The Manila Times | February 2, 2019

Power co-ops face performance review

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2019

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SUIT VS RCBC CLAIMS

NKorea behind $81-M cyberheist

More Filipinos say their quality of life improved AT the turn of the year, more Filipinos believe their lives improved, a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found.

The survey, conducted from December 16 to 19 last year, found that 37 percent of Filipinos said their lives improved, while 25 percent said their lives worsened.

The number of “gainers” for the fourth quarter of 2018 is 9 percentage points

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AP AND MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

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H A K A / MANILA: Hackers from North Korea used fraudulent orders on the global Swift payments system to steal $81 million from Bangladesh Bank through the Philippines’ Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) in 2016, court documents showed.

‘PANAGBENGA 2019’

The formal allegations came in a lawsuit against RCBC filed in New York by Bangladesh’s central bank.

Abu Hena Mohd. Rajee Hassan, head of Bangladesh Bank’s Finance Intelligence Unit, confirmed that the case was filed in the Southern District Court of New York against RCBC. “Our next procedures will follow

Seven schools compete in the elimination rounds of the 2019 Street Dancing Competition of the 2019 Panagbenga festival, which started in Baguio City on Friday.

PHOTO BY THOM F. PICANA

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The big scoundrels at immigration

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Roque drops senatorial bid

IN MY LINE HE OF SIGHT dredging of waterways by the Department of Public Works and Highways in which billions of funds are set aside by the House of Representatives and the Senate in the annual national budget is the No. 1 source of kickbacks for lawmakers.

It’s a way of going around a Supreme Court decision that declared the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), a.k.a. the pork barrel, as unconstitutional.

RAMON T. TULFO

Bong Go surges to 5th in latest SWS poll Bam Aquino makes it to ‘Magic 12’

FORMER Malacañang spokesman Harry Roque Jr. on Friday announced that he was withdrawing his bid for a Senate seat for health reasons.

In a statement sent to Palace reporters, Roque said he

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What’s inside

OPPOSITION SLAMS NEW HOUSE NewsA2 SALN ACCESS RULES GOING BEYOND A CULTURE OF FEAR AND HATRED

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BUCKS TOPPLE REALTORS IN MARQUEE MATCHUP CREATIVITY AND DIVERSITY AT HONG KONG FASHION WEEK

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CHINESE NEW YEAR GIFTS

Senatorial candidate and former presidential aide Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go distributes tikoy to the urban poor families of Camarin and Barracks in Caloocan City on Friday.

PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Modi, Xi, other Asian leaders vow war vs terror

A number of Asia’s top leaders have extended their condolences to families of victims who died or were injured by twin bombings in Sulu province in southern Mindanao on January 27.

They, at the same time, vowed to join the

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FORMER Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has jumped into the coveted “Magic 12” in the 2019 senatorial race, landing in 5th to 6th place.

In the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted January 23-26, Go made a huge leap from his 15th-16th place ranking in the December 2018 SWS survey to secure a strong place in the middle of the winning circle, tied with reelectionist Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara.

Go expressed gratitude to the people for their trust and confidence in his capability to serve the nation as a legislator, as he vowed to work even harder to present his advocacies to the Filipino people.

“Nakakataba po ng puso na pinagtitiwalaan ninyo ang aking

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News

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY February 2, 2019

Opposition slams new House SALN access rules O

BY GLEE JALEA

PPOSITION lawmakers on Friday condemned a “railroaded” resolution calling for stricter rules on public access to the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs) of House members.

“What is so sacrosanct about the contents of a representative’s SALN that the access to it by the public and media is made inordinately restrictive and tedious...?” said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.

During Wednesday’s session, lawmakers adopted House Resolution (HR) 2467, requiring copies of the SALNs of House members to be referred to the plenary for final approval even if a SALN Review and Compliance Committee was already delegated to approve or deny the public’s access to such documents.

All requests for access to SALNs require complete disclosure of the identification data such as the party’s name, position or title, affiliation, address, as well as the nature and purpose of request.

Members of the media shall provide proof of media affiliation and certification of accreditation

as a legitimate practitioner. Students must provide copies of their school IDs and certifications of enrollment from the school.

The requesting party is also required to be sworn under oath, certifying that the request does not constitute invasion of personal privacy so as “to protect the House member, officer or employee concerned from unnecessary disclosures.”

“If we have nothing to hide, why make public access to and disclosure of SALNs, which are public documents, extremely difficult to the extent of discouraging and deterring applicants from securing copies of said SALNs?” Lagman said.

ACT-Teachers partyl-list Rep. France Castro told The Manila Times: “In the spirit of transparency and accountability to the people since we are representatives

of the people, they ought to know our SALN. An ordinary teacher or a government employee is also transparent on his SALN.” Gabriela Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, the second poorest House member, said the resolution only sets up a formidable barrier to the people’s right to know and freedom of information, “suspiciously at a time when lawmakers are tagged in multi-billion kickbacks and corruption allegations.”

Redactions HR 2467 seeks to have the director of the House of Representatives Records Management Service redact details of the SALN including the owner’s address, the name of an unmarried child below 18 years of age living in the SALN owner’s household, the exact location of real properties, business address of the entity or business enterprise in which the SALN owner has business interest and/or financial connection, and the names of relatives in the government.

House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro said they only wanted the public to exercise responsibility “so that the rights, welfare and safety of everybody concerned [including House members] is

protected.”

A number of congressmen and even House personnel have complained of becoming the subject of fishing expeditions for harassment cases, blackmail and character assassination, he claimed.

Castro co-authored HR 2467 with Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and others lawmakers.

Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires public officials and employees to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

The resolution goes against R A 6 71 3 , w h i c h r e q u i r e s a public official or employee to disclose “to the best of his knowledge and information” his relatives in the government.

Real property and personal property, all other assets such as investments, cash in hand or in bank, stocks, bonds, and the like; liabilities; and all businesses and financial connections must also be indicated under the SALN.

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Modi, Xi international community in continuing to combat terrorism and preserve world peace.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a statement addressed to his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte on January 29, said he “was shocked to learn that severe bombings happened in Sulu province of the Philippines, causing serious casualties.”

“On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in my own name, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims, and convey my sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured,” Xi added.

China, according to the Chinese leader, “firmly opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns the violent attacks on innocent civilians and stands ready to work with the international community, including the Philippines, to jointly combat terrorism and safeguard international and regional peace and stability.”

Another high Chinese official also condemned the attack on the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, provincial capital of Sulu, last Sunday.

Wang Yi, state councilor and minister of Foreign Affairs, in another statement also on January 29 addressed to Teodoro Locsin Jr.,

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More Filipinos higher than the 28 percent in September of last year.

The number of “losers” declined by 5 percentage points, from September’s 30 percent.

This resulted in a net gainer figure of +12, a significant hike from the -2 the prior quarter.

The pollster classified the mark as “very high.”

The same survey found that more Filipinos were also looking forward to a better quality of life in 2019.

SWS said 45 percent of Filipinos were optimistic in the personal aspect this 2019, while only 5 percent expected it to get worse, resulting in a net personal optimists’ score of +40.

This was 13 points up from the +27 figure in the prior quarter.

The figure went up in all areas, especially in Metro Manila (+44, from the +19 last quarter) and Mindanao (+44, from the +30 last quarter.)

Those who believed that the Philippine economy would im-

DIALOGUE Metro Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar meets Muslim leaders at the Golden Mosque

in Quiapo, Manila to strengthen the relationship between Christians and Muslims in the country.

PHOTO BY RUSSELL PALMA

Philippine Foreign Affairs secretary, said he too “was shocked to learn that severe bombings happened in Sulu province of the Philippines.”

“I strongly condemn this attack and would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims, and convey my sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured,” he added.

Also addressing President Duterte in a statement on January 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India expressed his “deep condolences at the loss of lives and injuries that many

Filipinos sustained in the terrorist attack in Jolo last Sunday.”

“Volence and terrorism have no place in democratic and pluralistic societies such as ours. India condemns such acts of terrorism in the strongest terms and is ready to work with the Philippines in all possible ways to counter this global menace,” Modi said.

Also addressing Locsin in another statement on January 29, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono condemned as well “the horrible terror attack that occurred in Jolo, Sulu, on January 27 that

caused numerous casualties.”

“Such terror attack will never be condoned whatever the reason is.

On behalf of the government and people of Japan, I would like to pray for the deceased, and express my heartfelt sympathy to the injured and their families,” Kono said.

Japan, he added, stands with Filipinos “who have been longing for peace and stability in Mindanao.”

His country, according to Kono, “is committecd to assisting Mindanao in accordance with the ongoing Mindanao peace process.”

prove this year also saw a rise at 43 percent, while 11 percent said it would decline, good for an “excellent” +32 net rating.

In September, those optimistic of a better economic landscape for the country was at 31 percent, while 20 percent said it would deteriorate.

In a statement, Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said the result validated an earlier poll that found a decrease among Filipino families suffering from hunger.

“This is another repudiation [of] the skeptics, left-leaning groups, militant Church members and the political opposition, who ignore or refuse to heed the people’s voice and see nothing good in the President’s tireless efforts to improve and bring about genuine and positive change to the nation,” Panelo said.

The survey was conducted among 1,440 Filipinos aged 18 years and above. It had sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao. RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

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from the fraudulent transactions allegedly conducted through its accounts and that various employees gained substantial sums through their alleged involvement.

Bangladesh is seeking damages, legal costs, and the return of $81 million stolen from its account in New York in 2016, Hassan said.

RCBC shares were flat at P26.00 apiece in the Philippine Stock Exchange on Friday.

NKorea accordingly as we want our money back. This is our people’s precious money,” he said.

The court filings alleged that money deposited at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was sent by the unidentified North Korean hackers to accounts at RCBC and then vanished into the casino industry in the Philippines.

The complaint against RCBC names 23 people by name, including Filipino and Chinese citizens and cites another 25 unnamed “John Does” as defendants.

The money trail laid out in the court filing ends with it disappearing into casinos and gambling junkets in the Philippines, and to its “ultimate destination, which has yet to be uncovered.”

All of the defendants “had a single unlawful purpose: to defraud, steal and launder funds stolen from the bank,” it says.

The filing asserts that RCBC made potentially hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars

‘Political stunt’ RCBC issued a statement saying it had hired a prestigious law firm, Quinn Emanuel to lead its defense.

The lead attorney on the case, Tai-Heng Cheng, issued a statement describing the lawsuit as a “thinly veiled PR campaign” and “baseless.”

“Not only are the allegations false, they don’t have the right to file here since none of the defendants are in the US,” Cheng said in the statement. “We will show this suit is nothing more than a political stunt by the Bangladesh Bank to try to shift blame from themselves to RCBC.” Cheng expressed doubt on the Bangladesh central bank’s serious-

Filipinos to welcome Pope Francis in UAE DUBAI: For Mylene Lao Estipona, 43, a cancer survivor working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), journeying for hours from Dubai to the capital Abu Dhabi and enduring long queues for tickets to see Pope Francis is a small price to pay for a life-long dream.

Estipona will be among the Filipino faithful in the Emirates set to welcome Pope Francis, who is set to embark on a historic trip to the UAE — the first ever papal visit to the Arabian Peninsula — as he seeks to boost the Vatican’s outreach to Islam.

Filipinos will be front and center during the visit, as they compose the majority of nearly 1 million Catholics in the Emirates, along with the Indians.

Estipona said her faith gave her a “second chance” at life and the strength to beat cancer.

“I thank God that I have a ticket. I really prayed, and it’s an answered prayer,” said the dental hygienist, who has been living in the UAE for 13 years.

“He already went to the Philippines, but we’re here and we’re working full time... At least now we have a chance to see the Pope,” she said, referring to the Argentine Pontiff’s 2015 visit to Manila and Tacloban City.

Francis’ trip to the UAE “couldn’t have come at a better time,” said Bishop Paul Hinder of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia — which encompasses the UAE, Oman and Yemen.

“With advanced communication tools at everyone’s disposal, we are better informed, and this can be put into a broader perspective when we couple it with dialogue,” he told Agence FrancePresse (AFP).

Pope Francis, who has made strengthening ties between the two largest religions a cornerstone of his papacy, will head to Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

During his three-day visit, the Pope will take part in an international interfaith conference and meet with Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, the imam of Cairo’s Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s most prestigious seat of learning.

While there were no plans “at the moment” for a papal visit to other Gulf countries, according to Hinder, the Pope’s trip to the UAE is widely seen as a gateway for more interreligious dialogue in the region.

The Vatican continues to have good relations with rulers of the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council, said Hinder.

declared 2019 the Year of Tolerance.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who invited the Pope to the UAE, on Thursday described the pontiff as “the man of peace and love.”

“We are hopeful that generations to come will prosper in peace and security,” he said in a tweet anticipating the meeting between the pontiff and Sheikh Ahmed.

In a video message to the Emirati people on Thursday, Pope Francis said: “I am happy ... to write on your dear land a new page in the relations between religions, confirming that we are brothers although different.”

On the last day of his trip, Pope Francis will lead a mass in Abu Dhabi attended by more than 130,000 people — expected to be the largest UAE gathering ever, according to local media.

‘Second chance’ Catholics attending the open-air Mass queued up for hours at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubai on Wednesday to collect their tickets.

Parishes across the country were allocated a certain number of passes with St Mary’s Catholic Church receiving 41,000 tickets, according to priest Lennie Connully.

He said more than 50,000 members of the congregation had requested access to the historic Mass at Zayed Sports City stadium, adding: “We are still trying to give to all... because there may be extras in other parishes.”

Connully also said that communion arrangements were made with the help of 1,200 lay ministers to accommodate the large number of attendees.

“Everyone who wants to take communion, will get it,” he told AFP. More than 2,000 buses will be transporting worshippers from across the country to Abu Dhabi, with most departing in the early hours of Tuesday morning — way ahead of mass that is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

(0630 GMT).

‘People’s Pope’

The UAE — which has made no secret of its push on soft power — prides itself on its religious tolerance and cultural diversity, and most Gulf Arab states have long allowed Christians to worship in churches.

The UAE, however, has been criticized by righats groups for its involvement in a Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, where more than 10,000 people have been killed since 2015, according to the United Nations.

It was also criticized for upholding a 10-year prison term against human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor on December 31 — two weeks after the UAE

The UAE has the largest number of Catholic churches in the region with eight. Oman, Kuwait and Yemen each have four, while Qatar and Bahrain have one each.

Saudi Arabia bans all non-Muslim houses of prayer.

Nearly 80 percent of the population of the UAE is Muslim, while Christians constitute around 9 percent, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Pope Francis, who made history when he was named the first Latin American pontiff in 2013, is known as the “People’s Pope,” listening to and warmly embracing people from different walks of life.

“Latin culture is an exuberant culture, an outgoing culture, quite different from European culture,” Connully says with a smirk.

“They are very different people, very congenial, easily make friends. That is seen in Pope Francis.”

AFP

ness in recovering the money, saying “they would have pursued their claims three years ago and not wait until days before the statute of limitations.”

Cheng said the Bangladesh central bank had concealed information from its own investigation and tried to blame others for its own culpability. “A review of the facts shows that Bangladesh Bank’s errors, omissions, and lapses in security protocols are the cause of its loss,” he said.

“RCBC had nothing to do with the theft of the funds and has cooperated fully with every investigation into the matter. This suit is nothing more than a blatant attempt by Bangladesh Bank to shift blame and cover up their own liability,” he added.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas in 2016 imposed a record $21-million fine on RCBC after investigating its role in the heist.

In January, ex-RCBC manager Maia Deguito was handed a lengthy jail term and $109 million in fines over the massive theft.

Deguito, who was the manager of the RCBC Jupiter, Makati City branch where the money landed,

was accused of coordinating the illegal transfer. Deguito is the only person who has been convicted in the case.

Last year, RCBC President Gil Buenaventura rejected talk of a deal with Bangladesh, saying the Yuchengco-owned bank had also been “victimized.”

The heist was a major embarrassment for Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the opposition criticized her administration for failing to protect public money.

The then-central bank governor, Atiur Rahman, resigned and Hasina ordered an investigation.

Citing case documents, Hassan said the complaint accuses RCBC of following fraudulent procedures at every step.

North Korean hackers broke into Bangladesh Bank’s system and created 70 orders to the Federal Reserve Bank worth $1.94 billion. Of that amount, $101 million was released.

The hackers sent $81 million to the RCBC branch in Makati and the rest, $20 million, went to Sri Lanka, which has returned the money to Bangladesh.

Manila returned $14.54 million, but the rest has yet to be retrieved.

‘Peace and love’

News DFA: PH flag must fly over rescue center F ˜ The Manila Times

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

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BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

OREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Friday said the Philippines appreciated China for putting up for the country a “rescue center” in the West Philippine Sea, but it needed the Philippine flag to complete it.

“China puts up ‘rescue center’ in West Philippine Sea. Now, all it needs is have the Philippine flag flying over it and, of course, our undying gratitude for putting it up

for us,” Locsin said in his Twitter account.

The Chinese media have reported that China had constructed a maritime rescue center in the

Ejercito: Revive PNR lines to spur growth SEN. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday pushed for the revival of the existing Philippine National Railways (PNR) lines in both the northern and southern parts of the country to spur economic growth.

“The railway system could serve as the backbone of our economy, it will create growth nodes and spread out development across the countryside,” Ejercito said.

Ejercito has been pushing for the PNR’s revival since he was representative of San Juan City in the 15th Congress, saying that the railway system had the potential to provide an alternative transport system, particularly in the remote provinces in Southern Luzon.

According to Ejercito, the country was lagging at least 15 to 20 years in terms of infrastructure development, including the mass transport system.

The construction of an efficient network of railway system would cost the

government a huge amount of money and investment, but the returns to the economy would be enormous, he said.

However, the lawmaker said only an efficient, reliable, cost-effective, environment-friendly and modern railway system, which moves people and goods faster could be the catalyst for economic growth.

Apart from the economic benefits, Ejercito said a modern railway could also significantly help in decongesting traffic in the various areas of the country especially in the major business districts.

“I believe there is no other way than the railway system that we could address the traffic congestion in Manila and other key urban cities,” Ejercito added.

Ejercito has laid out initial plans for the restoration of the railway system with Japanese companies as the potential partner for the project.

JAVIER JOE ISMAEL

Labor seeks passage of security of tenure bill THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Friday appealed anew to President Rodrigo Duterte to urge senators to pass Senate Bill (SB) 1826 and end the contractualized work scheme before time runs out.

“Time is now running out on the President’s campaign promise to end contractualization. Without passage of the Security of Tenure bill next week by the Senate, the fight to end contractualization is lost and the President’s certification of the bill as ‘urgent, is wasted,” TUCP said.

The 17th Congress will end regular session on February 8 and will resume in May after the elections.

SB 1826 or the “The Security of Tenure and End of Endo Act 2018” seeks to amend the Labor Code on the prohibition of labor-only contracting and other provisions that allow contracting arrangements. The amendment will also clearly define the nature of the work and activities that may be contracted out.

The counterpart bill of SB 1826, House Bill (HB) 6908 has already been overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives on Jan. 29, 2018.

In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, dated Sept.

21, 2018, Duterte requested for the “immediate enactment” of

SB 1826, as putting an end to contractualization or short-term employment was among his campaign promises.

TUCP President Raymond Mendoza said only Duterte could convince the Senate to immediately act on the bill, otherwise it would be placed on the back burner. “[W]e know that a Presidential reminder gently prodding immediate Senatorial action will greatly assist in ending ENDO (end of contract),” Mendoza said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd said he was in support of the passage of SB 1826.

The Labor department has maintained that should the duties and responsibilities of a worker be directly related to the main business of the company, such as salesladies working in malls, they should be considered as regular employees of the principal/employer.

Bello, however, said a total ban on contractualization was not possible, unless existing laws were amended, as there were legal activities which require contractual relation.

The Labor chief pointed out that the law allows the outsourcing of workers if the company does not really need them in its operations as in the case of security guards, as well as seasonal and project based employees.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

Fiery Cross Reef or Kagitingan Reef, which was part of the West Philippine Sea. Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo has said that perhaps the country should be grateful to China for putting up a rescue center: “Maybe we should be thankful. That could help seamen in distress, it can help everybody.”

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, however, accused Panelo of being a “Chinese puppet.”

“Secretary Panelo strikes again.

Recently, he was quoted as saying that we should thank China for setting up a maritime rescue center in the Philippines’ Kagitingan Reef,” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan noted that Panelo earlier said that it was alright for the Chinese to fish in the Spratlys and that the palace spokesman called the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that validated the Philippines’ claims on the disputed territories in the West Philippine Sea

as “useless as there is no country or body on earth that can enforce” it against China.

“One should wonder sometimes which country he was speaking for.

His every tone clearly manifests the language of a Chinese puppet,” Pangilinan, a member of the Senate minority bloc, said.

Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio on Thursday urged the government to protest China’s move “because Fiery Cross Reef is part of the geological

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features we claim in the Kalayaan island group.”

“If we do not protest, then we impliedly consent to China’s act of putting up a maritime rescue center there. This means we are recognizing that China has a right to occupy and use Fiery Cross Reef,” Carpio said in a statement.

“Occupation and use are acts of sovereignty. This contradicts our claim that we have sovereignty over Fiery Cross Reef,” Carpio added.

GOODWILL VISIT Coast Guard personnel welcome the arrival of Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel Shaunak,

a 105-meter ship that can carry one twin-engine helicopter and five high-speed boats, at Pier 15 of the Port Area in Manila on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. The vessel arrived for a four-day goodwill visit and to conduct a passage exercise. PHOTO BY RUSSEL PALMA

CA justices for Trillanes case named THE Court of Appeals (CA) 7th Division has been designated to handle the petition filed by the by the Department of Justice (DoJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) against Sen. Antonio Trillanes 4th, which seeks to revoke his amnesty and called for his arrest without bail for coup d’etat charges against the government.

CA Justice Edwin Sorongon will be the ponente of the case, joined by the chairman of the Division under the watch of Justices Sesinando Villon and Germano Legaspi.

The petition initially went to the CA 16th Division, but Justice Jane Lantion inhibited herself from the case due to personal reasons.

In its Petition for Certiorari dated Jan. 17, 2019 and signed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, the OSG asked the appeals court to nullify several issuances of Judge Andres Soriano of the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 148.

Soriano junked the DoJ’s motion seeking Trillanes’ arrest, but declared the revocation of Trillanes’ amnesty by President Rodrigo Duterte as valid.

The OSG also asked the CA to remand the case against Trillanes to the trial court for continuation of proceedings.

More than 300 fully armed junior officers and enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines occupied the Oakwood Hotel in Makati City on July 27, 2003, purportedly to air their grievances against the government.

On Nov. 24, 2010, President Benigno Aquino 3rd signed Proclama-

tion 75 granting amnesty to active and former personnel of the armed forces and Philippine National Police, as well as their supporters who might have committed crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code, the Articles of War, and other laws in connection with the Oakwood mutiny, the Marines stand-off, and the Manila Peninsula incident.

President Duterte, however, signed Proclamation 572 on Aug. 31, 2018 declaring void the amnesty granted to Trillanes under Proclamation 75, on the ground that he failed to comply with the necessary requirements for its grant, including the filing of his application and admission of guilt.

Trillanes sought relief from the Supreme Court; challenging the proclamation, but the high court junked his plea for a temporary restraining order and remanded the factual issues of the cases to the trial courts.

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

In contrast, Soriano junked Trillanes’ arrest, but affirmed the validity of Proclamation 572.

The DoJ appealed Soriano’s decision in October 2018, but lost anew, prompting the OSG to seek redress before the CA. In its petition, the OSG cited the ruling of the high court saying that only a trial court, and in certain cases, the appeals tribunal, are trier of facts.

“The respondent judge (Soriano)

acted arbitrarily in holding that the factual basis for Proclamation 572 does not exist notwithstanding his ruling that it is valid,” the petition said.

The respondent judge committed grave abuse of discretion, among others, “amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction in admitting and giving credence to the Trillanes’ secondary evidence.” This included the photo of his alleged acceptance of the amnesty.

But the OSG said, “without the original copy of the private respondent’s Official Amnesty Application Form, it cannot be conclusively said that [he] expressely admitted that he committed the crimes of rebellion and coup d’etat for his active involvement and participation in Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula Siege.”

The petition also claimed that “no evidence was also adduced to show that diligent efforts had been exerted to locate the original copy of the purportedly existing form.”

The OSG also argued that the state was denied due process of law, when the RTC issued the order in 2011 dismissing the coup d’etat case against Trillanes.

It pointed out that the amnesty was constitutionally infirm, not only because of the unlawful delegation of then Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, but also because the concurrence of Congress was made before the amnesty was granted.

Once arrested, Trillanes will stay in prison without bail as the coup charge is a non-bailable.

JOMAR CANLAS

‘Restore P3.2-B budget for teachers’

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has asked the Senate-House bilateral budget committee to reinstate the P3.2-billion budget for teachers who will serve in the midterm elections in May. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez and Director Zita Castillon Buena issued the call to the lawmakers on Friday after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has slashed it to P1.9 billion or by 40.625 percent.

“I don’t understand why Budget department slashed it to P1.9 billion from P3.2 billion, considering that it was supported by documents to support the amount we are asking. It was based on headcount, on the number of teachers that will serve in the elections,” Jimenez explained.

On a possible, “no election” scenario, Jimenez said that it was out of the question, but stressed that he could not really tell.

“I don’t think you’ll hear Comelec say no-el. But we fear that there is going to be a significant impact on our preparations whether or not that (budget cut) will lead to no-el,” he said.

Jimenez said there were solutions floated, but the superior solution was really to have a budget.

The Comelec has been allotted a P25 billion budget for the midterm polls, the bulk of which went to automation.

WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

House construction on a co-owned property Dear PAO, I am the second child of my parents. I have two siblings, an elder sister and a younger brother. My late parents owned a land located at Tagaytay City. My parents died without executing their last will and testament. I am thinking of constructing my house on the said lot. However, my younger brother wants to keep the property as it is since he is using the entire land for his business. It’s been 12 years since our parents passed away. Can I build my house on the entire land? If no, can I demand my share on the said property? Kindly enlighten me on this.

Agnes

DEAR PAO PERSIDA ACOSTA Dear Agnes, To answer your question, we shall refer to the provisions of the Civil Code of the Philippines: “Article. 484. There is co-ownership whenever the ownership of an undivided thing or right belongs to different persons. xxx “Art. 485. The share of the coowners, in the benefits as well as in the charges, shall be proportional to their respective interests.

Any stipulation in a contract to

the contrary shall be void.

“The portions belonging to the co-owners in the co-ownership shall be presumed equal, unless the contrary is proved. xxx xxx xxx “Article 486. Each co-owner may use the thing owned in common, provided he does so in accordance with the purpose for which it is intended and in such a way as not to injure the interest of the co-ownership or prevent the other co-owners from using it according to their rights. xxx xxx xxx “Article 494. No co-owner shall be obliged to remain in the coownership. Each co-owner may demand at any time the partition of the thing owned in common,

insofar as his share is concerned. xxx xxx xxx “Article 496. Partition may be made by agreement between the parties or by judicial proceedings.

Partition shall be governed by the Rules of Court insofar as they are consistent with this Code. xxx xxx xxx” (Emphases supplied) “Articles 1078 and 1085 of the said law likewise provide that the children of the deceased shall always inherit in equal shares, to wit: “Article 1078. Where there are two or more heirs, the whole estate of the decedent is, before its partition, owned in common by such heirs, subject to the payment of debts of the deceased.

“Article 1085. In the partition

of the estate, equality shall be observed as far as possible, dividing the property into lots, or assigning to each of the co-heirs things of the same nature, quality and kind.” (Emphases supplied) Applying Articles 1078 and 1085 of the Civil Code in your situation, you and your siblings are co-owners of the property you inherited from your parents. Hence, you cannot build your house on the entire land. As co-owners, you have equal shares on the property located at Tagaytay City.

Moreover, Article 494 of the same law provides that each coowner may demand, at any time, the partition of the thing owned in common, insofar as his/her share is concerned. You and your

siblings may now demand for partition of the property and may agree to divide the land among yourselves, or file an Action for Partition under Rule 69 of the Rules of Court if you cannot agree on partition.

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

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net

A4

Opinion

saturday February 2, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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E d i to r i a l OFW execution should give death penalty advocates pause

T

HE execution this week of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Saudi Arabia is an unfortunate tragedy, and should make those who favor the return of capital punishment here in the Philippines reflect carefully on their advocacy.

The OFW, identified only as a 39-year-old woman who had worked as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia, was convicted of murder by the Saudi courts in 2015.

Diplomatic efforts to persuade the Saudi government to spare her life were unsuccessful. Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the provision of the Sharia law that allowed the payment of “blood money” to the victim’s family to stop the execution could not be applied in this particular case. The government is now working to provide assistance to the OFW’s family, Panelo said.

The news of the execution comes at a time when the prospect of reinstating the death penalty here in the Philippines has again been raised.

Capital punishment was provisionally abolished by the 1987 Constitution, but Congress was later given the option of reinstating it for “heinous crimes.” The death penalty was abolished unconditionally by Republic Act 9346 in 2006.

But then again in late 2016, there arose a proposal to repeal RA 9346 and reinstate the death penalty as part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

The bill is awaiting passage by the Senate, after its approval last year by the House of Representatives.

If finally passed, the new measure would allow capital punishment in cases of manufacturing or distributing illegal drugs, or the commission of heinous crimes such as murder or rape while under the influence of illegal drugs.

Opinion polls conducted in early 2017 showed that between 60 and 70 percent of the public supported as reinstatement of the death penalty, even in spite of the Catholic Church’s firm stance against it. It was alarming how the idea of the death penalty was quickly gaining public support at the time, and we deemed it right to call for a serious study and thorough debate on it in Congress.

We do not support calls for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Our elected legislators are duty-bound to give thorough and thoughtful consideration to the pending bill, which must include the implications of the reinstatement of the death penalty on efforts to protect Filipinos overseas from facing the same fate.

That point was made by Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. in his reaction to the news of the latest execution in Saudi Arabia. “This is why we cannot adopt the death penalty; we lose the argument of respecting our culture which abhors the taking of a human life by a cold formal state justice system when we believe that a state exists to protect life,” Locsin said.

Put another way, the only rational argument our government can present in defense of a Filipino citizen facing the ultimate punishment in another country — the only argument that still observes proper respect for other countries’ sovereignty and their legal processes — is that, were the situation reversed, we would not subject one of those countries’ citizens to the same penalty. If the Philippines reinstates the death penalty, that argument is no longer available, which in Locsin’s view, means that no argument is available.

That is not to say that the potential risk to Filipinos caught in life-threatening legal trouble overseas necessarily outweighs the seriousness of the crimes for which reinstatement of the death penalty is being proposed. It may not. After all, every citizen has a duty to abide by the laws of the land in which he or she travels and works. And criminality connected with illegal drugs is clearly a destructive force that has not yet been brought under control.

