Manila Standard - 2019 January 30 - Wednesday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

UN condemns Jolo bomb attacks THE United Nations Security Council condemned the bomb attack on a Catholic Church in Jolo, Sulu Sunday, calling it a “heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.”

The members of the Security Council also reaffirmed that “terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to internation-

al peace and security.”

The Security Council said “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” and said that all states must combat threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 349 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Destroy ASG, Ajang-Ajang’ Take no prisoners, Du30 orders AFP in wake of blasts

By Nat Mariano and Francisco Tuyay

A

CELL group within the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group is now the target of authorities looking for those responsible for the twin explosions that claimed 21 lives and wounded 100 others in Jolo, Sulu.

CCTV grab shows three suspects including alias ‘Kamah’, the one holding the mobile phone that served as a triggering device of the bombs that damaged a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu on Sunday. WestMinCom

Cotabato police car attacked; cop killed, 8 others wounded

By Francisco Tuyay TWO New People’s Army rebels and a policeman were killed while several others were wounded in a roadside blast and skirmishes in Cotabato and Samar Tuesday.

In Cotabato, a police patrol along the stretch between Barangay Dolores and Barangay Poblacion in the town of Mag-

pet hit a roadside bomb at 9:20 a.m., said Sr. Supt. Maximo Cawas Layugan, director of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

Layugan said the explosion wounded all policemen on board and killed one of them.

The blast was followed by a burst of gunfire from the NPA rebels, prompting the police to return fire.

Layugan identified the slain policeman as P01 Christopher Anadon while the injured were P01 Stephenson Batoon Parreno; SP01 Michael Mariano Escano; P02 Marinerl Pastores; P01 Eliezer Langcuban; P01 Darrell Ferolino; P01 Phil Jan Ray Canarejo; P01 Franz Deo Lechago and P01 Mark Vincent Capilitan.

In Samar, a firefight between troops

of the 63rd Infantry Battalion and 10 communist rebels broke out in Barangay Carolina, Matuguianao, leaving two NPA rebels dead at about 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Maj. Abel Potutan, Public Information Officer of the military’s Central Command, said the clash erupted after soldiers responded to information of NPA extortion activities in the village.

Next page

Authorities said the so-called AjangAjang faction of the Abu Sayyaf is a small band of several dozen that most likely carried out the bombing, the worst in years, in an act of revenge.

“Last year their [Ajang-Ajang] leader was killed. There have been persistent reports that they will retaliate,” regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Gerry Besana said.

“We saw them in the CCTV. It was the brother of the leader who was killed,” he said referring to footage from outside the cathedral. “He was seen with two other members of Ajang-Ajang.”

Security forces say the group is composed of relatives of Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group members who have been killed in clashes with the government.

This developed as President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday he would take no prisoners in the all-out war he declared against the ASG and the communist New People’s Army.

Duterte ordered the country’s armed forces to destroy the Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired militant group following Sunday’s bomb attack on a Catholic church in Jolo.

The President is also convinced the attack was carried out by suicide bombers—a couple at that, citing warnings Next page

Most Pinoys want ‘criminal age’ at 15, survey says

Lacson details ‘insertions’, rules out horse trading

By Nat Mariano

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

MOST Filipinos want to retain the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old, the latest Social Weather Stations’ survey showed Tuesday.

SWS president Mahar Mangahas noted that respondents were asked their opinion on jailing children depending on specific crimes, including committing rape, murder, acting as drug couriers, snatching cellphones, and stealing food.

In its survey, the SWS said 63 percent of respondents agreed that minors should be jailed for rape, while 22 percent disagreed and 3 percent were undecided.

Fifty-nine percent of the respondents also said minors should be put in jail for committing murder, with 24 percent opposing the idea and 4 percent expressing ambivalence on the matter.

Meanwhile, 49 percent agreed that minors who are involved in illegal drugs trade or act as drug couriers should be jailed, while 35 percent opposed the idea and 4 percent were undecided.

On the other hand, a majority of the respondents at 62 percent disagreed that minors should be jailed for snatching a cell phone, 28 percent disagreed, and 6 percent were undecided.

The opposition to jailing minors for stealing food was high at 84 percent.

Only 8 percent approved of the idea and 6 percent were ambivalent.

The survey, which was commissioned by the European Union and the Spanish government, was presented to the Commission on Human Rights.

Next page

CITING the need for transparency, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday made public the details of the institutional amendments he proposed in the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019.

He expressed hope the other proponents of amendments to the budget would do the same to remove speculation that the bicameral conference committee was a venue for “horse trading” and compromises among legislators.

“In the spirit of transparency, I instructed my staff to make public all my amendments in the 2019 national budget,” Lacson said.

“I hope all proponents will do the same to remove all suspicions that the bicameral conference is a venue for sneaky horse trading among legislators.”

Lacson made his statement even as Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, said Congress may not be able to pass the proposed budget

BREATHING MANILA BAY. Men and women, young and old have started flocking back to the shoreline of Manila Bay, with its rehabilitation—the “#Battle for Manila Bay”—showing pulsating signs of recovery of this once upon an era gateway for socioeconomic development even prior to nearly four centuries of Spanish occupation from 1521. Photo courtesy of Kiko Ribleza

House tells Diokno to show cause for snub of budget hearing

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has moved to issue a show-cause order against Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno for his continuing refusal to attend the congressional investigations into the

alleged irregularities in the preparation of the proposed national budget for 2019.

At a hearing conducted by the House committee on appropriations, Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. said in his opening statement that “it is lamentable that [Diokno] continues to de-

prive us of the opportunity to question him directly on several issues hounding the DBM. “We have provided him the proper forum to clear his name of any wrongdoing.

For the nth time, he refused to honor the invitation of this committee.” Next page

No joy in eating fried chicken—study

French Spider-Man scales Makati tower

FRIED foods are not usually the best choice when it comes to healthy eating, but just how bad could they be?

A new study published in the medical journal BMJ aimed to answer that

THE Makati City police placed under its custody sport climber Alain Robert after the Frenchman scaled a 181-meter tall building in the city’s Central Business District on Tuesday morning.

Next page

Next page

Next page

A2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace: Rody won't stop word war with bishops NO ONE can stop President Rodrigo Duterte from spewing brash rhetoric and threats against the Catholic Church, his spokesperson said on Tuesday, adding Malacañang will let the exchange of scathing remarks between the President and the Church continue until the end of his term.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the remark after the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a pastoral letter to finally break its silence on tirades heaped against the church.

In its letter, CBCP president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said the bishops “silently noted the cruel words that pierced the Church like sharp daggers.”

Though they did not single out Duterte, the CBCP seemingly alluded to the verbal assaults of the President, who has repeatedly questioned Catholic doctrines and the Church’s teachings, calling God “stupid” and questioning the people’s belief in Jesus Christ.

For Panelo, who is also the President’s chief legal counsel, nobody could stop Duterte from speaking his mind, explaining that the Chief Executive’s apparent verbal attacks are part of his freedom of expression.

“Nobody can stop him from saying his mind on certain matters that he feels are wrong,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

He said the Church does not need to list itself among Duterte’s long record of vocal critics, which includes the opposition and human rights groups. Nat Mariano

2 airstrikes unleashed on Sulu towns THE military unleashed two airstrikes in Sulu on Tuesday after President Rodrigo Duterte declared an all-out war against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group.

According to a GMA News TV report, the military launched airstrikes on Patikul and Indanan towns after ASG members were sighted there.

Ground troops also fired heavy artillery into enemy territory, said Brig. Gen. Divino Rey Pabayo, commander of Joint Task Force Sulu.

“We are utilizing all the military, our every might, in chasing after the Abu Sayyaf. Our intensity [in attacking them] is the same as before,” Pabayo said.

In a related development, the twin bombings in Jolo, Sulu perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf members last Sunday is enough proof that Mindanao remains under terrorist threat, which justifies the extension of martial law in the southern Philippines, the chief state lawyer said on Tuesday.

During the oral arguments at the Supreme Court on petition assailing the constitutionality of the third extension of martial law declaration, Solicitor General Jose Calida said the bombings only strengthened the factual basis for the extension of Proclamation No. 216 for another year of until December 2019 as unconstitutional. Rey E. Requejo

House...

From A1

Meanwhile, the Palace said it will have no hand in the decision of the House appropriations committee ordering Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to explain his absence in the proposed 2019 national budget hearings.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Diokno would have to decide for himself whether to heed the show-cause order issued by the House appropriations committee or not.

“For now, we will let him decide for himself. I will leave it to Secretary Diokno [about] his stand. If he feels that he needs the official intervention of the President, then he will raise that in the Cabinet,” Panelo told reporters.

“That’s the job of the Congress, unless there is an abuse of the exercise that is given to them by the Constitution, we will not oppose.”

Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso, a former Court of Appeals justice, filed the motion to issue the show-cause order against Diokno that was carried by the committee.

“We need to issue a show-cause order for him to explain why he should not be cited for contempt. We are not satisfied by the statement made by the Presidential spokesperson [Panelo] that the President [Rodrigo Duterte] does not want him [Diokno] to attend here,” Andaya said.

Veloso said he had not heard Duterte expressing his opposition to Diokno’s appearance at the congressional inquiry, specifically over the alleged P75-billion insertions in the 2019 national budget, among other things.

Diokno earlier denied all the allegations made by Andaya. With Nat Mariano

News

Rody changes tack, slams door to peace gab revival P

By Nat Mariano

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday again shut the doors on the possible resumption of the peace talks with the communist rebels after saying early this month he could not afford to lose all channels of communication with them.

In his speech during his visit to the site of the bomb explosions that killed 21 people in Jolo, Sulu, Duterte said the rebels’ continuing attacks on the armed forces negated the very purpose of resuming the peace negotiations.

“It’s the same with the New People’s Army. I will not talk to you anymore.

There’s nothing we can do. You try to be straight, follow, there’s a story. You practically begged... We’ll just make a story...

We won’t,” Duterte told soldiers in Jolo on

Tuesday afternoon.

“And then in return, you will give me this. Coffins, dismembered legs. Son of a b***h. Not me... Doesn’t matter if I land in jail after this. It’s all mine, all mine.”

Two weeks ago, the former head of the Philippine Coconut Authority Avelino Andal claimed that Duterte ordered him to conduct backchannel talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

After Andal made headlines for his revelation, the Palace refuted his claim, saying

he was not authorized to represent the government in the negotiating table.

In December last year, Duterte signed Executive Order 70 directing the creation of a national task force to ensure an efficient and effective strategy to address the decades-old communist insurgency in the country.

The peace talks between the government and the communist rebels bogged down in November 2017 after Duterte walked away from the negotiating table, repeatedly blaming the rebels for violating the ceasefire agreements.

Since then, the armed forces have pursued offensives against the communist rebels across the country.

Duterte had previously imposed conditions before the revival of the peace talks, but CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison shrugged off the government’s push for localized peace talks, calling it a “cheap trick” that had failed many times.

UN...

From A1

The Chinese, Russian, and French governments renewed their commitment to support and step up engagement with the Philippines in fighting violent extremism and terrorism following the deadly blasts in Jolo.

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said Beijing condemns the violent attacks in Sulu province and condoles with the bereaved families of those killed.

“China opposes all forms of terrorism and stands ready to work with the international community including the Philippines to jointly combat threats and challenges posed by terrorism and safeguard international and regional peace and stability,” he said in a press conference in Beijing Monday night.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a telegram sent to President Rodrigo R. Duterte, stated Russia’s “readiness to further step up interaction” with Philippine partners in combating terrorist threat in all its forms and manifestations.

“A crime committed against civilians who had congregated for church services is shocking in its cynicism and cruelty. I expect that the masterminds and perpetrators of this crime will sustain the punishment they deserve,” he said.

“People in Russia share the grief of the victims’ friends and families and hope for a prompt recovery of the injured,” he added.

In a statement Tuesday, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it is one with the Philippines in its fight against terrorism. Vito Barcelo, Joel E. Zurbano with PNA

Cotabato...

From A1

ARROYO MISSION. Former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (center) leads six Mindanao congressmen and congresswomen in an investment mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to look for business opportunities for Mindanao. With Arroyo are Reps. Macmod D. Mending Jr., Mauyag B. Papandayan Jr., Ruby M. Sahali, Bai Sandra A. Sema, Amihilda J. Sangcopan and Shernee A. Tan.

‘Destroy ASG,...

From A1

from Indonesian intelligence. The wife entered the cathedral to activate the first bomb, then the husband triggered the second bomb outside the church, Duterte said.

“I have no doubt. That is what the military told me, that is what the police relayed to me, and I am guided by what the government workers would tell me,” he added at the sidelines of a groundbreaking ceremony of a new government hospital in Malabon City on Tuesday.

“I order you to destroy the organization. I’m ordering you now: batter the Abu Sayyaf by whatever means,” he earlier told the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a visit to the blast site Monday afternoon.

Abu Sayyaf, which is based on Jolo island, has been blamed for the Philippines’ deadliest attack, a 2004 ferry bombing in Manila Bay that claimed 116 lives.

“There are high-level law enforcement operations against them [AjangAjang],” said Rommel Banlaoi, chair of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research. “It evolved into a revenge group.”

But while Abu Sayyaf have sworn allegiance to Islamic State, that is not necessarily true for the motley members of Ajang-Ajang.

“Not all members of Ajang-Ajang group are pro-ISIS, but all of them are Abu Sayyaf group,” said Banlaoi using another acronym for IS. “It’s not IS-affiliated.”

Duterte said he was ready to house and feed civilians who should leave the area as he ordered the military “to pulverize the terrorists’ territory.”

“Our duty is to protect the Filipino people. And second is that we have to preserve the nation. If we lost Jolo, even just a small island there, well, we have failed in our mission to preserve the territory of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

“I don’t like that ‘surrender-surrender.’

It’ll just be my obligation to feed you then you will go back [to your group],” he said.

“I’m telling this to the enemies of the state, f*ck you!”

“Don’t ever think that you’re the only one who can do evil things. If you can do it, I can do it, too,” he said, directly addressing the terrorists.

He said if they wanted bloodshed, that was what the government would give them.

The President differentiated the ASG from groups such as the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, saying the ASG was a “move-

French...

From A1

Robert, internationally known as the “French Spider-Man,” went up the GT International Tower along Ayala Avenue around 11 a.m. and scaled the walls for more than an hour without using safety devices.

Makati City police commander Rogelio Simon said Robert was brought to their station command post for “causing nuisance and for threatening the safety of people in the area.”

As of press time, the police were prepar-

ment of evil men” without an ideology.

“We have rebels like Nur Misuari and Murad, but their revolution is purely territorial... Nur is okay, Murad is okay,” he said, referring to the leaders of the MNLF and MILF. The problem, he said, stemmed from groups like the Abu Sayyaf that “only follow ISIS.” “I’ve been saying before that ISIS will become our problem,” he said, describing the terrorist group as a “global insurgency.”

On Monday, the military said they are convinced that the ISIS-inspired ASG was behind the bomb attack.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the attack was an act of terrorism aimed at bringing back a religious war.

On Sunday, a bomb ripped through the

WHO ARE THE ‘AJANG-AJANG’?

• A cell within the terrorist organization Abu Sayyaf • Composed of relatives of Abu Sayyaf kidnap-for-ransom group members who have been killed in clashes with the government • Active within the southern Philippines • Specializes in attacks using two bombers • Trained in terrorist cells abroad • Evolved into a ‘revenge group’ • Not all members of group are pro-ISIS

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral as Mass was being celebrated, while the second bomb detonated at the parking lot in front of the church as security forces responded, causing more deaths and injuries.

The death toll climbed to 21 after a high school student who was taken to Zamboanga for treatment died from his wounds Tuesday.

The ISIS claim, in a formal communique, said two suicide bombers had detonated explosive belts, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist activities.

But a military report said a second bomb that went off at the cathedral was left in the utility box of a motorcycle in the parking area outside and detonated remotely through a cell phone.

Security forces have sealed off the island of Jolo in an attempt to intercept the bombers.

“They are still in Jolo and we are tracking them now,” said Besana.

The authorities believe six people were behind Sunday’s attack, including a certain Kamah, a bomb maker and brother of a slain bandit leader.

ing a case against Robert, who was initially brought to the hospital for medication.

Authorities said Robert,56, may be charged with trespassing or public disturbance.

Robert is known for scaling skyscrapers without using climbing equipment, except for a small bag of chalk and a pair of climbing shoes.

He set the record in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011 for the fastest time to climb the 828-meter Burj Khalifa tower―the tallest building in the world―in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Joel E. Zurbano

Checkpoints were set up allong potential escape routes while navy vessels patrolled the coastline of Jolo and Zamboanga.

Police and military officials identified the civilian fatalities in Sunday’s bomb attack as Leo Herbolario; Bibing Perpetua; Reynaldo Pescadera Sr., Ridzmar Mukadil; Romolo Reyes; Albacora Perpetua; Niseria dela Cruz; Cecilia Sanchez; Daisy P. Delos Reyes; Dolores Tan; Fe Non; Juliet Jaime; Leah Angelica Reyes and Chenly Rubio.

Also killed in the blast were Army Sgt. Mark Des Simbre; Corporals John Mangawait Jr. and Minard Jann Ocier; PFC Alizon Ayoman; Private Hernan Bulaybulay; and Coastguard SN2 Jaypee Galicha.

Col. Noel Detoyato, spokesman for the AFP, said a wounded victim inside the church saw a woman leave a bag on the fifth pew from the back. She left quickly seconds before the explosion, the witness said.

Detoyato also disputed the ISIS claim that it was a suicide attack.

“That is the method of deployment of IED, it was remotely detonated so that would dispel the reports that it was a suicide bombing,” Detoyato said.

Lorenzana admitted Tuesday there were security lapses that allowed the terrorists to sneak the bombs into the church, which was guarded by soldiers.

He said that while they were briefed to search everyone who entered the church, there could have been “a lapse in procedure.”

He also said there were bomb threats against churches in Jolo as early as August 2018, and that the cathedral was guarded by soldiers 24 hours a day.

Concern was growing Monday over the impact the bomb attack would have on a decades-long push for peace that culminated last week in voters approving expanded Muslim self-rule in the south.

The vote was the result of negotiations started in the 1990s with the nation’s largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, and will give it considerable power over the so-called Bangsamoro region.

“This is a big challenge for the Bangsamoro government,” said Banlaoi.

The former rebels need to show they will be able to pull the region toward peace in order to attract much-needed investment to alleviate poverty and counter extremism, he said.

“MILF needs to prove it can make a difference... the gravity of the problem faced

by MILF is wow, so overwhelming,” he added.

The church attack came despite the imposition of martial law in Mindanao after pro-ISIS militants seized the southern city of Marawi in May 2017. With AFP, PNA

No joy...

From A1

question, and it comes with some serious warnings about specific fried foods.

Researchers from the University of Iowa followed over 100,000 individuals―all postmenopausal women―from as early as 1993 through early 2017.The researchers surveyed the women who answered questions about their diets and the scientists kept tabs on their mortality rates.

What they found was that fried chicken and fish were the foods most closely linked

“Troops were able to catch up with these terrorist, and were able to push them out of the community leaving two of their dead comrades behind with one M16 rifle, one KG9 and one shotgun,” Lt. Col. Rizaldo Laurena, commander of the 63rd Infantry Battalion.

In Rizal, meanwhile, three rebels surrendered to the military and handed over an M1 carbine and a caliber .22 rifle.

Most Pinoys...

From A1

Conducted in Metro Manila in July and in the regions in Deccember 2018, the survey was taken before the developments on the proposed bill lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility in Congress.

CHR Commissioners Gwen Pimentel Gana and Karen Gomez Dumpit said the latest figures support their strong opposition to the lowering of the minimum age of criminality currently pegged at 15 years old.

“We have faith in our legislators in the sense that they should listen to the voice of the people,” Gana said.

“This is about second chances and we owe our children the best that we can give,” Dumpit shared.

The Palace on Tuesday said the proposed law is directed against criminal syndicates and neglectful parents and was protective of children in conflict with the law.

“That’s precisely why there has to be rehabilitation and a committee that will oversee and take care of them. They will not be put in prison,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.

The Palace official then called on those who oppose measures to lower the MACR to understand the purpose of the current law and read the provisions of the proposed bill before criticizing it.

Lacson...

From A1

this year before it adjourns on Feb. 6 after senators and congressmen had a hard time agreeing on the supposed insertions in the money measure.

Andaya said he would not want to betray the House leadership by having the budget bill approved without having scrutinized it thoroughly.

“The approval of the budget bill is being rushed so as to include the anomalies that were discovered in the 2018 [national] budget,” Andaya told lawmakers during the resumption of his panel’s probe on the P75-billion budget insertions and alleged anomalous budget practices involving Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno.

