THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Govt raises P113B from RTB offering

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•• 6 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 137 32

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Funeral wake for the EDSA Yellow narrative

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H E sparsely attended, reluctantly celebrated “EDSA Revolution� commemoration last Monday turned out to be a funeral wake, the last rites for the false Yellow narrative of that event 33 years ago.

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Trusted since 1898

DUTERTE TO PLDT:

Expand hotline or face shutdown

BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to close down telecommunications company PLDT Inc. if it does not expand the hotline for citizens’ complaints by at least one more trunk line.

‘I’ve done all I promised,’ why don’t you know it? Â

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N a FIRST camTHINGS paign FIRST speech in Lag u n a last Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte was reported to have said, “I made no promise I have not kept,� except untangling the traffic gridlock at EDSA, which, he said, could have been done if only Congress had given him the “emergency powers� he needed.

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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Pope’s top aide convicted of sex crimes MELBOURNE: Australian Cardinal George Pell, one of Pope Francis’ closest advisors, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes.

An Australian jury unanimously found Pell guilty in December on one count of sexual abuse and four counts of indecent assault against two boys at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s.

Pell, now aged 77, was accused of cornering the boys — then aged 12 and 13 — in the cathedral’s sacristy following Sunday Mass and forcing them to perform a sex act on him.

The cleric, who has remained free on bail, denied all the charges and an initial trial ended with a hung jury in September, but he was convicted on retrial on December 11.

FROM ARMM TO BARMM Mujiv Hataman (right), congratulates Murad Ebrahim, who took his post as the chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Tuesday. PHOTO BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

Murad assumes Bangsamoro top post

BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL COTABATO CITY: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) formally took over the Autono-

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mous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in ceremonies at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex here on Tuesday.

Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the

Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), WAS INSTALLED AS THE kRST CHIEF MINISTER of BARMM and subsequently assumed the powers and responsibilities of the

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EDSA revolt will not be repeated – Monsod at TMT TV forum

LEADERS of the 1986 EDSA people power revolt expressed belief that the historic uprising will not be repeated under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte even as they said much remains to be done to really carry out the promise of EDSA. Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, on Monday said the people had learned their lessons from past presidents, including Corazon “Cory� Aquino and her son, Benigno Aquino 3rd, who failed to deliver on their aspirations

What’s inside BUILDER ADOPTS MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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Speaking at the PDP-Laban Cebu campaign rally on Sunday night, Duterte urged people to report to the 8888 hotline any act of corruption seen committed by any government OFkCIAL (OWEVER RECALLING THAT THE hotline number has been perennially busy, he gave an order to tell PLDT to add another trunkline for the purpose or face a shutdown. “If you see corruption, tell me. Call 8888. Bong, [tell them to] add another trunk line. The present set-up can’t accommodate all the calls. It’s always busy. Tell PLDT. If not, I’ll shut down their business,� the President warned.

He gave the order to his former special assistant and now aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go. 'O OFkCIALLY LEFT THE $UTERTE ADMINistration in early February to prepare campaigning for a seat in the Senate in the May 13 mid-term elections.

Duterte said PLDT still owes the government P8 billion, but he did not elaborate.

ÂłShutdownA2 Q Christian Monsod PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

for change. “I don’t think there will be another [people power revolt]. They [people] were just used. The elitists continue to rule politics. They are all Establishment,� Monsod said in a panel interview during a live test broadcast

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‘Harsher drug war means more arrests’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s order to authorities to carry out a harsher campaign against illegal drugs would lead to more arrests, MalacaĂąang said on Tuesday.

The Palace said the order would also lead to intensified intelligence

GATHERING IN THE kNAL THREE YEARS OF THE Duterte administration.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the directive of the President means that authorities “will have to do everything under the law to run after them (drug dealers).�

He however, said extrajudicial killings would not be tolerated. “It only means that there will be more buy-bust operations, more arrests and more intelligence work in order to dismantle completely the drug apparatus

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SC ORDERS DELIVERY OF CAMARINES BALLOTS NewsA2 OSCARS WINNERS AND LOSERS PARTY WITH CHAMPAGNE

EntertainmentE1

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

PICTO HAS NEW PRESIDENT

Outgoing Philippines Information Communications Technology Organization Inc. (PICTO) President Estrellita Juliano-Tamano congratulates newly elected President Erwin Galang during turnover ceremonies at Club Filipino. With them are Ronald Solis, Maricor Akol, Ramon ‘Ike’ SeĂąeres, Alberto Velasco, Yolly Mariano, Kristian Pura and Stanley Cabrera.

Galang will serve for two years.

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News

˜ The Manila Times WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

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Q President Rodrigo Duterte (8th from left) poses with Nur Misuari (7th from right) after their brief talk in MalacaĂąang on Monday night. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Murad assumes Bangsamoro 29-year-old ARMM from outgoing regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman.

In his inaugural speech, Ebrahim announced priorities of the BARMM under his leadership that include delivery of health and other basic services, as well as construction of roads, bridges, school buildings and other infrastructure.

Ebrahim designated a Maranao physician, Safrullah Dipatuan, to head the region’s Ministry of Health.

Ebrahim will concurrently head the Ministry of Public Works and Highways.

He designated Mohagher Iqbal, the chairman of the MILF Committee on Information, as head of the Ministry of Education.

Raissa Jajurie, a Tausug lawyer and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC), was selected to lead the Ministry of Social Work and Development.

Ghadzali Jaafar, the chairman of the BTC, will be the Speaker of the 80-member Parliament or the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).

Jaafar used to be the vice chairman for political affairs of the MILF.

level of jihad. Our jihad will be more intense and more challenging,� he said. “Give us the chance to turn into reality our aspirations. Without your support, we will not succeed in our jihad. Our success will be seeing that good governance will prevail in our New jihad system,� Ebrahim added.

However, a Moro leader said he Hataman vowed to assist the BTA to would establish a new faction to ensure the success of the new region. protest what he called a “virtual “Pormal kong isinisara ang ka- dictatorship� by the MILF. banata ng ARMM, at binubuksan Firdausi Abbas, also a member ang ating bagong kabanata ng of the BTC, questioned the ability BARMM (I am formally ending of the MILF to govern a new authe ARMM chapter as we open tonomous region in the country’s BARMM),� Hataman said.

CONlICT RIDDEN 3OUTH Ebrahim asked the BangsamAbbas, also a lawyer and recogORO PEOPLE TO HELP HIM kGHT NEW nized as Sultan of Lanao, said he enemies — graft and corruption, would “pursue the crusade along manipulation of government and PACIkST LINESu ONCE HE QUIT THE -ORO nepotism, among others.

National Liberation Front (MNLF). “We are now entering another The breakaway MNLF group

would be formally announced after a meeting in Cagayan de Oro City next week, he added.

Abbas represented the MNLF faction of Yusop Jikiri in the committee that initially drafted the Bangsamoro Organic Law. He, however, accused Jikiri and other MNLF leaders of “conspiring� with the MILF to make sure the latter would get majority of seats in the BTA. The MILF nominated 41 from its ranks to the 80-member transition government. “We see now the political power of the MILF and they’re grooming all their children to be the political kingpins in their areas,� Abbas was quoted as saying on national television.

On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte met with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari, and apologized to the rebel leader for the delay in the implementation of a proposed federal form of government in the country, MalacaĂąang said.

Duterte had a “short talk� with Misuari at the Palace on Monday

night, according to his former top aide and now aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go and his spokesman Salvador Panelo. “The meeting with MNLF Chairman Nur Misuari lasted only 15 minutes. They are going to meet again,� Panelo said in a NEWS BRIEkNG “What transpired last night was the President told the chairman that he admired his patience and he apologized for not having implemented or enforced whatever agreements that they had previously with regard to federalism and they will be talking again precisely for that,� he added.

The President’s closed-door meeting with Misuari came after Duterte revealed “rumblings� in the MNLF about the new Bangsamoro autonomous region.

The MNLF reportedly sought greater representation in the 80-member BTA after only five seats were allocated to the group.

Under the law creating the Bangsamoro region, the BTA will

be composed of 41 nominees from the MILF and 39 individuals nominated by the government.

Panelo said Misuari was set to leave on Tuesday night for trips to the United Arab Emirates and Morocco to attend meetings of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers and the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States. “The courts have allowed the MNLF chairman to travel to attend the OIC conference. There is a permission granted by the courts, the SandiganBAYAN SPECIkCALLY u HE ADDED The Sandiganbayan is hearing graft and malversation cases against Misuari over allegedly anomalous procurement when he was ARMM governor.

Misuari went into hiding after the 2013 Zamboanga siege, but has been granted temporary liberty

by Duterte when the latter came to power in 2016.

WITH MASIDING NOOR YAHYA AND CATHERINE S. VALENTE

SC orders delivery of Camarines ballots T

BY JOMAR CANLAS

gas, Iloilo.

Marcos questioned the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts, saying there was massive fraud. He lost to Robredo by only 263,473 votes.

In January, the high court said the result of the revision of ballots would be known as soon as it announced that the recount of ballots for pilot provinces was almost over.

The court said the revision of ballots was suspended to train revisors, but the recount would resume immediately.

Edgar Aricheta, clerk of court of the tribunal, had said the suspension of the recount would pave way for a second appraisal of ballot boxes.

In a four-page resolution, the high court directed the retrieval team to deliver ballot boxes in Nabua, Camarines Sur.

The revision involved 5,417 clustered precincts from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Iloilo and Negros Oriental. The recount of ballots

started in April last year. “The Tribunal resolved, upon the recommendation of Atty. Linuel G. Alindogan, Head, PET Retrieval Team, to Direct Anastacio O. Bongalos, Municipal Treasurer, Nabua, Camarines Sur, to deliver the ballot box of Clustered Precinct No. 30, composed of Precincts 0071D, 0072A, 0073A, 0074A, Brgy. La Purisima, Agupit, Municipality of Nabua Province of Camarines Sur, TO THE 0%4 /FkCE AT THE 3# #OURT of Appeals Building within 10 days from notice hereof,� the court said in its resolution.

The tribunal also said it took note of the “wet ballots� report dated Jan. 16, 2019 in Barangay Cali, Duman-

Q SHUTDOWN FROM A1

and grievances� on red tape; corruption in any national government agency, government-owned or -controlled corporation; and GOVERNMENT kNANCIAL INSTITUTION AND RELATED OFkCES )N 3EN ,EILA DE ,IMA kLED Senate Resolution 550 to investigate the complaint hotline.

She said the hotline failed to accommodate 1.4 million calls in

THE kRST kVE MONTHS OF OPERATION because the center was “undermanned.�

PLDT Inc. pledged to address Duterte’s complaint. “We’re gonna put more lines than the 20 mandated in the contract with the government and we will man it,� PLDT Chairman Manuel Pangilinan told reporters at the sidelines of a Manila Electric

#O -ERALCO BRIEkNG “We will forget what the agreement said so we will increase the number of lines to accommodate the calls and we will man it ourselves,� he added.

The PLDT chief said he was glad that Duterte had called their attention regarding the matter. “We apologize for that ... It’s a bit more complicated than what it appears,� he added.

was found to have assaulted, one died in 2014 of a drug overdose that his family blamed on the trauma he suffered.

The second victim said in a statement issued by his lawyer Tuesday that the ongoing legal process was stressful and “not over yet.� “Like many survivors I have experienced shame, loneliness, depression and struggle. Like many survivors it has taken me years to understand the impact upon my

life,� said the man, who has not BEEN PUBLICLY IDENTIkED Outside the County Court of Victoria, supporters of other abuse survivors yelled “monster� and “rot in hell� as Pell, walking slowly with the aid of a cane, got into a car after the hearing concluded.

A pre-sentencing hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, when Pell is expected to be remanded in custody.

He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if his appeal is rejected, pros-

ecutors have said.

Pell’s conviction is another blow to the Church, which has struggled to convince the world it is serious about tackling widespread child abuse and paedophilia.

Pell was appointed by Pope Francis to manage the Vatican finances in 2014 and was one of the pontiff’s closest advisors as a member of the so-called C9 council until being dropped from that body the day after his December 11 conviction. AFP

HE Supreme Court (SC), sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET), has ordered the delivery of more ballot boxes from the province of Camarines Sur and the discovery of more “wet ballots� in Iloilo in connection WITH THE ELECTION PROTEST kLED BY FORMER senator Ferdinand “Bongbong� Marcos Jr. against Vice President Leonor Robredo.

Expand On Oct. 14, 2016, Duterte signed Executive Order 6, which institutionalized the 8888 Citizens’ Hotline and Complaint Center.

The hotline and complaint center will serve as “a mechanism where citizens may report their complaints

Q CONVICTED FROM A1

Pope’s There was no immediate reaction from the Vatican but Pell maintained his innocence Tuesday.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “deeply shocked� by Pell’s conviction and that the justice system had shown “no Australian is above the law.�

Of the two choirboys that Pell

SENATE HONORS THE QUEEN Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd gives Resolution 140, recognizing and congratulating Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray on Tuesday.

PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

Bong Go pushes accessible housing FORMER special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go on Monday said he would push for measures that would help the government provide accessible housing for Filipinos.

It is estimated that 1 out of 5 residents of Metro Manila is an informal settler.

Every Filipino deserves a decent home, Go said in a rally of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago political party at the Valenzuela City Astrodome.

If he snags a seat at the Senate, he said he would push for measures that would help construct housing projects that are modeled after townships.

Each community, according to Go, would be complete with

a public market, transportation terminal, day care center and health center and given access to livelihood opportunities, so that residents no longer need to return to their previous settlements.

He cited one initiative of the local government as an example — the Disiplina Village in Barangay Bignay and Ugong in Valenzuela City.

Go said he also supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s project to construct safe, reliable and permanent evacuation centers.

Usually, schools and covered courts are used as evacuation cenTERS AND SUCH STRUCTURES ARE NOT kT for the needs of evacuees.

Go visited patients in the emergency room of the Valenzuela City Hospital to see how they were doing.

News

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TO STOP ENTRY OF ILLEGAL DRUGS

Sotto to Duterte: Activate Badac SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd on Tuesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to activate the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac) to help prevent the entry of illegal drugs.

He made the call amid reports that cocaine bricks were found lOATING IN 3URIGAO DEL 3UR $AVAO Oriental and Aurora.

President Duterte on Monday said guarding the country’s shorelines was a challenge. He added that the Medellin drug cartel could be behind the entry of the cocaine bricks.

Sotto said the Philippines has A LONGER SHORELINE THAN THE 53

WHICH MAKES IT DIFkCULT FOR THE Philippine Coast Guard to moniTOR (OWEVER VILLAGE DRUG COUNCILS could play a big role in preventing the entry of illegal drugs since local

OFkCIALS COULD MONITOR THEIR AREAS The Senate chief lamented that the previous administration did not activate the Badac. “DILG was saying that they were activating some time ago but very FEW FOLLOW )N FACT THE MORE IMportant ones covering the islands ARE NOT ACTIVATED u 3OTTO SAID

referring to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said anti-drug operatives should identify the heads of drug cartels who bring in illegal drugs “so that the full force of the law can be imposed upon them.’’ Duterte earlier said his administration was being boxed in by DRUG CARTELS WITH COCAINE DUMPED at the eastern seaboard.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

‘Don’t encroach on academic freedom’ &/2-%2 3ENATE PRESIDENT *UAN Ponce Enrile on Tuesday urged the government not to encroach on academic freedom even if schools continue to be targeted by groups advocating communism and other ideologies.

He made the remark amid the uproar over the proposal of National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema to cancel the subsidies of scholars who join anti-government rallies and demonstrations.

Cardema came under fire for asking President Rodrigo Duterte to issue an executive o r d e r d e ny i n g g ove r n m e n t scholarships to students allied with the Communist Party of THE 0HILIPPINES #00 THE .EW 0EOPLE S !RMY .0!

and the National Democratic &RONT .0! “I would not advocate that the government should intrude IN ACADEMIC FREEDOM u SAID %NRILE WHO IS SEEKING A COMEBACK in the Senate. “That’s why we allowed Ericson Baculinao to establish his own commune in [the University of the Philippines (UP)] in MY TIME SO LET THE PEOPLE KNOW what kind of a government they will expect if that ideology will PREVAIL u HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW Enrile was referring to the g$ILIMAN #OMMUNE u A GROUP OF STUDENTS FACULTY AND STAFF FROM 50 WHO BARRICADED THE

Diliman campus to protest worsening conditions during martial law.

The former Defense minisTER RECALLED THAT HE TOO WAS recruited by UP activists backing communism. g"UT EVEN AT THAT TIME ) DID not believe in many of theSEISMS SO ) HAD TO LEARN -ARXISM #OMMUNISM ,ENINISM

-AOISM FROM SCRATCH u HE SAID !CCORDING TO HIM SINCE THE establishment of the first communist state in Russia by VladiMIR ,ENIN IN COMMUNIST groups created a “movement FOR A UNITED FRONTu IN ORDER TO spread the ideology. g5NIVERSALLY GLOBALLY BEcause communism is a GLOBAL IDEOLOGY THEY TARGETED LABOR FARMERS FISHERMEN EDUCATORS TEACHERS UNIVERSITIES

colleges and all the social organizations in the society over TIME u %NRILE SAID “That’s why UP and the other SCHOOLS IN THE 0HILIPPINES AS IT WAS IN ALL OTHER COUNTRIES

was infiltrated. Even the media was infiltrated. That’s why you HAVE 4ONY :UMEL 3ATUR /CAMPO AND THE REST OF THEM u he said. “Even the churches WERE INFILTRATED u (OWEVER %NRILE SAID THAT although students should be given the freedom to explore IDEOLOGIES HE BELIEVED THAT Marxism was doomed to fail.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

PCSO gets new ISO certification THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has been awarded with the International Organization Standardization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System 1-3 CERTIFICATION WHICH IS FOCUSED ON LEADERSHIP RISK based thinking and context of the organization.

ISO 9001 is the title of an ISO standard that outlines the requirements an organization must maintain in its quality system. ISO 9001:2015 is the current VERSION OF THE STANDARD 0#3/ General Manager Alexander Balutan said.

It helps agencies or companies meet their customers requireMENTS FOR OUR PRODUCTS SERVICES

while fulfilling regulatory reQUIREMENTS HE ADDED The PCSO was certified under the ISO 9001:2008 QMS Certification by third-party auditor TUV Rheinland Philippines in December 2016 for the conduct and management of the online lottery draws and processing of prize claims amounting TO 0 AND ABOVE AND SUP-

port processes.

The PCSO has maintained its certification for the past three years.

"ALUTAN SAID THE CERTIkCATION WAS an assurance that the gaming public had an equal chance of winning with the strict implementation of draw PROCEDURES AND GAVE THE 0#3/ THE chance to be at par with its gaming counterparts all over the world. !IMEE DE 6ITERBO OFFICER IN charge of the Gaming TechnolOGY $EPARTMENT SAID THE )3/ mandates every organization to transition from the 2008 to the 2015 version of the standard to make its processes relevant and compliant with the requirements of the new version of the standard.

To comply with the new stanDARD THE 0#3/ INCLUDED THE Process of the Medical Services Department (MSD)-Out Patient Medical Services as part of its core processes. “We had to improve our core and support processes. It is the requirement of the standard THAT EACH ORGANIZATION CERTIkED under the QMS to continuously IMPROVE u DE 6ITERBO SAID

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

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Duterte to meet Pompeo

BY CATHERINE S. VALENTE

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will meet with US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to discuss “mutual concernsâ€? such as terrorism and security, MalacaĂąang said on Tuesday.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte and Pompeo would tackle “mutually BENEFICIALu ISSUES WHEN THEY MEET ON 4HURSDAY &EBRUARY

in MalacaĂąang.

“Any subject matter that is mutually beneficial to both countries will be discussed or any matter for the Secretary to RAISE u 0ANELO SAID Pompeo would be in the

0HILIPPINES FROM &EBRUARY TO -ARCH HIS DEPUTY SPOKESman Robert Palladino said in a STATEMENT ON &RIDAY Pompeo will travel to Manila after attending the second summit of US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader +IM *ONG 5N IN (ANOI 6IETNAM FROM &EBRUARY TO 4HE 53 OFkCIAL S VISIT COMES AS Duterte continues to strengthen ties with China despite a longrunning maritime dispute.

Panelo said the maritime dispute in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) would

also be discussed if Pompeo raises it. “ Kung i- raise ba ‘yon ni Secretary of State di mababanggit ‘yon (If the Secretary of State WOULD RAISE IT THEN IT WOULD BE DISCUSSED u HE SAID Panelo said the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Philippines and the US would also be tackled during Duterte’s meeting with Pompeo.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier raised concerns OVER gAMBIGUITIESu IN THE TREATY

calling for discussions to have it reviewed.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l Espenilla’s legacy of excellence in central banking

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HE nation, especially the banking community, mourns the early demise of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor Aldave Espenilla Jr., who belonged to a fine breed of homegrown, competent technocrats. He was the fourth governor of the reestablished central bank, one of the key economic reforms of the post-Marcos era.

Having lost his fight with cancer, Espenilla was unable to complete his term, unlike his predecessor, Amando Tetangco Jr., who served two six-year terms. But his litany of accomplishments as a central banker preceded his short stint as governor.

Espenilla held perhaps one of the most difficult jobs in government — making sure the nation’s banks don’t fail. For years, Espenilla held the deputy governorship in-charge of the BSP’s Supervision and Examination Sector, overseeing bank and even non-bank financial institutions and instituting riskbased regulations.

He had the unenviable task of shutting down problematic banks, including Banco Filipino and LBC Bank, as well as a host of undercapitalized rural banks. The job included fining violators of banking regulations, as in the case of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., which was made to pay P1 billion for its role in the 2016 Bangladesh Bank heist.

Espenilla was exposed to banking at a very tender age, with his mother establishing a rural bank in their native Masbate province in 1968. After high school studies at Ateneo de Manila University, he finished business economics, magna cum laude , at the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1981; his MBA a year after, also at UP; and policy studies at Japan’s National Graduate Institute for Policy Science.

He quickly built a reputation as a stern regulator and a public servant with integrity, never allowing his family background to influence his decisions.

Despite his tremendous influence and career success, Espenilla never forgot about the ordinary Filipino. Among the sound policies he had pursued was financial inclusion, which meant providing banking services to the multitude of the “unbanked,� and small entrepreneurs access to credit. The Philippine microfinance sector would not be as strong as it is today if not for Espenilla’s vision and guiding hand.

Filipinos who enjoy the convenience of electronic and online payment channels also have Espenilla to thank for; one of his principal achievements as deputy governor was the establishment of the National Retail Payment System, a policy and regulatory framework that aims to provide direction in carrying out retail payment activities through BSP-supervised financial institutions.

As BSP governor, Espenilla provided stability and continuity, and steered monetary policy throughout a period of heightened inflation. Under him, the BSP successfully lobbied Congress to pass a new charter, providing it with more financial and regulatory muscle.

The loss of Espenilla, known as “Nesting� to his colleagues and the business press, will be deeply felt for years to come. But we are confident that he has instilled his own brand of dedication, integrity, professionalism and competence in central banking on the BSP workforce, with whom he had served outstandingly for three decades. ~

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 137

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

Time to change the automated election law Part 6

I

N the proposed 2018 draft amendments to the Automated Election System (AES) Law, or RA 9369, the Technical Evaluation and Certification Committee (TECC) shall closely coordinate with a credible Project ManageMENT /FkCE 0-/ Let’s analyze further why the PMO is a critical success factor to a genuine AES law compliance.

To begin with, let’s define basic terminologies. A project, like implementing the AES every three years, has a precise start and end in time with corresponding defined scope and resources. In the Philippine context, an AES project becomes a routine operation whose project team includes people from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) primarily, different government agencies (i.e., DICT, DoST, DepEd, joint congressional oversight committee, or JCOC, etc.), private and nongovernment organizations (i.e., AES vendor like Smartmatic, telecommunications companies, Comelec-accredited citizens’ arms like Namfrel and PPCRV, watchdogs like AES Watch, etc.), and political parties and candidates. The

LET’S FACE IT!

NELSON CELIS latter shall be involved in project activities such as access, review and testing of AES-related equipment and source codes and in the activation of continuity and contingency measures. On the other hand, the project management of AES is the application of knowledge in AES law and IT governance, combined with practice of IT skills, tools and techniques to fully operationalize an AES on the exact date of the national and local elections.

We can summarize the AES project management processes into five stages: 1) initiating – Comelec shall create a Comelec Advisory Council (CAC) which shall be convened not later than 18 months prior to the next electoral exercise. The CAC then recommends the most appropriate, secure, applicable and cost-effective technology to be applied in the AES. Referring also to its previous recommendation to Congress, the JCOC approves

what CAC recommended; 2) planning – Comelec and CAC come up with an AES implementation plan. Based on the plan, the former procures the necessary resources; 3) AES implementation – AES vendor delivers AES components, Comelec conducts source CODE REVIEWS kELD TESTING MOCK ELECTIONS TEST CERTIkCATIONS OF !%3 components and activation of continuity plan and contingency measures; 4) executing, monitoring and controlling – Comelec conducts the elections: counting, electronic transmission of digitally signed election results, canvassing, random manual audits, system audits and proclamation of winning candidates; 5) closing – CAC submits a written report about its analysis of the AES implementation to the JCOC within six months from the date of election. The JCOC then conducts a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of the performance of the different AES technologies implemented and shall make appropriate recommendations to Congress. The JCOC shall be deactivated six months after completion of canvassing.

Come to think of it, AES project management is quite a complex routine job for the Comelec. It is

handled by an internal PMO whose members are Comelec organic employees and supported by external consultants. As regards our experiences in the last three elections as observed by AES Watch, there had been disconnections in the AES project management processes, and this could be attributed to the lack of implementing rules and regulations (IRR) that Comelec has failed to promulgate since 1997.

Compared with the recent signed laws by President Duterte like the Universal Health Care Act, or RA 11223, concerned government agencies are in a hurry to come up with corresponding IRR, not to wait forever like the IRR of the AES law.

The existence of IRR, articulating the policies, rules, guidelines and procedures, is a critical success factor in having a clear understanding about managing the AES project.

The AES law stipulates the general provisions but does not explain, say, how to generate the voterVERIkED PAPER AUDIT TRAIL OR VOTER S receipt or how to digitally sign the election returns. Ironically, Comelec misinterpreted the voter’s receipt as the ballot paper itself, though the Supreme Court ruled before the 2016 elections that such receipt is generated by the voting

ÂłCelisA5

The hard men of DU30 just lift from Aquino 3rd playbook MIDWEEK A COMMENTS LL those aspiring to be president of France, regardless of ideology and creed, start their campaigns in the countryside.

To pledge their undying loyalty to the small French farmers, to unequivocally state that support for these farms will be allweather and unfailing, and say that the undying concern for those who till the soil and raise animals on a small scale will be there as long as France exists.

Gaullists, leftists, center-right, conservative candidates make that pledge, perhaps the only theme that is common and encompassing among the contenders. There is a phrase, eloquently said in that language, about the concern and commitment from those who lead for those who work the small farms. I just lost my notes on that exact phrase.

Mr. Duterte assumed the presidency precisely on that general message. Help the small. Support the weak. Turn the attention of government to those sectors rendered invisible by the social darwinism of Benigno Aquino 3rd. Like farmers. Like workers.

Three years into that historic promise and inaugural, the weak and the invisible, small farmers in particular, remain invisible. Or, in much worse shape than during the time of Mr. Aquino. What happened is easy to explain. The hard men have primacy over the all-tooimportant economic policies and Mr. Duterte cannot seem to fathom the wreckage from these hard and brutal policies. Mr. Duterte rose to

MARLEN V. RONQUILLO prominence on the promise that he would be the anti-Aquino. His economic managers, untethered and with full powers and discretion, would have thrived in the general environment of economic orthodoxy under Mr. Aquino. Because they draw their policies from the Aquino playbook.

Mr. Aquino’s singular obsession during his six years in power was GDP growth, which is growth that is agnostic, or does not simply care, on how gains from that growth are spread out and distributed.

Looking into the now, there is really no difference. The obsession is still the GDP. In the tortured narrative of Budget Secretary, aka Insertion Czar, Benjamin Diokno, there was entirely no reason not to downgrade agriculture and shift the funding priority to other sectors.

And adopt the big policies like declaring the open season for rice and sugar importation, with no regard on how this would impact rice farmers and sugar planters.

Just let the small and diminishing contribution of agriculture to GDP sink in, said Diokno, and you will realize the justness of our anti-agri decisions. Service is ascendant, agriculture is downhill. The doomed efforts of the

legislators who pleaded for agricultural support were trumped

by Mr. Diokno’s GDP invocation.

Then and now, GDP is still king.

As if on cue, the Finance secretary, Carlos Dominguez, eased out the Agriculture secretary from the chairmanship of the National Food Authority Council, apparently in order to ram through the council a decision to fast-track the unlimited importation of rice, even without the required implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the newly signed law on rice liberalization.

The objective here is to rein in INlATION STABILIZE THE kSCAL SITUAtion and achieve the GDP goals.

The same trifecta of obsessions of Mr. Aquino and his money men is now the same trifecta of obsession of Mr. Duterte and his money men.

Anything that could possibly derail the growth, budget and inlATION TARGETS EVEN IF THIS MEANS the lives of the millions of small farmers who Mr. Duterte vowed to protect and defend, are fair game to the new economic mandarins, who never really departed from the Aquino-era economic orthodoxies.

Those observant enough must have noticed the policy area where the policy predisposition and bent of both the Aquino and Duterte forces had converged. Exhibit A is the newly passed law that liberalized the importation of rice, the scuttling of the quantitative restriction on rice imports in favor of tariffs and the link of the twin policies ON THE OVERALL EFFORT TO TAME INlATION REIN IN THE DEkCIT AND ACHIEVE

the dream GDP growth level.

After the passage of the rice import liberalization law, the policy hacks of both the Aquino camp and the Duterte camp praised the law to high heavens. Invoking THE INlATED kGURE OF MILLION consumers who, allegedly, will BENEkT IMMENSELY FROM THE LIBeralization policy.

There was no mention of the 3 million small rice farmers, whose inexorable march to extinction would start this week, as the go-ahead signal to start with the liberal regime of rice importation would start on the same week.

Who cares about the weak and the voiceless? Not the Aquino camp of free market zealots. Not the Duterte camp that just lifts from the economic playbook of the Aquino administration.

The supposed P10 billion to be allotted yearly to support the rice farmers, according to reports, will mainly go to farm mechanization and accessed through PhilRice.

What? Water, credit and seeds are the primary needs of small rice farmers. The mini-tractors and threshers are implements they can themselves acquire once harvests are plenty and farmgate prices are fair enough. PhilRice is a research agency, not a dole-out entity.

Farmgate prices for palay has dropped to P13.50 per kilogram in most Central Luzon farming areas. With Train, the production cost is about P14 per kg now.

For the 3 million rice farmers, their paddies are now their own gas chambers.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Opinion

A5

Q TATAD FROM A1

‘I’ve done all I promised,’ why don’t you know it?

(IS PROMISE WAS TO SOLVE THAT TRAFFIC MESS IN DAYS )T IS STILL THERE AFTER THREE YEARS BUT $5 SAYS IT S THE ONLY PROMISE he could not keep.

What is the truth in this? It is SUCH A STAGGERING CLAIM THAT ) HAD TO ASK THE HELP OF MY BROADCASTER FRIEND AND '.. CO ANCHOR !RIEL !YALA TO CHECK IT OUT 7HAT PROMISES DID $5 MAKE BEFORE AND AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST !ND what is his record of compliance?

Promise No. 1: ‘I’ll jet-ski to the 3PRATLYS TO PLANT THE 0HILIPPINE lAG 4HIS WAS MADE DURING THE presidential debate when the ISSUE OF 0HILIPPINE CLAIMS IN THE 3PRATLYS CAME UP AND THE CANDIDATES WERE ASKED HOW THEY would uphold the nation’s soverEIGN RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF #HINA S HEGEMONIC STANCE $5 HAD THE MOST IMPRESSIVE RESPONSE (E PROMISED TO DISPLAY LEADERSHIP

and I applauded him for it.

"UT ON *ULY

WHEN THE 0ERMANENT #OURT OF !RBITRATION AT 4HE (AGUE RULED IN FAVOR OF THE 0HILIPPINES IN ITS ARBITRATION CASE AGAINST "EIJING $5 NOT ONLY FAILED TO JET SKI AND PLANT THE 0HILIPPINE lAG ON ANY CLAIMED 0HILIPPINE TERRITORY BUT CHOSE TO SET ASIDE THE ARBITRAL RULING IN EXCHANGE FOR #HINA S PROMISE OF economic aid and investments.

When I last checked, China HAS NOT ONLY RECLAIMED MARITIME FEATURES CLAIMED BY THE 0HILIPpines but also militarized them, INSTALLING MISSILE SYSTEMS IN some, and an air defense idenTIFICATION SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES ALL AIRCAFT AND SHIPS PASSING THE AREA TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES TO THE #HINESE AUTHORITIES $5 himself said China is now in EFFECTIVE CONTROL AND IS UNLIKELY TO BE DISLODGED FROM THE AREA

EXCEPT POSSIBLY BY FORCE )N A STANDOFF BETWEEN THE 0HILIPPINE .AVY AND THE #HINESE MARITIME FLEET IN 3CARBOROUGH 3HOAL PREVENTED &ILIPINO kSHERMEN FROM kSHING IN ITS WATERS

$AYS BEFORE HE ASSUMED OFkCE ON *UNE

$5 ASSURED THE kSHERMEN ‡ AND WE COULD perhaps call this his Promise No. 2 — that “there’ll be no instance WHEN WE LL SURRENDER OUR RIGHTS OVER 3CARBOROUGH 3HOAL u 4HE LAST TIME ) CHECKED #HINA REMAINS IN CONTROL OF 3CARBOROUGH

AND HAS IN FACT ACCUSED THE 53 OF VIOLATING #HINA S SOVEREIGNTY WHEN THE GUIDED MISSILE DESTROYER 533 (OPPER REPORTEDLY SAILED WITHIN MILES OF ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS 0ROMISE .O @) LL SOLVE THE DRUG problem in three to six months.’ 5PON ASSUMPTION OF THE PRESIDENCY $5 DECIDED THE COUNTRY S MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM WAS ILLEGAL DRUGS !GAINST THE 0HILIPPINE $RUG %NFORCEMENT !GENCY S 0$%! S ESTIMATE OF MILLION ILLEGAL DRUG USERS $5 SAID THE CORRECT kGURE WAS AT LEAST MILLION $RUG SUSPECTS HAD TO be eliminated, and he said, “I’ll BE HAPPY TO SLAUGHTER AT LEAST MILLION u 4HAT COULD BE HIS Promise No. 4. ‘I’ll be happy TO SLAUGHTER AT LEAST MILLION (E HAS FAILED TO FULkLL HIS Promise No. 3 BUT HAPPILY HE HAS ALSO FAILED TO FULkLL Promise No. 4.

3EVERAL MEGA SHIPMENTS OF SHABU CRYSTAL METH ARE REPORTED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE FAST LANE

past the police, customs and narCOTIC AUTHORITIES 4HIS TENDS TO CONkRM THE SUSPICION THAT THE COUNTRY HAS BECOME A THRIVING NARCO STATE WHERE PETTY DRUG PUSHERS AND USERS ARE ROUTINELY KILLED IN ORDER TO eliminate the “competition� to the REAL DRUG LORD OR LORDS RUNNING THE MAINLINE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE 0ROMISE .O @) LL kRE ANYONE on just a whiff of corruption.’ ,AST *UNE $5 WENT ON A kRING SPREE CHOPPING OFF HEADS WITHOUT AN INVESTIGATION OR ANY CONCLUSIVE PROCESS 4HIS CREATED IMPRESSIVE AND sensational headlines in the press.

"UT AMONG THOSE WHO WERE SACKED FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION SEVERAL WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REHIRED WITHOUT ANY explanation, and none of the rest

WERE CRIMINALLY CHARGED AND PROSECUTED FOR THEIR ALLEGED OFFENSES 4HE CLASSIC EXAMPLE IS .IC &Aeldon, who had been relieved as Customs commissioner, after havING BEEN IMPLICATED IN THE ILLEGAL SHIPMENT OF CRYSTAL METH WORTH 0 BILLION MILLION (E WAS SUBJECTED TO 3ENATE $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE AND /MBUDSMAN INVESTIGATIONS BUT WITHOUT BEING CLEARED IN ANY OF THESE PROCEEDINGS HE WAS NAMED $IRECTOR 'ENERAL OF THE "UREAU OF #ORRECTIONS WHOSE MAIN FACILITY THE "ILIBID 0RISON HAS BEEN IDENTIkED BY $5 HIMSELF AS THE CENTER OF ILLEGAL DRUG PRODUCTION and operations. #ONSEQUENTLY VERY FEW APPEAR TO TAKE $5 S ANTI CORRUPTION PRONOUNCEMENTS SERIOUSLY )N

4RANSPARENCY )NTERNATIONAL S #ORRUPTION 0ERCEPTION )NDEX RANKED THE 0HILIPPINES TH IN A LIST OF COUNTRIES AS AGAINST ITS PREVIOUS RANKING OF .O WHEN $5 ASSUMED OFkCE )N ITS !PRIL REPORT THE 53 4RADE 2EPRESENTATIVE SAID CORRUPTION REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT BARRIER TO TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN THE 0HILIPPINES 4HIS CONCLUSION APPEARS TO BE SHARED BY PRIVATE GROUPS LIKE THE GLOBAL BUSINESS ADVISORY kRM 4ENEO 3TRATEGY WHICH WOULD LIKE to see a more focused and more VERIkABLE ANTI CORRUPTION DRIVE Promise No. 6: ‘I’ll end contractualization in six months.’ 4HIS AFFECTS COUNTLESS WORKERS

PARTICULARLY WOMEN IN SHOPPING malls and other establishments.

4HEY ARE HIRED FOR FIVE MONTHS AND AUTOMATICALLY LAID OFF AFTER THAT PERIOD SO THAT THEY MAY NOT CLAIM ANY POSSIBLE BENEkTS GIVEN TO REGULAR EMPLOYEES 4HERE HAS BEEN A GENUINE CRY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE from this sector and from the rest OF THE POPULATION WHO RECOGNIZE THE PLIGHT OF THE WORKERS !GAIN

$5 S RESPONSE DURING THE PRESIdential debate was impressive.

"UT TOWARD THE MIDDLE OF HIS term, he said he did not have the power to end contractualization.

Q CELIS FROM A4

Time to change the 4 automated election law machine. In last week’s article, THE SOURCE CODE REVIEW kNDINGS were explained in detail. One of which was the Comelec’s option to PROCEED WITHOUT THE DIGITAL SIGNING FACILITY OF THE $)#4 AND THAT the i-button will continue to be USED FOR GENERATING THE MACHINE SIGNATURE 5NDER THE !%3 LAW IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE MANNER OF DETERMINING THE AUTHENTICITY AND DUE EXECUTION OF THE CERTIkCATES shall conform with the appropriATE AUTHENTICATION AND CERTIkCAtion procedures for electronic SIGNATURES AS PROVIDED IN 2!

OR THE E #OMMERCE !CT OF AS WELL AS THE RULES PROMULGATED BY THE 3UPREME #OURT I E 2ULES ON %LECTRONIC %VIDENCE 4HE MISINterpretations of the intentions of THE !%3 LAW IS IN ITSELF A DISCONNECTION AND COULD AFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE !%3 PROJECT MANAGEMENT Further, the source code review HAS BEEN OVERDUE SINCE &EBRUARY 4HE REVIEW IS EXTENDED UNTIL NEXT MONTH -ARCH !S MANDATED BY LAW THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS -AY

THE 4ECHNICAL %VALUATION #OMMITTEE 4%# THROUGH AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL CERTIFYING ENTITY I E 0RO 6 6 )NC SHOULD HAVE ALREADY CERTIkED THAT THE !%3 IS OPERATING PROPERLY SECURELY AND ACCURATELY 4HE NONCOMPLETION of the source code review and its CERTIkCATION ON TIME IS A MANIFESTATION OF POOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT 4HERE WAS DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE #OMELEC S 0-/ AND THE 4%# IN TERMS OF THE CERTIkCAtion timeline. For sure, had there BEEN EARLY 0-/ PLANNING WITH THE 4%# THE 0RO 6 6 )NC COULD HAVE ALREADY DONE ITS PART 7HAT ABOUT THE INVENTORY COMpletion of the telecommunication hubs and electrical power nationWIDE #ONTINUITY PLAN AND CONTINGENCY MEASURES (AS THERE BEEN ANY CERTIkCATIONS IN ANY OF THESE (AVE

the political parties and candidates participated in the tests? What is the 0-/ DOING IN THIS REGARD !NOTHER MAJOR DISCONNECT IS THE #!# AND THE *#/# 4HE #!# HAD RELIGIOUSLY SUBMITTED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS BUT *#/# never had a chance to deliberATE ON IT &OR EXAMPLE THE #!# HAD RECOMMENDED IN NOT TO USE THE 0#/3 MACHINES OF 3MARTMATIC IN ONWARDS AND IT ENDORSED IN THE USE OF MIXED TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE ELECTIONS BUT *#/# DIDN T BOTHER TO CONSIDER THESE 4HE DISCONNECT IN THE #!# *#/# IS CAUSED BY THE ABSENCE OF REGULAR *#/# HEARINGS %VENTUALLY THE #!# *#/# disconnect created a domino EFFECT CAUSING MORE DISCONNECTS BETWEEN *#/# AND #OMELEC

LEAVING THE LATTER TO DECIDE ON ITS OWN TO ACQUIRE !%3 TECHNOLOGIES THROUGH OPTION TO PURCHASE TWICE ‡ kRST IN AND AGAIN IN .OTWITHSTANDING THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE *#/# AND #ONGRESS AS THERE WAS NO appropriate recommendations SUBMITTED BY THE FORMER TO THE LATTER IN SESSION (AD THERE BEEN A CREDIBLE 0-/ IT WOULD HAVE sounded off the Comelec en BANC TO REMIND THE *#/# TO CALL A HEARING "UT THERE WAS NONEĂœ 7ITH THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE !%3 PROJECT BY #OMELEC S 0-/ SINCE THE RESULT WAS the repeated noncompliance of #OMELEC WITH THE !%3 LAW 4HERE WERE SO MANY DISCONNECTIONS AMONG THE PROJECT TEAM PLAYERS 4O STOP HISTORY REPEATING ITself, the draft amendments to 2! PROPOSE A CREDIBLE AND INDEPENDENT 0-/ WHICH WILL complement the Comelec and THE PROPOSED !%3 "OARD What are the functions of the proPOSED 0-/ AND WHO ARE ITS MEMBERS

4O BE CONTINUED

#ONGRESS ALONE CAN AND SHOULD DO IT HE SAID 4HUS THE TERM gENDOu — end of contract — which countLESS WORKERS WERE HOPING TO BANISH forever remains one of the saddest realities of their lives.

Promise No. 7: ‘I’ll stop rice SMUGGLING IN THREE DAYS Outside of the short period of time under -ARCOS WHEN THE 0HILIPPINES became self-sufficient in rice, THE COUNTRY HAS ALWAYS IMPORTED RICE FROM ITS NEIGHBORS 4HIS WAS because importation made more MONEY FOR THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS THAN RICE GROWING DID FOR THE FARMERS /F COURSE THE SMUGGLING LORDS USUALLY IN CAHOOTS WITH CORRUPT POLITICIANS MADE THE LARGEST PILE 3TOPPING SMUGGLING IN THREE DAYS MADE SUCH A BIG SPLASH IN THE minds of the farmers.

4OGETHER WITH THIS Promise No. 8 said: ‘I’ll make sure there’s rice on the table and it’s affordable.’ $5 GAVE HIS ALL POWERFUL #ABINET 3ECRETARY ,EONCIO %VASCO *R OVERALL AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER HIS RICE SUPPLY PROGRAM AND PUT #OL *ASON !QUINO ONE OF HIS CAMPAIGN SECURITY AIDES IN CHARGE OF THE .ATIONAL &OOD !UTHORITY AND RICE PROCUREMENT %VASCO AND !QUINO EVENTUALLY CLASHED ON THE SHARING of power and the spoils therefrom. !QUINO LOST IN THE POWER STRUGGLE

BUT WAS REPORTEDLY gRESCUEDu BY AN INlUENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL FAMILY MEMBER (E WAS THEN ALLOWED TO SLIP FROM PUBLIC VIEW WITHOUT ANY CHARGES OR SCANDAL Meanwhile, rice — cheap ricedisappeared from the stalls, and reappeared mixed with “weevil� bukbok IN &ILIPINO HARDLY kT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION )N :AMBOANGA #ITY THE PRICE OF THE STAPLE REACHED 0 PER KILOGRAM THE HIGHEST IN OUR HISTORY AS A RICE EATING NATION !S THE rate of inflation shot past the ROOF ‡ THE HIGHEST IN YEARS ‡ THE 3ECRETARY OF !GRICULTURE WAS heard to propose that the cost of food should be taken out of the #ONSUMERS 0RICE )NDEX WHEN

COMPUTING THE RATE OF INlATION 4HIS WAS LIKE THE APOCRYPHAL STORY ABOUT -AGSAYSAY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PRICE OF RICE IN ONE #ABINET MEETING 7HEN the economic adviser said the PRICE WAS DICTATED BY THE LAW OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY gTHE 'UYu said, “then I’ll have to repeal this LAW OF DEMAND AND SUPPLY u 4O WHICH 3ENATE 0RESIDENT !MANG 2ODRIGUEZ SAID g/NLY THE #ONGRESS CAN DO THAT -R 0RESIDENT u Promise No. 9: Immediately after the election, as soon as it became clear he would be the next president, DU30 said: ‘I’ll START NATIONAL HEALING )T OFFERED A GREAT PROMISE "UT ALL THE CONTRARY FORCES INTERVENED 4HE EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING OF DRUG SUSPECTS BEGAN AND BECAME THE PRIMARY PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT )T CONTINUED amid outcries from the Church, FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS THE 5NITED .ATIONS AND VARIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS $5 ENDED SLAMMING 'OD THE CLERGY FOREIGN DIGNITARIES AND EVERYONE WHO DARED CRITICIZE HIS EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS Promise No. 10. ‘Peace with the Reds on Christmas (2016).’ ! COALITION GOVERNMENT WITH the communists appeared to be $5 S kRST PRIORITY (E NAMED several members of the ComMUNIST 0ARTY OF THE 0HILIPPINES .EW 0EOPLE S !RMY .ATIONAL $EMOCRATIC &RONT #00 .0! .$& TO HIS #ABINET AND ORDERED the resumption of peace talks BETWEEN THE .$& AND THE 0HILIPPINE GOVERNMENT 3OME PEOPLE called it peace talks between .$& AND .$& "UT THE TALKS UNEXPECTEDLY BROKE DOWN ON SOME UNUSUALLY ACERBIC EXCHANGES BETWEEN $5 AND FOUNDING #00 CHAIRMAN *OSE -ARIA 3ISON 3OME ANALYSTS HAVE SUGGESTED the talks broke down because of PRESSURE FROM THE MILITARY ‡ THEY OPPOSED THE IDEA OF BEING RUN BY THE COMMUNISTS (OWEVER ALL THE MAJOR communist Cabinet appointees are

GONE NOW SO $5 HAS DECIDED to revive the peace talks with the SUPPORT OF THE ARMED FORCES (AVING GAINED POPULAR SUPPORT IN THE PLEBISCITE FOR THE /RGANIC ,AW ON THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO $5 APPARENTLY BELIEVES PEACE WITH THE communists should be the next tarGET FOR HIS GOVERNMENT 4HAT S A GOAL WORTH PURSUING BUT IT S NOT YET THERE $5 HAS MADE MORE PROMises than this column can accomMODATE 4HESE INCLUDE A $EPARTment for Overseas Filipino WorkERS A MAJOR RAILWAY AND RELATED TRANSPORT SYSTEMS FOR -INDANAO AND THE 6ISAYAS A DECONGESTED .!)! EXTENDING ALL THE WAY UP TO #LARK !IR "ASE NEW PLATES FOR ALL VEHICLES AND WI k IN PUBLIC PLACES !ND A LOT MORE "UT IT WOULD BE UNFAIR TO HOLD $5 ON TO ALL THOSE PROMISES JUST BECAUSE HE happened to have talked about them in some of his speeches. We NEEDED TO BE GUIDED BY WHAT HIS kRST SPOKESMAN %RNESTO !BELLA TOLD THE NATION IN ‡ THAT OUT OF EVERY kVE STATEMENTS $5 MADE ONLY TWO SHOULD BE TAKEN IN EARNEST (OW THEN SHOULD WE TAKE HIS ,AGUNA STATEMENT *** ). -%-/2)!- 0ROF 4OMAS "USTOS ,OPEZ *R PRESIDENT OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF -AKATI AND WELL KNOWN LECTURER AT THE !SIAN )NSTITUTE OF -ANAGEMENT AND !TENEO DE -ANILA 5NIVERSITY DIED IN THE PEACE OF /UR ,ORD ON &EBRUARY AT (IS REMAINS LIE IN STATE AT THE (ERITAGE -EMORIAL #HAPELS IN 4AGUIG 4HEY ARE SCHEDULED TO BE CREMATED TODAY 4OM LEFT MANY STUDENTS AND FRIENDS WHO FONDLY remember him for his wisdom and kindness. One favorite quote OF HIS SAYS g7E MUST NEVER FORGET who we are, and whom we are for, and what we have to do for those FOR WHOM WE ARE u ) ASK THE GENTLE READER TO OFFER A PRAYER FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF HIS SOUL 4HANK YOU

FSTATAD GMAIL COM

Scoundrels and the ‘negatives’ list

(% #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS #OMELEC HAS COME OUT WITH THE kNAL LIST OF THOSE RUNNING FOR THE 3ENATE NAMES ARE VYING FOR SLOTS 0UNDITS PREDICT ONLY THE kRST NAMES EXTRACTED FROM POLLING SYNDICATES 373 0ULSE !SIA WILL have a statistical chance of winNING A SEAT 4HIS COULD BE TRUE AS

HISTORICALLY THE DOMINANT NAMES have been those of incumbents RUNNING FOR ANOTHER TERM !DDED TO the mix are popular actors, media personalities, athletes, entertainers and delusional “wannabes� with qualifications alien from those which the position demands.

