Manila Standard - 2016 December 20 - Tuesday

PH shines on world stage even for fleeting moment

By Eton Concepcion FOR a while, many Filipinos thought Miss Philippines Catriona Gray had it in the bag, but the judges chose Miss Puerto Rico Stephanie Del Valle as the new Miss World during a live telecast of the beauty

pageant from Oxen Hill in Maryland in the United States on Monday morning.

Gray breezed into the Top 20 as the winner of the Multimedia event and was the last finalist announced into the Top 5, sending hundreds of Filipinos at the MGM National Harbor into a frenzy. Next page

VOL. XXX • NO. 311 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

GREAT HONOR. Finalist Miss Philippines Catriona Elisa Gray exudes nobility during the Grand Final of the Miss World 2016 pageant at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland where she said during the Q and A portion, replying to a question, “I think first of all it takes bravery [because] to be a Miss World is to carry a burning torch.” AFP

De Lima is ‘Public Enemy 1’ SolGen tags senator as narco-pols patron

By Rey E. Requejo

C

ALLING Senator Leila de Lima “Public Enemy No. 1,” the Office of the Solicitor General said it would provide legal assistance to groups that earlier filed drug-related charges against her.

Senator Leila de Lima

“Drugs are our enemy, and who is espousing the proliferation of drugs? Former Justice secretary De Lima. Therefore, she is Public Enemy No. 1,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said during the launching of the Coalition Against Illegal Drugs (Coil) in Manila.

Calida said his office would provide legal services to Volunteers

Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) and other complainants who accused De Lima of accepting payoffs and protecting the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was still Justice secretary.

Calida said the groups going after the senator needed to improve their legal machinery to match De Next page Lima’s resources.

Leila in Germany snipes at Rody

By Macon R. Araneta EMBATTLED Senator Leila de Lima denounced President Rodrigo Duterte before an international conference Sunday as “a selfconfessed serial killer” elected by 16-million Filipinos in May. Speaking at the Annual Conference on Cultural Diplomacy 2016 in Berlin, Germany, De Lima told her audience that Duterte was the same candidate who, while

on a campaign trail, told a rape joke about an Australian missionary who was raped and killed in Davao City when he was still mayor, cursed the Pope for causing traffic jams during his visit to Manila, evaded questions about the source of his undeclared wealth amounting to billions of pesos, and “basically promised to employ summary killings as a policy to curtail criminality.”

“In the last five months, he has

proven true to his blood-soaked promise, at least to the extent that, by the Philippine National Police’s own statistics, we have now recorded a total of more than 6,095 deaths in connection with the Duterte administration’s socalled war on drugs—which is turning out to be more of a war on the poor, while big-time drug lords have thus far been mostly allowed to evade justice,” De Lima said Next page

P700-m Envoy hits out at Sino fuel seized defiance of UN ruling off Bataan By Sara Susanne D. CUSTOMS agents have seized two oil vessels carrying a combined 45,000 metric tons of smuggled fuel worth P700 million in the port of Limay in Bataan, newly appointed Deputy Customs Commissioner Edward James Dy Buco said Monday.

He said Customs agents seized the M/T Alpine Magnolia and the M/T Malolos on December 15 when the two vessels were seen unloading fuel without authority.

He said Limay Acting Next page

Fabunan

FORMER Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario on Monday criticized the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte for not protesting China’s military presence in the disputed West Philippine Sea, and expressed sadness at how the administration is disregarding the ruling of a UN tribunal in Manila’s favor.

In a statement, Del Rosario continued his call to the government to position itself strongly in upholding international law and defending the country’s claims in the disputed sea.

“The foregoing declarations

are most sadly being made after we had taken a firm rules-based position to defend what is ours— and won,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario’s statement came after the Duterte administration declared that it would not protest China’s latest aggression and violation of international law by deploying a missile systems in the disputed sea.

Del Rosario also expressed concern over Duterte’s pronouncement that the Philippines is willing to set aside the arbitral ruling that declared China’s claim to the sea as illegal and excessive.

“We appear to be well on the way to placing the country’s future Next page

KEEP IT. President-elect Donald Trump has said China can keep the drone, a reaction to weekend news—seen as the latest spike in ties between Washington and Beijing—the Chinese government was going to return the naval drone seized last week in the South China Sea, a step toward defusing maritime tensions between the two Pacific powers.

Trump tweets, China protests

PNP chief gets P400k as Du30’s Xmas bonus

By Francisco Tuyay PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte gave a Christmas cash gift of P400,000 to Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa, the first head of the institution to be receive such a huge bonus since its inception in 1992.

The Christmas gift is equivalent to P100,000 for each star rank and since Dela Rosa is the only four-star rank in the PNP. The next three highest offi-

cials—the deputy for administration; deputy for operations; and the chief of the directorial staff, will get P300,000 each while regional directors having a two-star rank will get a bonus of P200,000.

All police district directors in Metro Manila including provincial directors having a rank of chief superintendent will receive cash gifts of P100,000.

Below the one-star rank, police officers having a rank of Next page

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GEARING UP. Land Transportation Office Tayuman branch chief

Ligaya dela Cuesta starts distributing drivers’ license cards in Metro Manila to those who applied or renewed their licenses from january to October 16. Norman Cruz

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CHINA pushed back against US President-elect Donald Trump’s claim that its military stole an American naval drone last week, as the Philippines called the seizure off its coast “very troubling.”

The unmanned underwater vehicle was removed in a “responsible in professional manner” to protect shipping, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing on Monday.

Trump said on Twitter on Saturday that China had “stolen” the drone in an “unprecedented act,” later adding that China should

keep it.

“We don’t like the word ‘steal’—the word is absolutely inaccurate,” Hua said at a regular daily briefing, adding that China was still negotiating with the US military about the drone’s return.

“This is just like you found a thing on the street, and you have to take a look and investigate it to see if the thing belongs to one who wants it back.”

The Pentagon said a Chinese naval vessel unlawfully seized the drone Thursday while the USNS Bowditch was attempting Next page

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

3rd ‘narco-mayor’ named P RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday linked Lugait, Misamis Oriental Mayor Willie Lim along with former Iligan City congressman Vicente Belmonte and Mayor Lawrence Cruz in the illegal drug trade.

Duterte identified the mayor as Bicol police reported finding P100 million worth of cocaine floating in waters off Tiwi, Albay.

Lim was the third town mayor to be named by the President after Cebu town Mayor Vicente Loot and Cruz. Another local official, slain Albuera town mayor Rolando Espinosa, was named by the police.

The politicians were tagged by the President during the award-

ing of the 2016 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organization Overseas at Malacanang Palace.

Duterte named the three as he again showed the final drug list composed of few barangay captains, mayors, governors and few congressmen.

“This is the drug industry in the Philippines. Almost all of the barangay captains, a few senators who played and she was glorified with an award in Washington

Envoy...

the wind.”

Yasay, in a statement, said it was not an opportune time to insist on the country’s claim to the disputed sea.

He said under Duterte, the administration is focused on building a mutual relationship of trust with China before raising sensitive issues.

“Since President Duterte assumed office, one of his primary foreign policy priorities has been revitalizing bilateral ties with China,” Yasay said.

He said Duterte has been working hard to build confidence and trust with China, given the rock relations between the two countries in the past.

“The Philippine government agencies, especially those in the political and security sectors, have been hard at work building confidence and trust with their Chinese counterparts,” Yasay said.

He said the Philippines will continue being friends with China until it has achieved a level of trust where it can raise concerns over the South China Sea. Yasay assured the public, however, that the Philippines is not giving up its claims.

“While it may not yet be opportune to bring up the arbitral ruling, the Philippine government reaffirms its respect for this milestone ruling and will be guided by its parameters when tackling the issue of maritime claims in the South China Sea,” Yasay said.

From A1

in the hands of our northern neighbor who—even as our government had fostered a closer relations between our two countries—is now effectively demeaning our stand for upholding the rule of law by its continuing and clear violations of Unclos to our detriment,” Del Rosario said.

In the previous administration, the Department of Foreign Affairs was consistent in defending the country’s claims to the sea, protesting against China every time it violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or Unclos.

However, under the new leadership of Perfecto Yasay Jr., the departmenbt has already said that it will not file a diplomatic protest against China over its deployment of missile systems in the South China Sea. “Mutual respect for the rule of law, we now know, is not possible,” the retired diplomat added.

Del Rosario said the Philippines had no option but to position itself strongly over its claims in the South China Sea. “Before it is too late, we have no other option but to posture ourselves strongly with responsible nations to continue to uphold international law,” he said.

Failure to do so, he said, would leave the Philippines in an “undesirable place” and “left twisting in

Trump...

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to collect it about 50 nautical miles northwest of the Philippines’ Subic Bay. The incident showed how quickly tensions between the nations could escalate as China challenges US naval supremacy in Asia and Trump signals a more confrontational approach to the world’s second-biggest economy.

China claims more than 80 percent of the South China Sea, where it has constructed artificial reefs and built up its military presence. The nearest disputed area of the sea from the latest incident is Scarborough Shoal, which China has controlled since a 2012 standoff with the Philippines, a US security ally that also claims the feature.

In a statement Monday, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the incident was a matter for China and the US to resolve among themselves. Nonetheless, he said, it was “very troubling” because it occurred within the country’s 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

“Not only does it increase the likelihood of miscalculations that could lead to open confrontation very near the Philippine mainland, but the commission of activities other than innocent passage which impinge upon the right of the Philippines,” Lorenzana said.

China has sought to maintain “strategic composure” in response to Trump’s criticisms of the country’s policies on everything from trade policy to Taiwan. On Monday, Hua suggested the China was holding fire in responding to Trump’s tweets until he takes office.

“Our focus is the US administration’s words, behavior and policies,” Hua said.

“Regarding the postings on Twitter made by US Presidentelect Mr. Trump, I’ve noticed that there are lots of comments from international community already, and me, as a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, I don’t have extra comments to make.”

At the same time, China is preparing for a deterioration in relations next year. In an editorial last week after Trump questioned the One-China policy, the Global Times warned: “We shall harbor no illusions, and get ready to wristfight with Trump.”

“This is a gray area,” the article said. “If the US military can send

the drone over, China can certainly seize it.”

On Monday, the newspaper said that the frequency of US surveillance activities in the South China Sea indicates suspicion or hostility toward China.

“Although the US side tried to make light of those underwater drones, it’d be difficult to hide the real intention behind them,” the newspaper said in a front-page commentary.

While the motive for the seizure remains unclear, it’s a concern no matter whether it was ordered from Beijing or the act of a rogue captain, according to Michael Mazza, research fellow in foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

“To me all of these various explanations are troubling,” he said.

“If we do learn it was one ship acting on its own that’s not cause for a sigh of relief.”

A top US lawmaker said China may be poring over a seized underwater drone to unearth secret information about Navy technology, hours after President-elect Donald Trump suggested Beijing should “keep it.”

“The Chinese are able to do a thing called reverse-engineering, where they are able to—while they hold this drone, able to find out all of the technical information. And some of it is pretty valuable,” Senator John McCain of Arizona said Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

The comments by McCain, who leads the Senate Armed Services Committee, underscored the US political tensions touched off by China’s decision to scoop up the submersible in international waters in the South China Sea. Assurances from China that the vessel would be returned failed to quiet US critics—including Trump, who initially denounced the snatchand-grab move and then reversed himself hours later.

Trump said on Twitter late Saturday that “We should tell China that we don’t want the drone they stole back - let them keep it!”

Asked about the tweet, Jason Miller, communications director for the Trump transition, said on Fox News Channel that China was likely to return “a chunk of metal and maybe a bag of wires” after holding the drone for several days.

McCain said China’s seizure was “a gross violation of international law,” echoing the US response to the move and Trump’s initial blast via a tweet. Bloomberg

D.C.,” President Duterte said, referring to Senator Leila de Lima.

De Lima recently received award as one of the 100 Leading Global Thinkers for 2016 in Washington DC amid accusations that she opened the portals of government to narcopolitics based on the testimonies of high-profile inmates, prison guards, agents and her security aides in the House of Representatives inquiry into the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was justice secretary.

Duterte mentioned again the name of retired police general Vicente Loot who earlier, was tagged by the President as one of the five generals linked to illegal drugs.

“This is my problem. Maybe it

will take my life or my entire to solve it (illegal drugs). That is why we have to take care of our generation,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, the anti-drug campaign in Bicol got another boost after local fishermen turned over to the police 18 bricks of cocaine they found floating 100 meters off the shores of Tiwi town in Albay on Sunday night.

Bicol regional police director Supt. Melvin Buenafe said each of the cocaine bricks found in waters off Barangay Sogod, Tiwi weighed 1 kilogram each and that the 18 kilos of cocaine bricks could cost up to P100 million.

Senior Insp. Jan King Calipay, Tiwi town police chief, said two fishermen while on board a motorized banca found floating

offshore a net full of “brick-like items wrapped with brown packaging tape.”

He said the two fishermen, Manuel Comota and Razel Bragais, informed Teresita Cericos, barangay captain of Sogod, about the package and immediately informed the MPO about it.

Buenafe thanked the fishermen and Cericos for their “courage in responding to the Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs.”

He encouraged the public to continue supporting the Philippine National Police in its antidrug campaign.

Calipay said the recovered cocaine bricks were submitted to the PNP crime lab for further testing.

John Paolo Bencito, PNA

Leila...

From A1

year 2016 as “the year of interesting turns of events.”

“Never could I have foreseen the extent to which the very face and values of my country and my people could have changed in just 12 months, nor the disturbing direction we seem to be hurtling towards from here on,” she added.

De Lima noted the rash of vigilante-type killings in the first six months of the administration of President Duterte since he took office in July. To date, about 6,095 people were reportedly killed in the government’s all-out war against drugs.

She also took issue at the apparent rush by the administrationdominated Congress to pass a law restoring the death penalty law purportedly to deter crimes in the country despite worldwide abolition of the capital punishment.

“That is the true horror of it all: we are fast becoming a nation where killing is seen as the solution to our problems. Not a solution; not the first or the last resort; but the solution,” she said.

“Clearly, the only real solution is to give them a carte blanche authority to kill the suspects outright. That is our brand of justice these days. And the true horror is that some of our people will stand up and applaud this reality,” she added.

De Lima said Filipinos should use 2017 as an opportunity to reclaim their national identity.

“That is the challenge that we Filipinos face in 2017. We must find who we are. To know who we are is to trust who we are. We must define the identity of the Filipino.

To know it is to recognize it in others; to recognize it is to feel revulsion when their lives are taken,” she added.

Also over the weekend, De Lima said she hoped Duterte was thinking clearly when he threatened to revoke the Visiting Forces Agreement over a decision by the Millennium Challenge Corp. to hold off on a $433-million grant to the Philippines due to concerns over his deadly war on drugs.

“I hope that he understands the difference between the Philippines pursuing an independent foreign policy, and the Philippines being forced to reformulate its foreign policy in order to serve the President’s ego and accommodate his need to throw a tantrum whenever he doesn’t get his way. The first serves the nation’s interest. The latter does not,” said De Lima.

“Whether the VFA should be

canceled is a matter that should be decided with cool heads,” she added.

More importantly, De Lima said the matter should not be decided precipitously or carelessly without any clear alternatives, precisely because of what the President calls “the changing politics” in the West Philippine Sea. She said the people’s lives, wellbeing, security and sovereignty were at stake.

“I hope he doesn’t sacrifice those interests as easily as he sacrifices the lives of the people who are being killed on a daily basis because of his so-called war on drugs.”

She said Duterte should really stop turning foreign relations and diplomacy into a grudge match, where the Filipino’s welfare is just a pawn for him to sacrifice.

“He accuses the US of treating the Philippines like a doormat. If imploring our government to respect the rule of law and uphold the human rights and civil liberties of its people is treating the Philippines like a doormat—I would welcome that over our own so-called leaders treating us like bugs to be crushed.

I would also welcome it over chasing after an alliance with a country that has made profits over flooding our streets with their illegal drugs,” De Lima said, referring to China.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said he would most likely vote against abrogating the VGA. “We need the US to maintain a balance of power in the West Philippine Sea. Further, the training and joint military exercises are important components of our troops’ combat readiness,” he said.

Duterte reacted angrily to the announcement by the US government that a decision on a multiyear aid package potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars had been put on hold.

“You know, America, you might also be put to notice. Prepare to leave the Philippines. Prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” said Duterte.

“I am putting them on notice. I will decide any day soon. Bye, bye America,” he added.

Duterte assailed how America criticized his war on illegal drugs and expressed concerns over the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

“So why don’t you just leave?

Why are you here? What is your purpose in this Visiting Forces Agreement?” he said.

PNP...

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pened in the PNP. That’s how much the President supports the PNP. He loves the PNP, so we are all happy,” Dela Rosa said during the PNP’s Christmas party Monday.

Dela Rosa said the cash bonuses are ready for pick-up from his office in Camp Crame and when queried where the cash gift came, he said “it probably came from the President’s intelligence fund.”

Dela Rosa said Duterte’s bonus to all police officials is based on performance rating, particularly those fighting illegal drugs dealers and criminal elements.

“So everybody enjoys. There is a cash gift from the chief PNP and from Malacañang,” Dela Rosa said.

A House leader on Monday urged the government to rush the payment

of higher combat duty rates owed them before the year ends.

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. is said it is about time for the Duterte government to implement President Duterte’s Executive Order No. 3 , which took effect Sept. 1.

The EO raises to P3,000 per month the “Combat Duty Pay” of the officers and enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police.

On top of this, Andaya said the EO grants a daily “Combat Incentive Pay” of P300 to uniformed personnel “who figure directly in actual combat against members of various insurgent, terrorist and lawless elements.”

mother’s roots in Albay, also made the Top 5 of the Beauty with a Purpose event with her outreach education and school building advocacy for the poor children of Tondo.

Miss Indonesia’s “Dreams Beyond the Dumpsite-Helping the scavengers of dumpsites” won the event.

Miss Indonesia Natasha Mannuela, who won the Beauty with a Purpose event, and Miss Dominican Republic Yaritza Reyes, were named 3rd and 2nd placers, respectively. Miss Kenya Evelyn Njambi Thungu also reached the Top 5 finalists.

The others in the Top 10 were Miss Belgium Lenty Frans, Miss Brazil Beatrice Bessera de Fontoura, Miss China Jing Kong, winner

of the Top Model event, Miss United States Audra Mari, a Fil-Am beauty, Miss Korea Hyun Wang and Miss Mongolia Bayartsetseg Altangerel, winner of the People’ Choice event.

Gray, who grew up in Cairns in Queensland, Australia, is proud of her Filipino heritage having a mother who hails from Oas, Albay.

Staying in Manila, she never lived in Bicol but found out during her homecoming parade the beauty of the Albayanos who she said were generous and kind people.

“I am a very simple, normal girl. I love walking around without makeup and my hair done. I eat with my hands. I love singing and dancing,” Gray said.

The senator also related how the President allowed former President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

In one fell swoop, she said, Duterte “obscured the rejection of a dictatorial regime by allowing a plunderer and a killer to be given a hero’s burial.”

She also said Duterte has driven the women’s empowerment and gender sensitivity movement several decades back, by himself creating a culture of misogyny in which female members of the press are catcalled during press conferences, female police officers are touched inappropriately, the vice president’s legs are openly ogled during Cabinet meetings, and slut-shaming is employed as a form of political reprisal against women who dare criticize him.

She also slammed the Duterte administration for continually dangling the declaration of Martial Law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus to curb threats of drug-related reprisal and possible terrorist attacks.

“He and his men [are] preying on the people’s fears from so-called anticipated reprisals by those involved in the drug trade, or from terrorist attacks, or some other undefined threats that prey upon their feelings of insecurity,” De Lima said. “[They] are keeping the threat of a declaration of a state of national emergency, Martial Law and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus perpetually hanging above the Filipinos’ heads, thus priming them for malleability for other extreme actions,” the senator added.

The former Justice secretary warned against the reconstruction of Philippine history and the national identity of the Filipino people by the so-called “agents of change” who wanted Filipinos to think and act contrary to the values and principles that they fought hard for.

She also alluded to “authoritarian leaders who excel at manipulation” and who have been able “to prey on our fears and self-interests in order to divide and conquer us.”

She said some disturbing events in the past few months were being used to manipulate and decimate the national psyche and identity.

“One year ago, our country seemed well on its way to realizing these aspirations and ideals as embodied in the preamble to our Constitution,” she said, referring to the

superintendent down to inspector would have a uniform cash gift of P50,000.

Police personnel with a rank of SPO4 to PO1 and non-uniformed personnel of the PNP regularly receive cash incentives during Christmas Day. Low-ranked police personnel remained mum on the huge Christmas bonuses of the top police officials.

“While the President wanted to similarly give cash bonuses to all up to the last PO1 and NUP, he [the President] could not afford it,” Dela Rosa said.

“This is the first time it’s hap-

PH...

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Gray, a 22-year-old, 5-foot-11 Fil-Scottish-Australian model and singer/composer, is widely seen as one of the best Miss World representatives the country has ever produced with her refreshing personality.

Gray first made a mark in the Miss Talent show when she sang her version of Moon River and Nikki Yanofsky’s I Believe, which made her win second place after Miss Mongolia Bayartsetseg Altangerel.

Gray, who was named after her grandmother’s Gaelic name Catherine and takes pride in her grand-

De Lima...

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“In order to strengthen the resolve of the complainants, I will lend the prestige and gravitas of my office to defend them and help them in their cases against Senator De Lima,” Calida said in a press conference.

Calida said he took the unprecedented step after De Lima refused to submit herself to the investigations by the Justice Department and the House of Representatives.

“Senator De Lima should not be left to her own devious devices at the expense of the people. The high priestess of hypocrisy and patron saint of narco-politics must not be allowed to make a mockery of our justice system and get away with it,” the state’s top lawyer said.

“Her shenanigans demand a more vigorous response from the government she wants to destroy.

The people are disgusted...so are we,” he added.

This will be the first time the OSG will represent or provide assistance to private litigants in a criminal case.

Calida noted that while the OSG’s principal mandate is to represent the government and its agencies and officials in cases, it can “also act and represent the people before any court, tribunal, body or commission in any matter, action or proceeding which affects the welfare of the people as the ends of justice may require.”

The Solicitor General said as a Cabinet member, he also cannot accept what he called De Lima’s efforts to “destabilize” and make a mockery of the President’s policy.

He denied, however, that this was tantamount to persecution.

“We are just applying the rule of law. No one is above the law, that’s why we have to step in to equalize and neutralize her advantage over these complainants,” he said.

Apart from the VACC, the other members of the new Coalition Against Illegal Drugs (Coil) are the United Filipino Seafarers, Republic Defenders, Conform Federalism and Citizens Crime Watch.

They called on De Lima to respect the rule of law and appear in the preliminary investigation on criminal charges against her in the Justice Department, which will continue on Dec. 21.

De Lima faces four criminal complaints filed by the VACC, the National Bureau of Investigation, former NBI deputy directors Reynaldo Esmeralda and Ruel Lasala and inmate Jaybee Sebastian.

She is accused of violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, along with her former driver and lover, Ronnie Dayan, former Justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu, and former NBI deputy director Rafael Ragos.

House leaders led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez have also filed a complaint against the senator for disobeying a summons issued

by Congress.

A five-man panel headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong, began preliminary investigations on the case on Dec. 2 to determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant the filing of a case against De Lima and the other respondents.

Ong told the respective lawyers of the respondents to submit their response to the complaints on the hearing of the case set on Dec. 21 at 2 p.m.

He said that on Dec. 21, all respondents, including De Lima, are required to appear personally before the Justice Department to submit their counter-affidavits, except for the Bilibid inmates.

With PNA

P700-m...

From A1

District Collector Julius Premediles received information on the arrival of the M/T Alpine Magnolia and the possibility that the ship could be carrying smuggled fuel.

He said a Customs team was immediately dispatched to the area to monitor the movements of the vessel and its crew members.

“In the afternoon of December 15, 2016, M/T Malolos Limay was seen to have shipsided with the M/T Alpine Magnolia and the discharging of fuel started,” Dy Buco said.

“This was done without lodgment or filing of entry. No duties and taxes were paid. This is pure smuggling in violation of Customs laws and regulations.”

The vessels’ cargo was consigned to S.L. Harbor Bulk Terminal Corp., Dy Buco said. He said Customs was now preparing charges against the Bataan-based company. PNA

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SSS’ Dooc facing graft complaint

By Rio N. Araja SOCIAL Security System president Emmanuel Dooc is facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for failure to sanction insurance companies over non-payment of P1.6 billion for two separate fire incidents.

In a 16-page complaint-affidavit, Abeto Uy, Steel Corp. of the Philippines chairman and chief executive officer, through his lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, blamed Dooc for causing undue injury not only to his firm, but also to the government “through manifest partiality, bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

He said Dooc must be held liable for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, or the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act. Arsenio Evangelista of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption joined Uy as a complainant in the case.

Dooc is one of the three lawyers from San Beda College, appointed in the Duterte administration.

In other SSS developments, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate on Monday criticized the proposal to raise the Social Security System member contributions to boost the firm’s fund life amid the looming implementation of the P2,000 monthly pension for SSS pensioners.

“This is a Grinch-like proposal that only spoils the justness of providing the long-awaited pension hike of our SSS pensioners,” said Zarate, one of the principal authors of House Joint Resolution No. 10 granting the two-step, across-the-board increase of P2,000 in the SSS monthly pension.

“During the House and Senate hearings, SSS Chairman Amado Valdez explicitly said raising membership premium is the least, even last, of their options. In fact, if at all, government subsidy for the pension fund as provided for by the SSS charter is even higher in their options,” Zarate added.

