THE MANILA TIMES | JANUARY 25, 2019

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Comelec starts BOL canvassing

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

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OVER SHABU HIDDEN IN MAGNETIC LIFTERS

Q Left, Zobel doing what he likes best, playing polo; right, Mauritius’ financial district where his partners incorporated their firm.

Billionaire Zobel, secretive investors in anomalous P38B passport deal Fifth of a series ÑIGO Zobel, the country’s 11th richest billionaire, together with his secretive partners, own at least 40 percent of the company United Graphic Expressions Corp. (UGEC). ³TiglaoA6

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More raps filed vs Lapeùa Q Bureau of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero speaks during a press briefing at the Bureau’s offices in Manila on Thursday. PHOTO BY RUSSEL PALMA

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BY JOMAR CANLAS

HE NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation HAS kLED CHARGES BEFORE THE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE $O* AGAINST FORMER #USTOMS COMMISSIONER )SIDRO ,APEĂ„A AND OTHERS OVER DRUG SHIPMENTS THAT SLIPPED PAST THE "UREAU OF #USTOMS "O# LAST YEAR

LapeĂąa was charged in connection with the shabu shipment seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) and magnetic lifters found in Cavite, which were said to have contained more than a ton of the illegal substance.

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RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

A chance to shine, will DU30 seize it?

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H E FIRST THINGS world’s FIRST political leadership is in crisis. This gives leaders like President Rodrigo Duterte a chance to intervene if they want to, but do they have the courage and the imagination to seize it? ³TatadA5

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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

READY FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY Pope Francis greets the faithful from the popemobile after arriving in Panama City for World Youth Day, on Jan. 23, 2019. The Pope will on Friday open World Youth Day celebrations which drew around 200,000 young people from around the world. AFP PHOTO

What’s inside PH GROWTH SLOWS, MISSES BusinessB1 2018 TARGET NUKE PLANT? NIMBY?

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Mislatel franchise void – Drilon SENATE Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday said the franchise granted to Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. (Mislatel) in April 1998 is void ipso facto (by the fact itself) because the company failed to operate within a year from the grant of the franchise. Mislatel, together with Udenna Corp., Chelsea Holdings Co. and China Telecommunication Corp. (China Telecom), comprised the present

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Calvin Boniface L. Gothong

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CARLOS A. GOTHONG LINES, INC.

Palaui Island wins Asean tourism award

Fostering family and business C1 HIGH-FLYING HARDEN MAKES HISTORY AT THE FABLED GARDEN

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K-DRAMA+ZOMBIES= ‘KINGDOM’

EntertainmentE4

SANTA ANA, Cagayan: The enchanting island of Palaui in the northeastern tip of Luzon has won the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Community-Based Tourism Award for 2019 to 2021. Director Danilo Intong of the Department of 4OURISM $O4 /FkCE OF 4OURISM 3TANDARDS AND Regulation said the award recognizes associations

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World losing climate change race – UN DAVOS, Switzerland: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday warned that the world was “losing the race� on climate change as he demanded that governments make bolder commitments beyond

the Paris accord. g#LIMATE CHANGE IS THE DEkNing issue of our time. We are losing the race,� he said on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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News

˜ The Manila Times

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FRIDAY January 25, 2019

Comelec starts BOL canvassing T BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

(% #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC SITTING AS THE .ATIONAL 0LEBISCITE "OARD OF #ANVASSERS ON 4HURSDAY ORDERED A RECOMPUTATION OF THE CONTROVERSIAL DISCREPANCY IN THE VOTING kGURES IN THE CERTkCATES OF CANVASS #O# FROM #OTABATO #ITY

Chairman Sheriff Abbas ordered the turnover of the CoC and other election documents from Cotabato City after lawyer Romnel Rama, ACTING ELECTION OFkCER OF #OTABATO City, could not fully explain the discrepancy between the total number of voters who actually voted, and the total numbers of “yes� and “no� votes. Commissioner Luie Tito Guia noted that the total number of votERS WHO ACTUALLY VOTED RElECTED IN the CoC showed a total of 39,027, but pointed out that the total number of “yes� and “no� votes� “would certainly be more than 39,027.� During the canvassing, Rama said, they noticed that the election results had no entries, particularly on the total number of registered voters, voters who actually voted ,and voters who did not vote. For that reason, he added, the sub-canvassing unit just adopted

WHATEVER kGURES ON WHO ACTUALLY voted and who did not vote. “We cannot make an entry on the sub-canvassing unit, your honor. There is also an instance where the plebcom (plebiscite committee) instead of providing the number of voters who actually voted, adopted the total number of ‘yes’ votes in the entry on the upper side of the number of voters who actually voted. For example, if the ‘yes’ votes [number] 100, they also put 100 on the voters who actually voted, and for the ‘no’ votes they adopted it and put it on the voters who did not vote,� Rama said. “So there was an error on the part of the plebcom. That is why there is a disrepancy or we can say that the computation is not accurate because of the omission or incorrect data provided by the plebcom,� he added.

BONG GO ENDORSED

Duterte: ‘Have pity on your country, vote wisely’ WEEKS before the official start of the campaign period, President Rodrigo Duterte urged Filipinos to elect the right candidates, as he heaped praise on his former Cabinet members eyeing the Senate. In remarks during the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association Summit in Pasay City on Wednesday night, Duterte appealed to voters to “have pity on your country.� “Try to figure out something that is good for the country,� he said. The President then described his former top aide and now senatorial aspirant Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go as a “good and honest� man. He also praised Francis Tolentino, who was his political adviser, as a very kind politician. Later on, Duterte also mentioned in his speech former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, who led his bloody war on drugs. The President then reiterated that he would vote for singer Freddie Aguilar because the latter wrote songs with a message. “He is the only singer I know who conveys a message in all of his songs. He’s trying to convey a message to the country,� Duterte said.

‘Debt of gratitude’ Duterte said he already has a list of

candidates in the elections in May. He said he would campaign for candidates who had supported him. Among those in his slate were Ilocos Norte Gov. Maria Imelda Josefa “Imeeâ€? Marcos, re-electionist senators Juan Edgardo “Sonnyâ€? Angara Jr. and Cynthia Villar, and Taguig Rep. Pilar Juliana “Piaâ€? Cayetano. “Of course, they supported me and I have to support them also. That’s the right thing to do,â€? the President told reporters in a chance interview. Duterte also said he would likely have his own slate, distinct from the slate of his political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. “We couldn’t agree on exact numbers but I will be supporting those who supported me during the last years. Utang na loob iyan e (That’s a debt of gratitude),â€? he said. MalacaĂąang earlier said there was nothing wrong with Duterte endorsing senatorial candidates ahead of the official campaign period. The campaign period for senatorial and party-list candidates is scheduled from February 12 to May 11, while the campaign period for local candidates, including district representatives, is from March 29 to May 11. CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Q LOSING FROM A1

World losing climate “It is absolutely central to reverse this trend.� Guterres said he was “not hopeFULu THAT NATIONS WOULD kND THE resolve but stressed: “We need political will and we need governments who understand that this is the most important priority of our times.� The Paris climate accord has been shaken by the withdrawal of the United States under President Donald Trump, and by threats to do the same by Brazil’s new hardright leader Jair Bolsonaro.

The UN chief said the commitments made in Paris were already “not enough�. “If what we agreed in Paris would materialize, the temperature would rise more than 3.0 degrees [Celsius],� he said on a Facebook Live broadcast from Davos. “We need countries to make stronger commitments,� Guterres said, calling for more measures to mitigate against climate change, ADAPT TO IT AND kNANCIAL AID FOR poorer countries. AFP

FINALLY

The Secretariat of the Board of Canvassers open a ballot box from Cotabato City during the opening of the canvassing of the results of the Bangsamoro Organic Law plebiscite at the offices of the Commission on Elections on Thursday. PHOTO BY RUSSEL PALMA Commissioner Rowena Guanzon ASKED 2AMA ABOUT THE kGURE g u THAT WAS RElECTED ON THE SUMMARY OF VOTES THAT THE ELECTION OFkCER SAID WAS the total number of “no� votes. Based on the CoC, Guanzon said, the total number of “no� votes was 24,994, or a discrepancy of 2,400. Rama could not explain the discrepancy satisfactorily, saying it had to be recomputed. It was then that Abbas ordered

that the CoC and other election documents be submitted to the Comelec tabulation committee for recomputation. “These documents will undergo audit to ensure correction of the tabulation and addition,� Abbas said. He adjourned the session and reset it at 2 p.m., Friday after the secretariat said there were no more CoC to canvass. The CoC from Cotabato City

WERE THE kRST TO ARRIVE AT THE #OMELEC CENTRAL OFkCE AFTER THE PLEBISCITE on Monday. Several minutes after the adjournment, the CoC and other elections documents from Sulu arrived. An earlier election report released by the Cotabato City plebiscite board of canvassers indicated that there were 71,963 registered voters of whom, 39,027 actually voted. But the total count of “yes� and

“no� votes was only 61,676 or a disparity of 22,649. According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, there was “clerical� error in the said CoC from Cotabato City and also those from Sulu, and that these would be corrected during the national CANVASSING AT THE #OMELEC OFkCE “We have official records to prove that there was a clerical error,� he said. Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi, in a radio interVIEW SAID THEY WOULD kLE A PROTEST against results of the plebiscite, claiming that there was massive disenfranchisement of voters during Monday’s exercise. She added that some 100 teachers were not able to serve as board of election inspectors because they were allegedly intimidated and harassed a day before the plebiscite, and were replaced by people who were not voters of Cotabato City and known supporters of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. The mayor said registered voters were also intimidated by the presence of thousand of Moro Islamic Liberation Front members inside polling centers. She also claimed that the police and the military failed to control THE INlUX OF NON VOTERS AT THE POLLing centers.

Illegal firearms possession charge filed vs Baldo THE Philippine National Police 0.0 HAS OFkCIALLY kLED CHARGES against Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo for possession of unlicensed firearms, explosives and ammunition. The PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-AlBAY 0ROVINCIAL &IELD 5NIT kLED THE charges against Baldo for violating Republic Act 9516 (illegal possession of explosives) and RA 10591

Q LAPEĂ‘A FROM A1

More raps The incident became the clincher for his ouster at the BoC, after whistleblower Maria Lourdes Mangaoang accused him of being remiss on his duties. In October last year, President Rodrigo Duterte named LapeĂąa director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda). In August last year, agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) found two abandoned magnetic lifters at the Port of Manila, containing 355 kilos of shabu worth P2.4 billion. Following the discovery, similar lifters were discovered abandoned at a warehouse in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite which the PDEA believed contained 1.6 tons of shabu worth P11 billion. )N A COMPLAINT AFkDAVIT THE .") sought the indictment of LapeĂąa for violation of Republic Act 3019 — dereliction of duty and grave misconduct over his failure to act on the drug shipments. The complaint was signed and approved by Director Dante Gierran. Administrative and graft charges are within the jurisdiction of the /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN BUT CAN be filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ) for case buildup, and later referred to the Ombudsman. 4HE .") SAID ,APEĂ„A FAILED TO kLE complaints against the consignees, importers and brokers of the two magnetic lifters with hidden shabu at the Port of Manila, and the four magnetic lifters that slipped past BoC and were found empty in Cavite. “Despite the lapse of time, Com-

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF kREARMS AND ammunition) before the Albay 0ROVINCIAL 0ROSECUTOR S /FkCE On Tuesday, police discovered Baldo’s two unlicensed cal. 45 pistols and a complete round of 40mm, which is used for M203 grenade launchers, in a search warrant operation at his residence in Barangay Tagas in Daraga. Originally under the custody of the CIDG, he was brought to

the University of Santo TomasLegazpi also on Tuesday after he was reported to have experienced an asthma attack and high blood pressure. The mayor did not attend his scheduled inquest proceedings on Wednesday noon and instead subMITTED A CERTIkCATE OF CONkNEMENT Based on the certificate of CONkNEMENT HE WAS ADMITTED for bronchial asthma in acute

exacerbation, upper respiratory tract infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus. PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde earlier said it was up to the doctors if Baldo would be detained in the hospital. The mayor is the alleged mastermind behind the assassination of AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe on Dec. 22, 2018. ROY D.R. NARRA

MISSIONER ,APEÄA DID NOT kLE ANY case against the shippers or consignees of the magnetic lifters, which should have been done upon discovery of the goods by misclasSIkCATION SINCE IT IS VERY OBVIOUS that the declaration made by the shipper is not the same as what were intercepted,� the complaint stated.

gerous Drugs Act) against former PDEA deputy director general for administration Ismael Fajardo Jr.; Sr. Supt. Eduardo Acierto, former 0.0 ANTI ILLEGAL DRUGS GROUP OFkCIAL former Customs intelligence agent Jimmy Guban; police inspector Lito Pirote; and Joseph Dimayuga. Guban, who has confessed about his knowledge of the coverup of the shipments, is under the DoJ Witness Protection Program. Other respondents were Fhonie Chan, also known as KC Chan; Willin Ong alias Wilson Ong; Jiang Quoqing; Vedasto Baquel; Maria Lagrimas Catipan and Emelyn Luquingan for the MICP shipment; as well as Hsu Chung-chun, James Fung, Le Thi Thu Huong, Du Quoc Duong, Migela Santos, Katrina Grace Cuasay and Marina Signapan for the Cavite shipment. At the height of the controversy, ,APEĂ„A WAS CLEARED IN A FACT kNDING investigation by the PDEA. Afterwards, he was promoted and appointed director general of Tesda by Duterte. In November, criminal charges WERE kLED BY THE .") BEFORE THE $O* against LapeĂąa over alleged anomalies in the release of 105 containers of ceramic tiles worth at least P69 million from China by port operator Asian Terminals Inc. in March 2018.

the incidence of corruption, which he attributed to reform measures aimed at increasing revenue collection and cutting illegal transactions. He claimed that when he assumed the top Customs post in September 2018, the grease money per container was P35,000. It’s down to P5,000, he said. “It’s not easy to catch these smugglers [and their accomplices in Customs] because they are good in circumventing the law, and they have contacts both in and out of the bureau who are doing the maneuvering on how to evade the reforms initiated in the [BoC],� he said. He said reforms initiated in the bureau did wonders in curbing corruption and increasing revENUES &OR THE kRST TIME IN ALMOST a decade, said Guerrero, the BoC exceeded its collection target in 2018 by P458 million. The accreditation process, he said, WAS ALSO SIMPLIkED TO SIX STEPS FROM 11 steps. To strengthen the campaign against smuggling, the bureau has upgraded its facilities by adding 50 new X-ray machines in various airports and seaports nationwide. Fifteen units of fixed baggage X-ray machines, 25 units of handcarried baggage X-ray machines, four units of mobile baggage X-ray machines, and six units of portaltype X-ray machines costing more than P1.2 billion would be installed this year, said Guerrero. “We need to immediately install and upgrade our X-ray machines to strengthen vigilance and prevent the entry of smuggled and contraband goods in the Philippines,� said Guerrero.

Manila and Cavite lifters similar The complaint argued that there was no need to present the missing drugs as evidence. “While it is true that in drug-related cases, the illegal drugs is the corpus delicti, we believe that SUCH REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN SATISkED in this case,� it said. “The abandoned magnetic lifters AT -)#0 kLLED WITH PROHIBITED DRUGS and those in GMA (General Mariano Alvarez), Cavite, have the same square openings, color, and structure. The square opening is not a design or enhancement, much less, an ornament of the machines and its presence was made intentionally to mark and identify the spot where the illegal drugs were concealed,� the NBI said Also charged by the NBI were sacked Port of Manila District collector Vener Baquiran for his failure to declare as abandoned the two magnetic lifters at the MICP, X-ray Inspection Project head Carrie de Guzman and two others for allowing the four magnetic lifters in Cavite to pass through Customs. Also in the complaint were 50 other personalities allegedly involved in the importation and release of the shipments. Administrative and criminal charges were slapped under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dan-

‘Tara still exists’ Also on Thursday, LapeĂąa’s successor, Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, admitted that the so-called tara system of bribes still existed in the bureau despite a no let-up campaign against technical smuggling and other fraudulent activities. Guerrero pointed out, though, that there was a marked reduction in

WITH WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

˜ The Manila Times

Cebuano bags P63-M Mega Lotto prize A BETTOR from Cebu who correctly guessed the winning Mega Lotto combination won P63 million, becoming the seventh millionaire declared by the Philippine Charity 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ g)T IS A kRST OF ITS KIND IN A SPAN of 10 days. Our lucky millionaire guessed the correct combination of 19-01-25-43-18-39, taking home the jackpot prize of P63,810,688, in the Mega Lotto 6/45 draw,� PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said. The winning ticket was purchased in Gaisano Grand MallTalamban. Of the seven jackpot winners in January, two got the prize from the Ultra Lotto 6/58; two from Lotto 6/42; and one each from Super Lotto 6/49 and Grand Lotto 6/55. The chances of winning in lotto draws are one in 5,245,786 for Lotto 6/42; 1 in 8,145,060 for Mega Lotto 6/45; 1 in 13,983,816 for Super Lotto 6/49; 1 in 28,989,675 for Grand Lotto 6/55; and 1 in 40,475,358 for

Ultra Lotto 6/58. “We have just given close to half a billion jackpot prizes for seven Lotto games this January amounting to P490,359,761,� Balutan said. On Monday, a winner took home the P239.2 million pot for the Grand Lotto 6/55. The bet was placed at the Lotto outlet managed by the Lucky Circle Corp. in SM City Cebu. On January 15, another winner took home the Lotto 6/42 jackpot prize of P48,204,764. The ticket was purchased in Sampaloc, Manila. On January 18, a winner guessed all six numbers for the jackpot prize of P49.5 million of the Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw. The ticket was purchased IN .OVALICHES 1UEZON #ITY On January 19, another lucky bettor took home the P5.9 million pot of the Lotto 6/42 draw. The ticket was purchased in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. On January 20, a bettor hit the jackpot of the Super Lotto 6/49 and took home P25.2 million.

PH to acquire more missiles from Israel THE Philippines would acquire another set of missiles from )SRAEL $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELkN Lorenzana said on Thursday. The military tested last year the Rafael Advanced Defense Ltd. Surface-to-surface Spike-ER missiles installed on the multipurpose assault craft of the Philippine Navy.

Lorenzana said the Philippines would acquire SPYDER missiles under the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The anti-air missiles were developed by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems with assistance from Israel Aerospace Industries. DEMPSEY REYES

Work abandonment Dear PAO, My father suffered from a minor heart attack last December and was hospitalized for several weeks. We immediately advised his supervisor and their HR Department about his condition. Since my mother and I were busy looking after the needs of my father, we were not able to constantly update them about my father. It was only two weeks ago when his DOCTOR kNALLY CLEARED HIM AND allowed him to go back to work. So, immediately after getting his doctor’s clearance, my father went back to work. %VERYTHING SEEMED kNE UNTIL today when his supervisor approached him, and told him that their bosses are thinking of whether to allow him to continue working in their company because there are allegedly rumors that my father will be terminated due to abandonment of work. When he said that he really could not go to work even if he wanted to because of what happened, his supervisor said that it was his failure to update the company of his condition that is being factored in as abandonment of work. Can his company really claim that my father abandoned his work? He is really worried because he does not want to lose his job. Please advise me. Nonoy Dear Nonoy, While the Labor Code of the Philippines DOES NOT SPECIkCALLY indicate abandonment of work as one of the just causes for termination of employment, it is often embraced under “gross and habitual neglect by the employee of his duties� which is one of the just causes for termination by employer under Article 282 (b) of the said code. There is no hard-and-fast rule when considering “abandonment� as a lawful cause for termination. Nevertheless, our Supreme Court has laid down the following guide: “For abandonment to exist, two factors must be present: (1) the failure to report for work or absence without a valid or justifiable reason; and (2) a clear intention to sever the employer-employee

News Local execs barred from leaving during disasters FRIDAY January 25, 2019

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DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA relationship, with the second element as the more determinative factor being manifested by some overt acts.� ( Tegimenta Chemical Phils. and Vivian Rose R. Garcia vs. Mary Ann Oco , GR 175369, Feb. 27, 2013, Ponente : Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno) In the situation which you have imparted, it appears that there was no abandonment on the part of your father as his failure to report for work was for a valid cause given that he suffered a minor heart attack. There also appears no intention on his part to terminate his relationship with his company considering that he reported for work immediately after he was cleared by his physician. If your father’s employer will insist that your father abandoned his work, thus using it as a basis to terminate him, it must be substantiated pursuant to the abovementioned guidelines. The burden of proving that there is indeed abandonment of work lies on the part of the employer and not the employee who wishes to retain his employment. As elucidated by the Supreme Court in the case of Tegimenta Chemical Phils. and Garcia vs. Oco (Id.): “The mere absence of an emPLOYEE IS NOT SUFkCIENT TO CONstitute abandonment. As an employer, Tegimenta has the burden of proof to show the deliberate and unjustified refusal of the employee to resume the latter’s employment without any intention of returning.� We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

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

BY ROY D.R. NARRA

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HE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday barred local officials from leaving their areas during calamities and emergencies. In a memorandum, Interior canceled should there be a disaster Secretary Eduardo AĂąo said the ap- or calamity. proved travel authority or leave of “Local chief executives should be ABSENCE OF LOCAL OFkCIALS WOULD BE physically present in their respective

stations especially during times of disasters. As chairpersons of their respective local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) committees, they must personally oversee their local disaster management preparations and operations,� DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya said in a statement. The memorandum also covered provincial board members. 4HE $),' EARLIER kLED ADMINIS-

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TRATIVE CHARGES BEFORE THE /FkCE OF THE /MBUDSMAN AGAINST kVE MAYors for being absent when their respective towns were hit by Typhoon “Ompong� in September 2018. They are Felix Edarte of Tayum, Abra; Ringor Luspian of Mankayan, Benguet; Mateo Chiyawan of Natonin, Mountain Province; Jose Limmayog of Sadanga, Moutain Province; and Brenda BelarminoRuma of Rizal, Cagayan.

Filipino to face rape, murder raps in Japan A 33-year-old Filipino, one of three men who raped and murdered a student in Japan in 2004, has returned to Japan to face the criminal charges. Keith Guianan Echane was escorted by )NTERPOL OFkCERS ON 4HURSDAY WHEN HE arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to board a Japan Airlines lIGHT TO .ARITA Reports said Echane surrendered after

Japanese authorities sought his capture in the Philippines. The Japanese embassy traced Echane in Taytay, Rizal in 2017, but the Philippine police did not arrest him because there was no warrant against him. One of Echane’s accomplices, Lampano Jerico Mori, was arrested in Japan and sentenced to life in prison. The other Filipino, who was not identi-

kED REMAINS AT LARGE The three Filipinos were minors working at a plant in the village of Miho, Ibaraki when the crime occurred. The Japanese police found the naked body of the student in a river in Miho. All three were placed on an international wanted list, but Echane and the unnamed Filipino were able to leave Japan in 2007. BENJIE L. VERGARA

Neglectful parents should also be punished – Palace A DAY after the House of Representatives approved on second reading a bill that seeks to lower the age of criminal liability to 12, Malacaùang urged Congress to insert a provision that would punish parents of juvenile delinquents.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said parents should be responsible for the actions of their children. “Maybe Congress can introduce provisions that in case of children committing crimes, the parents proved to be neglectful should be

held accountable,� Panelo said. He said these parents might also be charged for reckless imprudence. “I think there should be some kind of punishment to the parents who are neglectful. Supposedly, parents are the trainors of children,

the molders of children to become righteous individuals and good citizens,� he said. Duterte on Wednesday backed the measure, saying it would prevent crime syndicates from using minors in their illegal operations. RALPH EDWIN U. VILLANUEVA

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Opinion

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Okada escape highlights need for stricter law enforcement

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HERE is a certain irony in the news that while legislators are debating the amendment to the law setting the age of children when should be held legally liable for criminal acts, a privileged suspect who is the subject of an arrest warrant HAS APPARENTLY BEEN ABLE TO lEE THE COUNTRY UNNOTICED Controversial gaming mogul Kazuo Okada was charged with three counts of estafa on January 4 before the Regional Trial Court in ParaĂąaque City, and an arrest warrant was issued with a bail amount of P348,000. Judge Rolando How ordered the ParaĂąaque City and Makati City police to take the 77-year-old Okada into custody. According to Bureau of Immigration (BI) records, however, a Kazuo Okada born in 1942 departed the Philippines on January 18 on Philippine Airlines flight PR310. Does the BI have an explanation for the escape of a fugitive rather easily a full two weeks after his arrest was ordered? Or that the person who left the country with the same name as Kazuo Okada and the same birth year of 1942 was not the wanted Okada? The Okada wanted by the law was charged with estafa based on a complaint from Tiger Resorts Leisure and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), which operates the Okada Manila casino resort complex in ParaĂąaque’s Entertainment City. The former chairman of TRLEI was accused of embezzling MILLION FROM THE kRM ALLEGEDLY THROUGH MISPAID SALary and consultancy fees, charges which Okada denied. TRLEI’s former president and CEO Takahiro Usui was also indicted and ordered arrested by Judge How. Not to be confused with recent reports that the Department OF *USTICE $O* HAS AFkRMED THE DISMISSAL OF ESTAFA CHARGES against Okada and several others relating to the supply of P210 million worth of lights for the façade of Okada Manila, these charges were totally separate from the TRLEI funds embezzlement case for which Okada’s arrest has been issued. 4HIS IS NOT THE kRST TIME A HIGH PROkLE SUSPECT HAS BEEN able to elude Philippine law enforcement, but the case of Okada is particularly galling because there were apparently several missed opportunities for the DoJ to monitor his whereabouts. BI records indicate the arrival or departure of a “Kazuo Okada, born 1942â€? several times between December 7 of last year, when the indictment against /KADA WAS kLED BY THE $O* AND *ANUARY WHEN THE ARREST warrant was issued. Okada was recorded as arriving in the Philippines on December 8. Even without an indictment or arrest warrant, the BI — and by extension, the DoJ and the Philippine National Police — should have had a substantial amount of intelligence based on Okada’s record alone to justify paying closer attention to his movements and activities. In 2014, Okada was investigated, but not charged, by authorities in the Philippines, Macau, Japan and the United 3TATES OVER ACCUSATIONS OF BRIBERY OF 0AGCOR OFkCIALS AT about the same time the Okada Manila project was mired in controversies over its license here. The Bureau of Immigration is an agency of the Department of Justice. How it is possible that the BI would not be made aware of a pending indictment issued by its parent department against a Japanese national who traveled in and out of the Philippines frequently is something the responsible authorities must explain. Likewise, if the ParaĂąaque RTC and the involved police agencies were aware that Okada is a foreign citizen who travels frequently — and they certainly should have been — information about the arrest warrant should have been forwarded at once to the BI for their appropriate action. If it was, and the BI failed to act on it, that failure must be explained. If the information was not provided, then the INEFkCIENCIES IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM THAT SOMETIMES appears as though its right hand does not know what its left hand is doing must be critically assessed and corrected. ~

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 105

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER EVELYN A. FAUNI, Vice President for Finance 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.

Nuke plant? NIMBY?

L

AST Tuesday, I read with interest Dik Pascual’s Philippine Star column on shifting to nuclear energy, starring an American who the Daily Tribune featured thereafter, for two days running. Intrigued I was. I chaired the Cabinet committee (1986) and the Senate committee (1987-1992) on the Bataan nuke power plant. Experts convinced us then that safety concerns aside, the white elephant was beyond economic repair. The 1970s model may need upgrading and may be more costly now to put on line, it would be arguably cheaper to build a new one from the ground up. But where? Location, location, location. If not in Bataan, where then? NIMBY, Not In My Backyard, baby. We add the hidden social cost and the price would be humongous indeed. Unaffordable, from where I sit. If there is a Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011) disaster,

in the toll plaza, which common sense says should be made like that in Balintawak, by simply widening it. No rocket science. And then after getting past the plaza, going to San Beda Law Alabang, for a long stretch, one lane! Suppose my agedo we have the experience and ing vehicle (Starex, a gift from a expertise to deal with same? client) makes tirik (our Safari my With all due respect, we are not late wife got from Mondragon, way as technologically sophisticated back in 1994)? as the experienced Americans, Any expert saying that no one Russians and Japanese, given died from radiation in Cherour puede-na-bahala-na mental- nobyl would sound like a snakeity. Left with the US jeep in 1945, oil salesman to me. There were Japan now has the Lexus; we scores of casualties there, some have the dyipni, uncomfortable, immediate, many others longdangerous, with a lot of borloloy. term. Per a Yomiuri Shimbun So Pinoyesque and it doesn’t 2012 survey, there were 573 worry Toyota at all. No one has disaster-related deaths. The excopied the dyipni concept, and pert Dik quoted and the Tribune imitation is said to be the sincer- featured, to me, may have sadly EST FORM OF lATTERY overstated his case. What do we do with the nuke I remain convinced Prez Cory waste? Has a solution been Aquino, on the advice of Lofound? We cannot even handle r e n z o Ta ù a d a , J o k e r A r our ordinary waste problem. royo, Nene Pimentel and myself, This is a country where taking with an assist from KBL’s Rafthe Skyway from Makati to Ala- fy Recto, was correct in mothBANG ONE ENDS UP WITH HEAVY TRAFkC balling the plant. If a mistake,

T.G.I.F.

RENE SAGUISAG

why engineer FVR down the line did not correct it, is instructive. On another front where Prez Cory might have been with us today, I gather that there will be a peaceful prayer-rally this afternoon, with a proposed “human chain� to serve as the culminating action, cum lighting of candles and display of banners, streamers and placards along the entire length of the chain. The “One Faith, One Nation, One Voice� rally, will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p. m. at the Raja Sulayman Park fronting the Malate Church in Manila. Go and be part of the human chain along Roxas Boulevard right after, from 7 p.m. to 8 p. m. For today’s march-rally, the calls are: Stop the attacks! Justice for human rights victims! Resist tyranny! Fight for freedom and democracy! No to martial law! No to Cha-cha! The Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) contingent will assemble at 3:30 p.m. at the

ÂłSaguisagA5

New Year in Asean Part 4 – Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines

a great excuse to celebrate the Western New Yearâ€? with “parties, LIVE MUSIC kREWORK DISPLAYS AND OR the past three weeks, we delicious Lao food from the night shared information about the market and of course, Tiger Beer!â€? New Year’s Eve countdown and the Lao New Year which falls on either traditional New Year in countries April 13 or 14, is usually a three-day of the Association of Southeast public holiday, called Songkran or Asian Nations (Asean). We end based on the lunar cycle with a year Pii Mai, but could go on for an enwith this series. Five countries (In- consisting of 12 months of 354 tire week in some areas of Laos. It is donesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, or 355 days. <https://sciencing. based on the traditional solar new Singapore and Thailand) founded comScience›Physics›Astronomy> year, observed in parts of India and Indonesia’s 17,508 islands are Asia. HTTPS WWW OFkCEHOLIDAYS the Asean on Aug. 8, 1986. Asean is headquartered in Jakarta. The under different time zones. (CIA com/countries/lao/lao-new-year. traditional New Year celebrations World Factbook) Thus, January php> Traditional Lao music and in the Asean countries do not 1 comes at markedly different social dancing, “molam, and lamnecessarily fall on January 1 since times, especially in its big cities. vĂ´ng (circle dancing) are some of they are based on the individual Famous in Bali, Denpasar are the many spectacles during the Laos country’s religion and/or the calen- ITS MAGNIkCENT AND SPECTACULAR New Year.â€? “During the daytime dars they follow. Science explains, fireworks “fired from the sea;â€? people go to the temple to worship, too, the differences among these thus people come in the early hoping to have a healthier and hapcountries when January 1 exactly AFTERNOON TO AVOID THE LONG TRAFkC PIER LIFE IN THE NEW YEAR u g4HE kRST occurs. This is due to the time lines. (In October last year, I was day of the three-day festival is New at Sakala Resort in Bali Denpasar, Year’s Eve, and the last day marks zones a country is in. Lunar, solar, Gregorian and courtesy of the Goethe Institut the beginning of the new year.â€? Hijiri calendars. What are these Philippinen, for a conference Lao traditions have “the second “calendars?“In theory, just east of AMONG SCHOOLS WHICH ARE OFkCIAL- day of the festivalâ€? in between the the International Date Line, it is 12 ly with the “Schulen der Zukunftâ€? new and old years. <https://publihours behind Greenwich (GMT) program (“School: Partner for the cholidays. asia/laos/lao-new-year/> and just west of it, it is 12 hours Futureâ€?) which program I oversee Songkran celebration includes sok ahead.â€? “The solar calendar mea- in the university. Having attended di pai mai which means Happy sures the earth’s rotation around several conferences in Indonesia New Year, “a time of joy and new the sun at an average of 365.24 as a German university alumna, I beginnings.â€? People give monks days a year. The lunar calen- bring the impression of how huge mounds of sand (called stupas) dar measures the moon’s rotation everything is in Indonesia — the which monks decorate with pataround the earth at 354 days a year. resorts, hotels and universities. TERNS OF lOWERS AND INTRICATE CARVWith an error of only about 2 sec- As a cultural city, Yogyakarta ings and offer to Buddha; families onds per year, or 1 day in 31,250, celebrates New Year’s Eve in a go to beaches to create their own the lunar calendar is roughly traditional way such as the way- stupas. <https://public holidays. 10 times more accurate than to- ang kulit (shadow puppet) lasting asia/laos/lao-new-year/> Another day’s Gregorian calendar, one of until late at night. Night markets, custom is cleansing with water the most accurate calendar systems attractive shopping deals, culi- believed to help promote longevity ever devised. Which is more accu- nary tours and great fireworks and peace while school children RATE THE LUNAR OR SOLAR ‡ DEkNITELY display mark the celebration. help clean their homes to eliminate the lunar.â€? However, most places <https://factsofindonesia.com/ the previous year’s clutter, douse around the world use a solar cal- new-years-in-indonesia> their elders with water perfumed Laos, like Cambodia, Myanmar WITH lOWERS OR COLOGNE THEN GO TO endar rather than a lunar one. Muslims and Jews follow a lunar and Thailand, has its own tradi- temples to cleanse the monks. Stucalendar and Islamic calendar, tional New Year celebration, yet dents douse their friends with water known as Hijiri calendars, both Laotians still think that “there’s FOR FUN ALONG WITH PLAYFUL kGHTS

F

FLASHBACKS/ INSIGHTS

TERESITA TANHUECOTUMAPON

with water guns and balloons. Also, during Lao New Year, based on Theravada Buddhism, is the “granting of freedom to animals, freeing birds and other animals from cages while monks pray for the release of captive humans.� <https://publicholidays.asia/laos/ lao-new-year/> In the Philippines, the usual loud celebrations, “believing that the noise will scare away evil beINGSu WERE SIGNIkCANTLY LESS THIS 2019. Firework accidents were MUCH LESS THANKS TO OFkCIAL AGENcies collaborating on the New Year don’ts. Traditionally, 12 different round fruits symbolizing good luck for the 12 months of the year continued to dominate midnight feasts along with “sticky rice and noodles.� <https://wilstar. com/holidays/ newyear.htm> The Philippine New Year celebration is incomplete without describing the Chinese New Year, considered to be the most important festival for the Chinese community in the Philippines which unlike in many other countries, does not follow a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar. The celebration stretches to about 15 days with varied observations each day. <driftwoodjourneys.com/ chinesenew-year-in-the-philippines-thecultural-adaptation-o...> This celebration is “a festivity of cultural amalgamation between the #HINESE AND &ILIPINOSu‡OFkCIALLY beginning this year on February 5 and ending on February 19 . Known as the “Year of the Pig, the 2019 Chinese New Year celebration is also known as the Spring Festival.� <https://www.ofkCEHOLIDAYS COM COUNTRIES CHINA chinese_new_year.php> (30)

Email: ttumapon@liceo.edu.ph

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

Q TATAD FROM A1

A chance to shine, will DU30 seize it? It may be time for President Duterte to consider it. These are some of the basic facts: — The government shutdown in the United States, which began on Dec. 22, 2018, is now on its second month. For the second time, 800,000 federal workers will miss their paychecks. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the Democratsdominated House of Representatives will not allow Republican President Donald Trump to use the chamber to deliver his State of the Union address on January 29, and Trump may have to deliver it somewhere else. This simply sounds absurd. Trump will also not allow THE 3PEAKER TO USE 53 OFkCIAL FACILIties to visit American troops in Afghanistan, and he will not “reopen� the government unless Congress approves his $5.7-billion funding request to build his wall between Mexico and the US. Those who used to think American democratic institutions functioned with precision like a freshly minted Swiss watch cannot seem to understand this. Under American law, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass SUFkCIENT APPROPRIATION BILLS OR continuing resolutions to fund federal government operations and agencies, or when the President refuses to sign such bills and resolutions into law. But the rhetoric that has accompanied the controversy has left many observers in a state of disbelief. — In London, Prime Minister Theresa May’s leadership may or may not survive the storm over

Brexit. This refers to Britain’s exit from the European Union, which 52 percent of the voters voted for in the British referendum on June 23, 2016. This is due to take effect on March 29, 2019, subject to the terms and conditions agreed to between the UK and the EU, and approved by British Parliament. Theresa May has been busy working on the “divorce deal� which was agreed to between the UK and the EU last November, but the House of Commons rejected it, by 432 votes against and 202 votes in favor, on Jan, 15, 2019. There are efforts to postpone Brexit day from March 29 to another date, or to hold another referendum. If nothing changes, the UK will have to leave the EU without a “deal� on March 29, and Theresa May may have to go by then. — In Paris, President Emmanuel Macron is also in trouble. Once seen as a bright ray of hope in European politics, Macron is now denounced by critics as “the president of the rich.� The gilets jaune (yellow vests) movement, which began as a protest against increased fuel tax, has morphed into a veritable revolt against high unemployment and stagnation of the economy, despite a decade of global expansion in other European counTRIES .OT MANY ARE CONkDENT HE WILL overcome this crisis. — In Bonn, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel remains stronger than most of her European counterparts. But her earlier announcement to stand down by December 2018, and her subsequent decision to reMAIN IN OFkCE UNTIL THE NEXT FEDERAL

election in 2021 might have undue consequences. — In China, President Xi Jinping appears unshakeable in his position as lifetime president, and global observers tend to look at China’s rise as unstoppable and incapable of being interrupted. But some signs of democratic awakening have been noticed in certain places. Like Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, and of course Taiwan. In Hong Kong, a 28-year-old activist has surfaced to lead the pro-independence National Party. The Falun Gong, a banned organization, is permitted to march and make all sorts of noises every WEEKEND WITHOUT ANY OFkCIAL REACtion from Beijing. In July last year, a 28-year-old young woman was reported to have splashed ink on a poster bearing Xi’s IMAGE AT A LOCATION IN 3HANGHAI S knancial district. She remained standing in front of the image after the incident, accused Xi of brainwashing China’s youth, and challenged him to arrest her. “I’m right here, waiting for you to arrest me,� she said. Punishment is swift for those who DEFACE THE IMAGE OF OFkCIAL LEADERS and communist symbols in China, so the young woman’s tweet and her Twitter account were swiftly erased from Facebook and nothing more was heard of her. It isn’t anything like the shortlived pro-democracy movement on Tiananmen Square in 1989, but some analysts think it could be a sign of things to come. China is not likely to be destroyed in a thermonuclear war, these analysts believe, simply because they don’t believe China or

the US will be mad enough to wage a thermonuclear war; but sheer capitalist prosperity could ultimately destroy the Chinese Communist Party and its hold on China. China itself could implode into several small, formerly communist, countries, they speculate.