“I know where the places are. If I will be forced to do it, dared to do it…I will bring this House down. If they will pass the budget without thinking, I will bring everybody down. You know it; I know it.”

With Maricel V. Cruz to early death.

Overall, individuals who ate any fried food at least once per week had an 8 percent higher chance of death than those who did not.

People who regularly enjoyed fried chicken saw a 12 percent increase in probability of death due to cardiovascular issues, and those who ate fried fish had a 13 percent better chance of dying due to heart ailments.

The researchers compared the mortality rates of individuals who typically consumed the fried foods at least once per week with those who had no regular consumption of them at all.

News Health groups ask senators to back call for sin tax hike

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DOCTORS representing 30 medical societies nationwide, health workers and pro-sin tax hike on cigarettes yesterday appealed to the senators to support their call to raise the sin tax in cigarettes to bankroll the implementation of the Universal Health Care and reduce cases of smoking-related diseases.

Before attending the Senate ways and means committee hearing on proposed measures to increase tobacco taxes, they staged a rally infront of the Senate building after the so-called “White March to the Senate” which started at the World Trade Center on corner Roxas Boulevard and Buendia.

Leaders of the medical societies took turns in airing their hardline stance on the need to raise tobacco taxes to fund the UHC which seeks to enroll all Filipinos under a state-backed health insurance program both as paying and non-paying members.

The UHC also intends to expand the government’s free health insurance program to millions of poor Filipinos, has been sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.

While Committee chairman Senator Sonny Angara acknowledges the need to raise tobacco taxes for the UHC implementation, he, however, failed to give a commitment if it will be approved before the 17 Congress adjourns.

He said the increase would be pegged between the House watered-down version of P37.50 and P90 per pack cigarette as proposed by Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of the Senate health committee.

He added that they still need to get some documents from the DOH to determine how this agency will spend the funds from the increase cigarette tax.

“Mas mabuti na binubusisi nitong mabuti dahil ayaw nito matulad ang nangyari noon na hindi nalustay ng DOH ang buong P8 bilyon pondo para sa barangay health centers,” he said.

PhilHealth Independent Director Dr. Anthony Leachon said the Senate only has barely three session days before it adjourns to give way to the election period.

“We appeal to Senator Sonny Angara to have the Pacquiao bill, which has been certified urgent by Presidebt Duterte himself, passed at the soonest— to make sure that it will get through the amendments and plenary approval before the senate adjourns. Failure to do so will make the bill dead in the water. It spells trouble for health and for financing the Universal Health Care, a landmark legislation of this administration,” said Leachon.

House majority okays medical marijuana bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

V

OTING 163-5-3, the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading the bill legalizing the use of medical marijuana.

The House, in plenary session presided by deputy speaker and Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano, gave its nod to House Bill 6517 or “An Act Providing Compassionate and Right of Access to Medical Cannabis, Expanding Research to its Medicinal Properties and Other Purposes” authored by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III. Albano said he believes the Senate headed by Senator Vicente Sotto III will have a change of heart and will support the bill.

He said the historic passage of the

proposed legalization of cannabis for medical use was because legislators have began to realize the medicinal and beneficial use of cannabis by patients suffering from pain and other debilitating medical conditions.

“We hope that proposal to legalize the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes will soon get enacted. We advocate the use of medical marijuana not to put to risk the lives and well-being of the Filipino people; but to help patients who are terminally ill or afflicted with debilitating medical conditions and suffer from unimaginable pain,”

Employ 1-m workers for Manila Bay rehab—lawmaker

Albano said.

In the 16th Congress, the bill did not prosper as it did not even reach the approval at the committee level.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier rallied behind the passage of the legalization of cannabis for medical use even as he vowed to sign the measure as soon as it is transmitted to his office.

Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, one of the principal authors of the Medical Cannabis Act, earlier revealed she herself had tried using cannabis patches to alleviate the pain caused by her neck problem.

Arroyo is suffering from cervical spondylosis of age-related wear and tear of the spinal discs in the neck.

In 2017, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act allows medical laboratories to cultivate marijuana for “medical experiences and research purposes.”

A LEGISLATOR on Tuesday proposed the hiring of workers to plant trees and clean the beaches, rivers and and lakes that flow to Manila Bay. Party-list Rep. Neil Abayon of AANGAT TAYO recommended to the Duterte administration the rollout of a government-led massive jobs program that would hire millions of unemployed millennials and adult Filipinos to clean up Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, beaches, rivers, esteros and other waterways as well as plant trees to alleviate air pollution in Metro Manila.

Abayon, a deputy majority leader, made the suggestion as he commended the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Metro Manila Development Authority for their latest Manila Bay clean-up operations.

“The cleanup must be sustained and sustainable. This jobs-and-environment program can achieve this goal,” he said.

Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data released in December, Abayon said the official national unemployment figure is 2.3 million while the underemployed are 6.7 million. Maricel V. Cruz

Two economic bills await Du30 signature THE tax amnesty bill and amendments to the Central Bank Act that were ratified by the Senate last December have already been transmitted to the office of President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature.

Enrolled copies of the two bills, one providing reprieve to taxpayers who have outstanding tax obligations in estate and general taxes for taxable year 2017 and prior years was sent to Malacañang last Jan. 17, while the other, the New Central Bank Act which will strengthen the regulatory powers and increase the capitalization of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas from P50 billion to P200 billion, was transmitted last Jan. 15.

Under the Tax Amnesty Act of 2018, taxpayers can avail of a reprieve from all estate taxes on covered taxable years and pay a rate of 6 percent based on the total net estate.

Those who will avail of the amnesty program will be immune from payment of all taxes and the filing of civil, criminal and administrative cases and other penalties.

The measure is seen to encourage those in the formal and non-formal sector to legitimize, properly declare and pay the correct taxes without fear of civil, criminal or administrative penalties, the senator said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

TOBACCO TAX RALLIES. To-

bacco farmers from the north rally in front of the Senate in Pasay City on Tuesday, Jan. 29, to oppose another excise tax being tackled by the Senate ways and means committee even as doctors and health advocates stage a ‘pabitin’ during a rally just outside the Senate building to urge lawmakers to pass the tobacco excise tax bill.

Ey Acasio

PH, Japan mull joint exercises to boost ties, enhance stability MILITARY authorities said on Tuesday that Manila and Tokyo are planning to conduct a joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defense ties and enhance regional stability.

A Japanese destroyed had actually docked in Manila even before the planned exercise.

Enemies during World War II, Japan and the Philippine aim to take their bilateral relationship “to the next level,” according to Capt. Mardonio Navarro of the Philippine Navy.

A joint military exercise will improve ties and “contribute to the regional stability,” added Capt. Ryoko Azuma, commander of the Japanese Escort Division One. Azuma is in the country to lead the contingent that brought Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi to Manila on a three-day goodwill visit, which includes a coordination meeting with the Philippine military.

Both the Philippines and Japan are locked in maritime disputes with China.

Both Beijing and Tokyo claim ownership of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.

China, meanwhile, also claims as its own most of the South China and has built bases on reefs and shoals it reclaimed despite partial claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

A UN-backed tribunal, acting on a Philippine plea, invalidated Beijing’s sweeping claims over the strategic waterway that boasts of a rich fishing grounds, as well as oil and gas deposits. With PNA

A3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

JV urges companies to hire retired employees

INC’s Lingap for OFWs expands to 5 Asian countries LINGAP sa Mamamayan, the Iglesia Ni Cristo’s trailblazing local and international outreach and aid program, added to its ever-growing list of target locations after conducting successful activities in Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and Macau, with another one just recently concluded in Hong Kong.

Outreach and assistance initiatives were carried out in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 28, 2018, two locations in Taipei and Kaohsiung last Nov. 18 and 25, 2018, respectively, one in Bangkok last Jan. 13, 2019, one in Macau last Jan. 20, and one in Hong Kong on Jan. 27.

“For the most recent Lingap activities abroad, we made a conscious effort to reach out to our OFWs. Our kababayans are scattered all over our neighboring countries in Southeast and Northeast Asia, but seldom do they get together as one big Filipino community. That’s what we did and accomplished with our Aid to OFW events. We opened up opportunities for us to meet and help each other,” INC General Auditor Glicerio B. Santos Jr. said.

Santos added that the Lingap efforts in Asia were fueled by INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo’s continuing desire to offer tangible, effective and

needed assistance to Filipinos abroad who toil hard for their families back home.

The INC General Auditor for his part noted that in realizing Manalo’s goals for foreign-based Filipinos, they specifically chose spacious venues that could accommodate as many OFWs as possible.

The Taiwan legs were held at Taipei’s Hua Nan Bank International Convention Center and Kaohsiung International Trade and Exhibition Center. Sheraton hotels housed the Lingap efforts in Macau and Thailand. The Kuala Lumpur event was at the Malaysian capital’s Majestic Hotel.

Misamis governor cleared of malversation charges THE Sandiganbayan has cleared former Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos of malversation filed by an ally of his political opponent in connection with a marine park controversy.

“Obviously, it was a politically motivated case and I’m thankful to the court decision to declare me not guilty of the charge,” Ocampos said.

Wherefore, premises considered, the Court finds and holds accused Ocampos and Akhavan not guilty of malversation under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code in Criminal Case No. SB-15-CRM-0088,” stated the 57-page court decision that was promulgated on Dec. 5, 2018.

The order was penned by Associate Justice Kevin Narce B. Vivero of the Sandiganbayan 6th Division and concurred by Chairperson Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez and Associate Justice Karl B. Miranda.

After several years of hiatus in politics and devoting all his time in organizing and educating farmers on organic farming in the province and nearby areas, Ocampos has decided to return to politics by filing his certificate of candidacy for the 2019 mid-term elections.

Ocampos was a three-term governor from 2001 to 2010.

The court said Ocampos’ malversation charges were dismissed due to lack of proof that public funds were misappropriated for private use.

The complaint against him and foreign investor Foad Akhavan over the Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park project was filed on March 15, 2011 by private complainant Oscar Visitacion, a known ally of then Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, a suspected narco-politician who was killed and some other members of the family and supporters in connection with the aggressive anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.

SENATOR JV Ejercito has urged private companies to hire retired workers who are still physically and mentally fit to work.

He said private firms should allot a certain percentage of their manpower requirement for retirees who are still looking for jobs.

“Retirees, who are mostly senior citizens, possess vast experience, technical know-how, and expertise in their respective fields. They acquired these through long years of working hard. If they are willing to work, with a healthy mind and body, they should be given employment because they are assets,” he said in a statement.

Ejercito’s call for the “rehiring” of retirees is part of his “zerounemployment” advocacy.

He said that although separated from work because they have reached the mandatory retirement age, retirees could still perform and contribute to the growth of the companies and industries that would employ them.

“Companies should give retirees the opportunity to put to use their wisdom, craftsmanship, and industry. Puwede silang i-hire on a part-time or project assignment basis. Ginagawa ito sa ibang bansa and employers are finding it cost effective,” Ejercito said.

Macon Ramos-Araneta REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointment of REY T. DELA CRUZ (AFP), to the rank of Commodore in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointment to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989.

29 January 2019.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-JAN. 30, 2019)

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Elusive peace in Mindanao AFTER the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law creating the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in place of the ARMM, President Rodrigo Duterte led many to believe that unity and peace, and then development, would finally come to Mindanao.

But there are doubts. Many issues still have to be addressed.

Foremost is the presence of ISinspired rebel groups, like the Abu Sayyaf which holds sway over Sulu and Basilan.

There remain many challenges.

And then, aside from the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, there are other groups like the Maute terrorists. And don’t forget the New People’s Army.

Those deadly blasts at a Jolo church were just an example of terrorist acts. Whether or not it was related to the BOL plebiscite should not bother Duterte, the military and the police. These terror groups have already made their presence known. What matters is where they might strike next. That’s now the job of military and police intelligence.

There are other factors that make unity, peace and development elusive as ever. Nur Misuari’s Moro National Liberation Front would not be part of the BARMM. To me, it’s a big mistake to exclude it.

History, culture and tradition among Muslims tell us that among the Maranaos (traders) in the Lanao provinces and the Maguindanaoans (farmers) in the Cotabato provinces, the Tausugs, of which Misuari and his MNLF belong, can never live with the Maranaos. To the Maranaos and the Maguindanaoans, the Tausugs are pirates.

Santa Banana, why do you think the MILF broke away from the MNLF? This kind of enmity cannot be just eradicated by a law like the BOL. This is why many are pessimistic about peace. *** President Duterte’s reported trust and satisfaction in ex-Customs Commissioner and now TESDA director general Isidro Lapeña can easily be explained. To the President, retired military officers are honest. They follow orders without question. This is why he has packed his Cabinet with retired generals.

At best, Lapeña is incompetent.

Remember the billions of pesos worth of shabu that got into the won ports under his watch? I now wonder what has happened to President Duterte’s promise that he would remove officials if they had so much as a whiff of corruption around them. Well, this is more than a whiff!

And yet, the President fired former Chief of Staff Dionisio Santiago, then chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, for criticizing the multi-million peso drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija. *** I must give it to Bong Go, the President’s favorite senatorial candidate, for appealing almost daily on newspapers.

Malacañang insiders tell me that Go has hired a big advertising agency. The agency has a big

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

I

A challenge for everyone

T IS facile to conclude that martial law has been a failure in Mindanao simply because of Sunday’s bomb attack on a Catholic church in Jolo, Sulu that killed 20 people and wounded scores of others.

There can be no doubt that there was a serious lapse in police and military intelligence in this case, as well as in the New Year’s Eve bomb attack at a Cotabato City mall. But to leap to the conclusion that martial law is a failure based on these two incidents seems illogical and premature. After all, can we say with any certainty that there wouldn’t have been more attacks without martial law?

On the other hand, the government’s statement that the bomb attacks show that martial law must remain in effect in Mindanao is simplistic and a little too convenient.

Somewhere between these two positions lies the truth, and we can only hope that the inevitable congressional investigations that will follow provide more answers than questions.

In the meantime, Sunday’s

bomb attack is a clear challenge to the police and the military.

It highlights the weaknesses in their security measures and the need to improve their capability to prevent similar attacks.

The measures taken immediately after the Jolo attack— increased checkpoints and heightened security in public places—will help to an extent, but they are extraordinary steps that clearly emphasize that things are far from normal. A more effective solution would be for security forces to quickly identify the bombers and neutralize them with the same mercy they showed the churchgoers who died in Jolo.

From a broader perspective, Sunday’s attack is a challenge to the administration, flush with the success of the “yes” vote in the recently concluded plebiscite to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic

Law in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The product of peace talks between the government and Moro rebels, the BOL sets the stage for the creation of a Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that would give Moros greater autonomy, which has been seen as the way to peace after decades of war in the south.

An attack on a Catholic church is obviously an attempt to fan religious hatred that has fueled the conflict in Mindanao—and can only be the work of those who oppose the BOL and the BARMM. These forces clearly must be stopped.

This, too, is a challenge to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which will have a key leadership role to play in the new BARMM. It is not enough for the MILF to deny any involvement in Sunday’s bomb attack, as it has done. Given its stake in the new order, it needs to bring its considerable influence and resources in the region to help remove the enemies of peace.

Turn to A5

A chance for change

BUHAY Party-List Representative Lito Atienza, a life and family advocate, denounced the recently passed House measure lowering the age of liability of children who commit crimes to 12 years old.

“This is depriving children in conflict with the law a chance to change,” said Atienza. Instead of being able to reform and rehabilitate themselves, these minors—most of whom have not reached the age of reason—are doomed to languish in jail with the lower age of liability, he said.

“Putting these kids with hardened criminals make these minors learn to commit more serious offenses,” warned Atienza. Often, these hardened criminals act like protectors of these detained minors and attract the gullible with money and more when they are released. The crime syndicates then use the young ones to do robbery and illegal drugs distribution.

Lowering children’s age liability from 15 to 12 would only make the criminal syndicates use younger kids to do their dirty work. They know that when these children are arrested, they would only be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These children are then turned over to halfway houses called Bahay Pag-asa.

There were some 5,000 minors arrested in 2018 and only 60 houses in Bahay Pag-asa when at least 150 of such are needed, said Atienza who fought the lower age measure all the way to plenary. Rep. Doy Leachon of

the House justice committee got his proposal approved nonetheless.

Why are children easy prey to a life of crime? Atienza says the children are not to blame. He noted the negligence of parents who because they are out working are not able to supervise their children’s formative stage. Out of school, the minors become street vagrants where criminals spot the advantage of their use as bag and cellphone snatchers initially and later as robbers breaking into houses to steal. Using the minors as drug runners and distributors is the worst, since young offenders do not even know what they’re carrying as couriers for the crime syndicate.

Do we want to be known as a country that imprisons children?

Atienza noted that public schools now do not have sports and cultural programs or playgrounds for students. Cities, he said, are selling public property to real estate developers.

He recalled that he developed the San Andres public playground in Malate that the late Mayor Antonio Villegas opened. Aside from being used as an active venue for sports, the San Andres covered court is also used for public viewing of Manny Pacquiao’s televised boxing matches.

“As long as children are born, there is hope for humanity,” Atienza quoted Mother Teresa, who is now a saint. Sadly, however, the Philippines will be known as a country Turn to A5

GDP growth and telco THERE are two major developments on the business and economic front: One, there is a new telco in town. Two, the economy is slowing down.

The new telco, Mislatel Consortium wants to disrupt the hugely profitable stranglehold of Smart/PLDT/Salim Group and Ayala/Globe/SingTel of the local cellular and telephony business which is worth $7 billion in annual revenues and $1 billion in annual profits even while rendering among the world’s slowest internet speeds and among the world’s highest telco rates.

Running a telco is challenging, given government red tape and corruption.

Less developed countries like Vietnam and Indonesia have four to six times (50,000 to 90,000) the number of cellular sites of Smart/Globe combined (15,000), while providing a better quality service at a much lower price.

Running a telco is very challenging, given government red tape and corruption. It

takes 26 permits and eight months to process a cell site. So 50,000 cell sites will require 1.3 million permits—from the government.

A new Anti-Red Tape Law is supposed to cut processing to seven days but the implementing rules and regulations to make the law effective by October 2018 have been delayed by—red tape.

Meanwhile, Philippine economic growth (as measured by the rise in the value of goods and services or GDP over a given slow period) has slowed to 6.1 percent, the slowest pace in three years or 13 quarters, even while inflation surged to an 11-year high and food, especially rice, was in serious shortage during 2018.

In last quarter of 2018, GDP growth was 6.1 percent—the lowest in 13 quarters.

When Duterte became president in July Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

Back to square one?

An artist portrays love and grief POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE MIXED-MEDIA artist and poet Joel Vega’s work is painstakingly made, thoughtfully presented, and suffused with such emotion that they can bring tears to the eyes of the lover and the bereaved.

This year the Netherlands-based Filipino artist shows the world the manifold dimensions of his art through two projects: his third solo art show at Artinformal Gallery in Makati, and the release of his book of poetry ‘Drift’, published by the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House.

At the start of his visual arts career about a decade ago, Vega took found objects such as doll’s heads and put them together with other materials to create towering assemblages reminiscent of sculpture that were almost monstrous and always provoking, whether of sentiment or emotion.

He later worked with fiber techniques such as embroidery on vintage 19th-century photographs printed on fabric.

Vega lost his mother Flora to lung cancer less than a week before the show opened, and his beloved partner Sjef Kerkhof in 2014. Bereavement, sorrow, longing, and love are the themes of his works, created as the artist worked through his own feelings. His artworks are deeply personal expressions of emotion and religiosity made tangible.

In ‘Devoted’, he “explores the rituals of grief and remembrance that border on fetishism and nostalgia” through works such as “Our Lady of the Miraculous Rosebleed,” a figure of polymer clay rosettes in

GDP...

From A4

2016, the economy was already growing by 7.1 percent per quarter, under a previous rule by a do-nothing president. In contrast, Duterte’s economic team is very dynamic and one of the best and most pro-poor ever assembled by any president.

Annual GDP growth for 2018 was only 6.2 percent, the lowest since the 6.1 percent of 2015. Economic growth was 6.9 percent in 2016 and 6.7 percent in 2017. In 2016, your income of P1,000 was growing already by P69 a year, including the effect of inflation.

In 2018, your P1,000 income was growing by only P62, despite the government spending P800 billion more in taxpayers’ money, from a budget of P3 trillion in 2016 to P3.8 trillion in 2018, and collecting P868 billion more in taxes.

Quite naturally, President Duterte’s economic managers are clearly worried and have issued a joint statement to assure the people that economic situation is, well, okay.