4HIS SPECTACLE IS REPEATED TRIENNIALLY WHEN WE SURRENDER TO these persistent suitors our preCIOUS COLLECTIVE POLITICAL HYMEN ON THE ONE DAY WE ARE SEEMINGLY IN CONTROL FOR A PERVERTED GUARANTEE OF THREE YEARS OF RAPE AND DEBAUCHERY 4HE MAJORITY of voters will acquiesce to their entreaties, or sell their voters to THE HIGHEST BIDDER %VERY ELECTION CYCLE WE SELL OUR SOULS -ANY OF these branded names we elect COME FROM POLITICAL DYNASTIES whose concept of public service IS PRIMARILY TO SERVE THEIR OWN -ANY OF THEM ARE CROOKS CORRUPT traditional politicians who have PERFECTED THE ART OF KLEPTOCRACY

WHILE SHARING FROM TIME TO TIME a pittance of their loot with their respective dispersed but pliable CONSTITUENCY -ANY OF THESE SENATORS BELONG TO THE TRASH PILE THE BOTTOM FEEDERS WHO DURING THEIR incumbencies prove themselves TO BE ADEPT AT LINING THEIR POCKETS with the people’s treasure.

4ODAY ASSISTED IN PART BY POLLSTERS BOTH LEGITIMATE AND SEEDY

and for a fee, avail of Facebook APPS TO ARTIkCIALLY BOLSTER THEIR NUMBERS THEY ENGINEER STATS PROJECTING THEIR POPULARITY ‡ THE BASIC INGREDIENT THE UNWARY VOTERS OFTEN RELY ON 3OCIAL MEDIA INDEED IS A TWO EDGED SWORD LOGISTICS AND FUNDS ARE STILL THE PRIMARY ENGINES 0REDICTIONS OF SO CALLED POLITICAL COGNOSCENTI

LITO MONICO C. LORENZANA therefore have narrowed down THE LIST TO JUST TO NAMES ) DISAGREE WITH THIS MECHANICS OF EXCLUSION 4HERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW AGAINST THIS ) SAY ITS HIGH TIME WE REALLY LOOK INTO THESE NAMES AND DECIDE IF THEY ARE WORTHY TO REPRESENT US IN THE HIGHEST ECHELON OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND CONVERSELY IF WE DESERVE TO BE ALLOWED THE RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE to elevate these people to such POSITIONS THIS COMING -AY ELECTIONS AND BEYOND MINDFUL OF 4HOMAS *EFFERSON S ADMONITION

g4HE GOVERNMENT YOU ELECT IS THE GOVERNMENT YOU DESERVE u #OMELEC FOR WHATEVER DECENCY it still possesses, must attempt TO LEAD THIS TYPE OF ENDEAVOR

gLEVELING THE PLAYING kELDu FOR ALL LEGITIMATE CANDIDATES ) AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT ALL THE CURrent branded names are on the lIP SIDE OF THE GOOD THE DECENT AND TRUE 7E HAVE AMONG THEM people with track records of excellent public service.

We are imperfect voters, prone TO ELEVATE DANGEROUSLY FLAWED people to positions of power who lack the requisite modicum of PERSPICACITY ON WHAT IT TAKES TO be true servants of the people. We are inconsistent and biased votERS EXPOSED TO THE VALUES WE GROW up with and captives of our culTURE 7E ARE THEREFORE INlUENCED

BY OPINIONS OF FRIENDS COLLEAGUES and those within our milieu. We ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HERD MENTALITY WITH THE TENDENCY TO CONFORM TO OURS PEERS IN A GROUP WHERE WE COMFORTABLY BELONG AND THEREfore adopt “certain behavior on A LARGELY EMOTIONAL RATHER THAN rational basis.�

(AVING SAID THIS LET ME DISTURB YOU AND TAKE YOU OUT OF YOUR COMfort zone. I start with a counsel FROM 'EORGE /RWELL WHO

PUT IT SUCCINCTLY g! PEOPLE THAT elect corrupt politicians, impostors, thieves, and traitors are not victims, but accomplices.â€? I will not attempt TO PRESENT MY CHOICES 4HEY SHALL remain names “en pectore.â€? ) WILL INSTEAD PROFFER A gNEGAtives listâ€? culled out from social MEDIA ‡ &" 4WITTER BLOGS AND POSTINGS 3URFING THROUGH THE INTERNET THREE GLARING NAMES EMERGE ALL FORMER SENATORS ‡ %STRADA 2EVILLA AND %NRILE 4HESE ARE MEMBERS OF A CLOSE FRATERNITY WITH SINGULAR DISTINCTION 4HE three were â€œâ€Śimplicated in the 0$!& SCHEME SUPPOSEDLY MASTERMINDED BY BUSINESSWOMAN *ANET ,IM .APOLES WHO WAS CONVICTED OF PLUNDER IN HER CASE WITH 2EVILLA 3HE IS ACCUSED OF FUNNELING 0 BILLION OF LAWMAKERS FUNDS INTO BOGUS NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS u #.. 0HILIPPINE STAFF !S A DISCLAIMER THESE personalities have no personal ties with this columnist, nor have ) EXCHANGED RECENT PLEASANTRIES WITH THEM ) DOUBT THEY KNOW ME OR READ MY COLUMNS %NRILE WAS GRANTED BAIL IN on “special humanitarian and COMPELLING CIRCUMSTANCES u 4HE same is questionable as bail is not allowed on plunder cases. %NRILE S PLUNDER TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY RECEIVING 0 MILLION IN KICKBACKS FROM PROJECTS FUNDED

BY HIS OFkCE S PORK BARREL AT THE 3ANDIGANBAYAN STARTS THIS MONTH (E IS FURTHER CHARGED WITH COUNTS OF GRAFT ! PAINFUL TWIST here is that â€œâ€Śthe crucial link to %NRILE ARE TWO WOMEN HIS FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF 'IGI 2EYES AND SOCIALITE 2UBY 4UASON 4UASON SAID SHE GOT KICKBACKS FOR %NRILE FROM *ANET ,IM .APOLES AND SHE COURSED THEM THROUGH 2EYES u 2APPLER &EB 2EYES HAS NOT BEEN GRANTED BAIL AND IS NOW LANGUISHING IN JAIL 3OCIALITE 4UASON A MEMBER OF ONE OF -ANILA S ELITE FAMILIES RETURNED 0 million of her share in the scam AND SAVED HER SKIN BY RATTING ON her accomplices.

*INGGOY %STRADA HAD AN UNresolved plunder case when he RAN AND WON A 3ENATE SEAT IN (E WAS LET OUT OF JAIL AFTER POSTING A 0 MILLION BAIL FOR HIS SECOND PLUNDER AND GRAFT CHARGES IN 3EPTEMBER 7HEN HE kLED HIS CERTIkCATE OF CANDIDACY IN /CTOBER LAST YEAR %STRADA DECLARED WITH ARROGANCE HE WAS CONFIDENT HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEment in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam would not affect his chances to win a senatorial SEAT IN THE ELECTIONS -EANTIME "ONG 2EVILLA WAS ACQUITTED BY THE 3ANDIGANBAYAN on his plunder case but posted BAIL ON OTHER GRAFT CASES "UT HIS CHIEF OF STAFF 2ICHARD #AMBE AND .APOLES WERE FOUND GUILTY OVER THE DIVERSION OF 2EVILLA S DISCRETIONARY FUNDS 4HE THREE WERE ASKED BY PROSECUTORS TO PAY GOVERNMENT AS THE THREE ACCUSED were “SOLIDARILY AND JOINTLY LIABLE TO RETURN TO THE NATIONAL TREASURY the amount of 0

u AS CIVIL LIABILITY 4HIS IS CURRENTLY BEING CONTESTED WHILE THE GOOD EX SENATOR AGAIN kLED HIS CERTIkCATE OF CANDIDACY FOR HIS OLD SEAT 7HY MENTION ONLY THESE THREE NAMES AND NOT THE OTHERS !DMITTEDLY THERE ARE RASCALS AMONG THE REMAINING NAMES -Y PREMISE IS SIMPLE 7HY SHOULD WE RETURN these three ex-senators to the SAME OFkCE THEY WERE BOOTED OUT FROM AND THROWN IN JAIL FOR TRANSGRESSIONS ARISING OUT OF THEIR ACTS AS SENATORS 4HE ARGUMENT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PROVEN INNOCENT AND THEREFORE NOT GUILTY BEYOND reasonable doubt does not wash.

4HEY STAND NOT BEFORE THE COURTS OF LAW NOW BUT BEFORE THE JUDGment of the people — the ultimate ARBITER 4HEIR NOTORIETY SHOULD NOT INVEST THEM THE PRIVILEGE OF ANOTHER TRY AT PUBLIC SERVICE 4HERE ARE OTHER SENATORIAL CANDIDATES FROM AMONG WHOM IF WE THE VOTERS DISCERN ENOUGH WE COULD kND better and suitable senators. /R VOTE THEM BACK TO OFkCE AND BE COMPLICIT !ND 'OD HELP OUR COUNTRYĂœ

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Funeral wake for the EDSA Yellow narrative )

&OR THE kRST TIME IN YEARS THE 0HILIPPINE $AILY )NQUIRER THE OFkCIAL PUBLICATION OF THAT NARRATIVE HAD NO HUGE FRONT PAGE PHOTO OF THE COMMEMORATION

NO PICTURE OF &IDEL 2AMOS DOING HIS CELEBRATORY JUMP THAT HE DID THREE DECADES AGO /N ITS FRONT PAGE WAS A SMALL BLURB ‡ WITH THE SAME PROMINENCE AS THE g(ANOI BOOTS OUT FAKE +IMu ‡ REFERRING TO ITS REPORT ON THE EVENT g%$3! COMMEMORATION LURES SPARSE CROWDS u 7ITH FAILED 9ELLOW REGIMES m THOSE OF #ORY !QUINO RD AND TO SOME EXTENT EVEN &IDEL 2AMOS m &ILIPINOS HAVE CEASED TO BELIEVE IN THE 9ELLOW #ULT S SIMPLISTIC

GOOD VS EVIL NARRATIVE OF THE EVENTS OF %XCEPT FOR THE 0HILIPPINES AND #ZECHOSLOVAKIA ‡ WHERE IN BOTH NOT COINCIDENTALLY

THE #ATHOLIC #HURCH IS A MAJOR POLITICAL PLAYER ‡ COUNTRIES IN THE PAST THREE DECADES THAT WENT THROUGH SIMILAR PEACEFUL REVOLUTIONS FROM AUTHORITARIANISM TO DEMOCRACY DO NOT HAVE SUCH CELEBRATIONS OF SUCH TECTONIC SHIFTS IN THEIR POLITICAL REGIMES )N OUR PART OF THE WORLD ALONE THERE HAD BEEN TWO RUTHLESS DICTATORSHIPS &IRST WAS THE YEAR REGIME OF )NDONESIA S 3UHARTO (ISTORIANS ESTIMATED THAT )NDONESIANS MOSTLY ETHNIC #HINESE WERE KILLED BY THE POGROM HE ORDERED WHEN HE WRESTED POWER FROM 3UKARNO IN !BOUT

)NDONESIANS WERE EVEN KILLED BY THE POLICE IN PEOPLE POWER LIKE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT LED TO 3UHARTO S FALL IN $OES )NDONESIA HAVE A HOLIDAY TO COMMEMORATE THIS gPEOPLE POWERu REVOLUTION .O 3UKARNO WASN T EVEN ARRESTED OR FORCED INTO EXILE TO THE 53 (E DIED IN AT YEARS OLD AFTER A QUIET LIFE IN A POSH NEIGHBORHOOD IN *AKARTA (E WAS BURIED IN A STATE MILITARY FUNERAL WITH FULL HONORS WITH )NDONESIAN COMMANDOS AS HIS HONOR GUARD 3UHARTO S BIGGEST CRONY ,IEM 3IOE ,EUNG SURVIVED AND BECAME RICHER HIS SON BUILDING AN !SIAN CONGLOMERATE WHICH NOW INCLUDES THE LARGEST POWER TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE EMPIRE IN THIS COUNTRY THE &IRST 0ACIkC GROUP 4HE SECOND IRON kSTED DICTATOR IN !SIA WAS +OREA S 0ARK #HUNG HEE WHO RULED FOR YEARS (IS +OREAN #ENTRAL )NTELLIGENCE !GENCY +#)! WAS SO BOLD AND RUTHLESS THAT IT WAS KNOWN TO HAVE EVEN KIDNAPPED +OREAN OPPOSITIONISTS ABROAD 0ARK WAS SHOT POINTBLANK AND KILLED IN A BANQUET BY THE +#)! DIRECTOR IN !FTER A TWO YEAR TRANSITION IN WHICH ANOTHER MILITARY MAN RULED AS AN UNELECTED LEADER

+OREA WENT ON TO BECOME A FULLY DEMOCRATIC STATE $OES +OREA CELEBRATE THIS TRANSITION

DEMONIZE 0ARK AND CONSIDER AS HERO THE +#)! DIRECTOR WHO KILLED HIM .O 0ARK S DAUGHTER 0ARK 'EUN HYE

WAS EVEN ELECTED AS 3OUTH +OREA S TH AND kRST FEMALE PRESIDENT IN

Poland ,ECH 7ALESA DURING A VISIT TO THE 0HILIPPINES TOLD #ORAZON !QUINO THAT THE MOVEMENT THAT OVERTHREW THE COMMUNISTS IN 0OLAND IN WAS gINSPIREDu BY THE 0EOPLE 0OWER UPRISING SHE LED IN $OES 0OLAND HAVE ITS VERSION OF OUR 0EOPLE 0OWER CELEBRATION .O 7E CAN GO ON AND ON WITH DATA ON EACH OF THE COUNTRIES THAT HAD PEOPLE POWER LIKE PEACEFUL REVOLUTIONS %XCEPT #ZECHOSLOVAKIA NOT A SINGLE COUNTRY CELEBRATES ITS EXTRA CONSTITUTIONAL NONVIOLENT REGIME CHANGE 3IGNIFICANTLY WHAT )NDONESIA

3OUTH +OREA 0OLAND AND 2OMANIA AS WELL AS MOST OF THESE COUNTRIES CELEBRATE AS NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IS #ONSTITUTION $AY )N OUR CASE #ONSTITUTION $AY WHILE OFkCIALLY A gWORKING HOLIDAY u PASSES UNNOTICED WITH NO CELEBRATION AT ALL EXCEPT FOR A DINNER OF THE 0HILIPPINE #ONSTITUTION

!SSOCIATION WHICH NO NEWSPAPER REPORTS .O WONDER THEN THAT THE 0HILIPPINE #ONSTITUTION IS ROUTINELY FLOUTED AND DISREGARDED EVEN BY AN !MERICAN FORMER #.. CORRESPONDENT 7HAT THESE COUNTRIES MOSTLY CELEBRATE ARE THEIR INDEPENDENCE FROM FOREIGN MASTERS .ONE OF THEM CELEBRATES THE FALL OF THEIR STRONGMEN OR DICTATORS COGNIZANT THAT THESE MEN WHATEVER THEIR FAILINGS WERE ONE OF THEIR OWN CITIZENS THEIR REGIMES ‡ EVEN THE MOST BRUTAL ‡ HAVING THEIR GOOD SIDE 4HERE ARE THREE MAJOR REASONS OUR GOVERNMENTS HAVE CELEBRATED THE 0EOPLE 0OWER EVENT SINCE

Good template &IRST IS THAT %$3! PROVED TO A GOOD TEMPLATE FOR #ORY !QUINO S MASTER THE 5NITED 3TATES TO DISSEMINATE WORLDWIDE IN ORDER TO ROUSE PEOPLE UNDER COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIPS TO STAGE REVOLUTIONS 4HE %$3! TEMPLATE WOULD HAVE BEEN SWIFTLY FORGOTTEN IF THERE WERE NO %$3!

COMMEMORATIONS YEARLY COMPLETE WITH VIDEOS OF NUNS AND PRIESTS SEEMINGLY STOPPING TANKS 4HE 5NITED 3TATES FIRST TARGET WAS #HINA S DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT WHICH HOWEVER FAILED 7HERE DO YOU THINK THAT YOUNG #HINESE GOT THE IDEA TO STAND RAMROD IN FRONT OF A TANK IN THAT ICONIC 4IANANMEN 3QUARE UPRISING OF 2EMEMBER ALSO THAT THE S WERE THE HEIGHT OF 2EAGAN S CRUSADE AGAINST THE g%VIL %MPIRE u THE 3OVIET 5NION 4HE 53 HAD ACTUALLY kRST FOCUSED ON 0OLAND AND THE #ENTRAL )NTELLIGENCE !GENCY FUNNELED

STARTING IN A TOTAL OF BILLION TO ,ECH 7ALESA S g3OLIDARITYu TRADE UNION THAT WAS THE VANGUARD OF THE 0OLISH REVOLUTION 4ELEVISED SCENES AND PRESS PHOTOS OF %$3! PROVED A MUCH CHEAPER WAY TO ROUSE THE 0OLES INTO ACTION )NDEED EVEN 53 OFkCIALS AND THE 9ELLOW #ULT HAVE BOASTED THAT %$3!

THE g9ELLOW 2EVOLUTION u HAD INSPIRED THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTIONS ESPECIALLY THE gCOLOR REVOLUTIONSu WHICH OVERTHREW COMMUNIST REGIMES IN %ASTERN %UROPE AND THE "ALKANS

PR tactics 4HE INSPIRATION WASN T JUST ON THE LEVEL OF BOOSTING MORALE &ORMULATING AND EXECUTING THE POLITICAL TACTICS FOR #ORY AND THE 0EOPLE 0OWER MOVEMENT WAS THE 02 AND POLITICAL CONSULTANCY GROUP 3AWYER -ILLER SEE *AMES (ARDING !LPHA $OGS 4HE !MERICANS 7HO 4URNED 0OLITICAL 3PIN INTO A 'LOBAL "USINESS 3AWYER HELPED TO OPEN UP THE GOVERNMENTS OF %ASTERN %UROPE AND ,ATIN !MERICA gBY INTRODUCING MASS COMMUNICATION INTO THEIR ELECTORAL PROCESSES u THE LATE 53 3EN $ANIEL -OYNIHAN SAID IN A SPEECH IN #ONGRESS 7HILE THE %$3! TEMPLATE FAILED IN #HINA IT WAS REMARKABLY SUCCESSFUL IN %ASTERN %UROPE AND EVEN IN THE -IDDLE %AST STARTING WITH 0OLAND AND 2OMANIA IN UP TO THE g!RAB 3PRINGu REVOLTS OF THE ST CENTURY 4HERE S A SECOND REASON WHY WE HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CELEBRATE THE %$3!

4HROUGH ITS CONSTANT DEMONIZATION OF &ERDINAND -ARCOS AND DEIkCATION OF #ORY !QUINO THE 9ELLOW #ULT CREATED THE FALSE SCENARIO OF A NATIONAL CONSENSUS TO REMOVE THE STRONGMAN FROM POWER 4HE SCENES OF THEN $EFENSE 3ECRETARY *UAN 0ONCE %NRILE AND THEN !RMED &ORCES 6ICE #HIEF OF 3TAFF &IDEL 6 2AMOS STAKING THEIR LIVES AT #AMP #RAME PREPARING FOR -ARCOS ATTACK OF THE HELICOPTER SQUADRON DEFECTING JUST AS THEY WERE THOUGHT TO BE POSITIONING TO ATTACK #AMP #RAME THE

CROWDS STOPPING THE TANKS IN THE STREET ‡ ALL THESE IMAGES OF HIGH DRAMA WERE SHOWN ON 46 AGAIN AND AGAIN TO JUSTIFY THE REVOLUTION TO CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT THIS WAS A NATIONAL REVOLUTION

So divided 4HE kRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AFTER %$3!

IN HOWEVER PROVIDED HARD PROOF THAT IN REALITY THE COUNTRY WAS SO DIVIDED OVER %$3! AND -ARCOS SUBSEQUENT DOWNFALL &ERDINAND S WIDOW )MELDA -ARCOS GARNERED PERCENT OF THE VOTES WHILE HIS TOP CRONY %DUARDO #OJUANGCO RECEIVED PERCENT )F THE TWO HAD UNITED INSTEAD

THEY WOULD HAVE GATHERED PERCENT OF THE VOTES BIGGER THAN 2AMOS WINNING PERCENT OR -IRIAM 3ANTIAGO S PERCENT $OESN T THAT POINT TO THE FACT THAT A BIG PART OF 0HILIPPINE SOCIETY DIDN T SUPPORT %$3! AND WANTED THE -ARCOS REGIME BACK

EVEN IF JUST THROUGH HIS WIFE AND TOP CRONY 4HIRTY YEARS AFTER -ARCOS g3OLID .ORTHu AND )MELDA S %ASTERN 6ISAYAS AND SWATHES OF -INDANAO CONTINUE TO REFUSE TO BE PART OF THE gPEOPLEu OF THE 0EOPLE 0OWER UPRISING &ERDINAND g"ONGBONGu -ARCOS *R S STRONG SHOWING IN THE AND ELECTIONS IS ANOTHER PROOF THAT FOR MANY &ILIPINOS -ARTIAL ,AW WASN T THE ERA OF THE $ARK ,ORD AS THE 9ELLOWS #ULTISTS HAVE PORTRAYED IT 4HE THIRD REASON FOR 0EOPLE 0OWER CELEBRATIONS )T CONCEALS THE REALITY THAT THE RULING 0HILIPPINE ELITE CONTINUES TO SCREW THE MASSES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE NATION IS RULED BY A DEMOCRACY OR A DICTATORSHIP )T IS NOT COINCIDENTAL THAT THE %$3!

CELEBRATIONS HAVE RELIGIOUS UNDERTONES

Religious )N ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL TIMES RELIGION SERVED TO CONCEAL THE FACT THAT THE PHARAOH THE KING OR THE EMPEROR TOGETHER WITH THEIR CLANS EXPLOITED THE BROAD MASSES OF THE WORKING CLASSES THROUGH THE LIE THAT THESE RULERS WERE ANOINTED BY OR EVEN SONS OF THEIR DEITY 4HE %$3! CELEBRATIONS PORTRAY THE kCTION THAT WE ARE A NATION OF EQUALS AND WE HAVE BECOME POOR gCONDEMNEDu ONLY BECAUSE OF -ARCOS gTHE DEVIL AND WERE SAVED BY #ORY gTHE -ESSIAHu /N THE OTHER HAND COUNTRIES THAT HAD PEOPLE POWER TYPES OF REGIME CHANGES DON T HAVE SUCH ANNUAL gCELEBRATIONSu BECAUSE THEY WERE CLEVER ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT SUCH WOULD ONLY EXACERBATE THE DIVISION IN THEIR COUNTRIES !FTER ALL EVEN DICTATORSHIPS THAT LASTED LONG HAD TO BE SUPPORTED BY A SIGNIkCANT SECTION OF THEIR NATION AND THEIR FALL WOULD OF COURSE

ALIENATE THOSE SECTIONS 4HE %$3! CELEBRATIONS HAVE ONLY BEEN DIVISIVE FOR OUR COUNTRY 7E SHOULD STOP THIS INANITY IF WE ARE TO BE UNITED AS A NATION IN THE YEARS TO COME 4HAT THERE WAS A SPARSE CROWD ON -ONDAY IS THE &ILIPINOS MESSAGE THAT THEY DON T WANT AN %$3! CELEBRATION ANY MORE *** 4HIS COLUMN IS BASED ON ONE OF kVE ARTICLES IN THE CHAPTER g4HE %$3! 2EVOLTu THAT DEBUNKS THE MYTHS OVER THIS EPISODE IN OUR NATION S HISTORY IN MY BOOK $EBUNKED 5NCOVERING (ARD 4RUTHS ABOUT %$3!

-ARTIAL ,AW -ARCOS !QUINO

WITH A 3PECIAL 3ECTION ON THE $UTERTE 0RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN MOST BOOKSTORES AND THROUGH ONLINE ORDERING WWW RIGOBERTOTIGLAO COM DEBUNKED

%MAIL TIGLAO MANILATIMES GMAIL COM &ACEBOOK 2IGOBERTO 4IGLAO 4WITTER BOBITIGLAO !RCHIVES AT WWW RIGOBERTOTIGLAO COM

A summit date in Hanoi

7!3 THERE IN 3INGAPORE IN -AY LAST YEAR WHEN 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP OF THE 5NITED 3TATES MET #HAIRMAN +IM *ONG 5N OF .ORTH +OREA IN A HISTORIC SUMMIT /N THE REQUEST OF THE MANY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA OUTLETS WHICH HAD ALSO ESSENTIALLY CAMPED OUT IN 3INGAPORE ) MADE MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS AND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUMMIT )T WAS A HECTIC BUT WELL ORGANIZED SCHEDULE NOT ONLY FOR THE TWO LEADERS BUT FOR ALL OF US WHO gCOVEREDu THE UNPRECEDENTED EVENT AS WELL 4HE ASSOCIATED SUMMIT LOGISTICS THEN WAS ESPECIALLY METICULOUSLY PLANNED

STRESSING ON THE UNDERSTANDABLY HEIGHTENED SECURITY NEEDS BUT AT THE SAME TIME NOT UNDULY INCONVENIENCING THE DAILY ROUTINE OF BOTH THE AVERAGE RESIDENTS AND THE MANY TOURISTS IN 3INGAPORE ) WAS FOR EXAMPLE ABLE TO BOOK AND CHECK IN AT TWO HOTELS WHICH WERE BUT STONE S THROW AWAY FROM WHERE 4RUMP AND +IM WERE STAYING 4HERE WERE THE REQUIRED SECURITY CHECKS FOR PASSING TRAFkC BUT THERE WERE ALSO CLEVERLY PLANTED DIVERSIONARY EXITS WHICH ENABLED MY OWN MEETINGS TO PROCEED WITHOUT A HITCH 3UCH WAS PERHAPS ALSO THE COLLECTIVE HOPE OF NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF 3INGAPORE AND 3OUTHEAST !SIA BUT BY EXTENSION THOSE OF %AST !SIA AND INDEED THE WORLD THAT THE SMOOTH RUNNING OF THE 3INGAPORE SUMMIT COULD IN A SENSE gTRANSLATEu INTO PEACE PRONE SUMMIT OUTCOMES NOT ONLY FOR THE +OREAN 0ENINSULA BUT ALSO FOR .ORTHEAST !SIA AND EVEN 3OUTHEAST !SIA TO NAME THE LEAST !ND AS ) HINTED IN VARIOUS INTERVIEWS THEN THE SUMMIT RESULTS DID NOT DISAPPOINT AS MAINLY THE TWO LEADERS WHO RESPECTIVELY LEAD TWO NATIONS TECHNICALLY STILL AT WAR AFTER BITTER kGHTING MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY AGO STRUCK UP AT LEAST A SEEMINGLY HEALTHY WORKING RELATIONSHIP

SLAPPING WAISTS AS THEY STROLLED AROUND THE LUSH GROUNDS OF A 3INGAPORE TROPICAL RESORT GARDEN AND CHECKED OUT THE INTERIOR OF THE "EAST THE !MERICAN PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE APPARENTLY CONVERSING DIRECTLY WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF INTERPRETERS +IM BEING 3WISS EDUCATED AND PRESUMABLY LEARNED %NGLISH AT LEAST "UT THE RESULTING SUMMIT DOCUMENT WAS PREDICTABLY HIGH ON MUTUAL PEACE SEEKING PRINCIPLES BUT A TAD LOW ON THE SPECIFIC DETAILS TO ACHIEVE THOSE LOFTY GOALS 4HERE WAS FOR EXAMPLE NO CONCRETE TIMELINE FOR .ORTH +OREA S COMPLETE VERIkABLE AND IRREVERSIBLE NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT AND THE RECIPROCAL !MERICAN LIFTING OF VARIOUS CRIPPLING SANCTIONS "OTH LEADERS WENT HOME LOOKING GOOD IN FRONT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DOMESTIC AUDIENCES BUT THE ROAD TOWARD EVENTUAL PEACE IN THE REGION AND BETWEEN THE TWO RIVAL NATIONS REMAINED SKETCHY AT BEST

WITH VARIOUS MILESTONES STILL YET TO BE LAID 4HERE WERE A NUMBER OF FOLLOW UP MEETINGS BETWEEN THE SENIOR OFkCIALS OF BOTH SIDES BUT MORE SOLID DETAILS ON THE PEACE PROCESS ARE STILL YET TO BE SEEN )T IS AGAINST THIS CAUTIOUS BACKGROUND OF MIXED ENTHUSIASM THAT NINE MONTHS AFTER THE 3INGAPORE SUMMIT THE TWO LEADERS ARE MEETING ONCE AGAIN THIS TIME IN THE 6IETNAMESE CAPITAL OF (ANOI 4HIS TIME AROUND ) AM NOT TRAVELING THERE TO gCOVERu THE SUMMIT BUT JOURNALISTS STILL PILED MANY SUMMIT RELATED QUESTIONS ON ME !ND CURIOUSLY ENOUGH THE TWO MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS ACTUALLY RELATE TO THE CHOICE OF VENUE FOR THE SUMMIT

AND NOT SO MUCH ABOUT THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE SUMMIT ITSELF g7HY AGAIN IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA u 7ELL THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS BECAUSE WE ARE IN GENERAL VERY NICE PEOPLE HERE 3OUTHEAST !SIA IS SITUATED AT THE CONlUENCE OF THE MAIN PASSAGES BETWEEN THE %AST AND THE 7EST /VER

EI SUN OH THE CENTURIES MOST OF THE PEOPLES OF THE REGION HAVE DEVELOPED A PRAGMATIC MENTALITY PRIORITIZING TRADE OVER WAR )T IS QUITE REMARKABLE THAT WITH THE EXTREMELY DIVERSE ETHNICITIES AND BELIEFS IN THE REGION AT LEAST IN MODERN TIMES WE HAVE NOT WITNESSED SIGNIkCANT ARMED CONlICTS BETWEEN VARIOUS 3OUTHEAST !SIAN NATIONS 4HIS IS IN STARK CONTRAST TO FOR EXAMPLE THE "ALKANS AND THE -IDDLE %AST WHICH WITNESSED ALMOST INCESSANT WARS IN MODERN TIMES !S 3OUTHEAST !SIANS OUR SOLIDARITY CROSSES NATIONAL BOUNDARIES AND WE TEND TO PROMOTE PEACE NOT ONLY AMONG OURSELVES BUT ALSO AT LEAST FOR THE GREATER REGION NOT THE LEAST FOR OUR OWN BENEkT 4HIS IS BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE

CONlICTS ON THE +OREAN 0ENINSULA WHILE UNLIKELY TO SPILL OVER TO 3OUTHEAST !SIA

WOULD NEVERTHELESS ADVERSELY AFFECT THE SMOOTH SAILING OF THE SHIPPING ROUTES AND THE SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF THE TRADING NETWORKS WHICH 3OUTHEAST !SIA RELIES UPON FOR ITS ECONOMIC WELL BEING !ND WE PROUDLY MAKE THIS KNOWN TO ALL GEOSTRATEGIC PLAYERS CONCERNED AS SUCH 4HEY IN TURN

SEEM TO APPRECIATE OUR MOSTLY NEUTRAL ROLE IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS 3O PLAYING GRACIOUS HOST TO IMPORTANT SUMMITS IS THE LEAST THAT WE IN 3OUTHEAST !SIA COULD DO TO PROMOTE REGIONAL AND WORLD PEACE g7HY 6IETNAM u IS AN EQUALLY INTERESTING QUESTION 4HERE ARE OF COURSE THE LOGISTICAL DIPLOMATIC AS WELL AS EXEMPLARY DIMENSIONS TO THE ANSWER ,OGISTICALLY (ANOI IS RELATIVELY CONVENIENT TO MEET THE PREFERRED TRAVEL NEEDS OF THE .ORTH +OREAN LEADER WHO HAS JUST ARRIVED IN (ANOI AFTER A LONG TRAIN JOURNEY TRAVERSING THROUGH #HINA "OTH .ORTH +OREA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES MAINTAIN EMBASSIES IN (ANOI AND COULD PRESUMABLY COORDINATE THEIR SUMMIT NECESSITIES BETTER $IPLOMATICALLY 6IETNAM IS NOT SURPRISINGLY gACCEPTABLY NEUTRALu TO BOTH SUMMITING COUNTRIES /N THE ONE HAND 6IETNAM AND .ORTH +OREA ARE BOTH IDEOLOGICALLY COMMUNIST COUNTRIES /N THE OTHER HAND DESPITE kERCE kGHTING AND HEAVY CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES DURING THE 6IETNAM 7AR THE 53 AND 6IETNAM HAVE LONG STRUCK UP NOT ONLY DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BUT CLOSE ECONOMIC COOPERATION IN BOTH TRADE AND INVESTMENT )N RECENT YEARS THEIR GEOSTRATEGIC TIES ALSO IMPROVED 4HEN THERE IS THE EXEMPLARY DIMENSION FOR THE BENEkT MAINLY OF .ORTH +OREA $ESPITE ITS OFkCIAL COMMUNIST ROOTS 6IETNAM HAS LONG EMBARKED UPON A COURSE OF REFORM AND OPENING UP OF ITS ECONOMY AND IS NOW A VIBRANT MARKET ECONOMY IN THE REGION ALBEIT WITH A SOCIALIST lAVOR 6IETNAM IS FOR EXAMPLE

ONE OF THE EARLY ADHERENTS OF THE THEN 53 LED 4RANS 0ACIkC 0ARTNERSHIP FREE TRADE gPLUSu AGREEMENT )N AN UNEXPECTED TWIST OF FATE THE 53 ITSELF WITHDREW FROM THE 400 BUT 6IETNAM FORGED AHEAD WITH THE REMAINING SIGNATORIES !LL THESE ARE GOOD ROLE MODELS FOR .ORTH +OREA TO GROW ITS ECONOMY AFTER THE !MERICAN LED SANCTIONS ARE LOOSENED IN THE FUTURE !S TO THE OUTCOME OF THIS LATEST SUMMIT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE CURIOUSLY NOT AS HIGH )F BOTH SIDES COULD EXPLICITLY SPELL OUT THEIR DESIRE FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR NORMALIZATION OF RELATIONS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT IN ITSELF )F A SKELETAL TIMELINE COULD BE SKETCHED THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE BONUS FOR THE REGION AND THE WORLD

A N A LY S I S

Pope’s sex abuse summit: What it did and didn’t do VATICAN CITY: 0OPE &RANCIS SUMMIT ON PREVENTING SEXUAL ABUSE WAS NEVER GOING TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS PLACED ON IT BY VICTIMS GROUPS THE MEDIA AND ORDINARY #ATHOLICS OUTRAGED OVER A SCANDAL THAT HAS HARMED SO MANY AND COMPROMISED THE CHURCH S MORAL AUTHORITY SO MUCH )NDEED NO SWEEPING NEW LAW WAS ANNOUNCED TO PUNISH BISHOPS WHO COVER UP ABUSE .O kLES WERE RELEASED OR GLOBAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT ENDORSED REQUIRING PRIESTLY RAPISTS TO BE REPORTED TO POLICE )N HIS kNAL SPEECH TO THE SUMMIT 3UNDAY 0OPE &RANCIS EVEN FELL BACK ON THE HIERARCHY S FREQUENT COMPLAINT OF UNFAIR PRESS COVERAGE "UT SOMETHING HAS CHANGED "Y INVITING THE LEADERS OF #ATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCES AND RELIGIOUS ORDERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO A FOUR DAY TUTORIAL ON PREVENTING SEX ABUSE &RANCIS HAS MADE CLEAR THAT THEY

ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE AND MUST PUNISH THE PRIESTS WHO MIGHT VIOLATE THEM OR RISK PUNISHMENT THEMSELVES g)N PEOPLE S JUSTIFIED ANGER

THE CHURCH SEES THE RElECTION OF THE WRATH OF 'OD BETRAYED AND INSULTED BY THESE DECEITFUL CONSECRATED PERSONS u THE PONTIFF SAID !ND YET AS STRONG AS HIS WORDS WERE

IT WAS ACTUALLY THE HANDFUL OF WOMEN INVITED TO ADDRESS THE SUMMIT WHO DROVE THE MESSAGE HOME MOST FORCEFULLY 4HAT TOO SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE FUTURE OF AN INSTITUTION WHERE WOMEN ARE OFkCIALLY BARRED FROM THE HIERARCHY S RANKS BUT ARE INCREASINGLY RAISING THEIR VOICES AND WALKING OUT WHEN THEY AREN T HEARD .IGERIAN 3ISTER 6ERONICA /PENIBO

SUPERIOR OF HER RELIGIOUS ORDER SHAMED THE MEN IN THE ROOM FOR THEIR DECADES OF SILENCE OVER THE gATROCITIESu COMMIT-

TED BY THEIR PRIESTS AND WARNED THEM THAT THEY WOULD BE JUDGED FOR THEIR INACTION GOING FORWARD g4HIS STORM WILL NOT PASS BY u SHE SAID 6ALENTINA !LAZRAKI THE LONGTIME 6ATICAN CORRESPONDENT FOR -EXICO S 4ELEVISA CHALLENGED THE MEN IN POWER TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE VICTIMS OR THE PRIESTS WHO RAPED THEM g7E HAVE DECIDED WHICH SIDE TO BE ON u !LAZRAKI TOLD THE SUMMIT

WARNING THAT UNLESS THE HIERARCHY TOO SIDES WITH VICTIMS gJOURNALISTS

WHO SEEK THE COMMON GOOD WILL BE YOUR WORST ENEMIES u &RANCIS WAS SO IMPRESSED BY THE ADDRESS OF ,INDA 'HISONI A CANON LAWYER AND UNDER SECRETARY IN THE 6ATICAN S LAITY OFkCE THAT HE DELIVERED AN IMPROMPTU ODE TO WOMEN AT THE END OF HER SPEECH

!ND BY ALL INDICATIONS THE SEARING TESTIMONY OF A WOMAN WHO AS A CHILD ENDURED kVE YEARS OF RAPE AT THE HANDS OF A PRIEST ‡ AND A LIFETIME OF TRAUMA EATING DISORDERS DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS ‡ BROUGHT THE BISHOPS AND RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS TO A STUNNED SHAMEFUL SILENCE 3HE TOLD THEM THAT SHE HAD WANTED TO TELL THEM SOMETHING ABOUT HER CHILDHOOD BUT COULDN T BECAUSE SINCE SHE WAS YEARS OLD g) WHO LOVED COLORING BOOKS AND DOING SOMERSAULTS ON THE GRASS HAVE NOT EXISTED u g)NSTEAD ENGRAVED IN MY EYES

EARS NOSE BODY AND SOUL ARE ALL THE TIMES HE IMMOBILIZED ME THE CHILD

WITH SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH u 4HE 2EV (ANS :OLLNER ONE OF THE CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS SAID HER TEARFUL TESTIMONY STOPPED THE BISHOPS COLD g4HIS HAS REALLY REACHED THE HEART LEVEL u HE SAID g!ND IF YOU

GET TO THAT LEVEL YOU CANNOT BE AS YOU WERE BEFORE u !ND SOME CONCRETE STEPS WERE ANNOUNCED AT THE SUMMIT S END THAT WILL CHANGE THINGS AS THEY WERE BEFORE &OR STARTERS THE 6ATICAN IN THE COMING DAYS IS EXPECTED TO ISSUE A NEW CHILD PROTECTION POLICY FOR THE 6ATICAN #ITY 3TATE $ESPITE HAVING INSTRUCTED ALL THE WORLD S BISHOPS CONFERENCES TO DRAFT SUCH A POLICY IN

THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE GLOBAL #ATHOLIC #HURCH STILL HAS NONE 4HE 6ATICAN WILL SOON ISSUE A STEP

BY STEP GUIDEBOOK FOR BISHOPS AROUND THE WORLD EXPLAINING HOW TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ABUSE CASES 4ASK FORCES AT THE REGIONAL OR CONTINENTAL LEVEL WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO GIVE THEM EXPERT HELP SINCE MANY DIOCESES IN POORER COUNTRIES SIMPLY DON T HAVE THE LEGAL RESOURCES ON HAND !LL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE 6ATI-

CAN WILL BE RE EVALUATING THE USE OF gPONTIkCAL SECRETu IN ABUSE CASES SO THAT VICTIMS CAN ACTUALLY LEARN THE OUTCOMES OF THEIR CASES .EW gCLARIkCATIONSu ARE EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A LAW ON HOLDING BISHOPS AND RELIGIOUS SUPERIORS ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY COVER UP ABUSE CASES !ND INDIVIDUAL BISHOPS CONFERENCES SUCH AS IN THE 53 ARE PLOWING AHEAD TO ARTICULATE CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY PROPOSALS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP !RCHBISHOP #HARLES 3CICLUNA THE 6ATICAN S LONGTIME SEX CRIMES PROSECUTOR TOLD REPORTERS AT THE SUMMIT S END THAT HIS MAIN TAKEAWAY AFTER FOUR DAYS WAS THAT THERE IS NOW A RECOGNITION WITHIN THE CHURCH THAT gABUSE OF MINORS IS AN EGREGIOUS CRIME BUT SO TOO IS COVER UP u !ND WITH THAT HE SAID g4HERE IS NO GOING BACK u AP

Regions Surigao farmers to own govt lands soon

˜ The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

T

BY ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

ANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur: Thousands of government lands in Surigao del Sur may be included in the land reform program with President Rodrigo Duterte’s issuance of Executive Order (EO) 75.

4HE %/ WOULD TURN FARMERS INTO LANDOWNERS WHEN IT IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED SAID *ORGE 1UIJADA CHIEF OF OPERATIONS OF THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRARIAN 2EFORM $!2 3URIGAO DEL 3UR g4HIS WILL HELP OUR FARMERS 4HOUSANDS OF OUR FARMERS HERE ARE ACTUALLY CULTIVATING LANDS FOR AGRI-

cultural purposes yet these lands ARE STILL CLASSIkED AS TIMBERLANDS u 1UIJADA SAID He estimated that around

HECTARES CLASSIkED AS TIMBERLAND AND PUBLIC LANDS IN THE PROVINCE BUT ARE ACTUALLY DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE COULD BE SUBJECTED TO LAND DISTRIBUTION IF %/ WAS

FULLY IMPLEMENTED $UTERTE ON &EBRUARY SIGNED %/ WHICH DIRECTS ALL DEPARTMENTS BUREAUS OFkCES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT TO IDENTIFY GOVERNMENT owned lands, devoted to or SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO QUALIkED BENEkCIARIES %/ IS ANCHORED ON 3ECTION

!RTICLE 8))) OF THE #ONSTITUTION THAT STATES g)T IS THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE THE JUST DISTRIBUTION OF ALL AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND 3ECTION !RTICLE 8))) THAT says the state shall enact measures to protect and enHANCE THE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO HUMAN DIGNITY REDUCE SOCIAL

economic and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequiTIES BY EQUITABLY DIFFUSING WEALTH AND POLITICAL POWER FOR THE COMMON GOOD u The new EO mandates DAR to ACQUIRE ALL GOVERNMENT OWNED LANDS DEVOTED TO OR SUITABLE FOR AGRICULTURE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAWS Government AGENCIES ARE also mandatED TO IDENTIFY lands suited to or DEVOTED TO AGRICULture that are no lonGER ACTUALLY DIRECTLY AND EXCLUSIVELY USED FOR THEIR PURPOSES

WITHIN DAYS UPON EFFECTIVITY OF %/ 6ICTOR #ANDA $!2 3URIGAO 3UR /)# 0ROVINCIAL !GRARIAN 2EFORM PROGRAM OFFICER ALSO WELCOMED THE ISSUANCE OF %/

AFFIRMING THAT FARMERS WERE ACTUALLY UTILIZING HUGE AREAS OF GOVERNMENT LANDS IN THE PROVINCE FOR AGRICULTURE PURPOSES 7ITH %/ #ANDA SAID FARMers would have the opportunity to FULLY OWN GOVERNMENT LANDS THEY WERE ACTUALLY FARMING 1UIJADA TOLD The Manila Times THAT FARMERS WERE UTILIZING TIMBERLANDS FOR AGRICULTURE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS !ROUND HECTARES IN "ISLIG #ITY ABOUT HECTARES IN

Reds burn hydro plant equipment in Mindoro CAMP EFIGENIO NAVARRO, Calapan City: -EMBERS OF THE .EW 0EOPLE S !RMY .0! ON -ONDAY BURNED several heavy equipment in the PROJECT SITE OF 3TA #LARA )NTERNATIONAL #ORP S EIGHT MEGAWATT #ATUIRAN (YDRO 0OWER 0LANT IN Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

3UPT 3OCRATES &ALTADO 0OLICE 2EGIONAL SPOKESMAN FOR Mimaropa (Mindoro, MarinDUQUE 2OMBLON AND 0ALAWAN

S A I D A B O U T A R M E D M E N swooped on the project site at ABOUT P M %MILYN 4RESIOSO 3TA #LARA 0OWER #ORP 3#0# PROJECT MANAGER

SAID SECURITY PERSONNEL INFORMED HER ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF A GROUP OF ARMED MEN WHO INTRODUCED THEMSELVES AS MEMBERS OF 0HILIPPINE !RMY !FTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES THEY STARTED TO SET kRE TO 12 heavy equipment units inside the compound. !LL EMPLOYEES WERE FORCED TO leave the site as the suspects, WHO LATER IDENTIkED THEMSELVES AS .0!S STORMED THE OFkCE !SST #AMP 3UPERVISOR #ATHERINE ,AGUNERA ADDED

The suspects then started to TORCH THE BUILDING INCLUDING THE MAIN OFkCE AND SAFETY OFkCE AND WAREHOUSE BEFORE lEEING TOWARDS "ARANGAY 3AN !NDRES IN .AUJAN

Oriental Mindoro.