A challenge to DU30 Given the current crisis in world leadership, a national leader with DU30’s daring and aggressiveness could project himself as the bearer of an authentic human revolution anchored on the basic truths of our human existence, and determined to advance our common destiny as human beings. This is ultimately a Christian aspiration, a Christian ambition. It would call for a reversal of all the wrong and injurious policies and values DU30 has pursued until now — and committing himself to a life of humanity and goodness, which recognizes both his full human potentials and his limitations. And it should make DU30 happier to be called not a Filipino version of Trump, and the other leaders whom Madeleine Albright calls “fascists� in her latest book Fascism: A Warning, but the exact opposite of all these people. It is not my intention to force DU30 to assume a Christian vocation, against his will. But as the elected leader of a Christian nation, it would be good and wonderful if he could begin to look like the most common among his own people. Too late? Nothing is ever too late. Saul was the persecutor of Christ before he became Paul.

fstatad@gmail.com

FOCUS

Eyeing Trump, wave of women join 2020 White House race WASHINGTON, DC: Two years after Hillary Clinton failed in her historic bid for the White House, a record number of women are already racing to oust Donald Trump in 2020 — and are banking on American voters being ready this time around to help them smash the ultimate glass ceiling. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of MasSACHUSETTS WAS THE kRST WELL known Democrat out of the starting blocks, announcing her intention to RUN ON THE kNAL DAY OF Three other women swiftly followed suit: Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, 52, and Kamala Harris, 54, along with underdog candidate Tulsi Gabbard, a 37-year-old congresswoman. Heavyweights tipped to join the contest also include former vice president Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders, ex-congressman Beto O’Rourke and billionaire Michael Bloomberg. But for now, women candidates are grabbing the 2020 headlines. The number of high-profile women in the race is “historically unprecedented,� said Erin Cassese, a political science professor at the University of Delaware. A fourth female senator, Amy Klobuchar, is mulling throwing

her hat in the ring. They all may be standing on the shoulders of a key predecessor. Addressing bereft supporters on election night 2016, Clinton acknowledged her defeat to Trump — ending her quest to become the NATION S kRST FEMALE PRESIDENT “But someday someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now,� the Democratic nominee said at the time. Her rival seized the White House in a shock election victory, overcoming accusations of sexual harassment and a stream of misogynistic comments on the campaign trail. Now, said Sen. Tim Kaine, who was Clinton’s running mate, “there’s a delightful poetic justice in strong women candidates� for the 2020 nomination. “If there’s one thing I learned painfully in 2016, it was the ugliness of the double standard that was apPLIED TO THE kRST WOMAN NOMINEE for president,� Kaine told AFP. “We got a ways to go for women to be treated the way they ought to be treated� in politics, he said, adding that the strong showing by Democrats in November’s congressional elections “demonstrated great energy for women candidates.�

‘Double bind’ Several records were broken during the midterms, which saw the greatest number of women ever elected not only to Congress, but to state assemblies across the 50 states. With four or more female candidates vying for the White House, presidential politics appears to be undergoing a shift — �a pink wave,� if you will, said Cassese. “When one woman runs, which is the way it’s been done in the past, she’s going to get pigeonholed into this anomaly,� she said. This time, there will be a focus on policy, Cassese hopes, in addition to close attention to how female candidates run against one another. That said, she doubts they will escape the lot of most women in politics: “this double bind� of having to appear both warmly personable, and competent. “But it’s very hard for them to do both at the same time.� Candidates for 2020—Warren, especially—have already been scrutinized through this “likability� prism, which observers note is rarely used for male candidates but was relentlessly applied to Clinton, who was often criticized as lacking

a certain naturalness. Female candidates are often pushed into making a “strategic calculus,� Cassese said: stress women’s issues, or purposely downplay a campaign’s gender ELEMENTS )T IS OFTEN DIFkCULT TO determine which works best. Known for campaigning against sexual assault, Gillibrand launched her 2020 bid as a “mom� dedicated to help working and struggling families. Her name is offset by pink trim on her website. Others dwell less on gender, but by no means do they present it as taboo. Americans had appeared prepared to elect a woman president in 2016, and nationwide Clinton won nearly 2.9 million more votes than Trump despite losing the state-by-state Electoral College tally. Kamala Harris, who would beCOME THE kRST BLACK FEMALE AND kRST Indian-American president if she won, has no doubt that US voters are prepared to take a radical departure from Trump to elect a woman. “Absolutely,� she told ABC beFORE HER OFkCIAL ANNOUNCEMENT “Give the people more credit. They AFP are smarter than that.�

Opinion

A5

Protecting your security and rights online BYÂ REBECCA RICKS

who might want to hurt us. As companies and nongovernmental organizations have taken steps to secure com munications by using encryption, many governments have complained that it is hampering their ability to investigate criminals and conduct surveillance. In recent years, some governments have called for building intentional weaknesses, or backdoors, into encrypted technologies. The Australian law passed despite strong opposition by cybersecurity experts, human rights groups, and some members of parliament. It is modeled on the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which similarly requires companies to potentially break encryption and hack into their own systems. In the US, law enforcement officials continue to call for anti-encryption legislation, even though they have been criticized for overstating the problem encryption poses to investigations. Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly explained that laws addressing the challenges raised by encryption misunderstand how the technology works. There is no plausible way to build tools to undermine encryption without eroding everyone’s security. People with technical expertise and bad intentions will figure out how to manipulate such tools. By weakening encrypted technologies for government agencies, we weaken it for everyone. The issue is so important that UN human rights experts have warned governments that weakening encryption could have a devastating impact on human rights. Governments should be seeking to strengthen, not weaken, encryption. Digital security is about trade-offs: There will always be risks when you use the internet. Encryption simply helps us manage those risks and make sure that we are taking steps toward securing our communications. Human Rights Watch has created a new interactive game about digital security to help people understand why encryption is needed to protect us. The Australian government promised to consider amendments to the anti-encryption law next year in response to opposition. We hope the public will use the game to understand just how much their security could be put at risk if the law isn’t substantially revised to prevent encryption backdoors. We all pay a price when the tools we rely on every day to keep us secure are compromised. IPSÂ

CAMBRIDGE, MA: On December 6, the Australian parliament rushed to pass a bill that could weaken security on the phones and software people rely on every day, in Australia and worldwide. The sweeping law could force tech companies to take vaguely described actions to access encrypted data. For example, authorities could order Apple and WhatsApp to send secretly altered software updates that would undermine the encryption they use to protect our data and communications. At a t i m e w h e n g ove r n ments across the globe are engaging in increasingly invasive surveillance, unfettered public access to encryption protects our basic rights to privacy and freedom of expression. Users should call on their governments to promote strong encryption, not undercut efforts to protect our safety and rights. Encryption ensures that our information stays private, whether we are browsing the web, buying things, chatting online or sending an email. We may not always know it, but the security of our networks relies on encryption, which scrambles our data so no one else can see what we’ve written or said unless we want to share it with them. Strong encryption also ensures our safety in other critical ways. It protects our communications networks, our power grids, our hospitals, and our transportation systems. Encryption is especially important for the most vulnerable among us. Access to encrypted tools is critical to maintaining the safety of people who are disproportionately subjected to surveillance and scrutiny, whether victims of domestic abuse or minorities and other marginalized members of society. Political dissidents, journalists, and activists are vulnerable to retaliation for expressing their views or exposing wrongdoing. By encrypting our devices and our messages by default, we — along with the companies that build these tools — are taking steps to ensure that we can speak out without endangering ourselves. Encryption also helps protect us in our personal lives, keeping us safe from online harassers, abusive partners or other malicious people. The market for commercial spyware products has skyrocketed, and there is mounting evidence that these tools are being used to monitor, abuse, intimidate and victimize people, especially intimate partners. When our tools use encryption by default, we have more control over our information from people in our lives

Rebecca Ricks was the 2017-2018 Ford-Mozilla Open Web Fellow at Human Rights Watch. She now works as an independent researcher.

if charged, acquitted. They are the role models, pinamamarisan, of nine-year-olds, or even twelveyear-olds, who the House wants to destroy with a record of criminal conviction and confinement in deplorable cages. There may be too many CPAs in the House, Children Playing Adults (Bob Woodward). More vital is dealing not with juvenile but with adult delinquency, and its exemplary implications. Our Congress reminds me of what Mark Twain said of the US’ Congress, its only distinctly criminal class, with its kleptocrats. Dik Pascual joshes why not turn the Bataan white elephant into a tourist attraction? Why not? As a reminder of a Macoy folly, which if put on line, may yet result in another Fall of Bataan. Digong should pray hard on this nuke energy issue. Now he says he is a Muslim which may entitle him

to have four wives. The irreverent would pity him cuz, for Christians, say some, there is no limit. But 70+ virgins await Muslim martyrs in paradise. I dare not ask how old they are, how they look, and why they have remained distant promises untouched by the world, so as not to risk a fatwa, and perhaps just lure back Digong to Catholicism. No limit. Changing one’s religion is of course a basic human and constitutional right. The Prez, who attended Ateneo and San Beda, may go by the fixed star that Saladin, a Muslim warrior king, fierce in battle, but gallant, generous and chivalrous to his enemies, went by. Let us be kind to juveniles led astray by adults, such as Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who treats senatoring as a sideline or hobby and whose new eye injury could further blind him to a proper sense of where he should be.

Q SAGUISAG FROM A4

Nuke plant? NIMBY? corner of Taft Avenue and Quirino Avenue and have a short march to the venue. Today, we mark another birth anniversary of iconic President Cory. Happy birthday, Mrs. President, whose memory we cherished and always will. She wasn’t perfect but who is (aside from Bedan alum Supreme Court Justice Gregorio Perfecto, Clase Superior 1905)? She would have been 86 today. She did not allow the Bataan nuke plant to be put on line; the April 1986 Chernobyl disaster helped, a case of deus ex machina. She fought fascism. Today, I hope to be able to join the rally in front of Malate Church against the neo-Nazis who even thrust their right hand forward, the Nazi salute, illegal in countries that Hitler brutalized. I am not certain about the marching part. I will be 80 this year. Last Monday, to get to NCJR-Caloocan-RTC-232,

sitting there by its lonesome, away from other Caloocan salas, I, with a cane, and my client, a woman with a walker, had to climb up the stairs. Tough, for PWDs. Via dolorosa. I have trouble moving on uneven surfaces (but am OK on even ones). Manila’s courthouses, scattered all over, are a national disgrace, but at least City Hall’s elevators work. Malacaùang and the Supreme Court have their work cut out for them if we are to imbue the salas with a sense or semblance of the majesty of the law in our capital. If the SC will move to the Global City, the Manila courts may move to Padre Faura and declog City Hall. Mamasapano we also again mark today. I maintain that we should remember not only the brave 44 Special Action Forces, who in making the supreme sacrifice emerged with honor, but also the Muslim victims, about a

score of them, including Sara, 5, slain, while both her parents were wounded when their house was strafed. A Muslim farmer was also killed, with eyes gouged out. Have their deaths been probed? The operation was partly successful, in killing Marwan, on whose head was at least $5 million. PNoy will answer to history on this one. JFK did so in the Bay of Pigs of 1961, Jimmy Carter for the botched Iran rescue in 1980, Reagan for the death of scores of US Marines in Beirut in 1983, Clinton for Black Hawk Down in 1993, and Bush and Obama for Iraq and Syria (ongoing), where many American servicemen have been killed. Like the Vietnamese, we must heed JFK’s call or exhortation, to pay any price and bear any burden, for what we cherish and treasure. Government clean-up of Manila Bay, fine, but it should do something about our deplorable court facilities in Metro Manila

alone. Those in Manila are a national shame, with rinkydink courts in City Hall, in the old GSIS Bldg., in the abandoned Nawasa Bldg. (no elevators) and Masagana on Taft (with a pell-mell palengke ambience). The capital of the nation deserves better. The House and the Senate should be in the same place. The Senate’s plan to move to Global City would perpetuate the divisive and expensive anomaly of the two being apart, deterring friendship and camaraderie and conducing to friction and inefficiency. In Bataan, lawmakers can serve one term in Congress, and the next, in jail, if, to optimize the use of the Bataan facility, we also move the national penitentiary there. On lowering the age of criminal liability, adults should behave and be punished for misconduct, instead of not even being charged, or

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

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FRIDAY January 25, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Billionaire Zobel, secretive investors in anomalous P38B passport deal The Aquino regime handed over to UGEC secretly and without any bidding the anomalous, but extremely lucrative P38billion, 10-year contract to print the country’s new electronic passports. Zobel is a cousin of the property and telecom tycoons Ayala brothers, Jaime and Fernando, the former ranked by Forbes magazine as the fourth richest man in the country. In just three years of the UGEC’s arrangement with government, it generated P3 billion in income, more than five times its P193 million investment in the enterprise. It would be making P11 billion in its 10-year contract with government. Zobel, through his family’s holding firm E. Zobel Inc. and his shadowy partners, invested in the formerly Malabon-based UGEC printer only in July 2012, right before or after the secretary of the foreign affairs department, Alberto del Rosario, cancelled — unknown at the time to the public — its contract with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and its French sub-contractor Oberthur Technologies to print the passports, after a barrage of bad publicity that that there were major delays in the delivery of that vital document. UGEC, which for two decades had been a small printing shop owned by one Henry Cureg and his Chinese-Filipino wife Edna Yee, reported in August 2012 to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that in the

previous month it had increased its authorized capital stock from P80 million to P500 million, and took in new investors. E. Zobel Inc. — the holding firm of IĂąigo and his family, and represented by his son Jacobo — put in P31 million, or 30 percent of UGEC’s subscribed capital, while a “Haldane Investments NVâ€? invested P10.2 million or 10 percent. The firm’s corporate filings with the SEC showed Haldane’s nationality as “Mauritiusâ€? (not Vanuatu as I previously reported). This island nation is not only a tax haven but one where rich individuals set up their companies in order to conceal their identities. This is possible because of Mauritius’ strict laws that make it impossible to identify the owners of a company registered there. UGEC’s original owners Cureg and his wife’s Yee family were reported in that 2012 filing as owning 24 percent of the firm. A new investor, however, United Heptagon Corp., became the single biggest stockholder, holding 36 percent of UGEC. While this firm is represented by the original owner Henry Cureg, its shareholders haven’t been disclosed. I wouldn’t be surprised if those government officials who had planned, executed, and would profit from this colossally anomalous deal had lodged their paybackschemes in this company. UGEC since 2012 has gradually increased its subscribed

UGEC STOCKHOLDERS, NOV. 2017 Subscribed Capital P Millions

%

United Heptagon Corp..

108

36

Yee Family

72

24

Sub-total

60

E. Zobel Inc

90

30

Haldane Investments NV

30

10

Sub-total TOTAL

40 301

100

Source: UGEC capital, from P102 million in 2012 to P301 million by November 2017. The same ownership distribution though was maintained, with Zobel and Haldane together owning 40 percent. The UGEC contract to print the 45 million passports was concealed by the Aquino government through the setting up in November 2014 of a dubious “joint venture� between the govERNMENT kRM !0/ 0RINTING 5NIT (APU) and UGEC, purportedly for the latter to assist the state entity to set up a high-security printing plant. The JV though was a farce, as APU owned only 10 percent of it while UGEC had 90 percent. APU also got only 10 to PERCENT OF THE OUTkT S PROkTS while UGEC got 70 to 90 percent. When then Foreign Affairs Secretary del Rosario ended the BSP’s contract to print the passports, he awarded this to the APU in October 2015. APU

though turned over the job to the JV, violating the order of the Government Procurement Policy Board for it to directly print the passports. As the Commission on Audit disclosed: “While the printing contract were between APO and DFA, the actual printing and account of income generated‌are performed and lodged with the JV.â€? The passport-printing business is a monopoly, UGEC being the only company that prints the Philippine pass ports sold to one customer, the foreign affairs department. It therefore generated monopoly profits, with the private firm UGEC getting more than 70 percent of the JV’s income as well as rentals of P670 million annually for the JV’s use of its printing machines. UGEC would be the most profitable venture ever of Zobel, who is not known to be an aggres-

sive businessman since he really doesn’t have to, what with his dividends from his late father Enrique’s huge number of shares in San Miguel Corp. and in Ayala Corp; reportedly amounting to P500 million yearly. Zobel in fact is known in the country’s elite circles to allegedly spend more time playing his sport polo as well as enjoying midnight-to-dusk parties THAN WORKING IN THE OFkCE 7HY ON earth would he go into the printing business, which would now turn out to taint his clan’s name? The UGEC contract is an open-and-shut case of corruption, and those who executed it had the gall to do it in the belief that they will get away with it as they would still be in power after the 2016 elections. The state-owned APU’s contract to enter into a JV with UGEC as well as the lucrative job given to it to print the 45 million passports was not bid out. This was in blatant disregard of the mandatory practice for bidding to get the best price. The BSP for instance in 2010 sought bids from kRMS FOR THE SUBCONTRACT TO produce the passports. What the APO Production Unit did was a blatant violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Acts. The law declared as corrupt practices the “giving [to] any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest

partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence�. But not only that, the law declared as a case of corruption the “entering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, WHETHER OR NOT THE PUBLIC OFkCER PROkTED OR WILL PROkT THEREBY u 4HAT MEANS THAT EVEN IF THE TWO OFkCIALS who executed the deal — APU chair Milagros Alora and her immediate boss, then Presidential CommuNICATIONS /PERATIONS /FkCE HEAD Herminio Coloma, Jr. — did not receive any bribe from UGEC, they are still are liable for corruption. Coloma in a letter to Foreign Secretary del Rosario early in 2015 asking him to give the passportprinting contract to APU, reportedly said it would be the biggest legacy of the Aquino administration In the way that he didn’t mean it, it certainly will. I have strived directly and through intermediaries to get the side of Coloma, Alora and Zobel in the writing of this series of articles. They have not done so. NOTE: My book Debunked is sold out. Rigobertotiglao.com will be able receive new orders only at the end of the month. I’ve been told though that several copies are available at National Book Store, Fully Booked, and Popular Book Store.

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com

World’s first International Day of Education could not come soon enough political, military and ideological reasons, among others. Though governments signed BARCELONA: Children´s education is in a state of emergency when up to the UN´s Sustainable Deit comes to protracted crises. velopment Goals in 2015, which Seventy-five million school- include educational targets, there aged children and young people has been little to no tangible are in desperate need of edu- progress since. Education must cational support, are either in be at the center of humanitarian danger of or are already missing action otherwise governments out on their education in coun- today will continue to fail the most vulnerable of children for tries facing war and violence . Yet education has tradition- generations to come. Educo’s humanitarian manally been the most underfunded area regarding humanitarian date is to protect, help and asaid, coming in at less than 3 sist the most vulnerable people, percent of total global funding . especially children, in their This year not only marks right to life and security, with the 30th anniversary of the dignity and comprehensive Convention on the Rights of coverage of rights and needs in the Child, but the world´s first the face of risk situations and International Day of Education. of humanitarian crises. DefendAs an organization focused on ing the right to education in child rights, Educo welcomes humanitarian disasters is the backbone to its mandate. this Unesco marker. The right to education cannot be We share the conviction that while education is an end in put on pause due to emergencies or itself, it is also the ideal means crises, no matter how challenging. Almost half of primary school for guaranteeing the exercise of rights, the enjoyment of wellbe- age refugees are not in school. These children, as well as those on ing and a life of dignity. Education in emergencies has the move, should be guaranteed historically not been a priority quality education on an equal for governments, international footing to national children. With funding so low, however, institutions or donors. This is despite schooling being what hundreds of thousands more children want the most when children could miss out on an education because they are unfaced with a crisis. /N AVERAGE CONlICTS LAST able to be in their home or more years. A childhood lasts 18, if usual setting. Providing funding a child survives an emergency AND SPECIkC MEASURES FOR THESE of course. With little access to children to access education, be education, a child´s recovery they migrants or refugees, must from a crisis is much more dif- be a global priority. Educo is a global developkCULT &OR GENERATIONS OF CHILDREN CAUGHT UP IN CONlICTS THIS LACK ment and humanitarian NGO of opportunity all too often leads with over 25 years’ experience to a cycle of poverty alongside working to defend children and societal and political instability. their rights. As part of ChildA child´s right to quality edu- Fund Alliance, we are working cation regardless of where or in more than 60 countries who they are is being ignored; around the world. The Alliance helps over 14 this cannot continue. Children out of school are exposed to million children and their increased risks of sexual and families to overcome poverty gender-based violence, violent and create sustainable solutions extremism, forced marriage, that protect and advance their early pregnancy, child labor and rights and well-being. In El Salvador, for example, recruitment by armed groups. Protracted conflicts heighten Educo runs a project in six children’s vulnerability and areas of the country where weaken often already under- there is prolonged violence. It resourced education systems. aims to protect children from Added to this are the increased forced displacement due to the attacks on educational facilities, protracted crisis there — one making teachers and students that is largely forgotten on the vulnerable (4). Overall, we are international stage. The project provides assistance seeing a growing trend of violent attacks on education for and protection to children and BY JOSÉ MARĂ?A FAURA

Q Educo Education in Emergencies specialist reviews damage at a school caused by Typhoon Usman in the Philippines. The organization has been working in the country since 2005. EDUCO

Q A school is used as an emergency shelter following the Mayon Volcano eruption in the Philippines. EDUCO their families, supporting them with housing, food and hygiene as well as psychosocial assistance. All of this work runs alongside the focus of the project, which is to ensure children do not fall out of education and if they have, to re-integrate them. It is heartening to see some govERNMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS kNALLY recognizing the need to focus on education in emergencies. The EU

Commission’s aim of improving joint planning, coordination and response is timely. This collaboration within the Commission, with EU Member States and among other donors and partners is fundamental if we are to reach the millions of children at risk of becoming a lost generation. Boosting the Commission’s allocation of humanitarian

assistance to 10 percent for education in emergencies and protracted crises is also a great step, but as we have seen before, governments fall short of meeting their commitments. If the countries that agreed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals really want to meet them, and stay on top of the Education 2030 Agenda, pressure on governments is also required.

We cannot have any more children ending up in the emergency room rather than the classroom. IPS

JosÊ María Faura is the Executive Director of Educo, a global development and humanitarian action NGO with over 25 years’ experience working to defend children and their rights, and especially the right to an equitable and quality education.

˜ The Manila Times

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Shabu, firearms seized in Comelec checkpoint CAMP GENERAL ALEJO S. SANTOS, City of Malolos, Bulacan: Three per-

checkpoint with the police and members of 48th Infantry Batsons were arrested carrying talion of the Philippine Army about P1.5 million in shabu lAGGED DOWN A GREEN -ITSUBISHI and firearms on Wednesday Lancer (FEX 206) in Barangay night in a checkpoint put Pulong Sampalok driven by up by the police and the one without upper garment and Commission on Elections driver’s license. (Comelec) in Doùa Remedios During inspection of the veTrinidad, Bulacan. HICLE THE OFkCERS FOUND AN )NSenior Supt. Chito Bersaluna, gram submachine pistol on the "ULACAN 0OLICE /FkCE DIRECTOR driver’s seat. identified the suspects as JoThe police also discovered selito Isidro, 30, of Barangay a bag containing one caliber Poblacion, Baliuag; Jerome Jay 9mm pistol Norinco and six variNiùo Silverio, 26, of Barangay ous sizes of plastic sachets conSan Pedro, Bustos; and Florida taining shabu, weighing about Alipio, 46, also of Barangay 210 grams with an estimated Poblacion. value of P1.5 million. Reports said the joint Comelec FREDERICK SILVERIO

Landslide in Agusan Norte kills 6, 1 missing

SIX miners were confirmed dead, while one was missing in a landslide in Santiago, Agusan del Norte, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management /FkCE 0$22-/ IN THE AREA said on Thursday. Erma Suyo, PDRRMO AguSAN DEL .ORTE OFkCER SAID THE landslide happened near Mount Manpuhaw along the border of Santiago and Jabonga towns. A police report identified t h e v i c t i m s a s Re n e G a n ungunlligan, Ramil Iligan, Casiano Iligan, Tata Salasay, Rex Pening, Jay-I Matanog and one “Gang-gang.� Another miner remained missing as of Thursday. Suyo said civilians were also taking part in the recovery of cadavers, while the wife of one of the victims hired about 20 people to transport the bodies of the victims to Cabadbaran City. She added that they only

learned about the incident after a lone survivor was brought to a local hospital for treatment. Suyo said the area, declared as “red zone,� was New People’s Army (NPA)-infested and there was no presence of military or POLICE OFkCERS The mountain is accessible only by four-wheeled vehicles for 4 kilometers (km) and habalhabal (motorcycles) for 5 km. It can be reached after a trek of 17 km for eight to 10 hours. Caraga police said the miners were on their way to the mountain for treasure hunting. Maj. Gen. Felimon Santos, commander of the military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, assured that the presence of the NPA rebels would not affect their retrieval operations. “No problem with the NPA. Troops are doing their best. They are only having a hard time because of the landslide,� Santos said. DEMPSEY REYES

Nationinbriefs

CABLE MSMES CONVERGE IN FICTAP CONVENTION

THE country’s largest group of micro, small and medium cable television and internet enterprises (MSMEs) will hold its 20th annual and most important convention at the historic landmark Manila Hotel on March 7 to 8. The cable MSMEs comprise the membership bulk of Fictap, the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations of the Philippines (Fictap), which have, through two decades stabilized into a mass media TV and internet network, bringing global-grade information and entertainment to millions of subscribers throughout the Philippines, aside from employing thousands and paying hundreds of millions in taxes. Estrellita Juliano Tamano, Fictap national chairman, and Dr. Cecilia Dy, convention chairman, said the Fictap board of trustees decided this year’s convention theme as “Fast Internet: Key to Progress,� the slogan chosen to banner the Fictap party-list campaign in the May 2019 elections. Tamano and Dy jointly appealed for renewed unity and connectivity not only among its registered members, but also from the community of affiliated and non-affiliated cable operators who share similar interests like Fictap. Interested parties may email: secretariat@fictap.com.ph, or call 0917 631 1220/0998 534 5478/0922 233 0258 or landline: (02) 8334908.

TAYABAS MAYORAL BET FACES DISQUALIFICATION CASE

LUCENA CITY, Quezon: A disqualification case was filed before the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila against a mayoralty candidate in Tayabas City, Quezon who was convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan. Anastacia Elio, petitioner represented by her counsel Russel Miraflor, complained that Faustino Silang should be disqualified from running as mayor in Tayabas as the court sentenced him to a minimum of six up to eight years’ imprisonment and perpetually disqualified him from holding any public office for violating provisions of Republic Act 3019 or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.� The anti-graft court’s decision stemmed from Silang’s illegal disbursement of public funds when he allowed the P130,000 Christmas bonus for each city government employee when he was the mayor. The Commission on Audit en banc disallowed the disbursement, which was the basis for the denial of the Supreme Court of a motion for reconsideration filed by Silang after the court’s decision, Miraflor added. BELLY M. OTORDOZ

COURT JUNKS GUAGUA MAYOR’S APPEAL TO FILE DEMURRER

THE Sandiganbayan’s Second Division denied a petition of Mayor Dante Torres of Guagua, Pampanga to file a demurrer to evidence in the case he was facing in connection with the alleged illegal use of P2.76-million public funds in 2014. Torres filed a motion for leave of court to file demurrer to evidence, arguing that the evidence presented by the prosecution was insufficient to sustain a conviction. But the court, in denying Torres’ motion, stated in part that “the evidence presented by the prosecution, testimonial and documentary, as well as the stipulations and admissions made, appear to be prima facie (based on a first impression) sufficient to sustain the conviction of accused Torres of the crime charged in the information (charge sheet) dated June 7, 2017, unless successfully rebutted by defense evidence.â€? A demurrer to evidence is a motion to dismiss filed by the accused after the prosecution finished presenting its evidence. If a demurrer is denied, the trial will continue with the defense taking its turn to present evidence. Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr., who leads the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division, wrote the resolution, which was concurred in by Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi and Lorifel Pahimna. REINA C. TOLENTINO

News

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

A7

Troops, Maute clash: 3 killed, 3 wounded R BY DEMPSEY REYES

EMNANTS of the Islamic State (IS)-inspired Maute group clashed with government security forces during continuing antiterrorist operations on Thursday killing three bandits and wounding three soldiers in Sultan Dumalondong, Lanao del Sur.

C o l . Ro m e o B r aw n e r J r. , commander of the Philippine A r my ’s 103 r d I n f a n t r y B r i gade, said military forces from the 55th Infantry Battalion encountered the terrorists group u n d e r O wayd a B e n i t o M a -

rohombsar, alias Abu Dar Abu Dar, in Barangay Sumalindao, triggering a firefight. "RAWNER CONkRMED THAT THREE UNIDENTIkED -AUTE MEMBERS WERE killed. The encounter was ongoing as of this writing.

The firefight also resulted in the wounding of three soldiers, whom Brawner said were immediately pulled out from the battlefield and given medical treatment. The Philippine Air Force deployed air assets to support the military operations against the terrorists. “The enemies have snipers, so we are being careful. The aircraft also had a hard time flying in the air because of the weather, but we will try later on,� Brawner said. Abu Dar was reported as the successor of Isnilon Hapilon as

the emir of IS in Southeast Asia. Hapilon was killed during the kVE MONTH SIEGE IN -ARAWI #ITY in 2017 which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people, including civilians, soldiers and terrorists. Brawner later said Abu Dar was still in the area of encounter. Abu Dar had a P6-million bounty on his head raised by local ofkCIALS OF ,ANAO DEL 3UR Mindanao is currently under martial law, the extension of which was recommended by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. WITH A REPORT FROM MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Q Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go (right) talks to the children of vendors in Paniqui Public Market and promises to provide assistance to them. PHOTO BY JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

Go vows P40-M aid to Tarlac market fire victims PANIQUI, Tarlac: Former special assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong� G o vowe d t o p r ov i d e P 4 0 million assistance to the victims of a fire that gutted this town’s public market on Monday. Go, who on Wednesday led the distribution of relief goods to some 170 vendors, said he would talk to President Rodrigo Duterte for his proposed assistance for the reconstruction of the public market. “I will bring this up to the President and will also talk to different agencies like the De-

partment of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health for whatever assistance they could offer,� he added. Go urged local officials to submit a feasibility study and all necessary pre-requisites for the reconstruction of the public market to concretize his proposal to Duterte. “I am hurt and saddened whenever I get information of tragedies like this. I’m glad no one was injured during the fire except for the damaged properties and goods you sell for a living,� he told the fire victims.