The full-year 2018 growth of 6.2 percent “is a firm finish that cements the Philippines’ standing as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. We are next to India, Vietnam, and China.

From Q1 to Q3 of 2018, we overtook Indonesia and Thailand in terms of economic performance,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, and Budget Secretary Ben Diokno.

Inflation rate—the rate of increase in prices—was 5.1 percent in 2018, far above the central bank’s 2-to-4-percent target and 59 percent above the 2017

A chance...

From A4

that imprisons children. He added that we should stop blaming children for going astray. Parents, schools and government share this responsibility for raising the young to become useful community members.

Shifting to another subject close to his heart, Atienza also said we should stop blaming restaurants and other business establishments along Roxas Boulevard for the tons of garbage in

blue and red on an antique wooden holy water panel, and “Deer Skull 1 (Conjoined),” a deer skull festooned with beads and dyed fabric.

The show’s centerpiece is “Devoted,” embroidery on photo transfers tucked into the compartments of a vintage accordion sewing box.

There are nine panels each bearing a lyric from The Bangles’ song “Eternal Flame.” Seeing it, one can’t help singing along—“and then come and

Vega’s artworks are deeply personal expressions of emotion and religiosity made tangible.

active moment. I feel a child again, much amused by the surprise inside the box.

‘Drift’ (2018) is a collection of Vega’s poems written through the years, many of which were published in various international and local magazines and platforms.

Of it, writer Krip Yuson says, “Here is a poetic voice that is undeniably mature, characterized by sophisticated articulation on a variety of thematic motifs.” Literature professor Danton Remoto says the collection is notable for its “architec “architectonic balance,” the “use of science,” and “the elegant diction and pitchperfect tone.”

Here Vega writes of the “errant body”, as “without a pause the surgeon’s hands / probe below the skin”; of “bones closest to the arm, scaphoid, lunate, triquetral…”; he writes of war and conflict, of place and distance of time, of reason and reasons, and, in “Amulet,” of the power of belief and superstition: “She sits under the red umbrella, fully awake in the heat and hour of siesta, balancing a wooden tray of invisible powers. / I take my pick: twins against hypocrisy or the Janus face of time, the eye in a pyramid for premonitions, / a copper-coin angel clad in loincloth, slaying winged dragons.”

Vega has won two Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature— for Poetry in 2010 and first prize for Essay in 2016. Judging by the quality of his work and the sincerity and purity of his expression, there will be more prizes to come.

Visit ‘Devoted’ at Artinformal, The Alley at Karrivin, Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati, until Feb. 9. Get “Drift” from the UST Bookstore.

ease the pain” - adding a layer of in interaction to the work, as the viewer recalls their own association to the song, and their own pains and heartaches.

In “Devoted” and “Perfectionism is Terrorism,” the photographs are of males in Victorian dress, some with an intimate arm around the other. The artist agrees that there is a nod to the queer in his work, a tacit expression of sexuality that provokes analysis and memory. His works also point to the notion of Christian discipleship and how religious feeling turns into fervor in times of loss and grief.

My favorite is “Cyphoids,” a clever creation of photos, a stuffed doll, paper, thread, and a vintage mints box, all mounted on a wooden church collection box. Open the mints box and inside you will find a tiny fish. “Bait,” Vega says. I move Art is the soul and conscience of a the lid up and down. It is an inter- nation. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

inflation of 3.2 percent and 2.8x (almost three times) the 1.8 percent inflation in 2016.

In 2018, the state National Food Authority (NFA) announced a rice shortage even before it happened. Also in 2018, TRAIN increased the tax on diesel—the poor man’s fuel—from zero to P2.50 per liter (P4.50 this January).

Then the peso depreciated by 12 percent from end-2016 and crude prices hit $80 per barrel.

Royally screwed is how economist Solita Monsod describes how inflation hurt the poor in 2018. She writes: “The average inflation rate faced by the poorest 30 percent of the people for the 11-month period (January to November) in 2018 was 7.1 percent.

Contrast that with what we (the nonpoor) experienced for the same period: 5.2 percent. What makes it all the more unfair to the poor is that, at the same time, the take-home pay of the nonpoor (except for the top 0.01 percent) was increased because of the TRAIN law income tax reforms. The poor had no such increase in take-home pay.

In effect, the nonpoor were given the wherewithal to more than cope with any price increases, while the poor were given nothing.”

Record-high prices and a severe food shortage is a formula for discontent.

When France’s Emmanuel Macron raised fuel prices unnecessarily last November it triggered a popular unrest not seen since the French revolution.

Once dubbed France’s JFK, Macron is fighting for his political life coping with a people’s revolt that has no leader, no organization, no end in sight, and no major agenda except his removal from office.

In Argentina, the world’s highest

inflation rate since the Bible was invented has divided the country into two presidents, one duly elected but not performing, and another self-proclaimed but propped up by foreign colonial powers that used to ravage the country like they were playing in a barren football field.

Davao tycoon Dennis Uy’s Mislatel Consortium promises to be the Philippines’ best telco in terms of quality of service, network reach, internet speed, and reasonable pricing.

While a late entrant into a mature business, Dennis has considerable influence—he is the best business friend of the strong-willed Rodrigo Duterte who hates monopolies and Big Business as a matter of attitude; he is tied up with state-owned China Telecom, China’s third biggest telco which does not seem to have the baggage of Huawei; and he wants to ride on the government’s power grid called National Grid which has a nationwide infrastructure.

“We don’t want to be just the third telco,” Dennis Uy assured the senators at the hearing on Jan. 24, 2019. “We want to be the best telco. A telco that is fast, affordable, and most importantly, secure.”

Before entering the telco business, Uy said, “I endured the most strict scrutiny no other businessman before me underwent. Many of my relatives and friends warned me against going into telecommunications. You have to make a lot of sacrifices before you start making money,” he added.

“Still,” Uy stressed, “I persisted because I believe a better telecommunications service is needed for faster growth of the Philippines. For too long, people have been waiting for a worldclass and affordable telecommunications provider,” he lamented.

Manila Bay. He pointed out that these business establishments pay Maynilad and Manila Water Corporation huge sums of money that include funds for water treatment and sewage disposal. He asked why Manny Pangilinan and the Ayalas are not using the money in the implementation of proper sewage disposal when these funds are being collected from businesses and consumers all these years.

This monthly collection does not include the loans both water utilities borrowed from the World Bank for

water treatment and disposal.

Aristocrat Restaurant and all hotels along Roxas Boulevard are paying for this sewage treatment and they should not be closed for alleged improper waste disposal. Atienza is prodding President Rodrigo Duterte to instead revoke Maynilad’s and Manila Water’s permit to operate. He said only President Duterte can do this and the people will thank him for the real cleanup of Manila Bay once one of the world’s most scenic tourism spots reopens.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

izes our contract workers, as already detected in Taiwan.

Illegal recruiters still manage to prey on our OFWs by taking advantage of their search for greener pastures.

Chavez reported that five Filipinos WE WROTE too soon. I sent my ar- are currently stranded in Malta after ticle for Monday last Sunday morn- falling prey to illegal recruiters who ing, where I expressed the hope that promised them jobs in Europe. the overwhelming approval of the These unscrupulous recruiters speBangsamoro Organic Law would cifically target workers in Taiwan beusher in peace and eventual prosper- cause of their capacity to pay higher ity in Muslim Mindanao. placement fees, amounting to as much Then I motored to Hsinchu, a good as NT$200,000 or about P340,000, hour away south of Taipei, to attend the considering that they are already in third anniversary celebration of a group good paying jobs in Taiwan. of Filipino OFWs who are photography enthusiasts, the Taiwan Litratistas.

These OFWs in Taiwan went into photography, first as a means to escape the drudgery of work in a foreign counIt’s almost Sisyphean. try during weekends, and also to learn a possible skill that would serve them in good stead when they return to the Philippines. They also conduct workshops in our Ugnayan Center, teaching photography to our fellow contract workers.

Workers who have been on the Last year, we cooperated with them to island for quite some time, with subput up the first photo exhibit of Philip- stantial savings and who are about to pine sceneries at Taipei’s Red House, a reach the end of their contracts, are tourist landmark. the most vulnerable to this unscrupuWhile we were having lunch, news lous scheme. came about the bombing of the Jolo The lure of better paying jobs, cathedral, which suddenly cast a pall and the possibility of permanent resiof gloom upon our table, where sat dency, in Canada and other European Davaoeño Cesar Chavez, our labor countries is the biggest factor why our attache, and Dayang-Dayang Sitti kababayans entertain these precarious Jaafar, our welfare officer who comes offerings from illegal recruiters. from Tawi-Tawi.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Just as the whole world was con- Office and the labor office, however, gratulating us for the successful rati- cannot extend protection or provide fication of what could finally end assistance to workers who avail of decades of fratricidal conflict in the these job offers since their original South, this dastardly act happens. job contracts indicate that they are to It’s almost Sisyphean. Are we back work in Taiwan. to square one in our quest for peace?

We can only warn them not to en*** tertain these job openings as they only Sulu is such a beautiful island. Sev- jeopardize their safety and welfare. eral times in the past, when I was in the *** cabinet of President Estrada, we would Taiwan and many other Asian counsee from a helicopter the many pristine tries celebrate the New Year, which in white sand beaches and the mountain the lunar calendar begins February 5. lakes that could be such an attractive As such, work grinds to a halt from Febdestination for foreigners. The sur- ruary 2 all the way to February 10 this rounding waters teem with abundant year, as the Year of the Pig takes over marine life. The soil is so fertile that from the Year of the Dog. the fruits in Sulu are without equal, Filipino travelers who made the whether lanzones or mangosteen. mistake of booking tours in Taiwan If we only had peace, the econo- will find almost all shops, even resmy of Sulu could grow by leaps and taurants closed, as Taiwanese take a bounds, and its people saved from holiday break, much like our Christcrippling poverty. The same could be mas holidays where all work stops on said about Basilan.

December 24 and though not declared Tawi-Tawi further south has for- holidays, the dates between the 26th tunately been a haven of peace, and to the 29th are virtually no-work days look how despite its distance from until the first of January.

Luzon and the capital, this island In the case of Taiwan and many othprovince has slowly but surely devel- er Asian countries, the whole week is oped, with its seaweed farming and declared an official holiday period. It is nickel mining. a practice that we may as well adopt in *** our country, that is, declare the whole Over that Litratista affair in Hsin- period between December 24 to Januchu, our labor attache, Atty. Cesar ary 1 a long holiday.

Chavez, also spoke about a creeping Filipinos hardly work during this human trafficking racket that victim- whole festive season anyway.

Elusive...

From A4

than a thousand votes to anyone who can pay the price. These officials also provide crowds during sorties. The candidates pay for the food and transport of the people.

This is why I say that if you are a candidate and don’t have the money, you should just forget about winning. *** The forthcoming movie of former PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa must be stopped. This will violate election rules.

You have to wonder, though: Where did he get the funding for a movie starring a popular action star like Robin Padilla? Just asking.

advertising account in well-known brands of cars.

My gulay, Bong Go must have spent a lot of money already! The Commission on Elections should start monitoring his expenses.

I think Go’s candidacy will be a test for the President. *** Barangay officials have invented a new gimmick to earn money for local and national candidates this coming elections.

Because they know their respective communities, they sell no less www.emiljurado.weebly.com

As long as one does not go near the water, the setting of the sun on Manila Bay is still a sight to behold.

As secretary of Environment and Natural Resources under then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Atienza took the unprecedented position of siding with the complainant against the government in forcing the City of Manila to cleanup Manila Bay. As a Cabinet member then, Atienza normally should have sided with the government—but he did not.

He even helped complainant win the

case in the Supreme Court, which issued a mandamus for implementation of compliance to clean up Manila Bay. Although outnumbered by the sheer majority of administrationaligned House members, Atienza still continues his lonely fight for people’s welfare. This, he said was what made him decide to run again as Buhay Party-List candidate instead of Manila mayor. He believes service on a national scale instead of on a local level is more meaningful.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Standard TODAY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 A6

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House panel OKs P25k cash gift for elderly

By Maricel V. Cruz

A PANEL in the House of Representatives has approved a bill granting cash gifts to senior citizens who reach the age of 85, 90, and 95.

The House Special Committee on Senior Citizens, presided by Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, the committee vice chairman, approved the unnumbered substitute bill amending Section 2 of Republic Act 10868 or the “Centenarians Act of 2016” by including senior citizens who reach 85, 90, and 95 in the

grant of cash gifts.

The bill substituted HBs 8208, 8274, 8559, 8768 and 7821 authored

by Reps. Mark Go of Pangasinan, Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay City, Ronaldo Zamora of San Juan, and Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. of Camarines Sur, respectively.

The bill proposes that a cash gift of P25,000 shall be given to all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, who reach the age of 85 and another P25,000 upon reaching 90 years old. They shall receive an additional P50,000 when they reach the age of 95.

InvItatIon to BId no. 02-2019 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2019 intends to apply the sum corresponding to the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payment for the following contracts listed hereunder.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) now invites bids for: Item/Description

Approved Budget

Duration

1. BNLSL-LCB-11-2019 – Construction of Diversion Works (Protection Works), Canal and Farm Level System of Bunacan CIP, San Isidro, Leyte

17,010,001.84

360 cd

2. BNLSL-LCB-22-2019 – Construction of Diversion Works, Canal and Farm Level System of Julita CIP, Biliran, Biliran

9,986,492.05

240 cd

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during postqualification.

Interested bidders must submit a Letter of Intent and may submit the Class “A” documents addressed to the Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee, NIA, Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

PH notches 36, up from 34 in corruption index T

HE Philippines’ score in the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index of Transparency International improved slightly, compared to 2017, according to the regional director of the agency.

The Philippines got a score of 36 in 2018, tied with Albania, Bahrain, Colombia, Tanzania, and Thailand, up by two points from 34 in 2017, Alejandro Salas, Transparency International's regional director told Rappler.

The Philippines also ranked higher in 2018, jumping 12 notches from 111th in 2017 to 99th out of 180 countries, he added.

Transparency International, an international non-governmental organization based in Berlin, Germany, was founded in 1993 with its nonprofit purpose aimed at taking action to combat global corruption with civil societal anti-corruption measures and to prevent criminal activities arising from corruption.

The global watchdog said in its report released Tuesday that efforts against corruption had "stalled" in most countries, and corruption had "undermined democracy" worldwide.

Rappler quoted Salas as saying in an email SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

The schedules of BAC activities are as follows:

1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

Schedule

Time

Starting January 30, 2019 to February 15, 2019 February 6, 2019 February 18, 2019

8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m 10:00 a.m.

2:00 p.m.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P10,000.00 for Contracts above P5.0M up to P10.0 M and P25,000.00 for Contracts above P10.0M up to P50.0M to the Cashier.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

PETITION

CATHERINE G. MACANIP National Irrigation Administration Marasbaras, Tacloban City (053) 888-1514 Sgd. CATHERINE G. MACANIP BAC Chairperson Noted: Sgd. CONRADO M. SAMSON Acting Division Manager (MS-JAN. 30, 2019)

Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is ANNALYN HUI SHI, but I have also been known since childhood as ANNALYN or I have been judicially N/A . authorized to use the alias name(s) 2. My present place of residence is 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT City/Municipality of ANTIPOLO Province of RIZAL and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 2000-2018 731 ELCANO ST., BINONDO, MANILA 2018-Present 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITT

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF ONE (1) UNIT PASSENGER VAN WITH AN ABC OF TWO MILLION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 2,160,000.00) 1.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), through the PCSO Corporate Budget intends to apply the sum Two Million One Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos (Php 2,160,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of One (1) Unit Passenger Van. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

PCSO now invites bids for the Procurement of One (1) Unit Passenger Van. Delivery of Goods shall not exceed forty-five (45) calendar days upon winning bidder’s receipt of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). Bidders should have completed within the last ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding for the above item/project will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on January 30, 2019 (Wednesday) up to 9:00 a.m. of February 19, 2019, (Tuesday) from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the following websites: www. pcso.gov.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES

SCHEDULE

Issuance of the Bidding Documents

January 30, 2019 (Wednesday) up to 9:00 a.m. of February 19, 2019 (Tuesday)

Pre-Bid Conference

February 7, 2019 (Thursday), 1:30 p.m.

Deadline of Submission of Bids

February 19, 2019 (Tuesday), 9:30 a.m.

Opening of Bids

February 19, 2019 (Tuesday), 10:00 a.m.

VENUE

3. I was born on MARCH 10, 2000, in MANILA, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of CHINA. 4. My father's name is SHI, JIN LANG and he was born on NOVEMBER 26, 1959, in CHINA. He is a citizen or subject of CHINA. My mother's name is HUI, SAU YEE and she was born on JUNE 17, 1960 in HONG KONG. She is a citizen or subject of PHILIPPINES. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:N/A (2) name of school: N/A and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name N/A

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to CHINA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

14. My character witnesses are GABRIELLE CHEN RATILLA and KYLA NICOLE CHAM SY both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 69 KITANLAD ST., BRGY. DONA JOSEFA QC and 31 DON MANUEL ST., LA LOMA, QC respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF ANNALYN HUI SHI to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

For further information, please refer to:

the slight improvement was "probably due to the strong stance the government has taken against corruption and mainly reflected in less tolerance towards corrupt individuals and more punishment."

But he noted the Philippines' score was "still far from the Asia Pacific regional average of 44" and was the same score the country got in 2013 under the previous administration.

"Unfortunately, the message is clear, little has changed even as political speeches and some strong hand measures make a lot of noise, the reality still seems to be that day-to-day life for the people in the country does not see much change and corruption remains a big challenge," Salas said.

While he added that "some developments are taking place" during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, "particularly when we talk about a strong hand and punishment against the corrupt," Salas said an effective anticorruption strategy "needs to be comprehensive and can't be based on only one tactic, like punishment in this case."

The progress of anti-corruption efforts, Salas told Rappler, "can only be achieved and sustained, if there is a combination of building and strengthening of democratic institutions, fair and non-politicized punishment, and openness to citizen and journalism participation and engagement." contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

001568

Interested bidders must submit bid proposals in three (3) copies, one (1) original copy and two (2) duplicate copies.

BAC Activities

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

Manila

Residence N/A

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed PHIL. INSTITUTE OF QC QUEZONCITY 2007 to 2013 PRIMARY

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years

PCSO gears up for pilot bet to hike revenues

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is determined to push through with its plan to pilot mobile betting to increase its revenues by 10 percent to 40 percent.

At the PCSO Sama-Samang Talakayan at Linawan forum, board of director Ramon Ike Señeres said the agency would start to offer mobile application betting in “2019 and up, may be next year.”

“The income here is good. One does not have to go to an outlet to place one’s bet. We are looking into it. We have to go beyond the short message system [or texting],” he said.

“However, there are legal issues we have yet to review [or settle],” he added.

Arnel Casas, Gaming, Product Development and Marketing officer in chargeassistant general manager, said the PCSO was projecting a 10 percent to 40 percent increase in its revenues with its mobile betting system.

“There is still an ongoing litigation. As far as I know, the arbitration is already done. The legal department knows that.

I think it [plea] has been elevated before the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court,” he said.

The previous management of the PCSO rescinded its deal to provide textbased system on nationwide lotto betting with a private contractor, prompting the contractor to file breach of contract raps before the arbitration panel that ruled in its favor.

According to Casas, the PCSO’s appeal was already submitted for resolution.

“One of these days, we hope to conduct another bidding after finalizing the terms of reference so we could already purse our mobile betting system,” he said.

“It is part of our wish list or dream to launch an advanced technology and the best practices in the world. However, we could not do that in the past due to legal impediment,” he added.

The PCSO could generate a “conservative” increase of 10 percent to 40 percent in its annual income once the mobile-based betting is offered in the market, he said.

16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: NBI, POLICE, BARANGAY CLEARANCES, OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR, RTC, MTC , COURT CLEARANCES, AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS, WITH CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT, BANK CERTIFICATE, ITR & CERTIFICATE OF COMPENSATION AND TAX WITHHELD PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 26 day of NOV, 2018.

ANNALYN HUI SHI Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY. BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITY Telephone Number: 682-2095/404-2448

Name of School

BAC Room, 3/F Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City

6.

The Pre-Bid Conference is open to prospective bidders.

7.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: The Bids and Awards Committee c/o The Secretariat PCSO BAC Room 3/F Conservatory Building 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City (02) 997-0247 (Telefax) email address: bac@pcso.gov.ph (SGD) Atty. LAURO A. PATIAG Assistant General Manager PCSO BAC Chairperson

PHIL. INSTITUTE OF QC QUEZONCITY 2013 to 2018 UNIVERSITY OF STO. MANILA 2018 TOMAS

SECONDARY FIRST YEAR COLLEGE

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: TAGALOG 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF______) S.S.