The adjustment in member contribution was floated by the country’s economic managers, who have recommended to Duterte the P2,000 pension hike be made contingent on a corresponding adjustment in the contributions of employers, employees, self-employed individuals and volunteer members to save the pension fund from bankruptcy. With PNA

CROWDED TERMINALS. The build-up of passengers going to their respective provinces for the Yuletide at the provincial bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City has started less than a week before Christmas eve. Manny Palmero

DoJ’s Aguirre bares plot to oust him J

By Rey E. Requejo

USTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Monday revealed what he described as a plot to oust him from the Department of Justice by people interested in his post.

However, Aguirre stressed those behind moves to oust him were unsuccessful because President Rodrigo Duterte still has trust on him.

“Some people really want to grab my position but they’re having a hard time because I still have the full support and confidence of the President,” Aguirre said in an interview.

The Justice secretary admitted he already knows who the people were behind such plot, but he declined to identify them.

But Aguirre hinted the group included people from both the government and private sector.

“They really want me out because they are losing a lot of

money because of our actions here,” Aguirre stressed.

Rumors last weekend had it that Aguirre could be replaced

by President Duterte following the P50-million extortion scandal in the Bureau of Immigration, which is under his administrative supervision.

Aguirre earlier said he would step down from his post if he felt he had lost the trust and confidence of the President over the controversy involving the illegal casino operations of Chinese gaming mogul Jack Lam in Clark Field, Pampanga.

However, Aguirre immediately clarified he believed he had

not done any wrong in handling Lam’s issue.

It was Aguirre who led the raid on Lam’s illegal casino in Fontana Leisure Resort where 1,316 Chinese nationals were arrested last November 24.

He was also the one who exposed the attempt of Lam’s camp to bribe government officials to “fix” the irregularities in his casino operations.

He has recommended the dismissal from government of BI Deputy Commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, both tagged in the extortion controversy.

He lauded the President for approving his recommendation and sacking Argosino and Robles, who were their brothers in San Beda College of Law’s Lex Talionis fraternity who also helped in the campaign for the presidency.

Argosino and Robles, who surrendered to the DoJ P30 million of the alleged extortion money last week, have also been charged before the office of the Ombudsman by former police

chief superintendent Wally Sombero, who supposedly served as Lam’s middleman.

But before Duterte announced their dismissal, the two officials had filed their resignation last December 15.

Aguirre has ordered the dismissal of BI intelligence division chief Charles Calima Jr. and technical assistant for intelligence Edward Chan, who were also implicated in the extortion controversy.

Argosino and Robles earlier claimed the P18 million went to Calima supposedly to be given to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente and newspaper columnist Mon Tulfo while the remaining P2 million to Sombero as his commission.

Calima, Sombero and Tulfo have all denied the allegations.

Aguirre has also tapped the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the controversy while the BI is also conducting a parallel probe.

No results have been released yet.

Erap warns PH could ‘Cut red tape to doff kinks in infra’ become ‘narco state’ By Maricel V. Cruz

By Sandy Araneta FORMER president and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday warned the Philippines could became a “narco state” if government officials protecting and working with drug lords were not removed from their posts.

Estrada said drug traffickers and operators of big-time drug laboratories have managed to run their illegal drug trade unhampered in the past decades because government officials in power were protecting them.

“You know, every election, there are candidates—mayors, congressmen, governors, they ask for political donations, campaign funds, from drug lords. Because

these drug lords have the money,” Estrada said during the distribution of motorcycles to the first batch of Drug Abuse Resistance Education instructors who have been teaching the anti-drug education program to the elementary public school students in Manila and Pasay.

“You know why there are big drug labs in the provinces? They are protected by these politicians,” he added.

“This is very dangerous, we could become a narco state if we do not stop this.”

“That is why for the sake of our country, let us unite and support President Duterte for making a great stand against these drug lords,” Estrada added, reiterating his all-support to Duterte’s war against drugs.

A NEOPHYTE lawmaker has stressed the need to accelerate reforms to cut bureaucratic red tape and improve the absorptive capacity of national and local government agencies.

This is aimed at addressing the deficiencies that could hobble the Duterte administration’s record infrastructure spending over the next five years.

While the administration is on the right track in finally addressing the massive infrastructure backlog across the country, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte stressed the need for the government to ensure that both national government agencies and local government units are equipped for the judicious and prompt use of their much bigger outlays

for infrastructure, Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said “partnership and close coordination between the national government agencies and LGUs in the planning and implementation of projects will remove bottlenecks and lead to better absorptive capacity.”

Villafuerte said: “Malacañang has dubbed the next five years as the ‘Golden Age of Infrastructure’ in the country, but we have to make sure this isn’t merely an empty promise.

“Programs might get stalled because of red tape and the poor absorptive capacity of our national agencies and LGUs that might be overwhelmed by the simultaneous implementation of infra projects, unless the government takes urgent steps to correct these nagging deficiencies in our system.”

Fishers et al declare war vs ‘Great Wall of Leyte’

By Sandy Araneta THE fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya-Pilipinas), People Surge, an alliance of Yolanda survivors based in Tacloban City, and environmental group Center for Environmental Concerns are gearing for a total war against the national government’s ambitious plan to build anti-storm surge wall.

The Tep (also known as the

Tide Embankment Project or ‘The Great Wall of Leyte’), which costs P7.9 billion, is a long stretch of seawall from Tacloban to the town of Tanauan, Leyte, touted to protect people from storm surges.

Of the 27.3 kilometers length of the embankment, 20.1 km. are in Tacloban, 4.1 km. will cover Palo and 3.1 km. in Tanauan.

It shall have a height of about 4.5 meters and its center line would stand 30 meters from the seashore.

AT EASE. PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa (in Santa Claus cap) is in bouyant mood while having a groupie photo with families of policemen during the Christmas Party at Camp Crame the other day. Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF CoA junks 2 petitions filed by MWSS WITH finality, the Commission on Audit dismissed on Monday the two petitions for review filed by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to lift a P27.1-million disallowance released to its workers in 2012.

CoA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo as well as Commissioners Jose Fabia and Isabel Agito junked the separate appeals filed by Florendo Batasin Jr., MWSS administrative and general services manager, and Darlina Uy, legal services department manager, on the ground their filing of the motions was already beyond the six-month prescriptive period.

“Based on evaluation, the consolidated Petitions for Review were filed out of time… thus the assailed decision became final and executory. Having attained finality, the assailed decision of the Cluster Director is immutable and unalterable, and can no longer be modified,” the decision read.

To appeal an unfavorable ruling “is not a right, but a mere statutory privilege,” it said, adding the water agency officials should have strictly observed CoA’s instructions.

CoA challenged the release of P27.1 million in allowances, bonuses, incentives and other benefits by MWSS to its officials, board of trustees and rank-andfile employees in 2012 for lack of basis. Rio Araja

CHED to Licuanan: Retract claims A TOP official of the Commission on Higher Education told embattled chairperson Patricia Licuanan to retract her “malicious” claims that he and a career official were plotting against her ouster.

“I have never questioned her leadership but I question the chairman of the commission when she levels unfounded accusations against a commissioner.

I think that is irresponsible and that has to be retracted because there is absolutely no basis for that,” CHED Commissioner Prospero De Vera said in a television interview.

“Politicking and seeing ghosts behind every move and insinuating that another commissioner is out to topple her takes away the impotance of the work of CHED,” he stressed.

Licuanan had earlier accused De Vera and Executive Director Julito Vitriolo, the highest carreer official in the state higher education body of conspiring against her following Vitriolo’s recommendation to appoint an officer-in-charge “who enjoys his trust and confidence.”

John Paolo Bencito

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

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EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Popularity

S

ENATOR Emmanuel Pacquiao may have gotten more than what he had wished for during his birthday celebration in General Santos City over the weekend.

His guest, President Rodrigo Duterte, called him “president-tobe.”

“You will be president. I think it is true,” said Mr. Duterte, advising the boxer-legislator to stay humble and keep to his style.

The two are in some sort of mutual admiration society, with

the senator being vocal about his support for the revival of the death penalty and the relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

Pacquiao has certainly advanced from his humble roots, and his struggle has been an inspiration to millions of Filipinos. His dedication to his sport appears unparalleled and he has brought honor to the country countless times over.

Unfortunately, the senator is the embodiment of the belief that one can rise to high positions in government through sheer popularity.

His performance at the halls of Congress has been a lot less stellar

than from inside the boxing ring.

As a lawmaker, Pacquiao has short-changed his constituents by rarely showing up for work.

Public service, for him, is less about empowerment than it is about giving. Finally, discourse is taken to mean a pompous delivery of speeches that heavily quote scripture rather than law and common sense.

Clearly, the job of a chief executive is so much more daunting than a lawmaker’s—and we have very little basis to echo the President’s warm greetings for Pacquiao.

The truth is, Mr. Duterte himself is now the President because of

his image of being a no-nonsense, tough-talking, maverick local leader who simply gets things done. At least in this case, he has Davao City to use as a showcase of his achievements.

We have no doubt that, should he decide to go for the presidency a few years from now, the pugilist will stand a better-than-average chance of winning. Such is the nature of democracy, and we cannot argue with that.

What we find difficult to take is the readiness by which we seem to accept the yarn that a person’s popularity—or populism—would suffice.

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA

Inviting the UN Special Rapporteur on EJKs

Yellow remnants LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES LIKE zombies, the Yellows amongst us refuse to die, even if they have practically lost all signs of life as most of us know it. Two recent events have convinced me that this is true.

First, right after the congressional bicameral committee agreed that a controversial P8.3billion allocation intended for the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao should be given to the Commission on Higher Education, to pay for the tuition of students in state universities and colleges, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV (known to most people as “Bam”) was ready with a press release. Aquino, who is so Yellow that he got elected to the Senate simply because of his physical resemblance to his famous uncle, former Senator

Benigno Aquino Jr., said he was responsible for the diversion, having filed a bill granting poor students in public universities and colleges free tuition.

The truth is, Aquino did file such a bill in Congress. But the Yellow senator neglected to mention two things, in his haste to claim credit for something he said he had done single-handedly.

First, at least five other senators have pending legislative proposals similar to Aquino’s (Senate Bill 177) have been filed in the current Congress in the Senate alone. Senators Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (who filed SB 133), Francis Pangilinan (SB 962), Sherwin Gatchalian (SB 198), JV Ejercito (SB 158) and Ralph Recto (SB 61) all have equivalent measures up for deliberation; none of them have gotten Senate approval yet.

Secondly, Aquino himself had nothing to do with the windfall given to CHED and the students, which was really the result of the

efforts of Senator Panfilo Lacson to stop the allocation of what he called “pork” funds to the ARMM through the Department of Public Works and Highways in the new budget.

The Yellow zombies who worship all things Aquino are still around and in high office.

Lacson threatened to stall the passage of the P3.35-trillion 2017 national budget of the Duterte administration if the DPWH allocations were not removed.

So the bicameral panel shifted the P8.3-billion fund to CHED,

saying it would be spent instead for free tuition for students in public colleges and universities, including the University of the Philippines.

Over the weekend, facing a firestorm of criticism for his blatant Yellow-style creditgrabbing, Aquino was forced to issue another press release, which admitted that his freetuition measure has not yet been approved by Congress, much less provided with government funding. The remnants of the once-powerful Yellow online army, which had already praised Aquino for getting the job done, fell deathly silent—perhaps until yet another opportunity to claim credit arises.

I had flashbacks of Bam’s cousin Noynoy claiming credit for economic gains that happened during his term that were all attributable to external factors like improved remittances, lower oil prices, the flight of capital from moribund US mar-

kets and the rise of the business process outsourcing industry.

Count on an Aquino to do nothing and then to say he did everything when things go right.

And then I remembered how Bam started a high-profile investigation on slow Internet speeds in the country. And how he was never heard from again on the matter—even if Internet speeds have only gotten slower than ever before. *** Speaking of being Yellow and getting paid for doing nothing, the office of Vice President Leni Robredo sent out the following tweet, widely reported in the media last week, using the popular hashtag #PrayForAleppo: “Let us all do our part in helping our brothers and sisters in Syria who are trapped in the Aleppo crossfire. Here are some of the institutions you can donate to: [lists the UNHCR, the Red Cross, etc.]”

Turn to A5

IN THE midst of growing concerns by the international community and some local quarters over the epidemic of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, there has been calls to invite Dr. Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, to come to the country and ferret out the facts.

In response to this proposal, on several occasions, and in the official letter of the government through the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Duterte administration has invited Callamard to come to the country but on condition that she debate with the President publicly about her findings.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay has been quoted for asking Callamard to apologize for the harm she has done the country—a strange demand given that the UN rapporteur actually has not made any findings about the situation here precisely because she has not been here yet. All that Callamard has done so far is voice concern based on press reports and offer to come here if invited. She wants to get to the bottom of the allegations that people are being killed without due process and in a manner which qualifies the killing to be extrajudicial, meaning that they are statesanctioned or tolerated.

The UN Rapporteur is appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, an inter-government body within the UN tasked to promote and protect human rights around the globe, to look into human rights violations and make recommendations to address them. The UNHRC created this system of Special Procedures Mandate Holders as an innovative, transparent and consultative way of enforcing internationally recognized human rights norms. It is designed in the context of the sensitivity of countries zealous about their sovereignty, assuring objectivity and independence, and hopefully providing some relief for the targets and victims of human rights voilations.

Special rapporteurs, special Turn to A5

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Opinion

PEOPLE always ask me if I think President Duterte would ever change.

When I ask them what they are talking about, they say the President says things he does not really mean, or means the opposite of what he says.

I have covered presidents since the time of President Elpidio Quirino. This is how I know that every time a chief executive says something, it is always a matter of policy.

Mr. Duterte, to tell the truth, confuses me. Perhaps this is because I do not know him—we have not actually met.

Some journalists who claim to know Duterte say he has odd habits. He stays up late at night, frequenting his favorite “After Dark” and going home at 2 in the morning. And then he sleeps from 3 into until 10 or 11. At times, as we know all too well, he holds midnight press conferences.

Those who know his quirks would know when he is joking and when he is serious. For them, what the President says should not always be taken literally. This is his “kanto boy” demeanor which endeared him to the masses.

When the President swears that he won’t stop his war on illegal drugs until the last pusher is killed, this resonates with his supporters. More so when he uses expletives to show how serious he is. When he said he would stand with China and Russia, his foreign policy begins to sound more appealing to people.

I think Mr. Duterte still has not shed the habit of talking like a city mayor even when he is now president of 102-million Filipinos.

Santa Banana, when he talked about having killed at least three criminals when he was still mayor of Davao, going around “always looking for trouble,” using his motorbike equipped with an M-16, people got alarmed—until a close follower said he was just using hyperbole to emphasize his hate for criminals!

And then he talked about his health and that he takes a pill for his constant pains. For the record, Duterte has been diagnosed with Buerger’s Disease, causing inflammation of his arteries in his legs because of too much nicotine when he used to smoke cigarets.

Eventually he said he was just joking.

So, will President Duterte still change? I don’t A zebra hardly think so. He is already almost 72 years old. It is ever sheds its difficult for anybody to stripes. change at that age.

Note that he doesn’t care about state protocol, most importantly when he travels abroad. He meets presidents and prime ministers of other countries, and the sleeves of barong tagalog are rolled up. He is almost always in denim or khaki pants, and even chews gum.

A zebra does not change its stripes. I guess we just have to live with what we got.

The problem of President Duterte is that we really don’t know whether he’s serious about anything.

When Duterte became President with his vow to end criminality, illegal drugs and corruption, people hailed him. Filipinos had been disenchanted for six years under an incompetent administration under BS Aquino. The previous administration lacked compassion and empathy for the poor and practiced selective justice. Moreover, President Aquino was vindictive. Thus, Duterte’s promise of change resonated with the people.

While I have my doubts, I remain hopeful for the sake of country’s image here and abroad. *** The month of December has always been a very stressful month for me. When I was much younger, I didn’t mind attending all the parties I was invited to. Now, these have become a chore and a burden for me.

I am not talking about rushing to shopping malls for Christmas gifts to friends and relatives. My wife, always the wise one in the family, is always done with her shopping

by September. My daughter panics because she is still not done.

Another thing that stresses me out is where to go after Christmas Day. Government seems to stop between that day and until after New Year when we all go back again to our daily routine. And to me, going for a vacation or anywhere after Christmas is always stressful and expensive.

The anticipated expenses really stress me out.

When I was a bachelor, I loved going to “Simbang Gabi” to invite girls I liked. I would not pass up te to have that opportunity to say sweet nothings to them. I stopped that when I got married. My only regret is that my whole family cannot be with us this Christmas. *** If you wonder which giant television network is more credible, with more viewers nationwide and makes more money in the process, I say it’s GMA-7. It uses Nielsen, the no.1 ratings provider in the United States.

Every now and then ABS-CBN comes out with claims that it’s the no. 1 television network in the country. It uses Kantar, which has less subscribers. I know this because I used to be public affairs manager for Kanlaon Broadcasting. than Nielsen. I know this since during the days when I was public affairs manager for the Kanlaon Broadcasting.

GMA’s reportage shows that the network is not protecting anybody, and it doesn’t tell lies and falsehoods as ABSCBN often does.

The Lopez-owned television network is often selective and biased against the Marcoses and in favor of the Aquinos. The biases and prejudices are so glaring.

A5

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Arguments for restoring the death penalty

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Will Duterte ever change?

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA OPPONENTS of the death penalty are at it again. So-called human rights advocates and highly politicized leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines are pressuring the House of Representatives to abandon its plan to restore the death penalty in the country.

Early this month, the House Committee on Justice approved a draft law reinstating the death penalty for heinous crimes like drug offenses, treason, qualified piracy, qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, rape, serious illegal detention, robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons, arson, and plunder.

A vocal critic of the death penalty is the Commission on Human Rights, which insists that the Philippines is bound under an international protocol to perpetually abolish the death penalty in order to finally uphold the right to life. That protocol cited by the CHR is the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which purportedly binds signatory countries to do away with the death penalty. The protocol was signed in 2006 under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

According to the CHR, the restoration of the death penalty will violate constitutional provisions regarding respect for human rights and the dignity of every person. The CHR also claims that capital punishment by whatever method constitutes cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, does not accord

Inviting...

From A4 representatives and independent experts are highly qualified individuals appointed based on their expertise on human rights.

Generally, in the performance of their mandate, they do the following actions: undertake inperson country visits to assess human rights violations, communicate directly with states on alleged human rights violations by sending urgent appeals or letters of allegation, make recommendations to states for preventing, ending, or remedying violations, convene expert consultations, conduct thematic studies, raise awareness of human rights issues, provide advice for adherence to human rights standards, receive information from individuals and civil society, engage in advocacy, and contribute to the overall development of human rights standards.

As independent experts, as Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, herself a special rapporteur, has pointed out in a Facebook post, they will not be bound by conditions imposed by governments. According to Vicky: “She will determine her itinerary and who she would like to speak with without government intervention. Her talks with victims of human rights violations are confidential and she is obliged to protect people she speaks with so that they will not be subjected to government reprisals after she leaves or during her visits. She does not do public debates with government officials but she will hold confidential meetings as well

Yellow...

From A4 Now, I get that Robredo doesn’t really have a job right now, since she has resigned from President Rodrigo’s Cabinet. But why on earth should she get all het up about the strife in Syria when she could by concerning herself with the problems besetting her countrymen here?

My own suspicion is that Robredo is running a full-time

dignity to human beings, and has no place in a civilized society. In addition, the CHR says that there are no studies which prove that the death penalty deters crime.

For the CHR, effective law enforcement and an efficient criminal justice system are the best deterrents against crime.

This proposal is echoed by local Catholic Church leaders.

The arguments raised by the CHR sound good, but they are devoid of legal substance. In fact, there is absolutely nothing in the Constitution which sustains the CHR’s position. A look at the pertinent provision of the Constitution will set the pace.

Section 19, Article III of the Charter states: “Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall the death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.

It will be readily gleaned from the text of Section 19 that although the imposition of cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment is explicitly prohibited, the same section allows Congress to impose the death penalty for heinous crimes. This clearly means that it was never the intention of the Constitution to consider the death penalty as a cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment.

Every freshman law student knows that when a particular act is explicitly allowed by the Constitution, it is impossible for that act to be considered unconstitutional. Therefore, since the Constitution allows Congress to impose the death penalty for heinous crimes, the death penalty cannot be unconstitutional.

It also means that the death penalty cannot be repugnant to any provision in the Constitution.

Thus, as far as the Constitution is concerned, the death penalty is not a cruel, degrading, or inhuman form of punishment, and the death penalty is not repugnant to any provision of the Constitution.

This effectively debunks the arguments of the CHR to the effect that the death penalty is an unconstitutional form of punishment, and that it violates provisions of the Constitution regarding human rights and dignity.

As for the argument that the death penalty has no place in a civilized society, suffice it to say that that’s a matter of opinion. The military establishment imposes the death penalty on erring soldiers. Does that make the military establishment uncivilized? Death sentences were carried out during the administrations of past presidents under the 1935 Constitution. Does that make those administrations uncivilized? On many occasions in the past, the Supreme Court upheld the death penalty imposed by lower courts on certain convicts. Does that make the justices of the high court uncivilized? Good grief!

Sure, the Philippines signed that protocol on the abolition of the death penalty, and the Constitution itself states that the Philippines adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land. That notwithstanding, it is a basic principle in constitutional law that an international protocol cannot prevail over a specific provision of the Constitution—like Section 19, Article III which allows the imposition of the death penalty.

Moreover, adopting international law as part of Philippine law does not necessarily mean that

international law automatically takes precedence over the Constitution.

The reason for the supremacy of the Constitution over an international protocol is obvious—the Constitution was ratified by the sovereign Filipino people; an international protocol signed by the Philippine government does have the same approval from the electorate.

While there may be no empirical data to show that the death penalty is an effective deterrent against crime, there is none to suggest that its abolition has reduced crime.

The proposition that effective law enforcement and an efficient criminal justice system are the best deterrents against crime is, at best, wishful thinking. Effective law enforcement only means that criminals will be caught and charged. On the other hand, an efficient criminal justice system only means crime will not go unpunished.

Both do not necessarily assure that nobody will commit crime.

Truth to tell, overpopulation contributes to criminality. A runaway increase in population translates to more unemployed people and, ultimately, to poverty. Desperation results, and desperation triggers crime because it is very difficult to be law-abiding when one is hungry and no meals are forthcoming.

Because the Philippines has a very serious population problem, the government is promoting a population control program. Unfortunately, the Roman Catholic Church is not helping out because it is against contraceptives.

The Church may not know it but by opposing population control, it tacitly condones criminality.

So much for the opposition to the death penalty.

with government officials. It is only at the end of her visit that she will present a debriefing or terminal report of the mission to government officials to get their feedback. She will also do a press briefing on the initial observations and recommendations she has after her debriefing session with government. Before she finally publishes her official country mission report she sends the government a copy of the draft for their comments. After she receives these comments she will finalise the report and present this before the UN Human Rights Council. This is the usual conduct of an official country mission and all governments should know this because they are sent the terms of reference on what a Special Procedures Mandate Holder can and cannot do.”

I have seen up close how these special rapporteurs work. Being the epitome of fairness, due process and professionalism, they always provide governments opportunities to clarify or respond to their findings. Although they are passionate individuals who feel strongly for human rights, I have never seen these individuals lose their cool and objectivity no matter the issues they have had to face, including downright resentment and hostility from the government and other interested groups threatened by their work. Their independence and objectivity are assured by the fact that they are not paid for this work. Only travel expenses and the usual diplomatic courtesies are provided by the United Nations to these extraordinary individuals.

Currently, there are around

three dozen of these Special Procedures Mandate Holders - Special Rapporteurs, Special Representatives, and Independent Experts, some with mandates for countries such as Burundi, Eritrea, Haiti, Cambodia, Sudan, Somalia, Myanmar North Korea, Iran and others with mandates on groups of people such as indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, children, human rights defenders, Judges and Lawyers, older persons, and internally displaced persons. There also individuals and working groups with mandates on issues as diverse as access to safe drinking water and sanitation, environment, education, free speech, contemporary forms of slavery, albinism, extreme poverty and human rights, violence against women, torture, right to privacy, freedom of religion, and of course the mandate Callamard holds, which is on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

Right now, there are four Filipinos who play are formally part of this global human rights system. They are: Vicky TauliCorpuz, Special Rapporteur on indigenous people’s rights; Cecilia Jimenez, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons; Virginia Bonoan Dandan, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; and, Ricardo Sunga III who chairs the UN Working Group on People of African Descent (the latter has been investigating and has concluded that human rights violations are committed in the United States in the shootings of unarmed African Americans, disproving the

accusation that only developing countries are being targeted by this innovative human rights system). I know all of these four Filipinos personally and they are truly to be admired and emulated. Our country should be proud of them and the fact that they were chosen is an honor for us as a country of great human rights defenders.

As for Callamard, the French UN Rapporteur in the hot seat now, her credential speaks for her competence, integrity and credibility. She is currently the Director of Columbia University Global Freedom of Expression, and before that spent nine years as the Executive Director of ARTICLE 19, the international human rights organization promoting freedom of expression globally. She once worked for Amnesty International (AI), leading its policy work and research on women’s human rights. According to the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights, “she has led human rights investigations in more than 30 countries and published extensively, in both English and French, on human rights, women’s rights, freedom of expression, refugee movements and the methodology of human rights investigation.

So lets get on with it and abide by the international law on human rights, let’s warmly welcome Callamard by adopting the usual terms of reference for special rapporteurs. It’s the right thing to do.

propaganda machinery that wants her to piggyback on every possible issue in true trapoYellow fashion, including the Aleppo situation. I also suspect that because it was a slow news day as far as slamming Duterte was concerned (the free college tuition and the proposed P1,000 social security pension increase were the big stories at the time), Robredo’s handlers had to look far afield to keep their client in the news pages; that’s how they ended up in Syria, making the VP solicit donations for the vic-

tims of the war there.

