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VOL. XXXII • NO. 222 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Extra rice imports okayed

Avalanche of 750K metric tons intended to avert shortage

BEFORE LONG. This may

be a lifting sight before long in the country’s main port, after the government’s National Food Authority Council has approved the importation of 500,000 metric tons of rice on top of the previously announced 250,000 metric tons, according to Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol. The NFA Board has approved the standby importation of one million tons of rice for arrival in 2019.

Pump prices rise for 6th straight week By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL companies raised pump prices again by as much as P0.40 per liter effective 6 am Tuesday to reﬂect the movement of prices in the world market. Pump prices went up P0.40 per liter for gasoline, P0.20 per liter for diesel and P0.15 per liter for kerosene. This was the sixth weekly consecutive oil price increase due largely to a decline in the oil supply from Venezuela and Iran. Next page

Ex-VP Binay gunning for Congress seat

By Othel V. Campos

HE Agriculture Department is poised to import as much as 750,000 metric tons of rice that will arrive before the end of the year.

The decision to increase the import volume came on the heels of Typhoon ‘‘Ompong,’’ which caused damage to crops and livestock by as much as P26.7 billion, well above initial forecasts. Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said this was the second worst damage done by a typhoon, next to ‘‘Yolanda’’ in 2013, which destroyed P35 billion worth of crops and livestock. Ompong destroyed P14.5 billion in rice crops, P8.1 billion in corn, P3.4 million in high-value crops, P79 million in fruit trees, P45 million in livestock, P2 million in ﬁsheries, and P528 million in irrigation facilities, machinery and other equipment. Piñol said the department had a quick reaction fund of P600 million, crop insurance of P1.6 billion and an emergency loan program of P880 million, but this would not be enough to cover the P26.7 billion in damage. The rice imports will replenish the almost depleted stocks of government rice that stood at two days inventory. “All these [imports] will be at 25 percent Next page

By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta JEJOMAR Binay is running for congressman in the first district of Makati City. Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado confirmed this on Monday after Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay announced during the flag-raising ceremony at city hall that her father is returning to politics. “In this morning’s flagraising ceremony, Mayor Abby announced that she will run for reelection. She also said former

WEATHER

‘Paeng’closes in on Batanes Island

Palace: Enrile, FM Jr. can’t twist history By Nat Mariano and Macon RamosAraneta FORMER senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cannot twist history, the Palace said Monday, after Enrile claimed there were no arrests of political activists during martial law. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the presence of certain laws and court decisions pertaining to martial law belie Enrile’s claim that only a few of then-President Ferdinand Marcos’ critics

were arrested for criminal acts. “As far as the Palace is concerned, there are decisions afﬁrming that there were grave human rights violations committed during the Marcos regime. There’s even a law in Congress which provides for compensation for victims of martial law,” Roque told reporters in a Palace press brieﬁng. “I don’t think they can twist history when there’s a law and there are court decisions attesting to what happened during martial law,” he Next page added.

2.14-m people affected by ‘Ompong,’ landslides THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the number of families affected by Typhoon “Ompong” has climbed to 507,945 in 4,819 barangays in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, National Capital Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region. This was the equivalent to 2.14-million people, the 6 am Monday update said. Also, a total of 117,685 houses were reported

damaged, 10,334 severely and 107,351 partially, in Regions 1, 2, 3, and the CAR. Damage to infrastructure and agriculture was placed at P18.82 billion—lower than the Agriculture department’s estimate. The Department of Energy reported that power has been restored in 79.19 percent of the affected areas. Ompong affected 2,366,504 households after Next page

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Monday warned the Next page

B’day treat for Pia: Wax figure STARTING early next year, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach will be residing in Hong Kong. Or at least her wax figure will at Madame Tussauds. Next page

Tiger wins; golf world cheers SPORTS A8

CHRISTMAS TRAPPINGS. A young girl runs past Yuletide decorations Sunday near a street mall, three months and a day to Christmas Eve in predominantly Christian Philippines, home to multi-ethnic and multilingual population of 106 million from Batanes to Tawi Tawi. AFP

News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

’Popularity, not merits, to decide Senate polls’ By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta POPULARITY won over qualification in the Senate race, the Palace said Monday after the old names in politics dominated the latest senatorial survey of Pulse Asia. “No one should be daunted. We are not talking about qualifications here,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters. “We’re talking of family names and how long they have been in the highest echelon of power in this country.” Roque made his statement even as Senator Jose Victor Ejercito said he does have the benefit of name recall after using Ejercito and not Estrada for his non-inclusion in the “winning circle” of senatorial candidates based on the latest Pulse Asia survey. “The Estrada factor is working against me this time,” Ejercito told reporters. Ejercito’s rating dropped in Pulse Asia’s Sept. 1 to 7 survey, to 26.7 percent from 35.6 percent in the June 15 to 21 survey. Roque said to be a skillful lawmaker, one needed to know the intricacies of the Constitution. “You should know what your law is for you to know what law you will come up with. You should know the policies and not just focus on popularity,” Roque said. In a recent Pulse Asia survey released on Saturday, Senator Grace Poe emerged at the top of the potential winning senatorial candidates for 2019. Among the politicians who topped the survey were Senator Cynthia Villar, Rep. Pia Cayetano, Senator Nancy Binay, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Senator Edgardo Angara. Meanwhile, Roque and Presidential Assistant Christopher Go, both eyeing Senate seats, were ranked between 24th and 35th. Asked to comment, Roque said he was no longer surprised to see his name at the bottom of the list. “It doesn’t surprise me. I’m just an ordinary human being. I don’t belong to any political family. I’m not rich. I’m not surprised,” he said. “Like everyone else, democracy in the Philippines can be very expensive and depends on who your parents are.” Roque said it was the children of senators, those who had been in politics, who had a very good chance of being reelected.

Ex-VP... From A1

Makati mayor and Vice President Jejomar Binay will return to public service. I am confirming that former VP Binay will run as representative for the First District under the ticket of Mayor Abby,” Salgado said. Binay will be facing former Makati mayor Romulo Peña Jr. who also announced his plan to run for the city’s first district congressional race in the May 2019 midterm elections. Actor Monsour del Rosario is the incumbent congressman in the first district. There were reports that he is running for reelection, or considering trying his luck in the senatorial race next year. Binay is being considered as a political icon and the longest-serving mayor in Makati. He was the city chief executive from 1986 to 1998, and from 2001 to 2010 before serving the country as vice president during the time of President Benigno Aquino III. Makati, a city with more than 370,000 registered voters, has been a stronghold of the Binays since the former vice president was appointed by the late former President Corazon Aquino as its officerin-charge in 1986. During the flag-raising ceremony Monday, incumbent Mayor City Mayor Abigail Binay awarded a Certificate of Honor and a Loyalty Certificate to her father. “It is a great honor to be standing on the same platform with the person who taught and showed me genuine loyalty to public service, Makati’s beloved, my father Jojo Binay!,” she said. The city government paid tribute to the elder Binay for his leadership that “has brought Makati to a new era of unprecedented growth which led to the implementation of innovative and groundbreaking programs for the upliftment of the lives of Makatizens during his years of service to the City. He is a public servant worth emulating and from whom government employees can take inspiration,” read the inscription on the certificate.

’Red October’ destab plot doomed—Palace T By Nat Mariano

HE Palace said Monday it was confident the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte in a plot called “Red October” would not triumph after the military warned that groups were still planning to overthrow the President in the coming weeks. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque backed the military’s claim linking the Liberal Party, Senator Antonio Trillanes’ Magdalo group, the Communist Party of the Philippines and the groups Tindig Pilipinas and Movement Against Tyranny to the so-called ouster plot. “We have no doubts that the AFP has intelligence information on this. We have no doubts that the CPP-NPA has been out to overthrow the governments since they were founded,” Roque told reporters. “We have no doubts that there are power-hungry individuals in the opposition who would like to resort to extraconstitutional means to bring down the government of President Duterte. And we have no doubts that the Magdalo group are addicted to coup d’états.” In other developments: • A “broad” coalition of communist rebels and President Duterte’s critics are conspiring to remove him from office in October, military officials

warned over the weekend. Communist leaders Rey Casambre and Satur Ocampo were allegedly leading the coalition, said Armed Forces of the Philippines Assistant Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade. • The Philippine National Police continues to monitor some groups plotting moves to unseat Duterte, an official said Monday. But PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the actions appeared to be limited to discrediting Duterte since the alleged plotters themselves were aware that ousting Duterte was an impossible task. • The plot to unseat Duterte was a serious accusation, Senator Panfilo Lacson said Monday and added it should not be taken lightly regardless of the basis of the information of the military. If only for the fact that the AFP leadership itself had declassified such information, he said, the onus to show proof rested on their shoulders.

“Otherwise, we can’t blame the opposition groups, even the public, for suspecting that the AFP is engaging in some psywar to justify a “crackdown” as alleged by those opposing the policies of the administration in dealing with a wide range of issues ranging from human rights, even foreign relations,” Lacson said. Roque said the government was complacent that the ouster plot would not succeed as the people were “overwhelmingly” supporting the President, citing the latest Social Weather Stations survey saying eight out of 10 Filipinos backed the administration’s war on drugs. AFP deputy chief of staff for operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade said the previous Sept. 21 attempt was unsuccessful, but the plan for the next month called “Red October” remained. “There will still be a plan this coming October. They call it Red October. That is the month of international celebrations for communism, Marxism and IP [indigenous peoples],” he said. “There are documents being recovered that they have an alliance with the Movement Against Tyranny for the Aklasan for the campaign to oust. Their objective is to oust Duterte with the opposition aligned with it, the Liberal Party and the camp of Vice President [Leni] Robredo and then Trillanes and then actually Magdalo.” With PNA, Francisco Tuyay and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Pump prices... From A1

TRACKING ‘PAENG.’ State weather forecaster Aldzcar Aurelio gives an update on Typhoon ‘Paeng’ which was located East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 170 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 210km/h. Paeng is moving West Northwest, he said. Manny Palmero

Extra rice... From A1

broken. We put a stop to the importation of 5 percent broken. This is where problems arise. Traders tend to hoard and sell fancy rice when prices go up,” said Agriculture secretary Manny Pinol in a briefing Monday in Quezon City. He told the National Food Authority Council to keep rice imports at 25 percent broken and warned traders who would import any other kind of rice. “The message we want to get across to those traders holding on to their inventory is for them to release their stocks now,” he added. In addition, the NFA board has also approved the standby importation of 1 million MT rice for arrival in 2019. The Department will submit the proposed importation volume to the President Sept. 25. Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee R. Marcos, meanwhile, suggested that the National Food Authority be authorized to buy milled rice from traders at prevailing market prices or buy palay from farmers at prices matching the rice traders’ buy-

‘Paeng’... From A1

public of possible landslides as Typhoon “Paeng” continued to approach extreme Northern Luzon. Senior weather forecaster Rene Paciente said Paeng will spawn light to moderate rain on Wednesday to dampen the rain-soaked soil in many parts of Northern Luzon, including the Cordillera region, and cause landslides. “Even a moderate rainfall or thunderstorm can cause landslides. We ask those in the mountainous areas to please leave the landslide-prone sites,” Paciente said. Paeng is expected to enhance the

B’day treat... From A1

“So excited to be the first Filipino [wax figure to be part] of Madame Tussauds. What a birthday treat! Please visit me there. Will be waiting for you,” the Filipino beauty queen said on her Instagram account.

ing rate. Rice traders usually buy at a higher rate than the NFA. “The TRAIN Law has a catch-all provision which could serve as legal basis for a rice buying program by the NFA using incremental proceeds from TRAIN Law revenues. This provision will address costs,” Marcos said, referring to the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law. She said when the poor are assured of a stable supply of NFA rice, they will choose it over commercial rice, which will lead to lower prices all around. Also on Monday, the Bureau of Customs filed five criminal cases against importers and customs brokers who were supposedly involved in smuggled shipments cumulatively valued at more than P20 million. Among those charged were officers of Malaya Multi-Purpose Cooperative for large-scale agricultural smuggling of four containers of onions worth P2.5 million. “Their importation consisted of four containers of onions which were concealed among cartons of apples and pears,” the BoC said in a statement.

Gasoline prices rose due to tight supply coupled with robust demand from Indonesia and the Persian Gulf on the back of reduced Chinese exports, refinery turnarounds and problems in the US Midwest. Diesel, too, was in limited supply as demand continued to remain high in Malaysia and Australia, while Japanese refiners saw a decrease in production. Pump prices also went up due to the increase in the price of ethanol, the Department of Energy said. Phoenix, Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines, Seaoil Philippines, Flying V and Unioil Philippines issued separate advisories of the oil price hike while other companies are expected to follow suit. On Sept, 18, the oil firms raised the price of gasoline by P0.50 per liter, kerosene by P0.20 per liter and diesel by P0.15 per liter. Latest Department of Energy data showed that the major oil companies (Petron Corp., Chevron Phils. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.) captured 53.4-percent market share of the total demand oil the first half. Other industry players which include PTT Philippine Corp., Total Phils., Seaoil Phil. Inc., TWA Inc. , Phoenix, Liquigaz, Petronas, Prycegas, Micro Dragon, Unioil, Isla Gas, Jetti, Eastern Petroleum, JS Union, JS Phils. Corp., Petrotrade, South Pacific, Marubeni, SL Harbour, Rockoil, RK3 Int’l., Insular, ERA 1, High Glory, Warbucks, Perdido and Filoil Logistics Corp., as well as the end users who imported directly most of their requirement captured 46.6 percent of the market.

2.14-m people... From A1

southwest monsoon while moving toward Batanes. It may not bring as much rains as “Ompong,” but the tip of Northern Luzon―Babuyan Island and Batanes Island―are expected to receive heavy rain and strong winds. Paciente said Paeng is weaker than Ompong, which flooded and caused landslides in Northern Luzon and killed several people. As of 3 pm Monday, the eye of Paeng was located 905 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, and packing sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 225 kilometers per hour. It was moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

it made landfall in Cagayan on Sept. 15. As of Sept. 22 evening, the DoE reported the reenergization of 1,871,707 households. Fourteen provinces are still undergoing rehabilitation. The affected areas have different timelines for power restoration, depending on their location and situation, the department said. In Naga City, Cebu, the death toll from a landslide at a mining site rose to 49. Naga City police said at least 10 were injured, but did not say how many remained missing. The landslide buried about 20 houses in the village of Tinaan and four houses in Naalad on Sept. 20, after several days of heavy rain. The Department of Health said it found water sources of at least five evacuation centers in Naga City, Cebu, positive for fecal coliform, making it unsafe for human consumption. PNA

On Instagram, Madame Tussauds HK gave a warm welcome to Wurtzbach. “A queen in every definition of the word, Pia’s wax figure will be joining those of the greatest icons from around the world throughout history in 2019,” Madame Tussauds HK said in its post. “With Pia’s sweet, positive, and fun personality, we really could not have imagined having anyone but her to represent

the Philippines in this way. More than being a queen, she has all the makings of an icon, and we are proud to be able to house her wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong for the rest of the world to be able to interact with,” said Madame Tussauds HK general manager Jenny You. The measurement process for Wurtzbach’s wax figure was done with the Madame Tussaud’s team from London.

SolGen dumps Trillanes’ bid for amnesty By Rey E. Requejo THE Office of the Solicitor General asked the Supreme Court on Monday to dump the petition of opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV challenging the legality of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation 572 nullifying the amnesty granted to him during the administration of President Benigno Aquino III. Malacañang, through Solicitor General Jose Calida, said Proclamation 572 was valid as it correctly voided the amnesty grant under Proclamation 75 issued in January 2011 during the previous administration, which he said violated the Constitution. As a result, the Palace said, the high court should dismiss Trillanes’ petition for lack of merit. Malacañang made its statement even as Trillanes on Monday filed documents before the two regional trial courts in Makati City rejecting the Duterte administration’s claim that he did not file his application for amnesty. Through his lawyer, Trillanes filed the supporting documents before the Makati RTC Branch 148 and Makati RTC Branch 150 where he is facing charges of rebellion in 2003. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Palace:... From A1

The Palace official said members of the Compensation Board were in Malacañang to resolve last-minute problems about the release of all the compensation for victims of martial law. Roque was referring to the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013 signed five years ago by Enrile, then Senate president. The law said the government recognized “the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations” under the martial rule. “The State hereby acknowledges its moral and legal obligation to recognize and/or provide reparation to said victims and/or their families for the deaths, injuries, sufferings, deprivations, and damages they suffered under the Marcos regime,” the law read, creating the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board tasked to hand out reparations to victims of Marcos’ martial rule. The reparations come from the P10billion Marcos deposits turned over by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court to the Philippine government in 1997 after the regime fell in 1986. Senator Nancy Binay, meanwhile, said her father, former vice president Jejomar Binay, was a living testament to debunk Enrile’s assertion that not one person was arrested for his political beliefs or criticism of the late dictator. “Name me one person that was arrested simply because he criticized President Marcos. None,” Enrile said in the video posted on the Facebook Account of the son and namesake of the late president. Binay said her father was arrested and jailed during the martial law regime, and that her mother, who was pregnant with her at the time, would visit him at the detention center. As a girl, she said, her nickname was “Maki” for makibaka, a Filipino word for “struggle and revolution.” She also remembered joining protests, marching from Buendia in Makati to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, and grew up participating in rallies against the Marcos regime. She said it is only Enrile who can say why he has a different recollection of martial law. But Binay said she knows what is true, and remembers visiting political prisoners such as Satur Ocampo and Crispin Beltran during Christmas. The son of the late senator Jose Diokno said Marcos’ interview with Enrile was “torture” that further insulted the victims of martial law. In an interview on the program Dobol B sa News TV, Diokno denied Enrile’s claim that his father did not want to be released from prison. “What Enrile said in his interview was painful. After all, he knows the truth,” Diokno said in Filipino. “If you were detained without reason, I think you’d want to be released.” He added that his father was psychologically tortured by his illegal detention—which could not be dismissed as “an inconvenience,” as Enrile said. On the program News to Go, former senator Rene Saguisag said Enrile was “demented” for claiming nobody died during the martial law years under Marcos. Saguisag—himself jailed during the martial law years—said Enrile was Senate president when the human rights compensation bill became a law.

News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LAND SCAM. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, questions Roberto Catapang, a state witness in the multibillion-peso land scam, while Ser John Pastrana, Chief Micrographics and Computer Division of the Land Registration Authority, bursts into tears during an inquiry into the alleged LRA systems fault which resulted in the misuse of government funds for its road right of way project covered by alleged spurious land titles in General Santos City. One of the victims of the scam is the government which lost a sprawling property adjacent to the Gensan International Airport. Lino Santos

Blogger Olivar faces charges for ‘false bomb threat’ post By Nat Mariano and Francisco Tuyay THE Philippine National Police said on Monday that controversial blogger Drew Olivar will face charges for violating the country’s Anti-Bomb Joke Law. PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said Olivar will be charged for spreading false bomb threat information during the 46th anniversary of the martial law declaration. “He wasn’t arrested immediately because he posted the joke quite some time ago, but he will be formally charged in court for violation of Presidential Decree 1727,” Albayalde told reporters on Monday. PD 1727 forbids “malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction and imposing penalties, therefore.” Meanwhile, the Palace said it will let the country’s police forces to act on the matter. “I will leave it to Generals Eleazar and Albayalde because they know their job. I have nothing but the highest respect for both of them,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a press brieﬁng Monday. Last Friday, Olivar posted a video on Facebook warning of a possible bombing incident in the country as protesters staged rallies to commemorate the over four-decade anniversary of martial law. He said the supposed blast might be similar to the Plaza Miranda bombing in Quiapo, Manila in 1971, adding that it would be scary to stage protests on EDSA. However, no such incident occurred.

Suspension of 9 mayors, 3 vice mayors, 60 others recalled By Rio N. Araja OMBUDSMAN Samuel Martires on Monday recalled the suspension of nine mayors, three vice mayors and 60 other local officials accused of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty for allowing the operation of open dumps within their areas. Martires issued separate orders, withdrawing the one-year suspension without of mayors Flaviano Balgos Jr. of Nueva Vizcaya’s Bambang, Gerry Jaucian of Albay’s Daraga, Nathaniel Gertos of Leyte’s Bato, Norman Ong of Palawan’s Rizal, Cielo Krisel Luistro of Albay’s Tabaco City, Cherlie Sampal of Albay’s Polangui, Emilia Lourdes Poblete of Cavite’s Silang, Melandres de Sagun of Cavite’s Trece Martires and Ma. Kristine dela Fuente of Bataan’s Abucay. “In view of the ongoing review of the Office of the Ombudsman of all environmental cases, the decision is hereby recalled. As such, the order suspending from the service without pay for one year is withdrawn,” the order read. “Considering that the Office of the Ombudsman has not received information from the Department of the Interior and Local Government as to the implementation of the decision, the DILG or his duly authorized representative is directed to furnish this office of this information within 10 days from receipt hereof so that this matter can be included in the review of this case.”

