Volume 1 No. 1 From teacher to graftbuster Monday-Sunday That has been my advocacy. I want to FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 show that not all public servants are corrupt and will stay quiet even in the face of wrongdoing. P3 THE REPUBLIC IBSN 098357-1274-2019

P20.00 IN METRO House okays divorce

GUIMARAS REP. NAVA LONG-SUFFERING cou- ples rejoice. Divorce may soon become a reality – if the House of Representa- tives is to have its way. The House committee on population and com- munity relations chaired by Rep. Lucille Nava of Guimaras has endorsed proposed legislation (al- STL franchises ready approved by the last Congress) seeking to legalize “absolute di- vorce” in the . This consolidates bills to be terminated filed earlier by former Speaker Pantaleon Alva- everal senior officers of the state-owned Philippine Chari- rez, Rep. Edcel Lagman ty Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) may verily be facing graft SSS earmarks P285M and partylist Reprenta- charges before the Department of Justice/Office of the Om- tives Castro, Sar- S budsman with regard to awarding “illegal contracts” for the for Taal victims ah Jane Elago, Carlos Za- rate, Ferdie Gaite, Arlene Small Town Lottery (STL) which is reportedly raking in billions Brosas and Eufemia Cul- in yearly revenues intended to finance its various social ameliora- lamat. Among the vital tion projects. issues to be threshed out Additionally, according to Direc- (OP) to expose the PCSO shenani- are custody of children, tor Sandra Cam who was named by gans in line with Mr. Duterte’s trans- liquidation of conjugal President Duterte to the Board in parency and corruption-eradication partnership and alimony. December 2017 as his eyes and ears, advocacies. Rep. Lagman said there there is a great possibility that the She, however, declined to identify the are only two states in the STL contracts of favored beneficiary persons being alluded to until a probe is world where married cou- firms could be cancelled depending initiated by the proper agencies. ples aren’t entitled to ab- on circumstances. Senator Ping Lacson said there solute divorce – the Vat- Cam said she would soon file a re- should be an earnest ef- ican and the Philippines. port with the Office of the President fort by the OP to monitor P12

Photo Credit: ABS CBN News

Teachers dissatisfied with pay hike THE Social Security ing in calamity areas may PRESIDENT Duterte er is at P20,574 will in- System (SSS) is allotting get personal as well as signed the Salary Stan- crease to P22,316. In oth- P285 million in calami- house repair loans, while dardization Law (SSL) er words, an increase of ty aid for Taal Volcano pensioners can apply for just last month that would P1,562. From 2021 to 2023, victims who’re bonafide a three-month advance increase government the amount will gradually members and pensioners. of their pensions. workers’ incomes rang- increase to P27,000. Availment period for As of now, just to be ing from 17.1% to 24.1% However, the amount the Calamity Assistance crystal clear, the Nation- to be spread out over is below what the pres- Package representing al Disaster Risk Reduc- four years. The current ident himself promised. financial assistance to tion and Management monthly salary for an en- According to the Alliance some 28,680 SSS mem- Council (NDRRMC) try-level of Concerned Teachers bers is April 21, 2020. has declared only Batan- public (ACT) and the Teachers’ The SSS said only gas and Cavite provinces qualified members resid- as state of calamity areas. school Dignity Coali- Photo Credit: Manila Bulletin News teach- tion (TDC), it P3

QC ban Gilas on plastics Pilipinas may affect all set for ‘Spartacus’ business 2021 FIBA dead owners Asia Cup P12 P2 P10 2 News FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Former QC Mayor Bistek charged with plunder plunder complaint has been filed against ultimately give residents and after due inspection ex- mayor Herbert Bautista, access to free internet. and acceptance.” and several others, allegedly for illegally According to a report Gascon alleged 79% of A by The Manila Times, the project cost had been disbursing P263 million. Others charged were Bautista released 90% of handed over less than a former city administrator Aldrin Cuña; Reynald the funding for the proj- month after the contract Paul Imjada; Nolasco Fernandez, president and ect before any delivery of was executed. He added CEO of Green Energy Container Solutions Inc. services was made, in vio- further that there was no lation of the Government record of any training or (Gecsi); and Christopher Gerard Ledesma, Gec- Auditing Code of the Phil- technology transfer pri- si’s representative. ippines. It states that “no or to the releasing of the The complaint was filed vice. He also audited the payment shall be made un- fund. The amount involved by Noel Emmanuel Gas- QC Smart City Data Infra- less the required services equaling to P263,996,121.16, con, the internal auditor of structure project, which or supplies have been de- qualified the respondents Photo Credit: Metro News Central the Quezon City govern- was to provide citywide livered in accordance with to be liable for plunder un- BAUTISTA ment’s Internal Audit Ser- broadband network to the terms of the contract der the Plunder Law. QC ban on plastics may affect business owners THE city-wide ban on practices of society” to- single-use plastic prod- day. Others say that the ucts worries business cost will be potentially owners in the area who higher and affect the du- are saying that the three- rability of materials used month transition period for their food products. will take a toll on cer- Quezon City Environ- tain retailers. Mayor Joy mental Protection and Belmonte last year an- Waste Management De- nounced two ordinances partment head Andrea (Ordinance SP-2868 and Villaroman said that they SP-2876) that imposes would meet with busi- a wider ban on plastic ness owners to brief them bags and single-use plas- on the details of the or- tic and paper materials dinance. Councilor Dor- for dine-in customers, othy Delarmente, who respectively. had introduced the ordi- Some business owners nances, said that business say that the transition owners themselves came from single-use materials up with the idea to im- to reusable materials will pose bans on plastic bags, require a complete cul- citing that 300 traders at- tural change due to the tended a committee hear- “existing mentality and ing on this. BELMONTE ET AL Senate in full force vs 2019 Novel coronavirus BY ERNIE REYES THE Senate is now in full and opposition lawmak- “We are asking the DOH of infection with nCov a “rapid nucleic test kit” commuting’ for workers force against the spread and ers blasted Health Secre- and DOTr and all con- could have been done which can detect the vi- whose tasks can be done containment of 2019 Novel tary Francisco Duque for cerned agencies to hasten faster and more efficiently rus within eight to 15 remotely to minimize Corona Virus in the coun- “failure of leadership’ in the contact tracing on if the national ID system minutes, making it easier possible spread of the dis- try, originated in Wuhan dealing with the virus. those people who were had already been in place. to confirm the infection ease. Ito po ay ilan lang sa City, Hubei Province, Chi- After the hearing initi- with the couple during Marcos explained that among persons under in- mga batas na pwede nat- na, by giving suggestions, ated by the Senate com- their flight from Hong public emergencies call vestigation. ing magamit para makat- instructions and directives mittee on health recently, Kong, and Manila,” Go said for quick data-sharing “Kaya po nagtatagal ulong sa DOH na mapig- to different agencies. Go instructed concerned The couple also went to and coordination of gov- ang RITM kasi wala tay- ilan ang pagkalat ng Senators Christopher agencies, primarily the Dumaguete City eventu- ernment agencies with ong test kit, am I correct? nCoV,” Villanueva said. Lawrence “Bong” Go, Department of Health ally in Manila where they local government units, Kapag mga ganitong For him, Lacson said Imee Marcos, Francis To- and Department of Trans- were both hospitalized at which a system of identi- sitwasyon, dapat proac- Duque should not blame lentino and Joel Villanue- portation to hasten the the San Lazaro Hospital fication and tracking like tive tayo, may available his underling for the spread va, aired their individual contact tracing of peo- in Manila. The male died the national ID system namang mga test kit, of nCov in the country, sentiments for the con- ple with the couple from last February 1. can address. bakit hindi tayo bumili? where 80 individuals are tainment of the nCov as Wuhan, as they landed in Marcos said that trac- “Ang national ID sys- Kung malalaman agad na- under investigation by the Senators Panfilo Lacson from . ing persons suspected tem ay isang digital in- tin kung sino ang infected health department. formation backbone na ng virus, mas magiging “What happens to the ginagamit ngayon para madali na ma-control principle of unity of com- habulin ang paglaganap ito, mas magkakaroon mand? I thought this is a ng nCoV sa Wuhan at sa ng kapanatagan ang mga health issue, and the DOH buong China. Tanggap- tao.” Tolentino said. should be the first line of in natin ang kagandahan Meanwhile, Villanueva defense and should be ng sistemang ito para sa urged the Department of designated as the Office kapakinabangan ng pub- Labor and Employment of Primary Responsibili- liko at huwag nang kon- (DOLE) to encourage the ty” Lacson said. trahin para sa pansariling private sector to consider “You shouldn’t be blam- dahilan,” Marcos said. implementing telecom- ing other people because Tolentino also asked muting work arrange- this is a health issue. And DOH to procure rapid ments for their employees it’s wrong to point to the test kits instead of spend- as global health authori- BI and CAAP, it should be ing hefty amount of mon- ties grapple with contain- the initiative of the DOH. ey on hazardous material ing the outbreak. What we have here as (hazmat) suits. “We also expect our Sen. (Francis) Pangilinan He said experts from friends from the labor de- mentioned earlier is a fail- east China’s Jiangsu partment to urge the pri- ure of leadership,” Lacson province have developed vate sector to adopt ‘tele- lamented. FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 News 3 From teacher to graftbuster BY LOUISE NICHOLE P. LOGARTA hilippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Before she was thrust the early 2000s, Cam be- ops' Conference of the suggested that this fee be (PCSO) director Sandra Cam is known into the spotlight as a came a prominent figure Philippines (CBCP) and distributed among her fel- for her confrontational nature and her whistleblower, Cam in Bicol, known by con- was given refuge by Arch- low whistleblowers who, role in the exposure of corruption in- was—and still is—an gressmen and governors bishop Oscar Cruz. “I compared to her, had no educator. The PCSO di- of the region. was forced to go from one resources. Pvolving an illegal numbers game (“jueteng”), rector runs two branch- As someone whose convent to another, for After running under small-town lotteries and certain politicians. es of the Nazareth Insti- loyalty lay with the less two months. Noong wala Duterte’s banner in the tute of Alfonso, located fortunate, she could no na akong kumbentong mai- 2016 elections, Cam