The unfortunate execution of the OFW in Saudi Arabia, however, should remind everyone concerned that reinstating the death penalty is neither a solution nor a deterrent to heinous crimes, and should be considered with grave care.

saturday February 2, 2019

~

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 113

Dante A. Ang, Chairman Emeritus Rene Q. Bas, Publisher Emeritus Nerilyn A. Tenorio, Publisher-Editor Arnold E. Belleza, Executive Editor Felipe F. Salvosa II, Managing Editor Leena C. Chua, News Editor Lynette O. Luna, National Editor Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Lifestyle Editor Perry Gil Mallari, Sports Editor Lea Manto-Beltran, Supplements Editor Jomar canlas, Chief of Reporters Rene H. Dilan, Chief Photographer Dante F. M. Ang 2nd, President and CEO Blanca C. Mercado, Chief Operating Officer 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.

Bitter cold forces rethink on global warming First word WRITE this column fully aware that some colleagues in the Times are believers in global warming, and probably have palpitations whenever I relay unfavorable news on global warming or climate change.

What should a global warming skeptic like me do when events and developments in the world appear to debunk the dogma of global warming and the UN forecast of climate apocalypse?

Should I just turn away?

No, I submit that the skeptic should spread the news as widely as possible, and highlight the most authoritative reports on what is happening.

I venture to do this today with respect to the polar vortex that plunged this week large swaths of the US into their coldest weather in history and caused a score of deaths in the process.

I

Four compelling reports I commend to the reader’s attention and perusal the following startling reports and expert commentary: 1. First, the latest Reuters weather report on the US situation, which it headlined, “US polar vortex nears end, blamed for 21 deaths” (Feb. 1, 2019).

2. Second, an expert assessment and analysis of the record cold by two climate experts, Tom Harris and Dr. Tim Ball, which they entitled, “Record cold forces rethink on global warming” (PJ Media, Jan. 29, 2019).

Rethinking global warming

observer yen makabenta 3. Third, Donald Trump’s Twitter appeal, “Global warming, please come back, we need you,” amid the freezing temperatures (Jan. 29, 2019).

4. Fourth, a commentary on Fox news, “Fossil fuels are keeping Americans warm this week,” by Rob Henneke (Jan. 31, 2019).

Reuters weather report Let’s start with the latest situation and weather report filed by Reuters.

In a Feb. 1, 2019 report headlined, “US polar vortex nears end, blamed for 21 deaths,” Reuters reported: “Tens of millions of Americans braved Arctic-like temperatures on Thursday as low as minus 56 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 49 Celsius) that paralyzed the US Midwest and were blamed for at least 21 deaths.

“Officials across multiple states linked numerous deaths to the frigid air.

“It has been more than 20 years since a similar blast of frigid air covered a swath of the US Midwest and Northeast, according to the National Weather Service.

“The bitter cold was caused by the mass of air known as the polar vortex drifting south from its usual position over the North Pole.”

In an assessment published online

by PJ Media, two longtime climate analysts and global warming skeptics, Tom Harris and Dr. Tom Ball issued a scathing critique of the global warming dogma.

Dr. Ball is a doctor of science (Ph.D. University of London; Masters, University of Manitoba).

Mr. Harris is a member of the Heartland Institute and director of the Climate Science Coalition.

Because of their synoptic analysis and overview of the climate situation, I reproduce below their commentary: “Headlines around the world are reporting exceptionally frigid conditions and unusually high levels of snowfall in recent weeks. They tout these events as records, but few people understand how short the record actually is — usually less than 50 years, a mere instant in Earth’s 4.6 billion-year history. The reality is that, when viewed in a wider context, there is nothing unusual about current weather patterns.

“Despite this fact, the media — directly, indirectly, or by inference — often attribute the current weather to global warming. Yes, they now call it climate change. But that is because activists realized, around 2004, that the warming predicted by the computer models on which the scare is based was not actually happening.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels continued to increase, but the temperature stopped increasing. So, the evidence no longer fit the theory…

“Yet, the recent weather is a stark reminder that a colder world is a much greater threat than a warmer one. While governments plan for warming, all the indications are that the world is cooling. And, contrary to the proclamations of climate activists, every single year more people die from the cold than from the heat.

“A study in the British medical journal The Lancet reached the following conclusion: ‘Cold weather kills 20 times as many people as hot weather, according to an international study analyzing over 74 million deaths in 384 locations across 13 countries.’

“How did this bizarre situation develop? It was a deliberate, orchestrated deception. The results of the investigation of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were deliberately premeditated to focus on the negative impacts of warming. In their original 1988 mandate from the UN, global warming is mentioned three times, while cooling is not mentioned even once. The UN notes that: ‘Continued growth in atmospheric concentrations of ‘greenhouse’ gases could produce global warming with an eventual rise in sea levels, the effects of which could be disastrous for mankind if timely steps are not taken at all levels.’

This narrow focus was reinforced when the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a body the IPCC is required to support, defined climate change as being caused by human activity.”

äMakabentaA5

n TULFO From A1

The big scoundrels at immigration The thieves at the lower house and upper chamber of Congress call the funds allocated for “special projects” of their choosing as “insertions” in the national budget.

Sen. Ping Lacson, a nemesis of pork barrel, calls it SMB, or style mo bulok (your style stinks).

As special envoy to China, I may be able to help in getting rid of such “insertions” for the dredging of waterways by the DPWH. In short, I may just be able to contribute to minimizing, if not completely eliminating, the “insertions” in the national budget, a big source of graft for legislators.

Representatives from two big companies in China have approached our government — through me — and volunteered to dredge our silted rivers and canals. For free!

These companies will bring in all the needed equipment into the country—if the government agrees—to help in controlling floods and eliminating wastes on our riverbeds.

Last Wednesday, I took the representatives of one Chinese company to the office of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu.

Zhou Ye and Yong Hui, of the

Romer Environmental Protection (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. based in Shanghai, told Secretary Cimatu their company could also produce cement out of lahar .

Their company also converts wastewater into clean or drinking water.

I am sure President Digong will be delighted to hear about the good news from China.

Next week, I will introduce the representative of another Chinese company that has a similar proposal to the government: dredging our waterways of mud, sand and silt. Also free of charge!

But for their efforts, they want to ask or buy from our government the sand that they will dig up from our rivers. They will ship the sand to China to be used for their land reclamation projects.

Fair enough? *** Despite the arrest and prosecution of two deputy immigration commissioners for extortion two years ago, some immigration officials still dip their fingers into the cookie jar of corruption.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente sacked lawyers Arnulfo Maminta and Alex Recinto and Justin Joy Valdez for “alleged corrupt activities.”

Morente doesn’t know the extent of their “corrupt activities” and if he is informed — and I’m doing that now — he will most probably also file plunder charges against them.

I’ve talked with several lawyers whose clients are foreign nationals applying for work visas with the Bureau of Immigration.

These lawyers approached me after they learned about my appointment as special envoy to China.

These lawyers, whose identities I will withhold for the moment, told me that Maminta, Recinto and Valdez had formed themselves into a syndicate for collecting exorbitant fees from foreigners applying for work visa.

From what I gathered from my talk with the lawyers, Maminta, Recinto and Valdez have collected more than P1 billion from Chinese from the mainland who applied for working visas.

Let’s do the maths.

For several months last year, the three processed the visa applications of 1,500 Chinese every month.

These scoundrels collected P180,000 from each applicant for a work visa.

Multiply P180,000 by 1,500 and you get P270 million.

Two hundred seventy million pesos a month from 1,500 Chinese!

And they did it for several months!

You know how much is the fee for a working visa? P10,630. So, by simply multiplying P10,630 by 1,500, we know that government earned P15,945,000 every month from the visa application from the 1,500 Chinese.

From other applicants, those scoundrels were pocketing P254 million every month for several months at the expense of the government.

And Morente, their boss, was ignorant of the huge amount they were defrauding the government.

But as a saying goes, a stink no matter how it’s covered up will always come out.

Somebody probably whispered into Morente’s ear about the activities of those thieves, prompting him to relieve them of their posts: Valdez, as head of the satellite immigration office at SM North Edsa; Maminta, as chief of the satellite office at SM Aura; and Recinto as his technical assistant.

Should Morente want to look into my allegations in this column, I will present to him the lawyers who told me about the past activities of those scalawags.

˜ The Manila Times

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saturday February 2, 2019

Opinion

A5

Going beyond a culture of fear and hatred

I

F you think that declaring martial law can put an end to terrorism, and turn IS into meek lambs, then you are in for a big disappointment.

If you think that calling the New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists can extinguish rebellion and quell the fires that burn in the hearts of those who seek for justice when their lands are stolen from them, then you must be living in a fantasy world.

If you think that re-imposing the death penalty can deter the commission of crimes, then you must be looking at the wrong statistics.

If you think that lowering the minimum age for criminal responsibility to 12 can reduce crime, then you are not listening to experts in science, and your sense of proportion is way off the mark.

And if you think that the mere killing of drug addicts and petty traders can solve the drug problem, then you must have missed the lesson learned when even the President had to make adjustments in his timetable and admit that the problem is way bigger than he first imagined.

Declaring martial law, labeling the NPA as terrorists, reimposing the death penalty, lowering the age of criminal responsibility, and killing drug addicts and pushers have one thing in common. All of

ON THE CONTRARY ANTONIO CONTRERAS them are bound to fail if we think of them as long-term solutions.

They may indeed provide quickacting palliatives to momentarily make us feel better, but they will never provide long-term remedies.

The series of bombings in Jolo and Zamboanga clearly reminded us that martial law could not stop extremist groups from launching terrorist attacks. After all, terrorism, particularly those that are not just criminal in nature but are more political and ideological, necessarily thrives most in conditions where the militants perceive persecution. Political Islam has effectively appropriated hatred towards the West, and its associated political and economic institutions and processes, as the driving forces behind every mujahideen who wages war against infidel countries, peoples and entities.

The Islamic State (IS) was born amid the horror and deprivations which prevailed in US-occupied Iraq which was practically under military rule. It is foolish to even believe that a much toned-down martial law in Mindanao, or even

an all-out war now ordered by President Duterte, can prevent ISinspired attacks. Donald Trump, cocky as ever, thought that IS was already defeated by the mighty force the US-led alliance has inflicted, and ordered the withdrawal of troops from Syria; the response he got was a bloody bombing attack waged by IS militants.

Martial law in Mindanao may give people the feeling of safety.

There is wide support for its declaration, and extension, simply because people feel that they need it to keep the peace, and to inoculate themselves from the evil that attended the siege of Marawi. Obviously, they are wrong. The very same evil has now served notice that it is not about to disappear. Ironically, the fruits of the failure of martial law seen in the deaths in Jolo and in Zamboanga are now being used to justify once again the need for the same martial law to remain.

Someone argued that this is but the same logic that attends the need to have a police force even if crime continues to prevail. But we are missing the point if we rely on this logic and continue to be misled by the belief that the purpose of the police is to provide a structural solution to the problems of criminality. For all intents and purposes, the deterrent role of the police, and

the military, emanates from their coercive, retributive and penal nature. The police powers of the state are not designed to solve structural problems related to social deviance and political violence. They are designed to apprehend and arrest, but not to reform and rehabilitate.

And more importantly, they could never, on their own, address the structural roots of criminality and political violence.

It is easy to give people the impression that the State is solving the problems of violence and criminality by also inflicting its own legitimate use of violence, either through martial law declaration, an all-out war against terrorists and criminals, extending the penal code to even cover minors, and even re-imposing capital punishment. After all, these would cater to the demand of the victimized population for retribution and vengeance. It is easy not only to appease the boiling anger of those who lost their loved ones and who live in constant fear, but also to assuage the very feeling of fear itself.

But the roots of political violence and criminality go beyond simply appeasing the need for vengeance. The harnessing of fear to cultivate the hatred and anger may be able to whip up support for

the state to deploy its monopoly over the legitimate use of violence, but this will never be enough.

Martial law, the death penalty, and an all-out war against terrorists and rebels are not effective deterrents when those who engage in these types of political violence are committed to their ideologies.

The penal code is not enough to deter criminal acts when we are faced with extremely rational criminal minds who calculate that the wages of crime are outweighed by its rewards, with these being amplified by a corruptible justice system. There are also those who are pushed by the circumstances of their poverty and hunger, or their deprivation, to live a life of crime out of sheer necessity or desperation, or perhaps even out of the need to lash out at a system that unfairly treated them.

When bombs explode, or when criminals attack, we always rely on the police power of the state. We demand retributive justice, to a point that some of us would even demand that even children not be spared. Our craving for revenge is nowhere more manifest than when we feel relief that children as young as 12 who are in conflict with the law are seen less as victims.

In order to embed a culture of peace in our social fabric, perhaps

the first thing we need to do is to go deep in our very own conscience and worldviews.

Criminality and political violence continue to exist because we are fixated on quick fixes. We rally around solutions that feed our craving for retribution, and we end up getting addicted to it.

We look at the police power of the state as the necessary avenue, when the real domains lie in the social infrastructures that attend just and equitable development, a respect for human rights, and the cultivation of a mind that nurtures instead of a mind that hates.

When bombs go off, or when crimes are committed, it is now useful to think that we are just experiencing the blowback of injustice, inequality, oppression and victimization that is coming back to haunt us.

In the long run, the domains where we should invest our anticrime, anti-insurgency, and antiterrorism efforts should not stop with the army and the police. In fact, we should spend more resources in the form of money, time and effort in the development of local communities, which should cover all the major aspects of their lives – economic, social, political, cultural, psychological, environmental and even spiritual.

DepEd Order 5 makes teachers even more vulnerable to loan sharks Bitter cold R Global warming, My say n Makabenta From A4

please come back

Like the little boy in the Western classic, “Shane,” US President Donald Trump, arguably the biggest GW denier in the world, took to Twitter to appeal for “global warming“ to come back and save Americans from the bitter cold.

Trump tweeted: “In the beautiful Midwest, windchill temperatures are reaching minus 60 degrees, the coldest ever recorded…. People can’t last outside even for minutes.

What the hell is going on with Global Warming? Please come back fast, we need you!”

Fossil fuels keep Americans warm For the longest time, GW fanatics have been crusading against the fossil fuel industry as the biggest factor behind global warming and climate change. They advocate the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy like wind and solar in the US economy.

Today, however, in the face of the bitter cold, it is fossil fuels that are keeping Americans warm.

Rob Henneke, director of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, penned an arresting commentary in Fox news. He wrote: “What the AccuWeather service calls ‘the coldest weather in years’ is gripping the nation, from Wisconsin to Alabama…

“The only real defense against Winter Storm Jayden is fossil fuels — the source of the vast majority of electricity that Americans will need to stay warm.

Pie-in-the-sky talk about renewable energy won’t warm hearths and hearts during this storm, because the sun isn’t shining all the time and the wind capacity simply isn’t there.

“Americans will rely on fossil fuels — the much-demonized source of concentrated energy — to power our economy and save lives, literally.

“Winter Storm Jayden should wake us up to some cold truths. Today, fossil fuels stand between us and the icy chill of winter weather. Policies that try to chase them from our energy portfolios prematurely are doomed to fail—and to leave American families, particularly the poorest among us, out in the bitter cold.”

Flat earth defense In defense of the church of global warming, fanatics are desperately claiming that the bitter cold is only a symptom of global warming.

Everything, even the cold, confirms the reality of GW. It’s like the flat earth dogma all over again. No church can sustain this error.

yenmakabenta@yahoo.com

EALIZING the implications of Order 5 of the Department of Education, one inevitably ends up wondering whether it is not actually a manipulation by bigtime loan sharks. The order was issued on Feb. 15, 2018 pursuant to the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2018, and DepEd personnel took it in stride, as they do all orders from above — subject to full compliance.

However, within a year of its implementation, DepEd personnel, both in the rural and urban areas — but more so the former — realized they had been thrown into this situation of seeking the otherwise despicable purveyors of 5-6 loans and sangla-ATM. Month after month, or every payday, that is.

Anyare?

Nothing has changed in their lifestyles. Come payday, they apportion their take-home salary to standard items in the family budget: rental, electricity and water bills, the regular monthly installments for the school fees of the kids, and the large amount of payables at the corner mini grocery for which almost always there is hardly any more money left. Since the store won’t let you get anything more on credit unless you pay your earlier debts, here you go running to the Bombay or the sangla-ATM, who bails you out, or at least you think so, not realizing that with the onerous interest, you are actually immersed deeper and deeper

mauro gia samonte in a debt trap, until you end up pawning whatever little valuables you’ve got — refrigerator, electric fan, washing machine, what else — oh, yes, your wedding ring.

You pine for the good old days, when your pay of, say — if you are an entry-level school teacher (Teacher 1), having Salary Grade 11 under Tranche 3 of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) — P20,179, was good enough for your needs.

But between then and now, what happened that what had proved good enough was now putting you in really hard times?

“Ah,” you sigh, “if only the rural bank or the thrift bank in town would be as accommodating as they used to be.”

You needed to furnish your newly acquired row house, you turned to any of those banks and they granted your loan application with little ado. But beginning the first quarter of 2018, you felt the banks had grown reluctant to accommodate your loan application. Or, if they were willing to approve your loan, the interest they charged was too high for your comfort this time.

Until now, you don’t seem to realize that DepEd Order 5 had changed things drastically. You know very well of course that your

bank loan is on a salary deduction basis. When before Order No. 5 came about, there was a first-in, first-served policy, and the banks had no qualms about granting you a loan since they were sure to collect without risk of default.

The salary deduction scheme was the guarantee. But with the DepEd Order 5, the banks have become quite reluctant to give you a loan.

Why? Because according to Order 5, payment of loans under the salary deduction system must be made in this order of preference: 1) BIR, PhilHealth, GSIS, HDMF; 2) nonstock savings and loan associations and mutual benefit associations; 3) associations or provident funds organized and managed by government employees for their mutual benefit and welfare; 4) GFIs authorized by law and accredited by appropriate government regulating bodies to engage in lending; 5) licensed insurance companies; and 6) thrift banks and rural banks accredited by the BSP. You can see that the thrift banks and the rural banks which have become part of the lifeblood of public schoolteachers are at the bottom in the list of those to avail of the department’s automatic payroll deduction system (APDS).

Now, here is the catch in this scheme. According to the 2018 GAA, public schoolteachers must have a net take-home pay (NTHP) of P5,000. If it happens

that a teacher has payables to all those lending groups, payment will be issued by the department according to the order stipulated above, not according to the dates during which the loans to be paid were made.

Suppose then that I, a teacher, secured a loan from Thrift Bank A last month, come payday when my monthly amortization to the bank is due, the DepEd will issue payment to the bank only if there is something left from my salary beyond the P5,000 NTHP ceiling prescribed by GAA 2018.

You might say, then I should not overreach my loan ceiling.

But the idea is fallacious. I can still pay off my amortization to the bank, not necessarily from what’s left of my NTHP at a time. The key lies in my proper programming of loan payments such that though they may be large in total, they are completely manageable if I were to do it myself, with the department’s APDS serving as a mere conduit. But with Order 5 dictating who I should pay first, isn’t Order 5 depriving me of just that prerogative of managing my own finances?

In fact, under the order of preference of Order 5, my salary which, however you may look at it, is my hard-earned money, becomes just an aggregate of the entire enormous pool of funds effectively withheld for disbursement not by us teachers but by the exclusive circle of DepEd policymakers.

Something is yours only if you can dispose of it as you wish; if not, you just don’t own it.

In a press statement released by the Department of Budget Management in April 2018, it was revealed that the total number of public schoolteachers in the Philippines is 880,000. You multiply that figure by P29,000 — which is what Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno admitted to be the monthly salary of those teachers — the resulting amount is a staggering P183.9 billion. That is how much is being withheld from the teachers’ disposal month after month since the implementation by the DepEd of Section 48 of the GAA of 2018 through Order 5.

Let it be clear here, teachers are not complaining about their salaries being low. Precisely because they are resigned to that fact, what they are griping about instead is that Order 5 has made it harder for them to make do with their low salary by availing of loans. They ask for a restoration of the firstin, first-served policy for lenders availing of the DepEd’s automatic payroll deduction system. Unless this is done, the rural and thrift banks will just have to reject the loan applications of teachers.

So, no matter that loan sharks are abominable, teachers just have to go to them as the tragic consequence of Order 5. As we say it in the vernacular, “Kapit sa patalim. (Hold on tight, though it be a knife you’re gripping, otherwise you’re dead.)

Law: Enriching Asean environmental governance

A

CLOSE look at the laws of the Association of Southeast Asia (Asean) member countries will reveal the intricate mosaic of legal systems in existence in the region. It is not simply a choice between common law or civil law or a mixture of both.

While one system is founded on Islamic or Hindu law and Dutch law (Indonesia), a few others share traditions of British law super-imposed upon Islamic foundations, modified by modern indigenous legal innovations (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Myanmar). Others have indigenized eclectic legal systems which have integrated concepts from American, Spanish and French legal systems (the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand). Intricate as it is, the mosaic is even more elaborate when seen in detail, with a great variety of ethnic and customary laws.

Despite the diversity in legal cultures owing to the differences in history, territories, population and government, environmental law suits all legal systems in the light of the present worldwide concern about conservation of natural resources for sustainable devel-

AMBASSADORS’ CORNER

amado s. tolentino, jr. opment vis-à-vis rising resource consumption and thoughtless demands for economic growth.

With the 1981 Manila Declaration on the Environment as the starting point of formal and active cooperation on environmental matters, the regional association adopted the Asean Vision 2020 about which the Hanoi Plan of Action (1999-2004) was formulated, covering 15 areas relating to the environment. Those years saw the use of law through regional environmental agreements. Among them: Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (ATHP) (2002) — This agreement attests to Asean’s resolve at transnational environmental lawmaking. It was formulated in response to the annual haze emanating from Indonesia as a consequence of land-clearing fires for palm and rubber plantations and the practice of swidden (kaingin) ag-

riculture which cause serious adverse economic and health impacts in some Asean states. ATHP demonstrates that in a crisis situation, Asean members can rally together to reach consensus on a hard law instrument.

Under the agreement, parties oblige themselves to develop information systems to prevent and monitor haze; communicate about haze originating from within their borders; and take legislative and administrative measures to implement the Agreement.

Progress, however, has been too slow to effectively avert the occurrence of the haze reflecting the preference of the states of Asean for cooperative and consensual discussions, or soft law, over hard law. Whether ATHP will be fully implemented at the national level still remains to be seen since there are no enforcement mechanisms at the Asean level.

Agreement on Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin (1995) — A sub-regional agreement signed by four Asean member riparian countries, namely, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, the agreement emphasizes joint development,

ecological protection and dynamic process of water allocation. China (a non-Asean member) and Myanmar, two upper basin countries, are not parties to the agreement but were designated “dialogue partners” and have participated in various Mekong River-related activities.

Customary international law played an important role in reaching the agreement by providing a framework of guiding principles which include, among others, the principle of international waters, i.e. watercourse as a system of surface and groundwater constituting a unitary whole and normally flowing into a common terminus, guarantees reasonable and equitable uses and benefits to all watercourse states.

Functioning cooperative mechanisms are in place between the riparian countries in the Mekong River and China. Lately, however, there were manifestations of protest by Thailand against China’s plan to dredge on the part of the Mekong which stretches into its territory. (No similar manifestation came from Laos on dredging the shallowest part of the river within its territory to give

way to China’s vaunted Silk and Belt project). Likewise, concerns have been raised about the possibility of lessened flow of water into the Mekong River from its source in China when the dams to divert the water flow to irrigate agricultural lands to ensure food security for the country’s bourgeoning population becomes operational. At stake is the livelihood of 60 million people living within the Lower Mekong River Basin.What is the future of the regional frameworks and cooperation initiatives agreed to by China as a major actor?

In this connection, it should be noted that because Asean emphasizes decision-making through consensus-building, it lacks an effective dispute settlement process. Thus, Asean often opts for conflict avoidance rather than conflict resolution.

Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) (2009) — As an agreement on disaster preparedness, emergency response and rehabilitation, AADMER is about faster movement of relief goods, tools and personnel (e.g. provision

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Opinion

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RAY for peace in the Philippines. This is the main message conveyed by Mrs. Bing Pimentel to a small group gathering at Club Filipino last Wednesday. For those who do not know, “Nanay” Bing is the wife of former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. and the mother of Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd.

For today’s column, I was supposed to write about insurance scams, disguised as legitimate insurance plans, being done by big insurance firms. However, I committed to Nanay Bing that I would write about her advocacy today. Well, a commitment is a commitment.

PasaLord movement According to Nanay Bing, they launched PasaLord Prayer Movement on July 7, 2017. Why 07.7.17? She said that “7” is the Lord’s number that is why they always choose a date with a “7” in it.

PasaLord is a nonsectarian prayer movement which aims to unite Filipinos of various faiths and denominations to pray for peace in the Philippines. It was started in 2017 by 16 ordinary people following an inspiration given by Nanay Bing. You might be asking why there is no number “7” in the original convenors.

There is. Including Nanay Bing, the total is 17.

Why the name PasaLord?

This term was derived from “Pasaload,” a service keyword used by a telecommunications company that allows its users to pass on prepaid loads or credits

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saturday February 2, 2019

Praying for peace in PH all insight

al s. vitangcol 3rd to other prepaid subscribers in their telecommunications network. In this movement, PasaLord means passing on your burdens to the Lord. This reminded me of the religious song, “Lift Up Your Hands,” whose lyrics say, “‘Cast your burdens upon Me. Those who are heavily laden,come to Me, all of you who are tired of carrying heavy loads. For the yoke I will give you is easy and My burden is light. Come to Me and I will give you rest.” For Bible readers, you would know that this came from Matthew 11:28.

This year, the national prayer will be on February 7 at exactly 12 noon. Everyone, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, is encouraged to commune with the Lord by reciting the Prayer for Peace in the Philippines. You do not need to go to a special place or attend a special gathering. All you need to do is to stop for a minute at 12 noon on February 7 and say the prayer.

I am reproducing here the Prayer for Peace in the Philippines, in English and Tagalog versions. You may use this as a guide when you join the synchronized nationwide moment of prayer on February 7, 2019, 12:00 noon.

Prayer for Peace in the Philippines Almighty God, in Your mercy and

compassion, forgive our sins and the sins of our people. Look with favor upon us as we pray for our country, the Philippines.

Bless our leaders with wisdom, integrity, truthfulness and righteousness.

Uphold our families and keep our children safe. Help us to be upright and moral citizens, living together peacefully, with sincerity, loving-kindness, acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness.

Protect us from foreign invasion and destructive influences, and defend us from acts of lawlessness, terrorism and war.

Grant our country peace, unity and prosperity, and bring about the transformation of our nation so that we may be Your light to Asia and the world. Amen.

Panalangin para sa Kapayapaan sa Pilipinas Makapangyarihang Diyos, sa Inyong habag at awa, patawarin N’yo po ang aming mga sala at ang kasalanan ng aming lipi. Kalugdan N’yo po kami sa aming pagsamo para saaming bansang Pilipinas.

BiyayaanN’yo po ang amingmga pinuno ng karunungan, integridad, katapatan, at katuwiran.

Kalingain N’yo po ang aming pamilya at ingatan ang aming mga anak. Tulungan N’yo po kaming maging matuwid namamamayan nanamumuhay nang mapayapa, matapat at may tunay na malasakit, pagtanggap at pagpapatawad.

Protektahan N’yo po ang aming bayan sa ano mang banta ng pananakop ng dayuhan at nakawawasak na impluwensiya, at ipagtanggol kami sa anumang uri ng paglabag sa batas, terorismo at digmaan.

Pagkalooban N’yo po ang aming bansa ng kapayapaan, pagkakaisa at kasaganahan at hayaang maganap ang tunay na pagbabago sa aming bayan upang kami ay maging Iyong liwanag as Asya at samundo. Amen.

Can prayers solve problems?

The call by this movement to have a nationwide prayer is timely. The aftermath of the twin bombs exploding on January 27 at the Cathedral of Our lady of Mount Carmel in Jolo, Sulu, is still fresh in our minds. Remember that 20 people were instantly killed in the blasts and more than a hundred injured. Three days later, a grenade explosion rocked a mosque in Zamboanga City, killing two people and injuring at least four others.

It is said that, “only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer can move God.” This quote is attributed to Edward McKendree Bounds, an American author, attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South clergy. Other religious then made derivative inspirational quotes from this, like, “Never doubt what prayer can do. It can move mountains.”

Prayer is undervalued. Prayer c h a n g e s s i t u a t i o n s. P r aye r changes people. Prayer can move mountains (Michael Bliss’, not mine). Why not? It’s time to pray.

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Manila.Times

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Law: Enriching Asean environmental governance of food, water sanitation facilities and temporary shelters), customs and immigration clearance, setting up a relief fund, better utilization of civilian and military personnel as well as stronger simulation exercises to test emergency response.

The agreement was already in effect when one of the strongest typhoons ever recorded, Typhoon Yolanda, hit the Visayas. Some of the Southeast Asian militaries responded to the calamity but their voluntary efforts highlighted military operational shortcomings in the region. In many ways, the response was mainly on a national basis. Transport aircraft and ships were sent but there was not enough multinational cooperation.

Analysts traced the situation to the lack of trust and confidence between many governments for which reason further bilateral and trilateral arrangements may be more effective.

Conscious of the need for greater cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief after Typhoon Yolanda, Asean countries, on their

own or in tandem with other countries, embarked on disaster and relief exercises leading to the setting up of a coordination center for humanitarian and disaster management in Jakarta and another one to organize multi-national military response in Singapore. Actually, experts say that what is necessary is inter-operability of joint and multinational missions with greater command-and-control capability among Asean’s military considering the scientific information that natural calamities are projected to intensify in the Asia-Pacific area in the coming years.

The “Asean Way” guided the regional group in formulating the above-described legal instruments.

The “Asean Way” is a regional cooperative and collaborative approach which emphasizes three fundamental standards: 1) non-interference in other member states’ domestic affairs; 2) consensus- building and cooperative programs rather than legally binding treaties (but in an exceptional situation, a binding

agreement may be possible); and 3) preference for national implementation of programs rather than reliance on a strong region-wide bureaucracy.

After 51 years of existence, it can be said that Asean was able to shape a common environmental policy framework as a basis for capacitybuilding throughout the region. Asean countries, however, ought to devote greater attention to the implementation of those shared policies via instruments and effective programs for translating policy commitments into national level actions. This will make Asean an essential part of an environmental governance system working with international organizations to solve problems and implement solutions to attain the sustainable development goals, i.e. poverty reduction, food security, health care and sanitation, clean energy use, climate change resilience.

In fact, Asean’s consensus-building practice has created a sound foundation for future implementation of common policies. Be that as it may,

the weaknesses of the practice is evident in the divergence of views, values and interests among them.

A saving grace, if one may say so, is the flexibility of the “Asean Way” which, by experience, helped Asean to build a stronger basis for effective policymaking and action.

The above example of regional agreements alone, however, do not guarantee conservation of natural resources. The agreements need back-up by people’s participation in the implementation process. There is the further need to develop and strengthen a cadre of environmental lawyers which can bring forward its indigenous experience to assist in the compliance aspects of the national environmental legislations relevant to the Aseanagreements.

In sum, the important key to the future of the Asean agreements is national legislation reinforced by political will, public participation and capacity- building, especially for lawyers, law enforcers, prosecutors and judges.

F

Binhi

EBRUARY is a busy month for cultural workers. In 1991, President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino signed Proclamation 683 designating February as National Arts Month. Various institutions will celebrate this important event with various activities all over the country.

