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MANILA EXPRESS [email protected] www.themanilaexpress.com

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AUGUST 16, 2019 ◊ Vol. 1 Issue 54 ◊ 2 SECTIONS 16 PAGES

Palace concerned over Chinese warship in Sibutu Strait

Probe on PAO chief up to Ombudsman: Guevarra By Benjamin Pulta

MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said it will be up to the Office of the Ombudsman to weigh the charges against Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta in connection with the creation of a forensic laboratory within the agency. PROBE ││ A8

By Azer Parrocha

MANILA — Malacañang expressed concern on Thursday over a Chinese warship’s unauthorized passage through Sibutu Strait in the waters of Tawi-Tawi despite China’s assurance to maintain friendly ties with the Philippines. “We express concern with that kind of incident. Because if they keep on saying that we’re friends, I don’t think this is an act of friendship,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing. The passage of a Chinese warship in Philippine waters came following Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jinhua’s earlier commitment that the Chinese government would seek the permission of the Philippine government first. Panelo said if proven that there is a violation in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the government will file another diplomatic protest. PALACE││ A8

Duterte supports fair treatment of LGBT community By Azer Parrocha

DUTERTE

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte supports the fair treatment of members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Malacañang said on Thursday after a report on a transwoman being discriminated against went viral. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the act of barring transwoman Gretchen Diez from entering a female restroom in a mall in Cubao, Quezon City is a “violation” of the city’s Gender-Fair Ordinance that protects members of the LGBT community from discrimination. DUTERTE││ A5

PANELO

No halt in exposing Reds front AFP wants acts glorifying groups’ true colors: Parlade terrorism penalized By Benjamin Pulta

PARLADE

MANILA — There will be no let-up in exposing communist front organizations masquerading as something else to recruit fighters for the terrorist New People’s Army (NPA), an official of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC) said Thursday. “We will continue to expose them and it is time that the public learns about the duplicity of these organizations,” Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade told reporters shortly after a hearing into the perjury charges filed before the Quezon City prosecutors’ office by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon against the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Gabriela and Karapatan. NO││ A8

By Priam Nepomuceno

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is pushing to penalize any act that will glorify terrorism, as part of the bid to strengthen the country’s anti-terrorism law. “We also like to move to penalize and punish the act of glorification of terrorism. As I have said, one of the platforms, a potent one, that these terrorists use in order recruit and to convert individuals into violent extremists is through social media that they made as a platform to glorify, promote and advance terrorism,” AFP spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Thursday. AFP││ A5

AREVALO

Anti-subversion law revival to cause Reds’ natural death By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

ALBAYALDE

MANILA — The reinstatement of the anti-subversion law will lead to the natural death of the local armed communist insurgency movement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday. PNP chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde said the PNP fully supports the initiatives of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to restore the anti-subversion law that outlaws the Communist Party of the Philippines, the political arm of the terrorist New People’s Army. ANTI-SUBVERSION││ A8

Guevarra welcomes lifestyle check on gov’t execs By Benjamin Pulta

MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) welcomes moves to conduct a lifestyle check on public officials as part of Malacañang’s crackdown on corruption. GUEVARRA ││ A5

PH Navy vows support for dev’t of PH││ A8 IP communities

‘Tawatawa’ can raise platelets in dengue patients: ex-city doc

Dengvaxia must get FDA’s nod before reintroduction

TAWA-TAWA││ A5

NAPOLES ASKS SANDIGAN TO DROP PLUNDER RAPS, CITES PRECEDENT CASES STORY ON PAGE A2

ACOSTA

By Filane Mikee Cervantes

GORDON

MANILA — Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday said the French manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur must first re-apply for a license for Dengvaxia with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before the government considers reintroducing the anti-dengue vaccine amid the rising number of dengue cases in the country. Gordon said the controversial Dengvaxia must undergo some processes, including checks and balances in the government before it could be reintroduced for private and public use. DENGVAXIA││ A5

NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PHILHEALTH BUILDING LEASE DEAL: DUQUE

COMELEC ASKED TO REVERSE CANCELLATION OF CARDEMA’S NOMINATION

STORY ON PAGE A2

STORY ON PAGE A2

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THE MANILA EXPRESS

AUGUST 16, 2019

Community Service Act to address jail congestion: solon By Filane Mikee Cervantes

MANILA — Senator Richard Gordon on Thursday said the newly-signed Community Service Law could address the issue of high jail congestion rates nationwide. Gordon made the statement as he lauded the signing into law of Republic Act 11362 or the Community Service Act, which authorizes the court, in its discretion, to require community service for minor offenses. “I t ha n k President Duterte for enact i ng this law, which will be a game-changer. Instead of serving time in jail, offenders who committed minor offenses will pay their debt to society by doing community service which will be beneficial to the whole community,” Gordon said. “This way, they can do penance for the offenses they committed without worsening the congestion of our jails across the country,” he added. Gordon said aside from addressing jail congestion, the law also aims to inculcate civic consciousness, and is intended to improve a public work or promote public service. Under the law, the court may require community service instead of imprisonment for arresto menor (one day to 30 days imprisonment) and arresto mayor (one month and one day to six months). The law defines community service as “any actual physical activity which inculcates civic consciousness, and is intended towards the improvement of a public work or promotion of public service.” “If the defendant violates the terms of the community service, the court shall order his or her rearrest and the defendant shall serve the full term of the penalty, as the case may be, in jail, or the house of the defendant,” the law read. “However, if the defendant has fully complied with the terms of the community service, the court shall order the release of the defendant unless detained for some other offense,” it added. (PNA)

NEWS

Napoles asks Sandigan to drop plunder raps, cites precedent cases By Benjamin Pulta

MANILA — The defense counsels of alleged “pork barrel queen”, Janet Lim Napoles, urged the Sandiganbayan on Wednesday to order the dismissal of the plunder case filed against her by Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada following the acquittal of Sen Ramon “Bong” Revilla in a similar plunder complaint in connection with the multi-million pork barrel scam. Napoles’ counsels, led by lawyer Rony Garay, said the absence of a central public official as the main plunderer merits the dismissal of a case. Like Estrada, Revilla was a central figure in the indictment. In its 31-page motion, Napoles’ defense counsels point-

ed out that to sustain a conviction for plunder, an essential element is that there must be a single public officer identified or identifiable as the main plunderer. “(I)t is respectfully prayed that the assailed Resolution dated June 13, 2019, be reconsidered and set aside, and a new one be issued granting the demurrer to evidence of accused Napoles and dismissing the above-entitled case against her,” Napoles said in her motion. “All the evidence of the prosecution, still fail to identify the main plunderer, an essential element of the crime of plunder,” Napoles’ lawyers said, adding that “ the courts should persistently insist that accusa-

tion is not synonymous with guilt; hence, every circumstance favoring innocence should be fully taken into account,” Napoles argued in her pleading. Citing precedent cases involving President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Napoles said that while there can be several plunderers, a conviction requires that there is only one ‘main plunderer’ for whose benefit the amassing, accumulation and acquisition of ill-gotten wealth is made. Upon Arroyo’s acquittal in the plunder case for alleged irregularities in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the anti-graft court’s First Division had similarly dismissed the charges against the officials. Citing precedents, Napoles’

No conflict of interest in PhilHealth building lease deal: Duque By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

MANILA — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III denied allegations of conflict of interest over the lease of a property owned by his family to a regional office of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). In his opening statement at the joint hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon and Health and Demography Committees Wednesday, Duque clarified that his personal interest “did not in any way conflict with the interest of the government” with regard to Educational and Medical Development Corporation (EDMC) and the Doctors Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (DPI), two businesses on which his family members have a “substantial interest”. “The PhilHealth Region 1 lease of EMDC property was advantageous to the gover nment because it allowed the PhilHealth RO1 to move out of a b u i ld i n g wh ich was declared a fire hazard a nd cont i nue it s operations in a new office at a reasonable price. Indeed, Senator (Panfilo) Lacson himself said during his DUQUE III Kapihan

press conference on August 1 that the rent being charged to PhilHealth RO1 for the lease was fair,” Duque said. He stressed that the lease went through the proper procurement process required by Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and applicable regulations and that he did not participate in the negotiation or approval of the lease as an ex-officio member of the PhilHealth Board. “The lease of office space of a re-

gional office is a management matter handled by the Regional Vice President, while the Board deals strictly with policy matters. In fact, in 2013 I notified then Philhealth CEO Atty. Alex Padilla and his HEA (head executive assistant), Ruben John Basa, about my shares in EMDC. I was not ordered to divest,” he added. Concerning DPI, Duque explained he only acquired shares in DPI in 1996 — exactly 50 years after its founding and five years before he was appointed DOH Undersecretary. Citing the Commission on Audit findings for 2013 to 2017, Duque said he has pushed the management of the PhilHealth to address the commission’s findings since he assumed office as ex-officio chair of its board on November 6, 2017. “I am happy to report that, notwithstanding the controversies raised, the Management Report for FY 2018 shows that the corporation has finally made a financial breakthrough. After many successive years of negative performance, last year PhilHealth posted a net income of PHP11.6 Billion and net operating income of PHP4.8 billion,” he added. Stressing that there is more work to be done, Duque assured the public that he would continue overseeing policy reforms that will make PhilHealth a more responsive and transparent institution. (PNA)

Comelec asked to reverse cancellation of Cardema’s nomination By Ferdinand Patinio

MANILA — The Duterte Youth party-list first nominee, Ronald Cardema, on Tuesday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reverse it’s First Division’s decision canceling his nomination to represent the party-list group. In his 11-page motion for reconsideration (MR), Cardema insisted that he is eligible to occupy the Duterte Youth’s congressional seat it won in the last May 13 midterm elections after getting 354,629 votes. “It is respectfully prayed of

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this Honorable Commission that this Motion for Reconsideration be granted and that the August 5 Resolution of the First Division be reconsidered, reversed, and set aside,” Cardema said in his MR. Cardema contested the poll body’s ruling on August 5 that Duterte Youth’s nominees should not be more than 30 years old. “This finding is baseless considering that the records would disclose that Duterte Youth Party-list was registered and approved by this

Former National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairperson and Duterte Youth Party-list first nominee Ronald Cardema. (File photo)

Honorable Commission En Banc as a sectoral party representing the youth and young professionals,” he said. “To limit the qualification of Duterte Youth’s nominees to the age bracket of 25 to 30 years old is gravely erroneous considering that “young professionals” is devoid of legal meaning or definition. What is more, the decision of the party-list to leave the meaning of young professionals vague in their Charter and the fact that they chose respondent/ movant to represent them as their first nominee only mean that they do not limit its definition to those within the age bracket of 25 to 30 years old. This decision, being internal to the party, ought to be respected by the Honorable Commission,” he added. Cardema also questioned the ruling that he made material misrepresentation since he is beyond the age of 30 years set by Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7941 and therefore is ineligible to represent the youth sector. “However, since it is settled that the registration of Duterte Youth Party-list is not limited to the youth sector only, there appears to be no basis for the Honorable Commission First

Division to rule that respondent/movant Cardema made material representation by claiming he is eligible to be the first nominee of Duterte Youth Party-list when he is already 34 years of age or beyond the maximum age set by law for nominees of the youth sector,” he said. “The Constitution and ByLaws of Duterte Youth Party-list intentionally did not define what a young professional is but this matter is something that is internal to the party and which may or may not be a subject of a resolution later on,” he added. Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the poll body will decide first on the validity of the new set of nominees submitted by Duterte Youth next week. “I don’t know who is giving him legal advice. But, anyway, the Commission en banc will rule on that,” Guanzon said in a media interview on Wednesday. The new set of nominees also includes Cardema’s wife, Ducielle Marie (second nominee), Guillermo B. Villareal Jr., (third nominee) Krizza D. Reyes (fourth nominee), and Robert D. Garcia (fifth nominee). (PNA)

counsels argued that while “[i] t is possible for the main plunderer to exist alone without any co-conspirator as stated in the law on Plunder itself, it is never possible for a co-conspirator for Plunder to exist without the main plunderer xxx [a] private person like accused Napoles cannot be indicted nor convicted of the crime of plunder, if the Information failed to name the main plunderer or worse, wh e n t h e prosecution fails to conv ic t t he alleged m a i n plunderer.” (PNA)

