THE MANILA TIMES | JANUARY 28, 2019

Q1 spending slashed due to budget delay

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•• 4 SECTIONS PAGES • VOL. 120 NO. 108 28

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2019

DoJ, SolGen seek Trillanes’ arrest over amnesty case 4(% $EPARTMENT OF *USTICE $O* AND THE /FkCE OF THE 3OLICITOR 'ENERAL /3' ARE NOT DONE YET WITH 3EN !NTONIO 4RILLANES TH ON THE ISSUE OF REVOCATION OF HIS AMNESTY AND SOUGHT HIS ARREST WITHOUT BAIL ON COUP D ETAT CHARGES 4HE SOLICITOR GENERAL S OFkCE HAD ELEVATED TO THE #OURT OF !PPEALS #! ITS BID TO REVIVE THE COUP D ETAT CASE AGAINST 4RILLANES FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE /AKWOOD MUTINY

EXCLUSIVE

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Trusted since 1898

MILITARY BLAMES ABU SAYYAF

Jolo Cathedral bombed; 20 killed, 81 wounded J

³ArrestA8

OLO, Sulu: 20 people were killed and 81 injured in two blasts that targeted Sunday Mass at the Catholic cathedral of Jolo in Sulu, a hotbed of Islamist extremists.

P38-B passport crony deal a conspiracy orchestrated at Yellow regime’s highest levels

T

(% SECRETIVE

HIGHLY ANOMALOUS TURNOVER BY A GOVERNMENT kRM TO A CRONY COMPANY OF THE 0 BILLION MONOPOLY CONTRACT TO PRINT 0HILIPPINE PASSPORTS UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WAS A CONSPIRACY THAT INVOLVED SEVERAL STATE ENTITIES THE #OMMISSION ON !UDIT HAS INDICATED ³TiglaoA4

4HE kRST BOMB EXPLODED AT ABOUT A M INSIDE /UR ,ADY OF -OUNT #ARMEL #ATHEDRAL AS THE LITURGY WAS UNDERWAY

KILLING MOST OF THE CIVILIAN FATALITIES WHOSE BODIES WERE STREWN ACROSS THE GROUND 4HE DOOR PEWS AND GLASS WINDOWS OF THE CATHEDRAL WERE BLOWN OFF

RIG RRIGOBERTO IGG DD. TIGLAO

We did it in Mindanao, can we do the next one?

³BombedA2

BY ARLO CUSTODIO

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

TERROR IN JOLO

Photo released by the Western Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows the aftermath of the twin blasts at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday. At least 20 people were killed in the explosions, just days after a regional referendum for a new Muslim autonomous region.

What’s inside SECOND BOL PLEBISCITE ‘DIFFERENT’ NewsA2 PESO STABILITY RELIES ON DUTERTE’S INFRASTRUCTURE SUCCESS

Dan SteinbockA4

DURANT SIZZLES AS WARRIORS WIN 10TH STRAIGHT SportsC1

! SECOND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE )%$ LEFT IN THE UTILITY BOX OF A MOTORCYCLE IN THE PARKING AREA OUTSIDE THE CHURCH WENT OFF AS SOLDIERS RESPONDED TO THE SCENE A MILITARY REPORT SAID /F THE FATALITIES kVE WERE SOLDIERS &OURTEEN MILITARY

Karen Gallman wins PH’s first Miss Intercontinental crown

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FIRST

CLOSE THINGS TO TWO MILLION &ILIFIRST PINOS RATIFIED THE /RGANIC ,AW CREATING THE "ANGSAMORO !UTOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO "!2-- THEREBY ENDING MORE THAN YEARS OF STRUGGLE FOR REGIONAL AUTONOMY WAGED THROUGH SIX 0HILIPPINE PRESIDENCIES kRST BY THE -ORO .ATIONAL ,IBERATION &RONT -.,& UNDER #HAIRMAN .UR -ISUARI AND kNALLY

BY THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT -),& UNDER #HAIRMAN (ASHIM 3ALAMAT SUCCEEDED BY -URAD %BRAHIM ³TatadA5

BY DEMPSEY REYES

FOR 25 YEARS, THE SAG AWARDS HAVE BEEN ‘THE ACTORS’ PARTY’

EntertainmentD1

Pope: Church wounded in sin PANAMA CITY: 0OPE &RANCIS WOUND UP A GLOBAL GATHERING OF YOUNG #ATHOLICS ON 3UNDAY WITH A GIANT OPEN AIR -ASS FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PILGRIMS BEFORE LEAVING 0ANAMA 4HE 0OPE ON 3ATURDAY ADMITTED THE #HURCH HAD BEEN gWOUNDEDu BY A DEEPENING CLERGY SEX ABUSE CRISIS IN A HOMILY ADDRESSED TO PRIESTS AND SEMINARIANS REELING FROM SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDALS AND COVERUPS #ELEBRATING -ASS AT THE LANDMARK #ATHEDRAL

OF 3ANTA -ARIA ,A !NTIGUA IN 0ANAMA #ITY &RANCIS WARNED OF THE gWEARINESS OF HOPE THAT COMES FROM SEEING A #HURCH WOUNDED BY SIN WHICH HAS SO OFTEN FAILED TO HEAR ALL THOSE CRIES u !T A LUNCH MEETING WITH YOUNG PILGRIMS

&RANCIS SAID SEX ABUSE

BY THE CLERGY WAS gA HORRIBLE CRIME u ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE GUESTS ,ATER AT A MASSIVE VIGIL THAT THE ORGANIZERS SAID DREW PILGRIMS THE 0OPE CALLED

³SinA2 REACH US AT:

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

FILIPINO-AUSTRALIAN Karen Gallman won the Philippines’ first Miss Intercontinental crown in the pageant’s 47-year history on Saturday held at the SM Mall of Asia (MoA) Arena, beating 82 other candidates.

Her runners-up were Misses Costa Rica, Colombia, Slovak Republic, Vietnam and Ethiopia, in that order.

³WinsA8

THE WAIT IS OVER

Karen Gallman makes history for being the first ever Filipina to win the Miss Intercontinental crown. The Philippine bet stunned more than 80 candidates from all over the world during the coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Saturday.

PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

A2

News

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY January 28, 2019

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COMELEC:

Second BOL plebiscite ‘different’ T

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

HE second plebiscite that will be held next month would decide on the inclusion of several areas in the soon-to-be established Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Barmm), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

#OMELEC SPOKESMAN *AMES *IMENEZ MADE THE CLARIFICATION OVER THE WEEKEND SAYING THE SECOND PLEBISCITE SCHEDULED ON &EBRUARY WOULD ONLY BE FOR AREAS THAT SUBMITTED PETITIONS FOR VOLUNTARY INCLUSION IN THE "ARMM g4HIS IS DIFFERENT )N &EBRUARY IT S ONLY AN INCLUSION QUESTION WHETHER A CERTAIN AREA WANTS TO JOIN ;THE "ARMM= OR NOT u *IMENEZ ADDED 4HE &EBRUARY PLEBISCITE COVERS ,ANAO DEL .ORTE EXCEPT )LI-

GAN #ITY THE MUNICIPALITIES OF "ALOI -ONAI .UNUNGAN 0ANTAR

4AGUILOWAN AND 0ANGKAL AND THE TOWNS OF !LEOSAN #ARMEN

+ABACAN -IDSAYAP 0IKIT AND 0IGKAWAYAN INCLUDING 4OLANAN

ALL IN .ORTH #OTABATO 4HE *ANUARY PLEBISCITE WAS FOR THE RATIkCATION OF 2EPUBLIC !CT 2!

OR THE g/RGANIC ,AW FOR THE "ANGSAMORO !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAOu BY VOTERS OF THE kVE PROVINCES COMPRISING THE

EXISTING !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO !2-- VOTING AS ONE AND FOR THE INCLUSION OF #OTABATO #ITY AND )SABELA #ITY AND FOR "ASILAN PROVINCE IF IT WANTED )SABELA #ITY TO BE PART OF "ARMM 4HE #OMMISSION ON %LECTIONS EN BANC SITTING AS THE .ATIONAL 0LEBISCITE "OARD OF #ANVASSERS .0"#

PROCLAIMED 2! AS DEEMED RATIkED AFTER GARNERING MAJORITY OF THE VOTES CAST IN THE !2-- 4HE .0"# ALSO PROCLAIMED #OTA-

BATO #ITY TO BE PART OF THE "ARMM

WHILE )SABELA #ITY WAS PROCLAIMED AS NOT PART OF THE "ARMM 7ITH THE RATIFICATION OF THE "ARMM THE EXISTING !2-- IS TECHNICALLY ABOLISHED 4HE "ARMM S TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION COVERS THE WHOLE !2--

INCLUDING #OTABATO #ITY AND THE REST OF THE AREAS THAT WILL FAVOR THEIR INCLUSION TO THE NEW AUTONOMOUS REGION AFTER THE &EBRUARY PLEBISCITE

GMA seeks extra P10-B DoH budget 30%!+%2 'LORIA -ACAPAGAL !RROYO HAS ASKED THE BICAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO INCREASE THE BUDGET FOR THE $EPARTMENT OF (EALTH $O( UNDER THE 'ENERAL !PPROPRIATIONS !CT BY 0 BILLION TO IMPROVE HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COUNTRY g4HERE SHOULD BE CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO OUR HEALTH SECTOR BECAUSE THE $O( PLAYS A VERY CRUCIAL AND FRONTLINE ROLE IN THE NEVER ENDING NEED FOR SUFFICIENT AND TIMELY

HEALTHCARE ESPECIALLY IN OUR POOR COMMUNITIES )T NEEDS ALL THE FUNDING SUPPORT IT COULD GET ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE PASSAGE OF THE 5NIVERSAL (EALTH #ARE BILL u !RROYO SAID ON 3UNDAY 3HE ADDED THAT SHE HAD PERSONALLY ASKED 2OLANDO !NDAYA *R BICAMERAL CONFERENCE CO CHAIRMAN AND (OUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TO ALLOT AN ADDITIONAL 0 BILLION FOR HEALTH FACILITIES TO UPGRADE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS AND VILLAGE

HEALTH CENTERS !NOTHER 0 BILLION !RROYO SAID

WOULD ALSO BE SET ASIDE FOR HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO RETAIN AROUND HEALTH PERSONNEL INCLUDING DOCTORS NURSES AND DENTISTS IN GOVERNMENT HEALTH FACILITIES (EALTH 3ECRETARY &RANCISCO $UQUE RD EARLIER SAID THAT ABOUT 0 BILLION WAS NEEDED TO PUT UP OVER

HEALTH FACILITIES NATIONWIDE !RROYO ALSO PREVIOUSLY SOUGHT A BUDGET INCREASE OF 0 BILLION FOR

THE $EPARTMENT OF !GRICULTURE AND 0 MILLION FOR THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS TO PROVIDE AID TO FARMERS AND URBAN POOR HOUSING BENEkCIARIES

RESPECTIVELY 4HE BUDGET BICAMERAL PANEL IS EXPECTED TO RECONVENE ON -ONDAY TO IRON OUT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN VERSIONS OF THE TWO CHAMBERS ON THE PROPOSED 0 TRILLION NATIONAL BUDGET FOR GLEE JALEA

Q BOMBED FROM A1

Jolo Cathedral bombed; 20 killed, 81 wounded MEN WERE WOUNDED ALONG WITH TWO POLICEMEN AND CIVILIANS 4HE ARMY SAID IT AIRLIFTED SOME OF THE WOUNDED TO THE NEARBY CITY OF :AMBOANGA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT !UTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY POINTED TO THE NOTORIOUS !BU 3AYYAF KIDNAP FOR RANSOM GROUP AS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLASTS g7HEN YOU TALK ABOUT TERRORISM IN 3ULU THE PRIMARY SUSPECT IS ALWAYS THE ;!BU 3AYYAF= BUT WE ARE NOT DISCOUNTING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE ARE OTHER PERPETRATORS u ,T #OL 'ERRY "ESANA SPOKESMAN OF THE MILITARY S 7ESTERN -INDANAO #OMMAND TOLD !GENCE &RANCE 0RESSE !&0 0ALACE SPOKESMAN 3ALVADOR 0ANELO CONDEMNED THE INCIDENT AS AN gACT OF TERRORISM AND MURDER u g7E WILL PURSUE TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH THE RUTHLESS PERPETRATORS BEHIND THIS DASTARDLY CRIME UNTIL EVERY KILLER IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AND PUT BEHIND BARS 4HE LAW WILL GIVE THEM NO MERCY u HE SAID IN A STATEMENT 4HE BOMBINGS HAPPENED DESPITE AN EXTENDED MARTIAL RULE IN THE WHOLE OF SOUTHERN 0HILIPPINES

AND THE ATTACKS ONLY SHOWED HOW POOR THE SECURITY WAS IN THE CAPITAL OF 3ULU $R &AHRA 4AN /MAR CHIEF OF THE *OLO 0UBLIC (OSPITAL IDENTIkED SOME OF THE FATALITIES AS 2OMULO 2EYES

AND WIFE $AISY $OLORES 3ARMIENTO 4AN &E .ON

#ECILIA 3ANCHES *ULIET *AIME #ECILIA DELA #RUZ

2EYNALDO 0ESCADERA 3R !LBA 0ERPETUA "IBING 0ERPETUA

AND 2IDZMAR -UKADIK

Peace spoilers?

4HE TWIN BLASTS CAME SIX DAYS AFTER THE PLEBISCITE ON THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW "/, WHICH RESIDENTS OF THE !UTONOMOUS 2EGION IN -USLIM -INDANAO !2-- VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO APPROVE 3ULU ONE OF THE FIVE !2-- PROVINCES HOWEVER VOTED gNOu TO THE "/, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE !2-- WITH A NEW "ANGSAMORO AUTONOMOUS REGION "ARMM WITH GREATER POWERS AND MORE kNANCIAL RESOURCES AS PART OF A PEACE DEAL WITH THE -ORO )SLAMIC ,IBERATION &RONT 4HE GOVERNOR OF 3ULU !BDUSAKUR g4OTOu 4AN ND PREFERS A SEPARATE REGION FOR THE NATIVES OF 3ULU THE 4AUSUGS AND HAD PETITIONED THE 3UPREME #OURT TO DECLARE THE "/, UNCONSTITUTIONAL )N THE 3ULU "/, PLEBISCITE

VOTED gNO u WHILE THE gYESu VOTES REACHED

$ESPITE 3ULU S VOTE THE PROVINCE IS LEGALLY REQUIRED TO JOIN "ANGSAMORO REGION BECAUSE VOTERS FROM ACROSS THE EXISTING

TAKING THE TASK

Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta (left) poses for a photo with Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin after he was assigned as working chairman of the Committee on the Revision of the Rules of Court.

SC’s Peralta to lead Rules of Court revision

TRAGEDY

Rescuers attend to a victim after a twin explosion struck the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, on Sunday morning, just days after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTERN MINDANAO COMMAND

!2-- REGION VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT ON THE WHOLE 3UNDAY S BOMBING ALSO CAME AFTER A .EW 9EAR S %VE BLAST IN #OTABATO #ITY THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE AND WOUNDED OTHERS #OTABATO #ITY LAST WEEK VOTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW AUTONOMOUS REGION 4HE TIMING OF 3UNDAY S BOMBS RAISED QUESTIONS ON WHETHER THE ATTACK WAS MEANT TO DERAIL THE PEACE PROCESS WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE HARDLINE )SLAMIST FACTIONS -UJIV (ATAMAN !2-- GOVERNOR SAID THE BLASTS HIGHLIGHTED THE URGENCY OF IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE DEAL g4ERRORISTS WANT TO MAKE THEIR PRESENCE KNOWN ) HOPE THE ;LAW= IS IMPLEMENTED WELL SO IT COULD BE A SOLUTION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF TERRORISM u (ATAMAN TOLD !&0 'OVERNOR 4AN CONDEMNED THE BLASTS g7E ARE STRONGLY CONDEMNING THIS EVIL ACT AND WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO HELP THOSE INJURED /UR AUTHORITIES ARE ON TOP OF THE SITUATION u HE SAID ! #OTABATO #ITY BASED MEMBER OF THE /BLATES OF -ARY )MMACULATE THAT MINISTERS IN *OLO

&R %LISEO -ERCADO *R SAID g7HY HAS THE WAR GONE DOWN TO BARBARITY "OMBING SACRED PLACES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP #AN THE LEADERSHIP NOT STOP IT u !LIH 3AKALURAN !IYUB OF THE .ATIONAL 5LAMA #OUNCIL OF THE 0HILIPPINES SAID THE BOMBING OF

THE *OLO #ATHEDRAL SHOULD BE CONDEMNED BY EVERYONE

No connection yet !RMED &ORCES CHIEF 'EN "ENJAMIN -ADRIGAL SAID THAT THE TWIN EXPLOSIONS CONNECTION TO THE "/, REFERENDUM HAD YET TO BE ESTABLISHED g7E STILL CANNOT DETERMINE IF THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE "/, AND WHOEVER THE PERPETRATOR IS u HE TOLD REPORTERS IN A PHONE INTERVIEW g7E WILL LOOK IN THE SIGNATURE OF THE )%$ ;TO DETERMINE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE= WHAT KIND OF )%$ WAS USED IF IT IS THE SAME AS WITH THE TERRORISTS AND OF COURSE IF THERE IS AN INlUENCE FROM OTHER GROUPS u -ADRIGAL ADDED .ATIONAL 3ECURITY !DVISER (ERMOGENES %SPERON *R SAID HE WAS HOPING THE "/, WOULD BRING PEACE TO -INDANAO EVEN AFTER THE EXPLOSIONS g7E HAVE YET TO ESTABLISH IF THE TWO EXPLOSIONS ARE RELATED TO THEw "/, 4HE "/, ENDS THE SECESSIONIST NARRATIVE 4HE "/, SIGNIkES THE END OF WAR FOR SECESSION )T STANDS FOR PEACE IN -INDANAO u %SPERON SAID IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT g7E WILL NOT ALLOW THEM THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLAST TO SPOIL THE PREFERENCE OF THE PEOPLE FOR PEACE 3ECURITY FORCES HAVE TIGHTENED UP THE SYSTEMS TO SECURE 3ULU AND THE REST OF "ARMM u HE ADDED $EFENSE 3ECRETARY $ELFIN ,O-

RENZANA ORDERED MILITARY FORCES TO HEIGHTEN SECURITY IN PLACES OF WORSHIP AND OTHER PUBLIC PLACES ACROSS 3ULU PROVINCE 4HE INCIDENT ALSO CAME DAYS AFTER THE ENCOUNTER OF MILITARY FORCES IN ,ANAO DEL 3UR WITH )SLAMIC 3TATE INSPIRED -AUTE GROUP UNDER /WAYDA "ENITO -AROHOMBSAR ALIAS !BU $AR WHO FLED 4HREE TERRORISTS WERE KILLED AND THREE SOLDIERS WOUNDED 0REVIOUS ATTACKS ON CHURCHES WERE LARGELY BLAMED BY THE AUTHORITIES TO THE !BU 3AYYAF A SMALL BUT THE MOST NOTORIOUS AMONG REBEL GROUPS OPERATING IN THE TROUBLED REGION )N $ECEMBER !BU 3AYYAF MILITANTS BOMBED ANOTHER CHURCH INSIDE THE POLICE BASE IN *OLO AND KILLED AT LEAST SIX WORSHIPERS 4HE MILITANTS SCALED THE CHURCH WALL UNDETECTED UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS PLANTED THE BOMB AND WAITED THE NEXT MORNING BEFORE DETONATING THE POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE DURING -ASS 4WO PEOPLE WERE ALSO KILLED AND OTHERS WOUNDED WHEN MILITANTS DETONATED A HUGE BOMB PLANTED OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL IN *ULY ! SECOND BOMB WAS FOUND NEAR THE CHURCH AND HAS BEEN DISARMED BY &ILIPINO AND 53 TROOPS HELPING THE MILITARY kGHT TERRORISM WITH AL JACINTO IN PAGADIAN CITY, JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL IN COTABATO CITY, FRANCIS EARL CUETO IN MANILA, AFP AND AP

4(% 3UPREME #OURT 3# HAS TAPPED !SSOCIATE *USTICE $IOSDADO 0ERALTA TO LEAD A REVISION OF THE 2ULES OF #OURT 0ERALTA WILL SIT AS CHAIRMAN OF A COMMITTEE TASKED WITH UPDATING THE RULES WHICH SHALL GUIDE JUDGES AND LAWYERS IN THEIR PRACTICE OF THE LAW PROFESSION #HIEF *USTICE ,UCAS "ERSAMIN SAID THE #OMMITTEE ON THE 2EVISION OF THE 2ULES OF #OURT gIS THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL THE COMMITTEES IN THE 3UPREME #OURT u EXPLAINING THAT ASIDE FROM DECIDING CASES UPDATING THE 2ULES OF #OURT gIS VERY BASIC IF NOT THE OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE #OURT UNDER THE #ONSTITUTION u "ERSAMIN TOLD AN AUDIENCE AT THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS 534 IN -ANILA THAT HE gCANNOT ENTRUST THIS COMMITTEE TO ANY OTHER PERSON EXCEPT TO THE MOST COMPETENT AND THAT IS NO OTHER THAN A 4HOMASIAN *USTICE 0ERALTA u 534 ALUMNI ARE REFERRED TO AS 4HOMASIANS 4HE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID HE WANTED TO UPDATE THE gPROCEDURAL RULES TO MAKE THEM EMBODY AND BE ATTUNED TO THE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS u WHICH REVISION TOPS HIS INITIAL FOUR POINT AGENDA FOR THE JUDICIARY "ERSAMIN ADDED THAT THE CURRENT 2ULES OF #OURT gSTILL CONTAIN PROVISIONS THAT INSTITUTIONALIZE DELAYS u (E PROMISED THAT HE gWILL MAKE THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM RESPONSIVE TO THE PUBLIC NEED FOR QUICK DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE u 0ERALTA HAS ACCEPTED THE JOB AND ASSURED THAT THE REVISED 2ULES OF #OURT IN #IVIL 0ROCEDURE WOULD

BE COMPLETED BY THE THIRD QUARTER OF (E SAID HE WAS LOOKING AT gSIMPLIFYING RULES IN CIVIL PROCEDURE

INCLUDING AMENDING THE RULES ON EVIDENCE PLEADINGS AND REGLAMENTARY PERIOD u 0ERALTA ADDED THAT gALL PLEADINGS MUST BE EVIDENTIARY IN NATURE

AND THERE MUST BE FASTER SERVICE OF SUMMONS u 4HE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ARE 3UPREME #OURT *USTICES &RANCIS *ARDELEZA !LFREDO "ENJAMIN #AGUIOA AND !LEXANDER 'ESMUNDO !LSO INCLUDED AS MEMBERS ARE *USTICE 3ECRETARY -ENARDO 'UEVARRA 0HILIPPINE *UDICIAL !CADEMY #HANCELLOR !DOLFO !ZCUNA AND 6ICE #HANCELLOR 2OMEO #ALLEJO 3R AND LAW PROFESSORS &RANCIS %D ,IM

4RANQUIL 3ALVADOR RD AND !MADOR 4OLENTINO *R 0ERALTA HAS BEEN AN ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE COURT FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS (E WAS TWICE SHORTLISTED BY THE *UDICIAL AND "AR #OUNCIL FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF JUSTICE WHEN "ERSAMIN AND 4ERESITA DE #ASTRO WERE SUCCESSIVELY APPOINTED 0ERALTA WAS ALSO A FORMER MAGISTRATE OF THE ANTI GRAFT COURT 3ANDIGANBAYAN AND LATER ON BECAME ITS PRESIDING JUSTICE (E SERVED AT THE 2EGIONAL 4RIAL #OURT OF 1UEZON #ITY AND BECAME NOTED THERE AFTER SENTENCING TO TWO LIFE TERMS THE kRST PLUNDERER IN THE 0HILIPPINES $OMINGA -ANALILI 0ERALTA WAS ALSO A PROSECUTOR OF ,AOAG #ITY )LOCOS .ORTE AND -ANILA AND IS A NOTED CRIMINAL LAW EXPERT IN THE COUNTRY JOMAR CANLAS

Q SIN FROM A1

HE SAID WAS A REGIONAL gPLAGUEu OF MURDERS OF WOMEN )N A SWIPE AT 53 0RESIDENT $ONALD 4RUMP S PLANS TO BUILD A BORDER WALL AGAINST MIGRANTS THE 0OPE SAID AT A GIANT PRAYER MEETING ON 3ATURDAY THAT IT WAS gSENSELESSu TO CONDEMN EVERY IMMIGRANT gAS A THREAT TO SOCIETY u $URING THAT -ASS &RANCIS CONSECRATED A NEW ALTAR AT THE RESTORED BASILICA RUBBING IT DOWN WITH HOLY OIL AND BLESSING IT IN A SOLEMN CEREMONY )NSTALLED IN THE ALTAR WERE THE RELICS OF THREE ,ATIN !MERICAN SAINTS

INCLUDING /SCAR 2OMERO ‡ THE 3AN 3ALVADOR ARCHBISHOP MURDERED WHILE GIVING MASS BY A FAR RIGHT HIT SQUAD IN %L 3ALVADOR IN ‡ WHO WAS MADE A SAINT BY &RANCIS LAST YEAR AFP

Pope ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO REJECT THE TEMPTATION TO LIVE THEIR LIVES ONLINE AND URGED THEM TO GET INVOLVED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ,IFE WAS NOT gIN THE CLOUD WAITING TO BE DOWNLOADED A NEW APP TO BE DISCOVERED OR A TECHNIQUE OF MENTAL SELF IMPROVEMENT u THE 0ONTIFF SAID DURING HIS GRANDFATHERLY DISCOURSE 4HE !RGENTINE 0OPE HAS USED HIS ENCOUNTER WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN #ENTRAL !MERICA TO SPEAK OUT REPEATEDLY IN DEFENSE OF MIGRANTS

AND ADDRESS OTHER PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE REGION SUCH AS POVERTY

DRUG TRAFkCKING VIOLENCE AND WHAT

News Marriage without Manila Bay a license rehab begins

˜ The Manila Times

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Dear PAO, My husband and I got married in 1998. The marriage did not last long and we eventually separated. As far as I can remember, the marriage was solemnized by a pastor. I just affixed my signature on the marriage contract on the date of marriage and my husband was the one who procured the marriage license. I discovered upon further verification that the marriage license was not really issued by the concerned local civil registrar. The latter issued A CERTIkCATION THAT NO SUCH MARriage license was found in the record despite diligent search.

Do I have enough proof just in case I will question the validity of my marriage?

Berthgeline Dear Berthgeline, It appears that your marriage was celebrated without a marriage license. Under Article 3 of the Family Code of the Philippines, the formal requisites of marriage are the following: “(1) Authority of the solemNIZING OFkCER (2) A valid marriage license except in the cases provided for IN #HAPTER OF THIS 4ITLE AND (3) A marriage ceremony which takes place with the appearance of the contracting parties before the solemnizing officer and their personal declaration that they take each other as husband and wife in the presence of not less than two witnesses of legal age�.

Relative thereto, Article 4 of the said law provides that “the absence of any of the essential or formal requisites shall render the marriage void ab initio, except as stated in Article 35 (2). Xxx xxx xxx�

The absence of the marriage license would render your marRIAGE VOID 4HE CERTIkCATE ISSUED by the local civil registrar that the marriage license cannot be located in their records despite diligent efforts is sufficient to prove the lack of a marriage liCENSE 4HIS kNDS SUPPORT IN THE case of Republic of the Philippines vs. Court of Appeals and Castro (GR 103047, Sept. 2, 1994), where the Supreme Court through former chief justice Reynato S. Puno stated that: “We hold otherwise. The preSENTATION OF SUCH CERTIkCATION IN court is sanctioned by Section 29, Rule 132 of the Rules of Court, viz.: Sec. 29. Proof of lack of record. — A written statement signed by AN OFkCER HAVING CUSTODY OF AN OFkCIAL RECORD OR BY HIS DEPUTY

that after diligent search, no reCORD OR ENTRY OF A SPECIkED TENOR

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA

is found to exist in the records OF HIS OFkCE ACCOMPANIED BY A CERTIkCATE AS ABOVE PROVIDED IS admissible as evidence that the RECORDS OF HIS OFkCE CONTAIN NO such record or entry.

The above Rule authorized the custodian of documents to certify that despite diligent search, a particular document DOES NOT EXIST IN HIS OFkCE OR that a particular entry of a specikED TENOR WAS NOT TO BE FOUND in a register. As custodians of public documents, civil regisTRARS ARE PUBLIC OFkCERS CHARGED with the duty, inter alia, of maintaining a register book where they are required to enter all applications for marriage licenses, including the names of the applicants, the date the marriage license was issued and such other relevant data.

4HE CERTIkCATION OF @DUE SEARCH AND INABILITY TO kND ISSUED BY the civil registrar of Pasig enjoys probative value, he being the OFkCER CHARGED UNDER THE LAW TO keep a record of all data relative to the issuance of a marriage license. Unaccompanied by any circumstance of suspicion and pursuant to Section 29, Rule 132 of the Rules of Court A CERTIkCATE of “due search and inability to find� sufficiently proved that HIS OFkCE DID NOT ISSUE MARRIAGE license 3196182 to the contracting parties.�

Applying the above-quoted decision in your situation, the CERTIkCATION ISSUED BY THE LOCAL civil registrar that the marriage license does not exist on record despite due search enjoys probative value since he is the OFkCER CHARGED UNDER THE LAW to keep a record of all data relative to the issuance of marriage license. Please take note also that the above stated rule is now covered by Section 28, Rule 132 of the 1997 Revised Rules of Court.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

%DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A daily column of the Public AttorNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF Acosta may be sent to dearpao@ manilatimes.net

MONDAY January 28, 2019

A3

3 restaurants ordered closed

BY CATHERINE A. MODESTO

T

HOUSANDS of volunteers descended on Manila Bay on Sunday, the start of a massive rehabilitation scheme that aims to restore the bay’s “beauty and bounty.�

As the clean-up unfolded, the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) ordered the closure of three restaurants in Manila for polluting the bay.

Several Cabinet members joined volunteers and government workers COLLECT TRASH ON THE kRST LEG OF A REHAbilitation program seen to last years.

Similar clean-up activities were held in Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, Interior Secretary Eduardo AĂąo, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, national police chief Oscar Albayalde, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat, Information and Communications Technology acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim joined the early morning solidarity MARCH FROM THE 1UIRINO 'RANDstand in Manila to Baywalk.

Indonesian expatriates and students also lent a hand, “to give respect to the city they live in,� said Tourino Dilaga, chairman of the Indonesian Diaspora Network Manila chapter.

Flocerina Noveda, 81, a vendor near Manila Bay, said her group, Mga Manininda ng Manila Bay, had been joining clean-up activi-

ties because they believed it was their duty to do so.

Ramnir Ravino, an illegal settler who regularly takes a dip at the bay, expressed hope that he would see cleaner waters in the coming years.

Cimatu said an interagency task force would clean the waterways kRST (E ADDED THAT THE $EPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government would discuss with mayors the relocation of thousands of informal settlers on the bay and waterways.

Rio said sensors would be installed to monitor the fecal coliform levels. Cimatu had pegged the coliform level at 330 million most probable number (mpn)/100 milliliters (ml), way above the standard of 100 mpn/ml.

Closed On Sunday morning, the LLDA ordered the Aristocrat in Malate, -ANILA 'LORIA -ARIS 3HARK S &IN and the San Miguel by the Bay restaurants closed for polluting the bay.

LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina said the water supply of the three establishments had been cut so that these restaurants would no longer discharge their waste into the bay.

Medina said all three commercial establishments had prior water

FOR THE BAY

Government personnel and members of various groups join a solidarity march at Rizal Park before the start of the bay clean-up. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA pollution cases. “We are going to discuss with them the parameters where they failed.If ever they are able to comply, they have to inform us that they are ready for another inspection by submitting a letter,� Medina said.

If they pass the second round of inspection, the establishments will be allowed to resume operations.

The LLDA also issued notices of violation to a motel, a restaurant and several enterprises in Pasay City owned by SM Investments Corp.

They are the Aliw Inn, SM Prime (OLDINGS )NC S CORPORATE OFkCES 3-

Budget deliberations resume 4(% 3ENATE AND THE (OUSE OF Representatives will on Monday resume deliberations on the proposed P3.757 trillion budget for 2019 to iron out differences and determine if insertions were made.

(OUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITtee chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. said on Sunday that the bicameral proceedings would follow a matrix as baseline of the discussion to kNALIZE THE BUDGET BILL “The bicam technical working group has prepared the matrix, which shows the differences in THE 3ENATE AND THE (OUSE VERSIONS This will be the baseline of our discussion,� he said. “All amendments to the proposed budget must be discussed in the bicam and must be known to the public. If we

DON T SEE IT IN THE BICAM IT S PORK )F WE DON T APPROVE IT IN THE BICAM THEN IT S ALSO PORK u Andaya added.

4HE (OUSE CONTINGENT CALLED for transparency by proposing televised proceedings and allowing the media to cover the deliberations to be held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.

3ENATE kNANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRman Loren Lagarda said both CHAMBERS HAD AGREED TO kNALIZE provisions on or before January 31 SO THAT THE BILL COULD BE RATIkED ON February 6.

The discussions will tackle the P75-billion additional budget for the Department of Public Works AND (IGHWAYS The Senate contingent to the meeting consists of Legarda, Senate President Pro Tempore

Ralph Recto, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senators. Cynthia Villar, Panfilo Lacson, Juan Edgardo Angara, Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, Joseph Victor Ejercito and Paolo Benigno Aquino 4th.

4HE (OUSE MEMBERS ON THE other hand, are Andaya, Minority Leader Danilo Suarez, Representatives Maria Carmen Zamora, Rodante Marcoleta, Edcel Lagman, Federico Sandoval 2nd, Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, Yedda Marie Romualdez, Corazon Nunez-Malanyaon, Arthur Yap and Jesus Romualdo.

The government is currently operating on a reenacted budget since Congress failed to pass the 2019 General Appropriations Act last year.

GLEE JALEA

Mall of Asia and SM Ferry Terminal AND 3- $EVELOPMENT #ORP S 3EA Residences Condominium.

Medina said LLDA inspection teams had investigated 43 hotels and 286 establishments surrounding Manila Bay to determine if they complied with environmental laws.