DoJ indicts Taguba, eight others over shabu shipment By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

HE Department of Justice has approved the indictment of Customs fixer Mark Ruben Taguba II and eight others for violation of the Customs law for their alleged involvement in the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu from China into the country last year. In a resolution, the DoJ found probable cause to file criminal charges against Taguba and his alleged coconspirators and hold them liable for violation of Section 1400, which penalizes misdeclaration, misclassifaction, undervaluation in goods declaration, and Section 1401, which penalizes unlawful importation and exportation, of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. The complaint filed by the Bureau of Customs for violation of Section 1403 that penalizes other fraudulent practices against Customs revenue was junked for lack of probable cause, but the relevant case records have been elevated to the Office of the Secretary of Justice for automatic review. Aside from Taguba, the DoJ also recommended the indictment of Eirene Mae Tatad, Teejay Marcellana, Chen Ju Long (aka “Richard Tan,” “Richard Chen”), Fidel Anoche Dee, Chen I. Min, Jhu Ming Jyun, Li Guang Feng (aka “Manny Li”), Dong Yi Shen (aka

“Kenneth Dong”) and other John and Jane Does. In the Aug. 14, 2018 resolution signed by Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit, the DoJ said that the facts discovered during the DoJ’s preliminary investigation “would readily support the conclusion” that the nine respondents were “interested” in bringing into the country the container that carried ﬁve metal cylinders concealing dangerous drugs. The DoJ was not convinced by the respondent’ assertions that the importation papers they signed, processed and ﬁled at the BoC declared only an importation of “cutting boards, footwear, kitchenware and ‘moulds.’” “For, documents would not recite the clandestinely imported goods. The dangerous drugs were concealed with legally imported merchandise on the chance that the former could escape detection. Or, if discovered, the respondents could, by improper methods, obtain delivery thereof just the same.

Smugglers thrive on their wits,” the DoJ said. While the transactions between the nine appear to be “compartmentalized,” the circumstances supposedly point towards the accomplishment of the alleged smuggling “through conspiracy.” “Respondents’ defense that they were not aware that the shipment they received contained dangerous drugs deserves scant consideration. What matters is that they committed act/s which [have] a vital connection to the chain of conspiracy, that without such act, the unlawful importation would be unsuccessful,” the resolution stated. The resolution was approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Miguel Gudio Jr. and approved by Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon. Taguba and the other respondents face separate charges for illegal drug importation in connection with the same shabu haul before a Manila court. The drug transportation case against them has been thrown out by a Valenzuela judge, but the DoJ intends to contest the decision before the Court of Appeals. The Customs bureau, meanwhile, lauded the DoJ’s move to indict Taguba II and eight the others in connection with the P6.4-billion shabu shipment from China. Earlier, a Valenzuela court dismissed the illegal drug charges ﬁled against Taguba and two other respondents for lack of probable cause and for forum shopping.

Procedure on Du30 ‘nothing extraordinary’—Palace By Nat Mariano THE intestine-related procedure done to President Rodrigo Duterte are nothing extraordinary, Malacañang said Monday, after the President admitted he has undergone colonoscopy and endoscopy. “I think that’s routine. The President has said he regularly undergoes tests like that. So, that’s a routine, nothing extraordinary,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque in a Palace press brieﬁng Monday. Roque said Duterte’s hectic schedule of daily activities prove that he is, in fact, in good health. “You have seen the President’s schedule. I can’t follow his schedule, most of

you can’t even follow, too. So, I think, his hectic schedule is a testament that he does not have any illness,” said the Palace ofﬁcial, assuring the public that the President’s health examinations are nothing to worry about. He said the President had no qualms about telling everyone because he thinks it was just a routine. Roque, however, insisted that Duterte will disclose his medical condition to the public if there’s a serious illness. “Of course, the Constitution says so, but there’s no serious illness that has to be disclosed,” Roque said. “The President is transparent. The man said so many times that he wants to leave his position, so he will not cling on if he’s dying or gravely ill.”

Last Friday, the President said that he underwent examinations on his digestive tract. “I had my colonoscopy and endoscopy about a week ago. Joey did the procedure and he said I have a bad case of Barrett. He said, ‘if you’ll just stop drinking, you will live,” Duterte told doctors in a speech in Cebu City. The President was referring to his gastroenterologist Dr. Joey Sollano of the University of Santo Tomas, saying he usually refers Sollano to friends and family members who have digestive problems. “When somebody complains ‘my ass is aching,’ what comes to my mind is ‘you go to Sollano’,” he said.

P5.4-m illegal drugs from Congo seized in NAIA By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta GOVERNMENT agents intercepted another shipment of prohibited drugs worth P5.4 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Customs operatives intercepted Saturday night a parcel from Republic of Congo containing 800 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu, which was declared in the manifest as art table. The parcel, which arrived at the Federal Express warehouse last Sept. 21, contained shabu inserted in the art table box consigned to a certain Joy Bido Mariel of Cavite. The shipment came from Asuman Lopeta of 5EM Rue Industrielle Kinshasa, Republic of Congo. Alerted Customs agents at the airport held the parcel for further investigation. NAIA Customs collector Carmelita Talusan commended her men for their untiring effort to examine and profile shipments that resulted in the capture of several passengers and other personalities bringing to the country illegal drugs. Last month, the Customs bureau turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency some P37.3 million worth of illegal drugs it earlier seized from the bonded warehouses of NAIA. The agency haul consisted of 5,239 grams of shabu which were concealed in various items like a baby carrier, camera, finance magazines and bar tools. The contraband were interdicted last May, June and July, respectively. Aside from shabu, 1,000 pieces of party drugs known as Ecstacy, which was concealed in wooden toys, were seized on July 20. The seizures, Talusan said, were due to consistent “reform initiatives and his five-point program of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña.” Lapeña said the shabu mostly came from the United States while the Ecstacy came from Germany. Since Aug. 30, 2017, the agency has been very proactive and relentless in its effort to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs. The bureau was able to intercept an estimated P3.436 billion worth of illegal drugs and arrested a total of 23 drug personalities.

No to tax on books in TRAIN 2—Zubiri By Macon Ramos-Araneta

CAUGHT WITH SHABU. A Chinese national identified as Lin Hua Sen was

arrested for carrying illegal drugs weighing an estimated 25 kilos during a buy-bust operation of PDEA inside the parking area in front of Diamond Hotel, Manila on Sept. 24. Norman Cruz

SENATE Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri on Monday vowed to oppose the provisions on the TRAIN 2 bill that will tax books and other reading and learning materials. Zubiri said that the tax exemption on these items should stay because books are an integral part of education and learning. “We should keep books as affordable and accessible as possible. The Internet cannot replace the value of reading and the literacy skills that accompany it. Books should remain tax-free period,” he said. It was earlier reported that the version of the TRABAHO bill in the Senate contains a proposal to repeal Section 12 of Republic Act No. 8047, or the Book Publishing Industry Development Act enacted in 1995. The said provision exempts books, magazines, periodicals, newspapers,

including book publishing, printing, distribution and circulation, from the expanded value-added tax. Once the bill is enacted into law, tax would then be imposed on said goods and services. For his part, Senator Sonny Angara has assured that his committee will not touch any provision that grants incentives and tax exemptions to the book publishing industry. Under House Bill 8083 or the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO), Section 12 of Republic Act 8047 or the Book Publishing Industry Development Act of 1994 is repealed. RA 8047 was authored by the late Senate President Edgardo Angara. This means that incentives, including VAT and customs-duty exemption, on importation of raw materials for book publication will be removed, which may result to higher prices of books.

Opinion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The legacy of Marcos

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

on several fronts and he had to do something when Mao Tse Tung-inspired communists were already having their arms brought to Northern Luzon. Santa Banana, if it were not for martial law, God knows what could have MUCH was said during the 46th an- happened to the country! The Supreme niversary of martial law. In Septem- Court upheld martial law because it ber 1972, strongman Ferdinand Edra- was allowed by the 1935 Constitution lin Marcos issued Proclamation 1081 to suppress rebellion. Public safety rewhich placed the entire country under quired it. martial law. People often forget that Marcos was Much more has been uttered by responsible for the North and South ExLeftists, communists and Marcos hat- pressways, the Marcos Highway to Baers on what they call the dark pages guio, and the Marcos Maharlika Highof history. They recite alleged atroci- way that extends from Leyte to Luzon. ties and violation of human rights and Significantly, out of the 2,036 presicivil liberties. dential decrees issued by Marcos, only All these bring to fore the question: 67 have been repealed or modified. Is Marcos a heel or a hero? Santa Banana, the Marcos laws still I would like to quote Justice Manuel govern us today! Lazaro, former Marcos Government Lazaro put it very well when he said: Corporate Counsel and Court of Ap- “In a manner of speaking, Marcos the peals Justice. He wrote the foreword corpus is dead. But Marcos the law to “The Marcos Legacy” which my giver lives, pulsating vibrantly. His colleague Cecilio Arillo wrote as an laws are eloquent proof of his wisdom, objective narration and exposition of vision and foresight in crafting policies events. Lazaro is now president of the for good and effective governance.” Philconsa (PhilMarcos also ippine Constitucrafted and issued signal laws that tion Association) have been hailed chaired by forIs Marcos a heel or a mer Rep. Martin and lauded by all Romualdez. succeeding adhero? That depends on Lazaro wrote: ministrations. who is talking. “He [Marcos] is I would even a hero to those say that Marcos was the most brilwho are aware and appreciative liant among all the of his remarkable performance and presidents I have known. He also had achievements. However, he is heel to the best Cabinet, led by Prime Ministhose who envy his ingenuity, vision ter Cesar Virata, with Roberto Ongand foresight and to those who take pin, Gerardo Sicat, O.D. Corpuz, Juan revenge and hatred.” Ponce Enrile and Estelito Mendoza. Thus, the answer depends on who is Lazaro said that with “time’s healtalking. It is a matter of perspective. ing hands, FM will be vindicated. He Some may say that Lazaro being with is a great man unjustly judged at the the Marcos government is biased. But I wrong time by the wrong minds. Time myself look at the entire picture of what and history will vindicate his vision Marcos did. and foresight, especially in lawmaking. History tells us that Marcos was not Generations freed from the ugly blemonly facing the threat of communism. ishes of hate, vengeance and prejudice Communists were acting in conniv- will look more kindly and with gratiance with the Liberal Party opposi- tude on his achievements and contribution and civil society in media, labor tions to the nation.” academe, the Church and in parliament All I can say to that is “Amen.” where legislators and their sympathizers were already knocking on the gates *** of Malacañang. In another context, Marcos haters He was also facing the separatist move- say that attempts to distort and revise ment of the Muslims in Mindanao. history demean the 1986 EDSA People In other words, Marcos was fighting Turn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

An unsettling preoccupation

HE coming month brings trouble, according to military ofﬁcials. Despite the fact that “Red October” has been outed, it remains in motion, they say. A broad coalition of anti-administration forces is hatching a plan to remove President Rodrigo Duterte from office. Armed Forces Assistant Deputy Chief for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade said two communist leaders, Rey Casambre and Satur Ocampo, are leading destabilization efforts against President Duterte. Also in on the scheme are the critics of the President, specifically supporters of the ousted chief justice, Maria Lourdes Sereno, and members of a group called Tindig Pilipinas. The military also said the plan includes egging labor groups to go

on strike, an attempt at creating a dent on industry. Earlier this month, the President himself talked about a plot to get him out of office. He pointed to his usual vociferous critics as the culprits. It would be unfortunate if such plans were indeed in motion. These would disrupt not only the term of Mr. Duterte but more importantly our attempts to rise above our current difficulties—think high prices, gaping income inequality, rampant corruption, sluggish infrastructure —and achieve a modicum of progress. If there were indeed a coalition of unlikely partners—communists and middle-class individuals who themselves have stakes in businesses—then we cringe to think of the chaos that would ensue once they have toppled the

presidency and started figuring out who should do what in its aftermath. Talk of destabilization in itself unsettling, not for the individual at the helm of government but for the people who know all too well the lessons in ousting somebody —and then stopping right there. It also portrays a negative image of volatility at a time when we are desperate to attract tourists and foreign investors. At worst, talk of Red October or any other scheme conditions the people’s minds that danger is imminent and that government forces are ready to resort to harsh measures to contain it. At best, it takes the mind of our officials off the real work they must do: Improve the lot of Filipinos instead of obsessing about whether they will still be in power next month, or next year.

Chochoy Medina, my friend and hero dez and was conferred on violinist Alfonso Bolipata last year. In conferring the Tanglaw ng Lahi Award to Pandy Aviado, the university recognized his dedication to the art of printmaking and the excellence with which he pursued it. He has produced hundreds of prints, garnered a multitude of awards, and has participated in more than a hundred exhibitions here and abroad. The university also recognized this art-

TODAY, Sept. 25, 2018, is a wonderful day for the Ateneo de Manila University. Our community will gather together at Irwin Theatre in the Loyola Campus for the conferment of the 2018 Traditional University Awards. The awardees, as they are every year, have diverse backgrounds: a printmaker, a human rights lawyer, a peacemaker and a diplomat are this year’s awardees. For sure, Virgilio Aviado, Carlos He challenges and Medina, Zenaida Brigida Pawid and ennobles us. Albert del Rosario are great Filipinos. The Ateneo de Manila University honors itself more in ist’s work in promoting honoring these individu- the use of printmaking techniques in contempoals. Aviado is the 2018 Ga- rary and hybrid forms, wad Tanglaw ng Lahi through workshops for awardee. The Ateneo de students and practitionManila University cre- ers of printmaking and in ated this award to rec- successfully lobbying for ognize “those who have a permanent workshop dedicated their life’s space for the Printmakwork to the pursuit of ers Association of the Filipinism and the Fili- Philippines, now called pino identity through the Association of Pinoyany of the channels of printmakers (A/P). Zenaida Brigida H. culture”. This award was first given in April 1970 Pawid, Manang Briggs to Mr. Amado Hernan- to us who

have worked and fought policy and governance battle with her, will be conferred the Ozanam Award. The Ozanam Award honors Christian laymen or laywomen who work for charity and justice. The Award is named after Frederick Ozanam, now Saint, the great French Catholic leader, who founded the St. Vincent de Paul Society for the relief of the poor. It was awarded last year to Synergeia Foundation under the leadership of Milweda Guevarra. Manang Briggs is a known stalwart in peace and development community, having dedicated more than 30 years of her life to protecting the rights of the indigenous peoples (IP) of the Cordillera region in northern Philippines, focusing especially on the restoration of their ancestral rights and peacebuilding. She has also been active in peace work, among others representing the IPs during the government’s peace negotiations with the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army and the Communist Party of the Philippines. In relation to this, Manang Briggs was instrumental in creating Turn to A5

Rough waters for California’s not-so-public beaches By Jocelyne Zablit THE sandy cove along California’s picturesque coast beckons visitors to what is supposed to be a public beach. But the imposing gate, the security guard and the annual $100 access fee tell a different story. Privates Beach, as the secluded spot in the city of Santa Cruz is known to locals, is at the center of an ongoing battle over the public’s right to access the Golden State’s fabled shoreline. An hour’s drive north sits Martin’s Beach, where a David versus Goliath-type showdown has pitted a high-tech billionaire against surfers and state regulators. For nearly a decade, Silicon Valley entrepreneur Vinod Khosla, who purchased

the 53-acre (21.4-hectare) parcel for $32.5 million in 2008, has sought to limit access to the shoreline through his property. Khosla has now taken the fight to the US Supreme Court, which is deciding whether to take on the case. The two high-stakes disputes reflect the constant wave of legal challenges that have called into question California’s landmark 1976 Coastal Act, which enshrines public access to the state’s 1,271 miles (2,045 kilometers) of coastline.

off the pristine sand. “It’s relentless and it’s just constant pressure,” said Pat Veesart, who oversees enforcement of the Coastal Act in northern California. “People who are wealthy enough, fortunate enough to be able to buy property along the coast are always trying to figure out a way to make them as exclusive as possible.” A majority of the challenges are concentrated in southern California, notably Malibu, where celebrities who live along the Keep out the riff-raff 27 miles of coast known as Billionaire’s Most of the cases usually involve Beach have fought tooth and nail to keep wealthy beachfront homeowners willing their properties private. to go to great lengths—and to spend a “People go from just a little to quite far great deal of money—to keep the riff-raff Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

Drivers see red over Oslo’s green ‘war on cars’ By Pierre-Henry Deshayes

popping up, as well as outdoor furniture, bike paths and bike stands. Designated “European Green Capital” by the European Commission for 2019, Oslo hopes the move will purify its air, encourage more cultural activities and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which it aims to cut by 95 percent by 2030. Oslo is spearheading a broader trend, with other big cities like Paris, Madrid, Brussels and Helsinki all trying to reverse from the car-based society. “What is most tragic about this war on cars is that politicians are attacking people’s freedoms and their wallets,” protests Jarle Aabo. A public relations executive, he writes the newsletter “Yes to Cars in Oslo”, which counts almost 23,000 members on Facebook—where comments are at times harsh. “What people fear is that the centre of Oslo will die, that it will become a very depressing place,” he says, contradicting the official line. “I don’t know how all of this is going to end but I don’t think happy cyclists are going to come do street performances and dances in January when it’s -20°C (-4 F) with snow up to their knees.”

need to improve public transport, both in terms of price and quality,” he adds. And that’s a big problem. With a single ticket costing almost six euros ($7), public transport remains expensive. Users also complain about delays and problems, made worse when they have to wait in subzero temperatures in winter. While more than half of residents are in favour of a city centre “with as few cars as possible”, some shopkeepers are not happy. A stone’s throw from City Hall, a bed store located inside a “no-car” zone since June 1 is glaringly empty. “Our clients complain that they can’t come,” owner Terje Cosma explains. “We sell merchandise that you can’t walk out with under your arm, so a lot of them are dependent on cars.” While the shop’s sales were doing well until June, business has since collapsed. Two neighboring boutiques have already closed up shop. Customers are heading to large shopping centers outside the city instead. “Restaurants, cafes and bars will probably benefit, but not specialized shops. We’ll lose variety,” laments Cosma. Marcussen remains nonetheless confident. “With or without cars, a city centre will always change shape over time,” she insists. “If there’s one place where I really think shops will continue to do well, it’s in city centers where you can combine shopping with outings to cultural events or restaurants.” AFP

ficer after surfing, said the fence and access fee were no “big deal.” “If they open that gate, there’s a lot of speculation that it could bring unsavory types hanging out at the beach —homeless people and maybe people using narcotics,” he told AFP. Johansen, like half a dozen people interviewed at Privates, said anyone who did not wish, or could not afford, to pay the annual fee could easily go elsewhere. “There are so many other beaches for people to go,” said Jeff Lebeouf, a local homeowner. “That’s the way it’s been and that’s the way I believe it should be because there are a lot of other options.”