NAPOLES

PNP calls on establishments to put up gender-sensitive by Christopher Lloyd Caliwan restrooms MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday urged establishments and government offices to put up a gender-sensitive comfort room as part of efforts to promote equality in all fields of social activity and combat discrimination. “May gender-sensitive CR na ba kayo? (Do you have a gender-sensitive CR?) I encourage everyone, from the private sectors to all government offices, to put up restrooms like this bilang pagrespeto sa karapatan ng bawat isa, anuman ang kaniyang kasarian (as a sign of respect to the rights of everyone, regardless of gender),” PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) chief, Brig. Gen. Dennis Siervo told reporters. Siervo said in their Camp Crame office in Quezon City, they designated a gender-sensitive comfort room which is open to police personnel and civilians who have transactions in their office. He said there are three comfort rooms in the said office — one for male, for female and the other with signage “Gender Sensitive Comfort Room, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) or Guests.” The PNP official’s remarks came after a janitress confronted Gretchen Custodio Diez, 28, a trans woman call center manager, who tried to use a women’s restroom in a mall in Quezon City last Tuesday. The incident happened despite the city having an ordinance that penalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) which was passed in 2014. Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director, said the argument between the transgender woman who allegedly vexed personnel of a mall in Araneta, Cubao by recording them and posting it live on social media was amicably settled after both parties decided to drop charges. Report from Cubao Police Station showed that prior to the settlement, at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, in a mall in Araneta, Cubao, a scuffle between Diez and personnel of the mall happened after the janitress prevented Diez from using a female comfort room. The sanitation personnel got irked when Diez took to social media live to record the discrimination she was experiencing. She was then brought to the security office and subsequently to the nearby police station. Later on, she was brought to the Anti-Cyber Crime Team in Camp Karingal for allegedly violating the cybercrime law but was brought back to the Cubao police station where an unjust vexation case was filed against her instead. Diez also decided to file a countercharge against the mall personnel but after consulting with her lawyer, she decided to settle the case amicably where the janitress decided to drop her complaint and apologized to her. Diez, however, will file charges against the mall’s management for violating the said ordinance. (PNA)

Chinese warships off Sibutu could be for surveillance: AFP By Priam Nepomuceno

MANILA — Chinese warships spotted off Sibutu Strait could be conducting surveillance or survey missions, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said Thursday. Arevalo remarked when asked for his assessment regarding the possible actions the Chinese ships are doing in the waterway. “As we were saying, we do not know really what they are up to but it could be that they are maybe conducting surveillance or they may be conducting studies or surveys which is something that would need an agreement or a process with which they have to undertake before they could perform such actions,” Arevalo said in a press briefing. While not operating in a hostile manner, the AFP spokesperson said the Chinese naval vessels immediately left the area and headed towards the direction leading out of the country’s waters once they learned that the military has taken notice of their presence. “And as we were saying these are not hostile actions or these sailings although not covered with appropriate processes are by itself not hostile so it is we feel that it is sufficient that we were able to monitor them, report their presence, make them feel and understand that we saw them, that we have monitored them and in a manner we have established our sovereignty and authority by flying over them and making our process known,” he added. Earlier, the Western Mindanao Command reported that five Chinese naval vessels have passed in the Sibutu Strait again, with four recorded in July and the last on August 4. (PNA)

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REGIONAL NEWS

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Marawi ‘ground zero’ residents may return to their homes—TFBM By Divina Suson

MARAWI CITY — Residents living inside the “ground zero” or areas severely destroyed during the Battle of Marawi in 2017 are now allowed to go back to their homes provided that they comply with all the requirements set by the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) and the local government. In a press briefing on Wednesday, Housing Secretary and TFBM Chairman Eduardo del Rosario said residents in Sectors 1, 2 and 3 inside the ground zero or “most affected area” (MAA) may

start constructing or repairing their homes and structures after securing the necessary permits. Del Rosario said Sector 1 residents were allowed to go back to their homes as early as July while those in Sectors 2 and 3 can now start processing their building permits and other requirements at the City Hall. A total of 6,435 structures were affected during the fivemonth war against the Dawlah Islamiya in 2017, TBFM said, adding that 4,000 of these are classified as housing and

commercial establishments that had to be demolished because the buildings are no longer safe for repair or rehabilitation. According to del Rosario, 80 percent of the owners of the damaged structures have already given consent for the demolition works being undertaken by the National Housing Authority (NHA). Demolition is set to be finished by the end of October this year, he said, including the clearing of debris. “The other 20 percent, they will be the ones to demolish their damaged houses. They will secure a permit from the

local government and, if given, then they will be allowed to demolish,” del Rosario said. “They will not be given building permit unless proven that their structures were not compromised. If it is no longer safe, they will not be given a permit to repair,” he added. He said those who refuse to grant consent for the government-led demolition and clearing works will have to shoulder the cost themselves. Del Rosario emphasized that no structure owner will be allowed to construct anything unless they follow the building code. Marawi City Mayor Majul

Cohara president Bong Pelaez said Kumbira Masters’ competition this year is intended for professional chefs in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), while other food competitions are open for culinary students. Pelaez also said that the promotion of halal food categories would equip local cooks and chefs for them to be able to compete in the Southeast Asian market. “We should be ready for our Asian tourists to take Filipino

style halal food,” Pelaez said. In his welcome message, Mayor Oscar Moreno praised Cohara for organizing Kumbira for over two decades now, saying local food is a major component of Higalaay Festival. “It’s appreciative in a way that Cohara has the spirit to pursue and to continue in a bigger way year after year and now introducing the foods of our Muslim community,” Moreno said. (PNA)

interested first in entering into an arrangement with the private sector partner for the slaughterhouse, waste-to-energy (projects), and markets, as long as we will be able to maintain the upkeep and rentals for the ground floor,” he said in his message before the signing of the MOA at the City Hall Penthouse. Pecson added the arrangement will allow the city government to “free a portion of the budget” that they can

use for other social projects that would benefit the locals. He, however, said that they will also be on the lookout for possible social concerns that may arise during the implementation of the projects. “It’s not just about the money, income or cost savings. It’s really a holistic approach and I’m very glad that we are very much aligned in that respect and that really makes it easier for our team to move forward,” Pecson said, noting that their team is already in Iloilo and eager to work with the city government. Mia Sebastian, PPP Center deputy executive director, in an interview explained that they will assist the city government in developing priority projects. “We will provide our inhouse employees, officials, as well as get assisted by our consultants in order to develop usually feasibility study, business cases on the priority infrastructure projects. Once the feasibility studies have been finished or conducted, we will help Iloilo City in the preparations in what we call the terms of reference for bidding out to the private sector,” Sebastian said. Treñas has created a PPP Selection Committee that will set into motion possible projects using the PPP scheme. Cit y ad m i n i st rator Melchor Tan serves as the mayor’s co-chair in the committee. (PNA)

Halal food highlights 2019 CDO’s Kumbira By Ercel Maandig

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Organizers of this year’s Kumbira food showcase highlighted the significance of “halal” cuisine in the Filipino and Southeast Asian culinary landscape. Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara) led Kumbira’s opening Wednesday with the unveiling of the Masters’ category, where cooks and chefs com-

pete to prepare dishes that are pork-free. Halal is a general term for the “permissible” way of life in Islam. Halal food follows a strict religious process of cooking and consuming, most notably by not eating pork meat and its derivatives. Organized by Cohara for 23 years now, Kumbira is one of the major events of the annual Higalaay Festival here.

Gandamra said the approval of building permits would not be easy as there are “overlapping claims” that have to be resolved in courts. Del Rosario said vertical management works will start in the last quarter of the year as the concerned government agencies are now on the procurement process. There are about 20 vertical projects to be implemented, he said. Vertical works include installation of power, water and telecommunication lines, construction of schools, market, convention center, hospital and other government facilities. “Once they are ready and

the budget is available, they can start the construction on the last quarter of the year, just in time for the completion of the debris management. Maybe 75 percent of the total will start their construction within the year and the remaining 25 percent will start the construction in the first quarter of 2020,” the TBFM chief said. He said the local government of Marawi has already submitted its pre-procurement documents for projects such as the construction of barangay halls, the grand central and Padian markets, a promenade, museum, and a peace memorial. (PNA)

New Negros Or police Iloilo City taps private sector help in major infra projects director assumes post By Perla Lena

ILOILO CITY — The administration of Mayor Jerry Treñas has tapped the assistance of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center to carry out three major infrastructure projects in this city. On Wednesday, the city government, represented by Treñas and PPP Center executive director Ferdinand Pecson, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA)

to “provide a framework for cooperation and coordination between the parties and with the goal of developing a robust pipeline of projects” for the metropolis. “We are very excited about this. I, together with the vice mayor, councilors and the department heads are looking forward towards this relationship with the PPP Center because we are

Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center executive director Ferdinand Pecson (seated left), Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas (center), and Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon on Wednesday sign a memorandum of agreement as the local government taps the center’s assistance in developing a 'robust pipeline of projects' for the metropolis. (PNA)

Ilocos Norte subsidizes P12.5M utility bills of public schools By Leilanie Adriano

LAOAG CITY — In support of the universal free education in the province, the Ilocos Norte government has allotted about P12.5 million for the payment of electricity bills of poor public schools here. Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc reported Tuesday the amount has been sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF) of the province. Ilocos Norte’s collection of SEF tax for 2019 has increased to P617 million compared to

last year’s more than P222 million. The provincial education department is currently studying which public elementary schools are qualified under the program. “We have created some criteria based on their maintenance and other operating expenses, because they will be consulted first prior to maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) implementation,” said Manotoc.

“This time, we will allow the schools to decide if they want us to pay their electricity or convert the amount for the purchase of supplies, computers or construction of additional school buildings,” he said. In 2018, the Kuryente Mo, Sagot Ko program covered over 300 primary schools from the 21 towns and two cities of the province that are receiving below P400,000 MOOE annually. Other projects funded under the SEF in previous years include the construction

of more Day Care centers, laboratory schools, comfort rooms, and establishment of three-generation playgrounds in public parks. Based on average data, the public elementary schools in the entire province has been paying approximately P8 million to P11 million in utility bills annually. The Ilocos Norte government also plans to expand its provincial scholarship grant and make sure the applicants are most deserving and most needy. (PNA)

By Mary Judaline Partlow

DUMAGUETE CITY — The newly-appointed acting provincial police director of Negros Oriental, Colonel Rizalito Gapas, formally assumed his post Wednesday after a turnover of command ceremony at the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO). Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, regional director of the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) in Central Visayas, presided over the change of command rites at the NOrPPO headquarters at Camp Fernandez, Agan-an in Sibulan town. Gapas was named the replacement for Col. Raul Tacaca who was officially relieved from his post last week to give way to investigations for possible lapses in relation to the series of killings that plagued the province in July. Before relinquishing his post, Tacaca thanked the police personnel of Negros Oriental for their support and cooperation during his more than a year of stay in the province. He also thanked Governor Roel Degamo, who was present during the turnover, for the support that the provincial government gave to the NOPPO during his watch. Upon his assumption, Gapas, a former Pasig City Police chief, gave the assurance that he will do his best as expected of him. Gapas said: “Back in Metro Manila, what we know is what we hear from the news.” He said the reports of killings everywhere plus the insurgency problem which appears to have grown “apparently to an uncontrollable level” has made people in Metro Manila apprehensive about Negros Oriental. “But I guess it is not true. I still believe in the peace-loving heart of the Negrenses and from my standpoint as the acting provincial director, I promise that I will be pursuing the thrust of the PNP with the guidance of the Chief PNP and the PNP regional director,” he said “So we will pursue our campaign on criminality, illegal drugs, and internal cleansing,” he said. Gapas highlighted the internal cleansing of the organization where police officers “arrest their own” and “this is to show to the people that they can still trust their police force.” And to be able to achieve this, the police need the help of the people, he said. While en route here, at least five police officers have already told him that he has accepted a formidable task “but I will never be disappointed with that, I will not back down on that,” Gapas said. Aside from Degamo, a number of mayors were present during the turnover of command ceremony. (PNA)

Brigadier General Debold Sinas (center), regional director of the Police Regional Office-7, presides over the turnover of command of outgoing police director Colonel Raul Tacaca (left) to acting police director Col. Rizalito Gapas. (PNA)

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OPINION

H DIREK TO THE POINT The Royal Prince HERE was another ambition on the Global T Elite agenda during this period: the end of God in the human mind. The Elite's god is the

Luciferic Consciousness, but they wanted the human mind to reject all beliefs in eternal life and believe in mortality, finality, and materialistic 'science'. This would turn human consciousness into an even greater slave to this material level. In the very late 1800s, a controversial document came to light called the Protocols Of The Elders Of Zion. I call them the Illuminati Protocols. Some say they were a fake made public only to discredit Jews, and I use the term Illuminati Protocols' to get away from the Jewish emphasis. If they were a fake, something that is quite possible, what were they a fake of, and by whom? The authors of the best-selling book, Holy Blood, Holy Grail, conclude that the original Protocols were indeed true. They suggest that they were the work of an elite group called The Priory of

Sion, the inner, controlling, core of the Knights Templars. They believe that this original document was changed to make it appear as a Jewish plot. I certainly would not dismiss such a conclusion. It is the manipulation they describe that interests me, not who has been blamed for it. I believe their origin lies with the Illuminati, as does Rabbi Antelman. Whatever the arguments, one fact cannot be denied, given the observation of the last 100 years. The Protocols, from wherever they came, were a quite stunning prophecy of what has happened in the twentieth century in terms of wars and the manipulation I am exposing here. Whoever wrote them sure as heck knew what the game plan was. One protocol speaks of the way the manipulators intended to destroy the idea of God in as many human minds as possible.