GOODWILL VISIT. Japan Maritime SelfDefense Force Vessel Murasame-Class Destroyer JS Ikazuchi docks at a Manila port Tuesday for a three-day goodwill visit. Norman Cruz

Manalaysay, 73

I, ANNALYN HUI SHI of legal age and a resident of 88 MARCOS HIGHWAY, BRGY. MAYAMOT, ANTIPOLO CITY after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

ANNALYN HUI SHI Name and Signature of Petitioner

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at ANTIPOLO CITY, this 26 day of NOV. 2018.

NORMA Manalaysay, mother of Joey, disc jockey of 316 Disco in Caloocan City, died last Friday following a cardiac arrest. She was 73.

She is survived by sons Jun and Joey, daughters Marilyn and Mary Jane, grandsons and granddaughters Joyce, Jeviel, JM, Kurt Yze, Melanie, Michael, Michele, Maricel and Marvin.

Her remains lie at #383 Borol 2nd, Balagtas, Bulacan.

Interment is scheduled on Jan. 31, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hill Cross Memorial Borol 2nd, Balagtas, Bulacan.

(MS-JAN.23,30 & FEB. 6, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports My Daily Collagen TRI 1 run set Feb. 24 OVER 600 triathletes from around the country gear up for the standarddistance My Daily Collagen® TRI 1 on February 24 in Subic Bay. My Daily Collagen® TRI presents a swim-bike-run course perfect for triathlon first-timers, age-groupers raring to chalk up a personal best, and returning multisport enthusiasts.

Gun start for the 1.5-km swim off Acea Subic Bay Hotel is at 6:10 a.m., followed by a 40-km bike combining flats and climbs.

Triathletes return to Acea for the 10-km run, consisting of four loops towards All Hands Beach with a sweeping view of Subic Bay. My Daily Collagen® TRI 1 also has a sprint distance course consisting of a 750-m swim, an 18-km bike, and a 5-km run.

At stake in the event also supported

by Smart, Saucony, Vitorria, Rudy Project, ACEA Subic Bay, Court Meridian Hotel & Suites, and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority are medals for all finishers, trophies and gift packs for the winners in each age group, relay, and topperforming triathlon teams.

The triathlon’s title sponsor My Daily Collagen® is a mango-flavored drink from Japan that provides the body’s requirement of collagen, a protein that keeps skin and tissues in the body’s joints healthy. A bottle a day of My Daily Collagen® has the right amount of easily-absorbed marine collagen peptide, the purest and safest form, at 1000 mg.

Registration for My Daily Collagen® TRI 1 ends Jan. 31. Registrants can take advantage of a special offer: Buy a box of My Daily Collagen® upon online registration and get a free limited edition trucker cap from Vamos. My Daily Collagen® drink and Vamos cap may be claimed during the #MyDailyCollagenTri2019 race weekend.

A7

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Celtics, Lakers interested in Davis

N

EW YORK—The New Orleans Pelicans confirmed Monday that forward Anthony Davis has asked to be traded, but say they won’t be “dictated to” when it comes to letting their star go.

Davis, a five-time All-Star and member of the 2012 London Olympic gold medal squad, won’t sign a contract extension and wants to be traded to an NBA contender before the league’s February 7 transfer deadline.

Two teams expected to be interested in Davis are the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, whose superstar LeBron James is also represented by agent Rich Paul.

“This past weekend, Anthony Davis’ representatives informed us that Anthony does not wish to sign a contract extension with our team and subsequently has requested a trade,” the Pelicans said in a statement.

“Although we are disappointed in this decision, our organization’s

top priority is to bring an NBA championship to our city and fans and build our team for long-term success.

“Relative to specific talks of a trade, we will do this on our terms and our timeline. One that makes the most sense for our team and it will not be dictated by those outside of our organization.”

The 25-year-old Davis, the top pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, shares second in the NBA with 29.3 points a game and third in the league with 13.3 rebounds per contest.

He also has 4.4 assists, 2.6 blocked shots and 1.7 steals a game this season for New Orleans.

At 22-28 with

seven losses in their past eight games, the Pelicans are 13th of 15 clubs in the Western Conference, six games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth and final playoff berth.

Davis, out since January 19 with a sprained left index finger but due back this week, could become a free agent in 2020 and sign a five-year contract extension worth $240 million after this season.

The New York Times reported that Paul has not given the Pelicans any preference as to which team he wants to join. Paul said the decision was made “to let them know by the deadline so they could do what’s best for the organization going forward.”

The Pelicans have missed the playoffs in four of six seasons since drafting Davis, but swept Portland in the first round of last season’s playoffs for their first postseason series triumph since 2008. New Orleans fell in the

Davao del Norte gets ready for ‘19 Batang Pinoy AD WANTS OUT. Anthony Davis of

the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

AFP

Brady, Goff raring to go as Super Bowl circus kicks off ATLANTA—Rival quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jared Goff declared themselves raring to go on Monday as the final countdown to the Super Bowl got under way with the traditional opening night media circus.

A day after the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams touched down in Atlanta, the teams who will battle for the biggest prize in US sport were presented to around 9,000 raucous fans packed into the city’s State Farm Arena basketball venue.

Monday’s media extravaganza marked the start of week-long festivities which will culminate with next Sunday’s Super Bowl showpiece at the futuristic Mercedes Benz Stadium.

For Brady, the now customary hoopla surrounding the opening party is nothing new.

The 41-year-old Patriots quarterback will be appearing in a record ninth Super Bowl this weekend, chasing a record-breaking sixth championship.

Unsurprisingly, Brady looked at ease on Monday as he surveyed a throng of hundreds of journalists which included the usual array of comedians, celebrities and bizarre costumes. One credentialed media member arrived

dressed as a clown.

“I think the most important thing is to keep the week as normal as possible, try to limit the distractions,” Brady said when asked for the key to his Super Bowl preparations.

Brady and Rams counterpart Goff, 24, had earlier shared a friendly exchange after being introduced on stage by a moderator.

Asked what advice Brady would give to Goff as the young Rams signal caller prepared for his first Super Bowl, Brady laughed: “I’m not giving him advice.”

Goff, who would replace Brady as the secondyoungest quarterback to win a Super Bowl with a victory on Sunday, meanwhile underscored the generational gap between the two players.

Asked what memories he had of Brady’s first Super Bowl appearance—way back in 2002— Goff replied: “None. I was seven, I think.”

Brady by contrast said the memories of the win, against the then St.Louis Rams, remained etched on his mind.

“The most important memory is that ball going through the uprights at the end and us winning,” he said. “So to do it 17 years later with a new bunch of guys means as much as ever.”

JENNY ORTUOSTE THE Philippine Racing Commission showcases seven local and imported horses 4 years old and older in this Sunday’s Japan Cup at Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas.

Manny Santos’s well-regarded 4YO filly Pride of Laguna will test herself over a distance of 1,400 meters against Edward Diokno’s Eugene Onegin (5YO male), Cool Summer Farm’s Hiway One (5YO male), Mar Tirona’s Lakan (7YO male), lawyer Benhur Abalos’s Son Also Rises (6YO male), and lawyer Narciso Morales’s coupled entries Sooner Time (6YO mare) and Summer Romance (5YO male).

Prizes amounting to P500,000 are allocated as follows: 1st place P300,000, 2nd P112,500, 3rd P62,500, and 4th P25,000.

If I remember correctly, the Japan Cup was founded by the Manila Jockey Club in the mid00s; I was working as a commentator on the panel at that time. It was staged at San Lazaro Leisure Park until 2014 or so when the Philracom took over as the event organizer.

What’s notable about this event is that representatives from Japan Racing Association are always on hand to grace the occasion. This year we welcome JRA’s Hiroyuki Koezuka and Teruhisa Nishiyama and thank them for their support of the Philracom Japan Cup. ***** The Philracom Trainers Academy will be opening this year to a second batch of students, and those interested are encouraged to apply.

The Academy was founded through a Philracom Board resolution in 2015, and opened its doors to its first cohort the year after. Its Racehorse Trainers Certificate Course is a twoyear program that instructs would-be trainers through courses designed to instill knowledge and skills necessary for the job.

The courses are: equine anatomy and

IT IS all systems go for the opening ceremony of the Mindanao Qualifying leg of 2019 Philippine National Youth Games – Batang Pinoy on Feb. 3 to be hosted by the Province of Davao Del Norte.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said Tuesday that everything is in place and the situation is back to normal in Davao Del Norte after reports of floods caused by heavy rains.

“Wala naman na-cancel,” said Ramirez. “They are almost back to normal na including doon sa mga naging apektado ng baha. The opening of the Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg will be on Feb. 3.”

In an advisory by the City Government of Davao Del Norte posted in Facebook, classes for all levels in Tagum City was suspended on Jan. 29.

“The suspension of classes in Tagum City is still in effect. However, students of private schools and tertiary institutions are advised to check with their school authorities if they will be holding classes tomorrow. This decision is hinged on the following reasons: 1.

The flood in low-lying areas in affected barangays has not yet subsided, and 2.

Some schools are still being used as evacuation centers,” as posted in Facebook.

The Batang Pinoy - Mindanao Qualifying Leg will be held this coming Feb. 2 to 9 with Davao Del Norte Governor Antonio del Rosario and Provincial Government Department Chief and Youth and Sports Development head Giovanni Gulanes expressing excitement on the hosting the multi-sports meet for 15 years old and below.

Abahan vows to win National Skyrunning tilt In this file photo Jared Goff #16 (L) of the Los Angeles Rams greets Tom Brady #12 (R) of the New England Patriots after the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 26-10 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. AFP

Japan Cup entries, Philracom Trainers Academy THE HOARSE WHISPERER

second round to eventual champion Golden State.

While the Pelicans now appear open to the idea of trading Davis, rather than risk losing him for nothing as a free agent, the team said it doesn’t want the process to become a free for all.

“We have also requested the League to strictly enforce the tampering rules associated with this transaction,” the Pelicans said, a reference to NBA rules prohibiting teams from trying to lure players who are under contract.

Meanwhile, James is ramping up his training activity but no date has been set for his return to NBA action after a Christmas Day groin injury, Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton said Monday.

Walton told reporters that James took part in three-minute, full-court scrimmages with the team—the closest he has come to playing under game-type conditions. AFP

conformation, equine health disease and management, equine nutrition, stable management, basic conformation and lameness, horse training and fitness development, animal welfare (legal aspects), and the rules and regulations of horseracing (licensing and stud book). There is also a year-long apprenticeship.

For the first year, 2019: Coursework, 1st semester, April to July; 2nd semester, September to December. Second year, 2020: Coursework from January to April; apprenticeship from January to December (practical subject).

The Academy’s administrators are Ceferino Maala, DVM, MVSc, PhD, professor emeritus University of the Philippines-Los Banos College of Veterinary Medicine and member of the National Academy of Science and Technology; and Romy G. Modomo, DVM, equine medicine expert and veterinary medicine practitioner with decades of experience in horseracing.

To apply to the Academy, submit the following: completed application form (down-

load the editable Excel file at ‘Gogirl Racing Group’, search for it in Facebook); barangay or NBI clearance; a certificate of good moral character; certificate from a physician regarding physical fitness; 2x2 ID picture; and a drug test certificate (must pass screening for illegal drugs).

Regarding the educational attainment requirement, submit a certified true copy of high school diploma (4th year HS old system or senior high school K-12) or transcript up to Grade 10 (K-12 system); if a college grad or with some years of college, send in the college diploma or transcript.

Email the completed application form and soft copies of the documents on or before March 15 to: philracomtrainers@gmail.com.

If you prefer a paper (hard copy) version of the application form, please visit the Philracom office in Makati and look for Ms Diding Estandian. Call her at 893-1453. *** FB: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @drhoarsewhsprr, @DrJennyO

BAGUIO CITY—The country’s top Filipina syrunner Sandi Abahan vows a return to the top podium when the National Skyrunning Championship kicks off in neighboring Itogon town in Benguet on Feb. 10.

The winner of the 2014, 2015 and 2017 edition of the race around Mount Ugo in the mining town of Itogon said she is ready to reclaim the crown she lost to Majo Liao last year when she made a wrong turn and lost precious six kilometers.

“It was a costly mistake and I hope to erase the stigma of that bitter loss,” said Abahan, who will fly to Hong Kong this week and run in the 9 Dragons Ultra, a multi race event from Feb. 1 to 3 in the former Crown Colony.

The centerpiece of the race presented

by Hoka One One is a 50-mile (89 kilometers) race that has a 5,070-meter elevation. A 50-kilometer race will see a 3,550-meter elevation gain.

“Though this is much a pretty different race (Akyathlon) now, since the distance is increased from 42 to 49 kilometers, I expect to do much better this time so I will return to the top podium,” said the Barlig, Mountain Province, Ifugao native during a press conference held Monday at the Department of Tourism – Cordillera office here.

Last year, Abahan was trailing Itogon native Gretchen Felipe when both took the wrong turn.

“She (Gretchen) is a local and I thought that she knows the rail so I followed her,” she recalled.

Sports

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

Korean rookie takes command with a 68

Hwang Min-jeong leans on superb wedge shots that set up short birdie chances

Odom lifts Mighty Sports past Magnolia 5 MIGHTY Sports outsteadied Magnolia, 98-97, in a tune-up match at Ronac gym yesterday, but coach Charles Tiu remained wary three days before the apparel and accessories team plunges into action in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Though the team played much better than its 106-99 win over Blackwater last week, Tiu said his players need to work double time on two aspects – execution and defense.

“Team is slowly improving, but I would not consider us ready yet,” said the younger brother of retired Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu. “We need to play real smart defensively and also need to improve our execution.”

But the good news is that former LA Lakers star Lamar Odom is doing great.

“Lamar looks better every day and our locals also look okay,” added Tiu. In fact, it was the 6’10” Odom who rescued the team from the jaws of defeat with his timely three-point shot in the crunch.

He finished with seven points.

Mighty Sports owner Alex Wongchuking was delighted with outcome of the team’s two tune-up matches especially with the performances of Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee and Chinese league veteran Randolp Morris.

“I’m hoping they can sustain their good form and help team advance to the semis,” said Wongchuking, who co-owns the team with younger brother and former Xavier School basketball team manager Caesar.

The team is out to improve its maiden showing in the annual tournament after winning only once in seven games two years ago.

Aside from Brownlee and Morris, University of the Philippines star Juan Gomez de Liano and new recruit Jason Brickman also delivered to the delight of a motley crowd.

De Liano held his ground against the pros on the way to scoring 16 points while Brickman, a Fil-Am, showed the brilliance that has made one of the stars in the ASEAN Basketball League.

Painters battle Elite, gun for share of lead

By Jeric Lopez

U

NBEATEN Rain or Shine has its eyes on a share of fi rst place when it shoots for a third straight victory in the resumption of the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Games Today (Cuneta Astrodome) 4:30 p.m. TNT KaTropa vs Meralco 7 p.m. Rain or Shine vs Blackwater

Still without a defeat in two outings, the Elasto Painters (2-0) can gain a share of the tournament lead when they collide with winless Blackwater (0-2) at 7 p.m. today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Tropang Texters (2-2) are also looking to continue their ascend when they fight off Meralco (1-2) at 4:30 p.m. in the initial offering.

Following impressive victories in its first two assignments, a rejuvenated Rain

or Shine side is thirsty for more.

“We got ourselves a good start. We’re getting contributions from a lot of players and we’re hoping we can keep going with this kind of play,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

The Elasto Painters caught a big fish in their last game, squeaking past Barangay Ginebra, 83-80, in Pangasinan last Saturday.

On the contrary, their foe, the Elite, is yet to find any luck as it is still left without a win at this point.

Another streaking team in TNT KaTropa hopes it can sustain its fiery form as it likewise aims for a third straight victory after a cold start.

Superstar Jayson Castro is starting to get his rhythm as he seems to be back to

his old dominant self.

The do-it-all spitfire averaged 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the KaTropa’s previous two wins on his way to being named the Player of the Week.

He will once again be counted on by TNT when it faces off with the Bolts, who are still struggling to find consistency in their play thus far.

Castro actually had a rough night versus NLEX last January 23, hitting just 1-of-9 from the floor and turning the ball over five times in over 35 minutes of action.

But the 32-year-old Castro showed why he’s the two-time Best Point Guard in Asia during the critical stage of the final quarter, feeding Roger Pogoy for a three-pointer, before following that up with two pressure-packed free throws to seal TNT’s first victory for the season.

The many-time Gilas Pilipinas combo guard went on to finish with a stats line of nine points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Sanders’ hot shooting keys Senate’s UNTV win Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – AFP vs NHA 5 p.m. – PNP vs Senate FORMER PBA player Jeff Sanders buried five triples in a perfect 8-of-8 shooting from the field as defending champion Senate blasted Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission, 8261, to advance to the semis of the 7th UNTV Cup held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

It could have been a perfect performance for the veteran small forward had he not bungled one of his four free throws. But still, he was delighted with his game – his finest so far in the event for public servants.

He went on to finish with 24 points, seven rebounds, Malacañang-PSC’s Marvin Antonio is blocked from behind by four steals and blocks as the Senate’s Jeff Sanders during their quarterfinal round match in Senate Defenders topped the UNTV Cup on Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center. Senate the quarterfinal round with won, 82-61, to advance to the semis. an 8-4 card, thus earning the

right to face No. 2 Philippine National Police in the semis.

National Housing Authority, handled by former UST hotshot Bennet Palad, completed the semis cast by eking out a pulsating 66-63 win over the PITC Global Traders.

Thanks to their solid defense, the Builders held the usually explosive Haddi Porto scoreless to arrange a bestof-three semis with top seed Armed Forces of the Philippines starting on Sunday.

Palad also credited the team’s victory to the stellar showing of Marvin Mercado who scored seven of his game-high 25 points in the fourth period that scuttled PITC’s last-ditch comeback.

The chosen charity of the champion team in the tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon will receive a tax-free P4 million while the charity of the runner-up gets P2 million.

It’s Benilde vs Perpetual in NCAA men’s volley finals COLLEGE of St. Benilde ended Emilio Aguinaldo College’s upset ways as it hacked out a 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 victory yesterday to book the last bus to the finals against defending champion University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the men’s division of the 94th NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Power-spiking Rubince Abrot led the way with 12 points including 11 on kills as the Blazers made their way back to the finals since making it that far and winning

it all two seasons ago.

CSB also arranged an intriguing titleshowdown with UPHD, which swept the elimination round in nine games to zoom straight to the finals, in a best-of-three showdown starting on Friday.

Game Two is set on Feb. 8 while a decider, if necessary, is on Feb. 12.

Earlier, Letran outlasted Lyceum of the Philippines University, 30-28, 25-21, 25-20, to snare the other berth to the finals where it will tackle five-peat-seeking UPHSD.

The Junior Altas also swept their way to finals and will have a chance at extending their title reign to five years and pocket their 11th title overall.

Christian Wilsan dela Cruz went on a spiking spree with 21 points while Mark Denver Omega, Cedric Resty Lim and Lenard Santiago scattered 13, 11 and 10 hits, respectively, to help the Squires get the triumph.

Meanwhile, San Beda University turned back Arellano University, 1-0, yesterday to reign supreme in seniors’ division of the NCAA football tournament at

the Philippine Football Federation Training Center inside the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Jessie Semblante, a former goal-keeper during his high school days and who first learned the sport playing in Don Bosco in LIloan, Cebu, delivered the championshipclinching goal off a penalty kick on the 87th minute to hand the Red Booters the title.

It was San Beda’s 21st crown that tied it with La Salle, a former member, as the winningest college football schools in the league.

LAUREL, Batangas—Rookie pro Hwang Min-jeong banked on a pair of back-to-back birdies to open both nines and take charge with a 68, storming to a three-stroke lead as Thai Chonlada Chayanun stumbled at the finish in the opener of the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Classic here yesterday.

Chayanun actually seized control with a running five-under card after 11 holes but failed to ride the heavy wind that blew from all over, bogeying No. 12, dropping two strokes on the next and yielding another shot on No. 14 of Splendido Taal Golf Club.

She wound up with a 71, dropping instead to joint second with compatriots Saraporn Chamchoi and Punpaka Phuntumabamrung.

“I really enjoyed my game today,” said Hwang, who won at Mt. Malarayat as an amateur in 2015 and posted a record 16-shot romp in last year’s Philippine Amateur Open at Riviera. “I played smart and safe because of the heavy wind but I’m glad because I set up a number of short birdie putts.”

The Incheon native birdied the first two holes, added two more on Nos. 10 and 11 then tapped in for another birdie on the 15th she negated with a bogey on the next.