Aside from distributing relief goods that consisted of grocery items, Go also joined in the distribution of P5,000-cash asSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUAL kRE VICTIMS from the municipal governments of Paniqui and Tarlac province. Senior Insp. Ryan Pasqual, municipal fire marshall, said the fire lasted for more than eight hours. It started from 11:45 p.m. on Sunday and was put out at about 7:45 a.m. on Monday. Pascual said it took 32 firetrucks from Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan to

contain the fire that reached the general alarm status. .O ONE WAS HURT IN THE kRE THAT originated from the ukay-ukay (used clothing) section but it affected the livelihood of about 272 stall owners and 400 ambulant vendors in the public market. Meanwhile, Go said he would request the Malasakit Center at the Tarlac Provincial Hospital on February 6 to bring together government services in one roof that would make easier the processing of medical assistance to the people. JERRY M. HERNANDEZ

Q TOURISM FROM A1

Palaui Island wins Asean tourism award in the region that “support sustainable livelihoods [and] protection of socio-cultural traditions and natural and cultural heritage.� The Palaui Island’s major environmental group, the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA), was selected for the award during the Asean Tourism Forum on January 18 in Halong City, Vietnam. Palaui is 1.25 kilometers offshore from Santa Ana and is part of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport, managed and operated by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA). It was declared a protected landscape and seascape in 1994.

Secretary Raul Lambino, CEZA adMINISTRATOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER noted that while it was the government-ordered, six-month shutdown and clean-up of the world-famous Boracay that made global headlines, Palaui Island has emerged as a gem for sustainable tourism that “safeguards its socio-economic future.� “This Asean award makes Filipinos proud. This shows us the way forward toward sustainable tourism,� Lambino said, adding that tourism on Palaui Island with its untouched beaches, waterfalls, rock formations, extensive forests, mangroves and a 300-hectare marine sanctuary, among others, runs on community-based enterprises

that are active in providing various services to visitors. CEZA, according to Lambino, has established micro enterprises at the downstream end, creating what is viewed as a business model that steers away from traps of uncontrolled tourism. Since 2006, PEPA has trained the Aeta residents and other locals IN 0ALAUI SUCH AS kSHERFOLK FARMers, women and out-of-school youth in programs that arm them with skills to provide visitors with SPECIkC TOURISM RELATED SERVICES Headed by Gerry Iranga, it operates a “nature village complex� where visitors can stay overnight in the campsite around the Baya-

nihan Hall. The major island activities are hiking through three trails that crisscross Palaui, and reef experiENCE IN kVE SNORKELING AREAS IDENTIkED BY REEF RANGERS Island residents, among them the Aetas, were also trained in the art of traditional massage, preparation of village cuisine, good hygiene and production of island souvenirs from indigenous materials. Earlier, Palaui Island also earned a spot among CNN Go’s best beaches in the world, and was a two-time location of American television series “Survivor.â€? LEANDER C. DOMINGOÂ

Q DRILON FROM A1

Mislatel franchise void – Drilon Mislatel consortium that was chosen as the country’s third telecommunication player. “The franchise is a privilege and one of the conditions is you must operate within one year and operate continuously,� Drilon said during the resumption of the Senate public services committee hearing on the third telecommunications company. The minority leader added that Mislatel’s failure to operate was a violation of its franchise.

Drilon moved that his observation be included in the report to be submitted by the Senate Committee on Public Services, chaired by Sen. Grace Poe. Poe sought the hearing to determine the compliance of Mislatel Consortium with the franchise granted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Nicanor Escalente, Mislatel president and chief executive ofkCER SAID THE COMPANY WAS GIVEN

a provisional authority in 2001 to operate in Parang, Maguindanao. “The company was ready to roll out in 2003 but the peace and order situation did not allow the company to roll out. The company did not operate somewhere else,� he said. Drilon said a valid franchise is required before the NTC can allow a company to operate. Meanwhile, Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, who faced THE COMMITTEE FOR THE kRST TIME said that Mislatel Consortium

did not violate any laws when it received the government’s approval to become the third telco player in the country. 5Y IS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER of Udenna Corp. Reading from a prepared statement, Uy said Mislatel went through the process of preparing for the bid for almost a year. He promised that Mislatel would not just be the third telco but the best telco. JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

A8

FRIDAY | January 25, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Wilcon welcomes 2019 with a new Depot in Panacan, Davao BY BING KIMPO

S

IXTEEN YEARS AFTER kRST BETTING ON EXPANDING OUTSIDE -ETRO -ANILA AND OPENING IN $AVAO #ITY 7ILCON $EPOT IS BUILDING ITS SECOND BRANCH IN THERE‡ITS ND BRANCH NATIONWIDE‡IN 0ANACAN

Then only present in the National Capital Region, Wilcon saw an opportunity to open its doors in the premier city of Mindanao in 2002. The opening of the new Wilcon Depot in Panacan marks the triumphant return to Davao. Their initial success there paved the way for the establishment of several Wilcon Depot stores nationwide. Patrons of Panacan can expect the same Wilcon experience enjoyed everywhere. “Whenever we roll out a new store in any area, we make sure to bring in that Wilcon brand ID, that Wilcon brand DNA - the service, the products, the content - whatever you see in Metro Manila. You will see and experience the same brand of services; the same brand of product selection, -everything. That Wilcon experience is always present in any Wilcon store nationwide.� Senior Executive Vice President and

Q Sanitarywares Area

#HIEF /PERATING /FkCER -S 2OSEMARIE "OSCH /NG ASSURES Ms. Ong is particularly excited to share what is Wilcon Design Hub, which she describes as a section of the Depot ‘where all the good and the beautiful ideas you have in mind come to reality’ via computer software. You can avail help from the Design Hub, and get a threedimension perspective of whatever design idea you have in mind,� she explains. Wilcon Design Hub is a service that allows the customers to create their own design through a computer software THAT PROVIDES lOOR PLANS A $ LAYOUT PERSPECTIVE AND A cost estimate, with the help of a group of trained in-house design professionals. 4HE OPENING OF 0ANACAN IS THE kRST OF NINE NEW STORES SLATed to be built this year. These include one in Metro Manila;

Q DIY Area

and the rest spread across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. "ASED ON LAST YEAR S SALES -S "OSCH /NG SAYS THAT “people still continue to build and renovate�, and observes that this is anchored on a lifestyle factors. As an example, she sees that some condo dwellers continue to improve, renovate and beautify their space: “The younger-aged customers regularly change the color of their rooms, bathrooms, add accessories to enhance spaces.� This year, she sees that Filipinos will continue to add beauty and aesthetic value to where they live, in keeping with the central role of their homes with their lifestyles. She also thinks that the industrial look in home interiors will still be prevalent. She further notes the growing global trend of embracing SUSTAINABILITY AND FUTURE PROOkNG HOMES g!ND YOU SEE IT here in the country, as well – Filipinos are not behind in design,� she declares. 3HE kNDS HOMEOWNERS ARE DEkNITELY MORE INVOLVED NOW – but in a more Filipino way. She relates that Do-It-Yourself (DIY) isn’t as big here; instead, the Filipinos are more of ")9 OR "UY )T 9OURSELF BECAUSE LABOR IS MORE AFFORDABLE

Q Living, Kitchen & Bath Section

To serve the market more, they recently launched their ecommerce platform that initially serves Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite. Accessible at shop.wilcon.com.ph, Wilcon’s ecommerce site offers exclusive deals and offers, plus the option of in-store pick-up or delivery. The service is slated for expansion to other areas in the country soon. “We want to translate to the digital world the Wilcon brand of service that buyers go through in their stores, starting with Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite� she shares. Wilcon Depot is starting 2019 just as the way it want to: welcoming more Filipino homeowners to its stores across the country – including a new one in Panacan, Davao. Throughout the country, customers can enjoy up to 20 percent off on a wide selection of products with the Wilcon Kick Off Sale. Running until the end of January, the promotion also offers shoppers with a minimum single RECEIPT PURCHASE OF 0 A COPY OF THE 7ILCON "IG )DEAS "OOK FOR FREE For more in-depth information about Wilcon, you may stay in touch with them by logging on to www.wilcon. com.ph and follow them at their social media accounts at Facebook and Instagram @wilcondepot.com.ph.

Q Design Hub PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILCON DEPOT

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE GRAND OPENING!

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FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

B1

V B a n g ko k 0 . 1 9 %

PH growth slows, misses 2018 target T

HE economy picked up in the last three months of 2018 but the marginal gain was not enough to lift full-year growth to within the government’s target. (IGH PRICES WERE BLAMED FOR ‡ BUT RESULT WAS STILL DESCRIBED BY gross domestic product (GDP) growth ECONOMIC MANAGERS AS A gkRM kNISHu OF PERCENT ‡ LOWER THAN THE DOWN4HE EXPANSION ‡ SLOWER THAN THE WARDLY REVISED GOAL OF PERCENT PERCENT RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER ‡ DID

NOT SURPRISE AS ANALYSTS HAD EXPECTED THE MARK TO BE MISSED g4HIS IS A kRM kNISH THAT CEMENTS THE 0HILIPPINES STANDING AS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN !SIA 7E ARE NEXT TO )NDIA 6IETNAM AND #HINA u ECONOMIC MANAGERS SAID IN A JOINT STATEMENT g&ROM 1 TO 1 OF WE OVERTOOK )NDONESIA AND 4HAILAND IN TERMS

OF ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE u THEY ADDED 3TILL 3OCIOECONOMIC 0LANNING 3ECRETARY %RNESTO 0ERNIA SAID THAT '$0 growth could have hit the low end of the TARGET HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR INlATION WHICH AT PERCENT FOR THE YEAR WAS ABOVE THE PERCENT GOAL 4HE 0HILIPPINE #HAMBER OF #OMMERCE )NDUSTRY ALSO BLAMED INlATION

³Target B4

Economy Investors unfazed by growth slowdown VMC’s successful rehab seen easing B anew in 2019 BANK economists have offered differing views about how the Philippine economy will fare in 2019 but their estimates all point to growth again missing the government’s target. Following Thursday’s announcement of gross domestic product (GDP) growth results for 2019, economists from Standard Chartered Bank and HSBC both forecast continued expansions in the 6-percent range, below the official 7.0-8.0 percent goal. GDP growth came in at 6.2 percent last year, short of the government’s downwardly revised 6.5-6.9 percent target.

³Easing B2

THE STOCK MARKET RETURNED TO THE LEVEL ON 4HURSDAY AS INVEStors chose to ignore news that ECONOMIC GROWTH FELL BELOW TARGET LAST YEAR 4HE BENCHMARK 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE INDEX GREW BY PERCENT OR POINTS TO END THE DAY AT WHILE THE WIDER !LL 3HARES GAINED PERCENT OR

POINTS TO kNISH AT g4HE MARKET HAS ALREADY PRICED in the undershoot of GDP (gross DOMESTIC PRODUCT kGURES THAT IS WHY MARKET IS UP EVEN THOUGH THE GDP [growth result] is not favorABLE u 0HILSTOCKS &INANCIAL )NC research associate Piper Chaucer 4AN SAID ADDING THAT INVESTORS HAD ALSO GONE BARGAIN HUNTING

7EIGHED DOWN BY INFLATION THE ECONOMY GREW BY PERCENT LAST YEAR BELOW THE GOVERNMENT S DOWNWARDLY REVISED PERCENT TARGET 4AN SAID INVESTORS TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP PROPERTY AND CONSUMER STOCKS gAS THESE SECTORS WILL GREATLY BENEkT WHEN

³Slowdown B4

Highlights of the new BOC audit rules MORE TO FOLLOW (MTF)

MARK ANTHONY TAMAYO

(First of two parts)

T

HE regulation on the guidelines of the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) and Prior Disclosure 0ROGRAM 0$0 HAS kNALLY BEEN

SIGNED BY THE $EPARTMENT OF &INANCE $/& 3ECRETARY LAST *AN %MBODIED UNDER #USTOMS !DMINISTRATIVE /RDER #!/ .O SAID #!/ SHALL TAKE EFFECT

³MTF B4

USINESSMAN Lucio Tan MAY HAVE BEEN THE BUSINESS TYCOON WHO IS MAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION OF 6ICTORIAS -ILLING #O 6-# (OW ABOUT THE COMPANY S PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS WHO WERE MADE TO SACRIkCE TOO BECAUSE THEY HELD AND STILL OWN TODAY MILLION 6-# COMMON SHARES OR PERCENT OF BILlion outstanding VMC common shares? 4HE QUESTION MAY BE TRUE WITH ALL THE REHABILITATION CASES THAT were transferred to regular courts DESIGNATED BY THE 3UPREME #OURT )N THE CASE OF LISTED COMPANIES THEIR PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS AND THEIR HOLDINGS SHOULD BE THE

main concern of government REGULATORY AUTHORITIES INCLUDING THE COURTS "EING PUBLIC INVESTORS MAY NOT BE EASY IN THIS COUNTRY !S $UE $ILIGENCER HAS LONG BEEN POINTING OUT THEY NEVER ENJOY ANY KIND OF ACCESS TO THE BOARD WHICH ACTS AS THE POLICY MAKING BODY 7HO AMONG THE DIRECTORS ENJOYING SUCH ACCESS HONESTLY REPORT

³Perez B2

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

DA optimistic on farm sector growth BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

T

HE GOVERNMENT S RICE TARIFkCATION PROGRAM planting calendar adjustments and easy access credit program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) will likely be the main drivers of farm sector growth this year.

g!N ADJUSTMENT IN THE PLANTing calendar for rice farmers in .ORTHERN ,UZON THE @3OUTHERN 3WING INITIATIVE WHICH WILL IDENTIFY NEW FARMING AREAS OUTSIDE OF TYPHOON PATHS AN AGGRESSIVE EASY ACCESS CREDIT PROGRAM THE 0 BILLION IN TARIFFS FROM RICE IMPORTATION THE 0 BILLION #OCO ,EVY &UND AND A BIGGER BUDGET ALLOCATION ARE EXPECTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ROBUST GROWTH OF THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR ESPECIALLY CROPS IN u !GRICULTURE 3ECRETARY %MMANUEL 0IĂ„OL SAID IN A STATEMENT ON 4HURSDAY His statement followed a report from the Philippine Statistics !UTHORITY 03! ON 7EDNESDAY that said farm sector growth hit PERCENT LAST YEAR SIGNIkCANTLY

LOWER THAN S PERCENT 0IĂ„OL SAID THE $! WAS BANKING on the immediate release of the Rice Comprehensive EnhanceMENT &UND 2#%& AND COCO LEVY FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURE SECTOR TO BE ABLE TO BOUNCE BACK THIS YEAR &OR THE $! HAS 0 BILLION TO BOOST FARM PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS ALL REGIONS 4HIS WAS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE 0 BILLION ALLOCATED FOR THE AGENCY IN Pinol said the RCEF would BE USED FOR FARM MECHANIZATION 0 BILLION HIGH YIELDING RICE SEEDS 0 BILLION EASY ACCESS CREDIT PROGRAM 0 BILLION AND SKILLS TRAINING 0 BILLION 4HE COCO LEVY FUNDS ON THE OTHER HAND WILL GO TO ESTABLISHING VILLAGE LEVEL PROCESSING FACILITIES

Q PEREZ FROM B1

VMC’s successful rehab EVERYTHING TAKEN UP INSIDE THE BOARD ROOM 4HIS IS NOT TO ACCUSE INSIDERS WHO ARE EITHER EXECUTIVES OR MERE EMPLOYEES OF LISTED BUT NOT NECESSARILY PUBLIC COMPANIES 3OME OF THEM ARE RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE PLIGHT OF THE PUBLIC INVESTORS WHO MAY NOT BE AS RICH AS THE MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS ALTHOUGH A FEW OF THEM MAY EVEN BE RICHER

Public stockholders 'OING BACK TO 6-# THE GROUP OR FAMILY OF TYCOON -R 4AN MAY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN REHABILITATING THE COMPANY 4HE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS ON THE OTHER HAND MAY have understood the predicament OF -R 4AN IN TAKING OVER A LOSING COMPANY (OW MUCH DID HE INFUSE into VMC?

C

"ASED ON 6-# kLINGS POSTED ON THE WEBSITE OF THE 0HILIPPINE 3TOCK %XCHANGE gTHE GROUP CURRENTLY HOLDS SIX LOANS u 4WO OF THESE loans represent “short-term loans AMOUNTING TO 0 MILLION AND 0 MILLION WITH ANNUAL INTEREST OF PERCENT PAYABLE ON .OV AND PERCENT PAYABLE ON *AN u ACCORDING TO .OTE OF 6-# S UNAUDITED QUARTERLY kNANCIAL 6-# ACCORDING TO THE SAME QUARTERLY kLING ALSO HAD gLONG TERM LOANS AMOUNTING TO 0 million with annual interest of PERCENT u WHICH IT SAID gARE PAYABLE QUARTERLY BEGINNING -ARCH u !T THE SAME TIME 6-# SAID gBORROWING COSTS ARISING FROM THE LOANS AMOUNTING TO 0 MILLION WAS CAPITALIZED IN "ORROWING costs not capitalized and charged

WHICH WILL PRODUCE COCONUT BY PRODUCTS SUCH AS COCO SUGAR COCO SYRUP AND VIRGIN COCONUT OIL 4HESE facilities aim to “free farmers from their dependence on copra as the MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME u HE SAID To cope with the ill effects of CLIMATE CHANGE THE $! IS ALSO RELYING ON THE 3OUTHERN 3WING which aims to focus planting on OTHER PRODUCTION AREAS NOT TYPICALLY HIT BY TYPHOONS TO LESSEN the volume of production loss BROUGHT BY VARIOUS CLIMATIC DISTURBANCES 4O ACCOMPANY THIS 0IĂ„OL SAID his department will also push for THE PLANTING SEASON TO BEGIN EARLIER so that harvest season would end BY THE SECOND WEEK OF 3EPTEMBER “The DA is now coordinating

with the National Irrigation AdMINISTRATION .)! TO ADJUST THE PLANTING CALENDAR u 0IĂ„OL SAID NOTING THAT THE .)! S ROLE ON the implementation of the said INITIATIVE WAS gCRITICAL BECAUSE THE AGENCY CONTROLS THE RELEASE OF THE IRRIGATION WATER u &URTHERMORE HE SAID THE $! S EXPANDED EASY ACCESS CREDIT PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY ITS !GRICULTURAL #REDIT 0OLICY #OUNCIL !#0# WAS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY BY GIVING FARMERS AND FISHERFOLK ACCESS TO PRODUCTION LOANS 7ITH AN INCREASED BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR 0IĂ„OL IS HOPING THAT THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR WILL BOUNCE BACK AND HIT ITS GROWTH TARGET OF PERCENT

to profit and loss amounted to 0 MILLION u !CCORDING TO THE SAME FOOTNOTE gTHE DEBT COVENANTS REQUIRE THE group to maintain a minimum curRENT RATIO AND DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIO AT AND A MAXIMUM DEBT TO EQUITY RATIO OF !S OF !UG THE GROUP IS COMPLIANT WITH THESE DEBT COVENANTS u

YEARSu DESPITE ITS RETAINED EARNINGS AMOUNTING TO 0 BILLION AS OF .OV 4HERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT -R 4AN MAY WANT TO EXPLAIN THRU HIS REPRESENTATIVES !SIDE FROM RETAINED EARNINGS HE MAY BE ASKED – again thru his men – what for is the amount of retained earnings IF 6-# PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS ARE denied their right to dividends? /F COURSE AS KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS THEY ARE MAINLY RESPONSIBLE IN ENABLING BUSINESSES TO SAVE ON TAXES PAID OR DUE THE "UREAU OF )NTERNAL 2EVENUE "Y LISTING EITHER THEIR ENTIRE outstanding common shares or ONLY SOME OF THEM STOCK CORPORATIONS ASSUME THE IDENTITY OF BEING LISTED STOCKS EVEN IF GETTING LISTED DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THEY ARE PUBLIC 7ILL ANYONE AMONG THE PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS DARE 6-# TO FULLY DISCLOSE ITS DEALS WITH CREDITOR BANKS *UST ASKING

Annual meeting

6-# WILL HOLD AT AM OF &EB ITS ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS MEETING 6ENUE IS 6ICTORIAS 'OLF #OUNTRY #LUB IN 6ICTORIAS #ITY .EGROS /CCIDENTAL A DEFINITIVE INFORMATION STATEMENT $)3 SAID Belonging to the group of comPANIES OWNED BY -R 4AN 6-# MAY BE WILLING TO ANSWER DURING SAID ANNUAL MEETING ANY AND ALL QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE COMPANY S PLANS &OR INSTANCE ANYONE AMONG 6-# S PUBLIC STOCKHOLDERS MAY ASK THE COMPANY S MANAGEMENT gWHY THERE HAS BEEN NO DECLARATION OF DIVIDENDS IN THE LAST kVE ESDPEREZ GMAIL COM

Q EASING FROM B1

Embracing uncertainties

HANGE is constant and endless opportunities come and GO EVERY DAY AND IN A HEARTBEAT )T MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT TO TAKE AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE REALLY CANNOT CONTROL ALL OF IT (ENCE WE PLAN hard for those circumstances we can ANTICIPATE )N THE PROCESS HOWEVER how well do we understand that anticipating future uncertainties is EQUALLY IMPORTANT 2ECOGNIZING ASSETS OR LIABILITIES IN ACCOUNTING ARE TRIGGERED BY PAST EVENTS THAT MATERIALIZE RESULTING IN EVENTUAL INlOW OR OUTlOW OF RESOURCES IN THE ORGANIZATION "UT THE REAL BEAUTY OF ACCOUNTING IS THAT CREATION OF ASSETS OR LIABILITIES IS NOT CONkNED WITHIN THE WALLS OF CERTAINTY 3O WE ASK WHEN THE UNCERTAIN HAPPENS HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR IT /R DO WE ACTUALLY ACCOUNT FOR them at all? ,ET S LOOK INTO SOME STORIES TO SEE IF THERE ARE VALID ASSETS OR LIABILITIES ARISING FROM UNCERTAINTIES

Restructuring 0INK AND 0URPLE #O 00# IS A small cosmetic manufacturer of CREAM FOUNDATION LIPSTICK AND BALMS %ACH SEGMENT HAS WEIGHING AND PRE MIXING LINES FOR EACH OF THE AVAILABLE SHADES OF ITS PRODUCTS 7ORKERS WHO MAN THESE PRODUCTION areas weigh all ingredients such as WAX PIGMENTS AND MOISTURIZERS ACCORDING TO 00# S SECRET FORMULA AND INITIATE A PRE MIX BEFORE THE START OF THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS )T S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME THAT PPC has outsourced its machineries FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDERS TO AUTOMATE THIS SUB PROCESS "ENEkTS INCLUDE DECREASED WASTAGE REDUCED PRODUCTION TIME OF SIX HOURS FROM HOURS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY LOWER FUTURE COSTS 00# PLANNED THAT IN ABOUT DAYS AFFECTED EMPLOYEES WILL EVENTUALLY EXIT AND BE REPLACED BY THE AUTOMATED SUB PROCESS 00# ALSO ESTIMATES THAT A PACKAGE OF TWICE THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION AND BENEkTS IS A FAIR SEVERANCE OFFER 'IVEN THE VERY PROMISING RETURNS AND FUTURE BENEkTS TO THE COMPANY ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED THE PROJECT PLAN 4HEN THE RESTRUCTUR-

ing plan was communicated to the EMPLOYEES OF 00# IN ONE OF THEIR TOWN HALL MEETINGS International Accounting StanDARDS )!3 DEkNES RESTRUCTURing as a program planned and CONTROLLED BY MANAGEMENT AND MATERIALLY CHANGES EITHER A THE SCOPE OF THE BUSINESS UNDERTAKEN BY AN ENTITY OR B THE MANNER IN WHICH THAT BUSINESS IS CONDUCTED SIMILAR TO THAT OF 00# !T THIS POINT GIVEN THE ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN BY 00# RECOGNITION OF PROVISION OR A LIABILITY IN 00# S BALANCE SHEET BECOMES VALID "UT HOW MUCH LIABILITY CAN 00# recognize? Restructuring provision IS MEASURED TO INCLUDE ONLY DIRECT EXPENSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE EXERCISE 4HAT MEANS THE PROVISION WILL MAINLY CONSIST OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF EXPECTED SEVERANCE PACKAGE FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES 2ESTRUCTURING PROVIsion does not include investment cost FOR NEW MACHINERIES TO BE DEPLOYED IN PRODUCTION

Reimbursements 2YLEY IS A BUSINESS OWNER OF 7IPE #O A MANUFACTURER OF TOILET PApers for household and industrial DISTRIBUTION (ER PRODUCTS RANGE FROM FACIAL TISSUES BATHROOM TISSUE ROLLS TO PAPER TOWELS 2IGHT BEFORE THE YEAR ENDED A TYPHOON HIT THE metro and the manufacturing facilITY GOT lOODED ,UCKILY MOST OF THE machineries are located at the far end and elevated part of the facilITY (OWEVER THE SMALLER PACKAGING machineries and holding areas for THE kNISHED GOODS WERE SUBMERGED IN WATER 2YLEY REMEMBERED THAT 7IPE #O S INSURANCE POLICY COVERS CLAIMS FOR INCIDENTS LIKE THIS !FTER CLEAN UP SOME MINOR REPAIRS AND SEGREGATION of damaged toilet papers for disPOSAL 2YLEY IMMEDIATELY RETRIEVED THE FACILITY S INSURANCE POLICY 3HE

LEARNED THAT THE POLICY COVERAGE IS FOR 0 MILLION AND HENCE RECORDED a contingent asset and a gain prior TO YEAR END CLOSING OF BOOKS In the loss declaration that she kLED WITH THE INSURER IN $ECEMBER CLAIMS FOR lOOD LOSS INCLUDE 0 NET CARRYING VALUE OF DAMAGED PACKAGING MACHINERIES AND 0 WORTH OF TOILET PAPER PACKS THAT HAVE GONE WET AND COULD NO LONGER BE SOLD 7ITH ALL REQUIRED documentation and supporting paPERS NOW SUBMITTED TO THE INSURER 2YLEY IS COMPLACENT THAT THE CLAIMS WILL BE GRANTED 3HE JUST HAS TO WAIT FOR THE INSURER S kNAL CONkRMATION 7AS 2YLEY ABLE TO CAPTURE THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT CORRECTLY IN THE ENTRIES IN THE BALANCE SHEET 4HE ANSWER IS NO )!3 STATES THAT AN ENTITY SHOULD RECOGNIZE AN OBLIGATION OR LOSS IN THE CASE OF 7IPE #O BEFORE RECOGNIZING A RELATED REIMBURSEMENT 4HIS IS BECAUSE 7IPE #O HAS TO RECOGNIZE kRST AN OUTlOW THAT IS PROBABLE )N *ANUARY THE INSURER EVALUATED 7IPE #O S CLAIM AND SOON AFTER ISSUED AN ORDER TO RELEASE THE PAYMENT FOR THE SUM OF 0 MILLION OR THE COMBINED AMOUNT OF LOSSES $OES 7IPE #O HAVE A VALID ASSET arising from the insurance claim? )T DEPENDS "ECAUSE 2YLEY HAS COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO THE INSURER BEFORE YEAR END THE SUBSEQUENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT from the insurer has now made the REIMBURSEMENT VIRTUALLY CERTAIN 4HIS BECOMES AN ADJUSTING EVENT allowing the recognition of an asSET BUT ONLY UP TO THE EXTENT OF THE RECOGNIZED LIABILITY OR LOSS WHICH IS 0 MILLION (AD SHE FORGOTTEN TO kLE FOR THE CLAIM OR THE DOCUMENTS WERE INCOMPLETE THERE WOULD BE NO VALID ASSET TO RECOGNIZE BY YEAR END !S PLAYFULLY ILLUSTRATED THE TERM gCONTINGENTu FOR ASSETS AND LIABILITIES IS NOT RECOGNIZED OUTRIGHT BECAUSE THEIR EXISTENCE WILL BE CONkRMED ONLY BY THE HAPPENING OR NOT OF FUTURE EVENTS NOT WHOLLY WITHIN OUR CONTROL 4HIS WILL ANSWER HOW WE WILL BE ACCOUNTING FOR THESE UNCERTAINTIES 7E PLAN ON THINGS AND TRY TO

ÂłNeedles B4

Economy Standard Chartered economist Chidu Narayanan said 2019 could see an acceleration to 6.4 percent while HSBC economist Noelan Arbis forecast an easing to 6.0 percent. “Domestic consumption is still likely to remain the biggest growth driver in 2019, while infrastructure investment, both public and private, is likely to support growth,â€? Narayanan said. “We expect trade to remain in deficit through 2019, but narrow relative to 201718. Net exports is likely to subtract less from the headline in 2019 than it did in 2018; net exports detracted 2.9 ppts (percentage points) from the headline in 2018,â€? he said. Arbis, meanwhile, tagged a delay in the national budget and slower private investment as possibly weighing on growth this year. “The first risk to growth is a continued impasse on the 2019 budget, which prevents the government from starting new projects and forces it to re-enact last year’s budget to fund government programs,â€? he said. This means the government will be unable to implement its spending plans for the year until February at the earliest, which would limit first quarter growth. State spending is expected to recover in the latter part of the year as the government pursues an expansionary fiscal agenda. “We believe another risk to growth in 2019 is a potential decline in private investment,â€? Arbis continued, noting that cumulative policy rate hikes of 175 basis points in 2018 had translated to higher bank lending rates and funding costs for corporates. He also noted that money supply was running tight, with excess liquidity parked at the central bank at multi-year lows amid higher government requirements given a wider 2019 budget deficit of 3.2 percent of GDP. “These factors could risk crowding out private investment and slowing growth,â€? Arbis said. Still, he underscored that private consumption was likely to gain more traction this year due to slower inflation, higher remittances and election-related spending. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

FINEX FILES

J. ALBERT GAMBOA Due to space constraints, “Finex Files� will instead be published on Saturday.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

BPI, IBM ink $260-M IT infrastructure deal BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has signed a $260-million multiyear services agreement with multinational company IBM as the Ayala-led lender continues to improve its information technology (IT) infrastructure. “IBM will provide IT infrastructure services to support an agile IT and hybrid cloud, as well as digital development capabilities, to accelerate BPI’s digital transformation,� IBM said in a statement on its website on Wednesday. The agreement, which is an extension of an earlier deal, covers the continued upgrading of BPI branches with new technology, as well as other financial-service apps for customers. The bank currently has more than 900 BPI, BPI Family and BanKo branches. The services it provides will have “born in the cloud experiences� at its core to support BPI’s hybrid cloud strategy, including infrastructure as code, and an open application programming interface (API) consumption, IBM said. “Banks like BPI are going through a major shift and embracing a complete transformation of their business with advanced services to respond to the needs of today’s connected consumer,� IBM Global Technology Services Senior Vice President Martin Jetter said in the statement. “We are excited about helping one of the leading banks in Southeast Asia power its core IT infrastructure and bring new digital experiences with IBM Cloud in a secure and open environment to help prepare BPI for the future of banking,� he added.

Corporate News Maynilad to spend P100B to expand, upgrade system

BPI President and Chief Executive Officer Cezar Consing said the rapidly changing business environment required the bank to accelerate the pace of its digital transformation. “We need to continue to be responsive to an ever-changing market. Our extended agreement with IBM will help us become more agile in introducing innovations and transforming how we do things in BPI,� he added. Early last year, BPI reported that it was intensifying its digitalization efforts to support rapid growth, enable more convenient and efficient banking for clients, and increase financial inclusion. Consing has stressed that the bank’s ultimate objective is to elevate its digital infrastructure; bring innovative services to existing and future clients; and support the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) initiative to develop a National Retail Payment System, which involves policies and standards for a “cash-lite� economy. Since 2017, BPI has been plagued by system glitches, the most serious of which was when it reported that at least P46 million in bank deposits were “accidentally withdrawn� during a breakdown in its system in June that year. This forced the bank to deactivated its online network and automated teller machines for two days to rectify the error. In December that year, the BSP said it found operational lapses on the bank’s part. BPI shares rose by 2.09 percent or P1.90 to P92.80 apiece on Thursday. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

M

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

AY N I L A D Wa t e r S e r v i c e s , Inc. said on Thursday it had earmarked P100 billion for its water and wastewater infrastructure p r o j e c t s f o r t he n e x t f i ve ye a r s. In an interview, Maynilad PresiDENT AND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER Ramoncito Fernandez told reporters that about P40 billion of the water concessionaire’s capital expenditure (capex) from 2018 to 2022 would be allotted to build wastewater treatment plants and conveyance tunnels. In a statement, the company said part of that amount — P26.4 billion — would be used to build

Value 8,064.90

Chg 75.25

%Chg Ÿ

All Shares

4,861.23

47.22

Ÿ

Financials

1,830.04

24.61

Ÿ

Industrial

11,759.16

140.73

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,991.63

59.41

Ÿ

Services

1,567.34

20.93

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,401.30

-297.03

Ĺş

Property

3,994.51

9.23

Ÿ

Stock indices as of January 24, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

Once completed in 2021, the new facilities will expand the water service provider’s sewerage to 47 percent from only 6 percent in 2006. The remaining capex will be set aside for the construction of water treatment plants and additional reservoirs, as well as pipe replacements and automation projects, Fernandez said. Maynilad, the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base, is MAJORITY OWNED BY -ETRO 0ACIkC Investments Corp. (MPIC). It serves as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System’s agent and contractor for the west zone of the Greater Manila Area, and also serves some cities and towns in Cavite.

China firm to invest $350M in subway project A CHINESE construction company is set to invest up to $350 million in Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. (IRC) to help it build its Makati Subway publicprive partnership project. In a disclosure on Thursday, the listed firm said it had signed a memorandum of agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corp. (CCECC) on the $3.7-billion project. Under the deal, it added, the China Railway Construction Corp. Ltd. subsidiary proposed to “invest $300 to 350 million into the company or

HOLDING FIRMS

Index PSEi

new sewage treatment plants (STP) and installing sewer lines in the cities of Caloocan, Las Piùas and Muntinlupa, and in Cavite province’s Kawit town. -ORE THAN HALF THAT kGURE ‡ about P16.3 billion — would be used to lay some 241 kilometers of new sewer lines that would bring wastewater from households to Maynilad’s STPs for treatment. These facilities will have a com-

bined treatment capacity of 320 million liters per day, remove harmful substances from the wastewater generated by over 2 million Maynilad customers. Earlier, Maynilad inaugurated its P1.7-billion sewage facility in ParaĂąaque City that can treat up to 76,000 cubic meters of wastewater a day and serve about 500,000 customers in the city. The ParaĂąaque Water Reclamation Facility was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency through the Development Bank of the Philippines. Maynilad is currently developing other STPs in Valenzuela City, Cavite City, and Tunasan and Cupang in Muntinlpa. These normally takes about three to four YEARS TO BE kNISHED

B3

SERVICES

MINING AND OIL

its subsidiary; undertake the engineering procurement and construction works for the [subway], and provide completion performance guarantee for the [projec’s completion], with [all these] subject to, among others, the completion of financial, legal and technical due diligence.� Both companies have until May 31, 2019 “to complete the entire due diligence process, prior to formalization of the structure of CCECC’s investment and execution of the formal investment agreement.�

The agreement comes after the Makati City government allowed the consortium led by IRC to proceed with the $3.7-billion project in October after no other group challenged its unsolicited proposal. Other consortium members are Chinese firms Greenland Holdings Group, Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group Co. Ltd. and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. IRC secured in June the original proponent status for the project, an 11-kilometer intracity

mass transport system with 10 stations that, once complete, would link the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) 3 line, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway, and the Pasig River Ferry. Incorporated under its former name of IRC Properties, Inc. on Feb. 24, 1975, IRC is engaged in infrastructure and real-estate development through its subsidiaries and affiliates. IRC’s shares added 18 centavos or 8.04 percent to close at P2.42 apiece on Thursday. LISBET K. ESMAEL

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. Security Name 1 Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation 2 3 4 5 6

BDO Unibank, Inc. Ayala Corporation Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Ayala Land, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

San Miguel Corporation SM Investments Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc. PLDT Inc. Universal Robina Corporation ISM Communications Corporation Globe Telecom, Inc. Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc.