The Theory That Mislead The Human Mind

Darwinism, of course, refers to Charles Darwin, the man most effective in achieving a widespread belief in one-lifeand-that's-it. He suggested in the mid- 1800s that the potential of the mind is developed by genetic inheritance. This is patent nonsense, but it did provide the explanation for the eugenics (racial purity) movement that would follow and lead both to Adolf Hitler and the population control policies of today. His work, Origin Of Species, to give it a shortened title, was to become the basis for 'scientific' thinking and its mindset controls what we bravely call science to this day. His most famous theory, that of the survival of the fittest, didn't even appear in the first four editions. He lifted it from the writings of a contemporary, Herbert Spencer, who had lifted it from someone else. The word 'evolution' did not appear until the sixth edition, in 1872. I understand that even Darwin didn't believe his theory by the end of his life, and he thought God created human beings. But his Origin Of Species went on to take over 'scientific' thought anyway. It was designed by the Elite to do just that. Darwin was another stooge. He was the frontman for a coup on the human mind which was coordinated over many years. A small group of people known as the Lunar Society in Birmingham, England, was significant in this. The group continued its influence under the name of the London-based Royal Society, which is still one of the most influential bodies in the world with regard to science. The Royal Society was founded by the Order of the Rosy Cross in the reign of Charles II. Another famous scientific' influence, Sir Isaac Newton, was a Rosicrucian and Grand Master of the Priory of Sion, the inner core of the Knights Templar. He was an inspiration behind the founding of the Royal Society. Researchers into the background of the Lunar Society have shown that it reflected (with remarkable accuracy) a group called the Invisible College, described in Francis Bacon's work, The New Atlantis. It was known as the Lunar Society because it met once a month at the time of the full moon. Among its members were Benjamin Franklin, one of the founders of the United States and close associate of French revolutionaries, and...Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin, the man who would later be the frontman for this-world-is-allthere-is. What a coincidence! Another member of the Lunar Society was the Unitarian, Josiah Wedgwood, founder of the famous pottery, and his daughter was to become the mother of Charles Darwin after she married Dr. Robert

STRAIGHT TO THE FACT The Maharlikan Prince

Darwin, the son of Erasmus Darwin. Nothing like keeping it in the family! Six of the Lunar Society's members were educated at Edinburgh University, as was Charles Darwin. The society was a revolutionary organization which supported the overthrowing of the monarchies and the undermining of God in the human belief system. Benjamin Franklin became a sort of shuttle 'diplomat' for the cause, in the same way, that Henry Kissinger would come to be in the second half of this century. I cannot recommend too highly the book by the Canadian scientist and researcher, Ian T. Taylor, called In The Minds Of Men: Darwin And The New World Order. This reveals the story of how modern 'scientific' theory was created and sold as truth to mislead the human mind. With detailed, documented evidence, Taylor pulls apart the structure of the scientific establishment, its beliefs, claims, and manipulation. Every student of science would benefit very much from reading it. But, of course, most people don't read such evidence. They go through the schools and university system and absorb all the accepted nonsense that originates from Darwin's time. This affects the way many of them see themselves and life in general, and, as we have discussed, they create that reality in the world around them. It is a world of "What's the point? We are only cosmic accidents after all, and life is about the survival of the fittest. No room for sentiment; it's everyone for themselves." A movement that has appeared from the Darwin view of life is called Humanism, another vehicle for manipulation, even though the overwhelming majority of its advocates will not realize it. Still today, organizations like the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP) do all they can to discredit any explanations or phenomena which expose establishment science as a scam. One passionate British campaigner against alternative scientific explanation is Susan Blackmore, who is wheeled onto television programs galore to defend the establishment line against all challenges. The padlock on such minds challenges my imagination. In our brief history of the conspiracy, we are now in the early years of the twentieth century. The manipulators have created the banking and financial system, introduced this-world-is-allthere-is science, and they have, through plotted revolution, installed a series of phoney democracies which they control and direct while the people think they are free. In their misguided minds, the time was right to launch the next stage on the road to the New World Order. It was time to go global.

The Nuclear Power 'Sting'

The expansion of nuclear power was another reason for the environmental agenda which was being stimulated in this same period via the Club of Rome and other Elite fronts. THE GREATEST MYSTERY Here again, we meet one of the The Story That Will Change The World oilmen at that infamous Bilderberg Group meeting which NE effect of the oil price alarms which the agreed to the oil alarms, RobElite oil cartels had to overpower was the ert O. Anderson, owner of the Atlantic Richfield move to nuclear power. I have great reservations Oil Company and a board member of Kissinger about nuclear power and I feel it is just a middle Associates. He channeled large sums through stage before we realize it is possible to connect his Atlantic Richfield Foundation to organizathe natural energies of Planet Earth to give us tions as opposed to nuclear energy. One was all the safe, non-polluting, warmth and power to become a front-runner in the environmental that we need. What is clear, however, is that movement: Friends of the Earth. It was set up there has been a well-organized campaign by with the help of a $200,000 dollar grant from the oil cartels to discredit and destroy nucle- Anderson. He also donated to the Friends of the ar power as a credible alternative to oil. What Earth campaigns against the German nuclear follows will provide more cause for indication program in the mid-to late-seventies. by the environmental movement, and give you Robert O. Anderson, the multimillionaire another example of how the network of banking/ oilman, was chairman of his own creation, the oil-business/political interests work together to Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies. Where mislead and use people of real intent. were most of the Wilderness Conference held In December 1971, McGeorge Bundy (CFR, which discussed the World Conservation Bank? TC, Bil), the head of the Ford Foundation, ar- ...the Aspen Institute. Anderson has used Aspen ranged for the $4 million funding of a study as part of his anti-nuclear power strategy and to highlight the environment as a global problem in need of a global - centralized - solution. But wait, who's this? There is a Maurice Strong named on the Aspen Institute Board. It couldn't possibly be the same Maurice Strong I mentioned earlier as the friend of David Rockefeller, could it? The Maurice Strong who was the first head of the UN Environment Agency and 'Mr. Green' at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio? It surely could. Given that this 'environmentalist' is a Canadian called A Time To Choose: America's Energy oilman, he would have had a lot in common with Future. Bundy was Henry Kissinger's former his fellow directors. dean at Harvard University and his boss for a Today the WWF, now called the Worldwide short time when Kissinger was a consultant to Fund for Nature, is headed by Prince Philip (Bil), the National Security Council of John F. Ken- the environmentalist with a love of shooting nedy. The Ford Foundation report pressed for birds from the sky. It is not only Prince Philip 'alternative' energy sources like wind and solar who can be seen to have a smoking gun in his power and dismissed nuclear power. The oil hand. So can many who have shaped the envicartel is quite happy with the conventional green ronmental debate and the 'solutions' to Third 'alternatives' because they do not have the credi- World debt. It is really time for those in the green bility to replace oil. They fear other alternatives, movement who actually care for the planet - the however, like nuclear power and, especially, the majority - to wake up and take another look at free energy technology which uses the Earth's what they are involved in. There is one heck of energy field. This is why the latter has been so a confidence trick going on. soundly bottled-up. Researcher, Dr. Kitty Little, suggests another reason for the Elite's attack on nuclear power. Dr. Little worked at the British Atomic Energy Establishment at Harwell between 1949 and 1958, ® and she has been a major contributor at the public inquiries into the nuclear power complexes at Windscale (Sellafield) and Hinkley Point. Her Global Empire Media Group, LLC research and contacts over more than 50 years led her to 1950 W. Corporate Way, PMB 95972 believe that the French arm of the House of Rothschild Anaheim, CA 92801 is seeking to monopolize uranium and nuclear power Website: technology, together with the www.themanilaexpress.com technology for reprocessing spent fuel. Dr. Little says they Email: are planning to achieve this monopoly by the time gas and [email protected] oil supplies are running out. In pursuit of this, they are using

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environmental concerns and political maneuvering to destroy the coal industry and to stop the development of nuclear power and reprocessing by national governments. They want to store the rights to this know-how themselves for when the world is running out of energy. The privatization of the British electricity industry was part of this strategy of controlling energy supplies, Dr. Little says. Who privatized British electricity and helped to run down the coal industry? Lord Wakeham. Who did he work for after he left the government? N.M. Rothschild. Who advised the government on the privatization of electricity, coal, and gas? N.M. Rothschild. Who advised the Hanson multinational in its efforts to acquire the privatized Eastern Electricity in August 1995? N.M. Rothschild. According to Dr. Little, the Rothschilds now control 80% of world uranium supplies. I stress that I am not attacking Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, and the environmental movement in general. They have done some good work overall. I am only pointing out that they can, and are, used to promote the New World Order, mostly (though certainly not in every case) without their knowledge. Again the elites are not 'pro' or 'anti' the environmental movement. They will use it when it suits their interests and undermine it when it doesn't. The British Friends of the Earth campaign director, Andrew Lees, a man I met and had great respect for, was found dead in Madagascar in January 1995 where he was filming the site of a proposed two billion pound mine. The official verdict of a 'heart attack' sounds very convenient and coincidental to me. When environmentalists can be tricked into advancing the New World Order agenda, they are supported, congratulated, and patted on the head. When they are behaving in ways that oppose the plans of those in power, quite another approach is used towards them. So it is with all the people and all subject areas. When Pakistan's Prime Minister, Ali Bhutto,

proposed an expansion of his country's nuclear power program, he came under tremendous pressure from Henry Kissinger by August 1976 to drop the plan. Independent power supplies of whatever kind are not good for control and what the Elite fear more than anything is someone setting a good example that others will follow. What happened to Bhutto also fits in with Dr. Little's contention about the monopoly of nuclear technology. The list continues to mount. Even the campaign against nuclear power leads to the same people and the same agenda. And by the way, it was the Elite-puppet, General Zia Ul-Hag, who was used to trigger the war in Afghanistan.

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Nat’l dengue epidemic could have been averted By Rolex Alvero Elmido

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N August 6, the Department of Health declared a national dengue epidemic, citing an all-time high on the number of dengue-infected people, running up to hundreds of thousands nationwide, and the corollary scary rise in the number of deaths from the disease. There is no cure for dengue, health authorities said. Those who are afflicted with the disease are at the mercy of either a subsequent episode of healing or the doom of death. We seemed helpless as this affliction goes from worse to worst with the number of the affected people surging to an uncontrollable level. How did it happen? And why? Seems nobody is asking. Or are we really that helpless? Not in terms of a cure because there is none yet, but on the issue of preventing the onslaught of the disease. In terms of prevention, we dare say we have the best fighting chance. At least on averting a national epidemic. Health authorities are expert on prevention and they know its worth, based on past and present realities. The Philippines fell prey to dengue epidemic five times since 1926 until 1998, and one of the notable factors that caused the outbreaks is improper management and disposal of solid waste, similar to what triggered the spread of the virus this year. This means that they are expected to be adept on what to do to avert a similar crisis from occurring anew. Also, they know more than anyone else that dengue fever occurs every year in the Philippines from July, peaks in August to September and then subsides towards November. Talking about expected event, the DOH is at its best well prepared for it, from prevention up to control of its escalation. With this knowledge however, why the agency’s “inaction” at the onset of dengue? Is dengue really that unstoppable like the bubonic plague of olden times? Is the government and the public inutile to stop its spread, just watching helplessly while the deadly thing grows to a monumental mess? Whatever is the reason that the DOH may have on this, we believe that the dengue outbreak is not an inevitable phenomenon. If the disease has no cure, then health authorities should have focused on prevention before dengue strikes. They must have stopped the disease from its roots. But why did they not act before the epidemic? The DOH is one of the five government agencies that have the biggest annual budget. Why did it not use its resources fully in the prevention stage? Preventive measures are aplenty, such as the elimination of breeding places of dengue-carrying mosquitoes, and sanitation around residences, among others. These could have been done in tandem with massive information drive to educate the public in preventing dengue, even in all barangays in the country. DOH could have pre-empted this sad eventuality if only it focused on prevention more than anything else. Now with the dengue epidemic gaining national infamy, the DOH and local government units are frantically implementing measures in response to the outbreak. Take note, it’s epidemic response they are now pushing for. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III recently said there is P500 million quick response fund ready for distribution to LGUs in the fight against dengue. He said the LGUs could use the millions of fund allocation “to mount an effective response” to the outbreak. Now comes the big question: Does a particular LGU has the capability to contain dengue spread now than during the onset of the virus? Is an LGU capable of implementing an effective response to the epidemic? What would be the response then, and how could it be that effective? How will an LGU use its allocation of millions of money for the purpose? These intentions of “response” is as hollow as the LGUs’ declaration of a state of emergency over dengue, which is simply to get more money at the pretext of dengue “response and prevention.” Bring back the outlawed Dengvaxia? Even if some officials said this vaccine is not design for epidemic response? It is a vaccine only, and administered before the disease strikes. But why they are pushing for the President’s approval for its revival? Clearly, the current dengue outbreak exposes the failure, or incapability, of the DOH to avert a devastating problem. This is one best example of an inept agency that tackles a problem after-the-fact or only when the event goes out of hand. After the declaration of a national dengue epidemic, the DOH shifted its gears and funds, with the LGUs as its partners, to a heightened campaign. For what? Dengue prevention. There are now spates of cleanup drives across the country, and destruction of mosquito breeding sites, among others. As if we are still on the prevention phase of this mess. Duque said further these activities are one of the “primary interventions to prevent and control dengue.” We dare ask him: Why only now? Too late. The epidemic had broken out. Prevention could have been done before, Mr. Secretary.