-EANTIME THE .0! IN -INDORO CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK AND LAUDED ITS 2ED kGHTERS AND COMMANDERS FOR gSUCCESSFULLY PUNISHING 3#0# .AUJAN /RIENTAL -INDORO &EBRUARY u !CCORDING TO AN EMAIL FROM +A -ADAAY 'ASIC SPOKESMAN FOR .0! S ,UCIO DE 'UZMAN #OMMAND IN -INDORO 3#0# IS A LOCAL SUBSIDIARY OF 3TA #LARA )NTERNATIONAL #ORP THAT CONDUCTS UNDERGROUND BLASTING TO CONSTRUCT TUNNELS FOR ITS HYDRODAM PROJECT 4HE 3#0# THEY CLAIMED WAS THE CULPRIT BEHIND THE MUDlOODS IN /RIENTAL -INDORO AT THE HEIGHT OF 4YPHOON g.ONAu IN 'ASIC SAID THE OFFENSIVE REVERBERATES WITH THE .0! S COMMITMENT TO WAGE g2EBOLUSYON

HINDI ELEKSYON Ăœu 2EVOLUTION

NOT ELECTION AS VIABLE MEANS FOR GENUINE SOCIAL CHANGE ROSELLE R. AQUINO

FORMER Misamis Occidental governor Loreto Leo Ocampos maintained on Tuesday that he was innocent of the graft charges filed against him, saying he would appeal the Sandiganbayan ruling before the Supreme Court. “In view of the Sandiganbayan ruling, I will appeal the case to the Supreme Court. Let’s be clear though that the ruling is not yet final and executory,� he said.

Ocampos said he was convinced that the high court would reverse the graft court’s decision on the marine park controversy. “I’m very confident that eventually this politically-motivated case hurled against me will be dismissed. I will fight this case up to the Supreme Court and I know that at the end of the day I will emerge victorious,� Ocampos said, adding that “the people of Misamis Occidental fully support me and know the truth.�

Ocampos is looking to return to the provincial capitol as he is running for governor in the midterm elections in May.  The case against Ocampos was filed on March 15, 2011 by Oscar Visitacion, a known ally of then Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, a suspected narco-politician, who was killed in the administration’s anti-drug war last year. “I want to reiterate that this was a politically-motivated case against me because of my resolve to end the reign of terror created by illegal drugs, illegal gambling and political dynasties in our province. We can surmount this, and soon the rule of law will be restored again in our beloved province,�

Ocampos said.

In December 2018, the same court cleared Ocampos of malversation charges in connection with the marine park controversy for lack of evidence that public funds were misappropriated for private use.

(INATUAN TOWN SOME

HECTARES IN THE BOUNDARY OF THE TOWNS OF 4AGO AND 3AN -IGUEL AROUND HECTARES IN THE TOWNS OF "AYABAS AND 3AN !GUSTIN AND SOME HECTARES IN 4ANDAG #ITY TOWARDS THE TOWN OF #ARRASCAL -EANWHILE $!2 2EGIONAL $Irector Leomides Villareal, in a PHONE INTERVIEW SAID HUGE AREAS OF GOVERNMENT LANDS WOULD BE COVERED IN THE ENTIRE #ARAGA 2EGION UNDER %/ (E SAID VAST TRACTS OF GOVERNMENT LANDS NOW DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE WERE ALSO FOUND IN THE PROVINCES OF !GUSAN DEL 3UR !GUSAN DEL .ORTE 3URIGAO DEL .ORTE AND $INAGAT PROVINCE

‘No total closure of Baguio’

OVERSHOOT

A Cessna training plane, with body number RP-C9986, overshoots the Plaridel Airport runway, almost crashing into a house on Tuesday noon in Barangay Lumang Bayan in Plaridel, Bulacan.

Supt. Laurente Acquiot, Plaridel Police chief, said its student pilot, identified as Rex Ngo, with instructor Capt.

Carlo Palanas, were both unharmed. In March 2018, a six-seater aircraft crashed into a house, killing five family members and all five plane passengers, including the pilot, after it took off from the Plaridel runway.

STORY AND PHOTO BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

Ex-Misamis Children can’t co-own exclusive property of a parent governor to appeal case DEAR PAO Dear PAO, My wife and I got married in 1995, and we did not enter any marriage settlement. My parents donated in my favor a certain lot after our marriage. Unfortunately, my wife died in December 2018. I am now intending to sell the lot donated to me and the farmland which we bought when my wife was still alive, because I do not have anything to spend for my medication.

My children, who are now of legal age, opposed my plan and claimed that I cannot sell the lot and the farmland because the same are their inheritance. They also said that they become co-owners of the said properties the moment my WIFE DIED THUS ) MUST kRST OBTAIN their consent before disposing these properties. Do I really need to get my children’s consent before I can sell these properties?

Emmanuel Dear Emmanuel, 4HERE ARE TWO CLASSIkCATIONS OF THE properties which you intend to sell.

First, the lot, which was donated to YOU AFTER YOUR MARRIAGE BY YOUR PARENTS WAS DEEMED TO BE YOUR EXCLUsive property. This is in consonance WITH !RTICLE OF THE &AMILY #ODE OF THE 0HILIPPINES WHICH STATES

A7

PERSIDA ACOSTA

g4HE FOLLOWING SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF EACH SPOUSE XXX XXXX (2) That which each acquires durING THE MARRIAGE BY GRATUITOUS TITLE XXXX XXXXu Relative thereto, “the spouses retain the ownership, possession, ADMINISTRATION AND ENJOYMENT OF THEIR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTIES XXX XXX XXX !RTICLE )BID u 4HUS YOUR children’s claim that they are coOWNERS OF THE LOT DONATED TO YOU HAS NO LEGAL BASIS BECAUSE THE SAID PROPERTY IS YOUR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY Your children’s interest with respect TO YOUR EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY IS MERELY INCHOATE INTEREST OR A MERE EXPECTANCY g4HE RIGHT OF A SON WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY OF A FATHER OR mother, is also an inchoate or conTINGENT INTEREST BECAUSE UPON THE DEATH OF THE FATHER OR THE MOTHER OR BOTH HE WILL HAVE A RIGHT TO INHERIT SAID CONJUGAL PROPERTY $IRECTOR OF ,ANDS AND %VIDENTE VS ,AGNITON, GR

Nationinbriefs

NAVY RESCUES 7 FROM BOAT OFF TAWI-TAWI

ZAMBOANGA CITY: A Philippine Navy patrol rescued seven people whose boat nearly sank after it was battered by huge waves off Tawi-Tawi. Rear Admiral Rene Medina, chief of the Naval Forces in western Mindanao, said the ill-fated boat, which came from the capital town of Bongao, was loaded with lumber and was heading to the island-town of Sitangkai when it developed engine trouble and tossed by giant waves. He said one of their patrol vessels, PC387, spotted ML Jomong and quickly rescued the passengers then brought them back to Bongao for medical examination. Medina did not say how long the passengers of the ill-fated boat were floating at sea, an area near Sabah where Abu Sayyaf bandits frequently pass to target Malaysian and Indonesian trawlers.

AL JACINTOÂ

, -AY

0ONENTE !SSOCIATE *USTICE !LEJO ,ABRADOR u The second property, which is the FARMLAND IS DEEMED TO BE A PART OF THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY BECAUSE THE SAME WAS ACQUIRED DURING THE EXISTENCE OF THE MARRIAGE 3INCE YOU FAILED TO ENTER ANY MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT IT IS PRESUMED THAT ALL PROPERTIES OWNED BY THE SPOUSES AT THE TIME OF THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE OR ACQUIRED THEREAFTER SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY !RTICLE

)D (ENCE YOUR CHILDREN ARE CORRECT IN THEIR STATEMENT THAT THEY BECAME CO OWNERS OF THE FARMLAND UPON THE DEATH OF YOUR WIFE IN 4HEIR CONSENT IS NECESSARY IF YOU INTEND TO DISPOSE THE WHOLE FARMLAND 0LEASE TAKE NOTE OF YOUR OBLIGATIONS AS PROVIDED UNDER !RTICLE OF THE SAME CODE IF you intend to proceed with the DISPOSITION OF THE FARMLAND g5PON THE TERMINATION OF THE MARRIAGE BY DEATH THE COMMUNITY PROPERTY SHALL BE LIQUIDATED IN THE SAME PROCEEDING FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF THE DECEASED g)F NO JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT PROCEEDING IS INSTITUTED THE SURVIVING spouse shall liquidate the community property either judicially

EX-ILOILO LAWMAKER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO GRAFT CHARGE

OR EXTRA JUDICIALLY WITHIN ONE YEAR FROM THE DEATH OF THE DECEASED SPOUSE )F UPON THE LAPSE OF THE said period, no liquidation is made, any disposition or encumBRANCE INVOLVING THE COMMUNITY PROPERTY OF THE TERMINATED MARRIAGE SHALL BE VOID u !PPLYING THE ABOVE CITED PROVISION OF LAW IN YOUR SITUATION IT is necessary that the community PROPERTY SHALL BE LIQUIDATED IN THE SAME PROCEEDING FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF YOUR WIFE WHICH SETTLEMENT CAN BE DONE JUDICIALLY OR EXTRA JUDICIALLY WITHIN ONE YEAR AFTER THE DEATH OF YOUR WIFE OTHERWISE THE DISPOSITION INVOLVING PROPERTIES BELONGING TO THE ABSOLUTE COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY WILL BE VOID 7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUERIES 0LEASE BE REMINDED THAT 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

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

FORMER Iloilo 5th District Rep. Rolex Suplico pleaded not guilty to the graft charge he was facing before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division in connection with P14.7-million Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). The anti-graft court proceeded with the arraignment after it denied his plea to nullify the charge sheet. The Office of the Ombudsman filed the case in October 2018 against Suplico; Antonio Ortiz, former director general of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC); and Alfredo Ronquillo, then-president of Aaron Foundation Philippines Inc., the supposed beneficiary of PDAF. The Ombudsman charged that Aaron Foundation was ineligible to undertake the projects for lack of permit and has supposedly “dubious existence.� In November 2018 Suplico’s camp sought the nullification of the charge sheet, citing his right to speedy case disposition was violated due to inordinate delay. They claimed that it took

BAGUIO CITY: Mayor Mauricio DomoGAN EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO %NVIRONMENT 3ECRETARY 2OY #IMATU and Tourism Secretary Bernadette 2OMULO 0UYAT FOR SAYING THAT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY ORDER FOR THE TOTAL CLOSURE OF THE 3UMMER #APITAL EVEN AS THE CITY NEEDS TO UNDERGO REHABILITATION g7E ARE GRATEFUL TO THE TWO #ABINET OFkCIALS FOR CLARIFYING THE MUCH PUBLICIZED CLOSURE OF "AGUIO #ITY TO HELP PUT THINGS IN THEIR proper perspective. We appreciate THE SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IN HELPING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS OF THE CITY AT THE SOONEST TIME WITHOUT TOTALLY CLOSING IT TO VISITORS u $OMOGAN SAID $OMOGAN SAID THERE WERE AREAS in the city where there were ramPANT VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS RULES AND REGULATIONS SO THAT WHATEVER REHABILITATION TO BE DONE WOULD BE CONkNED TO THESE PLACES %ARLIER #IMATU SAID THERE WAS NO ORDER TO CLOSE "AGUIO #ITY BUT there was a need to conduct an INVENTORY OF THE PINE TREES AND TO SUSTAIN THEIR PROPAGATION SO that the ones that maintain the CITY S COOL WEATHER WILL NOT BE wiped out.

0UYAT ADDED THAT REHABILITATION OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN "AGUIO #ITY WOULD BE DEALT WITH DIFFERENTLY 3HE SAID THE SITUATION OF "ORACAY WAS DIFFERENT FROM "AGUIO #ITY THAT WHATEVER REHABILITATION WOULD BE RECOMMENDED FOR SOME PARTS OF THE CITY WOULD not result in its total closure CONSIDERING THAT THE AREA WAS LANDLOCKED AND TOTAL CLOSURE WAS NOT ACTUALLY APPLICABLE -EANWHILE $OMOGAN CALLED ON "AGUIO ESTABLISHMENTS THAT CONTINUE TO DIRECTLY DISCHARGE their wastewater into the river SYSTEMS TO START CORRECTING THEIR DEFICIENCIES AND NOT WAIT FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CITE THEM FOR VIOLATIONS AND SLAP THEM with penalties.

(E ADDED THERE SHOULD BE A CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN IDENTIFYING VIOLATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS RULES AND REGULATIONS SO THERE WOULD BE SYNCHRONIZED ISSUANCE OF THE NOTICES OF VIOLATIONS GABY B. KEITH

the Office of the Ombudsman over eight years, seven months and 13 days to resolve the complaint-affidavit.

REINA C. TOLENTINO

114 EX-REBELS, SUPPORTERS PLEDGE LOYALTY TO GOVT

BACOLOD CITY: A total of 114 former supporters and militias of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental pledged loyalty to the government in a ceremony held at the Barangay 2 covered court on Monday. Their oath of allegiance was facilitated by the Philippine Army’s 79th Infantry Battalion (79IB). In a statement, Lt. Col. Emelito Thaddeus Logan, commanding officer of 79IB, said the renounciation of support to the CPP-NPA showed that Negrenses had awakened from the lies and deceptions of the terrorist rebels. Meanwhile, San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr. thanked the 79IB for initiating the Community Support Program that provides security and assistance in the delivery of the government programs to his constituents. EUGENE Y. ADIONG

A8

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Families affected by bay rehab to get own homes A

BY GLEE JALEA

ROUND 2,000 families affected by the rehabilitation of Manila Bay will soon have their own homes.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the National Housing Authority (NHA), and the city of Manila on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to relocate and resettle the informal settlers of Isla Puting Bato and its surrounding areas situated

at Barangay 20, Zone 2, District 1 in Tondo, Manila.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada witnessed the signing of the MoU. Under the MoU, the PPA will set aside 5 hectares of its property in Tondo, Manila and construct hous-

ing units for the affected families in coordination with port operators International Container Terminal Services Inc. and Manila North Harbor Port Inc. (MNHPI). The NHA will identity the recipients, while the local government will help oversee the delivery of basic services.

Around P1 billion would be allotted as initial fund for the housing project. Selected benEkCIARIES CAN PAY FOR THE UNITS FOR P1,000 a month for a maximum of 25 years, Benitez told reporters. “We have one model which was

already provided by the NHA...for low-rise buildings, the NHA collects around P600 to P1,000 monthly. It’s 25 years, and renewable for another 25 years,� Benitez said.

Apart from Arroyo and Estrada, Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Chairman Cynthia Villar, Rep. Alfredo Benitez, Rep. Manuel Lopez, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, and other stakeholders attended the event.

Estrada thanked Arroyo for spearheading the project.

Bong Go seeks support for young athletes CHRISTOPHER Lawrence “Bong�

Go has reaffirmed his commitment to push for the long-term development of Philippine sports, starting at the grassroots level.

Speaking before youth athletes at the Visayas leg of the Batang Pinoy Games at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City over the weekend, Go said sports deter the youth from getting involved in drugs as well as other criminal activities. “Batang Pinoy [Games] and such tournaments are participated in by out-of-school youths and children below 15 years old. This is a government program which purpose is to prevent youths from taking drugs,� Go said in Filipino.

An avid basketball fan himself, the former top aide of President Rodrigo Duterte said basketball would be one way to give youths the opportunity to stay drug free. “[Basketball] can be played anywhere. Give them a ball, so long as there is a ring, [they can play],�

Go added.

When still working for governMENT 'O MADE IT A POINT TO kND time to go around the country to promote his three-point agenda against illegal drugs, criminality and corruption to the youth through sports.

His supporters have been conducting sports clinics and service

Manicad denounces red-tagging of journalist FORMER broadcast journalist and Senate candidate Rodrigo “Jiggy� Manicad Jr. has denounced the inclusion of an editor of a local daily in the list of supposed members of the communist rebel group.

Accused as member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was Leonardo Vicente “Cong� Corrales, associate editor of the Mindanao Gold Star Daily in Cagayan de Oro City. “I know Cong personally from our coverages together in Mindanao, and I can say that he is truly a PROFESSIONAL IN THIS kELD u -ANICAD

a veteran journalist, said. “Unless there is complete evidence, redtagging especially of the media will not be tolerated,� he added.

Manicad said the practice of redtagging personalities is a “form of intimidation� that endangers the lives of journalists. “One reason why I am seeking a higher level of public service is because of the need to enforce stronger regulations to protect the lives of journalists especially those

who, like Corrales, put their lives on the line to report what they know to be true,� he said.

Manicad earlier vowed to push for fairer labor rights for journalists and more protective measures for reporters covering places and events where they might be put in danger.

Copies of a supposed document accusing Corrales, his wife and their son, as well as members of the clergy and rights defenders based in Northern Mindanao, circulated during a forum held in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday.

The military and the police have denied any involvement in the issuance of the list.

Corrales, has denied the allegations, saying he and his family “are not, have never been and never will be members of the CPP.� “We denounce this list as it is not only aimed to intimidate me in my work as a journalist but has endangered my family. We know fully well that red-tagging is a virtual death sentence,� he said.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

Q WAR FROM A1

Harsher drug war

SPORTS PATRON

Christopher Lawrence “Bong� Go leads the singing of the National Anthem during the Batang Pinoy Games held in Iloilo. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO caravans to promote his advocacies.

Go, who is seeking a Senate seat, said he wanted to help develop a comprehensive sports programs that involved young athletes, with the aim of eventually forming capable competitors, who would represent the country in international tilts. “Let’s motivate our athletes by providing incentives. Let us support their training from childhood,� he said.

He called for an additional

budget for the Philippine Sports Commission and the establishment of comprehensive sports training facilities to help hone athletic skills and talents. “We will help in the building of sports centers nationwide, especially in the provinces. I would do this in time,� he said.

Go and former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano pushed for the development of an all-sportscomplex in New Clark City, where a 70-hectare facility houses a dome,

basketball court, swimming pool and other facilities.

Go’s legislative agenda, should he win in May, include programs for health, agriculture, housing, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, kRE PROTECTION AND PREVENTION

anti-drug and criminality drive, anti-corruption drive, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers barangay (village) welfare, as well as improved BENEkTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

in this country,� Panelo explained. “Now if in the process — and he keeps on saying this — If in the process you commit abuses, there will be hell to pay. In fact, we have already conviction of one or two, three of the policemen,� he added.

Last week, the President said there would be a harsher drug war as he declared the drug problem a national security concern.

Duterte on Monday said that drug cartels, such as the Medellin and Sinaloa had entered the Philippines. “We are in danger because on the right side is Mexico, the Medellin, Colombia, they are entering.

Here, there are floating shabu, cocaine. It is hard because the Philippines has a shallow shoreline,�

Duterte said. “We are lacking. So I cannot afford to have a patrol here, island per island. It is that hard,� he added.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has sent

Q REVOLT FROM A1

EDSA revolt

of with The Manila Times TV (TMT TV).

The sad lesson from EDSA, he pointed out, was among the reasons why people pin their hopes for change on President Rodrigo Duterte. “When asked if they will still march to EDSA, they said no more. EDSA now lives in our communities, not in the streets anymore,�

Monsod said.

While there were improvements after EDSA, he added, there still was much to be done. “We have democracy, though imperfect, in ELECTING OFkCIALS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE REALLY DON T have so many choices.� “One thing done was with our millennials because the millennials of today are more sensitive to what is happening and have deeper concern for the future, unlike in our time,� he said.

Monsod noted that framers of the Constritution underestimated the greed of politicians and overestimated the spirit of EDSA. “There’s still poverty and growing inequality,� he said. “Those of us who have part in government are also partly to blame because we failed to accomplish our promise of real change. The problem is not the Constitution, but the Constitution was not fully implemented from Cory Aquino to today; everybody has accountability,� he said.

(E ADDED THAT CRIMINALITY TRAFkC CONGESTION

and corruption remain.

Farmers, he said, see Duterte as an “angel of change,� which was why the President’s ratings are still high, though the people oppose alleged extra-judicial killings.

Duterte, he said, had accomplished things that his predecessors had not. “I must say that there are [pieces of] legislation today that the past administrations had not done such as on national health care and land use, among others. This [Duterte] administration has done a lot,� Monsod added.

Monsod explained that the federal Constitution drafted by then-Chief Justice Renato Puno granted Duterte absolute powers, even as he said they would not be used by the President to perpetrate himself in power but to “escape accountability� after his term in 2022. “If you help the poor and elevate their way

samples of cocaine fished out in Sorsogon.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said it was possible that a Colombian drug cartel might be behind the entry of the illegal drug.

Aquino, however, said the cocaine blocks might also have come from the Golden Triangle — an area located in the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar because it was closer to the Philippines. “There is a probability that it came from Colombia because BASED ON THE PROkLING DONE BY the US DEA (Drug Enforment Agency), it came from Colombia but it was very far for the cocaine to be delivered from Colombia to the Philippines,� he said. “So that is why we are also looking at the possibility that it came from the Golden Triangle because this is where opium and cocaine originated,� Aquino added.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA AND ROY D.R. NARRA

of life, the poor will protect the President on his accountability. They are the ones who will protect [him],� Monsod added.

Former Navy captain Prospero Maligalig, a key member of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM), agreed with Monsod that the people had realized that they were just being used by vested interests.

In RAM’s peace talks with the government, he said they presented 136 talking points but only one materialized — the party-list system.

The “Build, Build, Build� [infrastructure] program under Duterte is a step in the right direction.

Duterte is doing the right thing,� Maligalig said.

Revolutionary govt Meanwhile, veteran journalist Ramon Tulfo said former senator Juan Ponce Enrile should have accepted the offer to run the revolutionary government after the overthrow of the Marcos regime in 1986 through the people power revolt.

Tulfo, a columnist of The Manila Times and one of the panelists in the TMT TV EDSA forum, made the remark after another panelist, Efren Villasenor, said they had thought then-President Aquino would help them recover the coconut levy fund. “[Nothing happened because Aquino doesn’t know anything. We had trusted her],� Villasenor said.

Dean Amado Valdez, former chairman of the Social Security System, said when the Marcos regime was toppled, the country was transformed from an “irresponsible dictatorship� to an “irresponsible democracy.� “Had Enrile accepted the offer to take over, I think the government [would have run] smoothly because Aquino did not know anything],� Tulfo said. “The power was already there to take. Enrile was not power hungry. What a waste. He didn’t seize the moment,� he added. “One factor was that, I think the US was behind Cory and even if [Enrile] wanted to become aggressive, he could not have grabbed it [power] because there was the US military power to contend with,� Valdez said.

Enrile had said that the plan after the EDSA revolt was to form a revolutionary council that would be headed by him.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL AND BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

CURRENCY RATE

PSEi 7,988.16 UP 0.33%

P52.02 TO $1

Business Times www.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2019 ASIAN STOCKS: W S h a n g h a i 0 . 6 7 %

What’s inside DA WORKING TO IMPLEMENT RICE TARIFFICATION LAW – PIÑOL BusinessB2

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FIRM TAPS INDIAN EXPERTS TO BOOST GARLIC PRODUCTION BusinessB2

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CORE BUSINESSES LIFT BDO NET TO P32B

MERALCO PROFIT UP ‘DESPITE UNCERTAINTIES’

ÂťCorporate NewsB3

US BUSINESSES IN CHINA SEE GLOOMY YEAR

ÂťForeign BusinessB4

OECD: CORPORATE DEBT RISKS WEIGHING ON WORLD GROWTH Foreign BusinessB4

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W S i n g a p o re 0 . 3 3 %

W Seoul 0.27%

W To k yo 0 . 3 7 %

V Jakarta 0.24%

T

HE government raised P113 billion — more than three times the amount initially considered — as it launched its latest retail treasury bond (RTB) offering.

The Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), which last week announced an issue size of P30 billion, on Tuesday said it sold P113.77 billion worth of RTBs durING THE kRST DAY OF A PUBLIC OFFER PERIOD that ends on March 8.

4HE kVE YEAR 24"S PRICED AT A COUpon of 6.250 percent, can be purchased by small investors in minimum denominations of P5,000.

The last five-year RTB offered in December 2017 was priced at 4.625 percent. g4HE RESOUNDING SUCCESS OF OUR 24" issuances highlights the increasing awareness of Filipinos on investment opportunities that do not only help them realize

their personal goals, but also allow them to directly partake in building our NATION u .ATIONAL 4REASURER 2OSALIA DE Leon said in a statement.

The initial offer of P30 billion was more than four times oversubscribed with tenders hitting P121.8 billion.

The Philippine government has been issuing RTBs as part of its efforts to PROMOTE kNANCIAL LITERACY AND WELLNESS among Filipinos by making investments in government securities more accessible to the public.

RTBs are generally considered lowrisk for investors, allowing them to EARN A kXED INTEREST BASED ON PREVAILING market rates and are paid quarterly over the term of the bond.

W B a n g ko k 0 . 4 9 %

Proceeds from the issuance will be used for health services, educational programs, and public infrastructure, among others.

Interested investors only need to have a peso account with the banks IDENTIkED AS ACCREDITED SELLING AGENTS of RTBs. It is through the peso account that principal and interest payments will be made.

The Treasury bureau is also introducing an online ordering facility to encourage wider participation among individual investors and expand reach to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). g.OW THAT WE ARE INTRODUCING THE

Q US President Donald Trump speaks during the 2019 White House business session with governors in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC on Monday. AFP PHOTO

Trump: ‘Signing summit’ with Xi ‘very, very close’ WASHINGTON, D.C.: US President Donald Trump said Monday he expected to hold a “signing summit� with China’s President Xi Jinping to seal a trade deal as discussions were in the “advanced stages.�

The comments cheered global stock markets as they confirmed the dispute would not ratchet up immediately, averting an even bigger impact on the global economy.

Citing progress in the four days of talks, after officials worked through the weekend, Trump on Sunday extended the March 1 deadline, postponing for now a sharp increase in tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods.

On Monday he said he expected negotiations to resume quickly and “we’re going to have another summit� with Xi. “We’re going to have a signing summit, which is even better. So hopefully we can get

W H o n g Ko n g 0 . 6 5 %

Govt raises P113B from RTB offering

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

ÂťCorporate NewsB3

B1

that completed. But we’re getting very, very close,� he said at a meeting with US governors.

Trump last week said he expected to meet with Xi at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida sometime in March.

After exchanging punitive tariffs on more than $360 billion in total two-way trade, Trump and Xi declared a truce in December and agreed to hold off on further tariffs or retaliation for 90 days. The United States was poised to more than double the tariffs on the most recent and largest round of Chinese exports.

In a tweet posted while he was en route to Hanoi on Monday, Trump said the China deal

ÂłOffering B2

PSEi lifted

by Trump statements THE stock market opened a holiday-shortened trading week by rising on Tuesday, taking its cue from the previous day’s global gains that were attributed to US President Donald Trump’s decision to delay tariff hikes on Chinese goods.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) grew by 0.33 percent or 26.03 points to close at 7,988.16 while the broader All Shares rose by 0.25 percent or 12.28 POINTS TO kNISH AT

0HILIPPINE kNANCIAL MARKETS were closed on Monday as the country observed the 33rd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution. g4HE MARKET HAS JUST NOW digested the positive news that the March 1 deadline for US-

ÂłStatements B2

ÂłSummit B2

Public investors lost P3.48/share in Chelsea’s 2017 IPO OECD: Corporate debt a risk to global growth S OLD. Rafael dela Cruz Consing Jr. is a senior vice president, chief finance officer and compliance officer of International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), according to the port operator’s page on the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

In a disclosure, Consing said he had reduced the number of the ICTSI common shares he owned to seven after selling 123,520 of these in eight trades. These are broken down as follows: 20,000 shares at P117.60 each, 10,000 at P118 each and 3,520 at P119 each on Feb. 19, 2019; 25,000 at P119.80 each and 15,000 shares at P119.50 each on February 20; and 40,000 at P118.90 each, 4,490 at P119.00 each and 5,510 at P119.20 each on February 21.

On February 22, ICTSI common shares closed at P119.40 after opening the day’s session at P119, peaking at P119.90 and dropping to a low of P119, the stock’s opening price.

Bought. Fernando L. Gaspar, president and chief executive ofkCER OF 2OXAS #O )NC 2#) AS well as a member of its eight-man board, increased his holdings in the company to 518,254 shares after buying 20,000 shares at P1.85 per share on Feb. 20, 2019.

On Jan. 20, 2019, he bought 28,000 RCI common shares at P1.84 each. This acquisition increased his ownership to 498,254 common shares. On January 16, he acquired in two trades 10,000

RCI common shares at P1.83 each and 20,000 common RCI common shares at P1.84 each. These additional shares increased his holdings to 428,254 shares.

On February 22, RCI common shares opened trading at P1.96, hit a high of P1.97, and dropped to a session low of P1.90 and closed at that level.

Annual meeting The stockholders of Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. (CLC), who own 1.822 billion outstanding common shares, will hold their annual meeting at 8:30 a.m. at Park Inn by Radisson Davao in Davao City on March 15.

An information statement (IS) listed Udenna Corp. as the owner of 1.275 billion CLC common shares, or 70 percent of the total.

4HE SAME kLING SAID 0#$ .OMINEE Corp. holds 587.802 million CLC common shares, or 28.969 percent of the total.

In an explanatory note, Chelsea IDENTIkED 5DENNA AS gTHE HOLDING COMPANY OF THE 5Y FAMILYu AND gIS directly owned by spouses Dennis A. Uy and Cherilyn C. Uy.� On THE OTHER HAND gTHE

common shares under the name of 0#$ .OMINEES #ORP ARE OWNED

by PCD participants acting for themselves or for their customers.�

In the same statement, ChelSEA S kVE HIGHEST PAID EXECUTIVES in 2018 were Chryss Alfonsus V. Damuy, president and CEO; Cherilyn C. Uy, treasurer; Ignacia S. Braga 4th, vice president for kNANCE )RWIN - -ONTANO VICE president for human resources; and Ma. Henedina V. San Juan.

As a group, they were paid P34.3 million in 2018 — salary, P19.6 million; bonus, P8.6 million; and other compensation, P6.1 million.

In 2017, aside from Damuy, -RS 5Y AND "RAGA #HELSEA S kVE highest-paid executives did not include Montano and San Juan yet. Instead, Chelsea had Arthur Kenneth Sy, president of TransAsia, and Ricky P. Victoria, vice president for ship management, tankers and tugs. As a group, the company paid them P20.3 million in salaries, but without the usual bonus and other perks.

Since Chelsea is yet to end 2019, it estimated the pays and perks of Damuy, Mrs. Uy, Braga, Montano and San Juan to reach P33.8 million. As a group, the company estimated their compensation to include salaries (P22.7 million), bonuses (P3.5 million), and others (P7.6 million).

For this year, Chelsea projected THE SALARIES OF gALL OTHER OFkCERS AS a group unnamed� at P5.4 million and their bonuses at P800,000 for

a total of P6.2 million. In 2018, the company paid them P4.3 million as salary and P900,000 as bonus for a total of P5.2 million. In 2017, the group received salaries amounting to P6.8 million, but without the usual bonuses and other compensation.

Chelsea’s IPO Chelsea generated P5,837,613,240 from the sale of 546.593 million common shares — at P10.68 each — during the initial public offering (IPO) it held on Aug. 8, 2017. .ET OF THE USUAL EXPENSES THE company’s net proceeds totaled P5,272,347,772, which translates to P9.646 per CLC common share.

Of the net proceeds, Chelsea prepaid a P1,013,400,000 loan (19.221 percent) from the Bank of China. It also allocated P39,991,070 (0.756 percent) for THE gACQUISITION OF - 4UG SungAn� and spent P18,163,590 (0.345 PERCENT AS gDOWN PAYMENT FOR -6 Ocean Spirit.�

As a result of the loan prepayment, acquisition and down payment, only P4,200,793,112 or 79.676 percent of Chelsea’s net proceeds remained.

All this tells the public that Chelsea spent P565,265,468 — equivalent to 10.721 percent of the net proceeds — for the following: underwriting and selling commission, P239,801,737; advisory fees, P175,128,397; IPO

ÂłPerez B3

PARIS: Record levels of corporate borrowing could become a risk for the world economy if slowing growth prevents companies from redeeming their maturing bonds over the next few years, the OECD warned on Monday.

The value of outstanding bonds issued by the world’s nonkNANCIAL COMPANIES HAS DOUBLED SINCE THE GLOBAL kNANCIAL crisis, the Paris-based body said in a report.

Taking advantage of ultra-low interest rates, companies have borrowed like never before, boosting the corporate bond market to $13 trillion by the end of 2018.

While small companies typically finance themselves with bank loans, larger corporations almost always issue bonds.

After splurging for a decade, the companies will now have to PAY BACK OR REkNANCE AROUND trillion in the next three years — A kGURE EQUIVALENT TO THE TOTAL balance sheet of the US Federal Reserve — the report said. g)N THE CASE OF A DOWNTURN

highly leveraged companies WOULD FACE DIFkCULTIES IN SERVICing their debt, which in turn, through lower investment and higher default rates, could amplify the effects of a downturn,� the OECD said.

The report comes as the global

economy is already slowing down, with the IMF last month lowering its growth forecast for 2019 from 3.7 percent to 3.5 percent.

Despite the booming corporate bond market, the pace at which they were issued decreased by 41 percent last year compared to 2017, hitting the lowest annual volume since 2008, the OECD said.

The appetite among investors FOR THE RISKIEST gNON INVESTMENT grade� bonds also turned negative last year, the report said. g4HE ONLY OTHER YEAR THAT this happened over the last two decades was in 2008,� it added.

China has been the main driver behind corporate bond market growth, going from a negligible level of bond issuance before 2008 to becoming the world’s second largest issuer of such bonds.

Facing its own economic slowdown and record levels of household debt, China earlier this month announced it would tighten controls amid record corporate defaults.

The report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development was based on 85,000 corporate bond issues by NON kNANCIAL COMPANIES FROM 114 countries between 2000 and 2018.

AFP

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

DA working to implement rice tariffication law – Piùol T

BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday it was doing everything necessary to ensure that Republic Act 11203, or the 0HILIPPINE 2ICE 4ARRIkCATION !CT WOULD HAVE a “smooth� implementation after a lawmaker accused the agency of delaying it. g4HERE IS NO TRUTH TO THE ALLEGAtion by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian that the [DA] is delaying the impleMENTATION OF THE 2ICE 4ARIFkCATION and Liberalization Law signed

recently by President [Rodrigo] Duterte,� Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piùol said in a statement.

His denial came after Gatchalian urged the DA in a DzBB radio inter-

VIEW TO gCOOPERATE FULLY IN IMPLEMENTING THE LAW u ADDING THAT gHE (Piùol) must work for the success of the law, even if he’s against it.� g#ONTRARY TO THE CLAIM OF 3ENAtor Gatchalian, the DA is, in fact, facilitating the conduct of [a] nationwide information campaign and consultations to explain to rice-industry stakeholders what the law is all about,� Piùol said. g4HESE CONSULTATIONS ARE NEEDED IN the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR), which are ;REQUIRED= BEFORE THE RICE TARIFkCATION law could be effective,� he added.

The consulations with rice farmers began on Tuesday and will end on Friday.

RA 11203 replaces the country’s rice-importation quota system with tariffs. Under the measure, in- and out-quota imports from

members of the Association of 3OUTHEAST !SIAN .ATIONS !SEAN will be levied a uniform 35-percent duty.

Besides the Philippines, other Asean members are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

A 40-percent tariff will be imposed on shipments from nonAsean members within the minimum access volume of 350,000 MT, rising up to 180 percent for out-quota imports. !S A RESULT OF THE TARIFkCATION of the rice quota, the government expects to generate an additional P10 billion in tariff revenue, which is expected to be allocated to rice farmers, who will be negatively AFFECTED BY THE EXPECTED INlOW OF cheaper rice imports.

Firm taps Indian experts to boost garlic production A local company and agricultural experts from India have teamed up to help boost the Philippines’ garlic production by planting the crop in alternative areas. According to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piùol, agri-entrepreneur German Panghulan, who owns Vetmate, a veterinary firm that is now venturing into garlic production, has established a one-hectare demonstration farm in Banjo Laurel town in Batangas province’s Tanauan City with the help of the Indian experts.

He said the farm aimed “to show that garlic could be grown in the Philippines outside of the traditional production areas.� Garlic is widely cultivated in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon) and 4 (Southern Tagalog). Local varieties include Batangas, Ilocos and Batanes white garlic. “We faced a lot of challenges in establishing the demo farm, especially since Batangas is not really a garlic production area and also because we planted during the off-season,� Panghu-

lan was quoted as saying in a statement. Garlic grows favorably in areas where it rains from May to October and is dry from November to April. The crop does not grow well in areas with excessive rainfall.

Panghulan explained that, unlike in the Philippines, garlic is grown in almost all regions in India. “It is just a question of the right variety and the correct technology,â€? he said.  The Indian experts, PiĂąol said, helped set up the farm by using their soil enhancers and efficient drip irrigation system.

The garlic bulbs grown are scheduled to be harvested in April, he added.

Data from Philippine Statistics Authority showed that garlic production reached 7.56 thousand metric tons (TMT) in 2018, a 2.48-percent decrease from 7.75 TMT the year before.

Its production value at current prices, however, grew to 7.34 percent to P714.05 million last year from P665.22 million in 2017.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ Q STATEMENTS FROM B1

PSEi lifted

by Trump statements

Q The Bureau of the Treasury building in Manila.

PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA Corp. , China Bank Capital Corp., First Metro Investment Corp., RCBC Capital Corp., and SB Capital Investment Corp. as have been named issue managers. first ever online RTB ordering form is available for those who The latest RTB offering is the PLATFORM WE ARE CONkDENT THAT have peso accounts with Land kFTH FOR THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRAwe will further expand our reach Bank of the Philippines and the tion following two in 2017 (April to individual investors by making Development Bank of the Philip- AND .OVEMBER ONE IN 3EPTEMBER investment in RTBs easily acces- pines (DBP). It can be accessed 2016 and one in May 2018. sible,� de Leon said. during the two-week offer period At P30 billion, the size is similar g4HROUGH kNANCIAL TECHNOLOGY THROUGH HTTP WWW TREASURY GOV to the last RTB sale, which ended we are also allowing OFWs to par- ph. up with the government selling ticipate in our RTB offering even if The DBP and Landbank are the four times that or P121 billion. they are miles away from home,� joint issue lead managers for the The May 2018 offering involved she added.

RTB offering, while BDO Capital three-year RTBs with a 4.875-perThe online RTB ordering plat- )NVESTMENT #ORP "0) #APITAL cent yield.

Q OFFERING FROM B1

Govt raises P113B

Q SUMMIT FROM B1

Trump: Signing was in “advanced stages.� “Relationship between our two Countries is very strong. I have therefore agreed to delay US tariff hikes. Let’s see what happens?� Trump wrote.

He told the state leaders late Sunday to expect “very big news over the next week or two.�

Officials and economists worldwide have been watching the negotiations closely as the trade war has hit company profits, raising prices for importers and cutting sales for exporters, which could erode global growth if it is not resolved.

Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, has called the trade dispute a “major risk� to the global economy and billionaire investor Warren Buffet said Monday both countries would lose if they failed to resolve their differences.

To MOU or not to MOU? But even after four rounds of talks, progress towards achieving the more difficult parts of a deal has been unclear.

The governments an-

nounced that China had pledged to resume or increase purchases of US agricultural goods but Washington is pushing for changes to the country’s industrial strategy and enforceable protections for American technology.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also insisted the deal would include a provision to keep Beijing from allowing its currency to weaken in order to circumvent US tariffs but economists have said the complexities and monitoring of such an agreement would be tough to get on paper.

Gregory Daco of Oxford Economics said he expected that “a handshake agreement in which China will promise to import more agricultural products, work towards a stable currency and reinforce intellectual property rights protection will be achieved in the coming weeks.�

However, he said, “we don’t foresee a significant rollback of existing tariffs, and see underlying tensions regarding China’s strategic ambitions, its industrial policy, technological transfers and ‘verification and enforcement’ mechanisms

remaining in place.�

Confusion erupted in a bizarre Oval Office exchange between Trump and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, an experienced trade lawyer and hardliner on China.

Asked by a reporter about the memorandum of understanding or MOUs due to be signed with China, Trump said he did not like MOUs because he wanted something more binding.

Lighthizer explained that MOUs are in fact contracts, only to be contradicted

by Trump, which caused China’s Vice Premier Liu He to laugh out loud.

Bloomberg reported that Trump was angry with Lighthizer over the exchange and frustrated that he had not concluded a deal yet.

But China has fast-tracked a new investment law that will eliminate the requirement for foreign enterprises to transfer proprietary technology to domestic joint-venture partners -- a key demand from Washington. It also includes other steps to level the business playing field that Western trading partners have long demanded.

China’s parliament is expected to vote on the legislation in March — barely two months after debating a first draft.

AFP

China talks has been extended, building on optimism that it will be solved sooner than later,� AAA Southeast Equities Inc. President Matthew Cabangon said.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan echoed the view, sayING 0HILIPPINE SHARES gEDGED slightly higher ‌ after Trump said he would delay placing additional tariffs.�

Trump on Sunday said he would delay the imposition of higher tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods folLOWING gSUBSTANTIAL PROGRESSu in trade talks. The tariffs were originally scheduled to be levied starting March 1.

The US president followed that up on Monday by saying that he expected to hold a gSIGNING SUMMITu SOON WITH Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Wall Street posted modest gains in response overnight BUT THE OPTIMISM FAILED TO kLTER through to Asia on Tuesday.

Shanghai sank 0.7 percent Tuesday after the previous day’s 5.6 percent surge while Hong Kong also slipped 0.7 percent and Tokyo ended down 0.4 percent.

Sydney sank almost one percent and Singapore was 0.4 percent off, with Seoul 0.3 percent lower, Wellington down PERCENT AND 4AIPEI lAT While dealers are hopeful the two sides will reach an agreement, there is some scepticism about how much they can resolve, while some observers warned that failure to meet market expectations could lead to a sharp drop in global equities following a strong start to the year. g4HE EMERGING SHAPE AND tone of the negotiations do not portend a resolution of many pending issues per se,� said Aninda Mitra, an analyst AT ".9 -ELLON )NVESTMENT Management. g.OTWITHSTANDING THE RELIEF in Chinese markets and an expected improvement in global risk sentiment, the bilateral trade relationship will remain complicated.�

In Manila, all sectoral reSULTS kNISHED kRMER EXCEPT FOR kNANCIALS WHICH FELL BY percent.

More than 1.15 billion shares valued at P10.9 billion were traded Losers led winners, 104 to 91, while 51 issues remained unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

Corporate News Core businesses lift BDO net to P32B B ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

DO Unibank Inc.’s net income rose to P32.7 billion last year on the back of strong recurring earnings from its core businesses.

In a disclosure on Tuesday, the Sy-led banking giant said the amount was a 16.3-percent increase from P28.1 billion in 2017, and also beat its P31-billion full-year guidance.

)T ADDED THAT IT WAS gTHE kRST Philippine bank to breach the P3trillion mark in total assets.� "$/ CREDITED THE PROkT INCREASE to the solid growth in its lending and deposit-taking businesses.

Gross customer loans increased by 15 percent to P2 trillion, which the lender attributed to healthy increases across all market segments. Total deposits, meanwhile, jumped by 14 percent to P2.4 trillion, with low-cost current account/savings account ratio at 70 percent.

This resulted in the 20-percent expansion in BDO’s net interest income to P98.3 billion on better net interest margins, which im-

network and strategic initiatives.

The bank claimed it had remained prudent and set aside P6.3 billion in provisions, even as its non-performing loans (NPL) ratio further improved to 1 percent from 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

NPL cover was at 183 percent, higher than 2017’s 146 percent.

BDO’s capital base stood at P328.1 billion, with capital adequacy ratio and common equity

tier 1 ratio at 13.7 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively — both at above regulatory levels. “BDO is well-positioned to take advantage of market opportunities and strengthen its leadership position in the industry by leveraging on its strong business franchise and extensive distribution network,� the bank said.

BDO shares increased by P2 or 1.55 percent to close at P131 each on Tuesday.

Meralco profit up ‘despite uncertainties’

Businessinbriefs PHOENIX PETROLEUM NET INCOME SOARS 82%

LISTED Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. saw its net income surge by 82 percent to P2.77 billion last year from P1.52 billion in 2017, which the Dennis Uy-led oil firm said was boosted “by record volume from new businesses and sustained strength in its core fuels business.� In a disclosure on Tuesday, Phoenix Petroleum reported that its revenues grew by 99 percent to P88.61 billion in 2018 from P44.54 billion the year before as the volume of petroleum products sold rose by 49 percent year-on-year to a record 2.75 billion liters. Its retail volume climbed by 5 percent in 2018 from the previous year’s figure Its liquefied petroleum natural gas business also surged by 23 percent on the back of its continued expansion in Luzon and the consistent strength of its business in the Visayas and Minandao. Luzon accounted for 10 percent of the total LPG volume from 4 percent, while the other two island groups posted a volume growth of 14 percent.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

RCBC NET INCOME FLAT AT P4.3B

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.’s (RCBC) net profit for 2018 remained flat at P4.3 billion, even as its core income posted double-digit growth. In a statement on Tuesday, the Yuchengco-led lender reported that excluding non-recurring income (trading gains), its core income rose by 26 percent on the back of its stronger core business, led by a 14-percent increase in net interest income and a 7-percent rise in fee-based income. RCBC President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Buenaventura said in the statement that the bank’s balance sheet position was “stronger than ever,� noting that its total assets jumped by 16 percent to P644.8 billion. Total deposits grew by P35.0 billion year-on-year to P423.4 billion, while current account/savings accounts reached P230.3 billion as of end-2018. The bank’s combined net interest and fee-based incomes made up 91 percent of gross income, which hit P26.5 billion.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

UNIONBANK TO RAISE P30B FROM DEBT PAPER ISSUANCE

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) reported n Tuesday that its board of directors had given it the go-signal to raise P30 billion from the issuance of bonds and/or commercial papers. In a disclosure, the Aboitiz-led lender said that although the board approved the move, it was yet to establish the timetable and other details for it. UnionBank previously reported that its net income decreased by 13 percent to P7.3 billion in 2018 from P8.4 billion the year before.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) reported on Tuesday that its consolidated net income increased by 13 percent to P23.1 billion last year from P20.5 billion in 2017, despite economic challenges. $URING A BRIEkNG AT ITS MAIN OFkCE in Pasig City, the listed power titan said its consolidated core net income reached P22.4 billion in 2018, a 11-percent growth from P20.2 billion the year before.

Gross revenues hit P304.5 billion last year, up 8 percent from the 2017 kGURE DUE TO HIGHER VOLUMES AND pass-through generation charges resulting from higher average fuel costs, a weaker peso and higher spot

Index

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

7,988.16

26.03

Ÿ

All Shares

4,896.11

12.28

Ÿ

Financials

1,747.04

-7.64

Ĺş

Industrial

11,722.65

44.48

Ÿ

Holding Firms

8,069.37

48.45

Ÿ

Services

1,584.20

5.81

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,680.15

70.3

Ÿ

Property

4,069.47

23.79

Ÿ

LISTED Manila Water Co. Inc.’s net income rose to P6.5 billion in 2018 on the back of higher tariff rates and market expansion.

In a disclosure, the Ayala-led water provider for eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province said the amount was a 6-percent increase from P6.1 billion in 2017, adding that the growth “was driven largely by the steady performance of [its] Manila concession, bolstered by the approval of its positive tariff adjustment and business plan.�

State-run Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System (MWSS) approved last year the water concessionaire’s rate hike, which is equivalent to P19.13 per cubic meter and will be implemented IN TRANCHES FOR kVE YEARS 0 CU M

SERVICES

Stock indices as of February 21, 2019

ALL SHARES

prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

Consolidated electricity and distribution revenues rose by 7 percent and 4 percent to P295.4 billion and P62 billion, respectively.

Consolidated core earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (ebitda) amounted to P37.4 billion, an 8-percent rise from 2017, with core ebitda margin at 12 percent on consolidated revenues.

Total customer base grew by 4.6 percent to 6.61 million from 6.3 million at end-2017.

Consolidated energy sales volumes climbed by 5 percent to 44,313 gigawatt hours (GWh) last year, including

the 527 GWh distributed by subsidiary Clark Electric Distribution Corp. #ASH lOWS FROM OPERATIONS HIT 0 BILLION WHILE FREE CASH lOWS reached P5.4 billion.

