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VOL. XXXII • NO. 184 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

WHERE HEROES ARE MADE. The 17-day 2018 Asian Games, officially known as the 18th Asian Games, begins today in clinquant opening ceremonies at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (above) in Jakarta, with 272 athletes from the Philippines (below) high in hope they would do the tricolors and their countrymen proud, and improve on their 22nd ranking in the 2014 Games in Incheon, South Korea. AFP, Contributed Photo

‘Ghost payees’ bedevil 4Ps By Maricel V. Cruz

LAWMAKER urged the government on Friday to purge the list of beneficiaries for its cash dole program, to exclude those who did not withdraw the funds waiting for them at the Land Bank of the Philippines.

272 PH athletes to chase Asian medals By Riera Mallari THE bulk of the Philippine delegation left for Jakarta, Indonesia on Friday in time for Saturday’s glitzy opening ceremonies of the 2018 Asian Games. Sports ofﬁcials made no predictions on how far the Philippines and its 272 athletes could go in the games featuring Asia’s best athletes. For President Rodrigo Duterte, members of the delegation are already heroes in his eyes, urging them

to do their best, fair and square in the games slated from Aug. 18 to Sept. 3. “Sa pananaw ng presidente, they are already heroes, for as long as they do their best,” said Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, who encouraged the athletes to dream of the Olympics and a medal when they compete in the games. “All 272 athletes have that dream when they prepare. What we can do is hope and pray that they will do their best,” added Ramirez. Next page

Rody hailed for calling out China on WPS FORMER Foreign Affairs secretary Albert del Rosario on Friday hailed President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call for China to temper its behavior in the West Philippine Sea amid reports that Beijing warned a Philippine military aircraft that had ﬂown over its manmade islands in the disputed region. “We want to respectfully commend President Duterte on his recent remarks about China’s aggressive and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea. Nine out of 10 Filipinos would be encouraged and inspired by this manifestation of our President’s posi-

tive leadership,” Del Rosario said. The former DFA chief was speaking at the “Challenge to a Rules-Based International System: Moving Forward” forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute in Taguig City. A recent news report said the Chinese military can be heard ordering a Philippine military aircraft to “leave immediately” or else they will “bear responsibility for all the consequences.” The Chinese military also reportedly issued a warning to a US military aircraft which conducted similar

At the same time, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy urged the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ﬁle charges against any personnel found to be defrauding the government of funds from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) or who did not make sure the “4Ps database has integrity and the system works as it should.” Dy’s statement came after the Commission on Audit reported P10.76 bil-

lion in unliquidated balance of fund transfers to the LandBank; P5.385 billion in unclaimed cash grants for over-the-counter payments (2013 to 2017); P1.323 billion in account balances not withdrawn; and P1.2 billion in 1.89 million accounts with outstanding balances. Dy said P15 billion in unliquidated or unclaimed grants, if found to be part of a systematic scheme to siphon away government funds, would be plunder. Next page

Duterte sticks with PDP but backs HNP By F. Pearl A. Gajunera and Macon Ramos-Araneta DAVAO CITY―President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday praised the initiative of his daughter, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, for founding a regional party to support his administration but stopped short of endorsing her for a national post in the midterm elections in 2019. “I appreciate what Inday (Sara) is do-

ing,” he said during the mass oath taking of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago in Davao City, a regional party. Duterte, chairman of the ruling party PDP-Laban, was previously reported he would take his oath as member of the regional party but no such thing happened Friday. He said what his daughter was doing was good since most of the big political Next page

THE Palace on Friday pointed to rising fuel prices in the world market as the reason behind the people’s sentiment in the latest Social Weather Stations survey, which showed more Filipinos believe their lives worsened during the second quarter of 2018. While Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said over radio dzRH that Malacañang “understands” how the people feel, it remains optimistic the economy will improve. “There are a lot of challenges because of the rising fuel prices in the world market. But there’s still hope that it will be better,” Roque said.

Detroit mourns Aretha’s death

‘‘

the National Bureau of Investigation said they were now looking for Lim. PNP Spokesman Bong Durana said tracker teams had been formed to look for Lim. “We have tracker teams running after him, so we appeal to the public: If you have information that would lead to the whereabouts of Peter Lim, we will be happy to look into it,” Durana told reporters. The Justice Department said Lim was a ﬂight risk, and that his resources would enable him to ﬂee the country to escape prosecution. Next page

By Nat Mariano

DETROIT—When Aretha Franklin’s death Thursday was announced over the PA system, glass maker Maurice Black says grief was so great at his Detroit auto plant that supervisors briefly shut the line. “The look on everybody’s face. It was just shocking,”

Manhunt on for Peter Lim over drug raps A MAKATI court on Friday ordered alleged drug lord Peter Lim barred from leaving the country as a result of the criminal case against him. The Makati Regional Trial Court’s Branch 65 also ordered the Bureau of Immigration to prevent the 72-year-old Lim from leaving as a result of the drug conspiracy charges against him. The court upheld the Justice department’s resolution ﬁnding probable cause against Lim and the other suspects in the case. The Philippine National Police and

Palace blames high fuel costs for hard life

SIEVELIKE STRUCTURE. Don’t run. This 16-foot giant whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is dead and found floating at the Navotas Fish Port in Metro Manila Friday, when authorities brought it upstream to be examined by the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources on what might caused its death. Lino Santos

Primer on Con-Com draft federal charter By Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino Con-Com 2018 Member (19th of a series)

by monopolies, duopolies and restraints to free trade. The workings of complicated business and corporate schemes that may involve mergers and acquisiQ: Why is there need for a Federal tions resulting in the concentration of Competition Commission? commerce and trade in the hands of a A: The Philippine economy is crippled Next page

Let us not be willing victims by supporting and fueling China’s non-adherence to the rule of law. Concomitantly, we cannot remain silent. —Albert del Rosario, former ambassador and foreign affairs secretary, on the importance of international law in the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Drug war numbers will still rise’ • President Duterte on Friday increased the bounty for “ninja” or rogue cops from P3 million to P5 million. HE casualties in President RoNinja cops was the tag given to police officers indrigo Duterte administration’s war volved in the illegal drug trade. Duterte initially ofon drugs will continue to rise as fered P2 million for the capture of ninja cops in Aulong as the suspects are “armed and drug- gust last year, and then raised it to P3 million a month later. crazed,” the Philippine National Police “If you bring him [rogue cop] to me dead, you get said Friday. P5 million. If alive, you get P10,000,” Duterte said in a speech during the convention of the regional party “This is not heaven, this is the real world where Hugpong ng Pagbabago in Davao City. people will die in the process, that we have the author• The Commission on Human Rights on Friday reity to protect the rest of the Filipino people from the iterated its call for the Philippine National Police to scourge of illegal drugs,” PNP spokesman Benigno ensure full accountability of the officers involved in Durana told reporters on Friday. all cases of drug-related deaths.

By Nat Mariano

Detroit... From A1

the 53-year-old told AFP outside Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, where the music icon kicked off her storied career singing gospel as a child. “Hearts were heavy, people were like trying to get themselves together, so the supervisor was like go to the bathroom,” he said. “Too many people were going to the bathroom, so they officially shut it down... they cranked it back up.” What made it all so raw was many still remembered how Aretha had only visited the factory only four to six years earlier, Black recalled. “When she came in there everybody was hollering and everything. ‘Aretha! Aretha! Queen of Soul! Queen of Soul!’” Cars and the “Queen of Soul” go together in Detroit, the largest city in Michigan where long-standing ties to the auto industry have given rise to the nickname Motor City. Black grew up in the neighborhood around the church, where he would eat Franklin’s cooking at lavish meals she provided for the community and the homeless each Thanksgiving and Christmas. Soup and cornbread “She made the best oxtail soup, with that cornbread, and it was to die for,” he recalled. “It would be so much food that you wouldn’t know what to do.” There is pride in the neighborhood that the legendary singer shunned the celebrity trappings of cities such as Los Angeles or New York to continue to stay close to her roots. Those who came to pay their respects, braving bursts of rain to lay bouquets and bring balloons, honored her music but also that down-to-earth personality and her commitment to giving back. “I know she was rich but she never let it out that she was rich,” said Reverend Charles Turner, whose father was a trustee at the church. “She always gave you respect. When you came up to her, she let you hug her and she spoke to you always, had a smile on her face.” He, too treasured her visits, and her dinners for church members and the homeless, who queued around the corner waiting to be fed by Aretha.

272... From A1

Sports officials are also hoping the Philippines will show improvement, after winning a gold, three silvers and 11 bronze medals the last time around in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea. This ranked the Philippines 22nd out of the 37 participating countries. Officials feel that the Philippines will be strong in martial arts, like jiu jitsu, boxing and judo. The Games will run from Aug. 18 until Sept. 2. Among the athlete also expected to do good are weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz (who has won an Olympic silver medal), Nestor Colonia, and Kristel Macrohon. The boxers include Carlo Paalam, Ian Clark Bautista, Mario Fernandez, James Palicte, Joel Bacho, Eumir Felix Marcial, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio. There, too, are fencers Nathaniel Perez, Brennan Louie, Michael Nicanor, Noellito Jose, Samantha Catantan, Maxine Esteban, Justine Gail Tinio, and Hanniel Abella. Triathlon has Mark Hosana, John Leerams Chicano, Nikko Huelgas, Ma. Claire Adorna, Marion Kim Mangrobang and Kimberly Kilgroe. From judo, there’s Shugen Nakano, Keisei Nakano, Kohei Kohagura, Iyomi Watanabe, Mariya Takahashi and Megumi Kurayoshi. But all eyes will still be on the basketball team, which will be bannered by Cleveland Cavaliers star guard Jordan Clarkson, who was given a one-time approval by the NBA to suit up for the Philippines in the Asiad.

‘Ghost.. From A1

“I will give the DSWD time to conduct its investigation. If after some reasonable time I am not satisfied with the results, the DSWD can expect a full-scale congressional investigation,” she said. The DSWD must comply with the guidance of CoA to remit to the National Treasury all unclaimed funds, so that they are not used for other purposes. The 4Ps database of beneficiaries must be continually audited to weed out ghost beneficiaries and beneficiaries the DSWD has lost track of, or are no longer qualified to receive the cash grants but are still in the system because of processing time lags, she said. Earlier, the House approved on second reading a bill that would institutionalize the 4Ps cash dole. House Bill 7773 seeks “to end the cycle of inter-generational poverty” and improve the delivery of education, health and nutrition to the poor. The 4Ps bill also seeks to ensure inclu-

Palace... From A1

“The truth is, the fundamentals are there. Our economy is really improving, we only have fleeting challenges,” he added. In its June 2018 survey, SWS found that 32 percent of adult Filipinos believed their lives have improved (“gainers”) while 27 percent of those polled said their lives worsened (“losers”), for a Net Gainers score of +5. The score was 15 points below the Net Gainers score of 20 points in March 2018. The survey also found that 49 percent of polled individuals expected their personal quality of life to improve in the next 12 months (“Optimists”), while 5 percent of those polled expected their lives to get worse (“Pessimists”), for a Net Personal Optimists score of +44. This was four points higher than the 40 points SWS recorded in March 2018. Some 43 percent of the respondents said they were optimistic that the economy would bet better next year, while 13 percent said it would deteriorate, resulting in a Net Econom-

Duterte... From A1

parties had some groupings like his mother party, PDP-Laban. “I do not want to make anybody uncomfortable here. PDP Laban is a party of principle. My advice to everybody is to connect with your mother unit. Which ever you are comfortable [in],” he said. In a related development: • Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said “there is absolutely no conflict in President Rodrigo Duterte joining the Hugpong Ng Pagbabago...” In a statement, Pimentel said the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan, which counts Duterte as chairman, is a national poitical party while HNP is a regional party. A PDP-Laban member can take his or her oath as a member of the HNP with no problem, he said. HNP had earlier forged an alliance with seven local political parties from different parts of the country, and the Nacionalista Party led by Senator Cynthia A. Villar, but not with PDP-Laban due to an internal conflict within the ruling party. Also on Friday, Sara Duterte endorsed the candidacies of nine politicians for the 2019 senatorial elections. During a gathering in Davao―which the President also attended―Duterte’s daughter endorsed Special Assistant to the

Rody... From A1

Manhunr... From A1

Lim’s exact whereabouts are known. An arrest warrant is out against him but the Makati court has not received a return warrant as of Friday afternoon. Last week, after Lim was indicted, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the Cebubased businessman was “supposed to be in the country.” Lim faces charges for conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading with self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa, former Espinosa associate Marcelo Adorco and Ruel Malindangan. Malindangan is also at large.

overflights over the South China Sea, with a media crew tagging along. Duterte said that China should “rethink” its warning to other countries for flying over airspace above the artificial island that it built in the WPS. On Monday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the incident would be investigated. A day after China rebuffed Duterte’s call for it to temper its behavior, a top US defense official reiterated the continuing commitment of the US to the Philippines as its “close friend, partner and ally.” US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs Randall G. Schriver visited the Philippines and met with the country’s defense and security officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

“We also ask the public to never be silent amid the culture of impunity. Let us collectively resist any abuse, remember and honor the lives that were unnecessarily sacrificed, and demand full and fast justice,” commission spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said. • A panel in the House of Representatives has recommended for plenary approval a measure on wiretapping on drug trafficking and other drug-related offenses to address the unabated entry into the country of illegal drugs. The House committee on dangerous drugs, led by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, approved last Tuesday the still unnumbered measure, which is a consolidation of eight bills filed at the House of Representatives amending Republic Act 4200 or the AntiWiretapping Act.

sive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, empower women and girls and achieve gender equality, and capacitate those who cannot provide for themselves so that they become productive and healthy members of society. The 4Ps was introduced during the Arroyo administration and was carried over by the Aquino administration and continues up to the present. HB 7773 defines the poor as those households whose income falls below the poverty threshold as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority and who cannot afford in a sustained manner to provide their minimum basic needs of food, health, education, housing, and other amenities. The program will be implemented until it has covered 60 percent of the total number of extremely poor households in the country, as may be determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Under the measure, qualified households will be selected by the DSWD on a nationwide basis through a standardized targeting system. The DSWD is also mandated to

conduct a revalidation of targeting of beneficiaries every three years. Each qualified household-beneficiary will be entitled to a lump-sum conditional cash transfer equivalent to P2,200 each month for expenses on health, nutrition, and education. In sum, a household-beneficiary may receive up to P26,400 in a year, for a maximum of five years. The measure also allows for loan assistance if the beneficiary has successfully completed the required skills training. In exchange, beneficiaries’ children up to five years must receive regular preventive health check-ups and vaccinations, minors up to 18 years old must avail of de-worming pills at least twice a year, and pregnant women must avail of pre- and post-natal care and give birth with the assistance of a skilled or trained health care professional in a health facility. The measure also requires that children 3 to 4 years of age must attend day care or pre-school classes at least 85 percent of the time, while children from 5 to 18 must attend elementary or secondary classes at least 85 percent of the time.

ic Optimists score of +30. Net Economic Optimists refers to expectations about the general economy and is different from Net Personal Optimism, which refers to expectations about the respondent’s personal quality of life. The survey was conducted from June 27 to 30 using face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide. The survey’s sampling error margins are ±3 percent for national percentages, and ±6 percent each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. On Friday, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV pressed for the passage of his Bawas Presyo Bill, which aims to alleviate the suffering of poor families from high prices due to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law. Meanwhile, the consumer groupSamahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI) lamented the slow distribution of unconditional cash transfers (UCT) under TRAIN. The group also said that stopping TRAIN would be a more helpful measure in easing consumers’ inflation woes than government’s

plan to import cheap fish and meat. Noting recent government figures reporting a slowdown of growth in household consumption to include beverages, housing, electricity, gas and water, health, transport and education, SUKI said that spending for basic needs became harder for many Filipino households after the TRAIN law was enacted. Social mitigating measures have not only been slow to come, the group said, but difficult to retrieve. SUKI cited a Center for Women’s Resources report showing that the food budget of mothers from communities has risen from P200 to P256 at the onset of TRAIN during the first quarter of the year. It was noted that many low-income families unable to afford these increases in the cost of goods and services are compelled to cut on consumption and feed their families less. “In urban poor communities, where incomes and jobs are quite precarious, families play a game of ‘imagine’ when there is only rice and no viand, or there is only water and no coffee, milk nor any other affordable beverage,” CWR said. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

President Bong Go, presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Senators Cynthia Villar, JV Ejercito, and Sonny Angara, Rep. Pia Cayetano, Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu, and Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa, the former national police chief. Duterte’s son, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, likewise pledged allegiance to the HNP. Sara Duterte said it will only forge an alliance with the PDP-Laban once it has solved its internal problems. “We would like to have an alliance with PDP but our governors and officers said during our discussions that they should first fix their internal problem,” she said. “So once their president fixes the problem, then we really are open because we need other national parties as allies,” she added. The ruling party has been embroiled in various controversies such as the power grab in the House of Representatives that led to the ouster of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker. Meanwhile, a group that claimed to be “genuine party members” recently elected a new set of leaders, replacing Pimentel as party president. Pimentel refused to accept that there was a problem within his own party, however, saying this was a figment of the imagination of some people. “We know its political season already. Hence PDP-Laban should not allow itself to be distracted by all this noise, maneuver-

ings and psywar tactics,” said Pimentel. Earlier, Pimentel took potshots at Rogelio Garcia, elected president by what he referred to as “rogue members” of their party. While insisting that he has no plan of tightly clinging to his current position, Pimentel accused Garcia of trying to reap what he did not sow. Garcia, who has never won an elective post, was elected as president of the PDPLaban during a gathering of his supporters at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City recently. Also on Friday, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario said there would be no conflict if President Duterte to decides to join his daughter’s regional party. Del Rosario, secretary general of HNP, said members of national parties are allowed to join them. Duterte said he could support politicians seeking for his help but it would only be limited to moral support. If ever they need money for their campaign, they should go their mother unit instead of him. A total 6,276 politicians in Davao City pledged allegiance to the HNP with the governors of Davao Occidental, Governor Claude Bautista, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Compostela Valley Governor Tyrone Uy and Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang. During the mass oath taking, Mayor Duterte asked all the local officials to also show their support to the senatorial line up of HNP.

Schriver also met with Armed Forces chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique Manalo and Ambassador to Malaysia Eduardo Malaya III. “This was my first visit to the Philippines as Assistant Secretary of Defense, so this was a good opportunity for me to meet with the leadership here,” Schriver said, in a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila. Schriver, who was on three-day visit to the Philippines since Aug. 15, reiterated Washington’s commitment to further strengthen the security partnership between the US and the Philippines. “It’s an honor for us to be considered a friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines,” he added. During his meetings, Schriver discussed the value of multilateral military exercises like Balikatan and Kamandag and their con-

tributions to the strength and interoperability of the US and Philippine militaries. China had earlier insisted that it had the right to warn foreign ships and aircraft near its artificial islands. In a statement to the Reuters news agency, China’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the disputed Spratly Islands remain Chinese territory. While China respects the freedom of navigation and overflight of other countries, it said it had the right “to take necessary steps to respond to foreign aircraft and ships that deliberately get close to or make incursions into the air and waters near China’s relevant islands, and provocative actions that threaten the security of Chinese personnel stationed there.” “China urges the relevant party to meet China halfway, and jointly protect the present good situation that has not come easily in the South China Sea,” the Chinese foreign ministry added. Nat Mariano, with PNA

Panelo: Duterte won't sway PET for Bongbong PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s preference for former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the country’s next president will not directly influence the decision of the electoral tribunal, a Palace official said Friday. “The President’s statements on matters pending in any court will not affect that particular jurisdiction with respect to any decision it will make,” presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo told ANC’s Early Edition. “I think that was more of a comparison between the vice president and Mr. Marcos given the qualifications that the two have. “He just wants to compare this particular person to another.” In other developments: • Marcos said Friday he hoped Duterte would not resign even though he had named him among his preferred successors. “I thank the President for his faith in my abilities,” Marcos said in a statement to News To Go on Friday. “But I urge him not to leave the presidency as our people still need him for the betterment of our lives and country.” • The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday again slammed Duterte for saying she was not qualified to succeed him should he step down. She said Duterte had failed to deliver his promise to wipe out the problem of illegal drugs in just six months. • President Rodrigo Duterte’s consultative committee on Friday urged him to see the federal shift through before considering cutting his term short. Panelo said Duterte had no control on the proceedings of Marcos’ election case against Robredo. Marcos claims Robredo’s camp had cheated in the vice presidential race in 2016 and demanded a recount of the votes. Duterte earlier said Robredo was incapable of running the country, and that he might step down if Marcos or Senator Francis Escudero would be named his successor. Meanwhile, Malacañang said Duterte might “make true on his word” to resign if Marcos won his electoral protest against Robredo. Rio N. Araja and Nat Mariano

Primer... From A1

few are beyond the understanding of the average Filipino. There has to be some government agency that sees to it that fair competition flourishes and inures to the benefit of the ordinary Filipino in terms of more favorable services and fairer prices. Q: What happens when the Commission discovers that a corporationhas spin-offs that allows the very same investors and moguls control over other enterprises? A: Very importantly, the Commission has the power to order corporate reorganization and divestment, and it can enforce these orders because it has the power to impose sanctions, fines or penalties for non-compliance. Q: When a violation of competition law is committed, is jurisdiction with the courts or with the Commission? A: The Draft grant of power reads: “It shall exercise the following powers and duties xxx (a) Conduct inquiry, investigate, hear and decide cases involving any violation of competition laws upon receipt of a verified complaint, or at their own instance , or upon referral by the concerned regulatory agency, and institute the appropriate civil or criminal proceedings.” This is very like the grant of authority to the Intellectual Property Office, Bureau of Legal Affairs. Clearly, the Commission has the power to decide cases of violation of the competition law. But as clearly, this does not deprive ordinary courts of their jurisdiction. Harmonizing the provisions then, the regular courts exercise civil and criminal jurisdiction; the Commission exercises administrative jurisdiction. Q: When wrong-doing or devices in furtherance of monopoly or restrain of trade are in a corporation’s books, and the Commission requires these to be produced, can the corporation refuse on the ground that doing so would incriminate itself as a juridical person? A: It has long been settled that owing to the artificiality of the personality of a corporation and the public interest there is in superintending such entities—that can indeed be very complicated—a corporation is unable to invoke the right against self-incrimination. Q: Most regulatory agencies put all their effort into the punishment of wrong-doing or the investigation of violations. Does the Commission have any positive or affirmative functions? A: Yes, it issues advisory opinions and guidelines on competition matters to further robust competition; it monitors and analyzes the practice of competition in markets that affect the Philippine economy—calling for a very strong research complement.

