THE MANILA TIMES | MAY 28, 2019

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Budget delay ‘missed’ chance to uplift poor

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TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2019

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Sara key to speakership Duterte threatens to resign if Paolo runs for top House post BY GLEE JALEA

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Villar, Pacquiao richest senators; Trillanes poorest

N endorsement from Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio will likely seal the deal for legislators wanting to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives, given talk that she could succeed her father President Rodrigo Duterte.

REELECTED Sen. Cynthia Villar remains the richest member of the Senate, with a net worth of P3.719 billion based on her 2018 Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). Second richest was Sen. Emmanuel “Manny� Pacquiao with P3.005 billion, with Sen. Ralph Recto a distant third with P555.3 million. Villar, Pacquiao and Recto had respectively declared net worths of P3.6 billion, P2.9 billion and P539 million, respectively, in their 2017 SALNs. The “poorest� was Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, who reported having just P7.5 million. The outgoing senator, who will end his term next month,

�[T]hey are looking at her as possible contender in 2022, that’s one,� incumbent House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said in a television interview on Monday. “Plus the fact that she’s

a very nice person, she speaks from her heart. Kung may gustong sabihin, hinidi nagpapaliguy-ligoy (if she wants to say something, she goes straight to the point),� he added. Those said to be interested in the top House post include lawmakers that she reportedly earlier endorsed, a former political ally who

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Termed-out senators could block efforts to get justice for CJ Corona First word I R S T, I want to applaud the initiative or plan of retired Supreme Court Justice Arturo Brion to appeal to the incoming 18th Congress to correct what he believes was an injustice done to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona by lawmakers during the Aquino administration. ÂłMakabentaA4

OBSERVER YEN MAKABENTA

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The law of karma and Trillanes

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OW, IN MY LINE the OF SIGHT tables have been turned. O r, t h e shoe is now on the other foot. Either of the two idioms applies to the relationship between newly proclaimed Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bongâ€? Go and outgoing Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th. ÂłTulfoA5

RAMON T. TULFO

FLAG THAT UNITES A man unfurls a Philippine flag in Mendiola, Manila on Monday, a day before the annual celebration of National Flag Day. PHOTO BY DJ DIOSINA

‘Bawal Bastos’ bill now a law HARASSING women and those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persuasion by catcalling, wolf-whistling or with sexist slurs and gestures is now punishable under a new law. The proposed Safe Streets, Public Spaces and Workplace Act, also known as the “Bawal Bastos� bill, lapsed into law on April 21 after President Rodrigo Duterte did not act on a biCAMERAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT RATIkED in February. “Gender-based sexual harassment in the forms of stalking, leering, catcalling and wolf-whistling

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What’s inside YOLANDA FUNDS NOT FULLY UTILIZED – COA

NewsA2

FAILING THE ‘BIKOY’ TEST

TRILLANES TRIAL RESCHEDULED A MAKATI court on Monday resumed Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th’s trial for a reopened rebellion case, but the hearing was suspended after the prosecution presented an unlisted witness. The Department of Justice presented Assistant State Prosecutor Mary Jane Sytat as its lone witness for the day. 3HE TESTIkED THAT 4RILLANES HAD INITIATED a walkout during a 2007 trial that led to a short-lived takeover of the Manila Peninsula Hotel.

Trillanes’ lawyer, Rey Robles, obJECTED TO THE USE OF A gkLLERu WITNESS “We tried to object to it because she was not included with the witnesses to this case. But over our objections, the court allowed her to testify,� he told reporters. 2OBLES ADDED THAT THIS WAS THE kRST time for documentation and testimony regarding Trillanes’ alleged “hand gestures� to be introduced. g;4=HE DOCUMENTS IDENTIkED DURING

the testimony... I didn’t receive them. As you know in pre-trials, all pieces of evidence and witnesses should be known, so that there wouldn’t be any surprises to both camps,� he said. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing, which will continue on July 22. Trillanes’ rebellion case was dismissed in 2011, pursuant to the amnesty granted by President Benigno

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P300B in deals expected from Duterte’s Tokyo trip PHILIPPINE businessmen will ink P300 billion worth of deals with their Japanese counterparts during President Rodrigo Duterte’s trip to Tokyo this week, the Trade department said on Monday. In a statement, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said more than 20 business agreements would be signed and that these would create 8,000 jobs. He had earlier announced that the trip would

generate 10 business-to-business deals. The investment pledges will cover the infrastructure, manufacturing, electronics, medical devices, business process outsourcing, power, electricity, transport, automotive, food manufacturing and marine manpower industries. “Japanese investors remain bullish on the sustained growth momentum under the administration of President Duterte, given its aggressive infrastruc-

ture build-up, meaningful investment AND kNANCIAL REFORMS AND DEMOGRAPHIC advantages,� Lopez said. Duterte will be attending Nikkei’s 25th International Conference on The Future of Asia in Tokyo on May 30 to 31. He is expected to give a speech that will highlight recent positive economic developments such as last month’s Standard & Poor’s credit rating upgrade.

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Antonio ContrerasA4

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The Manila Times President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis ‘Klink’ Ang 2nd (left) talks to Hong Kong Economic Trade Office’s Director General Kin-wai Law about the economic relations of the Philippines and Hong Kong. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

Inting named SC justice

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BY JOMAR CANLAS

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Justice Henry Paul Inting as a magistrate of the Supreme Court (SC). Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed Inting’s

appointment. Inting will take the post va-

cated by Lucas Bersamin, who was named chief justice by the President in November 2018. He will complete the 15-man tribunal. Inting was a public attorney before becoming a Quezon City prosecutor. He was also a judge of the Quezon City Metropolitan Trial

Court before he was appointed as an appellate court justice. Inting is a graduate of the Ateneo de Davao College of Law. He is the brother of Commission on Elections Commissioner Socorro Inting. Their father is former Davao City Judge Enrique Inting.

Yolanda funds not fully utilized – CoA FUNDS intended for personnel of the Department of National Defense (DND) who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude Bohol earthquake were not fully utilized in 2018, the Commission on Audit (CoA) said in a report. Based on CoA’s Annual Audit Report on the DND for 2018, P2.14 million or 48.26 percent of the P4.435 million RELEASED BY THE /FkCE OF THE President (OP) to the DND was unused. “In the audit of fund, it was NOTED THAT ONLY THE kRST TRANCHE amounting to P4,435,000 was released to DND, of which only P2,295,000 or 51.74 percent were utilized, with the unused balance of P2,140,000,� CoA said. The second tranche, also amounting to P4.435 million OR PERCENT OF THE kNANCIAL assistance, was not released because of DND’s failure to liquidate the first tranche, CoA said. The OP and the DND entered into a Deed of Donation on April 20, 2015 for the GRANTING OF kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE

to 151 civilian and military personnel of the DND, who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013. Under the deed, the OP shall release P8.87 million in two tranches. “The conditions in the granting of the financial assistance as stated in the Deed of Donation, amount of which was through reimbursement, either: a) P100,000 for the beneficiaries with totally/heavily damaged houses or: b) P30,000 for the beneficiaries with partially damaged houses. Memorandum of Understanding was executed between the DND and the beneficiaries upon claiming the financial assistance. Other conditions for the full effect and validity of the donation are also stated in the Deed of Donations,� CoA said. Coa said of the 151 inTENDED BENEkCIARIES ONLY were paid. The balance of P2.14 million remained in the DND’s account for three years. REINA C. TOLENTINO

Q RICHEST FROM A1

Villar, Pacquiao richest senators; Trillanes poorest CAMPAIGN VS CATCALLERS

Advocates of the law penalizing sexual harassment in public places led by principal author and Akbayan Rep. Tomasito ‘Tom’ Villarin (right), slap fines on ‘Boy Bastos’ during a news briefing on the new law that punishes cat-calling and wolf-whistling. PHOTO BY ENRIQUE AGCAOILI

Q BILL FROM A1

‘Bawal Bastos’ bill now a law will be penalized under the new law,� Akbayan Rep. Tomas Villarin said in a statement. “Fines and penalties for these acts range from P1,000 to P100,000 for multiple and grave offenses,� he added. “These penalties are crucial in sending the message mahal mam-

bastos (it is expensive to be rude) in the Philippines,� he continued. Penalties also include community service and gender-sensitivity training. “The passage of the law should change the cultural norm [on] how society treats women, how society puts importance on the rights of everybody,� Vil-

larin said in a press conference. Maica Teves of Spark Philippines lauded the measure as a “victory for women and the LGBT.� LGBT advocate Anton Paderanga said the inclusion of the community was a welcome development, noting that “LGBT persons, like women, are sub-

ject to harassment daily.� The law expands existing antisexual harassment laws. It covers sexual harassment in workplaces, including peer-to-peer and subordinate-to-superior cases. Arline Santos of the Institute of Politics and Governance said the law also provided remedies for harassment that occurs online. The new law also mandates all schools to establish anti-sexual harassment policies. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Q SPEAKERSHIP FROM A1

Sara key to speakership wants to mend fences, and possibly her brother, incoming Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte. The younger Duterte, however, denied this on Monday, while the President threatened to resign if his son ran for speaker. Duterte-Carpio was said to be instrumental in last year’s ouster of former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who, as Davao del Norte congressman, has expressed interest in regaining the top House post.

Still looking to reconcile Q Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th maintains he has nothing to do with Peter Joemel Advincula alias ‘Bikoy’ during his privilege speech on Monday’s session of the Senate at the GSIS building in Pasay City. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Q REBELLION FROM A1

TRILLANES TRIAL

Aquino 3rd. In September last year, however, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation 572, voiding

the amnesty because of alleged failure to submit documentary requirements. NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

Q TRIP FROM A1

P300B in deals expected Earlier this year, the Trade department announced that it had sealed $1.24 billion worth of investments and expansion projects following a trade mission to Tokyo. 4HE *APANESE kRMS SAID TO HAVE committed to invest in the Philippines were Sumitomo Wiring Systems Inc., Sumitomo Corp., ISE

Foods Inc., Itochu Corp., Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd., Nidec Corp., Isetan Mitsukoshi, Nomura Holdings and Terumo (Philippines) Corp. Japan is the Philippines’ second-largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to $20 billion last year. TYRONE C. PIAD

Alvarez’s overtures were rejected last week, with Sara calling him “very dangerous and Machiavellian,� but the legislator said he would continue to reach out. “Oh yes, why not?� he replied when asked. “Maraming humahanga sa kanya sa House of Representatives. Malaki ang respeto. So,kung sino ang sasabihin niya na gusto niyang maging speaker

eh magbabago lahat ‘yan (Many in the House look up to her. They have a lot of respect for her. So, if she endorses anyone it will change everything),� he added. Duterte-Carpio earlier called Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco her bet for the speakership over other aspirants such as Alvarez, former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Cavite representatives Alex Advincula and Abraham Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez, and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales. Last week, she said she only had “a personal bet� and was not out “to INlUENCE #ONGRESS u As it stands, said Suarez, the race had narrowed down to Velasco and Romualdez, who Duterte-Carpio denied having endorsed despite claims by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay. Her criticism of Cayetano for allegedly making a “veiled threat�

was also the poorest in 2017 with P6.8 million. Rounding out the top 10 millionaire-senators were Juan Miguel “Migz� Zubiri (P182.8 million), Juan Edgardo “Sonny� Angara (P135.8 million), Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito (P132.8 million), Franklin Drilon (P97.7 million), Sherwin “Win� Gatchalian (P96.2 million), Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares (P93.0 million) and Richard Gordon (P71.2 million). The rest, in descending order, were Vicente “Tito� Sotto 3rd (P70.1 million), Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay (P60.1 million), Loren Legarda (P56.2 million), Paolo Benigno “Bam� Aquino 4th (P45.2 MILLION 0ANkLO g0INGu ,ACSON (P42.2 million), Aquilino “Koko�

Pimentel 3rd (P28.6 million), Emmanuel Joel Vilanueva (P26.9 million), Gregorio “Gringo� Honasan 2nd (P25.8 million), Francis “Kiko� Pangilinan (P16.6 million), Ana Theresia “Risa� Hontiveros (P15.6 million), Francis “Chiz� Escudero (P10.5 million) and Leila de Lima (P7.7 million). Villar, Gatchalian, Honasan and Pimentel declared “no liability� or debt in their SALNs. Sotto in February said the Senate would not be imposing strict rules in releasing the senators’ SALNs. He made the remark after the House of Representatives came up with stringent measures in releasing the SALNs of its members. BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

about the consequences of endorsing Velasco could also “somewhat INlUENCE THE THINKING OF UNDECIDED House members,â€? Suarez added. Alvarez also denied DuterteCarpio’s allegation that he wanted to “humiliateâ€? her, following his reelection. “Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ‘yun kasi masyado akong nagiingat eh‌ Very unlikely na sinabi ko iyon‌ ’pag nasabi ko man ‘yun, wala akong karapatang tumakbong speaker (I do not know where that came from because I am very careful‌ it’s very unlikely that I said that‌ if I did, I have no right to run for speaker.),â€? Alvarez said. Suarez previously said Romualdez had already gained the support of at least 126 House members, including him and other members of the minority bloc. He also remarked that Paolo Duterte running for the speakership would be a breach of delicadeza or propriety since his father was already the President.

it would “not be a good sight.â€? “Paolo, I am telling you now, if you run for [the] speakership, let me know. If you will run I will resign because we are already a lot‌ Let the people choose who they want,â€? he said. “So, if you will insist, [if] he does not listen to me‌ Let me know three days in advance before you make the announcement and I will tender my resignation,â€? Duterte added. The younger Duterte denied that he was after the top House post. “I did not say I want to be speaker. Someone whispered false information to your ear, Mr. President,â€? he posted on Facebook. Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan President Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd said the ruling party aimed to retain the speakership via three candidates: Alvarez, its secretary general; Gonzales, national deputy campaign manager; and Velasco, a strong ally of the Dutertes. Romualdez on Monday appealed to his fellow lawmakers to set politics aside by signing a covenant declaring their commitment to support Duterte’s priority bills.

‘I will resign’ The President agreed, telling newly APPOINTED GOVERNMENT OFkCIALS THAT

WITH RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

Political bias destroying country – Gonzales REP. Aurelio “Dong� Gonzales, one of several lawmakers being pushed as speaker of the House of Representatives, on Monday called on his colleagues to cross party lines and stop political partisanship because it had been “destroying the country.� Gonzales, who represents Pampanga’s Third District at the House, has been endorsed by supporters and allies for the speakership post. “Unity should rule the day. Political partisanship and biases have been destroying our country. This has to stop,� he said in a statement. Gonzales, who is among the frontrunners of the administration party Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), reiterated that President Rodrigo Duterte would be the prevailing authority in supporting

the next speaker once incumbent Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vacates her post. “As the leader of PDP-Laban, President Duterte’s guidance on who should get our support for the speakership will prevail over our personal position on this matter. PDP-Laban will act as one when the right time comes, but, definitely, no one can really claim that he is already the next speaker,� Gonzales said. Gonzales is one of the three candidates for speaker fielded by the ruling party. The others are Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, its secretary general; and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a strong ally of the Dutertes. A senior PDP-Laban lawmaker had said a House under Gonzales’ leadership is the better choice because the Pampanga lawmaker has a strong connection and good

rapport with the members of the legislature. “A lot of congressmen would be really happy to see Dong become the speaker. He is very down-to-earth and a very good friend to all. Barkada ng lahat ‘yan. Walang masamang tinapay sa taong ‘yan (He’s everybody’s friend. There is no stale bread for that person),â€? said the source, who refused to be named. Other contenders for the speakership are former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Cavite Representatives Alex Advincula and Abraham Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, and Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez. The next speaker will be elected on July 22, when the GLEE JALEA 18th Congress convenes.

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Probe IBP officers, SC urged THE Supreme Court (SC) was asked on Monday to investigate OFkCIALS OF THE )NTEGRATED "AR OF THE 0HILIPPINES )"0 WHO ALLOWED 0ETER !DVINCULA ALIAS g"IKOY u to use the resources of the group when he surfaced and called for a

Duterte ‘so sleepy’ at PMA rites – Palace

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte asked Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to hand out diplomas to cadets during the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation rites because he was “sleepy,â€? MalacaĂąang said on Monday. The 74-year-old Duterte arrived at 11 a.m., two hours late. The welcome ceremony for Duterte was set at 9 a.m. The President handed two cadets their diplomas and then asked Lorenzana to continue. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte slept for only two hours before going to the event. “He is a night person. He usually sleeps at 6 a.m., he had to wake up at 8:30 a.m. for the PMA graduation rites, so he had only two hours sleep,â€?Panelo said. “He was so sleepy when he arrived at the venue. He struggled to be awake. The protocol in distributing diplomas is either he does it himself or he tasks the Sec[retary] of Nat[ional] Defense (SND) to do it. He opted to let SND [do] the handing of the certificates,â€? he added. Panelo said Duterte was ell enough to push through with his Japan visit. The President is set to fly to Tokyo on Tuesday afternoon. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

NEWS BRIEkNG In a letter to Chief Justice Lucas "ERSAMIN &ERDINAND 4OPACIO CALLED on the high court to use its supervision and control on the violations COMMITTED BY THE )"0 LEADERSHIP 4HE )"0 WAS CRITICIZED FOR ALLOW-

ING !DVINCULA TO USE ITS OFkCES IN his press conference to attack the Duterte administration. Earlier, the Kabalikat party-list, headed by Tomas Jose Cabrido, asked the tribunal to sanction )"0 0RESIDENT !BDIEL $AN %LIJAH

have been able to use the function ROOM OF THE )"0 WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL OF ITS OFkCERS “Advincula was even accompaNIED BY THE )"0 .ATIONAL $IRECTOR for Legal Aid Minerva Ambrosio, as well as some Catholic nuns,� he pointed out. 4HE )"0 IS UNDER THE SUPERVISION and control of the Supreme Court.

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Advincula surfaced on May 6, AT THE )"0 OFFICE IN /RTIGAS Center, Pasig City. He confessed that he was the “hooded man� in the “Ang Totoong Narcolist� videos, who linked Paolo “Pulong� Duterte, son of President Rodrigo Duterte, and former special assistant to the president Christopher Lawrence g"ONGu 'O JOMAR CANLAS

House to back Senate sin tax bill

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BY JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

HE House leadership has committed to support and adopt the Senate’s version of a bill imposing higher excise tax rates on cigarettes in a bid to accelerate congressional approval of the measure and ensure its enactment into law during the 17th Congress.

In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the House would support the Senate’s decision on the excise tax to be imposed on cigarettes to collect bigger REVENUES TO kNANCE THE 5NIVERSAL Health Care (UHC) program. President Rodrigo Duterte has CERTIkED THE SIN TAX BILL AS PRIORITY legislation. ! CERTIkED BILL IF APPROVED ON SEC-

ond reading, is immediately voted ON THIRD AND kNAL READING 4HIS DOES away with the reglamentary two-day printing rule. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the economic affairs committee, said Congress would go back to “zero� if it does not pass the bill before they adjourn sine die on June 7. The Lower House has proposed a tax rate increase of P30 per pack.

Duterte signs ‘Sagip Saka Act’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed A LAW INSTITUTING THE FARMERS AND kSHERfolk enterprise development program of the Department of Agriculture. Duterte signed Republic Act 11321 or the “Sagip Saka Act� on April 17, copies of which were given to members of the media more than a month later. Under the new measure, the Philippines will “strengthen its farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development by establishing a comprehensive

Fajardo and incoming president Domingo Egon Cayosa. In his letter, Topacio said: “Much damage has been done TO THE )"0 AS WELL AS TO THE LEGAL profession in general, hence, THE OFkCERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS reprehensible event should be investigated and held accountable.� Topacio said Advincula would not

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

approach in the formulation and implementation of enterprise development initiatives, consolidation of the roles of different government agencies involved in farmers and fisherfolk enterprise development and intensifying the building of entrepreneurship CULTURE AMONG FARMERS AND kSHERFOLK u The assistance to be provided under the Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Program will include improvement of production and produc-

tivity; skills development; provision of production inputs, equipment, facilities and infrastructure for production and post-production activities; improvement of producers’ and enterprises’ access to kNANCING IN THE FORM OF CREDIT GRANTS AND crop insurance; provision of access to improved technologies through research and development; and provision of business support and development services, particularly in the areas of access to markets, marketing and networking.

There are three proposals in the Senate — P60 per pack by Sen. Emmanuel Pacquaio, P70 by Gatchalian and P90 by Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito. However, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua told the Senate Finance Committee on Monday that the revenue to be collected by the House bill was P11 billion for the kRST YEAR WHICH WAS gTOO LOW u Chua said the “sin� tax measure NEEDED 0 BILLION FOR THE kRST YEAR and the government only had P195 billion. Thus, it has to raise P62 billion more, he added.

Bill pushed Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara on Monday pushed the passage of a bill increasing the excise tax on tobacco products. Angara, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, sponsored Committee Report (CR) !MONG THE BENEkCIARIES OF THE PROgram are producer groups, whose products are included in the priority commodITY VALUE CHAIN FARMERS AND kSHERS WHO have the potential to produce marketable surplus; producer groups or cluster of growers that are either operational and/ or show a willingness to undergo capacitybuilding on enterprise development and management; and micro, small and medium scale processors. A Farmers and Fisherfolk Enterprise Development Council will be created for the measure. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

714, which proposed to raise the excise tax for every cigarette pack from P45 to P60 for the next four years. CR 714 proposes a starting rate of P45 in 2020 or an increase of 0 IN THE kRST YEAR OF IMPLEMENtation, followed by a series of annual P5-increases until the rate reaches P60 in 2023. Thereafter, the rate automatically increases by 5 percent. In resorting to gradual tax increase instead of an immediate P25 bump to the current rate, Angara said the committee “did a delicate balancing act in considering a measure that will reconcile the competing interests of the government, health advocates, the cigarette industry and tobacco farmers.� The senator said the tobacco tax hike bill is an important legislation because it would not only help reduce deaths and disabilities due to smoking, but also generate revenues

for the UHC program. “We’re legislating not so much a single sweet spot, but a ladder where we hope all stakeholders involved can make a smooth transition,� Angara said. “In essence, we’re providing up to four years of graduated increases, so that more of our tobacco farmers can shift crops; the tobacco companies can recast their financial projections; and the DoH (Department of Health) can catch up with its underspending,� he said. According to the DoH, 85 percent of the proceeds from the excise tax is USED TO kNANCE GOVERNMENT HEALTH programs — 80 percent for the UHC and 20 percent for improvement of facilities in government hospitals. The remaining 15 percent of the proceeds goes to livelihood proGRAMS AND kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO tobacco farmers, the DoH said.

WITH BERNADETTE TAMAYO

Oil firms cut pump prices OIL companies slashed their pump prices on Tuesday, a week after implementing a price increase. Caltex cut the cost of diesel by 45 centavos per liter and gasoline by 35 centavos per liter at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Petroleum, Petro Gazz, Pilipinas Shell and PTT Philippines followed at 6 a.m. Caltex and Pilipinas Shell also slashed the price of kerosene by 60 centavos per liter.

Meanwhile, Seaoil reduced the cost of diesel by 45 centavos per liter, gasoline by 35 centavos, and kerosene by 60 centavos per liter on Monday at 12:01 a.m. Phoenix Petroleum cut its rates on Sunday. The price adjustment brings the retail price of diesel to P41.05-P46.60 per liter, gasoline to P50.85-PP57.76 per liter, and kerosene to P45.44-P59.10 per liter. JORDEENE B. LAGARE

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Opinion

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l PH should stop all waste importation

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E were beginning to fear that President Duterte’s penchant for talking trash was producing the unintended effect of inducing or encouraging other countries to dump their wastes on our land “dear and holy.� If this is true, it would be a classic case of poetic justice, of rudeness being matched by rudeness. But this is not the case here. Last Thursday, the Canadian government took the critical step to resolve a longstanding irritant in relations with the Philippines over a shipment of tons of wastes illegally imported here in 2013, and return the 103 container vans of garbage to Canada. The issue had become such a major irritant that Manila last week recalled its envoy in Ottawa. And Duterte hyperbolically threatened to declare war on Canada. Catherine Mckenna, Canada’s minister of environment and climate change, has announced that a contract has been awarded to Bollore Logistics Canada “to safely bring the waste back to Canada as soon as possible.� 4HE #ANADIAN TRASH WAS SHIPPED TO THE COUNTRY SOME kVE YEARS ago and has been stored in container boxes after being seized by the Bureau of Customs. The Canadian government has earmarked June as the start for hauling back the trash. President Duterte has rejected the proposed timetable, saying the government will instead shoulder freight costs and dump the garbage in Canadian shores if these are not allowed entry. It would be a mercy if our problem with international waste stops with Canada. But this is not all. We also have to deal today with waste dumped by Australia in Misamis Oriental last May 7. The Bureau of Customs-Region 10 issued an “alert order� for nine 40-foot container vans from Australia loaded with 211.14 tons of waste materials declared as “municipal waste/processed engineered fuel (PEF).� The shipments arrived on May 7, 2019 at the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental and were destined for the Holcim cement manufacturing facility. Subsequent waste assessment conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau-Region 10 found “pieces of assorted scrap PLASTIC CELLOPHANE WRAPPERS CHUNKS OF HARD PLASTIC TEXTILE kBERS wood chips, glass cullet, stones, soil, paper and other shredded materials,� noting that “the contents of the plastic-wrapped bales can be generally described as shredded municipal waste.� The global waste trade has been using developing nations as convenient disposal sites for the garbage of rich countries, and we are evidently one of the designated whipping boys. A member of the Eco-Waste Coalition says pointedly: “The export to our country of residual wastes generated by Australia’s commercial, industrial and construction sectors as fuel for cement kiln looks like a clever disposal scheme. Described as ‘municipal waste’ in the shipment declaration, Australia is able to dispose of ITS UNWANTED RESIDUALS AND EVEN PROkT FROM THEIR SALE BY TURNING and relabeling these wastes as so-called PEF for export to developing countries like ours.� All this means that the Philippines must now be extra-vigilant in its regulations governing the import of foreign materials and substances, be they products or waste. It is in this light that the provisions of the Basel Convention have become acutely relevant to our problem. At the recent ConFERENCE OF THE 0ARTIES THE 0HILIPPINES WAS A kRM SUPPORTER OF THE Norwegian Amendment which essentially would put a stop to plastic waste dumping. 3IGNIkCANTLY SOME !USTRALIANS ARE ALSO CRITICAL OF THEIR GOVERNment’s waste management policy. They decry Australia’s “colonialist and deceitful approach to waste management by a country that should, and can, manage its own waste.� The government must now seriously consider a comprehensive ban on the importation of municipal, plastic, toxic and hazardous waste.

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 227

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL S. MALLARI, Sports Editor DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD, Motoring Editor CONRAD M. CARIÑO, Special Sections Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor ALVIN I. DACANAY, Assistant Business Editor MARIO F. FETALINO JR., Assistant Business Editor REMIA B. EUGENIO, Deskman (Regions) MARISHELLE R. MEDINA, Deskman JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net 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.

SENATOR TRILLANES

Failing the ‘Bikoy’ test

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IKOY Advincula, with his tall tales, has become a litmus test for reason and consistency, and it appears many have failed the Bikoy test. And no, it is not only the political opposition and critics of the President whose double standards have been exposed. Bikoy revealed that inconsistency also infects the Duterte loyalists and diehard supporters. When Bikoy came out with his series on “Ang Totoong Narcolist,� critics of the President erupted in cheers. There were calls for investigations to look into Bikoy’s allegations about the involvement in the illegal drug trade of personalities close to the President. On the other side of the political divide, the Die-hard Duterte Supporters, aka the DDS, both

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS inside and outside of government, quickly condemned Bikoy as a paid black operator. MalacaĂąang even came out with not only one but two network diagrams, which it mislabeled as a “matrix,â€? linking Bikoy to media personalities and activist lawyers who are known critics of the President. Inconsistency and double standards went on high gear after Bikoy recanted and reversed his narrative. He recently admitted that he lied, that “Ang Totoong Narcolistâ€? was a fabricated

story which was a product of a conspiracy led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, with active participation by prominent Liberal Party (LP) politicians and religious kGURES AIMED TO OUST 0RESIDENT Duterte, and hatched allegedly in the dark secret rooms of the Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. If we believe this tale of Bikoy, the desire to topple President Duterte and install Leni Robredo in Malacaùang has easily united what UAAP basketball often divides. And the partisan reactions have also changed now that the tables are turned. The LP now condemns Bikoy — when they previously sang paeans to him — as a charlatan peddling a ridiculous canard. And the DDS, who previously even demanded that Bikoy should be

charged with inciting to sedition, are now defending his right to speak.The Philippine National 0OLICE 0.0 kRST WANTED TO TAKE Bikoy to court for disturbing the peace with his allegedly seditious speech. Now, PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde has recognized Bikoy’s right to freedom of expression; he was allowed to speak freely at a press conference when he came under the PNP’s custody, a rare privilege that is not given to other detainees like Sen. Leila de Lima. It was indeed a novel sight to see Bikoy with the top brass of the PNP behind him. This was the counter-optics to Bikoy’s press conference in the premises of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) whose head he now also implicates in the ouster plot. But how could someone who

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Termed-out senators could block efforts to get justice for CJ Corona Justice Brion wants the new Congress to pass a measure that would grant the heirs of CJ Corona the retirement and OTHER BENEkTS THAT WERE DENIED him because of his ouster by impeachment in 2012. “His family continues to be DENIED THE RETIREMENT BENEkTS that deceased members of the judiciary can leave to their families. Congress can remedy this situation if it wants to, not by resurrecting the dead and buried impeachment case, but by LEGISLATING A kNANCIAL GRANT THAT is within its authority to give — funds for the judiciary to pay the equivalent of the retirement pay AND THE BENEkTS THE LATE CHIEF justice would have left behind,� says Brion, a colleague of the late chief justice. I wholeheartedly endorse this initiative of Justice Brion; recTIkCATION OF THIS GROSS INJUSTICE is overdue. In fact, I personally would like to see a full autopsy or review of the Corona impeachment, as France did with the Alfred Dreyfus case and the US with the Sacco and Vanzetti case. We need a comparable reckoning of the case of CJ Corona and THE PERkDY AND CORRUPTION THAT attended it. I do not have the space to discuss the issue today. I shall write on the Brion initiative in a later column. For now, I just want to focus attention on the implications and consequences of four termed-out senators taking seats in the Senate of the 18th Congress.

Dire consequences What dire consequences do I fear from the questionable election of four termed-out senators to the 18th Congress which will

convene on July 22? .OTE kRST THAT THE FOUR gSENAtors� — Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, and Aquilino “Koko� 0IMENTEL ‡ ARE SIGNIkCANTLY LISTED in the Supreme Court decision on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as having received “inducements� in the millions from former President Benigno “Noynoy� Aquino 3rd to impeach the late CJ Corona in May 2012. This is perhaps the only act of bribery that is memorialized in no less than a high court decision. I have written about the bribery and court decision in previous columns “Challenge to PH’s richest woman and Comelec,� Times, April 9, 2019 and “Senators and their loot,� Times, July 30, 2014. I quoted and reprinted both the SC’s listing of the bribed senators by name and loot. The four winning senators and their supporters will be tempted to say that their election by popular vote exonerates them and wipes away all doubts and questions about eligibility to run in the 2019 election. The voice of the people argument is plain sophistry, says Walter Lippmann; it will not hold in formal argument. More seriously, the election of the four will reinforce the mistaken and misguided belief in the incorrect Comelec opinion on the term-limits provision, and the Supreme Court’s mistaken interpretation of the provision. Future candidates will turn to these examples to justify their own violations of term limits. They will be invoked as precedents. It is a good thing that many veterans of the Corona impeachment are leaving the Senate permanently. We will not have to live with

the shame of a Senate composed of mostly termed-out senators.

A reactionary Senate In returning to the Senate, the winning four will be joining four other termed-out senators, who serve in the Senate under a cloud, namely Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, Vicente Sotto 3rd, and Franklin Drilon. All eight of them are in the Supreme Court list of DAP funds recipients. When the Brion proposal for the restoration of Corona’s retirement benefits come up for decision in the Senate, these eight Corona impeachment veterans could combine to block the measure. Worse, they could block any proposal to convene a formal inquiry into Corona’s impeachment and the sordid highlights that marked the event. The new senators will reinforce the reactionary tendencies of the Senate. For several congresses now, the chamber has become a place where all attempts at amending the Constitution wound up dying or dead. Constitutional reform dies here because the senators instinctively fear that constitutional change could mean the end of the chamber and their fat salaries and pork barrel or budget insertions. 3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON SEEMS TO have a press release always ready to pronounce every serious attempt at constitutional reform as “dead in the water.� The Senate of the 17th Congress was indubitably reactionary. If the eight termed-out senators combine with the other opposition senators, Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, they could erect a formidable wall

that would be hard to surmount. The Brion proposal will be a classic test for them. Their guilt over being bribed in the Corona impeachment will clash with their need to show the public a measure of justice and decency toward Corona’s family.

The new Senate The termed-out senators will not necessarily dictate the fortunes of the Senate in the 18th Congress. The chamber will elect a new SET OF OFkCERS UPON CONVENING on July 22. The shape of the new Senate will be greatly influenced by how the victorious Hugpong or Duterte Senate slate decide to comport themselves in the new Congress. Most evaluations of the midterm elections said that President Duterte won what amounted to a referendum on his presidency, by decisively trouncing the opposition, especially in the Senate race. And yet he did not win a MANDATE FOR A SPECIkC POLICY PROgram, because he and his coalition partners did not campaign for a coherent policy agenda. All the current talk about preserving the Senate’s independence, and the fears of a rubber stamp Congress are in truth fatuous. There are no serious political parties in the country. Events will be dictated again by political bargaining and turncoatism. Who will be the next speaker? Who will be the next Senate president? Everyone has the word “former� written all over them. This is a Congress with few prospects of leadership.

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

˜ The Manila Times

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HE recent “airport-to-airport� experience of former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales at the hands of Hong Kong immigration authorities should teach past and present governMENT OFkCIALS ‡ AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE — something about the promise and peril of international law. Given our raucous democracy, Filipinos can pretty much do — and say — as they please. But when such action or speech involves or impacts another country, it can have consequences and RAMIkCATIONS OUTSIDE OUR BORDERS 3UCH is the case of Carpio-Morales. The former Ombudsman was denied entry and detained by Hong Kong immigration authorities when she arrived in the China special administrative region of (SAR) last week for a family vacation. “I was detained. When I arrived...I was interrogated and them brought to their detention room. They asked me to sign papers in Tagalog, and I said I wanted an English version. When I read it, it said‘detention,’� Carpio-Morales said. Hong Kong authorities did not give an explanation as to why CarpioMorales, who was told she would have to return to the Philippines on a 6 p.m. lIGHT WAS BEING BANNED Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. tweeted that the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong immediately “sent our ATN (assistanceto-nationals) officer to keep her company and bring her food because [Morales] refused to eat the food ofFERED BY AIRPORT OFkCIALS u ,OCSIN ALSO tweeted that “(o)ur Hong Kong consul asked if he could sponsor or guarantee her stay but Hong Kong refused. Carpio-Morales was told she could

Carpio-Morales apparently forgot that she is no longer a high-ranking PUBLIC OFkCIAL )F SHE WERE TRAVELING TO a foreign country as a government ofkCIAL ON AN OFkCIALLY SANCTIONED TRIP her detention could have sparked a diplomatic incident. But being a private enter Hong Kong around 4 hours later individual, she is now subject to the but by then, she and her family had common immigration rules of a foreign already decided to go back to Manila country like any other visiting alien. on the 6 p.m. PAL (Philippine AirI am sure the former SC associate LINES lIGHT ,OCSIN ADDED justice is aware of the maxim in interExpectedly, Carpio-Morales took national law that every sovereign nation a dig at the Duterte administration, has the power, as inherent in sovereignsaying she was disappointed at the ty and essential to self-preservation, to lukewarm reaction to the incident from forbid the entry of foreigners within its the Philippine government to the inci- dominions, without giving any reason. dent. “If that’s what they’re thinking, In fact, this very same maxim was upat least (the Duterte administration) held by the Philippine Supreme Court should have said all right, while we’re when she was still a sitting justice. trying our best to determine why they In the case of Secretary of Justice et are doing that.But if the reason for your al. v. Koruga (GR 166199) decided in detention or for your being restrained April 2009, or two years before Carpiofrom entering Hong Kong is really Morales retired, the SC said: “Every JUSTIkED IN LIGHT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES sovereign power has the inherent power we have no way of convincing them, to exclude aliens from its territory upon even just as a consolation. But they did such grounds as it may deem proper for its self-preservation or public interest. nothing,� she said. C a r p i o - M o r a l e s c o m p l a i n e d , The power to deport aliens is an act “[The immigration officers] have to of State, an act done by or under the tell the persons denied entry why authority of the sovereign power. It is they were denied. They can’t just a police measure against undesirable come up with a general reason. They aliens whose continued presence in the country is found to be injurious to the have to be specific.� Opposition Sen. Rissa Hontiveros, public good and the domestic tranquilmeanwhile, called on President Duterte ity of the people.� Since the entry of a foreigner into a to protest the Hong Kong government’s four-hour detention of Carpio-Morales. country is merely a privilege and a matI can probably forgive Hontiveros for ter of grace bestowed by a sovereign, the her ignorant statements since she is not a former SC justice ought to know that lawyer and is not well-versed in interna- her being barred entry into Hong Kong tional law. But I could not say the same cannot be questioned or challenged by for the former ombudsman and associate the Philippine government, let alone give rise to a diplomatic protest. It justice of the Supreme Court.