According to Meralco, it posted all these increases despite the slightly lower gross domestic product (GDP) GROWTH HIGHER INlATION AND INTEREST rates, rising coal prices and the weak peso recorded in 2018. “The sustained growth of the domestic economy, and the resilience of the global economy amid political uncertainties, have allowed Meralco to‌achieve healthy energy sales growth in 2018, despite an increase in the pursuit of greater energy ef-

kCIENCY ACROSS ALL CUSTOMER CLASSES distributed and self-generation, particularly rooftop solar, which could negatively impact sales volumes,�

Meralco Chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a statement released DURING THE BRIEkNG Established in 1919, Meralco holds the largest market capitalization among listed utility and power-sector companies in the country. Its units are into engineering and consulting, construction, bills payments, and other electricity-related services.

Shares of Meralco added 6 centavos or 0.16 percent to end at P375.60 apiece on Tuesday.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

Tariff hikes boost Manila Water’s 2018 income

HOLDING FIRMS

PSEi

proved to 3.64 percent from 3.48 percent in 2017.

Non-interest income reached P49.7 billion, with fee-based income contributing P30.7 billion and insurance premiums up by 20 percent.

Overall, gross operating income grew by 15 percent to P148 billion.

Operating expenses climbed by 16 percent to P98.0 billion, which BDO said was in line with its sustained investments in branch

B3

MINING AND OIL

in October 2018, P2/cu.m. in January 2020; P2/cu.m. in January 2021; and between 76 centavos and P1.04/cu.m. in January 2022.

Manila Water’s consolidated revenues grew by 7 percent to P19.8 billion in 2018 from P18.5 billion the year before, while its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization inched up by 8 percent to P12.6 billion from P11.6 billion in 2017.

Total billed volume last year reached 1.1 billion cu.m., a 43-percent increase from 2017’s 806.7 million cu.m.

The company’s Manila concession led the increase at 503.3 million cu.m., up by 3 percent from 488.4 million cu.m. two years ago. Its recent stake acquisitions in Thailand’s East Water and Indonesia’s PT Sa-

rana Tirta Ungaran also contributed to the 2018 volume.

It, however, reported a reduction in billed volume for subsidiaries Laguna Water, Boracay Water and Cebu Water. Its Vietnamese units Thu Duc Water and Kenh Dong Water also reported similar decreases last year.

4HE kRM ALSO REGISTERED A PERcent increase in total billed connections, which reached 1.10 million from 1.07 million in 2017.

Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Ferdinand dela Cruz said he was encouraged by the company’s “resilient performance� last year, as it served to further strengthen its growth platform. “I see our 2018 performance as a testament to our resolve, as we

SURMOUNTED SIGNIkCANT CHALLENGES TO come out stronger,� dela Cruz said. “In the Manila concession, we have forged a clear path to regulatory stability with the positive conclusion of the rate-rebasing exercise. For our domestic operations, we remained true to our service commitments even under sudden market disruptions, like� the closure of Boracay island to tourists for a six-month environmental rehabilitation. “We are excited for the road ahead, as we follow through on our growth aspirations in [Southeast Asia] and in other new markets,� he added.

Manila Water shares dipped by 45 centavos or 1.65 percent to close at P26.85 apiece on Tuesday.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

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

Security Name BDO Unibank, Inc. Ayala Land, Inc. San Miguel Corporation Philippine National Bank International Container Terminal Services, Inc. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc. EEI Corporation Ayala Corporation Bank of the Philippine Islands Puregold Price Club, Inc. Megawide Construction Corp.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company SM Investments Corporation PLDT Inc. Megaworld Corporation Universal Robina Corporation Alliance Global Group, Inc.

Last Price 131 44.95 180 51.15 119.6 69.5 315 7.5 39.35 9.8 945 84.9 49.5 19.78 79 985 1,098.00 5.31 149.4 14.2

Chg %Chg 2 1.55% 0.45 1.01% 1 0.56% 2.85 5.90% 0.2 0.17% 1 1.46% 1.8 0.57% 0 0% 0.25 0.64% 1.7 20.99% 3 0.32% -1.15 -1.34% 0.8 1.64% 0.88 4.66% -2.4 -2.95% 5 0.51% -15 -1.35% 0.01 0.19% 0.4 0.27% 0.2 1.43%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ ź Ÿ ź Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Volume 7,463,910.00 17,597,900.00 3,090,920.00 10,202,200.00 4,119,730.00 5,162,680.00 924,040 35,560,900 6,355,800 24,976,700 240,380 2,648,830 4,066,400 10,074,900 2,386,770 175,300 118,345 23,354,700 747,800 7,827,700

Value(P) 975,330,552.00 788,121,535.00 556,047,723.00 504,062,280.00 494,245,804.00 356,917,571.50 289,745,428.00 266,457,266.00 250,107,600.00 241,042,361.00 226,874,760.00 225,993,715.50 201,271,870.00 197,232,452.00 189,196,811.50 172,841,105.00 129,811,135.00 123,985,232.00 111,740,967.00 110,728,588.00

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

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

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

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

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

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

CLOSE

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

Security Name EEI Corporation Manila Mining Corporation “A�

The Philodrill Corporation 8990 Holdings, Inc. Series A Perpetual Preferred Shares Chemical Industries of the Philippines Philippine National Bank Greenergy Holdings Incorporated Cyber Bay Corporation Megawide Construction Corp.

Concrete Aggregates Corporation “B�

Zeus Holdings, Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. Da Vinci Capital Holdings, Inc. Wilcon Depot, Inc. LBC Express Holdings, Inc. Philippine Infradev Holdings, Inc. House of Investments, Inc. Premium Leisure Corp.

Philippine Seven Corporation “Common�

BDO Leasing & Finance, Inc.

Volume 24,976,700.00 7,000,000.00 3,500,000.00 350.00 520.00 10,202,200.00 27,724,000.00 3,680,000.00 10,074,900.00 70.00 51,310,000.00 9,856,000.00 17,100.00 5,070,400.00 25,700.00 5,021,000.00 282,500.00 25,156,000.00 115,590.00 11,000.00

Value Last Price Chg %Chg 241,042,361.00 9.8 1.7 20.99% 64,400.00 0.0097 0.0009 10.23% 43,300.00 0.013 0.001 8.33% 33,600.00 96 6 6.67% 66,560.00 128 7.8 6.49% 504,062,280.00 51.15 2.85 5.90% 93,625,230.00 3.42 0.16 4.91% 1,627,100.00 0.445 0.02 4.71% 197,232,452.00 19.78 0.88 4.66% 5,032.00 74.1 3.1 4.37% 18,611,450.00 0.37 0.015 4.23% 24,289,440.00 2.49 0.1 4.18% 104,340.00 6.4 0.25 4.07% 74,268,496.00 14.76 0.56 3.94% 405,568.00 15.8 0.54 3.54% 10,781,790.00 2.19 0.07 3.30% 1,757,625.00 6.3 0.2 3.28% 25,396,800.00 1.01 0.03 3.06% 15,223,699.00 133 3.8 2.94% 24,600.00 2.3 0.06 2.68%

*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 Phinma Petroleum and Geothermal, Inc. Xurpas Inc. PTFC Redevelopment Corporation Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Jackstones, Inc. Anglo Philippine Holdings Corporation Macay Holdings, Inc. Centro Escolar University Phinma Corporation )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF Asian Terminals, Inc. Omico Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Metals Corporation Lorenzo Shipping Corporation Boulevard Holdings, Inc. Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. Asiabest Group International Inc. National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume 73,000.00 15,997,000.00 500.00 6,120,000.00 37,324,000.00 10,000.00 357,000.00 33,700.00 1,700.00 300.00 200,000.00 2,342,200.00 1,095,000.00 50,000.00 837,000.00 3,000.00 118,640,000.00 404,100.00 98,500.00 1,080,000.00

Value 235,600.00 23,196,760.00 22,450.00 3,998,670.00 50,556,710.00 30,790.00 281,880.00 397,768.00 13,600.00 2,664.00 46,480.00 35,134,416.00 693,210.00 6,500.00 931,210.00 2,750.00 8,207,310.00 10,529,070.00 2,142,180.00 1,108,240.00

Last Price 3.21 1.42 45 0.65 1.33 3.07 0.78 11.5 8 8.88 0.233 15 0.65 0.13 1.1 0.9 0.068 26.1 22.15 1.01

Chg -0.23 -0.09 -2.85 -0.04 -0.08 -0.16 -0.04 -0.58 -0.38 -0.42 -0.011 -0.7 -0.03 -0.006 -0.05 -0.04 -0.003 -1.1 -0.9 -0.04

%Chg -6.69% -5.96% -5.96% -5.80% -5.67% -4.95% -4.88% -4.80% -4.53% -4.52% -4.51% -4.46% -4.41% -4.41% -4.35% -4.26% -4.23% -4.04% -3.90% -3.81%

B4

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Foreign Business

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

US businesses in China see gloomy year

B

EIJING: US companies in China forecast a gloomy year ahead, with many worrying about a deterioration in bilateral trade ties and nearly a quarter delaying investments, a business survey showed Tuesday.

The survey of 314 US businesses by the American Chamber of Commerce in China provided a full accounting of challenges American business face after Beijing and Washington exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs on more than BILLION IN TWO WAY TRADE The report was released two days after US President Donald Trump said he would delay a planned further hike in tariffs on Chinese goods this week after he and Beijing both hailed “substantial progress� in trade negotiations. “Certainly our members are

hopeful that the uncertainty and the loss and the delays in business that have resulted from the trade negotiations and trade frictions will turn out to have been worthwhile in the end,� said Tim Stratford, chairman of the chamber. “If not then it would be a tremendous waste,� he told reporters.

The survey found that 89 percent of businesses reported a pessimistic view on the world’s most important bilateral trade relationship.

The tariffs directly hit US businesses, increasing costs and

lowering demand from Chinese consumers with some companies even forced to lay off workers, the survey showed.

The US-China trade spat was among the top concerns for businesses across sectors. Three-fourths expect the relationship to further deteriorate or remain the same this year.

Nearly two-thirds said the tensions affected their plans for the market, and caused nearly a quarter to delay further investment in China, the survey showed. !BOUT ONE kFTH OF kRMS HAVE moved or are considering moving production outside of China, with the tariffs and rising costs top reasons, according to the survey.

3TILL 53 kRMS SEE THE TARIFFS HAVE gotten both governments to sit down at the negotiating table and

seriously hash out their issues, Stratford said.

(E ADDED THAT A SEPARATE BUSINESS survey conducted last week found a MAJORITY OF kRMS THINK TARIFFS SHOULD be kept in place “in some fashion� during negotiations.

Concerns have grown among top US lawmakers that President Donald Trump will settle for a deal that steps up Chinese purchases of US goods without solving the thornier issues like Chinese state support for kRMS AND AN UNFAIR PLAYING kELD FOR foreign companies.

Buying more American products “doesn’t address the underlying systematic problems, and if we don’t address the underlying systematic problems then I think we will not be putting the trade relationship on a sustainable footing,�

Stratford said.

Market access — a long-time concern for US, European and other foreign businesses and at the top of the Trump administration’s list of gripes — remains a problem for more than half of companies. “China has made doing our type of business, which partly involves importing agricultural products INTO #HINA MORE DIFkCULT EVERY year since I have been coming to China,� said one anonymous executive, according to the chamber.

Another issue under debate between the world’s top two economic powers is protection of American intellectual property, with Washington accusing Beijing of encouraging theft of US creations. /NE THIRD OF kRMS SAID IT HAD caused them to limit investment in China, rising to about one-half in technology and resource and

industrial sectors.

3TILL PERCENT OF kRMS SAID there has been improvement in )0 PROTECTION IN THE PAST kVE YEARS “Yes, there are challenges — many longstanding, and many past commitments remain unfulkLLED u 3TRATFORD SAID IN THE REPORT “China is still a critically important market for many American companies, and the bilateral economic relationship is too important to not get right.�

Slowing growth is also a major concern after the Chinese economy posted its slowest expansion in nearly three decades in 2018.

More than half of businesses forecast market growth this year OF kVE PERCENT OR LESS ‡ BELOW the about six percent growth target Beijing is expected to announce next month.

AFP

Standard Chartered’s 2018 profits rise Corporate regulator says

HONG KONG: Standard Chartered’s preTAX PROkT SURGED TO BILLION IN 2018, the bank said Tuesday, after previously warning it had set aside NEARLY BILLION FOR REGULATORY kNES in the US and Britain.

The UK-based bank has been stalked for years by probes on both sides of the Atlantic including over alleged violations of United States sanctions against Iran, investigations related to foreign exchange trading AND kNANCIAL CRIME CONTROL BREACHES Last week the bank said it had put ASIDE MILLION TO DEAL WITH THOSE PROBES THE kRST TIME IT HAD PUT A kGure on the penalties and an attempt to draw a line under the issue ahead of its earnings report. )N A 4UESDAY kLING WITH THE (ONG Kong stock exchange, the emerging MARKETS LENDER SAID ITS PRE TAX PROkT WAS UP PERCENT AT BILLION "UT THAT kGURE DROPPED TO billion “after provision for regulatory matters and restructuring and other items� were taken out, a rise of 5.5 percent on 2017’s results.

4HE HEADLINE PROkT WAS SOME

million lower than a consensus forecast compiled by the bank, Bloomberg News reported. But analyst Dickie Wong of Kingston Securities said the earnings were “in line with expectations�.

Standard Chartered has been bracING FOR A POSSIBLE 53 kNE RELATED TO past dealings with Iran dating back as far as the late 2000s.

Last month it settled a currency trading investigation and said it had received notice from British regulaTORS THAT IT FACED A MILLION kNE OVER HISTORICAL kNANCIAL CRIME CONtrols — although it is still weighing its options over that penalty.

Wong told AFP the fines were gDEkNITELY NOT SOMETHING GOOD BUT won’t affect its overall business or dividend policy.� #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER "ILL 7INTERS took over in 2015 and set about cleaning up a balance sheet saddled by bad loans. The Asia, Middle East and Africa focused bank has since returned three SUCCESSIVE YEARS OF PROkT GROWTH But Winters is under pressure to convince investors he can continue to cut costs while reviving longer-term

EARNINGS GROWTH AND PROkTABILITY On Tuesday the bank announced a three-year plan that would aim FOR SOME MILLION IN SAVINGS AS well as restructure operations in “low returning markets� including India, South Korea and Indonesia.

The filing did not say whether those savings would be made through a headcount reduction. “Over the last three years we have fundamentally overhauled the bank,�

Winters said in a statement attached TO THE kLING “It is now a solid platform off which WE CAN GROW PROkTABLY AND SUSTAINably to deliver a double-digit return on tangible equity by 2021,� he added.

The bank’s shares ended up 1.5 PERCENT IN (ONG +ONG TRADE AFTER the announcement.

On global issues for the year ahead THE BANK IDENTIkED TRADE TENSIONS between Washington and Beijing as well as China’s economic slowdown as key uncertainties faced by the bank that had “high potential impacts�.

Brexit, it said, had a “low potenAFP tial impact.�

Tesla’s Musk violated deal

WASHINGTON, D.C.: US stock regulators have accused Elon Musk of violating a court-endorsed deal between the electric automaker and the regulatory agency, and this latest apparent slip by the tech wunderkind could cost him dearly.

The action by the powerful Securities and Exchange Commission, with which Musk appears to be doing battle, does not really come as a surprise.

On February 19, he tweeted that Tesla would make 500,000 cars in 2019 — up from the 400,000 that the company had estimated until then, as it grapples with production problems with the Model 3.

In his latest display of seemingly erratic behavior, Musk corrected himself four hours later.

(E SAID 4ESLA WOULD INDEED PRODUCE ABOUT 400,000 cars this year. “Meant to say annualized production rate at end of 2019 probably around 500k,� he wrote.

The SEC said the tweets violated a deal under which his tweets had to be reviewed prior to being published.

That constraint followed Musk’s now famous tweet last year about planning to take the company private, a claim which proved unfounded but rattled markets.

On “February 19, 2019, Musk tweeted, ‘Tesla made 0 cars in 2011, but will make around 500k in 2019.’ Musk did not seek or receive pre-approval prior to publishing this tweet, which was inaccurate and disseminated to over MILLION PEOPLE u THE 3%# SAID IN COURT kLING in New York federal court. g-USK HAS THUS VIOLATED THE COURT S kNAL judgment by engaging in the very conduct that THE PRE APPROVAL PROVISION OF THE kNAL JUDG-

ment was designed to prevent,� it said.

Musk took to Twitter to defend himself later Monday, saying the “SEC forgot to read Tesla earnings transcript, which clearly states 350k to 500k.� g(OW EMBARRASSING u HE ADDED But Musk also spoke of his “great respect for judges.�

(IS LAWYERS SAID IN COURT kLINGS THAT -USK DID not believe he needed authorization to tweet details that he understood to have been previously publicly announced. But the SEC does not consider that defense to be credible and says Musk never intended to follow the agreement.

This case now goes to a judge and a lot is at stake for Musk because US authorities have little patience with repeat offenders, especially IN CASES THAT AFFECT 53 kNANCIAL MARKETS Already, Tesla shares were down 3.6 percent after Monday’s stock market close.

The deal with the SEC came about after Musk tweeted last year that he planned to take Tesla PRIVATE AND HAD THE kNANCING TO DO IT That assertion caused Tesla shares to shoot up but proved false and made investors betting against the company lose millions. Musk is known to loathe so-called short sellers who doubt him, and has been suspected of orchestrating the whole affair to punish them.

To settle fraud charges stemming from the tweet, Musk had to resign as Tesla chairman, BOTH HE AND THE COMPANY HAD TO PAY A MILLION kNE AND THE 3%# DEMANDED THAT THE Tesla board oversee his social media use.

But Musk did manage to stay on as CEO with control over day-to-day operations as Tesla tries to boost production of electric cars up to industrial levels.

AFP

BASF annual profits tumble as car woes, trade wars bite FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German chemicals giANT "!3& REPORTED 4UESDAY ITS ANNUAL PROkTS slumped in 2018, with knock-on effects from major customer sectors and geopolitical headWINDS INCLUDING TRADE CONlICTS TAKING THE BUSIness off the boil. .ET PROkT AT THE GROUP FELL PERCENT TO BILLION EUROS BILLION SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS from analysts surveyed by Factset. g WAS A YEAR CHARACTERISED BY DIFkCULT global economic and geopolitical developments AND TRADE CONlICTS u THE ,UDWIGSHAFEN BASED kRM SAID IN A STATEMENT “Slowdown in key markets, especially the automotive industry� had weighed on BASF, the company added, the latest sign of the wider impact of car production bottlenecks linked to new emissions tests in Europe.

Meanwhile demand from China also fell, in part because of Beijing’s trade showdown with Washington, BASF said. /PERATING OR UNDERLYING PROkT AT THE GROUP fell 20.5 percent, to 7.6 billion euros, although the company was able to increase revenues 2.4 percent, to 62.7 billion — slightly higher than forecast by analysts.

On top of the major headwinds from the car industry and global trade, BASF also had to contend with the impact of low water on the

Rhine river. “For much of the third and fourth quarter, it was nearly impossible to receive deliveries of raw materials via ship� in Ludwigshafen after a hot and dry summer in Germany.

In addition, an important plant at the sprawling headquarters complex only resumed operaTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER FOLLOWING A kRE IN October 2017.

And newly-acquired agrichemical businesses bought from Bayer braked performance, as they joined the group in the second half of the year — after most seed providers make the bulk of THEIR PROkTS “We are tackling these challenges,� chief executive Martin Brudermueller said, promising a “transitional year to emerge even stronger� in 2019.

Looking ahead to the new year, the group aims for “slight� sales growth and to “slightly INCREASEu OPERATING PROkT BEFORE SPECIAL ITEMS

although headwinds will continue to bite in THE kRST HALF 4HE GROUP WOULD HAVE TO kND CASH FOR gNOTICEably higher� special items than the 320 million euros booked in 2018 as it presses ahead with restructuring plans, Brudermueller said.

Nevertheless, BASF said it would offer shareholders an increased dividend for last year of 3.20 euros per share — up 10 euro cents on 2017. AFP

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Public investors lost P3.48/share taxes, P116,752,265; PSE listing application fees, P19,296,884; professional fees – legal and audit, P10,403,897; documentary stamps taxes, P2,732,965; and miscellaneous expenses, P1.149,323.

These expenses also meant it cost Chelsea P1.034 to sell 546.593 million CLC common shares to the public.

On February 22, Chelsea common shares

opened trading at P6.25, peaked at P6.25, fell to a session low of P6.10 and closed at P6.19. Even at the stock’s 30-day high of P7.20, the public investors who bought IPO common shares in 2017 incurred a loss of P3.48 per Chelsea common share, or 32.584 percent of the P10.68 offer price if they still own their IPO shares.

esdperez@gmail.com

Maritime DICT invests P2.5- B for port expansion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

EDITOR: Carmela I. Huelar

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

B5

BY GENIVI FACTAO

T

HE Davao International Container Terminal (DICT) has infused P2.5 billion for port expansion to develop a world-class port infrastructure that serves as Mindanao’s agro-industrial gateway to global development.

"ONIFACIO ,ICAYAN $)#4 VICE PRESIDENT SAID 4HE $AVAO PORT was the most modern container port terminal in Mindanao, and t WAS BEING EXPANDED BECAUSE IT HAS reached its full capacity. g7E RE INVESTING ADDITIONAL 0 BILLION WHICH WILL COME FROM internally generated funds and SOME BANK LOANS FOR PORT PROJECTS and equipment. We’re just waiting for permits from the Philippine 0ORTS !UTHORITY 00! TO BUILD ADDITIONAL BERTH /N DOCKYARD

were waiting for the permit from $EPARTMENT OF %NVIRONMENT AND .ATURAL 2ESOURCES $%.2 SO WE CAN START BUILDING IT &OR THE EMPTY CONTAINER DEPOT WE WILL BE AWARDing it to contractor within this MONTH u HE SAID IN AN INTERVIEW with The Manila Times.

He added that they were adding more equipment and as soon as

THEY HAVE THE PERMITS CONSTRUCtion wuld start. $)#4 IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE BIGGER VESSELS #URRENTLY IT HAS A METER BERTH AND WILL ADD UP M TO HAVE METER TOTAL BERTH &ROM THE CURRENT HECTARE IT will increase its on-dock container yard to 20.05 ha. for more storage capacity.

The adjacent empty container DEPOT SEATED ON HA WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL HA FOR A TOTAL OF HA The empty container depot is LOCATED METERS AWAY FROM THE port. The depot offers complete EMPTY CONTAINER SERVICES SUCH AS container and pre-trip inspection, washing, maintenance and repair, VENTILATION AND TEMPERATURE SETting, and container releasing. g!S OF *ANUARY CARGO VOLUME

Q DICT is the only port in the Philippines that can accomodate Post-Panamax vessels . PHOTO BY DICT

WENT UP PERCENT YEAR ON YEAR SO WE NEED TO EXPAND FAST 7E RE NOW

4%5S TWENTY FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS A PERCENT INCREASE FROM LEVEL 4HE PORT IS MORE THAN PERCENT OCCUPANCY !T PRESENT $)#4 DECLINE ADDITIONAL calls on weekends,� he said.

4HROUGH $)#4 -INDANAO S AGRICULTURAL AND OTHER EXPORT PRODUCTS ARE ABLE TO REACH THE GLOBAL MARKET ON TIME IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND BECOME COMPETITIVE IN THE GLOBAL market. $)#4 HAS A LONG HISTORY IN PORT OPERATIONS SERVICING THE STEVEDOR-

ing and arrastre requirements of BREAK BULK SHIPMENTS OF FRESH PRODUCE LIKE BANANAS AND PINEAPPLES As more and more cargoes are SHIPPED VIA REFRIGERATED CONTAINers, the port has transformed to BECOME THE LEADING CONTAINER PORT terminal in Mindanao.

Offering world-class container TERMINAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THIS HEAVILY AGRICULTURAL ISLAND REGION $)#4 HELPS ENSURE THE GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF -INDANAO S EXPORT GRADE PRODUCTS -ORE THAN PERCENT OF EXPORT VOLUME CONSISTS OF FRESH BANANAS AND PINEAPPLES

Philippine domestic ferry MOL to supply LNG to top bunkering port in the world safety: Looking back THE Worldwide Ferry Safety Association (WFSA) held its 5th Annual Ferry Safety and Technology Conference last &EBRUARY TO IN "ANGKOK 4HAILAND #O HOSTED BY THE #HAO 0HRAYA %XPRESS "OAT #O ,TD THE CONFERENCE BROUGHT together shipowners, ferry operators, SHIPBUILDERS SEAFARERS MARITIME STAKEholders and a cadre of people who conTINUE TO WORK ON IMPROVING FERRY SAFETY ACROSS THE GLOBE $UBBED AS &ERRY Safety + Technology Conference, the EVENT FOCUSED ON ON GOING INITIATIVES on ferry safety of select countries in the Asian region and that of Kenya in Africa, AS WELL AS THE DISCUSSIONS ON PRACTICABLE TECHNOLOGIES WHICH COULD CONTRIBUTE TO ferry safety.

WFSA in the past years conducted a series of conferences and meetings dedicated to analyzing the causes of ferry accidents with intent of identifying ways to reduce sea mishaps inVOLVING FERRIES %NHANCING AWARENESS OF FERRY SAFETY BY ALL PARTIES CONCERNED SHOULD BE ONE IMPORTANT OUTCOME OF THE 7&3! INITIATIVES AS PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIES OF IMPROVING THE SAFETY RECORD IN FERRY OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN PERSISTENTLY ROLLED OUT BY MEMBERS of the association and their partners.

The Philippines has for years held THE UNENVIABLE REPUTATION OF BEING host to the worst maritime disaster with the collision of -6 $OÄA 0AZ and the motor tanker Vector. "EING REMEMBERED for that tragedy is something this archiPELAGO MUST TRY TO TEMPER "UT HOW "Y coming out with an all-encompassing ACCOUNT ON THE REFORMS UNDERTAKEN BY the country in the domestic shipping since the -6 $OÄA 0AZ IN ! GOOD START SHOULD BE A REVIEW OF THE ADEQUACY OF REGULATORY GOVERNANCE AND THE PROkLE OF INTER ISLAND SHIPPING PRIOR TO AS WELL AS THE LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS introduced immediately after, considERING THAT WAS ONLY A YEAR AFTER the Marcos dictatorship ended and a Freedom Constitution installed under then President Corazon Aquino. $OMESTIC FERRY SAFETY IN THIS ARCHIPELAGO HAS IMPROVED REMARKABLY SEVERAL YEARS AFTER YET NO DELIBERATE EFFORT HAS SO FAR BEEN MADE TO ERASE THE derogatory tag attached to the PhilipPINES BEING THE CENTER OF MARITIME DIsaster. Coming out with press releases WITH NOTHING BUT EMPTY STATEMENTS IS not enough — documented studies AND DISSERTATIONS BACKED UP WITH STATISTICS AND DATA SHOULD BE MORE ACCEPTABLE AND BELIEVABLE 7HAT CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRIBUTED TO THE TURNAROUND in the country’s domestic ferry safety RECORD DESERVE TO BE GIVEN ATTENTION The challenges in implementing and enforcing technical safety regulations WERE CREATED BY THE VERY STRUCTURE OF

SEATHROUGH ATTY. BRENDA V. PIMENTEL THE SHIPPING BUSINESS IN DOMESTIC WAters with water transportation mostly RUN BY FAMILY OWNED ENTERPRISES 4HE ISSUANCE OF %XECUTIVE /RDER IN *ANUARY AND %/ ! in April of the same year re-organizing the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, preempted the introduction of the much needed reFORMS IN THE MARITIME SECTOR I E EVEN BEFORE THE $OĂ„A 0AZ incident. Was the AMBIVALENCE ON THE PART OF THE -ARItime Industry Authority in performing the safety regulatory transferred to it BY %/ ! CONTRIBUTORY TO THAT DISASTER /N THE OTHER HAND THE EIGHT months period from the issuance of EO ! MAY NOT BE SUFkCIENT FOR -ARINA TO AVERT SUCH A DISASTER BESIDES

Marina assumed the safety regulatory functions only after President Cory !QUINO LEFT OFkCE 4HE POLICY INSTITUTIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE REFORMS EXPECTED to take place after the issuance of EO ! TOOK AT LEAST A DECADE TO FORMULATE %VEN THEN PERSISTENT OPPOSITION TO -!2).! S ASSUMING THE safety regulatory mandate stalled the IMPLEMENTATION OF THE %/ !

Many in the Marina management and personnel at that time could attest to THE CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT SPENT BY the agency in trying to defend its position as the safety regulatory agency for waterBORNE TRANSPORTATION 3UCH WAS THE MAIN challenge Marina had to face and which had an impact on the performance of its SAFETY REGULATORY FUNCTIONS %VEN SO -Arina, with the support and cooperation of THE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND THE STAKEHOLDERS WAS ABLE TO INTRODUCE POLICY

LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TO WHICH THE IMPROVED DOMESTIC FERRY SAFETY RECORD IN THE COUNTRY COULD BE ATTRIBUTED !NY ATTEMPT OF AFkRMING THE IMPROVEMENT OF DOMESTIC FERRY SAFETY in this archipelago must start with THESE EVENTS NOT YEARS BACK from now. One must situate the country’s domestic shipping since FORTY YEARS AGO IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW IMPROVEMENT IN domestic ferry safety progressed.

There are a lot more that need to BE DONE NOT ONLY BY -ARINA BUT

BY ALL AGENCIES WITH SAFETY RELATED functions in order for the PhilIPPINES TO CLAIM IT HAS ACHIEVED its target of ensuring the highest LEVEL OF SAFETY IN DOMESTIC FERRY operations. What is important is the country’s pledge after the $OĂ„A Paz TRAGEDY ‡ .%6%2 !'!).Ăœ

MISUI OSK Lines, Ltd. (MOL) announced last week, that it signed a long-term charter contract to operate !SIA S LARGEST ,IQUIkED .ATURAL 'AS ,.' BUNKERING VESSEL IN 3INGAPORE to the world’s largest fuel supply port, THE 0AVILION 'AS 0TE ,TD 0'0, MOL President and CEO Junichiro )KEDA SAID THAT THE DEMAND FOR ,.'

AS BUNKER FUEL IS EXPECTED TO GROW ON A GLOBAL SCALE AS STRICTER REGULATIONS take effect in January 2020. Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority -0! IS FOCUSING CONSIDERABLE EFFORT ON DEVELOPMENT OF AN ,.' FUEL SUPply infrastructure and implementing policies aimed at creating the world’s LARGEST ,.' FUEL SUPPLY PORT He also disclosed that the JapANESE GOVERNMENT CONCLUDED A “Memorandum of understanding in relation to the cooperation ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ,.' AS A MARINE FUELu WITH SEVEN OTHER countries, including Singapore.

3INCE THEN THE *APANESE GOVERNment has worked closely with SingaPORE TO PROMOTE THE USE OF ,.' FUEL AND DEVELOP A SUPPLY FRAMEWORK MOL has proceeded on the proj-

Q LNG bunkering vessel supplying a containership. PHOTO BY MOL

ECT WITH 0'0, TO BUILD A COOPERATIVE STRUCTURE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR 4HEY HAVE TEAMED WITH 3EMBCORP -ARINE 3PECIALIZED 3HIPBUILDING 0TE ,TD

A SUBSIDIARY OF 3INGAPORE BASED 3EMBCORP -ARINE 'ROUP FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE VESSELS AND 3INANJU Tankers Pte. Ltd., which is a major BUNKER BARGE COMPANY FOR A PARTNER of ship management.

4HE NEW SHIP WILL BE THE SECOND

,.' BUNKERING VESSEL IN 3INGAPORE AND IS SLATED TO START SERVICES AFTER ITS DELIVERY TO 0'0, IN EARLY )N !PRIL WITH THE AIM OF SPEEDING UP PROGRESS ON BUSINESS RELATED TO ALTERNATIVE BUNKER FUELS SUCH AS ,.'

-/, ESTABLISHED THE "UNKER "USINESS $IVISION TO ENTER THE BUNKER BUSINESS IN AN INTEGRATED FASHION )N OTHER REGIONS BESIDES 3INGAPORE IN &EBRUARY IT SIGNED A LONG TERM

charter contract for the world’s largEST M CLASS ,.' BUNKER VESSEL WITH 4OTAL -ARINE &UELS 'LOBAL 3OLUTIONS WHICH WILL OFFER SERVICES IN northern Europe.

In Japan, it will launch the ,.' FUELED TUGBOAT )SHIN IN /SAKA "AY THIS COMING !PRIL -/, CONTINUALLY PROMOTES DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPLY ,.' FUEL AND DRIVES ,.' FUELED VESSELS

PH ports must gear toward automation WITH PORTS CONSTANTLY PLAGUED BY congestions, making container ships to WAIT UP TO kVE DAYS BEFORE BEING ABLE TO BERTH AUTOMATION IS THE KEY TO REMOVE THIS BOTTLENECK ACCORDING TO PORT EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS PROVIDER +ALMAR +ALMAR REPRESENTATIVES -ICHAEL 7AHAB AND ,IM -ENG 9ONG BOTH SPEAKERS AT THE TH 0HILIPPINE 0ORTS AND 3HIPPING %XHIBITION AND Conference, said Philippines couldadopt automation in ports to imPROVE EFkCIENCY WITH CARGO HANDLING “There are a lot of infrastructure PROJECTS THAT NEED TO BE BUILT AND IT S A LARGE INVESTMENT 0HILIPPINES CAN DEkNITELY BENEkT FROM AUTOMATION u SAID 7AHAB DIRECTOR OF MEQ Kalmar APAC. “Sooner or later automation will BE HERE IN THE 0HILIPPINESu SAID -ENG 9ONG OF +ALMAR 3INGAPORE 7AHAB SAID TO BE ABLE TO ATtract shipping lines, ports need TO BE EFFICIENT g9OU HAVE ALL THE POTENTIAL 9OU HAVE THE RIGHT LOCATION !USTRALIA S LOCATION IS NOT ATTRACTIVE "UT YOU HAVE A VERY ATTRACTIVE LOCATION 9OU CAN COMPETE WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES u 7AHAB SAID Interestingly, Philippines is in a similar port situation with AustraLIA WITH 0ORT !DELAIDE BEING ABLE to increase capacity within current footprint through automation. g4HE USE OF RUBBER TIRED GANTRY 24' AUTOMATION CAN HELP WITH

Q A Kalmar E-One2 rubbertyred gantry (RTG) crane being used in Saigon Newport Company, Vietnam. PHOTO

BY KALMAR

safety, security, performance, cost as well as maintenance. It can PROVIDE 0HILIPPINES WITH A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AGAINST THEIR NEIGHBORS u -ENG 9ONG SAID The use of automation is clean. For instance, the use of eco-reach stackers can REDUCE EMISSION OF TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE #/ EQUIVALENT TO

PASSENGER CARS CARBON DIOXIDE #/ EMISSIONS FOR ONE YEAR OR TREES #/ ABSORPTION FOR ONE YEAR “Kalmar is a market leader in this area. Our whole focus is automaTION 7E RE TALKING ABOUT AUTOMATING EVERYTHING SO WE ARE SHAPING THE market. We are shaping where the MARKET IS MOVING u HE EXPLAINED Recently, Kalmar signed a main-

tenance and support agreement with International Container Terminal 3ERVICES COVERING THE AUTOMATED container handling solution operating at Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT).

The maintenance and support AGREEMENT FOR !USTRALIA S kRST FULLY AUTOMATED COVERS ALL ASPECTS OF THE OneTerminal automated solution, WHICH COMPRISES .AVIS . 4ERMINAL Operating System. Twenty Kalmar AUTOMATED STACKING CRANES AND Kalmar AutoShuttles. g6)#4 IS A VERY BIG +ALMAR USER 4HEY HAVE THE MOST AUTOMATED PORT IN !USTRALIA u 7AHAB SAID 4HE +ALMAR REPRESENTATIVES ARE EYEing Philippines as a potential market.

They are studying their customers deeply to know their plans in the FUTURE g7E CAN GIVE THEM SOLUTIONS We don’t recommend too high -end AND NOT LOWmEND BECAUSE IT S A WASTE OF MONEY u -ENG 9ONG SAID !UTOMATION CREATES VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF REDUCED EMISSIONS PROVIDE A BETTER AND SAFER DRIVING EXPERIENCE REDUCES FUEL COSTS BY UP TO PERCENT

LOWER SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE costs from less wear and tear AND LONGER SERVICE INTERVALS SAFER to operate as the machine has GREATER PRECISION AND IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH IMPROVED acceleration and lifting speed.

GENIVI FACTAO

B6

Maritime

The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Piracy increases on world seas — report M

ARITIME piracy and armed robbery on the high seas remained high, making seafaring one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, an International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) latest annual piracy report reveals.

4HE )-" PIRACY REPORT SHOWED that there was a marked increase in attacks against ships and crews AROUND 7EST !FRICA 'LOBALLY

attacks against ships increased FROM IN TO IN

ACCORDING TO THE )-" 0IRACY 2Eporting Centre (PRC).

4HE )-" PIRACY REPORT SHOWED THAT ATTACKS IN WATERS BETWEEN THE )VORY #OAST AND THE $EMOCRATIC 2EPUBLIC OF #ONGO MORE THAN DOUBLED LAST YEAR ACCOUNTING FOR ALL SIX HIJACKINGS WORLDWIDE )T WAS REPORTED THAT OF THE SHIPS WERE kRED UPON OF THE HOSTAGES WERE TAKEN GLOBALLY AND OF SEAFARERS WERE KIDNAPPED for ransom. “There is an urgent need for increased cooperation and sharing OF INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN THE 'ULF OF 'UINEA S LITTORAL STATES SO THAT EFFECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST PIRATES BOTH AT SEA AND ON SHORE where their operations originate

AND END u AN )-" SPOKESMAN SAID 4HE )-" S HOUR MANNED Piracy Reporting Centre has proVIDED THE MARITIME INDUSTRY GOVernments and response agencies with timely and transparent data ON PIRACY AND ARMED ROBBERY INCIDENTS WHICH WAS RECEIVED DIRECTLY FROM THE -ASTER OF THE VESSEL OR its owners. !RMED CRIMINALS HAVE TARGETED VARIOUS SHIPS FROM BULK CARRIERS

CONTAINER VESSELS AND GENERAL CARGO VESSELS AS WELL AS TANKERS OIL INDUSTRY SUPPORT VESSELS AND kSHING VESSELS IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN COUNTRIES LIKE .IGERIA )NDONESIA

Malaysia and the Philippines.

4HERE WERE INCIDENTS OF ATtacks against ships in the PhilipPINES IN LOWER THAN THE REPORTED INCIDENTS IN 4HE "ATANGAS ANCHORAGE ACCOUNTED FOR kVE OF THESE The report said a general cargo SHIP WAS kRED UPON AND AS A RESULT

ONE CREWMEMBER WAS INJURED BY GUNkRE 4HE PROMPT ACTION OF THE crew and the Philippine Coast 'UARD ENSURED THE VESSEL S SAFETY )N -ALAYSIA ATTACKS OFF 3ABAH CONTINUED TO BE A CAUSE OF CONCERN

AS kVE CREW FROM TWO kSHING BOATS were reportedly kidnapped. SepaRATELY FOUR ATTACKERS IN A SPEEDBOAT kRED ON A TUG AND THE MASTER WAS shot in the leg.

0ATROLS BY THE )NDONESIA -ARINE Police saw a drop in incidents for THE THIRD SUCCESSIVE YEAR 4HE MAJORITY OF THE )NDONESIAN REPORTS WERE LOW LEVEL OPPORTUNISTIC THEFTS 3IX CREW HOWEVER WERE TAKEN HOStage and threatened, indicating the NEED TO BE VIGILANT )N .IGERIA KIDNAPPINGS WERE RECORDED IN WATERS OFF .IGERIA IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS OF

/N /CT

CREW WERE KIDNAPPED FROM A CONTAINER VESSEL NAUTICAL MILES OFF "ONNY )SLAND

.IGERIA 4WO DAYS LATER .IGERIAN PIRATES IN A SPEEDBOAT HIJACKED A TANKER UNDERWAY NAUTICAL MILES OFF 0OINT .OIRE #ONGO %IGHT OF THE CREW WERE KIDNAPPED 0IRATES FIRED UPON A SUEZMAX TANKER IN THE 'ULF OF !DEN AS WELL as a product tanker and a capesize

BULK CARRIER MORE THAN MILES from the Somali coastline. )-" URGED MASTERS TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF VIGILANCE when transiting these waters and TO FOLLOW THE LATEST "-0 RECOMmendations. This also highlighted the requirement for the continued presence of the European Union AND INTERNATIONAL NAVIES AROUND the Horn of Africa.

World Maritime University Chief Cleopatra Doumbia Henry

Shipping urged to support Breaking stereotypes in the maritime industry mental health awareness

BY YASHIKA TORIB The maritime industry is seen TO BE THE MOST CULTURALLY DIVERSE industry in the world with its PRIME MOVERS WORKFORCE AND stakeholders hailing from almost all countries and states.

"UT EVEN AS NATIONS ARE WELL represented, studies show that THIS INDUSTRY TRAILS BEHIND MANY OTHERS IN THE NUMBER OF WOMEN employed on leadership posiTIONS AND JOBS AT SEA "LAME IT on the traditional male-dominated mindset, lack of career awareness, or the socio-cultural OBSTACLES THE SMALL FRACTION OF FEmale population in this industry clearly shows that stereotyping STILL PLAGUES THE ST CENTURY 3UCH COULD BE THE CASE FOR THE maritime industry for the years to come should the World MarITIME 5NIVERSITY 7-5 UNDER the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), HAD NOT INTERVENED IN THE MOST PROGRESSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE WAY it can. “Education is the most powERFUL MOTOR TO DELIVER CHANGE and to change gender stereoTYPES u SAYS #LEOPATRA $OUMBIA Henry of WMU and its first female president.

(ENRY ALLUDES TO THE 5NITED .ATIONS $EVELOPMENT 'OALS 5.3$' IN PARTICULAR 'OAL

AND WHICH ARE RELATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN THE MARitime and ocean professions, and THUS TO THE 7ORLD -ARITIME $AY 4HEME g%MPOWERING 7OMEN in the Maritime Community�.

'OAL AIMS TO ENSURE THE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE QUALITY education and promote lifelong LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL 'OAL SEEKS TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY and empower all women and girls, AND 'OAL FOCUSES ON DECENT WORK and economic growth.

She said, “At WMU, we are making rapid progress in pursuing gender equality in the maritime and ocean industries.

7E HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE A MOTIVATING FACTOR FOR WOMEN to look at maritime and oceans OPPORTUNITIES IN THEIR BROADEST PERSPECTIVES /F COURSE WE CANnot merely compare one organization with the whole world of THE MARITIME LABOR FORCE g(OWEVER ) MUST EMPHASIZE that it is WMU’s mission to help promote change in the maritime industry and we are sparing no EFFORT IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE 5. S 5NITED .ATIONS 3USTAINABLE $EVELOPMENT 'OAL !CHIEVE

gender equality and empower all women and girls. “We are actually encouraged

BY THE REPORT OF THE -C+INSEY 'LOBAL )NSTITUTE WHICH ESTIMATES that in their ‘full-potential’ scenario, if women participate in THE ECONOMY AT THE SAME LEVEL AS MEN THEY WOULD ADD UP TO TRILLION OR PERCENT TO ANNUAL GLOBAL '$0 GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT BY COMPARED WITH A BUSINESS AS USUAL SCENARIO u (ENRY EXPLAINED %STIMATION MADE BY )-/ ON the status of women seafarers REVEALED THAT IN ONLY TO 2 percent of the total seafaring population were women, this already includes those who work IN SERVICE SECTIONS ON BOARD ships, such as hotel and catering personnel. Women seafarers on CARGO VESSELS WERE EVEN LESS AT PERCENT Meanwhile, WMU estimated IN THAT WOMEN NOW REPRESENT BETWEEN TO PERCENT OF POPULATION IN VARIOUS MARITIME organizations. This includes the merchant marine, the cruise sector and the onshore maritime cluster. !CCORDING TO 7-5 S PUBLICAtion, -ARITIME 7OMEN 'LOBAL Leadership WHAT HAS BEEN HINDERING PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING greater gender equality in the maritime sector was the long misplaced perception that women WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR WORKING ON BOARD SHIPS DUE TO THE NATURE OF seafaring which typically requires the physical strength of a man. )T IS ALSO OBSERVED ESPECIALLY in the Philippines, that women WERE TYPICALLY BOUND WITH THE traditional socio-cultural responSIBILITY -ANY YOUNG WOMEN WERE NOT ALLOWED BY THEIR PARENTS TO choose shipping as a career due to the lengthy time spent working AT SEA THIS STRIKES AN IMBALANCE in the demands of raising and maintaining a family, which is customarily placed in the shoulders of a woman.

4HIS ALSO RElECTS THE LACK OF awareness and information on the career options in the maritime industry, which, in reality, ARE NOT LIMITED TO SEA BASED JOBS “A t W M U , w e a r e w e l l equipped to help promote gender equality in maritime and ocean industries and encourage young women to go to sea, to opt for a rewarding maritime CAREER WHETHER ON BOARD SHIP or ashore and to ensure that our national maritime schools attract new generations of womEN AND ENABLE THEM TO TAKE

Q Cleopatra Doumbia Henry. PHOTO BY WMU ADVANTAGE OF A MARITIME CAREER “The maritime and ocean industries offer careers for seafarers AND OTHERS ENGAGED IN THE BROADer maritime sector, including the maritime education and training, MARINE INSURANCE SHIP BROKERAGE AND INTEGRATED SHIPPING SERVICES

MARITIME ECONOMICS AND kNANCE

BANKING INTELLIGENCE FOR GLOBAL shipping and trade, classification societies, recruitment and manning, maritime health speCIALIZATION SHIPBUILDING SHIP recycling, ports and logistics, coastal and spatial planning to name a few. g4HERE ARE TODAY BOUNDLESS opportunities for women within the maritime and ocean indusTRIES WHICH NEED TO BE SEIZED u Henry related.

As one of the top and well-recognized women leaders in the maritime industry, Henry also ENCOUNTERED DIFkCULTIES IN A CAREER TYPICALLY DOMINATED BY MEN g)N ) OBTAINED A 0H $ and my thesis was on Carriage of $ANGEROUS 'OODS BY 3EA ) WAS SEEN TO BE DOING RESEARCH ON A DIFkCULT AND ESOTERIC TOPIC AT THE time. With hindsight, I was not. “In my long career at the ),/ INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGAnization), I used my maritime PASSION TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF SEAFARERS kSHERS AND PORT WORKERS ) can say today that the result was, among many others, the adopTION BY THE ),/ OF THE -ARITIME ,ABOR #ONVENTION -,#

THE 3EAFARERS )DENTITY $OCU-

MENTS #ONVENTION 2EVISED

4HE 7ORK IN &ISHING #ONVENTION AND THE #ODE OF Practice on Occupational Safety and Health in Ports (2005),�

Henry said.

These instruments signifiCANTLY IMPROVE THE STATUS OF seafarers and port workers, and the conditions of their working ENVIRONMENT 4HE -,#

WAS NOT HOWEVER THE EFFORT OF A SINGLE PERSON )T WAS NO DOUBT A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY TO COORDINATE and negotiate with all stakeHOLDERS INCLUDING GOVERNMENTS

shipowners and seafarers’ organizations. g!FTER OVER YEARS OF ADVANCING LABOR RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD ) LEFT the ILO. I took my passion for the sea, for maritime and those who WORK IN THIS VERY WIDE RANGING INDUSTRY AND IN ) JOINED THE 7ORLD -ARITIME 5NIVERSITY ) TOOK UP THE CHALLENGE AS THE kRST woman President of the World -ARITIME 5NIVERSITY AND NOW DEVOTE MY ENERGIES TO MARITIME education, research, training and CAPACITY BUILDING “How many times did I dare to MAKE @BOLD DECISIONS IN MY LIFE It is not easy to make a change, BECAUSE SOME FORM OF SACRIkCE often accompanies change. We all HAVE VARIOUS RESPONSIBILITIES AT WORK AND WITH FAMILY "UT ) WAS not afraid of making a change.

"ECAUSE WITHOUT CHANGE OUR younger generation will pay the price and the same challenges will remain,� she concluded.