On Nov. 8, 2018, I found myself part of the board of a new organization, Tagapagtaguyod ng Sining at Kultura ng Pilipinas (Advocates of Philippine Culture and Arts), which was launched at the Manila Hotel and chaired by lawyer Tranquil Salvador. I am reluctant to accept the position because of my already many responsibilities but I cannot refuse a request to help an organization whose mission I subscribe to and believe.

Our first project, facilitated by Dr. Flordeliza Villaseñor, director of the Museo ng Maynila and appointed TSKP board secretary, will be an exhibit highlighting the work of some of the TSKP’s maestros to be launched at the Manila City Hall on Feb. 8, 2019. Since this is the project that will hopefully be the first of many, we called it “Binhi.” The seed that hopefully will harvest more awareness and inspiration for the Filipino arts.

The first four artists to be highlighted will be Cusi, Caedo, Magsumbol and Piano. All of them already notable in their respective genres.

Rafael “Popoy” Arenillo Cusi, president of the TSKP, is known as the “Master of Watercolor in the Philippines,” and hails from Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro.

His career started when he received a commission to finish a mural by a Peace Corps volunteer while he was still in high school. He received scholarship grants to tour the various ethnic groups around the country and also Asean countries for eight months because it is not enough to develop skills, but to understand cultures and perspectives that will widen his sensibilities as an artist. His works were received well not just in the country but in various parts of the world: Japan, Spain, Belgium, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, England and the US. One of his publications is titled Philippine Coral Reefs in Watercolor . For highlighting the environment in his art, he received the “Arts Environmental Award” in Rome.

Frederic Caedo, TSKP vice president for internal affairs, is a thirdgeneration craftsman from a long line of sculptors. He continues the legacy of his grandfather Professor Anastacio T. Caedo, protégé of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino, and who for the years 1983, 1984 and 1986 refused being awarded the Order of the National Artist of the Philippines. Frederic is also the son of Florante “Boy” Caedo. The Caedos

walking history MICHAEL “XIAO” CHUA are known to be the producer of the official bust of the National Hero José Rizal now displayed in various government offices and embassies around the world.

On his own, Fred was able to demonstrate his ability to create the likeness of religious and historical personages. In one image of the Mother of Perpetual Help installed in a church in Calamba St., Quezon City, he used the face of his student, Villaseñor, as the model. Aside from creating new Caedo versions of Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, and President Manuel Quezon for various local governments, his recent historical commissions include the bust of historian Serafin Quiason, recently installed at the Quiason Resource Center of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and a monument to the author of the June 12, 1898 proclamation of Philippine independence, Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, commissioned by the city government of Biñan.

Alberto “Badz” Magsumbol, vice president for external affairs, is a visual communications graduate of the UP College of Fine Arts who founded that Papercutters Guild of the Philippines. Multiawarded and able to exhibit his work internationally, he can be considered a public artist because of his efforts to bring art closer to the people — be it at mall event centers, parks, and even introducing it to the greater masses through television. He also made portrait sketches of the Filipino national heroes for National Bookstore.

Magsumbol, who designed the newest logo of the Manila Hotel, also designed the logo of the TSKP. Finally, also to be exhibited are the works of Pancho M. Piano, a multi-awarded stained glass artist known for his works on Bicolano myths and traditions, which include works on the devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the “Ina” of Naga City. He was also commissioned to do stained glass work in Japan, Saipan and Palau and has exhibited his work in the Philippines, Japan, Saipan, the United States, France, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. A fine arts graduate of UP Diliman, Piano has the distinction of being the first Filipino artist to exhibit leather art in the country.

We do not lack talent in our country, all we have to do first is believe we have a world-class culture by knowing some of our culture bearers — the artists.

Bullying is an ‘infringement’ of children’s rights

By Tharanga Yakupitiyage UNITED NATIONS: While rates have decreased, school violence and bullying is still a major global issue, with a lasting impact on youths, a United Nations agency has found.

During the 2019 Education World Forum, taking place in the United Kingdom, the UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) released a report analyzing global trends in school violence and bullying.

“All children and young people have the right to safe, inclusive and effective learning environments,” said Unesco’s Assistant DirectorGeneral for Education Stefania Giannini at the launch of the report.

The report found that almost one in three students has been bullied by their peers at school at least once in the last month, and a similar proportion is affected by physical violence.

While physical appearance is the most frequent reason for bullying, students perceived as gender non-conforming face the highest risk of school violence.

In Australia, 60 to 70 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth reported experiencing bullying due to their sexual orientation or gender

identity. In Thailand, the prevalence of bullying among LGBT youth was 55 percent.

Such bullying increases the likelihood of suicide. Across 96 countries, over 23 percent of bullied children reported that they seriously considered attempting suicide, compared with 12 percent of those who were not bullied.

In 2010, Tyler Clementi’s suicide captured national attention to the issue of cyberbullying and the struggles LGBT youth face.

Clementi faced online abuse after being publicly outed by his college roommate.

Last year, a nine-year-old boy from Colorado committed suicide after coming out as gay to his classmates.

“School violence and bullying can be devastating for the victims,” said Giannini, adding that bullying also impacts students’ educational outcomes.

“An atmosphere of anxiety, fear and insecurity is incompatible with learning and unsafe learning environments can, therefore, undermine the quality of education for all learners,” she said.

According to Unesco, children who are frequently bullied are almost three times more likely to report feeling like an outsider

were frequently bullied wanted to leave formal education after completing secondary school.

“Being protected from bullying is a fundamental human right,” said the SRSG on Violence Against Children Marta Santos Pais upon the launch of the Secretary-General’s report on the issue in 2018.

Giannini highlighted the importance of addressing n Students in school in Quibdó, capital of Chocó province, Colombia. School violence and school violence and bullying is still a major global issue. Jesús Abad Colorado/IPS bullying in order to achieve the Sustainat school and are nearly twice as believed my classmates. Their likely to skip school more often. words started to become the able Development Goals (SDGs), Aija Mayrock recounted this constitution I lived by. I stopped including SDG 4 which aims to feeling in a report by the Office speaking in school. I kept my ensure inclusive and equitable of the UN Special Representative head down and my eyes on the quality education and promote of the Secretary General (SRSG) ground at all times. In a way, I lifelong opportunities for all.

Monitoring progress and colon Violence Against Children, began to give up.”

Unesco found that children lecting data on prevalence and stating: “I was eight years old the first time that I was bullied. One who are bullied score lower in trends in school violence as well of my classmates said to me, ‘No tests than their non-bullied peers, as responses to the issue is thereone likes you. No one will ever and it even affects continued en- fore essential, she added.

Strong political leadership like you.’ From that day forth, gagement in education.

According to the Program for and a robust legal and policy I endured bullying every single day for eight years. I was verbally, International Students Assess- framework are also necessary to physically, and cyber bullied. I ment, 45 percent of students who address violence against children.

In Jamaica, the Prime Minister, who previously served as the Minister for Education, worked to ban corporal punishment in schools and promoted the use of positive discipline, an approach to make life in school a positive experience for all learners.

In the United States, some states including New York and Colorado have adopted antibullying laws with specific protections for LGBT teens.

According to GLSEN, only 18 out of 50 states have such laws.

Elsewhere, some civil society organizations are taking matters into their own hands.

In Chile, the Selenna Foundation established Latin America’s first school for transgender children as a way to protect students from bullying and discrimination. Many of the students were those who often skipped classes or failed to complete studies due to their experiences.

“School-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children’s and adolescents’ rights to education and to health and well-being. No country can achieve inclusive and equitable quality education for all if learners experience violence and bullying in IPS school,” Giannini said.

Regions

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DIMAPOROS OF LANAO DEL NORTE

Yes to BOL, no to inclusion of 6 towns

BY MASIDING NOOR YAHYA AND ROY D.R. NARRA

I

LIGAN CITY: The Dimaporo clan of Lanao del Norte maintain their stand of supporting the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) even as they are against the inclusion of the six towns of the province to the area of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

On February 6, the constituents of Lanao del Norte will decide in a plebiscite whether to include the municipalities of Tagoloan, Baloi, Pantar, Munai and Nunungan in the new region.

A number of villages also in North Cotabato that desired to take part in the referendum

were allowed to participate in the political exercise on February 6.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde said in a radio interview that he would personally supervise security in Lanao Del Sur during the plebiscite to ensure that there would be no attacks dur-

ing the plebiscite, following the bombing incidents in Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga City this week.

Lanao del Norte first and second districts representatives Khalid and his father Abdullah Dimaporo, respectively, were among lawmakers who supported the passage of Republic Act 11054 also known as BOL. Provincial Governor Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo, Abdullah’s wife and mother of Khalid, said that since “BOL is already a law and we have supported its passage, Lanao del Norte supports all peace initiatives between the Moro rebels, for Lanao del Norte will be the first to benefit from the agreement.”

The governor, however, has m a i n t a i n e d t h a t t h e y we r e against inclusion of the six towns to the new region.

She said she, Vice Governor Cristy Atay and the members

of the provincial board were “united in opposing” the inclusion of the six municipalities.

Last January 21, the core area of the present Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Cotabato City overwhelmingly voted for the BOL, except for Isabela in Basilan and Sulu, which rejected it.

The two plebiscites for the ratification of BOL will finally determine the areas of the new autonomous region.

“In our province, what we are going to vote is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to the inclusion of these municipalities to BARMM. And we strongly say No to that,” Dimaporo stressed.

Dimaporo elaborated that both the local officials and House legislators of Lanao del Norte were concerned that if the said municipalities would be separated from the province,

the Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA of the province would be reduced and it would affect the allocation of funds for providing basic services to the remaining towns.

“These municipalities are considered the buffer zones, which play a vital role in sustaining the peace and order,” she said.

For years Muslims and Christians had lived harmoniously together, which drove the economic growth and sustainable peace in Lanao del Norte, and for that, there was a need to provide the basic service to all residents, regardless of their religion, Dimaporo added.

PNP to focus on 6 towns Albayalde said he did not see any problems on February 6, as

the plebiscite was already done in other areas.

He said the PNP would focus their forces and deploy more troops in the six municipalities of Lanao del Norte and 39 barangay (villages) in North Cotabato.

Aside from the PNP forces, t h e m i l i t a r y a l s o d e p l oye d more than 10,000 troops and support units.

The PNP previously said the bombing attack in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral on January 27, which resulted in the death of 21 people, was not linked to BOL, even if it occurred just a week after the plebiscite.

The PNP earlier said they already had two persons of interest behind the grenade attack in a mosque in Zamboanga City, which resulted in the death of two Muslim missionaries.

Ecija police fired over lapses in Malayao slay DrugWatch PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Friday relieved the Nueva Ecija provincial director and Aritao chief of police over mishandling evidence, two days after National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant Randy Malayao Jr. was killed.

Senior Supt. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, confirmed to The Manila Times in a text message that Nueva Ecija provincial director Senior Supt. Jeremias Aglugub and Aritao chief of police Chief Insp. Geovanni Cejes were relieved for apparent lapses in the investigation of Malayao’s death by mishandling of evidence at the crime scene.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional director, will designate the replacements for the two.

Malayao was gunned down while he sleeping inside a bus in Aritao on the morning of Jan. 30.

The unidentified suspect quickly

P31.5-M SHABU SEIZED IN CEBU

SUSPECTS

The Philippine National Police-Cagayan Valley released the facial sketches of the suspects behind the killing of National Democratic Front peace consultant Randy Malayao Jr. fled the crime scene.

The PNP is currently eyeing Malayao’s previous connections with the New People’s Army (NPA) as a possible motive of the crime.

PNP releases sketch of suspects PNP-Cagayan Valley released the

facial sketch of the suspects behind the killing of Malayao.

The gunman was described as a 25- to 30-year-old male, 5’4 to 5’6 tall and weighing from 60 to 70 kilograms, with a medium built and fair complexion.

Witnesses said the gunman was wearing a gray jacket with hood and denim pants.

Meanwhile, the getaway motorcycle driver was described as a 20- to 25-year-old male, 5’3 to 5’6 tall and weighing from 55 to 60 kilograms, with a light built and fair complexion.

He was wearing a yellow t-shirt and brown shorts, according to witnesses.

ROY D.R. NARRA

Go assures more projects for Batangueños FORMER special assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday assured Batangeños in Lian that he would help further development of the town and the whole of Batangas as he attended its 104th anniversary and commemoration of the 74th year of its liberation in World War 2.

Go was welcomed by Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Lian Municipal Mayor Mayor Isagano Bolompo, local government officials, teachers, students, nongovernment organization members, and residents of the town.

He mentioned that the Duterte administration had earmarked a number of projects for the Lian and the province of Batangas. “We have a Malasakit Center in Lemery and we are pushing the creation of

VISIT TO LIPA

Former special assistant to the Prsident Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go assured Bantangueňos that he would help in the further development of the town of Lian and the whole of Batangas when he visited Lian during its 104th anniversary. the Lian Eco Park,” he said.

Bolompo said that when Go

was still SAP, he supported the inclusion in the proposed 2019

national budget of P80 million for the protection of the slope of Lian Bridge and for setting up bike lanes that in Barangays Tres, San Diego and Buhangan in Lian.

Other projects lined up by the Duterte government for Batangas include the Mindoro–Batangas Super Bridge, STAR to Pinamucan Diversion Road, and the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Manila-to-Bicol.

A senatorial candidate in the May 2019 elections, Bong Go has a legislative agenda that tackles issues such as agriculture, housing, education, long-term sports development, fire safety and prevention, anti-illegal drugs and criminality, anti-corruption, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers, barangay (village) welfare, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

Marawi City not yet drug-free – police MARAWI CITY: The police provincial office refuted claims that the Islamic city is already free of drugs.

Earlier, Norhanie Marohombsar, city director for Interior and Local Government, said that “Marawi is now a drug-free city after the 2017 Marawi Siege.”

But Senior Supt. Madzgani M. Mukaram, provincial director of the Lanao del Sur police provincial office (LDSPPO), said in a text message that Marawi was still not free of drugs and law enforcers are monitoring the movements of persons of interest in the illegal trade.

In September 2018, authorities arrested Maranao politicians and members of their families in a raid at their house in Bacayo, Iligan city which was considered a big haul.

“So far, they are the biggest narcopoliticians [we have] arrested,” said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-ARMM Regional Director Juvenal Azurin in a press conference following the suspects’ arrest.

Many Maranaos have been included in the drug list matrix of President Rodrigo Duterte. Some might have been arrested or have surrendered or just run away and disappeared. But still, there are local officials said to be still in the illegal drug business, Azurin said.

One village official in the city who asked not to be named said that he knew of some barangay officials still in the illegal drug either as pushers or users and wondered how they could pass the drug test they were required to undergo before they were proclaimed.

On the other hand, Marohombsar said

all the identified drug dens in the city were located in the most affected area that was now a no man’s land and it was impossible for the illegal drug to exist there.

Marohombsar was referring to the notorious Lumber area in Padian (Palitan) site and other drug dens in the city before the Marawi siege, which devastated 24 villages.

“If ever there are illegal drugs coming in, these are brought here by transients who are not residents of the city,” she said.

The PDEA count showed that lives of 5,050 people were claimed in the course of 115,435 government antidrug operations, while 164,265 drug personalities have been arrested so far in operations of the Philippine National Police.

MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

MORE than P31 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and hundreds were arrested during a two-day simultaneous enhanced managing of police operations (Sempo) in Cebu. The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) arrested 99 drug suspects, seven suspects for illegal possession of firearms, 86 wanted persons, 54 suspects for illegal gambling, and 21 suspects for other offenses. During the Sempo from January 30 to 31, CPPO seized 73 unlicensed firearms, gun manufacturing equipment and 2,498.6 grams of shabu worth P16,990,344. CPPO also recorded at least four persons who died in police operations. “The 48-hour Sempo was a big success because we were able to pull out P16 million worth of drugs from the street and arrested 267 individuals wanted by the law and those who are involved in illegal activities. We cannot achieve this high level of accomplishment without the trust of the community that has given us much information in relation to our planned operation,” CPPO director Senior Supt. Manuel Abrugena, told The Manila Times. Meanwhile, the CPPO confiscated 2,135.24 grams of shabu worth P14,519,632 and five unlicensed firearms during the two-day Sempo in Cebu City. CPPO also arrested 67 offenders, including a Korean for illegal gambling and rescued 35 minors. One of the biggest catch during the Sempo in Cebu City was the P2.1 million worth of shabu confiscated from Lourdes Abella, 43, in a buy-bust in Barangay Bulacao. Chief Insp. Regino Maramag, station commander of Pardo Police Station, said Abella, a member of the Barangay (village) Anti-drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in Barangay Suba, sold a sachet of shabu for P14,000 to a poseur buyer. Senior Supt. Royino Garma, CCPO director said punong barangay (village heads) should screen their BADACs. “They (punong barangay) should be very strict in identifying BADAC members. We will refer it to DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government). They should screen members of BADAC since we closely coordinate with punong barangays and it affects the credibility because we (Philippine National Police) get the list from BADAC,” Garma said in a press conference.

RHEA RUTH ROSELL

4 SUSPECTS YIELD P24,000 WORTH OF DRUGS IN PASIG

FOUR drug suspects yielded shabu with a street value of P20,000 after they were arrested by policemen in Pasig City last January 31. Elements of the District Drug Enforcement Unit (DDEU) of the Pasig police conducted a buy-bust inside Room A, 2nd Floor, Block 94, Lot 6, KC 38 St., Phase 2, C2, Karangalan, Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City at about 8:30 p.m. last January 31 that resulted in the arrest of the four suspects, including two former ex-convicts. Arrested were as Jayson Zamora, 29; Eman Madriano, 38; Imelda De Jesus, 44; and Jovanni Agustin, 29, all of Karangalan Village, Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City. Police recovered 29 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets suspected to be containing shabu, with an estimated street value of P20,000.00 from the four suspects when they were arrested, plus P5,000 buy-bust money. The four are now detained at the Pasig police precinct in Manggahan and are set to be formally charged for violating Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

ED VELASCO

PROGRAM FOR DRUG SURRENDERERS TO BE LAUNCHED

THE Pasig police will launch the Patnubay Support Group (PGSP) of Pasig, a special program for drug surrenderers’ welfare, on February 7. An initiative of the city’s police force, it would function like a private firm that would be in charge of the rehabilitation of all drug surrenderers, said Senior Supt. Rizalito Gapas, the city’s police chief. PSGP will implement all the existing police and local government unit-formulated recovery and wellness program and community-based rehabilitation programs for drug surrenderers, creating a support group that would strengthen their resolve for a genuine change and assist in their recovery and reintegration to society as responsible citizens.

Prior to its launch, more than 40 former illegal substance users successfully finished a weeklong program at PSGP. ED VELASCO

News MMDA wants jaywalking criminalized A8

˜ The Manila Times

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

BY NEIL JAYSON N. SERVALLOS

T

HE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) warned jaywalkers that the agency would soon be filing charges against them before the courts and put them on the alarm list of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

w w w.manilatimes.net

“Now that we have been deputized, we can file a case for violating a local ordinance. So, that means that’s a criminal case. Once the NBI is alerted, they would not get clearances and other papers or we could also eye criminal penalties before courts,” MMDA General Manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said.

“If we apprehend a jaywalker and

he disregards the ticket, we can file charges against him for violating a local ordinance and forward his name to NBI,” said Garcia.

At present, the MMDA has its own anti-jaywalking policy, with teams enforcing the rule. Violators are issued citation tickets with a corresponding P500-fine. Jaywalkers have an option to pay the fine or render

Go hopes Manila Bay rehab will inspire Pinoys FORMER special assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Thursday reiterated that political will was necessary to create progress in the country as he cited the rehabilitation of Manila Bay as an example.

“This is proof that the government has the political will to do everything to make our country better. This is also thanks to the volunteers who truly desire to be og help,” Go said.

Go issued this statement while he and his supporters visited survivors of fires in two areas in Quezon City: Litex in Commonwealth Avenue and Barangay Talayan.

The fire in Litex on January 29 destroyed at least 50 houses, affected about 100 families, and claimed the life of one child.

In Barangay Talayan, the fire on January 28 destroyed at least 60 houses and affected 154 families.

No casualties were reported.

Late Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning, Go and his supporters visited Litex and Barangay Talayan. Upon entering both areas, Go and his companions immediately distributed grocery items, food packs, meals, and cash assistance to the affected families. Uniforms were also assured for students and employees residing in both areas.

Go also said he would shouldering the funeral expenses of the child who died in the Litex fire.

Go’s visit to Barangay Talayan was a continuation of the visit he made on Monday evening when the fire was still raging. I promised them that I would return,” he said.

He also said that he would seek

n SURGES FROM A1

Bong Go kakayahan at katapatan para mag-serbisyo sa ating bayan.

Magsilbi po sana itong inspirasyon para lalo tayong magsikap na iparating sa ating mga kababayan ang mga programang ating nais isulong para sa kapakanan at kaunlaran ng bawat Pilipino (It is heartwarming that you all trust my skills and integrity to provide for our country. May this serve as an inspiration so that we can all work hard to deliver the programs that we seek to launch for the betterment and success of the Filipino people),” Go said. “ Nais kong baguhin ang pag-iisip ng tao na ang isang simpleng probinsyano na nagtatrabaho bilang staff, hindi sikat, hindi artista, hindi nanggaling sa pamilya ng pulitiko, ay pwedeng mangarap na mag-serbisyo sa kapwa sa mas malaking kapasidad (I want to

n DROPS FROM A1

Roque underwent a heart operation and he found out that he has angina coronary disease.

“It is with a truly heavy heart that I announce the withdrawal of my senatorial bid. I have recently undergone a percutaneous coronary intervention following the discovery of an unstable angina coronary disease earlier this week,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s former spokesman thanked his supporters, who he said “have been so kind and supportive of my candidacy.”

Roque initially said he would be a party-list group nominee in

community service.

This comes after Metro Manila mayors agreed to deputize the MMDA to enforce local anti-jaywalking ordinances of the 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila.

“We are delighted that all LGUs in Metro Manila have anti-jaywalking ordinances. We have asked them to deputize our men to give more teeth to the local

ordinances,” said Garcia after the Metro Manila Council (MMC) meeting.

Metro Manila mayors, who comprise the MMC, the governing and policy-making body, have signed the resolution and it will be effective in 30 days or sooner.

“We have laws, ordinances, but it has no bite. Because if fines aren’t paid, nothing will happen,” Garcia said.

LPG prices up RETAILERS of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products on Friday announced a hefty price increase.

Petron Corp. in its advisory, said it increased LPG prices by P3.88 per kilogram, effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday. It also raised the price of AutoLPG by P2.17 per liter.

Solane said it jacked up Solanebranded LPG price by P3.41 per kilogram, inclusive of value-added tax, effective at 6 a.m. of Friday.

Last month, the companies made no adjustment in prices of LPG products due to flat contract

prices after a price rollback in November last year.

Petron said that Gasul and Fiesta Gas prices dropped by P6.40 per kilogram, equivalent to a rollback of P70 per 11-kilogram household cylinder. AutoLPG prices also decreased by P3.50 per liter.

Solane reduced the price of its Solane-branded LPG price by P6.36 per kilogram, while Eastern Petroleum slashed the price of EC Gas LPG by P6.50 per kilogram, or P71.50 per 11-kilogram household cylinder. JORDEENE B. LAGARE

2 millionaires in a row for PCSO lotto 6/49 41-03-20-47-22.

Each winner will be taking the P15,840,000.00 pegged as jackpot prize during the draws.

Last Tuesday’s winner purchased the ticket at a lotto outlet in Imus, Cavite, while Sunday’s winner purchased the ticket at an outlet in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas, Metro Manila.

Of the nine jackpot winners, three hit the jackpot in the Super Lotto 6/49, two from the Ultra Lotto 6/58, two from Lotto 6/42, one from Grand Lotto 6/55, and one from the Mega Lotto 6/45 draw.

The chances of winning in the lotto draws are one in 5,245,786 for Lotto 6/42; one in 8,145,060 for Mega Lotto 6/45; one in 13,983,816 for Super Lotto 6/49; one in 28,989,675 for Grand Lotto 6/55; and 1 in 40,475,358 for Ultra Lotto 6/58.

FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO

the assistance of other government agencies for further assistance for the survivors.

Go then talked about why President Rodrigo Duterte’s government has the capacity to produce results in the cleanup of Manila Bay. “That is because our President has the political will. He closed Boracay temporarily to clean it up. Now Boracay is clean and orderly, the waters are clean, roads are wider and soon the total rehabilitation of Boracay will happen,” he said.

He ordered the cleanup of Manila Bay at fortunately, there were volunteers who wanted to help,”

Go added.

After discussing the Manila Bay cleanup operations, Bong Go reminded residents of Litex and Barangay Talayan that they might go to the Malasakit Center in the Lung Center of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City for their urgent medical concerns.

“Representatives of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Departments of Health, Social Work and Development, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. will process the assistance you need,” he said.

Go also made time to join boodle fights with tricycle drivers

in Litex and Barangay Talayan.

He shared meals with them and reminded them to join the government’s ongoing fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

A senatorial candidate in the May 2019 elections, Go’s legislative agenda include programs for agriculture, housing, improved health service delivery, education, long-term sports development, fire protection and prevention, localized peace talks, anti-drugs and crime drive, anti-corruption drive, barangay welfare, the creation of a Department of overseas filipino workers, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

“IT’S two millionaires in a row for Super Lotto 6/49 — a rare and lucky streak.”

This was how Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan described the Lotto draw phenomenon that happened recently.

That is one in 13,983,816 for winning the Super Lotto 6/49, but winners hit the jackpot on January 27 and 29, consecutively.

“It is indeed a lucky start for the year for our lotto patrons,” Balutan said.

For January alone, PCSO gave away a total of P522,039,761 in jackpot prizes for the different Lotto games, which was shared by nine winners.

On Tuesday, a lone winner guessed the winning combination of 11-34-30-10-07-21. Earlier, on Sunday, another lotto winner got the winning combination of 11-

change the mentality of people that a simple man from the province who works as a staff, who is not famous, who is not a celebrity, and someone who does not belong to a political family can dream of providing services for others on a much larger capacity),” he added.

Go thanked his mentor, President Rodrigo Duterte, for endorsing his candidacy.

In his recent sorties, the President has vouched for the character and integrity of his former top aide, pointing out that Go was an “extremely honest” man and a dedicated public servant.

“Malaking bagay po na inindorso tayo ni Pangulong Digong (the President’s nickname) na pinagsilbihan ko sa loob ng mahigit na 20 taon at talagang nakakakilala sa aking pagkatao.

Maraming salamat, Pangulong Duterte. Patunay lamang ito na malakas ang paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan sa pagbabagong gusto ng Pangulo

(It is of great value that we are endorsed by President Digong, whom I’ve served for almost 20 years which ensures that he really knows my personality.

Thank you, President Duterte.

This is only proof that our fellow citizens have strong beliefs in the changes that the President wants),” according to Go. He, however, said his recent rise in the survey means he should work harder and continue the service he is doing.

“Ibig sabihin rin po nito ay dapat mas masipag pa tayo para mas makatulong sa kapwa. Kahit saang sulok, kahit pinakamalayong lugar at pinakamasikip na eskinita ay papasukin ko para lang po matulungan ang mga taong pinaka-nangangailangan ng tulong (This means that we should be more industrious so that we can help our neighbors.

Wherever it may be, even the farthest places and alleys, I will go there if it means I can help those who are in dire need),” Go said.

“ Tulad po ng pangako ko sa inyo, ako ang inyong magiging tulay sa Pangulo. Pero gusto ko ring maging tulay ninyo tungo sa tunay na pagbabago para sa ikabubuti ng bawat Pilipino (Just as I promised to you, I will be the bridge to the President.

But I also want to be a bridge to all of you toward real change for the advantage of every Filipino),” he added.

Go’s surge in the rating of Senate candidates came with just more than a week to go before the start of the campaign period for national candidates in the 2019 mid-term elections in May. Retaining the lead position in the Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey is Sen. Grace Poe, followed by Sen. Cynthia Villar in 2nd place, former Sen. Lito Lapid in 3rd place, and Rep. Pia Cayetano in 4th.

Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay is in 7th place, while former senators Manuel Roxas 2nd and Ramon “Bong” Revilla

Jr. are tied at 8th and 9th place.

Completing the “Magic 12” are Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd (10th), Sen. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th (11th) and former Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada (12th).

Aquino improved significantly in the latest SWS survey, climbing to 11th spot from 14th place in December.

He garnered 33 percent, up from 24 percent last month, in the survey.

The SWS poll marked the second straight time that Aquino made it to the Top 12.

The incumbent senator placed 10th to 16th in the Pulse Asia poll conducted from December 14 to 21, with 32.6 percent.

I n a s t a t e m e n t , Aq u i n o thanked his supporters for his significant improvement in the SWS poll, but said the fight still had a long way to go.

He underscored the importance of scrutinizing the track record and accomplishments

of all the candidates to pick the right candidate in the 2019 elections.

In almost six years as lawmaker, Aquino has 35 laws to his name, including the landmark free college law and the Go Negosyo Act. Go’s legislative agenda, meanwhile, puts a high priority on improved delivery of health services, including the institutionalization of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers of the country.

A Malasakit Center brings together in one room all concerned government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to make it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government.

the House of Representatives, but instead filed for senator.

Roque, in an interview with Palace reporters, said the withdrawal of his candidacy for senator was one of the “saddest decisions” that he had ever made.

“So sabi ko sa misis ko (I told my wife) this must be the one of the saddest decisions if not the saddest decision but I think God has other plans for me... Life comes first. Health comes first,” he added.

He added that his decision to quit the Senate got the support of Duterte’s daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio and former special assistant to the President (SAP) and Senate bet Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Go and Roque were among the candidates for the Senate that Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago

party vowed to support in the 2019 May polls.

Roque languished in the polls, ranking 21st to 26th in the Pulse Asia survey published on January 9.

Roque was a former human rights lawyer, international law professor and a representative of Kabayan party-list before he was appointed as Duterte’s spokesman in 2017.

Meanwhile, he said he hoped that he would be able to serve the public as a legislator or in whatever capacity in the future.

Roque affirmed his support for Duterte, whom he had served as spokesman from November 2017 until October 2018.

Asked if he would return as Duterte’s spokesman, Roque replied, “That’s something that I could not comment on because it’s really speculative. I think Secretary [Salvador]

Panelo is doing a very, very good job.

I would even say he is probably the best spokesperson we’ve had.”

In a separate interview, Panelo wished Roque “good health” and hoped for his speedy recovery.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarified that Roque could no longer be substituted after his withdrawal from the Senate race.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez pointed out that Roque’s exit was “voluntary” and, as such, he could no longer be substituted because it was done way beyond the reglamentary period for such substitution, which was on or before Nov. 29, 2018.

“The issue there is voluntary withdrawal. Substitution on voluntary withdrawal is done on or before November 29. The deadline for voluntary withdrawal [has

lapsed],” he said.

Jimenez added that substitution could only be done until midday of Election Day on May 13 if an official candidate of a political party or coalition died or was disqualified by final judgment, provided that the substitute candidate and the substituted candidate have the same surname.