I have nothing against seeking more humanitarian aid for Aleppo, understand. But I have a problem with Robredo trying to look empathetic by asking for help for Syria when her own countrymen are also suffering—especially from the lack of assistance from their own government during the previous administration of which she was a part.

Robredo’s Aleppo call reminded me of that time in 2012 when Noynoy Aquino lent $1

billion to the International Monetary Fund to help stabilize the global economy in the middle of the Eurozone crisis. Never mind if, that early in his empathychallenged term, Aquino was already showing how little he cared for his own countrymen and how his high post was actually an imposition on him and his so-called love life.

“Tatak Aquino,” they used to say, self-admiringly. Well, the Yellow zombies who worship all things Aquino are still around – and in high office, no less.

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A6

News

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DSWD: Giving kids alms unsafe SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Monday reiterated her call on the public not to give alms to street children because that would only encourage them to continue begging in unsafe situations.

Instead of giving them alms, people can organize parties or gift-giving activities for these kids, which would be a lot safer than letting them hop from one public vehicle to another to beg, Taguiwalo said during the social welfare department’s Consultation Workshop on the Enhancement of Programs and Services for Children and Families at Risk on the Streets.

During the workshop, it was pointed out that street children are not aware of the danger of hopping from one jeepney to another so long as they get money from people and the only to solve this is not to give them alms at all.

Taguiwalo admitted that the problem is really huge and is linked to poverty, hence her department could not solve it alone.

This problem needs a serious and cohesive solution, she said.

“Actually the LGUs have the

immediate responsibility for these [children],” Taguiwalo said, calling for stronger coordination among local government units [LGUs], especially at the barangay level, and partners from various organizations.

The social welfare chief noted that barangay officials usually know these street children and their families, thus they can make the proper intervention to discourage them from begging on the streets.

She suggested that barangay officials hold activities that promote the street children’s physical and mental health, such as making lanterns and other Christmas decors, singing, dancing, and art contests, and where they could be fed and receive gifts from charitable organizations. This way, the community becomes a part of the solution, she said.

At least 58 activity centers have been set up and are assisted by non-governmental organizations, and the education department, for instance through its Kariton Klasroom Program in District 1, Barangay Malanday, Valenzuela City. PNA

SPREADING THE SPIRIT. Food attendants at a Manila food court try to spread some cheer to customers less than a week before Christmas. Ey Acasio

MMDA suspends coding

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HERE will be no number coding scheme for private vehicles on December 23 in anticipation of the holiday rush, the Metro Manila Development Authority announced on Monday.

MMDA acting chairman Thomas Orbos said his agency will also suspend the implementation of the scheme or the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program on December 29 in time for the celebration of Rizal Day. The move, according to Orbos,

was made following observation that people are going out of Metro Manila during these days to visit and be with relatives and families in the provinces during the holidays.

He said the UVVRP suspension will help the public to use their ve-

hicles to travel to their respective destinations outside the metropolis.

“These will afford them the opportunity to use their vehicles especially with provincial bus trips fully booked by this time,” Orbos said, adding that people have started flocking to bus terminals as early as Monday.

“Little by little the traffic measures and schemes strictly being implemented by member-government entities of the I-ACT [Interagency Council on Traffic] and the Metro Manila Council are being felt in easing traffic situation in

Metro Manila,” he said.

I-ACT is composed of MMDA, Naitonal Police and other agencies under the supervision of Department of Transportation.

The council recently limited the use of provincial buses plying a portion of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, particularly from Timog Avenue to P. Tuazon Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. in a bid to improve traffic flow in the area where provincial bus terminals are located.

I-ACT personnel have also started the strict implementation of the

Nose-in, Nose-Out Policy on provincial buses entering and exiting the bus terminals as not to cause traffic congestion along Edsa.

Earlier, the traffic council also lifted the Number Coding Scheme for provincial buses starting 1 p.m. of Dec. 22.

It also suspended the UVVRP for provincial buses on Dec. 23, 2016; Dec. 29, 2016; and Jan. 2, 2017.

MMDA records showed that the volume of vehicles plying Edsa is expected to further increase this holiday season.

Gas plant shutdown to increase power bills

By Alena Mae S. Flores

COCAINE BUST. Bicol regional police director Supt. Melvin Marlon Buenafe (seated, right) and other policemen present the 18 bricks of cocaine, worth some P100 million, that was found floating in waters off Tiwi, Albay. PNA

THE Energy Department on Monday assured the public it is preparing to minimize the impact of the impending 20-day shutdown of the Malampaya gas to power plant early next year.

Energy spokesman Felix William Fuentebella said the shutdown from January 28 to February 16 may have an impact on power supply that could trigger higher electricity prices.

Fuentebella said the department will pursue “coordination to ensure sufficiency” of supply during the affected period.

The Malampaya shutdown is seen to affect supply to three power plants namely Sta. Rita, San Lorenzo and Ilijan with a combined capacity of 2,700 MW. “There will be [price] simulation first. Then we will look into coordination, market and regulatory management,” he said.

Fuentebella said they will finalize projects but “no more than 2000 MW [of capacity] maximum worst case” shall be affected by the shutdown.

He said the department will hold a stakeholders meeting this coming Thursday to address all issues concerned.

State prosecutor absolved in administrative suit

By Rey E. Requejo THE Ombudsman absolved Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Severino H. Gaña Jr. of the Department of Justice of any liability arising from the administrative complaint filed against him by a litigant in 2012.

In a seven-page decision, copy of furnished the DOJ, the Ombudsman ruled that there is no substantial evidence to hold Gaña liable for grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The decision penned by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Fatima Kristine J. Franco-Ilao ordered the dismissal of

the complaint against the DOJ official.

“This Office finds no substantial evidence to demonstrate respondent’s use or misuse of authority, or transgression of some established rule of law nor a showing that respondent’s actions in the context they were made tarnished the image and integrity of his public service,” the decision approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Then Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima caused the filing of charges against Gaña.

The case arose from the administrative complaint filed by one Nuriza Abeja Jr., one of the respondents in an adultery

case filed before the Prosecutor’s Office of Makati City. The case was subsequently dismissed, but was elevated to the DOJ on a petition for review.

During the pendency of the petition, one of the office staff of Gaña—Mutya SantiagoTobes—allegedly informed Abeja that she could help fix the case for P300,000 until the price was lowered to P250,000.

On Aug. 17, 2012, Abeja reported the matter to then justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima, who referred her to the National Bureau of Investigation, which conducted an entrapment operation against Mutya.

An extortion case was filed against Mutya before the Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 54 but was eventually dismissed the same after granting her demurrer to evidence.

In his counter-affidavit, Gaña explained that he met Abeja, who introduced herself as a member of a Non-Governmental Organization affiliated with UNICEF, in one of the programs of the Anti-human Trafficking Task Force, which he headed in 2006 to 2011.

Gaña thought that Abeja’s visits were only by reason of their interactions in the programs, but never mentioned to him that she had a pending case on appeal before the DOJ.

IN BRIEF Fuel prices hiked by P0.70 DOMESTIC oil prices went up by as much as P0.70 per liter on Monday purportedly to reflect the movement in world oil prices last week.

The oil firms raised the price of diesel by P0.70 per liter, kerosene by P0.65 per liter and gasoline by P0.40 per liter.

Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, PTT Philippines and Flying V issued separate announcements of the increase, the fifth consecutive increase for gasoline and fourth for diesel and kerosene.

Other oil companies are expected to follow suit but have not made announcements as of press time.

Oil prices went up above $50 per barrel during the December 5 to December 9 trading days indicating that crude productiona cut organized by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other exporters has materialized, tightening a market that has been grappling with ballooning oversupply.

The Energy Department, in its latest monitoring, showed that oil prices also went up after OPEC and other exporters led by Russia over the weekend reached their first deal since 2001 to cut output by almost 1.8 million barrels per day to reduce in oversupply and prop up prices. Alena Mae S. Flores

CAAP probes death of pilot AVIATION authorities are investigating the case of a Cebu Pacific Airlines plane co-pilot who died after it landed in Cebu over the weekend.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines immediately formed a team from its Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board to check how the pilot Margarito Auza Austria Jr. died.

“They are now conducting an inquiry on the reported medical incident that transpired on Saturday December 17, 2016 at the Cebu–Mactan International Airport (CMIA) on board a Cebu Pacific flight 5J548 from Singapore bound for Cebu,” said CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

Apolonio said CAAP’s AAIIB investigators Harry Paradero and Rodrick Briones were immediately dispatched to Cebu to collect information to determine the cause of the incident.

Initial reports showed that flight 5J548 landed safely at CMIA at 9 am after Austria became incapacitated due to the sudden onset of a medical condition. Joel E. Zurbano

Sports

A7

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Spurs fete 5-time champ Tim L OS ANGELES—The scoreline in San Antonio read 113-100 on Sunday, but the number that really mattered to the Spurs was 21.

That’s the number that was raised to the rafters as the Spurs -- after downing the New Orleans Pelicans 113-100 -- celebrated the 19-year NBA career of power forward Tim Duncan, who led the team to five championships before retiring prior to this season.

“No Tim, no championships,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said, although that terse summing up was just part of the story told in a playful,

sometimes emotional postgame ceremony.

Current Spurs players and former Duncan teammates Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker paid tribute to a man they came to know as a friend as well as a teammate.

“He didn’t lead in the normal way -- there were no chest bumps,” Argentina’s Ginobili said. “Tim was our leader behind the scenes, in the hotel room or in the locker room out

of the public eye.”

Duncan, 40, departed the league having been named NBA finals Most Valuable Player three times and regular-season MVP twice.

The Spurs’ .710 winning percentage during Duncan’s tenure was the best 19-year stretch in NBA history and was the best in all of the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB over that time.

But Popovich said Duncan’s legacy extends beyond the gaudy numbers.

“I am proud to say to his mother and father, who have passed, that he is exactly the man now that he was when he walked in my door,” Popovich said.

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 22 points and Ginobili added a season-high 17 for the Spurs, who were determined not to let the Pelicans spoil Duncan’s night.

“We don’t want to come in and not win the game for Timmy or not have him be retired on a good night,” said guard Danny Green, who contributed nine points in the win.

Bradley Beal enjoyed another big night in Washington, scoring 41 points for the Wizards as they rallied for a 117-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Markieff Morris scored 23 points and John Wall added 18 points and 11 assists for the Wizards, who won their a third

straight game for the first time this season.

The Wizards overcame an 11-point second-half deficit in the second half and trailed the Clippers 102-95 midway through the fourth quarter.

Beal took full advantage of the Clippers’ defensive lapses as he notched his second 40-point game of the season.

Rookie center Joel Embiid scored a career-high 33 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

The 76ers snapped an eightgame home losing streak, winning for just the third time in their last 13 games. AFP

Teng no. 1 draft pick BARRING any hitches, AMA Online Education will select Jeron Teng as the top pick in the 2016 PBA D-League Draft on Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig City.

However, there’s still a lot of intriguing prospects for the Titans in the 128-man pool, which may sway their opinion in the draft proceeding set at 11 a.m.

ABL standout Jason Brickman emerges as the top candidate to be picked first if AMA does have a change of heart, while not far behind are solid prospects Monbert Arong of FEU, Jom Sollano of Letran, and Mac Tallo of Southwestern University.

Tanduay will be more than happy to get the next best possible talent at no. 2, followed by Racal at three.

At fourth, Cafe France will first select its new players from its Centro Escolar University core for the first three rounds before being allowed to make its selection from the rookie pool.

Wangs Basketball will make their pick at five.

Before the draft selection, league newcomers will first engage in a lottery to determine their placing in the draft order.

School-based sides Cignal-San Beda, Jose Rizal University, and Manuel L. Quezon University will first pick their varsity players before being eligible to bolster their roster from the pool, while Province of Batangas is seeking to select a pure Batangueño lineup from the field.

The 10th squad, Blustar Malaysia, will not participate in the draft due to its status as a guest team Rookies picked are expected to see action for their respective squads in the new season, starting at the 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup which will open on January 19 next year.

So...

From A7

Kramnik went on to claim the $40,000 purse at third place.

Overall, the 23-year-old So finished with a total of 36 points as he also formally clinched the overall crown (worth $100,000) in the four-leg Grand Chess Tour.

The win gave him a total purse of $295,000, with Nakamura behind with 24.5 points and a total cash bonanza of $144,166.

Caruana emerged third overall with 23.75 points and $108,750 in earnings.

“This is definitely my best achievement ever,” said So in an interview with Chess.com.

In the live chess ratings of 2700chess.com, So climbed to no. 4 after beating FIDE’s no. 19, Englishman Mickey Adams in Round 2. So now has an unofficial ELO rating of 2807.7 at no. 4, with Carlsen in the lead with 2840, followed by Caruana (2828) and Kramnik (2811). Peter Atencio

MIGHTY SPORTS VOLLEYBALL. Mighty Sports Apparel executive Jean Alabanza (center) joins Philippine Volleyball Federation president Edgardo “Tito Boy” Cantada and participants of the Mighty Sports High School Beach Volleyball Challenge first leg, which culminates over the weekend at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City. The Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws won the boys’ division, while University of Perpetual Help Systems Biñan claimed the girls’ diadem. Cantada is elated over the overwhelming response to the first formally organized high school beach volleyball event, which attracts participant from 28 teams. This is part of the PVF’s grassroots development thrust.

Olympic showjumping gold medallist Nick Skelton in the public vote with the results announced at a ceremony in Birmingham.

“Actually, I’ve got a bone to pick with my wife (Kim) because about an hour ago she told me she’d voted for Nick Skelton. Not smart from her with Christmas coming up,” said Murray who was presented with his trophy at his Miami training base by former world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis.

Murray, who also won

the award in 2013 and 2015, added: “I’d like to thank everyone who voted -- I really appreciate your support.

“Also I’d like to thank my family. I think my mum is in the crowd there (in Birmingham). I’d like to thank my dad as as well, who just got married 10 days ago.

“A huge thanks to my wife and my daughter (Sophia) -- she won’t know what this means yet, but maybe in a few years she will.”

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri was named

GM Wang Hao of China slammed the title door on GM Mark Paragua with a crushing 42-move win of a Sicilian to rule the Philippine Sports Commission-Puregold International Chess Challenge at the Subic Bay Peninsular Hotel Sunday night.

The top-seeded Wang emerged the solo champion with seven points five days after he also scored seven in reigning supreme in the first of this two-leg chess series sponsored by the PSC, Burlington, Marc Adventures Mining Inc. and Puregold less than week ago.

Half a point behind at solo second spot was fourth seed GM Pevan Pantsulaia of Georgia, who overtook sixth pick GM Vladislav Kovalev of Belarus with a 64-move triumph of a Reti Opening.

Kovalev dropped to a share of No. 3 with second seed GM Anton Demchenko of Russia and seventh pick GM Merab Gagunashvili, who settled for a quick 13-move draw of a Ruy Lopez, with six points each.

Paragua, for his part, ended up in a four-man pack at No. 6 with 5.5 points alongside GMs Kirill Stupakof Belarus, Mikheil Mchedlishvili of Georgia and Boris Savchenko of Russia.

Stupak trounced IM Abhimanyu Puranik of India in 40 moves of a Caro-kann while Mchedlishvili and Savchenko battled to a long 71-move deadlock of a Queen’s Indian Defense.

Antique to host Palaro for 1st time

Murray voted BBC Sports’ Personality of the Year LONDON—Andy Murray was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time on Sunday despite his wife telling him she was voting for one of his rivals.

The 29-year-old Murray capped a memorable year in which he claimed his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles, deposed Novak Djokovic as world number one and became a father for the first time.

He beat two-time Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee and

Chinese GM bags Subic title

coach of the year after guiding the Foxes to the Premier League title. Leicester, 5,000-1 to lift the trophy at the start of last season, were also voted team of the year.

Michael Phelps received the lifetime achievement award after winning five Olympic golds in Rio, taking his total to 23 gold and 28 medals in total.

American teenage gymnast Simone Biles was named Overseas Sports Personality of the Year for her four gold medals and bronze in Rio. AFP

ANTIQUE will host for the first time the 2017 Palarong Pambansa from April 23 to 27.

Officials of the Department of Education said this after they changed the original date, which was supposed to be from April 10 to 16.

Changes were made after it was learned their schedule will coincide with the Holy Week from April 9 to 15.

The hosts formed a steering committee that will direct the course to be taken by the Province of Antique in hosting the Games.

The committee will also oversee priority preparations of Antique as host.

Undersecretary Alberto Muyot, Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua and Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali, will assist in enabling the provincial government to achieve the necessary preparations in the conduct of competitions and the provision of secure and accessible billeting quarters, among others. Peter Atencio

Chua, Del Rosario: PBF gives new hope for bowling FOR national players Kenneth Chua and Liza Del Rosario, the newly formed Philippine Bowling Federation provides a new hope and motivation for all aspiring bowlers to excel and bring back the country’s glorious days in the sport.

Chua, 25, just won the inaugural 2016 PBF National Bowling Open Championship men’s open masters recently at the Coronado Lanes in Star Mall Mandaluyong City in Shaw Boulevard after beating Jomar Jumapao through a best-ofthree game stepladder finals with a score of 214-167, 177-200, 220-176.

“I’m very happy, proud and thankful to be champion of the first PBF National Open Championships. At the same time, we expect more exposures and new tournaments abroad from the new PBF. We are happy that the needs of the Philippine team are also now being prioritized,” said Chua.

The De La Salle University com-

puter engineering graduate, who is coached by Madoka Amano, qualified in the stepladder finals by placing second in the elimination round with 2921 total pin falls. Jumapao topped the elimination with 2956, while Merwin Tan placed third with 2882.

Chua beat Tan in the first stepladder finals, 210-187, before dispatching Jumapao in the second stepladder finals to capture the men’s singles masters of the competition organized by PBF. “Through the help of national head coach Paeng Nepomuceno, coach Biboy Rivera, coach Jojo Canare and former world champion Bong Coo, there is hope for all aspiring bowlers to excel internationally once again,” said Chua.

Del Rosario believes the bowling sport in the country could become a source of gold medals once again because of the PBF. Del Rosario, a long time national player, also copped the ladies’ masters open

title with a 179-160, 172-201, 202163 win over Liza Clutario during their second stepladder finals duel.

“With the new PBF, we are expecting to bring back the glory days of bowling,” said Del Rosario.

“But it needs hard work and determination. With everyone working together, I believe we can be the best team again and discover potential great bowlers.”

The other singles champions of the first national open championship were Enzo Marquez and Joyce Abad (men’s and women’s graded masters); John Paul Go and Grace Gella (men’s and women’s associate masters); and Grace Gella and Kenzo Umali (boys’ and girls’ youth 16-and-under).

In the senior men’s masters, Ramil Bonus won the title while former world champion Bong Coo took the senior ladies’ masters.

The PBF is a member of the Asian Bowling Federation and World Bowling.

Men’s masters open champion Kenneth Chua (center) is shown with (from left) Bong Coo, first runner-up Jomar Jumapao, second runner-up Merwin Tan and Alex Lim.

Adamson wins secondary schools cage title ADAMSON became the first UAAP team to win the Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship crown by dethroning Chiang Kai Shek College, 96-85, behind another wellbalanced attack Sunday at the SGS gym in Quezon City.

With rookie Florencio Serrano waxing hot, the Baby Falcons made a decisive run in the second frame before lowering the boom in the payoff period to dispatch the Blue Dragons The Adamson Baby Falcons celebrate after winning the PSSBC and capture the 5th MEC Networks title with a huge win over Chiang Kai Shek College, 96-85.

Cup dubbed as “Battle of Champions.”

The leading scorer in the UAAP after the first round, the cat-quick Serrano awed his defenders with a mixture of devastating jumpers to finish with 20 points aside from posting 8 rebounds, four assists and a block in just 25 minutes of action.

For producing another all-around performance, the 5-foot-11 Serrano was named the Finals MVP aside from leading the Mythical Selection that included teammate Gerry Abadiano, La Salle Greenhills’ Troy Mallilin, Mapua’s Rom Junsay and Chiang

Kai Shek’s Jonas Tibayan.

Aside from the championship trophy, Adamson got the P50,000 top prize from PSSBC officials, led by MEC Network owner Leoncio Chua and Eduard Tio. “The Baby Falcons I’m sure will have a memorable Christmas this time. They are really good,” said Chua.

Meantime, reigning NCAA titlist Mapua clinched third by downing La Salle-Greenhills, 80-69, big thanks to little-court general Junsay, who finished with 28 points, including four triples.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

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

A8

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

Sports

So scores twin-kill

G

RANDMASTER Wesley So, playing the white pieces, removed a threatening passed pawn on the 35th move and forced a draw with French GM Maxime Vachier Lagrave Sunday to formally claim the 2016 London Chess Classic title.

Lagrave could no longer threaten So’s active king at queenside when action ended after nine rounds at the Olympia Conference Centre in West Kensington.

Both were left with two pawns and neither had an advantage at endgame, allowing the former Filipino chesser, who is now representing the United States, to finish with six points and earn

the $75,000 top purse.

GM Fabiano Caruana halved the point with GM Anish Giri in 54 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Accepted as he settled for the $50,000 second prize pot after he tallied 5.5 points in second place.

GM Vladimir Kramnik also played a drawish match with Indian GM Viswanathan Anand in 24 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined. Kramnik and Anand settled for a three-way tie from third to fifth with 5 points with Hikaru Nakamura.

Turn to A7

Runas eyes big finish at ladies’ meet FIL-AM Demi Runas braces for a spirited battle for top honors against the cream of the local pro crop and the best from the Taiwan LPGA Tour in the $80,000 ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters which fires off Wednesday at the Alabang Country Club in Muntinlupa.

Runas, a former LPGA Tour campaigner, is making her first stint on the local circuit with the 24-year-old shotmaker, who was born and raised in the US and traces her roots to La Union and Cavite, gunning for no less than a crown in the 54-hole championship serving as the final leg of the Taiwan LPGA Tour and the ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

“Being a former LPGA Tour campaigner, she’s good. But the field is tough with so many strong players, especially from the Taiwan LPGA Tour,” said The Country Club coach Bong Lopez, who handles a slew of players vying in the event sponsored by ICTSI and co-organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and TLPGA. The 5-6 Runas rallied from No. 15 to No. 9 with a strong finish in the last tournament of the Symetra Tour to earn an LPGA card for 2015 although it was not the rookie season she had wanted it to be, she still hoped her struggles would help her toughen up in future tournaments.

That includes this week’s event where she will be pitted against the likes of Korean Lee Jeong Hwa, who swept the first two legs of the Taiwan LPGA and ICTSI LPGT at Splendido and Southwoods last March, along with current TLPGA Order of Merit frontrunner Lin Tzu-chi and veteran Thai campaigners and former LPGT winners Wannasiri Sirisampant Wannasiri Sirisampant, Saruttaya Ngam-usawan and Amolkan Phalajivin.

Dottie Ardina, who regained her LPGA Tour card with a strong finish in the recent LPGA Qualifying Final Stage, will banner the local challenge along with Princess Superal, Mia Piccio and Cyna Rodriguez, who like Runas, will be campaigning in next year’s Symetra Tour after falling short in the LPGA Q-School.

Meanwhile, the leading pros test the Alabang layout in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am where they will be paired with officials and guests of the event’s chief backers, including Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Sharp, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Champion, TaylorMade, Ping, Yamaha and Pacsports.

Boyet back as SBC coach BOYET Fernandez is back as head coach of the San Beda Red Lions.

Fernandez returns to the Lions some two years after he steered the school to backto-back men’s basketball titles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

He was reappointed Sunday night following talks with top sports patron and MVP Group of Companies’ head Manny V. Pangilinan and San Beda rector president Fr. Aloysius Maranan, OSB. The Red Lions took home titles in 2013 and 2014 when Fernandez took over from Ronnie Magsanoc in 2013.

“We want him (Fernandez) from the start,” said San Beda’s board representative Jose Mari Lacson, who added that after consulting with the school president (Maranan), Pangilinan confirmed the appointment of Fernandez as new Red Lions head coach, Fernandez, who is coming off a coaching stint with Pangilinan’s NLEX team in the PBA, takes over the position Jamike Jarin left last week.

Jarin is set to coach the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP. Fernandez will also handle the CignalSan Beda squad participating in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League early next year. Peter Atencio

NFA to accredit more rice outlets nationwide B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

B1

IN BRIEF Car firms see 2017 as challenging year A GROUP of carmakers said it expects 2017 to be a challenging year, following record sales in 2016.

“We’ll be coming from a high base.

2016 was a good year. We have not set definite goals for the sector yet, but we are hoping that sales will continue to grow in 2017,” said Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. president Rommel Gutierrez.

The local automotive sector has posted record sales since 2012, on improving purchasing power of Filipinos and various promotions offered by car companies.

Industry data showed that November sales grew 22.2 percent to 32,966 units from 26,979 units in the same month in 2015.

“The good sales performance last November was because of enticing promotions and events matched with good demands of our market. With the robust demand, especially this Christmas season, we expect a stable to higher sales by December,” said Gutierrez.

Automotive sales of both Campi and the Truck Manufacturers Association reached 325,468 units in the first 11 months, up by 24.3 percent from 261,930 units a year earlier. Othel V. Campos

Anscor sells Cebu property for P397m PERA LAUNCH. Bank of the Philippine Islands makes the Personal Equity and Retirement Account available to a limited number of existing BPI clients. PERA is a personal

retirement account which encourages personal and voluntary savings for one’s retirement. Shown during the PERA launch at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas are (from left) Land Bank president Alex Buenaventura, Rep. Arthur Yap, Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Teresita Herbosa, Senator Sonny Angara, PERA author and former senator Edgardo Angara, Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Bureau of Internal Revenue deputy commissioner Lanee David, BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing, BDO president Nestor Tan and RCBC president Gil Buenaventura.