News

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

2019 budget laden with ‘pork’—Ping THE proposed 2019 national budget are laden with billions of pork barrel or the so-called Priority Development Assistance Fund which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, according to Senator Panﬁlo Lacson. Despite the SC ruling on pork barrel, Lacson said that it has remained in the national budget. He believes pork barrel will remain unless there is a very strong President who can put an end to it. However, he also admitted it would be very difﬁcult for a President to absolutely stop pork barrel because the House of Representatives, with one-third of its members, can impeach him. “I think the way to deal with this is to deal with them individually. Starting from the most notorious. If this would start with the most notoriously corrupt, the latter might no longer have an ally,” he said. In openly objecting to the budget cuts in the 2019 national budget recommended by the Department of Budget and Management, Lacson notdd that House members had pork barrel insertions. Macon Ramos-Araneta

‘You’re no sacred cow,’ Calida told SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday reminded Solicitor General Jose Calida that he is not a “sacred cow” following his appeal before the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from investigating the almost P50-million government contracts bagged by his family’s security agency. The Senate Blue Ribbon committee, chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, was supposed to start on Thursday, April 16, its investigation, but it was postponed for still unknown reason. The probe on the conﬂict of interest of Calida stemmed from the multimillion peso security service contracts between national government agencies and the Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. owned by his family. Documents showed that VISAI owned by Calida’s wife Milagros signed contracts with at least three government agencies months after his appointment as the government’s chief lawyer in 2016. Macon Ramos-Araneta

De Lima files MR to join debate on ICC THE Supreme Court has been asked to reconsider its ruling that denied the plea of detained Senator Leila de Lima for furlough to be able to argue the petition seeking to nullify President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to withdraw the country’s membership from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In a 12-page motion for reconsideration, De Lima sought for a reconsideration of the SC’s denial of her motion to allow her to participate during the oral arguments on the petition that she and her fellow opposition senators ﬁled before the Court questioning the constitutionality of the President’s decision to withdraw the country’s adherence to the Rome Statute. De Lima emphasized that she is not asking for temporary liberty or bail but a mere travel from the Philippine National Police Custodial Center to the Supreme Court’s Session Hall and back depending on the duration of the oral argument. “The motion involves De Lima’s mere transfer from the PNP Custodial Center to the SC Session Hall, under the same heavy guard and one might say exaggerated security provided by the PNP every time she is transported to her court hearings before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa or the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City, all within a matter of four to six hours, depending on the duration of the oral arguments in the instant case,” the motion stated. Rey E. Requejo

RELIEF. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo distributed relief goods to some 500 families affected by the flooding caused by the monsoon rains (habagat) last week in her hometown of Lubao in Pampanga. She was assisted by Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda Cayabyab and representatives from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Another military official on chopping block—AFP T By Francisco Tuyay

HE Armed Forces of the Philippines has included another military ofﬁcial in the chopping block following his supposed involvement in fund irregularities.

The AFP said it would create three tribunals to try erring personnel who are involved in fraud and corruption. AFP Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez also issued stern warning against military ofﬁcials found to be involved in corrupt practices during their tour of duty. Galvez declined to identify the military ofﬁcial involved in fund irregularities except that he was the alleged conspirator of Philippine Military Academy comptroller Lt.Col. Hector Marana, who was earlier accused of misusing P15 million worth of cadets allowances. Marana has been convicted and is due to be transferred to the New Bilibid

Prison from the custody of the AFP Intelligence Service. Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the dismissal of Brig. Edwin Leo Torrelavega, commander of the AFP Health Service Command, along with Col. Antonio Punzalan, head of V. Luna Medical Center and 20 othlasers on allegations of graft and corruption. Reports said the officials allegedly misused funds intended for wounded soldiers who defended and liberated Marawi City against the terrorists in a fierce five-month battle last year. The accused military officials will undergo court martial proceedings to determine the gravity of their involve-

ment to corruption amounting to millions worth of medical equipment and supplies. “Mayroon pa po tayong susunod. May isa na kaming naimbestigahan. Isa rin po siya sa kasama ni Marana at sinabihan ko po kahapon ang court martial na bilisan,” Galvez said. “Maybe in one month or two months time, another ofﬁcer ang mako-convict natin,” Galvez said. He said he had already formed three court martial tribunals so that justice will be meted to those implicated on corruption and irregularities. “As I’ve said in my earlier speech that I will make the AFP clean,” Galvez said. Galvez said they are in a cleansing mode in the AFP to eradicate corruption to ensure that all resources and logistics will be given to their men in the ﬁeld. He also promised that all guilty parties who had embezzled government resources will be eventually punished as he repeated to all AFP personnel not to engage in corruption.

MMDA defers implementation of HOV traffic policy By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday decided to suspend the full implementation of the Expanded High Occupancy Vehicle trafﬁc scheme along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue on Aug. 23 following the opposition of senators. But MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. said in a press conference that the week-long dry run of the controversial policy will continue until Wednesday next week. “We respect the wisdom of our senators. We are suspending the full implementation of the policy on Aug. 23,” he said. Garcia said the fate of the Expanded HOV policy prohibiting single drivers on a portion of Edsa rests on the Metro Manila Council, the governing board and policy-making body of the MMDA. “MMDA has no power to stop the policy because it is a (MMC) resolution.

It is also the MMC that has the last say,” said Garcia. The dry run period of the policy on Edsa continues until the MMC convenes, according to Garcia, adding that “we will remain on status quo until the MMC, composed of the Metro Manila mayors, convenes.” Despite the suspension, Garcia urged the public to still participate in the dry run to determine the impact of the new trafﬁc scheme. The MMDA ofﬁcial said the MMDA is open to amend the guidelines of the policy that hopes to reduce the number of vehicles along Edsa while encouraging people to car pool. Garcia explained that the new traffic scheme was is not meant to cause inconvenience to solo drivers traversing Edsa but a short term solution of the agency amid the simultaneous infrastructure projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program.

“We need to do something. We cannot just wait for these infrastructure projects that would take three to four years,” said Garcia, adding that “Metro Manila’s traffic problems are already decades old. There is no overnight solution.” According to Garcia, several bridges in Metro Manila will undergo improvement works, starting this year. “Set for repairs are Estrella Bridge, Rockwell Bridge, and Binondo Bridge. We are facing a lot of problems. The Guadalupe Bridge will undergo rehabilitation next year,” said Garcia. Based on the agency’s monitoring, the new traffic scheme eased traffic flow on Edsa during the start of the weeklong dry run. The establishment of HOV lanes on Edsa bans driver only vehicles from traversing Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Magallanes in Makati City during rush hour: 7 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 9 pm on weekdays.

‘Consignees’ of shabu, sugar charged By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs on Friday filed smuggling charges against the importers of alleged illegal drugs and smuggled sugar before the Department of Justice. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the bureau filed criminal complaints against Vedasio Cabral Baraquel, owner of Vecaba Trading, the consignee of two magnetic lifters that contain P2.4 billion worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu into the country. The bureau first announced the 500 kilos of illegal drugs seized on Aug. 7 was worth at least P4.5 billion. In a statement, Lapena said the shipment came from Malaysia and declared as door frames. However, upon inspection and 100 percent physical examination, it was found to actually contain two magnetic lifters containing 355 ki-

lograms of shabu estimated to be worth around P2.4 billion. The shipment arrived in the country on June 28, 2018 and was deemed abandoned after the consignee failed to file an entry document within 30 days from the date of discharge. On the same day, the BOC also filed criminal charges against the officers of Red Star Rising Corporation for large scale smuggling of sugar. Lapeña said the Red Star Rising Corporation, the consignee of an abandoned shipment declared as packaging materials, kitchen utensils, and craft paper but were found to contain refined sugar. Charged were the firm’s executives Dante Lunar, Leonardo Mallari, Richel Paranete Llanes, August Presillas Templado, and Bernie Abrina Rubia face charges of economic sabotage under Republic Act 10845 or the Large-Scale Agricultural Smuggling as Economic Sabotage Act.

VEHICLE DONATION. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea led the inspection of the vehicles donated by the Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. during a ceremony at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang on Aug. 16, 2018. The TMPC has donated a total of 20 Toyota Innova, 10 Toyota Vios, and three Toyota Hi-Ace to the Office of the President. Presidential Photo

Gov’t forces arrest ranking CPP official By Francisco Tuyay A RANKING ofﬁcial of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Mindanao was captured by security forces in Zamboanga City on Thursday. Initial reports said authorities have arrested Roberto Rossette Jr., secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Command and Central Committee member in Barangay La Paz in Zamboanga City at about 4 p.m. Reports said that Rossette Jr. was apprehended a few hours after he evaded arrest from authorities who tried to serve an arrest warrant at his house in Sitio Dragon, Barangay Upper La Paz. Prior to Rossette’s arrest, reports said intelligence operatives conducted a monitoring of the suspect’s whereabouts at the said house. While on a stakeout operation, authorities spotted Rossette together with his wife and two unidentiﬁed male personalities who had just left their home aboard two single motorcycles. Upon seeing him, authorities initiated to serve the arrest warrant against Rossette Jr., but the suspect quickly alighted from the motorcycle and ran towards a bushy area. The police chased the suspect and was later cornered Rossete Jr. The suspect is presently undergoing interrogation, although sources said that there were no reports as to Rossette’s criminal offenses that warranted his arrest. Meanwhile, military authorities in the Island province of Panay on Friday accused the CPP-NPA for twisting the truth on the neutralization of an extortion group the other day in Antique. Major Gen. Dino Dolina, commander of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, slammed Ka Julio Montana, spokesman of the Coronation Chiva “Waling-Waling” Command for spreading lies about the nature of the CPP-NPA extortion activities in Panay.

Sandiganbayan junks Yap, Lorenzo’s plea on graft cases THE motions filed separately by Agriculture Secretaries Cito Lorenzo Jr. and Arthur Yap in connection with graft cases leveled against them have been junked by the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division. Lorenzo and Yap, an incumbent representative of Bohol, face graft charges in connection with the alleged questionable procurement of fertilizers worth P46.4 million in 2003. “The court finds that the material averments in the information, assuming them to be true, sufficiently allege all the elements constitutive of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act. No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), as amended,” the court in denying their motions. Associate Justice Kevin Narce Vivero penned the resolution, with the concurrence of 6th Division Chairperson Sarah Jane Fernandez and Associate Justice Maryann Corpus-Mañalac. Maricel V. Cruz

Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

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Jesse and Leni, persons for others his private and public life. This, too describes Leni Robredo very well. Jesse Robredo lived simply. Stories abound of how Jesse was so unassuming, dressed always modestly, lived in ordinary abodes (not villas nor manEXACTLY six years ago, on Aug. 18, sions), had simple (but great) tastes in 2012, Jesse Robredo’s plane crashed in food, and was always comfortable, as Masbate. I was in Kathmandu, Nepal the mayor of Naga and as Interior Secrewhen I heard the news. While hoping tary, to “mix it up” with his constituents he would survive the crash, I knew in and his staff. Indeed, as one of his staff my heart that we had likely lost this commented on television, he enjoyed champion of good governance, my col- more being with people on the ground league in the faculty of Ateneo School and the streets than in social events. Leni Robredo lives very simply, too. of Government, comrade in the Kaya Natin Movement, and my friend. While Her bus trips to Naga are well known. Her still praying I would not need to use it, celebrations with her children, for their I began writing an obituary to celebrate milestones, are never ostentatious. When daughter Aika was studying in Harvard, the life of a good public servant. On his sixth death anniversary and photos of their search for second-hand by way of showing solidarity with his furniture went viral. The ignorant and the malicious went wife Leni Robreballistic in their do, now the vice attacks then but president of the those of us who Philippines and have done graduwho is constantly Leni is ate school in the being attacked by United States the President and constitutionally the only knew that the Rocritics, I recall successor to President bredos were just passages from that doing what everyobituary original- Duterte. one did. ly entitled, “Jesse This simplicRobredo, man for ity is not just a others.” personal, private Jesse and I belonged to the same generation of At- thing for the Robredos. As government eneans. He was a student of Ateneo de official, both Jesse and Leni are known Naga High School at the same time I also for their thriftiness. He rejected was studying in Xavier University-At- all types of extravagance and was exeneo de Cagayan. He must have been tra careful with the people’s money. exposed to the same Jesuit mantra as all Jesse’s record at the Department of the of us in that generation were: “You are Interior and Local Government showed called to be men and women for oth- how transparent and scrupulous he was ers,” a phrase coined by Fr. Pedro Ar- about government finances. Because rupe, SJ, Father General of the Society of this, he made many political enof Jesus, in a 1973 speech to alumni of emies but he persisted and eventually the DILG bureaucracy, as did the Naga Jesuit schools. More than anything, as a leader’s lead- City Hall, became more appreciative of er, a servant of the people, and a family what he was doing. Likewise, the Office of the Vice Presiman, Jesse Robredo was truly a man for others. According to Arrupe, a man-and- dent thrives on a modest budget, even as woman-for others lived simply, com- it delivers on its mandate for the marginmitted to a life of service, and sought to alized. I must also say how impressed I am with the staff of the OVP, on their change unjust social structures. This is an accurate description of work ethics and focus on outcomes. Jesse Robredo and how he lived both Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Never the enemy

OME 350 newspapers across the United States ran editorials Thursday reacting to President Donald Trump’s continued assault on the press. The newspapers heeded the call of The Boston Globe, which called for “urgent action by those committed to free speech and the free press to stand against a White House and its allies who are bent on eroding a pillar of an informed democracy.” Classifying journalists not as fellow Americans but as an enemy of the people has dangerous consequences, according to The Globe. Doing so sends an alarming signal to despots all over the world that journalists can be treated as a domestic enemy. “It is an essential endpoint to Trump’s deluge of dishonesty that he now contests objective reality and urges his supporters to do the same.” The Philadelphia Inquirer is the first to acknowledge that the media

are not beyond criticism. It is part of healthy debate, and sometimes new organizations earn the criticism. “But demonization of the press is now a calculated White House strategy.” What the strategy threatens is people’s ability to make up their mind, which is made possible by information. The New York Times also says criticism is par for the course. “Criticizing the news media—for underplaying or overplaying stories, for getting something wrong—is entirely right. News reporters and editors are human, and make mistakes. Correcting them is core to our job.” That is starkly different, however, from branding truths one does not like as “fake news.” Guess who the first person is to have a low regard for the truth. According to The Washington Post, Trump made 4,229 false or misleading statements in the first 558 days of his presidency. The Baltimore Sun is determined to push back “against this president’s —any president’s—abuses of power. Because that’s what we’re here to do.

Our democracy depends on it.” This is all in the context of Donald Trump’s pronouncements on the media, but it could be instructive to all other societies grappling with how truth should be presented and how those who dare speak it, or challenge those in authority, must be dealt with. Here in the Philippines, for instance, we harbor no illusions that media is truly free. Journalists can still speak their minds and report on what is truly happening—but often these come with tradeoffs. Sometimes those who dare are immediately branded as acting on behalf of rival groups. Sometimes, political or business ties of the news organizations that employ them also make journalists rethink how they are supposed to write about certain issues. The nobility of the profession is always tempered by the realities, often harsh, that surround those who practice it. Being a journalist in challenging times is good, because aside from using the skills learned in school and over time, one is forced to evaluate what things can be compromised—and what cannot.

The ‘Offending Religious Feelings’ law is unconstitutional the Catholic hierarchy’s efforts to block the passage of the then RH bill. The incident became a turning point in the whole advocacy as more people became aware of how powerful the church remained. Public discourse on the bill and the CelCARLOS Celdran has filed a Motion dran case heightened. Last August 15, Carlos was accomfor Reconsideration with the Supreme Court in relation with the First Divi- panied by RH advocates as he filed his sion’s Resolution affirming his convic- MR. The gates of the Supreme Court tion by the Court of Appeals under Art. were again the venue for RH advocates, 133 of the Revised Penal Code. This is this time calling for the Court to reverse the “Offending the Religious Feelings” its ruling, respect the constitutional guarlaw from the Spanish colonization era antees for freedom of expression, and the when abusive friars reigned supreme in separation of Church and State. An important development in the our country. Carlos, a known artist, heritage ad- case is the filing of another MR by the vocate, and activist for the Reproduc- Office of the Solicitor General (OSG). tive Health Law can go to jail over go- This is the second time that the OSG ing to the Manila Cathedral, flashing has sided with Celdran in relation with a white board with the word “DAMA- this case. The first was during the time SO” on it to the gathering, and shout- of former SolGen Florin Hilbay who ing “Stop meddling in politics!” as he called for the SC to acquit Celdran on the basis of the was being brought unconstitutionaliaway by security ty of the “Offendguards. ing the Religious I maintain that Feelings” law. Celdran had no Today it’s Carlos Hilbay’s posiintention to oftion was adopted fend anyone that Celdran. Tomorrow, it by present SolGen day as I was on could be any one of us. Calida when his the phone with office submitted him hours before the MR to the SC. the incident. He This is actually told me that he a rare case when was just going to take pictures for posting on Facebook. the Government has sided with the acDespite having no ill intent, what hap- cused. The norm is the State sides with pened, happened and he turned the in- the prosecution. The original complainant against Celcident into a political protest when he dran was Monsignor Cervo of the Archyelled as he did. Nobody knew of the “Offending the diocese of Manila. Since then the ArchReligious Feelings” law. After all, it was diocese has said that they have, a long 2010 when the incident happened. More time ago, stopped pursuing the case and than 100 years have passed since our has left it to government in terms of how revolutionists freed the country from our the case should be handled. The government, through the OSG Spanish colonizers. Apparently, this law was “discovered” by one of the policemen has stated a clear position not once, in the station where Carlos was brought in but twice with two different sitting when they were looking for a charge that Solicitor Generals. In both cases, they could be used in this case. All the lawyers asked for Carlos to be acquitted, and who came to help Carlos were surprised for Art. 133 of the RPC to be declared unconstitutional. If the supposedly that such a law even existed. As already repeatedly said, the “stop aggrieved party in the case has ceased meddling in politics” line was because of Turn to A5

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

No place to hide: Exiled Chinese Uighurs feel state’s long reach By Joëlle Garrus SITTING on the terrace of a Paris cafe, a young Chinese woman glances nervously at her mobile phone as a message from a police officer in her native Xinjiang region pops up. A member of China’s Muslim Uighur minority, Mariem traveled halfway around the world to study in France, but has found herself pulled into a mass security crackdown under way back home. “They want to know where I live, what I do, how I spend the weekend. They want me to give them information about Uighurs here. They threaten my family who beg me do do what they ask,” she said, visibly stressed. Mariem is one of several ethnic Uighurs in France who shared accounts of harass-

ment by Chinese authorities and expressed concern for missing family members caught up in sweeping security operations back home. All their names have been changed to protect their identity. AFP saw messages several Uighurs received from the authorities on China’s messaging application WeChat. “Do you have your degree now?” one officer asks a student. “Send me your address and tell me who you work for and what your degree is,” reads another message. “Why don’t you send photos?” another person returning from holidays is asked. ‘Orwellian society’ On Monday, Chinese officials were grilled by a UN human rights committee in Geneva over reports that it is holding up to one mil-

lion Muslims, mostly Uighurs, in camps under cover of a massive anti-terrorism drive. China has pointed to a series of attacks in Xinjiang by suspected Islamist radicals in recent years as justification for a draconian clampdown in a region with a long history of tensions with Beijing. But it has called the reports of internment camps “completely untrue”, saying that the “education and training centres” to which “minor criminals” are assigned serve merely “to assist in their rehabilitation and reintegration”. Several NGOs and China experts believe that what is under way is far more sinister, saying accounts from former detainees and official documents point to a massive program of political and cultural indoctrination. Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

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The importance of international law to the Philippines

A shameless exhibition of subservience

abide by the totality of UNCLOS. What to do What are our options to advance our national interest vis-à-vis South China Sea? How do we communicate effectively and efficiently our aspirations for a global order that increasingly needs stability? While our country appeared to be lax in enforcing what is right, it is not yet too late. We can still change the path we ought to take and lead it towards achieving a global order wherein “right” is might. We need to regain the respect of responsible nations by clearly standing up for the rule of law. We can begin by rallying for the support of other countries. We can seek the UN General Assembly to issue a Resolution that would effectively order China to abide by the arbitral ruling. Nonetheless, whether through multilateralism at the UN or with Asean or bilateral engagements, these provide us with glimmers of hope that we can triumph over an aggressor. We must furthermore be able to police our own conduct and declarations to ensure that we do not project any opposing views that tend to undermine our lawful rights and interests. What not to do At the risk of sounding repetitive, the arbitral ruling is not an empty victory. Any person who views it as such carries the voice of China. Let us not be willing victims by supporting and fueling China’s non-adherence to the rule of law. Concomitantly, we cannot remain silent. According to my esteemed friend, Acting Supreme Court Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, the inaction of a State which is faced with a situation constituting threat or infringement of its rights refers to acquiescence; thus, it takes the form of silence or absence of protest in circumstances which generally call for a particular reaction signifying an objection. 1 By being silent, we have weaponized an aggressor to do more harm. By being silent, we have encouraged further aggression into our territories and marine resources. As any responsible nation would do, we must act with peaceful resistance against threats to our sovereign rights and most importantly, the decline of the rule of law. Previous rulings Aside from the South China Sea, a

number of cases regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty has been resolved wherein the rule of law has been used as basis in delineating the rights of claimant states. The cases of the Kingdom of Netherlands versus Russia, Mauritius versus UK, and Nicaragua versus United States deserve significant attention. The losing parties in these cases ultimately and substantively complied with the award of the arbitral tribunal. The question is why. Simply because these States opted to respect the rules-based international system. These states must therefore be considered exemplars of democratic countries that ought to be copied. Moving forward As we continue to ponder our role in the future global order, let us ask ourselves what kind of international system we want to live in. Let us ask as well whether or not our actuations are aligned with our aspirations. Our country is therefore confronted with two choices—do we stand strongly for the rule of law? Or do we, by default, allow ourselves to be ruled by China? Should we end up with a misguided choice, for examples, do we want to suffer the political consequences of Cambodia or the debt trap challenges of Sri Lanka and Djibouti? In closing, we want to respectfully commend President Duterte on his recent remarks about China’s aggressive and unlawful behavior in the South China Sea. Nine out of 10 Filipinos would be encouraged and inspired by this manifestation of our President’s positive leadership. If we truly adhere and respect the rule of law, we should actively seek to end any unlawful and aggressive attack to the rules-based international system. The Filipinos have the moral high ground. The Filipinos have the law on their side. We are in the right. Let us therefore speak with one voice —that adherence to the rule of law is the only way forward.

