DT_20190731

U.N. APPEALS
FOR YEMEN
SERVING SAN VICENTE
MORE NONSENSE
FROM JUSTICE CARPIO
GOV’T RE-ENTERS
JAPAN
BOND
MARKET
SHOW
ME THE
MONEY
PAGE B13 WORLD PAGE C17 LIFESTYLE
PAGE B5 COMMENTARY
PAGE B9 BUSINESS
PAGE D21 SPORTS
‘Healthy debates’
roll out divorce
By Elmer N. Manuel
MOST
INNOVATIVE
BROADSHEET
2018
44TH
PHILIPPINES
BUSINESS
EXPO
With previous surveys showing more
Filipinos in favor of disunion, Senate
President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday
admitted to expecting a “lengthy but healthy
debates” on the passage of the Divorce Bill.
Turn to page A6
MANILA, PHILIPPINES WEDNESDAY, 31 JULY 2019
FREE WiFi smells, says the government’s auditing agency.
CoA sniffs ‘Free WiFi’ fraud
By Hananeel Bordey
The Commission on Audit
(CoA) has questioned the
Department of Information and
Communications Technology
(DICT) for transferring P1.259
billion to the United Nations
By Mario J. Mallari
Misplaced perceptions
and allegations of
misdealing by the
political opposition
have failed to send
the government’s massive
rehabilitation efforts in
the war-torn Marawi City
off track as completion
Pipol Konek anomalous?
Development Programme (UNDP)
for the Free WiFi Access in Public
Places Project.
The CoA, in its 2018 Annual
Audit report, disclosed that the
DICT agreement lacked documents
to support that the government
agency could not implement the
PARTICIPANTS wow the audience as they perform for the Water Lily
Festival in Las Piñas City.
AL PADILLA
TF sees 2021 Marawi rise
of projects is eyed in
December 2021.
This was made
EXCLUSIVE
clear on Tuesday
by Housing and
Urban Development
Turn to page A2
project on its own to justify the
need for a deal with UNDP.
The agency said the DICT’s
Pipol Konek project was provided
with P1.739 billion under the 2018
national budget. Nearly all of the
fund went to the UNDP.
By Alvin Murcia
and Hananeel Bordey
Turn to page A2
Multi-pronged
probes on
PCSO, PhilHealth
The National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) will focus
on the alleged non-remittance
of multi-billion-peso
earnings from Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes
Office-sanctioned games,
Turn to page A6
HUDCC Chairman
Secretary
Eduardo del
Rosario declares
government’s
M a r a w i
rehabilitation
projects are on
track. AL PADILLA
AERIAL view of the damage caused by Saturday’s twin earthquakes in Itbayan, Batanes shows homes and the old
church needing rehabilitation.
Navy steers Batanes relief
By Keith Calayag
and Kristina Maralit
The Philippine Navy (PN) takes
the lead role in fast tracking the
relief and restoration of Itbayat,
Batanes following the series of
earthquakes on Saturday that
damaged most parts of the island.
Captain Jonathan Zata, the
X marks success
If your first try bombs out,
try again and still hope to win
big time.
Filipino superstar comic
book artist Leinil Francis Yu
should know how it feels as
Director of the Naval Public
Affairs Office, said the Navy has
been placed at the forefront of the
relief and rehabilitation activities
Turn to page A6
he embarks on another Marvel
Comics gig with the X-Men
starting this October.
Marvel officials announced
Yu’s role in the next X-Men
Turn to page A2
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A2 NEWS
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
MARAWI housing project rolling in full steam.
How can we allow people to return if there are still
unexploded ordnances
From page 1
Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chief and
concurrent Task Force Bangon Marawi
head Secretary Eduardo del Rosario
during the latest “Straight Talk with
Daily Tribune,” this paper’s exclusive live
webcast program.
“I would like to state, contrary to the
statements of some political opposition and
the leftist groups, that the rehabilitation of
Marawi City is on track,” Del Rosario said.
“We can complete the rehabilitation by
December 2021,” he stressed.
Del Rosario pointed out that normalcy
of life in the once economically prosperous
city is slowly being achieved.
While he said he understands the
sentiments of the internally displaced
TF sees 2021 Marawi rise
people (IDP), who are legitimate
Marawi City residents seeking to return
permanently to their homes, Del Rosario
dismissed as “politically motivated”
criticisms by the opposition.
“Those groups who do not know what’s
happening on the ground are somewhat
politically motivated (They) criticize the
government for not doing its job to serve
their vested interests,” Del Rosario said.
“On the contrary, the government has
been there on the ground since Day One.
We have 56 agencies working there since the
start of rehabilitation,” he added.
Del Rosario stressed that the government
only wants to ensure that the area is clear of
unexploded ordnances left by the five-month
siege laid by Islamic State(IS)-inspired
Maute bandits and Abu Sayyaf terror group.
In fact, he disclosed that several
unexploded bombs were recovered from
the battle zone two weeks ago, nearly two
years since the siege took place.
The government has been there on
the ground since Day One. We have
56 agencies working there since the
start of rehabilitation.
“How can we allow people to return if
there are still unexploded ordnances? If
one of those detonates, it can cause more
casualties and the government will be
blamed (for it),” Del Rosario said.
“We just want to make sure that the
residents are safe,” he added.
The HUDCC chief explained that the
first step, or the debris management which
includes clearing the area of unexploded
bombs in about 4,000 residential structures
and business establishments, is expected
to be completed this August.
By November, he said vertical
construction works will start after the
clearing of debris.
“While these are ongoing, we are
conducting pre-procurement procedures
to ensure the smooth and continuous
rehabilitation works,” Del Rosario said.
Among the projects are construction of
road networks with underground facilities,
24 barangay halls and health centers,
madrasahs, a hospital, 248 classrooms,
a public market and the development of
Lake Ranao.
Apart from the rehabilitation efforts,
Del Rosario said government has been
taking care of the IDP — providing financial
assistance and other support.
“The DSWD (Department of Social
Welfare and Development) has been
there since Day One. In fact, we just gave
out P73,000 cash assistance for those
living within the most affected areas
and P20,000 for those staying outside,”
he said.
“The DTI (Department of Trade and
Industry), DoST (Department of Science
and Technology) and DENR (Department
of Environment and Natural Resources)
also provide livelihood assistance. We have
to provide them with the capacity to start
their lives to normal again,” he added.
He said the Duterte administration
envisions a peaceful and more progressive
Marawi City when the rehabilitation is
completed.
“We have a tourism component for
Lake Ranao and we want to have a
peaceful environment,” Del Rosario said.
More than 1,000 terrorists, government
troops and civilians were killed when the
IS-inspired group, led by Isnilon Hapilon,
laid siege on Marawi City on 23 May 2017.
Government troops managed to
liberate the Islamic city from the terrorists
on October 2017. Martial law is enforced
in the whole of Mindanao.
CoA sniffs
‘Free WiFi’ fraud
The agency said the DICT’s Pipol Konek project was provided with P1.739
billion under the 2018 national budget. Nearly all of the fund went to the UNDP
From page 1
It was also under the DICT’s annual procurement
plan (APP) for 2018, specifying public bidding as
procurement mode. But it was amended in the 5th
supplemental APP where it provided that Pipol
Konek will be implemented with the engagement of
the UNDP.
The CoA reiterated that lack of documentation
showing empirical data that the DICT lacks the
capacity to undertake the specific procurement
project caused the project to be red flagged.
“Management could not provide documentation
showing empirical data that DICT lacks capacity to
undertake the specific procurement project which
is one of the underlying considerations that should
be present before resorting to UNDP’s assistance,”
the CoA said.
In the Project Document (PD) of Pipol Konek,
the DICT said that “challenges in the bidding and
implementation process, limited access to cost-effective
and up-to-date technology options, as well as limited
capacity of Philippine telecommunications companies,
have slowed progress toward this goal.”
This was reiterated in a resolution of the Bids and
Awards Committee (BAC) dated 25 September 2018
which justified the recommendation to engage UNDP
as the implementing partner of the DICT.
CoA mentioned that then DICT Acting Secretary
Eliseo Rio stated under an undated certification
that “the engagement with the UNDP is necessary
in achieving the effective and expeditious resolution
of the desired targets, and is thus most beneficial to
the DICT and in the best interest of the Government
as evidenced by the Cost Benefit Analysis.”
The CoA reiterated that lack of
documentation showing empirical data that
the DICT lacks the capacity to undertake
the specific procurement project caused the
project to be red flagged.
However, the auditing agency noted that the
Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) did not show any
comparison of costs and benefits, quantitatively and
qualitatively, in case the project will be implemented
by the Department and if implemented by UNDP.
It added that even if the advantages on availing
UNDP’s assistance were mentioned in the CBA, there
was no statistics presented and documents submitted
showing UNDP’s capability to deliver the Project in
an efficient, economical and timely manner.
The CoA also said that there are provisions in
the Financial Agreement and the Project Document
that were either ambiguous or has divested control
of the said project.
“According to the Project Manager, the FA was
wholly prepared by the UNDP and the terms therein
cannot be changed by the Department, thereby
constituting a contract of adhesion,” the state
auditors said.
The CoA mentioned that then DICT Acting
Secretary Eliseo Rio stated under an
undated certification that the engagement
with the UNDP is necessary in achieving the
effective and expeditious resolution of the
desired targets.
Moreover, the engagement with the UNDP was not
cost-effective on the part of the government as the
DICT was obliged to pay a ₱64,861,172.29 service fee.
The CoA explained that this only added another
cost layer in the sense that instead of the DICT
directly dealing with the contractors through public
bidding, it was now the UNDP which did so, hence
the additional five percent service fee.
DICT was also flagged for the slow implementation
of the Pipol Konek project for failing to achieve the
13,024 sites as the agency only installed 3,509 sites
at year-end.
“Thus, with the noted slow project implementation in
CY 2018, the Philippine government’s efforts in enhancing
internet accessibility across the nation is adversely
affected, opportunities not bolstered and the growing
digital divide not completely bridged,” the CoA said.
There were also procedural lapses in the issuance
of Certificate of Availability of Funds and Letter of
Intent in DICT’s partnership with the UNDP.
The CoA also asked the DICT to prove that it was
necessary to forge an agreement with UNDP.
DICT was also urged to require the free WiFi Office
to meet operational targets and outputs as well as to
fast-track the implementation of the project.
SCOUT hand stands proudly in
this quiet place at Mt.
Makiling in Los Baños,
Laguna.
ROMAN PROSPERO
TWO workers clean glass windows in Quezon City, unmindful of the height and danger of their job.
X marks success
From page 1
ANALY LABOR
series during the recent San Diego Comic-Con as the
company continues its roll of hits, not only on print
but on silver screen as well.
This will be among Yu’s biggest assignments after
he won the Wizard’s Drawing Board Contest. From
there, he was hired by Whilce Portacio to do some work
for Wildstorm before he embarked on Aster: The Last
Celestial Knight #3, but that work had little success.
Portacio, however, was instrumental to Yu’s rise
by submitting samples of the this work to Marvel
Comics.
Marvel executives saw Yu’s
potential and he was hired to work
on Wolverine.
Yu will now team up with
superstar writer Jonathan
Hickman in injecting new life to
the X-Men.
And to count his stint on
Captain America, we are seeing
the phenomenal rise of a Filipino
artist among the trade’s A-list.

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
PAGE THREE
Pleasant surprise The Baclaran service road in Parañaque, long the bane of motorists, has been cleared of obstructions by the MMDA.
WHO calls for
bold steps vs
hepatitis
We call on all countries to integrate services for hepatitis into benefit
packages as part of their journey towards universal health coverage
By Elmer N. Manuel
In line with the celebration of World Hepatitis
Day last Sunday, the United Nations (UN) World
Health Organization (WHO) called for “bold political
leadership” and urged countries to take advantage
of recent reductions in the costs of diagnosing and
treating viral hepatitis and scale up investments in
disease elimination.
A new study by WHO — published in Lancet Global
Health — revealed that investing $6 billion per year
in eliminating hepatitis in 67 low- and middle-income
countries would avert 4.5 million premature deaths by
2030, and more than 26 million deaths beyond that
target date.
A total of $58.7 billion is needed to eliminate viral
hepatitis as a public health threat in these 67 countries by
2030 which means reducing new hepatitis infections by 90
percent and deaths by 65 percent.
“Today, 80 percent of people living with hepatitis can’t
get the services they need to prevent, test for and treat the
disease,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus.
“On World Hepatitis Day, we’re calling for bold political
leadership, with investments to match. We call on all
countries to integrate services for hepatitis into benefit
packages as part of their journey towards universal health
coverage,” said the top UN health official.
By investing in diagnostic tests and medicines for
treating hepatitis B and C now, countries can save lives
and reduce costs related to long-term care of cirrhosis
and liver cancer that result from untreated hepatitis.
According to WHO, some countries are already
taking action. The Government of India, for example,
has announced that it will offer free testing and
treatment for both hepatitis B and C, as part of its
universal health coverage plan.
This has been facilitated through the reduction in
prices of medicines. In India, a hepatitis C cure costs
less than $40 and a year of hepatitis B treatment costs
less than $30. At these prices, hepatitis C cure will result
in healthcare cost savings within three years.
The Government of Pakistan has also been
able to procure hepatitis C curative treatment at
similarly low prices. Providing curative treatment
to all those currently diagnosed with hepatitis C
could also reduce healthcare costs in Pakistan
within three years.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is faced with one of the highest
new annual infection rates of hepatitis C virus and is
launching a new infection control and injection safety
plan on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day to stop
transmission.
WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all
WHO Member States, aims to reduce new hepatitis
infections by 90 percent and deaths by 65 percent
between 2016 and 2030.
On the 2019 edition of World Hepatitis Day -- WHO
is calling on all countries to “invest in eliminating
hepatitis” through costing, budgeting and financing
of elimination services within their universal health
coverage plans.
While there has been broad support among
WHO Member States in adopting the WHO hepatitis
elimination strategy, with 124 out of 194 countries
developing hepatitis plans, over 40 percent of country
plans lack dedicated budget lines to support
elimination efforts.
Lifestyle check on LTO officials, employees
We fully embrace transparency, just as we fully exert our
efforts to rid the LTO of corrupt officials and employees
CLARK, PAMPANGA — In line with
the anti-corruption drive of President
Duterte, and in compliance with the strict
guidance of Transportation Secretary
Arthur Tugade, Land Transportation
Office Assistant Secretary Edgar
Galvante recently ordered the conduct
of a lifestyle check on all LTO officials
and employees.
In a memorandum signed Monday,
Galvante directed all officials and
employees of the LTO to comply,
adhere, report and submit all
necessary documents, to include
their latest statement of assets,
By Keith Calayag
A resolution authorizing President Rodrigo Duterte to
order the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corporation
(PAGCOR) to provide funding support to the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) and the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) has been filed at the House of Representatives on
Tuesday.
Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, in House
liabilities and net worth, and Income
Tax Return, as may be required by
the Presidential Anti-Corruption
Commission, the National Bureau of
Investigation and the Office of the
Ombudsman.
“President Duterte and Secretary
Tugade both hate corruption. Corrupt
practices will not be tolerated under my
watch. We are opening our doors to any
investigation. This serves as a reminder to
all LTO officials and employees to remain
straight and honest public servants,”
Galvante said.
“We fully embrace transparency, just
as we fully exert our efforts to rid the
LTO of corrupt officials and employees,”
Galvante added.
The LTO chief likewise encouraged
the public to immediately report
irregularities they witness or experience.
“We consider the public as
our partners in in promoting good
governance. We are ready to listen and
take appropriate action,” Assistant
Secretary Galvante said.
In a related development Land
Transportation Franchising and
Regulatory Board Chairman Martin
Delgra III has ordered the reshuffling
of all cashiers assigned at the LTFRB
Central Office, as well as the relieving
of all security complement in the
same office.
MBA
Reso augmenting PSC, CHEd funding filed
AL PADILLA
Resolution 147, said PAGCOR should augment the funding of
the PSC and CHED amid the suspension of all the gaming
operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and
the proximity of the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games to
be hosted by the Philippines.
“There is an urgent necessity to urge President Duterte
to exercise his executive powers and for Congress, which has
the ‘power of the purse’ to authorize the president to cause
PAGCOR to fund the PSC and CHED,” Garbin said.
Road hazards Youngsters atop their
bikes, are stopped by traffic enforcers
while doing a counterflow at the EDSA
Magallanes area.
AL PADILLA
Bersamin names Inting to 2nd Division
By Alvin Murcia
Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin has designated
Associate Justice (AJ) Henri Jean Paul Inting as
an additional member of the Second Division
effective last Monday, 29 July.
In Special Order (SO) 2684, Bersamin
likewise requested the Second and Third
Division to schedule their sessions at
different times to enable Justice Inting to
attend both sessions.
“In view of the reorganization of the Divisions
of the Court under Special Order 2683 resulting
in the vacancy in the Second Division, and in
the interest of the service, Associate Justice
Henri Jean Paul B. Inting is hereby designated
as additional member of th Second Division
effective 29 July 2019,” Bersamin said.
The chief justice, in his SO 2683 dated 26
July 2019, ordered the reorganization of three
different divisions of the court and designated
chairpersons and and members.
The First Division will be headed by Chief
Justice Bersamin, Working Chairman Justice
Estela M.Perlas-Bernabe and the members
are Justice Francis Jardeleza, AJ Alexander
Gesmundo and AJ Rosmari D Carandang.
The Second Division will be chaired by
Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and
the members are AJ Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa,
AJ Jose Reyes Jr., AJ Amy Lazaro-Javier and
AJ Inting.
Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta will head
the Third Division and his members are AJ Marvic
Mario Victor F Leonen, AJ Andres B. Reyes Jr., AJ
Ramon Paul Hernando and AJ Inting.
Likewise, Chief Justice Bersamin also
reorganized the SC raffle committees as he
issued SO 2685.
Designated as en banc Raffle Committee
chairman is Senior Associate Justice Carpio,
members are AJ Bernabe and AJ Jardeleza.
The division raffle committee chairman
designated by Chief Justice Bersamin was
Associate Justice Peralta and the members are
AJ Leonen and AJ Caguioa.
Bersamin said the reorganization was in
the interest of the service and accordance with
Section 2, Rule 7 of the Internal Rules of the
Supreme Court.