was in Cavite and her home- longer stomach the ram- kutan, doon na ako sa CBCP asked what government town, Masbate. pant malfeasance she [When there was no oth- post she wanted. “Sabi “My family are educa- witnessed. “Nakikita ko sa er convent I could go to, I ko sa kanya, gusto ko mag- tors,” Cam says. “I came Bicol kung paano nag-e-ex- stayed in CBCP]. serve [I told him I want to from a poor family and change ang pera ng jueteng [I “Dun ako sa opisina ni serve],” she said, explain- my parents really tried to saw how jueteng money Archbishop Cruz na ‘pag uma- ing how she ended up at send us to school. Noong changed hands in Bicol].” ga, opisina. Pagdating ng 5 o’ PCSO. “I can say that I’ve nagkaroon ako ng kaunting The self-confessed bag- clock, ire-rearrange ko na been the eyes and ears of pera [when I had saved woman named former ang mga upuan para doon ako the president; nakita ko enough money], I decid- PNP regional director matulog [I stayed in Arch- kung paano sila magwaldas ng ed to put up a school in Restituto Mosqueda as bishop Cruz’s office and pera ni Juan Dela Cruz [I Cavite.”: “Ang puso ko ay the one who delivered at 5 o’ clock I would rear- saw how they squandered para lang makapag-aral ang payoffs to then-president range the chairs so that I the people’s money].” mga galing sa bukid [My Gloria Macapagal-Ar- could sleep there],” she “I know that I cannot heart is for the less for- royo’s son, Juan Miguel revealed. Despite many change the system,” Cam tunate to be able to get Arroyo and brother- believing she turned said, referring to the cor- an education].” Securing in-law Ignacio Arroyo. whistleblower for mon- ruption so deeply embed- a loan from LandBank al- “Nagrereklamo ‘yung sa ey, Cam maintains that ded in various govern- lowed Cam to make this baba na hindi sila nabibigyan she received no financial ment agencies. “So I just a reality. [Those with lower po- support whatsoever. For focus myself on helping The question sitions complained that a brief period, the Senate the less fortunate. ‘Yan then begs to be they were given noth- provided her with secu- po ang naging advocacy ko. asked: How did a ing] while I’m giving him rity and a subsidy for her Gusto kong ipakita na hindi well-meaning ed- millions of pesos and yet and her children who lahat ng public servants ay ucator get roped those officials, binibig- were then studying at De corrupt, at hindi rin lahat ng into the world of yan niya lang ng [he gave La Salle University. How- public servants will keep politics? In only] P20,000 to P30,000 ever, as Cam remembers their mouths shut kahit a week,” Cam vividly, on December 24, may nakikita silang kati- added. 2005, this assistance was walian. [That has been my Cam remem- withdrawn by former advocacy. I want to show bers where she Senate president Frank that not all public ser- was the first time Drilon, leaving Cam with vants are corrupt and will her name came nowhere to turn. stay quiet even in the face up at a Senate “The one who offered of wrongdoing.]” hearing. “I was me a place to stay was Cam leaves her critics in Baclaran buy- Mayor Erap Estrada,” she with a strong statement: ing supplies for said. “‘Yan ang nagkupkop “I’m not scared to be my school,” she sa akin [He took me in] stricken out and I’m not recalled. She and Sen. Ping Lacson had scared na tanggalin ako be- immediately given me some securi- cause I know in my heart headed to the ty and P30,000 a month and mind that I’m doing Catholic Bish- as consultancy fee.” She my job well.” CAM

Teachers... From Page 1 will be eaten up by infla- al given that the plea for Critics of the latest Ateneo attempts tion and the loss of their higher pay of public edu- SSL brought atten- tax-exempt status. In a cators was given support tion to the widening previous Quezon City by both the president’s gap between salaries of to make ammends press conference, ACT allies and opposition high-level officials and OCTOBER last year was a time of tur- survivors, both students and alumni chair Joselyn Martinez lawmakers. ACT Teach- ordinary employees. moil for the Ateneo. Despite the exis- alike, to file formal complaints. appealed to the president er’s Rep. Francis Castro While teachers will end tence of incidents since 2017, it was In the unrest that this issue to double their salaries as stated that the House up with a monthly salary only last year that the Ate- caused, Villarin announced he had promised. passed this bill within of P27,000 by 2023, law- neo community had had that Ateneo had engaged The insignificant over- minutes without taking makers will get P278,434 enough. A protest was the services of an in- all increase of P6,246 for into consideration ques- a month. The president held on October 15 dependent auditor Salary Grade 11 employ- tions from teachers or himself will be receiving against the impuni- to assist in identi- ees is considered unusu- other concerned parties. P419,144. ty of sexual offend- fying gaps and rec- ers. ommendations. Since then, He also called for ADMU President a comprehensive Fr. Jett Villarin review of existing had issued state- policies and pro- ments of apology to tocols on handling the community, vow- sexual harassment ing action. cases. Additionally, an Shortly after the inci- Office for the Protection dent, a male professor ac- of Minors and Vulnerable cused of harassing a female student Adults directly under the Office of had been sanctioned at the student the President has been created. council’s request. Effective immediate- The Legal Council for the Loyola ly, the professor had been barred from Schools, Atty. Nina Patricia Sison-Ar- teaching classes last semester. However, royo, has been tasked in drafting what the female professor who had allegedly is called the Anti-Sexual Harassment harassed a male student had not received Manual. This document would include any such sanction as of this writing. the following: the definition of sexual According to student council presi- harassment, imposable sanctions for dent Quiel Quiwa, despite many stu- different types of sexual harassment, dents revealing experiences of sexual grievance procedures, as well as modes Photo Credit: Philstar harassment online, there is a need for of intervention and assistance. - LNL Editor: MARIO F. FETALINO JR. 4 Business FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Health, safety exams Razon ‘middle man’ for private shops PRIVATE establishments in tion which is a regular under- for Duterte, Ayalas? the country will be inspected taking by the department. ments and take Ayala by the Department of Labor The examination, however, company out from the and Employment (DOLE) was suspended by DOLE in water business. starting this month. December last year so it can Following the acqui- The inspection aims to find dispose of alll pending labor sition, both parties in out if the shops are compliant standards cases. the P10.7-billion trans- with the health and safety stan- Also subject for inspection action expect better dards set by the government. are compliance of private days ahead for Manila It also comes at a time when establishments with gener- Water. “Our partner- public health and safety are of al labor standards-- proper ship with the Razon paramount importance due to payment of wages during group will result in clear the threat posed by the global holidays, overtime pays, im- synergies to achieve coronavirus outbreak. plementation of the minimum ’s long- Labor Secretary Sylvestre wage law, remittance of social term goal of providing Bello authorized all regional benefits of their workers, and sustainable water and offices to conduct the inspec- more. wastewater services to our customers in the East Zone of Metro DUTERTE RAZON Manila and in the other illionaire businessman Enrique Razon is seen as the man to markets we serve,” Ma- nila Water chair Fer- broker ‘peace’ between President Rodrigo Duterte and the nando Zobel de Ayala BAyala family, owners of the embattled Manila Water Inc. said in a statement. Razon, who recent- Holdings Inc. signed zon with government For his part, Razon, ly acquired 25 percent with the Ayala group’s is good, it is a good who is chief executive of Manila Water, is Manila Water Co. Inc. a signal,” said Amador, officer of Internation- said to be a support- subscription agreement fund manager at The al Container Terminal er of Duterte and may to buy a 25-percent Insular Life Assurance Services Inc., said they provide a sort of relief stake in the latter. Co in Manila. “are confident that for the Ayalas who are The acquisition Duterte went ballis- our collective experi- under attack from the drew positive reactions tics against the Ayalas ence, technical capa- President. from market observer after discovering oner- bilities, and corporate After recording de- Alan Joseph Amador. ous contracts between synergies will be of clines in the market, “If Mr. Razon is going Manila Water and the great benefit to - Ma shares in Manila Wa- to be the middle man previous governments. nila Water, the people ter jumped after Razon for both parties, and if He vowed to cancel the it serves, and its other SAFETY INSPECTION: Sooner or later, private shops in the group’s Prime Metroline the relationship of Ra- questionable agree- stakeholders.” Philippines will be inspected if they are following laws to pro- mote the health and safety of workers Invest in hospitals deal The flu-like virus had killed ing with contagious illnesses rationalized by SMC more than 400 peoplele, all such as the one caused by the of them in China. Thousands novel coronavirus (nCoV). (SMC) has rationalized the acqui- have been infected in more than are in dire need of sition of cement firm Holcim Philippines Inc. a dozen countries, including one or more dependable insti- The said buying Holcim will be good for con- the Philippines where one have tutions for their protection” sumers. “We firmly believe that the acquisition of Holcim by died and two more have been the lawmaker said. While the SMC, a Filipino company, will be beneficial to consumers, the confirmed for nCov. government has the Research industry, and our country’s development,” it added. The Breadwiner Institute for Tropical Medicine Acquisition plans were suspended after the monopoly watch- (RITM) and the San Lazaro Hos- dog raised competition concerns on the proposed transaction. • By Mario F. Fetalino Jr. pital to take on the challenge, the Prior to PCC’s intervention, a $2.15-billion deal to buy the These equipment, once two institutions are wanting in cement company was already inked by SMC and Switzer- o further protect the pub- installed in malls, can very crucial resources. land-based LaFarge Holcim Ltd. Under the agreement, SMC lic from the deadly no- The RITM and San Laza- subsidiary First Stronghold Cement Industries Inc. will buy Tvel Coronavirus (nCov), help prevent the spread ro Hospital are home to the 18.75 percent of Holcim Philippines’ shares. shopping malls in Quezon City of the virus, the likeli- country’s best doctors and re- However, PCC noted that the merger could pave the way for were urged to install thermal hood of which is very searchers, but they are lacking ‘collussion’ and hurt competition in the local cement industry. scanners that can detect symp- high if one unsuspec- in more advanced technology Despite this, SMC pledged to support PCC in its review while toms of the highly contagious to fight deadly viruses. Both the keeping firm on its plan to acquire LaFarge’s local unit. disease. ting