Commission. “It’s very ingrained in California that the beaches are a gathering area.” Neither Khosla nor his attorney could be reached for comment for this article. But he told The New York Times in a recent interview that he was waging his battle on principle and doesn’t even care much for the property. “If this hadn’t ever started, I’d be so happy,” he told the Times. “But once you’re there in principle, you can’t give up principle.” For now, Martin’s Beach is open to the public. But the surfers who use it say that could change overnight if Khosla succeeds in his legal battle. “If the ownership were to prevail, that would set a precedent that would allow incredibly wealthy individuals to purchase land adjacent to the coast and slowly but surely turn that public resource into a private good,” said Eric Buescher, an attorney representing the Surfrider Foundation, which sued Khosla. “It’s the equivalent of buying all the property around Central Park in New York and saying ‘Ha, now I own Central Park’.” AFP

DETERMINED to go green, Oslo is slowly but surely ridding its city center of motorists, angering some who say the “war on cars” is putting the brakes on individual freedoms. “We have to give the city back to the people, so children can play safely, so elderly people can have more benches to sit on,” argues Hanna Marcussen outside Oslo’s City Hall, its cobblestone square recently blocked off to traffic. “In order to do that, you have to get rid of cars, which take up a disproportionate amount of space,” the Greens city councilor in charge of urban development says. While they may not seem spectacular, Oslo has devised a series of highly dissuasive measures: it has eliminated 700 parking spots, re-zoned the city center, turned streets into pedestrian walkways, and has raised the price of congestion tolls. It’s not the outright ban that was initially feared—and which prompted one lawmaker to call it “a Berlin Wall against motorists”. But in a 1.9-square-kilometer (0.7-square-mile) zone in Oslo’s center—where some 5,500 people live and Shopkeepers worried 120,000 people work—the only cars to And yet, cyclists are thrilled. be seen are taxis, vehicles for the handi“It’s going to be great,” says Christocapped, emergency vehicles and a few pher Olsson, a photographer who usually lost and confused motorists. “In 2020, we will have eliminated most bikes around town. “There are a lot of conflicts between motorists and cyclists.” private cars,” says Hanna Marcussen. “But if we totally eliminate cars, we Sidewalk cafes can already be seen

Rough... From A4

to discourage the public from using public lands,” said Linda Locklin, manager of the state’s coastal access program. Some homeowners hire security guards to keep the public out, put up fake no parking or private beach signs, place cones in the roadway or file lawsuits that usually drag on for years, Locklin said. ‘Paradise’ lost The homeowners argue that visitors produce litter, vandalize property and are a constant nuisance that can turn their dream homes into a nightmare. “Once they opened this up, it was like the gates of hell were unlocked,” Michael Lembeck, a film director, told AFP on a recent morning as he angrily pointed to an access path that opened in 2015 near his Malibu home. “It was paradise here until three years ago,” he added. “A lot of people have moved... and we may be next.” The same arguments about privacy and security are echoed at Privates Beach—a cheeky name earned during its past incarnation as a nude beach. Sean Johansen, a police officer walking on the beach with a fellow of-

‘I own Central Park’ But advocates of open beach access argue that should the gate operation continue and should Khosla, a co-founder of Sun Microsystems, prevail in the nation’s highest court, that could set a bad precedent and rewrite the rules governing California’s coast. “We see the beach as part of our soul,” said Noaki Schwartz, a California native and spokesperson for the state’s Coastal

Chochoy... From A4

peace zones in the region and was vital to the passage of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (IPRA). One of the big joys in my professional life as an indigenous people’s rights and environmental lawyer has been collaborating with Manang Briggs from the 1990s when we were both in civil society and more recently when she became Chair of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples during the Aquino (PNoy) administration. Speaking of the Aquino administration, the Ateneo de Manila University will be conferring on Albert F. del Rosario, former Foreign Affairs Secretary, one of its highest awards—the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa. This award is in recognition of del Rosario’s brilliance as a diplomat, his love for all Filipinos and especially those in our diaspora, a strong commitment to good and effective governance, personal discipline and an incredible work ethic, his devotion to family, and for patriotism beyond the call of duty. As described in the university citation: “Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Albert del Rosario pursued a foreign policy that was truly independent, principled and based on the rule of law, and relentlessly promoted and defended the national interest of the Philippines in the global arena. His dedication to the protection and welfare of Filipinos in all parts of the world was legendary. Under his leadership, the Philippines won a big victory in the arbitration case it filed against China. If in the end, we will triumph against attempts to undermine our territory and sovereignty, it is because Secretary Del Rosario, with other like-minded Filipinos, stood their ground and drew sharp lines in the seas. Future generations will benefit.” Finally, there is Carlos P. Medina Jr. who will receive the Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan. The Award is in recognition of outstanding public service of an

individual or organization, with public service defined as areas of endeavor that supplement or complement what government should be or is doing e.g., helping the needy, protecting the environment, promoting public discourse, promoting peace and development. Karl Gaspar was the 2017 awardee. Chochoy to all of us who loved him, Medina was director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) for more than 20 years. He was a pioneering and leading light in the alternative law community of the Philippines. Regionally, he played a strategic role in the promotion and defense of human rights in the Philippines and Asean region, succeeding in what was thought to be an impossible mission—the establishment of a regional human rights mechanism, the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. Equally important was Chochoy’s work in electoral reforms and election monitoring. In the crucial elections of 2007, which followed the 2004 elections plagued with allegations of cheating by the Arroyo administration, he led the convening of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) which continues to be a leading advocate for clean and honest elections. President In July 2010, Noynoy Aquino appointed Medina to the Truth Commission headed by former Chief Justice Hilarion Davide. Unfortunately, the commission was not able to continue its work when the Supreme Court declared it’s creation unconstitutional. I have known Chochoy for 42 years. I first met him in 1976 when we were first year students in Ateneo de Manila. Being both Mindanawons, we stayed in Cervini Hall, Ateneo’s dormitory for students. Later, we became classmates in most of our subjects being both philosophy majors, influenced by our brilliant and wise dorm prefect Eddie Calasanz.

Chochoy was so impressive during our college years; he commanded attention and respect. He was focused, disciplined, and articulate. He was passionate, too—I can still recall how he mesmerized us with his rendition of Andres Bonifacio’s Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang lupa (English Translation: Love for One’s Homeland) which he recited on the martial law anniversary of 1979. I was so sure that Chochoy would one day be a congressman and senator and eventually the President of the Philippines, the first from Mindanao and his hometown Davao City. He seemed to have been destined for politics. But he chose a different path, a better one in my view—he chose to become a human rights lawyer and a law professor. Using the AHRC and the Ateneo law School as his base, Chochoy mentored and formed hundreds of human rights lawyers in the Philippines and abroad. Through this work, he has ensured that the work of defending and promoting human rights will be continued by new generations of lawyers and advocates. In 2001, Chochoy suffered an aneurysm, from which he still has to fully recover. In these last seven years, we have seen him struggle with its impact on his motor skills even as his intellectual abilities have remained the same. He avidly follows what is happening in the country and the world. The Ateneo de Manila University is honored to confer its Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan award to Carlos Medina Jr. His professional life has always been a public service—as a teacher and lawyer, and for human rights, clean election, and good governance. And today, Chochoy’s choice to live and love courageously is a public service—he challenges us, he ennobles us. Welcome back, Chochoy! Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

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Enter the Department of Agriculture and Food has become virtually synonymous with losses. That’s because NFA’s management has acquired RUDY the mindset that NFA is required ROMERO to provide Filipinos with cheap rice at all cost. Cheap rice, yes; NFA is manWITH the recent placement by dated by law to provide cheap President Duterte of the NFA rice, but it is not required to do (National Food Authority) under so at a loss. Cheap rice. Unfortuthe supervision of the head of the nately, rice, being the staple food DA (Department of Agriculture), of the low-income groups, is a pofood policymaking in this coun- litical commodity and lends itself try has come full circle. to the overwhelming influence of Food policy-making author- partisan politics. ity had been lodged with the DA If the truth must be told, NFA since Independence Day. The has never really been interested government’s technical personnel in keeping Filipinos supplied were happy with that administra- with low-priced but domestically tive arrangement—after all, agri- produced rice. With its enormous culture embraced food—but cer- budget, NFA could well operate in tain politicians wanted to see an a manner that was supportive of agency devoted to the food crops. Filipino farmers. Given the levels Thus was NARIC (National Rice of the farmgate prices that NFA and Corn pays them Ad m i n i s t r a for their outtion) born. p u t — t h a t ’s When NARaround P17 IC became This would be entirely per kilogram enmeshed in at present— there is litpolitics and appropriate. tle incentive cor r uption, for Filipino the decision farmers to was made to be more effitry and sanitize the agency by renaming it cient. The resulting low per-hecNGA (National Grains Author- tare yield gives rise to inadequate ity). Later the agency underwent domestic production, which, another change of name; NGA when sold to NFA, becomes gave way to NFA, to emphasize known as NFA rice. Naturally, the fact that it was food that was the supply of low-priced NFA rice under consideration. With Presi- is soon exhausted. dent Duterte’s Executive Order, Enter imports. Paraphrasing the food policymaking authority has Department of Tourism slogan, been returned to DA, where it all “There’s more fun in imports.” began. Imports yield under-the-table The professed concern of the commissions, even when done proponents of a separate agency on a government-to-government for food was the prioritization of basis; purchases from domestic food in the government’s policy farmers don’t give rise to comhierarchy. It was argued that, with missions. That’s why NFA manan agency of its own, food would agement is trigger-happy whenenjoy priority at the hands of the ever the possibility of supply dispensers of fiscal and other deficits arises. This country has the resource benefits. Separated and distinct, a food agency would not suffer the endowment with which to achieve inattention and parsimony habitu- self-sufficiency in rice, but as ally accorded to DA by the Execu- long as NFA is structured the way it is and as long as the pretive Department and Congress. NFA’s champions were correct sent NFA management is orientin their calculations. The food ed, like its predecessors, toward agency did come to enjoy the imports, that desideratum will be fiscal policymakers’ favor and elusive. Over the years NFA has been preferential attention. Indeed, one measure of the policymak- associated with supply deficits, ers’ complaisant attitude toward imports operating losses, heavy NFA were the huge explosion indebtedness, inefficiency and of NFA’s debt. One of the three corruption. Clearly, the experilargest items in the government’s ment with an agency charged with domestic-debt service is the debt delivering national food security of NFA. has failed. Time to bring food Nowhere in the law creating policymaking back into the fold NFA is there a provision allow- of the DA. ing NFA to engage in losing opThe name Department of Agerations. Yet year after year NFA riculture and Food would, in piles up operational losses, to the the light of the latest structural point where the agency’s name change, be entirely appropriate.

BUSINESS CLASS

The legacy... From A4

Power Revolution. Santa Banana, when people talk of EDSA 1, I am puzzled. I know that when people talk about revolution or rebellion, they mean an entire change of government, the substitution of another form of government by the governed. I think the 1986 People Power Revolution is a misnomer. In fact, historians Salvador Escalante and J. Augustus dela Paz of the Truth and Justice Foundation said that EDSA One was never a revolution but a pocket mutiny that grew into a localized revolt, with less than half a million people out of the more than 80 million Filipinos at that time. Santa Banana, how could it be a revolution when EDSA One happened only in Quezon City, not participated in by the masses, much less from Filipinos in Visayas and Mindanao! The same historians lamented that the 1986 People Power Revolution has been made as a shady and shallow series of EDSA commemorative celebrations. But, really, is there anything to celebrate and commemorate? In short, EDSA One was nothing but a change of regime and a President. The worst part was when it was said Cory Aquino was the icon of democracy. She was not even at EDSA, She was hiding at the Pink Sisters Convent and went only as far as the corner of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue. I asked Enrile once why he decided to make Cory the president post-EDSA. He said she was the face of the

opposition. He and his companions had already formed a civilian junta at that time to take power from Marcos, but Enrile was not too sure that the junta would be acceptable to the people. That, in short, was the history of EDSA. The tragedy is that the aspirations of the people, the same ones that moved them to go to EDSA, were never realized. In fact, Cory Aquino’s presidency was hounded by nine, I repeat, nine, coup attempts. *** President Duterte should not be repeating an alleged ouster plan by a combined group of communists, the Magdalo Group, the Liberal Party and his critics. The so-called Red October attempt will never happen because the President remains very popular, enjoying a high trust and satisfaction rating. How can there be an alleged ouster plan when the Communist Party of the Philippines has its own agenda to overthrow the government? More importantly there is no single credible personality with enough following who can lead the ouster of the President. The less the President talks about destabilization, the better for him. Foreign investors do not like a country where the president is being ousted. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

News

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Media-victim’ GMA sensitive to reporters’ needs—ally By Maricel V. Cruz ALTHOUGH she had a relatively bad press or media during her tenure as president of the Republic, Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has turned to be a champion of media rights in the chamber. This, as all indications show the new leadership of the House of Representatives is not inclined to support a resolution being pushed at the chamber that imposes restrictions on media coverage. Rep. Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, chairman of the House Committee on Public Information, said the House leadership would not likely support the measure. “I am sure the leadership will not support it,” said Evardone, referring to House Resolution 2149 filed by Antipolo City Rep. Cristina Roa-Puno, which proposes to adopt proposed rules for media coverage of the House of Representatives. The resolution was filed last Sept. 4. Roa-Puno’s resolution emanates from Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s memorandum enumerating “what reporters cannot do or write” at the House. The House’ proposed guidelines for media coverage, among others, seek to prohibit reporters and cameramen from interviewing lawmakers in front of the session hall and at the lobby directly fronting the glass doors. Roa-Puno said the proposed media guidelines have been revised which noted that among the many designated “no coverage zones” include the South Lounge of the main building; roof decks; elevators; entrances and foyer areas; hallways and corridors connecting offices; committee rooms, Office of the Speaker, including the social hall and hallway; rear entrance, including the office of the majority leader, the executive lounge and the North lounge extension; and the private offices of congressmen and officials and employees of the House. Roa-Puno, in a text message sent to the House media, said her resolution “does not in any way curtail press freedom.” “We have revised the version first presented to media during Alvarez’ time. The current version went through consultations even with media members and please be assured it does not in any way curtail press freedom,” she said.

Pasig River up for quick rehabilitation

OATHTAKING. Lakas-CMD Party secretary-general and Surigao Del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (third left), watched by Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (fourth left), Masiu, Lanao Del Sur Mayor Nasser Pangandaman (left) and Vice President Lakas-CMD for Mindanao Hussein Pangandaman (partly hidden second left), administers Monday the oathtaking of new Lakas-CMD members, looking at the camera, at the Social Hall of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s office at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

CA stops PDIC from auctioning BF assets By Rey Requejo

HE Court of Appeals has stopped the public bidding, auction, sale, disposal and transfer of properties, assets, and credits under the name of the padlocked Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank. In a decision, the CA’s 10th Division, through Associate Justice Ronaldo Roberto B. Martin, granted the plea for cease and desist order of the Banco Filipino’s stockholder, Ekistics Philippines, Inc., which challenged an earlier order of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. “PDIC’s precipitate haste in attempting to sell the assets of Banco Filipino is tantamount to grave abuse of discretion on its part,” the CA stressed. The appellate court noted that the bank’s receivership issue was still pending with the Supreme Court. “Respondent PDIC is hereby ordered to desist from selling the assets of Banco Filipino covered under the liquidation proceeding before the Regional Trial Court

of Makati City, Branch 66, pending ﬁnal determination of the Supreme Court in G.R. No. 210249,” the CA ruled. “In the instant case, the status quo wherein the assets are not sold pending the ruling of the Supreme Court as to the validity of placing Banco Filipino under receivership is but safe and proper. Should it be otherwise and allow the sale even if the Supreme Court has yet to decide on its validity would render Banco Filipino without any asset and money if the Supreme Court later on rules that placing it under receivership was invalid,” the appellate court said. Another division of the CA had stopped the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from disposing of Banco Filipino’s assets. The earlier ruling also said the

Senate OKs creation of think tank

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission has signed an agreement with Cypher Odin, a homegrown blockchain firm, for the sharing and exchanging data vital to the resurrection of the 25-kilometer long river to its glory using blockchain technology. Cypher Odin chief executive officer Mariano Villafuerte IV said using distributed ledger technology would return the once glorious Pasig River to its former splendor—where people could swim, spend time with their families, fish for livelihood, dine with friends, travel around the metro, and even hold wedding ceremonies. “There are so many opportunities in this river. You would never even imagine that jumping in the water with your mouth open is a possibility—but it can be a reality. Just like how the River Thames in the UK was recovered from being dead, now they have dolphins, turtles and fish. France did an excellent job with the River Seine and also in South Korea in the Cheonggyecheon River,” said Villafuerte. He added “It is possible to have a new Pasig River. A river that can rival the beauty of similar areas in Hong Kong or Singapore—built around the story of a comeback. That’s good news that can inspire a nation.” The River Thames, in the center of London, is the cleanest river in the world that flows through a major city. This is seen as significant since 50 years ago the river was so polluted it was declared biologically dead. From 1830 to 1860 tens of thousands of people died of cholera as a result of the pollution in the Thames. Today, the longest river in England is so clean, dolphins can be seen swimming in their waters. Under the agreement, the PRRC and Cypher Odin plan to cooperate within the framework of their respective mandates and authority in the implementation of activities.

receivership issue involving Banco Filipino was still pending with the SC. Case records showed that in 1985 Banco Filipino was padlocked but was ordered reopened by the SC nine years later in 1994. On March 17, 2011, the BSP and the Monetary Board again placed Banco Filipino under the receivership of the PDIC, which ordered its liquidation on Oct. 27, 2011. The BSP-MB’s orders on receivership and liquidation have been elevated by the bank’s shareholders to the SC where the case is still pending. The trial court suspended the liquidation of Banco Filipino as it acted favorably on the case ﬁled by the bank’s stockholders. However, while the liquidation proceedings were suspended, BSP published in its website an invitation to bid for the sale of certain properties, including those of Banco Filipino’s. In ruling against PDIC, the CA pointed out that “any decision of the Supreme Court would render moot and academic all issues raised with this Court as well as the lower court.”

SEIZED FIREARMS. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña presents Monday intercepted firearms accessories smuggled through ‘balikbayan’ boxes from the United States. The firearms, consisting of ammunition made from Russia and magazines made from the US were seized from a consignee identified as Gregorio dela Cruz at his house in San Isidro, Zambales. Lino Santos

SSS warns delinquent employers THE state-run Social Security System has warned erring employers they will now face a higher bail bond for violating Republic Act 8282, or the Social Security Act of 1997, with the new Department of Justice Circular on the 2018 new bail bond guide for violation of special laws. SSS president and chief executive ofﬁcer Emmanuel F. Dooc has welcomed the DoJ Circular, which he regarded as one of the measures that will help instill compliance among delinquent employers. “We appreciate the initiatives of DoJ in releasing the new bail bond guide as this will impose a higher bail to violators of the Social Security law. It will make it more difﬁcult for them to run away from their obligations not only to SSS but also to their employees,” Dooc said. Under the DoJ Department Circular No. 013 released on March 8 this year, the new bail bond for violation of special laws will be computed based on the maximum number of years of imposable

penalties multiplied by P6,000. This would mean that violators of the SS law, which is a special law, will have to pay a bail bond of as high as P72,000, a 33-percent increase from the previous P24,000. “Any violation of the Social Security Act has a maximum penalty of 12 years per accused. If we multiply that with P6,000, it is equated with a huge amount of money and employers will think twice whether they will disobey the law or not,” Dooc added. From January to June 2018, SSS has ﬁled 1,499 employer delinquency cases with total collectibles amounting to P3.85 billion. Among the common violations committed by employers are non-registration of their establishments, non-reporting of employees including household employees, and non-remittance/under-remittance of their employees’ social security contributions and non-remittance of deducted loan amortization repayments.

THE Senate has approved on third and ﬁnal reading a bill creating a world-class think tank meant to bridge research and policy gaps in the Philippine energy sector, in hopes of fostering greater energy security, sustainability, and affordability in the country. Senate Bill No. 1574, also known as the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute Act of 2018, sailed through the Senate on Monday after gaining overwhelming support from lawmakers. The counterpart measure is still pending in the House of Representatives. “Finally, we are now one step closer to having our very own world-class think tank that will stand at the forefront of Philippine energy research and policy development,” said Sherwin Gatchalian, who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and is also the principal author and sponsor of SB 1574. “As a publicly funded institute, PERPI will be in charge of ensuring that the results of its research and policy development activities are used to craft energy sector reforms for the beneﬁt of the national economy and the welfare of the Filipino people,” the senator added. SB 1574 mandates the establishment of the Philippine Energy Research and Policy Institute at the University of the Philippines. PERPI, which is inspired by similar international energy think tanks hosted by top American universities, will be tasked to conduct multidisciplinary energy research, incubate and develop cutting edge technologies, and serve as the sparring partner for the government during the energy policy making process. Currently, there is no government entity providing all the services envisioned to be provided by PERPI. PERPI’s research and policy direction and priorities shall be determined by an Advisory Council and implemented by the executive director. As an attached agency of the country’s national university, the UP president will be given the authority to appoint the executive director based on the recommendation of the Advisory Council.