A4 COMMENTARY
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
“CoA
said the
disbursements
of money
from
PCSO’s
charity
fund to the
bishops
from 2007
to 2010 were
unconstitutional.
Daily
Tribune
WITHOUT FEAR • WITHOUT FAVOR
WITHOUT FEAR • WITHOUT FAVOR
Chito Lozada
Aldrin Cardona
Dinah Ventura
John Henry Dodson
Roy Pelovello
Larry Payawal
Komfie Manalo
Geraldine Datoy
Hypocrites
muted
Not a surprise, the Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in particular, was eerily
silent in the virtual outlawing of all forms of gambling with
President Rody Duterte’s directive to freeze all contracts of
the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Except for a lone prelate, Bishop Ruperto Santos, head of
the CBCP–Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant
People, who commended the move of Rody, nothing has been
heard from the organization as a whole.
The Catholic bishops go all out in criticizing the government
in tolerating gambling, but balk when it comes to halting the
operations of PCSO, which runs the biggest, betting business
in the country.
The reason must be PCSO’s huge donations to the Church
through its charity fund.
The generosity of the PCSO towards bishops is common
knowledge. PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan for
instance admitted in a Senate hearing that in just one Church
service held in the agency, he spent P16,000 of PCSO funds.
The spiritual offering defied a Commission on Audit (CoA)
rule against using government funds on any religious activity.
The PCSO was also the source of the vehicles for the
notorious Pajero bishops during the term of former President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Six bishops and one priest then received luxury vehicles
paid for by PCSO.
“Remember you ask those vehicles from Gloria (Arroyo)?
Knowing fully well that even the police lack vehicles. But you
were gifted Pajeros, you sons of a bitch. You accepted those
vehicles despite
knowing that
there is a principle
of separation
between Church
and State,” Rody
said, as he recalled
the controversy.
“It was sheerly,
purely graft and
corruption, because
you did not deserve it,”
the President added.
Rody was very unforgiving on the PCSO-favored bishops.
“You cannot use property or money for your comfort. Those
money are for government, but you had the gall,” he torched
the Church officials.
When Rody took over the presidency, the new PCSO
management identified the illegal donations in the form of
luxury vehicles and cash, worth a total of P8.3 million, during
the term of Arroyo.
Those are what are considered as not allowed as against
those that are covered by what are considered as donations.
The CoA said the disbursements of money from PCSO’s
charity fund to the bishops from 2007 to 2010 were
“unconstitutional.’’
The constitutional prohibition that made the
“Catholic
bishops go
all out in
criticizing
the
government
in tolerating
gambling,
but balk
when it
comes to
halting the
operations
of PCSO.
Patricia Ramos
Board Chair
Willie Fernandez
Publisher and President
Executive Editor
Managing Editor
Associate Editor
Digital Editor
Central Desk Editor
Central Desk
Advertising
and Marketing
donations illegal stated that “No public money
or property shall be appropriated, applied,
paid or employed, directly or indirectly, for the
use, benefit, or support of any sect, church,
denomination, sectarian institution, or system
of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister,
other religious teacher, or dignitary as such,
except when such priest, preacher, minister or
dignitary is assigned to the Armed Forces or to
any penal institution or government orphanage
or leprosarium.’’
The recipients of the illegal donations were
identified as the Diocese of Butuan (P1.704
million); Zamboanga Archdiocesan Social
Action Apostolate (P1.54 million); Archdiocese
of Cotabato (P1.44 million); Diocese of Bangued, Abra (P1.129
million released); Roman Catholic Prelate of Isabela, Basilan
(P1.125 million); Apostolic Vicariate of Bontoc (P600,000); and
Caritas Nueva Segovia (P720,000).
The bishops are always breathing down the neck and
wagging their collective fingers at Rody on what they claim
as excesses in government, but at the same time the palms
of their other hand anxiously wait for cash doles from the
government.
The bishops get the best of both worlds as they are not
charged with any taxes on Church properties, while demanding
generosity from an agency it considers as propagating the
evil of gambling.
Pure hypocrisy no doubt.
“Surely
Leni must
have
known,
being a
lawyer, that
the OSG
has nothing
to do with
unresolved
cases that
are in
courts and
quasi-judicial
bodies.
“For the
majority
of the
Filipino
public
that only
cared for
the lotto
draw
every
night,
these
internal
squabbles
did not
matter at
all.
Too much noise
is being made by the
yellows, especially
those who have been
named in a complaint
for sedition, cyber
libel and more.
Instead of meeting
the Department of
Justice (DoJ)’s
preliminary hearing
head on, they continue
to yap and yap some
more. And they
focused their anger at the Office
of the Solicitor General, accusing
the OSG of targeting the Vice
President, Leni Robredo, with
claims that, despite the agency
being saddled with over a million
cases that are not being attended,
SolGen Jose Calida, as she claimed,
meddles instead in cases against
administration critics.
Not surprisingly, Leni as usual,
went head on in her attack against
Calida without first informing
herself of what the OSG’s functions
and duties are. She fired empty
shells at the OSG and Calida, shells
that fired back at her and made her
look too ill-advised, to put it politely,
on the functions and duties of each
government agency.
Relying on yellow media reports
and without checking them, Leni
accused the OSG of focusing on
and meddling in Duterte critics’
cases, instead of
focusing on its
backlog of over
a million cases.
Without
checking the
facts, Leni
banked on
Rappler
Yellow yapping
FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
The closure order
on the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes
Office (PCSO) made
by President Rodrigo
Duterte last Friday
evening gave enough
news material over
the weekend. It was
a verbal directive
uploaded on the social
media accounts of the
Office of the President
and RTVM. At sunrise
the following day, the Philippine
National Police and the Armed Forces
of the Philippines implemented the
order and shut down lotto outlets all
over the Philippines. Good thing this
came at a time when no extremely
huge lotto jackpot was up for grabs.
Is the President in the right in
shutting down PCSO operations?
He definitely has the power to do
so. PCSO is a government owned
and controlled corporation directly
reporting to the Office of the
President. However, this came as
a surprise with the President’s
somehow openness to gambling as
stated in his recent State of the
Nation Address (SoNA) where he
lauded Philippine Amusement and
Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
chair Andrea Domingo for raising
billions for the country. He even
told Domingo — “Magpasugal ka
pa.” What we can assume is that
the President is okay with gambling
operated but played overseas, not
gambling played in the country.
Gambling has always been in
our culture as Filipinos. Lotteries
have been around since the time
of the Spaniards, and we all have a
family member who is really good
in mahjong, “tong-its” and “pusoy.”
Cockfighting is treated like a sport
in the provinces where people come
in and place bets before “kristos.”
that reported the OSG
of having received 1.3
million cases in 2017
and still had a balance
of nearly 1.07 million by
the end of 2018.
Leni quickly seized
on this, saying in her
radio show that Calida
had prioritized “lies,”
such as the sedition
complaint against her
and other opposition
figures, and of the
SolGen “lawyering” for the Marcoses.
Looks like Leni is
“She
should
really start
firing her
advisers
and
spokesman
since they
make her
look fairly
ignorant
and
incompetent.
still smarting from
the fact that she
is still seen as not
being the true vice
president, since
her rival in 2016,
Bongbong Marcos,
has this unresolved
protest case
against her, that the
Presidential Electoral
Tribunal, with a
yellow ponente, has
been ever so slow
to resolve, perhaps
waiting until 2022
when the vice-presidential term
lapses to just declare the Marcos
protest moot.
Protest aside, surely Leni must
have known, being a lawyer, that
the OSG has nothing to do with
unresolved cases that are in courts
and quasi-judicial bodies, since it
is not the right government agency
handling the resolution of cases that
properly belong to the courts and
other quasi-judicial bodies.
Besides, whatever “backlog of
cases” Leni attributes to the OSG,
surely some of these “cases” she
lumps on the SolGen, instead
of the slow resolution of
these cases in courts and
quasi-judicial agencies,
Gambling and health
QUO VADIS
Darren M. de Jesus
And now we have the
phenomenon known
as Philippine offshore
gaming operations
(POGO) responsible for
bringing in thousands
of Chinese workers to
operate e-casinos played
by Chinese mainlanders
through the Internet.
Their influx jacked
up real estate prices
in Pasay City, Makati
and Parañaque, though
there’s still some lost government
revenue with the BIR’s failure to
properly impose income taxes on the
Chinese workers. From this scenario,
we can say that gambling has evolved
throughout the years and is here to
stay. As they say in government, if
you can’t beat it, regulate it.
For decades, since the inception
of PCSO in 1954, with the enactment
of Republic Act 1169, the government
seemed to be fine with how it’s
being run. The justification for
lotteries was “charity.” By bringing
in a social element in a vice that is
not too harmful, considering that
you bet around P20 to win millions,
this made the PCSO very acceptable
and loved by Filipinos, as compared
to PAGCOR casinos where you can
easily bet P100,000 on one player/
banker in baccarat.
PCSO started getting a bad rap
when it “legalized” Small Town
Lottery during the time of former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,
the dangerous numbers game that
toppled the Estrada administration
with corruption allegations linked
to STL money. The intention in
doing so was good, but it was how
the implementation was carried out
that was troublesome. Until recently,
the legitimate PCSO-issued STL
franchises are said to be controlled
by the same gambling lords that
couldn’t all have been OSG “cases”
that started with the change of OSG
leadership.
They could have come from the
yellow President’s SolGen Florin
Hilbay, who together with the
unqualified and quo warranto-ed
chief justice, now just Atty. Sereno,
who was never CJ, frankly made a
mess of it, as Hilbay insisted that
all adopted children being born
here, whether foreign or not, and
without checking on their maternal or
paternal bloodlines, were natural-born
citizens of the Philippines.
There was no accusatory tone
used by any of the yellows when
their yellow patron was ordering
the then Ombudsman and his yellow
Justice chief, Leila de Lima, to
ensure the arrest and long detention
of these two political foes in the then
Senate as they posed a threat to his
senatorial candidates’ victory.
Leni should really start firing her
advisers and spokesman, since they
make her look, well, fairly ignorant
and incompetent, which gives her
a bad image as the constitutional
successor of the President.
The problem really is that such
claims are made by the yellows
who, in one way or the other,
continue to portray themselves as
being persecuted by the current
administration.
They should remember that
during the days of their yellow
patron, Noynoy Aquino, and
their power and position, his
administration officials, as well as
the infamous Ombudsman, were
filing sham cases after cases as
ordered by Aquino and they kept
quiet despite the clear persecution
of the presidential critics.
Heck, they even praised the
selective and vindictive Ombudsman
despite her clear lies and injustice
that she practiced while in power
and position.
Clearly, the yellows, and, yes,
especially Leni, practice the double
standard for which they are well
known.
As the OSG was quoted as
saying, Robredo’s statements
were “biased and self-serving,”
while her allegations were
“outrageous,” adding that
the truthfulness of “Bikoy”
Advincula’s affidavit was
best sorted out during
the DoJ’s preliminary
investigation.
And this is the reason
for the yellow outburst
of Leni due to her
having been named
in the complaint from
“Bikoy.”
Why doesn’t she just
attend the preliminary
hearing with her
lawyer? After all, in all
probability, she may just
be cleared — but not for
her constant yapping.
controlled the illegal STL operations.
Allegations that the PCSO was merely
a front to the illegal STL operations
were aplenty.
When President Duterte came in,
he appointed known whistleblower
Sandra Cam as member of the board
of PCSO. Her publicized quarrel with
former general manager Alexander
Balutan and her perceived closeness
with Atong Ang did not do well to
improve the image of PCSO to those
who cared. But for the majority of the
Filipino public that only cared for the
lotto draw every night, these internal
squabbles did not matter at all.
To reiterate,
“Gambling
has always
been in our
culture as
Filipinos.
Lotteries
have been
around
since the
time of the
Spaniards.
gambling was
seemed justified
by “charity,”
specifically funds
for its direct
medical assistance
for the poor. The
Department of
Health, currently
under fire for the
alleged fraudulent
PhilHealth claims
and its Secretary’s
purported conflict
of interest transactions, said that
around P8 billion worth of aid, to
affect 45,000 patients, will be affected
by the closure of PCSO operations.
Rest assured, the administration said
that the investigation of PCSO would
be swift to allow it to resume without
a “whiff’ of corruption.
It is amusing how vices may be
justified by “charity.” If that is the
case, then let’s legalize marijuana
and prostitution provided the funds
raised by these profitable ventures
will go to some medical assistance as
well. After all, these are “vices” that
have stood the test of time.
Email: darren.dejesus@gmail.com
or tweet: @darrendejesus.
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A5 COMMENTARY
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Crushed, dashed
The latest from Sen. Christopher
Lawrence “Bong” Go just gave hope to
millions of hopefuls — those who pray for
divine intervention, or a stroke of luck,
depending on one’s belief — seeking lift
from their present financial state.
The neophyte lawmaker shared President
Rodrigo Duterte’s sentiment on Monday,
disclosing the Chief Executive’s idea of
reopening the Philippine Charity Sweepstake
Office (PCSO), which operates the government’s
nationwide lottery, but with a lot of ifs.
Go said the President
“Padlocking
the PCSO was
bad PR for
Mr. Duterte. It
hit the people
harder than,
say, his veto of
the ‘endo’ bill.
Salvador Panelo, the spokesman of President
Rodrigo Duterte is right. The Office of the
President does not respond to nonsense. Doing so
is simply a waste of time.
Nonsense was how Panelo
“Legal
experts say
that Carpio
committed,
and continues
to commit
a culpable
violation of
the charter.
branded a recent public
statement, one of many, Supreme
Court (SC) Senior Associate
Justice Antonio Tirol Carpio
made regarding the ongoing
maritime dispute between the
Philippines and China in the West
Philippine Sea (WPS). Carpio
announced in a press conference
that if Manila does not take steps
to send away Chinese fishing
vessels in the disputed maritime area, the supply
of fish there will get depleted quickly.
Panelo explained that Carpio’s warning is
unfounded because it did not seem to occur to the
highly opinionated magistrate that fish actually
reproduce quickly enough, especially in the vast
waters of the WPS. That, Panelo said,
effectively belies Carpio’s
warning. For Panelo, Carpio’s
statement was another one
of a series of the justice’s
attacks against President
Rodrigo Duterte.
A leading expert in
International Law who
writes for this newspaper
is challenging Carpio’s
sincerity in his continuing
criticism of Duterte’s foreign
policy relating to the WPS.
The expert has noted some
disputable assumptions made
by Carpio in his recent public
statements.
It was also noted by
the expert that whatever
erroneous information Carpio
has been peddling to the
“Was the
military
operation
launched
not only to
hunt and
extricate
the
extremist
mujahideens
but also to
smoke out
drug lords
supporting
the rebels?
will revive the lotto only
when it is assured that
corruption is stamped out
of the agency’s system.
It is a big word and a big
dream. It can be done with
an honest crew, but that is
hard to find, really.
Mr. Duterte, according
to Go, also found lots of
irregularities that needed to be remedied.
Starting with the contractors who need
to pay up, Malacañang is set on bulldozing
the rough roads ahead of the agency’s
rehabilitation, if we are to believe its word.
The people, or those who seek redemption
from poverty though the probability of winning
the lottery — however small — do not feel
the President’s intent in including the PCSO
among its target agencies for cleansing.
Its closure was a badly planned approach.
It came fast, harsh and painful for them.
The lotto was their only hope, not for some,
but for many.
Padlocking the PCSO was bad PR for Mr.
Duterte. It hit the people harder than, say, his
veto of the “endo” bill. Yes, it did.
But the PCSO is not manned by saints.
A recent audit of the agency said more
than P30 billion is missing from its earnings
in the last two years. These were allocations
for charity, a new building and payments for
winnings and dividends.
The PCSO’s financial reports and income
receipts were also reportedly manipulated.
Bank balances do not reconcile.
There are more claims that need to
I just cannot get over it. I
thought I could dismiss it as
something de minimis (lawyers
lingo), undeserving much attention,
nay, discussion. But I couldn’t
shake it off. Perhaps because of my
traumatic experience as a victim
of the Marawi war that it keeps
haunting me.
I refer to the casual reference
of President Digong to the Marawi
siege and illegal drugs at the first
phase of his recent State of the
Nation Address (SoNA). I describe it as casual
because it is not part of the major policy
statements or directions in his speech.
The transcript of the speech reads: “During
that Marawi siege, tons of shabu worth millions
and millions of pesos. Drug money killed
175 and wounded (2,101) of my soldiers and
policemen in that five-month battle.”
Readers, it is a tradition of Congress to
extend courtesy invitation to its former members
every SoNA. But despite inclement weather and
horrendous traffic, I attended, full of hope, that
the President will say something about calibrating
or expediting the reconstruction and rehabilitation
of Marawi and a call for national departments,
Aldrin Cardona
be looked into. But those are reserved
for the Senate, or maybe the House of
Representatives, to probe.
Go said he will call for an investigation
on the matter, but the people are demanding
that government expose the names of those
suspected of having filched PCSO money.
They need to know
“The lotto
was their
only hope,
not for some,
but for many.
because many of the poor
and the needy are still
hopeful of receiving medical
support from the PCSO. It
is its primary role, to help
fund the medical needs of
those who could not afford
hospital and medicine needs.
But the funds, it was claimed, have thinned out.
There was not much to be had for support lately.
It is the PCSO’s biggest sin. No money, no
support.
But where did the money go?
It would be Go’s first test from the people.
He will be watched and judged for what would
come out of his probe.
And he has to come out with a solution
faster than he can dash to the nearest fire
scene. Because the longer it would take for
him to do it, underground gaming operations
would flourish.
It would take the government a tougher
time to stamp illegal gambling operations out.
That is for sure.
The President and Go should know. They
have dealt with this issue when they were the
top tandem in Davao City.
He
said
She
said
Dinah S. Ventura
The office manager of a small business enterprise,
loyal and trusted with the operational budget, was
hooked on lotto so bad that she began to siphon little
amounts from the office cashbox to fund her bets. She
spent hundreds of pesos a week hoping to hit the jackpot
and live the life she had always wanted.
When she got caught, she
“Here, it
appears, is
another agency
that is allegedly
being abused and
robbing the poor
and the sick of
access to health
and a better
quality of life.
defended herself by saying that she
was merely “advancing” her salary
and would pay off everything
anyway (especially if she wins
big time).
The woman was given a
second chance with the promise
to stop her dishonest act, but it
was murmured about that she
continued to place bets because,
as everyone knew, she had three
children who, although adults
already, continued to depend on her for their financial
needs. Her employers knew of her dysfunctional family’s
plight and how she had worked for decades to send
them through school so they could have a better life
than hers. Alas, she coddled them too much even after
that because she felt guilty about not being there while
they were growing up.
Her story is one of so many millions who see the lotto
jackpot as their way out, the answer to their prayers,
the big break they are dreaming of out of a life they
feel trapped in.
The lotto’s enormous success is hinged on dreams
like those.
What a shock it must have been to find their favorite
outlets closed some days ago. About 21,000 lotto outlets
across the country shuttered! Where are they to go now?
Betting on it
More nonsense from Justice Carpio
public carries a presumption of credibility mainly
because Carpio is a justice of the SC and, therefore,
ought to know what he is talking about. It is that
presumption of credibility that Carpio has been
exploiting to the hilt during his numerous public
lectures.
Likewise, the expert questions the propriety of
Carpio’s tirades on the President’s way of handling
the conflict in the WPS. Foreign policy, the expert
stressed, is the exclusive concern of the Executive
branch of the government. The judiciary, of which
Carpio is a visible part, has no role in foreign
policy. That divide is referred to as the separation
of powers, a principle which characterizes the
existing constitutional order obtaining in the
Philippines.
As a justice of the SC, Carpio must be aware
of the principle of
separation
of powers.
Despite that
SOUTHERN VOICES
Macabangkit B. Lanto
knowledge on his part, Carpio has been continuously
criticizing the foreign policy considerations of
President Duterte.
For good reason, the expert urged Carpio to
resign from the SC if he wants to continue with
his public tirades against the President.
Actually, Carpio’s statements against Duterte
are not substantially different from the remarks
Maria Lourdes Sereno repeatedly made against
the President when she was still
the chief justice, albeit in a
de facto capacity, of the SC.
The only difference is that
Sereno’s attacks lack legal
refinement.
Did drugs fuel Marawi war?
especially the Department of
Budget and Management, to extend
much needed support to the infant
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region
in Muslim Mindanao get its feet
off the ground. These are issues
close to our hearts down south.
I hang on to every word Digong
said. My mind was not prepared
for what I heard. I thought it was
one of those off-the-cuff remarks
deviating from the script because
it tends to trivialize the magnitude
of the destruction and agony of “bakwits.”
What did the President mean by those
statements? Was it an expression of pain for
the loss of soldiers and policemen? My mind
went overdrive trying to read between the lines
over what he meant.
What is the nexus between the war and
illegal drugs? Initially, I simply reasoned out
rather naively that the jihadists get their
“high” from the opiate, that “they look into
the barrel of their gun and see paradise” and
become suicidal. Some netizens commented
that this will desecrate the memory of few
ideologue mujahideens who gave their life for a
cause, never mind that they are adherents and
evangelists of false Islam. To them, residents
say: They can rot in “naraka jiahannam” (hell)!
Did the President mean
“This
conundrum
has given
validity to the
persistent plea
of Marawi
victims for a
congressional
investigation
or any kind
of inquiry to
get into the
roots and
circumstances
of the war.
that illegal drug money
bankrolled the siege? Was the
military operation launched
not only to hunt and extricate
the extremist mujahideens
but also to smoke out drug
lords supporting the rebels?
These questions preoccupied
Maranaws and netizens who
resorted to social media to
express their reservation, if
not protest.
I have heard and read
enough media narratives
on the whys and hows of
the Marawi war. Or so, I
thought. But the revelation
of Digong provided a new dimension and food
for discussion for analysts of the crisis. It has
debunked previous notions of the war being
purely religious, i.e., to establish a “wilayat,”
if not a caliphate. It has tainted in a way the
jihad because true Islam classifies illegal drugs
as “haram” or taboo.
True, in the police raid of suspected houses
President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to close
all gaming operations by the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) came after he revealed
the massive corruption that was cheating government
of “60 to 70 percent of revenue from the games,” a
report says.
Another report reveals, “Under Republic Act 1169 or
the PCSO Charter, the agency’s net receipts would be
divided into 55 percent for prize fund for payment of
prizes, 55 percent for charity fund for health programs,
medical assistance and services and charities of
national character and 15 percent operating fund
for day-to-day operating, maintenance and capital
expenditures.”
The PCSO is a key agency that helps government
“raise funds for health programs and charities of
national character,” it added.
Here, it appears, is another agency that is allegedly
being abused and, in the process, robbing the poor and
the sick of access to health and a better quality of life.
Only the greedy and heartless could stomach such a
deed. No wonder the President turned almost apoplectic
about it.
The money it raises is no chump change either. “In
2018 alone, the PCSO gained P63.56 billion from all
its game products, where P18.69 billion or 30 percent
was allocated to the charity fund. This total revenue
came from lotto, Keno, Small Town Lottery (STL),
traditional sweepstakes and instant sweepstakes,”
the article said.
The President’ directive, while
“PCSO is a
key agency
that helps
government
raise funds
for health
programs
and charities
of national
character.
sweeping, reminds us of what happened
with Boracay.
Closure of all lotto outlets may not
have official papers yet, according to a
company that leases lottery equipment
in Visayas and Mindanao, but the order
has been implemented.
The same company commented
that the closure’s impact has been
“inestimable at this point.”
It was probably referring not only
to the millions who buy lotto and play
the other PCSO games like STL, Peryahan ng Bayan
and Keno, but all those who lost their jobs temporarily
while this “clean-up” drive is ongoing.
Just what kind of corruption the President found
we will know soon enough. Meantime, the absence of
these games of chance should help us focus more on
other aspects of our lives.
“As a justice
of the Supreme
Court, he must
be aware of
the principle
of separation
of powers.
For knowingly violating
a fundamental legal precept
characterizing the charter,
legal experts say that Carpio
committed, and continues to
commit a culpable violation of
the charter. That, in turn, may be
cited as a ground for seeking the
impeachment of Carpio.
In the same vein, the power
to persuade the people to believe misleading
statements and predictions is a dangerous
power. The deliberate misuse of that
power can also be cited as a betrayal of
the public trust, which is another ground
for impeachment under the Constitution.
With Carpio’s compulsory retirement from the
SC expected in October this year, it is unlikely that
an impeachment complaint against him at this late
hour of the day will ever reach
the trial stage in the Senate.
Still, there are those who opine
that filing the impeachment
complaint will convey to the
public the powerful message
that not everyone approves
of Carpio’s usurpation of
Executive power, inasmuch as
Carpio belongs to the judicial
branch of the government.
Speaking of retirement,
many lawyers expect that one
year after Carpio steps down
from the SC, he will reassume
his seat as the top partner of
his old law office, which, many
say, Carpio never really left.
If that is so, then Carpio’s
earlier divestment of his
interests in his old law firm
is more apparent than real,
much like the nonsense he has
recently attempted to peddle
to the gullible public.
of political leaders suspected of involvement
in the siege, there were evidences of illegal
drugs found. This led to the filing of cases,
incarceration of some and fugitive life to
others who were included in the order of arrest
issued by the Secretary of National Defense
as the martial law implementor. But nothing
much came out of it. One prominent leader
was granted bail, although the crime was
nonbailable, while others were allegedly able to
explain their cases and their names stricken off
the list of arrest order. Some netizens observed
it was kid gloves treatment not commensurate
to the gravity of the tragedy.
This conundrum has given validity to
the persistent plea of Marawi victims for a
congressional investigation or any kind of
inquiry to get into the roots and circumstances
of the war. This might answer critics assailing
the morality of the government’s strategy of
“burning a house to kill a rat.”
The menace of violent extremism is far from
being plateaued and is growing exponentially.
Policy makers should refocus on the problem
to avoid the recurrence of s surprise when it
hits us again.
Email: amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com

A6 NEWS
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte, who is also the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Chairman, with some of his Cabinet secretaries including Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, meets with officials of
the Communist Party of Vietnam in Malacañang on Monday night.
‘Healthy debates’ roll out divorce
Sotto also expects opposition from no less than
President Rodrigo Duterte and the Catholic church
From page 1
But Sotto also expects
opposition from no less than
President Rodrigo Duterte and
the Catholic church.
“The Senate will surely talk
about that. That will be one of
our healthy debates, aside from
the death penalty,” Sotto said.
“With proper safeguards, let’s
see if it can be explained to
the majority of us why this is
better than the present laws on
annulment.”
That will be one of our
healthy debates, aside from
the death penalty.
The Senate President also
revealed that his wife, actress
Helen Gamboa, is “70-30 in favor”
of divorce, which is also backed
by “one or two” of their children
despite the fact that he earlier
A CARABAO cools off in a lake in Laguna.
said that he does not favor the
measure.
The Philippines is one of only
two states in the world — aside
from the Vatican — that outlaws
divorce, which aside from the
moral and societal implications,
also entails a “better” option for
the nation’s poorest and most
vulnerable citizens as the process
of annulment often amounts to
luxury to obtain.
Last year, the Divorce Bill
has found a new lease on life as
former House Speaker Pantaleon
Alvarez pushed for the passage
of the bill which he and some
activists believe could transform
the lives of impoverished women
trapped in toxic marriages.
The House of Representatives
passed the measure on third
and final reading, but it did not
get the same support from the
Senate.
Earlier this month, Sen.
Risa Hontiveros refiled a bill
seeking absolute divorce in
the predominantly Catholic
Philippines.
Sotto said that aside from
Hontiveros, Sen. Pia Cayetano
also backs divorce and expects
them to really work for its
passage.
The Philippines is one
of only two states in the
world — aside from the
Vatican — that outlaws
divorce.
He explained that in civil
cases of annulment, a judge
declares a marriage invalid due
to “psychological incapacity”
and applicants must undergo a
mental examination, testify in
court and sometimes even claim
they or their spouse entered
the union while afflicted with a
disorder such as narcissism.
The process can take
anywhere from one to 10 years
to complete through the slow and
overburdened court system and
cost at least P250,000.
The proposed divorce law
provides that the state shall
ensure inexpensive and affordable
court proceedings in securing
an absolute divorce decree. It
also seeks to grant absolute
divorce for legal separation and
annulment of marriage under the
Family Code of the Philippines,
separation in fact for at least
five years, legal separation by
judicial decree for at least two
years, psychological incapacity,
gender reassignment surgery,
irreconcilable differences and
joint petition of spouses.
The bill would also prioritize
overseas Filipino workers with
respect to court hearings while
mandating summary proceedings for
certain grounds of absolute divorce
to facilitate and eliminate costly and
cumbersome court process.
It will also provide for a
mandatory six-month cooling off
period for petitioner spouses,
during which there will be no
action on a petition six months
after one is filed.
Multi-pronged probes on PCSO, Philhealth
The interest of the Filipino people will be my priority. Let the axe
fall on those liable
From page 1
particularly the Small-Town Lottery and
Peryahan ng Bayan operations.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra noted
reports that the non-remittance of earnings
from these games has long been going on.
At the same time, Guevarra said that the
NBI will also look into the alleged corruption
involving officials and employees of the PCSO.
“We are talking about billions of pesos
here, not simply hundreds of millions, but
billions over a period of time,” Guevarra
pointed out.
The NBI probe, he added, may cover five
years back or at the very least, from the time
President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office
in 2016.
This as Senators Christopher Lawrence
“Bong” Go and Richard Gordon have
expressed willingness to conduct inquiries
into the alleged anomalies at the PCSO
and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
(PhilHealth).
Go, chairman of the Senate committee
on health, vowed that no one will be spared
in the investigation as he stressed that the
interest of the Filipino people should be put
above everything else.
“The interest of the Filipino people will be
my priority. Let the axe fall on those liable,”
Go said.
For his part, Gordon branded the issues as
“serious” that warrant investigations.
“That will have to be looked into with the
severity because those are serious charges
but there are also laws that we have to look
into,” said Gordon, chairman of the Senate
Blue Ribbon Committee.
Gordon raised the possibility that the probe
will be conducted by next week.
In another development, the Supreme
Court (SC) cleared former PCSO Chairman of
the Board Sergio Valencia of the P13.3 million
malversation charges slapped against him in
connection with the agency’s disbursement
of its confidential and intelligence fund from
2007 to 2010.
We are talking about billions of
pesos here, not simply hundreds of
millions, but billions over a period
of time.
The high court reversed the Sandiganbayan’s
decision finding Valencia guilty of malversation
of public funds handed down in 2015.
In a decision penned by Associate Justice
Mariano del Castillo, the SC granted the
demurrer to evidence filed by Valencia
in connection with the alleged illegal
and fraudulent release, withdrawal and
disbursement of PCSO during his tenure.
Valencia’s demurrer to evidence was
granted by the Sandiganbayan on 6 April 2015
in connection with his plunder case since the
ROMAN PROSPERO
charge involved only P13.3 million which was
below the P50 million threshold for plunder.
However, in the same resolution, the
Sandiganbayan ruled that there was
sufficient evidence to convict Valencia
of malversation under Article 217 of the
Revised Penal Code.
In July and December 2011 two complaints
for plunder, malversation and graft were filed
against several members of the PCSO board
and other officials including former President
and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Go, however, emphasized that for now, he
has no reasons to pre-judge Health Secretary
Francisco Duque in connection with the
PhilHealth mess.
“As chairman of the Committee on Health, I’m
willing to investigate if there is indeed conflict of
interest but I still trust Secretary Duque, until
proven sufficiently by evidence against him.”
Gordon, on the other hand, said that the
allegation made by Sen. Panfilo Lacson are worth
looking into.
“It is a fair allegation. The public has the right
to know if there really is a conflict of interest,”
Gordon said.
He added that the Blue Ribbon Committee
will expand the investigations at the DoH in
connection with the cases of measles, dengue
and other diseases in the country.
Despite the allegations, Gordon said that
Duque should not leave his post yet as the country
is currently facing several health problems.
“We have a lot of crisis. Measles (crisis} is
not yet over. Dengue is proliferating, and now
the health of these people in Batanes. I think
it will not interfere,” Gordon said.
From page 1
Navy steers
Batanes relief
There is still much to be done
as the island is surrounded by water
and barely has an airstrip to receive
cargo and chartered planes.
Zata said units under the Naval
Forces Northern Luzon stationed
in Itbayat collaborated with the
local Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (DRRMC) in
the conduct of relief and rescue
operations immediately after the
earthquake struck.
He added that other units, such
as Relief and Rescue and Medical
Teams, as well as Command and
Control now headed by Capt. Karl
Decapia, the Deputy Commander
of NFNL and Commander of Naval
Task Force 11, arrived in Itbayat
on Sunday, barely 24 hours since
the quake.
“There is still much to be done.
For those who would like to help out,
you may consider sending it through
the Philippine Navy,” Zata said.
Zata said the PN is arranging for
a ship to transport relief goods and
servicemen to Ibayat from Manila to
assist in the effort.
BRP Tarlac, meanwhile, is
currently receiving additional relief
goods, equipment and personnel.
Itbayat LGU would also need
assistance for the restoration efforts
later on.
“The centuries old church,
Nuestra Señora del Rosario, is
heavily damaged and the belfry was
toppled to the ground. Old stone
houses, to which the place is so much
associated with, are destroyed. The
old high school structure suffered
extensive damage while roads are
cracked and empty,” Zata said.
“Let us pray for and offer our help
to our weather-beaten and sturdy
people of the north,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte has
also directed concerned agencies
to develop and implement an
independent communication system
for prompt and efficient response
and relief operations during times
of calamity and other emergencies.
The President asserted that the
government should not be solely
dependent on private telco providers
since network congestion or service
interruption happens during disaster
situations such as typhoons and
earthquakes.
“As I have said before, the
government must have an
independent communication system
and we are not allowed to depend
only on Globe and Smart, because in
a crisis they get congested,” he said.
“We have so many experiences
in the past that so many people call
during a crisis and they can’t get
through,” he added.
Mr. Duterte issued the order
following his damage assessment of
quake-hit Batanes and situational
briefing with some members of his
Cabinet and provincial officials over
the weekend.
BAGS of relief goods are prepared for transport to earthquake-hit Itbayan, Batanes.
Wanting to have a communication
system in place “maybe by the end
of the year,” the Chief Executive
proposed to start with the “simple”
means of communicating via two-way
radios with the major involvement of
the military and police.
By having an integrated,
independent communication system
in place, coordination between
agencies serving as frontliners
and first responders in times of
crisis would be faster and more
streamlined.
“We go back to the simple
‘over-over’ from here to Jolo. We go
back to that kind of a simple one. If
you want, just use codes. Let those
on the other end decode it. But
really, we are better off with our
own that is not dependent on the
telecommunication guys,” he said.
For those who would
like to help out, you
may consider sending it
through the Philippine
Navy.
“Each provincial government
with satellite. But this time, with
the military and police. Don’t rely
on cellphones. Start on that project.
Maybe by the end of the year I’ll have
the money and we can implement it,”
he concluded.
Meanwhile, some members of the
House of Representatives agreed to
donate a portion of their salary to raise
funds for the relief operations for the
victims of the Batanes twin quakes.
With 300 congressmen, the House
is expected to raise at least P1.5
million on a minimum contribution
of P5,000 per congressman.
On Monday evening, the plenary
adopted House Resolution 139
expressing the “profound sympathies”
and “deepest condolences” of the
House of Representatives to those
affected by the twin earthquakes
and aftershocks that rocked Batanes.
The congressmen also called on
the National Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council and other
relevant organizations to expedite
humanitarian assistance and restore
normalcy to the affected areas in
Batanes.
with FTW

