13 MARCH 2019

BOEING, BOINK!
PAGE 16 WORLD PAGE 20 LIFESTYLE
PAGE 9 BUSINESS
PAGE 13 SPORTS
MOST
INNOVATIVE
BROADSHEET
2018
44TH
PHILIPPINES
BUSINESS
EXPO
PLUM PERFECT
TRADE
DEFICIT
WIDENS
HOUSTON’S LUCKY NINTH
PIÑOL IS A
DISGRACE
PAGE 5
COMMENTARY
All point
to De Lima
By Mario J. Mallari
Convicted drug lords have maintained
their allegations of links detained Sen. Leila
de Lima had with the narcotics network
that emanated from the New Bilibid Prison
(NBP) when she was Justice secretary,
Turn to page 6
MANILA, PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY, 13 MARCH 2019
Firm leader boosts growth
A strong leadership and the
right fundamentals will sustain
stellar growth and further propel
the economy in the coming years,
a rising star in the business sector
Driver: Demographic sweet spot
We’ve been very bullish in our economy and numbers
are really showing very good growth and all indicators
are conducive to investing
predicted yesterday.
Diversified businessman Dennis
Uy said during the “Straight
Talk with Daily Tribune” his
expanding concerns in different
Missed message President Rodrigo Duterte humors Maj. Nancy Dacanay of the Philippine Air
Force’s 15th Strike Wing who received an Outstanding Women in Law Enforcement and National
Security of the Philippines award with her parents. Solicitor General Jose Calida listens and smiles at
the exchange. The President said he is usually misunderstood or intentionally misinterpreted when
he shares anecdotes involving women.
MALACAÑANG PHOTO
Hooked on women
By Kristina Maralit
“I adore women.”
With this statement,
President Rodrigo Duterte
indicated that some of his
statements are being spun
and twisted by his opponents
By Hananeel Bordey
A tenacious clash is
expected for the Batangas
6th District seat in the House
of Representatives in
May as movie star
Batangas Rep. Vilma
Santos-Recto matches
up with current Lipa City
Mayor Meynard Sabili.
This will be the second
time that the Sabili clan
challenges the superstar magic
of Santos-Recto after the mayor’s
wife, Bernadette, ran for
to demonize him.
“But I can’t remember
really that I defiled anybody.
Actually, if you review the
tapes, it was with a purpose,”
Mr. Duterte said.
“I love women. It’s not
because when I say that I
like women that I want to
despoil or dishonor. They
don’t get it,” he pointed out.
The President cited his
having two wives as proof
of his real views on the
opposite sex.
Turn to page 2
congresswoman
last elections and
lost. Santos-Recto
got 57.9 percent of the total
votes.
In a previous
interview with
Sabili, he said he
will pursue “change”
in Congress by
installing a “real”
representative of the people
at the House.
“I did not feel that. That is
why I am running,” Sabili said.
SANTOS-RECTO
industries always try to achieve
better products or alternatives for
Filipinos.
“We’ve been very bullish in our
economy and numbers are really
showing very good growth and
all indicators are conducive to
investing. That’s one… we’ve been
growing for six percent over the
past 10 years and I think the next
three to five years, it’s still over
Sparks fly in Batangas tiff
Bowl of
surprise
There are some people
who are terrified by
worms, particularly those
that somehow manage to
emerge from toilet bowls.
It would probably be
the ultimate horror for
them if they found what
a Quezon City resident
discovered on Monday in
his toilet bowl: a full-grown
boa constrictor, locally
known as sawa.
The quick-thinking
resident of Barangay Holy
Spirit in Quezon City took
a big plastic bag and
covered the toilet bowl.
Through the help of his
six percent, maybe seven percent,”
Uy said.
Uy, whose flagship companies
Udenna Corp. and Chelsea
Logistics Holdings Corp.
teamed up with China
Telecom to form
Mislatel that won
the bid as the
country’s third
Turn to page 2
Turn to page 6
Optimism
high Emerging
tycoon Dennis
Uy is bullish on
the economy
under President
Rodrigo Duterte.
ROY PELOVELLO
House, Senate
get ‘moderator’
By Kristina Maralit
Salvador Panelo, the meeting could
and Mario J. Mallari
have been the result of an appeal by
Mr. Duterte for the budget to be passed
President Rodrigo Duterte has so as not to further result in a severe
intervened in the prolonged budget blow to the government’s day-to-day
impasse which he said the other operations.
day will affect the steady growth “Well, it could mean that way, it
momentum as he met with leaders of could also mean (the President saying)
both chambers of Congress late last ‘you settle your differences so that we
night.
can have a new budget,’” Panelo said.
With the first quarter nearly over, “You know the style of the President,
the national government is still he listens and lets the protagonists settle
running on a reenacted budget after among themselves. He’s somewhat of a
lawmakers failed to approve the moderator,” he added.
proposed P3.757-trillion expenditure Last Monday, Mr. Duterte asserted
plan due to alleged “insertions.” that he will not approve the 2019 national
The Senate and House of budget if there are provisions that
Representatives are still at odds over violate constitutional requirements.
the supposed amendments introduced He issued the remark as the two
by the House in the proposed budget chambers of Congress continue to
after it was passed by the Bicameral disagree on the P3.757-trillion 2019
Conference Committee last month. proposed national budget and the
Turn to page 6 SABILI
According to presidential spokesman
Turn to page 2
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NEWS
2
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Firm leader boosts growth
I think the next three to five years, it’s still over six percent,
maybe seven percent
From page 1
telco, said among the biggest advantage
of the country in the region is its young
population.
The Philippines is in a so-called
demographic sweet spot in which majority
of the population are within the working
age in contrast to most Asian countries
which is experiencing labor shortage as
a result of an aging population.
Huge prospects
“In our demographics, 60 percent of
our population is aged 30 below. There’s
a lot of so-called millennials who have
purchasing power and another source of
push is the government’s effort to build
more infrastructure,” he said.
Uy added the business sector sees
huge promises from the “Build, Build,
Build” program wherein the government
will invest over P1 trillion a year over
the next few years to build a lot of
roads, bridges and railways which can
decongest Manila, give growth to the
provinces and, at the same time, spread
the wealth.
“So, our per capita income in the
next few years will reach $5,000 and
that would be the so-called breakout
point wherein more people will have the
spending power not only to invest but
also to spend for livelihood or luxuries,”
he added.
Aggressive inroads
“Our group, we have been in business
since early 2000, 2002. We’re really investing
in the country in the industry where we are
at, namely, petroleum, but the past few
years, we’ve been doubly aggressive, as
you notice, because we are confident not
only in the economic prospect but also the
leadership of our country.”
The result of the Social Weather
Stations survey showing an upswing in
the administration’s public satisfaction
rating buttresses Uy’s views.
Conducted 16 to 19 December 2018
with 1,440 adult respondents nationwide,
the poll yielded “very good” results or
76 percent of the respondents saying
they were satisfied with the President’s
governance while only 9 percent said
otherwise.
The figures listed a net satisfaction
rating of +66, a 16-point increase from the
“very good” +50 recorded in September
2018.
“The Palace considers this increase
in satisfaction rating as a vote of public
confidence and a demonstration of the
people’s unshakeable trust in the present
administration which the polling firm
classified as ‘very good,’” presidential
spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a
statement.
Rise of Phoenix
Uy said the best prospect among his
long line of business interests will be in
petroleum, through Phoenix.
“As the economy improves, more
people will buy cars. There’s a lot of
traffic, so growth in petroleum demand
has been growing the same way as our
GDP (gross domestic product) has been
growing,” he said.
There’s a lot of so-called
millennials who have purchasing
power.
He added he is investing in other
petroleum-related products, such as LPG
(liquefied petroleum gas) and in the near
future in the production of asphalt which
is needed for road building.
“In logistics, in shipping, the
passenger growth also increased. Lately,
we’ve entered into telco, we’re lucky
we won… We are also bullish because
there’s a huge demand
later on going into more
data, Internet and
e-commerce,” he said.
“And also hospitality,
Fresh take
Young entrepreneur
Dennis Uy who
reads the economy
well takes time out
to browse the latest
from Daily Tribune.
ROY PELOVELLO
we’re gaining in tourism. So, there’s
no favorite sector really. Everything, on
all sectors, we are bullish that they will
really grow,” Uy added.
His Udenna Group recently acquired
Philippine H2O Ventures Corp. to support
efforts to strengthen the country’s
tourism sector.
Good tourism outlook
Philippine H2O Ventures thereafter
changed its name to PH Resorts
Group Holdings Inc. and
its primary purpose is to
engage in the hotel and/or
gaming and entertainment
business.
PH Resorts will house
the tourism-related
businesses of the Udenna
Group. Its portfolio will
include two integrated resort
and casino projects — one
in Mactan, Cebu as well
as another one
in Udenna’s
Clark
Global
City in
Angeles, Pampanga.
“PH Resorts will allow the Udenna
Group to take advantage of the many
opportunities in the tourism sector,
create stronger synergies among
our existing businesses and make
more meaningful contributions to the
Philippine economy,” Uy, who is Udenna
founder and chairman, said.
Udenna has diverse business interests
in petroleum and oil through Phoenix
Petroleum Philippines Inc.;
shipping and logistics through
Chelsea Logistics Holdings
Corp. and 2GO Group
Inc.; real estate through
Udenna Development;
education through
Enderun Colleges, and
convenience stores
through FamilyMart.
Kristina Maralit and
Elmer N. Manuel
Drive with care A 16-wheeler truck lies almost sideways after crashing into a center island along Abad
Santos corner Tecson in Manila. The double trailer truck was carrying concrete pilotes or columns on the way
to a construction site in Pasay City. No one was reported hurt.
YUMMIE DINGDING
Hooked
on women
From page 1
“But the statement has been exploited, I
said of late, you ladies stay away from priests,”
he said.
“So, that’s the truth. It’s happening
everywhere. The Pope admitted that priests
abuse nuns,” the President added during the
awarding ceremony for the outstanding women
in the law enforcement field in Malacañang last
Monday night.
The recent Social Weather Stations survey
bear out the improved comprehension of Filipinos
of the President’s intentions in his statements.
On the ratings for specific issues, the Duterte
administration received “Promoting Women’s
Rights” the highest grade at a +71.
Freedom to express
The President also stressed he was just exercising
his “freedom of expression” when he made his
controversial remark about women, which some
groups perceived to be misogynistic and sexist.
I do it on purpose because I’m trying to
bring you to the limits of despair.
Stressing he has so much “love and respect
for women,” it must go tit-for-tat as his right to
express himself.
“You know, you women, you deprive me of
my freedom of expression. I don’t tell it to you
directly, but you criticize every sentence or word
I say,” the Chief Executive said in his speech.
“That is my freedom to express myself. Even
if I am just a President, do not take it — do not
take me away from the crowd of being a Filipino
citizen. I do it on purpose because I’m trying to
bring you to the limits of despair,” he added.
From page 1
House, Senate get ‘moderator’
You know the style of the President, he listens and lets the
protagonists settle among themselves. He’s somewhat of a
moderator
alleged changes made by the House of
Representatives after the Bicameral
Conference Committee endorsed its
version.
President said his piece
“I’ve said my piece: I will not
sign anything that will be an illegal
document,” the President stressed.
The Chief Executive cautioned on
the effects to the national government
still operating on a reenacted budget,
stressing a domino effect, particularly
with regard to the economy.
“We’ll have a slide in our GDP
(gross domestic product) if we are
going to reenact the budget,” he said.
Among those affected by the
budget deadlock is the fourth tranche
of increase in government workers’
pay, particularly for teachers, soldiers
and police.
Also reeling from the effects of the
impasse is the rehabilitation of the
MRT-3 rail system.
With the budget still pending,
the Department of Transportation
cannot make the advance payment
of P18 billion to Japanese consortium
Sumitomo-Mitsubishi Corp. mainly
intended for the restoration and
overhaul of the EDSA railway line’s
power supply, overhead catenary
system, signaling system, tracks,
closed-circuit television camera and
public address systems, as well as its
elevators and escalators.
Sumitomo is the one bearing the
brunt of the expenses for now just
to ensure that the said rehabilitation
project is on-track to meet its
completion deadline.
Long delay
Senate President Vicente Sotto
III said it was Executive Secretary
Salvador Medialdea who extended
the President’s invitation to leaders
of Congress.
The House of Representatives only
submitted the budget measure on
Monday night or more than a month
after it was ratified on 8 February.
It could also mean (the President
saying) “you settle your
differences so that we can have a
new budget.”
Sotto said the Senate’s Legislative
Budget Research and Monitoring
Office (LBRMO) immediately reviewed
the measure. However, at press time,
Sotto said the LBRMO was still
studying the submitted measure.
“What I can say is that if there
were really changes made on about
P79 billion after ratification, I will not
sign it because apart from violating
the Constitution, I will be violating
also the Revised Penal Code on the
issue of falsification of legislative
documents,” Sotto said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson has accused
some House leaders of manipulating
the ratified budget measure — “which
is against the Revised Penal Code and
is patently unconstitutional.”
The President also announced
he will not sign the budget measure
which could be considered as illegal
document. He admitted that a
reenacted budget would adversely
affect the economy.
Lacson said Mr. Duterte is correct
in “not signing anything that would be
an illegal document.”
Nevertheless, the senator was
optimistic over the passage of the
budget but maintained that the
measure should not violate the
Constitution.
“I would like to think positive — that
those concerned will be enlightened
and not insist on a constitutionally
infirm budget. We have defined our
baseline. We cannot dive deeper than
what the Constitution so provides,”
Lacson said.
No good detractors
Mr. Duterte insisted that he loves and
respects all women, but lamented now his
words about them have been manipulated by
his detractors.
The Chief Executive has drawn flak numerous
times in the past for his comments on women,
such as linking a woman’s physical beauty as a
factor to being raped, ordering men in uniform to
shoot female rebels in their private parts, joking
about the gang rape and murder of an Australian
missionary and telling soldiers to rape women in
Marawi at the height of the military campaign
against the Islamic State-inspired Maute group
that laid siege to the city.
He also experienced a backlash after claiming
he “touched” his sleeping maid when he was still
a teenager and for kissing a Filipina on the lips
in full view of the public during his visit to South
Korea last year.
Washed new Poles at Riverside in Malabon get a fresh coating as part of a clean-up effort.
ROMAN PROSPERO

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
PAGE THREE
President Duterte is wary the legalization of medical
marijuana could be used as an excuse for unlawful use.
QC voted most
gender responsive
As a pilot and a pioneer city of the
UN Women Safe Cities Metro Manila
Program, Quezon City continues to
address sexual harassment
By Elmer N. Manuel
Quezon City has been cited as among the most gender
responsive local government units (LGU) that implement
comprehensive gender and development (GaD) programs,
according to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
The city was recognized for its enactment of GaD
ordinances that uphold human rights, gender equality and
women empowerment together with six other LGU in line
with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
(UN-SDG) program for gender equality.
The recognition falls squarely under Goal 5 of the
UN-SDG — of which the Daily Tribune is a media
partner — that aims to undertake reforms to give women
equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to
financial services, inheritance and natural resources in
accordance with national laws.
The PCW awarded Quezon City as a Gender and
Development Local Learning Hub in view of its GaD
programs, including the Quezon City Protection Center
for Victim-Survivors of Gender-Based Violence and
Abuse and City Social Hygiene Clinics.
The city was recognized for its
enactment of gender and development
ordinances.
With its initiative dubbed as the QC Pride
Council — a pioneer initiative of the local government
that “oversees the integration of all city programs
and projects for the LGBT community — it
has launched a comprehensive gender-fair
ordinance in the city.
And as a pilot and a pioneer city of
the UN Women Safe Cities Metro Manila
Program, Quezon City continues to address
sexual harassment by implementing anticat
calling and sexual harassment in
public spaces provisions on the amended
GaD ordinance.
Quezon City also launched a massive
information campaign on gender and
development policies which is promoted down
to the barangay level through GaD focal persons
in every office and it also works and coordinates
with the violence against women desks in police
stations in the city.
The City Social Hygiene Clinics, on the other
hand, was established to care for men who have
sex with men and transgender people that provide
free, safe, non-discriminatory and confidential
HIV testing along with free counseling services,
part of the city’s HIV response program which
has been recognized as a model for other
cities by the United Nations Program on
HIV/AIDS.
By Kathleen Mae Bulquerin
Senior officials of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have vowed
to fight human trafficking during the ASEAN
Consultative Meeting held in Bohol.
A total of 78 senior officials from the 10 ASEAN
member countries have pledged “to work more
aggressively and decisively” in implementing the
Bohol Trafficking in Persons (TiP) Work Plan.
“Let us be the victim’s voices, saviors and
protectors. Together, let us send the message to
everyone that human trafficking has no place
in Southeast Asia,” Department of Interior and
Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said.
Año pointed out human trafficking remains
as one of the toughest transnational crimes yet
to be solved.
“It is a somber thought that as we speak,
victims of human trafficking are left at the
mercy of their captors and rendered completely
The Chief Executive firmly believes that legalizing the use of cannabis
for medical purposes would only be used as an excuse for the
proliferation of marijuana plantations
By Hananeel Bordey, Elmer N. Manuel
and Mario J. Mallari
Candidates of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) on
Tuesday urged the government to take preventive
measures to cushion the impact of El Niño.
Former Presidential Political Adviser Francis
Tolentino lauded the National Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Council (NRRMC) for
setting a meeting to plan the government’s action
in mitigating the effects of the phenomenon.
“NDRRMC should convene here, they should
brief the agencies involved and they should
have an early announcement of brownout and
water rationing,” the former Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority (MMDA) chairman said.
Tolentino emphasized that
cloud seeding is not
enough to
lessen the impact on
agriculture
because the
government
lacks air assets while
r i c e
tariffication cannot meet
the food
demand as the implementing
rules
and regulations of the law are still in
process.
The senatorial bet reiterated
incapable to defend themselves,” he said.
Año added the government is in their utmost
effort to put an end to human trafficking and
assured ASEAN that they will continue the fight.
According to the 2018 index, there are
about 40.3 million victims of human trafficking
worldwide with one in 10 victims thought to be
within ASEAN member states.
The ASEAN region has the second highest
global prevalence rate with 6.6 victims of human
trafficking for every 1,000 population.
“With the leadership of a President who is famous
worldwide for his stand and passion to battle illegal
drugs, corruption, insurgency and criminality, the
ASEAN may rest assured that the Philippines will
not be deterred in this fight against TiP,” Año said
during the welcome dinner for the delegates.
“For every success that we achieve, one family
will be happier and
The meeting
was attended by
ASEAN Senior
Officials Meeting on
Transnational Crime
delegates from Brunei
Longer wait for medical marijuana law
By Kristina Maralit
Medical marijuana advocates will have
to wait longer for its legalization
as President Rodrigo Duterte
declared it is not going to
happen while he is still in office.
“Absolute yes, he doesn’t
like (legalizing it),” presidential
spokesman Salvador Panelo
confirmed at a press briefing.
He said that the Chief Executive firmly
believes that legalizing the use of cannabis
for medical purposes would only be used as
an excuse for the proliferation of marijuana
plantations and cause widespread addiction.
safer,” he added.
The province of
Quezon on Monday
vowed to go all-out for
former Special Assistant
to the President and
2019 senatorial candidate
Christopher Lawrence “Bong”
Go, as well as his fellow candidates
endorsed by the Hugpong ng
Pagbabago (HnP) regional party led by
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Go said the people can count on
him to be their link to President
Rodrigo Duterte.
Go thanked the leaders of
the province and its residents
after seeing the overwhelming
display of support for him and
other candidates of the HnP
during their kickoff rally at
the Quezon Convention Center.
It could be recalled that last 10
February, the provincial governors of
Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and
Quezon or CALABARZON issued a
manifesto expressing their support
for Go’s senatorial bid and declaring
“He feels that you will be using that as an
excuse. (The problem) might just get bigger. That’s
why he said not during my time. In another time
maybe, he said,” Panelo said
“He doesn’t want to risk the spread of addiction
in this country,” he added.
The official said the only way the President
may have another change of heart is if there
would be “definitive findings” to prove the healing
benefits of medical marijuana.
The President, in the past, initially expressed
approval of the use of cannabis for medical
purposes.
Last week, however, he reneged on his previous
statement and vowed to block legislative efforts
to legalize medical marijuana.
that the only short-term solution for this is
to conserve water to maintain the water
level in dams.
“I also wanted to question the protocol of
releasing excess dam water during typhoons. The
engineers in Angat and La Mesa are the ones who
decide on that. It should have a protocol. Why are
they going to throw away the water?” he asked.
Throwing away excess water will only cause
flooding in prone areas, according to Tolentino.
He urged authorities to develop Wawa Dam in
Rizal to provide long-term solution for the natural
phenomenon.
In another development, newly appointed Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin
Diokno disclosed that he was “convinced” monetary
authorities have room to ease policy even as he
keeps close watch on the El Niño phenomenon in
the country.
In a television interview, the former Budget secretary
said he would monitor the scale of El Niño and its effect
on the economy, adding a water shortage in the capital
has been blamed in part on the drought.
Diokno also cited cooling inflation, expectations
of slower inflation and recent statements from
the Federal Reserve that it was slowing the pace
him an adopted son of the region.
Welcoming Go and the HnP
Darussalam, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam and representatives from other
ASEAN sectoral
bodies.
candidates, House Minority Leader Danilo
Suarez rallied local leaders and the residents
of the province to support Go, including the
other candidates endorsed by the HnP.
Go said the people can count on him to be
their link to President Rodrigo Duterte, as he
vowed all-out support for the programs of the
Duterte administration.
Go said he believes in President Duterte’s
fight against illegal drugs, criminality and
corruption. He noted for example that people
now feel safer in the streets and in their homes.
He also said he wants to improve the delivery
of health services in the country, adding part
of this advocacy is the establishment of the
Malasakit Center.
A program of the Duterte
administration based on Go’s idea,
the Malasakit Center makes it easier
and faster for poor patients to avail
themselves of medical and financial
assistance from the government by bringing
together in one room all concerned agencies
such as the DoH, DSWD, PCSO and PhilHealth.
“We now have a Malasakit Center here in
Quezon. It was opened by Governor Suarez
recently,” Go said, adding he wants a law to
enable the establishment of Malasakit Centers
in more provinces and key urban centers of the
country in order to continue the program even
after Duterte’s term had ended. CRP
“Maybe some other time. Some other President,
maybe,” the Chief Executive said in his speech
at an event in Negros Occidental.
A proposed measure, House Bill 6517, also
called the Philippine Compassionate Medical
Cannabis Act, is pending before the House of
Representatives.
He doesn’t want to risk the spread of
addiction in this country.
It seeks to legalize the use of medical
marijuana for debilitating conditions such as
multiple sclerosis, cancer, HIV/AIDS, neurological
disorders and spinal cord injuries.
The proposed law prescribes rules for the proper
use of medical marijuana, including the designation
of a qualified medical cannabis physician, a
qualified medical cannabis patient who shall be
issued an identification card, a qualified medical
cannabis caregiver and a qualified medical cannabis
compassionate center.
Cushion El Niño
effects, gov’t urged
The only short-term solution for this
is to conserve water to maintain
the water level in dams
ASEAN vows fight vs human trafficking
For every success that we achieve,
one family will be happier and safer.
Former Cabinet official “Bong” Go talks
on his advocacies in one of his sorties.
Diokno said he would monitor the
scale of El Niño and its effect on the
economy.
Quezon supports Go, HnP
Unmindful of the human trafficking issues in the Asean region, this woman from Tayuman, Manila is secure
in the thought that she has her dog, man’s best friend, for company.
ROMAN PROSPERO
of its interest rate increases.
“If there’s a need” to ease policy, Diokno said
it could be a reduction in the reserve requirement
ratio for banks of about “one percentage point every
quarter for the next four quarters.” The current
ratio is “very high,” he said.
Meanwhile, reelectionist Sen. Sonny Angara
wanted to prioritize food-growing areas in the
country to assure low prices of rice and coconut.
He said the government should have a “proactive
stance” on the crisis suggesting an “anti-El Niño czar”
who will be in charge of giving a multi-agency response.
“A man-made disaster over a natural disaster
is a double whammy that will leave less food on
the table for families and less income for farmers.
There are threats to agriculture in multiple fronts.
Government should help farmers battle the many
crises they are facing,” Angara added.
The senator said there are Calamity Fund
or the National Disaster Risk Management and
Mitigation (NDRMM) Fund, National Irrigation
Administration (NIA) budget for agriculture agencies,
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund under the
Rice Tariffication Law and Department of Social
Welfare and Development Fund that will provide
for the affected families.
Angara explained the P20-billion NDRMM fund
can provide for preparatory activities while the
P36 billion NIA fund can be allotted for
water-saving measures in government-managed
irrigation systems.
Nat’l ID
ready by
September
By Hananeel Bordey
The Philippine
Identification System
(PhilSys) will roll out
September this year,
the Philippines Statistics
Authority (PSA) revealed
during the House Oversight
Committee on Populkation
and Family Relations
yesterday.
The agency told Speaker
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that
they are ready to start the
first batch of registration and
issue the national ID before
September.
“I am happy that it’s all
systems go for the National ID
system based on the timeline
they have presented to us this
morning,” Arroyo said.
The former President
reiterated the importance
of the oversight function of
Congress to determine if
the measures passed were
properly implemented.
They are ready to
start the first batch of
registration and issue
the national ID before
September.
PSA Deputy National
Statistician Atty. Lourdines
de la Cruz said that in
accordance with Republic
Act 11055 or the Philippine
Identification System Act,
they will commence the
registration for the PhilSys
this September which they
eye to cater to about 6 million
individuals.
This will provide for
eligible Filipinos registrants
and resident aliens aged at
least five years old.
Indigents, people with
disabilities and government
workers will be prioritized in
the registration, according to
De la Cruz.