FLIPSIDE ATTY. DODO DULAY

would have a different story if CarpioMorales was mistreated but except for a very public humiliation and a bruised ego, she was not subjected to any physical or verbal abuse or ill-treatment. The reports that Carpio-Morales was refused entry into Hong Kong for being a “security risk� or “security threat� is pure hogwash concocted and propagated by Duterte critics hoping to gain sympathy for their anti-China campaign. Hong Kong authorities never said she was a security threat or risk. Truth is, Hong Kong’s immigration department only cited “immigration reasons� for her temporary bar, consistent with international norms. In local parlance, Carpio-Morales was tagged as an “undesirable alien.� Of course, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to decipher that CarpioMorales had probably been marked out as an undesirable alien after she and former Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario sued Chinese President Xi Jinping in the International Criminal Court at The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity on account of Beijing’s actions in the disputed South China Sea. Perhaps the way the Chinese government saw it, Carpio-Morales disrespected their country by disrespecting their leader WHEN SHE AND DEL 2OSARIO kLED A CASE against him in the ICC. I’m certain Carpio-Morales now realizes that seemingly innocuous PROPAGANDA ACTIONS CAN HAVE SIGNIkCANT repercussions — and in her case, international consequences. In her eagerness to join the opposition bandwagon, she apparently failed to remember the adAGE g)F YOU PLAY WITH kRE YOU SHOULD be ready to get burned.�

The history of China’s Muslims and what’s behind their persecution BY KELLY ANNE HAMMOND UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS OVER one million Uighur Muslims are being held in detention centers in the far western province of Xinjiang, China. Uighur leaders and experts located outside China have warned that the situation could worsen, and “mass murder� could not be ruled out. With upwards of 10 percent of the Uighurs being held against their will, it is being called the worst and the most neglected humanitarian crisis of the past 10 years. Why is this is happening, and what makes the Chinese government see Muslims as a threat?

Islam in China I have studied the long history of Muslims in China. Today’s China is home to a large Muslim population — around 1.6 percent of the total population, or around 22 million people. They are not newcomers. Islam was introduced to China by envoys from the Middle East who traveled to meet Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century. Shortly after this visit, the first mosque was built in the southern trading port of Guangzhou for Arabs and Persians who traveled around the Indian Ocean and the South China Seas. During this time, Muslim merchants established themselves in Chinese ports and in Silk Route trading posts. However, they lived segregated from the Han Chinese majority for kVE CENTURIES This changed in the 13th century under the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, when Muslims came to China in

unprecedented numbers to serve as administrators for the new rulers who were descendants of Ghengis Khan, founder of the Mongol empire. The Mongols had little experience running the bureaucracy of the Chinese empire and turned to Muslims from important Silk Road cities like Bukhara and Samarkand in Central Asia for help. They recruited and forcibly relocated hundreds of thousands of Central Asians and Persians to help them govern their expanding empire to the Yuan court. $URING THIS TIME WEALTHY OFkCIALS continued to bring their wives with them, while lower-ranking officials took local Chinese wives. After Ghengis Khan conquered much of Eurasia in the 12th century, his heirs ruled different parts of the continent, leading to a period of unprecedented peace and prosperity. This allowed CULTURES TO lOURISH AND GOODS AND IDEAS to travel more freely. It brought the cultural traditions of China and the Muslim world together in new ways. For about the next 300 years — during the Ming Dynasty — Muslims conTINUED TO BE INlUENTIAL IN GOVERNMENT Zheng He, the admiral who led ChiNESE lEETS ON EXPLORATORY AND DIPLOmatic journeys through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, was a Muslim eunuch. His familiarity with Arabic — the lingua franca of the Indian Ocean — and his knowledge of the social graces associated with Islam made him an ideal choice to lead the journeys.

Persecution during Cultural Revolution In the 18th century, the relationship

between Muslims and the state in China began to change. This period witnessed some violent clashes as the state tried to exert more direct control over territories where the majority of Muslims lived. The Qing Dynasty, which lasted from 1644 through 1911, marked a period of unprecedented population growth and territorial expansion. During this period, Muslim populations clashed with the Qing rulers and revolted on numerous occasions. Many revolts were staged as oppoSITION TO THE INlUX OF MIGRANTS WHO were coming from the overpopulated regions of China to regions that had not previously been under direct Chinese control. These revolts were violently suppressed by the state, ending a long period of accommodation for Muslims in China. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, ethnographers and anthropologists divided the people who lived within the borders of the new state into 56 ethnic groups based on relatively ambiguous criteria, such as shared language, territory, history and traditions. Of these groups, 10 are now recognized as Muslim minorities. They are, in descending order based on the size of their populations: Hui, Uighur, Kazakh, Dongxiang, Kyrgyz, Salar, Tajik, Uzbek, "ONAN AND kNALLY 4ATAR WHO CURRENTLY number around 5,000. In the first years after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, Muslims enjoyed relative religious freedom. However, during the chaotic early years of the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1969, mosques were defaced, cop-

ies of the Quran were destroyed, Muslims were prohibi t e d f r o m going on the religious pilgrimage of hajj and expressions of all religious beliefs were banned by the communist Red Guards. After the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, the communists adopted more relaxed policies towards Muslim communities.

Silence of world leaders But tensions have been escalating since 9/11, and reached a boiling point in 2009 when there were ethnic riots between the Uighurs and Han Chinese throughout Xinjiang province. Since then, the Chinese state has slowly and quietly increased restrictions on the movement and culture of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities. In the past 18 months, these tensions have been exacerbated by the unlawful incarceration of Muslims living in the Uighur region of western China. A campaign that started with the Uighurs is now being extended to Kazakhs and others. There is also mounting evidence that the Hui are facing increasing restrictions. Our recent work also shows that Islamophobia in the West is further abetting the Islamophobia in China, with global leaders willing to stay silent about the treatment of Muslims. AP

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. The Conversation is an INDEPENDENT AND NONPROkT SOURCE OF news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

Sudan Islamists back army in push to preserve sharia KHARTOUM: With talks suspended between protest leaders and Sudan’s military over a transfer of power to civilian rule, Islamist movements are backing the army in the hope it will keep sharia law in place. Islamist parties stayed on the sidelines during the months of nationwide protests that led to the April ouster of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir. They have since not joined the protest alliance at loggerheads with the generals over the makeup of a new governing body, which would rule the country for a three-year transitional period. But hundreds of Islamists have rallied in the capital in recent days, warning they would reject any deal that would exclude sharia — Islamic law — from the country’s political roadmap. They have also backed the army’s demands that the head of Sudan’s new governing body be a military figure — putting them at odds with protesters who want civilian rule. “We agree with [protesters] that there will

be a cabinet of civilian technocrats,� said Hassan Rizk, deputy head of the Islamist Reform Now Movement, a breakaway group from the National Congress Party formerly led by Bashir. “But the sovereign council should be headed by the armed forces because there is a security problem.� Bashir came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 and Sudanese legislation has since been underpinned by Islamic law. But the protest leaders have remained silent on whether sharia has a place in Sudan’s future, arguing that their main concern is installing a civilian administration. Ultraconservative preacher Abdelhay Yousef, a leader of the Nusrat Al-Sharia movement, drew large crowds Friday at a mosque in the capital’s southern Jabra district. He used his sermon to champion Islamic law and to rail against the prospect of secular rule. Buses then transported worshippers to a courtyard outside Khartoum’s presidential palace

where they broke their daytime fast for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan before rallying against the roadmap. “Free revolutionaries will not be ruled by the forces of the left,� they chanted. Nusrat Al-Sharia chief Mohamed Ali Jazuli justified the rejection by Islamists, saying the negotiations between the protesters and the generals were for an agreement that was “purely bilateral and excluding� the Islamists and other political forces. While the protest alliance could be a “partner in change,� he said, it was not “the only leader of the revolution.� “The revolution was not against ideology but against corruption and tyranny,� he said. Tayeb Mustafa, who heads a coalition of conservative parties, said Islamists were opposed to the transition plan because it “ignored the application of Islamic law.� The protest alliance “stole the revolution in broad daylight,� said Mustafa, whose 2020 coalition brings together Islamist groups, including the Popular

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Playing with fire

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Congress Party, a long-time ally of Bashir. Analysts say Islamists’ close ties to Bashir have made it difficult for them to join forces with protesters and their Alliance for Freedom and Change umbrella group. “It’s impossible to equate a party that has always been opposed to the regime with another side that was with the regime until its fall,� said prominent Sudanese journalist Khaled Tijani. “Freedom and Change therefore has the right to lead.� A few meters (yards) away from the Islamist rally outside the presidential palace, a man wearing traditional robes lit a cigarette as the call to prayer marked the end of the day’s fast. “We’re fed up with the injection of religion into politics,� he said in a low voice. “We want freedom, we don’t want to be ruled by anyone in the name of religion... What have we done with 30 years of that kind of rule?� he asked. “Religion is for God, politics is for the street.�

AFP

The law of karma and Trillanes Go said he would have the outgoing senator summoned to the Senate on the claim of Peter Advincula, alias “Bikoy,â€? that Trillanes was behind the viral video linking President Digong’s family and Go to illegal drugs. Bong Go was Trillanes’ punching bag when the former was still special assistant to the President. Trillanes had Go summoned to the Senate over allegations that he meddled in a multibillion-peso frigate deal which turned out to be untrue. What do we learn from the “relationshipâ€? between Bong Go and Antonio Trillanes? Never ever oppress another person no matter how SMALL OR INSIGNIkCANT YOU THINK THAT PERSON IS As they say in Tagalog, “bilog ang mundoâ€? (The world is round). Or in English, “What goes around comes around.â€? The universal law of karma is unerringly precise: What you do to another comes back to you. N N N The woes of Advincula alias “Bikoyâ€? have started coming after he admitteed that the “Ang Totoong Narcolistâ€? videos that he said he disseminated were mere fabrications. The viral videos linked members of the President’s family, some personalities and Bong Go to supposed drug payoffs. (OTEL AND RESORT MAGNATE %LIZALDE #O kLED CRIMInal and civil complaints before the Legazpi City ProsECUTOR S /FkCE AGAINST "IKOY &ACEBOOK AND 9OU4UBE Advincula alias Bikoy linked Co to the supposed drug payoff on Facebook and YouTube. Social media giants Facebook and YouTube repeatedly ignored his requests to take down the clips, Co said. Co, who owns the world-famous Misibis Bay resort hotel in Bicol, said his reputation has been damaged because of the viral video. John Rubio, the Philippine country director for Facebook, is listed in the charge sheet as Bikoy’s co-respondent. The other respondent is Kenneth Lingan, YouTube’s country manager here. N N N 0HILIPPINE #HARITY 3WEEPSTAKES /FkCE 0#3/ board member Sandra Cam has not resigned her position despite being told by MalacaĂąang that she could resign anytime. Cam, erstwhile jueteng whistleblower-turnedGOVERNMENT OFkCIAL SAID SHE WAS TIRED OF THE CORRUPtion at the PCSO and would ask President Digong to let her go. She told media she wanted to see the President so she would spill the beans about the corruption at the PCSO and then ask that she be relieved of her position. But the meeting with the President was not forthcoming and Palace spokesman Sal Panelo said she was free to leave PCSO at any time. Actually, Cam was just waiting for her benefactor, Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbongâ€? Medialdea, to invite her to MalacaĂąang. You see, Medialdea is Cam’s connection to the President. She and the executive secretary have an “unholyâ€? alliance, according to very reliable information I’ve gathered. It was Cam’s canard that she fed to Medialdea that caused the President to sack PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan. Poor Balutan! He was a very honest PCSO general manager, according to PCSO insiders who hold minor positions. Balutan was surrounded by corrupt board directors, including Cam, who were (and still are) on the take from illegal gambling operators, said my unimpeachable sources in the agency. All the members of the PCSO board were appointed by the President upon the recommendation of Secretary Bingbong Medialdea. The board of directors regularly report to Medialdea, according to my sources. If you can’t read between the lines, you are lame-brained. Now, if Medialdea’s wards are corrupt, what does that make of him? N N N Despite Sandra Cam’s criminal record in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), she was still appointed to the PCSO. And she has to thank Secretary Medialdea for it. Oh come on, Bingbong, I’m sure you knew about Cam’s sordid record before you recommended her to the President but you just glossed over it. According to the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM): – Sometime in 2001, police drug enforcement agents raided Sandra Cam’s house in New Manila, Quezon City and seized 19 containers loaded with precursor chemicals used in making shabu or crystal meth. – Sometime in 2001, police reported that unrekNED SHABU (bakulaw in street lingo) was being shipped through a resort in Catanduanes that belonged to Cam. – Sometime in 2007, two sports utility vehicles (SUV) owned by the administrator of Sandra Cam’s RESORT IN #ATANDUANES kGURED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE South Expressway’s Matina Bridge in Calamba, Laguna. Upon inspection of the SUVs, 180 kilograms of shabu were found inside. The PNP report was signed by Col. Benjamin #ASTILLO ACTING $)$- EXECUTIVE OFkCER

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

Social legislation at its finest

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NDER the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec 16, 1966, the Philippines, as a signatory, joins 160 other countries in committing to work towards the granting of economic, social and cultural rights to individuals, including labor rights and the right to health, the right to education, and the right to an adequate standard of living. And the 17th Congress has done much to adhere to this treaty and enable policy interventions in dealing with poverty. PRRD has also risen to the challenge to sign landmark legislation on social protection even while some of these were authored or sponsored by opposition members and were initiated in the 15th Congress. The Magna Carta for the Poor was vetoed by his predecessor even though the draft measure was authored and pushed by his own political party. The 7th President of the Republic, Ramon Magsaysay, once said, “he who has less in life should have more in law.� In the waning hours of the third regular session, the 17th Congress is a shining star upon a hill which makes the future generations a lot better

ZILCH MA. LOURDES TIQUIA than mine was in dealing with the poor and the marginalized sectors in our society. It is only now that one can truly say, no one is left behind. The 17th Congress passed key social legislation: Universal Access to Free Tertiary Education (RA 10931), Universal Health Care (RA 11223), Institutionalizing the 0S 2! AND THE -AGNA Carta for the Poor (RA 11291). From tertiary education being free so no Filipino parent can say ) CAN T AFFORD TO SEND MY KIDS TO college, to a cradle-to-grave approach to healthcare, to ensuring that politics does not get in the way in the coverage and consistency of implementation for the 0S TO THE RECENT DECLARATION ON the rights of the poor and what government should be doing to address poverty. The nationwide poverty inciDENCE FELL TO PERCENT IN THE kRST half of 2018 compared to 27.6 PERCENT IN THE kRST HALF OF Deputy National Statistician Josie Perez said this means that there

were 23.1 million Filipinos who did not have incomes that met the poverty threshold during this period, or the minimum amount needed to meet the basic food and non-food requirements of a famILY OF kVE )N THE kRST SEMESTER OF 2018, a family of this size needed no less than P7,337 a month to meet basic food needs. This was based on food items that could help them meet the recommended food intake of 2,100 calories per DAY "Y COMPARISON WITH THE kRST semester of 2015, only P6,600 was needed monthly. Today, a family OF kVE NEEDS NO LESS THAN 0 monthly on average. Compared with the poverty threshold in the kRST HALF OF ONLY 0 WAS needed. Based on these thresholds, 6.2 percent of Filipino families have monthly incomes that fall below the food threshold. This compares with the subsistence factor of 9.9 percent for families IN THE kRST SEMESTER OF "Y individuals, 8.5 percent of the population do not have incomes to cover even the basic food requirements. But this was lower than the 13 percent in 2015. The regions with the lowest POVERTY INCIDENCE AS OF THE kRST semester of 2018 continued to be the National Capital Region

.#2 2EGION ! AND 2EGION Regions that consistently posted the highest poverty incidence were the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Regions 12 and 13, all in Mindanao. Despite having the lowest poverty incidence, however, NCR saw a higher poverty INCIDENCE OF PERCENT IN THE kRST SEMESTER OF FROM IN THE same period in 2015, because of higher poverty thresholds brought about by higher food prices. Most regions also reported lower poverty incidence during this period. I am not a believer of the conditional cash transfer program, OR 0S BECAUSE &ILIPINOS CAN T BE mendicants forever. However, the institutionalization of the program is a welcome development since it is a strong message to future leaders that fighting poverty is generational and that funding is needed to ensure the viability of the program. This likewise addresses the key implementation issues and gaps, such as including FARMERS AND kSHERFOLK STRENGTHENing livelihood and employment intervention, improving access and limiting membership in the program. Still, there is an urgent need for a performance audit or RAPID APPRAISAL OF THE 0S MOST especially on the selection of ben-

EkCIARIES 4HE MILLION NEED TO be geotagged as to where they are and the number has to go down after seven years. Under Train 1, there is also the unconditional cash transfer for senior citizens and the like. And this is where universal basic income (UBI) must come in. The UBI allows the poor to be entrepreneurs since their daily sustenance is taken cared of. UBI should be THE EXIT PROGRAM OF THE 0S !Nother legislation that should fall under social protection is giving free services to senior citizens, especially those who are 80 years old and above. In the autumn of their lives, the State should be able to return back to every Filipino their contributions to the country by providing them the best care. The Magna Carta for the Poor seeks to ensure the highest proTECTION OF kVE BASIC RIGHTS OF EVERY Filipino, namely adequate food, decent work, relevant and quality education, adequate housing, and highest attainable standard of health. More than a bill of rights of the poor, the Magna Carta of the Poor declares that government must now take the side of the poor because the issue of poverty has now become a critical question of survival; that government interven-

Trump’s bromances with Xi and Abe

Will China dump dollars?

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ASHINGTON, D.C.: At last count, China held slightly more than $1 trillion in US Treasury securities. One fear has been that, should China and the United States engage in an economic war — as they clearly are now — those dollars could become a weapon against us. The Chinese would sell dollars in foreign exchange markets, raising US interest rates and perhaps triggering a serious American recession that might spread elsewhere. Is this possible? Well, yes. But IT S A LONG SHOT ,ET S SEE HOW A dollar dump might work. China would sell a huge portion of its Treasury stake. This, in turn, would reduce the price of Treasuries — which, like stocks, are traded on the open market — and raise their interest rates. Consider a simplified example to see how this works. Assume a $1,000 bond with a 5 percent interest rate. It guarantees a payment OF A YEAR "UT IF THE BOND S price has fallen to $800, that same promised $50 produces an interest rate of 6.25 percent. Higher interest rates would then percolate through the US economy, affecting consumer and business spending. If the reaction were powerful, a recession might result. Spending would weaken, unemployment would RISE CONkDENCE WOULD FALL #HINA S DUMPING OF 4REASURIES would escalate the economic

WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

ROBERT J. SAMUELSON CONlICT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNtries. It would signal a second fundamental break with the post-World War 2 global economic system, the first being 4RUMP S AGGRESSIVE USE OF TARIFFS But two practical caveats arise. First, the Chinese might be victims of their own policies. A global recession would reduce exports, compounding the effect of the 25 percent US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese exports. The dolLAR S EXCHANGE RATE MIGHT FALL WHILE #HINA S RENMINBI MIGHT rise. The shift in exchange rates WOULD WEAKEN #HINA S COMPETITIVE POSITION #HINA S SALE of some US Treasuries would also reduce the value of the 4REASURIES THAT AREN T SOLD Why would the Chinese inflict these costs on themselves? Good question. Selling Treasuries “is perhaps the least potent weapon in its arsenal of potential retaliatory strikes against US trade sanctions,� says economist Eswar Prasad of Cornell University. He doubts that China will do it. The second caveat is the opPOSITE OF THE kRST )T IS THAT #HINA might sell lots of Treasuries, and

very little would happen. Interest rates would hardly budge. !LREADY #HINA S CURRENT ACCOUNT surplus — a broad measure of trade — has been shrinking, and this implies that China is accumulating fewer dollars than BEFORE "UT THAT HASN T SENT INTERest rates soaring. They remain historically low. The rate on 10-year Treasuries is less than 2.5 percent. One explanation is that the world seems to have a huge appetite for US Treasury securities, which are called “safe assets� by kNANCIAL EXPERTS 4HIS MEANS THAT DESPITE ALL OF !MERICA S economic and political probLEMS INVESTORS DON T BELIEVE the United States would default on its government debt. Treasuries are a good place to leave idle funds. The various possible consequences have led many observers to doubt that China would deliberately try to undermine the US Treasury market. This is how Capital Economics, a forecasting kRM JUDGED THE PROSPECTS g;)T= WOULDN T BE SENSIBLE )F SUCH A kRE SALE ;OF 4REASURY securities] drove up their yields [interest rates], China would lose money on its remaining holdings. It might also lead to greater INSTABILITY IN EMERGING kNANCIAL markets. This includes China, which the authorities there want to avoid.� David Smick, editor of The International Economy magazine,

echoes this appraisal. Dumping Treasuries poses too many risks, INCLUDING A GLOBAL RECESSION g)T S a declaration of war — not just against the United States, but the WORLD u HE SAYS g) DON T THINK THE Chinese are going to do that.� Whatever happens, the China STORY IS UNDERGOING SIGNIkCANT revision. Not so long ago, its economy was growing at a rate OF PERCENT A YEAR .OW THAT S slipped to about 6 percent, and many economists expect it to decline further. Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute THINKS IT COULD DROP TO PERcent this year and as low as 1 to 2 percent within a decade. There are many obstacles to faster growth. Debt is one. Although it spurred growth in the past, borrowing in China has now reached levels that look increasingly unsustainable. From 2005 to 2018, loans to Chinese NONkNANCIAL CORPORATIONS WENT from 112 percent of GDP to 152 percent of GDP, reports the Institute of International Finance, an industry research and advocacy group. The resolution of this struggle is unclear. But if nothing else, the collision between the Trump administration and Beijing heralds a new era in US-China relations. Both countries are caught in CONTRADICTION BEING IN CONlICT and dependent on each other at the same time. THE WASHINGTON POST WRITERS GROUP

Q CONTRERAS FROM A4

Failing the ‘Bikoy’ test has a terrible record for truthtelling now be taken seriously? If we should not believe Bikoy when he was maligning the 0RESIDENT S CLOSE AIDE AND RELAtives, why should we believe him now that he accuses the political opposition of bank-rolling his lying to the tune of half a million pesos? There are just too many loose ENDS IN "IKOY S NARRATIVES &OR ONE we could ask how he could have agreed to a fee that simply pays off his debts that would make him enjoy only a break-even with no take-home mark-up? It also boggles the mind how illogical it was for him to come out into the open in his IBP press conference reiterating what he now claims to be lies, when the power of any black operations rests on mystery and anonymity. It is simply so idiotic to expose Bikoy whose

dubious background would have undermined whatever information he was revealing. A Bikoy with garbled voice and covered face was a more potent demolition weapon than an unmasked Bikoy speaking in a press conference. If it is indeed true that Trillanes and the LP were behind him, then they really deserved to lose badly in the recent elections, and whatever fate they would suffer for being such amateurs. Bikoy claims he later came to fear for his life after the electoral defeat of his alleged handlers. While it is rational for him to seek the protection of the PNP, it is irrational for the latter to imMEDIATELY ACCORD HIM THE BENEkT of a press conference to publicly disclose his revised allegations. !S 3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON POINTED out, the PNP should have been more circumspect and exercised

restraint in providing Bikoy a venue to further destabilize the political order. They should have kRST VETTED HIM !FTER ALL IT IS NOT only when Bong Go and relatives of the President are accused of having connections to the illegal drug trade that could undermine political stability. It is also threatened when leaders of the political opposition, an entire senatorial slate, and two Catholic universities and leaders of the Catholic Church are implicated in a plot to oust the President. Sedition, after all, is not just seen in attempts to bring down a Presidency, such as when the opposition allegedly tried to bring down President Duterte. It is also seen in telling lies that have the effect of undermining the entire political order, which would be the case should Bikoy turn out to be lying both in his accusations

detrimental to the President and in his recent allegations about an opposition plot. "IKOY S PROBLEM IS HIS CREDibility. Presidential spokesman Sal Panelo once said that lying in one amounts to lying in all. While this is not solid legal doctrine with evidentiary value, it is nevertheless a reasonable BASIS TO CAST DOUBT ON "IKOY S allegations, regardless of who it affects negatively. But what is certainly disturbing is that those who believed Bikoy before are now maligning him, as if he had told the truth then. And those who did not believe him before are now asking us to hear him fairly, as if he is telling the truth now. Meanwhile, the person or persons behind him, whatever their agenda would be, are laughing at us for being suckers for con-artists.

tion, given the present situation, is the only realistic route to take to lift the poor from poverty while long-term measures, strategies and solutions are being put in place. And government “must invest heavily in anti-poverty programs for the economic empowerment of the poor.� Crucial to all these social protection legislation is the roll out. As we very well know, the intent of the law is ambushed when implementing rules and regulations are drafted and adopted. The intent is further derailed once the law is implemented. Take the case of these four laws in relation to local government units (LGUs). It would appear that our legislators are still in the “imperial Manila� mode considering the devolved functions to LGUs under the Local Government Code are: agricultural extension, community based forestry, field health and hospital services, public works, school building program, social welfare services, tourism, telecommunications, housing, and others like investment support. Empower the local governments and we might just be able to resolve poverty in a more targeted manner. “Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.�

T

HE US-China trade talks have been suspended for more than two weeks with no sign of a revival. Listening to Donald Trump talk about his good friend Xi Jinping, one may be forgiven for thinking that the two men could easily sort things out between their two countries if they put their minds to it but, so far, this has not proved to be the case. With Trump, it seems, it was love AT kRST SIGHT AT THE !MERICAN LEADER S estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida in April 2017. “We have developed a friendship,� Trump told the media after his first meeting with the Chinese president. He spoke of the “great chemistry� between them and said, “We like each other; I like him a lot.� The Chinese leader was more restrained. Speaking of the bilateral relationship, he said there were “a thousand reasons to get China-US relations right, and not one single reason to spoil them.� That autumn, Trump visited China. He was given an unprecedented red-carpet treatment, including a tour of the Forbidden City that included a Peking Opera performance and dinner with the Chinese leader and his wife, the singer Peng Liyuan. Trump appeared overwhelmed by the history and the pageantry of it all. According to diplomatic observers in China, this “state-visit-plus� treatment was meant to highlight the working friendship between the two leaders. At one point, Trump joked about WHAT HE CONSIDERED TO BE #HINA S unfair trading relationship with the 5NITED 3TATES "UT HE SAID HE DIDN T blame China, only previous American leaders who allowed this to hapPEN BUT ADDED THAT THIS COULDN T GO on while he was president. So, in 2018, Trump put pressure on China to drastically reduce its trade surplus with the United States and to lower its trade barriers. One example of how Trump worked with his “friend� was when he talked with Xi by phone on May 8. Before the call, he tweeted: “I will be speaking to my friend, President Xi of China, this morning at 8:30. The primary topics will be trade, where good things will happen, and North Korea, where relationships and trust are building.� The Chinese reciprocated. The Xinhua News Agency reported on the phone call, saying that President Xi attaches “great importance to developing bilateral relations and cherishes his good working relationship with the American president.� However, something happened in September 2018 that disturbed this happy relationship. Trump, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, unexpectedly accused China of trying to meddle in the US congressional elections

FRANK CHING in November. Because of his strong stand on trade, Trump said, China did not want the Republican Party to do well. “China has been attempting to interfere in our upcoming 2018 election, coming up in November, against my administration,� he said without providing any evidence. Asked subsequently if Xi remained his friend, Trump replied, “He may not be a friend of mine anymore but I think he probably respects me.� However, after the two leaders met in Buenos Aires to discuss the escalating trade war on December 1, Trump was again over the moon: “My meeting in Argentina with President Xi of China was an extraordinary one,� he tweeted. “Relations with China have taken a BIG leap forward! Very good things will happen.� Without using the word “friend� Trump described his relationship with Xi as “very strong and personal.� After two months of intense discussions, Trump tweeted that gNO kNAL DEAL WILL BE MADE UNTIL MY friend President Xi, and I, meet in the near future to discuss and agree on some of the long standing and MORE DIFkCULT POINTS u The word “friend� was back. To date, however, an accord is still elusive. When Vice Premier Liu He lEW TO 7ASHINGTON FOR AN ABBREVIated 11th round of negotiations on May 9, he carried with him a letter from Xi to Trump. “He just wrote me a beautiful letter,� Trump said. He later quoted THE #HINESE LEADER AS SAYING g,ET S WORK TOGETHER LET S SEE IF WE CAN GET something done.� It is striking that every time Xi makes a point of being friendly, it is in the context of work, trying to use the friendship to get things done. With Trump, it just seems like puppy love. "Y CONTRAST 4RUMP S FRIENDSHIP with Japanese leader Shinzo Abe SEEMS MORE MATURE 4RUMP DOESN T let that get in the way of what he considers to be American national interests, such as cutting its trade DEkCIT WITH *APAN !T THE SAME TIME KNOWING OF !BE S CLOSE RELATIONship with the Iranian leadership, HE TRIES TO USE THAT TO BENEkT THE 5NITED 3TATES .OW THAT S DIPLOmatic friendship in action.

Frank.ching@gmail.com Twitter: @FrankChing1

Regions NCIP okays P4-B Chico River project B Ëœ The Manila Times

www.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

BY DEXTER A. SEE

! ' 5 ) / # ) 4 9 4 H E . A T I O N A L #OMMISSION ON )NDIGENOUS 0EOPLES .#)0 HAS APPROVED THE CERTIkCATION OF THE .ATIONAL )RRIGATION !DMINISTRATION .)! THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 0 BILLION #HICO 2IVER 0UMP )RRIGATION 0ROJECT #20)0 IN THE PROVINCES OF #AGAYAN AND +ALINGA Commissioner Gaspar Cayat said the NCIP en banc decided

to issue the required certification precondition (CP) for the

project during its regular session last week after clarifying issues, raised by cause oriented groups, with members of the Free Prior Informed Consent team, the regional review team and elders from the communities in Pinukpuk, Kalinga. “The issues raised against the pump irrigation project have been clarified and the commissioners were convinced that the project will benefit thousands of farmers once it becomes operational,� Cayat said.

Issuance of the CP will pave the way for lifting of the earlier suspension order of the NCIP on the project. The CRPIP aims to irrigate 7,530 hectares (ha) in the towns of Tuao and Piat in Cagayan and 1,170 ha in Pinukpuk. About 4,350 families are said to benefit from the project. NIA officials said what would be built is an irrigation pump — not a dam — that would ensure the maximum utilization of water to irrigate

Benguet power co-op sets power rate hike BAGUIO CITY: The Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco) will increase power rates for various consumers in their current billing cycle after power generation suppliers increased generation charges. Residential consumers will now have to pay P9.29 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from the previous P7.91 per kWh, and commercial users will be charged P8.52 per kWh from the previous P7.08 per kWh. Industrial consumers will be charged P8.49 per kWh from the previous P7.05 per kWh; public buildings will be charged the same rate as industrial consumers. For streetlights, Beneco will charge P8.52 per kWh compared to the previous P7.08 per kWh, while high voltage consumers will pay P7.18 kWh from the previous P5.79 per kWh. In the March billing cycle, the power generation charge to Beneco was only P4.01 per kWh but increased to P5.19 per kWh in the succeeding billing cycle, which compelled the cooperative to pass on the increase to its consumers. Further, the transmission charges billed to Beneco last March was P0.62 perkWh went up to P0.66 per kWh in the suc-

ceeding billing. Beneco’s systems loss charge was also increased from P0.43 per kWh to P0.54 per kWh in the succeeding billing cycle. However, Beneco’s distribution, supply and metering charges remained at P4.46, P0.53 and P0.32 per kWh, for March and succeeding billing cycles. Presidential Decree 269, which created the National Electrification Administration (NEA), is the basis for the 50year franchise granted to Beneco to distribute power within Baguio City and Benguet. Despite increasing the power rate in the current billing cycle, Beneco said it would continue to maintain the lifeline rate and discount to senior citizens, especially those consuming less than 100 kWh per month. "ENECO OFkCIALS EXPLAINED THE power rate increase was simply a “pass on� of the increase in the generation and transmission charges by the generation and transmission companies. The bulk of Beneco’s power supply is sourced from the Sualbased transmission electron microscopy energy, aside from the power sourced from other renewable energy producing plants in the different parts of Northern Luzon. DEXTER A. SEE

Earlier, the NCIP ordered the suspension of the works on the Kalinga side of the project until NIA had secured the free and prior informed consent of the affected indigenous peoples. The CRPIP is the first Chinafinanced infrastructure project under the government’s Build, Build, Build program that is funded by a soft loan from the China Exim Bank. The China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. will build the massive irrigation pump.

Fishers’ shelter built on Batanes Island

PHILIPPINE FLAG DAY

Workers mount Philippine flags on lamp posts at the center island along Aguinaldo Highway in Barangay Salitran 1, DasmariĂąas City, Cavite for the Philippine Flag Day on May 28, which is observed annually in Imus, Cavite as a prelude to the celebration of Philippine Independence Day on June 12. PHOTO BY BOY JOSUE

BONG GO THANKS MINDANAOANS 3%.!4/2 %,%#4 #HRISTOPHER party thrown by his supporters Lawrence “Bong� Go returned to at the Arcadia Lifestyle Center in his hometown for a thanksgiving Davao City recently.

the farmlands of thousands of farmers, who had been relying on rain to grow their crops. Cayat said the Kalinga tribal leaders, especially those living in the areas in Pinukpuk who will be directly affected, reiterated their support for the irrigation project. He added that complaints on the alleged unpaid properties directly affected by the project had been withdrawn after NIA addressed the owners’ claims.

A7

Go landed in the third spot in the Senate race; in the Davao REGION 'O RANKED kRST AND WON

THANK YOU

Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go thanked his fellow Mindanaoans for their overwhelming support which has brought him to the Senate. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

more than a million votes. “To my Filipino brothers, thank you very much for the trust and support. I am now back in service. Well, you know, my only vice is service. Ika nga ng ating mga kapanalig, serbisyo ang tangi kong bisyo,â€? he told fellow Mindanaoans. Go laid down his plans for Davao region, which include giving it a fair share in the infrastructure projects to spur economic development, create jobs and uplift the lives of the people. In the middle of the thanksgiving dinner, President Rodrigo Duterte, with his partner Cielito AvanceĂąa, arrived and surprised Go. In his message, Duterte said he was convinced that Go would be able to uphold the interests of the people. “Let us work together for our COUNTRY ,ET S kGHT ILLEGAL DRUGS corruption and criminality. Even if I would already be in the Senate, I will continue to support the President. We have no other intention but for the good of our fellow Filipinos,â€? Go said.

APARRI, Cagayan: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)-Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) turned over to the Batanes provincial government on Monday a multi-purpose shelter in Mavulis Island, Itbayat for LOCAL kSHING AND NOT A -ARINE BASE AS earlier reported. The Mavulis Project handover ceremony was led by the AFP-Nolcom with Undersecretary Ricardo David Jr. of the Department of National Defense as guest of honor and speaker. Mavulis, (also called Y’ami Island in textbooks) is the northernmost Batanes island, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Taiwan. It is uninhabited, but frequently visited by LOCAL kSHERS MOST OF WHOM ARE FROM Itbayat town. The Mavulis Project was launched in March 2018 for the construction of building facilities, which were reportedly a Marines base to boost defense arrangements and discourage poachERS FROM ITS kSHING GROUNDS Before the project, Nolcom OFkCIALS REPORTEDLY SAID THEIR PRESence was needed, thus the building work on Mavulis Island, and while the island was uninhabited, they were building a facility to guard the Philippine maritime domain AGAINST POACHING DURING THE kSHing period. Both the Philippine and Taiwan coast guard ships have confronted EACH OTHER IN THE RICH kSHING WATERS in the Mavulis area where their exclusive economic zones overlap, and

even nearly cut ties in 2013 after a 0HILIPPINE VESSEL kRED ON A 4AIWANESE kSHING BOAT KILLING A kSHER Both countries also have overlapping claims in the South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), along with Brunei, China, Malaysia and Vietnam, that more than 20 years ago, Philippine defense officials said Taiwan proposed leasing the island as a gunnery range for its military. Taiwan reportedly even promised to donate A SECONDHAND kGHTER AS PART OF THE deal. However, as Manila recognizes Beijing’s one-China policy, nothing came of the agreement. !CCORDING TO .OLCOM OFkCIALS THE base will help monitor ships passing through the international trade route called Balintang Channel in northern Philippines. The channel is used by vessels crossing from the busy waterway of the South China Sea to the 0ACIkC /CEAN Lt. Col. Isagani Nato, former Nolcom spokesman, said the Mavulis Project would increase the presence OF LOCAL kSHERS IN THE REGION CONTRIButing to the protection of the Philippine marine resources and enhancing information gathering around the northern maritime area. “The structure will serve as a mulTIPURPOSE SHELTER FOR LOCALS kSHING IN the vicinity and double up as shelter for troops visiting the island to guard our maritime domain in that isolated area during the poaching season,� he stressed. LEANDER C. DOMINGO

2 more Negros mayoral candidates seek recount BACOLOD CITY: Two more losing mayoral candidates in the fifth district of Negros Occidental have filed petitions before the Regional Trial Court (RTC) seeking a recount of votes in the recent May 13 elections. Defeated mayoral candidates Felix Feria of La Castellana town and outgoing Mayor Magdaleno PeĂąa of Moises Padilla filed the petitions for recount before the RTC in La Carlota City. Feria and PeĂąa join outgoing Mayor Joselito Malabor of the neighboring Isabela town who protested the results of the midterm elections. La Castellana, Moises Padilla and Isabela are all located in the province’s fifth legislative district. Feria, in his petition, said he wanted to know the “real results of the elections in La Castellana.â€? Reelected Mayor Rhumyla NicoMangilimutan got 17,822 votes, defeating Feria who had 13, 987 votes. In neighboring Moises Padilla, PeĂąa wants a recount of votes from

the 40 clustered precincts in 17 voting centers. He said the results showed “illegal vote totals that are not reflective of the true results of voting and counting in the protested precincts.â€? Mayor-elect Ella Celestina Garcia Yulo got 13,056 votes more than PeĂąa’s, her estranged uncle, 5,493 votes. Earlier, Malabor also filed a petition for a recount of votes in Isabela after losing to Mayor-elect Irene Montilla by merely 48 votes. Malabor got 13,844, closely trailing Montilla who garnered 13,892 votes. Meanwhile, governor-elect Eugenio Jose Lacson said it was the right of every candidate to file a petition for a recount “to know the true results of the elections.â€? “What is important is that there was no preproclamation protest filed and all winners were proclaimed in the province,â€? Lacson said. EUGENE Y. ADIONG

Doctrine of supervening fact Dear PAO, ) kLED A CASE AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOR FOR INlICTING WOUNDS ON MY CHILD )S IT POSSIBLE TO CHANGE THE CASE THAT ) kLED AGAINST THE ACCUSED FROM PHYSICAL INJURY TO HOMICIDE FOR THE SUBSEQUENT DEATH OF MY CHILD $ENCIO Dear Dencio, The law that addresses your situation is Section 7, Rule 117 of the Revised Rules of Court: “Section 7. Former conviction of acquittal; double jeop-

DEAR PAO

PERSIDA ACOSTA ardy. — When an accused has been convicted or acquitted, or the case against him dismissed or otherwise terminated without his express consent by a court of competent jurisdiction, upon a valid complaint or information or other formal

charge sufficient in form and substance to sustain a conviction and after the accused had pleaded to the charge, the conviction or acquittal of the accused or the dismissal of the case shall be a bar to another prosecution for the offense charged, or for any attempt to commit the same or frustration thereof, or for any offense, which necessarily includes or is necessarily included in the offense charged in the former complaint or information.

g(OWEVER THE CONVICTION OF THE ACCUSED SHALL NOT BE A BAR TO ANOTHER PROSECUTION FOR AN OFFENSE WHICH NECESSARILY INCLUDES THE OFFENSE CHARGED IN THE FORMER COMPLAINT OR INFORMATION UNDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING INSTANCES g A THE GRAVER OFFENSE DEVELOPED DUE TO SUPERVENING FACTS ARISING FROM THE SAME ACT OR OMISSION CONSTITUTING THE FORMER CHARGE “In any of the foregoing case, where the accused satisfies or

serves in whole or in part the judgment, he shall be credited with the same in the event of conviction for the graver offense.� (Emphasis supplied) In your situation, the subsequent death of your child due to the aggravation of his injuries is a supervening fact, which does not put the accused twice in jeopardy. The mere requirement is that the supervening fact must be attributable to the injury caused by the accused. Thus, it is possible to modify the CASE YOU kLED FROM PHYSICAL INJURY

to homicide in accordance with the above-cited rule. 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 /UR 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

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News

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

Stop EDSA bus ban, high court asked BY JOMAR CANLAS

A

Q Albay Rep. Jose ‘Joey’ Salceda

LBAY Rep. Joey Salceda asked the Supreme Court on Monday to stop the implementation of the ban on provincial bus terminals along EDSA. In a petition for prohibition and mandamus, Salceda, who represents Albay’s Second District, urged the high court to issue a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction stopping the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) from enforcing the ban. Salceda’s petition was the second TO BE kLED QUESTIONING THE BUS BAN 4HE kRST WAS kLED BY THE !+/ "ICOL party-list. Named respondent to the case was the MMDA, headed by its chairman, Danilo Lim.