BoP position swings to deficit

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE balance of payments swung to a deficit in the first 11 months, pulling down the value of the peso to a near eight-year low, amid a record trade deficit this year.

Data from Bangko Sentral showed the BoP, which reflects the country’s transactions with the rest of the world, posted a deficit of $206 million in January to November, a turnaround from the $2.136-billion surplus a year ago.

The country incurred a record merchandise trade deficit of

nearly $20 billion in the first 10 months, as imports continued to outgrow exports. Merchandise trade is the largest component of BoP. Bangko Sentral said the BoP yielded a deficit of $1.671 billion in November, the biggest shortfall in nearly three years, amid the volatility in the global financial

markets triggered by the uncertainty in the US Federal Reserve policy tightening and the unexpected result of the recent US presidential election.

The November deficit was bigger than the $141-million deficit a year ago and the $183-million deficit in October.

It was also the biggest monthly BoP deficit since the $4.48-billion shortfall in January 2014, when foreign capital flowed out of emerging markets, including the Philippines, in reaction to global developments, especially the start of the US Federal Reserve tapering.

BoP summarizes the country’s economic transactions with the

rest of the world, with a deficit indicating that foreign exchange payments outstrip inflows.

Persistent BoP surpluses help build up the country’s gross international reserves, an ample supply of which helps prop up the peso against the US dollar and keep domestic inflation at bay.

The peso closed at 49.96 against the greenback Monday, near an eight-year low.

Bangko Sentral earlier revised downward the BoP target this year to a surplus of $500 million from the previous assumption of $2-billion surplus on lower global growth outlook and uncertainty in the US Federal Reserve

policy tightening.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said other factors considered for the lower BOP projection were the possible impact of US President Donald Trump’s policies on global trade, reduced concerns on China’s near-term prospects, gradual recovery in oil prices and favorable domestic growth prospects.

“The last quarter of 2016 is particularly challenging. There are lots of unexpected developments in the financial markets... some are unexpected. That is why there are region-wide depreciation in currencies,” Guinigundo said in a news briefing last week.

SM Prime opens 7th shopping mall in China

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM PRIME Holdings Inc., one of the leading leading integrated property companies in Southeast Asia, held a soft opening for SM City Tianjin, its seventh shopping mall in China on Saturday.

SM Prime said in disclosure to the stock exchange SM Tianjin became the company’s biggest mall in China so far with a gross floor area of 565,000 square meters.

The mall is currently 60-percent leased out to various tenants including Dadi IFree Cinema, Bravo Yonghui Supermarket, Jiawen, FTZ Korea World, Decathlon, Acasia Food Court and Watsons. It also features a kidfriendly Exploreum, wellness tenants, a skating rink and 8,110 parking slots for the shoppers.

“The opening of SM City Tianjin reflects our strong confidence on Chi-

na’s economy. This gives SM Prime a wider perspective on China’s shopping culture, allowing us to capture bigger opportunities as an international integrated property developer,” SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

SM Prime said it continued to expand in China as consumer spending growth in the world’s second largest economy remained strong.

China’s consumption grew from around $650 billion in 2000 to $1.4 trillion in 2010, creating the largest consumer market in the world. China’s consumption has been growing faster than any other country’s in absolute terms.

SM City Tianjin is located within the Tianjin Airport Economic Area at the emerging Binhai New Area, the largest free trade zone in Northern China and a thriving central business district where international corporations in logistics and financial services are setting up offices.

An artist perspective of SM City Tianjin.

LISTED holding company A. Soriano Corp. said its board approved the sale of a 2,336-square-meter lot in Cebu City for P397.1 million.

Anscor said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed a deal for the sale of Cebu Business Park lot in Barangay Mabolo to Cebu-based property developer Skyrise Realty and Development Corp.

Anscor said the sale, which was done via 100-percent owned unit Uptown Kamputhaw Holdings Inc., would enable the company to realize investments in the property.

The transaction cost was based on the market value of the property.

Skyrise Realty has been building IT buildings, catering to business process outsourcing companies. It is the builder of four commercial buildings at Cebu IT Park, known as Skyrise buildings and the 12-story Skyrise Alpha that will host several BPO companies, including a large multinational financial institution. Jenniffer B. Austria

BDO launches children account BDO Unibank Inc. advised parents to teach their children the value of saving by gifting them with a BDO Junior Savers account this Christmas.

Children with ages 0 to 12 years can open a BDO Junior Savers account and get a free BDO Junior Savers ID card for as low as P100 in initial deposit. Kids from 7 to 12 years old may opt to get a BDO ATM debit card instead of a BDO Junior Savers ID card.

To help boost the child’s initial savings, parents may opt to auto-transfer their funds from their existing BDO Savings Account to the child’s BDO Junior Savers Account.

The bank said to open a BDO Junior Savers account under the child’s name, parents just need to go the nearest BDO branch and present copies (including the original copy for verification) of any of the following: passport, school ID signed by the principal or school head or birth certificate issued by the local civil registry or the Philippine Statistics Authority.

BDO Unibank and 11 other banks are staunch supporters of the Kiddie Account Program jointly promoted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines.

PSE COMPOSITE 8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

6,714.13 136.58

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing DECEMBER 19, 2016 43.00 45.40 46.60 47.80

P49.960

49.00

Govt taps AIIB to fund two projects WESM expects power rates falling next year PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has tapped a China-backed multilateral lender to help fund his government’s “unprecedented infrastructure buildup,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said Monday, as he seeks closer relations with Beijing.

The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank has been viewed by some as a rival to the World Bank and the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank.

Duterte has vowed to boost spending to address crumbling infrastructure, saying he would seek funds from China as he pivots his nation’s foreign policy away from traditional ally the United States.

Dominguez said he met with AIIB president Jin Liqun in Manila last week, who confirmed the lender would fund two projects.

“The Philippines’ membership to the AIIB would provide the government another source of long-term funding ... for the

Duterte administration’s unprecedented infrastructure buildup,” Dominguez said in a statement.

Duterte, 71, increasingly turned to China for loans and aid as he took exception to United States criticism of his drug war that has killed thousands.

Over the weekend Duterte attacked Washington for deferring aid because of human rights concerns over his anti-crime crackdown.

“Eat your aid and we will survive. I’ll go to China,” he said.

Jin said the AIIB would provide loans for a Manila flood management project and a bus rapid transit system in the capital, according to the statement.

The P23-billion Manila flood control project would be cofinanced with the World Bank, while the P37-billion bus system, which includes construction of 63 stations, would be partly funded by the ADB, the statement added.

“We are all very eager to finalize the infrastructure projects ...

This time, we are very happy we can really talk about something to do in your country,” Jin said.

“Compared to ADB and World Bank, it will take less than half a year in AIIB to process loans,” Jin said.

He said AIIB would also offer technical assistance to less developed countries.

The Philippines under the government of then president Benigno Aquino joined the AIIB last year despite conflicting territorial claims with Beijing over the South China Sea. Duterte signed the treaty in October and the Senate this month approved its ratification.

The Philippines is among 57 members of the AIIB, with China the largest shareholder with 30 percent.

“Achieving full membership in the AIIB is a significant milestone.

Completing our domestic procedures for ratification puts us in solidarity with 56 other countries,” Dominguez said. With AFP, Gabrielle H. Binaday

INDEX

Closing December 19, 2016

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHILIPPINE Electricity Market Corp., the operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, expects power rates to sustain a downtrend next year, after settlement prices plunged to a five-year low last month.

PEMC president Melinda Ocampo told reporters that effective settlement spot prices at WESM, the country’s trading floor of electricity, hit a fiveyear low of P2.27 per kilowatthour in November.

“Hopefully, [prices will decline given] the fact that there are now a lot of generators. And then for January to February, because there is less demand,” Ocampo said, when asked whether the low WESM prices would spill over to 2017.

Spot market prices refer to the average rates paid by wholesale

customers for energy purchased from the spot market. The November price is the lowest since 2011 when it also reached P2.27 per kWh. “Such a sharp decline in market prices is welcome as long as wholesale customers like distribution utilities pass on the historically low market prices to their end users,” Ocampo said.

“The decrease in WESM prices was driven by higher energy volume offers in the market and cooler temperature,” she said.

Customers sourced 19 percent of their power supply requirements in the spot market during the November billing month, the highest since March 2009.

Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor, sourced 23 percent of its power requirements from WESM in November.

CLOSE

HIGH P49.880 LOW P49.975 AVERAGE P49.930 VOLUME 310.600M

P430.00-P661.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.40-P44.10 Unleaded Gasoline P25.75-P29.32 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, December 19, 2016

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.9020

Japan

Yen

0.008478

0.4231

UK

Pound

1.247800

62.2677

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128773

6.4260

Switzerland

Franc

0.974279

48.6185

Canada

Dollar

0.749738

37.4134

Singapore

Dollar

0.692137

34.5390

Australia

Dollar

0.729600

36.4085

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

132.3626

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266624

13.3051

Brunei

Dollar

0.689750

34.4199

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.027957

1.3951

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.5877

Euro

Euro

1.043700

52.0827

Korea

Won

0.000844

0.0421

China

Yuan

0.143864

7.1791

India

Rupee

0.014741

0.7356

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.223439

11.1501

New Zealand

Dollar

0.697800

34.8216

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031211

1.5575 Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market slumps; DMCI advances PLDT investing P2b S in hybrid fiber system TOCKS fell for a third day, dragging down the benchmark index to a nine-month low on concerns over China-US tensions and Federal Reserve’s signal of three interest rate hikes next year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, tumbled 136 points, or 2 percent, to close at 6,714.13 Monday. It was also down 3.4 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, dropped 59 points, or 1.4 percent, to settle at 4,099.65, on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 135 to 61, while 33 issues were unchanged.

Five of the six sectoral indices declined, with only services

posting a slight gain. Among the 20 most active issues, only four ended in the green, led by DMCI Holdings Inc. which climbed 2.3 percent to P13.20 and Manila Electric Co. which rose 0.7 percent to P259.20.

Megawide Construction Corp. gained 0.4 percent to P14.98, while Globe Telecom Inc. added 0.3 percent to close at P1,430.

Meanwhile, Asian equities also traded lower Monday, tracking a sell-off on Wall Street that came after it emerged China had seized an unmanned US sea

survey probe from international waters in the South China Sea. Thursday’s move raised geopolitical concerns as Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House having hit out at Beijing in recent weeks over several issues from Taiwan to trade.

Last week the dollar soared after the Fed lifted borrowing costs and hinted at three more next year— surprising many who had priced in two—as it prepares for steeper price rises if Trump makes good on promises for tax cuts and big infrastructure spending.

But in early exchanges Monday the greenback was down against the yen, euro and pound while emerging market currencies— which were hammered by a flight of cash to the dollar—were also up.

“I can’t see the dollar index in a sustained rally—two rate hikes are priced into fed funds futures, and a lot of expectation is built into Trump’s policies,” Janu Chan, a senior economist at St. George Bank in Sydney, told Bloomberg News.

“On the other side of the equation, the [European Central Bank] and [Bank of Japan] are not likely to ramp up monetary stimulus anymore. Profit-taking is most likely behind current US dollar weakness, but it’s possible it’s also due to geopolitical concerns on the reports that China seized the US drone.”

On stock markets Japan’s Nikkei went into the break in negative territory, putting it on course for a first loss after nine successive gains. With AFP, Bloomberg

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said Monday it is spending P2 billion over a threeyear period to roll out advanced hybrid fiber technologies that can deliver super-fast broadband service through regular phone lines in buildings and residences.

The country’s largest telecom company said the deployment would follow the successful trials of two advanced hybrid fiber technologies, one by KT Corp. (formerly known as Korea Telecom) called “GiGa Wire” and the

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.7 67,000 47.7 2,800 85.9 1,669,320 3.75 24,000 108 3,466,090 1.56 267,000 37.9 133,600 16.38 1,000 18.8 186,800 810 10 0.6 4,415,000 70.05 4,873,610 0.78 50,000 14.04 6,900 55 770 240 6,710 128.5 170 90 990 34.95 77,800 194.5 308,090 1,686 5 74.6 13,810 1.25 30,000

251,130 133,675 144,350,687 90,000 375,581,860 391,280 5,070,790 16,402 3,515,312 8,100 2,672,530 344,994,889.50 38,200 96,876 42,392.50 1,626,246 20,825 89,141 2,722,785 59,990,505 8,430 1,030,615 37,720

-86,393,267 -58,350,125 -9,840 861,426.00 -8,100 -1,029,090 -160,984,503 -545.5 -1,601,266 -1,543,350.00 -31,449,224 738,916.50 -

42.7 4.17 0.88 1.22 18.22 0.19 11.4 16.76 22.35 20.15 58.5 90 130 1.87 6.64 11.98 11.52 5.9 6.99 4.99 22 67.9 16 6.04 1.69 193.2 76.05 2.67 29.5 23.8 14.92 258.8 0.241 5 3.38 10.1 3.38 11.32 2.04 5.75 1.35 69 5 228.6 4.76 2.19 2.72 11.88 4.54 0.141 1.48 157.1 4.69 1.45 1.1

INDUSTRIAL 43 2,153,900 4.27 608,000 0.88 147,000 1.24 2,079,000 18.78 9,200 0.192 140,000 11.4 2,456,000 16.82 1,322,000 23.2 205,500 20.15 900 58.5 40,200 90 300 130 10 1.89 140,000 6.64 490,400 11.98 49,700 11.52 2,371,400 5.94 372,400 7.15 620,100 5 11,883,300 22.4 496,900 67.9 326,300 16 91,200 6.05 467,100 1.69 33,000 195 1,259,390 76.05 190 2.71 101,000 29.6 1,611,900 25 537,300 14.98 6,766,500 259.2 412,330 0.241 110,000 5.07 281,300 3.38 109,000 10.26 758,000 3.61 8,000 11.32 18,800 2.06 2,592,000 5.75 517,400 1.37 38,000 69.6 797,570 5.05 5,364,600 230 3,420 4.78 201,000 2.19 163,000 2.72 5,000 11.98 7,482,500 4.54 165,000 0.141 520,000 1.48 69,000 157.1 1,946,560 4.69 2,000 1.46 2,428,000 1.1 25,000

92,504,415 2,576,230 129,600 2,599,220 170,314 26,690 28,607,624 22,253,970 4,766,425 18,900 2,351,700 27,470 1,300 262,980 3,329,321 596,746 27,791,240 2,216,029 4,354,617 59,622,553 11,041,370 22,184,389.50 1,462,094 2,827,965 56,550 248,461,913 14,449.50 273,770 47,688,120 13,185,510 101,329,936 107,139,492 26,650 1,416,948 369,840 7,759,318 28,020 212,816 5,354,110 2,990,104 52,380 55,497,019.50 27,030,523 786,356 960,810 356,970 13,610 89,706,998 750,240 73,560 102,150 307,461,701 9,380 3,594,860 27,500

-52,573,055 975,200.00 -1,616,510 18,659,120 2,565,234 -232,830 -1,300 -13,090 11,864,218 -1,366,164 -635,160 -35,302,517 -813,975 9,101,770.50 1,011,382 2,216,244 -159,308,106 -30,522,805 -9,256,910 96,480,010 569,530 145,320 -3,076,446 151,010 -10,860 30,763,750 24,575,005 425,556 420,370.00 4,080,402 45,500 2,860.00 -30,019,474 -131,470 -

0.54 74 12.9 5.99 0.31 732 8.81 13.4 8.12 5.74 0.182 1,219 6.1 69.25 1.39 7.79 13.1 6.4 0.038 1.91 99.7 650 1.19 261.8 0.305 0.195 0.255

0.495 72.5 12.62 5.91 0.31 720.5 8.49 12.9 7.9 5.5 0.182 1,189 6.1 67.05 1.3 7.55 12.74 6.1 0.037 1.91 95 630 1.19 258.8 0.285 0.195 0.255

HOLDING FIRMS 0.495 8,666,000 72.6 1,294,880 12.66 6,656,200 5.99 5,800 0.31 530,000 727.5 346,220 8.53 553,400 13.2 8,707,400 7.9 84,100 5.74 1,200 0.182 10,000 1,195 106,720 6.1 800 68 2,165,810 1.32 4,678,000 7.79 2,991,300 13 3,750,800 6.13 24,198,900 0.038 16,400,000 1.91 1,000 95 200,180 637 203,530 1.19 2,000 259 21,060 0.305 1,620,000 0.195 10,000 0.255 1,040,000

4,328,720 94,021,871.50 84,445,360 34,582 164,300 251,765,925 4,726,262 115,100,944 664,572 6,744 1,820 127,850,665 4,880 147,330,049 6,284,380 23,144,681 48,638,478 149,352,673 607,200 1,910 19,393,012.50 129,481,375 2,380 5,470,420 488,600 1,950 265,200

-255,000 -41,018,579.50 -9,234,516 13,494,260 1,366,054 -2,564,538 -29,751,350 -64,258,923.50 28,980 -7,566,848 26,828,862 -40,473,413 2,091,024 -66,347,590 -2,588 -

7.8 1.12 6.99 2.12 0.495 32 3.11 0.57 1.1 1.5 0.154 0.56 37.8 0.71 0.144 1.71 1.01 1.3 3.5 0.145 0.4

7.15 1.08 6.1 2.1 0.46 30.8 3.02 0.55 1.06 1.44 0.151 0.53 36.9 0.69 0.133 1.67 0.99 1.27 3.3 0.136 0.4

1,268,830 398,740 183,849 1,346,280 6,338,750 347,386,810 12,391,480 3,075,080 242,390 1,567,260 65,160 3,395,400 7,662,480 14,000 81,740 5,059,470 4,068,180 1,033,060 103,355,420 1,572,020 40,000

230,017 -640,500 -65,294,240 669,810 80,120 195,000 1,540 -1,148,160 -373,860 14,740 -4,970,430 128,700 -7,800 -40,170,880 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK VANTAGE

3.7 47.95 90.2 3.75 111 1.57 38 16.48 18.9 810 0.62 74 0.76 14.04 54.55 253 120 90.5 35.05 199 1,686 75 1.27

3.8 47.95 90.2 3.75 111.3 1.58 38.05 16.48 19 810 0.62 74 0.78 14.04 55.7 253 128.5 90.5 35.05 199.5 1,686 75 1.27

3.7 47.7 85.9 3.75 107 1.39 37.7 16.38 18.8 810 0.6 70.05 0.76 14.04 54.55 240 120 90 34.95 193.1 1,686 74.45 1.25

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PHX SEMICNDCTR PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

43 4.27 0.89 1.3 18.22 0.191 11.8 17 23.2 21.4 58.5 92.5 130 1.89 6.89 12.38 11.88 6.22 7 5.17 22.45 69 16.5 6.09 1.74 205 76.05 2.67 29.95 24.8 14.92 260 0.255 5.03 3.41 10.28 3.38 11.32 2.06 5.75 1.35 69.9 5.06 229.6 4.78 2.19 2.73 12.24 4.56 0.141 1.5 159.5 4.69 1.53 1.1

43 4.3 0.89 1.3 18.88 0.192 11.8 17 23.2 21.5 58.5 92.5 130 1.9 7.07 12.38 11.88 6.22 7.15 5.17 22.6 69 16.5 6.09 1.74 205.8 76.05 2.72 29.95 25 15.14 262 0.255 5.08 3.42 10.28 3.61 11.32 2.1 5.78 1.4 69.9 5.19 230 4.8 2.19 2.73 12.24 4.56 0.143 1.5 160.1 4.69 1.54 1.1

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.52 74 12.9 5.99 0.31 732 8.81 12.94 8.12 5.5 0.182 1,210 6.1 69.25 1.37 7.68 13.1 6.32 0.037 1.91 99.7 635.5 1.19 258.8 0.285 0.195 0.255

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP 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 MRC ALLIED PHIL REALTY

7.15 1.09 6.12 2.1 0.47 31.8 3.08 0.56 1.1 1.48 0.152 0.55 37.6 0.71 0.144 1.71 1.01 1.27 3.47 0.145 0.4

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

3.26 30.5 25.95 1.5 3.28 28.7 1.16 7 0.89 5

3.3 30.5 27 1.55 3.28 28.7 1.23 7 0.9 5

3.23 30.5 25.6 1.48 3.28 27.2 1.15 7 0.88 4.91

3.29 30.5 26.1 1.5 3.28 27.2 1.15 7 0.88 4.98

436,000 2,700 1,556,300 291,000 6,000 11,342,400 18,721,000 2,000 1,695,000 6,518,300

1,424,830 82,350 40,360,140 436,090 19,680 312,126,615 22,125,950 14,000 1,493,370 32,427,636

-16,250 3,059,885 145,870 23,695,875 -118,000 47,679

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A IMPERIAL B INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL 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 TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT

7.44 44.6 1.34 0.51 0.046 5.49 6 0.07 2.53 95.95 9.92 7.52 2.26 3.44 950 1,430 6.18 15.4 2.25 15.02 135 70.15 0.0093 11.4 9.09 0.209 1.35 3.25 13.62 5.02 2.46 2.05 3.81 3.67 18.02 2.49 5.1 2.91 135.1 12.64 1,348 1.16 0.435 38 71.5 5.44 2.65 0.96 3.34 0.35

7.65 44.6 1.34 0.51 0.046 5.49 6 0.07 2.58 95.95 9.92 7.59 2.28 3.44 950 1,437 6.26 15.7 2.36 15.48 135 71.45 0.0093 11.4 9.09 0.216 1.36 3.25 16 5.1 2.49 2.05 3.89 3.69 18.02 2.6 5.27 2.91 135.1 12.66 1,350 1.17 0.445 38.4 72.85 5.44 2.66 0.97 3.34 0.355

7.43 43.85 1.34 0.49 0.041 5.45 5.83 0.066 2.4 91.1 9.6 7.5 2.22 3.2 950 1,424 6.18 14.9 2.25 15 135 69.8 0.0092 11.38 9.05 0.209 1.33 3.25 13.62 4.95 2.45 2.05 3.73 3.64 18.02 2.48 5.1 2.91 135 12.2 1,321 1.14 0.43 37.3 71 5.11 2.61 0.95 3.29 0.35

SERVICES 7.6 43.85 1.34 0.5 0.042 5.45 5.93 0.066 2.4 91.1 9.6 7.59 2.22 3.2 950 1,430 6.21 15.7 2.26 15.48 135 71.3 0.0092 11.4 9.08 0.212 1.34 3.25 15.1 4.95 2.49 2.05 3.85 3.67 18.02 2.48 5.2 2.91 135 12.2 1,350 1.17 0.435 37.75 72.85 5.18 2.61 0.96 3.3 0.35

27,400 16,700 2,000 77,000 211,300,000 1,900 1,942,900 41,030,000 5,774,000 141,430 3,400 313,300 111,000 22,000 220 115,000 184,700 190,100 5,938,000 2,100 40 738,350 37,000,000 800 467,000 27,740,000 118,000 5,000 190,000 363,300 57,000 3,000 4,842,000 6,995,000 1,300 1,140,000 10,800 10,000 10,610 398,000 91,065 4,917,000 1,350,000 2,107,300 442,500 538,000 181,000 2,134,000 1,342,000 1,040,000

208,123 735,445 2,680 38,430 9,027,500 10,427 11,452,918 2,752,500 14,080,570 13,267,538 32,932 2,355,935 249,170 72,780 209,000 164,348,445 1,148,390 2,973,184 13,654,470 31,560 5,400 52,092,057 340,900 9,118 4,240,290 5,918,280 157,540 16,250 2,871,216 1,805,174 141,190 6,150 18,402,500 25,685,690 23,426 2,880,850 55,197 29,100 1,432,414 4,920,762 122,119,215 5,725,950 587,100 79,707,735 31,611,836 2,788,373 474,350 2,052,280 4,444,430 367,750

746,600 -2,958,063 700 -2,250 -277,959 31,224,385 6,500.00 -5,950,084.50 -115,320 491,332 -5,945,110 -10,894,210 -20,240 29,100 -212,012 49,440 15,953,510 1,160 -18,095,065 8,134,714 49,550 1,135,560 -1,640,660 195,250

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0035 2.78 5.24 2.15 0.56 0.51 12.52 3.41 0.275 0.193 0.196 0.012 2.61 8.17 3.08 1.3 0.012 0.012 8.53 3.34 131.5 2.88 0.0089

0.0035 2.78 5.24 2.15 0.56 0.52 13.1 3.41 0.28 0.193 0.196 0.012 2.73 8.2 3.08 1.3 0.012 0.013 8.72 3.39 131.5 3 0.0089

0.0034 2.67 4.83 2.15 0.54 0.49 12.14 3.23 0.275 0.192 0.195 0.012 2.45 7.85 2.9 1.15 0.011 0.012 8.49 3.2 131 2.88 0.0089

MINING & OIL 0.0034 81,000,000 2.78 154,000 4.84 127,400 2.15 1,000 0.54 364,000 0.495 2,930,000 12.28 46,100 3.34 42,002,000 0.275 940,000 0.193 2,940,000 0.195 8,100,000 0.012 100,000 2.49 7,823,000 8.14 3,520,700 2.98 193,000 1.18 1,641,000 0.012 306,600,000 0.012 19,200,000 8.56 1,119,400 3.22 2,101,000 131.5 448,520 3 4,000 0.0089 1,000,000

275,600 422,430 622,648 2,150 198,600 1,466,710 574,452 138,691,980 260,550 566,730 1,580,350 1,200 20,077,610 28,444,678 566,640 1,970,130 3,510,900 230,600 9,613,920 6,831,780 58,938,709 11,640 8,900

-30,089 -95,644,370 -263,830 2,333,706.00 -174,460 5,373,236 1,120,150 -18,717,178 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF SFI PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

43.95 544 103 104 5.98 1,029 1.08 2.4 80.9 77.5 78 79.5 77 77.5 78.4

44.5 544 103 104.1 5.99 1,029 1.08 2.4 80.9 77.5 78.5 79.5 77 77.5 78.45

43.95 544 102.1 104 5.95 1,020 1.07 2.4 80.55 77.5 77.5 79.5 77 77.5 77

PREFERRED 44 306,800 544 40 103 21,600 104 60,260 5.98 266,000 1,020 2,505 1.07 297,000 2.4 2,000 80.55 2,260 77.5 360 77.5 13,810 79.5 30,200 77 15,000 77.5 63,050 78.35 143,400

13,538,155 21,760 2,223,360 6,267,068 1,590,588 2,555,145 318,140 4,800 182,134 27,900 1,072,075 2,400,900 1,155,000 4,886,375 11,220,630

-3,706,775 -1,524,808 -

LR WARRANT

2.41

2.42

2.37

WARRANTS 2.37 164,000

391,690

-

3,650,140 131,170 59,963,795

19,800 15,660 -6,381,072

2,028,804

11,320

MS

PROPERTY 7.49 1.08 6.99 2.1 0.475 31.2 3.1 0.55 1.06 1.48 0.151 0.55 37.8 0.69 0.133 1.67 0.99 1.28 3.3 0.136 0.4

166,700 367,000 30,100 641,000 13,180,000 11,127,500 4,006,000 5,568,000 226,000 1,069,000 430,000 6,225,000 204,700 20,000 610,000 3,003,000 4,084,000 805,000 30,360,000 11,460,000 100,000

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS XURPAS

2.32 3.2 9.35

2.33 3.2 9.35

2.15 3.1 8.98

FIRST METRO ETF

113.9

113.9

112.1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

16,956,908

INDUSTRIAL

81,717,387

HOLDING FIRMS

84,522,306

PROPERTY

136,637,982

SERVICES

362,473,831

MINING & OIL

483,293,178

GRAND TOTAL

1,173,778,462

2.2 3.18 9

SME

1,639,000 42,000 6,477,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112.2 18,000

VALUE 1,620.74 (DOWN) 50.04 1,042,662,202.814 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,582.72 (DOWN) 138.87 1,524,659,415.48 HOLDING FIRMS 6,905.67 (DOWN) 110.85 1,237,139,239.56 PROPERTY 2,980.97 (DOWN) 87.25 SERVICES 1,281.16 (UP) 1.43 989,464,273.355 MINING & OIL 12,038.15 (DOWN) 94.56 623,437,458.66 PSEI 6,714.13 (DOWN) 136.58 303,290,448.25 All Shares Index 4,099.65 (DOWN) 59.77 5,786,428,948.114 Gainers:61 Losers: 135; Unchanged: 33; Total: 229

other by Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. called “G.fast.”