COMMENTARY
4 Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Daily
Tribune
WITHOUT FEAR • WITHOUT FAVOR
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
Crispin G. Martinez
Chito Lozada
Dinah Ventura
Aldrin Cardona
John Henry Dodson
Jun Vallecera
Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon
Larry Payawal
Founding Chair
Executive Editor
Managing Editor
Associate Editors
Another Duterte
shakes trees
“The
daughter…
is merely
doing
what the
father
effectively
does,
which is
to be the
sounding
board of
ordinary
Filipinos.
Komfie Manalo
Business Editor
Central Desk
The Otso Diretso candidates are not being taken seriously
and their rallies appear a poor sideshow to the usually
jampacked Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) tour. The surprising
draw is not any of the candidates but HnP chairman and
campaign manager Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.
It appears that the daughter had inherited all the
attributes of the father, including her being a feisty opponent
of political rivals.
That the HnP candidates were not necessarily the bets
that her father’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino supports even
in the local race only strengthens the comparison of Sara
having the dogged independence of her father.
Many have noticed Inday Sara’s spectacular
rise during the campaign as she appeared to have
metamorphosed from the President’s daughter, who
used to accompany Rody to foreign trips, to a potential
leader.
She has taken over the chores of promoting
Rody’s senatorial slate, which is not a simple
task since administration critics claim that the
midterm polls would be a referendum on the
first three years of the Duterte administration.
She is weathering all that Rody’s foes had
thrown her path, including the controversial statement
that all politicians resort to lies which, anyway, is a view that
nearly all Filipinos share.
Inday Sara, likewise, voiced the belief of many that the
opposition Otso Diretso’s senatorial candidates as “lacking
in moral ascendancy” due to their inaccurate statements.
Members of Otso Diretso’s senatorial slate resort to
“tricks and lies and inaccurate statements about their
attacks and stand on social issues,” she said in a
Calamba, Laguna sortie.
“Of course, my God, if we could only, if not
for the slow Internet in the Philippines, play the
entire recordings of what they have been saying all
along. They’re all tricks and lies and inaccurate
statements about their attacks, their stand on social
issues. Nobody can claim here that they are clean, not even
the Vice President (Leni Robredo),” she said.
Not since the entry of her father in the
“Inday
Sara’s
statements
are only
controversial
since these
are what
most Filipinos
wanted to tell
majority of
their elected
officials.
Patricia Ramos
Board Chair
Willie Fernandez
Publisher and President
Special Reports
presidential race had anybody shaken the
political sphere.
The daughter, however, is merely doing
what the father effectively does, which is to
be the sounding board of ordinary Filipinos
and her frank views mirror the common
thought.
The exchange about honesty was brought
about by the supposed questionable school
records of one of the HnP candidates to
which Inday Sara turned on the loudest
accuser, Vice President Leni Robredo, on the allegation
that Robredo is a fake Vice President which she based
on the people’s view due to her constant assaults on the
President and an existing Presidential Electoral Tribunal
protest is in progress and that “she may or may not get
away with it.”
In another headline grabber, Inday Sara said the Otso
Diretso campaign is disorganized, depressing and sad, thus
earning from her the description of the team as a black hole.
A black hole, of course, is a region in space that sucks in
all matter, including time itself making it a truly depressing
part of the universe.
“I am not the secretary of the black holes, so the Comelec
(Commission on Elections) has already junked their petition
(for a debate),” she said.
The Comelec said granting a debate to just the Otso
Diretso and HnP candidates may be considered by other
senatorial candidates as selective.
Comelec also cited time constraints and logistics problem
for thumbing down the Otso Diretso demand.
Inday Sara’s statements are only controversial since
these are what most Filipinos wanted to tell majority of
their elected officials who have condemned the country to
suffer their abuses.
The vicious yellow eyes have lately shifted from Rody
to Sara showing the recognition and panic among the
administration critics on the rise of a possible successor.
“Does
the special
prosecutor
confide to
Sabio her
cases — whether
a preliminary
examination
or a
preliminary
investigation
result?
“Since the
composition
of the
House
changes
every three
years, it is
important
for the
House
secretariat
to be
stable and
professional.
Trust the Antonio
Trillanes lawyer named
Jude Sabio to suddenly
resurface and bring
up what he claims is
President Duterte’s case
before the International
Criminal Court (ICC),
which is really not
surprising, given that
these days are election
campaign days and the
opposition bets are
desperate enough to
clutch onto anything that would turn
voters against the administration bets.
Even Trillanes, Gary Alejano and the
yellow gang know that the ICC cannot
investigate and prosecute President
Duterte over the killings and alleged
human rights violations under his
administration’s war on drugs, as many
experts have already stressed almost a
year ago, after Duterte pronounced that
the Philippines was officially cutting its
ties and membership from the Rome
Statute that created the ICC.
The latest to echo the reasons,
all of which were stated a year ago
by constitutional experts, is Justice
Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who
stressed there is no need for the
President to officially respond to
whatever complaints as well as charges
filed against him before the ICC.
Guevarra, as well as others who
had earlier pointed out the flaws of
the ICC and prosecutors charging
Duterte, said
contrary
to what
had been
Out of ICC, for good
FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
Last
week,
I found
myself in
an engaging
conversation
with colleagues
from the Senate
secretariat at a lunch hosted by the
US Embassy. As a secretariat official
from the House of Representatives, it
is always interesting for me to compare
notes with the Senate officials on our
internal processes in a cordial fashion
and to complement each other on what
we think each other is doing well. Full
disclosure: Nothing was discussed on
the 2019 budget.
The conversation was first
grounded on the key differences
between senators and House members.
Senators are elected nationally for a
term of six years, while congressmen
are elected by a specific constituency
(local) or sector (national) only for a
term of three years.
Senators usually have had a long
career doing legislative work, at
times as a congressman or have been
previously elected to a local executive
position. It is rare for an individual
to be elected with no legislative
background, e.g. Sen. Panfilo “Ping”
Lacson. It is therefore more likely
for a senator to bring in a battery
of lawyers and researchers given
their past background in government
service, but with Mayor Rodrigo
Duterte breaking the traditional
route to the presidency (not having
been previously nationally elected),
we might be seeing more senators
who have not been elective officials
before, i.e., “Bong” Go or “Bato” de
la Rosa, if they win.
This being so, the structure of
the secretariats of the House and
Senate have some consequential
differences as well. For the Senate,
the 24 senators bring in around 40
staff and this makes their secretariat
smaller. But for the House, the
nearly 300 congressmen only have
six plantilla coterminous staff
each, which explains the larger
secretariat staff on whom there is
more dependence in the areas of bill
drafting, legal and policy research.
Special mention was made of the
House “think tank” on budget policy,
the Congressional Policy and Budget
Research Department, as it is active
in the academe and it publishes
claimed by the
Trillanes lawyer — who
is hardly known in
the Philippines as a
constitutional lawyer,
nor for that matter is
he a known criminal
lawyer — the ICC cannot
take jurisdiction over
the case since the
justice system in the
country is working.
Guevarra was quoted
as saying in a newspaper
report that “as far as our country is
concerned, the ICC cannot exercise
its jurisdiction to investigate, much
less to prosecute, because our own
investigative agencies and judicial bodies
are functioning effectively, albeit slowly.”
He added the “casualties in the antidrug
campaign are not comparable
to genocide or any crime against
humanity, by any stretch of imagination
or twisting of settled international law
doctrine.”
Guevarra said the conviction
rebutted the insinuation of impunity by
critics of the war on illegal drugs which
was a basis for filing of complaints
against Duterte before the ICC.
A number of policemen charged
with the crime of having murdered
the teenaged Kain de los Santos and
planted drugs on him, to make him
look like a drug runner, have been
convicted which already proves that
the judicial system works.
The Palace also cited the principle
of complementarity wherein the ICC
can only investigate allegations of
genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes if the domestic courts are
unable or unwilling to do so.
Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo
chimed in, saying: “Our courts are
functioning. So, how can (ICC) take
jurisdiction? We are willing and we
are capable. In fact, it shows we have
a robust judicial system. We have been
prosecuting people and we
have convictions, as well
as acquittals.”
Thus far, all that the
ICC special prosecutor
had stated earlier is that
she is into a preliminary
examination, not a preliminary
investigation. However, Sabio can be
trusted to spin this, already stating the
ICC has already gone into preliminary
investigation and, soon, charges will be
filed against Duterte.
Duterte will be charged
before the ICC — if Sabio is to
be believed — and, incidentally,
he should never be believed,
considering his total lack of
credibility, even when there was only
a preliminary examination done by
the special prosecutor and not as yet
a preliminary investigation.
However, even if there were already
a preliminary investigation done by the
ICC special prosecutor, just with what
crime can she charge Duterte?
It has always been Sabio who
has been coming up with all these
announcements he claims that come
from the ICC special prosecutor.
In an interview with CNN
Philippines last week, lawyer Sabio,
who filed the first communication in
April 2017, said the ICC may decide
to launch a formal probe before
17 March when the Philippines’
withdrawal from the ICC takes effect.
Really? Does the
special prosecutor
confide to Sabio her
cases — whether
a preliminary
examination or
a preliminary
investigation result
and even discusses
with Sabio when she
will be filing charges
against Duterte?
In December
2018, the ICC said
in its annual report
that its Office of the
Prosecutor has been conducting a
thorough factual and legal assessment
of the information available in order
to reach a reasonable basis to believe
that the alleged crimes fall within the
jurisdiction of the court.
In April 2017, Sabio submitted
to the ICC a formal communication
on the drug war killings, followed
by supplemental information from
opposition lawmakers Trillanes and
Alejano. They alleged that over a
thousand were killed by the so-called
Davao Death Squad while thousands
more were killed in the war on drugs
since Duterte became president.
This complaint has no bearing
on the preliminary examination at
all and it is Sabio and his principals
who try to make themselves look
important when they are or will soon
be non-political entities.
Drug killings are not part of what
the ICC can charge any government
individual.
Crimes against humanity then?
Duterte as president is more humane
than the yellow president who did
nothing to save his 44 troops from being
massacred by the Moros, even as he
watched it in real time.
House and Senate
well-researched
pieces monthly. I
emphasized that since
the composition of
the House changes
every three years, it is
important for the House
secretariat to be stable
and professional.
Questions were
propounded by our hosts
on our own personal
opinions on certain
issues, not reflective of
our respective institutions, such as the
partylist system, the importance of the
leadership of the Senate President and
Speaker, constitutional amendments
and the upcoming midterm elections.
Though our answers varied, it was
evident that the passion to legislate of
both House and Senate officials was
very much alive, regardless of the
differences in policy and leadership
our political principals may have.
One burning
“When
asked on what
I can change
in the House,
I immediately
answered
that more
technology
must be
integrated in
the legislative
process.
QUO VADIS
Darren M. de Jesus
topic was the
possible inclusion
of a provision
lifting term
limits in the new
Constitution. One
of the attendees
expressed that he
is favorable to this
provision since it
will prevent the
practice of having
a congressman’s
wife or child run
in his place after three terms, thereby
sacrificing the quality of leadership,
since said family member is elected
due to name and not credentials.
The term limit has also made some
politicians to be creative in skirting the
law by their orchestrated interruption
of their last term which allows them
to run under a fresh first term. This
explains how some officials end up
with a fifth consecutive term.
When asked on what I can change in
the House, I immediately answered that
more technology must be integrated in
the legislative process. I mentioned
that under the leadership of the Office
of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo, the House secretariat is
undergoing a project to come up with
a world-class ICT Initiative, particularly
for the legislative process and we are
aiming its implementation before the
Speaker steps down on 30 June.
“All that
the ICC
special
prosecutor
stated
earlier is
that she
is into a
preliminary
examination,
not a
preliminary
investigation.
I also shared that
during a visit to Batasan
by parliamentarians from
Poland last February, the
delegates noticed the
piles of paper on the desks
of the congressmen in the
Plenary Hall and shared
that their parliament
utilizes electronic tablets.
Imagine how efficient the
legislators will be if this
was done in the House
but, of course, we would
expect some resistance from the less
tech-savvy congressmen. The Senate
officials said that with their impending
move to their new office in Taguig, they
likewise hope that they would have a
paperless procedure to complement
their new modern office.
I chided that the entire legislative
process would be more seamless
only if the House and Senate were
physically located near each other,
although this will remain a dream
since the House would never leave
its complex in Batasan. The entire
group then daydreamed on how it
would have been much better for the
country if the original design plan for
all government offices to be located
in Quezon City actually happened.
The session ended on a high
note and I was glad to make new
acquaintances from the Senate. All
this happened in the midst of an
ongoing disagreement between our
respective principals with regard
the 2019 budget. It was said the
country will remain on a reenacted
budget until August 2019, already
way past the middle of the year. This
will be prejudicial to our country
since a reported P150 million is lost
every day due to this impasse and
several projects are dependent on
the approval of the 2019 General
Appropriations Act. While we work
to represent the best interests
of our bosses, we hope that our
legislators will find a way to place
their differences and past vendettas
aside and place the welfare of our
country as the topmost priority. In
any case, the President has spoken,
prodded Congress to pass the budget,
but proclaimed that he will sign no
illegal document. The directive has
been given — it is now time to settle
issues and get back to work.
Email: darren.dejesus@house.gov.ph
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Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Last 25 February, an estimated 1,200 people
assembled at the People Power Monument to
“Self-centered commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the
and EDSA revolution, also known as the People
opportunistic Power revolution.
outlooks On that fateful day, around two million
may indeed
Filipinos, from all sectors of society — young
students, prayerful nuns and priests, society
abound
matrons, day workers, militant activists and
in Metro political dissenters — massed up to collectively
Manila… manifest their opposition to the authoritarian
this does regime of Ferdinand Marcos. The despotic
not hold rule spanned 21 years, greatly bolstered by
true in the the imposition of martial law from 1972 to 1981.
provinces Yet even as we marked the 33rd anniversary
where the of that “non-violent revolt” that ousted
bayanihan a dictatorship, everything seems to have
spirit come full circle — with martial law imposed,
continues
albeit limited to Mindanao, the Marcoses
regaining political
to flourish.
clout beyond the
“The way Piñol comported
himself in that incident was
unbecoming of a high-ranking
public official identified
with a president who enjoys
unprecedented continuing public
support.
Cinderella was a social butterfly.
It was Laurie’s mother who described her as a
communal lepidoptera as she was always out with
friends, a reason why she imposed rules and why
Laurie called herself Cinderella. She had to be home
by midnight.
That rule did not slow down Laurie, though. In
her 20s, she went deep into joining the underground
movement at the onset of the dictatorship of
Ferdinand Marcos and was killed in battle by the
military in 1975.
This rubbernecker was five years old then. I did
not know who Lorena Barros was. Or what martial
law was. All I knew was Marcos was Philippine
president and that he did great things for the country.
That was what they taught us, martial law babies,
in school.
I stumbled upon Laurie long after her death. I
could no longer recall how, but our introduction could
have been by way of books or reading materials I
picked up somewhere, probably inserted in borrowed
library readings.
Heroines fascinated me long
“What
women enjoy
now could
not have
happened
had they
kept
mopping
floors and
cooked their
husbands’
before I had crushes. My pre-puberty
heroines were not Wonder Woman,
Supergirl or Captain Marvel. For this
kid then, Tandang Sora and Gabriela
Silang rocked. But Lorena Barros, I
loved.
It was only later that I saw her face
when more books about her and the
other martyrs of the Philippine Left
surfaced years after EDSA.
Laurie was not a fictional princess.
She was a fighter.
Before Laurie, there were other
meals.
women like her who challenged the existing orders
of their times and succeeded.
Women’s rights as we know it today have been
fought in various ways by women themselves.
In 1909 in New York, the Socialist Party
of America organized a Women’s Day. The
following year, the International Socialist Women’s
Conference (born out of the 1906 Congress of
German women) suggested that an annual Women’s
Day be commemorated.
In Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, London and
many other places, women dropped their home rags
and took to the streets. Many of them called for equal
rights, including suffrage then enjoyed only by men.
A women’s strike in Petrograd, Russia sparked the
February Revolution that forced Emperor Nicholas
II to abdicate in 1917. The Great October Revolution
followed months later.
In the past 25 years, women have made significant
progress in health, education and legal rights.
In most countries, women have also made great
The women I loved
How fares Filipino nationalism?
Ilocos region and back into the national
sphere, corruption still unabated in the
bureaucracy, human rights abuses remain
unmitigated — the very same issues that
impelled the EDSA revolutionaries to come
together in 1986.
Barely a year after EDSA,
“If we can
all emulate
the Ivatans,
then there is
hope for us.
Aldrin Cardona
Asia correspondent James
Fallows commented “(T)
he EDSA revolution seems
emotionally so important in the
Philippines not only because
it got rid of Marcos but also
because it demonstrated a
brave, national-minded spirit.” However, for
Fallows, the nationalist spirit manifested on
EDSA was an exception, even an aberration.
“The tradition of political corruption and
cronyism, the extremes of wealth and poverty,
the tribal fragmentation, the local elite’s
willingness to make a separate profitable
peace with colonial
powers — all reflect
He
said
advances in economic participation, political
leadership and security.
The Philippines remains largely a patriarchal
society. But it would not take long before this would
change, too.
Women have taken over country’s leadership, too.
In the first post-EDSA Senate, we only had
two women in Santanina Rasul and Leticia
Ramos-Shahani.
At present, we have six.
The number of female lawmakers in Congress has
also grown significantly. There are also more woman
local government leaders now as before.
Largely, there is a significant improvement in favor
of women in the workplace. Several women have also
taken over top corporate positions, although it would
probably take more decades before we could say the
gap in women’s progress toward gender equality has
been filled.
The bravery shown and the sacrifices made by
women of the past have made this possible. What
women enjoy now could not have happened had
they kept mopping floors and cooked their husbands’
meals.
Global data from the World Bank, the World Health
Organization, several United Nations agencies and
others have reported improvements in women’s
access to health care services.
Newly born girls can now expect to live past 70.
Maternal mortality has dropped to more than 40
percent in two decades. Mortality for infant girls
decreased by half and adolescent births by a third.
But women — and also men — face new challenges
now, including the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
Trafficking remains an issue.
Bad governance is still a challenge. For them.
For us.
More women will rise, because they’re better
than men.
As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we
bow to you mothers, sisters, aunts, friends.
Thank you for making the world better!
Piñol a disgrace to public office, media
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel
Piñol gave the public a glimpse of his abrasive
character two weeks ago at a public forum on rice
tariffs held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao
City where he was the speaker.
Maya Padillo, the Davao City
correspondent of the Daily Tribune,
approached Piñol, politely introduced
herself and requested the Agriculture
Secretary for an interview concerning
the forum.
According to another news reporter
who was with Padillo, Piñol snapped at
Padillo and said, “I don’t want you. You
made me a headline! No way. I will not
agree to an interview if it will appear in
Tribune. I will not allow it!”
The reporter also disclosed after Piñol
humiliated Padillo, the Agriculture chief turned
to the people at his table and screamed,
“They made me a headline — Piñol on his
way out. They turned me into a project
even if they knew the President was only
joking.”
It appears that Piñol was referring to
the headline of the 26 February 2019 issue
of the Daily Tribune, which contained
the interrogative phrase “Piñol on the way
out?” That headline came about after Piñol
failed to attend a major event in Pasay City
where President Rodrigo Duterte was asking
around for him.
Piñol eventually relented and gave Padillo
an interview, but only after Padillo assured him
that the interview will no longer be for the Daily
Tribune but for a local publication
instead.
Since early this year,
Piñol has been at the
receiving end of intense
public criticism for a rice
a feeble sense of nationalism and
a contempt for the public good,”
he said.
According to Fallows, the strong
family, tribal or socio-ethnic ties of
Filipinos diminish any nationalist
spirit and “(B)ecause the boundaries
of decent treatment are limited to
the family or tribe, they exclude at
least 90 percent of the people in the
country.”
Self-centered and opportunistic
outlooks may indeed abound in
Metro Manila. However, this does not hold true
in the provinces where the bayanihan spirit
continues to flourish.
Consider the Ivatans of Batanes, who
embody the bayanihan spirit. One walks
the streets of Basco, its public squares
and markets and find these clean, free
of the ubiquitous trash. Meander through
the beaches and discover the shore and
its waters clear of the pervasive presence
She
said
Dinah S. Ventura
I could never understand why Maria
Clara, a character in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me
Tangere, was depicted as the ideal Filipina.
I grew up surrounded by strong
women — and by “strong” I mean they
were not “easily fainting,” as Maria
Clara often was described. They did
not flutter helplessly about, listless and
sickly. They did not hide behind fans
or escape into a convent when tragedy
struck. My grandmother was her town’s
first lady mayor. My mother was a
doctor, her sister the same and another
followed in their mom’s footsteps. Of
course, Maria Clara was the product of
one’s imagination, but she, I believe,
was also a product of the times.
Women have survived
“We are
lucky that
Filipino men
in general,
macho as they
are idealized
to be, are open
enough to treat
women with
respect, love
and support.
MOORINGS
Salma Rasul
shortage crisis, which is believed to have
triggered unmitigated hikes in the price
of the national staple.
Piñol is also facing criticism in
Mindanao for his alleged use of
the Special Area for Agricultural
Development (SAAD) program for
political gains. His daughter and siblings
are candidates for various elective posts
in Cotabato in this year’s elections.
The Provincial
“Nobody
forced Piñol
to become
a public
official. He
freely and
willingly
accepted his
appointment
to public
office.
Government of Cotabato
is likewise at odds with
Piñol over SAAD funds.
Ironically, Piñol was
governor of Cotabato from
1998 to 2007. He tried to
run again for governor,
but he was twice defeated.
Prior to joining
politics, Piñol was a
radio broadcaster and a
writer for a tabloid. He
was also connected with
the Philippine News Agency.
Sadly, Piñol is a disgrace to public
office and the media.
As a public official — and a high-ranking
one at that — Piñol should be open to
public criticism, i.e., criticism from the
news media — they who monitor public
officials for the purpose of providing
enlightening information to the Filipino
people in whom sovereignty, which
is the source of a public official’s
political power, resides. It says so in the
Constitution and Piñol ought to read it
for his own enlightenment.
As a landmark ruling of the Supreme
Court postulates, public officials should
not be thin-skinned. Nobody forced Piñol
times of oppression and
had played out strong
roles in an ever-changing
world. They had risen
above restrictive social
expectations and struggled
to identify and shape the
concept of femininity.
This is why the world
celebrates Women’s Day
and Women’s Month. In
2019, it is no longer a
fight for equal rights
but a celebration of what women have
accomplished and continue to achieve.
The recent Women’s Day events held
in Metro Manila honored women whose
works have made an impact on society,
politics and business, for example. I
suspect these women don’t go about
with “downcast eyes” though their souls
are “pure.”
This is not to say Maria Clara was a
mistake or an aberration, far from it.
Womanity
COMMENTARY
5
of plastic. Everybody cares for
their environment. Talk to any
townsfolk of Basco or Sabtang
and be amazed by the pride in
their ethnicity, deep love of their
community and their conscious
collaboration with each other
to promote local businesses
and trades, due to the need
for self-sufficiency to survive
Batanes’ harsh climate. It is not
a “beggar thy neighbor” mindset
for economic growth, but rather
“mind thy neighbor, prosper the community,”
where local businesses patronize other local
businesses. No monopoly here.
If we can all emulate the Ivatans, then
there is hope for us. We could strengthen a
culture of collaboration and empowerment
of every individual through cooperation and
empathy and encouraging every Filipino to be
a responsible citizen — critical lessons for all,
including the Bangsamoro.
to become a public official. He freely and
willingly accepted his appointment to
public office. Precisely because public
office vests Piñol with a part of public
power, he must accept public scrutiny.
A saying puts it succinctly — if one
can’t stand the heat, he should get out
of the kitchen.
Being both a politician and an
ex-journalist, Piñol was most certainly
aware that he was to speak at a
public forum where the news media
are expected to be present and where
members of the news media will
surely ask questions and request
interviews. Despite that expectation,
Piñol chose to humiliate the Daily
Tribune correspondent because he was
displeased with the way the newspaper
reported an earlier story about him.
In short, the way Piñol comported
himself in that incident was unbecoming
of both a high-ranking public official
identified with a President who enjoys
unprecedented continuing public
support and a journalist who is aware
of how the news media function in a
democratic society.
While it may be argued that public
officials like Piñol cannot be compelled to
give interviews to the news media, public
officials must treat members of the news
media with appropriate courtesy.
By snapping at the Daily Tribune
correspondent, Piñol demonstrated that he
is an embarrassment for President Duterte.
Piñol should have made a run for
the Senate with the Otso Diretso sa
Impyerno ticket. By being on that
ticket, Piñol would have no need to
apologize for his rude manners.
She was a fictional character born from
the author’s real-life ideals and, Jose
Rizal being a man, made her out to be a
paragon of sweetness and light, her beauty
incandescent.
I highly suspect it was a woman
who described Maria Clara as “greatest
misfortune that has befallen the Filipina in
the last 100 years.”
Not to malign our national hero and his
imaginative idealization of womanhood,
but the general “demure and self-effacing”
description of the character unfortunately
seemed to be the only one that stuck.
But there was more to Maria Clara than
the devout Catholic, the obedient daughter
and the beautiful sweetheart. She was kind
and faithful, a caring soul with a mind of her
own. Trapped by circumstances and tragic
turns of events, she tried to keep on until
her last hope was taken away.
Idealized as she was, Maria Clara
represented something women have
struggled against for generations — being
boxed in.
There are still a number of countries
that continue to suppress the rights of
women, forcing them to remain uneducated,
unskilled and practically invisible.
In the Philippines today, we are very
fortunate that women are free to hold
positions of authority both in government
and the private sector. It is not such a
novelty to see women reaching for and
breaking that so-called glass ceiling. We
are lucky that Filipino men in general,
“macho” as they are idealized to be, are
open enough to treat women with respect,
love and support. For me, personally, that
quality of chivalry is the mark of a real man.
Those who are unkind, even cruel, abusive
and rude are weaker than the sex they keep
trying to lord over.
While our society is not perfect, it is
not like other cultures where women are
oppressed by law and by antiquated social
standards. For if the most democratic of
them all, the United States, can breed
#metoo movements and leaders who are
chauvinists and even racists, how much
more those who refuse to even let women
drive?
Celebrating women and their
achievements for one month in a year is a
worthy activity, but it should remind us that
while they have survived many struggles,
there are still some to be fought.

