Manila Standard - 2018 June 22 - Friday by Manila Standard

FLIP IT. Amid an adoring crowd of onlookers, a skateboarder performs his tricks during an event to mark ‘Go Skateboarding Day’ in Manila on Thursday. AFP

VOL. XXXII • NO. 127 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Morales: Ruling merit-based, not to satisfy public By Rio N. Araja OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales on Thursday defended her decision to indict former President Benigno Aquino III and former Budget chief Florencio Abad for usurpation of legislative powers instead of graft and malversation, saying the ruling was based on merit and evidence and was not intended to satisfy public expectation. “We decide cases when they are ripe for resolution. If they are not for resolution, we do not prematurely decide cases just to cater to public expectation,” she said. She denied allegations of President Rodrigo Duterte that she sat on the P72billion Disbursement Acceleration Program case involving Aquino and Abad. “Sitting on the cases? I am always

Aquino case whitewash hit

Palace, allies: Charges mere slap on the wrist

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales

By Vito Barcelo, Rey Requejo, Macon RamosAraneta, and Rio Araja

PALACE official on Thursday questioned why it took the Ombudsman four years to indict former President Benigno Aquino III over the P72-billion Disbursement Acceleration Program even as administration allies slammed the decision as a “whitewash” and a “slap on the wrist.” “Personally I am asking why it took all these time before anyone could be charged with DAP. I think it’s been over four years since the decision came out,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said. “And number two, some quarters are already asking—why only usurpation which is punishable only by six months? The original complaint was for malversation,” he added. While the Palace is “pleased” with the indictment of Aquino and his former Budget chief Florencio Abad, Roque said the Ombudsman should have considered accusations that the DAP was used for the impeachment of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. “I could only surmise that the Ombdusman did not see any personal beneﬁt so they lowered the case to usurpation. But perhaps they should have considered that the beneﬁt was not for the personal pockets [of the accused]. It could be the case of what former Senator Jinggoy Estrada said—that DAP was used to buy votes for the [Corona] impeachment,” Roque said. “I think that should have been considered. But it is the call of the Ombudsman as we all know,” he said. For his part, Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner Greco Belgica likened the decision of Morales to a “whitewash.” “She downgraded the cases on DAP against Aquino and Next page

Beckham sees England vs Argentina BEIJING, China—Former captain David Beckham has tipped England to play Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final, reflecting rising optimism about the Three Lions’ chances after a positive start in Russia. Next page

Instagram unveils new video SAN FRANCISCO, United States—Instagram said Wednesday it now has more than one-billion active users, as it unveiled a new long-form video feature in a bid to attract “creators” like those on YouTube. Next page

US pullout: Duterte won’t follow suit By Vito Barcelo THE Philippines will not follow the lead of the United States in withdrawing from the United Nations Human Rights Council, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said on Thursday. “We’re not following suit... The President has no reaction on what the Americans decided to do. The President is very careful never to comment on sovereign decision in the same way that he does not want other states commenting on domestic sovereign decisions. So we leave it at that,” Roque said. “The latest decision of the US reﬂects a sentiment that the President himself has articulated and apparently we are not alone in this perception that there is

bias amongst human rights groups,” the Palace ofﬁcial added. In March, President Rodrigo Duterte slammed UN Human Rights Council head Zeid Al Hussein after the latter advised him to undergo “psychiatric evaluation” for attacking UN envoys and special rapporteurs. Zeid said Manila’s actions against UN ofﬁcials “make one believe that the president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation.” The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, has also become a particular target of the President over her criticism of his campaign to stamp out illegal drugs. Next page

Teachers, pupils must undergo drug tests—PDEA

Back-channel talks with Reds put on hold By Vito Barcelo

THE Duterte administration has suspended the back-channel negotiations with the National Democratic Front to give the government more time to review all the signed agreements related to the peace talks before proceeding with any further peace dialogues. In a statement, Hernani Braganza, the government’s negotiator for the backchannel talks, said a government team ﬂew

to Utrecht on the instructions of National Security Adviser Jesus Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, the head of the government panel, and conveyed the government’s decision in a meeting with a team of NDF consultants led by chief negotiator Fidel Agcaoili. “The government team also conveyed the Philippine government’s decision to suspend all back-channel talks with the NDF pending the three-month review of all signed agreements related to the peace negotiations,” Braganza said. Next page

Like FM, Bongbong wants to be president By Eva Casaljay FERDINAND Marcos Jr., the only son of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos, says he wants to return to Malacañang as President. He told the Financial Times of London on Monday he was aspiring to become the next President of the Philippines, and would be Next page

Mental health bill enacted after 20 years By Evalea Casaljay PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 11036, or the Philippine Mental Health Law, which aims to shed more light on the mental health of Filipinos. The issue of mental health has been in the limelight following the recent suicide deaths Next page

FERDINAND MARCOS JR.

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency wants a mandatory drug test for teachers and students in grade four and up, Director General Aaron Aquino said Thursday. He said he had already raised his proposal with the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Department of Education. Meanwhile, Malacañang on Thursday defended President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks against the relatives of slain drug Next page pushers calling for justice.

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Justice clears Calida family deals By Rey E. Requejo

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday upheld the validity of the security services contracts between the Department of Justice and an agency owned by Solicitor General Jose Calida and his family. “We looked into our records and the conclusion is still the same,” Guevarra said, in an interview. “I examined all the records pertaining to the procurement and all of these were regular on their face, because this is a public bidding and all that we need to comply with are the pertinent regulations under the Government Procurement Re-

form Act,” the Justice Secretary added. The DoJ chief made the disclosure after reviewing the DOJ’s contract with the Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, Inc. following allegation of conflict of interest against Calida over the family firm’s securing a multi-million-peso deals with several government offices. According to Guevarra, he found no

conflict of interest on the part of the DOJ, because he said the conflict would only be present if the winning bidder was related within the third degree of affinity or consanguinity to the head of the implementing agency, the head of the Bid and Awards Committee, and its secretariat and “none was found.” “But the conflict of interest on the part of the SolGen—that is something that he has to deal with separately,” Guevarra explained, noting that a complaint against Calida has already been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman over the issue. Nonetheless, Guevarra assured that in case of violations or shortcomings

on the part of the agency’s services, the DoJ could simply terminate the deal. “All we need to do is to cancel the contract. We don’t even have to go to court. If we have any problem with the performance of the company’s obligations under the contract, all we need to do is really to cancel the contract,” he explained. While Calida resigned from the chairmanship of the company, he still owned 60 percent of VISAI shares as of 2016, when he was appointed as solicitor general. He has admitted not divesting himself of his interest in the firm, saying that by law, he was required to choose to either resign or let go of his ownership.

Barangay leader warns: Loitering no crime Crime rate drops, says Social Weather

Morales:... From A1

saying we go by the evidence. If the case is complicated, it takes a longer time. But if it’s simple, it does not take that much time,” she said. The charges arose from the unlawful issuance of National Budget Circular No. 541 to implement the P72-billion DAP that authorized the withdrawal of unobligated allotments of agencies with low levels of obligations as of June 30, 2012. “A re-evaluation of the case establishes that the individual actions of respondent Aquino and respondentmovant Abad showed a joint purpose and design to encroach on the powers of Congress by expanding the meaning of savings to fund programs, activities and projects under the DAP,” the Ombudsman resolution read. “Abad’s act of issuing NBC 541 cannot be viewed in a vacuum. The evidence on record shows that an exchange of memoranda between [Aquino] and [Abad] precipitated its issuance. Verily, without the approval of the said memoranda by respondent Aquino, NBC 541 would not have been issued.” “Respondent Aquino, by marginal notes, specified his unqualified approval on the following requests: (1) grant of omnibus authority to consolidate fiscal year 2012 savings/unutilized balances and its realignment; and (2) grant of authority to withdraw unobligated balances of national government agencies for slow-moving projects/expenditures as of 30 June 2012 and its realignment.” The Ombudsman said Aquino had the authority and the duty to look into each item on the memorandum before signifying his approval.

Instagram... From A1

It becomes the fourth Facebook platform to hit the billion-user mark, including the namesake social network with more than two billion users, and the messaging applications WhatsApp and Messenger. Instagram, which had some 800 million users as of September, has been out-

AUCKLAND—New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby girl in an Auckland hospital Thursday, becoming only the second world leader to do so while in office. It was the first child for the 37-yearold and her 40-year-old partner Clarke Gayford, with the new arrival weighing in at 3.3 kilograms (7.3 pounds). “I’m sure we’re going through all of the emotions new parents go through, but at the same time feeling so grateful for all the kindness and best wishes from so many people. Thank you,” Ardern said. She added on Instagram that the baby was healthy and doing well. “We’re all doing really well thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital.” The charismatic Ardern follows Pakistan’s prime minister Benazir Bhutto in 1990 as the only women in recorded history to give birth while in power, but she downplayed the significance. “Lots of people juggle a lot of things in their personal and private lives, and I’m not unusual in that. Plenty of women have multitasked before me, and I want to acknowledge that,” she said when revealing the pregnancy in January. The birth capped an eventful year for Ardern who became prime minister last October, three months after inheriting the leadership of the Labour Party when it was languishing in the polls. When no party won sufficient support in the election to form a government, she was anointed prime minister by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, the kingmaker in a three-party coalition also involving the Greens. AFP

ence,” Abesamis said. Abesamis added that since vagrancy has been decriminalized, some policemen may use the ordinances as excuses to detain ‘loiterers.’ “Yung pagiging tambay ay hindi naman kriminal. Pero yung tambay nahuhuli sa kadahilanan daw na merong nilabas na ordinansa,” he said. “Hindi ko po alam kung talagang hinuli dahil sa paglabas ng ordinansa or nagiging paraan iyun para mahuli yung tambay,” Abesamis added. He also said that only persons who are subject of a warrant of arrest may be detained by the police. Barangay officials must also do their part and be wary of their neighborhood

of ‘tambays’ who have the potential to create trouble. “Yan naman po ay dapat maging sensitibo ang mga barangay official sa mga ganyang bagay di dahil para gumanda lang ang kanilang papel dahil katungkulan din naman nila,” Abesamis said. Since he made the declaration against ‘tambays’ on June 13, the president insisted that no arrest has been made even as Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that no one has complained of any rights violation against the arresting officers. Albayalde also recently said that the recent arrest of “tambays” is due to violations of ordinances, and not because they were mere bystanders.

“Maybe Ombudsman Morales was trying to preempt the incoming Ombudsman from filing anymore a case as it will be double jeopardy,” he said. Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on Justice and Human Rights, said the Ombudsman should have charged Aquino and Abad with malversation. “Though I don’t know all the facts yet, I would have chosen the more stringent offenses which are graft and corruption and malversation. They were even guilty of malversation, technical malversation,” Gordon said. Gordon said the DAP case constituted technical malversation because Aquino

and Abad tampered with the appropriations by declaring these as savings. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice will pursue its probe on the criminal liabilities of Aquino and Abad in connection with the DAP case. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said despite the Ombudsman findings, he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to proceed with the probe to determine criminal liabilities of former officials over the economic stimulus program. “That investigation on DAP will proceed. The NBI is doing it as we speak. We have instructed them to continue the investigation and proceed with the case buildup,” Guevarra said.

tiveros said in a statement on Thursday. Hontiveros is one of the authors and the principal sponsor of the bill along with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senators Loren Legarda, Sonny Trillanes, Bam Aquino, Sonny Angara and Joel Villanueva. In other developments: • Deputy Speaker and Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo on Thursday hailed the signing into law of the Mental Health Law.

“Truly fantastic news. It is a bill that languished in Congress for almost 20 years,” Quimbo said. “Finally, the long wait is over. Today’s signing of the Mental Health Law will hopefully usher in the prevention of thousands of suicides that have been plaguing our country.” Quimbo was the principal author of the House version of the then Mental Health Act. With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

“It does not involve the victims who are otherwise victims of police excesses,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque told reporters. “Don’t expect any justice from the government if a person was killed in a drug war,” Duterte said in his speech Monday in response to the call for justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings. “If you think that you can get justice simply because you lost somebody who’s a bullshit into drugs, I’m sorry to tell you I will not allow it,” Duterte said. Aaron said his proposal was an offshoot of a series of arrests involving students and teachers in the war against drugs. “The youngest [we have arrested] is 10 years old,” he said. Meanwhile, Aquino on Thursday distributed P189,086,902 worth of equipment including vehicles, computer and forensic equipment to its units to beef up their operational capability. Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo

rael. The US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, announced the decision alongside President Donald Trump’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Both insisted the United States would remain a leading champion of human rights but for many, the decision will reflect Trump’s general hostility to the world body and to multilateral diplomacy in general. The announcement came after top

UN human rights official criticized Washington for separating migrant children from their parents who are seeking asylum after crossing into the country from Mexico. But Haley and Pompeo stressed the decision had been made after a long year of efforts to shame the council into reform and to remove member states that themselves commit abuses. “These reforms were needed in order to make the council a serious advocate

for human rights,” Haley said. “For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias. Regrettably, it is now clear that our call for reform was not heeded,” Haley added. The Geneva-based body was established in 2006 to promote and protect human rights worldwide, but its pronouncements and reports have often clashed with US priorities. With AFP

“Suspension, however, does not preclude communications between the two parties if deemed necessary. meeting was witnessed by third-party facilitators from the Royal Norwegian Government led by Special Envoy for Peace Idun Tvedt and Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison.” In other developments: • The communist rebels stood their ground against the desire of President Rodrigo Duterte to hold the peace negotiations in the Philippines, citing the agreement that provided for a foreign neutral venue for the talks. Norway has been the third-party facilitator of the talks since 2001, which the NDF said was consistent with the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immu-

nity Guarantees that was signed by the government and the NDF in 1995. “In this regard, the two sides must comply with JASIG and its provision for a foreign neutral venue,” the NDF said in a statement on Thursday. • The Defense department said it saw nothing wrong in the stand-down agreement for the resumption of peace talks between the Philippine government and the communist rebels as long as both parties adhered to it. Anything that would bring about legitimate and lasting peace was welcome, Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Wednesday. • A high-ranking leader of the New People’s Army and 50 warriors on Thursday surrendered to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in Santo Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. Alvarez said the surrender of NPA leader Datu Gibang Apoga of the Lumad

tribe and other NPA members came after they realized the sincerity of President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer to attain a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict. The suspension of back-channel negotiations between the government and the communist rebels came after Duterte instructed the government peace panel to re-schedule the resumption of talks with the NDF leaders that were initially set in June. During the meeting, the NDF representatives expressed their willingness to keep an open mind on the President’s decision and wait for the outcome of the government’s review before proceeding with any peace talks with government. The NDF reiterated its commitment to all the signed agreements, including those involving the planned visit of Sison to the Philippines for a meeting with Duterte. With PNA and Maricel V. Cruz

pacing rival social networks such as Twitter and Snapchat and has been gaining younger users even as Facebook itself has seen declines in the youth segment. Instagram chief executive Kevin Systrom announced the milestone as he unveiled the new video application known as IGTV. “We have now a community of one billion users,” Systrom told the event in San Francisco. “Since our launch in 2010, we’ve

watched with amazement as the community has flourished and grown.” As Facebook itself has moved deeper into video, Instagram will become a direct competitor to YouTube with IGTV. IGTV will enable any user to upload long-form videos and will also include “channels” from video “creators,” similar to a format employed by Googleowned YouTube which has given rise to a number of YouTube “stars.” AFP

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

ABOUT 1.5 million families suffered common crimes such as robbery, breakins, car theft, and physical violence in the past six months, a Social Weather Stations survey showed Thursday. But the rate of those who fell victim to crimes fell a full percentage point lower, and by about 200,000 families less, from the previous survey SWS conducted in December 2017, Malacañang noted in a statement. “Crimes continue to decline,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said. “We welcome the latest Social Weather Station survey showing 6.6 percent of families reporting victimization by any of the crimes within the past six months—down from December 2017’s 7.6 percent,” he added. The survey, conducted last March 23 to 27, showed most of the incidents led to the loss of property such as street robbery, burglary or break-ins, and “carnapping.” The March survey showed around 1.1 million families, or 4.6 percent, were victims of street robbers. Around 145,000 families had members hurt by physical violence during the same span, lower than the 188,000 reported last December. Less families also reported being victimized by break-ins, from 3.4 percent or 790,000 in December to 2.2 percent or 516,000.

New Zealand prime minister does rare feat

LIGA ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas president League Edmund Abesamis reminded police officers, who are tasked to arrest ‘loiterers’ per President Rodrigo Duterte’s order, should first secure an arrest warrant or present a valid and legal reason before they can arrest or detain idlers. In a television interview, Abesamis said that policemen should also determine if a crime had been committed before any arrests could be made. “Kung arestuhin natin, warrantless arrest po yan. Para maging valid yung warrantless arrest, dapat lumitaw that a crime is being committed in your pres-

Aquino... From A1

Abad, perhaps as a strategy to allow them to post bail because the offense of usurpation of le gislative power requires only P1,000 bail,” Belgica said. “It will also be dangerous if this case will be filed in court because the doctrine of double jeopardy would apply and it could prevent the filing of more grave offenses,” he added. Senator JV Ejercito said the usurpation case is a “slap on the wrist” as the charges should have been either malversation or plunder, especially for Abad.

Mental... From A1

of known personalities Kate Spade, Anthony Bourdain and the sister of Queen Maxima of Denmark. The Philippines is the last country to pass a mental health law in Southeast Asia. “No longer shall Filipinos suffer silently in the dark,” Senator Risa Hon-

US... From A1

Duterte retaliated by calling Zeid a “turtle” and a “son of a whore” who has “a big head but no grey matter between your ears.” On Tuesday, Washington withdrew from the UN council as it condemned the “hypocrisy” of its members and its alleged “unrelenting bias” against Is-

Back-channel... From A1

Beckham... From A1

Beckham was speaking at a promotional event in China after England beat Tunisia 2-1 in their opening game, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout rounds. England have long stuttered on the big stage and they last reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2006,

Teachers,... From A1

Like... From A1

pushing for a type of government that advocates equal rights and fair opportunities for everyone . His platform could include supporting civil servants and teachers who would be appointed based on their ability instead of political perspective, of which he said Rodrigo Duterte, the current President, lacked. “[President Duterte] has adhered very strictly to the policy of not hiring or appointing someone he does not know,” Marcos said. He recalled that during his father’s regime, talent and distinguished track record mattered more than political loyalty. He also had something to say about China and its bullying tactics in the South China Sea. when Beckham was captain. Their only World Cup final was way back in 1966, when they beat Germany at Wembley. “I believe Argentina will play against England in the final,” Beckham predicted at an event to promote China’s largest collegiate football league. “I think obviously my choice would be England to win the competition, but that’s me being biased and passionate about my country,” he added. AFP

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‘Morally upright CJ needed’ Reps. Raneo Abu of Batangas and Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela also said the SC’s ﬁnal ruling on the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno should open a new chapter in the judiciary’s history by focusing on the Judicial and Bar Council selection process for the nomination of the country’s next Chief Justice. “After due process was served, it is time to move on. We have close this chapter in the history of judicia-

By Maricel V. Cruz

WO administration lawmakers on Thursday expressed hope that President Rodrigo Duterte will appoint a “morally upright” Chief Justice “with unquestioned integrity, incorruptible, irreproachable.”

ry. Let’s work together to ensure that the next Chief Justice is fit, morally upright with unquestioned integrity, incorruptible, irreproachable, and has adequate ability or skill to lead and strengthen the judiciary,” said Abu, a deputy speaker. Representatives’ contingent to Commission on Appointments, said the emphasis now should be the JBC whose task is to submit to President Duterte a shortlist of names vying for the Chief Justice post.

“We have to move forward now because this is the best for the country to strengthen the judiciary,” said Albano. Abu also appealed for calm as he urged the public to respect the SC ruling. “Let us be an advocates of sobriety by respecting the authority of the Supreme Court being the last bulwark of democracy,” said Abu. Albano said the high court’s ruling afﬁrming its earlier decision

to unseat Sereno was expected and that the camp of the former chief justice must respect the high court’s ruling. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra is also of the opinion that the Supreme Court was “correct” in its decision to oust Sereno. But at the same time, Guevarra said the rules may need some tweaking to avoid a similar controversial situation in the future.