Last week, the Manila Zoo, which connects to the Estero de 3AN !NTONIO !BAD ONE OF THE BAY S SOURCES OF POLLUTION WAS INDEknitely closed by the city government to pave the way for the construction of a sewage treatment plant.

I’m not quitting – Briones EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones on Sunday dashed rumors that she will step down, saying these reports were “fake news.�

Reports have been circulated on social media that Briones, 78, will submit her resignation because she can no longer cope with her rigorous schedule. “Fake news. I have no reason to resign,�

Briones, national treasurer from 1998 to 2001, told The Manila Times.

The secretary regularly visits her hometown in Negros Oriental to unwind.

She said she goes home for her favorite relaxation activity — watching dolphins.

She said only President Rodrigo Duterte could compel her to quit. “I have no plans to quit the Cabinet.

I serve at the pleasure of the President,�

Briones said.

ED VELASCO

A4

Opinion

MONDAY January 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

E d i to r i a l Nation still cannot turn the page on Mamasapano

L

AST Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, the nation marked at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City the Day of National Remembrance in honor of the 44 Special Action Force troopers who were killed in a botched operation to capture -ALAYSIAN TERRORIST :ULKIlI BIN (IR AKA -ARWAN ON *AN 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindnao.

It is now four years since that fateful and tragic day.

But four years on, most Filipinos, this paper included, feel an acute sense of outrage over the rank failure to bring closure to the incident.

7E ARE ALL TROUBLED BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT UP TO NOW

there has been no balancing of accounts, no determinaTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND LIABILITY FOR THE HORRIkC TRAGEDY Mamasapano remains an open wound.

7E KNOW HOW OPEN FROM THE FACT THAT THE FAMILIES OF the fallen 44 are still waiting vainly for the government to COMPLETE ITS PROMISED kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THEIR FAMILIES MalacaĂąang through presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, talks of demanding justice for the “gallant heroes,â€? who have been posthumously awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest decoration for Filipino police officers and soldiers.

Family members of the slain troopers held a brief rally on Friday outside the Supreme Court compound in Manila.

(OLDING CANDLES AND BANNERS THEY URGED THE COURT TO resolve a petition seeking to upgrade the charges against former President Benigno Aquino 3rd and others they hold responsible for the ill-fated commando operation.

In ceremonies commemorating the clash in Mamasapano, officials led by PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde unveiled a monument in honor of the SAF 44.

Members of the families took turns lamenting their frustration in securing the aid promised them. Panelo said MalacaĂąang would look into the claims regarding THE PERCENT OF $37$ AID YET TO BE DISBURSED TO THE bereaved families.

The PNP said it had given out all its financial assistance and benefits to the heirs of the SAF 44.

In 2016, MalacaĂąang said the total amount given to beneficiaries of the SAF 44 had reached P188 million, including P151.2 million in mandatory benefits from the PNP and the National Police Commission.

This concerns financial assistance; the question of JUSTICE FOR THE FALLEN IS ANOTHER MATTER OF ANGUISH 7HAT hurts the families of the slain troopers is the feeling that they are not getting justice from officials who sent their sons, brothers and husbands to their untimely deaths.

The situation exemplifies how the government continues to grapple with the challenge of bringing closure to the Mamasapano tragedy.

The Senate tried to butt in, and proved itself incompetent. After weeks of hearings, the investigating committee led by Sen. Grace Poe dared only to come up with the finding that President Aquino 3rd was �ultimately responsible� for what happened in Mamasapano.

This year, on the fourth anniversary of Mamasapano, there is fresh clamor that former President Aquino should bear the brunt of culpability for the death of the 44 SAF commandos four years ago.

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile lent fuel to THE CLAMOR WHEN HE DECLARED ON THE EVE OF THE ANNIVERSARY g4HERE IS NO DOUBT THAT S THE DOING OF !QUINOw(E SACRIkCED THE LIVES OF YOUNG POLICEMEN TO PLEASE !MERICA u For all the talk, however, the awful fact remains that Mamasapano is an open wound that will not heal. The nation cannot turn the page on Mamasapano.

7HILE THERE IS PLENTY OF HOMAGE AND PRAISE FOR THE fallen 44, there is frustration that the nation still has not given them their due. ~

MONDAY January 28, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 108

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

Peso stability relies on Duterte’s infrastructure success Recent concerns about the Philippine peso’s depreciation have been exaggerated. In the most dangerous international environment since the postwar era, there is no room for complacency, however.

I

N the past, international and domestic critics of the Duterte government have complained that the Philippine peso has fallen “six straight years,� which is seen as a sign of the failure of the Duterte agenda.

In March 2017, Bloomberg reported that “Asia’s ugly duckling of 2017 is the peso, thanks to Duterte.� At the time, the peso’s

DAN STEINBOCK weakening was explained, oddly enough, by investors who had been spooked by allegations of “unlaw-

ful killings and corruption.�

More recently, the peso is said to face an additional threat, “a mid-term election that may compound concerns about its economy.� This time Bloomberg believes that “political uncertainties� pose an added source of pressure.� Yet, recent surveys do not seem to support such speculation.

Still other reports see “political

risks� where such do not necessarily exist, while approaching the peso’s weakening as if it was fueled by mainly internal forces.

In reality, most currencies in emerging markets have depreciated since first expectations that the US will start rate normalization and when the actual rate hikes began—about “six

ÂłSteinbockA5

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

P38-B passport crony deal This means that the scheme which would yield for a private company P11 billion income in 10 years – and has already generated P3 billion from 2016 to 2018 – could have only been ordered and orchestrated in the highEST OFkCES OF THE PREVIOUS REGIME EIther at the level of Executive Secretary or President Aquino himself.

According to the COA’s data, the award of the monopoly business of printing 45 million of the country’s new machine-readable passports from 2016 to 2026 was disguised as the printing contract announced in 2015 between the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the APO Production Unit (APU). The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) had previously been doing the job. !05 IS A SMALL GOVERNMENT kRM which was headed during President Aquino 3rd’s watch by Milagros Alora, who had been assistant secretary during the Cory years, and which was under the supervision of Presidential Communications /PERATIONS /FkCE HEAD (ERMINIO Coloma, Jr, who was an undersecretary in the Cory regime.

(OWEVER KEPT SECRET WAS THE fact that APU subcontracted, without any bidding, the passportprinting job to a dubious entity it claimed was a joint venture.

4HE CLAIM THAT IT IS A *# IS FARCICAL APU owned only 10 percent of it, which was in the form of the cost of its lease of the land where the printing facility was located.

Malabon company An obscure, formerly Malabonbased company, United Graphic Expressions Corp. (UGEC) owned 90 percent of the joint venture.

APU also only received 10 to 30 PERCENT OF THE OUTkT S PROkTS WHILE UGEC got 70 to 90 percent. ! SMALL PRINTING OUTkT OWNED SINCE BY ONE (ENRY #UREG and his in-laws, it drastically increased its capital when E. Zobel, Inc. – the holding company of billionaire Iùigo Zobel’s family – and A SECRETIVE (ALDANE )NVESTMENTS NV (based in the tax-haven island nation of Mauritius) invested in 2012 into the firm. Zobel and (ALDANE )NVESTMETNS NOW HOLD PERCENT OF THE kRM 4HE OWNERS of a new investor, United Paragon Corp., which has 36 percent of the company, are so far unknown.

As the Commission on Audit disCLOSED g7HILE THE PRINTING CONTRACT was between APO and the Department of Foreign Affairs, the actual printing and accounting of income generated‌were performed and lodged with the JV.� Making about P400 for each of the 3,000-4,000 passports produced daily, UGEC, according to COA data, generated P1.5 BILLION IN PROkTS FROM Some P1 billion of these came as lease payments for the JV’s use of ITS MACHINES 5'%# S PROkT MARGIN largely accounted for the increase in passport fees from P520 to P920 now, and is not due, as DFA has been trying to claim, to its higher cost as an electronic passport.

Conspiracy The COA indicated that the scheme for UGEC to get the monopoly business was undertaken in a conspiracy

by APU (or its supervising body the 0#// WITH THE PRIVATE kRM “Analysis of the events disclosed that when UGEC submitted its unsolicited proposal (to set up the joint venture) in May 2014, both APU and UGEC were already aware that the epassport services were to be awarded (in October 2015) to APU for a tenyear period (2016 to 2026). That is why the JV covers the same period.�

Several government agencies rushed to issue their approvals for APU’s JV with UGEC, so that the two entities inked their agreement on Nov. 24, 2014. Alora through Facebook’s Messenger service claimed that “the National Economic and Development Authority, the Government Procurement Board, the budget department, the science and technology department, and other pertinent agencies� had approved the JV – all within six months after UGEC submitted its unsolicited offer.

Alora though wasn’t telling the whole truth. The procurement board’s approval was categorically for APU to directly print the passports, and not to subcontract it to a private firm.

There was a conspiracy, the COA concluded in so many words. A few months before the JV was set up in November 2014, two government agencies, the DFA led by Alberto del Rosario and the BSP, moved so that APU would get the contract, which it would then de facto turn over to UGEC.

"30 SOURCES TOLD ME THAT OFkCIALS there were told that to undertake The BSP then was headed by Gov- the printing of the new e-passports ernor Amando Tetangco, who would require that it invest huge had been appointed to the post AMOUNTS OF MONEY 4HAT WAS A LIE

by President Arroyo in 2005, and UGEC invested only P193 million surprisingly reappointed in 2011 in machines, microscopic compared

by President Aquino. to the BSP’s P12 billion worth of The chronology of events stinks of printing machines and facilities. conspiracy. On Feb. 24, 2014, the DFA Sources also disclosed that the asked the only three entitles autho- DFA deliberately withheld its payrized to print “government account- ments for the passport-printing as able forms� (e.g., excise-tax stamps a message that if the BSP gets the and passports)—the APU, the BSP, contract it would report a loss in its AND THE .ATIONAL 0RINTING /FkCE‡IF books, which would hurt is prestige they were interested in getting the and that of its governor. contract to print the new e-passports.

Just six days later on March 6, P300 million unpaid 2014, the COA reported, the BSP – which had been previously printing To this day indeed, the DFA hasn’t THE PASSPORTS FOR kVE YEARS m SAID IT paid the BSP some P300 million for didn’t want the job. And in just two the passports it had printed. There months, on May 5, UGEC submitted were also allegations made by conits unsolicited proposal to set up the gressmen in 2017 that passport issujoint venture that would eventually ances were deliberately delayed, and get the subcontract to print the 45 then blamed on the BSP, to pressure it million passports for P38 billion. not to bid for the printing of the new 7HY DID THE "30 IN JUST SIX DAYS e-passports. In contrast, the DFA has tell the DFA that it was not interest- been punctual in paying the JV for ed in the job, which automatically the passports it has been producing. made the APU the only available 7HOEVER MADE THE DECISION TO TELL printer since the NPO, which was the DFA that it was not interested in also under Coloma, didn’t even the e-passport printing – I am not respond? I was told there was no certain if it was Tetangco – should Monetary Board resolution on that HAVE BEEN kRED IF NOT FOR COLLUDING decision. There was also no study in a corrupt deal but for stupidity. by the BSP’s research division, 7HY DID THE "30 REFUSE A MONOPOLY which under its procedures under- business which any feasibility study takes a comprehensive analysis on would easily show would generate at any major decision to be made by LEAST 0 BILLION IN ANNUAL PROkTS FOR IT

the Monetary Board. which in fact UGEC has been making?

That the BSP rushed to tell the My sources, however, disclosed DFA that it was not interested in that in the six days between Feb. printing the passports is certainly 24, 2014 (when the DFA asked for anomalous given the following. bidders for the printing job) and March 6 when the BSP informed it Most advanced printer that it wasn’t interested, there were MEETINGS BETWEEN KEY "30 OFkCERS The BSP has the most advanced FROM THE HEAD OFkCE AND ITS 3ECURITY printing facility in the country, and Printing Complex from Quezon even in Southeast Asia, with its assets City and some key Malacaùang and machines valued at P12 billion COMMUNICATIONS OFkCERS – humongous compared to APU If anybody would have the gall to JV’s P300 million. It prints annually order the BSP, especially its governor over 100 million of our currency and Tetangco, and of course del Rosario, other high-security documents such to do something anomalous, it could AS TREASURY BILLS 7HY WOULD IT REFUSE only be the country’s president. the job of printing just four million .OTE 9OU CAN NOW ORDER MY PASSPORTS ANNUALLY )T HAD kVE YEARS book Debunked at amazon.com. of experience in printing passports, and had sub-contracted the work of %MAIL TIGLAO MANILATIMES supervising and ensuring its quality gmail.com AND INTEGRITY TO A &RENCH kRM 7HY &ACEBOOK 2IGOBERTO 4IGLAO did it refuse what would have been 4WITTER BOBITIGLAO simply a renewal of the contract? !RCHIVES AT WWW RIGOBERTOTIGLAO COM

Stinks of conspiracy

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY January 28, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

Opinion

A5

Q TATAD FROM A1

We did it in Mindanao, can we do the next one?

BARMM formally replaces the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) created in 1989 under the 1976 Tripoli Agreement between the Marcos government and the MILF through the facilities of Libyan strongman Muammar Gadhafi and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Four of the five provinces under ARMM —Maguindanao, Lanao Sur, Basilan, and TawiTawi—voted overwhelmingly for inclusion; Sulu alone voted for exclusion (163,526 votes against, 137,630 votes in favor). Likewise, the city of Isabela in Basilan also opted out (19,032 yes; 22,441 no). But under the law, if majority of ARMM votes for inclusion, the entire region becomes part OF "!2-- 4HE MOST SIGNIkCANT inclusion is that of Cotabato City, the capital city of Maguindanao, which twice before had opted out of the autonomy.

A second plebiscite will be held on February 6 to ascertain the votes of six towns in Lanao del Norte and 67 barangays in North Cotabato. Many expect the results of the January 21 plebiscite to HAVE A SIGNIkCANT EFFECT ON THE next plebiscite. But regardless of how these areas vote, BARMM is already the recognized autonmous entity.

a presidential system in which the executive and legislative functions are separate and distinct, can create a regional government in which these two functions are fused. Tan’s petition could block President Rodrigo Duterte’s expected next move, namely to appoint a Chief Minister for BARMM and the 80 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority. This could happen if the Supreme Court issues a temporary restraining order on these appointments, prior to ruling on the merits of the petition.

the (“two-consecutive terms�)

TERM LIMIT SAYING THE kRST FOUR In September 2000, Erap Estrada YEARS OF HIS kRST TERM WAS EATEN ordered an all-out “warâ€? on the up by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, Abu Sayyaf and the MILF. On The senatorial run who was declared the No. 12th Sept. 14, US Defense Secretary senatorial winner in 2007 prior William Cohen came to Malaca- More to the point. on Thursday, to his electoral protest. PimenĂąang bearing a letter from US the Comelec announced that tel wants to count years—12 President Bill Clinton asking out of 200 individuals who had years—while the Constitution Erap to withhold his military kLED CERTIkCATES OF CANDIDACY FOR talks of “two consecutive terms.â€? offensive which might endanger senator, 63 would be “allowedâ€? In all electoral protests, what is an American national who had TO RUN AS BONA kDE CANDIDATES COUNTED IS THE gTERMu OF OFkCE

fallen into the hands of the MILF. This doesn’t mean to say the not the number of years served or Estrada said it was too late to re- 137 others had failed to meet unserved. So, whether Pimentel call the order, as a result of which the constitutional requirements, got to serve two years or two days the military overran the whole of namely, that one be a natural- only after Zubiri conceded his Salamat’s Camp Abubakar. born citizen, at least 35 years of defeat is of no moment; as far as Reviving Misuari Gloria Macapagal Arroyo age, able to read and write, a reg- the law is concerned, he won the From Tripoli onward The reverses suffered by Misuari moved quickly to reverse Es- istered voter and a resident of the term and served its last two years.

Unless Pimentel, rather than BARMM has come a long way. drove the MNLF commander to trada’s policy by signing a Memo- Philippines for not less than two After Marcos declared martial self-exile in Damascus during the randum of Agreement on An- years immediately preceding the Zubiri, ultimately won their 2007 LAW IN AND CONkSCATED ALL kNAL YEARS OF -ARCOS "UT AFTER cestral Domain with the MILF. day of the election. They may all contest, he would have had no unlicensed weapons in the hands Marcos fell in 1986, Cory Aquino But before it could be signed in have complied with the constitu- legal basis for serving as senator of the citizens, the Muslims, led rehabilitated Misuari; she asked Kuala Lumpur in the presence of tional requirements, but failed to even for a day after Zubiri quit.

by Misuari, Abul Khayr Alonto her local government secretary important foreign dignitaries, it meet the additional requirements As far as the law is concerned, and others, organized the MNLF Aquilino “Nene� Pimentel Jr., was declared unconstitutional by imposed by the Comelec. Which he would have served two conmeans the Comelec has amended secutive terms at the end of his and rose in revolt. Among other and her brother-in-law the late the Supreme Court.

When B. S. Aquino 3rd came the Constitution, on its own, and current term. Now, if Pimentel things, this revolt threatened Agapito “Butz� Aquino to bring the supply of oil from the oil- back Misuari to the Philippines. TO POWER ONE OF HIS kRST ACTS WAS the Supreme Court doesn’t give a believes the State owes him an unserved four years as a senator, producing Arab countries, which Misuari came home, set up his to meet Murad in Tokyo in 2012 hoot about it.

Among those “allowed to runâ€? he will probably have to run supported the MNLF. Marcos court in Jolo, where Cory Aquino where he signed a Framework reached out to the OIC to pre- came like a subject bearing trib- Agreement on the creation of are one sitting senator from Min- for an abbreviated term of four vent the Arab oil producers from ute. Her defense secretary Juan the Bangsamoro political entity, danao, and another former sena- years, rather than six. It is an squeezing off the oil supply to Ponce Enrile and AFP Chief of to replace ARMM, which he de- tor associated with a big business absurdity beyond all absurdities. the Philippines; in 1976, he sent Staff Fidel V. Ramos were virtu- scribed as a “failed experiment.â€? and media empire who are, by As a former senator, I am deeply LAW NO LONGER QUALIkED TO RUN pained by it. The Senate is not an a delegation to Libya to ask Col. ally frisked by Misuari’s aides. for senator in this election. These UNIMPORTANT OFkCE BUT IT CANNOT 'ADHAk TO EXERT HIS INlUENCE ON The meeting earned Cory hu- What SC and are former Senate President Aq- be worth the loss of a person’s Misuari and convince him to talk miliating photos and headlines. Comelec can do uilino “Kokoâ€? Pimentel 3rd, and self-respect. peace. The delegation was headed In 1987, Cory entered the JedMassive cheating? by the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda dah Accord with the MNLF; the It is to be hoped that the legal former senator Segio Osmena Marcos, assisted by high-ranking agreement covered the whole of issues that have been raised on 3rd. Whether or not they can still Serge OsmeĂąa 4HERE ARE TWO lIES IN THE OINTMENT DEFENSE OFkCIALS Mindanao, not just the 13 prov- the January 21 plebiscite, how- run is no longer subject to judithough. The feisty Mayor Cynthia 'ADHAk S INTERVENTION RESULTED inces. In 1989, an act establishing ever serious they turn out to be, cial determination; the law that For Serge Osmena, the law is no Guiani Sayadi of Cotabato City in the Tripoli Agreement of Dec. ARMM was passed. The MNLF will not result in the resurgence prohibits them from running is less clear. A candidate who fails to has vowed to contest the results 23, 1976, signed by Misuari for boycotted the plebiscite, and of political violence or armed crystal-clear, and the facts of the kLE THE REQUIRED STATEMENT OF CONof the voting in her city (36,682, the MNLF and Undersecretary only four provinces—Lanao Sur, conflict. The Commission on case are subject to judicial notice. tributions and expenses (SOCE) yes; 24,994, no) because of alleged Carmelo Barbero for the Philippine Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi- Elections and the Supreme Court on time forfeits the privilege of need to assure the public that Poor Koko  massive cheating, and former Sulu government, and providing for the Tawi—voted for inclusion.

RUNNING AGAIN FOR PUBLIC OFkCE 4HE governor Abdusakur Tan has an- establishment of an autonomous Comelec itself says this. Serge has In 1996, Fidel V. Ramos negoti- whatever controversies have been nounced questioning before the Su- government in Muslim Mindanao. ated the Final Peace Agreement raised would be fairly and expedi- First, Pimentel. By June 30, he FAILED TO kLE HIS 3/#% TWICE‡IN preme Court the constitutionality Although eight of the 13 Mind- with the MNLF in Jakarta. It cre- tiously resolved, without partisan will have completed his second 2013 and in 2016. Under the law, of BOL as such, and the rule which anao provinces are predominantly ated the Southern Philippines considerations or undue delays. term as senator. Article VI, Sec. he is no longer eligible to run. I am One way of ensuring this is 4, second paragraph of the Con- not saying Koko and Serge should says no member of ARMM may opt Christian, Misuari (supported by Council for Peace and Develout of BARMM, if the majority votes Gadhafi) insisted on including opment, among other things, by acting swiftly on the peti- stitution says: “No senator shall be barred from appealing their casfor inclusion. Sulu is the home all 13 provinces in the proposed and enabled qualified MNLF TIONS THAT HAVE BEEN kLED ON THE serve for more than two consecu- es, especially if they are convinced province of Nur Misuari, found- autonomous region, holding the members to join the Armed plebiscite itself, and on all other tive terms. Voluntary renuncia- they have meritorious grounds. But ing chair of the MNLF; evidently it AGREEMENT HOSTAGE TO THIS SPECIkC Forces of the Philippines and long pending cases that have to TION OF THE OFkCE FOR ANY LENGTH neither the Supreme Court nor the has strong political attachment to demand. Marcos ultimately yielded the Philippine National Police. do with elections. If something of time shall not be considered as Comelec should bear the burden ARMM, where Misuari gave birth to to the “take it or leave it� ultima- It also allowed Misuari to run like Bongbong Marcos’ 2016 an interruption in the continuity of proving the law is just in each the MNLF, and later ran unopposed tum, after getting the other side as ARMM governor, unopposed. vice-presidential electoral protest of his service for the full term for case. The two gentlemen should as ARMM governor in 1996. to agree “to submit the question That same year, the MILF became has not moved and is not mov- which he was elected.� Therefore bear the burden of proving they Tan’s fundamental objection of autonomy to the constitutional the more dominant Moro armed ing after three years, what could he cannot run for a third term. have a case in their favor. to BOL is one shared by some processes of the Philippines.�

However, Pimentel insists group and began talking with the possibly lead us to believe Sakur Tan’s urgent petition before the on exempting himself from fstatad@gmail.com constitutional scholars—whether Marcos created two autono- Ramos government. mous regions instead of one, with 10 component provinces instead of 13. The MNLF protested this as an improper implementation of the agreement, and the collapse of peace talks and resumption of hostilities soon followed. The MNLF itself began to splinter; in 1977, a group headed

by Hashim Salamat broke away from Misuari and called itself the MILF. Hashim and 57 other OFkCERS MOVED THEIR HEADQUARTERS to Cairo and later to Lahore in Pakistan in 1980.

All-out war

Supreme Court or Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi’s complaint before the Comelec will at all move?

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

Discipline and freedom Peso stability relies on Duterte’s infrastructure success S TEA TIME

straight years� ago, well before Duterte (see Figure).

SINCE THE FED’S SIGNALING OF NORMALIZATION AND RATE HIKES, PHILIPPINE PESO HAS DEPRECIATED ALMOST IN PARALLEL

Forces behind peso movements A series of well-known forces have fueled recent peso depreciation. In THE FALL INlATION REACHED AN INTOLerable high of 6.7 percent. It was boosted by a price effect associated with tax reforms (TRAIN), rising oil prices and a failure to manage rice prices. Accordingly, the Philippine peso depreciated until early October.

Yet, the pressures that have been associated with overheating are likely to weaken in 2019 as the TRAIN-related price pressures should ease in the coming months.

Also, the slowing international economy has penalized oil. Crude oil exceeded $75 in early October but is now around $55 (a US-Sino trade compromise could contribute to rising prices again, however).

In the past, the quota system failed to keep the rice price in control; the new import tariff system should stabilize it.

Moreover, high loan growth has made some observers uneasy. While it is associated with the infrastructure drive, it has to be monitored.

Most importantly perhaps, some observers feel uncomfortable with THE CURRENT ACCOUNT DEkCIT #!$ Yet, the widening CAD is the effect of the infrastructure drive. It has been expanding as a result of imports, which support infrastructure development.

Furthermore, the slowdown of electronic exports, which account for more than half of Philippine exports, is hardly a domestic challenge.

US trade wars have undermined the recovery of world trade. However,

there are some possible new shifts in the international horizon.

Last year, the tighter dollar, boosted by the Fed’s rate hikes, went hand in hand with tighter kNANCIAL CONDITIONS 4HAT IS NO longer the case. Also last year, Trump’s tax cuts gave a one-time high for the US economy. But now US growth may have peaked.

Accordingly, the prospects of slower GROWTH AND LOWER INlATION MAY HAVE made the Fed less hawkish.

Risky international environment, budget passage Nevertheless, the international environment, including US trade wars, poses more threats than ever since the postwar era.

If the US-Sino trade truce paves the way for a compromise by March 1, world demand may improve. But if the tensions spread as

they did last year; world demand is likely to further deteriorate. And even if a trade compromise can be found, tensions are likely to linger in the technology sector.

Moreover, the White House may target the Asean in its trade wars, as it has suggested since mid-2018.

In 2018, the Philippines’ expansion amounted to 6.2 percent. !LTHOUGH INlATION DID PENALIZE the government’s downwardly revised goal of 6.5 to 6.9 percent, the country is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and relatively well-positioned to absorb shocks. Moreover, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) hiked policy rates several times in 2018, which makes further tightening less likely in 2019.

Yet, the status quo permits no COMPLACENCY 4HE INlATION INDUCED reduction of the country’s economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2018, WHICH PENALIZED THE ANNUAL kGURE

should serve as a warning sign for a belated 2019 budget passage.

Even if a reenacted budget were to be passed now, the infrastructure programs that are of critical national importance cannot proceed until after the mid-year. That, in turn, has potential to harm the current year’s economic growth, once again. Time is money. Consequently, a rapid 2019 budget passage is vital.

The Duterte fiscal expansion has potential to continue well into the early 2020s, which bodes well for economic growth – as long as political impasse does not penalize economic progress.

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http:// www.differencegroup.net/

TRICT enforcement of laws and disciplined people are among the most telling differences between the Philippines and Singapore, a progressive island state just a little more than three hours from Manila.

I just took a brief leisure trip to Singapore with my sister and niece who were both in awe at the progress of the island state and how everything seems to be so orderly AND WORKING EFkCIENTLY IN CONTRAST to what we have in Manila.

It may sound crazy to compare the Philippines with its 105 million people and Singapore with only 5.8 million. In terms of land area, the Philippines is approximately 300,000 square kilometers compared to Singapore’s 719 sq km.

But then, whether a place is big or small, discipline and strict enforcement of laws are necessary to progress. Discipline is necessary in all walks of life and in day-to-day life at home, on THE ROAD IN THE OFkCE IN PUBLIC facilities, everywhere.

Being disciplined means following rules and regulations and obeying people with authority and experience. It means conforming with certain unwritten laws of society so that the wheels of society are kept moving without a hitch.

It does not mean being exEMPTED FROM TRAFkC RULES WHEN you are in a rush or when you slip peso bills into your license jacket for the law enforcer to quickly slip into his pocket. It does not mean being free to do whatever you want even if you encroach on another person’s freedom.

In Singapore, able-bodied men may not be giving up their seats in the MRT to older women, but

TITA C. VALDERAMA its trains run so smoothly that you won’t fall even when you are just standing, and commuters don’t push each other even during rush hours, much unlike in the LRT and MRT in Manila.

In Singapore, taxis, buses and cars stop to load and unload passengers in designated spaces only, contrary to how people do it in Manila.

Being in Manila during the kRST HALF OF THE DAY AND IN 3INgapore in the second half gave my travel companions some kind of culture shock. Knowing that 3INGAPORE IS A gkNEu CITY STATE made them overly cautious about doing things like crossing the street, staying to the right on the escalator, and standing on queue to wait for their turn.

The short trip made them realize that discipline is a must if the country is to progress and that it must start with oneself. It made them believe that the Philippines can be like Singapore if only its people would be disciplined and if laws are enforced and followed without exception. Filipinos need discipline to progress.

For instance, discipline on the ROADS WILL MAKE TRAFkC MOVE IN an orderly way. Discipline in schools ensures proper studies.

Discipline at home keeps the family together. Discipline in the government helps the country to progress because the leaders are committed to their work.

But Filipinos do not need the

ÂłValderamaA6

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times MONDAY January 28, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

FOCUS Avoiding the 1-year US ban on Filipino workers With two months to Brexit, MIGRANT A MATTERS cracks form on Irish border CRISPIN R.

FTER the US Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DHS and DOS respectively) announced on January 18 the 1-year bar for Filipinos seeking temporary work in the US through the H2A (agricultural) and H-2B (non-agricultural) visas, news reports ran fast and furious.

The one-year bar is in effect from Jan. 19, 2019 to Jan. 18, 2020 because the Philippines shares the ‘honor’ of having a high rate of overstaying visa holders.

The letters “TNT� in fact has been attached to Filipinos overstaying their visas in the US – and not just the temporary work visa holders. Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand, TNT is a moniker for “ tago ng tago � literally translated as a Filipino overstayer perpetually hiding and eluding immigration authorities.

As part of its cooperative efforts, the Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on January 22 that the DFA is “open to working with the US to address� the reason for the bar. “We [the DHS and DOS] also believe that these overstay and human trafficking concerns are severe enough to warrant removal from the H-2A visa programmed as well. This concern is informed by a four-fold increase in H-2A visa applications from nationals of the Philippines between FY 2015-2018.

The Philippines’ continued inclusion creates the potential for abuse, fraud, and other harm to the integrity of the H-2A or H-2B visa programs,� the joint announcement said.

In 2017, the DHS Yearbook of Statistics show that 485,524 nonimmigrant visa holders from the Philippines were admitted into the US, up from the two-year 0HILIPPINE kGURES OF IN 2015 and 451,332 in 2016.

That same year (2017), only 15,246 temporary workers (in both the H2A and H2B categories) were admitted into the US. On Dec.12, 2018, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had reached the congressionally mandated H-2B cap of 33,000 FOR THE kRST HALF OF kSCAL YEAR &9 4HE kRST HALF RUNS FROM /CT 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019.

The 2019 US fiscal year starts October 1 of the previous year (2018) and ends on March 31 of the current year. A US employer intending to employ an H2B

T

er bar, the following countries offer temporary work visas and even permanent visas based on the applicant’s occupation.

ARANDA

worker within the 2019 fiscal year should indicate that the worker’s employment starts Oct. 1, 2018 (not earlier). That H-2B visa becomes part of the 33,000 visa limit for the specified year.

Employer may have a new set of H-2B petitions for the second half (April 1 2019 to September 30, 2019. The annual cap set by ConGRESS IS OF THE kSCAL YEAR However, applications to extend the H-2B visa of a worker already in the US is not part of the yearly cap. Also exempt from the cap are fish roe processors, fish roe technicians, and/or supervisors of fish roe processing, as well as workers performing labor or services in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and/or Guam from Nov. 28, 2009, until Dec. 21, 2029.

The number of nonimmigrant visa holders admitted into the US from the DHS statistics may not tally with the numbers issued by the DOS. A person may have been issued a visa but unless and until that visa is used when presenting oneself for inspection at a US port of entry, admission is not affected and therefore would not be part of DHS statistics.

Options for the short and long term So, the overstay tag would apply for workers whose employment has been terminated or otherwise voluntarily leave the job.

An H-2B worker also may have applied for and granted change of status to another nonimmigrant or even applied for and granted permanent resident status either through a petition filed by a U.S. citizen spouse or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

The same H-2B worker may also have an existing familybased petition as the son or daughter of US itcizen or green card holder. When the priority date becomes current, the H-2B worker becomes eligible to apply for adjustment of status even if he or she had become a TNT logically by paying a $1,000 penalty fee.

For H2B or H2A workers not in the US affected by the -yeaon-

Canada’s temporary worker program

Employers can hire temporary workers through the temporary foreign worker program (TFWP) or the international mobility program (IMP).

The TFWP allows Canadian employers hire temporary workers to fill temporary labor and skill shortages. Canadian provinces publish occupations in short supply or are in demand.

To verify the shortage, a Canadian employer needs to obtain a labor market impact assessment (LMIA) from the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). The LMIA is the equivalent of the temporary labor certification that a US employer must get approval from the US Department of Labor through the Employment and Training Administration.

The IMP, on the other hand, authorizes employers to hire temporary workers without an LMIA. Exemptions from the LMIA process are based on “broader economic, cultural or other competitive advantages for Canada; and reciprocal benefits enjoyed by Canadians and permanent residents.�

In 2017, Canada admitted 75,875 TFWP workers, 9,165 of which are from the Philippines.

There were more temporary work visas issued to foreign workers under TFWP – 223,455. Of this number, 4,205 were issued to Filipino applicants, bringing the yearly total of temporary work visas to Filipinos at 13,370.

While the number is a little less than the US’ 15,246 total, Filipino skilled workers and professionals may apply directly as permanent residents to Canada through the Express Entry selection system.

Manitoba and other provinces have their own list of in-demand occupations, An OFW whose occupation is on list has a good chance of being invited to apply for permanent residency or be selected as a provincial nominee.

An OFW does not need a job offer to submit his or her Express %NTRY CANDIDATE PROkLE ALTHOUGH a job offer or arranged employment adds a minimum of 50

points. The same OFW must have an employer to be sponsored as an immigrant worker in the US. Higher level of English proficiency enhances the chance of invitation and/or selection.

Australia and New Zealand A new complete list of occupations eligible for temporary and permanent work and residency has been published by Australia’s Department of Home Affair Affairs (DHA). The latest list (made available while DHA is updating its website) is accessible here and being shared for our OFWs and Filipino skilled workershttps://archive.homeaffairs.gov. au/trav/work/work/skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/ skilled-occupations-lists The direct Australian counterpart for US and Canada is the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) which allows Australian employers “to address labor shortages by bringing in genuinely skilled workers where they cannot source an appropriately skilled Australian.�

TSS facilitates targeted use of overseas workers on the list to address temporary skill shortages, under one of three streams: short-term, medium-term and labor agreement stream.