carrier decides to go state-funded research and treat- “We are aware of the concerns raised by the PCC on the As explained, thermal scanners shopping. ment facilities are located in a company’s proposed acquisition of Holcim Philippines, and are are useful in areas where people densely populated area in Manila. committed to achieving a favorable outcome of the review pro- converge such as malls prone to Ideally, a hospital for com- cess,” SMC said in a statement. nCov carriers. These equipment, municable diseases should be once installed in malls, can help But let’s be strong and be pre- in a place far enough from peo- prevent the spread of the virus, pared for the challenge present- ple not infected to prevent an the likelihood of which is very ed by the outbreak. Entertain- outbreak. high if one unsuspecting carrier ing information from reliable The emergence of the 2019 decides to go shopping. sources and following basic nCoV suggests that more com- A partnership between mall steps to fight the virus can help municable diseases could be owners and the government led us win the fight. coming in the future. Before, the by the Department of Health *** novel nCov, we had the Severe was also proposed to make the Rich Filipino businessmen Acute Respiratory Syndrom or measure effective. Indeed, the may start considering invest- SARS and the Middle East Re- fight against nCov requires ments on hospitals. Hospitals spiratory Syndrome or MERS. everybody’s cooperation. The are good business because aside There could be more of their government can’t do it alone. from generating high revenues, kind that we may have to face The private sector has to lend a they save lives. maybe tomorrow or years from helping hand. And our country needs more now. Given this, it is important Let’s try all possible means hospitals. Infact, it was pointed to have a hospital that can really to defend ourselves from this out that we don’t have a hospi- provide a great deal of attention BOON OR BANE: The Philippine Competition Commission sickness which has already cost tal that can specialize in han- to this matter said the acquisition of Holcim Philippines by San Miguel Cor- so many lives in China. It may dling communicable diseases. *** poration could give rise to 'collusion' y in the industry. But the continue to so in many parts Our government should build For comments, please call or conglomerate said the transaction is beneficial to consumers. of the world if we don’t get our a medical facility with experts text 09055080126 or email last- Photo shows Holcim plant in La Union which was completed acts together. and equipment capable of deal- [email protected] early last year to support the company's expansion program. FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Business 5 BOC targets P731B Airlines get smarter tax collection BY GEN VERDEJO THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to intensify vs global health scare border security, trade facilitation and automation he novel coronavirus outbreak has defi- smarter and more agile said it also to be able to deliver its full year collection target of nitely affected the travel business globally, than they were in 2003,” cancelled all flights -be P731 billion. this year but airline companies could be unfazed. market analyst Mark tween the Philippines and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero T Manduca from Citi Re- China until 29 March, as presented the BOC‘s 10-point Priority Programs for Amid the rising travel the past when rebooking search said. well as Hong Kong and 2020, during the 118th anniversary of BOC, with a restrictions to prevent holidays away from Asia Recently, Philippine Macau until 29 February. strong commitment of delivering the full year collec- an outbreak, airlines can into domestic trips did the Airlines (PAL) cancelled Following PAL and tion target of P731 billion. manage the crisis well trick for European airlines. all flights between Manila Cebu Pacific is Air Asia Commissioner Guerrero led the kick-off ceremo- by ‘pivoting capacity’, The same is being done and Beijing, Hong Kong, which suspended all ny of the 118th Founding Anniversary of the BOC on lesson from the SARS today by airlines that Guangzhou, Shanghai, flights between the -Phil Friday (February 7) with a theme “Moving towards (severe acute respiratory are switching off routes Xiamen, Quanzhou (Jinji- ippines and China until a Credible, Modern, and Professional Customs Ad- syndrome) outbreak in to China. “Airlines are ang) and Macau in China. further notice. ministration.” “Last year, BOC was struggling with graft and corruption, problems on smuggling and struggling on collection efforts. Despite the challenges, we made a significant and modest accomplishment last year,” he said. In 2019, Customs’ actual collection amounted to P630 billion. BOC received P345 million reward last year for surpassing the 2018 BOC collection target of P584-billion by P1.4 billion. “Even if we don’t meet the P661 billion target col- lection, the P630 billion that we were able to collect last year was still a growth in our collection efforts and it was still 95.4 percent collection efficiency. The P630 billion can still help the projects of our government and that’s what we intend to sustain for this year,” Guerrero said during the stakeholder’s meeting on Tuesday. This year, BOC has a collection target of P731 bil- lion. For January, Customs collected P56 billion, which was off-target by P2 billion, against the P58 billion target. The 10 identified priority initiatives for 2020 were the following: Full automation of frontline trans- actions; Improvement of risk management system; Implement customs modernization program: ISO certification of customs offices & performance gov- ernance system (PGS) compliance; Enhance trade facilitation; Rationalize penalty regime: Filling-up UNFAZED: Local airlines led by flag carrier recently cancelled all flights to key points in Chi- of BOC Plantilla positions; Enhancement of man- na to help contain the global coronavirus outbreak. Despite the on-going travel restrictions, reports said airline agement and technical skills and Enhancement of companies have found a way to stay up in business. stakeholder engagement. GSIS allots P1.4B in emergency loans PH economy to ‘fire THE Government Ser- vice System (GSIS) has set aside over on all cylinders’ in 2020 P1.4 billion in emergency THE economy is seen to spending, DoF Secretary 2019 GAA until the end of loan for its 70,561 active grow faster this year as it Carlos Dominguez said this year. members and old-age is poised to fire on all its the fourth quarter’s 6.4 The P3.7-trillion bud- and disability pensioners cylinders for expansion. growth hike last year get for 2019 was approved in six areas af- Such would be the re- would gain speed this only in April due to de- fected by typhoon Tisoy. sult of more vigorous in- year.. lays in both the House of The deadline for appli- vestments in infrastruc- Dominguez sees sup- Representatives and the cation for the provinces ture and human capital port sufficient to maintain Senate. of Occidental Mindoro, for the whole of 2020, ac- and even boost spending Economic growth in Romblon, and Sorsogon cording to the Depart- from the timely approval 2019 fell to an eight-year is Feb. 15, 2020, as well ment of Finance (DoF). of the 2020 General Ap- low of 5.9 percent. It as for San Francisco, Powered by the gov- proraitions Act and the missed the target range of Quezon; for Masbate, ernment’s catch-up extended validity of the 6 percent to 6.5 percent. Feb. 16; and for Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 19. Under the amended emergency loan guide- THIRSTY: Victims of Typhoon Tisoy line up to get lines, the maximum loan- supply of drinking water during a rescue operation able amount is P20,000. in Albay in December last year. Many residents of Eligible to apply are the province, including government workers, were active members working severely affected by the typhoon. or residing in the calam- ity-declared areas; have Active members may lected SM City branch- updated premium pay- apply through the GSIS es in North EDSA, Ma- ments within the last six Wireless Automat- nila, Pampanga, Cebu, months prior to appli- ed Processing System SM Aura in , SM cation; have no unpaid (GWAPS) kiosk or over South Mall in Las Piñas, loans for more than six the counter in any GSIS and Mall of Asia in months; are not on leave branch office. GWAPS City. of absence without pay; kiosks are located in all Active old-age and dis- have no pending admin- GSIS branch and exten- ability pensioners in the istrative case or criminal sion offices; provincial calamity declared-areas charge; and have a mini- capitols; city halls; se- may apply for the emer- mum net take-home pay lected municipal offic- gency loan if the result- of P5,000 after deduc- es; large government ing net monthly pension tion of the monthly pre- agencies such as the De- after loan availment is at BOOSTER: A more aggressive infrastructure build-up is seen this year which could mium contributions and partment of Education; least 25% of their basic boost government spending and drive faster economic growth. loan amortizations. Robinsons Malls; and se- monthly pension. 6 Opinion FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020

EDITORIAL Coping with 2019 nCoV lthough the Philippines has a unique, albe- The viral epidemic the medical crisis will be be temporary with Fi- itable that our econo- it unenviable, distinction of being the first continues to be a threat resolved and life in the nance Secretary Carlos my would further slow country in the world outside China to have but the world communi- country and China and Dominguez saying that down especially if the A ty, including the United elsewhere in the world the Philippine economy outbreak would last its first death from the deadly 2019 novel coronavi- States, is doing its best to will return to normal. is big enough to handle longer. After continued rus (2019-nCov), we should not succumb to para- contain if not eliminate It is reassuring that this predicament and robust growth during noia but continue to live normally although we the virus. Maybe it will our officials are confi- that the country will not the past years, the Phil- have to take all necessary precautions and listen to take a few more months dent that the setback to go into recession. ippines missed its GDP the advice of our health authorities. but we are confident that our economy will only Of course, it is inev- target in 2019, growing by only 5.9 percent, low- est in eight years. The hardest to be hit by the viral epidemic, no doubt, would be the tourism industry. Chi- nese tourists account for the second most number of inbound foreign visi- tors, after the Koreans. The ranks third, followed by Japan and then Taiwan, wind- ing up the top five tour- ists source. The slowdown in Chi- nese tourist arrivals is lamentable considering that the country’s tourist industry has grown con- siderably during the past two years. In fact, in the first half of 2019, a total of 4,133,050 international tourists visited the Phil- ippines, marking an 11.43 percent increase from last year’s figures, accord- ing to the Department of Tourism (DOT). But as we said we are hoping that this debacle would be resolved soon and flights from China to the Philippines would resume and the moneyed Chinese tourists will Photo credit: Slashgear come again in droves.