Guevarra said he respects the lSC decision and wishes not to “inﬂame any controversy” that surrounds it. “But if I may suggest, in order to avoid a similar situation in the future, now the Constitution is proposed to be amended, we’d rather make it very clear in the Constitution that the only way -- only way -- to remove impeachable ofﬁcers will be by impeachment,” he said in a television interview.

Du30 first casualty in ban on political dynasties—ConCom AGRARIAN REFORM.

President Rodrigo Duterte interacts with his supporters before leading the distribution of 3,772 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries in the Western Visayas region in a ceremony at the Cabatuan Covered Gym in the Municipality of Cabatuan, Iloilo on June 20, 2018. Presidential Photo

BI officials, cops told to keep hands off tourists By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday threatened erring Immigration and police oﬁcers to keep their hands off on tourists in the guise of validating their travel documents to extort money or they would be assigned to Jolo in Mindanao. Duterte issued the warning in a

speech before land reform beneﬁciaries in Iloilo City, saying these corrupt immigration personnel victimized mostly Koreans and Chinese tourists who come here to visit the Philippines. The Chief Executive advised the public to report any incident to the President’s Hotline, 8888 which he said is dedicated to complaints

against fixers, scalawag officials and poor government services. “Don’t be afraid of libel, I’ll answer for you, just identify the government employee and agency,” he said. In his message to government employees, Duterte told immigration officers to leave the country’s tourists alone. He said only Immigration Commis-

sioner Jaime Morente is authorized to give the order to the bureau personnel to apprehend or investigate a foreign visitor. “After [passport] were stamped, and admitted to the country for so many days, mostly Koreans and Chinese, they are always bugged by Immigration and police and that has to stop,” he said.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will be the “first casualty” of the ban on political dynasties under the proposed Federal Constitution being drafted by the Consultative Committee to review the 1987 Constitution. Former Chief Justice and ConCom Chairman Reynato Puno made this remark during the 1st National Forum and Public Consultation entitled “Revisiting the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines,” stressing that there was no way for Duterte to extend his term or for any of his immediate relatives to succeed him. Speaking before lawyers at the Manila Hotel, Puno pointed out that although the ConCom failed to vote unanimously on many issues, the prohibition on political dynasties was not one of them. “The first casualty [in the regulation of political dynasties], if I may use that word, is no less President Duterte himself and his family,” he said. “For under this (regulated) ban, the President cannot be succeeded in office by any member of his family within his second consanguinity or affinity.” Puno also emphasized that Duterte himself said in media reports that he respected the ConCom move to regulate political dynasties. “The President said, in black and white, that he has no complaint about the ban on succession,” he said.

“Let us therefore diminish the unfounded thought that the move to change the ‘87 Constitution is a mere sophisticated ploy to prolong the term of the incumbent President.” On March 12, the ConCom voted to prohibit political dynasties to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, which means that an incumbent official’s parents, children, spouse, grandparents, siblings, grandchildren, parentsin-law, and brothers- and sisters-in-law cannot run for office simultaneously or succeed each other in office. Puno, in an earlier press conference, assured that there will be no holdover provision under the proposed Federal Constitution. “By the time we have shifted to a federal form of government, a new president will be voted,” he said. Puno pointed out that the limits under the 1987 Constitution will still be “binding.” He also assured that the transition period to a federal form of government will not go beyond 2022. “The transition period will not go beyond 2022, that’s the [end of the] term of President Duterte,” Puno said. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said that although Duterte did not consider political dynasties as bad per se, the Palace respected and deferred to the wisdom of the ConCom. PNA

Suspended ERC execs deny charges By Alena Mae S. Flores THE four suspended commissioners of the Energy Regulatory Commission said there is no basis for the findings of the Office of the Ombudsman on the issue of the bill deposits. "The commissioners are deeply saddened at the Order of the Ombudsman suspending them for 3 months as a penalty for simple neglect of duty on the issue of bill deposits," the four commissioners said in a joint statement. The Ombudsman ordered the suspension of commissioners Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc, Josefina Patricia Asirit and Geronimo Sta. Ana for three months without pay for tolerating the misuse of bill deposits by allowing its commingling with the capital or operation cost of Manila Electric Co. contrary to the purpose for which the bill deposits was established, as guarantee for the payment of bills.

The Ombudsman acted on the complaint filed by the National Association of Electricity Consumers for Reforms Inc. represented by Rafael Antonio Acebedo and Ma. Paz Esperanza Coronel. "The commissioners maintain that there is no basis for such a finding and that there has never been any neglect of duty on their part," the statement said. The Ombudsman found that the four ERC commissioners “continuously refrain from strictly implementing rules defining the nature of BDs “ as mere guarantee in payment of bills” which must be returned upon termination of the DUs’ service. The commissioners also failed to issue rules or policies such creation of a separate escrow account to avoid commingling of bill deposits with the capital or operational expenses of Meralco or any distribution for that matter.

Socioeconomic rights to be added to Charter DENR CHIEF RECEIVES WATER JOURNAL.

SMUGGLED. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña (middle) and lawyer Vener Baquiran (left), MICP district collector, present to the media various smuggled goods worth P28.92 million at the MICT in Port Area, Manila on Thursday. Norman Cruz

Duterte no role model for children—Roque PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte are loved by many, but this does not mean that he’s a role model for young children. Palace Spokesman Harry Roque admitted on Thursday that the President, who is known for his cursing and vulgar statements, is not necessarily one that children should emulate. “Hindi naman natin sinasabi iyon (that Duterte should not be a role model for kids) pero nand’yan ang mga magulang. Sa tingin ko po ang mga magulang talaga ang dapat nagtuturo ng tamang conduct.” (We are not saying that it should be the case, but the parents are there. I be-

lieve the parents should be the ones teaching their children proper conduct.) Roque made the statement in response to the pronouncement of Alliance of Concerned Teachers, which said that it would be a challenge for the administration to teach good manners and right conduct to students under the tough-talking Duterte. ACT’s statement came following the proposal of the Department of Education to incorporate good manners and right conduct in the curriculum of students as it launches a review of the K-12 program.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu receives the latest issue of the Water Environment Journal which has for its cover story the ongoing saga of Boracay and other relevant stories affecting the water and environment sectors in the Philippines. Shown handling a copy of the WEJ to Cimatu is Maynilad AVP for Government Relations Anette H. de Ocampo who also took up with the DENR chief Maynilad’s Water Services Inc. decision to earmark P1.7 billion budget this year to boost the company’s sewerage coverage within its concession area aimed at mitigating soil and water pollution due to direct discharge of untreated wastewater from Metro Manila households.

TO give the poor a more “effective tool” to ﬁght poverty, the Consultative Committee (Concom) reviewing the 1987 Constitution will propose the inclusion of socioeconomic rights in the Bill of Rights of the new Charter it is drafting. Socioeconomic rights, which are classiﬁed under the second generation of rights, include adequate housing, food health care, education, social security and water, the panel said Wednesday. Concom chair and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said the inclusion of socioeconomic rights in the Bill of Rights will make these rights at par with the first generation of rights, namely civil and political rights. This means the rights become guaranteed by and demandable from the state, and that

citizens may seek refuge in the courts anytime for their protection and for the enforcement of such rights. “We have studied the evolution of human rights, and it should be very evident to the eye that the protection that our Constitution gives to the entirety of human rights is insufﬁcient as of now,” Puno said in a press conference at the Philippine International Convention Center. Puno explained that in the current setup, only civil and political rights are being “comprehensively” protected, while socioeconomic rights are left behind. He pointed out that socioeconomic rights are only enumerated in a section in the Constitution that is separate from the Bill of Rights. PNA

Comelec to simulate SK, village elections By Joel E. Zurbano A simulation of this year’s village and youth council elections will be conducted in Tondo, Manila on April 21, the Commission on Elections’ Project Management Ofﬁce announced on Tuesday. This is in line with the ongoing preparation for the poll exercise, which was originally scheduled on Oct. 31, 2016, but cancelled and re-scheduled to Oct. 23, 2017 and then to May 14 this year.

Comelec-PMO director Teopisto Elnas said the simulation will be conducted at the Rosario Almario Elementary School in Tondo from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Actual voters in the Clustered Precincts No. 63 and 64 of Barangay 20, Tondo will participate in the simulation at 50 voters per precinct. Likewise, the ones that will serve as members of the Electoral Boards and Barangay Board of Canvassers are those designated in the concerned precincts,” said Elnas.

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The human right to marry right to be within school premises by pointing to a duty imposed on her by a professor, or a school organization, or FR. RANHILIO by school rules to perform some duty CALLANGAN or engage in an activity on that particular day. The claim to a right had AQUINO to traced to a duty, natural or positive SCHOLASTIC philosophy is charac- (exacted by law or by contractual obliteristically neat—the very reason that gation) that gave rise to it. it is both admired by its adherents and Natural rights were those entitlements scorned by its critics. Its reliance on to which a person could lay claim by the canons of logic and its virtual in- virtue of being human. They were separability from the syllogism for the then demands that reason made and enunciation of its tenets is what ap- that were grounded in right thinking. peals to those who swear by it. Oth- They were demands of rationality ers, who are of the persuasion that phi- arising from a rational grasp of the losophy should not be any less bloody human situation and of its demands. than life is, think that Scholasticism As such, they needed no law to bring makes philosophy a black-and-white them about. They flowed from the refuge from the grays of life, a garden “nature” of the human person. They where only one flower blossoms in needed no promulgation because every all its splendor rather than a field of a person, by merely being reasonable, hundred flowers in riotous bloom! could recognize the demands that gave But for Scholastic philosophers, rise to these natural rights. This is the the scheme between rights and duties reason then that for a very long time was never muddled up: Duties first, now, legal instruments and institutions then let us talk rights. Duties were have referred to human rights—the what laws and contracts imposed on contemporary term for “natural rights” a person, and the law could be natu- —as inalienable and immutable, ral law or positive although our law. Natural law understanding of was that part of the breadth and the Divine plan entailments of for the universe these rights may This is not an that the human indeed develop mind could grasp argument against and grow. Quite and by which hu- the rights of gays and i n t e r e s t i n g l y, man life was gov- lesbians to be happy. courts, whether erned, insofar as international thoughtful people or domestic, who heeded their find recourse to consciences were “natural law” or concerned. Posito a higher law tive law, for its part, was the law prom- than what is promulgated sometimes ulgated, for the most part, by human useful. Thus, Chief Justice Reynato beings, whether in civil societies or in Puno developed what was virtually the Church. Thus, because one had a treatise on a secular version of the natural duty that reason discerned natural law when he penned a Separate to preserve one’s life, to promote and Opinion in Republic v. Sandiganbayan nurture it, to enhance and advance it, (2003) where he asserted that certain one had the right—likewise a natural rights could never be denied a person right—to food and drink, to shelter just because there was no Constitution and clothing, and to defend it against in place to guarantee them! The unjust aggressors. Because one’s Nuremberg War Tribunal had this to mind is, by its nature, oriented to- say about the laws of war: “The law of wards the truth and one has the natural war is to be found not only in treaties, duty to pursue it, from that duty comes but in the customs and practices of the natural right to the truth, the right States, which gradually obtained against deceit and lies, as well as the universal recognition, and from the extended but nonetheless real right to general principles of justice applied education. When a student saunters by jurists and practiced by military along the corridors of a school build- courts.” This was obviously an oblique ing on a Sunday and is accosted by reference to what reason recognizes as a security guard, she will argue her Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

PENSEES

Trade war casualties

T MAY be a negotiating tactic or rhetoric on the part of US President Donald Trump but his move to punish allies and China with punitive tariffs and threats to further impose import duties on a wider scale has already started a global trade war. The White House last week announced harsh 25-percent tariffs on Chinese imports as a counter measure to the theft of American intellectual property and technology. Trump senior economic aide Peter Navarro declared that China had more to lose from a trade war because it shipped more goods to the US, adding that the US government was acting “to defend the crown jewels of American technology from China’s aggressive behavior.” The US tariffs were in addition to those imposed earlier on Chinese steel and aluminum that became effective in late March, prompting Beijing to slap punitive duties on 128 American goods, including pork, wine, whisky and jeans in retaliation.

The European Union, meanwhile, is imposing retaliatory tariffs against metals duties slapped by Trump effective tomorrow. Europe claimed that the “unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminum tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice.” Beijing has warned it will retaliate in kind to Trump’s latest threat of tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, or much of its exports to the US. The tit for tat between the world’s biggest economies, fueled by Trump’s campaign promise on trade, has already unnerved the global financial markets, including those of the Philippines. World stock prices have reeled

from the standoff after weeks of fruitless talks on fears that a full-blown trade war will curb global economic growth. Market traders have assessed that increased tariffs will reduce the shipments of goods from US, China and Europe and eventually restrict production from the three continents. The lower output will naturally mean less jobs and begin a worldwide recession. The Philippines, too, will be a casualty of the global trade war that reduces consumption from the three major economies. With less demand from the US, China and Europe, Philippine exports will suffer. The Philippines, thus, must prepare for the global trade war. It must seek other alternative markets to soften the blow from the warring trading partners and secure assurance from them that Philippine products are spared from the business conflict.

Next year’s elections already announced their candidacies. One can imagine the storm of protests at this early stage from aspirants for president or prime minister if their ALEJANDRO agenda is dashed. Unless, of course, DEL ROSARIO President Duterte declares a status quo IT’S already the middle of the year and and all the current officials are made to indications are that the mid-term polls stay in a holdover capacity. This was for senators and local officials will hap- done by the late President Cory Aquino pen. All the talk about elections going at the start of her revolutionary governto be shelved to make way for a federal ment after the fall of Marcos in Februand parliamentary form of government ary 1986. Elections were held only after has subsided. This sweeping change a new Constitution was drafted. President Rodrigo Duterte knows won’t happen just yet without amendthis and he does not want to complicate ing the 1987 Constitution. This is the basis and foundation his problems with the Bangsamoro Bawhy a consultative committee has sic Law already in the works and the been formed—to lay the groundwork on-and-off talks with Joma Sison’ s Communist Party for change in the of the Philippines form of governand the National ment, ban on poDemocratic Front. litical dynasties, The people will have Digong is an and the proposal astute politician. to have the presi- the ﬁnal say—or so I He wants the situdent and vice hope. ation stable while president elected he makes his calitogether for teambrated move to work and contihave total control nuity in their program of government. These are ideal without declaring emergency rule or changes if they can be incorporated in martial law. He has in fact total control already of all three branches of govthe draft of a new charter. To scuttle the committee would be ernment. With Maria Lourdes Sereno a politically wrenching move even removed, he has the option to name a for Duterte administration allies. For new Chief Justice and appoint the resure, those aspiring to be either presi- placements of the associate justices dent or prime minister would want to who are soon retiring. The chairperson be in place either as senator, congress- of the Office of the Ombudsman— man, governor or mayor so that they Conchita Carpio Morales—is set to will still be in power for the big shift. retire in July. The Palace controls the This is more true for senators and con- House of Representatives and the Sengressmen who desire to be members of ate is now presided over by Palace ally parliament. This is why re-electionist Tito Sotto. This is not to mention that Turn to A5 senators and several newcomers have

BACK CHANNEL

San Miguel thinks ‘people’ VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ IN THIS third and final part of my series on San Miguel Corp., I quote liberally from the speech delivered by Ferdinand K. Constantino, the chief financial officer and a director of the beer, food, petroleum and infrastructure conglomerate, the Philippines’ largest, at its June 14 annual stockholders’ meeting. The biggest change in San Miguel, said the company’s top financial honcho is this: “We no longer just think ‘consumers’ and market share, we think

‘people,’ their empowerment, and how bination of consistently strong financial we might fulfill a social purpose.” results and record-breaking perforHere is FKC: mance. 2017 marked the 10th year since our transformation from a food, beverage, and packaging firm, into what we are today: A diversified conglomerate with leading positions in basic industries Here’s the that support nation-building. conglomerate’s CFO Our performance confirms how speaking. much stronger our core and new businesses have become, and how betterplaced we are to meet the opportunities afforded by our robust economy. With the Philippines among the top 2017 consolidated revenues amounted performers in the region, all of us at to P826 billion—a huge 21 percent San Miguel are proud to be helping our jump from the record P685.3 billion country grow while delivering a comTurn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

What the trade war means for investors

The Malaysian prime minister speaks CROSSROADS

JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ (Part 1) LAST week, the South China Morning Post had a long-ranging interview with newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on a number of hot button issues such as China and the South China Sea dispute, the brewing US-China trade row, war and new development models, among others. The interview was done immediately after the high-profile visit of Chinese IT/ecommerce billionaire entrepreneur, Jack Ma. At 92, Mahathir is now the world’s oldest head of government. Returning to the national scene as the spiritual leader and PM designate of the opposition alliance Pakatan Harapan after retiring as that country’s longest serving Prime Minister, Mahathir led the unlikely grouping (ragtag party as some anti-Mahathir sectors derided it) in ousting the ruling Barisan Nasional anchored by the Malay juggernaut, UMNO, from government. That surprise victory ended Barisan’s hold on government dating back to Malaysia’s independence from British rule has been described by most analysts-on-the-scene as nothing short of a tsunami. As usual, the blunt, hard driving Mahathir who has been credited for enhancing Malaysia’s entry into the club of modernizing “Third World countries” appeared to have regained his wit and his stride as he vowed to bring back his country’s pride and luster after what he described as the “lost years” under his predecessor, Najib Razak. Here is part of the interview: Q: What do you think about China? A: We have always been in contact with China. In fact, during my time, we developed a very good relationship with China. We sometimes become a spokesman for China, because everywhere I go, people ask me ‘What do you think about China? Aren’t you afraid?’ I say, ‘There’s nothing to be

San Miguel... From A4

we posted in 2016. Operating income rose 11 percent to P111 billion. Our recurring net income was also higher by 11 percent at P54.7 billion. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 13 percent to P147 billion. Despite the challenges each of our businesses faced, all of them turned in strong results—proof that we have learned to manage and harness the collective revenue-generating potential of our diversification. Where we are today validates what we have believed all these years: That while our diversification demanded much in terms of time, energy and resources, the experience and skills we have gained has definitely transformed us and our way of thinking. This, for us, has been the most important change. Today, we no longer just think “consumers” and market share, we think “people,” their empowerment, and how we might fulfill a social purpose. We no longer just aim for environmental compliance, we think sustainability and continuing growth for the Philippines. The new perspectives we initiated in 2017 resulted in a recasting of our company’s vision, mission, and values. Our new vision very clearly reflects how we see ourselves in the context of our country’s development. It puts emphasis on us having a strong sense of social, environmental, and economic responsibility, and declares our commitment to deliver on our nation’s goals. Let me now focus on some of the concrete ways we’re doing this: Within the next three years, we expect to complete the largest capacity expansion in the history of our food and beverage businesses, to meet growing demand for our products and maintain

Next... From A4

the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are at the President’s command. President Duterte will be at the halfway point of his six-year term on June

afraid of.’ We have been neighbors for 2,000 years. You haven’t conquered us yet. But the Portuguese came here in 1509. Two years later they came and conquered us. So I always tell that story whenever they ask. I have always regarded China as a good neighbor, and also as a very big market for whatever it is that we produce. Malaysia is a trading nation. We need markets, so we can’t quarrel with such a big market. Q: Some say you’re anti-China. Are you? A: There are certain things, of course, which were done which were not to Malaysia’s advantage or even good for Malaysia. We welcome foreign direct investment, from anywhere, certainly from China. But when it involves giving contracts to China, borrowing huge sums of money from China, and the contract goes to China, and China contractors prefer to use their own workers from China, use everything imported from China, even the payment is not made here, it’s

I copy the Q&A conducted by the South China Morning Post.

made in China. So, we gain nothing at all. That kind of contract is not something that I welcome. The other thing is that they develop whole cities, very sophisticated, very expensive cities, which Malaysians cannot buy. So they are going to bring foreigners to live in those cities. Now, no country in the world will accept a lot of immigrants coming into the country. You see that in America, you see that in Europe, anywhere. So we don’t want to have whole cities built in Malaysia, have them purchase a big piece of Malaysian land, and then bring in foreigners to stay there. That is what I am against. I am against it even if it is from India or from Arab countries or from Europe. Foreign immigrants in huge numbers— nobody will welcome, certainly not in Malaysia.