Princess Superal, installed as the best local bet in the absence of Beverly Place leg winner Dottie Ardina and runner-up Pauline del Rosario, blew a one-under card with bogeys on Nos. 16 and 17, dropping to joint eighth at 73 with Wad Phaenchimplee. That enabled amateur and Princess’ young sister Eagle Ace to emerge the bestplaced Filipina at joint fifth at 72 with Thais Mookharin Ladgratok and Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro with former Ladies Philippine Golf Tour leg winner Wannasiri Sirisampant and Brunei’s Valerie Tan at 74 and Marvi Monsalve and Daniella Uy turning in identical 75s with Thais Narisara Kerdrit, Preenaphan Poomklay and Nattapan Siritrai, and Korean Lee Ji Hyeon.

Chihiro Ikeda and former threetime LPGT Order of Merit winner Cyna Rodriguez held sway in the early going but came in ruffled by the gusts with the former limping with three double bogeys at the back that marred her 81 card and the latter, who quit due to poor form after the first round at Beverly Place, squandered an evenpar card after five holes, dropping strokes in the next three holes and wobbling with an atrocious 43 for an 82 in the 54-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Empire Golf and Sports and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc.

Kawano, Sato top 41st Yulo golf tourney TAKASHI Kawano and Ryuzo Sato pooled a 163 and edged Rolando Ramilo and Alfredo dela Peña in the countback to nail the overall crown while Mari Hechanova and Junjun Plana took the low gross diadem in the 41st Jose Yulo Memorial Tournament at the North and South Courses of the Canlubang golf complex in Laguna recently.

Kawano and Sato combined for an 84 in the first day then put in a 79 to clinch the top honors in the annual 36-hole tournament held in honor of the former House Speaker.

Ramilo and dela Peña shot an 84 in the first round and rallied with a 76 that proved short to snare the coveted title.

Jolly Gomez and Ike Madamba placed third with a 156 on a pair of 78s in the event backed by hole-in-one sponsors The Turf Company and Texas Eagle and Mitsubishi Motors Phil. Corp. with supporters GC&A Club Shares (890-Golf), Pacsports Phils., Inc. and Gardenia as gold sponsors and BSI Medicated Spray and Peter Paul (Virgin Coconut Oil) as silver backers.

Sharing the spotlight was Rudy Verano, who drove home a brand new Mitsubishi Xpander he won in the grand raffle while Hechanova and Plana assembled a 286 for the team low gross honors.

Other daily winners were Charo Buencamino-Aris Lara, who carded an 83 and nipped Charlie Carmona-Kath Gonzalez in the countback, and Ashlin Clint Co-Amuan Cedric, who shot an 85 and likewise foiled Shoichi Hoshi-Yasuma Koji in the countback at the South course.

Ikuko Kito-Akiko Harada and Nards Leviste-Jessie Yuzon reigned at the North layout with 82 and 79, respectively, while Carlo Quimson and Abe Rosal captured the individual low gross diadems with 150 and 151, respectively, while Jay Laurel and Jeffrey Ocampo shot 82 and 80, respectively, to share the low net crowns.

IN BRIEF Govt debt rose P640b to hit P7.292t in 2018 THE national government’s outstanding debt jumped 9.6 percent or P640 billion last year to reach P7.292 trillion as of endDecember, the Bureau of the Treasury said Tuesday.

Data showed that on a month-on-month basis, the debt increased 1.35 percent or P97.48 billion from the end-November 2018 level. Of the total debt stock, 34.50 percent were sourced externally while 65.50 percent were borrowed onshore.

The Treasury said despite the rising debt value in absolute terms, the country’s capacity to settle that debt improved.

“The debt-to-GDP ratio continued its downward trend at 41.9 percent from 42.1 percent a year ago and lower than the program of 42.1 percent. The lower debt-toGDP ratio is due to the moderate increment in debt as a result of prudent cash and debt management and steady economic growth,” the Treasury said.

Domestic debt amounted to P4.776 trillion in December, 1.5 percent or P68.87 billion higher than the end-November 2018 level. External debt grew 1.2 percent or P28.61 billion to P2.515 trillion over the previous month’s level.

DA bans pig skin leather importation THE Agriculture Department temporarily banned the importation of pig skin leather from countries affected by the African swine fever.

It issued Agriculture Memorandum Orders No. 23 and 26, series of 2018 on Jan. 25, 2019 prohibiting the importation of domestic and wild pigs and their products as emergency measures to prevent the entry of African swine fever virus into the Philippines.

ASF is a severe threat to the swine industry and its introduction threatens food security and challenges the livelihoods of pig producers, it said.

The agency said that because of the continuing outbreaks in China, leather of pig origin was temporarily banned. ASF virus can survive up to 300 days in skin/fat, fresh and dried.

The Bureau of Animal Industry is now conducting risk assessment on the introduction of ASF virus through importation of leather products from China. BAI said it was considering sending an inspection team to China to visit the tannery facilities to check compliance with GMP and HACCP. Importers were told to source their pig skin leather requirements from ASF free countries. Othel V. Campos

Business ANA Holdings of Japan buying $95-m stake in PAL

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A

NA Holdings Inc., the Japanese parent company of All Nippon Airways, is investing $95 million for a 9.5-percent stake in PAL Holdings Inc., the holding company of Philippine Airlines.

The two companies said in a joint statement ANA HD would acquire the shares from Trustmark Holdings Corp., which is owned by the family of billionaire Lucio Tan and is the largest shareholder of PAL Holdings.

“This purchase underscores ANA HD’s belief in the dynamism of the Asian region and the great potential of the Philippines’ multi-awarded flag carrier and its confidence that the Philippine air travel market will continue to serve as an economic leader for the Asean region,” the Japanese company said.

It said the investment would herald “the dawn of a new era of growth for PAL, which has embarked on a full-scale expansion program that has seen its fleet and network grow to almost 100 aircraft and 80 destinations in four continents.”

PAL was recently recognized as the World’s Most Improved Airline for 2019.

ANA Group said that in line with the mid-term corporate strategy for the period 2018-2022, it would expand its international group network, which is considered its main growth pillar and strengthen its partnerships with foreign airlines to provide further convenience to its passengers.

PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said the company was honored and excited that a premier airline group such as ANA HD decided to purchase shares in PAL Holdings.

“The Philippines and Japan have a long-standing relationship with complementary strengths. This week, in fact, we commemorate the 70th year of Philippine Airlines’ service to Japan, dating back to the launch of our first Manila-Tokyo flight

on January 26, 1949. It is a great privilege to celebrate this historic occasion by strengthening our ties with ANA, as we aim to build a relationship that is mutually beneficial with an eye to a more progressive future,” Bautista said.

ANA Holdings president and chief executive Shinya Katanozaka said “Asia is a key growth market and we believe Philippine Airlines is in an excellent operational position to capitalize on both the strong uptick in air traffic growth as well as the vibrant, expanding Philippine economy.”

“We look forward to expanding our business relationship with Philippine Airlines so we can continue to serve our passengers even better,” he said.

Philippine Airlines currently operates 84 flights weekly on nine routes to Japan while ANA operates 14 flights weekly on two routes to the Philippines.

The two carriers have codeshare operations on Japan - Philippine routes and domestic routes within Japan and the Philippines, linking a total of 16 Japanese and 11 Philippine destinations.

Tieza invests P1b in Boracay island THE role of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Authority in rehabilitating Boracay and addressing the perennial flooding in the island tops the agency’s accomplishments for 2018.

“We are proud that Tieza is helping make Boracay a sustainable tourism destination.

Through this, generations of tourists will benefit from a cleaner and waste-free island,” Tieza chief operating officer Pocholo Paragas said.

“We are fully committed to complete long-term engineering solutions which will permanently address the problems that beset Boracay,” he said.

Tieza invested more than P1 billion to address the flooding problem in Boracay when they implemented Phase II of the Boracay Water Drainage Project.

The construction period was shortened to two years instead of the original seven years. The implementation of Phase II is expected to be completed by end of 2019.

MANILA BAY CLEANUP. Listed Asian Terminals Inc., operator of international gateway port Manila South Harbor, shows readiness to support multi-sectoral efforts, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to bring Manila Bay back to its glory days. Shown are ATI employee volunteers taking part in DENR’s ‘Manila Bay-anihan’ program kick-off on Jan. 27, a multi-sectoral campaign to resuscitate the Manila Bay.

CIMB Group of Malaysia launches first all-digital bank in PH

By Julito G. Rada CIMB Group, Malaysia’s second-largest financial services provider and one of Southeast Asia leading universal banking groups, launched Tuesday the CIMB Bank Philippines as the country’s first alldigital and mobile-first bank.

Effendy Shahul Hamid, chief executive of Group Ventures and Partnerships at CIMB Group, said this development “completes CIMB’s operating footprint in Asean and we look forward to bringing a truly differentiated and digital proposition to the market,” “Internet and mobile penetration in the Philippines remains one of the highest in the world, a clear sign of the progressive and modern society we hope to serve,” Hamid said at the launching ceremony in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The launch was attended by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier and CIMB Group chairman Datuk Mohd Nasir Ahmad.

CIMB Philippines chief executive Vijay Manoharan said the bank aimed to provide a new banking experience for Filipinos.

“Consumers of today and tomorrow need innovative financial solutions that are relevant to their needs as well as help them get ahead and advance their financial well-being, but they don’t necessarily need a physical bank,” Manoharan said.

CIMB Philippines teamed up with 8,000 merchant partners including 7-Eleven and DragonPay, both known for their convenient deposit, withdrawal and payments touch points.

The CIMB Bank VISA-powered Debit

Card are accepted at any of the 20,000 Bancnet, Visa and Visa Plus automatic teller machines nationwide and two million Visa and Visa Plus ATMs worldwide.

CIMB also announced that it had received regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines for its investment banking joint-venture in the country, CIMB Bancom Capital Corp.

Hamid said CIMB Bancom aimed to deliver value-added advisory and crossborder capital market services to Philippine corporates looking to expand and grow across Asean and capitalize on CIMB’s strong presence in the region to originate inbound deals to the Philippines.

CIMB Group offers consumer banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, asset management and insurance products and services.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

B1

Megaworld earmarks P65b for 2019 capex

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. earmarked P65-billion in capital spending this year primarily to roll out more residential, office and mall projects across its township developments and acquire more land.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that at least 80 percent of the capital expenditures would be allocated for property development within its 23 townships while the remaining 20 percent would be used for land acquisition and investment properties.

“We are ramping up our residential properties in our portfolio this year as we have seen a remarkable spike in residential demand across our townships, both in Metro Manila and in the provinces,” Megaworld executive vice president Kevin Tan said.

“Likewise, we remain focused on cementing our leadership in the office category by launching more office spaces, and we are looking into opening more lifestyle malls as we keep track of our goal towards P20-billion in rental revenues by next year,” he said.

Megaworld, led by billionaire Andrew Tan, said it would launch 28 new residential towers this year in its townships in key regional centers including Cebu, Bacolod, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Boracay, Rizal, Batangas, Pasig, Quezon City, Taguig and Paranaque City.

These projects are expected to generate around P90 billion in residential sales.

The company is also expected to start the construction of five new office projects and complete some ongoing mall and commercial properties across the country.

Five new office towers are expected to start construction covering around 116,000 square meters in gross leasable spaces while another five new office towers are slated for completion this year with total gross leasable area of around 189,000 sqm.

Meanwhile, five commercial properties are expected to be completed within the year in McKinley Hill in Fort Bonifacio, Arcovia City in Pasig City and Davao Park District in Davao City.

These will give an additional 9,000 sqm of gross leasable spaces in its commercial retail portfolio.

Residential prices in Bay Area surge 65%

By Othel V. Campos DEMAND for residential units will remain strong this year, despite the increase in prices last year partly driven by the influx of Chinese nationals in the country.

Real estate advisor Santos Frank Knight said residential take-up was the highest in the Bay Area despite a 65-percent increase in prices last year.

“This is driven by the Chinese investors who are eager to do business in the Philippines. But the 65 percent I think is flash in the pan because of the unique situation in the Bay Area with numerous resorts and casinos rising in the Entertainment City,” said Santos Frank Knight senior director for research and consultancy Jan Custodio.

The Bay Area refers to the reclaimed part of Manila Bay west of Roxas Bou-

levard and includes parts of the cities of Manila, Pasay and Parañaque.

Santos Frank Knight president and chief executive Rick Santos said new trends would the affect real estate performance in 2018. He said that in the fourth quarter of 2019, rent increased 9 percent with a net absorption rate of 282,000 square meters.

The company said that in 2019 the office space segment would be driven by the business process outsourcing companies, traditional offices, the rising popularity of co-working spaces together with the increasing presence of Philippine offshore gaming operations.

Co-living spaces, primarily for employees, have grown popular in Makati, Bonifacio Global City and areas with high concentration of offices like BPOs, it said.

Standard Chartered expects PH to expand 6.4% BRITISH bank Standard Chartered said Tuesday it expects the Philippine economy to grow 6.4 percent this year, slightly faster than the 6.2-percent expansion in 2018, driven by domestic consumption.

“We see that consumption will be the main driver of economic growth this year. Infrastructure spending will continue to be strong particularly in the second half,” the bank’s economist for Asia Chidu Narayanan said in a news briefing in Makati City.

He said infrastructure spending would not be as fast compared to 2017 and 2018.

The economy grew 6.2 percent in 2018, slower than 6.7 percent in 2016, pulled down by high inflation rate and sluggish turnout in agricultural output.

It missed the official target range of 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent, which was earlier announced by the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee.

Narayanan said while the economic

outlook remained rosy this year, the current account would continue to be in deficit. “The deficit would be driven by strong imports,” he said.

Standard Chartered said the major risks that should be watched out for this year would include continuing trade dispute between the United States and China, geopolitical tensions and the slowdown of the Chinese economy.

The bank said the US economic growth might slow down a bit to 2.6 percent from 2.9 percent last year, while China was likely to grow by 6.4 percent from 6.6 percent in 2018. Meanwhile, Europe is expected to grow 1.4 percent this year, slower than 1.9 percent in 2018.

Narayanan said inflation rate in the Philippines would likely slow to around 3.5 percent this year from a peak of 6.7 percent in October 2018.

“This may make the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas cut policy rate,” he said, although this might not happen soon. July G. Rada

BSP-IMF MEETING. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the International Monetary Fund successfully convene the 2019 BSP-IMF Regional Dialogue on Financial Stability for Asean Central Banks at the Philippine International Convention Center. Shown are BSP Monetary Board members Felipe Medalla (front row, seventh from right) and Bruce Tolentino (seventh from left), Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier (sixth from left) and assistant governors Johnny Noe Ravalo (fifth from left), Edna Villa (fourth from right) and Francisco Dakila (left). The IMF delegates are led by Deputy Directors Odd Per Brekk (center) and Ratna Sahay (fifth from right).

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; Premiere surges S TOCKS fell Tuesday, as investors tracked a Wall Street sell-off fuelled by concerns over corporate profits.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 3 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to close at 8,050.82.

The broader all-share index ended flat at 4,856.72, on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 124 to 86, while 33 issues were unchanged.

Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp. which climbed 16.2 percent to P1.58. Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. went up 6.7 percent to P2.54, while TransPacific Broadband Group International Inc. gained 4.3 percent to P0.485.

Meanwhile, most Asian markets also

ended lower Tuesday as the charging of Chinese giant Huawei in the US cast a shadow over upcoming trade talks, A busy week across the globe got off to a nervous start Monday after industrial giant Caterpillar and chip company Nvidia projected worse-than-expected results for 2019, citing ongoing weakness in China.

The announcements from two of Wall Street’s big-hitters follow similar warnings from Apple and Samsung and sent shudders through trading floors.

“Caterpillar and Nvidia are not the first companies to blame China for their afflictions, but both companies are seen as industry bellwethers and their disappointing results provide further evidence that this time China’s slowdown is for real,” said Rodrigo Catril, senior markets strategist at Australia National Bank.

The warnings come as Beijing struggles to kickstart the world’s number two economy, which expanded last year at its slowest pace for almost three decades, with a mammoth debt mountain and the US trade war hampering efforts.

However, while the majority of Asian markets fell Tuesday they did pare their losses and some even edged into positive territory.

Hong Kong was down 0.3 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai shed 0.1 percent while Sydney fell 0.5 percent and Singapore gave up 0.3 percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta rose but Tokyo and Seoul closed with minor gains.

The main focus of attention this week is on the two-day meeting between China and US officials aimed at resolving the long-running trade war that has been a drag on equities.

Donald Trump will meet China’s top economy envoy Liu He during the talks, which start Wednesday, while US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he expected “significant progress at these meetings”.

However, the negotiations will begin under a cloud after the US Justice Department announced criminal charges against Chinese telecom titan Huawei

and two affiliates on a number of technology theft counts as well as fraud related to Iran sanctions violations.

The firm’s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who has been held in Canada for weeks, was also charged and faces extradition to the US. Huawei described the charges as “disappointing” and denied any guilt, while China’s foreign ministry hit out at the “political motivations and political manipulations behind the actions”.

While the US has played down the significance of the Huawei row with regard to the talks, it ratcheted up the pressure ahead of the meeting, and comes just over a month before the end of a 90-day deadline set between Trump and Xi Jinping on reaching a trade deal. With AFP But before they vote on the deal, they must decide whether or not to include a series of amendments, one of which would open the door for MPs to bring in legislation preventing Britain leaving the European Union without a deal on March 29.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

FINANCIALS 59.2 6,000 91 2,532,650 2.16 68,000 139.4 2,878,380 1.44 102,000 28.6 190,500 16.6 249,400 12.48 1,002,800 4.85 130,000 0.66 45,000 1.4 26,000 780 110 0.45 190,000 84 1,893,510 1.13 5,764,000 13.4 290,600 22.95 1,100 44.5 89,500 184 420 60 3,530 26.65 102,200 176.8 393,940 1,805 440 64.55 22,070 1.14 65,000

355,000 230,836,185 145,690 399,889,760 146,110 5,493,140 4,127,900 12,467,516 617,190 29,700 36,400 85,800 84,600 158,088,352 6,615,780 3,805,708 23,295 3,992,370 77,430 207,890 2,727,085 69,385,931 795,225 1,422,825.50 74,440

355,000 -45,653,882.50 103,861,050 -1,110,150 -4,133,542 47,250 85,800 44,497,980.50 87,900.00 -245 9,877 799,000 2,717,904 -486,346.50 -

37.75 16.02 1.02 1.36 0.24 2.38 15.6 133 30.2 17.32 41 1.77 6.42 11.68 15.74 8.01 7.56 20.15 74 27.7 2.14 7.75 11.72 1.62 322 4.3 3.2 26.75 12.12 18.2 369.6 0.175 6 1.36 3.63 7.69 6 9.1 1.27 10.7 47.15 4.84 1.83 1.36 11.72 94.6 6.35 0.126 0.9 145.1 2.34 1.8 17 1.48

INDUSTRIAL 38.1 1,371,100 16.04 376,200 1.03 2,564,000 1.38 127,000 0.25 6,120,000 2.54 74,399,000 15.68 113,000 133 2,790 31 68,100 17.94 25,000 41 286,100 1.79 24,000 6.42 2,000 11.72 1,482,600 15.9 495,500 8.09 257,900 7.63 276,600 20.4 584,600 74 34,690 27.7 200 2.23 5,953,000 8 7,906,900 11.88 523,500 1.63 623,000 322 716,830 4.3 10,000 3.28 7,000 27.05 255,400 12.2 611,700 18.28 1,790,700 373.6 276,560 0.179 140,000 6 5,200 1.38 4,747,000 3.63 24,000 7.74 2,747,600 6.08 1,134,300 9.15 4,200 1.28 25,894,000 10.78 24,800 47.3 185,700 4.84 1,000 1.87 239,000 1.39 151,000 11.8 412,100 95 275,910 6.41 39,800 0.126 40,000 0.95 520,000 147 727,620 2.4 92,000 1.82 17,956,000 17 100 1.48 7,686,000

52,068,030 6,071,602 2,633,990 172,900 1,504,560 182,965,330 1,773,710 389,288 2,085,230 440,698 11,730,100 42,900 12,840 17,385,586 7,870,458 2,078,900 2,104,457 11,892,040 2,568,392 5,540 13,152,020 63,651,212 6,169,158 1,025,980 233,023,908 43,000 22,480 6,990,265 7,515,946 32,759,772 103,168,806 24,930 31,200 6,520,750 87,330 21,295,354 7,000,074 38,370 33,225,730 266,348 8,784,040 4,840 443,080 207,950 4,861,096 26,200,586 254,748 5,040 475,080 106,798,314 217,620 33,154,010 1,700 11,597,650