6 NEWS
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
All point to De Lima
All of them said when I asked them if those alleged
were true and they said it was true
From page 1
administration senatorial bet
former Bureau of Corrections
(BuCor) Chief Ronald de la Rosa
bared yesterday.
De la Rosa, who served as
BuCor chief from April to October
2018, said he inquired about De
Lima’s alleged drug links from
several convicted inmates at
the NBP and no one denied the
existence of such links.
“All of them said when I asked
them if those alleged were true
and they said it was true… no
one denied it,” De la Rosa said
during an ANC interview.
He did not identify who were
the convicted drug lords he
inquired about De Lima’s links
to the illegal drugs trade.
However, during
a court hearing
last year, convicted
drug lord Jayvee
Sebastian admitted
to conspiring with De Lima.
During his arraignment
held 4 September 2018 inside the
NBP compound in Muntinlupa
City, Sebastian entered a guilty
plea before the Regional Trial
Court Branch 206.
Sebastian admitted he
conspired with De Lima and
five others to trade illegal drugs
inside the NBP. De Lima has
repeatedly denied the charges
against her.
If there is communication
there will be transaction.
De la Rosa added to stop
convicted drug lords from
controlling illegal drugs trade
outside NBP, he ordered Chinese
inmates to be separated from
Filipinos.
Sinos segregated
“The situation there (NBP) was
very difficult. They (convicted
drug lords) have no fears. They
are not worried that they
will be arrested
because they are
already detained,”
De la Rosa said.
“So, I separated
the Chinese drug lords
from the Filipinos — in
separate buildings to cut their
communication because if there
is communication, there will
be transactions,” added De la
Rosa who served as chief of the
Philippine National Police (PNP).
De la Rosa stressed the
convicted drug lords are still able
to control the illegal drugs trade
even while serving prison terms
because of communication. He
maintained that no more drugs
are coming from NBP.
Drug lord Jayvee Sebastian
admitted he conspired with
De Lima and five others to
trade illegal drugs inside
the NBP.
De la Rosa also dared the
opposition Otso Diretso lineup
Sparks fly in Batangas tiff
Sabili emphasized that it was not the first time that Recto’s
camp made a move against him
From page 1
The mayor vowed to give importance to
health care and gender equality.
On the other hand, Santos-Recto is running
for a second term in the newly created district.
Star of Batangas
Referred to as the “Star for All Seasons”
due to her exemplary silver screen
performances through the years, Santos-Recto
had distinguished herself in the political field
and is currently vice chairman of the House
Committees on Globalization and Local
Government.
Recto, however, denied allegations
that he was meddling with Lipa
City concerns and said he has not
spoken with any DILG official
with regard to Sabili’s suspension.
Among the bills she shepherded are the
Occupational Safety and Health Standards
Law, New Social Security Services Act,
Extended Passport Validity Act, Tax Reform
for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, Universal
Health Care Act, National ID System Act and
DE LA ROSA
the Expanded Maternity Leave Act.
Santos-Recto was also a former Lipa City
mayor and Batangas governor.
The rivalry of the Rectos and the Sabilis in
Batangas has been legendary. Last 17 October
or a few hours before the start of the filing of
the certificates of candidacy, the Nationalist
People’s Coalition (NPC) party canceled
Sabili’s nomination.
Sabili accused Sen. Ralph
Recto, Vilma’s husband, of
making a call to NPC secretary
general Dong Mendoza to drop
him from the party.
Sabili emphasized that it was
not the first time that Recto’s camp
made a move against him. He said in the
previous elections, he was kicked out of the
Liberal Party and after he joined the National
Unity Party, Recto again attempted to cancel
his membership from the party. Recto’s camp
remained quiet about the allegations.
DE LIMA
to “bring it on” in accepting the
debate challenge.
De la Rosa, who is among
the five official candidates of
the ruling Partido Demokratiko
Pilipino and endorsed by Davao
City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong
ng Pagbabago, said he is ready to
face anybody in the debates.
Deals made inside
“Illegal drugs are not flowing
into the prison. You’re talking
about commercial value drugs that
they say are coming from Bilibid?
No,” De la Rosa said. “What is
happening there is — convicted
drug lords inside the prison are
Independent bet
Sabili will run as an independent candidate
for the 2019 midterm elections.
On 27 June 2018, the Office of the
Ombudsman was supposed to impose a oneyear
suspension without pay on Sabili for
oppression and conduct prejudicial to the
best interest of service.
Former Lipa Social Welfare Development
Officer Teresita Pesa filed a complaint against
the incumbent mayor after she was ordered
reassigned and transferred to a different
position.
This was not denied by Sabili as he said
the reassignment was made due to efforts to
clean the ranks in city hall.
He recently asked Senator Recto to stop
intervening with local government politics,
saying he received information he
was pressuring the Department
of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) to suspend
him immediately.
Recto, however, denied
allegations that he was meddling
with Lipa City concerns and said
he has not spoken with any DILG official with
regard to Sabili’s suspension.
The Ombudsman order for Sabili’s
suspension was not served after the Court
of Appeals approved a 60-day temporary
restraining order.
Last Sunday, he hosted Hugpong ng
Pagbabago’s (HnP) campaign rally in Lipa
City, Batangas.
The sortie was attended by Davao
City Mayor Sara Duterte and several HnP
candidates.
From page
the ones in control. Their business
outside continues, but the shabu
does not go inside the prison. They
are the ones in control.”
He also stressed that he was
never offered a bribe during his
short stint at BuCor where he
served as its head from May to
October 2018.
Name the place
“Bring it on. Anytime, anywhere,
I am ready. I never turned my back
in my many wars against enemies
of the state. Why would I fear
facing them in debates,” De la Rosa
said over ANC.
“Remember debates are not
all about intelligence. Actual
experiences in life on the streets
or being poor are sometimes more
important,” added De la Rosa, who
has a master’s degree in public
administration and a doctorate in
development administration from
the University of Southeastern
Philippines.
De la Rosa is a member of the
Philippine Military Academy Class
of 1986.
“We can debate anywhere you
want — inside the comfort room or
atop the mountain, bring it on!” De
la Rosa said.
Asset is clean heart
The former PNP chief added
he is offering his “clean heart” to
the Filipino voters.
De la Rosa said he also wanted
to help President Duterte pursue
his program of government for
the benefit of all Filipinos.
“I offer my clean heart… my
services to the Filipino people
and I want to help our President
in bringing our people and country
to further development,” De la
Rosa said.
If elected, De la Rosa added
he will pursue the reimposition of
death penalty on heinous crimes,
especially those involving illegal
drugs.
He said he will also push for
the return of police training to
the PNP to ensure that only those
properly trained recruits enter
the service.
Convicted drug lords inside
the prison are the ones
in control. Their business
outside continues but the
shabu does not go inside
the prison.
Members of the opposition
Otso Diretso have been calling
out the administration bets
for debates — even asking the
Commission on Elections to set
one but the poll body turned it
down.
Clean-up act Informal settlers in Estero Padua in Malate will have a healthier
surrounding when a communal septic tank is installed, courtesy of Environment
Secretary Roy Cimatu and former ambassador and retired Philippine National Police
Gen. Vidal Querol. The operation to provide sewerage support to communities is part of
the Manila Bay rehabilitation program.
YUMMIE DINGDING
Bowl of surprise
neighbor, the homeowner managed
to catch the snake as it tried to
crawl out.
He can consider himself lucky.
In 2016, a male Thai was sitting
on the toilet bowl as part of his
morning ritual when he was jolted
by excruciating pain. To his shock,
he found out that a boa constrictor
in the toilet bowl had bitten his
private parts.
Hearing the screams of Atthaporn
Boonmarkchuai, neighbors came to
his rescue and managed to save
him from the 3.5-meter snake.
They immediately brought him to a
hospital for treatment.
These incidents serve as
reminder to check before you sit.
As the saying goes, there is always
danger for someone sitting on the
throne.
Go up in smoke Firemen have a busy day as fire erupts all over Manila. Five firefighters try to control flames that engulfed a house in Barangay Obrero in Quezon City.
ANALY LABOR