There’s money for ‘Pros’ working for the Poor The rich tap experts. nical and technology in- ons” and adopt modern gives as much as P1 Mil- new systems, etc. Local oligarchs are novators. technologies to increase lion in livelihood pack- Locally, we have some wealthy partly because Manny Pangilinan, the yields. Unfortunately, ages, but no cash, to the successful cooperatives, they have technocrats face behind SMART- they were scrapped and Poor as cooperatives a mostly credit coopera- and professionals running PLDT, , NLEX, passed on to the local pol- minimum of 50 members. tives that have ballooned their businesses. Maynilad, Cannel 5 and iticians. Other agencies have in size from the blood In fact, many of them, other publications like Pros with Poor “Left“ similar programs, but the and sweat of the usurious particularly the noveau Philippine Star, and a Out? We need to revive usual problem is the Poor loans to their members, riche among the Fil-Chi- host of other businesses, this army of organizers are ill-informed and don’t many of whom remain nese taipans are not even is actually a professional for the Poor, not only for know their way, thus the poor. These cooperatives college graduates, al- -manager working for In- farmers, but for trans- importance of economic must go beyond lending it’s about time though they have this donesian tycoon Salim. port groups, urban poor, cadres for the Poor. to meet mere consump- • By Michael M. Alunan knack for business, which Economic cadres for the indigenous peoples, etc. Lessons abroad. Part- tive needs, but invest in they’ve learned growing Poor. While the rich can Most of our university nerships with profession- ventures that create new THERE are vast oppor- up. afford the best minds, the graduates go brain drain als are more pronounced economic pies or physical tunities for profession- Most lack nitty-gritty poor are left to fend for abroad or get employed in developed countries wealth. als, if they immerse and technical skills, so they themselves, to fight each locally, if lucky. The few like France, where farm- Institutionalize ‘Pro- work instead for the hire the best minds--- other in the Darwinian educated working for the ers own the biggest bank Poor’ partnerships. There Poor, rather than join the the financial geniuses, “survival of the fittest” Poor are mostly with the Credit Agricole, or Neth- is no way the poor can brain drain exodus or get- marketing wizards, legal law of the jungle of the “Left,” in “Human Rights” erlands’ Rabobank, Can- break the vicious cycle ting employed locally. luminaries and the tech- “Free Market.” or on environmental is- ada’s cooperatives, or of poverty, left alone in a What is needed is to sues, but not many in live- Japan;s savings banks. free market, where Adam build an army of “eco- lihood development. In South Korea, farm- Smith’s invisible hands nomic cadres” to empow- Professionals play a ers run their own farms freely steal his pockets le- er the poor, not through crucial role as the Poor, and factories managed gally. cash dole-outs and subsi- left alone, cannot fend for by university graduates, So let’s develop insti- dies, but to develop their themselves, as they are who know finance, man- tutionalized tie-ups be- capacity to compete fair not organized nor artic- agement and marketing. tween our professionals Rodolfo Perete Orticio Danilo Q. Junco and square in the market- ulate and skilled enough In short, their employees from schools, big coopera- LEGAL COUNSEL MANAGING EDITOR place. to access grants and fi- are their manager-bosses, tives, NGOs and the Poor During the Green Revo- nancing. thus creating a peculiar in organizing the latter Lansbergh Place, lution days in the 70s-80s, DOLE doles out to the partnership between old towards economic devel- , Quezon City we had extension work- Poor. Department of La- versus young, learned opment. e-mail address: [email protected] ers who organized farm- bor and Employment versus less-schooled, tra- (E-mail: michael_alu- ers into “Samahang Nay- (DOLE), for instance, ditional practices versus [email protected]) FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Opinion 7 Why new international airport? monies were held. talists are now making a mean to our growth and ply, completion, testing, ping three foreign firms I am recalling this be- lot of noise, saying that development. commissioning, and oper- for the design and build cause the construction the project that would The Interna- ation and maintenance. of the project: Groupe of the Narita Airport reclaim some 30,000 hect- tional Airport, also called The proposed air- ADP (Aeroports de ), in mid-1960 has been ares of would New Manila International port will be built on a Meinhardt Group and Ja- wracked with controver- destroy wide swathes of Airport, is envisioned as 2,500-hectare coastal cobs Engineering Group. sies. In fact, there were mangrove forests and up- an alternative to the Ni- property as part of an “What we hope to build violent protests in Tokyo set the marine ecosystem noy Aquino International envisioned 12,000 hect- is a long-term solution — FAIR COMMENT against the construction in the area. Airport in Pasay City. In are township that would a sustainable and world- of the airport. A group A newly-formed Peo- an unsolicited proposal by feature a residential zone, class Philippine gateway • By Alito L. Malinao of local residents backed ple’s Network for the San Miguel Corporation, government , sea- with enough runways IN not too distant past by student activists and Integrity of Coastal Hab- the new airport will be port and an industrial and facilities to meet cur- when I was still the chief left-wing political parties itats and Ecosystems built in the coastal areas of zone. Airport develop- rent and future needs,” editor of the Presiden- opposed the airport that (People’s Niche) has Bulakan, Bulacan some 35 ment will cover the pas- Ramon S. Ang, president tial News Desk in Mala- was to be built in a thriv- launched a campaign to kilometers north of Manila. senger terminal building and chief operating officer cañang, I traveled to Ja- ing farming community. oppose the proposed air- The Department of with airside and landside of San Miguel Corp., the pan to cover the state visit This is exactly what port project in Bulacan Transportation (DoTr) facilities as well as an air- mother unit of the SMHC, of President Gloria Maca- is happening to the pro- province and other proj- has officially issued the port toll road and railway. which is undertaking the pagal-Arroyo to Tokyo. posed new international ects under the govern- notice of award to San It will have four to six massive project. Part of the delegation, airport in Bulacan to be ment’s massive “Build, Miguel Holdings Corp. parallel runways, and will We hope that this ambi- that included the press built by the giant bever- Build, Build” program. (SMHC) for its P734-bil- have an annual capacity of tious project would push group, landed at Tokyo age firm, the San Miguel While these groups lion Bulacan International 100 million passengers. through. If completed, we Narita Airport, some 60 Corporation that has di- may have their own rea- Airport project. The new airport is can now truly say that the kilometers from Tokyo. versified into infrastruc- sons, we hope that they With the notice of targeted for operations Philippines has indeed Of course, the President’s ture projects. Even before would see the bigger pic- award, SMHC will now within four to six years joined other progressive official party landed at the formal groundbreak- ture and realize how these take charge of the airport after the start of con- countries in the region the old Haneda Airport ing of the planned airport, projects, particularly the project’s financing, de- struction. SMHC said with modern and sparkling where the welcome cere- a group of environmen- Bulacan airport, would sign, construction, sup- earlier this week it is tap- international airports.