Depending on the occupation, an OFW’s stay in Australia ranges from one to four years.

New Zealand has its own lists for temporary workers: The immediate skills shortage list and the construction and infrastructure categories. The official link to the list maybe accessed through this linkhttp://skillshortages.immigration.govt.nz/?_ga=2.2191248 25.1134967519.1548559497 977514964.1514089631

Approved job order verification Whether the alternative job offer is from Australia, Canada or New Zealand, OFWs must verify the existence and validity of a job order by checking it on the POEA’s website – www.poea.gov.ph – to avoid being victims of illegal recruiters.

While we offer pathways to alternative work visa destinations, OFWs must check the specific job offer of employment.

Remember the saying, “one can lead a horse to water but you cannot force it to drink.�

On the NPA’s recruitment of children

HE Philippines is a land of contradictions. While 2019 has been declared the Year of the Youth by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Congress is pushing for the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility from the current 15 years to nine.

The move to make minors as young as nine years old criminally responsible has earned strong condemnation from especially organizations working for the welfare of children.

Children who grow up in an environment of neglect, poverty, desperation, violence, abuse and exploitation do not choose to commit crime. If they seem mature to the law it is because they never had a childhood.

Is this really the best that we—civilized society—have to offer our children? Then it’s no wonder that the Communist Party of the Philippines through its myriad of above-ground and underground organizations continues to appeal to the young and the idealistic.

Recently, national media reported that 18-year-old Rizza Divine Camingawan, a freshman student in legal management at the University of Santo Tomas, had gone missing after she joined an immersion with farmers in Quezon province before Christmas.

But Ms Camingawan is not missing. She is where she has chosen to be. She joined Anakbayan during her high school years at UST, and later the

RESURGENCE

MARIT STINUSCABUGON League of Filipino StudentsUST chapter. She wore a sash with the words “ Imperyalismo Ibagsak � over her red gown for her pre-debut photo shoot.

The LFS-UST Chapter in a statement on Twitter clarified that the 18-year-old freshman’s immersion among farmers is part of the orientation of “national democratic organizations� such as the LFS. The purpose of the immersion is for privileged youth to learn about the real situation in the Philippines: the poverty and injustices experienced by the marginalized sectors.

The LFS-organized immersion is not sanctioned by UST. However, as pointed out by LFS in the same statement, the “Bakwit School Program� of UST is another excellent opportunity for the university’s students to learn about the socio-economic realities confronting millions of Filipinos. Every year coinciding with the anniversary of the 1972 Martial Law proclamation, the national democratic movement organizes Lakbayan. Hundreds of lumad and peasants are brought to Metro Manila from as far away as Mindanao to participate in rallies, a networking blitz, and press conferences. In recent years, the focus of the

Lakbayan has been on lumad communities. Lumad youth, including minors, are presented as victims of militarization, a militarization that they say forced them to stop schooling and evacuate to Metro Manila.

UST, among other universities, serves as a “Bakwit School,� providing shelter and education for the lumad children during their prolonged stay in Manila.

These youths are students of the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanugon community learning centers and center for lumad advocacy networking and services, Mindanao-based schools that the military has long accused of being recruitment centers for the New People’s Army.

The UST last year formally adopted one of about 26 Department of Education-accredited Salugpongan schools in Compostela Valley province. The university will provide comprehensive support to the Salugpongan high school in New Visayas, Maco. Will this collaboration result in UST-sanctioned immersion by its students with institutions associated with the CPP? In Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, minors are also being recruited into the communist movement. More than 100, some of whom were high school students, joined the Dec. 18, 2018 celebration of the CPP’s 50th anniversary in Brgy. Trinidad. These youths are reportedly members of Kabataang Makabayan, the underground equivalent of Anakbayan, and

recruited in the community.

Schoolteachers were unaware of the participation by their students in CPP-NPA activity. But after the Christmas break, many students didn’t show up for classes. The police and the Army announced that 106 students were “missing� after the NPA warned that the students who joined the CPP anniversary might suffer the same fate as suspected NPA rebels who were killed or arrested by the police during Oplan Sauron, the December 27 counter-insurgency operation.

Officials from the local high school told me that the absence of some students could indeed be a result of the warning by the NPA, but others were absent—not missing—because of fear of violence.

While Brgy. Trinidad has its peace and order problems, the barangay folk were unaccustomed to the level of violence brought by Oplan Sauron. However, the majority of the supposedly missing students are already back in school.

The difference between the children in remote Trinidad and Ms Camingawan is that the former are already “immersed� in the real world of underdevelopment and government neglect.

They are easy targets for NPA recruitment because much of the NPA’s propaganda reflects reality. In the short term, the recruitment and indoctrination by the NPA must be stopped and countered. But the real challenge for us is to change the reality of poverty and neglect into one of opportunity and care.

DUBLIN: Ever since the Brexit vote, Ireland has had the rest of the European Union behind it in insisting there can be no hard border with Northern Ireland when Britain leaves.

But with a draft UK-EU deal that would guarantee an open border looking increasingly frail, and the growing risk that Britain could withdraw from the union with no agreement at all, cracks are starting to emerge.

Over months of talks, both Dublin and Brussels have been loath to spell out the implications of having to carry out EU customs and regulations checks on what would become the bloc’s new frontier.

A comment from the European Commission’s chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas earlier this week shattered the taboo. “In a no-deal scenario in Ireland, I think it’s pretty obvious, you will have a hard border,� he said.

The remark caught Dublin offguard and the government pointed to EU promises to keep the border open.

The Irish Independent branded Schinas’ comments a “Brexit backstab,� suggesting they were intended gTO PREPARE $UBLIN FOR SOME DIFkCULT discussions in the weeks ahead.�

Schinas softened his remark the following day, saying the EU would do “all it can� to avoid a hard border.

But Ireland, which considers itself an unwilling bystander to Britain’s decision to leave the EU after 46 years, is feeling under pressure to compromise over its demands. “Why is it the country being victimized that’s always being asked to give?� Prime Minister Leo Varadkar asked in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday.

Cooling comments Varadkar has come under some domestic criticism for failing to prepare for the possibility of a hard border.

But Federico Fabbrini, director of Dublin City University’s Brexit Institute, said the government’s position was “reasonable.� “It doesn’t want to take action on the border for as long as reimposing a border is avoidable,� he said.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier sought to de-dramatize the concerns, but only raised more questions. g7E WILL HAVE TO kND AN OPERAtional way of carrying out checks and controls without putting back in place a border,� he said.

The EU-UK deal includes a “backstop� plan to keep the border open by keeping Britain tied to EU trade rules, but Brexit supporters in London hate it.

They seized on Barnier’s comments, saying they proved the backstop was not needed to prevent a hard border.

The backstop is a major block in getting the Brexit deal agreed by the British parliament, and London is pressing the EU to modify the plan.

After months of seeming like the consistent and mature voice in Brexit negotiations, Ireland now risks appearing the stubborn obstacle to a smooth Brexit.

‘A period of chaos’ Varadkar this week also warned that a no-deal would lead to a “period of chaos� and that ultimately the EU, Britain and Ireland would have to “agree on full alignment� between Northern Ireland and the Republic to avoid a hard border.

What that chaos might look like and how the EU-brokered accord would function on the 500-kilometer border traversed by more than 200 roads is hard to say.

Brexiteers in London say checks on the border could simply be replaced by trusted trader schemes and as-yet-untested technology.

Speaking in Davos on Friday, Varadkar said it could “involve people in uniform�—as well as “cameras, physical infrastructure, possibly a police presence, or an army presence to back it up.�

That would be a concerning development on a border where the last military checkpoints were dismantled 20 years ago after a peace accord ENDED THREE DECADES OF CONlICT Given Ireland’s refusal to prepare for a hard border, there could also be days or even weeks when the frontier is effectively ungoverned by international law. “You could have hundreds of lorries parking up at the border awaiting some kind of clearance,� said Seamus Leheny, policy manager of the Freight Transport Association in Northern Ireland. “We could be left in a situation where some haulers will have to take the decision to turn away any freight going across the border. The concern they have is they technically could AFP be seen as smuggling.�

Q VALDERAMA FROM A5

Discipline and freedom kind of discipline that the late President Ferdinand Marcos imposed under Martial Law. Killing critics to keep them quiet is instilling dictatorship, not discipline.

As I have always been saying, the election is the best time for EVERY QUALIkED &ILIPINO VOTER TO exercise the discipline of choosing the right people to govern the country. We need people who will serve the people and not be served once elected.

We may have the freedom to choose and do whatever we like, but we also have the responsibility and obligation as citizens to choose leaders who consciously follow the laws over those who deliver too many unrealistic promises only to end up breaking those.

I complimented a Filipino lady cashier at the WH Smith shop I met at the Changi Airport for her positive outlook on the Philippines.

Learning that our flight back to Manila was delayed, she said with a sweet smile that the delay meant we could have more time browsing through the goods at the shop instead of being stuck in Manila TRAFkC DURING THE RUSH HOUR WHEN OUR lIGHT WAS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE She said that with the coming mid-term elections, Filipinos have a chance to have a new set of leaders who are responsible.

She said she believed that voters should have learned some lessons from previous experience

while millennial voters should be wise enough to distinguish serious from pa-guapo candidates and choose the former.

In another brief conversation with the taxi driver who took us to the airport, I commented that Singaporeans are lucky to have the late Lee Kwan Yew for a disciplinarian leader who put in place the systems on the island state that has made it the second most competitive state among 138 countries all over the world, based on the World Economic Forum’s 2016-2017 Global Competitiveness Index. The Philippines was 57th on the list.

Driver Wai said Lee, who died in 2015 after governing Singapore for 30 years, was a true leader because he followed the law so the people followed and respected him.

Lee has been recognized as the founding father of Singapore under whose leadership the island state transited from “third world to kRST WORLD IN A SINGLE GENERATION u Wai said he has not been to the Philippines, but based on the news he has been reading and from his conversations with Filipino passengers, he said that perhaps Filipinos may be having too much freedom and disregarding discipline that’s why things are different from Singapore.

Can we not have freedom and be disciplined at the same time?

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

‘I will be your link to Duterte’ AKLAN: &ORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE 0RESIDENT 3!0 AND SENATORIAL CANDIDATE #HRISTOPHER ,AWRENCE g"ONGu 'O STRESSED THAT he intended to serve the province of Aklan by BRINGING THE CONCERNS OF ITS RESIDENTS TO 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO $UTERTE 'O GAVE THE ASSURANCE ON 3ATURDAY DURING THE CORONATION NIGHT OF THE -ISS )BAJAY 0AGEANT UPON THE INVITATION OF !KLAN 'OV &LORENCIO -IRAlORES WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE )BAJAY TOWN &ESTIVAL g2EST ASSURED THAT ) WOULD BE YOUR BRIDGE TO THE 0RESIDENT ) KNOW HE WOULD kND WAYS TO RESPOND TO YOUR REQUESTS AND COMPLAINTS u 'O SAID "UT HE WARNED THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS OF !KLAN THAT THE $UTERTE ADMINISTRATION WOULD NOT TOLERATE WORKING WITH CORRUPT OFkCIALS 4HE FORMER 3!0 SAID $UTERTE ALWAYS REMINDED HIM AND ALL MEMBERS OF THE #ABINET TO PERFORM THEIR TASKS PROPERLY AND NOT ENGAGE in corrupt practices. g$O WHAT IS RIGHT AND AVOID CORRUPTION u 'O TOLD THE CROWD QUOTING THE 0RESIDENT -EANWHILE 'O ADDED THAT HE WOULD IMprove the delivery of health services in the COUNTRY THROUGHT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE -ALASAKIT #ENTERS (E SAID THERE ARE ALREADY -ALASAKIT #ENters in the country and he wanted put up one IN !KLAN SINCE THERE ARE ALREADY SIMILAR CENTERS IN 7ESTERN 6ISAYAS PARTICULARLY IN )LOILO AND "ACOLOD 'O WHO WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED IN PUTTING UP THE -ALASAKIT #ENTERS WHEN HE WAS SERVING AS THE TOP AIDE OF $UTERTE SAID HE WANTS TO PUSH a law that would institutionalize the establishment of such centers in provincial and urban AREAS OF THE COUNTRY TO HELP INDIGENT PATIENTS IN NEED OF AID FROM THE GOVERNMENT

Cebu teenager yields P3-M shabu */3(5! !MIGABLE

KEPT MUM AFTER HE WAS CAUGHT WITH NEARLY 0 MILLION WORTH OF SHABU DURING A BUY BUST IN "ARANGAY "ASAK 3AN .ICOLAS #EBU #ITY ON 3ATURDAY 3ENIOR )NSP &RANCIS 2ENZ 4ALOSIG CHIEF OF #EBU #ITY S -AMBALING 0OLICE 3TATION SAID !MIGABLE OF 3ITIO 5CLAHAY "ARANGAY ,ABANGON #EBU #ITY SOLD A MEDIUM SACHET OF SHABU FOR 0 TO A POSEUR BUYER IN 3ITIO %NGINEERING -ACOPA AT PAST P M 4HE DRUG ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF -AMBALING CONkSCATED SIX MORE MEDIUM PACKS AND FOUR LARGE PACKS OF ABOUT GRAMS OF SHABU FROM THE SUSPECT ESTIMATED AT 0 MILLION IN street value.

4ALOSIG SAID !MIGABLE HAD BEEN UNDER SURVEILLANCE FOR ONE MONTH AND THEY WERE TRACKING DOWN HIS SOURCE OF SHABU EVEN AS HE REFUSED to reveal his supplier. RHEA RUTH ROSELL

NPAs attack construction site in Rizal CAMP GEN. CAPINPIN, Tanay, Rizal: The communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA) attacked workers OF THE 0ACIkC 3UMMIT #ONSTRUCTION 'ROUP )NC 03#') IN "ARANGAY -ARAGONDON 2EAL

Quezon and burned its heavy equipment.

"RIG 'EN !RNULFO "URGOS ND )NFANTRY "RIGADE )" COMMANDER SAID THE CIVILIAN WORKERS SLEEPING AT THE CONSTRUCTION BARRACKS IN 3ITIO 0ANDARAWAN LATE ON 4HURSDAY NIGHT WERE AWAKENED AND ROUNDED UP BY ABOUT ARMED REBELS WHO THEN SET kRE TO THE kRM S OFkCE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT g7E WERE SLEEPING WHEN AN ARMED GROUP SUDDENLY ENTERED 4HEY POINTED GUNS AT US AND ORDERED US TO DROP DOWN THE lOOR 4HERE WERE WOMEN WITH THEM ) THEN SAW OUR OFkCE AND TRUCKS BURNING 7E WERE SO SCARED AND TRAUMATIZED u ONE OF THE WORKERS TOLD THE POLICE 4HE kRM S PROJECT MANAGER SAID THREE DUMP TRUCKS TWO BACKHOES A GENERATOR SET ONE TRANSIT MIXER ONE LOADER AN , VAN AND ONE UNSERVICEABLE 3TRADA PICK UP USED FOR A MINI dam construction were burned.

"URGOS SAID THE REBELS gWERE HARD UP IN COMPLYING WITH THEIR LEADER S ORDER TO GO ON OFFENSIVE 4HEY CAN ONLY DO THAT TO CIVILIANS THREATEN AND HURT THEM 4HEIR DESIRE IS TO FRIGHTEN THE PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY FORCE CONTRACTORS TO PAY EXTORTION MONEY TO THEM u -EANWHILE TROOPS OF THE ST )NFANTRY "ATTALION UNDER THE )" RECOVERED AN .0! ARMS CACHE WITH ONE - AND ONE "USHMASTER IN "ARANGAY "ACAO 4AYSAN "ATANGAS ON &RIDAY -AJ 'EN 2HODERICK 0ARAYNO COMMANDER OF THE 0HILIPPINE !RMY S ND )NFANTRY *UNGLE &IGHTER $IVISION SAID THE ARMS RECOVERY WAS ANOTHER MAJOR SETBACK FOR THE .0! IN "ATANGAS WHICH IS NOW ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE ROSELLE R. AQUINO

Regions

MONDAY January 28, 2019

A7

5 wounded in Bulacan pyrotechnic explosion

BY FREDERICK SILVERIO

A

TEENAGED boy remained in critical condition, while four of his friends suffered first degree burns after a pyrotechnic device (fountain) they were trying to light exploded in Barangay Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday.

0OLICE SAID *AMIL 2OXAS

WAS seriously hurt and was in critical CONDITION AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER percent of his body sustained third DEGREE BURNS (IS FRIENDS -ARK *OSEPH )GNACIO IS CONkNED AT 3TA -ARIA (OSPITAL

WHILE *ESSIE (ABAL *OHN $AVID 9AMBAO AND )SAAC 0ARAISO

WHO ALL SUSTAINED kRST DEGREE BURNS WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE "ULACAN -EDICAL #ENTER IN -ALOLOS

ALONG WITH 2OXAS ! WITNESS 2ICA &ORTUGAL

TOLD the police that she saw the victims LIGHTING A BIG FOUNTAIN WHICH EXPLODED AT ABOUT P M 3HE said the victims were earlier seen SWIMMING AT THE "OCAUE 2IVER IN "ARANGAY +AMPO 0OTRERO NEAR THE blast site.

3HE SAID THEY TOOK THE FOUNTAIN from an abandoned shanty beLIEVED TO BE USED IN MANUFACTURING

pyrotechnics.

Another witness said the victims WERE SEEN HOLDING A SLAB OF ROCK USED IN BREAKING COCONUT FRUIT NEAR A PILE OF kRECRACKER POWDER WHICH THEY THOUGHT WAS A PILE OF SAND

BEFORE A HUGE EXPLOSION Two other minor companions OF THE VICTIMS -ATT %RON "ALLA

AND !NDREI -ACOY )NEGO

BOTH FROM "ARANGAY ,OLOMBOY SURVIVED the blast.

A8

MONDAY January 28, 2019

News

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

‘Expand school feeding program’

BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

S

EN. Joseph Victor “JV�

Ejercito wants the school feeding program expanded so that children in public schools will be fed during the entire school year.

The senator made the proposal on the heels of a Social Weather Stations survey that showed that 3.1 million families has suffered hunger.

Ejercito said under Republic Act 11037, or the “Masustansiyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act,� school children are given meals only for 120 days. “Why don’t we make it 200 days instead of 120 days only? There are 200 class days in one school year,� he said. “That’s why it is better to feed children a full nutritious meal during school days until the end of the school year,� said Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

He added that under the Constitution,

Q ARREST FROM A1

DoJ, SolGen In its petition for certiorari, dated Jan. 17, 2019 but was received by the appellate court only on January 22 and signed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, the People of the Philippines, through the OSG, asked the CA to annul and set aside several issuances of Judge Andres Soriano of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148.

The Manila Times obtained a copy of the petition.

The DoJ was holding the trial of the case before the RTC, but it is now represented by the OSG in its appeal before the Court of Appeals. /N *ULY

MORE THAN JUNIOR OFkcers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who were fully armed bolted their barracks and occupied the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City, purportedly to air their grievances against the government.

The OSG, through the Justice department, kLED COUP D ETAT CHARGES AGAINST 4RILLANES AND 320 other mutineers before the RTC for the Oakwood mutiny On Nov. 24, 2010, then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd signed a proclamation granting amnesty to active and former personnel of the AFP and Philippine National Police, as well as their supporters who may have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the Articles of War and other laws in connection with the Oakwood mutiny, as well as the Marines stand-off and the Manila Peninsula siege.

On Aug. 31, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 572 declaring void the amnesty granted to Trillanes under Proclamation 75 on the ground that he failed to comply with the necessary requirements for its grant, including the kLING OF HIS APPLICATION AND ADMISSION OF GUILT The senator sought relief from the Supreme Court, challenging the proclamation.

The court, however, junked his plea for a temporary restraining order and remanded factual issues of the cases to the trial courts.

Judge Elmo Alameda of Makati RTC Branch 150 earlier granted the motions of the DoJ and ordered the arrest of Trillanes in connection with the rebellion case stemming from the Manila Peninsula siege.

Q WIN FROM A1

Karen Semifinalists were proportionally chosen from each of the continents to make up the Top 20: Ethiopia and Ghana for Africa; Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam for Asia and Oceania; Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Slovak Republic and Ukraine for Europe; Costa Rica, Mexico and USA for North America; and Paraguay, Colombia and Ecuador for South America.

Continental Queens were chosen after the Long Gown Competition to make up the Top 5, with a sixth finalist chosen from across all continents — Ethiopia for Africa, Philippines for Asia and Oceania, Slovak Republic for Europe, Costa Rica for North America, Colombia for South America and Vietnam for People’s Choice, Gallman’s definition of what success means clinched the title for her — the common question for the six finalists. “For me, success is not just winning in life. It is about setting goals, achieving your dreams, working hard for everything you want and always looking up to God and be thankful for everything. For me, that is

Q Sen. Jose Victor Ejercito it was the right of every Filipino citizen, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN TO HAVE SUFkCIENT AND nutritious food. “Children cannot completely absorb what was being taught to them in school if they are hungry,� Ejercito said in Filipino. “That’s why a full meal of nutritious food during the entire school year will be a big help,� he added.

At the Makati RTC Branch 148, the prosecution LOST ITS kGHT AFTER *UDGE !NDRES 3ORIANO JUNKED the motion seeking Trillanes’ arrest but declared the invalidation of the amnesty as valid.

The Justice department appealed the decision in October 2018, but lost once again, prompting the OSG to seek redress before the appellate court.

In its petition, the OSG cited the ruling of the high court, saying only a trial court and, in certain cases, the CA tribunal are trier of facts. “The respondent judge [Soriano] acted arbitrarily in holding that the factual basis for Proclamation 572 does not exist notwithstanding his ruling that it is valid,� the petition said.

According to the OSG, Soriano should issue a warrant of arrest against Trillanes because Duterte’s proclamation had factual and legal basis.

Once arrested, the senator will stay in prison without bail since mounting a coup is a nonbailable offense. “The respondent judge could not have DETERMINED THAT 4RILLANES kLED HIS AMNESTY application and admitted his guilt because the J1-(Joint Intelligence)-AFP, the DND (Department of National Defense) Records Division, THE /FkCE OF THE 5NDERSECRETARY FOR $EFENSE Affairs, and the trial court have no copies of THE AMNESTY APPLICATION u THE /FkCE OF THE Solicitor General said. “Trillanes himself does not have a copy of his own amnesty application form,� it added.

4HUS THE OFkCE SAID gWITHOUT THE ORIGINAL COPY OF THE PRIVATE RESPONDENT S /FkCIAL !MNESTY Application Form, it cannot be conclusively said that [he] expressedly admitted that he committed the crimes of rebellion and coup d’etat for his active involvement and participation in Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula siege.�

The OSG argued that the state was denied due process when the RTC issued the order in 2011 dismissing the coup d’etat case against Trillanes. “The basic rule in this jurisdiction is that all WRITTEN MOTIONS SHOULD BE HEARD SPECIkCALLY litigious motions, except those which may be acted upon by the court without prejudice to THE RIGHTS OF THE ADVERSE PARTY 4HE LEGAL INkRmity of the amnesty given to Trillanes therefore JUSTIkES THE ISSUANCE BY THIS HONORABLE COURT OF a warrant of arrest against him,� it said.

JOMAR CANLAS

success,� she said.

Born and raised in Ubay, Bohol as Karen Juanita Boyones Gallman to a Filipino mother and Australian father, she migrated to Australia at a young age, came back and settled in the country and joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2012 and ended in the Top 12.

Gallman, then, finished college in Australia and worked as operations analyst in London.

Upon the urging of friends and under the tutelage of Rogie Flores of Kagandahang Flores beauty camp, she joined Binibining Pilipinas 2018 and won the right to represent the Philippines in the Miss Intercontinental pageant.

The closest the Philippines got to winning the title before Gallman was last year when Katarina Rodriguez placed first runner-up to Mexico’s Veronica Salas Vallejo in the pageant held in Egypt.

In 2015, Filipino-American Christi Lynn McGarry also ended first runner-up to Rasulova Valentina of Russia in the contest held in Magdeburg, Germany.

In her official bio sketch, Gallman said “selfawareness was something instilled in me at a very young age by my mother and late father. I was taught nothing is ever too big to achieve; that everything is possible if you set your mind to it and are willing to work hard for it.�

What’s inside LITTLE IMPACT ON GDP FROM PEACE IN MINDANAO BusinessB2

Âť

INVESTOR ENTRY STORY LIFTS PAL HOLDINGS

ÂťStock WatchB3

EDC SPENDING P10M FOR BORACAY WETLAND

ÂťCorporate NewsB4

BIG TECH TO REPORT QUARTERLY EARNINGS

ÂťForeign BusinessB5

www.manilatimes.net

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

B2

W

MONDAY JANUARY 28, 2019

Business Times

B1

Q1 spending slashed due to budget delay

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

T

HE government will be unable to spend a programmed P46 billion DURING THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR GIVEN THE DELAY IN THE PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET A #ABINET OFkCIAL CLAIMED

“I just computed it; the budget delay cost the GOVERNMENT 0 BILLION FOR THE kRST QUARTER In other words, we cannot spend P46 billion of what we planned to do,� Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said at the sidelines of the central bank’s annual reception for the banking community last Friday. “You know how much P46 billion is? Half a billion a day. So that is the amount of money

that is not circulating, that is not going to serve the public with infrastructure projects, etc.,� he added, also saying that this would subsequently weigh on the country’s economic growth. “This is the best time to start projects. So you missed that. So our GDP (gross domestic PRODUCT FOR THE 1 kRST QUARTER IS CERTAINLY going to be affected,� Dominguez said.

ÂłDelay B4

Taking public No Fed hike S H A R E S O U T L O O K F O R T H E W E E K : Profit-taking seen following market gains stockholders for granted this week T but don’t rule out more WASHINGTON, D.C.: The US Federal 2ESERVE WILL HOLD ITS kRE THIS WEEK

leaving interest rates untouched and letting markets calm down after a tumultuous end to 2018.

Coming off Wall Street’s worst December since the Great Depression and amid mounting fears about the global economy, Fed policymakers are now unanimously hammering a single message: they will be “patient� before pulling the trigger again.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell is

ÂłRule B4

THE stock market could trade lower as investors are expected TO TAKE PROkTS FOLLOWING A NEARLY 8-percent gain since the start of 2019, an analyst said.

Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun, in a market comment, said he expected market

players to cash in “after the incredible run that we have seen in the last three weeks.�

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) is up 7.86 percent from the last trading day of 2018.

Week-on-week, it was up 0.57 percent as of last Friday.

/NLINE BROKERAGE kRM TRADEASIA com, meanwhile, said it was expecting the market to take a pause on account of month-end window-dressing and ahead of Chinese New Year.

Congress approval of the 2019 budget ahead of next week’s

ÂłGains B4

Reserve requirement cuts could resume RENEWED cuts to bank reserve requirements are on the table given EASING INlATION "ANGKO 3ENTRAL NG 0ILIPINAS "30 OFkCIALS SAID on Friday. “We now see scope for further reduction of the RRR (reserve requirement ratio) as we see inlATION RETURNING kRMLY TO WITHIN

TARGET AND WITH INlATION EXPECTAtions stabilizing,� central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in a speech addressed to the members of the banking community.

The speech was read by Deputy Governor and officer in charge Chuchi Fonacier during the annual reception, which Espenilla did not

attend as he remains on extended medical leave due to cancer.

The RRR or reserve requirement ratio is the proportion of current deposits that banks need to keep with the central bank against the sum they can loan out to borrowers.

One percentage-point cuts to the

ÂłCuts B2

HE nine-member board of Acesite (Philippines) Hotel Corp. owned 10,250 Acesite common shares as of Dec. 31, 2018, according to a public ownership report (POR) posted on the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE).

Of Acesite’s nine directors, Dee Hua Gatchalian and Silvestre Bello Jr. held 3,850 and 3,500 common shares, respectively. The OFkCERS DID NOT OWN ANY As principal stockholder, Waterfront Philippines Inc. held 192.045 million Acesite common shares, which were then equivalent to 55.7 percent of 344.747 outstanding Acesite common shares.

With the board’s ownership of

10,250 Acesite common shares and Waterfront’s 192.045 million Acesite common shares, the company’s public stockholders were credited with 152.692 million Acesite common shares, or 44.291 percent. Their ownership would have entitled them to 4.872 directorship in Acesite’s 11-member board.

Like any other listed company, Acesite prefers the appointment

ÂłPerez B4

B2

Business Times

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Little impact on GDP I from peace in Mindanao

Mind the empathy gap

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

L

ASTING PEACE IN THE !UTONOMOUS 2EGION OF -USLIM -INDANAO !2-- WILL HELP SPUR growth in the region but will likely have little IMPACT ON THE COUNTRY S OVERALL GROWTH

“Peace in the southern province of Mindanao, the second biggest island in the Philippines, could lead to big economic gains for the province itself, but is unlikely to have much impact on overall growth in the Philippines,� Capital Economics said in a report released over the weekend.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday that the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) HAD BEEN RATIkED PAVING THE WAY for the creation of the Bangsamoro

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that ARMM currently has a total population of 3.781 million. Major sources of livelihood in the area include agriculture, hunting, forestry AND kSHING MINING AND QUARRYING The region recorded a 53.5 percent poverty incidence among the poulation as of 2015. The province of Lanao del Sur, had the highest poverty incidence at 71.9 percent,

the data added. “The ARMM, as it is currently known, is the poorest part the Philippines, with GDP per head just one-fifth of the national AVERAGE $ECADES OF CONlICT HAVE deterred foreign investors and put off tourists, weighing on economic growth. Since 2009, the ARMM has been the second slowest-growing part of the country. Only Eastern Visayas, which has been hit hard by a number of typhoons in recent years, has grown at a slower pace,� Capital Economics said.

The report cited that peace in the area particularly the rebuilding of war-torn Marawi City, would help boost economic growth. “And over the longer term, a safer environment could lead to the mergence

of a competitive manufacturing sector and a viable tourism industry, providing higher-paying jobs,� it said.

Capital Economics said peace in the area would allow the government to invest in infrastructure as cost of security would be reduced.

The report, however, highlighted that despite these the “economic impact for the country overall would be small� as the region only accounted for about 0.75 percent of the country’s GDP. Average growth is estimated to be around 2.5 percent in the past decade. “Even if growth were to average 10 percent over the next 10 years, the boost to national GDP growth would be less than 0.1 percentpoints a year,� it said.

Opening Outlook on PH most ‘optimistic’ of sugar sector to be studied THE government may soon initiate a study to assess the possible impact of liberalizing the country’s sugar industry.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Ernesto Pernia said last week the study might start within this year. “During our last economic cluster meeting, we talked about sugar to be liberalized. It could be similar to rice, there will be tariffication,� said Pernia.

Pernia said part of relaxing the rules on sugar import regulations involved allowing users to import directly to avoid high intermediation costs. “There are a lot of industries using sugar. They are complaining that the price of [local produce] is high. If we allow imports, it will compete and bring down the local prices,� he said. “We could source it from China or Latin America,� he added.

Pernia however said pushing for the liberalization of the sugar industry will be done after the signing of the Rice Tariffication law. He also admitted opening up the sector to more imports will be a “tough fight.� “ We will have to solve the rice tariffication first. It [sugar] will be a tougher fight. There is a strong lobby for sugar especially from Tarlac and Negros. These are political supporters also.�

NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said the current regulatory framework required sugar importers to compensate sugar farmers when they import. “If you import, you have to compensate the farmers. You pay for the right to import so the result is, the price [of imported sugar] is almost similar to the domestic.

The right to import is expensive. It [liberalization] really requires an overhaul of the regulatory framework,� she said. Since the election period is about to start, pushing for the measure might start after the elections. “Strategically speaking, it has to be when the new Congress starts,� she said.

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

THE Philippines has the most positive economic outlook for 2019 among its neighbors in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a survey by audit firm Grant Thornton showed.

Grant Thornton said 66 percent of the Philippine respondents were “optimistic� on the country’s economic condition for 2019.

The figure is the highest in the Asean region. It was followed by Indonesia’s 61 percent. Both Malaysia and Vietnam recorded 38 percent while Singapore, 18 percent. Thailand scored the lowest at -1 percent.

In global ranking, the Philippines was fifth along with Brazil. Ireland was the most optimistic with 80 percent.

Majority or two-thirds of the Filipino business leaders surveyed by the audit firm said they were “very optimistic� about the economic condition this year with their revenues expected to grow more than 5 percent.

Seventy percent expect their revenue base to continue strengthening this year, which Grant Thornton said was in contrast to the “more reserved global outlook� of 39 percent. “Following a period of heightened optimism and strong economic growth, the global outlook for businesses in 2019 is markedly more reserved as the economic cycle cools and political uncertainty begins to bite,� it explained. The global outlook for 2019 was lower than previous year’s 54 percent.

Twenty-two percent forecast the same revenue level while 5 percent expect to have decreased topline figures for 2019.

Sixty-six percent plan to hike selling prices of products and services while 52 percent expressed interest in increasing exports this year, which would aid in growing their revenue base.

Majority of the business executives also said they planned to hire more in

Q CUTS FROM B1

Reserve requirement ratio, currently at 18 percent, were ordered by the Bangko Sentral’s policy-making Monetary Board in February and May last year.

Fonacier said the BSP’s latest FORECASTS INDICATED THAT INlATION would return to the 2.0-4.0 percent target in 2019 and stay there during the following year.

The central bank expects consumer price growth, which hit 5.2 percent in 2018, to average 3.1 percent this year before slowing further to 3 percent in 2020.

Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, meanwhile, said liquidity

was also one of the factors being considered for a reserve requirement cut. “There should be tightness in the market,“ Guinigundo told reporters, noting that last year’s reductions had caused some confusion. “[T]he market was confused when we reduced the RR in February and then in May we started jacking up interest rates — 25, 25, 50, 50 and then another 25 basis points in November,� he said. “Now that you still have a

2019 and hoped to boost their salaries over the year.

In terms of research and development, 63 percent were keen on exerting more effort. Fifty-nine percent, meanwhile, were looking forward to investing more on information technology this year. “While the general outlook for the Philippine economy remains very optimistic, financial constraints are seen as the most significant external barrier to expanding internationally,� Grant Thornton noted.