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune NATION
7
12 DEAD, THOUSANDS DISPLACED
Maguindanao clashes rage
The said number, however, does not include displaced
residents who evacuated from the towns of Datu Saudi
Ampatuan and Datu Piang
By Kristina Maralit
Violence reared its ugly head once
again in restive Mindanao region as
clashes between government soldiers
and ISIS-inspired terror groups erupted
beginning last Monday in Maguindanao.
At press time, authorities said at
least 12 people were already killed and
thousands of civilians were forced to
flee their homes to avoid being caught
in the crossfire.
Bangsamoro region minister of social
services Raisa Jajurie said 3,295 families
or around 16,000 individuals were staying
in various evacuation camps in the towns
of Shariff Saidona, Shariff Aguak and
Datu Salibo.
The said number, however, does not
include displaced residents who evacuated
from the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan
and Datu Piang.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana,
commander of Joint Task Force Central
Mindanao, said the firefight between
government troops and Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) started
in Barangay Inaladan in the municipality
Pacific partnership
program under way
By Kathleen Mae Bulquerin
Tacloban City is buzzing with activities
as it plays host to the 2019 Pacific
Partnership Program which is participated
in by the Pacific Fleet of the United States
Navy (USN) together with the 8th Infantry
Division of the Philippine Army.
The program is an annual deployment
of forces from the USN, in cooperation
with regional governments and military
forces, along with humanitarian and
non-government organizations.
Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, Joint
Task Force Storm commander,
said the undertaking will
strengthen relationships among
the local soldiers and their
foreign counterparts.
This year’s event started last 10 March
and will last until 24 March.
As the host city, Tacloban will be the
main beneficiary of humanitarian and
civic assistance to be provided by the
participants especially by the USN.
This is the second time that Tacloban
City will host the mission and the 8th time
the Philippines is acting as the host country.
Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, Joint Task Force
Storm commander, said the undertaking will
strengthen relationships among the local
soldiers and their foreign counterparts.
He added the project will enhance their
readiness in responding to crisis, exchange
knowledge and skills that will greatly help
in improving the life of the people.
During the two-week mission, the
participants will conduct medical and
dental missions as well as engage in
construction projects, which will focus
mainly on disaster preparedness, response
and rehabilitation.
By Aldwin Quitasol
Candon City, Ilocos Sur will celebrate 18th
Tobacco Festival from 17 to 25 March this year.
The city, dubbed the country’s tobacco
capital, will feature the region’s primary product
and its contribution to the economy, being the
largest producer of the finest Virginia Tobacco
in the country.
The celebration will kick-off with youth
competition featuring homegrown games,
millennial dance competition and special
performance by the Siakol Band on 17 March.
of Shariff Saydona Mustapha and moved
toward other areas where the ISIS group
has a presence.
Of the fatalities, three were government
soldiers, eight were members of the BIFF
and one was from the Maute group.
Sobejana said one soldier from the
Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division
was killed and another was wounded during
the gun battle.
We assure the public that we are
targeting only the encampments of
ISIS-inspired groups of BIFF.
Those killed from the BIFF side were
identified as Kumander Pegka, Karim
Binua, Munir Madsal, Gani Lanti, Bukari
Samad and Sanday Musib.
He added they are still trying to identify
two more slain bandits who were hit by the
government’s attack helicopters.
Air and ground assault continued
on Tuesday in several barangays in
Maguindanao following a whole day of
intense firefight on Monday as Sobejana
urged residents to stay inside evacuation
centers.
“We assure the public that we are
By Korinah Saromines
The gruesome murder of a teenage girl
in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu had prompted
the Department of Education (DepEd),
to call on all concerned authorities to
revisit their policies on school safety.
In a memorandum, the DepEd head
office instructed school officials to
impose stricter rules and ensure the
safety of elementary and secondary
students at all times.
It also called on law enforcement
authorities to hasten the arrest of the
killers of 16-year-old Christine Silawan.
To recall, the victim was found dead
in a vacant lot on Monday morning with a
slit in her throat and several stab wounds
in her body.
She was found naked from the
waist down, prompting authorities
to theorize that she might have been
On 21 March, farmers especially tobacco growers
will display their produce during the Agriculture Day
at the Candon Farmers, Trade Center.
Then on the next day, the city will form the
longest flue cured quality Virginia Tobacco leaf
and a quiz bee at the city multipurpose hall.
Likewise, the city will hold the first
international pigeon show back to back with
the Search for Miss Candon 2019.
Also, one of the highlights of the festival is the
“Pammadayaw,” which will honor the outstanding
native residents who have contributed to the
city’s honor and development.
targeting only the encampments of ISISinspired
groups of BIFF,” Sobejana said.
Abu Amir, spokesman for the BIFF under
the Karialan faction, said they were just
forced to fight back after seeing military
troops intruding in their communities in
Barangay Libutan.
This, as Malacañang yesterday assured
the government will exert all efforts to
flush out ISIS and its sympathizers
out of the country.
Locked
and
loaded
Government
soldiers
prepare to
storm enemies’
lairs in Mindanao.
Productive cooperation The 2019 Pacific Partnership Program, which is participated
in by the United States Navy, aims to enhance partnership between local soldiers and
their foreign counterparts.
DepEd wants stringent school security
raped by the suspects.
The order, likewise, urged the
schools to restrict practices for school
presentations and other school-related
activities until 5 p.m. only.
The agency also instructed school
heads to advise learners to bring packed
lunch or snacks instead of buying food
outside school premise and ensure that
fully functional CCTV cameras are
installed in strategic areas.
The order urged the schools to
restrict practices for school
presentations and other
school-related
activities until 5 p.m. only.
It also called for additional presence
of police or barangay watchmen in school
areas and advised students to always
go in groups when out on the streets,
especially when it is already dark.
Candon celebrates tobacco festival
Golden yield A farmer uses the traditional method of separating chaff from the grain. ROMAN PROSPERO
LOCAL
METRO MANILA
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The Palace was reacting to an
article on the New York Times
tagging the Philippines, particularly
Mindanao, as the jihadists’ new
breeding ground.
Presidential spokesman
Salvador Panelo admitted that
the government was disturbed
by the report.
The article, titled “How
By Rico M. Osmeña
Former Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo
John Garcia yesterday filed P210-million
plunder raps over questionable payroll
releases against Toledo City Mayor John
Henry Osmeña and several other city
hall officials before the Office of the
Ombudsman.
Aside from Osmeña, also charged were
councilors Marjorie Perales and Leo Dolino,
executive assistant II Justin Anthony de
Jesus, budget officer Gethsemane Mahinay
and City Administrator Ferdinand Marquez.
Also, rapped were treasurer Leonardo
Rivera Jr., human resource management
officer Edwin Abad, city accountant
Ramon Samper and Liga ng mga Barangay
president Ophelio Dolino.
At a press briefing, Garcia presented to
media several payroll documents, including
the request of 21 out of the 38 barangay
captains of the city, to file charges against
the mayor.
Garcia and his group were specifically
asking the Ombudsman to investigate the
possible plunder of public funds, that were
ostensibly paid to job order employees in
highly questionable and irregular manner.
The said job order employees were
allegedly
hired to work
in the clean
and green
program
of the city
government.
Garcia,
however,
said in its
annual audit
report for
Toledo City
in the fiscal
year 2017, the
Commission
on Audit
(CoA) noted
the highly
CLEAR SKIES
ISIS is Rising in the Philippines as It
Dwindles in the Middle East” and posted
online on 9 March.
It stated the ISIS is far from defeated
and that the movement has sprouted
in the Mindanao, long a haven
for insurgents because of dense
wilderness and weak policing.
With Gladys Mae Ablon
Toledo mayor tagged
over P210-M plunder
suspicious and irregular disbursement of
more than P100 million in public funds.
The said amount was supposedly paid
to so-called job order employees whose
existence, identities and actual work were
in question.
Thus, the regularity and propriety
of expenditures amounting to
P113,265,231.40 could not be
ascertained, the CoA said.
The state auditors noted in item 6 of
their report that “the necessity of hiring job
order employees could not be established
due to lack of contracts and their doubtful
daily time records on the pretext of doing
the fieldwork.”
“Thus, the regularity and propriety of
expenditures amounting to P113,265,231.40
could not be ascertained,” the CoA said.
However, Garcia added despite
these findings and in defiance of the
recommendations of the CoA, the City of
Toledo continued these questionable practices
in the implementation of P 210 million clean
and green programs for fiscal year 2018.
“Considering the sheer magnitude of the
fund, there should have been a clear and
unmistakable improvement in the hygiene
and landscape of the city,” Garcia insisted.
WE ARE HIRING!
Looking for highly motivated and result-oriented
individuals for the following posts:
Page Editors
Reporters
Accounting Clerk
Applicants may bring or email their resumé to the Daily Tribune
office at 3450 Concept Bldg., Florida St., Makati City.
dailytribune@tribune.net.ph / 8337085

8
METRO
John Henry Dodson, Editor
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Junkie ‘celebs’ spooked
PDEA has slain dealer’s contacts
Alone Irene Mercado may be left with no choice but to spill the beans on her slain partner’s supplier of drugs and high-rolling clients.
By Elmer N. Manuel
Water concessionaires servicing Metro Manila have
resorted to sending tankers in waterless communities
where residents formed long queues like in hard-hit
Mandaluyong City.
Tankers to the rescue as long queues
form.
Manila Water deployed 27 tankers for round-the-clock
water delivery in areas hit by the service interruption,
Makati
kids get
‘Go Bags’
By Gladys Mae Ablon
The Makati City government
has provided 38,929 students
from 13 public high schools
with individually packed “Go
Bags” as part of its efforts to
build disaster resilient and
sustainable communities.
A Go Bag is a portable
survival kit recommended by
emergency response experts to
help an individual or a family
survive, at least, in the next 72
hours after a disaster.
A bag contains essential needs
such as food and drinking water,
hygiene and first aid kits, flashlight
and other handy materials.
Survival in 72 hours
after disaster critical.
“We want our youth to learn
the importance of self-help and
preparedness. Through this
project, we are able to inculcate
a culture of preparedness
among young Makatizens,”
Mayor Abby Binay said.
“We hope that providing
students with individuallypacked
Go Bags will
motivate parents to
prepare their own Go
Bags for the entire
household,” Binay
added.
The Makati Disaster
Risk Reduction and
Management Office
started distributing
the life-saving kits
during the first quarter
of 2018, benefiting various
public elementary and high
schools, city hall employees and
residents living along the five
barangays along the West
Valley Fault.
Maynilad agrees to share water
Life sustaining
Each Go Bag can sustain
a person for at least three
days.
By Alvin Murcia
By Raymart T. Lolo
said corporate communications head Jeric Sevilla.
Maynilad, which services the western half of Metro
Manila, has agreed to share its supply with Manila Water.
Maynilad boasts a 291-million liter holding capacity
built in response to the drought spurred by the El Niño
phenomenon in 2010.
While most of Metro Manila’s water is sourced from
the Angat Dam, which still has normal water level,
the La Mesa Dam water was at 68.85 meters around
6 a.m. yesterday, below its critical level of 69 meters
above sea level.
7 Chinese nabbed
for kidnapping
The National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) presented yesterday seven Chinese
nationals arrested in Pasay and Parañaque
for kidnapping and serious illegal detention
this week.
NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the
suspects as Luo Gen Jin, Cheng Yiguo, Liu
Shenghui, Deng Shujin, Xiong Jinxiang, Xiong
Jongpeng and Xiong Jilong.
5 suspects blundered by staying at
inn where victim was held.
Operatives of the NBI Special Action Unit
and Task Force Against Illegal Drugs joined
forces with the NBI National Capital Region
The workers’ union of the University
of Santo Tomas (UST) Hospital yesterday
denied having a hand in the bomb threat
received by the medical facility.
The Ugnayang Nagkakaisang
Manggagawa-UST Hospital (UNM-USTH)
office in acting on the complaint of the brother
of kidnap victim Jian Shi Xin.
Kidnapped at Okada Manila and kept under
guard at Balagtas Royale Mansions in Pasay
City, Jian was allowed to call his brother to relay
the P200,000 ransom demand of the captors.
The brother paid the ransom through wire
transfer leading to the victim’s release near the
City of Dreams in Parañaque City on 10 March.
The NBI agents rushed to the inn where they
arrested five of the suspects before rounding
up the two others at the Solaire Resort and
Casino in Parañaque City.
All seven were positively identified by
the victim as his kidnappers. They were
subjected to inquest proceedings at the Pasay
City Prosecutor’s Office and charged with
kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
issued the statement as its members assailed
the hospital’s management over the collection
of training fees, long working hours and failure
to regularize workers.
Hospital workers seeking a return
to negotiating table.
The group’s president Don Siazon
3 fall in sting
Three drug suspects were arrested in a
buy-bust operation in Marikina City before
dawn Tuesday. The
suspects were
identified as
Kingsley, alias
Waray, 19; Clariz
Cayetano, alias
Clariz, 28; and
Rolando Cayetano,
56.
They were nabbed
in a police operation
at 12:10 a.m.
a l o n g
Iwahig
St.,
ANALY LABOR
Weather experts, meanwhile, said it is not advisable to
conduct cloudseeding operations with the hope of spawning
rains and raise the dams’ water level during summer.
Cloudseeding depends on seedable clouds. Our
clouds during the summer time are a bit wispy, so it’s
not advisable to conduct cloudseeding, a hydrologist
said on radio.
Many residents have lamented the additional
expenses of buying water from tankers, even as small
eateries had resorted to using disposable plates and
utensils.
Barangay Tumana. Prior to the arrest of the
suspects, anti-drug operatives received a report
from an informant regarding the involvement
of alias Waray in selling illegal drugs.
Recovered from the suspects were 13 sachets of
suspected shabu with street value of more
or less P120,000, P500 buy-bust money
and a 38. caliber revolver with five bullets.
Neil Alcober
Ortiz: Clients were high-profile like
professionals, students
By Pat C. Santos
said “some unscrupulous elements”
are trying to blame its members for the
bomb and other unlawful threats made
against USTH.
Siazon said they will never resort to
violence despite the worsening working
conditions in the facility.
A deadlock in the collective bargaining
METRO BITS
The “ghost” of slain alleged party drugs super-dealer
Steven Pasion will haunt his well-off clientele, possibly
including two showbiz personalities.
But it’s more like agents of the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA) may do the spooking
of the suspected high-class drug users as their
contact numbers and messages were recovered from
Pasion’s mobile phone.
Purportedly the top supplier of party drugs in Metro
Manila, Pasion was gunned down near his condominium
unit in Sta. Cruz, Manila Monday evening after trying to
escape aboard his sports utility vehicle.
Pasion’s live-in partner Irene Mercado was arrested
during the buy-bust. A search of their residence led to the
discovery of about a kilo of shabu with a street value of
about P6 million.
The “celebrities” — a man and a woman who regularly
appear on television — were regulars of Pasion, with one
recently placing an order for 200 pieces of the party drug
ecstasy.
PDEA special enforcement services (SES) acting director
Levi Ortiz said they will check out the numbers found on
Pasion’s phone and do case build-ups.
“Their clients were high-profile, like professionals,
students and celebrities,” Ortiz said.
The PDEA official refused to name the celebrities due
to the possibility that their names had only been used as
aliases by Pasion’s clients.
Pasion was killed when he allegedly fought off operatives
of the PDEA and the Manila Police’s drug enforcement unit.
Meanwhile, a newly freed convict was nabbed for
possession of P6.8 million worth of shabu at Tutuban
Center in Manila.
The suspect was identified as Jerome T. Reyes who was
arrested with a friend while they were transacting drugs
with a poseur-buyer.
Victimizing their own The seven Chinese charged with kidnapping by the NBI.
UST union disowns bomb threat
negotiations and allegations of Labor
Code violations had led to the filing by
the union of two notices of strike.
“We have exercised restraint, treated
our management counterparts with
respect and have followed the process
set out by the Labor Code and our laws.
We ask for the same,” Siazon said.
Carnappers killed
Antipolo City policemen shot dead three
carnapping and robbery suspects, according
to Rizal police provincial director Senior Supt.
Lou Frias Evangelista.
Killed were Rammil Escio, alias Ronron. Two
of the suspects were unidentified at press time.
Retrieved from them were a shotgun, a 9mm
pistol and a cal. 38 revolver.
The suspects were on board a white taxi at
about 10:30 p.m. Monday along Marcos Highway,
Sitio Painuman, Barangay Inarawan when
intercepted by policemen. N. Alcober
Road closure
YUMMIE DINGDING
The Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority
(MMDA) will partially close
the Estrella Service Road in
Makati City to give way to
the ongoing rehabilitation
of the Estrella-Pantaleon
Bridge.
MMDA general manager
Jojo Garcia said the closure
from Gumamela Street to JP
Rizal Street, will take effect
on 23 March, Saturday, at
11 p.m.
The rehabilitation of
the Estrella-Pantaleon
Bridge aims to widen it
to four lanes from its present
two lanes. Based on the DPWH
timeline, the project will be
completed in 2021.
Alvin Murcia

MOST
INNOVATIVE
BROADSHEET
2018
44TH
PHILIPPINES
BUSINESS
EXPO
RACE
LEADER‘S
DOGS QUIT
SCENT OF
CONFIDENCE
CASH-RICH
BTr SNUBS
TAP OPTION
P13
P17
P10
Jun Vallecera, Editor
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
BUSINESS
9
Trade deficit widens as imports rebound
THE trade imbalance widened further in January
to a deficit totaling $3.76 billion from only $3.16
billion a year ago, trade statistics show.
By AJ Bajo
The country’s balance of trade in goods
stood as a deficit of $3.76 billion in January,
wider than the imbalance of $3.16 billion
in the same month last year, the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday.
This was also a notch higher than the
deficit of $3.75 billion recorded in December
last year.
Total external trade reached $14.31 billion,
up by 2.9 percent from the $13.91 billion in
the January 2018.
Exports made up 36.9 percent or $5.28
billion of the total external trade, while
imports accounted for 63.1 percent or $9.03
billion of the total.
The Department of Agriculture is
currently in talks with Singapore, Russia
and Monaco for possible arrangements
to increase Philippine agricultural
export products to these countries
The National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) linked the trade imbalance
during the month to a rebound in imports,
aided by increases in the import values of
consumer goods, capital goods, raw materials
and intermediate goods.
Imports went up by 5.8 percent to $9.03
billion in January 2019, owing to growth in
eight of the top 10 major import commodities.
Exports declined by 1.7 percent to $5.28
billion, which NEDA attributed to lower
receipts from manufactures and minerals
offsetting the gains in exports of forest and
total agro-based products.
“The Department of Agriculture is
currently in talks with Singapore, Russia
and Monaco for possible arrangements to
increase Philippine agricultural export
products to these countries,” Socioeconomic
Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a
statement.
NEDA is also banking on the planned
conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement
this year to open up market opportunities
for exporters.
“The RCEP would significantly benefit
exporters considering that its member
economies — which include ASEAN countries,
Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea and
New Zealand — constitute a third of global
output and more than a quarter of the world’s
population,” Pernia added.
On the other hand, NEDA said that the
delayed approval of the 2019 national budget
and the election-spending ban is expected to
stall imports growth.
Japan ranked first in exports value,
amounting to $884.95 million or 16.8 percent
of the total exports in January 2019. This is
3.0 percent lower than the value in the same
month, 2017.
The United States of America, Hong Kong,
China and Singapore were also among the
top export destinations in January.
Imports from China accounted for 22.2
percent of the total, a 24.5 percent increase
from January of 2018. Other top importers
were Korea, Japan, US and Thailand.
2018
DOT PROPERTY
PHILIPPINES AWARDS
2018
LAROSSA CAPITOL HILLS
BY PRIMEHOMES
BEST RESIDENTIAL
BOTANICAL DEVELOPMENT
www.dotpropertyawards.com