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
METRO
A7
By Alvin Murcia
Makati subway
JVA signed
The Makati City government led by
Mayor Abby Binay and the Philippine
Infradev Holdings Inc., chaired by
businessman Ren Jinhua, signed on
Tuesday the Joint Venture Agreement for
the $3.5 billion Makati City Subway project.
Philippine Infradev, formerly
IRC Properties Inc., earlier received
the green light to proceed with
the subway project after the firm
hurdled a 60-day competitive Swiss
Challenge and obtained the approval
from the Makati City Council.
In a disclosure to the Philippine
Stock Exchange, Philippine
Infradev also said it submitted
to the Makati government a $350
million performance bond for the
project, which was a pre-condition
for the signing of the joint venture
agreement with the city.
The $3.5 billion Makati City
Subway, to be known as MkTr, is
touted as the biggest PPP project for
a local government unit.
A few weeks ago, Philippine Infradev
President and CEO Antonio Tiu announced
the completion of a six-month soil testing
along the proposed alignment of the
10-kilometer intracity subway system with
no adverse findings.
Mayor Binay welcomed the project,
saying it would connect key points and
cut travel time within the city. She
stressed there would be no cash out
from the city government as Makati
would only contribute the land it
currently owns and which will be used
in the subway system.
The proposed subway would connect
the current Central Business District at the
BI slams
‘fake’
news
By Raymart T. Lolo
corner of Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues,
Circuit City, Makati City Hall, University of
Makati, Ospital ng Makati and other new
growth areas within the city.
The subway will have up to 10
air-conditioned, underground island
stations. It can accommodate up to
six car trains, with room for over
200 persons per car, with more than
700,000 passengers per day to be
accommodated and served by the
proposed mass transport system.
Makati’s intra-city subway is
seen complementing the National
Government’s mass transport projects
as it would be connected to the proposed
Metro Manila Mega Subway project, MRT
stations and the Pasig River ferry.
Cops oblige Rody
Albayalde demolishes sidewalk precinct
San Juan PCP built in 1985 when traffic was still light
Efforts to clear public property
obstructions continued Tuesday as
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief
General Oscar Albayalde and National
Capital Region Police Office director
Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar led the
demolition of a Police Community
Precinct (PCP) built along a sidewalk
in West Crame, San Juan City.
The demolition, according to
Albayalde, forms part of President
Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to local
government units in Metro Manila to
reclaim sidewalks and public places
to improve the traffic situation in the
metropolis.
Witnessing the demolition were
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora,
Eleazar, Eastern Police District director
Police Brig. Gen. Nolasco Bathan and
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard
Banac.
The Philippines is losing
P3.5 billion a day because of the
traffic in Metro Manila and other
urban centers, according to a
study commissioned by the Japan
International Cooperation Agency.
Albayalde said that the PCP No.
6 in San Juan was just one of the
many police structures that need
to demolished in the metropolis. He
said Mayor Zamora has promised
to provide a better facility to the
policemen who will be displaced by
the demolition.
He also assured residents leaving
near the PCP that the PNP is
ready to assist them in any kind
of emergencies as Camp Crame is
just near them. The PCP was built
sometime in 1985 when traffic was
still not that bad, Albayalde recalled.
Albayalde said he has already
issued directive to regional director
to demolish all police outposts
located along sidewalks.
Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary Eduardo M.
Año on Monday issued a 60-day
ultimatum for Metro Manila
mayors to finish clearing road
obstructions to help ease traffic
in the metropolis. FTW
Immigration Commissioner Jaime
Morente on Tuesday ordered an
investigation into an “interview”
post circulating online about alleged
corruption inside the Bureau of
Immigration (BI) detention facility in
Taguig City.
In the Facebook post, a netizen
claimed to have interviewed the head
of the legal department of the bureau,
Arvin Santos, about a syndicate
composed of corrupt prosecutors in
the Department of Justice (DoJ) and
their alleged cohorts in the BI.
The post claimed BI and DoJ
prosecutors are paid by foreign
detainees so they can be granted
bail. Santos had denied issuing any
statements and belied any allegations
of corruption and extortion against DoJ
and BI officials.
He stressed that he was never
interviewed by any member or
representative of the organization.
“I was never interviewed and I never
made such statements,” said Santos.
“This is a five-year old fake article
that was revived by a group with
malicious intent. The spread of the
fake news is a criminal act, and the
public must report it to the social
media administrators for it to be taken
down,” he added.
For his part, Morente ordered an
investigation on the motive behind
the post.
Phl, U.S.
armies eye
exercises
United States Army 1st Corps
Commander, Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky,
paid an official courtesy call to
the Commanding General of the
Philippine Army, Lt. Gen. Macairog
Alberto, following his vist to the Army
headquarters at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
City on Monday.
Army Spokesman, Lt. Col. Ramon
Zagala, said Lt. Gen. Volesky’s visit
served as a venue to discuss future
exercises and trainings between the
United States Army and Philippine
Army forces.
During the command briefing, the
Army transformation roadmap was
discussed so that both armies may
align their endeavors in implementing
further engagement plans.
“The open lines of communication
that we continue to keep, understanding
the limitations that we both have brings
us together and will benefit us all,”
Volesky said.
Meanwhile, Alberto said the
Philippine Army sees every interaction
with the US Army as an opportunity
to sustain and expand their combined
actions.
“This will ensure that our enduring
alliance is made even stronger and
dynamic. It is clear that as we take up
mutual matters of interest, we in fact
further strengthen our institutional
synergy and bolster goodwill among
our forces,” Alberto said. FTW
Hole in the wall PNP chief Oscar Albayalde (left) and NCRPO director Guillermo Eleazar look at their handiwork moment after wielding a sledge hammer to start the demolition of a police
precinct occupying a sidewalk in San Juan City.
ANALY LABOR
METRO BITS
Drug measures
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said yesterday that the
Philippine National Police is continuing with evidence-based
approaches in reducing drug demand through rehabilitation
and addiction-prevention programs.
“The training is timely and applicable as it gives importance to
initiatives in forming broad anti-drug coalitions to sustain the gains we
have achieved in our campaign to reduce drug demand and abuse,”
Banac said.
The PNP spokesman made the remark during the 24th Police
Community Relations Month Culminating Ceremony held at the PNP
headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City, on Monday. He had just
attended an anti-drugs conference in Dallas, Texas.
FTW
P200K stolen
Moral lesson: Don’t keep valuable at the office. A Marikina City
Hall employee, Nora Lacson, 45, has reported the theft of P200,000 of
her personal money which she said she kept in the steel cabinet of the
Marikina Treasury Office as a collecting agent.
She said the last time she checked on 25 July the money was still in
the drawer of the locked cabinet underneath her table, but was already
gone last Monday afternoon when she checked anew. Neil Alcober
‘Bikoy’ surrenders
Peter Joemel Advincula, alias “Bikoy”, the man behind the viral videos
that linked President Rodrigo Duterte’s family to the drug trade, has
again turned himself in to police.
Advincula voluntarily surrendered as he has a warrant of arrest for
libel in relation to Cybercrime issued by the Regional Trial Court, 5th
Judicial Region Branch 5, Legazpi City. He claimed the opposition was
behind the anti-Duterte videos and that he came out because he was
not paid for it.
FTW
Napolcom fetes Erap
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has cited former Manila
Mayor Joseph Estrada for fostering effective partnership between the
police and his administration towards crime prevention. The honor was
given Estrada at the culmination of the 24th Police Community Relations
Months Monday.
The Napolcom recognized Estrada for the successful implementation
and promotion of the Community and Service Oriented Policing System
“being pursued to strengthen the police-people partnership.”
Estrada credited the men and women of the Manila Police District for
being his partner in the anti-criminality drive during his term. Pat C. Santos
Student falls
A student was arrested by anti-drug operatives of Pasay City in a
drug bust Monday night. Major Wilfredo Sangel of the Station Drug
Enforcement Team identified the suspect as Rainier Macario, alias
Ekbi, 21.
The anti-drug operation was launched after an information received
that illegal drugs are being peddled along Arnaiz Avenue corner M. Dela
Cruz Street, Barangay 127 Zone 13, Pasay City.
Patrolman Ronaldo C Bustillo, acting as the Poseur-Buyer, managed
to buy one piece small sachet containing suspected shabu using a
P500 bill as buy-bust money from said suspect. Alvin Murcia
By Neil Alcober
Department of the Interior
and Local Government (DILG)
Secretary Eduardo Año has lauded
the Marikina City government for
being an obstruction-free city during
a meeting with Metro Manila mayors
on Monday.
The DILG chief told Marikina
Mayor Marcelino Teodoro before
Metro Manila mayors that Marikina
has no problem of cleaning its city
because it is already clean.
Año met with the mayors to tell
them they have 60 days to clear their
respective cities of obstructions, and
make sure that their streets are safe
and clean.
Año: Marikina
obstruction-free
The deadline was given by the
DILG to mayors after President
Rodrigo Duterte said in his 4th State
of the Nation Address that he wants
the roads that are being used for
public use to be reclaimed.
For Mayor Teodoro, the real
challenge for Metro Mayors is
how to sustain the cleanliness
of their respective cities
after conducting clearing
operations.
“The most
challenging part
is sustaining the
sidewalks and
roads, making
sure that they are
always clean and AÑO
walkable,” he said.
“In Marikina, we have been
educating our people way back when
I was still a councilor. It was not an
easy task but it is doable. We make our
residents understand that the roads and
sidewalks should always be free
from obstructions as it will
equate to order and smooth
flow of vehicles in the city,”
Teodoro said.
He believes
that the 60 days
is enough for
Metro mayors
to rid other
cities of
obstructions.
Refurbishing A worker
prepares materials intended for the
rehabilitation of the C5 Bridge along
Rotonda, Pasig City. ALFONSO PADILLA

A8
METRO
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune

Jun Vallecera, Editor
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Villar told: Rice
undervaluation
is real
Activist farmers urged Senator
Cynthia Villar on Tuesday to take a look
at alleged undervaluation of imported
rice instead of dismissing the report as
an implementation problem.
The Federation of Free Farmers Inc.
(FFF) said Villar, who chairs the Senate
Committee on Agriculture and Food in
the 18th Congress as well as the main
proponent of the Rice Tariffication law,
“should be more proactive in addressing
the urgent problems besetting the rice
sector at the moment.”
The group asked the legislator to help
resolve the reported undervaluation of
imported rice and its supposed impact
on the declining price of palay and
closure of some rice mills as a result of
these activities.
Some rice millers have reportedly
stopped operations because of
the glut in the market. Palay
prices, in turn, have gone down
drastically.
‘LAS CASAS‘ DEVELOPER BUILDS
FIRST CALOOCAN SKYSCRAPER
B10
DOF WANTS
STAKEHOLDERS’
FEEDBACK
ON IRR
BRAZIL PRISON RIOT
LEAVES 57 DEAD
B13
B11
BUSINESS
A NEW complex is under
construction at the corner of
EDSA and Ayala, where the
Hotel Intercontinental once
stood. The hotel opened 50
years ago.
AL PADILLA
INGAT,
YORME!
B11
B9
The FFF was incensed that Sen. Villar
was reported to have merely said the
alleged undervaluation was more the
problem of the Bureau of Customs than
of legislation.
“We are very disappointed with
Senator Villar’s reaction of washing her
hands off the problem and passing the
buck to other people. She was the main
author of the rice tariffication law, so
she should bear some responsibility for
the flood of rice imports that are now
wreaking havoc on the lives of millions
of small rice farmers,” FFF national
manager Raul Montemayor said.
The group also belied Villar’s claim
it’s too early to review the law, saying
it is not even implemented in full yet.
Activist farmers cited Philippine
Statistics Authority data showing palay
prices having dropped 23 percent since
their peak in September last year,
“coinciding with the inflow of possibly
undervalued rice ingresses.”
“President Duterte signed Republic
Act 11203 into law in February 2019 as a
result of (Villar’s) prodding. Since then,
more than 1.5 million tons of imported
rice have entered the country. Some
rice millers have reportedly stopped
operations because of the glut in the
market. Palay prices, in turn, have gone
down drastically,” Montemayor said.
The group also cited customs and
Department of Finance data showing
the average landed cost of rice imports,
inclusive of tariff, was only $227 per metric
ton compared to $391 to $422 based on
internationally published prices.
Maria Romero
RCBC plans
to raise P100B
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC)
is planning to raise up to P100 billion from
its newly-approved peso-denominated bonds
and commercial paper program.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange
on Tuesday, the listed Yuchengco-led
lender said the issuance was approved by
its board of directors in a regular meeting
on 29 July.
“The board approved the increase in the
bank’s peso bond and commercial paper
program to P100 billion, subject to Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approval,” the
bank said.
In June this year, RCBC became
the first bank in the country to issue
sustainability bonds, the proceeds from
which will be used primarily to finance
environmental and social projects.
RCBC issued P8 billion in Association
of Southeast Asian Nation sustainability
bonds, an upsize from its initial offer of only
P5 billion. The debt papers carry a coupon
rate of 6.15 percent per annum to be paid
quarterly until May of 2021.
In January, the bank also completed
its P15-billion green bond issuance in line
with its green finance framework, thrice
oversubscribed from its initial issue size of
P5 billion. The bonds carried a tenor of 1.5
years to be paid 6.7315 percent per annum.
The central bank in 2018 issued
enhanced regulations for bond issuances.
Circular 1010 reduces the requirement for
universal and commercial banks seeking
to raise funds through bond offerings
as the lenders do not have to secure
approval from the BSP anymore, but
are still required to submit compliance
certification and supporting documents.
The reform allows banks to maximize
the capital market as a fund-raising
alternative and cuts down their reliance
on deposits as funding source.
AJ Bajo
Gov’t re-enters Japan bond market
They won’t compete. We are testing if at seven years they
would continue to also price us the same as the five years.
Based on the sounding, there’s interest for (both) buckets
By Joshua Lao
The government is again seeking the
support of the debt market in Japan with
the proposed sale of three-, five-, seven- and
10-year samurai bonds one year after it
last sought its riches, the Bureau of the
Treasury (BTr) said on Tuesday.
This was learned from National
Treasurer Rosalia de Leon who expressed
the optimism that pricing the proposed
IOU could complete within the week.
“We are already in the market given
Roses
and headwinds
The Eagle’s Nest
Bing Matoto
COMMENTARY
the initial price guidance for the three,
five, seven and 10 years so the official
marketing started Tuesday,” De Leon
told reporters.
“We still have to discuss (pricing)
with the underwriters but hopefully, we
would already price them within the
week,” she added.
According to her, marketing the bonds
offshore depends on whether the sale
meets a strong book demand during
the next two weeks. The sale should
also help calibrate the Japan market’s
“ Although our
numbers are decent and
gradually improving,
clearly, we still have
some significant
catching up to do to be
at par with our closest
neighbors.
There have been impressive strides achieved by the government
during the first three years of the Duterte administration, particularly
in the economic front, as articulated by the economic managers during
the Pre-SoNA 2019 conferences. But like everything else in this world,
life is not always a bed of roses. Some obstacles are inevitable, but
hopefully like the proverbial headwinds when you fly, these will not be
enough to completely derail, but will only delay the flight plan. With
the caveat that my view might likely be different from what others may
think, allow me to briefly go through a few points of what I believe are
the roses and possible headwinds.
Right now, everything seems to be literally a bed of roses for
the economy. Based on what I Googled in Trading Economics, the
gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, which is our economic
scorecard, reached a high of $330.91 billion in 2018 or approximately
0.53 percent of the world’s economy. For some perspective, our GDP
averaged $81.6 billion from 1960 to 2018, while our record low of
$4.4 billion was in 1962. At the end of the final year of the Aquino
administration in 2015, our GDP was at $292.77 billion. Comparing
ourselves to the world and some of our ASEAN neighbors, the GDP
of the United States in 2018 was at $20,494 billion, China at $13,608
billion, Japan at $4,970 billion, Indonesia at $1,042 billion, Thailand at
$504.9 billion, Singapore at $364 billion, Malaysia at $354 billion and,
lower than our GDP, Vietnam at $244.95 billion.
Although our numbers are decent and gradually improving, clearly,
we still have some significant catching up to do to be at par with our
closest neighbors.
Other than the actual monetary value of the country’s economic
output, another important measure of how the economy will
likely trend going forward is the annual GDP growth rate. For the
Y-o-Y (year-on-year comparison) third quarter of 2019, our country
is forecasted by Trading Economics to register at 6.7 percent
representing a big bump up from the second quarter’s 5.6 percent.
In comparison, Indonesia is at 5.07 percent for 2019 first quarter
(only data available), while Vietnam was at 6.7 percent as of the
Turn to page 10
response to the Bank of Japan’s decision
to keep its policy settings steady.
She dismissed apprehension over selling
a combination medium- and short-term
bonds in a single offering, saying the
benchmarks will not likely compete with
each other given the market’s interest
for both.
“They won’t compete. We are testing
if at seven years they would continue to
also price us the same as the five years.
Based on the sounding, there’s interest
for (both) buckets,” she said.
According also to De Leon the plan is
to generate at least $750 million from the
IOU but that volume could be adjusted
as high as $1 billion should the demand
manifest itself.
“We are still looking at up to $750
million and if there would still be some
room to adjust, then we can go as high
as $1 billion,” she added.
De Leon said the proposed bonds
sale forms part of the government’s
“diversification rationale” and in
addition to increasing their menu of
options for fund sources.
Under the plan, the bonds start selling
before 8 August this year.
In a separate development, the BTr’s
reissued 20-year Treasury bond averaged 5.015
percent or 15.5 basis point lower than when the
IOU were sold last at only 5.17 percent.
The BTr raised the full P20 billion
target after the bonds attracted
P29.8 billion worth of tenders or an
oversubscription of the original amount
by 1.5 times.