Boracay is ours since time Way to peace, love and joy immemorial -- Tomandok Tribe What does this mean? of the Philippines. ment closed down the to manage the affairs of We need to simply sur- They have yet to most famous holiday Boracay in accordance render all our plans for the receive an official re- island to tourists for with the local govern- day so He will direct our sponse from the NCIP six months in order to ment code. path and grant us the best office in Region VI. clean it up after con- The question is: If deal ever. A lot of times we Datu Katarungan cerns that rapid devel- the NCIP recognizes just go our own way and THE WAY I SEE IT claims that the Boracay opment and pollution the Boracay Tomandok not even pray about our • By Susan Amoroso Tomandok Tribe has was threatening its Tribe as the recognized decision and the result is about 4,440 members idyllic shores. indigenous people of that we falter and fail. “ANG buong Boracay ay and he currently serves Boracay re-opened in Boracay, will this not Don’t you know that He pagmamay-ari ng Boracay as the over-all datu of October 2018, with a alter the administration KEEPING GOD FIRST already knows our inner- Tomandok Tribe.” the three barangays of set of new rules meant of this island resort? • By Lolita Acosta most desires even before This is the assertion Manoc-Manoc, Balabag to address a variety of In Chapter IV of Re- we ask? Simply because of Cirilo Pelayo Ca- and Yapak in the mu- issues. public Act No. 8371 or DO we all want a life filled He alone who knows simero, more popularly nicipality of Malay in Presently, the holiday the Indigenous Peo- with love, joy, peace, pa- the very numbers of our known by his Indige- province, island is being adminis- ple’s Rights Act of 1997, tience, kindness, good- hair and He wonderful- nous royal title as Datu Famous for its white tered by the Boracay In- which was signed by ness, faith and self control? ly and fearfully created Katarungan. beaches, Wikipedia ter-Agency Task Force President Fidel V. Ra- An ear-splitting Yes! us. Therefore, He knows In an exclusive inter- notes that Boracay (BIATF), which took mos on 22 October would be the answer of us even before we were view, Datu Katarungan was awarded as the over the local govern- 1997, Indigenous Peo- most of us, right? But formed in our mother’s said that in December 2012 Best Island in the ment when the resort is- ples (IPs) such as the how can we achieve and womb. last year the Boracay World by the interna- land was closed last year. Boracay Tomandok experience the so- called And when we put our Tomandok Tribe sub- tional travel magazine Natividad Belarmino, Tribe are recognized of peace that passes all un- trust in Him, the Holy mitted a letter to the Travel + Leisure. In 2014, general manager of the their right to self-gov- derstanding ? Scripture says He will offices of the National the resort island was at Boracay Inter Agen- ernance and empower- The challenge is keep- grant us the peace that Commission on Indig- the top of the “Best Is- cy Management and ment. ing God first in every area will put away our wor- enous Peoples (NCIP) lands in the World” list Rehabilitation Group Datu Katarungan of life... in our family, ca- ries, fears,doubt,struggles in Region VI asking for published by the inter- which is under the task said it is only just that reer, outreach ministries and unbeliefs which will their official recogni- national magazine Condé force, said the local gov- the government rec- and all the rest. Every allow us to settle down tion as an Indigenous Nast Traveler. In 2016, Bo- ernment has no choice ognizes Boracay as the waking moment, we need and rest and even in the People whose ancestral racay headed the maga- but to cooperate with ancestral domain of to set aside quiet time to midst of hurt, anger, pain domain is the entire zine’s list of “Top 10 des- whatever the BIATF the Boracay Tomandok commune with Him. We and suffering we are as- Boracay island “since tinations to watch”. mandates. Tribe and be accorded are to give Him thanks sured if God is with us. time immemorial.” The However, it can be However, BIATF will with all the legal rights for awesome favors He Who can be against us? NCIP is the nation- recalled that President only last until April to protect and develop has granted us -- com- I can be reached at al government agency Duterte angrily ordered this year and it is ex- the island that has long plete provisions for all our 0926-663-7254 and tune that is responsible for the closure of Boracay pected that re-elected served as a paradise get- needs and declare that in to my daily radio protecting the rights of due to environmental Mayor Ciceron Cawal- away of both local and apart from Him we can- program SULONG NA the indigenous peoples violations. The govern- ing will then continue foreign tourists. not do anything. (Prov- BAYAN over DWIZ882 erbs 3:5-6) at 3-4PM. To mask or not to mask? THE 2019 novel Coronavirus es the people to have hand sanitizer son to person although it is not very (nCoV), which has spread to over and face masks at the ready. clear how easily. A lot of the cases 20 countries and claimed more than While the World Health Orga- have been in people who have been 200 lives in China, has left many in nization (WHO) and the Center to Wuhan, the center of the outbreak a state of confusion as to how best for Disease Control and Prevention and those family members of the in- to prevent against this epidemic. (CDCP) do not outrightly say that fected as well as medical workers. In Singapore, a recent newspa- wearing face masks are preven- Virologist Angela Rasmussen of per headline read: “Do not wear a tative, they do not advise against Columbia University says: “Situa- mask if you are well”, in an effort to wearing them when not sick. Some tions that require a mask are when keep the public from panic-buying experts however, say that wrong you are in a crowd...or if you are car- surgical face masks. Meanwhile in handling of masks could increase ing for a sick person. If it makes you Malaysia and neighboring Vietnam the risk of infection. feel better, wear a surgical mask.” Photo Credit: Inquirer.Net and Thailand, the government urg- The virus is transmitted from per- - LNL Editor: BLESSIE K. CICERA 8 Entertainment FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Aiko Melendez preggy? BY ROMMEL GONZALES EWS about this came out recently mga taga-Pampanga love Aiko, at the when it was reported that the actress nyo si Kendra moment, is in had to excuse herself in the middle of “Pasensiya na Japan to rest N din sa set namin sa and fully taping a scene of her toprating show Prima abala po. Thanks recover with Donnas (where she plays Kendra) in Pampanga baby Jay Khong- boyfriend to vomit. hun na-stress kita Zambales kanina. Hindi po And after a bout of to the nearest blank spot Vice-Gov- ako buntis Ha! Ha! non-stop puking, the to vomit. ernor Jhay Ha! Ha!” production of the said “Thank you, Ms. Ma- Khonghun. GMA drama series had rissa Jesuitas-Hilario for no choice but to rush taking care of me. You Aiko to the hospital. never left my side. And Kapuso couple first-ever On the same day, to may standby ambulance vlog on Youtube clear the air, Aiko posted and ang creepy ng feeling on her Facebook account na nasa loob ka at ikaw KAPUSO sweet- will show the other side as to what really trans- ang patient. hearts Derek of them. pired. “Thank you Lord Ramsay and The AnDrek Vlogs “I was in Pampanga hindi ako na-food poison. Andrea will feature the summa- this morning for tap- Siyempre, panic attack Torres finally ry of their adventures ing, then during dinner also si VG he wanted to released their last year, 2019. time I was rushed to the rush to Pampanga from first-ever It was a travel vlog. hospital. Our executive Zambales. AnDrek vlog on They showed video producer decided to take “Now my tummy is YouTube. clips from their trips me to the nearest hospital rumbling, LBM naman. Derek & Andrea here and abroad. Derek ‘coz I kept on puking. Hmmm I should take a already announced & Andrea enjoyed “Dyahe dahil while on rest now. Goodnight, that they will also mingling with their take I had to literally run peeps! And thank you sa venture into vlogging fans in Baguio where like other stars. They they played golf. They promised their support- also went to Nanjing, ers that they will offer China last year and the Secret the reality in their lives. clips that they featured Derek and Andrea want were their adventures in Whisperer their vlog to be raw and Nanjing. Photo Credit: Kikay Corner • By Joey Sarmiento

Break a leg, Marcelito Carla Abellana ‘victim of misdiagnosis’ Marcelito Pomoy nailed it right into the forehead. BEAUTIFUL, goddess-like, ‘Shucks magpa-Pasko pa naman’, He has made it to the finale of “America’s Got Tal- who would have thought Ka- naubos ang pera.” ent: The Champions.” puso actress Carla Abellana is Shockingly, Carla leads a very As of the moment, Lady Luck is at the side of suffering from not one, not two healthy lifestyle which includes Marcelito and let’s just cross our fingers that this but three illnesses?! proper diet and exercise. lucky streak continues. During the mediacon of “So nagugulat po ako na…I In the semifinals, Marcelito showed off his vocal GMA’s Love Of My Life series, mean I take supplements, wala range, performing the Andrea Bocelli classic “Time Carla narrated her harrowing naman po akong bisyo, I don’t to Say Goodbye” as duet, singing both the male condition. smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t in- and female parts and earned a standing ovation “Mga mid to late 2019 po dulge in fatty food or unhealthy from judges Howie Mandel, Alesha Dixon, Heidi medyo nagkaroon po ako food or mga…so iyon po yung Klum and Simon Cowell. ng mga health scares, health nakakapagtaka, kaya kinu-ques- issues, katulad ng asthma and tion po ang genetics but then then yung Tachycardia ko po. Tachycardia is irregular again, sa family namin wala naman po kaming history heart beating po, mabilis po…rapid po yung heart rate. ng thyroid problems, asthma. “I’ve had Tachycardia for ten years already, and then po “Ako