb services and amenities.

Q Vibrant and hip beach lifestyle awaits hotel guests. only kind of offering in Boracay.

Fairways and Bluewater Newcoast also offers golf courses and adrenaline-filled zipline adventures. This destination is just a few minutes from the hotel.

Finally, in one with the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sustainability campaign, Savoy Hotel Boracay gives importance to zero-waste management â&#x20AC;&#x201D; their containers are eco-friendly and soon, they will no longer use single-use plastic bottles and build For one, there are the two pools Farther down the coast, guests will REkLLING STATIONS INSTEAD Indeed, at Savoy Hotel Boracay, right in the middle of the resort kND THE LITTLE KNOWN DELIGHTS OF â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a party pool with adult wading the island such as the all-terrain guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are in complete control of pool and a concert pool arena with vehicle adventures, Segway tours, their time, in a place where they outdoor stage for live entertain- and cable car rides â&#x20AC;&#x201D; all available can enjoy things the way they want. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to let them feel that ment. It also comes with outdoor upon request.

Of course, Savoy also wants they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to get out of the shower, pavilion and cabanas.

4HEY ALSO HAVE A kTNESS CENTER Â&#x2021; their guests to experience the hotel premises anymore. Everycomplete with exercise equipment main stations of White Beach thing is here and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need for those who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss their gym and access key island destina- to go far. We always have a touch day; and the in-house spa â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the tions such Mount Luho, Willyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of personalized service. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Lila Spa that offers invigorating Ro c k , B u l a b o g B e a c h P u k a culture we build here,â&#x20AC;? ended Mamassage and treatments using nat- Beach, and Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mall, among oth- rie Jehan Balbanero, Savoy Hotel ural ingredients â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for those who ers. Thus the round-the-clock Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marketing and Commushuttle to town, the first and nications Department head. want to reenergize their bodies.

For business functions and life events, the hotel offers meeting Q Vienne Lobby Lounge provides modern take on and conference rooms besides the different cuisine using fresh produce. grand Ballroom. Savoy Hotel Boracayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wedding planners can also make a coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s once-in-a-lifetime event a truly romantic one.

Just a 10-minute walk from the hotel is the Newcoast Beach â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a 295 meters stretch of white and powdery sand beach with a private feel and relaxing ambiance.

Q Corner Deluxe Twin room overlooks some of the best spots in the island.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cebu Mangoes Festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a celebration of Cebuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride If thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one thing that will forever vision of our chairman, Dr. Andrew endear anyone who has visited Cebu Tan, to showcase this vibrant aspect â&#x20AC;&#x201D; besides the warm, genuine smiles of of the Cebu lifestyle,â&#x20AC;? shared Noli the Cebuanos, of course â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got to be Hernandez, president of Megaworld the abundance of sweet, juicy mangoes. Cebu Properties, Inc. A hands-down worldwide favorite, Tourists and visitors will literally mangoes have easily become a proud have their hands full of everything and trademark of Cebu, long beanything mangoes the moment the fore the recent mango craze aze festival begins. caught on in various parts rts Q Agriculture products of the country. like mangoes continue Such has been the inspiraato thrive in Cebu. tion behind the upcomingg â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cebu Mangoes Festival,â&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;? a two-day festivity that celebrates the legacy and the success of mangoes as the top produce of the Queen City of the South.

The event takes place at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City on May 25 and 26, be speararrporation, in headed by Megaworld Corporation, u-Lapu City Guests are invited to take partnership with the Lapu-Lapu 4OURISM /FkCE part as the celebration kicks off with â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are very happy to get this cele- the Mango Street Dancing led by bration underway here in Lapu-Lapu the Kadaugan Dancers on May 25, City as we pay tribute to the mangoes FOLLOWED BY THE OFkCIAL START OF THE of Cebu that the world has come to all-day mango picking activity along love. The Mactan Newtown is a very Newtown Boulevard inside The Macspecial township that plays host to tan Newtown. more than 200 mango trees lined up Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the Mango Bazaar feaalong the main avenue, and it is the turing the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;mangopreneursâ&#x20AC;?

of Cebu that will showcase a wide variety of mango-related products. Those who will take part in the festival can also look forward to enjoying a dining feast at the 500-seater Mactan Alfresco.