B10 BUSINESS
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Roses
and headwinds
From page 9
second quarter, China at 6.2 percent,
Malaysia at 4.5 percent, Thailand at 2.8
percent and Singapore at 0.1 percent.
For this particular measure, we are
in the upper quartile of growth rates,
understandable, given our still smaller
economic base compared to our richer,
more developed neighbors.
Inflation rate dipped to a low of 2.7
percent for the second quarter of 2019
as the rise of food prices, non-alcoholic
beverages, utilities, fuel and transport
eased from the previous quarter. This
compares favorably to our inflation rate
average of 8.35 percent from 1958 to 2019.
However, Trading Economics forecasts our
inflation to move up to 3.2 percent by the
end of the third quarter, but to trend at 3.3
percent for 2020, still very much within the
government’s target range of two percent
to four percent. By comparison, our key
neighbors, with the exception of Indonesia
at 3.28 percent, fared better than us on
inflation, with Singapore at 0.6 percent
for the second quarter of 2019, Thailand
at 0.87 percent, Malaysia at 1.5 percent,
Vietnam at 2.16 percent and China at 2.7
percent. Barring any unforeseen shocks,
the inflation rate numbers suggest that,
theoretically, our cost of living should stay
at about the same level, which, hopefully,
could tamp down the political noise, at
least in the near future.
With the inflation rate hovering
at manageable levels, the market has
concluded that the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas is likely to ease up some more
on the current interest rate of 4.5 percent,
which was previously at 4.75 percent. For
comparison, Vietnam, with its gangbuster
growth rate trajectory, is comparatively
high at 6.25 percent presumably to temper
potential inflationary risks, Indonesia is
at 5.75 percent, China at 4.35 percent,
Malaysia at three percent, Thailand at 1.75
percent, and Singapore at 1.67 percent.
With apologies to my economist friends
and readers, with my cursory knowledge
of economics, allow me to propound
the following scenario. A reduction in
the interest rates should augur well for
industry and the country in general. As
borrowing rates drop, fueled by cheaper
credit, customer demand for a host of
consumption products and services, such
as food, entertainment, travel, electronic
gadgets, cars and housing, will increase,
boosting bottom lines for businesses,
and I might add increasing tax revenues,
eventually prompting a need for the
expansion of the business. Furthermore, the
government’s massive infrastructure program
unquestionably provides a significant boost
as well, 5.1 percent of GDP in 2018. And as
this virtuous cycle continues, the economy
expands, and everybody is happy.
With the inflation rate hovering at
manageable levels, the market has
concluded that the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas is likely to ease up
some more on the current interest
rate of 4.5 percent, which was
previously at 4.75 percent.
Sounds like a bed of roses, right?
Well, as the saying goes, unfortunately,
sometimes s**t happens and something
unforeseen, an unexpected shock, derails
everything that you plan and prepare for.
It suddenly happened last year with the
rice shortage that coincided with the
unexpected increase of oil prices and the
impact of the excise taxes bumping up
our inflation rate to a high of 6.7 percent,
which in turn cranked up the threat of a
possible vicious cycle descending upon us.
Right now, what are the imminent
headwinds that could derail our flight plan?
The US-China trade war and its
dampening effects on global growth is
definitely a major concern. Another is
the US-Iran nuclear program standoff and
seizure by Iran of a British tanker that
could potentially escalate into a military
confrontation, the impact of which will be
immediately felt by us in the inevitable
oil price increases that will surely ensue.
Domestically, the political noise from
the opposition regarding China does
not seem to be taking a significant
hold on the sentiment of the public as
the recent elections and surveys have
affirmed the popularity of the Duterte
administration. However, the tax reform
program particularly the TRABAHO bill
is encountering some headwinds as the
affected industries have raised the alarm
for a possible withdrawal from the country.
Another headwind that has not received
much attention is the decaying educational
standard of our country. In a recent FINEX
(Financial Executives Institute of the
Philippines) general membership meeting,
prominent businessman Fernando Zobel
de Ayala noted that 65 percent of fresh
graduates lack employable skills.
But to end on a positive note, another
potential headwind threat, Federalism
and its adverse impact on government’s
fiscal standing, has apparently abated
with the recent pronouncement of the
President during the last SoNA that this
issue will likely have to be tackled by the
next President of the Republic.
Until next week… one big fight!
For comments, please email bing_matoto@
yahoo.com.
‘Las Casas’ developer builds
first Caloocan skyscraper
The property developer behind heritage estate
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan on Tuesday
broke ground for what is set to be the tallest building
in Caloocan after its completion in three to five years.
New San Jose Builders Inc. (NSJBI) started construction
for the 59-storey Victoria de Monumento Caloocan on 30 July,
a master-planned vertical mixed-use development with a
gross floor area of 216,340 square meters (sqm.).
Acuzar said that the development will feature
a 40,000-sqm sports center, near 30,000 sqm.
of commercial space as well as a hotel.
“There’s no development like this in Caloocan yet.
Caloocan is better than other cities but no one starts
the development because it’s over-dense, unlike other
cities where there are room for development,” NSJBI
chairman Jose Acuzar said at the sidelines of the
groundbreaking ceremony in Caloocan.
“There’s not much space, so you have to acquire
the structure to change into a new development like
this one,” he added. The 66.82-meter 18-story Howard
Tower residential condominium is currently the tallest
tower in Caloocan.
Previously a marketplace and a jeepney terminal
station, Acuzar said the company is allocating P8 billion
for the construction of the condominium in the lot.
The property is located at Calle Uno, Morning
Breeze Subdivision in South Caloocan. The two-tower
commercial and residential condominium to rise will
be equipped with three commercial floors, 11 parking
floors with 2 basement and 9 podiums.
TUESDAY
30 JULY 2019
PHILIPPINE STOCK EXCHANGE
NAME OPEN HIGH LOW CLOSE VALUE (P)
FINANCIALS
BANKS
ASIA UNITED 58.1 58.5 58.1 58.5 180,934
BDO UNIBANK 148.5 149.7 147 148.5 192,282,758
BANK PH ISLANDS 90.6 90.6 89.25 89.95 166,979,080
CHINABANK 27.05 27.15 26.9 26.9 1,809,645
EAST WEST BANK 12.3 12.48 12.3 12.4 3,616,742
METROBANK 75.5 75.8 75.15 75.25 90,883,050.50
PB BANK 13.2 13.2 13.2 13.2 2,486,880
PBCOM 21.5 21.5 21.5 21.5 10,750
PHIL NATL BANK 50.3 50.5 49.9 49.9 6,570,825
PSBANK 59.6 59.6 59.1 59.1 350,375
RCBC 28.5 31 28.05 30 22,274,545
SECURITY BANK 185 185 182.1 185 37,130,264
UNION BANK 60 61 60 60.1 1,398,889
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
BRIGHT KINDLE 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 2,300
BDO LEASING 2.38 2.38 2.18 2.25 3,046,250
COL FINANCIAL 18.6 18.7 18.6 18.7 24,240
FERRONOUX HLDG 4.66 4.72 4.66 4.72 51,570
IREMIT 1.34 1.34 1.34 1.34 1,340
MEDCO HLDG 0.46 0.475 0.46 0.46 37,100
NTL REINSURANCE 1.15 1.16 1.1 1.15 1,358,650
PHIL STOCK EXCH 192 192 192 192 21,120
SUN LIFE 1,770 1,770 1,760 1,760 141,200
INDUSTRIAL
ELECTRICITY, ENERGY, POWER & WATER
ALSONS CONS 1.31 1.32 1.31 1.31 500,450
ABOITIZ POWER 36.6 36.65 36.35 36.5 33,254,960
BASIC ENERGY 0.265 0.275 0.265 0.275 218,750
FIRST GEN 26.8 26.85 26.1 26.45 27,120,945
FIRST PHIL HLDG 87.05 87.85 87 87.2 5,837,529.50
MERALCO 375 379.4 370.6 372 65,652,392
MANILA WATER 23.55 23.8 23.45 23.7 32,443,170
PETRON 5.61 5.65 5.59 5.59 3,654,702
PETROENERGY 4.76 4.86 4.75 4.86 261,290
PHINMA ENERGY 2.54 2.63 2.5 2.52 90,406,530
PHX PETROLEUM 11.94 11.96 11.76 11.96 143,328
PILIPINAS SHELL 38.9 39.2 38.5 38.75 1,985,080
SPC POWER 6.7 6.99 6.7 6.75 524,225
VIVANT 16.12 16.12 16.12 16.12 8,060
FOOD, BEVERAGE & TOBACCO
AGRINURTURE 13.9 14.28 13.8 14.26 14,306,952
CENTURY FOOD 14.84 15.1 14.84 15 1,061,528
DEL MONTE 6.27 6.48 6.27 6.39 663,129
DNL INDUS 10.44 10.48 10.36 10.38 7,477,268
EMPERADOR 7.45 7.55 7.45 7.55 1,228,368
SMC FOODANDBEV 100.4 102.5 100.1 102 7,639,830
ALLIANCE SELECT 0.77 0.79 0.77 0.78 633,790
GINEBRA 59.1 60.9 58 60.85 7,236,521.50
JOLLIBEE 254.8 257 242 252.8 515,965,352
LIBERTY FLOUR 50 50 50 50 500
MACAY HLDG 8.85 8.99 8.85 8.99 17,728
MAXS GROUP 14.18 14.18 14.14 14.16 2,797,894
MG HLDG 0.187 0.187 0.187 0.187 37,400
PEPSI COLA 1.68 1.72 1.63 1.72 7,851,800
SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.84 13.84 13.64 13.7 1,407,756
ROXAS AND CO 1.49 1.49 1.35 1.42 1,006,900
RFM CORP 5.09 5.09 5.05 5.05 354,914
SWIFT FOODS 0.127 0.127 0.127 0.127 1,270
UNIV ROBINA 171 171 167 170 126,244,416
VITARICH 1.25 1.25 1.22 1.23 1,374,560
VICTORIAS 2.48 2.48 2.46 2.48 233,780
CONSTRUCTION, INFRASTRUCTURE & ALLIED SERVICES
CONCRETE A 80.9 82 78.1 79.95 442,766
CONCRETE B 93.3 93.3 93.3 93.3 1,866
CEMEX HLDG 2.81 2.98 2.81 2.97 54,123,340
DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.19 5.19 5.19 5.19 311,400
EAGLE CEMENT 14.7 14.7 14.42 14.42 20,173,794
EEI CORP 10.9 10.98 10.66 10.98 6,345,380
HOLCIM 14 14.1 13.98 14.04 5,597,198
MEGAWIDE 18.7 19.06 18.64 18.96 17,757,674
PHINMA 9.05 9.05 9 9 474,800
TKC METALS 1.13 1.14 1.13 1.13 236,210
VULCAN INDL 1.28 1.32 1.26 1.32 5,659,060
CHEMICALS
CROWN ASIA 2.03 2.08 2.03 2.08 6,140
EUROMED 1.69 1.69 1.69 1.69 1,690
PRYCE CORP 5.08 5.22 5.08 5.22 9,729
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS & EQUIPMENT
CONCEPCION 41.75 41.75 41.75 41.75 20,875
GREENERGY 2.22 2.22 2.16 2.2 25,152,930
INTEGRATED MICR 9.47 9.6 9.45 9.6 1,985,749
IONICS 1.69 1.7 1.65 1.7 266,620
PANASONIC 5.51 5.53 5.5 5.5 1,070,108
SFA SEMICON 1.08 1.08 1.06 1.06 456,820
CIRTEK HLDG 16.4 16.44 16.12 16.3 1,969,000
HOLDING FIRM
ABACORE CAPITAL 1.04 1.09 1.03 1.05 74,814,770
ASIABEST GROUP 17.2 17.6 16.92 17 2,286,592
AYALA CORP 971 980 959.5 963 206,441,560
ABOITIZ EQUITY 56.5 56.5 54.25 55.5 59,573,173.50
ALLIANCE GLOBAL 15.8 15.8 15.6 15.74 34,539,984
AYALA LAND LOG 4.28 4.3 4.24 4.28 28,586,010
ANSCOR 7.02 7.02 7 7 2,520,140
ANGLO PHIL HLDG 0.71 0.74 0.71 0.72 558,710
ATN HLDG A 1.3 1.33 1.3 1.33 2,619,570
ATN HLDG B 1.32 1.35 1.32 1.35 246,530
COSCO CAPITAL 6.99 7 6.97 7 6,577,658
DMCI HLDG 10.38 10.52 10.2 10.48 21,599,360
FILINVEST DEV 14.06 14.06 13.8 14 145,546
FJ PRINCE A 4.48 4.48 4.48 4.48 4,480
FORUM PACIFIC 0.226 0.23 0.224 0.23 54,080
GT CAPITAL 965 968 941 967 87,979,860
HOUSE OF INV 6.43 6.43 6.41 6.41 128,300
JG SUMMIT 66.05 66.95 65.15 66.95 30,092,401.50
LOPEZ HLDG 4.52 4.53 4.52 4.52 1,654,870
LT GROUP 14.96 14.96 14.62 14.88 34,411,122
MABUHAY HLDG 0.7 0.71 0.68 0.7 1,308,910
METRO PAC INV 4.75 4.8 4.7 4.78 74,044,570
PACIFICA 0.039 0.039 0.039 0.039 312,000
PRIME MEDIA 1.42 1.51 1.39 1.5 3,231,480
REPUBLIC GLASS 2.92 2.92 2.92 2.92 58,400
SOLID GROUP 1.37 1.4 1.37 1.4 141,160
SM INVESTMENTS 1,015 1,020 998.5 1,020 267,378,505
SAN MIGUEL CORP 174.8 176.5 174 175.9 64,229,327
SOC RESOURCES 0.85 0.86 0.85 0.86 288,020
SEAFRONT RES 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2,700
TOP FRONTIER 260 260 259 260 15,570
WELLEX INDUS 0.233 0.233 0.233 0.233 46,600
ZEUS HLDG 0.28 0.285 0.28 0.285 412,250
PROPERTY
ARTHALAND CORP 1.06 1.13 1.04 1.12 28,391,360
AYALA LAND 51.4 51.65 50.95 51.3 140,303,653
ARANETA PROP 2.13 2.17 2 2.17 260,120
BELLE CORP 2.2 2.26 2.19 2.23 4,280,300
A BROWN 0.86 0.86 0.83 0.85 247,200
CITYLAND DEVT 0.89 0.91 0.89 0.91 36,970
CROWN EQUITIES 0.24 0.24 0.238 0.239 69,300
CEBU HLDG 6.16 6.16 6.16 6.16 33,880
CEB LANDMASTERS 5.1 5.13 5.09 5.1 3,404,567
CENTURY PROP 0.61 0.61 0.6 0.61 6,189,040
CYBER BAY 0.455 0.455 0.45 0.455 897,600
DOUBLEDRAGON 24.45 24.45 23.8 24 5,467,040
DM WENCESLAO 10.46 10.56 10.3 10.5 7,597,064
EMPIRE EAST 0.47 0.475 0.47 0.475 518,500
EVER GOTESCO 0.124 0.124 0.124 0.124 26,040
FROM antique houses to 59-story buildings. New San Jose Builders is set to construct Caloocan City’s first skyscraper
dubbed Victoria de Monumento Caloocan, a mix-use twin tower complex.
Residential towers one and two will have 32 and 36
floors, respectively. Acuzar said that the development
will feature a 40,000-sqm sports center, near 30,000 sqm.
of commercial space as well as a hotel. The developer is
targeting middle-income dwellers and businesses from
Caloocan and nearby cities for the project.
The company is planning to commence the pre-selling period
in August after it has processed its license to sell. Acuzar
said the residential units, ranging from 23 sqm. to 200 sqm.,
will be sold between P2.5 million to P20 million. The project
is seen completed between 2022 to 2023.
Asked if Victoria de Monumento Caloocan will be its
largest development, Acuzar said the company is still
in talks for the acquisition of a bigger project in the
pipeline. He said that NSJBI is also looking at heritage
project in Bohol.
AJ Bajo
NAME OPEN HIGH LOW CLOSE VALUE (P)
FILINVEST LAND 1.95 1.96 1.92 1.93 48,368,040
GLOBAL ESTATE 1.39 1.4 1.37 1.38 2,253,010
8990 HLDG 15.8 15.86 15.6 15.82 3,488,942
PHIL INFRADEV 1.76 1.76 1.71 1.73 4,277,440
CITY AND LAND 0.82 0.82 0.82 0.82 2,460
MEGAWORLD 6.24 6.24 6.12 6.2 44,824,697
MRC ALLIED 0.345 0.345 0.335 0.345 2,464,800
PHIL ESTATES 0.45 0.48 0.45 0.48 154,000
PRIMEX CORP 2.11 2.12 2.02 2.04 3,201,610
ROBINSONS LAND 28 28 27.1 27.8 37,047,080
PHIL REALTY 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 260,000
ROCKWELL 2.43 2.52 2.41 2.5 11,126,430
SHANG PROP 3.19 3.28 3.19 3.28 2,210,620
STA LUCIA LAND 2.12 2.18 2.1 2.17 2,127,100
SM PRIME HLDG 37.55 38.2 37.5 38.2 251,190,575
STARMALLS 6.06 6.16 6 6.1 963,881
SUNTRUST HOME 0.81 0.81 0.81 0.81 17,010
VISTA LAND 7.82 7.82 7.66 7.74 38,990,784
SERVICES
MEDIA
ABS CBN 18.6 18.7 18.4 18.4 2,299,082
GMA NETWORK 5.37 5.4 5.37 5.38 402,957
MANILA BULLETIN 0.53 0.53 0.51 0.51 278,430
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
GLOBE TELECOM 2,210 2,260 2,190 2,260 58,509,050
PLDT 1,139 1,148 1,133 1,134 88,352,445
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
APOLLO GLOBAL 0.048 0.049 0.046 0.049 1,737,500
IMPERIAL 1.84 1.9 1.84 1.9 24,640
ISLAND INFO 0.112 0.113 0.112 0.113 33,800
ISM COMM 5.5 5.5 5.3 5.39 9,966,686
NOW CORP 2.56 2.64 2.5 2.56 8,755,910
TRANSPACIFIC BR 0.365 0.37 0.355 0.365 1,049,050
PHILWEB 3.94 4.05 3.82 3.95 56,470,040
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
2GO GROUP 10.7 10.7 10.6 10.6 25,510
ASIAN TERMINALS 19.9 19.9 19.9 19.9 5,970
CHELSEA 7.5 7.58 7.44 7.49 5,167,861
CEBU AIR 95.5 95.65 95.2 95.5 10,725,628.50
INTL CONTAINER 132 134 128.2 129 114,866,188
LBC EXPRESS 14.14 14.14 14.14 14.14 4,242
LORENZO SHIPPNG 0.91 0.93 0.9 0.93 245,600
MACROASIA 19.78 19.9 19.42 19.44 4,765,422
METROALLIANCE B 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.45 7,250
PAL HLDG 9 9.1 8.99 8.99 435,799
HARBOR STAR 2.11 2.13 2.03 2.05 3,411,220
HOTEL & LEISURE
ACESITE HOTEL 1.49 1.52 1.45 1.52 19,170
BOULEVARD HLDG 0.066 0.066 0.065 0.065 701,030
DISCOVERY WORLD 2.07 2.1 2.07 2.1 12,480
WATERFRONT 0.81 0.81 0.77 0.79 4,396,660
EDUCATION
CENTRO ESCOLAR 7.19 7.19 7.19 7.19 23,727
IPEOPLE 9.7 9.7 9.7 9.7 2,910
STI HLDG 0.74 0.76 0.74 0.74 3,161,730
CASINOS & GAMING
BERJAYA 2.3 2.46 2.2 2.44 7,616,140
BLOOMBERRY 11.5 11.64 11.4 11.64 9,573,668
PACIFIC ONLINE 2 2.58 2 2.54 5,836,910
LEISURE AND RES 3.66 3.7 3.5 3.62 11,041,520
MANILA JOCKEY 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 7,000
PH RESORTS GRP 5.59 5.59 5.02 5.3 2,178,092
PREMIUM LEISURE 0.68 0.7 0.65 0.7 26,880,590
TRAVELLERS 5.46 5.52 5.46 5.52 2,583,636
RETAIL
METRO RETAIL 2.69 2.69 2.6 2.6 4,280,070
PUREGOLD 46 46.4 45.25 46 23,156,125
ROBINSONS RTL 78 78.75 77.75 78.05 32,385,924
PHIL SEVEN CORP 159.9 160 145.2 150.3 523,822
SSI GROUP 3.16 3.2 3.16 3.17 4,247,360
WILCON DEPOT 15.94 15.96 15.92 15.96 5,058,228
OTHER SERVICES
APC GROUP 0.51 0.52 0.5 0.5 538,150
EASYCALL 9.61 9.96 9.61 9.64 63,909
GOLDEN BRIA 425 425 411.6 424 74,806
IPM HLDG 5.7 5.7 5.6 5.6 93,150
PAXYS 2.91 2.91 2.91 2.91 2,910
PRMIERE HORIZON 0.79 0.81 0.78 0.8 5,782,690
SBS PHIL CORP 9.27 9.4 9.18 9.4 289,870
MINING
ATOK 12.98 12.98 12.4 12.82 185,094
APEX MINING 1.22 1.24 1.2 1.23 5,832,530
ABRA MINING 0.0017 0.0017 0.0016 0.0017 212,000
BENGUET B 1.14 1.14 1.14 1.14 230,280
COAL ASIA HLDG 0.27 0.27 0.27 0.27 221,400
CENTURY PEAK 2.75 2.75 2.74 2.75 951,120
DIZON MINES 7.7 7.79 7.56 7.6 588,506
FERRONICKEL 1.47 1.48 1.44 1.45 2,934,410
GEOGRACE 0.223 0.231 0.222 0.226 93,970
LEPANTO A 0.107 0.108 0.107 0.108 39,600
MANILA MINING A 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 0.0073 7,300
MARCVENTURES 1.09 1.12 1.06 1.1 717,360
NIHAO 1.1 1.1 1.04 1.07 28,870
NICKEL ASIA 2.52 2.55 2.47 2.5 14,411,090
OMICO CORP 0.53 0.53 0.53 0.53 1,590
ORNTL PENINSULA 0.86 0.86 0.83 0.84 1,590,770
PX MINING 3.44 3.5 3.44 3.48 1,313,820
SEMIRARA MINING 23.8 24.2 23.45 23.9 36,230,380
UNITED PARAGON 0.0062 0.0062 0.0062 0.0062 12,400
OIL
ORNTL PETROL A 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 90,000
ORNTL PETROL B 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.013 5,200
PHILODRILL 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 29,700
PHINMA PETRO 5.44 6.07 5.35 6.07 11,561,920
PXP ENERGY 8.64 9.06 8.62 9 35,785,216
PREFERRED
HOUSE PREF A 99.65 99.75 99.65 99.75 41,888.50
AC PREF B2 495 499 495 499 500,350
DD PREF 99.8 100 99.8 99.8 559,905
SMC FB PREF 2 985 985 985 985 541,750
FGEN PREF G 105.3 105.3 105.1 105.2 8,636,831
GLO PREF P 490 490 490 490 4,900
LR PREF 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.06 2,092,380
PNX PREF 3B 107.4 107.4 107.4 107.4 2,148
PCOR PREF 2A 990 990 990 990 495,000
PCOR PREF 3A 1,005 1,012 1,005 1,010 14,018,110
SFI PREF 1.38 1.38 1.38 1.38 1,380
SMC PREF 2B 75 75 75 75 45,000
SMC PREF 2C 77 77 76.6 76.6 175,998
SMC PREF 2F 75 75.2 75 75 2,480,762.50
SMC PREF 2G 74.5 74.5 74.5 74.5 998,300
SMC PREF 2H 74.95 75 74.95 75 623,634
SMC PREF 2I 75 75 75 75 49,661,250
PHIL. DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
ABS HLDG PDR 17.6 17.6 17.6 17.6 660,000
GMA HLDG PDR 5.28 5.48 5.28 5.48 121,798
WARRANTS
LR WARRANT 1.72 1.74 1.72 1.74 119,060
SMALL, MEDIUM & EMERGING
ITALPINAS 6.61 6.61 6.36 6.5 13,420,944
XURPAS 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.06 2,167,330
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
FIRST METRO ETF 122.6 122.6 121.8 122.6 1,156,688

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
BUSINESS B11
The bets could be off this early for 2022, and rock star mayor
is a safe horse to put a wager on
Some envoys have queued for his
audience, and then just recently,
the countries’ business leaders have
shared with him a table and their
highly valued time.
This city mayor has fast become
a political rock star, thanks to his
programs aimed at reforming his
surroundings, which have long been
decrepit and gloomy.
He no longer wants his constituents
living in the Philippines’ Gotham. His
folk deserve better than they wished for.
His political rise was never rosy. He
also struggled for long. But his recent
electoral victory quickly gave him a
new persona.
Barely a month into his term, he gave
his city a glimpse of what it once was.
His capital? Just some water and
Ingat, Yorme!
suds, but lots of political
will.
For his acts, he got the
eyes of the world.
First to train his sight
on him is the United
States, which sent its
emissary to meet with
him. The encounter does
not look innocent. The
superpower country is always on the
lookout for its leader on this side of Asia.
Then came a knockin’ on his door, the
representative of the United Kingdom.
By the Tribune Staff
And then some more.
Several nights ago, he
was seen with the leaders
of the Makati Business
Club. They are big political
players who have lost their
clout with the emergence
of Rody Duterte, that
talkative city mayor of
Davao who rose to become
Philippine president.
The bets could be off this early for
2022, and rock star mayor is a safe horse
to put a wager on.
His political rise was never
rosy. He also struggled for long.
But his recent electoral victory
quickly gave him a new persona.
The presidential polls are a far three
years still, however. But the search for
Mr. Duterte’s successor is on.
Prior to that dinner date, Mr.
Duterte also had a one-on-one with
the rock star mayor. What they talked
about did not leak, but he may have
received some words of wisdom from
the old man.
BRIEFS
PAL execs pay CAAP courtesy call
PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa
Maria, together with PAL executive vice president/treasurer/
chief administrative officer Vivienne Tan on Tuesday visited the
headquarters of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
(CAAP) to reiterate the flag carrier’s commitment to help address
the country’s aviation industry challenges. The courtesy visit to
CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco by Santa Maria and Tan is
part of the first wave of visits to the offices of aviation industry
stakeholders. Tuesday marked the second working day of Santa
Maria as PAL president and COO following his confirmation by
the PAL board of directors at a meeting held at the Century Park
Hotel-Manila on Monday.
Meralco power up forum
Some 92 participants from 74 companies attended the latest
Meralco Power Up Forum to discuss the intricacies of the new
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law on 28 June 2019.
Pictured above, from left to right are Philippine Energy Efficiency
Alliance (PE2) president Alexander Ablaza; MSERV VP and head,
Commercial Services Philip Roxas; San Beda University VP Fr.
Red Nilo; LANDEV president Mario Paguio and Meralco VP
and head, corporate business group Ma. Cecilia Domingo. The
interactive Meralco Power Up Forums are designed to address
Meralco’s enterprise customers’ distinctive energy requirements,
and have been a key source on the latest developments in the
country’s evolving power sector and a well spring of information
on the utility’s cutting-edge, end-to-end energy solutions. Signed
on 12 April 12 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the law known as
Republic Act 11285 effectively institutionalizes energy efficiency
and conservation, further granting incentives to businesses that
put into practice energy efficiency and conservation projects.
Pasig now has Globe 5G
Globe officially made its fifth-generation (5G) fixed
wireless broadband service called Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G
commercially available to consumers on 27 July in Barangay
Buting in Pasig City.
Martha Sazon, SVP and head of Broadband Business at Globe,
said the company has started connecting Filipino homes with
Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G. “We are now transforming more
Filipino households to be digitally connected using 5G technology
especially in areas where we encounter challenges in rolling out
fiber-optic cable,” Sazon added.
Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G plans are being offered at P1,899
per month for up to 20Mbps, P2,499 for up to 50Mbps, and P2,899
for up to 100Mbps, all with data allocation of 2-terabytes (TB).
By September, Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G will be
commercially available in Greenpark in Cainta, Rizal; Woodland
Hills in Carmona, Cavite and Carissa Homes 2A and 2B, Palmera
Homes in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Sazon said the service will be available in 24 more areas on
a progressive basis to fully ensure stability of the service. “The
Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G doesn’t only deliver fiber-like speeds
but also prepares the home for the future by powering intelligent
devices for better entertainment and security systems,” she added.
Consumers residing in Barangay Buting in Pasig City who are
interested to avail Globe At Home Air Fiber 5G Plans may apply
through authorized Globe Sales Representatives in the area.
Megaworld expanding
mall footprint in provinces
Property giant Megaworld is expanding its Megaworld
Lifestyle Malls footprint outside of Metro Manila, with the
opening of eight new malls and commercial centers in key
regional centers across the country in the next three years.
The company is offering around 200,000 square meters of
fresh retail inventory that will open until 2022 in Cebu, Bacolod,
Davao, Boracay, Cavite and Pampanga.
“For the next three years, the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
brand will be seen in key growth areas around the country
as we continue to tap opportunities for our retail partners to
further expand and grow their brands with us,” says Kevin Tan,
chief strategy officer, Megaworld.
Fresh from the launch of the new and revitalized Megaworld
Lifestyle Malls brand with its new logo, the company is spending
P10-billion for the new malls.
Each new mall will have a distinct character and vibe, a
concept in which Megaworld Lifestyle Malls has been known for.
“We veer away from standardizing our malls. We study and
curate them based on what its location is all about. We want
each mall to have its own charm and identity — something that
makes each one ‘endemic’ to the city where it is located,”
explains Tan.
By AJ Bajo
Phl sending 70 MSME
to China-ASEAN expo
The Philippines has been participating in this show
since its inception in 2004 as it provides many
opportunities for local firms
Seventy micro, small and
medium enterprises (MSME)
are to represent the country
at the 16th China-Association
of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) Expo (CAEXPO) in
Guangxi province, China.
The Department of Trade and
Industry’s export promotions
arm, the Center for International
Trade Expositions and Missions
(DTI-CITEM) said the Philippines
“seeks to broaden its bilateral
relations with China and
countries in the Southeast
Asian nations” through its
participation in the expo on 20
to 23 September.
One of the largest trade
events in China, the CAEXPO
allots 124,000-square meter of
exhibition space for over 2,000
exhibitors and 90,000 buyers in
the region and the rest of the
world.
“CAEXPO is an effective
platform to showcase the
Philippines and foster goodwill
with the Chinese government on
different levels — trade, tourism
and investment promotions,”
CITEM executive director Pauline
Suaco-Juan said.
“The Philippines has been
participating in this show since
its inception in 2004 as it provides
many opportunities for local firms
which want to capture the Chinese
WITH the water shortage over, Metro Manila’s laundry shops are now fully operational.
and Southeast Asian markets.”
Last year, the trade agency
said 2,700 exhibitors and 96,000
buyers attended the trade expo.
The Philippines also sent 70
company representatives and
trade officials in its participation
in 2018 and booked $22 million in
sales at the four-day event.
DTI said that among the top-selling
exports were coconut products, buri
bags and tropical fruit snacks,
such as vacuum-freeze dried
durian, mango and banana chips.
CAEXPO provides support
for the ASEAN-China Free
Trade Area which facilitates
the free trade agreement
between the ten-member
ASEAN and China. It serves as
the largest free trade area in
terms of population and the third
largest in terms of nominal gross
domestic product.
Under the agreement, tariffs
Fruitas Holdings diversifies
With over 970 stores nationwide,
leading food kiosk operator Fruitas
Holdings Inc. (Fruitas) is bullish
on its growth prospects for 2019
as it continues to diversify its
distribution channels and maximize
synergies from its recent acquisition
this year.
Earlier this year, Fruitas
partnered with Grab to make their
products available on the delivery
service platform to reach and serve
more Filipinos in Metro Manila
easily. Among the brands available
on Grab’s platform are Fruitas,
Buko Loco, Buko ni Fruitas, De
Original Jamaican Pattie, Johnn
Lemon, Sabroso Lechon, House of
Desserts, Black Pearl, and Tea Rex
among others. At the same time,
Fruitas fresh coconut water is also
now available in 50 Andok’s stores
within Metro Manila.
Move over celebrities; shoppers are
increasingly turning to influencers to access
beauty trends, looks, content and experiences,
as the beauty industry fully embraces the power
of influencer marketing.
A new report from Meltwater titled ‘Beyond
Skin Deep: Understanding the shopping journey
of the Southeast Asian beauty buyer’, explores
how the industry has welcomed the impact of
influencer marketing, and why these relatable
and authentic personalities are the top choice
for beauty brand endorsements and commercial
collaborations.
The report’s key findings include:
Social media influencers are now preferred
over celebrities for beauty collaborations, given
their higher engagement, ROI and credibility
among niche audiences.
Instagram is the channel of choice for talent-led
collaborations, with 8 times more beauty
influencers on Instagram than on other social
channels such as Twitter and YouTube.
In Southeast Asia, lip products were the most
The company also currently
supplies fresh coconut water to
CocoDelivery, a new coconut water
delivery provider in NCR. Orders
can be coursed through its hotline,
8COCO (82626), and it can deliver
to any point in Metro Manila.
“We are always finding ways
to make it easier for Filipinos to
access our products. We want
to encourage more frequent
consumption and continue to reach
out to first-time customers,” said
Lester Yu, Fruitas Holdings Inc.’s
President and CEO. “The evolving
needs of our customer base provide
an opportunity for us to expand our
distribution channels.”
In 2018, Fruitas reported P1.58
billion in consolidated revenue, a
37 percent increase from its P1.15
billion revenue in 2017, which was
driven by network expansion and
ROMAN PROSPERO
strong performance of its stores.
Fruitas has added more than 150
stores since the end of 2017.
Fruitas also completed the
acquisition of Sabroso Lechon
assets in the second half of 2018
and has already grown the number
of Sabroso Lechon stores from 2 to
17 stores.
Moreover, Fruitas also recently
introduced Lucky Chan, a new food
kiosk concept offering Filipino rice
meals in bowls. In 2018, Fruitas
started the provincial expansion of
its hand-pulled noodles and Chinese
delicacies concept, Shou.
The company has also
strengthened its marketing thrust
this 2019, with the launch of its
brand new campaign: Fresh Ka
Pa Ba?, which introduced Sarah
Geronimo as the new face of
Fruitas.
Skin care endorser role cited
talked about products on social media, with Estée
Lauder’s range of brands dominating the overall
conversation.
Indonesia accounted for 38 percent of social
media chatter around beauty, leaving behind
Malaysia and the Philippines who reported 29
percent and 27 percent respectively.
J-beauty (i.e. beauty brands from Japan) took
the lead in terms of share-of-voice, as compared
to Korean and Chinese beauty brands.
Selection of the region’s top beauty influencers
are: Singapore’s Sahur Saleim (@sahursart),
Malaysia’s Farhanah Firdaus (@faafirds), the
Philippines’ Anna Cay (@annacay), and Indonesia’s
Marcella Febrianne Hadikusomo (@cindercella).
Supporting Meltwater’s findings is a separate
report by Celebrity Intelligence, which found that
influencers are pivotal in shaping opinions and
buying decisions for 80 percent of beauty shoppers.
The report also identified key strategies that
beauty brands in the region can adopt to fully
leverage how customers are consuming beauty-related
content.
on 90 percent of imported goods
are reduced to zero between
China and, initially, the six original
ASEAN members including the
Philippines.
China is the country’s largest
trading partner in 2018, with
trade value of $182.15 billion, or
16.9 percent of the Philippines’
total trade.
On the other hand, exports
to the ASEAN member countries
stood at $936.03 million as of
May this year, down 1.2 percent
$947.04 million in May 2018
according to the Philippine
Statistics Authority. The region
accounts for 15.2 percent of the
country’s total export value.
Meanwhile, MSME account for
99.56 percent of the Philippines’
total businesses. Microenterprises
comprise 89.59 percent of the
share while small enterprises
comprise 9.56 percent.
DoF wants
stakeholders’
feedback
on IRR
The Department of Finance
(DoF) said it is set to release
the implementing rules and
regulations (IRR) on the Personal
Property Security Act (PPSA)
sometime in August.
Stakeholders just have until
today to submit their comments
on the IRR, the DoF said.
In a statement, the DoF said it
conducted a public consultation
on 25 July at the University of
the Philippines (UP) Law Center
and encouraged stakeholders
and other interested parties
to help review the draft IRR
which has been uploaded on its
website. Interested parties were
also encouraged to post their
feedback online.
The PPSA’s goal is to open
access to credit for MSME,
farmers and fisherfolks to
use other collaterals than
the usual real estate or
vehicles. “Now, they have
more options.
DoF Assistant Secretary
Danielle Marie Rieza Culangen
said the public consultation
on the draft IRR for the PPSA
(Republic Act 11057 focused on
concerns involving accounts
receivables as collateral in
securing loans from banks.
RA 11057 is meant to expand
access to credit of such groups
as micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSME) along with
farmers and fisherfolk.
Culangen explained the law
covers transactions involving
different personal properties.
All these asset types have their
own nuances and the DoF should
consider addressing them in the
IRR, she said.
RA 11057 is described as a
landmark law as it simplifies the
Chattel Mortgage Law of 1906 and
other fragmented and outdated
financing regulations in the country.
It enables borrowers to secure
financing using non-traditional
collateral such as account
receivables, inventory, warehouse
receipts, crops, livestock, machinery
and equipment.
The PPSA’s goal is to open
access to credit for MSME, farmers
and fisherfolks to use other
collaterals than the usual real
estate or vehicles. “Now, they have
more options,” Culangen said.