Other factors seen hampering expansion were corruption concern, regulatory restrictions and trade tariffs.

In the Asean region, optimism stood at 42 percent overall, which is below the 64-percent record last year.

The survey was conducted during the second half of 2018 with 5,000 business leaders coming from 35 countries as respondents.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

PERCENT INlATION RATE IN $Ecember, and then you reduce the RRR because of the wrong view of some market analysts that there’s tightness in the market, then you will confuse the market again.

Spare the market,� Guinigundo added.

Some economists have pointed out that tight liquidity could push the BSP to implement up to a 2-3 percentage point cut in the RRR. Bank of the Philippine Islands Vice-President Emilio Neri Jr. recently said that the central bank would likely keep policy rates unchanged this year and instead pick “low-hanging fruits.�

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

T is a sign of the times that there are countless articles out there offering tips on how to get along with, engage in civilized debate with, or even discreetly unfriend people within your circle who hold political views or opinions so staunchly opposed to yours.

It suggests that many of us are struggling with this dilemma.

It suggests that many of us are having a hard time getting along.

In this highly partisan atmosphere, that’s no surprise. On good days, it is already challenging to understand people who, for example, argue that solar energy is actually bad for the environment. (Among other things, it’s because of all the trees that have to be cut down to make space for solar panels, they say.) Add to that the distrust and animosity towards “the other� that now marks public discourse, and IT S EASY TO GIVE UP ON kNDing common ground and to simply remain quiet. But you can’t. Especially if you are a business leader.

According to consultancy firm Edelman’s 2019 Trust Barometer Global Report, 71 percent of employees think it is critically important for CEOs to respond to major challenges such as a national crisis, political events, or industry issues. Further, the survey found that 58 percent of employees look to their employers to be trustworthy sources when it comes to important issues on which there is no general agreement.

This gives business leaders a great opportunity to inform and influence people within their organizations and, more importantly, bridge the gap between co-workers who may have stopped seeing eye to eye.

The tricky part, of course, is speaking up without alienating those you do not agree with.

The Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership looked to researchers Matthew Feinberg and Robb Willer for a workable approach. Feinberg and Willer hypothesized that one reason we have a hard time understanding people who do not agree with us is that we have a ‘moral empathy gap’. That is, we can’t appreciate what underlies others’ moral convictions because we focus exclusively on our own beliefs and values. They grounded this concept on the Moral Foundations Theory, which proposes that there are five primary moral foundations that form the basis of our moral judgments: • Care, which is the need to prevent or alleviate suffering • Fairness, which is the need to seek equality and prevent discrimination • Loyalty, which is the need to show allegiance to one’s own group • Authority, which is the need to respect superiors and

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

AVIS MANLAPAZ tradition, and • Sanctity, which is the need to maintain sacredness and purity Disagreements arise between two people when they do not endorse the same moral foundations or they prioritize them differently. A person who prioritizes care, for example, may support efforts to allow entry to more ilLEGAL ALIENS lEEING DANGEROUS countries. But a person who prioritizes sanctity may resist that, arguing that the sacredness of immigration laws must be maintained.

If you are a leader trying to bridge that gap, Feinberg and Willer suggest using a technique called “moral reframing�. This involves presenting an issue in such a way that it appeals to the moral foundation of your target audience rather than your own moral foundation.

Listening closely to other people’s language when they speak about moral issues will help you learn which moral foundations they prioritize.

Try to understand what lies behind their concern, and then see if you can speak their language about the issue you ALSO kND IMPORTANT It will also help if you acknowledge how your moral foundations might get in the way of a constructive dialogue.

Being aware of which moral foundations you prioritize will help you recognize when your biases are dominating the conversation.

Finally, it’s important that you BELIEVE IN THE PROSPECT OF kNDING common ground. Approaching someone with the mindset that you have more in common than that which divides you will go a long way towards engendering respect and an openness to the other person’s opinions and point of view.

It isn’t an easy thing to do, to empathize. But if there’s anything the current climate of discourse has taught us, it is that hateful and angry words don’t really solve anything. A good leader should be able to discern that, rise above the noise, and do what needs to be done to restore trust and cooperation: bridge the empathy gap.

The author is an Audit & Assurance Partner and the Ethics Leader of Navarro Amper & #O THE LOCAL MEMBER kRM OF Deloitte Southeast Asia Ltd. – a member of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited – comprising Deloitte practices operating in Brunei, Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Stock Watch

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

B3

MONDAY January 28, 2019

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

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Q Philippine Airlines Airbus A330-300 PHOTO FROM WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Investor entry story lifts PAL Holdings

BY TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

P

HILIPPINE Airlines parent PAL Holdings Inc. saw its share price spike last week on news that a Japanese carrier was looking to purchase a minority stake.

PAL Holdings denied that a deal had been reached, only saying that it was in talks with prospective partners, but that did little to dissuade investors. “Since a new foreign partner can contribute to the operation of the local airline, it’s apparent that the market is pricing in the news to PAL’s stock price,� Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis said.

A newspaper last Tuesday reported that ANA Holdings, the parent firm of All Nippon AirWAYS WAS kNALIZING ITS ENTRY INTO PAL and that a deal could be announced in a few weeks.

PAL Holdings shares subsequently skyrocketed, more than

doubling at one point from the start of the year. ! 0 PEAK WAS HIT DURING INTRADAY TRADE ON *ANUARY AND WHILE THE kRM S SHARE PRICE HAS COME DOWN SOMEWHAT TO A 0 CLOSE LAST &RIDAY IT REMAINS UP PERCENT FROM THE 0 POSTED DURING THE kRST TRADING DAY OF On average, PAL Holdings tradED AT AN AVERAGE OF JUST UNDER 0 per share during the days before the report of a likely deal with ANA Holdings.

In the wake of PAL Holdings’ guarded response, de Celis said “it’s too early to say how big the foreign partner can contribute to THE PROkTABILITY OF THE kRM u

The price surge, he added, was an “overreaction� on the part of investors.

He added that it a pullback would not be a surprise with investors looking to cash in.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Japhet Tantiangco, meanwhile, agreed that the report had been taken by investors as an opportunity. “Investors may be expecting that THIS MOVE IF kNALIZED WOULD MAKE a turnaround for PAL. It would HELP IMPROVE ITS kNANCIAL AND OPerating performance, which is currently recording losses,� he said.

7HILE THE kRM RECORDED A HIGHER TOPLINE kGURE IN A PER-

Total Assets

Total Liabilities

2015 114,406,190 2016 125,250,113 2017 179,955,554 *amounts in thousand pesos

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

Value

Chg

Outstanding shares: 11,610,978,242

Close

Date

13.94

Jan 04, 2019

8.9

Jan 24, 2019

15.96

Jan 03, 2019

8.33

Jan 23, 2019

12.74

Jan 02, 2019

8.33

Jan 22, 2019

9

Dec 28, 2018

8.33

Jan 21, 2019

8.93

Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019

8.9 8.52 8.5 8.99 8.7

Jan 11, 2019

8.9

Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019 Jan 07, 2019

8.8 8.7 8.65 8.7

Dec 26, 2018 Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018 Dec 17, 2018 Dec 14, 2018 Dec 13, 2018 Dec 12, 2018 Dec 11, 2018 Dec 10, 2018

8.3 8.3 8.32 8.3 7.81 7.73 7.58 8.25 8.25 8.25 8.54

Date Jan 25, 2019

*amounts in peso

PROFITABILITY P/E ratio -14.17 -14.29 -20.22 -25.33 -22.13

Date Jan 25 Jan 26 Jan 27 Jan 28 Jan 29

P/E growth (%) -

Price to book ratio 10.6310 10.7143 15.1667 19.0000 16.5952

THIRD QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME P(2,456,224,000)

Net income (loss) Earnings per share Book value per share

2015 5,918 0.26 0.44

*Net Income (loss) in 000 00

2016 3,592 0.16 0.61

TOTAL ASSETS

2017 (6,467) -0.63 1.43

P193,329,427,000

TOTAL LIABILITIES P185,050,252,000

*amounts in peso

TOTAL EQUITY

FINANCIAL RATIOS

Shareholders’ Equity 10,139,768 14,090,835 13,977,233

P8,279,175,000

Return on Assets (%)

Return on Equity (%)

Debt to Equity ratio

Common ratio

2015

5.17

58.36

10.2829

0.5974

2016

2.87

25.49

7.8888

0.4987

2017

-3.59

-46.27

11.8749

0.4260

Year

Close

FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets 1.27% Return on Equity 29.67% Debt to Ety Ratio 22.3513 Common Ratio 0.4060

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. Security Name 1 Ayala Corporation 2 BDO Unibank, Inc. 3 SM Investments Corporation

Last Price Chg %Chg 921.5 9 0.99% 136.5 1.5 1.11% 989 -1 -0.10%

Ÿ Ÿ ź

Volume 818,100.00 3,289,600.00 419,830.00

Value(P) 752,709,625.00 449,168,188.00 415,741,655.00

0.15 16.67% 0.25 0.56%

Ÿ Ÿ

387,522,000.00 8,118,100.00

382,778,140.00 361,233,315.00

1,328.00 39.9

42 0.2

3.27% 0.50%

Ÿ Ÿ

254,160.00 8,382,300.00

335,327,540.00 333,068,035.00

4 5

Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation Ayala Land, Inc.

%Chg

6 7

PLDT Inc. SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

8

Universal Robina Corporation

149.3

-0.2

-0.13%

Ĺş

2,186,330.00

326,410,452.00

9

International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

107.5

0.1

0.09%

Ÿ

2,336,400.00

251,038,317.00

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Bank of the Philippine Islands Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Megawide Construction Corp.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company Jollibee Foods Corporation Puregold Price Club, Inc. Globe Telecom, Inc. Alliance Global Group, Inc. San Miguel Corporation JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Manila Electric Company

91.15 62.3 18.1 83.35 323.6 44.9 2,120.00 14.38 168.5 64.65 372

-1.65 -2.7 0.26 -0.65 7.8 0 4 0.12 -5.5 -1.35 -8

-1.78% -4.15% 1.46% -0.77% 2.47% 0% 0.19% 0.84% -3.16% -2.05% -2.11%

ź ź Ÿ ź Ÿ

1,959,530.00 2,428,360.00 7,704,000.00 1,530,920.00 383,120 2,097,500 43,830 6,339,900 519,830 1,303,080 219,380

179,995,914.50 157,080,978.00 139,024,312.00 127,594,347.50 123,568,078.00 95,422,705.00 92,760,250.00 90,965,098.00 87,791,228.00 84,470,481.00 81,980,892.00

PSEi

8,053.20

-11.7

Ĺş

All Shares

4,853.62

-7.61

Ĺş

Financials

1,824.74

-5.3

Ĺş

Industrial

11,778.46

19.3

Ÿ

Holding Firms

7,927.59

-64.04

Ĺş

Services

1,581.00

13.66

Ÿ

Mining and Oil

8,456.36

55.06

Ÿ

Property

4,013.20

18.69

Ÿ

SERVICES

Stock indices as of January 25, 2019

ALL SHARES

PSEi

104,266,422 111,159,278 165,978,321

Market capitalization: P185,311,212,742.32

30-day low: P7.58

cent expense surge resulted in a CONSOLIDATED LOSS OF 0 BILLION

a reversal from previous year’s 0 BILLION PROkT 4HE LOSS HAS EXTENDED TO WITH A NET LOSS OF 0 BILLION AS of end-September on the back of higher cost and expenses.

PAL shares for now are “narrative-driven�, Tantiangco said. g0ROkT TAKING IS LIKELY ESPECIALLY if no progress is heard with the talks between ANA Holdings Inc. and PAL Holdings Inc. with respect to the said investment,� he added. “[This] week, it may test the validity of its current levels. If it fails to hold, then it may fall to its SUPPORT LEVEL OF 0 u

FINANCIAL CONDITION Year

30-day high: P17.80

MINING AND OIL

1.05 44.6

Ÿ Ÿ ź ź ź

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date 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 Jan 9, 2019 Jan 8, 2019 Jan 7, 2019 Jan 4, 2019 Jan 3, 2019 Jan 2, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018 Dec 26, 2018 Dec 21, 2018 Dec 20, 2018 Dec 19, 2018 Dec 18, 2018 Dec 17, 2018 Dec 14, 2018 Dec 13, 2018 Dec 12, 2018 Dec 11, 2018

Open 8,076 8,001 7,941 8,024 8,055 7,932 7,866 7,983 8,009 7,886 7,965 7,932 7,775 7,820 7,801 7,657 7,507 7,497 7,497 7,465 7,437 7,537 7,514 7,412 7,478 7,501 7,506 7,514 7,456 7,386

High 8,116 8,068 7,990 8,030 8,067 8,058 7,938 7,991 8,028 8,024 7,965 7,992 7,920 7,826 7,901 7,802 7,681 7,540 7,507 7,514 7,453 7,548 7,584 7,580 7,482 7,538 7,559 7,556 7,488 7,451

Low 8,039 8,001 7,902 7,979 7,964 7,920 7,865 7,849 7,976 7,819 7,856 7,899 7,766 7,702 7,788 7,657 7,490 7,466 7,466 7,447 7,379 7,452 7,498 7,407 7,397 7,491 7,503 7,514 7,426 7,379

Close 8,053 8,065 7,990 8,009 8,007 8,047 7,927 7,865 8,013 8,024 7,904 7,985 7,920 7,702 7,788 7,761 7,681 7,489 7,466 7,483 7,450 7,480 7,563 7,580 7,420 7,520 7,524 7,523 7,488 7,451

CLOSE

No. Security Name 1 Premiere Horizon Alliance Corporation

Volume Value Last Price 387,522,000.00 382,778,140.00 1.05

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

13,000.00 654,585.00 7,907,000.00 7,462,600.00 13,000,000.00 95,600.00 74,500,000.00 964,500.00 251,000.00 343,360.00 656,000.00 744,810.00 46,760,000.00 22,149,000.00 44,600.00 259,360.00 1,452,200.00 8,107,854.00 1,175,000.00 1,112,860.00 592,200.00 12,329,565.00 50,400.00 353,920.00 2,906,000.00 7,230,190.00 1,044,800.00 17,652,292.00 2,141,000.00 2,265,640.00 233,000.00 757,000.00 158,000.00 276,270.00 1,900.00 43,080.00 254,160.00 335,327,540.00

PTFC Redevelopment Corporation Arthaland Corporation United Paragon Mining Corporation The Philodrill Corporation SFA Semicon Philippines Corporation Nihao Mineral Resources International, Inc. Century Properties Group Inc. Jolliville Holdings Corporation Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. TKC Metals Corporation ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation - Phil. Deposit Receipts DFNN, Inc. Nickel Asia Corporation Easycall Communications Phils., Inc. National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines Primex Corporation Crown Asia Chemicals Corporation Philippine Bank of Communications PLDT Inc.

50 0.97 0.0075 0.013 1.47 1.15 0.475 5.8 5.81 0.97 21.1 7.39 2.52 16.6 1.07 3.3 1.79 21 1,328.00

Chg 0.15

%Chg 16.67%

6.1 0.08 0.0006 0.001 0.11 0.08 0.025 0.3 0.3 0.05 1 0.33 0.11 0.72 0.04 0.12 0.06 0.7 42

13.90% 8.99% 8.70% 8.33% 8.09% 7.48% 5.56% 5.45% 5.44% 5.43% 4.98% 4.67% 4.56% 4.53% 3.88% 3.77% 3.47% 3.45% 3.27%

*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 PAL Holdings, Inc. Filipino Fund, Inc. Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “B�

Metro Alliance Holdings & Equities Corp. “A�

Xurpas Inc. Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corporation “A�

Prime Media Holdings, Inc. )RUXP 3DFLÂżF ,QF Macay Holdings, Inc. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company “Aâ€? iPeople, Inc. Omico Corporation Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. ISM Communications Corporation San Miguel Corporation NOW Corporation Solid Group, Inc. Prime Orion Philippines, Inc. ATN Holdings, Inc. “Bâ€?

Leisure & Resorts World Corporation

*amounts in peso except for volume, %chg

Volume 1,611,900.00 800.00 42,000.00 2,222,000.00 28,204,000.00 27,900,000.00 69,000.00 210,000.00 22,100.00 2,780,000.00 200.00 1,000.00 2,428,360.00 11,894,600.00 519,830.00 2,986,000.00 681,000.00 398,000.00 3,735,000.00 307,000.00

Value 23,404,738.00 6,148.00 94,740.00 4,963,210.00 38,546,360.00 351,300.00 81,280.00 45,220.00 221,298.00 338,190.00 2,180.00 670 157,080,978.00 70,490,740.00 87,791,228.00 11,144,220.00 922,710.00 978,050.00 5,416,270.00 1,020,640.00

Last Price 13.94 8 2.08 2.19 1.31 0.012 1.16 0.227 10 0.119 10.64 0.67 62.3 5.98 168.5 3.63 1.35 2.43 1.44 3.26

Chg %Chg -2.02 -12.66% -0.98 -10.91% -0.22 -9.57% -0.21 -8.75% -0.11 -7.75% -0.001 -7.69% -0.07 -5.69% -0.013 -5.42% -0.56 -5.30% -0.006 -4.80% -0.52 -4.66% -0.03 -4.29% -2.7 -4.15% -0.22 -3.55% -5.5 -3.16% -0.11 -2.94% -0.04 -2.88% -0.07 -2.80% -0.04 -2.70% -0.09 -2.69%

B4

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Corporate News

EDC spending P10M for Boracay wetland

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

M

!,!9 !+,!. %.%2'9 $EVELOPMENT #ORP %$# IS INVESTING 0 MILLION TO REHABILITATE AND DEVELOP ONE OF "ORACAY S WETLANDS

WHICH IT gADOPTEDu IN UNDER A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO CLEAN UP THE TOURISM DEPENDENT ISLAND

Lopez-owned EDC last year inked a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for Wetland 2, located in Brgy.

Balabag, that is being developed into the Boracay Wetland Conservation Park (BWCP).

EDC has pledged to make the BWCP, inaugurated last October along with Boracay’s reopening,

into an arboretum for threatened native tree species in a bid to restore the island’s denuded forests as well as protect its biodiversity.

Allan Barcena, head of EDC’s corporate social responsibility #32 ARM SAID THE kRM WAS LOOKing to spend P10 million over the three-year term of its deal with the DENR. “We plan to invest P10 million

Q RULE FROM B1

No Fed hike this week

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Smart: Upgrades, tieups boost use of LTE devices

during this period. Aside from the walkway and view deck, a visitor information center and other visitor amenities will be built here in the future,� he said in a statement.

Speaking to visiting reporters, meanwhile, Barcena said the amount also covers logistical costs to manage one hectare of the 7.79-hectare wetland as well the cleanup and revival of small waterways up to next year.

Construction of the visitor information center and other amenities remain on hold pending the relocation of illegal settlers in the area.

Aside from EDC, other companies have adopted other wetlands on the island for conversion into

tourist destinations, DENR representative Al Orolfo said.

San Miguel Corp. has Wetland

WHICH WILL HAVE A lOATING DECK boardwalk, an amphitheatre, and an observation deck as well as some restaurants.

For Wetland 4, the Aboitiz Group is planning a linear urban park similar to Nuvali in Laguna, while MacroAsia Corp., which has Wetland 6, wants to work with the Ati community to showcase their culture and Aklan’s native products.

Orolfo said other companies such as Smart Communications, Inc. and Cebu Pacific had expressed interest in adopting other wetlands.

PLDT Inc. unit Smart Communications saw a surge in the use of long term evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)-capable devices by customers last year, a development it attributed to network improvements and partnerships with smartphone makers. In a statement on Friday, Smart reported a 78-percent increase in LTE-capable devices and a 72-percent improvement in LTE-A compatible devices. “Alongside our accelerated network roll-out, we are also partnering with device manufacturers to help our customers access capable devices, in order to take full advantage of the network that we are putting in place,� said Mario G. Tamayo, PLDT-Smart senior vicepresident. The firm said it had tied up with South Korea’s Samsung, China’s Oppo and homegrown Starmobile for the availability of smartphones such as the Galaxy Note 9, A37 and Play Click, and that offerings also extend to the latest

likely to stick to that script when he announces the Federal Open Market Committee’s latest monetary policy decision on Wednesday.

Futures markets are wagering the central bank will actually stand pat for all of 2019, with a growing share betting the Fed could even begin cutting interest rates as soon as next December.

Maybe they should think again.

While a cold wind blew at the end of last year, gathering conditions suggest the Fed could feel compelled to raise the key lending rate as soon as the spring, economists say. “I think the danger here now is that markets are now expecting nothing,� Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics said in a presentation on monetary policy. “The Fed could swing around on a dime once it becomes clear that the things that have scared them are no longer very scary.�

The month-long partial shutdown of the federal government — the longest in history — has been resolved with a provision agreement announced Friday between the White House and Congress, but was already gnawing away at GDP. Had the closure, which idled 800,000 federal workers, continued through March, it could have choked first quarter growth to “zero,� chief White House economist Kevin Hassett said last week.

4HE &ED ALSO IS lYING BLIND TO some extent because the shutdown HALTED THE lOW OF ECONOMIC DATA from the Commerce Department, INCLUDING CRUCIAL kGURES ON HOUSing, trade, consumption, wages AND INlATION )T COULD GET SOME KEY reports next week as the government reopens.

While December saw blockBUSTER JOB CREATION AND TAME INlAtion, it had a batch of very gloomy numbers too.

Amid President Donald Trump’s trade war with China, the US manufacturing sector could be starting to crumble, with the sector seeing its biggest one month drop in December since the global kNANCIAL CRISIS The economy also saw weak orders for durable goods and disappointing income growth.

And a downward revision to third-quarter growth included the biggest drop in exports in almost a decade.

Meanwhile, consumer sentiment — which can help predict spending by ordinary Americans — hit a two-year low.

Add to this the contraction of the German and Japanese economies, and the slowest Chinese growth in almost three decades, not to mention Wall Street’s nightmarish ride last month, and investor dyspepsia becomes easy to understand.

Predicting recessions is very

tricky and while a contraction seems unlikely, economists say downside risks are mounting.

Last month, a recession probability indicator from the New York Federal Reserve Bank put the odds of a downturn within a year at 11.5 percent — the highest since the depths of the Great Recession in 2009.

But fears of a US recession in 2019 may be “overdone,� said +ATHY "OSTJANCIC CHIEF 53 kNANcial market economist at Oxford Economics.

The recent dip in consumer sentiment was to be expected given that the measures had been so high, she noted.

Oxford expects the Fed raise RATES TWICE THIS YEAR WITH THE kRST in May at the bank’s third policy meeting of 2019. “We don’t think they’re done tightening this cycle,� she said. “The Fed needs to take some time to assess the landscape.�

AFP

Q GAINS FROM B1

ing for the year, during which it is EXPECTED TO HOLD kRE AFTER HIKING interest rates last month.

Investors will also be waiting for latest manufacturing data from China given concerns over its slowing economy. The start of renewed trade talks between Washington and Beijing this week will also be closely watched.

Gains on Wall Street last Friday

could provide an impetus for Asian markets, along with news that a record US government shutdown had ended.

The bellwether PSEi bucked a regional rise on Friday, closing down 0.14 percent or 11.70 points to 8,053.20, while the wider All Shares dropped by 0.16 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT

FROM A REPORT BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Q DELAY FROM B1

board. Instead, the Lopez-owned FGen appointed three independent directors, namely, Jaime I. Ayala, Cielito F. Habito, and Alicia Rita L. Morales.

P43.75, which was the stock’s session’s low, hit a high of P55, its 30-day high, and closed at P50. It recorded on Nov. 9, 2018 a month’s low of P29.05.

Annual meeting

Due Diligencer’s take

PTFC Redevelopment Corp. will hold on Feb. 12, 2019 its annual stockholders’ meeting at the Microtel Inn & Suites at UP at Wyndham Commonwealth Ave., UP Ayala Land Technohub, Quezon City.

In an information statement, PTFC listed 35 million common shares as outstanding and did not have treasury shares. Of 35 million PTFC common shares, PCD Nominee Corp. held 13.971 million PTFC common shares, or 39.92 percent of 35 million outstanding common shares.

L’Hirondelle Holdings Inc., which, according to the information statement, is a foreigner, owned 11.935 million PTFC common shares, or 34.10 percent. The other PTFC stockholders included BBB Management Inc., 3.5 million PTFC common shares, or 10 percent; and Artemis Realty Corp., 2.913 million PTFC common shares, or 8.32 percent.

As PTFC chairman and president, Bievenido A. Tan 3rd held 15,698 PTFC common shares, or 0.0449 percent. Emeline S. Huang is the company’s biggest stockholder with 102,050 PTFC common shares, or 0.2916 percent.

As a group, PTFC’s 10 direcTORS AND OFkCERS OWNED

PTFC common shares, or 0.4895 percent.

On Jan. 25, 2019, PTFC common shares opened trading at

If Acesite’s public stockholders really own 152.692 million common shares, their paper wealth would have reached P212.242 million. Thus, they would be too rich to be ignored even by the majority stockholder.

As public stockholders, they should have a say in the management of listed companies but don’t because the majority, who are mostly among the country’s very rich, would not allow them.

The question is why. It is either the public stockholders do hold and own 152.692 million Acesite common shares, or 44.291 percent, or Acesite has only been playing with numbers. To have attributed that much ownership to the public would be too good to be believed.

A 10-percent ownership would have been good enough for the public stockholders of listed companies as long as the board would accommodate their nominees to the board.

Acesite does not enjoy the monopoly of crediting the public with such number of common shares.

A few other listed companies, such as FGen, do the same.

By the way, which among the 300 or so listed companies will entertain an outsider who is neither a family member nor a relative?

Just asking.

Profit adjournment, it added, “could reinvigorate interest on infrastructure rollout.�

Other factors that could affect trading this week include the US &EDERAL 2ESERVE S kRST POLICY MEET-

Q PEREZ FROM B1

Taking of two independent directors, namely, Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. and Ruben D. Torres.

Acesite traded throughout the session on Jan. 25, 2019 at P1.39 on thin volume of 1,000 Acesite common shares.

Foreign stockholders First Gen Corp. (FGen) said in Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 18-A that “as of 14th January 2019, PSHL is a deemed substantial stockholder as holder of 188.538 million, or 5.14 percent, which were held in various funds managed by EISL. FGen’s issued shares as of 14th January 2019 totalled 3,660,943,557.

EISL and PSHL stand for Eastspring Investments (Singapore) Limited and Prudential Singapore Holdings Pte. Limited.

In a footnote to a series of “sellâ€? transactions, Eastspring said “this is a transfer in of 5.045 million shares which occurred on 3 December 2018.â€? It did not elaborate what it meant by “transfer in‌â€?

A POR listed First Philippine Holdings Corp. as FGen’s majority stockholder with 2.44 billion common shares, or 66.98 percent, or 66.979 percent of 3.643 billion FGen outstanding common shares. This percentage of ownership left the company’s public stockholders with 1.169 billion FGen common shares, or 32.10 percent but without representation in the company’s nine-person

Email: esdperez@gmail.com

iPhones that are LTE-A capable. “Today, the quality of customer experience dependent not only on the network but also on the devices being used by our customer. To fully utilize the network we are rolling out—whether it’s LTE, LTE-A today or 5G in the future—it is important for customers to adopt the devices that can fully tap the network’s capabilities,� Tamayo said.

In December, Smart said it had hit its target to extend LTE coverege to 90 percent of cities and municipalities in the country.

It completed network upgrades in Metro Manila, advancing internet speeds to as fast as 500 megabits per second, and also upgraded its network in most part of Bulacan, including Malolos, San Jose Del Monte, Obando, Balagtas, San Ildefonso, San Miguel, San Rafael and Pulilan. Smart has more than 14,400 LTE base stations, 65 percent higher than end of 2017.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

Q1 spending The government is aiming for 7.0-8.0 percent GDP growth this year. This means that the economy, which expanded by a below-target 6.2 percent last year, should grow by 7.0 percent per quarter to hit at least the lower end of the 2019 goal.

The government is currently operating on a re-enacted budget after Congress failed to pass the proposed P3.7570-trillion 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) before the end of last year. The delay, blamed on factors such as the late submission by the House of Representatives and questions over alleged insertions, has already led to the shelving of mandated pay hikes for government workers.

Under a reenacted budget, no new projects can be awarded until Congress approves — and President Rodrigo Duterte subsequently inks into law — this year’s GAA, the Budget department has said.

In a recent statement, the department underscored that Circular 09-2018 issued by the Government Procurement Policy Board states that “activities or projects that are included in the &9 kSCAL YEAR .%0 .Ational Expenditure Program), hence not part of the FY 2018 GAA, may be awarded on the basis of the FY 2019 GAA.� “New projects will have to wait until the passing of the GAA before they can have their contracts awarded. We still encourage them, however, to conduct early procurement activities if they have not done so,� Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has said.

The Senate last week approved its version of the budget bill and a bicameral conference committee will begin the process of crafting a reconciled measure.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chair of the 3ENATE kNANCE COMMITTEE SAID THE GOAL WAS TO HAVE THE kNAL BILL APproved before Congress adjourns for the mid-term elections and to have Duterte sign it by February 14.

Foreign Business Big Tech to report quarterly earnings W ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY January 28, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

back from many consumer offerings including the smartphone business, it has leveraged its strength with business customers to bolster its cloud computing PLATFORM KNOWN AS !ZURE “People are now seeing Microsoft as a growth company,� said analyst Jack Gold of J. Gold Associates.

!3().'4/. $ # "IG 4ECH kRMS FACE a critical test in the coming days with QUARTERLY UPDATES THAT MAY OFFER CLUES on whether the world’s largest companies are seeing growth or retrenchment ahead.

Apple reports its latest quarterly earnings on Tuesday, with Facebook and Microsoft on deck a DAY LATER FOLLOWED BY !MAZON ON Thursday. Google parent Alphabet rounds out group with its update ON &EBRUARY The results come after a rollercoaster period with drops of MORE THAN PERCENT IN THE VALUE OR !PPLE AND !MAZON WHICH have lost their trillion-dollar status, and with Facebook and Google seeing increased pressure to deal with concerns on privacy and data protection.

Here are some of the challenges FACING THE MAJOR TECHNOLOGY kRMS

Apple: another reinvention?

Apple, facing sluggish growth in the global smartphone market, has been pushing harder in services but still relies on the iPhone for the LION S SHARE OF REVENUE AND PROkT For the upcoming results, Apple will no longer detail the exact number of iPhones sold in the quarter, leaving analysts to guess the mix of devices based on revenues.

Apple delivered a stunning admission earlier this month that iPhone sales and overall revenues would be below most forecasts, citing economic weakness in China and trade frictions between Washington and Beijing. “The mobile market is reaching saturation, and so is the smartphone market,� says Benedict Evans of the INVESTMENT kRM !NDREESSEN (OROWITZ IN A RECENT BLOG POST g4HIS IS NOT @THE FALL OF !PPLE ‡ it’s just the shift of smartphones to boring maturity, as we look for what’s next.�

Analysts will be looking at growth in services such as Apple Music and Apple Pay, and what MIGHT BE COMING FOR A .ETlIX RIVAL streaming television service from the Cupertino company.

Facebook: safety first WAS A HORRIkC YEAR FOR &ACEbook, marked by a series of scandals over privacy and concerns that the leading social network had been manipulated by foreign interests for political purposes.

3HARES WERE DOWN AS MUCH AS

Amazon: limits on growth?

Q In this file photo taken on June 2, 2014, attendees gather at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference at the Moscone West center in San Francisco, California. Apple acknowledged on Jan. 25, 2019, that it has trimmed its team devoted to self-driving car technology but stressed that its still in the race. AFP PHOTO percent from their peak at one point in the year.

Facebook boosted revenues AND PROkTS DURING THE YEAR AND managed to increase its user base TO MORE THAN BILLION ALTHOUGH growth appears to have stalled in North America and Europe. )N &ACEBOOK IS LIKELY TO SEE further scrutiny with US lawmakers mulling privacy regulations ‡ POTENTIALLY IMPACTING HOW &ACEBOOK MONETIZES ITS USER DATA with its sophisticated advertising TECHNOLOGY ‡ FOLLOWING NEW RULES in the European Union. “Costs are still likely to rise

much more quickly than revenues as Facebook is having to recruit humans to police its content because ITS !) ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NOT up to the job,� said Richard Windsor said, an analyst who writes the Radio Free Mobile blog.

Microsoft: steady in the cloud Microsoft has been the steadiest OF THE MAJOR TECH kRMS OF LATE AND HAS BEEN JOCKEYING WITH !MAZON for the title of the world’s most valuable company in recent weeks.

While Microsoft has stepped

!MAZON S SEEMINGLY UNSTOPPABLE growth has been one of the main stories in technology in recent years as it expands into groceries, robotics, artificial intelligence, streaming media and more.

"UT !MAZON S VALUE HAS DROPPED SOME PERCENT SINCE IT PEAKED AT TRILLION LAST YEAR g!MAZON IS REALLY MULTIPLE COMpanies,� said Gold, noting that its HIGHLY PROkTABLE CLOUD COMPUTING SEGMENT HAS ENABLED !MAZON TO invest in ecommerce and media. !MAZON CLAIMS SOME MILlion subscribers to its Prime service, giving it a consistent revenue stream. But in the US market, !MAZON MAY HAVE TROUBLE GROWING that base further, with an estimatED PERCENT OF 53 HOUSEHOLDS already members.

One new segment that appears PROMISING FOR !MAZON IS ADVERTISing, according to some analysts

B5

who point out that its customer relationships could help it challenge the online ad “duopoly� of Google and Facebook. !MAZON FOUNDER *EFF "EZOS ‡ now facing divorce proceedings ‡HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR FAVORING INVESTMENT OVER PROkTS AND WILL LIKELY continue that, according to Gold.

Alphabet/Google: coping with regulators As the dominant player in online advertising, Google remains the PROkT ENGINE FOR ITS PARENT kRM Alphabet, which has ventured into autonomous vehicles, life sciences AND OTHER kELDS But Google is a key target of “techlash� with probes in Europe on monopoly abuse in search, advertising its Android mobile ecosystem, and could be impacted by proposed privacy rules in the United States.

Gold argued that Google is unlikely to be hurt by tougher regulations and may even be helped because smaller rivals would face relatively higher costs of compliance. “Google has huge scale and when you have that scale and you need to implement something it’s less costly on a per user basis,� Gold said.