lang po, kaya hindi ko po alam kung bakit ‘yung aking Hypothyroidism, and then nagkaroon po ako nagsabay-sabay po sila.” ng liver damage dahil po sa gamot for Hypothyroidism. Admittedly, there were moments that Carla would “Kumbaga allergic po pala ako sa gamot, so I had ask, ‘Lord, why me?’ an adverse effect. Ang mahirap lang po kasi is nagsa- “So sabi ko na lang kay Lord, ‘Lord ginagawa ko na bay-sabay po sila, and then mahirap po kasi I would po ang lahat ng best ko para gumaling po ako, the rest spend three days a week at the hospital for check-ups, Kayo na po bahala’. Mahirap po siya. follow-ups and tests, and siyempre magastos po. “Yung asthma po apparently was a misdiagnosis.” “Ang laki po talaga ng ginastos, all the tests, the Apparently Carla has no asthma. Aside from Pomoy, also advancing to the finals check-ups and the treatments, medication. So mahirap “Although, nakakapanghinayang po kasi ang laki are Hans, Tyler Butler-Figueroa, Alexa Lauenburg- po kasi nagsabay-sabay, tapos kada punta ko po sa po ng ginastos ko tsaka na-ospital po ako dahil po sa er, Sandou Trio Russian Bar and Duo Transcend. doctor may mahahanap na naman po or may compli- misdiagnosis ng asthma. Imagine, nag-steroids po ako They will be competing with the four golden buzzer cation or may ganito, hindi maganda yung mga test because of asthma which contributed to the weight acts Angelina Jordan, Boogie Storm, V. Unbeatable results, mga ganun po. “So mahirap kasi siyempre we gain even more, so sayang po na ang dami ko pong and Silhouettes. were in the middle of taping for the show, gigising ka pinagdaanan dahil po sa misdiagnosis.” *** nang maaga puyat ka from taping para lang umabot sa Inspite of this, Carla has no plans of suing. There is no question that OPM recording artist appointment nung doctor, kasi siyempre ‘yung clinic “We are going to inform the doctor po, but no newbie, LA Santos is a dreamer. hours po ng doctor ay limited, kailangan sila ‘yung naman po, no plans of suing po, ang importante lang And with his strength, patience, and passion susundan na schedule. is malaman po niya na na-misdiagnosed po niya ako, to reach for the stars, who knows, he could really “Tapos ‘yun nga po ang laki ng gastos. Kaya sabi ko, para lang po aware siya.” - RG change the world. On his birthday concert dubbed as LA Santos, Birthday New Beginning, which was held at The House Speaker Cayetano Pop Up, Katipunan, he gave a loud inspiring shout out to the whole Indie World. inducts 2020 PMPC officers “Let us all support all the true performing artists "AS insiders in the (PMPC) is a group of ing members of the local he wants to know how of indie. Gusto ko na sana, lahat ng nandito ngay- entertainment industry, professional and active entertainment industry the industry is doing on sa The Pop Up, e, makikita ko ulit next year. I encourage you, PMPC, showbiz writers, edi- through the PMPC Star which along with "other Cheers to indie music,” hollered LA to the delight to let us know how the tors of newspapers and Awards for Movies, entertaiment arts" might of the screaming crowd. Congress could help," tabloids in the country, PMPC Star Awards be in need of aid by the At the end of his performance, LA also an- House Speaker Alan Pe- online influencers and for Television, and the government. nounced the launching of his new music label, the ter Cayetano said during vloggers, and radio/TV/ PMPC Star Awards for The PMPC would like 7K Sounds. He is reaching out to all new comers in the officers and board online reporters who cov- Music. to thank Deputy Speaker recording scene to come in because 7K Sounds is of directors' oathtaking er the local entertainment The Speaker explained Rep. Dan S. Fernandez supporting all indie artists. ceremony at the House of industry. that he wants the Con- and Reps. Prospero Currently, LA is now determined to pursue his Representatives recently. For years, PMPC func- gress to be pro-people Pichay, Benny Abante dream that is definitely bigger than life. THE PHILIPPINE tions as an award-giving and well-trusted govern- and Jacinto Paras for MOVIE PRESS CLUB body recognizing deserv- ment agency. As such, gracing the event. FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Entertainment 9 Bea & Juday honorees for 4 th Film Ambassador’s Night actors, full-length films, the Venice International special citations, and Film Festival last 2019. A-Listers. Other honorary ‘Film This last category, Ambassadors’ include which celebrates those for her who have won awards ‘Best Actress’ perfor- in the most prestigious mance in Wildflower, "A-List" international Bea Alonzo for her ‘Asian film festivals around the Stars Up Next Award,’ world, headlines the hon- and the critically-ac- orees. These “A-List” film claimed, multi-award- festivals include the big winning films Signal three: Cannes, Venice, Rock (dir. Chito Rono) and Berlin, as well as a and Balangiga: Howling select number of major Wilderness (dir. Khavn festivals around the globe Dela Cruz). The late Kris- according to the list of toffer King will receive FIAPF. posthumous honors for Our A-Listers this year his role in Kristo as well. include Brillante Mendo- The late veteran actors za’s Mindanao, winning and Tony Best Narrative Film, Judy Mabesa, who starred Ann Santos as Best Ac- in ’s Shannen Doherty battling tress in the Cairo Inter- award-winning Rain- stage 4 breast cancer national Film Festival in bow’s Sunset, will also Egypt, Jun Robles Lana be receiving posthumous NEW YORK — Shannen Doherty is battling a re- for winning best director honors during the Film currence of breast cancer that has progressed to in his film Kalel, 15, in the Ambassador’s Night. stage four, telling fans “it’s a bitter pill to swallow.” 2019 Tallinn Blacknights “These ‘Film Ambassa- “I definitely have days where I say, ‘Why me?’ And International Film Festi- dors’ display the diversity then I go, ‘Well, why not me? Who else? Who else val and the documentary and the wide spectrum besides me deserves this?’ None of us do,” Doherty film Aswang, directed of our national film told “Good Morning America” on Tuesday. “I don’t by Alyx Ayn Arumpac industry. They exemplify think I’ve processed it. It’s a bitter pill to swallow in which won the Fipresci the best that Philippine a lot of ways.” Prize in International cinema has to offer, and The actress from “Charmed” and “Beverly Hills, Documentary Film Festi- as its cream of the crop 90210” first revealed she had breast cancer in 2015 val Amsterdam (IDFA), they promote Philippine and charted her battle with the disease and its re- HE Film Development Council of the the most prestigious cinema internationally, mission on social media. Philippines (FDCP) has released the list film festival in the field therefore empowering Doherty, 48, has been working on the show of honorees for this year’s Film Ambassa- of documentary film- our local film industry “BH90210” and kept the diagnosis mostly secret. T making. Raymund Ribay and strengthening our “People with stage four can work, too. Our life dors’ Night (FAN). Guttierez's film Verdict, cultural heritage,” FDCP doesn’t end the minute we get that diagnosis. We This year, FDCP will be that received awards in the official Philippine en- Chair Liza Dino said. still have some living to do,” she said. recognizing 63 honorees film festivals abroad. try to this year's Oscars as ‘Film Ambassadors.’ This year’s FAN hon- holds the highest award The honorees consist of orees comprise of seven our country has achieved Filipino film industry art- categories, namely: short this year, having claimed ‘Descendants of the Sun’ ists, filmmakers, and films films, TV awards, tech- the Special Jury Prize in across genres and formats nical & creative awards, the Orizzonti section of debuts on GMA Telebabad GMA Network’s local the military team – com- The series is under the adaptation of one of the posed Antonio Aquitania; helm of esteemed director world’s most well-loved Ricardo Cepeda; Paul Salas; Dominic Zapata, who drama series, Descen- Jon Lucas; Lucho Ayala and promised not to disap- dants of the Sun (DOTS), Prince Clemente. point the viewers. makes its highly-antic- The series is made more The romantic-drama ipated debut on Phil- intense by the rebel char- series that captivated ippine TV screens this acters of Neil Ryan Sese; hearts all over the world February. Ian Ignacio; Rich Asun- is ready to make its mark No less than Ka- cion; and Carlo Gonzalez. on Philippine primetime. puso Primetime King and Ultimate Star headline the romantic story of alpha team leader Captain Lucas Manalo and car- dio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Apl.de.ap, Sarah, Bamboo & Lea Maxine Dela Cruz, other- wise dearly known as ‘Big reunite in ‘The Voice Teens’ Season 2 Boss’ and ‘Beauty’. THE original celebrity coaches who only time everyone will find out if he GMA’s Entertainment started “The Voice” in the Philippines or she was blocked by another coach. Group inked a partner- are back. Each of the four coaches only have ship with the Armed Apl.de.ap, Sarah Geronimo, Bam- two chances to use the Block Button Forces of the Philippines boo, and Lea Salonga are once again throughout the entire blind audi- which sealed the Net- battling each other’s teams for another tions. work’s commitment to shot at the championship in the new- The jampacked season, hosted by accurately represent the est season of “The Voice Teens.” Alex Gonzaga and Luis Manzano, will country’s military forces. Aside from the returning quartet of scour talented Filipino teens from all Devoted to save lives coaches, viewers can also look forward over the country and the world and are the series’ hard-work- to an exciting blind auditions with showcase their powerful voices and ing doctors and nurses: the introduction of the Block Button, inspiring dreams and stories. Pancho Magno; Renz which gives a coach the power to Viewers can also watch the online Fernandez; Chariz Solo- block or prevent another coach from show Voice Teens DigiTV for more mon; Andre Paras; Nicole being chosen by a teen artist. behind-the-scenes content on The Donesa; Reese Tuazon; The use of the Block Button is only Voice Teens Philippines channel on Jenzel Angeles; and Bob- valid when the coach who is blocked YouTube hosted by “The Voice Teens” by Andrews. will actually turn around for an artist. Season 1 alumnus Jeremy Glinoga and After months of intense Once a coach turns around, that is the online sensation KaladKaren. training for their roles, Editor: MICHAEL D. BAUTISTA 10 Sports FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Gilas Pilipinas all set