Salceda said the MMDA acted with grave abuse of discretion, amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it issued the order. He claimed that the MMDA issued the order “without taking into consideration the economic disruption, inconvenience, expense and damages that they may cause to Salceda and his constituents, the affected PUBs (public utility buses) and their passengers, and the Province of Albay as a result of the abrupt and unconscionable prohibition of the affected PUBs from entering EDSA,� the lawmaker said.

The MMDA issued the order after it revoked the issuance of business permits to bus terminals on the ground that the entry of provincial BUSES CONTRIBUTE TO TRAFkC CONGES-

tion in Metro Manila. Salceda said his constituents would be among those who would be adversely affected by the bus ban that the MMDA plans to implement in June.

Comelec to rule on Cardema case THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to resolve whether former National Youth Commission (NYC) chairman Ronald Cardema is qualified to represent the Duterte Youth party-list group and if he filed his substitution on time. “Is Cardema qualified to be representative of Duterte Youth? That is not decided yet,� Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said on Monday. Guanzon clarified that the resolution referred to by Chairman Sheriff Abas was “only whether or not he filed his application for substitution on time before the deadline.� Cardema filed his substitution on May 12, a Sunday, which was not a regular working day, “and didn’t file it on the last day May 13.� The en banc had to resolve if Cardema is qualified to represent the youth sector as expounded in more than 10 oppositions filed before the poll

body, she said. Under the Party-list Act, representatives of the youth sector must be at least 25 years old, but not more than 30 years old on election day. On his official Facebook page, Cardema listed his birthday as April 13, 1986, which makes him 33 years old The Duterte Youth is among the 51 party-list groups that landed a seat at the House of Representatives. Records show that the original nominees of the Duterte Youth were Cardema’s wife Elizabeth Ann, Ducielle Marie Suarez, Joseph de Guzman, Benilda de Guzman and Arnaldo Villafranca. All five withdrew their nomination. With the substitution, Cardema became the top nominee, followed by Gian Carlo Galang, Catherine Santos, Kerwin Pagaran, Sharah Shane Makabali and Allan Keven Cinedoza Payawal. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Church lauds Duterte For signing Magna Carta of the Poor THE Archdiocese of Manila, through its social action arm Cartias Manila, has lauded President Rodrigo Duterte for signing into law Republic Act (RA) 11291 or the “Magna Carta of the Poor.� Fr. Anton Pascual, executive director of Caritas Manila, on Monday said signing RA 11291 is what good governance is all about. “We congratulate and support Pres. Duterte 100 percent in his bold signing of the Magna Carta of the Poor,� Pascual said. He called on all concerned government agencies to immediately and efficiently implement the law. RA 11291 guarantees the rights of the poor to adequate food, decent work, relevant and quality education, housing, and the highest attainable standard

SCHOOL OPENING RITUAL Mothers buy school supplies in Divisoria, Manila on Monday as the country prepares for the opening of classes in June. PHOTO BY DH DIOSINA

‘Burn-out’ a medical condition – WHO GENEVA: The World Health Organization (WHO) has, for the first time, recognized “burnout� in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which is widely used as a benchmark for diagnosis and health insurers. The decision, reached during the World Health Assembly in Geneva, which wraps up on Tuesday, could help put to rest decades of debate among experts over how to define burnout, and whether it should be considered a medical condition. In the latest update of its

catalogue of diseases and injuries around the world, WHO defines burn-out as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.� It said the syndrome was characterized by three dimensions — feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy. “Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupa-

tional context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life,� according to the classification. The updated ICD list, dubbed ICD-11, was drafted last year following recommendations from health experts around the world, and was approved on Saturday. “This is the first time� burnout has been included in the classification, WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic told reporters. The ICD-11, which is to take effect in January 2022, contains several other additions, in-

cluding classification of “compulsive sexual behavior� as a mental disorder, although it stops short of lumping the condition together with addictive behaviors. It does, however, for the first time, recognize video gaming as an addiction, listing it alongside gambling and drugs like cocaine. The updated list removes transgenderism from its list of mental disorders, listing it instead under the chapter on “conditions related to sexual health.� AFP

House passes coco trust fund bill THE House of Representatives approved on Monday a measure that seeks to create a trust fund for coconut farmers. Voting 159-5, lawmakers approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) 9197 or the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund Act,� which seeks to create a P10-billion jumpstart fund exclusively for coconut farmers. Despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto of the measure in February due to its “lack of vital safeguards,� the bill was refiled and was approved on the same day. The coconut levy funds refer to various funds generated from levies, taxes, charges and other fees imposed in connec-

OKADA FILES RAPS VS TRLEI EXECUTIVES

G A M I N G mogul Kazuo Okada has filed before the Paraùaque prosecutors’ office counter charges of qualified theft and estafa against officials of Tiger Resorts and Entertainment Inc. (TRLEI), including family members, who earlier filed similar charges against him. In his complaint, Okada alleged that officials of TRLEI, which operates billion-dollar casino resort Okada Manila that bears his name, conspired to seize his ownership rights to the company by ousting him. The Japanese billionaire said he wanted to take proceedings against

TRLEI Directors Antinio “Tonyboy� Cojuangco, Manuel Lazaro, Steven Wolstenholme, Antonio Cojuanco, Reynaldo David and Yoshinao Negishi.  Also impleaded in the complaint were his son Tomohiro Okada, trustee of Okada Holdings Inc., and his estranged wife Takako Okada, former director of Tokyo-based conglomerate Universal Entertainment Corp. (UEC).  UEC President Jun Fujimoto, UEC de fac to Direc tor Kenshi Asano, and TRLEI officers Kenji Sugiyama and Michelle Lazaro were also included.  “I am advised that the acts and

omissions of respondents constitute the offenses of qualified theft and estafa by Abuse of Confidence under Articles 310 and 315 (b) of the Revised Penal Code,� Okada wrote in his complaint.  Okada was ousted from the company in June 2017 over alleged irregularities in the use of the firm’s funds, and is facing arrest after the Paraùaque Regional Trial Court Branch 257 issued a warrant against him in connection with three estafa cases last January.  It was unclear, however, if Okada was in the country as it was reported that he had been in and out of the

of mental and physical health. Beneficiaries of the new law include individuals whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, and housing. Task to implement the law are the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,and the Department of Agriculture. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

country despite an arrest warrant. Â Immigration records obtained by The Manila Times s h owe d that a cer tain Kazuo Okada, born in 1942, left the country aboard an unknown plane with the flight number PR310 last January 18. Â Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had earlier bared that the Bureau of Immigrations have also recorded that another Kazuo Okada, born in 1942, arrived in the country last December 8 and departed five days later. Â The Department of Justice, a day prior to his alleged arrival, had indicted Okada and Takahiro

tion with the sale of coconut products. The Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Trust Fund Committee will be under the Office of the President and will be composed of members of the Department of Agriculture, among other government agencies. The Bureau of Treasury will be designated as the depository of the Trust Fund and may assign alternative depository banks. The trust fund will only be maintained for a period of 30 years until it is fully utilized. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was one of the principal authors of the bill. GLEE JALEA

Usui, TRLEI’s former president and chief operating officer, who was also named as a conspirator in the alleged embezzlement.  Last year, UEC disclosed that Okada was arrested by the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption.  A year prior, he was laid off as chairman of the same conglomerate for misappropriating $20 million. He had also been sacked as director of Hong Kong-based Okada Holdings Ltd. Forbes listed Okada as No. 18 richest man in Japan, with a net worth of over $2.1 billion. NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

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What’s inside INTEGRATED REPORTING AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE WEALTH CREATION – MANAGING FOR SOCIETY

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Late approval example of harmful ‘politicking’ – Finance chief BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLOÂ

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HE government had “missed the opportunity� to generate thousands of jobs and reduce poverty IN THE kRST THREE MONTHS OF THE YEAR BECAUSE OF the delayed approval of the 2019 national budget, key departments told lawmakers on Monday. The “reenacted budget during THE kRST QUARTER LED THE GOVERNMENT to miss the opportunity to create as many as 260,000 to 320,000 more jobs, affecting the construction, public administration and defense, wholesale and retail trade, land

transport, and education sectors,� THE "UDGET AND &INANCE DEPARTMENTS and the National Economic and Development Authority said in a joint STATEMENT READ BY &INANCE 3ECRETARY Carlos Dominguez 3rd during a SenATE kNANCE COMMITTEE BRIEkNG

The budget reenactment, he added, also derailed poverty-reduction efforts, where as many as 420,000 MORE &ILIPINOS COULD HAVE BEEN taken out of poverty. “This is a clear example of how politicking could harm our people,� Dominguez said. A dispute between the Senate and the House of Representatives over alleged insertions resulted in the four-and-a-half-month delay of the passage of this year’s budget. This forced the government to run on last year’s budget, limiting it to spend for items detailed in the 2018 outlay and not on programs and projects sup-

Q A worker looks at a phone beneath Apple logos at a store in Shanghai on Monday. AFP PHOTO tion from Beijing — and threatened further levies that could affect nearly all of China’s remaining exports to America. They also came after the Trump administration blacklisted Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. over worries that China uses it as a tool for espionage. The smartphone maker has repeatedly denied it works with the

country’s Communist-led government. “We have seen different statements being made about the SinoUS economic and trade consultations by (different entities) including high-level people in the US,� Lu said. “Sometimes it is said that an agreement will be reached soon, and SOMETIMES IT IS SAID IT S DIFkCULT TO

ate Gabriel Jose Perez said market players were on wait-and-see mode ahead of the MSCI rebalancing, which will take effect on June 3. MSCI stands for Morgan StanLEY #APITAL )NTERNATIONAL THE kRST global market indexes established in 1968. Its index is a measurement of stock-market performance in a particular area. In a separate comment, Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said investors sold off positions on worries

that the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China was hurting economic growth. Asian markets opened the trading week mixed, as Tokyo grew by 0.31 percent, Shanghai rose 1.38 percent, Jakarta increased 0.87 percent and Bangkok added 0.52 percent. In contrast, Hong Kong dropped 0.14 percent, Seoul dipped 0.05 percent, and Singapore slipped 0.12 percent. Wall Street’s three main indices

posed to be implemented this year. This put total national government spending in January to March — which include expenditures for infrastructure and capital outlay, maintenance, personnel services and subsidies — at P778 billion, up 0.8 percent or P6 billion from the amount in the same period last year. According to Dominguez, the delay caused the government to underspend a great amount daily in the first three months. If only the budget was approved on time, he said, the economy could have grown by 1 percent every

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Estate tax amnesty IRR release seen this week

reach an agreement,� he said. The spokesman said that China’s position has “remained consistent.� “We have also always insisted on consultations between China and the United States, including economic and trade consultations, which must be based on mutual respect, equality and MUTUAL BENEkT u AFP

PSEi slides anew ahead of rebalancing THE stock market declined for the third consecutive day on Monday as investors stayed on the sidelines ahead of the MSCI index rebalancing and waited for further developments on the escalating trade war between Beijing and Washington. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) dropped by 0.29 percent or 22.08 points to close at 7,725.01, while the wider All Shares lost 0.34 percent or POINTS TO kNISH AT P2P Trade Online sales associ-

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Budget delay ‘missed’ chance to uplift poor

China: ‘Mutual respect’ basis of US trade talks BEIJING: China said on Monday that any US trade talks must be based on “mutual respect� and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal. “We always believe that any differences between any two countries should, of course, be resolved through friendly negotiations and consultations,� Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said AT A REGULAR PRESS BRIEkNG Trump said on Monday there was a “very good� chance of clinching a trade deal with China as the world’s top two economies clash over their trade relationship. “I think sometime in the future, China and the US will have a great trade deal and we look forward to that,� Trump said after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. His remarks came just two weeks after trade tensions reignited when Trump more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese merchandise — sparking retalia-

BEYOND BUZZWORDS

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TUESDAY MAY 28, 2019

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ALL kNISHED IN THE GREEN LAST &RIDAY In Manila, sectoral results were MIXED WITH HOLDING kRMS MINING and oil, and property indices the only gainers, up by 0.16 percent, 0.57 percent, and 0.007 percent, respectively. More than 706 million issues were traded valued at P5.53 billion. Losers led winners, 99 to 83, while 56 issues remained unchanged. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said on Monday it would kNALIZE THIS WEEK THE IMPLEMENTing rules and regulations (IRR) of the estate tax amnesty program. In a statement, the tax agency SAID gTHE kNAL ESTATE RAX REGULAtion� was expected to “be issued within this month.� This came after the bureau held a public consultation on the proposed IRR, which was among the provisions retained by President Rodrigo Duterte when he partially vetoed Republic Act 11213, or the Tax Amnesty law, earlier this year. According to the proposed rules,

the amnesty shall cover the estate of the deceased who died on or before Dec. 31, 2017. An estate tax amnesty rate of 6 percent with a minimum tax amnesty amount of P5,000 shall be imposed on the deceased’s total net taxable estate at the time of his or her death without penalties at every stage of property transfer. This amnesty, however, is not extended to liabilities covered by a separate amnesty on delinquencies that began in April. Properties involved in cases pending in appropriate courts are also excluded from the latest amnesty.

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The real Chinese debt trap

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HE “Chinese debt trap,� the idea that China is carrying out a creeping invasion of the developing world by making large, unmanageable loans and then foreclosing on them has largely been recognized as a fallacy, but the reality may in fact be much worse. )N THE WAKE OF THE GLOBAL kNANcial crisis in 2008-2009, China’s GDP growth was halved, from about 14 percent to about 6.5 percent in the span of a year. Just like policymakers in the US and Europe, the Chinese leadership decided massive government intervention was required to prop up the economy, which they did by increasing debt. And increase it they did: Total debt-to-GDP (combining central government, local government,

ROUGH TRADE BEN KRITZ state-owned enterprise, private enterprise, and household debt) climbed from about 140 percent in 2008 to about 270 percent as of the end of the third quarter of last year. The central government’s debt remained relatively steady, but debt in all the other segments doubled and then some; the biggest share belongs to state-owned enterprises; private enterprises and households combined account for about half of the total. Those statistics are not alarming by themselves; debt is not

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Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

secret weapon ‘Hole in quarantine wall’ Employers’ vs job security bill alerts agri sector vs ASF T BY EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

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ISCOVERING a sort of a security breach, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local hog raisers on Monday said they would appeal for the temporary suspension of pork imports, this time from African Swine Fever (ASF)-high risk countries. There has been a “hole in our imaginary quarantine wall,� which could lead to the entry OF !3& IN THE 0HILIPPINES !Griculture Secretary Emmanuel

PiĂąol said on the sidelines of his consultation meeting with local hog raisers. PiĂąol noted the lack of coo r d i n a t i o n a m o n g g ove r n -

ment agencies, including the &OOD AND $RUG !DMINISTRATION &$! "UREAU OF !NIMAL )NDUStry (BAI), Bureau of Customs and local government units. In response, PiĂąol directed Agriculture Undersecretary Ariel #AYANAN TO MEET WITH &$! OFficials and ask the agency to recall an order issued by the DA last August that strictly prohibited the presence and selling in supermarkets of processed pork canned goods and other pork PRODUCTS IMPORTED FROM !3& HIT countries. !3& IS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS hemorrhagic disease of domestic and wild pigs of all ages. There are no effective preventive vaccines or cure, and the mortality rate can go as high as 100 percent. High-risk countries, which will be immediately identified by the DA, are those that are gCONTAGIOUSu TO !3& AFFECTED areas that may also be affected by the disease or “may have the disease already, but not just monitored yet,â€? PiĂąol said. The multiple outbreaks and RAPID SPREAD OF !3& IN #HINA have led to the spread of the virus to Asian nations, including Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia. Other countries affected are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and Zambia. Dr. Rufina Salas, secretary general of the Agriculture Sector Alliance of the Philippines, said the appeal would ask President Rodrigo Duterte’s approval of the temporary suspension of importation of possible carriers OF !3& PARTICULARLY PROCESSED pork canned goods, meat and meat products. “Knowing the disastrous efFECTS OF !3& WE SHOULD REALLY TRY all efforts to prevent the entry,â€? Salas added. PiĂąol said the DA, in coordination with local hog raisers, was poised in taking “determined effortsâ€? in the fight AGAINST !3& EVEN IF THE COUNTRY would violate trade agreements with the World Trade Organization (WTO).

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“We respect the view of the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), but I believe they should also respect our position that we are doing this TO ENSURE THAT !3& WILL NOT REACH our country. Honestly, I’m not just concerned, I’m scared because the moment the disease enters this country, thousands OF &ILIPINO FAMILIES WILL SUFFER not just the hog raiser and farmers but also the consumers,â€? PiĂąol said. The Philippines, under the terms of the World Health Organization (WHO), could only suspend the importation of pork and pork products from !3& HIGH RISK COUNTRIES IF THERE is a “scientific basis.â€? “We would like to assure to our trading partners that this action actually is not severing our trade relations with them but protecting our local hog industry. As soon as we are able to establish an impenetrable quarantine wall then I think everything will be okay,â€? the Agriculture chief said. Meanwhile, the country has enough pork for about five months, according to Chester Warren Tan, president of the .ATIONAL &EDERATION OF (OG &ARMERS )NC .&(&) g &O R - I N D A N A O WE H AVE around two months of buffer stocks and also in the Central Visayas, [we have] one and a half to two months of buffer stocks. The two months [import suspension] we are asking would be fair enough for us and the importers if that will be allowed,â€? Tan said. Earlier this month, the DA issued Memorandum Order 11, series of 2019, authorizing the lifting of the ban on the importation of domestic and wild pigs and their products including pork meat, pig skin, and semen originating from Japan. &OLLOWING A "!) EVALUATION PiĂąol said the risk of contamination of the classic swine fever virus from importing pigs and pig products from Japan is now “negligible.â€? The DA ordered the ban on PORK IMPORTS FROM *APAN IN &EBruary following reports of the SPREAD OF !3& IN THAT COUNTRY

HE sad news for the employers are all over in the media in recent days with the unrelenting progress of many populist bills in Congress. On top of the list, and undoubtedly the most controversial bill is the “Security of Tenure and End of Endo Act of 2018.â€? It’s now one step closer to becoming a new piece of legislation that protects the vulnerable members of our society – the much-abused minimum wage earners. Senate Bill No.1826 passed ITS THIRD AND kNAL READING LAST Wednesday giving hope to all temporary workers to become regular employees. The bill, if passed into law requires all project-based, seasonal, contractual, and manpower agency workers to be declared regular employees. In effect, this makes the 555 practice or “endoâ€? cyclical hiring AND kRING A *URASSIC MANAGEMENT practice in this part of the world. As expected, the employer group raised a howl against the bill as early as August 2018 WHEN IT kLED ITS FORMAL OPPOSItion in Congress. It was led by the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP) President Sergio Ortiz-Luis, who was QUOTED LAST &RIDAY BY BusinessWorld that the country will lose its advantage to attract foreign investment if the “endoâ€? bill is passed. He said: “We fear that we will lose foreign direct investment and local investment‌. if you prohibit contracting and subcontracting, why would investors come here?â€? Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chairman George Barcelon echoed the senTIMENT OF %#O0 ON &$) g ! LOT of exports are seasonal in natureâ€? requiring the use of short-term employment contracts. 4HE EMPLOYERS &$) ARGUMENT is a manifestation of parochial business interest when pitted with the broad-based holistic position of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that encourages investors and employers to improve the human capital of host countries. In its 2002 STUDY ENTITLED g&OREIGN $IRECT Investment for Development: -AXIMIZING "ENEkTS -INIMIZING Costs,â€? OECD proclaims that: “By taking steps against discrimination and abuse, the authorities bolster employees’ opportunities to upgrade their human capital,

BEYOND BUZZWORDS

REY ELBO and strengthen their incentives for doing so. Also, a labor market where participants have access to a certain degree of (job) security and social acceptance lends itself more readily to the flexibility that is key to the success of economic strategies based on human capital.â€? OECD reminds investors to follow the host country’s social legislations and prevent discrimination and abuse of temporary workers. In the Philippines, it is reported we have hundreds of thousands of temps working for decades under the 555 policy, including those deployed in many government agencies. In another study, OECD in collaboration with the International Labor Organization (ILO) published a 31-page 2008 report on “Employment and Industrial Relations: Promoting Responsible Business Conduct in a Globalising Economy.â€? It says that g W HILE &$) AND MULTINATIONAL enterprises (MNEs) are often PERCEIVED TO BE BENEkCIAL FOR LOcal development, they have also aroused much controversy and social concerns‌.MNEs have often been accused of taking unfair advantage of low wages and weak labor standards in developing countries. MNEs also have been accused of violating human and labor rights in countries where governments fail to enforce such rights effectively.â€? The issue is a balance between ATTRACTING &$)S AND PROTECTING LAbor rights. The question remains the same since time immemorial: How would ECoP and PCCI continue to be the voice of employers to the detriment of our poor and often-abused workers? Isn’t this part of their corporate social responsibility? And more importantly, isn’t ECoP a signatory to ILO’s global program on “Decent Work?â€? How would the employers group “upgrade their human capitalâ€? as suggested by OECD? Indeed, the employers group is in a bind. &OR ITS PART THE -ANAGEMENT !Ssociation of the Philippines led by

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Integrated reporting as a tool for sustainable wealth creation

T the beginning of each term, I ask my students to give examples of a resource. They typically say things like money, buildings, and cars. Then, I ask them to tell me what they value. Their answers change dramatically. They talk about family, friends, relationships, and their emotional and physical well-being. When they realize the discrepancy between what they think is valuable and HOW THEY DEkNED resource, many are shocked. In business, we experience this same disconnect. We talk about resource allocation primarily in TERMS OF kNANCIAL ASSETS 9ET WE depend tremendously on intangibles like cooperation, creativity, learning, leadership, communication, and ethics to create value and achieve organizational goals. Why do we overlook these intangible ingredients if they are so vital? One reason is that they are largely invisible. We can’t see or touch them, so we typically don’t notice them until they’re not there. Only in their absence do they become obvious, such as when team performance declines due to interpersonal conlICT CREATIVITY DWINDLES FROM STRESS and overwork, or projects fail due to lack of accountability and poor communication. A related issue is that businesses focus on what they measure. Their universal metric is the balance sheet. This singular focus has led most industrialized so-

MANAGING FOR SOCIETY

ELIZABETH CASTILLO cieties to think of resources solely in terms of money, land, buildings, AND EQUIPMENT THE ASSETS RElECTED ON kNANCIAL STATEMENTS What can business do to reorient itself and society to what is truly valuable and essential to longTERM SUCCESS )NCREASINGLY kRMS around the world are embracing social accounting as a remedy. Among the most promising type of social accounting is Integrated Reporting (IR), an initiative that started in South Africa 10 years ago and is mandatory for publicly TRADED kRMS THERE )N ADDITION TO kNANCIAL AND MANUFACTURED ASSETS )2 IDENTIkES AND MEASURES OTHER forms of resources fundamental to value creation, including social capital (relationships, trust, networks); human capital (people and their capabilities), natural capital (natural resources and ecosystem services), and intellectual capital (knowledge, patents). A key aspect of IR is its focus on connectivity, depicting how the various resources come together through strategy, operations, and governance to create short, medium, and long-term value for stakeholders such as investors,

customers, employees, vendors, and communities in which the kRM OPERATES IR is gaining traction globally because it improves decision making and transparency. A 2014 report by the International Integrated Reporting Council found THAT PERCENT OF kRMS USING )2 felt it provided investors with a better understanding of the organization’s strategy, and 79 percent SAID IT INCREASED INVESTOR CONkdence in the long-term viability of THEIR BUSINESS MODEL &URTHER percent reported improvement in cross-departmental collaboration and 91 percent saw increased capacity to engage with stakeholders more effectively. Today, IR is used widely in Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Other countries such as Australia, Canada, India, and the United States are starting TO USE IT MORE TOO &OR EXAMPLE IN the U.S., Jones Lang LaSalle, Coca Cola, Etsy, Clorox, and Southwest Airlines have adopted some form of IR, and Intel’s just-released + INCLUDES HOW THAT kRM develops and deploys the six forms of tangible and intangible capital to create wealth for its stakeholders. A similar multiple-capitals framework called Community Capitals is used throughout the United States for rural economic development, disaster recovery, and community wealth building.

4HE BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING kRMS‡ Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, %RNST 9OUNG AND +0-'‡HAVE ALL published guidance on IR for their ASSOCIATES AND CLIENT kRMS In the Philippines, Ayala Corporation led the way in implementing IR beginning with their 2017 report. If your company is looking to improve its decision making, attract investors, tell its value creation story better, and develop sustainable revenue streams. IR can help. The International Integrated Reporting Council’s database of reports shares best practices. Most reports feature metrics for each capital, and some include key performance indicators for strategic and operational guidance. Sustainable wealth creation depends on understanding the entire assortment of resources at your disposal. IR enables you to identify and strategically develop THESE FOR THE BENEkT OF YOUR kRM your stakeholders, and society.

Dr. Elizabeth Castillo is an assistant professor of organizational leadership at Arizona State University. She earned her PhD in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego in 2016 following a 20 year career in management. She is part of the International Humanistic Management Association of which De La Salle University is a member. Email: eac@asu.edu

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

ALI stake in logistics subsidiary now 72% PROPERTY giant Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is increasing its interest in its industrial-development subsidiary through a share-swap agreement with other units. In a disclosure on Monday, AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. (ALHC), formerly Prime Orion Philippines Inc., said its board of directors approved the issuance of 49.4 million shares to unit Orion Land Inc. at P2.92 apiece for a total of P144.38 million. In turn, Orion Land will sell 264.5 million ALHC shares to Avida Land Corp., inclusive of the 49.4 million shares, in exchange for a parcel of land in South Park District in Muntinlupa City. Avida is a wholly owned arm of Ayala Land. In a separate filing, Ayala Land said it would purchase the ALHC

shares from Avida for an undisclosed amount. This would increase its ownership in ALHC to 72.25 percent from the current 63.9 percent. ALHC owns several properties, including the Tutuban Center in Manila’s Divisoria district logistics facilities in Laguna province. Last year, it partnered with Japanbased conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. on building a P1-billion logistics building and warehouse facility, called the Standard Factory Building, in Laguna. It covers 11 hectares, on which 40 1,500-square-meter units would rise. It is set for completion next year. Ayala Land shares shed 2 centavos or 0.46 percent to finish at P4.30 apiece, while those of ALHC added 10 centavos or 3.05 percent to end at P3.38 each on Monday. ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Ayala’s share buy in Negros Grace OK’d THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has approved Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc.’s (AHHI) acquisition of shares in Negros Grace Pharmacy Inc. (Negros Grace). In a statement on Monday, the state-run antitrust watchdog said 75 percent of the regional drugstore company’s outstanding capital stock was acquired from Jasminum Corp., which retained the remaining 25 percent. As a result, Negros Grace will have an authorized capital stock of P100 million. PCC said its merger review, in a May 23 decision, found the acquisition unlikely “to lead to substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market, since the merged kRMS DO NOT HAVE AN INCENTIVE OR THE ability to increase its prices or reduce its product assortment.” 0OST TRANSACTION IT ADDED A SUFkcient number of retail players remain in the drugstore chain market.

A member of the Ayala Group, Ayala Healthcare is behind AC Health, which owns the Generika drugstore chain, community-based clinic brand Family Doc, online pharmacy and delivery platform MedGrocer, medical records app Vigos, and doctor-patient booking app Aide. Negros Grace and its subsidiaries, which include Solomon Drug Corp. and Samuel Drug Corp., are pharmaceutical companies with strong presence in Central and Western Visayas. They have 70 drugstores, which sell mostly branded medicines. PCC is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act of 2015 to review mergers and acquisitions (M&As) to ensure that these deals would not harm consumers interest. To date, PCC has received 184 merger-transactions by local and international companies, approved 171 of these, and blocked one. ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

Corporate News MPIC eyes stake sale in toll road, hospital units TUESDAY May 28, 2019

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

L

ISTED Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) is looking to partially divest its stake in its toll road and hospital subsidiaries to raise funds and facilitate new partners. On the sidelines of the conglomerate’s annual stockholders’ meeting in Taguig City on Monday, Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said MPIC was considering selling up to 20 percent of its stake in Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and a yet-to-be-determined one in Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. (MPHHI) this year. “I think it’s time to get in a new strategic partner for the tollways [business], but that would be small, maybe up to 20 percent [of the stock] will be available,” he said.

Proceeds from the share sale will be used to repay existing debt, according to him. MPIC is already in talks with private equity funds for the sale of the MPHHI stake and other potential partners for the toll road arm. Pangilinan also indicated that MPIC was looking for other foreign partners to invest in both subsidiaries. “So far, those who have expressed [interest] are mostly private equity funds. There have been indications from hospital operators down the road, as

well,” he said. He made it clear, however, that MPHHI’s series of acquisitions will remain. MPHHI had planned to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange this year and raise as much as P20 billion, but that plan was shelved earlier this month. MPHHI President Augusto Palisoc Jr. had cited private placement as an alternative fundraising activity for the group. MPTC is set to spend P104 billion for its projects in the next five years. That amount is expected to rise by another P25 billion if it secures the National Economic and Development Authority’s approval to develop its proposed 50.42-kilometer Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway project, for which it already received original proponent status. MPIC unit Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is set to start in

B3

the third quarter commercial operations of its 455-megawatt (MW) San Buenaventura supercritical coal-fired power plant in Quezon province, as well as the second 105-MW expansion plant of Alsons Thermal Energy in Saragani province. Another MPIC subsidiary, Global Business Power, owns half of Alsons. MPIC hopes to secure from the Quezon City government the notice of award to develop a waste-to-energy treatment facility that will convert up to 3,000 metric tons of waste into 36-MW electricity. For water, MPIC is implementing new projects that would expand its installed capacity to 393 million liters per day (MLD) in the Philippines and 660 MLD in Vietnam. Shares of MPIC finished down by 2 centavos or 0.46 percent to P4.30 each on Monday.

‘Samsung to benefit from Huawei ban’ SOUTH Korean gadget giant Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is expected to regain its ground in the smartphone market after the United States recently imposed a ban on Chinese technology firm Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, Fitch Ratings said on Monday. In a repor t, the Fitch Group unit said “the loss of access to Google’s Android operating system could significantly hurt Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd’s smar tphone sales outside China,

which could help Samsung improve its market share.” Despite a “struc turally weakening smar tphone market,” the debt watcher noted that Huawei saw a strong volume growth of 50 percent year-on-year. Citing data from International Data Corp., Fitch Ratings said Huawei had increased its market share to 19 percent in the first quarter from 12 percent a year earlier. Samsung, on the other hand, secured a 23-percent

market share, but its handset segment saw its volume decline by 8.1 percent to 71.9 million units shipped in the period. “The restrictions on US companies providing hardware, software and components to Huawei’s smar tphone business could stir up the smartphone industry by pausing Huawei’s positive momentum,” Fitch Ratings said. “Consumers used to the Android operating system

are likely to consider buying other smartphone brands than Huawei, and Samsung could restore market share especially in regions such as Europe, Asia ex-China and South America, where Huawei achieved most of its growth in recent quarters,” it added. The ban may also pave the way for Samsung to take the lead in developing Fifth Generation (5G)- capable smartphones, according to the Fitch unit. LISBET K. ESMAEL

Foreign Business Fiat Chrysler-Renault merger proposed P B4

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

ARIS: Italian-US auto giant Fiat Chrysler presented a merger proposal to France’s Renault on Monday, a deal that could reshape the industry as Renault wrestles with questions over its global strategy following the arrest and ouster of its chief executive.

&IAT #HRYSLER DELIVERED A NONbinding letter to Renault proposing “a combination of their respective businesses as a 50/50 merger,� potentially creating the world’s third-largest carmaker, it said in a statement. Renault said its board was meeting at its Boulogne-Billancourt headquarters near Paris to discuss the offer, and would issue a statement afterward. But a source at the company said a decision was not expected by the close of the day, saying “it will take days, or even weeks.� Monday’s board session would merely examine whether or not to explore the offer on the table, the source said. 3HARES IN &IAT #HRYSLER !UTOMOBILES &#! SHOT UP MORE THAN 18 percent on the news, before falling back to 10 percent in latemorning trading on the Milan stock exchange.

Renault shares jumped more THAN PERCENT AS THE &RENCH GOVernment, which owns a 15-percent stake in the automaker, appeared to give its blessing to a deal. “The government is in favor... but the terms of this merger must be supportive of Renault’s economic development, and obviously of Renault’s employees,� government spokesman Sibeth Ndiaye said on Monday. “We have very large companies, giants, that are being created outside of Europe, and today we needs giants to be created in Europe,� SHE TOLD "&- TELEVISION ADDING THAT &INANCE -INISTER "RUNO ,E Maire had been informed of the talks by Renault board chairman Jean-Dominique Senard last week. &RANCE S #'4 LABOR UNION THE second-largest at Renault, called on the government to maintain a blocking minority after any deal, which could see the state’s stake

diluted in a merger.

‘Pre-eminent global group’ Renault was plunged into disarray last November with the arrest in Tokyo of chief executive Carlos

Ghosn, who was also chairman of its Japanese partner Nissan. That alliance, which also includes Mitsubishi, currently makes about 10.8 million automobiles, compared with Germany’s Volkswagen and Japan’s Toyota, both at about 10.6 million.

latecomer to the electric vehicle market but does well in the US SUV and pick-up sectors. Renault meanwhile has pushed ahead in electric cars but is relatively weak in North America, so the two companies would seem a GOOD kT &IAT #HRYSLER SAID THE MERGER would put the group in “a strong position in transforming technoloGIES INCLUDING ELECTRIkCATION AND autonomous driving�. Early this year, rumours circulated THAT 2ENAULT WAS INTERESTED IN &IAT Chrysler after its hopes for a full MERGER WITH .ISSAN OR EVEN &RENCH competitor PSA were dashed. &IAT #HRYSLER SAID THE MERGER would create “in excess of five billion euros ($5.6 billion) estimated annual run rate synergies� on top of existing Renault-NissanMitsubishi Alliance ones. All counted, including Nissan and Mitsubishi, it would mean the production of close to 16 million vehicles, besting Volkswagen and Toyota. The merger would not result in the closure of any production sites, Electric and and the board of directors of the self-driving cars new group would be composed mainly of independent members, &IAT #HRYSLER IS WIDELY SEEN AS A &IAT #HRYSLER SAID AFP But its future is in doubt following Ghosn’s subsequent ouster at both Renault and Nissan, with Tokyo in particular bristling over A PUSH BY THE &RENCH SIDE FOR EVEN deeper integration. Renault holds 43 percent in Nissan, which in turn owns 15 percent OF ITS &RENCH PARTNER &IAT #HRYSLER SAID ITS PROPOSAL for Renault would create “a preeminent global automotive group,� with annual sales of 8.7 million vehicles. The brand portfolio of the two groups would be “broad and complementary... and would provide full market coverage, from luxury to mainstream,� it said. The combination would be carried out as a merger transaction under a Dutch parent company, with shares in the new group listed IN 0ARIS -ILAN AND .EW 9ORK &IAT #HRYSLER HAS BEEN UNDER PRESsure in Europe, stoking speculation it was looking for a partner as the industry is forced to consolidate in the face of declining demand and a costly switch into electric cars.