Adrian Zenz, told AFP. Surveillance of overseas Uighurs is also “a very common practice”, Kellner said. Questioned about the allegations the Chinese foreign ministry said it was “not aware” of any such practices. Passport ‘blackmail’ Nijat, a young man who arrived in France on a student visa in 2007, deleted his WeChat account after getting a call from a person claiming to be a police officer who asked for a copy of his passport and visa. “He said if I didn’t cooperate my family would get into trouble,” he told AFP. For months now he has been without news of his sister and his parents, who asked his brother in Canada to stop calling home, fearing the contact was inviting unwelcome attention. At a Uighur rally in Paris in July, AFP also met Adil, who held aloft a photograph of his grandmother and brother, who he claimed were being held in camps in Xinjiang. Adil first moved to Turkey, which has close religious and cultural ties to Xinjiang.

But after Turkey began cracking down on “anti-Chinese” forces at Beijing’s request he fled to France, leaving behind another brother, of whom he also has no news. Mariem says her family is also in the state’s sights. One of her brothers has been arrested and the other has disappeared. “I cannot get hold of him. When I ask about him I get conflicting information. I think he has been sent to a camp,” she said. She fears she could face a similar fate if forced to return home to renew her passport, a service usually available to overseas citizens through their embassy but which has been denied to her. Questioned by AFP about similar claims of passport “blackmail” from other Francebased Uighurs, the Chinese foreign ministry said that the issuing of travel documents was China’s “internal affairs.” “Chinese embassies and consulates have always been issuing passports and other travel documents to overseas Chinese citizens in accordance with laws and regulations,” it added. AFP

brief stint as the Duterte cabinet member in charge of housing, her pro-poor stance was unwavering. In his 1973 speech, Fr. Arrupe said that men and women for others must have “a firm resolve to be agents of change in society; not merely resisting unjust structures and arrangements, but actively undertaking to reform them.” How accurate a description this is of the kind of leaders and public servant Jesse Robredo was. This is who Leni Robredo is. If Leni Robredo becomes president of the Philippines, we will be so fortunate. She will be our first president who has a human rights background; she will give justice to the nearly 30,000 who have died in Duterte’s war against illegal drugs which is nothing more than a war against the poor. If Leni Robredo becomes president, she will be our first president who has directly worked with the basic sectors and poor communities. She will put the country on a path of peace with its revolutionary groups by implementing necessary socio-economic reforms. If Leni Robredo becomes president, we will see a dynamic, professional, and competent leader. I am convinced that she will establish a government of national reconciliation, that would not necessarily

be dominated by the old Aquino coalition (most of whom are now with Duterte anyway) but by a Team Philippines that truly has the best and brightest servant leaders in this country. Change, good and authentic change, will truly come when Leni Robredo becomes president of this country. I am convinced of that. It will be such a relief to the chaos and corruption of this government. I ended my 2012 obituary with the hope that we can all be men and women for others. I said we can all be like Jesse Robredo and serve the people and country, without fanfare, with utmost sincerity, with the best that we can do. And we can make a difference. I wrote then: “If we want to honor Jesse’s memory, let us remember this and not be defeated by this sad moment.” I am glad that his wife, life partner, and mother of his children, was not defeated by his death. The children, too not only survived but have overcome well the challenges they faced in losing a father. Leni Robredo is a person for others and the country is so fortunate that she is our vice president and constitutionally the only successor to President Duterte.

only to investigate and prosecute core international crimes when national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to do so genuinely. That means, only if our local courts cannot carry out its function of enforcing our own penal IT IS most shameful to note that six of laws. But again that presupposes that our senators from the Liberal Party, a the accused was brought to trial before party that has become the unofficial ICC special prosecutor Fatou Bensouda spokesman of foreign interest groups, to proceed with the case. Our moronic senators should unhave filed a motion for reconsideration seeking to invalidate the decision of the derstand that although the ICC can government to withdraw from the Stat- prosecute any individual for crimes ute of Rome otherwise known as the of genocide, crimes against humanity, International Criminal Court. The trai- and war crimes of which the state has torous senators are Kiko Pangilinan, not ratified the Statute, a UN Security Franklin Drilon, Bam Aquino, Anto- Council Resolution is necessary. In its nio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros and absence, it is highly doubtful whether Leila de Lima. De Lima is, of course, the ICC prosecutors can proceed to act detained at the PNP Custodial Center on their own initiative. This reiterates accused of benefitting from the sale of the universal principle of the sovereign illegal drugs during her term as secre- right of an independent state. This is mandatory because the UN Security tary of justice. Any citizen who dearly values his Council is the only enforcing agency of being a Filipino is astounded at their the world body. But how can that be made possible action to shamelessly beg before a colonialist-created Kangaroo Court not when three of the permanent members, to accept the government’s decision to the United States, China and Russia, rewithdraw, having in mind of bringing fused to become members of the ICC? President Duterte before the ICC for al- France, United Kingdom, Germany leged extrajudicial killing of suspects and many European countries that were involved in the sale and distribution once the greatest colonizers of Africa of illegal drugs and for alleged hu- and Latin America certainly have their man rights violation. These misplaced motive in creating a body bent on overFilipinos argue that Article 127 of the taking the functions of the InternationStatute of Rome provides that the with- al Court of Justice. So far, four countries have already drawal shall take effect only after one year, and the proceedings which started withdrawn from the ICC. Many leaders have been inbefore the effecdicted by the ICC tivity will not be for alleged war affected, referring crimes and genoto the prelimiOur membership cide, but this has nary investigation raised questions conducted by ICC with the ICC is by virtue and suspicion that special prosecutor, of our adhesion to a this pattern has Fatou Bensouda. a color of racial To begin with, contract. d isc r i m i nat ion. the ICC has never To many of them, been considered they see it as even an international worse because the organization because it overlaps the functions of the architects behind the indictment and UN Security Council, notwithstanding prosecution of their leaders before the that it has no enforcement arm. Yes, ICC are their former colonizers, which it was President Estrada who certi- technically mean they have more power fied our application for membership in now than during their heydays of impe2000, and was ratified by Senate Reso- rialist colonization. In this case, the ICC’s main goal is to lution No. 546 in 2011. To withdraw, they say, from that help put an end to impunity for the perKangaroo Court organized by former petrators of serious crimes. These acEuropean colonial powers that hold the cordingly include crimes of genocide, unparalleled and unsurpassed distinc- crimes against humanity, war crimes, tion of enslaving an entire continent and crimes of aggression. While the and for committing pillage and plunder enumerated crimes could make the in countries they now want to be placed President liable, they are presumptuunder ICC jurisdiction, the senators ous. For instance, the use of the word insist that the withdrawal is invalid, “impunity” is to denote the guilt of the and ergo the President can be charged law enforcing authorities. Maybe some are killed for resisting arrest or for criminally. The trouble, however, is that they re- fighting back, but the circumstances fuse to admit that Resolution No. 546 cannot automatically be elevated to one and now cited by them as basis to effec- that falls within the jurisdiction of the tively ensnare the country is not a law. ICC, much more be categorized as one Many right-minded lawyers argue that committed with impunity. Moreover, while the 1987 Constituthe country can legally withdraw from it anytime much that the resolution is tion did not directly grant to the Presinot a law or a treaty that the contract- dent immunity from suit, that privilege ing parties would be affected by such remains even to his immediate predeunilateral decision to withdraw. The cessor but applying a different princiSenate resolution was a mere adhesion ple called the “Stare Decisis Doctrine,” contract, the reason why many coun- a principle of international law which tries arbitrarily and unilaterally with- precludes the courts from inquiring draw—as when the US withdrew from into the validity of the public acts of UNESCO. Besides, it is not provided in a recognized foreign sovereign power the Constitution that the Senate must committed within its own territory. first revoke the resolution before we The drug war launched by President can effectively withdraw from the ICC. Duterte is an official policy of the state. Unlike a treaty or international It is not a policy designed to commit agreement where contracting parties genocide or to exterminate our own citsimultaneously agree to abide to the ac- izens but to deter those engaged in the cord, our membership with the ICC is distribution and sale of illegal drugs. It by virtue of our adhesion to a contract, is the act of the criminal to defy the law which means that the country simply that is said to commit impunity, and not adhered to what original contracting to those law enforcing authorities who parties agreed on what is often called a put their lives on line to prevent the convention treaty or accord. As an ad- spread of drug addiction and invariably hesion contract, the Philippines cannot curtail criminality. The President, being vested with exbe punished by any form of punitive action for withdrawing from that organi- ecutive power to formulate and enforce zation unless it committed acts specifi- the policy of the government, can imcally punishable while being a member. plement such policy similar to the powHas our membership become effec- er to approve and veto budget, impose tive and binding considering that the tariff, grant pardon and amnesty, etc., Senate Resolution was not published without waiting for Congress to concur in the Official Gazette? These rascals with him on such matters. Otherwise, should not cite Article 126 of the Stat- that would unduly curb his power to ute of Rome as their point of reference make him completely powerless from because its applicability implies that performing his duty. we have already become a member. rpkapunan@gmail.com The so-called “principle of complementarity” states that ICC comes in

fully covered by freedom of expression. The non-establishment clause of the Constitution means that there is no State religion and prohibits favoring one religion over another (and some argue, over non-religion). Celdran’s MR asked for an SC en banc to discuss the case. The First Division’s resolution, according to several lawyers I have spoken with seemed like a “minute decision” and not a full decision. Since the law’s constitutionality is the one questioned, it is best for the en banc, or the entire SC to discuss the merits of the case, and for the Court to issue a full decision that will decide on questions of constitutionality. The First Division’s Resolution

simply stated that it affirms the conviction as ruled by the CA. It totally ignored the question of constitutionality. This is important because this case is precedent-setting. It’s Carlos Celdran now, tomorrow, it can be any one of us. This case goes beyond Celdran. The MR also asks the SC to call for oral arguments on the case. This will give the legal counsel of Celdran as well as the OSG the opportunity to argue and defend their positions in front of the Justices. Hopefully, the SC will call for one because after all, Art. 133’s adherence to the Constitution is being questioned. Lastly, it is unimaginable that someone like

By Albert del Rosario LET me start by stating that our country is facing challenges which threaten its very foundation that is built on the rule of law. The Philippines has been a staunch advocate of a rules-based international system. Its experience as a nation that has been liberated from dictatorial rule, proves its commitment to human security, dignity and more importantly, its core values of democracy. As such, we as a people have always sought to identify with those nations which share the same belief that international order should be based on rules that are fair to the shared interest of all. This is quite evident in our Constitution which is replete with principles in the conduct of its foreign policy. In embracing an independent foreign policy, the Philippines has adopted the generally accepted principles of international law. I have shared time and again that the rule of law is the bedrock of peace, order and fairness in modern societies. The rise of a rules-based international system has been the great equalizer in global affairs. Respect and adherence to international law have preserved peace and resolved conflicts. International law has given equal voice to nations regardless of political, economic or military stature, banishing the unlawful use of sheer force. Yet, there are those who think that the rule of law does not apply to great powers. We continue to reject that view. There are actors, however, who believe that they have unbridled power to dominate their fellow nations because they have the superior firepower. The militarization of the South China Sea remains to be one of the most important and contentious external threat not only in our country but in the region. China has continuously rejected the rule of law by ostracizing the jurisdiction of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. More so, it has not only unceasingly refused to accept the arbitral ruling that is now an integral part of international law, but it has also unwaveringly flexed its muscle to deprive us of our sovereign rights. Since our northern neighbor is a signatory to UNCLOS, it cannot pick and choose arbitrarily what benefits China. Our northern neighbor must

No... From A4

Last year, China banned “abnormally long” beards and Muslim veils in Xinjiang and ordered all car owners in the region to install GPS tracking devices. In December, New York-based Human Rights Watch reported that Xinjiang authorities were planning to collect biodata from all residents. “An Orwellian society has been put in place in Xinjiang,” Thierry Kellner, a politics professor at Belgium’s Universite Libre de Bruxelles specializing in China and the Muslim world, told AFP. A report published by US-based security analysis group Jamestown Foundation in May estimated that “at least several hundred thousand and possibly just over one million” people had been interned as part of a “pacification drive.” “This is unprecedented and exceeds anything that China has done in any other region including Tibet,” the report’s author,

Jesse... From A4

Jesse Robredo lived a life of service with a strong commitment to help the poor. This preferential option for the poor defined and determined Jesse’s days as a mayor and DILG secretary. He worked hard and demanded excellence from himself and from those who worked with him. But he did not do this because he was a perfectionist. He did and sought the best because he wanted the best for the Filipino people and especially the poor. He treated rich and poor people alike but clearly his heart belonged to the poor. That was why the delivery of basic services was so central to him as a public official. This commitment to the poor also characterizes the professional life of Vice President Robredo. Before becoming a public official, she was part of the community of Alternative Lawyering, of which I am a pioneer. In that community, we use the law to benefit the poor and marginalized. In Congress, Leni Robredo consistently took on causes for social justice—consistent in her support for agrarian reform, labor rights, indigenous peoples, urban poor, and environmental justice. In her

The... From A4

to be interested and government has said that Celdran should be declared innocent, the SC should take a second look at the resolution issued by its First Division. Celdran, in his MR again assailed the constitutionality of Art. 133. Such a law has no place in a country where there is full constitutional guarantee to freedom of expression, and where the separation of Church and State is protected by the Constitution. His “stop meddling in politics” is political expression

Albert del Rosario is a former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Ambassador to the United States. This speech was delivered Friday, Aug.t 17, at the Stratbase ADR Institute Forum at Ascott Bonifacio Global City.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Carlos Celdran can go to jail for expressing his political opinion. Carlos is NOT a dangerous person. Those who know him, and there are many, would attest to the many acts of kindness he has been doing for the less fortunate members of Manila’s communities. He is also known for his heritage advocacies and programs which have brought Intramuros, and the city of Manila into the consciousness of not a few people. When he was detained in prison in 2010 for his DAMASO act, we stayed with him the whole time. A group of “caretela” drivers came and sat down with us. They were the people helped by Carlos and when they learned that

he was in prison they came to visit and “guard” him. When we accompanied Carlos last August 15 to file his MR, two SC security guards told me that they knew of Carlos and that he is a good guy. Carlos Celdran deserves to be free, not jailed. What he did was part of his freedom to express himself. The “Offending the Religious Feelings” law is archaic and goes against the Constitution. Art. 133 of the Revised Penal Code should be declared unconstitutional. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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News

TODAY AUGUST 18, 2018 SATURDAY, mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Plane slides off Manila runway A

CHINESE passenger jet slid off the runway as it landed at Manila airport in torrential rain, authorities said Friday, with all 165 people on board safely evacuated. The Xiamen Airlines aircraft, carrying 157 passengers and eight crew, landed on its second attempt before skidding onto the grass and ripping off its le=ft engine, airport general manager Ed Monreal said. The Manila International Airport Authority, meanwhile, announced the closure of Runway 06/24 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport had been extended to 5 am on Saturday. According to Chino Gaston’s report on “QRT,” the extension was needed to give more time for the set-up of equipment needed to remove the disabled plane. Four people suffered “superﬁcial scratches” as they evacuated the Boeing 737-800 jet, which had ﬂown to the Philippine capital from Xiamen in southeast China, he added. “With God’s blessings all passengers were able to evacuate safely,” Monreal said, adding the cause of the incident was under investigation. Thousands of passengers were also stranded at three terminals of the airport.

The affected flights in Naia Terminal 1 included Etihad Airways flight EY421 to Abu Dhabi, Saudi Airlines flight SV 871 to Jeddah, Hong Kong Airlines flight HX781 to Hong Kong, and China Airlines flights CI 711 and CI 712 to and from Taiwan. In Terminal 2, Philippine Airlines flights to and from General Santos, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Nagoya, Tokyo and Osaka; and 18 flights of Cebu Pacific Air and six from Cathay Pacific Air in Terminal 3 were also affected by the closure. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio earlier told AFP the incident occurred in heavy rain and passengers and crew used an emergency chute to leave the aircraft. Local television network ABSCBN later aired photos of a group it said were passengers from the flight wrapped in blankets as they lined up inside the passenger terminal. Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported the plane circled the airport for an hour before attempting to land. AFP, Joel Zurbano, PNA

SEC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. _10___ Series of 2018. TO

ALL CONCERNED

SUBJECT

RULES AND REGULATIONS ON DETERMINATION OF TRUSTFUND AS A QUALIFIED BUYER

Section 1 – Coverage

By Maricel V. Cruz

DISASTER LEAD. Participants during the launching of the National Resiliency Council are agreed that the group should engage Congress in crafting a singular disaster management and resiliency agency. (Seated, from left): Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, president of NRC; Hans Sy, co-chairman of NRC and chairman of SM Prime’s Executive Committee; Ambassador Robert Romulo; Edgar Chua, president of Makati Business Club. (Standing, from left): Liza Silerio, vice president of Corporate Compliance, SM Supermalls; Malu Erni, executive director of NRC; former NDRRMC undersecretary Alexander Pama; Malu Suplido of the NRC; and Ernie Garilao, president of Zuellig Foundation.

LGUs must lead in disaster mgt—NRC THE public-private sector partnership for disaster resiliency, better known as the National Resiliency Council, has acknowledged that local government units are at the forefront in disaster management, whether these are man-made or natural catastrophes. In a meeting attended by representatives from the private sector and both national and local governments, participating members said there was a strong consensus being built on enhancing local government participation in times of calamities especially on capacity development and aid from the national government. The NRC last year launched the Resilient Cities & Municipalities Leadership Program for Local Chief Executives at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier in Taguig City. Its July 27 meeting was to assess the performance of participating government units. Last year, eight local government units registered with the NRC to assess whether they pass or fail in the resiliency program created by the group, with the help from various national government agencies. This will also track their performance within a three-year capacity

building resiliency leadership program. The program involves the use of a scorecard and a localized evidence-based metrics. These include Bataan province, Naga City, Iriga, Iloilo, Ormoc, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Valenzuela. The NRC target is to identify the risks inherent to each area and develop science-based solutions that can be adapted by local government units nationwide. NRC president Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga pointed out this was the first public-private partnership for disaster resilience. The NRC was formed to help boost the county’s resiliency efforts by developing a program that would put emphasis on multi-sectoral participation and engagement, in which national and local governments, private. The NRC was formed to help boost the county’s resiliency efforts by developing a program that would put emphasis on multi-sectoral participation and engagement, in which national and local governments, private sector, the academe, civil groups, peoples organizations and communities will work towards achieving a common goal based on an established platform.

These Rules shall apply to unit investment trust funds (“UITFs”) and other funds managed by persons authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”) to engage in trust functions or investment management activities (“IMA”) and not enumerated in SRC Sec 10.1 (l). Section 2 – Qualification of Trust Funds as Qualified Buyers 2.1 2.2

2.3

UITFs that are established in accordance with rules and regulations of the BSP are deemed qualified buyers. A fund established and covered by a trust or IMA agreement under a discretionary arrangement, as expressly stipulated, shall be considered a qualified buyer;provided that,the entity managing said fund is authorized by the BSP to engage in trust and/or IMA functions; and provided also that, the entity strictly adheres to the standards in the administration of thefund as required by BSP. A discretionary arrangement means that the entity managing the fund is granted authority to decide on the investment of the trust funds or IMA funds. A fund established and covered by a trust or IMA agreement under a non-discretionary arrangement shall be considered a qualified buyer provided that the following conditions are met: i. ii. iii.

iv. 2.4

2.5

Invitation to Bid The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects, invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contracts: Contract ID

NRP-AGN-06-18

Contract Name

Repair of Entrance/Exit Gates and Widening of Access Road at Port of Masao

Approved Budget for the Contract

₱ 25,049,467.00

Source of Fund

PPA Corporate Funds for the Year 2018 (Repair Funds)

Location

Masao Port, Brgy. Lumbocan, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

Scope of Work 1. Provide Environmental Safety and Health Program (CHSP) in the execution of the project; 2. Demolition Works;

the entity managing said fund is authorized by the BSP to engage in trust and/or IMA functions; the entity strictly adheres to the standards in the administration of the fund as required by BSP; the beneficial owner/s or principal/s of such fund possess the qualifications on financial capacity and sophisticationas specified in 2015 SRC Rules 10.1.11.1for natural persons, and 10.1.11.2 for juridical persons; and, the treatment of such fund as qualified buyer does not contravene the trust or IMA agreement.

2.1. Demolition/disposal of affected CHB Fence, Concrete Post, Curb and Guard House; 2.2

3.2

4. Laying of Pipe Culverts; 5. Supply and compact granular fill; 6. Supply, spread and compact sub base; 7. Supply, spread, and compact basecourse; 8. Grouted Riprap;

A fund established and covered by a trust or IMA agreement wherein the beneficial owner or principal of the fund has been deemed or conferred as a qualified buyer under SRC Sec. 10.1 (l) or SRC Rule 10.1.11 shall be considered a qualified buyer.