for 2021 FIBABY KOBY BERNARDO Asia Cup LL is set for Gilas Pilipinas for the 2021 of selecting best possible in the mix are Isaac Go, FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, which will options. Rey Suerte, Matt Nieto, serve as their first step towards a- big But first thing’s first for Allyn Bulanadi and Mike A Gilas which is the Asia Nieto who were the top ger competition down the road – the 2023 FIBA Cup Qualifiers with only five picks in the 2019 PBA World Cup. two weeks away. Rookie Draft. They were The Philippine men’s na- ferent tournaments. Joining Standhardinger allowed by the PBA to tional basketball team has With long-time rein- in the pool are other PBA be the core of the nation- already hit the ball rolling forcement Andray Blatche pros in NLEX’s Kiefer al team until 2023 FIBA this week, convening its already out of the squad, Ravena and Poy Erram, World Cup. 24-man training pool to be there’s no current natu- ’s Marc Pin- The amateurs are rep- mentored by TNT KaTro- ralized player for Gilas gris, Barangay Ginebra’s resented by the bright- pa mentor Mark Dickel on Pilipinas as of now. Chris- Japeth Aguilar, Colum- est young stars today in an interim basis. tian Standhardinger, a bian’s CJ Perez, TNT’s UP’s Kobe Paras, Jaydee Looming as first test Filipino-German cager Troy Rosario and Bobby Tungcab, brothers Juan for the Nationals are for Northport Batang Pier Ray Parks Jr., Phoenix’s and Javi Gomez De Liano, Photo Credit: PhilStar Thailand and Indonesia in the PBA, is likely to fill Matthew Wright and Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena EALA on February 20 and 23, the spot momentarily as Blackwater’s and Dwight Ramos, La respectively, in the first top prospects Chris Mc- Mac Belo. Salle’s Jamie Malonzo and window of the FIBA Asia Cullough, Justine Brown- Also Dave Ildefonso who is set Eala breaks top 5 ranking Cup Qualifiers. They will lee and Ange Kouame are to transfer AFTER making history recently claimed the also collide with South still in the middle of talks. to the Blue in the 2020 Australian crown in the 2020 Aus- Korea as part of Group All of these concerns Eagles Open, Alex Eala is now tralian Open girls dou- A in the second window are to be finalized from NU. in the top 5 as one of the bles along with Indo- slated in November. by the SBP this best junior tennis play- nesian partner Priska However, the pool – year with Gilas ers in the world. Nugroho. comprised by a hybrid of program di- In the latest ITF Eala, who was also pros and amateurs – along rector Tab World Tennis Tour Ju- able to reach the third with the head coach, will Baldwin nior rankings, the Fili- round of the girls singles be just a temporary re- in charge pina teen sensation has in Melbourne, Australia, course for the Samahang risen to the No. 4 spot in became the first Filipi- Basketbol ng Pilipinas the girls division. no to win a Grand Slam (SBP) as it is still set to Eala moved five spots event since 2009 when iron out a concrete road- higher to notch the No. then former junior net- map with the 2023 FIBA 4 slot with a total of ter Francis Casey Alca- World Cup and beyond 1718.75 points. ntara and Hsieh Chen- remaining as the priority She gained the feat a peng of Chinese Taipei destination. month later after break- topped the Australian The plan includes as- ing into the top 10 of the Open boys doubles. sembling a permanent na- world juniors circuit Eala is now back in tional team, a head coach with her world No. 9 training as one of the and a group of naturalized ranking. promising scholars in the players alternating for dif- GILAS PILIPINAS The 14-year-old Eala Rafael Nadal Academy. Sibling duel in PBA Season 45 opener Fil-Am MMA star Vera REIGNING five-time Philippine Cup The four remaining teams will collide champion will be- in best-of-seven semifinals series with seeks redemption gin their title-retention bid against sis- the winners clashing in the best-of-sev- ter team Magnolia Hotshots when the en finals. FILIPINO-American mixed martial (UFC) before transferring to the Sin- Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Meanwhile, imports, with a height arts star Brandon Vera braces for an- gapore-based ONE Championship’s open its 45th season in its lone game on limit of 6-foot-10, will once again see ac- other ‘heavy’ mission inside the octa- stable in 2014 where he showed mas- March 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. tion in the Commissioner's Cup. gon. tery in the heavyweight ranks with The PBA Leo Awards for Season 44 The season-ending Governors' Cup, on Vera, who traces his roots a technical knockout victory over will be held before the opening ceremo- the other hand, will feature imports stand- from Quezon province, will Igor Subora. nies of the pro league. ing at 6-foot-5 and below and it is expect- be back in business to defend Nicknamed “The Truth”, The Philippine Cup, which is an ed to conclude in January next year. his heavyweight title at ONE: Vera retained the title thrice all-Filipino conference, will end in June. The same format will be adopted for Code of Honor on May 29 at after also knocking down Paul The conference format will once again the Commissioner's Cup but the semifi- the . Cheng in 2015, Hideki have the top eight teams after the elimi- nals is a best-of-five series. “We have people Sekine in 2016 and nation round advancing to the quarterfi- The Governors' Cup, meanwhile, will challenging me, Mauro Cerilli in nals with the top two squads clinching a have the top four teams claiming a twice- thinking they 2018. twice-to-beat advantage against the No. to-beat edge against the other four low- can take our The 6-foot-3 7 and No. 8 seeded teams. er-ranked squads in the quarterfinals. belt from us,” jiujitsu spe- The No. 3 and No. 4 squads will face The winners in the quarters will clash the 42-year-old cialist could the No. 6 and No. 5 teams, respectively, in the best-of-five semis before the sea- said during have been un- in a best-of-three series. son ends with a best-of-seven finals. the recent- defeated five ly-concluded times but ONE Cham- he stepped pionship: down to the Fire and Fury light heavy- held at the weight di- Mall of Asia vision and Arena. suffered a sec- “Let us show ond-round TKO to the world that Aung La N Sang in the Philippines October 2019. is awesome,” Now that Vera added Vera, who will be fight- will probably face ing back in his Indian slugger Arjan weight class, he Bhullar. promises a stellar Vera (16-8) had an performance to re- eight-year stint in deem himself before the Ultimate Fight- for his countrymen. ing Championship - Roger Santos FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 Sports 11 Gawilan eyes golden stint in Asean Para Games Kai Sotto on right track BY ROGER SANTOS to reach NBA dream BY KOBY BERNARDO HE may be born with- tumaas ‘yung kumpi- out legs and feet but yansa ko sa sarili na may HE legend of “Kai” Unranked when he first arrived Ernie Gawilan has the nagagawa ako na hindi continues to grow in the US, Sotto is now already a bravest heart to excel in nagagawa ng karami- larger and larger in four-star recruit and currently swimming and surpass han,” added Gawilan, ranks 68th in the 2020 Top 100 all the challenges in life. who has been a Philip- the streets of U.S. prospects by the known interna- TAlready an epic story in the tional sports news giant ESPN. The 30-year-old pride pine team member since of Paquibato, Davao 2009 and won 15 medals making here in the Philippines, Large part of his jump is his City is among the para from tournaments held the 17-year-old Sotto took a gam- MVP conquest in the King Invi- athletes the Philip- in India, Indonesia, Ja- ble last year when he decided to tational and the Hargrave Mil- pines is sending to the pan, Malaysia, Myan- leave his home country for an itary Challenge, a pair of tour- 2020 Asean Para Games mar, New Zealand and even nobler dream. naments among the best high which the country will Singapore. The 7-foot-2 Sotto, as tall as he school players in the US that are be hosting in March at The humble swimmer already is, wants to reach unparal- being scouted by top US NCAA the New Clark City in hopes to bring glory for leled heights. He also wants to be- Division I schools. Capas, Tarlac. the Philippines at the come the first Filipino homegrown Behind an average of 20 points, One of the top bets in 11-nation meet in its 10th player to ever step foot in the NBA. 10 rebounds and 3 blocks, Sotto’s the contingent, Gawilan staging with at least 20 And now, a year later, the Fil- high school domination so far has hauled seven golds, two sports to be played. ipino prodigy has already made opened the floodgates of oppor- silvers and two bronze “Lahat naman siguro leaps to inch closer to that dream. tunities for him with offers from medals in the past three ng atleta gold medal ang Currently playing for The Skills known schools like Kentucky, editions of the bienni- hinahangad kasi sobrang Factory Prep National in Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Auburn al meet that features hirap talaga nun pero si- Georgia, the second generation and DePaul University – which physically, visually and yempre sa training ‘yun player has already won two ma- may be his best way to the dream intellectually disabled magkakaalaman at di- jor individual awards in the US NBA destination. SOTTO athletes. sipilina sa sarili. Pero to fan his NBA draft stock, still a Sky’s the limit for Kai Sotto “Ginagawa ko ito ako hindi nawawalan ng year away from his projected en- and from the looks of it, he’s on try via the 2021 NBA Draft Class. the right track to reach it. para sa mga katulad ko pag asa na