14,806,385.00 200,054.00 -47,380 2,780 -989,500 -37,133,440 1,170,702 -140,785 -12,300 32,160 1,665,958 -1,724,194 234,022 -835,746 5,654,725.00 1,563,586 759,100 -5,620,268 406,362 110,349,084 6,320 1,101,230 -2,224,796 2,392,214.00 -12,460,634 1,628,700 301,040 -11,029,900 92,708 -1,786,045 -3,336,284 1,990,197.50 5,730 50,129,871 -1,086,760 -1,700 -446,090

0.67 65.5 14.36 0.8 6.55 30.45 1.45 1.45 929 1,253 7.51 12.5 12.8 1,048 5.91 65 0.63 5.43 15.96 0.6 4.95 0.039 1.17 2.49 2.55 165.4 2.28 979 0.8 1.37 450 280 0.26 0.229

0.61 63.35 13.96 0.75 6.5 25.6 1.39 1.41 917 1,253 7.46 12.24 12.22 1,028 5.91 63.8 0.6 5.02 15.52 0.56 4.91 0.037 1.16 2.41 2.55 163 2.28 963 0.8 1.33 450 280 0.25 0.213

HOLDING FIRMS 0.61 52,028,000 64 1,941,130 14.08 4,437,300 0.8 65,000 6.5 26,000 25.6 514,600 1.43 10,903,000 1.45 1,782,000 923 457,420 1,253 5 7.49 967,000 12.5 2,296,200 12.3 84,100 1,040 132,640 5.91 10,000 65 2,251,070 0.62 1,105,000 5.02 6,006,500 15.88 2,531,300 0.6 858,000 4.94 34,864,000 0.037 25,000,000 1.17 66,000 2.46 400,000 2.55 20,000 164 543,050 2.28 4,000 971 345,240 0.8 5,000 1.33 356,000 450 80 280 20 0.25 2,760,000 0.213 270,000

32,519,760 124,805,363 62,416,042 50,670 169,015 14,626,270 15,396,410 2,537,940 421,687,215 6,265 7,245,230 28,499,968 1,035,992 137,544,085 59,100 145,393,550.50 670,300 30,846,276 39,990,082 494,440 172,114,390 940,900 76,810 982,600 51,000 89,061,664 9,120 335,285,615 4,000 478,560 36,000 5,600 707,800 60,070

-455,130 7,703,948 8,007,888 157,300 -164,045 -35,750 18,537,990 1,467,550 8,817,242 725,728 -12,668,850 19,717,960 3,340,827 7,959,316 5,662,710 -49,200 -18,771,899 -31,968,840 -252,450 17,850 -

9 0.84 10.56 1.69 0.97 44.45 2.52 4.23 0.485 0.79 0.9 0.25 0.405 9.05 20.95 0.5 0.119 1.55 1.19 5.35 0.435 0.49 2.45 0.455

8.8 0.82 10.56 1.65 0.86 42.85 2.46 4.18 0.46 0.79 0.87 0.242 0.37 8.73 20.4 0.495 0.119 1.5 1.15 5.25 0.42 0.46 2.29 0.44

63,713,073 603,370 6,336 225,370 7,288,610 1,089,775,010 3,829,310 172,180 13,407,100 70,310 13,110 891,680 838,400 20,675,892 8,838,110 224,650 3,570 8,219,270 1,182,010 107,209,837 7,302,800 2,759,150 35,710,140 680,400

2,513,902 31,500 208,853,665 314,100.00 -9,850 48,300 5,800,143 1,125,955 -165,000 -4,554,900 76,940,944 -212,500 325,000 62,470 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 92.1 2.17 138 1.44 29 16.5 12.6 4.75 0.66 1.4 780 0.445 83.4 1.14 12.8 21 44.5 186 60.4 26.85 175.1 1,810 64.45 1.15

59.2 92.15 2.17 139.8 1.46 29 16.6 12.6 4.94 0.66 1.4 780 0.45 84 1.2 13.7 22.95 45.1 186 60.4 26.85 178.4 1,810 64.55 1.15

59 90.2 2.12 137.5 1.42 28.6 16.5 12.2 4.69 0.66 1.4 780 0.445 82.8 1.07 12.8 21 44.5 184 58.05 26.6 174.1 1,805 64.4 1.14

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

37.8 16.38 1.05 1.39 0.246 2.41 15.6 140 30.65 17.58 41 1.77 6.42 11.76 15.96 8.1 7.64 20.4 74.2 27.7 2.18 7.8 11.88 1.68 323 4.3 3.2 27.45 12.5 18.28 377 0.179 6 1.38 3.64 7.83 6.34 9.1 1.3 10.78 47.45 4.84 1.83 1.44 11.74 95 6.5 0.126 0.93 147 2.34 1.9 17 1.54

38.3 16.38 1.05 1.39 0.25 2.59 15.88 140 31 18.32 41 1.79 6.42 11.76 15.96 8.2 7.66 20.5 74.2 27.7 2.26 8.47 12 1.7 328.4 4.3 3.28 27.5 12.56 18.32 377 0.179 6 1.39 3.64 7.84 6.34 9.15 1.3 10.78 47.5 4.84 1.89 1.44 11.9 95.15 6.5 0.126 0.95 148 2.4 1.91 17 1.55

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

0.67 65 14.3 0.75 6.55 29.5 1.42 1.43 929 1,253 7.49 12.26 12.8 1,035 5.91 64.8 0.62 5.22 15.58 0.58 4.91 0.039 1.17 2.41 2.55 165.4 2.28 979 0.8 1.35 450 280 0.26 0.229

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 CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV PHIL REALTY

8.83 0.84 10.56 1.67 0.97 44.2 2.51 4.19 0.465 0.79 0.87 0.246 0.395 9 20.95 0.495 0.119 1.54 1.16 5.29 0.425 0.49 2.4 0.45

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING),

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

3.3 53.9 23 2 3.1 39.9 1.35 6.03 0.7 5.89

3.3 53.9 23.3 2 3.1 39.9 1.37 6.1 0.7 5.89

3.17 51.95 22.5 1.99 3.1 38.7 1.34 5.94 0.7 5.8

3.29 51.95 23 1.99 3.1 39.7 1.37 6.08 0.7 5.84

434,000 1,300 1,372,000 28,000 137,000 11,637,500 1,112,000 240,900 9,000 5,070,200

1,397,280 68,043 31,381,705 55,840 424,700 459,471,830 1,513,230 1,444,961 6,300 29,588,252

8,143,000 220,161,050 68,200 -2,631,812

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY 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

13.88 24 1.38 0.46 0.039 14.04 2.92 10.6 0.059 89 6.42 7.29 2.07 16.06 890 2,142 5.77 350 2.99 108.9 7.2 0.13 5.85 3.16 14.32 3.35 0.84 18.18 0.345 5 2.68 2.1 2.07 3.61 9.44 13.3 3.51 117 3.03 1,385 0.89 1.42 45.95 87.5 8.22 2.47 0.76 0.465 5.4 0.72 13.28

13.9 24.45 1.38 0.46 0.041 14.04 2.95 10.66 0.061 89.2 6.43 7.29 2.07 16.06 900 2,154 5.9 353 3.05 108.9 7.2 0.13 5.85 3.17 14.88 3.35 0.84 18.32 0.345 5 2.7 2.29 2.39 3.61 9.5 16.4 3.67 122 3.07 1,386 0.89 1.58 46.4 87.5 8.74 2.47 0.81 0.51 5.5 0.72 13.8

13.5 23.2 1.31 0.44 0.039 14.04 2.83 10.42 0.058 86.9 6.16 7.29 2.07 15 890 2,112 5.77 341.6 2.84 106.5 7.1 0.123 5.59 3.15 14.32 3.23 0.8 17.72 0.335 4.85 2.56 2.04 2.07 3.5 9.24 12.2 3.5 117 3.01 1,351 0.88 1.27 45.5 85.6 8.11 2.41 0.75 0.465 5.33 0.7 13.18

SERVICES 13.5 23.5 1.31 0.45 0.04 14.04 2.86 10.52 0.058 88.05 6.23 7.29 2.07 15.26 900 2,150 5.86 350 2.92 107.5 7.15 0.125 5.74 3.17 14.88 3.26 0.8 18.2 0.335 4.99 2.56 2.21 2.34 3.55 9.25 14 3.67 122 3.05 1,380 0.89 1.58 45.75 87 8.44 2.41 0.8 0.485 5.5 0.71 13.78

67,000 202,800 217,000 4,610,000 14,700,000 600 1,502,000 4,782,900 27,320,000 90,690 3,551,100 600 2,000 310,200 540 31,875 98,900 3,450 3,556,000 2,358,980 8,800 3,290,000 11,834,100 35,000 1,200 1,558,000 412,000 1,536,200 350,000 85,000 2,767,000 576,000 21,000 2,633,000 122,300 5,593,300 6,000 2,320 735,000 93,975 2,695,000 642,057,000 519,800 218,880 1,328,900 4,246,000 37,649,000 202,320,000 669,600 966,000 1,534,400

916,978 4,795,450 286,630 2,057,150 592,100 8,424 4,288,900 50,311,372 1,614,770 7,999,393 22,320,452 4,374 4,140 4,721,876 485,500 68,074,520 581,368 1,197,020 10,371,670 254,541,084 62,966 413,080 67,480,867 110,630 17,464 5,169,820 330,520 27,786,028 119,100 415,950 7,234,050 1,218,450 46,180 9,335,820 1,139,705 80,875,496 21,340 280,592 2,230,890 129,300,075 2,392,980 925,450,260 23,824,700 18,909,804.50 10,995,827 10,291,770 29,825,550 98,748,700 3,631,789 678,290 20,801,532

31,938 -44,500 -54,040 10,729,674 643,264 155,683 -10,906 12,176,050 24,500 219,280 -5,414,135 -1,208,245 745,202 742,160 -161,900 -7,110 245,762 -881,050 24,344,150 222,500 42,490 -954,350 6,083,123.50 -8,311,594 7,060 -4,269,660 400,900 -487,027 -140,000 12,357,102

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

0.0021 1.61 2.9 13.6 1.28 2.04 7.81 1.49 0.223 0.121 0.123 0.0076 1.19 2.49 1.14 0.69 0.98 0.012 0.013 0.013 3.74 4.09 15 23.35 0.0081

0.0021 1.61 2.95 14 1.28 2.06 7.9 1.49 0.223 0.129 0.129 0.0079 1.19 2.49 1.14 0.69 0.99 0.012 0.013 0.013 3.74 4.11 15.02 23.7 0.0085

0.002 1.56 2.9 13.04 1.28 2.03 7.77 1.45 0.219 0.119 0.123 0.0072 1.1 2.42 1.03 0.69 0.94 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.66 3.96 14.84 23.25 0.0072

MINING & OIL 0.0021 162,000,000 1.58 1,290,000 2.93 255,000 13.5 38,000 1.28 12,000 2.03 754,000 7.9 2,300 1.45 2,912,000 0.221 140,000 0.129 21,320,000 0.129 1,050,000 0.0073 44,000,000 1.1 1,069,000 2.44 2,889,000 1.1 804,000 0.69 50,000 0.95 1,064,000 0.012 1,900,000 0.013 38,100,000 0.012 3,200,000 3.66 18,000 4.06 1,307,000 14.84 965,700 23.5 1,162,200 0.008 92,000,000

336,700 2,029,250 745,500 510,692 15,360 1,539,370 17,982 4,264,840 30,890 2,668,920 135,250 330,000 1,192,670 7,065,360 854,200 34,500 1,017,770 22,800 476,900 40,500 65,960 5,324,330 14,389,850 27,291,230 714,900

20,400 198,650 177,180 92,650 6,900.00 -16,900 778,930 35,804 -5,492,500 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

20.85 472 498 5.68 930 900 95 101.4 103.2 982 75 76 73.85 74.5 73.3

20.85 472 499 5.68 930 925 96 101.4 107 983 75.2 76.5 73.85 74.5 73.3

19.5 472 498 5.56 930 900 95 101.4 103 969 75 75 72.5 74.5 73.3

PREFERRED 20 198,500 472 300 499 390 5.56 142,900 930 50 920 4,240 96 570 101.4 7,180 103 1,070 969 11,340 75.2 8,690 75 73,910 72.5 510,040 74.5 2,770 73.3 1,550

4,085,000 141,600 194,240 807,408 46,500 3,882,500 54,220 728,052 111,050 11,109,960 651,778 5,561,965.50 36,977,959 206,365 113,615

-822,150 -340,800 30,900 -5,264,775.50 -

LR WARRANT

2.02

2.02

1.91

WARRANTS 1.93 108,000

209,510

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.9 1.33

4.9 1.39

4.66 1.3

4.66 1.39

3,068,810 15,347,840

-188,650 -1,040,040

FIRST METRO ETF

120

120

118.5

814,684

-61,781

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

10.1

80,093

49,793

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 9 0.83 10.56 1.69 0.9 43.1 2.46 4.19 0.48 0.79 0.9 0.245 0.38 8.9 20.65 0.5 0.119 1.5 1.16 5.29 0.435 0.46 2.3 0.44

7,155,800 735,000 600 136,000 8,090,000 25,127,000 1,545,000 41,000 28,060,000 89,000 15,000 3,650,000 2,170,000 2,332,700 426,600 450,000 30,000 5,426,000 1,019,000 20,288,100 17,050,000 5,880,000 15,151,000 1,520,000

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

16,217,912

INDUSTRIAL

170,750,446

HOLDING FIRMS

158,061,656

PROPERTY

172,332,289

SERVICES

992,293,065

MINING & OIL

379,063,906

GRAND TOTAL

1,900,768,783

SME

650,000 11,388,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.3 6,840 10.1

DDS

7,930

VALUE 1,844.41 (up) 3.52 931,336,852.82 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11.738.91 (up) 5.89 1,106,677,673.73 HOLDING FIRMS 7,911.12 (up) 37.49 1,866,723,329.32 PROPERTY 3,953.53 (down) -50.65 1,611.84 (up) 0.3 2,153,401,078.955 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,501.24 (down) -18.58 2.065,159,309.005 PSEI 8,050.82 (up) -3.1 71,148,275.8801 All Shares Index 4,856.72 (0) 0.34 8,213,697,505.85 Gainers: 86; Losers: 124; Unchanged: 33; Total: 243

Aboitiz Power to issue P16.8b worth of bonds

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of Aboitiz Power Corp. said Tuesday it approved the issuance of up to P16.8 billion worth of fixedrate retail bonds by the second half of the year.

“The board of directors of Aboitiz Power approved the issuance of up to P6.8 billion fixed-rate retail bonds [the third tranche bonds] out of the P30billion bonds registered in 2017 under the shelf-registration program of the Securities Exchange Commission,” the company said.

Aboitiz Power issued the first tranche out of the shelf registered bonds on July 3, 2017 worth P3 billion and the second tranche on Oct. 25, 2018 amounting to P10.2 billion.

Aboitiz Power said the third tranche bonds would be offered to the general public in the second half “subject to market conditions” and would be listed with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp.

“The board of directors delegated to management the final determination of the issue amount, interest rate, offer price, tenors, and other terms and conditions of the Bonds including the parties that will manage or otherwise be involved in the offer,” it said.

Aboitiz Power said it would use the proceeds from the bond sale “to finance planned acquisitions, future investments and/or other corporate requirements.”

The company acquired a 49-percent voting interest and 60-percent economic stake in AA Thermal Inc., Ayala Group’s thermal or coal asset platform in the country, for $579.2 million (P31.4 billion) in September last year.

Aboitiz Power’s second tranche of bonds received strong market response last year. “Despite market volatility, our base offer is fully subscribed. While the purpose of this second offering is to refinance and repay some of our existing loan obligations, it is part of a larger goal of providing the country 4,000 megawatts of installed capacity by 2020,” Aboitiz Power chief finance officer Liza Montelibano said earlier.

“This exercise enables us to further our brand promise of advancing business and communities. By raising funds for Aboitiz Power, we are able to give our investors a chance to be part of a growth story they are in,” Montelibano said.

Meralco names Espinosa as new president, CEO POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. on Tuesday named Ray Espinosa as incoming president and chief executive in place of Oscar Reyes effective May 28, 2019.

Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Espinosa was appointed as the deputy chief executive effective Jan. 28, 2019 and would assume the top post in May. Espinosa has been a director of the company since May 26, 2009. He is also the chairman of the finance committee of the board.

“Mr. Espinosa will assume the position of president and chief executive officer after Mr. Reyes leaves Meralco service on May 28, 2019,” the company said.

Reyes has served as director, president and CEO of Meralco since July 1, 2010.

Meralco is expected to post a higher profit in 2018, compared to the P20.3billion net income it declared in 2017.

“Quite well, the profits would be ahead of 2017,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said when asked about the company’s financial prospects earlier.

Meralco posted a consolidated core income of P20.2 billion in 2017, up 3 percent from P19.583 billion in 2016.

Consolidated reported net income reached P20.384 billion in 2017, also up 6 percent from P19.176 billion in 2016.

Pangilinan said prospects for 2019 would be even better. “We’re optimistic for this year. Generally speaking, prospects for the economy has improved with inflation down, higher income, the interest rates, increases in tenor, so we are optimistic about it. It has its effects in the stock market as well,” Pangilinan said, adding electricity demand was quite strong in January.

Meralco officials earlier predicted that full-year sales would grow 4.5 percent to 5 percent. Meralco is the country’s biggest power distributor with over six million customers in its franchise area. Alena Mae S. Flores

World

B3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Man who killed 15 people executed

READY FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR. This photo taken on January 27, 2019, shows workers checking out the dragon costumes made for the dragon dance ahead of the Lunar New year in Boyang in China’s central Jiangxi province. AFP

Troubling rise in cancer cases in Mexico and Latin America MEXICO CITY―Most recent global data indicate that the number of cases and deaths caused by the disease will grow in the region in a faster pace than the average. In the country, the increase will be even bigger.

Different sectors alert point to the need of action in order to increase access to cancer treatment. Better infrastructure, more financing, human resources and availability of treatment are the most mentioned solutions.

Every two minutes, five persons are diagnosed with cancer in Latin America. The region has 1,4 million new cases per year and the disease keeps increasing. In September 2018, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), linked to the World Health Organization, updated the Global Cancer Observatory and the picture for the future is alarming: the incidence of the disease must grow 63% in the world until 2040, and the number of deaths should increase by 71,5%.

In developing areas, like Latin America, where early diagnostic and the access to treatment are more difficult, the outlook is even worse: the number of cases must leap 73% in the next 21 years, getting close to 2,5 millions a year, and the deaths will virtually double, achieving the mark of 1,3 deaths a year.

At the same time, the access to health care in the region faces serious problems: according to a study published in The Lancet, more than 156 million people die every year due to the lack of access to health services. The growing need of attention faces fragmented health systems, lacking infrastructure, human resources, diagnostic, treatment and financing.

In Mexico, Globocan 2018 expectations is that the number of cases leap from the current 190,667 a year to 359.420 until 2040, which will represent an increase of 88,6%, a very worse panorama that what is predicted to the world and also to America Latina. The number of deaths will increase even more, 107,6%. Currently, there are 83,476 deaths caused by the disease each year in the country, but this number must leap to 172,961 by 2040, according to IARC. In the last few years, the country made some important progress and fight against cancer, such as the institution of a popular health insurance, in 2003, the creation of the National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Overweight, Obesity and Diabetes of high profile, which includes not only the promotion of health, but also led to higher taxes over sweet drinks, the expansion of registers of the disease and investment on the training of professionals, which led to an increase in the number of oncologists in the country between 2012 and 2014. Even though, the challenges are enormous, proportional to the country’s size, which has around 130 million inhabitants and is the second most populous of Latin America, behind of only Brazil. AFP

BEIJING―Chinese authorities on Tuesday executed a man who killed 15 people after ramming a car into a crowded square in central Hunan province last year.

Last September, Yang Zanyun plowed a Land Rover into pedestrians at a public square in Hengdong city before slashing at people with a shovel and dagger.

Fifteen people were killed and 43 others were injured.

The Hengyang Intermediate People’s Court in Hunan province said Tuesday it “carried out the death penalty” on Yang Zanyun for “endangering public security through dangerous methods”.

Local police had called him a “vengeful repeat offender” at the time, naming drug charges, theft and intentionally causing hurt as previous offenses in their statement.

China has experienced a spate of similar incidents in recent months.

In late November, a car plowed into a group of children crossing a street in front of an elementary school in northeastern Liaoning province, killing five people and injuring at least 19.