9. Supply and place PCCP, 3500 psi; 10.Electrical Works 11.Covered Walkway ( Steel works, welding works and painting works) 12.Concreting Works (Covered walk footing, pedestal and walkway);

The fund under Sections 2.3 and 2.4 herein shall cease to be treated as a qualified buyer in case of non-compliance with any of the prescribed conditions, except the sale or disposition of the asset holding.

13. Construction of CHB fence, steel fence and steel gates; 14. Sealing of construction joints; 15. Provision of guard house;

All funds under UITFs, IMA accounts and other funds established under a trust arrangement shall make, keep and preserve for such periods, records, furnish such copies thereof, and make such reports, as the Commission and BSP by its rules and regulations may prescribe. Such accounts, correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, and other records shall be subject at any time to such reasonable periodic, special or other examinations by representatives of the Commission as the Commission may deem necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. In addition, fund established under section 2.3 shall keep, maintain and update the list and records of the fund that it has determined as qualified buyers. The records and supporting documents that shall be maintained and required for evaluation shall those information and documents required under Rule 39.1.4.5 of the 2015 SRC Rules. In addition to the required information enumerated in said Rule 39.1.4.5, it shall also include in the listing the name/ identity of funds and the date of conferment of status as qualified buyer. The fund established under section 2.3 shall make available for inspection to the Commission’s representatives the documents used by the trustee or investment manager such as application forms, beneficial owners’ or principals’ information sheets and proof of qualifications for a period of at least five (5) years. It shall retain the records that relate to an on-going investigation beyond this point until the Commission declares the case closed and terminated. The fund shall likewise submit to the Commission the aforementioned list upon the request.

Section 4 – Fund with more than one beneficial owner/principal 4.1

4.2

4.3

A fund comprising of two or more beneficial owners/principals shall be evaluated based on the arrangement among the beneficial owners/ principals (individually or joint) which they have represented to the trust entity. A joint account with an “OR” or “AND/OR” arrangement shall be evaluated based on the income or portfolio investment or net worth or gross assets of each beneficial owner/principal. A joint account with an “AND” arrangement shall be evaluated based on the combined income or portfolio investment or net worth or gross assets of all the beneficial owners/principals. For both types of joint account, continuing compliance with the qualifications in the abovementioned 2015 SRC Rules is required. For the “OR” or “AND/OR” arrangement, each beneficial owner/principal shall continuously comply with the required aforementioned qualifications. Subsequent purchases of “OR” or “AND/OR” arrangement that has lost its qualified buyer status shall not be allowed.

Section 5 – Sanctions and Penalties for Non-Compliance Non-compliance with any of the requirements and procedures prescribed herein shall subject a covered entity or person to the administrative sanctions provided under Section 54 of the SRC.

16. Construction of gate complex; and 17. Painting Works Contract Duration

180 Calendar Days

Required PCAB Classification/ Registration

General Engineering: Medium A

Cost of Bid Document

(₱25,000.00), exclusive of 12% VAT.

Bidders should have completed, within the last five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single largest completed contract (SLCC) similar to the Project to be bid and having a value of at least 50% of the approved budget for the contract to be bid, adjusted to current prices using the PSA consumer price indices and supported with corresponding certificate of completion/acceptance from project owner/agency. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Gove rn ment Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to duly licensed Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations or cooperatives duly organized under the law of the Philippines and of which at least 75% of the interest or of the outstanding capital stock belongs to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders are required to submit to the BAC Secretariat of PPA, PMO Agusan a letter of intent together with the set of machine copies with original for presentation and authentication before the issuance of Bid Documents of the following: a) Valid PCAB License/Classification; and b) Certificate of Completion/Acceptance of owner of the Single Largest Completed Contract within the last five (5) years similar to the project to be bid A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available to interested Bidders from the address below upon payment of the specified non-refundable Cost of Bid Documents, exclusive of 12% VAT. This Office is not electronically-ready to handle documents thus submission of bids / proposals electronically is not allowed. The schedule of procurement activities is as follows: Procurement Activities

Schedule Time

Date

Venue

Period of Availability/ Issuance of Bidding Documents

9:00 AM -5:00 PM

August 15, 2018 – September 3, 2018

PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Building, Port Area, Butuan City

Pre-Bid Conference

10:30 AM

August 23, 2018

PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Building, Port Area, Butuan City

Deadline of Submission and Receipt of Bids

9:00 AM

September 4, 2018

PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Building, Port Area, Butuan City

Opening & Examination of Bids

9:30 AM

September 4, 2018

PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Building, Port Area, Butuan City

The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan Bids and Award Committee will hold a PreBid Conference on August 23, 2018 (Thursday) at the PPA, PMO Agusan Administration Bldg., Port Area, San Francisco Street, Butuan City, at the time and place specified in the above schedule which shall be open to all interested bidders. Bidders must submit their bids on or before the date, time and at the place specified in the above schedule. Late bid/s will not be accepted. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the forms stated in the Bidding Documents. Bids higher than the ABC shall automatically be disqualified at the bid opening. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. Similarly, the PPA Port Management Office of Agusan assumes no obligation, whatsoever, to compensate or indemnify any bidder of any expenses or loss that said bidder(s) may incur in its participation in the pre-bidding and bidding process nor does it guarantee that an award will be made. For further information, please refer to:

Section 6 – Effectivity These Rules shall take effect immediately following the completion of its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Pasay City, Metro Manila, August _6_ 2018. For the Commission:

(MS-AUG. 18, 2018)

Removal and disposal of affected Pavement;

3. Excavation Works;

Section 3 – Recordkeeping and Reporting 3.1

EMILIO B. AQUINO Chairperson

Mideast OFW market near dew point

MS. SHEERYL B. PEDEGLORIO General Services Officer A Head, BAC Secretariat-Engineering Projects PPA, PMO-Agusan Port Area, San Francisco Street, Butuan City 8600 Tel. Nos. (085) 342-6451/342-5352 Fax No. (085) 815-4434 Email Address: pmo_nasipit@yahoo.com (SGD.) JUANCHO I. TALILI Division Manager A, Port Services Division BAC Chairperson, Engineering Projects (MS-AUGUST 18, 2018)

THE market for Filipino workers in the Middle East is reaching saturation point, a senior legislator said Friday, at the same time that he urged the government to rethink the policies on the deployment of workers to other countries. Rep. Henry Ong of Leyte, vice chairman of the House of Represenatives Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries, cited the latest Bangko Sentral figures on remittances released on Aug. 15, indicating that cash remittance from the Middle East dropped by 15.3 percent or $601.856 million in the first half of the year. However, Ong said second half cash remittances were expected to be stronger because of the Christmas Season. Ong said: “It is time for a major but gradual shift in the policies on worker deployment. Those who want to stay in the Middle East can of course do so. “Filipinos working in the Middle East will remit anywhere from $8 billion to $9 billion annually in the coming several years—nearterm to medium term—but the growth rates will be slower and slower.” He added: “To prepare for slowdown of remittances from the Middle East as early as now the Philippines should start more new deployment to other countries where Filipino workers are welcome, needed, respected, and cared for. “We should have bilateral labor agreements with them. They should be signatories to and have ratified international conventions on migrant workers.”

Manila chosen as 2nd Most Competitive City THE City of Manila was recognized as the 2nd Overall Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City in the country by the National Competitiveness Council, which was bagged by Quezon City. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said this showed the officials and local leaders of the city government displayed resolve and commitment to keep Manila the premier city once again. “Although we fell short of our goal to be back as the top most Competitive Highly Urbanized City last year, I thank my department heads, the city councilors and all city government employees for a job well done. We will do better next year,” Estrada said in a message. A city’s competitiveness was measured using three indicators: Economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure. Quezon City was able to maintain its claim as the Most Competitive Highly Urbanized City, having received the citation last year. Manila ranked second in the category of Highly Urbanized Cities, followed by President Rodrigo Duterte’s home city, Davao. While Estrada said he was satisfied with the result, he vowed to make improvements and regain the glory of Manila. “There are still many other challenges we face. Among them are the problems of garbage, traffic and illegal vendors,” Estrada said. However, he assured he would not stop working to address the big problem faced by the city. He congratulated Quezon City, Davao City, Pasay City, San Juan City and all other winners and awardees. “I know what it takes to be the best and to be the first,” he added. Manila was first overall in 2016, 2nd in 2017 and 2nd this year.

PCSO in ‘billionaires row’ tery industry with P55 billion to P60 billion projected revenues this year,” PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said. Joining Balutan in receiving the award—Certificate of Acknowledgement of Dividend Remittances— during a simple ceremony at the Malacañang Palace was PCSO Chairman Anselmo Simeon Pinili. “Seven out of 54 GOCCs remitted at least P1 billion, representing 69 percent of total remittances or P22.052 billion, and this is where PCSO ranked 5th,” Balutan said. “We are very proud. We were seated at the front row they called ‘The Billionaires Row’ from among all the GOCCs. Actually, [‘yung dividends] malaking tulong ito sa mga pagawaing bayan, especially sa mga utilities (e.g. electricity, water), and other infrastructures to beef up the economy,” he added. According to Dominguez, out of 125 GOCCs, 54 have N OTICE remitted a total P32.03 Notice is hereby given that FIRST RGP LAND DEVELOPMENT, CORP., with office address at 1211 billion to the National Cityland 10 Tower 1, HV Dela Costa St., Salcedo Village, Treasury from January Makati City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of to July 2018. Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (LATRIA HOMES Phases 2, 3, & 4) with a capacity of 262 house and lot units Pursuant to Secon a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Timalan, tion 3 of Republic Act Naic, Cavite. 7656, all GOCCs are Any person with valid objections on the above-mentioned required to declare project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this and remit at least 50 publication. percent of their annual net earnings as cash, (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-in-Charge stock, or property divInfrastructure and Services Industries Service idends to the National (MS-AUGUST 18, 2018) Government. THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has been named one of the best performing Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations for 2017 and listed in the “billionaires row” of the Department of Finance. President Rodrigo Duterte and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the awarding Wednesday in Malacañang. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez II joined Duterte and Arroyo in giving the awards to the GOCCs. “This is a remarkable financial achievement. The same top contributors I mentioned earlier including now, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, made this feat possible,” Dominguez said. “Our agency is going stronger than ever with its multi-billion lot-

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Durham, Amer lift Meralco

PPS-Pulilan age-group net meet gets going NEW faces are expected to emerge with the young guns from Pulilan, Bulacan and nearby cities and towns clash in today’s (Saturday) start of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Pera Padala Pulilan Youth-Bulacan national age group tennis tournament at the Pulilan Tennis Club outdoor tennis courts. Close to 200 entries are all geared up for the five-day battle in the ninedivision event, a Group 2 tournament hosted by Larry Pascua and members of the Pulilan Tennis Club in support of the country’s long-running talentsearch put up by Palawan Pawnshop. Denise Bernardo, member of the Unified Tennis Philippines’ national junior team, and Mikaela Vicencio banner the girls’ 18-and-under cast that also drew Julia Ignacio and Katherine Mercado while Jester Ocio and Daniel Estanislao III loom as the top contenders in the boys’ side of the premier category of the event presented by Dunlop and backed by Asiatraders Corp. “With so many young players wanting to get a feel of tournament play, the PPS-PEPP circuit provides the proper venue for these future stars to showcase their talent and skills,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro. Justine Maneja and Gaby Zoleta, meanwhile, lead the chase in the girls’ 16-U play with Ocio and Estanislao likewise gaining the top two seedings in the boys’ side of the event sanctioned by the UTP, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Keen competition is also expected in the rest of the categories with Maneja and Ignacio also topbilling the 14-U group with Axi Gonzaga, Thomas Bernardo, Keno Enriquez and Miguel Vicencio tipped to slug it out in the boys’ division. The Lim sibings, John Price and Kris Roque, look to dispute the 12-U and 10-unisex titles but both face strong challenge from the likes of Kean Enriquez and Joshua Diva in the 12-U hostilities. Meanwhile, PPS-PEPP action shifts to Zamboanga del Norte next week. Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

By Jeric Lopez

Jobim Carlos (left) and Kim Joo Hyung head to another title showdown but against the most feared player in the fold.

Carlos wrests control, but Pagunsan, Kim lurk B

ACOLOD—Jobim Carlos and Kim Joo Hyung took their familiar 1-2 spots in the pivotal third round of the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic with identical two-under 68s but found a rival one wouldn’t wish to engage in a ﬁnal round shootout right at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club. Juvic Pagunsan finally found his groove, range and touch at the Marapara layout he calls home, rattling off six birdies at the front that spiked his day-best 65 and put him back in the thick of things after a pair of mediocre rounds of 69-70 in the P3.5 million tournament put up by ICTSI. Carlos, seeking a third crown in two months, also used a strong start of four birdies in the first eight holes to cushion the impact of his faltering finish (three bogeys in the last seven) as he grabbed the lead with a seven-under 203, just one ahead of Kim, whose bogey-free 68 and a 204 kept the 16-year-old find on course for a second crown after edging Carlos in the Pueblo de Oro Championship last month. “I was happy to have walked away with the lead, given the tough backnine,” said Carlos, who quickly tied halfway leader Zanieboy Gialon with three

straight birdies from No. 2. “It was a good thing I got off to a rousing start. Otherwise, I would’ve struggled all day.” But looming large is Pagunsan, who missed joining Carlos at the helm with a second straight bogey on the par-3 13th, settling for joint second with Kim but earning a coveted spot in the championship flight and in the hunt for the top P650,000 purse in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “I was expecting to shoot 8- or 9-under but this is what was given. I’ll just try again tomorrow (today) where I expect to finish strong,” said Pagunsan, looking to mark his comeback on the Philippine Golf Tour with a victory right on the course where he nurtured his game. Flashing solid shotmaking and iron play, Pagunsan birdied the first three holes then came through with back-toback feats from no. 5 before closing out

the frontside with another birdie. But he slowed down at the back, making three straight pars, then dropping a stroke on No. 13 before settling for pars the rest of the way. But his 65 coupled with Carlos’ wavering finish set the stage for what could be another thrilling windup in this second of the four tournaments making up the Visayan swing of the circuit backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. Eager to prove his worth, Kim hopes to get something from playing against the former Asian Tour No. 1. “I’m looking forward to playing with Juvic and learn from him,” said Kim, who birdied Nos. 7 and 16 and stayed away from trouble with conservative play. Like majority of the surviving 43-player cast, Gialon floundered at the tougher backside of the par-70 layout, fumbling with two bogeys and dropping two strokes on the par-4 No. 14 to hobble with a 73. Still, the PGT Calatagan leg winner last year didn’t stray too far behind with a three-day total of 205, just two shots off Carlos.

Pakutkot, Alfonso top Phoenix Pulse Slalom Invitational PEKTO Pakutkot of Speedjav Racing Team Baguio City clinched the overall, Production Front Wheel and the novice best time of the day by clocking 44.46 in the second leg of the RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology Slalom Invitational Challenge held last Aug. 5 at Robinsons Place Calasiao, Pangasinan. He was followed by teammate Ronz Yuzon, who timed 44.82. For the Production Rear Wheel, Glen Alfonso of Speedjav Nueva Ecija Racing Team bagged the title with a time of 45.84, followed by Ram Rafanan in the novice category with 46.12 The 2018 RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series, with enhanced power and acceleration, is also supported by major sponsors Federal Tyres and 3K Batteries, New SR KYB Special Shock Absorbers, Robinsons Calasiao and Robinsons Malls and supported by Starbright Body Kits, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Auto Car Magazine and Power Wheels Magazine. Different clubs, headed by Wholesome Concpets, Speed Jav, Greenlight La Union and privateers from Tarlac and Pangasinan took part in the invitationals.

The 3rd leg of the Phoenix Pulse Technology Slalom Invitational will be on Oct. 7, again at Robinsons Calasiao Pangasinan. Meanwhile, the 7th leg of the 2018 Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series is on Aug. 19 at Robinsons Novaliches. The 8th leg is on Sept. 9 at NFA Compound Cabanatuan City, while the 9th leg is set on Sept. 22 and 23 at Athletic Bowl Baguio City. For details, contact Bing Bang O. Dulce at nos. 928-6951 or 0917-8119337, email racemotorsportsclub@yahoo.com or follow the event at our Facebook account RACE Motorsports Club. Official Results: Novice Modified A: 1st Adriel Pacis 48.10, 2nd Ram Rafanan 48.92, 3rd Tatit Kulit 51.66, 4th Cian Dumo 62.02 Novice Modified B: 1st Glen Alfonso 45.88, 2nd Ram Rafanan 46.12 Novice Modified C: 1st Glen Alfonso 45.84 PRO Stock A: 1st Ronz Yuzon 44.84, 2nd Jeff Capiral 46.06, 3rd Potchie Paikot 46.18 Pro Stock B: 1st Ronz Yuzon 44.82, 2nd Jhon Guintu 47.29, 3rd John Labrado 49.61 Pro Stock C: 1st Perpekto Pakutkot 45.11,

CAPTION HEAD sdf dsjkfdjsf ksd.jfdsf sdkjf ksdfjsdf dsjfdsklf dskjfdsflds dskjf dsfjdsf Glen Alfonso of Speed Jav Racing Team is shown after grabbing the novice and Rear Wheel Production best time of the day.

2nd Ronz Yuzon 46.82, 3rd Jhon Guintu 2nd Jeff Capiral 49.87 47.22, PRO A: 1st Ronz Yuzon 45.30, 2nd Group 2A: 1st Cay Ulrich Torio 52.22, Jhon Guintu 47.54 2nd Edwin Villanueva 52.56, 3rd Potchie PRO B: 1st Ronz Yuzon 45.22 Paikot 53.02 PRO C: 1st Ronz Yuzon 4 5 . 3 9, 2 n d Group 2B: 1st John Labrado 48.63, Jeff Capiral 46.08

Asia Pool Challenge set Aug 23-25 at Winford Manila Resort & Casino

GOOD JOB. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan congratulates Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez after the Parañaque Patriots defeated Caloocan Supremos (94-87) in the elimination round of the 2018 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Olivarez College Gymnasium Wednesday. Olivarez’s son Paolo, looks on.

AFTER four years, Manila will once again be the venue of this year’s annual international amateur expat pool event. Dubbed “Asia Pool Challenge Manila 2018,” this sports event will happen on Aug. 23, 24 and 25 at the Grand Ballroom of Winford Manila Resort and Casino. Participants from seven neighboring Asian countries, namely, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia and Korea will join local players in the three days competition that will showcase the Philippines as the “Pool Capital of the World.”

The Philippines have earned such title after producing world champions like Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante. The first day of the event, Aug. 23, will be the “Super Singles” playoffs, while the second and third, Aug. 24 and 25, will be “Team Battles.” “Asia Pool Challenge Manila 2018” is presented by Betchip, Winford, Navigator Japan and Keith Andy, in cooperation with Puyat Sports and Billiard Sports Confederation of the Philippines, under the Philippine Sports Commission. Admission to the event is free.

IT’S just the first game of the new conference, but Baser Amer already made a bold statement. Amer scored the last two of his 23 points with 58 seconds remaining to lift Meralco to a hard-fought 109-106 squeaker over Columbian Dyip in the opening game of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night. Knowing his team needed a basket, Amer converted the go-ahead lay-up with 58 ticks left that gave the Bolts a vital 108-106 edge. After the Dyip missed on the other end, it was forced to foul reigning Best Import Allen Durham, who split his charities with two seconds remaining to make it 109-106, leaving the door open for Columbian to force overtime with the ball in hand. However, Roider Cabrera missed a potential-tying three-pointer, allowing Meralco to notch its first victory right away. Durham, who is now in his third straight tour of duty for the Bolts, was his usual dominant self, scoring teamhighs of 26 points and 20 rebounds, helping Amer, who added eight rebounds and six assists to his stat line. With over three minutes to go, the Bolts looked poised to have an easier finish after taking a 106-100 advantage. Still fighting, the stubborn Dyip scored six unanswered points as Glenn Khobuntin’s lay-up with 1:15 remaining tied it at 106-all, setting up Amer’s heroics in the final minute. Four more Meralco cagers scored in twin-digits, with Mike Tolomia scoring 14 off the bench, Cliff Hodge 11 and Ranidel De Ocampo and Anjo Caram with 10 each, both as reserves as well. The Bolts exploded for 42 points in the third quarter after finding their offense. Meralco converted its 10-point halftime deficit into a key 85-76 lead entering the fourth quarter after outscroing Columbian by 19 in the third. The Dyip, though, answered with a 12-2 run to start the payoff period to regain the lead, 88-87, temporarily. Still, it was Amer and the Bolts who came out on top in crunch time, ruining Johnedel Cardel’s head coaching debut for the Dyip.