UBX seeks opportunities in other industries Farmgate price of rice still down UBX Philippines Corp., the new financial-technology subsidiary of listed Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), is looking for more opportunities in embedded banking with other industries. At UBX’s formal launch in Pasig City on Monday, its President and #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER *OHN *ANUSZCzak said the startup would endeavor to co-create innovations with likeminded companies in creating transformative experiences for customers. “We continue to explore other ecosystems where we feel there’s AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMBED kNANCIAL services. Make banking invisible and connect more people together,� he told reporters. 3PECIkCALLY *ANUSZCZAK SAID 5"8 wanted to penetrate the real-estate and healthcare markets, where there was a lot of potential in embedded

banking. Embedded banking is made through platforms, such as mobile apps, which are expected to replace traditional banking channels in the next few years, and would eventually reduce the number of the country’s unbanked population. Initially, Januszczak said, UBX will leverage on two products developed in UnionBank — Global Linker, a business-to-business networking platform, and Project i2i, a blockchain-supported platform that connects rural banks and cooperatives to OTHER kNANCIAL INSTITUTIONS &OR 0ROJECT I I ALONE *ANUSZCZAK said UBX already had about 100 rural banks on board, and was set to add more in the future. Januszczak also said UBX would launch stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency, using Project i2i within

Q MISSED FROM B1

Budget delay ‘missed’ month or above 6 percent for this year.

“Despite the delay of one full quarter in the execution of our

labor should employers become very strict in implementing their performance evaluation policies against errant and lazy workers. This is the law of unintendPresident Rizalina Mantaring argued ed consequences -- one of the the “endo� bill “shields the bad and “building blocks of economics,� unproductive ones� and contribute according to Rob Norton, forto a “culture of mediocrity,� she told mer economics editor of &ORTUNE magazine. Citing the work of the the Philippine Daily Inquirer. This is a puzzle to me. How can FAMOUS &RENCH ECONOMIC JOURNALthis be possible when about 95 IST &REDERIC "ASTIAT percent of private organizations Norton compares the “seen� and have their own performance ap- the “unseen� part of an action, praisal system, among others? policy, and legislation. In addition, isn’t it that these In case of the “endo� bill, the companies have their employees’ “seen� defense factors by employers code of conduct in various forms ARE THE POSSIBLE &$) REDUCTION AND they can use to penalize errant and alleged protection of lazy workers, unproductive workers? while the “unseen� factors are the If management fails to imple- chance for them to strengthen their ment their policy, who should be performance management systems, blamed for it? improve labor productivity, and do To evaluate workers’ perfor- OTHER COST EFkCIENT MEASURES LIKE THE mance, some multinationals even Toyota Production System, among use sophisticated programs like the other approaches. Balanced Scorecard, Performance That’s the secret weapon of 0RISM OR THE DEGREE &EEDBACK )F employers. With or without it, emnot, small and medium size compa- ployers must dump its old script nies use the age-old Management by so they can better understand “the Objectives or its derivatives. More- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROkT AND TRUE over, some dynamic companies wealth� as enunciated by Chobani have their whistleblower’s program. founder and employer-maverick Aren’t these enough to weed out the Hamdi Ulukaya. bad ones and unproductive workers, even unmask corrupt and inept Rey Elbo is a business consultant management executives? specializing in human resources In conclusion, there’s no truth and total quality management as to the claim that the bill is against a fused interest. Send feedback to the interest of employers. In fact, elbonomics@gmail.com or via I can see the bill going against https://reyelbo.consulting

Q ELBO FROM B2

Employers’

this year. “We already acquired a BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) approval for the stablecoin. We are currently on the matter of development and testing,� he added. The launch comes days after UnionBank, through UBX, signed an agreement with technology soluTIONS kRM 3HIPTEK 3OLUTIONS #ORP developer of end-to-end digital logistics platform XLOG, on acquiring a 30-percent stake in the latter. The stake is equal to 52,374,553 common shares at P1.53 each or about P80.3 million in total. UBX’s expertise in technology development and blockchain was said to further power XLOG’s end-to-end supply chain solution that consolidates shipping, warehousing trucking and customs brokerage. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

2019 fiscal program, we are doing our best to hurry up the execution of delayed projects,� the &INANCE CHIEF TOLD THE SENATORS He said he and the rest of country’s economic managers would formulate a carefully

AS the Philippines awaits the entry of cheaper imported rice under the Rice Liberalization Law, farmgate price of palay (unhusked rice) further dropped in the second week of May, the Philippines Statistic Authority (PSA) said. In its latest price monitoring report, PSA said the average farmgate price of palay fell by 0.5 percent to P18.35 per kilo from week-ago’s 0 PER KILO 9EAR ON YEAR IT LIKEWISE FELL BY 12.6 percent from P21 per kilo. PSA said prices of well-milled and regular milled rice also dropped at wholesale and retail trades. The average wholesale price of well-milled rice dipped to P39.51 per kilo month-onMONTH 9OY IT FELL PERCENT FROM 0 per kilo. At retail trade, the average price of wellmilled rice was P43.16 per kilo, down 0.3 percent from a week ago and 1.7 percent a year earlier. On the other hand, the average wholesale price of regular-milled rice was down by 0.5

crafted and bold expenditure catch-up plan to enable the economy to hit a gross domestic product growth rate of above 6 percent this year. “This is to substantially offset the lower spending in the first

PERCENT TO 0 PER KILO WEEK ON WEEK 9OY it was down 5.22 percent from P37.77 per kilo. Its equivalent price at retail level was P38.74 per kilo, down 0.6 percent a week ago and 3.6 percent a year earlier. Meanwhile, the farmgate price of yellow corngrain went down by 1.5 percent to P14.01 per kilo from P14.22 per kilo a week earlier. However, it rose by 0.7 percent yoy. &OR WHITE CORNGRAIN FARMGATE PRICE WAS P16.19 per kilo, up 0.2 percent from the previous week, but down 5.7 percent from last year’s P17.17 per kilo. The wholesale price of yellow corngrain was P20.29 per kilo, up 0.2 percent from a week ago and 0.8 percent higher from last year. Its retail price was P24.86 per kilo, up 4.4 percent from last year’s P23.83 per kilo. &OR WHITE CORN GRAIN THE AVERAGE WHOLESALE price was P22.68 per kilo, up 12.4 percent from last year’s P20.17 per kilo. Its average retail price was P29.12 per kilo, down 2.7 percent from last year’s P29.92 per kilo. EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

quarter resulting from both the budget delay and the election BAN ON PUBLIC WORKS u THE &Inance chief said. 4HE &INANCE CHIEF ASSURED THE legislators that the country’s economic team would do its

best to restore last year’s upward growth momentum. “But we cannot do this alone. This is a shared responsibility. I hope that everyone will do their part, as well,� he said. WITH JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

The estate shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of its owner’s death. The proposed rules, how-

ever, also said the value of the real property at the time of its owner’s death shall be whichever is higher of the zonal values as

determined by the BIR chief, or the fair market value as shown IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES kXED BY provincial or city assessors. Delinquent taxpayers who wish to avail themselves of the amnesty HAVE TWO YEARS TO kLE THEIR APPLICAtions with the BIR Revenue District /FkCE 2$/ WITH JURISDICTION OVER

the last residence of the deceased. “If the [deceased owner] has no legal residence in the Philippines, the RETURN SHALL BE kLED WITH 2$/ ‡ South Quezon City,� the bureau said. The BIR expects to collect some P6.28 billion once the program is implemented. MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Q KRITZ FROM B1

In direct terms, it can negatively affect the level of Chinese investment in the country; Chinese enterprises that are under debt pressure may have to scale about 30 billion yuan; in 2018, BACK &$) AND PURCHASES OF 0HILcompanies missed a staggering 120 ippine exports. High levels of billion yuan in bond payments. existing debt may also reduce 4HROUGH THE kRST FOUR MONTHS OF the market for Philippine sethis year, defaults already totaled curities, the so-called “panda 40 billion yuan, or about $5.6 bonds� that have been so sucbillion – triple the amount in the cessful thus far. High consumer same period last year. debt may curtail consumer To be fair, the amount is a tiny spending, which again would fraction of a percentage of China’s be reflected in lower exports, as total bond market, which is esti- well as private investment and mated to be about $13 trillion, or tourism spending. roughly equal to the country’s total There are no signs of any of GDP. Nevertheless, the growth in those things happening now, of China’s default rate is, at least as course, and history over the past far as available data shows, the decade or so has shown that China highest in the world. If Chinese has confounded every prediction government bonds were not rela- of an economic crash so far. The tively stable, which is a function more China’s debt grows, however, of the central government keeping the narrower the country’s options its own debt growth in check, the for unwinding it in a controlled wave of corporate defaults might manner become. be more noticeable. The Chinese government’s agSo what does all this mean to gressive efforts to build up its geocountries like the Philippines? POLITICAL INlUENCE MAY IN FACT BE

part of a strategy to do exactly that. The next logical step for China to reduce the most dangerous part of its huge debt load would be to initiate a bond buying program, essentially bailing out the most at-risk enterprises by absorbing their debt. In order to do that, HOWEVER AT LEAST WITHOUT SIGNIkcantly devaluing the yuan, it will need financing. Establishing a presence across a wide swath of the world provides interest income from loans to develop parts of its Belt and Road Initiative on the one hand, and ready markets for Chinese government debt instruments on the other. That is the real Chinese debt trap, but instead of trying to lure other countries into it, China is trying to leverage the developing world’s help in getting out of it. That set of circumstances could be very beneficial for countries like the Philippines, provided it is handled in an alert, clear-minded manner.

Q AMNESTY FROM B1

Estate tax amnesty IRR

The real Chinese necessarily a handicap if it is producing economic value. The problem with China, however, is that expanding debt turned out to be a much blunter tool for encouraging growth than policymakers anticipated. Party leaders had set a target of 8.0 percent GDP growth, but the economy only managed to stay above that ceiling until 2012; since then, it has gradually declined, until hitting the same level as its postcrisis nadir at 6.4 percent at the end of last year. There are various statistics that can illustrate just how big China’s debt problem is, but the best one is the one that actually describes the consequences of it: In 2014 (according to data gathered by Bloomberg) corporate bond payment defaults in China were practically nil, less than 2 billion yuan. In 2016, defaults jumped to

ben.kritz@manilatimes.net

Classified Ads

˜ The Manila Times ERRATUM

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

B5

&RUUHFWLRQ RQ WKH 3XEOLVKHG %DODQFH 6KHHW RI <XDQWD 6DYLQJV %DQN 3KLOLSSLQHV Inc. as of March 31, 2019 which was published last April 29, 2019 as follows: should be

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14,580,806.72 878,113,407.75

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ASSETS Loans and Receivables-Net General Loss Provision TOTAL ASSETS

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.

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Other Capital Accounts TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs(%) &DSLWDO $GHTXDF\ 5DWLR &$5 RQ 6ROR %DVLV as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%)

93.04

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102.80

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Notes:

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND CENTRAL NEGROS POWER RELIABILITY, INC., WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND CENTRAL NEGROS POWER RELIABILITY, INC., Applicants x-------------------------------------------------------------------x

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (“ASPA�) between the NGCP and CENPRI dated 18 December 2018, pursuant to the Decision dated 18 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority.� THE PARTIES

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the 3KLOLSSLQHV ZLWK RIÂżFH DGGUHVV DW 1*&3 %XLOGLQJ 4XH]RQ $YHQXH FRUQHU %,5 5RDG 'LOLPDQ 4XH]RQ &LW\ It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 9511 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through highvoltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system. $SSOLFDQW &(135, LV D FRUSRUDWLRQ GXO\ RUJDQL]HG DQG H[LVWLQJ XQGHU DQG E\ virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal place of business DW 3XURN 6DQ -RVH %DUDQJD\ &DOXPDQJDQ %DJR &LW\ 1HJURV 2FFLGHQWDO ,W PD\ be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of the Calumangan Diesel Power Plant Âł*HQHUDWLRQ )DFLOLW\´ ZKLFK ZDV FHUWLÂżHG DQG DFFUHGLWHG E\ 1*&3 WR EH FDSDEOH of providing Ancillary Services (“ASâ€?) in the forms of Dispatchable Reserve (“DRâ€?) and Reactive Power Support (RPS). ANTECEDENT FACTS

USCPIo -

US Consumer Price Index, base period (January 2011)

XRn

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Average Foreign Exchange Rate, current period

XRo

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Average Foreign Exchange Rate, base period (P43.00)

14. The rates under ASPA were subjected to a simulation by NGCP, the results of which are as follows:

Dispatchable Reserve Reactive Power Support

15. Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary VHUYLFHV VKDOO EH UHFRYHUHG IURP DOO WKH ORDG FXVWRPHUV LQ WKH 9LVD\DV *ULG 7KH $63$ VKDOO EH HIIHFWLYH IRU D SHULRG RI ÂżYH \HDUV WR FRPPHQFH LPPHGLDWHO\ upon the effectivity of the provisional approval (“PAâ€?), or in the absence thereof, WKH ÂżQDO DSSURYDO Âł)$´ RI WKH LQVWDQW $SSOLFDWLRQ ,Q WKH HYHQW WKDW WKH 3$ RU )$ as the case may be, does not state a particular date of effectivity, the Agreement shall be effective on the date agreed upon by the Parties. 17. The capacity of the Generation Facility accomodates not only the instant ASPA, but also the Amended MOA and Supplemental Agreement with the Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CENECO), as detailed in the Summary of Agreements with CENECO, attached in the Application. a.

b.

The Amended MOA and Supplemental Agreement were executed by Energreen Power Inter-Island Corp. (formerly Energreen Power Development and Management, Incorporated) and thereafter transferred to CENPRI as “Project Company� by virtue of the Assignment and Assumption Agreement executed on 15 December 2015, a copy of which is attached in the Application. CENPRI has prepared a simulation projecting intervals for nomination per type of service to ensure that CENECO’s requirements will be met. A copy of the Projected Intervals for Nomination Per Type of Service is attached in the Application.

18. CENPRI, as a generation company, falls within the ambit of Section 6 of the EPIRA. Attached are copies of relevant documents proving CENPRI’s due registration as a generation company, relevant permits to operate the Generation )DFLOLW\ DQG DXGLWHG ÂżQDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV DV IROORZV Document Annex Articles of Incorporation “Eâ€? /DWHVW *HQHUDO ,QIRUPDWLRQ 6KHHW ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH 6HFXULWLHV DQG Exchange Commission “Fâ€? Statement of Management Responsibility for Financial Statements “Gâ€? (Latest Audited Financial Statement) &HUWLÂżFDWH RI &RPSOLDQFH FRYHULQJ WKH *HQHUDWLRQ )DFLOLW\ “Hâ€? CENPRI’s WESM Registration in respect of the Generation Facility “I seriesâ€?

5.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs to the ERC.

While CENPRI is a co-applicant, it manifests that the instant Application shall neither modify, diminish or constitute a waiver of CENPRI’s rights nor expand its obligations and responsibilities as a generation company under EPIRA. ,

$6 DV GH¿QHG LQ 6HFWLRQ E RI WKH (3,5$ ³UHIHU WR WKRVH VHUYLFHV WKDW DUH necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.� These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the HOHFWULFLW\ VXSSO\ LQ WKH /X]RQ 9LVD\DV DQG 0LQGDQDR JULGV

7.

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In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan (“ASPPâ€?) through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services Cost Recovery Mechanism (“AS-CRMâ€?) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC. Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on different dates published in newspapers of general circulation a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all grid connected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services. Upon receipt of the intention from CENPRI to provide ancillary services, NGCP commenced negotiations with CENPRI for the execution of an ASPA. NGCP agreed to procure, and CENPRI agreed to supply, AS in the forms of: (a) Dispatchable Reserve [Tertiary Reserve] (DR); and (b) Reactive Power Support 536 ERWK XQGHU D QRQ ÂżUP DUUDQJHPHQW $ FRS\ RI WKH $QFLOODU\ 6HUYLFHV Procurement Agreement between NGCP and CENPRI dated 18 December 2018 ZLWK DWWDFKHG $GGHQGXP &ODULÂżFDWLRQ RQ WKH 6FKHGXOH LV DWWDFKHG LQ WKH Application.

10. During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on the Generation )DFLOLW\ DQG FHUWLÂżHG WKDW WKH JHQHUDWLQJ XQLWV KDYH PHW DQG FRPSOLHG ZLWK WKH Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of SURYLGLQJ '5 DQG 536 $ FRS\ RI WKH $FFUHGLWDWLRQ &HUWLÂżFDWH 1R 9 dated 24 May 2018 is attached in the Application.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

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Note that the capacities listed above are the maximum ancillary service capacity that can be provided for each unit. However, nomination and schedule shall be EDVHG RQ WKH ODWHVW $6 &HUWLÂżFDWH

Non-Firm Contracted Capacity: 1.

Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve); PhP1.25/kW/Hr

5HDFWLYH 3RZHU 6XSSRUW 536 3K3 N9$5 +U

Payment of Cost of Incidental Energy (IE) computed as follows: IEDR

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AR

= Applicable Rate per AS type

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LIVING TRUST INTER VIVOS (With Bond Power) - in favor of RANIE BORCELIS OCAMPO (Trustee) Know Ye All Men By These Presents: WHEREAS, the Trustor, FRANCISCO E. DELOS SANTOS, Principal Account Holder/Signatory of various %DQN $FFRXQWV LQ KLV QDPH GHSRVLWHG LQ IRUHLJQ EDQNV SDUWLFXODUO\ 67$1'$5' &+$57(5(' %$1. 7KDLODQG SPECIAL DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS, %DQN $FFRXQW 1R 5134 223 %HQL¿FLDU\ $ & 1DPH )UDQFLVFR GHORV 6DQWRV :+(5($6 WKH 7UXVWHH 5$1,( % 2&$032 )LOLSLQR RI legal age, has the capacity demonstrated by his capability to administer, manage, hold invest, trade and dispose of consistent with the purpose of said Asset, its desired vision for the highest good of every soul involved, as it hereby ZDUUDQWV DQG DI¿UPV WKH 7UXVWRU FRPPLWWLQJ LUUHYRFDEO\ VXFK capacity and expertise of the Trustee to protect the interest of the Trust and the Trustor; WHEREFORE, for and in grateful acknowledgement for the Trustee’s generosity in many kinds rendered to the Trustor, such exemplary assistance, the Trustor desired being of sound mind and memory without undue LQÀXHQFH YLROHQFH IUDXG RU LQWLPLGDWLRQV KHUHE\ &('(' 75$16)(55(' $1' &219(<(' DOO KLV ULJKWV WLWOHV participation and ownership over said Asset abovementioned E\ ZD\ RI WKLV /,9,1* 75867 LQ IDYRU RI KLV 7UXVWHH QRZ and forever; This Deed supersedes previous, other or all writings, deeds and undertakings entered into by the Trustor, subject same Asset mentioned and the same can never be superseded by any acts whatsoever nature, neither by force majeure nor by Death cannot affect the Spirit covenanted by WKH 3DUWLHV DQG LWV OLIH UHPDLQV XQWHQDEO\ LQ¿QLWH IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parties have hereunto set their hands at Makati City, in the year of our Lord May 22, 2012.

ERRORS & OMISSIONS Any incorrect advertisement published in The Manila Times Classified Ads must be brought to our attention on the same day the advertisement came out. We will not be held liable for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Conforme: (SGD.) RANIE B. OCAMPO (SGD.) FRANCISCO E. DELOS SANTOS 7UXVWHH 33 1R (% 7UXVWRU 33 1R ;; DFA Manila DFA Manila Signed in the presence of : 6*' 'HPRÂżOR '& $JSDXD

6*' 0DULD 0DQLO\Q 6 &DUWHO

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MT – May 28, June 4 & 11, 2019

22. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the reliability, adequacy, VHFXULW\ VWDELOLW\ DQG LQWHJULW\ RI WKH 9LVD\DV *ULG ,Q VXSSRUW RI WKHVH DOOHJDWLRQV 1*&3 VXEPLWV D FRS\ RI WKH -XGLFLDO $IÂżGDYLW RI (QJU 5L]D C. EreĂąo of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached in the Application. PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission: a)

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 18 December 2018; and

E $33529( DIWHU QRWLFH DQG KHDULQJ WKH VXEMHFW $63$ Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief. The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 27 June 2019 (Thursday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at O Hotel, 52 San Sebastian St, Bacolod City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become D SDUW\ E\ ¿OLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHUL¿HG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ¿YH GD\V prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW WKHUHRQ DW DQ\ VWDJH of the proceeding before Applicants rests their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

% ,QFLGHQWDO (QHUJ\ &RVW The Cost of Incidental Energy (“IE�) is the cost of actual energy generated for the Firm and Non-Firm Contracted Capacity which shall be paid and computed using the formula below:

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

YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS

$V WKH GHPDQG IRU SRZHU LQ WKH 9LVD\DV LQFUHDVHV WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI WKH system to ensure stability, reliability, and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth. The importance of AS, from CENPRI to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and LQWHJULW\ RI WKH 9LVD\DV *ULG FDQQRW EH RYHUHPSKDVL]HG

12. The Applicable Rates for the capacity covered by the ASPA as provided in Schedule 4 are as follows: A.

MT – May 28 & 30, 2019

Doc. No. 478; Page No. 97; %RRN 1R Series of 2012.

Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve)

Available Capacity of Reactive Power outside the range of 85% lagging only.

(SGD.) ALBERTO A AVILA Police Colonel &KDLUPDQ %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH

7KH FXUUHQW OHYHOV RI DYDLODEOH FRQWUDFWHG $6 LQ WKH 9LVD\DV *ULG KDYH QRW \HW reached the desired levels necessary for the system security and reliability. Thus, Applicants executed the ASPA. A copy of the relevant actual data showing WKH UHTXLUHG DQG DYDLODEOH OHYHOV RI $6 LQ WKH 9LVD\DV *ULG HQWLWOHG DV 9LVD\DV Dispatchable Reserve Availability are attached in the Application.

Non-Firm Contracted Capacity:

Up to 4.4 MW for Unit 1 Up to 4.4 MW for Unit 2 Up to 4.4 MW for Unit 3 Up to 6.6 MW for Unit 4 Up to 6.6 MW for Unit 5

9HU\ WUXO\ \RXUV

68%6&5,%(' $1' 6:251 72 EHIRUH PH SDUWLHV KHUHE\ SHUVRQDOO\ DSSHDUHG RQ WKH GDWH DQG SODFH ÂżUVW DERYH mentioned.

11. Under Clause 3 of the ASPA, CENPRI shall provide NGCP with the following AS DV VSHFLÂżHG LQ 6FKHGXOH RI WKH $63$

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Please be guided accordingly.

19. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2(b), EPIRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS.

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE & IMPACT SIMULATION

A.

7KH 313 +6 %$& UHVHUYHV WKH ULJKW WR DFFHSW RU UHMHFW DQ\ ELG SURSRVDO WR DQQXO WKH bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby LQFXUULQJ DQ\ OLDELOLW\ WR WKH DIIHFWHG %LGGHU RU %LGGHUV

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation is attached in the Application.

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (“PGC�), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/ or ancillary services through the transmission system.

4.

6HDOHG %LGV LQ WKUHH FRSLHV 3XUVXDQW WR 6HF RI 5HYLVHG ,55 RI 5$ DOO HQWULHV W\SHZULWWHQ ZLWK WKH LWHP V GHVFULEHG LQ WKH DFFRPSDQ\LQJ %LGGHUÂśV 7HQGHU IRU the Procurement of Drugs & Medicines, Procurement of Medical Supplies, Procurement of Other Supplies & Materials and Procurement of Food Supplies in the total amount of Thirteen Million Five Hundred Fifty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Five Pesos (P13,553,525.00) IRU WKH XVH RI 313 +HDOWK 6HUYLFH $ FRPSOHWH VHW RI %LGGLQJ 'RFXPHQWV may be purchased by interested bidders from May 27, 2019 to June 17, 2019 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 P.M. during working days and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for their ELGGLQJ GRFXPHQWV 3UH %LG &RQIHUHQFH ZLOO EH KHOG RQ June 4, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Last day of submission of bids is until June 17, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. and must be submitted to HS %LGV DQG $ZDUGV &RPPLWWHH %$& DW WKH +6 &RQIHUHQFH 5RRP 2SHQLQJ RI %LGV LV RQ the same time, date and place and will be opened in the presence of participating bidder.

Indicative Rate Impact P/kW-month P/kWh/equivalent 13.6421 0.0290 12.1116 0.0258

Ancillary Service

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

In their Application, NGCP and CENPRI alleged, among others, the following:

US Consumer Price Index, current period

13. Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery of its opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that on 28 March 2019, the National Grid Corporation of WKH 3KLOLSSLQHV 1*&3 DQG &HQWUDO 1HJURV 3RZHU 5HOLDELOLW\ ,QF &(135, ÂżOHG an Application dated 18 March 2019, seeking the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

USCPIn -

= Summation of WESM revenue based on Final Ex-post market clearing price of the AS Provider’s trading Node arising from G above.

5(9WESM ERC CASE NO. 2019-024 RC

2.

TO: ALL INTERESTED/ACCREDITED SUPPLIERS:

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Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City

1.

Republic of the Philippines NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSION PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE HEALTH SERVICE &DPS %JHQ 5DIDHO 7 &UDPH 4XH]RQ &LW\

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

c)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV

EDITORS AND DESKMEN Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline (e.g. political science or economics with journalism experience) • Experience in editing news, analytical reports and columns • Strong news judgment and familiarity with local issues, as well as an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ELOLW\ WR ZULWH DQG HGLW ZLWK ÀDLU DQG VSHHG WR PHHW WLJKW GHDGOLQHV • )DPLOLDU ZLWK 0LFURVRIW 2I¿FH VRFLDO PHGLD DQG VHDUFK HQJLQHV • Ability to lead and organize a team well • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization REPORTERS Competencies • Excellent command of written and spoken English • Degree holder preferably in journalism, communications, or related discipline • Ability to establish and maintain a network of contacts in government and the private sector as source of information and analysis • Ability to identify the angle of news from a raft of available information or seek out information to build a solid news story • Familiarity with local issues and an understanding of relevant world affairs • $ VHQVH RI VSHHG DQG DFFXUDF\ LQ ZULWLQJ DQG ¿OOLQJ UHDO WLPH VWRULHV to the news desk to meet tight deadlines • Knows Microsoft Office, social media and search engines • A good team player, but is able to work independently within the perimeters of a given assignment • Good attitude, willingness to adjust to new systems and ability to respect authority within the organization Interested applicants, please send a full resume, specifying your subject of expertise, with links to samples of online work or appropriate attachments.

WITNESS, the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 7th day of May 2019 in Pasig City.

$FWXDO )XHO DQG RLO &RVWV SOXV 9DULDEOH 2 0 FRVWV DW P0.35/kWh x (USCPIn/USCPIo) x (XRn/XRo). Actual Fuel Cost shall be the cost of total actual fuel and oil consumption of Firm and Non-Firm Contracted Capacity including start-up and shutdown. MT - May 28 & June 4, 2019

Please email your resumĂŠ at: hrd@manilatimes.net, or you may apply personally at ) 6LWLR *UDQGH %OGJ $ 6RULDQR $YHQXH ,QWUDPXURV 0DQLOD )RUPHUO\ 75% %OGJ RU \RX PD\ FDOO Irish de Guzman at 524-5664 local 122.

B6

World

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Brexit Party wins in EU polls L

ONDON: The newly founded Brexit Party, led by anti-European Union (EU) campaigner Nigel Farage, was a big winner in the European Parliament election, a signal that Brexit deal to be submitted by whoever succeeds Theresa May as prime minister will succeed. &ARAGE S "REXIT 0ARTY WAS OFkcially launched in April and has only one policy: For Britain to leave the EU as soon as possible, even without a divorce agreement in place. Farage said his party’s performance was “a massive message�

for the Conservatives and Labor, adding that it should be given a role in future negotiations with the EU. “If we don’t leave on October 31, then the scores you have seen for the Brexit Party today will be repeated in a general election and we are getting ready for it,� said Farage.

If Brexit no deal is approved, it would mean border checks could be reintroduced between Britain and 27 other EU member countries; transport and trade between the United Kingdom and the EU could be severely affected; adults may not be able to drive in EU countries without a special driving permit; and it could cost more money to use anyone’s phone abroad in EU countries Britain’s governing Conservative Party was all but wiped out in the European Parliament election as voters sick of the country’s stalled %5 EXIT lOCKED TO UNCOMPROMISingly pro-Brexit or pro-EU parties.

The main opposition Labor Party also faced a drubbing in a vote that upended the traditional order of British politics and plunged the country into even more Brexit uncertainty. The strongly pro-European Liberal Democrats were also big winners in the elections. With results announced early Monday for all of England and Wales, the Brexit Party had won 28 of the 73 British EU seats up for grabs and almost a third of the votes. The Liberal Democrats took about 20 percent of the vote and 15 seats — up from only one at the last EU election in 2014.

Labor came third with 10 seats, followed by the Greens with seven. The ruling Conservatives were in kFTH PLACE WITH JUST THREE %5 SEATS and under 10 percent of the vote. Scotland and Northern Ireland are due to announce their results later. Fa r a g e ’s B r e x i t Pa r t y wa s one of several nationalist and populist parties making gains across the continent in an election that saw erosion of support for the traditionally dominant political parties. Conservative Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was a “painful result,� and warned there was an

“existential risk to our party unless we now come together and get Brexit done.� 4HE RESULTS RElECT AN ELECTORATE deeply divided over Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the EU, but united in anger at the two long-dominant parties, the Conservatives and Labor, who have brought the Brexit process to deadlock. Britain is participating in the EU election because it is still a member of the bloc, but the lawmakers it would elect will only sit in the European Parliament until the country leaves the EU, which is currently scheduled for October 31. AP

Iraq offers to mediate in US-Iran crisis

TRUMP MEETS FORMER PRISONERS

US President Donald Trump (second from left) joins Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left), First Lady Melania Trump (third from left) and Abe’s wife Akie (fourth from left) in talking to former prisoners in North Korea at the Akasaka State Guesthouse in Tokyo, Japan. AFP PHOTO

Trump: There is great respect between US, NKorea TOKYO: President Donald Trump Monday hailed a “great respect� between the United States and nuclear-armed North Korea, as he also held out the possibility of talks with Iran, stressing that he did not want “terrible things� to happen. Ahead of summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Trump played down recent belligerence from Pyongyang, which last MONTH kRED SHORT RANGE MISSILES that raised tensions in the region. “I personally think that lots of good things will come with North Korea, I feel that. I may be right, I may be wrong, but I feel that,� Trump told reporters at !BE S OFkCE “There’s a good respect built, maybe a great respect built between... the United States and North Korea, but we will see what happens,� added the President, whose failed Hanoi talks in February with the North’s leader Kim Jong Un sparked a fresh spike in tensions. He noted that when he came to OFkCE THERE WAS gTESTING ALL THE TIME nuclear testing at the highest level, and that seems to have stopped�.

On Sunday, Trump dismissed the recent missile tests from the North as “some small weapons� and appeared to undercut his National Security Advisor John Bolton, who had said the day before that the launches contravened the United Nations Security Council resolutions. Trump said the recent tests had “disturbed some of my people, and others, but not me,� which was widely seen as a reference to his hawkish advisor. Trump also struck a relatively dovish tone on Iran, amid mounting tensions with the historic American foe. “I do believe that Iran would like to talk and if they’d like to talk, we’d like to talk also,� Trump said. “We’ll see what happens, but I know for a fact that Prime Minister [Abe] is very close with the leadership of Iran... nobody wants to see terrible things happen, especially me.� Abe is reportedly weighing a trip to Tehran in a bid to mediate in the Middle East crisis and Trump appeared to give the green light, saying “we’ll see what happens, THAT WOULD BE kNEu

4RUMP IS IN *APAN AS THE kRST foreign leader to visit the country’s newly enthroned Emperor Naruhito — an honor Abe hopes will help charm the US President when it comes to thorny trade talks. And while the US President again lashed out at what he called a “tremendous imbalance� in the trade relationship between the world’s top and number-three economies, he said: “I’m sure that will work out over a period of time.� “I think we will be announcing some things, probably in August, that will be very good for both countries.� Meanwhile, Trump is at Japan’s Imperial Palace meeting the new emperor. The President and his wife Melania Trump are kicking off Monday’s formal visit with handshakes and greetings with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Emperor Naruhito presented President Donald Trump with a traditional Japanese pottery and porcelain bowl. Trump gave the emperor an American-made viola in a custom

case handmade in Charleston, West Virginia, and a photo of US composer Aaron Copland. First lady presented Empress Masako with a White House desk set featuring a fountain pen made from a red oak tree that stands on the grounds of Harvard University. The empress studied economics at Harvard. 4HE EMPRESS PRESENTED THE kRST lady an ornamental box with a traditional Japanese design. The foursome also exchanged photos. The Imperial Palace has a long-standing custom of the emperor and empress exchanging signed, framed photographs with their guests during state visits. 4RUMP IS THE kRST WORLD LEADER to meet Naruhito who ascended to the throne on May 1, opening what is called the era of Reiwa or beautiful harmony. Trump will go later to the Japanese state guest house for meetings, a working lunch and joint news conference with Abe. The president will also be the guest of honor at an imperial banquet at the palace hosted by the emperor. AFP/AP

to reduce demand,� he said at the booze-crushing event near the city’s national monument. “But no matter how much supply is reduced, it’s tough if there is still demand.� Indonesian authorities typically make a show out of seizing and destroying large quantities of illegal alcohol to remind Muslims to abstain from boozing during Ramadan. Alcohol is typically forbidden for Muslims at any time of the year. But, most Indonesians practice a moderate form of Islam and alcohol is available at bars and nightclubs in major cities and holiday destinations such as Bali. Many entertainment spots are closed during Ramadan, including in Jakarta. AFP

Iran’s uranium enrichment activities in return to lifting sanctions. Washington subsequently reimposed sanctions on Iran, sending its economy into freefall. Trump has argued that the deal failed to sufficiently curb Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons or halt its support for militias throughout the Middle East that the US says destabilize the region, as well as address the issue of Tehran’s missiles, which can reach both US regional bases and Israel. Zarif, who was been on a whirlwind diplomatic offensive to preserve the rest of the accord, insisted that Iran “did not violate the nuclear deal� and urged European nations to exert efforts to preserve the deal following the US pullout. Speaking about the rising tensions with the US, Zarif said Iran would be able to “face the war, whether it is economic or military through steadfastness and its forces.� He also urged for a nonaggression agreement between Iran and Arab countries in the Gulf. The Shiite-majority Iraq has been trying to maintain a fine line as allies Tehran and Washington descended into verbal vitriol. AP

Worldinbriefs 2 DIE, 29 HURT AS TORNADOES SLAM OKLAHOMA EL RENO, Okla.: A tornado leveled a motel and tore through a mobile home park near Oklahoma City overnight, killing two people and injuring at least 29 others before a second twister raked a suburb of Tulsa more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) away, authorities said Sunday (Monday in Manila). The first tornado touched down in El Reno, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Oklahoma City, late Saturday night. It crossed an interstate and walloped the American Budget Value Inn before ripping through the Skyview Estates trailer park, flipping and leveling homes, Mayor Matt White said at a news conference. “It’s a tragic scene out there,� White said. AP

30 PERISH, 200 MISSING IN CONGO BOAT SINKING KINSHASA, Congo: Authorities in western Congo said at least 30 people were left dead and another 200 are missing after a boat sank on a lake. Simon Mboo Wemba, the mayor of Inongo, told the Associated Press on Sunday night that many of those aboard the boat that sank on Lake Mai-Ndombe were teachers. The mayor says they had traveled to collect their salaries by boat because roads in the region are so poor. AP

CLASH IN BRAZIL PRISON KILLS 15 SAO PAULO: Clashes between inmates killed 15 people at a jail in Amazonas state in northern Brazil on Sunday (Monday in Manila), the regional prison authority said. The clashes broke out around 11 a.m. of Sunday (10 a.m in Manila Monday) during visiting hours at the facility, located some 28 kilometers (17 miles) from state capital Manaus. “It was a fight between the inmates. There had never been deaths during the visits,� Col. Marcos Vinicius Almeida told a news conference. AFP

1 DIE, 26 INJURED IN PERU QUAKE LIMA: A powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake toppled houses, blocked roads and knocked out power in parts of Peru on Sunday, killing one person and injuring at least 26 others as the shockwave extended into neighboring Ecuador. The quake hit in a sparsely populated region of Peru’s Amazon basin region, but was felt over a wide area. In Lima and other cities, frightened residents rushed into the streets. “There are many old houses that have collapsed after this strong earthquake,â€? said Hugo Araujo, the mayor of Yurimaguas, a town near the epicenter. AFP

18,000 bottles of liquor crushed in Indonesia JAKARTA: About 18,000 bottles of bootleg alcohol were crushed by a steamroller in Muslim-majority Indonesia’s capital on Monday, as police warned tipplers off booze during the Ramadan fasting month. Nearly 90 percent of Indonesia’s 260 million people are Muslims who are advised to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan. Police laid out thousands of bottles collected in raids over the past few months in the capital Jakarta and then drove a steamroller over them in a messy annual display. Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan called on residents to avoid circulating illegal liquor. “The job of the community is

BAGHDAD: Iraq offered to mediate in the crisis between its two key allies, the United States and Iran, amid escalating Middle East tensions and as Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers steadily unravels. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim made the offer on Sunday during a joint news conference in Baghdad with visiting Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. “We are trying to help and to be mediators,� said al-Hakim, adding that Baghdad “will work to reach a satisfactory solution� while stressing that Iraq stands against unilateral steps taken by Washington. In recent weeks, tensions between Washington and Tehran soared over America deploying an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf over a still-unexplained threat it perceives from Tehran. The US also plans to send 900 additional troops to the 600 already in the Mideast and extending their stay. The crisis takes root in President Donald Trump’s withdrawal last year of the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that capped

DON’T EXECUTE 3 IS MEMBERS, FRANCE TELLS IRAQ PARIS: The French government said Monday that it would take “the necessary steps� to try to prevent Iraq from carrying out the death penalty against three French citizens convicted of fighting alongside the Islamic State (IS) group. “France is opposed in principle to the death penalty at all times and in all places,� the foreign ministry said in a statement after the three IS members were sentenced on Sunday. It said the detained men were receiving consular assistance to ensure they had legal representation ahead of an expected appeal of the ruling, which they could lodge within 30 days. AFP

137-YEAR-OLD RIFLE FOUND

NO TO LIQUOR

A heavy equipment machine works to destroy bottles of liquor from the recent raids in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Jakarta government destroyed about 1,800 bottles of liquor during the holy month of Ramadan. AFP PHOTO

BAKER, Nev.: A 137-year-old rifle found five years ago leaning against a juniper tree in Great Basin National Park in Nevada is now part of an exhibit dedicated to the “Forgotten Winchester� at the park visitor center near the Utah border. The weathered Winchester Model 1873 is in a case designed to capture the way it looked when park archaeologist Eva Jensen stumbled across it on a rocky outcrop above Strawberry Creek during an archaeological survey. Based on its condition, experts believe the weapon might have been abandoned in the forest more than a century ago. AP

TUESDAY MAY 28, 2019

Public Square

B7

Public Square appears on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For contributions, email to publicsquare@manilatimes.net

publicsquare@manilatimes.net

DoLE gives financial assistance to the family of Constancia Dayag

ACTING Labor Secretary Renato Ebarle, together with Undersecretary Claro !RELLANO HANDS OVER THE kNANCIAL assistance to Lovely Jane, daughter of OFW Constancia Dayag who died in +UWAIT REPORTEDLY OF NATURAL CAUSES Witnessing the turn-over of ASSISTANCE ARE OFkCIALS FROM /VERseas Welfare Workers Admin-

istration (OWWA) and private recruitment agencies. (The Manila Times is reprinting this story that came out on Public Square on May 27, 2019 to correct the name on its head “DoLE gives kNANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO /&7 #LARO Arellano.� We apologize for the error. — Ed.)