Moreover, the festival will host the unveiling of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest mango SAGO Â&#x2021; POISED A HISTORIC kRST IN THE ISLAND Both days will be capped off by the Bot â&#x20AC;&#x153;MANGAmazing Concert,â&#x20AC;? which will â&#x20AC;&#x153;MAN feature live performances from Cebuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought-after talent as WELL AS A GRAND kREWORKS DISPLAY W â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Cebu Mangoes Festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration here at the Historic Resort City of LapuLapu and this side of Cebu. AlLa though the economic progress of the tho city has gone up by leaps and bounds, agriculture products like mangoes still agri thrive, and that proves how rich and thriv diverse Cebuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic sector really diver Mendoza, Lapu-Lapu City is,â&#x20AC;? Hembler H Touri Tourism Head, noted.

The 30-hectare The Mactan Newtown OF -EGAWORLD IS THE COUNTRY S kRST g,IVE Work-Play-Learnâ&#x20AC;? lifestyle township with its own beachfront located in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, Cebu.

It is currently home to almost 10,000 "0/ AND OFkCE WORKERS AS WELL AS TO -EGAWORLD S kRST SCHOOL IN 6ISAYAS AND Mindanao, the Lasallian-supervised Newtown School of Excellence.

Q Kadaugan dancers leads the Mango Street Dancing.

Q Tourists and visitors will have their hands full of everything and anything mangoes.

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Funtimes

FRIDAY May 24, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (05/24/19). Fortunes flows through collaboration this year. Steady contribution feeds your shared accounts. Summer bestows a rich harvest before a family financial obstacle requires resolution. Together you net a big financial prize next winter, before your own income source shifts. It’s all for home and family.

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 a 7 -- Group harmony requires effort. Stick to solid ground and basic fundamentals. Talk about your shared commitments, goals and ideas. Acknowledge support and contributions.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Work takes priority.

Determination and focus lead to career advancement. Use diplomacy with a controversial subject. Provide leadership that unites people to work together.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You can discover new flavors and views without breaking the bank. Don’t gamble with the rent. Study your options and routes for ways to save.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Don’t stir up jealousies. Costs may be higher than expected. Even if you win a battle, you could lose the war. Pull together.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Stay practical, or risk trouble with your partner. Keep your bargains, promises and agreements. Clean a mess. Avoid stepping on toes. Provide stability.

V I R G O (A U G. 23-S E P T. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Manage scheduled routines despite disruption. Maintain healthy routines as much as you can. Unexpected circumstances could

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK deviate your plans. Get support when needed.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Relax and have fun with beloved people and activities. Some tricks may not work as expected. Slow down to avoid accidents. Keep things cool.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Find practical domestic solutions that don’t cost a fortune. Give new purpose to something old. Make repairs early. A coat of paint works miracles.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Slow to avoid a conflict. Take a breath before responding. Consider the result you want to create, and choose words carefully. Express a possibility.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Focus on generating pasta. Avoid controversy or conflict with authority figures.

Postpone unnecessary expenses. Keep a low profile, and handle chores and duties.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Maintain your advantage. In a stalemate, don’t ask for favors. Hold your temper, and patiently wait. You get more with honey than you do with vinegar.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Avoid hustle and bustle. Find a quiet spot to reflect on what’s ahead. Stay away from potential arguments. Show appreciation to someone who helped you.

(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.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

FFRIDAY R I DAY MAY 24, 2019

Entertainment

Q Kyline Alcantara with mom and her friends Martin and Marvin at the Brooklyn Bridge.

D4

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Kyline relates unforgettable first Big Apple experience I PLUS: Herbert Bautista to go back to showbiz after term

T WAS A VERY SHORT STAY IN .EW 9ORK kVE days to be exact, but for Kyline Alcantara, it was enough for her to say that SHE HAS FULkLLED ONE IF HER BIGGEST DREAMS /NE ITEM OFF HER BUCKET LIST She has heard about many beautiful things about New York since childhood, and she had been wanting to see the city that never sleeps. She never thought it would happen so soon.

The 16-year-old GMA hot star recalls how she wanted to jump for joy when her manager told her that she was included in the group of stars that will perform in New York for GMA Pinoy TV. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hindi ako nagpahalata but deep inside me, I was shouting because of happiness and excitement. New York, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the city of my childhood dreams! I somehow knew that I would experience being in that city but I did not know that it would be so soon,â&#x20AC;? Kyline beamed as she shared her excitement to Showbuzz.