But otherwise, when foreign investment and the ideas that Mr. Jack Ma was talking about—he wants to train Malaysians, he wants Malaysians to do business, he wants to urge Malaysians to market in China—that’s fine. China already has 300 million middle class people. It’s a big market. He says if everything is manufactured in China, China will become polluted. So his way of talking and presenting his case is totally different from the other Chinese big contractors who want only a contract here, and are not even hiring the workers; the workers are all imported from China. That is not welcome. Q: What specific Chinese investments will you welcome? A: Certainly what Mr. Jack Ma was [talking about] is the kind of Chinese investment we want. And we welcome foreign investment from any country, so long as they bring in the capital, they bring in the technology, they set up plants here, and they employ Malaysians, from workers to engineers, they employ Malaysians and they produce goods for the domestic market, and for export. That we welcome, coming from anywhere, China or Russia or Britain or France or America. That is what we would like. I think Mr. Jack Ma’s idea, Alibaba’s idea, is what we want. He wants to train Malaysians to produce things to be exported to China. Q: You masterminded Malaysia’s multimedia super corridor in the ‘90s. Is it worth revisiting? A: I was surprised that Mr Jack Ma knows about the multimedia super corridor and he has good words to say about the multimedia super corridor. But during the last decade or so, there was no focus on fulfilling the plans for the super corridor. We wanted to bring in IT industries. But now it has become just an ordinary development with a lot of houses and things like that. It’s no longer an IT city. We want to bring that back and, hopefully, with the help of Chinese entrepreneurs like Mr. Jack Ma, we will be able to once again go back to the idea that the multimedia super corridor will be a place where new ideas, new innovations are carried out in the fields of IT and electronics and the like. (Continued Monday)

cost affordability. We are constructing a new brewery in Misamis Oriental, Mindanao. We are also expanding the capacity of our bottling plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. We’re currently studying the possibility of putting up additional breweries in Luzon, where demand is growing. We are building a total of 17 facilities for our food business. This year, we’ve already completed and inaugurated our new hotdog manufacturing facility in Cavite, effectively doubling our capacity. We have also completed a feedmill in Mariveles, Bataan, and are completing another one in Bulacan province. This expansion seeks to address the rising demand by consumers of quality products at affordable prices. At the same time, such expansion will provide thousands of new jobs and spark growth in local economies in various regions nationwide. The impact of this unprecedented expansion of our food and beverage businesses becomes even more compelling in light of our decision to consolidate San Miguel Brewery, San Miguel Pure Foods, and Ginebra San Miguel, into one powerhouse company: San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. Effectively, we are creating the biggest consumer company in the Philippines. By doing this, we will be able to extract significant synergies and use their combined strengths to great advantage. In terms of our newer businesses: Petron Corp. continues to expand its total retail network here in the Philippines and in Malaysia. Currently, we have breached 3,000 stations. Our Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway is nearly complete. Recently, we submitted a proposal to extend TPLEX. Our Skyway Stage 3, MRT-7, Boracay Airport expansion, and Bulacan Bulk Water Supply projects, are all on track.

Our newest infrastructure projects— the South East Metro Manila Expressway, or Skyway 4, and the SLEX-TR4, are in the early stages of development. But perhaps no other infrastructure initiative will be as game-changing for the Philippine economy than our proposal to build a new international airport. This massive airport complex will include four runways with space for an additional two; modern passenger terminals with capacity for 100 million, scalable to 200 million. It will also have a modern air cargo complex. All these will be situated on a 2,500-hectare complex in Bulacan. While our ongoing major initiatives will ensure that we achieve our bottom line objectives, we have not relented on our social responsibility. In 2017, we put particular focus on the effort to rebuild Marawi. We donated P1.5 billion for the construction of new houses for families affected by the Marawi siege. To honor the 166 soldiers and policemen who were killed in the Marawi conflict, we provided each of their families a business startup package worth P2 million. We are also building a P1-billion housing project in Davao. In the area of sustainability, our ambitious target is to cut 50 percent of our total domestic and utility use of water by year 2025. For 2017 alone, we already cut consumption by 14 percent, well above our intermediate goal of 20 percent reduction by 2020. On behalf of our chairman, Mr. Cojuangco, to give due recognition to the person who has been at the helm of this extraordinary journey. Mr. Ang’s ability to dream bigger things for San Miguel and his boldness to set our company apart from the rest, has driven our company to perform as never before.

30 next year. Does he really want to just go back to his hometown of Davao? Skeptics doubt this. Power is intoxicating and history has shown us that once you get a taste of it, it’s hard to let go. Thus we saw how the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos stretched his presidency to nearly 20 years, while former President Fidel V. Ramos wanted to

seek a second term by launching a signature campaign for him to forego the six-year single-term limit. A shift to parliamentary/federal form under a new Constitution is subject to ratification in a plebiscite or referendum. In the end, it will still be the people who will have the final say. Or so we hope.

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fect the global economy. We’re still short of that point, though. Investment analysts and economists call it a trade skirmish, as we’ve moved ERIC beyond just rhetoric, and some conJURADO crete action has taken place. The risk GLOBAL investors took most of last of one or more skirmishes turning into week’s potential market-moving events a full-blown trade war is real, which is in stride: a tempestuous meeting of the why the global stock markets tremble G7 in Quebec, a historic North Korea- when it senses tensions ratcheting up. US summit in Singapore, and another Monday’s proposal pushes us further quarter-point rate hike by the US Fed- down that path. Although thus far, China’s retaliatory eral Reserve. But the announcement of the US’ planned tariffs on Chinese im- tariffs affect a small portion of US exports has sent global stocks lower and ports—$50 billion constitutes roughly 0.25 percent of the US economy—they Philippine stocks into bear territory. Back in March, trade relations be- have the potential to derail market tween the United States and China confidence and delay investment decibegan to deteriorate when President sions. Investment strategists say that Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on protectionism broadly—and tariffs aluminum and steel. In response, Chi- specifically—have historically boostna’s Ministry of Finance announced a ed inflation while causing economic new round of tariffs of up to 25 percent growth to slow, which could lead to on US products. Although, at the time, ongoing bouts of market weakness and many saw the jockeying as having heightened volatility. Also, the magnimore political than economic implica- tude of the impact on individual sectors tions, Trump subsequently announced can vary depending on the nature of the he was considering imposing tariffs on measures and countermeasures. In any event, US tariffs aren’t schedan additional $100 billion of Chinese imports, furthering concerns that what uled to go into effect until early July, so began as a mere spat could turn into there’s still time for negotiation and the a more far-reaching trade war. Global potential to avoid a negative outcome, markets roiled, but within a few days but risks have risen. While US administration officials have said they don’t had calmed. want to unleash Last Friday, any trade wars, Trump made good global markets are on his threat, unlikely to remain veiling plans to cautious. impose tariffs of Try to remain calm. My belief is that 25 percent on $50 the global markets billion in Chinese will continue to products, $34 adjust as the situbillion of which is set to go into effect on July 6. And ation evolves. However, trade isn’t the tariffs on an additional $100 billion of only factor driving equity markets. Chinese goods are still on the table. The rest of the economic and corporate China retaliated, targeting high-value earnings picture is bright and offers a US exports, including farm products, potential counter weight to trade-assocars, and crude oil. On Monday, Trump ciated downturns. As always, periods of market volaannounced the threat of further tariffs, asking his administration to identify a tility offer a reminder for investors to second tranche of $200 billion of Chi- review their long-term strategic asset nese goods subject to 10-percent tar- allocations, including the timeline for iffs, “to encourage China to change their goals. For goals that have a longer its unfair practices, open its market to horizon, short-term volatility should United States goods, and accept a more be of little concern. However, market balanced trade relationship,” according volatility can sometimes reveal that to the president’s statement. Not sur- investors aren’t as diversified as they prisingly, global stocks opened lower should be or that they have a lower riskon Tuesday in response to the proposal. tolerance than they thought. Beyond that: Despite the health of the US econoTry to remain calm. Volatility often my, global markets are understandably wary of an all-out trade war between leads to knee-jerk reactions that are the United States and China. Are we rarely in investors’ best interest. Let paindeed headed there? And if so, what tience prevail as negotiations play out. Stay diversified—globally. Diversiare the implications? While there’s no precise definition fication can help you manage volatilof a trade war, the potential impact is ity. Global stocks have recouped half generally understood. The fear is that their losses from this year’s correction, actions and counter-actions by the US closely following the average pattern for and China could escalate to a point corrections seen over the past 50 years. Hang tight. While market volatility where they hamper trade and investment and hurt both economies. And can be unnerving, it’s a normal— escalating confrontations between the and, indeed, expected—part of the two economies could spill over to other investment cycle. countries, including the Philippines, eric.jurado@gmail.com with the potential to considerably afFROM WHERE I STAND

The human... From A4

a norm of conduct, that which Scholastic philosophers have called “natural law.” There are some important rules of human conduct that need not be codified in promulgated law! I do not question the right of persons of whatever gender to live lives of companionship, mutual support and even intimacy. The Catholic Church has some issues with homosexual acts, but that is a different discussion altogether and should be kept distinct from the present debate. In fact, I fully advocate the recognition or creation of such legal institutions that lend them protection, stability and security. But when persons of the same sex claim the right to marry, I have some questions. First, consistent with the Scholastic line of argumentation, what is the duty, natural or otherwise, that gives rise to this right? If it is claimed that gays and lesbians have the right to happiness and to intimacy of life, all that can very well be achieved without marriage. Second, are biological and physiological factors totally irrelevant in deciding about what human rights are? I would be the first to reject any argument from biology—that fallacy that G.E. Moore has called “the naturalistic fallacy.” So it would be fallacious to argue—and I do not think anyone does—that just because one was born a hunchback, one should be so for the rest of his life, for so has nature ordained. This would be an abhorrent use of “nature.” But biology and physiology—and the order of things, in general—are and should be relevant considerations. One has two hands, and so it would be wrong to ask for the severance of one limb without sufficient reason. The eco-system hangs together by a fragile balance, and therefore it is immoral and illegal to wreck any part of it. Motherhood, for

one, makes biological, physiological and psychological demands to which only women can respond. Hence, it is only reasonable that the obligations as well as the prerogatives of mothers be kept with women! If, for millennia, as Chief Justice Roberts pointed out in his Obergefell dissent, humankind has understood marriage to be the union of a man and a woman, is it not too presumptuous to believe that we have suddenly crossed the threshold of a new enlightenment that entitles us to turn our backs on centuries of human understanding and self-definition? “A married couple is a union of a man and a woman.” In the brand of Scholastic philosophy that Thomas Aquinas pioneered, this would be considered a proposition per se notum secundum segundum modum perseitatis… a self-evident proposition in the second mode of self-evidence. The first mode of self-evidence is that involved in definitions, where the predicate terms constitute part of the conceptual comprehension of the subject, such as “A triangle has three sides.” The second mode of self-evidence has to do with propositions having predicates applicable only to their subjects, thus “Numbers are either even or odd.” If it were right for two men or two women to be a “married couple” then humankind has been misled all this time about the self-evidence of the proposition. But is it not claiming too much for ourselves to take such a petulant position? Once more, this is not an argument against the rights of gays and lesbians to be happy. It is not an argument against any decision they may make to live lives of partnership, intimacy and consortium. It is more an argument about natural law, our understanding of natural or human rights and the claims we may or not make on the basis of such an understanding. rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

News

FRIDAY, JUNEStandard 22, 2018 TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com Manila

DoJ hopes Maguindanao massacre resolved in ’19 By Rey E. Requejo

USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday expressed optimism for the resolution of the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre by next year.

“We believe we can wind up the trial of this case this year and we are hoping that by 2019 a decision will be rendered by the court,” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines. Guevarra said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, where 197 accused are standing trial for the killing of 58 people, is “now winding up with the trial of this case.” The secretary said he is hoping a court decision will be made next year on the Maguindanao massacre case. “There are just ﬁve remaining accused who are presenting evidence,” he said. It was found that the cases against the accused, led by former Datu Unsay town

Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., are now in three ﬁnal stages. As of last November, the RTC has already heard a total of 273 witnesses—166 prosecution witnesses, and 107 defense witnesses. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has granted the request of the Department of Justice to transfer the venue for the Mamapasano case to the Taguig City Regional Trial Court. “Because of the possible security issues, we requested, or we asked the Supreme Court that the venue for the trial of those cases be transferred to Metro Manila and the Supreme Court recently granted that petition,” Guevarra said. “These cases will be tried before the Re-

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE CITY OF LAOAG

gional Trial Court in Taguig,” he added. The DoJ last year asked the SC to transfer the case to Metro Manila for security reasons. In the Maguindanao case, the Court has resolved all 15 sets of formal offer of evidence in connection with the bail applications of 70 accused. It has likewise resolved all bail applications of the accused, including that of Ampatuan Jr., which was denied last May. The RTC may render judgment separately on each accused and not wait for all the accused to ﬁnish presenting their evidence. Four of the accused, including clan patriarch Andal Ampatuan Sr., died while in detention, while four of the accused who submitted their demurrer to evidence were acquitted by the trial court. The murder cases involve 58 victims (including 32 media practitioners), 197 accused (15 surnamed Ampatuans), and 115 already arrested, the latest being Jonathan Engid, who was arrested last February.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW Manila

Standard

TODAY

Sandigan lets Floirendo leave By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division has allowed Davao Del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. to travel to Germany for medical treatment from June 23 to July 10 this year. Floirendo’s lawyers said the congressman is scheduled to undergo a medical treatment at Ticeba, a company in Germany, with a side trip to Hong Kong. Based on the itinerary Floirendo submitted to the anti-graft graft court, he is leaving June 23 for Hong Kong, where he will stay for three days. He will then ﬂy to Frankfurt for the medical treatment. Floirendo noted in his medical report submitted to the court that he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and “injuries in his ribs from a helicopter crash incident.” Earlier, the Ombudsman asked

the Sandiganbayan to suspend Floirendo while the trial of the graft case filed against him by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is ongoing. Ombudsman prosecutors cited Section 13 of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which mandates the suspension of a public official facing trial. Alvarez accused Floirendo of irregularities in connection with the Consolidated Joint Venture Agreement between Tagum Agricultural Development Authority or Tadeco, where Floirendo's family is a major stockholder, and its subsidiary Anflo Management and Investment Corp. for the lease of land in the Davao Penal Colony to be used as a banana plantation. The Consolidated JVA was executed in 1979 which extended the period of lease for 25 years and renewed in May 2003, when Florendo is already a congressman.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE CITY OF LAOAG

INVITATION TO BID

The Laoag City Government, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites interested suppliers to bid for the Supply and delivery of 83 units Multi-cab (brand new) to be distributed in different barangays, Laoag City with an ABC of Twenty Four Million Two Hundred Thirty Six Thousand Pesos (P24,236,000.00).

The BAC activities are as follows: 1. Advertisement/Posting is from June 20 to July 10, 2018 . 2. Issuance of Bidding Documents is from June 21 to July 10, 2018 at BAC Secretariat Office, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 3. Pre-bid Conference will be on June 26, 2018 at the City Conference Hall, City Hall, Laoag City at 2:00 PM 4. Deadline for the receipt and opening of Bids is on July 10, 2018 at the City Conference Hall, City Hall, Laoag City at 2:00 PM

The BAC will issue Eligibility Forms to prospective bidders upon submission of Expression of Interest at BAC Secretariat Office, City Planning & Development Office, Tupaz St., Brgy. 10, Laoag City.

The BAC will issue Bidding Documents to prospective bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount in pursuant to the Standard Rates on the sale of bidding document at the City Treasurer’s Office.

The Laoag City Government –BAC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

CONTACT PERSON: MARIA LUISA F. CASTRO BAC Secretariat Chairman City Planning & Development Office Brgy. 10 A.G. Tupaz St., Laoag City Tel. No. (077) 770-5964; Telefax: (077) 773-2561

APPROVED:

(SGD) MARLON WAYNE D. MANUEL BAC Chairman

(SGD) MARLON WAYNE D. MANUEL BAC Chairman (MS-JUNE 22, 2018)

(MS-JUNE 22, 2018)

FIELD TRIP. In celebration of the Typhoon and Flood Awareness Week, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the Quezon City Public Affairs and Information Services Department sponsored a typhoon and flood awareness tour for 300 elementary and high school students at La Mesa Dam in Novaliches. Manny Palmero BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION Resolve ‘Princess’ case too,TO BIDSC told By Rio N. Araja

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RC DECK APRON, PORT OF JAGNA, BOHOL

ruling ordering the inhibition of Branch 49

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Judge Daniel Villanueva from theAuthority case. for intends to apply the sum of P 57,436,493.99 being the Approved Budget PUBLIC Attorney’s OfﬁCYce2018, chief Persida Earlier this week, the Court of Appeals defor the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of RC Rueda-Acosta on Thursday called on the Sunied the appeal of Sulpicio Lines to reinstate Deck Apron, Port of Jagna, Bohol (LFP BHL No. 012-2018). Bids received inits preme Court to resolve theexcess criminal ledbe automatically of thecase ABC ﬁ shall rejected at bid opening. license to ferry passengers.

by the kin of over 300 passengers whoPorts diedAuthority in The CA’s Eleventh Division SLI The Philippine now invites bids for A. Construction of RC said Platform. the 2008 sinking of the ship Princess the isshould have exhausted administrative Completion of theofWorks required in 360 calendar days. all Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. Therunning description of an eligible bidder Stars off Romblon. remedies before to the appellate court. is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to “Now that the quo warranto [proceedings Sulpicio appealed to the CA after the MariBidders. against ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes time Industry Authority cancelled its certificate will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using Sereno] is done, it is highBidding time that the high of public convenience or CPC for the carriage non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing court resolves the case ofRules the victims of m/v(IRR)ofofpersons and Regulations Republic in Act2015. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Reform Act.” Princess of the Stars,” Acosta told moreProcurement than In its decision on the administrative case filed 100 relatives of the victims and the survivors by thecitizens/sole victims' relatives, Marina ruled that and SulBidding is restricted to Filipino proprietorships, cooperatives, or organizations withvessels at least can seventy percent (75%) interest or as well who were present atpartnerships a press conference. picio onlyfive carry cargo. It had junked outstanding capital to citizens of the Philippines. The ship capsized on June 21, 2008 intostock the belonging Sulpicio’s motion for reconsideration in 2016. waters off Sibuyan Island Interested in Romblon during bidders may obtain furtherthe information the Sulpicio Philippine should Ports Under rules, thefrom CA said Authority’s(Fengshen). Bids and Awardshave Committee Engineering Projects andce inspect the onslaught of Typhoon “Frank” first fi(BAC) led anforappeal before the Offi of the the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Out of the 851 passengers Monday and crew members, President, not the appellate court. to Friday. only 32 survived. “SLI’s failure to appeal to the Office of the complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 22 In 2015, the Manila City AJune Regional Trial Court President filingofthe petition be2018 from the address below and before upon payment the instant applicable fee for the Branch 49 ordered Sulpicio Lines Inc. (SLI, fore Court is a premature the Bidding Documents, pursuant to this the latest Guidelines issued byinvocation the GPPB, inofthe of FIFTYCorp.), THOUSAND PESOSintervention, (P 50,000.00). thus denies SLI a cause now named Philippine Spanamount Asia Carrier Court’s which owns Princess of theIt Stars, to indemnify offree action for judicial relief. Direct may also be downloaded of charge from the website of therecourse Philippineto Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the the victims P241 million in damages. this Court, when administrative remedies are Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the The victims' relativesPhilippine earlier asked the still available for Sulpicio, is a ground for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. Supreme Court to reverse a Court of Appeals dismissal of the petition,” the CA ruled. The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 03 July 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders

Few Boracay workers get DoLE aid

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 17 July 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents.