Both are capable of providing data speeds per user of up to 600 to 700 megabits per second per user, depending on the length of the local copper loop.

Both GiGa Wire and G.fast work by connecting buildings and dwellings with fiber optic cables and using special equipment to enable the internal copper wiring of these structures to deliver fiber-like data speeds.

“This new initiative is part of our broad effort to make fiber-powered, high-speed connectivity more widely available to the public. It’s part and parcel of building the ‘Gigabit Society’ – where high-bandwidth, low-latency digital services in homes, businesses, healthcare services, utilities and schools become an integral part of daily life,” PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.

PLDT chief revenue officer Ernesto Alberto said the company’s initial plan called for deploying Giga Wire and G.fast solutions in over 500 buildings in different parts of the country next year. This number will be split between residential and office buildings.

An additional 1,600 buildings are being lined up for 2018 and 2019. Total investment in the three-year deployment will amount to about P2 billion.

Alsons set to sell P2-b debt paper

By Jenniffer B. Austria ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. of the Alcantara Group filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission an application for shelf registration of P2 billion worth of commercial papers.

Documents filed with the SEC showed ACR would initially issue P500 million worth of commercial papers, with the remaining P1.5 billion to be placed under shelf registration.

The CPs will have a tenor of 90, 180 and 360 days.

The company earlier tapped Multinational Investment Bancorporation as the sole underwriter and AB Capital and Investments Corp. Trust and Investment Division as facility agent for the issuance.

ACR said the proceeds from the fund raising activity would be used to fund the company’s working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes, including operation of power projects in Mindanao.

Philippine Rating Services Corp. assigned ACR with an issuer credit rating of PRS Aa- for the initial P500 million. PRS Aa- is the second highest rating category on PhilRatings’ existing credit rating scale.

Among the factors cited

by PhilRatings as basis for the rating were the company’s “robust revenue generating capability” and the company’s “ability to establish joint ventures with strong partners for particular projects.”

ACR is Mindanao’s first independent power producer.

It currently operates four power facilities generating a combined capacity of 363 megawatts serving over 8 million people in 13 cities and 8 provinces including key urban centers such as Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Iligan and Zamboanga City.

Business

EastWest a major credit card issuer

SECURITY BANK’S ADVOCACY.

Security Bank Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of Security Bank Corp., turns over three new school buildings in Bulacan and Pampanga on November 9. The recent turnovers bring the total Security Bank school building donations to 65, a fitting celebration to the bank’s 65th anniversary.

Shown during the turnover rites are (second row from left) Security Bank president and CEO Alfonso Salcedo Jr., SBFI chairman Rafael Simpao Jr. and Department of Education representatives.

EASTWEST Banking Corp., the financial unit of Filinvest Development Corp., is now among the biggest credit card issuers in the industry after the recent migration of the retail banking business of Standard Chartered Bank Philippines to the bank in the latter part of November.

EastWest successfully completed the transfer of Standard Chartered Bank’s retail business, which included retail deposits, wealth management, personal loans and credit cards.

EastWest executive vice president and consumer lending cluster head Jacqueline Fernandez said Monday the completion of the retail transfer solidified EastWest’s position as the fifthlargest credit card issuer in the industry today with over a million cards-in-force.

She said that the transfer ushered in two new premium

NFA to accredit more rice outlets nationwide

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

T

HE National Food Authority said Monday it has instructed its field offices to ease the requirements on the accreditation of rice retailers.

NFA officer-in-charge Tomas Escarez said the move aimed to make government rice accessible to the consuming public by increasing the number of accredited outlets nationwide.

Escarez ordered field offices to accredit additional retail outlets not only inside the market but even in remote barangays to make NFA rice readily available, especially to the marginalized sector.

NFA rice is currently being sold at P27 per kilogram for regular milled and P 32 per kilogram for well milled.

“Interested applicants can be issued a temporary accreditation pending completion of inspection and submission of requirements so they can immediately sell NFA rice to the consuming public,” Escarez said.

NFA currently has 16,775 accredited rice outlets nationwide.

Aside from the traditional rice outlets inside and outside the markets, NFA has other non-traditional rice outlets, such as the Bigasan sa Barangay, Bigaasan sa Parokya and Barangay Food Terminal.

NFA also participates in the Diskwento Caravan in the different municipalities organized by the Department of Trade and Industry to bring affordable government rice closer to the public, especially during this holiday season.

Escarez said the food agency had distributed 21,405,835 bags of good quality but low-priced NFA rice from January to November of this year through accredited outlets across the country.

He said the agency planned to open more non-traditional rice outlets to further widen its reach and ensure more lowincome consumers would benefit from the government subsidized rice.

The Cabinet earlier recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the abolition of NFA’s commercial functions, including rice importation.

Economic Planning Secretary and Neda

director-general Ernesto Pernia cited a consensus among Cabinet secretaries to split up the regulatory and commercial functions of NFA to prevent rice smuggling, among others.

Pernia said the recommendation was still subject to the approval of Duterte and the amendment of the NFA charter.

“We had a meeting with the NFA, and it’s not official yet, but our collective decision was going to be proposed to the president and I’m sure he will like it. It is to remove the proprietary and commercial activity of NFA and focus on its core function of regulation,” Pernia said.

Pernia said the splitting of NFA’s commercial and regulatory functions would also resolve the rice smuggling problem.

“It also removes the smuggling problem.

The problem with NFA is that it buys high and sells low, which results in losses. The accumulated debt of NFA is already P165 billion,” Pernia said.

He said NFA would no longer be engaged in buying and selling, meaning it would focus on regulation to ensure adequate buffer stock of rice and other grains.

“They should have a buffer stock. Buffer stock is really reserved. It should always be there, in case of contingencies,” said Pernia.

Big tobacco farmers group backs cigarette tax bill THE National Federation of Tobacco Farmers Association and Cooperatives has backed House Bill 4144, calling it the “true pro-farmers measure and pro-poor.”

NAFTAC president Mario Cabasal called on his group’s members to focus on the real issues surrounding the bill, saying the biggest concern was the fate of the country’s tobacco farmers and their continued livelihood.

“We support HB 4144 because it is the true pro-farmers measure. We had already voiced our position when the bill was being discussed in Congress and nothing has changed,” Cabasal

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

said in a statement.

“I call on our members not to be influenced by the reports that are coming out regarding HB 4144. What will be good for the farmers is the measure that will ensure our continued survival. In our view, that is HB 4144,” he added.

Cabsal said a unitary tax rate, which is mandated under Republic Act 10351 or the Sin Tax Reform law, would be detrimental to local tobacco farmers.

“A unitary tax rate will benefit only the premium cigarette brands, which are the foreign brands. They will just import higher quality tobacco

leaves. This means we the local farmers who produce low grade tobacco will suffer the most,” he said.

“Locally produced tobacco leaves are mostly low grade.

Our fear is that if a unitary tax rate is imposed, local production will be affected. There will be less purchases of our produce and our livelihood will be greatly affected. And this is what we told Congress (during the deliberations on HB 4144),” he added.

HB 4144, authored by partylist Rep. Michael B. De Vera, seeks to amend Section 145 (c) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, which imposes a unitary

tax rate of P30 per pack for both low-priced and premium brands starting in January 2017.

Low-priced brands are those that retail for P11.50 per pack or lower, while premium brands are those that sell at over P11.50 per pack.

The current tax rate mandated under RA 10351 is P25 per pack for low priced brands and P29 per pack for premium brands.

HB 4144 seeks to reinstate the two-tier system in place of the unitary tax but with a tax rate of P32 per pack for low-priced brands and P36 per pack for premium brands, with an annual increase of five percent every year.

credit card variants, the EastWest Visa Platinum Credit Card and the EastWest Priority Banking Visa Infinite Credit Card. The launch of the aforementioned products is in line with EastWest’s plan to grow the affluent segment of its credit card business.

“Expanding our credit card portfolio underscores our goal of strengthening EastWest’s consumer lending business,” Fernandez said.

All EastWest credit cards issued are now EMV chip-enabled in compliance with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ mandate to adopt chip technology for better card security. EastWest was able to comply ahead of BSP’s deadline to implement the initiative. EMV stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa.

EastWest president and chief executive Antonio Moncupa Jr. earlier said the transfer would benefit all its new customers.

After first six months, Duterte’s real work begins THE period June 30– December 22, 2016 has been a time like no other for this country and its people. That period has comprised the first six months of the administration of the man who was elected in the May 9 Presidential election—Rodrigo Duterte.

Those first six months have been a time of indulgence by the lawyer who was once a prosecutor and mayor of Davao City. One can think of no better word to describe Rodrigo Duterte’s conduct in office since June 30—and the weeks immediately preceding his taking of the Presidential oath. It is as though the Man from Davao thought he could take into the halls of Malacañang the mindset that he had and the way he conducted himself when he was mayor of one of this country’s major cities.

Truly, Rodrigo Duterte has been indulging himself during the last six months of 2016. Whatever the real motivation, he has let fly cuss words, insults and invectives with alacrity and with apparent personnel satisfaction. That kind of language is protected by the Constitutional guarantee of free speech, but not when the insulter is President of the Republic and the targets of the insults are real people who matter much to the Filipino people, such as the President of this country’s principal ally, the head of the religion to which the great majority of Filipinos belong and the head of the closest thing that the world has to a government.

Mr. Duterte can cuss and insult all he wants, but not at the expense of the 34 million Filipinos who did not vote for him and the 16 million who did.

The coarse language and the worse conduct of former city mayor Rodrigo Duterte has already cost this country a lot in terms of international goodwill and material benefits. The latest loss has been the suspension by the US government of $43 million worth of Millennium Challenge Corporation economic assistance. MCC funds are intended for the improvement of the lot of poor Filipinos, for whom Mr. Duterte has professed to care.

Mr. Duterte’s supporters have been deafeningly silent on the matter, but among themselves bankers, securities market people and corporate executives are saying that the steady net outflow of funds in recent months is only partly attributable to the longexpected change in US Federal Reserve interest policy. And the documentable slowdown in US investment commitments does not help the Philippines’ near-the-bottom in the Asian FDI (foreign direct investments) ladder.

Personal indulgence by an elected official, especially the No. 1 official of a country, cannot go on forever. If the last six months have been a honeymoon period—for the 62 percent of Filipinos who did not vote for him that has come to an end. Honeymoon is over. The stark realities of life for 105 million Filipinos must now be faced.

The six-month period of drama, theatrics and grandstanding is over. The time has come to start grappling with realities and doing the business of the nation. There is so much work Rodrigo Duterte & Co. need to do—creating jobs, building infrastructure, making agriculture more efficient, food self-sufficiency, strengthening and broadening the educational system, giving more Filipinos access to health care, collecting more taxes, the list goes on and on. There is just so much work to be done.

The remaining 11-twelfths of Rodrigo Duterte’s term must be a period of seriousness, focus and dedication. Let 2017 be the year for starting to do things that really improve this country and its people.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Prepping a new Mac, 2016 IT’S been five years since I wrote about free software that new Mac users ought to be installing on their new machines, back when I was still running OS X 10.7 or Lion. I recently had the occasion to revisit the list, and thought it would be an opportune time to update it, given the many changes to the operating system since then.

All of the software on this list is free—showing once again that you can extend the capabilities of your Mac without spending a lot.

1. LibreOffice. Five years ago, the Mac didn’t come with a free productivity suite. Nowadays, Pages (Apple’s word processor), Numbers (spreadsheet) and Keynote (presentation software) come free with every installation of macOS Sierra.

For those who insist on using MS Office, however, you can subscribe to Office 365 for P2,599 a year or buy the Office Home & Student 2016 package for P5,199.

Or you can get LibreOffice for free.

LibreOffice is a feature-rich, multi-platform (there are versions for the Mac, Linux and Windows), MS Office-compatible productivity suite with its own word processor (Writer), spreadsheet (Calc) and presentation software (Impress). There have been major improvements

since LibreOffice spun off from OpenOffice in 2010, making this a no-brainer for new Mac users.

You can download the installer at the LibreOffice website (www.libreoffice.org) or install it through tha App Store by searching for LibreOffice Vanilla.

2. Firefox or Google Chrome. If, like me, you want a browser that works on multiple platforms, download and install Firefox (www. firefox.com) or Google Chrome (www.google. com/#q=chrome+for+mac) for your Mac. Both are excellent and the choice boils down to personal taste.

3. Dropbox. This free utility lets you save files to a Web server and automatically synchronizes them across all your computers. A cross-platform program, Dropbox (www.dropbox.com) runs on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. With the program installed on my MacBook and a PC running Ubuntu Linux at home, I no longer have to save files I created on my notebook to a USB drive or e-mail them to myself to gain access to them on my desktop computer. Any file I save to the Dropbox folder is automatically made available to all my other registered devices.

4. MagiCal. MagiCal from Charcoal Design

(www.charcoaldesign.co.uk/magical) is a nifty utility that I use every day. The program sits on the right side of the menu bar and shows a compact monthly calendar when you click on the icon. You can tear off the calendar and have it sit anywhere on your desktop.

5. Unarchiver. Unarchiver is a free file unpacker that supports more formats than the built-in Archive Utility on the Mac. Supported formats include Zip, Tar-GZip, Tar-BZip2, RAR, 7-zip, Lha and StuffIt. 6. Transmission. I used to like using uTorrent, then Deluge for torrent downloads but I’ve lately taken to the much lighter Transmission, a crossplatform BitTorrent client that runs natively on the Mac as well as Linux. (A version, TransmissionQT, caters to Windows users.) You can download Transmission from https://transmissionbt.com 7. Dr. Cleaner. Available as a free download on the App Store, Dr. Cleaner gives your Mac a performance boost by freeing up disk space and by also clearing up your Mac’s memory, two vital processes that can improve your system performance. Disk Clean purges useless cache files that can build up over time, empties out temporary download locations, deletes browser cache, cleans

out your trash and completely removes all traces of an application that you want to uninstall.

Memory Optimizer, on the other hand, purges unused memory and makes it available to your Mac’s processor, frees up unnecessary memory used by recent files that you are done with, and gives you an easy memory monitoring application to analyze your Mac’s memory usage.

8. NTFS driver. If you use an external drive, chances are it’s been formatted to the NTFS (NT file system) standard, which still isn’t natively supported on the Mac. To read and write to NTFS drives, you’ll need a driver, such as the Paragon Driver for Mac OS, a free utility for Seagate drives.

I’ve been using this for years without a problem, but what if you use other external drives? You might want to try Tuxera (www.tuxera.com), an open-source read-write NTFS driver that works for the Mac as well as Linux systems.

Column archive and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

ALL THAT FISH. A vendor at the public market in Lucena City, Quezon attends to her baskets of smoked fish, which are sold much cheaper in this city where makers of this delicacy live nearby. Diana B. Noche

No tax hike in Makati in ’17

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE city government of Makati on Monday assured residents there will be no business and real property tax increases in 2017.

“Landowners and investors in Makati need not worry about any impending tax increase.

We will continue giving quality services without increasing taxes by means of good governance, proper fiscal management and efficient collection system,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.

In a report submitted to the Office of the Mayor, the City Treasurer’s Office said the actual revenue collections increased by 12 percent during the first five months of Binay’s administration, from July to November, compared with the same period last year.

The bulk of collections came from business taxes at P2.5 billion, followed by real property taxes at over P1 billion.

“We achieved a remarkable 25.6-percent increase in revenues from real property tax, while business tax collection increased by seven percent since I assumed office in July,” Binay said.

City Treasurer Jesusa Cuneta said Makati’s total revenues reached almost P4.3 billion in November from the time Binay assumed office last July. About P2.5 billion came from Business Tax, while P1.06 billion was generated from realty taxes.

The city also earned P169.8 million from miscellaneous fees and charges, P81.7 million from economic enterprises, P75.8 million from interest income, and P393.3 million from its Internal Revenue Allotment.

On an annual basis, Makati’s P14.38 billion in total revenues from January to November is eight percent higher year on year, and have exceeded the full-year target by 10 percent. The total estimated income of the city for 2016 is P13.06 billion.

Earlier, Binay vowed to use technology to make the services of the city government more efficient and to promote transparency as well.

By Sandy Araneta

Makati Mayor Abby Binay (fourth from left) and Makati second district Rep. Luis Campos attend the turnover of 14 new incubators for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the city-run Ospital ng Makati from the Department of Health as part of the city’s Health Facility Enhancement Program. Also in the photo are OsMak officials (from left) Dr. Ruperto Roasa, director for business operations; Dr. Rodney Fernan, director for ancillary service; Dr. Howard Enriquez, vice chairman and training officer, Otorhinolaryngology; Dr. Rosa Allyn Sy, chairman, Internal Medicine; Dr. Ginalyn de Vera, Pediatrics resident; Dr. Robert So, director for clinical service and chairman, Surgery; Dr. Jamaica Solaiman, chief resident, Pediatrics; Dr. Zenaida Roble, assistant chairman, Paediatrics; Dr. Vergel Binay, medical director; Dr. Leilani Binay, deputy director, patient support service, and Dr. Joseph Aniciete, director for nursing service.

Beyond aiming to be a premier city, Binay said she wanted Makati to become a “smart city” that incorporates and embraces technology in its policies, programs and activities.

Binay said her administration will use technology to implement a “no physical contact” policy in transactions with city hall, particularly in tax payment and processing of business per-

mits and licenses. Among her priorities is the establishment of a one-stop-shop that will eliminate the need for clients to go to several buildings to transact business with city hall.

Erap starts Manila’s Top plums to Holy Spirit, Lagro ‘Pamaskong Handog’ MANILA Mayor Joseph Erap Estrada recently played Santa Claus to thousands of indigent families in the city as he hosted a whole-day Christmas gift-giving and concert at the Mehan Garden.

This served as the opening salvo of his grand “Pamaskong Handog” to some 100,000 poor families in Manila.

Saying he always had a soft heart for the poor, Estrada said last Friday’s “Pasko sa Lungsod ng Maynila” is especially dedicated to the city’s less privileged residents, “the Filipino masses” that he said have wholeheartedly supported him since he was an actor until he became a public servant. The event started with the traditional “Misa de Gallo” or dawn Mass at 4 a.m.

A feeding program for children and their parents at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo followed the morning Mass, which was conducted in partnership with the Bantay Banta Foundation, said Liz Villasenor, head of the City Tourism Office.

Gift-giving activities were also held in Mehan Garden and other local institutions such as orphan-

ages. The day was capped with a free concert at Mehan Garden, Villasenor added.

Manila Department of Social Welfare head Nanet Tanyag said Estrada has prepared Christmas gifts and food packs consisting of “noche Buena” items such as spaghetti and fruit salad.

About 100,000 indigents— adults, senior citizens, children, and street dwellers—have been targeted to receive the Christmas packs in the coming days, she said.

“It is during Christmas that I get to thank the Manileños, the poor residents, the ones who need the most attention and care, the masses that have supported me all this time,” Estrada said. “I hope that through this simple Christmas giftgiving activity, I was able to express my gratitude to each of them.”

Describing himself as a legitimate Manileño born in the slums of Tondo, Estrada remembered the “Asiong Salonga” character he portrayed in the iconic 1961 movie of the same name, as a defender of the poor and of the oppressed. When he entered politics, he said the masses continued to support him. Sandy Araneta

Estrada: ‘MTPB enforcers beware’

BARANGAYS Holy Spirit and Greater Lagro are the top recipients this year of the Quezon City Barangay Seal of Good Housekeeping (Dangal ng Lungsod), an award for barangays that have set the benchmark of best practices in governance at the grassroots level.

The two barangays also received P500,000 in financial incentives in the awarding led by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, City Administrator Aldrin C. Cuña and Department of the Interior and Local Governments City Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero last Friday at the UP Bahay ng Alumni.

Top honors also went to Barangays Damar, San Bartolome, Sangandaan and UP Campus for the QCSGH Gawad sa Huwarang Pamamahala. Each received a P200,000 incentive.

Cuña said the seal of good housekeeping is one way of validating the reforms instituted by the barangays. The city government started applying measures of good performance to the city’s 142 barangays in 2014 and institutionalized it through an ordinance.

The evaluation criteria and performance review were done by the city government and the De-

partment of the Interior and Local Government.

Special citations were also awarded to other Quezon City barangays with noteworthy practices.

Barangays Sto. Domingo, Philam, St. Ignatius, Paligsahan, Fairview, Laging Handa, Culiat and E. Rodriguez were recognized for their best practices and innovations.

Awardees for outstanding legislative services are Barangays Sto. Cristo, Batasan Hills, Bagumbayan, Paligsahan, Escopa 1, Doña Imelda, Central, Novaliches Proper, Kaligayahan, Nagkaisang Nayon and Culiat.

QC dad wants more dashcams QUEZON City councilor Ramon Medalla of District 2 on Sunday urged motorists to have their own dashcams “for their protection.”

At a news conference, Medalla, along with former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member Ariel Inton, cited the importance of a high-grade dashboard camera to capture road mishaps—not just of their own, but others’ accidents, too.

“Dashcams can mean protec-

tion,” he told the Manila Standard.

“We can be of help to the Land Transportation Office and LTFRB as well as the other law-enforcement agencies [by installing them].”

The councilor called on the House of Representatives to pass a law that would allow dashcam video footage as evidence admissible in court cases.

Medalla, however, clarified their call to use a dashcam inside a private vehicle does not run coun-

ter to an ordinance recently vetoed by Mayor Herbert Bautista.

“I am optimistic the mayor will support our initiative,” he told the Manila Standard.

Inton, for his part, appealed not only to private car owners, but also to rescue teams and public utility vehicle operators to voluntarily install their own dashcams.

“We can capture both the good and bad driving practices, both ways,” he told reporters. Rio N. Araja

MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada plans to deploy more undercover inspectors to pin down traffic enforcers of the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau who are habitual absentees or are engaged in illegal activities.

Estrada said this is part of the new measures he would implement to sack corrupt and lazy MTPB members. He would apply a “one-strike” policy against MTPB enforcers who are lax in their job.

“The inspectors would be tasked to go around and check if the traffic enforcers are in their posts or committing unlawful actions. This way we could easily identify, gather evidence, and dismiss them,” the mayor said.

On November 28, Estrada fired 690 MTPB members after being swamped with complaints from motorists concerning their alleged extortion activities. They were temporarily replaced by the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit (MPD-TEU) and other traffic auxiliary units.

To fill the vacated slots, the Manila Police District is retraining the first batch of 92 new enforcers whom Estrada said will be more disciplined, competent, and incorruptible.

Supt. Lucile Faycho, chief of the MPD-TEU, said the training and refresher course is focused on developing discipline, proper decorum and posture, and physical fitness. They also have classroom lectures about basic road accident investigation, rescue and first aid, and basic self defense techniques.

MTPB chief Dennis Alcoreza said they will be hiring more inspectors to boost the bureau’s Inspectorate Unit.

“Our inspectors have been roaming around checking on the traffic enforcers. We’ve found out that many traffic enforcers have not been reporting to their posts, only reporting during paydays.

We list them as ‘missing in action’,” he pointed out.

Alcoreza said the inspectors go around in civilian clothes, sometimes posing as motorists and pedestrians to catch and report unscrupulous traffic enforcers.