‘Prioritize 2019 grads in ID’ THE chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on Monday urged the Philippine Statistics Authority to include new college graduates in 2019 among those to be prioritized in the roll out of the National ID system, saying the National ID would make it easier for graduating students to transition to the country’s workforce. “We expect around 700,000 students to graduate next year, and having the National ID will make it much easier for them to apply for so many requirements needed when they get employment,” Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said. According to PSA, which is spearheading the roll-out of the National ID, the law’s implementing rules and regulations are expected to be finished by October, with procurement expected to begin in the same month. At present, those to be prioritized are indigent families, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities––recipients of government social services. Nograles said that new graduates should also be included as possession of a National ID will facilitate their application for (1) services and benefits offered by the GSIS, SSS, Philhealth, HDMF and other government agencies; (2) applications for passports and driver’s license, and tax-related transactions; and (3) applications and transactions for employment purposes, opening of bank accounts and other transactions with banks and other financial institutions. “The transition from student to worker can be very jarring. Securing a great job by itself can be very stressful for young men and women who are fresh out of college, so I believe they would benefit immensely if government helps them out as they start their lives as productive citizens,” Nograles said. President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Philippine System Identification Act, commonly referred to as the National ID System, last August. It establishes a single official identification card for all citizens that integrates and interconnects various government-issued IDs, and its implementation is expected to result in improvements in the delivery of social services. Maricel V. Cruz

US donates to PH military THE United States government has donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines more than ﬁve million rounds of ammunition worth P117.4 million ($2.2 million) as part of its counterterrorism training program. The US Embassy in Manila said the ammunition was funded as a grant through the US Counterterrorism Train and Equip Program and will be used primarily by the Philippine Army’s Light Reaction Regiment and the AFP’s Joint Special Operations Group. The shipments included various types of live and practice 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm rounds, 12-gauge shotgun shells, .50-caliber rounds, and stun grenades. The ammunition was delivered to Clark Air Base in two deliveries on Sept. 7 and 21. In addition to the ammunition provided through the grant, the shipment included a Philippine Air Force purchase of more than one million rounds of ammunition through the US Foreign Military Sales program. This brought the total to more than six million rounds. The United States, as a longstanding friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, vows to continue to support the AFP through both grant assistance and expedited sales of arms and munitions to assist both long-term AFP modernization goals as well as urgent counterterrorism and humanitarian aid and disaster relief requirements. Rey E. Requejo

Sports Serena keen to move on from US Open controversy SYDNEY—Serena Williams says she is trying to “move on” from the meltdown that overshadowed her US Open final loss but remains perplexed at her coach’s admission he illegally signalled to her. The 23-time Grand Slam champion lost the decider in straight sets to Japan’s Naomi Osaka after a fiery confrontation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos that she later blamed on sexism. Williams called Ramos a “thief” and a “liar” in a running row with the Portuguese official that eventually saw her docked a game. In an interview with Australia’s Channel Ten, the American superstar said a male player would not have been treated the same way. She said women could not get away with “even half of what a guy can do”. “Right now we are not, as it’s proven, in that same position,” she said in an interview that aired late Sunday. “But that’s neither here nor there. I’m just trying most of all to recover from that and move on.” Williams said she felt “on the cusp of this amazing moment” before the 6-2, 6-4 loss to Osaka. A win would have taken her to 24 Grand Slams, equalling Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record. The dispute with Ramos began when Williams was issued a warning for coaching, something her coach sitting in the player’s box, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted to doing. Williams said she had not seen the Frenchman make a gesture and labelled his subsequent admission “a really confusing moment”. “I asked him ‘what are you talking about you were coaching?’,” she said. “We don’t have signals, we’ve never had signals. He said he made a motion, and I said ‘OK so you made a motion and now you’re telling people you were coaching me?’. “That doesn’t make sense. Why would you say that?” AFP

Camsur sweeps home NBL tiffs

CAMSUR swept its home games over the weekend in the continuation of the National Basketball League-Philippines at the University of Nueva Caceres Sports Palace in Naga City. The CamSur Express defeated the Nueva Ecija Go Bespren, 98-74, last Saturday and beat the Taguig Generals, 7963, last Sunday to the delight of the home crowd in Naga City to improve their record to 4-1 in the team standings. Jayson Relata had 15 points, while Fredson Hermonio had 14 points and eight assists for the Express in the win over the Go Bespren last Saturday before Jester Olea sparked his team against the Generals when he topscored with 16 points last Sunday. Meanwhile, the Laguna Pistons also swept their matches in Naga, beating the Generals, 79-73, last Saturday, and the Go Bespren, 103-87, to raise their record to 3-1 in the league for homegrown talents. Against Taguig last Saturday, Shinichi Manacsa had 15 points, while Ralph Pantaleon had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons. Aries Santos exploded for 29 points on 12-of-13 shooting from the ﬁeld in Laguna’s win over Nueva Ecija last Saturday.

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Altas try to extend momentum

NIVERSITY of Perpetual Help System Dalta aims to sustain the momentum of its shock victory over erstwhile unbeaten Lyceum of the Philippines University the last time as it squares off with league doormat Jose Rizal University today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Drawing strength from Prince Eze and Edgar Charcos, the Altas pulled the rug from the highly touted Pirates, 83-81, Friday to enhance their Final Four bid, while preventing an elimination-round sweep by dealing the latter their ﬁrst loss after racking up 12 straight wins. The 6’9” Eze provided the league with what could be the shot of the season after scoring on a putback off a misﬁred triple by teammate Tonton Peralta to lift the Las Pinas-based dribblers to victory. Charcos also played a key role in the upset as he scored

four straight points that tied the game at 81-all and eventually paved the way for that epic winner by his Nigerian teammate, who was named the Chooks-to-Go/NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week plum because of his feat. Eze ﬁnished with 25 points, 23 rebounds and two blocks in that win that also bolstered his MVP bid against LPU’s CJ Perez. In 12 games, Eze has averaged 19.2 points, which is second only to Perez’s league-leading 20.3 points, and 17.2 rebounds and four blocks, both league-highs.

Games Tuesday

(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan) 10 a.m.- CSJL vs EAC (jrs) 12 noon - UPHSD vs JRU (jrs) 2 p.m.- CSJL vs EAC (srs) 4 p.m.- UPHSD vs JRU (srs)

“That was an MVP performance so I guess he made a case for the MVP award,” said Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim of Eze. Charcos has been delivering the goods too as Perpetual Help has been on a two-game streak also because of him. The former University of the East player has played two straight game since returning from a knee injury that cost him to miss several games. In the other game, Letran (8-4) aims to keep its grip of the No. 3 spot as it tangles with Emilio Aguinado College (2-10) at 2 p.m.

80 bowlers vie in BWC national men’s finals

POC INCENTIVES. Philippine Olympic Committee awarded its cash incentives to medalists in the recent Asian Games

during a break in the Philippine Basketball Association games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Shown here are POC president Ricky Vargas,POC Chairman Bambol Tolentino, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, PBA officials and the medalists, led by weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and golfer Yuka Saso.

Senate, NHA score contrasting UNTV wins Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – DOJ vs GSIS 3:30 p.m. – Ombudsman vs Agriculture 5 p.m. – Judiciary vs Malacañang-PSC

DEFENDING champion Senate and National Housing Authority scored contrasting wins over their respective rivals to grab the early lead in their groups elims of the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the GSIS gym in Pasay City. The Senate Defenders came through with a big third-quarter show to dump the GSIS Furies, 78-51, in Group A, while the NHA Builders outlasted the PhilHealth Plus, 103-100, in Group B. Protecting a slim 32-27 halftime lead, the Defenders, starring Garri Sevilla and Jeffrey Sanders, went on an early tear in the third frame on the way to outscoring the Furies, 25-14, for a 57-41 lead going into the ﬁnal 10 minutes of play. The Defenders encountered no trouble after that as the rest, including Sen. Sonny Angara, joined the scoring spree to complete the rout in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon. Sevilla sizzled for 18 points, while Sanders and Angara chipped in 10 and 7 points, respectively. The Builders, on the other hand, went to Marvin Mercado, John Dizon and Michael Dizon in the crunch to withstand the determined comeback of the Plus and stay unbeaten in the tournament offering P4 million to the charity of the champion team. In the other Group A match, former champion Philippine National Police rebounded from a shock defeat to the Furies last week by downing PITC, 80-77. Former University of the East player Ollan Omiping led the PNP Responders with 23 points, while Antonio Tolentino, Jr. and Julius Criste added 16 and 15 points, respectively.

Saso adds star power to PSA Cup ASIAN Games double gold medalist Yuka Saso heads a merry mix of guests gracing the revived Philippine Sportswriters Association Golf Cup presented by Manila Southwoods, San Miguel Beer and the Philippine Sports Commission that ﬁres off today at the Legends course in Carmona, Cavite. Saso, who romped off with the Asiad individual gold and led the Philippines to the team championship in Jakarta last month, will be hitting one of the ceremonial drives along with ex-PSA president Lito Tacujan of the Star and Ernie Gonzales of the Inquirer, Jerome Delariarte of Southwoods and current president Dodo Catacutan of Spin.ph. The 18-hole event, held to raise funds for the PSA’s medical projects for its members, has gathered great support from the sports com-

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

munity, including those of PLDT/ Smart, Philippine Airlines and Meralco as major sponsors. Tee-off will be at 7:30 a.m. shotgun style. Philippine Airlines will be staking a round-trip ticket to London or the United States as hole-in-one prize on the picturesque 16th hole of the Jack Nicklaus-designed layout. The event is also being backed by ICTSI, Hermie Esguerra, Alaska, the Ciara Marie Abalos Foundation, Sunrise Events Inc., the National Golf Association of the Philippines, Lovell Gopez of Mizuno, SM Prime Holdings, the Cosco Oben Group of Companies, Rain or Shine, Mighty Sports, PATAFA, Philippine Superliga, Philip Ella Juico, Bong Lopez, Luigi Tabuena, Forest Hills, Srixon, J-Ten Sports and Oliver Gan.

Antonio Tolentino was named Best Player of the Game after helping PNP beat PITC, 80-77, in the UNTV Cup. He made 16 points and four steals.

Tiger... From A8

With the remainder of the 30-man field struggling to make any inroads, Woods then played solid if unspectacular golf to keep a stranglehold on the lead. A bogey on the 10th was a mere blip, with Woods re-establishing a five-shot cushion at 13 under after rolling in a 13foot birdie putt on the par-four 13th. Billy Horschel closed the gap to four shots after after a four-under-par final round 66, but Woods looked to be in control. Woods, however, gave his army of fans roaring him on a scare though when back-to-back bogeys on the 15th and 16th holes cut his lead to two with two to play. But he steadied the ship with a dogged

par on the 17th and then closed out the win with a par on 18. “Billy put a bit of pressure on me at the end. The up and down at 17 was huge,” added Woods, who was flying to Paris later Sunday with the US team for week’s Ryder Cup. “We’re flying tonight with the guys, it’s going to be fun,” said Woods. “I think we’re all going to sleep well.” Meanwhile England’s Olympic champion Justin Rose ensured he walks off with the FedEx Cup playoff title after finishing on six under for a share of fourth. Woods was made to sweat however after a shaky three-over-par 73 on his final round. “It felt like a slow death out there for me today,” Rose said before saluting Woods, who stood nearby.

EIGHTY male bowlers will shoot for the 2018 Bowling World Cup national title—and the right to carry the Philippine colors in the 54th BWC international event—in the local finals starting on September 29 at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes). Four previous BWC international campaigners—RJ Bautista, Raoul Miranda, Paulo Valdez and Jeff Carabeo —lead the big field of contenders for a stint in the international tourney slated on November 4 to 11 at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bautista saw action in 1999 in Las Vegas and 2012 in Wroclaw, Poland, Miranda competed in Shanghai, China in 2016, Valdez saw action in 2007 in St. Petersburg, Russia and Carabeo competed in Hermosillo, Mexico in 2008. The other men’s finalists are: Nicco Olaivar, Art Gamolo, Larry Tinio, Dan Enriquez, Simple Villajin, Rey Tejano, Cesar Perez, Alex Santos, Caloy Guitones, Benedicto Aquino Francisco, Rudante Unay, Jerry Bugtong, Maurhic Padawan, Norman Lising, July Vargas, Don Evangelista, Paul Sia, Rolly Magana, Jomin Wong, Merwin Tan, Kenzo Umali, Scott Uy; Kurt Mendoza, Jansen Collantes, Nino Pabalan Olivares, Kayle Abad, Joe Cabactulan Buenafe, James Tiu, Toti Daval Santos, Angel Dilig, Carl Lim, Allen Laigo, Wilson Sua, Rolendo Sumuelo, Joel Guevarra, Don Tungala, Rjay Magana, Manny Amparo, Randall Go, Boy Roman, June Seculles, Ernie Jacinto, Mark Varona, Glenn Albert, Kevin Cu, Alex Bea; Romer Sto. Domingo, Ramel Francisco, Lando Galbey, Santos Walang, Eric Aranez, Jorel Simbulan, Rene Boy Aranico, Erwin Cabaneros, Anton Alcazaren, Marc Matias, Ted Convocar, Kevin Atienza, Ren Cremen, Rene Rodelas, Niel Buencamino, Nichole Andrew Jimeno, Wency Olivares, Kenneth Chua, Joebert Buenafe, MJ San Jose, Benshir Layoso, Edwin Rupido, Francis de Leon, Paul Eluna, Jerht Santos, Boyet Delfino, Dumo Bejara, Joe Tumagan, Ramon Camba and Federico Rivera. The top 34 finishers based on their scores will advance to the second day of competition on Oct. 2 at Superbowl. Those who will advance to the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will play anew on Oct. 5 at Paeng’s Eastwood Bowl.

Carlos, Bayking capture WTA Future Star berths MACIE Carlos and Bliss Bayking bolstered their promising tennis careers by topping the Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge at the Makati Sports Club Sunday and claiming berths in the WTA Future Stars Tournament in Singapore next month. The top seeded Carlos sustained her fierce form from the elims to the semis then overpowered Mica Emana, 6-1, 6-2, to capture the 14-and-under crown while Bayking fended off Justine Maneja, 6-4, 6-1, in the 16-U finals of the Unified Tennis Philippines-sanctioned event which served as a qualifier for the Women’s Tennis Association Future Stars Finals. “This competition has brought out the best in you and I wish you both good luck and hope you will continue to learn from this ex-

Cebuana Lhuillier Girls’ Tennis Challenge winners, Bliss Bayking and Macie Carlos, are flanked by (from left) Cebuana Lhuillier assistant vice president and corporate communications division head Richard Villaseran, UTP board member Gerard Madronilla, Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, and UTP general manager Jackie Tomacruz

perience as you try to make our UTP founder Jean Henri Lhuilcountry proud,” said Cebuana lier, of Carlos and Bayking, who Lhuillier president/CEO and will be slugging it out with their

counterparts from across the Asia Pacific region in the WTA finals on Oct. 15-22 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Carlos powered her way to the championship in emphatic fashion, scoring three lopsided victories in the elims before disposing of second seed Julia Ignacio, 6-1, 6-2, in the crossover semis. Emana, on the other hand, turned back No. 3 Tiffany Nocos, 6-3, 7-6(8), but failed to neutralize the in-form Carlos in the finals of the event sponsored by Malayan Insurance, Dunlop and Makati Sports Club. Bayking, meanwhile, upended top seed Rovie Baulete, 6-3, 6-2, in the Final Four while Maneja held off Minette Bentillo, 6-4, 6-3, but like Emana struggled against the surging Bayking.

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

Sports

Mickelson praises Woods

Tiger Woods celebrates making a par on the 18th green to win the TOUR Championship as the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia crowd roars in approval. AFP

Tiger wins; golf world cheers

TLANTA—Tiger Woods scored his first victory in more than five years on Sunday, completing a two-shot win at the Tour Championship to crown a fairy tale comeback after a near two-year absence. The 42-year-old, 14-time major winner carded a one-over-par 71 at Atlanta’s East Lake Golf Course to claim the 80th PGA Tour title of his glittering career. Woods, who finished with an 11-underpar aggregate 269, raised his arms in delight after the victory, with several thousand fans ringing the green roaring their appreciation. Woods admitted he had nearly been overcome with emotion as he walked up the 18th fairway. “I was having a hard time not crying coming up the last hole,” Woods said, whose most recent win before Sunday had come 1,876 days ago at the 2013 WGCBridgestone Invitational. “I kept saying ‘Hey, I could still play this out of bounds.’ But once I got the ball on the green I gave (caddie) Joey

(LaCava) a high five because I knew it was done.” It was an emotional finale to a year which saw Woods return to the highest level after he had once feared he may never play golf again. “It was just a grind out there,” Woods said of his final round. “I loved every bit of it. The fight, the grind, the tough conditions. “To win it’s certainly up there with obviously all the major championships I’ve won, Players, World Golf Championships but then this is under different circumstances. “I just didn’t know whether this would ever happen again. If I could somehow piece together a golf swing this year, I felt like I could do it ... somehow I’ve been able to do that, and here we are.”

Woods later revealed he had also fought back tears on the ﬁnal green as he prepared for the par putt to complete the win. “I realized all of sudden I was going to win the tournament,” he said. - ‘It’s been tough’ “My eyes started tearing up a little bit. I just can’t believe I pulled this off after I’ve gone through. “It’s been tough. I’ve had a not-so-easy last couple of years. I’ve worked my way back. I couldn’t have done it without the help of all the people around me. “Some of the other players knew what I was struggling with. It was really special to see them at the green on 18. It’s just hard to believe I won the Tour Championship.” The victory erased any last lingering doubts about Woods’ ability to compete at the highest level, something he had served notice of with top 10 ﬁnishes at the British Open and US PGA Championships. Woods, who returned in January after missing almost the entire previous two years with a debilitating back injury,

held a three-shot advantage heading into the ﬁnal round. A birdie on his opening hole extended Woods’ lead to four shots to give the former world number one a dream start. Turn to A7

ATLANTA—Phil Mickelson led the praise for Tiger Woods after the former world number one ended a five-year title-drought with victory at the Tour Championship here Sunday. Mickelson, who will face Woods in a lucrative head-to-head shoot-out in Las Vegas in November, said he had never doubted that the 14-time major winner would add to his collection of PGA Tour titles. “He’s played such good golf all year that it is just not surprising,” Mickelson said. “Tiger’s played so well on a very difficult golf course and we almost kind of expected it. “We never doubted he woud not win again, not from what I’ve seen he’s been swinging the club and the way he’s being playing. “It was just a matter of time.” The victory lifts Woods tally to 80 PGA Tour titles and just three wins shy of becoming the most successful player in the history of the PGA Tour. Mickelson meanwhile said he is looking forward to joining up with Woods for this week’s Ryder Cup in Versailles, despite a disappointing showing in Atlanta which saw him finish on 13 over par. “It was not the week here I would have liked heading into any big tournament but next week in France is going to be totally different with different grass, different course and different everything so we’ll see,” Mickelson said. “It’s going to be a special week and with Patrick (Reed) and I playing together today we were talking about it and it’s going to be a fun and exciting week.” AFP

2,000 bets vying in inter-school taekwondo AROUND 2,000 athletes are expected to see action in the 2018 SMART/MVP Sorts Foundation National Inter-School taekwondo Championships on Sept. 29-30 at the Rizal Memorial Basketball Stadium. Competition will be conducted in kyorugi (free sparring) for male and female Novice and Advance athletes in the seniors, juniors, Cadet and gradeschool categories and poomsae (forms) for colored and blackbelt students in individual, pair and team events. Poomsae is performed by following a systematic time of movement in consecutive sequence against an imaginary opponent/s. The athlete uses hands, feet and interconnected techniques like blocking, punching, striking,

thrusting and kicking. Constant poomsae training helps improve ﬂexibility and control in breathing, balance, power, eye focus and mental discipline. All schools afﬁliated with Philippine Taekwondo Association will participate. Among these are Ateneo de Manila University, UST, St. Paul Pasig, Diliman Preparatory School, Mary Hill School, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Montessori Integrated School, De La Salle University, University of the East, National University, Philippine Science High, School of Holy Spirit, UP Diliman, DLSU Araneta, Pamantasang Lungsod ng Valenzuela and other schools in Visayas and Mindanao Regions.

Veteran internationalist Pauline Louise Lopez, shown executing an axe kick, is one of the entries in the prestigious event.

Tigresses take opener; Bulldogs fall UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas’ Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon made quick work of University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Justine Dorog, 21-12, 21-12, to open its women’s three-peat bid on a smashing note in the UAAP Season 81 beach volleyball tournament Monday at Sands SM By The Bay. But reigning men’s champion National University dropped its season opener, as Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon stunned the fancied pair of Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad, 25-23, 21-17. In her ﬁnal year, Rondina has Barbon as new partner—the fourth in her collegiate career—but the two performed as if they have been playing together for a long time. A rookie who hails from Bukidnon, Bar-

bon was solid on both ends of the sand court to complement three-time MVP Rondina. The Tigresses are the most successful squad in the sport with ﬁve crowns, three of which Rondina won with different partners. The Compostela, Cebu native hopes to cap her UAAP stint as a winner for UST. The Lady Tamaraws, last season’s second placers to the Tigresses, were not as fortunate in their season-opener. De La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and Michelle Morente overcame a second-set meltdown to beat FEU’s Ivana Agudo and Marianne Calinawan, 21-14, 20-22, 15-10, while NU’s Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho topped Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, 21-11, 21-14.