ONLY a fourth of the displaced workers in The DoLE had assisted 148 under its Bid opening shall be on 17 July 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, Boracay Island have availed of the governgovernment internship program, she said, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the ment's livelihood programs offered them,representatives while 399who attended social presence of thetobidder’s choose toits attend at thepreparation address below. Late bids shall be accepted. a Labor ofﬁcial told lawmakers at not a contrainings. The department also has congressional hearing on Thursday. ducted two Medium job fairs for the displaced • Required PCAB Registration: A – Port, Harbor and At the same time, Labor Undersecretary workers so far,Offshore AragonEngineering added. Ma. Joji Aragon said only percentPorts of the Out of the theright 24,453 workers in The24 Philippine Authority reserves to rejectproﬁ any led and all bids, declare failurethe of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract P450-million allocateda for displaced Boracay, 19,689 belong to the formalaward sec-in with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any Boracay workers duringaccordance the six-month clo- tor, while the remaining 4,764 were inforliability to the affected bidder or bidders. sure has been used, far from the 85-percent mal workers, the agency said. A total of information, refer to: utilization rate targeted For byfurther government byplease 17,735 formal sector workers are residents Ports Authority the end of the rehabilitation.BAC Secretariat, Philippine of Malay town in Aklan, of which the resort Bonifacio 5th Floor, PPA During the hearing conducted by Bldg., the A. island is Drive, part of. South Harbor, Port Area, Manila House committee on natural resources, The committee conducted the hearing Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 chaired by LPGA Party-list Rep. Arnel Ty, 954-88-00 in response loc. 539 to House Resolution 1706 Aragon said as of June 18,PPA theWebsite: department seeking a congressional probe into the clowww.ppa.com.ph has disbursed P1.3 million for 2,900 formal sure of Boracay. sector workers under its adjustment meaTy questioned the supposed absence sures program, and another P20.3FERDINAND million forS. SUGAY of a “grand plan” in addressing the enADRIAN Chairperson, Head Bids and Awards some 3,000 informal sector workersPPA under its Office vironmental woes that led to the closure. Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) 30-day emergency employment program. Maricel V. Cruz

M. Standard – June 22, 2018

‘Salisi,’ smuggler strike at Naia THE notorious Salisi Gang struck again at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and is now using attractive women in luring unsuspecting air travelers. The latest victim, 58-year-old Japanese national Tetsuya Makita, missed a flight to Narita while his luggage went missing following a “delightful” conversation with three women at the Naia Terminal 1 in the afternoon of June 16. Since then, Makita has been staying at the airport police quarters because the missing luggage also contained his travel passport, mobile phone, 50,000 yen (about P24,000), and other important documents. Meanwhile, Immigration authorities intercepted a Chinese national and his Filipina companion who tried to pass themselves as a couple in a bid to leave the country for China at Naia. Marc Red Mariñas, Immigration Officerin-Charge Deputy Commissioner and BI Port Operations chief, said the two passengers were about to board a Cebu Pacific flight to Xiamen when they were stopped at the Naia 3 departure area. “This is another trick employed by human traffickers to facilitate the travel of their victims. Marriage certificates are procured for the victims, so they can leave accompanied by their fake spouses,” Mariñas said. Joel Zurbano and Vito Barcelo

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RC DECK APRON, PORT OF JAGNA, BOHOL The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 57,436,493.99 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Construction of RC Deck Apron, Port of Jagna, Bohol (LFP BHL No. 012-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of RC Platform. Completion of the Works is required in 360 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 22 June 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 03 July 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 17 July 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents. Bid opening shall be on 17 July 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. •

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that UNIVERSAL ROBINA CORPORATION is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as Expanding Producer of Table Eggs on a Non-Pioneer Status with project site located in Purok-7, Brgy. Palangue-3, Naic, Cavite with an annual capacity of 27,000,000 eggs. Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/ her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication. (SGD.) NESTOR P. ARCANSALIN Director Resource-Based Industries Service (MS-JUNE 22, 2018)

Required PCAB Registration: Medium A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

The Philippine Ports Authority reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 954-88-00 loc. 539

ROB regi as Non Pur an a

the her BOI pub

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

ADRIAN FERDINAND S. SUGAY Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – June 22, 2018

(MS-JUN

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Bolts, Texters chase Top 2 finish By Jeric Lopez

VENLY matched bouts that will affect the landscape of the playoff race are all set to unfold in the critical stretch of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.

Both chasing a possible top two finish, red-hot Meralco (7-2) and TNT KaTropa (6-3) are set to collide in a fiery sibling encounter at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to see who puts itself in a better position heading the quarterfinals. In the opener, an equally important

tilt between GlobalPort (4-5) and Columbian Dyip (4-6) is scheduled at 4:30 p.m., with both their chances of making the top eight on the line. Even if the Bolts and the Tropang Texters are already safely through to the next round, both are seeking for more as they aim to end up in the top two to get a

potential twice-to-beat advantage. Right now, Meralco has some edge as it is tied for second place with Alaska after winning its last four games. “Our goal is to finish in the top two to get an incentive. That is very much achievable,” said Bolts’ coach Norman Black. TNT is still in the thick of things though it has previously lost its last two assignments, sitting in fourth place. Front-runner Rain or Shine has the best shot of getting there with its 8-1 card. Over at the tail-end of the top eight, six teams are competing for the remain-

ing four spots in the quarters, including the Batang Pier and the the Columbian Dyip. GlobalPort is tied with Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia at Nos. 6 to 8, while the Dyip and Phoenix are on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, the Batang Pier, to help boost its bid, acquired Gabby Espinas from San Miguel Beer in exchange for Kelly Nabong in an approved trade yesterday. This was GlobalPort’s second trade in three days after it dealt away Julian Sargeant to Ginebra for Paolo Taha couple of days ago.

Municipality of T’boli nails 4 Indigenous Games’ golds THE Municipality of T’boli clinched four gold medals in the recent second Indigenous People’s Games held in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The Municipality of T’boli ruled the meyon kuda law event, likened to horse racing, but using wild grass as horse, over Tampakan and Lake Sebu-T’boli Tribe that settled for the silver and bronze, respectively. The municipality’s other golds came from the sudul event, with players JR Abid, Erwin Ala, Jessie Kalan, Victor Sugan and Junsie Dala, besting Lake Sebu-T’boli Tribe and Tubi; sedegol be klifak bliboy over Lake Sebu-T’boli Tribe and Lake Sebu Ubo Tribe; and youth hemanak (archery) at the expense of Lake Sebu-T’boli and Municipality of Lake Sebu. The youth defut gold went to Lake Sebu-Ubo Tribe, led by Jerry Dasan, Freddie Layo, Ronie Dasan, Richard Tang and Rudy Dasan while Municipality of T’boli got the silver and Tupi copped the bronze. Lake Sebu-T’boli Tribe, meanwhile, prevailed over Lake SebuUbo Tribe and Municipality of

T’boli for the setanggung (lechon race) gold medal and doubled the feat with another gold in hanaw event by beating Lake Sebu-Ubo Tribe and Municipality of T’boli. Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey reiterated his gratitude to Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio B. Fungan for hosting the second leg of the IPG that aims to aims to preserve, promote and propagate the rich cultural heritage of the IPs as embodied in Republic Act (RA) 8371, also known as the IP Right Act of 1997, and at the same time provide equal opportunities for all as mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte to the agency. South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, during the opening ceremonies, thanked the PSC for bringing the IP Games in the province. “Pinagmamalaki dapat natin ang ating roots. Hindi natin nakakalimutan anuman ang mga tribo natin,” she said, adding that she urged the Provincial Board to craft an ordinance to make a provincial celebration of the tribes that will also showcase the IP Games.

Philippine Sports Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey receives a T’nalak as a token of gratitude from Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio B. Fungan for the successful staging of the recent 2nd Indigenous Peoples Games in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.

San Juan Knights put Lanterns out ANGELES CITY—The San Juan Knights flashed their fine form in the MPBL Datu Cup and on Wednesday night, the Knights smashed the Lanterns of Pampanga in front of the latter’s hometown cheering crowd at the Angeles University Foundation Arena here. The Knights, sponsored by Go-For-Gold, ran roughshod over the Lanterns, 93-70, to serve notice of their championship aspirations. San Juan’s relievers outscored their rivals, 68-28, and the 40-point difference from the bench production clearly showed the disparity of firepower between the two ball clubs. Leading the way for the Knights was former Ginebra player John Wilson, who knocked in 20 points built around four triples.

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF CARGO SHIP PORT, PORT OF JUBANG, DAPA, SURIGAO DEL NORTE The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 638,125,905.79 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Construction of Cargo Ship Port, Port of Jubang, Dapa, Surigao del Norte, (LFP SUG No. 013-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction of RC Wharf (Area=2,205.00 sq. m. B. Construction of RC Platform (Area=945.00 sq. m.) C. Construction of Back-up Area (Area=7,350.00 sq. m.) D. Construction of Access Road With Back-up Area (Area=5,516.79 sq. m.) E. Port Lighting System. Completion of the Works is required in 660 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 22 June 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 75,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 03 July 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 18 July 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents. Bid opening shall be on 18 July 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. •

Required PCAB Registration: Large B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

Former Mapua guard CJ Isit added 14 points, while ex-pro Larry Rodriguez added 12. Mike Ayonayon contributed 10 and former PBA star Mac Cardona chipped in nine for the Knights. “Goal talaga namin on taking the fight out of Pampanga and silencing the crowd. Malaking factor kasi ‘yung crowd lalo na dayo lang kami. The players responded and played according to our game plan,” said San Juan coach Randy Alcantara, previously a member of the coaching staff of inaugural champion Batangas City Athletics-Tanduay and is now hoping to bring his winning ways to the team he played for when the squad was playing in the MBA and won a title in 2000.

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 199,171,664.49 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Construction and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation at Ports of Salomague, Ilocos Sur and Currimao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Province, (LFP NLZ No. 0142018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction, Delivery and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation System B. Supply, Construct and Delivery at Staging Area of Solar-Powered Lighted Buoy Assembly C. Offshore Commissioning, Testing and Observation of Aids to Marine Navigation. Completion of the Works is required in 120 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 22 June 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 04 July 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 19 July 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents. Bid opening shall be on 19 July 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. •

Required PCAB Registration: Medium B – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

The Philippine Ports Authority, through the Corporate Budget of the Authority for CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of P 330,239,599.05 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Proposed Construction and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation at Ports of Talibon, Catagbacan, Ubay, Maribojoc and Getafe, Bohol (Cluster II), Bohol Province (LFP BHL No. 015-2018). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The Philippine Ports Authority now invites bids for A. Construction, Delivery and Offshore Installation of Aids to Marine Navigation System B. Supply, Construct and Delivery at Staging Area of Solar-Powered Lighted Buoy Assembly C. Offshore Commissioning, Testing and Observation of Aids to Marine Navigation. Completion of the Works is required in 135 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 22 June 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P 50,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Philippine Ports Authority, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. The Philippine Ports Authority’s Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 04 July 2018 at 11:15 a.m. at the PPA Function Room, 7th Floor, PPA Bldg., Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila, which shall be open to all prospective bidders. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:00 a.m. of 20 July 2018. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the bidding documents. Bid opening shall be on 20 July 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the 7th Floor, PPA Building, A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidder’s representatives who choose to attend. Late bids shall not be accepted. •

Required PCAB Registration: Large A – Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

ADRIAN FERDINAND S. SUGAY Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – June 22, 2018

INVITATION TO BID

FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATION OF AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION AT PORTS OF TALIBON, CATAGBACAN, UBAY, MARIBOJOC AND GETAFE, BOHOL (CLUSTER II), BOHOL PROVINCE

Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 954-88-00 loc. 539

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph ADRIAN FERDINAND S. SUGAY Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP)

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 954-88-00 loc. 539

PPA Website: www.ppa.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

For further information, please refer to:

BAC Secretariat, Philippine Ports Authority 5th Floor, PPA Bldg., A. Bonifacio Drive, South Harbor, Port Area, Manila

Telephone/Fax No. 527-47-35 954-88-00 loc. 539

NEW YORK—Towering Bahamian teenager DeAndre Ayton is poised to be chosen with the top pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday, with the Phoenix Suns set to snap up the 7ft center who compares himself to Shaquille O’Neal. Barring a major shock, the 19-yearold Ayton is widely expected to be selected by the Suns, who finished the season propping up the Western Conference with a dismal record of 21 wins against 61 defeats, the worst record in the NBA. Ayton, a dominant force in college basketball last season for the University of Arizona Wildcats, is seen as the closest thing the draft gets to a sure thing. The teen has already impressed the Suns during a workout, with general manager Ryan McDonough describing the youngster as a rare but raw talent. “I think this is my 16th draft in the NBA and you could probably count on one hand the number of guys with his size, athleticism, footwork, balance, touch,” McDonough told The Los Angeles Times. “It’s a unique package. The fact that he hasn’t been playing the game all that long makes it all the more impressive,” McDonough added. Ayton, who turns 20 next month, is certain that he’ll be the first pick in the annual selection of top college talent by NBA teams. “I know I’m going No.1,” Ayton told a press conference earlier this month. Standing at 7ft (2.13m) tall and weighing in at 260 pounds (117kg), Ayton has earned comparisons to Los Angeles Lakers legend O’Neal—and he is happy to measure himself up against the fourtime NBA Finals champion. AFP

BONIFACIO DRIVE, SOUTH HARBOR, PORT AREA, MANILA 1018, PHILIPPINES P.O. BOX 436, MANILA, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (0632) 527-8356, Fax. No. (0632) 527-4855 HTTP://WWW.PPA.COM.PH

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION AND OFFSHORE INSTALLATION OF AIDS TO MARINE NAVIGATION AT PORTS OF SALOMAGUE, ILOCOS SUR AND CURRIMAO, ILOCOS NORTE, ILOCOS PROVINCE

Ayton poised to be top pick

ADRIAN FERDINAND S. SUGAY Chairperson, PPA Head Office Bids and Awards Committee for Engineering Projects (HO-BAC-EP) M. Standard – June 22, 2018

M. Standard – June 22, 2018

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

POSF bets rule Spartan Race in Cebu CLOSE to 2,000 obstacle course competitors, including those seeking slots to the 2018 Team World Championships in September, took part in the first Spartan Race in Cebu last Saturday. Organized by Spartan Philippines, which has conducted similar races in San Mateo in Rizal and Porac in Pampanga, the event covered 6.5 kilometers of 21 obstacles on a mountain trail. Aside from the elite runners in individual and team events, other age brackets contested in Foressa in Balamban, Cebu were 14-17 years, 1824, 25-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50-above. Members of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, led by lawyer Al Agra ruled the team events—Charles Or, Nathaniel Sanchez and Vernier John Mendoza in the men’s side, and Ali Chiongbian, Jennifer Gabriel and Sarah Jane Lim in the women’s side. The race is part of the Southeast Asian Regional Series, and is the country’s only qualifying event for the Team World Championships in North Lake Tahoe on Sept. 30. Spartan is an international brand of the fast-growing sport of obstacle course racing. Agra, who finished seventh in the 50-above category, said the POSF will help the team that will represent the country in North Lake Tahoe by providing them airfare and accommodation. “It’s part of the ‘OCRacers-first’ strategy of the POSF,” said Agra of the federation, which is recognized by the World OCR Federation, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission. Agra, who served as Acting Justice Secretary under the Arroyo administration, is treasurer of the World OCR and president of the Asian OCR Federation.

Asean chess gets P6.2M; Buto leads DAVAO CITY—The Philippine Sports Commission gave the ongoing 19th Asean+ Age-Group Chess Championships at The Royal Mandaya Hotel a P6.2 million boost. “We have supported the event. We approved about P6 million,” said PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey on Tuesday. Of the total amount, P3.3 million is for fees and other expenses of the technical officials, while P2.9 million is for the national chess team and non-technical personnel. Meanwhile, Al-Basher Buto of the Philippines downed top seed Pham Viet Thien Phuoc of Vietnam to seize the solo lead in the Open Under-8 division even as International Master Paulo Bersamina and Woman FDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza kept their lead in the premier U20 sections of the ASEAN+ Age Group Championships at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City yesterday. The seven-year-old Buto, who won the rapid and blitz event of the under-7 13th Asian Schools Chess Championship in Panjin, China early this year, stayed perfect after four rounds as he won over Vietnamese Ho Dang Nhat Minh and Nguyen Manh Duc, fellow Filipino Ruslan Pamplona and now Pham, who owns the highest rating in the division with 1420. Buto, who learned to play chess in the sidewalks of Quiapo, will have a chance to claim another victory as he was playing another Vietnam bet, Nguyen Vuong Tung Lam, at press time. Also unflappable at the helm was the 19-year-old Mendoza, who turned back countrywoman Ella Grace Moulic to zoom to the top with four points, a full point ahead of Moulic and WFM Dita Karenza of Indonesia. Mendoza is seeking to rule this event organized by Chess Events International, sanctioned by the NCFP president Butch Pichay and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte, before she joins the training camp of the Phl team seeing action in the World Chess Olympiad this September in Batumi, Georgia.

Players greet each other at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and Spain at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on June 20, 2018. AFP

Uruguay, Russia make KO stage of World Cup M

OSCOW—Uruguay and host nation Russia progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo took an early lead in the race for the Golden Boot. A single goal from Luis Suarez was enough to give Uruguay victory against Saudi Arabia, leaving them on six points along with Russia and condemning Egypt and the Saudis to an early exit from the tournament. In the earlier game, in Group B, Ronaldo netted his fourth goal of the tournament in Portugal’s 1-0 win against Morocco, ending the north Africans’ chances of progress. The five-time world player of the year scored with an early header to add to his hat-trick for the European champions against Spain in their opener. In the other Group B match, Spain needed a fortunate Diego Costa goal to beat a determined Iran side who had a second-half effort from Saeid Ezatolahi

disallowed for offside in Kazan. Portugal and Spain both have four points and will be competing for top spot when they complete their first-round games against Iran and Morocco respectively on Monday. Iranian pride The top two teams in the group will face Russia and Uruguay in the last 16. Iran have still never beaten a European side at a World Cup, but coach Carlos Queiroz said they could take pride from their performance against Spain. “We left the pitch 1-0 down, but we won respect. I’m sure the fans are proud of our team,” said Queiroz. “Our players can go home and sit with their family and friends and be

proud of themselves.” Having won their first match, Iran could still secure an unlikely qualification if they beat Queiroz’s native Portugal. Lethal Suarez Uruguay came up against an improved Saudi side in Rostov-on-Don, but master poacher Suarez took advantage of a goalkeeping error by Mohammed Al-Owais to put his side ahead midway through the first half and the Saudis could not respond. It was a fitting way for the Barcelona forward to mark his 100th international appearance and he will be hoping to go further in the World Cup after exiting the last two in disgrace after being sent off for a goal-line handball against Ghana in 2010, and infamously biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in 2014. Morocco, like so many sides before them, were undone by a piece of Ronaldo brilliance. He now has 85 international goals—a record for a European player. AFP

Carlos blitzes way to ICTSI Apo lead with 3-under 69 DAVAO—Jobim Carlos, enjoying top form following a breakthrough at Riviera, put in a superb three-under 69 in calm condition and lined himself up for another crack at the crown halfway through the P3 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here yesterday. Through he barely grabbed a one-stroke lead over a gutsy Nilo Salahog and went two-up over Ramil Bisera and Joenard Rates, Carlos heads to the final 36 holes brimming with confidence with a slew of unfancied bets in the next six rungs and the tour’s top guns failing to mount their vaunted charge at the difficult Apo Golf and Country Club course. “I had no problem with my game today (yesterday). Everything’s in place,” said Carlos, who birdied all but one par-5s and whose five-under 139 put the former amateur hotshot on track for a follow up to his PGT Asia victory at Riviera three weeks ago. “But you have to be extra cautious because the fairways are narrow and the greens are tricky,” added Carlos, who actually bogeyed No. 2 but birdied four of the next 16 inside 15 feet to storm ahead of the stellar international field. Crowding him in the pivotal third round are players probably as surprised as the rest but eager to prove their worth for a rare stab at the crown worth P550,000 in the third leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour put up by ICTSI. Salahog, just one behind first round leader Park Jun Sung of Korea, actually fell farther back with two bogeys in the first 10 holes but gunned down two birdies in the last three to salvage a 72 and stay just one shot behind Carlos at 140.

Superb iron play propels Jobim Carlos to top of the heap.