“They are not recognized by the MTPB enforcers, they are in civilian clothes, on rotation,” he said, adding that through their reports, they could assess the performance of the traffic personnel.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

TODAY DECEMBER 20, 2016 TUESDAY,

North Luzon farmers get P17-m aid A

JAPANESE non-government organization has signed a grant project to help boost the agricultural income of micro-scale rice farmers in Northern Luzon by improving their farm management skills, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines announced Friday.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa (second from left) and Rie Minamoto, project manager of GLM Institute, a Japanese NGO, sign the grant contract at the Embassy of Japan on December 16.

Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa and Rie Minamoto, project manager of GLM Institute (GLMi), signed the grant contract for the P17-million project.

The funding, US$349,066 in total, is coursed through the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO projects, a grant funding program of Japan’s Official Development Assistance.

“In Northern Luzon, known as good productive site of rice in the Philippines, there are many microscale rice farmers who manage only around 0.5 hectare of lessproductive farmland,” said Ishikawa. “They sustain to make their living through income from their own farm as well as one-day labor for planting and cultivating in other farms.”

To help Northern Luzon farmers overcome poverty by improving

their farming, the government of Japan funded GLMi’s project, which started last year. It consists of capacity building for management, making a production plan, learning effective ways to fertilize lands and to remove pests, as well as support for improvement and rehabilitation of farm roads.

The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in the Philippines in 2002. Since then, the Japanese government has made contracts for 45 projects in the country, with funding reaching a total of 960 million yen (approximately P403 million).

“Japan believes that this project will strengthen not only friendship between the peoples of Japan and the Philippines, but also the existing strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines,” Ishikawa said.

Dolores tops Lantern Festival SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga— in 2014 and 2015, and earned for As expected, the rich barangay of it a handsome cash prize. BaranDolores in this city was declared gay Calulut placed second and the grand slam winner over other Sindalan was third. nine entries in the annual 2016 The winners of this year’s original Giant Lantern Festival competition saw their entries competition held at its permanent using more than 10,000 bulbs, venue, the Robinson’s mall here, while the other entries could on Saturday night. only muster 6,000 to 8,000 bulbs The victory for Dolores was for their lanterns. its third straight following wins The Giant Lantern FoundaCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 99, Quezon City, Metro Manila

- versus CIVIL CASE No. R-QZN-16-04052-CV For: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage NICOLE R. ROYO,

x----------------------------------x

19. On December 27, 2011, Petitioner became anxious and worried since Respondent did not come home that day. The following day, Petitioner was able to see a sweet conversation on Respondent’s cell phone and a picture of a guy in her possession.

20. Although angry and frustrated, Petitioner strived to compose himself and inquired of his discovery with the Respondent. As expected, Respondent denied having any extra-marital affair.

GENER N. ROYO , Petitioner,

Respondent.

MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

21. Since Petitioner could not contain and accept such infidelity, he went to his mother the following day to cool down his head.

22. In December 29 of the same year, Petitioner calmly asked the Respondent to patch things between them for their daughter and marriage’s sake.

23. However, Respondent was nonchalant and belligerent, reiterating that she was no longer happy being with him anymore.

24. Despite 19. On December 27, 2011, Petitioner became anxious Respondent’s treatment to him, Petitioner SUMMONS the Philippines was home still hopeful to save their marriage and gave and Publication) worried since Respondent did not come that (by L TRIAL C OURT several times to clear her mind and also to day. The following day, Petitioner was ableRespondent to see a sweet tal Judicial Region realize the sacredness of their marriage. conversation on Respondent’s cell phone and a picture of TO: on City, Metro Manila guy in her possession.

NICOLE R. aROYO 25. But, Respondent was still unyielding and stick to her former decision because she was not happy with the 20.

Although angry and frustrated, Petitioner strived to Rowena’s Garden, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal

er,

LGUs

Standard

C2

Petitioner compose himself and inquired of his discovery withanymore. the

GREETINGS: Respondent. As expected, Respondent denied 26. Onhaving January 13, 2012, Respondent finally admitted,

any extra-marital affair. in front of the Barangay Officials, that she indeed had a WHEREAS, on May 18, 2016, this Court issued relationship with another guy, but, they already called it 21. Since Petitioner contain and accept such Summons in the above-entitled case, butcould wasnot returned a day. infidelity, he went to his mother the following day to cool unserved on July 24, 12, 2016; E No. down his head.

27.

Despite the infidelity committed by Respondent to 4052-CV WHEREAS, on September 26, 2016,29 this issued Petitioner,calmly Petitioner still pursued Respondent for possible 22. In December of Court the same year, Petitioner ation of Nullity an of Marriage Order for the issuance Summons to bypatch Publication reconciliation but failed to win her back. asked theofRespondent things between them for upon respondent NICOLE R. ROYO whose last known their daughter and marriage’s sake.

28. Thus, on February 6, 2012, Petitioner flew to Dubai, address is at Rowena’s Garden, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal; UAE to work.

His mother and the Respondent were taking 23. However, Respondent was nonchalant and dent. turns in taking belligerent, reiterating that she was no longer happy beingcare of their child.

WHEREAS, a Petition for Declaration of Absolute -------x him anymore.

Nullity of Marriagewith which, as stated in the Certificate 29. But Petitioner’s mother noticed that the parties’ of Marriage, was solemnized on Respondent’s February 10, treatment 2010 at todaughter was not being well taken care of by the 24. Despite him, Petitioner MMONS Taytay, Rizal, has been against Respondent.

There were even instances that when his was commenced still hopeful bytopetitioner save their marriage and gave ublication) respondent, full text of which several is heretofore as mind daughter would Respondent times toquoted clear her and also to come to his mother, the latter would have follows: realize the sacredness of their marriage. a lot of physical complains and obvious weight lost.

yeartoafter, Petitioner learned that Respondent O 25. But, Respondent was still unyielding 30. and Astick OF THE PHILIPPINES baby with certain Patrick Banez. her former decision because she was not conceived happy witha the , Dolores, Taytay, RizalREPUBLIC Petitioner anymore.

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT 31. Petitioner found out later that this guy was the same NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION guy who was Respondent’s paramour whom she claimed 26. On January 13, 2012, Respondent finally admitted, that had she already broke up. in QUEZON front of the CITY Barangay Officials, that shethen indeed a 18, 2016, this Court issued relationship with99 another guy, but, they already called it 32. To address his concerns on the matter, Petitioner BRANCH ntitled case, but was returned

a day. consulted and engaged the services of Ms. Nedy L. Tayag, 2016; GENER N. ROYO Clinical Psychologist.

27. Despite the infidelity committed by aRespondent to mber 26, 2016, this Court issued Petitioner, Petitioner, Petitioner still pursued Respondent33. for possible Ms. Nedy L. Tayag then came up with a e of Summons by Publication reconciliation but failed to win her back. Psychological Report based on her series of examinations versus E R. ROYO whose last known and 28. Thus, on February 6, 2012, Petitioner flewinterviews, to Dubai, and found out that Respondent is No. R-QZN-16-04-052CV arden, Dolores, Taytay, Rizal; Civil Case psychologically to work. His mother and the Respondent were taking incapacitated to comply with the essential For: UAE Declaration of Nullity of Marriage obligations of marriage since she found to be suffering turns in taking care of their child. n for Declaration of Absolute fromthe personality h, as stated in the Certificate 29. But Petitioner’s mother noticed that parties’ disorder known as Antisocial Personality NICOLE R. ROYO, Disorder, ized on February 10, 2010 at daughter was not being well taken care of bywhich the is grave, incurable and has been existing Respondent. even before ommenced by petitioner against Respondent. There were even instances that when the his parties’ marriage. which is heretoforex-------------------------------x quoted as In view daughter would come to his mother, the latter34. would haveof the parties’ irreconcilable differences and

psychological incapacity of the Respondent, it is clear that a lot ofPetition physical complains and obvious weight lost. theRespondent parties’ void marriage exists in name only. Hence, the 30. A year after, Petitioner learned that Petitioner, by conceived counsel, arespectfully states that:Banez. declaration of nullity of said marriage in accordance with F THE PHILIPPINES baby with certain Patrick Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines is in order.

AL TRIAL C OURT 31. Petitioner Parties found out later that this guy was the same 35. The parties do not have any conjugal assets during TAL JUDICIAL REGION guy who was Respondent’s paramour whom she claimed 1. He is a Filipino, of legal age, married but separated, their marriage. then that she already broke up.

EZON CITY with postal address at #26 P. DeLa Cruz Street, Sitio RELIEF To address his concerns the matter, Petitioner RANCH 99 Gitna, Nagkakaisang 32.

Nayon, Novaliches, QuezononCity. the services of Ms. Nedy L. Tayag, He may be served consulted with ordersand andengaged other processes of this WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that judgment a Clinical Psychologist.

Honorable Court through his undernamed counsel Real be rendered: Brotarlo & Real Law Offices located Floor, Cityland er, 33. Ms. Nedyat 4th L. Tayag then came (i) up Declaring with a the marriage of Petitioner Gener N. 10 Tower 1, 156 HV de la Costa Street, Ayala Psychological Report based on Avenue her series of examinations Royo and Respondent Nicole R. Royo on February 10, North, Makati City. and interviews, and found out that Respondent is Rizal as null and void and of no force and No. R-QZN-16-04-052CV 2010 in Taytay, psychologically incapacitated to comply the essential Respondent is likewise a Filipino, of legal age, with with effect pursuant to Article 36 of the Family Code of the ration of Nullity of2.Marriage obligations of marriage since she found to be suffering postal address at Rowena’s Garden, Dolores, Taytay, Philippines; and frombepersonality disorder known Antisocial Personality Rizal, where she may served with summons andas other (ii) Ordering that the marriage of the parties as Disorder, Court. which is grave, incurable and has been existing processes of this Honorable appearing in the Book of Entries of Marriage of the Local dent. even before the parties’ marriage.

Civil Registrar of Taytay, Rizal and the National Statistics Statement of Relevant Facts -------x 34. In view of the parties’ irreconcilable differences and Office be cancelled forthwith.

3. Petitioner met the Respondent sometime in July psychological incapacity of the Respondent, it is clear that Petition Other equitable reliefs are likewise prayed for.

2008 at Bayantel Main Building where Petitioner the parties’ void marriage existsworked in name only. Hence, the Makati City sel, respectfully that: Operator asstates Maintenance whileofRespondent worked as ain accordance declaration nullity of said marriage withfor Quezon City, February 26, 2016. cashier in the canteen.

Article 36 of the Family Code of the Philippines is in order.

REAL BROTARLO & REAL

Parties

4. Subsequently thereafter, the parties exchanged 35. The parties do not have anytheir conjugal assets during Law Offices gal age, marriedphone but separated, numbers and theirPetitioner marriage.started to communicate Counsel for Petitioner 26 P. DeLa Cruz Sitio withStreet, Respondent.

4th Floor Cityland 10 Tower I, and 10th Floor Cityland 10 RELIEF yon, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Tower II 156 H.V. Dela Costa Street, Ayala Avenue North 5. Eventually, Petitioner courted Respondent and after ders and other processes of this WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that judgment Makati City, Philippines wooing her for several months, Respondent accepted his undernamed counsel Real be rendered: Tel. Nos. 893-33-99; 753-1374; Petitioner to be her sweetheart. es located at 4th Floor, Cityland (i) Declaring the marriage of Petitioner Gener N. Telefax No. 893-3399 6. AsAvenue boyfriend and girlfriend, parties got involved in la Costa Street, Ayala Royo and Respondent Nicole R. Royo on February 10, Website: www.rbrfirm.com; various sexual trysts.

2010 in Taytay, Rizal as null and void and of no force and Email add : rbrlawfirm@gmail.com 7. age, Until with sometime December of 200936when ise a Filipino, of legal effectin pursuant to Article of thethe Family By:Code of the parties discovered of Respondent’s na’s Garden, Dolores, Taytay, Philippines; and pregnancy.

S. BROTARLO served with summons other 8. and Thus, Petitioner(ii)talked to Respondent’s parentsof the parties EMMANUEL Ordering that the marriage as Roll of Attorneys No. 42282 le Court. about Respondent’s pregnancy as such, they wanted appearing in and the Book of Entries of Marriage of the Local MCLE Compliance No. V-0007060-03-31-2015 the parties to get married as soonof asTaytay, possible.

Civil Registrar Rizal and the National Statistics of Relevant Facts PTR No. MKT5329104; 01-06-16; Makati City Office be cancelled forthwith. Petitioner 9. Although perplexed and confused, IBP No. 1018392; 01-06-16; Iloilo City Respondent sometime accededintoJuly the Respondent parents’reliefs directive to haveprayed for.

Other equitable are likewise uilding where Petitioner workedHence, on February 10, 2010, the parties SHERWIN G. REAL them married.

City for Quezon City, February 26, 2016. while Respondent worked as a I Do’sMakati Roll of Attorneys No. 46964 exchanged their in a mass wedding held in Taytay, Rizal.

REAL BROTARLO & REAL MCLE Compliance No. V-0007032-03-31-2015 PTR No. MKT5329103; 01-06-16; Makati City fter, the parties exchanged their Law Offices as A copy of the parties’ Marriage Contract is attached IBP No. 1018392; 01-06-16; City of Manila tioner started toAnnex communicate Counsel for Petitioner “A”.

4th Floor Cityland 10 Tower I, and 10th Floor Cityland 10 NOW THEREFORE, YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED 10. After their wedding, initially cohabited Tower IIthe 156parties H.V. Dela Costa Street, at Ayala Avenue North r courted Respondent and after the parents of the Petitioners’ house.Makati City, Philippines within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the last issue of publication months, Respondent accepted to ANSWER the Petition and to copy furnish the Petitioner 11 . After a month of staying at the house of753-1374; the Tel. Nos. 893-33-99; heart. with a copy of your Answer within the same period.

Petitioner’s parents, the parties moved to an Telefax No.apartment 893-3399 rlfriend, parties near got involved in place. their working Website: www.rbrfirm.com; You are reminded of IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy Guidelines dated March 12, 2002 to observe restraint in Email : rbrlawfirm@gmail.com 12. On April 2, 2010, parties wereadd blessed with a child filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds December of 2009 the whomwhen they named Nicologene R. Royo.

By: thereof as defenses in the Answer. If you fail to Answer pondent’s pregnancy.

A copy of Nicologene R. Royo’s Certificate ofS.Live Birth within the time fixed, the Court shall order the Public EMMANUEL BROTARLO lked to Respondent’s parents is attached as Annex “B”.

Prosecutor to investigate whether collusion exists, in Roll of Attorneys No. 42282 nancy and as such, they wanted accordance with Section 8(3) of A. M. No. 02-11-10-SC noticed that Respondent tends MCLE Compliance No. V-0007060-03-31-2015 as soon as possible.13. Petitioner eventually (RuleCity on Declaration of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages to spend the whole dayPTR without doing anything like a Makati No. MKT5329104; 01-06-16; ed and confused, Petitioner traditional doted mother whoIBP would do 01-06-16; householdIloiloand No.usually 1018392; CityAnnulment of Voidable Marriages). dent parents’ directive have chores to wholeheartedly.

The Respondent in an action for Annulment of SHERWIN G. REAL February 10, 2010, the parties 14.inInstead, to sit inNo. front Rollprefer of Attorneys 46964Marriage, Declaration of Nullity and Legal Separation must a mass wedding held Taytay, Respondent would strictly observe the above-prescribed period to file Answer. of the television and left theirCompliance baby unattended.

It was MCLE No. V-0007032-03-31-2015 Petitioner who most of thePTR timeNo. took care of their 01-06-16; child.

WHEREFORE, let this summons be published once MKT5329103; Makati City Marriage Contract is attached as week for two (2) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper IBP No.Respondent 1018392; 01-06-16; City ofaManila 15. In fact, in many instances, would even of general Circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant turn her back on the child even as it threw tantrums just to NOW THEREFORE, YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED the parties initially cohabited at to P.O. 1079 at the expense of the petitioner. Likewise, draw her attention. within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the last issue ers’ house. letofa publication copy of the summons be sent by registered mail to 16. Along with this, Respondent becameand fondtoofcopy going to ANSWER the Petition furnish Petitioner at her last known address, also at the thetherespondent f staying at theout house of the with her friendswith anda would come home the copy ofusually your Answer withinin the sameexpense period. of petitioner and to submit to this Court proof of parties moved towee an hours apartment of morning. compliance therewith.

You are reminded of IBP-OCA Memorandum on Policy 17. Sometime inGuidelines August 2011, the parties had a food dated March 12, 2002 to observeWITNESS restraint in THE HON. MA. RITA A. BASCOS arties were blessed a child Manila. But few months after, they were cart with in Divisoria, filing a motion to dismiss and instead allege the grounds SARABIA, Presiding Judge of this Court, this 8th day of gene R. Royo. compelled to stop the business since Respondent couldn’t thereof as defenses in the Answer. If youNovember, fail to Answer 2016. get of along the area.

R. Royo’s Certificate Livewith Birththe co-vendors within the around time fixed, the Court shall order the Public Prosecutor to parties investigate whether collusion exists, in (Sgd.) VIOLETA C. BAUTISTA 18. About the same time, the were also forced with Section A. M. No. 02-11-10-SC by their landlord leave the apartment they 8(3) wereofrenting y noticed that Respondent tends toaccordance Officer-In-Charge (Rule of Absolute Nullity of Void Marriages due to anlike altercation withon theDeclaration Respondent. without doing anything a (MS-Dec. 20 & 27, 2016) and Annulment of Voidable Marriages). ho would usually do household

ent would prefer to sit in front their baby unattended. It was time took care of their child.

ances, Respondent would even even as it threw tantrums just to

The Respondent in an action for Annulment of Marriage, Declaration of Nullity and Legal Separation must strictly observe the above-prescribed period to file Answer.

3X30

WHEREFORE, let this summons be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks, in a newspaper of general Circulation to be selected by raffle pursuant

tion, headed by businessman Alfrito Mah, is thinking of limiting the number of bulbs in next year’s competition.

“This is only being studied by the foundation to encourage more participants, and at the same time for barangays to conduct more innovative entries,” Mah said.

The entry of San Nicolas had a fighting chance to make the podium, as it impressed the audience with its presentation of unity in Manila lights and color in the first round Standard TODAY of the competition, when all entries were given seven minutes to show their best. But the barangay faltered in the second round along with others that didn’t show their winning form.

In the last round of the festival, the panel of judges chaired

by Jim Jimenez and composed of diplomats, artists, governManila Standard ment executives, and other ofTODAY ficials voted Barangay Dolores as the clear winner.

Several thousand people came to witness the festival including former President and current Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Rep. Aurelio Gonlazes, City Mayor Edwin Santiago, and prominent businessmen and government officials.

The annual festival is the province’s main attraction during the holiday season, which coincides with the first Midnight Mass and the sale of Christmas staples like BALCONY LOCATED AT THE THIRD REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES rice cakes and puto bumbong with OF THE “CITY AIR TIME.FLOOR A member ofRESIDENCES” the Marikina Extreme Bikers group leaps from a dirt ramp in an exhibition at the REGIONAL TRIAL COURT CONDOMINIUM, CONTAINING AN NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGIONYouth tea. Romeo Dizon Marikina Camp in Barangay De La Peña in Marikina City. Manny Palmero AREA OF 49.90 SQ.M. OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY

In the diagrammatic floor plan appended to enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 2010000081; 2010000082 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED NINE (2,809) Square Meter, is registered in the name of:

Apayao shepherds finish livestock school SECURITY BANK CORPORATION, Mortgagee, -versus-

JENNIFER S. SANTIAGO, LUNA, Apayao—Apayao Gov. ond batch of graduates of the FarmMortgagor-Debtor, Elias Bulut, Jr. challenged the sec- ers Livestock School on Goat EnterFRE-MC16-897 prises here to work out EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE Owner: JENNIFER SAN JOSE OR REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE SANTIAGO, SINGLE, learned FILIPINO what they’ve UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED CITIZEN, OF LEGAL AGE BALCONY BY 4118 LOCATED AT THE THIRD REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES in tending goats and Address: 3F 33SA GOMEGA FLOOR OF THE “CITY RESIDENCES” x---------------------------------------------x REGIONAL TRIAL COURT I, P. MARTINEZ STREET, CONTAINING AN sheep during their NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION CONDOMINIUM, NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE MANDALUYONG CITY OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT AREA OF 49.90 SQ.M. In Upon the diagrammatic planfor graduation rites at Extra-Judicial floor petition & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF “All sealed bids must be submitted to appended to enabling or master deed sale under Act 3135 as amended MANDALUYONG CITY the Coffee of the undersigned on the Shop above stated of by the Act condominium project 4118 filed by annotated SECURITY time and date.” onBANK TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATION, Mortgagee, the Provincial Capitol SECURITY BANK CORPORATION, TITLE against2010000081; JENNIFER S.2010000082 SANTIAGO Mortgagee, “In the event the public auction which embraces and the here.

Mortgagor-Debtor withdescribes given address should not take place on the said date, -versusland located at MANDALUYONG CITY at Unit 35 3 Floor City Residences, As guest speaker, it shall be held on January 27, 2017 with of TWO 420anP. area Martinez St., THOUSAND Brgy. Bagong JENNIFER S. SANTIAGO, 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter without EIGHT NINE Silang, HUNDRED Mandaluyong City (2,809) and 3F Bulut dared the 17 Mortgagor-Debtor, further notice,” Square registered the 33SA Meter, Gomegais I.P. Martinesin Street, name of: graduates in the presMandaluyong City to satisfy the FRE-MC16-897 Prospective bidders or buyers rd

EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OR REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY 4118 x---------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended

by Act 4118 filed by SECURITY BANK CORPORATION, Mortgagee, against JENNIFER S. SANTIAGO Mortgagor-Debtor with given address at Unit 35 3rd Floor City Residences, 420 P. Martinez St., Brgy. Bagong Silang, Mandaluyong City and 3F 33SA Gomega I.P. Martines Street, Mandaluyong City to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of October 25, 2016 amounts to TWO MILLION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT PESOS and 92/100 (P2,352,328.92) ONLY. Philippine Currency, inclusive interests, penalties and other charges but exclusive of attorney’s fees equivalent to 20% for the foreclosure and sale, the ExOfficio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGERS CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 7th day of January 2017 of Justice Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the following condominium unit with all the improvements existing thereon to wit:

mortgaged indebtedness which as of Owner: JENNIFER SAN to JOSE October 25, 2016 amounts TWO SANTIAGO, SINGLE, FILIPINO MILLION THREE HUNDRED FIFTY CITIZEN, OF LEGAL AGE TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED Address: 3F 33SA TWENTY EIGHT PESOS GOMEGA and 92/100 I, (P2,352,328.92) P. MARTINEZ ONLY. STREET, Philippine MANDALUYONG CITY Currency, inclusive interests, penalties

Mandaluyong City, Philippines, December 6, 2016. and other charges but exclusive of “All sealed bids be submitted to attorney’s feesmust equivalent to 20% (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA theforundersigned on the the foreclosure andabove sale, stated the ExClerk of Court VI time and date.”

Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or & Ex-Officio Sheriff his duly authorized deputy will sell at “In the event the to public auction (Sgd.) HELDER A. DYANGCO PUBLIC AUCTION the HIGHEST should not take onOR theMANAGERS said date, Sheriff IV BIDDER FORplace CASH it shall be and heldinon JanuaryCurrency 27, 2017on WARNING: CHECK Philippine 9:00 or of soon thereafter without January 2017 of Justice It is absolutely prohibited to remove, the A.M. 7th day further notice,” Building, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong deface or destroy this Notice of City, the following condominium unit Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Prospective or buyers with all the bidders improvements existing Auction Sale under penalty of the law. arethereon hereby enjoined to investigate to wit: Copy furnished: for themselves the title of the said property and the CERTIFICATE encumbrancesOF CONDOMINIUM Jennifer S. Santiago thereon,TITLE if anyNo. there be.

008-2015002244 Unit 35 3rd Floor City Residences, Registry of Deeds – 420 P. Martinez St., Brgy. Bagong Mandaluyong City, Philippines, City of Mandaluyong Silang, Mandaluyong City and 3F December 6, 2016.

33SA Gomega I.P. Martinez St., IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the Mandaluyong City (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA unit identified and described as: Clerk of Court VI Atty. Irahlyn P. Sacupayo-Lariba & Ex-Officio Sheriff 3F-2BR-35 – A 2 BEDROOM TYPE 4th Floor, Security Bank Center FRONT UNIT WITH Building, 6776 Ayala Ave., Makati City (Sgd.)CONDOMINIUM HELDER A. DYANGCO Sheriff IV WARNING:

The graduates came mostly from the municipality of Luna, with one graduate each from Flora and Calanasan towns. They attended about 22 sessions on Tuesdays starting last June 14 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex in Payanan, San Gregorio, Luna.

Jaime Addongay, one of the graduates who is already 65 years old, admitted he has learned to be more diligent in keeping track of his animals. Dexter A. See

IN BRIEF Kidnapped 3-day-old boy rescued in Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—The three-day-old baby boy who was kidnapped inside the Benguet General Hospital last Tuesday was rescued on Friday night with the arrest of the alleged kidnapper, police said.

Janybee Antonio Agayao, 24, married, a native of Ucab in Itogon town, was arrested by combined police operatives and intelligence agents at her home in Puguis in this town.

The child, John Miller Vicente, was brought back to the hospital for a medical examination.

The suspect had posed as a certain Dr. Ramos and told the child’s parents the baby needed to be weighed and checked, but she never returned the infant. CCTV cameras caught the suspect walking out with two large bags, one presumably containing the young Vicente. Dexter A. See

It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law.