10 BUSINESS
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
How often does one get a chance to meet
with a living legend?
This once-in-a lifetime encounter for me
unexpectedly came up on 8 March when,
together with several other directors and
officers of the Financial Executives Institute
of the Philippines (FINEX), we were granted
the unique privilege to meet with Malaysian
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin
Mohamad for an intimate chat with this
living legend in a private function room at
his hotel. Apparently, the Prime Minister
had fond memories of his visit in 2017 when
we invited him to be the keynote speaker
during our annual FINEX Week celebration.
Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir is 93
years old, making him the oldest serving
head of state in the world. He was sworn in
again as prime minister last May but was
first elected in 1981 as the fourth Prime
Minister of Malaysia when he was already
56, a retirement age for most people. His
tenure as prime minister was interrupted in
2003 when he stepped down to give way to
his handpicked, younger successor, Abdullah
Badawi. A series of disagreements, however,
with his anointed successor involving
several of Dr. Mahathir’s pet projects
(Petronas, Proton) and subsequently a
banking scandal (1Malaysia Development
Berhad) implicating Najib Razak in 2015
who had succeeded Badawi as prime
minister prompted Dr. Mahathir’s renewed
An encounter with a living legend: PM Mahathir
Instead of a strong-man firebrand, he came across, at least to
me, as a wise, soft-spoken and grandfatherly personality with his
mellow voice of wisdom
Cash-rich
BTr snubs
tap option
The Treasury enjoys a good cash
position and that fresh liquidity
has been infused in the market
with the latest retail Treasury bond
exercise
By Joshua Lao
The long end of the yield curve traced a path
on Tuesday similar to that taken just a day earlier
by short-dated Treasury bills.
The 10-year Treasury bond rate improved by
63.3 basis points to only 6.196 percent and helped
cement the decision for the Bureau of Treasury
(BTr) against opening the tap facility one more
time to help raise funds for the nation’s coffers.
That decision betrays the level of cash
resources the BTr is able to deploy at a moment’s
notice at present considering its more frequent
use of the tap facility in the recent past.
As a result, the BTr awarded in full the
re-issued 10-year IOU while thumbing down the
option to open the tap
facility for still more
funds. This also
means Treasury
officials have
cash reserves
at more
comfortable
levels than in
the recent past
as well.
The 10-year bond rate averaged 6.196 percent,
a 63.3 basis point drop from the previous 6.829
percent.
All P20 billion worth of T-bonds were given
away although the offering was more than twice
oversubscribed having actually attracted bids
aggregating P54.6 billion.
Deputy Treasurer Erwin Sta. Ana said the
declining outlook on inflation and acknowledgment
from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor
Benjamin Diokno the monetary authorities now
have more room for monetary easing helped push
bonds rates lower.
The BTr awarded in full the
re-issued 10-year IOU while thumbing
down the option to open the tap
facility for still more funds.
“I think the market is actually just looking at
how inflation would be moving forward. So now
that we have seen inflation falling within the
(target) band already, then it just shows on the
rates for this auction,” Sta. Ana told reporters.
“And then there’s also, of course, news
about possible easing by the BSP given the
pronouncements of Governor Diokno in his
interview. So, we think those are the catalysts for
these rates,” he added.
On the tap facility, Sta. Ana said the Treasury
enjoys a good cash position and that fresh liquidity
has been infused in the market with the latest
retail Treasury bond (RTB) exercise.
“We settled the five-year RTB sale today
so that from a cash standpoint it’s actually
better for us because of the settlement. We’re
talking about P235.9 billion, almost P236
billion in fresh cash for us,” Sta. Ana said.
“And then we had a full award (in T-bonds
Tuesday) so we are in a good cash position. That
doesn’t mean that when we open it (TAP), we’re
in any worse position, but it’s very comfortable,”
he added.
interest in national politics, culminating in
his election last year as the seventh Prime
Minister of Malaysia.
Dr. Mahathir, the youngest of nine
siblings, was formally schooled as a medical
doctor in Singapore (then part of Malaya)
and had a successful practice as the only
Malay doctor in his hometown, Alor Setar,
in the state of Kedah. His father was of
Indian descent, was a school principal and
a disciplinarian, who was responsible for
his focus on studies instead of sports, while
his mother came from a long line of royal
courtiers in Kedah.
His political career, primarily centered on
the rights of Malay bumiputras (sons of the
soil) over the Malayan Chinese, has spanned
more than 70 years starting with his fight for
affirmative action for Malays when he was
still in medical school. A fallout in 1959 with
then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman
over the continuing influence of the British
military in the newly independent Malaysia
reaffirmed his reputation as an intense
Malay nationalist but also turned him into
a political outcast. During this period, he
authored a controversial book, The Malay
Dilemma, that strongly advocated for the
legislated economic entitlement rights of the
native Malays over other races. After the
resignation of Tunku in 1970, Dr. Mahathir
re-emerged and rose in prominence as a
nationalist politician.
tuesday
12 March 2019
Like all strong leaders,
Dr. Mahathir’s political
life certainly has not been
without controversy. He
openly battled against
Malaysia’s royalty and
was successful in clipping
the influence and powers
of the royalty over the
government. When
Malaysian Chinese
and extremist Islamic
leaders threatened
through protests the
ruling mainstream Malay
hegemony of the country,
his administration did not
hesitate to invoke stringent police powers
resulting in the death of an extremist leader
and the arrest of several of the Malaysian
Chinese and Islamic extremist movement’s
followers.
You have to capture the minds
of the people and know what the
people want — income, good jobs,
good schools.
When his own deputy world-acclaimed
Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim locked
horns with him on economic policies
during the Asian financial crisis, Anwar
was sacked and eventually landed in jail for
several years and only recently freed after
a reconciliation with Dr. Mahathir.
On the economic front, his administration
aggressively promoted major infrastructure
development projects, but a major push for
privatization of government enterprises was
The Eagle’s Nest
Bing Matoto
PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE
NAME OPEN HIGH LOW CLOSE VALUE (P)
FINANCIALS
BANKS
ASIA UNITED 58.95 58.95 58.6 58.6 322,475
BDO UNIBANK 131.7 134 130.1 134 169,009,177
BANK PH ISLANDS 84.6 85.55 84.1 85.1 88,054,228.50
CHINABANK 27.6 27.65 27.5 27.5 1,104,610
EAST WEST BANK 12.16 12.26 12.16 12.22 2,776,432
METROBANK 76.7 78.4 76 76 228,076,687
PB BANK 13.86 13.86 13.84 13.86 293,560
PBCOM 21.8 22.9 21.8 22.9 26,380
PHIL NATL BANK 60.05 62.65 60.05 61.4 78,822,866.50
PSBANK 58.9 58.9 58.8 58.8 14,703
RCBC 26.55 26.55 26.4 26.5 2,731,620
SECURITY BANK 167 167 166 167 81,278,058
UNION BANK 61 61 60.5 61 200,000
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
BRIGHT KINDLE 1.35 1.36 1.35 1.36 17,610
BDO LEASING 2.26 2.34 2.26 2.34 13,880
COL FINANCIAL 18.1 18.1 18.1 18.1 2,590,110
FIRST ABACUS 0.58 0.62 0.58 0.62 12,220
FERRONOUX HLDG 4.47 4.47 4.47 4.47 8,940
FILIPINO FUND 7.86 7.86 7.81 7.81 21,097
MEDCO HLDG 0.46 0.47 0.455 0.455 161,000
MANULIFE 800 800 800 800 8,000
NTL REINSURANCE 0.97 0.98 0.96 0.96 455,690
PHIL STOCK EXCH 184.6 184.6 183 183 67,924
VANTAGE 1.13 1.13 1.13 1.13 13,560
INDUSTRIAL
ELECTRICITY, ENERGY, POPWER & WATER
ALSONS CONS 1.42 1.46 1.42 1.42 2,880,060
ABOITIZ POWER 33.8 35.05 33.8 35 122,474,550
BASIC ENERGY 0.243 0.243 0.236 0.243 31,200
FIRST GEN 21.5 21.95 20.4 20.7 133,087,815
FIRST PHIL HLDG 73.7 73.9 73.7 73.9 4,931,448
MERALCO 372 376 370.6 376 47,007,126
MANILA WATER 27 27 26.3 26.6 3,748,735
PETRON 6.76 6.79 6.66 6.75 44,779,426
PETROENERGY 3.77 3.78 3.77 3.77 558,030
PHINMA ENERGY 1.32 1.34 1.32 1.33 11,764,710
PHX PETROLEUM 11.74 12 11.74 12 1,769,282
PILIPINAS SHELL 49 49.55 48.95 49.3 19,346,700
SPC POWER 6.48 6.48 6.4 6.4 548,640
FOOD, BEVERAGE & TOBACCO
AGRINURTURE 15.26 15.28 14.9 14.9 8,316,678
BOGO MEDELLIN 89.55 97.95 89.5 97.95 45,736
CNTRL AZUCARERA 16 16.2 15.82 16.2 58,968
CENTURY FOOD 15.48 15.7 14.94 15.7 2,554,022
DEL MONTE 6 6.3 5.96 6.1 67,731
DNL INDUS 11.32 11.34 11.26 11.32 1,960,854
EMPERADOR 7.52 7.6 7.52 7.52 746,983
SMC FOODANDBEV 109 112.8 107.8 109 224,431,351
ALLIANCE SELECT 1.02 1.04 1.01 1.03 954,430
GINEBRA 26.6 27.85 26.5 27 15,251,245
JOLLIBEE 312 317 311 317 44,132,774
MACAY HLDG 11.52 11.52 11 11 107,312
MAXS GROUP 12.18 12.28 12.06 12.06 1,701,464
MG HLDG 0.2 0.2 0.197 0.197 296,010
PEPSI COLA 1.38 1.39 1.36 1.37 5,670,790
SHAKEYS PIZZA 12.32 12.32 12.28 12.28 136,504
ROXAS AND CO 1.85 1.86 1.85 1.85 216,500
RFM CORP 4.67 4.68 4.67 4.67 14,020
ROXAS HLDG 2.68 2.68 2.68 2.68 2,680
UNIV ROBINA 140.2 141.2 138 141.2 44,263,911
VITARICH 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.63 6,426,370
VICTORIAS 2.67 2.67 2.65 2.65 137,960
CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE & ALLIED SERVICES
CONCRETE B 71.05 71.05 71.05 71.05 7,105
CEMEX HLDG 2.54 2.7 2.53 2.65 42,643,760
DAVINCI CAPITAL 6 6 5.97 5.97 652,002
EAGLE CEMENT 15.78 15.78 15.72 15.72 686,226
EEI CORP 8.96 8.96 8.71 8.8 5,411,393
HOLCIM 9.61 9.61 9.57 9.6 26,230,259
MEGAWIDE 19.84 20.1 19.84 19.9 21,950,331
TKC METALS 1.06 1.06 1.01 1.01 384,000
VULCAN INDL 1.44 1.45 1.36 1.37 7,675,740
CHEMICALS
CHEMPHIL 120 120 120 120 12,000
CROWN ASIA 1.85 1.91 1.85 1.91 13,130
EUROMED 1.65 1.65 1.65 1.65 19,800
LMG CHEMICALS 4.26 4.26 4.2 4.2 426,760
MABUHAY VINYL 3.52 3.6 3.5 3.59 60,130
PRYCE CORP 5.85 5.87 5.85 5.87 35,120
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS & EQUIPMENT
CONCEPCION 41 41 41 41 2,050,000
GREENERGY 3.05 3.08 2.65 2.65 85,966,830
INTEGRATED MICR 13.04 13.3 12.68 12.72 6,397,820
IONICS 1.66 1.69 1.64 1.69 493,890
PANASONIC 6.16 6.16 6.16 6.16 1,848
SFA SEMICON 1.33 1.33 1.3 1.3 410,020
CIRTEK HLDG 29.45 29.5 29.4 29.5 1,476,440
HOLDING FIRMS
ABACORE CAPITAL 0.78 0.79 0.77 0.78 11,165,850
ASIABEST GROUP 21 21 20.25 20.55 804,455
AYALA CORP 930 933 925 925 162,595,375
ABOITIZ EQUITY 57.2 58.1 57.1 58 181,173,652.50
ALLIANCE GLOBAL 15 15.16 14.96 15 139,052,548
ANSCOR 6.62 6.62 6.5 6.51 71,011
ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.75 263,150
ATN HLDG A 1.41 1.43 1.41 1.41 4,627,180
ATN HLDG B 1.42 1.44 1.42 1.44 32,720
COSCO CAPITAL 7.46 7.7 7.46 7.5 8,524,344
DMCI HLDG 11.16 11.38 11.16 11.2 55,574,216
FILINVEST DEV 14 14.66 14 14.64 40,436,726
FORUM PACIFIC 0.24 0.255 0.24 0.24 152,430
GT CAPITAL 965 996 965 974.5 193,742,460
HOUSE OF INV 6.13 6.13 6.13 6.13 109,114
JG SUMMIT 66.1 67.2 64.55 65 114,112,115.50
LODESTAR 0.58 0.58 0.55 0.57 442,110
LOPEZ HLDG 5.03 5.1 5.03 5.04 3,804,753
LT GROUP 16.12 16.82 16.12 16.42 44,247,712
MABUHAY HLDG 0.56 0.56 0.56 0.56 60,480
METRO PAC INV 4.87 4.95 4.87 4.94 52,993,610
PACIFICA 0.04 0.041 0.04 0.04 128,700
PRIME ORION 3.03 3.03 2.99 2.99 3,197,100
REPUBLIC GLASS 2.56 2.56 2.56 2.56 25,600
SOLID GROUP 1.36 1.37 1.36 1.37 13,620
SYNERGY GRID 450 450 450 450 45,000
SM INVESTMENTS 930 946 925.5 946 175,774,460
SAN MIGUEL CORP 174.1 176.9 171.4 174 267,283,718
SOC RESOURCES 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.78 74,300
TOP FRONTIER 275.2 282.8 275 282.8 119,906
WELLEX INDUS 0.24 0.24 0.24 0.24 163,200
ZEUS HLDG 0.37 0.38 0.355 0.36 7,400,200
PROPERTY
ARTHALAND CORP 0.92 0.93 0.9 0.91 875,230
ANCHOR LAND 10.46 10.46 10.46 10.46 6,276
AYALA LAND 43.15 43.55 42.8 42.9 266,028,800
ARANETA PROP 1.88 1.88 1.87 1.87 44,970
BELLE CORP 2.43 2.43 2.39 2.4 1,841,590
A BROWN 0.79 0.8 0.78 0.78 1,014,150
CITYLAND DEVT 0.91 0.93 0.91 0.93 92,840
CROWN EQUITIES 0.24 0.249 0.239 0.245 1,183,110
CEBU HLDG 6.6 6.86 6.5 6.86 13,172
CEB LANDMASTERS 4.3 4.3 4.2 4.23 1,082,540
CENTURY PROP 0.5 0.51 0.49 0.495 4,081,390
CYBER BAY 0.41 0.41 0.405 0.405 532,050
DOUBLEDRAGON 20.8 21.2 20.25 20.25 15,742,035
DM WENCESLAO 9.99 10.18 9.92 10.08 24,768,194
EMPIRE EAST 0.54 0.54 0.5 0.52 2,180,300
EVER GOTESCO 0.13 0.13 0.13 0.13 23,400
also marked by the lack
of transparent biddings
that would eventually
pave the way for favoring
Malay bumiputras
closely identified with
the ruling party, UMNO.
At the height of the
Asian financial crisis, he
refused to follow the IMF’s
protocol of high interest
rates and severe austerity
measures. Although an
economic outlier because
of Dr. Mahathir’s stubborn
refusal to adhere to the
IMF, Malaysia recovered
faster than its Asian neighbors.
An outspoken critic of the West,
particularly Great Britain and the USA, he
labeled them as oppressors who imposed
their values on Asians and continues to be a
leading voice in the Non-Aligned Movement,
an aggrupation of 125 countries who are
not aligned with or against any power bloc.
The highly colorful and controversial
personality that is a hallmark of Dr. Mahathir’s
political life was however not evident during
our chat with him last week. Instead of a
strong-man firebrand, he came across, at least
to me, as a wise, soft-spoken and grandfatherly
personality with his mellow voice of wisdom
barely picked up by my phone recorder.
Here are some quotes and paraphrased
nuggets he intimately shared with us:
Peace with neighboring countries and,
above all, domestic peace within the
country, is crucial to the region and a
country’s development, a not too subtle
reference to the ongoing West Philippine Sea
controversy and our delicate estrangement
with our Muslim brethren in Mindanao;
To be a good leader means “You have to
capture the minds of the people and know
what the people want — income, good jobs,
good schools;”
Brain drain is a waste to a country’s
resources and should be discouraged, but
is difficult to prevent because of the wide
disparity of wages;
Malaysia’s stock market is highperforming
because it vigilantly oversees the
governance of listed companies to ensure
that there is no manipulation in the values of
the stocks. Regulations are transparent and
foreign investors are welcomed and provided
legal assurances that their investments can
be freely repatriated;
To avoid a so-called debt trap that is
now the grist of business opinion columns
in the context of the country’s push for
infrastructure, he believes “a country
should build infrastructure only when you
can afford it… don’t borrow money unless
you can earn to repay… otherwise it is like
selling when you borrow;”
On the drug menace, Malaysia observes
due process but imposes without exception
the death penalty. He confessed to losing
sleep once when he had to personally affirm
the execution of a drug dealer found guilty;
Finally, for us seniors, on the secret of
his longevity: “I never really retired… Don’t
stop working. Don’t stop using your muscles.
Be active mentally. Read. Write.”
Until next week… one big fight!
NAME OPEN HIGH LOW CLOSE VALUE (P)
FILINVEST LAND 1.51 1.52 1.5 1.52 9,422,630
GLOBAL ESTATE 1.26 1.27 1.22 1.24 2,033,600
8990 HLDG 11.88 12.2 11.7 11.98 26,526,064
PHIL INFRADEV 1.95 1.97 1.86 1.87 8,622,790
CITY AND LAND 0.92 0.92 0.92 0.92 23,000
MEGAWORLD 5.52 5.53 5.39 5.49 62,777,544
MRC ALLIED 0.395 0.395 0.39 0.395 3,253,600
PHIL ESTATES 0.455 0.455 0.445 0.45 2,529,900
PRIMEX CORP 2.82 2.87 2.79 2.86 120,860
ROBINSONS LAND 23.5 23.7 22.8 23.7 27,101,150
PHIL REALTY 0.45 0.45 0.45 0.45 148,500
ROCKWELL 2.02 2.03 2.01 2.02 90,750
SHANG PROP 3.15 3.15 3.12 3.12 522,660
STA LUCIA LAND 1.58 1.58 1.53 1.56 801,290
SM PRIME HLDG 38 38.4 36.7 36.7 417,566,870
STARMALLS 7.02 7.14 6.9 7 1,273,776
SUNTRUST HOME 0.81 0.82 0.75 0.8 474,600
PTFC REDEV CORP 43.05 45.2 43.05 45.2 48,440
VISTA LAND 7.22 7.35 7.18 7.2 54,087,646
SERVICES
Email bing_matoto@yahoo.com.
MEDIA
ABS CBN 21.3 21.4 21.2 21.3 3,002,570
GMA NETWORK 5.73 5.73 5.71 5.71 541,906
MANILA BULLETIN 0.6 0.63 0.6 0.62 1,346,430
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
GLOBE TELECOM 1,890 1,910 1,865 1,878 65,981,975
PLDT 1,090 1,113 1,089 1,107 127,088,055
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
APOLLO GLOBAL 0.045 0.046 0.044 0.046 503,900
DFNN INC 7 7 7 7 353,500
ISLAND INFO 0.128 0.131 0.127 0.131 300,060
ISM COMM 5.44 5.44 5.23 5.28 31,544,595
JACKSTONES 3.29 3.29 3.29 3.29 3,290
NOW CORP 2.89 2.9 2.82 2.84 4,001,980
TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.435 0.44 0.43 0.43 1,676,550
PHILWEB 2.8 2.8 2.76 2.79 3,043,570
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
2GO GROUP 11.88 12.16 11.84 12.16 273,582
CEBU AIR 83 84.5 81.5 81.5 10,537,971.50
CHELSEA 5.62 5.88 5.62 5.83 4,423,661
INTL CONTAINER 114.9 120.4 114.3 119 448,794,606
LBC EXPRESS 15.5 15.5 15.24 15.26 67,136
LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.9 0.91 0.89 0.91 34,910
MACROASIA 19.6 20.3 19.6 19.94 23,836,095
METROALLIANCE A 1.98 1.98 1.9 1.96 188,650
METROALLIANCE B 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1,950
PAL HLDG 10.38 10.48 10.38 10.44 375,244
HARBOR STAR 2.95 3.09 2.94 2.94 24,151,430
HOTEL & LEISURE
ACESITE HOTEL 1.28 1.28 1.28 1.28 16,640
BOULEVARD HLDG 0.073 0.077 0.072 0.075 18,928,680
DISCOVERY WORLD 2.25 2.26 2.11 2.15 48,010
WATERFRONT 0.66 0.68 0.66 0.67 450,910
EDUCATION
IPEOPLE 11 11 11 11 67,100
STI HLDG 0.71 0.72 0.7 0.71 786,220
CASINOS & GAMING
BERJAYA 2.86 2.88 2.79 2.88 1,300,540
BLOOMBERRY 11.72 11.94 11.66 11.8 66,247,164
PACIFIC ONLINE 9.21 9.21 9.21 9.21 1,842
LEISURE AND RES 3.28 3.34 3.27 3.3 877,830
MANILA JOCKEY 4.7 4.91 4.7 4.9 495,740
PH RESORTS GRP 5 5 4.9 4.99 525,730
PREMIUM LEISURE 0.91 0.91 0.9 0.9 1,657,480
TRAVELLERS 5.62 5.62 5.6 5.6 907,830
RETAIL
METRO RETAIL 3.07 3.07 2.99 3 5,983,490
PUREGOLD 48.7 48.7 47.5 47.7 8,090,905
ROBINSONS RTL 85 86.5 85 86 20,574,010.50
PHIL SEVEN CORP 135 135 134 135 3,171,887
SSI GROUP 2.38 2.41 2.36 2.39 34,234,340
WILCON DEPOT 15.5 16.08 15.5 15.7 160,446,204
OTHER SERVICES
APC GROUP 0.435 0.435 0.43 0.43 51,700
EASYCALL 14.72 14.9 14.56 14.58 2,614,380
GOLDEN BRIA 376 381.6 371.2 380 1,220,456
IPM HLDG 7.1 7.1 7.07 7.07 53,130
PAXYS 3.08 3.4 3.08 3.4 18,800
PRMIERE HORIZON 1.28 1.3 1.22 1.22 41,006,070
SBS PHIL CORP 8.34 8.34 8.34 8.34 270,216
MINING & OIL
MINING
ATOK 13.6 13.6 13.6 13.6 2,720
APEX MINING 1.47 1.48 1.44 1.45 4,875,150
ABRA MINING 0.0021 0.0021 0.002 0.0021 1,924,600
ATLAS MINING 2.91 2.95 2.91 2.91 327,520
BENGUET A 1.17 1.17 1.15 1.15 139,100
COAL ASIA HLDG 0.295 0.295 0.295 0.295 29,500
CENTURY PEAK 2.24 2.26 2.24 2.26 1,850,750
FERRONICKEL 1.49 1.49 1.48 1.49 3,508,330
GEOGRACE 0.255 0.255 0.247 0.255 274,180
LEPANTO A 0.125 0.126 0.121 0.121 487,340
MANILA MINING A 0.0081 0.0081 0.0081 0.0081 24,300
MARCVENTURES 1.09 1.09 1.08 1.09 35,850
NIHAO 1.08 1.08 1.03 1.07 27,940
NICKEL ASIA 2.68 2.71 2.65 2.65 7,933,560
OMICO CORP 0.6 0.62 0.6 0.62 52,840
ORNTL PENINSULA 0.94 0.94 0.93 0.93 93,250
PX MINING 4 4.03 3.9 3.92 4,907,080
SEMIRARA MINING 20 20.35 20 20.1 24,072,630
UNITED PARAGON 0.0074 0.0076 0.0073 0.0073 228,200
OIL
ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 349,300
ORNTL PETROL B 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 81,600
PHILODRILL 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.011 39,200
PHINMA PETRO 3.16 3.3 3.16 3.3 88,820
PXP ENERGY 14.34 14.36 14 14.06 32,561,168
PREFERRED
AC PREF B1 470 470 470 470 202,100
AC PREF B2 497 497 497 497 4,970
DD PREF 98.35 98.35 98.35 98.35 14,752.50
SMC FB PREF 2 980 980 980 980 39,200
FGEN PREF G 102.5 102.5 102.5 102.5 20,500
LR PREF 0.99 0.99 0.98 0.98 103,570
MWIDE PREF 101 101 101 101 555,500
PNX PREF 3B 103.5 103.5 103.5 103.5 23,805
SFI PREF 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1,800
SMC PREF 2B 75.45 75.45 75.45 75.45 2,263.50
SMC PREF 2C 76.85 76.95 76.7 76.95 1,583,096
SMC PREF 2D 72.6 72.6 71.4 71.4 3,677,602
SMC PREF 2F 75 75 75 75 15,000
SMC PREF 2H 72 72.05 71.9 72 6,363,515
SMC PREF 2I 72.4 72.4 72 72 756,850
PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
ABS HLDG PDR 20.2 20.2 20.1 20.2 705,405
GMA HLDG PDR 5.58 5.59 5.58 5.59 89,438
WARRANTS
LR WARRANT 1.88 1.88 1.85 1.88 98,260
SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING
ITALPINAS 4.91 5.07 4.91 5.06 2,673,400
MAKATI FINANCE 2.69 2.69 2.69 2.69 8,070
XURPAS 1.37 1.41 1.36 1.38 7,030,040
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
FIRST METRO ETF 115.5 115.5 115.3 115.3 508,938