Substitution can only be effected if one is a member of a political party or coalition.

One may be substituted by a candidate belonging to and nominated by the same political party or coalition. “No substitution shall be allowed for an independent candidate,” Jimenez said.

According to him, a representative formally submitted Roque’s withdrawal from the Senate race to the Comelec.

He pointed out, though, that Roque must still submit his statement of campaign expenditures (SOCE) under Comelec rules.

“But it will be a zero report most likely. Filing of SOCE is a requirement for everyone who filed a CoC whether or not you actually run,” Jimenez said.

He added that Roque’s name would no longer be included in the official ballot. Printing is expected to start on February 7 at the earliest.

“Printing will be done 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We expect to finish mid-April,” Jimenez said.

First to be printed are the ballots for the automated overseas absentee voting, which will contain only the names of national candidates.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE AND WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

n Senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go meets with supporters at Litex and Barangay Talayan in Quezon City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ASIAN STOCKS: s

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8,144.16 UP 1.71%

P52.21 TO $1

Shanghai 1.30%

What’s inside PH CONSTRUCTION FORECASTS RAISED BY FITCH SOLUTIONS BusinessB2

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NEW BFAR POLICY TO BOOST FISH OUTPUT

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PHOENIX PETROLEUM WINS NOD FOR LNG JOINT VENTURE Corporate NewsB3

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SONY 9-MONTH PROFIT SOARS ON GAMES, MUSIC

»Foreign BusinessB4

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Power co-ops face performance review

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

E

LECTRIC cooperatives nationwide will undergo a performance review in line with the government’s goal of achieving total electrification by 2020, the Energy department said on Friday, with those failing the audit likely to be stripped of their franchises.

“The review will be an inclusive process,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said in a statement.

“We will ask the ECs to identify their main challenges and work with them in determining long-term and sustainable solutions. For transparency purposes, the results of the review will be made available to the public,” he added.

Trade talk ‘progress’ hailed by US, China WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States and China said their trade war negotiations resulted in major progress as the clock ticks on a March deadline to avert a massive escalation of tariffs that could bruise the global economy.

US President Donald Trump hailed “tremendous progress” and welcomed a “beautiful” letter from his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who said he hoped for further cooperation.

Beijing’s official Xinhua news agency said Friday that US and Chinese negotiators made “important progress” during two days of “candid, specific and fruitful” discussions in Washington.

Although the latest round of talks ended with positive words, the White House emphasized the two sides still faced the “hard deadline” of March 1 to avoid another sharp escalation in their trade war.

Economists say that prospect — which would mean more than doubling

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MONEY TALKS

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019

Business Times

CURRENCY RATE

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n US President Donald Trump (left) and others listen while China’s Vice Premier Liu He speaks before a meeting between US and Chinese officials in the Oval Office of the White House Jan. 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO

The Energy department claimed that several of the 121 ECs nationwide had failed to carry out their mandates due to inefficient management, corruption, unnecessary political interference and institutional conflicts.

The audit will also look into the rise in missionary subsidies in areas such as

äReview B4

PSEi tops 8,100, hits 10-month high THE stock market rose to a 10-month high on Friday as market players took heart from expectations of a lower inflation and the US Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) grew by 1.71 percent or 136.68 points to close at 8,144.16 — the highest since March 19, 2018’s 8,235.54. The wider All Shares increased by 1.65 percent or 79.66 points to finish at 4,909.51.

P2P Trade Online’s Arbee Lu said investors cheered the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) announcement that inflation likely eased for a third straight month in January.

In issuing a 4.3-5.1 percent forecast — the upper end corresponds

to the result in December — the BSP said higher fuel, fish and vegetable prices were likely offset by a stronger peso and lower rice and power prices.

Overseas, meanwhile, the US central bank said it would remain patient as it kept policy rates unchanged during its first meeting for the year, easing concerns over its tightening pace.

With the market breaching the 8,100 resistance, Lu said the next level to watch out for would be 8,500.

The PSEi’s rally followed mixed results overnight on Wall Street, where the Dow fell — but still posted its best January in 30 years — and the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose amid optimism over

äHigh B3

Selling on credit Market Slow start to 2019 for PH manufacturing SME FIRST S restrictions CIRCLE to hamper ROCHELLE TRIGUERO PH growth OVERLY restrictive market rules and regulations could hamper competition in the Philippines, a World Bank economist said on Friday, in the process limiting economic growth.

“The Philippines has the ambition of being a prosperous middleclass society free of poverty by 2040,” Ndiame Diop noted during the Forum on Competition in Developing Countries in Quezon City on Friday.

This will require consistent economic growth of 6.5 percent per year over the next 22 years, he pointed out, “a challenge that only the Asian Tigers and China have managed to accomplish in the past.”

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth settled at 6.2 percent in

äGrowth B2

THE country’s manufacturing sector posted a sluggish start to 2019, an IHS Markit/Nikkei survey found, with output growth easing and employment falling in January amid a sharp rise in orders.

The latest seasonally adjusted Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 52.3 in January — the lowest since September and “markedly lower” than average — from 53.2 in December, Nikkei said in a

statement.

The PMI, an indicator of the sector’s health, is determined via monthly surveys sent to senior company executives regarding new orders, output, employment, suppliers’ delivery time and stocks. Readings above 50 signal an expansion while those below indicate a contraction.

Factory output, while “solid,” saw growth slow to a four-month

low, and the rise in purchasing activity was also described as the “weakest” since the survey began three years ago.

“January data suggested a slow start to the year for Filipino manufacturers,” IHS Markit Economist David Owen said in a statement.

Companies that increased production cited a surge in orders, with many pointing to new clients

äManufacturing B3

Dominguez: BIR take to improve this year THE tax bureau is expected to post collection improvements this year despite having missed last year’s target, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd said on Friday.

In a keynote speech during the 2019 National Tax Campaign Kickoff in Pasay City, Dominguez lauded the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for its 2018 performance.

The tax agency has reported collecting P1.961 trillion last year, up 10.1 percent from a year earlier but short of the P2.043-trillion goal.

The 96-percent attainment rate, Dominguez said, is “quite okay.”

“Some people were critizing us that we did not meet 100 percent or did not exceed. But I think in any class, if you hit 96 percent, it’s quite okay,” he said.

“This year, even if the goals are set higher, we are confident that the bureau will achieve [a] higher attainment grade,” he claimed.

The BIR has a collection target of P2.339 trillion for this year.

To achieve this, Dominguez said the bureau had rolled out

additional options and facilities to enable taxpayers to transact by electronic means.

“In the future, all transactions with our clients — the taxpaying public — should be seamless and instantaneous.It will be more efficient to follow an electronic rather than a paper trail,” he emphasized.

The government will also observe provisions of the Ease of Doing Business law that calls for more efficient delivery of services, the Cabinet official said.

äImprove B4

ELLING on credit is a norm, especially in doing business in the B2B (business to business) marketplace. With the growing number of businesses who can supply various kinds of goods and vast types of services, being able to offer a product on credit helps achieve competitiveness since not everyone can provide payment terms to their buyers.

While it is better to sell on cashbasis, this is not always possible.

But before a business owner decides to take in sales on credit, it is important to consider its effects.

Increasing sales Entrepreneurs choose to venture into extending credit terms to their clients because they want to increase their sales. This is the case, especially for businesses who want to offer their services to government agencies or larger corporations.

Most of the bigger buyers acquire their suppliers and contractors from a pool capable of receiving payment after 30 to 60

days. Setting the right payment terms can be tricky when working with other businesses who want to also prolong their cash flow.

To offer better terms, we have encountered trading businesses who offer 2/10/30 instead of 30 days to incentivize prompt payment from customers. This term gives 2 percent discount if payment is received within 10 days.

Assuming credit risk Once you extend payment terms, you are also opening the business to assume credit risk. To mitigate this, the creditworthiness and payment behavior of your clients have to be checked. Credit and trade reports from Dun & Bradstreet and EMIS can help in showing these information.

äSME B3

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Business Times

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

PH construction forecasts I raised by Fitch Solutions P

BY ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

ROGRESS in the Metro Manila Subway Project has prompted Fitch Solutions Macro Research to raise its growth forecast for the Philippine construction industry.

In a report released late Thursday, Fitch Solutions said its growth forecast for the construction industry was raised to 10.9 percent for this year and 10.5 percent in 2020, up from the earlier forecast of 10.6 percent and 10. 3 percent, respectively.

The growth forecast for the railway sector was also revised upward to 9.1 percent and 8.6 percent for 2019 and 2020 from 8.7 percent and 8.2 percent earlier.

“We have made upward revisions to the Philippines’ construction industry and railway subsector forecasts for 2019 and 2020 to reflect positive progress of the Metro Manila Subway Project,” said Fitch Solutions.

The P356.96-billion Metro Manila Subway Project is a 35-kilometer underground railway seen to cover 14 stations from

Mindanao Ave. in Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Construction for the first phase is expected to start in the first quarter of the year. Fitch Solutions expects the project to ease traffic congestion once completed in 2025.

Fitch Solutions said it continued to hold a positive outlook the country’s transport sector in the next five years owing to projects in the pipeline and increasing foreign direct investments.

“The country is home to a large pipeline of transport projects, which spans across different subsectors. According to our Key Projects Database, there are 64 transportation projects in the preconstruction phase, accounting for more than 75 percent of the total value of construction projects in the pipeline. The healthy project

pipeline lends support to our positive outlook that is underpinned by political stability,” said Fitch Solutions.

Some of the major transportation projects in the pipeline include the New Manila International Airport, Makati City Subway Project, and the Metro Cebu Expressway Project, Fitch Solutions said.

It said President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to ease ownership restrictions for foreign contractors in selected construction projects from 25 percent to 40 percent, would also help boost growth in the sector.

“We note that the amount of foreign direct investments to the construction industry has increased, reflecting the administration’s fruitful efforts in attracting foreign capital to the sector to support the ‘Build Build Build’ program. We believe these efforts will have a positive effect on the sector in the long term as easing restrictions will make the country a more attractive destination for foreign investment and this will encourage more inflows

of foreign capital,” Fitch Solutions said.

Easing ownership restrictions, the Fitch unit said, would also provide more sources of funding for projects in the transport sector.

“Japan has traditionally been one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment and we now expect more Chinese capital to flow into the country to support growth of the overall infrastructure sector,” Fitch Solutions said.

Due to the government’s “tight demand and increasing demand for transport infrastructure”, it said public-private partnerships (PPP) would be an effective tool to attract private investments.

“According to our Key Projects Database, out of the 64 transport projects that are currently in the planning and feasibility studies stage, 44 are earmarked as PPPs. Despite the numerous PPP opportunities, we believe delays as a result of financing, land acquisition and contract renegotiation issues will continue to pose a downside risk to use of PPPs, a point which we have previously highlighted,” Fitch Solutions said.

Bulacan New BFAR policy to boost fish output interchange project starts CONSTRUCTION of the P650million interchange near the Philippine Arena in Bulacan has started.

Officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the local government of Bulacan, as well as executives from the North Luzon Express (NLEX) Corp. led the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday in Bocaue.

The DPWH said the project aimed to ease traffic woes.

“This interchange, once completed, will give long term solution to traffic situation and the queuing of vehicles at the Bocaue tollgate of the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway),” DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said.

Villar explained that the NLEX interchange, also known as Ciudad de Victoria interchange, sought to improve traffic conditions in Bocaue, Sta. Maria, Pandi, Norzagaray, San Jose Del Monte, and Marilao.

The project will have three phases, starting with the establishment of two additional lanes in the existing Bocaue Municipal Road and a bridge crossing the NLEX and Philippine Arena. The first stage is expected to be completed

by October this year.

The second phase involves improvements to a 191-kilometer road from the Manila North Road (MNR) or MacArthur Highway to the Bocaue Municipal Road and the completion of southbound acceleration and deceleration lanes for vehicles headed to the Philippine Arena.

For phase three, the DPWH will focus on the construction of a 1.3-kilometer road from the Philippine Arena to the existing Patubig Road in Marilao, Bulacan.

“With the completion of the first phase of project targeted in October this year, the new NLEX interchange is expected to further improve the accessibility of the Philippine Arena, which was tapped to host the grand opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in November,” said Glicerio Santos 4th, Maligaya Development Corporation chief operating officer.

The Philippine Arena, dubbed as the biggest indoor arena in the world, boasting of 55,000 seating capacity, will be used for the 2019 SEA Games on Nov. 30 to Dec. 30, 2019.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

A NEW fisheries policy is expected to drive the growth and sustainability in the country’s fish sector in 2019 and beyond.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) recently issued the Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 263, which paved the way for the declaration of major fishing grounds as fisheries management areas (FMAs) in the Philippines.

Under FAO 263, there are 12 FMAs seeking to provide science-based and participatory governance framework for their management. BFAR Director Eduardo Gongona said the new policy would answer the problem on conservative and sustainable fishing, which reduced local fish production in the past years.

“It’s something that was made to really achieve sustainable production on the country’s fish sector. Our experts have studied this science-based [governance framework management] and we learned how each species breed, migrate, search for food and re-

populate, and we will help these resources reproduce on their own in a sustainable manner,” Gongona told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Friday.

He said FAO 263 would also help strengthen the government’s campaign against illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, which hampers greater production.

“Not only we’re expecting higher production from this but also improved yield in a very sustainable level in the long run.

Eventually, our fish output will be really sustainable,” Gongona said, noting that sustainable fishing could also help reduce the country’s dependence on fish imports.

Meanwhile, environment protection group Oceana Philippines in a statement on Friday lauded BFAR’s issuance of FAO 263, saying the policy highlights the conservation and participatory management in the Philippine fisheries sector.

“Science tells us that fish breed, feed and grow during their life

n US, CHINA FROM B1

Trade talk ‘progress’ US tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods — would be a body blow to the global economy.

In a letter from Xi to Trump that was read out by the Chinese delegation, Xi said relations were at a “critical” stage and that he hoped “our two sides will continue to work with mutual respect.”

Trump said relations between the two countries are “very, very good.”

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will travel to China in mid-February for the next round of talks, according to Xinhua, and Trump said he would meet Xi after that to close the deal.

“We have to get this put on paper at some point if we agree. There’s some points that we don’t agree to yet. I think we will agree. I think when President Xi and myself meet, every point will be agreed to,” Trump said.

With China’s economy slowing sharply and markets on edge at the prospect of further trade disruptions, the stakes for the talks have become especially high.

Last year, Washington and Beijing imposed tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, after Trump initiated the trade war because of complaints over unfair trade practices.

US duty rates on $200 billion in Chinese goods are due to rise to 25 percent from 10 percent if no agreement is reached by March 1.

“We haven’t talked about extending

the deadline,” Trump said.

‘Much work to do’ Prior to this week’s talks, Beijing had offered to resume purchases of American soybeans, a major US export, sales of which had plummeted during the trade war, leaving US farmers reeling. Some exports have since resumed.

At Thursday’s meeting with Trump, Vice Premier Liu He said China agreed to purchase an extra five million tons of soybeans per day.

“That’s going to make our farmers very happy,” Trump told Liu. The White House later clarified that the purchase would not be daily and there had been no time frame set.

Xinhua later reported that the Chinese delegation said Beijing would increase imports of US agricultural, energy and industrial manufactured goods, as well as services.

China also vowed to increase cooperation on a major source of US discontent: intellectual property protection and concerns over the forced transfer of technology.

But the Xinhua report did not provide a dollar figure for the imports or concrete measures that China would take to protect IP rights.

US officials, including Lighthizer, say the world’s two largest economies are battling for future dominance in critical high-tech industries.

Attacking Chinese trade practices it says are unfair, Washington spotlights

cycle without regard for municipal or national waters. The implementation of the FAO establishing the FMAs would help address overfishing in 2/3 of our fishing grounds and the multiple anthropogenic pressures our oceans face including illegal fishing, habitat destruction, pollution and climate change,” said environment lawyer Gloria Estenzo Ramos, vice president of Oceana Philippines, the largest international organization focused on restoring the world’s oceans.

Ramos said FAO 263 acknowledges existing cooperative arrangement like the integrated Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Management Councils and Protected Areas Management Boards.

The new policy also requires BFAR to convene Scientific Advisory Groups with representatives from academic institutions, BFAR regional offices, municipal fisherfolk groups, commercial fishing industry, and non-government organizations, she added.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

the forced transfer of American technology through requirements that foreign companies form joint ventures with local firms, as well as other methods of allegedly stealing American IP. “It’s impossible for me to predict success but... it could happen,” Lighthizer said Thursday, noting that the discussions included ways to enforce any ultimate agreement.

“We have much work to do.”

A little over three years ago, Beijing launched a strategic plan dubbed “Made in China 2025” that aimed to make the nation the global leader in aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, newgeneration autos and other areas — sectors US officials say now represent the “crown jewels” of American technology and innovation.

Signs of progress in the talks have lifted global stock markets as investors took heart that the world’s two largest economies would avert an economic cataclysm.

The news from the White House emerged just prior to the closing bell on Wall Street, helping stocks bounce slightly and adding to the best January for the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 30 years.

Beijing implemented economic stimulus measures to shore up its economy after it last year posted the weakest growth for almost 30 years — underscoring its vulnerability in the trade fight.

But Washington’s aggressive actions against Chinese telecom titan Huawei — which federal prosecutors accused this week of industrial espionage, sanctions violations and fraud — threatened to upend the talks and drew objections from Beijing.

AFP

My financial story

N personal finance, we always talk about a person’s financial statements: one’s assets, liabilities, income and expenses. But what has been missing most of the time are personal financial stories. The financial statement is the outcome, but the stories are the processes and the lessons where we can learn.

Everybody has his own story to tell. Everyone has his or her own drama in life: the joys, sorrows, happiness and triumphs.

Some tell it and pass it on to their friends or the next generation; but some keep it to themselves.

I write this article in homage to certain people in mind. People who struggled to bear silently their family’s finances. Some of them started their struggle early on in life--during elementary days--with their parents earning hardly enough to send them to school. They would have to buy and sell newspapers, bottles and cans just to add to their school budget. Others had their difficulties during college, with their family savings going into bad businesses or scams. They saved up on their already limited allowances, cutting up ordinary college gimmick expenses so they can photocopy school readings and be able to go home riding ordinary public transportation.

Some have been born in the slums at the very beginning: they held onto their dreams and thus were able to build a successful career and provide their children the education almost denied them; afterwhich, they generously helped other people in the slum areas to also achieve their dreams.

Some people come from broken families. Blessed with talent, they used this to work while pursuing college degree. Afterwhich, they succeded in both, having a degree and a career in their art.

Lastly, some started out selling in the streeets or in a sari-sari store, and through perseverance, became successful entrepreneurs.

For those who have mouths to feed, who have dreams to achieve, who have other’s lives depend on them, the responsibility is tremendous. It is not that money was their end-all and beall. It’s just that flesh and blood depend on them so they strived and persevered. There was a deep need to be filled that drove them to their limits and pushed them to be smart in handling their finances.

They strove, they cut expenses, they lived within their means, they sacrificed, they went hungry, they walked, they took public transportation, they labored while others enjoyed, they felt fear and despair, but never without hope. They did not enjoy fancy vacations nor have the latest gadget or shop in posh outlets. Well, not until they could really afford it, and have lots of cash left nothwithstanding.

This really, is personal finance to the barest, simplest form: expanding their means while minimizing their expenses. All tools and techniques in personal finance will be for nought if not for the big need

n GROWTH FROM B1

Market

2018, a slowdown from 6.7 percent the previous year but also extending run of above-6.0 percent results to three years.

The challenge now is to maintain the current economic performance, Diop said, as the Philippines is “above the average restrictiveness” of countries mapped by the Organization of Economic Cooperation Development and is also “more restrictive than comparators such as Romania, Poland and Chile”.

Restrictions have to high market concentration in sectors such as manufacturing, transport, agriculture, and wholesale and retail, with only a few players making the market oligopolistic or even monopolistic.

MONEY TALKS

RIENZIE BIOLENA each one of us have. It is the big “Why”—the purpose, the drive, the root and passion that make money matters serious and not just a trifle fancy.

My entrepreneur friend, on telling me his life story, revealed to me his big “Why” in building up his business: his father died, his mom has no work, and he has two younger siblings still in school. He said that during his father’s last days, he was told by his dad to take care of their family. This became his driving force in setting up a fastfood business, which became hugely successful.

And now he sends his siblings to school and became the family breadwinner, fulfilling his father’s dying wish.

I have done many seminars on personal finance, talked to hundreds of people, and I have always stressed that having one’s dream in life is crucial and critical in one’s finances: nailed to the bone and driven to the spirit.

These are the things needed to be planned, molded, nurtured, and built upon. These are why personal finance is there on the first place.

Another thing, these people took risks. They took risks in their career, in doing business, in being ridiculed. They took risks with their money. The measure of their risks have been in direct proportion to their successes. It is because they had nothing to lose, but everything to gain. And they indeed gained, after all their sacrifices.

The stories above are not yet finished. For some, the finish line is still leagues away. But they are already reaping the fruits of their labor. But for some, the race is almost over, and now they try to build a better future for the next generation. Their story is not alone as there are more stories of hardships, challenges, and successes. These stories abound as I continue to talk to people and being inspired by them.

They makie me push myself ever more to help people build a better future for themselves, their family, and those who are “next in line”.

It is easy to get by the math and the numbers of personal finance, but the “Whys”—the big “Whys”—are the hardest to come by. These “Whys”—or the lack of it—shall determine any person’s financial story.

How about you, what’s your financial story?

Rienzie P. Biolena is a Registered Financial Planner of RFP Philippines. He’s president and chief financial planner of WealthArki and Consultancy, a financial planning firm. Learn more about personal financial planning at the 74th RFP program in January 2019. To inquire, e-mail info@rfp.ph or text <name><e-mail><RFP> to 0917-9689774.

“Concentrated markets are also the result of past government interventions that restrict entry, facilitate dominance and create an unlevel playing field,” Diop added.

Market restrictions, along with high trade costs, could also adversely affect foreign direct investments (FDI), he said.

“While foreign trade introduces competition in the local market by integrating industries into global supply chains, it also provides opportunities for domestic firms to access larger markets, specialize and achieve economies of scale,” the World Bank economist pointed out.

Diop noted that while the Philippines had seen FDI growth over the past two years, the level remained below neighbors such as Indonesia, Vietnam and China.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Corporate News Phoenix Petroleum wins nod for LNG joint venture

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

SEC okays merger of RFM, 3 units THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved RFM Corp.’s plan to merge with its three subsidiaries, the food manufacturer said on Friday.

In the “Certificate of Filing of the Articles and Plan of Merger” awarded to RFM on Thursday, the SEC allowed all the assets and liabilities of Cabuyao Logistics Industrial Corp., Interbake Commissary Corp. and Invest Asia Corp. to be transferred to and absorbed by RFM, which will be the surviving entity.

RFM said in a disclosure that the integration of the four’s administrative facilities would result in economies of scale and efficiency of operations, while the consolidation of their assets would also make the procurement of financing and credit facilities more favorable.

The merger would also make using the properties of the constitu-

ent corporations more productive, it added.

The commission’s approval follows the one RFM’s board of directors gave on the planned merger during its regular meeting on July 25, 2018, and that the firm’s stockholders gave during a special meeting in September 7.

Incorporated in 1957 as Republic Flour Mills Inc., RFM has since diversified into poultry and livestock production and certain areas of food manufacturing.

These include flour-based products, margarine, milk and juices, canned and processed meat, ice cream, and bottled mineral water.

Its brands include Selecta for ice cream, Fiesta and Royal for pasta, and White King mixes and Selecta Milk.

Shares of RFM inched up by 1 centavo or 21 percent to end at P4.81 apiece on Friday.

EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

P

RCBC lists green bonds at PDEx LISTED Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) said on Friday its P15-billion Asean green bonds had been listed at the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx).

In a statement, the Yuchengcoled lender said the listed bonds had a “6.7315-percent fixed rate” and were met with strong demand.

Oversubscription had prompted the bank to shorten the bonds’ offer period, closing it at noon of January 23, instead of January 25, as original planned.

It also initially put the offer size at P5 billion.

Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd. and ING Bank, N.V., Manila Branch the bank’s sole green structuring

advisor were jointly mandated to arrange the issuance.

Proceeds from the bonds, which have a tenor of one-anda-half years, will be used to finance and refinance loans of its customers or its own operating activities under the so-called Green Eligible Categories.

These include renewable energy, green buildings, clean transportation, energy efficiency, and pollution prevention and control.

This is in line with RCBC’s Green Finance Framework, which was created as a reference for the bank’s future fundraising activities for its environmental initiatives.

RCBC’s shares ended flat at P26.00 each on Friday.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

n HIGH FROM B1

Jakarta rose 0.23 percent and Bangkok grew 0.46 percent.

Hong Kong and Seoul, meanwhile, dipped by 0.11 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively.

Back in Manila, all sectoral results were in the green, with the property sector up the most by 2.15 percent.

Volume turnover stood at 2.4 billion shares valued at P8.97 billion.

Winners led losers, 171 to 49, while 36 issues were unchanged.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS WITH A REPORT FROM AFP

PSEi tops

US-China trade talks.

Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly rose on Friday with investors opting for caution as the trade talks in Washington ended in no deal but with both sides sounding notes of optimism and scheduling more high-level meetings.

In the region, Tokyo eked o u t a 0 . 07 - p e r c e n t g a i n , Shanghai grew 1.30 percent,

n MANUFACTURING FROM B1

Slow start

and others tagging the impact of business expansion on sales.

Overseas demand, however, continued to decline and “anecdotal evidence suggested that foreign clients that used to place orders are now reducing this frequency,” Nikkei said.

“Export orders fell for the fifth month in a row, as China, their top export destination, reported slower growth during 2018. This news may add to fears that exports could slow even further in the first quarter,” Owen said.

Employment, meanwhile, fell for the first time in six months, due mainly to resignations.

“Employment at Filipino manufacturing firms fell marginally in January, as the seasonally adjusted Employment Index dipped below the 50.0 neutral threshold,” Nikkei said.

The survey also showed that manufacturers’ increased their selling prices in January.

“Following the sharp fall in output price inflation in December, January saw a solid increase in manufacturers’ selling prices.

However, this still represented a historically soft rate of inflation. Respondents that raised output charges linked this to an overall rise in input costs,” Nikkei explained.

Input price inflation also slightly went up due to the government’s tax reforms, higher prices of raw materials, and a rising dollar that increased import costs.

Despite these, Owen said “strength in the domestic market should carry the industry through a potentially turbulent period.”

While the future output index slightly fell, manufacturers continue to have a positive outlook as 62 percent of firms “expressed positive expectations for the next 12 months, citing higher sales and business developments.”

ANNA LEAH E. GONZALES

HOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. has secured another approval for its plan to build an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Batangas province with the China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC).

In a disclosure on Friday, the Dennis Uy-led oil company said its board gave the go-signal to its entering into a partnership with CNOOC “to establish and operate various LNG-related trade and services” under the project.

The board also approved an initial investment of P250 million in the project, which will be used to form a subsidiary that shall man-

age Phoenix Petroleum’s stake in the LNG hub, including its receiving terminal and operation of a gas-fired power plant.

The board’s go-signal comes after Phoenix Petroleum signed in June a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chinese oil giant on developing the facility.

In October, a firm formed by the two companies — Tanglawan

Philippines LNG Inc. — submitted to the Department of Energy (DoE) a proposal to construct the hub, which was estimated to cost between $1 billion and $2 billion.

Tanglawan later secured a notice to proceed (NTP) for the LNG facility last December. The department gave it six months to comply with the notice’s requirements, including disclosing the project’s timeline and other details about the hub, as well as reach a financial closing and look for an offtaker.

Phoenix Petroleum Vice President for External Affairs Raymond Zorrilla had said Tanglawan was scheduled to break ground for the facility this year, hoped to reach a final investment decision by yearend,

B3

and start construction by the second quarter of 2020. It eyes to begin commercial operations by 2023.

Once completed, the facility will have a regasification and receiving terminal with a capacity of 2.2 million tons per annum and a gas-fired power generation facility with an installed capacity of up to 2,000 megawatts (MW).

Established in Davao City in 2005, Phoenix Petroleum trades and markets refined oil products, including liquefied petroleum gas and lubricants; operates oil depots and storage facilities; and offers hauling and into-plane services.

Shares of Phoenix Petroleum went added 4 centavos or 0.37 percent to close at P10.78 each on Friday.

Maybank breaks into Brand Finance’s top 500 MALAYSIAN bank Maybank has entered Brand Finance’s list of the top 500 brands in the world, making it the first lender from the Southeast Asian country to do so and the second company after oil firm Petronas.

According to Brand Finance’s Global 500 report, Maybank landed at No. 494, ahead of energy-drink brand Gatorade, Japanese air-conditioning company Daikin, and British Airways.

Amazon topped the list, with Apple, Google, Samsung and Facebook rounding out the Top 5.

In a statement on Thursday, Maybank said it remained to be Malaysia’s top bank for five straight

n Maybank Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Farid Alias years now, ‘’improving its previous rating of AAA- to AAA, and recording an increase in Brand Strength Index (BSI) to 86/100 this year from 82/100 previously.’’

Maybank Chief Executive Of-

ficer Datuk Abdul Farid Alias was quoted as saying in the statement that the lender’s inclusion showed how a Malaysian brand could set a standard.

“It is definitely a great honor for Maybank to be listed among the top brands in the world today,” he said. “We believe it also demonstrates how a homegrown brand from Malaysia is defining new standards and raising the bar in the global stage with support from all its stakeholders.”

For his part, Maybank Philippines Chief Executive Officer Choong Wai Hung said the recognition was for the bank’s workers, clients and partners.

“We are proud to represent Maybank Philippines Inc. as an internationally recognized brand as a financial services leader. This recognition is for our people, our clients, and community partners who have strongly contributed in leading and living our corporate values,’’ he said. ‘’This further deepens or commitment to doing the right thing, delivering our promise, being at the heart of the community and building sustainable relationships,” he added.

Maybank has 74 branches in the Philippines, of which 30 are in Metro Manila.

ARIC JOHN SY CUA

Greenergy, SKorean firm ink deal SCG PH GREENERGY Holdings Inc. has partnered with South Korea’s Thebizlink Group to implement several projects in the Philippines.

In a disclosure on Thursday, Greenergy said it signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Thebizlink Co. Ltd. and local unit Thebizlink Philippines Inc. to develop solar-powered “smart” farms in Rizal province to cultivate high-quality vegetables for Metro Manila residents all year. An associate of Greenergy, AgriNurture Inc., will distribute the produce.

It would also build a transport hub linking the province and the National Capital Region, with Greenergy adding that “Thebizlink

Korea is also expected to bring in a Korean theme park to complement the tourism aspect of the project.”

Developing smart-city commercial and/or mixed-use developments are also part of the deal, according to the disclosure.

Greenenergy also said Thebizlink shall give within 90 days from the execution of the MoA a funding facility worth an initial $350 million, “provided that the legal, financial, and technical due diligence” that it would perform would “not result in any material adverse findings involving” these projects.

The five-year facility has a fixed interest of 3 percent per annum.

On the fifth year, Greenergy has the option to convert the loan into equity.