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Dengvaxia must get FDA’s nod before reintroduction FROM PAGE A1

The Department of Health (DOH) stopped its massive dengue immunization program using Dengvaxia in late 2017 after Sanofi Pasteur said patients who had no prior exposure to the dengue virus were at risk of more severe dengue. “We should make haste on this plan slowly. Sanofi should re-apply for an FDA license if the government will reintroduce the vaccine to fight the dengue epidemic that broke out in various parts of the country,” Gordon

said. “Though it was already given a license during the previous administration, the process by which the drug manufacturer got it was questionable,” he added. He cited the old practice in the FDA wherein new drugs get a one-year provisional license, in which the company monitors several patients and is accountable and liable for any adverse effects. He, however, noted that this requirement was suspended, which allowed Dengvaxia distributor Zuellig to get an outright five-

year license without undergoing the one-year provisional license to take care of the required number of patients. “We should tarry a little and make the vaccine undergo the proper process for licensing first. Let’s see if they can now comply with the requirements,” Gordon said. “It was when the process was tampered that we got into trouble and made it worse for hundreds of thousands of vaccinees whose seroprevalence is unknown. I hope the DOH will not be politicized again and compromise its

role as Sentinel of Public Health,” he added. Last week, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said if findings will show the benefits of using Dengvaxia against dengue, “then certainly the government should consider it”. Panelo underscored the need to thoroughly investigate the safety and effectiveness of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine. Panelo suggested after Iloilo First District Rep. Janette Garin appealed to the government to allow anew the use

of Dengvaxia. Garin was Health secretary when the government used Dengvaxia for the anti-dengue vaccination program of the administration of then-president Benigno Aquino III. (PNA)

‘Tawa-tawa’ can raise platelets in dengue patients: ex-city doc By Liza Agoot

BAGUIO CITY — A former official of the city Health Services Office (HSO) here said Thursday he is glad that there are studies to show the use of “tawa-tawa” plant as emergency medicine for dengue patients. In an interview, Dr. John Tinoyan, former assistant health officer, who handled the emergency medical response team, said his own clinical trial showed that “tawa-tawa” or “gatas-gatasan” which naturally grows on the roads have properties that can increase the platelet and red blood cell of a dengue patient. Tinoyan said he first did his clinical trial with several patients mostly in Luzon– his

initial trial being his grandchild and the caregiver, who both had dengue. “I was not afraid because I want my apo to get well. I got the plant, dried it, pounded it and capsulized it and sent it to Manila. They took it while they were hospitalized and three days after, they were out of the hospital,” he said. His other clinical trials were subjected while the patients were also receiving treatment at a hospital, Tinoyan said. He noted that none of the patients he gave “tawa-tawa” to was on the brink of death. Tinoyan said after getting a positive result, he started to place the capsule in the emergency medicine kit of the EMS. For emergency calls from den-

NO LAUGHING MATTER. "Tawa-tawa" plant has been used in the city for dengue patients in the past several years which Dr. John Tinoyan, a former assistant health officer of Baguio, says has been shown to help patients increase their platelet and red blood cells. He said he has been making tawa-tawa capsule by reducing the plant to powder form and gives them for free to dengue patients. (PNAphotoLizaT.Agoot)

AFP wants acts glorifying terrorism penalized

sidering the temperature. Earlier, DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said a herbal supplement developed from “tawa-tawa” using a loan from the DOST will be available by mid-August. He said the food supplement from “tawa-tawa” that helps fight the dengue virus and increases the platelet count was developed by a company that prioritizes plants or fruits that are known to be associated with illnesses based on folkloric literature. Dela Peña, however, pointed out that it is a supplement, not a medicine until after a clinical trial or human testing. Just the prominent food supplement that comes from colored fruits, Tinoyan said he knows that plants or fruits and vegetables with color like violet and brown are high with an antioxidant component which helps in the production of red blood cells. “I hope there will be more clinical trials,” he said. “I have a feeling that with the use of tawa-tawa coupled with the usual hospital or doctor management, we would be able to stop deaths due to dengue,” he added. The DOH in the region recorded that from January 1 to August 10, the Cordillera Administrative Region has recorded 4,704 dengue cases with nine deaths. Baguio City recorded 135 cases in July and 64 cases for the first half of August. Three cases were recorded in the city for the past four weeks. (PNA)

gingawa doon sa transgender (so what was done to the transgender is a violation),” Panelo said in a Palace briefing. Panelo, however, acknowledged that the mall and cleaning crew has issued an apology to Diez and expressed willingness to be educated on LGBT rights. “I remember the President expressed support for the LGBT one time so I think he will support that kind, gusto nun palaging (he always wants) fair treatment to all,” Panelo said. “We have to respect the rights of all people. Kung yan ang choice nila eh (If it’s their choice),” he added. Asked if Duterte would certify as urgent the passage of the sexual orientation or gender identity or expression equality (SOGIE) bill, Panelo said he will ask the President but will leave

it to Congress to act upon it. “Passage will depend on the wisdom of the lawmakers. We cannot encroach on that, sa kanila ‘yun (that’s theirs),” Panelo said. The SOGIE bill, which was refiled by Senator Risa Hontiveros in the 18th Congress, seeks to penalize discrimination against the LGBT community by a fine of PHP100,000 to PHP500,000 or imprisonment of six to 12 years subject to the discretion of the court. S e n at or s C h r i s t o ph e r “Bong” Go and Imee Marcos have supported Hontiveros’ SOGIE bill. Earlier, Mayor Joy Belmonte slammed the mall management for rejecting Diez from entering a female restroom and assured the members of the LGBT community that Quezon City will protect their rights. (PNA)

Nature Park (BWNP) is hereby declared a special eco-tourism zone,” the law read. The law mandates the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Depart ment of Tou rism (DOT), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to include BWNP in the priority development. A multisectoral Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Development Council shall be established to be chaired by the mayor of Balanga City. Under the law, the DENR and the DOT, in coordination with the DPWH, TIEZA, shall jointly assist the Balan-

Development Council in the formulation of the ecotourism development and management plan for the BWNP that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines for responsible, community-based eco-tourism. The plan must include a carrying capacity of the ecopark and its migratory birds; a specific site assessment; identification of strategic priorities; product development for local income generations; capacity-building for the local community; support for the formulation of local production groups and networks; marketing strategies that reflect the natural, social, and environmental integrity of the BWNP, among others. (PNA)

Duterte supports fair treatment of LGBT community

FROM PAGE A1

Part of the AFP proposal is to penalize, not only consummated acts of terrorism, but also efforts to recruit and provide aid to terror organizations. “We are also including in our proposal to penalize not only consummated act of terrorism but also including crimes like inciting to commit terrorism, recruitment to the terrorist organization, and providing material support to terrorists,” Arevalo said. The AFP spokesperson also said that they are planning to coordinate with the legislature so that foreign terrorist fighters and aliens be made liable for terrorism. “These are just some of the proposals as regards, that we have and we are proposing to Congress to add to the present Human Security Act which to our mind appear to be more restrictive of the security forces rather than empowering members of the security forces,” Arevalo stressed. Also, the AFP spokesperson said that they are also recommending that the 40-year imprisonment penalty for terrorists be expanded to life imprisonment without the benefit of parole due to the seriousness of the crime. (PNA)

gue patients, he asked that the tawa-tawa capsule be given for free. The plant can either be made as powder and capsulized or as simply dried, pounded and added with water and drink it like a tea, he said. Tinoyan said his inspiration is from the alternative medicine bill of the late Senator Juan Flavier, which aims to give free alternative medicine to indigent patients. “On my interest as chief of EMS, I thought of using this as an emergency medicine on all emergency case we have to respond to,” he said. He said Flavier’s alternative medicine law names 10 plants, and he looks forward to the inclusion of the tawa-tawa in the list, especially with the DOST’s research findings. Tinoyan also said that while he wanted to do more research and find out what the plant component, it is just impossible considering that a bioassay- a procedure to identify the component of a plant costs PHP20 million. He said that it is about time that the Department of Health (DOH) support the extensive research on the plant. “Everybody could afford [to get it] as long as the plant is available. That’s why this is the spirit of the law of alternative medicine to provide free medicines to the indigent, to those who cannot afford expensive medicines,” he said. The tawa-tawa, he said, naturally grows in temperate areas, but none in Baguio con-

DUTERTE FROM PAGE A1

Under the local measure, it is unlawful to “ridicule, to commit harassment, disallow the entry from any establishment, promote discrimination and to commit any act that demeans the dignity and self-respect of a person.” “Our position is we have to respect LGBT. Tsaka (And) another thing, there is an ordinance. There is an ordinance to respect them so violation yung

GORDON

Bulacan airport project officially awarded to San Miguel By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz

MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Wednesday issued the Notice of Award (NOA) for the PHP734-billion New Manila International Airport, also known as the Bulacan International Airport, to San Miguel Holdings Corporation (SMHC). Following the issuance of the NOA, the SMHC is charged with the financing, design, construction, supply, completion, testing, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the new international airport meant to serve as a premier international gateway to the National Capital Region. The DOTr said SMHC must submit required documents to the DOTr Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) within 20 days after the receipt of the NOA. DOTr Director for Communications Iris Pagsanjan, in a message to reporters, said these required documents include the NOA with written conformity from SMHC’s authorized representative, a construction performance security equal to a percentage of the first implementation phase cost of the project, and letters from reputable financial institutions that would provide sufficient credit for the project’s completion. DOTr Assistant Secretary for Communications Goddes Hope Libiran added that the project’s first phase cost is PHP450 billion excluding financing and other charges. “Once the requirements are complied with and the contract is signed, we will issue immediately a Notice to Commence Construction/Notice to Proceed,” Pagsanjan said. DOTr Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development Ruben “Benny” Reinoso Jr. commended SMHC for taking the initiative for the ambitious project that will help in decongesting the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). “Finally, we can push forward with the Bulacan International Airport. Malaking ginhawa po ito para sa mga kababayan natin sa Central Luzon at northern part ng Metro Manila (This will be a big relief for our fellow Filipinos in Central Luzon and the northern part of Metro Manila). Once operational, this new airport will give connectivity options to our citizens,” Reinoso said. Last July 31, the SMHC, the project’s original proponent, won the Swiss challenge for the Bulacan airport by the DOTr’s SBAC following no contest from other parties. Construction for the New Manila International Airport will begin by year’s end and its operations are set to commence within the next four to six years. (PNA)

NEW MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. An artist's perspective for the New Manila International Airport (Bulacan International Airport), an international gateway with four runways, 100 million yearly passenger capacity which can later be expanded to 200 million, and a total project cost of PHP734 Billion. (Photo

courtesy of SMHC)

welcomes lifestyle Balanga’s nature park declared ecotourism zone Guevarra check on gov’t execs end, the Balanga Wetland and ga Wetland and Nature Park By Azer Parrocha

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park (BWNP) located in Barangay Tortugas, City of Balanga, Bataan as a community-based eco-tourism zone. A copy of Republic Act 11365 or “Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Responsible Ecotourism Act” which Duterte signed on August 8 was released to media on Wednesday (August 14). “The State is mandated to promote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and equitable for the local community. Towards this

FROM PAGE A1

“That’s very good. I welcome that. As a matter of fact, especially for me, until now, sa Bulacan pa ko umuuwi (I still travel home to Bulacan),” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in jest when asked for his comment on the proposal Thursday. He, however, underscored that there are several government officials and employees who are well-off even before they joined public service. “That’s okay. I guess that’s very healthy exercise and that will dispel any doubts about the integrity of the Cabinet members but let me tell you that some of these Cabinet members are wealthy even before they joined the government service. Kaya wag nating ipagtaka kung bakit anlaki ng kanilang (That is why we should not be surprised why they have a big) net worth. They are already wealthy before they joined the government,” Guevarra added. The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission earlier said a “lifestyle check” is being undertaken on at least 200 government officials from the Bureau of Customs, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said the reviews will be finished by the end of the year. (PNA)