NPC conducts hearings on 48 online lending apps OVER 400 complaints of alleged harassment and shaming by various mobile online lending operators have swamped the National Privacy Commission (NPC) recently, with borrowers crying foul over perceived reputational harm and abuse of their data privacy rights. Speaking to reporters, Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro (in photo) said the agency IS PRESENTLY HANDLING A TOTAL OF complaints against operators of online lending applications that allegedly misused the borrower’s information, including the disclosure of unpaid balances to other people. At least 235 cases were formally pursued by complainants and are

now subject of NPC hearings. Simultaneous to its enforcement efforts, the NPC is also intensifying its awareness drive aimed at data subjects as well as data controllers and processors, with the Privacy Awareness Week (PAW) 2019 happening on May 25 to 31.

long sought to serve the logistics sector, and with the onset of digitization, the introduction of platforms like XLOG, represents the industry’s movement from traditional methods to electronic. And with such change, it is vital for the bank to continue to be relevant to its customers by being present,� said UnionBank President and CEO Edwin Bautista.

Year-to-date, the airline has also logged 57 cancel-free “brand days� across both Delta mainline and Delta Connection operations – 15 more than last year. Earlier this year, the airline earned THE TOP SPOT IN THE LATEST !IRLINE Quality Rating, was recognized by FlightGlobal as the most on-time airline and by The Wall Street *OURNAL AS THE BEST AIRLINE OF similarly to The Points Guy.

Security Bank Foundation holds workshop for school principals SECURITY Bank Foundation, in partnership with One La Salle Educational Foundation, organized a three-day Leadership and Management Workshop for the principals of the foundation’s “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms 0ROJECTu BENEkCIARY SCHOOLS AT (OTEL Benilde Maison De La Salle, Manila. Ninety-four school heads from across the country participated in the workshop which included sessions on leadership, trends in 21st century learning, creating conducive and safe school environment, building and nourishing partnerships, managing school assets and infrastructure, disaster risk reduction AND MANAGEMENT kNANCIAL MAN-

HE construction of the 5,000-square meter Presidential Security Group (PSG) Station Hospital in Malacanang Park has begun, following the groundbreaking ceremony held in early April. Funded by Melco Resorts (Philippines) Foundation (MRP Foundation), the hospital construction is part of MRP Foundation’s long-term and sustainable corporate social responsibility (CSR) undertakings to support various environmental and health programs, in conjunction with the mandate of Pagcor, which has been supporting the PSG Station Hospital project through the efforts of Pagcor Chairman Andrea Domingo. In 2017, also with the support of Pagcor, the foundation committed P12 million to the health programs of the Paraùaque City government in 2017. MRP Foundation was established by Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines), the listed

Q At the groundbreaking ceremony (from left) D.A. Abcede and Associates Vice President Dennis Abcede Jr.; PSG Â Deputy Group Commander Col. Potenciano Camba; D.M. Consunji Inc. Managing Director David Villaviray; PSG Commander BGen. Jose Eriel Niembra; Melco Resorts Philippines Chairman and President Clarence Yuk Man Chung; Belle Corporation Vice Chairman Willy Ocier; and Executive Vice President Armin Raquel-Santos; Melco Resorts Philippines SVP and COO Kevin Benning; D.M. Consunji Inc. President and CEO Jorge Consunji; Department of Health Architect for Health Facility and Infrastructure Development Ariel Magbanua; and Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation Assistant Vice President for Finance Ameriza Gabriel. and parent company of Melco Resorts Leisure (PHP) Corp., which operates the luxury integrated resort City of Dreams Manila. Located at the corner of President Magsaysay and President

Quirino Streets in Paco, Manila, the two-story hospital, when completed by 2020, is set to offer expanded infrastructure and facilities that will feature an emergency room, an out-patient department,

a laboratory, a dental complex, radiology/imaging area, a hyperbaric treatment complex, neuro and physical services, a nursing unit or ward, private rooms and a presidential suite.

QUEZON City and Shenyang Municipal People’s Government in China renewed their sister-city ties in a ceremony hosted by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on May 20 at the Bulwagang Amoranto in Quezon City Hall. “Today, as we revisit and resign the fruitful relationship of our sister-cities, I’d like to believe this is a signal of elevating the sister cityhood of Quezon City and your city (Shenyang) from cultural exchanges to economic opportunities,� Mayor Bautista said in his speech welcoming his Shenyang counterpart Pan Liguo and his delegation. Mayor Bautista emphasized his administration’s efforts in enhancing the structures and system of business that made Quezon City

the benchmark local government unit in the country. New economic opportunities for businesses in his city may serve as foundations for greater cooperation between the sister cities, Mayor Bautista added. “We can not only cooperate in areas like the economy and trade, but we can also expand our future development potential in areas like education, technology, human resources, culture and tourism,� Liguo, for his part, then said. Mayor Liguo invited QC dignitaries to visit Shenyang and learn more about the city’s thriving heavy equipment, technology and automotive industries. Shenyang is known as a transportation and commercial hub in northeast China.

Q Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista with his Shenyang counterpart Pan Liguo. Quezon City and Shenyang City signed the Memorandum

of Understanding of Sister City Cooperation in 1993.

Metrobank Foundation expands scholarship program

Delta celebrates operational milestone in record timing DELTA is once again setting the bar for operational reliability, rocketing to 100 days without a mainline cancel year-to-date, May 10, almost a month ahead of last year’s pace. The cancel-free day count continued through the weekend with the airline now at 104 days for the mainline system, including both domestic and international OPERATIONS COMPARED TO THIS time last year.

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Quezon City renews sister-cities ties with Shenyang

UnionBank invests in Shiptek JV UNION Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the country’s Best Digital Bank, is acquiring 30-percent stake in technology solutions kRM 3HIPTEK 3OLUTIONS #ORP THE developer of end-to-end digital logistics platform known as XLOG. UnionBank, via its wholly owned technology and investments subsidiary UBX Philippines Corp., recently inked an agreement with Shiptek to formalize their strategic partnership. Shiptek is owned by the Ynion Group, which has been in the logistics business for over two decades. “As an industry leader in digital banking, we continuously endeavor to co-create innovations with like-minded companies who are as obsessed in forging transformative experiences for customers. We have

Construction of PSG Station Hospital begins

agement and resource mobilization. The president of De La Salle Philippines Br. Armin Luistro FSC opened the workshop by recounting his memories with public school principals during his stint as Secretary of the Department of Education. He emphasized the important role that principals play as school leaders, which represented the central theme of the workshop. “A principal’s task may be heavy, but it is a facility that would allow you to get your dreams, your heroism and your ideals to fly. You take the school in your hands and you can make that difference to your students and to your community,� said Armin.

THE Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) launched the third edition of Assistance for the Completion of College Education for Superior Students (Access 3) Scholarship Program through the formal signing of respective Memorandum OF !GREEMENTS WITH kVE ACADEMIC partners, held on May 9 at the Penthouse of Metrobank Plaza in Makati City. Partner institutions chosen for this program are accredited by the Commission on Higher Education as the centers of excellence and development in the above mentioned courses. Through a P20-million scholarship fund, 50 scholars taking up courses in THE kELDS OF ENGINEERING INFORmation technology, education,

Q MBFI President Aniceto Sobrepeùa (4th from left) leads the ceremony joined by (from left) Technological Institute of the Philippines President Dr. Elizabeth Lahoz; Central Philippine University (Iloilo City) President Dr. Teodoro Robles; Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Karel San Juan; Saint Louis University (Baguio City) President Fr. Gilbert Sales; and University of the East–Manila President Dr. Ester Garcia. agriculture and science and math will be selected. Established in

1995, a total of 946 scholars nationwide have graduated, 464

of which were Access 1 and 2 scholarship program recipients.

New endorsers sign contract with Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics DR. Em Sevilla, medical director and owner of Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics welcomed DJ Lyka Barista of 90.7 Love Radio and Ronel Egang of Rmes Salon as the new endorsers of the Vine Aesthetics family at the recent contract signing held at the clinic’s Golden Phoenix hotel branch in Pasay City. Vine Aesthetics provide

a comprehensive range of medical aesthetic treatment which have minimal or no downtime. This includes laser skin treatments, non-surgical facelifts, fillers, botox, peels, facials, non-invasive body contouring, and many more. For more information, visit its FB Page: @Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics.

Q During the contract signing are ( from left) DJ Lyka Barista of 90.7 Love Radio, Ronel Egang of Rmes Salon; and Dr. Em Sevilla, medical director and owner of Vine Holistic Medical Aesthetics.

Sharp pioneers 8K TV in the Philippines SHARP Philippines Corp. (SPC) continuously provides innovative world-class quality products that will cater the wants and needs of its consumers. As the leading appliance brand, 30# kNALLY BROUGHT TO THE LOCAL MARKET THE kRST EVER + ,%$ 46 THE !QUOS + THE kRST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE + 46 IN THE COUNTRY )N 30# kRST INTRODUCED THE Aquos XU series, which features the highest resolution on a TV right now. The Aquos XU Series was able TO ACHIEVE + RESOLUTION PRODUCING

true-to-life detail, very vivid color expression and the deepest contrast on a TV yet. This only proved that SPC has raised the bar when it comes to home entertainment. !QUOS + ,%$ 46 WHICH WAS initially launched last year, reproduces images at “ultimate reality,� WITH ULTRA kNE DETAILS THE NAKED eye cannot capture. Apart from the EXTRAORDINARY + DISPLAY FEATURE the Aquos TV is also powered by + -ASTER %NGINE BUILT IN 7I&I Bluetooth, Chromecast, Dolby Audio and Android TV.

Build&Design www.manilatimes.net

TUESDAY MAY 28, 2019 B8 EDITOR: Mario F. Fetalino Jr. mario.fetalino@manilatimes.net

Q Lobien is upbeat for the property market given the massive infrastructure drive initiated by the government.

Lobien bullish on PH’s offshore gaming sector BY TYRONE PIAD

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LEADING property company in the country sees the Metro Manila office property market growing by 2.4 million square meters (sqm) in the next three years in the advent of a booming offshore gaming industry.

Q Sheila Lobien: ‘We feel that the next three years will be very positive given that the current administration supports all the economic activities we see right now.’

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HE society’s built environment is shaped by the visions of architects. Conversely, the architects’ FOREMOST INlUENCE IN SHAPING THE built environment is the society that lives therein. Respect for culture and traditions joined by a STRONG VISION FOR THE FUTURE MAKES UP A REASONABLE AMALGAMATION TO ADDRESS THE EVER GROWING NEEDS OF the society. Committed to serve the best INTEREST OF ITS STAKEHOLDERS THE United Architects of the PhilipPINES 5!0 THROUGH ITS #OMmission on Education, has made GIANT LEAPS TO FURTHER ATTAIN THIS VISION THROUGH AN INTERNATIONAL assembly of architects involved in THE ACADEME WHO ARE CONSIDERED THE GREATEST INlUENCERS OF FUTURE BUILDERS OF THE WORLD This Friday, our local architectsEDUCATORS TOGETHER WITH DELEGATIONS FROM !SIAN COUNTRIES WILL GATHER IN -ANILA FOR THE kRST EVER UAP International Conference on Architecture Education dubbed as the “Asian Architects in the Academe Assembly (AAAA 2019) WITH THE kTTING THEME g4ODAY S Architecture and Beyond.� 4HIS HISTORIC GATHERING WILL SERVE as a venue to establish internaTIONAL COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING AMONG ITS !SIAN COUNTERPARTS IN PROMOTING QUALITY EDUCATION IN THE REGION TO SERVE AS LEVERAGE IN ACHIEVING A RELEVANT MARKET RESPONSIVE QUALITY OF ARCHITECTURE education in the country. 5!0 ALSO SAW THE IMPORTANCE OF FURTHER STRENGTHENING THE ARCHITECTS COMPETENCIES IN MENTORING THROUGH FEATURED LECTURES IN A specially-conceptualized assembly. This is also in support to the call OF !RCHITECTS 2EGIONAL #OUNCIL !SIA !RCASIA WHERE THE 0HILIPPINES IS A FOUNDING MEMBER TO foster friendly, intellectual, artistic, educational and scientific ties; foster and maintain professional contacts, mutual cooperation and ASSISTANCE AMONG MEMBER INSTItutes and to promote research and

g4HE GAMING INDUSTRY THEY HAVE BEEN FUELING THE MARKET TAKING NOT JUST THE OFkCE SPACE BUT THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET AS WELL u ,Obien Realty Group Chief ExecuTIVE /FkCER 3HEILA ,OBIEN SAID IN A PRESS BRIEkNG IN 4AGUIG RECENTLY 7HILE THE BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING "0/ SECTOR IS CONSIDERED THE MAIN DRIVER OF OFkCE

supply, Lobien said the PhilipPINE OFFSHORE GAMING OPERATORS 0/'/ WILL LIKELY TAKE THE LEAD in the next 12 months. g4HEY 0/'/ HAVE BEEN IN THE MARKET FOR kVE YEARS ;ONLY BUT= LOOK AT THEIR SIZE NOW ALMOST AS BIG AS THE "0/ INDUSTRY u SHE SAID The latest forecast indicates 41 PERCENT OF THE GROWTH WILL BE CON-

TRIBUTED BY "0/ PERCENT BY 0/'/ AND THE REMAINING PERCENT BY OTHER OFkCES LIKE BANKS LAW kRMS AND INSURANCE AGENCIES Lobien said her company has BEEN RECEIVING NUMEROUS OFFICE SPACE QUERIES FROM 0/'/S FOR THEIR BACK OFkCE OPERATIONS SINCE preliminary results of midterm ELECTIONS WERE ANNOUNCED

0/'/S ARE MOSTLY LOCATED IN THE BAY AREA OFkCE STOCK OF WHICH is forecast to expand by 46 percent OR SQM TO SQM IN the next three years. )N -ETRO -ANILA MOST OF THE EXPECTED GROWTH IN OFkCE SUPPLY IS IN -AKATI AT SQM FOLLOWED BY 1UEZON #ITY AT SQM 4HESE REPRESENT PERCENT GROWTH FOR BOTH AREAS Poll results )N GENERAL ,OBIEN IS UPBEAT FOR encouraging THE PROPERTY MARKET GIVEN THE MASsive infrastructure drive initiated by She said the poll results yielded THE GOVERNMENT g7E FEEL THAT THE POSITIVE SENTIMENTS FOR 0/'/S NEXT THREE YEARS WILL BE VERY POSITIVE AS THEY WERE SOMEHOW ASSURED OF GIVEN THAT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION the continued implementation of supports all the economic activities current economic policies. WE SEE RIGHT NOW u SHE SAID

She said the real estate industry has BEEN MOBILIZING THE ECONOMY WITH THE INCREASING SPENDING FOR INFRASTRUCture projects. Loans for commercial PROPERTY SECTOR SURGED PERCENT TO P1.2 trillion in 2018 from P200 billion 10 years earlier, she said. /N THE OTHER HAND RESIDENTIAL loans, rose 450 percent to P640 BILLION IN SIGNIkCANTLY HIGHER than the P150 billion in 2008. 4HE PROPERTY EXPERT ALSO WELCOMED THE """ RATING UPGRADE BY 3 0 'LOBAL 2ATINGS AND THE RECENT CUTTING OF BANK S RESERVE REQUIREMENTS AS THESE are seen to boost economic activities AND INVESTOR CONkDENCE !S OF OFkCE SPACES IN -ETRO -ANILA OCCUPY MILLION SQM

Exploring today’s architecture and beyond TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT IN THE kELD of the built environment. !LLOW ME TO BRING TO YOU the timeline LEADING TO this historic event: The Architects in the Academe Assembly (AAA) WAS ENVISIONED TO BE AN OFkCIAL preliminary activity of the annual UAP National Convention, RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE 4RIPARTITE .ETWORK -EETING WHICH GENERally discusses policies and other administrative concerns in the architecture education. As a parallel activity, the AAA aimed to emphasize capability BUILDING LIAISING ALIGNING NETWORKING SHARING OF BEST PRACTICES AMONG THE BIGGER GROUP OF ARCHItects involved in the academe, i.e., THE PROFESSORS 4HIS WAS CONCEPTUALIZED BY THIS AUTHOR BEING THE chairman of the Committee on Research and Academic Institutions under Arch. Norma I. Alarcon, FUAP, and the executive director of the UAP Commission on Education in Fiscal Year 2015-2016. 4HIS WAS REALIZED THROUGH THE valued support and endorsement of the UAP National Board of Directors headed by UAP National 0RESIDENT !RCH -A "ENITA / 2EGALA &5!0 !! THROUGH BOARD resolution 15-16 No. 4-06. $URING THAT YEAR THE kRST !!! FOCUSED ON THE THEME g3HARING the Best Practices in the Academe,� WHICH DEMONSTRATED THE BEST TEACHING PEDAGOGIES WHICH COULD serve as models for participants. 4HE CHOICE SPEAKERS REPRESENT educators from Luzon (Dr. Grace Ramos of University of the Philippines Diliman), Visayas (Arch. /MAR -AXWELL 0 %SPINA OF 5NIVERSITY OF 3AN #ARLOS AND -INDANAO (Arch. Jim Immanuel Palma of Ateneo de Davao University). The KEYNOTE LECTURE WAS DELIVERED BY $R /NOFRE 2 0AGSANGHAN 0H$ A

seasoned educator from the Ateneo DE -ANILA 5NIVERSITY .INETY FOUR DELEGATES ATTENDed that successful event. The second !!! WAS incorporated WITH THE ND UAP National Convention 2017. The topic focused on the assembly theme “Successfully 4EACHING THE -ILLENNIAL !RCHITECTURE 3TUDENTS u 4HE SPEAKERS WERE 2EP Christopher de Venecia, a millennial culture and tourism advocate, and -R -ANNY 'ONZALES A MARKETING PROFESSIONAL WHO MAY BE CLASSIkED AS g8ENIAL u 4HE KEYNOTE LECTURE WAS DELIVERED BY -S ,EONIDA ' 2EYES AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPment consultant. A total of 270 architect-educators attended this EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL ASSEMBLY The third AAA (2018) conceptualIZED A MORE PLAYFUL THEME ‡ u/UR 3TUDENTS ARE NOW &ILIPINO 3TARCHItects!� The objective of the assembly WAS TO GATHER OUTSTANDING &ILIPINO ARCHITECTS WHO WERE ONCE STUDENTS of the architect-educators present in THE ASSEMBLY )T WAS A WHOLE DAY OF gPAYING IT FORWARDu AS THE SPEAKERS REMINISCED ABOUT THEIR COLLEGE DAYS in the university and at the same TIME PROVIDED POWERFUL LECTURES about their current professional involvement in the industry. The g3TARCHITECTu SPEAKERS WERE !RCHITECTS #HRISTIAN 6ASQUEZ &AR %ASTERN University), Royal Christopher L. Pineda (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), Abelardo Tolentino Jr. of University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Edson Cabalfin (UP $ILIMAN 4HIS ASSEMBLY DREW participants. .OW ON ITS FOURTH YEAR THE !!! GOES GLOBAL BY ELEVATING THE assembly of local architects into an international conference. The threeDAY EVENT IS SLATED ON -AY and June 1, 2019. The host universiTY IS THE 534 THE OLDEST EXISTING UNIVERSITY IN !SIA AND THE LARGEST #ATHOLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD IN

THE ARCHITECT’S PERSPECTIVE ARCH. JONATHAN V. MANALAD

A SINGLE CAMPUS 4HIS IS A MILESTONE EVENT FOR THE COUNTRY TO BE HOLDING THE kRST EVER CONFERENCE DEDICATED TO architectural education to be attendED BY FOREIGN DELEGATIONS REPRESENTING DIFFERENT ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD PARTICULARLY !SIA This year’s international assembly convener is Arch. Jocelyn RiveraLutap, DPA, FUAP, dean of PUP ColLEGE OF !RCHITECTURE AND &INE !RTS She has expressed the importance OF SEARCHING FOR WHAT IS IN STORE FOR architects today and beyond. g"EING IN A GLOBAL VILLAGE GIVES US THE EXPERIENCE AS THOUGH THERE ARE NO LONGER ANY DEkNITE BOUNDARIES There is no monopoly on percepTION KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION Architecture is not spared because of the advancement of science and TECHNOLOGY 7HILE WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE PRESENT WE ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE 7E DESIGN NOT ONLY ON THE CORE OF PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES TODAY BUT WITH CALCULATED CONSIDERATION FOR TOMORROW 4HIS CAN BE LIKENED TO MOBILITY THAT IS limited to action instead of conSIDERING IT AS BEYOND MOVEMENT -OBILITY IN KNOWLEDGE IS NOT JUST SHARED IN READING BOOKS BUT ALSO IN actual practice. Since the practice OF ARCHITECTURE IS WITHIN THE AMBIT of this phenomenon, it submitTED THAT THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE is to collaborate. Architects in the academe are still considered the BASTION OF KNOWLEDGE THEREFORE IT MUST BE UTILIZED AS A SPRINGBOARD TOWARDS THE CULTURE OF COLLABORAtion,� she said. $R ,UTAP WILL BE JOINED BY !RCH -ARIA #YNTHIA 9 &UNK THE ASSOCIATE dean of Environment Studies ClusTER OF 3CHOOL OF $ESIGN AND !RTS OF $E ,A 3ALLE #OLLEGE OF 3T "ENILDE AS deputy assembly convener. 4HE ORGANIZERS ALSO HAVE COLLABORATED WITH THE 5!0 #OMMITTEE ON "ALANGKASAN FOR THIS CONFERence. In architecture, BALANGKAS means the structural frame of a BUILDING 4HUS IT IS IN THE MANDATE OF 5!0 "ALANGKASAN TO SERVE

as a venue for discussion of timely AND RELEVANT ISSUES AFFECTING THE architectural practice. "ALANGKASAN #HAIRMAN !RCH Sylvester Shaun D. Seno, UAP, PIEP has conceptualized four subthemes for the conference to furTHER HIGHLIGHT THE ASSEMBLY THEME 0EDAGOGY 4HIS PERTAINS TO g!Rchitects’ Responses in Prevalent )SSUES %MERGING %DUCATIONAL 3YStems and Borderless Practice�. This WILL FOCUS ON EMERGING SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT AND THEORIES STUDIO CULTURE AS WELL AS THE ACCURACY OF students’ assessment activities. The STRAND ALSO RECOGNIZES TIMELY ISSUES SUCH AS THE !SIAN VERSUS 7ESTERN ARCHITECTURAL PEDAGOGY AND OTHER education-related issues that beset THE ARCHITECTURE WORLD TODAY %COLOGY AND 3USTAINABILity. This strand is described as the�Architects’ Practical Responses IN !DDRESSING %COLOGICAL )SSUESu WHERE EMERGING TRENDS AND INTERESTING RELATED TOPICS SUCH AS BIOMORPHISM REGENERATIVE ARCHItecture, and sustainable materials WILL BE DISCUSSED 4ECHNOLOGY 4HE STRAND HIGHLIGHTS “Issues and Trends in the ArchitecTURAL 0ROFESSIONu WHERE RESEARCHES ON EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES TECHNOLOGY VERSUS HUMAN INTELLIGENCE BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING AND OTHER SIMILAR INTERESTING RESEARCHES WILL BE AT THE FOREFRONT ,ASTLY $ESIGN 7E NEED TO EMPHASIZE g3HAPING LIVES AND COMMUNITIES ‡ THEN NOW AND future� AS BEING A BASIC CONCEPT IN architecture. It shall explore issues ON PARAMETRIC DESIGN ARCHITECTURE criticism, best practices and collabORATION WITH OTHER ALLIED SCIENCES Parallel to the conference is ANOTHER HIGHLY SIGNIkCANT EVENT IN the Asian architecture community. It is the UAP’s honor to host the Arcasia Committee of Architecture Education (ACAE) roundtable as part of this conference. !RCASIA OFkCIALS LED BY -ALAYSIAN architect Saifuddin Bin Ahmad, the vice president for Zone B and

!RCH 'YANENDRA 3 3HEKHAWAT the chairman of the ACAE from the Indian Institute of Architects. The roundtable topic is “ArchiTECTURE %DUCATION AND THE #HANGING 2EALITIESu WHERE DELEGATES SHALL present the state of their respective COUNTRIES WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE on hand. It is expected that at the end of the roundtable discussion, ANOTHER IMPORTANT RESOLUTION WILL come out in response to the everEXPANDING NEEDS OF ARCHITECTURE education in Asia. Each member institute of the MEMBER !RCASIA ORGANIZATION SHALL BE SENDING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES TOGETHER WITH SOME COLLEAGUES WHO WILL BE COUNTRY OBSERVERS Lastly, this international meet IS DESIGNED IS TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE COLLABORATION PROGRAMS WHERE !RCASIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL FORMALIZE THEIR NETWORKING AND ACADEMIC TIES WITH MEMBER COUNTRIES IN THE kELD OF STUDENT EXCHANGE FACULTY EXCHANGE !SIAN PEDAGOGY WORKshops and other inter-country collaborations. )T IS WITH POSITIVE OUTLOOK THAT THIS CONFERENCE WOULD BRING OUT THE BEST IN THE PARTICIPATING ARCHITECTS AND THAT THE PROGRESS OF THIS COUNTRY AND THIS REGION HAPPENS THROUGH the efforts of these inspired people and similar-minded professionals IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT WHO HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN KEEN INTEREST TO CONSIDER NEW IDEAS CURIOUS TO kND OUT RESULTS OF ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCHES AND WILLING TO EXPLORE NEW ARCHITECTURAL PARADIGMS IN TODAY S architecture and beyond.

4HE WRITER IS THE CURRENT EXECUtive director of the Commission on Education of the United Architects of the Philippines. He is active both as an educator and a private practiTIONER IN THE kELD OF ARCHITECTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING (E IS A GRADUATE OF THE 5NIVERSITY OF 3ANTO 4OMAS "3 !RCH 50 $ILIMAN - !RCH IN 5RBAN $ESIGN AND #ENTRAL Luzon State University for his PhD in Development Education.

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TUESDA TUESDAY, DAY AYY,, Ma AY May ay 228 ay 28, 8, 20 8, 22019 019 19 T H E M OTO R I N G S E C T I O N O F

LAYOUT AND DESIGN BY PETER NATHANIEL S. BAGA AND GUIAN A. AVANTE

Q The Audi Q7 continues to garner various international awards.

Audi wins multiple awards across the range

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EVERAL models of the Ingolstadt, Germanybased carmaker Audi have recently been feted acclaim and recognition by various third-party institutions worldwide on the basis of its design and safety features, technology and market satisfaction.

Audi Q5 wins in AUTO Bild Allrad Germany

Leading German automobile magazine, AUTO BILD Allrad, presented the readers’ choice All-wheel-drive Car of the Year 2019 Award to the Audi Q5. Garnering the most votes in the Off-roader and SUV category, THE !UDI 1 CAME OUT ON TOP OF THE kELD of 29 rivals. Q The Audi Q5 continues to best its rivals

The Audi A8 and A7 Sportback are World Luxury Car

The A7 Sportback is the second Audi to take home the award after the Audi A8 won the title in 2018. The awards were presented at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car jury, consisting of 86 members from 24 countries, voted to distinguish the Audi A7 Sportback as the best new luxury car on the world market. This is the tenth victory for Audi in one of the World Car categories.

International Engine of the Year Awards: Audi’s 2.0 TFSI engine wins in its class

The 2.0 TFSI from Audi has won the International Engine of the Year award in the category of engines with between 150 and 250 metric horsepower. An international panel of experts comprising 70 automotive journalists voted the four-cylinder gasoline engine the winner of its class. According to the jury, the four-cylinder engine is “one of THE MOST lEXIBLE AND VERSATILE ENGINES EVER to be developed—in short, it can do it all.�

Kelley Blue Book USA: Audi Q5 and Audi Q7 as Best Buys

The Audi Q5 also received the Best Buy Award in the Compact Luxury SUV category while the Audi Q7 is the Best Buy in the Midsize Luxury SUV category for the 2019 model year. The winners were chosen by a panel from Kelley Blue Book, a leading market observer in the US. The decisions in this competition were based on years of expertise, the organization’s own tests and extensive vehicle data. With the Audi Q5, which has now won the Best Buy Award two years in a row, the panelists cited the innovative technology, quattro all-wheel DRIVE EXTRAORDINARY kNISH AND THE HIGH EFkCIENCY 4IPPING THE SCALES IN FAVOR OF THE Audi Q7 were not just its quality and luxury character, but also the elegant design and the quiet, comfortable ride.

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Kia Niro named best plug-in hybrid

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

Q Shown in photo is an electric vehicle charging station established by Unioil in Guadalupe, Makati City.

Group pushes increase in EV charging stations

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NCREASING ISLAND ELECTRIkCATION THROUGH HYBRID MICRO grid plants would help in establishing more charging stations for electric vehicles (EV), the Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines (REAP) said. On the sidelines of an event in Makati last week, REAP President Erel Narida said that once these power plants are built, “you can extend it to a charging station for [electric] vehicles.� “Once you have power generation, the rest will follow,� he added. Currently, Narida said that there were only two islands that implement the initiative —Romblon and Antique — but stressed that a target to build 25 power plants was set already. Narida shared that a 900-KW Wind power micro-grid in Romblon island not only supplies power to households but also caters to charging batteries of electric vehicles. There are currently 16 charging stations, he added. Hybrid plants, which are run by renewable energy and diesel, are available in 1,792 islands with capacity ranging from 100 kilowatts (KW) to 400 KW, Narida said.

These islands serve as target market to build more charging stations for electric vehicles, he explained. Narida said that the electricity set aside for the charging of electric vehicles could be tagged as “productive use of energy� which is not covered by regulatory procedures, easing market entry. “If you come in energy market, it is highly regulated. But if you come into the energy market [but you have] productive use ... [it is not] subject [to] regulatory [policies],� he explained. In 2001, Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act was passed into law to monitor and regulate the power sector. The Trade department noted that there were currently 30 electric vehicle industry players in the country with annual production capacity of 80,000 units. As of 2018, there are 4,362 registered electric vehicles and 40 charging stations, it added. TYRONE C. PIAD

DieselCar and EcoCar Magazine has named the Kia Niro the Best Plug-in Hybrid in this year’s Top 50 list. The Niro placed No. 43 on the list that looks at the best 50 cars currently on the market. The Niro is now available as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric with more than 11,000 examples sold in the UK. With potential fuel economy of well over 200 mpg and carbon dioxide emissions of just 29 grams/kilometer, the Kia Niro plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is easily the Korean COMPANY S MOST EFkCIENT CAR TO FEATURE A COMBUSTION engine to date. Elsewhere on the list, the Kia Sportage continues to be POPULAR kNISHING IN SEVENTH AND WAS +IA S BEST 4OP position. Two members of the Ceed family appeared on THE LIST WITH THE #EED D kNI NISH SHIN INGG AT AT .O WH WHIL ILE E 0R 0RO# O#EE EED D THE LIST WITH THE #EED kNISHING AT .O WHILE 0RO#EED TOOK SPOT .O 4H 4HE 3TINGE G R

+IA GE IA S SS kRSST T GGRRAN AND AND TOOK SPOT .O 4HE 3TINGER +IA S kRST GRAND TOURER AND kRST REAR R WHEEELL D DRIIVEE CAR AR IN THE TH HE TOURER AND kRST REAR WHEEL DRIVE CAR IN THE 5+ kNISHED AT .O O 5+ kNISHED AT .O “The Niro cros sso ove ver broke bro br okke the the th crossover mould for hybrid m od o deells, s, b eing ei ng models, being ONE OF THE kRST TO OFFFER ER THE HE HE ONE OF THE kRST TO OFFER THE fuel-saving technol technology loggyy alongside fashionfashion nable SUV styling. Now there’s also the battery electric e-Niro, with an impressive 282mile range that trumps the Nissan Leaf. The e-Niro is practical too, with a 451-literr

boot, as well as plenty of passenger space and great allround visibility. Sitting in the middle of the line-up is the Niro PHEV, which has an 8.6-kWh battery pack with plug-in functionality, giving a pure-electric range of 36 miles, and is our favorite PHEV,� DieselCar and EcoCar Editor Ian Robertson. Commenting on the brand’s performance on this year’s LIST 0AUL 0HILPOTT PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFkCER of Kia Motors (UK) Limited, said: “We are delighted the Niro has awarded Best Plug-in Hybrid as it is an important part of our alternative fuel vehicle range. We hope the Niro continues to be popular with customers with an updated version going on sale in July. Having four models on the list emphasises Kia’s ability to cater to customer’s ever ev er-c -cha hang ngin ingg ne need eds. s� ever-changing needs.� NEWSPRESS N NE WS SPR PRES E S

DRIVE A COOL NEW HYUNDAI FROM ‘WHEEL IT SA INIT’ SUMMER PROMO SUMMER is one of the highly-anticipated seasons in the country. It’s the time when wearing breezy, vibrant clothing becomes acceptable, and it’s the time when families and friends can have the right excuse to go on out-of-town joyrides - whether this means hitting the beach for a healthy dose of “Vitamin Sea,� or going up the mountains to enjoy cooler temperature. Unfortunately, lots of summer plans tend to get canceled, especially for those who don’t have a mode of transportation they can rely on. Now, you can make that summer escapade within reach, because with Hyundai’s “Wheel It Sa Init� promo, you can finally own a brand-new Hyundai and wheel-off to wherever your heart fancies while saving money, because it’s loaded with Hyundai’s hottest deals for

its coolest road trip rides: Grand Starex, Santa Fe, Tucson, H100 and Kona. With Wheel It Sa Init, you can stay cool, thanks to affordable financing schemes that come in low monthly or low down payment deals that make owning a brand-new Hyundai vehicle easier. If the great outdoors or an athletic getaway is what energizes you, then you can own a Kona for as low as P13,330 a month. If you’re planning to take advantage of the summer season by setting up your own tourist shuttle business, then you can find a worthy partner in the sturdy H100. For as low as P13,864 a month, owning the H-100 comes easy and light on your monthly budget. Now, if you’re after road trip pleasures that provide you comfort and luxury beyond the usual, the Grand

Starex, Santa Fe, or Tucson can get you there, which you can easily own through financing that offers discounts of up to P100,000. So don’t hold off on the chance to tick off some of your most sought after road escapades on your bucket list. Head to your nearest authorized Hyundai dealership now and make it happen by having your very own Hyundai through Wheel It Sa Init promo. This hot summer promo is made possible by Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai passenger vehicles in the Philippines, in partnership with BPI, RCBC, PNB, Chinabank Savings, Eastwest Bank and PS Bank. Promo runs from May 1 to 31, 2019 only. For more details, visit hyundai.ph or facebook.com/hyundaiph.

Q AWARDS FROM C1

Audi wins multiple awards across the range

US News & World Report’s Best family SUV: the Audi Q7

The American news magazine US News & World Report has named the Audi Q7 the “Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families.� The judges found the model to be the best choice for families preferring an uncompromising SUV. They praised the large rear seat with optional third row, the rear USB ports, the 360-degree cameras, the sensor-controlled tailgate, and the sunblinds for the rear windows and rear side windows. 4HE INTERIOR RElECTS THE HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS AND craftsmanship for which Audi is known. Innovative infotainment abounds with such features as MMI navigation plus, the Audi virtual cockpit, head-up display, Audi smartphone interface, and Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 3D sound. A wide range of assist systems, from the standard Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city to the optional lane change assist provide additional convenience and safety. The Audi Q7 also shined in terms

of driving dynamics thanks largely to the standard quattro drive.

other vehicles can be detected when the vehicle is moving at speeds of up to 250 kph.