IN BRIEF

Estrella bridge begins construction

THE Public Works Department started the construction of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge Monday to help ease the traffic in the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong City. It is one of two China Grant-Aid Bridges which are financed by China through a bilateral cooperation with the Philippines. “The implementation of the bridge will start today and will be accessible to the public by 2020,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said. The Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge will connect Estrella Street in Makati City and Barangka Drive in Mandaluyong City. It has a total road length of 506.46 meters. “The construction of the Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge is part of the Metro Manila Logistics Network ― a traffic management master plan created to decongest Metro Manila by adding 12 additional bridges crossing Pasig River, Marikina River, and Manggahan Floodway,” Villar said. “The alignment caters to about 1.3 million vehicles daily—almost three times its current capacity. There is a need to address the gap if we are serious in solving traffic,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Salceda: Inflation affects development

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda said the country urgently needs inflation countermeasures to keep prices down and provide the necessary safety nets to at-risk households. The lawmaker, a noted economist, is the House focal person on inflation and fiscal policies. Inflation, which hit 6.4 percent in August, seriously affected the prices of food and other basic commodities. Bicol, Salceda’s own region, recorded the highest inflation at 9 percent in the country. Salceda said this was alarming for Bicolanos as the region was the fourth poorest in the country. Price spikes in Bicol were noted in vegetables, with 27 percent; fish, 20 percent; corn, 17.7 percent; and rice, 12.5 percent. Salceda called the 9-percent inflation in Bicol as “existential threat to development since it would increase the number of poor people and worsen hunger, thus causing higher malnutrition, which in turn results in higher stunting rate that deprives our youth of their physical and mental potentials.” He said that because of its weight in the consumption mix, rice remained the driver of Bicol’s inflation and the National Food Administration should release more cheap imported rice, and during the harvest season starting October, intensify local palay purchase to protect rice farmers. Salceda also recommended that the Department of Energy issue fuel vouchers for small fishermen, not just the transport sector, to subsidize fishing activities and increase catch.

SM BAGS 5 AWARDS. SM Investments Corp. clinches five awards from Alpha Southeast Asia magazine based on a poll of investors. SM was cited in the following categories under the 8th Annual Institutional Investor Awards for Corporates: Most Organized Investor Relations for the seventh year in a row; Best Senior Management Investor Relations Support for the fifth year; Strongest Adherence to Corporate Governance for the sixth year; and Most Consistent Dividend Policy for the second year. SMIC chairman Jose Sio was also named Best Chief Finance Officer in the Philippines for the sixth year in a row. Shown receiving the awards on behalf of SM during the ceremony in Singapore is SMIC vice president for planning and corporate communications Paul Arcenas (left) from Alpha Southeast Asia publisher and chief executive Siddiq Bazarwala.

Peso falls to 13-year low of 54.23 against US dollar By Julito G. Rada

HE peso depreciated to a new 13-year low of 54.23 against the US dollar Monday, as the trade war between the US and China escalated and on strong corporate demand for the greenback. It was the local currency’s weakest ﬁnish in nearly 13 years, or since it settled at 54.30 per dollar on Nov. 24, 2005. Around $670.6 million changed hands Monday. BPI Investment Management Inc. president Martin Enrile said there was a strong demand for the US dollar, as companies were importing capital goods and equipment for their expansion. “We now see the peso closing the year

at 54.50 against the dollar by yearend,” Enrile said. The peso was also down 8.6 percent against the dollar since the start of the year. The country’s balance of trade-in-goods’ deficit in July widened 171 percent to $3.55 billion from $1.31-billion deficit a year ago, as imports jumped 31.6 percent, while exports barely grew 0.3 percent. This brought the trade deficit in the first seven months to $22.49 billion, significantly higher than the $13.055-billion shortfall a year earlier. Prakash Sakpal, ING Bank Asia economist, said in an earlier report that remittances were insufficient to cover the trade deficit on a sustainable basis and the current account in deficit. “This isn’t a long-term positive for the Philippine peso,” Sakpal said. Money sent home by Filipinos working overseas increased 5.2 percent in July to $2.401 billion from $2.283 billion in the same month last year. This brought cash remittances in the

first seven months to $16.58 billion, up 3 percent from $16.095 billion a year ago. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that current account, one of the main components of the balance of payments, posted a significantly higher deficit of $3.1 billion in the first half compared to the $133-million deficit in the same period last year, mainly because of the widening trade deficit. ING Bank said the peso’s recovery was still possible, depending on the direction of capital flows and the Bangko Sentral’s resolve to contain the currency’s weakness. “We expect BSP to also directly intervene in the spot market to manage PHP’s weakening trend. A key to this is the country’s FX reserves. We expect government to issue an additional $1.5 billion to $2 billion of global bonds before the end of the year. The proceeds would raise FX reserves and BSP’s ability to participate actively in the spot market,” ING said.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

54.0270

Japan

Yen

0.008894

0.4805

Pound

1.307700

70.6511

By Othel V. Campos

Monday, September 24, 2018

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE’S 4G SOLUTIONS.

Companies with multiple branches around the country can now take advantage of Globe Telecom’s ubiquitous 4G-LTE mobile network to set up a secure, reliable and cost-effective plug-and-play connection among their offices even those located in remote areas. Shown is Globe Business head of solutions sales Anchit Mendoza as he presents the different solutions that Philippine retailers can take advantage of during the 25th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo.

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128056

6.9185

Switzerland

Franc

1.043079

56.3544

Canada

Dollar

0.773694

41.8004

Singapore

Dollar

0.732869

39.5947

Australia

Dollar

0.726000

39.2236

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

143.3267

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

14.4080

Brunei

Dollar

0.730194

39.4502

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000067

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.030893

1.6691

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.7100

Euro

1.174600

63.4601

Korea

Won

0.000897

0.0485

China

Yuan

0.146071

7.8918

India

Rupee

0.013845

0.7480

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242248

13.0879

New Zealand

Dollar

0.666900

36.0306

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032651

1.7640

PH needs to grow 6.5% annually in 22 years to eliminate poverty THE World Bank said Monday the Philippines needs to grow 6.5 percent annually over the next 22 years to achieve its vision of becoming a prosperous middle-class economy free of poverty. World Bank senior economist for the Philippines Rong Qian said in a news brieﬁng in Makati City that such growth would be faster than the average expansion of 5.3 percent since 2000. “To achieve its long-term vision of becoming a prosperous middle-class country free of poverty by 2040, the Philippines will need to triple its income per capita in the next two decades,” Qian said. Qian said sustaining a higher productivity growth would be the key for the Philippines to achieve its vision of becoming a prosperous country. Qian cited the bank’s latest report titled ‘Growth and Productivity in the

Philippines: Winning the Future’ which showed that the more efﬁciently the country could use its resources, the better chances it would have to generate high-paying jobs and reduce poverty. The report said productivity growth was particularly important for the agriculture sector where many poor families derived their incomes. World Bank country director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand Mara Warwick said the Philippines’ ability to sustain its current high growth rate would depend primarily on how the country could accelerate investment in improving its physical infrastructure and how it could make better use of capital, labor and technology to increase productivity. “In the long run, a persistently booming economy will require constant

THE government incurred a fiscal deficit of P2.6 billion in August, as expenditures jumped 29 percent, exceeding the revenue growth of 11 percent, the Bureau of the Treasury said Monday. The August deficit was a reversal of the P28.8-billion surplus posted in the same month last year. This brought the fiscal deficit in the first eight months to P282 billion, up 60 percent from the P176.2-billion shortfall a year ago. Revenue collection rose 11 percent in August to P256.9 billion, bringing the eight-month tally to P1.909 trillion, or 19 percent higher than in the same period last year. The Treasury said 67 percent of the P2.846-trillion full-year revenue program was collected as of endAugust. Collection by the Bureau of Internal Revenue rose 8 percent to P185.1 billion in August, with the growth decelerating from the double-digit expansion in July. Total BIR collection hit P1.313 trillion in the first eight months, up 13 percent from the same period last year. Customs collection surged 36 percent in August to P52 billion and 35 percent in the first eight months to P383.5 billion. The agency attributed the consistent double-digit growth to the higher exchange rate, increased oil prices, proper valuation, strong enforcement and revenue-enhancing measures. Collections from other offices (non-tax) declined 3 percent yearon-year to P11.7 billion. Government expenditures sustained last month’s momentum and amounted to P259.5 billion in August, up 29 percent from a year ago. Eight-month expenditures hit P2.19 trillion, or 23 percent higher than what was spent in the same period in 2017. “Thus far, 65 percent of the P3.370 trillion full-year program has been disbursed as of end-August,” the Treasury said. Interest payments accounted for 11 percent of total expenditures in August. Julito G. Rada

Bulacan seen as next growth area in Luzon

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

CebuPac imposes fuel surcharge on local, foreign flights LOW-COST carrier Cebu Pacific said it started collecting fuel surcharge from all its domestic and international flights. “We implemented it last week based on the fare matrix. I think it was last Wednesday,” said Alexander Lao, president and chief executive of Cebgo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cebu Pacific. “We can only implement based on what the matrix said. It’s P74 up to P1,200. For the shortest destinations, Cebu to Bacolod, it’s P74 . For Manila to Cebu, it’s P170. We cant go over [that],” he said. The fuel surcharge is P1,425 for flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Dubai. The Civil Aeronautics Board said in a resolution the fuel surcharge for passengers of one-way domestic flights would range between P34 and P769, while those flying overseas would be charged P163 to P9,680, depending on the destination and the prevailing jet fuel prices. Data from CAB showed that jet fuel prices went up by 25 percent to $85.16 per barrel in April from $63.66 a barrel in the same period last year. The agency said the fuel surcharge was not a part of the basic airfare and could be reduced or removed depending on the price of jet fuel in the market, in accordance with prevailing international practice. The CAB suspended the imposition of fuel surcharge in all domestic and international flights in 2015 because of lower jet fuel prices. A fuel surcharge is a temporary relief granted to airlines to help them recover losses incurred from higher jet fuel prices.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Govt incurred P2.6-b deficit in August as spending rose

Airlines warn against building five airports

AIRLINES on Monday expressed concern over the planned construction of several airports in Luzon, saying this could result in safety and over capacity issues. Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines said that while they were supporting the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, having five airports would create havoc. “With a fifth airport in Luzon, we’ll be creating more havoc. We hope we don’t see airplanes bumping into each other,” Air Asia president and chief executive Dexter Comendador said during a public forum on competition conducted by the Philippine Competition Commission. Comendador said the government should reach a decision whether to keep the existing airports, or build new ones. He was referring to the existing airports in Parañaque City, Clark and Subic and the proposed gateways in Cavite and Bulacan. “It’s okay to build more of these airports, but you have to decide which ones to keep. You can’t just say yes to everything. That is my concern as a pilot, in terms of safety. Which ones do you like to survive in the next 10 years? Is it Manila? Is it Clark, with the one in Bulacan or is just Manila and Bulacan? But it cannot be all of them,” he said. Othel V. Campos

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

boosts in productivity,” Warwick said. The Philippines introduced reforms in the late 1980s and 1990s that transformed the country into one of the top performers in East Asia. It has been growing at an average of over 6 percent since 2010, and income per capita nearly doubled between 2000 and 2017. Warwick said the Philippines was clearly in a better position now to speed up reforms to achieve its development goals. Tthe economy grew by 6.7 percent last year, on higher ﬁscal spending, robust domestic demand and investments. This year, the government projected a 7 percent to 8 percent expansion on the back of higher spending particularly on the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program of the Duterte administration, sustained domestic demand and investments. Julito G. Rada

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry sees Bulacan province as the next growth area and viable business destination for investors in Luzon, with the completion of major infrastructure projects in the next ﬁve years. PCCI chairman emeritus Francis Chua said investors should start considering Bulacan as a new location for their businesses in line with the government’s long-term plan to decongest Metro Manila and spread business and job opportunities to other areas to beneﬁt those residing in the adjoining provinces. “Other than proximity to Metro Manila, affordable land costs and adequate labor, investors are always on the lookout for provinces that are very aggressive in terms of infrastructure and there’s a consensus among our members that Bulacan is the next growth area,” he said. PCCI president Bing Limjoco said Bulacan was high in the chamber’s list of new business locations. “It is adjacent to Metro Manila, the land costs are still low compared to Metro Manila, and there is adequate labor and ongoing construction of vital infrastructure,” she said. The province is showing promise with the ongoing construction of the Metro Manila Skyway project, the Metro Rail Transit Line 7 and the Bulacan bulkwater project. Chua said PCCI was also closely monitoring the progress of the proposed New Manila International Airport of San Miguel Corp. in Bulakan, Bulacan.

Business

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; AEV tops gainers S TOCKS rose for a second day, as investors placed their bets ahead of the expected interest rate hike by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas later this week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 50 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 7,433.61. This followed a 3.5-percent jump Friday. The broader all-share index also rose 24 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,531.52, on a value turnover of P4.6 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 97 to 95, while 42 issues were unchanged. Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. which climbed 7.5 percent to P50.40 and Bank of the Philippine Islands which rose 5.1

percent to P88.20. Robinsons Land Corp. picked up 4 percent to P19.54. Meanwhile, Hong Kong led a sell-off in Asian markets during holiday-thinned business Monday as trade tensions burst back on the scene with China and the US swapping fresh tariffs and reports saying Beijing pulled out of planned talks. The recent optimism in the US economy that saw equities rack up healthy gains over the past two weeks was replaced by fresh concerns about the impact of a standoff between the world’s top two economies. Hong Kong bore the brunt of the selling, giving up 1.8 percent in late trade, while Sydney fell 0.1 percent and Wellington shed 0.4 percent. Mumbai and Jakarta both lost more than one percent. However, volumes were low with Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Taipei all closed for public holidays. Media reports said Chinese ofﬁcials had called off a trip to the US for fresh

talks on averting an all-out trade war and the two sides were unlikely to meet up before the US mid-term elections in November. The news comes as Washington imposed 10-percent duties on another $200 billion of Chinese goods Monday. China hit back at $60 billion of imports in retaliation and accused the US of using false accusations on trade to “intimidate” other countries. While the measures are a significant step up in the row—the US will be taxing about half the goods it imports from China once the new tariffs are imposed—traders took the low rates as a sign they could reach a deal eventually. However, uncertainty is dogging trading floors and the International Monetary Fund has warned about the potential for “significant economic costs,” including slower growth. Fitch Ratings has cut its growth estimates for China and the world for 2019.

“Make no mistake, this will be a bumpy ride and don’t underestimate the possibility of the US announcing reviews of further China tariffs at some point in time given the Trump administration ‘modus operandi’ of applying non-stop pressure,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Paciﬁc trading at Oanda. He added that “traders remain in wait and see mode while treading rather gingerly” in Asia. On currency markets the pound struggled to recover after suffering deep losses Friday after British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plan was brushed off by EU ofﬁcials and she said talks were “at an impasse”. The dollar also rose against most emerging market and high-yielding units after they enjoyed a much-needed boost last week. The South Korean won, Indonesian rupiah, South African rand and Mexican peso were down between 0.2 and 0.4 percent. AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 49,980 88.2 2,599,180 2.61 3,000 121 1,810,310 1.48 64,000 29.65 52,900 16.18 3,000 12.88 628,100 4.4 214,000 1.65 23,000 835 800 0.53 125,000 69.9 1,454,220 0.94 2,049,000 43.65 9,900 190 610 103 2,500 85 350 25 74,700 168.9 898,140 1,822 60 67 12,120

2,959,782 222,235,125 7,830 217,213,693 95,130 1,572,920 48,542 8,109,836 928,210 37,320 668,000 66,250 101,313,736.50 1,938,110 436,825 115,729 262,160 29,750 1,866,175 151,686,877 109,310 811,928

2,160,379.50 -61,249,704 7,830 -40,863,610 42,630 -538,275 -4,302,622 -172,000 31,126,403 -80 58,889 -1,464,335 -13,558,010 -627,773

35.35 17.84 1.03 1.19 0.213 2.5 13.9 35.5 17.9 39.65 67.5 1.71 4.5 7.36 10 15.1 8.4 7.03 7.05 16.82 63.1 27.8 6.94 12.02 1.9 270 4.85 23.65 11.4 15.98 356.8 1.68 4.02 8.86 5 8.5 0.99 10.62 52.6 5.9 4.8 2.66 2.9 1.5 12.12 94.3 5.61 0.124 1 148.1 2.03 2.22

INDUSTRIAL 36.6 1,587,300 17.88 1,957,700 1.12 11,669,000 1.24 2,843,000 0.226 1,760,000 2.71 3,304,000 14 383,200 35.5 1,529,100 17.96 1,700 39.65 400 67.5 510 1.73 82,000 4.5 3,000 7.4 13,300 10.02 3,004,600 15.14 843,500 8.45 1,084,600 7.05 1,971,200 7.06 3,573,000 17 1,030,600 63.3 34,540 27.9 46,500 6.94 46,200 12.1 107,000 1.92 1,134,000 271 207,870 5 4,100 23.7 1,797,200 11.9 85,100 16.02 549,400 360 72,260 1.75 79,000 4.15 7,000 9.02 402,100 5.15 179,300 8.6 16,000 0.99 867,000 10.98 32,600 53.25 234,630 5.9 500 4.85 3,500,000 2.68 240,000 2.9 20,000 1.51 168,000 12.18 257,200 96.4 451,210 5.65 512,000 0.124 530,000 1 170,000 151 346,800 2.08 4,024,000 2.25 2,957,000

56,505,930 35,153,766 12,780,260 3,499,420 377,310 8,814,220 5,363,200 54,854,380 30,532 16,355 34,425 140,720 13,500 98,646 30,107,112 12,839,416 9,296,946 13,894,604 25,225,863 17,502,786 2,207,296.50 1,299,970 321,450 1,291,454 2,182,300 56,404,456 20,016 42,753,900 1,003,368 8,894,144 25,954,230 142,260 28,400 3,620,555 905,791 136,510 865,610 356,314 12,487,726 2,950 16,823,950 638,830 58,000 260,230 3,137,382 43,437,453 2,914,397 65,770 170,000 52,221,117 8,351,980 6,627,680

36,000,640 1,817,500 -91,280 453,630 -114,988 -111,150 -74,210 -2,485,000 839,772 7,792,532 -5,542,755 -12,895,858 -10,506,450 281,549.50 -13,860 615,514 -1,223,970 -2,143,444.00 9,066,835 -724,208 -648,416 -7,589,458 -32,400 -521,960 -4,513,209.50 -1,358,000 -5,340 23,400 -237,900 8,018,533 -1,527,243 2,117,567 1,044,140 587,450

0.395 48 12.64 0.89 6 27.65 1.17 1.17 901 5.86 11.88 7.15 5.74 0.205 830 5.76 53.75 0.53 4.72 15.1 0.58 4.9 0.038 1.2 2.5 2.73 168.5 881 1.35 279.8 0.265 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 0.405 3,710,000 50.4 4,900,700 12.64 1,897,800 0.89 5,000 6 5,400 29.25 528,800 1.17 21,349,000 1.18 7,852,000 920 201,160 5.97 4,917,500 11.88 1,122,400 7.15 101,600 5.74 9,500 0.205 290,000 851 132,410 5.76 10,000 54.4 277,080 0.57 1,237,000 4.83 263,000 15.2 2,434,600 0.6 1,452,000 4.9 10,130,000 0.04 13,300,000 1.22 121,000 2.54 1,773,000 2.73 3,000 169.8 83,250 890 136,180 1.38 1,239,000 281 3,210 0.275 4,220,000 0.195 100,000

1,497,250 246,901,190 24,265,114 4,450 32,400 15,449,155 25,256,050 9,274,300 183,668,880 29,388,911 13,474,976 731,318 54,530 59,450 112,283,405 57,600 15,064,103 661,360 1,261,740 36,888,062 867,130 50,021,990 521,700 147,320 4,483,510 8,190 14,141,637 121,089,575 1,685,870 898,998 1,152,600 19,510

94,003,135 -8,756,480 32,400 -204,115 2,364,800 20,134,335 10,621,987 -7,198,122 323,968 -11,726,780 -3,424,750 53,000 -227,660 -13,718,458 -16,691,470 -12,000 2,738,195 -64,937,700 26,950 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

58.5 83.9 2.61 120.6 1.64 29.8 16.2 12.96 4.24 1.51 835 0.53 68.3 0.97 43.6 188.9 105 85 25.1 168.6 1,821 66.7

59.8 88.2 2.61 121 1.64 29.95 16.2 12.98 4.43 1.65 835 0.53 69.95 0.97 44.35 190 105 85 25.1 170 1,822 67