B12 TECHTALKS
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Oppo rolls out major color
OS 6 upgrade for F9 users
OPPO ColorOS 6.
NEAR-ACCURATE reading of molecule.
Scientists develop
computer, storing
images with molecules
Oppo recently announced the rollout
of the ColorOS 6 Open Beta for its F9
smartphone.
ColorOS 6 integrates Android Pie’s
practical features, including enhanced
AI capabilities, improved interactions
and optimization of the underlying
interface.
It also adopts a borderless design
concept to relieve user anxiety
caused by information overload.
OPPO combines light, subtle colors
and a simplistic white background
to create a lightweight and elegant
user interface, which differentiates
ColorOS 6 from Google’s native
interface.
The Game Boost feature in
OPPO’s hyper boost, which accelerates
Scientists from Brown University found a way to encode and
decode images, not with microchips but with small molecules,
and it worked with a 98-percent accuracy.
The study published on Wednesday in the open-access journal
PLOS ONE demonstrated that the small-molecule information
storage can successfully encode more than 100,000 bits of digital
images into synthetic metabolomes.
ColorOS 6 comes packed with advanced imaging
technologies. The upgrade introduces two new features:
Dazzle Color Mode and a brand-new portrait style
performance when needed, has been
upgraded to version 2.0.
The addition of Touch Boost and
Frame Boost technologies would enhance
game feel and frame rate stability, which
OPPO claims will deliver a 38 percent
increase in performance.
ColorOS 6 comes packed with
advanced imaging technologies. The
upgrade introduces two new features:
Dazzle Color Mode and a brand-new
portrait style.
Dazzle Color Mode leverages mapping
algorithms to restore vivid colors, reverse
light and improve shading in pictures. It
also expands the range of scenarios that
smartphone photography can handle.
ColorOS 6 also employs AI to scan
through the most-viewed photos on
ROME, Italy — Fifth-generation cellular
networks will stretch across most of the
industrialized world within a few years. Thanks
to researchers and developers in Bologna, Italy,
that will include the inside of buildings, opening
up a wide range of new uses.
The technology, best known as 5G, is on the
cutting edge of cellular networks. It offers faster
and more stable network connections and can
support up to ten times as many users in a given
area compared to traditional fourth-generation
(4G) networks
Specifically, it can support as many as a million
devices per square kilometer, compared to less
than 100,000 devices per square kilometer for 4G.
According to Raffaele Barberio, director
of Key4biz, a leading technology and digital
communications portal, that makes 5G ideal for
areas with brief, dense numbers of users, such as
stadiums, rallies or concerts.
But thanks to the work of researchers and
technology developers from the University of
Bologna and communications company JMA Teko,
part of JMA Wireless, 5G networks are being used
inside buildings, where they have the capacity
social networks globally to customize
five portrait filters. Algorithm-based
optimization for facial recognition
and skin tone adjustment helps to
intelligently meet user demand for
beautification capabilities.
It also introduces powerful security
features to mitigate the risks of personal
data leaks in both high-frequency and
extreme cases, including App Encryption,
Private Safe, and Find my Device.
To ensure payment security, ColorOS
6 features automatic payment blocking,
payment identity verification and
environment monitoring for payment
apps, eliminating risks like induced
payment, unsafe links and fraudulent
messages.
The new upgrade first hits OPPO’s
popular F9 smartphone and will
subsequently be rolled out for the
flagship Find X and a range of available
OPPO devices in the near future to
deliver an enhanced software experience
for all ColorOS users.
Italian researchers eye new
‘in-building’ 5G networks
to run industrial robots and guide automated
assembly and production lines that must be
precisely synchronized.
In this way, the use of 5G networks is not just
better than 4G, Barberio said, but also superior
to wireless-fidelity, or WiFi, systems that are used
to allow devices to communicate and coordinate.
“The ‘in-building’ networks are a unique way to
take advantage of the frequencies that allow very
high concentrations of devices to be connected
with very fast speeds, with more capacity, shorter
delays, and more stability than would have seemed
possible a few years ago,” Remo Ricci, chief
executive of JMA Teko, told Xinhua.
JMA Teko, one of the creators of “in-building”
5G networks, was the first to offer the technology
commercially though others have since followed
suit, according to Ricci.
Much of the worldwide focus on 5G networks
has been on the impact they will have for personal
mobile phone usage. There are predictions the new
technology will represent a new boom for mobile
phone producers, since consumers will have to
buy new devices in order to access the new, faster
networks.
Xinhua
Social media
helps Kiwis
better learn
Asia — survey
Increased personal
connections and travel to
Asia are helping to make
New Zealanders feel more
knowledgeable about the
region, the survey found
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Social
media and Asian entertainment are
helping young New Zealanders connect
with Asia in new ways, according to a
latest survey.
The 2018 Perceptions of Asia survey,
conducted by the Asia New Zealand
Foundation on 2,000 Kiwis, showed that
under-30s are learning more about Asia
from their peers and they in turn are
passing their knowledge on to older
generations.
Asia New Zealand Foundation Executive
Director Simon Draper said “Asia is
starting to become more familiar to
New Zealanders, but the knowledge and
confidence they have gained are coming
from a wider variety of sources than we
have perhaps seen in the past.”
Increased personal connections and
travel to Asia are helping to make New
Zealanders feel more knowledgeable about
the region, the survey found.
It showed a marked increase in New
Zealanders’ self-assessed knowledge of
Asia compared to five years ago. Nearly
half of all New Zealanders feel they know at
least a fair amount about Asia, compared
to 33 percent in 2013.
About 81 percent of New Zealanders
think it is either important or very
important for New Zealand to develop
economic and cultural ties with Asia,
and about 78 percent of New Zealanders
think learning an Asian language would
benefit New Zealand children, the survey
showed.
Awareness of China’s Belt and Road
Initiative is rising, with 44 percent of
those surveyed having heard of it, up 8
percentage points in a year. Most people
are neutral or positive about it, it said.
General awareness of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) is high,
with 82 percent of those surveyed said
they had heard of APEC, but only 6
percent thought they knew “a fair
amount” about it.
Xinhua
They used liquid-handling robots to write digital
information by dotting mixtures of metabolites into
a grid on a surface. An instrument called a mass
spectrometer can read the locations and identities of
the metabolites and report out binary data.
Previously, biomolecules like DNA have been used to help
store information. In the new study, the researchers resorted to
another molecules: metabolites, which are smaller, more diverse
and have the potential to store information at greater density
than the genome.
Metabolite is any chemicals involved in metabolism, either as
a product of metabolism or as necessary for metabolism.
They used liquid-handling robots to write digital information
by dotting mixtures of metabolites into a grid on a surface. An
instrument called a mass spectrometer can read the locations
and identities of the metabolites and report out binary data.
They could encode the information from a picture and then
decode it to redraw the image with 98 to 99.5 percent accuracy.
In the study, the researchers recovered the image of an anchor
and a banner with the inscription of “Hope.”
“A molecular hard drive or a chemical computer might still
seem like science fiction, but biology shows us it is possible,”
said Jacob Rosenstein with Brown University, who led the study.
Global Times
NASA logo stands
proudly.
The US space agency NASA’s cargo provider
SpaceX recently launched a Dragon spacecraft,
starting its resupply mission to the International
Space Station (ISS).
The spacecraft, packed with about 2,268
kg of research, crew supplies and vehicle
hardware, lifted off at 6:01 p.m. EDT (1001
GMT) from Space Launch Complex 40 at the
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the US
state of Florida.
About 10 minutes later, the second-stage
engine has burnt completely and “Dragon
confirmed in good orbit,” according to
SpaceX’s official Twitter account.
Among Dragon’s payloads is NASA’s
International Docking Adapter-3, where
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s Crew
Dragon spacecraft will dock in the near future
to transport astronauts to the station.
The Dragon spacecraft also brought into
space the BioFabrication Facility, designed
to print organ-like tissues in microgravity, a
stepping stone in a long-term plan
to manufacture whole human
organs in space using refined biological 3D
printing techniques, according to NASA.
An investigation to be conducted on
SOPHIE the
robotic chef
preparing to
make laksa, a
local dish of rice
noodles served in
a curry sauce, in
Singapore. AFP
SpaceX launches research facilities to Int’l Space Station
The Dragon spacecraft also brought into space the BioFabrication
Facility, designed to print organ-like tissues in microgravity, a stepping
stone in a long-term plan to manufacture whole human organs in space
using refined biological 3D printing techniques, according to NASA
the ISS, the “Biorock,” developed by
researchers from University of Edinburgh,
will scrutinize the physical interactions of
liquid, rocks and microorganisms under
microgravity conditions for biomining in
space.
The reusable spacecraft will spend
approximately one month attached to the
ISS before returning to Earth.
Global Times
A STAFF presents Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) mobile phone at the launching ceremony
in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong Province The smartphone, powered by the
Balong 5000, Huawei’s first 7nm multi-code 5G chipset with the Kirin 980, is currently
the world’s only dual-mode 5G cellphone that supports standalone/non-standalone
simultaneously.
XINHUA

"
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
U.N. appeals for Yemen
WORLD
B13
‘The world should not turn its back’
AMMAN, Jordan — A senior United Nations (UN) official
appealed for the international community “not to turn its
back” on Yemen and to honor its pledges of aid for the
impoverished and war-battered country.
“Four years of conflict according to the UNDP latest
report have set back Yemen by 20 years,” United Nations
Development Program administrator Achim Steiner told
AFP in an interview in Amman.
It is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.
He said the UN had received less than 36 percent of
the $2.6 billion (2.3 billion euros) pledged at a Geneva
conference in February.
“Currently in the next two or three months we can expect
that if funding does not materialise, over 21 programmes will
have to be rolled back,” Steiner added following his first visit
to Yemen since taking up his post in 2017.
Tens of thousands of people have died since a Saudi-led
SECURITY officials examine the plane crash site on the outskirts of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — At least
57 inmates were killed during a prison
riot in northern Brazil on Monday as
rival gang factions fought each other,
an official said.
Sixteen of the dead were decapitated
in the second major eruption of
violence to rock the country’s severely
overpopulated and deadly prison system
in as many months.
Fighting broke out in the Altamira
Regional Recovery Center at around
7:00 a.m. , an official from
coalition intervened in support of the Yemeni government
against Shiite Huthi rebels in 2015, according to relief
agencies.
“It is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world and in
some respects, it is getting worse because hostilities and
fighting still continue and the situation for 20 million or
over two thirds of Yemeni citizens require humanitarian
support,” he said.
“Ten million people currently face the acute risk of
famine.”
“The world should not turn its back on Yemen,” he
urged, appealing for “solidarity and generosity” from the
international community.
An estimated 24 million Yemenis — more than 80 percent
of the population — depend on some form of humanitarian
or protection assistance for survival, according to the UN.
The world body has warned that millions of Yemenis are
on the verge of famine, while essential health, education
and other services have all but collapsed. AFP
XINHUA
A YEMENI girl fills a bucket with water following heavy rainfall in the outskirts of the Yemeni
capital Sanaa.
AFP
Army plane crashes
into residential area
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — Seventeen
people were killed when a small military
plane crashed into a residential area in the
Pakistani city of Rawalpindi early Tuesday,
officials told AFP, in the latest disaster to
hit the country’s troubled aviation sector.
The plane crashed into a poor village near
an upscale neighborhood in the garrison city
that is home to the army’s headquarters,
creating a fireball that lit up the night sky
and terrified residents.
“We have received 17 dead bodies including
12 civilians and five crew members,” said local
rescue spokesman Farooq Butt, adding that
a further 12 people had been injured in the
accident near the capital Islamabad.
One resident told AFP that the crash
happened around 2am.
“I woke to the sound of a huge explosion. I
stepped out of my house and saw huge flames
Brazil prison riot leaves 57 dead
the Para state government’s penitentiary
department told AFP.
Two guards were taken hostage during
the hours-long clashes, which were
brought under
control at
around midday.
The guards were
eventually freed.
Brazilian TV
stations showed
footage of thick
black smoke
rising from the prison compound and
people sitting on the roof of a building.
Other images showed flames inside a
building that almost reached the ceiling
and people, apparently prisoners, sitting
on the ground outside.
“It is likely that many detainees died
from asphyxiation (from
smoke),” the government
official said.
No firearms were
found at the scene, but
We have received 17 dead bodies
including 12 civilians and five
crew members
improvised knives appear to have been used
in the turf war, according to a statement
issued by the penitentiary department.
Some of the bodies had not yet been
recovered due to the heat inside some
of the prison structures.
The Ministry of Justice and Public
Security said ringleaders of the violence
would be transferred to federal jails,
which are more secure.
and we rushed to the site,” said Mohammad Sadiq.
“People were screaming. We tried to help
them but the flames were too high and the fire
too intense, so we could not do anything. The
dead includes seven members of one family
and most of them were burned to death.”
Another resident Ghulam Khan said he
heard the plane as it buzzed over his house,
adding the aircraft appeared to be on fire
before it crashed.
“The sound was so scary,” he added.
The military’s information wing said the
plane was on a routine training mission when
the accident occurred, adding that rescue
officials had extinguished the fire caused by
the crash and moved the injured to a local
hospital.
An AFP reporter at the scene said smoke
was still rising from the wreckage and
destroyed homes, while pieces of the plane
were visible on a nearby roof.
Rescue workers could be seen combing
through the smoldering site, gathering debris
and inspecting the scene while ambulances
swarmed the area.
AFP
About 311 prisoners were being held
at the jail, which the department said
was not overcrowded. It reportedly has
a capacity for 200 inmates.
An outbreak of violence in the
same prison in September 2018 left
at least seven inmates dead, local
media reported previously. Guards
had apparently foiled an attempted
prison escape. AFP
A POLICE officer patrols the surroundings of the Altamira Regional Recovery Centre after a prison riot in the Brazilian northern city of Altamira.
China’s latest
tech innovation
BEIJING, China — The success of the
test is of great significance for improving
China’s inland rocket landing safety.
China has successfully tested the
technology that can accurately control
the landing site of falling rocket parts,
making progress toward reusable launch
vehicles in the future, China Aerospace
Science and Technology Corporation
(CASC) said on Sunday.
The CASC said that the test was carried
out following a Long March-2C rocket
launched on Friday, and focused on grid
fins which are like “wings” on rocket core
part to increase precision in control of
its landing location.
According to experts from the CASC,
the rocket’ flight trajectory is designed
to avoid densely populated areas. But
after completing the mission, the rocket
debris falls under no control with a wide
range of landing points which sometimes
involve inhabited areas.
In order to ensure the safety of
people’s lives and property, the currently
practice is to evacuate people to the safety
zone before each mission, which is not
only inconvenient for the local people,
but increases the cost and task difficulty.
The success of the test is of great
significance for improving China’s inland
rocket landing safety, minimizing the
inconvenience to the local people, as well
as promoting the follow-up development
of carrier rockets’ controllable recovery,
soft landing and reuse, according to He
Wei, an official with the CASC.
“The swinging grid fins were used
to control the rocket debris’ direction
and attitude, much like the wings of the
debris,” said Cui Zhaoyun, the deputy
chief designer of Long March-2C rocket.
The landing site control of large and
medium rockets is much more difficult
than that of small rockets, he added.
Global Times
MAPUTO, Mozambique — Mozambique’s
parliament on Monday passed an amnesty bill
that will pardon all criminal acts committed
against the State as part of the government
commitment to honor the deals with the
main opposition party, Renamo, in the peace
negotiation process.
“It has been proven necessary for political
stability and the guarantee of an effective
and long-lasting peace and ensuring mutual
trust between the parts and for national
reconciliation, the proposition of an amnesty
law to eliminate the responsibility of all who
may have committed acts that are punished
by the penal law,” said Minister of Justice,
Religious and Constitutional Affairs Joaquim
Verissimo at the Assembly of the republic.
The law was submitted to parliament as an
initiative of President of Mozambique Filipe
Nyusi with the aim of achieving effective,
lasting and definitive peace, reconciliation
among Mozambicans, and the strengthening
and consolidation of national unity.
The amnesty law is the second to be
approved in less than five years. The first law
was approved in August 2014 as an initiative
of the former president of the country,
Mozambique seeks lasting peace
Armando Guebuza.
The first law was approved on the edge of
the ceasefire agreement signed by Guebuza
and late leader of main opposition Afonso
Dhlakama early in September.
==============================================
============================
Case Law
By VICTOR C. AVECILLA
Tiong Bi, Inc. v. Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
G.R. No. 229106, February 20, 2019 / Second Division / Reyes, J. Jr., J.
Remedial Law; Injunctions; Temporary Restraining Orders.
— For injunctive relief to be granted, there must exist an
urgent necessity to prevent serious damage. A temporary
restraining order is issued only if the matter is of such
extreme urgency that grave injustice and irreparable injury
will arise unless it is issued immediately. The burden is on the
petitioner to show in the application for injunctive relief that
there is meritorious ground for the issuance of a temporary
restraining order in petitioner’s favor. (VOLUME 2, NUMBER 148)
========================================
AFP
According to the proposal, presented by
Verissimo, the pardon referred in the law is
granted on the condition that the beneficiary
does not repeat or commit any of the crimes
covered by this standard. Global Times
=========================

B14 WORLD Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
THIEVES LURK
Facebook ‘like’ dangers
Users should therefore be warned and asked to consent to their data being
gathered
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg — Europe’s top court
ruled Monday that online retailers must warn web users
that they send personal data to Facebook through the
“like” button.
According to the European Court of Justice (ECJ)
ruling, a site that embeds the Facebook “like” icon and
link on its pages also sends user data to the US web giant.
“It seems that that transmission occurs without
that visitor being aware of it and regardless of
whether or not he or she is a member of the social
network Facebook or has clicked on the ‘Like’
button,” it said.
Under EU data protection law, therefore, a European
retailer and the US platform are jointly responsible
for gathering the data and sending it to Facebook’s
Irish subsidiary.
Users should therefore be warned and asked to
consent to their data being gathered, although the
Myanmar tigers dwindling
YANGON, Myanmar — At least 22 tigers
remained in Myanmar, said the Forest
Department Tuesday quoting its recent survey.
The survey covered 8 percent of the tiger
habitat in the country.
The figure came as the department
under the Ministry of Natural Resources
and Environmental Conservation (MNREC)
observed the World Tiger Day in Nay Pyi
Taw Monday.
Speaking at the event, Minister of the
MNREC U Ohn Win said that Myanmar is
one of the 13 countries in the world which
have a tiger population and about 7 percent
of Myanmar’s total area or over 12 million
acres (4.86 million hectares) serves as a
habitat for tigers, indicating that tigers can
breed in Myanmar forests.
The World Tiger Day was marked to spread
awareness about the decline in the number
of wild tigers in the world and to encourage
the work of tiger conservation.
In accordance with the Conservation
of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law
promulgated in May 2018, tiger, along
with elephant, leopard and golden deer,
is included in the list of totally protected
species.
Meanwhile, as part of its efforts to
combat illegal wildlife trade, Myanmar burnt
confiscated wildlife parts in the capital of Nay
Pyi Taw in October last year. Xinhua
Celebrate life in coffins
NIEVES, Spain — Six open coffins are
paraded around a church and its cemetery
as onlookers sing religious songs – but their
occupants are all perfectly alive.
This strange ritual takes place on 29 July
each year in the village of Las Nieves in Galicia
in northwestern Spain on the feast day of the
local parish’s most important saint, Martha,
whose brother Lazarus was raised from the
dead when Jesus visited their home according
to the Bible’s account.
It is intended as a way for
people to thank the saint for
having saved
ATTENDEES play with soap bubbles at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin.
MOSCOW, Russia — Gigantic forest fires have
regularly raged through the vast expanses of
Russia’s Siberia, but the magnitude of this year’s
blazes has reached an exceptional level with fears
of a long-term impact on the environment.
As fires sweep across millions of hectares
enveloping entire cities in black smoke and noxious
fumes, environmentalists warn of a disaster
threatening to accelerate the melting of the Arctic.
More than 3.2 million hectares (7.9 million acres)
went up in flames on Monday, mainly in
the vast regions of Yakutia
in the north and
Krasnoyarsk
and Irkutsk
in Siberia,
themselves or a loved one from death through
illness or accident — or to implore her to do so.
Among the devotees this year was Maria
Rodriguez, who spent 45 minutes stretched
out in a coffin as it was carried by pallbearers,
to thank the saint for having saved her dog
from cancer.
“It was something spontaneous,” the
69-year-old retiree told AFP when asked why
she decided to take part.
“You don’t think, it comes from the heart
and soul when you love someone,”
added Rodriguez who came from
Vigo, the closest big city to the
village, for the festival. AFP
retailer is not responsible for what Facebook does
with it later.
“As a result of this case, companies that embed
this ‘like’ button on their website cannot hide behind
Facebook any longer,” said Monique Goyens, of the
European Consumer Organization.
“The decision therefore underlines the right for
internet users to always get information on what data
are collected and how they are used by websites,”
she said.
The case was brought by a German consumer
protection agency against online clothes site Fashion
ID, which embeds a Facebook button to encourage
shoppers to publicize its wares.
Bitkom, a German trade federation for online
businesses criticized the ruling, saying it would
heap costly bureaucracy on firms without enhancing
consumer protection.
“With its decision, the ECJ places enormous
responsibility on thousands of website operators — from
small travel blogs to online megastores and the portals of
large publishers,” Bitkom CEA Bernard Rohleder said.
He warned that the decision would go beyond
Facebook and effect all social media plug ins, which
are important for many firms to expand their reach
on the web.
AFP
PEOPLE are carried in coffins by relatives during the annual “Procession of the Shrouds” to celebrate Santa Martha “the saint
of resurrection” in the village of Santa Marta de Ribarteme, northwestern Spain.
AFP
Moroccan King pardons prisoners
RABAT, Morocco — Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has
marked 20 years on the throne by pardoning thousands of
prisoners, including some from the “Hirak” protest movement
that rocked the country in 2016.
On the eve of the royal anniversary on Tuesday,
an official statement announced 4,764 people
were to be pardoned including some detained
during the months of protests in the
long-marginalized northern Rif region.
No further details were
given.
The Al-Hirak al-Shaabi,
or “Popular Movement,”
was sparked by the death
of a fisherman but soon
spiralled into demands
for more development and
action against corruption
and unemployment.
More than 400
protesters are thought to
have been arrested and
tried in connection with
the demonstrations, but
no official figures are
XINHUA
available. Around 250 of
them have previously been
pardoned.
Siberia wildfires may accelerate global warming
authorities said.
The fires, triggered by
dry thunderstorms in
temperatures above 30
degrees Celsius (86 degrees
An official statement announced 4,764
people were to be pardoned
Fahrenheit), were spread by strong winds, Russia’s
federal forestry agency said.
The acrid smoke has affected not only small
settlements but also major cities in Western
Siberia and the Altai region as well as the Urals
such as Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, and
disrupted air travel.
“The smoke is horrible. I am choking and dizzy,”
pensioner Raisa Brovkina, who was hospitalised in
Russia’s third-largest city Novosibirsk, told state
television.
On Sunday,
the smoke
On Monday night, the king also pledged a government
reshuffle and an injection of “new blood” into political and
administrative positions to help tackle inequality.
In a speech at his palace in the northern city of Tetouan,
the 55-year-old monarch, who succeeded his father Hassan II
in 1999, welcomed progress in infrastructure and freedoms
in the country but said the efforts had not had “sufficient
impact.”
A new constitution passed by a July 2011 referendum
strengthened the powers of the prime minister and parliament.
But the king retains overall authority as head of state,
chief of the military and the country’s top Islamic authority
as well as tight control over key sectors of the economy. AFP
MOROCCAN King Mohammed VI rides a horse during ceremonies
marking his first year on the throne in 2000.
AFP
reached neighboring Kazakhstan.
A “concentration of pollutants exceeding the
norm” was recorded in several cities, including the
capital Nur-Sultan, said the Kazakh meteorological
service.
Aside from health fears for the local population,
environmentalists warn the fires may accelerate
global warming.
“The forest fires in the eastern part of the country
have long stopped being a local problem,” the
Russian branch of Greenpeace said in a statement.
“It has transformed into an ecological disaster
with consequences for the entire country.”
According to the environmental group, almost
12 million hectares were burnt this year, causing
significant CO2 emissions
and reducing the future
capacity of forest to
absorb the carbon
dioxide. AFP
MORE than 400 hot air-balloons take off from the Chambley-Bussieres airbase, eastern France, during a missed attempt to break the simultaneous air-balloon take off world record in Hagéville.
AFP