With the increasing awareness of the importance of the mental WELL BEING OF SEAFARERS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CHANGE THE culture in shipping so there is more openness and less stigma ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH 4HIS WAS POINTED OUT BY 2OGER (ARRIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the International Seafarers’ 7ELFARE AND !SSISTANCE .ETWORK )37!.

A MEMBERSHIP ORGAnization that works to promote and support the welfare of seaFARERS ALL OVER THE WORLD He said, “We are seeing, quite rightfully, an increase in the interest and awareness of the mental health of seafarers. Much of the growing awareness has come from the general recognition that good mental health is just as important as good physical health�.

According to the World Health /RGANIZATION 7(/ IN PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WOULD BE AFFECTED BY MENTAL OR NEUROLOGical disorders at some point in THEIR LIVES “ T h a n k f u l l y, a r o u n d t h e WORLD MORE EMPLOYERS GOVERNMENTS UNIONS AND CIVIL SOCIETY organizations are trying to do SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BY BREAKing down stigma and allocating more resources to promote menTAL WELL BEINGu (ARRIS ADDED In the maritime industry many “good� shipping companies are ALSO BEGINNING TO RECOGNIZE THIS and are paying more attention TO THE MENTAL WELL BEING OF THEIR CREW 4HERE ARE EXTRA PRESSURES ON SEAFARERS INCLUDING LONG VOYAGes, separation from family and FRIENDS LACK OF SHORE LEAVE SMALLER CREWS AND FATIGUE AND THESE HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE MENTAL WELL BEING OF SEAFARERS Harris pointed out to the production last year of the g'UIDElines to Shipping Companies on Mental Health Awareness� BY THE 5+ #HAMBER OF 3HIPPING

2-4 AND .AUTILUS )NTERNATIONAL These guidelines, he said, was a good place to start for any shipping, or ship management, company wishing to formulate a policy and adopt good practice on promoting good mental health for their seafarers.

He was wary, though, of one part of the guidelines. He said, “The guidelines state that company’s policy on mental health should include support for staff SEAFARERS WHO ARE IDENTIkED AS HAVING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES 4HE PROBLEM HERE IS DEVELOPING A CULTURE ON BOARD AND WITHIN THE company where a seafarer feels

Q Roger Harris, Executive Director of the International Seaferers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (Iswan). PHOTO BY ISWAN CONkDENT ABOUT DISCLOSING ISSUES with their mental health without FEAR OF BEING REPATRIATED AND LOSING THEIR JOB ‡ OR RETURNING HOME AND NOT BEING ABLE TO kND a new contract�. /BVIOUSLY IF A SEAFARER IS EXPERIENCING A SERIOUS BREAKDOWN OR PSYCHOTIC EPISODE THEY NEED TO LEAVE THE VESSEL TO OBTAIN TREATMENT (ARRIS SAID g"UT WHAT HAPPENS if a seafarer doesn’t disclose that THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MENTAL WELL BEING BECAUSE they are afraid of the reaction of management or senior officers ON BOARD 4HE DANGER IS THAT THEY HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME A RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE VESSEL AND CREW IF THEY HAVE A MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM OR CRISIS ON BOARD %VEN IN SHORE BASED OCCUPATIONS PEOPLE kND IT DIFkCULT TO DISCLOSE u “I was recently speaking to a young seafarer who works on a cruise ship with a good company AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE CREW HAVing mental health issues would NOT VISIT THE MEDICAL STAFF ON their ship in case that they are immediately repatriated at the NEXT PORT OF CALL u HE ADDED He opined that the industry had TO LOOK AT THE SUPPORT IT COULD GIVE to seafarers with mental health conditions, including allowing seafarers to sign up for new contracts when THEIR MENTAL WELL BEING IMPROVES — after all most people do “get BETTERu AND COULD WORK AGAIN AT SEA &OR THOSE THAT DO HAVE SERIOUS mental health issues and can no LONGER WORK ON BOARD THEY SHOULD BE SUPPORTED IN kNDING ALTERNATIVE SHORE BASED EMPLOYMENT Harris furthered, “The culture in the industry has to change so SEAFARERS FEEL THEY CAN TALK ABOUT their mental health and seek support from their employer withOUT THE RISK OF LOSING THEIR JOB g/THERWISE WE MAY kND OURSELVES HAVING INCIDENTS WHERE A CREW AND VESSEL ARE ENDANGERED BECAUSE A SEAFARER HIDES THEIR poor mental health condition and fails to carry out a critical function safely�.

World Kim in Hanoi for summit with Trump D ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

ONG DANG, Vietnam: A jovial North Korean leader Kim Jong Un grinned and waved as he walked the red carpet from a Vietnamese railway station Tuesday, on the eve of a second summit with US President Donald Trump.

Wearing his trademark Maostyle black suit, Kim disembarked from his olive green armored train surrounded by a crush of security aides as the guards presented arms.

Emerging from the station, he was met by a military band and a swarm of press that had waited overnight in the rain for his arrival.

He walked ahead of his entouRAGE TO GREET 6IETNAMESE OFkCIALS

prompting a trailing interpreter to scurry to his side as he shook hands with visiting dignitaries.

Kim was quickly ushered into a waiting black Mercedes-Benz, his arm emerging from a rolled-down window to wave to crowds before BRIElY STOPPING IN FRONT OF A GROUP of students in school uniforms gleefully brandishing North KoREAN AND 6IETNAMESE lAGS Twelve bodyguards jogged alongside Kim’s car as he left the train station to head to Hanoi for a highly anticipated second summit with US President Donald Trump over Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal.

Kim’s motorcade of 20 or so cars drove along a closed 170-kilometer (100-mile) stretch of road to Hanoi, accompanied by police MOTORBIKES OUTkTTED WITH +OREAN lAGS AND SECURITY VEHICLES He was greeted in Hanoi by cheering crowds near the colonialera pastel yellow Hanoi Opera House before he arrived at the Melia hotel, where he was expected to stay this week.

Vietnam is pulling out all the stops for Kim’s visit, clearing roads and deploying armoured vehicles and gun-toting guards across the busy capital.

Ahead of his arrival, the normally sleepy Dong Dang train station in northern Vietnam — a stone’s throw from the Chinese border — was abuzz with activity as soldiers and sniffer dogs were sent to the site.

4HIS IS +IM S kRST VISIT TO THE COUNTRY AND THE kRST TIME A .ORTH Korean leader has been there since his grandfather Kim Il Sung — a close ally of Vietnam’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh — trav-

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

elled to the country in 1964.

Observers say he took the train to send a message to North Koreans — and the world — that he is falling in step with his grandfather, whom he frequently echoes in looks, mannerisms and even his handwriting.

Trump to Kim: Stop nuke testing Trump headed to his second meeting with Kim on Monday (Tuesday in Manila), determined to tamp down expectations that he’ll achieve big strides toward denuclearization. Trump said he would be satisfied as long as Pyongyang stops nuclear testing.

Trump is set to land in Vietnam late Tuesday and will have meetings with the host country’s president and prime minister Wednesday before sitting down later with Kim for a private dinner.

Trump would be joined at the dinner by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, the White House said Monday. Kim also will have two aides with him, and there will be translators for both sides. Trump and Kim, who arrived in Vietnam Tuesday, WILL HAVE A SERIES OF OFkCIAL MEET-

WARM WELCOME

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves upon arrival by train in Vietnamese border town of Dong Dang on Tuesday ahead of his second summit with US President Donald Trump. AP PHOTO ings Thursday.

Trump was out ultimate goals for both the US and Kim in an appearance before the nation’s governors Monday before boarding Air &ORCE /NE TO lY TO 6IETNAM g7E want denuclearization, and I think he’ll have a country that will set a lot of records for speed in terms of an economy.�

He once warned that North Korea’s arsenal posed such a threat

to humanity that he might have no CHOICE BUT TO RAIN gkRE AND FURYu on the nation. However, in the leadup to the new summit, he’s proclaimed himself in no hurry for Pyongyang to prove it is abandoning its weapons. g) M NOT IN A RUSH ) DON T WANT to rush anybody, I just don’t want testing. As long as there’s no testing, we’re happy,� Trump told the governors on Sunday.

Trump aide faces life term, asks for leniency

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Paul Manafort, the long-time political consultant who once led Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, asked a federal judge for leniency Monday as he faces the potential of spending the rest of his life in prison in criminal cases stemming from the Russia investigation.

In a new court kLING, Manafort’s legal adviser described the 69-yearold as a victim of circumstance, prosecuted by special counsel Robert Mueller only because the government couldn’t make the case that he colluded with the Kremlin’s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

They also dismissed prosecutors’ characterization of Manafort as a hardened criminal, saying he was merely a wealthy consultant WHO COMMITTED gGARDEN VARIETYu crimes by illegally lobbying for Ukrainian interests and hiding millions from the IRS. g4HE 3PECIAL #OUNSEL S ATtempt to portray him as a lifelong and irredeemable felon is beyond the pale and grossly overstates the facts before this Court,� they argued, noting that THE PROSECUTION HAS gDEVASTATED him personally, professionally, and financially.�

The lawyers’ arguments echoed much of the criticism leveled at the Russia investigation by Trump, who has increasingly cast the probe as a politically MOTIVATED gWITCH HUNTu EVEN as Mueller had methodically brought charges against six of his associates, including his former personal lawyer, his one-time national security adviser and a longtime confidant. The filing

also comes as Manafort’s attorneys have sought to contain the fallout from the unraveling of his plea deal this month.

Manafort pleaded guilty last year to two felony counts — conspiracy against the United States and conspiracy to obstruct justice — related to his illegal lobbying.

The plea came after a jury in a separate case in Virginia convictED -ANAFORT ON EIGHT kNANCIAL charges, involving the hiding of millions of dollars from the IRS that he made overseas.

As part of the plea agreement, Manafort agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, but late last year, Mueller’s team said he had lied to federal agents and a grand jury. In a ruling earlier this month, US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who will decide Manafort’s sentence, agreed. She found that he had lied about several subjects, including his interactions with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate who the US says has ties to Russian intelligence.

Manafort, who has been jailed since June, hasn’t been accused of any crimes related to Russian election interference, but court papers have revealed that Manafort gave Kilimnik polling data related to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.

A Mueller prosecutor also said that an August 2016 meeting between the two men goes to the gHEARTu OF THE 2USSIA PROBE 4HE meeting involved a discussion of a potential peace plan between Russia and Ukraine, but many other details about it have been redacted in court papers.

In fact, he is ready to write himself into the history books before he and Kim even shake hands in Hanoi. g)F ) WERE NOT ELECTED PRESIDENT

you would have been in a war with North Korea,� Trump said last WEEK g7E NOW HAVE A SITUATION where the relationships are good, where there has been no nuclear testing, no missiles, no rockets.�

AFP WITH AP

Labor calls for second Brexit vote

FAKE

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California (center), accompanied by Rep. Joaquin Castro, the Democratic congressman from Texas (left) and others, speaks about a resolution to block President Donald Trump’s emergency border security declaration on Capitol Hill on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in Washington. AP PHOTO

R. Kelly out on $100,000 bail

CHICAGO: R. Kelly walked out of a Chicago jail Monday (Tuesday in Manila) after posting $100,000 bail that allows him to go free while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually abused four people dating back to 1998, including three underage girls.

Hours earlier, the R&B star pleaded not guilty to the allegations after spending the weekend behind bars. He said little during the brief arraignment, telling the judge only his name. His lawyers spoke on his behalf.

The singer-songwriter was arrested Friday on 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse. A judge set bond at $1 million, meaning Kelly had to post 10 percent of that amount to be released. Court records show a 47-year-old woman from the Chicago suburb of Romeoville, Illinois, posted the $100,000 bail and

Worldinbrief

US SENATE STARTS TO GRILL COHEN

WASHINGTON, D. C.: President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will start a three-day gauntlet of congressional appearances by giving a closed-door interview to the Senate intelligence committee, where he is expected to detail what he claims to know about Trump’s contacts with Russians and other sensitive matters related to the President. Senators are alternately suspicious of Cohen, who is set to serve time in prison for lying to the committee in 2017, and eager to hear what Trump’s former loyal fixer has to say after he turned on his longtime boss. Senators on the panel are expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting with Cohen, a departure from the committee’s usual practice. Burr said committee members know a lot more than they did when they first interviewed Cohen, who later pleaded guilty to lying to the House and Senate intelligence committees about abandoning a Trump business proposal in Moscow in January 2016.

AP

IRAN FM RESIGNS OVER NUKE DEAL FAILURE

B7

TEHRAN, Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif resigned without warning late Monday (Tuesday in Manila), offering an “apology� to the nation as the nuclear deal he negotiated with world powers is on the verge of collapse after the US withdrawal from the accord. Zarif’s resignation, if accepted by Iran’s relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani, would leave the cleric without one of his main allies in pushing the Islamic Republic toward further negotiations with the west.

It remains unclear why Zarif chose to leave his post now and what effect it will have on the atomic accord, which Iran has been complying with. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , who has final say on all state matters, previously backed the American-educated envoy through the nuclear negotiations. “We’ll see if it sticks,� Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted about Zarif’s resignation.

IDENTIkED HERSELF ON THE BOND SLIP AS gA FRIENDu OF +ELLY according to the Chicago Tribune.

Kelly will be forbidden from having any contact with females younger than 18.

The black van that took the entertainer away from the jail stopped in the parking lot of a large downtown McDonald’s. He did not immediately emerge, but some members of his entourage stood outside the vehicle and a dark-colored Mercedes-Benz parked next to it.

The McDonald’s, a popular tourist attraction, was known as Chicago’s Rock ‘n’ Roll McDonald’s before being remodeled and losing its music theme.

The recording artist has been trailed for decades by allegations that he violated underage girls and women and held some as virtual slaves. Kelly has consistently de-

nied any sexual misconduct, and he was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who said he represents two Kelly accusers, said his legal team gave prosecutors a second video Monday that shows Kelly sexually abusing a minor. Avenatti previously gave prosecutors video evidence that he said showed Kelly having sex with an underage girl.

Avenatti said the second video involves a 14-year-old girl. He said the footage from 1999 or 2000 was about 55 minutes long, but he did not say if it was the same 14-yearOLD GIRL SEEN IN THE kRST VIDEO HE turned over to the authorities. g4HE CONDUCT IN THE TAPE CAN be described as nothing short of outrageous, illegal. It leaves no question as to Mr. Kelly’s guilt,�

Avenatti said.

AP

“Our policy is unchanged the regime must behave like a normal country and respect its people.� AP

270 VENEZUELAN TROOPS GO AWOL

CUCUTA, Colombia: The simple house on a street ridden with potholes in this town on Colombia’s restive border with Venezuela has become a refuge for the newly homeless 40 Venezuelan soldiers who abandoned their posts and ran for their lives. The young National Guard troops sleep on thin mats on the floor. In one room, several flak jackets rest along a wall. On a balcony, boots that got wet crossing the muddy Tachira River are set out to dry. “I was tired of people seeing me as just one more of them,� Sgt. Jorge Torres said, referring to President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government. “I’m not.� A high-stakes plan by the Venezuelan opposition to bring humanitarian aid into the country floundered Saturday when troops loyal to Maduro refused to let the trucks carrying food and medical supplies cross, but it did set off a wave of military defections unlike any seen yet amid the country’s mounting crisis. Over 270 mostly low-ranking soldiers fled in a span of three days, Colombian immigration officials said Monday.

AP

VIETNAMESE PRESIDENT VISITS CAMBODIA

VIETNAMESE President Nguyen Phu Trong on Monday began the first day of his state visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia with an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement last week, Nguyen will also meet with high-ranking government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, and is expected to witness the signing of a number of documents.

Nguyen landed in Phnom Penh International Airport on Monday and he and the Vietnamese delegation were escorted to the Royal Palace where Nguyen was received by the King. At the Royal Palace, Nguyen laid a wreath for the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk before being granted an audience by Queen Mother Norodom Monineath.

Today, Tuesday, Nguyen is expected to meet with Tep Vong, Great Supreme Patriarch of the Mahanikaya sect, and Bour Kry, Great Supreme Patriarch of the Dhammayuttikanikaya sect.

KHMER TIMES

LONDON: Prime Minister Theresa May returned from a seemingly unproductive meeting with European Union (EU) leaders Monday (Tuesday in Manila) to a growing attempt by British lawmakers to stop her from taking Britain out of the EU on March 29 without a divorce deal.

With May and the EU at odds over not just how, but when Brexit should happen, her political opponents were getting increasingly desperate to take control of Britain’s muddled departure from the bloc.

At an EU-Arab League summit in Egypt, the EU warned Britain it faces the prospect of delaying its planned March 29 departure or the consequences of a chaotic exit. European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs meetings of EU nation leaders, said -ONDAY IT WOULD BE gRATIONALu to postpone Brexit day.

May insisted she intends for Britain to leave as planned in a little more than a month. But her often divided opponents may be coalescing around a plan to prevent Britain crashing out of the EU with no agreement in place.

The main opposition Labor Party took a big step Monday toward backing a new referendum on the country’s EU membership.

The party has previously said it would support a referendum as a last resort if it could not secure a new election or make changes to May’s EU divorce deal. Britain’s Parliament has so far rejected the deal struck between May’s government and the bloc, and is due to hold a series of votes Wednesday on next steps in the Brexit process.

Labor has proposed its own withdrawal plan as an alternative to the government’s deal with the EU. The party said Monday it would back a second public vote if the House of Commons rejects its plan this week, as is widely expected.

Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn said the party was committed TO gPUTTING FORWARD OR SUPPORTing an amendment in favor of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit being forced on the country.�

The party did not specify what voters might be asked to consider in any future vote, though it had previously said the option of Britain remaining an EU member would be included.

AP

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Build&Design

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2019 EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr.

www.manilatimes.net

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C3 Republic Cement sustains rainwater harvesting

mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net

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C4 High life at PH’s top mountain resort

5 lifestyle pillars hold Common Ground course

BUILDER ADOPTS MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO SOCIAL RESPONSIBILIT Y

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OR Laguna-based affordable housing developer, PA Alvarez Properties & Development Corp. (PA Properties), empowering its people, minimizing the environmental footprint of its operations, and ensuring sustainability by investing in longterm business opportunities make up for a more holistic approach to social responsibility.

PA Properties believes, doing the right thing in business is no longer synonymous to philanthropy as it adopts a holistic approach to social responsibility that encompasses its engagement with various stakeholders.

Good feeling in giving back While volunteering has been part of PA Properties’ culture since its inception in 1994, a shift has occurred throughout its business over time.

“We’re reminded of the importance of paying it forward during seasons of giving such as Christmas when we give as a company, but there’s also a ripple, ‘feel good’ effect felt by those who participate,” said Romarico “Bing” Alvarez, PA Properties chairman.

“Whether it’s time, skills or anything tangible such as toys, clothes, food or groceries, we encourage our employees to volunteer for worthy causes.

And whenever we offer opportunities for our employees to give back, we create a better working environment for our people because it increases morale and enhances workplace atmosphere,” he said.

Social responsibility and volunteer work, both with colleagues and on the employees’ personal time, have become increasingly important in everything for PA Properties — from employee engagement and happiness to bottom-line results.

“For us, giving is a critical ingredient in building a positive corporate culture,” said Alvarez. “There is no better way to give back than supporting the communities we serve and the causes we truly believe in,” he added.

This is not at all surprising as Filipinos are among the world’s most generous with their time. In the 2018 World Giving Index report published by United Kingdombased Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), the Philippines ranked 8th out of 146 countries

Q Volunteerism for Habitat for Humanity. with the highest numbers of individuals volunteering.

CAF is a leading international charity registered in the UK, whose mission is to motivate society to give ever more effectively and help transform lives and communities around the world.

PA Properties recognizes that in gaining the confidence of its homeowners, it instills in them a sense of responsibility to give back. As such, for several weekends each year, a number of employees — from rank AND kLE TO MANAGERS AND CHIEF executives — come together for “share days,” where the company arranges social responsibility initiatives in select communities.

The activities where volunteers take part over the years are as many as they are varied — from feeding programs, medical and dental missions, disaster relief, to blood-letting drives, gift-giving activities and adopt-a-child programs.

Employee empowerment For PA Properties, employees, along with customers and the community, are at the core

Q Empowering its people, minimizing the environmental footprint of its operations and ensuring sustainability by investing in longterm business opportunities.

of social responsibility initiatives.

“An organization is nothing without its employees,” said Carmina Abiera, PA Properties vice president for Human Resources.

“We believe that as an organization, we have a social responsibility towards our employees as well.

We need to uphold their value and constantly ensure that they ARE HAPPY AND SATISkED WITH THEIR jobs,” she said.

Job training is a topic that has become more prevalent as companies strive to focus more on people.

“With the looming threat of automation, PA Properties is continuously investing in reskilling, staff training and people development.

For instance, our LEAD Program ensures leadership continuity as it IDENTIkES AND DEVELOPS EMPLOYEES with excellent leadership potential,” Abiera added.

Cross-training, organic recruitment for higher posts and job rotation are ongoing practices that give talented, skilled and high performing employees of PA Properties an opportunity to climb up the corporate ladder.

Moreover, low unemployment rates and the ongoing war for talent have created a new focus on the needs of the employee to bolster recruitment, training and retention efforts.

“At the same time, people are finding opportunities to speak up in support of their purpose and values. The intersection of these two trends is employee power. As part of

our social responsibility to our employees, we are listening to and supporting their professional and career needs, and providing the appropriate tools and resources for employee feedback to elevate those voices,” she said.

As part of this shift, PA Properties is also moving from diversity and inclusion and toward the idea of “belonging,” which is more about a continuously evolving culture that creates an environment where everyone can thrive and feel engaged.

“We want to build an environment wherein people work because they want to, not because they have to. Monthly general assemblies, recreation and relaxation activities, dinner gettogethers, team building sessions, mini-olympics, family days and summer outings are regular fares that foster spirited teamwork and serve as venues for employees to bond outside company premises.

Safeguarding nature Many companies care about corporate social responsibility, but putting it into practice requires more THAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER SPEECHES and company policies; managers and employees have to be on board, so that initiatives can be implemented and momentum for social responsibility can be sustained.

One of the areas where PA Properties is com-

mitted to taking an active role is environmental stewardship. This entails embarking on activities and institutionalizing practices that protect the environment and identifying and mitigating the potential environmental repercussions of a company’s activities.

Among its initial efforts include partnering with the La Mesa Dam Watershed Project in its rehabilitation, protection and development.

The La Mesa Dam provides the water requirements of a major part of Metro Manila. As such, its continuing water production, protection against soil erosion and reduction of carbon footprints are vital to its sustainability.

In partnership with Haribon Foundation, PA Properties also donated and planted 600 saplings in Baras, Rizal and 1,000 trees to the University of the Philippines, Laguna-Quezon Land Grant.

Both activities form part of the conservation and preservation of Philippine biodiversity.

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WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Build&Design

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Republic Cement sustains rainwater harvesting

Q RepubLake is one of the three major rainwater collection ponds in the Republic Cement Batangas Plant.

W

ATER is a precious and limited resource and needs to be managed well. With this in mind, the Republic Cement Batangas Plant continues to conduct rainwater harvesting and has done so since 2015 for 100 percent of its domestic and industrial water consumption requirements or 328,150 cubic meter of water per year.

The Batangas plant has eliminated its groundwater demand, leaving the scarce groundwater resources for its

neighboring communities and farmers.

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater in natu-

RAL RESOURCES OR ARTIkCIALLY DESIGNED resources to prevent runoff and avoid scarcity of water, especially during the dry months.

The Batangas plant has three major collection ponds that collect rainwater, namely the RepubLake, the Pozzolan Pond, and the East Shale Pond, which is the largest among the three.

The severe drought due to El Niño in 2014, which almost shut down the

cement plant, was the driving force for this initiative, which, at the same time, was conceived to reduced water bills from the local water utilities.

Additionally, instead of just being BACKkLLED AT THE END OF QUARRY LIFE THE RESERVOIRS CAN NOW BE PART OF THE kNAL mine rehabilitation plan and stakeHOLDERS MAY BENEkT FROM THESE NEW water sources during summer months.

This is a very good example of how

Republic Cement operates to assure its customers of consistent supply of good quality products, while taking good care of the environment in the process.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources- MInes and Geoscience Bureau Mine Rehabilitation and Fund Committee and the local government of Taysan have recognized the Batangas plant’s water conservation efforts through rain water collection.

Dubai meet inspires PH architects

BY ARCH. VICTOR MIKAEL C. TAMPOS IN another expression of camaraderie, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP124) in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)convened again to exchange ideas, sharpen knowledge and forge new connections.

Held recently at the Warehouse Four Dubai, the event consisted of two parts, with three resource persons taking turns for six hours to speak before an audience of over 400 active UAP members.

“Take advantage of your beautiful organization of Filipino architects. You can make a difference if we come together. You are powerful!” Dr. Issam Ezzedine, design director at the National Engineering Bureau of Dubai, said Ezzedine, Steven Velegrinis of AECOM and Joe Tabet of JT PartNERS ALL HIGH PROkLE AND DEEPLY esteemed architects, were invited to speak in UAP’s continuing development program in order for Filipino professionals to keep up with the practice, build self-esteem, and reinforce their theories.

Ezzedine’s lecture focused on his research on public urban spaces and their importance in social interaction in the era of high-density living.

He stressed the need for open spaces, such as plazas in high-rise buildings, as a result of the increasing population and shrinking urban ground area.

Citing buildings at the Dubai Marina that resemble nails fastened to the ground, Ezzedine envisions communities that are connected and interacting high up in the air.

“Be proud of what you bring to the world. Filipino architects are transforming the world,” Velegrinis, AECOM director of operations, said duruing his turn to talk.

Velegrinis described Filipinos as creative and passionate about their work. Having six Filipino architects in his team, he said master builders from the Philippines were dynamic and versatile with superb skills in manual drawing, a skill not well taught in some architectural schools today.

He said his team might be cramped with last minute changes from the client, but they always make space for humor and laughter.

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CSR Finally, sharing Habitat Humanity’s mission of building homes for the homeless, the company donated 10 housing units to the Navotas Relocation Site in Barangay Tanza, Navotas City.

Growth opportunities that serve the greater good

Q Dr. Issam Ezzedive: ‘Filipino architects are creative and passionate.’

Q Steven Velegrinis: ‘Filipino architects are changing the world.’

Because of insistent demand, Tabet went on stage to give his insights about the architect as “dictator.” He noted that the prime movers of shaping communities were the architects who were powerful influencers positively revolutionizing society.

Tabet’s leadership extends to everyone in the profession, encouraging fellow architects to be proactive in voicing out their design recommendations to the

Q Joe Tabet: ‘Architects are the prime movers of shaping communities.’

UAE government. After all, he stressed, it was for the good of the country which fostered and nurtured the practice.

With the afternoon packed with insights from three of the region’s leading architects, it was necessary for coffee breaks in between sessions. Interestingly, the organizers distributed reusable thermal mugs, which also doubled as souvenirs and a boost to environmental awareness. The mugs were an at-

Q Christian Romulo Vasquez: ‘Every global Filipino architect is an associate of an elite class of professionals.’

tractive and affordable alternative to plastic cups.

After the discussions was the general membership meeting.

Among the items discussed were the amendments in the by-laws, the upcoming events and the launching of the ‘Architectour’ and the presentation of the 13 shortlisted entries of the Zayed House design competition.

The event ended with words from the chapter president and

UAE representative to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Christian Romulo Vasquez, who inspired the audience by saying that every global Filipino architect is an associate of an elite class of professionals.

Moreover, he encouraged everyone to be more proactive for the organization and called each individual to action and move forward in seeking professional growth and global competitiveness.

Since its inception, PA Properties has committed to contribute to the Philippine government’s national shelter program. An approach to this, the company believes, is to help ease the country’s housing backlog which currently stands at close to 6 million — with a probability to balloon to 11 million by 2030 if left unaddressed.

Currently, PA Properties has more than 137 hectares in its landbank for future developments and is continuously acquiring more land to support its expansion plans.

As part of its expansion strategy, PA Properties entered into a joint venture agreement with Osakabased real estate firm, Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp., in June 2017. The P656-million DasmariÄAS PROJECT IS THE kRST PHASE OF THE development of more than 37 hectares of PA Properties’ landbank in the area and is seen to be completed in 5 years. ! LITTLE OVER A YEAR AFTER THE kRST joint venture agreement, the partners signed the second and third JVAs, a P2.9-billion project spread over 5 years up until 2023. This puts PA Properties in a better position to build vibrant and healthy communities that people would truly love to live in.

Today’s organizations are highly engaged in the world outside. They are not sitting back and waiting for things to happen; being part of the solution has become a universal agenda. For a property developer to continue to be relevant in today’s marketplace, responsible operations and social responsibility are strategic imperatives.

Fortunately for PA Properties, the company has already integrated socially responsible practices in its operations a long time ago. “As a business you can always MAKE PROkTS BUT IT IS CRITICAL NOT to lose sight of the larger society and your stakeholders. You should always strive to be a business with a heart. And we’re doing just that,” Abiera said.

Build&Design

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

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High life at PH’s top mountain resort O VER the years, Tagaytay Highlands has become the destination of choice of the COUNTRY S AFlUENTS WHO APPRECIATE THE exclusivity and leisurely life it offers. As the only mountain resort of its kind and scale near the metro, Tagaytay Highlands is constantly seen as a gamechanger in luxury mountain resort living not only in the country but in all of Asia.

Q Tagaytay Highlands Estate

Q Sycamore Heights Amenity

Q Tagaytay Midlands Golf Club

Q Horizon Terraces Garden Suite Q Woodlands Point

In fact, Tagaytay Highlands was listed by Bloomberg as one of “The Hamptons of Asia� in a feature last September that revealed where the region’s ultra-rich are spending their weekends as they gear up for the best weather of the year.

The mountain resort complex was listed with other popular havens in the region such as Bali in Indonesia, Karuizawa in Japan, Alibaug in India, and Phuket in Thailand.

Today, Tagaytay Highlands celebrates more than two decades of exclusive mountainside resort living with world-class services and an extensive portfolio of luxury homes for its members and residents — ranging from log cabins to hilltop lot properties and condominiums.

Headlining Tagaytay Highlands’ signature log cabin communities is Woodlands Point, a charming community of contemporary ski resortinspired luxury log cabins, ranging between 239 to 320 square-meters (sqm), made of western red cedar imported from the highlands of Canada.

Sitting on one of the most elevated terrains of the property, Woodlands Point is a timeless hideaway enveloped by thousands of Norfolk pine trees and panoramic vistas of

the Canlubang countryside, Laguna de Bay, and verdant mountains.

Families who aspire for a picture-perfect vacation home amidst nature can settle at Horizon Terraces. This 3.2-hectare comMUNITY FEATURES A kNE SELECTION OF asian-contemporary garden suites and villas set against panoramic nature vistas of Mount Makiling, Midlands Golf Course, Taal Lake, and its own lush central park.

The Garden Suites is perfect for a quick weekend escape from the bustling metropolis with well-planned one- and two-bedroom units, with areas ranging from 43 to 68 sqm.

The Garden Villas is for large families, featuring well-appointed threebedroom townhouses highlighted by a multifunctional space or den on THE GROUND lOOR Nestled at the heart of Tagaytay Midlands is Sycamore Heights, a contemporary asian-themed community of homes featuring modern elements of earth tones in lots ranging from 250 to 959 sqm. This sought after community is bounded by breathtaking views of the Taal Lake and Volcano, the Midlands fairways, and the mountainside with nature-inspired amenities

amidst lush, wide open spaces.

Savor a laid-back yet vibrant lifestyle in your own home at 6IREYA THE kRST AND ONLY TROPICAL resort community in Tagaytay Highlands that perfectly blends the cool mist of the mountains with the warmth of the tropics.

With the scenic Taal Lake and Mount Makiling at a far distant, tropical-inspired homes can be built on 250 to 562 sqm lots with elements of wood and wide glass windows to let the verdant outdoors in.

Staying true to its vision of holistic living, Vireya presents diverse points of interests within the community — exclusive leisure amenities that promote wellness and adventure right at your doorstep.

To cap all these, Tagaytay HighLANDS IS EVERYTHING THE AFlUENT SET needs to make lasting memories, thanks to its vast array of world-class services and recreational amenities accessed through membership rights at The Country Club.

Indoor sports facilities include swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton and other outdoor pursuits such as Pedal Go Kart Racing, Sporting Arrow, and life-size board games at the Supersized Game Park.

Tagaytay Highlands also offers foodies and gastronomers a number of specialty restaurants and dining places such as the popular Highlander Steakhouse, Highlands China Palace and Gourmet Avenue.

Experience the high life at the favorite weekend destination of the country’s elite and get a glimpse of premier mountain resort living in Tagaytay Highlands.

Holcim pushes sustainable construction

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Vivencio Dizon (sixth from right), along with Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap (fifth from left), Capas Tarlac Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan (fourth from left), BCDA vice president for Business Development Arrey Perez (third from left), MTD Philippines Inc. President Patrick Nicholas David (extreme right), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) president and CEO Cecilia Borromeo (sixth from left), Landbank Leasing Corp. President and CEO Manuel Lopez (fifth from right), Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Kristoffer James Purisima, and UP-Philippine Eye Research Institute Director Dr. Leo Cubillan lead the topping-off ceremony for The Residences at the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac recently.

PHOTO BY MARNA DAGUMBOY-DEL ROSARIO

BCDA leads topping-off rite for condo project THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its partner MTD Philippines Inc. recently led the topping-off ceremony for a condominium project that will house employees of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) and other locators in New Clark City.

The ceremony was led by BCDA President Vivencio Dizon along with MTD Philippines Inc. President Nikko David, Tarlac 2nd District Rep. Victor Yap and Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan.

The Residence, a 525-unit condominium development is set to be completed this year. It’s an integral part of the government’s response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s vision to decentralize STATE OFkCES IN -ETRO -ANILA AND solve the congestion problem in the capital.

The project is significant for the government employees who WILL BE THE kRST OCCUPANTS OF .EW #LARK #ITY THE kRST SMART AND DIsaster-resilient city in the country.

U n i t s a t T h e Re s i d e n c e s come in one-, two- and threebedroom models.

An estimated 1.02 million residents are expected to populate New Clark City, with 582,000 of them going to belong to the city’s workforce.

The Residences complements other developments in New Clark City, such as the worldclass sports facilities to be used for the 30th South East Asian Games, and the provision of reliable water and power utilities in the new metropolis.

During the topping-off ceremony, David said they had 221 DAYS TO kNISH THE CONSTRUCTION AT the New Clark City.

Other officials of government agencies who were also present during the event included Development Bank of the Philippines President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo, Landbank Leasing Corp. President and CEO Manuel Lopez, Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Kristoffer James Purisima and UP-Philippine Eye Research Institute Director Dr. Leo Cubillan.

These agencies will soon have OFkCES AT .EW #LARK #ITY

WITH the construction sector seen to sustain its growth, cement maker Holcim Philippines Inc. is pushing for the country’s aspiring builders to have a sustainability mindset to help the industry gain a more positive impact on development.

To advocate this perspective, the company launched in December The Young Builders Challenge, a design competition for engineering and architecture students wherein projects are assessed not just on their aesthetic elements AND kNANCIAL FEASIBILITY BUT ALSO on their positive environmental and social impact.

The YBC is inspired by the awards of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, the leading global COMPETITION IN THIS kELD Since its launch in 2008, this competition has led to numerous ideas from building industry professionals worldwide for addressing some of society’s most pressing sustainability challenges. “The building industry has always been a partner for progress since its produces essential

Q Pushing sustainability mindset among aspiring builders. structures for society, but it can have a more positive impact if it balances economic considerations with environmental and social aspects,� said Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez. “The YBC aims to steer the minds of the next generation of builders to this viewpoint so they can make a bigger difference. This is very relevant and timely for our country especially with the sustained building boom,� Ramirez added.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said the construction industry was among the drivers of the economy in 2018, as it surged by 21 percent on the back of healthy rise of public and private sectors.

The industry’s strong growth is expected to cont i n ue in the medium t e r m a m i d

the current administration’s infrastructure upgrade program valued at P7 trillion ($137 billion) until 2022.

Fitch Solutions, a research unit of the New York-based Fitch Group, also forecasted in December that the Philippine construction sector will have an average growth rate of 9 percent until 2027 as regional partners invest in the country.

Holcim Philippines is currently visiting colleges and universities to promote YBC. It will also hold a symposium on February 28 at the University of the Philippines David M.Consunji Theater, featuring experts on sustainability to help guide interested students in the competition, which will close in April. “We at Holcim Philippines are very serious about our sustainability commitments as seen by our community development programs and investments to IMPROVE OPERATIONAL EFkCIENCY and development of new products with lower environmental footprint,� Ramirez said. “The YBC is an extension of this Holcim Helps mindset as we seek to influence other stakeholders to join in the efforts for the construction industry to have a stronger impact on the country’s development,� she added.

Q Balancing economic considerations with environmental and social aspects.

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WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Q Office Q Office design according to architects preferred layout layout...

Build&Design

Q ... furnishings Q furnishings...

˜ The Manila Times

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Q ... and business specifications.

Q specifications

C

OMMON Ground, the country’s newest co-working space industry player from -ALAYSIA HAS REVEALED kVE LIFESTYLE PILLARS where it bases its operation.

First on the list, Common Ground said, is excitement. “With Common Ground, the community plays a big role in keeping spirits up through the company’s exclusive events which can range from CEO (chief executive officer) chats to hiking sessions and giant beer pongs,� the company said.

The next lifestyle pillar is friendship and family. “At Common Ground, customers will not only network with people from various industries but build an opportunity to meet new friends, which may even become family in the END u THE kRM EXPLAINED Common Ground recognizes flexible work arrangements to bring about another pillar — convenience.

Under such arrangements, the kRM SAYS THEIR MEMBERS COULD

use more than one location be it in their Bonifacion Global City (BGC), Ortigas or Makati location.

Productivity is also cited by Commown Ground. To explain this pilLAR THE kRM CITED A RECENT STUDY BY the International Workplace Group (IWG), which revealed that business competitiveness and productivity improve in the Philippines because of co-working spaces.

4HE kFTH IS PROGRESSION #OMmon Ground said. “Common Ground will do the necessary adjustments to what their members need through conducting classes and workshops THAT WILL BE BOTH BENEkCIAL IN THEIR business growth,� the co-working space said.

Common Ground recently OPENED ITS VERY kRST INTERNATIONAL OFkCE IN THE COUNTRY )T HAS CHOSEN the bustling BGC as host to its

Q Akinci

Q Spearheading the Common Ground launch in the Philippines are (seated from left): Community Manager Ana Lucia Aguila, Managing Director Juhn Teo and co-founder Erman Akinci, along with the Common Ground Philippines team. aesthetically designed and laid out co-working space.

Patterned after the structure of THEIR OFkCES IN -ALAYSIA THE #OMmon Ground’s co-working space is housed in the 2,300-square-meter

Q Co-working space is booming in the Philippines. PHOTO BY LAMUDI

penthouse of the newly launched Arthaland Tower in BGC. Aside from BGC, the company has also landed in Makati and Ortigas for other locations for its co-working offices, which were

also recently launched.

Common Ground is in partnership with MVP Global Infrastructure Group, a private investMENT kRM PRESENT IN -ALAYSIA

Vietnam and the Philippines.

In the Philippines, there are over 40 co-working spaces scattered around the key business hubs of Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Ortigas with an average rate ranging from P400 to 1,200 per day.

Common Ground launched its lAGSHIP CO WORKING LOCATION IN Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia in March 2017. Since then, they’ve opened in various locations across the country.

Its co-working community now has around 2000 members.

Carrying two prestigious titles — one of the most Instagrammable co-working destinations and Malaysia’s largest co-working space, — Common Ground boasts a vibrant, fresh, and young vibe that they promise to bring to the Philippines. “At Common Ground, coworking means more than a desk and internet connection in a communal workspace but building an engaged community and vibrant ecosystem to help ambitious, fastgrowing companies take business to the next level,� said Ana Lucia Aguila, Common Ground community manager.

Together with their in-house team of acclaimed designers and ARCHITECTS THAT CAN DESIGN OFkCE spaces according to the customers’ preferred layout, furnishings, BRAND IDENTITY BUSINESS SPECIkcations, and IT needs, Common Ground can also provide staff with years of experience managing workspaces to ensure that the OFkCE OPERATIONS RUN SMOOTHLY AND EFkCIENTLY The booming co-working space industry in the Philippines prompted Common Ground to do business in the country.

13,000 apply for Tagum City housing project AROUND 13,000 applicants have already expressed interest to avail of the housing project in Baranggay Mankilam in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte.

Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon SAID THE TARGET BENEkCIARIES WERE informal families and those living in danger zones.

He said he would also offer the housing units to the families that would be affected by the Mindanao Railway System project.

The beneficiaries would be IDENTIkED BY THE HOUSING OFkCE OF Tagum City, he said.

Rellon recently led the capsule laying ceremony to mark the start of land development for the housing project.

The National Housing Authority (NHA) has given Tagum City an additional P150 million for the construction of 336 housing units in the project.

Marcelino Escalada Jr., secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager, said the amount is on top of the P24 million allocated by the national government to the city’s housing project under the Resettlement Assistance Program for Local Government Unit (RAP-LGU).

Escalada said the P150 million was for the construction of the housing units recoverable through a monthly amortization by the BENEkCIARIES AT A MONTHLY RATE OF P200 to P600.

On the other hand, the P24 million is extended to the LGU. Escalada said that because Tagum City applied for the program early last year, it was still covered by the old policy wherein 50 percent of the PP24 million is

recoverable and the other half is a grant from the NHA. Under the Duterte Administration, the assistance under RAP-LGU has already increased to P50 million, which will be used either for land acquisition or land development and construction of houses. “RAP-LGU is one of the programs of the NHA in close coordination with the local government unit. All LGUs can avail of the P50 million either for land acquisition or for developing and constructing houses. Tagum City is using the money for land development,�

Escalada said.

Escalada said he wanted the LGU to avail of a complete cycle for the housing project and had committed the P150 million for the construction of houses. Each unit (raw house at 28 square meters) costs P350,000 with one PARTITION AND TILED lOOR

Q Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon (third from left) and Marceliono Escalada Jr., secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating and general manager of the National Housing Authority (fourth from left), lead the laying of capsule to mark the start of the land development for the housing project in Mankilam, Tagum City.

Sports

WEDNESDAY D1 FEBRUARY 27, 2019 FREE KICK ROMY P. MARIĂ‘AS

www.manilatimes.net

Tennis’ Hsieh Suh-wei: Why is she unsponsored?

S

Q Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) drives past Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday in Houston.

AP PHOTO

Harden’s streak ends at 32, James enters class of his own L

OS ANGELES: James Harden missed all 10 three pointers he attempted, snapping his 32-game streak with at least 30 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 119-111 on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

(ARDEN kNISHED WITH POINTS AFTER MISSING 3ATurday’s victory over the Golden State Warriors with a NECK INJURY (E SAID AT PRACTICE EARLIER -ONDAY THAT HE WAS STILL BOTHERED BY THE NECK PROBLEM His run of games with 30 or more points was the second-longest in league history beHIND A GAME STREAK BY 7ILT #HAMBERLAIN Harden reached 28 points with 23 seconds LEFT IN THE FOURTH (E EVEN HAD THE BALL NEAR half court on the last play of the game, but UNLIKE PREVIOUS GAMES DURING THE STREAK HE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO PAD HIS SCORING TOTAL (ARDEN LAST kNISHED SHY OF POINTS ON $ECEMBER AGAINST THE 0ORTLAND 4RAIL "LAZERS WHEN HE TALLIED $URING THE STREAK HE scored 50 or more points four times, including a career-high 61 in a win over the New 9ORK +NICKS ON *ANUARY

Harden said he had no false ideas about CATCHING #HAMBERLAIN g)T WAS COOL BUT ) KNEW ) WASN T GOING TO GET TO .O u (ARDEN SAID (ARDEN WHO WAS kNED ON 3ATURDAY FOR CRITICIZING THE REFEREES AFTER A LOSS TO THE ,OS !NGELES ,AKERS HAS MISSED JUST FOUR GAMES THIS SEASON “Eventually it was going to have to end ONE OF THESE DAYS u COACH -IKE $ !NTONI SAID g(E S UNBELIEVABLE (E LL START ANOTHER ONE u #HRIS 0AUL ADDED POINTS AND %RIC 'ORDON HIT FOUR THREE POINTERS FOR POINTS 4HE 2OCKETS HAD TO OVERCAME A CAREER HIGH EIGHT THREE POINTERS FROM (AWKS ROOKIE 4RAE 9OUNG WHO kNISHED WITH POINTS %LSEWHERE -IKE #ONLEY HIT SOME CLUTCH FREE THROWS IN THE kNAL MINUTE AND kNISHED WITH POINTS AS THE -EMPHIS 'RIZZLIES ADDED TO THE

,AKERS WOES THIS SEASON WITH A VICTORY ,E"RON *AMES HAD A TRIPLE DOUBLE AND made history despite shooting just eight of FROM THE kELD *AMES WHO HAD POINTS REBOUNDS AND ASSISTS BECAME THE kRST PLAYER IN THE ."! TO RANK IN THE TOP IN BOTH THE ."! S ALL TIME ASSISTS AND SCORING LISTS !LREADY RANKED NUMBER kVE IN ALL TIME POINTS COMING INTO -ONDAY S GAME AGAINST THE 'RIZZLIES

the superstar entered into a class of his own by reCORDING HIS TH CAREER ASSIST TO SURPASS !NDREW -ILLER AND MOVE INTO NUMBER IN ALL TIME ASSISTS

Top 10 in scoring, assists *AMES MILESTONE ASSIST CAME IN THE FIRST quarter when he fed Kyle Kuzma for a layup TO GIVE THE ,AKERS A LEAD "RANDON )NGRAM LED THE ,AKERS WITH POINTS AND +UZMA kNISHED WITH AS ,OS !NGELES DROPPED ITS FOURTH GAME IN THE LAST kVE AND FELL TO ON THE SEASON *AMES APPEARS TO BE GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH THE LOSING AND TALKED ABOUT THE ,AKERS LACK OF

Q Phoenix Pulse’s Jason Perkins (No. 3) attempts to score as Rain or Shine’s Kris Rosales (No. 11), Jewel Ponferada (No. 15) and Raymond Almazan look on during Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

PHOENIX GUNS FOR QF SLOT AS PBA RESUMES PHOENIX Pulse resumes its quarterfinals bid when it faces Northport tonight in the resumption of Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

After a two-week break that gave way to Team Pilipinas’ campaign in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers, the Fuel Masters (5-1 win-loss record) will be aiming for their sixth victory in seven matches in their 7 p.m. game against the Batang Pier.

After Northport, the Fuel Masters will battle Alaska next on Friday. “We will not put our guards down and we need to work hard. There is no room for complacency because we haven’t achieved anything yet. We just won

several games,� said Phoenix Pulse coach Louie Alas. The Fuel Masters are currently No. 2 behind Rain or Shine (7-1).

Phoenix Pulse team governor Raymond Zorilla said that JC Intal’s hand injury has healed well and the player could be activated anytime soon. Willie Wilson, meanwhile, needs one more month of recovery after a bone spurs operation.

Calvin Abueva, Matthew Wright and rookie of the year Jason Perkins are expected to lead the Batang Pier anew.

Northport (2-2) is hoping to bounce back from back-to-back setbacks. The Batang Pier are pinning their hopes on Stanley Pringle who is averaging 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2

assists in the last four games. “We prepared our offense very well during the two-week break for the reason that Phoenix is a good defensive team,� said Northport coach Pido Jarencio who is thankful that all his players are in good condition. “Good thing is we don’t have any injury.�

Sean Anthony, Mo Tautuaa, Nico Elorde, Paolo Taha and Jonathan Grey will lead Northport in battle.

In the 4:30 p.m. first game, Meralco (2-3) seeks to bounce back from an 83-87 defeat to Northern Luzon Expressway on February 2 when it faces Columbian Dyip (2-4).