F2, Petron, Foton are teams to beat Games Tomorrow

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies 4 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs UA-UP 6 p.m. – Foton vs F2 Logistics

F2 Logistics, Petron and Foton loom as the teams to beat when the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference fires off tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Cocolife mentor Moro Branislav was in unison with seven other mentors in saying that the Cargo Movers, the Blaze Spikers and the Tornadoes have what it takes to dominate this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, UCPB Gen and SOGO Hotel with ESPN5, Hyper HD and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners. “Foton, Petron and F2 Logistics are the three best teams,” said Branislav during a press conference yesterday at the Hotel Amelie in Ermita, Manila. Foton emerged as one of the favorites after acquiring former Ateneo de Manila star Bea de Leon to join the towering duo of Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat. The Tornadoes also signed former University of the East Shaya Adorador, while Maika Ortiz, CJ Rosario and Gen Casugod will be returning for another tour of duty. Foton head coach Rommel Abella admitted that there is pressure, but they are more than willing to embrace it. “It’s an added pressure to us, but pressure is always there,” Abella said. “Ever since, I’ve been telling my players to take it one game at a time and respect whoever we face.” The Blaze Spikers, who ruled the previous Grand Prix early this year, were also tagged as favorites as they parade the core of Mika Reyes, Rhea Dimaculangan, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Frances Molina together with collegiate stars Bernadeth Pons and Sisi Rondina. “All teams are the teams to beat. We will give our best to come up with a good performance,” said Delos Santos, who will also coach the women’s national team that will join as guest squad in this tourney that also has Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

Big3 games stream live on FOX+ THE NBA season is over. But we want to see more basketball. After a dramatic year of player trades, major injuries, a pivotal playoff, and a sweeping finals, basketball fans are asking for more. Enter The Big3, a unique and competitive basketball league with a 3-on-3 player format featuring (wait for it) veteran NBA players. Yep, it’s the perfect way to solve those basketball hangovers. Last year, rapper and actor Ice Cube met with entertainment mogul Jeff Kwatinetz to hatch an idea of creating a new league that will encourage sports and basketball fans to soak in more of their favorite sport after the NBA season. Houston Rockets’ Legend Clyde Drexler even became the league’s commissioner. After dribbling with ideas and talking with experts, they finally released the Big3. The league has eight teams playing once a week for the summer. Four teams with the highest standings will advance to the playoffs and then to the Finals. After this, only one team will emerge victorious! The Big3 has more than a few variations form your standard FIBA 3-on-3 tournament. Here are some of the rules that stand out:

There are three “four-point zones” on a circle 30 feet away from the basket. To score four points, a player’s foot must be touching any part of a circle. No jump balls here. The “home” team inbounds first. The home team is determined by a do-or-die 4-point shootout. The shot clock runs for 14 seconds. Additional free throw is taken if a player is fouled while making a shot. To win, a team must score 50 or more points and lead by at least two points. Halftime happens after one team reaches 25 points. But this is not your casual 3-on-3 league. The Big3 is bigger than the usual street ball because it’s made up of veteran NBA players! Big names including NBA champions Chauncey Billups, Metta World Peace and Chris ‘Birdman’ Andersen; NBA All-Stars Jamaine O’Neal, Amar’e Stoudemire, Baron Davis and Rashard Lewis; slam dunk champion Nate Robinson; and others including Mike Bibby, Carlos Boozer and Brian Scalabrine are just some of the more prominent NBA stars that now play in the Big3! Maybe some of your NBA heroes are part of the teams. The Big3 is a fresh and fun new take on playground

Veteran NBA players such as Chauncey Billups (left) are strutting their stuff in The Big3.

basketball. It’s exciting, dramatic, and has a lot of swag. The 2nd season is coming up soon so don’t you dare miss it! All Big3 games will be streaming live on FOX+. FOX+ is available on Android and iOS devices as well as on Apple TV and select Android TVs. Start your free 30 day trial now. For more info, visit: http://www.foxplus.com

IN BRIEF

NGCP begins linking Visayas and Mindanao

GRID operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines will start construction of the P52-billion Visayas-Mindanao Interconnection Project within the year with target completion by 2020, the company announced Thursday. “This is the largest transmission undertaking in the country’s history. The beneﬁts to the public will come not just when the facility is energized and begins to facilitate power exchange across the three main island groups, but will begin encouraging economic activity in remote areas as soon as construction begins this year,” the company said. NGCP said in a statement the planned interconnection of the Mindanao and Visayas power grids would strengthen the country’s transmission network and open more opportunities for employment for host communities. With the construction of the project to run in parts of Cebu in Visayas and in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Lanao del Norte in Mindanao, job opportunities will become available in these areas. Alena Mae S. Flores

Neda endorses 5-year export plan to Duterte

THE proposed plan to boost the country’s exports will ensure targets in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 are met, the National Economic and Development Authority said Thursday. The Economic Development Cluster endorsed the Philippine Export Development Plan 2018-2022 for the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte. The PEDP 2018-2022 is a ﬁve-year road map aimed at improving export performance and increasing the sector’s competitiveness. “Our latest exports numbers [April 2018] have not been so good. All products showed negative growth rates, except mineral and forest products, as well as electronics. We expect the PEDP to ramp up our exports, thereby meeting our targets in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a statement. Philippine exports rose 10.2 percent in 2017 to $63.2 billion from a contraction of 2.4 percent to $57.4 billion in 2016, based on a report by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Top gainers included coconut products, sugar products, forest products, mineral products and electronics. Julito G. Rada

Business Stocks sink to 17-month low, enter ‘bear’ market

By Jenniffer B. Austria

TOCKS sank to a 17-month low Thursday and ofﬁcially entered the ‘bear’ market with a 22-percent drop from its peak in January amid foreign funds outﬂow on concerns a trade war will erupt between the US and China.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 163 points, or 2.3 percent, to close at 7,098.15, the lowest since Jan. 4, 2017 when it settled at 7,030.95. The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 91 points, or 2 percent, to ﬁnish at 4,369.21, on a value turnover of P7.9 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 166 to 36, while 41 issues were unchanged. Only one of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green. JG Summit Hold-

ings Inc., the investment company of the Gokongwei family, rose 1.6 percent to P50.50. Analysts said local equities entered the ‘bear’ market after the bellwether fell 22 percent from its peak of 9,058.62 registered on Jan. 29 this year. A bear market is a period when share prices dropped at least 20 percent from a sixmonth peak. Data showed that since the start of the year, the index was also down 17 percent, making the Philippines the world’s worst performer this year after Turkey. “The reaction to the needed BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] rate hike was still not taken positively as the decision came behind the curve as indicated by the conned meltdown of the PSEi well within the bear market territory,” Luis Limlingan, Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director, said. The Bangko Sentral earlier raised the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5 percent.

Limlingan said the bearish sentiment was not isolated to the Philippines. Asian markets mostly fell Thursday, with an early rally overcome by simmering concerns about the China-US trade war. Worry over the world economy also sent the dollar up against high-yielding currencies as traders sought out safer bets. The peso closed 53.46 against the dollar Thursday, nearly unchanged from 53.48 a day earlier. Bargain buyers took advantage of the cheap valuations in the morning after Tuesday’s blow-out that came in response to the world’s top two economies threatening each other with tariffs on a mind-boggling amount of imports. However, nervous traders turned sellers again as the day wore on, with analysts warning the next plunge could come at any moment, while central bankers voiced concerns about the impact a trade war could have on the global economy.

MySolid launches new sets of my|phone units

MYSOLID Technologies and Devices Corp., maker of the iconic Filipino brand my|phone, is graduating from manufacturing entry level phones to giving Filipino more value for their money by venturing into the competitive high-end mobile phone market. MySolid chief executive David Lim while many Filipinos had the penchant for affordable handsets, picky users still preferred phones comparable with mobile phone devices. “The only way to be ahead of other is to jump technology. These are interesting times, and while we keep growing my|phone as a Filipino pride, we have also created a new app that give Filipinos and my|phone users more value for their money,” he said Thursday at the sidelines of the launch of Brand Pilipinas. Priced at about P20,000 per unit, the new phones will deliver the same high speciﬁcation features as any other high-end sets but with more outstanding features. The new sets of mobile phones will carry the app my|Barko, which is a portal of privileges accorded to my|phone users. Othel V. Campos

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Ban gko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, June 21, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States Japan

Dollar

1.000000

53.3890

Yen

0.009062

0.4838

Pound

1.317500

70.3400

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127450

6.8044

Switzerland

Franc

1.004117

53.6088

Canada

Dollar

0.751315

40.1120

Singapore

Dollar

0.736160

39.3028

Australia

Dollar

0.736700

39.3317

Bahrain

Dinar

2.647253

141.3342

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266638

14.2355

Brunei

Dollar

0.733460

39.1587

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030506

1.6287

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.5363

Euro

1.157400

61.7924

Korea

Won

0.000902

0.0482

China

Yuan

0.154440

8.2454

India

Rupee

0.014695

0.7846

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.249750

13.3339

New Zealand

Dollar

0.686100

36.6302

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033133

1.7689

Source: PDS Bridge

RCBC SEMINAR. RCBC’s Telemoney Group concludes another KAPihan session, an annual event that helps keep the bank’s shipping clients aware of OFW-related issues and changing market conditions. The event, held at Balesin Islander Restaurant at the City Club in Alphaland, Makati, is one of the bank’s many efforts to keep its Telemoney clients well-informed about current events and various products and services that RCBC can offer its clients and their families. Shown are (from left) RCBC executives Jenifer Lim, senior assistant manager, shipping and manning division; Raul Ruiz, first vice president and head of research; Mannny Narciso, first senior vice president and head of global transaction banking group; and Ricky Rianzares, assistant vice president and head of shipping and manning division.

PH business groups ready to support federal govt By Othel V. Campos MAJOR business groups said Thursday they are ready to support a shift to a federal form of government if it will boost the economy. The Philippine Business Groups said in a joint position paper they would support the Duterte administration’s plan, if results of a thorough study would point to a positive impact on the economy. The Philippine Business Groups is composed of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines Foundation Inc. and Cebu Business Club. The groups asked the Finance and Budget Departments and the National Economic Development Authority to conduct comprehensive studies on the

budgetary and economic implications of having a federal system and to present their ﬁndings to the Consultative Committee, Congress and the public. They also asked the Consultative Committee and Congress to proactively seek feedback from the various sectors and the public, in light of the extremely low level of public awareness. Only 3 percent of those polled in a survey considered amending the Constitution as a key concern. They also urged the national government to design and implement a program to expand the capabilities of local governments and local government ofﬁcials to prepare them for added responsibilities whether or not there will be a shift to a federal system. “It is imperative that such a move be preceded by and complemented with a comprehensive build-up of local government capabilities,” the groups said. They also suggested the formation

of committees to review the objectives of the shift to a federal system and determine which of these could be addressed immediately and substantially by amending the Local Government Code and other laws while deliberating on whether to change the Constitution. They also called on the national and local governments to strengthen regional economies by developing economic strategies, while deliberating on whether to change the Constitution. Among the issues raised by the groups were the resistance of political clans and dynasties to consolidate provinces into a federal state; the concerns of investors on the stability of the federal states to deliver the necessary services and infrastructure; the capability of federal regions for production and trading capacity to support their population with a degree of independence; and possibly huge incremental cost of creating additional bureaucracy.

PAL petitions regulator to approve fuel surcharge of up to P405 on local flights By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines asked the government to approve a fuel surcharge of up to P405 on domestic ﬂights to offset the costlier jet fuel prices. PAL, controlled by billionaire Lucio Tan, asked the Civil Aeronautics Board for approval to charge P282 worth of fuel surcharge each way for Luzon to Luzon and Visayas routes; P405 for Luzon to Mindanao routes; and P158 for Visayas to Visayas routes. PAL also plans to impose fuel surcharge of P222 for Mindanao to Visayas/Mindanao routes. The CAB set the hearing for PAL’s fuel surcharge petition on June 27. A fuel surcharge is a temporary relief granted to airlines to help them recover losses incurred from higher jet fuel prices. Fuel accounts for about 50

percent of an airline’s operating cost per passenger, and is the second-highest expense next to labor. PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista earlier said the flag carrier was expected to consume a total of 11 million barrels of jet fuel this year, resulting in a $143 million additional costs. “This is one of the reasons we are urging the government to allow us to collect fuel surcharge,” he said. PAL’s fuel expense went up by $200 million to $749 million last year from $549 million in 2016, he said. Data from the International Air Transportation Association showed that jet fuel prices averaged $88.3 a barrel as of June 15, up by 55.8 percent from a year ago. PAL Holdings Inc., the parent firm of PAL reported a total net loss of P904.7 million in the first quarter, a significant downturn from the P2.71-billion income a year ago.

PAL’S TRI-CLASS FLIGHT. Philippine Airlines starts utilizing its luxurious triclass Airbus A330-343 on non-stop flights from Manila to Auckland, offering passengers the fastest and most comfortable flight to New Zealand. It marks the first flight of PAL’s premium-version A330 to New Zealand’s largest city. The refurbished A330 has 18 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy and 267 Regular Economy seats. The thrice weekly service leaves Manila every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The return flight, PR219, departs Auckland Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Eagle opens third cement production line in Bulacan EAGLE Cement Corp. said it started operating a third production line in Bulacan that will increase its capacity by two million metric tons, Eagle Cement president and chief executive John Paul Ang said in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting it began producing cement from its third line in April which would boost total capacity to 7.1 million MT by the second half. “We have started producing cement in our line 3 plant, but it is not yet operating at full capacity. We will start to feel the financial impact of the plant in the second half of the year,” Ang said. Ang said the plan was to start operating at full capacity by the third quarter. “The opening of our third production line will allow us to better serve new markets in Regions IV and V. This will give our company an increased role in the country’s infrastructure push, as we help build the future of Filipino communities,” Ang said. Eagle Cement chief finance officer Monica Ang-Mercado said the third production line was granted a threeyear income tax holiday by the Board of Investments. Mercado said the company was expected to generate P530 million in savings for the period 2018 to 2020 from the fiscal incentives. Meanwhile, Eagle Cement said it was on track with the construction of a new facility in Cebu with 2-millionton capacity. The plant, which will serve the Visayas and Mindanao market, is scheduled for completion by 2020. Eagle Cement said it expected the cement industry to continue to face challenges this year, particularly from continued entry of cement imports, depreciation of the peso against the dollar and stiff competition among cement players. Jenniffer B. Austria

Dominguez wooing global fund managers By Julito G. Rada FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asked global institutional investors managing pension and sovereign wealth funds to invest in the Philippines’ $170-billion infrastructure modernization program and take part in the country’s economic emergence. Dominguez told members of the Asia Paciﬁc Investors Cooperation network during the Philippine delegation’s visit to Tokyo this week that now was a good time to build partnerships with the Philippines. He said the Philippines emerged as one of the main growth engines in the region and the government aimed to sustain this status by embarking on an ambitious infrastructure program “with a great sense of urgency.” “The modernization of our infrastructure and our governance will bring enhanced connectivity to the Philippine economy. They will open many opportunities for the global investment community. I hope that you will examine our ongoing programs and decide to participate in the strong emergence of the Philippine economy,” Dominguez said during the APIC meeting held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. APIC is a private network exclusively created by and for Asian sovereign wealth funds, government funds, central banks and public and private pension plans. The meeting, held on June 21, focused on discussions about investments prospects for foreign pension funds in the Philippines’ ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program. Dominguez said that in the Philippines, state pension funds also played a role in funding infrastructure projects, as he cited the investments made by the state-run Government Service Insurance System

Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

IRC converts into infra company By Jenniffer B. Austria

RC PROPERTIES Inc., formerly Interport Resources Corp. and now led by businessman Antonio Tiu, is transforming itself into a holding company with investments in infrastructure and real estate.

The company made the shift after obtaining an original proponent status for the planned $3.7 billion Makati intrarail city project. IRC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday the board of directors approved the change the company’s corporate name to Philippine Infradev Holdings Inc. “This will make the company the parent ﬁrm and will be a holding company to engage in infrastructure and real es-

tate development,” IRC said. The board also approved the incorporation of another company that will engage in mass transportation projects, such as subway, ferry and bus. The new company will be named Alternative Metro Transport System Inc. AMTSI plans to provide alternative solutions to decongest Metro Manila by developing or operating ferry, subway and electric vehicles providing green alternatives to Filipino commuters. The board approved the change of name of its wholly-owned unit Interport Development Corp. to Greater East Metro Development Corp. “There will also be a change in directors and ofﬁcers and increase in capitalization of IDC,” IRC said. IRC, which owns substantial landholdings in Binangonan, Rizal province, is engaged in mass housing projects

along with several property developers. The reactivated subsidiary GEMDC will continue to expand the economic housing segment to help address the country’s housing shortage. IRC said it would also send a letter of intent to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to rehabilitate and modernize the Pasig River ferry service. IRC and its Chinese partners earlier secured an original proponent status from the city government of Makati to build the proposed $3.7-billion Makati intra-city rail transport system. The IRC-led consortium plans to construct an 11-kilometer intra-city subway system with eight to 10 stations to connect key points in Makati’s two districts with no cash-out on the part of the city. IRC said the proposed subway would complement the mass transport projects of the national government, intercon-

necting with the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and Pasig River ferry. It said with a daytime population of 4.5 million, the project would alleviate the trafﬁc coming in and out of Makati. “IRC’s proposal is aligned with the national government’s aggressive infrastructure program as well as Makati’s goal to be a digital city. Not only will it move people quicker, it will allow people to be more productive and spend more time with their families. The project will also create thousands of jobs and reduce the carbon footprint due to lesser cars on the streets,” IRC executive vice president Georgina Monsod said. Tiu last month was elected president and chief executive of IRC. He also owns two listed companies, namely AgriNurture Inc. and Greenergy Holdings Inc.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 21,950 90.5 2,113,170 2.71 42,000 126 3,596,690 1.54 287,000 33.5 1,354,700 6.7 300 16.48 3,500 14.68 1,719,100 3.74 48,000 1.46 51,000 830.5 490 0.54 366,000 72.5 5,389,760 1.08 3,528,000 12 29,300 48.5 322,700 195 7,420 107 900 28.5 918,300 200 776,310 88.6 16,480 1.18 17,000

1,280,973 190,497,213 111,310 458,518,875 443,110 45,585,675 2,010 57,748 25,347,542 174,930 74,940 412,005 197,640 385,017,672.50 3,792,000 351,600 15,663,600 1,457,979 96,315 26,252,965 154,598,676 1,460,103 20,060

644,846 -136004425.5 -73,694,244 544,795 9,010,446 -34952887.5 31,500 9,700 508,250 -9,186,355 2,263,555 -769,047 -18,880

36 14.82 0.6 1.18 23.8 0.226 100 2.92 16.04 47.55 23.1 54.55 58.95 1.85 5.1 7.4 9.75 15.5 10.5 7.17 5.18 1.61 14.2 62.3 20.8 7.6 14.86 2.3 269 4.97 3.03 26.5 11.4 21 331.4 0.178 6.65 2.2 4.2 8.84 5.79 7.5 1.22 11.88 50.6 4.54 2.35 3.63 1.93 12.6 60.5 5.01 0.127 0.94 111.8 2.66 20 1.3

INDUSTRIAL 36 2,315,600 15 677,500 0.6 8,348,000 1.18 1,516,000 24.1 92,300 0.23 3,770,000 100 500 2.95 4,494,000 16.34 17,900 47.65 526,800 23.2 26,400 56 830 58.95 2,910 1.9 118,000 5.1 1,500 7.9 60,600 9.98 3,894,400 15.88 1,808,400 11.2 195,100 7.18 286,400 5.2 3,510,400 1.61 2,000 14.5 1,682,300 62.7 14,390 21.75 11,300 7.6 85,400 14.98 1,203,400 2.34 2,195,000 270 1,867,510 4.98 468,500 3.03 13,000 27 656,900 11.48 51,800 21.6 1,901,100 337 322,910 0.184 1,450,000 7 52,100 2.2 56,000 4.2 34,000 8.9 364,400 5.8 713,000 7.5 70,000 1.23 651,000 12.5 250,700 51.05 302,550 4.55 230,000 2.53 2,353,000 3.63 16,000 1.93 270,000 12.64 29,300 61.95 96,440 5.08 122,500 0.127 1,070,000 0.94 2,000 112.8 2,197,650 2.7 4,069,000 20 400 1.39 35,476,000