58.25 83.15 2.61 117.5 1.47 29.65 16.18 12.88 4.17 1.51 835 0.53 68.05 0.93 43.55 188.9 103 85 24.85 168.1 1,821 66.65

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A 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 MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO 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

36.7 18.02 1.06 1.19 0.215 2.72 14 35.8 18.5 40 67.5 1.71 4.5 7.5 10.22 15.14 8.48 7.06 7.06 17 63.1 28.05 6.98 12.08 1.9 272.4 4.98 24.25 11.4 16.44 364 1.68 4.02 9.09 5.16 8.7 1.01 10.62 53 5.9 4.8 2.69 2.9 1.6 12.12 95.9 5.66 0.125 1 150.9 2.07 2.22

36.7 18.06 1.13 1.27 0.227 2.72 14 38.5 18.5 43.9 67.5 1.73 4.5 7.5 10.22 15.68 8.6 7.09 7.07 17.02 65 28.1 6.98 12.1 1.98 273 5 24.25 11.9 16.48 364 1.82 4.15 9.09 5.16 8.7 1.01 10.98 53.45 5.9 4.85 2.69 2.9 1.6 12.2 98.35 5.78 0.125 1 151 2.11 2.27

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 FJ PRINCE A 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 SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.41 48 13.02 0.89 6 27.95 1.22 1.23 908 5.86 12.14 7.2 5.74 0.205 837 5.76 54 0.56 4.74 15.2 0.6 4.93 0.039 1.2 2.51 2.73 170 881 1.37 280 0.27 0.196

0.415 51.2 13.02 0.89 6 31 1.22 1.23 920 6.05 12.2 7.2 5.74 0.205 867 5.76 54.6 0.58 4.93 15.4 0.61 5.03 0.04 1.23 2.56 2.73 171.8 893.5 1.38 281 0.28 0.196

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

7.22 0.85 11.98 2 0.68 41.15 2.64 4.39 0.445 0.9 0.95 0.22 8.09 21.1 0.55 0.112 1.46 1.1 2.31 4.42 0.77 0.45 0.445 4.22 19.6

7.42 0.85 11.98 2.08 0.68 41.85 2.74 4.46 0.465 0.9 0.96 0.228 8.4 22 0.56 0.117 1.46 1.12 2.41 4.42 0.78 0.46 0.445 4.49 19.6

7.22 0.83 11.1 2 0.62 40.6 2.63 4.31 0.445 0.9 0.92 0.219 8.09 21.1 0.55 0.112 1.43 1.09 2.26 4.36 0.71 0.45 0.44 4.22 19.18

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.97 3.17 36.25 1.16 6.3 0.76 5.97

1.97 3.17 37 1.16 6.8 0.76 6.09

1.97 3.17 36.25 1.16 6.3 0.75 5.97

1.97 3.17 37 1.16 6.44 0.75 6.09

7,000 1,000 1,778,200 60,000 123,900 239,000 5,834,100

13,790 3,170 65,577,345 69,600 804,121 181,250 35,177,960

3,170 27,218,475 3,826 149,000 -3,001,867

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 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

11.62 21 0.475 0.045 1.97 8.01 0.06 72.8 5.9 9 22 910 2,200 5.42 316 2.54 90.5 12.02 7.8 0.119 2.98 3.35 3.8 0.94 16.08 0.425 5.9 7 2.46 1.44 1.4 7.51 10.9 8.9 3.18 106.2 4.36 1,433 0.89 0.415 44.8 78.5 8 2.26 0.71 0.55 5.17 0.68 10.2

11.62 21.35 0.48 0.045 2.04 8.34 0.063 72.85 5.9 9.3 22.8 910 2,210 5.44 316 2.83 93 12.02 7.8 0.119 3.14 3.47 3.8 1.02 16.14 0.425 5.99 7.02 2.52 1.48 1.4 7.89 11 8.9 3.2 106.2 4.63 1,438 0.9 0.415 46 80 8.24 2.26 0.88 0.56 5.17 0.68 10.28

11.4 20.95 0.47 0.044 1.92 8.01 0.06 70 5.5 9 21 901 2,180 5.37 300 2.54 90.5 12.02 7.8 0.114 2.92 3.33 3.72 0.94 16 0.425 5.8 6.99 2.46 1.36 1.4 7.51 10.84 8.5 3.18 103 4.31 1,415 0.87 0.395 44.8 78.5 7.68 2.19 0.7 0.53 5.13 0.65 10.2

SERVICES 11.5 21.25 0.47 0.044 1.98 8.29 0.06 72.1 5.73 9.05 22.8 901 2,210 5.39 314 2.82 92.9 12.02 7.8 0.115 3.09 3.47 3.73 0.97 16 0.425 5.8 7 2.48 1.36 1.4 7.83 11 8.5 3.2 103 4.48 1,438 0.88 0.405 45.85 79.1 7.68 2.24 0.87 0.53 5.17 0.67 10.26

14,600 32,500 4,710,000 3,900,000 3,373,000 14,610,300 5,750,000 23,420 1,505,200 380,300 199,900 50 29,610 140,900 6,910 4,869,000 1,228,270 1,600 2,000 1,670,000 13,378,000 4,000 674,000 1,625,000 1,551,500 80,000 302,100 6,125,200 171,000 233,000 5,000 2,393,600 14,100 1,100 30,000 14,540 113,000 48,890 3,894,000 2,240,000 1,031,900 1,165,490 129,200 8,886,000 50,653,000 27,066,000 893,400 4,056,000 1,494,900

167,870 686,455 2,221,200 171,700 6,709,560 118,807,290 350,310 1,675,953 8,512,772 3,444,927 4,460,530 45,235 65,181,110 761,977 2,132,198 13,446,650 113,975,388.50 19,232 15,600 191,560 41,068,710 13,480 2,521,370 1,602,220 24,832,162 34,000 1,772,528 42,878,016 424,920 329,320 7,000 18,469,807 153,580 9,390 95,800 1,498,167 501,770 70,005,400 3,440,790 905,600 47,156,835 92,186,890.50 1,001,484 19,809,320 41,390,520 14,690,140 4,601,375 2,682,480 15,337,638

-2,010.00 109,871 -75,000 -346,169 5,690 219,884 43,840,660 360,010 43,655,641 253,740 -653,210 -60,390 5,472,020 -908,310 -18,884,833 39,460 -1,400 -293,180 -152,860 -23,693,610 -163,850 18,265,300 -1,252,855 -756,740 1,496,520.00 9,015,670 -1,310,840 -2,553,935 -460,350 -10,338,338.00

1,251,500 909,400 3,120 70,520 34,000 1,398,080 8,900 39,433 3,153,150 141,760 84,100 2,440 39,280 1,223,600 70,510 5,051,850 3,025,570 33,700 32,000 32,820 3,445,900 34,743,056 15,886,160 35,200

18,600 -550,960 -14,820 24,920 -1,628,440 2,668,312 -6,652,055 -

PROPERTY 7.24 0.85 11.94 2.08 0.67 40.9 2.63 4.46 0.45 0.9 0.94 0.222 8.27 21.5 0.56 0.117 1.45 1.1 2.3 4.4 0.73 0.46 0.44 4.45 19.54

39,400 1,360,000 3,500 7,000 2,099,000 4,448,800 449,000 735,000 22,170,000 1,000 25,457,000 1,680,000 295,200 267,700 35,000 40,000 704,000 884,000 35,023,000 23,388,000 219,949,000 1,110,000 60,000 6,686,000 4,329,700

286,258 1,146,320 41,232 14,150 1,350,980 181,991,950 1,194,770 3,258,420 10,075,900 900 23,426,850 371,350 2,454,745 5,782,585 19,260 4,530 1,015,890 975,890 80,898,680 102,399,210 162,374,350 503,850 26,500 29,275,640 84,325,944

-28,976 63,320 -83,214,480 -426,960 -1,361,050 -1,660 -1,996,045 -60,280 -50,020,000 14,408,950 1,746,980 -4,966,890.00 -59,408,400.00

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

0.0025 1.5 3.12 17.2 1 1.93 0.3 7.3 1.89 0.205 0.111 0.122 1.25 4.32 1.07 0.77 1.12 0.012 0.012 3.52 3.37 15.24 27.35 0.0073

0.0025 1.52 3.12 17.2 1 1.93 0.3 7.38 1.89 0.21 0.111 0.122 1.25 4.41 1.07 0.78 1.17 0.013 0.012 3.82 3.4 16.12 27.9 0.0073

0.0023 1.47 3.12 17.2 1 1.9 0.295 7.3 1.85 0.203 0.11 0.122 1.15 4.31 1.02 0.7 1.08 0.012 0.011 3.52 3.37 15.24 27.15 0.0068

MINING & OIL 0.0024 525,000,000 1.51 607,000 3.12 1,000 17.2 4,100 1 34,000 1.93 732,000 0.295 30,000 7.32 5,400 1.88 1,685,000 0.205 690,000 0.111 760,000 0.122 20,000 1.23 34,000 4.38 280,000 1.06 68,000 0.7 6,962,000 1.16 2,693,000 0.013 2,800,000 0.011 2,800,000 3.75 9,000 3.39 1,017,000 15.94 2,194,000 27.65 576,800 0.0068 5,000,000

GMA HLDG PDR ABS HLDG PDR SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2C FGEN PREF G DD PREF AC PREF B1 GLO PREF P AC PREF B2 GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B PCOR PREF 2A

5.18 20 72.05 73.35 75.05 75.1 75.2 75.2 78.2 101 101.4 485 490 495 960 960 1,005

5.25 20 75.2 75.7 75.05 75.1 75.2 75.9 78.2 101 101.4 485 490 495 974 984.5 1,005

5.18 19.88 72.05 73.35 75 74.8 75 74.8 78.1 101 100.6 485 490 493 940 945 1,005

PREFERRED 5.18 125,800 19.9 151,400 75.2 310 75.7 300 75 44,400 75.1 50,700 75.1 70,080 75 75,700 78.1 3,650 101 65,000 100.6 510 485 100 490 12,850 493 1,130 940 160 945 480 1,005 100

653,444 3,013,840 22,965.50 22,475 3,330,005 3,797,570 5,257,638.50 5,666,540 285,370 6,565,000 51,314 48,500 6,296,500 559,050 151,140 455,080 100,500

-335,964 -3,013,840 37,400 -5,039,108 -15,180 -199,410 24,650 95,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.41

2.55

2.41

WARRANTS 2.5 196,000

485,240

-124,520

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.85 2.11

5.98 2.15

5.38 2.08

5.45 2.1

20,010,782 1,101,420

777,135 -86,240

FIRST METRO ETF

110.9

110.5

968,838

19,890

20,240 95,790

USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.12 0.99

TRADING SUMMARY

10.12 1

FINANCIAL

10,676,491

INDUSTRIAL

55,989,247

HOLDING FIRMS

143,543,490

PROPERTY

359,324,837

SERVICES

176,400,925

MINING & OIL

555,423,745

GRAND TOTAL

1,305,426,317

10.12 0.99

SME

3,534,700 524,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 110.7 8,750 DDS 10.12 1

2,000 95,800

VALUE 1,680.96 (up) 31.66 762,622,268.35 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,070.69 (down) 51.06 618,713,884.43 HOLDING FIRMS 7,190.51 (up) 81.08 1,455,539,970.68 PROPERTY 3,688.23 (down) 19.76 1,517.984 (up) 12.60 795,205,689.92 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,199.20 (up) 159.95 844,723,407.87 PSEI 7,433.61 (up) 50.61 70,742,110.84 All Shares Index 4,531.52 (up) 24.12 4,569,628,715.92 Gainers: 95; Losers: 97; Unchanged: 42; Total: 234

Insurance brokers post 11% growth in income By Julito G. Rada PREMIUM income generated from brokerage activities increased 11.2 percent in 2017 from a year ago, data from the Insurance Commission show. Insurance commissioner Dennis Funa said the 63 insurance brokerage companies reported a combined premium income of P57.92 billion last year, up from P52.07 billion in 2016. Funa said in a statement about 20.56 percent or P57.08 billion of the P277.58 billion total premium generated by the life and non-life insurance sectors came from brokerage activities in 2017. The mediated premium in life insurance amounted to P8.70 billion, representing 15.02 percent of the overall mediated premium by the insurance brokerage industry, while the mediated premium in non-life insurance business hit P48.38 billion or 83.54 percent of the total. The insurance brokerage industry also generated P837.34 million in membership fees for the health maintenance organization business. The 10 largest insurance brokers last year were BDO Insurance Brokers Inc., Marsh Philippines Inc., AON Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Philippines Inc., HSBC Insurance Brokers (Phils.) Inc. Jardine Lloyd Thompson Insurance Brokers Inc., Lockton Philippines Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers Inc., Anchor Insurance Brokers Corp., Gotuaco, Del Rosario Insurance Brokers Inc., Unicon Insurance Brokers Corp. and Intertrade Insurance Brokers. The insurance brokerage industry earned P7.32 billion in commissions last year, up by 12.10 percent from P6.53 billion in 2016. “As of end of 2017, commissions of insurance brokers were mainly from the non-life insurance business in the amount of P6.17 billion which represents 84.21 percent of the total commissions earned,” Funa said.

EDC eyes new geothermal areas in Peru, Chile By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp. plans to participate in the auctions for new geothermal contracts in Chile and Peru as part of its expansion program, a top executive said. “We’re preparing for the auctions in Chile and Peru...The system in Chile, the national grid is the one that auctions. There’s an auction next year, second quarter,” EDC president Richard Tantoco said. He said the new concession area in Chile that the company was looking at could produce about 150 megawatts of geothermal capacity. EDC already has a stake in the Mariposa project, located in the Andes Mountains 300 km south of the capital city of Santiago. The project covers two geothermal exploitation concessions, Pellado and Laguna del Maule. The rights to these concessions are owned by Compañía de Energía Limitada where affiliates of EDC and Canadabased Alterra Power Corp. hold 70-percent and 30-percent stakes, respectively. EDC hold stakes in five concessions and 19 applications in Chile and Peru. The company acquired the local subsidiaries of Australian geothermal firm Hot Rock Ltd. and signed joint venture agreements with TSX-listed and global renewable energy player Alterra Power. “Peru has good concession, big ones but we are waiting for the auction of the government. What is nice in Peru is it auctions the capacity by technology. Auction for solar, auction for geothermal,” Tantoco said. EDC announced earlier that its Chile and Peru geothermal projects had the potential to generate at least 800 MW. Tantoco said preparations were also ongoing for developing EDC’s Indonesian geothermal prospects. The company already completed its survey activities in GrahoNyabu in Sumatra. The results of the initiative will be used by the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources for its upcoming tender for the GrahoNyabu concession.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Second woman accuses Kavanaugh of misconduct NEW YORK―A second woman has come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s embattled nominee for the Supreme Court, The New Yorker said Sunday. Senate Democrats are investigating the bombshell claim by Deborah Ramirez, 53, who says Kavanaugh exposed himself to her during a college party at Yale University in the 1980s, thrust his genitals in her face and caused her to touch them without her consent while pushing them away. Kavanaugh denied the incident occurred, calling it “a smear, plain and simple.” “The people who knew me then know that this did not happen, and have said so,” the conservative judge said in a statement sent to AFP. The allegation is the latest twist in Kavanaugh’s already heated conﬁrmation battle, which is set for a dramatic hearing this week involving a university professor who recently came forward accusing him of assaulting her when they were high schoolers. The New Yorker article was co-written by Ronan Farrow, whose reportage around disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was key in opening the ﬂoodgates of the #MeToo movement, along with another reporter Jane Mayer.

MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

IN BRIEF Tiger population nearly doubles KATHMANDU―Nepal’s wild tiger population has nearly doubled over the last nine years, officials said Monday, in a victory for the impoverished country’s drive to save the endangered big cats. Wildlife groups have welcomed the news as a sign that political involvement and innovative conservation strategies can reverse the decline of the majestic Royal Bengal tiger. A survey carried out earlier this year counted 235 tigers in Nepal, up from around 121 tigers in 2009. Conservationists and wildlife experts used more than 4,000 cameras and around 600 elephants, trawling a 2,700-kilometer route across Nepal’s southern planes where the big cats roam. “This is a result of concentrated unified efforts by the government along with the local community and other stakeholders to protect the tiger’s habitat and fight against poaching,” Man Bahadur Khadka, director general of Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, told AFP. Deforestation, encroachment of habitat and poaching have devastated big cat numbers across Asia, but in 2010 Nepal and 13 other countries signed a pledge to double their tiger numbers by 2022. The 2010 Tiger Conservation Plan― which is backed by high profile figures including actor Leonardo DiCaprio― quickly began bearing fruit, and in 2016 the World Wildlife Fund and the Global Tiger Forum announced that the wild tiger population had increased for the first time in more than a century. In 1900, more than 100,000 tigers roamed the world but that fell to an alltime low of 3,200 in 2010. AFP

Guatemalans win Swedish rights prize

STOCKHOLM―Two activists fighting corruption in Guatemala won the 2018 Rights Livelihood Prize on Monday, the jury for the Swedish human rights prize announced. Thelma Aldana of Guatemala and Ivan Velasquez of Colombia were honored for their “innovative work in exposing abuse of power and prosecuting corruption, thus rebuilding people’s trust in public institutions,” the jury said in a statement. Aldana, 62, is a former president of Guatemala’s Supreme Court and served as attorney general until May, when she stepped down. Velasquez, 63, is currently the head of the UN’s International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). “This prize comes at a particularly dramatic moment in the fight against impunity and corruption. It is very important because it will turn the eyes of the world to Guatemala, and hopefully also provide international solidarity with those who are committed to the transformation of the country,” Velasquez said in the statement. On September 20, thousands of students and activists demonstrated in Guatemala’s capital calling for the resignation of President Jimmy Morales, whom the CICIG alleges failed to report nearly one million dollars in financing to electoral authorities during his 2015 presidential campaign. The UN mission has asked for Morales’ presidential impunity to be lifted so it can investigate the matter. In late August, Morales said he would not ask the United Nations to renew the CICIG’s mandate beyond September 2019. AFP

At least four Democratic senators have received information about Ramirez’s allegation, the magazine said, of whom at least two have begun investigating it. Senior Republican staffers have likewise learned of the allegation and expressed concern about its impact on the nomination, The New Yorker added. “This is another serious, credible, and disturbing allegation against Brett Kavanaugh. It should be fully investigated,” Senator Mazie Hirono, of Hawaii, was quoted as saying. When The New Yorker first contacted Ramirez, it said she was reluctant to come forward, partly because of gaps in her memory because she had been drinking at the time of the incident. But having spent six days assessing her memories and consulting with her attorney, she felt more confident and is now calling for an FBI investigation. “I would think an FBI investigation would be warranted,” she told The New Yorker. The magazine said it had not found eyewitnesses to confirm that Kavanaugh was at the party, though one former classmate remembered hearing about the incident from another, and independently corroborated many of the details offered by Ramirez. AFP

Spray-can satire in Thailand creating headache for junta

ANGKOK―Thailand’s junta chief caricatured as a “lucky cat” with a paw raised to rake in money, or his face crossed out by a thick, red line―daring grafﬁti is cropping up across Bangkok as the city’s walls become a canvas for rare political scorn. The pioneer of the new wave of street artists is “Headache Stencil”, whose spray cans satirize the powerful in a country where free expression has been muted since a 2014 coup. Dubbed Thailand’s “Banksy”, Headache―whose nickname alludes to the pain he hopes to inﬂict on the mighty― catapulted to fame in January with a piece skewering junta number two Prawit Wongsuwan, who was struggling

to explain his collection of undeclared luxury watches. The stencil art showing Prawit’s face inside an alarm clock was a jab at the lack of financial transparency by generals who seized power claiming that only they could save the country from untrammeled graft. It was a bold move in a tightly-controlled country where simply reading George Orwell’s “1984” novel in public is deemed defiant and whose wellconnected elite are quick to file criminal defamation charges. Speaking at his Bangkok studio, Headache is unrepentant. “The root of street art is that people have no rights, no voice,” he told AFP, his face masked as much for a dramatic flourish as protection from authorities. “The aim is to spread the words we want to say but cannot. So we paint them for those who walk by... for officials or

the general public to understand.” After the clock image went viral, police attempted to monitor the artist and city officials hit the streets to paint over subversive graffiti. Prawit insists the watches were borrowed from friends, but nine months later Thailand’s anti-graft body has yet to finish its investigation into the issue. Headache again stole the spotlight in March―this time with graffiti showing a black panther crying tears of blood. It was a reference to the case of a Thai construction magnate who was later charged with poaching one of the protected cats during an illegal safari hunt in a national park. Once again, the artwork was a hit online, cheered for its brazen lampooning of another wealthy target. Much like “Banksy”, the British graffiti artist turned multi-millionaire art auction darling, Headache’s carefully

maintained mystique adds to the allure of his work. And it has caught the imagination of a country where an increasing number of people are looking to art to dissect the anti-junta angst that lurks below the surface. “Street art has a fast life... you can cover it with paint but once it is on social media, it stays,” said Apinan Poshyananda, artistic director of the Bangkok Art Biennale which debuts next month and will feature other street artists. Headache now holds workshops across the country including in the northeastern provinces, the political heartland of the toppled civilian government. Meanwhile, a mushrooming number of galleries and studios are hosting dance and art performances addressing the kingdom’s toxic political culture and complex social issues in subtle ways that dodge censure. AFP Manila

Notice is hereby given of Standard the lost of Stock Certificate

TODAY M1088 covering (1)

No. membership share issued by Sta Elena Golf Club, Inc. to Rodolfo W. Antonino as the Registered owner of the said membership share, and in that a new stock certificate is in the process of being issued. Any party in interest may give notice at Sta Elena Golf Club, Inc. Bo. Malitlit, Sta Rosa, Laguna. You may call 049-559-9801 or Manila Office at 02-8866179.