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AUGUST 16, 2019

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Palace concerned over Chinese warship in Sibutu Strait bring up the presence of Chinese warships in Philippine waters during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Panelo said it will be the chief executive’s call. “But any issue will always be open between the two heads of state. Depende sa kanila kung anong pag-uusapan nila (It depends on what they will talk about),” he added. Panelo, meanwhile, said he will call the attention of the Chinese government over its warships’ passage in Philippine waters when he meets Zhao for a working dinner. “We will call their attention. We will call their attention. The Chinese Ambassador has invited me for dinner in one of these days. Maybe I will raise that to him,” Panelo said. “I will ask him kung ano na nangyari doon (what happened there) I remember Secretary Delfin was quoting him, ‘di ba na ‘that’s wrong, we’re friends,’” he added. Following Zhao’s recent statement that China’s position not recognizing the arbitral ruling remains unchanged, Panelo said he told Zhao via text message that the Philippine stand also remains. Panelo, however, is hopeful that bilateral negotiations would still help resolve the sea dispute By Ferdinand Patinio between the Philippines and MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on China. Wednesday assured that it will settle in due time liquidation “Neither are we changing our reports on its expenses, which were flagged by the Composition too. But it doesn’t mean mission on Audit (COA). that as friends, we cannot discuss Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said this inthat issue. It has to be discussed, cludes liquidation reports on travel and cash advances. that is precisely why there is a “The other liquidations that are remaining are the usual mechanism for negotiation,” ‘yung mga travel, cash advances of Commissioner, DirecPanelo said. tors…but it will be settled in due time. It’s not a malversation “There are things we can agree issue,” Guanzon said in an interview. upon, there are differences that “It’s because when you travel you have to liquidate your we may not. But that does not cash advances by submitting documents, boarding pass, preclude both countries to raise sometimes you know some people lose their boarding passes so it takes time to reconstruct…thing like that,” she added. Citing a report from the Comelec’s Finance Department, the poll body official said the COA report is no longer accurate. FROM PAGE A1 “There have been liquidations already after that report was Parlade, who is also Armed done by COA. So we are happy that our Finance Department Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been working hard because that used to be more than Deputy Chief of Staff for CivPHP5 billion and it went down to PHP1.6 billion because il-Military Operations, also we are required to liquidate,” Guanzon added. scored Karapatan for continuing On Monday, the COA has required the poll body to imto evade allegations of recruitmediately liquidate its cash advances amounting to over ing minors for the communist PHP1.6 billion. movement. The figure includes expenses in the 2018 Barangay and “Karapatan is the worst. Sila Sangguniang Kabataan elections totaling to PHP1.202 bilang (They have the) agenda. Ang lion. (PNA) problema natin ngayon sa mga

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“Baka (Perhaps) it’s a violation of the UNCLOS. Violation ng UNCLOS ‘yan eh kung dumaraan sa ating EEZ (Passing through our EEZ is a violation of UNCLOS). I’m sure the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Secretary (Teodoro Locsin Jr.) will do something about that,” Panelo said. He echoed the position of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenza who asked China to explain the presence of warships in Philippine waters. “Gaya ng posisyon ng ating (Just like the position of the) Secretary of National Defense, we don’t like that. And ‘pag na-verify mo na naman ‘yun ‘di(and it has to be verified so) another subject of diplomatic protest by the DFA,” Panelo said. He also agreed with Lorenzana that China’s consistent driving away Filipino fishermen within the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ) could be considered an act of “bullying.” Asked if President Rodrigo Duterte would

Comelec to settle P1.6-B unliquidated expenses

that issue and discuss amicably,” he added. Quoting the President, Panelo said nobody could stop the chief executive from saying what he wants to say. “He will not alter his position on the matter in the same way that the Chinese government as it says will not (recognize the arbitral ruling),” Panelo said. “What is important is, as he promised the Filipino people, he will raise that issue (arbitral ruling) at the proper time and he said, ‘This is the time,’” he added. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) released its verdict on the Philippines’ arbitration case filed against China in 2013 nullifying China’s nine-dash line claims of nearly the entire West Philippine Sea or South China Sea including part of the Philippines’ EEZ. The PCA concluded that there was “no legal basis” for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line” but China refused to recognize this Code of conduct President Duterte is expected to bring up the completion of the Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea when he meets Xi in Beijing this month to invoke the PCA ruling won by the Philippines against China. Once the 10-member bloc and China conclude COC negotiations and arrive at a consensus on its content, the document will serve as a binding guideline for parties in the contested waters. “That’s why the President—that’s what he told me pala last night. The reason among others na (that) he wants to go to China is because he wants to hasten the enactment of the Code of Conduct because it triggers incidence,” Panelo said. “That is not or that is harmful, kaya gusto niyang makausap si (that’s why he wants to speak to) President Xi on that. Coordinator kasi si Presidente sa Asia region (The President is the coordinator of the Asia region),” he added. (PNA)

Probe on PAO chief up to Ombudsman: Guevarra FROM PAGE A1

“What I know is that there is already a case filed by a certain Mr. Garrido against the PAO chief and it is pending investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman. So (this) request (of) some anonymous PAO lawyers for, I think, suspension in the meantime of the PAO chief, we will leave that to the Office of the Ombudsman. Bahala na si Ombudsman Samuel Martires on that (It is up for Ombudsman Samuel Martires to act on that),” Guevarra told newsmen in a chance interview. The PAO’s forensics laboratory plays a key role in its effort to litigate victims of the Dengvaxia anti-dengue vaccine controversy involving the premature use of vaccines, which Acosta claims have resulted in several deaths during the past administration. Guevarra said that while the disposition of the case will be up to the Ombudsman, he had been informed by Acosta and claimed the creation of the office was above board. “I really cannot comment on that. Because the matter is already being investigated but based on what I know, (it was like) Chief Acosta mentioned to me that the creation of that office was with the approval of the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) but that’s all that I can say. The matter is under investigation,” the DOJ chief said. The DOJ chief said Acosta insisted that the case is a harassment suit when the PAO chief sought permission to travel abroad. “She has a proposed trip, I think to Malta but there are certain legal requirements before the chief of the agency, in this case, have to consider before giving the go signal to travel abroad,” Guevarra said. (PNA)

No halt in exposing Reds front groups’ true colors: Parlade

Anti-subversion law revival to cause Reds’ natural death

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He said the repeal of the law emboldened CPP-NPA to wage its campaign of terror across the country while at the same time strengthening its political base and legal fronts. “Because the CPP-NPA employs violence and terrorism to advance its cause to topple the government, all its organizational components including ideological roots must be subject to the justice system as violations of law just like the criminal actions committed by armed fighters of the NPA,” Albayalde said in a statement. By reviving this law, the country’s top cop said this would augment President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order 70 which is aimed at ending the communist insurgency in the Philippines. “At the same time, an enabling law that criminalizes subversion augurs well with national objectives in support of Executive Order No. 70 to end the local communist armed conflict. Such law will allow the PNP to effectively implement legal offensive actions against the CPP/NPA/NDF and all the criminal, economic and organizational support systems that sustain its terrorist activities,” he noted. “Criminalizing subversion will empower the government to exercise its inherent right to protect itself against forces that seek to bring it down,” he added. Albayalde, however, said it would require “several studies” whether anti-subversion law will be more productive or become harmful. The Anti-Subversion Act or Republic Act (RA) 1700 was passed in June 1957 during the presidency of Carlos P. Garcia. It declared the CPP illegal as an organized conspiracy to overthrow the government to establish in the Philippines a totalitarian regime. During the martial law period, RA 1700 was expanded through Presidential Decree (PD) 885 in 1976 and PD 1835 in 1981. These decrees made it a subversive criminal act to be affiliated with a group and attend a meeting or take part in any activity meant to overthrow the government with the open or covert assistance and support of a foreign power. During the time of President Corazon Aquino, she issued Executive Order 167, series of 1987 repealing PDs 1835 and 1975 and reviving RA 1700. In 1992, then-President Fidel Ramos signed RA 7636 repealing RA 1700. Under this law, subversion is no longer a criminal offense but sedition remai ned a crime. (PNA) ALBAYALDE

kabataan. Bakit hindi nila harapin? Kasi member sila, nasa ilalim sila (We have a problem with the youth. Why don’t they face it? It’s because they are a member. They are under the communist movement),” Parlade said, as he dared the self-styled rights group to bare all it knows about 8,000 missing minors mostly young women recruited from schools by communist front organizations. A number of these minors subsequently end up dead in armed encounters between the NPA units they joined and military troops. After the hearing, Parlade sought to talk personally with nuns who attended the hearings. “I’m trying to reach out to them, to tell na may problema dun sa kanilang pinaglalaban pero yung kanilang lawyer na NUPL (National Union of People’s Lawyers) at Karapatan kinuha sila (that there is a problem with what they are fighting for. But their lawyer from

NUPL and Karapatan took them away),”he said. “Ine-exploit ang mga madre. May problema. May hindi totoo (The nuns are being exploited. There is a problem. There are lies),” Parlade said. During the hearing, Assistant City Prosecutor Nilo Peñaflor received the counter-affidavits from respondent members of Karapatan, RMP, and Gabriela. Peñaflor also gave Esperon, who was represented by lawyer Shena Marie A. Lopez, until September 5 to submit a reply-affidavit. Esperon, NTF ELCAC vice chairman, was one of the respondents in petitions for writs of Amparo and habeas data filed by the groups before the Court of Appeals. The two petitions were subsequently dismissed by the appellate court. In the case of the RMP for instance, petitioners before the CA led by Cristina Palabay perjured herself claiming that RMP is a duly registered non-stock, non-profit corporation pursuant to Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration No. 147764. Contrary to the verification and certification executed by petitioners, the SEC already revoked the certificate of registration of RMP on August 20, 2003, for its failure to submit the required General Information Sheets and Financial Statements

from 1997 to 2002. The said revocation took effect on September 23, 2003. Similarly, Gabriela has multiple registrations in the SEC, which Parlade said aim to mislead people. The RMP runs the 55 Salugpungan Ta’tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center Inc. (Salugpungan) whose operations were earlier ordered suspended by the Department of Education. Reports of the military and police and testimonies of the Mindanao Indigenous People’s Counsel Elders and Leaders said there was an unmistakable pattern of training anti-government

armed rebels by these schools. These schools have a different “national” anthem that they teach to students. Students were also taught to assemble and disassemble firearms and learn the alphabets with different anti-government slogans like “A for armas (weapon)”. Esperon added that the schools do not issue credentials to students, thus making them unable to take further studies. The CPP-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines. (PNA)

NO HALT IN EXPOSING REDS. Armed Forces of the Philip-

pines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations Maj. Gen. Antonio Parlade reiterates that the government will be relentless in its efforts to expose communist front organizations in an interview with reporters at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Thursday (August 15, 2019). The city's prosecutors conducted a hearing into the perjury charges filed by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon against the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Gabriela and Karapatan. (PNA photo by Benjamin Pulta)

PH Navy vows support for dev’t of IP communities By Priam Nepomuceno

MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PN) is more than willing to work with Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities to ensure their development and prosperity. PN flag officer in command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad made this pledge during the courtesy call on him by a group of IP leaders aboard the BRP Ang Pangulo (ACS-25), which was docked at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor Wednesday. “Kasama niyo ang inyong Navy upang bigyan ng pagasa ang inyong mga kababayan na nilinlang ng mga kaaway. Handa ang inyong Navy na makipagtulungan sa inyo upang magkaroon ng progreso, katahimikan at kaunlaran ang ating mga IP. Marami kaming natutunan sa inyo at taos-puso kami nagpapasalamat(Your Navy is with you in giving hope to our countrymen who have been deceived by the ene-

mies. Your Navy is ready to work with you in achieving progress, peace, and development for the IPs. We have learned much from you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts),” he said. Lt. Cmdr. Maria Christina A. Roxas, PN public affairs office chief, said five out of eight IP ambassadors — Datu Awing Apoga, Datu Malapandaw Nestor Apas, Datu Joel Dahusay, Bae Chiary Balinan, and Bae Magdalina Gano — had the opportunity to sit with the senior leaders of the Navy and narrate their sad experiences with communist groups. These tribal leaders just came back from a monthlong tour of the United States, where they conducted a “Truth Caravan” for various Filipino-American communities – which aimed to unmask the abuses done by leftist groups in their communities. Empedrad considered this encounter with tribal lead-

ers as a learning experience to better understand the real situation of IP communities and the encroaching presence of abusive communist groups. The PN is partnering with civil society organizations and

other stakeholders in promoting peace and the peaceful resolution of conflict through the conduct of consultations and dialogues as part of its support role in the government thrust. (PNA)

SUPPORT FOR IPs. Officials of the Philippine Navy stand with Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders outside the BRP Ang Pangulo at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor on Wednesday (August 14, 2019). The IP leaders made a courtesy call on PN flag-officer-in-command Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad after their month-long tour to the United States where they conducted a “Truth Caravan” for various Filipino-American communities where revealed the abuses done by leftist groups in their communities. (Photo courtesy: Naval Public Affairs Office)

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AUGUST 16, 2019

THE MANILA EXPRESS

SPORTS

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Email: [email protected] Website: www.themanilaexpress.com

Philippine amateur baseball team to compete in Asian Championship By Nariyoung Kim

THE Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) is preparing and organizing

18 players to play in the upcoming 10th Baseball Federation of Asia Under-15

Ibgos to challenge Kiram for WBA Asia super welterweight title By Lito Delos Reyes

DAVAO CITY — Junjesie “Tornado” Ibgos of Zamboanga del Sur will challenge Tewa Kiram of Thailand for his World Boxing Association Asia super welterweight title at the Suamlum Night Bazaar in Ratchadaphisek, Bangkok

IBGOS

on September 7. The 25-year-old Ibgos (13W-4L-0D, 11KO) TKO’d Butuan’s Roldan Malinao in the third round in Iligan City in 2018. Ibgos then lost to China’s Cheng Su for the vacant World Boxing Organization Oriental super welterweight title in ShangRao Sports Center, Shangrao on May 10. The 27-year-old Kiram (41W-1L-0D, 30KO) TKO’d Ramadhani Shauri in the 12th round on May 9. He then lost by a knockout to Lucas Martin Matthysse of Argentina in the eighth round via a vacant WBA world welterweight title in 2018. The promoter is Niwat Laosuwannawat of Galaxy Boxing Promotion. (PNA)

(U15) Championship held in Shenzhen, China on August 16-25. PABA is hoping for baseball to develop in the country and as well as to improve the popularity of the Philippines to foreign countries. Ranking in the 33rd spot in the 2018 WBSC world rankings, the Philippine team are prepared to clash with this continents best and strives to face the high-ranking teams such as Japan, Korea, and Taipei. “The PABA, with the solid support of the Philippine Sports Commission, is working on the country’s quality participation in sanctioned tournaments to improve our once competi-

tive world ranking,” PABA president Chito Loyzaga said, “this participation of the Philippine team is a vital contribution to the PABA’s initiative to tap new blood and elevate standards of the sport through the proper formation and fielding of competitive team.” The members of the U15 team was selected with “exhaustive and diligent tryout process attended by 92 players from different parts of the country,” as described by the Head coach Ricard Jimenez with assistant coach Anthony Dizer, Jr. and team manager Mike Asuncion. “The association is overwhelmed by the general interest of our youth baseball

Late goals lift Kaya Iloilo, Air Force By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

LIPA — Kaya Iloilo and Air Force banked on late goals to win their respective Philippines Football League matches on Wednesday. Jordan Mintah won it for Kaya Iloilo as the club subdued Green Archers United,

1-0, at the Aboitiz Pitch here. Mintah converted the 86th-minute goal off the feed from Jalsor Soriano as Kaya Iloilo survived a scare from GAU earlier in the second half after John Marcellana’s attempt hit the crossbar before going back to play, although spectators thought the ball already

PFL ACTION. Jovin Bedic of Kaya Iloilo jocks for position against Joel Okono Green Archers United. Kaya Iloilo won, 1-0, at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa City on Wednesday (Aug. 14, 2019).