15 16 17 18 19 20

Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. Bank of the Philippine Islands Megaworld Corporation Bloomberry Resorts Corporation JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc.

Last Price 0.9

Chg 0

%Chg 0%

Volume 589,239,000.00

Value(P) 583,688,490.00

135 912.5 84 44.35 39.7

2.1 6.5 1.35 0.25 0

1.58% 0.72% 1.63% 0.57% 0%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

3,775,010.00 396,730.00 3,928,940.00 7,146,700.00 7,407,800.00

507,713,021.00 361,234,535.00 327,934,143.00 318,108,825.00 294,002,575.00

174 990 44.9 1,286.00 149.5 6.2 2,116.00 65

5.1 14 0.4 33 5 0.17 16 0

3.02% 1.43% 0.90% 2.63% 3.46% 2.82% 0.76% 0%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

1,609,920.00 265,310.00 5,393,700.00 167,305.00 1,058,830.00 25,734,900.00 70,255.00 2,191,980

276,549,518.00 260,514,295.00 242,152,575.00 214,306,110.00 156,577,198.00 151,436,980.00 148,464,490.00 143,924,117.50

85.5 92.8 5.27 10.4 66 10.7

1.5 1.9 0.02 0.2 -0.8 -0.24

1.79% 2.09% 0.38% 1.96% -1.20% -2.19%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź ź

1,549,110 1,392,100 23,472,900 11,473,300 1,723,560 10,592,300

131,941,904.50 128,787,208.50 123,813,887.00 120,544,896.00 114,494,378.00 113,340,018.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 8, 2019 Jan 7, 2019 Jan 4, 2019 Jan 3, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018 Dec 26, 2018 Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018 Dec 17, 2018 Dec 14, 2018 Dec 13, 2018 Dec 12, 2018 Dec 11, 2018 Dec 10, 2018

Open 8,001 7,941 8,024 8,055 7,932 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932 7,775 7,820 7,801 7,657 7,507 7,497 7,497 7,465 7,437 7,537 7,514 7,412 7,478 7,501 7,506 7,514 7,456 7,386 7,446

High 8,068 7,990 8,030 8,067 8,058 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992 7,920 7,826 7,901 7,802 7,681 7,540 7,507 7,514 7,453 7,548 7,584 7,580 7,482 7,538 7,559 7,556 7,488 7,451 7,446

Low 8,001 7,902 7,979 7,964 7,920 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899 7,766 7,702 7,788 7,657 7,490 7,466 7,466 7,447 7,379 7,452 7,498 7,407 7,397 7,491 7,503 7,514 7,426 7,379 7,348

Close 8,065 7,990 8,009 8,007 8,047 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985 7,920 7,702 7,788 7,761 7,681 7,489 7,466 7,483 7,450 7,480 7,563 7,580 7,420 7,520 7,524 7,523 7,488 7,451 7,348

CLOSE

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

Security Name PAL Holdings, Inc. Filipino Fund, Inc. Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “Aâ€? Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “Bâ€? PTFC Redevelopment Corporation Imperial Resources, Inc. National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation “Bâ€? Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. Philippine Bank of Communications Omico Corporation Liberty Flour Mills, Inc. Manila Mining Corporation “Aâ€? Panasonic Manufacturing Philippines Corporation 3DFLÂżFD LQF NOW Corporation TKC Metals Corporation ABS-CBN Corporation Suntrust Home Developers, Inc. Greenergy Holdings Incorporated

Volume 5,490,000.00 9,600.00 3,327,000.00 72,000.00 100.00 3,000.00 3,451,000.00 8,100,000.00 47,176,000.00 600.00 1,790,000.00 90,450.00 7,000,000.00 192,700.00 67,700,000.00 3,520,000.00 34,000.00 1,115,300.00 1,000.00 12,991,000.00

Value 88,038,106.00 86,218.00 7,614,530.00 159,880.00 4,390.00 6,030.00 3,534,800.00 105,200.00 113,092,130.00 12,150.00 1,256,070.00 3,364,841.00 50,800.00 1,150,798.00 2,709,600.00 13,027,160.00 30,670.00 26,557,680.00 730 28,726,440.00

Last Price 15.96 8.98 2.4 2.3 43.9 2.01 1.03 0.013 2.42 20.3 0.7 53 0.0074 6.16 0.041 3.74 0.92 24.75 0.73 2.24

Chg 3.22 1.43 0.3 0.27 4.85 0.16 0.08 0.001 0.18 1.2 0.04 3 0.0004 0.31 0.002 0.17 0.04 1.05 0.03 0.09

%Chg 25.27% 18.94% 14.29% 13.30% 12.42% 8.65% 8.42% 8.33% 8.04% 6.28% 6.06% 6.00% 5.71% 5.30% 5.13% 4.76% 4.55% 4.43% 4.29% 4.19%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

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

Security Name SFA Semicon Philippines Corporation Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Atlas Consolidated Mining & Development Corporation Bright Kindle Resources & Investments Inc. Waterfront Philippines, Inc. Semirara Mining and Power Corporation Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. BDO Leasing & Finance, Inc. Abacore Capital Holdings, Inc. United Paragon Mining Corporation Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Oriental Peninsula Resources Group, Inc. Roxas Holdings, Inc. Boulevard Holdings, Inc. Nickel Asia Corporation Arthaland Corporation LBC Express Holdings, Inc. Philex Mining Corporation Benguet Corporation “A�

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 323,000.00 310,000.00 956,000.00 940,000.00 7,338,000.00 4,177,200.00 10,387,000.00 21,972,000.00 667,000.00 18,376,000.00 8,000,000.00 1,518,000.00 1,327,000.00 32,000.00 56,170,000.00 4,236,000.00 2,630,000.00 100.00 3,664,000 112,000.00

Value Last Price Chg %Chg 448,440.00 1.36 -0.12 -8.11% 111,600.00 0.35 -0.03 -7.89% 2,903,670.00 2.82 -0.23 -7.54% 1,515,830.00 1.54 -0.09 -5.52% 5,138,430.00 0.69 -0.04 -5.48% 98,457,410.00 23.1 -1.3 -5.33% 12,353,430.00 1.07 -0.06 -5.31% 22,849,990.00 1.03 -0.05 -4.63% 1,376,610.00 2.15 -0.1 -4.44% 12,263,920.00 0.66 -0.03 -4.35% 56,400.00 0.0069 -0.0003 -4.17% 1,725,790.00 1.19 -0.05 -4.03% 1,289,350.00 0.96 -0.04 -4.00% 92,650.00 2.88 -0.11 -3.68% 2,992,110.00 0.053 -0.002 -3.64% 10,346,090.00 2.41 -0.09 -3.60% 2,359,630.00 0.89 -0.03 -3.26% 1,450.00 14.5 -0.48 -3.20% 14,665,190.00 3.94 -0.13 -3.19% 145,120.00 1.29 -0.04 -3.01%

B4

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

PH palay, corn output down in 2018 T

HE country’s palay (unmilled rice) and CORN PRODUCTION FELL IN AS FARMS PARTICULARLY THOSE IN .ORTHERN ,UZON WERE battered by a series of typhoons. g7E HAVE DATA ON THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE OF THE TYPHOONS on the rice sector and the total IS ABOUT MILLION METRIC TONS -4 3O THAT WAS REALLY THE MAIN REASON WHY THERE WAS A REDUCTION IN PRODUCTION u !GRICULTURE 3ECRETARY %MMANUEL 0IÄOL TOLD RE-

porters at the sidelines of the 1st .ATIONAL 'ALUNGGONG 3UMMIT 0IÄOL S STATEMENT FOLLOWED the Philippine Statistics AuthorITY S RELEASE OF ITS LATEST RICE AND CORN SITUATIONER WHICH SHOWED FULL YEAR PRODUCTION LOSSES FOR BOTH CROPS

Q TARGET FROM B1

agers said the government would REMAIN VIGILANT OF INlATION RISKS AND WAS FAST TRACKING PREPARATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THE RICE TARIFkCATION LAW g&OR THE YEAR AHEAD WE EXPECT household consumption to recover AS INlATIONARY PRESSURES SUBSIDE GIVEN A SUBDUED OUTLOOK ON INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES AND THE EXPECTED reduction in rice prices from the ENACTMENT OF THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION ,AW 4HIS LAW WOULD GENERATE TARIFF REVENUES THAT WILL BE GIVEN TO OUR FARMERS BOOSTING THEIR PRODUCTIVITY u THEY SAID “To protect lower-income houseHOLDS FROM ;THE= 4RAIN 4AX 2EFORM FOR !CCELERATION AND )NCLUSION LAW S ADVERSE EFFECTS ON CONSUMPTION THE unconditional cash transfers and FUEL VOUCHERS SHOULD LIKEWISE BE IMPLEMENTED IN A TIMELY MANNER u THEY ADDED Economic managers warned that A RE ENACTED BUDGET WOULD AFFECT government spending in the near TERM “This implies that the governMENT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO QUICKLY EXECUTE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS UNDER THE PROPOSED BUDGET 4HE DAY BAN ON STATE SPENDING PRIOR TO THE -AY ELECTIONS COULD ALSO FURTHER DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS u THEY SAID /THER MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE DONE THIS YEAR INCLUDE ADDRESSING POLICY UNCERTAINTIES INCREASING MACRO COMPETITIVENESS BY ENHANCING THE EFkCIENCY OF TRANSPORT COMMUNICATIONS AND THE OVERALL LOGISTICS NETWORK AND ATTRACTING MORE INVESTMENTS g(ENCE WE STRONGLY FAVOR THE moves of Congress to amend the ForEIGN )NVESTMENT !CT THE 2ETAIL 4RADE !CT AND THE 0UBLIC 3ERVICE !CT )N addition to the massive investments in infrastructure that will help address THE LOGISTICAL CONCERNS OF THE SECTOR these amendments will help attract foreign investments and manufacturING u THE ECONOMIC TEAM SAID 0OTENTIAL GROWTH DRIVERS FOR WOULD BE THE UPCOMING MIDterm elections and preparations leading to the Southeast Asian 'AMES IN .OVEMBER “The creation of the Bangsamoro !UTONOMOUS 2EGION WOULD LIKEWISE OPEN UP GROWTH PROSPECTS BOTH FOR the region and for the wider econoMY u ECONOMIC MANAGERS SAID ADDING THAT gFOR WE CALL FOR A COHESIVE REFORM AGENDA FOR THE COUNTRY u “As we near the release of the 3OCIOECONOMIC 2EPORT AND mid-term updating of the PhilipPINE $EVELOPMENT 0LAN we hope that the whole of governMENT WILL BE ON THE SAME PAGE IN addressing the challenges of the DIFFERENT SECTORS u FROM REPORTS BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

PH growth BUT EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT LOWER OIL AND FOOD PRICES WOULD BOOST THE ECONOMY THIS YEAR 4RADE 3ECRETARY 2AMON ,OPEZ MEANWHILE SAID THE PERCENT '$0 RESULT WAS gREASONABLY GOOD GROWTHu THAT WAS DRIVEN BY INVESTMENTS AND GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES 4HIS COULD ALLOW THE COUNTRY TO WEATHER gEXPECTED TRADE CHALLENGES AND ;A= FORESEEN GLOBAL SLOWDOWN BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE 53 #HINA TRADE TENSIONS WORLD OIL PRICES AND GEOPOLITICS u HE ADDED

Fourth quarter result .ATIONAL 3TATISTICIAN ,ISA 'RACE 3 "ERSALES TOLD A BRIEkNG THAT FOURTH QUARTER GROWTH CAME IN AT PERCENT UP FROM THE DOWNWARDLY REVISED PERCENT FOR *ULY 3EPTEMBER BUT STILL LOWER THAN THE PERCENT POSTED A YEAR EARLIER The Philippine Statistics AuthorITY 03! SAID THE MAIN DRIVERS OF /CTOBER $ECEMBER GROWTH WERE CONSTRUCTION TRADE AND REPAIR OF MOTOR VEHICLES MOTORCYCLES PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND OTHER SERVICES )NDUSTRY WAS SAID TO HAVE POSTED THE FASTEST GROWTH AT PERCENT FOLLOWED BY SERVICES PERCENT AND AGRICULTURE PERCENT Economic managers said that on THE SUPPLY SIDE INDUSTRY GROWTH WAS FUELED BY A SURGE IN CONSTRUCTION BUT ADDED THAT MANUFACTURING WAS gAN AREA OF CONCERNu AS IT ONLY GREW BY PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER FROM PERCENT A YEAR EARLIER 4HEY POINTED TO WEAK BUSINESS SENTIMENT AND POLICY UNCERTAINTIES AND SLUGGISH EXPORTS AMID A GLOBAL ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN /N THE DEMAND SIDE HOUSEHOLD consumption was said to have SLOWED TO PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER FROM PERCENT IN THE COMPARABLE PERIOD g7E HAD HIGH INlATION RATES LAST YEAR ESPECIALLY IN THE THIRD QUARTER and the first two months of the FOURTH QUARTER )NlATION AFFECTS CONsumer spending and government SPENDING u 0ERNIA NOTED The PSA said government spendING GREW BY PERCENT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER SLOWER THAN THE PERCENT IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR /N AN ANNUAL BASIS IT GREW BY PERCENT FROM PERCENT DRIVEN BY SPENDING ON PERSONNEL SERVICES MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING EXPENSES AND SOCIAL protection services such as the PanTAWID 0AMILYANG 0ILIPINO 0ROGRAM

2019 outlook )N THEIR STATEMENT ECONOMIC MAN-

4HE COUNTRY S TOTAL PALAY OUTPUT HIT MILLION METRIC TONS -4 LAST YEAR DOWN PERCENT FROM THE MILLION -4 RECORDED IN THE 03! SAID (ARVESTED AREAS AND YIELDS ALSO FELL BY PERCENT AND PERCENT RESPECTIVELY FROM A YEAR EARLIER #ORN PRODUCTION MEANWHILE TOTALED MILLION -4 PERCENT LOWER THAN S MILLION (ARVESTED AREAS AND YIELDS WERE DOWN PERCENT AND

PERCENT RESPECTIVELY $URING THE LAST QUARTER OF ALONE PALAY PRODUCTION FELL PERCENT TO MILLION -4 FROM A YEAR EARLIER WHILE CORN POSTED A PERCENT EXPANSION TO MILLION -4 0ALAY AND CORN ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT HALF OF TOTAL CROP OUTPUT WHICH DROPPED BY PERCENT IN ,OOKING AHEAD THE 03! SAID THAT PALAY PRODUCTION COULD RECOVER A BIT IN THE kRST QUARTER OF

FORECASTING A PERCENT INCREASE TO MILLION -4 FROM A YEAR EARLIER 4HE YIELD PER HECTARE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY PERCENT EVEN AS HARVEST AREA DROPS BY PERCENT &OR CORN THE *ANUARY -ARCH OUTLOOK IS FOR A PERCENT GAIN TO MILLION -4 WITH YIELDS UP PERCENT AND HARVEST AREA DOWN PERCENT g4HERE COULD BE A MARKED increase in the production in

THE kRST QUARTER BECAUSE OUR RICE FARMERS HIT BY ;TYPHOONS= WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO HARVEST BUT replanted carried over their harVEST TO THE kRST QUARTER OF u 0IÄOL SAID g)N FACT THE EXPECTED %L .IÄO WE RE NOT EVEN WORRIED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WE RE EXPECTING IT TO HIT US AT THE TIME OUR FARMERS WILL BE HARVESTING 3O IT S JUST RIGHT 7E WON T HAVE PROBLEMS IN DRYING OUR PALAY IN THE OPEN u EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

ABLE AND LESS DRAMATIC While recognizing these contingencies as results of uncertain events that HAVE TRANSPIRED FOR 00# AND 7IPE #O IT IS A REALIZATION AT THE SAME TIME MICROMANAGE OUR ACTIVITIES BECAUSE THAT EMBRACING UNCERTAINTIES KEEPS US THAT IS MORE COMFORTABLE PREDICT- GROUNDED AND RESILIENT

$EALING WELL WITH WHAT S CERTAIN IS ONE BUT DEALING BETTER WITH UNCERTAINTIES IS ANOTHER *** !IRA 2EGINA 3 !RBOLEDA IS AN !Ssurance Director of Isla Lipana & #O A 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

BRUSHED OFF THE SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN EXPECTED ;'$0 GROWTH= AND RODE THE POSITIVE SENTIMENT OF REGIONAL MARKETS TO kNISH IN THE GREEN u Overnight gains on Wall Street THE ECONOMY RECOVERS u DROVE !SIAN MARKETS UP ON 4HURS2EGINA #APITAL $EVELOPMENT #ORP DAY WITH (ONG +ONG 3HANGHAI AND HEAD OF SALES ,UIS ,IMLINGAN MEAN- 3YDNEY ALL ENDING UP PERCENT WHILE SAID g0HILIPPINE INVESTORS WHILE 3EOUL JUMPED PERCENT AND

3INGAPORE ADDED PERCENT There were also advances in WelLINGTON 4AIPEI AND *AKARTA THOUGH 4OKYO CLOSED PERCENT LOWER )N EARLY TRADE ,ONDON ROSE PERCENT 0ARIS WAS lAT AND &RANKFURT FELL PERCENT "ACK IN -ANILA ALL SECTORAL INDICES ENDED IN THE GREEN EXCEPT FOR

MINING AND OIL WHICH PLUNGED BY PERCENT 6OLUME TURNOVER STOOD AT BILLION SHARES VALUED AT 0 BILLION 7INNERS OUTNUMBERED LOSERS TO WHILE ISSUES WERE UNCHANGED TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

BUT ALSO INCLUDES AMONG OTHERS THOSE WHO KNOWINGLY CAUSE THE importation or transportation or storage of imported goods as well as those ordering imported goods ON &EBRUARY DAYS AFTER ITS from a local importer or supplier in PUBLICATION ON *ANUARY AT The A gCONTROLLEDu DOMESTIC TRANSACTION Manila Times #!/ IMPLEMENTS %X- Selection criteria ECUTIVE /RDER .O SERIES OF SIGNED LAST /CT WHICH The importers targeted for PCA created an empowered post clear- ARE CAREFULLY CHOSEN BASED ON A ance audit group (PCAG) of the gCOMPUTER AIDED RISK MANAGEMENT Bureau of Customs (BOC) that SYSTEMu THAT TAKES INTO CONSIDERIS EXPECTED TO AGGRESSIVELY COM- ATION THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF RISK TO AND MENCE THE EXAMINATION AND VERI- the greatest impact upon) customs kCATION OF IMPORTERS RECORDS PER- REVENUE AND OTHER PRIORITY OBJECTIVES taining to their goods declarations OF THE ADMINISTRATION for the purpose of ascertaining 5NDER THE #!/ THE CRITERIA ARE their correctness and determining BASED ON AMONG OTHERS THE RELATHEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITIES FOR DUTIES tive magnitude of customs revenue TAXES AND OTHER CHARGES INCLUDING FROM THE IMPORTER THE RATES OF DUkNE OR PENALTY TIES COMPLIANCE TRACK RECORD AN 4HIS POWER CAN BE EXERCISED ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK TO REVENUE WITHIN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF OF THE kRM S IMPORT ACTIVITIES THE kNAL PAYMENT OF DUTIES AND TAXES compliance level of trade sector OR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AS THE CASE AND NON RENEWAL OF AN IMPORTER S MAY BE CUSTOMS ACCREDITATION 4HE 0#!' WHICH IS DIRECTLY #USTOMS BROKERS MAY BE AUDITED under the supervision of the BOC to validate audits of their importerCOMMISSIONER IS HEADED BY A "/# CLIENTS OR kLL IN INFORMATION GAPS assistant commissioner who shall revealed during an audit of their EXERCISE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND IMPORTER CLIENTS ,OCATORS IN THE control over the management of its ECONOMIC ZONES AND THOSE ENJOYING OPERATING UNITS WHICH INCLUDE THE DUTY AND TAX INCENTIVES ARE LIKEWISE 4RADE AND )NFORMATION AND 2ISK COVERED AND THUS ARE NOT EXEMPT !NALYSIS /FkCE WHICH AMONG OTH- FROM "/# COMPLIANCE AUDIT ERS RECOMMENDS TO THE "/# COM/NCE SELECTED FOR 0#! THE AUDIT MISSIONER POTENTIAL PRIORITY AUDIT PROCESS WILL BE TRIGGERED BY THE IScandidates) and the Compliance SUANCE OF A "/# !UDIT .OTIkCATION !SSESSMENT /FkCE WHICH CONDUCTS Letter (ANL) served to the importerAUDITEE THROUGH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING THE ACTUAL AUDIT modes: a) personal service at the PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS B BY Who can be subjected to PCA? REGISTERED MAIL OR C BY ELECTRONIC NOTICE 4HE #!/ CATEGORICALLY PROVIDES The coverage of the compliance AN EXPANDED DEkNITION OF AN gIM- AUDIT IS YEARS YEARS IN CASE OF PORTERu SUBJECT TO 0#! 4HE TERM NOT fraud) from the date of the ANL ONLY COVERS THOSE TAGGED AS IMPORT- COUNTED BACKWARDS ER OF RECORD OR CONSIGNEE OWNER OR DECLARANT ITS AGENT OR THOSE WHO Audit procedure withdraws admitted goods from the FREE ZONES INTO THE CUSTOMS TERRITORY !N !., WHICH BEARS THE NAMES OF FOR CONSUMPTION OR WAREHOUSING AUTHORIZED 0#!' TEAM MEMBERS

MUST BE SERVED TO THE IMPORTER WITHIN A PERIOD OF DAYS FROM ITS ISSUANCE SUBJECT TO REVALIDATION BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR ANOTHER DAYS PRIOR TO ITS EXPIRY The audit team shall then commence the audit proper not later THAN CALENDAR DAYS FROM THE SERVICE OF THE !., 4HE AUDIT MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN CALENDAR DAYS PER YEAR OF AUDIT PERIOD SUBJECT TO A POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF DAYS from the date the importer receives THE !., 4HE AUDIT IS CONSIDERED completed when the Final Audit 2EPORT &!2 WITH A DEMAND LETTER or a PCAG-Clean Report of Findings 0#!' #2& AS THE CASE MAY BE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT TEAM AND ENDORSED BY THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR SUBSEQUENT APPROVAL BY THE COMMISSIONER 4HE IMPORTER ADVERSELY AFFECTED MAY kLE A REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERAtion (plea for the re-evaluation of THE AUDIT kNDINGS BASED ON EXISTING records) or reinvestigation (plea of THE RE EVALUATION BASED ON NEWLY discovered or additional evidence) TO THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN DAYS FROM RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND LETTER

Q NEEDLES FROM B2

Embracing

Q SLOWDOWN FROM B1

Investors Q MTF FROM B1

Highlights

AREA WILL MAINLY BE ON WHETHER THE IMPORTED GOODS WERE PROPERLY DESCRIBED AND THE CORRECT TARIFF CLASSIkCATIONS VIS ¹ VIS THE DUTY RATES WERE PROPERLY USED /THER REVIEW AREAS TYPICALLY INclude the verification of the corRECTNESS OF THE QUANTITIES OF GOODS DECLARATIONS AS TO COUNTRY OF ORIGIN entitlement of special or preferential TARIFF RATES RECORD KEEPING AND OTHER COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS !PART FROM THE ABOVE FOCUS AREAS THE "/# AS A MATTER OF APPROACH LIKEWISE COMPARES SPECIkC kGURES CONTAINED IN AN AUDITEE S RECORDS WITH THAT OF THEIR OWN DATA $ISCREPANCIES WILL USUALLY REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF A DETAILED REConciliation document from the AUDITEE !NY DEkCIENCY DUTY ASSESSMENT ISSUED BY THE "/# AFTER AUDIT WOULD NORMALLY INCLUDE A DEkCIENCY 6!4 (on importation) assessment since THE IMPORT 6!4 BASE UNDER THE RULES INCLUDES AS COMPONENTS THE DUTIABLE VALUE AND CUSTOMS DUTY 4HUS ANY UNDER DECLARATION OF CUSTOMS DUTY SHALL AS A CONSEQUENCE RESULT to undervaluation of the VAT and VICE VERSA Expected audit issues )N NEXT WEEK S ARTICLE ) WILL DISCUSS THE PENALTIES IMPOSABLE DURING A 4HE MAIN AIM OF THE 0#! IS TO 0#! AND THE REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO AMONG OTHERS DETERMINE ANY SHORT IMPORTERS UNDER THE #!/ PAYMENTS ON PAST IMPORT TRANSACtions resulting from non-compli- -ARK !NTHONY 0 4AMAYO IS A #0! ance with or violation of customs ,AWYER AND A 0ARTNER OF -ATA 0EREZ RULES FOCUSING MAINLY ON VALUATION 4AMAYO &RANCISCO ,AW /FFICES AND OR CLASSIkCATION ISSUES -4& #OUNSEL (E IS A PROFESSOR 7ITH RESPECT TO VALUATION THE OF LAW AND A REGULAR -#,% LECTURER 0#!' WILL AS A MATTER OF PROCE- (IS AREAS OF PRACTICE INCLUDE AMONG DURE CHECK WHETHER THE VALUE OF OTHERS CORPORATE TAX ADVISORY THE IMPORTED GOODS PREVIOUSLY CONTROVERSY AND LITIGATION AS WELL DECLARED IS CORRECT AND HAS RElECTED AS INTERNATIONAL TRADE CUSTOMS THE PRICE ACTUALLY PAID OR PAYABLE This article is for general informaBY THE IMPORTER TO THE SUPPLIER TION ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE !LONG WITH THIS THE 0#!' WILL ALSO for professional advice where the review whether the required duti- FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT )F ABLE ADJUSTMENTS WERE PROPERLY YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR COMMENT declared and that the appropriate REGARDING THIS ARTICLE YOU MAY EMAIL customs valuation method had THE AUTHOR AT INFO MTFCOUNSEL BEEN CORRECTLY ADOPTED COM OR VISIT -4& WEBSITE AT WWW !S TO CLASSIFICATION THE FOCUS MTFCOUNSEL COM

Foreign Business Hyundai Motor sees first Ghosn quits ahead quarterly loss in eight years of Renault shakeup D ˜

˜ The Manila Times

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

SEOUL: South Korea’s largest automaker HyunDAI -OTOR REPORTED ITS kRST QUARTERLY LOSS in eight years on Thursday, with currency swings sending it $180 million into the red in October-December despite improved sales. /PERATING PROkT FELL PERCENT FROM A YEAR EARLIER TO BILLION WON MILLION THE kRM SAID IN A STATEMENT AND IT MADE A NET LOSS OF BILLION WON “Due to weakened currency in emerging MARKETS COUPLED WITH OTHER EXTERNAL FACTORS PROkTABILITY FELL IN COMPARED to the previous year,� said Hyundai, which together with its subsidiary Kia is the world’s kFTH LARGEST AUTOMAKER 4HE COMPANY SOLD MILLION CARS WORLDWIDE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER UP PERCENT FROM THE SAME PERIOD A YEAR EARLIER

MAINLY DUE TO RISING DEMAND FROM %UROPE and key emerging markets including Brazil and Russia. )T FORECAST BUSINESS CONDITIONS TO REMAIN GRIM IN OWING TO AN ONGOING TRADE WAR between Washington and Beijing and slowing GROWTH IN #HINA ‡ ONCE A MAJOR MARKET FOR the carmaker. g7E WILL FOCUS ON THE EARLY NORMALISATION OF BUSINESS IN KEY MARKETS INCLUDING THE 53 and China, while bolstering our response to emerging markets like India and the Aseancountries,� it said. 3HARES IN THE kRM CLOSED UP PERCENT &OR ALL OF (YUNDAI SAW NET PROkT TUMBLE PERCENT ON YEAR TO TRILLION WON WHILE OPERATING PROkT SANK PERCENT TO TRILLION WON AFP

AVOS, Switzerland: Embattled Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has resigned, France’s economy minister said Thursday ahead of a board meeting at which the French carmaker is to appoint his successors.

! SENIOR DIRECTOR FROM THE FIRM gRECEIVED LAST NIGHT THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM #ARLOS 'HOSNu who remains detained in Japan, %CONOMY AND &INANCE -INISTER Bruno Le Maire told AFP.

China,Germany tout openness at Davos DAVOS, Switzerland: China and Germany Wednesday defended global cooperation against the temptation of populism at the Davos forum of the world’s business elite, but a Swedish teenager emerged as the unlikely star after her urgent calls for climate action inspired schoolchildren around the world. Reactions against a longer-running style of populism also reared up at the annual World Economic Forum (WEF), as Brazil and other regional countries joined the United States in recognising the head of Venezuela’s oppositioncontrolled parliament as interim president, in defiance of firebrand leftist Nicolas Maduro. President Donald Trump’s more recent brand of on-the-edge politics dominated last year’s WEF when he came to Davos. Since then, he has launched a trade war against China and other allies that has rocked the financial markets and sparked fears of a slowdown in the global economy. Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan hit back in an address to the audience of movers and shakers, which includes some of the world’s top chief executives. “The Chinese and US economies are mutually indispensable, so their relations must be mutually beneficial and win-win,â€? said Wang, who is tasked with negotiating a truce in the trade war. “This is the reality: neither side can do without the other side,â€? he said. The annual conference in the Alpine ski resort was originally expected to be an outlet for

talks between the US and China, with a 90-day truce set to end March 1. But Trump cancelled a return trip to Davos due to the government shutdown in Washington, and the absence of the usually hefty US delegation has been felt in the WEF hallways. German Chancellor Angela Merkel also defended cooperation among nations, speaking a day after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro made his first international speech after sweeping to power on a firmly populist line. “There is (in the world) a current that says I will first look after my own interests, and in the end everyone will be fine,� said Merkel, a Davos regular who is preparing to step down by 2020. “I highly doubt it,� she added. Trump has pulled out of the Paris accord on climate change and assailed international institutions such as NATO, the European Union and World Trade Organization. But Merkel, who grew up under communist rule in the former East Germany, said:“I stand before you as someone who cherishes multilateral institutions.� For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Europe, Japan and the United States should “join forces� to review the rules of free trade. “I call on everyone to rebuild confidence in the international trading system,� he said at the forum. European leaders as a whole came to Davos under the cloud of Brexit, with Britain’s plan to divorce from the European Union blocked in parliament. Prime Minister Theresa May pulled out of the conference to handle Brexit as did the EU’s chief

Ford reports Q4 loss on weakness in China, Europe NEW YORK: Ford on Wednesday reported A FOURTH QUARTER LOSS OF MILLION FOLLOWING WEAK PERFORMANCE IN #HINA AND %UROPE 4HE 53 AUTO GIANT WHICH HAD NOTCHED BILLION PROFIT IN THE YEAR AGO PERIOD ALSO CITED MILLION IN ONE TIME PENSION EXPENSES AS A FACTOR IN the loss, which Bloomberg News said WAS JUST ITS SECOND QUARTER IN THE RED SINCE EARLY 2EVENUES CLIMBED PERCENT TO BILLION /PERATING PROFITS ROSE IN .ORTH !MERICA FOLLOWING STRONG SALES OF LARGER vehicles such as sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks. "UT &ORD HAD MILLION IN OPERATING LOSSES IN %UROPE AND A MILLION LOSS IN !SIA 0ACIFIC DRIVEN BY WEAK SALES in China. The company also had operating losses in the South America and Middle %AST AND !FRICA REGIONS Ford last year announced it would HALT PRODUCTION OF ALMOST ALL SEDANS AND SMALL CARS IN THE 5NITED 3TATES TO save $11 billion, and earlier this month announced a massive restructuring OF ITS %UROPEAN OPERATIONS TO BOOST PROFITABILITY INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF potential job cuts. The company has also announced an alliance with Volkswagen to develop commercial vehicles and will explore joint opportunities with the German company in autonomous vehicles and other emerging technologies. g7HILE WAS A CHALLENGING YEAR we put in place key building blocks to build a more resilient and competitive business model that can thrive no matter the economic environment,� said #HIEF &INANCIAL /FFICER "OB 3HANKS &ORD SHARES ROSE PERCENT TO IN AFTER HOURS TRADING AFP

negotiator Michel Barnier, both eager to avoid a “no deal� exit on March 29. But May’s international trade secretary, Liam Fox, made the trip to reassure investors about Britain’s post-Brexit future. Shrugging off announcements that Sony and Dyson are relocating premises abroad, Fox told AFP in Davos that “clearly the UK is open for business and is an attractive destination�. But it was teenage climate crusader Greta Thunberg who drew the most interest, swamped by camera crews as she arrived in Davos after a 32-hour train trip from her home in Sweden. The 16-year-old grabbed the headlines with a fiery speech before world leaders at last month’s UN climate talks in Poland. She has galvanised protests by high-schoolers around the world demanding stronger government action to fight global warming. Thunberg told AFP that she was under no illusion that all of the audience in Davos would voluntarily heed her call to action. “They have known exactly what priceless values they have been sacrificing to continue making unimaginable amounts of money,�she said, insisting it was time for young people“to get angry�and demand that adults clean up the mess they have made. U2 frontman Bono, a Davos regular, meanwhile provided his usual dose of rock-n-roll rebellion to the forum’s jet set. “Capitalism is not immoral, it’s amoral,� the singer told a panel. “It’s a wild beast and if not tamed, it can chew up a lot of people along the way,� he said. AFP

The Renault board is to MEET 4HURSDAY AT ITS HEADQUARters near Paris and is tipped to NAME INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE 4HIERRY "OLLORE AS #%/ AND THE HEAD OF TYRE MANUFACTURER -ICHELIN

B5

* E A N $ O M I N I Q U E 3 E N A R D A S chairman. Ghosn, who had held both roles, is expected to stay behind BARS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER SEEING A SECOND BAIL REQUEST DENIED on Tuesday. (E FACES THREE SEPARATE CHARGES TWO OF UNDER DECLARING HIS INCOME BY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OVER EIGHT YEARS AND ANOTHER OF SEEKING TO SHIFT PERSONAL INVESTMENT LOSSES onto Nissan. AFP

B6

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FRIDAY January 25, 2019 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 67 PASIG CITY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 264, PASIG CITY (Stationed in San Juan City)

IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF DANIEL L. ESPINOSA,

IN RE: PETITION FOR JUDICIAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN DIVORCE OF YOO HYOUNGJOO a.k.a. YOU HYUNG-JOO AND MA. SALVE T. SONGCOG.