While Google will face higher COSTS HE SAID gTHE kNANCIAL IMpact is relatively trivial.�

AFP

US free news Businesses struggle as cracks appear in China’s economy sites BuzzFeed, HuffPost feel the layoff pinch Job crunch NEW YORK: America’s free online news heavyweights, BuzzFeed and HuffPost, this week were rocked by a new wave of layoffs, a sign of an advertising-dependent economic model under threat.

At BuzzFeed, it was the second wave of job cuts in 14 months.

In an internal announcement the company said that 200 jobs were to be shed, which follows the 100 jobs cut in the first round, out of a staff of 1,700 people.

Over at HuffPost, about 10 percent of journalists left editorial staff this week, or about 20 people in total.

No explanation was publicly given for the cuts, but the reasons are clear.

The HuffPost’s parent company is Verizon Media (formerly Oath Inc), which owns other digital platforms such as AOL, Yahoo! and Verizon Media Services - all of which are suffering job cuts. “They were started pretty much with the idea of trying to assemble a great big audience and then sell advertising against those numbers,� said Rick Edmonds, a media business analyst at the Poynter Institute.

But “Google and Facebook have grown into much, much more of an audience. And they’re also better at gathering information and targeting people.�

According to eMarketer forecasts, the search engine giant and the social network behemoth were set to capture 57.7 percent of advertising revenue in 2018, up sharply from 45.5 percent in 2011.

Another tech titan, Amazon, is gaining momentum and has just climbed to the numbers three spot. “The free, ad-based model on which a lot of digital media projects are built is in jeopardy,� warned Dan Kennedy, journalism professor at Northeastern University.

Edmonds believes that neither BuzzFeed nor HuffPost are in danger of disappearing. But their status is tarnished in the eyes of many tech investors accustomed to a double-digit annual growth.

The co-founder and CEO of BuzzFeed, who is also co-founder of the Huffington Post (now HuffPost), Jonah Peretti, sees a solution in a merger with one or more other market players.

He has publicly floated the ideas of merging Vice, Vox, Refinery29 and Group Nine, all “pure players,� all internet media.

Each of them also advanced on the niche of video, but all have also been cutting staff in the past 18 months. “You’ll never hear me say that a merger makes sense,� Kennedy said. “Two media organizations with problems do not solve them by combining into one larger organization with problems.�

Another possibility is to change the business model to access other revenue streams.

BuzzFeed is doing this by launching a daily program on Twitter, a weekly one on Facebook, and another program on Netflix.

However BuzzFeed does not seem ready to change its format to offer more specialized content — the successful formula for other free information sites like Eater, Politico and Vulture.

Of course the nuclear option is still available: switching to a paywall system, a move that increasingly has become a necessity for online news. “For any news-gathering operation to be dependent on advertising is perilous,� said Christopher Daly, journalism professor at Boston University’s College of Communication. “From my study of history, I would say the only truly reliable source of funding for journalism is the audience. They are more reliable than advertisers, or wealthy patrons, or political parties, or any other source,� Daly said.

In November, BuzzFeed launched a $5 monthly subscription plan that offers access to newsletters and additional content. The main site remains free. “I think that’s hard when you’ve gotten people used to it being free for so long,� Edmonds said, referring to a possible paywall for BuzzFeed and HuffPost.

For Edmonds, the two news sites “both have journalism but it’s a little bit mixed in with the lighter content on the side. AFP

BEIJING: Cracks are opening in China’s MIGHTY ECONOMY INVESTORS ARE BACKING away from deals, factories are moving abroad and companies are shedding jobs.

The world’s second-largest economy is losing steam, hitting its slowest growth in almost three decades last year, and lAGGING FURTHER IN RECENT MONTHS While gross domestic product grew AT PERCENT IN ‡ A RATE THAT WOULD BE THE ENVY OF MOST NATIONS ‡ China’s efforts to cut its debt mountain have weighed on the economy.

Private businesses in particular face NEW HURDLES AS COSTS RISE AND kNANCING becomes harder to come by, while the trade war with the United States has not helped.

Here is a look at some of the struggles FACED BY #HINESE COMPANIES AND PEOPLE

Game over for gamers Feeding China’s addiction to video games seemed an easy bet for Beijing Yixin Technology, a tech startup behind the mobile game Farm Take Home.

The game allows players to harvest wheat, raise chickens and plant apple TREES ‡ A BUCOLIC REFUGE FROM THE PRESsures of urban China.

"UT IN REAL LIFE THE TECH kRM HAS STRUGGLED TO kND INVESTORS “In December our company’s funding ran out, we had an investment lined up, but the money never came through,� said chairman Cui Yi. “This month I arranged another investor, then he backed out too. I think we can’t hold out.�

His company is not alone.

Venture capital funding dried up at the end of last year. Total investment in THE FOURTH QUARTER FELL PERCENT FROM a year earlier, according to data from Preqin market research.

Policymakers are partly to blame,

spending, going out to eat less, buying less, cutting down on these things,� he said, adding he believes things will turn around this year with new car models coming out.

Q In this picture taken on Jan. 23, 2019 people fill up forms at the Chaoyang Arbitration Center in Beijing. Cracks are opening in China’s mighty economy: Investors are backing away from deals, factories are moving abroad, salespeople are struggling to sell cars, and companies are shedding jobs. AFP PHOTO PUSHING A WAR ON DEBT AND kNANCIAL RISK THAT HAS CUT THE FUNDING lOWING INTO INVESTMENT kRMS INDUSTRY INSIDERS SAY Another government diktat halted new video game approvals for months ‡ OFkCIALLY DUE TO YOUTH GAMING ADDICTION CONCERNS ‡ SENDING kRMS LIKE "EIJING 9IXIN INTO A DEEP FREEZE

taxes on many types of ball bearings in July. Shih said he had shared the cost increase with his customers, roughly half of whom are from the US. “Business is going down for most companies including factories. Like me THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS PROkTS are going down� as costs rise, said Shih.

Trade war

Dearth for a salesman

Other companies are facing the fallout from the trade war with the United States.

More than a handful of exporters have sought to get around US tariffs by building factories outside China, according to A REVIEW OF PUBLIC STOCK kLINGS Others are sending workers home early for Chinese New Year or cutting overtime.

Last month China’s exports fell. g)T HAS HIT OUR PROkTS u (ARRY 3HIH

MANAGER OF 2UNkNE "EARINGS IN EASTERN Zhejiang province, said of the trade war.

7ASHINGTON SLAPPED PERCENT

Slowing disposable income growth and tighter credit have hit consumer spending, with car sales falling last year FOR THE kRST TIME IN MORE THAN YEARS “Volumes have fallen by half,� said 7ANG *INGJING A FAST TALKING YEAR old salesman at a Ford dealership in Beijing, noting about one third of the SALESPEOPLE HAD BEEN kRED OR LEFT Wang’s own salary has roughly halved, HE SAID FROM AROUND YUAN

A MONTH IN DOWN TO LESS THAN YUAN g) VE DEkNITELY CONTROLLED MY OWN

/FkCIAL DATA SHOWS UNEMPLOYMENT AT A STABLE RATE RISING SLIGHTLY TO PERCENT last month.

But independent data paints a different picture.

In October-December advertised tech POSITIONS FELL BY PERCENT FROM A YEAR EARLIER AFTER DECLINING PERCENT IN THE third quarter, according to data from Zhaopin, China’s largest recruitment website and Renmin University.

China’s economy “faces downward pressure, and to some extent this pressure will be transmitted to the job market,� said Meng Wei, a spokeswoman for the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s state planner.

A lawyer who consults on labour disputes, Guo Xuehai of Beijing Zhonghai ,AW &IRM SAID gTHERE ARE DEkNITELY more employees coming for help than before,� but added this was usually the case at this time of the year.

At Beijing Yixin, Cui said he could ONLY AFFORD TO PAY HIS ODD EMPLOYEES PERCENT OF THEIR SALARIES AS MONEY ran out in November. By December he paid them nothing and this month he CUT THEIR INSURANCE AND BENEkT PLAN

UNOFkCIALLY kRING THEM g7E WORKED AM TO PM PLUS 3ATURdays with no overtime pay and now no PAY AT ALL u SAID A $ DESIGNER SURNAMED Li, who helped build Farm Take Home.

Employees looking for new jobs have found that companies are not hiring at the moment. “Hopefully it will be better after Chinese New Year,� Li said.

AFP

‘Fortnite’ in crosshairs as streaming wars heat up SAN FRANCISCO: .ETlIX MOVING TO FEND OFF the challengers in the war for streaming media dominance, is taking aim at competitors from the video game world, notably “Fortnite.�

The dominant online television service has begun efforts to become more interactive as part of an effort to keep its viewers from turning to service like Epic Games’ Fortnite and Microsoft Xbox video games. .ETlIX CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2EED (ASTINGS spoke of competition from the video game sector this month as he discussed the quarterly results from the company WITH MILLION WORLDWIDE SUBSCRIBERS “I think about it really as us winning entertainment time away from other activities... Xbox, ‘Fortnite,’ or HBO or a long list,� Hastings said. “We compete so broadly with all

these different providers.�

A billion hours of television content IS WATCHED DAILY IN THE 53 AND .ETlIX accounts for about a tenth of it, according to Hastings.

Hastings was asked about plans by Disney to launch a streaming television service this year, pulling coveted content such as shows starring blockbuster Marvel action heroes in the process.

But he appeared to focus on how consumers spend their screen time, including the growing market for participatory games and eSports including Fortnite. “The idea is that time is a lot more kNITE THAN MONEY SEEMS TO BE SO GETting people engaged and stuck is how you can generate dollars,� NDP Group video games industry analyst Mat Piscatella told AFP. Microsoft has focused intensely on

building ranks of users and getting them to spend more time on Xbox consoles.

The technology titan is working on streaming games from the internet cloud. !MAZON OWNED 4WITCH BOASTS THAT IT streams game play to online audiences THAT SURPASS THOSE OF .ETlIX “Interest only seems to be growing,�

Piscatella said of game play on a gamut of internet-linked devices. “I think people like to be participatory instead of sitting back; although sitting BACK DEkNITELY HAS ITS TIME AND PLACE u .ETlIX HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN MAKING videos more interactive for some time, and recently released a “Bandersnatch� episode of techno-dystopia series “Black Mirror� that lets viewers make CHOICES THAT INlUENCE THE STORY g7E ARE STARTING TO SEE .ETlIX kGURE out interactive elements,� Piscatella said.

“It will be fun to watch.� .ETlIX EXECUTIVES PROMISED THERE WILL be more interactive shows at the service. “This one has storytellers salivating,� .ETlIX CHIEF CONTENT OFkCER 4ED 3ARANDOS said of the interactive “Black Mirror� episode during the earnings presentation.

Video games and sleep may vie for people’s time, but rival streaming services rank much higher when it comes to real COMPETITION FOR .ETlIX CONTENDED E-ARketer principal analyst Paul Verna.

Verna thought it unlikely that FortNITE IS A MAJOR RIVAL FOR .ETlIX WHEN IT comes to winning people’s leisure time.

While people have a wide array of entertainment options, television streaming services such as Hulu, ("/ .OW AND !MAZON 0RIME ARE more viable threats to Netflix, the analyst reasoned.

AFP

B6

Classified Ads

MONDAY January 28, 2019

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF DONATION Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EMILIO A. CABRERA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Deed of Donation executed on December 18, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 447; Page No. 88; Book No. ;;9, 6HULHV RI RI WKH QRWDULDO UHJLVWU\ RI $WW\ -RVH Floro Crisologo notary public for and in Marilao, Bulacan.

MT - Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE

NOTICE OF CLAIM WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Notice is hereby given that the intestate of the late JOEL S. DIZON who died on April 25, 2012 at Meycauayan Bulacan, left a parcel of land more particularly known and covered with 7UDQVIHU &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 7LWOH 1R 7 0 VLWXDWHG DW %UJ\ Gulay (now Silangan), Province of Sta. Maria Bulacan with an area of ONE THOUSAND (1,000) SQUARE METERS, is under '((' 2) (;75$ -8',&,$/ 6(77/(0(17 2) (67$7( :,7+ DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE TO JOSHUA KYLE L. LEONCIO, hereby represented by CONSOLACION T. LEONCIO with address at 168 Luwasan St., Brgy. Guyong, Sta. Maria Bulacan, under Notary Public of Atty. Rafael Madrid as per Doc. No. 125; Page No. 26; Book No. xxxv; Series of 2018.

MT – Jan. 18, 21 and 28, 2019

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late RODOLFO S. CONCEPCION who died on 26 February 2015 has left a Savings Deposit Account with Philippine Veterans Bank – Marikina Branch under Savings Account No. 0010252294-101 with a balance of P33,407.74, which is the only property left by the deceased depositor. The surviving heirs requested that the balance of the said deposit account be released in favor of Julieta B. Concepcion LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK WKH $I¿GDYLW RI Claim with Waiver of Rights executed at Quezon City, Metro Manila on 07 January 2019 before Notary Public, Atty. Luis M. De Vera, and entered in his notarial register as Doc. No. 2, Page No. 1, Book No. IV, Series of 2019.

NOTICE OF AMENDED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late NESTOR LINO ALMAZAN BAGSIT has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Amended Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate executed on August 10, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 387 and 388; Page No. 79; Book No. 29; Series of 2018 and October 30, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 498; Page No.100; Book No. 30; Series of 2018 both of the notarial registry of Atty. Nazario Cesar E. Matira notary public for and in Lipa City.

MT - Jan. 14, 21 & 28, 2019

MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late AGUSTIN TAN GARCIA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate executed on July 2, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 462; Page No. 94; Book No. VII; Series of 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Belinda M. Nagui notary public for and in Muntinlupa City.

WHEREAS, on 11 March 2014, En Banc Resolution No. 04-14, Series of 2014 was passed VWDWLQJ WKDW FRPSODLQDQWV ZKR H[HFXWH D VZRUQ &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ EHIRUH WKH /DERU $UELWHU WKDW V KH FDQQRW DIIRUG SD\PHQW VKDOO EH H[HPSWHG IURP WKH IROORZLQJ ÂżOLQJ IHHV D 0RWLRQ WR 5HFRPSXWH $ZDUG E

Motion for Postponement; and c) Petition for Extra-Ordinary Remedies; En Banc Resolution No. 02-18 (Series of 2018) WHEREAS, Article 220 [213] of the Labor Code, as amended, unequivocally states that it is the 3UHVLGLQJ &RPPLVVLRQHU ZKR VKDOO VLJQ D &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ DWWHVWLQJ WKDW FRQFOXVLRQV RI WKH GLYLVLRQ RQ any case submitted to it for decision were reached in consultation before the case was assigned to a member for the writing of the opinion; WHEREAS, there is a situation when a Presiding Commissioner in a division may not be able to VLJQ WKH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI GHOLEHUDWLRQ GXH WR D SURORQJHG OHDYH RI DEVHQFH RU YDFDQF\ WHEREFORE, RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that for the Luzon-based divisions, the Commission en banc authorizes the Chairman to designate a Presiding Commissioner from any RI WKH UHPDLQLQJ GLYLVLRQV WR VLJQ WKH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI GHOLEHUDWLRQ LQ FDVH RI YDFDQF\ RU SURORQJHG OHDYH of absence of the regular Presiding Commissioner.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the 7th and 8th Divisions (Visayas and Mindanao, respectively), the Chairman is authorized to designate who between the remaining Commissioners VKDOO VLJQ WKH &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ

WHEREAS, to simplify the requirements in the availment of exemption from the payment of legal fees, the Commission en banc resolved to adopt the execution of an $IÂżGDYLW WR /LWLJDWH DV 3DXSHU1 in order to be exempt from payment of legal fees; WHEREFORE, RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that for litigants to be exempt from the payment of all legal fees2 V KH PXVW H[HFXWH DQ $IÂżGDYLW VWDWLQJ WKDW V KH KDV QR VXIÂżFLHQW VRXUFH RI LQFRPH WR SD\ WKH UHTXLUHG IHHV 7KH 2IÂżFH RI WKH /DERU $UELWHU VKRXOG HQVXUH WKDW D FRS\ RI WKH VDLG DIÂżGDYLW EH IXUQLVKHG WKH RWKHU SDUW\ WR SURYLGH WKHP RSSRUWXQLW\ WR RSSRVH WKH VDPH BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all other issuances which are inconsistent hereto are FRQVLGHUHG VXSHUVHGHG DQG RU PRGLÂżHG Signed this 26 day of September 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines. th

(SGD.) GERARDO C. NOGRALES Chairman (SGD.) JULIA CECILY COCHING-SOSITO Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ALEX A. LOPEZ Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. VENUS Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. TAN Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) JOSEPH GERARD E. MABILOG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) VIOLETA O. BANTUG Presiding Commissioner

Signed this 26th day of September 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) GERARDO C. NOGRALES Chairman (SGD.) JULIA CECILY COCHING-SOSITO Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ALEX A. LOPEZ Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) BARIO-ROD M. TALON Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GINA F. CENIT-ESCOTO Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. VENUS Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. TAN Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) JOSEPH GERARD E. MABILOG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) VIOLETA O. BANTUG Presiding Commissioner

ON LEAVE DOMINADOR B. MEDROSO, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) ERLINDA T. AGUS Commissioner

(SGD.) BARIO-ROD M. TALON Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GINA F. CENIT-ESCOTO Commissioner

(SGD.) PABLO C. ESPIRITU, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) CECILIO ALEJANDRO C. VILLANUEVA Commissioner

ON LEAVE DOMINADOR B. MEDROSO, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) MERCEDES R. POSADA-LACAP Commissioner

(SGD.) DOLORES M. PERALTA-BELEY Commissioner

(SGD.) ERLINDA T. AGUS Commissioner

(SGD.) MARY ANN F. PLATA-DAYTIA Commissioner

(SGD.) LEONARD VINZ O. IGNACIO Commissioner

(SGD.) PABLO C. ESPIRITU, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) CECILIO ALEJANDRO C. VILLANUEVA Commissioner

(SGD.) MERCEDES R. POSADA-LACAP Commissioner

(SGD.) DOLORES M. PERALTA-BELEY Commissioner

(SGD.) JULIE C. RENDOQUE Commissioner

(SGD.) NENDELL HANZ L. ABELLA Commissioner

(SGD.) MARY ANN F. PLATA-DAYTIA Commissioner

(SGD.) LEONARD VINZ O. IGNACIO Commissioner

(SGD.) ELBERT C. RESTAURO Commissioner

(SGD.) ROSARIO L. BERNARDO-SAGADAL Commissioner

(SGD.) ISABEL G. PANGANIBAN-ORTIGUERRA Commissioner

(SGD.) ISABEL G. PANGANIBAN-ORTIGUERRA Commissioner

(SGD.) AGNES ALEXIS A. LUCERO-DE GRANO Commissioner

(SGD.) AGNES ALEXIS A. LUCERO-DE GRANO Commissioner

Attested by:

(SGD.) JULIE C. RENDOQUE Commissioner

(SGD.) NENDELL HANZ L. ABELLA Commissioner

(SGD.) ELBERT C. RESTAURO Commissioner

(SGD.) ROSARIO L. BERNARDO-SAGADAL Commissioner

(SGD.) ELENITA F. CRUZ Labor Arbiter Acting Executive Clerk of Court IV

Attested by: (SGD.) ELENITA F. CRUZ Labor Arbiter Acting Executive Clerk of Court IV

, DP TXDOLÂżHG WR OLWLJDWH DV D SDXSHU DV , KDYH QR VXIÂżFLHQW VRXUFH RI LQFRPH WR SD\ WKH required fee/s; and, , DP H[HFXWLQJ WKLV DIÂżGDYLW WR DWWHVW WR WKH WUXWK RI WKH IRUHJRLQJ DQG IRU ZKDWHYHU SXUSRVH it may serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this __________ day of _____________ at ________________, Philippines. ____________________ $IÂżDQW

SECTION 6, RULE V;

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this ____________ day of _____________ in BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB 3KLOLSSLQHV DQG , KDYH UHDG DQG WUDQVODWHG WKH IRUHJRLQJ $IÂżGDYLW LQ D GLDOHFW NQRZQ DQG XQGHUVWRRG E\ DIÂżDQW

(b)

an indemnity agreement between the employer-appellant and bonding company;

(c) proof of security deposit or collateral securing the bond: provided, that a check shall not be considered as an acceptable security; and,

1 Annex “Aâ€? ([FHSW )HHV IRU D &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3HQGLQJ 1R 3HQGLQJ &DVHV E 7UDQVFULSW RI 6WHQRJUDSKLF 1RWHV F OQMXQFWLRQ Expenses Fund; d) ER with prayer for Injunction/TRO; e) Deposit Fee under BP 325; f) Execution Fee and Legal Research Fee (UP LAW CENTER)

En Banc Resolution No. 13-18 (Series of 2018)

7KH &RPPLVVLRQ WKURXJK WKH &KDLUPDQ PD\ RQ MXVWLÂżDEOH JURXQGV EODFNOLVW DQ DFFUHGLWHG bonding company.

7KH DSSHOODQW VKDOO IXUQLVK WKH DSSHOOHH ZLWK D FHUWLÂżHG WUXH FRS\ RI WKH VDLG VXUHW\ ERQG ZLWK DOO the above-mentioned supporting documents. The appellee shall verify the regularity and genuineness thereof and immediately report any irregularity to the Commission.

WHEREAS, there has been an increase in the dockets of some Regional Arbitration Branches; WHEREAS, in order for the NLRC to deliver its mandate to effectively and expeditiously dispense labor justice, there is a need to designate Labor Arbiters in a concurrent capacity to resolve cases from other Regional Arbitration Branches; WHEREFORE, RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, the Commission en banc authorizes the Chairman to designate Labor Arbiters in a concurrent capacity to resolve cases.

Signed this 28th day of September 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) GERARDO C. NOGRALES Chairman

8SRQ YHULÂżFDWLRQ E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WKDW WKH ERQG LV LUUHJXODU RU QRW JHQXLQH WKH &RPPLVVLRQ shall cause the immediate dismissal of the appeal, and censure the responsible parties and their FRXQVHOV RU VXEMHFW WKHP WR UHDVRQDEOH ÂżQH RU SHQDOW\ DQG WKH ERQGLQJ FRPSDQ\ PD\ EH EODFNOLVWHG

(SGD.) JULIA CECILY COCHING-SOSITO Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ALEX A. LOPEZ Presiding Commissioner

No motion to reduce bond shall be entertained except on meritorious grounds, and only upon the posting of a bond in a reasonable amount in relation to the monetary award.

(SGD.) GRACE M. VENUS Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. TAN Presiding Commissioner

7KH PHUH ÂżOLQJ RI D PRWLRQ WR UHGXFH ERQG ZLWKRXW FRPSO\LQJ ZLWK WKH UHTXLVLWHV LQ WKH SUHFHGLQJ paragraphs shall not stop the running of the period to perfect an appeal.

(SGD.) JOSEPH GERARD E. MABILOG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) VIOLETA O. BANTUG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) BARIO-ROD M. TALON Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GINA F. CENIT-ESCOTO Commissioner

ON LEAVE DOMINADOR B. MEDROSO, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) ERLINDA T. AGUS Commissioner

(SGD.) PABLO C. ESPIRITU, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) CECILIO ALEJANDRO C. VILLANUEVA Commissioner

(SGD.) MERCEDES R. POSADA-LACAP Commissioner

(SGD.) DOLORES M. PERALTA-BELEY Commissioner

(SGD.) MARY ANN F. PLATA-DAYTIA Commissioner

(SGD.) LEONARD VINZ O. IGNACIO Commissioner

SECTION 8, RULE VI: SECTION 8. TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS OF CASE ON APPEAL. – Within forty-eight (48) hours from receipt of the answer/reply or opposition to the appeal, or upon the lapse of the period ZLWKLQ ZKLFK WR ¿OH WKH VDPH WKH HQWLUH UHFRUGV RI WKH FDVH VKDOO EH WUDQVPLWWHG E\ WKH 5HJLRQDO $UELWUDWLRQ %UDQFK RU RI¿FH RI RULJLQ WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ SECTION 7, par. (2), RULE XI: SECTION 7. ISSUANCE, CONTENTS AND EFFECTIVITY OF A WRIT OF EXECUTION. - The writ of execution shall issue in the name of the Republic of the Philippines signed by the Commission or Labor Arbiter ordering the Sheriff to execute the decision, order, or award of the Commission or Labor Arbiter, and must contain the complete name of the party, whether natural or juridical, against whom the writ of execution was issued, the dispositive portion thereof, the amount, if any, to be demanded, and all legal fees to be collected from the losing party or any other person required by law to obey the same. $ ZULW RI H[HFXWLRQ VKDOO EH HIIHFWLYH IRU D SHULRG RI ¿YH \HDUV IURP GDWH RI HQWU\ RI MXGJPHQW RU LVVXDQFH RI FHUWL¿FDWH RI ¿QDOLW\ SECTION 11. EXECUTION IN CASE OF DEATH OF PARTY. - Where the complainant or UHVSRQGHQW GLHV DIWHU WKH HQWU\ RI MXGJPHQW RU LVVXDQFH RI FHUWL¿FDWH RI ¿QDOLW\ KH VKH PD\ EH substituted by his/her heirs. However, the liability of the substituting heirs of the respondent shall be up to the extent of the assets left by the decedent. Execution thereon may issue or one already issued may be enforced in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Rules. (As amended by En Banc Resolution No. 01-17, Series of 2017)

Signed this 26th day of September 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) GERARDO C. NOGRALES Chairman

(SGD.) JULIE C. RENDOQUE Commissioner

(SGD.) NENDELL HANZ L. ABELLA Commissioner

(SGD.) ELBERT C. RESTAURO Commissioner

(SGD.) ROSARIO L. BERNARDO-SAGADAL Commissioner

MT - Jan. 24 & 28, 2019

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 67 PASIG CITY IN RE: PETITION FOR CORRECTION OF ENTRY IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF DANIEL L. ESPINOSA, DANIEL L. ESPINOSA, Petitioner, -versus-

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

LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF PASIG CITY, Respondent. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - x

ORDER This is a petition for CORRECTION OF ENTRY of Daniel L. Espinosa based upon grounds enumerated therein.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that the said petition will be heard by this court sitting at the Third Floor, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Pasig City on February 8, 2019 at 8:30 in the morning at which place, date and hour aforesaid, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any they have, why said petition should not be granted.

Let this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation, to be determined LQ D UDIĂ€H LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK H[LVWLQJ ODZV RQFH D ZHHN IRU WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV )XUWKHU IXUQLVK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO WKH /RFDO &LYLO 5HJLVWUDU RI 3DVLJ &LW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU RI 3DVLJ WKH 3KLOLSSLQH 6WDWLVWLFV $XWKRULW\ WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &OHUN RI &RXUW RI WKH 5HJLRQDO 7ULDO &RXUW 3DVLJ &LW\ FRSLHV RI WKLV 2UGHU together with the copy of the petition and its annexes at the expense of the petitioner ZLWKLQ ÂżYH GD\V XSRQ UHFHLSW RI WKH 2UGHU )DLOXUH WR GR VR ZLOO EH D JURXQG IRU dismissal of the petition.

SO ORDERED. Pasig City, October 5, 2018.

(SGD.) IRA FRITZIE CRUZ-ROJO Presiding Judge MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

FOR: SAFEGUARD MEASURE (Republic Act (R.A.) No. 8800) Investigation No. SG-2019-OC-Cement _________________________________ NOTICE OF FORMAL INVESTIGATION AND PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE Pursuant to Section 9 of R.A. 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act), notice is hereby given that the Tariff Commission commenced its Formal Investigation on the merits RI WKH LPSRVLWLRQ RI D GHÂżQLWLYH VDIHJXDUG GXW\ DJDLQVW LPSRUWDWLRQV RI FHPHQW (AHTN 2017 Subheading Nos. 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00) from various countries after endorsement by the Secretary of Trade and Industry on 23 January 2019.

A preliminary conference will be held on 04 February 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Tariff Commission Conference Room, 4th Floor, West Insula Condominium, No. 135 West Avenue, Quezon City. Matters for discussion include the timelines, nature of LQYHVWLJDWLRQ DSSHDUDQFH RI FRXQVHO DQG SDUWLHV QXPEHU RI ZLWQHVVHV QRWLÂżFDWLRQ DFFHVVLELOLW\ RI GRFXPHQWV DQG SXEOLF ÂżOH FRQÂżGHQWLDOLW\ RI GRFXPHQWV VXEPLVVLRQ of position paper/s and memoranda, adjustment plan, conduct of inspection and YHULÂżFDWLRQ RI GDWD VFKHGXOHV RI SXEOLF KHDULQJV DQG RWKHU DFWLYLWLHV DQG VXFK RWKHU matters necessary as may aid in prompt disposition of the case.

For particulars, please contact Ms. Ma. Lourdes M. Saluta, Director II, Head of the Task Force on Cement, at Telephone Numbers 926-7476 and 928-8419, or at email address info@tariffcommission.gov.ph .

MT- Jan. 28, 2019

PASEGURUHAN NG MGA NAGLILINGKOD SA PAMAHALAAN (GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM) Financial Center, Pasay City, Metro Manila 1308 Invitation to Bid

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail�

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otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act�.

WHEREAS, there are instances wherein the implementation of the above provision could not be effected due to the disagreements of the Commissioners or objections of the parties or any reason whatsoever;

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the GSIS Bids and Awards Committee (GBAC) Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday to Friday excluding holidays.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on 28 January 2019, from 8:00AM to 3:00PM from the abovementioned address and upon payment of the fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Php25,000.00.

(SGD.) ERLINDA T. AGUS Commissioner

(SGD.) JULIA CECILY COCHING-SOSITO Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ALEX A. LOPEZ Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) PABLO C. ESPIRITU, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) CECILIO ALEJANDRO C. VILLANUEVA Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. VENUS Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GRACE M. TAN Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) MERCEDES R. POSADA-LACAP Commissioner

(SGD.) DOLORES M. PERALTA-BELEY Commissioner

(SGD.) JOSEPH GERARD E. MABILOG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) VIOLETA O. BANTUG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) MARY ANN F. PLATA-DAYTIA Commissioner

(SGD.) LEONARD VINZ O. IGNACIO Commissioner

(SGD.) BARIO-ROD M. TALON Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) GINA F. CENIT-ESCOTO Commissioner

(SGD.) AGNES ALEXIS A. LUCERO-DE GRANO Commissioner

ON LEAVE DOMINADOR B. MEDROSO, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) ERLINDA T. AGUS Commissioner

(SGD.) PABLO C. ESPIRITU, JR. Commissioner

(SGD.) CECILIO ALEJANDRO C. VILLANUEVA Commissioner

(SGD.) MERCEDES R. POSADA-LACAP Commissioner

(SGD.) DOLORES M. PERALTA-BELEY Commissioner

(SGD.) MARY ANN F. PLATA-DAYTIA Commissioner

(SGD.) LEONARD VINZ O. IGNACIO Commissioner

Unless otherwise provided by law, rules or regulation, litigants (a) whose gross income and that of the members of their family do not exceed an amount double the monthly minimum wage for an employee; and (b) who do not own real property with a fair market value as stated in the current tax declaration of more than Three Hundred Thousand (Php300,000.00) pesos, shall be considered indigent litigants and shall be exempted from LPPHGLDWH SD\PHQW RI IHHV FKDUJHV XSRQ H[HFXWLRQ RI DQ DIÂżGDYLW WR WKDW HIIHFW

(SGD.) ATTY. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

IN THE MATTER OF THE FORMAL INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPOSITION OF SAFEGUARD MEASURE AGAINST IMPORTATIONS OF CEMENT FROM VARIOUS COUNTRIES AHTN 2017 Subheading Nos. 2523.29.90 and 2523.90.00

WHEREAS, Section 9, Rule VII of the 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure, as amended, provides

ON LEAVE DOMINADOR B. MEDROSO, JR. Commissioner

WHEREAS, En Banc Resolution No. 14-13 (Series of 2013) provides that:

MT - Jan. 24 & 28, 2019

Approved by:

SECTION 9. CONSOLIDATION OF CASES. - Appealed and injunction cases involving the same parties, issues, or related questions of fact or law shall be consolidated before the Commissioner to whom the case with the lowest case number is assigned.

Notice of the consolidation shall be given by the Executive Clerk or Deputy Executive Clerk to the other members of the concerned Divisions.

that:

(SGD.) GINA F. CENIT-ESCOTO Commissioner

En Banc Resolution No. 08-18 (Series of 2018)

(SGD.) ATTY. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

The GSIS now invites bids for the Supply and Delivery of Various Toner Cartridges for Existing Epson Workforce Printers. First delivery of the Goods is required within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt of the approved Purchase Order (PO) and Notice to Proceed (NTP). Bidders should have completed, within the past three (3) 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.

(SGD.) BARIO-ROD M. TALON Presiding Commissioner

Attested by:

Approved by:

Recommending Approval:

2.

(SGD.) VIOLETA O. BANTUG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ELENITA F. CRUZ Labor Arbiter Acting Executive Clerk of Court IV

(SGD.) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head - Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-22 ng Enero 2019.

En Banc Resolution No. 14-18 (Series of 2018)

(SGD.) JOSEPH GERARD E. MABILOG Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ROSARIO L. BERNARDO-SAGADAL Commissioner

Recommending Approval:

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), through the GSIS Corporate Operating Budget for CY 2019, intends to apply the sum of Twenty Six Million Pesos (Php26,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Computer Supplies - Various Toner Cartridges For Existing Epson Workforce Printers. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

(SGD.) GRACE M. TAN Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ELBERT C. RESTAURO Commissioner

Calamba City, Laguna, 22nd day of January 2019.

1.

(SGD.) GRACE M. VENUS Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) NENDELL HANZ L. ABELLA Commissioner

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

(SGD.) ELENITA F. CRUZ Labor Arbiter Acting Executive Clerk of Court IV

(SGD.) ALEX A. LOPEZ Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) JULIE C. RENDOQUE Commissioner

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

COMPUTER SUPPLIES - VARIOUS TONER CARTRIDGES FOR EXISTING EPSON WORKFORCE PRINTERS

(SGD.) JULIA CECILY COCHING-SOSITO Presiding Commissioner

(SGD.) ISABEL G. PANGANIBAN-ORTIGUERRA Commissioner

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

(SGD.) AGNES ALEXIS A. LUCERO-DE GRANO Commissioner

Attested by:

SECTION 15. RULE XI:

Failure on the part of the Sheriff to submit the report or return required under this Rule shall VXEMHFW KLP KHU WR DGPLQLVWUDWLYH ÂżQH XQGHU 5XOH ;,9 RI WKLV 5XOHV

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

Issued this 28th day of January 2019, at Quezon City, Metro Manila.