US Top Safety Pick 2019: Audi A6 and Audi Q8

Car and Driver USA: Five buying recommendations for Audi modelsÂ

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States recognized the new Audi A6 and the Audi Q8 for their high safety standards. The Audi A6 was named Top Safety Pick+, the top honor from the IIHS, for its Matrix LED and HD Matrix LED headlights. The latter are also available for the Audi Q8, which therefore was awarded the title Top Safety Pick. Both models received good ratings in all six IIHS safety tests as well as the top scores for frontal protection thanks to numerous assist systems. Both the A6 and the Q8 come standard with Audi pre sense front. It can warn of impending collisions and initiate appropriate braking depending on the situation and speed. Pedestrians and cyclists can be detected while the vehicle is traveling at up to around 85 kph and

The prestigious US magazine Car and Driver tested NEARLY VEHICLES AND SELECTED kVE !UDI MODELS AS 2019 Editor’s Choice. Four of these recommended buys are classified according to US standards as compact, mid-sized and full-sized sedans. The Audi A8 was the excellent ride comfort and the quiet, kRST CLASS INTERIOR $OMINATING THE -ID 3IZE 3EDAN category was the Audi A6, which stood out in particular for its strong performance, acoustic comfort and upscale instrument panel, and the A7 Sportback with its sophisticated styling, cohesive operation, and top technologies. The A5 Sportback was praised for its strong powertrain, high quality, and large rear hatch, which

Q The impressive Audi line-up is made up of SUVs and sedans that have won international awards.

makes loading easy. Rounding out the success of the four rings brand was the Audi Q7, which was named a recommended buy among the mid-sized crossovers AND 356S THANKS TO THE HIGH lEXIBILITY AFFORDED BY the third row of seats, its attractive design and remarkable ride quality.

What Car? UK: Successes in England, Audi Q7 honored

The British automotive magazine What Car? honored two Audi models in its annual Best Choice awards. The Audi Q7 was named Luxury SUV of the Year, winning the category for the third year in a row. Supplementing THE TWO OVERALL WINS WERE AN ADDITIONAL kVE 7HAT #AR awards for the brand with the four rings: the A1, A3 Sedan, A3 Cabriolet, Q5 and A8 L were each named the best buy in their price class. For more information, contact Audi Philippines at 7270381 to 85 or visit its showrooms in Greenhills, Global City, Alabang, and SM Seaside City Cebu.

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

Mitsubishi’s ‘Sizzling Summer Deals’

M

ITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is offering irresistible deals this summer with its “Mitsubishi’s Sizzling Summer Deals,� which makes owning the Mirage G4, Xpander and Montero Sport easier and more affordable.

Suzuki PH closes Q1 2019 with consistent sales growth SUZUKI Philippines (SPH), the country’s pioneer compact car distributor, wrapped up the first quarter of the year with consistent sales growth, securing the 6th spot in the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) roster. The Ertiga remains the brand’s best-selling vehicle, accounting for 33 percent of the total sales for the quarter. The Celerio came in second with 12.3 percent of sales while the Dzire contributed 11.6 percent. SPH’s strong performance this first quarter comes on the heels of a successful 2018, which marked strong sales, expansion in key cities across the country, and back-to-back recognitions from several renowned award-giving bodies. “We started 2019 consistent and stable, and so far, we have maintained our momentum. Our performance at the start of the year is setting the pace for the rest of 2019. We are confident of achieving substantial sales growth and reaching more customers through aggressive marketing efforts and nationwide promotional campaigns,� said SPH Director and General Manager for Automobile Division Keiichi Suzuki.

Best-selling Suzuki vehicles

ONE OF THE LOWEST kNANCING PLANS THAT --0# IS OFFERING There’s also a great deal for the recently launched Strada. With the From May 7, customers may avail of the All-in Low Down Payment Mitsubishi’s Sizzling Summer Deals, purchase of any variant of the new plans for the Mirage G4 GLX MT (manual transmission), 2018 Montero Strada entitles customers to a free periodic maintenance service (PMS) Sport GLS Premium, and the Xpander GLX MT. You can take home until 15,000 kilometers. The free PMS includes fully synthetic oil, oil Mitsubishi’s best-sellers at a very low down payment. For example the kLTER AND DRAIN PLUG WASHER FUEL EFkCIENT -IRAGE ' ',8 -4 CAN BE AVAILED FOR ONLY 0 DOWN Those who are planning to purchase a brand new Mitsubishi are payment, the award-winning Xpander can be yours for only P18,000 encouraged to take advantage of this promo that will be offered until down payment for the GLX MT variant and the 2018 Montero Sport GLS May 31, 2019 only. For more details, price quotation and test drive visit Premium is offered at a very low P48,000 down payment only. This is your nearest Mitsubishi dealership.

Total expands retail network in Luzon, Visayas

Q Newly-opened Total Boac 2 station in Marinduque.

C 3

TOTAL (Philippines) Corp. continues to strengthen its retail business and presence in the country. In an effort to provide cleaner fuels in more parts of the Philippines, Total has opened three new stations in March. These are the Total Bongabong station in Oriental Mindoro, Total Pulungbulu in Pampanga, and Total Boac 2 in Marinduque. This brings to ten the number of stations opened this year. “Our continuous growth is a testimony to our commitment to bring high-quality and affordable fuels to more Filipinos,� Total PH President and Managing Director Laurent Stouffe said. Total, which has been present in the Philippines for 21 years, is upscaling its projects in the downstream oil industry. It now has a growing network of close to 500 service stations nationwide. Last year, it opened around 50 stations and intends to continue its growth trajectory. “We are committed to providing products and services that will support the clean energy needs of the Philippines. With the undertaking of our current initiatives and plans for tomorrow’s oil and gas sector, we continue to serve as a responsible energy player,� said Stouffe.

Three of the most sought-after models in the Philippine automotive market and the company’s top-selling vehicles in recent months, the Ertiga, Celerio and Dzire collectively boosted sales for the first quarter of 2019. With 33 percent share of total sales for the quarter, the top favorite family vehicle Ertiga remains the best-selling Suzuki vehicle. The launch of its black interior model in February helped spur sales even further for the Ertiga. The seven-seater MPV combines elegance and strength, blending modern style and maximum functionality to let riders enjoy their days in style. The Celerio retains its place as the second best-selling vehicle with a 12.3-percent share of sales. This hatchback, known for its space and roomy dimension, can accommodate of up to 254-liters worth of cargo with an uncompromised five-seater capacity. Alongside its remarkable fuel efficiency that ups the ante for its category. The Dzire positions itself as another Suzuki best-seller at third place with 11.6 percent of total quarter sales. C! Magazine’s Best Mini Compact of 2018 awardee is increasingly being recognized in the market as one of the most affordable units in its category.

Strong marketing efforts continue SPH’s strategic marketing efforts help bring the brand closer to more Filipinos and introduce them to the Suzuki Way of Life!   SPH’s participation and presence at the 2019 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) in April reflected the brand’s competence in the market by highlighting how its vehicles deliver combined fun, functionality and comfort to give Filipinos optimal driving experience. During the four-day MIAS, the brand’s most-valued vehicles—the multifunction seven-seater all-new Ertiga, multi-awarded subcompact sedan Ciaz, bold and relentless 4x4 all-new Jimny, well-loved hatchback Swift, exquisite sedan Dzire and stylish SUV Vitara—were available for preview. In line with SPH’s nationwide advocacy of raising awareness about road safety, Suzuki Safety Scouts encouraged guests at the trade event to join the campaign. Visitors were able to register kids 4 to 14 years old for free to become an official Suzuki Safety Scout.  For more information about Suzuki Philippines and their automobiles, please visit www.suzuki.com.ph and like them on www.facebook.com/SuzukiAutoPH.

C 4

TUESDAY, May 28, 2019

Driven

Honda’s reliable SUV I

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY GENEVIEVE TIU

T is arguably one of the world’s most successful SUV. Built as a compact crossover, (ONDA SOLD UNITS OF THIS kVE DOOR 356 LAST kSCAL YEAR IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET Over the years, Honda’s crossover champion has evolved, both in looks and features. This writer was privileged to have been given the opportunity to drive THE kFTH GENERATION DIESEL ALL WHEEL DRIVE model for a week, and here’s our take on this well-loved model.

Exterior

As in the previous iterations of the CRV, it was primarily designed and engineered to be a utility, but also sporty and fun. It was clearly made to be functional, which is a common denominator across Honda’s PRODUCT LINE 3INCE THE kRST GENERATION S boxy design that likely only those who grew up in the 1990s could recall, the CR-V today has evolved into a softer, more REkNED LOOK )T SPORTS JUST THE RIGHT HEIGHT with rounded edges that make it both rugged and friendly, at the same time.

The CR-V has also upped its ante in terms of visIBILITY )T IS kTTED WITH full LED headlights, that can be set to auto-leveling, and daytime running lights. Wipers are also equipped with auto rain-sensing technology, making it easier for the driver to control wiping intensity during torrential weather.

Interior

Settling into the CR-V was as familiar as pulling on an old pair of jeans. Being a Honda, it has been designed with practicality in mind. First off, there was hardly any adjustment to be made – a bit more height to see past the hood, a bit of a wiggle, and we were good to go. Secondly, the indicators on the instrument panel, as well as the steering wheel controls were well-placed, making it easy to spot exactly which information we needed while on the move without having to take our eyes off the road for very long. Third, the entertainment system is within easy access, which allows for convenient radio tuning. A unique feature for this particular CR-V variant is the transition to a pushbutton gear selector, instead of having the traditional gearshift. Looking at the car’s interior layout as a whole, it was clearly adopted partly as a space saver. Its position, which is right below the entertainment unit and air-conditioning controls, makes it ergonomic and easily accessible for the driver. Apart from the functional layout, the 2018 CR-V comes with a more premium finish; installed with fullleather seats, leather dashboard details with wood trimming, and an OVERALL REkNED kNISH

those who are used to the traditional gearIf there is one thing that Honda gets right shift, this electronic alternative would take each and every time, it is in maximizing the some getting used to. From our experience, space that each of its vehicles have. Mid- it normally takes a split-second for the gears sized SUVs can be deceiving; some look big to respond to a change in selection. For on the outside, but are tight on the inside. example, when making a three-point turn With the CR-V, expect no less than generous and you are shifting from drive to reverse, legroom that even Shaquille O’ Neal would give the vehicle a second to adjust to the CHANGE OR YOU MAY kND YOURSELF SLIDING A APPROVE lASHING THE THUMBS UP SIGN The cargo hold, though, is generous. few centimeters forward if the reverse gear 7ITH THE THIRD ROW UP IT CAN EASILY kT DAILY has not kicked in. But give it a bit of time commuter essentials, such as a backpack, a and it should become second-nature. Another feature that takes the cake duffel and even a small-sized basket. With for the 2018 CR-V is the adoption of the the third row folded down, you can take Honda Sensing technology, which intethe CR-V from a daily, sporty commuter grates features like adaptive cruise control, to transport utility. forward collision warning (always great to have!), lane departure warning, and colPerformance We wish we could say that the diesel-pow- lision mitigation braking system, among ered fuel-saving CR-V wowed us as much others. It may read like a mouthful, but as its upgrade features did. At 1.6 liters these are notable safety features that are with 120 hp, it is adequate, but it lacked practical for today’s accident-prone streets. that extra oomph we would expect from a vehicle of its size. This writer felt it with Value for money every acceleration — instead of smoothly The 2018 CR-V AWD Diesel tops off at speeding up, the CR-V tends to pause for P2.125 million per unit. Considering all a split-second, as if deciding whether or the updated elements and safety features, not to respond to the throttle. Then, there all-wheel drive train, and Honda’s after-sales would come a surge. Once the power kicks service, this is a variant that is bang for buck. in, though, the car moves smoothly and While the overall sporty design may not apconsistently, transforming into the kind peal to those who are after a more luxurious, of Honda drive experience we all know minimalist look, it ticks off what matters and love – stable and perfectly controlled. for the Filipino buyer: safe and predictable Speaking of experience, the push-button handling, generous, practical space, and gear selector is a feature worth noting. For reliable service.

Practicality

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

THE MOTORING SECTION OF

V

OLKSWAGEN Philippines joined the festive “Mabuhay Germany 2019� held at the Bonifacio High Street Central on May 25 to 26. The bi-annual Mabuhay Germany trade fair, open from 10 a.m. to 12 midnight, is the flagship event of the GermanPhilippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (GPCCI) that showcases the best that German industry, products, and culture can offer. And when it cames to the auto industry, Volkswagen epitomized German automotive design, engineering and craftsmanship. Volkswagen PH, a key partner of the trade fair, set up a display area featuring the Santana GTS and Lavida under the Iconic Bridge area of the fair.

In keeping with Mabuhay Germany 2019’s theme, “New Heights!�, the Santana GTS and Lavida represented the higher level of ownership and driving experience for young, hardworking and upwardly mobile Filipino professionals and their growing families. The Santana, considered as your “best kRST CAR u HAS TAKEN A NOTCH HIGHER WITH THE Santana GTS. With its wagon body type AND lEXIBLE INTERIOR CONkGURATION THE Santana GTS offers the styling, comfort, power, space and design touches ideal for young families, young professionals, and Volkswagen owners who would want to

Santana GTS and Lavida displayed in ‘Mabuhay Germany’ level their drive up. The Santana GTS 180 MPI AT SE offers more power with its 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, in-line gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, generating maximum power output of 110 PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 150 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The interior features and comfort amenities include leather seat material, cruise control and sunroof. Safety highlights include electronic stabilization program, (ESP)

and rear park distance control (PDC). The Santana GTS on display was equipped with Blaupunkt Infotainment System.

The Lavida for corporate managers The Lavida, on the other hand, takes occupant safety and comfort to higher levels for corporate managers and their families, who still seek that power and passion in their drive both behind the wheel and THEIR OFkCE DESKS 4HE ,AVIDA ALSO FULkLLS

its place as that second car in the garage, ready to complement the roles of other Volkswagen vehicles as the need arises. The Lavida 230 TSI DSG SE is equipped with a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder Turbo FuelInjected petrol engine with BlueMotion Technology mated to a 7-speed direct shift gearbox (DSG) transmission, capable of 130 PS of power at 5,000 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 1,400 to 3,500 rpm. The interior features and comfort amenities include

ÂłGermany D4

D 2

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

Q The Strada cuts a confident pose at the shoreline of San Vicente.

Mitsubishi’s Eco drive in Palawan

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DINO RAY V. DIRECTO 3RD

A

FTER successfully staging a rallycross style event in Pradera Verde, Pampanga to highlight the offroad performance of the all-new Mitsubishi Strada a few months ago, Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. (MMPC) gathered a select group of motoring Q The Strada in its PEN PUSHERS AND lEW element as it drives them to the scenic island of through a deep portion of the shoreline. Palawan for an eco-style ride and drive behind the wheel of the latest Strada. According to MMPC President Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, the Palawan experience would allow the participants an opportunity to test and feel how the Strada behaves over a long drive. “The long stretches and winding roads of Palawan is the perfect venue for motoring journalists to feel how the Strada performs on road. Here, they can push the Strada to its limits,� he stated. Upon our arrival at the newly refurbished Puerto Princesa Airport, MMPC executives and members of the media proceeded to Maximotors Corp., Mitsubishi’s dealership in Palawan. Breakfast was served by our gracious host Paul Elton Lao, Maximotors general manager.

Driving the latest Strada By mid-morning, the Mitsubishi Strada convoy

proceeded with the ride and drive, with veteran racer Pepon Marave as the convoy leader driving an Xpander. For the next two and a half hours, the convoy gradually snaked its way through the newly paved roads of Puerto Princesa. The repair and expansion program of Palawan’s road network started four years ago, as part of Gov. Jose Alvarez’s goal of providing easy access around the island to make it an investment and tourism FRIENDLY DESTINATION 7ITH kVE 3TRADA VARIANTS two of which were 4x4’s with one manual version, lead footed motoring journalists had a blast ATTACKING FAST CORNERS AND GOING lAT OUT ON CLEAR stretches of pavement. The Strada was not lacking in power and the suspension was not soft, but kRM YET COMFORTABLE $ESPITE THE HUMIDITY THE climate control system provided cool comforts

in the cabin. The NVH levels of the new Strada is also commendable because despite driving at high speeds, my colleagues Randy Peregrino of Business Mirror and videographer Dodong Desamero of Motoring Today could converse in a normal manner. The touchscreen audio system at the central console kept us entertained throughout the drive. After a sumptuous lunch at Club Agutaya, the Mitsubishi Strada convoy traversed the 14-kilometer stretch of the famous white sands of San Vicente to also plant some mangrove trees. “This is Mitsubishi’s way of promoting environment protection and preservation. We should do our part for Mother Earth,� said Arlan Reyes, --0# MARKETING AND PRESS RELATIONS OFkCER The vast stretch of shoreline allowed the par-

Q MMPC Executives and media participants pose for posterity before driving off to explore the island of Palawan.

Q The Strada is one of the best-selling pickup’s produced by a Japanese manufacturer.

ticipants to throw caution to the wind as the media had some playtime with the Strada, kicking up some sand and splashing seawater along the famous San Vicente beachhead.

The sixth generation Now on its sixth generation, the Strada/L200 is also known as the Triton in other foreign marKETS #UMULATIVE SALES OF THE kRST THREE GENERAtions have exceeded 2.8 million units globally, making it one of the best-selling compact pick-up trucks by a Japanese manufacturer. In the Philippines, the Strada is a workhorse and is popular in the provincial areas for its lEXIBILITY AND RELIABILITY 4HE LATEST VERSION WAS launched late last year in Thailand and early this year in the local market.

Tuned

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

D 3

A sleeker and a more

powerful McLaren M

CLAREN Automotive recently revealed its unique interpretation of a modern Grand Tourer - the new McLaren GT. Sleek, elegant and muscular, the superlight new GT challenges the conventions of the Grand Tourer category with a compelling blend of beautiful design, highquality innovative materials, true supercar performance, and McLaren driving dynamics and engagement. Positioned alongside the established Sports, Super and Ultimate Series families, this is a new McLaren for a new audience and provides an alternative to existing products in an expanding market segment. Like all McLarens, the new GT HAS A CARBON kBER STRUCTURE THAT POSSESSES exceptional strength and rigidity while enabling unparalleled driving dynamics and lightest-in-class curbweight. At 1,530 kilograms (kg), the McLaren GT is more than 130 kg lighter than its closest core competitor, and literally hundreds of kilograms less than other cars in the segment. With 620 PS from its 4.0-liter, twinturbocharged V8 engine, the powerto-weight ratio of the superlight new McLaren GT is a remarkable 405 PS per ton. The bespoke MonoCell II-T monocoque – the T denoting Touring – incorPORATES A CARBON kBER REAR UPPER STRUCTURE that adds minimal weight but allows the creation of a 420-liter luggage area below the front-hinged, full-length glazed tailgate. The tailgate has a soft-close function as standard and can be optioned as electrically powered. The low height of the engine and positioning of

the exhaust system has allowed the volume, shape and usability of the luggage bay to be optimized A golf bag or two pairs of 185-centimeter skis and boots as well as luggage can be carried with ease, while a further 150 liters of storage at the front means the new McLaren GT could accommodate a total of 570 liters.

Interior design, comfort The interior is a cosseting space designed to delight on longer journeys, but with all the essentials for focused, high performance driving; the seating position, location of controls and forward visibility are as important here as they are in any McLaren. The streamlined, electrically adjusted and heated seats, which are unique to the McLaren GT, have been engineered to meet the requirements of Grand Touring, being optimized for long-distance comfort, with the perfect amount of padding and shoulder and back support in combination with superb lateral control. The Nappa leather trim that features as standard could be upgraded to softgrain luxury leather or alcantara, depending on

which VEHICLE SPECIkCATION IS CHOSEN #ASHMERE would become available as an additional CHOICE TOWARDS THE END OF m THE kRST time that this exclusive material has been used in a production vehicle The long, elegant exterior lines that are widely recognized as Grand Tourer design cues are executed in the new McLaren GT according to the aerodynamic principles THAT DEkNE EVERY -C,AREN !T ALMOST meters, the new McLaren is longer than any of the cars in the McLaren Sports or Super Series. The front and rear overhangs extend further than is traditional for McLaren, but the 10-degree approach angle at the front (13-degree with vehicle lift engaged) means the new McLaren GT CAN COPE WITH THE MOST AGGRESSIVE TRAFkC calming measures. In combination with underbody clearance of 110 millimeters (mm) (130mm with vehicle lift) this ensures the car is eminently usable in all urban situations. Not only is it competitive with all rivals, but in

“lift� mode it is the equal of mainstream sedans.

4.0-liter engine with 620 PS The source of that performance is a new, 620PS 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged engine, designated M840TE. Further expanding the family of McLaren V8 engines, it is bespoke to the new McLaren GT and has the immense power and torque and superior exhaust sound quality that are the hallmarks of a true Grand Tourer. Torque of 630 Nm is produced between 5,500 to 6,500 rpm, with more than 95 percent available from 3,000 to 7,250 rpm. The new engine is mated to a seven-speed SSG transmission to deliver linear, seamless and relentless acceleration. The suspension is lightweight aluminium, double wishbone design, paired in the new McLaren GT with hydraulic dampers to deliver proactive damping control. Governed by the most sophisticated

iteration yet of the pioneering Optimal Control Theory software algorithm developed for the 720S, the suspension uses inputs from sensors to “read� the road, interpreting what would likely happen next and reacting predictively in just two milliseconds. Just as the steering response more than meets expectations across the wide range of Grand Touring driving styles, so too do the tires and brakes. McLaren and its technical partner, Pirelli, have developed bespoke P ZERO tires for the new McLaren GT that meets the demands of high-performance driving and comfort AND REkNEMENT IN EQUAL MEASURE 4HE 21-inch alloy rear wheels, which are the LARGEST EVER kTTED TO A -C,AREN ARE PAIRED with 20-inch wheels at the front and are available in 7- or 15-spoke designs. NEWSPRESS

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Heavy Duty

TUESDAY

May 28, 2019

Q DAF trucks displayed in the show.

Q UTRIP Chairman Jaime Vicente welcomes the guests with a speech.

UTRIP showcases rebuilt trucks TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ALAIN LOUISE C. GERONIMO

I

N A MOVE THAT SIGNIkES THE STRENGTH OF THE domestic truck industry, the Used Trucks Rebuilders and Importers Association of THE 0HILIPPINES 542)0 RECENTLY HELD ITS kRST Rebuilt Truck Show at the sprawling grounds of the Metrotent in Pasig City. “These trucks showcase the Filipinos’ ingenuity and creativity to transform a truck from its state of uselessness into something that is as durable as the trucks that just came out of the production line, for half the cost,� Jaime Vicente, UTRIP chairman, said. He added the newly rebuilt used trucks are as roadworthy as the new ones. A multitude of trucks, ranging from DAF, Isuzu and Fuso units were displayed at the show, most of them rebuilt and re-engineered to comply with Philippine emissions requirements. The truck show

was held from May 17 to May 18, Department Order 08-03 issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Bureau of Import Services in 2003 sowed the seeds for the truck rebuilding industry, spawning a multitude of truck rebuilding businesses. “(The) used trucks rebuilding industry is an offspring conceptualized by the government itself in 2003, nourished and reared within the parameters set forth by a program it conceived and propagated. We have since not sought nor given incentives other than what was originally offered to

GAC Hino trucks gets ZF transmission ACCORDING to GAC Hino, its upgraded truck equipped with SACHS clutch and ZF’s fourth generation 16-speed transmission gearbox is set to hit the market soon. With much higher fuel economy, the truck has further lowered its body weight thanks to the adoption of an all-aluminum casing for its transmission gearbox. In the driver’s cockpit, it has a bunk bed with its width reaching 800 millimeters (mm ) at the lower level and 860 mm at the upper level. It is also revealed by GAC Hino that it will initially roll out

the truck with 420 hp and a maximum torque of 1,765 Nm. Thanks to Hino’s unique HMMS combustion compartment and high-pressure common rail jetting technology, the truck achieves more exhaustive combustion.

Q GERMANY FROM D1

kRST 4HIS IS MORE CONVENIENT AND MORE COST EFkCIENT COMPARED TO THE INDUSTRY standard 5,000-km PMS interval. The warranty coverage is comprehensive. Aside from the three years or 100,000-km general warranty, whichever COMES kRST 6OLKSWAGEN 0( ALSO OFFERS A three-year warranty for paint and another three-year warranty for through-corrosion of the main steel body structure.

Santana GTS and Lavida leather seat material, cruise control, climatronic air conditioning, push start, and sunroof. Safety highlights include the ESP with brake assist, electronic differential lock, anti slip regulation (ASR), hill hold control, and front and rear PDC. The Lavida on display was accessorized with Blaupunkt Infotainment System. The periodic maintenance service (PMS) interval schedule for both Santana GTS and Lavida is just once a year, or every 10,000 kilometers (km), whichever comes

Q Old trucks are rebuilt and reengineered to government regulations and are emissions-compliant. us,� Vicente said in a statement. The companies under UTRIP import trucks from Japan and Europe, and turn them into completely built units. However, UTRIP recently learned truck rebuilding businesses have only up to June 30, 2019 to operate, given a new imposition by the government that is virtually

used truck can be issued. This ensued a series of dialogues between UTRIP’s umbrella group, the Confederation of Truck Rebuilders and Importers Association of the Philippines, and DTI-FTEB where an alternative was determined, which is to conduct local emission tests on used imported trucks. The emission tests should be undertaken by a center accredited by the Land TransportaTION /FkCE However, the alternative is only viable for builders operating inside freeport zones. Most rebuilders are operating outside those areas, a freeport zones are considered foreign territory. Vicente said that this would make the Department Order 08-03 baseless. impossible to comply with, which could He also said UTRIP members are safetyaffect 50,000 workers in 300 truck rebuild- conscious and responsible truck builders ing companies nationwide. In July 2018, in general. the DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau “If rebuilders are required to import (FTEB) required imported used trucks from only CKD (completely knocked down) the countries of their origin to be Euro 4 trucks that have passed government COMPLIANCE CERTIkED BEFORE A #ERTIkCATE OF standards, then what is there for us to Authority to Import covering an imported rebuild?,� Vicente said.

Owning a Foton truck made easy WANT to purchase a brand new heavy-duty truck financing, it usually takes several weeks, if not forward with certainty,� he added. for long haul deliveries, but also need to tighten months, and the clients are lucky if they receive Foton continues to produce and design vethe budget? Just like every entrepreneur running a feedback when they’re declined. With this hicles that would suffice the local transportation big logistics and freight companies, you’re not new program, we assure to offer more flexible needs through durable and dependable vehicles alone, and yes, Foton Motor Philippines Inc. payment schemes, affordable packages, and within reach. The brand’s vehicles are also (Foton PH) has a solution. most importantly, faster application process and capable of withstanding challenging business Foton PH, the official distributor of Foton approval,� said Dennis Fronda, first vice president operations. Because of this, Foton was officially vehicles in the Philippines, and BPI-Family Savof BPI Family Savings Bank. recognized as 2018’s Top 3 best-selling truck ings Bank, the largest thrift bank in the country, “This agreement has been put together to allow brand in the Philippines. has partnered to provide peace of mind to our dear clients to have their vehicle funded in ways “We hope that this program would convince clients who would like to avail heavy-duty trucks that best suits their circumstances. Our interest rates businessmen to invest in trucks and logistics. through bank financing. are fixed for the duration of the agreement you We’re also sending big thanks to BPI Family “Our brand’s promise is to empower busiopt for, allowing you to plan your finances moving Savings Bank for trusting our brand. We hope nesses. From this, our team does the that our institutions would remain best in providing notable services aligned and bonded with the same from pre-purchase, actual sale, vision: to be instruments of the Filiand after-sales. This includes the pinos’ success through our products worry-free experience of our clients and services,� Sytin said. in availing our products at the Foton is considered to be Asia’s lowest price possible,� said Foton PH largest commercial vehicle manuPresident Rommel Sytin. facturer. It has a wide range of comWith the new program, the vemercial vehicles, which include, but hicles that could be availed through is not limited to, passenger vehicles, light-, medium-, and heavy-duty BPI-FB would no longer be limited trucks, and agricultural and heavy to Foton passenger vehicles and machinery. For inquiries, contact light-duty trucks, as the financing Q From left: BPI-FB Auto Loans Division head-Assistant Vice would be extended to heavyPresident Redilberto Lopez, BPI-FB Retail Lending Group head-First 0999-999-9998. Also visit www. foton.com.ph and www.facebook. duty trucks, particularly up to the Vice President Dennis Fronda, Foton PH President Rommel Sytin, com/FOTONPhilippines for more 10-wheelers. and Foton PH Vice President for Marketing and Sales Levy Santos. “When it comes to bank details. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO The family-friendly Volkswagen display BOOTH HAD MASCOT 7OLk WELCOMING ALL VISitors with balloons from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on both days of the trade fair. Freebies of Volkswagen items were also given away. To complete that Volkswagen premium motoring lifestyle experience, a guest lounge/ hospitality area was set up for visitors and test drives of the Santana GTS, Lavida, and the rest of the product roster available at the nearby

Volkswagen BGC showroom. Like visitors to Mabuhay Germany 2019 experience “New Heights!� in German culture, food and industry, so too, do Filipino motorists when they visited the Volkswagen Philippines display area and BGC showroom, they saw what makes a Volkswagen, a Volkswagen. For more information on Volkswagen products and services, log on to www.volk-

swagen.com.ph, or visit the eight other dealerships of Volkswagen PH located at Volkswagen Quezon Avenue at 1229 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City; Volkswagen Alabang at Caltex along Alabang-Zapote Road, Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City; Volkswagen 'REENkELD $ISTRICT 3ERVICE #ENTER AT Sheridan Street, Barangay Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City; Volkswagen Sta. Rosa along Tagaytay-Balibago Road, Brgy. Don Jose, Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Volkswagen Pampanga at McArthur Highway, Dolores, San Fernando City, Pampanga; Volkswagen Cebu at A. Soriano Avenue, North Reclamation Area, Cebu City; Volkswagen Iloilo (upper ground level of SM Iloilo along Benigno Aquino Sr. Avenue); and Volkswagen Bacolod (along Araneta Street, Singcang, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental).

Sports

TTUESDAY MAY 28, 2019 M

E1

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Warriors, Raptors brace for NBA Finals

I

T all comes down to this. No, really. It all comes DOWN TO THIS 4HE NEXT FOUR kVE SIX OR SEVEN GAMES of the NBA Finals between Golden State and Toronto will not only decide the 2019 championship, but how THIS SERIES PLAYS OUT IS INEVITABLY GOING TO AFFECT HOW FREE AGENCY UNFOLDS STARTING IN A MONTH OR SO

Q Golden State’s Steph Curry AP PHOTO

It’ll affect Warriors star Kevin Durant and his annual stay-or-go decision. It’ll affect Raptors star Kawhi Leonard as he ponders his next move, or if he’ll be moving at all. Klay Thompson will be a free agent this summer. DeMarcus Cousins will be free this summer. Their thinking will inevitably be moved one WAY OR ANOTHER BY THIS SERIES THE DECISIONS they’ll all make in the coming weeks will have a ripple effect on the rest of the NBA. Durant made clear over the weekend that he’s tired of the incessant talk about his future. “I know what I bring to the team,� Durant said, “but I also know that a lot of people on the outside don’t like to see us together.� New York will be paying intense attention to everything that gets said, tweeted, Instagrammed and intimated. Brooklyn will be in the same boat. So will the Los Angeles Clippers, who think they’re on the cusp of building something really good, and the Los Angeles Lakers, who made the biggest signing of last summer by getting LeBron James and have done very little right since. They will all be waiting to hear what Durant, Thompson, Leonard and Cousins decide. !ND THOSE ARE JUST THE BIGGEST kSH ‡ THE whales, to use a term Miami President Pat Riley likes. After that, there’s another 60 or so players WHO COULD BE FREE AGENTS THIS SUMMER ‡

some have opt-ins and might not be relocatING ‡ AND WHO ARE COMING OFF SEASONS WHERE they averaged at least 10 points per game. Their teams next season will be affected on some level by who gets whom in the draft. How SOME TEAMS PICK IN THE DRAFT WILL BE INlUENCED on what they’re hearing about free agency. And that hinges on this series. So it’s not just a ripple effect. 4HE kNALS MAY CREATE A TSUNAMI “The latest I’ve heard from our basketball operations group is that, I believe, 40 percent of our players are going to be free agents this summer,� NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at All-Star weekend in February. “So it’s two sides of the coin. Some people could say, ‘Oh my God, look at all that player movement.’ On the other hand, that player movement could be very positive for a lot of teams.� Maybe, maybe not. If the Warriors win this series, as the oddsmakers in Las Vegas expect, it’ll be a third consecutive championship for Golden State ‡ AND SOME HISTORY 4HE #ELTICS ,AKERS AND Bulls are the only franchises to win three or more in a row. And out of that group, only the Celtics have won four in a row (eight, actually). Michael Jordan never did. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant never did. That would be the obvious recruiting pitch the Warriors would make to Durant and

Matchups for Toronto-GSW NBA Finals THE position matchup breakdown for the 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors:

have the ball will be fascinating. Edge: Even, based on the plan that Durant is missing some of the series.

Starting guards

Starting center

Golden State: Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Toronto: Kyle Lowry and Danny Green. Analysis: All respect to Lowry, whose toughness and leadership are both comically overlooked because people tend to see only scoring, but this matchup clearly tilts Golden State’s way. Curry and Thompson have averaged 42.5 points COMBINED IN THEIR kRST kNALS GAMES together and even on their bad days are two of the most feared shooters in the game. Toronto simply needs more from Green, who is shooting only 32 percent in the playoffs and 31 percent from 3-point range. Toronto won the last four games of the Eastern Conference finals even while Green went a staggering 1 for 15 from 3-point range. But he’s had enormous moments in the kNALS BEFORE AND is a 52 percent shooter from 3-point land in PREVIOUS kNALS games. Edge: Warriors.

Golden State: Jordan Bell (presumably). Toronto: Marc Gasol. Analysis: Gasol has waited a long time FOR THIS kRST TASTE OF THE kNALS AND "ELL ‡ IF HE DOES ACTUALLY START WHICH IS IN SOME DOUBT ‡ HAS POINTS IN GAMES this postseason. And don’t be surprised if DeMarcus Cousins, who has never played IN A kNALS GAME AND MISSED MOST OF THESE playoffs with a quad injury, is back on the lOOR EARLY IN THE SERIES FOR THE 7ARRIORS and back as a starter not long after that. So far in the playoffs, Gasol has made more

Starting forwards

3s (28) than 2s (27) and 55% of his points have come from beyond the 3-point line. E d g e : Ra p t o r s, l a r g e l y b e c a u s e of the uncertainty surrounding Cousins’ availability.

Golden State: Kevin Durant/Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green. Toronto: Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam. Analysis: Durant isn’t expected to be available for Game 1 because of his calf strain, and it remains unclear if he’ll play AT ANY POINT IN THE kNALS )GUODALA IS A PAST Finals MVP and Green may be playing the best basketball of his life right now, with keeping his emotions in check yet another bonus for the Warriors. Siakam has had great moments in these playoffs and is likely the most improved player in the NBA this season. But this matchup comes down to Leonard, who has willed the Raptors through every tough moment they’ve faced in the postseason and has put himself in the best-player-in-the-world-rightnow conversation. The Leonard vs. Green (or Iguodala) matchup when the Raptors

ter, will get big minutes for Toronto and plays the two-man game with Leonard like they’ve been together for seven years instead of seven months. And VanVleet came up big time and time again toward THE END OF THE %AST kNALS HIS EMOTIONS bolstered by the birth of his son midway through that matchup. Edge: Raptors, slightly.

Coaching Golden State: Steve Kerr. Toronto: Nick Nurse. Analysis: Kerr won five rings as a player, has three already as a coach and somehow seems to always push the right buttons. Nurse has dealt incredibly well with the pressure that accompanied BEING A kRST YEAR COACH WHO JUST HAPpened to be replacing the reigning NBA coach of the year in Dwane Casey and had to lead a win-now-orelse team that went all in on moves to get p l aye r s l i k e Leonard and Gasol. Edge: Warriors.

Intangibles

Bench Golden State: Kevon Looney, Shaun Livingston, Quinn Cook, Andrew Bogut. Toronto: Fred VanVleet, Norman Powell, Serge Ibaka. Analysis: The Warriors’ bench rotation will change if Cousins and/or Durant return. Golden State has averaged 24.6 points off the bench in the playoffs, which doesn’t look so hot, but a deeper dive shows how effective certain things have been for the Warriors. Looney has been fantastic, shooting 72% (50 for 69) in 329 minutes off the bench, and Livingston is looking for his fourth ring as a key reserve. Ibaka, assuming he doesn’t start at cen-

T h e Wa r riors have 10 players with a combined GAMES OF FINALS EXPERIENCE THE Raptors have four players who have been in a combined 38 finals games. And the Warriors’ total doesn’t even count 49 finals games for Kerr (27 as a player, 22 as a coach). ... First time in the finals for Toronto, last time in the FINALS FOR /AKLAND ‡ THE 7ARRIORS ARE leaving Oracle Arena for the new Chase Center in San Francisco after this season. ... By the time the finals start, the Warriors will have gone 24 days since losing a game (May 6, Game 4 of the West semis against Houston) and by the time the series shifts to Oakland on June 5 they will have gone 20 days without a home game. ... Toronto won the regular-season series 2-0. Before that, the Warriors had won 16 of the last 18 games between the teams. Edge: Warriors, because of the experiAP ence factor.

A

Thompson. ‘Come back and try to win No. 4. Come back and try to do something that very few players have done and something no one has done in a half-century.’ That lure would undoubtedly be strong. But if they lose this series, it would seem much easier for either player to say it’s been a great run and it’s time to go play somewhere else. If Durant stays, then the Knicks, Nets and Clippers would have to move on to Plan B for free agency. Therefore, they probably should be rooting for the Raptors. $URANT IS DIFkCULT TO READ BECAUSE HE USES social media to give cryptic hints that usually aren’t hints at all. Leonard is impossible to read. For all anyone knows, he has already decided to stay in Toronto or sign elsewhere. Or maybe he hasn’t even thought about the summer. Maybe he is as robotic as he tries to convey. But the same theory applies: If Toronto wins this series, it’ll be harder for Leonard to leave. So the teams that want him, they might want to root for the Warriors. Let’s use the Knicks solely for example purposes. If they don’t get Durant or Leonard, then maybe Irving crosses them off his list. Maybe that would mean Kemba Walker climbs up their charts. Maybe that means Jordan decides to offer Walker the super-max of $221 million or so to stay in Charlotte. And the ripples go on and on. They won’t be little waves gently rolling onto the shores, either. This will be a summer of change and a summer of major spending in the NBA. This series is going to decide much more than who gets rings. This series will likely decide who plays where for many years to come. AP

Q Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard AFP PHOTO

Has Pacquiao fallen into a trap?