FRANCIS IN RIGA.

Latvia’s President Raimonds Vejonis welcomes Pope Francis after he arrived at Riga airport, Latvia, on September 24, 2018. AFP

(MS-SEPT. 11,18 & 25, 2018)

Cosby to return to court for start of sentencing NORRISTOWN―Disgraced US television icon Bill Cosby will return to a Pennsylvania court on Monday to face sentencing for sexual assault, five months after his conviction at the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. The frail 81-year-old―once beloved as “America’s Dad”―faces a maximum potential sentence of 30 years for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in January 2004. He will be the first celebrity sentenced for a sex crime since the 2017 downfall of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein signaled the beginning of America’s public reckoning with sexual harassment. The pioneering comedian and award-winning actor was found guilty April 26 on three counts of aggravated

Notice is hereby given of the lost of Stock Certificate No. 2961 covering (1) membership share issued by The Palms Country Club, Inc. to Rodolfo W. Antonino as the Registered owner of the said membership share, and in that a new stock certificate is in the process of being issued. Any party in interest may give notice at The Palms Country Club, Inc. 1410 Laguna Heights Drive, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City. no. 02771-7171.

indecent assault, each punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Prosecutors will ask for him to be sent straight to prison, while his lawyers are likely to appeal for him to remain under house arrest pending the outcome of any appeals, celebrity website TMZ reported. His legal team will likely argue for leniency given his age and frailty. Cosby maintains that he is now legally blind. The ﬁnal decision rests with Judge Steven O’Neill, who will impose the sentence after a hearing that could stretch across two days in Norristown, a down-at-heel town just outside Philadelphia. The reputation and career of the once towering ﬁgure in late 20th century American popular culture―the

first black actor to grace prime-time US television―is already in tatters. Once adored by millions for his defining role on “The Cosby Show,” he has been confined to his Philadelphia area mansion on a $1 million bail for nearly three years, fitted with a GPS monitor and subjected to a violent sexual predator assessment after his guilty conviction. As soon as the jury returned their verdict, prosecutors demanded that his bail be revoked, arguing he was a flight risk―but O’Neill refused to “lock him up right now.” “He doesn’t have a plane, you asshole!” yelled Cosby in his first public outburst and loss of control after chief prosecutor Kevin Steele claimed he could flee anywhere in the world by private jet. AFP

Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 25, 2018)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that BRIA HOMES, INC. (FORMERLY: CASA REGALIA INCORPORATED) with office address at LGF Bldg. B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-Cost Housing Project under the Preferred List - Mass Housing (Bria San Pablo) with a capacity of 443 house and lot units on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. San Gregorio, San Pablo City, Laguna. Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 25, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

LocaL government units

tuesday, september 25, 2018

Subic airport gears up for int’l flights By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT—The Subic Bay International Airport is gearing up with a multi-million rehabilitation program to recapture its lost glory as a major port for international commercial flights. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the government is set to pour in P502 million for the airport’s various landing instruments and communications systems, with funds from the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management. The department will also bid out the component projects that will include procurement of Air-Ground VHF radio communication system, Area Navigation design, Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Directional Range for homing aircraft, Airfield Ground Lightings, Movement Area Ground Signages, Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting vehicles, Air Passenger Boarding Bridges, and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast. Some P232-million worth of equipment will also be needed for the airport, Eisma added. These include Xray machines, closed circuit television cameras, ambulance, sweeper truck, Flight Information Display System, Fire Detection and Alarm System, aerial platform, and pickup trucks and passenger vans. The SBMA started refurbishing the SBIA with a new P51-million Automated Weather Observation System, which provides continuous, real-time information on weather conditions. The AWOS is not covered by the P502-million funding, Eisma said. “The AWOS is already installed and operational, which is why Subic is now ready to accommodate planes because its communications and nighttime capability are fully functioning. In fact, Subic recently took in flights from Bangkok that were diverted from Clark Airport,” she said. She added that SBMA is also arranging for other commercial operations at the Subic airport, including maintenance repairs for Gulf Stream, flying school for the Philippine Airlines, Subic-Macau-Subic flights for Royal Air, as well as for China Eastern Airlines. According to SBIA manager Zharrex Santos, the Subic airfield can accommodate almost all types of modern aircraft at more than 20 movements per hour because of its 2,744-meter runway with effective width of 45 meters. It also has ramps and aprons that could take in 24 wide-body aircraft for parking at one given time. Meanwhile, the two tubes at the SBIA terminal building can process 700 passengers per hour, Santos said. Recently, Senator Richard Gordon called for the immediate upgrading and operation of the Subic airport after a runway mishap caused hundreds of flight cancellations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

COASTAL CLEANUP. Senator Cynthia A. Villar walks the coastline of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area as she leads coast lovers and environmental warriors in cleaning the bay in celebration of this year’s International Coastal Cleanup Day. The chairman of the Senate environment committee underscores public cooperation to protect and conserve the environment. Joining the clean-up were actress Antoinette Taus of Community Organize for Resource Allocation, and representatives from the Environment department, Boy Scout of the Philippines, Allegro Micro Systems, iSupport Worldwide, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Toyota Philippines, Xavier School, Haribon Foundation, LF Logistics Philippines, Philippine Retirement Authority, Cavitex, Tieza, Camp Aguinaldo Elementary School, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, the local governments of Las Piñas and Parañaque, UST Junior High School, Aspac International, Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, District 383 Las Piñas East National High School, Maynilad, Filinvest, Landbank, and MB Sunset. Lino Santos

‘Alim’ politicians brace for Maguindanao polls By Nash B. Maulana

OTABATO CITY—Maguindanao officials brace for kinship and political alliance to defeat their opponents in the May 2019 midterm polls.

This developed as the Commission on Elections has set the filing of certificates of candidacy on Oct. 11 to 17 for national and local candidates. Local officials gathered in a low-key meeting on Sunday in Datu Odin Sinsuat, the center of power of the old Sinsuat clan to sustain political alliance at local level. Officials said Maguindanao ViceGovernor Lester Sinsuat and his father Mayor Datu Ombra Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat, hosted the meeting for memberlocal executives of the Alliance of Lumad Iranun Maguindanaon mayors. The Alim mayors were also joined by Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu and his brothers Magu-

indanao Assemblyman Khadafeh Mangudadatu of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Ibrahim Mangudadatu, former mayor of Buluan. Sources privy to the meeting said an initial consensus among them held that a prevailing local alliance would be sustained for a political status quo. “This would mean that Vice-Governor Sinsuat would be seeking for the same position in May 2019, but since Governor Mangudadatu is no longer eligible to seek another term, the alliance will endorse from consensus an experienced and rightful successor for the [Maguindanao] governorship in a more appropriate forum,” according to a source who did not want to

be named for lack of political authority to speak to the press. Vice Governor Sinsuat and Governor Mangudadatu have been rumored to be at odds of late, over a perceived conflict akin to political preparations for the next local election. But distinctly, Muslim local leaders always go back to traces of blood relations and family ties to address causes of conflict at early stage. Indeed, centuries old narratives in a “Book of Nobles” called Tarsilan reveal secrets of ties-that-bind among Moro leaders, as decoded by Syrian-American historian, Dr. Najeeb Salleby in 1905. Most of the province’s elected officials are related by blood. For instance the Sinsuats and the Mangudadatus are bound by kinship ties: The governor’s grandmother Bai Ginandingan was the sister of Commonwealth Senator Sinsuat Balabaran, great grandfather of the vice governor.

MISSUS ZUMBA. Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado (second from left) dances with 2019 Mrs Philippines Finest Womens Universe Patricia Javier (left) and other volunteers, then poses with celebrity dancers Joshua Zamora and Jopay Paguia (inset) after leading the ‘Zumba Dance One Nation’ where thousands gathered after joining the International Coastal Cleanup drive along Cavite’s coastal area. Norman Cruz

Women gaining ground in local governments too, says Belmonte By Rio N. Araja WOMEN are gaining ground in local government, too, not just in Senate polls, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said on Monday. Amid praise over women leaders domi-

nating the top five spots in Pulse Asia’s most recent poll among Senate candidates for 2019, Belmonte said she is seeking to highlight that female executives have also been gaining ground at the local government level. “Before, leadership skills of women are not recognized, and we just stay at

home to take care of our children. But now, we as women are bring a different kind of leadership to the table—and that is servant leadership,” she said. The vice mayor said women make good leaders at the local government level because of their “culture of peace.”

“We like to get consensus from our people and seek participation from others. We also like to solicit opinions from others before we make a decision,” she added. More female mayors around the world are “brought into the table” as leaders in their own cities, Belmonte said.

Coast Guard foil rice smugglers in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY—Authorities have intercepted three wooden-hulled ferries loaded with smuggled rice off this city, an official disclosed Monday. Lt. Commander Noriel Ramos, Zamboanga Coast Guard Station commander, disclosed that the vessels were intercepted in a joint law enforcement operation around 6:50 p.m. Saturday near the shore of Barangay Baliwasan, this city. Ramos said the joint team was conducting patrol aboard on two Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats of the Coast Guard when they intercepted the three wooden-hulled vessels loaded with rice. The intercepted vessels were m/v Aizalyn 3, M/L Jasmin Michael and M/L Habiba, all homeported in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. The vessels were each loaded with sacks of rice believed to have come from Malaysia. Ramos said the cargoes were consigned to two people identified only as a certain Salam and Musad, both alleged smugglers based in this city. He said they have yet to conduct an inventory jointly with the Bureau of Customs to determine the exact volume of the cargo aboard the three vessels, but believed these to be worth millions of pesos. The vessels are currently moored at a private wharf in this city, he added. Ramos said the apprehending team is made up of personnel from the Coast Guard Southwestern Mindanao District, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the military, and the police. Meanwhile, in Dumaguete City, the National Food Authority in Negros Oriental has assured there is no hoarding of commercial rice in the province amid the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. NFA provincial manager Hilaria Ganzon gave the assurance as the NFA here celebrates Grains Industry Week from September 20 to 26. According to Ganzon, they are monitoring the prices of commercial rice in the market, as well as conducting inspections of warehouses. “We are continuously inspecting warehouses as well as monitoring traders,” Ganzon said.

Youth to unleash inner heroes in 2018 International Coastal Cleanup Summit THE International Coastal Cleanup is a global movement celebrated every third Saturday of September yearly and being participated by more than 100 countries across the globe, including the Philippines, as we rally the community towards a common goal of collecting and documenting the trash littering the coastline. In 2017, the Philippines ranked #1 with the most number of volunteers, but on the contrary, the country is ranked #3 as the biggest dumper of plastics in the ocean. According to the Ocean Trash Index, the world’s largest item-by-item, location-by-location database of trash found in near-shore environments as a result of the data submitted by all the volunteers of ICC, plastic debris remains a growing concern in the marine environment. The top five most commonly collected items are cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic beverage bottles, plastic bottle caps and plastic grocery bags, in that order. The trash data collection is important because it will help governments, manufacturing industries, businesses and individuals in making smart solutions to the marine debris problem.

As we participated in this year’s International Coastal Cleanup activity scheduled on September 22, 2018, we encourage everyone to participate in the data gathering efforts so we can have a better assessment of the trash in our area. There is an increasing need to address this issue of marine litter and beach cleanup alone is not enough . The highlight of this continuous effort is the ICC Environmental Summit , a supplement to the annual beach cleanup that will take place on Sept. 27 and 28, 2018 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC). This year, we are launching the Youth Empowerment Symposium (#YES18) as we focus on empowering our youth by tapping into the best practices of top Filipinos and global organizations, inspiring our next generation of leaders to follow-suite and provide the tools that they will need to continue our quest towards a more sustainable future. Together, they can come up with viable solutions for pressing environmental matters and approach new,

peaceful and constructive ways of problem-solving. This will be the 4th Summit that will be held in Subic Bay and has always been focused on the new generation - millennials, the most powerful force of our future. If we want to change the world for the better, there has to be a change in people’s behavior. This year’s theme is “Change Heroes” a challenge for the youth to be an instrument for change, to spark social consciousness formation towards social change, changing the way we view the world, unleashing our inner heroes, and become better builders of our nation. It will be a symposium participated by youths, mainly the newly elected SK officials from Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan together with experienced executives and organization leaders that will focus on finding more efficient solutions to ensure that the cleanliness of our beaches will continue far beyond the cleanup activity. This event is organized by the Lighthouse Marina Resort Legacy Foundation, Make a Difference Travel and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary.

It is co-presented by Coca-Cola Philippines, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, The Lighthouse Marina Resort and Globe Telecoms as the official connectivity partner. The event is held in cooperation with the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability, Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, Miss Scuba Philippines, UP Marine Biological Society, Dakila, Seed4com, and Oceana Philippines; supported by Provincial Government of Zambales, Municipal of Olongapo, and Provincial Government of Bataan; The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Coast Watch Council, Department of Tourism, Philippine Coast Guard, PNP Maritime Group, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the National Youth Commission; It is sponsored by Ayala Harbor Point Mall, Anvaya Cove, PLDT Subictel, Think + Talk Creative Communications, VitalStrats Creative Solutions, Standard Insurance and Nanofixit.

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

health and environment

@mstandardLIFe tuesday, september 25, 2018

Toby Turns 40 LEADER OF THE TEAM. The Claudio family celebrates the retirement of Toby’s Sports founder Bobby Claudio (middle).

eading multi-brand sports retailer in the country, Toby’s Sports, recently celebrated its 40th year with a star-studded night of music and revelry.

dubbed “it’s game Time,” the grand ann iver sa r y celebration gathered some of the brightest names in sports and entertainment. The event was hosted by

Love means getting them insured

From left: Quorum International, Inc. president Toby Claudio, Quorum Holdings chief executive officer Bobby Claudio, chief operating officer Jojo Claudio and SRI president Rod Claudio toast to Toby’s Sports’ 40 years.

Gary V talks about his experiences with Toby’s Sports.

Toby’s brand ambassador, volleyball star-turned-beauty queen Michelle gumabao. Multi-awarded singersongwriter gary Valenciano regaled the guests with his adrenaline-charged performance. The Juans and dJ Jon Tupaz likewise delivered stellar acts that matched the mood of the celebration. The company’s influence on the PH sports scene was apparent on the guests who graced the anniversary, which included Barangay ginebra stars La Tenorio, Japeth aguilar, and 2018 PBa Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP Scottie Thompson. evolving from a modest toy shop in 1978 to what is now the country’s sports retailer of choice, Toby’s Sports prides itself on having the widest selection of products in the country. it offers a well-curated lineup of the latest sports footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessories—over 60,000 items— from the world’s leading

brands, including a diverse portfolio of its own in-house brands that combine performance with value. it has a team of sports specialists and enthusiasts who are ready to share their expertise with anyone who walks into any of its 56 stores nationwide. The establishment has also extended the shopping experience well beyond mall hours with its online store, www.tobys.com. a short film, entitled “Liga,” was shown for the first time during the anniversary celebration. “Liga,” which extols the values that have propelled Toby’s Sports to where it is now, was recently chosen to compete in four international film fests, namely international Shorts 2018 in australia, Los angeles CineFest 2019 (semi-finalist), dramatic Shorts Film Festival 2019, and Live action Shorts Film Festival 2018. Toby’s Sports staff and employees were also treated to a raffle of special prizes. The anniversary event also coincided with the official retirement of its founder and long-time chief executive officer, Bobby Claudio. as the company ushers in another decade, Bobby’s son, Toby Claudio, president of Quorum international inc., asserted that “Toby’s Sports will continue to expand and innovate with the times, remaining committed to improving itself so that greatness will be more achievable for every Filipino dreamer.” Toby’s Sports is part of the retail arm of Quorum group of Companies.

One of the noblest ways to show how much a person loves someone is by ensuring they are protected and taken care of. Hence, an insurance company has launched a new product that covers the policyholder and a loved one. Bearing the concept of securing their customers and their loved ones, Philam Life’s active Joint Critical Protect allows individuals to choose someone—a spouse, a sibling, a parent, or a child—to jointly protect against diseases or unforeseen circumstances. The health and life insurance for two covers critical illnesses, including heart attack, stroke, and cancer, for 10 years, until 75 years old. Philam Life chief marketing officer Leo Tan said the insurance offers a unique and convenient way to keep an individual and their family protected from any untoward events. “We at Philam Life always put our customers first and strive to innovate with products that address their needs,” said Tan. He added, “With a product that jointly addresses the two concerns of health and protection, we are empowering Filipinos to feel secure about their and their loved ones future, helping them live worry-free and healthier, longer and better lives.” The insurer’s brand ambassadors Raymond gutierrrez, Solenn Heussaff, and nico Bolzico shared their desire to protect their loved ones with the help of a joint insurance. “if there’s someone i want to spend my lifetime with, that would be my twin, Chard,” said gutierrez. “i want to take care of him and spend time with his family.”

Philam Life chief marketing officer Leo Tan

if there’s someone Heussaff wishes to take care of until the end, she said, that would be her mom. Meanwhile, her husband, Bolzico, shared that Heussaff is the loved one with whom he wants to share a joint health and life insurance. “You guys already know how much i love Solenn. She’s the reason why i’m here,” said Bolzico. Powered by Philam Vitality, Philam Life also encourages policyholders to start living healthily. active Joint Critical Project gives incentives, such as boosting the plan coverage by up to 50 percent, to policyholders whose health improved. Go to www.philamlife.com to know more. Marianne Ilumba

Members of reigning PBA Champions Ginebra join the festivities.

Philam Life brand ambassadors Nico Bolzico, Solenn Heussaff, and Raymond Gutierrez share their desire to protect their loved ones through a joint insurance.

Life

tuesday, september 25, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Manila Bay cleanup

collects plastic waste Volunteers pick up trash on the coast of Manila Bay during the recent Manila Bay Cleanup organized by the Manila City government and Greenpeace Philippines.

HEN it comes to plastic waste, it’s never truly gone when you throw it away, as proven by the amount of trash the Manila Bay spewed back inland during the recent typhoon that pounded the country.

During the Manila Bay Cleanup, organized by the Manila City government and Greenpeace Philippines as part of the Break Free from Plastic movement, almost a thousand of volunteers who participated picked up trash composed mostly of plastic. The groups conducted a brand audit

as an added step to the usual cleanup, wherein single-use plastics were assessed according to brands and companies that manufactured them. According to Greenpeace Philippines campaigner Abigail Aguilar, branded plastic consistently tops their list when they audit the waste.

According to Greenpeace Philippines, majority of waste collected during the recent coastal cleanup in Manila Bay composed mostly of plastic.

“The overwhelming number of volunteers in today’s clean-up and brand audit is a testament to our people’s commitment to do better and their resolve to take action against plastic pollution,” said Aguilar. Wastes were picked up on the coast while Greenpeace inflatable boats collected waste from the waters of Manila Bay. The cleanup and brand audit intended to name the brands that end up in Manila Bay and ultimately our oceans. The activity coincided with the belated celebration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day, after the original scheduled cleanup was cancelled due to Typhoon Ompong. Greenpeace also conducted a rapid assessment of plastic wastes found in Pasig River after Typhoon Ompong. The group named Monde Nissin, JBC Food Corporation, and 7-Eleven the top three contributors of plastic waste in Pasig River “Companies must reciprocate and step up in this fight. They are the missing piece in this global action against plastic pollution, and they can do better by reducing their production of singleuse plastics,” asserted Aguilar. Globally, a study said one truckload of plastic enters the ocean every minute, which yields at least 8 million tons of plastic leaking to the world’s seas every year.