Meanwhile, Columbian Dyip is keen to snap a three-game losing skid.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

FOCUS AFTER THE GAME “If you are still allowing distractions to affect the way you play, this is the wrong franchise to be a part OF AND YOU SHOULDN T COME IN AN BE LIKE @,ISTEN ) CAN T DO THIS u HE SAID WITHOUT NAMING NAMES !LSO +LAY 4HOMPSON SCORED POINTS AND $E-ARCUS #OUSINS HAD AS THE TWO TIME DEFENDING champion Golden State defeated the Charlotte HorNETS DESPITE AN OFF NIGHT FROM 3TEPHEN #URRY Kevin Durant delivered 20 points and SEVEN REBOUNDS FOR THE 7ARRIORS WHO TOOK a 1 1/2 game lead over the Denver Nuggets FOR THE TOP SPOT IN THE 7ESTERN #ONFERENCE Golden State dropped their previous conTEST TO (OUSTON ON 3ATURDAY BUT -ONDAY S VICTORY MEANS THEY HAVE NOT LOST BACK TO BACK GAMES SINCE $ECEMBER It was a low scoring performance for Curry in his RETURN TO HIS HOMETOWN kNISHING WITH POINTS ON JUST FOUR OF SHOOTING FROM THREE POINT RANGE #ODY :ELLER kNISHED WITH A CAREER HIGH points to lead the Hornets, who have lost two CONSECUTIVE GAMES #HARLOTTE RALLIED FROM A POINT DEkCIT IN the fourth quarter to cut the Warriors lead to JUST SEVEN WITH LEFT AFP

HE has been described by fellow tennis players and netizen fans of the sport as “hard� to read and called a “nightmare� to play against partly because she glIPSu HER SHOTS LIKE gPANCAKES u Hsieh Suh-wei, a 33-year-old from Taiwan who has been having a splendid run since the start of 2019, is NOT YOUR POWER HITTER LIKE -ARIA 3HARAPOVA OR 3ERENA Williams, but rather the smart, entertaining and wily .O IN THE LATEST 74! RANKINGS AND NOT THAT -ARIA AND 3ERENA ARE CLUELESS DULL AND BORING !T kVE FOOT SEVEN SHE IS TINY BY THE STANDARDS OF THE women currently playing in the tour, with Sharapova, for example, a giant at six-foot-two, and Williams only A FEW INCHES SHORTER THAN THE GLAMOROUS 2USSIAN 7IN OR LOSE THIS CORNER PERSONALLY kNDS (SIEH A QUITE UNEXPLAINABLE SURPRISE PACKAGE MAKING her opponents angry, frustrated, even grudgingly admiring of the drop volleys thrown their way AND POSSIBLY ASKING THEMSELVES WHERE SHE AND HER OTHER SHOTS COME FROM (SIEH MORE KNOWN AS DOUBLES SPECIALIST WITH TWO Grand Slam crowns to her name, is all smiles on court, does not throw tantrums (at least as attested by the many tournaments where she had played and which THIS &REE +ICKER HAD WATCHED VIA LIVESTREAMING AND A player who arguably follows the rules (no run-ins with REFEREES LIKE THOSE RESULTING IN A MELTDOWN OF A MORE FAMOUS COLLEAGUE IN THE 53 /PEN !ND YET (SIEH 3UH WEI IS UNSPONSORED This means that she wears no-name brands of tops, shorts, visors, wristbands and other gear precisely because no big shoe manufacturers or EVEN PERHAPS TENNIS BALL MAKERS WANT TO DRESS HER OR LET HER USE THEIR BALLS -AYBE SHE IS UNSPONSORED BECAUSE THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE 74! 4OUR AND ITS BIG NAMED SPONSORS DO NOT WANT TO RISK THEIR BILLION DOLLAR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE #HINA MARKET Beijing regards Taiwan, where Hsieh comes from, as a province of China that it would son “liberate� from Taipei’s rule, and it would be too much of a GAMBLE FOR .IKE OR !DIDAS PERHAPS TO MAKE HER PUSH THEIR SHOES AND SHORTS THROUGH HER Taipei is apparently just letting sleeping dogs LIE IN THE CASE OF (SIEH 3UH WEI Well, that is tennis geopolitics for you because the 74! 4OUR IS A MILLION DOLLAR @NON POLITICALu BUSINESS But Hsieh Suh-wei is a refreshing ray of warm sunshine in the tour whose Top 10 players, most of them, are pushers who wait for their OPPONENTS TO MAKE MISTAKES INSTEAD OF GOING AND TRYING REAL HARD TO WIN A GAME LIKE SHE DOES In the recently concluded Dubai Open, she RAN RINGS AROUND In the recently concluded Dubai Open, she toyed WITH !NGELIQUE +ERBER AND +AROLINA 0LISKOVA AND to this corner, it does not matter that she would EVENTUALLY LOSE TO 0ETRA +VITOVA IN THE SEMIkNALS

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Sports

The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Q Godwell Maloloy-on of Mandaue City takes his aim during the archery competition of the Batang Pinoy 2019 Visayas Qualifying Leg at the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City.

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Dumaguete archers shine in Batang Pinoy Qualifying Leg

PHOTO BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

I

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

LOILO CITY: Prisa Helen Lofranco and Naina Dominique Tagle led Dumaguete City to a gold medal haul in the opening day of archery competitions of the Batang Pinoy 2019 Visayas Qualifying Leg on Tuesday at the Western Visayas State University Field here.

Lofranco won two gold medals in the girls’ cadet category after firing 321 points in the 30-meter distance and 291 points in the 40-meter.

The 14-year old Grade 8 stalwart from Silliman University beat fellow Dumagueteùo Kristanna Carmela Quisumbing, who tallied 308 points in 30m and 272 points in 40m for silver, and Barotac Viejo’s Colyn Therese, who scored 244 points in 30m and 212 points in 40m for bronze.

Lofranco is competing in archery for just one year after quitting taekwondo due to hormonal imbalance. g) WAS IN TAEKWONDO FOR kVE YEARS 7HEN ) JOINED ARCHERY

I don’t really like it that much. But I just train hard because

I know that God put me here,� said Lofranco, who bagged five gold and two silver medals in last year’s Batang Pinoy Visayas qualifiers held in her hometown. “I shoot as many arrows as I can to master my form, maybe around 144 arrows in the morning and 144 arrows in the afternoon,� she added.

A protĂŠgĂŠ of Olympian lady archer and two-time Southeast Asian Games champion Jeniffer Chan, Lofranco said she is aiming to join the national team.

Tagle, for her part, also bagged two gold medals in the girls’ cub category off 341 points in 20m and 325 points in 30m.

The 10-year old younger sister of national squad standout Nicole Ma-

rie Tagle bested Mandaue City’s Niùa Mae Flores (329 points 20m, 303 points in 30m) and Cebu’s Densil Shane Dinopol (325 points in 20m, 296 points in 30m).

In the boys’ side, cadet Godwell Maloloy-on gave Mandaue City two gold while cub Alremer did the same for Cebu.

Meanwhile, Bago City star Kate Julienne Martinez swept the girls throwing events at the Jalandoni Memorial National High School.

After chalking a personal-best of 10.48 meters in shot put, Martinez registered 27.7-meters in javelin throw and a 30.58-meter in her forte discus throw wherein she broke a Palarong Pambansa record.

In other athletics events at the

Iloilo Sports Complex, Negros Occidental’s Marden Gabriel Villaruel and Bacolod City’s Krisha Aguillon topped the boys’ and girls’ century dash, respectively.

6ILLARUEL CROSSED THE kNISH LINE IN seconds while Aguillion in 12.4.

Over at the Robinsons Pavia, host Iloilo City captured six gold medals in the TAEKWONDO KYORUGI SPARRING kGHTING cadet boys division and poomsae (form) individual events.

Winning gold for Iloilo City in kyorugi WERE +YLE #HIN lYWEIGHT 3ETH (ENDRICK Porquez (featherweight), Jake Christian Mamigo (lightweight) and Bill Donton 3rd (heavyweight). Ilongo jins Cyd Edryc EsmaĂąa (cadet male) and Elizabeth Marie Borres (cadet female) won the gold in poomsae.

In chess (rapid) at the Iloilo Sports Complex Covered Gym, the host city also snared two gold courtesy of Checy Aliena Telesforo (girls under-15) and Kimberly Colaste (girls under-12) while Cebu City and Cebu Province had one gold each courtesy of Jave Mareck Peteros (boys under-15) and Sean Kenneth Cogonon (boys under-12), respectively.

In baseball at the La Paz Football Field, Cebu Province downed Iloilo Province, 12-8.

As of 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Iloilo City is leading the gold-silver-bronze medal tally with 9-6-7 followed by Negros Occidental with 8-6-5 and defending champion Cebu City with 5-7-7.

The Philippines’ finest moment in FIBA World Cup Lady Spikers eye firmer hold of top spot vs NU

BY EDDIE G. ALINEA THE Philippines will be seeing action in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup for the sixth time when the quadrennial conclave opens its 18th edition on August 31 to September 15 in four Chinese Cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Dongguan and Guangzhou.

It will actually be the country’s second straight stint in the world’s basketball championship following the Filipino basketeers appearance in 2014 in Spain.

The Filipinos, once Asia’s kingpins in the sport, which IS THEIR COUNTRYMEN S FAVORITE PASTIME kRST TOOK PART IN THE tournament’s second edition in 1954 in Rio de Janeiro, "RAZIL 4HE 0HILIPPINES FASHIONED OUT ITS BEST kNISH AT THIRD that, up to the present time, remains unequalled by any country outside of the Americas and Europe.

It was in Rio where our own Carlos “Caloy� Loyzaga, local basketball’s “Big Difference,� was named to the world’s MYTHICAL SELECTION A kRST TOO FOR AN !SIAN THAT WOULD VE merited him a place in FIBA’s Hall of Fame; Skippered by Lauro “The Fox� Mumar, the team was made\ up of six Olympians, and six standouts from the commercial (MICAA) and school leagues (NCAA and UAAP).

The Olympians – Loyzaga, Florentino Bautista, Pons Saldana, Mariano Tolentino, Antonio Genato (Helsinki 1952) and Mumar (London 1948).

Joining them were Ben Francisco (PAL), Rafael Barredo (San Miguel-San Beda), Frankie Rabat (Ateneo), Bayani Amador (FEU), Ramon Manulat and Nap Flores (UST). ! FORMIDABLE LINEUP CONSIDERED BY MANY AS THE kNEST TEAM formed and described as relatively tall in those times averaging six-feet and young having an average age 23 with Mumar the oldest at 29 and Rabat the youngest at 18.

Except for Francisco, the team was practically the same that won the First Asian Games basketball tournament

held in Manila in 1954. Francisco substituted for Asiad team captain Rafael Hechanova, who begged off to marry.

Coach was Herminio “Herr� Silva, then also the mentor of UST in the UAAP cage war.

Loyzaga and company lost to Brazil, 62-99 in the ELIMINATION ROUND BUT MADE IT TO THE kNAL WITH A clobbering of Paraguay.

The Filipinos drew the eventual champion US in the opening of the eight-team championship round, 45-56, but in a replay of the Asiad gold medal play beat Formosa (now Taiwan), 48-38, coming from a precarious 21-all stalemate at halftime.

A string of three victories over Israel, 90-58; Canada, 83-76; and France, 66-60, sealed third place and the bronze medal for coach Silva’s boys despite losing anew to Brazil, 47-51, although they still edged Uruguay, 67-63, in their last outing they needed not win.

The Philippines ended up compiling a 6-3 win-loss record.

4HAT BRONZE MEDAL kNISH OF ,OYZAGA AND TEAMMATES SURPASSED THE kFTH PLACE WIND UP FASHIONED OUT BY A .ATIONAL &IVE during the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games that could have been a silver medal had it not for the quirk format implemented in the SPORT BEING PLAYED FOR THE kRST TIME IN THE QUADRENNIAL MEET That 1938 Olympic squad, captained by senator-to-be Ambrosio Padilla was made up of Charles Borck, Jacinto Ciria Cruz, Franco Marquicias, Primitivo Martinez, Jesus Marzan, Amador Obordo, Bibiano Ouano, John Worrell, Fortunato Yambao and alternates Miguel Pardo and Antonio Carillo.

Coached by Dionisio “Chito� Calvo, the Filipino Olympians lost only one game to eventual winner Americans, but UNTIL TODAY IT CANNOT BE EXPLAINED HOW THEY LANDED kFTH #ANADA ALSO kNISHED WITH THREE WIN AND A LOSS BUT was awarded the silver medal, while Mexico, 3-2, was third. Poland, 1-2, was fourth.

4HAT kFTH PLACE kNISH THOUGH WAS STILL THE BEST AMONG countries outside the Americas, Europe and Oceania.

DE La Salle University aims to strengthen its grip of the lead as it takes on National University (NU) in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The four-peat eyeing Lady Spikers need a third triumph in a row against the No. 5 Lady Bulldogs (1-1) in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser to remain on top of the standings.

La Salle holds a pristine 2-0 record, ahead of Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines and University of Sto. Tomas, which are sharing the No. 2 with similar 2-1 slates.

After beating Ateneo in its season-opener, the three-time defending champion La Salle crushed

Adamson, 25-16, 25-21, 25-20, on Saturday.

Multi-titled coach Ramil De Jesus will count on rookie spiker Jolina Dela Cruz, who came through with 10 points in the previous win, along with veterans Desiree Cheng, May Luna and Aduke Ogunsanya.

Sophomore setter Michelle Cobb, who chalked 25 excellent sets the last time out, is expected to dictate the Taft-based volleybelles’ offense.

On the other hand, NU (1-1) will try to sustain the momentum from its 25-19, 25-23, 25-19 breakthrough win over University of the East (UE) also on Saturday.

The shorthanded Lady Bulldogs showed grit overcoming the absence of injured rookie setter Joyme Cagande to nail their

first victory of the season.

Head mentor Norman Miguel will expect the same determination from his wards, especially from Ivy Lacsina and libero-turned setter Jovi Chavez who steered the Sampaloc-based team’s attack in the previous game.

In the other match at 4 p.m., bottomdwellers Adamson (0-2) and UE (0-2) will collide for a maiden win.

Meanwhile, in the men’s side, Adamson (2-0) aims for a share of the lead with Far Eastern University as it battles winless UE (1-1) at 10 a.m. while reigning titlist NU (1-1) goes for a streak against lowly La Salle (0-2) at 8 a.m.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Marinero cruises past SMDC-NU MARINERONG Pilipino whipped SMDC-NU, 86-71, to chalk one in the win column in the 2019 PBA D-League on Tuesday at Paco Arena in Manila.

Santi Santillan led the way with 18 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and two steals, as Anton Asistio added 14 points on a 3-of-8 shooting from distance, as well as four rebounds. “That’s the kind of game from Anton Asistio and Santi Santillan that we’re looking for,� said coach Yong Garcia. “They have the experience to lead Marinero.�

The Skippers lost hold of a 21-point lead, 50-29, early in the third quarter as the

Bulldogs rallied and cut the deficit down to six, 63-57 with a quarter remaining.

But that rally would ultimately fall short as Marinero went on a 15-2 tear, breaking away from a tight 69-61 affair with less than seven minutes left to take a comfortable 84-63 lead in the last two minutes.

Orlan Wamar chimed in 11 of his 13 points in the first half, Jed Mendoza had 11 points, five assists, and three rebounds, and veterans Raphy Reyes and Felix Apreku combined for 18 in the victory.

John Galinato led SMDC-NU (0-2) with 17 points, three rebounds, and three assists,

while Shaun Ildefonso added 16 points, three boards, and two assists.

THE SCORES: MARINERONG PILIPINO 86 —Santillan 18, Asistio 14, Wamar 13, Mendoza 11, Reyes 9, Apreku 9, A. Aquino 4, Bunag 3, Victoria 3, Gamboa 2, Bonifacio 0, Garcia 0.

SMDC-NU 71—Galinato 17, S. Ildefonso 16, D. Ildefonso 13, Mangayao 5, Clemente 5, Diputado 5, Gallego 4, Minerva 2, Oczon 2, Rangel 2, Gaye 0, Tibayan 0, Malonzo 0, Chatman 0, Sinclair 0.

Quarters: 19-15, 47-29, 63-57, 86-71.

Q Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 32) of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on January 22, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. AFP PHOTO

Towns says he’s lucky to be alive after car crash LOS ANGELES: Minnesota Timberwolves

center Karl-Anthony Towns said Monday (Tuesday in Manila) he was lucky to have escaped with his life after the car crash last week which forced him out of two games.

The 23-year-old suffered a suspected concussion following the incident on February 21, and told reporters ahead of his return from injury against Sacramento later on Monday that his car was struck from behind by a truck which had failed to brake in time

after his car had come to a stop. “The accident could have went -- I’d say ) HAD A kVE PERCENT CHANCE OF MAKING IT OUT alive,� Towns told reporters. g) HIT THE kVE PERCENT MARK ) D SAY FOUR percent was to be seriously injured, and one percent was to be minorly injured—and I came out in the one percent.�

Towns said he had no time to react in the seconds before the accident. “It happened too quick. I ain’t know

what the hell hit me,� he said. “I’m just glad everyone’s safe and alive. In all honesty, we probably shouldn’t made it out like we did ...

It was pretty gnarly.�

The 7-foot (2.13m) Dominican is averaging 23.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 blocked shots a game this season for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves split the two games Towns was forced to miss following the accident, defeating the New York Knicks on Friday before being downed by the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

The Timberwolves are currently in 11th spot in the Western Conference, with 28 wins against 31 defeats. AFP

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Sports

D3

Wie eyes No. 1 spot after return from wrist surgery S

INGAPORE: Michelle Wie believes a rebuilt wrist and a remodelled ‘Everything has shaped me’ swing can power her to the top of “I knew I had to make birdies and then I was the last hole, and I saw the big leaderGOLF S WORLD RANKINGS FOR THE kRST TIME on board on the 18th. I was like ‘Wow! if I birdie as she sets out to defend her title at Asia’s this hole... I could possibly win.’ “I knew I had to make it. I hit the ball pretty Major this week. hard. I was like I’m not leaving this short. It was

“Being number one in the world is the most important thing to me,� said the 29-year-old American ahead of the $1.5 million HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore which begins on Thursday and features the world’s top 20 players.

A year ago Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club was the scene of one of Wie’s greatest triumphs, but she ended the season undergoing surgery on a painful wrist that caused her to withdraw during the Brit-

Q US golfer Michelle Wie watches her shot from the 5th tee with strapping on her right hand during the opening round on the first day of the 2018 Women’s British Open Golf Championships at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, northwest England, on August 2, 2018. AFP PHOTO

ish Open in August.

Wie had been battling arthritis in both wrists and since the operation last October HAS RECONkGURED HER SWING TO LIMIT THE PAIN and prevent long-term damage. g$EkNITELY AFTER SURGERY IT S TAKEN ME A long road to be here today,� Wie said. “I am using a little bit more wrist than I did last year but substantially less than I have before, but it’s all about trying to be as painfree as possible.�

Wie returned at last week’s LPGA Thailand, kNISHING IN A TIE FOR RD AT SIX UNDER PAR -- 16 strokes behind the winner Amy Yang of South Korea. “It felt SO GOOD to be back out there playing golf again,� Wie posted on Instagram before lYING TO 3INGAPORE WHERE MONTHS earlier she sealed a one-stroke win with an astonishing 45-foot birdie putt on the last hole followed by an emotional SCREAM AND A kST PUMP “That whole day, I was behind,� recalled Wie of HER kRST TITLE SINCE THE US Women’s Open which remains her only major victory.

a lot of emotions and it was pretty awesome.�

At just 13 years old Wie had shot to prominence in 2003 when she was the youngest player, male or female, to win an adult USGA event.

She followed it by becoming the youngest to make the cut at the US Women’s Open the same year.

She turned professional just before her 16th birthday with many predicting she would go on to dominate the women’s game.

But despite huge publicity and multimillion dollar sponsorship deals, Wie had limited success as the constant pressure and a succession of injuries took their toll. “Everything that’s happened in the past, good or bad, has shaped me,� said Wie. “I feel like I’ve dealt with a lot of things.�

4HE SEASON kNALLY SAW HER FULkL HER early promise with wins at the US Open and LPGA Lotte Championship, 11 other top-10 kNISHES AND A RISE TO A CAREER HIGH kFTH IN THE world rankings.

The injury layoff has seen Wie’s world ranking slip to 32 but the American has set HER SIGHTS kRMLY ON GETTING TO THE TOP “Hopefully the best is yet to come,�

Wie said. “I don’t think that I have reached my full potential.�

AFP

TAIWANESE BOLSTER Johnson climbs to second in TCC LADIES CAST FIVE of the top 15 players in the current LPGA of Taiwan ranking are vying in first The Country Club Ladies Invitational, boosting the elite international cast chasing for the crown in the biggest, richest event on the six-year Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

No. 4 Babe Liu headlines the 29-player strong crew from Chinese-Taipei, including three amateurs in Yu Chiang Hou, Tzu Yi Chang and Yi Ting Chou. Liu placed second to amateur Chia Yen Yu in the Party Golfer Ladies Open but pocketed the top purse in the first LPGT co-sanctioned event in Taiwan last October.

Also looming large in the 54-hole championship, featuring world No. 2 Sung Hyun Park of South Korea and the country’s top guns, are No. 8 Hsin Lee, ninth ranked Tzu Chi Lin, No. 12 Chia Pei Lee and No. 15 Yu Ning Huang.

Ching Huang, who bested the fancied Thai troika of Renuka Suksukont, Pannapa Polnamin and Supamas Sangchan in last year’s LGPT-TLPGA Champion Tour at Tagay-

tay Midlands, is also in the fold, looking for another shot at a local crown in the $100,000 event also serving as the third leg of TLPGA. So do the likes of Yu Chiang Hou, Meng Chu Chen, Jessica Peng, Yu Ling Hsieh, Yi Ching Wu, Hanna Chen, Hsin En Tsai, Ching Ling Chang, Pen Wen Huang, Chia Wen Tai and Yi Ting Chou.

This marks the fifth year that the TLPGA is co-sanctioning an LPGT event with the local circuit serving as another platform for the Taiwanese to hone their talent and skills for its level of play and prize money. “The LPGA of Taiwan is constantly working on to provide more opportunities for everyone and let our players train and challenge themselves to raise their respective games to a new level. At the same time, we always see to it to enhance Taiwan’s visibility in the international community, to reach out into the world and put Taiwan golf on the world stage,� said TLPGA chairlady Mei-Chi Cheng.

Canlubang, Luisita start showdown in PAL Seniors Interclub golf THE 33rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships get under way Wednesday in Cebu City with defending champion Canlubang and 16-time titlist Luisita kicking off their showdown at the Alta Vista Golf Club, a mountain course designed by Gary Player.

Both teams made only one change in their respective lineups with Tommy Manotoc returning for Canlubang and former pro Demy Saclot debuting for Luisita. %XCEPT FOR $AVE (ERNANDEZ #ANlubang will be represented by the same team that beat Luisita by eight points last year in Bacolod City.

They are brothers Abe and Pem Rosal, Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova, Abe Avena, Zaldy Villa and Damasus Wong.

Luisita, which last won the crown in

ALSO kELDED THE SAME PLAYERS THAT played last year, namely: Eddie Bagtas, Benjie Sumulong, Rodel Mangulabnan, Raffy Garcia, Chino Raymundo, Edmund Yee and Chito Laureta.

7ITH THE ADDITION OF -ANOTOC A kXTURE in many champion teams, Canlubang remains a formidable squad, but Luisita CAPTAIN *ERIC (ECHANOVA IS UNFAZED “In the end, it’s up to our team to

perform and not worry about the other team,� Hechanova said.

Hechanova said all his players are playing well in the run-up to the Interclub, particularly Mangulabnan, the reigning national seniors champion.

Cebu Country Club and Del Monte complete the cast in the championship division. ! RECORD kELD OF TEAMS IS SEEING action in the four-day event that will also be played at the Club Filipino de Cebu.

4HE kELD IS DIVIDED INTO kVE DIVISIONS Championship, Founders, Aviator, Sportswriters and Friendship.

The Molave scoring system will be used in the four-to-play, three-to-count event. Par is worth 3 points and regulation play is equivalent to 54 points.

This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network. Also EXTENDING SUPPORT ARE !"3 #". 'LOBAL Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls 2OYCE 0RIMAX "ROADCASTING .ETWORK

UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), &OX 3PORTS #IGNAL 46 '%#!3 "OEING

Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, -ARCO 0OLO 0LAZA #EBU $USIT 4HANI -ANILA AND #ASINO &ILIPINO /FkCIAL HOTEL is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

rankings, Woods jumps one spot

PARIS: Dustin Johnson moved up to second in the world rankings and closed on number one Justin Rose on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) after winning his sixth WGC title in Mexico.

The 34-year-old American is now only 0.0064 average points adrift of fellow former US Open champion Rose as he bids to retake the top ranking, which he has held for 81 weeks in his career.

Johnson’s five-shot win over Rory McIlroy on Sunday made him only the fifth man in the last 50 years to reach 20 PGA Tour titles before the age of 35, after Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Johnny Miller and Phil Mickelson.

Woods continued his rise up the rankings since returning to the sport last year following back surgery, moving up one place to 12th after finishing tied-10th in Mexico.

Four-time major winner McIlroy jumped two spots to sixth after his fourth successive top-five finish.

WORLD TOP 20 1. Justin Rose (ENG) 9.87 average pts 2. Dustin Johnson (USA) 9.87 (+1) 3. Justin Thomas (USA) 8.69 (+1) 4. Brooks Koepka (USA) 8.67 (-2) 5. Bryson DeChambeau (USA) 7.64 6. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 6.68 (+2) 7. Xander Schauffele (USA) 6.31 8. Jon Rahm (ESP) 6.12 (-2) 9. Rickie Fowler (USA) 5.89 10. Francesco Molinari (ITA) 5.58 11. Jason Day (AUS) 5.40 12. Tiger Woods (USA) 5.25 (+1) 13. Tony Finau (USA) 5.23 (-1) 14. Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 4.87 15. Patrick Reed (USA) 4.78 16. Paul Casey (ENG) 4.70 (+3) 17. Marc Leishman (AUS) 4.51 (-1) 18. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 4.43 (+2) 19. Bubba Watson (USA) 4.41 (-2) 20. Phil Mickelson (USA) 4.28 (-2) AFP

Q US golfer Dustin Johnson eyes his ball after shooting at the green 1, during the theird round of the World Golf Championship, at Chapultepec’s GolfClub in Mexico City, on Monday. AFP PHOTO

Zambo bets dominate PPS Kidapawan netfest SYDNEY ENRIQUEZ and Eric Tangub lived up to the hype as they nailed two titles each to clinch the MVP honors and lead the ZamboangeĂąos romp in the PPS-PEPP President R. Barrios Cup national age group tennis circuit at the Kidapawan City Tennis Club in Cotabato on Tuesday.

Enriquez, from Salug, Zambo del Norte, proved overpowering in the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions, posting a pair of 6-0, 6-0 victories over May Torrecareon

and doubles partner Zkyla Cervantes, respectively, while Tangub, from Tukuran, Zambo del Sur, thumped Reyman Saldivar Jr., 6-1, 6-2, and Brent Magno, 6-0, 6-2, to claim the boys’ 16- and 18-U titles in the Group 2 event presented by Dunlop.

Other winners in the fourth of the six-leg Mindanao swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro were

Kabacan, Cotabato’s Jairo Ramirez (10-unisex), Josh Cabanting (boys’ 12-U), Ysay Ysulat (girls’ 14-U) and Saldivar (boys’ 14-U) and Sindangan, Zamboanga’s Rose Mesiona (girls’ 12-U).

The second seeded Ramirez foiled No. 1 Yusuf Maldo, 2-4, 4-2, 4-1; Cabanting upset top seed Ben Flores, 4-2, 4-2, in the quarters then outlasted Ramirez, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8, in the finals; Ysulat ripped Zheta Saldivar, 6-1, 6-2; Saldivar

crushed Yassan Al Anazi, 6-1, 6-3; and Mesiona beat Jeanne Rayray, 6-1, 6-2.

Enriquez actually made it three-for-three as she and Cervantes routed Puline Binoya and Joanne Gornes, 8-0, to claim the doubles 18-U plum with Eric Comendador and Magno edging Tangub and JV Comendador, 8-6, in the boys’ final.

Ysulat and Khirylle Saldivar took the girls’ doubles 14-U title with an 8-1 romp over Maia

Aton and Alyssa Ramirez while Josh Cabanting and Reyman Saldivar Jr. nipped Al Anazi and Justine Niegas, 8-7(3) in the boys’ championship.

Joanel Maldo and Jairo Ramirez pocketed the 10-U doubles diadem with an 8-0 rout of Inigo Barrios and Mesiona.

Meanwhile, action in the circuit, sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, shifts to Digos City for the fifth leg on Feb. 28-March 4 with Tagum City hosting the last stop on March 7 to 11. For details and listup, call 09154046464.

WEDNESDAY W E DNESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 20 2019 019

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MOA Happiness Run levels up this year

A

CCORDING to a global survey, the Philippines has emerge as one of the happiest countries in the world. The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Happiness on March 20 as a way to recognize the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

The SM Mall of Asia, pioneer and one of the largest malls in Asia, recOGNIZES ITS INlUENCE ON PROMOTING the happiness of every Filipino. Now on its third year, the MOA Happiness Campaign brings it to the next level of sharing happiness like no other to every Filipino mall-goer. To kick-start

the International Day of Happiness, SM Mall of Asia in partnership with SMDC and Runrio Events, Inc. is orgaNIZING THE VERY kRST AND HAPPIEST RUN in the country—the MOA Happiness Run on March 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Everyone can come together to feel happy vibes through running.

Runners will experience a day of extra happiness through Happiness "UBBLE 3TATION (APPINESS )NlATable Station, Happiness Wall and Happiness Photo Stations. Upon registration, runners will receive their own Happiness Kit containing

a singlet from which you can choose from two happy emotions, loot bag with lots of happy treats and goodies, happiness medal and race bib, which are specially designed to hype the happiness feeling. The racecourse will include fun obstacles and the event itself will have activities that runners of all ages will enjoy. After the run is a Happiness Concert and a segment wherein the event will give away big prizes such AS CAMERAS PHONES AND GIFT CERTIkcates along with more exciting prizes that people should watch out for.

After the MOA Happiness Run, SM

Mall of Asia has its own unique efforts of building the mall itself as the hub for happy moments and memorable experiences. It will be a day full of extra happiness on March 20 as it celebrates the International Day of Happiness.

There will be a shower of discounts and promotions from the mall wide Happiness Sale and surprises from our Happiness Squad who will roam around the mall to give away free hugs and treats to customers.

At night, mall goers will have something to look forward to capturing the iconic MOA Globe transform into our favorite emojis starting March 1.

4As proclaims creativity means business BRINGING together heavyweights in the advertising and communication industries, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies (4As) of the Philippines inducted its 2019 Board of Trustees on February 15 at the Glass Space of the Ayala Museum in Makati City.

This year’s Board of Trustees is led

by BBDO Guerrero Chairman and CCO David Guerrero, who has been elected as chairman, and Seven A.D. CEO Teeny Gonzales, who is now the president of the organization. “As technology becomes dispensable and is here today and gone tomorrow, great ideas that build businesses will become more and more of a necessity and will be key to making us indispensable. So let us not lose sight of the value that our craft and expertise bring. Because at the end of the day, technological innovation will come and go, but creativity is here to stay. And so are we,� Gonzales said.

Aside from Guerrero and Gonzales, the members of 4As Board of Trustees are: Tats Caluag-Cruz, client service director of PublicisJimenezBasic as vice president; Maya Roldan, client services director,

Get a ‘tax health checkup’ before it’s too late

BUSINESS owners usually fret at the prospect of receiving the dreaded notice of audit or Letter of Authority (LOA) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). The fear usually comes from celebrated cases of tax disputes with the BIR. With this year’s BIR collection target at P2.3 trillion, 14 percent higher than the previous year’s goal, expect the BIR to intensify its tax enforcement and collection drive.

Lawyer OIivier Aznar, partner at P&A Grant Thornton, one of the TOP kVE AUDITING AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES kRMS IN THE COUNTRY WHO handles corporate taxes for some of the country’s largest corporations, believes everything begins with integrity. “Adhering to the basic principle of following the tax rules enables you to argue your position in any tax inquiry. Then, while the BIR reserves the right to audit, taxpayers also have the right to a fair assessment,� he said.

He then prescribed four quick pointers taxpayers may adopt: 1. Simply comply. “Do it right the first time,� Aznar said. “Discrepancies call attention and raise the red flag with the BIR that something is up and must be looked into.�

2. Keep abreast. Needless to say, it is important for the taxpayers to

Q OIivier Aznar be updated of the tax rules and BIR issuances that are relevant to their businesses. Visit the BIR website regularly and attend tax seminars.

3. Engage experts. Some accountants specialize in financial audit, some in tax, and some in other fields. Financial reporting standards and BIR rules are not the same, said Atty.

Aznar, who was also a former financial auditor at P&A Grant Thornton for several years.

4. Maintain complete records.

Don’t shred those old tax documents just yet. Remember that the BIR has its right to examine the taxpayers within a prescription period.

Toyota offers special promo for OFWs

Q During the induction, from left: John Lucas of Campaigns and Grey, Â David Guerrero of BBDO Guerrero, Maya Roldan of VMLY&R, Teeny Gonzalez of Seven A.D., Tats Cruz of Publicis Jimenez Basic, Alex Syfu of DentsuJaymeSyfu, Golda Roldan of JWT, Melvin Mangada of TBWA\SMP, Inducting Officer Mariles Gustilo of Ayala Museum, and Raul Castro of McCann-Worldgroup.

VLMY&R Philippines as corporate partner and CCO of TBWA\Santiago ippines and around the region to tap into the globally-recognized power of secretary; Golda Roldan, managing Mangada Puno as trustee.

For this year, the board has devised Filipino creativity. The organization director of JWT as treasurer; Alex Syfu, managing partner and chief a more focused vision for the organi- further resolves to put “creativity CLIENT OFkCER OF $ENTSU*AYME3YFU AS zation as ‘Champions of Creativity,’ at the heart of everything we do� corporate comptroller; Raul Castro, which is symbolized by a refreshed because of the proven connection CEO of McCann Worldgroup Phil- logo designed by John Ed De Vera, between creativity and marketing ippines as trustee; John Lucas, CEO creative director of TBWA\Santiago effectiveness. This is summed up in of Campaigns and Grey as trustee; Mangada Puno. These changes are in- the theme for the year—“Creativity and, Melvin Mangada, managing tended to help marketers in the Phil- Means Business.�

Japan Airlines commemorates newly launched Manila-Tokyo via Haneda route JAPAN Airline’s (JAL) Boeing 737 departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for Tokyo marking yet another milestone for Japan’s lAG CARRIER 0HOTO SHOWS FROM LEFT Captain Takashi Hatakeyama; JAL Senior Vice President for Asia & Oceania Region Takahisa Hatakeyama; Manila International Airport Authority Terminal 1 Manager Irene Montalbo; JAL Executive Director Tetsuya Onuki; Japan Embassy Minister for Economic Affairs Iyori Makoto; JAL General Manager Chikara Mochihara; Japan Airlines Manila Station Manager Koji Yamazaki; and JAL cabin crew Misaki Kobayashi.

TO make it easier for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to achieve their dream of getting a car for their families, Toyota Motor Philippines has announced that it is offering special Vios packages exclusive for the country’s modern-day heroes.

Under the special financing packages offered through Toyota Financial Services, Filipino overseas workers and seafarers may avail of the All-New Toyota Vios for as low as P7,394 a month for the XE CVT variant (50 percent down payment, 60 months to pay). Other flexible

financing packages may also be applied to selected variants in the Vios lineup.

Promo runs from Februrary 21 to March 31 and will be available in the following displays: SM Mall of Asia on February 25 to March 6 and Duty Free from February 25 to March 3. It will also be available in Toyota dealership nationwide.

Christian youth gear up for Global Youth Day COINCIDING with the United Nations International Youth Day, Christian youth from all over the world are coming together this August in an exciting three-day conference to initiate change through the message of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Global Youth Day (JGYD), which will run from August 8 to 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay #ITY IS THE kRST EVER SIMULTANEOUS youth gathering aimed at providing youth from all around the globe a life-changing opportunity to hear and discover together God’s heart and calling for them. The event will be packed with different confer-

ences, plenary talks and trainings conducted by world renowned speakers on various topics like leadership, evangelism and missions, worship, discipleship and campus ministry. Worship concerts will be held every evening led by celebrated Christian bands and artists.

For more information, visit https://jesusglobalyouthday.ph/

Unioil, Lalamove team up to give partners the Drive to Deliver

Quezon City fetes outstanding public health, day care workers QUEZON City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte led the awarding ceremonies for nine public health and day care workers honored by the Quezon City government for their exemplary performance and contribution to their respective communities on February 18.

The outstanding public health officers are physician Angel De Guzman; dentist Ronel Condenuevo; nurse Mario Samson; POPULATION PROGRAM OFkCER 'HENN Lasanes, midwife Leonila San The awarding ceremony was Miguel, and; dental aide Vilma Ferrer. While the outstanding day held in partnership with the Rotary care workers are Josephine Abaigar, Club of Paraiso-District 3780.

The city government said it Nida Palaez, and Gina Simangan.

Q During the contract signing, from left: Francine Narciso, Unioil loyalty officer; Ed Pasion, Unioil Retail vice president; Dannah Majarocon, Lalamove managing director; Akiko Sumulong, Lalamove Strategic Partnerships manager.

believes public health and day care workers provide invaluable services to improve health and education in their communities.

Every so often, some individuals stand out whose passion and commitment deserves recognition, it added.

UNIOIL, the leader in innovative petroleum solutions, has partnered with Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery app, to offer exclusive BENEkTS TO ,ALAMOVE PARTNER DRIVERS through the Lalamove-branded Unioil Loyalty Card.

Motorcycle, MPV, and light truck DRIVERS WILL ENJOY THE BENEkTS OF the Unioil Loyalty Card when they sign up with Lalamove. Points will be stored whenever an accredited Lalamove partner driver purchases

qualifying products such as fuel and lubes in participating Unioil gas stations nationwide.

Through Unioil, the pioneer of European standard fuels in the Philippines, Lalamove partner drivers will have easier access to Euro 5-compliant petroleum products. Cardholders will also get access to Idemitsu, the leading lubricant brand from Japan, where they will earn four points per P100 spend.

WEDNESDAY W E D N ESDAY FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net

Âťglobalspotlight

On the Oscars we couldn't watch

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OST of us could not watch lematic nuances it had on “racial the Oscars this year. When harmony.� no one had to call in sick at work Had “Bohemian Rhapsody� because it was really a holiday. won, it also would have been The ceremony was not aired on considered undeserving based any of the local on some articles. networks, nor Again, while I was it carried by liked it, I could any of the availclearly see how able cable chanthe Freddie Mernels. Were the cury and Queen licensing fees story was disjust so ridiculous? tilled, shaped and chiseled out Those who got to catch it live, to be something consumable to either attended a special view- a wide audience. ing party, were able to access it To gain another perspective, I via Amazon or streamed it via a read “An open letter to the many “colorum� site. fans of Bohemian Rhapsody from “Green Book� won for Best a concerned queer� by Peter Knegt Picture and a lot of people on the Canadian website, CBC. It Q The gorgeous Gaga (not just Spike Lee) felt it takes a deeper look into just how arrives at the Vanity did not deserve the award. THE kLM VIEWED &REDDIE -ERCURY S Fair after-party.

The “white saviorâ€? element sexuality. It also brings up the has been brought up many truth behind a key plot point: times and it’s also been called “Mercury didn’t know his HIV a “simplistic racial harmony status until two years after Live story.â€? There have also been a Aid, and the band wasn’t aware Book, ‘’Roma,â€? few problems involving director until two years after that.â€? ‘’Black Pantherâ€? and Peter Farrelly (past prank), writer Everyone was genuinely happy “Bohemian RhapNick Vallelonga (past tweet) and about Alfonso CuarĂłn winning sody,â€? most victors actor Viggo Mortensen (interview as Best Director for “Romaâ€? and and nominees made sound byte.)

Best Animated Feature for “SpiA kRST STOP AT THE 'O 4HE kLM IS ABOUT THE ODD COUder-man: Into the Spider-Verse.� vernors Ball, the ofple “friendship� between Tony Roma was truly a standout for its kCIAL AFTER PARTY JUST Vallelonga and Don Shirley.

Dr. storytelling style and beautiful HELD A FEW lOORS UP Maurice Shirley and Edwin Shirley cinematography. Not only that, from the Oscars, to sip 3rd — Don Shirley’s brother and here was something new: people some champagne and nephew — had a lot to say in an ACCESSED IT VIA .ETlIX sample some Wolfgang article called “How ‘Green Book’ Olivia Colman was a clear “favouPuck cuisine, including and The Hollywood Machine rite" to win the Best Actress award thinly sliced Spanish Swallowed Donald Shirley Whole� but one couldn’t help but think of ham, Japanese beef and Q Oscar statuettes, as always, are the by Brooke Obie via the website Glenn Close who earned her seventh fresh vegan pasta. most popular accessories at the annual Shadow and Act. Apparently, the nomination but had yet to win. “Eighth Grade� star gala hosted by Vanity Fair as held here by Shirley family was not consulted at Marvel’s “Black Panther� walked and presenter Elsie Fisher Best Supporting Actor Mahershala Ali with all, prompting Maurice to call the away with two awards: for Costume wandered the party with Amatus Sami-Karim. kLM A gSYMPHONY OF LIES u and Production Design; Lady Gaga HER DAD WHILE !WKWAkNA Green Book has been called won for Best Original Song for “A of big stars from outside of did the same, grateful her public the most undeserving Best Picture Star Is Born� and the show moved movies, including Taylor Swift, appearance was over. “It was nice since “Crash� (2006 winner). I along without a host.

Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes, to play a nervous person,� she said ACTUALLY LIKED THE kLM ‡ MAINLY A Star Is Born, Black Panther, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and NFL after presenting a pair of Oscars with because of the performances Green Book and Bohemian comedian John Mulaney, both actstar Odell Beckham Jr. by the leads and because of the Rhapsody are being screened ing intimidated at being part humor.

I clearly saw it unaware again at Power Plant cinemas of Hollywood’s biggest night. of issues regarding Don Shirley’s and you know where you can Glenn Close may have side of the story and of the probkND 2OMA ANY TIME missed out on the best actress prize for the seventh time, but she was in good spirits and in AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT OUTkT AT the ball, where many stopped to tell her how great she is. “We’re here for you, Glenn,� one man said.

Attendees clamored to talk to best actress winner Olivia Colman, who got her trophy engraved next to best director winner Alfonso Cuaron. He eventually found his Roma cast and crew, including Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira, to toast their win BEFORE HEADING TO THE .ETlIX party. And Mahershala Ali gladly posed with Angela Bassett, clutching his supporting actor trophy for Q Spike Lee in his now famous purple Green Book proudly while get-up proudly strode into the Oscars after-party with his first competitive Oscar smiling for the cameras.

But by 9:30, many had alin a 30-year career for 'BlacKkKlansman.' ready started making their way to the Vanity Fair party, includDiana Ross, Ava DuVernay and ing Melissa McCarthy, who looked Tracee Ellis Ross were among the ap- in good spirits despite having to proximately 100 guests who watched hold up her own train.

WITH AP WRITERS LINDSEY the Oscars telecast over a formal dinBAHR IN LOS ANGELES ner that preceded the bigger party.

AND KRYSTA FAURIA Just after the ceremony, where Q Rami Malek and Mahershala Ali take home acting trophies on the wellIN BEVERLY HILLS multiple winners included Green loved but questioned 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and 'Green Book.'

FAN GIRL KAREN KUNAWICZ

Oscar winners and losers party with champagne and statuettes

BY ANDREW DALTON, AP ENTERTAINMENT WRITER

B

EVERLY HILLS, Califorinia: Oscar night’s epic Vanity Fair party is a blacktie affair but also a lose-the-black tie affair, a place where stars can unbutton their shirts — or in some cases lose them entirely — kick off their high heels and celebrate the end of a long awards season by eating, drinking and dancing with abandon.

Richard E. Grant, who did not editor Radhika Jones and held win best supporting actor for his both indoors and out between the role in “Can You Ever Forgive Me,� Annenberg Space for Photography looked like he’d won a shelf full and Beverly Hills City Hall. of Academy Awards, throwing off Lady Gaga made one of the his jacket, untucking his shirt and biggest stirs of the night when loosening the top few buttons as she walked in with platinum hair he walked through the party with its and golden trophy for best origithumping music, his face lit up with nal song, for “Shallow� from “A delight as Sunday night became Star Is Born.�

Monday morning. Jason Momoa of Spike Lee, dressed all in purple, “Aquaman� was missing the shirt PROUDLY STRODE IN HOLDING HIS kRST he wore earlier in the evening as competitive Oscar in a 30-year caa presenter, going bare-chested reer, earned earlier in the evening under his tuxedo jacket with his for best original screenplay for hair up in a bun as he handed out “BlacKkKlansman.�

HUGS AND HIGH kVES TOWERING OVER At the end of the show, Lee had everyone around him. nearly stormed out of the cerJames McAvoy turned his tux- emony when the feel-good tribute edo shirt into an autograph book. to racial harmony “Green Book�

It was covered with star-studded BEAT HIS AND SIX OTHER kLMS FOR signatures in red sharpie as he best picture, but a few hours later danced alongside Emilia Clarke he said he had made peace with to “This Is How We Do It.� it and had congratulated several .EARBY ON THE DANCE lOOR PHO- people who worked on the movie. tographers and well-wishers crowd“I’m not going to trash the ed around newlyweds Nick Jonas kLM 4HEY WON u ,EE TOLD The Asand Priyanka Chopra, with many sociated Press as he walked in on SEEING THEM FOR THE kRST SINCE THEY the party’s striped carpet. “This is married in India in December. not like sports, where you could *UST OFF THE DANCE lOOR

go to the video and overturn the Dick Van Dyke, 93 call. It’s done.�

There were also plenty of notyears old and holding so-famous faces proudly sitting a cane, swayed and with statuettes and downing grooved to hip-hop Dom Perignon. Winning an tunes as though he Oscar means instant celebrity were still the romping status and a hard-to-get inchimney sweep from the vitation to the party original “Mary for the sound ediPoppins� 55 tors, special efyears earlier. fects supervisors Oscar statand short-form uettes, as alkLMMAKERS FORways, were tunate enough the most to have their popular acn a m e s cessories called from at the the stage. annual The parg a l a Q James McAvoy turned his tuxedo ty, as usual, hosted by had a big dose Vanity Fair shirt into an autograph book.

Brie Larson is ‘very human, very vulnerable’ as Captain Marvel ACADEMY Award winner Brie Larson steps into role of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most powerful force, Carol Danvers aka “Captain Marvel.� “When we found out that Brie Larson might be interested in joining the MCU, we had numerous meetings and pitched her THE IDEA FOR THE kLM u RECALLS PRODUCER +EVIN Feige. “She was a huge fan of the character in the comic, and one of the highlights of my career at Marvel was introducing her at Comic-Con and having her come out on stage and stand with literally almost every other actor from the MCU. She was at the forefront, which was a great foreshadowing for how audiences are going to embrace Brie as this character.�

Feige adds about the character, “The great thing with Captain Marvel is that she is human. There’s a real person in Carol Danvers who gets these incredible powers and has these amazing adventures in outer space. But as with all the best Marvel characters she needs to be very human. So, this is not just about somebody who is incredibly powerful and

CAN lY AROUND AND SHOOT PHOTON BLASTS OUT of her arms. It’s somebody who’s very human, who’s very vulnerable, and who has multiple dimensions.�

Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel follows Carol Danvers’ journey as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful HEROES !S THE STORY UNFOLDS $ANVERS kNDS

herself and a small cadre of allies at the center of a maelstrom when a galactic war between two alien races reaches Earth.