Copy furnished:

CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF Jennifer S.rdSantiago Unit 35 3 Floor City Residences, TITLE No. 008-2015002244 420 P. Martinez St., Brgy. Bagong Registry of Deeds – Silang, Mandaluyong City and 3F City of Mandaluyong 33SA Gomega I.P. Martinez St., IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the Mandaluyong City unit identified and described as:

are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be.

ence of their mentors, teachers and other officials to take care of the animal stocks provided to them and make it multiply.

“I will only believe you if you could show me in the span of one year that the animals you received had yielded their own offspring, and that you can invite me for a ‘pulutan’ session,” the governor, who also owns a flock of goats and native sheep, said in the Apayao vernacular.

Atty. Irahlyn P. Sacupayo-Lariba 4th Floor, Security Bank Center 3F-2BR-35 – A 2 BEDROOM TYPE Building, 6776 Ayala Ave., Makati City FRONT CONDOMINIUM UNIT WITH (MS-Dec. 13, 20 & 27, 2016)

Shooter in viral video being hunted

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—Local police have formed a Special Investigation Task Group to probe a policeman who shot dead an unarmed man that was allegedly high on drugs.

The incident, which was caught on a video that has gone viral, showed PO3 Reynaldo Dizon accosting and subsequently shooting the victim, identified as Sharief Amatonding, at close range.

Police investigators led by PO3 Francis Tabile claimed the victim, who was being unruly outside the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. branch here on Friday, tried to grab Dizon’s service firearm. Roy Tomandao CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Where: TMED =

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE POWER SALES AGREEMENT BETWEEN SURIGAO DEL SUR I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AND MAPALAD POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, ERC CASE NO. 2016-139 RC SURIGAO DEL SUR 1 ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. AND MAPALAD POWER CORPORATION, Applicants.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

In the said Application, SURSECO 1 and MPC alleged the following:

24.2. Offtake Arrangement. Under the PSA, MPC shall make available, reserve, guarantee and deliver to SURSECO I the Contracted Capacity, and SURSECO I shall pay for such quantity of electric power. MPC shall utilize such Contracted Capacity to generate energy for SURSECO I.

A summation of the ED &TMED for a given Contract Year shall be made to determine true F during the Contract Year Such yearly F factor shall be basis for adjustment of the CRF for the Contract Year.

The adjustment shall be guided by the following conditions:

24.3. There is no minimum energy offtake under the PSA. As MPC will dedicate the Contracted Capacity to SURSECO I, the Capital Recovery and the Fixed Operations and Maintenance Fees are computed based on the Contracted Capacity as well as on the proportion of actual energy delivered to the energy that could have been delivered.

If ƩED= ƩTMED, F=1

24.4. Also, the capacity to be provided by MPC shall always be the Contracted Capacity. In case the actual capacity delivered by MPC, as per dispatch order or limitation of SURSECO I for a given billing month is less than the Contracted Capacity, the difference between the actual capacity’ utilized by SURSECO I and Contracted Capacity for that billing month shall be deemed delivered to and utilized by SURSECO I.

lf ƩED > ƩTMED, F> 1, excess will be carried over to the next year, if the excess is attributed to an event initiated by the Buyer calling for the dispatch of the Power station to deviate from the agreed Dispatch and Nomination Procedures (Schedule E), and which applies only on to scheduled maintenance of these generating units.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 09 June 2016, Surigao del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SURSECO 1) and Mapalad Power Corporation (MPC) filed a Joint Application for approval of their Power Sales Agreement (PSA) with a prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority.

the projected operating expenses is attached hereto as Annex “Q.” For reference, a comparison between MPC’s updated and previous projected fixed operating expenses is attached hereto as Annex “Q-1.”

Theoretical Maximum Energy Delivered being the Contracted Capacity multiplied by the hours in the relevant month, less any adjustments· made for Allowed Outage, limitation due to dispatch order, Force Majeure of the Power Station; and allowable start-up time due to period of non-generation due to a Buyer dispatch order or an Allowed Outage, and any other hours as a consequence of Buyer’s failure to perform any of its obligations

25. Fuel supply. In order to ensure the supply of fuel for the operations of the MPC. Power Plant, MPC solicited offers from reputable suppliers in the area, and has contracted with the supplier which offered the best terms.

If ƩED <ƩTMED, F<1 2.

Fixed Operation & Maintenance Fee (FOMF)

A discussion of the fuel procurement process and a copy of the fuel supply agreement are attached hereto as Annexes “R” and “R-1,” respectively.

The Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee (FOMF) covers the operating and maintenance costs of the Power Station. It shall be computed according to the following formula:

26. Environmental Compliance Requirements. The Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines previously approved the exemption of the MPC Power Plant from the requirement of an environmental compliance certificate. Nevertheless, the MPC Power Plant will be operated responsibly in accordance· with good utility .practice and in accordance with all relevant laws and regulations, including environmental laws.

THE APPLICANTS 1.

Surigao del Sur I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“SURSECO I”) is a non-stock, nonprofit electric cooperative organized and existing under and by virtue of Republic Act No. 6038, as amended, with office address at National Highway, San Fernando, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur (SURSECO I) has a franchise to distribute electricity in the City of Bislig and the Municipalities of Barobo, Hinatuan, Lingig, and Tagbina, all in the Province of Surigao Del Sur.

Copies of documents evidencing such exemption are attached hereto as Annexes “S” and series.

27. DOE Certification. The Department of Energy (“DOE”) has certified that the capacity of the MPC Power Plant is consistent with the DOE’s Power Development Plan.

2.

Mapalad Power Corporation (“MPC”) is a generation company duly authorized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines; with principal address at 4th Floor, Alphaland Southgate Tower; 2258 Chino Races Ave. corner EDSA, Makati’City. ·

Where: FOMFR =

Fixed O&M Fee Rate of PHP217.62/kw/month

Copies of MPC’s Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, latest General Information Sheet and Audited Financial Statements for the year 2015 are attached hereto as Annexes “A” and series.

CPin

=

Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination;

3.

Joint Applicants may be served orders and other processes through their respective counsel.

CPIo

=

Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/NSO for June 2010 (at 115.9, 2006 = 100)

WPCn

=

Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination

WPCo

=

Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for June 2010 (at 518.2, 1998=100)

EUn

=

Euro-Peso. Exchange Rate for the period of price determination as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

EUo

=

Euro-Peso Exchange Rate for June 2010 (at P56.5910/ 1Euro) as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

The corresponding proofs of receipt are attached hereto as Annexes “C” and

FPPin

=

Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for. the period of price determination as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

6.

Furthermore, Joint Applicants have caused the publication of the present Application in its entirety, excluding its annexes, in a newspaper of general circulation within SURSECO I’s franchise area.

FPPlo

=

F

=

Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for June 2010 (at 108.5) as published in the International financial Statistics-of IMF Outage Factor as derived using the following formula to used.

7.

Copies of the newspaper and the corresponding affidavit of publication are attached hereto as Annexes “D” and “D-1,” respectively.

Where:

A copy of the said certification is attached hereto as Annex “T.”

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION 4.

Pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, approved by this Honorable Commission on 22 June 2006 in Resolution No. 38, Series of 2006, this Application is submitted to this Honorable Commission for its review and approval of the Power Sales Agreement (“PSA”) dated 28 April 2016 between SURSECO I and MPC. A copy of the PSA is attached hereto as Annex “B.” COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 5.

In compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Joint Applicants have furnished the legislative bodies of each of the local government units where they principally operate a copy of the present Application with all its annexes and accompanying documents. series.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

Where:

8.

Shortage of Power Supply in the Mindanao Grid. The Mindanao Grid is currently facing a deficit in its power supply. The generating capacity in the Grid is no Ionger sufficient to meet the power requirements of Mindanao.

TMED

=

RATE IMPLICATIONS OF THE POWER SALES AGREEMENT 29. In order to determine the impact of the implementation of the PSA on SURSECO l’s generation costs, an analysis was conducted using actual billing and demand data for the month of March 2016, when SURSECO I had a 3.7 MW supply deficiency.

30. Based on the analysis, the Contracted Capacity of 4 MW will address the deficiency, and will result in an upward adjustment of Php 0.1396/kWh in SURSECO I’s generation costs.

The results of the said analysis are summarized in the table below.

Assumptions: 1. The generation mix is based on the actual billings of NPC-PSALM, TMI and TSI for the month of March 2016, when SURSECO I had a 3.7 MW deficiency. When the MPC commences supply, the said deficiency will be covered by the 4MW contracted capacity.

2. The simulations consider nomination from MPC during peak hours only.

Theoretical Maximum Energy Delivered being the Contracted Capacity multiplied by the hours in the relevant month, less any adjustments made for Allowed Outage, limitation due to dispatch order, Force Majeure of the Power Station, and allowable start-up time due to period of non-generation due to a Buyer dispatch order or an Allowed Outage, and any other hours as a consequence of Buyer’s failure to perform any of its obligations

31. A further analysis w:as conducted using the same data, assuming that supply from MPC is maximized due to the expiration of the SURSECO I’s contract with NPC/PSALM. Based on the analysis, supply from MPC will result in an upward adjustment of Php 0.5192/ kWh in SURSECO I’s generation costs. The results’of the said analysis are summarized in the table below.

A summation of the ED & TMED for a given Contract Year shall be made to determine true F during the Contract Year. Such yearly F factor shall be basis for adjustment of the CRF for the Contract Year.

The adjustment shall be guided by the following conditions:

10. As a result, various parts of Mindanao have suffered from significant power outages, adversely affecting local businesses and the daily lives of all electricity consumers.

11. Drastic Reduction in PSALM’s Supply. In addition, the main power supplier in Mindanao significantly reduced its allocations to distribution utilities, further aggravating the power shortage.

if ƩED = ƩTMED, F=1 If ƩED > ƩTMED, F> 1, excess will be carried over to the next year, if the excess is attributed to an event initiated by the Buyer calling for the dispatch of the Power Station to deviate from the agreed Dispatch and Nomination Procedures (Schedule E), and which applies only on to scheduled maintenance of these generating units.

11.1. The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (“PSALM”), which took over all the power generation assets of the National Power Corporation (“NPC”) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, supplies the bulk of the power requirements of Mindanao. PSALM likewise supplies a significant portion of SURSECO I’s current power supply.

11.3. PSALM Certification. PSALM has certified that the capacity of the power plants under its management is insufficient to supply the increasing demand of SURSECO I.

A copy of the Certificate of Compliance is attached hereto as Annex “U.”

F = Monthly Actual Energy Delivered TMED

9.

The insufficiency in the supply of electricity is further aggravated by the recent bombings of the transmission towers in Mindanao, which prevents the delivery of the electricity. Further, the El Niño Phenomenon currently being experienced by the country has drastically reduced the power supply in Mindanao, since it is heavily dependent on hydroelectric power.

11.2. However, PSALM has significantly reduced its firm supply commitments to distribution utilities in Mindanao, including SURSECO I.

28. Certificate of Compliance. This Honorable Commission has issued a certificate that the Applicant MPC is authorized to operate the MfC Power Plant.

If ƩED<ƩTMED, F<1 3.

Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee (VOMF) The Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee (VOMF) covers the cost of the use of, among other items, chemicals, ·lubricants and spare parts, that are directly related to the generation of the Power Station. It shall be computed according to the following formula:

A copy of the said request is attached hereto as Annex “E.” A copy of the said analyses is attached hereto as Annex “V.”

12. Necessity for Additional Power Supply. In order to ensure sufficient power supply to SURSECO I’s customers, the power requirements within the franchise area of SURSECO I should be adequately covered by supply contracts.

MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION 32. As mentioned above, the financial model attached as Annex “M” is hereby submitted under a motion to treat information confidential.

13. In addition to the reduction in supply from PSALM, the power demand in SURSECO 1’s franchise area is expected to steadily increase. The expected increase is indicated in SURSECO I ’s Distribution Development Plan (“DDP”) and supply-demand projections.

VOMF

14. Procurement Process for Supply. Thus, SURSECO I executed efforts to procure the appropriate power supply.

14.1. Thus, on 17 March 2016, SURSECO I conducted a public bidding for additional power supply.

Two (2) qualified bidders participated in the bidding, including MPC. SURSECO I thoroughly evaluated and verified the bids presented, and found MPC’s technical and financial proposal as the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid. 14.2. As a result, SURSECO I executed the PSA with MPC for the supply of four (4) MW of power.

An affidavit supporting the foregoing is attached hereto as Annex “H.” Copies of SURSECO I’ s invitation to submit proposal and other documents pertaining to the bid are attached hereto as Annexes “I” and series.

15. Demand Side Management. A certification from SURSECO I as regards demand side management is attached hereto as Annex “J.” 16. Under the law, no contract for the supply of power can become legally effective unless approved by this Honorable Commission. Hence, this Joint Application.

ABSTRACT OF THE POWER SALES AGREEMENT AND RELATED INFORMATION 17. The Generation Facilities. To supply power under the PSA, MPC shall operate and maintain a bunker C-fired diesel power station with a total net generating capacity of 103 MW, located in Sitio Mapalad, Barangay Dalipuga, Iligan City, Province of Lanao del Norte (the “MPC Power Plant”).

A brief description of the technical characteristics of the MPC Power Station is attached hereto as Annex “K.” 18. The net heat rate of the MPC Power Station shall not be greater than 0.2464 kg/ kWh at plant site condition of 32 deg. C ambient temperature, and is based on the Plant’s use of bunker C fuel oil with a density of 0.9855 kilogram/liter.

4.

=

19.

ED

=

kWh delivered during the billing period

CPIn

=

Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination

CPlo

=

Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/NSO for June 2010 (115.9, 2006 = 100)

EUn

=

Euro-Peso Exchange Rate for period of price determination published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

EUo

=

Euro-Peso Exchange Rate for June 2010 (at P56.5910/ 1Euro) as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

FPPIn

=

Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for the period of price determination as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

FPPIo

=

Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for June 2010 (at 108.5) as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

WPCn

=

Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination

WPCo

=

Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for June 2010 (at 518.2).

19.4. Term. The term of supply and purchase under the PSA shall be for ten (10) years from the Commencement Date, unless otherwise extended or renewed by mutual agreement of the parties in writing.

19.5. On the third (3rd) anniversary of the Commencement Date, SURSECO I shall have the option to terminate the PSA or to modify, subject to the availability of supply, the Contracted Capacity, subject only to a one hundred eighty (180)-day prior written notice. In addition, the parties can agree to increase or decrease the Contracted Capacity, subject to the same tariff.

5.

20. Purchased Power Rate. The tariff under the PSA is identical to those in MPC’s power sales agreements with other electricity customers for the MPC Power Plant.

21. This is to ensure parity among customers, notwithstanding the significant additional costs incurred by MPC for the MPC Power Plant. MPC is not seeking an increase in its tariff despite such significant additional costs.

22. For the supply of power by MPC, SURSECO I shall pay the monthly payments based on the following formulae : 1.

Monthly Payments

The Monthly Payments shall be paid to the Seller on a monthly basis in accordance with the following formula: Monthly Payments = CRF+ FOMF + VOMF + AFC + SC + RCEC + BCEC + Taxes Where: CRF FOMF VOMF AFC SC RCEC BCEC Taxes

= = = = = = = =

1.1

Capital Recovery Fee (CRF)

Capital Recovery Fees Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee Actual Fuel Cost Start-Up Costs Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost Back-up Capacity and Energy Cost Value-Added Tax, other applicable taxes and government impositions, if any

CRF shall be computed as follows: CRF = CRFR x CC x F

Where: =

Capital Recovery Fee Rate of PHP 250.18/kw/month

CC

=

Contracted Capacity

F

=

Outage Factor as derived using the following formula to be used.

35. Also, the financial model was prepared and developed for the exclusive use of MPC, and is designed for the specific use of the company in its power generation business.

Consequently, should the financial modell be disclosed to the public, it could easily be copied or used by MPC’s competitors or other entities engaged in the power business for their own benefit, and to the prejudice of MPC. Thus, the commercial value of the said model will be diminished significantly.

36. Given the foregoing, the financial model qualifies as “confidential information” as defined under Section 2, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules.

37. In accordance with Section 1 (b), Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, an electronic copy of the financial model is contained in one compact disc and submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the word “Confidential.”

38. Further, all parties furnished copies of the present Application are not furnished copies of the documents subject the present motion.

39. In accordance with Sections 3 and 4, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules; Applicant MPC reserves the right to use the financial model and its contents as evidence, and respectfully moves for the issuance of a Protective Order.

Fuel Cost; The average MOPS price of Bunker C Fuel Oil/Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) deliveries during the period of price determination in Peso/ liter

=

Efficiency Cap; 0.2464 kg/kWh 0.9855 kg/liter

ED

=

Energy Delivered, kWh

ALLEGATIONS iN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 40. As discussed above, PSALM has significantly reduced its firm supply commitments to SURSECO I. Also, supply from PSALM is unreliable as PSALM often delivers much less than its supply allocation to SURSECO I. Further, the El Nino phenomenon currently being experienced by the country has significantly reduced PSALM’s supply, as it is heavily dependent on hydroelectric power.

41.

Value Added Tax

43. Since. the MPC Power Plant is already existing and operating, it can readily supply power to SURSECO l under the PSA as soon as the prayer for provisional authority is granted.

A provisional authority will help ensure sufficiency of SURSECO I`s supply in a timely manner, especially in view of the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on SURSECO I’s power supply.

VAT = (CRF + FOMF + VOMF + AFC + Start – Up Cost + RCEC + BCEC) x 0.12 6.

Start-Up Costs (SC)

44. In view of the foregoing, Joint Applicants respectfully move for the provisional approval of the instant Application pursuant to Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

The Buyer, on a pro rata basis of the capacity of the Power Station allocated to the Buyer, shall pay the Seller Start-Up Costs for the cost of starting up the MPC Power Station after a period of shutdown due to any reason attributable to all the buyers of the Seller; The Start-Up Costs shall be computed based on the prevailing price of diesel fuel at the time of the Start Up and paid in accordance with the following schedule: Type of Start-Up

Liters of Diesel Fuel

Cold Start-up (more than 10 hours of shutdown)

600

Warm Start-up (less than 10 hours of shutdown)

300

7.

In addition, the power demand in SURSECO I’s franchise area is steadily increasing.

42. Thus, in order of to help ensure sufficiency of power supply to SURSECO I’s customers, the supply under the PSA must be available in a timely manner.

A copy of a sworn statement supporting the said motion is attached hereto as Annex “W.” 45.

The Applicant SURSECO I and MPC prayed that the Commission will:

a) Issue an Order declaring the financial model attached hereto as Annex “M” as confidential information within the purview of Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, as well as directing that the financial model be treated with confidentiality and be protected from public disclosure; b).

Issue the corresponding Protective Order in accordance with Section 2 and 4 of the said Rule 4;

Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost Fee (if applicable)

The Buyer shall pay the Seller Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost in accordance with the invoice provided by the supplier of Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost.

c).

Immediately issue an Order provisionally approving the present Joint Application; and

8.

d) After due hearing, render judgment approving the Power Sales Agreement subject of the instant Joint Application, as well as the generation rate and adjustment mechanisms indicated therein.

Backup Capacity and Backup Energy Costs Fee (if applicable).

The Buyer shall pay the Seller Backup Capacity and Energy Cost equivalent to the Monthly Payment had there been no Forced Outage.

For reference, a sample computation of the rate is contained in Schedule C of the PSA. 22.1. Basis for indexation. As indicated in the formulas above, the monthly fees to be paid by SURSECO I are subject to adjustments based on various indices or factors in order to properly reflect the fluctuation of MPC’s costs in producing electricity.

22.2 The components of the Operation and Maintenance Fees representing foreign currency denominated costs are adjusted based on the foreign exchange rate and the appropriate foreign price indices; those representing local costs are adjusted based on local price indices. The Actual Fuel Costs vary based on the applicable fuel cost index.

22.3. Financial Model. A copy of MPC’s financial model for the tariff is attached hereto as Annex “M.” As discussed below, the financial inodel is the subject of a Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information.

23.

Sources of Funds/Financial Plans.

23.1. Debt Equity Ratio. The project was funded through loans and equity; with a debt-equity ratio of 68:32. For the costs of an additional unit brought back to the MPC Power Station, the debt-equity ratio is 70:30.

23.2. Project Cost. The total project cost for the MPC Power Plant as of March 2014 is P1.456 billion.

A breakdown of the said total project cost is attached hereto as Annex “N.” For reference, a comparison between the said total project cost and earlier project cost totals used to compute the tariff is attached hereto as Annex “N-1.”

Annual Interest. MPC’s actual interest cost is 6.5% p.a.

e)

Joint Applicants likewise pray for other just and equitable relief under the premises.

The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on 19 January 2017 (Thursday) at· nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at SURSECO I’s Principal Office, National Highway, San Fernando, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become· a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the application may request from the applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASlRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 13th day of September 2016 in Pasig.City.

A copy of MPC’s loan agreement is attached hereto as Annex “0.”

23.4. Computation of Weighted Average Cost of Capital. The nominal pre-tax Weighted Average Cost of Capital (“WACC”) of the project is 12.38%.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

A computation of the WACC is attached hereto as Annex “P.”

Where: F

“A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known, only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having commercial value.

A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the: employer an opportunity to obtain advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous operation · of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be .a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights.”

Total AFC = FC x EC x ED

EC

23.3.

CRFR

34.2. In the case “Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell Inc,”1 the Supreme Court defined “trade secret” as follows:

The relative Value Added Taxes (“VAT’’) of the above fee payments 12% shall be computed as follows:

19.6. Effective Date. The obligations under the PSA shall become effective on the Effective Date, which shall be upon this Honorable Commission’s approval of the PSA and the pricing structure therein.

19.7. Allowed Outages. MPC is entitled to allowed outages equivalent to 5,256 MWh per year.

34.1. The financial model qualifies as a ”trade secret” as contemplated under existing jurisprudence.

Actual Fuel Cost (AFC)

Where: FC =

19.1. Supply of Power Requirements. Under the PSA, MPC shall make available, reserve, guarantee and deliver to SURSECO I the contracted electric power (“Contracted Capacity’’) of four (4) MW and the Dispatchable Energy, as indicated in and subject to the terms and conditions of the PSA

19.3. Commencement of Supply. MPC shall commence supplying power on the date designated by MPC to SURSECO I in writing as the date on which MPC is ready to commence supply (“Commencement Date”.

34. In accordance with. Section 1, Rule 4 of this Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“ERC Rules”), Applicant MPC respectfully moves that the financial model be treated as Confidential information for the following reasons:

Variable O&M. Fee Rate of php 0.17/kWh

The Actual Fuel Cost (AFC) is the fee paid to the Seller as payment for the procurement and delivery of the fuel oil (Bunker C) used in the operation of the MPC Power Station. The Actual Fuel Cost shall be computed as follows:

Salient Features of the PSA.

19.2. MPC shall have the option of supplying the Contracted Capacity or any part thereof, from other sources, provided that the cost of such supply is lower than or equal to the cost of supply from the MPC Power Plant. The cost of such alternative supply to SURSECO I shall be a full pass-through cost to SURSECO I.

Variable O&M Fee, in Pesos

VOMFR =

A copy of a certification on the Plant’s net heat rate is attached hereto as Annex

“L.”

33. The financial model discloses the basis for the tariff under the PSA. It includes all the formulas and calculations as well as the assumptions and values considered therein.

Where:

Copies of SURSECO 1 ’s DDP and supply-demand projections are attached to the Application as Annexes “F” and “G,” respectively:

= Monthty Actual Energy Delivered TMED

24. Cash Flow.

24.1.

Breakdown of Operating and Maintenance Expenses. A breakdown of

1

G. R. No. 172835, 13 December 2007.

(MS-DEC. 13 & 20, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

World

Stormy 2017 is forecast for Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO―A power struggle coupled with the most far-reaching corruption probe Brazil has ever seen means the country’s democracy is in for a stormy 2017.

One side of the increasingly complex crisis in Latin America’s biggest economy pits the corruption-riddled political class in Brasilia against aggressive prosecutors running the so-called Carwash probe of embezzlement at state oil company Petrobras.

Another sees the Supreme Court fighting with members of Congress who are trying to hobble what they view as a threatening judiciary.

The mostly under-the-carpet struggle has started to erupt into the open. This month, one Supreme Court justice tried to force the scandal-tainted Senate president, Renan Calheiros, to step down, only to be rebuffed by Calheiros and eventually overruled by the rest of the court.

Congress, meanwhile, is trying to push through laws that would target prosecutors and judges for “abuse of authority” and even to grant themselves immunity for past crimes of corruption.

Ivar Hartmann, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, calls this “pure revenge.”

Underlying the crisis is the Carwash probe, which has uncovered extensive, high-level involvement in a scheme that saw politicians take bribes to help contractors win inflated contracts from Petrobras.

Big names have already fallen, including the once-powerful speaker of the lower house of Congress, Eduardo Cunha, who is in jail awaiting trial for allegedly taking millions of dollars in bribes. And there is no end in sight.

“Carwash has a life of its own. No one can control it,” said Marcos Cepik, a foreign affairs specialist at the University of Rio Grande do Sul. Plea bargains by 77 executives at Odebrecht, the huge construction company at the heart of the Petrobras embezzlement scheme, have been completed and leaks from the testimony indicate that scores more politicians will be accused of corruption. AFP

PERFORMANCE. Singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks and musician Chrissie Hynde perform at The Forum on December 18 in Inglewood. AFP

Choi denies all charges as her fraud trial opens S EOUL―Choi Soon-Sil, the woman at the center of a corruption scandal that triggered the biggest political crisis for a generation in South Korea, denied all charges as her fraud trial opened on Monday.

During the preliminary hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, her lawyer countered prosecution allegations that Choi had conspired with the country’s now-impeached president, Park Geun-Hye, and former presidential aide Ahn Jong-Beom to strong-arm “donations” from major conglomerates.