The driver said he “chose his victims at random” and had reportedly been contemplating suicide due to domestic troubles before the tragedy occurred.

In December, eight people were killed and 22 injured after a man hijacked a bus and crashed into pedestrians in eastern Fujian province.

He had killed a local official and police officer before commandeering the bus, according to reports by Chinese media. AFP

Snow wallops US Midwest CHICAGO―The US Midwest dug out Monday from a snowstorm that closed schools and businesses, as millions braced for dangerous sub-zero temperatures that could shatter records.

School districts in Minnesota and Wisconsin canceled classes and government offices, universities and businesses shuttered, with the mercury expected to drop to a polar -40 Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius).

“Dangerously cold and potentially record breaking temperatures and wind chills are expected by Tuesday and Wednesday,” National Weather Service said.

“The arctic air,together with brisk winds, can lead to dangerously cold wind chill values.”

In Wisconsin, where nearly a foot of snow was measured in one location, Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency, freeing up the Wisconsin National Guard for emergency work, if needed.

In North and South Dakota, peak wind gusts were measured at 96 to 113 kilometers per hour.

More than 1,000 flights were canceled at two airports in Chicago, a major regional hub and America’s third largest city, in nearby Illinois.

On the heels of the storm, nearly a dozen states braced for a blast of arctic air known as a polar vortex, which was expected to lower temperatures well below normal and far below zero.

The frigid air mass had veered from its usual path and was forecast to fall into the Midwest beginning Tuesday. The chill was expected to bring temperatures to extreme lows by Wednesday and last through Thursday. AFP

Corruption tipped to increase under Trump’s administration

F

RANKFURT―The United States last year slid down the rankings of a global corruption index as America’s system of checks and balances faced growing threats on Donald Trump’s watch, Transparency International said Tuesday.

The US lost four points to score 71 out of 100 on the watchdog’s 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, sending the country tumbling out of the top 20 for the first time since 2011.

“The low score comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power,” TI said in its annual report.

The second year of Trump’s presidency was a turbulent one, ranging from damaging revelations in an investigation probing links between Trump’s 2016 campaign

team and Russia, to his controversial backing for a Supreme Court nominee accused of sexual assault.

The US leader, who frequently rails against the media for writing “fake news”, was also dogged by accusations of nepotism and conflicts of interest.

Last month, Trump agreed to close his personal charity after the New York attorney general said it had acted “as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump’s business and political interests”.

Transparency International’s closelywatched index ranks 180 nations accord-

ing to their perceived level of public sector corruption, where a score of zero means very corrupt and 100 signifies very clean.

“The Trump presidency has illuminated the cracks in the US system for ensuring a government that is accountable to the public interest,” TI’s Zoe Reiter, acting representative to the US, told AFP. “But President Trump is a symptom rather than a cause; the issues were there before he took office. For example, the Office of Government Ethics simply doesn’t have the teeth to control for conflicts of interest at the highest levels,” she said.

As in previous years, New Zealand and Nordic countries were among the best in class with Denmark narrowly beating New Zealand to the top spot at 88 and 87 points respectively.

Strife-torn Somalia was once again the worst performer, below Yemen, South Sudan and Syria which all scored

in the low teens.

The Berlin-based watchdog also singled out Turkey and Hungary for falling down the rankings, blaming “the deterioration of rule of law and democratic institutions, as well as a rapidly shrinking space for civil society and independent media”.

“With many democratic institutions under threat across the globe—often by leaders with authoritarian or populist tendencies— we need to do more to strengthen checks and balances and protect citizens’ rights,” TI’s managing director Patricia Moreira said.

As part of its recommendations, the group urged governments to stand up for a free press and support civil society organizations that encourage public oversight over government spending.

The index is compiled based on data from 12 international organizations including the World Bank, African Development Bank and the World Economic Forum. AFP

Dutch reject Italian call to take rescued 47 migrants

HARPIE OPERATION. Members of the 9th Marine Infantry Regiment of the French Guiana armed forces and gendarmes sit on a dugout canoe boat as they prepare to intervene on different underground gold mining sites along the Maroni river on January 20, 2019, as part of the Harpie Operation to fight illegal gold panning. The piroguiers are essential for sailing both rivers. AFP

Foreign reporters say China work conditions worsening BEIJING―Detentions, visa delays, and suspected phone bugging are among the challenges faced by foreign journalists in China, who say working conditions are getting worse with many reporting being watched and harassed.

A survey of 109 journalists published Tuesday “painted the darkest picture of reporting conditions inside China in recent memory”, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China said in a statement.

Surveillance was a key concern with close to half of the respondents saying they had been followed in 2018, while 91 percent were concerned about the security of their phones, the FCCC’s report said.

Fourteen people said they were physically blocked from accessing public areas in the far western region of Xinjiang.

Up to a million Uighurs and mem-

bers of other mostly Muslim minority groups are held in extra-judicial detention in camps in the region, according to a group of experts cited by the United Nations.

China has accused foreign media of sensationalizing the issue but 23 respondents who visited Xinjiang in 2018 said they were subject to some sort of interference—including being forced to delete pictures or data, having their interviews disrupted or even being detained.

“I was followed and tracked for nearly 1,600 kilometers, by at least nine cars and 20 people... had armed police approach my vehicle with shields raised and tell me to put my hands outside the car,” said Nathan VanderKlippe of the Globe and Mail in the report, adding that he was detained multiple times in Xinjiang.

Chinese authorities say the country has

a basic policy of “opening up to the outside world” including protecting the rights of foreign journalists, who may interview anyone who gives prior consent.

But correspondents report increasing pressure from Chinese officials.

Many have been threatened with visa delays, according to the FCCC, which noted that BuzzFeed News bureau chief Megha Rajagopalan was effectively expelled after her visa was not renewed.

Six correspondents said they felt their visa renewal difficulties were related to their news coverage, with at least four journalists issued short three-month or six-month visas, including Sankei Shimbun bureau chief Kinya Fujimoto, instead of the standard one-year stay.

Local staff and sources have also been harassed and intimidated, with this at times extending to their family and friends. AFP

THE HAGUE―The Netherlands on Monday refused a request by Italy to take in 47 migrants stuck on board a Dutch-flagged rescue ship that Italian ports have refused to allow to dock.

The Sea Watch 3 ship, run by a German NGO, rescued the mainly sub-Saharan African migrants off Libya more than a week ago and is currently sheltering from bad weather off Sicily.

The Mediterranean nations of Italy and Malta have both refused to let the vessel dock.

“Without a firm idea of an overall solution, the Netherlands will not take part in ad hoc measures for disembarkation” of the ship, Lennart Wegewijs, a spokesman for the Dutch Justice and Security Ministry, told AFP. Italy’s far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has insisted Germany or the Netherlands take responsibility for the migrants, warning that he was considering legal action against the crew.

In a statement Monday the Italian government reiterated its assertion that “the jurisdiction, in this specific case, belongs to the Netherlands because the ship that carried out the rescue in international waters is flying the flag of that country”.

German and Dutch authorities insist the problem should be solved within the wider context of an elusive EU migration deal that distinguishes between people in need of asylum, and economic migrants.

The Dutch government said it was not its responsibility because the boat had acted “on its own initiative... It was up to the captain of Sea Watch 3 to find a nearby port to disembark the 47 migrants he had on board”. AFP

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

NEW FACILITY. Mayor Imelda ‘Mel’ Aguilar (right) and her daughter, April Aguilar, inaugurate the breastfeeding station located at the Health Building inside the Las Piñas City Hall Compound. The opening of the new mother-baby friendly facility is an affirmation of Mayor Aguilar’s commitment to promote breastfeeding in Las Piñas. Present during the opening were City Health Officer Dr. Ferdinand Eusebio and City Nutrition OIC Dr. Julio Javier. Norman Cruz

Makati councilors snub special budget session

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City councilors who are known allies of former Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. on Tuesday defied the call of incumbent Mayor Abigail Binay to attend a special session to discuss the long-delayed 2019 budget of the city.

City Council presiding officer Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo said despite the mayor’s call for a special session and her certifying the 2019 budget as urgent, the opposition councilors chose to purposely absent themselves from the plenary session.

“Instead, they met at the office of one of their members, in the presence only of their staff. By choosing to meet behind closed doors instead of the session hall, they failed the test of transparency,” said

Lagdameo.

The said councilors are reportedly supporting the political comeback bid of the younger Binay who is running against his sister Abby in the mayoralty race this coming May elections.

“The welfare of our senior citizens, youth, city employees and other sectors are being held hostage by this display of narrow-minded partisanship,” Lagdameo said.

In previous years, according to Lag-

dameo, the Council would conclude its budget hearings and approve the budget

by November of the current year so as to ensure that services and programs are not disrupted and citizens receive the benefits due them.

But after the political realignment, she added, the process became agonizingly slow, either by design or negligence, or both.

“The budget process should be a nonpartisan exercise. Instead, the opposition has chosen to weaponize it in service of their political agenda,” Lagdameo said.

According to Lagdameo, the opposition councilors have questions about certain items in the proposed budget of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

“The head of the DRRMO has officially conveyed to the councilors his willingness to answer their question in today’s plenary session, in full view of the gallery

and the residents watching the session on live stream. The opposition, however, wanted to hold it behind closed doors.

Why the aversion to transparency?” she asked.

“And if the councilors have questions on the DRRMO budget, then why are they revisiting the budgets of other offices which they have previously approved?”

Lagdameo said the opposition councilors are also introducing revisions to the budgets of certain departments and offices, contrary to sec. 317 of Republic Act 7160.

“May I remind the councilors that these budget requests were prepared in accordance with targets set by the city government during the planning workshops which they attended and are fully aware of,” she said.

Special sessions will be held today (Wednesday) and on Friday as requested

by Mayor Binay.

DOST turns over Hybrid Electric Road Train to Cauayan city government

By Jessica M. Bacud CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela—DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña led the turnover of the Hybrid Electric Road Train to the Local Government of Cauayan City relative with the opening of Smarter City Readiness Workshop on January 25-26, 2019 here.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said, “With the development in Science and Technology, it is our task to bring this innovations to the people.”

This Hybrid Electric Road Train is designed and fabricated by Filipino engineers from the DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center will help address the mass transportation in the city and other urban areas, Secretary dela Pena stressed.

Meanwhile Cauayan City Bernard Faustino M. Dy in his acceptance speech said, this turn-over is a confirmation of a wonderful consequence of partnership of the LGU, Academe and line-agencies.

The local chief executive was grateful to the Department of Science and Technology citing DOST-2 Regional Director Sancho Mabborang for the numerous projects extended in the locality and to Isabela State University President Dr. Ricmar Aquino with their collaboration on academe-based researches that address compelling globalization and regional integration.

Foremost reiterating Secretary Fortunato T. de La Peña as Cauayan City’s second dad and DOST as partner for life with its innovations not only in Cauayan City yet showcased in the whole world.

DOST-MIRDC executive director Robert Dizon said in the ceremony, “Hopefully this prototype HERT will

DILG-QC holds special SK polls for four villages FOR having incomplete or absent Sangguniang Kabataan members, the Department of the Interior and Local Government is set to conduct a special election on Feb. 2 in Quezon City’s four upscale subdivisions in Districts 1, 3 and 4 to fill the gap.

Ana Lyn Cortez, DILG-Quezon City lawyer-director, said the special election will be held in barangays St. Ignatius, White Plains, Blue Ridge A and Loyola Heights.

Barangays Mangga in Project 4 and Quirino 2A are also included in the Feb. 2 special election for SK officials pursuant to Section 19 of Republic ACt 10742 or the SK Reform Act of 2015.

Last Jan. 23 and Jan. 26, a special election was held in barangays Damar, Lourdes, Sienna, West Triangle, Doña Josefa, Laging Handa, Mariana, and Teachers Village East and West.

Cortez said a complete membership in the SK is vital in the implementation of youth-oriented programs and utilization of the SK fund.

At least 10 percent of the city government’s annual general fund goes to the youth council.

Cortez called for the active participation of the youth in the special election.

“This is the second time we are giving the youth the chance to fill up the vacancies. We [badly] need their cooperation and participation,” she said.

Earlier, Cortez met with the local youth development office and city administrator Aldrin Cuña to discuss the plans on the conduct of the elections.

Residents and youth organizations in the barangays were notified five days prior to the conduct of the special elections.

Cortez said those to win shall go through a training on governance at the University of the Philippines’ National College of Public Administration and Governance on Feb. 11 to Feb. 15.

Rio N. Araja

Measure granting 20% discount to solo parents OKd

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City council has passed City Ordinance 2766, granting a 20-percent discount to solo parents every first and last Sunday of the month.

“To strike a balance between profitability and social responsibility, establishments that are frequented by families, solo parents included, are hereby ordered to grant a 20-percent discount on the total bill of the solo parent and his/her children in establishments,” the measure read.

However, the discount does not apply to bills exceeding P2,000 for single or accumulated receipts made in the same establishment within the same day.

Pursuant to Republic Act 8972 or the Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000, a single parent belonging to the marginalized sector and suffering economic difficulties are entitled to discounts provided he or she is qualified to receive the benefits under the law.

Any solo parent opting to avail of the discount provided must be a duly “registered solo parent” and must present a valid solo parent identification card issued by the social services and development department.

Financial literacy program for OFWs

Science Secretary Fortunato dela T. Peña (second from right) hands the symbolic key to the Hybrid Electric Road Train to Cauayan City Mayor Bernard Faustino M. Dy at the grounds of Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City, Isabela on Monday. Joining them are (from left) Isabela State University president Dr. Ricmar Aquino, DOST-RO2 Regional Director engineer Sancho Mabborang, and DOST-MIRDC executive director Robert Dizon. Jessica Bacud

create an awareness and acceptance among the populace that our technology exists.”

It has a maximum speed of 50kph and is powered by a hybrid engine that runs on either diesel fuel or electric batteries.

The rear coach generates the power for the entire transport.

The road train is a series of four airconditioned interlinked coaches, four of which can accommodate a total of 40 passengers each, for a maximum of 200 passengers per trip.

This vehicle is among those picked by experts to be at the forefront of mass transport in the coming years. Unlike conventional railway systems, the hybrid road train is more energy efficient since there is no need for alternating current running through suspended cables.

Secretary De La Peña hopes that with the larger passenger capacity of the hybrid road train, it will be able to absorb more commuters especially at rush time.

“We hope to see them in our streets the moment they are fully commercialized,”

he added.

This road transport also produces less smoke emissions compared with cars, trucks, or buses, thus creating a smaller carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner environment.# “Smarter Government, Smarter Economy, Smarter Environment, Smarter Mobility, Smarter Living, Smarter People”, these are the components of a Smarter City Smarter Cities Readiness Challenge Workshop formally opens in Cauayan City, January 25, 2019.

AS PART of efforts to promote financial inclusion and contribute to the country’s economic growth, BDO Foundation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas have joined forces to develop a financial literacy program for overseas Filipino workers and their families.

The tripartite initiative will be launched on February 18 in ceremonies spearheaded by BSP governor Nestor Espenilla Jr., OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac and the BDO Foundation board of trustees. The partners will sign a memorandum of agreement affirming their commitment to the implementation and deployment of the program.

The financial literacy program for OFWs is in line with the financial inclusion advocacy of BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. The partnership project aims to help strengthen OWWA’s financial education initiatives for overseas workers, recipients of remittances and their families. It also contributes to the implementation of BSP’s National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, particularly the pillar on Financial Education and Consumer Protection.

The program gains significance as the Philippines remains one of the top recipients of remittances next only to India and China.

Life

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

FASHION AND BEAUTY

@MStandardLIFE

Resort-ready

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

C1

in Josie Natori F

OLLOWING up the successful spring collection, Josie Natori tackles two concepts for her Resort 2019 collection in a bid to reach a wider market across the globe.

Josie Natori RTW Long Sleeve Top

“The expanded Resort offering caters to our growing international clientele,” says Natori.

With a focus on key tops and dresses, the variety of the Resort 2019 collection provides limitless mix and match options for either hemisphere.

Natori’s latest releases include long sleeve tops, handkerchief hem dresses, maxi dresses, tunic tops, drawstring jackets, and pants.

Josie Natori RTW Maxi Dress in tulip and poppy

Josie Natori RTW Maxi Dress in black multi

A graphic black and white story is contrasted by bold uses of color used throughout prints and embroideries.

A linear vintage-kimono print contrasts with a more chaotic over-sized brushstroke print. Overtly feminine fabrications such as embroidered silk crepe and mesh mix in with the more casual embroidered denim and tech nylon fabrications.

While pretty draped tops and dresses layer with more casual sporty-chic pieces, such as denim pants with an embroidered grosgrain side stripe and a nylon rain jacket with embroidered hoodie.

Josie Natori is exclusively available at Rustan’s Makati, Rustan’s Shangri-La, and Rustan’s Cebu.

Bata releases revolutionary collection CZECH footwear brand Bata releases its latest line of shoes made using revolutionary technology that ensures comfort and flexibility.

The Bata B-Flex is a new generation of seamless shoes, including sneakers, oxfords, loafers, and high heels, made of high tech materials ideal for all-day wear.

Each pair from the B-Flex line has a special insole that absorbs shock, an anti-slip rubber sole at the base, and is scratch proof and water resistant, while still being breathable.

“The main benefit of B-Flex is how the shoes connect two apparent oppo-

sites. Apart from its modern design, the shoes offer controlled flexibility, high performance, and comfort. Our aim is to meet the needs of the modern customer by offering him sexy and comfortable shoes that can be worn every day and for any occasion,” said Jana Barbati Chadová, head of global marketing at Bata The B-Flex technology was created in the innovative studio of renowned Alberto Del Biondi in Padova, Italy.

It joins the brand’s Bata Comfit, Bata Flexible, Bata Light, and Bata Insolia lines.

“Our mission is to make Bata a cred-

ible player when it comes to technology, great design, and exceptional product features,” enthused chief marketing officer Thomas Archer Bata.

He continued, “For us, it is essential to continuously search for innovations and new opportunities. Using high tech materials and advanced technologies is definitely the way forward.”

The Bata B-Flex collection is available at Bata stores in SM Megamall, SM City Bacoor, SM Makati, SM Mall of Asia, SM City Marikina, SM City Fairview, Robinson’s Magnolia, SM City Lipa, and SM City Bacolod.

Bata B-Flex is a line of seamless shoes made with a special insole that absorbs shock and anti-slip rubber sole at the base to ensure all-day comfort and flexibility.

Enjoy life and all its pleasures and possibilities in modern shoes that are as revolutionary as they are stylish.

The Kris Life Kit

Kris Aquino-approved drugstore makeup products SELF-AVOWED makeup junkie Kris Aquino sure loves her cosmetic products. And the Queen of All Media has a special place in her heart for affordable but quality finds.

Through Aquino’s collaboration with homegrown brand Ever Bilena comes Kris Life Kit, a collection of makeup essentials needed to look photo shoot-ready.

Aquino swears by the Kris Matte Powder Foundation because of its natural looking coverage and finish. It is expertly formulated with moisturizers and oil-absorbers to keep the skin beautifully shine-free and hydrated for extended hours. This handy compact comes in different shades to suit different complexions: Lasting for fair skin, Lifetimes for medium complexion, and Love Story for medium to deep tones.

For a pinkish glow, the Kris Blush is a lightweight, pigmented and highly blendable powder blush for cheeks.

It comes in three shades: First Love, peachy pink color with soft matte finish; New Love, coral shade with tiny shimmer pigments for a healthy glow; and Lasting Love, mauve pink shade with soft matte finish.

For the lips, Kris Matte Lip Liner is a creamy matte formula that comes in seven shades: a red named Love; pinks

Kris Aquino

Life, Lucky, Laugh; and neutrals Loyal, Learn, Let Go. Complementing the liner is the Kris Matte Matic Lipstick (available in the same shades as the lip liner), a retractable lipstick that provides high pigment, color, moisture, and matte finish that is comfortable on the lips.

The Kris Life Kit is available at any Ever Bilena counter in leading supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, and department stores nationwide.

Life

C2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Vintage jewelry made for modern women V

INTAGE has become synonymous to nostalgic and romantic. And when it comes to jewelry pieces, vintage exudes beauty, complexity, and elegance that never go out of style.

My Diamond draws inspiration from the past for an exquisite collection of rings, earrings, and bracelets for the modern woman.

The vintage-inspired new collection of My Diamond jewelry is a fusion of classical and modern beauty, handcrafted by skilled artisans and set with top-tier color and clarity diamonds to bring out women’s timeless true brilliance.

Since their popularity in the 17th century, drop earrings have been a glamorous status symbol in high society. Worn best on a lady with her hair up, My Diamond’s dazzling double-sided drop earrings are standout pieces perfect for special occasions or a romantic night out.