BPI Sinag awards 10 social enterprises BPI Foundation, the social innovation arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, recently named the top 10 winners of BPI Sinag, its pioneering business challenge initiative for social enterprises. “BPI Foundation created BPI Sinag to help foster economic growth in the country by supporting businesses with the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit,” said Maricris San Diego, executive director of BPI Foundation. She continued, “Our 2018 awardees serve to reinforce our commitment to sustainable nation-building and wealth-creation.” BPI Sinag Year 4 awardees are CarbonCycle Processing Inc., a recycling company that designs, constructs, and operates solar concentrators for agricultural processing using scrap materials; Junk Not Handicraft, a small-scale brand that promotes and produces ecocreative furniture from upcycled materials; Palamigan Co., a freezing system that uses the brine immersion cooling technique for ice-based businesses; Saret Organic Farmville, a social, inclusive agri-enterprise working with poor upland farmers and indigenous tribes in Bulacan; and Uproot Aquaponics, a

Negosyo Ko Award winner Kayumanggi Organic receives P20,000 capital funding.

social enterprise that aims to introduce Community Shared Aquaponics to low income communities in the Philippines. Rounding up this year’s winners are Calaboo Dairyard Inc., a social enterprise that valorizes grass-fed carabaos’ milk; CocoAsenso Corp., which established a network of medium-scale coconut processing centers where coconuts are purchased directly from local farmers; Edaya Cordillera, which designs bamboo jewelry, instruments, and music inspired by Kalinga culture; Got Heart Social En-

BPI Sinag 2018 People’s Choice awardee Nanaycare, Inc.

terprises Inc., a platform for developing social enterprises among various grassroots communities in the Philippines; and House of Ekolife, a social enterprise involved in packaging and promoting eco/ agrotour destinations that involve the OFWs and families as both service providers and customers. The top 10 awardees were chosen by a panel of judges based on the scalability of their business proposals. The judges included Jessymel Cruz of BPI Business Banking, Rico Gonzalez of xchange, Dr. Eduardo Morato, Jr. of Bayan Academy, Priya Thachadi of Villgro Philippines, and Rhyan Uy of Executive Optical. The top five awardees are entitled to P500,000 cash grants, while the remaining five will get P100,000. They will also receive specialized mentorship to advance their businesses. Nanaycare, Inc. also went home with the People’s Choice Award, receiving P20,000 seed funding, P50,000 worth of Facebook promotion budget, and access to credit lines from BPI Business Banking. Kayumanggi Organic won the Negosyo Ko Award and will receive P20,000 capital funding from BPI Direct Banko.

HEALTH BULLETIN

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70-80 percent of men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives.

Fighting a cancer-causing virus ACCORDING to the National Cancer Institute, about 12 high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus) strains have been identified as the root cause of a variety of cancers. HPV is so common that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 70 to 80 percent of all men and women will get at least one type of the virus at some point in their lives. Most who are infected probably wouldn’t even know they had it, as 80 percent of HPV can be flushed out by the body and go away by itself. Some types, however, are those that can lead to cancer. The HPV-associated cancers include head and neck cancers such as oropharyngeal cancer, base of tongue cancer, and tonsil cancer; anogenital cancers, which include vulvar, penile, and anal cancers; and the most prevalent of them all, cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among Filipino women, next to breast cancer. Pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp & Dohme also reported that it is the second most common cancer in women ages 15 to 44 years old. About 6,670 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually while 2,832 related deaths are recorded each year. On a daily basis, around 12 Filipino women die because of the disease. Most patients were diagnosed late and sought treatment in the latter stages of the disease. The numbers look even grimmer worldwide. Since HPV is common, MSD reported cervical cancer is ranked as the fourth leading female cancer and cancer-related deaths globally with about 527,624 women diagnosed with it each year. The other HPV-associated cancers like oropharyngeal, tonsil, base of tongue, vulvar, penile, and anal have devastating effects as well. Despite these distressing numbers, a study done by the Philippine Cancer Society in 2015 on “Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates” stated that at least one third of all cancers can be prevented.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Filipino women.

“Having a healthy lifestyle that started in childhood, eating a healthy diet, maintaining physical fitness, and minimizing or properly coping with stress may decrease the risk of cancer, and even coronary artery disease, hypertension, stroke, and diabetes,” the study said. Aside from adopting a healthier lifestyle, the same study also stressed that certain cancer-causing diseases such as HPV and Hepatitis B virus could be prevented through vaccinations. To date, there are vaccines that help individuals guard themselves from the effects of HPV. For instance, there is MSD’s Gardasil which the Bureau of Food and Drugs has been approved for use in the country. Gardasil is only available through physicians. Even children as young as nine years old can now be protected against critical illnesses associated with HPV. Parents can explore several options when it comes to HPV vaccines: these include a bivalent or a vaccine that covers two strains; a quadrivalent, which is a vaccine that protects individuals from four strains; and a nonavalent vaccine that guards against nine HPV strains.

Entertainment Miss World Philippines candidates relax on a yacht during the pageant's Swimsuit Competition in El Nido, Palawan.

Miss World Ph is on

By Eton Concepcion

ISS World Philippines 2018 pageant kicked off with the press presentation of the forty official candidates held at Vestibule Bar of resorts World Manila recently. The event was brimming with pride and high enthusiasm in light of the unprecedented achievement of last year’s batch of reigning queens. Last year’s batch of queens was led by reina Hispanoamericana 2017 Winwyn Marquez, Miss Eco International 2018 Cynthia Thomalla, Miss Multinational 2017 Sophia Senoron and just recently Miss World Philippines 2017- 2nd Princess Zara Carbonell who brought home the first Miss Tourism Worldwide title in Indonesia. “They raised the bar. I know that last year’s batch will be a tough act to follow, but I remain optimistic to have another good harvest of victories for this year,” said Ms. World Philippines National Director Arnold Vegafria. The 40 candidates included Bb. Pilipinas-Intercontinental 2017 Katarina Rodriguez, actress Channel Morales, Miss Cebu 2013 Namrata Neesha Murjani and Alyssa Muhlach, daughter of Almira Muhlach and ex-PBA cager Paul Alvarez. The rest are Erika Larkins, Jigg Kristy, Barmae Chua, Bettina Alparce, Kim de Guzman, Danica Reynes, Angeline Mae Santos, Pauline Deveranturda, Arienne Calingo, Paulina Labayo, Pearl Hung, Neesha Murjani, Mich Oliva, Monique Tuzon, Maisa llanes, Maureen Montagne, Ma. Divine Veranga, KJ Cudiamat, Herelleen Rodriguez, Angelica Estrevillo, Annalita Vizcara, Elaiza Alzona, Mariane Marquez, Wiffel Rosalita, Crystal Velasco Freedman, Joemay Kei, Abbyjun Dizor, MJ Boniao, Rose Marie Murphy, Cleopatra Jones, Kylah Sanchez, Alyssa Muhlach, Denielle Magno, Kimi-Lei

Very Wang... From C4

His stint at the Mr. Philippines pageant, where he was named 2ndrunnerup, translated to more singing engagements in 5 star hotels, celebrity events and corporate shows. His earnings from these projects enabled him to register and compete at the 2018 World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Long Beach California, where he won division champion. The 25-year-old prince also works hard to reach out to politicians from and ask them to stop using minorities or tribal communities to further their political ambition. “I’ve seen so many instances when politicians just use our tribe as front. I am not generalizing but many of them have promised to help us out but in the end they, they only did that for their po-

Magno, Crissia Atienza, Gianna Llanes, Katrina Acaylar and Tamara Caballero. The 40 aspirants will participate at the preliminaries including the Gala Night at the Maxim’s Grand Ballroom, rWM on October 2; the Swimsuit Competition in El Nido, Palawan; the Fitness Challenge in Victoria Sports Tower in Quezon City; and the BYS Fashion Show tomorrow, Sept. 26. The grand coronation of the Miss World Philippines 2018 pageant will be held at the MOA Arena in Pasay City on Oct.7.

litical career. Much worse, a lot of them even look down on us,” he said. This inspired Aljun to put up “SagipKatribu”, which aims to give Manobo children school supplies and “AdoptKatribu,” a shelter that would house Manobo children whose communities are far from school. This is thru the help of various NGOs, foundations and philanthropists here and abroad. “The reason I am driven to help my fellow Manobo especially the children is because I don’t want them to experience the pain I felt when people would look down on us; that they could also dream and hold on to a promise that they too can make it in life, just like Datu Agong,” he related. Megasoft VP for sales and marketing Aileen Choi-Go believes in Aljun’s talent and advocacy. “It’s an honor for us to have a world class talent as a brand ambassador especially now that Megasoft is going global

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

DOWN 1 Sounds gruff 2 Do the trick 3 Jackpot game 4 Now available (2 wds.) 5 Club, briefly 6 Mr. Woosnam of golf 7 Dragon constellation 8 Bright and — 9 Grain bundle 10 Sell moonshine 11 Eros, in Rome 12 Pyramid site 13 Dance movement 21 Smog monitor 23 Full-strength 25 Leap in a tutu 27 Wine and dine 29 — au rhum 30 Guinness or Baldwin

nickie.standard@gmail.com

31 Awful smell 32 Renoir model 33 Borodin prince 34 Adage-spouting detective 36 Contented sigh 37 Blended whiskeys 40 Laugh-a-minute 43 Park amenity 44 Sci-fi princess 46 Gets a mortgage 49 August sign 51 Chic or brainy

AT THIrTEEN years old, many say that Jillian Ward is ready to replace Barbie Forteza as GMA’s Tween Queen. To this, the appealing lass could only respond feeling grateful. “really? Well, thank you to those who think that way. I’m happy and grateful for the moniker. But in all honesty, even without that title, I’m okay because I know I’m giving my best in my showbiz career. That title if ever is just a bonus. At least, I’m a step higher already from being a child star!” Jillian, who used to be one of the Kapuso’s premiere child stars is now adjusting to teen roles. “Like in my latest show My Special Tatay starring Ken Chan. I play the role of a ‘kikay’ teenager. It’s the first time that I’m doing this.” Expectedly, she’s adjusting to this new phase in her career. “I think the character of Odette Villaroman is sixteen years old in the story. I admit there’s difficulty on my part acting like a full-blown teenager in the soap. Apart from the age factor, it’s the first time that I’ll act out a ‘kikay’ part. I’m used to portraying child roles that’s why I’m challenged this time with my participation in My Special Tatay. “Even in my manner of dressing, there’s a difference now. Before, I’m just in shorts and shirts when I tape for a soap. That simple. But now that I’m already a teenager, I have to look my age. I’m now wearing skirts and wardrobe with K-Pop influence.” Apart from her considerable acting skills, Jillian is also gifted with a lovely singing voice. This she is able to exhibit on road and mall shows. “I want to hone my singing talent further. It’s just that at this point, most of the projects given to me are geared towards acting. But I want to express my singing ability to the public. Maybe in the near future.” She excitedly shares that she adores Paul McCartney of The Beatles. “He’s seventy-six now but his voice still sounds great. Call me old school but he’s my crush.” What’s good about the cute gal is

Miss Intercontinental 2017 1st runner up Katarina Rodriguez is this year's top bet to win the coveted crown.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 61 Strong points 62 Become liquid 63 Farewell 65 Assayers’ samples 66 MHz part 67 Ceremonies 68 Spacious 69 Playing card 70 Small jobs 71 Lip, slangily

Child star no more

Search for next

ACROSS 1 Romantic island 5 Candy stripers 10 Sacks 14 Cosmetics brand 15 Miles or Bernhardt 16 Skip over 17 Charlie Brown epithet 18 Pitfall, maybe 19 Seep 20 New pet 22 Nonsense 24 Sailing vessel 25 Happy 26 — au lait 28 Construction rod 32 Gouge 35 Depot info 37 Feast 38 Yecch! 39 Misty-eyed 41 Nectar seeker 42 Far from impossible 45 Scurry 46 Stand behind 47 Bilko’s name 48 Peace Prize city 50 Fate 54 Backspace on a PC 58 Was very scared, maybe

TuESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

52 Kind of coverage 53 Revises 55 Open-air lobbies 56 Nursery buy 57 Winding curves 58 Mo. bill 59 “After All” singer 60 Come unglued 61 Fret and fume 64 Mouse alert

and gaining ground in the Middle East, Asia, Australia and Africa. And what’s really admirable is his love for children and education which reflects the advocacy of the company. Supporting him is also a way of helping the Manobo Tribe.” Aljun wanted to be a flight attendant. But for now, he tries to soar and reach for his star in the entertainment industry. Catch Aljun perform on Oct. 9 in Oroquetta City, Misamis Occidental. He will also be part of the 2018 Megasoft School Is Cool Tour with fellow Megasoft endorsers Myrtle Sarrosa, Ryle Santiago and Young JV Kapunan. For more info, please like Megasoft pages on Facebook: sistersph, SuperTwinsBabyDiaper, TwinsLampeinBabyDiaper, GrandAdultDiaper, CherubBabyCare, FascleanDetergent, follow Megasoft_ph on Twitter and Instagram and log on to www.megasoft. com.ph.

Kapuso teen star Jillian Ward

that despite her hectic showbiz career, she still devotes time to her studies. “It’s very important to me. I’m home-schooled and is currently in seventh grade. Every quarter I take an examination in the main school (Westfields International School) and I’m proud to say that I have high grades. I’m really focused on my studies and perfectly balances it with my acting career,” ends Jillian. *** Asked why instead of doing Asintado then where she should’ve played Shaina Magdayao’s character she chose a much lighter material in Playhouse, Angelica Panganiban explains: “I came from an emotionally draining soap which was Pangako Sa ‘Yo. As everyone knows, my character there always gets mad at Kathryn (Bernardo), Daniel (Padilla) and Jodi (Sta. Maria). Because of this, I wanted my next project to be different. I longed for something which is light in nature which would serve as a balancing act.” She added that it’s good that Playhouse was pitched in to her because she finds the material a perfect respite from all the heavy dramatic stuff people are used to see her portray. “At least, it’s a breath of fresh air, right? Playhouse offered something new so I accepted it right away.” How is it working with Zanjoe Marudo? “Actually, it’s not the first time that we’re working in one project. We’ve done a few films before where we are not screen partners but what’s exciting is that this time, we’re paired together on a television program. It’s a new experience. I’m sure the viewers will like our chemistry on screen.” Playhouse is on the daytime block. Didn’t she feel demoted considering that her past starrers were aired on prime time? “That’s no issue on that. When it was presented to me, it was really pegged on daytime. I readily agreed because that timeslot is family-oriented. As I’ve said, it’s something new to me, the reason why it excites me to the hilt,” Angelica states.

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

Entertainment

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018

Jennifer Garner turns into an action machine in 'Peppermint'

SNAPSHOT KATHNIEL at GAOC sponsored The Hows of Us screening. One of Asia’s best dental clinics, the Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), led by its President and CEO Dr. Steve Mark Gan, recently hosted clients, partners, and friends to an exclusive screening of the hit romantic drama The Hows of Us. The special film showing was in support of box-office queen Kathryn Bernardo, the newest addition to the GAOC family. Bernardo is shown with Dr. Gan (left) and Daniel Padilla.

INTERNATIONAL

RIHANNA

In 'Peppermint,' Jennifer Garner stars as Riley North who avenges her family’s demise and raking up quite the body count in the process.

DO NOT underestimate a woman who has been denied justice for her family’s murder. That’s practically the main premise of Peppermint, an action thriller starring Jennifer Garner. The film tells the story of Riley North (Garner) who awakens from coma only to find out that her husband and 10-year-old daughter had perished from a perceived drive-by shooting at a carnival. With a vivid recollection of the incident, she works with the police to positively identify the shooters. But corrupt judges and dirty cops controlled by a powerful drug cartel conspire to discredit her eyewitness testimony and all charges are dropped. Channeling her anger into personal motivation, Riley spends years in hiding honing mind, body and spirit to become a vigilante that both authorities and criminals are having a hard time to pin down. Because justice for her family has been bought, Riley is out to take the lives of her enemies at all costs. Pierre Morel, the acclaimed director of Taken and The Gunman, shares why he readily said yes to directing this movie. “Trying to figure out how a regular human being reacts when hit with such a dramatic and brutal situation was compelling to me,” he says. “In a way it is a continuation of Taken, but with a female protagonist. I think it’s about time.” Jennifer Garner, who made her mark as an action heroine in the widely popular TV series Alias, and action-heavy feature films such as Elektra and The Kingdom, was eager to play the role. “I hadn’t filmed a fight sequence for over eleven years, which is a long time to hang up your action chops and try to pull it back together, but I knew I could do it,” she says. Garner spent several hours a day working with various trainers and methods that included weight training, Krav Maga, boxing and a style of dancebased training and choreography. “I grew up a dancer and I think that is why action makes sense to me, it’s all choreography and using a dancebased method lent itself well to the fight sequences,” she explains. She also spent time with members of the Navy SEALs to improve her tactical and weapon fluency. Meanwhile, the filmmakers knew that audiences were clamoring for Garner’s return to the genre. “This role feels like it came at the exact right moment in her life, she truly is that kind and committed Mom who lives for her family and has a deep connection to the emotion of the story. That connection helps us believe that after such terrible loss someone could snap and come back as somebody else and basically take out everybody involved,” says Morel. “I don’t know if this version of justice fills the hollowness in Riley’s soul,” admits Garner. “At our very first meeting, Pierre and I discussed whether or not revenge is ever appropriate and questioned if what Riley is doing is ok,” she adds. “It’s an interesting and complicated subject to explore within the fictional narrative of an action film. F r o m VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment, Peppermint opens in cinemas tomorrow, Sept. 26.

tapped to promote Barbados investment, tourism GLOBAL pop star Rihanna is now Ambassador Rihanna, after her home country tasked her with promoting investment and tourism. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said that Rihanna— real name Robyn Rihanna Fenty—has been conferred the title of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. While the singer will not be formally accredited to another country, Mottley said that Rihanna—whose more colorful songs include “Bitch Better Have My Money”—would be in charge of bringing investment as well as encouraging education and tourism. “I couldn’t be more proud to take on such a prestigious title in my home country. Every Barbadian is going to have to play their role in this current effort, and I’m ready and excited to take on the responsibility,” Rihanna said in a statement dated Thursday. Rihanna, 30, grew up in a troubled home in Barbados and was propelled to fame after visiting US producer Evan Rogers recognized her talents. The singer, who since achieving stardom has lived primarily in Los Angeles and New York, has scored 14 number-one singles on the US Billboard chart, more than any artist except The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Mariah Carey. AFP

International pop star Rihanna has been named ambassador by Barbados authorities to promote investment and tourism in her native country.

A real-life prince VERY WANG

NICKIE WANG

LJUN Cayawan, or Datu Agong to the Manobo Agusanon tribe, is a reallife prince. He has come to Manila, not in search for a bride, but to try showbiz out, promote his tribe's culture while being a noble representative of his community.

Aljun with actress Myrtle Sarrosa (left) and Megasoft VP for sales and marketing Aileen Choi-Go

Aljun’s parents separated when he was just 2 months old and left him under the care of his grandmother, Bae Agong, the leader of their tribe. Due to poverty, most children of the Manobo tribe in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur struggled to have an education. Aljun vividly remembers his childhood. “I crossed two rivers to go to school. I joined singing contests and went home carrying a trophy on one hand and a bag of rice on the other. I used my cash prize to buy food for me and my lola,” he recounted. Refusing to accept his situation, Aljun strived to be a scholar throughout his school years. In grade school, he was an academic scholar and a singer representing Sibagat Central Elementary School in regional competitions. In Sibagat National High School, he was an athletic scholar, as a swimmer and also worked as

a student assistant. In college, he literally sang his way to a scholarship when he belted out “You Raise Me Up” in front of the owners of Agusan Business Foundation, who granted him a vocational course in Computer Secretarial. He further pursued Business Administration in Arellano University again as a swimmer, and president of the school chorale. A seemingly tireless young man, he is also a member of Coro Obcento, the grand champion of MBC National Choral Competition. He is also part of Earth Savers, United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁc, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Artists for Peace. “You see, I’m not a prince of wealth but a prince of responsibility,” he told members of the entertainment when he was launched as the newest brand ambassador of Megasoft Hygienic Products Inc., “I was given the title by my lola to

serve the tribe.” As their prince, Aljun wanted to be an instrument to develop awareness about their tribe. He said because of technology, the internet, this task becomes much easier to accomplish. But of course, his effort doesn’t stop there. “I still remember as a child when people would say that I am just a Manobo and would not reach anything in life. That day, I cried but told myself that someday I will make something out of my life because I am a Manobo,” he shared. Continued on C3