DANIEL L. ESPINOSA, Petitioner, -versus-

MA. SALVE T. SONGCOG, Petitioner, - versus -

SP. PROC. CASE NO. R-PSG- 18-02337-SP For: Correction of Entry

CIVIL CASE NO. 75421-SJ LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PASIG CITY, Respondent. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - x

THE NATIONAL STATISTICIAN, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, THE CITY CIVIL REGISTRAR OF SAN JUAN, THE SOLICITOR GENERAL, YOO HYOUNGJOO a.k.a. YOU HYUNG-JOO & ALL PERSONS WHO HAVE OR CLAIM ANY INTEREST WHICH WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PETITION, Respondents. x-----------------------------------------------------------------------x ORDER 3HWLWLRQHU 0D 6DOYH 7 6RQJFRJ ÂżOHG WKH LQVWDQW 3HWLWLRQ IRU 5HFRJQLWLRQ RI Foreign Divorce, praying that after due hearing, judgment be rendered recognizing WKH GLVVROXWLRQ RI PDUULDJH RI SHWLWLRQHU DQG <RR +\RXQJMRR D N D <RX +\XQJ -RR rendered by Judge Kim Hee-Jin of Anyang Branch of Suwon District Court Uiawang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Notice is hereby given that the petition shall be heard before this Court sitting at Justice Hall, The Arena Compound, Santolan Road, San Juan City on February 15, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which date and time, all persons interested may appear and show cause in writing why the petition should not be granted. /HW D FRS\ RI WKLV 2UGHU EH SXEOLVKHG RQFH D ZHHN IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV FKRVHQ E\ UDIĂ€H DQG OHW FRS\ of this Order be served together with a copy of the petition and annexes to the 1) Administrator and National Statistician, Philippine Statistics Authority; 2) Local Civil Registrar of San Juan City; 3) the Solicitor General; 4) the City Prosecutor of San Juan &LW\ DQG UHVSRQGHQW <RR +\RXQJMRR D N D <RX +\XQJ -RR DW SHWLWLRQHUÂśV H[SHQVH

ORDER This is a petition for CORRECTION OF ENTRY of Daniel L. Espinosa based upon grounds enumerated therein. WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the said petition will be heard by this court sitting at the Third Floor, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pasig City on February 8, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour aforesaid, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any they have, why said petition should not be granted. Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation, to be determined LQ D UDIĂ€H LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK H[LVWLQJ ODZV RQFH D ZHHN IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV )XUWKHU IXUQLVK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO WKH /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU RI 3DVLJ &LW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU RI 3DVLJ WKH 3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLFV $XWKRULW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW RI WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW 3DVLJ &LW\ FRSLHV RI WKLV 2UGHU together with the copy of the petition and its annexes at the expense of the petitioner ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V XSRQ UHFHLSW RI WKH 2UGHU )DLOXUH WR GR VR ZLOO EH D JURXQG IRU dismissal of the petition. SO ORDERED. Pasig City, October 5, 2018. (SGD.) IRA FRITZIE CRUZ-ROJO Presiding Judge 07 -DQ )HE

November 26, 2018, San Juan City, Metro Manila.

07 Âą -DQ

2GO GROUP, INC. (formerly ATS Consolidated [ATSC], Inc.), Applicant. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

5. Manila-Cebu-Cagayan de Oro-Cebu-Manila DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Manila

Wed

9:00 PM

Cebu

Thu

Cebu

Thu

11:30 PM

Cagayan de Oro

Fri

8:00 PM 8:00 AM

Cagayan de Oro

Fri

2:00 PM

Cebu

Fri

10:30 PM

Cebu

Sat

2:00 AM

Manila

Sun

1:00 AM

6. Manila-Cebu-Cagayan de Oro-Cebu-Manila DEPARTURE

CASE NO. MNL-REV-2014-001 (Amendment Nos. 1-15) Amendment No. 16 (Ref. Case No. MNL-05-033; MNL-2007-014-FO);

ARRIVAL

Manila

Sun

9:00 AM

Cebu

Mon

8:00 AM

Cebu

Mon

11:30 AM

Cagayan de Oro

Mon

8:00 PM

Cagayan de Oro

Tue

2:00 AM

Cebu

Tue

10:30 AM

Cebu

Tue

2:00 PM

Manila

Wed

1:00 PM

7. a) Batangas-Romblon-Roxas-Romblon-Batangas

O R D E R

DEPARTURE

%HIRUH XV LV WKH DERYH HQWLWOHG $SSOLFDWLRQ ZKLFK ZDV ÂżOHG RQ January 2019. The following are the routes subject of the Permanent Change in Sailing Frequencies/Schedule of Trips:

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Sat

9:00 PM

Romblon

Sun

6:00 AM

Romblon

Sun

7:00 AM

Roxas

Sun

2:00 PM

Roxas

Sun

12:00 PM

Romblon

Sun

7:00 PM

Romblon

Sun

8:00 PM

Batangas

Mon

5:00 AM

b) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas EXISTING

PROPOSED

DEPARTURE

Manila-Cebu-Cagayan-CebuManila Manila-Cebu-Cagayan-CebuManila

Manila-Cebu-Cagayan-CebuManila Manila-Cebu-Butuan-CebuManila

Manila-Bacolod-Ozamis-IliganIloilo-Bacolod-Manila Manila-Coron-Puerto PrincesaCoron-Manila

Manila-Bacolod-Ozamis-IliganIloilo-Bacolod-Manila Manila-Coron-Puerto PrincesaCoron-Manila

Manila-Bacolod-Iloilo-Cagayan— Manila-Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila Manila-Bacolod-Iloilo-CagayanIloilo-Bacolod-Manila Manila-Iloilo-ZamboangaManila-Iloilo-ZamboangaGeneral Santos-Davao-General General Santos-Davao-General Santos-Zamboanga-Iloilo-Manila Santos-Zamboanga-IloiloBacolod-Manila

Batangas

Tue

10:00 AM

Odiongan

Tue

5:00 PM

Odiongan

Tue

6:00 PM

Caticlan

Tue

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Tue

11:00 PM

Batangas

Wed

8:00 AM

c) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas DEPARTURE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NESTOR LINO ALMAZAN BAGSIT has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Amended Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate executed on August 10, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 387 DQG 3DJH 1R %RRN 1R 29; Series of 2018 and October 30, 2018 and entered as per Doc. 1R 3DJH 1R %RRN 1R 30; Series of 2018 both of the notarial registry of Atty. Nazario Cesar E. Matira notary public for and in Lipa City.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF QUEZON CITY PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, -versusSPS. MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ SONGCUAN and AUGUSTO BAMBALAN SONGCUAN (AIF). Mortgagors. x---------------------------------------------------------------x

ARRIVAL

FLOOR/UNIT NO. 9L ACTUAL USE: UNIT TYPE: UNIT AREA: BALCONY AREA: TOTAL AREA:

LQ WKH GLDJUDPPDWLF ÀRRU SODQ DSSHQGHG WR WKH HQDEOLQJ RU PDVWHU GHHG RI the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 2012000083; 20120000084; 2012000085; 2012000086; 2012000087; 2012000088; 2012000091; 2012000092; 2012000089 which embraces and describes the land located at 20TH AVENUE, SAN ROQUE, CUBAO, QUEZON CITY, with an area of (890; 796; 796; 796; 796; 796; 2,453; 5,018; 1,462) Square Meter.

3DUNLQJ 6ORW 1R OP6-108 ORFDWHG DW WKH 2SHQ 3DUNLQJ 6ORW with and area of 12.50 sqm more or less $OO VHDOHG ELGV PXVW EH VXEPLWWHG WR WKH XQGHUVLJQHG DW WKH DIRUHVDLG RIÂżFH on the above stated date and time. Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title to the said property/ies and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, January 7, 2019.

(SGD.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD &OHUN RI &RXUW 9,, DQG ([ 2IÂżFLR 6KHULII WARNING:

Wed

5:00 PM 9:00 PM

Caticlan

Wed

11:00 PM

Batangas

Thu

8:00 AM

ATTY. NESTLE LYN M. PARDUCHO 4th )ORRU 36%DQN &HQWUH %OGJ No. 777 Paseo de Roxas Avenue FRU 6HGHxR 6W 0DNDWL &LW\ SPS. MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ SONGCUAN and AUGUST BAMBALAN SONGCUAN (AIF) #54 13th Ave. Brgy. Socorro, 1109 Quezon City 20th Avenue San Roque, Cubao, 1109 Quezon City No. 162 San Vicente, San Jacinto 2431 Pangasinan

ARRIVAL

Thu

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Fri

6:00 AM

Caticlan

Fri

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Fri

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Fri

11:30 AM

Batangas

Fri

7:00 PM

Batangas

Fri

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Caticlan

Sat

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Sat

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Sat

11:30 AM

Batangas

Sat

7:00 PM

Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas

Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Caticlan-OdionganBatangas Batangas-Romblon-RoxasRomblon-Batangas

Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odionan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odionan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odionan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas

Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan, Batangas Batangas-Romblon-RoxasRomblon-Batangas

DEPARTURE

It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of the auction sale under penalty of the law.

ARRIVAL

DEPARTURE Batangas

Sat

6:00 AM

Tue

8:00 AM

Cebu

Tue

11:30 AM

Cagayan de Oro

Tue

8:00 PM

Cagayan de Oro

Wed

2:00 AM

Cebu

Wed

10:30 AM

Cebu

Tue

11:30 AM

Manila

Thu

12:30 PM

b) Manila-Cebu-Butuan-Cebu-Manila DEPARTURE

Sun

6:00 AM

Caticlan

Sun

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Sun

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Sun

11:30 AM

Batangas

Sun

7:00 PM

Thu

8:30 PM

Cebu

Fri

DEPARTURE Sun

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Mon

6:00 AM

Caticlan

Mon

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Mon

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Mon

11:30 AM

Batangas

Mon

7:00 PM

DEPARTURE Batangas

Mon

Caticlan Odiongan

ARRIVAL Caticlan

Tue

6:00 AM

Tue

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Tue

11:00 AM

Tue

11:30 AM

Batangas

Tue

7:00 PM

IN RE: PETITION FOR REHABILITATION HHIC-PHIL INC., Petitioner. x-----------------------------x

d) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas DEPARTURE Batangas

Tue

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Wed

6:00 AM

Caticlan

Wed

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Wed

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Wed

11:30 AM

Batangas

Wed

7:00 PM

Batangas

Wed

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Thu

6:00 AM

Caticlan

Thu

8:00 AM

Odiongan

Thu

11:00 AM

Odiongan

Thu

11:30 AM

Batangas

Thu

7:00 PM

f) Batangas-Romblon-Roxas-Romblon-Batangas DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Thu

9:00 PM

Romblon

Fri

6:00 AM

Romblon

Fri

7:00 AM

Roxas

Fri

2:00 PM

Roxas

Fri

12:00 PM

Romblon

Fri

7:00 PM

Romblon

Fri

8:00 PM

Batangas

Sat

5:00 AM

DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Butuan

Sat

7:30 AM

Batangas

Fri

10:00 AM

Odiongan

Fri

5:00 PM

2:00 PM

Cebu

Sat

11:00 PM

Odiongan

Fri

6:00 PM

Caticlan

Fri

9:00 PM

Cebu

Sun

2:00 AM

Manila

Mon

1:00 AM

Caticlan

Fri

11:00 PM

Batangas

Sat

8:00 AM

b) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL

Manila

Mon

7:00 PM

Bacolod

Tue

3:00 PM

Batangas

Sat

10:00 AM

Odiongan

Sat

5:00 PM

Bacolod

Tue

6:00 PM

Ozamis

Wed

6:00 AM

Odiongan

Sat

6:00 PM

Caticlan

Sat

9:00 PM

Ozamis

Wed

11:00 AM

Iligan

Wed

1:00 PM

Caticlan

Sat

11:00 PM

Batangas

Sun

8:00 AM

Iligan

Wed

4:00 PM

Iloilo

Thu

5:00 AM

c) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas

Iloilo

Thu

8:00 AM

Bacolod

Thu

12:00 PM

Bacolod

Thu

3:00 PM

Manila

Fri

11:00 AM

ARRIVAL Fri

7:00 PM

DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Sun

10:00 AM

Odiongan

Sun

5:00 PM

Odiongan

Sun

6:00 PM

Caticlan

Sun

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Sun

11:00 PM

Batangas

Mon

8:00 AM

d) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas DEPARTURE

Coron

Sat

8:00 AM

Puerto Princesa

Sat

7:00 PM

Puerto Princesa

Sun

7:00 AM

Coron

Sun

6:00 PM

Coron

Sun

8:00 PM

Manila

Mon

7:00 AM

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Mon

10:00 AM

Odiongan

Mon

5:00 PM

Odiongan

Mon

6:00 PM

Caticlan

Tue

9:00 PM

Caticlan

Mon

11:00 PM

Batangas

Tue

8:00 AM

e) Batangas-Romblon-Roxas-Romblon-Batangas DEPARTURE

3. a) Manila-Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Tue

9:00 PM

Romblon

Wed

6:00 AM

Romblon

Wed

7:00 AM

Roxas

Wed

12:00 PM

Manila

Tue

9:00 AM

Iloilo

Wed

5:00 AM

Roxas

Wed

2:00 PM

Romblon

Wed

7:00 PM

Iloilo

Wed

8:30 AM

Bacolod

Wed

12:30 PM

Romblon

Wed

8:00 PM

Batangas

Thu

5:00 AM

Bacolod

Wed

4:00 PM

Manila

Thu

12:00 PM

b) Manila-Bacolod-Iloilo-Cagayan-Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Manila

Thu

11:30 PM

Bacolod

Fri

7:30 PM

Bacolod

Fri

10:30 PM

Iloilo

Sat

2:30 AM

Iloilo

Sat

5:30 AM

Cagayan de Oro

Sat

7:30 PM

Cagayan de Oro

Sun

1:30 AM

Iloilo

Sun

3:30 PM

Iloilo

Sun

6:30 PM

Bacolod

Sun

10:30 PM

Bacolod

Mon

1:30 AM

Manila

Mon

9:30 PM

4. Manila-Iloilo-Zamboanga-General Santos-Davao-General SantosZamboanga-Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

Manila

Wed

9:00 PM

Iloilo

Thu

5:00 PM

Iloilo

Thu

8:30 PM

Zamboanga

Fri

10:30 AM

Zamboanga

Fri

2:30 PM General Santos

Sat

2:30 AM

General Santos

Sat

6:30 AM

Sat

2:30 PM

Davao

Davao

Sat

7:30 PM General Santos

Sun

3:30 AM

General Santos

Sun

7:30 AM

Zamboanga

Sun

7:30 PM

Zamboanga

Sun

11:30 PM

Iloilo

Mon

1:30 PM

Iloilo

Mon

5:00 PM

Bacolod

Mon

10:00 PM

Bacolod

Tue

1:30 AM

Manila

Tue

9:30 PM

/XQJVRG QJ &DODPED /DJXQD LND ng Enero 2019.

Calamba City, Laguna, 23rd day of January 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

(Sgd.) Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(Sgd.) Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

(Sgd.) Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Approved by:

Approved by:

Approved by:

(Sgd.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(Sgd.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(Sgd.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

07 -DQ

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION - (STR) NOTICE Notice is hereby given that VILLA ADELA SUBDIVISION located at San Isidro Iraya, Malilipot, Albay, developed by BOGNABONG E C O PA R K R E C R E AT I O N CAMPSITE EDUCATIONAL AND SPORTS (BERCES) RESORTS INC. is being utilized as Compliance for NORTHDALE VILLAS PHASES 1, 2 AND 3 located at Brgy. Timalan Balsahan, Naic, Cavite in accordance with Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No.10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO. All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V IURP WKH last day of publication.

(Sgd.) Engr. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon. Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH days from the last day of publication.

07 -DQ

MT - Jan. 25, 2019

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies. Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police. The Manila Times DOES 127 DVN IRU PRQH\ WR stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone DQ\ IRUP RI EODFNPDLO

initial hearing on FEBRUARY 8, 2019 at 8:30 o'clock in the morning1. H 25'(56 WKH FUHGLWRUV WR ÂżOH WKHLU YHULÂżHG FODLPV ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V EHIRUH FEBRUARY 8, 2019 at 8:30 o'clock in the morning. ,I D FUHGLWRU ÂżOHV D EHODWHG FODLP KH VKDOO not be entitled to participate in the proceedings but shall be entitled to receive distributions arising therefrom if recommended and approved by the rehabilitation receiver, and approved by the court 2. f)

ORDERS the creditors, government agencies (BIR, SEC, %63 ,QVXUDQFH &RPPLVVLRQ '2/( +/85% '7, 6%0$ DQG DOO LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV WR ÂżOH DQG VHUYH WR ++,& 3KLO ,QF D YHULÂżHG FRPPHQW RSSRVLWLRQ WR WKH SHWLWLRQ WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKHLU VXSSRUWLQJ DIÂżGDYLWV DQG GRFXPHQWV ZLWKLQ ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ RQ FEBRUARY 8, 2019 at 8:30 o'clock in the morning.

g)

PROHIBITS HHIC Phil Inc.'s suppliers of goods and services from withholding the supply of the goods and services in the ordinary course of business for as long as ++,& 3KLO ,QF PDNHV SD\PHQW IRU WKH VDLG JRRGV DQG services from the issuance of this Commencement Order.

h)

AUTHORIZES HHIC Phil Inc. in paying its administrative expenses as they become due;

L

25'(56 WKDW DOO FRQWUDFWV QRW FRQÂżUPHG LQ ZULWLQJ by HHIC Phil Inc. within ninety (90) days following the issuance of this Commencement Order shall be considered automatically terminated.

j)

APPOINTS MR. STEFANI C. SAĂ‘O as rehabilitation receiver.

COMMENCEMENT ORDER

ARRIVAL

10:30 PM

Coron

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

SEC CASE NO. 19-001

ARRIVAL

Fri

7:00 PM

3DJNDDDQ QJ OLPDQJ DUDZ PXOD VD KXOLQJ DUDZ QJ SDJNDODWKDOD DQJ SUR\HNWRQJ QDEDQJJLW D\ LWXWXULQJ QD rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng VHUWLSLNR ELODQJ NDWLED\DQ QLWR NDSDJ wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Republic of the Philippines Third Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 72 Olongapo City

9:00 PM

Sat

DEPARTURE

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

(Sgd.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

c) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

Cebu

b) Manila-Coron-Puerto Princesa-Coron-Manila

$QJ PJD NDVXODWDQJ NDXJQD\ QLWR D\ maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon SDJNDWDSRV QJ ZDVWRQJ DSOLNDV\RQ DW NDXNXODQJ ED\DG

ARRIVAL

Batangas

Butuan

DEPARTURE

The foregoing project is utilizing VILLA ADELA SUBDIVISION located at San Isidro Iraya, Malilipot, Albay as its Compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

b) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

7:30 PM

2. a) Manila-Bacolod-Ozamis-Iligan-Iloilo-Bacolod-Manila

$QJ QDVDELQJ SUR\HNWR D\ JLQDJDPLW ang TIERRA VILLE na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas, bilang pagtupad sa 6HNV\RQ %DWDV 5HSXEOLND %OJ 7279.

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

MT - Jan. 25, 2019

Caticlan

9. a) Batangas-Odiongan-Caticlan-Batangas

ARRIVAL

The foregoing project is utilizing TIERRA VILLE (Socialized Housing) located at Brgy. Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by RA 10884 subject to the accreditation approval of the CEO.

ARRIVAL 9:00 PM

DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that RIVERS, INC. (Owner) and PEAKLAND PROPERTIES, INC. (Developer) by virtue of a Joint Agreement dated October 04, 2017 has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of house and lot in NORTHDALE VILLAS PHASES 1, 2 AND 3 located at Brgy. Timalan Balsahan, Naic, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot 3099, Flrs-2147, 1538-NEW, 1539NEW, Fls-2147 and Lot 1544-NEW and covered by TCT Nos. T-0572010002692, (5936) T-RT-8263, 7 7 57 7KH project is under BP 220 (Economic Housing).

Approved by:

e) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

Cebu

PAUNAWA Ipinagbibigay alam na sina SPS. DOMINGO E. PANGANIBAN AND M A D E L I N A Y. PA N G A N I B A N (mga May-ari) at XCEED REALTY A N D D E V E L O P M E N T ( Ta g a GHEHORS VD SDPDPDJLWDQ QJ ³-RLQW 9HQWXUH $JUHHPHQW´ D\ QDJKDLQ sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang DSOLNDV\RQ SDUD VD SDJEHEHQWD QJ bahay at lote TIERRA VILLE na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Banadero, 7DQDXDQ &LW\ %DWDQJDV DW VLQDVDNRS ng Lote Blg. 12376-E-2, Psd-04005405 na nasa ilalim ng Titulo Blg. 7 $QJ QDVDELQJ SUR\HNWR D\ sumasailalim sa PD 957.

Recommending Approval:

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NOTICE SPS. DOMINGO E. PANGANIBAN AND MADELINA Y. PANGANIBAN (Owner) and XCEED REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT (Developer) by virtue of a Joint Venture Agreement KDYH ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of subdivision house and lot in TIERRA VILLE located at Brgy. Banadero, Tanauan City, Batangas and more particularly described as Lot 12376E-2, Psd-04-005405 and covered by TCT No. T-26817. The project is under PD 957.

Calamba City, Laguna, 23rd day of January 2019.

8. a) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

The proposed schedule of trips are as follows:

9:00 AM

(SGD.) PHILIPSON A. DOCABO Sheriff IV

Wed

Batangas-Romblon-RoxasRomblon-Batangas Batangas-Odiongan-CaticlanBatangas Batangas-Odiongan-CaticlanBatangas Batangas-Odiongan-CaticlanBatangas Batangas-Odiongan-CaticlanBatangas

Mon

and

Deed of Assignment

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DEPARTURE

RESIDENTIAL 2 BEDROOM 41.64 SQ.M. 7.33 SQ.M. 48.97 SQ.M.

6:00 PM

DEPARTURE

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION - (STR)

BUILDING 6

Wed

Batangas

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION - (STR)

ESCALADES AT 20TH AVENUE

Odiongan

d) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

Republic of the Philippines 2IÂżFH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION - (STR)

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 004-2017002111 Registry of Deeds-Quezon City

Odiongan

e) Batangas-Caticlan-Odiongan-Batangas

Manila

FRE NO. 12512

10:00 AM

Manila-Cebu-Cagayan-CebuManila

1. a) Manila-Cebu-Cagayan-Cebu-Manila

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Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AGUSTIN TAN GARCIA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate executed on July 2, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 462; Page No. %RRN 1R 9,, 6HULHV RI 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Belinda M. Nagui notary public for and in Muntinlupa City.

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NOTICE OF AMENDED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE

,Q WKH HYHQW WKDW SXEOLF DXFWLRQ VKRXOG QRW WDNH SODFH RQ VDLG GDWH GXH WR IRUWXLWRXV HYHQW RU LI WKH VDPH EH GHFODUHG D QRQ ZRUNLQJ KROLGD\ LW VKDOO EH held on FEBRUARY 27, 2019 at the same time and place without further notice.

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Manila

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended by ACT 4118 and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Real Estate Mortgage executed on JANUARY 12, 2018 by SPS. MARIA LUISA FERNANDEZ SONGCUAN and AUGUSTO BAMBALAN SONGCUAN (AIF)- #54 13th Ave. Brgy. Socorro, Quezon City/20th Avenue San Roque, Cubao, Quezon City No. 162 San Vicente, San Jacinto Pangasinan, Mortgagors in favor of PHILIPPINE SAVINGS BANK, Mortgagee, to satisfy the mortgage debt in the amount of Php4,080,886.00 as of NOVEMBER 14, 2018 plus accruing interest, penalty and other charges, together ZLWK DOO WKH ODZIXO IHHV DQG H[SHQVHV RI IRUHFORVXUH VDOH WKH ([ 2IÂżFLR 6KHULII RI the Regional Trial Court of Quezon City and/or his duly authorized Deputy Sheriff, hereby announces that on FEBRUARY 20, 2019 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. WR 3 0 DW WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW ([ 2IÂżFLR 6KHULII 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will sell thru public auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the following described real property/ies with all the improvements existing thereon, to wit:

(SGD.) GENIE G. GAPAS-AGBADA Acting Presiding Judge

Re: Application for Sixteenth Amendment of the Revalidated &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3XEOLF &RQYHQLHQFH (CPC) to effect the Permanent Change in Sailing Frequencies/ Schedule of Trips

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NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED)

SO ORDERED.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Transportation MARITIME INDUSTRY AUTHORITY FRANCHISING SERVICE, CENTRAL OFFICE 3DUNYLHZ 3OD]D 0DVDJDQD 7HODPDUW ,QF

984 Taft Ave., cor. T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila

˜ The Manila Times

Notice is hereby given that the said Application will be heard by this Authority on 31 January 2019 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon, at the rd 3 Floor, Franchising Service Hearing Room, at the above address. The Applicant shall publish this Order once in a newspaper of general FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V EHIRUH WKH VFKHGXOHG GDWH RI KHDULQJ The Applicant shall submit a written Formal Offer of Evidence during WKH KHDULQJ RU ¿YH GD\V WKHUHDIWHU WITNESS WKH +RQRUDEOH 2I¿FHU LQ &KDUJH IRU WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH Administrator, VADM NARCISO A VINGSON JR, this 23rd day of January 2019 at Manila, Philippines. BY AUTHORITY OF THE MARINA ADMINISTRATOR: (Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 11-14 dated 22 August 2014) MA. CONCEPCION C. ARBOLARIO OIC-Director Franchising Service Copy Furnished: Applicant’s Duplicate Original, 2GO Group, Inc., 8th and 9th Floors, Tower 1, Double Dragon Plaza, Edsa Ext., cor. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City; 7KH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO $PRUVROR 6W /HJDVSL 9LOODJH 0DNDWL &LW\ MT - Jan. 25, 2019

$ YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ IRU &RUSRUDWH 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ SXUVXDQW WR 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV “Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act of 2010 (“FRIAâ€?) and A.M. No. 6& GDWHG $XJXVW RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV “The Financial Rehabilitation Rules of Procedure (2013)â€? KDYH EHHQ ÂżOHG on January 9, 2019 and endorsed to this Court on January 10, 2019. 7KH SHWLWLRQ ZDV ÂżOHG E\ ++,& 3KLO ,QF D FRUSRUDWLRQ GXO\ organized and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DW *UHHQEHDFK 5HGRQGR 3HQLQVXOD &DZDJ 6XELF Bay Freeport Zone, Philippines. HHIC Phil Inc. is engaged in the businesses of shipbuilding, ship repair, ship component fabrication, and erection of steel structures, selling of scrap materials, cargo handling, stevedoring and arrastre services, among others. In its petition, HHIC Phil Inc. alleged that it obtained loan credit IDFLOLWLHV IURP GLIIHUHQW ORFDO EDQNV WR ÂżQDQFH LW LWV VKLSEXLOGLQJ operations. In its shipbuilding business, the payment scheme of the petitioner’s customers, wherein petitioner would receive payments only after pre-determined milestones in the construction of the YHVVHO ZKLFK XVXDOO\ WDNHV WZR \HDUV WR FRPSOHWH FDXVHG JUHDW LPSDFW DQG DGYHUVH HIIHFW RQ WKH SHWLWLRQHUÂśV FDVK Ă€RZ 3HWLWLRQHU OLNHZLVH DOOHJHG WKDW PRVW RI LWV FXVWRPHUV DWWHPSWHG WR HYDGH payments or worse cancelled their shipbuilding contracts which caused the petitioner in failing to earn revenues despite having already incurred construction of the vessels. Such resulted to petitioner’s liquidity problems and petitioner will not have enough FDVK Ă€RZ ZKLFK ZLOO ODWHU UHVXOW WR SHWLWLRQHU EHLQJ XQDEOH WR UHSD\ LWV ERUURZLQJV REWDLQHG WKURXJK VKLSEXLOGLQJ ÂżQDQFLQJ

N 25'(56 ++,& 3KLO ,QF WR PDNH DYDLODEOH WKH FRSLHV RI WKH petition as well as the rehabilitation plan for examination DQG FRS\LQJ E\ DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SDUWLHV DW LWV RIÂżFH DGGUHVV located at Greenbeach 1, Redondo Peninsula, Cawag, Subic Bay Freeport Zone. /LNHZLVH LQ FRPSOLDQFH WR 6HFWLRQ 9 RI WKH )LQDQFLDO Rehabilitation Rules of Procedures, the Court issues a Stay/ Suspension Order as follows:

As a consequence, petitioner now prays that it be placed under Corporate Rehabilitation pursuant to Republic Act No. 10142, RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV ³)LQDQFLDO 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ DQG ,QVROYHQF\ $FW RI ³)5,$´ This Court pursuant to A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC dated August 27, RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV ³7KH )LQDQFLDO 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ 5XOHV RI 3URFHGXUH ´ KHUHE\ a)

DECLARES HHIC Phil Inc. to be under rehabilitation;

b) ORDERS HHIC Phil Inc. to cause the publication of this Commencement Order in a newspaper of general FLUFXODWLRQ LQ WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV RQFH ZHHN IRU WZR FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV ZLWK WKH ÂżUVW SXEOLFDWLRQ WR EH made within seven (7) days from the issuance of this Commencement Order. c) ORDERS HHIC Phil Inc. to serve, by personal delivery, a copy of the petition on: (1) each creditor holding at least 10 percent (10%) of its total liabilities as determined by the schedule attached to the petition; (2) Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); (3) Securities and Exchange Commission 6(& %DQJNR 6HQWUDO QJ 3LOLSLQDV %63 ,QVXUDQFH Commission; (6) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); (7) Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB); (8) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); and 6XELF %D\ 0HWURSROLWDQ $XWKRULW\ 6%0$ ZLWKLQ ÂżYH days from the issuance of this Commencement Order.

SUSPENDS all actions or proceedings in court or otherwise, for the enforcement of all claims against HHIC Phil. Inc.

b)

SUSPENDS all actions to enforce any judgment, attachment or other provisional remedies against HHIC Phil Inc.;

c)

PROHIBITS HHIC Phil Inc. from selling, encumbering, transferring, or disposing in any manner any of its properties except in the ordinary course of its business.

G 352+,%,76 ++,& 3KLO ,QF IURP PDNLQJ DQ\ SD\PHQW of its outstanding liabilities from the issuance of this Commencement Order except as maybe provided herein. This Commencement Order shall retroact to the date of the ÂżOLQJ RI WKH SHWLWLRQ SO ORDERED. Olongapo City, January 14, 2019.