84,332,120 10,115,302 5,241,760 1,811,580 2,258,080 858,240 50,518 13,285,110 288,890 25,636,505 617,290 46,364 172,896 222,510 7,650 465,227 38,786,371 28,377,706 2,109,826 2,055,456 18,251,011 3,220 24,359,372 906,717 241,585 651,946 18,100,084 5,189,590 507,693,728 2,385,629 39,480 17,602,130 593,276 41,780,725 108,371,992 259,930 357,574 123,930 143,000 3,237,959 4,235,075 525,092 805,750 3,106,794 15,438,292.50 1,046,400 6,073,240 58,120 527,270 370,700 5,952,055.50 617,146 136,600 1,880 248,528,876 10,890,380 8,000 51,381,890

-59,521,860 709,474 -202,220 241,000 5,000 4,905,230 -139,542 -2,438,905 41,440 9,550 -408,319 -11,534,063 2,072,804 432,870 -1,219,940 10,287,541 -19,928,908 389,083.50 -42,300 7,613,460 -168,760 -269,837,030 65,130 -1,894,915 133,168 -4,413,665 -1,862,380 22,180 -778,243 108,000 -287,988 8,252,528.50 682,500 47,780 -27,350 -21,650 -146,897.50 -3,550,466 -344,240 205,520

0.26 61.4 12.5 0.94 6.12 0.64 0.66 915.5 6.19 10.2 7.4 4.18 0.2 975 6.88 51 5.38 0.58 3.79 18.9 0.68 4.75 0.043 1.26 2.75 2.95 139.7 880 0.79 1.6 540 260 0.233 0.255

0.24 57 12.32 0.91 6 0.61 0.63 901 6.17 9.82 7.21 4.17 0.196 920 6.33 47.5 5.38 0.55 3.61 18.4 0.57 4.62 0.038 1.17 2.65 2.95 136.5 859.5 0.79 1.56 520 254 0.217 0.233

HOLDING FIRMS 0.26 5,670,000 57 1,973,810 12.34 12,895,900 0.91 218,000 6 118,100 0.62 10,883,000 0.64 2,025,000 901 403,290 6.18 146,800 9.99 10,578,300 7.4 4,100 4.17 10,000 0.196 90,000 920 126,100 6.33 155,900 50.5 3,957,100 5.38 2,800 0.57 102,000 3.61 1,105,000 18.42 2,480,400 0.57 17,214,000 4.62 24,820,000 0.04 52,700,000 1.2 804,000 2.66 1,687,000 2.95 53,000 139.4 145,140 866 480,150 0.79 117,000 1.56 1,218,000 520 450 255 8,690 0.227 810,000 0.239 680,000

1,402,080 113,073,481.50 159,489,436 202,340 710,618 6,790,760 1,295,520 364,728,185 907,127 105,800,710 30,264 41,730 17,680 118,466,035 990,304 194,367,995 15,064 56,180 4,094,120 45,798,348 10,969,120 115,612,700 2,092,300 954,540 4,542,550 156,350 20,108,543 415,336,140 92,430 1,928,300 234,960 2,218,544 177,380 165,990

-75,117,520.50 -134,084,168 -134,555,185 371,330 -39,120,012 -68,694,975 794,450 -61,996,035 -574,900 -34,204,168.00 304,100 -34,834,240 11,000 -2,389,291 -135,520,445 800,000 104,000 -20,498 -

7.56 1.04 2.01 0.79 38.25 3.32 4.69 5.9 0.44 1.01 0.95 0.22 0.42 25 0.64 0.122 1.59 1.24 1.62 4.59

7.2 1 1.98 0.78 37 3.23 4.55 5.55 0.43 1 0.9 0.21 0.405 22.95 0.61 0.12 1.55 1.21 1.29 4.4

6,013,752 19,511,690 510,300 1,193,610 770,941,705 729,170 2,631,190 170,393 2,879,250 98,150 579,950 1,343,070 408,100 11,992,190 589,080 58,420 8,142,910 1,273,430 120,739,370 77,462,020

-730,319 -309,220 -282,056,715 -453,710 -3,342 21,500 18,600 213,600 -62,250 -3,411,670 -2,245,320 -24,200 -2,672,600 -31,094,790

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

57.75 91.35 2.7 128.3 1.57 33.95 6.7 16.66 15 3.78 1.5 881 0.54 72.7 1.09 12 49.9 203.8 107.1 29.2 200 88.7 1.18

59 91.35 2.96 129 1.63 33.95 6.7 16.66 15 3.78 1.5 881 0.54 72.7 1.12 12 50 203.8 107.1 29.2 201 88.7 1.18

57.7 89.9 2.61 126 1.54 33.5 6.7 16.48 14.5 3.51 1.46 830.5 0.54 70.5 1.04 12 48.5 195 107 28.4 196 88.55 1.18

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

37 15 0.63 1.22 25 0.23 103 3.04 16.06 49.85 23.7 54.55 60.05 1.92 5.1 8.06 10.3 15.88 11.3 7.2 5.2 1.61 14.76 63.5 20.8 7.65 15.2 2.4 279 5.14 3.06 27.1 11.6 22 341 0.18 6.65 2.28 4.3 9 6.17 7.53 1.23 11.88 51 4.54 2.58 3.65 2 12.6 63 5.1 0.128 0.94 116 2.71 20 1.56

37.15 15 0.65 1.23 26.5 0.234 103 3.04 16.5 49.85 23.7 56 60.1 1.92 5.1 8.06 10.3 15.88 11.3 7.2 5.21 1.61 14.76 63.5 21.75 7.7 15.22 2.46 279 5.3 3.06 27.2 11.6 22.5 341 0.184 7 2.28 4.3 9 6.19 7.53 1.25 12.5 51.25 4.55 2.69 3.65 2 12.8 63 5.1 0.129 0.94 116 2.71 20 1.63

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

0.24 59.8 12.48 0.94 6.03 0.63 0.66 915.5 6.18 10.2 7.4 4.18 0.196 975 6.41 49.75 5.38 0.55 3.79 18.9 0.66 4.74 0.043 1.25 2.75 2.95 139.7 875 0.79 1.58 525 255 0.217 0.233

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD

7.56 1 2.01 0.79 38.25 3.24 4.69 5.6 0.435 1.01 0.95 0.219 0.42 25 0.63 0.12 1.59 1.22 1.45 4.59

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.61 0.42 0.5 3.04 19.54 2.04 3.34 34.55 1.1 8.69 0.78 6.64

0.61 0.43 0.5 3.05 19.54 2.09 3.52 34.7 1.1 8.69 0.78 6.7

0.59 0.415 0.485 2.93 19.16 2.03 3.25 32.9 1.08 8.02 0.78 6.56

0.6 0.415 0.49 3 19.26 2.05 3.34 32.9 1.09 8.08 0.78 6.7

33,693,000 710,000 4,664,000 5,290,000 4,111,900 415,000 366,000 16,661,800 1,307,000 521,500 19,000 2,713,100

20,172,770 302,500 2,283,515 15,829,290 79,128,606 847,490 1,215,190 557,240,760 1,424,380 4,240,135 14,820 18,004,373

25,370 -5,100.00 -13,319,810 -7,010 -222,090,870 22,000 -96,532 -1,263,512

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

15.68 26 1.35 0.455 0.044 11.12 0.055 81.8 8.62 7.61 6.9 2.3 19 1,670 5.59 303 3.37 2.57 82 13 8.18 0.166 2.04 4.63 14.98 4.03 1.05 24.65 4 5.7 2.73 3.12 3.05 17.42 9.1 9.3 3.2 120 5.2 1,230 0.9 0.345 47.2 79.5 8.06 2.08 1.18 0.43 4.88 0.81 11.7

15.68 26.3 1.4 0.46 0.044 11.14 0.057 81.8 8.62 7.61 7.3 2.3 23 1,670 5.59 308 3.37 2.57 82 13 8.18 0.167 2.14 4.83 14.98 4.12 1.05 24.75 4.15 5.8 2.8 3.12 3.18 18.74 9.4 9.3 3.21 120 5.7 1,237 0.92 0.355 47.9 81 8.42 2.09 1.18 0.435 4.9 0.81 11.7

15 25.3 1.3 0.45 0.044 10.4 0.055 79.5 8.6 7.01 6.9 2.16 18.6 1,580 5.36 301.6 3.18 2.21 77.5 13 8.18 0.132 1.94 4.46 14.98 3.89 1.03 24.4 3.91 5.29 2.66 2.74 2.85 17.42 8.63 9 3.13 120 5.19 1,150 0.89 0.345 47.2 78.95 7.8 2.02 1.16 0.415 4.85 0.79 11.4

SERVICES 15.1 25.4 1.4 0.45 0.044 10.4 0.055 80 8.6 7.1 7.2 2.29 18.88 1,580 5.45 305 3.24 2.25 79 13 8.18 0.138 2.08 4.76 14.98 4 1.04 24.6 3.91 5.32 2.66 2.81 2.94 18.74 8.65 9.19 3.13 120 5.22 1,150 0.89 0.355 47.9 81 7.81 2.03 1.17 0.415 4.87 0.79 11.5

23,200 13,900 442,000 3,410,000 5,100,000 21,280,900 9,930,000 121,390 3,000 4,861,600 23,200 19,000 1,503,600 46,260 279,700 4,530 1,660,000 217,000 5,385,700 100,000 11,600 226,780,000 10,221,000 475,000 400 4,343,000 518,000 241,800 376,000 6,288,300 584,000 3,268,000 285,000 2,500 7,530,100 800 264,000 600 2,275,400 172,815 1,352,000 520,000 259,600 333,120 251,800 1,879,000 653,000 17,860,000 6,679,000 3,178,000 885,200

351,906 357,210 582,620 1,544,700 224,400 233,261,372 550,950 9,685,024 25,830 35,273,822 164,142 41,450 31,666,205 74,044,365 1,508,358 1,378,214 5,342,050 498,990 424,027,795.50 1,300,000 94,888 33,367,600 20,764,730 2,190,930 5,992 17,236,440 541,730 5,938,815 1,491,700 33,949,381 1,583,590 9,444,130 831,650 43,720 66,793,270 7,328 830,850 72,000 12,294,083 203,458,025 1,210,610 180,300 12,338,740 26,736,742.50 2,004,464 3,829,080 759,300 7,519,800 32,487,590 2,528,920 10,217,304

-1,300.00 91,000 -22,000 -21,944,084 -700 -4,575,005 -1,329,533 -1,380 -47,750 -24,512,320 -46,220.00 -272590070.5 354,410 517,540.00 2,405,060 7,820 -9,951,948 -397,840 -1,678,550 -12,800 43,200 -2,194,898 -100,429,345 -362,690 -5,701,470 -14,830,601.50 -14,856 312,750.00 -258,860 51,000 -23,548,940 -28,000 2,049,256

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

0.0027 1.54 4.14 23.2 1.7 0.3 7.79 2.31 0.19 0.131 0.0084 0.0081 1.56 4.77 1.11 0.57 0.87 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.05 4.81 11.1 29.25 0.0061

0.0028 1.54 4.14 25.5 1.7 0.3 7.8 2.32 0.196 0.131 0.0084 0.0081 1.56 4.79 1.11 0.57 0.9 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.14 4.81 11.14 30 0.0061

0.0026 1.45 4.14 20.1 1.69 0.3 7.15 2.25 0.185 0.13 0.0084 0.0081 1.55 4.5 1.07 0.54 0.87 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.05 4.78 10.78 28.5 0.0061

MINING & OIL 0.0027 988,000,000 1.45 7,466,000 4.14 21,000 21.45 84,700 1.69 224,000 0.3 300,000 7.15 18,500 2.28 1,750,000 0.191 340,000 0.131 3,580,000 0.0084 15,000,000 0.0081 2,000,000 1.55 516,000 4.55 2,116,000 1.09 12,000 0.54 26,000 0.9 15,000 0.012 6,300,000 0.013 200,000 0.011 10,900,000 2.07 163,000 4.78 148,000 10.88 1,395,100 28.8 3,868,500 0.0061 1,000,000

2,586,900 11,111,500 86,940 1,937,985 378,800 90,000 133,459 3,997,200 65,930 468,070 126,000 16,200 801,000 9,631,170 12,950 14,370 13,080 75,600 2,600 123,200 340,330 710,700 15,180,194 111,338,825 6,100

80,700 -7,070,450 46,550 -18,290 1,590,210 -4,800 163,300 -23,151,490 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C

25 499 101.3 105.8 111 502 5.16 100 1.03 102.8 109 1.96 978 76 78.05

25 499 101.3 105.8 111 506 5.3 100 1.03 102.8 109 1.96 983 76 79

25 499 101 104.9 111 501 5.16 99 1.03 102.8 108 1.96 978 75.25 78.05

PREFERRED 25 37,500 499 800 101.2 44,010 104.9 350 111 40 506 4,020 5.3 17,900 99 11,050 1.03 5,000 102.8 20 108 200 1.96 2,000 983 6,140 75.25 50 79 24,000

937,500 399,200 4,447,462 36,964 4,440 2,014,220 92,951 1,094,000 5,150 2,056 21,640 3,920 6,014,620 3,770 1,884,365

0 -17,145 -

LR WARRANT

2.39

2.4

2.2

WARRANTS 2.33 1,206,000

2,757,270

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.35 3.19

5.35 3.2

4.94 3.14

4.98 3.17

14,629,460 4,247,500

117,460 -

FIRST METRO ETF

110

107

4,865,594

60,420

25,092

PROPERTY 7.32 1.04 1.98 0.78 37.05 3.24 4.68 5.9 0.44 1 0.94 0.211 0.415 23.3 0.62 0.122 1.59 1.23 1.29 4.43

823,000 19,041,000 256,000 1,527,000 20,689,300 225,000 572,000 30,200 6,630,000 98,000 623,000 6,310,000 990,000 500,000 936,000 480,000 5,217,000 1,049,000 83,331,000 17,406,000

USD DMPL A1

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY

10.2

FINANCIAL

21,901,418

INDUSTRIAL

92,621,365

HOLDING FIRMS

153,728,052

PROPERTY

240,293,915

SERVICES

355,783,060

MINING & OIL

1,045,474.359

GRAND TOTAL

1,914,075,060

10.2

SME

2,882,900 1,344,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 107 44,990 10.2

DDS

2,460

VALUE 1,788.73 (down) 19.67 1,414,477,227.65 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,301.43 (down) 208.08 1,392,588,045.83 HOLDING FIRMS 7,058.28 (down) 120.88 1,695,293,176.06 PROPERTY 3,421.98 (down) 125.62 1,386.68 (down) 49.67 1,837,040,812.19 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,529.67 (down) 177.17 1,370,224,455.92 PSEI 7,098.15 (down) 163.47 159,279,747.455 All Shares Index 4,369.21 (down) 91.01 7,892,649,127.29 Gainers: 36; Losers: 166; Unchanged: 41; Total: 243

Ferronickel pushes P1-b share sale

GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc. is pushing through with its planned P1 billion share sale this month. GNFI said in a revised timetable submitted to the Philippine Stock Exchange it would offer the sale of up to 250 million common shares from July 9 to 13 at a price of up to P4 apiece. The listing date is tentatively set on July 20. GFNI in May deferred the follow-on offering due to a review of its updated prospectus and audited ﬁnancial statements by the Securities and Exchange Commission the company plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to partially pay the outstanding loan of unit Platinum Group Metals Corp. from Taiwan Cooperative Bank and for working capital purposes to fund the operations in the Cagdianao Mine in Surigao del Norte. Abacus Capital and Investments Corp. will serve as the underwriter of the fund raising activity. GFNI, through PGMC, is the third largest nickel ore producer in the Philippines by volume of nickel shipped and the largest nickel ore producer in the Philippines by value of shipment. It is also one of the largest singlemine lateritic exporters in the world and one of the biggest global suppliers of nickel ore, accounting for 12.6 percent of the country’s production. The company is currently exploring opportunities in mineral processing. GNFI last month said PGMC signed a supply contract with Baiyin International Investment Ltd. for the delivery of 1.1 million wet metric tonnes of nickel ore throughout 2018. The purchase agreement covers a full range of products from low grade to high grade ore. Baiyin International is a unit of China state-owned company Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co. Ltd., which is principally engaged in the production and sale of nonferrous metals and operation of smelting and chemical businesses. PGMC operates the Cagdianao Mine Project covering 4,376 hectares in Sitio Kinalablaban, Barangay Cagdianao Claver, Surigao del Norte province. Jenniffer B. Austria

City Savings gets nod to take over PR Savings Bank CITY Savings Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Union Bank of the Philippines of the Aboitiz Group, received a go-signal from the the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to acquire 100 percent of the common shares of Philippine Resources Savings Bank Corp., a member of the ROPALI Group of Companies. Union Bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday that City Savings obtained the approval in a letter from the Bangko Sentral on June 20, 2018. “Bangko Sentral approved the equity investment of City Savings in PR Savings Bank through the acquisition of 100 percent of the issued and outstanding common shares of stock in PR Savings Bank,” Union Bank said. The letter also contained the central bank’s approval-in-principle of the merger between City Savings and PR Savings Bank, with City Savings as the surviving entity. “The acquisition is in line with the company’s goal to expand its mass market reach consistent with its vision to promote inclusive growth in the country,” Union Bank said. PR Savings is a member of the ROPALI Group of Companies. It is presently engaged in extending motorcycle, agri-machinery and teachers’ salary loan. Union Bank in December last year disclosed to the stock exchange the execution of a share purchase agreement between City Savings and owners of the common shares of PR Savings Bank. One of the conditions precedent to the closing of the transaction is the approval by the Bangko Sentral of the acquisition of the common shares of PR Savings Bank and the subsequent merger between City Savings and PR Savings Bank with City Savings as the surviving entity. The disclosure showed that the number of shares to be acquired or disposed in the transaction involved 127,723,385 shares, oraround 66.27 percent of the total outstanding shares of PR Savings. The price per share is less than 10 percent of the total book value of Union Bank. The bank further said 90 percent of the acquisition amount would be paid upon closing of the transaction. Julito G. Rada

World

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Poverty-stricken Albania new gateway to EU countries

TREAT FOR SUMMER. Giraffes eat iced fruits given out to help them endure the summer heat at South Korea’s Everland Amusement and Animal Park in Yongin, south of Seoul, on June 21, 2018. Temperatures in South Korea rose to 30 degrees Centigrade. AFP

IN BRIEF Pay docked for taking lunch 3 minutes early TOKYO―A Japanese city official has been reprimanded and fined for repeatedly leaving his desk during work hours― but only for around three minutes―to buy lunch. The official, who works at the waterworks bureau in the western city of Kobe, began his designated lunch break early 26 times over the space of seven months, according to a city spokesman. “The lunch break is from noon to 1 pm. He left his desk before the break,” the spokesman told AFP on Thursday. The official, 64, had half a day’s pay docked as punishment and the bosses called a news conference to apologize. “It’s deeply regrettable that this misconduct took place. We’re sorry,” a bureau official told reporters, bowing deeply. The worker was in violation of a public service law stating that officials have to concentrate on their jobs, according to the bureau. The news sparked a heated debate on Japanese social media, with many defending the official. “It’s sheer madness. It’s crazy. What about leaving your desk to smoke?” said one Twitter user. “Is this a bad joke? Does this mean we cannot even go to the bathroom?” said another. The city had previously suspended another official in February for a month after he had left his office numerous times to buy a ready-made lunch box during work hours. The official was absent a total of 55 hours over six months, according to the city. AFP

Captain in deadly ferry sinking held SIMALUNGUN, Indonesia―The captain of an overloaded Indonesian ferry that sank into the depths of Sumatra’s Lake Toba has been detained by police for questioning over the disaster, authorities said Thursday. He was among just 18 people rescued after the vessel capsized and sank Monday afternoon at the picturesque volcanic lake, a popular tourist destination. Three passengers have been confirmed dead. But official estimates Thursday morning listed 193 others―including children―as missing, raising fears the sinking could be one of Indonesia’s deadliest maritime disasters. The traditional wooden boat is believed to have been operating illegally with no manifest or passenger tickets, so officials have struggled to pinpoint the exact number of passengers. They have relied on reports from survivors and the families of missing relatives who may have been on the doomed vessel. The boat could have been carrying five times the number of passengers it was built to hold, along with dozens of motorcycles, officials have said. Its captain, identified as Tua Sagala, is also the vessel’s owner, police said. “The captain of the boat is now with the police,” national police spokesman Yusri Yunus said Thursday. “But we haven’t questioned him yet because he is still traumatized.” Top government officials including the national police chief and head of the search-and-rescue agency arrived at the scene Thursday. Meanwhile, hundreds of grief-stricken people waited by the shore for news about the fate of missing loved ones. Jadianto Nainggolan, 40, said a dozen relatives were on the boat including his three-year-old nephew. Nainggolan showed a picture of the group to AFP that he said was taken shortly before they got on the ferry, which has not yet been located. AFP

TIRANA―Until recently, few refugees chose poverty-stricken Albania as a pit stop on their perilous trek towards wealthy EU countries. But with the socalled western Balkan migrant trail now shut, the number of Syrians arriving in Albania is on the rise. Migrants are “trying to find new paths to get to European Union countries” after nations along the route up from Turkey and Greece significantly increased their border security, interior ministry spokesman Ardi Bide told AFP. Instead of going through Macedonia and Serbia, people attempt to reach the EU via some of the poorest member states including Bulgaria and Albania. Although authorities have not released official data on asylum requests, police said they have blocked 2,300 people at the Albanian border since the start of the year. For many, “Albania is now the only solution for refugees to move on,” said Syrian Guwan Belei. The 28-year-old arrived in mid-June in Albania’s only migrant reception center, located in the capital Tirana. Some 200 migrants currently stay at the 180-bed facility.