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
NATION
B15
By Jonas Reyes
MARIA AURORA, Aurora — The Philippine Army
is still continuing search and rescue operations for
a missing aircraft that was among five planes which
left Baler Airport on Sunday afternoon.
According to 91st Infantry Sinagtala Battalion
commander Lt. Col. Jose Mari Torrenueva II of the
Philippine Army, they are still searching for the
MARIVELES, Bataan — Fisherfolk are
asking the government to rehabilitate the
entire coastal area of the town on Sunday
after pointing out pollution allegedly caused
by companies operating near the area has
affected their fishing grounds and health
of the town.
According to Bataan Anglers Association
President Lloyd Reyes, this has already
affected their livelihood. “We are trying
to propose to the government to have a
rehabilitation program in the entire coastal
area of Mariveles where (pollution) is
basically the problem,” he said.
Reyes claimed that pollutants coming
from big companies along the coastline
have been affecting Mariveles for many
years, adding that they were surprised
that huge firms have set up business along
the coastlines allegedly without public
consultation.
By Daniel Yap
TAGBILARAN CITY — Provincial
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Search on for missing plane
Pollution affecting
fishing livelihood
NEWS BRIEFS
No free ride this time
C-152 Cessna plane RPC 3604 owned by the Omni
Aviation Corporation and piloted by Aaron Dizon.
Torrenueva reported that the other four aircrafts
made it safely back to Clark Airport.
The battalion has been conducting search and
rescue operations since Sunday, adding that the
Army went up the mountains and stayed there
since Sunday night.
Members of the Philippine National Police,
Around 300 fishermen have been affected
as they used to fish at their “ancestral”
fishing ground, a good half kilometer from
the shoreline, but now fisherfolk need to go
as far as Cavite to have a bountiful catch
away from polluted waters.
“There are many fishing grounds that
were affected by the pollution. This has
literally affected the small fishermen. We
are asking the local government and the
national government to look into the matter.
This time, let us start to stand up for the
fishermen,” said Reyes.
Fisherfolk attached a streamer to a fishing
boat that said “Coastal Municipal Water at
Mamamayan Protektahan” to show their intent
for the rehabilitation of the coastal area of
Mariveles and raise awareness on what was
happening to their town as well as convince
the government to be proactive in resolving
the issue.
JReyes
Simulation exercises held
Office (PDRMMO) head Anthony
Damalerio said there could be at least
three more simulation exercises (SIMEX)
to boost the readiness of the first response
Practice makes perfect Simulation exercises are held in by PDRMMO in Tagbilaran City.
BULACAN — Police Sr. MSgt. Menandro Eugenio of the Manila Police District arrested security
guard Luisito Obien, 51, a resident of Calumpit, Bulacan who had been using a fake ID to get free
bus rides with Baliwag Transit.
Confiscated from the suspect were several fake police identifications cards, ATM card and other
legal IDs. The arrested also has various Facebook accounts posing as secret agent, intelligence
operative, MI6 British Secret Service agent, NAPOLCOM agent and claims to be with the Army
Reserve Command, among others.
Eugenio brought Obien to Hagonoy Municipal Police Office for proper documentation and
disposition as a case of Usurpation of Authority and Falsification of Documents are being prepared
against the suspect.
Jonas Reyes
Session Road festival set
BAGUIO CITY — Members of the Baguio City Council are on their way to institutionalize a
“Session Road History and Heritage Festival” on the third Saturday of April until the second
Sunday of June of every year and allowing an appropriate funding of P0.5 million for this purpose.
The event is to commemorate the importance of Session Road to history as well as raise awareness
on the famed road’s history as it has been already unknown and forgotten by residents and tourists alike.
Session Road was named as it leads to the location of the site where the Philippine Commission
held its first sessions in Baguio, which were held in 1904 to which they were able to approve 74 Acts
and 272 Resolutions. Some legislations of the Commission were the creation of the Philippine Senate
and the Senate’s initiative to dub Baguio as the Philippines’ Summer Capital. Aldwin Quitasol
Make boat ticketing easier
TAGBILARAN CITY — Bohol 1st district board member Lucille Lagunay is looking to make the
ticketing process in seaports easier specially for people who travel often, with less steps in the
manner similar to what is being done in the airline industry.
“Considering that tourism is now our main economic driver all the more that it is urgent and
necessary that we should improve this segment of the tourism industry,” she said as she urged
shipping companies to help cut the process of getting a ticket from four to two steps.
She suggests that anyone who buys a boat ticket should already include a terminal fee,
and then the passenger will then get a seat assignment ticket at the same time check-in
the baggage. Lagunay is confident that the same process can be handled by the shipping
companies and the Philippine Ports Authority.
Daniel Yap
teams in the province following the same
activities last week.
Damalerio said that Bohol Gov. Arthur
Yap advised him of the need to conduct more
Show political will Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu (right photo) calls on local executives to show “decisive
environmental leadership” by riding on President Duterte’s strong political will to solve pollution ills in the country as shown
in the ongoing rehabilitation of Boracay and Manila Bay.
DENR PHOTO
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Office, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Offices of San Luis and Maria Aurora,
Bureau of Fire Protection, local government units
as well as volunteers are helping the search for the
missing aircraft.
Torrenueva added that a chopper from the
Philippine Air Force arrived to help look for the
missing aircraft, and they have also utilized drones
Fields of green A farmer tends his crops in Rizal.
D A I L Y G O S P E L
Wednesday of the Seventeenth week in Ordinary Time
Jesus said to his disciples:
“The Kingdom of heaven is like
a treasure buried in a field,
which a person finds and hides
again, and out of joy goes and
sells all that he has and buys
that field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven
is like a merchant searching for
fine pearls.
for the search.
Meanwhile, San Luis Municipal Police Station
chief Lt. Harold Donato said that there was an
unverified report that an aircraft crashed in the
mountains of Maria Aurora and San Luis.
Donato said that an old man claimed to
have seen the plane pass through a cloud
but suddenly disappeared in the part of the
Dialatnan mountain.
Men on a mission Rescue operatives continue searching for missing Cessna plane in Aurora.
SIMEX activities as a means to prepare for
worst-case scenarios that could occur such
as disaster or security incidents.
He admitted that while the conduct
of the exercise was far from perfect, he
was elated with the participation and
cooperation of the different government
agencies and the private sector in the
simulation exercises.
Damalerio said preparedness is key
in handling critical situations such as
emergency cases during high profile
events such as yesterday’s Sandugo.
Last Thursday’s activity simulated a
bombing incident inside the CPG Sports
Complex and gauged the ability of the
first responders and law enforcement
agents to react to an emergency situation.
Seven years ago, a SIMEX was staged
at the old Capitol building simulating
a hostage-taking situation and a mass
casualty incident. Two years ago,
a SIMEX was held in Doljo, Panglao
simulating a terrorist attack via the
beach in anticipation of the opening of
the Association of Southeast Asian Nation
meetings and then anticipated opening of
the Bohol Panglao International Airport.
Damalerio said further SIMEX will be
held at the airport, possibly in a mall, and
in a public market in the future.
DUMAGUETE CITY — Two suspected members of
the communist New People’s Army (NPA) were arrested
Monday afternoon for illegal possession of firearms within
the same area where several police officers were killed
during an intelligence operation.
Reports from Camp Fernandez in Negros Oriental
identified the two as Rico Oracoy, 39, and Lito Cadusale,
51, both of Sitio Yamot in Ayungon town.
The police reported they recovered
two units of caliber .38
revolver, a rifle grenade,
two sets of improvised
explosive devices, and
a bandolier from the
suspects during an
operation related to the
recent armed encounter
between government
troops and the NPA.
Four police officers
from Regional Mobile
Force Battalion-7 were
killed by suspected
rebels during
intelligence operations
of investigating NPA
LOCAL
METRO MANILA
32°C
24°C
METRO CEBU
32°C
25°C
METRO DAVAO
31°C
24°C Partly
INTERNATIONAL
Seoul
S. KOREA
30°C
25°C
CLOUDY SKIES
Tokyo
JAPAN
PARTLY CLOUDY
SKIES
Suspected NPA members fall
Matthew 13: 44-46
WEATHER
Cloudy skies w/rainshowers
and thunderstorm
Partly cloudy skies w/
rainshowers and thunderstorm
cloudy skies w/
rainshowers and thunderstorm
Beijing
CHINA
33°C
25°C 34°C
23°C
CLEAR SKIES
ROMAN PROSPERO
presence in the same barangay last July 20.
Meanwhile, members of the police force and suspected
members of the NPA also engaged in an encounter in Sitio
Talaptapan, Bindoy in Negros Oriental last Monday. No
casualties on the side of the government were reported.
The government troops were on an operation when
they encountered an undetermined number of NPAs,
which resulted in a 20-minute firefight with the NPAs
retreating north.
DYap
When he finds a pearl of great
price, he goes and sells all that
he has and buys it.”

B16 NATION
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Lantern parade Chinese lanterns festoon the Lucky Chinatown mall plaza.
Stronger Phl-Russian ties
Philippine Navy (PN) Flag Officer in Command
Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad met with his Russian
counterpart on Monday as part of the Russian Navy
Day celebration in St. Petersburg, Russia.
During their meeting at the Russian Naval
Museum in St. Petersburg, Russian Navy Chief
of Staff Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov conveyed his
appreciation for the PN’s very first participation in
their celebration.
Yevmenov also acknowledged that the
relationship of the two countries are improving.
For his part, Empedrad invited the Russian navy
chief to visit the Philippines.
Empedrad was joined by Maj. Gen. Dante
Hidalgo, commander of the Naval Reserve Command,
and other senior officials from the PN during his
PHILIPPINES Navy meets its Russian counterparts in St. Petersburg.
courtesy call to Yevmenov.
This is the second time that Empedrad was
invited to participate in the Russian Navy Day
celebration and the first time that the PN sent one
of its Tarlac Class Landing Docks to participate in
an international fleet review at Vladivostok, Russia.
Capt. Jonathan Zata, director of the Naval Public
Affairs Office, said the mission to Vladivostok is part
of the Navy’s diplomatic role as it seeks to establish
engagements with other regional navies.
“This is to contribute to peace and stability in
the West Pacific in general and South China Sea in
particular,” he said.
The Russian Navy Day Celebration was witnessed
by delegates of Navies from Vietnam and 26 other
countries.
FTW
Zhao junks
confrontation
While performing its duty to safeguard China’s national security, the PLA has been
relentlessly making efforts to safeguard regional and world peace and stability
China looks back on its friendly
history with the Philippines and calls
to strengthen these ties as shared by
Ambassador Zhao Jinhua during the
92nd anniversary celebration of the
Chinese People’s Liberation Army
(PLA) in Makati City last Monday.
“China and the Philippines are
close neighbors and share thousands
of years of friendship and friendly
exchanges. More than a thousand
years ago, people-to-people exchanges
and contacts between China and the
Philippines were very prosperous,” said
Zhao in his speech.
“This long-lasting friendship
between our two peoples have laid a
solid foundation to the ever-growing
friendship and cooperation between
Carbon
Market
cleanup
ordered
By Rico M. Osmeña
our two countries,” he continued.
Under the term of President Rodrigo
Duterte, the Chinese PLA Navy has
already conducted two goodwill visits
to the Philippines.
“While performing its duty to
safeguard China’s national security,
the PLA has been relentlessly making
efforts to safeguard regional and world
peace and stability,” Zhao said.
He reiterates that the Chinese are
a peace-loving nation and will follow
the path of peaceful development as
a commitment to their people and to
the world, as it has been written into
the Constitution of China.
“No matter how strong China
may become, China will never seek
hegemony or never establish spheres
of influence. China will remain
committed to serving as a force for
peace, for stability, and for prosperity
in the world,” Zhao said.
Regarding the claim on the South
China Sea by both countries, as far as
he is concerned, Zhao says the issue has
stabilized in general. He also clarified
that China will follow its “policy of
peaceful settlement.”
“Despite the differences we have,
we are ready to discuss with claimants
over the differences we have. We always
believe by law is much better than
confrontation,” Zhao said.
“For China, for the Philippines and for
other claimant countries, it’s not easy to
settle. It cannot be settled overnight, so
we should be patient,” he added.
CLEARING operations for Carbon
underway.
RICO OSMEÑA
ANALY LABOR
If Manila has its Divisoria, Cebu
City has its Carbon Market.
Mayor Edgardo Labella yesterday
ordered the clearing of at least 200
illegal structures along Manuel L.
Quezon Avenue to help put vendors in
order and decongest traffic in the area
of the Carbon Market, considered to
be busiest but also the dirtiest public
market in Cebu City.
After visiting Carbon Market
with City Councilor Renato Osmeña
Jr., chairman of the Committee on
Markets, Labella assured more than
200 affected sidewalk vendors that they
will assign a new place in the public
market to sell their goods, products
and services.
“We have to put in order your
selling of products, goods and
services,” said Labella, who
promised to complete the Carbon
Market phase II as this will be the
By Raymart T. Lolo
The Department of Public Works
and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday
announced the widening of the
12.35-kilometer Cesar Angeles-Emilio
Vergara Bypass Road in Nueva Ecija.
The bypass road will connect the
municipality of Sta. Rosa to Cabanatuan
City. It is projected to bring about
commercial development in the eastern
side of the province.
The DPWH announced that four
lanes will be added to the current two
lanes of the bypass road.
District Engineer Ricardo Puno,
place where the vendors affected
will be transferred.
Labella also mentioned that
the Quezon road will be asphalted
for vehicles’ usage to decongest
traffic.
The highway and city road clearing
of DPWH-Nueva Ecija Second District
Engineering Office (DEO), reported that
the widening project is currently under
Phase 2 and a total of 4.16 kilometers of
the road will be completed soon.
“We are glad to announce that we are
close to completing the second phase
covering a total of 2.02-kilometers of
the bypass road. This is in addition
to the 2.14 kilometer-segment that
was widened under Phase 1 in 2018,”
Puno said.
“The expansion of the Cesar
Angeles-Emilio Vergara Bypass Road
is among our priority projects in the
province as it serves as an alternative
operations were started following the
orders of President Rodrigo Duterte to
clear highways and roads of all traffic
obstructions.
Carbon Market is the oldest trade
center in Cebu City and had existed
even before the Spanish occupation.
Wider bypass road in N. Ecija
road to Cabanatuan, eastern side of
Nueva Ecija and Aurora Province. It
has also opened a whole new area of
residential and commercial development
in the province,” he added.
Puno said the widening of the bypass
road is also necessary in anticipation
for the Cabanatuan Interchange Exit
of the Central Luzon Link Expressway
in Barangay Caalibangbangan,
Cabanatuan City.
A total of P100 million was initially
allocated for Phase 1 and 2 of the
bypass road widening project. The
multi-year project is planned for
completion by 2021.

NEW PHASE
FOR COTABATO
TOURISM
WHAT’S SO
FUNNY?
STAR MAGIC TALENTS JOIN
BEAUTEDERM FAMILY
TSITSIPAS
GETS TOP
BILLING
C18
C19
C20
D22
Dinah S. Ventura, Editor
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
LIFESTYLE
C17
THE sprawling grounds of Club Agutaya.
We fly to the best destinations in the Philippines and develop tourism in
Batanes, Coron, Boracay, Siargao and now we’re in San Vicente
Text and photos by Roel Hoang Manipon
There is much buzz about the quiet town of San
Vicente in northwest Palawan as a new, exciting tourist
destination in recent years. Much touted is its extensive
stretch of white-sand beaches.
“San Vicente is the most promising destination we
see in the Philippines right now. Here, there is a 14.7
kilometer (beach). It is not only the longest white beach
CELEBRATING SkyJet’s maiden flight to San Vicente, Palawan.
in the Philippines, it is also the second longest beach
in all of Southeast Asia,” described Patrick Tan, chief
executive officer of SkyJet Airlines.
​This emerging tourist spot has become more
accessible with the addition of another regular flight
from Manila. Local airline SkyJet recently made its
maiden flight to San Vicente in the long stretch of island
on the western part of the Philippines, considered as
the country’s last frontier and a tourist favorite.
Despite heavy rains brought by tropical
storm “Falcon,” the inaugural flight landed at
about 9:30 a.m. on 16 July at the San Vicente
Airport.
“We, at SkyJet, are always looking for new
destinations to develop. Right now, we are a
boutique airline. We fly to the best destinations
in the Philippines and develop tourism in
Batanes, Coron, Boracay, Siargao and now
we’re in San Vicente,” said Tan. “We look
around the Philippines for new destinations
to develop, and this is our current project. We
want to bring San Vicente up to the same level
as Boracay, as Busuanga and so on.”
“San Vicente is not your ordinary destination,”
emphasized James Paul Inawasan from the San Vicente
municipal government, representing acting mayor
Antonio Gonzales, citing the town’s biodiversity and
special environment. He said 23 of 25 endemic species
can be found in the town, which also has a forest cover
at 86 percent, the thickest in the country.
​Also present during the maiden flight was Danilo
Intong, regional director of the Department of Tourism
for Mimaropa Region, who said that “connectivity is
very important,” relating that getting to San Vicente
from Manila has not been very easy.
​Tan related that before, one had to take a flight to Puerto
Princesa, the capital city, and then a bus or van to San Vicente,
which takes about six hours through some rough roads.
The SkyJet Airlines flight takes about 50 minutes
and flies four times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays,
Fridays and Saturdays.) The plane lands at a small
airport, which is newly constructed. Inaugurated on 10
May 2018, it can accommodate about 150 passengers.
​San Vicente’s main attraction is the long stretch
of beach of fine sand ranging from ecru to beige. It
INAUGURAL flight.
is still uncrowded and with minimal development,
retaining a largely rustic air. The tour operators
here offer island-hopping trips and water sports
such as kayaking. Aside from Poblacion and adjacent
barangays, where most developments are located,
another destination within the town is Port Barton,
also known for beaches.
​The best resort in the town right now is Club Agutaya
in the barangay of San Isidro. It sits on a 3.5-hectare
property studded with
coconuts, gardens,
pools, charming villas
with grass roofs, the
main building with
has 32 rooms, a large
hut serving as the
restaurant and a nice
beachfront.
​With a direct
flight, San Vicente
will see rapid
developments in the
future.
COCONUT grove along
Long Beach.
LONGEST white beach in the Philippines and second longest in Southeast Asia.

C18
LIFESTYLE
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Once notorious for criminality and
the illegal drug trade, Cotabato
City became the second in
the Philippines to report the
largest drop in crime rate when
Guiani took over
Pomp and pageantry marked
the celebration of Cotabato
City’s 60th founding anniversary.
Thousands gathered at the city
plaza to dance the zumba and “Disco sa
Kalye.” There was even a motocross event
to excite enthusiasts.
“It was heart-warming to see a large crowd
of Cotabateños celebrate our festivities. This
only proved that the people were confident
about going out at night, knowing that
they would be safe,” said Mayor Cynthia
MAYOR Cynthia Guiani.
Guiani.
Safety is also a top concern among tourists, and the mayor assures
that those who are planning to visit the city’s top spots — including
the largest mosque in the Philippines, the Grand Mosque (Sultan Hadji
Hassanal Bolkiah Masjid); the oldest church in the city (Church of the
Immaculate Conception of Tamontaka); or even the city hall, also called
the People’s Palace, which is a mix of Muslim and Christian architectural
styles) — need not worry.
Once notorious for criminality and the illegal drug trade, Cotabato
City became the second in the Philippines to report the largest drop
in crime rate when Guiani took over from her older brother, Japal Jr.
(The late mayor died of cardiac arrest when Guiani was vice mayor.)
New phase for
Cotabato tourism
It was heart-warming to see a large crowd of
Cotabateños celebrate our festivities.
On her first elected term, Cynthia vowed to maintain peace and
order as her top priority. The city government plans to install high-tech
CCTV cameras built with sensors, license plate identification and facial
detection capacities. These will also be helpful in traffic management.
The city has been attracting more investors as a result of
THE local city government plans to open more opportunities for global marketing and tourism.
CITY Hall, also known as the People’s Palace.
Guiani’s peace and order campaign. “My second priority is to
build a stronger economy for this city. The Chinese are investing in
Cotabato City International Airport and the Sea Port. These will not
only open more opportunities for global marketing and tourism, but
also employ thousands of Cotabateños. Employment is a vital factor in
a growing economy. More people getting jobs means more investments
coming in,” she said.
The mayor will also strengthen local government social services,
especially targeted towards children and the elderly.
Mayor Guiani’s vision for her second term is to unite the city
and inspire the citizens for a better community, with her setting the
example. In her oath-taking speech, she declared, “There is only one use
of power and that is to serve the people of Cotabato City.” AG Gunting
Main Cabin
‘upgrade’
This is about investing in every single customer
who chooses Delta, no matter where they sit on
the plane
Fancy a stay in six hotels?
For only P28,000 nett, guests can
avail of RWM’s Grand Staycation
Package and enjoy overnight stays
at six of RWM’s eight acclaimed
accommodation brands
As it celebrates its 10th year as the Philippines’
integrated resort pioneer, Resorts World Manila
(RWM) lets guests have a taste of its world-class
hotels, signature Filipino hospitality and exquisite
dining options without having to break the bank.
For only P28,000 nett, guests can avail of
RWM’s Grand Staycation Package and enjoy
overnight stays at six of RWM’s eight acclaimed
accommodation brands, including three global
five-star hotels Marriott Manila Hotel, Sheraton
Manila Hotel and the Hilton Manila.
Guests also get overnight stay vouchers at
RWM’s practical luxury accommodations, Holiday
Inn Express Manila Newport City (HIEx Manila),
Belmont Hotel Manila and Savoy Hotel Manila.
Be one of the first to experience two of RWM’s
newest five-star additions, with a voucher for an
overnight stay for two in a Guest Room at the
Hilton Manila and an overnight stay voucher for
two in a Deluxe Room at the Sheraton Manila
Hotel. Staying at either hotel gives guests access
to the Vega Pool Club, which features the largest
outdoor hotel pool in the city.
The classic opulence of the Marriott Manila
Hotel may be enjoyed with a voucher for a Deluxe
Room for two. Depending on availability, guests
can request for rooms that offer sweeping views
of the scenic Villamor Golf Course.
Belmont Hotel Manila guests can enjoy views
of the Metro Manila skyline as well as the Ninoy
Aquino International Airport runways when they
Lanson Place
to open
The property, which will feature a 250-room hotel and a 150-room
serviced suites, will also be within close proximity to the
flagship SMX Convention Center Manila
Slated to open in 2022, the first
Lanson Place in the Philippines will
be located at the heart of SM Mall
of Asia providing guests with direct
access to extensive retail, F&B and
entertainment facilities.
The property, which will feature
a 250-room hotel and a 150-room
serviced suites, will also be within
close proximity to the flagship SMX
Convention Center Manila as well
as the iconic eCom office buildings,
making it ideal for business travelers
and MICE delegates.
RESORTS World Manila’s map of luxury accommodations featuring its signature properties.
redeem their Grand Staycation vouchers for a stay
in the Belmont’s Superior Room for two.
For a laidback staycation experience, Savoy
Hotel Manila lets guests enjoy the sociability
and openness of a hostel, with the full services,
comfort and privacy of a hotel. By redeeming
their Grand Staycation voucher for a stay at
Savoy’s Essential Room, guests can drop by
Savoy Hotel Manila’s Squares, a shared space
where guests can meet, mingle and relax.
Smart travelers will appreciate HIEx Manila’s
optimized approach to hotel accommodation,
with carefully selected creature comforts and
amenities that have become the brand’s signature
in all its properties around the world. The HIEx
Manila Grand Staycation voucher entitles the
SM Hotels and Conventions
Corporation (SMHCC) and Lanson
Place Hospitality Management
Limited (LPHM) recently signed a
management agreement heralding
the introduction of the Lanson Place
brand in the Philippines.
“We are delighted to be able
to introduce Lanson Place’s
contemporary lifestyle into the
Philippines. This is an important
milestone for our group, as we
establish our first foothold in the
Philippines. Lanson Place Hotel
and Serviced Suites will serve as
an ideal setting for guests looking
for quality accommodations and
attentive service, whether for a short- or
long-term stay. We are very excited to
be collaborating with SMHCC on this
project and we can’t wait to receive
our first guests,” says LPHM CEO
Michael Hobson.
“Lanson Place Hotel and Serviced
Suites Mall of Asia will be an
outstanding addition to the SMHCC
portfolio. Its anticipated opening
package holders to an overnight stay in a superior
room for two with buffet breakfast.
Guests can also avail of the Grand Food Trip which
will take them on a journey across the vast array of
buffet stations and hearty feasts throughout RWM’s
hotel and signature restaurants for only P10,000.
Enjoy bountiful buffets at Kusina by Hilton
Manila, S Kitchen at Sheraton Hotel Manila, Marriott
Café at Marriott Hotel Manila, Savoy Café at Savoy
Hotel Manila, Café Belmont at Belmont Hotel
Manila, The Terrace at Maxims Hotel and Silogue
at the RWM Garden Wing Gaming Area.
Diners can also savor unlimited servings of
the best-sellers of Victoria Harbour Café at the
RWM Garden Wing Gaming Area and Silk Road
at the Gaming Area.
(FROM left) Lanson Place Hospitality Management Limited CEO Michael
Hobson, Wing Tai Properties Limited director for Corporate Development
Karen Li, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp president Elizabeth Sy and SM
Prime Holdings Inc. Executive Committee chairman Hans Sy.
underscores the expanding footprint
of SMHCC and will be an added boost
in the booming Philippine hospitality
industry,” the hotel group president
Elizabeth Sy said.
Within 15 minutes away from the
capital’s two international airports,
Lanson Place Hotel and Serviced
Suites Mall of Asia is located near
the city’s main commercial and
entertainment districts as well as
tourist attractions such as museums
and historical landmarks.
A Bellini, please.
By November this year, travelers on board Delta’s international
routes will be delighted when the airline debuts its industry-leading
Main Cabin experience.
These include international flights scheduled for six and a half
hours or longer, plus select shorter international flights where Delta
One or Delta Premium Select is offered.
Free “Welcome Aboard” cocktails featuring Bellinis to start, hot
towel service and mix-and-match options for premium appetizers
and larger entrees are just a few of the ways Delta is differentiating
its international Main Cabin service.
“This is about investing in every single customer who chooses
Delta, no matter where they sit on the plane,” said Allison Ausband,
Delta’s senior vice president, In-Flight Service. “The thoughtful
touches we’re investing in throughout the new Main Cabin
experience were designed by flight attendants with one goal in
mind — delivering an exceptional experience that our customers
will rave about and one that our team, the best in the business, is
proud to deliver.”
Designed to delight and create “wow” moments that feel like
dining in your favorite splurge restaurant, Delta’s reinvented Main
Cabin experience has been met with high marks — with increased
customer satisfaction scores on the more than 700 flights it’s been
tested on between Portland and Tokyo-NRT over the past year.
BISTRO-STYLE dining in the sky.
Designed by flight attendants
The experience launching in November isn’t the same service
Delta started testing more than a year ago.
Rigorous reviews of the service through nearly 14,000 hours of
flight time, information from over 1,800 customer surveys, robust
crew feedback and input from a design team made up of 24 flight
attendants resulted in a number of changes to perfect the innovative
service for Delta’s international flights.
“With this service, at the end of the flight I know I’ve made a
difference in the customer’s journey,” said Michael Miller, a New
York-based flight attendant and member of the design team behind
the new experience. “I know I’ve had the opportunity to not only
offer an exceptional onboard experience, but also to engage with
customers and create special moments for them.”
Magical moments in-flight
In addition to these enhancements, over the past several
months, Delta has provided specialized training to its team
of more than 3,000 Pursers — the lead flight attendants on
international flights.
Responsible for the customer experience from nose to tail,
the Purser role at Delta has been elevated to include preflight
introductions in the gate house and personal greetings
at the boarding door — just a few examples of the important
connections between crew and customers that lead to memorable
moments and a delightful experience all around.
In addition to recently upgraded amenity kits, more international
onboard enhancements are coming soon, like refreshed earbuds
and headsets, to further demonstrate the airline’s commitment to
creating a best-in-class experience for all customers.