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
BUSINESS
11
DMCI grows
order book
to P27.9B
Contractor D.M. Consunji
Inc. (DMCI) accelerated its
order book annually by 12
percent to P27.9 billion in 2018
after signing P12 billion worth
of new projects, among it the
first local Ikea outlet and
luxury condominium project
The Estate Makati.
Building and infrastructure
took up the bulk of the order book
at P11.2 billion and P11.1 billion,
respectively.
DMCI alone recorded P1.6
billion in net income in
2018, up by 22 percent from
P1.28 billion in 2017.
ADB issues 15-year rupiah-linked bond
Proceeds from the bonds will be mobilized to support
ADB’s local currency lending in Indonesia
The Asian Development
Bank (ADB) has raised 1.2
trillion Indonesian rupiah
(about $84 million) from a new
issue of offshore Indonesian
rupiah-linked bonds.
The transaction was
structured as a 15-year fixed
rate bond maturing in March
2034, making it the longest
tenor local currency bond ever
issued by ADB. Previously,
ADB had issued 10- and 11-year
bonds in Chinese renminbi,
Indian rupees and Indonesian
rupiah, but longer maturities
had proven elusive.
ADB has supported the
development of the region’s
capital markets since 1970,
having issued in multiple
currencies and formats.
“The growth of local currency
bond markets is of strategic
importance to developing
countries in Asia,” said ADB
treasurer Pierre Van Peteghem.
“But the challenge often remains
in sourcing funding with sufficient
tenor to support ADB’s long dated
loans. With this 15-year bond
issue, ADB is not only solving that
mismatch, but also establishing a
benchmark for other issuers to
follow.”
The bond issue, denominated
in Indonesian rupiah but settled
in US dollars, was underwritten
by JP Morgan as sole lead
manager. The new issue bears
a semi-annual coupon of 7.80
percent. The bonds were placed
70 percent in Europe and 30
percent in Americas, with
institutions, banks and retail
investors participating.
Proceeds from the bonds
will be mobilized to support
ADB’s local currency lending
in Indonesia. In 2017, ADB
committed $2.035 billion in
sovereign and non-sovereign
loans, technical assistance,
and grants to Indonesia.
Indonesia is among ADB’s
largest sovereign borrowers.
The transaction was
structured as a 15-year
fixed rate bond maturing
in March 2034, making it
the longest tenor local
currency bond ever issued
by ADB.
ADB is a regular borrower
in the mainstream international
bond markets but has also led
issuance in developing Asia as
part of its efforts to promote
domestic bond markets as an
alternative to bank lending. So
far this year, ADB has raised
$180 million from bond issues in
Kazakhstan and the Philippines.
ADB is committed to
achieving a prosperous,
inclusive, resilient and
sustainable Asia and the
Pacific, while sustaining its
efforts to eradicate extreme
poverty. In 2018, it made
commitments of new loans
and grants amounting to $21.6
billion. Established in 1966, it
is owned by 68 members — 49
from the region.
Energy projects stood at P2.7
billion, with value of plant and
utilities contracts at P2.9 billion.
DMCI is looking at further
growing the order book since
revenue recognition for most of
the projects are set for this year
and in 2020, DMCI senior vice
president for business strategy
and development Rebecca Civil
said during a briefing late last
week.
“There will be little left for
2021 so we need to add this
year. Maybe next quarter we’ll
already have news,” Civil said,
adding that most of the existing
projects will be completed next
year.
DMCI alone recorded P1.6
billion in net income in 2018, up
by 22 percent from P1.28 billion
in 2017.
Construction for the local
outlet of the famous Swedish
furniture brand will cost P1.6
billion, Civil said. AJBajo
While BdO Unibank sees the global
economy heading for more moderate growth
this year, it still makes sense to diversify into
global investments and seize opportunities in
markets outside the Philippines for growth
over the long term.
Through BdO’s Global Feeder Funds,
investors can gain access to the US,
China, Japan, European and global equity
markets. The funds started 2019 with very
strong returns ranging from 12 percent
to 18 percent in dollar terms as of end
February 2019.
Based on fund performance figures
published by www.uitf.com, the BdO
China Equity Feeder Fund landed the top
spot for dollar-denominated global equity
funds with its 18.4 percent return since
the start of 2019.
Customers look at Apple Watch products at an Apple store in Shanghai. Convenience is prompting a growing
number of tech-savvy Chinese consumers to embrace the use of smart devices.
China Daily
Tanglawan could break ground early
It is possible for Dennis Uy
and his partners at Tanglawan
Philippines LNG Inc. to
complete the feasibility study
and actually break ground
and execute the project a few
months than earlier believed.
This was learned from
Uy himself on Tuesday when
he met with editors hosting
the "Straight Talk with Daily
Tribune."
Uy
According to him, it is
“reasonable to expect” that the feasibility
study upon which the final investment
decision would be based could be completed
within the year
It should also be reasonable for the
project actually to break ground “also within
the year.”
Uy, whose Phoenix Petroleum has
Strong start for BdO
feeder funds
The fund feeds into the BlackRock
Global Funds (BGF) China Fund which
is primarily invested in a portfolio of
equities and equity-related instruments
of China-related companies traded both
onshore and offshore China.
According to Fritz Ocampo, chief
investment officer of BdO Trust and
Investments Group, the rally in the Chinese
stock market this year is due to improving
sentiment toward China as its policy
environment become more supportive and
concerns on the trade war has eased.
BdO currently manages six US dollar-denominated
global feeder funds. All six funds found their
way to the top 10 dollar-denominated equity
UITF in the country, including its newly-launched
fund, the BdO Global Equity Index Feeder
Fund at rank 3.
Smart, Nokia team up
PLDT wireless arm Smart Communications
Inc. (Smart) and Nokia have signed a
memorandum of understanding (MoU) to
pilot the deployment of fifth-generation (5G)
wireless broadband technologies and services
in schools.
Under the MoU, PLDT, Smart and Nokia
will collaborate in identifying innovative
real world and enterprise-led 5G standalone
(5G SA) solutions, such as artificial
intelligence, drones and Internet of Things
(IoT) applications, for use in schools, colleges
and universities. This will be done through
the combined capabilities of the PLDT-Smart
5G Technolab in Makati and the Nokia
Technology Center in Quezon City.
5G SA relies solely on 5G for data
transmission, and allows the full benefit of 5G
capabilities to be tested and demonstrated. In
contrast, 5G NSA (non-standalone) combines
the use of 5G and existing 4G/LTE resources
to transmit data.
“We are happy to partner with Nokia to help
develop intelligent solutions and technologies
partnered with China National
Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC)
subsidiary Gas and Power
Group Co. Ltd., said while the
authorities granted them the
notice to proceed only in early
January, the feasibility study is
“50 percent done.”
“We are working quite fast
to finish our final investment
decision and hopefully break
ground in the next few
months. But then again,
these are big-ticket projects and it is not
that simple. We have to ensure the project
is feasible,” he said.
Previously, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi
gave the project proponents six months from
21 December 2018 “to do all the submissions”
necessary to complete the construction of a
1,100-megawatt gas-fired power plant.
PLDT and Smart are excited to work with Nokia in
realizing their 5G vision.
for the benefit of the Philippine education
sector,” said PLDT-Smart chairman and CEO
Manuel Pangilinan.
“As the country’s leading and most trusted
technology enabler, PLDT and Smart are excited
to work with Nokia and the academe in realizing
our 5G vision,” said Ernesto Alberto, PLDT-
Smart chief revenue officer.
The MoU also covers deploying 5G SA
technologies and innovative products and
services, such as 5G handsets and applications,
for example.
The mandatory submissions include a
timeline plotting the execution of each
detail to the project not to mention the
need to find an offtaker and such “of the
commercial viability or the project will not
push through.”
Uy’s optimism, therefore, is a measure
of the confidence he holds that the project
will break ground a little earlier than
anticipated and the project pursued to its
full completion.
Fresh and hot!
Not one, but two fresh and
new sections will now also
be served piping hot each
weekend!
The Daily Tribune is
pleased to present Living
Spaces, for property news
and features; and Techtalk,
for information and
technology.
We are as excited as you
are, dear readers!

12
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
TRUE-blue entrepreneurs like Dennis Uy know when alternative products and services will win consumers’ heart.
PHOTOS BY ROY PELOVELLO
Bold spirit, vision
propel Dennis Uy
Phoenix’s rise came at a time when fuel security was poor in the provinces primarily in the
Visayas and Mindanao
Businessman Dennis Uy, who has diversified interests in business, sticks
to the belief that providing alternatives to what has been considered the
norm is a wise investment decision despite the risks it entails.
This philosophy was what pushed him to venture into Phoenix Petroleum
that grew by focusing its operations outside Metro Manila which many
saw as a risky move.
But foresight enabled Uy to see huge prospects. Now, he is reaping the rewards
of economic growth that had spread out throughout the nation.
Phoenix’s rise came at a time when fuel security was poor in the provinces,
primarily in the Visayas and Mindanao. He also started Starlite Ferries by bringing
in brand-new roll-on, roll-off vessels for the Calapan, Oriental Mindoro-to-Batangas
route, which challenged past unreliable services.
Now he is into telecommunications with the partnership of his flagship companies
Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. with China Telecom under
Mislatel that recently won the bid as the country’s third telco to bring great hopes
to consumers for improved communications services.
It was a perfect fit for his business concerns that seek to challenge norms.
The public had long endured poor telecommunications services under an existing
duopoly.
Uy said Mislatel is his biggest challenge
mainly due to the huge capital needed for the
undertaking and the huge public expectation.
The public had long endured poor
telecommunications services under an
existing duopoly.
In the third telco project also rests one
of the campaign promises of President
Rodrigo Duterte to improve Internet speed
to within the regional average which has
become an economic necessity.
Uy said the investments
binge of his group of
businesses is happening
since “all indicators
are saying that you
should invest in our
country.”
For his bold
vision and
aggressive inroads
into sectors and
projects avoided by
the faint-hearted,
the Daily Tribune
accorded Uy as top
BUSINESSMAN Dennis Uy
sees huge potentials in the
growing economy.
business personality of 2018.
Considered as among the new taipans, Uy’s diverse investments included those
in the telecommunications, infrastructure, energy and leisure.
Uy joins other exemplary individuals accorded the annual awards by the Daily
Tribune voted for their work in their particular fields. They are President Rodrigo
Duterte for political leadership, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for civic
initiative, unparalleled artist Lea Salonga, judicial standout former Chief Justice
Teresita Leonardo-De Castro,
the President’s trusted
aide Christopher Lawrence
“Bong” Go, Defense Secretary
Delfin Lorenzana who has
the keen sense in securing
the country, Presidential
Communications Operations
Office Secretary Martin
Andanar for his effective role
in imparting Palace programs
for the people, sports heroine
Yuka Saso, public order
guardian Philippine National
Police chief Director General
Oscar Albayalde and Cabinet
dynamo Energy Secretary
Alfonso Cusi.
DAILY Tribune publisher and president Willie Fernandez welcomes Uy in
his visit yesterday.
THE Davao-based businessman (center) gives (from left) business editor Jun Vallecera, managing editor Chito Lozada, columnist Benjamin Espiritu and
executive editor Cris Martinez a recounting of his hard but fruitful climb to success.
THE rising business star exchanges light banter with Lifestyle sub-editor
and columnist Jojo Silvestre.

ATENEO
WANTS
HIGHER
PERCH
P14
BEIJING, U.S.
DISCUSS
‘NEXT STEPS’
P16
ENTER
NEW
‘POGI’
P17
WHY WE
LOVE
BOHOL
P19
Aldrin Cardona, Editor
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
SPORTS 13
THE BEARD IS BACK
Houston’s lucky ninth
The Rockets won despite a big
performance by Kemba Walker
HOUSTON — James Harden scored
28 points and Eric Gordon added 22 as
the Houston Rockets cruised to their
season-high ninth straight National
Basketball Association win, 118-106, over
the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night
(Tuesday in Manila).
A night after Gordon ended a streak of
43 straight games where Harden led the
team in scoring, the Beard was Houston’s
top scorer again. But Gordon had another
strong outing, making five three-pointers
for the third straight game and the fourth
in five games.
The Rockets won despite a big
performance by Kemba Walker, who
finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds and
seven assists as the Hornets lost their
second in a row.
In other NBA games, Cleveland shrunk
Toronto, 126-101; Washington creamed
Sacramento, 121-115; Brooklyn routed Detroit,
103-75; Oklahoma City ripped Utah, 98-89;
and L.A. Clippers drubbed Boston, 140-115.
In Salt Lake City, Dennis Schroder scored
24 points, Russell Westbrook added 23 points,
11 rebounds and eight assists, and Oklahoma
City beat Utah to sweep the season series.
Westbrook appeared to argue with fans
of the Jazz, who knocked the Thunder out
of the postseason last year.
The Beard was Houston’s top scorer
again.
Paul George chipped in 14 points and 11
rebounds. Steven Adams and Jerami Grant
added 12 points apiece.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points for
Utah, which shot just 36 percent from
the field. Royce O’Neale added 17 points
while Rudy Gobert had 15 points and 12
rebounds.
In Los Angeles, Lou Williams scored 34
points and became the NBA’s career leader
in points off the bench as Los Angeles beat
Boston for its fifth straight win.
Williams came into the game needing 28
points to pass Dell Curry, who had 11,147
points when not starting. Williams surpassed
Curry with 9:53 remaining in the fourth
quarter with a driving layup.
It is also Williams’ 29th career game with
30 or more points. According to the Elias
Sports Bureau, starters and reserves were
tracked in box scores beginning with the
1970-71 season.
Terry Rozier led the Celtics with 26 points
while Jaylen Brown added 22 and Kyrie
Irving 18. Boston had a three-game winning
streak snapped as it was trying to become
the second Eastern Conference team this
season to win all four games in California.
Westbrook appeared to argue with fans
of the Jazz, who knocked the Thunder
out of the postseason last year.
In New York, Spencer Dinwiddie scored
19 points and Brooklyn routed Detroit
to move into sixth place in the Eastern
Conference.
Allen Crabbe finished with 14 points
and 10 rebounds, Rodions Kurucs scored 13
points, and Joe Harris and Caris LeVert each
added 12 as the Nets took control early in
the game and never let up.
The Nets (36-33) won their fourth straight
and leapfrogged Detroit (34-32) into the No. 6
spot in their final game before leaving for a
seven-game road trip.
AP
HOUSTON Rockets’ James Harden (middle) shoots after being fouled by Charlotte Hornets’ Malik Monk as Frank Kaminsky
defends during the second half of their NBA game Monday.
AP
Nabbed for mischief
McGregor was arrested
Monday afternoon and
charged with robbery and
criminal mischief
MIAMI — Mixed martial artist
and boxer Conor McGregor has been
arrested in South Florida for stealing the
cellphone of someone who was trying to
take his photo, authorities said.
MCGREGOR
According to a Miami Beach police
report, the 30-year-old McGregor was
arrested Monday afternoon and charged
with robbery and criminal mischief.
An attorney for McGregor called the
altercation “minor” and said the popular
fighter would cooperate with authorities.
McGregor was leaving the
Fontainebleau Miami Beach shortly
after 5 a.m. Monday when a 22-year-old
man attempted to take a picture of
McGregor, the police report said. Police
said McGregor slapped the phone out of
the man’s hand and then stomped on it
several times. McGregor then grabbed
the phone and left the area, the report
said. Police later found McGregor at his
local address.
McGregor was being held on $12,500
bail.
“Last evening Conor McGregor was
involved in a minor altercation involving
a cellphone that resulted in a call to
law enforcement,” Samuel J. Rabin Jr.,
a Miami-based attorney representing
McGregor, said in a statement. “Mr.
McGregor appreciates the response of
law enforcement and pledges his full
cooperation.”
McGregor, who’s from Ireland, is
the former UFC featherweight and
lightweight champion and one of the
biggest draws in MMA. He returned to
UFC last fall after a hiatus during which
he made his boxing debut, a loss to Floyd
Mayweather. He was suspended from
UFC for six months and fined $50,000
for a brawl after his loss to Khabib
Nurmagomedov in October. AP
Race leader’s dogs quit
Several mushers passed Petit’s team
on the trail, erasing his five-hour
lead in the race
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — French musher Nicolas
Petit looked like he was in solid control of the
world’s most famous sled dog race and about to
erase a year of doubts and second-guessing after
a last minute misstep cost him the 2019 title.
Then the dogs quit on him Monday morning.
A dog named Joey had been fighting with
another dog on the team and jumped it during
a break as the team was making its way to the
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race checkpoint of Koyuk
on the Bering Sea coast.
“I yelled at Joey, and everybody heard the
yelling, and that doesn’t happen,” Petit told the
Iditarod Insider website. “And then they wouldn’t
go anymore. Anywhere. So we camped here.”
Several mushers passed Petit’s team on the
trail, erasing his five-hour lead in the race.
Pete Kaiser of Alaska was the first musher into
Koyuk, followed about an hour later by defending
champion Joar Ulsom of Norway. Kaiser rested for
nearly 5 ½ hours before getting back on the trail.
The checkpoint is 827 miles (1,330 kilometers)
into the 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) race across
Alaska.
AP
Monday’s Games
Cleveland 126, Toronto 101
Washington 121, Sacramento 115
Brooklyn 103, Detroit 75
Houston 118, Charlotte 106
Oklahoma City 98, Utah 89
L.A. Clippers 140, Boston 115
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlantic Division
W L Pct GB
x-Toronto 48 20 .706 —
Philadelphia 42 25 .627 5½
Boston 41 27 .603 7
Brooklyn 36 33 .522 12½
New York 13 54 .194 34½
Southeast Division
Miami 31 35 .470 —
Orlando 31 37 .456 1
Charlotte 30 37 .448 1½
Washington 28 39 .418 3½
Atlanta 23 45 .338 9
Central Division
x-Milwaukee 50 17 .746 —
Indiana 42 25 .627 8
Detroit 34 32 .515 15½
Chicago 19 49 .279 31½
Cleveland 17 50 .254 33
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Southwest Division
W L Pct GB
Houston 42 25 .627 —
San Antonio 38 29 .567 4
New Orleans 30 39 .435 13
Memphis 28 40 .412 14½
Dallas 27 39 .409 14½
Northwest Division
Denver 43 22 .662 —
Oklahoma City 41 26 .612 3
Portland 40 26 .606 3½
Utah 37 29 .561 6½
Minnesota 32 35 .478 12
Pacific Division
Golden State 45 21 .682 —
L.A. Clippers 39 29 .574 7
Sacramento 33 33 .500 12
L.A. Lakers 30 36 .455 15
Phoenix 16 52 .235 30
x-clinched playoff spot
Tuesday’s Games
(Wednesday in Manila)
Cleveland at Philadelphia
New York at Indiana
L.A. Lakers at Chicago
Milwaukee at New Orleans
San Antonio at Dallas
Minnesota at Denver
Portland at L.A. Clippers
Wednesday’s Games
(Thursday in Manila)
Brooklyn at Oklahoma City
Orlando at Washington
Detroit at Miami
Memphis at Atlanta
Golden State at Houston
Utah at Phoenix
NICOLAS Petit hugs one of his dogs before they leave Unalakleet,
Alaska during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Sunday. AP