Sporting... From A8

She is relishing being back in Jakarta, where it all began for her 21 years ago. “I was in Jakarta when I was only 13 years old... at the 1997 Indonesia SEA Games,” she told Malaysia’s Star newspaper last month. “It was my first outing as a senior player in the national team. And now after many years, I’ll be back in Jakarta for the Asian Games. It will be a special occasion and I will treasure the moment.” Son Heung-min (KOR) football Tottenham have agreed a deal with the South Korean Football Association which will see South Korea’s most successful football export miss the first two matches at the Asian Cup in January in exchange for releasing him for the Asiad. Son, whose goal knocked holders Germany out of the World Cup in Russia in June, came on as a late substitute in Saturday’s opening day 2-1 Premier League win at Newcastle before taking the long flight to Jakarta. It is a calculated gamble by Spurs who know that losing the 26-year-old “Sonny” for three weeks at the start of this season could pay dividends if he can guide to country to a repeat of their 2014 games triumph. A gold medal would be rewarded with an exemption from the 21 months of compulsory military service that, like all other Korean men, he would be required to begin before his 28th birthday in July 2020. Son missed out when South Korea took gold in Incheon four years ago because his club at the time, Bayer Leverkusen, would not release him. AFP

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph; sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 , 2018

Dirty air hangs over Asiad JAKARTA—Indonesia is about to open the Asian Games but its traffic-clogged capital Jakarta remains shrouded in a haze of air pollution that threatens to mar the world’s second-biggest multi-sport event. Jakarta’s toxic skies have been stuck at unhealthy levels for weeks despite drastic efforts to cut down on congestion, including an odd-even licence plate system and the closure of some schools and toll roads. The city’s air-quality index reading hovered around 107 on Friday, posing a danger for people sensitive to air pollution including those with respiratory problems. But the index has regularly topped 150 this month, which is considered a health threat to the general population. A reading over 300 is seen as hazardous. About 16,000 athletes and officials from 45 Asian countries—along with hordes of sports-crazy tourists—are flocking to Jakarta and co-host city Palembang for the showpiece event, which kicks off Saturday. Athletes competing indoors will be relatively unaffected, but it’s a different story for outside sports like athletics, archery, baseball, softball and rugby, said Budi Haryanto, an air pollution and health expert at the University of Indonesia. Competing in an environment with dirty air limits athletes’ ability to perform at their best, he added, with Jakarta’s average 31 degree Celsius temperatures already threatening to leave competitors drenched in sweat. It’s a worry for racewalker Hendro Yap, 17, who hails from Indonesia’s cultural capital Yogyakarta where the climate is cooler and less polluted. Yap, who broke the Southeast Asian Games record last year in Kuala Lumpur for 20-kilometre race walking, said he finds competing in Jakarta a challenge. “For (people) who are used to running in Jakarta... it might be slightly easier,” he told AFP. “But it’s still very hard. You sweat more. And in Jakarta it’s so polluted... that it’s hard to perform.” AFP

Impressive wins for JRU, St. Benilde Games Tuesday

(The Arena in San Juan) 10 a.m. Letran vs Mapua (jrs) 12 noon San Beda vs Lyceum (jrs) 2 p.m. Letran vs Mapua (srs) 4 p.m. San Beda vs Lyceum (srs)

By Peter Atencio THE College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, two teams which got a lift from a two-game forfeiture imposed on the San Sebastian Stags, carved out impressive victories yesterday at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan. Second stringers Carlo Young and Edward Dixon joined top scorer Justin Gutang in scoring crucial baskets in the last period, pushing the Blazers to a 7062 win over the Arellano Chiefs in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament. A split charity from Mark Mallari and Jun Silvarez’s defense on Hamaadou Laminou worked wonders for the Heavy Bombers as they escaped with a 57-55 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals. Both teams improved their winloss records and their place in the team standings after the San Sebastian Stags forfeited two of their won games for fielding an ineligible player, who saw action in a pocket tournament a week before the start of the season. Young and Gutang struck hard in the last 4:10, with their baskets keeping the Blazers ahead by seven, 65-57, and assuring them of their fifth triumph in eight games. Dixon scored on a penetration in the last two minutes, his reply to Chiefs cager Kraniel Viloria’s triple allowing the Blazers to grab a 68-62 cushion. Gutang went on lead with 15 points for the Blazers, who climbed to fifth position. “The boys played well. They held the Chiefs to less than 30 percent on field goals, and that’s without our import Clement Lentchieu,” said Chief coach TY Tang.

This photograph taken shows a 2018 Asian Games promotional billboard on a building (left) as seen past traffic and haze from air pollution in Jakarta’s city center. Indonesia is about to open the Asian Games but its traffic-clogged capital Jakarta remains shrouded in a haze of air pollution that threatens to mar the world’s second-biggest multi-sport event. AFP

PH five coach Guiao has 50 minutes to blend Clarkson in J

AKARTA—Fifty minutes. That’s the only amount of time accorded the Philippine national team by 2018 Asian Games organizers here for practice.

And for a two-week-old national quintet trying to infuse the NBA star Jordan Clarkson into coach Yeng Guiao’s system, that is indeed a challenge everyone must face. “Our only problem is the regular practice is arranged by the organizers, nakaka-practice namin siya (Clarkson) 50 minutes lang.,” Guiao said. Good thing Clarkson picked up Guiao’s plays fast. “High IQ talaga, he caught on the plays 35-40 minutes, picked them up really fast. We did not have to prolong practice because everybody’s tired. We just came from the game and he came from a 17-hour f light. Then, pahinga siya sandali then pumunta ng practice.On Friday, we will practice again and we will run the plays for him. We hope that by the China game, they become natural, automatic, our cohesiveness with him,” added Guiao. The NLEX coach-turned-national team mentor heaped his “new weapon” praises and for good reason.

“That’s a quality of a good player, a quality of a good person who’s been brought up really well. You know his upbringing is really good. Siguro we can take a little good credit of that kasi nga may dugo siyang Pilipino. That’s nice to know, that’s nice to hear. He’s very Filipino actually. Very accommodating, quiet. He appreciates the efforts of people around him to make him comfortable, relaxed. Maayos naman ito,” added Guiao. “You can see that he’s in shape. You can see that he’s very quick. You can see that his skills are defined and fine tuned. But I don’t see any prob-

lem with his intelligence, his abilities. He can blend in and he’s going to lead this team—hopefully deep into the playoffs, into the medal round,” said Guiao. On Friday, Guiao, the players Jordan Clarkson

and Clarkson will again have 50 minutes to get the Cleveland Cavaliers’ guard more accustomed to their offense and defensive schemes. Guiao hopes basketball officials can get another gym so that they can at least have twice-a-day sessions from Saturday to Monday, before their Tuesday game against Asiad favorite China, which is backstopped by NBA Zhou Qi of the Houston Rockets and Ding Yanyuhang of the Dallas Mavericks. Gametime is at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. Manila time). The plan is for Clarkson to facilitate the team’s offense and not become its primary scorer. “We don’t need him to score 50. What’s good for us is he can attract a lot of attention. That’s going to free up our local shooters. Our local scorers. It might be very useful for us, especially against China. Malalaki sila masyado. We will need that shooting window and if you cannot get that shooting window a lot from our big man. With him, he draws the attention of the defense and we will get that opportunity to score. He will know when to decoy and he will know when to score,” said Guiao.

Sporting superstars who can light up Asian Games JAKARTA—The Asian Games, the world’s second largest multi-sports event, begin this week. Here are five global stars who can shine at the continental showpiece in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia. Su Bingtian (CHN), athletics The Chinese flyer is in the form of his life and ready to cement his status as Asia’s fastest man. Su stormed to a 100 metres personal best of 9.91sec in Madrid as recently as June 22 and proved it was no fluke by clocking the same time in Paris a week later. Those runs came hot on the heels of Su’s wind-assisted 9.90 in Eugene in May, and the 28-year-old starts as a hot favourite in Jakarta after equalling the Asian record of Nigerian-born Qatari Femi Ogunode, who ran 9.91 in 2016. Ogunode beat Su to the gold four years ago in Incheon but has failed to dip below 10 seconds this season. Su’s greatest moment came in 2015 when he ran a storming third leg as China took a shock 4x100 metres World Championships silver in Beijing behind Usain Bolt’s all-conquering Jamaica. Another member of that quartet, Xie Zhenye, could be Su’s biggest challenger in Jakarta having clocked a personal best 9.97 in June. Kento Momota (JPN), badminton The newly crowned world champion is making up for lost time after a gambling scandal that threatened to wreck his career.

The 23-year-old beat Chinese number one Shi Yuqi 21-11, 21-13 in Nanjing last week to become the first Japanese man to win a singles world title. Momota was world number two when he was suspended in 2016 for more than a year after visiting an illegal casino, denying him a place at the Rio Olympics. But he will head to Jakarta as favourite for gold as he aims to take the mantle from Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and China’s Lin Dan, who have dominated the sport. Joseph Schooling (SIN), swimmin Schooling pulled off one of the biggest surprises in swimming history by beating the great Michael Phelps in the American’s final individual race, the Rio 2016 100m butterfly final, to win Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal. Four years ago in Incheon Schooling took three butterfly medals—gold in the 100m, silver in the 50m and bronze in the 200m. The 22-year-old is aiming for five gongs in Jakarta—he may opt for the 100m freestyle instead of the 200m butterfly as well as his favourite 100m and 50m fly events while also taking on the 4x100m freestyle and 4x100m medley relays. Nicol David (MAS), squash The Penang-born superstar is in the twilight of her glittering career but will be eyeing another glorious title to add her incredible tally of four individual

golds, two team golds and one individual silver at the past five Asiads stretching back 20 years. David stunned the world of squash when she won her first Asian Games

gold as a 14-year-old in 1998, and went on to assume legendary status by spending a record 108 months as world number one from August 2006 Turn to A7 to September 2015.

IN BRIEF

Facebook, Uber may face contempt—NPC UBER and Facebook may be cited for contempt and face a cease-anddesist order on certain data processes once found accountable for the breach reported earlier. The National Privacy Commission is set to issue a decision before the end of the third quarter of 2018 amid growing concerns on data privacy breach. “There should be a clear proof of threat, of risk and harm. We might be asking Facebook for another set of data,” NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro said in a brieﬁng Tuesday on data privacy hosted by the Contact Center Association of the Philippines. The Facebook case is currently facing adjudication with the NPC. The case of Uber Philippines, meanwhile, is on the NPC level after undergoing the adjudication procedure. The PCC said it would still proceed with the Uber case despite the consummation of the acquisition deal by Grab. Uber faced the ire of the NPC for non-disclosure of a data breach incident involving registered name, e-mail address and phone number of about 171,000 Filipinos. Othel V. Campos

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

PNOC Exploration’s profit up 44% P850m STATE-RUN PNOC Exploration Corp. posted a net income of P850 million in the ﬁrst six months, up 44 percent from P589 million year-on-year. The company posted a proﬁt before tax of P1.4 billion during the period from P899 million on year. PNOC EC recorded higher service and business revenues of P2.512 billion from January to June, gains of P280 million and other non-operating income of P4.58 million against expenses of P1.393 billion during the period. PNOC EC owns a 10-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan where it derives the bulk of revenues. PNOC EC also owns stakes in service contract 37 (Cagayan), SC 74 Northwest Palawan, SC 63 (Sabina), SC 59 (West Balabac), SC 58 (West Calamian) and SC 57 (Calamian). The Department of Energy has ordered PNOC EC to import diesel to secure the country’s fuel requirements. PNOC EC, the oil and gas unit of parent Philippine National Oil Co., is studying the takeover of the Malampaya project. Alena Mae S. Flores

Now raised income to P5.8m in 6 months NOW Corp., a listed company controlled by the Velarde family, said net proﬁt jumped 158 percent to P5.82 million in the ﬁrst half of the year from P2.26 million year-on-year. Now said gross revenues amounted to P87.38 million in the January-toJune period, up 29 percent from P68.10 million a year ago. The company’s Fiber-in-the-Air broadband business surged 105 percent, delivering gross revenues of P20.01 million from P9.77 million a year ago. The software licenses and technical services segment also rose 35 percent, with gross revenues increasing from P37.84 million to P51.07 million. “We continue to provide the needs of the enterprise market with guaranteed broadband internet coupled with robust IT solutions and manpower services. Our internet business has been a key growth driver due to NOW’s unique positioning as the only broadband provider that commits guaranteed minimum speeds 24x7,” Kristian Pura, Now head of business development and strategy said. Darwin G. Amojelar

MERALCO TAPS WEATHER SOLUTIONS. Manila Electric Co., the biggest electric distribution utility company, signs a subscription agreement with Aboitiz social enterprise Weather Solutions Inc. to gain access to weather data in critical service areas. The weather data that could help in forecasting electricity demand include historical, near real-time and forecast for each of the identified areas. Members of the Weather Solutions team and officers of Meralco pose during a tour of the Aboitiz Innovation Lab, NAC Tower, in Bonifacio Global City.

Coca-Cola FEMSA sells 51% stake to US bottler T By Othel V. Campos

HE Coca-Cola Company announced Friday its Bottling Investments Group will wrest control of the bottling operations in the Philippines after Coca-Cola FEMSA of Mexico decided to sell its 51-percent stake in unit Coca-Cola Philippines. The US company said the buyback would be subject to regulatory approvals. “We respect Coca-Cola FEMSA’s decision, and we appreciate the progress made during their five-year tenure in the Philippines,” said Coca-Cola Company president of the Asia Pacific Group John Murphy. The firm expressed confidence about the growth prospects of the Philippine bottling operations, adding the market was now in a better position for future success. Murphy said the company would ensure a smooth transition of the

Philippine bottling operations for all customers, business partners, consumers and workers; Coca Cola Company Philippines president and general manager Winn Everhart noted that the Coca-Cola Company had been operating in the Philippines for over 100 years. “In every market’s evolution, there will be ups and downs. We are conﬁdent both in the opportunities that we have ahead and in the plans we have in place for the Philippines. With BIG’s depth of experience and solid track record in Southeast Asia, we believe they will bring signiﬁcant value to our business,” he said. Meanwhile, BIG president Calin Dragan said Southeast Asia was an important market for the company and that “and we look forward to the Philippines joining our portfolio.” “We want all customers and consumers to know that we are fully committed to ensure a seamless transition with CocaCola FEMSA. Most importantly, we want all employees to know that we appreciate the progress they have made in moving the Philippines business forward, and we believe that this will continue to improve as part of BIG,” he said.

BIG was created by The Coca-Cola Company to ensure that select bottling operations receive the appropriate investments and expertise to ensure long-term success. Coca Cola Femsa has been dealing with labor problems since late 2016. It did not conﬁrm reports that the company was having a hard time complying to the tax reform law, especially the increase in excise tax for sweetened beverages. Coca-Cola Femsa in August last year said it might revisit its investment plan in the Philippines, if Congress approved the proposed tax on sugarsweetened beverages in its original form. Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines director of legal and corporate affairs Juan Lorenzo Tañada said while the company was still committed to deliver $1 biĺlion worth of investments until 2020, the proposed tax would have an impact on its decision. Other beverage industry players also expressed concern over the proposed tax measure and asked the government to delay by at least a year the imposition of taxes, or once the issues on health concerns and revenue generation were resolved.

agency’s strategy for restoring, upgrading and regularly maintaining the MRT 3 over the long term. “With the upcoming rehabilitation of the MRT 3, we expect improvements in service efficiency and security of the existing train line,” Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia said. “Over the long term, we envision the MRT to be a very convenient and efficient mode of transportation that will encourage car owners to shift to public transportation, thereby reducing traffic congestion in Metro Manila,” Pernia said. The MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project will have a total cost of P22.061 billion

and will be funded through a loan from the government of Japan. Work is set to start in the third quarter of 2018 and be completed in the first quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, the ICC-CabCom approved the request of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to cancel the 28.52 million euro French Treasury loan for the Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System-Phase 2 to enable DA-BFAR to implement the project using local funds. The project aims to integrate various databases, including fishing vessel registry, ocean and weather data, stock assessment data and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing records.

Congress to pass ‘19 national budget Neda approves P22-b rehabilitation of MRT Line 3 assures Salceda CONGRESS is determined to pass the 2019 national budget since a “reenacted budget is bad policy as it fails to reflect changes in needs of our people and does not respond to our economic imperatives”. Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said “foremost in our mind is that a reenacted budget will endanger the increase in salaries of military and civilian workers, the 2019 elections, hosting of the Southeast Asian Games, the expansion of college scholarships to private schools, and deprive us of safety nets against inflation.” Fears were aired earlier by some sectors that the Duterte administration will end up with a reenacted budget due to snags and delays in the deliberation in the Lower House on the proposed cash-based P 3.757 trillion 2019 budget. Salceda, a respected economist and the House focal person on economic and fiscal policy concerns under the Arroyo speakership, said “our people, not Congress, will be the biggest losers in a reenacted budget” under which government agencies will simply operate on the basis of the previous year’s budget. A reenacted budget sends a wrong signal to investors about the ability of the Philippines to maintain the reform momentum, said Salceda, who also singled out the “military and uniformed personnel, among other sectors, who will lose much in terms of benefits, amounting to P158 billion in 2019.” He said a re-enacted 2018 budget “cannot authorize the P84 billion in salary increases of Military and Uniformed Personnel as provided by House-originated Joint Resolution No. 1.”

By Julito G. Rada

THE National Economic and Development Authority Board Investment Coordination Committee approved Thursday the P22.061-billion rehabilitation project of MRT Line 3 that will restore the 18-year-old rail system connecting the north and south sections of Metro Manila. Neda said in a statement Friday the rehabilitation would increase the number of train sets in operation from 15 to 18 per hour, increase the maximum speed to 60 kilometers per hour and decrease headway to 200 seconds. The project, executed by the Department of Transportation, is part of the

PCC okays Robinsons’ purchase of of Rustans THE Philippine Competition Commission approved the P18-billion acquisition of shares in Rustan Supercenters Inc. by Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. of the Gokongwei Group. The PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Ofﬁce said in a decision signed August 16, 2018 the transaction “does not result in substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market.” Robinsons Retail will have full control and ownership of the issued and outstanding capital shares in Rustan Supercenters. It will acquire all the issued and outstanding capital shares of Rustan’s Supercenters in exchange for 191,489,360 primary common shares of Robinsons Retail. Robinsons Retail is a multi-format retailer in the Philippines engaged in the business of trading goods, commodities and merchandise, with core retail operations in six business segments— supermarkets, department stores, DIY stores, convenience stores, drug stores and specialty stores. Robinsons Retail operates 154 branches of Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Selections, Robinsons Easymart and Jaynith Supermarkets across the country. Rustan Supercenter, meanwhile, is engaged in grocery retailing with 75 branches composed of the Marketplace by Rustan’s, Rustan’s Supermarkets, Shopwise, Shopwise Express and Wellcome in the Philippines. Both Robinsons Retail and Rustan Supercenters operate under the onestop shop grocery retail market. With 46 branches from both companies operating in same area to date, the PCC noted no ability and incentive for the parties to foreclose the branches. The PCC is the the country’s antitrust body. It is mandated by the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers and acquisitions that meet the thresholds to ensure these deals will not harm the interest of consumers. It has received 153 notiﬁcations with a combined value of P2.41 trillion. The Robinsons-Rustan’s acquisition is the 144th transaction approved by the commission. Othel V. Campos

Inflation will not reach 6%—Espenilla

BEST ECONOMIST. The Fund Managers Association of the Philippines recognizes Bank of the Philippine Islands chief economist Jun Neri and his team as the “Best FixedIncome Economist” (2nd place) and “Best Equities Economist” (2nd place) in this year’s FMAP Awards, the only one from a domestic bank. Neri, shown here, was recognized by institutional investors to be among the top economists who made accurate forecasts for economic and financial market indicators.

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said he does not see the inflation rate hitting 6 percent, adding consumer prices may peak in August or September this year. “In our forecast, we are not seeing 6 percent. It might be close to the last one [5.7 percent]. It is hard to predict,” Espenilla told reporters at the sidelines of an event in Manila. He said inflation would continue to be driven by higher oil prices and increased excise taxes might contribute to faster inflation in the coming months. “The August inflation may actually be higher than July. The peak may be in August or September,” Espenilla said. He said if other goods—aside from food and fuel—would also be affected and register faster price increases, it would be a “red flag for the BSP.” He, however, downplayed stronger monetary policy action from the Bangko

Sentral if inflation accelerated further in the next two months, saying the decision of monetary authorities would always be guided by available data, not just inflation. He said bringing the inflation down would be a combination of monetary policy actions, one of which was by raising interest rates. Inflation in July further accelerated to 5.7 percent from 5.2 percent in June, bringing the first seven months’ average to 4.5 percent, or above the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year. The Bangko Sentral was compelled to raise interest rates again in Aug. 9, the third time this year, by a rare 50 basis points to 4 percent in a bid to rein in inflation. The interest rates on the overnight lending and deposit facilities were also increased accordingly. The central bank earlier raised the policy rate by 25 bps each in May and June 2018. Julito G. Rada

Business

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises; Ayala, Meralco surge T HE stock market rallied Friday on bargain hunting, lifted by select blue chips that were oversold in previous sessions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 66.16 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,583.52 on a value turnover of P5.5 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 98 to 91, with 58 issues unchanged. Conglomerate Ayala Corp. surged 6.7 percent to P999. The company earlier reported that net income climbed 7 percent in the ﬁrst half to P16.1 billion from a year ago on the solid performance of the real estate, telecommunications and power businesses. Manila Electric Co.,the biggest retailer of electricity, advanced 3.4 percent to P363, while mass housing developer

8990 Holdings Inc. rose 3.7 percent to P7.79. SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. added 1.7 percent to P36. The rest of Asian markets were on the rise Friday following strong leads from Wall Street and Europe, with investors cautiously optimistic about upcoming US-China trade talks. Negotiators from Washington and Beijing will meet later this month in the ﬁrst publicly announced meeting in weeks on their bitter trade dispute, which has seen both sides impose reciprocal tariffs on goods worth $34 billion. The news helped global markets regain composure after several days of volatility sparked by fears that Turkey’s ﬁnancial crisis could infect other economies. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed 0.35 percent higher, and Sydney

ended up 0.2 percent. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up 0.4 percent and Singapore rose 0.3 percent in afternoon Asian trade, but Shanghai was down 0.6 percent. Despite the positive wave through world markets after several nervous days, analysts have said a quick resolution of the trade spat between the world’s top two economies is unlikely, with more US tariffs in the works on more Chinese goods. Markets were “cautiously optimistic” about prospects of resolving the trade war after Beijing announced it would send a representative to Washington, although Rodrigo Catril of National Australia Bank noted the “relatively low rank of the negotiators” meant reaction was guarded. But despite the tough talk, “there are reasons for both sides to come to a resolution,” Adam Reynolds of Saxo Capital

Markets told Bloomberg TV. And fears about Turkey’s ﬁnancial crisis also persist, despite the recent stabilization of the lira, as a diplomatic row with the US shows no signs of abating. Washington has already imposed economic sanctions on Ankara over the detention of an American pastor, and threatened more if he is not released. Meanwhile, the positive sentiment on Wall Street that impacted Friday’s Asian trade was boosted by Walmart’s strong earnings. Plane maker Boeing and industrial machinery giant Caterpillar—two companies seen as especially vulnerable to the US-China trade war—were up too. With a mixed mood in the markets after a troubled week, investors have taken positions in safer stocks as tensions have not completely subsided, analysts say. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.95 3,660 89.5 3,865,270 2.71 5,000 128.1 1,372,250 1.78 420,000 32.65 63,700 16.42 100 14.48 388,700 3.99 609,000 8.65 600 0.64 30,000 1.53 24,000 0.56 757,000 74.75 1,053,600 1 335,000 11.96 400 21.4 500 45.6 44,100 198 420 88.3 10 29.5 5,100 199 178,970 1,805 465 84 6,160