(SGD.) ISABEL G. PANGANIBAN-ORTIGUERRA Commissioner

SECTION 11, RULE XI:

SECTION 15. SHERIFF’S RETURN AND REPORT. - The writ of execution shall be returned to the Commission or Labor Arbiter immediately after the full satisfaction of the judgment award. The Sheriff enforcing the writ shall submit a report updating the Commission or Labor Arbiter who issued the writ of execution, whenever there is partial satisfaction or any development in the status of enforcement thereof.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang Participation Through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance, sa pamamagitan ng pag deposito ng “one million two hundred sixty seven WKRXVDQG ÂżYH KXQGUHG VHYHQW\ VL[ and 65/100 (P 1,267,576.65)â€? sa Trust Account sa ilalim ng Escrow Agreement sa pamamagitan at sa gitna ng CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT INC., HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD (REGIONAL OFFICE) at ASIA UNITED BANK, bilang pagsunod sa Seksyon 18 ng Republic Act No. 7279 na naameyendahan ng Republic Act No. 10884.

Copy furnished : Opposing party __________________________________________

G QRWDUL]HG ERDUG UHVROXWLRQ RU VHFUHWDU\ÂśV FHUWLÂżFDWH IURP WKH ERQGLQJ FRPSDQ\ VKRZLQJ LWV authorized signatories and their specimen signatures.

A cash or surety bond shall be valid and effective from the date of deposit or posting, until the FDVH LV ÂżQDOO\ GHFLGHG UHVROYHG RU WHUPLQDWHG RU WKH DZDUG VDWLVÂżHG The bond shall still be liable even if the appeal is dismissed for non-perfection or for whatever ground. These conditions shall be deemed incorporated in the terms and conditions of the surety bond, and shall be binding on the appellants and the bonding company.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through InvestmentIncentivized Compliance by depositing the amount of one million two hundred sixty seven thousand ÂżYH KXQGUHG VHYHQW\ VL[ DQG (P 1,267,576.65) in Trust Account under Escrow Agreement by and among CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT INC., HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD (REGIONAL OFFICE) and ASIA UNITED BANK, as its compliance to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

___________________________ Labor Arbiter / Notary Public

In case of surety bond, the same shall be issued by a reputable bonding company duly accredited E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DQG VKDOO EH DFFRPSDQLHG E\ RULJLQDO RU FHUWLÂżHG WUXH FRSLHV RI WKH IROORZLQJ (a) a joint declaration under oath by the employer, his/her counsel, and the bonding company, attesting that the bond posted is genuine, and shall be effective XQWLO ÂżQDO GLVSRVLWLRQ RI WKH FDVH

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published.

This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

PAUNAWA Ipinauunawa na sina LEAH UMANDAP RIVERA at SAMUEL REINOSO UMANDAP (May-ari) at CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT INC. (Taga-debelop) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng “residential condominium units� sa DIAMOND BEACH RESIDENCES PALAWAN na matatagpuan sa Brgy.

San Rafael, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan at sinasakop ng mga Lote Blg. 2-E at Lote Blg. 2-F, Psd-04-037875 na nasa ilalim ng mga Titulo Blg. T-1215 at T-1216. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa PD 957.

I, ___________________, of legal Age, single/married/widow/er, Filipino citizen, and presently residing at ________, after having duly sworn to in accordance with law, doe hereby depose;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article 225 (218], paragraph (a) of the Labor Code of the Philippines, as amended, the Commission has the power to promulgate rules and regulations governing hearing and disposition of cases;

SECTION 6. BOND. - In case the decision of the Labor Arbiter or the Regional Director involves a monetary award, an appeal by the employer may be perfected only upon the posting of a bond, which shall either be in the form of cash deposit or surety bond in an amount equivalent to the monetary award, exclusive of damages and attorney’s fees.

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.

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that LEAH UMANDAP RIVERA AND SAMUEL REINOSO UMANDAP (Owners) and CITI GLOBAL REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT INC. (Developer) by virtue of a Memorandum of AgreePHQW KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of residential condominium units at DIAMOND BEACH RESIDENCES PALAWAN located at Brgy. San Rafael, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and more particularly described as Lot 2-E and Lot 2-F, Psd-04-037875 and covered by TCT Nos. T-1215 & T-1216. The project is under PD 957.

AFFIDAVIT (TO LITIGATE AS PAUPER)

1. I am the complainant(s)/respondent(s) in the case, entitled: “_______________� docketed as _____________;

WHEREFORE, RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the 2011 NLRC Rules of Procedure is further amended to read as follows:

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

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

ANNEX “A�

Republic of the Philippines City of ________________) S.S.

En Banc Resolution No. 06-18 (Series of 2018)

WHEREAS, the Commission en banc revisited the Rules pursuant to its mandate to provide the fairest, quickest, least expensive and most effective way to resolve labor disputes;

MT - Jan. 25, 28 & Feb. 4, 2019

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

WHEREFORE, RESOLVED AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that in the said instances, the Commission en banc authorizes the Chairman to order the consolidation of the same appealed and/ or injunction cases.

Bidding is restricted only 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.

GBAC Secretariat, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Headquarters Building, Financial Center, Pasay City

Signed this 26th day of September 2018 at Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) GERARDO C. NOGRALES Chairman

(SGD.) ISABEL G. PANGANIBAN-ORTIGUERRA Commissioner

(SGD.) AGNES ALEXIS A. LUCERO-DE GRANO Commissioner

(SGD.) JULIE C. RENDOQUE Commissioner

(SGD.) NENDELL HANZ L. ABELLA Commissioner

(SGD.) ELBERT C. RESTAURO Commissioner

(SGD.) ROSARIO L. BERNARDO-SAGADAL Commissioner Attested by:

(SGD.) ELENITA F. CRUZ Labor Arbiter Acting Executive Clerk of Court IV MT - Jan. 28, 2019

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the GSIS website (www.gsis.gov.ph/opportunities/gbac), provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The GSIS Bids and Awards Committee will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 06 February 2019, 1:30PM at the following: GBAC Conference Room, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Headquarters Building, Financial Center, Pasay City The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be submitted to GBAC Secretariat, Level 2 Core G, GSIS Headquarters Building, Financial Center Pasay City and must be duly received by the GBAC Secretariat or other authorized GSIS personnel on or before 20 February 2019, 9:30AM. 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 20 February 2019, 10:00AM at the address stated in Item No. 6. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the said activity. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

In accordance with GPPB Circular 06-2005, the GSIS adopts the use of “draw lots� as a tie-breaking method in the event two (2) or more of the bidders have been declared as having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB).

7KH *6,6 ZDUQV WKH SXEOLF ELGGHUV RI XQVFUXSXORXV LQGLYLGXDOV DQG JURXSV SRVLQJ DV RIÂżFHUV HPSOR\HHV RI WKH *6,6 VROLFLWLQJ PRQH\ JLIWV IDYRUV RU EHQHÂżWV IRU DOOHJHG DLG IRU ZKDWHYHU SXUSRVH DO NOT GIVE anything to these unscrupulous individuals and groups. The GSIS thus enjoins the cooperation of the public/bidders to report these individuals/groups to the GSIS Bids and Awards Committee and GBAC Secretariat.

10.

The GSIS reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

11.

For further information, please refer to: GBAC Secretariat GSIS Bids and Awards Committee Level 2 Core G, GSIS Headquarters, Financial Center, Pasay City Tel Nos. : (02)976-4961/ 976-4945 / Fax No. : (02)859-0373 GBAC_Secretariat@gsis.gov.ph / www.gsis.gov.ph

MT – Jan. 28, 2019

(Original Signed) DON JOMAR OLEGARIO Vice-Chairperson, GBAC for Goods & Services and Consultancy – Cluster1

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Senatorial aspirant advocates eradication of corrupt officials

SENATORIAL aspirant Gerard Arcega (left) visited Princess Amirah Shine Magdangal, founder and CEO of Sulong Katutubo International Foundation, Inc. (SKIFI), at her office in Timog Avenue, Quezon City, to explain his advocacy of

eradicating corrupt government officials in the country.

Arcega’s battle cry is “death penalty to corrupt politicians and GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS u Sulong Katutubo International Foundation, Inc., has more than three million members nationwide.

DoE makes rounds ensuring proper oil excise tax implementation DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) HAS CONDUCTED ITS kRST ROUND OF validation activities across various fuel retail outlets (ROs) from Jan. 10 to 11 and 14 to 15 to ensure the proper implementation of the second tranche of excise tax on petroleum products under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Law. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi explained, “The second tranche of fuel excise tax will fund crucial infrastructure projects and poverty alleviation programs needed to strengthen our ability to compete globally.�

In Metro Manila, DoE validation teams from the DoE-Oil Industry Management Bureau visited a total of 22 ROs across Quezon City, Caloocan and Malabon that have implemented the second tranche of taxes earlier this month. Likewise, $O% kELD OFkCES CONDUCTED VALIDAtion activities, with 57 ROs visited

BY THE ,UZON &IELD /FkCE SEVEN BY Visayas, and 29 by Mindanao.

The energy department is set to conduct a second round of validation activities in the coming days and a full report will be released once all the data has been consolidated.

PhilHealth assures govt members of benefits amid 2019 budget delay PHILIPPINE Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) declared that government agencies are exempt from interests and penalties due to the late remittance of their premium contributions to the state agency.

Following the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) Circular Letter No. 2019-1 dated Jan.

0HIL(EALTH CLARIkED THAT GOVERNment agencies experiencing delays in the release of appropriation or budget allocation for the employer counterpart of the health insurance premiums of their employees shall be exempt from interests and penalties, provided that the remittance is

made immediately upon receipt of the budget allocation. “We assure our members and their dependents from the public sector that they will continue to enjoy their benefits despite the pending approval of the national budget which is beyond our control,� said Roy Ferrer, PhilHealth acting president and CEO. Ferrer also reminded private employers to regularly remit and report the correct health insurance contributions of their employees to avoid being penalized and to likewise ensure uninterrupted benEkT AVAILMENT FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR BENEkCIARIES

Cable MSMEs converge in 20th Fictap convention THE country’s leading group of micro, small and medium cable television and internet enterprises (MSMEs) will hold its 20th annual convention at the historic landmark Manila Hotel on March 7 and 8.

Organized by the Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Associations of the Philippines, this year’s theme will be “Fast Internet: Key to Progress,� as the chosen slogan will also banner the Fictap Party-List campaign in

the coming May 2019 elections.

The cable MSMEs comprise the membership bulk of Fictap which have through two decades stabilized into a mass media TV and internet network bringing global-grade information and entertainment to millions of subscribers throughout the Philippine archipelago—aside from employing thousands and paying hundreds of millions in taxes to the government.

For more information, email SECRETARIAT kCTAP COM PH

Sustainable Forest Management generates jobs for Filipinos PHILIPPINE Wood Producers Association (PWPA) have estimated that sustainable forest management can create hundreds of thousands of jobs for farmers.

The organization also sees more vacancies created in allied industries as an effect of the resurgence of the forestry sector. If the Sustainable Forest Management Bill becomes a law, additional income for the government is promised through new taxes. “In the Philippines, we believe that sustainable forest management is the only way forward,� said Charlie Liu, president of the PWPA. “By ensuring that we are balancing the

needs of our people and the viability of our forests, we can reach a more prosperous and sustainable future for the entire country.�

The organization said that a 100,000-hectare plantation producing 20,000,000 cubic meters of falcata logs in a year will require 100.4 million man-days from plantation development to harvesting and hauling, which translates to about 321,800 fulltime jobs created for a year.

Sustainable forest management plays an important role in building communities that depend on wood production as their primary source of income.

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Public Square

B7

Meralco, Sparc hold strategic planning session

Q Present during the planning session, from left: Norj Hernado,Sparc Properties project director;Roberto Isip, Meralco AVP and head Network Asset Planning; Froilan Savet, Meralco VP and head of Network Planning and Project Management; Victor Genuino, Meralco VP and head; Al Panlilio, Meralco SVP and head of Customer Retail Services and Corporate Communications;Kevin Wong, Sparc Properties president; Kimberly Wong, Sparc Properties general manager; Christine Sy, Sparc Properties design head; Victor Risma, Meralco Private Sector Relationship Management head; Bernice Garcia, Meralco lead for Leisure and Entertainment Group; and Arnold de Guzman, Meralco Relationship manager for Leisure and Entertainment Group.

ERALCO the country’s larg- sions in leading the transforma- and commercial area. increase property values, and atest distribution utility, and tion of the former resort into a The yet-to-be-named real estate tract more people to live and work Sparc Properties, the real estate mixed-used development. project will convert the one-time in the area, thereby increasing and arm of sister company First Orient This was to ensure that a 36-hectare resort into a new hub spreading economic productivity International Ventures Corpora- planned electrical substation for information technology and beyond Metro Manila. tion, that has recently acquired can meet projected load de- business process outsourcing.

Now on Phase 1, the 14-month the former Island Cove Resort in mands, as Cavite has already It would also further enhance old project is expected to be fully Kawit, Cavite held strategic discus- become a bustling residential Cavite’s competitive landscape, OPERATIONAL IN THREE TO kVE YEARS

M

SM turns over new school building in Pangasinan

STUDENTS of East Central Integrated School, in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, will be attending classes in a new two-story, four classroom PWD-friendly elevated school building donated by SM Prime through SM Foundation.

The foundation turned over the new building to school Principal Reynaldo Barrozo and local officials led by Mayor

Belen Fernandez.

East Central is said to be the oldest operating school in Pangasinan as the school caters to two villages (barangay)—Mayombo and Herrera Perez—with a current student population of 2,300 and a teaching staff of 99.

The ground floor of the building will be utilized by kindergarten pupils while the second

floor has been assigned to Grade three students.

All four classrooms can comfortably accommodate 50 students, with each classroom equipped with left- and righthanded desks, two wall fans, comfort rooms with sink, concave blackboards and teachers’ desks and tables.

The school building likewise has

ramps and a dedicated toilet and washroom for the disabled at the GROUND lOOR )T IS ALSO EMERGENCY equipped with LED lights, emerGENCY EXITS AND kRE EXTINGUISHERS “We work hand in hand with our communities to create opportunities and improve lives,� said engineer Ramon Gil Macapagal, SMFI trustee and SMIC head of corporate affairs and sustainability.

BPI wins big at Facebook Solutions Awards 2018 BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) bagged the Optimal Creative Champion award for its best practice in Facebook advertising, at the recent Facebook Solutions Awards.

The bank’s win demonstrates best-in-class execution of creative materials used for Facebook advertising in the Philippines, beating all other advertisers in the Financial Services category. “This is a great validation from Facebook that we are taking the right steps in building our digital marketing capabilities,� said Bunny Aguilar, head of BPI Institutional Brand Management and Digital. “We are inspired to continue to strive for excellence in the work that we deliver for our clients.�

Aimed at recognizing the great partnership between Facebook, clients, and their agencies, the Facebook Solutions Awards is an annual gathering of the Philippines’ top brands across various industry verticals.

Q Receiving the award are BPI representatives, from left: Winston Almendras, BPI Digital Media and A&P head; Tere Ibanez, BPI Institutional Branding and Creative Services head; and Jan Montifalcon, BPI Digital and Social Media head.

Young engineers build their dreams at Cemex MANY passionate young individuals aspire for personal and professional growth from early on in their careers, to be able to build their DREAMS OF BECOMING HIGH lYERS IN their chosen industry in the future.

Such mindset for excellence is present in Louise Nicholle Chan, Rostum “Tomi� Hermano, Randolph Cruz, who are engineering graduates from the University of the Philippines Diliman, John Ismael Arogo from De La Salle University, Jeremiah Madrid and Oscar Samillano, both from Mapua Institute of Technology—new hires of building solutions leader Cemex Holding Philippines.

These “millennial� engineers were immediately given the opportunity to learn and develop through the company’s Global ELO program, a year-long training at the Cemex Monterrey headquarters in Mexico, the birthplace of the company.

Q The dream begins for these Cemex millennial engineer, from left: John Ismael Arogo, Rostum Herman, Rhandolph Cruz, Louise Nicholle Chan, Jeremiah Madrid and Oscar Samillano who are part of the Cemex Global ELO program.

Sending six of its young engineers vision to help hone Filipino youth’s TO THE PROGRAM IS THE kRST FOR #EMEX potential and develop them into Holdings Philippines, fueled by its high-caliber professionals.

For more information, visit https://www.cemexholdingsphilippines.com.

MONDAY M O NDAY JANUARY 28,, 2019

Public Square

B8 Public Square appears on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

Savoy Manila wins TripZilla’s Best New Hotel M

EGAWORLD homegrown hotel brand Savoy Hotel Manila topped its category as it won the ‘Best New Hotel’ award in the TripZilla Excellence Awards 2018.

“This ‘Best New Hotel’ award from TripZilla will be a source of motivation for us at Savoy Hotel Manila to give our guests the best travel experience in the metro,” said hotel General Manager Lorenzo Tang.

Located at the Newport City in Pasay, the P5-billion, 11-story, 684room airport hotel was launched as the second Savoy hotel, following the one in Boracay Island.

The hotel takes pride in the Savoy’s Squares—a unique concept of open, co-working spaces located every other floor—as well as its spacious outdoor area, spa rooms, SAUNA AND STEAM ROOMS AND kTNESS center to keep guests in top shape.

Catering to both business travelers and millennials who want a hip hotel experience, its rooms

offer panoramic views of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Ter-

minal 3, as well as the Makati and Bonifacio Global City skylines.

For more information, visit www. savoyhotelmanila.com.ph.

The Manila Hotel presents the most romantic Valentine dinner ON the most romantic night of the year, The Manila Hotel has crafted the perfect evening to celebrate love, romance and passion in a Taste of Love, an exclusive Valentine Dinner with serenades

by Asia’s most romantic balladeer, Christian Bautista. The event is slated for Valentine’s Day, February 14, 7:00 p.m. at the Fiesta Pavilion.

Executive chef Walter Konrad demonstrates his considerable skill in creating an an exquisite, and unique dining experience, through a menu that pays homage to the great romances of history.

The opening act, the Roses of Beetroot Cured Gravlax, is dish inspired by Ingrid Bergmann and Roberto Rossellini whose romance rocked Holywood in

the 1940s. The Swedish-born Bergmann is represented by the gravlax with its simplicity and luxury. It lies on a bed of peppery arugula, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, Italian ingredients chosen in reference to Rossellini.

The soup course is a Delectable Soup of Mirliton Squash, inspired by the fiery romance of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo while Italy inspired the Duetto di Ravioli, a dish comprised of two handmade raviolis created

by Italian Chef Marco Ghini to represent Romeo and Juliet.

Meanwhile, Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish rulers who sent Christopher Columbus on his fateful voyage to America, inspired the Frozen Chocolate Chili Inter-

Q Christian Bautista will serenade guests in an exclusive Valentine dinner with an elegant dinner like no other like this Roses of Beetroot Cured Gravlax. mezzo. Columbus came home to Spain with chocolate, chili and many other gastronomic treasures.

John and Jackie Kennedy gave The White House glamor and romance. The Carré d’Agneau Vert Pre was served to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of

Monaco at one of the most famous State Dinners of the era.

The Heart of Velvet Ricotta Mousse is a sweet ode to Antony and Cleopatra, one of the most legendary lovers in history while two Macaroons are presented in honor of Napoleon and Josephine.

Marriott International opens Sheraton Manila MARRIOTT International continues to expand its portfolio in the Philippines with the opening of the new Sheraton hotel in Manila, set to provide a warmly authentic welcome and become the point of connection for travelers to the dynamic Philippine capital.

“With a presence in over 72 countries and regions, Sheraton is an exciting addition to the fast-growing hospitality scene in the Philippines,” said Mike Fulkerson, vice president, Brand & Marketing Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “The brand

have shown overwhelming support for this cause, and we’re committed to providing them appreciation in return.”

“The Ascott Golf Tournament endeavors to bring together the passion of our partners, and the spirit of our community,” stated Director of Sales and Marketing Casey Faylona, who was on hand for the tournament. “We look forward to a bigger event in 2019, where we hope to build on the event’s current successes.”

For more information, visit https://www.the-ascott.com.

Q Participating in the golf tournament, from left, Country Manager Daniel Wee, Joe Ronesh de Silva, and Vincent Lim.

Q The college hosts its kickoff activity with its powerhouse lineup of speakers representing different sectors and perspectives. agenda and tackle contemporary challenges in healthcare.

“We are committed to the formation of doctors who are competent and ethical, academic and research-oriented, collaborative

and patient-centered, socially engaged and compassionate,” said SLMCCM-WHQM President and Dean Susan Pelea Nagtalon.

Founded in 1994 through the leadership of lawyer William H.

Kitsho offers sumptuous Valentine feast THIS upcoming month of love, Kitsho invites all lovelorn couples and lovers of Japanese food to experience another memorable Valentine season with the best dishes this side of the metro.

This Valentine season, Executive Chef Keita Kamimoto has prepared a special Valentine set menu that couples would surely love for a romantic gustatory experience.

The set starts with a delectable Tuna sweet & spicy salad followed

BY A SAVORY kSH SAKE SOUP WHILE the main course will feature a (AMATCHI +ATSU DISH AND kNISHING with a buttercream cake for dessert.

The special Valentine set menu for two is served with a complimentary

glass of red or white wine or beer for each of the dining couple.

Kitsho Japanese Restaurant & Sake Bar is managed and operated by MCK Millennium Food, Inc, and is conveniently located at the ground level of the Hotel Jen Manila.

For more information, visit Kitsho’s Facebook page http://www. facebook.com/iamkitsho.ph.

GAMING team Sealteam Peenoise placed second at the Rules of Survival Southeast Asia Survival Championship early January.

“From the Philippine tournament, it is our goal to represent the country in an international arena” John Kirk Magbanua, Q Sealteam Peenoise’s Squad Leader John Kirk team captain of Seal- Magbanua (right) and Jhoey Bhoy Buenaflor team Peenoise. “We during the tournament. executive. “We believe that by trained and prepared hard for this, and we are proud of exposing them to this kind of tournament, we are helping them imour achievement.”

A total of 15 competing squads prove their talents and eventually are the best squads from the Philip- be ready in competing globally.”

Nimo TV is a leading global pines, Vietnam, and Indonesia with platform allowing millions of the aim of claiming supremacy.

The Rules of Survival South gamers from around the world to East Asia Survival Champion- play and broadcast their games to ship was broadcasted exclu- other like-minded players.

Download the Nimo TV app sively via Nimo TV. “This kind of tournament hones at Apple app store and Google local talents to be better,” said Play store for more exciting and Henry Zhao, Nimo TV overseas exclusive content.

St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine celebrates 25th anniversary ST. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine-William H. Quasha Memorial (SLMCCM-WHQM) celebrated its 25th anniversary YEAR BY REAFkRMING ITS COMMITment to academic excellence, compassionate professionalism and patient-centered care.

Held at the Angelo King Auditorium of SLMCCM-WHQM, in Quezon City on Jan. 12, the event highlighted the role of medical education in promoting stewardship, professionalism, integrity, commitment, and excellence in order to produce graduates who can help address the national and global health

Q Participants at the Popcorn Eating Contest together with Snack Time’s resident mascot, Poppy the Popcorn.

3- #INEMA THE LEADING kLM EX- offers a wide array of affordable hibitor in the country, celebrated snacks, such as popcorn with difInternational Popcorn Day na- FERENT EXCITING lAVORS HOTDOGS AND tionwide by giving lucky movie burgers, among others. goers free popcorn.

Book tickets through www.

Snack Time, the official food smcinema.com or download the concessionaire of SM Cinema, SM Cinema mobile app.

Sealteam Peenoise finishes 2nd in SEA Championship

is trusted and recognized by travelers globally and we are confident that the new Sheraton Manila will gather travelers together and connect like-minded people for business or leisure.”

The 390-room Sheraton Manila offers a wide choice of accommodations, including two-level lofts ideal for multigeneration travel and larger groups along with deluxe guestrooms with private gardens and jacuzzi for a premium getaway.

For more information, visit sheratonmanila.com.

The Ascott Limited PH hosts first golf tourney I N c e l e b r a t i o n o f i t s 201 8 milestones, Singapore-based lodging company The Ascott Limited Philippines hosted its first Ascott Golf Tournament to welcome 2019 with two new Citadines properties in the Visayas region, held at the Southwoods Golf and Country Club on November 9, 2018.

“We’re thrilled to cap off the year and move forward with this kind of activity,” said Daniel Wee, The Ascott Limited Philippines’ country general manager.

“Our partners and brand partners

SM Cinema celebrates International Popcorn Day

Quasha, then Chairman of the Board and President of St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC), the SLMC College of Medicine has established itself as an excellent training ground for future physicians.

Duty Free PH to open more stores in 2019 IN a bid to meet its target of reaching 15 percent of the international traveler by 2027, Duty Free Philippines Corp.

(DFPC)’s COO Vicente Pelagio Angala recently announced the company’s plan to open new stores at the international airports of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, and Panglao, Bohol this 2019.

“We are in coordination with the Department of Transportation $/4R AND DEkNITELY IT WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR u !NGALA AFkRMED ADDING TO the company’s total sales report that reached $217 million in 2018, a two percent growth from 2017.

“Our collaboration also with the Department of Trade and Industry’s Go Lokal program has steadily grown to this day and we expected to continue to grow in

the coming years,” he added.

Moreover, in line with the thrust of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat to promote proudly Pinoy-made products, DFPC is in close coordination with the Department of Tourism in adding homegrown products through the Philippines’ Finest Kiosk.

These plans and programs bode well for the DFPC’s higher target of $220 million for 2019.

“With the challenges and hurdles the industry is facing, The DFP will stay committed to its mandate to boost the country’s tourism industry by providing Filipino travellers with an extensive range of gifts to bring home to their loved ones,” said Angala.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

US-Chinese trade talks resume in Washington WASHINGTON, D.C.: With a month left in their truce, senior US and Chinese officials will meet in Washington this week, hoping to move toward a bargain to end their unprecedented trade war.

Beijing’s trade envoy, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, will lead a 30-person delegation at the invitation of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who is heading up the American effort.

At a meeting in Argentina last month, US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed to bury the hatchet provisionally, with Trump delaying a sharp increase on US duties for $200 billion in Chinese goods until March 1.

Washington has made its demands clear: China must agree to far-reaching “structural� reforms in its trade practices, curbing massive state intervention in markets and the alleged theft of American technological knowhow, including through hacking and the forced transfer of intellectual property.

Trump also wants to cut the soaring US trade deficit with China, which in 2017 hit a record $375 billion, not including trade in services.

Since last year, the world’s two largest economies have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, with the largest amount more than $250 billion, imposed

by Washington.

The American President’s protectionist moves have begun to weigh on the Chinese economy,

which last year posted its slowest economic growth in nearly three decades, causing Trump to claim he had the upper hand in the talks.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said Thursday (Friday in Manila) Washington and Beijing remained “miles and miles� from THE kNISH LINE IN THEIR TALKS CAUtioning against putting too much HOPE FOR A kNAL RESOLUTION AT THIS week’s talks. “I think next week’s negotiations will be critical in determining whether the Chinese are willing to talk about any of the structural issues the United States is concerned about,� Edward Alden, a trade expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, told AFP. %ARLY THIS MONTH #HINESE OFkCIALS signaled they were open to reducing the trade imbalance, but there had been scant sign of movement on Washington’s tougher demands.

A deal can be especially hard to reach should Beijing prove unwilling to cede any ground on the state subsidies at the heart of Xi’s vision for industrial pre-eminence. g)T WILL BE VERY DIFkCULT TO REACH an agreement unless the Chinese are willing to address some of those issues,� said Alden.

The Chinese were likely to reject any US demand seen as an obstacle to the “Made in China 2025� strategic plan, according to Alden.

Launched in 2015, the plan aimed to achieve Chinese dominance in cutting-edge technologies likely critical to the future success of developed economies, includING ROBOTICS ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE

aerospace and electric autos. AFP

World

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Saudi Arabia making ballistic missiles – US D UBAI, United Arab Emirates: A military base deep inside Saudi Arabia appears to be testing and possibly manufacturing ballistic missiles, experts and satellite images suggest, evidence of the type of weapons program it has long criticized its archrival Iran for possessing.

Further raising the stakes for any such program are comments

by Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said last year the kingdom wouldn’t hesitate to develop nuclear weapons if Iran does. Ballistic missiles can carry nuclear warheads to targets thousands of kilometers away. /FkCIALS IN 2IYADH AND THE 3AUdi Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Having such a program could further strain relations with the US, the kingdom’s longtime security partner,

at a time when ties already are being tested by the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

Jeffrey Lewis, a missile expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California, said heavy investment in missiles often correlates with an interest in nuclear weapons. “I would be a little worried that we’re underestimating the Saudis’ ambitions here,� said Lewis, who has studied the satellite images.

The images, first reported by The Washington Post, focus on a

military base near the town of alDawadmi, some 230 kilometers (145 miles) west of Riyadh, the Saudi capital. Jane’s Defence Weekly kRST IDENTIkED THE BASE IN SUGgesting its two launch pads appeared oriented to target Israel and Iran with ballistic missiles the kingdom previously bought from China.

The November satellite images show what appear to be structures big enough to build and fuel ballistic missiles. An apparent rocket-engine test stand can be seen in a corner of the base — the type on which a rocket is positioned on its side and TEST kRED IN PLACE 3UCH TESTING IS KEY for countries attempting to manufacture working missiles, experts say.

Michael Elleman, the senior fellow for missile defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington, also reviewed the satellite photos and said they appeared to show a ballistic missile program.

of dollars in ill-considered investments and assistance made over the years.�

Russia has denounced the US for interference and attempted to block the Security Council meeting, but it was voted down with nine of the 15 members agreeing to go forward.

But Russia blocked a draft Security Council statement seen by AFP that would have offered full support to Guaido and called the National Assembly that he heads “Venezuela’s only democratically elected institution.� “Venezuela does not pose any threat to peace and security. The intention of the United States is to orchestrate a coup d’etat,� said the Russian ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia.

He accused the US of continuing to treat Latin America as a “backyard where you can do anything you want� and, in a shot at the Europeans, said Russia would not raise France’s populist yellow vest protests at the Security Council.

President Donald Trump’s recognition of Guaido has been supported by many Latin American powers including Brazil, Colombia and Argentina — but not all.

European powers, after cautious initial statements, on Saturday warned that they would recognize Guaido unless Maduro called elections within eight days.

AFP

FERVOR Policemen clash with protesters during an anti-government demonstration called by the yellow

vests (gilets jaunes) movement in Paris on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). Yellow vest anti-government protesters have taken to the streets in France for the 11th consecutive weekend. AFP PHOTO

223 more Paris protesters nabbed PARIS: Thousands of yellow vest protesters returned to the streets of France Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to protest against President Emmanuel Macron’s policies, clashing with police in several cities in a challenge to his bid to quell the movement.

0OLICE kRED TEAR GAS AND WATER cannon to push back protesters at Place de la Bastille in Paris, one of the regular protest areas, as some demonstrators threw stones from a building site.

The local prefecture reported 223 arrests in Paris, while the interior ministry estimated numbers for the 11th week of protests were at 69,000 across France, compared with 84,000 last Saturday.

The demonstrations erupted in mid-November over Macron’s economic reforms, but have since

grown into a wider rallies calling for the resignation of the former investment banke, who critics say is out of touch with the economic struggles of ordinary French people.

In Paris and other cities, the yellow vest movement had called for the protests to continue into the night.

But police quickly dispersed several hundred protesters in the capital’s symbolic Republique Square, using stun grenades as well as tear gas and water cannon to clear the area, AFP journalists said.

Clashes erupted, too, in Nantes in western France and in the southern city of Montpellier, where a POLICE OFkCER WAS INJURED BY gA pyrotechnic device�, said a statement from the local prefecture. )N 0ARIS THE OFkCIAL COUNT WAS 4,000 demonstrators against 7,000

Worldinbriefs CAMBODIA REPATRIATES CHINESE CRIME SUSPECTS

CHINA has expressed its strong commitment to work with the Cambodian government in combatting crimes committed in Cambodia by Chinese nationals. In the press conference over the weekend, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian said the two governments would conjoin to get tough on Chinese criminals active in Cambodia. China set 2019 as the year for law enforcement to cracking down on Chinese people who perform criminal acts. Both of our both countries consider this year as the year for law enforcement operations between Cambodia and China. The ambassador noted such lawbreakers harm the relationship between the two countries and damage the reputation of the Chinese people. He added that to protect the good relationship between countries, especially in regard to public order and security, the law enforcement officials of both nations would amplify their cooperation.

KHMER TIMES

UN CITES LINK BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND PEACE

MUSH A competitor rides his dog sled during the Sedivackuv Long race over the weekend in Destne village in the Orlicke Mountains, Czech Republic. AFP PHOTO

The question remains where Saudi Arabia gained the technical know-how to build such a facility.

Lewis said the Saudi stand closely resembled a design used by China, though it is smaller.

Chinese military support to the kingdom will not come as a surprise.

The Chinese have increasingly sold armed drones to Saudi Arabia and other Mideast nations, even as the US blocks sales of its own to allies over proliferation concerns. Beijing also sold Riyadh variants of its Dongfeng ballistic missiles, the only ones the kingdom was previously believed to have in its arsenal.

Asked by The Associated Press on Friday about the base, China’s Defense Ministry declined immediately to comment. “I have never heard of such a thing as China helping Saudi Arabia to build a missile base,�

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said.

AP

Dam collapse toll rises to 40

Russia, China, Greece back Maduro regime UNITED NATIONS, United States: The United States pressed all nations Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to “stand with the forces of freedom� in Venezuela, encouraged by a tougher European line as Russia stood in the minority in backing embattled leader Nicolas Maduro.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a forceful case at a special session of the United Nations Security Council, where he described Maduro as part of an “ilLEGITIMATE MAkA STATEu RESPONSIBLE for Venezuela’s economic collapse.