RICHARD A. PARADEZA Presiding Judge 1

d) ORDERS HHIC Phil Inc. to serve a copy of this Commencement Order to its foreign creditors and ensure that its foreign creditors will receive a copy of this &RPPHQFHPHQW 2UGHU DW OHDVW ÂżIWHHQ GD\V EHIRUH WKH

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Section 8 (J) of A.M. No. 12-12-11-SC dated August RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV ³7KH )LQDQFLDO 5HKDELOLWDWLRQ 5XOHV RI 3URFHGXUH ´ Section 12 of the Rules 07 -DQ

˜ The Manila Times

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Taiwan unveils long-range drone PINGTUNG, Taiwan: Taiwan’s navy showed off its latest long-range surveillance drone Thursday as the island’s outgunned armed forces push to counter China’s increasingly muscular rhetoric and military exercises. China still sees Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, despite the two sides being ruled separately since they split in 1949 after a civil war. Beijing has said it will not hesitate to use force if Taipei formally declares independence, or in the case of external intervention — including by the United States, the island’s most powerful unofkCIAL ALLY The already terse relationship between the two sides got off to an even rockier start in the new year after Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a landmark speech describing THE ISLAND S UNIkCATION WITH THE mainland as “inevitable.â€? Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen hit back saying her people would never relinquish their democratic freedoms, an unusually robust response that saw her receive a bump in the polls after a gruelling few months in which her party lost heavily in local elections. The island’s military has hosted multiple drills since Xi’s speech, emphasising what it says is a readiness to counter any invasion. On Thursday, the navy showed off its new, long-range surveillance drone, the “Rui Yuanâ€? (Sharp (AWK WHICH OFkCIALS SAID CAN lY for 12 hours and was now helping to monitor movements in the disputed strait between Taiwan and China. “The drones are now an irreplaceable part of our reconnais-

sance strategy,� Taiwandefence ministry spokesman Chen Chungchi told AFP. “They are our primary option for activities in the strait.� The self-ruled island has its own CURRENCY lAG AND GOVERNMENT BUT is not recognised as an independent state by the UN. As a result, it struggles to procure key military equipment from many major powers who are fearful of angering Beijing. Instead, it has turned to local manufacturers, particularly for drones and missiles. “The use of more locally-made drones demonstrates Taiwan’s DEFENCE SELF SUFkCIENCY AND HELPS boost its reconnaissance capabilities,� Wang Kao-cheng, a military analyst at Tamkang University, told AFP. Taiwan’s American F-16 and AGEING &RENCH MADE -IRAGE kGHTER jets are being increasingly called upon to respond to military movements from China, with some ANALYSTS WARNING THE lEET IS GETTING worn down and lacking crucial spare parts. Lin Ming-chang, an executive OFkCER WITH 4AIWAN S NAVY SAID drones were particularly costeffective for surveillance. g! PILOT WHEN HE lIES HAS TO come back in two hours. But not the Rui-yuan drone. We can stay up in the air for up to 12 hours,� he said. “In operating terms, both when it comes to fuel or machine parts, the drone can operate way longer than manned aircraft.� The navy also unveiled a handlaunched surveillance drone on Thursday called “The Cardinal�, which it said could stay airborne for an hour. AFP

Worldinbriefs COHEN DELAYS TESTIMONY BEFORE US CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, would not testify before a House committee next month as scheduled, his adviser said Wednesday, depriving Democrats for now of a prime opportunity to scrutinize Trump, his links to Russia and payments to buy the silence of a porn star. Cohen indefinitely delayed his February 7 appearance before the House Oversight and Reform Committee. He blamed threats from Trump and the President’s attorney-spokesman, Rudy Giuliani, and cited his own ongoing cooperation in special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation. Cohen adviser Lanny Davis said the decision was made on advice of Cohen’s lawyers. The statement did not detail the threats. But Trump and Giuliani have publicly urged the Justice Department to investigate Cohen’s father-in-law, insinuating he was part of some unspecific criminal activity. Trump said Cohen�should give information maybe on his father-in-law, because that’s the one that people want to look at.� AP

LA TEACHERS SEEK STATE MONEY FOR SCHOOLS

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles teachers returned to work Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) after contentious negotiations ended with a new contract and a commitment by the union and the district to work together to get more state money for schools in part by pushing to overhaul California’s property tax system. Teachers greeted students with smiles, hugs and high-fives after voting the night before to ratify the deal that includes a 6 percent pay hike for educators and a commitment by the district to reduce class sizes. The ratification vote period began Tuesday and would end Friday evening, but most teachers already had cast ballots and 81 percent favored the contract, the union said. The tally was more than 20,000 “yes� votes to fewer than 5,000 “no� votes. The teachers’ return followed six days of picketing and a marathon bargaining session brokered by Mayor Eric Garcetti. AP

World

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

B7

Pelosi blocks State of the Union speech W ASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) night he is postponing his State of the Union address until the partial government shutdown ends, yielding after a weeklong showdown with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Following a high-stakes game of dare and double-dare, Trump conceded that “no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber� and that he was not looking for an alternate option after Pelosi served notice earlier Wednesday that he would not be allowed to deliver the address to a joint session of Congress next week. Pelosi had taken the step after Trump said he planned to show up in spite of Democratic objections to the speech taking place with large swaths of the government shut down. Denied that grand venue, Trump promised to come up with some sort of alternative event. The

7HITE (OUSE SCRAMBLED TO kND a site matching the gravitas of the traditional address from the rostrum of the House to lawmakers from both parties, Supreme Court justices, invited guests and a television audience of millions. Meanwhile, a strong majority of Americans blame Trump for the record-long government shutdown and reject his primary rationale for a border wall, according to a new poll that shows the turmoil in Washington is dragging his approval rating to its lowest level in more than a year. Overall, 34 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance in a survey conducted by The Associated PressNORC Center for Public

Affairs Research. That’s down from 42 percent a month earlier and nears the lowest mark of his twoyear presidency. The President’s approval among Republicans remains close to 80 percent, but his standing with independents is among its lowest points of his TIME IN OFkCE “As the shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed,� Trump tweeted. “She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative — I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over.� Fireworks over the speech shot back and forth between the Capitol and the White House as the monthlong partial government shutdown showed no signs of ending and about 800,000 federal workers faced the prospect of going without their second paycheck in a row come Friday. Pelosi told Trump the House would not

approve a resolution allowing him to address Congress until the shutdown ended. Trump shot back that Pelosi was afraid of hearing the truth. “I think that’s a great blotch on the incredible country that we all love,� Trump said earlier Wednesday. “It’s a great, great horrible mark.� The drama surrounding the State of the Union address began last week when Pelosi asked Trump to make other plans, but stopped short of denying him the chamber for his address. Trump called her bluff Wednesday in a letter, saying he intended to come anyway. “It would be so very sad for our Country if the State of the Union were not delivered on time, on schedule, and very importantly, on location,� he wrote. Pelosi quickly squelched the speech, writing back that the House “will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President’s State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened.� AP

China ecozone to rise near Myanmar BREAKUP

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announces he is breaking relations with the United States to supporters from a balcony at Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). Maduro is giving American diplomats 72 hours to abandon the country after breaking diplomatic relations with the US over its decision to recognize an opposition leader as interim president. AP PHOTO

US, Latin powers back Maduro rival

CARACAS, Venezuela: Venezuelans headed into uncharted political waters Thursday (Friday in Manila), with the young leader of a newly united and combative opposition claiming to hold the presidency and socialist President Nicolas Maduro digging IN FOR A kGHT WITH THE 4RUMP ADministration. 6IOLENCE lARED AGAIN 7EDNESday during big anti-government demonstrations across Venezuela, and at least seven protesters were reported killed in the escalating confrontation with Maduro, who has been increasingly accused of undemocratic behavior by the United States and many other nations in the region. In a united and seemingly coor-

dinated front, the US, Canada and another dozen mostly Latin American countries, including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina, quickly announced that they supported Juan Guaido’s claim to the presidency. Guaido, the new leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, turned up the heat by declaring himself interim president before a mass of demonstrators in Caracas. He said it was the only way to end the Maduro’s “dictatorship� in Venezuela, WHICH HAS SEEN MILLIONS lEE IN RECENT YEARS TO ESCAPE SKY HIGH INlATION AND food shortages. “We know that this will have consequences,� Guaido shouted to the cheering crowd, then slipped away to an unknown location

amid speculation that he would soon be arrested. President Donald Trump promised to use the “full weight� of US economic and diplomatic power to push for the restoration of Venezuela’s democracy. “The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law,� he said in a statement. -ADURO kRED BACK BY BREAKING diplomatic relations with the US, the biggest trading partner for the oil-exporting country, and ordering American diplomats to get of the country within 72 hours. Washington said it would ignore the order. AP

WORK on establishing an economic cooperation zone along the China-Myanmar border has reportedly started, with priority given to sectors including manufacturing. Amid some concerns about Chinese presence in Myanmar, the project is likely to be a good starting point in maintaining stability in the border area While Myanmar is eager to attract foreign investment to rebuild its economy, China is seeing a boom in outbound investment. However, misinterpretations of Chinese investment in Myanmar are on the rise in the Southeast Asian country, and this situation adds uncertainty to the outlook for future cooperation. As Myanmar continues to diversify its economic partners following its democratic reforms in recent years, the country has drawn interest from Western investors. Myanmar is going through a very tumultuous period of change as it rebuilds its relations with the Western world. During this period, some people in Myanmar may act in haste when it comes to Chinese investment. Some people have misunderstandings about China’s investment in Myanmar, even though Chinese investment is beneficial to Myanmar’s economic recovery. GLOBAL TIMES

IRANIAN TV ANCHORWOMAN FREED

WASHINGTON, DC: A prominent American-born anchorwoman on Iranian state television who was held in the US as a material witness was released from jail Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) evening. Marzieh Hashemi, 59, was released from jail in Washington after being detained for 10 days, according to Abed Ayoub, an attorney with the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. Hashemi, who works for the Press TV network’s English-language service, was detained by federal agents January 13 in St. Louis, Missouri, where she filmed a “Black Lives Matter� documentary after visiting relatives in the New Orleans area, her son said. She was then transported to Washington and had remained behind bars since then. Hashemi appeared at least twice before a US District judge in Washington, and court papers said she would be released immediately after her testimony before a grand jury. AP

XINJIANG CUTS POVERTY IN HALF IN 2018

NORTHWEST China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region lifted 537,000 people out of poverty in 2018, or a year-on-year decrease of nearly half in poverty incidence in the region. Poverty incidence in Xinjiang has decreased to 6.51 percent, Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Xinjiang regional government, told the region’s annual two sessions on Monday, People’s Daily reported. It was 11.57 percent at the end of 2017 and 15.51 percent at the end of 2016, according to the Xinjiang government website. â€œThe achievements indicate a huge progress in poverty alleviation in Xinjiang, one of the poorest regions in China,â€? Du Xiaoshan, a researcher at the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. Because the average poverty incidence in China has dropped to 3.1 percent, Du said the region still needs to increase input in the next two years in order to realize the country’s 2020 poverty alleviation target to lift all rural residents by then. GLOBAL TIMES

FESTIVE

A man and a woman take a selfie in front of red lanterns ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year at the entrance of a park in Beijing on Thursday. AFP PHOTO

Pope: Fear of migration ‘makes us crazy’ PANAMA CITY: Pope Francis said Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) that fear of migration is “making us crazy� as he began a trip to Central America amid a standoff over President Donald Trump’s promised wall at the US-Mexico border and a new caravan of migrants heading north. Francis was asked by reporters about the proposed border wall Wednesday on the way to Panama, where he is looking to leave the sex abuse scandals buffeting his papacy behind. Francis

responded: “It is the fear that makes us crazy.� The pontiff’s plane touched down in Panama City in the afternoon and he was met by President Juan Carlos Varela and kRST LADY ,ORENA #ASTILLO WHO escorted him along a red carpet laid on the tarmac. Spectators waved Panamanian flags in greeting and shouted, “This is the youth of the pope!� After a brief welcoming ceremony, he was driven away from the airport and did not have any

more activities scheduled for the evening. Francis landed as Venezuela’s PROTRACTED POLITICAL CRISIS lARED up, with the opposition president of the country’s National Assembly declaring himself interim president and a number of regional countries including the United States recognizing him. The Vatican had said previously that the pope would refrain from making explicit reference to Venezuela while in Panama, but the developments ensured he would

face questions about the South American nation during the trip. The Roman Catholic Church’s first Latin American pope and the son of Italian immigrants to Argentina, Francis has made the plight of migrants and refugees a cornerstone of his papacy. He is also expected to offer words of encouragement to young people gathered in Panama for World Youth Day, the church’s onceevery-three-year pep rally that aims to invigorate the next generation of Catholics in their faith. AP

AgriBusiness Rice-corn blend pushed as staple B8

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

D

E S P I T E t h e t w o - y e a r d e l a y, the Philippine Maize Federation Inc. (PhilMaize) remains committed to kNDING SOLUTION THAT COULD PAVE THE WAY FOR THE ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COUNTRY S RICE corn (RiCo) blend project within the year. This, following the successful discussions with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Food Authority (NFA) regarding the funding assistance for the RiCo blend project. “We are still hoping and looking forward that the rice corn blend project will be implemented soon,� PhilMaize President Roger Navarro told The Manila Times on Tuesday. “We’re expecting that

this will materialize within the year, or at least by the second quarter of the year,� he added. The RiCo blend, which consists of 50 percent white rice and 50 percent yellow or white corn, seeks to improve the country’s food security and lower its dependence on rice importation. Navarro said the DA and the NFA were closely coordinating

w w w.manilatimes.net

EDITOR: Conrad M. CariĂąo

with PhilMaize for processing the RiCo blend project. “This is becoming more interesting. We are meeting with them, together with [Switzerland-based] Buhler company, who could really help us in the application of the project. They even said they have foreign funders,� he said. Last week, PhilMaize demanded the immediate release of RiCo blend project’s pending budget. Funding was to come from the DA and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank). .AVARRO SAID THE kNANCIAL SUPport worth P500 million committed by the DA and another P250-million budget from LandBank had not been made available to PhilMaize. However, he said: “We’re hoping that ACPC (Agricultural

Credit Policy Council) will give us this funding. We’re also hoping that LandBank will be able to refocus itself and give us the budget we need.� Once released, Navarro said the fund would be used mainly for processing RiCo blend, acquiring farm equipment and paying working capital, among others. PhilMaize said the RiCo blend would gain great market demand particularly from health-conscious citizens, which could eventually ease pressure on domestic rice supply. “The rice-corn blend’s main purpose is really to uplift the health and wellness of the consuming public because its composition is low glycemic,

˜ The Manila Times

which can lessen the risk of diabetes and prevention of cancer, and very helpful for nursing mothers,� Navarro explained. “Additionally, it aims to really supplement and complement with rice which could also bring in higher PROkT FOR OUR CORN FARMERS u HE ADDED The DA earlier announced it was looking at an initial 50,000 metric tons of RiCo blend that would be distributed starting in Metro Manila markets. Navarro said RiCo blend could be sold at P35 to 0 PER KILO SIGNIkCANTLY LOWER than the commercial rice typically priced at P40 per kilo and above. The alternative staple would initially be sold in various NFA outlets across the country, he added.

Q The Bambanti Festival kicked off this week to celebrate the achievements and victories of Isabela’s farmers and stakeholders in the province’s agriculture sector. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Bambanti Festival pays tribute to farmers ILAGAN CITY, Isabela: Known as the grandest annual festivity in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), the Bambanti Festival kicked off this week to celebrate the achievements and victories of Isabela. “As we celebrate, we are giving tribute to our farmers for their hard work and resiliency that has contributed greatly to the province’s abundance,� Gov. Faustino Dy 3rd said. The Bambanti Festival is an annual celebration of the provincial government that started in 1997,

showcasing the local products and tourists spots in the different muNICIPALITIES )T WAS kRST LAUNCHED during the time of then-Gov. Faustino Dy Jr. “Bambanti� is the Ilocos term for scarecrow. Through the years, over 100,000 hectares of cropland are often dotted with scarecrows here. Created with colorful straws and grasses wrapped in farmer’s clothing, Bambanti has always been the icon and mascot of the festival.

Dy said this year’s festival theme is “Victory of Isabela Spiritâ€? (Tagumpay ng Pusong Isabela), depicting the IsabeleĂąos’ spirit of overcoming challenges for the continuous enhancement of their rich cultural heritage, and making their province an agricultural and investment haven in the country. Isabela is located some 400 kilometers north of Manila and is the biggest province in Cagayan Valley. It is the top producer of hybrid corn and second highest rice grow-

er in the Philippines, and home to the biggest corn processing facility in Southeast Asia. “This year’s festival features the community life, history and heritage, as well as its various indigenous world-class products, lifestyle merchandise items and cuisine as pride of Isabela,� Dy said. Various activities started on Monday. Activities include street dancing competition depicting a Bambanti, musical street performances, search for Bambanti Festi-

VAL +ING AND 1UEEN AND kREWORKS display highlighting festivity on Friday and Saturday. Romy Santos of the provincial MEDIA AFFAIRS OFkCE SAID HIGHLIGHTing the festival were the respective agri-tourism booths and giant scarecrows of the local government units. In 2018, the Bambanti Festival was Aliw Award’s Hall of Famer for Best Festival Practices and Performance by being a three-time winner from 2015 to 2017. LEANDER C. DOMINGO

Firm offers organic farming solution A LOCAL company is pushing an organic farming product in the Philippines to help farmers make their operations more environmentally friendly by lessening or eradicating their dependence on chemical inputs. The bio foliar organi c - b a s e d l i q u i d f e r t i l i z e r, according to Farmasia President Apple Toribio, had live microoganisms essential to plant processes, especially photosynthesis. She said Farmasia’s organic fertilizer helps establish a healthy root system, and increases a plant’s natural resistance to pests, diseases and climatic changes. It also has the ability to bring back the soil’s natural fertile state by helping it regain its inherent bio chemical properties. “ T h e Fa r m a s i a M i c r o b i a l Inoculant Plus is popularly known as ‘soil inoculant’ and acts as agricultural amendments to promote plant health,â€? Toribio added. The company said that use of chemicals fertilizers leads to soil losing its organic matter and microbiotic activity, which causes the soil structure to deteriorate, becoming compact, lifeless and less able to hold water and nutrients. “In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater courses with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is a major problem. As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers and through the use of greater enhancing soil structure and water infiltration,â€? it added. Toribio said that a well-managed organic system in farms that had better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. “In some areas where pollution is a real problem, conversion to organic agriculture is highly encouraged as a restorative measure and considered by many as the answer to food and poverty problem,â€? she added.

PH agri information Guyabano’s value-adding potential gets boost project receives award THE Agricultural Technology Information Network in Asia (ATIN) Project in the Philippines has been selected by the Asian Food and Agriculture Cooperation Initiative (AFACI) Secretariat as the Most Outstanding Project and Julia Lapitan as the project’s Most Outstanding Principal Investigator for 2018. The information disseminated through the ATIN Project in the Philippines has helped establish agribusiness enterprises in the countryside. The ATIN Project in the Philippines is being undertaken by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), an agency under Q Julia Lapitan, chief of the Applied the Department of Agriculture. Communications Department division of the The AFACI Secretariat is based Bureau of Agricultural Research, shows the 2018 at the International Technology Most Outstanding Principal Investigator award Cooperation Center in South she got from the Asian Food and Agriculture Korea. Lapitan heads the Applied Cooperation Initiative. CONTRIBUTED Communications Division of BAR. PHOTO “Aside from building closer ties within the region, AFACI has been actively involved in the international society’s efforts to address poverty and hunger in Asia by identifying appropriate and practical strategies in attaining sustainable agriculture,â€? BAR said in its website for the ATIN Project. AFACI was officially inaugurated in November 2009 to foster cooperation among Asian countries to address issues related to sustainable food production and industrialization of the agriculture sector in Asia, among others. “AFACI is an inter-governmental and multi-lateral cooperation body aiming to improve food production, realize sustainable agriculture and enhance extension service of Asian countries by sharing knowledge and information on agricultural technology,â€? the organization said in its website. Besides the Philippines and South Korea, the other member-countries of AFACI are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. THE TIMES

GUYABANO or guayabano (Annona muricata Linn.) was one of the country’s underutilized crop before it was included in the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Calabarzon’s (Region 4A) research and development extension agenda and programs to address issues related to production area, package of technology (POT), and development of value-adding technologies. Rich in vitamin C, phosphorus and calcium, guyabano’s potential for value-adding was given a boost from the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) that funded a project of the Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES) aimed at developing and commercializing products from guayabano for farmers’ associations in Dolores and San Antonio in Quezon province. BAR is an agency under the DA. “The utilization and production of A. muricata will not only provide health benefits [to the consumers] but will also contribute to the economic growth of the farm household,� said Dennis DL Bihis, project leader and science research specialist at QARES. QARES provided a nursery for the production of guayabano seedlings for sale and distribution to the projECT BENEkCIARIES AND OTHER CLIENTS OF the station. Around 5,000 seedlings from the nursery were planted at the two project sites covering a total area of 23.5 hectares. 4HE BENEkCIARIES OF THE PROJECT were the San Antonio Farmer Busi-

Q Guyabano juice is one of several products that can be produced from the fruit. Inset shows training on guyabano processing using simple kitchen implements. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO ness School and the Rural Improvement Club of Dolores, Quezon. Members of the farmers’ associations were trained on POT of the crop and value-adding technologies. -OST OF THE BENEkCIARIES FROM the two farmers’ associations own the land where the seedlings were planted. While waiting for the trees to bear fruit, intercropping high-valUE CROPS WILL HELP PROVIDE BENEkciaries a steady stream of income. !LSO BENEkCIARIES WILL CONTINUOUSLY produce plantings materials for sale and distribution to target sites. Another component of the project is the conduct of training, seminars

and other capability-building activities. QARES also provided the benEkCIARIES WITH HANDS ON EXPERIENCE through structured learning exercises. Bihis said some members have been trained in plant propagation AND kELD MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCE their knowledge of crop production, while some were trained in product development processing. Through the project, QARES was able to develop four products from guayabano: wine, nectar, juice and soap. To commercialize guayabano products as well guayabano as a raw ingredient, QARES has been

linking the farmers’ associations to various end-users. They have so far TIED UP WITH LOCAL TOURISM OFkCES as well as with the members of the Quezon Herbal Program to supply guayabano leaves for tea and other herbal concoctions. Through the project, a Livelihood Center in San Antonio was established to display and sell guayabano products. The guayabano products are also sold at agriculture trade fairs and exhibits. “Hopefully, we can have the commercial production started ON THE kRST QUARTER OF u "Ihis said. CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

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Calvin Boniface L. Gothong CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER CARLOS A. GOTHONG LINES, INC.

Fostering family and business SHIPPING SCION TREASURES HIS LEGACY AND THE CLOSENESS OF A CLAN BY ARIEL IAN B. CLARITO Photos by Dan Douglas Ong “HAVING A FAMILY BUSINESS IS no guarantee for success. If you do not run it properly and put in the hard work, then you are bound to fail,” says Calvin L. Gothong, Chief Operating Officer of Carlos A. Gothong Lines, Inc. (Cagli). For Gothong, being tasked to head a family business is a privilege that should be earned constantly through one’s drive, discipline and dedication. It is not a right and it should never be treated as an entitlement, says the 41-year-old businessman. The name Gothong has always been synonymous with the shipping industry. Mention inter-island transport and the clan always ranks on the A-list of industry players. This association began in 1946 with Calvin’s great-grandfather, Don Carlos A. Gothong, whose descendant is passionate about burnishing the legacy and continuing the commitment with greater zeal and service.

Unusual upbringing Calvin Boniface Lee Gothong was born in Cebu City, the second child of Bowen and Lili Gothong. He has an older brother, Clark, and three younger siblings–Clement, Catrina and Chad. He started his studies at Eastern College before eventually

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EXTENDED FAMILY

WHOLE NEW WORLD

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Gothong did not lack for parental guidance growing up. Besides his parents, he had numerous uncles and aunts to closely guide and mentor him.

Dorm life at Cervini Hall during his days at the Ateneo de Manila instilled the discipline of budgeting and exposed Gothong to people of all backgrounds

Gothong maintains close ties with mom Lili and dad Bowen, having regular lunches with them. His favorite golfing partner happens to be his dad.

parents. From his father Bowen came Calvin’s business acumen, devotion to family and love for sports. From his mother Lili came Calvin’s constancy and desire to excel in his studies. “My Mom would always tell me I was not quick to absorb things, so she said if I wanted to get good grades, I had to be diligent in my studies,” he recalls with mirth.

Total exposure

MOVING THE WORLD’S GOODS TO YOU

1946

Started company operations founded by Carlos A. Gothong. Widely recognized as the pioneer in the Philippines of RoRo operations through the inititiative of visionary Alfredo Gothong in the 1970s.

moving to the Sacred Heart School for Boys (now the Ateneo de Cebu). Gothong admits he was quite an introvert back then, his routine limited mostly to going to school and going straight back home right after class because of security reasons. This limited his opportunity to interact and spend more time with his peers and classmates. It was a good thing

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Vessels in operation, Dapitan Bay 1, Panglao Bay 1 and Batangas Bay 1, all purchased from Japan. Serves 5 ports/ destinations—Manila, Batangas, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan.

the home front more than made up for his need for a larger support system and social circle. Gothong spent his childhood in a 15-room house owned by his grandfather, Alfredo. He informs Boardroom Watch that growing up with his extended family meant he was practically raised by seven sets of parents–his uncles and aunts–who natu-

EACH RORO VESSEL CAN CARRY

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vehicles

rally had different parenting styles, ranging from the traditional to the more modern and Western upbringing. It also meant developing a strong bond with his uncles and aunts, who would take him and his siblings on ice cream breaks and his cousins, who also served as his playmates. But Gothong says the biggest influences of his life have still been his

From a life of convenience and comfort in Cebu, Gothong moved to the Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, for college, residing at the Cervini Men’s Dormitory on campus. Dorm life taught Gothong to learn to budget his allowance and temper his lifestyle. In Cervini, he was exposed to people from almost every corner of the country, who were products of varying backgrounds. He had friends who had to work in order to afford the Ateneo tuition and board in the dorm. Their struggle and industry inspired Gothong never to take his studies for granted. Gothong graduated with a degree in Computer Science in 1998, although looking back he says: “There were times I asked myself if I took up the correct course. Maybe, I should have taken a management course. But I guess Computer Science was the practical course in the late 1990s as it was the advent of the Internet and

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HEAVEN SENT Lush This handmade cosmetics manufacturer introduces into the country the UK sensation that is the Goddess bath bomb. The light scent of jasmine contrasts with the darkness of oudh oil from Thailand and richness of sandalwood. Layers unfold and sodium bicarbonate sends colors swirling. Fair Trade Colombian cocoa butter, shea butter and liquid gold argan oil give maximum moisturization in one’s bath. Goddess is also animal cruelty free as Lush is involved in the campaign called Fighting Animal Testing. Lush is located at Alabang Town Center, Bonifacio High Street, Estancia in Capitol Commons and Glorietta 4 among others. For more information, visit lush.com and follow them on Facebook at LushPhilippines.

TRINKETS AND TREASURES Kristine Dee

This Industrial Design graduate turned jewelry designer introduces yet another sophisticated collection for her discerning customers, called Faces of Beauty. Kristine Dee dedicates her newest selection of sparklers to her loyal customers. Dee places importance on having personal conversations with her clients. She draws inspiration from their unique personalities and lifestyles, thus affecting her design aesthetic. Thanks to her background in furniture design, jewelry design and metal-smithing, Dee was able to follow her passion and assure clients of her expertise in creating jewelry that will last. Given the name, the pieces found in Faces of Beauty are made to express the beauty found in every woman, every individual, each one unique. Expressed in various personas—contemporary, classic, feminine and creative spirit—Dee’s art leaves her clients wanting for nothing. Pieces in Contemporary are modern and differ in terms of shapes and proportion. In Classic, pieces are mostly simple and straightforward. Soft colors and design aesthetics that highlight the prettiness of the pieces dominate in Romantic, while non-traditional craftsmanship and one-of-a-kind pieces are featured in Creative Spirit. Dee also offers made-to-order pieces and is well known for her cuffs and bracelets, which she enjoys creating the most.

FIT FOR A QUEEN Tudor Women Reminiscent of the royal house of the same name, Tudor Women’s watches offer styles that are notable for their delicacy, reliability and fashion. The Claire de Rose, 1926, Style and Glamour lines feature precious gems such as diamonds on the face, dials designed with a vintage touch, a choice of Roman or Arabic numerals and all are made exclusively in steel or gold steel. Tudor Women offers a wide variety of bracelets ranging from steel to leather to fabric woven in the jacquard technique.

Visit Kristine Dee at One McKinley Place, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. For more information, email inquiry@kristinedee.com or follow @kristinedeejewelry on Instagram.

ACE IN STYLE Lacoste Especially made for the Australian Open, Lacoste presents the Novak Djokovic collection, named after its brand ambassador. Merging style and performance, the pieces in the collection come in blue, black and white and are made with light materials with ergonomic cuts. A broken line print on the front of the stretch technical jersey polo shirt is inspired by the theme of speed and is matched with stretch taffeta shorts with contrast piping and stretch technical mid-layer zipped jacket and cap.

Tudor is sold exclusively by Tudor official retailers. For more information, visit tudorwatch.com. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @tudorwatch.

Lacoste is located at Central Square in Bonifacio High Street Central, Alabang Town Center, Eastwood Mall, Rustan’s Makati and Rustan’s Shangri-La among others. For more information, visit lacoste.com.ph and follow them on Facebook at LacostePhilippines.

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Gift someone with a sensuous Jun Vicaldo sculpture or some summerready outfits and fragrances and watch them light up

VERSATILE MAN Derek Rose

This luxe London-based brand offers men clothing for every occasion. With its “smart comfort” philosophy, Derek Rose creates its pieces from quality materials such as cotton, cashmere and silk. Perfect for colder climates and months, their knitwear features pure Italian cashmere in sweaters, hoodies and zip-up tops. All these go with their signature track pants as well as mix and match pieces offered in cashmere charcoal, cashmere midnight, cashmere silver, cashmere blue and cashmere burgundy. For laid-back weekends, Derek Rose’s lounge shorts are lightweight and soft and are available in plain and printed styles. Their most recent Eastern-inspired collection features prints such as Japanese pagodas, cranes and bonsai trees. Be ready for the summer with the brand’s linen shorts as well. For beach lovers, Derek Rose’s swim and resort wear are designed with seamless inner lining and pin-lock zips. Their classic swim shorts feature a fully elastic waistband, inner mesh lining that provides a more comfy fit, mesh-lined back pockets whose pin-lock zip secures valuables in place and water-resistant pouches. Derek Rose is available in multibrand store Moressi, which houses such names as Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Valentino, Christian Dior, Fendi, Alexander Wang and many others. Moressi is located on the ground floor of S’Maison at the Conrad Manila. The Moressi pop-up store is located at Okada Manila.

STARS THE LIMIT Str8 Hailing from Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe, this fragrance and toiletries line for men encourages young men to aim high and go for their passion in life with their Go for Great campaign. Emulating these values is the brand’s ambassador, NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He began as an amateur player in Greece, who worked his way up with continuous successes in the US and made it to the all-star league. The new Str8 fragrance collection is introduced under Antetokounmpo’s signature. Str8 is exclusively available at Watsons Retail Chain and The SM Stores.

SET IN STONE Jun Vicaldo Solo Exhibit Sculptor Jun Vicaldo, University of the Philippines Fine Arts graduate and once National Artist Napoleon Abueva’s apprentice, is staging the one-man show, Taga sa Bato until February 6. As his choice of materials shows, Vicaldo’s theme revolves around the virtues of endurance, faith, hope and love, which the rock represents. “Itaga sa bato (marked in stone),” we say when we mean our words to be irrevocable. Vicaldo developed his life vocation as a young child growing up on a farm in Camarines Sur, watching a tenant carve figures from wood that was abundant in the nearby woods. Taga sa Bato runs until February 6 at the Blanco Art Gallery in Angono, Rizal. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

THE COOL KIDS Debenhams Kidswear Style your little ones’ looks with the latest in kidswear of Debenhams. This trendy department store offers all-year-round apparel, ensuring Instagram-worthy outfits for your cuties. Sample Bluezoo’s dark gray Good Vibes knit jumper for the boys or the Tartan Rara dress of the same brand for the girls. Debenhams offers more versatile styles with a navy unicorn sequined tunic with bag for girls or navy striped jumper with blue chino shorts for boys. Debenhams is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Glorietta 4, Rustan’s Makati among others. Visit DebenhamsPhilippines on Facebook or follow @debenhamsph on Instagram.

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EDITOR: Margie T. Logarta DESIGN: Jose Ricardo G. Velarde

January 25, 2019

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Fostering family and business

FULL STEAM AHEAD. Gothong Shipping will capitalize on this shrinking world and people needing to move their goods, says its big boss

Photo courtesy of Calvin L. Gothong

technological advancements.” But he soon realized as he progressed professionally that one’s chosen course is only secondary to the rigorous introspection and methodical thinking that the Jesuit education upheld. “One’s college course lays the foundation one needs in his or her chosen field. But I guess what matters more for me is learning how to be mindful of others and how to be a man for others,” echoing the great Jesuit precept espoused by St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus that runs Ateneo. Gothong learned the ropes at the family firm as Operations Manager of Asian Spirit Airlines, whose Cebu franchise was owned by the Gothongs. He then moved to Distileria Limtuaco as Purchasing Manager for a year where he was exposed to the financial side of business. He returned to the fold in 2011 as Freight Manager of Carlos A. Gothong Lines Inc. (Cagli), absorbing the day-today processes and intricacies of port operations. In 2008, he received orders to spearhead a start-up, the Danao Coco Palms Resort, serving as Managing Director. In 2016, a 39-year-old Gothong became the Chief Operating Officer of Cagli. “What is exciting about cargo shipping is that competition is stiff,” Gothong observes. “There are new players coming in and who are consolidating their ranks. There is no dominant player in the market, which is good for the customers because prices have practically remained the same as in 2001. This also forces companies to step up their game.” Cagli shifted its focus in 2008 from operating passenger vessels to offering cargo logistics. Gothong highlights two elements that make

GROUP BONDING. Gothongs all, from left front row, Diana, Clark and Chad. Back row, from left, Liza, Bowen, Lili, Clement, Catrina, Calvin Gothong and Jade

There’s no wall you can’t climb. Go to the left or go to the right. The bottom line is–find a way to get to the other side

CHARTING THE FUTURE Gothong Shipping boasts a storied past, which its present day leader wants to honor by keeping the core values of his progenitor, Carlos A. Gothong. But with his own contemporary twist.

Q His mission. Our mission is to be the complete logistics provider. I want to be able to provide a wholistic approach to customizing our solutions to specific logistics needs of our clients.

the business dynamic–the Philippines being an island nation and the growth of domestic consumption. “The world is getting smaller,” he explains. “People will need to move food, construction materials, vehicles. My goal is to ensure we have seamless operations so we can extend appropriate solutions to the various logistics requirements of our clients. I also want to capitalize on other potential growth areas of the business such as cargo handling and port operations”.

Q Preserving a legacy. Our single most important asset is the legacy my great-grandfather, Carlos A. Gothong, left us. That means his brand and his name must be kept synonymous with service and reliability. It is a legacy which was continued by my grandfather, Alfredo Gothong, who was the epitome of hard work and made it a point to greet each vessel arriving at five in the morning.

Finding ways Q Promoting Balance. When we started working in the family business, we, as children of the owners, were required to be in the office all the time, especially during the typhoon season – 25 hours a day, eight days a week, 366 days a year. But when I spearheaded the company and with the support of my Dad, I worked on changing this practice because I advocate work-life balance and spending quality time with the family.

COOL AND CONTAINED. As a boss, Gothong tries not to micro-manage his people

Photos courtesy of Calvin L. Gothong

Besides maintaining the Gothong brand’s market stature, its COO is also motivated to ensure a responsibly run company. “In our line of business, we recognize there are risks and safety issues involved. That is the reason for the Alfredo and Conchita Gothong Foundation to advance our advocacies, which focus on the 3 Es: Environment, Emergency Prepareness and Education. We ensure we give back by raising awareness on environmental protection, by promoting safe work practices and providing scholarships.” He adds: “There is no wall you cannot climb. If you cannot go over

PORT POSITION. Team Gothong Shipping gathers down by the Cebu City dockyard for a groufie

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it, then you go to the left or you go to the right. The bottom line is you have to find a way to get to the other side.” That in a nutshell is how Gothong describes his mode of leadership, one that emphasizes out-of-the-box thinking because of the realities of customer demands and needs, which often require “creative solutions.” He also displays tenaciousness in challenge-solving, a trait honed in him by an aunt, his father’s sister, Brezilda Gothong Co. “She taught

me never take ‘No’ for an answer. She taught me to always look for options in addressing problems I encountered.” This acquired wisdom, Gothong wastes no time in passing onto his employees, wishing to empower them to think beyond tried and tested processes. He, however, says: “I do not micro-manage. If I do that, then baka hindi na ako matutulog [perhaps I won’t be able to sleep from the stress of over-supervising]. I appreciate the value of the hard work put in by my team. I make sure they know when I am pleased with their output. “When people are aware that their contributions are valued and appreciated, then it boosts their morale and inspires them to deliver even better results.” Most of his knowledge about business and leadership were not culled from books or fancy training courses, but from the “Gothong school of personal experiences,” he chuckles. In fact, his teachers did not even have Ivy League degrees but were home-grown. His uncle and Cagli President Bejamin Gothong was a mentor. “My Uncle Ben is an engineer so he trained me to think about and understand our operations like I were an engineer. He constantly pounded in me the things he learned through the years and through repetition. From him, I learned the important facets of the industry and running this business.”

Family foremost Outside of work, Gothong’s world still revolves around family. He and his wife Jade, who is also the company’s Chief Operating Officer of Port Services, boast three children. There’s 10-year-old Dior, seven-yearold David and six-year-old Dawn, who are keen on the arts, music, ice hockey and figure skating. The family frequently travels because Gothong and his wife are keen for their youngsters to be exposed to different cultures and scenery. He also makes it a point to enjoy regular lunches with his parents and play golf with his father. Gothong learned about business from his family, and he says it is family that inspires him to continue to grow as an individual and as an entrepreneur. It is the family who lights the fire in his belly and motivates him to enhance the business. “I work for the family. My goal is to always keep our family together and to keep it strong. Everyone’s welfare is always my primary concern. That is a legacy I want to build and pass on to the next generation of Gothongs.” An inspiring mantra and mission that should keep Carlos A. Gothong Lines sailing the high seas for a very long time.