Thebizlink Philippines, which is involved in general construction, has committed to invest $1 billion in the Freeport Area of Bataan.

Parent firm Thebizlink Co. Ltd. is a registered South Korean corporation focused on management consultancy, real estate development and investment.

Originally incorporated as MUSX Corp. on Jan. 29, 1992, Greenergy is into creating, developing and manufacturing specialty semiconductor products, and investing in renewable energy businesses. JORDEENE B. LAGARE

SM Prime secures PEZA approval for FourE-Com SM Prime Holdings Inc. has secured accreditation from the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) for its FourECom Center development in Pasay City.

In a statement on Friday, the Sy-led holding company said the first of the four towers of FourE-Com was targeted for completion in the fourth quarter.

FourE-Com would rise as four 15-story

buildings on Block 22, Harbor Drive corner Bay Shore. They would be the largest office buildings in the complex with a gross floor area (GFA) of 122,997 square meters (sqm).

SM Prime said FourE-Com, similar to its predecessors, would cater to companies seeking to take advantage of benefits granted to eligible firms in PEZA-accred-

ited buildings.

Last year, SM Prime launched the ThreeE-Com Center within the complex. It has 15 stories and a GFA of 114,000 sqm.

Prior to its launch, ThreeE-Com was already 97-percent leased out.

SM Prime shares ended up by P1.10 to P39.20 apiece on Friday.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

n SME FROM B1

to discharge bills, pay employees and settle supplier payments. A credit line extended to buyers can also have limits so that cash can be allocated more flexibly.

SMEs in the Philippines selling on credit through our purchase order and invoice financing. Suppliers of goods, who want to say yes to more clients but find themselves lacking in capital to accommodate the order, can get additional funding through Purchase Order Financing.

On the other hand, contractors of services, who have already provided the service but are waiting for payment, can encash their receivables through Invoice Financing.

Much like most of the business decisions that owners get themselves into, there are pros and cons to selling on credit. Being able to plan with these factors in mind can help you mitigate the costs and risks which can hurt your business. But if used well, selling on credit can also lead you to bigger sales which you would not have had if you were selling only on cash basis.

Selling on credit However, the Philippines is in a low credit data environment where obtaining credit reports on smaller businesses can be a challenge. Other business owners choose to extend credit terms only to their most loyal customers to show them there is trust in their business relations already.

Aside from that, some businesses choose to work with government because they do not expose themselves to the possibility that their buyer can go bankrupt. However, they will have to wait for a longer time because of longer payment terms.

Managing cash flows Buyers want to look for suppliers who can help them with their cash flow. Yet, a supplier can only have so much cash to keep the transactions going for them. The biggest downside in extending credit is that it constrains you cash flow. As such, there has to be adequate adjustments made on how the business can continue

Keeping up with receivables The increase in credit sales is directly proportional to the increase in accounts receivable. This means that record-keeping has to also be updated and maintained for your receivables. Not everyone will pay on-time so when this happens, someone has to pick up the phone or send letters to collect.

Keeping up with your receivables is more manageable if the financial impact is wellcalculated. At times when more collectibles are piling up, lesser capital becomes available to fund operational expenses. Financing these activities can involve asking suppliers to extend better terms so you can sell on credit more comfortably.

Moreover, a financing partner can also be established, especially if credit transactions from reputable buyers are happening more often and needs more capital to be sustained.

As one of the few financial technology startups focused on trade financing, First Circle has already helped thousands of

Rochelle Triguero is an alumna of De La Salle University. She is currently working as a business development manager in First Circle, a financial technology company providing receivables financing to SMEs in the Philippines. To know more about how you can accelerate your business with First Circle, you can visit www. firstcircle.ph or contact Rochelle directly at rochelle.triguero@firstcircle.com.

sales grow 26% in 2018

SIAM Cement Group’s Philippine unit saw its sales grow to P18.54 billion in 2018 on the back of the strong performance of its packaging and cementbuilding material businesses.

In a statement on Friday, the Thai cement company said the amount was a 26-percent increase from the P14.73 billion posted in 2017.

Last year’s figure represented 2.38 percent of the total sales of Siam Cement, whose revenues rose by 6 percent to P779.06 billion.

Its net profit, however, declined by 19 percent to P72.87 billion, which the company blamed on “global economic uncertainties due to [the United StatesChina] trade war, volatile oil market, and a strengthening Thai baht, all of which affected the overall performance of SCG.” Sales of Siam Cement’s high-value added products and services unit grew by 5 percent to P301.19 billion last year.

These accounted for 39 percent of the firm’s total sales.

The company also reported that revenues from its operations in Southeast Asia jumped by 9 percent to P48.69 billion in the fourth quarter. This amount made up 26 percent of the total in the period.

“2018 revenue from sales rose by 11 percent year-on-year to...P192.17 billion ($3.65 million), including sales from both [the] local operation in each Southeast Asian market and imports from the Thai operations,” SCG said.

“In 2018, SCG was able to maintain stability. We were able to act promptly to cope with global economic volatility, resulting in an overall 2018 profitability ratio of 9 percent, a considerably strong figure compared to the overall industry performance,” SCG President and CEO Roongrote Rangsiyopash said in the statement.

“We are confident of continuous growth this 2019, if not even more successes, and have already laid out plans to boost our market presence and continue to serve our markets with quality products and services,” he added.

For this year, Siam Cement aims to increase investment projects to strengthen its presence in emerging markets and other retail and logistic units in the region.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

Foreign Business Asian markets mixed Sony 9-month profit amid trade talks‘progress’ soars on games, music T B4

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

OKYO: Japanese electronics giant Sony said on Friday that nine-month net profit jumped 63.2 percent on-year, led by its games and music divisions, while tax benefits allowed the firm to raise its annual forecast.

But the electronics and entertainment giant lowered its annual sales forecast, citing slower-than-expected sales in a range of fields including the key semiconductor unit.

The company said its AprilDecember net profit reached 828.4 billion yen ($7.6 billion), while operating profit rose 13.9 percent to 811.5 billion yen. However, revenue dipped 0.8 percent to 6.54 trillion yen.

While the company said it expected sales to fall in a range of fields, it added many of its key segments should meet forecasts including its games, music, movie,

television and audio operations.

Before the announcement, analysts said the company was expected to continue seeing improvement after years of painful losses.

“Sony remains on a recovery track,” Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, told AFP ahead of the announcement.

“Its game sector has continued spearheading its recovery although sales of PS4 consoles are gradually slowing down.”

Sony’s movie segment also drove profits, said Yasuo Imanaka, an analyst at Rakuten Securities.

“Its recent box-office movies are now generating profit through sales of DVD and Blu-ray discs as well as profits from their television licence fees,” he told AFP ahead of the announcement.

In the three months to December, including the all-important holiday shopping season, Sony said it continued to enjoy robust game software sales, although sales of PS4 consoles slowed.

EMI Music Publishing, now a Sony subsidiary, also contributed to profits, while the movie “Venom” added to the group’s sales.

But Sony said it had to downgrade its overall annual sales target to 8.5 trillion yen from an earlier projection of 8.7 trillion yen owing to lower-than-expected sales of financial services, semiconductors, mobile gadgets and cameras.

But a one-off tax benefit al-

lowed the firm to lift a net profit projection to 835 billion yen from the previous outlook of 705 billion yen.

Sony continued to struggle with its smartphone business, with analysts suggesting the firm should give up the segment in the future, rather than to continue bleeding.

“Its mobile phone business continued suffering losses. Sony may have to consider drastic action, including its withdrawal from smartphone businesses in the near future,” Imanaka said.

The trade war between the United States and China also posed a risk for the conglomerate, although the degree of possible damage from the friction remained uncertain.

“A potential risk is the USChina trade dispute on the global economy, but the impact should be limited,” Yasuda added. AFP

BACK IN THE BLACK

The CEO of Germany’s biggest lender Deutsche Bank Christian Sewing addresses the media during the company’s annual financial statement at its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, on February 01, 2019.

Deutsche Bank reported a 2018 bottom line in the black for the first time in four years, with a cost-cutting drive delivering results even as revenues fell.

The firm reported 267 million euros ($305 million) net profit, compared with a loss of 751 million in 2017. AFP PHOTO

nesia, (South) Korea and Vietnam, we did not see a lot of positive activity in 2018.”

Reith said the market has been hit by consumers waiting longer to replace their phones, frustration around the high cost of premium devices, and political and economic uncertainty.

The Chinese market, which accounts for roughly 30 percent of smartphone sales, was especially hard hit with a 10 percent drop, according to IDC’s survey, which was released Wednesday.

IDC said the top five smart-

phone makers have become stronger and now account for 69 percent of worldwide sales, up from 63 percent a year ago.

Samsung remained the number one handset maker with a 20.8 percent share despite an eight percent sales slump for the year, IDC said.

Apple managed to recapture the number two position with a 14.9 percent market share, moving ahead of Huawei at 14.7 percent, the survey found.

IDC said fourth-quarter smartphone sales fell 4.9 percent — the fifth consecutive quarter of decline.

“The challenging holiday quarter closes out the worst year ever for smartphone shipments,” IDC said in its report.

A separate report by Counterpoint Research showed similar findings, estimating a seven percent drop in the fourth quarter and four percent drop for the full year.

“The collective smartphone shipment growth of emerging markets such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia and others was not enough to offset the decline in China,” said Counterpoint associate director Tarun Pathak. AFP

Industry can prevent social strife in the West LONDON: An “industrial renaissance” in countries like Australia, Britain and the United States can help tame the political forces dividing Western societies, IndoBritish tycoon Sanjeev Gupta told AFP in an interview.

“There will be a renaissance of industry in these countries,” said the 47-year-old metal industry boss, who heads up the GFG (Gupta Family Group) Alliance.

After a series of takeovers, his company will employ around 30,000 people worldwide and have an annual turnover of around $20 billion ($17.5 billion) by the end of this year.

Gupta disputed the idea that industry was shifting inevitably to the East, arguing that a new wave of industrialization

would require “higher educated or better skilled labor, which is more easily available in developed countries.”

“From a social point of view, you can’t have a sustainable society without an industry,” he said from his Hyde Park headquarters.

“Without this you will have problems like we are seeing everywhere in the world, whether it’s in France, in the UK, in the US. “Everywhere we will see these problems emerge where you have the middle part of the society left behind as the services sector tries to go ahead,” he added.

Turning to his adopted home country, Gupta said Brexit would “100 percent have an impact” on his company, but there were “pluses and minuses” in any outcome.

n REVIEW FROM B1

Power co-ops face Occidental Mindoro, Catanduanes, Marinduque, and Tablas.

The National Electrification Administration (NEA), which supervises ECs across the country, has been told to submit individual technical and financial performance reports for the last five years.

Power co-ops also have to submit plans and strategies for enhancing their services, operations and economic viability over the next three years.

The Energy department said that depending on the findings, task forces could be formed to help underperforming ECs while

percent as traders welcomed news that authorities had relaxed certain rules to make investing easier.

Sydney and Singapore were both flat and Seoul dipped 0.1 percent, though Manila, Mumbai, Bangkok and Jakarta were all up.

In early trade London rose 0.3 percent, while Frankfurt and Paris each added 0.2 percent.

“The statement certainly signals progress, but at best limited progress on the core long-term structural issues that separate the two sides,” Eswar Prasad, a trade policy professor at Cornell University, told Bloomberg News.

“The statement ends with a notso-veiled threat that China will need to offer more substantive concessions to enable a deal that would take further tariffs off the table.”

The tepid movement in markets also comes after an impressive month that saw Hong Kong pile on more than eight percent and Tokyo more than four percent, a much-needed bounce after December’s hammering.

Next on the agenda is the release of US jobs data later Friday, which comes days after the Federal Reserve fuelled a rally by signalling a slowdown in its pace of interest rate hikes this year.

The non-farm payrolls figures will be closely watched for an idea about the state of the world’s numberone economy, with the Fed having warned of a global slowdown. AFP

A third of UK firms eye overseas moves

2018 ‘worst year ever’ for smartphone market WASHINGTON, D.C.: Global smartphone salessaw their worst contraction ever in 2018, and the outlook for 2019 isn’t much better, new surveys show.

Worldwide handset volumes declined 4.1 percent in 2018 to a total of 1.4 billion units shipped for the full year, according to research firm IDC, which sees a potential for further declines this year.

“Globally the smartphone market is a mess right now,” said IDC analyst Ryan Reith.

“Outside of a handful of highgrowth markets like India, Indo-

HONG KONG: Asian markets mostly rose Friday, with investors treading carefully as China-US trade talks ended with no deal but with both sides sounding notes of optimism and setting up more high-level meetings later this month.

After the much-anticipated gathering, Donald Trump hailed “tremendous progress” between the world’s top two economies but warned the “hard deadline” of March 1 remained in place, after which US tariffs on billions of dollars of Chinese goods will be imposed.

For its part, Beijing said they held “candid, specific and fruitful” discussions and had agreed to increase cooperation on intellectual property — a major source of White House anger with China — and boost imports of US goods.

Trump’s top two economic officials will visit Beijing later this month, after which he said he will meet his counterpart Xi Jinping to hammer out the final deal.

While the negotiations ended with no agreement, Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA, said: “For the markets, which are clearly in ‘risk-on’ mood, it was a case of no news is good news.”

However, an early surge across the region petered out to leave markets mixed.

Tokyo ended 0.1 percent higher and Hong Kong was marginally lower, while Shanghai jumped 1.3

non-performing ones could lose their licenses.

The department issued the statement as an industry group claimed that Cusi had already recommended that 17 co-ops be stripped of their franchises.

The Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (Philreca) said the Energy chief, in a January 11 letter to House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, identified the ECs as the following: • Abra Electric Cooperative; • Pampanga III Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Occidental Mindoro Electric

“Of course we are concerned and we are waiting for things to settle down,” he said.

“Ultimately there will be opportunities, but we really want to see these issues resolved and the country move on because everything has come to a sort of standstill.

“Either way, we will invest in the UK but the journey will be a little bit different.”

Another example of his focus on western industry is the recent acquisition of a huge aluminium foundry in Dunkirk to help “reindustrialize” France.

“France’s industrial decline is very clear. It’s time to reindustrialize,” he said.

In addition to the $500 million already paid, GFG Alliance has promised to invest an additional $55 million to

Cooperative Inc.; • Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Palawan Electric Cooperative; • Camarines Sur III Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Albay Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Masbate Electric Cooperative Inc.; • First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc; • Ticao Island Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Basilan Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Sulu Electric Cooperative Inc.; • Tawi-tawi Electric Cooperative nc.;

upgrade the plant.

Born into a family of industrialists in Punjab, Gupta started his own business after studying economics at Britain’s prestigious University of Cambridge.

Despite the globalized nature of his journey, Gupta is preparing for a shift towards more localism in industry in contrast with the globalization of the 1980s and 1990s.

“Industries, countries, will look to have a full sufficiency in their supply chains rather than depending on global supply chains,” he predicted.

Of his own company, he added: “Even if we are present globally, we are not truly a global business. It’s a regional business”.

AFP

• Maguindanao Electric Cooperative nc.; and • Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative Inc. The letter, provided by Philreca to The Manila Times, states that Cusi cited penalty provisons of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 and a NEA report involving “underperforming and financially and technically distressed” power co-ops.

Under the Epira law, only Congress has the authority to grant and/or repeal franchises granted to entities engaged in the transmission and the distribution of electricity, upon recommendation of the Energy department and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

“Such recommendation was made without even giving due process to the electric coopera-

LONDON: Almost a third of British companies are considering moving or setting up overseas operations because of Brexit, according to a survey published Friday by business lobby group the Institute of Directors.

The IoD survey of over 1,200 company directors found that 16 percent had already decided to relocate or open operations abroad due to Brexit, while a further 13 percent said they were considering such plans.

Over a quarter of large businesses have already taken action or will do so in the future, compared with 12 percent of small businesses.

The finance, manufacturing and science sectors were the most affected, with a third of manufacturers planning to set up foreign operations.

The European Union looks set to benefit the most, with 91 percent of those planning new foreign operations looking to set up in the bloc.

“It brings no pleasure to reveal these worrying signs,” said IoD interim boss Edwin Morgan.

“Change is a necessary and often positive part of doing business, but the unavoidable disruption and increased trade barriers that no-deal would bring are entirely unproductive,” he added.

Britain’s MPs voted on Tuesday to send Prime Minister Theresa May back to Brussels to renegotiate the unpopular divorce deal she struck with the EU. Brussels has ruled out any big changes to the deal, leaving Britain staring at a no-deal Brexit with only 56 days left until the official departure date, which would lead to the imposition of trade tariffs.

tives,” Philreca claimed.

“The least that Secretary Cusi could have done, as the Father of the government’s energy family, is to have a consultation with the electric cooperatives and give them a chance to defend their side,” it added.

Philreca said the Energy department should instead prioritize the rehabilitation of troubled power co-ops.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella admitted that Cusi had made the recommendation but added that it had been withdrawn.

“The DoE (Department of Energy) sees the need to further evaluate and assess the present status and performance of the 17 electric cooperatives,” Fuentebella told reporters.

“The UK’s hard-won reputation as a stable, predictable environment for enterprise is being chipped away,” warned Morgan.

“Our political leaders must keep this in the front of their minds as we enter this critical phase of negotiations.”

Some 64 percent of IoD members export to the EU, compared with a national average of around only 10 percent of businesses, although many more rely on supply chains dependent on the bloc.

British industry is ramping up plans for a no-deal Brexit, with companies reporting on Friday sharp rises in both purchasing activity and stockpiling of inputs at warehouses.

“Brexit preparations were... a major contributing factor underlying the trends in input buying activity and stocks of purchases,” according to the manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index report released by information provider IHS Markit on Friday.

Inventory holdings increased at the fastest pace in the 27-year survey history, according to the report.

“Businesses did their best to develop forward purchasing programs to avoid potentially disappointing clients and in case of a bad Brexit outcome,” said Duncan Brock from purchasing body the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.

“Supply chains were closer to breaking point with stretched capacity and delivery times lengthening again for the 33rd month.

“This begs the question of how much longer suppliers can deliver and businesses can retain stocks for every eventuality,” he added. AFP

n IMPROVE FROM B1

Dominguez This year, the tax agency will implement a fuel marking and testing program to plug leakages and will develop an e-invoicing and e-receipting program, Dominguez added.

“Fortunately, technology is on our side and we will take full advantage of new hardware and software to make our operations more efficient,” he noted.

For his part, BIR Commissioner Caesar Dulay said that history had shown that it was difficult to achieve collection goals, but added that “the difficulty will not stop us from exerting all our efforts to go for the gold because that’s important to the economy.”

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Health Industry

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

EDITOR: Conrad M. Cariño

B5

n Photo shows the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) that will be opening its cancer treatment center on February 7. CVMC is also constructing another 4-story out-patient department (right). PIA PHOTO

Cagayan cancer center ready to open

T

UGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan: The Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is set to open its newly constructed cancer treatment center on Feb. 7, 2019 to address the need for accessible and quality radiation therapy services.

Medical doctor Glenn Mathew Baggao, CVMC chief, said the establishment of the cancer center in the region was necessary to serve the increasing number of cancer

patients here and in nearby provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“Cancer patients will no longer travel to Manila for medica-

tion because our hospital is already equipped with the necessary equipment and other highly sophisticated machines for cancer diagnoses treatments,” Baggao said.

Malasakit Center A Malasakit Center, also located at CVMC’s perimeter, will also be inaugurated on the same day. The center is a program of the Duterte

administration aimed at serving as a one-stop shop to hasten the delivery of medical services and give poor patients access to free medicines.

“This will unburden, particularly indigent patients, from their hospital obligations,” Baggao said.

Under the program, he said patients were assisted in availing themselves of the services and financial assistance provided by

The dark side of blue light from gadgets

BY STANLEY GAJETE ACCORDING to Harvard Health, not all colors of light have the same effects on humans. The blue wavelengths, for example, are beneficial during the day as it can boost attention, reaction and mood.

H o w e v e r, b l u e l i g h t c a n have disturbing effects during nighttime.

“The proliferation of electronics with screens, as well as energyefficient lighting, is increasing our exposure to blue wavelengths, especially after sundown.” according to Harvard Health.

Also, allowing kids to use gadgets as early as two years old or below can expose them to blue light early, which can harm their eyesight sooner or later.

The real expose

For Joy Fortunato, 40, working as an accountant in Manila, exposure to computers and gadgets had been a normal part of her work.

“I almost spend more than eight hours facing the compute, so I get head aches and my eyes hurt. But there is little time to rest,” she said partly in Filipino.

After work, she spends her resting hours using gadgets. “I have many gadgets. I have an iPad, iPhone and a tablet. Sometimes I take my gadgets to bed and I fall asleep with them,” Joy added, also partly in Filipino.

Also, online gamer Andre Romero exposes himself to computers

for long hours. “Sometimes I face the computer for up to 18 hours.

But the worse is two days, I just have to face the computer because I don’t want to be disconnected from a game,” he said in Filipino.

Romero eventually experienced health problems. “There were many times I get headaches, and my eyeglass grade reached 120.

My doctor said long exposure to computers was one of the many factors for those health problems,” he added, also in Filipino.

Blue light as light

The largest source of blue light is sunlight. Other sources include fluorescent light compact fluorescent light bulbs, LED light, flat screen LED televisions, computer monitors, smart phones, and tablet screens, according to prevent blindness.org.

Old televisions have strong ultraviolet (UV) rays, while LCD and LED TVs have blue light built-in technology.

Blue light has advantages and disadvantages. This light stimulates mood, recalls memories and improves alertness. That is why sun keeps people awake and alive.

Medical doctor Charles Czeisler of Harvard Medical School said that daylight kept a person’s internal clock aligned with the environment.

Harvard also explained that people had slightly different circadian rhythms, but the average length was 24 and one-quarter hours. The circadian rhythm (bio-

logical clock) of people who stay up late is slightly longer, while the rhythms of earlier birds fall short of 24 hours.

But dim lights can interfere with a person’s circadian rhythm and melatonin secretion. A mere eight lux — a level of brightness exceeded by most table lamps and about twice that of a night light — has an effect. According to Stephen Lockley, a Harvard sleep researcher, “light at night is part of the reason so many people don’t get enough sleep,” he said.

His researchers have also linked short sleep to increased risk for depression, as well as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.

Also, too much exposure to blue light can cause headaches, and eyestrain and degeneration, including macular degeneration over the long term.

“Eye has normal protection against UV rays but blue light passes through and can reach retina- the part of eye that has connection to the brain,” neurologist Mark Sta. Maria explained.

“Long exposure of retina to the blue light might cause blindness in the long term,” he said.

As long as the eyes can see light emitted from gadgets like cell phones, blue light can penetrate the eyes. “The length of exposure is much harmful than the distance of vision a human is [when] using his gadgets,” Sta. Maria said. “If you’re using gadgets the whole day, it could degenerate vision,” he added.

Sta. Maria also said energy-efficient

lights also had blue light and longer hours under these type of lights could also harm human health.

“Blue light is a stimulant that is why we are awake as it keeps us alive during daytime, and so exposure to [artificial] blue lights from gadgets, especially during night time or sleeping time, can also affect the resting behavior and patterns,” he explained. “It adjusts the human biological clock.”

Keep out of reach

“At least two hours per day is advisable to use gadgets, but that is impossible nowadays,” Sta. Maria said. “And so, number of breaks like 10 minutes resting in between usage can be helpful. Only enough exposure is needed.”

“Not exposing your kids to gadgets can help their eye sights better in the long-term,” he added.

For people working outside of offices like traffic enforcers, street sweepers, among others, it was recommended that they used sunglasses to protect their eyes from UV and blue light, experts said. Anti-reflective lenses reduced glare and increased contrast, and also blocked blue light from the sun and digital devices, according to Prevent Blindness organization.

“Green light can also contrast the blue light which can be found from nature like plants and trees, and allows human to relax and have a resting feeling,” Sta. Maria said.

Some mobile apps can also be downloaded that filter blue light from gadgets.

the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Department of Health.

Out-Patient Department Taking into consideration the bulk of out-patients seeking consultations daily from the tertiary hospital, another four-story out-patient department building is now under

construction at the CVMC. “Before, we only accommodate 200 out-patients daily. However, we now serve up to 400 patients from the region’s different provinces and nearby provinces of CAR, ” Baggao said.

He is optimistic that the new out-patient building, equipped with laboratory, pharmacy and consultation clinics, would be inaugurated

by March this year.

PIA

New HIV law offers better protection for the youth AN organization advocating reproductive health believes the enactment of the Republic Act 11166 or the “HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Policy Act of 2018,” might improve the scenario for children and youth, as it would stop the rapid virus transmission among those in the young age brackets who had to seek parental and guardian consent prior to getting tested.

“Our work in The Forum involves responding to the reproductive and sexual health needs of children and young people through education and information campaigns to increase awareness,” said Benjamin de Leon, president of the Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc. (The Forum). “The situation in the areas where we work is dismal because young people lack information and therefore, are not empowered to know about their health and how to seek help,” he added.

De Leon said his organization, The Forum, supported the new law that updated the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998, whose most important feature was the removal of the need for “mature” minors between 15 and 18 to get parental consent prior to getting an HIV test.

“Children and young people can now avail themselves of the HIV test, and if they turn out positive, they can be treated and supported early,” he said.

“And because of better access and early medical and psychosocial intervention, stigma and discrimination will slowly be a thing of the past for children and youth who are living with HIV and AIDS.” De Leon further said the work of advocacy organizations such as The Forum would be better complemented with the government expanding access

to evidence-based HIV strategies, and facilitating easier access for persons to know about their HIV status, apart from providing free and accessible antiretroviral treatment that slowed down the advance of the virus.

De Leon also noted that “for almost two decades, there has been no comprehensive sex and sexuality education of any kind in the country, and it is the advocacy groups who are active in doing this in the hard-to-reach areas.”

“Let us rally behind the law and implement an education program that raises awareness and teaches prevention that helps reduce risky, vulnerable behavior,” he said.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said that the Philippines recorded the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia Pacific from 2010 to 2016, with a 141-percent increase, which means 32 new case are reported daily. It is one of the very few countries in the world where HIV is on the rise nonstop.

According to the Department of Health, there would be a quarter of a million Filipinos living with HIV by 2030 if no drastic measures were done, and based on current trends, majority of new infections would likely be teens and young adults aged 15 to 24.

HIV is transmitted when body fluids, most commonly blood, semen and preseminal fluid, enters another person’s body, either through sexual contact, sharing of contaminated needles, transfusion of HIV-infected blood, and through an infected pregnant mother to her child.

HIV causes AIDS, which destroys the human body’s natural ability to fight off all kinds of infections. The condition still does not have any known cure or vaccine.

THE TIMES

SLEEP DEPRIVATION CAN WORSEN ALZHEIMER’S CHICAGO: Studying mice and people, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that sleep deprivation increases levels of the key Alzheimer’s protein tau, and sleeplessness accelerates the spread through the brain of toxic clumps of tau, a harbinger of brain damage and a decisive step along the path to dementia.

To find out whether lack of sleep was directly forcing tau levels upward, the researchers measured tau levels in mice with normal and disrupted sleep, and found that tau levels in the fluid surrounding brain cells were about twice

as high at night, when the animals were more awake and active, than during the day, when the mice dozed more frequently.

Disturbing the mice’s rest during the day caused daytime tau levels to double.

The same effect was seen in people. Cerebrospinal fluid the researchers obtained from eight people after a normal night of sleep and again after they were kept awake all night shows that a sleepless night caused tau levels to rise by about 50 percent.

To rule out the possibility that stress or behavioral changes ac-

counted for the changes in tau levels, the researchers created genetically modified mice that could be kept awake for hours at a time by injecting them with a harmless compound.

When the compound wears off, the mice return to their normal sleepwake cycle, without any sign of stress or apparent desire for extra sleep.

Using these mice, the researchers found that staying awake for prolonged period caused tau levels to rise.

Altogether, the findings suggest that tau is routinely released during waking hours by the normal business of thinking and doing, and then this release is decreased during sleep, al-

lowing tau to be cleared away.

Sleep deprivation interrupts this cycle, allowing tau to build up and making it more likely that the protein will start accumulating into harmful tangles.

In people with Alzheimer’s disease, tau tangles tend to emerge in parts of the brain important for memory, the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, and then spread to other brain regions.

To study whether the spread of tau tangles is affected by sleep, the researchers seeded the hippocampi of mice with tiny clumps of tau and then kept the animals awake for

long periods each day.

A separate group of mice also was injected with tau tangles but was allowed to sleep whenever they liked.

After four weeks, tau tangles had spread further in the sleep-deprived mice than their rested counterparts.

Notably, the new tangles appeared in the same areas of the brain affected in people with Alzheimer’s.

The researchers also found that disrupted sleep increased release of the synuclein protein, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease.

People with Parkinson’s often have sleep problems, like those with Alzheimer’s.

“Getting a good night’s sleep is something we should all try to do,” said senior author David Holtzman, professor and head of the Department of Neurology at the university. “Our brains need time to recover from the stresses of the day.

We don’t know yet whether getting adequate sleep as people age will protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

But it can’t hurt, and this and other data suggest that it may even help delay and slow down the disease process if it has begun.”

The findings were published on Thursday (Friday in Manila) online in the journal Science.

XINHUA

B6

Classified Ads

SATURDAY February 2, 2019 Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (FM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR SEVERE TROPICAL STORM URDUJA IN THE VISAYAS, TYPHOON VINTA IN MINDANAO, TROPICAL STORM BASYANG IN THE VISAYAS AND MINDANAO, AND FLASH FLOOD IN MINDANAO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

FME Tropical Storm Urduja Typhoon Vinta Tropical Storm Basyang Flash flood in Mindanao Total

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner B.I.R. Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire that operates and maintains the nationwide transmission system pursuant to Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”).1

3.

Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (“RTWR”), NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged as a result of a force majeure event (“FME”), as defined in Article I of RTWR.

27. In addition, the timely implementation of the FM Pass-Through Amounts will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost.

28. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Manager, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant Application, is attached in the Application.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission to: 1.

DECLARE Severe Tropical Storm Urduja in the Visayas, Typhoon Vinta in Mindanao, Tropical Storm Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao, and flash flood in Mindanao as Force Majeure Events (FME);

2.

Immediately GRANT PROVISIONAL APPROVAL to implement and bill the following FM Pass-Through Amounts to Visayas and Mindanao customers starting January 2019 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

B. Typhoon Vinta Typhoon Vinta was inside the PAR during the period 20 to 24 December 2017, with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of 145 kph. It made landfall in Cateel, Davao Oriental and traversed several provinces in Mindanao, causing damage to NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities therein. A copy of the Certification dated 12 February 2018 issued by the PAGASA is attached in the said Application.

After the occurrence of Typhoon Vinta and in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission an FME Notice regarding Typhoon Vinta dated 6 February 2018. A copy of the FME Notice regarding Typhoon Vinta dated 6 February 2018 is attached in the said Application.

3.

C. Tropical Storm Basyang Tropical Storm (TS) Basyang was in the PAR from 11 to 14 February 2018, with maximum winds of 65 kph and gustiness of 80 kph. It made landfall in Cortes, Surigao del Sur, traversed the Surigao Provinces, and again made landfall over Dumaguete City, causing damage to NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao. A copy of the Certification dated 27 March 2018 issued by the PAGASA is attached in the said Application.