FTER the megabout between Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman was announced last week, views that OUR kGHTING SENATOR COULD BEAT the American seems to be gaining popularity. The main reason for perceptions or predictions that Pacquiao could beat Thurman’s is the American’s so-so performance against Josesito Lopez in *ANUARY )N THAT kGHT 4HURMAN WAS ON the verge of getting dropped in the seventh round. Also, Thurman may have been expected to stop the game Lopez. However, there is more than meets the eye from Thurman’s performance against Lopez, with the punch stats revealing he landed 247 punches on the Mexican who in turn landed only 117. Thurman’s punchING ACCURACY IN HIS kGHT AGAINST ,OPEZ WAS also an impressive 27.5 percent from 899 punches thrown. On the other hand, Pacquiao landed 112 punches against Adrien Broner in THEIR kGHT HELD IN -ARCH "RONER MANAGED to land only 50 punches over 12 rounds. 0ACQUIAO S ACCURACY IN THE "RONER kGHT WAS 20 percent from 568 punches. And Lopez, by closely scrutinizing his record of 36-8 with 19 KOs, was not a cream puff or tomato tincan who could be easily blown away by a punch or two. Lopez may be a stepping stone but he turns out to be also tough, because three of his knockout or stoppage losses were to Canelo Alvarez in September 2012, Marcos Maidana in June 2013 and Andre Berto in March 2015. We all know who Alvarez is. As for Maidana, he also owns a mean knockout streak and gave Floyd MayWEATHER TWO VERY HARD kGHTS !ND WHILE Berto is no longer a threat, Lopez fought him when he only had one knockout loss. Thurman may have also committed an error in picking Lopez as a tune-up opponent, because the Mexican is lankish (with long limbs) and stands almost 5’10�, allowing him to catch the American who also employs a “run and gun� tactic in the ring. The run and gun tactic of Thurman also clearly shows he is far from being a brawler or mindless slugger. I even agree with boxing analysts who say that Thurman is a boxerpuncher, or one who has punching power and skills like counter punching. Such type OF BOXERS ARE RARE IN THE kGHT GAME Also, Thurman thrives on volume punching even if he employs his run and GUN TACTIC AS SHOWN IN HIS kGHTS AGAINST Lopez and Shawn Porter in June 2016. Thurman laded 235 punches against Porter who in turn connected with 236 punches.

When he decides to face his opponent and not resort to running and gunning, Thurman ends up landing less as shown in his fight against Danny Garcia in March 2017. )N THAT kGHT 4HURMAN LANDED PUNCHES over 12 rounds and Garcia connected with 130. Obviously, Thurman respected GarCIA S PUNCHING POWER )N THE 'ARCIA kGHT Thurman’s accuracy rate was 25.8 percent from 570 punches. I really do not know how Thurman would kGHT WHEN HE FACES 0ACQUIAO ON *ULY ‡ would he stand in front of Pacquiao and box, or would he try to frustrate the Filipino by also employing his run and gun tactic. "UT THIS IS WHAT ) SEE ‡ 4HURMAN WOULD also employ his run and gun tactic against Pacquiao for two good reasons: being the SHORTER kGHTER 0ACQUIAO WOULD HAVE TO work harder to chase Thurman throughout THE kGHT AND THE !MERICAN WOULD NOT DARE trade punches with Pacquiao by standing in FRONT OF THE &ILIPINO FOR MOST OF THE kGHT One way or another, Thurman would respect Pacquiao’s punching power and would not trade with the Filipino. Besides Lopez, Porter almost beat Thurman and Porter did this by landing 235 punches. But Porter is a young gun and a rough houser that Pacquiao is not. Porter employed every rough house tactic against Thurman like holding, pushing and what have you, yet Thurman kept his composure and won. So to beat Thurman, Pacquiao may have to press the action against the American and connect twice the number of punches he usually lands. Also, Pacquiao must take the risk of getting hit by Thurman, and Porter did ate a lot of Thurman’s punches. But can Pacquiao take about 200 to 240 punches from Thurman without getting hurt? And we all know Thurman has punching power. In his past two fights against Lucas Matthysse and Adrien Broner, Pacquiao almost had the luxury of walking past the punches thrown at him, because Argentine did not have speed while the American did not have power. I am not saying Pacquiao that would be blown away by But it seems that some (or many) boxing analysts fail to realize that Thurman may have been 70 to 80 percent of his best form when he fought Lopez. So, what if Thurman attains 100-percent of his deadly FORM WHEN HE kGHTS 0ACQUIAO I hope Pacquiao has not fallen into a deadly trap.

ANTITHESIS

CONRAD M. CARIĂ‘O

E2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

Q Cignal-Ateneo’s Angelo Kouame hauls down a rebound against Cha Dao-FEU’s Patrick Tchuente (No. 35) and Kenneth Tuffin during the quarterfinals of the 2019 PBA D-League on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Blue Eagles survive Tamaraws to reach D-League semis C

markers, six boards and three dimes while 10 other Eagles contributed at least two markers in a balanced attack. Cignal-Ateneo shook off a sluggish start, erasing an early 11-point DEkCIT AND STEALING A LEAD on Tyler Tio’s jumper halfway through the third quarter. Cha Dao-FEU kept a close contest from then on, with Cade Flores hitting a basket to stay within striking distance, 56-57, with 4:32 left in the game. Jolo Mendoza sank a huge triple and two free throws before Kouame drained three straight points to cap THE %AGLES kNISHING SPURT Flores’ 14 points and seven rebounds along with Joseph Nunag’s 10 markers went to waste as the TamaRAWS CRASHED OUT OF THE $ ,EAGUE In the second quarterfinal faceoff at press time, Valencia City Bukidnon-San Sebastian College, armed with a win-once incentive, SEEKS TO kNISH OFF #HŸLU "AR 'RILL

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLAÂ Â

IGNAL-ATENEO de Manila University e scaped Cha Dao-Far E astern University (FEU), 67-60, to barge into the semifinals of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Developmental League (PBA D-League) on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. The twice-tobeat Blue Eagles unleashed A STRONG kNISH en route to their first semifinal appearance in the developmental league. “Our mentality was taking it possession by possession.

That’s one of the things coach Tab (Baldwin) emphasized,� said Cignal-Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We had to play each possession to the best of our ability defensively. And on offense, we wanted to execute our plays properly,� added Arespacochaga. Ivorian big man Angelo Kouame paced Cignal-Ateneo with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds on top of three blocks, two assists and two steals. Thirdy Ravena chipped in 10

Vargas appoints new Biggio hits first career HR, Jays beat Padres SEAG, Olympics CDMs PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee (POC) President Ricky Vargas appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) William Ramirez and POC Chairman Abraham Tolentino as Chief of Mission for this year’s Southeast Asian Games and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, respectively. Vargas announced on Monday during the POC General Assembly that original 2019 SEA Games chief of mission Monsour Del Rosario of tae kwon do and Tokyo Olympics chief of mission Joey Romasanta of karatedo were removed due to ‘lack of trust and confidence.’ Vargas also replaced Richard Bachmann of squash with Lucas Managuelod of Muay Thai as the new POC membership committee head, while former POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. of equestrian was replaced by Atty. Al Agra of obstacle sports as head for constitutional revisions and amendments. “It is truly lost of trust and confidence and I will keep it that way. I have been

thinking of that for a long time,â€? said Vargas, adding that there’s no need of any board resolution in firing those appointees. “That is my opinion. I will give you a very practical solution.â€? “When the President of the Philippines appoints a secretary or cabinet member, the one who approves the appointment was the commission of appointment. But when he fires, he does not have to go through to the commission of appointment. That’s an executive function.â€? Vargas said he was turned off when he was asked by the executive board to explain within five working days who authorized him to become an incorporator at the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC). Vargas explained in his statement that POC exercises oversight over PHISGOC as POC officials are incorporators or are in top management of PHISGOC. JOSEF T. RAMOSÂ

TORONTO: Blue Jays rookie Cavan Biggio grew up watching his Hall of Fame dad, Craig, hit home runs for the Houston Astros. On Sunday (Monday in Manila), father and son reversed roles. Biggio had three hits, including HIS kRST CAREER HOME RUN ,OURDES Gurriel Jr. had four hits and homered for the third straight game, and Toronto beat the San Diego Padres 10-1 Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep. With his famous father and more than 10 other friends and family watching from the stands, Biggio got his first hit with a ground ball single through the right side in the second. He hit a solo home run into the fourth deck off left-hander Matt Wisler in the fourth, then added an RBI SINGLE IN 4ORONTO S FOUR RUN kFTH “I’ve always wanted to do what my dad did, ever since a young AGE AND kNALLY HERE WE VE KIND

of switched roles,� the younger Biggio said. “He’s in the seats now AND ) M ON THE kELD 3O THAT S pretty cool because it’s everything I ever wanted.� Recalled from Triple-A Buffallo Friday slog with Gurriel Jr., Biggio had started 0 for 6 before his single. g!FTER ) GOT THAT kRST HIT ) FELT LIKE ) COULD kNALLY EXHALE AND kNALLY JUST PLAY THE GAME u "IGGIO said. “It was a big relief.� Biggio’s big crowd was waiting for him as he left the clubhouse following the game, admiring a

pair of souvenir balls from his milestone game. Toronto’s Justin Smoak hit two home runs, a two-run blast off ,UIS 0ERDOMO IN THE kFTH AND A three-run drive off Adam Warren in the eighth. The homers were his 10th and 11th of the season. The Blue Jays, who came in having lost four straight and 10 OF AT HOME kNISHED WITH A season-high 17 hits. Toronto rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. snapped an 0 for 14 slump WITH A DOUBLE IN THE kRST (E kNished 3 for 5, the second three-hit

game of his brief career. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he got chills watching Gurriel Jr. and Biggio go back-toback in the fourth. Biggio, Gurriel Jr. and Guerrero Jr. combined to kNISH FOR WITH FOUR 2")S “It felt like that’s what’s coming here,� Montoyo said. “That’s the future.� Biggio also turned an unassisted double play in the seventh, catching Manuel Margot’s liner and stepping on second base to retire Austin Allen, who had strayed too far off the bag. 'URRIEL *R HAD THE kRST FOUR HIT game of his career. He singled and scored in the second, homered off Wisler immediately before Biggio’s blast in the fourth, doubled AND SCORED IN THE kFTH AND SINGLED in the seventh. Right-hander Marcus Stroman PITCHED kVE INNINGS TO WIN consecutive starts for the first time this season. He allowed one RUN AND kVE HITS WALKED ONE AND struck out two. AP

Q San Diego Padres Eric Hosmer (bottom) is out at second base while trying to stretch a single into a double as Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio makes the tag in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto. AP PHOTO

UP downs Mapua for 4th win in FilOil UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) posted a winning streak anew after trouncing Mapua University, 80-71, in the 2019 FilOil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup on Monday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City. The Fighting Maroons banked on a balanced offense led by Juan 'ONEZ $E ,IAĂ„O TO SEIZE THEIR SECond straight victory. UP improved its record to 4-2 in Group A. “I think the entire team stepped up today,â€? said the State U head coach Bo Perasol.

“Even with Bright Akhuetie playing few minutes and without Ricci Rivero and Kobe Paras, this is good because we know others who can step up,â€? he added. 'OMEZ $E ,IAĂ„O kRED A TEAM HIGH 17 points built on a perfect 9-of-9 free throw shooting while guard Jun Manzo tallied 15 markers for UP. Akhuetie and James Spencer chipped in nine points apiece while six other Maroons added at least two markers. 50 TURNED A DEkCIT INTO A ADVANTAGE AS $E ,IAĂ„O SPARKED a 13-0 blast late in the third quarter.

The Maroons notched their largest lead at 61-35 before weathering the Cardinals’ late fightback to secure the win. Warren Bonifacio had a game-best 23 points on top of 13 rebounds while %RIC *ABEL AND ,AURENZ 6ICTORIA HAD 15 and 13 markers, respectively, for Mapua, which fell to 1-5. Earlier in the juniors division, ,YCEUM OF THE 0HILIPPINES 5NIVERsity clinched a playoff spot after CRUISING PAST THE DEBUTING $E ,A Salle Zobel, 81-70. The Pirates hiked their card to 4-1 in Group A. JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

˜ The Manila Times

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TUESDAY May 28, 2019

L

/3 !.'%,%3 +EVIN .A kRED A kNAL ROUND AT #OLONIAL #OUNTRY #LUB ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA TO WIN THE 53 0'! 4OUR S #HARLES 3CHWAB #HALLENGE BY FOUR STROKES OVER FELLOW !MERICAN 4ONY &INAU Texas, starting the day with a twoshot advantage that was never

Law captures first LPGA title WASHINGTON, D.C.: England’s Bronte Law sees her first US LPGA Tour title as the beginning of something much bigger. Law got off to a hot start with four birdies on the front nine then delivered the knockout blow with another birdie on 16 to win the Pure Silk tournament in Williamsburg, Virginia, by two strokes on Sunday (Monday in Manila). “Oh my gosh, that was the biggest fight of my life,� said Law, who closed with a final round of four-under 67 for her wire-to-wire win. Law finished with a 17-under 267 total as she held off a hard-charging field that included Madelene Sagstrom, Brooke Henderson and Nasa Hataoka. The trio tied for second at 15-under on the Kingsmill Resort course. The 24-year-old Law, who is in her third season on the Tour, said this is just the start of her first place trophy collection. “I came in this week with the sole intention of getting one better. It feels really good,� she said. Law got some breaks on Sunday — including one where Sweden’s Sagstrom almost holed out on 18 with an eagle but the ball hit the pin and cup and rolled back 20 feet. She finished with a par. But Law said hard work, not luck, got her to where she is. “I don’t believe in destiny. I believe in hard work and determination. I stayed so focused out there and

E3

Na earns third US PGA crown

Q Kevin Na of the United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club on Monday in Fort Worth, Texas. AFP PHOTO

Na continued his mastery of the classic course in Fort Worth,

Sports

my caddie did good job of keeping me calm,� she said. Law, who was an amateur standout in Britain, placed second in her most recent start at the Mediheal Championship earlier this month. “I struggled with my driver a little bit out there, and I really had to stay strong and just play to my advantages and just really try to find those fairways because I was hitting my irons really good,� she said. “So as long as I found those fairways, I was going to create some chances, and I ended up doing that towards the end. It feels amazing.� Sagstrom shot 66, Henderson 68 and Hataoka 69. Henderson shot a bogey free round but came up shor t. “To be that close to the leaderboard and know that you left some out there is a good thing,� she said. “I think this was a good way to lead into the US Open next week.� Sagstrom, 26, also enjoyed a bogey-free round that featured five birdies. Hataoka balanced out two bogeys with four birdies to shoot two under on the day. World No. 1 Ko Jin-Young of South Korea shot 68 and finished tied with four players at eight under. Defending champion and world No. 4 Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, shot a disappointing 72 and finished tied for 43rd at four under. Ariya will be defending again next week at the US Women’s Open in Charleston. AFP

really challenged. Na’s six birdies included a 33-footer at the fourth and a 20-footer at the eighth. He rolled in a 12-footer at the 72nd hole to cap his four-under par round with a birdie for a 13-under total of 267. “It feels great,� said Na, who cel-

ebrated with his toddler daughter, Sophia, in his arms. Na, 35, boasts an impressive record at Colonial, where he thrust himself into contention with a second-round 62. That was his third score of 62 or better on the course, where he matched the record of 61 on the way to a fourth-

PLACE kNISH LAST YEAR He said he eyed the club’s “wall OF CHAMPIONSu ON THE kRST TEE 3UNday, “and in my head I engraved my name on it. It was the second win in less than a year for the 35-year-old Na, a Las Vegas resident who was born in South Korea but came to America when he was just eight-year-old. He last won at the 2018 Greenbrier event in July, and his best finish this season prior to Fort Worth was a tie for fifth at the WGC Match Play in March. Na was also given a 1973 fully restored blue Dodge Challenger as one of his perks for winning the tournament which he quickly turned over to his caddie Kenny Harms. On Tuesday before the tournament started, Harms asked Na if he could have the car if they won

the tournament. Na agreed. Finau, who was among a group OF kVE PLAYERS TO START THE ROUND two shots behind Na, moved within one shot of the leader with his birdie at the second. He was two adrift on the back nine but the gap widened when Na birdied 14 and Finau bogeyed 16. &INAU kNISHED WITH FOUR BIRDies and two-bogeys in a twounder 68 for 271. It was a further stroke back to American Andrew Putnam (66) and Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung (69). Local favorite Jordan Spieth, who also started the day two off the lead, couldn’t maintain his hot streak on the greens. He closed with a two-over par 72 that left him eight back and STILL IN SEARCH OF HIS kRST VICTORY since he captured his third major championship at the British Open in 2017. AFP

Federer marks Paris return with victory PARIS: Roger Federer marked his return to Roland Garros after a four-year absence with a straight sets win over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Sunday (Monday in Manila), admitting he “felt on edge,� as Angelique Kerber’s hopes of completing a career Grand Slam suffered a quick kill. Federer, a 20-

t i m e major winn e r, h a d n ’ t played the tournament since 2015 when HE REACHED THE QUARTERkNALS However, on Sunday, it was as if the 37-year-old had never been away as he swept to a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour 41 minutes on a packed, rebuilt Court Philippe Chatrier. )T WAS HIS TH SUCCESSIVE kRST round win at a Grand Slam. “I felt on edge at the start, my heart was beating crazily,� said Federer, who hailed the new-look stadium which has been 90% rebuilt in readiness

for the installation of a retractable roof for 2020. “I felt great playing on this court. It looks very attractive, so congratulations to everyone involved. “Hopefully I can play here again for my next match.� That match will be against German lucky loser Oscar Otte who won just his second match in eight years on the tour by seeing off Malek Jaziri of Tunisia 6-3, 6-1, 4-6, 6-0.

&EDERER BROKE SERVE kVE TIMES AND kRED WINNERS PAST YEAR old Sonego, the world number WHO MADE THE QUARTERkNALS AT the Monte Carlo Masters. 'ERMAN kFTH SEED AND REIGNING Wimbledon champion Kerber saw her hopes of a career Grand Slam ended by Russian teenager Anastasia Potapova. Kerber slumped to a 6-4, 6-2 defeat to 18-year-old Potapova who was making her French Open debut.

Kerber, 31, has now lost six times in the French Open first round. The German left-hander had come into Roland Garros carrying a right ankle injury which forced her to pull out of the Italian Open and retire from her second round tie in Madrid. AFP

Q Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves the ball to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego during their men’s singles first round match on day 1 of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris. AFP PHOTO

ONE Championship fighter bags gold in PH Beach Games ONE Championship veteran Rodian “The Redeemer� Menchavez ruled the men’s 90 kg beach wrestling event in the 2019 Philippine Beach Games (PBG) held in Lingayen Beach, Pangasinan. Enroute to the gold, Menchavez, of Brawlers’ Lab martial arts and fitness gym, beat three other wrestlers - the toughest being former Philippine national wrestling team mainstay Maxwell Francisco, Jr.,

who settled for silver. The rule being whoever is kRST TO SCORE THREE POINTS WINS Francisco was off to a hot start as he scored two consecutive points early in their match, but Menchavez wasn’t discouraged and blitzed to three consecutive unanswered points for his comefrom-behind victory. The MMA fighter emerged champion this time around, after placing second in another wrestling competition less than

ten days prior, in SPRAWL MMA gym’s Best of Three Takedowns Open in Cubao, Quezon City held May 17. Urdaneta wrestling team bagged the most number of gold medals with four, while Menchavez’s Valenzuela Citybased team, Brawlers’ Lab, came in second with two. The other teams were Dagupan wrestling team, Fabricio BJJ Urdaneta, and Manila wrestling team.

“This is only our sport’s debut in the annual Philippine Beach Games, and we’re happy with the modest turnout. The wrestlers showed exciting matches and the crowd showed their appreciation by watching our event from start to finish. We expect the number of our participants to quadruple next year, in the 2020 Philippine Beach Games,� according to beach wrestling sports head for the PBG.

Tarlac rallies past Malolos to win 3x3 Nat’l Finals Q Bronte Law AP PHOTO

TARLAC scored a come-frombehind 20-18 win over Malolos to capture the 2019 RC Cola Liga ng Bayan National 3X3 Finals on Sunday at the activity center of Market! Market! Market! Center in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. 7ENCY 3AGUN THE NATIONAL knals Most Valuable Player, scored

three straight baskets to help Tarlac CRAWL FROM A THREE POINT DEkCIT 14-17, during the championship round and win the crown plus the P50,000 cash prize. “We did our very best just to win. Even there’s no time left, we just fought our best. We are used to that kind of game. We are going to divide the cash prize,� said

Sagun, the incoming grade nine student of Santo Cristo Tarlac high school. Besides Sagun, the other members of the Tarlac team are Francis Kurt Dela Cruz, Nhil Angelo Mangoba And Luis Gabriel Flores. Malolos, which settled for THE kRST RUNNER UP TROPHY PLUS P30,000 cash prize, defeated

"IĂ„AN #ITY IN THE SEMIkNALS 12, while Tarlac survived Bacoor #ITY IN THE OTHER SEMIknal pairing. Tournament director Luis Gonzalez, also the incoming Jose Rizal University head coach, organized the 3X3 competition participated by 14 teams. JOSEF RAMOS

E4

Football

TUESDAY MAY 28, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Bayern rules German Cup

B

ERLIN: Robert Lewandowski dedicated victory to departing teammates Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery after Bayern Munich wrapped up a domestic double with a 3-0 win over RB Leipzig in the 'ERMAN #UP kNAL 'OALS FROM ,EWANDOWSKI AND +INGSLEY #OMAN SEALED VICTORY for Bayern in an enthralling game AT THE /LYMPIC 3TADIUM IN "ERLIN "OTH 2OBBEN AND 2IBERY CAME OFF THE BENCH TO MAKE THEIR kNAL appearance in a Bayern shirt, and Lewandowski hailed the iconic duo after helping Bayern to victory WITH A GOAL EITHER SIDE OF HALF TIME “These titles are for Franck and Arjen, they have done so much

for the club and we have to thank them,� the Polish striker told pubLIC BROADCASTER !2$ The win sees Bayern lift the GOLDEN 'ERMAN #UP TROPHY FOR THE TH TIME IN THEIR HISTORY just a week after securing a seventh successive Bundesliga title LAST 3ATURDAY “It was a difficult season at times, but I think we can now say that in the end, it was a very good

Q Bayern Munich’s German midfielder Joshua Kimmich and Leipzig’s Danish forward Yussuf Poulsen (right) vie for the ball during the German Cup (DFB Pokal) Final football match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. AFP PHOTO season,â€? said ,EWANDOWSKI The campaign has been particularly tough for Bayern coach Niko Kovac, who has faced constant criticism both from inside and outside the club in his first year IN CHARGE 9ET THE FANS CHANTED +OVAC S NAME BEFORE AND AFTER THE kNAL whistle as Bayern ended their SEASON ON A HIGH “It will take a few days to sink in that it is now actually over, but it was good to go out with the DOUBLE u 2OBBEN TOLD !2$ Both sides probed rather frantically for an opener in the first half, and Manuel Neuer

denied Yussuf Poulsen with a REFLEX SAVE ON TEN MINUTES It was Bayern who broke the deadlock, though, Lewandowski lICKING IN A SUPERB HEADER IN THE TH MINUTE AFTER A kNE MOVE ON THE LEFT FROM #OMAN AND $AVID !LABA #OMAN HAD A FREE RUN AT GOAL and rounded goalkeeper Peter 'ULACSI SHORTLY BEFORE HALF TIME but his shot was cleared on the

HAM WAS kRING CROSS kELD BALLS *AAP Stam showed no mercy at the back AND 0AUL 3CHOLES BOSSED THE MIDkELD They faced a star-studded Bayern squad that included Lothar Matthaus, Stefan Effenberg, Sammy +UFFOUR AND #ARSTEN *ANCKER FROM THE STARTING LINEUP AS WELL AS FORMER -ANCHESTER #ITY DEFENDER -ARTIN $EMICHELIS Solskjaer went off midway through THE kRST HALF AND SKIPPER 0ETER 3CHmeichel followed suit shortly after Dwight Yorke scored a superb second FOR 5NITED ,EGENDS Thanks to their two late goals against Bayern, United remain the only English club to win a treble made UP OF THE 0REMIER ,EAGUE &! #UP AND #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE IN ONE SEASON As the latest man charged with trying to engineer a return to those glory days he was such an integral PART IN 3OLSKJAER S EFFORTS WERE greeted with enthusiasm by a crowd IN EXCESS OF Popular as he is, the reception for Solskjaer was eclipsed by the one afFORDED TO "ECKHAM The former England skipper, SOLD TO 2EAL -ADRID IN after a fall-out with Ferguson, got a standing ovation every time he WENT TO TAKE A CORNER AFP

A LOOSE BALL IN THE PENALTY AREA He later came off for departing VETERAN &RANCK 2IBERY WHO WAS MAKING HIS kNAL APPEARANCE FOR Bayern alongside fellow winger !RJEN 2OBBEN By that point it was already 3-0, as Lewandowski had broken free of the back line and lifted the ball OVER 'ULACSI TO SECURE VICTORY kVE AFP MINUTES FROM TIME

Allegri era ends as Juve falls at Sampdoria

Man Utd legends thrash Bayern in 1999 charity rematch LONDON: /LE 'UNNAR 3OLSKJAER TORMENTed Bayern Munich once again as the Manchester United manager scored in HIS CLUB S TREBLE WINNERS REUNION ON 3UNDAY -ONDAY IN -ANILA Twenty years after Solskjaer scored the last-gasp winner that helped Alex &ERGUSON S SIDE BEAT "AYERN IN THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE kNAL THE CURRENT United boss joined his old team-mates FOR A CHARITY MATCH AGAINST THE 'ERMANS AT /LD 4RAFFORD Solskjaer again started on the bench AS HE DID IN THE #AMP .OU kNAL BUT HE wasted little time after coming on for !NDY #OLE TURNING HOME THE OPENER AFTER $WIGHT 9ORKE WAS DENIED 7ITH &ERGUSON BACK IN THE DUGOUT AS manager for the day, there was a feelgood factor in the air at Old Trafford for 5NITED S WIN AFTER A TROUBLED SEASON FOR THE CURRENT GENERATION )T WAS THE kRST TIME &ERGUSON had managed a United team since his RETIREMENT IN He sat with ex-England boss Steve -C#LAREN HIS ASSISTANT YEARS AGO The reunion match, in aid of the Manchester United Foundation, was ALSO THE kRST TIME &ERGUSON HAD BEEN on the pitch since undergoing major surgery after suffering a brain haemorRHAGE LAST -AY 2OLLING BACK THE YEARS $AVID "ECK-

LINE BY )BRAHIMA +ONATE Emil Forsberg had a similar chance for Leipzig just after the break, but came off second best in A ONE ON ONE WITH .EUER A breathless second half saw chance after chance fall at either END UNTIL #OMAN S TH MINUTE STRIKE PUT "AYERN OUT OF REACH The Frenchman found the top corner after elegantly bringing down

Q Manchester United ‘99 Legends player David Beckham controls the ball during the Treble Reunion 20th anniversary football match between Manchester United ‘99 Legends and FC Bayern Legends at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. AFP PHOTO

ROME: Massimiliano Allegri ended his Juventus career in disappointing fashion on Sunday (Monday in Manila) after the champions were undone by two late strikes at SampDORIA TO kNISH THE 3ERIE ! SEASON WITH A kVE MATCH WINLESS STREAK ! SCUFFED kNISH FROM 'REGOIRE Defrel six minutes form the end and a superb stoppage-time FREE KICK FROM 'IANLUCA #APRARI sank Juve, who picked up just three points after securing their eighth straight league title late LAST MONTH (OWEVER DESPITE A POOR kNAL FEW WEEKS THEY STILL kNISHED points ahead of second-placed Napoli, who ended their underwhelming campaign beaten 3-2 defeat at Torino on Saturday thanks to an acrobatic Federico Santander header two minutes FROM THE END “I feel good because I ended kVE INCREDIBLE YEARS BY WINNING THE TITLE TOMORROW A NEW ERA begins,� Allegri told broadcaster $!:. AFTER THE DEFEAT He leaves having also won four #OPPA )TALIAS AND RE ESTABLISHING the Old Lady as a force in Europe,

REACHING TWO #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE kNALS AND SIGNING #RISTIANO 2ONALDO LAST SUMMER Allegri rested a host of firstchoice players, including star ATTACKER 2ONALDO FOR THE MEANINGLESS kXTURE WHICH GAVE THE LEAGUE S leading scorer Fabio Quagliarella the chance to extend his lead at TOP OF THE SCORING CHARTS The 36-year-old, who is strongly linked with a move back to Napoli, the club he supported as a boy, failed to add to his 26 goals but should still be assured his place as TOP SCORER AS HE IS FOUR AHEAD OF !# Milan young gun Krzysztof Piatek AND !TALANTA S $UVAN :APATA %ARLIER 4ORINO kNISHED THEIR EXciting campaign in seventh place, LEVEL ON POINTS WITH 2OMA AHEAD of their season-ender with lowly 0ARMA WITH A WIN OVER ,AZIO !TALANTA )NTER -ILAN !# -ILAN AND 2OMA ‡ WHO ARE ALSO bidding farewell to captain and LOCAL HERO $ANIELE $E 2OSSI WILL DUKE IT OUT FOR THE kNAL TWO top-four positions, with Atalanta FAVORITES TO QUALIFY FOR THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE FOR THE kRST TIME IN THEIR HISTORY AFP

Cech hopes to haunt QC-Area 2 bags overall title in INC Unity Games Chelsea in final farewell Powerhouse Quezon City-Area 2 copped four of the five gold medals at stake in team events to claim the overall championship crown in the 2019 Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Unity Games held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. Quezon City-Area 2 opened its campaign by blasting Quezon City-Area 3 via a 25-16, 25-17, 14-25, 25-20 decision to claim the gold medal in the men’s volleyball event. Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Clarence Elbanbuena led the onslaught of the Green Spikers with nine attacks, three aces and a couple of blocks while Jino Segurola, Kemuel Encina, John Louise Quebral and Emil Noguera provided the needed support with 36 combined points. Playmaker Ian Dave Alkuino also shone with 33 excellent sets in the onehour, forty-minute game. The Green Spikers bucked the absence of former National Collegiate Athletic Association champion Israel Encina, who participated in the recently-

concluded PRISAA National Finals in Davao City. The other members of the team were Jimrey Bachiller, Aquilino Fuentes, Arnel Mendoza, Bokbok Araza, York Mendez and Robert Vincent Avila. Behind the solid games of Season

MVP Paula Jean Colardo, Finals MVP Khyle Duran and Best Server Pam Azares, Quezon City-Area 2 also ruled the women’s volleyball event by beating Quezon City-Area 4, 25-16, 25-17, 20-25, 25-21. Eva Balaguer, Che Pineda, Nelia Quizon,

Winnie de Paz, Precious Lusung, Prestine Balaguer, Lareine Turerit, Hannah Velayo, Donalen Bobis, Jhasmine Galo and Mica Tancio were also part of the squad. Quezon City-Area 2 also topped the Binhi basketball and Buklod basketball events. Â

Q Members of the Quezon City-Area 2 men’s volleyball team pose for a photo during the awarding ceremonies of the 2019 Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) Unity Games held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LONDON: 0ETR #ECH WILL BRING DOWN the curtain on a glittering playing career in strange circumstances as the Arsenal goalkeeper faces his former and potentially future EMPLOYERS #HELSEA IN THE %UROPA ,EAGUE kNAL ON 7EDNESDAY #ECH ENJOYED THE BEST years of his career at Stamford "RIDGE WINNING TROPHIES including four Premier League TITLES AND THE #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE IN SEASONS WITH #HELSEA BEFORE moving across London to ArseNAL IN And his close relationship WITH #HELSEA OWNER 2OMAN Abramovich looks set to see him return to the Blues in the COMING WEEKS AS THE CLUB S NEW SPORTING DIRECTOR #ECH LOST HIS STATUS AS !RSENAL S NUMBER ONE DURING 5NAI %MERY S kRST SEASON IN CHARGE WITH "ERND Leno taking over in the Premier League since September, but the #ZECH VETERAN HAS STARTED ALL OF

!RSENAL S KNOCKOUT GAMES TO REACH THE %UROPA ,EAGUE kNAL 4HE SUCCESS OF !RSENAL S SEASON DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON LIFTING A kRST %UROPEAN TROPHY FOR YEARS IN "AKU BUT ALSO ON ENSURING #HAMPIONS ,EAGUE QUALIkCATION THAT WILL COME WITH VICTORY %MERY THEREFORE HAS THE DIFkCULT DECISION ON WHETHER TO GIVE #ECH A kTTING FAREWELL OR MAKE THE COLD but calculated choice of playing HIS kRST CHOICE @KEEPER IN ,ENO g) LL MAKE A DECISION ABOUT MY future after the last game,� said #ECH AS NEWS SPREAD ABOUT HIS IMMINENT RETURN TO #HELSEA g.OW my sole focus is to win the Europa ,EAGUE WITH !RSENAL u %MERY BELIEVES #ECH HAS THE experience and professionalism to shut out any distractions arising from a potential return to his OLD CLUB g3PEAKING ABOUT 0ETR #ECH WE can be here three days and it is all POSITIVE THINGS u SAID %MERY AFP

TTUESDAY U E S DAY MAY 28, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net

Star Magic Circle introduces new faces, familiar names in new batch S BY IZA IGLESIAS

INCE 1992, Star Magic has been dedicated to discovering and developing Filipino talents into reputable artists for TELEVISION kLM AND MUSIC )T ALL BEGAN WHEN then ABS-CBN Executive Vice President and General Manager Freddie Garcia, together WITH THEN 0ROGRAM $IRECTOR *OHNNY -ANAhan, hatched the idea of creating a stable of NEW STARS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE NETWORK

&IRST CALLED THE 4ALENT #ENTER ITS kRST MAJOR PROJECT WAS THE HIT AFTERNOON YOUTH SHOW g!NG 46u WHERE *OLINA -AGDANGAL #LAUDINE "ARRETTO 0ATRICK 'ARCIA 2ICA 0ERALEJO #AMILLE 0RATS !NGELU DE ,EON 0AOLO #ONTIS AND #HESKA 'ARCIA BECAME THEIR kRST CROP OF ARTISTS 4HE 4ALENT #ENTER WAS SUPPORTED BY MANY EXPOSURE DRIVEN ACTIVITIES FOR THE STABLE OF STARS SUCH AS MALL SHOWS LIVE CONCERTS AND EVEN RECORD ALBUMS 4HE SHOW CONTINUED TO AUDITION SEVERAL THOUSAND YOUNGSTERS AND ACCEPTED A FEW DOZEN OTHERS INTO THE PROGRAM AS IT PROGRESSED )N THEY LAUNCHED ANOTHER VEHICLE ‡ 3TAR #IRCLE ‡ TO SHOWCASE TEEN AND YOUNG ADULT ARTISTS %VENTUALLY IN THE 4ALENT #ENTER FORMALLY CHANGED ITS NAME TO 3TAR -AGIC 4HROUGH 3TAR -AGIC ARTISTS LIKE 0IOLO 0ASCUAL *ERICHO 2OSALES *OHN ,LOYD #RUZ *ODI 3TA -ARIA !NGELICA 0ANGANIBAN AND "EA !LONZO BECAME THE BIGGEST STARS OF THEIR GENERATION AND BEYOND &ROM THEN ON IT HAS REMAINED AS THE COUNTRY S PREMIERE TALENT AGENCY THAT SEEKS TO GIVE MORE ASPIRING TALENTS THE CHANCE TO REACH THEIR DREAMS

ENT CATAPULTED HIM TO JOIN THE REALITY MUSIC COMPETITION g7E ,OVE /0-u THAT BECAME HIS TICKET TO g!3!0 u (IS CHARISMA AND SKILLS ALSO PAVED THE WAY FOR HIM TO BE LAUNCHED AS A MEMBER OF THE SHOW S TEEN GROUP g!3!0 'Ãœu LAST YEAR (E WAS ALSO ABLE

g+AHIT NA SABIHIN NA ISA PO AKO SA MGA ACCOMPLISHED NA YOUNG STAR SIYEMPRE DAPAT KAILANGAN PA RIN NA MY FEET IS ALWAYS ON THE GROUND KASI KAHIT NANDUN KA NA YOU ALWAYS

THE BATCH IS *# !LCANTARA 4HIS u TALL CUTIE RECENTLY MADE WAVES AS "OGS IN THE TOPRATING AND TRENDING SOAP g(ALIKu BUT HE IS ACTUALLY MORE THAN JUST A DRAMATIC ACTOR 0RIOR TO THAT HE ALSO BECAME PART OF THE ROMANCE DRAMA MOVIE g+ASALu STARRING "EA !LONZO AND 0AULO !VELINO (E HAS ALSO WOWED MANY WITH HIS ACTING SKILLS ON THE g)PAGLABAN -Ou EPISODES g+ULAMu AND g+UYA u "UT HE WAS kRST ABLE TO SPARK THE INTEREST OF THE NETWORK AFTER BEING PART OF A VIRAL 46 COMMERCIAL FROM ONE OF THE COUNTRY S TOP FOOD CHAINS 3INCE THEN BLESSINGS CONTINUED POURING HIS WAY AND HE EVENTUALLY FOUND HIS WAY TO 3TAR -AGIC g"EFORE KASI TALAGANG SOBRANG