For Larson, being the lead of the first female superhero franchise presented an opportunity to put herself in the forefront of breaking new ground in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “It’s such an honor to be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and be part of this legacy of characters and storytelling that is so incredibly meaningful to people,� says ,ARSON g4HESE kLMS ARE PART OF WHAT S SHAPing our culture, who we are, what morals we value. It’s incredible. I don’t think that I fully understood the scope of what it meant in the cultural zeitgeist until the announcement came out that I was going to be playing Captain Marvel. I’ve slowly started to grasp the vastness and levity of it all.�

To add to the authenticity of her scenes AS A kGHTER PILOT ,ARSON ALONG WITH DIRECtor Anna Boden, and co-star Lashana Lynch visited Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas for some once-in-a-lifetime training and expe-

Âťinfocus

Q Captain Marvel follows Carol Danvers’ journey as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes.

riences. Larson also was able to meet and spend time with Brigadier General Jeannie M. Leavitt, who became the United States Air &ORCE S kRST FEMALE kGHTER PILOT IN AND WAS THE kRST WOMAN TO COMMAND A 53!& COMBAT kGHTER WING “It was just amazing to feel all of that, especially once we were back on set,� tells Larson about the experience. “When we were simulating a barrel roll, I was able to recall that exactly, what that feels like, what your body feels like, how hard it is to breathe. It’s all of those little nuances that I hope will come through in the movie so that regardless of who you are, if you’re the Air Force or you’re a pilot or whatever, that you recognize that. That it feels real.�

Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel� opens in Philippines theaters on March 6. Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #CaptainMarvelPH.

Q Oscar winner Brie Larson is the first female lead in a movie franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

E2

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

Funtimes

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/27/19). Your career blossoms this year.

Collaborate with a talented team. Adjust to unexpected news.

Summer sparks a sweet romance, before you take new directions with a shared endeavor. Triumph with friends this winter, before reaching a domestic turning point. Love infuses and inspires.

BY NANCY BLACK are buzzing. There may be a temporary feeling of being overwhelmed. Prioritize urgencies, one thing at a time. Edit your message before hitting “send.”

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Profitable opportunities could seem obscured by more spectacular or controversial distractions. Ignore the fluff, and hone in on the gold. Discover buried treasure.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Happy accidents could take you by surprise. A fun opportunity to explore is worth grabbing. Expand your frontiers beyond the same old, same old.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Your personal view expands as illusions fall away. You can do more than you thought. Discover more options than you realized. Take a lucky shot.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is an 8 -- You can get the resources that you need. Consider all possibilities with your partner.

Let go of an old trepidation. Invite collaboration.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Avoid overstimulating crowds or noise. Peaceful privacy soothes your spirit. Use what you’ve kept hidden. Develop your plans and strategies behind closed doors.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Someone else can see where you’re blind. Work together for a common goal. Luck smiles. Abandon illusions or romantic fantasies. Sweat equity wins.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Others demand quick action. Help them to see the big picture. Provide excellent service without compromising your own health. Exercise both builds and releases energy.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Romance is a distinct possibility, when you give up expectations and suppositions. Let go of the word “should.” Discover fun and love.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Domestic changes could cause upheaval. Collaborate with housemates and family for satisfying results. Reward workers with something delicious. Savor home comforts.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Communications

» SUDOKU

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 9 -- Together you can move mountains. Tempers could spark; don’t antagonize anyone. Offer encouragement and share the load. Apply that energy toward a solution.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- A career opportunity may not seem obvious. Upon inspection, you discover there’s more to it than meets the eye. Pay attention and look around.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

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

PHILIPPINE CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFICE PCSO eyes branches in all provinces

BY LIZ LAGNITON

M

AKING health services accessible to all, particularly the poor, is one of the top priorities of the Philippine #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ AND SO it continues to put up branches in provinces across the nation to bring the agency’s services closer to Filipinos.

PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan said they want to have PCSO branches in all provinces for easier public access to their services, especially indigents who cannot afford to travel to Manila to apply for medical assistance from the agency. “We are enhancing our delivery of health services by putting up PCSO branches nationwide. This is to widen our reach in making our services accessible to all Filipinos.

We hope to have PCSO branches in 81 provinces of the country and so far we now have 67 branches nationwide,� Balutan said.

Each PCSO branch serves as a mini PCSO where patients can go and apply for medical assistance for their various medical needs through the agency flagship’s Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP).

Pain in the City of Smiles For instance, in highly urbanized Bacolod City where many indigent patients rely on PCSO medical aid, they would no longer go to

neighboring Iloilo City to get help from the agency as there is already a PCSO branch there.

Known as the City of Smiles because of its Maskara Festival — a Mardi Gras-like festival with a spectacularly vivid mix of dance, color and music — Bacolod is the capital of Negros Occidental and the most populous city in Western Visayas with 561,875 residents in 61 barangays, according to the 2015 census.

7HILE THE CITY S HEALTH OFkCE has a vigorous campaign for healthy lifestyles and puts premium on disease prevention as well as disease treatment, there is a growing number of cases of kidney disease in the city.

The PCSO branch is now helping the local government in providing financial assistance to Bacolod residents through the IMAP, which include hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, dialysis, laboratory procedures and medicine among others.

PCSO Bacolod social worker Ellen Arandela said dialysis is the most requested assistance in the city, where patients seek either

treatment or medicine for dialysis. “We are scheduling almost 80 patients a day here, 50 of them are dialysis patients, and the rest are seeking confinement, chemotherapy, and medicine among other requests,� Arandela said.

Arandela, who has been a PCSO social worker for six years, admitted that their daily allocated IMAP funds is not enough to accommodate these patients so they have to get some from the next day’s budget just to help all patients who are seeking aid on that day. “Sometimes, nahuhugot na namin yung budget sa next day kaya nagkaroon kami ng OVERlOW sa budget namin. Nakakain minsan yung budget sa next day,�

Arandela explained, adding that she tries to explain to patients that as much as they want to help more, they have limited budget, and guided by rules.

Last year, the PCSO had to modify its case rate for IMAP, and reduce the amount it gives to patients after the agency had already exceeded its medical assistance funds.

The PCSO, however, said it also increased the number of patients they were able to help after modikED CASE RATE WAS IMPLEMENTED

Dialysis treatment beneficiary One of them was Emily Oyco, a retired elementary teacher from Bacolod, who is undergoing peritoneal dialysis thrice a week and a regular beneficiary

of epoetin from PCSO. Due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, the 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with kidney failure, or end-stage-renal disease, in 2008, shortly after the death of her husband. g!ROUND kRST QUARTER OF

nung naramdaman ko yung panghihina ko. Lagi akong nagsusuka every morning, laging masakit ang ulo ko. Pumayat talaga ako. Tapos July 2008, namatay yung husband ko, sunud-sunod talaga yung stress ko,� Oyco narrated.

Right after her husband’s burial, she immediately went to a hospital so she can have herself checked as she could no longer bear the pain she was feeling.

“Hindi na talaga kaya ng katawan ko yung sakit. Pangit na yung mukha ko, payat na payat na.

Nagpa-check up na ko, at ang sabi sa akin kidney failure.

“The doctor said that I would likely be starting dialysis immediately so they advised me na magpalagay na agad ako ng kStula,� the retired teacher recalled.

Due to her condition, she decided to take an early retirement so she could focus on her dialysis treatment. “I was then an elementary teacher. When I started dialysis way back 2009, I decided to apply for an early retirement. Medyo malayo yung school na pinagtuturuan ko kasi dati. From our house, 100 plus kilometers din ang layo ng dialysis center, tapos twice a week din yung hemo ko dati,� Oyco said.

Q PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan PHOTO BY KOBI JANAIRO alysis, Emily chose peritoneal dialysis and this meant she had to have surgery to have a catheter inserted in her abdomen.

She had surgery to install the catheter, and it will likely be there for years. “I am currently into peritoneal dialysis. It’s been three years now, and I’m just doing the treatment by myself at home,� Emily said adding that she is supported by her two children whenever she has to inject herself an epoetin.

Though she lives with a catheter, she’s grateful for the tube that keeps her alive.

Peritoneal dialysis works by pouring dialysis solution into the peritoneal cavity, an area near the abdomen. The liquid stays there

Choices for kidney disease treatment Patients with kidney disease have three options: peritoneal dialysis, which uses the stomach’s own LINING TO HELP kLTER TOXINS HEMODIALYSIS WHICH INVOLVES kLTERING TOXINS THROUGH THE BLOOD STREAM or kidney transplant.

After seven years of hemodi-

Q Emily Oyco PHOTO BY MA. THERESITA GARCIA-IBASCO

for a little over an hour, soaking up some of the excess water and toxins in the body. Then it drains out toxins, such as creatinine and urea, but also drains good things, such as potassium.

“Malaking tulong talaga sa amin ang PCSO. Malaki ang parte ng PCSO dahil nagbibigay ito ng extension sa buhay namin. Hindi namin kakayanin kung sariling source lang namin ang gagastusin dito. Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa tulong ng PCSO. Sana po hindi magsawa ang PCSO na tulungan ang mga kagaya ko,� Oyco concluded.

Wish come true for Gen. Balutan As PCSO’s incumbent general manager, former Marine General Balutan prides his administration for the countless of lives by PCSO, local government units, non-government offices, and other civic organizations that WERE GIVEN AMBULANCE AND kNANcial assistance in order to provide their constituents with better medical and charity services. “When I was in the military, I always look forward to the day when people can walk anytime and anywhere without fear. Now that I am with PCSO, I look forward to the day when no one will succumb to death without being brought to the doctor or hospital due to lack of money. With PCSO, this will all come true,� he said.

GM Balutan graces Mandaluyong City flag ceremony lotto and STL in order to generate funds to help He also mentioned that PCSO fully and A WARM welcome greeted PCSO General all our fellow Filipinos who need medical asstrongly supports the Duterte Administration’s Manager Alexander Balutan when he graced the special Monday flag raising ceremony of sistance. He thanked GM Balutan for providing war on drugs. The increase in STL revenue and STL Mandaluyong held at the City Hall Atrium responsive assistance for 760 MandaleĂąos with employment showed that STL is gaining public’s Executive Building on February 4. health related problems. acceptance and trust. Thus, apart from the P26 Led by Mayor Carmelita Abalos and RepreGM Balutan expressed gratitude to all fellow billion revenue generated a total of 314,596 sentative Queenie Gonzales, the special program MandaleĂąos for their warm reception espeemployment opportunities were also provided to featured advance Chinese New Year celebration cially to the incumbent mayor, Rep. Gonzales, STL supervisors and collectors. in the city, sponsored by the Filipino-Chinese members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, He added that the amount of assistance released Chamber of Commerce. Also present were officers local government officials, the Filipino-Chinese to the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) and members of youth, women, civil society and Chamber of Commerce leadership and everyone also increased. He likewise appealed to everyone to elderly organizations and their allies from the who attended the event. help PCSO and President Duterte in fighting illegal business community. number games and support STL and Former Mayor Benhur Abalos other PCSO games in order to generpresented a Powerpoint presentaate more funds to be provided for tion before he introduced the PCSO those in need of assistance. executive. The presentation started In closing, he reminded his fellow from the Life, Awards and Undergovernment workers to work hard takings of Balutan followed by his with dedication and integrity because accomplishments from the time he they are accountable to the people entered PCSO as general manager. and must serve with outmost responThe former mayor said that sibility, loyalty and patriotism. in 2018, PCSO has generated an After his speech, Plaques of Recognienormous increase from its total tion were given to him as PCSO General Q GM Balutan happily holds his Plaque of Recognition handed by generated revenue in just one year. Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos in the presence of Rep. Manager and to PCSO in recognition and “PCSO has reached its target, appreciation for his sterling leadership in Queenie Gonzales (left) and former Mayor Benhur Abalos (right) grabe ang ginawa ng taong ito sa PHOTO BY KOBI JANAIRO bringing the Social Welfare and Medical PCSO. Ang taong ito ay may tapang Assistance Program of the agency closer at integridad. Sa dami ng taong nakilala ko, ang The PCSO chief said that the agency has to the people of Mandaluyong. taong ipakikilala ko ay kailan ko lang nakilala, generated P64 billion and a total of 528,190 Mandaluyong believes that PCSO’s charity ito para sabihin ko sa inyo, sa aking puso isa individual patients served for 2018. He added programs have been significantly felt in various forms siya sa pinakamagaling na taong nakilala ko,â€? that under his leadership, the agency’s revenue for of assistance by the people of the city who are in dire Abalos said.

2018 is 20 percent higher compared to 2017, and need of hospitalization, treatment, medication and In closing, he encouraged his constituents the numbers of patients served increased by 27 other socio-institutional support programs. to patronize all PCSO game products such as percent in 2018.

LEILA VALENCIA

Q PFC Ramil Picaza (center) of the 7th Technical and Administrative Service Brigade Western Mindanao receive the medicines from PCSO Medical Services Department personnel Denise Marie Manio and Joanna Alonzo (left photo) while Alexander Manrique (left) and John Michael Gangay (second from right) show the box of medicines for the Municipality of Rizal, Laguna handed to them by MSD personnel Loren Christopher Dean Gilbas and Joanna Alonzo (right photo). PHOTOS BY ALBERT WILLIAM PIQUERO

LGU, military unit receive medicines worth P70K BOXES of various medicines in the total amount of P70,000 were handed by PCSO on February 8 to the Municipality of Rizal, Laguna and the 7th Technical and Administrative Services Brigade Western Mindanao. “This charity and health programs of PCSO INSPIRE US TO WORK HARDER TO ENSURE THE EFkcient and effective delivery of health services to the people especially those belonging to the poorest of the poor,� representatives of the organizations said, as they expressed their gratituted to the agency leadership.

Through its Medicine Donation Program,

PCSO continues to provide assistance to QUALIkED PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS engaged in health programs, projects and health care services.

The program aims to provide responsive medical assistance that comes in the form of actual medicines and dental supplies for individuals belonging to the most vulnerable sectors in the country like senior citizens, children, pregnant women, persons with disability and communities stricken by natural calamities.

MARIA LEONORA ESTIGOY

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

F1

SBOC which shall be distributed among themselves; and e.

f.

Deliver or transmit, through its Chairperson, the COCs together with the SOVPs, SSOVs and the election returns intended for the Commission. Watchers of candidates, political parties and other interested parties may accompany the delivery or witness the transmission; and

g.

Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Commission.

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Manila GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS ABAS, Sheriff M., FOR THE SPECIAL BOARD PARREĂ‘O, Al A., OF CANVASSERS ON THE GUIA, Luie Tito F., CONSOLIDATION/CANVASSING GUANZON, Ma. Rowena Amelia V. AND UPLOADING OF THE ELECTION INTING, Socorro B., RESULTS IN CONNECTION WITH CASQUEJO, Marlon S., KHO, Antonio Jr. T. THE CONDUCT OF OVERSEAS VOTING FOR PURPOSES OF THE MAY 13, 2019 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS x----------------------------------------------x Promulgated: February 22, 2019

The Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, Republic Act No. 9369, Republic Act No. 9189 as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, Batas Pambansa Bldg. 881, and other election laws, RESOLVES, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the General Instructions Governing the Consolidation/Canvassing, and Uploading of the Election Results in connection with the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections: ARTICLE I SPECIAL BOARD OF CANVASSERS Sec. 1. Special Board of Canvassers; constitution and appointment. - The Commission, through the OFOV, shall constitute in the following Posts one (1) Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) to canvass and/or consolidate the Overseas Election Returns (ERs) containing the results from countries and territories under their consular jurisdictions, and to transmit/upload the votes and prepare WKH FRUUHVSRQGLQJ 2YHUVHDV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI &DQYDVV &2& IROORZV

1

Post/SBOC Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Hong Kong, SAR Peoples Republic of China

2

3

Taipei, Taiwan

4

Canberra, Australia

5 6

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Seoul, Republic of Korea Singapore, Republic of Singapore

7 8

Tokyo, Japan

9

Wellington, New Zealand

10

Athens, Greece

11

London, United Kingdom of Great Britain

12

13

14 15 16 17 18 19

Madrid, Spain

Rome, Italy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Beirut, Republic of Lebanon Doha, State of Qatar Kuwait, State of Kuwait Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

20

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

21

Tel-Aviv, Israel

22

Ottawa, Canada

23

24

Washington, United States of America

Agana, Guam

Country/Territory/Post under Jurisdiction

b.

F

iii.

Connect the transmission medium (e.g., USB modem, DSL, Satellite or BGAN) to the laptop;

Sec. 9. Reception and Custody Group. - The SBOC may constitute a Reception and Custody Group (RCG) for the reception and safekeeping of main and back-up memory cards, and hard copies of ERs.

LY

,QVHUW VXIÂżFLHQW SDSHU LQ WKH SULQWHU IHHGHU

v.

Turn on the printer by pressing the power button;

The RCG shall be composed of not more than two (2) members who are government appointive RIÂżFLDOV 7KH\ VKDOO EH GHVLJQDWHG E\ WKH FRQFHUQHG &KDLUSHUVRQ RI WKH 6%2& DQG VKDOO UHFHLYH honoraria equivalent to that of the members of the SBOC.

vi.

Turn on the laptop by pressing the power button. The screen will display the WELCOME page of the CCS. Check the transmission connection and make sure that the status is ON. Wait up to at three (3) minutes.

The members of the RCG shall not be related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or DIÂżQLW\ WR HDFK RWKHU RU WR DQ\ PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& RU WR DQ\ FDQGLGDWH ZKRVH YRWHV ZLOO EH FDQYDVVHG by the SBOC

vii.

Check the date and time of the laptop system. If the system date and time is not correct, adjust the date/time of the laptop.

The CCS operator shall be designated by the Head of Post and shall not be related within the IRXUWK FLYLO GHJUHH RI FRQVDQJXLQLW\ RU DIÂżQLW\ WR DQ\ PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& RU WR DQ\ FDQGLGDWH ZKRVH votes will be canvassed by the SBOC.

a.

Receive from the SBEIs, the envelopes containing the main and back-up memory cards of the VCM and the envelopes containing the printed copies of the ERs intended for the SBOC.

b.

Log the following:

3.

The precinct number of the envelope containing the memory cards;

Is able to speak and write English or Filipino.

Note: Adjusting the date and time of the laptop will require One Time PIN to be requested to the OFOV. To adjust, click the gear icon on the task bar, on the submenu click setting date and time then follow the wizard that appear on the screen. Input the “Request Codeâ€? and then click “Validateâ€?. On the calendar, adjust the date/time and click “Sync Date buttonâ€?. &RQÂżUPDWLRQ PHVVDJH ZLOO display on the screen with “CANCEL AND ACCEPT buttons. Click ACCEPT to save changes.

6HF 'XWLHV DQG 5HVSRQVLELOLWLHV RI WKH 5HFHSWLRQ DQG &XVWRG\ *URXS 5&* - The RCG shall:

Condition and the serial number of corresponding paper seal of the envelope; and

6HF 'LVTXDOLÂżFDWLRQV 7KH IROORZLQJ DUH GLVTXDOLÂżHG IURP VHUYLQJ DV PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& a.

Plug the power cord of the laptop to the extension cord; Plug the extension cord to the electrical outlet or generator, when necessary, and connect the printer cable to the USB port of the laptop and the power cable of the printer to the extension cord;

2.

Is of good moral character and irreproachable reputation; and

The CCS Operator shall:

ii.

Peoples Republic of China (Beijing) Guangzhou Shanghai Xiamen Chongqing Mongolia Macau Hong Kong SAR Taipei - MECO Kaohsiung - MECO Taichung - MECO Australia Sydney New Caledonia Vanuatu New South Wales Malaysia Republic of Korea Tokyo, Japan Osaka New Zealand Cook Islands Fiji Samoa Tonga Greece Republic of Cyprus Macedonia United Kingdom of Great Britain Ireland Northern Ireland Spain Andorra Morocco Italy Milan Albania Malta San Marino United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) Dubai Republic of Lebanon State of Qatar State of Kuwait Kingdom of Bahrain Sultanate of Oman Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) Jeddah Al Khobar Yemen Israel Canada (Ottawa) Toronto Vancouver Bermuda French Polynesia United States of America Chicago Honolulu Los Angeles New York San Francisco American Samoa Anguilla Antigua And Barbuda Bahamas Barbados British Virgin Islands Cayman islands Haiti Jamaica Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Virgin Islands (U.S.) Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Guam Marshall Islands Micronesia Republic of Palau

INITIALIZATION PROCEDURES:

i.

Date and time of receipt;

6HF 4XDOLÂżFDWLRQ RI PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& - No person shall be appointed as a member of the SBOC, unless said member:

b.

Sec. 25. Procedures for canvassing. - Immediately after convening, the SBOC shall receive from the SBEI Representative the envelopes containing main and back-up SD cards for the VCM, and undertake the following canvassing procedures:

a

1.

Republic of Singapore

Retrieve the CCS laptop from its box and place the same on top of the table.

Sec. 8. Consolidation and Canvassing System (CCS) Operator. - The SBOC shall be assisted by an information technology-capable person authorized to operate the CCS, hereinafter referred to as the CCS operator. The CCS operator shall be deputized by the Commission, from among the personnel of the Post or other agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including government-owned DQG FRQWUROOHG FRUSRUDWLRQV PDLQWDLQLQJ RIÂżFHV DEURDG

Brunei Darussalam

The members of the SBOC shall be appointed by the Commissioner-in-Charge of the OFOV DQG VKDOO EH FRPSRVHG RI WKH KLJKHVW UDQNLQJ FDUHHU RIÂżFHU RI WKH SRVW DV &KDLUSHUVRQ D VHQLRU FDUHHU RIÂżFHU IURP DQ\ RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW DJHQFLHV PDLQWDLQLQJ RIÂżFHV DEURDG DV 9LFH &KDLUSHUVRQ DQG DQRWKHU JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżFHU DV 0HPEHU 6HFUHWDU\ ,Q WKH DEVHQFH RI RWKHU JRYHUQPHQW RIÂżFHU D FLWL]HQ RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV TXDOLÂżHG ,WR UHJLVWHU as voter under the Overseas Voting Act of 2003, as amended, and deputized by the Commission may be appointed as Member-Secretary.

a.

f.

I. Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner

RESOLUTION NO. 10503

No

Furnish the accredited major political parties and accredited citizens arms, through the OFOV, with copies via facsimile, or any other means of transmission equally safe, secure and reliable;

viii. The screen will display a message “Starting Consolidation and Canvassing System. Please Wait. “ L[ 7KH VFUHHQ ZLOO GLVSOD\ D ZLQGRZ WR VHOHFW D FHUWLÂżFDWH ZLWK PHVVDJH “Select a FHUWLÂżFDWH WR DXWKHQWLFDWH \RXUVHOI WR [[[[ FFV “ with CANCEL and OK buttons.

Click OK button

c.

Mark in the project of precincts the corresponding envelopes intended for the precinct;

x.

The screen will display the WELCOME page of the CCS. This page contains the login form to access the system;

d.

Place inside the ballot box, the envelopes containing the ERs, and close the same with security seal; and

xi.

Forward to the SBOC, the ballot boxes containing the ERs and one copy of the project of precincts as marked.

Enter the USERNAME and PASSWORD of the CHAIRMAN on the corresponding WH[W ¿HOGV &OLFN WKH ³/2*,1´ EXWWRQ

xii.

A message “Please insert a valid token� with CANCEL and NEXT buttons. Insert the token of the Vice-Chairman of the BOC.

e.

6HF 1RWLFH RI PHHWLQJV RI WKH 6%2& - Not later than May 4, 2019, Philippine time, the Chairperson of the SBOC shall issue a written notice (OVF No. 11-C) to other members of the SBOC, and, through the OFOV, issue a similar notice to each candidate for Senator and political parties, organizations or coalitions thereof participating under the party-list system of representation. The notice shall include the date, time and place of the canvassing, which shall be held in the Philippine Embassy/Consulate, unless otherwise ordered by the Commission.

xiii. TOKEN VALIDATOR window will be displayed with 1/2 at the right portion. Enter the USERNAME and TOKEN PASSWORD of the Vice-Chairman of the BOC 7KHUHDIWHU FOLFN Âł1(;7´ $ PHVVDJH Âł7RNHQ YDOLGDWHG VXFFHVVIXOO\ “ will be displayed. xiv. Remove the token of the member of Vice-Chairman of the BOC and insert the token of the Member of the BOC.

If notice is given in open session, such fact shall be recorded in the Minutes of Canvassing.

Notice of the canvassing shall also be posted in three (3) conspicuous places in the building where the canvass shall be held as well as in the websites of the Commission, the DFA and the Post concerned.

xv.

The OFOV may, whenever practicable, use other means of disseminating such notice which may include but not be limited to the tri-media.

xvi. The system will display screen with message at the top “Upon completion and acceptance, the ELECTION will be activated�;

Sec. 12. Preliminary to canvassing. - Not later than May 12, 2019, Philippine time, the members of the SBOC shall meet to: a.

Acquaint themselves with each other;

b.

Familiarize themselves with their respective duties and responsibilities during the canvassing;

c.

Ensure that all the required canvassing forms and supplies are complete; and

G

'LVFXVV RSHUDWLRQDO DQG SURFHGXUDO PDWWHUV WR HQVXUH WKDW WKH\ FDQ IXOÂżOO WKHLU GXWLHV DQG responsibilities in accordance with this Resolution and other guidelines promulgated by the Commission.

xvii. The system will ask for usemame and system password of the member of the 6%2& 7KH &KDLUSHUVRQ ZLOO HQWHU KLV KHU XVHPDPH DQG FOLFN Âł$&&(37´ [YLLL :DLW IRU WKH V\VWHP WR ÂżQLVK WKH LQLWLDOL]DWLRQ SURFHVV xix. The screen will display “INITIALIZATION REPORTâ€?. The initialization report shows zero vote for each candidate including the geographical information (Province, City/Municipality, No. of Clustered Precincts Reported, Total No. of Clustered Precincts, No. of Registered Voters, and No. of Voters Actually Voted); [[ 7KH VFUHHQ ZLOO GLVSOD\ D PHVVDJH Âł(/(&7,21 $&7,9$7('´ DW WKH WRS SDQHO above the PDF viewer;

6HF &RQYHQLQJ RI WKH 6%2& - The SBOC shall meet at RÂśFORFN LQ WKH HYHQLQJ RI May 13, 2019, Philippine time, at the designated building/ place in the Philippine Embassy/ Consulate or other foreign service establishments authorized by the Commission, to receive the ERs and to immediately canvass those that have already been received. It shall meet continuously from day to day until the canvass is completed and may adjourn only for the purpose of awaiting other election returns.

However, as the need arises, the SBOC may declare a recess.

xxi. Print the INITIALIZATION REPORT by clicking the print icon on the upper right comer of the PDF viewer. Wait for the PRINT dialogue box to be displayed. Enter WKH QXPEHU ³ ´ LQ WKH VSDFH SURYLGHG IRU QXPEHU RI FRSLHV WR EH SULQWHG 7KHQ FOLFN ³35,17´ [[LL $IWHU SULQWLQJ WKH ,1,7,$/,=$7,21 5(3257 FOLFN ³&217,18(´ IRXQG RQ WKH bottom-right part of the screen, to proceed to the HOME PAGE of the CCS;

6HF 0LQXWHV RI WKH 6%2& GLVWULEXWLRQ - The Member-Secretary shall prepare the Minutes of Canvassing (OVF No. 11-B) of the SBOC in three (3) copies by recording therein the proceedings, other incidents or matters relevant to the canvass.

E

7KH PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& VKDOO VLJQ DQG DI¿[ WKHLU WKXPEPDUNV RQ WKH FHUWL¿FDWLRQ SRUWLRQ RI WKH ³,QLWLDOL]DWLRQ 5HSRUW´

F

$IWHU VLJQLQJ DQG DI¿[LQJ WKHLU WKXPEPDUNV RQ WKH FHUWL¿FDWLRQ SRUWLRQ RI WKH ³,1,7,$/,=$7,21 5(3257´ 7KH &KDLUSHUVRQ VKDOO VKRZ WR WKH SXEOLF WKH ³,1,7,$/,=$7,21 5(3257´ DQG

G

7KH 0HPEHU 6HFUHWDU\ VKDOO SODFH WKH ³,1,7,$/,=$7,21 5(3257´ LQVLGH WKH envelope intended for the purpose.

Copies of the Minutes of Canvassing shall be distributed as follows: a.

one copy for the Chairperson of the SBOC;

b.

one copy for the Law Department of the Commission;

c.

one copy for the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG).

6HF 7HPSRUDU\ DEVHQFH RI D UHJXODU PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& - In case a regular member of WKH 6%2& LV WHPSRUDULO\ DEVHQW WKH PHPEHUV SUHVHQW VKDOO ÂżUVW YHULI\ ZKHWKHU QRWLFH KDV EHHQ VHUYHG on the absent member. In case no such notice was sent, one shall be immediately served on the absent member. If the latter cannot be located or his whereabouts are unknown, he shall be substituted in accordance with these Rules. These facts shall be recorded in the Minutes of Canvassing. As soon as the absent member appears, the substitute member shall relinquish his seat to the regular member.

TOKEN VALIDATOR window will be displayed with 2/2 at the right portion. Enter the USERNAME and TOKEN PASSWORD of the Member of the BOC Thereafter, FOLFN Âł1(;7´ $ PHVVDJH Âł7RNHQ YDOLGDWHG VXFFHVVIXOO\ “will be displayed.

II.

IMPORTING OF PRECINCT RESULTS FROM VCM. - The SBOC shall receive from the Reception and Custody Group an envelope containing both the main and back-up SD cards submitted by the Special SBOC of Election Inspectors (SBEIs). The SBOC shall open the said envelope, retrieve the main SD card and give the same to the CCS Operator.

In case the main SD card is not available, the SBOC shall retrieve the back-up SD card and give the same to the CCS operator who shall:

6HF 3URKLELWLRQ DJDLQVW WUDQVIHU OHDYLQJ RIÂżFLDO VWDWLRQ - During the period beginning election day, May 13, 2019, until the COC shall have been personally submitted to the Commission, no member or substitute member of the different SBOCs shall be transferred, assigned or detailed RXWVLGH RI RIÂżFLDO VWDWLRQ QRU VKDOO OHDYH VDLG VWDWLRQ ZLWKRXW SULRU DXWKRULW\ RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQHU LQ Charge of the OFOV.

1.

Attach memory card reader to the laptop;

2.

Insert the main SD card in the memory card reader;

3.

Click the blue triangle icon found at the bottom right portion of the HOME PAGE screen. The hidden side panel will be displayed, showing the import option. Click ³,03257´ DW WKH XSSHU ULJKW SRUWLRQ RI WKH VFUHHQ

6HF ,QFDSDFLW\ RI D UHJXODU PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& - In case of sickness or serious injury of a regular member of the SBOC, the member concerned shall submit to other members of the SBOC D PHGLFDO FHUWLÂżFDWH DWWHVWLQJ WR KLV LQFDSDFLW\ 6DLG PHGLFDO FHUWLÂżFDWH VKDOO EH UHFRUGHG LQ DQG IRUP SDUW RI WKH 0LQXWHV RI &DQYDVVLQJ 8SRQ VXEPLVVLRQ RI WKH PHGLFDO FHUWLÂżFDWH D VXEVWLWXWH VKDOO EH appointed in accordance with this Resolution.

4.

The screen will display the import dialogue box;

&OLFN ³&/,&. +(5( 72 83/2$' 75$160,66,21 3$&.$*( ),/(´

7KH &&6 ZLOO GLVSOD\ WKH ³23(1 ),/(6´ 0HQX

Sec. 19. Quorum. - A majority of all the members of the SBOC shall constitute a quorum for the WUDQVDFWLRQ RI LWV RIÂżFLDO EXVLQHVV DQG D PDMRULW\ YRWH RI DOO WKH PHPEHUV WKHUHRI VKDOO EH QHFHVVDU\ to render a decision.

7.

Click the folder for the¡SD card to be import at the left pane of the dialogue box;

&OLFN WKH ³6$(6´ IROGHU IURP WKH OLVW RI ¿OHV LQ WKH GLDORJXH ER[ DQG FOLFN WKH ³23(1´ button;

&OLFN WKH ³(9(176´ IROGHU IURP WKH OLVW RI IROGHUV DQG FOLFN WKH ³23(1´ EXWWRQ

Sec. 17. Feigned illness. - Any member of the SBOC feigning illness in order to be substituted from the start until the completion of the canvass shall be liable for an election offense.

6HF ,VVXHV WKDW PD\ EH UDLVHG GXULQJ WKH FRQVROLGDWLRQ DQG FDQYDVV - Issues affecting WKH FRPSRVLWLRQ RU SURFHHGLQJV RI WKH 6%2&V PD\ EH LQLWLDWHG E\ ÂżOLQJ D YHULÂżHG SHWLWLRQ EHIRUH WKH SBOC or directly with the Commission.

&OLFN WKH ³ ´ IROGHU IURP WKH OLVW RI IROGHUV DQG FOLFN WKH ³23(1´ EXWWRQ ,I WKH SHWLWLRQ LV ¿OHG GLUHFWO\ ZLWK WKH 6%2& LWV GHFLVLRQ PD\ EH DSSHDOHG WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ within three (3) days from issuance thereof. However, if commenced directly with the Commission, the YHUL¿HG SHWLWLRQ VKDOO EH ¿OHG LPPHGLDWHO\ ZKHQ WKH 6%2& EHJLQV WR DFW LOOHJDOO\ RU DW WKH WLPH RI WKH appointment of the member of the SBOC whose capacity to sit as such is objected to.

&OLFN WKH ³5(68/76´ IROGHU IURP WKH OLVW RI IROGHUV DQG FOLFN WKH ³23(1´ EXWWRQ &OLFN ³5(68/76 3$&.$*( S P´ DQG FOLFN WKH ³23(1´ EXWWRQ

There shall be no pre-proclamation cases on issues/ controversies relating to the generation/ printing, transmission, receipt and custody and appreciation of ERs.

7KH VFUHHQ UHWXUQV WR WKH ,03257 GLDORJXH ER[ &OLFN ³,03257´ EXWWRQ :DLW XQWLO WKH SURFHVVLQJ LV ¿QLVKHG &OLFN WKH GRZQ DUURZ RQ WKH ³*(1(5$/ ,1)250$7,21´ KHDGHU ER[ 7KH PHVVDJH ³7+( ,03257 352&(66 :$6 ),1,6+(' 68&&(66)8//<´ ZLOO EH GLVSOD\HG RQ WKH VFUHHQ

6HF 3URKLELWLRQ DJDLQVW SROLWLFDO DFWLYLW\ - No member of the SBOC and their support staff, including the CCS Operators, shall engage in any partisan political activity or take part in the elections except to vote and discharge their duties. They may also discharge their regular duties and functions including rendering assistance in accordance with usual protocol or courtesies normally extended to YLVLWLQJ RIÂżFLDOV RQ RIÂżFLDO EXVLQHVV

15. Click CLOSE button. The screen will return to HOME PAGE. ,I XQVXFFHVVIXO WKH PHVVDJH ³7$%8/$7,21 6(59(5 127 )281'´ ZLOO DSSHDU RQ the screen, in which case, follow steps [2] to [14] of this section;

6HF 9RWLQJ SULYLOHJH RI PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& - Government employees posted abroad, who will perform election duties as members of the SBOC, shall be allowed to vote in their respective Posts provided they are registered as voters either in the Philippines or abroad.

17. Remove the VCM main SD card from the memory card reader, return it to its original HQYHORSH DQG ODEHO LW ³83/2$'('´

6HF 6XSHUYLVLRQ E\ +HDGV RI 3RVWV - All foreign service personnel and representatives of attached agencies duly deputized by the Commission shall be under the direct supervision of the Heads of Posts insofar as the One Country Team Approach is concerned.

18. Follow the procedures laid down in steps [2] to [14] for the next VCM SD cards until all VCM SD cards are imported; 19. Disconnect the memory card reader from the laptop; and

ARTICLE II PROCEDURES FOR CANVASSING/CONSOLIDATION

Those who or whose spouses are related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or DIÂżQLW\ WR

20. To check if all the VCM SD cards are successfully imported, follow the procedures for MONITOR TRANSMISSION.

Sec. 24. Preliminaries to Canvassing. - Before the canvassing begins, the Special SBOC of Canvassers (SBOC) shall observe the following procedures:

1.

Any member of the same SBOC;

2.

Any of the candidates for Senator and nominees of accredited party/organization or coalition participating under the party-list system of representation, or any of the candidatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;/nomineesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; spouse; or

a.

Show to the public and the watchers present that the CCS box is sealed;

MONITORING OF ELECTION RESULTS. - The SBOC shall monitor which results have already been loaded into the system.

b.

Remove the seal of the CCS box;

D

Those who have been convicted of any election offense or of any other crime punishable by more than six (6) months of imprisonment; or

c.

Open the CCS box;

d.

Check whether the following are inside the CCS box:

7KRVH ZKR KDYH D SHQGLQJ FDVH ÂżOHG DJDLQVW WKHP IRU DQ\ HOHFWLRQ RIIHQVH

III.

1.

6HF 1RWLFH RI GLVTXDOLÂżFDWLRQ $Q\ PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& ZKR LV GLVTXDOLÂżHG IRU DQ\ UHDVRQ shall, upon appointment, notify the Head of Post, in writing, who shall, in turn submit a replacement to the Commission, through the Commissioner-in-Charge of the OFOV, for appointment.

For this purpose, the OFOV shall furnish the Post, through the DFA-OVS, the list of candidates for Senators and the names of nominees of political parties, organizations or coalitions thereof participating under the party-list system of representation for the May 13, 2019 National and Local (OHFWLRQV VR WKDW WKH PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& ZLOO EH DEOH WR NQRZ ZKHWKHU WKH\ DUH TXDOLÂżHG RU QRW WR accept their appointments.

Sec. 5. Supervision and control. - The Commission shall exercise direct supervision and control over the SBOC and may motu proprio relieve, at any time for cause, any member thereof and designate the corresponding substitue/ replacement.

2.

6HH 5HSODFHPHQW RI FKDLUSHUVRQ DQG PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& - In case of non-availability, DEVHQFH GLVTXDOLÂżFDWLRQ GXH WR UHODWLRQVKLS RU LQFDSDFLW\ IRU DQ\ FDXVH RI WKH &KDLUSHUVRQ WKH UHSODFHPHQW VKDOO FRPH IURP DPRQJ DQ\ RWKHU UDQNLQJ RIÂżFLDO IURP WKH 3RVW RU IURP DQ\ RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW DJHQFLHV PDLQWDLQLQJ D SRVW DEURDG RI JRRG VWDQGLQJ QRW RWKHUZLVH GLVTXDOLÂżHG XQGHU the law.

Secure Digital (SD) card (installed in the laptop)

iii.

Power cable of the laptop

iv.

Power adaptor of the laptop

v.

Three (3) USB Security Tokens with label

Three (3) envelopes with label each containing one (1) usemame, and two passwords:

Canvass/consolidate the electronic results;

b.

Generate and print COC and SOV;

c.

Load the results in the CCS;

d.

Transmit immediately after the completion of the canvass, a copy of the COC and the SOVP/ SSOV to the OFOV, through the DFA-OVS, via facsimile or other electronic mail facilities of the Philippine embassies/ consulates, and of other authorized canvassing centers;

g.

b.

To monitor the loading of results from a particular post under a country, click on the ³3267 1$0(´ DQG D OLVW RI YRWLQJ FHQWHUV ZLOO DSSHDU

c.

To monitor the loading of results from a particular precinct under a voting center, click RQ WKH ³927,1* &(17(5´ ZKHUH WKH SUHFLQFWV FRQFHUQHG EHORQJ 7R UHWXUQ WR WKH SUHYLRXV SDJH FOLFN WKH ³%$&.´ EXWWRQ RU ³IRXU VTXDUH´ EXWWRQ WR UHWXUQ WR +20( PAGE; and

d.

To update the status of loading of from a clustered precinct from time to time, click on WKH ³5()5(6+´ EXWWRQ ORFDWHG DW WKH ERWWRP RI WKH VFUHHQ

ENCODING OF MANUAL ELECTION RETURNS. - In areas where the SBOC will receive from the SBRCG an envelope containing the Election Returns manually prepared, the following procedure shall be performed:

i.

One (1) security token;

ii.

One (1) Usemame;

INSERT MANUAL ELECTION RESULTS -

iii.

Two (2) Passwords:

([LW WKH %2& 3URÂżOH &OLFN RQ WKH EOXH WULDQJXODU LFRQ IRXQG DW WKH WRS OHIWPRVW SRUWLRQ of the screen, to display the hidden side panel on the left portion of the screen;

&OLFN ³(1' 6(66,21´ RSWLRQ IURP WKH PHQX $ FRQ¿UPDWLRQ PHVVDJH GLVSOD\V RQ WKH VFUHHQ FOLFN ³2.´ 7KHQ WKH :(/&20( 3$*( DSSHDUV

7\SH WKH XVHUQDPH DQG SDVVZRUG RI WKH 6SHFLDO 3UR¿OH 7KHQ FOLFN ³/RJLQ´ D QHZ HOME PAGE appears.

&OLFN ³,16(57 0$18$/ (/(&7,21 5(68/76´ 7KH &&6 ZLOO DVN WR LQSXW WKH WKUHH SDUWV RI WKH UHSRUW QXPEHU VXFK DV 3UHFLQFW &RXQW 5HSRUW 1R DQG 9HUL¿FDWLRQ 'LJLW 7KHUHDIWHU FOLFN ³$&&(37´ EXWWRQ 7KH VFUHHQ IRU HQFRGLQJ YRWHV VKDOO EH GLVSOD\HG

a.

One (1) password to enter the system; and

b.

One (1) to validate security token.

3.

One (1) envelope containing Report Nos. for Insert Manual Entry, if applicable;

4.

Extension Cord;

5.

Printer box containing: i.

Printer

ii.

Toner (installed)

5.

Further, the SBOC shall: a.

Laptop

II.

With UHVSHFW WR RWKHU PHPEHUV RI WKH 6%2& WKH UHSODFHPHQW VKDOO EH IURP WKH TXDOLÂżHG personnel of the foreign service corps or from members of the Filipino community at the Posts. For this purpose, all replacements shall be appointed by the Commissioner-in-Charge of the OFOV. 6HF 3RZHUV DQG IXQFWLRQ RI WKH 6%2& - The SBOC shall have full authority to keep order within the canvassing room or hall including its premises and enforce obedience to its lawful orders.

If any person refuses to obey any lawful order of the SBOC or conducts himself in such disorderly manner as to disturb or interrupt its proceedings, the SBOC may, by a majority vote, order in writing any SHDFH RIÂżFHU JXDUG RI WKH HPEDVV\ RU FRQVXODWH WR WDNH VXFK SHUVRQ LQWR FXVWRG\ XQWLO DGMRXUQPHQW RI WKH PHHWLQJ ,Q WKH DEVHQFH RI DQ\ SHDFH RIÂżFHU JXDUG DQ\ RWKHU FRPSHWHQW DQG DEOH SHUVRQ deputized by the SBOC in writing, shall execute such order. Such fact shall be noted in the Minutes of Canvassing.

A list of post/embassy for the country shall be displayed with colored button beside the name of the post/ embassy. The color of the circles will determine the status of WUDQVPLVVLRQ RI WKH VSHFLÂżF SUHFLQFW 7KH GHVFULSWLRQ RI WKH FRORUHG FLUFOHV LV LQGLFDWHG at the lower portion of the screen.

CCS Laptop box which contains: i.

e.

8QGHU WKH 0RQLWRULQJ PRGXOH FOLFN RQ WKH ³021,725 75$160,66,21´ RSWLRQ LQ WKH WKH ³+20( 3$*(´

iii.

Power cable of the printer; and

iv.

USB cable to connect the laptop and printer

6.

Memory Card Reader; and

7.

Security plastic seal.

Retrieve the envelopes containing the systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usemame and passwords which shall be in the custody of the Chairperson of the SBOC, and the USB tokens for each member of the

Enter the following information: a.

Date of issuance (current date)

b.

Number of voters who voted according to polling station

c.

Number of ballots in the ballot box

6.

Enter the number of votes of each candidate in the NO. OF VALID VOTES column;

7.

Enter the following information: a.

Undervotes

F2

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

b.

Overvotes

c.

Total of votes

&OLFN ³$&&(37´ EXWWRQ 7KH &&6 ZLOO GLVSOD\ ³0$18$/ &2817 5(3257 ,16(57('´ i.

LL 9.

The CCS will display the count report in PDF format containing the information on jurisdiction, position and names with corresponding votes of the candidates;

ii.

iii.

iv.

$VN WKH ZDWFKHUV SUHVHQW WR DI¿[ WKH VLJQDWXUHV DQG WKXPE PDUNV RQ WKH SULQWHG COCs and SOVs;

3.

The Chairperson of the SBOC shall publicly announce the total number of votes UHFHLYHG E\ HDFK FDQGLGDWH VWDWLQJ WKHLU FRUUHVSRQGLQJ RI¿FHV

4.

The Member-Secretary shall announce the posting of the COCs on the wall within the premises of the canvassing area; and

The Member-Secretary shall place all reports in the corresponding envelopes with paper seals.

&OLFN RQ WKH ³&217,18(´ EXWWRQ WR UHWXUQ WR WKH SUHYLRXV VFUHHQ RU FOLFN ³IRXUVTXDUH´ WR UHWXUQ WR +20(3$*(

CERTIFY MANUAL ELECTION RETURNS- To complete the encoding of Manual Election Returns, the SBOC must certify the results. The SBOC shall: L

&OLFN RQ ³&(57,)< 0$18$/ (/(&7,21 5(78516´ RQ 7DOOLHV 0DQDJHPHQW module; Request any two (2) members of the SBOC, to insert their USB tokens in the USB slot of the laptop, one at a time. Enter their usernames and security key SDVVZRUGV LQ WKH VSDFH SURYLGHG 7KHUHDIWHU FOLFN ³2.´ EXWWRQ Enter the three parts of the report number (Precinct, Count Report No., and 9HUL¿FDWLRQ 'LJLW DQG FOLFN ³$&&(37´ EXWWRQ 7KH LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH PDQXDOO\ entered Election Returns will be displayed;

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vi.

The CCS will display â&#x20AC;&#x153;ARE YOU SURE YOU WISH TO CERTIFY THIS COUNT 5(3257´ ZLWK 2. &$1&(/ EXWWRQ"

6HF 'LVWULEXWLRQ RI &2&V DQG 629V Upon completion of the canvass, the Chairperson of the SBOC or his/ her duly authorized representative shall distribute the COC as follows: D

7KH ¿UVW FRS\ VXSSRUWHG ZLWK 629 DQG &' VKDOO EH GHOLYHUHG WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ IRU XVH LQ the canvassing of results for Senator and Party-List;

b.

The second copy supported with SOV and CD shall be kept by the Chairperson of the SBOC;

c.

The third copy shall be posted on a wall within the premises of the canvassing center;

d.

The fourth copy shall be given to the accredited citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arm who shall furnish the independent candidates copies of the COC at the expense of the requesting party;

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f.

The seventh to sixteenth copies shall be given to the ten (10) accredited major national parties, excluding the dominant majority and minority parties, in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them;

II

If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of the criteria provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166;

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10. VIEW MANUAL ELECTION RETURNS- The following procedures will allow the 6%2& WR YLHZ WKH PDQXDO HOHFWLRQ UHWXUQV HQFRGHG DQG FHUWL¿HG L

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The seventeenth and eighteenth copies shall be given to the two accredited major local parties in accordance with a voluntary agreement among them. If no such agreement is reached, the Commission shall decide which parties shall receive the copies on the basis of criteria analogous to that provided in Section 26 of Republic Act No. 7166;

h.

The nineteenth to twenty-third copies, to national broadcast or print media entities as may be equitably determined by the Commission with the end in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible;

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7KH WZHQW\ IRXUWK DQG WZHQW\ ¿IWK FRSLHV WR ORFDO EURDGFDVW RU SULQW PHGLD HQWLWLHV DV PD\ be equitably determined by the Commission with the end in view of propagating the copies to the widest extent possible; and

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GENERATE AND PRINT CANVASS REPORT

The list of available reports shall be displayed on the left panel of the screen. The contents of the canvass report are automatically displayed on the screen;

LLL &OLFN WKH FKHFNER[ EHVLGH WKH WLWOH ³&217(67 1$0(´ WR JHQHUDWH WKH &$19$66 REPORT for all positions. Click the checkbox beside the CONTEST/POSITION to generate the CANVASS REPORT for the selected position only. After clicking DQ\ FKHFNER[ FOLFN ³,668(´ iv.

Wait while the system is loading the report. Thereafter, the CCS shall generate and display the CANVASS REPORT. Scroll down to view the report;

v.