4.

After the occurrence of TS Basyang and in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission an FME Notice regarding TS Basyang dated 7 March 2018. A copy of the FME Notice regarding TS Basyang dated 7 March 2018 is attached in the Application.

D. FLASH FLOOD IN MINDANAO 10. On 25 February 2018, a flash flood occurred within the jurisdiction of Barangay Sianib, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, causing damage to NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in Mindanao. A copy of the Certification dated 1 March 2018 issued by Barangay Chairman Marcelo C. Sumagang, Sr. is attached in the Application.

5.

11. The Certification dated 3 October 2018, issued by PAGASA attached in the Application, states that continuous rain and occasional thunderstorm were observed from 25 to 26 February 2018 at the Dipolog City Weather Station, the PAGASA observing station closest to Zamboanga del Norte.

13. Immediately after the devastation caused by the foregoing incidents, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore transmission service to its customers and the public. As a result, NGCP incurred additional costs for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said damaged transmission assets and other related facilities.

16. Pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR, within three (3) months after the occurrence of the Subject Force Majeure Events, NGCP filed before the Commission the required FME Notices. The Commission acknowledged receipt of the FME Notices for STS Urduja, Typhoon Vinta, and TS Basyang, in its letters respectively dated 5 February, 21 February, and 5 April 2018, attached in the Application.

17. Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the Subject Force Majeure Events, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR. FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION 18. NGCP has not recovered from its Industrial All-Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the years 2017 and 2018, the cost that it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the Subject Force Majeure Events. The affected assets are located beyond a one (1) kilometer radius from the nearest substation (except for Babatngon Substation and Kananga-Tabango 230 kV line), and are therefore not covered by the IAR. With regard to the Babatngon Substation and KanangaTabango 230 kV line, the total cost of damage is below the One (1) Million US Dollars deductible amount. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant FME Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the Subject Force Majeure Events pursuant to the RTWR. 19. The total cost NGCP incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the Subject Force Majeure Events is Sixty-Three Million Eight Hundred Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Pesos and 10/100 (PhP63,870,786.10). Further, the recoverable values of the assets destroyed (Net Fixed Asset Value 1 Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes.”

2 Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes”

Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2019

Mindanao P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2019

2020

2.95 0.00587

2020

0.06 0.00012

0.02 0.00005

0.003 0.00001

Approve the FME CAPEX/OPEX amounting to Sixty-Three Million Eight Hundred Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-Six Pesos and 10/100 (PhP63,870,786.10) incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to Severe Tropical Storm Urduja in the Visayas, Typhoon Vinta in Mindanao, Tropical Storm Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao, and flash flood in Mindanao; Approve, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM Pass Through Amount to be collected from the Visayas and Mindanao customers starting January 2019 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, as follows: Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2019

Mindanao P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2019

2020

2.95 0.00587

0.02 0.00005

2020

0.06 0.00012

0.003 0.00001

Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by Severe Tropical Storm Urduja in the Visayas, Typhoon Vinta in Mindanao, Tropical Storm Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao, and flash flood in Mindanao, amounting to Two Million Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Five and 43/100 (PhP2,014,565.43). given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by the Subject Force Majeure Events; and

6. Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amounts from the side constraint calculation.

NGCP prays for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates:

14. Under Section 1.3(a) of the RTWR, an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; or an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.”

15. Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by STS Urduja in the Visayas, Typhoon Vinta in Mindanao, TS Basyang in the Visayas and Mindanao, and the flash flood in Mindanao, (the “Subject Force Majeure Events”) through an FM Pass-Through Amount.

born on February 25, 1954 and a resident of Zamboangita, Negros Oriental, passed away peacefully last January 13, 2019 at the age of 64. She leaves behind her spouse, Conrado A. Maputi. She is now interred at the Zamboangita Resurrection Garden.

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President Philippine Sports Commission

0.003 0.00001

26. NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the rehabilitation of the assets damaged by the Subject Force Majeure Events required capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.

After the occurrence of STS Urduja and in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission a Force Majeure Event Notice (FME Notice) regarding STS Urduja dated 3 January 2018. A copy of the FME Notice regarding STS Urduja dated 3 January 2018 is attached in the said Application.

FME CLAIM

0.06 0.00012

Regina L. Maputi

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE ERRATUM “Supply and Delivery of Brand New Air Conditioning Bus and Ambulance for Rizal Memorial Sports Complex” Invitation to Bid Please take note that the advertisement for the “Supply and Delivery of Brand New Air Conditioning Bus and Ambulance for Rizal Memorial Sports Complex” placed in the Manila Times on January 17, 2019 for Philippine Sports Commission, that the total Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) was Thirteen Million Nine Hundred Ninety Seven Thousand Eight Hundred Three Pesos (Php 13,997,803.00) was specifically categorized into: 2 units Brand New Ambulance (Branded) ABC = Four Million One Hundred Ninety Seven Thousand One Hundred Thirty Six Pesos (Php 4,197,136.00) 1 unit Brand New Air-Conditioned Bus (Branded) ABC = Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Seven Pesos ( Php 9,800,667.00) Closing Date : February 12, 2019 Closing Time : 10:00 a.m.

Opening Time : 10:00 a.m.

ATTY. GUILLERMO B. IROY, JR. BAC Chairman, Philippine Sports Commission

25. NGCP respectfully moves for the issuance of provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FM Pass-Through Amounts pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Severe Tropical Storm Urduja

12. After the occurrence of the flash flood and in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission an FME Notice regarding the flash flood dated 30 April 2018. A copy of the FME Notice regarding the flash flood dated 30 April 2018 is attached in the Application.

2020

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

4. Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Urduja was inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) during the period 12 to 19 December 2017, with maximum winds of 95 kph and gustiness of 120 kph. It made landfall six times and traversed the Samar Provinces, Masbate, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Aklan, Cuyo Island, and Palawan. As a result, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities particularly in the Visayas were damaged. A copy of the Certification dated 23 January 2018, issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached in the said Application.

9.

2019

OBITUARY

0.02 0.00005

24. Also, NGCP considered the NFAV of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the Subject Force Majeure Events given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by the Subject Force Majeure Events.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

8.

Mindanao P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2020

2.95 0.00587

23. Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts in this Application do not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0366/kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is attached in the said Application.

In its Application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following:

Under Republic Act No. 9511,2 NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

2019

22. The proposed FM Pass-Through Amounts can be recovered pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, wherein NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of a force majeure event. A copy of the FM Pass-Through Amount Computation is attached in the Application.

Notice is hereby given that on 11 December 2018, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 28 November 2018 seeking the approval of its Force Majeure (FM) event regulated FM pass through for severe tropical storm Urduja in the Visayas, typhoon Vinta in the Mindanao and flash flood in Mindanao in accordance with the Rules for the Setting the Transmission Wheeling Rates (RSTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

2.

Visayas P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

21. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2019 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the expenditures incurred by NGCP relative to the Subject Force Majeure Events, pending the reset process for the Transmission Services.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

7.

Total 41,196,525.82 1,283,322.22 23,059,817.01 345,686.48 65,885,351.53

Note: P/kWh in this table are only the equivalent P/kWh of the FME Pass-Through amounts.

x-----------------------------------------------------x

6.

NFAV 260,182.36 883,711.95 657,676.72 212,994.40 2,014,565.43

20. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts, in P/kW-month, as additional network charges starting January 2019 until 2020 to Visayas and Mindanao, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, computed as shown in the tables below:

Applicant.

5.

CAPEX/OPEX* 40,936,343.46 399,610.27 22,402,140.29 132,692.08 63,870,786.10

* Capital Expenditures/Operating Expenditures, exclusive of VAT (pursuant to the TRAIN law) and Permit Fees

ERC CASE NO. 2018-117 RC

A.

w w w.manilatimes.net

or NFAV) is Two Million Fourteen Thousand Five Hundred Sixty-Five and 43/100 (PhP2,014,565.43). The breakdown of the expenses is shown in the table below:

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES,

1.

˜ The Manila Times

Date and Time 21 February 2019 at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

Venue ERC Hearing Room th 15 Floor, Pacific Center Bldg.

San Miguel Ave. Pasig City

28 February 2019 at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

ERC Visayas Field Office St. Mary’s Drive Banilad, Cebu City

07 March 2019 at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Mindanao Field Office Mintrade Bldg.

Monteverde Ave. cor. Sales St. Davao City

Hearing Coverage Jurisdictional and Expository Presentation Expository Presentation Pretrial Conference and Presentation of Evidence Expository Presentation Pretrial Conference and Presentation of Evidence

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days 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;

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Office of the President NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Quezon City SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Petitioner BMC CASE NO. 2019-017 x-----------------------------------------x NOTICE OF HEARING Petitioner, SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a 100% Filipino Domestic Corporation duly organized and existing under laws of the Republic of the Philippines, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (S.E.C.), requests for the approval of the CHANGE OF NAME OF THE CORPORATION FROM BENGUET BROADCASTING CORPORATION TO SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. with Provisional Authority (PA) in BAGUIO CITY, under NTC Case No. 2003-047.

In view thereof, this will be heard by this Commission on FEB. 18, 2019, (Monday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the Legal Branch, 3rd Floor, NTC Building, National Telecommunications Commission, BIR Road, East Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City, wherein applicant shall present its compliance with the Commission’s jurisdictional requirements, as well as its evidences, if warranted.

However, should the hearing date be declared a holiday or nonworking day due to force majeure, the said hearing shall be held on the NEXT regular working day.

At least fifteen (15) days before the date of hearing, applicant shall have published the Notice of Hearing once in one (1) newspaper of general circulation and have served copies of the Notice of Hearing and the application including all annexes attached therewith to all the affected parties by registered mail or through personal delivery, as furnished by the Commission.

Any party opposed to the granting of the application is hereby directed to appear at the scheduled hearing and must file its verified opposition, on or before the date of hearing, furnishing the applicant with a copy of the same. Failure on the part of any affected party to file its opposition on time and to appear at the scheduled hearing shall be construed as a waiver of its right to be heard and the Commission shall proceed to hear and decide the application on its merit.

WITNESS, the HON. GAMALIEL A. CORDOBA, Commissioner, National Telecommunications Commission, this 24th day of JANUARY, 2019.

(SGD.) ADRIANO B. CONSUNJI Chief, Commission Secretariat

NOTICE OF LOSS The Public is hereby notified that Proprietary Membership Certificate No. 3925 of the Manila Polo Club representing (1) share herein registered in the name of Norberto C. Nazareno has been declared missing and cannot be located. After the expiration of (1) one year from the date of last publication of this notice on Feb. 2, 2019, if no contest has been presented to Manila Polo Club regarding said certificate, the right to make such contest shall be barred and the Club shall cancel in its books the certificate of stock unless the registered owner files a bond or other security in lieu thereof running for a period of one year, in which case a new certificate maybe issued even before the expiration of the (1) year period.

MT – Jan. 19, 26 & Feb. 2, 2019

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies.

Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

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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 the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its 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: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing.

Applicant is 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 filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 16th day of January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal Service M. Times – Feb. 2 & 9, 2019

MT - Feb. 2, 2019

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˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Europe frets about new weapons race BUCHAREST: Germany said on Friday that Russia had “de facto invalidated” a landmark Cold War missile reduction treaty which the US is poised to abandon, with Europe anxious at the prospect of a new arms race.

A US deadline for Russia to come back into compliance with the IntermediateRange Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty expires on Saturday but Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will reportedly announce the pullout as early as Friday.

Western capitals say a new Russian medium-range missile system breaches the terms of the 1987 treaty and puts European cities at risk.

Heiko Maas, the German foreign minister who has shuttled between Moscow and Washington in recent weeks trying to save the INF treaty, said Russia was still in breach.

“We must note that the INF treaty has been violated by the Russian side and that the appeals of the last 60 days for more transparency and more information have come to nothing,” Maas said as he arrived for talks with fellow EU foreign ministers in Bucharest.

‘Clear lesson’ “A treaty to which two contracting states belong and which has been violated by one side has de facto been invalidated.”

The INF treaty, signed by then US president Ronald

Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, banned ground-launched missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres and ended a dangerous build-up of warheads in Europe.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a new arms race if the treaty collapses — a prospect that has alarmed some European nations.

Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said history had taught his country “a very clear lesson.”

“This clear lesson is whenever there was a conflict between east and west, we central Europeans always lost,” he said.

“We as Hungary I don’t think we have too much leverage in this issue. We can just cross fingers for a more pragmatic cooperation between east and west.”

Pompeo announced in December that the US would start the six-month process to quit the INF if Russia did not withdraw its 9M729 missile system

by February 2, using the period to start work on new missiles.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said military commanders will begin preparing for “a world without an INF treaty” but insisted the alliance was still committed to arms reduction.

Russia insists the missile system complies with the treaty, and displayed it to foreign military officials and media last week in a bid to allay concerns.

AFP

World US seeks NKorea arms inventory, offers ties W

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

ASHINGTON, D.C.: A US negotiator called on Thursday (Friday in Manila) on North Korea to provide a detailed account of its weapons to seal a peace deal, saying President Donald Trump was ready to offer a future that includes diplomatic relations and economic aid.

Trump is set to hold a second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in around a month and said Thursday that he would announce the exact date and venue early next week.

“I think most of you know where the location is. I don’t think it’s a great secret,” he told reporters at the White House.

Vietnam has offered to host the talks.

“We’ve made tremendous progress with North Korea,” said Trump, whose June summit with Kim in Singapore was the first ever between leaders of the two countries that never formally ended the Korean War. The meeting produced a document in which Kim pledged to work toward the “denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”

As skeptics voice worry that Trump is overly eager to make a legacy-building deal and enjoy the spotlight of meeting the reclusive leader again, the US special representative on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the administration is “clear-eyed” and prepared for contingencies

if talks fail.

On Tuesday Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee that “North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities,” an analysis counter to Trump’s position that there is “a decent chance” of the North giving up its nuclear weapons.

Biegun painted an upbeat picture at ending decades of hostility despite repeated failures in the past, saying that Trump “is unconstrained by the assumptions of his predecessors.”

“I have this perfect outcome moment where the last nuclear weapon leaves North Korea, the sanctions are lifted, the flag goes up in the embassy and the treaty is signed in the same hour,” Biegun said at Stanford University.

“Now that’s an ideal, I know, and these things are going to move haltingly along different courses.

But they can also be mutually reinforcing,” he said.

Preparing the summit, the State Department said Biegun would head Sunday to South

Korea and also meet his North Korean counterpart.

Promises on all nuclear sites

Biegun said the United States would ask North Korea for negotiations on verifying that the totalitarian state is giving up its nuclear weapons.

“Before the process of denuclearization can be final, we must have a complete understanding of the full extent of the North Korean WMD and missile programs through a comprehensive declaration,” Biegun said.

“We must reach agreement on expert access and monitoring mechanisms of key sites to international standards, and ultimately ensure the removal or destruction of stockpiles of fissile material, weapons, missiles, launchers and other weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

Rejecting criticism that the Singapore declaration was vague, Biegun said that Kim has committed—both at the summit and in follow-up talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo—to “the dismantlement and destruction” of all plutonium and uranium sites, not only its signature Yongbyon facility.

North Korea watchers believe the regime is foremost interested in easing international sanctions, which were tightened in 2017 after the regime’s missile and nuclear tests raised fears of a new war.

B7

Biegun said Trump was prepared to assist Kim in building “a brighter economic future” and gave nuance to the repeated US insistence that it will not ease sanctions until denuclearization.

“We say we will not lift sanctions until denuclearization is complete. That is correct. We didn’t say we won’t do anything until you do everything,” he said.

US troops to stay in South Korea Biegun assured North Korea that Trump—who in 2017 threatened in front of the United Nations to “totally destroy” the country — wanted to end the state of war.

“We are not going to invade North Korea. We are not seeking to topple the regime,” he said.

He also said that the United States had no intention to pull its 28,500 troops out of South Korea.

“We are not involved in any diplomatic discussion — full stop — that would suggest this tradeoff.

It has never been discussed,” Biegun said.

With Trump known both for his impulsiveness and his criticism of US defense alliances, observers have wondered whether the nearly seven-decade US troop presence could up for debate.

The United States and South Korea remain at loggerheads on a new agreement on how much Seoul contributes to maintain the troops.

AFP

Worldinbrief

PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY, CLOSING PARTS OF TOKYO’S NARITA

TOKYO: A Japan Airlines plane from New Delhi skidded off a snow-bound runway at Narita Airport on Friday, officials told Agence France-Presse, briefly closing part of Tokyo’s main hub. Officials from the airport and the carrier said the 201 passengers and crew had all been escorted off the Boeing 787 jet with no serious injuries. The accident forced the airport to close one of its two runways for an hour from 7 a.m. (2200 GMT Thursday), Narita spokesman Kazuhiko Morio said.

The runway was then closed again as the plane was moved out of a safety zone, Morio added. The cause of the accident was not immediately clear but public broadcaster NHK said one of the plane’s tires may have slipped on a rare patch of snow on the runway. The country’s weather agency has forecasted light snow in part of the Kanto region in eastern Japan, including the area around Narita.

FACEBOOK BANS ACCOUNTS TIED TO INDONESIAN FAKE NEWS GROUP

JAKARTA: Facebook has shut down hundreds of accounts and pages linked to an Indonesian group accused of spreading hate speech and fake news, the company said on Friday. Cyber group Saracen engaged in “coordinated abuse of the platform” by operating a network of hoax accounts that mislead online readers about who was behind them, Facebook said. Facebook’s head of cybersecurity policy Nathaniel Gleicher said some 800 Saracen-linked accounts, 207 pages, 546 groups and 208 Instagram accounts linked to the group have been yanked from the network. About 170,000 people followed at least one of the pages, and more than 65,000 followed at least one of the Instagram accounts. The groups and accounts were shut down “based on their behavior, not the content they were posting,” Gleicher said. Saracen gained infamy in Indonesia two years ago when police accused it of deliberately spreading untruths via social media. At least one of its members was jailed following a wide-ranging investigation. Indonesia is battling its own wave of online hate speech, as conservative groups exploit social media to spread lies and target minorities. Authorities are worried inflammatory material posted online could crack open social and religious fault lines in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country ahead of presidential elections in April.

TURKEY CRACKS DOWN ON ONLINE GAMING, SEEKS NEARLY 400 ARRESTS

ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities have issued arrest warrants against nearly 400 people across the country for their alleged involvement in illegal online betting, Istanbul police said on Friday. The crackdown targeted 394 suspects in 40 cities — 207 of them in Istanbul, the police said in a statement. They are charged with violating the law on online gambling, with some three billion lira ($570 million) channeled through the bank accounts of 72 companies and the suspect individuals. Turkey has strict legislation on gambling. The authorities meanwhile run a state lottery and betting service in a country where football is the most popular sport.

HONG KONG SEIZES RECORD EIGHT TONS OF PANGOLIN SCALES

HONG KONG: A record eight tons of pangolin scales found in a container from Nigeria was unveiled by Hong Kong officials on Friday, underscoring the city’s central role in the booming illegal wildlife trade. Customs officers said they conducted a joint investigation with mainland officials on 16 January, seizing 8,300 kilos of pangolin scales and 2,100 kilos of ivory tusks hidden inside a container — declared to be carrying frozen beef — at a customs facility. A man and a woman from a trading company in the city have since been arrested, the department said. Customs officers displayed dozens of sacks filled with scales to the media as well as hundreds of uncarved tusks, in an acrid-smelling room.

Officials estimated the value of the haul at HK$62 million ($8 million). AFP

FROZEN

Ice covers the observation deck at the base of Horseshoe falls in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada on Thursday (Friday in Manila) TARA WALTON/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP

Midwest awaits thaw days after bitter cold CHICAGO: The bitter cold that gripped the Midwest forced commuters to bundle up like polar explorers. By early next week, many of those same people might get by with a light jacket.

Just days after the arctic conditions, forecasts say, the region will seemingly swing into another season, with temperatures climbing by as much as 80 degrees. Experts say the rapid thaw is unprecedented, and it could create problems of its own — bursting pipes, flooding rivers and crumbling roads.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a case where we’ve seen (such a big) shift in temperatures” in the winter, said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the Weather Underground firm.

“Past record-cold waves have not dissipated this quickly. ... Here we are going right into spring-like temperatures.”

Although many places remained painfully cold Thursday, the deep freeze eased somewhat, and the system marched east. Frigid weather descended on an area spanning from Buffalo to Brooklyn.

In western New York, a storm that dumped up to 20 inches of snow (51 centimeters) gave way to subzero temperatures and face-stinging wind chills. In New York City, about 200 firefighters battling a blaze in a commercial building took turns getting warm on buses. The number of deaths that could be blamed on the cold climbed to at least 15.

For the nation’s midsection, relief was as close as the weekend.

Rockford, Illinois, was at a record-breaking minus 31 (minus 35 Celsius) on Thursday morning but should be around 50 (10 Celsius) on Monday. Other previously frozen areas could see temperatures of 55 (13 Celsius) or higher.

The dramatic warm-up will offer a respite

from the bone-chilling cold that canceled school, closed businesses and halted trains.

But potholes will appear on roads and bridges weakened by the freeze-thaw cycle. The same cycle can crack water mains and homeowners’ pipes. Scores of vehicles will be left with flat tires and bent rims.

Joe Buck, who manages Schmit Towing in Minneapolis and spent about 20 hours a day outdoors this week responding to stranded vehicle calls, said he’s already taking calls for Monday to deal with a backlog of hundreds of stalled vehicles.

“Sunday is going to be 39 degrees ABOVE zero,” said Buck, who has had 18 trucks running around the clock in wind chills that dropped to minus 50.

In Detroit, where some water mains are almost 150 years old, city workers were dealing with dozens of breaks, said Palencia Mobley, deputy director of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department.

The thawing of the pipes can sometimes inflict greater damage than the initial freeze.

Bursts can occur when ice inside starts to melt and water rushes through the pipe or when water in the pipe is pushed to a closed faucet by expanding ice.

Elsewhere, a bridge in the western Michigan community of Newaygo, 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Grand Rapids was closed as the ice-jammed Muskegon River rose above flood stage. Officials in Buffalo, New York, watched for flooding on the Upper Niagara River because of ice.

In other signs that the worst of the deep freeze was ending, Xcel Energy on Thursday lifted a request to its Minnesota natural gas customers to temporarily lower their thermostats to ease concerns about the fuel supply.

Earlier in the day, several cities set record lows. Rockford saw a record low temperature of minus 31 (minus 35 Celsius), on Thursday.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, set a daily record low of minus 30 degrees (minus 34 Celsius).

Chicago’s temperature dropped to a low of around minus 21 degrees (minus 30 Celsius) on Thursday, slightly above the city’s lowest-ever reading of minus 27 degrees (minus 32 Celsius) in January 1985. Milwaukee’s low was minus 25 degrees (minus 31 Celsius), and Minneapolis recorded minus 24 degrees (minus 31 Celsius).

Wind chills were lower still.

Masters, from Weather Underground, said the polar vortex was “rotating up into Canada” and not expected to return in the next couple of weeks. If it does return in late February, “it won’t be as intense.”

Still, memories of the dangerous cold were bound to linger.

In Illinois, at least 144 people visited hospital emergency rooms for cold-related injuries over two days. Most of the injuries were hypothermia or frostbite, according to a spokesman for the state Department of Public Health.

The effect on the overall economy was not expected to be that great.

“It only shows up marginally in the economic data,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Grant Thornton, who ended up working from home because her offices in Chicago were shut because of weather.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said one reason the severe cold weather will have less impact is that, unlike a hurricane, people did not lose electric power.

“People may be in their homes, but they can do things such as online shopping,” Zandi said.

“Life goes on. It is a disruption to daily life, but it is not a big hit to the economy.”

AP

SATURday FEBRuary 2, 2019

Public Square

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Experience a world of luck with RWM this Lunar New Year R

ESORTS World Manila (RWM) has transformed into an Oriental paradise for the 2019 Imperial Festival. The festival celebrates the best of Chinese culture and heralds the Year of the Earth Pig. To give guests a genuine Lunar New Year experience, RWM has prepared an exciting array of activities and treats for guests, members, and VIPs. One of the best authentic Cantonese restaurants in Metro Manila, Passion at Maxim’s Hotel brings luck to the table with its special set of eight miniature Koi and gold ingot shaped Tikoy. The lightly sweet and sticky Lunar New Year favorite is the perfect gift for spreading harmony to family and friends and is only available until Feb. 6.

Passion’s dimsum lunch buffet lets diners eat top quality Cantonese dimsum and entrees at great value prices, making it the perfect celebration meal to ring in a prosperous new year.

Guests can also enjoy another Lunar New Year treat, Lucky Delights, for the whole month of February.

Café Maxims is also joining the Imperial Festival fun with a delightful box of dark chocolate pralines filled with luxurious lotus

n Passion Lucky Delights paste and coated with an appropriately festive earth pig print.

An authentic ceremonial lion and dragon dance will also be performed on Feb. 6, 10 AM at the Garden Wing Casino Main Entrance by the Ling Nam Athletic Association. RWM VIPs will be treated to an exclusive Yee Sang Prosperity Toss on February 15 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom.

The Yee Sang Prosperity Toss features a Yee Sang salad – a color-

ful dish made with raw fish and vegetable strips, as the Chinese words for ‘abundance’ and ‘raw fish’ sound similar. The Yee Sang is often served as part of a multi-dish dinner, usually as the appetizer due to its symbolism of “good luck” for the New Year. It is typically performed on Renri, the seventh day of the Lunar New Year.

For more details, visit www. rwmanila.com.

Welcome prosperity and luck with Master Joseph Chau USHER luck and flow of prosperity as Marco Polo Ortigas Manila welcomes the coming of the Earth Pig with Feng Shui Master Joseph Chau this Chinese New Year, Feb. 5, 11AM, at the hotel’s ground floor lobby.

As the hotel ushers abundance with the annual Chinese New Year celebration, Master Chau will be facilitating a Taoist Ritual Blessing Ceremony to guests attending the event. This will be followed by the dragon and lion dance, performing their way to bring prosperity.

Acknowledged as a primary figure in Chinese geomancy that goes from ancient practice, Master Chau Kam Shing, Joseph Chau, has been practicing Feng Shui for over 30 years, coming all the way from Hong Kong.

In celebration of this auspicious time, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila also offers guests the opportunity to share their blessings through the gift of nian gao (tikoy). This year’s selection, available through Lung Hin, sees this traditional delicacy take the form of a gold bar and the round variant, both

n Marco Polo Lung Hin Nian Gao of which come in either brown sugar or orange flavors.

For more information, visit www. marcopolohotels.com.

n The Lion Dance “eyes” of the lion reflect the spirit so the last step before it comes alive is for its eyes to be dotted. A lion and dragon dance follows right after to chase away evil spirits and welcome the new year. This perfor-

mance will be accompanied with loud drums and cymbals.

A grand fireworks display will cap off the momentous occasion.

For more information, visit www.centurypark.com.

The boar and the bountiful at Shangri-La at the Fort Canton Road, at Shangri-La at the Fort Manila, invites guests to paint the town red and gather some lunar luck for the Year of the Earth Pig as the restaurant features a sumptuous spread featuring regional Chinese specialties prepared by Executive Chinese Chef Wang Wei Qing.

Bring in good fortune to your family and feast like the gods with Pun Choi, a signature dish headlining this year’s special menu offerings. Also known as “basin food,” Pun Choi is a classic made of different treasures meticulously layered into a bowl.

The preparation of the dish is guided by the philosophy of harmony, where the variety of ingredients and its layering are designed to complement each other. Carrying this culinary point of view, Chef Wang’s Pun Choi is comprised

Conrad Manila’s premiere award-winning Chinese restaurant, China Blue by Jereme Leung welcomes the new Lunar Year of the Earth Pig with an artful curation of modern and authentic tastes.

Executive Chinese Chef Eng Yew Khor has masterfully prepared an exquisite array of hearty and premium selection of Chinese delicacies in celebration of this highly-anticipated occasion.

From Jan. 5 to Feb. 5, restaurant patrons will enjoy Chef Khor’s masterful interpretations of authentic Chinese clay ot rise dishes, specially curated set menus and delectable Nian Gao (Tikoy).

China Blue by Jereme Leung provides a spacious dining area with glittering panoramic views of the bay, cozy booths and four

n Delectable dish for the Chinese New Year private dining rooms are also available to make your celebration even more memorable.

Celebrate the occasion among friends and relatives, enjoy the special cuisine capped with

mooncakes, and from China Blue’s bay windows, watch the moon – a symbol of harmony and unity.

For more information, visit www.conradmanila.com.

Enjoy festive menus at Hilton Manila’s Hua Ting – Brasserie Chinoise Welcome the Year of the Earth Boar over a festive set lunch or dinner menu at Hua Ting – Brasserie Chinoise, Hilton Manila’s authentic Shanghainese restaurant, available only on Feb. 4, 5 and 6.

Choose from three exquisite 8-course menus, which highlight the best of Shanghainese cuisine. The first set includes a delicious threepiece xiao long bao (pork, seafood and mushroom), heirloom shrimps, double boiled duck soup, pan-fried hairtail fish as main, braised porkmeat “lion’s head”, sautéed French beans in X.O. sauce, minced beef with egg fried rice and mango cream and pomelo tapioca for dessert. The other sets have steamed black grouper with garlic sauce and deep fried salt pepper cod fish as mains.

Also choose from Hua Ting – Brasserie Chinoise’s main menu, featuring its signature and authentic Shanghainese dishes like assorted xiao long bao, the meticulously prepared

n Set Menu at Hua Ting – Brasserie Chinoise fragrant tea-smoked duck, hong shao of healthy vegetable dishes, as well as rou (braised pork belly with eggs), fresh noodles cooked various ways. salted egg flower crab, marinated For more information, email to chicken in brine “xianji”, and a range mnlph_f&binquiry@hilton.com.

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati offers exciting Chinese New Year treats

Century Park Hotel welcomes the Year of the Earth Pig Century Park Hotel (CPH), one of the finest hotels in Manila, is set to welcome the Year of the Earth Pig with a bang.

Preparations are underway to celebrate the eve of the Lunar New Year on Feb. 4 that is one of the loudest and most festive in Chinese culture.

Sumptuous Chinese dishes will be showcased at the lunch and dinner buffet at Café in the Park for guests craving for Chinese cuisine.

Then at 7:00p.m., an eye-dotting blessing ceremony will take place before the lion’s first dance at the Atrium Lounge. The ritual will empower the lion to bring about protection, good luck, health, and prosperity to the attendees. The

China Blue by Jereme Leung ring in the New Lunar Year

of a healthy mix of shrimp, flower mushroom, chicken, roasted duck, sea moss fish ball, dry oyster, abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw, lettuce and broccoli in oyster sauce - a melange of Chinese culinary favourites.

Starring alongside the Pun Choi is the traditional Norwegian salmon Yee Sang, a raw fish salad popularly

known for its preparation ritual. Also called “Prosperity Toss,” ingredients of the famous dish are tossed in the air using a pair of chopsticks. The tossing ritual signifies luck and happiness – the higher the toss, the more chances of one’s wishes coming true.