HAVE TO THINK ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES NA BIBIGYAN KA KASI -R - DOESN T REALLY CHOOSE EVERYONE PARA BIGYAN NG CHANCE NA MAISAMA SA 3TAR -AGIC #IRCLE +AYA AKO NANDITO KASI HE KNOWS BEST ) M VERY THANKFUL NA NAGTIWALA SILA SA AKIN u %CHARRI TOLD THE MEDIA DURING THEIR LAUNCH -ARIANO ON THE OTHER HAND HIRAP NG PINAGDAANAN KO KUNG SAID g.UNG TIME PO KASI NA NASA SAAN SAAN AKO NAPUNTANG MANAGE-

The Eddys 2019 honors 10 movie icons TEN RESPECTED LOCAL kLM LUMINAR- PIO AND 2OSA 2OSAL IES WILL BE RECOGNIZED IN THE THIRD 4HE YEARS OF 0HILIPPINE EDITION OF THE 3OCIETY OF 0HILIPPINE #INEMA WAS RECOGNIZED THROUGH %NTERTAINMENT %DITORS 30%%D 0RESIDENTIAL 0ROCLAMATION 4HE %DDYS HAPPENING IN *ULY 3ERIES SIGNED IN .OVEMBER AS#ARRYING ON THE TRADITION OF SIGNING &$#0 AS LEAD AGENCY FOR PAYING TRIBUTE TO MOVIE STARS WHO THE CELEBRATION HAVE MADE AN INDELIBLE MARK 4HE EDITORS GROUP HAS ALREADY IN THE INDUSTRY THROUGH THEIR UNVEILED THE LIST OF NOMINEES FOR SIGNIkCANT BODIES OF WORK THIS THE THIRD EDITION OF 4HE %DDYS YEAR S )CON !WARDS WILL BE CONg#ITIZEN *AKE u g'OYO u g,IFERRED UPON !MALIA &UENTES 4IRSO WAY u g2AINBOW S 3UNSETu AND #RUZ RD #HRISTOPHER DE ,EON g3IGNAL 2OCKu ARE THE kVE kLMS *OSEPH %STRADA %DDIE 'UTIERREZ VYING FOR THE COVETED BEST PICTURE !NITA ,INDA $ANTE 2IVERO #ELIA AT THIS YEAR S CEREMONY 2ODRIGUEZ 6ILMA 3ANTOS AND 4HE %DDYS AIMS TO ENCOURAGE ,ORNA 4OLENTINO LOCAL FILMMAKERS PRODUCERS -EANWHILE AS 30%%D JOINS IN WRITERS AND ACTORS TO CONTINUE THE CELEBRATION OF THE YEARS PURSUING THEIR PASSION FOR CREATOF 0HILIPPINE #INEMA IN PARTNER- ING kLMS THAT MIRROR THE REALITIES SHIP WITH THE &ILM $EVELOPMENT OF OUR SOCIETY #OUNCIL OF THE 0HILIPPINES &$#0 4HE 30%%D IS MADE UP OF LED BY #HAIRMAN ,IZA $IÄO THE ENTERTAINMENT EDITORS OF NEWSGROUP WILL ALSO HONOR SOME OF THE PAPERS AND TABLOIDS CIRCULATED INDUSTRY S gUNSUNG HEROESu WHO DAILY NATIONWIDE WORK BEHIND THE CAMERA 4HE NON PROkT ORGANIZATION 4HESE FILM WORKERS ARE THE ESTABLISHED IN IS LED BY )AN BACKBONES OF MOVIE PROJECTS &ARIÄAS AS PRESIDENT AND )SAH 2ED &OR YEARS THEY HAVE DEDICATED AS CHAIRMAN EMERITUS THEIR TALENTS WORKING TIRELESSLY FOR LONG HOURS DERIVING THEIR PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION FROM THEIR WORK BEHIND THE SCENES !LSO INCLUDED IN THE LIST ARE THE THREE MAJOR STUDIOS THAT INSPIRED NEW PLAYERS IN kLM PRODUCTION 4HESE ARE 3AMPAGUITA 0ICTURES REPRESENTED BY -ARICHU 6ERA 0EREZ -ACEDA ,6. 3TUDIOS -AROTH DE ,EON AND 0REMIERE 0RODUCTIONS $IGNA 3ANTIAGO #OMPLETING THE g0ARANGAL 3A 3ANDAANu LIST ARE !RMIDA 3IGUION 2EYNA POSTHUMOUS 6AL )GLESIAS 6IC $ELOTAVO 2OMY 6ITUG 2OMY 0ERALTA ,UCY 1UINTO Q Joseph 'Erap' Ejercito Estrada 6AL #AMPBELL 2USTICA #AR- PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Brother’s loss prelude to riveting plan for Sharon? N

Q Kyle Echarri

Q Belle Mariano

Q Arielle Roces

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MENT -UNTIK NA AKONG SUMUKO KASI HINDI AKO NAKUKUHA SA IBANG MGA PROJECT NA KAHIT NOONG COMMERCIALS PA 9UNG FIRST 46# KO DOON NAG start LAHAT .AKUHA AKO HANGGANG NAGTULOY TULOY !ND NOW NAGPAPASALAMAT AKO KAY ,ORD KASI NAKUHA RIN AKO SA 3TAR -AGIC MALAKING OPPORTUNITY ITO

MAILALABAS KO PA NGAYON u

Familiar names, familiar faces /NE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHO COULD VERY WELL RELATE TO THE POPULAR g!NG (ULING %L "IMBOu LYRICS g+AMUKHA MO SI 0ARALUMANu IS 3OPHIE 2EYES BECAUSE THE WOMAN ALLUDED TO IN THE SONG WAS HER GREAT GRANDMOTHER &ORMER TELEVISION ACTRESS AND COMMERCIAL MODEL "ABY / "RIEN IS HER GRANDMOTHER AND FURTHERMORE SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF THESPIAN 2INA 2EYES 7ITH AN OUTSTANDING BACKGROUND OF RELATIVES IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IT S ONLY BUT NATURAL FOR 2EYES TO VENTURE INTO ACTING AS WELL )N FACT HER kRST BRUSH IN THE INDUSTRY HAPPENED ONSTAGE AS PART OF g3OUND OF -USIC u g-AGSIMULA +Au AND g3LEEPING "EAUTY u g) WANTED TO TAKE KUNG ANONG PATH ANG NAGAWA NILA PERO GUSTO KO PO I TRY LAHAT NG OPPORTUNITY NA

Star Magic Circle 2019 )N CELEBRATION OF ITS TH ANNIVERSARY 3TAR -AGIC FULkLLS ITS ULTIMATE PROMISE OF SCOURING THE COUNTRY FOR THE CR¿ME DE LA CR¿ME OF THE NEWEST AND FRESHEST TALENTS WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE LATEST 3TAR -AGIC #IRCLE #OMPOSED OF TRUSTED AND RISING COMMERCIAL AND RAMP MODELS 3TAR -AGIC WORKSHOPPERS ACTING NEWBIES A BUDDING HOST A g(ALIKu ACTOR A POLITICAL SCION A FORMER BOY GROUP MEMBER A YOUNG DRAMATIC ACTRESS A GRANDDAUGHTER OF A CELEBRATED S ACTRESS A g0INOY "IG "ROTHERu HOPEFUL A g4HE 6OICE +IDSu 3EASON ALUMNUS AND A PROMISING g%ERIEu ACTRESS 4HIS LOT HAS UNDERGONE RIGOROUS AND NECESSARY TRAININGS IN ORDER TO BE FULLY EQUIPPED FOR THEIR FORAY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY 4WO OF THE FAMILIAR FACES IN THE BATCH ARE +YLE %CHARRI AND "ELLE -ARIANO %CHARRI HAS BEEN MAKING WAVES LATELY AS +RISTHOFF 4EJADA IN THE TRENDING +APAMILYA SOAP g+ADENANG 'INTOu AND AS PART OF THE 'OLD 3QUAD TOGETHER WITH !NDREA "RILLANTES AND &RANCINE $IAZ "UT HIS NAME kRST BECAME FAMILIAR TO TELEVIEWERS AS ONE OF THE 4OP CONTESTANTS IN g4HE 6OICE +IDS 3EASON u 7HILE HE SHARES THAT HE DOESN T HAVE ANY PROFESSIONAL VOICE TRAINING PRIOR TO THE SHOW %CHARRI S IMMENSE TAL-

LALA -O +AYAu OR g)PAGLABAN -O u !LTHOUGH THE TWO ARE NOT NEWBIE IN THIS BUSINESS THEY STILL FEEL BLESSED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE GROUP ALONGSIDE NEW RECRUITS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

F1

Q Paraluman's great granddaughter Sophie Reyes

IBIBIGAY SA AKIN PARA MAKITA KUNG SAAN AKO BEST kT ) REALLY WANT TO BE AN ARTISTA AND A HOST 0ERSONALLY GUSTO KO RIN I PURSUE ANG MUSIC (OPEFULLY MAKAPAG GROW AKO SA SARILI KONG LARANGAN u 2EYES SHARED g"UT ) THINK NAKUHA KO NAMAN sa MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHERS KO ANG ACTING AND HOSTING TALENTS KO -EDYO MADALDAL PO KASI AKO !NG PINAKAIMPORTANTE PO KASI AY TINATRABAHO DIN PO KASI SIYA (INDI LANG SIYA NAMAMANA .APAPANOOD KO SILA KUSA AKONG NAGPA PRACTICE AT GINAGAYA KO SILA 3O ) THINK MANA BUT MORE ON HARDWORK PA RIN u SHE ADDED

FOR MY CAREER u !LCANTARA DECLARED 3URPRISINGLY THERE ARE TWO GIRLS IN THE BATCH WHO HAD TRIED THEIR LUCK TO AUDITION IN THE UPCOMING MOVIE OF &ILIPINO SUPERHEROINE g$ARNA u )T CAN BE REMEMBERED THAT YOUNG STAR ,IZA 3OBERANO WAS SUPPOSED TO HEADLINE THE kLM BUT SHE BACKED OUT DUE TO A kNGER INJURY 7ITH AUDITIONS OPENED TO THE PUBLIC !RIELLE 2OCES AND -ELIZZA *IMENEZ CONkDENTLY ATTEMPTED TO GET THE MOST BELOVED CHARACTER 2OCES RECALLED g) GOT SO EXCITED TO AUDITION ) REALLY PREPARED THE LINES WELL .ATUWA NAMAN PO SI DIREK *EROLD 4AROG 4INANONG NIYA PO IF ) DO ANY SPORTS AND ) SAID ) DO BOXING ) ALWAYS DO YOGA EVERYDAY .ATUWA PO SIYA ABOUT THAT "UT LET S SEE &OR NOW ANG IMPORTANTE SA AKIN IS HEALTHCARE ) EAT HEALTHY EVER SINCE ) WAS IN COLLEGE BECAUSE ) DO COMMERCIALS SO IT S A REQUIREMENT FOR US NA dapat YOU LOOK YOUR BEST ALWAYS u *IMENEZ ON THE OTHER HAND SAID g)T WAS JUST SO SUDDEN PARANG MAY GO SEE !NG HIRAP NG LINES NUNG AUDITION WE HAVE TO FEEL NA PARANG KAMI TALAGA SI $ARNA AND WE RE IN FRONT OF A FEW PEOPLE )T WAS A VERY FUN AND CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE THOUGH KASI DUN

MALALAMAN NA ANG DAMING KAILANGAN PARA MAGING SI $ARNA u

!SIDE FROM THOSE MENTIONED ALSO INCLUDED IN THE MEMBER 3TAR -AGIC #IRCLE ARE 'ILLIAN 6ICENCIO 'LEN 6ARGAS +ENDRU 'ARCIA %ISEL 3ERRANO 2! ,EWIS *AVI "ENITEZ !IYANA 7AGGONER !RABELLA DEL 2OSARIO !NTHONY !NOTHER RECOGINZABLE PERSON IN *ENNINGS AND *EREMIAH ,ISBO

/4 ONLY DID SHOWBIZ FATHERS TO WELL KNOWN CELEBRITIES LOSE THEIR BID IN VARIOUS LOCAL ELECTIVE POSTS THE JUST CONCLUDED MIDTERM ELECTIONS 3HARON #UNETA S ELDER BROTHER ALSO FAILED TO CLINCH THE MAYORAL SEAT IN 0ASAY #ITY # E S A R P E T NAMED #HET A PILOT BY PROFESSION LOST TO OUTGOING #ONGRESSWOMAN %MI #ALIXTO 2UBIANO BY MORE THAN VOTES IN THE CITY S TWO DISTRICTS (IS RUNNING MATE FOR THE VICE MAYORAL POST HAD WITHDRAWN FROM THE PARTY TWO DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTIONS PROMPTING 3HARON TO TAPE ON VIDEO HER FEELINGS OF INDIGNATION ON THE SUSPICION THAT HER BROTHER S PARTNER HAD SWITCHED LOYALTY 3HARON THEN APPEALED TO 0ASAYENOS TO GIVE #HET ONE TERM AT THE VERY LEAST TO BE ABLE TO PROVE HIS WORTH AS THE NEXT CITY LEADER !PPARENTLY THE -EGASTAR S PLEA HAD FALLEN ON DEAF EARS .EAR MIDNIGHT ON -AY THE #OMELEC RELEASED THE OFkCIAL RESULTS #UNETA TRAILED BEHIND 2UBIANO WITH A YAWNING GAP BEYOND HUMAN MANIPULATION !T PRESS TIME #HET S CAMP HAS YET TO ISSUE AN OFkCIAL STATEMENT OF CONCESSION LET ALONE ITS SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE SUPPORT IT HAD RECEIVED ALL THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD -EANWHILE A PROFESSOR WHO TEACH-

ES (ISTORY AND 0UBLIC 'OVERNANCE AT THE #ITY 5NIVERSITY OF 0ASAY FORMERLY 0AMANTASAN NG ,UNGSOD NG 0ASAY TOLD 6IGNETTES THAT #HET S RUNNING YET LOSING HIS MAYORAL BID WAS A gPRELUDE TO A MORE INTERESTING GAME PLAN OF THE #UNETAS u )T IS A KNOWN FACT THAT #HET AND 3HARON S FATHER THE LATE 0ABLO g!MBOu # U N E T A H A D SERVED AS MAYOR IN THE CITY FOR THE LONGEST TIME .ONE OF THE SENIOR #UNETA S CHILDREN HAD ASPIRED TO FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS UNTIL #HET SURFACED OUT OF NOWHERE "EFORE THERE WERE PERSISTENT TALKS THAT 3HARON WOULD RUN FOR MAYOR IN 0ASAY #ITY )N FACT A COMMON SHOWBIZ FRIEND WAS PRODDING 6IGNETTES TO RUN FOR CITY COUNCILOR UNDER 3HARON S TICKET ,ACK OF RESOURCES WAS 6IGNETTES REASON FOR DECLINING THE INDIRECT OFFER 4HE UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WITH WHOM 6IGNETTES WAS ENGAGED IN A RECENT HUDDLE BELIEVES THAT 3HARON IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE MIGHT CONSIDER GUNNING A MAYORAL SEAT COME

VIGNETTES RONNIE CARRASCO 3RD

g+UMBAGA BINUHAY LANG NG MGA #UNETA ANG KAMALAYAN NG MGA 0ASA YENO THAT THEY STILL EXIST ! #UNETA MAY HAVE LOST BUT ANOTHER MEMBER WILL BE BACK WITH A VENGEANCE u INFORMED THE PROFESSOR #OULD THIS BE SO

GUESS WHO Moolah forever gone ,ADY ,UCK DIDN T SMILE AT THIS FORMER ACTOR POLITICIAN &!0 WHO LOST IN HIS MAYORAL BID "UT EVEN MORE UNFORTUNATE ARE SOME POLICEMEN WHOSE MONTHLY ALLOWANCE OF 0 HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED g)T S BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE THESE LAW ENFORCERS HAVEN T RECEIVED THEIR INCENTIVES u A SOURCE SAID SUSPECTING THAT THE SUPPOSED 0 MILLION BUDGET DUE THE POLICEMEN HAD UNDOUBTEDLY BEEN USED AS &!0 S CAMPAIGN FUNDS g3O IMPOSIBLE NANG MAIBIGAY YUNG ALLOWANCE TALO NA SI MAYORÜ !SA PA SILA Üu THE TIPSTER SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE COPS WHO EXPECTED THEY D HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILDREN S TUITION FEES COME SCHOOL ENROLLMENT &!0 WAS BEATEN BY HIS YOUNGER OPPONENT AN ERSTWHILE POLITICAL ALLY RC3

Lifestyle Sustainable lifestyle starts at home F2

˜ The Manila Times

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY NIKA ROQUE

I

N today’s progressive times, global citizens do not shy away from declaring and living their advocacies, especially those who are passionate about environmental protection.

4AKE IT FROM ONLINE INlUENCERS AND CONTENT CREATORS "IANCA +ING AND 7INNIE 7ONG !N ACTRESS AND A GRAPHIC DESIGN TEACHER BY DAY BOTH HAVE BEEN USING THEIR ONLINE PLATFORMS TO SHOW THEIR ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY CHOICES IN THE HOPES OF INFLUENCING THEIR LEGIONS OF FOLLOWERS !T THE LAUNCH OF THE "AMBOO #OTTON COLLECTION OF #ANADIAN -ANUFACTURING ‡ A PREMIERE BRAND OF BED LINENS AND TOWELS CELEBRATING ITS TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR ‡ THE TWO INlUENCERS TURNED ADVOCATES DEMONSTRATED HOW EVEN THE SIMPLEST OF STEPS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE

PROMOTE HER UPCOMING PROJECTS OR LATEST ENDORSEMENT !S IT TURNED OUT THE ACTRESS LOVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ACTUALLY STARTED AT A YOUNG AGE g4HE MINDFUL ROOTING ASPECT IS REALLY FROM MY CHILDHOOD BECAUSE ) GREW UP BY THE BEACH AND AS A CHILD ) USED TO PICK UP GARBAGE 3O MY AWARENESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IS ALREADY VERY HIGH AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE u BEGAN +ING g&AST FORWARD TO WHEN ) WAS BUILDING MY OWN HOME ) STARTED BECOMING MORE MINDFUL OF PROD UCTS ) BECAME MORE INQUISITIVE AND STARTED READING THE LABELS ) STARTED RESEARCHING ON WHAT MY CONSUMPTION WAS DOING TO THE Research goes a long way ENVIRONMENT HOW TO LESSEN MY CONSUMPTION AND START USING )N +ING S CASE SHE CONVERTED HER PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT HARMFUL u THE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT TO TALK ABOUT YEAR OLD ACTRESS ADDED -EANWHILE 7ONG HAS ALWAYS THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOT ONLY TO

BEEN LIVING A MINIMALIST AND ZERO WASTE LIFESTYLE 4HE SMALLEST YET MOST EFFECTIVE CHANGE FOR HER WAS BRINGING HER OWN BOTTLES AND UTENSILS WHEN HEADING OUT 4HE ACT ACCORDING TO HER LESSENED HER USAGE OF SINGLE USE ITEMS WHICH ALWAYS END UP IN LANDkLLS g3ETTING UP YOUR OWN RECYCLING CENTER AT HOME REALLY HELPS 7ITH ANY BOXES ) SEE ) WOULD FOLD IT UP &OR PLASTIC CONTAINERS ) EMPTY AND WASH IT THEN USE IT AGAIN u 7ONG SHARED WHEN ASKED FOR A FEW ZERO WASTE METHODS "OTH WOMEN AGREE THAT IT IS A CHALLENGE TO TAKE &ILIPINOS AWAY FROM gTHROW AWAY CULTURE u WHERE BUYING SINGLE USE PRODUCTS WITH OUT KNOWING WHERE THE GARBAGE GOES IS VERY PREVALENT !NOTHER CHALLENGE IS TO READ BEYOND THE gECO FRIENDLYu LABEL ON PRODUCTS BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY ARE SIMPLY NOT 4HUS RESEARCH ON WHETHER COMPANIES TRULY HAVE ETHICAL PRACTICES IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN LESSENING CONSUMPTION g)T IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS EQUALLY PAID AND THAT YOU ARE SOURCING IT FROM THE RIGHT PLACE 9OU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMPANY IS DOING THE RIGHT THING u SAID 7ONG g7HEN THESE BRANDS MAKE THEIR ITEMS YOU RE NOT REALIZING THAT THEY TAKE SO MUCH AWAY FROM THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOT GIVING BACK TO THE RESOURCE 4HERE S AN ENVIRONMENTAL COST TO THAT THAT WE DON T SEE u ADDED +ING

Sustainability at home

Q Breathable and cooling bamboo linens use little to no chemicals in production, and are perfect for tropical countries like the Philippines.

4HESE LADIES HOWEVER ASSURED THAT ANYONE CAN EMBARK ON A MORE SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE SOME CAN EVEN BEGIN AT HOME g7HEN ) TRY TO BUY ITEMS FOR MY

Q Canadian Manufacturing General Manager Tina Montesa, SM Home Assistant Vice-President for Marketing Tom Castañeda, Bianca King, Winnie Wong and Canadian Manufacturing President Hiro Asandas. HOME FOOD OR FASHION ) REALLY TRY WHICH MAKE THEM IDEAL FOR TRAVEL RESTORE 0HILIPPINE FORESTS SINCE THE LAND AND WILDLIFE HAVE TO READ UP ON THAT BRAND )F THEY RE AND ORGANIZATION g7ITH THE LIFESTYLE THAT ) M TRY REACHED LOW POINTS #ALLED THE DOING SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND IF IT APPEARS THAT ING TO HAVE ) ALWAYS TRY TO UNDER g'ET A 3HEET !DOPT A 4REEu THE ITEM IS MADE WELL AND WILL LAST STAND THE COMPANY ) KNOW THAT CAMPAIGN PROCEEDS FROM THE LONGER TO ME THAT MEANS SAVINGS u #ANADIAN THEY RE TRYING TO INTRO COLLECTION WILL GO TO THE ORGA NIZATION TO HELP FUND CON SHARED +ING DUCE A MORE ECO FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE SERVATION OF NATURAL SITES 4HUS THE "AMBOO #OLLECTION THAT CUTS DOWN ON PACKAGING !ND AND ANIMAL HABITATS COMES HIGH IN THE ACTRESS IN THE 0HILIPPINES RECOMMENDATIONS LIST g4HE INCREASE OF CARBON g4HE COLLECTION HIGH EMISSIONS THE AMOUNT OF LIGHTS PERCENT BAM PLASTIC IN THE ENVIRONMENT BOO LINENS AND IF ONLY ‡ THESE PROBLEMS WILL &ILIPINOS CAN START AFFECT OUR YOUTH MOVING CHOOSING THESE PROD FORWARD u #HAND $ARY UCTS SOMEHOW THEY ANI #ANADIAN -ANUFAC HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ONE TURING 3ALES AND -ARKET STEP TOWARDS BEING ING $IRECTOR ANSWERED SUSTAINABLE SHOP 4HE -ANILA 4IMES WHEN PERS u +ING ADDED Q Eco-friendly self-fabric packaging lessens use of plastic. ASKED WHY ENVIRONMEN !CCORDING TO +ING TAL EDUCATION IS IMPOR THE USE OF BAMBOO LINENS IS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE THAN ) THINK THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT SINCE TANT TO START AT HOME g3USTAINABILITY IS A LESSON PLASTIC BECAUSE IT USES LITTLE TO NO THEY RE PRODUCING FOR THOUSANDS CHEMICALS IN PRODUCTION 4HE SUS OF PEOPLE )T S ALL ABOUT CURATING THAT CAN BE PASSED DOWN FROM TAINABLE ALTERNATIVE CAN EVEN HELP YOUR PRODUCTS TO HELP YOURSELF u GENERATION TO GENERATION u $ARYANI ENDED EXPLAINED 7ONG THOSE WITH SENSITIVE SKIN #ANADIAN S "AMBOO #OTTON -AKING THE COLLECTION EVEN !LSO BECAUSE THE LINENS ARE BREATHABLE AND COOLING THEY MORE BENEVOLENT IS #ANADIAN #OLLECTION IS AVAILABLE AT THE ARE PERFECT FOR A TROPICAL COUNTRY -ANUFACTURING S PARTNERSHIP 3- (OME SECTION IN 3- !URA LIKE THE 0HILIPPINES &INALLY THE WITH (ARIBON A NON GOVERN AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN PRODUCTS COME IN REUSABLE BAGS MENT ORGANIZATION THAT AIMS TO SELECTED 3- 3TORES

Five timeless motherhood lessons

Q Led by Robert Alejandro, Art Camp showcases their imaginative artwork.

Spotlight shines on gifted kids in recital OVER GIFTED CHILDREN TOOK THE STAGE SHONE BRIGHT AND WOWED THE AUDIENCE WITH AMAZING CREATIONS AND INSPIRING PERFORMANCES DURING 0ROMIL &OUR S gI 3HINE #ELEBRATE THE 'IFT 2ECITALu AT 3-8 !URA 0ARENTS RELATIVES MENTORS AND OTHER KIDS kLLED THE 3-8 !URA #ONVENTION #EN TER WITH CHEERS AND APPLAUSE AS THEY WIT NESSED FUTURE ARTISTS DANCERS MUSICIANS BALLERINAS AND ACTORS CONQUER THE STAGE 3EASONED ACTRESS $IMPLES 2OMANA WHO HAS BEEN HOSTING THE PROGRAM EVER SINCE ITS BEGINNING IN ONCE AGAIN HAD THE HONOR OF HOSTING THE RECITAL 4HE PROGRAM STARTED WITH MEMBERS OF THE !RT #AMP UNDER THE MENTORSHIP OF 2OBERT !LEJANDRO OF 0APEMELROTI AND +ARA OF -ASTERPIECE -OVEMENT SHOWCAS ING A MURAL AND TUNNEL THAT THEY WORKED ON DURING THEIR WORKSHOP A RElECTION OF IMAGINATION MAGINATION THROUGH CREATIVE

Q Promil i-Shine mentors (from left) Robert Alejandro, Georcelle Dapat-Sy, Kara Escay, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Audie Gemora and National Artist Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN WITH THEIR WELL CHOREOGRAPHED BEGINNER AND INTERMEDI ATE HIP HOP MOVES 4HEY SHOWCASED THE VALUE OF TEAMWORK AND HOW THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER WHILE ALSO EXPRESSING INDIVIDUALITY IN THEIR PERFORMANCE 4HE LITTLE BALLERINAS THEN WOWED

STRATED THE VALUE OF DISCIPLINE .EXT THE 4HEATRE #AMP I 3HINERS SHOWED OFF THEIR CONkDENT GREGARIOUS AND VERSATILE SELVES AS THEY PERFORMED THE POPULAR FABLE g4HE "OY 7HO #RIED 7OLF u DIRECTED BY COACHES FROM 4RUM PETS 0LAYSHOP &INALLY MEMBERS OF THE -USIC #AMP SHOWCASED THEIR GIFT THROUGH A LIVELY PER FORMANCE OF VOICES AND INSTRUMENTS IN PERFECT HARMONY GUIDED BY .A TIONAL !RTIST 2YAN #AYABYAB 4HE I 3HINE CAMP LOCATIONS EXPANDED BEYOND -ETRO -ANILA THIS YEAR WITH THE ADDITION OF Q Theater camp students perform ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf.’ "ATANGAS #EBU AND $AVAO 0ROMIL &OUR THE AUDIENCE WITH THEIR SMOOTH AND DELI AS PART OF ITS COMMITMENT CONTINUES TO EXPLORATION AND SELF EXPRESSION .EXT PARTICIPANTS OF THE $ANCE #AMP CATE MOVEMENTS 0ERSONALLY TAUGHT AND LED ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO NURTURE THEIR CHIL MENTORED BY ' &ORCE CHOREOGRAPHERS BY 0RIMA "ALLERINA ,ISA -ACUJA %LIZALDE OF DREN S GIFTS NOT ONLY WITH EXPERT GUID AND GUIDED BY 'EORCELLE $APAT 3Y "ALLET -ANILA THE LITTLE BALLERINAS DEMON ANCE BUT ALSO WITH PROPER NUTRITION

-/4(%2 3 $!9 FOR IS OVER BUT A TRENDING WEB SERIES IMPARTED PERENNIAL LESSONS MOTHERS CAN GET INSPIRATION FROM ALL YEAR ROUND 4HIS YEAR 0,$4 (OME CELEBRATED -OTHER S $AY IN A HEARTWARMING THREE PART WEB SERIES THAT NARRATES THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT MOMS 4ITLED g-OTHER (OOD u THE STORY TELLS HOW MOTHERHOOD IS BOTH A COMMITMENT AND PRIVI LEGE )T IS A HOUR JOB BUT IT IS ALSO A SPECIAL INSTANCE WHERE WOMEN TURNED MOTHERS LOVE AND CARE FOR A PERSON MORE THAN THEY LOVED AND CARED FOR THEMSELVES 4O INSPIRE MOTHERS ANEW 0,$4 (OME SHARED WITH 4HE -ANILA 4IMES WHAT g-OTHER (OODu TAUGHT VIEWERS

1. Things take time to fall into place.

FOR A CHILD UNCONDITIONALLY AND RAISING HIM TO THE BEST OF A WOMAN S ABILITY

3. An honest relationship with children matters.

/NE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE AS A PARENT IS THE TRUST OF CHILDREN -AINTAIN THAT TRUST BY BEING TRUTHFUL OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND INVOLVING THEM IN THE SITUATION +IDS AP PRECIATE HONESTY

4. Don’t be disheartened.

4HERE ARE TIMES WHEN MOTHERS CAN T DO THINGS ON THEIR OWN $URING THESE TIMES THEY SHOULD SURROUND THEMSELVES WITH PEOPLE WHO THEY CAN COUNT ON FOR HELP AND GUIDE THEM IN VERY STEP OF THE WAY

5. Trust that everyone can be a great parent

#LAIRE A FIRST TIME MOM TAUGHT 4HERE IS NO THE AUDIENCE THAT SINGLE FORMULA BEING A MOTHER OR OR MANUAL ON A PARENT TAKES A LOT BEING A PARENT OF PATIENCE -OMS )T S OKAY TO kG WANT THINGS TO HAP URE IT OUT AND PEN RIGHT AWAY BUT LEARN AS ONE THEY JUST DON T )T TAKES GOES ALONG TIME TO LEARN MOTHER &OR SURE A HOOD )T TAKES TIME TO Q Being a mother takes a lot of patience. N E W M O M kT IN THE ROLE "UT IN THE WILL MAKE A MISTAKE OR TWO END EVERYTHING IS GOING BUT THESE ARE THINGS THAT WILL PREPARE AND TO BE WORTH IT TOUGHEN HER HEART TO BE A GREAT MOMÜ 2. You don’t have to be a biological !PPRECIATING AND LOVING MOTHERS IS NEVER mother to be a mom. TOO LATEÜ 7ITNESS THE JOURNEY OF -AMITA g-OTHER (OODu DEMONSTRATED THAT ONE #LAIRE "ENJ AND !LICE BY WATCHING THE DOESN T NEED TO BE A BIOLOGICAL MOTHER TO BE A g-OTHER (OODu WEB SERIES ON 0,$4 (OME S MOM "EING A MOM IS ABOUT LOVING AND CARING 9OU4UBE #HANNEL Q Moms should surround themselves with people who they can count on for help.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Funtimes

TUESDAY May 28, 2019

F3

Solution to Mega Maze

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (05/28/19). Grow and develop your partnership to new heights this year. Share the load for mutual benefit. Positive summer cash flow helps you navigate a shared financial challenge. Harvest a lucrative opportunity together next winter, before an income change. Contribute for home and family. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 7 -- Slow down, and consider the changes you’d like to make. Keep confidences and secrets. Don’t issue your decision yet. Consider potential consequences first. TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 6 -- Hide somewhere peaceful to catch up and recharge. Avoid stress or noise. Words can get misconstrued, and actions fall flat. Lay low. Pamper your health. GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 7 -- A group or community effort could seem stuck. Don’t push or force things. Avoid jumping to conclusions, and wait for developments. Let things cool down. CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Think over a professional offer or assignment before responding. Consider long-term consequences. Take precautions to protect your interests. Postpone a launch. Go when conditions clear. LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Traffic could present delays. Conditions are in a state of flux. Consider potential problems before setting off. Revise plans in real time. Check your reservations. VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Pay bills, and keep your financial obligations. Avoid financial discussions with your partner; or risk misunderstandings. Wait and think before making big decisions.

» SUDOKU

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Strengthen your relationship with your partner by letting them be. Show patience and a sense of humor. That’s more important than what you say or do. SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is a 7 -- Rest, and nurture your health. Don’t push your exercise or physical work too hard. Avoid chaos or bad conditions. Stifle rebellious tendencies. Eat well. SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Relax with friends and family. Words and actions can get twisted beyond original intent. Take it easy, and practice being exceptionally patient. It pays off. CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 6 -- Clean and organize at home. Avoid travel or important discussions, big expenses or decisions. Misunderstandings would waste time. Lay low, and enjoy domestic comforts. AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Relax your expectations. A communication breakdown would thwart your intentions. Stay cool, and keep systems operational. Clarify misunderstandings right away. No news is good news. PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Focus on your work to keep cash flow positive. Distractions abound. Stay in communication, or risk a lost opportunity. Postpone public relations. Strengthen your position.

(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. 5/27/19

The Manila Times

7KH 3RZHU /XQFK 5RVWHU Read The Manila Times when you dine at these establishments. 7D]D 0LD &RȨHH Kasa Luntian, at The Lanai, St rosa-tagaytay road, Brgy, San Jose Tagaytay City Phone number 046 / 413 / 9449

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Café Terrace CAFÉ TERRACE Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City ÈŽ The Paseo Center, Makati City ÈŽ Rockwell Center, Makati City ÈŽ Westgate Center, Muntinlupa ÈŽ Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia ÈŽ Midtown Robinsons Place Manila ÈŽ Trinoma Mall, Quezon City ÈŽ The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu ÈŽ Resort World Manila, Pasay City

Williams Street corner Roxas Blvd. Pasay City (beside old DFA) Tel. No. (02) 821-2031 or 358-2482 Globe: 0906 0020 623 | Smart: 0929 3701 810 Google, Instagram & FB PAGE: chateaubriandph | Email: jyfnb.ph@gmail.com (Monday - Thursday ) Lunch: 11am-3pm | Dinner: 6pm-11pm (Friday - Sunday & Holiday ) Lunch: 11am-3pm | Dinner: 6pm-11pm

Summit Galleria Cebu Cebu City | 032 888 1710 loc.129

ALI MALL 2nd Level Alimall Cubao, Quezon City

SM MEGAMALL 4th Level Mega Atrium SM Megamall Julia Vargas Cor. Edsa Mandaluyong City GLORIETTA 2nd Level Glorietta 4 Ayala Center Makati City 752-71-10

GREENBELT Ground Floor Greenbelt 1 Ayala Center Makati City ROBINSONS MAGNOLIA 3rd Level Robinsons Magnolia BAGUIO CITY Chalet Baguio upper Military Cuf 2È¥ 5RDG %DJXLR &LW\

Glorietta: Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Palm Dr, Makati, 1224 Manila, Philippines SM Mall of Asia: Main Mall, SM Central Business Park Bay City, 123 MM, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines

191 Tomas Morato Ave Quezon City

191 Tomas Morator Avenue, Quezon City Tel. No. 376-62-10 Fax No. 372-03-52 mariosqc@gmail.com

16 Upper Session Road, Baguio City Tel. No. 074-442-4241 Telefax: 074-442-5445 website: marios.com.ph Facebook: marios.group

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PROVIDORE SM AURA PREMIERE Bonifacio Global City | 802 9448

TOMAS MORATO 282 Tomas Morato Avebue Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City

NOTHING BUT DESSERTS SHOPPE: 7KH $YHQXH &RPSOH[ 6PDOOYLOOH 0DQGXUULDR ,ORLOR &LW\ *) )HVWLYH :DON 0DOO ,ORLOR %XVLQHVV 3DUN 0HJDZRUOG %OYG 0DQGXUULDR ,ORLOR &LW\

2nd Floor S’ Maison Conrad Manila MOA Complex Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way Pasay City 02 8008061 | +63 9175464382 rossini.conrad@gmail.com

Zuelig Building. Makati City

625 4831 and 625 4832

Address: Molito Commercial Complex,Ground Floor Madrigal Avenue corner Alabang Zapote Road,Alabang,Muntinlupa City Tel. Number: (02) 659-75-22 Email address: mail@woodenhorsesteakhouse.com Molvina Comm’l. Cmplx.Marcos Hiway, Brgy. Mayamot, Antipolo City | MCU - Edsa cor. B Serrano, Brgy. 86, Caloocan City | 771 km. 17 Talon II, Alabang0-zapote Rd., Las Pinas | Pasong Tamo-Makati Cinema Square Complex, Makati City | Shell Gasoline Stn. cor. Mola St., Pasong Tamo, Makati City | Penthouse Valero Tower, 122 Valero st., Salcedo Vill., Makati City | G/F Shaw Zentram Bldg., Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City | Remedios St., Malate, Manila | P. Sanchez Cor. Bagumbayan St., sta. Mesa, Manila | #49 National Highway, Putatan, Muntinlupa | Olivarez Plaza, Ninoy Aquino Ave., Sucat, Paranaque | Ground Level, Shopwise sucat, Paranaque | Unit 1A, Salem Int’l. Comml. Cmplx, Domestic Rd., Pasay city | El Pueblo Real de Manila cor. Ruby Rd. Julia Vargas, Ortigas, Pasig City | #32 Matalino St.,Brgy. Central, Diliman, Quezon City | #187 Mindanao Ave., Bahay Toro, Quezon City | G/F One Cyberpod, Eton Centris cor. Quezon Ave., Pinyahan, Quezon City | Quezon Ave. Cor. J. Abad Santos st., sta. Cruz, Quezon City | 295 Tomas Morato ave. Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City G/F Shell Logcom, C5 Road, Taguig City

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