14 SPORTS
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
WITH ‘ITEMIZED EXPENDITURE’
Pichay assures fund for SEAG
I think the President will sign it in a day or two
By Julius Manicad
Deputy Speaker Prospero Pichay assured that the national
government will not operate with a reenacted budget that would
drastically affect the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian
Games this November.
The lawmaker from Surigao stressed that they already reached out
to the senators and explained that they did not make amendments to
the proposed P3.75-trillion budget this year. They, instead, just itemized
the expenditures to avoid lump sum, he said.
Pichay said he believes the senators will accept their explanation
and Senate President Tito Sotto will finally affix his signature on
the General Appropriations Act before it is transmitted to President
Rodrigo Duterte for the final signing.
He said the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing
Committee has no legal personality and the POC should
be ready in case the Philippine Sports Commission will
not disburse fund to finance its projects.
By then, all government projects lined up this year — including
the midterm elections and the SEA Games — will be funded.
“I’m a hundred percent sure that we won’t be operating on a
reenacted budget,” said Pichay, dismissing fears that the deadlock
among senators and congressmen would hamper the country’s hosting
of the prestigious biennial meet.
“I’m very positive that the senators would act on it and eventually
endorse it to the President for final approval. I think the President
will sign it in a day or two.”
Also the chess federation president and member of the powerful
executive council of the Philippine Olympic Committee, Pichay
revealed that he recently sat down with POC president Ricky Vargas
to brief him about the country’s SEA Games preparation.
He said the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing
Committee has no legal personality and the POC should be ready
in case the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will not finance its
projects.
I’m very positive that the senators would act on it and
eventually endorse it to the President for final approval.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri was supposed to serve as chief organizer
after he was initially tapped by Executive Secretary Salvador
Medialdea.
But after the Marawi terror siege in 2017 the PSC, with the blessing
of President Duterte, declared that the country will not push through
with the hosting. Government, they said, was to put its resources on
the rehabilitation of the embattled city.
But a few months later, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan
Peter Cayetano volunteered to revive the hosting. He even flew to
Kuala Lumpur during the 29th SEA Games to receive the SEA Games
flag as a sign of willingness to spearhead the big task.
Cayetano’s group buckled down to work and was given a
memorandum circular by Medialdea, instructing the PSC and other
government agencies to provide support to Phisgoc for the success
of the hosting.
The Commission on Audit, however, reached out to the PSC, asking
for a memorandum of agreement or a board resolution coming from
the POC executive council to determine Phisgoc’s legal personality.
Pichay said there is none.
“I told Mr. Vargas that he should be prepared because Phisgoc
has no legal personality as far as the POC is concerned. There’s no
board resolution or MoA issued by the POC appointing it to organize
the SEA Games,” said Pichay.
Two routes
for Fed, Nadal
Federer said he was relieved not to go to a second-set
tiebreaker
INDIAN WELLS, California — World number two Rafael Nadal
raced into the third round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters as Roger
Federer made a less speedy but still successful start to his quest for
a sixth title on Sunday.
Nadal, a three-time Indian Wells winner, needed just 72 minutes
to get past overmatched Jared Donaldson, 6-1, 6-1.
Federer, who is seeking to break out of a tie with top seed Novak
Djokovic for most titles in the California desert, looked set for a
similarly easy time of it, but had to turn back a second-set challenge
from German Peter Gojowczyk in a 6-1, 7-5 win.
Fourth-seeded Federer said he was relieved not to go to a secondset
tiebreaker after falling behind 3-1 to the free-swinging German,
who is ranked 85th in the world.
The Swiss regained the break and, after saving four break points
to make it 4-4, cruised home.
“I struggled a little bit with my serving in that second set and
that gave him chances. Because he was serving better, he started to
swing more freely and then it was tough,” Federer said.
“I’m really happy I found a way in that second set.”
Federer next faces compatriot Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand
Slam champion currently unseeded as he continues his return from
injury.
DANIELLE Collins returns a shot to Naomi Osaka of Japan at the BNP Paribas Open tennis
on Monday.
AP
Ateneo wants higher perch
Ateneo is coming off a
surprisingly easy three-set win
over the Lady Maroons
By Joel Orellana
Ateneo de Manila University tries to tighten
its grip on the top spot as it squares off with
Adamson University in Season 81 University
Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday
at the FilOil Arena.
The Lady Eagles and the Lady Falcons meet
at 2 p.m. followed the clash between University
of the Philippines and National University at 4.
Unbeaten in its last four games, Ateneo is
coming off a surprisingly easy three-set win over
the Lady Maroons to take the solo top spot with
a 4-1 win-loss card.
Maddie Madayag led the Lady Eagles’
balanced scoring with 14 points against UP and
head coach Oliver Almadro said his wards are
still learning each game and trying to get better.
“I think we still have a lot to show. We will
be better every game,” said Almadro, who drew
12 and 10 points respectively from Kat Tolentino
and Ponggay Gaston, respectively.
“We have to be better because the first round
is not yet over. We have a lot to learn in the
coming games,” said the graduating Madayag.
Since dropping their opening game to De La
Salle University, the Lady Eagles have won their
last four games and Almadro credited his players
for buying to his system.
IAAF keeps Russia ban
DOHA, Qatar — The IAAF (International Amateur Athletics
Federation) said on Monday that it will maintain its ban on Russian
athletes over doping that it imposed in 2015, following a council meeting
of top officials in Qatar.
Rune Andersen, head of the doping task force for the International
Association of Athletics Federations, said two issues remained
unresolved — the examination of data received from the Moscow antidoping
laboratory and the issue of outstanding costs being sought from
Russia because of the scandal.
“Two key issues remain outstanding,” said Andersen at a press
conference in Doha. “These need to be resolved.”
He also said his task force was looking into claims that coaches from the
discredited Russian athletics regime were still involved in the sport which,
Andersen said, “run counter to assurances” received from Moscow.
Asked if this latest extension of the ban meant Russian athletes would
not be able to compete under the flag at this year’s world championships
in Doha in September and October, Andersen said there was still time
but conditions “have to be met” by Russia.
AFP
They will be facing a 1-4 Lady Falcons who
are coming off a tough 18-25, 25-17, 14-25, 25-22,
8-15 loss to Far Eastern University.
It was Adamson coach Onyok Getigan’s first
loss since replacing Air Padda at the helm.
Eli Soyud, Joy Dacoron and Bernadette Flora
combined for 38 points in their five-set loss to
the Lady Tamaraws and Getigan is again relying
on the trio to get back on track.
Meanwhile, the Lady Maroons try to
bounce back from a
humiliating three-set
loss to Ateneo last
Sunday to stay in the
top four spot as they
are currently at the
bottom four with 3-2
win-loss mark.
Tots Carlos was the
lone UP player to hit
double digits in that
loss as Isa Molde, who
was averaging 16.8
points per game prior
the match against
the Lady Eagles, was
held down to just six
markers.
They will face
the Lady Bulldogs of
coach Norman Miguel
who are also coming
off a four-set loss to
University of Santo
Tomas to drop to 1-4.
SPORTS BRIEFS
Aoki’s redemption
Eduard “Landslide” Folayang will
defend his ONE Lightweight World Title
against Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki at
ONE: A NEW ERA on 31 March.
The rematch between the Filipino
striker and the Japanese submission
specialist will be held at the Ryogoku
Kokugikan where Aoki gets the chance to
get back at his tormentor after working
his way back up the lightweight ladder
with three impressive wins.
BVR champions
PUERTO GALERA — Bea Tan and
Dij Rodriguez and Ranran Abdilla and
Jessie Lopez copped the women’s and
men’s titles in the BVR on Tour Amazing
Puerto Galera Dreamwave Open Sunday
at the Dreamwave White Beach here.
Representing Team Amazing Puerto
Galera, Tan and Rodriguez capped
their BVR debut as partners with a
masterful 21-15, 21-14 conquest of
Team XentroMall’s Derie Rosales and
MJ Ebro.
Abdilla and Lopez, also of Team
Amazing Puerto Galera, fashioned out a
21-17, 21-14 win over Team XentroMall’s
KR Guzman and Krung Arbasto, for a
perfect campaign.
Finishing with a 4-0 record, Tan
and Rodriguez overpowered Team
Dreamwave’s Roma Joy and Roma Mae
Doromal, 21-12, 21-13, earlier in the day.
Novis keeps run
Ma. Angelica Novis bucked a
scare from the Carvajal siblings and
annexed another two-title sweep in
the PPS-PEPP Tagum City national
age-group tennis tournament in
Davao del Norte yesterday.
Novis, 16, thwarted Juliana Carvajal’s
tough stand in the first set and went
on to post a 6-4, 6-0 win in the semis
then whipped Hanna Amazona, 6-0, 6-2,
to rule her age bracket in the Group 2
tournament presented by Dunlop.
MADDIE Madayag of Ateneo vs Tots Carlos of UP in recent action.
ROMAN PROSPERO
It’s going to be a tough one against Diego.
Wawrinka won a taut thriller against 29th-seeded Hungarian Marton
Fucsovics, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, finally sealing it on his fifth match point
after three hours and 24 minutes when Fucsovics lofted a lob long.
Nadal, playing his third tournament of a year that started with a
crushing loss to Djokovic in the Australian Open final and included
an early exit in Acapulco, converted five of his six break chances
against Donaldson and never faced a break point himself.
He next faces Diego Schwartzman, who beat Spain’s Roberto
Carballes, 6-3, 6-1. Nadal is 6-0 against the Argentine.
“Today was a very positive step for me, and the next one is going to
be against a player that we know each other very well — we practiced
a lot of times, and we played some tough matches,” Nadal said.
“It’s going to be a tough one against Diego,” he added, calling
Schwartzman “one of the best talents of the sport today.”
In other early matches, sixth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan
survived a scare in a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) victory over France’s Adrian
Mannarino.
AFP
A TRIO of young fans all try to catch a ball tossed to them by Cleveland Indians first
baseman Carlos Santana during the fifth inning of a spring training baseball game
against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
AP

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
NLEX in mad dash to save bid
SPORTS
GUIAO
15
That’s part of the sacrifice anybody
has to make for the national team
By John Bryan Ulanday
Skidding NLEX fights for dear life when it tussles with
Alaska in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)
Philippine Cup tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Action begins at 7 p.m. with the Road Warriors
looking to arrest a two-game slump to keep their playoff
hopes alive entering the last stretch of the All-Filipino
conference elimination round.
Magnolia, meanwhile, seeks to get a good run going in a
bid to boost its quarterfinals drive against the vastly-improved
Columbian in the first game at 4:30 p.m.
Coming off a triumphant national team stint, head
coach Yeng Guiao’s return to NLEX was spoiled by a
111-121 loss to reigning champion San Miguel Beer last
week. It dragged his squad deeper down the cellar at
2-5 and 11th place.
“It has also been a struggle to be out of the country
coaching the national team and spending my focus and
time for that purpose,” said Guiao who spent most of
his time with the Nationals last month while being away
from his mother club.
“I think that’s also taking some toll on our team.
That’s part of the sacrifice anybody has to make for
the national team,” Guiao added. “We’ll try to make
the most out of the time that we’re able to focus back
on NLEX job and try to reset our focus just on trying
to survive and trying to get to the next round.”
Guiao also said that more than the national team
stint, unfortunate injuries to his key players doomed
their chances of a deep playoff run this conference.
Already without ace sophomore
guard Kiefer Ravena who
was suspended by FIBA
for 18 months since
last year, NLEX
took another blow
recently with Kevin
Alas re-injuring his
ACL and veteran
Larry Fonacier
sustaining a strained
calf muscle.

"
16
WORLD
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
‘Made in China’ engulfs the world
China has been the world leader in
applications for patent for invention
for years
BEIJING — After its breakneck economic
growth based on cheap labor and demographic
advantages, China is now looking to tap its vast
innovation potential to spur high-quality growth.
China was once a center of innovation with its
epoch-making inventions of paper, gunpowder, the
compass and printing. But its creativity seemed
sagged for a long time until the founding of New
China in 1949.
Beijing feels an urgency to transform its
economy into one driven by innovation.
Four decades of reform and opening up since
1978 has greatly stimulated the Chinese people’s
vitality and creativity and prepared the hard and
soft ware for China to make major scientific and
technological breakthroughs.
China’s economic growth over the years has
been mainly based on the large scale consumption
of unrenewable natural resources, which has led to
severe environmental pollution and is apparently
unsustainable.
To pursue sustainable
growth, China feels
an urgency to
transform its
economy into
Beijing,
US discuss
‘next steps’
BEIJING — Top Chinese and US officials held
phone talks Tuesday to discuss the next steps in
trade negotiations, Chinese state media said, as the
White House said no date has been set for a summit.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spoke
with Beijing’s top economic official Liu He over
the phone to discuss “key issues” on trade, the
official news agency Xinhua reported.
The top negotiators also discussed the
“next steps” in their talks, the brief report
said, without providing details.
China and the United States have been locked in a trade
war since last year, imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on more than
$360 billion worth of mutual trade, spooking global markets.
Trump has previously expressed optimism
that he will meet with Xi.
Top-level negotiators are trying to hammer out
an agreement before a truce expires, potentially
triggering additional US tariffs on Chinese goods.
A possible summit between President Donald
Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
remains up in the air, the White House said Monday.
Trump has previously expressed optimism that he
will meet with Xi, probably at his Florida golf club Mara-Lago
this month, to finalize an eventual trade deal.
But Trump spokesman Sarah Sanders said it was
too early to announce a meeting.
“In terms of whether or not we have a date set, not
yet. We’re continuing negotiations with China,” she said
at the White House. “When we have an announcement
for the two leaders to sit down, we’ll let you know.”
The press secretary also said she was unaware of
any plan for Xi and Trump to
speak by phone.
one driven by innovation, to strengthen the
country’s scientific and technology prowess and
competitiveness in the world.
The Chinese government
has strengthened
protection of the
legal rights and
interests of
BAN, SUSPENSION, STOCKS WOES
Boeing, boink!
PARIS — A number of countries have
grounded Boeing’s 737 MAX 8 medium-haul
workhorse jet in response to an Ethiopian
Airlines crash that killed all 157 people on
board.
The Nairobi-bound plane was the same type
as the Indonesian Lion Air jet that crashed in
October, killing 189 passengers and crew — with some
detecting similarities between the two accidents.
There are some 350 of the 737 MAX 8 planes
currently in service around the world and while
some countries and airlines have opted to ground the
planes, others are continuing to fly the aircraft pending
an investigation into the crash and possible guidance
from Boeing itself.
Boeing has sent experts to assist in the Ethiopia
probe and said safety was its “number one priority.”
In Singapore, the aviation regulator Tuesday banned
the use of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the country’s
Up,
up
and
splash! A
competitor
jumps into
the Yarra
River with his
homemade
flying device
during the
annual
Birdman
Rally at the
Moomba
Festival in
Melbourne.
AFP
Sanders said Trump will not agree to anything
short of a deal beneficial to the United States.
She denied that the breakdown of Trump’s attempts
to negotiate with North Korea over the country’s nuclear
weapons had weakened his standing in Beijing.
“I would say that’s absurd. He’s going to make a
deal if it’s a good deal, if it’s in the best interest of
America and if he doesn’t
entrepreneurs, ensuring fair competition and
stronger protection of intellectual property rights,
to encourage innovation.
China’s recent efforts to encourage innovations
have paid off. According to a report released in
2017 by INSEAD business school, Cornell University
and the World Intellectual Property Organization,
China has broken into the
top 20 of a global list of the
most innovative economies
for the first time.
Mission accomplished The manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior) aboard China’s science
ship Tansuo-1 returns to its home harbor in Sanya, South China’s Hainan province after finishing its first expedition
in the Indian Ocean.
XINHUA
airspace following a deadly Ethiopia plane crash at the
weekend.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a
statement it was “temporarily suspending operation
of all variants of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into
and out of Singapore in light of two fatal accidents
involving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in less than five
months.”
Singapore banned the use of Boeing 737
MAX aircraft in its airspace.
The shares of Boeing plummeted by more than 12
percent on Monday in premarket trading.
Toward 1300 GMT, Boeing, a member of the Dow
Jones Industrial Average, had dropped 12.3 percent
to $371.32 a share, dragging down futures for the Dow
and helping put Wall Street on track for a sixth day and
threatening to wipe as much as $30 billion from Boeing’s
market capitalization.
AFP
FRAMED photographs of seven crew members are displayed at a memorial service held by an
association of Ethiopian airline pilots in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AP
feel like it’s a good deal, it’s not worth
just signing a piece of paper,”
Sanders said. AFP
China has been the world leader in applications
for patent for invention for years. It received about
1.54 million applications of invention patents in
2018, according to the annual statistics of the
National Intellectual Property Administration.
China has made tremendous achievements in
intellectual property rights protection in recent
years. Multiple intellectual property laws in line
with international rules have been passed or
amended, specialized courts have been set up in
major cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.
China’s image as an innovation powerhouse is also
underpinned by the birth of a batch of “unicorn” tech
companies like Tencent and Didi Chuxing.
China’s innovation and entrepreneurship drive
is not a solo show, foreign companies will continue
to tap the vast potential of the Chinese market.
The ongoing review of the draft Foreign
Investment Law showcases China’s resolve to
improve the business environment for foreign
companies in China, which are an indispensable
part of the country’s economic and innovation
activities.
Xinhua
Royal walk Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and members
of the Royal Family attend the Commonwealth Day
service at Westminster Abbey in London on 11 March. AFP
Staff pullout
CARACAS — The United States announced late
Monday that it is pulling the remaining staff from its
embassy in Venezuela, citing the deteriorating situation
in the South American nation.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the
decision as Venezuela struggles to restore electricity
following four days of blackouts around the country and
a deepening political crisis.
The US has led an international effort to oust socialist
President Nicolas Maduro and replace him with opposition
leader Juan Guaido, who vows to hold a new presidential
election. Guaido is backed by some 50 countries, while
Maduro maintains support from countries such as China,
Russia and Cuba.
Maduro had ordered
all US diplomats to leave
Venezuela in late
January because
of its support
from Guaido.
AP
BRIEFS
No more 5th term
Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of two
decades abandoned his bid for a fifth term Monday
following unprecedented protests over his fitness
for office, but his simultaneous postponement of an
election set for next month had critics worried he
intends to hold on to power.
AP
Judgment day
The sentencing of Australian Cardinal George Pell
for child sex crimes will be broadcast live Wednesday
in a rare move by the local judiciary. Pell faces
a maximum 50 years in prison for assaulting two
choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral in 1996-97. AFP
Musk’s tweet
Tesla CEO Elon Musk should not be found in
contempt of court because he has complied with
the terms of a securities fraud settlement, his
attorneys wrote in documents filed Monday night
with the US District Court in Manhattan. AP
Another masterpiece? The Monna Vanna,
also dubbed The Nude Mona Lisa, was revealed
during the artwork’s presentation to the press at the
Domaine de Chantilly in Paris. Many experts believe
it may be the work of the Renaissance master. AFP
‘Not worth it’
WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi is setting a high bar for impeachment
of President Donald Trump, saying he is
“just not worth it” even as some on her left
flank clamor to start proceedings.
Pelosi said in an interview with
The Washington Post that “I’m not for
impeachment” of Trump.
“Unless there’s something so compelling
and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t
think we should go down that path,
because it divides the country,” she said.
While she has made similar comments
before, Pelosi is making clear to her caucus
and to voters that Democrats will not move
forward quickly with trying to remove
Trump from office.
And it’s a departure from her previous
comments that Democrats are waiting
on special counsel Robert Mueller to lay
out findings from his Russia investigation
before considering impeachment. AP
Mano y mano People collect water from an open pipe above the Guaire
River during rolling blackouts, which affect the pumps in people’s homes,
offices and stores in Caracas, Venezuela.
AFP
=========================
===============================================================
Case Law
By VICTOR C. AVECILLA
People vs. Salga
G.R. No. 233334, 23 July 2018 /
Third Division / Bersamin, J.
Criminal Law; Conspiracy. – The mere fact that the
accused were seen together immediately after the
commission of a felony does not necessarily prove
the existence of a conspiracy between them. The
prosecution must show that the accused performed
overt acts showing unanimity of design or concert
of action; otherwise, each is liable only for the
consequences of his own acts. (VOLUME 2, NUMBER 51)
=================================

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Scent of
confidence
Smell fresh all day with
these great selection of
personal care products
For charismatic and good-looking
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The newest addition to the
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is a promising actor and sought-after
RAYVER embodies the essence of
manly fragrance.
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take. That’s important,” he says.
With his looks, talent and personality, Rayver embodies Blackwater’s
Deo lines. Like the brand’s image, Rayver reveals his quirky, funny side
as he promotes Deo Soap, Deo Mist, Deo Spray and Deo Splash.
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Aside from the products mentioned, Rayver’s favorite and go-to
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SPOTLIGHT 17
Enter the new ‘pogi’
The story is about a family
that was cursed to have ugly
children if the men married
someone beautiful
Teddy Corpuz is hopeful that his
launching movie, Papa Pogi, will entertain
people on the big screen.
“What makes our movie special is all of
us, the cast’s amazing wit and talent, plus
samahan mo pa ng baliw na script (add
an insane script),” says Teddy. The It’s
Showtime host and vocalist of the band
Rocksteddy adds that he thinks the movie
will give viewers a “steady laugh trip.”
Regal Entertainment Inc.’s new film
explores one man’s search for his one
true love.
Meanwhile, Papa Pogi’s trailer has
garnered nine million views and
counting, probably baffling those who
still subscribe to the “classically
handsome” peg.
The comedy film presents the
concept that while we all want
love, looking for someone we
want to spend our life with is
not an easy task.
“Let’s just say that looks
don’t really matter that much
when you are in love. I think
that’s why this role is perfect
for me — I am not beautiful,
but Teddy Corpuz’s character
Romeo falls in love with me
here. I’m so happy to have
been given the chance to be
in this film because I really
want to do comedy. I hope
they give me a chance,” The Funny One
grand champion Donna Cariaga says about
her first leading lady role.
“You do crazy things in the name of love
and so does (my character) Helena. She is
not the type who will tell a joke to make you
laugh; she will make you laugh because you
will be able to relate to her as you can do
unintentionally funny things when you are
in love and heartbroken,” actress Myrtle
Sarrosa explains.
The funny question is: Pangit is the
new pogi nga ba (Is ugly really the new
handsome)? Are we ready to make a
choice that we won’t regret afterwards?
This is the premise of the latest comedy
DONNA Cariaga, Teddy Corpuz and Myrtle Sarrosa star in Regal Films’ newest movie.
movie by Regal Films which stars Teddy,
Donna and Myrtle.
The story is about a family that was
cursed to have ugly children if the men
married someone beautiful. The only person
this family hopes to lift the curse is Romeo,
who must marry someone ugly, the film’s
director Alex Calleja explains.
Teddy plays Romeo, a wealthy and
confident not-so-good-looking guy, who is
so focused on finding that woman, he fails
to see his secretary’s long-held affection
for him.
The movie also stars Joey Marquez, Lassy,
Nonong Ballinan, Dawn Chang, Hashtags
members Nikko Natividad, Zeus Collins and
Luke Conde.
The film also marks a number of firsts:
this is Teddy’s and Donna’s first lead roles
in a film; as well as the first directorial
job of Alex Calleja, who is a stand-up
comedian, host, actor and former
creative consultant of It’s Showtime.
Aside from writing for Goin’ Bulilit
and Funny Ka Pare Ko, he is also
one of the radio jocks of Boys
Night Out in Magic 89.9.
Calleja has won international
awards including first-runner
up in Laugh Factory’s Funniest
Person in the World 2016 and
Best Stand-Up Comedian in
the Aliw Awards 2017 which
made him the best choice to
do the first comedy film for
Regal this year.
Teddy composed and
performed the theme song
of this movie. Papa Pogi
will be shown in cinemas
on 20 March.
Ricci Rivero steps up
ST. WOLF also makes its move under the “Myx Spotlight.”
NEA Crossword Puzzle
© 2018 UFS, Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication for UFS
Myx VJ Search is back this year
UP Fighting Maroon Ricci Rivero takes a break from shooting hoops
and takes up Myx’s monthly hosting challenge as Celebrity VJ for March.
The basketball heartthrob is sure to make viewers swoon with his
swag style and sweet moves as he ushers in the hottest music of today.
The music channel is ready for heat this month with alternative rock
and grunge band Teeth as “Myx Headliner.” With Glenn Jacinto on vocals,
Jerome Velasco on guitars, Pedz Narvaja on bass, Mike Dizon on drums
and Dok Sergio on guitars, the band is sure to fire up the channel with
hits “Laklak,” “Prinsesa” and “Shooting Star.”
Rock band St. Wolf also makes its move under the “Myx Spotlight”
with songs “Taguan,” “Jealousy” and “Papara.”
Meanwhile, the Myx VJ Search is back this year. Applicants may
submit a one-minute video via unlisted feature of YouTube until 21
March. Aspirants may also audition in person on 16, 17, 23 and 24
March, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Requirements include a head shot,
ACROSS
1 Two-wheeler
5 Grassy shoulder
9 Big success
12 Kind of chop
13 Track event
14 Get wrong
15 Ran up a tab
16 Work by Handel
18 Troglodyte
20 Perch
21 Recipe word
22 — de plume
23 Jugs
26 Quartz variety
29 Use a straw
30 “L’—, c’est moi”
32 Class period
34 Urgent request
36 High woodwind
38 Prefix for classic
39 Figures out
41 Like damp rocks
43 Yes, in Kyoto
44 Spies’ org.
45 Lassoed
48 Young felines
52 Docile
54 Worse than bad
55 Have a cough
56 Away from
the wind
57 Glassmaker
— Lalique
58 Mesh fabric
59 Told a whopper
60 Powder, to some
DOWN
1 Political alliance
2 Hawkeye State
3 Ukraine’s capital
4 Win over
5 Not subtle
6 Hold down a job
7 Sony rival
8 Subways
9 Brave one
10 Rainbow
goddess
11 Slow gait
17 Enthusiasm
19 Inventory wd.
22 Defense
acronym
23 Mind reading
24 Resolution
25 Dueler’s weapon
26 Punches
27 Geologic time
divisions
SUDOKU
28 Wishes undone
31 — Braxton
33 Trigger’s rider
35 Oohed and —
37 Send forth
40 Kind of tire
42 Cowboy films
44 Summoned to court
45 Dappled horse
46 Emmy relative
47 Rain hard
48 Leg joint
49 Roulette bet
50 Baja boy
51 Did in the dragon
53 Ivy Leaguer
Answer to previous puzzle
by Ramon Lorenzo
Write a numeral from 1 to 9 in each box so that each
appears only once in each row, column and 3 x 3 box.
Answer for yesterday’s puzzle
GRUNGE band Teeth joins the show as one of its “headliners.”
full body photo and two valid ID confirming the candidate is
within the 18 to 27 age range.
The basketball heartthrob is
sure to swoon viewers with his
swag style and sweet moves.
Chill out with Celebrity VJ
Ricci on “Pinoy MYX” on 10 to
16 March, “Mellow MYX” on 17 to
23 March and “My MYX” on 25 to 29
March. Watch MYX on ABS-CBN TVplus
channel 12, SKYcable channel
23 and SKYdirect channel
37. For updates, follow
@abscbnpr o n
Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram or
visit www.abs-cbn.
com/newsroom.
THE UP Fighting
Maroon player
announced as the
new Myx VJ.
D A I L Y G O S P E L
Wednesday of the First week of Lent
Luke 11:29-32
While still more people
gathered in the crowd, Jesus
said to them, “This generation
is an evil generation; it seeks
a sign, but no sign will be
given it, except the sign of
Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign
to the Ninevites, so will the Son
of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment the queen
of the south will rise with
the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the
ends of the earth to hear the
wisdom of Solomon and there
is something greater than
Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of
Nineveh will arise with this
generation and condemn it,
because at the preaching of
Jonah they repented and there
is something greater than
Jonah here.”