Belei has applied for asylum here but does not hide that for him “like for others, Albania is now a gateway in contrast to Serbia and Macedonia, which have closed their borders”. “Many prefer to seek political asylum in Albania because during the proceedings it leaves them time to ﬁnd solutions to move to Montenegro and Bosnia, and from there get to Germany, Denmark or another country,” the 28-year-old told AFP. Germany has become one of asylumseekers’ favored destinations since Chancellor Angela Merkel threw open the border in 2015 in the face of the continent’s worst migration crisis since World War II. However, the decision to allow in more than a million migrants has cost Merkel politically and put her current coalition under threat. Migrants, meanwhile, are largely oblivious to the political storm their arrival is causing in the EU. At Tirana’s camp, newly-arrived migrants wait in front of the small brick building while others are stepping out with backpacks, possibly hoping to try to cross the border into Montenegro, 100 kilometres (60 miles) further north. AFP

Trump stops family separations W ASHINGTON― President Donald Trump ordered an end to the separation of migrant children from their parents on the US border Wednesday, reversing a tough policy under heavy pressure from his fellow Republicans, Democrats and the international community.

The spectacular about-face comes after more than 2,300 children were stripped from their parents and adult relatives after illegally crossing the border since May 5 and placed in tent camps and other facilities, with no way to contact their relatives. Despite the order, there was no plan in place to reunite the thousands of children already separated from their fami-

lies, according to multiple US media reports citing officials from the Health and Human Services Department (HHS). Those youngsters would remain separated while their parents were under federal custody during immigration proceedings, according to The New York Times, before officials backed off those comments late Wednesday. “It is still very early and we are awaiting further guidance on the matter,” said Brian Marriott, senior director of communications at HHS’s Administration of Children and Families. “Reunification is always the ultimate goal,” he said. Pictures and accounts of the separations sparked outrage and a rebellion among Republicans in Trump’s own party, as well as international accusation that the US was committing human rights violations. “What we have done today is we are keeping families together,” Trump said as he signed the executive order. “I didn’t like the sight or the feeling of

‘Killing of dogs for meat illegal’ SEOUL―A South Korean court has outlawed the killing of dogs for meat, in a landmark ruling that animal rights activists said Thursday could pave the way for making eating canines illegal. The meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine, with about one million dogs believed to be eaten annually. But consumption has declined as South Koreans increasingly embrace the idea of dogs as man’s best friend rather than livestock, with the practice now something of a taboo among younger generations and pressure from activists mounting. Even so it remains a legal grey area. Despite no specific ban, authorities have invoked hygiene regulations or animal protection laws that ban cruel slaughter methods to crack down on dog farms and restaurants ahead of international events such as the Pyeongchang Olympics. Animal rights group Care last year filed complaints against a dog farm operator in Bucheon, accusing him of “killing animals without proper reasons” and violating building and hygiene regulations, and prosecutors later charged him. He was convicted by the Bucheon City court, which ruled that meat consumption was not a legal reason to kill dogs, and fined three million won ($2,700). He waived his right to appeal. Care lawyer Kim Kyung-eun welcomed the ruling―made in April but with details only released this week―telling AFP: “It is very significant in that it is the first court decision that killing dogs for dog meat is illegal itself.” The precedent “paved the way for outlawing dog meat consumption entirely”, she added, saying Care planned to file complaints against “many more” dog farmers. A lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party has introduced a bill to the National Assembly to ban dog meat consumption. The court decision sparked angry protests from dog farmers, whose premises usually double as slaughter houses as the government does not license abattoirs to kill dogs. “This is outrageous. We can’t accept the ruling that killing of dogs for dog meat consumption amounts to killing animals on a whim,” Cho Hwan-ro, a representative from an association of dog farms, said on YTN television. There are some 17,000 dog farms across the country, Cho said, calling for the government to explicitly legalize dog meat consumption and license dog slaughter houses. “Otherwise, we’ll fight to the end,” he added. AFP

families being separated.” At a later campaign-style rally of supporters in the northern state of Minnesota, he reiterated that the change does not mean a softening at the border. “We will keep families together, but the border is going to be just as tough,” he said. Trump then accused rival Democrats of putting “illegal immigrants before they put American citizens.” For weeks, Trump had insisted he was bound by law to split the children from their parents and that only Congress could resolve the problem -- before he radically shifted gears. His daughter and advisor Ivanka had reportedly urged her father to end the separations, while First Lady Melania Trump made a rare political plea, saying the country needs to govern “with heart.” “We want security for our country,” the president said Wednesday. “And we will have that -- at the same time, we have compassion.”

The order says the Department of Homeland Security―and not the Justice and Health and Human Services Departments, as under previous policy―would have continuing responsibility for the families. It also suggests the government intends to hold the families indeﬁnitely by challenging an existing statute, the 1997 Flores Settlement, that places a 20-day limit on how long children, alone or with their parents, can be detained. That move could lead to new legal battles for the administration. Trump said there was a need to sustain his “zero tolerance” policy to prevent crime, which he blames illegal immigrants for. “We still have to maintain toughness, or our country will be overrun by people, by crime, by all of the things that we don’t stand for and we don’t want,” he said. Earlier, as countries marked World Refugee Day Wednesday, global leaders assailed Trump for the separations. AFP

LGUs

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

friday, june 22, 2018

Trikes as school service not the issue, says Joy By Rio N. Araja

LocaL government units

Stop NCCC item sale now, Sara orders vendor By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte on Thursday ordered an immediate stop to the unauthorized selling of grocery items and other retail products retrieved from the burned NCCC Mall. Information reaching the City Mayor’s Office indicated that the selling of the assorted products started Wednesday in Purok 9, Tacunan in Tugbok District. Some of the food items sold were way past their expiration dates, Duterte’s office learned. The mayor has ordered the City Legal Office to issue a prohibition to sell the recovered items for lack of business permit. “If there is no business permit to sell, then they are not allowed to do business,” Duterte said. She also instructed the City Health Office to immediately and properly dispose of the expired items. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, Davao City Police Director Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum said the Tugbok Police Station has already shut down the makeshift store that displayed and sold the recovered products. The owner was identified as Benjardi Belardo Bermudo. He was hired by the company commissioned to demolish the burned mall in Matina. A report from Tugbok police noted that on June 18, Bermudo salvaged the products from the burned mall and transported the goods to Tacunan. On Wednesday, June 20, residents flocked to the area to buy the recovered items at lower prices.

SISTERHOOD PACT. The local governments of Pagsanjan, Laguna and Silay City, Negros Occidental recently signed a sisterhood

agreement, represented by Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Ejercito (holding a plaque, right) and Silay City Mayor Mark Jison Golez (with plaque, left) at the Locsin Cultural and Civic Center in Silay. They were supported by former Laguna governor Jeorge ER Ejercito (beside his wife) and the department heads of Pagsanjan and Silay City governments. Roy Tomandao

QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday expressed reservations on the proposal of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board to ban the use of for-hire tricycles as school shuttles. “LTFRB should have consulted the local government units first before implementing the ban since, in Quezon City, for example, this is already covered by a local ordinance designed to address a localized issue,” she said. Compared to school bus services, Belmonte reasoned that tricycle fares are cheaper and that the three-wheeled vehicles are more practical to use as school shuttles since they also provide tricycle drivers with extra income. “I understand that LTFRB wants to ban tricycle school service. But that is not the issue. The issue here is the overloading and colorum,” she said. “Tricycle [regulation] is under the local government unit. And then, the fare is much lower. In the first place, a school bus cannot pass through a small alley,” the vice mayor added. According to Belmonte, members of several local tricycle drivers and operators’ associations affected by the LTFRB’s campaign have already raised the issue. In 2014, the city council passed Ordinance No. SP-2337-2014 or “The Quezon City Tricycle Management Code of 2014” that comprehensively addresses the aspects of tricycle operations, regulations, and social protection for the local tricycle sector.

Perfect pass rate for UMak By Joel E. Zurbano

HE University of Makati got a perfect passing rate for its first-takers in the Nurse Licensure Examination held on June 3 and 4 when all 18 first-time examinees from the university passed.

“I would like to commend UMak for obtaining a 100 percent passing rate for its first-time examinees in the recent nursing board exam. Thank you for providing Makatizens with excellent education,” Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said. Binay noted that the overall passing rate of 75 percent obtained by UMak in the examination was remarkable, considering the national passing rate was 43.82 percent, with 4,326 passers out of 9,873 examinees. “To our successful examinees, my warmest congratulations to all of you! You are the pride of your Alma Mater and of Makati. May you inspire young Makatizens to excel in their studies and serve the people with utmost dedication through your profession,” she said. Based on the Professional Regulation Commission official results released on June 19, UMak has a total of 21 successful examinees out of 28 takers. According to UMak Center of Nursing director Anthony John Domingo, the university’s successful examinees are Claire Safran Aguas, Joshua Arman Albes, Erica Mae Anos, Remilyn Rose Asuncion, Ruth Balaoy, Loren Joyce Cruz, Ana Cris De Jesus, Charlene Gonzales, Angela Mae Llagas, Shirlyn Mae Llagas, and Royce Lorenzo. Completing the list of successful examinees are Riza Lumbre, Ma. Rovi Michelle Mon-

temayor, Kristine Beatriz Nasis, Samantha Susan Nulud, Amanda Paula Palma, Sean Kamiel Sia, Anzel Rose Taquiqui, Sheana Camille Templo, Debbie Terrado, and Maria Ciarra Trovela. The recently held Nurse Licensure Exam has been chaired by Carmelita Divina Gracia, administered in the cities of Manila, Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legazpi, Lucena, Pagadian, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga. Last April, UMak produced 23 graduates from its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. In November 2017, the university produced four newly registered nurses. On the other hand, the first two batches of its Pharmacy graduates both posted 100 percent passing rate in the licensure examinations done in 2017 and 2016. At present, UMak College of Allied Health Studies offers bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Pharmacy with Pharmaceutical Marketing, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It also offers master’s degrees in Nursing, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and doctorate in Pharmacy. Meanwhile, starting July 2 until July 11, successful examinees shall register online for the issuance of their Professional Identification Card and Certificate of Registration. In addition to this, they shall personally register and sign in the Roster of Registered Professionals.

Estrada to village chiefs: Clean up or else By Vito Barcelo MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday warned he would cut barangay officials’ budget if they continue to fail to keep their communities clean and safe during a garbage clearing operation along R10 road in Tondo. The mayor said barangay chieftains may also face suspension and removal from office if they are found liable for gross negligence and dereliction of duty in their respective communities. The city chief executive also issued a stern warning to residents of Manila that they may face charges if they are caught indiscriminately throwing their garbage in the streets, canals or esteros, which cause floods during heavy downpours. During the clearing operations, Estrada scolded a barangay captain after the mayor noticed the latter’s area was littered with garbage. He threatened the local official with discipli-

nary action, including suspension and removal from office, for the filthy grounds. Estrada appealed to all city residents to report uncollected garbage in their areas, so the Manila City Hall’s Department of Public Sanitation can collect them. He also ordered Che Borromeo, Manila Task Force Cleanup head, to work double time to rid the roads and city streets of uncollected garbage. “I want the garbage problem to be solved immediately. Cleanup the entire city now,” the mayor told Borromeo. The former president reminded the barangay officials to help the city government in its campaign and do their part in maintaining areas that have already been cleared. The mayor ordered the city’s sanitary division and traffic bureau to clear all forms of obstructions on the streets and sidewalks, including illegal vendors and their wares.

Cash transfer starts in Pampanga capital By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The government has distributed P1.75 million in financial assistance to the 733 poor residents of this city to cushion the impact of rising prices of prime commodities brought about by the implementation of the new tax reform law or TRAIN. Acting Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo personally distributed P2,400 each to indigent beneficiaries and senior citizens, representing the P200 a month in assistance for the first year of the three-year Unconditional Cash Transfer program up to 2020. The recipients in Pampanga are among 10 million Filipinos who started receiving financial assistance from the national government for three years with total budget of P24 billion as contained under the General Appropriations Act

of 2018, with the Land Bank of the Philippines as the disbursing arm. Orogo said the benefit will increase next year to P3,600 or Php 300 for 12 months up to year 2020. The secretary said the assistance will help poor families and senior citizens to cope up with increasing prices of prime commodities following the new tax law, which aims to generate more funds for the Duterte administration’s “Build Build Build” programs. Regional Director Gemma Gabuya of the Department of Social Welfare and Development said the financial assistance was timely to help disadvantaged Filipinos cover the increasing prices of their daily needs. Mayor Edwin D. Santiago thanked Orogo and Gabuya for selecting the poor families and seniors of San Fernando as the first UCT recipients from the national government.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

Culture and media

@MStandardLife friday, june 22, 2018

Ballet Manila soloist Mark Sumaylo with the company’s corps de ballet in Swan Lake

Lulu Tan Gan on art, design, craft, and fashion 'Queen of Knitwear' Lulu Tan Gan talks about the differences among art, design, craft, and fashion.

Hailed for her iconic and beautifully crafted woven pieces, lulu Tan Gan is no stranger when it comes to fashion design and merchandising. Her mastery goes beyond her atelier, boutique, and trademark ensembles as she continues to passionately share her wisdom to young and aspiring studentdesigners as the consultant of de la Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Fashion design and Merchandising Program. She unselfishly shares a better understanding on fashion by unraveling the thin threads that tie and separate art, design, craft, and fashion. “art is always personal. You do not necessarily have to like it. design tends to be more commercial,” Tan Gan said. She clarified further that artists and designers both create visual compositions through a mutual knowledge base, but with entirely different reasons altogether. according to the fashion expert, art is a unique creation from an artist’s view or emotion shared with the public so others may be inspired by it or relate to it. “The most successful works of art today are usually those that successfully establish a strong bond between the artist and the audience,” she declared. Tan Gan said that the job of designers like her on the other hand is not to invent something new but to strategically communicate a fundamental purpose. She explained that in fashion designing, the reason is to motivate the audience to purchase the finished product. “Before you execute a design, you have to contemplate ‘Who are my clients?’ it is not just [about making clothes]. You have to be certain it sells,” she averred. Meanwhile, she elaborated that craft draws from culture and is worked upon by skilled workers. “Unlike fashion, it stands on its very own ground without bothering to be particularly relevant to the trends.” She stressed that in joining the fashion industry, it is vital to be familiar with the craft of each geographical region as it greatly assists the designer to be sensitive to the materials and moreso

discover where to tap the sources best for local supplies outside of Manila. However, Tan Gan believes that craft may merge with design—say, if the traditional elements of the former were incorporated with contemporary materials or style, or if modern technology was used in the creation of a more relevant item. “if art is an emotional piece, design is a purposed piece, and craft is a skilled piece, then fashion itself means trend,” she proclaimed. “When you are a fashion designer, you always have to be in trend. You have to constantly think and innovate to be able to sustain a brand.” Tan Gan, who encourages the use of stylized local and traditional wear by promoting Filipino fabrics and craftsmanship, likewise shared her insights regarding the local indigenous theme currently being highlighted in the fashion scene. “Understanding the culture of indigenous people is important,” she said. “Remember that for them it might be invasion.” To illustrate further, she cited the use of trapunto, which means “to embroider” in italian and “to prick with a needle” in latin, as an example of using textile in the field. alongside appropriation, the “Queen of Knitwear” warned the risk of taking inspiration from other creations. She imparted that in Benilde’s FdM program, students are not allowed to open fashion magazines during their brainstorming. “You have to start your creative process using the mood board. Going through fabric manipulation, you will eventually find your identity and you will be able to design,” she encouraged. To be able to get a better grasp of the fashion industry, it is of utmost importance to know the differences among the four creative expressions. Most of the time, the words “art” and “design” are commonly interchanged. Tan Gan simply puts it as, “Good art inspires, is interpreted, is a matter of taste, and demands talent while good design takes skill, is understood, is a matter of opinion, and motivates.”

East and West on one stage

alleT Manila brings together today’s upand-coming asian and american dance artists on one stage for the American Stars Gala, a one-night show on July 7, 7:30 p.m. at the aliw Theater, CCP Complex.

American Stars Gala is a fundraiser for Ballet Manila’s Project Ballet Futures scholarship program. The concert will be head-lined by Boston Ballet principal dancers lia ia Cirio and Junxiong Zhao. They will be joined by soloist Hannah Bettes, Houston Ballet principal dancers Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews, and Ballet Manila resident guest principal artists Katherine Barkman and Joseph Phillips. Fresh from participating as the first Filipino contenders in the USa international nternational Ballet Competition’s junior division, BM company artists Nicole Barroso and Joshua enciso nciso will also make a special appearance. BM artistic director lisa Macuja-elizalde lizalde says it was choreographer and Boston Ballet faculty George Birkadze— recently in town to create new works for her company—who suggested bringing together these outstanding young dancers in one show. Since most of them were scheduled to perform in gala concerts across the asia-Pacific region, Birkadze said it would be the perfect time for them to converge in the Philippines and join forces with the BM artists. “The plan took off immediately because i really wanted to bring in lia Cirio, who is an outstanding principal dancer with Filipino roots. it would give local audiences a chance to see her perform and get to know her lizalde. better,” shares Macuja-elizalde. “i have never been to the Philippines,” says the US-born Cirio, who has danced classical, neoclassical, and contemporary roles for Boston Ballet since 2004.

Ballet Manila artistic directors Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso

Lia Cirio, Boston Ballet principal dancer

She continues, “i am looking forward to seeing where my father spent some of his childhood. He still has family there, so i am hoping they will be able to attend the show. i know that Filipinos love dance, so i know that performing for them will be rewarding.” The evening’s repertoire consists of well-loved classics and powerful neoclassical and contemporary pieces, including a world premiere. Cirio will perform as the White Swan, Odette, together with BM soloist Mark Sumaylo as Prince Siegfried

and the B M cor ps de ballet in Swan 2 Lake Act 2. Mat Kajima and Matthews will dance the Giselle pas de deux and the Madame Butterfly pas de deux by Stanton Welch. Zhao will partner Bettes in the La Sylphide pas de deux and the Sleeping Beauty wedding pas de deux. Barkman and Phillips will perform the Le Corsaire pas de deux and the KBJP, created for contemporary piece KBJP them by choreographer augustus damian iii. Barroso and enciso will dance Birkadze’s tango-inspired Bru and the classic Diane and Acteon. Ballet Manila will also unveil Birkadze’s brand new choreography, Imperial, as well as restage a company warhorse, Deconstructing Gershwin Gershwin, by Hazel Sabas-Gower. Macu American Stars Gala follows Macuja-elizalde’s previous efforts to bring Phil international ballet artists to the Philippines, including Today’s Stars of the Russian Ballet (2010), The World Stars of Ballet (2012), and Stars of Philippine Ballet (2013). Ameri Tickets for Ballet Manila’s American Stars Gala are now available at all TicketWorld outlets, online at www. ticketworld.com.ph, or through (02) 891-9999.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor

The formidable team behind

‘ANG HULING EL BIMBO’ MP Promotions seals deal for global airing of Pacquiao-Matthysse Fight

The cast and crew of Resorts World Manila’s upcoming musical, ‘Ang Huling El Bimbo,’ opening on July 20.