(Contributed photo by Kaya FC Iloilo)

MANILA — The Philippine Basketball Association slapped Arwind Santos with a PHP200,000 fine for his racial remark on Terrence Jones in Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between San Miguel and TNT. The Beerman was seen flashing a monkey gesture on the KaTropa's import, which according to the former was just a part of the mind games. The gesture did not sit well with fans of TNT and even SMB as well as Jones, Ginebra's Joe Devance, and actress Jackie Forster among other prominent figures

who aired their takes on the unsportsmanlike move. Santos, through a video posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts, eventually apologized to Jones, saying, "I didn't mean anything bad for you. I hope you forgive me. I wanna say sorry again." He also asked for forgiveness from his fans and his critics, saying, "Gusto ko ring humingi ng taos-pusong pagpapatawad sa mga fans ng Talk 'n Text, San Miguel, PBA, at sa lahat po ng nasaktan. Wala po akong masamang intensyon. Inaamin ko po. Mali po ako (I also want to ask

forgiveness from the fans of Talk 'N Text, San Miguel, PBA and all those I've offended. I have no bad intention. I admit. I made a mistake)." Santos will also undergo 100 hours of community service and counseling for equality and racial discrimination. Santos, however, was not given a suspension, meaning he can play for the Beermen as they try to clinch the title away from the KaTropa in Game 6 of the best-of-seven series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday night. (PNA)

MANILA — Diversified engineering conglomerate DMCI Holdings, Inc. reported a 22-percent decline in consolidated income for the first half of 2019 amid weak contributions of coal and power, construction, and mining businesses. Its profit reached PHP6.7 billion in January to June from PHP8.6 billion the previous year. For the second quarter alone, the conglomerate posted PHP3.8 billion in net income, down 20 percent yearon-year from PHP4.7 billion. “We had a tough first-half because of the lower average selling price of coal, higher replacement power costs, provisions for project cost overruns and lower average price for our lower grade nickel,”

DMCI Holdings Chairman and President Isidro Consunji said in a statement. “But we hope to curb the profit decline in the succeeding quarters,” he added. DMCI Holdings Vice President and Senior Finance Officer Brian Lim said they are optimistic about the second half of the year and the future. “There are positive expectations like the NSCR (NorthSouth Commuter Railway) (which) will generate future revenues in construction,” he said in a press briefing Tuesday night. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) awarded the contract for the PHP54-billion NSCR Phase 1 project to the joint venture of D.M. Consunji Inc. (DMCI) and Taisei Cor-

poration of Japan. The railway project will connect Tutuban in Manila and Malolos, Bulacan. Meanwhile, net income contributions from Semirara Mining and Power Corporation (SMPC) dropped 26 percent from PHP4.6 billion to PHP3.4 billion during the first half this year, owing to a 213-percent upturn in replacement power costs and lower average selling price of coal. DMCI Homes recorded a 360 percent drop in net earnings contribution from PHP1.8 billion to PHP1.2 billion due mainly to the absence of one-time gain from the sale of land in 2018. Income share from DMCI declined 35 percent from PHP676 million to PHP440 million due to provisions for cost overruns. Off-grid energy supplier

Salva to fight Taduran for vacant IBF world minimumweight title By Lito Delos Reyes DAVAO CITY — Undefeated Samuel "Silent Assassin" Salva of Iligan City will fight against dangerous Pedro "Rattle Snake" Taduran of Valenzuela City for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) World minimumweight title on September 7 in Taguig City. The 22-year old Salva (17W-0L, 10KO) scored a unanimous decision against Zamboanga's Rene Mark Cuarto last March 23 in Pasay City. He earlier TKO'd Ipil's Jason Mopon last Nov. 25 in Iligan City. Salva also TKO'd Marco John Rementizo of Cagayan de Oro City to win the MinProba minimumweight title last Oct. 15 in Robinson's Place Iligan. Taduran, on the other hand, has 13 wins with 10 knockouts against two losses. He knocked out Jeffrey Galero of Cagayan de Oro in the 2nd round to retain the Philippine minimumweight title last Dec. 18 in Pangasinan. The 22-year old Taduran lost by a unanimous decision to Chayaphon Moonsri of Thailand for the WBC World minimumweight title on Aug. 29, 2018. Meanwhile, flyweight Giemel "Pistolero" Magramo (23W-1L-0D, 19KO) of Paranaque will face Komgrich Nantapech (25W-5L-0D, 16KO) of Thailand in the undercard. (PNA)

By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

MANILA — Ceres-Negros waylaid Stallion Laguna, with a 5-0 win in the nightcap of the Philippines Football League matches at the Aboitiz Pitch in Lipa, Batangas on Wednesday. Ceres-Negros used a three-goal barrage in a span of six minutes to romp away from the Stallions. Bienve Maranon scored first for Ceres with a 32nd minute goal. Mike Ott made it 2-0 with a goal in the 35th minute, while Carlie de Murga capped the late first-half barrage with his 38th-minute attack. Robert Lopez Mendy then drilled Ceres-Negros’ fourth goal in the 64th minute before Maranon sealed the brace for the shutout win with his 88th-minute strike. Ceres-Negros is now solely on top of the league table again with 31 points, while Stallion Laguna remains in third place with 21. (PNA)

Ilocos Norte gov’t allots PHP2.8M for Batang Pinoy athletes By Leilanie Adriano

SANTOS

DMCI Holdings profit hits P6.7B in H1 By Leslie Gatpolintan

went inside the goal line but was overlooked by the assistant referee. Meanwhile, Darl Poderoso won it late for Air Force as his 84th-minute goal lifted his club to a stunning 1-0 win against Mendiola at the PFF National Training Centre in Carmona. Kaya Iloilo is now tied on points with Ceres Negros for first place in the league table with 28 points, although the latter is ahead on goal difference. Ceres Negros can reclaim the solo lead on points with a win against Stallion Laguna in the nightcap of the Aboitiz Pitch twin bill which is ongoing as of posting. On the other hand, Air Force (seven points) is now just three points behind Mendiola (10) for fifth place in the table. (PNA)

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Ceres Negros mauls Stallion Laguna in PFL nightcap

Arwind Santos fined P200-K for racist slur on Terrence Jones By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno

players,” Layzaga said, “it just shows there is recovering popularity of the sport and PABA hopes to tap more talents especially from the far-flung provinces.” The players included in the U15 team are Francwin Basanes, Ezykiel Bautista, Jose Emmauiel Cahilo, Francis Cyrus Carino, Raven Paul Cuarto, Niccolo Armando de Castro, John Allen dela Cruz, Khristian Aleck Ferrolino, Marco Daniel Flores, Kim Darwin Jarito, Eman Jesie Javier, Gerry Asher Laylo, Ram Gauvin Matanguihan, Mark Morillo, John Mark Natanawan, Virgilio Jake Roxas, Roan Vrix Terrible and Axl Ross Vispo.

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DMCI Power contributed PHP233 million, a 9-percent improvement from PHP214 million last year. Higher energy sales to power cooperatives in Masbate, Palawan, and Oriental Mindoro accounted for the growth. Attributable net income from DMCI Mining slipped 22 percent from PHP221 million to PHP173 million as the company shipped more lower-grade nickel at a lower average selling price. Net income contributions from affiliate Maynilad grew 16 percent from PHP950 million to PHP1.1 billion owing to the combined effect of billed volume and tariff increases. Other income during the first half surged by 43 percent from PHP88 million to PHP126 million because of higher interest income. (PNA)

LAOAG CITY — The provincial government of Ilocos Norte has allocated around PHP2.8 million for the official delegates to represent the province in the 2019 Batang Pinoy national championship in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on August 25-31. Faivo Bartolome, Ilocos Norte Sports Development Council consultant, on Tuesday said that it is the first time that 53 provincial athletes, who took part in the Luzon qualifying leg in Ilagan City, Isabela last March, will compete in at least eight events which include gymnastics, cycling, baseball, taekwondo, swimming, athletics, triathlon, and duathlon in the national finals. The Provincial Finance Council has certified the availability of funds for the delegation sourced the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc has certified as urgent the appropriation of said amount on Tuesday, which was unanimously approved by the provincial board. “Our athletes have great potential to win in the national finals,” Bartolome said in defending the budget the province poured out for sports development. The Ilocos Norte team going to Puerto Princesa is composed of 71 delegates composed of athletes, coaches, and medical personnel to look after them. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) spearheads the Batang Pinoy, declared as a National Sports Development Program for children through Executive Order 44 and a National Community Sports Program through Executive Order 79. The sports event has been an integral part of the national policy and program for sports development to effectively address the need for a comprehensive grassroots sports program. It is held in cooperation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and all local government units. (PNA)

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AUGUST 16, 2019

THE MANILA EXPRESS

BUSINESS

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Some banks asked for ATM fees reduction: BSP execs By Joann Villanueva

MANILA — Not all the banks that have applied for adjustments in their automated teller machine (ATM) transaction fees asked for increases, officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Wednesday. BSP Deput y Gover nor Chuchi Fonacier said less than 10 banks have submitted applications to change their ATM fee rates after the lifting last month of the moratorium on such imposed on September 27, 2013. Fonacier said the requests

were being evaluated on a per bank basis since some of them have wide networks of ATMs nationwide, while the others do not have. To date, the prevailing ATM fees range from PHP11 to PHP15, monetary officials said. Fonacier said those that have applied to reduce their ATM fees were asking for a reduction from the current average of PHP13 per transaction. She attributed the application for reduced fees to economies of scale and density of ATM cards the banks have issued.