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
Like any other family, theirs
is not perfect. Due to his
job as an animator, Alex
keeps a tight schedule. This
affects his family life
SPOTLIGHT
C19
MICHAEL V and Dawn Zulueta as husband and wife Alex and May.
MIGUEL Tanfelix and Bianca Umali are Malix and Jenna.
CELLULOID SURFER
Kathleen Llemit
What’s so funny?
Apparently, a lot of
moviegoers like
Michael V’s directorial
piece, Family History.
Reports say that
his family drama grossed P3
million on its opening day on
24 July.
Michael V, also known as Bitoy,
is not only the director of the movie,
he also wrote its story and one of
its official soundtracks, “Ayoko Na,”
which his daughter, Brianna, sang.
He also did the storyboard used
in the film. He co-produced it with
the returning GMA Pictures, with
his wife, Carol, and their company,
MicTest Entertainment. And, best
of all, he stars in it.
The multi-hyphenate has said
in earlier interviews that Family
History is a family drama, but there
will be parts of comedy in there. It’s
not surprising for him to inject his
brand of humor, after all; it’s what
made him famous for more than
two decades in show business.
The story revolves around
his family. Alex (Michael V)
is married to May (Dawn
Zulueta).
They have a son
named Malix
(Miguel Tanfelix)
who is in a
relationship
KAPUSO
comedy
genius
Michael V.
NEA Crossword Puzzle
© 2018 UFS, Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication for UFS
ACROSS
1 Do a grammar
task
6 Kareem —
-Jabbar
11 Jiffy
12 Clergyman
13 Peddler
14 Unfired bricks
15 Admire oneself
16 Make cobwebs
17 Not his or her
19 ER picture
(hyph.)
23 PC abandon key
26 Part of BTU
28 Off-roader, for
short
29 Farm vehicle (2
wds.)
31 Leisurely walk
33 Kind of squash
with his schoolmate, Jenna (Bianca
Umali).
The first scene already attempts
to set the tone of the movie. While the
couple is preparing to go to bed, May
tries to strike a conversation with Alex.
Instead, she is greeted with, “Good
night,” and an oblivious Alex snores
the night away, leaving May wide awake
and seemingly pondering. As
a viewer, one would
get an inkling of
what’s going to
happen next.
This scene will
be repeated
in another
sequence.
Like any
other family,
theirs is not
perfect. Due to
his job as
a n
34 One-celled animals
35 Tenn. neighbor
36 Swindle
39 Insult
40 Yukon hauler
42 Mighty Dog rival
44 Stiff pleated collar
46 Prowess
51 Countenance
54 Night flight (hyph.)
55 Roves furtively
animator, Alex keeps a tight
schedule. This affects his family
life. One day, his wife is stricken
with a serious health condition.
Sickness, they say, brings out
the best and worst in any situation,
and in the case of Alex and May’s
marriage, it does both.
Secrets revealed provide much
of the drama in the film. As such,
one would wonder, if one of the
main casts falls ill, where
does humor come in? Does
it come sparingly, like
nuggets of wisdom uttered
as punchlines and
ends in a bittersweet
note just like most
melancholic dramas?
Alas, no. Michael
V tries to stretch it to
more than a punch line.
There’s one
phrase (it
has a
56 Slate
57 Unhappily
58 Speed
DOWN
1 Boat berth
2 A Bronte sister
3 Uncouth
4 Frozen-faced
5 Poetic adverb
6 Autobahn vehicle
7 New York
borough
8 Pat on
9 Sporty truck
10 Orchestra leader
— Baxter
11 Baseball award
12 Blue Grotto site
16 Lie on the beach
18 Ump’s cry
20 Synagogue
leader
21 Sahara
mountains
22 — St. Laurent
SUDOKU
23 Surpass
24 Scottish quick
bread
25 Freeway clogger
27 Soft lid
29 Big trees
30 Hosp. personnel
32 Pill, e.g.
34 Fuse word
37 Bistros
38 Politico — Landon
41 Prolong the
vowels
43 Psi follower
45 Nasty
47 “Et tu” time
48 Polite chap
49 London park
50 Mild brew
51 Corp. officers
52 Tax-deferred
nest egg
53 Instant lawn
54 Fan cry
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
very contextual nature and it will
be handy that adults are equipped
to explain to young minds if the
occasion arises) that he uses again
in an incredulous moment.
It is supposed to be a climactic
scene where revelations unfold.
When this happens, viewers are
supposed to emphatize and piece
things together with the characters.
But as one other viewer notes, the
injection of that phrase is anticlimactic;
it sort of creates the
confusion of what’s happening.
Sickness, they say, brings
out the best and worst
in any situation, and in
the case of Alex and May’s
marriage, it does both.
Family History is a non-linear
narrative. The story is pieced together
by presenting the stories of the
characters and their points of view.
Perhaps Michael V wanted to give
viewers a more intimate look at their
thoughts and feelings, without passing
judgment.
The movie is a family drama
with sprinkles of laughter in
between. It has its flaws
like its characters,
but if one likes
to watch a
family drama
injected with
a certain type
of humor, then
Family History
may be right up
their alley.
ZEPHANIE Dimaranan crowned as the show’s first winner.
‘Idol Phl’ rules
ratings
The young singer from Laguna gave a show-stopping
performance with her rendition of the OPM classic
“Lipad ng Pangarap”
Zephanie Dimaranan was named the first Search for the Idol
Philippines grand winner as she impressed both the judges and
the public with her crystal clear and powerful voice in the grand
finals of the competition last Saturday and Sunday (27 and 28 July).
She received a total combined judges score and public text
votes of 100 percent, beating her competitors Lucas Garcia (70.2
percent) and Lance Busa (41.89 percent). Zephanie took home a
grand prize of P2 million, house and lot, trip for four to Taiwan
and a recording contract.
Last Saturday, the young singer from Laguna gave a show-stopping
performance with her rendition of the OPM classic “Lipad ng
Pangarap,” which helped her secure a slot in the top three. Her
momentum also kept going last Sunday as she belted another
OPM gem, “Maghintay Ka Lamang” by Jonathan Manalo, and an
original song written specially for her victory titled, “Pangarap
Kong Pangrap Mo.”
Aside from the vocal battle of the Idol hopefuls, American Idol
finalist and Filipino pride Jessica Sanchez graced the stage with
her rendition of “And I Am Telling You.” Singing champions Jona,
Elha Nympha, Janine Berdin and KZ Tandingan also showcased
their pipes as they sang along with the Idol hopefuls.
Meanwhile, more viewers tuned in to the two-night grand finals
as the reality-singing competition scored a national TV rating of
31.4 percent last Saturday, compared to Starstruck (14.3 percent).
It also led the weekend programming last Sunday with 34.2 percent
versus its rival show (15.9 percent).
It was also a hit online as the show’s official hashtags
#IdolPHFinalShowdown at #IdolPHGrandWinner made it to the
top trending topics worldwide.
Ebe Dancel
onstage at Shang
Multi-awarded singer-songwriter
Ebe Dancel brings his signature
brand of music to Shangri-La Plaza
with an anticipated performance
at the Grand Atrium on 3 August
(Saturday) at 7 p.m.
The former Sugarfree frontman
is well-known for the band’s hit
songs like “Mariposa,” “Prom” and
“Wag Ka Nang Umiyak.”
As a local music stalwart, Ebe
has also released two successful solo
albums: “Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig”
and “Bawat Daan.”
In 2016, he won the Song of the
Year plum at the Awit Awards
for the poetic “Bawat Daan.”
Beloved for his deft songwriting
and sentimental appeal, Ebe is
an essential act to catch in the
Manila music scene.
#FeelTheShangVibe and
get ready for a night of
heartfelt anthems and
sing-along classics as Ebe
Dancel takes the stage at
Shangri-La Plaza.
For inquiries, call
370-2597 or 98 or visit
www.facebook.com/
shangrilaplazaofficial.
Follow the Shang
on Instagram: @
shangrilaplazaofficial.
LOCAL music
stalwart, Ebe
Dancel.

C20 SPOTLIGHT
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
FIRST batch of the brand’s new ambassadors:
From left, Matt Evans, Kitkat, Ejay Falcon,
Jane Oineza, Carlo Aquino, Ria Atayde, Ryle
Santiago and Alex Castro.
Leading the pack was the young drama actor Carlo Aquino. The others were the returning Star Magic talents
Eight Star Magic talents brightened a rather dreary afternoon
as they marched towards the podium inside the ballroom of
Seda Hotel in Vertis North. They were introduced, one by one, as
the new batch (actually the first batch) of Beautéderm’s young
ambassadors.
Leading the pack was the young drama actor Carlo Aquino. The
others were the returning Star Magic talent Matt Evans along with
Ejay Falcon, Alex Castro, Ryle Santiago, Jane Oineza, comedian
Kitkat and Ria Atayde.
This batch is also very much involved in selling hundreds of
different beauty and skin care products, including slimming coffee
and scents, both personal and for the home.
Each one of them, during the press con, admitted that they have
been using Beautéderm products for a number of years even before
they were signed to become ambassadors.
Carlo is the most seasoned of the group as one of today’s hottest
young leading men with a consistent string of top-rating TV series
as well as blockbuster and critically acclaimed movies under his
belt — from TV’s Playhouse and The Better Half to the big screen’s
Exes Baggage, to the upcoming Isa Pa With Feelings.
Matt Evans started as a housemate in the first season of the
reality television show, Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition, on ABS-CBN. He
has since evolved into an accomplished character actor starring in
a number of TV series and feature films such as Komiks Presents:
Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, Tanging Yaman and Shake,
Rattle & Roll 9.
Ejay Falcon was in Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus and
after that starred n both top-rating television series and blockbuster
films, among which were Pasion de Amor, The Greatest Love, The
Blood Sisters and Gandarrapiddo: The Revenger Squad.
Alex Castro is a singer and actor. He is currently a Board Member
in the province of Bulacan representing the fourth district, which
includes Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando, Sta. Maria and the city of
San Jose del Monte.
Star Magic talent Matt Evans along with Ejay Falcon,
Alex Castro, Ryle Santiago, Jane Oineza, comedian
Kitkat and Ria Atayde.
Ryle Santiago is a part of It’s Showtime’s kilig ambassadors
Hashtags. Apart from hosting ABS-CBN’s top-rating noontime variety
show, Ryle also appeared in a number of films like Bakwit Boys
and #ParangNormalActivity.
Jane Oineza was a child star in Goin’ Bulilit and Kung Fu Kids.
While growing up, she appeared in numerous TV shows and movies.
Jane also received an International Emmy Nomination in 2012 for her
riveting performance in the “Manika” episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya.
Kitkat is one of the industry’s sexy comediennes. She is also a
singer. Recently, she won Best Actress In A Featured Role at the
2016 Aliw Awards for her performance in the musical D.O.M. (Dirty
Old Musical).
Ria Atayde is a rising dramatic star, consistently delivering
noteworthy performances in Star Cinema films and ABS-CBN’s
top-rating programs such as The Hows Of Us, Halik and Maalalala
Mo Kaya.
Carlo, Matt, Ejay, Alex, Jane and Ria are all brand ambassadors
of the amazing line of products under Beautéderm while Kitkat
is a brand ambassador of Slender Sips of RD Healthy Living
Corporation, sister company of Beautéderm Corporation.
All of them have only one thing to say when asked why
they, especially the male celebrities, need to use the products.
Carlo and the rest chimed, “It is necessary in our profession
as actors to always look our best on and off camera. And
Beautéderm products have proven, from the time we started
using them, that they help in maintaining the health our
complexion.”
Castro added, “I am also a politician and I find myself
almost always under the sun. With Beautéderm’s sunblock,
I don’t get sunburn at all.”
“My heart is overflowing with so much joy with the
continuous expansion of our Beautéderm family,” says the
company’s founder Rhea Anicoche-Tan. “We are gearing up
for a lot of exciting events and milestones and I am humbled
to share all of these wonderful events not only to our brand
ambassadors and to our dear friends from the press but to
all our resellers and distributors as well.”
Beautederm was founded and established in 2009. It prioritizes
safety and effectiveness above all with its FDA Notified products,
which only uses plant-based ingredients that are perfectly synergized
to deliver the fastest and most effective long-term and sustainable
results.
A consistent Superbrands awardee, some of the flagship brands
of Beautederm include Beautederm Skin Care Sets for both the face
and body; Reverie by Beautederm Home which includes a collection
soy candles and room sprays; and Beautederm’s perfume collection
which includes Origin Senses perfumes for men among many others
— all top-selling products in the market today.
It is necessary in our profession as actors to always
look our best on and off camera. And Beautéderm
products have proven, from the time we started using
them, that they help in maintaining the health our
complexion.
Currently, Beautederm has over a thousand resellers both locally
and internationally as it ships products every day both here and
abroad with its strong partnership with DHL. The brand also has
physical stores throughout the country and one in Singapore; and has
almost 40 brand ambassadors, which include actors and actresses,
TV personalities, singers, beauty queens, politicians, comedians and
social media influencers.
Cinestudyante deadline extended today
The deadline of submission of entries to Cinestudyante, the first
Filipino All-Student Film Festival, has been extended until today only.
FILMS will be shown in rotating schedules at the Santolan Town Plaza.
The film festival is open to all high school and
undergraduate students. Submissions may be in Filipino,
Taglish or any of the country’s regional languages (with
English subtitles).
Cinestudyante will only accept works produced
from January 2017 to June 2019. The works of alumni
DENNIS
Trillo.
Knock,
knock!
of a school may still be
submitted for as long as
the film was produced at
the time its creators were
still students. Works done
after graduation of college
students are no longer
eligible for submission.
However, works of senior
high school students
enrolled in as freshmen in
college are eligible.
Simply Red
Isah Red
All forms of student short films will be accepted. These include
works representing the following genres: (1) short fiction live
action feature; (2) animated short; (3) mixed media short films
(incorporating animation with live action); (4) short documentary;
and (5) experimental short film.
Submissions must have a maximum running time of 20 minutes,
inclusive of OBB and CBB (opening and closing credits). Short
shorts or microfilms (with a running time of three minutes or
less) are also accepted.
All documentary film submissions must include necessary
waivers and permits from those directly or indirectly involved as
the subject of production.
Entries to Cinestudyante are accepted through the
Communication or Film departments or programs of colleges
and universities that may nominate outstanding works of their
students. Each school can submit as many nominations as they
deem representative of their best works. The other way is an
individual or groups of students may submit their works, as long
as they have an endorsement from the Program or Department
chairman responsible for their film or broadcasting courses.
Again, students may submit as many entries as they want but
with the proper endorsement of their school authorities.
Schools and individual or group of students certified by their
schools must submit their entries via email to cinestudyante@
rockwell.com.ph, in the form of links via Vimeo or YouTube with
proper identification and password. Each entry exceeding five
minutes of running time must be submitted as an individual
link. Clusters of microfilms may be combined to a single link for
purposes of submission.
There shall be a total of four clusters which will be
programmed by the Screening Committee that will carry a
total running time of 100 minutes per grouping. Each grouping
shall include a cross section of all the genres included in
the festival.
Thus, each cluster can have a minimum of five films or an
undetermined maximum corresponding to the completion of the
said total running time. These films will be shown in rotating
schedules in assigned cinemas at the Santolan Town Plaza.
A minimum of 20 films will be selected from among these
submissions.A profit-sharing scheme has been drawn by
Rockwell, in which a 50/50 sharing between the cinema and
the students based on the box office receipts of their films will
be implemented. The best performing cluster will be shown
at the Power Plant Mall cinemas at Rockwell Center, Makati.
Who’s there?
Jennylyn Mercado and
Dennis Trillo, that’s who!
The coosome twosome
will be be featured in
exclusive taped interviews,
along with the awesome
two, Nora Aunor and Philip
Salvador, in today’s Tok Patok, 3 p.m. on our Facebook Page!
Join the conversation with our hosts, Isah Red and Jun Nardo!
JENNYLYN Mercado with Tribune columnist Jun Nardo.

MAIN
CABIN
‘UPGRADE’
OFF THE
HOOK
SO FAR, SO GOOD
TRAVIS RETURNS
C18
D22 D23 D24
Julius Manicad, Editor
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
SPORTS
D21
RONALDO IN TROUBLE
Show me
RONALDO is in trouble after refusing
to play in a friendly match in Seoul. AFP
the money
I’m no longer a Ronaldo fan
SEOUL, South Korea — More than 2,000 South Korean soccer fans will sue a sports
agency after superstar Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on the bench when his Juventus side
played a friendly in Seoul last week, a law firm said Monday.
The star Portuguese striker did not play a single second of the match against a
K-League All-Star Team, ignoring appeals from the sell-out 65,000 crowd at the World
Cup Stadium to lace up his boots.
So far, more than 2,000 fans have contacted us to pursue the suit.
With frustration mounting some even chanted the name of his great Argentine
rival Lionel Messi.
When the game was first announced, organizers said the contract with
Juventus obliged Ronaldo to play for at least 45 minutes, prompting many fans
to splash out, according to Seoul law firm Myungan.
Tickets, priced from $25 to $338, were sold out in just two and a half hours
when they were released on 3 July.
“So far, more than 2,000 fans have contacted us to pursue the suit,” Myungan
attorney Kim Hun-ki told AFP.
“We plan to officially file the suit on their behalf sometime next week, if
the agency does not offer a concrete plan to compensate the ticket holders
before then.”
The Italian team’s flight from Nanjing in China was delayed so that they
landed only five hours before the scheduled start, delaying kick-off by an hour.
Robin Zhang, chief executive officer of The Festa, the Korean agency that arranged
the game, told local broadcaster SBS in tears that she had complained to Juventus
vice chairman Pavel Nedved during the match.
He responded: “’I also hope Ronaldo plays. But he said he doesn’t want to. I’m
sorry there’s nothing I can do,’” she told SBS, adding that she will find “ways to
compensate” ticket holders.
Ronaldo has been subjected to a backlash on social media.
“He betrayed the 60,000 audience and belittled us,” a Korean who attended the
game posted on Instagram.
“I’m no longer a Ronaldo fan.”
AFP
MAJOR
LEAGUE
BASEBALL
National League
East Division
W L Pct GB
Atlanta 62 45 .579 —
Washington 57 49 .538 4½
Philadelphia 55 50 .524 6
New York 50 55 .476 11
Miami 41 63 .394 19½
Central Division
Chicago 56 49 .533 —
St. Louis 56 49 .533 —
Milwaukee 56 51 .523 1
Cincinnati 49 55 .471 6½
Pittsburgh 46 60 .434 10½
West Division
Los Angeles 69 39 .639 —
San Francisco 54 52 .509 14
Arizona 53 54 .495 15½
San Diego 50 56 .472 18
Colorado 50 57 .467 18½
TIGER Woods makes his US
PGA tournament richer and
more prestigious. AFP
Tiger raises stakes
LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods’ US PGA
tournament will have a higher purse and greater
prestige as well as invitational status and a new
name for next year, organizers announced on
Monday.
The Genesis Invitational, hosted by Woods at
Riviera Country Club from 13 to 16 February, will
have an invite-only field of 120 players competing
for a $9.3 million purse, a boost of $1.9 million
from this year’s event.
The winner will take home $1.674 million as
well as a three-year PGA Tour exemption, one
year longer than the standard winner’s exemption
for tour events.
Tiger’s event exemption matches those of the
Memorial, a key US Open tuneup event hosted by
Jack Nicklaus, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational
at Bay Hill in March.
The winner will take home $1.674
million as well as a three-year PGA
Tour exemption.
Reigning Masters champion Woods has
won 15 major titles, three shy of the record 18
captured by Nicklaus.
His victory this year at Augusta National
snapped a major win drought dating to the
2008 US Open.
Woods has 81 career US PGA titles, one shy
of the all-time record set by Sam Snead.
The Riviera tournament remains a benefit
event for Woods’ charity work through his TGR
Foundation.
AFP
Maria, Venus gain wildcard slots
WASHINGTON — Former world number ones
Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams were given
wildcard entries into next month’s WTA Cincinnati
tournament, a key tuneup event for the US Open.
Maria and Venus are two of the
greatest champions in tennis history.
Each will compete in the main draw for the
12 to 18 August hardcourt event.
Sharapova is one of only six women to have
completed a career Grand Slam.
The 32-year-old Russian owns 36 WTA titles,
including five Grand Slam crowns, and is ranked
81st in the world. Her most recent Grand Slam
title came at the 2014 French Open.
She suffered a nagging shoulder injury and
missed more than four months before returning
on grass, but retired in the third set of her
opening-round match at Wimbledon.
Sharapova won the 2011 Cincinnati title and
lost in the 2014 semifinals in her most recent
appearance.
Williams has won seven Grand Slam titles
among her 49 WTA crowns and has finished runner
up in Grand Slams another nine times. The 51stranked
US star won singles gold at the 2000 Sydney
Olympics and has won three Olympic doubles
titles with sister Serena. It will be Venus’s seventh
Cincinnati start in her 25-year WTA career, her best
run came in 2012 when she lost in the semifinals.
Williams, a five-time Wimbledon singles
champion, lost to US 15-year-old qualifier Coco
Gauff in the first round at Wimbledon in her most
recent start.
“Maria and Venus are two of the greatest
champions in tennis history,” tournament
director Andre Silva said.
AFP
Games Monday
(Tuesday in Manila)
Washington 6, Atlanta 3
Miami 11, Arizona 6
Cincinnati 11, Pittsburgh 6
Colorado 9, L.A. Dodgers 1
American League
East Division
W L Pct GB
New York 67 38 .638 —
Tampa Bay 60 48 .556 8½
Boston 59 48 .551 9
Toronto 41 67 .380 27½
Baltimore 35 71 .330 32½
Central Division
Minnesota 64 41 .610 —
Cleveland 62 43 .590 2
Chicago 46 57 .447 17
Kansas City 40 68 .370 25½
Detroit 31 71 .304 31½
West Division
Houston 68 39 .636 —
Oakland 60 47 .561 8
Los Angeles 55 53 .509 13½
Texas 53 53 .500 14½
Seattle 46 63 .422 23
Games Monday
(Tuesday in Manila)
Toronto 7, Kansas City 3
Detroit 7, L.A. Angels 2
San Diego 8, Baltimore 1