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Sports

FRIDAY D1 JANUARY 25, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Q Houston Rockets’ James Harden (No. 13) drives past New York Knicks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. (No. 3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday in New York. AP PHOTO

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OS ANGELES: James Harden took his high-scoring act to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) where he dazzled his way to a season-high 61-points as the Houston Rockets edged the hapless New York Knicks 114-110. “Every time I come to the Garden I got to put on a show. They expect it and that IS WHAT ) GAVE THEM u SAID (ARDEN Harden is scoring at a pace the NBA hasn’t seen since the heyday of Wilt Chamberlain, as he STRETCHED HIS STREAK OF SCORING PLUS POINTS TO GAMES (E IS MAKING ANYTHING SEEM POSSIBLE EARNING HIS THIRD PLUS POINT GAME‡WHILE RACKING UP POINTS‡IN HIS LAST kVE CONTESTS Chamberlain owns the longest streak of PLUS POINT OUTINGS A MAMMOTH GAME RUN DURING THE SEASON #HAMBERLAIN STILL HAS TWO OTHER PLUS SCORING STREAKS THAT ARE LONGER THAN (ARDEN S OF AND GAMES Harden tied Kobe Bryant for the most points ever by an opponent at the fabled Garden and he is second all-time to former +NICK #ARMELO !NTHONY S POINTS IN g) GOT TO KEEP GOING u (ARDEN SAID g-Y legacy is at stake. Basketball is something I LOVE DOING 4HERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT ) CAN DO u Harden helped salt the game away for the Rockets with three seconds left by grabbing a loose ball and going in for a soaring dunk to cap the scoring. (E ALSO HAD REBOUNDS SHOT OF FROM THE lOOR AND DRAINED OF FREE THROWS (E WAS JUST kVE OF FROM BEYOND THE ARC “With most of the guys injured we have

to play defence and create offence off our DEFENCE )N THE kRST HALF WE DIDN T DO IT IN THE SECOND HALF DID AND WE WON u SAID (ARDEN 2OOKIE !LLONZO 4RIER SCORED A SEASON HIGH points for the lowly Knicks, who kept it tight at the end but lost their seventh straight game. Their coach David Fizdale was ejected with SECONDS TO GO WHEN HE EARNED HIS SECOND technical foul of the night. Coming into the game, the lowly Knicks WERE ALLOWING POINTS PER GAME THE THIRD HIGHEST kGURE IN THE LEAGUE

Madison Square Harden Harden’s best previous game at the Garden was 36 points but he had that by halftime. %LSEWHERE 4HADDEUS 9OUNG HAD POINTS AND REBOUNDS AS )NDIANA BEAT THE FIRST PLACE 4ORONTO 2APTORS BUT THE VICTORY was costly as all-star Victor Oladipo suffered a serious right knee injury. Oladipo, who will be examined by Pacers’ doctors on Thursday, could be facing surgery which would likely mean the end of his season. g)T S UNFORTUNATE u $ARREN #OLLISON SAID g7E VE GOT TO KEEP GOING FOR HIM u

Mayweather is the priority M

ANNY PACQUIAO will not resort to a little trash talking if there is no gold in the garbage. Shortly after defeating challenger Adrien Broner to retain his World Boxing Association (WBA) ‘regular’ welterweight crown, Pacquiao immediately challenged rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a rematch. Deviating from his TEMPLATE POST kGHT REMARKS 0ACQUIAO told reporters: “I’m still here in boxing. ) WANT TO kGHT THE BEST kGHTERS OUT THERE )F HE -AYWEATHER CANNOT kGHT ON MY LEVEL HE BETTER STAY RETIRED u You read it right, Pacquiao just unloaded a verbal left straight on Mayweather’s jaw. With Mayweather still receiving harsh criticisms for feasting on a hapless and inexperienced (boxing-wise) Tenshin Nasukawa in their exhibition bout last December, Pacquiao impressively dispatched Broner, A kGHTER YEARS YOUNGER AND A FORMER FOUR DIVISION BOXING champion. Pacquiao basically stated that he can still take on top-level opposition and that Mayweather is better off staying retired if he will just pick on newspaper boys. ,EONARD %LLERBE THE #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER OF -AYWEATHER Promotions, countered that Mayweather has no plans of returning to real combat. Ellerbe bragged that Mayweather is contented with spending the millions of dollars he had bankrolledinthesport.Ellerbe’sstatementsarenotnewandhave been in fact refuted on several occasions by Mayweather himself. Mayweather staying retired is not etched in stone. He kRST RETIRED IN AFTER NEGOTIATIONS FOR A REMATCH WITH /SCAR $E ,A (OYA BOGGED DOWN (E RETURNED IN AND RETIRED AGAIN IN 3EPTEMBER AFTER BEATING !NDRE "ERTO (E LACED ON THE GLOVES ANEW IN !UGUST FOR A cameo appearance against mixed martial arts star Conor -C'REGOR -AYWEATHER S kRST ROUND KNOCKOUT OF .ASUKAWA last December was only an exhibition bout so technically HE REMAINS RETIRED AFTER THE -C'REGOR kGHT Despite Ellerbe’s claims, all point to a return bout between -AYWEATHER AND 0ACQUIAO COMING INTO FRUITION 4HE kRST MATCH IN -AY SHATTERED JUST ABOUT EVERY BOX OFkCE RECORD IN THE PUNCH FOR PAY BUSINESS 4HE kGHT GENERATED a record 4.6 million pay-per-view subscriptions and almost MILLION IN REVENUE 4HE kGHT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT with Mayweather pocketing a decision win. Then again, even IF THE REMATCH REALIZES ONLY HALF THE REVENUE OF THE kRST BOUT we are still talking truckloads of money. Pacquiao has talked about taking on other opponents, no-

n tably the winner of the March showdown between IBF welterweight champ Erroll Spence Jr. and challenger Mikey Garcia,, y. but Mayweather is clearly the priority. Neither Spence nor Garcia can match thee big money Mayweather brings, ditto thee rest of the young guns in the welterweightt h division that include Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman and Terence Crawford. At agee Y 0ACQUIAO CANNOT LINE UP FOES THE WAY n he used to; he is zeroing in on the golden parachute (Mayweather) as he rides into the sunset. Mayweather has placed himself between a rock and a hard place as far as the Pacquiao rematch is concerned. It wass d Mayweather who triggered talks of a rematch when he told o reporters during a September visit in Japan that he was going to R kGHT 0ACQUIAO AGAIN -AYWEATHER EVEN POINTED TO A $ECEMBER MEETING BUT HE CHANGED HIS MIND TO kGHT .ASUKAWA "Y CHALLENGING -AYWEATHER AFTER THE "RONER kGHT Pacquiao just placed Mayweather in a tight spot. May-d weather was the one who announced the rematch and not a few will brand him a coward if he backtracks. d But from where this writer sits, Mayweather’s silence should simply be interpreted as his way of adding to the drama.. Mayweather and Pacquiao crossing paths in a basketball gamee and in other gatherings are basically the same scenarios thatt PRECIPITATED THEIR MATCH 0ACQUIAO ARGUABLY BOOKED AN-other meeting with Mayweather when he joined Al Haymon’ss o Premier Boxing Champions stable in October. Haymon also d serves as Mayweather’s adviser and having Pacquiao in his fold makes it relatively easy to make the rematch. Yet another development that boosted the chances of a T REMATCH IS THE BOX OFkCE SUCCESS OF 0ACQUIAO "RONER 4HE kGHT G GENERATED AN IMPRESSIVE PAY PER VIEW BUYS PROVING that Pacquiao still commands a following in the United States.. Lastly, Mayweather has to love his chances against Pac-quiao after the latter failed to knockout Broner. If the May-weather copycat (Broner) lasted the full route, the real deall E -AYWEATHER kGURES TO DO WAY BETTER /F COURSE IT WILL BE interesting to see how Mayweather will fare against a healthyy Pacquiao. Pacquiao went the full distance with Mayweatherr IN DESPITE NURSING A BUM SHOULDER Pacquiaoispushingtheenvelope,sotospeak,bytakingverball jabs at Mayweather. Pacquiao is doing all the talking amid May-weather’s deafening silence. Then again, it may only be a matterr of time before Mayweather breaks his silence and announces thee rematch with all the cameras focused on him of course.

BOXER SHORTS

ED TOLENTINO

The all-star NBA guard was hurt when he fell to the floor while defending against Raptors forward Pascal Siakam with just over four minutes left in the first half. “After suffering a serious injury to his right knee, Victor Oladipo will have an

MRI tomorrow and an update will be proVIDED THEN u THE CLUB SAID IN A NEWS RELEASE Toronto was led by Serge Ibaka with POINTS AND REBOUNDS AND +YLE ,OWRY WITH POINTS BUT THEY PLAYED without their star Kawhi Leonard, who the coaching staff decided to rest.

Also, D’Angelo Russell had a DOUBLE DOUBLE WITH POINTS AND REBOUNDS 3PENCER $INWIDDIE SCORED POINTS AND the Brooklyn Nets edged the /RLANDO -AGIC FOR THEIR kFTH STRAIGHT VICTORY AFP

D2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Q LeBron Jamesof the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 18, 2018, in the first quarter of their game at Moda Cente in Portland, Oregon. AFP PHOTO

James ruled out of Minnesota clash—Lakers Q Geje “The Gravity� Eustaquio fires a left roundhouse kick against Adriano Moraes during their second fight in June 2018 in Macau. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

Eustaquio wants total supremacy vs Moraes E

BY JEAN RUSSEL V. DAVID

XPECT fireworks in the cage when defending ONE flyweight world champion Geje “The Gravity� Eustaquio collides against former titleholder Adriano Moraes of Brazil in the main event of ONE: Hero’s Ascent tonight at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The 29-year old Eustaquio wants to put an end to a four-year rivalry through a convincing win over “Black Diamond� Moraes on their third MEETING WHICH IS THE kRST EVER TRILogy in ONE Championship’s history. The Baguio City native went through six months of grueling training at the FAMED 4EAM ,AKAY GYM FOR THE kGHT “I have learned throughout my career and my training that the word impossible doesn’t exist. With the help of my coach and my team, we have achieved success. And I will not allow this belt to be taken away from me in

my home turf,� said Eustaquio. “The Gravity� wants to uplift his team’s spirit after two of his stablemates, Joshua “The Passion� Pacio and Edward “The Ferocious� Kelly lost to their respective rivals last weekend. “There is pressure to keep this belt on me. But it keeps me motivated to keep going,� added Eustaquio, who holds a record of 11 wins and six losses. Moraes, on his part, believes he CAN kNISH THE &ILIPINO kGHTER IN LESS THAN THE SCHEDULED kVE ROUNDS g) WON THE kRST AND FOR ME ) WON THE SECOND kGHT ) AM GOING TO kNISH

IT EARLY MAYBE IN THE kRST OR SECOND round, and it’s not going to the judges,� said Moraes, who lost to Eustaquio via split decision in June. “I have prepared very well for this third bout. Whatever happens, I am ready to give my best. This is going to BE A GOOD kGHT ) AM LOOKING FORWARD to it,� added Moraes. 4HE FORMER lYWEIGHT CHAMPION Moraes submitted Eustaquio with a guillotine choke in 2014. Meanwhile, two other Team Lakay bets will see action in the undercards. Honorio “The Rock� Banario will face Lowen Tynanes in the world grand PRIX LIGHTWEIGHT QUARTERkNAL which is the co-main event. Banario’s record is 14-7 while Tynanes’ is 9-0. On the other hand, Danny “The King� Kingad will be facing Tatsumitsu Wada of *APAN IN A THREE ROUND lYWEIGHT BOUT In the ONE Super Series Muay Thai matches, Fahdi Khaled of Tunisia will face Rodtang Jitmuangnon of Thailand

in a flyweight contest, Reinier de Ridder of Netherlands takes on Fan Rong of China (middle-

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was ruled out of his team’s clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as he works his way back from a groin injury. Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters that while James, 34, had returned to training with teammates, he would not be ready to return against Minnesota on Thursday. “He got out there with the guys and did some drills,� Walton said. “(He looked) good, strong, talented,� he added, before confirming James would not play Thursday. James has been out of action since December 25, when he hobbled out of the Lakers’ victory over Golden State on Christmas Day. Walton however did not rule out the possibility of James returning this weekend, when the Lakers host Phoenix at the Staples Center on Sunday. “He’s not out yet, so I guess that puts him in play,� Walton said. “We’ll see how he’s feeling tomorrow morning and take it from there. “See how he’s doing the next day, and the next day after that.� Including Thursday’s game against Minnesota, James will have missed 15 matches, the longest injury layoff of his career since he started in the NBA in 2003. The Lakers have lost nine of their 14 matches since James was injured, slipping from fourth to ninth in the Western Conference with 25 wins against 23 defeats. AFP

weight), Josh Tonna of Australia faces Hiroki Akimoto of Japan (flyweight), and Brown Pinas of Netherlands battles Bangpleenoi Petchyindee Academy of Thailand (featherweight). In the preliminary bouts, Elias Mahmoudi of Algeria will face Yukinori Ogasawara of Japan; Sung Jong Lee of South Korea takes on Tang Kai of China, Mohammed Bin Mahmoud of Malaysia tackles Hiroaki Suzuki of Japan, and Egi Rozten of Indonesia battles Himanshu Kaushik of India.

ONE Championship in ABS-CBN S+A and S+A HD ABS-CBN S+A and S+A HD will air live on Friday (January 25) at 8:30 p.m. straight from Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City the fight between Team Lakay stalwart and ONE Championship’s flyweight world champion Geje “The Gravity� Eustaquio and Brazilian submission monster

Adriano “Mikhino� Moraes. For more stories and news on MMA and other combat sports, follow @ABSCBNSports on Twitter and Facebook or visit sports.abscbn.com. For updates, follow @ ABSCBNPR on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram or visit www. abscbnpr.com.

Q Northport’s Robert Bolick (No. 8) goes for a lay-up while teammate Bradwyn Guinto (No. 30) and Blackwater’s James Sena (No. 15) look on during a Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game last week at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Northport seeks share of top spot; rookies out to prove worth NORTHPORT wants a share of the top spot currently occupied by Phoenix, when it faces Columbian Dyip in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at 4:30 p.m. today at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. The Batang Pier shoot for their third consecutive win vs the Columbian Dyip who just lost to Phoenix, 3-0, on Wednesday. “It will be the same approach. I just want to win,� said Northport’s third overall pick Robert Bolick, a former San Beda Red Lion, who marked his PBA debut with a 26 points output during their victory over Blackwater last week. “I’m just going to play my game and hopefully we improve to 3-0.� "OLICK kNISHED WITH ONLY POINTS in his second game wherein Northport won 95-90 over a struggling Northern Luzon Expressway on Sunday,. Northport coach Pido Jarencio is expecting a determined and aggressive Columbian Dyip after the latter lost 108-

98 to Phoenix on Wednesday. “Coming from a lost to Phoenix, for sure Columbian Dyip will bounce back stronger. We have to play consistent basketball offense and defense for 48 minutes.� Jarencio will be relying on Stanley Pringle, Sean Anthony, Mo Tautuaa and Paolo Taha against the Dyip Meanwhile, CJ Perez said he wasn’t thinking of his past collegiate rivalry with Bolick. “It is not about us, but it is all about the team now,� said Perez. “It is an honor and I’m excited to face Northport. It is also a good opportunity for us to bounce back [after losing to Phoenix]. Anything is possible to happen and every team has a chance to win.� Perez notched 26 points when Columbian Dyip pulled off a 124-118 upset against the Beermen last week. It was his PBA debut. Perez was just limited to 10 points on top of eight rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks in his second

game against Phoenix. Columbian Dyip now holds a 1-1 win-loss record. Defending champion San Miguel Beer (1-1) and Meralco (1-1), meanwhile, are both aiming for a second straight win in the 7 p.m. main game. The Beermen crushed Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 99-91 on Sunday behind Christian Standhardinger and Chris Ross. Standhardinger had 26 points while Ross tallied 22 points, six rebounds and eight assists. The Bolts are coming from a 99-94 win over Blackwater on Saturday. “Playing San Miguel Beer is always tough but we will go out and give our best to win,� said Black. “It’s important that we hold our own in the paint against their big frontline, while also doing a good job of challenging their three-point shooters,� said Meralco coach Norman Black, pertaining to San Miguel Beer shooters Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

DeChambeau eyes world domination at Dubai Desert Classic D

UBAI: Bryson DeChambeau returns to the Dubai Desert Classic three years after his debut as the TOP RANKED PLAYER IN THE kELD AT WORLD NUMBER kVE BUT THE !MERICAN HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE IS FAR FROM SATISkED WITH HIS METEORIC RISE The 25-year-old, popularly referred to as the ‘Mad Scientist’ because of his use of sciENTIkC METHODS IN TRYING TO IMPROVE HIS GAME WAS THE LEADING AMATEUR AND SHOT UNDER PAR ON HIS kRST $UBAI APPEARANCE IN (OWEVER HE IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST PLAYERS IN THE PROFESSIONAL GAME RIGHT NOW HAVING WON FOUR TIMES ON THE 0'! 4OUR LAST YEAR INCLUDING THREE IN HIS LAST EIGHT STARTS $E#HAMBEAU HEADLINES A STELLAR kELD IN THE TOURNAMENT WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS TH EDITION THIS YEAR AND STARTS AT %MIRATES 'OLF #LUB ON 4HURSDAY !LL OF $E#HAMBEAU S SIX WINS AS A PROFESSIONAL HAVE

AFP PHOTO

Q Sultan Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (center) takes a walk after a meeting at Malaysia’s National Palace in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. AFP PHOTO

Sports-loving sultan picked as Malaysian king

Command great respect As well as being a member of FIFA’s council -- which lays out the vision for global football -- he is president of the Asian Hockey Association and a former head of the Football Association of Malaysia. After attending school in Malaysia, the keen polo player went on to study in Britain, where he attended the Sandhurst military academy, according to a biography published on Bernama. After Pahang, the next state due to provide a king is Johor. The sultan of Johor, which borders Singapore, is one of the country’s most wealthy and powerful Islamic rulers, and has his own private army. To be elected as the national king, a sultan must be supported by at least five of the state rulers. While their role is ceremonial, Malaysia’s royalty command great respect, especially from the country’s Muslim Malay majority, and criticizing them is strictly forbidden. Portraits of the king and queen adorn government buildings throughout the country. The king is also the symbolic head of Islam in the nation, as well as the nominal chief of the military. Malaysia’s sultans trace a lineage back to the Malay sultanates of the 15th century. The king’s official title, Yang di-Pertuan Agong, means “He Who Is Made Lord.� AFP

D3

g&OR ME IT S NOT NECESSARILY ABOUT BEING THE NUMBER ONE ) MEAN THAT S THE RESULT OF ALL THE HARD WORK RIGHT "UT FOR ME IT S MORE ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE GAME AT A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL THAT S NEVER REALLY BEEN DONE BEFORE g) WANT TO ACHIEVE DIFFERENT INSIGHT INTO ALL THE DIFFERENT VARIABLES THAT GO THROUGH YOU HAVING TO ADJUST PROPERLY TO THE COURSE AT HAND u

Garcia delighted with strong form #HINA S ,I (AOTONG IS THE DEFENDING CHAMPION THIS WEEK IN A kELD THAT ALSO INCLUDES CHAMPION 3ERGIO 'ARCIA 'ARCIA IS ENJOYING A GREAT RUN OF FORM AND HAS NOT kNISHED OUTSIDE THE TOP IN HIS LAST SIX STARTS INCLUDING A WIN AT THE !NDALUCIA 6ALDERRAMA -ASTERS g) VE ALWAYS LOOKED AT IT THAT YOU CAN T GET VICTORIES WITHOUT BEING UP THERE AND kNISHING IN THE TOP OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT u SAID THE -ASTERS CHAMPION WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS FRUSTRATED HIS FORM AND CONSISTENCY HAS NOT LED TO MORE WINS g)F YOU RE kGHTING TO kNISH TH YOU DON T HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING 7INNING HAS BECOME TOUGHER AND TOUGHER AS THE YEARS WENT BY ALL THE KIDS ARE MUCH BETTER NOW THAN THEY USED TO BE g!T THE END OF THE DAY THE ONLY THING ) CAN DO IS GIVE MYSELF THE BEST CHANCE AND TRY TO PLAY THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE )F ) M AROUND THE TOP ) HAVE MY CHANCES OF WINNING )F IT HAPPENS GREAT AND IF NOT IT S STILL A GREAT WEEK u !LSO IN THE kELD ARE %UROPEAN 2YDER #UP STAR 4OMMY &LEETWOOD CHAMPION (ENRIK 3TENSON AND )RELAND S 3HANE ,OWRY WINNER OF LAST WEEK S TOURNAMENT IN !BU $HABI AFP

Ardina seizes 2-shot lead with 67

Q Bryson DeChambeau

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s royal families on Thursday picked a sports-loving sultan as the country’s new king after the last monarch abdicated in a historic first following his reported marriage to a Russian ex-beauty queen. The previous king, Sultan Muhammad V, stepped aside this month following just two years on the throne after reports surfaced he had married the former Miss Moscow while on medical leave. There was great shock across Malaysia at the first abdication of a monarch in the Muslim-majority country’s history. Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, a keen athlete who holds a string of positions on sporting bodies, including at world football governing body FIFA, was elected as the new king during a special meeting of Malaysia’s Islamic royalty. Sultan Abdullah “has been chosen as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong (king) for a period of five years starting from January 31, 2019,� said a statement from the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Syed Danial Syed Ahmad. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy, with a unique arrangement where the national throne changes hands every five years between rulers of the country’s nine states headed by Islamic royalty. Eight of the state sultans earlier met at the national palace in Kuala Lumpur for the so-called “Conference of Rulers� to select the new king. TheonlyoneabsentwasMuhammadV,whoremainsthesultanofthenortheastern state of Kelantan despite having abdicated as the national monarch. Abdullah was widely expected to become king as the central state of Pahang was next in line to provide the monarch The 59-year-old was named Pahang’s new ruler -- replacing his elderly, ailing father -- several days after Muhammad V’s abdication, paving the way for him to become the next national monarch. The deputy king was named as Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak state, according to the statement.

COME ON !MERICAN SOIL AND HE QUICKLY ESTABLISHED WHAT HE WANTED TO ACHIEVE SAYING g)T S AN HONOUR TO BE BACK HERE AND SUPER EXCITED g/BVIOUSLY PLAYED WELL ON THIS GOLF COURSE HERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO $IDN T PUTT VERY WELL BUT ) THINK WE kGURED OUT WHY FOR THIS YEAR g) AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A REALLY GOOD WEEK 4HE GAME IS IN GREAT SHAPE ) AM HITTING IT WELL PUTTING IT WELL ) M HONESTLY JUST EXCITED TO TRY AND CAPTURE AN INTERNATIONAL VICTORY 4HAT S REALLY WHAT ) WANT TO DO THIS WEEK u 7INNER IN BACK TO BACK WEEKS OF THE &ED%X #UP PLAYOFFS IN $E#HAMBEAU SAID HE IS STILL NOT SATISkED WITH THE PROGRESS HE HAS MADE SINCE HIS LAST VISIT g.OT SATISkED 4HERE S MORE TO LEARN 4HERE S MORE TO ACHIEVE u SAID $E#HAMBEAU

Sports

$/44)% !2$).! kNALLY TURNED IN A ROUND EXPECTED FROM A PLAYER OF HER CALIBER SHOOTING A FOUR UNDER IN TOUGH CONDITIONS AND GRABBING A TWO STROKE LEAD OVER 4HAIS 0UNPAKA 0HUNTUMABAMRUNG AND #HONLADA #HAYANUN IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE )#43) "EVERLY 0LACE ,ADIES #LASSIC IN -EXICO 0AMPANGA ON 4HURSDAY !RDINA REBOUNDED FROM A ONE OVER START WITH A CARD AS THE ,0'! 4OUR BOUND SHOTMAKER FOUND HER RANGE AND RHYTHM ON A DAY THE ERSTWHILE FRONTRUNNERS STRUGGLED AND FADED WITH OVER PAR CARDS AT THE SHORT BUT TRICKY COURSE MADE MORE DAUNTING BY ITS UNRECEPTIVE GREENS !RDINA WASN T SPARED OF THE ORDEAL BUT THE #ANLUBANG ACE MADE THE MOST OF HER NEAR IMPECCABLE IRON GAME to churn out the lone-under card and seize control at TWO SHOTS AHEAD OF 0HUNTUMABAMRUNG AND THE COME BACKING #HAYAnun, who pooled identical S AFTER A AND RESPECTIVELY g-Y IRONS WERE GOOD BUT ) STRUGGLED WITH MY

Q Dottie Ardina lines herself up for a big LPGA Tour campaign boost. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

PUTTING ) MISSED AT LEAST kVE BIRDIE CHANCES INSIDE SEVEN FEET AND COULD VE kNISHED WITH A SEVEN UNDER CARD u SAID SAID !RDINA WHO GUNNED DOWN FOUR BIRDIES AFTER HOLES THEN RECOVERED FROM A THREE PUTT MISHAP ON THE TH WITH A CLOSING BIRDIE FROM FEET g4HE GREENS ARE HARD AND ) HAD TO ADJUST MY APPROACH SHOTS u SAID !RDINA WHOSE STERLING ROUND PROVED MORE THAN ENOUGH TO SHOVE HER TO THE LEAD AND HOLES AWAY FROM SNAPPING A LONG TITLE SPELL ON THE )#43) SPONSORED CIRCUIT SHE USED TO DOMINATE AHEAD OF HER MUCH AWAITED STINT IN THE ,0'! 4OUR STARTING NEXT MONTH AS A FULL CARD HOLDER #HAYANUN WHOSE LATE CHARGE NETTED HER A AND A SHARE OF THE kRST ROUND LEAD WITH COMPATRIOTS -OOKHARIN ,ADGRATOK AND /RNNICHA +ONSUNTHEA 7EDNESDAY RALLIED AGAINST WITH THREE BIRDIES IN THE LAST kVE HOLES IN A BIG BOUNCE BACK FROM A FOUR OVER CARD 3HE SALVAGED A CARD AND TIED 0HUNTUMABAMRUNG WHO STRUNG UP NINES OF AT SECOND g) PLAYED REALLY BAD ,UCKILY ) WAS ABLE TO RECOVER AT THE BACK u SAID THE YEAR OLD #HAYANUN ALSO DUE FOR A BIG WIN IN THE CIRCUIT ORGANIZED BY 0ILIPINAS 'OLF 4OURNAMENTS )NC FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF TOP kVE kNISHES ,0'4 /RDER OF -ERIT WINNER 0AULINE DEL 2OSARIO FAILED TO GET GOING FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT DAY ALTHOUGH HER THREE BIRDIE THREE BOGEY EFFORT GOT HER PAST A NUMBER OF RIVALS FOR SOLO HOLD OF FOURTH PLACE AT FOUR SHOTS BEHIND

0RINCESS 3UPERAL THE REIGNING //- TITLIST NEVER RECOVERED FROM A BOGEY BOGEY MISFORTUNE FROM .O DROPPING STROKES ON .OS AND AGAINST A LONE BIRDIE ON THE TH TO LAY kVE STROKES ADRIFT AT )MPRESSIVE WITH OPENING S +ONSUNTHEA AND ,ADGRATOK SPENT THE DAY TRYING TO CHECK THEIR SHAKY GAMES WITH THE FORMER BOGEYING THE kRST HOLE AND YIELDING TWO STROKES ON THE NEXT TO DROP OFF THE LEADERBOARD AND THE LATTER BLOWING IT ON A BOGEY RIDDLED BACKSIDE STINT +ONSUNTHEA STUMBLED WITH ANOTHER BOGEY ON .O BUT FOUGHT BACK WITH TWO BIRDIES IN THE NEXT THREE HOLES ONLY TO FADE AGAIN WITH A DOUBLE BOGEY kNISH FOR A WHILE ,ADGRATOK MADE FOUR BOGEYS IN THE LAST NINE TO DROP TO JOINT SIXTH AT WITH FORMER TOP JUNGOLFER $ANIELLA 5Y WHO HOBBLED WITH A /NLY PLAYERS ADVANCED TO THE FINAL ROUND WITH 4HAIS .ATTAPAN 3IRITRAI !UNCHISA 5TAMA *ARUPORN 0 .A !YUTTHAYA AND 4IRANAN 9OOPAN BARELY MAKING THE CUT AT !LISARA 7EDCHAKAMA AND +AMONWAN ,UEAMSRI ASSEMBLED IDENTICAL S 3ARAPORN #HAMCHOI AND #HIHIRO )KEDA BOTH HAD S AND .ARISARA +ERDRIT ALSO SKIED TO A FOR A BUT ALL STOOD TOO FAR BEHIND FOR A SHOT AT THE TOP 0 PURSE IN THE THIRD LEG OF THE CIRCUIT BACKED BY #USTOM #LUBMAKERS -ERALCO + ' 'OLF !PPAREL "$/ 3HARP +:' 0,$4 %MPIRE 'OLF AND 3PORTS AND - 9 3HOKAI 4ECHNOLOGY )NC

Courageous Kvitova completes ‘long journey’ after knife attack

MELBOURNE: Brave Petra Kvitova admitted Thursday it had been “a long journey� to make the Australian Open final after a knife-wielding burglar slashed her racquet hand in an attack that left her traumatized and scared to be alone. The 28-year-old feared she may never play tennis again after the 33-year-old man broke into her apartment in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov just weeks before the opening Grand Slam of 2017. She suffered career-threatening injuries to her left hand as she fought him off. Despite grim forecasts by doctors, who even warned she might lose her fingers, the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon champion never gave up believing and miraculously returned to the sport in time for the 2017 French Open. But she was still struggling mentally, admitting it took time to regain her confidence. “It wasn’t only physically but mentally very tough,� she said. “It took me really a while to believe (in the) people around me again, and especially the men, for sure. “So I wasn’t pretty confident to be alone somewhere.� Getting her hand back into shape was also a grueling challenge, involving extensive surgery and months of treatment. She still has nerve damage in Q Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova hits a return against Danielle Collins of the US during their women’s singles semifinal match on her fingers and struggles to properly clench her fist. day 11 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Thursday. AFP PHOTO “Yeah, it was a lot of work with the hand. It was lot of recovery, treatment,� she said. “I think that kind of the sports life helped me a lot with that. I just set up years in prison. He didn’t know whose flat he was entering after beating American Danielle Collins 7-6 (7/2), 6-0 to make Saturday’s the mind that I really wanted to come back, and I just did everything. pretending to be a technician checking boilers, according to police. final at Melbourne Park against Japan’s Naomi Osaka. “So I was practicing with the hand, like, two, three times per day, which I don’t know Kvitova, who slumped as low as 29th in the world in the “To be honest, I think not very many people believed that if a normal person will do that, but of course I needed the hand to be back on court. aftermath, displayed her steely determination by winning a title in I could do that again, to stand on the court and play tennis “Not only on the court but to be able to kind of live a normal life. Birmingham in 2017 as she bounced back in the sport she loves. and kind of play on this level,� she said. Those three months were very, very tough.� She followed it up with a tour-leading five WTA tourna“It was just really a few of them, I think. I’m very happy to have ment wins last year to signal she was well and truly back, those few around me, which is the best. And definitely it feels great. Feels great enjoying a nomination for player of the year. Hopefully for them (too), as well as for my family and for everybody Many didn’t believe she could do it, but a close-knit group who was there when I needed it. Prosecutors in October said the man who attacked her was facing up to 12 around her always had faith and she paid tribute to them after “It’s been a long journey,� she added. AFP

Obada signs anew with Panthers LOS ANGELES: British prospect Efe Obada has re-signed for the Carolina Panthers after a successful debut season for the NFL franchise, the team confirmed on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila). The 26-year-old Nigeria-born defensive end, who grew up in London after moving to Europe as a 10-year-old, had been due to enter free agency in March. “I’m very grateful,� the 6-foot-6 lineman said on the Panthers website. “It’s another opportunity to contribute to the team and obviously support myself and my family.� Obada is the most successful product of the NFL’s Interna-

tional Pathway Program, which aims to unearth new talent from overseas. Obada is the first player from the program to secure an active roster position. Obada arrived in the United States in 2015 after playing for the London Warriors American football team. He was cut by the Dallas Cowboys in 2016 and later released by the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons. However he impressed for the Panthers in pre-season last year before going on to make his full debut in week three of the regular season against Cincinnati, notching a sack and an interception in a 31-21 win.