Print the CANVASS REPORT by clicking on the printer icon, then type the QXPEHU RI FRSLHV LQ WKH VSDFH SURYLGHG &OLFN ³35,17´ DQG

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ARTICLE IV POST CANVASSING PROCEDURES

8QGHU WKH &DQYDVVLQJ PRGXOH FOLFN WKH ³&$19$66,1* 0$1$*(0(17´ LFRQ LQ the HOME PAGE;

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&OLFN WKH ³&(57,),&$7( 2) &$19$66 &2& ´ RSWLRQ IRXQG RQ WKH OHIW SDQHO The list of positions will be displayed on the right panel;

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&OLFN WKH FKHFNER[ EHVLGH WKH WLWOH ³&217(67 1$0(´ WR JHQHUDWH WKH CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS for all positions. Click the checkbox beside the CONTEST/POSITION to generate the CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS for the VHOHFWHG SRVLWLRQ RQO\ $IWHU FOLFNLQJ DQ\ FKHFNER[ FOLFN ³,668(´

iv.

The system shall require user authentication. The two (2) members shall, one at a time, insert their USB security token, enter their corresponding username and GLJLW VHFXULW\ NH\ SDVVZRUG DQG FOLFN ³2.´

v.

The CCS shall generate the CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS (COC) and display the same on the screen;

vi.

Print the CERTIFICATE OF CANVASS (COC) by clicking on the printer icon, then W\SH ³ ´ RQ WKH VSDFH SURYLGHG IRU QXPEHU RI FRSLHV &OLFN ³35,17´ DQG

a.

Copy of the COC, together with the SOV, back-up CD, and election returns, to the Commission En banc sitting as the National Board of Canvassers for Senator and Party-list;

b.

Copies of the Election Returns intended for the Commission, Main and Back-up SD cards of the VCMs, and Minutes of Canvassing of the SBOC copy for the Law Department, to the OFOV which shall in turn submit the copies to the Law Department and ERSD. For this purpose, the OFOV shall maintain a reception group at the venue where the Commission En banc, sitting as National SBOC of Canvassers for Senator and Party-list, will convene.

IV.

1.

They shall turn over all records and documents, used or unused, to the custody of the SBRCG at the Post, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Commission. These shall be properly acknowledged by the SBRCG.

7KH\ VKDOO VHFXUH D &HUWL¿FDWH RI &RPSOHWLRQ RI &DQYDVVLQJ IURP WKH +HDGV RI 3RVWV indicating the following: -

2.

For any person to deprive any person of any rights secured under the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, or to give false information as to his/ her name, address, or period of residence for the purpose of establishing his/ her eligibility or ineligibility to register or vote under the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003; or to conspire with another person for the purpose of encouraging the giving of false information in order to establish the eligibility or ineligibility of any individual to register or vote under the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003; or to pay, or offer to pay, or to accept payment either for applications to vote in absentia or for voting.

3.

For any person tamper with the ballot, the mail containing the ballots for overseas absentee voters, the Overseas Absentee Voting Election Returns, including the destruction, mutilation and manipulation thereof.

4.

For any person to steal, destroy, conceal mutilate or alter any record, document or paper as required for purposes of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.

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7UDYHOOLQJ WKURXJK WKH PRVW GLUHFW Ã&#x20AC;LJKW URXWH WKH\ VKDOO LPPHGLDWHO\ GHSDUW ZLWKLQ WKH GD\ or at the latest, a day after the completion of canvassing proceedings.

For any person who, after being deputized by the Commission to undertake activities in connection with the implementation of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003, shall campaign for or assist, in whatever manner, candidates in the election;

9.

For any person to engage in partisan political activity abroad during the thirty (30)-day overseas voting period;

III.

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Upon Arrival in Manila: a.

b.

IV.

They shall be assisted by DFA-OVS representative in going to the National Board of Canvassers to deliver the COCs and other documenst mentioned above. If they have their own private vehicles, they shall likewise be accompanied by DFA-OVS representative.

Any person who simulates an actual COC or SOVP, or a print or digital copy thereof;

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4.

The chairman or any member or the SBOC of canvassers who, during the prescribed period of posting, removes the COC or its supporting SOVP from the wall on which they have been posted other than for the purpose of immediately transferring them to a more suitable place;

5.

The chairman or any member or the SBOC of canvassers who signs or authenticates a print of the COC or its supporting SOVP outside of the canvassing area;

6.

The chairman or any member of the SBOC of canvassers who signs or authenticates a print which bears an image different from the COC or SOVP produced after canvassing and posted on the wall; and

7.

Any person or member of the SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvasser who tampers, increases or decreases the votes received by a candidate in any election or PDQ\ PHPEHU RI WKH 6%2& ZKR UHIXVHV DIWHU SURSHU YHUL¿FDWLRQ DQG KHDULQJ WR FUHGLW the correct votes or deduct such tampered votes: provided, however, that when the tampering, increase or decrease of votes or the refusal to credit the correct votes and/ or to deduct tampered votes are perpetrated on a large scale or in substantial numbers, the same shall be considered , not as an ordinary election offense under section 261 and/or 262 of the omnibus election code, but a special election offense to be known as electoral sabotage and the penalty to be imposed shall be life imprisonment.

ELECTORAL SABOTAGE: The act or offense committed in any of the folllowing instances shall under the category of electoral sabotage: a.

When the tampering, increase and/ or decrease of votes perpetrated or the refusal to credit the correct votes or to deduct tampered votes, is/are committed in the elections of D QDWLRQDO HOHFWLYH RI¿FH ZKLFK LV YRWHG XSRQ QDWLRQZLGH DQG WKH WDPSHULQJ LQFUHDVH and/or decrease votes, refusal to credit the correct votes or to deduct tampered votes, VKDOO DGYHUVHO\ DIIHFW WKH UHVXOWV RI WKH HOHFWLRQ WR WKH VDLG QDWLRQDO RI¿FH WR WKH H[WHQW losing candidates/s is/are made to appear the winner/s;

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5HJDUGOHVV RI WKH HOHFWLYH RI¿FH LQYROYHG ZKHQ WKH WDPSHULQJ LQFUHDVH DQG RU decrease of votes committed or the refusal to credit the correct votes or to deduct tampered votes perpetrated, is accomplished in a single election document or in WKH WUDQVSRVLWLRQ RI WKH ¿JXUHV UHVXOWV IURP RQH HOHFWLRQ GRFXPHQW WR DQRWKHU DQG involved in the said tampering increase and/ or decrease or refusal to credit correct YRWHV RU GHGXFW WDPSHUHG YRWHV H[FHHG ¿YH WKRXVDQG YRWHV DQG WKDW WKH VDPH adversely affects the true result of the election;

c.

Within the same day of their arrival, they shall submit to the Reception Group of the OFOV the following: 1.

The photocopy of their plane ticket. As soon as they return to their Posts, the SBOC Chairs should send to OFOV through the fastest available means the used plane ticket;

2.

Copy of the Travel Authority; and

&HUWL¿FDWH RI &RPSOHWLRQ RI &DQYDVVLQJ LVVXHG E\ WKH +HDGV RI 3RVWV ZKHUH WKH\ were appointed Chairperson of SBOC.

Any person who removes the COC posted on the wall, whether within or after the prescribed forty-eight (48) hours of posting, or defaces the same in any manner;

2.

$Q\ GHYLDWLRQ IURP WKH VFKHGXOHG Ã&#x20AC;LJKW RU UH ERRNLQJ ZKLFK LV QRW DOORZHG E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ VKDOO EH for the personal account of the concerned Chairperson of the SBOC or his representative.

B.

)RU DQ\ SXEOLF RI¿FHU RU HPSOR\HH ZKR VKDOO FDXVH WKH SUHSDUDWLRQ SULQWLQJ GLVWULEXWLRQ of information materials, or post the same in websites without prior approval of the Commission.

8.

Date the canvassing commenced; Date the canvassing ended; Date when the Chairperson of the SBOC left at the Post

GENERATION AND PRINTING OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF VOTES (SOV) L

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Any and all forms or tampering increase /s and/or decrease/s of votes perpetuated or in cases of refusal to credit the correct votes or deduct the tampered votes, where the total votes involved exceed ten thousand (10,000) votes.

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d.

They shall be brought to the DFA, after submission of the documents, if they were fetched from the airport using the Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vehicle. Those with personal vehicles can also leave as soon as they submit the documents.

Any and all other persons or individual determined to be in conspiracy or in connivance with the members of the SBEIs or SBOCs involved, shall be meted the same penalty of life imprisonment.

iii.

Select the position/positions to generate SOV by clicking on the checkbox beside the position title under the Contest Name header. To select ALL positions, click WKH FKHFNER[ EHVLGH WKH ³&217(67 1$0(´ KHDGHU 2QFH DQ\ FKHFNER[ LV FOLFNHG WKLV ZLOO HQDEOH WKH ³,668(´ EXWWRQ

e.

In all probability, COC will be canvassed on the same day of submission, the latest being the following day if the Chairperson of the SBOC arrives in the evening.

Sec. 33. Penalties.- Any person found guilty of committing any of the prohibited acts enumerated in the immediately preceding Sections shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than one (1) year but not more than six (6) years and shall not be subject to probation. In addition, the guilty party VKDOO EH VHQWHQFHG WR VXIIHU GLVTXDOL¿FDWLRQ WR KROG SXEOLF RI¿FH DQG GHSULYDWLRQ RI WKH ULJKW RI VXIIUDJH

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Wait until the print preview of the SOV is displayed. Click the printer icon, then W\SH ³ ´ LQ WKH VSDFH SURYLGHG IRU WKH QXPEHU RI FRSLHV 7KHQ FOLFN ³35,17´ button; and

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PRINTING OF AUDIT LOG The CCS operator shall:

V.

$Q\ SXEOLF RI¿FLDO RU SHUVRQ DFWLQJ LQ KLV EHKDOI ZKR UHOLHYHV DQ\ PHPEHU RI any SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvassers or who changes or causes the change of the assignments of any member of said SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvassers without authority of the Commission.

For any person who is not a citizen of the Philippines to participate, by word or deed, GLUHFWO\ RU LQGLUHFWO\ WKURXJK TXDOL¿HG RUJDQL]DWLRQV DVVRFLDWLRQV LQ DQ\ PDQQHU DQG at any stage of the Philippine political process abroad, including participation in the campaign and elections. The provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, and with due regard to the Principle of Double Criminality, the prohibited acts above are electoral offenses and punishable in the Philippines.

6HF $GPLQLVWUDWLYH PDWWHUV WR EH REVHUYHG E\ &KDLUSHUVRQV RI WKH 6%2& RU WKHLU UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV ZKR VKDOO SHUVRQDOO\ GHOLYHU WKH &2& 629 EDFN XS &'V PDLQ DQG EDFN XS 6' FDUGV IRU WKH 9&0V 0LQXWHV RI &DQYDVVLQJ &RS\ IRU WKH /DZ 'HSDUWPHQW FRSLHV RI (OHFWLRQ 5HWXUQV &RS\ IRU WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DQG RWKHU HOHFWLRQ GRFXPHQWV WR 0DQLOD - A. Prior WR 'HSDUWXUH IURP WKH 3RVW

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3.

)RU DQ\ RI¿FHU RU HPSOR\HH RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQH JRYHUQPHQW WR LQÃ&#x20AC;XHQFH RU DWWHPSW WR LQÃ&#x20AC;XHQFH DQ\ SHUVRQ FRYHUHG E\ WKH 2YHUVHDV $EVHQWHH 9RWLQJ $FW RI WR YRWH RU not to vote, for a particular candidate.

Sec. 27. 3HUVRQDO GHOLYHU\ RI WKH &2& 629 EDFN XS &' PLQXWHV RI WKH SURFHHGLQJV FRSLHV RI WKH (OHFWLRQ 5HWXUQV DQG 0DLQ %DFN 6' FDUGV - The Chairperson of the SBOC or his representative shall personally submit the following:

GENERATION AND PRINTING OF COC. - If all the expected clustered precincts have been uploaded, the SBOC shall generate the COC. For this purpose, the CCS operator shall: L

Any person who, in the presence or within the hearing of any SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvassers during any of its meetings, conducts himself in such a disorderly manner as to interrupt or disrupt the work or proceedings to the end of preventing said body from performing its functions, either partly or totally.

)RU DQ\ SXEOLF RI¿FHU RU HPSOR\HH WR FDXVH WKH WUDQVIHU SURPRWLRQ H[WHQVLRQ UHFDOO of any member of the foreign service corps, including, members of attached agencies, or otherwise cause the movement of any such member from his/her current post or position one (1) year before and three (3) months after the day of elections, without securing prior approval of the Commission.

This Canvass Report can be generated from time to time.

2.

4.

7KH ¿UVW VHFRQG DQG WKLUG FRSLHV RI WKH &2& VKDOO EH VXSSRUWHG E\ WKH &'V XVHG WR EDFN up the consolidated results and shall be placed individually in an envelope dully sealed.

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Any person who, being ineligible for appointment as member of any SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvassers, accepts an appointment to said ERG\ DVVXPHV RI¿FH DQG DFWXDOO\ VHUYHV DV D PHPEHU WKHUHRI RU DQ\ RI SXEOLF RI¿FHU RU DQ\ SHUVRQ DFWLQJ LQ KLV EHKDOI ZKR DSSRLQWV VXFK LQHOLJLEOH SHUVRQ knowing him to be ineligible.

)RU DQ\ GHSXWL]HG DJHQW WR UHIXVH ZLWKRXW MXVWL¿DEOH JURXQG WR VHUYH RU FRQWLQXH serving, or to comply with his/her sworn duties after acceptance of his/her appointment.

The twenty-sixth to twenty-ninth copies, to the major citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arms, including the accredited citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm, and other non-partisan groups or organizations enlisted by the Commission pursuant to Section 52 (k) of Batasan Pambansa Blg. 881. Such citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm, groups, and RUJDQL]DWLRQV PD\ XVH WKUHH FHUWL¿HG FRSLHV RU (5V IRU WKH FRQGXFW RI FLWL]HQV¶ TXLFN FRXQW at the local or national levels.

GENERATION AND PRINTING OF REPORTS. The CCS operator shall generate the &DQYDVV 5HSRUW EHIRUH JHQHUDWLQJ DQG SULQWLQJ WKH &HUWL¿FDWH RI &DQYDVV &2& )RU WKLV purpose, the CCS operator shall: 1.

3.

8QGHU 5HSXEOLF $FW 1R ³2YHUVHDV $EVHQWHH 9RWLQJ $FW RI ´ DV DPHQGHG

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Any member of any SBOC of election inspectors or SBOC of canvassers who, ZLWKRXW MXVWL¿DEOH UHDVRQ UHIXVHV WR VLJQ DQG FHUWLI\ DQ\ HOHFWLRQ IRUP UHTXLUHG by this Code or prescribed by the Commission although he was present during the meeting of the said body.

ARTICLE III DISTRIBUTION OF THE COCs and SOVs

Make sure that the data displayed is correct before certifying the election returns;

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2.

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b.

Under the EVENTS tab, the screen will display the logs of the CCS;

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d..

The preview of the audit log shall be displayed. Then click the PRINTER icon;

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BACK-UP

They shall be given honoraria of US$200 per day of canvassing which should ideally QRW H[FHHG ¿YH GD\V LQFOXVLYH RI WUDYHO WLPH WR 0DQLOD XQWLO VXEPLVVLRQ RI WKH ERs and COCs. For purposes of OV, their duties as Chairperson of the SBOC shall commence on May 13, 2019.

ARTICLE V COUNSEL/WATCHERS 6HF 5LJKW WR EH SUHVHQW DQG WR FRXQVHO GXULQJ WKH FDQYDVV - Every registered political party and party-list group, and every candidate for Senator has the right to be present and to counsel during the canvass of the election returns: Provided, that if there are two or more counsels, only one may argue for each party or candidate. They shall have the right to observe the transmission, consolidation and canvass of the ERs or COCs without touching the CCS, make observations thereon, DQG ¿OH WKHLU FKDOOHQJHV LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH UXOHV DQG UHJXODWLRQV RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ 7KH 6%2&V shall not allow any dilatory action.

6HF :DWFKHUV GXULQJ FDQYDVV (YHU\ UHJLVWHUHG SROLWLFDO SDUW\ ¿HOGLQJ FDQGLGDWHV IRU Senator, and party-list group shall be entitled to one watcher at any given time in every canvassing center.

The accredited citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm of the Commission, and civic, religious, professional business, service, youth and other similar organizations shall collectively, and upon prior authority of the Commissioner-in-Charge of the OFOV, be entitled to one (1) watcher at any given time. +RZHYHU LI WKHUH LV QR VXI¿FLHQW VSDFH IRU DOO ZDWFKHUV WR EH DFFRPPRGDWHG SUHIHUHQFH VKDOO be given to the watchers of the dominant majority and dominant minority parties as determined by the Commission, one (1) common watcher for the independent candidates, one (1) common watcher for the accredited citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arm and one (1) common watcher for accredited OFW organizations.

After all the results have been successfully imported, the CCS Operator shall;

The watchers shall have the right to:

a.

Insert a blank disc in the CD drive;

a)

Be present at, and take note of, all the proceedings of the SBOC;

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b)

Stay behind the Chairperson of the SBOC near enough to be able to observe the consolidation/canvass of the ERs without touching the CCS; and

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c)

File a protest against any irregularity noted in consolidation/canvass of the ERs and obtain from the SBOC a resolution thereon in writing.

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Watchers shall not be allowed to participate in the deliberation of the SBOC.

e.

Remove the CD from the CD drive and: 1.

Place inside an envelope provided for the purpose and seal the same;

/DEHO WKH HQYHORSH ³,03257('´ WR VKRZ WKDW WKH UHVXOWV KDYH EHHQ loaded;

3.

Indicate in the envelope the name of the Post; and

4.

Sign the envelope.

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6HF 3HUVRQV QRW DOORZHG LQVLGH WKH FDQYDVVLQJ URRP - During the canvass, it shall be XQODZIXO IRU DQ\ SHUVRQ FDUU\LQJ DQ\ ¿UHDUP RU GHDGO\ ZHDSRQ WR HQWHU WKH URRP ZKHUH WKH FDQYDVV LV EHLQJ KHOG RU WR VWD\ ZLWKLQ D UDGLXV RI ¿IW\ PHWHUV IURP VXFK URRP ARTICLE VI ELECTION OFFENSES; ELECTORAL SABOTAGE

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g.

Tum-over the envelopes containing the CDs to the Chairperson of the SBOC who shall thereafter submit said envelopes, as follows:

I.

Under Sec. 261 of Batas Pambansa Blg.881-

The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of tampering with the ballot, the mail containing the ballots for overseas voters, the Overseas Voting (OHFWLRQ 5HWXUQV LQFOXGLQJ WKH GHVWUXFWLRQ PXWLODWLRQ DQG PDQLSXODWLRQ WKHUHRI ZLWKRXW WKH EHQH¿W RI WKH RSHUDWLRQ RI WKH ,QGHWHUPLQDWH 6HQWHQFH /DZ ,I WKH RIIHQGHU LV D SXEOLF RI¿FHU RU D FDQGLGDWH WKH penalty shall be prision mayor in its maximum period. In addition, the offender shall be sentenced to VXIIHU SHUSHWXDO GLVTXDOL¿FDWLRQ WR KROG SXEOLF RI¿FH DQG GHSULYDWLRQ RI KLV KHU ULJKW WR YRWH ARTICLE VII ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES Sec. 34. Assistance from government agencies. $OO JRYHUQPHQW RI¿FHV SDUWLFXODUO\ WKH department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor & Employment, Philippine Postal Corporation, Philippine Overseas Employment administration, Overseas Workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Administration, Commission on Overseas Filipinos, The Foreign Service Institute, The Social Security System and other government agencies concerned with the welfare of Filipino overseas shall, to the extent compatible with their primary responsibilities, assist and give the Commission the fullest support in the implementation of the Overseas Voting Act of 2003.

The One Country Team Approach provided under Republic Act No. 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995), as enunciated under Executive Order No 74, series of 1993, shall DSSO\ LQ WKH LPSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI WKH 2YHUVHDV 9RWLQJ $FW RI LQVRIDU DV LW GRHV QRW FRQÃ&#x20AC;LFW ZLWK WKH constitutional mandate of the Commission to have exclusive charge of the enforcement, administration and implementation of election laws.

6HF $FFHVV WR RI¿FLDO UHFRUGV DQG GRFXPHQWV - Subject to the pertinent provisions of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 and these Rules, any person shall have the right to access DQG RU FRS\ DW KLV KHU H[SHQVH DOO UHJLVWUDWLRQ UHFRUGV YRWHUV¶ OLVWV DQG RWKHUV RI¿FLDO UHFRUGV DQG documents, subject to payment of prescribed charges.

6HF 6HFXULW\ PHDVXUHV WR VDIHJXDUG WKH VHFUHF\ DQG VDQFWLW\ RI WKH EDOORWV In the interest of transparency, all necessary and practicable measures shall be adopted to allow representation of the candidates, accredited major political parties, accredited citizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arms and nongovernment organizations to assist, and observe in all stages of the electoral exercise to prevent any and forms of fraud and coercion and unsure free, honest, orderly peaceful and credible election.

6HF $SSOLFDELOLW\ RI RWKHU HOHFWLRQ ODZV - The pertinent provisions of the Omnibus (OHFWLRQ &RGH DV DPHQGHG DQG RWKHU HOHFWLRQ ODZ ZKLFK DUH QRW LQ FRQÃ&#x20AC;LFW ZLWK WKH SURYLVLRQV RI WKH Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 as amended shall remain in full force, and shall have suppletory application of these Rules.

6HF (QIRUFHPHQW DQG DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ - The Commission, for the purpose of ensuring honest, orderly, peaceful and free elections abroad, shall have exclusive charge of the enforcement, administration and implementation of the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 as amended.

Sec. 39. Dissemination. - The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this Resolution in two (2) daily newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines and to furnish the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Postal Corporation, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Overseas Workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welfare Administration, Commission on Overseas Filipinos, the Foreign Service Institute, the Social Security System and. other government agencies concerned with the welfare of Filipinos overseas.

Sec. 40. Effectivity. - These General Instructions shall take effect immediately after publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

aa. On Canvassing: 1.

2.

VI.

One (1) envelope to the Reception and Custody Group of the National SBOC of Canvassers for Senator and Party-list; and

1.

One (1) envelope to the OFOV which shall in turn submit the same to the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission on Elections, Manila.

Any Chairman of the SBOC of canvassers who fails to give due notice of the date, time and place of the meeting of said SBOC to the candidates, political parties and/ or members of the SBOC.

2.

Any member of the SBOC of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of the votes and/ or proclamation of any candidate which suspended or annulled by the Commission.

3.

Any member of the SBOC of canvassers who proceeds with the canvass of votes and/ or proclamation of any candidate in the absence of quorum, or without giving due notice of the date, time and place of the meeting of the SBOC to the candidates, political parties, and/ or other members of the SBOC.

4.

Any member of the SBOC of canvassers who, without authority of the Commission, uses in the canvass of votes and/ or proclamation of any candidate DQ\ GRFXPHQW RWKHU WKDQ WKH RI¿FLDO FRS\ RI WKH HOHFWLRQ UHWXUQV

SO ORDERED.

SHUTTING DOWN THE CCS. After printing all the reports, the following shall be undertaken: 1.

Click on the blue triangular icon found at the top leftmost portion of the screen, to display the hidden side panel on the left portion of the screen;

&OLFN ³(1' 6(66,21´ RSWLRQ IURP WKH PHQX $ FRQ¿UPDWLRQ PHVVDJH GLVSOD\V RQ WKH VFUHHQ FOLFN ³2.´

3.

Click the power button and wait for the laptop to shut down completely;

4.

Turn-over CCS laptop to the CCS Operator.

VII. POST PRINT ACTIVITIES. Immediately after printing copies of the COCs and SOVs, the SBOC shall:

$I¿[ WKHLU VLJQDWXUHV DQG WKXPE PDUNV RQ WKH SULQWHG &2&V DQG 629V

bb. Common to all SBOCs of election inspectors and SBOCs of canvassers: 1.

Any member of any SBOC of election inspector of SBOC of Canvassers who deliberately absents himself from the meetings of said body for the purpose of obstructing or delaying the performance of its duties or functions.

MT - Feb. 27, 2019

Classified Ads

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net NOTICE OF LOSS 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW 6WRFN &HUWL¿FDWH 1R 0937 issued by The Country Club at Tagaytay Highlands to Suzette Fule Poblete was declared ORVW DV SHU $I¿GDYLW RI /RVV H[HFXWHG E\ KHU legal heir, Socorro Fule Poblete on February 4, 2019 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 409 on Page No. 82 of Book No. 16 Series of 2019 on the notarial registry of Atty. Rely Dimapilis Laza, a notary public for and in the Province of Cavite.

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 20, 27 & Mar. 6, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City Email: ntc@ntc.gov.ph; website: http://www.ntc.gov.ph

ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

INVITATION TO SUBMIT SEALED PROPOSAL ISSP# 2019-02 ³$V ,V :KHUH ,V %DVLV´ ',6326$/ 2) 816(59,&($%/( 3523(57,(6

MR. ANTHONY LOUEN R. FERNANDEZ Legal & Regulatory Group Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. 26th Flr., Galleria Corporate Center, EDSA cor. Ortigas Ave., Quezon City

The Pasay City Government through its Disposal Committee invites interested parties to submit sealed proposal for the auction of the following unserviceable properties as indicated in the approved Inventory and Inspection Report of Unserviceable Property (IIRUP):

Dear Mr. Fernandez: This refers to your letter dated 09 January 2019 regarding the Sun Giga Surf Family Promo Extension.

SMS Voice Keyword

GIGASURF 50 P50.00 3 days 1GB open access data + 1GB/day for streaming* Unlimited allnet texts GIGA50 | GIGA50

GIGASURF 99 GIGASURF 299 GIGASURF 599 GIGASURF 899 P99.00 P299.00 P599.00 P899.00 7 days 30 days 30 days 30 days 2GB open 2GB open access 5GB open 8GB open access access data data + 1GB/day access data data + 1GB/day + 1GB/day for for streaming* + 1GB/day for for streaming* streaming* streaming* GIGA99 | GIGA99

GIGA299 | GIGA599 | GIGA299 GIGA599 *121# for USSD Menu 247 for conversion

GIGA899 | GIGA899

7KH PD[LPXP VSHHG LV XS WR 0ESV IRU EURDGEDQG DQG QRQ EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQV 0LQLPXP VSHHG IRU EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQ LV NESV DQG NESV IRU QRQ EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQ 1HWZRUN UHOLDELOLW\ LV 7KH DFWXDO VSHHG H[SHULHQFH ZLOO GHSHQG RQ WKH GHYLFH XVHG QHWZRUN VLJQDO GHWHFWHG FXUUHQW VXEVFULEHU WUDI¿F SUHYDLOLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO FRQGLWLRQV DQG WKH JHRJUDSK\ RI WKH area where the subscriber is located.

Invitation to Bid 6XSSO\ DQG GHOLYHU\ RI YDULRXV KHDY\ HTXLSPHQW IRU XVHG LQ WKH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHULQJ 2I¿FH 3'5502 GXULQJ GLVDVWHU SUHYHQWLRQ SUHSDUHGQHVV DQG PLWLJDWLRQ SURMHFW DFWLYLWLHV SURYLQFHZLGH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHU¶V 2I¿FH %RDF 0DULQGXTXH The Marinduque Provincial Government, through the Trust Fund intends to apply the sum of THIRTY EIGHT MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTEEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TEN PESOS ONLY 3KS being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 6XSSO\ DQG GHOLYHU\ RI YDULRXV KHDY\ HTXLSPHQW IRU XVHG LQ WKH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHULQJ 2I¿FH 3'5502 GXULQJ GLVDVWHU SUHYHQWLRQ SUHSDUHGQHVV DQG PLWLJDWLRQ SURMHFW DFWLYLWLHV SURYLQFHZLGH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHU¶V 2I¿FH %RDF 0DULQGXTXH Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Marinduque Provincial Government now invites bids for 6XSSO\ DQG GHOLYHU\ RI YDULRXV KHDY\ HTXLSPHQW IRU XVHG LQ WKH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHULQJ 2I¿FH 3'5502 GXULQJ GLVDVWHU SUHYHQWLRQ SUHSDUHGQHVV DQG PLWLJDWLRQ SURMHFW DFWLYLWLHV SURYLQFHZLGH 3URYLQFLDO (QJLQHHU¶V 2I¿FH %RDF Marinduque. Delivery of the Goods is required ten (10) calendar days upon receipt of contract. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

The same mechanics of the promo shall still be applied.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Provincial Government of Marinduque and inspect the Bidding Documents at the 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH &DSLWRO &RPSRXQG %RDF Marinduque from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on )HEUXDU\ to 0DUFK from the 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH &DSLWRO &RPSRXQG %RDF 0DULQGXTXH from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of 3KS It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Marinduque Provincial Government will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 0DUFK $0 at 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH &DSLWRO &RPSRXQG %RDF 0DULQGXTXH which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 0DUFK $0 at 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH &DSLWRO &RPSRXQG %RDF 0DULQGXTXH All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 0DUFK $0 at 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH &DSLWRO Compound, Boac, Marinduque. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Biddersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

For further information, please refer to: EUFROCINA N. RAMENTO BAC Head Secretariat 2I¿FH RI WKH %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH Capitol Compound, Boac, Marinduque (042)-332-1498 www.marinduque.gov.ph

Subject further, to the condition that DMPI shall comply with the applicable NTC Memorandum Circulars and Orders, as follows: â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢

Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed Broadband Connections.

Memorandum Circular No.07-08-2015, Rules on the Measurement of Fixed Broadband/Internet Access Service Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016, Rules on the Measurement of Mobile Broadband/Internet Access Service

Very truly yours, (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 27, 2019

(Sgd) JOY ANN J. ALVAREZ BAC Chairperson

This refers to your letter dated 03 January 2019 regarding the Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Pocket :L¿ # 3 3URPR ,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQH¿W RI the Filipino consumers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Commission hereby approves 6PDUW %UR 3UHSDLG /7( 3RFNHW :L¿ # 3 3URPR QDWLRQZLGH IURP -DQXDU\ WR 0DUFK The approval is subject to the condition that SMART shall publish the mechanics in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementation. Should SMART decide not to extend the promo, it shall seek approval of the Commission within ten (10) days prior to the date of discontinuance and notice to the public shall be published in a newspaper of JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU WR WKH GDWH RI GLVFRQWLQXDQFH 7KH QRWLFH VKRXOG be posted in all business centers of SMART. The promo offers the following: Promo SRP Device Connections

6PDUW %UR 3UHSDLG /7( 3RFNHW :L¿ # 3 P1295 Smart Bro Prepaid LTE Pocket WiFi Up to 5 devices Smart Bro SIM preloaded with 350mb per month valid for 30 days for 3 months

SIM and Preload

7KH PD[LPXP VSHHG LV XS WR 0ESV IRU EURDGEDQG DQG QRQ EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQV 0LQLPXP VSHHG IRU EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQ LV NESV DQG NESV IRU QRQ EURDGEDQG FRQQHFWLRQ 1HWZRUN UHOLDELOLW\ LV 7KH DFWXDO VSHHG H[SHULHQFH ZLOO GHSHQG RQ WKH GHYLFH XVHG QHWZRUN VLJQDO GHWHFWHG FXUUHQW VXEVFULEHU WUDI¿F SUHYDLOLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO FRQGLWLRQV DQG WKH JHRJUDSK\ RI the area where the subscriber is located.

1. The promo is available to all Smart Bro subscribers nationwide.

2. Availment channel is via Smart Wireless Stores and Online Store, S&D, and NKAG. 3. All queries or complaints that may arise from this promo shall be attended by hotline number *888 from any Smart postpaid or prepaid line.

The promo is intended for peer-to-peer and non-commercial use only

Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections.

Memorandum Circular No. 07-08-2015, Rules on the Measurement of Fixed Broadband/ Internet Access Service Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016, Rules on the Measurement of Mobile Broadband/ Internet Access Service

Must be able to participate in all meetings and undertakings of the Governing Board and its committees whenever and wherever agreed upon;

4.

Must be able to effectively link the University and its programs to the people of the communities;

5.

Must possess linkages (local, national, as well as international) which may be harnessed for the realization of the vision, mission, and goals and objectives of the University; and

3URPLQHQW LQ ¿HOG RI VSHFLDOL]DWLRQ

MR. ANTHONY LOUEN R. FERNANDEZ Legal & Regulatory Dept.

Smart Communications, Inc. 6799 Ayala Avenue, Makati City Dear Mr. Fernandez: This refers· to your letter dated 04 January 2019 regarding the TNT Surf Saya Promo. ,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQH¿W RI the Filipino consumers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Commission hereby approves TNT 6XUI 6D\D 3URPR QDWLRQZLGH IURP )HEUXDU\ WR $SULO . The approval is subject to the condition that SMART shall publish the mechanics in a newspaper of general circulation three (3) days prior to the implementation. Should SMART decide not to extend the promo, it shall seek approval of the Commission within ten (10) days prior to the date of discontinuance and notice to the public shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation at least five (5) days prior to the date of discontinuance. The notice should be posted in all business centers of SMART. The promo offers the following:

Promo Price Validity

SMS VOICE REG

2.

Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), signed under oath;

Other Availment Channels

Plans and Goals

Deadline for submission of application/nomination documents shall be on 0DUFK )ULGD\ 30 Submit applications to: THE SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE c/o UNP BOARD SECRETARY (CP No. 09175682959), 3RD FLOOR ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, TAMAG, VIGAN CITY, ILOCOS SUR. MT - Feb. 27, 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 NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does

Sealed proposal shall be submitted to the Chairman, Disposal Committee c/o Atty. Dennis Bernard N. Acorda, City $GPLQLVWUDWRU 3OHDVH DWWDFK FHUWL¿HG WUXH FRS\ RI YDOLG %XVLQHVV 3HUPLW '7, 5HJLVWUDWLRQ 6(& 5HJLVWUDWLRQ DQG 6SHFLDO 3RZHU RI $WWRUQH\ 63$ 6HFUHWDU\ &HUWL¿FDWH IRU DXWKRUL]HG UHSUHVHQWDWLYH LI DSSOLFDEOH 'HDGOLQH IRU WKH submission of sealed proposal and opening thereof shall be on :HGQHVGD\ 0DUFK DW $0 at the FRQIHUHQFH URRP 2I¿FH RI WKH &LW\ $GPLQLVWUDWRU URRP QG Ã&#x20AC;RRU 3DVD\ &LW\ +DOO %XLOGLQJ $OO ELGV PXVW EH accompanied by a Bidderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bond equivalent to 10% of the total amount of the bid offer and the difference thereof shall be paid in full in the form of cash, cashierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check, or managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s check issued by a reputable bank within 3 working days upon receipt of the Notice of Award.

Bid documents may be obtained starting on 7XHVGD\ )HEUXDU\ DW WKH *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH 5RRP GF, Pasay City Hall from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, upon payment of a fee of P40.00 per page and per photocopy or as per City Ordinance No. 1614, Series of 1999, Section 55, Chapter 17 of Pasay City Revenue Code.

Inspection of the properties for auction is scheduled on 0DUFK DQG IURP $0 WR $0 RQO\ with UHSUHVHQWDWLYHV IURP *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH The Committee reserves the right to cancel or postpone the date of auction without offering any reason thereof for the advantage of the City Government.

(SGD.) ATTY. DENNIS BERNARD N. ACORDA City Administrator

MT - Feb. 26, 27 & 28, 2019

Republic of the Philippines City of Legazpi BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE City Hall Compound, Legazpi City E-mail Address: sec_gso@yahoo.com Tel. No.: (052)-4816190

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the City Government of Legazpi, invites TXDOL¿HG FRQWUDFWRU¶V WR ELG IRU WKH IROORZLQJ SURMHFW CONTRACT ID: Contract Name:

Contract Location: Approved Budget for the Contract: Contract Duration: Funding Source: Tender Documents:

CLUSTER- INFRA-001-2019 Furnishing of Labor, Construction Materials and Equipment Rental for the Proposed Rehabilitation/ Improvement/Construction of Various Roads, Drainage and Flood Control Structure under Cluster INFRA-001-2019 all in Legazpi City Php 19,574,651.50 120 Calendar Days Trust Fund Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php25,000.00)

The Procurement process of the afore-mentioned projects will be conducted by this Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) in accordance with the Revised IRR of R.A. 9184, otherwise known as the New Procurement Law. All prospective bidders must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) together with Special 3RZHU RI $WWRUQH\ 63$ RU GXO\ QRWDUL]HG ERDUG VHFUHWDU\¶V FHUWL¿FDWH LVVXHG WR WKHLU DXWKRUL]HG UHSUHVHQWDWLYH VSHFL¿FDOO\ LQWHQGHG IRU WKH DIRUHPHQWLRQHG SURMHFW present the original and submit copy of the PCAB License, Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Permit, DTI, Tax &OHDUDQFH 3KLOJHSV &HUWL¿FDWH 3/$7,180 DQG FHUWL¿HG FRS\ RI SURRI RI FRPSOHWHG FRQWUDFW VLPLODU WR WKH SURMHFW WR ELG DW OHDVW ZLWKLQ WKH ODVW ¿YH \HDUV

purchase bid documents, and must meet the following major criteria: (a) Filipino citizen of 75% Filipino owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture with PCAB license applicable to the type and cost of this contract, (b) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The non-discretionary pass/fail criteria will be used in the eligibility check and preliminary examinations of Bids.

A complete set of hard copies of Bidding Documents may be purchased in cash from BAC Secretariat with the address below.

SURFSAYA20 SURFSAYA30 P20 P30 2 days 3 Days 100MB Open Access 300MB Open Access 100MB/day of Facebook 100MB/day of Facebook & Messenger & Messenger Unlimited All-net Unlimited All-net Unlimited to Unlimited to SMART/TNT/SUN SMART /TNT/SUN Dial *121# and choose Dial *121# and choose SURFSAYA20 or TEXT SURFSAYA30 or TEXT SURFSAYA20/SAYA20 SURFSAYA30/SAYA20 to 4545 to 4545

1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre Bid Conference

February 21, 2019 to March 12, 2019 February 28, 2019 at 2:00 P.M., City Administratorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Of¿FH &LW\ +DOO &RPSRXQG /HJD]SL &LW\ March 1, 2019 until @ 10:00AM 0DUFK DW 3 0 &LW\ $GPLQLVWUDWRU¶V 2I¿FH City Hall Compound, Legazpi City

All dealings, including electronic transactions, by the prospective bidders (including owner representing a single proprietorship) with the BAC and its Secretariat or TWG, shall be made only by a representative duly authorized by proper authentic sworn document/s submitted on or before the transaction.

07 January 2019

Formal Application Letter addressed to the CHED Chairperson;

4.

2018-12-027

3. Deadline of receipt of Letter of Intent (LOI) 4. Deadline of receipt/ Opening

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City Email: ntc@ntc.gov.ph; website: http://www.ntc.gov.ph

1.

&HUWL¿HG WUXH FRS\ RI GRFXPHQWV LQ VXSSRUW RI WKH GDWD VWDWHG LQ WKH CV; and

2018-12-026

The schedule of key procurement activities are as follows:

Data

B. Five (5) photocopies of the following documents must be submitted to the Search Committee for Private Sector Representative (SCPSR) Secretariat:

2018-12-025

(SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

7KH IROORZLQJ DUH WKH UHTXLUHG PLQLPXP TXDOL¿FDWLRQV DQG GRFXPHQWDU\ requirements:

3.

2018-12-024

Very truly yours,

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 27, 2019

Must have knowledge, expertise and depth and breadth of experience to the deliberations and work of the Governing Board;

2018-12-022

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

The 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 1RUWKHUQ 3KLOLSSLQHV %RDUG RI 5HJHQWV formally and publicly announces that the Search for Private Sector Representative in the Governing Board is now open.

2.

2018-11-020

Location GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex and Guarded vacant lot of Pasay City Government at Macapagal Blvd., near Mall of Asia, Pasay City Unserviceable Motor Vehicles Guarded vacant lot of Pasay City Government at Macapagal Blvd., near Mall of Asia, Pasay City Unserviceable Equipment Storage room at DepEd, Pasay City Division Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex and Doña Nena Health Center Minimum Bid Offer P 149,707.64 Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex Unserviceable Equipment and Motor GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Vehicles Complex Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex and Guarded vacant lot of Pasay City Government at Macapagal Blvd., near Mall of Asia, Pasay City Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex Unserviceable Equipment GSO Storage at Pasay City Sports Complex Minimum Bid Offer P 21,989.30

INVITATION TO BID

Dear Mr. Fernandez:

â&#x20AC;¢

Must be resident of the place where the main or external campus is located at least six (6) months prior to the submission of application or native of Ilocos Sur though working outside the province;

B

MR. ANTHONY LOUEN R. FERNANDEZ Legal & Regulatory Dept.

Smart Communications, Inc. 6799 Ayala Avenue, Makati City

â&#x20AC;¢ â&#x20AC;¢

1.

2018-12-023

07 January 2019

Subject further, to the condition that SMART shall comply with the NTC Memorandum Circulars and Order, as follows:

$ $SSOLFDQWV PXVW SRVVHVV WKH IROORZLQJ PLQLPXP TXDOL¿FDWLRQV

2018-11-021

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION NTC Building, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City Email: ntc@ntc.gov.ph; website: http://www.ntc.gov.ph

The mechanics of the promo are as follows:

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 27, 2019

2018-10-019

Particulars Unserviceable Equipment and Salvageable Materials

&ODLPV VKDOO EH PDGH DIWHU WKH ELG SULFH LV IXOO\ SDLG DV HYLGHQFHG E\ DQ 2I¿FLDO 5HFHLSW DQG VKDOO EH PDGH GXULQJ RI¿FLDO JRYHUQPHQW ZRUNLQJ KRXUV ZLWK UHSUHVHQWDWLYH IURP WKH *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH ZLWKLQ WKUHH ZRUNLQJ GD\V upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed.

The promo is intended for peer-to-peer and non-commercial use only.

%LGGLQJ ZLOO EH FRQGXFWHG WKURXJK RSHQ FRPSHWLWLYH ELGGLQJ SURFHGXUHV XVLQJ D QRQ GLVFUHWLRQDU\ ³SDVV IDLO´ FULWHULRQ DV VSHFL¿HG LQ WKH ,PSOHPHQWLQJ 5XOHV DQG 5HJXODWLRQV ,55 RI 5HSXEOLF $FW 5$ RWKHUZLVH NQRZQ DV WKH ³*RYHUQPHQW 3URFXUHPHQW 5HIRUP $FW´ Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

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OFFICE OF BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

IIRUP Number 2018-10-018

,Q OLQH ZLWK WKH WKUXVW RI WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR ORZHU WHOHFRPPXQLFDWLRQV VHUYLFH UDWHV IRU WKH EHQH¿W RI the Filipino consumers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW), the Commission hereby approves Sun *LJD 6XUI )DPLO\ 3URPR ([WHQVLRQ QDWLRQZLGH IURP )HEUXDU\ WR -XQH . The approval is subject to the condition that should DMPI decide not to extend the promo, it shall seek approval of the Commission within ten (10) days prior to the date of discontinuance and notice to the SXEOLF VKDOO EH SXEOLVKHG LQ D QHZVSDSHU RI JHQHUDO FLUFXODWLRQ DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V SULRU WR WKH GDWH of discontinuance. The notice should be posted in all business centers of DMPI.

Promo SRP Validity Open Access Data

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Republic of the Philippines Pasay City Metro Manila OFFICE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR

09 January 2019

Access Code 5HSXEOLF RI WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE Capitol Boac, Marinduque

WEDNESDAY February 27, 2019

SURFSAYA99 99 7 days 1500MB Open Access 100MB/day of Facebook & Messenger Unlimited All-net Unlimited to SMART/TNT/SUN Dial *121# and choose SURFSAYA99 or TEXT SURFSAYA99/SAYA 20 to 4545

Failure to comply with any of the foregoing requirements is a ground for automatic GLVTXDOL¿FDWLRQ RI D ELGGHU 7KH &LW\ *RYHUQPHQW RI /HJD]SL UHVHUYHV WKH ULJKW WR accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process , and/to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder/s.

For further information, please refer to: Ms. KRISTINE M. TORRES Head, BAC Secretariat *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2I¿FH &LW\ *RYHUQPHQW RI /HJD]SL City Hall Compound, Legazpi City e-mail add: sec_gso@yahoo.com ATTY. MARIETTA B. CLEDERA BAC Chairman

MT - Feb. 27, 2019

Retailer STK Menu, Retailer Keyword Selling, TNT Online Store

7KH FRQQHFWLRQ VSHHG IRU PRELOH GDWD LV XS WR D PD[LPXP RI 0ESV ZKHUH DQG ZKHQ DYDLODEOH 0LQLPXP VSHHG LV NESV DYDLODEOH RI WKH WLPH $FWXDO VSHHG H[SHULHQFH ZLOO GHSHQG RQ WKH GHYLFH XVHG QHWZRUN VLJQDO GHWHFWHG FXUUHQW VXEVFULEHU WUDI¿F SUHYDLOLQJ HQYLURQPHQWDO FRQGLWLRQV DQG WKH JHRJUDSK\ RI WKH DUHD ZKHUH WKH VXEVFULEHU LV ORFDWHG The mechanics of the promo are as follows: 1.

2.

The promo is available to TNT subscribers nationwide To register, subscribers must dial *122# and choose any SURFSAYA package. SMS keyword registration is also available. Example: SURFSAYA20 send to 4545.

8SRQ VXFFHVVIXO UHJLVWUDWLRQ WKH VXEVFULEHU ZLOO UHFHLYH D QRWL¿FDWLRQ WKDW KH VKH KDV EHHQ registered to the package.

4. Data usage of non-Facebook/ messenger apps and sites shall be charged to open access data allocation of the package.

5. Simultaneous registration to surfsaya packages is allowed. However, subscriber will only be credited once of the 100MB/day of Facebook and Messenger data allocation.

Example: if SURFSAYA30 and SURFSAYA99 were registered simultaneously, the additional data dedicated for FB and Messenger would still be 100mb/day.

6. Concurrent availment is allowed and the longest validity period shall be applied.

7. The data allocation for Facebook/Messenger will refresh every 12 midnight as long as the availed package/s is not yet expired or has been fully consumed. $OO LQYDOLG VFHQDULRV L H LQVXI¿FLHQW EDODQFH LQYDOLG % QXPEHU HWF ZLOO WULJJHU DQ 606 QRWL¿FDWLRQ to the subscriber and existing charging rules apply. Deduct from free SMS then to airtime.

9. Promo is not available to roaming and internationals subscribers.

10. All queries or complaints that may arise from these promos shall be attended by hotline number *888.

The promo is intended for peer-to-peer and non-commercial use only Subject further, to the condition that SMART shall comply with the NTC Memorandum Circulars and Order, as follows: â&#x20AC;¢ Memorandum Order No. 07-07-2011, Minimum Speed of Broadband Connections. â&#x20AC;¢ Memorandum Circular No. 07-08-2015, Rules on the Measurement of Fixed Broadband/Internet Access Service â&#x20AC;¢ Memorandum Circular No. 10-12-2016, Rules on the Measurement of Mobile Broadband/Internet Access Service â&#x20AC;¢ Memorandum Order No. 03-06-2009, Service Performance Standards for the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service.

Very truly yours, (SGD.) EDGARDO V. CABARIOS Deputy Commissioner

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 27, 2019

EDITORS AND DESKMEN Competencies â&#x20AC;¢ Excellent command of written and spoken English â&#x20AC;¢ Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline (e.g. political science or economics with journalism experience) â&#x20AC;¢ Experience in editing news, analytical reports and columns â&#x20AC;¢ Strong news judgment and familiarity with local issues, as well as an understanding of relevant world affairs â&#x20AC;¢ $ELOLW\ WR ZULWH DQG HGLW ZLWK Ã&#x20AC;DLU DQG VSHHG WR PHHW WLJKW deadlines â&#x20AC;¢ )DPLOLDU ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2I¿FH VRFLDO PHGLD DQG VHDUFK HQJLQHV â&#x20AC;¢ Ability to lead and organize a team well â&#x20AC;¢ Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization Please email your resumé at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at 2/F Sitio Grande Bldg., 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila (Formerly TRB Bldg.), or you may call Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.