With mounting protests over Venezuela’s crisis in which more THAN TWO MILLION HAVE lED SHORTages of basic food and medicine, Pompeo asked all nations to follow the US in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president. “Now it is time for every other nation to pick a side. No more delays, no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or you’re in league with Maduro and his mayhem,� Pompeo said.

He also urged all countries to end financial transactions with Maduro’s government, which had struggled to pay bills despite the country’s oil wealth.

Pompeo denounced Russia and China, which had stood by Maduro, saying that they were “propping up a failed regime in the hopes of recovering billions

B9

THE United Nations (UN) Security Council held an open debate to discuss the concrete impact of climate change on peace and security, and find ways to diminish the effects of global warming. The relationship between climate-related risks and conflict was complex and often intersected with political, social, economic and demographic factors, said Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs in her opening remarks. The meeting took place almost two months after 197 parties to the UN Climate Change Convention agreed to a concrete way forward on implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement — which aims to keep global warming under 1.5 C from pre-industrial levels — and ahead of the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Summit, convened for Sep-

the previous weekend.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner on Twitter criticised “rioters disguised as yellow vest protesters� after Saturday’s clashes.

The weekend’s protests against Macron’s tax and social policies came as divisions appeared among the yellow vests — named after the high-visibility vests they wear — as to where to take the movement.

In a new political development, a 31-year-old nurse named Ingrid Levavasseur said this week she would lead a yellow vest list of candidates for the European elections in May. An initial survey in the wake of the announcement suggested they would garner a respectable 13 percent of the vote.

But not every protester appeared to welcome this development. AFP

BRUMADINHO, Brazil: The death toll from the collapse of a dam holding back mine waste in southeastern Brazil rose to 40 ON 3ATURDAY AS SEARCHERS lYING in helicopters and rescuers laboring in deep mud uncovered more bodies. An estimated 300 people were still missing and authorities expected the death toll to increase during a search made more challenging by intermittent rains.

Scores of families in the city desperately awaited word on their loved ones and Romeu Zema, governor of Minas Gerais state, promised that those responsible “would be punished.�

Employees of the mining complex owned and operated

by Brazilian mining company Vale were eating lunch Friday afternoon when the dam gave way, unleashing a sea of reddishbrown mud that knocked over and buried several structures of the company and surrounding areas. The level of devastation quickly led President Jair Bolsonaro and other officials to describe it as a “tragedy.�

4HE lOW OF WASTE REACHED THE nearby community of Vila Ferteco and an occupied Vale administraTIVE OFkCE /N 3ATURDAY ROOFTOPS poked above an extensive field of the mud, which also cut off roads. After the dam collapsed, some were evacuated from BruMADINHO /THER RESIDENTS OF THE affected areas barely escaped with their lives.

AP

tember 23 this year. Whether climate change is an issue that should be examined by the UN’s peace and security body to begin with, has been the subject of controversy.

UN NEWS

RUSSIANS REMEMBER SIEGE OF LENINGRAD

SAINT PETERSBURG: Russian President Vladimir Putin will, on Sunday preside over ceremonies marking the 75th anniversary of the end of the World War 2 siege of Leningrad that claimed over 800,000 lives. Saint Petersburg — formerly known as Leningrad — will plunge into the atmosphere of a wartime city under siege, with authorities broadcasting air-raid warnings, radio announcements and the ticking of a metronome. The centerpiece of the commemorations will be a military parade in the city’s Palace Square featuring more than 2,500 servicemen in modern and period uniforms, tanks and multiple-launch rocket systems. Many in Saint Petersburg, including some siege survivors, have denounced the planned parade as misplaced sabre-rattling and militaristic propaganda. Putin, a native of Saint Petersburg, is not expected to attend the controversial parade itself.

AFP

CUBA OPENS 1ST CATHOLIC CHURCH SINCE 1959

SANDINO, Cuba: The first new Roman Catholic church to be completed in Cuba since the country’s 1959 socialist revolution was inaugurated with the aid of a Florida congregation on Saturday, in a ceremony that observers called a hopeful sign amid international tensions. The Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the western town of Sandino is one of three Catholic churches authorized by Cuba as part of a warming between the Vatican and the island’s Communist government. It is the first to be finished, thanks in large part to financial aid from the members of St. Lawrence Church in Tampa, Florida. Tensions between Cuba and the US have risen in recent weeks as the Trump administration has threatened new sanctions on Cuba and its ally Venezuela. “This is a bridge between Tampa and Cuba,� said Rev. Ramon Hernandez, a Cuban-born priest who lives in Tampa and returned for the ceremony.

AP

B10

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Special Feature

The ËœManila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

 B I G T I C K E T T R A N S P O R T P R O J E C TS

Seamless links Mobility and connectivity systems are ushering in the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’

T

B MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY BY Y

HE government’s Build, Build, Build program, touted to usher in the Golden Age of Infrastructure, has lined up big projects with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) as lead implementing agency. ! lAGSHIP PROGRAM OF 0RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, Build, Build, Build (BBB) has set projects for construction or rehabilitation of roads, railways, airports, and seaports with a total budget of P168 billion, including P37-billion worth of contracts for consultants.

Railways

The Department of Transportation has launched the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project, envisioned as a seamless “metro-grade train system.� $/4R IS STARTING kVE RAILWAY PROJECTS AS EARLY AS THE kRST QUARTER OF with a total budget of P24.59 billion.

Road-related projects The projects include construction DOTr’s road-related projects in- of the Philippine National Railways clude the opening of the Paraùaque North 1 (Tutuban to Malolos), MinIntegrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) danao Railway Project Phase 1, Metro and the public utility vehicle (PUV) Manila Subway Project Phase 1, PNR modernization program.

South Commuter Line (Solis to Los The PITX initiative, which com- BaĂąos), and the much-awaited Metro menced operations on November Manila Subway.

5, 2018, aims to decongest Manila For the PNR North 1, target comTRAFkC BY BRINGING VARIOUS MODES OF pletion of theproject is by 2022. transportation under one, airportAccording to the Philippine style terminal.

Information Agency (PIA), during A terminal equipped with the Sulong Pilipinas 2018 Philipescalators, elevators, automated pine Development Forum held in fare collection, and an online Clark, Pampanga, Transportation ticketing system, PITX was Secretary Arthur Tugade announced designed to facilitate transport that Phase 1 is a 38-kilometer segconnections for different land ment spanning from Tutuban in vehicles such as buses, taxis, Metro Manila to Malolos City in jeepneys, and other public util- Bulacan. It will have 10 stations and ity vehicles, assisting commut- can accommodate up to 340,000 ers coming from Cavite and passengers per day.

Batangas going to Metro Manila Tugade added the Phase II of the and vice versa. project would connect Bulacan with In addition, DOTr is also imple- Clark International Airport and New menting the Public Utility Vehicles Clark City in Pampanga.

(PUV) modernization program, “When all of these projects are which provides more eco-friendly accomplished, you can just imagine jeepneys promoting cleaner air for the logistics hub which we are trying EFkCIENT TRANSPORT ELIMINATING ROAD to create in Central Luzon,� he added. congestion.

The same railway system is also set

Q The new Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 is DOTr’s initiative to transform the terminal into the ‘world’s friendliest airport.’

for expansion down south, stretching a 68.5-km railway from Solis, Manila, to Los BaĂąos, Laguna, to be funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), according to a recent report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The project will reduce travel time from Manila to Calamba, from two hours to under one hour, DOTr said.

There are also plans to create a PNR South Long Haul, which will start from Laguna and go as far as the town ofMatnog, in Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Railway Project, a 102-kilometer MRP TagumDavao-Digos (TDD) railway segment, is targeted for completion by 2021.

The project will reduce travel time from Tagum, Davao del Norte to Digos, Davao del Sur from 3.5 hours to HOURS 4HE SEGMENT IS THE kRST OF the three segments of the Mindanao Railway Project. “The MRP-TDD is expected to not only make travel faster but also safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor,� DOTr said in a statement.

The project will have eight stations:

Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang; Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos.

A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum.

The rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for fuTURE TRACKS AND ELECTRIkCATION )T WILL ALSO HAVE SIX kVE CAR PASSENGER TRAINS (Diesel Multiple Units) with three spare cars, four locomotives, and 15 freight cars.

The system is expected to be completed by 2025 while the groundbreaking ceremony, which was initially set in December, was moved TO MID *ANUARY AS SCHEDULE CONlICTS with its Japanese sponsor, OC Global, arouse.

In November 2018, the Japanese consortium OC Global won the bid to fund the Metro Manila Subway project amounting to P11 billion, as announced by Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

Subways Consortium members are Oriental The much-awaited Metro Manila Consultants Global Co. Ltd., Tokyo 3UBWAY IS kNALLY SET TO BREAK GROUND Metro Co. Ltd., Katahira & Engineers this January. )NTERNATIONAL 0ACIkC #ONSULTANTS #O A key BBB program, the subway Ltd., Tonichi Engineering Consultants, project is a 25-km underground Inc., and Metro Development Co. Ltd. transportation system connecting The transport department is also set major business districts and govern- to rehabilitate the Manila Metro Rail ment centers, running from Mind- Transit (MRT) Line 3.

DOTr has inked the rehabilitation anao Avenue in Quezon City, to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport deal with the Japan-based Sumimoto Corp. before the end of 2018. in Pasay City.

Under the deal, the rehabilitation 4HE kRST THREE SUBWAY STATIONS ARE being set up on Mindanao Avenue, project will cover the trains and power Tandang Sora, and North Avenue, supply, radio system, CCTV, public all in Quezon City. They are to be address and signaling systems.

The transport department estioperational by May 2022.

mated the rehabilitation project may take 43 months, while its funding has reached P18 billion.

Seaports

A major big-ticket transport project in the maritime industry is the construction of the Cavite Gateway Terminal (CGT) in Tanza, Cavite, which became operational in November 2018.

The Department of Transportation, in partnership with the International Container Terminal Services, Inc., initiated the CGT project to decongest ROAD TRAFkC IN -ETRO -ANILA BY CUTTING truck trips by 140,000 a year or two kilometers of trucks per day. “The government’s target to ease traffic was further boosted by the terminal’s strategic location in Tanza, Cavite, where the Cavite Export Processing Zone houses more than 400 actively operating companies,� DoTr said in a statement.

The Cavite Gateway Terminal is DESCRIBED AS THE COUNTRY S kRST BARGE terminal where it offers 115,000

ÂłSEAMLESSB11

DOTR YEAR 120

One for the Road Marking three years as a lone agency for transport programs

A LEAD agency in the government’s marathon development programs, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) celebrates this year its 120th anniversary.

Created on January 21, 1899, the department has seen through various pivotal programs for the country.

Today, the transport department is pursuing numerous projects in line with President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program, toward bringing the country to the “Golden Age of Infrastructure.� “No, it’s not perfect. But we are not yet done,�

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade wrote about the status of the transport department’s work in his MESSAGE IN THE $/4R 2EPORT g)N THE kRST few years, we have been improving where we can,� he said.

He then appealed to the public, “We still have a long way to go, so please, stay with us and watch us even more intently and critically as we make change happen.�

The department envisions to be a world-class organization, providing integrated transport, connecting people, islands, families, communities and the nation with the rest of the world, and constantly eyeing an environmentally sustainable and global competitive transport system by 2030.

The department anchors its service on the MISSION gTO PROVIDE THE COUNTRY WITH EFkCIENT EFfective, and secure transportation systems that are globally competitive, compliant with international standards, and responsive to the changing times,� covering transport systems across roads, railways, air, and sea.

The department thus relentlessly works on the promotion, development, and regulation of a dependable and coordinated network of transportation systems, as well as in the fast, safe, EFkCIENT AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES AND infrastructures.

From one to two

The department started out in1899 under the Malolos Constitution of the First Philip-

pine Republic which grouped all public works, transportation, and communication functions into one department known as the Department of Public Works and Communications (DPWC) with Maximo Paterno presiding as secretary.

Then came the Third Republic, where President Elpidio Quirino issued Executive Order (EO) 39 reconstituting the DPWC into the Department of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications (DPWTC).

For a long period of time, the transportation department was always attached to public works and communications. It wasn’t until July 23, 1979, during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, that a separate transportation department was established.

At the time, the country switched from presidential to parliamentary form of government, and consequently, the departments were called ministries. Hence, DPWTC became the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications (MPWTC).

Then President Marcos issued EO 546 which divided MPWTC into two separate agencies: the Ministry of Public Works and Highways (MPWH) and the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) with Minister Jose Dans as its head.

And back to one

After the People Power Revolution of the 1980s, the government switched back to the presidential system and so the ministries were renamed departments as part of President Corazon Aquino’s government reorganization.

Pursuant to EO 125 and 125-A, MoTC was renamed DoTC. On May 23, 2016, President Benigno Aquino 3rd signed into law Republic Act No. 10844, creating the Department of Information and Communications Technology and, in effect, making the Department of Transportation a separate department.

So, by May 23, 2019, DOTr will be celebrating its third year as a stand-alone department.

MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

˜ The Manila Times

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Special Feature

MONDAY January 28, 2019

B11

SECRETARY ARTHUR TUGADE

Man behind the wheel Driving on from the slums to public service

A

LL was well for a poor boy hailing from the north who, through hard work and perseverance, was ABLE TO kNISH HIS STUDIES AND ESTABLISH A FAMILY corporation.

And then, his success story took him up a notch when President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him as Secretary of the Department of Transportation in May 2016.

Arthur “Art” Planta Tugade was born on January 9, 1946, in the municipality of Claveria, Cagayan, to Francisco Tugade and Lucefina Planta. Both of modest means, they served as employees at the Public Works Department.

Moving to Sampaloc, Manila, when Arthur was in grade school, the Tugade family suffered a great loss when their house was burned to the ground. Alas, the family had to stay in the slums in Tatalon Estates, Quezon City, where the young Tugade grew up.

In time, the family survived the ordeal, enabling Tugade to study at the San Beda College (now San Beda University), from elementary to Law School, where he graduated cum laude in 1971.

As fate would have it, one of Tugade’s classmates at San Beda Law School would be Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

After Law School, Tugade pursued post-graduate studies at the National 5NIVERSITY OF 3INGAPORE kNISHING THE Stanford Executive Program in 1985.

Prior to serving as a government ofkCIAL 4UGADE HELD SEVERAL TOP EXECUTIVE positions in the private sector.

Tugade’s corporate background, as gathered by software company Bloomberg, shows that he served as a partner at the Bengzon, Verano, Tugade and Escolin Law Office (now The Bengzon Law Firm).

Apart from Law, he also ventured into global logistics, tourism, information technology, and consumer products, serving as president and chairman of various companies—Transnational Diversified Group Asia Corp., Yas Brokerage Inc., Harmony Organic Farms, Philippine Organic Plantation Corp., Kamraz Agriculture Inc., Pizzavest Transnational Corp., Transnational Food Services Corp., Transnational Aero Corp., and Emery Transnational Air Cargo Corp.

Likewise, he served as director of business solutions provider Easycall Communications Philippines, Inc. Then, Tugade established his family company, Perry’s Group of Companies, named after a son who succumbed to an asthma attack at age 12.

Perry’s Group of Companies includes businesses such as Transglobal Consolidators Inc., APT Travels, Perry’s Farm, Fizz Fashion, Perryome, Perry’s Foundation, Perry’s Holding Corp., and Perry’s Fuel Q Secretary Arthur ‘Art’ Planta Tugade Distribution Inc. The group is now divided into two opPerry’s Holding Corp., the holderating divisions: Logistics, and Products ing company and management arm and Services. of the group, was incorporated in On to public service, Tugade served 1996. Barely six years of perforAS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER mance, the corporation grew from one company based outfit to 10 vi- of the Clark Development Corporation, able corporations with five satellite an attached agency to the governmentowned Bases Conversion and Developoffices.

ment Authority, which he held from 2012 to 2016 under then-President Benigno Aquino 3rd.

Now as transport chief, the man from the slums of Quezon City is driving the WHEEL TOWARDS AN EFkCIENT EFFECTIVE AND secure transportation system for the country. MAYLENE STEPHANIE S. VIRAY

Q SEAMLESS FROM B10

Links

twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), including a roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) wharf, storage for dry laden and empty containers, project cargo, and International Standard Organization (ISO) tanks, in terms of its capacity.

The statement further noted that the CGT barge port allows transshipment of cargo from Manila to Cavite through RoRo operations.

The Cavite Gateway Terminal is a P1.5-billion public-private partnership project between the transport department and the port operator.

Also in 2018, a $174.64-million loan agreement was inked between the Philippines and South Korea to fund and construct the New Cebu International Container Port, which will be located in the town of Consolacion.

The new Cebu port is designed to free up existing seaports in nearby provinces as well as PROVIDE A MORE EFkCIENT AND RELIABLE TRANSPORT lOW OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO THE 6ISAYAS ISLANDS

according to a report of PortCalls.

3PECIkCS ON THE PORT INCLUDE A BERTHING FACILity with a 500-meter long quay wall that can simultaneously accommodate about two 2,000 TEU vessels, operating facilities, and structures for containers such as a freight station and an inspection shed, an access road and bridge, and a dredged waterway and turning basin.

Government officials said the new port would be of help in handling the growing volumes at the old Cebu International Port.

Airports

Also a part of President Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program are DOTr’s big-ticket projects that expand to the aviation industry.

For instance, the new Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 is DOTr’s initiative to transform the terminal into the “world’s friendliest airport.”

The new terminal, which was inaugurated in June 2018, is a 65,000-square-meter terminal aimed at increasing passenger capacity to about 12.5 million, according to The Times report.

The terminal is also the second biggest and busiest airport in the country.

“The construction of this world-class transportation facility shows that government and our private sector partners are committed to providing our people with the necessary infrastructure that will enable them to live a more comfortable and productive life,” President Duterte said during the inauguration.

Meanwhile, another Japan-funded transport project under BBB is the construction of the Bohol Panglao International Airport, inaugurated on November 27, 2018. *APAN PROVIDED THE 0HILIPPINES WITH /FkCIAL Development Assistance (ODA) loan amounting to P7 billion to implement this project.

Dubbed as the “Eco Airport,” the new airport was designed through Japan’s knowledge, expeRIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WITH SPECIkCS INCLUDING SOLAR POWER GENERATION SYSTEM HIGHLY EFkCIENT light and air-conditioning system as well as the turbid water treatment system.

The airport, which boasts of international safety standards, is equipped with a 2.5-kilometer runway and a passenger terminal capable of handling two million persons annually.

Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) Manila North Harbor Terminal (NorthPort) Subic Bay International Terminal (New Container Terminals 1 & 2), Subic Bay Freeport

POWERING THE PHILIPPINES WITH GATEWAYS TO GROWTH

Cavite Gateway Terminal, Tanza, Cavite Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, Calamba City, Laguna Bauan International Port, Bauan, Batangas

Mindanao International Container Terminal, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental Hijo International Port, Tagum City Sasa Wharf, Davao Makar Wharf, Gen. Santos City

PHILIPPINES

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) strengthens trade and supply chain synergies in the Philippines.

At the heart of Philippine trade is the Port of Manila, where ICTSI operates the country’s sole dedicated international container terminal (MICT) and the largest multi-use domestic cargo hub (NorthPort).

North of Manila, ICTSI serves the central and northern Luzon markets at the Subic Freeport. South of Manila, ICTSI boosts supply chain synergies: giving Cavite a sea lane alternative to Manila via the country’s first roll-on rolloff (ro-ro) container barge terminal; extending the Port of Manila to an inland container park and future intermodal facility in Laguna; and supporting the auto industry via a Batangas ro-ro terminal.

In the agricultural powerhouse that is Mindanao, ICTSI optimizes gateways for the exports of the country’s top produce: Davao bananas, Gen. Santos City tuna, Bukidnon pineapples, and Mindanao’s copra and coconut products.

From country to global markets—ICTSI powers the Philippines with world class gateways to growth.

HEAD OFFICE ICTSI Administration Bldg., Manila International Container Terminal MICT South Access Road, Port of Manila, Manila 1012, Philippines +632 245 4101 +632 245 2245 info@ictsi.com www.ictsi.com

ARGENTINA • AUSTRALI A • BRAZIL • CHINA • COLOMBIA • CROATIA • D.R. CONGO • ECUADOR • GEORGIA • HONDURAS • INDONESIA • IRAQ • MADAGASCAR • MEXICO • PAKISTAN • PAPUA NEW GUINEA • PHILIPPINES • POLAND • SUDAN

Sports

MONDAY JANUARY 28, 2019

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www.manilatimes.net

Curry brothers to spice up NBA 3-point contest LOS ANGELES: Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and his younger brother Seth will battle in the NBA All-Star weekend three-point shooting contest, US media reported. “The three-point shootout will be fun with the Curry brothers,� Stephen Curry told ESPN. “I know he’s going to be gunning for me, though. That’s the problem.�

Seth Curry, who plays for the Portland Trail Blazers, is shooting 48 percent from three-point range this season -- second-best in the NBA. Stephen, who is third all-time in made three-pointers, is making 44.4 percent of his shots from beyond the arc.

This year’s All-Star weekend February 16-17 in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be a homecoming for the Curry brothers.

Their father, Dell, played 10 seasons for the Charlotte Hornets.

Stephen Curry will be appearing in his sixth three-point contest. He won it in 2015 but skipped the event the past two years.

He has also been voted a starter on the Western Conference team for the All-Star Game.

LeBron takes part in full-contact drills Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took part in full-contact defensive drills for the first time since he was injured in a Christmas Day game, but won’t be ready to play on Sunday. “It’s the first time he’s been out there in that part of practice, in that type of movement,� Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters on Saturday.

Walton said James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had been working with his own doctors as well as team doctors and training staff as he recovers from a groin injury suffered in the Lakers’ holiday win over the Golden State Warriors.

He said it would be up to the medical staff to decide when James would play, although he won’t suit up when the team faces Phoenix on Sunday, which will mark his 16th game on the sidelines.

AFP

Durant sizzles as Warriors win 10th straight

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OS ANGELES: Kevin Durant scored a game-high 33 points as the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors won their 10th straight game with a 115-111 victory over the Boston Celtics on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

3TEPHEN #URRY SCORED POINTS AND +LAY 4HOMPSON kNISHED WITH AS THE 7ARRIORS WON THE kRST HEAD TO HEAD MEETING THIS season between the two Eastern Conference powerhouses. “They started off that fourth quarter on a nice little run to cut the lead and we stayed poised,� said Durant. “My teammates had my back. But coming in here on the road to get a W in Boston is pretty solid for us.� +YRIE )RVING SCORED POINTS WITH ASSISTS AND !L (ORFORD HAD POINTS AND REBOUNDS FOR "OSTON WHO HAD THEIR kVE GAME WIN STREAK STOPPED The game featured 21 lead changes as Thompson made a couple OF CLUTCH FREE THROWS IN THE kNAL MINUTE AND THEN Curry iced the victory with a pair of foul shots with six seconds left in front of a crowd of

AT THE "OSTON 'ARDEN

Spurs beat Pelicans Elsewhere, LaMarcus Aldridge played through THE PAIN OF A SORE LEFT WRIST TO TALLY POINTS and 12 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the shorthanded New Orleans Pelicans 126-114. !LDRIDGE HAD POINTS IN THE kRST HALF AND then added 12 more in a key scoring burst in the third quarter which saw the Spurs break the game open. The visitors used a 25-12 run TO STRETCH A THREE POINT LEAD TO Rudy Gay had 22 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio, who ended a two-game winless streak. *RUE (OLIDAY HAD A GAME HIGH POINTS and Jahlil Okafor added 24 points and 15 rebounds for the depleted Pelicans, who lost their third consecutive game.

Anthony Davis, Julius Randle, Nikola Mirotic and E’Twaun Moore were all missing from the Pelicans’ lineup with injuries.

The Spurs were without their top scorer DeMar DeRozan, who was sidelined with a sore left knee.

Coach Gregg Popovich said before the

ASIAD GOLD MEDALISTS NAMED PSA ATHLETES OF THE YEAR Q Asian Games gold medallist Margielyn Didal XINHUA PHOTO

Q Kevin Durant (No. 35) of the Golden State Warriors puts up a shot in front of Trevor Ariza of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. AFP FILE PHOTO

30/4,)'(4 FALLS ON WOMEN S POWER WHEN THE 0HILippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) honors the BEST OF NEXT MONTH DURING ITS !NNUAL !WARDS .IGHT ON &EBRUARY AT THE -ANILA (OTEL For making the country proud by winning FOUR GOLD MEDALS IN THE TH !SIAN 'AMES IN )NDONESIA LAST YEAR (IDILYN $IAZ 9UKA Saso, the women’s golf team, and Margielyn Didal will be recognized with the prestigious Athlete OF THE 9EAR !WARD Diaz topped the women’s KG EVENT OF weightlifting, Saso emerged individual champion in golf and steered the women’s TEAM TO THE SAME kNISH WHILE

Didal became the new toast of Philippine sports when she ruled the street skateboard competition which made its debut in the Asiad.

The four golds won by the Filipinos were the most since the quartet of Antonio Gabica, Violito Payla, Joan Tipon, and Rene Catalan won as many during the 2006 edition of the Asiad in Doha, Qatar.

4HIS MARKED THE kRST TIME IN ALMOST A decade the PSA will have an all-female reCIPIENT OF THE !THLETE OF THE 9EAR HONOR )N POOL CHAMPION 2UBILEN Amit, long-jump queen Marestella Torres, and the poomsae team of Rani Ann Ortega, Camille Alarilla, and Janice Lagman were also feted with the same award by the country’s oldest MEDIA ORGANIZATION kRST INCEPTED IN Other awards will also be handed out during the event.

To be recognized are the National Sports AssociaTION OF THE 9EAR %XECUTIVE OF THE 9EAR -R "ASKETBALL

Mr. and Ms. Volleyball, and Mr. Football.

There will also be the regular President’s Award, Major Awards, Citations, the Tony Siddayao Awards, Junior !THLETES OF THE 9EAR 0OSTHUMOUS AS WELL AS A ,IFETIME Achievement Awards.

contest that DeRozan is dealing with several nagging injuries and will benefit from some extra rest time.

San Antonio led 60-57 at halftime in front of a crowd of 17,700 at Smoothie King Center arena.

Also, Nikola Jokic delivered a triple-

double in his return from a one-game suspension and the Denver Nuggets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 126-110. *OKIC kNISHED WITH POINTS REBOUNDS and 10 assists in the win.

The 76ers gave leading scorer Joel Embiid the night off .

AFP

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Sports

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY January 28, 2019

Q Palarong Pambansa most bemedalled athlete Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh finishes a lap en route to breaking the national junior record in girls’ 12-year 100m butterfly during the Philippine Swimming League National Series at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

DULA NAILS THREE NEW MEET RECORDS

Mojdeh breaks PH national junior mark anew

R

EIGNING Palarong Pambansa most bemedalled athlete Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh once again broke a Philippine national junior record during the 152nd Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series – ABC Swim Challenge held at the state-of-the-art Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.

A veteran of international competitions, Mojdeh displayed her sterling form in the girls’ YEAR M BUTTERlY REGISTERING ONE MINUTE and 4.71 seconds to reset her old national record of 1:05.10 she established during the SICC Swimming Championship in August in Singapore.

“It’s really my goal to break records in each competition that I’m joining but I was surprised that I broke that national record again.

It only shows that the program given to me by coach Susan Papa is working and I’ll be forever grateful to her. I want to dedicate this to coach Susan,” said Mojdeh.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary CollegeParanaque standout also erased two meet records – in 200m butterfly (2:22.55) and 200m breaststroke (2:52.70) – in the tournament supported by The Manila Times, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, Jas Yummy Steakz, MX3, TYR and Vermosa.

Male Swimmer of the Year Marc Bryan Dula of Masville Elementary School also sizzled with three new records in the boys’ 11-year division.

Dula, a Susan Papa Swim Academy standout under coach Alexandre Papa, opened his campaign with a record-breaking feat in the 100m backstroke, checking in at 1:11.41 which was

way better than the six-year old 1:15.16 mark of Seth Isaak Martin in 2013.

Dula continued his impressive showing by scoring two more new records in the 200m backstroke in 2:37.00 and the 200m individual medley in 2:38.47.

The tournament serves as Mojdeh and Dula’s build up as they are set to spearhead the Paranaque City swimming team in the 2019 Palarong Pambansa National Capital Region qualifying tournament scheduled next month.

The other record-breakers were Althea Villapena (girls’ 14-year 200m backstroke, 2:50.04), Aishel Evangelista (boys’ 8-year 100m backstroke, 1:23.76), Shaina Andal (girls’ 13-year 200m breaststroke, 3:01.10) and Jordan Lobos (boys’ 15over 200m breaststroke, 2:37.74).

“We are so proud of these young swimmers who broke records in their respective events.

These kids are products of our grassroots development program and we’re happy to see them grow,” said PSL President Susan Papa.

GAB to wait and see — Masanguid THE Games and Amusement Board (GAB), headed

by Chairman Abraham “Baham” Mitra, will adopt a wait and see attitude on the plan of Sen. Manny Pacquiao to create a new boxing commission tasked to perform the same role as the government regulatory body in professional sports.

“Let’s wait and see. If President Duterte gives his thumbs-up and signs it into law, we’ll follow.

The law is the law,” said GAB Commissioner Mar Masanguid during the TOPS “Usapang Sports” at the National Press Club in Intramuros.

Masanguid, one of the close advisers of President Duterte in Davao before his appointment as GAB commissioner, assured sports editors, writers and photographers from the county’s leading tabloids that everything will be taken into consideration before the law is signed.

One of the aspects that will be considered before the creation of a separate professional boxing body, according to Masanguid, is the budget.

“I am sure President Duterte will take a close look and hear all sides first before making a decision.

Foremost on his mind will be the welfare of the boxing community, including the pro boxers themselves,” explained Masanguid, who appeared in the weekly forum together with GAB Boxing Chief Jun Bautista.

Both Masanguid and Bautista take pride in their achievements at GAB under Mitra, saying even the World Boxing Council (WBC) recognized this work by awarding GAB as “Commission of the Year” in 2017.

“President Duterte fully supports the GAB and its mandate to look after the welfare of all professional athletes,” said Masanguid, noting the financial assistance given to GAB when it hosted the WBC Women’s Convention and Asia Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center last year Bautista said GAB is closely coordinating with different stakeholders in boxing, encouraging them to promote more fights and help discover future Manny Pacquiaos.

Q Alyssa Valdez (right) FILE PHOTO

Valdez, Pablo banner PVL All-Star Game A STELLAR cast headed by the powerhitting duo of Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez and Motolite’s Myla Pablo will headline the Premier Volleyball League’s All-Star Game slated on Saturday at The Arena in San Juan City.

Valdez, the reigning PVL Open Conference Most Valuable Player, and Pablo, a former MVP winner herself, will lead their respective squads in a fun and competitive showdown that should kick off another promising season of the PVL, which is now on its third year.

The game, which is set at 4 p.m.

Ateneo’s Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag and Dani Ravena, Petro Gazz’s Chie Saet and Jessie de Leon, Creamline’s Michele Gumabao, Mel Gohing and Risa Sato, BanKo-Perlas’ Nicole Tiamzon and Kathy Bersola, Iriga-Navy’s Grazielle Bombita and University

of the Philippines’ Isa Molde will form Valdez’s team that will be coached by Petro Gazz’s Jerry Yee. Pablo’s squad, on the other hand, will be composed of Creamline’s Jia Morado and Jema Galanza, BanKo-Perlas’ Jem Ferrer and Joy Dacoron, Ateneo’s Kat Tolentino, Vanessa Gandler and Bea de Leon, PetroGazz’s Jonah Sabete and Cherry Nunag, Tacloban’s Dimdim Pacres, PocariAir Force’s Dell Palomata and AdamsonAkari’s Thang Ponce and mentored by Ateneo’s Oliver Almadro.

An autograph signing and skills games for fans is set just an hour before the game itself.

Tickets can be bought online or at ringside worth P50 each that will include a free shirt and a photo opportunity with the players while lower box tickets cost P200 apiece.

Upper box tickets are pegged at P50.

Thurman retains WBA super welterweight title NEW YORK: Keith Thurman returned from a near two-year layoff to retain his World Boxing Association welterweight world title with a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

America’s Thurman, showing no sign of rust, knocked down Lopez with a massive left hook to the chin in the second as he controlled the early rounds.

He weathered a storm in the middle rounds, with Lopez unleashing a fierce barrage in the seventh that had the champion in trouble.

Thurman was deemed the winner by two judges by scores off 115-111 and 117-109 with the third seeing it a 113-113 draw.

“The champ is back!” said Thurman, who was forced to surrender his World Boxing Council belt as he was idled by injury but retained his WBA “super” world title, one rung above the “regular” WBA belt held by Manny Pacquiao.

Thurman, who improved to 29-0 with 22 wins inside the distance, said he’d be ready to take on the Filipino ring icon

before the year is out.

“Maybe Brooklyn, maybe Vegas, wherever Manny Pacquiao wants it,” Thurman said. “I’d even fight him in the Philippines if I have to.”

Thurman was fighting for the first time since edging Danny Garcia by split decision in March of 2017 to unify two 147-pound titles.

The next month he had surgery to remove calcium deposits from his right elbow, and as he was readying to return to the ring he suffered a left hand injury in March of 2018 that forced him to take more time off.

Nevertheless, he quickly took control against Lopez, moving well against the aggressive challenger and landing solid punches.

But Lopez had him on the run in the seventh, connecting with a huge left hook to Thurman’s jaw and backing up the champion.

“He had me buzzed, he had me shaken up,” Thurman admitted. “I was trying to stay on the outside. I just was a little off in my prediction of his long arms and the way that he was lunging in, willing to really swing and commit for the knockout. He was coming for me.”

AFP

˜

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY January 28, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

DeChambeau grabs narrow Dubai lead, Els in contention DUBAI: Bryson DeChambeau gave himself a great opportunity to win his first title outside the United States by moving into pole position after the penultimate day of the Dubai Desert Classic on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), while Ernie Els stayed in contention.

American DeChambeau, the highest ranked player in the field at world number five, overcame a mid-round hiccup of two consecutive bogeys to shoot a four-underpar 68 and finish on 16-under par.

That gave him a one-shot advantage over defending champion Li Haotong, who moved to 15-under with his third straight five-under-par 67.

Three-time champion Els (70) showed plenty of patience on a tough scoring day when the greens were playing tricky after drying up in the steady breeze.