Global Ferronickel Holdings nets P105-M in H1 By Lilybeth Ison

MANILA — Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) on Tuesday reported its net income reached PHP105.3 million for the first half of 2019 from a measly PHP4 million it recorded in the same period last year. Its revenue also grew by 24.1 percent year-on-year to PHP1.77 billion from PHP1.43 billion in the same period a year ago. “We have taken advantage of favorable weather conditions and the improving prices of nickel and nickel ore. Our commitment to excellence and growing expertise in the mining business have allowed us to increase our revenue and improve on our profitability,” FNI President Dante Bravo said in a statement. From January to June 2019, FNI, the second-largest nickel ore exporter in the country, shipped 33 vessels of nickel ore, equivalent to 1.8 million wet metric tons (WMT), which is 16.9 percent higher than the ore shipment during the same period last year. With the company’s deliberate push for the sale of higher-grade nickel ores to take advantage of better prices, the resulting product mix for the first semester of the year stood at 39 percent low-grade and 61 percent medium-grade, as against 43 percent low-grade and 57 percent medium-grade in the same period in 2018. FNI has also shipped two vessels of 1.65 percent nickel ores compared to just one vessel in 2018. Average realized prices increased by 14.8 percent for lowgrade ores and 1.6 percent for medium-grade ores. On the other hand, the corresponding average cash cost registered at PHP796 per WMT, which is a 5.8 percent increase from the prior period. Despite the increase, FNI said margins remained healthy as improvement in top-line surpasses the increase in the overall cost. The company posted better earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and net income margins at 20.3 percent and 5.9 percent, respectively, as against the previous period’s margins of 17.5 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively, it added. Systematic operations, boost in mining capacity due to the increasing number of mining equipment, proper planning and foresight, efficient stockpiling, and having the flexibility to adapt to changing day-to-day situations, enabled the mining firm to achieve favorable outcomes. As a testament to its operational excellence, FNI closed the first half of the year at a net dispatch position of about USD215,000. “Despite the challenges we’ve faced in recent years, we continue to thrive and remain positive in the overall health of the industry. Given the limited nickel supply and increasing end-product demand worldwide, we believe that the demand-supply fundamentals bode well for the company,” Bravo said. (PNA)

Fonacier also assured the public that banks will be required to make a public announcement on when the rates on their ATM transaction fees will be adjusted vis-à-vis the central bank’s consumer protection program. She said banks that have applied for higher fees have been required to justify their requests by submitting the necessary documents. “The BSP will try to look at it and review whether it is really justified and that it is reasonable,” she said, noting that rates should not increase beyond PHP20 per transaction. Fonacier explained that among the considerations for any fee increase is for the bank to further service the public’s banking needs, especially those in remote and high-risk areas. “Of course, BSP would like the banking public’s needs to

be served and so we’re opening this but subject, of course, to the scrutiny of the BSP,” she said. “The banking public is assured that the BSP would really be very objective in trying to review this. It’s not automatic that (after the) lifting (of the moratorium), they can increase the fees on their own. It would still pass the scrutiny of the BSP,” she added. Fonacier also encouraged the banking public to tap other electronic banking options, such as the real-time electronic payment systems called InstaPay and PESONet, which are the two clearing houses (ACH) under the National Retail Payment System (NRPS). Relatively, BSP Financial Technology Sub-Sector officerin-charge Vicente de Villa III said they cannot just push InstaPay and PESONet to people

leged irregularities in the issuance of Provisional Authority (PA) and the grant of Certificate of Public Convenience to Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) applicants. ARTA also asked LTFRB to explain its alleged failure to act on applications for the issuance and renewal of PAs within the stamped processing time and t he i m- position of undue

etary officials want the rates to be market-dictated. (PNA)

FONACIER

TDF rates fall across-the-board By Joann Villanueva

MANILA — The latest cut in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key rates resulted in the same outcome for the term deposit facility (TDF) Wednesday. Rate of the eight-day facility, which is a day longer given the holiday on August 21, declined to 4.4389 percent from 4.5844 percent during the auction last August 7. The central bank offered it for PHP40 billion, but banks submitted PHP51.252 billion worth of tenders. The auction committee made a full award. The facility’s bid coverage ratio, however, rose to 1.2813 from 1.2396 last week. Average rate of the 14-day facility slipped to 4.4905 percent from 4.6176 percent last week. Tenders reached PHP40.747 billion, higher than the

PHP30-billion offer, which was fully awarded. Bid coverage ratio also went down after it ended the day at 1.3502 from 1.4809 in the previous week’s auction. Also, rate of the 28-day facility declined to 4.4961 percent from 4.6033 percent in the previous auction. It was offered for PHP30 billion but tenders reached PHP45.142 billion. The auction committee awarded PHP30 billion. Bid coverage ratio went down to 1.5047 from last week’s 2.0900. In an answer to queries on the TDF results this week, the central bank attributed the drop in rates to the 25 basis points cut in the BSP’s key rates during the meeting of the policy-making Monetary

Board (MB) last August 8. This is the second reduction for the BSP rates this year after the same cut last May. BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, who chairs the MB, said they decided to reduce anew the central bank’s key rates since inflation continues to decelerate while domestic growth remains firm.

The BSP statement also cited the submission of the strong bids during the auction. “The results of today’s auction reflected ample market liquidity coming from the higher National Government (NG) disbursements and 200bps reduction in the reserve requirement ratio between May and July,” it added. (PNA)

Hong Kong body stops ticket sales at airport: PAL By Ma. Cristina Arayata

MANILA — The Hong Kong Airport Authority on Wednesday informed all airlines to cease ticket sales at the airport, a local carrier spokesperson said. Philippine Airlines (PAL) spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said this was due to the tightened security meas-

ures and access control being implemented in the passenger terminal building. Currently, all airport access points are manned by the Hong Kong Aviation Security, police, and airline staff. Ground handling agents are assisting the screening

Regulations must promote efficiency, competitiveness: NEDA MANILA – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has urged government agencies to ensure that policies, regulations, and other interventions promote market efficiency and do not inhibit competition and innovation. “Businesses and consumers benefit from greater efficiency and market competition. Government processes, rules, and regulations, as well as issuances, should not be overly restrictive resulting in undue and unnecessary burden to businesses, consumers, and the public at large. We need to have a regulatory environment that encourages — not stifles — productivity, innovation, and efficiency improvements,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said. NEDA stated the Anti-Red Tape Aut horit y’s (ARTA) call for the Land Tra n spor t at ion Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to address al-

because monetary officials still want to give the latter options depending on their profiles. He explained there are people who still prefer the “old school way” of banking transactions, like over-the-counter and use of ATMs while there are those who want to use latest means, such as through mobile applications. “There are those who don’t want to go out and just stay in their home, especially now with the traffic Different market segments have to be addressed,” he said. De Villa said there are possibilities of reducing the rates “because there are areas where there is competition and are highly saturated.” He declined to say how much would be the change in fees and noted that mon-

regulatory burden and cost. LTFRB reportedly requires TNVS applicants to file their application in person as the designation of a representative other than the direct ascendant or descendant of the applicants is prohibited. On Aug. 13, 2019, ARTA announced that after receiving LTFRB’s response, it will submit a report of their findings and

recommendations to President Rodrigo R. Duterte. It also stated that they will issue an order for LTFRB to automatically approve all applications that have already complied with requirements and are only waiting for a decision. “The imposition of additional requirements without due cause restricts the entry of market players or businesses in any industry. Our role in government is to simplify and streamline processes to create an enabling environment that would be beneficial to all in the long term,” Pernia said. The Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 aims to institutionalize a National Competition Policy that enhances market competition by fostering an environment that facilitates the entry of players and supports regulatory reforms. (PR)

process, Villaluna said. Villaluna said those who would like to book flights out of Hong Kong may visit the carrier’s website, call reservations hotline (+632 855-8888), or visit the PAL ticketing office in Hong Kong. The ongoing protests inside the airport premises prompted authorities

to stop operations at the gateway on Monday and Tuesday. Airlines have been canceling or rescheduling their services going to and out of Hong Kong since last week due to the slowdown in airport operations and the flight reduction scheme implemented by authorities. (PNA)

Rate cut expectations push PH’s 10-year T-bond rate down By Joann Villanueva

MANILA — Rate of the Philippines’ 10-year Treasury bond (T-bond) fell by 144.8 basis points to 4.196 percent on Tuesday on expectations for more reductions in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) key policy rates. The tenor fetched an average rate of 5.644 percent during the auction last May 28, while the rate in the secondary market on Tuesday morning was higher at 4.372 percent. National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon told journalists that the auction committee already expected the auction’s results due partly to statements by BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno that more rate cuts are in the offing. During the meeting of the BSP’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) last August 8, the Board reduced by 25 basis points the central bank’s key rates effective the following day. The cut was made after the same level of reduction last May, both of which was due to the continued deceleration of domestic inflation rate and assessments that domestic growth remains firm despite the weaker output in the first half of the year. De Leon said investors also took note of Diokno’s statement of further cuts in banks’ reserve requirement ratio (RRR) after a total of 200 basis points reduction from May to July this year. “There’s also the flight to safe-haven coming from what’s happening (overseas like the) escalation of trade disputes between (the) US and China (and) of course (on) what’s happening with Argentina,” she said. Another concern among investors is the growth outlook on the global economy, she added. On the domestic front, De Leon further said investors are taking advantage of current opportunities to lock in gains ahead of the expected decline of interest rates. (PNA)

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DOLE advises OFWs to ‘avoid protest areas, observe curfew’ By Ferdinand Patinio

MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Wednesday urged overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong to observe curfew in the wake of ongoing protests there. “T he POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) advised them (OFWs) not to roam around. After office hours, go home di-

BELLO

rectly. It’s for their protection,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in an interview. The Labor chief also advised OFWs to stay home during their days-off. “Avoid public places for now. You can never tell. Look at that, did anybody expect the protest action will be in the airport?” the DOLE chief added. Bello said the employers of OFWs are not liable for whatever untoward incident which may happen if they choose to roam around.

“It is not the responsibility of the employer. It is the worker who is advised not to go out. Well, it’s mandatory in a sense you should be cautioned from going out. But if you don’t follow it, our labor officer cannot do anything about it. There is no penalty. But if something happens to them, it’s their fault. You cannot blame the employer and the POLO officer,” the DOLE head added. Bello also reported that since the arrest of a Filipino working in Disneyland who was mistaken as a protester,

By Christian Jireh Enriquez

By Nariyoung Kim

nounced the protesters showing extreme anger by calling their protests and demonstrations as ” acts of terrorism” due to the use of dangerous tools to attack the police. Five people were arrested during the latest protests. The police were angered by the act of violence shown by the protesters overnight. The police stated that they had “harassed and assaulted a visitor and a journalist.” The protesters think otherwise, stating that one of those who was assaulted was a Chinese agent while the other

was confirmed to be a reporter from China’s Global Times newspaper. Michele Bachelet, United Nations human rights commissioner, urged authorities to show restraint and investigate evidence regarding the tear gas used at the protests which were banned by the International law. After the overnight demonstration at the airport, the protesters gave their statements of apology in the airport by promising to let the passengers depart and by assisting the medical team in aiding the injured.

No OFW deployment ban to Hong Kong yet: DOLE By Ferdinand Patinio

MANILA — There is no need to impose a ban on the deployment of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to Hong Kong, for now, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said on Thursday. With this, DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III noted that they have yet to receive a recommendation from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding the situation in the island. “The DFA has not yet raised the alert level in Hong Kong.

We are waiting for their recommendation before we make any action or temporarily suspend the deployment of our OFWs in Hong Kong,” said the DOLE chief in a statement. He added that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) is closely monitoring the situation in the Chinese territory. Bello also directed labor officials there to provide him with a periodic report on the situation should tension escalate.

could no longer control the activities that are when we will prevent our workers from going there to prevent putting them in a compromising situation,” he added. The DFA has not raised any alert level in Hong Kong so far, Bello said. He noted that there is constant monitoring and so far, there is no sign of escalation of violence. On Monday, protesters stormed the Hong Kong International Airport, disrupting flights in and out of the Chinese territory. (PNA)

2 Pinays come home after deportation

Hong Kong airports continues operations after shutdown

AFTER closing down due to mass protests and riots during the past two days, Hong Kong’s airport decided to reopen and resume operations on Wednesday rescheduling multiple flights that were disrupted due to the violent demonstration. Many of the protesters remained at the airport displaying their posters and messages to the tourists while the Airport staff cleaned the airport grounds from all the debris left during the riots. The Chinese government has de-

no other OFWs have been arrested in the Chinese special administrative region. Bello also said there is no need to implement a deployment ban due to the current situation in Hong Kong. “So far, there are no serious incidents that warrant our consideration of a ban especially since we have to get a signal from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs),” he explained. “If it can be established by our DFA that the protest actions are going out of control and that the local police

At the same time, he advised OFWs to stay indoors and avoid going to areas where protests are happening. “We urge our household service workers in Hong Kong to stay in their workplaces for the time being and avoid the streets where protests are held. We are closely monitoring the situation,” the DOLE head said. Likewise, he discouraged the Filipinos from wearing white or black shirts while on the streets to avoid being mistaken as protesters and prevent untoward incidents.

Earlier, Bello urged OFWs there to respect curfew of the host country and also to refrain from going out after finishing their work. The protest actions in the former British colony have affected the arrival and departure at the Hong Kong International Airport as thousands of protesters have entered the facility, thus affecting its operations. The protests stemmed from a bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China. Majority of Filipino workers in Hong Kong are household service workers. (PNA)

LONGING for their hometown, two female overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) returned to the Philippines together with an Israeli-born teenage boy last Tuesday night after being deported from Israel. As caregivers, the two Filipinas worked in Israel for more than 15 years but was arrested after seeing that their visas were already expired and soon deported from the Jewish state. All of them arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 with a flight number on Philippine Airlines flight 737. They successfully returned to the country after being arrested. They are just 2 of the hundreds of OFWs who are at risk of being deported because of breaching their contracts to their employers and illegally staying in Israel for years. The immigration said that all violations are being checked by foreign authorities and may cause the deportation of our OFWs ignoring these issues. This is a crisis that all OFWs should be aware of to prevent anything like this from happening again.