may chance Photo Credit: Manila Bulletin Sports na may kapansanan na tayo,” Gawilan said. nawawalan ng pag-asa na ‘wag silang sumuko sa buhay kasi marami Caguioa looking to lead Gin Kings pa silang kayang gaw- in,” said Gawilan who in PBA Philippine Cup contracted his disabil- ity due to his mother’s LIKE a shepherd to his Cup throne. abortion attempt. flock of sheep, Mark "We really want to win Gawilan com- Caguioa wants to be a this bad lalo na wala si Jus- peted in the guide to his Barangay tin (Brownlee)," Caguioa 2016 Rio Ginebra teammates. said, noting the pressure de Janeiro And it doesn’t matter coming in their way against Paralympics to the 40-year-old guard the five-time defending where he if his playing time dwin- champion Beermen. swam in the dled as long as he’s there "Ahead of ourselves pa- 400m and to help his team by shar- rang mahirap talunin ang 100m freestyle ing words of encourage- San Miguel, they're the and 100m back- ment and providing vet- team to beat," he added. stroke events before eran experience. "If we could do that it writing history in Jakar- "I might not be playing would mean a lot for each ta, Indonesia as the first a lot of minutes but I en- and every one of the play- Filipino to win a gold joy being at the back seat ers 'yun ang pinakagusto in the 2018 Asian Para looking at these guys de- namin." Games when he topped veloping," the former PBA Its been 13 years since the 400m freestyle S7, Most Valuable Player Photo Credit: Manila Times the crowd favorites last 100m backstroke S7 and said. "It's really nice see- CAQUIOA bagged an all-Filipino ti- 200m individual medley ing them coming out of Barangay Ginebra and his nors’ Cup champion Gin tle with Caguioa as the SM7. their shelves." long service would pay Kings are looking to oust lone remnant of that 2007 “Simula nung napa- Caguioa will be play- dividends as the new- the San Miguel Beermen Ginebra squad. - ROGER sok ako sa swimming GAWILAN ing his 19th season with ly-crowned 2019 Gover- from their Philippine SANTOS

Repent or perish altar of their synagogue the fury of natures, law- of his inheritance and changed his birth right thew 27:3-5). Don't wait worshiping their various lessness or violence, wars, went away and spent with a bowl of soup and the time to repent if God gods, along with another pestilences, among others. all the money he had in when he wanted the touches your heart be- incident that the tower Jesus’ exhortation is profligate spending. blessings he never got cause when you passed of Siloam fell on 18 people to save the people from When all his money it even he cried in tears out of repentance, God's and died (Luke 13:1-5). eternal damnation in hell had gone, he was forced (Hebrews 12:16-17). The door is already closed Through this gory re- in case they die without to work in a piggery that 10 spies and the rest of for you. Remember in port, they had asked the Him of their lives. even the feeds of the hogs the Jews aged 21 years Noah's time when the The SHEPHERD Lord Jesus if they were They have to repent of he wanted to eat. At this old and upward had nev- flood came to destroy the • By Danilo Q. Junco the worst sinners for all their sins and to receive instance, he came to his er entered into the Prom- earth, no matter what having such tragic fate. Jesus Christ as Lord and senses and returned to ised Land because they the people pleaded to THIS was the stern Jesus, however, cate- Savior wholeheartedly for his father asking for for- took for granted of God's God to open the door's warning of the Lord Je- gorically said no instead them to escape in hell or in giveness and the father Word committing it to ark it remained closed. sus to His apostles and He advised them to re- eternal suffering. forgave and cordially ac- them to own the land If you want to be people in Israel 2000 pent or likewise they Repentance means to cepted him in return. through unbelief (Num- prayed for healing of years ago that they either also would perish. change one's mind in Take note when God bers 13-14). Judas Iscar- your sicknesses or dis- repent or perish. Jesus’ admonition is Greek and in Hebrew offers you His grace and iot, who betrayed the eases or deliverance from The warning came still applicable today means to turn around. mercy don't take it for Lord Jesus and when he demons or evil spirits, when the people reported to our countrymen and The best example for granted because there realized his sins against you can contact Pablo de to Jesus that some Galile- even to all the people all this is the parable of the will be a time that you'll the Lord, returned to Leon and Virginia de Pe- ans were slaughtered by over the world as no one prodigal son as recorded never be accepted as God the religious leaders and noza with tel. nos. 0949- the soldiers of Pontius is safe as disasters after in Luke 15:11-24 where had already closed the threw the money on 4783478; 0926-9173771, Pilate and mixed their disasters are happening the youngest son asked door. Take for example them and went away and respectively, Arman blood as sacrifice at the on every nation through his father to get his share of Essau when he ex- hanged himself (Mat- Abad 0932-8557316. Editor: LOUISE NICHOLE P. LOGARTA 12 News FEBRUARY 10-16, 2020 STL franchises to be terminated From Page 1 the activities of STL ope- amount to some P4 billion. cally influential persons are as rators whom he alleged to Cam, the president of the follows: Royal Viva Research be fronting for jueteng lords SEC-registered Whistleblo- Corporation (Occidental who pocket some P70 billion wers Association of the Phil- Mindoro); Oceania Sur Gam- yearly, to the detriment of le- ippines, said all existing STL ing Corporation (Sorsogon); gitimate beneficiaries. contracts granted in 2016 to Super Lucky Beagler, Inc. Lacson, who had con- the original batch of 16 lucky (Negros Occidental); Super ducted a probe into the pro- applicants when the project Lucky Beagler, Inc. (Bacolod liferation of illegal gambling was launched are deemed ille- City); Golden Matrix Gaming in the country, claimed gal since there was no public & Amusement Corporation a great majority of STL bidding as required by law, ( City); Suncove owners are allowing specifically Republic Act No. Corporation (Pampanga); jueteng lords (for a 9184 or the Procurement Act. Lucky Pick Amusement & huge fee, naturally) In violation of the agency’s Development Inc. (Ilocos to use their PC- own internal rules and regula- Norte); and CTG Prime Ven- SO-granted fran- tions (IRR), Cam said PCSO tures Inc. (Nueva Ecija). chises for illicit officials (in 2016, 2017 and Diamond Gaming & Re- operations, 2018) disregarded provisions search Corporation (Bu- which is for such a procedure which lacan); GIPC Gaming & why an- simply means all existing STL Amusement Center (Zam- nual contracts are invalid. bales); Lake Tahoe Gaming remit- For reasons only they can & Amusement Corporation tances fathom, Cam said PCSO of- (Angeles City); Northtrails to the ficials instead issued an - “au Resources Inc. (Tarlac); Sun- PCSO tomatic renewal” to each to set Bay Research & Market- only extend their effectivity in ing Corporation (Bataan); flagrant transgression of their Batangas Enhanced Technol- very own IRR. ogy Systems Inc. (Batangas); For the record, the STL Pirouette Corporation (Que- contracts given by the PCSO zon Province); and Ramloid to companies allegedly con- Gaming Corporation ( trolled by powerful and politi- and San Pablo City) CAM

‘Yorme’ on product endorsements: by-product of good intentions MAYOR Francisco Domagoso, known to many as Isko Moreno, once a movie celebrity, be- came the chief of the city of Manila due to his fresh no-nonsense approach as a public official. Yorme, as he is called by the people, cleaned out chaotic Divi- soria and removed stalls from the Bonifacio mon- ument. It is no secret that apart from being a public ser- PARTNERSHIP: Japan Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa (left) visits the Office vant, Moreno does a range of BARMM Bangsamoro Parliament Speaker Pangalian Balindong in Cotabato of product endorsements City. The envoy said his government is willing to continue extending develop- for which he collects ment aid to the region through a notable partnership. talent fees. However, a Photo: Office of BTA Speaker Balindong netizen Fahima Tajar, re- cently called him out for his billboard along EDSA tion other than the exer- billboard picture is only no said that he will con- promoting a known jeans cise of their functions as a byproduct of the tinue to use his brand. A lawyer, Tajar cit- local chief executives.” intention.” He fur- “good looks” just ed Section 90 of the Local Moreno hit back this ther added that he to raise money Government Code which criticism saying that he wanted to honor for calamity vic- prohibits local govern- donated his talent fees the terms of the tims and indi- ment leaders from “prac- to indigents and victims contract by doing gents. Photo Credit: Philippine Canadian Inquirer ticing their profession or of the Taal volcano erup- so. engaging in any occupa- tion. Said the mayor: “The More- MORENO

Actor Kirk Douglas - dead at 103 THE stage and screen actor statement: "It is with tremen- much and I am so proud to be your was well-known for a range of dous sadness that my brothers son." roles, including the 1960 classic and I announce that Kirk Doug- Michael's wife and Kirk's daugh- Spartacus, in which he played las left us today." ter-in-law, Welsh actress Cath- the titular character. "To the world, he was a leg- erine Zeta Jones, posted a Born in New York in 1916, he end, an actor from the golden photo of the two together, rose to prominence during Hol- age of movies... but to me and writing: "I shall love you for lywood's "golden age", earning my brothers Joel and Peter he the rest of my life. I miss his first Oscar nomination for was simply Dad," it read you already." the 1949 film Champion. in part. He was also the father of "Let me end with the Oscar-winning actor Michael words I told him on his last Douglas. birthday and which will always His son Michael said in a remain true. Dad - I love you so