219,020 348,396,887.50 13,550 178,024,684 767,900 2,087,270 1,642 5,634,712 2,450,530 5,190 19,200 36,720 426,480 78,733,074.50 332,110 4,708 10,700 2,010,535 82,666 883 151,905 35,624,955 847,275 516,727

39,170 -270,302,536.50 -42,079,073.00 307,570 1,381,766 11,584,017 0 -1,322,070 17,096,396 -263,147

INDUSTRIAL 36.5 884,200 16.84 1,064,000 1.05 21,032,000 1.19 76,000 0.24 830,000 125.9 30 3.29 34,380,000 14.48 65,600 230 20 40 515,800 20.5 12,600 49.5 3,000 75 80 77.25 30 1.84 46,000 5.1 4,800 7.5 38,800 10.3 310,500 15.88 565,400 10.52 16,200 7.3 457,100 7.03 4,249,900 15.4 641,900 63.35 245,320 26.9 66,700 7.35 6,200 13.4 175,000 2.29 614,000 271.2 985,800 5.05 10,100 3.2 13,000 12.5 400 25.2 87,700 13.08 232,400 18.88 1,327,700 363 193,020 0.182 1,570,000 6.87 45,000 2.17 61,000 4.26 49,000 8.92 643,600 5.26 1,011,700 7.55 14,500 1.07 3,862,000 11.92 100 56.25 212,230 6.24 2,900 4.8 615,000 2.45 1,214,000 3.2 10,000 1.74 81,000 13.3 20,200 80.9 128,820 5.33 82,700 0.126 110,000 1.04 155,000 134 484,140 2.39 7,869,000 1.91 147,884,000

32,106,310 17,966,812 22,651,660 90,420 198,250 3,778 114,475,420 952,462 4,600 20,874,860 255,875 144,560 5,782 2,317.50 83,170 24,280 291,392 3,202,612 8,927,294 168,942 3,332,897 29,877,734 9,954,620 15,540,997 1,799,925 45,718 2,352,356 1,405,260 266,396,484 50,205 42,320 5,150 2,214,325 3,062,674 25,261,524 68,899,624 288,180 309,535 132,330 208,690 5,745,402 5,394,227 109,402 4,178,380 1,192 11,950,654 17,852 2,951,990 3,042,530 32,000 140,880 264,404 10,352,727.50 431,251 13,860 161,400 64,981,812 19,260,630 269,946,900

-7,086,725 1,755,960 55,080 -4,244,870 -166,768 -1,429,115 -134,775 10,990 -226,887 -822,418 4,913,030 -209,119 -3,144,912 226,662 -40,480 -85,774 -73,376,468 -6,580 -1,076,610 -953,924 -445,930.00 -2,756,722 -97,650 -17,060 -3,639,077 57,332 -1,216,730 -8,921,340 1,511,990 -2,540 57,190 -3,481,182 20,592,289 205,770 -18,624,190

7,463,700 66,838,003 89,666,860 9,610 260,561 8,773,615 65,680,200 7,757,500 294,407,165 29,803,924 38,147,194 358,040 20,800 105,170,695 48,037 49,020,006.50 1,520,250 6,999,380 67,631,644 4,697,390 56,880,080 110,800 4,086,270 9,554,430 156,100 38,929,044 103,600 333,604,455 31,960 69,780 12,360 564,150 3,475,450 72,090

-42,576,596.50 -55,063,348 257,561 101,780 -1,993,360 27,337,675 -22,829,328 -2,327,780 -24,184,355 -14,899,407.50 346,990 -51,018,730 32,000 -14,374,830 -29,600 -641,360 -11,979,006 -191,599,505 -34,000 -

68,119,962 6,906,330 139,090 97,500 575,040 283,043,970 370,500 679,030 7,926 506,000 94,000 34,010 5,051,640 1,457,115 3,068,550 11,240 30,660,100 262,600 21,788,450 144,400,320 15,464,580

363,849 -838,860 149,121,475 -264,810 -82,620 2,262,250 23,580 2,693,640 -270,190 35,673,230 65,690

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

59.25 92.7 2.71 131.4 1.82 32.75 16.42 14.54 4.05 8.65 0.64 1.53 0.57 73.9 0.99 11.58 21.4 45.55 196.6 88.3 29.3 198.7 1,840 84

59.95 94.5 2.71 131.9 1.87 32.85 16.42 14.54 4.14 8.65 0.64 1.53 0.58 75 1 11.96 21.4 45.75 198 88.3 30 200 1,840 84

59.25 89.5 2.71 128.1 1.77 32.65 16.42 14.46 3.93 8.65 0.64 1.53 0.55 73.9 0.99 11.58 21.4 45.5 196.5 88.3 29.3 198.7 1,805 83.8

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

36.5 16.84 1.1 1.2 0.237 126 3.37 14.6 230 41.9 20.5 49.9 69.15 77.25 1.8 5 7.67 10.6 15.42 10.58 7.3 7.05 15.92 63.45 27.4 7.49 13.34 2.34 266.6 4.97 3.24 13 25 13.4 18.9 352 0.192 6.9 2.17 4.2 9.1 5 7.55 1.11 11.92 56.75 6.2 4.8 2.54 3.2 1.74 13.42 80 5.21 0.126 1.03 133 2.42 1.58

36.8 16.98 1.13 1.2 0.24 126 3.37 14.62 230 41.9 20.5 49.9 75.8 77.25 1.84 5.1 7.67 10.6 15.88 10.58 7.31 7.05 15.92 63.45 27.4 7.49 13.7 2.34 271.8 5.05 3.3 13 25.45 13.5 19.3 363 0.192 6.9 2.17 4.28 9.1 5.49 7.56 1.11 11.92 56.75 6.25 4.8 2.63 3.2 1.75 13.42 81.9 5.33 0.126 1.05 137 2.5 1.97

35.75 16.84 1.04 1.18 0.237 125.9 3.29 14.48 230 39.75 20.1 48 69.15 77.25 1.8 5 7.5 10.3 15.42 10.42 7.26 7.03 15.4 63.2 26.8 7.35 13.34 2.27 266.6 4.97 3.2 12.5 25 12.9 18.88 351 0.182 6.87 2.16 4.2 8.88 5 7.5 1.06 11.92 56.1 6.11 4.79 2.45 3.2 1.73 13 79.5 5.2 0.126 1.03 132 2.39 1.58

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ASIABEST GROUP ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.29 55.8 12.28 0.96 6 34.15 1.38 1.38 937 6.05 11.7 7 0.208 900 6.02 52.85 0.61 4.38 17.52 0.65 4.85 0.037 1.48 2.8 2.61 146 2.59 940 0.76 1.59 412 256.6 0.33 0.209

0.315 57 12.46 0.97 6.1 34.9 1.44 1.43 999 6.06 11.8 7.1 0.208 904 6.24 54 0.61 4.42 17.72 0.68 4.93 0.037 1.56 2.93 2.61 148.3 2.59 944.5 0.78 1.59 412 258.4 0.345 0.219

0.29 55.7 12.28 0.96 6 32.8 1.34 1.38 937 6.02 11.34 6.95 0.208 890 5.95 52.4 0.57 4.31 17.34 0.63 4.84 0.036 1.43 2.8 2.6 146 2.59 921.5 0.76 1.58 412 255.2 0.33 0.209

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED

7.5 1.02 13.18 1.95 0.73 41.15 3.12 4.6 5.68 0.45 0.94 0.99 0.228 9.9 26.5 0.59 1.48 1.2 1.52 4.98 0.61

7.84 1.06 13.4 1.95 0.74 42.5 3.12 4.6 5.68 0.45 0.94 1.03 0.231 9.9 26.85 0.6 1.53 1.21 1.64 5.06 0.64

7.3 1.02 13.18 1.95 0.72 41.15 3.1 4.56 5.66 0.445 0.94 0.99 0.217 9.8 26.45 0.59 1.48 1.2 1.52 4.91 0.61

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.455 0.5 3.59 34.5 20.15 2.02 3.2 35.5 1.15 7.23 0.78 6.25

0.455 0.51 3.62 35.65 20.7 2.02 3.2 37 1.15 7.3 0.78 6.35

0.445 0.49 3.57 34.5 20.15 1.98 3.18 35.5 1.13 7.18 0.78 6.2

0.45 0.49 3.59 35.65 20.3 2 3.2 36 1.14 7.24 0.78 6.35

700,000 3,009,000 853,000 1,600 782,400 113,000 51,000 13,580,100 371,000 267,300 3,000 5,329,400

314,650 1,495,245 3,057,390 56,315 15,925,140 224,800 162,360 492,465,860 422,630 1,931,364 2,340 33,601,118

-7,529,240.00 106,685,220 -14,824,416

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

13.9 24.8 1.43 0.46 0.044 8.5 9.61 0.062 71.3 6.67 9 2.23 24.7 910 1,968 5.48 327 11.18 4.07 2.1 86.8 12.3 0.13 3.27 3.72 14.98 3.84 1.05 19.68 5.31 6.82 2.9 2.16 8.2 11.26 8.25 3.69 111 5.2 1,368 0.86 0.4 44.8 82 8.24 2.19 1 0.68 5.08 0.77 11.66

14 25.2 1.43 0.465 0.044 12.82 9.78 0.063 71.9 6.79 9 2.23 27 910 2,002 5.54 327 11.18 4.2 2.18 90 12.3 0.13 3.39 3.73 15 3.86 1.05 19.98 5.31 7.28 3.04 2.16 8.4 11.26 8.25 3.69 111.5 5.3 1,395 0.88 0.42 44.8 82 8.53 2.3 1.02 0.69 5.13 0.78 11.8

13.8 24.5 1.43 0.46 0.044 6.3 9.43 0.06 71.3 6.66 8.25 2.23 24.6 910 1,951 5.48 300 11.18 4.03 2.08 86.8 12.3 0.124 3 3.56 14.98 3.8 1.03 19.5 5.1 6.82 2.82 2.05 8.13 10.96 8.2 3.69 111 5.2 1,368 0.86 0.39 44.2 81.05 8.24 2.19 1 0.65 5 0.76 11.6

SERVICES 14 24.5 1.43 0.46 0.044 6.48 9.43 0.062 71.65 6.68 8.26 2.23 26 910 1,970 5.48 300 11.18 4.19 2.08 89.95 12.3 0.129 3.08 3.72 15 3.82 1.05 19.64 5.18 7.05 3.02 2.06 8.28 11 8.2 3.69 111 5.24 1,395 0.86 0.39 44.25 81.05 8.27 2.27 1 0.67 5.1 0.78 11.66

10,900 35,300 50,000 5,230,000 2,600,000 5,007,200 14,338,300 80,090,000 311,230 658,200 939,400 1,000 120,400 10 29,590 198,900 4,720 100 5,295,000 14,000 556,580 8,200 1,760,000 16,832,000 80,000 4,700 656,000 140,000 374,000 104,800 3,254,200 1,819,000 413,000 1,358,000 36,500 19,800 3,000 3,260 134,000 36,155 3,328,000 12,390,000 816,100 382,710 2,600 7,507,000 4,635,000 46,279,000 2,750,800 1,477,000 2,291,900

150,812 875,700 71,500 2,419,100 114,400 44,923,948 136,152,336 4,903,210 22,300,786 4,408,474 8,124,406 2,230 3,128,310 9,100 58,522,870 1,093,383 1,480,252 1,118 21,970,850 29,720 49,472,959 100,860 220,580 53,587,400 293,630 70,486 2,502,840 144,850 7,401,666 545,724 23,163,824 5,347,890 866,740 11,194,926 402,178 162,737 11,070 362,106 703,533 50,201,805 2,871,100 5,016,600 36,120,220 31,036,247.50 21,715 16,989,990 4,667,080 31,034,540 13,925,689 1,143,720 26,640,020

-4,600 -170,343 -80,607,892 -11,851,215.50 500,968 18,830 -16,390,400 106,320 -1,066,820.50 38,320 70,486 -1,272,800 -574,650 5,723,022 3,030,300 -281,290 69,700 308,769 -10,400 9,469,660 -778,320 25,450 -26,059,155 -13,551,507 4,944 5,044,200 -4,197,190 1,690,320 357,007.00 50 -18,878,832

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO OMICO CORP ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.0025 1.61 3.66 21.4 1.99 0.3 7.45 1.98 0.21 0.124 0.127 0.0083 1.46 4.65 1.16 0.55 1.28 0.012 0.014 0.011 3.09 4.08 16 30.1

0.0026 1.64 3.66 21.4 2.01 0.3 7.45 2 0.213 0.124 0.127 0.0083 1.46 4.8 1.17 0.55 1.29 0.013 0.014 0.012 3.64 4.12 16.06 30.25

0.0025 1.58 3.61 20.65 1.98 0.3 7.31 1.96 0.208 0.12 0.127 0.0082 1.37 4.64 1.13 0.55 1.17 0.012 0.014 0.011 3.09 4.05 15.32 29.75

MINING & OIL 0.0026 7,000,000 1.58 2,888,000 3.61 22,000 20.9 28,900 2.01 671,000 0.3 1,010,000 7.4 20,800 1.98 4,513,000 0.21 710,000 0.124 5,930,000 0.127 550,000 0.0082 13,000,000 1.38 3,153,000 4.75 2,282,000 1.16 97,000 0.55 15,000 1.2 7,552,000 0.013 400,000 0.014 301,000,000 0.011 14,100,000 3.35 4,564,000 4.1 456,000 15.52 4,222,900 30 5,958,700

17,600 4,631,520 79,470 603,490 1,334,040 303,000 152,776 8,930,820 149,550 717,320 69,850 107,700 4,421,970 10,827,510 112,580 8,250 9,248,870 4,900 4,214,000 161,000 15,502,290 1,863,050 66,576,308 178,839,300

678,900 -3,610 -86,390 -2,010.00 -2,680,840 38,100 140,000 -1,379,260 -8,250 -94,300 7,700 -6,110 -696,660 399,090 -133,403,230

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

24.6 495 101.6 101 104 490.6 5.2 987.5 99.5 1.03 102.5 988 77 80.5 76.55 75.6 75.5

25.3 495 101.6 101 104 490.6 5.25 987.5 101.1 1.03 102.5 1,000 77 80.5 76.55 75.6 76.4

24.2 495 101.6 100.7 104 490.6 5.2 987.5 99.5 1.02 102.5 985 77 80.5 76.5 75.2 75.5

PREFERRED 24.3 99,700 495 20,000 101.6 1,000 100.7 8,560 104 1,000 490.6 20 5.25 140,500 987.5 80 101.1 1,120 1.02 350,000 102.5 80 1,000 1,280 77 20 80.5 1,800 76.5 20,000 75.2 37,840 76.4 210

2,436,600 9,900,000 101,600 863,060 104,000 9,812 737,420 79,000 112,202 358,100 8,200 1,269,405 1,540 144,900 1,530,050 2,856,634 15,864

-1,065,700 -684,080 -

LR WARRANT

2.32

2.34

2.27

WARRANTS 2.33 170,000

391,310

-115,500

1,863,763 5,610,450

15,090 -358,640

631,113

35,700

HOLDING FIRMS 0.31 24,530,000 56 1,193,360 12.4 7,247,300 0.97 10,000 6.1 42,800 33.1 261,700 1.43 46,418,000 1.42 5,483,000 999 301,200 6.05 4,935,800 11.38 3,339,100 6.95 51,100 0.208 100,000 895 117,570 6.19 8,000 53.5 916,850 0.57 2,613,000 4.4 1,597,000 17.5 3,863,700 0.66 7,158,000 4.89 11,636,000 0.037 3,000,000 1.53 2,694,000 2.9 3,328,000 2.6 60,000 147.5 264,060 2.59 40,000 927.5 358,580 0.78 42,000 1.59 44,000 412 30 258.4 2,190 0.34 10,290,000 0.209 340,000 PROPERTY 7.79 1.05 13.38 1.95 0.73 42.5 3.11 4.59 5.66 0.45 0.94 1.03 0.231 9.84 26.7 0.6 1.5 1.2 1.6 4.94 0.62

9,083,200 6,635,000 10,500 50,000 795,000 6,720,900 119,000 148,000 1,400 1,130,000 100,000 34,000 22,300,000 148,000 115,000 19,000 20,340,000 218,000 13,615,000 28,973,000 24,805,000

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.03 2.91

5.05 2.94

5.01 2.83

FIRST METRO ETF

112.5

113.3

112

USD DMPL A1

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

11,164,351

INDUSTRIAL

235,289,469

HOLDING FIRMS

142,438,769

PROPERTY

160,457,178

SERVICES

226,268,828

MINING & OIL

380,167,403

GRAND TOTAL

1,158,118,061

5.05 2.9

SME

370,700 1,954,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 113.3 5,580 10.2

DDS

3,500

VALUE 1,796.60 (down) 26.19 917,547,141.70 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,976.55 (up) 70.68 1,055,916,607.39 HOLDING FIRMS 7,469.33 (up) 96.86 1,366,819,054.82 PROPERTY 3,772.13 (up) 69.06 1,512.18 (up) 13.55 1,133,543,655.91 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,886.99 (down) 14.50 751,294,176.75 PSEI 7,583.53 (up) 66.16 308,892,765.67 All Shares Index 4,606.69 (up) 21.29 5,542,124,366.04 Gainers: 91; Losers: 98; Unchanged: 58; Total: 247

Cirtex eyes two foreign acquisitions in 8 months By Jenniffer B. Austria CIRTEK Holdings Philippines Corp. plans two more acquisitions overseas over the next six to eight months to boost operations. Cirtek vice chairman and group president Roberto Juanchito Dispo said in an interview at the sidelines of an investors briefing, said the company was targeting a company from the United Kingdom and China for the planned acquisitions. “We will do two more acquisitions over the next six to eight months,” Dispo said. Cirtek chief finance officer Anthony Buyawe said in the same interview the prospective acquisitions would complement the company’s business operations and expand the market in Asia. Buyawe said the company planned to conduct a follow-on offering to finance the acquisitions. He said Cirtek was considering to buy 100 percent of the UK-based company with a market capitalization of £50 million. “We are already collaborating with the UK company for five to six products. But they have indicated that they are willing to be bought,” Buyawe said. The China-based company, meanwhile, haz same market capitalization as Cirtek’s but its market is bigger compared with Cirtek. Cirtek in 2017 acquired US-based Quintel for $77 million. Quintel is a leading innovator of spectrum and space-efficient base station antennas for wireless networks. Cirtek reported a net income income of $7.5 million in the first half of the year, up 60 percent year-on-year, on strong revenues from the recently acquired US-based company Quintel. First-half revenues surged 30 percent to $54.8 million from $42.2 million in the same period a year ago. Revenue contribution from Quintel amounted to $30.7 million. First-half revenues from the semiconductor business, meanwhile, amounted to $20.5 million, down five percent from $21.5 million a year ago.

Chelsea bullish on growth outlook after expansion By Darwin G. Amojelar CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp., the transport and logistics company of businessman Dennis Uy, is upbeat about the growth outlook this year with the expansion of its fleet and additional routes. “Our strategic acquisitions have positioned CLC to harness the opportunities brought about by continued growth of commerce within and outside the archipelago,” Chelsea president and chief executive Chryss Alfonsus Damuy said. “As soon as our newly acquired vessels could go full speed, we will be able to cater to even more businesses, passengers and consumers in more routes. This will subsequently boost and strengthen our capacity to invest more and realize bigger gains,” he added. The company added one medium ranger tanker, five tugboats, six cargo freight vessels, 15 roll-on/roll-off and passenger (RoPax) vessels, and one floating dock to what was already the country’s biggest shipping fleet since its listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange on August 8, 2017. Its fleet now comprises 16 tankers, 14 tugboats, 22 RoPax, 11 cargo vessels and one floating dock operated by Chelsea Shipping Corp., Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc., and Starlite Ferries Inc., while 2GO Group operates eight RoPax vessels, five cargo vessels and 11 fast crafts. Chelsea also expanded its reach in passenger shipping, plying more routes across the archipelago. Starlite Ferries Inc. earlier this year started serving the Allen, Northern Samar–Matnog, Sorsogon–Allen, Northern Samar route. Starlite Ferries Inc. and Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. are securing regulatory permits to operate into additional routes. “Our vision to become the finest shipping and logistics company known for its unrivaled customer service has guided our endeavors in the past year,” Chelsea founder and chairman Dennis Uy said. “As we sail further, we remain focused on realizing our goals. We will continue growing our capacity and reach to realize more value for our investors, better serve our customers and contribute bigger to our economy,” he added.