7HEN EVERYTHING WAS kNALIZED

visa issued, tickets bought, production meetings for the Brooklyn show done, Kyline became more excited. She had to finish her remaining scenes in her series g)NAGAW .A "ITUINu kRST BEFORE SHE

COULD lY TO THE CITY OF HER DREAMS but it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter, she was looking forward to her trip. g4HE DAY BEFORE OUR lIGHT ) WAS still shooting for my movie â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Black Lipstick.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; We finished at dawn of the next day and I proceeded home. I still had to pack. Tapos nun, nag-rest lang ako and after lunch, I already prepared to go to the airport with my mom who was joining the trip,â&#x20AC;? she shared.

With Kyline on that trip were Alden Richards, Betong and Golden Canedo. Their other co-stars in the show, Julie Ann San Jose and Rayver Cruz have gone ahead because of other commitments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought I would not be able to sleep on the plane because of excitement but siguro because I was tired with the daily tapings and shootings, the moment the plane went up, I dozed off to sleep.

I was actually asleep most of time DURING OUR HOUR lIGHT ) NEVER realized I was that tired.â&#x20AC;?

Guess what Kyline did upon going out of the John F. Kenne-

couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be better because her very good friend from Florida, Martin Raval, was in New York and was ready to tour her around. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so thankful that Martin was there with Tito Ray, his dad and his younger brother Marvin.

If they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there, we would not have that very good experience ce in exploring New w York. From the itinerr rary to our transporr rtation, it was Martin n and his dad who took charge.â&#x20AC;?

On the day of the show â&#x20AC;&#x153;Musikalye Sa Brooklyn,â&#x20AC;? Kyline devoted the whole Q Herbert Bautista day to rest and prepare for the show. w. She was so happy that a lot of people, mostly Filipinos, came to watch. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was so in the mood to perform. I did not want to disappoint the people who came. My co-stars were also excited. Maganda ang naging response ng mga nanood,â&#x20AC;? shared Kyline.

The following day, Kyline, her mom and the Ravals were back touring New York. The rain was

SHOWBUZZ LHAR SANTIAGO

dy Airport? She literally kissed the ground! â&#x20AC;&#x153;Actually, hindi lang ako, pati si Golden. Si Kuya Betong

kasi nagsabi sa amin na dapat daw humalik kami sa lupa para makabalik kami. Ganun daw kasi siya THE kRST TIME HE WENT to the Stares. Sinunod naman namin ni Golden. We didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care even if people were looking at us. Siyempre gusto naming makabalik,â&#x20AC;? reasoned the young star.

They arrived in New York in the evening but Kyline did not feel she was tired from the long lIGHT 3HE WANTED TO GO OUT AND explore her dream city. But her mom prevailed upon her. g-AMA WAS RIGHT ) HAD TO REST kRST I needed to preserve my energy for the production meeting the following day. So, we went outside pa rin but just to eat then back to our hotel.â&#x20AC;?

The following day, Kyline woke up doubly excited. She was told it would be a free day for them. The timing

pouring so hard that day but it did not stop them from going around.

They had the â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love New York" umbrellas which made the sight seeing more fun especially when they were in Manhattan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We went to Times Square, we had our pictures taken at the Brooklyn Bridge and the Liberty Park with the Statue of Liberty as our background. We went to a lot of places aand landmarks.

I was so h a p py, â&#x20AC;? she said.

The day after the show, Mar Martin had to retur return to Florida because b he s had school the follow following day. b But before he left, he handed K y l i n e t h r e e tickets for the Broadway musical â&#x20AC;&#x153;Frozen.â&#x20AC;? That same afternoon, Kyline was in the theater with her mom to watch the musical. It was Rayver who went with them. +YLINE SAID HER kVE STAY IN .EW York was an unforgettable experience. She and Martin even gave Showbuzz the exclusive photos which this columnist is sharing one

with the readers.

NNN Showbuzz was fortunate to have been invited by outgoing Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista in one of his last activities as the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mayor. It was the inauguration of the new Senior High School building of the Flora Ylagan High School in Barangay Pinyahan.

No matter how he laughed, there was a trace of sadness in Herbertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes. He will, of course, miss his daily grind as a public servant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy that in the 33 years that I served the public, I was able to contribute to the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress,â&#x20AC;? he quipped.

After his term ends on June 30, Herbert plans to go back to showbiz. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We grew up in showbiz so if there will be offers, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to entertain them. Kung bagay naman sa akin, I will do it. Aside from acting I also want to do some hosting. Baka puwedeng makasama tayo ni Wowowin,â&#x20AC;? he intoned.

One thing that Herbert is sure of doing is studying for his doctorate degree in Public Administration.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dito lang ako sa Pilipinas mag-aaral. It should be here be-

cause I also am serious about my comeback in the entertainment industry,â&#x20AC;? he said.