Obada, who made eight tackles and two sacks in 10 games for the Panthers, said he plans to fully establish himself with Carolina next season. “The main thing for me is being consistent and trusting my training,� he said. “I’m going to work on my weaknesses - knowledge of the game, just recognizing things a bit quicker in terms of my keys against the run and things like that. “I definitely want to step into a more secure role, into a leadership role on this team. That’s what I’m working toward.� AFP

D4

Football

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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Q Manchester City’s striker Ian Carlo Proveda (left) vies with Burton Albion’s midfielder Stephen Quinn during the English League Cup second leg semifinal football match at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton-upon-Trent, England. AFP PHOTO

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URTON-ON-TRENT, UK: Manchester City completed the formality of sealing their place in the League Cup kNAL WITH A WIN AT "URTON ON 7EDNESDAY 4HURSDAY IN -ANILA THAT WRAPPED UP A aggregate triumph. Pep Guardiola’s side had thrashed BurTON IN THE SEMIkNAL kRST LEG EARLIER IN *ANUARY TO EFFECTIVELY GUARANTEE THEY would return to Wembley 12 months after WINNING THE COMPETITION Inevitably, City took it easier on the THIRD TIER MINNOWS THIS TIME AND 3ERGIO !GUERO S kRST HALF STRIKE WAS THE ONLY GOAL OF A LOW KEY SECOND LEG City will play Tottenham or Chelsea in the final on February WITH 3PURS HOLDING A LEAD AHEAD OF THE SECOND LEG AT 3TAMFORD

"RIDGE ON 4HURSDAY City’s emphatic victory broke the reCORD FOR THE BIGGEST AGGREGATE WIN IN A ,EAGUE #UP SEMI FINAL SURPASSING THE mark they set with a 9-0 demolition of 7EST (AM IN 3INCE LOSING AT ,EICESTER IN THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE ON $ECEMBER #ITY HAVE WON SEVEN SUCCESSIVE GAMES IN ALL COMPETITIONS 4HERE WAS MORE GOOD NEWS FOR 'UARdiola as France defender Benjamin Mendy returned to action after more than two

MONTHS OUT WITH A KNEE INJURY 4HE %NGLISH CHAMPIONS WILL continue their bid to win four major trophies this season when they face Burnley in the FA Cup FOURTH ROUND ON 3ATURDAY With the tie all but over, Guardiola rested a host of players as he MADE EIGHT CHANGES AGAINST .IGEL #LOUGH S TEAM The City boss handed a debut TO YEAR OLD WINGER )AN #ARLO Poveda while there were also starts for Aro Muric, Phil Foden, 0HILIPPE 3ANDLER AND %RIC 'ARCIA !GUERO +EVIN $E "RUYNE 2IYAD -AHREZ AND &ABIAN $ELPH WERE the established stars in the holdERS STARTING LINE UP City went in front after 25 minutes WHEN SUPERB LONG BALL BY $E "RUYNE PICKED OUT -AHREZ ON THE RIGHT lANK 4HE !LGERIA WINGER CUT THE BALL

BACK TO !GUERO WHO MADE NO mistake with a first-time finish that flashed past Burton keeper "RADLEY #OLLINS "URTON WERE ALMOST GIFTED A CHANCE WHEN #ITY GOALKEEPER !RO -URIC GOT too casual and allowed a back-pass to ESCAPE HIS CONTROL BUT THE YOUNGSTER RECOVERED TO CLEAR OFF THE LINE 4HE "REWERS PUSHED AGAIN EARLY IN THE SECOND HALF AND $AVID 4EMPLETON WANTED A PENALTY AFTER COLLIDING WITH $ANILO BUT REFEREE +EVIN &RIEND WAVED AWAY THE APPEAL !GUERO SHOULD HAVE DOUBLED #ITY S lead on the hour but missed the TARGET FROM CLOSE RANGE AFTER BEING PICKED OUT BY &ODEN S CUTBACK Gabriel Jesus, who scored four IN THE FIRST LEG CAME OFF THE BENCH and almost added a second for #ITY LATE ON WHEN HIS CLOSE RANGE EFFORT WAS BLOCKED AFP

Ceres boosts lineup for AFC Champions League

Real Madrid takes top spot from Man Utd in ‘money league’ LONDON: Real Madrid has knocked Manchester United off the top of Deloitte’s Football Money League, but the Premier League still flexed its financial muscle, with all of England’s ‘Big Six’ featuring in the top 10 for the first time. The Deloitte list ranked clubs on how much money they earn from broadcasting, commercial deals and match-day revenues during the 2017-18 season. United had spent the last two years in first place in the financial charts, but they have slipped to third behind European champions Real and Spanish giant Barcelona. Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Paris St Germain, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham make up the rest of the top 10. Dan Jones, the report’s author and a partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said: “European football remains a bull market. “We have seen Real Madrid shatter records, becoming the first club to break the threequarters of a billion euro mark and claim a record twelfth Money League title in the process.â€? After winning a third consecutive Champions League title, Real generated a record ÂŁ674.6 million ($881.8 million), giving them the Money League top spot for the 12th time and the first since 2014-15. All the British clubs were slightly affected by a three per cent yearon-year decline in the value of sterling against the euro. United’s fall was influenced by their early exit from the Champions League in the last 16 last season and the remarkable growth in the Spanish duo’s commercial income. While revenues at Old Trafford grew by only two per cent, they still earned ÂŁ590 million last season and the latest forecasts suggest they should surge past ÂŁ615 million this season. AFP

DOMESTIC league champion Ceres Negros FC recently bolstered its roster with for new signings as it heads into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2019 qualifiers next month. Ceres Negros added national team-caliber players in Miguel Tanton, Dennis Villanueva, Dylan De Bruycker and Angelo Marasigan.Â

Tanton, a midfielder from cup champ Kaya FC-Iloilo, was called up by veteran coach Sven Goran Eriksson in the 23-man lineup for the AFC Asian Cup 2019. Former Davao Aguilas FC players Villanueva and De Bruycker played for the Philippine Azkals during their qualifying campaign for the Asian Cup.Â

Ex-Global Cebu FC forward Marasigan suited up for the national team’s campaign in the Bangabandhu Gold Cup in Bangladesh last year. He also played for Ceres back in 2015. The four booters are seen as welcome additions to the Yelllow Busmen, who recently lost Manny Ott and Patrick Reichelt.Â

Veteran midfielder Ott transferred to Thai club Ratchaburi Mitr Pol while seasoned striker Reichelt moved to Malysian squad Melaka United. Ceres will try to enter the Champions League group stage this time as it begins its preliminary round campaign against Yangon United of Myanmar on February 5. The winner will take on Chiangrai United of

Thailand in the next round. Last season, the Busmen almost advanced to the group phase of the top continental club competition after beating Myanmar’s Shan United (4-3 in penalty shootout) and Australia’s Brisbane Roar (3-2) only to fall short against China’s Tianjin Quanjian (0-2) in the final playoff round. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ

NEYMAR SUFFERS FRESH METATARSAL INJURY IN PSG WIN PARIS: 0ARIS 3AINT 'ERMAIN TALISMAN .EYMAR HAS SUFFERED A FRESH INJURY TO HIS RIGHT METATARSAL THE CLUB SAID ON 4HURSDAY MARRING THE HOLDERS ADVANCE TO THE LAST OF THE &RENCH #UP WITH A WIN OVER 3TRASBOURG A fractured metatarsal curtailed the Brazilian’s last season, and the RECURRENCE COMES JUST THREE WEEKS AHEAD OF THE kRST LEG OF 03' S CRUNCH #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE CLASH AGAINST -ANCHESTER 5NITED 4HE SEVERITY OF THE NEW INJURY IS NOT YET KNOWN ALTHOUGH .EYMAR WAS ABLE TO WALK OFF THE kELD UNSUPPORTED “Initial tests carried out revealed a painful reactivation of the injury to THE kFTH METATARSAL u A CLUB STATEMENT SAID 4HURSDAY g4HE TREATMENT WILL DEPEND ON PROGRESS OVER THE COMING DAYS u IT SAID ADDING ALL MEDICAL OPTIONS WOULD BE CONSIDERED .EYMAR INITIALLY TRIED TO CONTINUE PLAYING "UT HE COVERED HIS EYES IN TEARS ACCORDING TO WITNESSES AS HE WAS FORCED OFF TO BE REPLACED BY -OUSSA $IABY JUST AFTER THE HOUR MARK (IS EARLY DEPARTURE WAS A WORRYING MOMENT FOR 03' WITH THE WORLD S MOST EXPENSIVE PLAYER HAVING MISSED THE kNAL THREE MONTHS OF LAST SEASON AFTER BREAKING THE SAME BONE

Each season PSG, which dominates &RANCE S DOMESTIC LEAGUE IS JUDGED ACCORDING TO ITS #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE RESULTS PSG coach Thomas Tuchel after the GAME SAID g4HE DOCTOR IS WORRIED @.EY IS WORRIED BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME FOOT THE SAME PLACE u “It was a situation where he was fouled three TIMES ONE AFTER THE OTHER 4HE REFEREE DIDN T GIVE ANYTHING (E TWISTED HIS FOOT u 4HE 03' COACH WAS ALSO UNHAPPY WITH SUGGESTIONS FROM THE 3TRASBOURG PLAYERS AND COACH THAT .EYMAR HAD PROVOKED THE INJURY BY WINDING UP HIS OPPONENTS g)T S .EYMAR S STYLE BUT DON T COME AND COMPLAIN WHEN YOU GET KICKED u 3TRASBOURG S !NTHONY 'ONCALVES TOLD BROADCASTER %UROSPORT g(E IS A GREAT PLAYER ) RESPECT HIM (E CAN ENJOY HIMSELF BUT DON T COME BLUBBERING AFTERWARDS u AFP

Q Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar AFP PHOTO

Cardiff striker Sala presumed dead as rescuers suspend sea search ST PETER PORT, Guernsey: Hopes all but vanISHED OF FINDING NEW #ARDIFF #ITY STRIKER Emiliano Sala alive as British, French and Channel Islands rescuers on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) suspended a second DAY OF SEARCHES AFTER THE PLANE HE WAS lYING IN DISAPPEARED AT SEA

4HE !RGENTINE FOOTBALLER HAD SENT RELAtives a desper ATE MESSAGE SHORTLY BEFORE TAKING OFF SAYING THE PLANE LOOKED LIKE IT WAS gGOING TO FALL APARTu Objects have been found in the water, and police on the British island of Guernsey, which sits off the north coast of France, warned there was little CHANCE OF FINDING HIM “A decision about whether to recommence will be taken early Thursday mornING u POLICE SAID IN A STATEMENT “The water is very cold at the mo-

Q Emiliano Sala (yellow jersey)Â

FILE PHOTO

ment, the sea conditions ARE VERY ROUGH OUT THERE THE WIND IS VERY STRONG u *OHN &ITZGERALD CHIEF OFkCER OF #HANNEL )SLAND !IR 3EARCH TO !&0 “I think even the most hardened person out there -- they’d have to be really TOUGH TO SURVIVE THOSE CONDITIONS FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT THEY D BEEN THERE u 4HE 'UERNSEY COASTGUARD ALSO named the pilot, the only other person in THE PLANE AS $AVID )BBOTSON "RITISH MEDIA SAID HE WAS A YEAR old married father of three and lived in 3CUNTHORPE IN NORTHERN %NGLAND !RGENTINE MEDIA REPORTED THAT 3ALA SENT A FINAL MESSAGE BEFORE THE PLANE DISappeared f r o m r a d a r around 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of Guernsey on MonDAY NIGHT “I’m on a plane that LOOKS LIKE IT S GOING TO FALL APART AND ) M LEAVING FOR #ARDIFF u THE YEAR OLD SAID IN A RAMBLING

7HATS!PP AUDIO MESSAGE “If in an hour and a half you have no news from me, I don’t know if they will send people to look for me, because they will NOT kND ME YOU KNOW ) M SO SCARED u HE ADDED The player’s mother, MerCEDES TOLD !RGENTINE TELEVISION CHANNEL # . THAT THE PLANE BELONGED TO #ARdiff chairman -EHMET $ALMAN BUT HE DISPUTED THE CLAIM AFP

FRIDAY JANUARY 25, 2019

Lifestyle

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Q Situated in a 1,200-hectare property, the stately hotel is part of a rising township comprised of residential condominiums, villages and other leisure and commercial developments.

Q Family and Presidential Suites both come with their own living areas.

Glimpses of beauty at Twin Lakes Hotel E The first and only hotel in the Philippines with an actual grape-growing vineyard in its backyard opens its doors in Laurel, Batangas near Tagaytay

SCAPING the dizzying buzz of the CITY OFTEN REQUIRES kNDING SOLITUDE in a destination where the soothing AMBIENCE OF NATURE WILL READILY EMBRACE you. For those wanting to unwind and reinvigorate their senses to start the year on the right note, there’s a charming new HOTEL DESTINATION NEAR 4AGAYTAY THAT JUST might take your breath away.

Another milestone offering by Megaworld subsidiary Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) is the new Twin Lakes Hotel, which recently opened inside the 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes development in Laurel, Batangas near Tagaytay. It will be operated by Megaworld Hotels, which also handles the company’s other homegrown Richmonde, Belmont, and Savoy Hotel brands. Inspired by Old European architecture, the hotel offers a total of 122 rooms, each having its own balcony where guests can enjoy the fresh air and the charming views of the Taal lake and volcano, as well as its own grape-growing

vineyard. It is also envisioned as the perfect venue for weddings and celebrations as it offers panoramic views of its lush surroundings. Just recently, Twin Lakes Hotel was awarded as the Country Winner for the Best Hotel Development in Asia category at the 2018 Asia Property Awards held in Bangkok, Thailand. Earlier this year, the hotel was also recognized for its exemplary design, location, and huge potential for tourism by winning the Best Hotel Development at the 2018 Philippines Property Awards. “Twin Lakes Hotel stands out as the only hotel in the country

Q The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant faces the vineyard and Taal Lake while offering its signature dishes namely Spaghetti Vongole, Pollo Veronica, Lengua Financiera, and its own version of famed Tagaytay bulalo. that has an actual grape-growing vineyard in its backyard,” Twin Lakes Hotel General Manager Jun Jimenez informed. A leisurely walk near the hotel sits the Twin Lakes Shopping Village where you can find the “most beautiful Starbucks in the Philippines,” dubbed as such for its calming interiors and breathtaking views. The hotel’s rooms are categorized as Superior (up to 34 square meters), Deluxe (up to 38 square

meters), Executive (up to 38 square meters), and the twobedroom Family Suites and Presidential Suites (up to 86 square meters), which both come with its own living areas. The hotel also offers a business center, boardroom and meeting rooms, game room, pool deck, kiddie pool and an outdoor lounge. There’s also the Twin Lakes Café, an all-day dining restaurant facing the vineyard and Taal Lake

Q A heated infinity pool. that offers the hotel’s signature dishes, such as Spaghetti Vongole, Pollo Veronica, Lengua Financiera, and the hotel’s very own iteration of a famed Tagaytay favorite, the bulalo. Other amenities include an inhouse Wellness Spa, a heated inkNITY POOL AND A GRAND BALLROOM with a banquet capacity of up to 500 people, which can also be divided into smaller banquet rooms. Guests will surely enjoy the best of Twin Lakes Hotel a lot more

with Club Access, an exclusive membership privilege card packed with exciting perks and discounts FROM SOME OF THE kNEST LOCAL HOTEL brands nationwide. Also within the 1,200-hectare property of Twin Lakes, GERI's largest development to date, are residential condominiums, residential villages, and other leisure and commercial properties. Discover more about Twin Lakes (OTEL BY VISITING THEIR OFkCIAL WEBsite at www.twinlakeshotel.com.ph.

Q The Dinagyang Festival is mounted with tribal dance competitions, street parties and fireworks display. FACEBOOK PHOTO/ DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

Visayas festivals top January celebrations MORE than the beauty of the Philippines, one main reason why tourists flock to the county is because of the vibrant festivals celebrated throughout the year. This entails a complete sensory experience — both for local and foreign tourists — since communities encourage visitors to imbibe domestic culture and tradition at every events. For January alone, three huge festivals showcase why it is truly “more fun in the Philippines,” a country which brings together cultural immersion and revelry together like no other.

Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival Probably the country’s most colorful celebration is Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival held every fourth Sunday of January. The celebration symbolizes the love of people and thanksgiving to Señor Sto. Niño and the locals’ preservation of Iloilo’s rich heritage, culture, devotion, and tradition. The festivity includes tribal dance competitions, street parties and fireworks display. Everyone can enjoy the drum beats and active presentations of the performers. Interestingly,

street dance routines are made on designated stages for all to witness and participate. Best hotels to stay: Adhara Eco Boutique Resort, Goldberry Lite Hotel Iloilo, Top Star Hotel Iloilo, and Solina Beach and Nature Resort.

Cebu’s Sinulog Festival Held every third Sunday of January, the Sinulog Festival is a celebration in honor of Sto, Niño, also known as the Child Jesus, who is the patron saint of Cebu Province. People from nearby provinces and within the country usually fly to Cebu to partake in this highly anticipated huge event. Famous for the province’s colorful displays, Sinulog participants are clothed with flamboyant costumes while they dance to the beat of drums, trumpets and native gongs. This event is a fête of the Filipino people’s pagan past and acceptance of Christianity. Best hotels to stay: EON Centennial Soho Hotel, Palm Grass Hotel, Arterra Hotel and Resort, La Mirada Hotel, Voda Krsana each Resort, Dynasty Tourist Inn, Cebu Hotel Plus and Oftana Suites Main.

Aklan’s Ati-Atihan Festival

Q The Sinulog Festival is celebrated to honor the Child Jesus, the patron saint of Cebu Province. CEBU TOURISM PHOTO

Said to be the mother of all Philippine festivals, Ati-Atihan is a cultural and religious festival which is also celebrated in honor of Sto. Niño every third Sunday of January in Aklan. Similar to Sinulog, the Ati-Atihan Festival is also known to have dynamic and colorful street parades and performances. Participants wear ancient warrior regalia and have their arms and faces painted in black to signify the Ati local residents’ gratefulness for the help the Malay Datus extended to them when they faced challenges in the early years. Indeed, Ati-Atihan festival is also a celebration of unity between two different nations. Best hotels to stay: Savoy Hotel Boracay, Hampstead Boutique Hotel, Lime Hotel Boracay, JJ Resort and Spa, The Orchids Resort, 8Colors Beach House, Bora Sky Hotel, The Rose Pike @ Boracay, Niu Ohana East Bay Apartments and La Banca at Boracay. With information courtesy of Travel Book Philippines, Inc.

Q All set for the annual Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ BERNARDO ARELLANO 3RD

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Funtimes

FRIDAY January 25, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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Solution to puzzle

Âť CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (01/25/19). Friends bring good fortune this year. Private productivity satisfies. Anticipate home improvements and repairs. Shift things up with a partner this winter. This summer, physical action gets results, followed by a phase of rest and reflection. Find new inspiration next winter. Friends are your true wealth. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES ( MARCH 21-APRIL 19) 7RGD\ LV DQ $ FROODERUDWLYH HႇRUW heats up. Energy builds between you and a partner. Channel it into what you’re creating together. Strengthen foundational support structures. TAURUS ( APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Movement gets your heart pumping. Take on a physical challenge. Stick to tested routines. Don’t make assumptions. Slow down when necessary. Breathe deeply. GEMINI ( MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Take action for love. Your efforts pay off in spades. Friends provide an important connection. Get creative to avoid straining the budget. Express your heart. CANCER ( JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Domestic renovations get farther now. A little paint makes a big difference. Find materials that you can repurpose. Beautify your home. Increase comfort levels. LEO ( JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Grow and expand your networks. Engage with your audience directly. Listen and learn. Profit through communication that inspires action. Write, edit and polish. VIRGO ( AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- You can get whatever you need. Maintain positive cash flow by energizing your actions and communications. Share the possibility of what you’re creating.

Âť SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK

LIBRA ( SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- A personal goal is within reach. A sense of confidence energizes your moves. Accent classic styles with your own touch. You’re growing more attractive. SCORPIO ( OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Listen and observe. Productive planning now leads to ease and efficiency later. Hide away with a hot mug of something, as you schedule and review. SAGITTARIUS ( NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Community efforts surge ahead with a little push. Add your support for a shared cause. Share expert studies and information. Others appreciate your work. CAPRICORN ( DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Steady attention energizes your career. Participate in a larger conversation, and make valuable connections. Share and contribute. Profitable opportunities flower. Follow the money trail. AQUARIUS ( JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Look farther away. Long-distance connections lead to unexpected luck and beauty. Explore and study new flavors, sights and sounds. Take an educational journey. PISCES ( FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Collaborate with your partner and family for shared gain. Your actions have outsize benefits. Energize a project that grows common value. Share the data.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack. For more astrological interpretations visit Linda Black Horoscopes and www.nancyblack.com) NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats. Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

FFRIDAY R I DAY JANUARY 25, 2019

Entertainment

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www.manilatimes.net

K-drama + zombies = ‘Kingdom’ South Korea’s entertainment industry set to conquer Netflix next BY IZA IGLESIAS

S

(First of two parts)

EOUL, SOUTH KOREA: Now that Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, has succeeded around the world, South Korea’s creative minds are not about to stop. For just as everyone is thinking that everything starting with a “K” has reached its peak, the K-drama is off to build its next “Kingdom.” .OW TAKE THAT LAST LINE BOTH LITERALLY AND kGURATIVELY AS THE kRST ORIGINALLY PRODUCED .ETlIX +OREAN SERIES +INGDOM STARTS STREAMING TODAY ALL AROUND THE WORLD /F COURSE IN PUTTING ITS BEST FOOT FORWARD THE + DRAMA IS BRINGING OUT ITS EXPERTISE IN PRODUCING PERIOD SERIES BUT NOT WITHOUT INCORPORATING THE 7ESTERN ERGO GLOBAL VIEWER S CONTINUING FASCINATION FOR ZOMBIES 4HE +INGDOM THEREFORE UNFOLDS IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD OF +OREA S *OSEON DYNASTY PLAGUED BY WAR AND FAMINE AND EVENTUALLY THREATENED BY THE LIVING DEAD /N *ANUARY 4HE -ANILA 4IMES WAS PART OF A REGIONAL GATHERING OF !SIAN MEDIA OUTLETS TO WITNESS THE RED CARPET PREMIERE OF +INGDOM IN 3EOUL S ,OTTE 7ORLD -ALL )T WAS PRECEDED BY A GRAND MEDIA CONFERENCE AT THE )NTERCONTINENTAL #/%8 WHERE THE SHOW S LEAD CAST WERE ALL PRESENT NAMELY *U *I HOON FROM HIT DRAMA g0RINCESS (OURSu AND ACTION FANTASY DRAMA kLM g!LONG WITH THE 'ODSu 2YU 3EUNG YONG FROM THE kLMS g-IRACLE

IN #ELL .O u AND g0SYCHOKINESISu AND ACTRESS "AE $OONA FROM THE kLM g4HE (OSTu AND .ETlIX S !MERICAN SCIENCE kCTION DRAMA g3ENSE Ý 4O GET THE BALL ROLLING +INGDOM S WRITER +IM %UN HEE EXPLAINED THAT THE INSPIRATION FOR THE UNIQUE SERIES GOES BACK ROUGHLY SEVEN YEARS AGO WHEN SHE CHANCED UPON A RECORD IN THE !NNALS OF THE *OSEON $YNASTY ABOUT COUNTLESS PEOPLE DYING OF A MYSTERIOUS DISEASE )T WAS ALL SHE NEEDED TO SPARK A STORY LINE THAT REALISTICALLY BRINGS TOGETHER !SIAN AND 7ESTERN PREFERENCES FOR ENTERTAINMENT +INGDOM THEREFORE BEGINS AS #ROWN 0RINCE ,EE #HANG IS ACCUSED OF TREASON FOR THE +ING S SUDDEN DEATH AND EXILED TO THE FAR END OF THE COUNTRY !S HE SEEKS TO CLEAR HIS NAME BY SETTING OFF TO INVESTIGATE ON THE DISEASE THAT KILLED THE +ING HE IS SHOCKED TO kND HIS PEOPLE TURNING INTO MONSTERS CAUSED BY A MYSTERIOUS PLAGUE AND ULTIMATELY FACING THE TRUE NATURE OF HUNGER 4HROUGH AN INTERPRETER +IM %UN HEE

»streaming

Q Stars Ryu Seung-yong, Bae Doona, Ju Ji-hoon, writer Kim Eun-hee, and director Kim Seonghun at regional media conference for 'Kingdom' at the Intercontinental COEX in the capital. ELABORATED g) WANTED TO TALK ABOUT HUNGER BECAUSE ) THOUGHT ZOMBIES WERE ESSENTIALLY MONSTERS WHOSE ONLY REMAINING SENSE IS ITS APPETITE "UT BACK IN THE *OSEON DYNASTY PEOPLE WERE POOR AND HUNGRY BECAUSE THOSE IN POWER WOULD ABUSE THEM WITH TAXATION AND THE COLLECTION OF THEIR HARVESTS ;'IVEN THIS SITUATION= ) WENT ON TO PORTRAY PEOPLE WHO WERE MISTREATED BY THE RULING CLASS AND STRUGGLING WITH STARVATION AND POVERTY TO TURN INTO MONSTERS u 3HE CONTINUED g3O ) THINK THAT KIND OF STORYTELLING IS WHAT DIFFERENTIATES +INGDOM FROM OTHER ZOMBIE GENRES

Q For bringing zombies to life in a period drama, hundreds of fans showed up at the series premiere at Lotte World Mall.

WHICH SOMETIMES TEND TO LACK IN THE NARRATIVE PART OF HOW ZOMBIES COME TO LIFE )T S THAT SOLID NARRATIVE THAT EVEN IF YOU REMOVE THE ZOMBIES FROM +INGDOM IT STILL TELLS THE STORY OF HOW INJUSTICE CHANGES A HUMAN BEING u -EANWHILE DIRECTOR +IM 3EONG HUN DUBBED AS THE (ALLYU gMASTER OF GENRE DRIVEN STORIES u ELABORATED ON HOW THE VERY IDEA OF gHUNGERu EFFECTIVELY BRINGS ABOUT +INGDOM S SUBPLOTS g&IRST THERE IS PHYSICAL HUNGER THAT IS EXPERIENCED BY THE COMMONERS IN OUR STORY THEN THERE IS THE HUNGER FOR GREED BY THE RULING CLASS WHICH TRIGGERS THE BIRTH OF THE SO CALLED ZOMBIES OR WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL THE @PATIENTS OF THE PLAGUE 4OGETHER ) HOPE THAT +INGDOM WILL PROVIDE SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE VIEWERS TO ALSO RElECT ON THE VERY REAL ISSUES THE STORY PROVIDES BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE SERIES SPECIAL 7E BRING ZOMBIES HORRIkC AND DYNAMIC CREATURES TO LIFE AGAINST *OSEON S WORLD OF STATIC BEAUTY /N THE SURFACE THIS BRINGS THE AESTHETIC STRENGTH OF THE SHOW THE TENSION BETWEEN TWO CONTRASTING ASPECTS BUT ULTIMATELY IN MERGING ZOMBIES WITH A PERIOD DRAMA WHAT BECOMES APPARENT IS +INGDOM S SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS u THE DIRECTOR ADDED )N TOMORROWfS ISSUE 4HE -ANILA 4IMES %NTERTAINMENT WILL GO INTO THE lAWLESS ACTING ENSEMBLE BEHIND +INGDOM NOW STREAMING ON .ETlIX

»just in! QCinema hailed as ‘Best Local Film Fest’ in 2018 AMONG THE kLM FESTIVALS THAT SHOWCASED WELL CRAFTED INDEPENDENT kLMS IN THE METRO IN THE 1UEZON #ITY )NTERNATIONAL &ILM &ESTIVAL ALSO KNOWN AS 1#INEMA TOPPED THE LIST AS THE "EST ,OCAL &ILM &ESTIVAL FOR kLM REVIEWERS OUTSHINING NINE OTHER POPULAR kLM FAIRS !CCORDING TO 0INOY2EBYU A &ILIPINO FILM AGGREGATORS WEBSITE 1#INEMA GARNERED A NEAR UNANIMOUS kRST PLACE FOR BEING ABLE TO EXHIBIT gHIGH QUALITY LOCAL kLMS AND WORLD CINEMA FAVORITES IN u WHILE OFFERING A MORE AUDIENCE FRIENDLY VIEWER SERVICE THAN THOSE OF OTHER kLM FESTS 1UEZON #ITY 6ICE -AYOR *OY "ELMONTE WAS GRATEFUL THAT THE CITY S kLM FAIR IS SLOWLY GAINING RECOGNITION FROM MOVIE GOERS ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CITY IS ALSO ABLE TO PROMOTE RESTAURANTS HOTELS AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS IN THE CITY THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE $EPARTMENT OF 4OURISM $/4 g) AM HAPPY THAT MOVIE CRITICS CHOSE 1#INEMA AS THE "EST ,OCAL &ILM &EST ) THINK THIS SHOWS THAT OUR CITY S kLM FESTIVAL IS EFFECTIVE FOR SHOWCASING WORLD CLASS kLMS THAT MOVIE GOERS CAN ENJOY AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE STARTING TO SEE 1UEZON #ITY AS A kLM DESTINATION u SAID "ELMONTE ,AUNCHED IN "ELMONTE SPEARHEADED 1#INEMA IN THE CITY S VENTURE TO BE THE COUNTRY S g&ILM #APITALu WHILE ALSO ENCOURAGING 1# FILMMAKERS TO ILLUSTRATE THEIR CREATIVITY THROUGH WELL CRAFTED MOVIES THAT INCORPORATE &ILIPINO VALUES SUCH AS NATIONALISM FREEDOM EXCELLENCE AND GENDER SENSITIVITY 4HE TH 1#INEMA HELD IN /CTOBER FEATURED ALMOST INDEPENDENT kLMS SHORT kLMS INTERNATIONAL FEATURE kLMS AND DIGITALLY REMASTERED &ILIPINO CLASSICS WHICH INCLUDED kVE lICKS FROM HOME GROWN kLMMAKERS WHO EACH RECEIVED 0 MILLION PESO PRODUCTION GRANT FROM THE 1UEZON #ITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT 4HE ENTRIES WERE 3AMANTHA ,EE S g"ILLIE AND %MMA u 4IMMY (ARN S g$OG $AYS u $AN 6ILLEGAS g(INTAYAN NG ,ANGIT u 'UTIERREZ -ANGANSAKAN S g-ASLA ! 0APANOK u AND $WEIN "ALTAZAR S g/DA SA 7ALA u WHICH TOPPED THE kLM POLL BY 0INOY2EBYU AS THE "EST 0HILIPPINE #INEMA IN -OREOVER "ELMONTE MENTIONED THAT SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO MORE ARTISTIC kLMS FROM 1# kLMMAKERS AS THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THEM THROUGH PROVIDING A PRODUCTION GRANT TO SELECTED DESERVING kLMMAKERS

Janine Gutierrez lands her dream leading man W

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NALLY FOUND OUT WHO HER CO STARS WERE WHEN %DGAR !LLAN 'UZMAN AND *OYCE #HING WALKED IN TO SAY HI WITH 4OM 2ODRIGUEZ ARRIVING LAST g(E S THE ONEÜu SHE SQUEALED EXCITEDLY TELLING 3HOWBUZZ IT S A DREAM COME TRUE g) COULD HARDLY BELIEVE IT BUT HE WAS REALLY THERE AT THE WORKSHOP AND OFkCIALLY MY LEADING MAN u THE STUNNING SHOWBIZ SCION CONTINUED g7HEN ) STARTED IN SHOWBIZ ) WAS ALWAYS ASKED WHO ) WANTED TO BE PAIRED WITH AND WITHOUT BATTING AN EYELASH ) ALWAYS SAID 4OM 2ODRIGUEZ !ND NOW IT S REALLY HAPPENINGÜu *UST THEN 4OM JOINED THE SIT DOWN INTERVIEW CATCHING PART OF *ANINE S REVELATIONS ABOUT HIM g) DON T KNOW WHAT TO SAY u HE CHUCKLED LOOKING A BIT UNEASY g0A-

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SHOWBUZZ LHAR SANTIAGO EXCITED TO WORK WITH *ANINE 4OM VOLUNTEERED g7E VE ACTUALLY DONE AN EPISODE TOGETHER IN @-AGPAKAILANMAN BUT THIS IS THE kRST TIME THAT WE RE TOGETHER IN A PROJECT THAT S LONG FORM u -EANWHILE BESIDES THE NEW SOAP *ANINE S STARTING THE YEAR WITH A BANG WITH HER kRST MOVIE FOR 2EGAL %NTERTAINMENT OPENING ON *ANUARY 4ITLED g%LISE u IT S A ROMANTIC COMEDY WHERE SHE S PAIRED WITH %NCHONG $EE g) CAN T BELIEVE ) M NOW A 2EGAL BABYÜu THE TALENTED ACTRESS GUSHED AGAIN g) GREW UP WATCHING 2EGAL MOVIES BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE 2EGAL STARS DI BA 4HEY DID MOVIES LIKE @,OVE "OAT WHICH ) USED TO WATCH AS A KID !ND NOW ) M THE ONE IN THE LEAD FOR 2EGAL .AKAKATUWA LANG TALAGA u SHE ENTHUSED *ANINE HOPES MOVIEGOERS AS WELL AS HER FANS ON 46 WILL ENJOY SEEING HER IN A VERY DIFFERENT CHARACTER ON THE BIG SCREEN /FTEN THE DAMSEL IN DISTRESS IN HER SOAPS SHE EXCLAIMED g!KO NAMAN ANG NAM BU BULLY DITO !KO @YUNG PALABAN MADISKARTE )T S GREAT BECAUSE ) GOT TO DO SOMETHING LIGHT NA MAGANDA AND REALLY ENTERTAINING u NNN g/NANAYu STAR -IKEE 1UINTOS IS STILL AMAZED AT HOW DEEPLY THE SHOW TOUCHES COUNTLESS VIEWERS ,AST WEEKEND A GIRL APPROACHED HER WHILE SHOPPING AT A SUPERMARKET AND ASKED IF HER MOM COULD HAVE A PICTURE WITH -IKEE 3HE READILY SAID YES AND WAS

TAKEN TO AN OLD LADY SITTING ON A BENCH CRAZY OVER -EXICAN TELENOVELAS 4HERE WAS WHO THEN CRIED AND HUGGED THE ACTRESS -ARIMAR AND 2OSALINDA AMONG OTHER HIT UPON SEEING HER TITLES WHICH MADE THE BEAUTIFUL 4HALIA A g)N BETWEEN HER TEARS SHE WAS TELLING STAR IN THE 0HILIPPINES ME SHE REALLY LOVES ;MY CHARACTER= -YLA "UT NOW THEY HAVE TAKEN A DIFFERENT AND THAT WAS WHEN ) REALIZED NA NAKIKITA AND EXCELLENT TURN WHAT WITH &ILIPINO TALAGA NIYA SA AKIN SI -YLA AT NAAAWA SIYA TELEDRAMAS GAINING POPULARITY IN 3PANISH SA AKIN 3OBRANG INVOLVED SIYA SA KWENTO SPEAKING COUNTRIES LIKE %CUADOR 0ARAGUAY NG /NANAY u AND 0ERU !LREADY AIRING THERE ARE '-! )T DAWNED ON -IKEE THAT ACTORS ARE .ETWORK ORIGINALS g)KA .A 5TOS u g,ENOT JUST MERE ENTERTAINERS GALLY "LIND u g3OMEONE 4O 7ATCH /VER g) QUICKLY WENT TO OUR /NANAY CHAT- -Eu AND g)MPOSTORA u WHICH ARE ALL GETROOM AND TOLD THEM HEM TING SIGNIkCANT AUDIENCE SHA TING SIGNIkCANT AUDIENCE SHARES WHAT HAPPENED AND AND *ANINE HOW SO MANY PEOW H O PLE IDENTIFY WITH ITH HEADO U R C H A R A C T E R S S L I N E D -ORE IMPORTANTLY TLY

, E G A L L Y ) TOLD THEM THAT T ) " "LIND SAID kNALLY UNDERSTAND ND O F T H E WHAT OTHER ARTISTS STS DEVELOPMEAN WHEN THEY EY M MENT g)T SAY WE HAVE A REEFEE FEELS SURREAL SPONSIBILITY TO O KASI ) USED KA OUR AUDIENCE u u T O W A T C H -IKEE EXPLAINED THE THE 3PANISH / N A N A Y O F F TELENOVELAS TEL COURSE CASTS 3UDUBBED IN DUB PERSTAR .ORA 4AGALOG AND 4AG !UNOR IN THE SENOW AKO NA NOW RIES BESIDES THE YUN YUNG DINA TALENTED ROSTER DUB NILA INTO OF -IKEE AND THEIR THEIR LANGUAGE HER SHOWBIZ Q Mikee Quintos (rightmost) with 'Onanay' co-stars )T REALLY IS SUCH )T REA BATCHMATES Kate Valdez (center) and Jo Berry. A THRI A THRILL u g4HE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE RE DOING SO WS IS THAT WE RE DOING SO $ER $EREK -ONWELL IN THE RATINGS THAT THE SHOW HAS BEEN ASTERIO ON THE OTHER HAND WHO STARRED EXTENDED u -IKEE ENTHUSED g4HE PLOT IN )MPOSTORA TOLD 3HOWBUZZ HE S BEEN THICKENS WITH MORE INTRIGUES AND EXCITING GETTING FAN MAIL FROM ABROADÜ TURNS KAYA MAHIHIRAPAN TALAGA ANG VIEWERS g) JUST COULDN T WRITE BACK LENGTHILY SINCE NA BITAWAN ANG /NANAY u ) ONLY KNOW FEW WORDS IN 3PANISH Ý HE NNN LAUGHED gBUT ) WOULD LOVE TO GO TO THOSE 4HERE WAS A TIME WHEN &ILIPINOS WERE COUNTRIES AND MEET THE FOREIGN FANSÜu

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