18
SPOTLIGHT
PCTA-SKY Cable strategic relations head Jon Arayata, PCTA 2019
Convention chairman Dr. Venancio Lo, and CPI shared services
head Teresita Villareal.
ABS-CBN subsidiaries Creative
Programs Inc. (CPI) and SKY
Cable Corporation pledged
support to the Philippine Cable
Television Association (PCTA) for
the organization’s forthcoming
convention and exhibit to be held
at the SMX Convention Center from
2 to 4 April.
SKY Cable and CPI will be
having their respective interactive
booth displays showcasing different
products and latest offerings as
they join this year’s Philippine
Premiere Cable TV Convention
with the theme “Internet Exchange:
Let’s get it on!”
Tackling conflicts arising from
Internet service coming to the fore,
the gathering will also discuss the
opportunity of spreading wings
beyond cable TV and going online,
to foster the blossoming business
of content delivery.
Meanwhile, delegates and
visitors alike should expect a
lot of experiential activities and
gimmicks from CPI’s accompanying
exhibit where well-loved channels
Cinema One, Metro, Myx and
Jeepney TV will be featured.
Represented channels ANC, DZMM
TeleRadyo, and Liga, as well as
affiliate foreign channels Fox
Family Movies, Fox Action Movies,
KIX, Thrill, CCM, TVN, and Comedy
Central Asia will also take part in
CPI’s three-day participation at the
convention.
CPI will also host a kick-off party
on 1 April for its cable operators
and clients, featuring performances
of various Kapamilya artists and
meet-and-greet sessions with
some of the channel personalities,
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Interactive booths at PCTA Cable Show
happening at Islas Pinas in Pasay
City.
SKY Cable head of strategic
relations Efren “Jon” Arayata Jr.,
PCTA 2019 Convention chairman
Dr. Venancio Lo, and CPI head of
shared services Teresita Villareal
signed an agreement, officially
making the ABS-CBN subsidiaries
co-presenters of this year’s cable
show.
For updates, follow @
abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram or visit www.
abscbn.com/newsroom.

Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
LIFESTYLE 19
Why we love
Bohol
Emblem Jewelry’s exquisite election of 24K gold
dipped sterling jewelry.
Bringing
in summer
Kultura celebrates fun in the sun with Summer
Hardin, a resort pop-up store at SM Makati’s Upper
Ground Level Concourse Area from 12 to 20 March.
A curated selling event, Summer Hardin
showcases Kultura’s latest resortwear and
accessories, personal care products and juices.
Summer Hardin sparkles with Micki Olaguer’s
fine silver Emblem Jewelry dipped in gold and
adorned with genuine gemstones and freshwater
pearls; and Marilu Batchelor’ Maison Lourdes
Handbags a bespoke and limited-edition handbag
line specializing in snakeskin and leather clutch
bags and totes.
Island Girl’s tropical fruit inspired pouches.
Go natural with Island Girl’s hand-woven and
hand-crafted bags made from native materials
found in the Philippines. And you’re on holiday
with Sundae, swimwear that embodies the kind
of beach loving spirit that combines style and
comfort.
Pamper yourself with all-natural personal
care from Forest Magic the first and original hair
formulation made from Gugo back and blended
with natural plant extracts for healthier hair;
and be beach-ready with Bare Body, the first
and original all-natural no strip cold sugar wax
in the Philippines.
Tropical Shop converts all the fruit and herb
extracts that would otherwise be disposed in
manufacturing food and beverage into personal
care products. CocoBody, on the other hand, creates
natural earth-friendly
handmade natural
cosmetics from virgin
coconut oil which
soothes, moisturizes,
cleanses, and heals
from head to toe.
Enjoy fun
summer goodies with
Healthy Pinoy’s array
of favorite Filipino
snacks, delicacies,
and beverage that
everyone loves and
will love once they
try it.
natural skin products from
the Tropical Shop.
Check out Kultura’s Summer Hardin resort
pop-up store styled using lush greens by Tierra
Plants and furniture from SM Home. Shoppers
can also enjoy a juice bar by Healthy Pinoy.
From its name is a movement — it’s
both a call to action and a message
from its people
Though born and raised in Manila, Terrie Fucanan-Yu
is a Bol-anon at heart having spent most of her childhood
summers in the simplicity and beauty of Bohol’s culture
and traditions.
It is not surprising then that when she goes to
weekend markets, she’d look for something from her
beloved Bohol only to be disappointed. Terrie says,
“Weekend markets and trade fairs would always have
products from Cebu, Bacolod, Ilocos and even Davao, but
Bohol goods, zero. I feel that my fellow Boholanos are
losing out on the growing interest and support of Manila
and its expat community to locally-produced goods.”
This is how Terrie came up with Love Bohol.
What is the idea behind Love Bohol? What are
the circumstances that brought it about? What are
your objectives?
The idea behind Love Bohol is to celebrate the beauty
of the province through the stories and creations of its
people - the village economies, the artisans, farmers,
and small entrepreneurs who are creating good, quality
products that are unique to the island. We choose to
focus on their craft and successes to spark new interest
about Bohol — because yes, there is more to it than just
about the Chocolate Hills — and at the same time help
local communities.
Love Bohol from its name is a movement — it’s both a
call to action and a message from its people. The orange
pin on our logo represents the people of Bohol, where the
true beauty and charm of the province emanates from.
We are just starting to put content on its social media
The women loom weavers of Tubigon.
platforms, and in terms of product representation we
have a shelf now in Frankie & Friends General Store in
SM Aura that offers quality Bohol products that I have
pre-selected from my own personal trips to the local
communities.
What are your fondest memories of Bohol?
My fondest memories are of my childhood summers
spent in my grandparents’ homes. Because they were
very conservative Catholics, we participated in religious
customs - the processions, the novenas, and the early
Sunday masses with the beautiful backdrop of Panglao’s
San Agustin Church that dates back to the Spanish times.
In the late afternoons we would pick fruits from the
backyard with our lolo — mangoes, sinigwelas, makopa.
During fiestas and get-togethers, the kitchen would be
Sustainable wooden necklace from Crissander
Enterprises of Loboc.
very busy with sikwate being made from the fermented
cacao beans harvested from our tree, and putong bigas
cooked from scratch. Frequent trips to the beach were
also our favorite, but so were our house-to-house visits
during the month of May — all 31 days of it — when
every town in the province would have a fiesta in honor
of different saints.
see the world’s
smallest primate
up close in their
natural habitat.
With its population
fast decreasing, the
Tarsier is now classified
as a near-threatened
species. The Tarsier should
be viewed in their natural
Can you name five
destinations where to which
you would take a first time
Bohol visitor? Why did you
choose these destinations?
The Tarsier Sanctuary by the
Philippine Tarsier Foundation
in Corella,
Bohol to
environment and in complete silence because they are
nocturnal creatures and have an extremely sensitive sense
of hearing. They are also not to be touched because this
gives them a great deal of stress and drives them to commit
suicide.
Take a heritage
tour of Bohol’s
Spanish era
churches. We have
so many of these
in Bohol, perhaps
the most number
in one province.
The NCCA has even
published a book
of more than 40
historic churches in
the province. A lot
of these churches
suffered major
damage during the 2013 earthquake though most of
them have been restored. Go to the St. Joseph Cathedral
in Tagbilaran and the churches in Panglao, Dauis,
Baclayon, Albuquerque, Loon, Loay, and Loboc.
While you’re in Loboc, take a Loboc River cruise
while having lunch and visit the award-winning Loboc
children’s choir to hear their angelic voices. Drop by
Crissander Enterpises for handcrafted and laser-cut
accessories and souvenirs that are made of sustainable
wood and recycled materials.
Witness how fine handicrafts are made at the
Tubigon Loom Weavers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in
Tubigon (where raffia bags, placemats and tablerunners
are made), the Antequera early Sunday market (Bohol’s
basket capital), and Crown Cabilao in Cabilao Island
(where the women continue the tradition of romblo
mat weaving).
Visit the cacao farms in Calape and Sierra Bullones
and learn from the farmers. Bohol has hundreds of
heirloom cacao trees of the rare and delicious criollo
variety. Bohol’s chocolatier Dalareich Polot and cacao
farming advocate Cecilia De Leon are spearheading
their preservation in Calape town. Also visit Dalareich
Chocolate House in Tagbilaran, the only chocolate maker
that produces single origin bean-to-bar chocolate, called
Ginto, in the province.
Visit Anda’s beaches as an alternative to touristy
Panglao. While you’re there, try the coconut burger and
other healthy and nourishing food at Coco Loco Cafe.
Lula Land
Jing Lejano
Raffia handbag by Ninobasilio of Cebu, featuring
raffia from the Tubigon Loom Weavers Multi-Purpose
Cooperative.
What is your criteria for choosing companies/
entrepreneurs that are part of Love Bohol?
Criteria 1: The brand/entrepreneur/community
must have products that are made of materials that
are local or indigenous to the province. Because
Love Bohol advocates sustainability, the raw
materials must come from Bohol but must be
sustainably sourced.
Criteria 2: The brand should be supporting
local communities through livelihood
opportunities, skills training, or direct
procurement of raw materials.
Criteria 3: The products should have
a global appeal. There must be an effort
to elevate the quality and design of the
products to appeal to a global audience.
What is your dream for Love
Bohol?
My dream for Love Bohol is to
make it into an active social media
movement where people can share
all their positive, uplifting, and memorable
experiences about Bohol and its people, and a platform
through which local brands are able to introduce to
the world their products that empower community
livelihood. There are still so many communities in Bohol
that I haven’t visited, and so many of them are in need
of capital for their equipment, production, and skills
training. My dream is for Love Bohol to get the much
needed funding support for these communities through
awareness and network building.
From page 20
Something worth visiting
After satiating your hunger at
Plum, it is nice to come home to
Lima Park Hotel. Located at the
heart of the Lima Technology Center
economic zone in the towns of Lipa
and Malvar, the hotel has 136 wellappointed
guest rooms, categorized
into Superior, Deluxe, Premiere Luxe,
Suite, Executive Suite and Governor’s
Suite.
Plum perfect
A four-star hotel in Batangas has summoned the gastronomical
power of plum in its newly-renovated restaurant
You can also hear Mass at the
Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
With its unparalleled amenities
and excellent services, the hotel
has received its clean re-accredited
status from the Department of
Tourism, making it the first and
only four-star hotel in Batangas.
For the second year, Lima Park
Hotel has been recognized as
a Top Hotel for Families by the
2019 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice
Awards for hotels, an award that
is given to exceptional properties
and presented to the top businesses
across select categories.
Located at the ground
floors of the hotel, it has
a magnificent view of the
pool and the well-manicured
garden leading to the
ballroom.
“We have been continuously
improving our facilities. But
ultimately, what really matters
are the positive guest encounters
that result in great unforgettable
experiences,” said Lima Park Hotel
resident manager who believes that
the award speaks about the hotel’s
excellent service.
Lima Park has always been
known as a business hotel,
attracting a huge number of
expatriate executives who work
in multinational companies in
Batangas. In the past years,
however, the hotel has been winning
over families and leisure travelers,
not just with its facilities but with
its tour packages.
drop by one of the bee farms that
abound in the town of Balete.
A front-liner in promoting
tourism in Batangas, the hotel will
whisk guests aboard the Amore
Bus to different destinations in
Batangas. The Amore Bus will
pass through the Lima Technology
Center, home to international
manufacturing companies such
as Hitachi, Yamaha, Daiho and
Bandai. After exiting the economic
zone, the bus goes to Levitown in
Marawoy, Lipa and head to Balete
via the Star Tollway.
From here, you can explore the
beautiful gardens of Marian Orchard,
a pilgrimage site home to a Via Crucis,
a linear garden with life-sized statues
depicting the Passion of Christ, and the
Rosarium with a giant rosary. Listen
to the Chimes of Mary, with 14 custommade
bells from the Netherlands that
peal every 15 minutes. Enjoy the view
as you walk up the Calvary Hill and
Meditation Garden. You can also hear
Mass at the Chapel of the Sacred Heart
of Jesus.
After a devotional journey, the bus
heads to Amore Point, where guests can
board a boat to begin the cruise around
Lake Taal. The boat will stop at Lake
Point Manakah, where guests can enjoy
a magnificent view of Taal Lake, the
Volcano Island, and Mt. Maculot while
sipping fresh buko, the perfect place for
your Instagram-worthy selfies.
On the way back, drop by one of the
bee farms that abound in the town of
Balete. Learn about apiculture or bee
farming, how to maintain a bee colony
and how bees help maintain balance in
the ecosystem. Experience how honey
is harvested. Some bee farms will let
you taste pure honey and even the
honeycomb. Don’t forget to take a bottle
(or more) of wild honey and their famous
honey vinegar.
At Levitown, you can buy some local
delicacies such as suman magkayakap,
which is made from glutinous rice
cooked with coconut milk and then
wrapped in banana leaves and bundled
together. It is served with coconut
caramel sauce.
After a whole day of adventure,
revitalize yourself with hand-crafted
artisan coffee at the Brew, the hotel’s
cafe. Or have some sun-downer at the
Patio Bar. Or simply call it a night
and enjoy a good night’s sleep at your
home-away-from-home accommodation.
CHIMES of Mary.

20
LIFESTYLE
Dinah S. Ventura, Editor
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Daily Tribune
Plum perfect
Start your plum culinary journey with Homemade Pot Stickers, purple
yam dumplings stuffed with tasty filling made from shrimp, minced pork
shoulder and pork back fat, seasoned with Asian spices and served with
ginger chips
By Ma. Glaiza Lee
While beautiful flowers fascinate artistic souls,
plums inspire gastronomic muses. They come
stealing the spotlight as soon as the first fruits
are ready for harvesting.
One might think that it is just a fruit, but the
plum can be complicated. For one, it comes in
a multitude of hues and varieties purple as the
Damsons, red as the Satsumas, green as the
Greengage, mottled as the Victoria and yellow
as the Mirabelle.
Its bloom — the delicate dusty matte powder
that covers its skin — serves as a thin veil that
protects the fruit from the harsh sun. It also
signals that the plum has perfectly ripened
and denotes that the fruits have been freshly
harvested and are not overly handled since they
have been plucked from the trees.
Tough on the outside, the flesh is firm yet
soft, not mushy. When eaten raw, the smooth,
blemish-free skin gives a certain
tartness while its juice envelops
the taste buds with
sweetness in every
bite. The flesh
We stew the fresh fruits into jams and sauces
for dessert or put them into braising liquid for
brisket. We bake them into cakes and tarts. We
just know how to relish its tartness and sweetness.
A four-star hotel in Batangas has summoned
the gastronomical power of plum in its
newly-renovated restaurant. Lima Park Hotel
renamed its restaurant from Asian Flavors
to Plum Pan Asian Cuisine, and curated
Asian classic dishes cooked with the freshest
ingredients, mostly sourced locally.
A four-star hotel in Batangas has
summoned the gastronomical power of
plum in its newly-renovated restaurant.
With chef Pol Poblador leading the kitchen,
Plum offers a unique dining experience in
a casual setting. Located at the ground
floor of the hotel, it has
a magnificent view
of the pool
and the
THE restaurant has a seating capacity for 80 and is designed for celebrations.
PLUM-STYLE Cua Pao.
well-manicured garden
leading to the ballroom.
One of the three food
outlets located inside the
hotel, the restaurant has
a seating capacity for
80 and is designed for
celebrations.
with juicy pieces of beef tenderloin, grilled to
medium perfection.
Plum’s version of Tom Yum Goong will warm the
hungry tummy. The Thai classic soup has a light
broth made from tamarind, lime leaves and Asian
aromatics, served with generous morsels of prawn,
mushrooms, tomatoes and shallots.
The Pancit Palabok Japchae marries the best
of Filipino and Korean noodle dishes. In this Plum
noodle creation, the shrimp and aligue sauce is
poured over the Korean glass noodles (known as
japchae), then generously topped with shrimp,
tinapa flakes, crushed chicharo, leeks and fresh
slices of kamias.
A front-liner in promoting tourism in
Batangas, the hotel will whisk guests
aboard the Amore Bus to different
destinations in Batangas.
For the main course, enjoy the flavorful
symphony of Southeast Asian spices in Beef
Rendang. In Plum’s version of the famous Asian
beef stew, tender beef and oxtail is cooked with
gata, simmered and reduced to a flavorful thick
consistency. Or work up your appetite with the
Singaporean Chili Shrimps, cooked in chili,
roasted peppers and tomatoes. It has a sharp kick
without burning the tongue.
Don’t leave the restaurant without trying
the famous Batangas Bulalo, a soup made
from slow-cooking beef shank and bone marrow.
wraps
around a
single pit.
P l u m ,
perhaps, is one of
the most itinerant fruits,
with different varieties growing
and taking root in
various parts of the
world, especially in
Asia. It has been
omnipresent in
the culinary world.
The Japanese cure
the fruits with salt
and turn them into
umeboshi (pickle).
The Chinese
transform it into
wu mei, a savory
and smoky prune, so
black and shriveled
covered with coal
soot. Taiwan serves it
like a lemonade. BUTTERFLIED Fish with salsa.
HONEYCOMB.
HOMEMADE Pot
Stickers.
Serving
something good
Start your plum
culinary journey with
Homemade Pot Stickers,
purple yam dumplings
stuffed with a tasty filling
made from shrimp, minced
pork shoulder and pork back
fat, seasoned with Asian spices
and served with ginger chips. It
comes with two kinds of dip — the
green scallion and the sweet chili.
The Plum-style Cua Pao, its version
of the open-faced steamed buns, comes
with a choice of meat topping — either
pork or chicken. The meat is laid on a bed
of greens and pickled vegetables, inside the
freshly-made steamed Cua Pao.
Whet your appetite further with the Thai
Beef Salad with crisp greens that are locally
sourced, mixed with enoki mushrooms, baby
tomatoes, carrot strips and cucumber slices,
topped with fried shallots. The salad is served
HALL of Thanksgiving at Marian Orchard.
Slurp that hot soup, bite the tender meat, and enjoy
the vegetables such as bok choi, cabbage, carrots,
potatoes and green beans. Don’t forget the patis
and sili.
Leave some room for dessert! Clear your palate
with the refreshing homemade lychee sorbet with
almond terrine and fire-kissed lychee fruits. Go local
with Turon con Latik, fried spring rolls with local
plantains (saba) and jackfruit, drizzled with coconut
caramel syrup and topped with crushed pili nuts.
Coffee time takes a sumptuous twist with the
Barako Coffee Jelly with Mantecado Ice Cream.
Coffee jelly made from Batangas local coffee covers
the bottom of the glass, topped with mantecado
ice cream. Crumbled broas and paborita crackers
dress up the concoction. It is served with a shot of
Barako espresso and some milk, which you need to
pour into the glass before consuming the dessert.
This sinful creation is a perfect mix of cold and hot
with each mouthful.
Turn to page 19
TAAL Lake cruise.