World

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Officials sacked over vaccine scandal BEIJING―China’s Communist Party has sacked a dozen provincial and local officials and vowed to punish a pharmaceutical firm over a vaccine scandal that inflamed public fears over the safety of domestically produced drugs. The government has been struggling to shore up public confidence in the pharmaceutical sector following the revelation last month that a major Chinese manufacturer of rabies vaccines was found to have fabricated records and was ordered to cease production. The government has said the suspect rabies vaccines did not enter the market but the case provoked unusually strong outrage online from consumers fed up with recurring product-safety scandals, particularly in the drug sector. The CEO of the company in question, Changchun Changsheng Biotechnology in the northeast province of Jilin, has been arrested along with 14 other people in connection with the scandal. The first political casualties fell on Thursday as a dozen officials were removed from office, including Jilin’s deputy governor Jin Yuhui, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Jin was in charge of monitoring the safety of food and pharmaceuticals. The decision to sack him was made at a meeting of the ruling Communist Party’s elite seven-member standing committee, led by President Xi Jinping. AFP

N. Korean leader slams sanctions SEOUL―North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attacked “hostile forces” over “brigandish” sanctions, state media reported Friday, as Washington seeks to maintain pressure on Pyongyang over its nuclear program. Kim and US President Donald Trump held a groundbreaking summit in Singapore in June, which the US leader touted as a historic breakthrough. But there has been little movement since and the North has criticized Washington for its “gangster-like” demands for complete, veriﬁable and irreversible disarmament. The US has urged the international community to maintain the tough sanctions on the isolated regime, and the US Treasury this week announced measures against Russian and Chinese companies for violations. On a visit to the construction site of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area, Kim rebuked what he called “hostile forces” for “trying to stiﬂe the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade”, the Korean Central News Agency reported. But Pyongyang is keen to preserve what it calls a “new era” of relations with the US and Kim stopped short of criticizing the country by name. Wonsan-Kalma is a vast development on the North’s east coast, which Kim ordered to be ready by October 10 next year, an important public holiday that marks the founding of a precursor to the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea. AFP

48 drug cartel members arrested TUXTLA GUTIERREZ, Mexico― Mexican authorities arrested 48 alleged members of the powerful Jalisco New Generation drug cartel in raids near the Guatemalan border, prosecutors in the state of Chiapas said Thursday. The raids were carried out by state and federal police and the army as the suspects traveled to Guatemala, said district prosecutor Javier Lopez Gonzalez. Authorities seized vehicles, guns and 5.7-caliber bullets known as “police killers.” Lopez said Jalisco New Generation does not have operations in Chiapas. The cartel is based in the western state of Jalisco, but has expanded its operations across Mexico as the rival Sinaloa cartel has lost territory since its leader, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was extradited to the United States last year. Mexico’s cartels have expanded their operations into other Latin American countries in recent years, including Guatemala. AFP

TRIBUTE. Catalan regional president Quim Torra (2L) and Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau (2R) arrive to lay flowers to pay tribute to the victims of last year’s terror attack at the Las Ramblas in Barcelona on August 17, 2018, in Barcelona, during a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the attacks in Barcelona and Cambrils that left 16 people dead. A van rammed into crowds on Las Ramblas boulevard in the heart of Barcelona on August 17, 2017, igniting four days of terror that investigators are still trying to explain and the survivors to overcome. AFP

Traumatized by separations

A LIBERTAD, Honduras―Since being returned to his parents in Honduras, 16-month-old Johan has suffered from stomach problems and sleepwalking.

They say the symptoms come from the trauma of being separated as a result of the US government’s “zero tolerance” policy against migrant families who illegally cross the country’s southern border. Rolando Bueso, 37, and Johan, then aged 10 months, were intercepted by US Border Patrol ofﬁcers on March 17 after

crossing from Mexico into Texas with the help of a people-smuggler, who was paid $6,000. They were soon split up and sent to detention centers in different states, with the infant becoming just one of 2,000 Central American and Mexican children that US authorities forcibly removed from their parents between April 19 and May 31 this year. Bueso ended up being deported back to Honduras on April 5 -- but his son remained in US custody until he was finally returned to his family on a flight that landed on July 20. His parents discovered that Johan, who had grown his first teeth, taken his first steps and spoken his first word―”agua”

(water)― while away, had been badly affected by his months of detention. “Everything we give him to eat he has problems with. And he gets up and sleepwalks at night,” said his mother Adalicia, 21, who is eight months pregnant with another child. She added bitterly that US authorities had sent him back without all his papers, which included his birth certiﬁcate and vaccination record. She was speaking in their modest home in La Libertad, a village north of the capital Tegucigalpa. Johan had been ﬂown back to the northern city of San Pedro Sula, the main arrival point for deportees from the US. According to the Honduran govern-

Workers toil under bridge in search for survivors

Killings fuel fear among Rohingya COX’S BAZAR―A spate of bloody killings is fueling unease in the Rohingya camps on the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, where overstretched police are struggling to protect nearly a million traumatized refugees from violent gangs. Just 1,000 police ofﬁcers guard the labyrinthine shanties that make up the giant camps and authorities want to more than double the force in the wake of the murders. Three respected community leaders are among those slain in what police suspect is a power struggle between Rohingya gangs in the refugee slums in camps around Cox’s Bazar. One, Arifullah, was stabbed 25 times on a busy road in June and left in a pool of blood. The other two were killed in their shacks just days apart by masked assailants. Police in the crime-ridden Cox’s Bazar district are investigating 21 refugee murders, many in recent months, which they blame on score-settling and turf wars. Many in Kutupalong, the world’s biggest refugee camp, and others nearby, say the unchecked violence leaves Rohingya families at the mercy of criminals. “When the gangs come into the camps, people call the police. But they only arrive after the criminals are gone,” said 16-year-old Runa Akter, whose father disappeared in July with a relative who was later found dead. AFP

PREMIERE. Actress Mina Sundwall attends the New York premiere of ‘The Little Stranger’ at Metrograph on August 16, 2018 in New York City. AFP

Korean families separated for seven decades

SEOUL―When Kim Kwang-ho fled advancing North Korean forces he expected to return home within days, so did not bother with a proper goodbye to his mother and brother. On Monday he meets his sibling for the first time in 68 years. Now 81, Kim is one of a handful of Southerners to travel to the North’s scenic Mount Kumgang resort next week for three-day reunions with family members separated by the turmoil of the Korean War. Millions of Koreans were separated from their relatives by the 1950-53 conflict, which left the peninsula divided and all civilian communication banned between the two sides. Since 2000, the Koreas have held 20 rounds of reunions, but time is running out for many aging family members. More than 130,000 Southerners signed

up originally, most of whom have since died. The majority of the survivors are over 80 and the oldest participant this year is 101. Close family connections across the border, like Kim and his brother or parent-child relationships, have become increasingly rare. And some of those selected for this year’s reunions―the ﬁrst in three years― dropped out after learning their parents or siblings had passed away and they could only meet more distant relatives they had never seen before. “I was so happy to hear my brother was alive,” Kim said. But memories have faded over time. Kim’s father decided to ﬂee, taking his four eldest children with him, when rumors circulated that the North Korean army was advancing on their village in

ment, most Honduran children taken away from their parents inside the US have still not been returned. The foreign ministry said only 146 children had been reunited with their families as of August 10, and 313 were still being held by US authorities. So far this year, again up to August 10, Honduras has accepted 17,573 Hondurans deported from the United States and 27,334 from Mexico. Johan “might be traumatized for life,” Bueso said, watching over his son who was playing with a black and white cat. He said the experience had convinced him to give up on trying to illegally enter the United States. The Americans, he said, “are too rough.” AFP

far northern Myongchon county in late 1950. Kim was 13 at the time, while his brother Kwang Il was nine―a four-year gap that led to a lifetime apart. “We thought we’d be away for only three days or up to a week, so women and young children were left behind to look after the house,” Kim said. Thinking they would be back soon, the refugees did not pack or take a single family photo with them. Walking for hundreds of kilometers in the winter cold, with only the occasional lift from a passing car, they made their way south for several weeks as the USled United Nations forces fell back. In the end they were among some 100,000 refugees brought out in the Hungnam Evacuation, one of the US military’s biggest-ever civilian rescues,

which also saved the parents of South Korea’s current president Moon Jae-in. “When I got on the boat, I realized I will never be able to go back,” Kim said. The stinging pain of separation remains vivid in his heart and he chokes each time he is reminded of his mother. But Kim, now aged and wrinkled, struggles to hold on to even a faint memory of the faces of his loved ones. He recalls her crying after another of his brothers was killed earlier in the war, but said: “There must be something wrong with my head because I can’t remember what my mother looked like.” The refugees made new lives for themselves in the South, and the family is large and successful―Kim is a retired professor of preventive medicine in Seoul and two of his children are a doctor and a dentist. AFP

GENOA―Rescue workers in Genoa toiled for a third night in the wreckage of a collapsed bridge, continuing the desperate search for people still missing after the accident, which left at least 38 people dead. Italy’s populist government intensified its attacks on the viaduct operator amid rising anger over the tragedy and the structural problems that have dogged the decades-old Morandi bridge, which buckled without warning on Tuesday, sending about 35 cars and several trucks, along with huge chunks of concrete, plunging 150 feet onto the railroad tracks below. The chance of finding survivors at this stage was slim and the unstable mountains of debris made the search operation dangerous, but rescue workers said they had not given up hope. “We are trying to find pockets in the rubble where people could be―alive or not,” fire official Emanuele Gissi told AFP. Genoa’s chief prosecutor has said that between 10 and 20 people could still be missing under the huge piles of concrete. Cranes and bulldozers are working to help clear the site as rescuers try to cut up and remove the biggest slabs of concrete. “We will then send in dogs and rescue workers to see if we can find any signs of life,” Gissi added. The government has accused infrastructure giant Autostrade per L’Italia of failing to invest in sufficient maintenance―a claim the company denies― and said it would seek to revoke its lucrative contracts. Shares in Atlantia, the holding company of Autostrade, slumped 22 percent by Thursday in the wake of the barrage of criticism. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini demanded that the company offer up to 500 million euros ($570 million) to help families and local government deal with the aftermath of the disaster. “If we’ve put up five million euros, they should offer 500 million,” he told reporters. “There needs to be an immediate, concrete and tangible signal for these families: they should put their hands on their hearts and in their wallets.” The collapse has prompted fears over other ageing infrastructure in Italy and abroad. AFP

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

LIVING CHEEK BY JOWL WITH PRESIDENTS. Century Properties Group Inc., recently topped off Roxas West, the fifth residential tower at The Residences at Commonwealth in Quezon City. The ceremony was led by the company’s chief operating officer Marco R. Antonio, brand ambassador and Century homeowner, Piolo Pascual. The Residences has been named as the best mid-end condominium development in Metro Manila at the 2018 Philippine Property Awards. A sprawling eight-tower mid-rise community, the project enjoys a central location in Don Antonio Drive near the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and is very close to the future MRT 7 Don Antonio Station. Its towers are all named after the Philippine presidents of the Commonwealth era. Osmeña West, Quezon North and Roxas East towers have been turned over, while Osmena East will open its doors in the fourth quarter. The rest of the towers are targeted for completion in the next 2 years.

AIRPORTS, CONSTRUCTION GIVE MEGAWIDE A BOOST.

Infrastructure player Megawide Construction Corporation recently announced a net profit growth of ten percent for the first half of 2018 to P1.26 billion from P1.15 billion in the same period last year. The increase was driven largely by growth of the company’s airport business segment, which contributed 65 percent to consolidated net earnings. The construction business segment, which involved “Build, Build. Build!” endeavours such as the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, an intermodal transport facility to be completed in 2018, accounted for the remaining 35 percent. Revenues from airport operations drove strong passenger volume. For the first half of 2018, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) saw 5.8 million passengers compared to 5.1 million in the same period last year. First half revenues for Megawide’s construction business came in at P7.4 billion. “Our growth prospects continue to be promising with the addition of more routes at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and the numerous opportunities in the construction segment,” said Megawide chairman and CEO Edgar Saavedra.

TEACHING COMMUNITIES HOW TO FISH. Residents of Atimonan, Quezon are benefitting from livelihood training programs spearheaded by Atimonan One Energy, Inc. (A1E) in partnership with non-government organizations (NGOs) and government agencies to help increase their productivity and be self-sufficient. These include handicraft training for select barangays in Atimonan recently ( “bamboo negosyo: kabuhayang kawayanan sa kanayunan”); wellness project for marginalized members of barangays New Carinay and Sitio Tabuan, who acquired week-long knowledge and skills training on massage therapy (Seen here in photo) ; and a link-up with Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation for the New Carinay housing project. Habitat and A1E conducted vocational training programs on masonry and commercial painting for the latter. “These training initiatives are part of A1E’s plans to develop the entrepreneurial skills of the residents of the Atimonan. These will eventually provide additional sources of income for the people in these communities, ”explained Litz Santana, VP and head, external affairs, Meralco PowerGen Corp.

URBAN GATEWAY. Araneta Group officials and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation recently broke ground on the site for a new mall at the Cubao area. The activity was led by senior officials from Araneta namely SVP-operations Antonio T. Mardo; SVP-business development John B. Castelo; VP-leasing Ms. Lorna D. Fabian; VP-materials management Noel B. Leonor; head of architecture Bernadette M. Tan; senior management consultant Rowell Recinto; and management consultant-architecture and engineering Julie I. Castro. Officials from Megawide were AVP Romeo Furigay; and EVP Ronald Paulo. Aside from offering spaces for retail and F&B operators, the Gateway Mall 2 will have a cineplex with nine theaters; an organic vegetable garden on the rooftop where diners can customize their meals and have a farm-to-table experience; an activity area where events, bazaars, and other activities will be held; a gourmet food; and a 500-seater chapel. The mall, which will be connected to the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Farmers Plaza, is expected to open in 2020.

FAIR IS FAIR IN KAPITOLYO. DMCI Homes is building Fairlane Residences, its latest residential development along West Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. Targeted at young urban dwellers, the 50-level tower offers a mix of spacious twobedroom and three-bedroom units ranging from 52 to 81 square meters, and features modern architecture as well as tropical design. The project, set for completion in 2024, is located beside another DMCI Homes development, Brixton Place, and offers a resortinspired escape while giving access to conveniences of city living with its proximity to eastern and southern Metro Manila. Bounded by Ortigas, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Bonifacio Global City (BGC) business districts, Kapitolyo has been one of the favorite converging points of young professionals and families.

Rising to great places, with great stairs Picking a perfect staircase design for your home

TAIRCASES can take a home to greater heights…literally.

Stairs are much more than a link between two levels or spaces at home, they are the focal point that makes an ordinary home look spectacular. With a wide variety of staircase designs and styles, you can use a gamut of material like wood, glass, metal among many others. The staircase can be gradual or steep, wide or narrow, purely functional or showy and grand. By adding a unique staircase design with interesting railings and materials, or updating an existing structure with a bit of decor or a new finish, you can change their overall look. Check out some spiral staircases, floating staircases, and clever loft stairs. BEST STAIR DESIGN? Given the variety of staircase designs available, there is a lot to take into consideration before picking the most suitable one for your home. The first consideration when planning any staircase is space, followed by the ease of use and feel of your home. A double-sided staircase only works in a large entrance, and U- or L-shaped staircases are recommended for smaller entrances. If you’re set on achieving the look of a grand entrance, try to work with a curved design that will really showcase the railings and any other unique features. Also, spiral staircases are the most efficient option for smaller homes, though they may not be the easiest to climb, they do give a fun feel to the home. TYPE OF MATERIALS The look of your stairs should coordinate with the rest of your house, so try to pick a material and design that suits the style of your home. If you want the staircase to stand out and be the focal point think about mixing styles but remember to pick styles that are not too dramatic like modern and traditional. For example, if you have a traditional Filipino home, you can opt for a wooden staircase, and add a few tiles on the steps to give it a Mediterranean look. Think about functionality while thinking of the material. Some of the other popular options are metal and glass. A combination of metal and glass will open by a variety of designs. Life says take the elevator, love insists take the stairs

Given how functional the staircase is, most people forget there to add a few extra decor elements. Your staircase can be an opportunity to inject some color or personality into your overall design scheme. An update can be as simple as a coat of paint or adding a properly fitted stair runner. There are never-ending choices for handrails and balustrade:these help in adding character to the stairs. To give your staircase railings a new look, you can jazz them up by painting them in a multi-tonal palette of complementary colours or graduating between dark and light. A chandelier over a staircase can add a final, dramatic touch. if you prefer a more subtle way to illuminate your stairs, consider recessed floorlevel lighting. True, stairs need to fulfil their pri- is fulfilled, you can go to town on the mary function of getting you from one aesthetics and create something that level to the next. But once this need gives a really great first impression.

Life young life

Little stars shine IT WAs a shining night for 6-year-old Aleynah cassedine Redillas and satriani Lancelot Acot, 7, when they were named winners of the sM Little stars 2018 during the grand finals held recently at the centerstage of sM Mall of Asia. Redillas, who represented sM city Fairview, amazed the audience with her delightful performance of “Naughty” from Matilda the Musical. Acot, who represented sM city Bacoor, wowed the crowd with his dance moves to the tune of “haypa” by MMJ. Redillas and Acot bested 26 other finalists in the 12th edition of this annual nationwide search for cute, adorable, and talented kids. They each received a brand new chevrolet Trax, P200,000 worth of cash and shopping

money, a trip to china for two (including round-trip tickets, hotel accommodations, and tours), and a four-year college scholarship grant from National university. Rounding up little stars who won in this year’s search were Isabela Espinosa of sM southmall (first runner-up), Rhemaya Ruth simpson of sM city Iloilo (second runnerup), and sylvannah Jamie Manuelaurice Garcia of sM city sta. Mesa (third runner-up). Winners were chosen by the distinguished board of judges which included movie actor John Arcilla, singer sam concepcion, dance master Mickey Perz, and beauty queen Winwyn Marquez. Finalists were judged based on star quality (40 percent), talent (40 percent), and personality (20 percent).

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardLIFE saturday, august 18, 2018

Jason Baucas (left) grapples with fellow national athlete Anthony Arcilla Jr. at the Wrestling Association of the Philippines gym.

Fit to fight uch like any sportsperson, Philippine national athlete Jason Baucas puts great demands on his body. The 21-year-old wrestler works out regularly while juggling his responsibilities at school.

Baucas is currently preparThe 10 essential ingredients of the ing for the upcoming 2018 Asian coffee blend help in weight manageGames in Bali, Indonesia, and ment so that he has no problem meethopes to eventually compete in ing the demands of his weight class. the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The sweetener is made of coconut On top of being an athlete, he is a sugar and coconut cream which are fourth year physical education and good even for diabetics. sports student at universidad de “I am on the process of reducing Manila. he said he has big dreams weight right now but I still manage to in the international stage where he drink Kaffea coffee because it helps hopes to bring honor to his country. boost my energy and manage my But he is also well-grounded and weight,” he shared. knows he also needs a solid educaThe Benguet-born athlete said he tion to fall back on. fell in love with Kaffea at first taste. For an athlete like him who’s “When I mix Kaffea with freshly dividing his time between sports boiled water, I can smell the aroma and school, he supplements his of the blended coconut sugar and cofnutrition with local coffee blend fee. The sweetener made this coffee brand Kaffea. creamier and delicious,” he enthused. Baucas, 21, attests to the good taste and “Kaffea is very helpful to those “I love everything about this coffee.” health benefits of Kaffea. with an active lifestyle,” he said, Baucas added, “I highly recomnoting the ingredients of the coffee mend Kaffea coffee to everybody are helpful in maintaining a healthy body. because of its very pleasant taste, aroma, and good “It is the best booster to make those who have active health benefits.” lifestyles more efficient in their field,” he averred. Kaffea is available nationwide at Shopwise, Rustan’s, Kaffea coffee is rich in antioxidants and essential vita- SM Hypermarket Bazaar, SM Market Street, SM Kultumins which are good for the skin, protect from cell dam- ra, CityMall GoLokal stores, and online at lazada.com. age, and help in disease prevention. ph and beautymnl.com. Call (02) 477-9920 for inquiries.

SM Little Stars 2018 grand prize winners Aleynah Cassedine Redillas and Satriani Lancelot Acot.

Aleynah Cassedine Redillas from SM City Fairvew performs ‘Naughty’ from Matilda the Musical.

First runner-up Ysabella Espinosa from SM Southmall.

Satriani Lancelot Acot in his hip hop dance performance of ‘Haypa’ by MMJ.

SM chairman for executive committee Hans T. Sy with the winners of SM Little Stars in SM Malls in China in Xiamen, Chengdu, Suzhou, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Zibo.

Life

saturday, august 18, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Stars run at Skechers’ inaugural race

Gerald Anderson gives out freebies to fans during the Skechers Performance Run at SM by the Bay.

t was a successful and starstudded debut for skechers Performance Run held on aug. 5 at sM by the Bay in Mall of asia Complex.

Gerald Anderson runs 5k in the first Skechers Performance Run.

Celebrity ambassador Gerald anderson led the pack of over 3,000 runners, both beginners and seasoned, who participated in the run’s 5k, 10k, and 21k distances. together with anderson, other celebrities and personalities who joined in the first skechers run were skechers ambassador and triathlete Faith Garcia; actors Rodjun Cruz, Marco alcaraz, Vin abrenica, and sophie albert; star Magic Basketball team Blue members Jose sarasola, Gerald acao, Joe Vargas, Lou abad, and Kyle Velino; and reality teen stars Yong Muhajil and tin Hammond. athletes and fitness enthusiasts such as models sam ajdani, George Irineu, and Julia azevedos; volleyball player Rex Intal; as well as anderson’s teammates from Marikina, shoe Masters MBPL team also participated. at the end of the event, three champions emerged with impressive times: Joseph Mururi was first place in the 21k category with a chip time of 01:15:13, Edward Macalalad aced the 10k category in 37 minutes and 9 seconds; while Joseph Odhuno finished first in the 5k category in 19 minutes and 19 seconds. after completing the race, participants enjoyed a cool down session, several interactive booths and installations, exciting activities, and

Faith Garcia Vin Abrenica and Sophie Albert

fabulous prizes from skechers and its partners. Coinciding with the first run event, skechers Performance released its newest and most advanced running shoe collection to date, which received rave reviews from runners who have already gotten and ran in their new pairs, as well as those who tried them on at the skechers Performance booth. Flight Gen is a new generation midsole designed to provide a highly responsive ride with plenty of cushion protection. It generates an increased rebound with less weight, coming in a

huge 30 percent lighter than the previous 5gen midsole material. anderson who used the new shoes enthused, “Pinaka favorite ko talaga yung skechers Flight Gen kasi napakagaan, napaka-comfortable; kahit sa mga long runs super supportive siya. and also dahil sa Midfoot strike mas bumilis ang speed ko. this is the best shoe (skechers Flight Gen is my favorite because it’s lightweight and comfortable; it provides support even in long runs. My speed has increased because of its Midfoot strike [technology].).”

A new alternative to business school By Ayunan G. Gunting FOR many Filipinos, obtaining an MBa degree can open windows to better opportunities that could lead to successful careers and financial stability. sadly, there are numerous reasons why many of us can’t get enrolled in leading business schools, among them are difficulties in meeting the school’s stringent qualifications, budget constraints, and tight schedules of those who are already holding jobs. Integra Business school, founded in 2016, is open to technical trade professionals who want to learn more about entreprenuership. Unlike Bachelor of science degree holders, technical trade professionals aren’t qualified to enroll in business schools. Integra caters to a demand for a more practical, efficient, and affordable approach in teaching business to individuals. It also utilizes a solution that bridges the gap between mentor and student, by providing flexible schedules in various sites in an affordable class package. One of Integra’s founders is Chef Rob Pengson. He said many chefs like him finished their education in technical certificate culinary schools and thus aren’t Bachelor of science degree holders. Many of these chefs dream of establishing their own restaurants or food business, he said.