Hong Kong employers set curfew for housemaids By Nariyoung Kim

ACCORDING to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Hong Kong employers established curfews for maids due to the dangers of the current riot and protests in Hong Kong. Filipino domestic workers are also required to be fetched upon arrival at the airport in Hong Kong by the foreign recruitment agencies as stated by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. There will be no penalty for those who will violate the curfew, but it is still recommended by the Labor Secretary to accept and follow the given curfew for their safety. “Most of the domestic workers have curfew during their day off. Since the riots usually occur in the evening, workers are also advised to stay at home by the end of their working hours,” said Bello. Due to the lack of protection by the Hong Kong judicial system for the domestic workers, the labor officers or their employers can not be held accountable if anything were to happen to their workers. “It is the worker who is advised not to go out and the employers can’t do anything if they will not comply. But if something happens to them they can’t blame the employer and our labor officers,” said Bello. OFWs are requested to give their contact information to their local recruiters so that they will be easily located if needed. The Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) reminded the employers to remember their duties and responsibilities to the OFWs. It is also reminded that the employers are prohibited to bring their workers to join the rallies and protests. “They know what to do and what not to do. Now to protect our OFWs, particularly our household service workers, our POLO office advised foreign recruitment agencies to be vigilant and to ensure that a representative will pick up the worker upon arrival at the airport whether old or first-timer,” Bello stated. Bello stated that the government will only implement the deployment ban if the situation in Hong Kong becomes uncontrollable by the authorities and the Filipino OFWs are placed in hazardous situations. “So far there are no serious incidents that warrant our consideration of a ban especially since we have to get a signal from the DFA,” Bello said. Bello assured the OFWs that the POLO is constantly coordinating with Hong Kong Police and monitoring the situations and conditions of Filipino workers.

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Netflix’s ‘Happy Jail’ features Filipino Dancing Inmates Filipino Singer Joanna Ruth Miranda wins 9 medals in WCOPA By Nariyoung Kim

JOANNA Ruth Miranda was awarded 9 medals at the 23rd World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) that was held in California, USA. The WCOPA was similar to the Olympics wherein different talented performers and entertainers from different parts of the world meet-up and compete with each other. The competition was held from July 12 to 21 at Long Beach California. The Filipino Singer has won a gold medal for vocals with self-accompaniment category, 4 silver medals for open category and variety, and 5 bronze medals for vocal Broadway, R and B, and rock music. The local government of Quezon City organized an event which was led by Vice Mayor Gian Sotto with some city councilors to celebrate the achievements of the talented Filipino singer.

By Christian Jireh Enriquez

WE have heard of many talented Filipinos in sports, theatre, music, and many others. One inspiring example of these talents can be seen in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) with their famous “Dancing inmates”. Dancing inmates started last 2007 as they danced to the King of Pop’s “Thriller” in front of a live audience and went viral worldwide. Emmy Award-winning Filipina-American director Michele Josue took an interest to our Dancing inmates as she saw that their performances were also used as means to tell their own stories – felons trying to make a change in their possible ways. Because of

this, Josue decided to make a documentary, digging deeper into the lives of our dancing inmates entitled Happy Jail. Happy Jail is a five-part documentary that will be streamed on Netflix on August 14. This docu-series will show the lives of the convicts within the walls of the CPDRC, their differences, and how the famous Dancing inmates was created. It will showcase the individuals who took part in the program and how they feel about their current status in the present. During an interview of Josue with SPOT.ph, she said she was thrilled to do this documentary as she watched the

videos of the dancing inmates. “I got goosebumps. They were so joyful and united. In such a challenging situation, I just felt that [it] was such a wonderful thing to see and share with the rest of the world.” Josue said. “While this was happening, it just felt like the most organic way to proceed with the film. I think the best are very nimble in that way. And they can adapt and shift as the story dictates. And so while we were there, just extraordinary things are happening,” she added. “We wanted to honor them and honor their stories and tell it in the dignified and respectful way it deserved to be told. So that was a complete privilege, just to get to know them and their world.” She

explains. She also related herself to this documentary as well while making it.”As a Filipino-American, being able to have a film that allowed me to connect more deeply to where my family’s from, you know, my heritage, that was an amazing opportunity for me, and it was life-changing,” she uttered In the interview, Josue also stated her goal in showing this documentary worldwide. “I would want the rest of the world to fully understand the resilience and hope and strength and heart of the Filipino people,” she said. No matter what our backstory is, this should not hinder us from giving pride to our own and showing our skills to the world without hesitation.

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South Korean boy band BTS takes short break

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ERCY Jackson: The Lightning Thief the musical is expected to hit a 16-week run in broadway starting September 2019. The musical adaptation of Rick Riordan’s best-selling novel debuted in 2017 at the Lucille Lortel Theater in New York City, according to a report by Variety. It follows Percy Jackson, a demi-god son of Poseidon who discovers he has powers. With others like him, Percy goes on a quest to find Zeus’ missing lightning bolt to prevent a war between the Greek gods. It will be a stripped-down affair with seven actors playing nearly 50 roles. The book is written by Joe Tracz, and music and lyrics are by Rob Rokicki, who will be making his Broadway debut in this franchise. The Lightning Thief is the first book to Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians, published in 2005. The series has five books in total.

HE representative of the popular South Korean boy band BTS stated that they will be taking a “well-deserved vacation.” “It has been widely reported that BTS will be taking a hiatus. To clarify, BTS will only be taking a brief, but well-deserved vacation,” the boy band’s rep stated on an email, “We want to assure all of the BTS ARMY, fans, friends and the media that the group is excited to get back on the stage very soon for their scheduled stadium tour. More exciting BTS news and events to come!” Although the BTS’s agency Big Hit Entertainment did not state their return, the companies website stated that they will perform in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Seoul in October.

Heart Evangelista receives ‘Hello, Love’ YouTube Gold Play Button TAR Cinema’s Hello, Love, Goodbye for 1M subscribers S celebrates half a million domestic gross just barely two weeks after it preBy Dannah Jireh Paloyo

fashion icon, a renowned actress, a designer and an artist, and now the newest Filipina YouTube Gold Creator Awardee. Kapuso star Heart Evangelista receives the Youtube Gold Play Button for passing one million subscribers on YouTube. Launched in 2018, Heart’s YouTube channel contains a variety of vlogs showcasing a number of the different aspects in her life: her art, fashion, travels, projects, and personal experiences. The Queen of Collaborative Creations shared Instagram a heartfelt post about her latest milestone, writing: “Almost a year ago today, I started my YouTube channel full of anxieties and uncertainty of what was to come. Would people like it? Would people judge me? Would people like my content? “So much thoughts clouded my head but with the encouragement of my loved ones, I decided to just go for it. She continued, “And now, here we are— a one-million strong YouTube family. If anything, this is my message to everyone to keep putting yourself out there, and pursuing your dreams. Trust me, you will get there eventually.” YouTube Play Buttons are rewards given for hitting a chosen number of subscribers, recognizing the site’s most popular channels.

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miered in the country. The film production group announced the movie’s earnings at P505,773,926.62 as of 1 in the afternoon on August 12. #HelloThankYou500M topped the trending list on Twitter, which gathered over 38,000 tweets and counting. Viewers young and old continue to

says Hello, Thank You to 500M praise first-time pairing Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo for the exceptional work they showcased in the film. Alden and Kathryn flew to UAE for special screenings of the film in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on August 9 and 10 in promotion for its premiere in the country. Now on its third blockbuster week, Hello, Love, Goodbye uses official hashtag #Hello3rdWeekofLove.

Harry Styles is not Prince Eric in ‘The Little Mermaid’ By Dannah Jireh Paloyo

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MC Theatres and Regal Cinemas tweeted on August 13 announcing that Harry Styles will be playing the role of Prince Eric in the live-action remake of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid”. Both theater chains deleted said tweets shortly after. Styles, although a fan of the project, has declined the offer to play Prince Eric, said TheWrap. The former One Direction singer made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk.” Announcements are expected soon as to who will play opposite actress-singer Halle Bailey who plays Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human and fall in love. Directed by Rob Marshall, “The Little Mermaid” will feature the 1989 animated classic’s original songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as new songs with music by Menken and lyrics by Miranda. Production is anticipated to begin in early 2020. Disney’s original “The Little Mermaid” won Academy Awards Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Under the Sea.” It was Disney’s first animated film Oscars nomination since 1977.

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Of Conflict and Indifference By Dannah Jireh Paloyo

I am a big fan of coffee and often would be one of those to set camp in a cold, wifi-covered, fragrant coffee shop, whether to do work for school, stay and talk with a friend, or even just to kill time because I woke up feeling the need to spend time alone outside one random morning. Private, enclosed spaces such as coffee shops are a refuge to others. This is where they get to be outside the house and yet still end up feeling like they’re at home. These are where people come to meet, to reunite, to build and act out ideas, to bond, to share and simply to be present, with or without someone along. Places like coffee shops are where I personally, very often get to feel myself and accomplished at most given times. But best believe that others have it completely different. “When two black men were arrested in a Starbucks store in Philadelphia in April, it prompted national debate,” says Adam Gabatt in his The Guardian article entitled “Coffee shop racism: where America’s radical divisions are exposed.” Coffee shop racism exists all over America, and most probably in many other parts of the world as well. These are the instances when even the slightest thing you do, or even don’t, will, in the end, be questioned by someone from the inside. Often these incidents don’t end well—fights brawl up, even more judgment is spilled, and more importantly, a lot more feelings get hurt… all at the account of being—looking, rather—different. “I open the door to a coffee shop, and as soon as I get inside I feel the stares. Me, dressed how I’m dressed in a pair of light blue Jeans, cream wallabies and black long sleeve shirt underneath a winter vest. As I walk towards the counter I see the barista, quickly eyeing me, then looks away. Not sure exactly why he seems to act as if he didn’t notice I was walking straight towards him.” Alfredo A. Weeks IV shares about how he experiences everyday instances of the modern-day Jim Crow. Weeks talks about how the barista from the coffee shop would respond that the restroom in-store is only allowed to be used by ordering customers, moments after he had placed his order. About how a woman wouldn’t look at him, acting like he hadn’t been talking to her when he wanted to borrow a seat at the pool for her wife. About how his pregnant wife and his toddler got interrogated by a police officer at the grocery store while eating and shopping at the same time after receiving approval to do it by the store manager. As he and her wife were “the only minorities to be seen, who stood out” as if guilt were their last names, he said, he continuously does the effort to shrug it all off. I am in comfort at the expense of those who may deserve it even more.

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DOT all-out support for Manila tourism development By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

MANILA— Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the national government stands ready to assist

the City of Manila in improving its tourism industry as she lauds the initiatives of Mayor Francisco “Isko More-

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso speak to the media after their ocular inspection of the major tourism destinations in the capital.

(PNA photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

no” Domagoso in cleaning the capital. “For us, in any way that we can help the mayor, we are ready to extend help,” the Tourism Secretary said during an interview at the Rizal Park on Tuesday. “Mayor Moreno is for heritage tourism, maintaining the old-buildings, and having a clean city. Indeed, we can have sustainable tourism in the city,” she said. The Tourism chief joined Domagoso for an ocular inspection of major areas in the Manila “tourism circuit” including the Bonifacio Shrine, the Plaza Roma in Intramuros where the two officials rode the iconic bamboo bikes, and the Rizal Monument in Luneta. For the remaining three years of the administration’s term, Romulo-Puyat vowed that DOT attached agencies

such as the Intramuros Administration will focus on addressing the problem of informal settlers and developing a hub for the creative industry inside the walled city. The National Parks Development Committee along with Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will also lead in the redevelopment of Rizal Park, particularly the Esplanade and the Children’s Playground to attract people anew to visit Rizal Park. Romulo-Puyat said she sees the potential of increasing arrivals in the capital as Manila serves as a “drop-off point” to a number of foreign and local tourists. “With the help of Mayor, we toured around Manila, I’m impressed, it’s very clean now. Tourists can visit more places now,” she said. (PNA)

Vitalis Villas: The Santorini of the North By Dannah Jireh Paloyo

PEOPLE say that Santorini is the supermodel of the Greek islands, a face instantly recognizable around the world: whitewashed buildings atop multicolored cliffs above an underwater caldera: a crater. Host to 1.5 million tourists annually, Santorini is one of the Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea. It was devastated by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century BC, shaping its rugged landscape. Santorini is officially known as Thira, a name that encompasses the volcanic islets within Santorini’s orbit. It is also probably known as a lot of people’s top of their travel bucket lists since when we can even remember.

But did you know that people from a lot of countries around the world, the Philippines being one, have made efforts to rebuild their versions of the crowd-favorite vacation destination? This is Vitalis Villas, the Santorini-inspired Villas located in Ilocos Sur. Managed by Artstream Hospitality Management Group Inc., the Vitalis Villas are Greek-style villas perched on a mountain cliff, overlooking Santiago cove. The resort hosts three types of Villas, mostly covered in white with hints of blue.

Room rates vary from their published rates and super peak rates, depending on the type of room and the number of people staying. All rooms are equipped with a full set of kitchenware, a spacious shower area, a twinsized sofa room for more people to sleep on, and a veranda that hosts a clear, nice view of the ocean. The beach consists of a 900m stretch of white sand and shoreline, isolating its visitors to the quiet of the island, where you also have access to the Resort and Spa just right across. There is an infinity pool where

families can enjoy, chill, and even have a couple of drinks, with water sports activities at the beach such as jet ski, paddle boats, kayak, banana boat, and beach volleyball. They also have their mini zoo and zip line, plus a free half-day Vigan City tour complimentary with each stay. The Villas is not only home to a cozy family or barkada stay, as it can also cater to occasions such as weddings, team buildings, and other events. Wouldn’t it be just wonderful to experience a stay at the country’s very own Santorini in the north?

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THE MANILA EXPRESS

A5

AUGUST 16, 2019