From My Diamond’s ring collection comes two elegant and elaborately designed pieces: The Engagement Ring and the Half Eternity Ring which feature intricate twirls and a round shaped illusion diamond set in a classic prong. Both rings are inspired by design techniques that trace back to periods past—when master craftsmen painstakingly carved slender curls on bespoke jewelry commissioned by nobles.

My Diamond’s Petite Diamond chain bracelets are simple yet beautiful pieces for refined women.

They are gorgeous worn solo or combined with other bracelets. These represent eternal love and the power of human connection from the circle linked.

These jewelry pieces are available at My Diamond Ayala Center Cebu, Festival Supermall, Gateway Mall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Lanang Premier Davao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, and SM Aura Premier.

Double-sided drop earrings

Petite Diamond Bar chain bracelets

Vintage Style Tendril engagement ring

Half Eternity ring

SPOTTED

Celebrities in head-to-toe Salvatore Ferragamo HairX salon offers a variety hair removal procedures.

A COUPLE of stars were seen hitting the red carpet dressed in Salvatore Ferragamo from head to toe.

American actor Patrick Dempsey wore a Salvatore Ferragamo head-to-toe look for the GQ Men of the Year 2018 awards in Berlin, Germany. The actor received the award for Men of the Year in the TV International category nomination wearing a navy one-button shawl lapel tuxedo paired with a pair of black patent leather lace-up shoes.

British-Malaysian actor and model Henry Golding, was also seen wearing pieces from the Italian fashion brand while attending the Variety 10 Actors to Watch and Newport Beach Film Festival Fall Honors in Newport Beach, California. He wore a light gray wool coat, dark gray shirt, ivory leather pants, and black boots from autumn/winter 2018 Runway Collection.

Australian model Jessica Hart wore head-to-toe Salvatore Ferragamo while attending the screening of Mary Poppins Returns in New York City. Hart wore the autumn/ winter 2018 Runway wool skirt, gray wool coat with silk lining and dress, and shearling over the knee boots paired with a pre-spring 2019 knit long sleeve sweater.

Another star spotted rocking the brand’s pieces was Ellie Bamber. The English actress wore a custom-made and exclusive Salvatore Ferragamo design by Paul Andrew while attending the British Independent Film Awards 2018 in London, England. The dress is made of a front bodice and skirt in cerise layered crepe silk chiffon with mid-cap sleeves. She also wore Salvatore Ferragamo gold leather strappy sandals with f lower heels called Vinci X5.

The hair removal salon also has facial services.

HairX offers treats for the love month

LOVE is in the hair—or the absence of it. Hair removal salon HairX treats individuals to a pampered and hairfree February with its services and special promotions.

HairX offers hair removal procedures using the latest state-of-the-art technology such as IPL hair treatments, Diode Laser machine, and Lycon wax and threading procedures.

The IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) hair treatment uses a broad-spectrum, visible light that’s used to remove shorter wavelengths and target the melanin pigment in the hair located in specific areas of the body.

Meanwhile, clients who would like to let the world pass by even

for just a couple of hours may treat themselves to HairX facials (Glow, Aqua, and Pristine), skin lightening treatments (AquaLite, PristineLite, IV Glutathione, IV Placenta, and IV Cinderella), full body massage, foot ref lexology, and power brows microblading.

As a special treat, HairX offers Buy 1 Get 1 on Glow Facial, Pristine Facial, and PristineLite skin lightening services in the whole month of February.

HairX Removal is a local concept inspired by Musee, Japan’s no. 1 hair removal salon. Its branches are located at Conrad S Maison and Forbes Town Center.

Ellie Bamber at BIFA 2018

Patrick Dempsey at GQ Men of the Year 2018

Jessica Hart at Mary Poppins Returns screening

Henry Golding at Variety 10 Actors To Watch

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

Simply...

ACROSS 1 Rudely abrupt 5 “Minimum” amount 9 Brides’ wear 14 Territory 15 “— cost you” 16 Indifference 17 Limp, as hair 18 Relating to animals 20 Make a fast exit 21 Fossil resin 22 Caesar’s conquest 23 Garment makers 25 Precious stone 27 Midwest st.

28 Briny liquid 33 Monsoons 36 Get in touch with 37 Route 38 Enthralled 39 Tractor garages 40 Busy place 41 Slice 42 Fails to win 43 Confines 44 High school memento 46 Got the trophy 47 Bonfire remains 48 Cool shoe 51 Crushed grapes 54 Web-footed

mammal 57 List detail 59 Hall 61 Troglodyte’s home 62 Silver lining locale 63 Technical sch.

64 Malt beverages 65 Conditions 66 “Hot Lips” series 67 Petition DOWN 1 Part of the leg 2 Caspian Sea range 3 Ms. Zellweger 4 Fly (2 wds.)

5 Master magician 6 Cyclotron targets 7 Dollop 8 She, to Marie 9 — out (relax) 10 Riddle 11 Early Peruvian 12 Roast pig repast 13 Door part 19 Gills and lungs 24 Jr. naval officer 26 Pasture mom 28 “Beauty and the Beast” remake 29 Time beyond

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Celebrate Chinese New Year at Shangri-La Plaza

From C4

Kaibigan Dan Roleda reaches out to the entertainment industry We had lunch with Atty. Dan Roleda, the 61-year-old lawyer and former Manila Councilor (fourth district, Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, 1992-1998), party list representative under Ang Lakas Ng Bagong Kooperatiba (ALAB) 19982001, and Presidential Adviser for Foreign Investments (2001-2010).

Little did you know that he is very close to the local entertainment industry being a close friend of award-winning director and fellow Waray Chito Roño.

As Manila Councilor and President of the Philippine Councilors League, Kaibigan Dan authored and passed the Amended Amusement Tax Law in 1995 that primarily protected movie producers. The amended law ensures transparency in the ticket sales for the correct collection of the said tax by local government units, and at the same time allows movie producers accurate data on box office sales. The law made mandatory the use of transparent ticket boxes that we now see today in all theaters. The law was simultaneously passed by all the Local Government Units respective to Sangguniang Bayan.

Kaibigan Dan has kept tabs with the industry and wishes to address its present problems like the benefits and welfare of all workers related thereto, which are sub-standard, and of course, piracy.

Piracy robs the artists, crew, movie producers and cinema owners of millions in revenues. This in turn, has led to low production output and has deprived actors, producers, directors, musical score composers, make-up artists, film crew, etc. of decent salaries and proper remunerations.

He is also just as concerned about film distribution. He knows that movie producers lose a lot of money when theater chains unceremoniously pull out their films from cineplexes after a day or two. It does not help that local films must compete with Hollywood, free TV and social media.

Now, Kaibigan Dan is guning for a seat in the Senate. He said he wants to form a special governing body that will help producers and all workers related to the entertainment industry.

Knowing that many entertainment workers are freelancers who don’t enjoy the benefits of health care and insurance, Kaibigan Dan plans to come up with a legislation that requires film and television show producers to give insurance and other benefits to members of the production team on a per-project basis.

This magna cum laude and valedictorian of the UST College of Law (batch 1981) graduated with a degree in Economics (UST, 1971). That’s why he was appointed are Presidential Adviser for Foreign Investments under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo from 2001 to 2010. In 1985, he established the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP) to uplift the standards and benefits of models.

As an educator, Dan does lectures to graduating students in various schools and universities on different current events and issues as part of the students’ thesis or project studies.

This God and family-centered man believes we all want better lives. “We work because we want to upgrade our way of life. We dream of better lives for our children, he says. That’s why his hashtag, #betterthanthat embodies these aspirations, which are Kaibigan Dan’s as well, as he explores all avenues to help his friends—every Filipino here and abroad. *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories.

Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@ isahvred). ΙR

C3

New York City professional acting teacher Anthony Bova and his co-teacher, actress Ana Feleo with GMA Artist Center talents.

Learning valuable acting lessons from famed coach

ANTHONY BOVA

measure 30 Branch 31 Roof part 32 Hearty loaves 33 Suggestive 34 Feverish chill 35 Slightest trace 36 El —, Texas 39 Wail 40 Place at a disadvantage 42 UPS units 43 Scam 45 Curie discovery 46 Affection

I

NTERNATIONAL acting coach Anthony Vincent Bova flew to the Philippines and led the culminating activity of his successful training program with the various talents of GMA Artist Center which showcased what they have learned throughout the year.

GMA Artist Center has tasked the New York City professional acting teacher and his co-teacher, actress Ana Feleo, to supervise more thoroughly the education and growth of the artists.

During the culminating activity held on Jan. 15, Bova praised the GMAAC stars for their willingness to improve on their craft and their “bravery” to tackle their emotional and psychological being in their character portrayals.

“I am very proud of them.

Now, I can say that they are not afraid to take their space on set and take their space in life. No matter what training you have, if you don’t feel entitled to take your space, that training will not help too much. They are very brave artists,” he noted.

Ana echoed his sentiments and added that the artists are now more equipped to take on different and challenging roles, “I’ve seen them grow in a short time, at ngayon nakilala nila ang sarili nila at mas naging confident sila na mag-explore ng iba’t-ibang roles at emotions.”

Meanwhile, highly-esteemed director Guillen emphasized the Laurice Guillen, importance of workshops, especially for young artists, “It’s really on equipping the actors na pumasok sa industriyang ito na hindi naman lahat may training. This will help them become fully professional actors na kahit saan sila isalang, isalang equipped sila to deliver remarkable performances.

Acting is painstaking work, taking them step by step through the process.”

GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable commended the positive results of the

program and the commitment of the artists to showcase what they have learned, “I’d like to congratulate GMA Artist Center, most especially Anthony Bova and Ana Feleo, because they did an excellent job. Over the past year, we’ve seen the great improvement of our artists and it’s because of all these efforts that they have been pouring into the project and of course, ‘yung dedication din ng mga artista natin,” she said.

GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi S. Lara, in turn, is delighted with the success of the training program, “We’re very happy that we were able to partner with Anthony Vincent Bova.

It’s not just acting that he thought our artists, he really communicated with them and explored their personalities and capabilities. I witnessed it from the first day they started, ang daming improvements sa acting, ang daming openness na nangyari, at mas matapang na sila ngayon in attacking their roles.”

Also an actor, writer, and artistic director, Bova is a protégé of famed acting coach Eric Morris, who has taught some of the best actors in the Philippines, including Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado, Leo Martinez, Michael de Mesa, and Joel Torre, among others.

GMA Artist Center talents learn valuable acting lessons from famed acting coach Anthony Vincent Bova.

48 “The Cat in the Hat” penner 49 “I don’t mind — —” 50 River embankment 51 Diplomacy 52 Guideline 53 Garbage bin output 55 Embellishment 56 Singer Turner 58 Phoenix neighbor 60 NFL events

SHANGRI-LA Plaza welcomes the Chinese New Year with a lineup of exciting events and activities.

Ushering in the Year of the Pig, the metro’s leading lifestyle destination is fully decked out for the celebrations with rows of gigantic red lanterns, and even a special lantern tree park, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune.

The Kim Hwa Chinese Ensemble’s captivating performance kicked things off as they played their contemporary repertoire on traditional Chinese musical instruments on Jan. 27 at the Grand Atrium.

The Chinese Spring Film Festival runs from today until Feb. 5 at the new Red Carpet Cinemas. From wartime romance A Tale of Three Cities to gripping thriller Lost in White, mall guests have free access to the best of Chinese film.

On Feb. 2, catch the highlyanticipated Chinese New Year Fireworks Show at 8:00 p.m.. A dragon eye-dotting ceremony and ceremonial blessing will be held, along with a lively dragon and lion dance.

The Chinese Painting Workshop is back on Feb. 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Grand Atrium. Master Fidel Sarmiento and Roger Santos of the Art Association of the Philippines once again conduct their popular demonstration and workshop for those interested to dabble in the delicate art.

Witness the vibrancy of the Dragon & Lion Dance Exhibition by the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation on Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grand Atrium. No Chinese New Year is complete without this traditional demonstration, believed to bring good fortune for all who watch.

The Chinese Bazaar is the place to be for traditional Chinese items and delicious food from Feb. 1 to 10 at the Grand Atrium. It’s a part of the festivities mall guests shouldn’t miss out on.

Revel in the Chinese New Year celebrations with family and friends. #FeelTheShangVibe as the Year of the Pig is warmly welcomed at Shangri-La Plaza.

For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the Shang on Instagram: @shangrilaplazaofficial.

The Chinese Spring Film Festival runs from today until Feb. 5 at the new Red Carpet Cinemas.

Entertainment

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

C4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

Heart Evangelista in LM for Kamiseta (Love Marie for Kamiseta) fashion show

ISAH V. RED

'Hanggang Kailan' stars Xian Lim and Louise delos Reyes with film director Bona Fajardo (center)

VERY WANG

W

NICKIE WANG

E CAN’T talk about a breakup movie without bringing up the main conflict between two lovers who decided to part ways. More often than not, the scenes featured are set for lots of intensity and lots of drama.

Intense emotions are expected from the characters due to the complicated actions and feelings their situation has put them through. But in Viva Films’ breakup movie Hanggang Kailan, there are no confrontations, there’s a showcase of extreme emotions but they are rather suppressed, at least based on the latest trailer that we saw during the film’s press launch.

In the pre-Valentine movie, Xian Lim and Louise Delos Reyes star as Donnie and Kath, a couple who’s celebrating their second anniversary. But instead of looking forward to more years together, they agree that this is going to be their last even though they are still very much in love.

Before they totally go their separate ways, Donnie and Kath take a four-day/ three-night vacation in Saga, Japan.

Amidst picturesque landscapes, new memories will be made, hearts will break. And they’ve always known that this is bound to happen.

“The heartbreak of Kath and Donnie is told amidst the beautiful landscapes of Japan. The movie asks the question kung hanggang kailan ka kakapit sa isang pag-ibig na alam mong mali. Hanggang kailan ka magsasakripisyo at puwede mo pa bang ituloy ang relationship nyo?”

Xian said during the press launch.

Bona Fajardo, the man behind noteworthy films such as I Found My Heart in Santa Fe, Kahit Ayaw Mo

XIAN, LOUISE

tackle love and moving on in breakup movie

Scenes from the film where the lead characters appear to initially enjoy a vacation in Japan, but are soon overcome with heartbreak as they agree to end their two-year relationship once the trip is over.

Na, and Iliw, is the director that brings this screenplay by Onay Sales to life.

In a previous interview, Fajardo had encouraged audiences to keep watching movies to discover stories to your liking. “’Pag nagustuhan mo ang sine ituloytuloy mo na yan… kung ano ‘yong hinahanap mong ganda, kung anong istorya, nandiyan naman lahat ‘yan, makikita mo ‘yan.”

Echoing what Xian said, the director stated that the film revolves around the question: “What if you had one last trip to be with the person you love before you end your relationship? How do you say goodbye?”

Hanggang Kailan sees the first time that Xian and Louise are working

together. The actress said she hit it off with Xian quickly because he was easy to work with.

“He’s refreshing to work with. It was just sudden when the project was offered to me. We didn’t have much time getting to know each other, except for the trip to Japan. That was when we got to talk to each other. He’s such a gentleman. He guided me in the scenes in Japan. He’s also collaborative as an artist. He has his own inputs,” Louise shared.

Aiming for longevity in show business, the Kapuso-turned-Kapamilya actress says she’s willing to try different roles to keep honing her craft. On TV, Louise was last seen in Asintado. Her last movie project was Para sa Broken Hearted (2018). It’s

interesting to see how her team-up with the Chinito Heartthrob will bring out a side to her that her fans haven’t seen.

Meanwhile, Xian’s involvement in this movie goes beyond acting. The XL8 mentioned above is his new venture.

Like Louise, Xian is not afraid to try new things. Last year, he started his basketball career, playing for Mandaluyong El Tigre in MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League). Around that time, he was also part of the box-office hit movie Miss Granny.

With Hanggang Kailan, Viva Films continues to redefine the romance genre in Philippine cinema with this special preValentine offering, opening in cinemas on Feb. 6.

Drew Barrymore all praises for TNT Boys HOLLYWOOD A-lister Drew Barrymore raved about the performance of the TNT Boys in an exclusive teaser of The World’s Best, which she posted to her Instagram account to promote the airing of the global talent competition that will air in February on US TV network CBS. “You know, I have a soft spot for kids.

I was a kid performer, but I have kids now. This is a whole other thing. You possess a gift, you’re just that good,” said Drew in the clip, which also showed judges Grammy-winning artist Faith Hill and drag queen superstar RuPaul beaming after the trio’s performance of “Listen.”

The act, composed of Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez, and Francis Concepcion, also earned a standing ovation from the three superstar judges, as well as the show’s “wall of the world,” which features 50 of the world’s most accomplished experts from every field of entertainment.

In the post on her Instagram page,

which has 10.4 million followers, she said, “I’m thrilled to be a judge on @ theworldsbestcbs alongside @faithhill @rupaulofficial and our fearless leader @j_corden! This show is overflowing with talent from around the world.

Here’s a sneak peek exclusive clip of what’s to come - I can’t wait for you all to see it!”

“This performance from @thetntboys was so incredible #WorldsBest,” she added.

The World’s Best will air on Feb. 9 in the US after the Super Bowl and will be hosted by Tony Award-winning actor and host James Corden.

Before becoming a group, Mackie, Kiefer, and Francis first impressed viewers as grand finalists in “Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids” on ABS-CBN. They were officially launched as a trio in 2017, and have since sung for international audiences in Little Big Shots US, UK, and Australia and have performed for several head of states, including Pres. Rodrigo Duterte,

The TNT Boys with English actor-comedian James Corden (leftmost), host of the upcoming TV show 'The World’s Best'

Singaporean president Halimah Yacob, and Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’ Neill. They were also hailed as the grand champion of Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids.

Last November, they successfully staged their first major solo concert

at the Araneta Coliseum, which made them the youngest artists to headline a sold-out concert, not only at the Araneta Coliseum but in the whole country. The ASAP Natin ‘To regulars also released a Christmas album titled TNT Boys Christmastime under TNT Records.

Heart Evangelista fulfills her dream, grateful to her supporters AFTER losing her twin babies, one after the other, due to spontaneous abortion (a medical term for a miscarriage on the first trimester), many thought Heart Evangelista who is married to Senator Chiz Escudero would go into a long period of depression, as most women who lost their babies would. Yet, she emerged from that condition with nary a trace of the psychological scar that situation nicks many a woman’s life.

Heart went on with the things she loves to do, like vlogging (that has earned her a status as one of the country’s most-sought after on-line influencers), painting (both on canvas and on other media available like textile, leather, and so on), and traveling (as part of what she does as an influencer).

Just recently, Heart’s work on canvas founds its way to the pages of international fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar’s February 2019 issue. The painting is called “Follow Your Heart” and the issue features Jennifer Lopez on the cover.

“I almost screamed in excitement,” Heart writes on Instagram, “when I saw this full-page spread of my painting on the latest issue of @harpersbazaarus!”

She also says, “What a way to welcome my birth month! Thank you to the lovely people of the @harpersbazaarus team for featuring my work. It means so much to me!”

Late last year, she went into another partnership with a clothing label. It was with Fashion Power called LM for Kamiseta (Love Marie for Kamiseta), Love Marie being her birth name.

The collaboration was successful and seemingly the owners of the fashion are bent on carrying on with the line that was launched in November last year.

Heart says, “When you see someone dressed up so amazingly, and confident with what she’s wearing no matter how she interprets her fashion statements, and you see that she’s conquering the world at the same time, it’s so inspiring–I mean that’s power.”

These days, Heart is in China to shoot something (“No, it’s not for the sequel of Crazy Rich Asians,” she clarified).

Which she can’t disclose yet. But, the Filipino TV/movie star-fashion influencer–painter is not about to turn her back on acting on either television or in the movies.

“That’s how I got into this whole wide world where I am now, so why forget where I came from?” she asks.

In the middle of this year she could start on a new drama series. “I’ll make sure I will have enough time to focus on that, though the other things I do I can just easily juggle the schedules.”

Also, she said that with the elections coming, she might just join her husband in her campaign sorties. “But not all the time,” she explained. “After all, it’s for a local position, so my participation in his political undertakings should only be minimal,” she chuckles.

Heart is singularly in a league all her own. No one among her peers in local show business has earned her level of stardom. She may not be anointed “queen” by the local entertainment media in her capacity as an actor, but she is even greater than any of the showbiz queens the local movie press has been hailing till they run short of superlatives to shower them on.

But, Heart stands alone and with a sense of fulfillment on a pedestal friends with money and influence around the world have laid for her. Continued on C3