“Culinary arts schools train you to be a technician, not a manager, not an entrepreneur, and definitely not a restaurant owner. Being a technician is a great advantage but one needs to pair it with business management and entrepreneurial knowledge,” he said. Operating a restaurant entails proficient managerial skills and strong business acumen. One needs the business expertise to ensure the success of the establishment. this expertise can be learned from business schools. “the Integra Business school is the business school for everyone,” said Pengson. “It is especially for those who aren’t qualified to learn the principles of top managers and executives. It’s for technicians and creative people. I believe that these people are just like me in that we think differently. we need a better way to learn about business. I also believe that all of us are engaged in our business so it’s a universal skill to have.” He continued, “Integra focuses on speaking the language of today, imparting practical knowledge that is immediately actionable using only up to date principles. the core values of Passion, Professionalism, and Proficiency are at the center of its day to day activities.” It was last year when Integra started offering its certificate program in Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, and

Leadership. Dubbed “MBE” or Master Class for Business and Entrepreneurship, the program includes lectures from mentors who happen to be active in their respective industries. the mentors include a restaurateur, a Youtube vlogger, a tech start-up founder, an EVP of a Fortune 500 company, an sEO professional, and a president of a service industry company. so far, Integra has accepted over a hundred students. Most of them belong to the 28- to 38-year-old age bracket and are a mix of entrepreneurs and managers of private corporations. On the last day of the program, students present their own business ideas in “pitches” to an audience of investors, businessmen, coaches, and mentors. through that business pitch activity, one student, Clara Herrera, a former flight attendant, managed to raise a sizable amount of pledges to build her resort spa in Palawan. “Clara was so good that we now have her as a guest lecturer,” noted Pengson. “we’ve noticed that our students get the funding they seek after attending Integra. they learn new skills and the language of business so they get to be taken seriously by investors. their concepts become better, they make better financial forecasts, and implement leaner management principles.”

Integra founder, Chef Rob Pengson leads the first day of classes. Meg Imperial is enrolled in Integra Business Institute’s Management Business Entrepreneurship Diploma Program.

Integra Business Institute is open to technical trade professionals.

Integra also offers courses on Digital Marketing Fundamentals, LEaN Management, strategic Management, and Entrepreneurial Finance, giving birth to an alternative program to the MBa, the Diploma in MBE (Management, Business administration, and Entrepreneurship). It has also started mentoring sessions with former students who seek more assistance in starting their ventures, and given customized training programs to corporations and existing businesses. Pengson said Integra is launching its online learning platform next year, thus

giving more students the opportunities to enroll. Integra will thus be offering the MBE experience in live classroom and digital forms. He noted how furthering his education changed his life and career for the better and he wants to share what he has learned through Integra. “Combining creativity with entrepreneurship and the correct business management principles will help a person’s career in the same way it has helped mine. I consider myself an even greater success whenever I see my students succeed in the real world,” he said.

Entertainment Simply...

HATE it. It made me cry," quipped Eraserheads' Ely Buendia after attending the gala performance of AngHuling El Bimbo, Resorts World Manila's latest musical through its production outﬁt Full House Theater Company.

DOWN 1 Air rifle ammo 2 Go quickly 3 Baseball stat 4 Sandy’s reply 5 Chocolate dessert 6 Fast-talked 7 Eurasian range 8 Curly-leafed veggie 9 When Paris sizzles 10 Tyrant 11 Many South Africans 12 Griffith or Zola 13 One academy 21 Analyze 23 Munitions stores 24 Pretend

Bakwit Boys' Vance Larena an actor to watch out for

Ely Buendia, former frontman of Eraserheads, the iconic band that produced songs from which the musical was entirely based. “I was on the edge of my seat,” added Buendia. “Not just story-wise but also pa’no gagamitin ang song na ito. It was a very fun experience.” Such a glowing review from no less than the frontman of the most iconic ‘90s Filipino rock band served as the ultimate testament to the creativity, energy and nostalgia showcased on the stage of RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater for almost three glorious hours. During curtain call, Buendia surprised everyone by joining the cast on stage to congratulate them, before leaping off to rejoin the audience and applaud the performance with extended standing ovation. With iconic songs penned by Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adorno,

Crazy… From C4

World your oyster “You don’t see that growing up. You don’t feel like you can be the hero of your own story. I think every child should feel worthy and feel loved,” a tearful Wu told NBC News. “I want to get to a stage where it’s not headline news that this is the first movie in 25 years,” agrees Golding. “Let’s just tell stories, that’s what Hollywood was created for,” he told NBC. Reviews are mostly positive, provided you suspend disbelief that a savvy New York Millennial would never once Google the guy she’s been dating for a year. So we see Chinese-American economics professor Rachel Chu fly to Singapore for Spring Break with her lecturer boyfriend Nick Young, seemingly clueless that he’s “the Prince William of Asia.” Nick has marriage on the mind, whisking her off to his friend’s wedding and to meet his folks, only for Rachel to find out his family are “richer than God.” Thrown into the mix are dazzling

Saturday, August 18, 2018

53 More unrefined 54 Saying 55 Minor disputes 57 Manipulate fraudulently 58 Theme 60 Gulf Coast city 65 Opposite of “paleo” 66 Make happy 67 Business VIPs 68 Energy source 69 Depressions 70 Gamma follower

nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘ANG HULING EL BIMBO’

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Bluegill 6 Feinted 11 Kind of meditation 14 Donkey 15 Very upset 16 Ms. Thurman 17 Foul-up 18 Hollows 19 Tyler or Ullmann 20 Stone pillar 22 Actress — Prentiss 24 Didn’t just brush 28 Tidbit 29 Large birds of prey 30 Kids around 32 Like some chatter 33 Flip-flop 35 Shade trees 39 High spirits 40 No matter which 41 Hit hard 42 Wren’s residence 43 Edible grain 45 Garcia or Warhol 46 Inklings 48 State without proof 50 Gaped open

Why Ely Buendia hates

From C4

Engaged Lotlot in Sarap Diva This Saturday, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid will host a surprise mini Bridal Shower for newly engaged Lotlot de Leon. Lotlot’s daughter Janine Gutierrez will have a surprise gift for her mom. Diego Gutierrez, Lotlot’s only son, will serenade his mom, while the actress’ ﬁancé will have a surprise message to his soon-to-be wife. The mother-son tandem of Lotlot and Diego will prepare a special Ginataan dish. And watch out for the wacky trio of “Palabok” as they inject some humor and music on Lotlot’s bridal shower. Sarap Diva airs Saturdays before Eat Bulaga on GMA 7. Weekend movie dates The Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino is now on its fourth day. Here are a couple of movies you might want to watch at the plexes. Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi’ is about a girl exiled to a place that doesn’t have WiFi after being diagnosed with some kind of a disorder after years of being dependent on gadgets and WiFi. The story revolves around Norma (Sue Ramirez), a typical millenial who is dependent on WiFi in her daily interactions with friends and her boyfriend Leo (Markus Paterson). Unfortunately, she develops an allergy to WiFi and is compelled to live with her grandmother (Boots Anson Roa) in a faraway province where she will not be exposed to any radio waves that can worsen her condition. With no digital gadgets and no WiFi, how will Norma cope? How will her relationship with Leo be affected and how will his brother Aries (Jameson Blake) bridge the gap between their worlds? Directed by Jun Robles Lana, Ang Babaeng Allergic sa WiFi is produced by The IdeaFirst Company, Cignal Entertainment, and OctoberTrain. Also, Bela Padilla and JC Santos reunite with director Jason Paul Laxamana to tell a different kind of love story in The Day After Valentine’s. Bela plays Lani, a simple girl who likes “broken things” and Baybayin, Filipino ancient alphabetic writing system. While JC plays Kai, a guy who’s having a hard time moving on from his past relationship. On a whim, they decide to hang out together on Valentine’s Day. What happens after? ‘Asia’s Next Top Model’ returns on FoxLife Hit reality TV series Asia’s Next Top Model is back for another season of fashion, feuds and rigorous competition on FOX Life. Season 6 introduces one of the most diverse and captivating casts for Asia’s Next Top Model, from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, and Singapore. Each contestant will bring her own distinct look and extraordinary background to bag the coveted title of Asia’s Next Top Model. Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 will be hosted by Asian supermodel Cindy Bishop for the third season in a row. Renowned celebrity fashion photographer Yu Tsai will once again act as Creative Director to help mentor and guide the models through the competition. Muchloved Asia’s Next Top Model alumni are also coming back in Season 6. Look out for fan favorites including Monika Sta. Maria from Season 3, and Shikin Gomez and Nguyen Minh Tu from Season 5. “Last season, we saw such a strong response from the AsNTM fanbase, especially in support of our Filipina models. Maureen really won the hearts of the people here and we’re sure the two girls representing the Philippines this season will do the same.” – Said Charo Espedido, FOX Networks Group Philippines Head of Marketing. Go beyond limits when Asia’s Next Top Model Season 6 premieres on FOX Life with a simulcast livestream on FOX+ on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 9 p.m..

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

25 Serve soup 26 Looks at impertinently 27 Raining ice 28 Food additive 30 Actor Tommy Lee — 31 New Age singer 34 Tee-hee cousin (hyph.) 36 Pool divisions 37 Gnat 38 Foxier 43 Tie the knot 44 Sour or acid 47 Regarded as

49 Held up 50 Sailors’ tales 51 “So long!” 52 Prairie schooner 53 Restaurants 55 Getz or Musial 56 Actor Brad — 59 Flamenco cry 61 Guitar, slangily 62 Brooks or Allen 63 Interest amt. 64 — — matter of fact

Ang Huling El Bimbo tells the story of three friends who have drifted apart in adulthood until fate reunites them to confront their hunted past. Headlining the cast are Gian Magdangal, Jon Santos, OJ Mariano, Reb Atadero, Topper Fabregas, Boo Gabunada, Sheila Francisco and Tanya Manalang. Audiences can reminisce to a number of0 ‘90s hits from the Pinoy Fab Four including “Ligaya,” “Pare Ko,” “Magasin,” “Alapaap,” “Overdrive,” and the title track “Ang Huling El Bimbo” which have been integrated as vital parts of the modern Filipino musical. Tickets to Ang Huling El Bimbo are available at RWM Mobile App for more updates. jewels, private jets, bitchy rich girls, class conﬂict and cut-class English accents, sneering not just at a girl from Queens, but an American period. Prospective mother-in-law Eleanor, played by Michelle Yeoh, provides all the hauteur, while comedy comes from US actress and rapper Awkwaﬁna, who plays Rachel’s nouveau-riche but wellmeaning friend Peik Lin. A survey of popular movies from 2007-16 by the University of Southern California found that only 5.7 percent of characters were Asian, and that only three percent of directors were Asian or Asian American. Nevertheless Asian Americans accounted for the second highest percapita attendance at the movies in 2017 after Latinos, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. Asians represent six percent of the US population and accounted for eight percent of frequent moviegoers, it said. “The importance of seeing Asian faces up there is not lost on me,” Chu told NBC. “How it would feel if I was a kid to see that, to know you can be a handsome young man and all the world is your oyster.” AFP

IF THERE is one film in this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino festival that you, my readers of Arias, must watch, embrace, love and spread the good word about it, definitely, it must and should be Bakwit Boys. It is a simple, honest, deliver-the-feels coming-of-age motion picture with a narrative made livelier by easy listening songs and a cast brimming with a lot of heart and talent. One of its male leads, is theater actor Vance Larena who portrays the kuya of four boys, in this Jason Paul Laxamana graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board full length feature. Larena follows in the foot steps of theater stalwarts who made an impressive mark in mainstream entertainment, Nonie Buencamino, John Arcilla, Neil Sese, Pen Medina and JC Santos, to name a few. Vance starts his sharing, “I was 15 when I started acting in school. When I became part of the Philippine Stagers, my first role was that of a guard.” Being part of Bakwit Boys, he declares, “So far, so good. It has been an amazing and exciting ride. I get to discover and learn new things everyday about film making. Just like being in theater, being part of movie is a never-ending learning process. The film made me appreciate the world of filmmaking better.” His film experience, he describes as, “Cool! Fun! You know, working with Nikko Natividad, Rylie Santiago and Mackie Empuerto.” How was it like working with direk Jason? Vance’s swift reply, “I admire Direk Jason’s work ethics. He is professional and he never loses focus. He is a quiet guy who gets things done and values everyone’s time.” He is Kuya Elias in the Laxamana directed flick, eldest of four who had no choice but to evacuate and go to Pampanga, live with their grand father, after a devastating typhoon displaced their family and wreak chaos and havoc to their small town in Isabela. “I can identify with Elias because parehas kaming panganay na pursigidong makatulong sa pamilya,” Larenas relates. “Another similarity, we both love music. As a character, he is a tad too serious though.”

Why this PPP entry is special, Vance enthuses, “It is because it has drama, romance and music that ALWIN OPM. IGNACIO celebrates We want to give something hopeful and inspirational for our viewers because it is made for dreamers and by dreamers.” He believes, the biggest take home of viewers from the ﬁlm is, “That even our forgotten prayers can eventually come true and God’s perfect timing is often unexpected.” Aside from the songs and the brotherhood, another take home is of Vance who appears in some scenes, half naked. In the nearest future, will he mind doing risque roles? His honest answer, “I have no limitations when I am given a character. I have done roles in theater that required nudity and male to male kissing scene. Hindi naman big deal sa akin ang ganoon. Secure naman ako sa akingsexuality.” For a solo starrer, he wishes. “I want to portray a role na kung hindi santo, ay isang bayani. I am praying that get to give life to a historical picture,yung parang si Paulo Avelino sa Goyo.” His acting idols include John Lloyd Cruz, JM de Guzman and JC Santos. “I hope I get to work with them some day. You know, hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na you are interviewing me and I am part ofBakwit Boys, paki-kurot mo nga ako,” Vance teases. My ﬁnal question: Do you think you are handsome? Larena chuckles heartily then answers, “Sometimes when I get enough sleep.” Bakwit Boys is currently showing in cinemas as part of this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

ARIAS

IN CHARACTER. Newcomer Vance Larena receives favorable feedback on his role in 'Bakwit Boys.'

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2018

A not-so-OA (overacting) concert ISAH V. RED

Entertainment Unconventionally entrancing love story

WHEN songwriter/singer/comedian Ogie Alcasid sings, everybody listens, and they do quietly as if trying to absorb each note in the whole musical piece, apart from trying to feel the meaning of the lyric. His songwriting talent has made him perhaps one of the most long-lasting performer in the local music carousel, spanning three decades of writing and singing as well.

A year after their first blockbuster team-up via the heartbreaking movie, 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Bela Padilla and JC Santos reunite with Jason Paul Laxamana in The Day After Valentine's.

Singer-songwriter and OPM pillar Ogie Alcasid

To mark those 30 glorious years, he is holding an anniversary concert on Aug. 24 at th4 Smart Araneta Coliseum. And to make the occasion even more splendid, he will be accompanied on stage by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. “We will have a big ﬁesta atmosphere during the opening number, with 80 to 100 people [performing] on stage,” shared the ultimate singer-songwriter. “We wanted to celebrate everything that’s Filipino.” Ogie collaborated with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in 2017 for his OPM tribute album Nakakalokal. His wife Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, for whom he wrote a number of songs that became chartbusters, joins him in the show as a special guest along with the couple’s friend, Vice Ganda. Also in the OPM icon’s much-awaited show are Rey Valera, Michael V, Janno Gibbs, Yeng Constantino, Moira dela Torre, Leila Alcasid, Sarah Alcasid, Nate Alcasid, Ban Sot Mee, and the Hotlegs. Paolo Valenciano directs with Gerard Salonga taking charge of the music direction of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, also as conductor. Ogie’s ﬁrst hit in 1988 was “Nandito Ako.” Star Events, ABS-CBN Events, and the A-Team are co-producing the concert with . PLDT Home and Belo Medical Group as presentors together with minor sponsors Transmodal International Inc., EO Executive Optical, and Jollibee. Tickets are available at ticketnet.com.ph and are priced at P5,075 (VVIP with free “Nakakalokal” album), P3,710 (VIP), P3,180 (patron A), P2,650 (patron B), P1,590 (lower box), P745 (upper Box), and P425 (general admission). Call 911-5555 for ticket inquiries. Continued on C3

HOLLYWOOD

'Crazy Rich Asians' touted as Hollywood watershed RICH, dashing man sweeps sweet young girl off her feet. It’s the fantasy to launch a thousand love stories, but Hollywood’s latest rom-com oozes more than sentimental escapism. Crazy Rich Asians, a two-hour celebration of fabulous wealth, stunning clothes and idealized love, complete with heroine who has to out-fox her beau’s imperious mother and vicious ex-girlfriend, is a faithful adaptation of the international bestseller by Singapore-American author Kevin Kwan. More importantly it’s the first Hollywood movie in a quarter of a century to feature an majority-Asian cast -- a feat not matched since The Joy Luck Club in 1993 and one driving frenzied publicity in the world of US entertainment. It comes a year after The Big Sick made Kumail Nanjiani Hollywood’s first Pakistani-born rom-com hero and months after Black Panther became the third highest-grossing motion picture of all time in North America. Kwan turned down a “gigantic” pay-offer from Netflix, to plop for Warner Bros. Pictures and a cinematic general release, looking to send a message and put down a marker for Asian-led box office receipts. A massive publicity blitz appears to be working. The Hollywood Reporter expects the movie to make at least $28 million at the box office over the first five days in North America, up from $20 million several weeks ago. Director Jon Chu wants the movie to convince Hollywood bosses that there’s plenty of money to be made from Asianled projects, opening the door to greater representation. “That we are worth that time, we are worth that energy and worth that effort,” he told Fox News. “The cinematic experience is unparalleled in that kind of context, of putting it in the museum, in the glass box and say this is special.” Filmed on location in Malaysia and Singapore, with a reported budget of $30 million, its cast is almost entirely Asian, AsianAmerican and Asian diaspora. As a result, it’s American actress Constance Wu who gets to wear the posh frocks and British-Malaysian, former BBC host and hair stylist Henry Golding who gets to be the Cary Grant of summer 2018. Continued on C3

'Crazy Rich Asians' star Henry Golding has all the makings of a Hollywood heartthrob.

‘Anne Kulit’ tonight at the Big Dome IT IS all systems go for AnneKulit: Promise, Last Na ‘To, a special concert that marks Anne Curtis’s 21st anniversary in show business. The show is directed by Paul Basinilio with Louie Ocampo as musical director, Georcelle of G-Force as dance director. Joining Anne to celebfate her milestone are Anne Curtis OPM biggest celebrates stars includa career ing Regine milestone by staging Velasquez, a solo S a r a h concert. Geronimo, James Reid, Aegis, and Ex Battalion. Curtis has had several sold-out concerts in the past, including AnneBisyosa: No Other Concert held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in 2012, which she took on the road around the country and overseas. This was followed by AnneKapal: The Forbidden Concert in 2014. AnneKulit: Promise, Last Na ‘To promises to be even bigger and more entertaining with surprise guests, more songs, more eye-popping dance production, and magniﬁcent sets and costumes. The concert is a production by Viva Live. Proceeds of the concert will go to the special projects of Anne’s foundation, Dream Machine Philippines. Tickets are priced at P8000 for VVIP, which comes with a special gift from Anne and a photo opportunity with actress host, VIP is at P4770, Patron - P3710, Box Premium - P2968, Box Regular - P2120, Upper Box - P1272 and Gen Ad - P424 Tickets are available at TicketNet (911-5555) and Viva Live (687-72360.

’LL keep things straight, Jason Paul Laxamana’s reunion project with JC Santos and Bela Padilla is an unconventional romantic movie that gives love a whole new meaning. It’s not an ideal story that will satisfy your craving for a happy ending, but it is more empowering than heading in that direction. Laxamana screws the sugar-coated boy-meetsgirl, woos her, till they ride off and elope premise as the movie talks about personal issues and overcoming someone’s monster. In The Day After Valentine’s, Bela plays Lani, a simple girl who likes “broken things” and Baybayin, Filipino ancient alphabetic writing system. While JC plays Kai, a guy who’s having a hard time moving on from his past relationship. On a whim, they decide to hang out together one Valentine’s day. Bela portrays a confident woman who seems to have the answers to questions about life, probably what Kai, a distraught man who’s been away from his family who lives in Hawaii, needs to fix his life after a terrible breakup. While it’s easy to like Lani as a character, the same thing cannot be said of Kai who discovers that Lani, just like himself in the beginning of the story, is broken, too. And that’s the beauty of the characters Laxamana created which the actors convincingly portrayed. As the story concludes, it’s made to defy convention and break away from the usual, giving us new takes on what love can be. It’s always great to witness the unexpected, and to be a part of a journey that stands out from the rest. While it highlights that romance can de depicted onscreen without sex and too much intimacy, the strength of the film lies on its simplicity. Although a few scenes are dragging and can be edited out without sacrificing the logical flow of the story, it’s uncomplicated plot forces viewers to look deeper into the characters’ complexities and the meaningful messages embedded in their dialogues. The Day After Valentine’s, shot mainly in the breathtaking islands of Hawaii, brings all kinds of mood and vibes on screen, which sends the audience on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Add to that the heart-tugging soundtracks, which include: “Akala” by Marion Aunor; “Taguan” by John Roa; “Pag-ibig Lang” by The Juans; “Feel” byJameson Tenorio and Ian Ancajas; and “For the Rest of My Life” by Bela Padilla. Produced by VIVA Films, The Day After Valentine’s is rated PG by the MTRCB and Graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Bord (CEB). It’s an official entry to the 2018 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino and is now available in theaters nationwide.

Bela and JC in a scene from the two-character movie shot mostly in Hawaii.