D22 SPORTS
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
NEYMAR PROBE ENDS
Off the hook
‘Big Papi’
comes home
Neymar vehemently denied allegations he
raped a Brazilian woman in a Paris hotel
in May
SAO PAULO, Brazil — Brazilian police probing rape
allegations against football superstar Neymar closed the case
due to a lack of evidence, the Sao Paulo attorney general’s
office said Monday.
The police decision will be sent to prosecutors who will
have 15 days to evaluate the case, a spokeswoman for the
attorney general’s office told AFP.
A judge will make the final ruling on the case.
A spokesman for Neymar said he was not able to
comment on the police decision. Sao Paulo police are due
to hold a news conference on Tuesday.
Neymar vehemently denied allegations he raped a
Brazilian woman in a Paris hotel in May.
The ugly affair, which has dominated headlines and
conversations in the soccer-mad country for weeks,
overshadowed Brazil’s preparations for the Copa America.
Host Brazil went on to win South America’s showcase
tournament earlier this month without its biggest player, who
was injured in a warm-up friendly before the opening match.
The scandal blew up on 2 June when Neymar published
a seven-minute video on Instagram, where he had first
been in contact with Najila Trindade, revealing that he had
been accused of rape.
In an attempt to defend himself against the allegations,
Neymar’s video was accompanied by WhatsApp messages
and images of his encounter with Trindade — without her
consent, possibly breaking Brazilian law.
The drama quickly snowballed. Extracts of a televised
interview with Trindade, in which she accused Neymar
of “aggression together with rape,” aired just one hour
before he was about to enter the pitch
for the pre-Copa game between Brazil
and Qatar.
Neymar tore his right ankle ligament
in the 20th minute, ruling him out of the
tournament.
In the following weeks, police questioned
Neymar over the WhatsApp messages.
He also appeared before police in Sao
Paulo, where Trindade had filed her
complaint at the end of May.
As the case dragged on, police
filed a defamation suit against
Trindade — who was dropped
by multiple lawyers — after
she insinuated the force was
corrupt.
“The police are bought,
aren’t they? Or am I crazy?”
she told television channel
SBT last month in response
to questions over the police
investigation of an alleged
theft of a tablet device from
her home that contained a
short video she claims has
conclusive evidence she was
assaulted.
Despite the seriousness
of the allegations, polls have
shown that most Brazilians
believe Neymar is innocent.
Controversy has followed the
Paris Saint-Germain player, who
flew back to France earlier this
month.
AFP
Marco remains hopeful
I have never heard him say he
wanted to leave
PARIS, France — Paris Saint-Germain
midfielder Marco Verratti said Neymar never
told him he wanted to the leave the club.
Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner
said in late-June the Brazil forward would like
to return to the Camp Nou.
“I have never heard him say he wanted to
leave,” Verratti told French broadcaster RMC.
“Beyond that I don’t know what he has been
saying to the club.”
“When a player wants to leave, the club
should let him leave. Depending on the financial
conditions agreed by the club of course. But
you can’t keep a player who wants to leave,”
MAX Scherzer of the Washington Nationals goes back to the injured list
after suffering mild muscle strain.
AFP
Scherzer missed the All-Star
game this month with a sore
back that began bothering him in
late June
WASHINGTON — Nationals’ pitcher Max
Scherzer went back on the 10-day injured list
after suffering a mild muscle strain in his
back, the Major League Baseball club said.
I was hungry and very excited
WASHINGTON — Stefanos Tsitsipas began
a historic hardcourt run at last year’s ATP
Washington Open and the 20-year-old Greek
star returns this week as the top seed and
world number six.
And it might not be too much longer before
the devoted video blogger tests his on-camera
talents in the acting realm.
Tsitsipas, an Australian Open semifinalist
who crashed out in his first match at Wimbledon
earlier this month, will open against US
wildcard Tommy Paul in a second-round match
Wednesday in the US Open
tuneup.
“I’ve matured a
lot since last year,”
Tsitsipas said. “I found
a new challenge on the
ATP Tour.”
“I was hungry and very
excited. I was very hungry to
make the transition to the ATP,
Scherzer missed the All-Star game this
month with a sore back that began bothering
him in late June.
He pitched five innings against the
Colorado Rockies on Thursday, allowing three
runs, but an MRI after that game revealed the
rhomboid strain in his upper back.
Although the 35-year-old said he hoped
to make his scheduled Tuesday start against
the Atlanta Braves, Nationals manager Dave
Martinez said Sunday the team’s priority was
many chances to play the big guys. That’s
what got me so upsized.”
Tsitsipas — seeking a fourth ATP title
after wins at Stockholm last October,
Marseille in February and Portugal in
May — has definitely had big matches
against the top stars.
He dropped finals to 18-time Grand
Slam champion Rafael Nadal last year in
Barcelona and Canada, to 20-time Grand
Slam winner Roger Federer in March at
Dubai and to world number one Novak
Djokovic, a 16-time Grand Slam champion,
in May at Madrid.
Tsitsipas reached the 2018 Washington
semifinals before losing to eventual champion
Alexander Zverev, then the next week became
Being at home and look at my family
celebrating that I’m here safe is priceless
the 26-year-old added.
The world’s most expensive footballer
who joined the French champion for 222
million euros is yet to feature during their
pre-season tour in Asia and French media
reported he would miss Tuesday’s game
against Sydney in China.
He will also sit out the French Champions
Trophy against Rennes in Shenzhen next
Saturday as he completes a six-match
domestic ban for an incident involving a fan
the last time the teams met, in the French
Cup final.
“Of course I would be disappointed to
see him leave, he’s a great player,” Verratti
said, who has been ruled out of the fixture
against the Australians.
“It’s between him and the club,” the Italy
international added. AFP NEYMAR is vindicated after Brazilian police decided to end its probe on rape
allegations against him.
AFP
LOS ANGELES — Thanking fans
for their prayers and good wishes,
former Boston Red Sox slugger
David Ortiz said he is happy
to be with family seven weeks
after he was shot in his native
Dominican Republic.
“Being at home and look at
my family celebrating that I’m
here safe is priceless,” Ortiz
said in an Instagram post that
featured photos of a feast of
steak, pasta and fish being
prepared.
“Too bad I can’t crush food
yet,” added Ortiz, who was
shot on 9 June as he sat in a
nightclub in his hometown of
Santo Domingo.
The retired Major
League Baseball star had
emergency surgery that
night and was then flown
to a Boston area hospital
for further surgery and
treatment, finally leaving
hospital on Friday.
The investigation of
the shooting continues,
but authorities in the
Dominican Republic said
Ortiz was shot in a case
of mistaken identity.
In a separate statement
released through a public
relations firm, the
43-year-old thanked the
Red Sox for providing
the club’s plane to fly
him to Boston and for
their continued support
during treatment for
serious injuries.
He also thanked the
fans of “Red Sox Nation”
and supporters in the
Dominican Republic who
have offered their support
and prayers.
“Big Papi will be back
soon,” he said in the
statement. AFP
Scherzer back in sickbay
Tsitsipas gets top billing
to get Scherzer 100 percent healthy.
“We need Max to be 100 percent to get us
through the next few months,” Martinez said.
“Regardless of how, he’s got to prove to us
that he is that.”
The injury has slowed what looked like
becoming a career year for the seven-time
All-Star.
In nine starts from 22 May to 6 July, he
went 7-0 with a 0.84 earned run average and
struck out 94 and walked nine. AFP
the youngest player to beat four top-10 rivals
in an ATP event, reaching the Canadian Open
final before losing to Nadal.
The effort lifted him from 32nd to 15th in
the ATP rankings and was a sign of things to
come, notably a win in the ATP NextGen Finals
and the ATP’s Most Improved Player award.
But his big breakthrough came in January
at the Australian Open, where he saved all
12 break points he faced
to defeat third-ranked
Federer in the fourth
round on the way to
the semifinals, where he
lost to Nadal. AFP
STEFANOS Tsitsipas returns
to ATP Washington Open as
the top seed.
AFP

Wednesday, 31 July 2019
Daily Tribune
SPORTS
D23
MURRAY NEARS RETURN
So far, so good
ANDY Murray is getting
“quite close” to returning
to singles play. AFP
I’m quite close but there’s stuff that would need to
get better
WASHINGTON — Three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray
said he is “quite close” to being able to play singles matches and a
“best-case scenario” could see it happen at Cincinnati in two weeks.
The 32-year-old British star, who feared he could be forced into
retirement before undergoing right hip surgery in January, returned
to the court in June but has played only doubles while rehabilitating
and seeing how his hip responds.
“In terms of moving and feeling and waking up the next day, I’m
feeling good,” Murray said.
“I’m quite close but there’s stuff that would need to get better.”
Murray, paired with brother Jamie in men’s doubles at the ATP
Washington Open, said he feels no hip pain and will practice singles
this week while playing doubles and plans to do so against next
week in Canada.
“I’ll play singles as soon as I feel ready,” Murray said. “I’m going
to practice singles and play doubles to compete and each week I’ll
see. I’ll keep on that path until I’m ready.”
Murray, the former world number one who is now ranked 222nd,
downplayed the idea he might compete in the US Open, which starts
26 August, but didn’t slam the door on the possibility.
“Best case scenario probably would be Cincinnati,” Murray said. “If
I wasn’t in Cincinnati, I would probably wait until after the US Open.
“I wouldn’t want my first tournament to be playing best-of-five
(sets) either.”
But Murray, whose Grand Slam singles titles include the 2012 US
Open and 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon crowns, warned he has hopes of
regaining his peak form.
“I’m playing better than I was last year. I can extend my leg behind
me. I can push off for serves. It’s brilliant,” he said.
“The question I have now is why not? Why can’t I get back where
I was? What’s the reason? There isn’t one. It just takes time.”
Earlier this month at Wimbledon, Murray said it would be up
to 18 months before he returned to singles and the US Open was a
“pretty unlikely” prospect.
“I’m closer than what I maybe thought I was,” Murray said. “After
Wimbledon I started doing a few singles drills — at one point, brief
practices. It felt great.”
“This latest comeback I didn’t have any particularly
high hopes. I’ve had high hopes for most of them
before.”
Murray played a set Sunday and about eight
games Monday in the nation capital heat but is
missing match fitness instead of fighting hip pain.
“The conditions here are tough and that’s the
thing I’m needing. My conditioning isn’t great.
My time in the gym has been on strengthening
the hip,” Murray said.
“These last few months have been brilliant.
Just not being in pain, it’s amazing what that
will do to you.”
Murray said if he had to play singles next
week, “I could do it, but to get where I would
want to be I’d have to get back in the gym and
get my cardio better.”
His most recent singles match was a five-set
first-round loss at the Australian Open in January
to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. Murray
delayed his flight home due to hip pain.
“It was completely gone. I wasn’t even
certain after the operation if I’d ever be
healthy again,” Murray said. “A few months
later I’m feeling better and feel like I can get
back on the singles court.”
AFP
China slams
Aussie hypocrisy
Swimming Australia is not
interested in due process nor in
protecting clean sport
SHANGHAI, China — Chinese state media
hit Australia’s swimmers after Shayna Jack
failed a drugs test, accusing the team of
“utter hypocrisy” following anti-doping
protests targeting China’s Sun Yang.
Australia’s Mack Horton snubbed Sun
on the podium at the world championships
in South Korea in protest of a drug-testing
incident involving the triple Olympic
champion where vials of blood were smashed
with a hammer.
Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, did not
hold back in its criticism after it transpired
that Horton’s teammate Jack tested positive
for Ligandrol, which helps build muscle mass.
A strongly worded English commentary
also accused Swimming Australia of a
“cover-up” after Jack returned home days
before the championships in Gwangju,
citing “personal reasons.”
“By lying to the public regarding the Jack
case, Swimming Australia has lost every
ounce of credibility in its defense of Mack
Horton’s podium stunt aimed at Sun Yang,”
the commentary said.
“Swimming Australia is not interested in
due process nor in protecting clean sport,”
it added.
Horton received an ovation from fellow
swimmers at the athletes’ dining hall for
his protest, which was echoed by Britain’s
Duncan Scott. Sun, who served a suspension
in 2014, has always denied doping.
Xinhua accused Horton of “selective
outrage” and being an “opportunist,” intent
only on getting one over an opponent.
“He should stop pretending that protecting
clean sport is his intention. Horton is fooling
nobody,” Xinhua said.
Many similar opinions were voiced on
Chinese social media.
“Those who call others liars are in truth
the liars themselves,” was one typical post
on the Twitter-like Weibo.
Swimming’s governing body FINA cleared
Sun to compete in South Korea despite the
murky case last year of the smashed vials.
FINA agreed with Sun that testers had
failed to produce adequate identification
or follow correct protocol.
The World Anti-Doping
Agency, however,
has since taken the
case to the Court
of Arbitration for
Sport. AFP
By Andrio Atienza
SHAYNA Jack is facing a four-year suspension after being tested positive for
banned substance.
AFP
LARRY Muyang powers Letran College past Mapua University in Season 95
of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
DAVID JOHN CUBANGBANG
Puerto Princesa set
for Batang Pinoy
PUERTO PRINCESA — Puerto Princesa is ready to roll out the
red carpet for the country’s brightest young talents when it hosts
the 2019 Batang Pinoy from 15 to 21 August.
City council Nesario Awat said the local government had allotted
P20 million for the hosting of the prestigious annual competition
that aims to discover fresh talents for the Philippine national team.
The event would be held at the sprawling Ramon V. Mitra Sports
Complex, where 31 sports including centerpiece athletics and
swimming as well as badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess,
karatedo, lawn tennis, taekwondo and table tennis will be disputed.
“We have already prepared the venue and all the facilities needed
for the Batang Pinoy,” Awat said.
“In fact, we have enough area at the Mitra Sports Complex and
the Balayong Park which can be utilized by the national secretariat.”
A total of 10,000 visitors are expected comprised of 6,000 athletes
and 4,000 coaches, team officials, parents, working staff, media and
guests.
City sports director Gregorio Austria said they are expecting an
influx of visitors since the event, which is the pet project of the
Philippine Sports Commission, is already the national finals.
“We have to prepare for their daily consumption of food since
they will be here before 15 August,” Austria said.
We had a bad game, but we’re still
happy with the win
By John Eric Mendoza
Knights attack
Letran College captured its fifth straight
win following an emphatic 89-84 victory over
Mapua University in Season 95 of the National
Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball
tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V
Centre in San Juan.
Larry Muyang and Bonbon Batiller delivered
the goods for the Knights, who had some scary
moments before coasting to their fifth straight
victory.
Muyang delivered 24 points and four rebounds
while Batiller chipped in 15 markers, four rebounds
and three assists for the Knights, who improved to
5-1 win-loss card.
They are now trailing the unbeaten San Beda
College and College of Saint Benilde, who fashion
immaculate 4-0 and 3-0 cards, respectively.
The Blazers fortune, however, could change
depending on the outcome of their match
against San Sebastian College later in the day.
Still, it was such an impressive win for the
Knights, who had to drop a booming 13-2 blast
down the stretch to trim the gap to two, 82-84,
with 33.9 seconds left.
Letran struggled to find an open man in the
next possession until Batiller knocked down a
huge three-pointer to beat the shot clock and
grab the driver’s seat, 85-84, in the final 19.1
seconds.
The Knights then made some defensive
stops with Ato Ular swatting Christian Bunag
to preserve the victory.
“We had a bad game, but we’re still happy
with the win,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan,
noting the large discrepancy in the rebounding
department where they were clobbered, 39-45, by
the taller, heftier Cardinals.
“It’s bad because, as you can see in the
stats, we were outrebounded.
Christian Bunag delivered 17 points and 12
rebounds while Laurenz Victoria had 15 points,
six rebounds and four assists for the Cardinals
who remains at the basement with a 0-5 card.
High hopes on junior netters
I am confident that these tennis
prodigies will make us proud
Hopes are high on the national junior
tennis players who will compete in various
international tournaments this year.
Unified Tennis Philippines (UTP) president
Jean Henri Lhuiller said he is confident over
their chances, knowing that they can duplicate
the feat tallied by Alex and Miko Eala, Johndy
Velez, Rupert Torta, Brent Cortes and Alexa
Milliam.
The Eala brothers reached the finals
of the AGS-ITF in Indonesia while Velez
dominated the Sarawak 13th ATF 14-under
boys’ singles event with Tortal and Cortez
ruling the boys’ doubles category in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Milliam ruled the girls’ singles
category of the same tournament last year.
This year, Lhuiller is pinning his
hopes on new breed of junior netters like
Exequiel Jucutan, Joewyn Pascua, Marielle
Jarata and Milliam, who will all represent
the country in the ATF 14-under series from
2 to 8 September in Sarawak, Malaysia.
John David Velez, Eric Tangub, Jose
Antonio Tria, Matthew Garcia, Sydney
Enriquez, Marcie Carlos, Bliss Bayking and
Denise Bernardo, on the other hand, would
see action in the ITF Grade 5 from 1 to 6
October in Selangor, Malaysia.
“We, at UTP, is proud to support some of
the country’s youngest tennis players who
have stepped up to the challenge of playing
in the international tennis scene,” said
Lhuiller, who also backs the international
campaign of doubles specialists Treat Huey
and Ruben Gonzales.
“I am confident that these tennis prodigies
will make us proud.”
Jack faces lengthy suspension
There are cases where the
athlete’s name is cleared
and it was all a mistake or
contamination or whatever
it was
SYDNEY, Australia — Australian
swimmer Shayna Jack has been
notified that she faces a four-year
suspension after testing positive to a
banned drug, unless she can prove her
innocence, a report said.
Jack, part of Australia’s 4x100-meter freestyle team
that set a world record last year, tested positive
to the banned drug Ligandrol, which helps build
muscle mass, out of competition late last month.
The Daily Telegraph said the Australian Sports
Anti-Doping Authority told Jack she would receive a
four-year suspension, the standard penalty for athletes
who test positive for anabolic agents.
The 20-year-old will be able to contest the
sanction as part of normal processes.
Jack returned home days before the world
championships in South Korea, citing “personal
reasons”. She strenuously denied intentionally taking
the banned substance, which she intimated could be
found in contaminated supplements.
Swimming Australia head coach Jacco Verhaeren,
who arrived back in Brisbane from the meet on
Tuesday, said he believed Jack could “definitely”
bounce back from the doping scandal.
“There are cases where the athlete’s name is
cleared and it was all a mistake or contamination
or whatever it was. And sure they come back from
that,” he told reporters.
The revelation has proved a huge embarrassment
for Australian swimming, coming after Olympic
champion Mack Horton’s high-profile protest
against Chinese rival Sun Yang at the world
championships.
AFP

D24 SPORTS
Wednesday, 31 June 2019
Daily Tribune
UNITY TALKS
Tolentino ready to explain
I will answer whatever their questions are
By CD Argarin
Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino stressed that he is ready to explain the reason
behind the formation of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee
(Phisgoc) Foundation Inc., a body that aimed to organize the country’s hosting of the
30th SEA Games without the imprimatur from the Philippine Olympic Committee
(POC).
Tolentino, the cycling chief who clinched the POC presidency in the
special elections over the weekend, said he wants to foster camaraderie and
goodwill among his fellow board members so he is ready to shed light on
Phisgoc Foundation and its role in the biennial meet set from 30 November
to 11 December at the New Clark City in Tarlac.
Phisgoc Foundation has been in the eye of the storm the past couple
of months.
It was registered into a foundation June of last year, but the POC
board members only discovered its existence after they obtained a copy
of its Articles of Incorporation filed before the Securities and Exchange
Commission last March.
The board members found out that their president — Ricky Vargas — was
one of the eight original incorporators together with former POC chairman
Tom Carrasco, POC communications director Ed Picson and former POC
secretary general Patrick Gregorio.
Also original incorporators were some of the members of Speaker
Alan Peter Cayetano’s inner circle in Ramon Suzara, Donaldo Caringal,
Monica Anne Mitra and Dexter Estacio.
The POC executive council sought Vargas’ explanation, but he
responded by delivering an emotional speech before firing key board
members from their respective positions, including SEA Games chief of
mission Monsour del Rosario and his deputy in Charlie Ho.
Few weeks later, Vargas showed up in an executive board meeting to
explain upon the order of International Olympic Committee (IOC) director
for National Olympic Committee Relations director Jerome Polvey.
But before the meeting could start, he tendered his irrevocable resignation.
To avoid a power vacuum, the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia called for
special elections, where Tolentino was elected president following a 24-20 win
over Philip Ella Juico of athletics.
Now, Tolentino said he is ready to explain on behalf of Vargas.
“I will answer whatever their questions are,” said Tolentino during the
Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday at the Amelie Hotel
Manila.
“It’s now up to the board if they will accept it.”
“Hopefully, this would be a good start for the POC.”
Like Vargas, Tolentino also doesn’t enjoy the support of his executive board.
The only allies he has in the powerful council are board member Cynthia
Carrion and his secretary-general.
First vice president Joey Romasanta, second vice president Jeff Tamayo,
treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go, IOC representative Mikee
Cojuangco-Jaworski, immediate past president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco
and board members Prospero Pichay and Robert Mananquil still have
the majority and got even stronger with the inclusion of chairman Steve
Hontiveros and Clint Aranas.
The executive council will hold its first board meeting on Friday, but the
attendance remains in doubt as sources said members were not consulted
about the schedule.
Included in the agenda were the appointments of the secretary
general, deputy secretary general, chief of mission to the Tokyo
Olympics and other committee chairmanships.
The board will also tackle updates on the SEA Games and
POC finances, which incudes the change of bank signatories.
Hopefully, this would be a good start for
the POC.
“We were not consulted about the schedule of the
board meeting,” said the source, speaking on condition
of anonymity.
“Since some of us already have prior schedules, we
can’t say that we would achieve 100 percent attendance
in the very first board meeting of the new POC president.
Let’s see.”
Still, Tolentino said he would offer his hand to
achieve unity.
“It’s not a challenge for us; it’s a challenge for them,”
he said. “We’re offering unity so it’s up to them to
join us. If they don’t want, then we will go to another
direction, which is the general assembly.”
“And it’s something we don’t want to happen.”
ABRAHAM “Bambol”
Tolentino calls for unity
following his victory
as president of the
Philippine Olympic
Committee.
ROMAN PROSPERO
I don’t want to be add to the
leadership problems. But I’m
willing to help all of them
By Jole Orellana
I’m back
By Miguel La Torre
Ramirez focuses on SEAG
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)
chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is willing
to work hand in hand with the new leadership
of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Ramirez maintained his position that his
focus is his role as chief of mission of the 30th
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and he will
gladly work with the new POC chief to ensure
the success of the biennial meet.
“All my focus is my position as chief of
mission, trying to bridge those gaps. I don’t
Travis returns
Romeo Travis confirmed that he would return to help Magnolia
in defending its Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s
Cup title.
Travis made the confirmation on his personal social media
account, saying that he would be back to suit up for the Hotshots,
who are seeking to defend their crown after bombing out in the
ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.
“I’m back,” Travis said in an Instagram post that drew the
attention of his boyhood pal in NBA superstar LeBron James of the
Los Angeles Lakers.
Magnolia governor Rene Pardo said Travis will land on the country
on 20 August and will join the team in practice as soon as possible.
“Yes, Romeo is set to arrive on 20 August when our practice
resumes,” Pardo said.
Travis’ return came at a perfect time as his club in the ASEAN
Basketball League, Mono Vampire, already got the boot. He averaged
15.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists in 36.2 minutes of play.
But in the PBA last year, Travis was at his best as he erupted
for 50 points in Game 4 of their best-of-seven semifinal showdown
against Ginebra, something that also didn’t escape James’ attention.
“Heading to the finals with a 50-piece nugget. Congrats my brother.
Keep going Lucky Lefty,” James said.
Then, Travis spearheaded the Hotshots in dispatching his former
team, Alaska, in six games as they ended their three-year title drought.
ROMEO Travis returns for another tour of duty for Magnolia in the PBA
Governor’s Cup.
want to be adding to the leadership problems.
But I’m willing to help all of them,” Ramirez
said yesterday during the agency’s contract
signing of the memorandum of agreement
(MoA) with the Social Security System (SSS).
“Historically, I never interfered in the
election of Peping (Cojuangco) and Art
(Macapagal) and neither in the election of
Peping and (Ricky) Vargas. My position is the
same. As a government official, we don’t have
a problem regardless whose leadership it is.”
Cycling chief Rep. Abraham “Bambol”
Tolentino beat track and field president
Philip Ella Juico in a special election held
last Sunday, 24-20, to continue the term of
Vargas as president of the POC.
In his speech, Tolentino said the goal now
is to unite the factions in the POC and to be
able to work smoothly with the PSC and the
Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee
(Phisgoc) Foundation Inc.
Ramirez, who previously turned down
the offer of Vargas to become the chief
of mission, but later changed his mind,
expects to have a meeting with Tolentino
soon to discuss the actions to be taken for
biennial meet set from 30 November to 11
December.
“All of them are my friends. We are all
public servants and we are serving people
who are my stakeholders,” said Ramirez. “It’s
imminent for us to have a meeting.”
Meanwhile, Ramirez signed a historic
MoA with SSS president and chief executive
officer Aurora Ignacio, allowing the national
athletes, coaches and trainers enjoy the
benefits of being an SSS member like a
normal employee.
VON Pessumal and San Miguel Beer are looking to wrap up their PBA
Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series against Rain or Shine.
Beermen go for kill
San Miguel Beer guns for another massive win when it clashes
with Rain or Shine in Game 3 of their Philippine Basketball
Association best-of-five semifinal series tonight at the Smart
Araneta Coliseum.
Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Beermen looking for a strong
finishing kick to wrap up the series and march to the best-of-seven
finals series against the survivor of the other semifinal pairing
between TNT KaTropa and Ginebra.
The KaTropa and the Kings are competing in Game 3 at press time.
In their previous game, it appeared that the Beermen were
ready for the final showdown.
After finding themselves down by 29, Chris Ross took matters
into his own hands and engineered a furious fightback to secure
a 117-105 victory.
Ross, the heady Filipino-American playmaker, delivered a career-high
34 points highlighted by 10 three-pointers, a milestone that was captured
by an elite group of Allan Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes, Roger Pogoy and
Marcio Lassiter.
This was the Beermen’s biggest turnaround win since they
overhauled a 28-point lead by Ginebra en route to a 96-88 victory in
the 2011 Governor’s Cup.
MLT
SPORTS
By Nap Gutierrez
BUZZ
New romance
Finally, a basketball player is getting married on 2 August.
We think it’s about time.
Seeing him walk down the aisle is long overdue.
q q q
The Abueva family scandal is getting worse.
Both camps are throwing barbs with Calvin retaliating after his
wife, Sam, accused him of physical abuse and infidelity.
But wait until you hear the statement of Calvin’s mom.
It’s going to be explosive.
q q q
A college cager and a volleybelle are said to be playing beautiful
music together.
In fact, they were seen enjoying the concert of LANY few days
ago.
Prior to that, they were constantly spotted together as if romance
is building up.
Well, we don’t see anything wrong as the volleybelle had just
broken up with her long-time boyfriend, who is also a volleyball
player.
q q q
Love is in the air between this professional dribbler and his
wife.
After his wife gifted him a brand-new Lexus, he responded by
giving her an expensive Range Rover.
Sweet.
Phoenix condemns
Abueva’s acts
He can step up and accept responsibility for his actions
and take responsibility for his recovery — it’s his choice
Phoenix Pulse formally denounced the actions of Calvin Abueva, who
is in a very challenging stage of his life after being accused of physical
abuse and infidelity by his wife.
In a statement, the Fuel Masters said they will continue providing
emotional support to Abueva, but nobody can straighten his path but
himself.
Abueva is mired in controversy for the past couple of months after
being slapped with an indefinite suspension by the Philippine Basketball
Association.
After being assessed with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 on TNT KaTropa
import Terrence Jones, Abueva had a verbal altercation with Maika
Rivera, the former tennis player and girlfriend of Blackwater rookie
Ray Parks.
Then, while serving suspension, he was caught playing in a
ligang-labas, prompting the Fuel Masters to call his attention.
And now, his wife, Sam, is accusing him of infidelity and physical
abuse after he hurt her and their children. In one instance, while
Sam was pregnant with their fifth child, Abueva pinned her down,
prompting her to be rushed to the hospital due to severe bleeding.
Abueva fired back, saying that his wife’s allegations were not true.
The Fuel Masters feel that it’s about time for Abueva to straighten
his path.
“The responsibility and cure for his behavior rest on Calvin,”
the Fuel Masters said in a statement. “He can step up and accept
responsibility for his actions and take responsibility for his
recovery — it’s his choice.”
“As an organization, the Phoenix Fuel Masters does not stand for
any form of violence or other behaviors that violate the trust and
values we have in common with the entire Phoenix family, our Fuel
Masters fans and out great game of basketball.”
The club said it is still closely monitoring the situation. MLT