The South African veteran was bogey-free and made just two birdies -- on the third and 18th holes -- to sit tied third alongside England’s Matt Wallace.

There was drama during the round when Australia’s Lucas Herbert (72), joint leader at the start of the day, was imposed a twoshot penalty after using his club to push the sand in a waste area on the third hole.

Herbert was informed of the ruling on the ninth hole and even though he showed remarkable tenacity and birdied his next four holes, he fell back for a tie of fifth place at 12-under.

The 25-year-old DeChambeau was one-over par for his round after a bogey on the eighth hole, but made a long birdie putt on the ninth to make the turn at even par, and then added four more birdies on the back nine.

The frustration of not making a birdie on the par-five 18th, and missing a short birdie putt on the 14th hole, was evident after his round. “I’m just not 100 percent with my golf game right now. I’m still leading, obviously.

It’s fantastic. I couldn’t be displeased with that, but my expectation levels are for how I know I can perform, and I feel like I’m underperforming a little bit,� said the man who has won three times in his last eight starts on the PGA Tour.

AFP

Sports C3

Top-ranked Rose maintains 3-shot lead at Torrey Pines

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OS ANGELES: World No. 1 Justin Rose shook off two double bogeys to card a three-under par 69 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) and maintain a three-shot lead in the US PGA Farmers Insurance Open.

Q Justin Rose of Englad tees off on the South Course during the third round of the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California.

Six birdies and an eagle on the South Course at Torrey Pines saw England’s Rose maintain his grip on the tournament with an 18-under par total of 198. “I’m playing well and just need to keep producing,� said Rose, whose 20 birdies this WEEK ARE THE MOST IN THE kELD g)T would be a great way to start 2019.�

Rose was three strokes clear of Australian Adam Scott, who had seven birdies and an eagle in his five-under par 65 for a 15-under total of 201.

First-round leader Jon Rahm of

AFP PHOTO

Spain was alone in third on 202 after a four-under 68. American Doug Ghim followed on 203 and Talor Gooch on 204, with Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama heading a group of five players on 205 -- McIlroy after a 69 and Matsuyama, who started the day in second place, with a one-over par 73.

Rose led by as many as six strokes, but his second double bogey of the day, at the par-four 14th, trimmed the lead and he CLOSED WITH A BOGEY AT THE PAR kVE 18th, where his second shot from the left rough found the water.

Even with the mis-steps, Rose

tied the 54-hole tournament record at 18-under.

Scott’s 65 was the low round of the day and put him within striking disTANCE IN HIS kRST APPEARANCE AT 4ORREY Pines since the 2008 US Open. “It’s a tough golf course, but if you ball strike it you can actually shoot a good score,� said Scott, the 2013 Masters champion.

Rahm, the 2017 winner who opened the week with a sparkling 62, said he’ll need something similar to have a shot on Sunday.

Tiger Woods, whose eight wins at Torrey Pines include the most recent of his 14 major titles at the 2008 US Open, is just looking to leave on a high note, having failed to gain any ground with a one-under par 71 that left him 13 off the pace.

Woods said he drove it well, but needed to improve his iron play and get some putts to drop to make his goal of reaching double-digits under par on Sunday, which would give him “something positive� to take into the rest of 2019.

AFP

Ateneo, UV dispute PCCL crown AT E N E O D e M a n i l a U n i ve r s i t y and University of the Visayas (UV) clash in the winner-take-all Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) President’s Cup championship game today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Taking on each other again for the PCCL crown after 12 years, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) king and the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) titlist collide in the 4 p.m. finale.

Ateneo advanced to the national championship match for the first time since 2015, outlasting National C o l l e g i a t e At h l e t i c A s s o c i a t i o n counterpart San Beda University in a grueling semifinal tussle.

Trailing behind following a 4349 loss to the Red Lions in Game

One, the shorthanded Blue Eagles rode on Isaac Go’s big game to even up the series with a 74-62 win in Game Two. Veteran tactician Tab Baldwin’s loaded squad then closed it out with a 62-56 victory behind Thirdy Ravena’s dagger triple in the decider last Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Ateneo, then powered by Rabeh AlHussaini, won its first PCCL trophy at the expense of a Greg Slaughterled UV in 2007.

The back-to-back UAAP champ is now eyeing a fourth silverware that will end a nine-year drought in the national collegiate league.

But the Eagles will have their hands full against the Lancers, who seized the first grand final spot after storming through the regional cham-

pionship late last year.

The CESAFI grand slam-winning team ruled the Vis/Min qualifier before sweeping Luzon/NCR winner Naga College Foundation in the regional finals.

Head coach Gary Cortes’ wards will try to capture their maiden PCCL title in their return to the finale.

CESAFI MVP Rey Suerte and Liberian big man Bassiere Sackour are expected to lead the charge for the Lancers while UAAP Mythical Team member Ravena and Ivorian center Angelo Kouame are tabbed to carry the fight for the Eagles.

Last season, Ateneo landed on a tie at third place with San Sebastian College-Recoletos following a defeat to San Beda in the Final Four while UV managed to enter the Elite Eight.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ Â

Osaka embraces pressure, eyes ‘Naomi Slam’ Q Naomi Osaka AFP PHOTO

MELBOURNE: Newlyminted Australian Open champion Naomi Osaka said she was not satisfied with back-to-back majors on Sunday and hoped to complete a “Naomi Slam� after her success at Melbourne Park.

The bubbly 21-year-old laughed off suggestions her meteoric rise had put her under pressure, saying she was relishing the big time after rising from 72 in the world to number one in the past 12 months.

Japan’s Osaka becomes the first Asian to hold the top ranking after downing Czech Petra Kvitova in a tight final on Saturday night and adding the Australian crown to the US Open title she won last year. “This feels more like I’m used to it now,� she told reporters as she posed with the trophy at a Melbourne beach on Sunday, “I know that sounds a bit strange because this is only the second one but the first time I won it definitely felt a bit more unreal.�

While her maiden Grand Slam was marred by losing finalist Serena Williams’ umpire-baiting histrionics and boos from the Flushing Meadows crowd, Osaka was allowing her follow-up success in Melbourne to soak in. “It means a lot. I think moments like this are what you train for as a little kid to play the Grand Slams,� she said. “To win another one is definitely a dream come true.�

The rising star said she was hungry for more Slam titles.

Osaka became the first woman to win successive majors since Serena Williams in 2015 and the youngest since Martina Hingis in 1998.

Williams went on to complete her second “Serena Slam� -- holding all four majors in the same 12 month period -- and Osaka was excited about the prospect of claiming the French Open and Wimbledon for a “Naomi Slam.�

AFP

Q Supakchaya Pattaranakrueang (right) FILE PHOTO

Thai champ back in LPGT hunt at Splendido SUPAKCHAYA PATTARANAKRUEANG, who outlasted Cyna Rodriguez in a threehole playoff at Luisita last year, returns to help anchor Thailand’s title drive in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, joining the likes of Punpaka Phuntumabamrung, Chonlada Chayanun and Ornnicha Konsunthea in the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic beginning on Tuesday at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Pattaranakrueang, who has competed in various regional tours to hone and toughen up her game, including in India, Thailand and China, hopes to provide added push for a Thai side which took a beating from the local aces last week at Beverly Place.

The Thais dominated last year’s edition of the annual circuit put up by ICTSI, winning kVE OF THE TITLES INCLUDING 0ATTARANAKrueang’s thriller of a win over the former three-time LPGT Order of Merit champion, with veteran Yupaporn Kawinpakorn ruling the new 2018-19 season with a two-stroke triumph over compatriot Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro at Pradera Verde last December.

But Dottie Ardina, after placing third in Lubao, Pampanga, stamped her class at Beverly Place, putting in solid games in the last two rounds to run away with a six-shot victory over Pauline del Rosario.

The Pinay bets hope to cash in on the 1-2 finish with Princess Superal taking the cudgels for the hosts this week as Ardina and del Rosario embark on tougher assignment in the Women’s World Championship Qualifying in Singapore.

Superal, the reigning LPGT OOM titlist, STRUGGLED TO kNISH JOINT kFTH WITH +ONSUNTHEA at Beverly but feels good about her chances at the rolling, wind-raked Splendido layout.

So do Chihiro Ikeda and Cyna Rodriguez, who gear up for a three-day battle of shotmaking, iron play and putting with a stellar field from Thailand, South Korea, Brunei and the US with 10 amateurs joining the title chase.

Hwang Min Jeong, for one, poses a big challenge for the rest of the bidders with the former amateur hotshot, who toppled Superal and company at Mt. Malarayat as an amateur in 2015, eager to launch her pro career on a winning note.

Still, focus will be on the Thais, who are out to reassert their might in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. with Pattaranakrueang as spearhead with support to come from Saraporn Chamchoi, Mookharin Ladgratok, Aunchisa Utama and former LPGT leg winner Wannasiri Sirisampant.

C4

Football

MONDAY January 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Griezmann on target as Atletico edges closer to Barca M

ADRID: Antoine Griezmann struck again as Atletico Madrid kept the pressure on Barcelona at the top of La Liga by beating in-form Getafe 2-0 on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Griezmann now has eight goals in as many games, his latest helping Atletico register their sixth win in seven league matches. The only dropped points came in a respectable draw away to Sevilla.

Saul Niguez tapped in a second before half time at the Wanda Metropolitano to complete an impressively smooth victory over a Getafe side that had lost only once, to Barcelona, in 12 outings.

Renowned for their tenacity, Getafe STRAYED IN THE kNAL MINUTES WHEN $JENE

Dortmund nine points clear of Bayern Munich DORTMUND, Germany: Marco Reus shone as Borussia Dortmund opened a nine-point lead over Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table with a 5-1 rout of strugglers Hanover on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

With defending champions Bayern hosting Stuttgart on Sunday, Dortmund grabbed the chance to thump second-from-bottom Hanover with Reus causing havoc on his return from an ankle injury. “We took our time to find the gaps, but after we changed ends and went 2-0 up it was much easier,� said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre after his side floored Hanover with three goals in seven minutes.

Achraf Hakimi, on loan from Real Madrid, Reus, Mario Goetze and Raphael Guerreiro scored Dortmund’s goals to keep them on course for their first Bundesliga title since 2012.

The rout piles pressure on Hanover coach Andre Breitenreiter, but his side showed spirit when Marvin Bakalorz scored a late consolation against his former club before Witsel grabbed Dortmund’s fifth goal on 90 minutes. “It’s up to others in the club to decide now where we go from here,� said Breitenreiter, who helped Hanover win promotion back to the Bundesliga last season. “This isn’t about me -- it’s about staying up.�

Hanover started brightly at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park when forward Henrick Weydandt forcing an early save, but it was one-way traffic thereafter as Reus hit the post on 23 minutes.

Soon after, Dortmund left-back Hakimi swapped passes with Guerreiro on the edge of the area and curled his shot inside the post for the opening goal.

Reus had an injury scare just before the break, clashing heads with Danish midfielder Thomas Delaney as both charged into a challenge.

However, the pair shook off the collision and Reus was instrumental in a flurry of goals just after the hour mark.

It started with text book counter-pressing when Hakimi robbed Hanover defender Miiko Albornoz on the edge of the box and squared to Reus who fired home his 12th league goal in 18 games.

Mario Goetze claimed his second goal of the season when a sublime pass from Jadon Sancho found the Dortmund striker was unmarked to fire home.

AFP

Q Atletico Madrid’s forward Niko Kalinic (front) vies with Getafe’s defender Bruno Gonzalez during the Spanish league football match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.

AFP PHOTO

$AKONAM AND ,EANDRO #Abrera were both sent off. “From the beginning of January the team has been playing well,� coach $IEGO 3IMEONE SAID g7E HAVE INJURIES AND ) M EXCITED TO THINK WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN THEY RE ALL kT AGAIN u “We were not good,� Getafe coach *OSE "ORDALAS SAID g) DIDN T LIKE MY TEAM WE WEREN T LIKE US u Griezmann could have been playing for Barca had his decision been different last summer but instead he is fast-becoming the sharpest thorn in their side, driving Atletico almost single-handedly at times to a sustained title challenge. !LVARO -ORATA COULD YET JOIN THIS month, even if reports in the Spanish press have suggested a deal with #HELSEA IS PROVING DIFkCULT TO CLOSE

But with Griezmann in this sort of FORM AND $IEGO #OSTA EXPECTED BACK next month, perhaps Atleti are less in need, with some fans even appearing to chant against Morata’s arrival, although THEY WERE QUICKLY DROWNED OUT BY BOOS “The opinion is respectable, people can say what they want,� Simeone SAID g) LOOK FOR PLAYERS THAT SERVE THE club and the team.�

It is no coincidence that Griezmann’s surge has coincided with a consist e n t run f o r Atletico, which L O O K S timely too, with Real Madrid in ,A ,IGA AND *UVENTUS IN THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE BOTH to come at the start of next month.

Simeone will hope the thigh STRAIN THAT FORCED HIS CAPTAIN $Iego Godin off at the interval is not serious. Atletico described the substitution as a “precaution�.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde had said earlier on Saturday that he considers Atletico the greatest threat to their title hopes from the Spanish capital and it is hard to argue given 3IMEONE S SIDE ARE NOW JUST TWO POINTS behind, eight closer than Real Madrid.

3EVILLA JUMPED ABOVE 2EAL INTO THIRD AFTER EARLIER THRASHING ,EVANTE 5-0, with all of their goals coming in the second half. Valencia moves up to seventh after continuing their revival by beating Villarreal. AFP

South Korea, Australia crash out of Asian Cup AL-AIN, UAE: !SIAN #UP HOST 5!% AND 'ULF rival Qatar pulled off titanic upsets as they sent defending champion Australia and Son Heung-min’s South Korea crashing out in THE QUARTERkNALS -ILOS $EGENEK S DEFENSIVE HOWLER HANDED 5!% A WIN AND THE 1ATARIS BEAT South Korea by the same score to set up a SEMIkNAL BUZZING WITH REGIONAL TENSIONS BECAUSE OF THE 'ULF BLOCKADE OF 1ATAR 5!% VETERAN !LI -ABKHOUT POUNCED ON $EGENEK S MISJUDGED BACK PASS FOR A WIN THAT WAS GREETED BY JOYOUS DRUMMING AND A sea of smartphone torches at Al Ain’s Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. )N !BU $HABI !BDELAZIZ (ATIM kRED A LATE WINNER AS 7ORLD #UP HOSTS 1ATAR stunned title-chasing South Korea 1-0 to REACH THE SEMI kNALS FOR THE kRST TIME *APAN AND )RAN WITH SEVEN !SIAN #UP TITLES between them, will play the other semi for a PLACE IN THE kNAL IN !BU $HABI ON &EBRUARY Graham Arnold’s Australia will feel aggrieved by their defeat after peppering the 5!% WITH SHOTS ONLY TO BE UNDONE BY $EGENEK S DEFENSIVE ERROR ON MINUTES $EGENEK WHO THIS WEEK SIGNED FOR Saudi giants Al Hilal, rolled a casual ball TO -AT 2YAN BUT -ABKHOUT NIPPED IN AND ROUNDED THE "RIGHTON @KEEPER TO SCORE into an empty net. “Football can be a cruel sport,� said a rueFUL !RNOLD BACKING THE YEAR OLD CENTRAL DEFENDER TO BOUNCE BACK “Obviously he’s hurting at the moment but ) LL MAKE SURE THAT HE S OKAY (E S A FANTASTIC KID FANTASTIC PROFESSIONAL AND HE S GOT A LONG future with the Australian national team.� %ARLIER 3OUTH +OREA WERE LOOKING TO END

Q  South Korea’s defender Jin-Su Kim (left) dribbles past Qatar’s defender Pedro Miguel Correia during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinal football match at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. AFP PHOTO years of hurt after last winning the tournament IN BUT THEY MISSED A STRING OF CHANCES BEFORE (ATIM S HAMMER BLOW AFTER MINUTES

Aussie pain in Al Ain )T TOOK THE +OREANS UNTIL THREE MINUTES INTO

the second half to register a shot on target, (WANG 5I JO FORCING A LOW SAVE FROM 3AAD Al-Sheeb from the edge of the box. ,EE #HUNG YONG THEN BLAZED WIDE AND captain Son Heung-min was denied by Al3HEEB BEFORE +IM *IN SU S FREE KICK SMACKED against the post.

4HAT WASTEFULNESS CAME BACK TO HAUNT THEM WHEN (ATIM SMASHED A LONG RANGE ROCKET PAST GOALKEEPER +IM 3EUNG GYU TO GIVE THE 7ORLD #UP HOSTS A FAMOUS VICTORY “We didn’t create too many opportunities but we created more than them,� protested South Korea coach Paulo Bento.

AFP

Wimby shocks West Ham, Millwall stuns Everton in FA Cup LONDON: !&# 7IMBLEDON REVIVED MEMORIES AGAINST ,IVERPOOL HEADED IN THE WINNER TWO OF THEIR #RAZY 'ANG HEYDAY AS THEY KNOCKED 0REMIER ,EAGUE 7EST (AM OUT OF THE &! #UP WITH A WIN IN THE FOURTH ROUND ON 3ATURday (Sunday in Manila).

7IMBLEDON MAY BE BOTTOM OF ,EAGUE /NE

AND PLACES ADRIFT OF THE (AMMERS BUT THAT didn’t stop them being 3-0 up early in the second half, with Scott Wagstaff scoring twice after Kwesi Appiah’s opener.

(AMMERS SUBSTITUTES ,UCAS 0EREZ AND &ELIPE !NDERSON SCORED TO MAKE IT BEFORE 7IMBLEDON S 4OBY 3IBBICK NOT EVEN BORN WHEN THE CLUB WON THE &! #UP FINAL

minutes from time.

4HE (AMMERS WERE NOT THE ONLY TOP lIGHT SIDE beaten by lower league opposition, with Everton losing 3-2 to Millwall in controversial fashion earlier in the day. ,EAGUE /NE 3HREWSBURY WHO PLAY IN THE SAME DIVISION AS !&# 7IMBLEDON CAME CLOSE TO A #UP SHOCK OF THEIR OWN BEFORE 7OLVES SCORED A RD MINUTE EQUALIZER TO RESCUE A 2-2 draw at New Meadow.

-EANWHILE -ANCHESTER #ITY S QUEST FOR four trophies continued with a 5-0 thrashing of Burnley.

!&# 7IMBLEDON FORMED BY FANS ANGRY WHEN THE OLD 7IMBLEDON &# WAS EFFECTIVELY RELOCATED FROM SOUTH ,ONDON TO -ILTON +EYNES TOOK A DESERVED LEAD IN THE TH minute through Appiah’s deflected shot from the edge of the box. !ND THEY WERE UP BEFORE THE BREAK Wagstaff ran all the way to the edge of the box unopposed after dispossessing Pedro Obiang on halfway before calmly slotting the past (AMMERS KEEPER !DRIAN 4HEN JUST SECONDS INTO THE SECOND HALF 7AGSTAFF made it 3-0 when, following an Apppiah cross, AFP he scored from 12 yards.

Q Scott Wagstaff

FILE PHOTO

IOC joins calls for Thailand to release refugee footballer LONDON: The International Olympic #OMMITTEE ON 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA JOINED IN THE CHORUS OF SUPport for a footballer with refugee status who has been detained in Thailand for nearly two months over his alleged role in Bahrain’s Arab Spring protests.

(AKEEM !LARAIBI

WHO PLAYED FOR

the Gulf state’s national youth team, fled his homeland and was granted asylum in Australia where he plays semiprofessionally in Melbourne.

He was detained entering Thailand for a vacation. Interpol has faced criticism for initially issuing the warrant for his arrest, which it later withdrew.

The Australian government, human rights groups and world football’s governing body FIFA have all called for Alaraibi’s release. /N 3ATURDAY THE )/# ALSO LENT ITS BACKING g4HE )/# SUPPORTS -R !L !RAIBI AND the FIFA position in this case,� the organization said in a statement.

4HE STATEMENT ADDED THAT THE )/# Member in Thailand, Khunying Patama ,EESWADTRAKUL HAD ASKED THE 4HAI GOVERNMENT gTO kND A SOLUTION BASED ON ‘basic human and humanitarian values.’� )T SAID THAT )/# 0RESIDENT 4HOMAS "ACH

had “personally discussed the worrying SITUATION WITH THE 5NITED .ATIONS #OM-

missioner for Refugees, Mr. Filippo Grandi.�

Bahraini authorities sentenced Alaraibi to 10 years in prison for allegedly helping protesters burn down a police station during demonstrations that swept the Gulf state in 2012.

The footballer denied the charges, noting he was playing in a match at the time. AFP

MONDAY M O N DAY JANUARY 28, 2019

Entertainment

D1

Âťtvlandia'slatest Q Laverne Cox and Awkwafina announced the nominees.

www.manilatimes.net

For 25 years, the SAG Awards have been ‘the actors’ party’ First best actor and actress winners, Tom Hanks and Jodie Foster, to present key awards on ‘silver’ stage

BY MARCELA ISAZA

L

OS ANGELES: The Screen Actors Guild Awards turns 25 today (Sunday in the US) and executive producer Kathy Connell has shaped every one.

And while the milestone anNIVERSARY OFFERS A CHANCE TO RElECT on the show’s growth and impact, Connell says not to expect too MANY lASHBACKS ON THE TELECAST “We’re going to have some lookbacks but we only have two hours, our show is very tight,� Connell said.

Jodie Foster will present the eveNING S kNAL AWARD FOR BEST MOTION picture ensemble, in a nod to the CEREMONY S kRST YEAR &OSTER WON BEST kLM ACTRESS FOR g.ELLu AT THE kRST 3!' !WARDS Connell has produced every SAG Awards, which honors the top performances in film and television each year. Tom Hanks AND *ODIE &OSTER WERE THE TOP kLM actor winners in 1995, while this year the Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga-led “A Star Is Born� is the top

kLM NOMINEE Cooper and Gaga, along with actors Chadwick Boseman from “Black Panther� and Constance Wu from “Crazy Rich Asians� will be among the presenters at the show (Monday morning in the Philippines).

Unlike other awards ceremonies that also honor directors, writers and other artists, the SAG Awards are solely focused on actors and the craft of acting. “It’s really a peer award and it’s very meaningful because to become a union member is one milestone and then to be nominated and awarded by your peers is another major milestone I think for actors,� Connell said during a recent interview. “It’s very personal. The room has fun. Our show is different because the room has fun. We consider it the actors’

Âťglobalspotlight

Q 'A Star is Born’s' Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.

Q Tom Hanks back in 1995 won Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for 'Forrest Gump' at the inaugural SAG Awards; he is set to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Alan Alda at the 25th anniversary show. SAGAWARDS.ORG

Q In this October 2018 photo, Kathy Connell poses for a portrait in New York; she has produced the SAG Awards since 1995. AP PHOTO

Q Jodie Foster will present this year's Best Motion Picture Ensemble – the SAG's grand finale – in a nod to the ceremony’s first year where she won best film actress.TWITTER PHOTO

party at the actors’ house.�

The ceremony also showcases the guild’s Life Achievement Award, which predates the awards show and has been bestowed since 1962.

This year’s recipient is Alan Alda, whom Connell calls a “true TV icon and a wonderful man.�

Previous recipients include

Morgan Freeman, Carol Burnett, Betty White, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier and George Burns.

Last year, Kristen Bell served as THE SHOW S kRST EVER HOST -EGAN Mullally, a three-time TV comedy actress SAG winner for “Will & Grace,� will host this year’s show.

AP

Where to watch the SAG today THE Academy Awards nominations may be out, but today (Sunday night in the US), it’s all about the Screen een Actors Guild Awards in Hollywood.

Better known as the SAG Awards, 2019 is a milestone year for one of the movie awards season’s n’s premiere events as it marks its silver anniverersary. Since 1994, the SAG AG has annually celebrated ted the outstanding motion ion picture and television performances from the previous calendar year.

Of the top industry honors presented to actors, it is only this set of recognitions that are selected entirely by performers’ peers in the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)—an American labor union representing approximately

kLM AND TELEVISION ACTORS

journalists, radio personalities, recording artists, singers, voice actors, and other media professionals worldwide.

Moreover, the SAG Awards was THE kRST TELEVISED AWARDS SHOW TO acknowledge the work of union MEMBERS AND THE kRST TO PRESENT awards to motion picture casts and television ensembles.

Leading the nominees for the 25th SAG Awards are The Theatrical Motion Picture Nominees are:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role —Chrisin ttian Bale (“Vice�), B Bradley Cooper (“A SStar is Born�), Rami M Malek (“Bohemian Rh Rhapsody�), Viggo Mortensen (“Green Book�) an and John David Washington (“B (“BLackklansman�); Outstanding Performance Outstan by a Fema Female Actor in a Leadi n g Ro l e — Emily Blunt (“Mary Poppins�), P Glenn Close (“The (“T Wife�), Olivia Colman (“The ( Favourite�), Lady Gaga (“A Star is Born�) a n d M e l i s s a M c C a r t hy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me�); Me�) and Outstanding Performance by a Cast Perfo in a M Motion Picture —“A Star is Born,� “Black Panther,� “Blackkklansman,� “Bohemian Rhapsody,� “Boh and ““Crazy Rich Asians,� among a host of other categories for movies and television.

Crazy Rich Asians' cast member !WKWAkNA AND COMEDY SERIES STAR Laverne Cox of “Orange is the New Black� previously announced the nominees with the supervision of SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle #ARTER 0ACIkC $ESIGN #ENTER S 3ILVER Screen Theater in West Hollywood.

In the Philippines, the SAG Awards Silver Anniversary Ceremony will air live today, 9 am on cable via Blue Ant Entertainment (SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, Destiny Cable channel 53 and Cablelink channels 37).

Former Miss U plans to join PH showbiz I

S she following the footsteps of Dayanara Torres? That’s what it looks like for Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela Isler who is currently in the Philippines and staying for a month to explore career possibilities here.

The Venezuelan beauty reached out to Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit to help her out on her visit, and at a meetand-greet said, “Actually the Philippines is always on my mind. Even during my tenure as Miss Universe, I realized how the Philippines has the biggest fanbase, pageant-wise. They love their queens.

They are also very respectful. I received a lot of love from them during my year as Miss Universe, as well as after.�

Fresh from winning the title in Moscow, Russia in December of 2013, Gabriela rushed to the aid of Typhoon Yolanda’s victims which happened at

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI the same time. She quickly set up a Miss Universe relief fund to help out and was able to raise as much as $250,000 to send to the Philippines.

It was only in March 2014 when she WAS kNALLY ABLE TO VISIT THE COUNTRY TOgether with the Miss Universe Organization. The party headed straight to Coron, Palawan on a charitable mission anew to help rehabilitate three coastal barangays.

Over a week ago, she went back to visit the site in Coron and happily re-

ported, “I was so elated when I saw the kids and the improvement in their lives. I remember before their kindness and good heart. When they had nothing because of Typhoon Yolanda, they still went out of their way to offer me food. I would never FORGET THAT .OW ) FEEL FULkLLED SEEing them with houses and food and water. They’re also farming already.� .OW THAT SHE S CROSSED OFF HER kRST agenda for her Philippine visit, Gabriela is looking into possible projects in Manila where she can put to use her hosting, modelling and acting skills.

She realized she sought the help of the right agent in Miss World Philippines franchise-holder Arnold Vegafria telling In the Know she already has three photo shoots and an endorsement lined up. “I have an agency in New York and

6ENEZUELA SO IT IS JUST BUT kTTING TTING to have one too here because use I want to return to the Philippines ines more often.�

When asked about her dream eam project in these shores, Gabribriela replied, “I am a storyteller. ler.

I created a movement called ed Choose You, who concept is for the audience to put themmselves first. I want to share re stories about extraordinaryy women and what they go o through to inspire more people. So I would really like to have a show where I can interview people about their personal missions and goal in life.�

NNN Until next week, ta-ta! Q In the Know with Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013.

D2

Funtimes

MONDAY January 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (01/28/19). Strengthen friendships to flourish this year. Coordinate, organize and strengthen support structures. Domestic matters may grab your attention. Revise a collaboration this winter. Get a physical energy boost this summer, before a private retreat provides insight and inspiration. Begin a vision quest next winter. Generate teamwork.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Consider longterm financial goals, and measure current progress. What you may notice first is wherever it’s lacking. Plug budgetary leaks. Find clever ways to save.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Collaborate to surpass an obstacle with a shared objective. Save more than you spend.

Contribute your time and talents. Listen, and provide support.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Listen to suggestions to raise physical performance. Slow to navigate changing conditions. Nurture your health and energy. Avoid overindulging.

Enjoy extra rest.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Relax, and focus on immediate needs. Prioritize rest and fun with people you love.

Relax to recharge. Romance can spark when least expected.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Take care of family necessities. Support each other through a change. Pamper your crew with GHOLFLRXV ÀDYRUV DQG IUDJUDQFHV 3RSFRUQ DQG D PRYLH ZRXOG EH QLFH VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Connect with your networks. Sample a diverse view of news sources. Write, express and share your own perspective. Reveal what’s underneath. Invite participation. Offer support.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Juggle income and expenses for a positive balance. Shipping delays or traffic could put a kink in your plans. Stay in communication to manage the flow.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re especially strong and creative. Enjoy some personal focus time to pursue your heart’s desire. Learn and develop. Grow skills and talents. Draw upon hidden resources.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 5 -- Rest and recuperate. Allow yourself private time for thinking and planning.

Imagine how you’d like an upcoming event to go down. Make preparations. Give thanks.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Share ideas and resources with your team. You don’t need to start from scratch.

Your friends are there for you. Someone has the perfect connection.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Professional opportunities tempt. Crazy dreams seem possible. Investigate to find out the bottom line. The truth gets revealed. Determine your best option.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Far horizons entice you out of your comfort zone. Study the latest techniques and ideas. Schedule carefully, and allow extra time for traffic.

(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.)

MONDAY M OOND N DAYY JANUARYY 28, 8, 2019

Expats&Diplomats

D4

www.manilatimes.net

Chinese frigates dock in Manila T

HE Escort Task Group 539 (ETG539) of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, composed of the missile frigates Wuhu and Handan and the replenishment ship Dongpinghu, arrived in Manila on January 17 and conducted a kVE DAY GOODWILL VISIT TO THE 0HILIPPINES

On January 20, Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, accompanied by Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad, Flag /FkCER )N #OMMAND OF THE 0HILIPPINE .AVY VISITED THE MISSILE FRIGATE 7UHU (E WAS GREETED BY #HINESE !MBASSADOR :HAO *IANHUA 2EAR !DMIRAL 8U (AIHUA AND 2EAR !DMIRAL $U .AIHUA AND #OMMANDERS OF THE TASK GROUP AT

0IER OF -ANILA 3OUTH (ARBOR $URING THE VISIT ,ORENZANA ALSO INSPECTED THE HONOR GUARDS OF %4' ON BOARD THE MISSILE FRIGATE 7UHU 4HE $EFENSE #HIEF TOURED THE SHIP AND RECEIVED A BRIEkNG ABOUT THE 0,! .AVY AND THE ESCORT MISSIONS OF %4' IN THE 'ULF OF !DEN AND THE WATERS OFF 3OMALIA HEADED BY 2EAR !DMIRAL 8U (AIHUA AND 2EAR !DMIRAL $U .AIHUA

Q Filipinos welcome the arrival of Chinese missile frigates on January 20 at the Manila South Harbor Pier 15. The Chinese contingent were met by Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana (inset) and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua. PHOTO BY RENE DILAN

The EB-5 US Visa explained

Q Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda with Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.

Japan turns over disaster reduction equipment !-"!33!$/2 +OJI (ANEDA ATTENDED THE CEREMONIAL TURNOVER OF THE *APANESE DIsaster reduction equipment under Japan’s .ON 0ROJECT 'RANT !ID .0'! ON *ANUARY AT THE $EPARTMENT OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS &LOOD #ONTROL -ANAGEMENT /FkCE %QUIPMENT WAS HANDED OVER BY THE *APANESE 'OVERNMENT TO THE 0HILIPPINE 'OVERNMENT IN THE PRESENCE OF 0UBLIC 7ORKS AND (IGHWAYS 3ECRETARY -ARK 6ILLAR AND NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES )NCLUDED IN THE MILLION YEN PACKAGE ARE UNITS OF MOBILE DRAINAGE PUMPS AND UNITS OF lOODLIGHTS WITH GENERATOR SETS

WHICH WILL HELP REDUCE COST AND RECOVERY

TIME DURING DISASTERS 4HESE ARE STAND ALONE

PORTABLE UNITS MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR $07( TO UTILIZE THEM WHEREVER THESE EQUIPMENT ARE NEEDED IN THE 0HILIPPINES *APAN AS THE TOP /$! DONOR TO THE 0HILippines as well as a disaster-prone country ITSELF HAS SUPPORTED THE 0HILIPPINES DISASTER MITIGATION EFFORTS BY SHARING ITS EXPERIENCES AND LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PAST NATURAL DISASTERS 4HIS PROJECT REAFkRMS THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT OF *APAN TO EXTEND COOPERATION IN MINIMIZING THREATS OF DISASTERS )T IS EXPECTED TO FURTHER FOSTER THE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND SERVE AS A MODEL FOR OTHER DISASTER PRONE AREAS OF THE 0HILIPPINES

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Korean calligraphy exhibit at KCC FIFTY calligraphy artworks of 46 artists from Korea Calligraphy Association are currently on display at the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) for the “Strokes: Beautiful Korean Calligraphy� Exhibit.

The exhibit, which opened on January 21, officially kicks off the 70th Anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations and is part of KCC’s year-long activities to celebrate this milestone.

Aside from the exhibit opening, the Korea Calligraphy Association hosted a free calligraphy workshop for those who were interested in the Korean Calligraphy. “I believe that this calligraphy exhibition is a good way to start this momentous year as we introduce another aspect of Korean culture to the Filipinos,� said Director Lee Jincheol of KCC. “Through this exhibition, we would like you to see and appreciate the Hangeul or the Korean language through different Korean styles of calligraphy,� Lee added.

Admission is free for the exhibit which will run until February 28 at KCC Exhibit Hall.

IOM-MANILA CHIEF OF MISSION VISITS LABOR SECRETARY Manila Chief of Mission Kristine Dadey of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) discusses IOM-DOLE partnership with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd at DOLE Central Office, Intramuros, Manila on January 22.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Q Members of the Korea Calligraphy Association conduct a free calligraphy workshop for Filipino guests.