For more information, email cantonroad@shangri-la.com.

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati celebrates the Chinese Lunar Year with very special room rates and a Chinese Food Festival all weekends of the month of February at Flavors Restaurant.

Starting on Febr. 1, enjoy the delicacies of the Hunan, Canton and Sichuan regions and delight in the exotic flavors of each area. Each weekend will highlight the cuisine of one region beginning with Hunan.

The weekend lunch and dinner buffet at Flavors.

From Feb. 3 until Feb. 10, enjoy a stay inclusive of a buffet breakfast for two and dine at the well-loved Flavors Restaurant for a lunch or dinner buffet at 50 percent off during your stay!

n Special room rates at its best On Feb. 5, we welcome the Year of the Boar with the traditional Lion & Dragon dance and eye dotting ceremony to usher in

prosperity. This is to be followed by the annual Spring Salad Toss at Flavors Restaurant where all guests are welcome to join.

Shangri-La Plaza is all lit up with over 1,400 lanterns for Chinese New Year Shangri-La Plaza brings luck and good fortune to mall guests with a sea of red and gold lanterns and auspicious flowers heralding the arrival of Chinese New Year!

Over 1,400 traditional Chinese lanterns cascade down from the 32-meter-high ceiling of the Grand Atrium, and are seen throughout the mall, including a giant 24 ft lantern in the Main Wing, and prosperity trees at the East Atrium. The red lanterns are a popular symbol representing prosperity and strength.

Chinese New Year also marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, which is why decorations with plants, fruits and blooming flowers carry the special significance of the earth coming back to life. At the Shang’s East Wing, arches of blooming flowers stand side by side with a golden money tree as a hope for a prosperous new start. While, Fu Dogs or imperial guardian lions, which are

strong a Feng Shui protection symbol stand guard at the Luxury Lane.

The Chinese Spring Film Festival runs from January 30 to February 5 at the new Red Carpet Cinemas, giving everyone free access to the best of Chinese film. On Feb. 2, join the highly-anticipated Chinese New Year Fireworks Show at 8p.m., with

a dragon eye-dotting ceremony and ceremonial blessing, along with a lively dragon and lion dance.

There’s also the Dragon & Lion Dance around the mall on Feb. 5, and the Dragon & Lion Dance Exhibition by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation on Feb. 10 at 2p.m. at the Grand Atrium.

Sports

C1 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Bucks topple Raptors in marquee matchup L

OS ANGELES: Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with a team high 19 points and nine rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Toronto Raptors 105-92 in a showdown between the two top Eastern Conference teams.

The host Raptors rallied to cut the Bucks lead to six points when Antetokounmpo ran into foul trouble in the fourth quarter on Thursday (Friday in Manila). But the Bucks were able to pull away for the victory and take the season series with three wins in four meetings.

“It’s big for us but we’ve got to stay humble, keep working hard, keep working on our game and keep moving forward,” Antetokounmpo said.

“We know we’re going to be back here eventually.”

Khris Middleton added 18 points, and D.J. Wilson had 16 points for first place Milwaukee, who won their eighth contest in the last nine.

Eric Bledsoe tallied 14 points, Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon had 11 each and George Hill added 10 for the Bucks.

“It was a great playoff atmosphere, a very good test for us,” Milwaukee centre Lopez said.

The victory ensures the Bucks will have the best winning percentage in the East through February 3, meaning Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer will represent the conference at next month’s NBA all-star game.

“It’s a great honor,” Budenholzer said. “It says a lot about our team.

The players are the ones who put the coaching staff in that position. I’m incredibly grateful to our entire roster.”

Pascal Siakam scored 28 points for the Raptors, who dropped to 1-3 in their last four games. Kawhi Leonard added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Serge Ibaka had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell scored 10 points each.

The Raptors led 25-22 at the end of the first quarter but the Bucks took a 56-47 lead into the half.

Bledsoe nailed a three pointer with just under seven minutes to go in the third to stretch the Milwaukee lead to 22 points.

Elsewhere, Derrick White scored a career-high 26 points as the San Antonio Spurs continued their dominance at home over the Brooklyn Nets with a 117-114 win.

LaMarcus Aldridge made a clutch three point play in the final minute to help the Spurs rally in the final quarter and record their 16th consecutive win at home over the Nets.

Aldridge, who was named a re-

n Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 34) dunks over Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby (No. 3) during first-half NBA basketball action in Toronto on Friday. AP PHOTO serve on Thursday to the 2019 allstar game, finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds in the win.

DeMar DeRozan chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a three-game absence

n CJ Perez of Columbian Dyip (No. 7) scores against Northport’s Robert Bolick, Moala Tautuaa and Stanley Pringle during a Season 44 PBA Philippine Cup game last week at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. PBA MEDIA BUREAU PHOTO

Dyip gear up vs formidable Gin Kings COLUMBIAN Dyip will collide against crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 7 p.m. tonight in Season 44 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

Still reeling from a 97-107 beating from Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) , the Columbian Dyip (2-2 win-loss record) are bracing for a tough battle against the Gin Kings.

“Ginebra is coming from a loss and I know for sure Ginebra will take us seriously so I told my players that we have to compete very well from first to fourth quarter to increase our chance of winning,”

said Columbian Dyip coach John Cardel.

Cardel has high hopes for rookie CJ Perez who is averaging 16 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists in their last four games.

The Gin Kings (1-2), after an 80-83 defeat to Rain or Shine last Saturday in Calasiao, are out to redeem themselves behind Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter, Scottie Thompson and LA Tenorio.

The Bolts, meanwhile, will meet NLEX in the 4:30 p.m. first game Meralco escaped the TNT KaTropa last Wednesday, improving its win-loss record to 2-2.

Chris Newsome posted 16 of his 20

points in the second half on top of nine rebounds and five assists.

But Road Warrior JP Erram will get in the Bolts’ way. Erram had an impressive output of 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five blocks against Columbian Dyip.

“We’re very happy with the way Poy (Erram) is coming up and he is starting to settle down, which didn’t happen in the first three games. He was uncomfortable and couldn’t get his timing but slowly he’s getting there,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao of Erram.

Despite halting a three-game losing skid, the Road Warriors remain No. 10 with a 1-3 win-loss record. JOSEF T. RAMOS

Westbrook, Lowry named NBA all-star reserves LOS ANGELES: Former most valuable player Russell Westbrook and Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry head the list of reserves announced on Thursday (Friday in Manila) for the NBA all-star game.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Westbrook received his eighth all-star selection while Lowry was chosen to his fifth straight game.

Westbrook was the MVP of the 2015 and 2016 all-star games.

The other reserves named Thursday include four first-time all-stars comprising

Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons, Orlando Magic centre Nikola Vucevic, Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton.

The seven reserves from both the East and West Conferences will join the 10 starters who were announced last week.

There is no East versus West format for this year’s game. The players’ names will now go into a hat and will be selected by captains LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

The defending NBA champion Golden

State Warriors will have three all-stars, with reserve Klay Thompson joining starters Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

LaMarcus Aldridge’s selection as a reserve extends San Antonio’s streak of having at least one all-star to 21 consecutive years, the league’s longest active run.

One all-star missing is Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, who underwent surgery earlier this week to repair a torn right quadriceps tendon.

The all-star game will be played February 17 in Charlotte, N.C. AFP

because of a sore left knee.

D’Angelo Russell had 25 points, nine assists for Brooklyn.

Joe Harris and DeMarre Carroll had 18 points each for the Nets in the loss.

AFP

Knicks send Latvian Porzingis to Mavericks in multi-player trade LOS ANGELES: Kristaps Porzingis, who hasn’t played in almost a year because of injuries, was traded by the last place New York Knicks to the Dallas Mavericks in a multiplayer NBA deal on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The Knicks also gave up Trey Burke, Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway to the Mavericks for Wesley Matthews, Dennis Smith and DeAndre Jordan and two first round draft picks.

The Knicks said Porzingis, of Latvia, asked to be traded.

“Considering the uncertainty regarding Kristaps’ free agent status and his request today to be traded, we made a trade that we are confident improves the franchise,” said Knicks general manager Scott Perry.

New York (10-40) have the worst record in the NBA and are already going to get a high pick in the entry draft.

“We started to get a feel, we could see that he wasn’t completely buying into what we were trying to do,” Knicks president Steve Mills said. “And again, (during Thursday’s meeting) we wanted a confirmation from him whether he was completely in or out. He made it clear to us when he came in to meet with us that he no longer wanted to be part of our group.”

The Mavericks are hoping to re-sign the seven-foot-three Porzingis, who will be a free agent, to a long-term deal in the offseason.

Porzingis can now form a formidable frontcourt unit with Dallas rookie Luka Doncic.

The two played professionally in Spain before coming to the NBA as top-five picks.

Porzingis was the number four overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He was averaging a career-best 22.7 points per game before he was lost due to a left knee injury during 2017-18 season.

Hardaway, 26, was leading the Knicks in scoring with 19.1 points per game this season.

AFP

C2

Sports

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY February 2, 2019

UPHSD survives CSB, nears NCAA crown U

BY JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) inched closer to a second straight title after a hardearned 23-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12 victory over College of St. Benilde (CSB) in Game One of Season 94 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s volleyball tournament finals on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

Despite the Altas’ display of nerves of steel down the crucial stretch, Perpetual Help head coach Sammy Acaylar expressed dismay over his wards’ performance.

“I was not satisfied with their performance because they do well in practice and tune-up games.

Maybe because this is the final, there is the psychological aspect of the game. That’s why I told them that we should be relaxed and composed because they are too excited,” said Acaylar.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Joe Bert Almodiel scored a teamhigh 21 points all via spikes while spiker Ronniel Rosales notched 19 markers, including big hits in the endgame.

Ridzuan Muhali chipped in 16 points with the five other Altas also contributing to the win.

Perpetual Help twice overcame a set deficit to tie the game at two sets apiece.

Acaylar’s men then capitalized on St. Benilde stars Owen Bacani’s

service error and Ruvince Abrot’s two attack blunders before Rosales hit an ace for a 13-10 lead.

Abrot scored off the block to keep the Blazers’ hopes alive, 12-14, but Altas’ veteran player Mark Bation drilled in the gamewinning spike.

The Las Piñas-based Perpetual, which earned an outright finals berth after sweeping the elimination round, remained unscathed in 10 games this season.

Abrot tallied a game-best 23

EUSTAQUIO TALKS ON MORAES DEFEAT GEJE “Gravity” Eustaquio admitted to being careless against Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes following his unanimous decision loss in the main event of ONE: HERO’S ASCENT last Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Baguio City native surrendered the ONE Flyweight World Title in front of his hometown crowd to the Brazilian grappling wizard after five grueling rounds.

“Moraes’ bread and butter is his jiu-jitsu. I have to admit there were times when I got careless because I wasn’t able to defend a few takedowns,” said Eustaquio.

But despite all that Eustaquio still firmly believes he was the rightful winner of the epic trilogy.

“But if you saw the fight, I was the one to score even when he’s in the mount position. I throw punches, elbow strikes, my elbow was even in pain from hitting him in the head,” he explained.

“His striking is ok, but I think it’s fair to say that my striking is better. That’s the way I look at it. The only thing he did was a near submission.”

Initially gunning for a finish, there were instances when “Gravity” managed to stun his foe but what stood out in the match was Moraes’ Suloev Stretch in the fourth round.

That near-submission attempt was

what many believe won the match for Moraes, including ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.

Eustaquio said he would have to thoroughly watch the contest again to come up with an objective assessment, but he respects the judges’ scorecards nonetheless.

“Regarding the decision, they’re pointing out that I got stuck far too long in a leg lock. In my opinion, of course, I have to study the fight again and learn,” Eustaquio stressed.

“But it is

what it is. What hurts more is that there were two Filipino judges. But I have to stay positive, and I respect the judges’ decision at the end of the day.”

To say that the defeat was an affliction would be an understatement, but Team Lakay is willing to go back to the drawing board

to once again shoot for their lost World Titles.

“I’ve been through this before. It’s time to get back to the drawing board,” said Eustaquio.

“It hurts to smile, but we are people of the mountains and there is no mountain we cannot conquer.”

n Geje "Gravity” Eustaquio (left) blocks a kick by Adriano “Mikinho” Moraes in ONE: HERO’S ASCENT last Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

ONE CHAMPIONSHIP PHOTO

Xi ‘hates’ doping, vows tough stance for Beijing 2022 BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that he “hates” doping, laying out a tough stance against cheating at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Doping has overshadowed the Games in recent years, with Russia’s Olympic committee barred from last year’s competition in Pyeongchang because of performance-enhancing drugs.

Doping has also tainted China’s sporting record in the past decade, with some athletes stripped of Olympic medals.

Meeting with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach in Beijing, Xi said he personally objected to doping and that China has “a clear and very strong policy” on the use of drugs in sport.

“I myself hate it,” Xi said at Thursday’s meeting, according to the official Olympic website.

“I would prefer to have clean Chinese athletes than a gold medal, or any medal at all.”

Chinese athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs will receive criminal punishments and jail terms as of this year, the official Xinhua news

agency reported in December.

In 2017, a Chinese doctor told German media that there had been a systematic doping programme in China during the 1980s and 1990s across a range of sports.

Bach this week visited Beijing 2022 facilities, including the downhill skiing competition site, and said progress on venue con-

B

struction was “very impressive.”

“For every venue we have visited here, we could see what the use for it would be after the Olympic Games so that the Chinese people can then really enjoy winter sports.”

Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympics and will be the first city to have staged both a Summer and AFP Winter Games.

points built on 19 attacks and two blocks while Francis Basilan and Roniey Adviento had 15 markers each for the Arnold Laniogmentored CSB. The Blazers trio, however, got measly support as only two of their other teammates scored.

Game Two is set on next Friday, February 8.

Meanwhile, three-peat seeking Arellano University is battling Perpetual Help in the finals opener of the women’s division at press time.

Palicte scores 2nd round TKO vs Martinez FILIPINO pug Aston Palicte proved himself ready for another world title shot by beating Puerto Rican Jose Martinez via second round technical knockout on Friday in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title eliminator bout at the Viejas Casino and Resort in Alpine, California.

The Bago City, Negros Occidental native quickly showed his domination of his erstwhile-undefeated foe with massive combinations in the opening round en route to his second canto TKO win using a right head shot.

Martinez (20-1-2 win-loss-draw record with 13 knockouts) attempted to press on but referee Raul Caiz Jr. stopped the fight.

“I didn’t expect the knockout to come so fast because we expected this fight to last until seventh to eighth rounds,” Palicte, 28, told The Manila Times through overseas call. “But I felt in the opening round that I already hurt him badly with my uppercuts.”

The victory earned Palicte the right to challenge reigning WBO super flyweight champion Donnie Nietes.

“I’m just going to fight any opponent that my manager and promoter Roy Jones Jr. wants me to fight. But for now I just want to enjoy the moment because I really miss my wife and kid,” added Palicte, who improved his win-loss-draw record to 25-2-1 with 21 knockouts.

Palicte and Nietes previously collided in an all-Filipino world title showdown for the vacant WBO belt last September 8 in Inglewood, California that ended in a controversial split draw.

JOSEF T. RAMOS

The road less traveled

ASKETBALL and volleyball are the most popular mainstream sports in our country. So much so that basketball rings and volleyball nets are ubiquitous not only in the city but also in the provinces.

Not only that these two sports have captivated Filipinos worldwide, it also opened up career opportunities to amateur athletes after their collegiate years. I was able to keep in touch with two of my friends, asking them how it is like walk on the road less traveled, of leaving the #ballislife lifestyle.

Time out Maru Banaticla has always been a volleyball standout, both indoor and beach since her high school days. Unlike most athletes in her time, she was unable to participate in the UAAP during her last playing year and instead she started playing in the commercial league.

But what most of us probably did not know is that she was already taking up her masters in business administration that year. About a year went by when an opportunity to work in a multinational company presented itself. She grabbed the chance adding to the duties that was filling up her day. She had a 9-5 job, then at night she either attended class or volleyball practice. Eventually she prioritized finishing her studies and let go of her athletic pursuits. She got her MBA from the University of Santo Tomas in December 2015. Since then, she hasn’t signed up for any commercial team.

She was honest, telling me that she terribly misses the daily grind of being a student-athlete or a working athlete.

“It feels like there’s something lacking,” she says. She misses filling her day with school and/or work and practice. “I’ve recently watch an old video when I was in college and it’s kind of sad because I still want to play.” Of course, there are offers for her to come back to playing but

COURTSIDE ANGELINE GERVACIO most if not all of it is in conflict with her schedule, not to mention the nightmarish traffic she has to endure after work.

She still participates in their intercompany sportsfest, although it only happens every other year. She also joins pocket tournaments like the BVR On Tour in Currimao, Ilocos Sur last January 2018. She will be on her fifth year on the job this coming May and I asked her if she would be tempted to leave her corporate life for the hardcourt, while she’s still young. She was certain that despite the fact that she could probably earn more as an athlete, she’s firm on staying in the corporate jungle.

Forking path I was able to get in touch with a college friend, one of the members of the champion Ateneo Blue Eagle team. Jason Escueta, having just graduated from the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale, California, shares that leaving his athletic career in the Philippines was painful.

Seeing that a lot of his former teammates and closest friends have stayed on and are still playing pro ball, he gets a little bit jealous as he daydreams of killing it on the court. “At the end of the day you just have to know when you’re done.”

“Ultimately, I had to go back to the States.” Escueta, having played in the DLeague right after earning a degree in Ateneo, had to go back to the US in 2015. He had to face a tough challenge of deciding the next step, the right path, as the world of sports has been a major part of his life ever since. “I wanted to be a basketball coach,

or anything basketball related.” But this meant that he wouldn’t be able to provide enough for his new family.

I asked him how he ended up climbing sky-high ladders. He thought about being a first responder since his family members are in the medical field and the fact that he deeply appreciated the times he volunteered during typhoon seasons back in the Philippines. His EMT school also had a fire academy. One night he was invited to join the academy and the rest was history. “This is something that I really want to pursue. It’s a win-win situation for me. This is something that was in the works for me and I didn’t know it [yet]. College [was] preparing me for this line of work with all the philosophy and theology classes plus all the outreach programs they made us do. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else anymore.”

'Pabaon' I asked both of them if there was any takeout being an athlete for most of their lives. For Maru, she is very grateful that sports opened up so many opportunities for her. “Big help talaga ‘yung sports sa life ko in general.” She had a free ride form high school, through college and up until post-graduate studies. It even gave her a chance to have a job in one of the most respected companies in our country. “And it’s all because of volleyball.”

For Jason, that most of us call Jumbo, “it’s really the value of teamwork.” He says it’s also applicable in his work environment. “Just like in a game, it rarely happens that one person does the job and goes home victorious. Same for being a firefighter, it will definitely not work. It can literally kill you if you do everything on your own. At the end of the day, for both lines of work you want to go home safe, happy, and feel that you have accomplished your goal.”

˜ The Manila Times

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OS ANGELES: Justin Thomas drained four consecutive birdies to post a seven-under 64 and grab a share of the first round lead at the US PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

n Justin Thomas plays his second shot on the second hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona. AFP PHOTO

Patriots, Rams collide in Super Bowl generation game ATLANTA: Tom Brady will chase a record-breaking sixth Super Bowl crown here on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams in a clash of the generations set to rewrite NFL history.

Brady, 41, will become the oldest quarterback ever to lift the title if he masterminds yet another championship in the latest milestone of a career that has shown no signs of flagging.

A win would also see Brady become the only player in history to win six Super Bowls, an achievement which may never been beaten in an era where the average length of a playing career has shrunk to around three years according to recent statistics.

Records are also set to tumble in the event of a win by the youthful Los Angeles Rams, who are led by 24-year-old quarterback Jared Goff and head coaching prodigy Sean McVay. McVay, still only 33, will become the youngest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl if he manages to outwit Patriots counterpart Bill Belichick, 66, who has won five Super Bowls as a head coach and two as an assistant in a coaching career that dates back to 1975.

The generational chasm that exists between Sunday’s principal protagonists is highlighted by a cursory comparison of their respective biographies.

When Brady inspired the Patriots to their first Super Bowl in 2002, Goff was only seven years old.

“What do I remember about it? Nothing,” said Goff, the 2016 No.1 draft pick who has looked

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

C3

American Thomas shares early lead at Phoenix Open

Bertens aces into St. Petersburg quarters SAINT PETERSBURG: S e c ond seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands eased into the Saint Petersburg WTA indoor last eight by brushing aside Belgian qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Bertens, who is ranked eighth in the world, fired 13 aces to see off the lefthanded Bonaventure 6-4, 6-2 in one hour to record her third win over the 24-year-old in as many meetings and to chalk up her first ever in Russia.

“I’ve never won before in any tournaments that were held in Russia and I’m really happy to win today,” Bertens said.

“It’s always difficult to play against left-handed opponents but today I played well, especially in the first set when my serve was working really good.”

The 27-year-old Dutchwoman will next meet Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who upset sixth-seeded former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 6-4, 6-4.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, seeded fourth, also cruised into the last eight with a straightsets win over another Belgian player Alison Van Uytvanck 6-1, 6-4.

Sabalenka will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia who outgunned Czech Tereza Martincova 7-5, 6-2 in a battle of qualifiers. AFP

Sports

a model of calm this week as he prepares for the biggest game of his fledgling career.

Similarly, McVay was playing at quarterback for his high school football team when Belichick was winning his first championship with New England in 2002.

Moreover, the Rams’ head coach had not even turned one when Belichick helped the New York Giants win the 1987 Super Bowl as the team’s defensive coordinator.

Brady irked The vast differences in experience between the Super Bowl rivals have prompted bookmakers to install the Patriots as favorites to win a sixth title, putting them level with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the most successful franchise in history.

The Patriots, who started the season sluggishly, have once again paced their campaign to perfection.

Against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game, Brady delivered another masterpiece of composure crowned by a gamewinning drive in overtime.

The ferociously competitive Brady has sought to portray the Patriots -- the most hated NFL team in America according to a recent analysis of social media -- as underdogs, irked by suggestions earlier in the season that the team was in decline.

“It’s just part of who I am, p a r t o f my D N A , ” B r a d y said. “Those motivations run deep. And when I get them scratched at, it’s great motivation for me.”

AFP

Thomas, who began on the back nine, birdied the last hole of his front nine and then added three straight to begin the back. He also had six birdies in seven holes during the middle of his round to finish in a tie with fellow Americans Rickie Fowler and Harold Varner.

“It was very, very hard to get the balls close to the pin early in the round,” said the nine-time PGA Tour winner Thomas. “But I just continued to try to stay patient and was driving it well to where I had wedges and I made some very low-stress birdies.”

Thomas, who was one of the pretournament favorites, tied for 17th last

year. He also missed the cut twice in this event.

Fowler eagled the par-five 13th as part of a four-under score for his first eight holes, while Varner caught the leaders with three birdies on his final six holes.

J.T. Poston and Scotland’s Martin Laird are both one shot back after shooting 65s.

The Phoenix Open is the only event on the Tour’s west coast swing that doesn’t take place in California.

The tournament has finished in a playoff each of the past three years, with Japan’s Hideki Mat-

suyama winning two of those.

While Tiger Woods isn’t making an appearance, the field is still strong and features 10 of the top 30 players in the world.

There will be plenty to sort out in the second round as 38 golfers are within four shots of the leaders.

Phil Mickelson shot a threeunder 68. With his 30th start in the event, he broke a record previously shared by Gene Littler, Jerry Barber and Australia’s Jim Ferrier.

Mickelson is seeking his 500th official cut on the Tour.

Organizers put Mickelson, Matsuyama and defending champ Gary Woodland together for the first two rounds as the trio has won this event a combined half-dozen times, including the past three years.

Matsuyama shot a 68, and Woodland is at three under, aided by a burst of three straight birdies on the back nine.

AFP

Pieters seizes early top spot in controversial Saudi golf bow KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, Saudi Arabia: Thomas Pieters fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 63 to leave the big names in his wake in the opening round of the inaugural edition of the controversial Saudi International on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

The world’s Top 3 - Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson - are all competing this week despite a wave of criticism over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Pieters made the most of kinder morning conditions to roll in seven birdies and take a two-shot advantage.

Earlier, European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley defended the decision to hold the Tour’s first-ever event in Saudi Arabia.

“We obviously evaluate first and foremost the safety of our players and our staff,” he told AFP at the Sport Business Summit in Abu Dhabi. “We’re excited that the SaudiInternational is on our schedule.”

England’s Paul Casey opted out, while world No. 1 Rose protested, “I’m not a politician, I’m a pro golfer” as he explained his decision to play.

Pieters started from the 10th tee and made three birdies before making the turn and adding four more on his way back.

The Belgian leads a group of six players tied for second after rounds of 65, including England’s Ross Fisher and in-form South African Justin Harding.

Rose struggled after the long trip from Torrey Pines.

The second-ranked Koepka was marginally better with a 69, while Johnson and world No. 5 Bryson DeChambeau shot two-under-par 68s playing in the afternoon session.

n Thomas Pieters AFP PHOTO

Pieters credited his round to some fantastic approach shots.

“I hit my wedges and short irons really close to the hole. I think I had maybe ten good chances for birdie and made seven of them. It was a very good day on the greens, with a couple of long putts, as

well,” said Pieters.

Rose, on the other hand, blamed his putting for a round that saw him make just three birdies.

DeChambeau struggled for the better part of his round before making three birdies in his last five holes to get under par while Sergio Garcia started with a one-under-par 69.AFP

PVL kicks off new season with All-Star Game THE Premier Volleyball League unofficially kicks off its third season today with the traditional All-Star Game featuring the very best and some of the rising stars from the country’s premier league at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez, long considered as the face of the sport and the reigning Open Conference MVP, and fellow power hitter Myla Pablo, also a former league MVP, head the two teams facing off in the league’s special offering aimed

n Creamline’s Alyssa Valdez unloads a powerful hit against Pocari Sweat’s Myla Pablo (No. 18) during a Premier Volleyball League game at The Arena in San Juan City. FILE PHOTO

at giving back to the fans who have supported the league through the years.

The 4 p.m. match, to be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23, ABS-CBN S+A HD Channel 166 and via livestream, is also staged to generate funds for the benefit of the Hero Foundation.

“This is our gift to the fans who have been supporting us as well as to raise funds for charity,” according to Ricky Palou, president of the organizing Sports Vision Management Group, Inc. A series of activities will precede the All-Star Game, including autograph signing and photo ops at 1 p.m. to be followed by the fans’ skills game featuring dig relay, dig, set and shoot, rocket fire and service shootout.

Tickets are pegged at P50 (upper box), P200 (lower box) and P500 (ringside, inclusive of a shirt and photo ops with the players).

Pablo, who will banner Motolite’s campaign starting this season, will skipper Team Red which features Creamline’s Jia Morado and Jema Galanza, Jonah Sabete and Cherry Nunag of PetroGazz, BanKo Perlas’ Jem Ferrer and Joy Dacoron, Akari-Adamson’s Rose Ponce, Pocari-Air Force’s Dell Palomata, Tacloban’s Dimdim Pacres, and Ateneo’s Vanessa Gandler, Kat Tolentino and Bea de Leon with Oliver Almadro as mentor and Jasper Jimenez as assistant.

The two-time champion Valdez, on the other hand, will banner Team Blue that includes Creamline teammates Michelle Gumabao, Risa Sato and Melissa Gohing, BanKo Perlas’ Nicole Tiamzon and Kat Bersola, Ateneo’s Dani Ravera, Deanna Wong and Maddie Madayag, Jessey de Leon and Chie Saet of PetroGazz, Iriga Navy’s Grazielle Bombita and UP’s Isa Molde with Jerry Yee as coach and Air Padda as his assistant.

Football Benzema double sends Madrid into Copa del Rey semis G C4

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

manilatimes.net

IRONA, Spain: Karim Benzema fired Real Madrid into the semifinals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday (Friday in Manila) by scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Girona.

Benzema was on target in the first leg too, a 4-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu last week, and he continued his brilliant burst of form with another pair at Montilivi.

Pedro Porro pulled one back for Girona but any hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Marcos Llorente drove in for a 7-3 win on aggregate.

Madrid joins Barcelona, Real Betis and Valencia in the draw for the last four on Friday.

Barca, who are chasing a record fifth cup success in a row, will be the ones to avoid but Santiago Solari’s team are gaining momentum, having won six out of their last seven games, with the resumption of the Champions League just around the corner.

Benzema has been key to that run, the Frenchman scoring five goals now in three matches and even casting doubt on Gareth Bale’s place in the side.

“I am sorry for those who only discovered Benzema last week,” Solari said afterwards.

“Karim has been doing this for many years, he has great talent and is a team player. Although it’s true, he’s in a great run of form.”

Bale has only just returned from a calf injury but was left out of the starting line-up, instead having to wait until the 67th minute to replace the in-form Vinicius Junior.

Perhaps Solari was keen not to rush Bale back but Vinicius and Benzema combined well again for the second goal and there might be a reluctance to break up a burgeoning partnership.

If Alex Granell’s free-kick had dropped into the far corner in the second minute, perhaps the contest would have been different but it clipped the crossbar and stayed out, much to the relief of Keylor Navas.

The opening half an hour was lacking in spark but came to life when Benzema darted in from the right, used Dani Carvajal as a wall and drove a left-footed shot past Gorka Iraizoz.

Marcelo should have doubled the lead after a brilliant Brazilian combination with Vinicius, who dragged the ball one way then the other into the full-back’s path. Marcelo nutmegged Marc Muniesa but failed to finish.

Vinicius was involved in Benzema’s second too, weaving in from the left and rolling inside. Benzema took one touch and curled it low, inside the far post.

Lucas Vazquez should have made it three after half-time but somehow managed to slice onto the post with the goal gaping.

Bale came on and tested Iraizoz from range but Girona pulled one back when Porro nipped in behind and slid a finish under Navas with 19 minutes left.

Porro rushed to collect the ball out of the net but the revival was short-lived. Llorente drilled a shot into the corner from 25 yards to keep Madrid’s resurgence rolling on. AFP

n Real Madrid’s Daniel Ceballos heads the ball with Girona’s Paik Seung-ho during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) quarterfinal second leg football match at the Montilivi Stadium in Girona. AFP PHOTO

Deyto headlines BIG GUNS JUVE, ROMA, NAPOLI LIMP BACK TO SERIE A Stallion Laguna’s new signings MILAN: Italian champion Juventus turn their focus back to their quest for an eighth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday against Parma just days after the holders’ bruising Coppa Italia exit.

PHILIPPINe Azkals goalkeeper Patrick Deyto transferred from Davao Aguilas FC to Stallion Laguna FC, headlining the club’s new signings for this year’s football season.

The 28-year old Deyto, who boasts of 17 appearances for the national team, was enlisted in the 26-man roster recently revealed by the Laguna-based team.

Deyto played four years for Global Cebu FC before taking his act to Davao Aguilas. The Mindanao-based squad, though, folded up prompting its players to look for new teams.

Former Davao and Cebu midfielder Daniel Gadia and ex-Global players Jinggoy Valmayor and Ojay Clarino found a new home in Stallion Laguna.