From left: MP Promotions KL Legal Counsel Eldibrando Viernesto; MP Promotions Head of Sales & Marketing Arnold Vegafria; Astro VP, Sports Business Content Management Group Lee Chong Khay; and Astro General Manager and Executive Producer John Nienaber.

MP PROMOTIONS recently signed up with Astro, the Malaysiabased broadcasting group for the exclusive rights to air the “Fight of Champions” match between eight-time world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao and Argentinian fighter Lucas Matthysse, on July 15 at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The fight, which will also feature three other world title fights in the undercard, will be broadcast live in over 100 countries worldwide, including the United States, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Asia Pacific region, Caribbean and Oceania. In the Philippines, the “Fight of Champions” match will be broadcast simultaneously over the country’s leading networks and cable/ pay-per-view providers, including ABS-CBN, GMA-7, ESPN-5, Sky Cable and Cignal TV. *** An animation studio in the Philippines is creating an animated series based on the acclaimed director’s renowned action film. Filipino-founded Sinag Animation Studios (SAS) will release an animestyled series based on Kamagong, director Carlo J. Caparas’s comic series about the Filipino martial art of arnis made into a motion picture in 1986. Kamagong: The Animation is in production and there’s no definite release date yet, but SAS president and CEO Dex Villamin said that they are looking to release the anime series in 2019. The original Kamagong was shown in theaters in 1986. It starred Lito Lapid and JC Bonnin and was written and directed by Caparas. Kamagong: The Animation, on the other hand, is penned by Christian Mark Vidallo, Crisanto King Cortez, and Dex Villamin. “Kamagong deserves its nearlegendary status in Philippine cinema for making the nation aware of one of its greatest cultural treasures, the art of arnis,” Villamin said. “We at Sinag Animation Studios are proud to introduce Mr. Caparas’s work to a new generation of Filipinos.” The animated series follows the story of protagonist Bagtas, the heir to Namayan, a kingdom enslaved by a foreign empire. His goal is to find the eight bulawans of Bathala to unleash the true power of the titular weapon Kamagong. In Toycon 2018 in Pasay City, SAS has announced three other characters to aid Bagtas in his journey: Kinari, a female guardian of Amang Puno, the source of origin of Arnis Kamagong; Bagsay, a gunslinger who returned to his homeland to avenge his family; and Otto, a fighter who uses his inhuman strength against Namayan’s enemies. Villamin said that apart from featuring the Philippines’ own martial

art and national sport, the animated series may beneﬁt local tourism as Bagtas’s quests take him to different locations around the

country. Teddy Corpuz of Rocksteady performs his own version of JC Bonnin’s “Ako’y Magwawagi,” the soundtrack from the 1986 film. Arnis, also known as eskrima or kali, is a weapon-based martial art practiced in the Philippines. Its exact origin remains unknown, but not a few arnis practitioners attribute its creation to pre-Hispanic Filipinos, particularly Mactan’s hero-chieftain, Lapu-Lapu. In 2007, authors Celestino Macachor and Dr. Ned Nepangue argued against these claims in their book Cebuano Eskrima: Beyond the Myth. The book put forward a new hypothesis based on surviving evidence: that the Filipino martial arts was developed during the Spanish period by the local militia against Moro pirates and slave traders. Regardless of the ongoing debate on its origins, the art continues to enjoy a following among martial artists, military forces and law enforcement agencies around the world, and Hollywood. More information about Kamagong: The Animation can be found on its Facebook page, www. facebook. com/KamagongTheAnimation. *** G e t ready for a rap battle on Sarap Diva tomorrow. There will be a word war between two of the country’s prolific singer-rappers Quest and John Roa. Joining them are two of the best stand-up comedians in the industry, Donita Nose and Iyah Mina. Expect a lot of intense but fun fliptop battle among the four guests. Donita Nose and John Roa will team up at the Sarap Diva kitchen to teach us how to prepare “ginataang liempo” dish. Join Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid in another exciting episode of Sarap Diva this Saturday morning on GMA-7.

ESORTS World Manila’s (RWM) upcoming theater production Ang Huling El Bimbo promises to be another breakthrough production for Full House Theater Company, Inc. (FHTC) as it tells a story of friendship anchored on the most iconic OPM rock songs of the ‘90s. As in most theater productions, the technical team always proves to be the architects of its success along with the all-Filipino cast who will give life to its relatable characters. For Ang Huling El Bimbo, FHTC spared no effort and expense in assembling a team of Filipino visionaries who will make the musical a sureﬁre hit. Dulaang UP artistic director and stage master Dexter Santos (Orosman at Zafira, Maxie the Musicale , Ang Nawalang Kapatid) takes on the gargantuan task of directing the contemporary story written by noted Virgin Labfest playwright Dingdong Novenario (Kafatiran, Nothing But Dreams, Daddy’s Girl), weaved through the songs of the country’s Fab Four: Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro. “We have the opportunity to translate the songs into a musical,” shares San-

tos who is also the choreographer in the production. “And the story is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions,” he added. Novenario wrote the story with the fans of the music in mind, as well some of today’s important social issues. “You’d always want to ﬁnd something relevant. The people who grew up with these songs are not simple and I wanted to ﬁnd out how they are today—people who won’t shy away from such brave stuff that Ang Huling El Bimbo tackles”. For a musical headlined by such theater luminaries as Gian Magdangal, Tanya Manalang, Jon Santos, OJ Mariano, Topper Fabregas, Reb Atadero, and Boo Gabunada, an expert technical team plays an important role in how the whole production pans out onstage. For this, FHTC signed up Star Awards, Aliw Awards, and Awit Awards winner Myke Salomon as musical director; World Stage Design

bronze medalist Gino Gonzales as set designer; BroadwayWorld Philippines winner Rards Corpus as sound designer; Cinemalaya, Asia Paciﬁc Screen Awards, Golden Screen Awards, Granada Film Festival Cines del Sur, Metro Manila Film Festival, and Philadelphia Film Festival winner Marlon Rivera as set designer; Gawad CCP Awardee para sa Sining Monino Duque as lighting director; and Hipstography Awards nominee GA Fallarme as projection designer among others. Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, known as the First Lady of Philippine musical theater, and serves as FHTC co-artistic director and Ang Huling El Bimbo assistant director expresses her high hopes for the upcoming production. “With the musical’s formidable cast and crew harmonizing with the songs that serve as a soundtrack to almost every Filipino’s life, it may just have what it takes to be another classic Filipino theater production,” she said. Watch Ang Huling El Bimbo at the Newport Performing Arts Theater starting on July 20, with shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are now available at the RWM Box Ofﬁce and all TicketWorld outlets. Visit www.rwmanila.com or download the RWM Mobile App for more details.

Drew on messy but healthy mealtimes with Primo First-time dad Drew Arellano with Baby Primo

CHILDREN start to develop a sense of curiosity as they grow, and the ﬁrst two years in their lives are crucial for developing ﬂavor preferences and right eating habits. First-time dad, Drew Arellano is no stranger to the tough task of feeding his little one. “Feeding Primo originally was a challenge,” shares Drew. “But when he started on solids, that was an exciting time. Primo’s snack time was quite easy with his favor-

ite Cerelac NutriPuffs.” Cerelac helps parents make that big step towards a whole new world of tastes and textures for their little ones with messier but healthier mealtimes, all while creating fun, memorable bonding moments with their bulilits. With Cerelac or NutriPuffs at hand, every chomp, nibble, and mess that you and your bulilit experience together can start a lifelong habit of eating healthy and eating happy with the family.

Snapshot

DEREK Ramsay adds excitement to GAOC sponsored Kasal screening. Leading dental clinic, Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC), led by its President and CEO Dr. Steve Mark Gan (rightmost in the photo) recently feted loyal clients, partners, and employees to a special block screening of the blockbuster romantic drama Kasal, in support of stars Derek Ramsay (third from left), Bea Alonzo, and Cherie Gil, all of whom are proud members of the growing GAOC family.

Motoring

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

HE government’s PUV modernization Program got into high gear Monday with a formal turnover of Isuzu vehicles held at the Senate compound in Pasay City. Isuzu Philippines led by its President Hajime Koso, spearheaded the turnover of 15 modernized jeepneys to be used for the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. The formal turnover ceremonies was held in the presence of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Senators Juan Miguel Zubir and Sherwin Gatchalian, DOTr Usec. Thomas Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, Senate Secretariat officials, SETSCO officials, key government officials and executives from the private sector, Hajime Koso, President, Isuzu Philippines Corporation; Edgard Cabangon, Chairman & CEO Isuzu Gencars, Inc. and Conrad Almazora, Executive Vice Pesident of Almazora Motors Corporation. The occasion also signified the beginning of the PUVMP, with the Senate Employees Transport Service Cooperative (SETSCO) as the pilot operator. The modernized PUVs, assembled using the Isuzu QKR77 platform and the rear body designed and manufactured by Almazora Motors Corp, are air-conditioned Class 2 PUVs with a side-facing seat configuration. The Isuzu QKR platform is assembled in the Philippines and is equipped with Euro IV-compliant 4JH1-TC Diesel Engine that delivers excellent fuel economy. The new PUV body is compliant with Philippine National Standards (PNS 2126:2017). The passenger cabin floorto-ceiling height and gangway width are 1,780 mm and 830 mm, respectively, providing more space for passengers to move easily inside. The passenger door is safely situated on the right-hand side, facing the sidewalk. Other design features of the body include panoramic windows and windshields, full-body insulation with GeneQ shield, automatic door closer, and provisions for persons with disabilities. Completing the modernized look and features of the new PUVs are the LED TV monitors for real-time information including station details, route, date, time, weather, news, and advertisement, LED electronic signages for vehicle route information, fire extinguishers, CCTV,

TURNOVER. At the cutting of ribbon to mark the turnover ceremony are Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Sherwin Gatchalian, DOTr Usec. Thomas Orbos, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, SETSCO officials, Hajime Koso, President of Isuzu Philippines; Edgard Cabangon, Chairman & CEO Isuzu Gencars, Inc. and Conrad Almazora, Executive Vice Pesident of Almazora Motors Corporation.

PUV modernization

shifts to high gear

dashcam and back-up cameras, and the automatic fare collection -- all geared for passengers’ safety, entertainment, and added convenience in fare collection. The new PUVs warranty coverages for cab and chassis is 3 years or 150,000 km, whichever comes ﬁrst and separate warranty for body, aircon and accessories, options not available for old jeepneys. participation in this timely project. The fruitful collaboration between IPC and the wholly Filipino-owned Almazora Motors Corp ensures that our commuters ride only in world-class public utility vehicles that also take into careful consideration passenger safety, comfort, and the particular locality’s needs,” IPC President

Hajime Koso explained. “The formal turnover today at the honorable institution of the Senate of the Philippines, only means that we are starting the PUVMP program not just in the right foot, but in the best way possible, as our modernized jeepneys will provide safe, convenient, reliable and comfortable transport services to the people who render public service on their part,” he added. Isuzu Philippines Corp, which has been operating since 1995, has been known to produce durable and reliable trucks, light commercial and commercial vehicles that are perfectly suited for local driving conditions. In a span of over two decades, the company has established a strong net-

work of dealers that have provided excellent after sales service and parts. It is this unmatched brand reputation that has led SETSCO to choose Isuzu as the vehicle brand for the pilot program of the PUVMP. According to SETSCO’s franchise holders, a program of this magnitude would require that all aspects of the program “must go right from the start”, as a pilot project ultimately determines the future course of the program as it is applied in other locations in the Philippines. “SETSCO exhausted all options available, most especially the vehicle brand for our transport services, and we came to the conclusion that Isuzu would be the best choice because of the vehicles’ durability, parts availability, and

fuel efﬁciency. Many of our members have experienced for themselves these qualities of Isuzu vehicles in their daily commutes.” SETSCO, which has shown to comply with the requirements prescribed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), has been run by Senate employees since 2004 and now has joint ownership of 35 franchises granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The PUV Modernization Program is envisioned to replace some 250,000 jeepneys nationwide with new, safe and environment-friendly, secured, convenient and comfortable public utility vehicles.

New F3 car put through its paces

Ten Hyundai H350 vans served as transport for the spouses of visiting FIA delegates.

Hyundai: Official vehicle of 2018 FIA conference Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. (HARI), represented by its luxury H350 van and by the Hyundai Grand Starex, shone once again on the global stage as Official Vehicle Partner of the 2018 FIA Motorsports Conference, organized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in collaboration with the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP). With the theme, “Empowering the Future, Unlocking Motor Sport’s Potential,” the sixth edition of the FIA Sport Conference and the first ever to be hosted in Asia welcomed over 200 delegates of FIA member organizations from 93 countries. Delegates flew in to discuss motorsport safety concerns and the future and growth of the sport in the face of fast-emerging modes of alternative transportation and entertainment. Hyundai has long been a player in international motorsports. From 1998 to 2000, the prestigious World Rally Championship (WRC) saw iterations of

the Hyundai Accent F2 class. Hyundai made a ﬁerce comeback after a 10-year break with the Hyundai i20 WRC debuting at the 2014 Rallye Monte Carlo. That year, the new team led by Thierry Neuville scored a top-three ﬁnish for Hyundai and went on to garner more wins for the Korean auto giant in succeeding WRC events. “People think that auto racing is just for recreation and entertainment. But auto-racing events were created so that manufacturers could rigorously test and calibrate their concept cars before rolling them out to the public.,” noted HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo. “The cars you see on our roads today are products of the data and technology derived from motorsports events. Hyundai’s engagement with FIA puts a stamp on our never-ending work to make Hyundai innovation ever more accessible to the most diverse markets, and so unlock their potential to get more out of life.”

FIA is the Paris-based governing body of the world’s most prestigious four-wheel motor sports events, including Formula 1 (F1), the World Rally Championship (WRC) and 24 Hours at Le Mans. The AAP, formerly known as the Philippine Motor Association (PMA) is the country’s biggest and oldest auto club. They are committed to promoting the general welfare of Filipino motorists. About HARI Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, is the third top ranking automotive firm in the country. Hailed four times as Hyundai’s Asia-Pacific Distributor of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, and 2013), and twice as Hyundai’s Global Distributor of the Year (2010 & 2016), HARI boasts of a 42-strong dealer network, superior after-sales, dealer and customer relations support, and an enviable roster of best-selling vehicles.

SHANGHAI—The brand new Tatuus F.3 T-318 was put through its paces for the first time at a closed shakedown held at Italy’s Vairano Circuit last week. The shakedown comes ahead of further runs for the car in the coming days to which the 10 teams competing in the inaugural F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA are invited to attend. The shakedown of the 270hp, Autotecnica Motori Alfa Romeo-powered car took to the track for the first time ever on June 14-15 and was hailed as a success by championship organizers. Commented Top Speed General Manager Davide De Gobbi: “Over the twoday test, the new car ran about 700 km without any issues and showed good reliability, despite this being its first time out on track. Tatuus and Autotecnica did a great job delivering a new F3 car that conforms to the new F3 regulations six months ahead of schedule.” The new car fully complies with all FIA requirements for the new-era of F3, which begins with the F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA on July 13 at the Malaysian track. The carbon composite monocoque

chassis is FIA F.3 2018 homologated, as is the Tatuus Halo, extractable seat, steering column and roll-hoop. Safety is further enhanced by the Sabelt six-point safety harness, HANS system and removable head protection. Electronics, data acquisition and the paddle shift are Magneti Marelli, and the car is equipped with a Sadev Sl-R 83 six-speed gearbox LSD. The O.Z. Aluminium wheels are shod with Giti Tires, official tire partner for the championship. Official testing will be held on July 9 and 10, prior to the start of the debut season, where teams and drivers will have two full days of track time to become acquainted with the new car. Ten teams are confirmed for the inaugural season which is comprised of five races across three circuits in Malaysia and China. The 2018 F3 Asian Championship Certified by FIA will earn will earn 15 points towards qualification for an FIA Super Licence, representing a major stride towards the highest echelon of open wheel racing, Formula One. The names of nine drivers have been revealed so far, with further announcements will follow in the coming days.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2018

Motoring

UCCP: Good rockin’ at 3 Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

T ALL began in 1900 with the first auto show in New York, USA. A century later and several follow-through auto shows, a man’s love affair with his car has grown conspicuously strong and extensive. Each is a distinct unit—man and car as separate as a disjoined wishbone yet every inch together like a pair of conjoined twins. The United Car Clubs of the Philippines (UCCP) has been a main synthesis and conservator for this continuing man/ car afﬁnity. Formalized three years ago as a “garage” club—very small and with a vague prospect of survival—UCCP’s third year anniversary celebration at the Circuit Makati under a great downpour last weekend was a likely indication of an extended life. Attendance was encouraging. Enthusiasm was high. In simpler words, UCCP has clearly rode out of its funk and is slowly getting over the most nibbling growing up pains. Through those three years, UCCP has attracted various companies that provide everything from batteries, paints, body designs, glass coatings, tires, and down to the tiniest nuts and bolts, and in providing team building supports as well as more car shows and exhibition programs. There were not a lot of recontextualized old cars in the show but the ones that were present had rarity, exquisiteness, and sentimental importance. Two vintage jewels were standouts whose beauty needed no explaining: a 1967 Ford Mustang owned by Michael Chanco with its original engine still intact and galloping wild; and a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle owned by Jia Yang which, when parked side by side with the latest Beetle model, will still turn heads and garner attention. Another eye popper was a 2015 Toyota

Hilux owned by Von Christopher Violago, easily one monster of a truck with loads of muscular power. The beefy tires lone would be excellent for road gripping and enhancing the truck’s stability and bite during mountain climbs. Such a massive scene-stealer, that truck. Today’s car owners are now able to go into a more diversiﬁed range of automobile options. Loaded with particularized details and artful designs grafted into each unit that add freshness to their appearance, newer cars on display at the show took on a different character—that of their owner and the kind of image of himself he wishes to project. A 2017 Toyota owned by Willy Regarde, Jr. will, hands down, ﬁnish off all rivals for attention on any road.

He is a zodiac Leo and Aiver Sticker Works, a revolutionary in car restorative art, has put together several lion decals on Regarde’s car with a virtual roar reminiscent of boom boxes of the hip hop years. Car owner Ricky Balagat’s 2013 Toyota is a testament to his passion for the sports of basketball. His wife Susan’s birthday falls on a 24th and what better homage it is to idolize LA Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, the Black Mamba, than to have Splat Decals get the basketball great to share Balagat’s every ride. Other car owners opted for the more militant images. Oscar Javier who owns a white 2013 Toyota Avanza drew

appealing image of luxury. There will be all sorts of possible conﬁgurations and technological benchmarks that will handle each phase of an automotive cycle. Auto shows will continue to be of great beneﬁt to new generations of car owners and collectors of classic cars. In the meantime, United Car Clubs of the Philippines—you rock!

What began as a ‘garage club’ has shifted to high gear to reach its third year with bright prospects of extended life -- attracting car makers and after market tuners.

Car collectibles from Caltex AVID collectors of the motoring community and shopaholics can have a chance to get exclusive Justice League merchandise in this special Caltex Justice League nationwide promo, according to Caltex, marketed by Chevron. From June 16 to August 15, 2018, every P500 fuel spent in a single receipt entitles customers to purchase one (1) Justice League collectible car for only P250. Robinsons Rewards members

his own image of a Black Ninja and had Splat Decals do the art work on his car. A 2014 Toyota Wigo owned by Charlz Balquin reminds him of Nitro—sleek, taut, and quick. But wait. Monochromes are also in. Jop Concepcion’s 2016 Honda Civic RS Turbo was for some time painted pristine white. Four months ago he decided to have it painted pink and the result is an

may also use their points for full redemption (200 points) and partial redemption (80 points) when they top up at Caltex to collect the limited-edition toys. Exclusively for Robinsons Rewards members are the Justice League Collector’s Kit at P499, toys sold separately. Robinsons Rewards members may also use their single P500 receipt from participating Robinsons merchants and specialty stores to purchase Justice League

collectibles in all participating Caltex stations nationwide. “We want our customers to feel that they get the exclusive treatment each time they fuel up at Caltex. That’s why we are offering this limited edition items they can get from nowhere else. We want to connect with every facet of our customer’s identity whether they are movie fans or car enthusiasts,” CPI Country chairman Louie Zhang said.