Ian Clarino, Selu Lozano, Andoni Suescun, Michael Sims and Korean booters Joshua Kim, Kim Deong Hyeon and Kang Jong Min were also inserted to the lineup.

The new additions are expected to fill the gap left by Swiss forward Carlo Polli, Yannick Tuason, Yuki Ishihara, Jason Cordova, Paolo Bugas, Ko Kyung Joon, Terrence Linatoc and goalie Jhun Tripulca.

Azkals standouts Fitch Arboleda, Jhan Melliza and Ruben Doctora will remain to lead the Stallions along with mainstays Matthew Nierras, Nathan Alquiros, Abou Sy and keeper Benito Rosalia.

Besides boosting their roster, head coach Ernest Nierras also bared that a partnership with youth club Makati Football Club (MFC) is underway.

“We would like to announce that Stallion Laguna FC and MFC are in final negotiations to merge football operations,” said Nierras through a post in the club’s Facebook page.

“Now you will have a Youth Academy player that has a career roadmap from youth to professional ranks. MFC’s forte is in youth academy football and SLFC’s forte is professional football,” he added.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

The big guns all suffered upsets with Juventus crashing 3-0 to Atalanta, Napoli falling 2-0 to AC Milan and Roma suffering a 7-1 humiliation at Fiorentina.

Juventus had signed Cristiano Ronaldo last summer from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($114 million) as they pushed for a treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia crowns.

But the dream evaporated as the Portuguese star played a peripheral role in Bergamo, dumping his team out of the competition they had won the previous four years.

“It’s not an evening to forget, but one to remember, often, to prevent it from happening again,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri of his side’s first defeat in 23 domestic games this season.

Unbeaten in the league, Juventus are comfortably cruising 11 points clear of secondplaced Napoli in Serie A after 21 games.

Allegri urged the team to react accordingly ahead of their Champions League last 16 first leg tie against Atletico Madrid on February 20.

“If you react in the right way, these nights can do you good and help you to raise your level of focus,” said Allegri.

“Obviously, that needs to start on Saturday with a win over Parma.”

The defeat was damaging in every way.

Skipper Giorgio Chiellini limped off with a calf problem to join fellow defender Leonardo Bonnucci and center back Andrea Brazagli on the injury table.

German midfielder Emre Can—who conceded an own-goal in Juventus’s come-from-behind win against Lazio last weekend—remains in doubt with a gastrointestinal bug.

But veteran Uruguay defender Martin Caceres could get his first start after arriving from Lazio on loan, in Juve’s only signing of the January transfer window.

AFP

n Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez (top) collides with Lazio’s Francesco Acerbi during the Italian Tim Cup round of eight football match at the San Siro Stadium in Milan. AFP PHOTO

Man City, Liverpool look for fresh impetus

n Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino (left) vies with Leicester City’s Nampalys Mendy during the English Premier League football match at Anfield in Liverpool, England. AFP PHOTO

LONDON: Manchester City have another chance to ratchet up the pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool this weekend as both teams seek to recover from disappointing midweek results.

Pep Guardiola’s defending champions, who host Arsenal on Sunday, had the opportunity to cut Liverpool’s lead to a single point on Tuesday, at least temporarily, but slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle.

Jurgen Klopp’s team, who face a tricky-looking trip to West Ham on Monday, were unable to fully capitalize, held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester the following evening.

Adding to the intrigue, Tottenham, for many weeks on the fringes of the ti-

tle race, are now just two points behind City despite being without the injured Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

AFP Sports picks out some of the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

Can Liverpool conquer nerves?

Liverpool looked on course to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League when Sadio Mane gave them an early lead against Leicester but they were pegged back and had to settle for a draw.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are five points clear of Manchester City with 14 games to go but former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand suggested nerves are already playing a part at Anfield.

“That is something Klopp will have to address,” said the BT Sport pundit. “You don’t want to see nerves at this stage, this is early.

“I think they looked nervous, the crowd were nervous and it fed into the players.”

Can Man City recover fear factor?

Manchester City enjoyed more than threequarters of the possession against Newcastle but still ended on the losing side -- their fourth Premier League defeat of the season.

Guardiola’s team appeared to have put December’s wobble behind them and had smashed in 29 goals without reply in all competitions going into the match at St James’s Park.

Their past three league defeats have come in games in which they have taken the lead, a run the manager will be desperate to end.

Spurs look to Son for inspiration Mauricio Pochettino admitted he did not want Son Heung-min to play the full 90 minutes of his side’s 2-1 win against Watford on Wednesday but circumstances forced his hand.

The South Korean, playing in his first match since returning from the Asian Cup, was the standout player against Watford and netted their crucial equalizer.

Pochettino knows how much he needs Son in the absence of Kane and Alli, even if he is aware of the need to avoid burnout. AFP

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019

Entertainment www.manilatimes.net

BEYOND THE HIL ARIOUS ‘MEMES’

Young stars reveal real ‘Kara Mia’ challenge

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

W

HEN GMA first uploaded the teaser of their new fantasy drama series “Kara Mia,” netizens had a field day.

The story of conjoined twins Kara and Mia who share a single head and body was just too appealing for imaginative Filipino netizens not to play with that a barrage of memes went up online in time. Think of Barbie Forteza and Mika de la Cruz’s sweet faces back to back on just about any situation — winning hide and seek games, driving in reverse and so on and so forth.

But rather than get offended by what other celebrities would easily denounce as bashing, the young actresses are simply laughing along with everyone else.

“Ang galing ng naiisip nila, all the effort they put into the memes.

rarest malformations in humans, is still unexplained — whether it is mythical or medical.

Forteza portrays Kara, the kindhearted girl who deeply cares for her sister; while de la Cruz plays Mia, the face behind Kara’s head who has strong jealousy over Kara.

Definitely unlike the memes, playing conjoined characters is no laughing matter for both Forteza and de la Cruz.

“It would usually take us three hours to complete one scene together, which would run for only two minutes on screen,” Forteza vol-

Hindi pa man kami pinapalabas, kalat na kalat na yung show.

Kami-kami mismo nag-she-share sa isa’t isa pag may bago kaming meme na nakita,” Forteza revealed

at the series’ media launch.

“Hindi lang namin ine-expect na kakagatin nila yung idea, pero kung ganito ka-unique yung concept at hindi kakagatin ng audience, mas dapat siguro kami kabahan,” de la Cruz added.

Grateful for the buzz, the actresses agreed, “Bad publicity is still publicity so we take it.”

Inspiration Based on a true story from India and an urban legend in Great Britain, the series follows the lives of two sisters born with Disprosopus or craniofacial duplication, a congenital defect where they have two faces but share only one body.

Until today, the origin of this condition, which is one of the

n The series follows the lives of two sisters born with a congenital defect where they have two faces but share only one body. unteered, adding that their director Dominic Zapata is very meticulous about what they present on screen.

In fact, just to achieve a “realistic” appearance of Kara and Mia, Zapata decided to go back to using

n Challenging is an understatement for Barbie Forteza (left) and Mika de la Cruz's roles in ‘Kara Mia.’ film cameras and taping from story boards to ensure better fluidity from scene to scene.

“It’s the little details that Direk Dom pays attention to so we can perfect a scene,” Forteza noted.

And indeed, they have had to tape their scenes literally standing back-to-back rather than take the easier green-chroma option where post-production would merely stick dela Cruz’s face on the back of Forteza’s head.

“We did a few scenes separately using the green screen, but they said our reactions weren’t as natural as when we’d shoot our scenes together,” de la Cruz explained.

“And since I play the sister sa

likod ng ulo, ang extra challenge sa akin is that I have to be bonded so my chest would be flat and appear like a real back,” she added.

Both young actresses are very much up for the

OR some undisputable reason, Spring producers, Kuya Wes is their most recent Films production company celebrated production. Their film outfit has produced on January 28 their 10th year in the movie hit movies such as “Kimmy Dora: Ang industry with a reception Kiyemeng Prequel,” “Relaks, and special screening of It’s Just Pag-ibig,” “Northern last year’s Cinemalaya Lights: A Journey to Love,” entry “Kuya Wes” at the “Kita Kita,” “Last Night,” and University of the Philip“Meet Me in St. Gallen.” pines Cine Adarna.

Director Joyce swears to proThe plot is very simple duce more indie film projects but wholesome. Kuya Wes is played by Ogie with viable commercial and critical appeal Alcasid — a timid and earnest remittance clerk as long as there are willing and supportive falls who in love with his regular customer co-producers who are sold to their notion of Erika played by Ina Raymundo. producing indie films far from the formulaic He asks love advice from practice of the status of quo both his customers and colfilmmaking these days. leagues, so he’ll know how She made mention of to ask her for a date. Their the monster hit indie film relationship deepens and he Kita Kita which grossed started to help her out with over 300 million pesos and her money as Erika’s overseas still counting as the film is husband left her. This leads going the rounds of exhibihim to mar his relationship tions abroad. It dislodged with his brother. However, the previous title holder of the husband finally returns the highest earning indie film to reunite with Erika which “Heneral Luna.” saw Wes’ world shattered.

Asked why she ventured It is a good to note that the into film production, the film’s director James Mayo is n Spring Films founder and lady director enthused, saying the brother of Director Wil- director Joyce Bernal. that it is an integral part of her liam Mayo, the current President passion to produce, other than of Kapisanan Ng Mga Direktor Ng Pelikulang directing, out-of-the box film projects and see Pilipino of the Film Academy of the Philippines. to them that it is patronized by the general run James’ previous debut movie “The Chanter” was of the moviegoing public. also a Cinemalaya entry the other year. Both Director Joyce Bernal also pointed out films were critically-acclaimed. that she was inspired by the breakthrough According to Spring Films founder-direc- film projects of the maverick director and tor Joyce Bernal who was on hand with co- producer Jerry Bruckheimer who has become producer Piolo Pascual to welcome friends one of the top contemporary influencers in from the media, colleagues and prospective Hollywood filmmaking.

CAVEAT GEORGE VAIL KABRISTANTE

Of kisses and high profile premieres T

HE beautiful Janine Gutierrez had a solo interview with a small entertainment huddle and was finally comfortable enough with her much talked about kissing scene with leading man Enchong Dee in next week’s big romcom release, “Elise.”

“I was so nervous!” admitted the talented daughter of Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher, who has for her grandparents Pilita Corrales, Eddie Guttierez, Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor.

She jokingly followed up she soon realized she shouldn’t have been that nervous because, “Ga-

challenge of Kara Mia because they believe in the unique story the show is about to bring to Filipino homes beginning this month.

“The way I see it, kung ngay-

Asked how it’s like to work with the ABS-CBN heartthrob, she easily replied, “It’s fun and we bonded well because we’ve known each other even before making this movie.”

And then it hit everyone that Enchong happens to be best friends with Janine’s rumored boyfriend Rayver Cruz.

Willing the group to change topics, Janine sweetly and smoothly segued back to the Regal Entertainment Valentine offering and promised audiences will enjoy a different kind of romantic comedy with Elise.

“I don’t want to give too much away but all I can say is that the storyline is something fresh and

on pinagtatawanan nila yung memes, darating yung araw na

they’ll get so curious about the show that they’re bound to check it out — and we’re pretty confident they’ll get hooked from just one episode. Our story is really that good,” de la Cruz declared.

The cast of Kara Mia also includes Jak Roberto, Paul Salas, Carmina Villarroel, Glydel Mercado, Mike Tan, John Estrada. Alicia Alonzo, Althea Ablan, Liezel Lopez and Karenina Haniel.

far from the type of rom-coms we have in mind,” she ended. kkk President Rodrigo Duterte as everyone surely knows by now attended the premiere night of his former PNP chief’s biopic, “Bato: The General Ronald dela Rosa Story.” He was definitely the biggest star among the many government officials who also came to watch the movie on Tuesday night at the SM Megamall Cinemas.

A total of three cinemas were allotted for the premiere which also serves as the maiden offering of ALV Films, with Regal Entertainment as distributor.

ROVING EYE RICKY CALDERON

noon lang pala iyon!”

Joyce Bernal in the footsteps of Jerry Bruckheimer F

D1

n Enchong Dee

n Janine Gutierrez INSTAGRAM PHOTOS Everyone was amazed that President Duterte stayed until the end of the premiere, especially since Gen. Bato said he wasn’t sure the Chief Executive would be able to attend to start with.

Other celebrities who graced the event were Sen. Koko Pimentel, Jr. and Sen. Manny Pacquiao, and the cast members namely Monsour del Rosario, Efren Reyes, Polo Ravales and Ricky Davao.

Of course, Robin Padilla who portrayed the main character was present together with his lovely wife, Mariel Padilla.

The movie opened Wednesday and still showing nationwide.

D2

Funtimes

SATURDAY February 2, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

By Samantha Weaver

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

Solution to puzzle

©2019 King Features Syndicate Inc.

King Features Weekly Service

Minor-suit games are comparatively rare because they amount to a prediction that precisely 11 tricks will be made, neither more nor less. In the great majority of cases where there are 11 potential tricks in a minor-suit contract, three notrump will prove easier to make.

However, hands exist where the minor-suit game makes and the notrump game does not. Such hands

require accurate bidding, but the ultimate reward is well worth the effort.

Take a case like this one, where North-South avoided the treacherous three-notrump contract and wound up scoring a slam instead.

The first key bid was North’s three diamonds. North certainly had the high-card values necessary for a raise to three notrump, but, with a singleton spade, he decided to warn South that a notrump contract could be dangerous.

This message was not lost on South, who next bid three hearts. This action served several purposes. It not only showed heart control, but also implied concern about spades. In addition, it kept the door open to game in notrump while also serving as a cuebid in case North harbored slam aspirations.

North thereupon jumped to five diamonds. This bid clearly implied control of spades in the form of either a singleton or a void, since otherwise North would presumably have taken the easier route to game in notrump.

At the same time, the jump to five diamonds indicated extra strength and the willingness to undertake a slam if South had the appropriate values.

South was pleased to accept the invitation. He knew that North had queen-high trump support at best, and so almost surely had the A-K of clubs and king of hearts to account for his previous bids, making the slam an excellent proposition.

January 21, 2019

SCIENTIFIC BIDDING

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To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Take new professional territory. Keep your cool, and make detailed plans to advance without controversy. You have everything you need. Get help building your dream.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 7 -- Deviations and diversions line the road. Distractions abound. Don’t get rushed into splurging on a whim. Stop and smell the roses in your own garden.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Coordinate plans and budgets with your partner to avoid waste. Traffic and delays could frustrate. Slow down, and take care of business together.

Prepare invoices.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Collaborate with a partner to minimize fuss and effort. Don’t take action yet. Love strikes when least expected. Discover a fascinating plot twist.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Changes and confusion could stress you. Things may be in a state of flux. Draw upon hidden resources. Stick to practiced routines, and prioritize health.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Passions are in high gear. Look before you leap! Wait for developments. Impulsive actions can fall flat. Consider that you don’t have the full picture.

Stay gracious.

» SUDOKU

• It was Leroy “Satchel” Paige, arguably the best pitcher in baseball history, who made the following sage observation: “Never look back. Something might be gaining on you.”

• The “Harley” in “Harley-Davidson” comes from William Harley, one of the motorcycle company’s three founders. His is a common surname in England with roots in Old English, in which language it means, literally, “pile of rocks.”

• A narwhal’s horn isn’t a horn; it’s a tooth — the left front tooth, to be specific. As such, it’s considered to be a tusk, making the narwhal the world’s only animal with a tusk that’s straight rather than curved. The tusk was highly prized in the Middle Ages, fetching as much as 10 times its weight in gold for those fortunate enough to have one to sell.

• Those who study such things say that millions of trees are planted accidentally when absent-minded squirrels forget where they buried their nuts.

• Charlie Chan, the fictional Honolulu detective, was created in 1919 by novelist Earl Derr Biggers. The books featuring Chan became so popular that the character made the leap to radio, movies and television. Even though more than a dozen actors have portrayed the detective over the years, not one of them has been of Chinese ancestry.

• A scorpion can live for an entire year without eating.

• In the 1830s you could give someone a “blizzard.” Back then, of course, the word wasn’t referring to a snowstorm; rather, that phrase meant to give someone a piece of one’s mind.

• In the original calculations made by NASA experts, a landing on the moon was thought to have only a 5 percent chance of success. *** Thought for the Day: “One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him.” — Chinese proverb © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Plan home improvements in detail before committing time or money. Clear clutter and clean domestic messes. Test colors in advance. Less is more.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Stay objective in a tense situation. Listening is more powerful than speaking. Resist jumping to conclusions. Remain open to suggestions. Investigate a fascinating attraction.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Develop profitable ideas. Try not to break anything. You don’t have to tell everyone everything. Avoid impulsive spending. You can get what you need.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is an 8 -- Try a different power tactic. Make a personal change, but watch for hidden complications.

Make plans for action later. Get your partner on board with your plan.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is a 5 -- Postpone overstimulating activities. Wait for a better time to push ahead. Rest and recharge instead. Save money, and lay low. Peaceful reflection provides fruitful results.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Your team is especially hot. Success arises through diversity of perspective.

Avoid distractions. Coordinate your wider view together. Keep everyone in the loop.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK.Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

PAGE FROM THE PAST

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

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019

Lifestyle

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n EJ Falcon

n Iñigo Pascual

n Piolo Pascual

Of stars and sports – celebs hit the courts anew C O-STARS and friends became teammates and cheerleaders as camaraderie, teamwork and sportsmanship made this year’s Sun Vs. Stars sportsfest held at Camp Aguinaldo on January 27.

Star Magic’s 2019 sportsfest was divided into four Harry Potter-inspired teams namely Gry­ ffinRed, BlackPuff, SlytheGreen and SlytheGreen with four diffe­ rent sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton and other fun games.

The GryffinRed team eventually emerged as this year’s over-all champion followed by team SlytheGreen and BlackPuffs, as the first and second runners up, respectively.

GryffinRed headed by Ejay Falcon won in the basketball category.

With him are Patrick Sugui, Anjo Damiles and Bugoy Cariño who were eventually chosen to be part of the Mythical 5, while newbie Raven Molina was named Rookie of the Year. Star Magic Dream Team’s captain Gerald Anderson took home the Most Valuable Player.

The badminton games saw familiar and new tandems as Piolo and son Iñigo Pascual bagged the second place, while PJ Endrinal and Dominic Roque bested everyone in the men’s doubles category.

Erich Gonzales and her

partner from the Green team, emerged as the champion in the women’s doubles category.

While Arron Villaflor with his partner, won the mixed doubles category. Gonzales and Roque were unsurprisingly hailed as the Best Players in badminton.

The volleyball games were equally exciting as the Green team composed of Julia Barretto, Vivoree Esclito, Ashley Colet, Dionne Monsanto, Magui Planas and Chokoleit, among others, were named as the champion. Colet, Chokoleit, Bugoy, Planas, Nikki Valdez and Barretto formed part volleyball’s Mythical 6, with Barretto named Best Player.

Soon as the awards were given out, some artists further flexed their leg muscles as they joined the 3,000 other participants of the SunPiology run.

As a way of concluding the productive and healthy day, promising stars Vivoree Esclito, Heaven Peralejo, Marlo Mortel, Maris Racal and Iñigo Pascual, treated the runners and their co-stars with their exceptional performances during the after run show.

n Julia Barretto

n Robi Domingo

n Erich Gonzales

n Jairus Aquino

n Gerald Anderson

n RK Bagatsing

The Minority Floor Leader's major birthday bash T

HE posh Manila Polo Club was ablazed with stars, as celebrities from the entertainment and political spheres trooped to the club’s main lounge to celebrate the birthday of the beloved congressman Danny Suarez of the 3rd district of Quezon Province, also the Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives.

The pack was led by singer-actress Vina Morales and the rib-tickling duo of "Eat

Bulaga’s" Jose Manalo and Willy Bayola.

The shindig was full of good vibes as guests took turns in singing and dancing. Rep. Suarez even serenaded his wellwishers with songs like Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife and “My Way.” Also spotted were politicians such as Senators Bong Revilla and Nancy Binay, Makati Mayor Abby Binay with husband, Congressman Joey Campos, Rep. Baby Arenas

n Makati Mayor Abby Binay and Malabon Vice Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.

n Sen. Nancy Binay, Sen. Cynthia Villar and Erminia de Castro.

HI! SOCIETY BECKY GARCIA

of Pangasinan’s 3rd District, Martin Romualdez and his wife, Rep. Yedda Romualdez of Leyte’s 1st District, Rep. Ricky Sandoval of Malabon’s lone district, with his wife, Jeannie, vice mayor of Malabon City and the officialdom of Quezon.

One of the celebration’s highlights was Jose Manalo’s rib-tickling banters with the yayas of the Suarez’ who also joined the merriment. It was a celebration, filled with singing, laughter and affection to the celebrant.

Happy Birthday Congressman Suarez!

n Quezon Province 3rd District Representative Danny Suarez (leftmost) and family.

n Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo and Joanna Suarez.

n Vina Morales and Joanna Suarez

n Rep. Ted Montero, Rep. Pido Garbin, Sen. Bong Revilla and Eddie Gonzales.

n Rep. Mayor Lito with wife Beng and Rep. Danny Suarez.

n Vice Mayor of Unisan Danilo Suarez Jr. and Rowena Cuyco- Suarez

n Rep. Martin Romualdez, Quezon Province Governor Jayjay and Amma Suarez and Rep. Joey Campos.

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SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2019

EDITOR Tessa Mauricio-Arriola STAFF WRITERS Christina Alpad & Iza Iglesias DESKMAN Arlo Custodio

Creativity, inspiration and diversity at HK Fashion Week

BY NIKA ROQUE

W

ITH consumers generally shopping based on emerging fashion trends from season to season, the year’s first edition of Hong Kong Fashion Week intensified its efforts to bridge the market with the side of designers and manufacturers alike by mounting a multi-platform festival where active exchange among everyone is possible.

Spread over four whole days, the annual Hong Kong Trade and Development (HKTD) Council endeavor gathered some 1,400 exhibitors at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre which comprised of large and small fashion and accessories houses, specialized clothing boutiques, textile manufacturers, program designers and various other suppliers related to both the creative and production side of the industry. Put simply, it had everything one would need to become the next big fashion designer or fashion icon with inspiration, creativity and abundant ideas bursting at the seams.

The first of three yearly editions, Hong Kong Fashion Week (HKFW) in January highlights the fashion world’s Fall-Winter season, with this particular outing exhibiting classic fur coats, bubble jackets and knitted sweaters, and balanced with modern streetwear, bold accessories, and sustainable fashion pieces.

Art on scarves A festival eye-catcher was Plume Nova, a company based in India that creates scarves and shawls for women. The com-

pany was founded by Anuj Khandelwal and his wife Vinita whose creative partnership made use of India’s indigenous kalamkari or hand-painting technique to execute their more contemporary designs. The scarves are perfect for any occasion and can always be trusted to enliven any outfit.

“We do our own weaving and color dyeing, but our specialty is hand-painting,” Khandelwal proudly told The Ma-

n Fashionally, a company that supports up-andcoming designers produced this year’s set of runway shows with a storytelling approach.

nila Times Look Book.

“In hand-painting, the front and the back are always [of] the same [print] as opposed to digital printing on thick fabric. Also if digital printing is done on silk or other materials, it could have color variations. At Plume Nova, We have mastered the art where the full piece will look exactly the same,” he continued, showing all sides and surfaces of one of their pieces which bore identical strokes.

Khandelwal added he would like to believe their scarves are on a different level compared to the usual competition for the fact that they can use ten colors in a single piece. Moreover, their scarf-making venture goes beyond art and fashion since they ultimately advocate social and environmental advocacies.

n Fashion as art and art as fashion in Arto’s exhibit.

To make an impact on society, Plume Nova creates scarves backed by a passion for the environment and women empowerment.

“We only use eco-friendly products— organic dyes and chemicals,” said Khandelwal. “And we also support women empowerment among our employees.

You may have heard a lot of things about how they are treated in India but at Plume Nova, we have created a very secure environment for our female workers. We provide them transportation to and from work and their hours with us are also shorter. These are the small things we do to help.”

Storytelling on the runway As always, Hong Kong Fashion Week also mounted runway shows throughout the festival with each one presented this year as a story from the featured designers.

Meant to be interpreted by the audience, the shows leaned more on the performing arts while still highlighting inventive fashion collections.

Crowds gathered at these shows which were produced by Fashionally, a company that supports up-and-coming designers with workshops and the opportunity to bring their work to a global audience at Hong Kong Fashion Week.

n Unisex streetwear by YMDH. n Plume Nova takes pride in their beautiful scarves showcasing classic Indian techniques.

n Plume Nova embroidery.

n Plume Nova handpainting.

n From Puyuan China.

n From Istituto Di Moda Burgo.

n Modest but modern at the Indonesian fashion show.

˜ The Manila Times

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LIFESTYLE@MANILATIMES.NET

SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

Dress and accessorize auspiciously for the Year of the Pig F n In a Pig’s Eye! Just borrowing the 17th century phrase to mean small eyes at the time. But no matter how small or big your peepers are, you should always take time to care for them with restful sleep, especially this new year in theme! Japanese fast fashion brand Miniso is ready to get ‘em covered with creative eye masks that are just too adorable! Oink!

EBRUARY 5 is our second shot at starting over again what with the Year of the Pig in the Chinese calendar unfolding across many Asian countries and Chinese communities around the world.

Let us take this chance to pursue anew what we promised but failed to do when 2019 rolled in, exactly as we did then: With open hearts, open minds, optimism, determination… and fabulous fashion and awesome accessories!

Gong xi fa cai Look Book readers! Wishes for a truly auspicious—and stylish—Chinese New Year to all.

n A fabulous Finders Keepers Orphelia Dress that’s bound to bring luck to anyone who wears it.

n Tadashi Shoji off shoulder knee-length dress in wine. n Carry your fortune in this Lipault Bowling Bag in cherry red.

Wake up to a brand new Chinese New Year in this Natori Japonisme pyjama set.

n Welcome the Year of the Pig looking simply beautiful in this Bardot Paris Lace Dress.

n Seafolly Daydreamer ‘80s tank maillot.

Rascals in red. Even your little ones should welcome the Chinese New Year in the most auspicious color there is! Girls will surely look charming in Rustanette’s floral applique dress and shiny bow flats; while boys who refuse to dress up in red can just do so underneath with these cool boxers, or as they sleep through Chinese New Year’s Eve in these chill pyjamas, also from Rustanette.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUSTAN’S AND MINISO

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 n Shaina Magdayao

All that glitters New Year shindig sees stars sparkle on ‘Pure Magic’ blue carpet

T

HE biggest and brightest ABS-CBN Star Magic artists ushered in the new year with a grand and sparkling gathering fittingly dubbed “Pure Magic.”

Held exactly a week ago at the posh Marquis Events Place at Fort Bonifacio Global City, the all-star party had the talent management’s Alisters walking the blue carpet in the night’s requested attire: All that glitters.

Spotted bringing glam and pure magic in their hot and fashion forward ensembles were celebrity couples Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, and Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia.

Solo but sizzling nonetheless were Angelica Panganiban, Shaina Magdayao, Jessy Mendiola, Janella Salvador, Elisse Joson, Jane Oineza, Sofia Andres, Barbie Imperial, Maris Racal, Sue Ramirez, Yen Santos, Coleen Garcia, Denise Laurel, Pokwang, Kisses Delavin and Kim Chiu.

Dashing leading men Piolo Pascual, Enchong Dee, McCoy de Leon, RK Bagatsing, Jameson Blake, Sam Milby, Elmo Magalona,

Donny Pangilinan, Arjo Atayde, Ejay Falcon and Zanjoe Marudo, among others, also took their A-game to the blue carpet.

Even the night’s performers were all dolled and groomed up, including Vina Morales, Klarisse de Guzman, Liezel Garcia, Tippy Dos Santos, Nyoy Volante, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan, Eric Nicolas, Nyoy Volante, PJ Endrinal and Alexa Ilacad, who all jammed with the Six Part Invention band.

But even as everyone came picture perfect (read: fashion editorial-ready), there were still supernovas who emerged from ABS-CBN’s bright constellation, winning the night’s special awards.

Kim Chiu was named Pure Star of the Night; KZ Tandingan, Pure Glam of the Night; and Piolo Pascual, Pure Lit of the Night.

n Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson

n Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla

n Piolo Pascual

n Angelica Panganiban

n Jessy Mendiola

n Kisses Delavin

n Zanjoe Marudo

n Sam Milby

n Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber

n Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia

n Kim Chiu

˜ The Manila Times

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SATURDAY

FEBRUARY 2, 2019

‘Twas all about modern glam at SAG 2019 T

BY CHRISTINA ALPAD

HE Screen Actors Guild Awards 2019 did not disappoint in bringing the world’s biggest stars albeit on a different colored carpet this year.

Nominees and A-listers alike walked to the SAG on a silver carpet to mark the 25th anniversary of the awards show, which is considered very special by many actors for the winners are voted by actors themselves.

Taking their cue from the celebratory mood of this year’s edition, the stars looked just as festive in their silver carpet best, strutting gowns in “modern glam” from all the feathers, ruffles and glitters spread across “Crazy Rich Asian” star Gemma Chan’s layered

Oscar de la Renta; Michelle Yeoh’s embellished bodice and fabulous skirt by Elie Saab; and Constance Wu’s glittering Oscar de la Renta gown.

Also included in the stand-out-list are “Mary Queen of Scots” lead Margot Robbie in her classic white and gold Chanel., as well as celebrities who

didn’t shy away from wearing vivid colors that were the perfect contrast to the silver carpet.

Take a look at Laverne Cox in red Zac Posen, Emily Blunt in pink Michael Kors, and Susan Kelechi Watson in yellow Christian Siriano.

Congratulations are in order too for non-conforming ladies who truly rocked modern glam like Emma Stone in her gold embellished one-shoulder blouse and wide-legged trousers from Louis Vuitton; and Yara Shahidi’s Fendi sparkling pink jumpsuit overlaid with sheer tulle.

As Vogue put it, stars embraced the “maximalist sensibility of old Hollywood” at the SAG. “Rather than revisit the days of Rita Hayworth

n Lady Gaga in Dior Haute Couture and Tiffany & Co. blings.

AP PHOTOS

though, showgoers kept things fresh with clean lines and embellishment aplenty,” the fashion bible’s Janelle Okwodu noted in her review.

She was practically talking about Amy Adams in her peplum dress from Celine by Hedi Slimane and Mandy Moore’s bejeweled offtheshoulder from Jason Wu. Nevertheless, still touted the most glam of them all was Lady Gaga in her neat low bun, dark makeup, head-turning low-cut, high-slit Dior Haute Couture and 18 carat yellow gold jewelry from Tiffany & Co. The Lady is definitely on a winning streak as the awards season continues. Question is, can she keep it up for the grand finale later this month at at the Oscars. It won’t be long until we find out. n Michelle Yeoh in Elie Saab

n Mandy Moore in Jason Wu

n Gemma Chan in Oscar de la Renta

n Margot Robbie in Chanel

n Amy Adams in Celine by Hedi Slimane

n Susan Kelechi Watson in Christian Siriano

n Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

n Yara Shahidi in Fendi Couture

n LaVerne Cox in Zac Posen

n Emily Blunt in Michael Kors