“A major focus today was on collusive relations. We stressed that there was no collusion between the defendant, Ahn or the president,” lawyer Lee KyungJae told reporters afterwards.

It was the first public appearance since October for Choi, who has been dubbed Korea’s “female Rasputin” for the influence she

wielded over President Park.

Sporting black-rimmed glasses and a surgical mask that obscured her face, Choi, who has been in custody for the past seven weeks, was brought to the court in a special prison bus.

Television footage showed her handcuffed and wearing a bluegray prison outfit with a serial number on the chest as she was taken off the bus and led into the court building by a female guard.

Minutes later she entered the courtroom -- minus the mask and handcuffs -- and sat down next to her lawyer, her head lowered.

Choi, who was in Germany when the corruption scandal broke, said she had felt “willing

to be punished” when she returned to South Korea.

“But now, I think I must clarify myself,” she said in court.

Asked by the judge whether that meant she denied all the charges, Choi answered: “Yes.” The 60-year-old is being tried for coercion and abuse of power -largely related to the corporate funding of two dubious foundations she controlled and allegedly plundered.

A long-time friend of Park’s, Choi is accused of leveraging her relationship with the president to strong-arm large companies like Samsung into handing over tens of millions of dollars.

The accusations that Park colluded with Choi formed the basis of an impeachment motion against the president that was passed by parliament earlier this month.

The motion is now being considered by the Constitutional Court which has up to 180 days to make a ruling on whether to endorse or reject the president’s ouster.

The last time Choi was seen in public was in late October when she attended a summons at the Seoul prosecutor’s office and famously lost a much-photographed Prada shoe in the media scrum outside the building.

Choi was not obliged to turn up for Monday’s hearing, which was largely procedural and focused on preparing the way for the trial proper.

But her lawyer said she had volunteered to appear.

“She has expressed a willingness to participate sincerely in the trial,” Lee was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency.

Choi was criticized for refusing to attend ongoing hearings of a parliamentary committee investigating the scandal.

Park is also accused of ordering aides to leak state documents to Choi, who has no official title or security clearance, and allowing her to meddle in some state affairs, including the appointment of top officials. AFP

New bills flown into crisis-hit Venezuela

WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG. This file photo taken on January 1st, 1953, shows French actor Fernandel and US actress Zsa Zsa Gabor playing gangsters during the filming of Henri Verneuil’s movie ‘L’Ennemi Public N∑1’.

Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Hungarian-born Hollywood siren perhaps better known for her prodigious love life than her movie credits, died on December 18 after suffering a heart attack, her husband said. She was 99. AFP

CARACAS―A jetload of new currency finally arrived in Venezuela Sunday after its delayed arrival sparked protests and looting that jolted President Nicolas Maduro’s unpopular government.

The government had briefly pulled from circulation the largest-denomination 100-bolivar bill without replacing it on Thursday, due to the delay.

People around the country took to the streets protesting, there was widespread looting in the south and the government boosted the number of troops on the streets.

Bolivar Governor Francisco Rangel Gomez said one person had died and 262 people were detained in his state, where 3,200 soldiers were deployed to “restore order.”

The (100-bolivar) bill is worth about 15 US cents at the highest official rate, and until recently accounted for 77 percent of the cash in circulation in Venezuela.

Venezuela has the world’s highest inflation rate. The government is trying to introduce new bills in much higher denominations since most people have to carry around bags full of cash for everyday

transactions.

“There are 272 crates of 50,000 500-bolivar bills,” the Central Bank’s number-two official Jose Khan said on state-run television.

Khan said this first shipment would be followed by two more, adding up to 60 million units of the 500-bolivar bill.

Denominations of up to 20,000 bolivares are expected to follow.

Maduro blamed the delay on “US Treasury Department sabotage.” The bills were made in Sweden.

Maduro, a former bus driver, has presided over an unraveling of Venezuela’s oil-rich economy as crude prices have plunged. He and predecessor Hugo Chavez have made the economy increasingly state-led.

Citizens face long queues to buy basic supplies and inflation has soared.

Maduro’s government also blames speculators for hoarding the 100-bolivar bill. The country’s borders with Brazil and Colombia have been shut until January 2 in a bid to boost security and put a dent in black marketeering.

AFP

IN BRIEF 3,000 evacuated from Aleppo BEIRUT―An estimated 3,000 people were evacuated from the last rebel-held pocket of Syria’s Aleppo early on Monday after hours of delay, a medical official told AFP. “About 20 buses carrying people from Aleppo have arrived” at the staging ground west of the city, said Dr Ahmad Dbis, who heads a team of doctors and volunteers coordinating evacuations.

Another 25 vehicles arrived less than two hours later, he said, bringing the total evacuated on Monday morning to around 3,000 people.

Dbis said he saw families wrapped in several layers of coats getting off the buses and receiving packs of bottled water and food.

One thin young boy was biting into an apple while his family sat on the cold earth behind him.

More than 30 buses packed with people had waited overnight in freezing temperatures to leave Aleppo under a complex evacuation deal.

Just 350 people were able to leave after Russia and Turkey urged the government to allow five buses to pass its final checkpoint, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The departure of the remaining buses had reportedly been delayed until hundreds of people could be evacuated from two northwestern villages under siege by the rebels.

The Britain-based Observatory said an estimated 500 people were bussed out of Fuaa and Kafraya early on Monday.

“Ten buses carrying about 500 people have left Fuaa and Kafraya and are on their way to government-controlled territory in Aleppo,” said Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman. AFP

25 die after drinking bath essence MOSCOW-At least 25 people have died in the Russian city of Irkutsk after drinking bath essence containing toxic alcohol, authorities said Monday.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said in a statement that 42 people had sought medical attention over the weekend after having drunk the liquid labeled as hawthorn-scented bath essence, 25 of whom died.

Authorities said the product bore a label warning it is unsuitable for consumption, but the lotion was nonetheless “consumed like alcohol.”

The product contained methanol, a toxic substance used in antifreeze, investigators said.

Cheap perfumes and facial toners containing alcohol are sold without the trading restrictions on alcoholic drinks, while those who buy them to drink are the most socially disadvantaged.

Two people have been detained over the deaths, investigators said, and searches are being conducted at the markets where the deadly product was being sold.

Homemade spirits and household products containing alcohol are popular throughout the former Soviet Union as a cheap alternative to the standard brands but are also blamed for a large number of alcohol-related deaths. AFP

Red alert as China is choked by toxic BEIJING―Hospital visits spiked, roads were closed and flights canceled Monday as China choked under a vast cloud of toxic smog, with forecasters warning the worse was yet to come.

At least 23 cities in the world’s most populous country have issued red alerts for air pollution since Friday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

A host of emergency measures have been implemented to protect the public’s health from the smog, which is smothering almost a ninth of the entire country.

On Monday morning -- the fourth day of the alert which is scheduled to end on Wednesday -- Beijing’s air quality was better than feared, with PM 2.5 levels hovering around 200, according to data maintained by the US Embassy.

However, the figure remained eight times the World Health Organization’s daily recommended maximum exposure level to the microscopic particles that carry major health risks.

And the relatively low number was just a temporary reprieve, Beijing’s meteorological authority told AFP, adding that the worst haze would hit the city Monday night and linger until Tuesday. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

CULTURE & MEDIA

D1

Saint Laurent introduced his first collection on Jan. 29, 1962

M

ALLGOERS recently had a glimpse of a historical fashion event at the recent launch of the Yves Saint Laurent: A Birth of a Legend photographic exhibition at SM Aura Premier.

A joint partnership between the Embassy of France in the Philippines, Alliance Francaise de Manille and SM, the exhibit was successfully brought to the country, all the way from France, to be part of the exhibit’s tour in Asia at SM Aura Premier.

The French Ambassador to the Philippines, Thierry Mathou and wife Madame Cecile and Alliance Francaise de Manille Executive Director Patrick Deyvant led the Embassy officials who graced the occasion.

Members of the diplomatic corps, fashion designers, and representatives from the country’s top fashion schools also attended the event, and were warmly welcomed by SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications Millie Dizon and SM Aura Premier Assistant Vice President for Operations Bernice Baculi.

The exhibit showcases 49 original photographs by renowned French photographer Pierre Boulat about the creative work, anxiety and happiness of one of the most recognized French Fashion designers in the world Yves Saint Laurent during the preparation of his first collection in 1962.

In 1961, Saint Laurent was preparing to launch his fashion house with his partner, Pierre Bergé. He was called “the new fashion genius” by the Fashion Editor of Life magazine, Sally Kirkland after the last collection of Dior. Saint Laurent is also known for working at Dior during his early years.

Yves Saint Laurent: Birth of a legend YSL with his partner Pierre Berge

YSL at the presentation of his collection

Pierre Boulat was able to capture in photograph Yves Saint Laurent during his first show, during which he broke down in tears due to the crowd’s overwhelming appreciation of his work.

Yves Saint Laurent or known as YSL is a luxury French fashion brand, which the designer founded in 1961. It is well known for iconic and modern masterpieces like tuxedos and suits for women. He also became the first living fashion designer to

be honored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with a solo exhibition in 1983.

Boulat is a renowned French photographer and journalist. He is one of the few photographers of Saint Laurent since his debut at Dior. He opened a

fashion studio on 1948 and worked freelance for different French and American magazines – Look, Life and Time.

He participated in the realization of the catalog for the exhibition of Yves Saint Laurent in the Metropolitan Museum of New York City.

YSL was named “the new fashion genius”

French Ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou and Madame Cecile (third and fourth from left) graced the YSL Photo Exhibit at SM Aura Premier together with (from left) Alliance Française de Manille Executive Director Patrick Deyvant and SM SVP for Marketing Communications Millie Dizon

Dr. Willibald Zeck and Lisbeth Strohmeier of the Austrian Embassy

The YSL fashion brand became renowned with Mondrian collection of dresses

Kaleidoscope beckons with lights and colors AT THE Greenfield District headquarters, it has been established early on that these days, competition is becoming stiffer. Gig areas and food havens all over the Metro have mastered and perfected the secret way to the Pinoy taste buds and have clearly defined his idea of a perfect Friday nightlife.

So the challenge is to know what is left to propose to be able to lure the active and busy Pinoys at Greenfield.

The strategy born is Kaleidoscope— a Friday night party with a personal

and dramatic approach for the fun-loving Filipinos.

The first anniversary of Kaleidoscope lured everyone with the promise of colors, dancing lights and a grand display of life’s vibrancy in an open park that is green, and is right in the center of busy Mandaluyong City.

The goal was to remind everyone that life continues to be fun, despite hectic and busy schedules, especially on Friday nights.

So, lights brightened and colors

Kaleidoscope, an every-Friday get-together hangout in Mandaluyong City, celebrates its first anniversary with good food, refreshing drinks, art exhibition, lights and colors performances and fireworks display.

Greenfield Executive Vice President and General Manager Duane A.X. Santos

painted the skies of the Central Business area of Mandaluyong City as Greenfield District celebrated the first anniversary of Kaleidoscope, an every-Friday get-together, inspired by good food, great music and art.

Executive Vice President and General Manager Duane A.X. Santos explained, “Kaleidoscope is Greenfield District’s way of emphasizing our dedication and commitment to providing a work-life balance environment. At Greenfield we put importance to art, healthy food and

music—to remind everyone of the beauty of colors and the magic of lights and that a Friday night out, in a perfect place, can bring inspiration to the challenges of every day.”

In a recent count, Greenfield District is visited by some 5,000 people on a given Friday night, the number is enough encouragement for Greenfield to make Kaleidoscope even more memorable and worthy of everyone’s “me-time.”

“We are glad that more and more people are coming to experience Kaleidoscope,” Santos declared.

At Kaleidoscope’s first birthday celebration, guests were treated to a “glow in the dark costume” display; an array of art pieces were exhibited for the taking—indeed, an art gallery in the middle of a party; and everyone partook of the sumptuous meals on food stalls, and drinks, too: cool drinks were served and everyone was refreshed.

The LED dancers entertained everyone and the play of lights and colors achieved the promise of relaxation.

And oh, of course there were fireworks.

Life

D2

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Soloist and bass singer Dmitri Grigoriev (standing) and fortepianist Nikolai Medvedev performing Peter Tchaikovsky’s ‘Griominari’

Glimpse of Russian

ARTISTRY

M

ARKING the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Russia, the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, recently gave Filipinos a taste of the rich Russian culture in the realm of performing arts with “Days of Russian Culture in the Philippines” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation organized a three-day festival, Oct. 20 to 23 as part of the Russia-ASEAN Year of Culture. The festival, which formally opened with a concert opera featuring Russia’s best masters of art including an awardwinning soprano, bass singer, pianist and the Rossiya or Russian Folk Ensemble, was met warmly by Filipinos and foreigners alike who filled CCP’s 400-seater Little Theater to the brim.

Speaking before the packed theater, Igor Anatolyevich Khovaev, Russian Federation ambassador to the Philippines, read a message from Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, reiterating the importance of this cultural exchange between the two countries.

“Cultural cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Philippines is a significant, integral part of this strategic partnership, bringing our nations together and consolidating civil and social bases of our international relations.

I’m confident that Days of Russian Culture will attract Filipinos and help

M USICAL

our nations cultivate an enhanced relationship in the cultural sphere,” Medinsky said in the message read by Khovaev.

C C P President Raul M. Sunico expressed his appreciation to the Russian Ministry of Culture for this initiative.

“Russia has always been associated with excellence especially of culture and the arts.

We’ve always been

The opera concert features Russia’s best masters of art including (from left, front row) bass singer Dmitri Grigoriev; fortepianist Nikolai Medvedev; award-winning soprano Natalya Dmitrievskaya; conductor Dmitriy Dmitrienko together with the Rossiya.

awed by the music of Peter Tchaikovsky and his ballets, The Nutcracker Suite and The Swan Lake, among others. And every time we see a Russian performer, we are always excited because we know that

we will be witnessing something of the highest standards.

Russia and the Philippines have shared common pasts. Our political histories have actually intertwined even as early as the days of the Commonwealth. As a people, we share the same values—of family, religion and the love of culture and heritage. We are proud of what we have. We are proud to be people of our own individual nations,”

Sunico said.

The Festival in Manila is the first in a series dubbed as “Days of Russian Culture in Southeast Asia,” which aims to acquaint regional nations with the rich cultural heritage of Russia. Two more similar events will take place in Laos and Cambodia this October.

In 2017, a similar event will also be held in Russia, this time with the Philippines’s arts and culture in the spotlight.

T H E AT E R

‘Dirty Old Musical’ rerun SPOTLIGHT Artists Centre has just Isay exclaims. turned dirt into gold!

Partly because of the limited (eightThe production company owned day) first run, Isay and company feel by world-class theater actors Robcompelled to heed the clamor of frusert and Isay Alvarez-Seña scored trated stage fans who were not able to a major theatrical triumph with the watch the show. highly-successful run of Dirty Old “The January rerun is still quite Musical (D.O.M.) in September at the limited due to the complicated Music Museum. schedules of the cast, hence the sevFeaturing a talented ensemble that en shows, but we expect to do more included John Arcilla, Nonie Buenas we find more free time among camino, Michael Williams, Bo Cereveryone,” she adds. rudo and Seña, Spotlight Artists’s For the January show, equally acfirst original Filipino musical earned claimed stage veteran Carlo Orosa rave reviews and brisk ticket sales, and will take the place of Williams, with struck a resonant chord among OPM the same technical team headed by fans who gamely sang and danced librettist Rody Vera, director Dexalong with their nostalgic favorites. ter Martinez and Salomon as musiD.O.M. tackles the trials, travails cal director. and misadventures of the five memWith their musical backdrop combers of an all-male ‘80s singing group posed of memorable OPM hits, Seña in their twilight years, reunited by a clearly remembers some of their wellnoble cause and given another shot at applauded highlights. redeeming their lost loves and long“The arrangements came as a surheld passions. prise to many. Myke was able to delivThe struggle to reinvent the group er a fresh take on those OPM hits. Parproves to be tougher than they initial- Dirty Old Musical (D.O.M) cast (clockwise from top left): John Arcilla, Michael Williams, ticularly, ‘Saludo’ and ‘Mag-Exercise ly imagined as they grapple with the Robert Seña, Bo Cerrudo and Nonie Buencamino Tayo Tuwing Umaga’ were riots, but aches and pains of growing old. the heart-wrenching Act 1 finale was Isay, Seña and the cast’s initial fears on opening night. were really the ones who planned the a favorite too—‘Kastilyong Buhangin’ and worries about the musical’s ‘birth “We were so excited and I was par- musical. To hear the people laugh hard and ‘Nakapagtataka’—rendered by pains’ were all drowned with the deaf- ticularly proud of Myke Salomon, and see the pasted smiles on their faces John, Noni, Ima and Kitkat,” he says. ening applause and laughter they heard [musical director] and Robert, who were a clear affirmation of our work,” Apart from its solid musical founda-

tion, perhaps part of D.O.M.’s success is its equally “hugot-inducing” themes that revolve around friendship, bromance and the endearing Pinoy trait of relying on humor to trump adversity.

And, because of the strong buzz, Isay also hints at the possibility of extended runs and overseas performances.

She shares, “There were invitations to do a U.S. tour in major cities, but I’m praying to do one here with a big band before the end of 2017.”

Buoyed by D.O.M.’s success, Robert and Isay are even more optimistic about their follow-up project.

Isay enthuses, “Yes, we have this show in mind that we’ve been wanting to see staged. Hopefully in two years’ time. It’s an original production so it will take more time to produce it.”

Rounding up the stellar cast are powerhouse theater performers Ima Castro, Kitkat and Fred Lo, with an ensemble composed of Shalee Vicencio, Gabriela Pangilinan and Irra Cenina.

Dirty Old Musical will have its rerun at the Music Museum from Jan. 1921 and 26-28, 8:00 p.m., with a 3 p.m. matinee on Jan. 28.

For tickets call TicketWorld at (02) 891-9999 or Spotlight Artists Centre at 0919-911-4444.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

SOLENN: As real as it can get

I

F IT were up to Solenn Heussaff, one of the country’s busiest actresses today, she would spend all her Christmases in the Philippines. A true fan of noche buena and pasko, she always looks forward to a real holiday experience.

Solenn Heussaff prefers "Paskong Pinoy" over white Christmas where there's snow

Born to a French father and a Filipino mother, Solenn spent many years of Christmas abroad. “May snow pero wala masyadong lights. ‘Yun ang gusto ko rito sa Philippines. Mahilig tayong mag-decorate.

Kahit hindi pa Christmas, three months before, Christmas na agad. You hear Christmas songs on the radio. Sa bawat kanto, may Christmas lights na. You really feel the joy and spirit.”

Adding to that happiness is that she gets to spend time with her immediate f a m i l y , especially during noche buena, having dinner and exchanging gifts. Her mom and her brother Erwan are usually tasked to do the cooking.

“We always have cheese, caviar and ham. Pinaka-favorite ko ‘yung ham every Christmas,” Solenn confesses.

Contrary to what others may think, the drop-dead sexy artist-actress is no vegetarian but a true-blue meatlover.

It seemed perfect then for Solenn to endorse Holiday Ham by CDO Premium as it brings together two things she loves – Christmas and ham. “I am happy to endorse a product I believe in. I love bacon, tocino and ham but I am very picky on which brand to choose. I want something that’s real and authentic. I

hate extenders,” Solenn says.

When asked for a tip on how to choose a perfect Christmas ham, Solenn has this advice – “Look for the net marks in actual hams, not just in packaging and ads. Only whole-meat hams can be smoked in ham nets and we know that whole meat ham is the best choice.”

“When I’m not working, mas gusto kong magpahinga, nasa bahay lang, nagpi-paint or nagluluto. Those are the things that I enjoy doing.”

Solenn is also busy working on her second exhibit and acting. “Tuloy pa rin ang Encantadia, A1 Ko Sa’Yo, tapos Trip Pinas every Saturday and Taste Buddies na nasa fourth year na.” But despite her fame as an “It Girl” and growing fan base, Solenn is as real as she can when she started in showbiz.

“Never akong nag-change. From day one sa showbiz, how I am or how I am sa TV, it’s the same”, she explains.

That’s Solenn – practical, down-toearth, and very real. And just like her, “Holiday Ham is for everybody – it’s for everybody who believes in giving themselves the best of everything,” says Solenn.

“Why choose another when you can have a real holiday experience with the real ham? As for me, I only choose Holiday Ham by CDO Premium for noche buena,” Solenn shares.

Solenn encourages Filipinos to choose a real holiday experience. “This Christmas, do not settle for anything less than for your family and friends. Choose nothing but the real ham – Holiday Ham

by CDO Premium. You and your family deserve the best this holiday season,” she says.

The Yazz Squad: Coleen Garcia, Yassi Pressman, Ruru Madrid and Tom Rodriguez THE world is fast changing, and everything you’ll ever want and need is now at your fingertips. Book flights online, plan entire vacations, buy books and goods abroad and have them shipped home, and even send money for anyone anywhere in the world.

Through the power of the Internet and thanks to global connectivity, the world has become, indeed, smaller and transactions so much more convenient.

Metrobank Card’s Yazz Card, the all-around reloadable prepaid VISA card, allows online and cashless transactions with millions of accredited VISA merchants worldwide. Just load the YAZZ Reloadable Prepaid VISA Card and enjoy shopping and payment convenience with one card.

Use the YAZZ Card to pay for bills and purchases from your favourite boutiques, supermarkets and 24/7 convenience stores worldwide. YAZZ Card also gives you more confidence as it is EMV-enabled, which is the same technology used in credit cards to give you added security and protection.

Yazz Squad: Coleen Garcia, Yassi Pressman, Tom Rodriguez and Ruru Madrid join the thousands of savvy users who have discovered the power of the YAZZ Reloadable Prepaid VISA Card.

“I have one and want to get one for my brother too, because it’s a good alternative to a credit card. Plus, I can easily send him

Yazz Squad Ruru, Coleen, Yassi and Tom help empower consumers with an all-around prepaid Visa card

money for emergencies just by loading his YAZZ Card,” shares Coleen, adding that the remittance feature is one of the major reasons she decided to get a YAZZ Card.

For Pressman, she uses her YAZZ during shopping sprees. “I’m an impulsive buyer, and I love shopping online too!” she shares. From relying on parents and friends for credit card purchases, she has found a reliable partner in

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, December 20, 2016

ACROSS 1 Wheels for the fields 5 Ape 10 Pilots’ sightings 14 Pirate’s chest?

15 Castle or Dunne 16 Clump of hair 17 Crazy about 18 Trite 19 Ferber or Millay 20 Bow opposites 22 Grandeur 24 At present 25 Swamp critters 26 Paraphernalia 28 Marlins’ city 32 “— Up Little Susie” 35 Sloppy — 37 Crooner’s tune 38 Clean water org.

39 Yawning 41 How — things?

42 More pale 45 Harry Potter’s pal 46 Weakness 47 Loggins or Rogers 48 Verne captain 50 Razzed 54 Bauxite giant 58 Fine-tuned 61 Cancan’s — Rouge

62 Name in fashion 63 Exploiting 65 Shape or form 66 Penny — 67 Talk out of 68 Anon’s companion 69 Mare’s nest 70 Social mores 71 Withered DOWN 1 Top group (hyph.)

2 Kemo Sabe’s pal 3 Marked a ballot 4 Attic function 5 Marbles 6 A Gershwin 7 Brainy club 8 Ill-chosen 9 Ma’s forte 10 Piece of cutlery 11 Cartoon pig surname 12 Point — — return 13 Movie lead 21 PBS “Science Guy” 23 Ms. Bombeck 25 Hot rum drink 27 Cracked 29 Jai — 30 Antony or Chagall

31 — fixe 32 Flimsy 33 Vaulted recess 34 Madeline of “Blazing Saddles” 36 It may be bent 37 Good, to Guido 40 Tadpole habitat 43 Hurts 44 Snake — (dice throw) 46 Tomes 49 Former Chinese leader

51 Chopin opus 52 Turn back the odometer 53 Novelist — Wharton 55 Spice tree 56 Persian Gulf sight 57 Conductor — Previn 58 Genesis man 59 Sup well 60 Scribbles down 61 Business VIPs 64 Paleo opp.

YAZZ. “Now with my YAZZ Card, I’m super happy!” Often, Yassi uses her card to pay for the books she buys online, as well as to make hotel reservations on her travels, one of her biggest indulgences.

Rodriguez is also amazed at the convenience of cashless transactions thanks to YAZZ Reloadable Prepaid VISA Card.

“Before I would pay for my new gadgets and devices in cash, but now I use my YAZZ Card. I don’t have to bring too much cash always.” he says.

Madrid agrees that the YAZZ Card is a great tool to help you manage your budget, as well as helping parents to teach their kids how to save. “What I love about the YAZZ Card is you could use it as a tool to teach kids - as well as adults - about finances. You can encourage them become budget savvy, financial savvy by allowing them to manage their own accounts – while the parents can still control and check in on their expenses.

Here, there is no risk of going overboard.

It’s handy for emergencies as well,” he shares.

From saving money to sending money, to paying for purchases to booking online reservations - with the YAZZ Card, you can do so much. Just like the YAZZ SQUAD: Ruru, Yassi, Coleen and Tom, you can find so many reasons to say yes to YAZZ.

Something wrong at MMFF grand presscon IT COULD have been the perfect venue for clarifications a n d establishing a more positive atmosphere, but somewhere, somehow, something went wrong.

We are talking about the just concluded MMDA and MMFF ChristmasGet Together and Media Party, where almost every representative and main actors of the eight official MMFF entries were present.

Nora Aunor welcomed the question thrown at her on her being replaced by an equally good actress Irma Adlawan in Oro. Ate Guy explained that she reported for work in Caramoan, Camarines Sur and done a day’s work for it. “Pero pagkatapos po akong makunan, wala na akong narinig. Ni wala nang nagsabi sa amin kung babalik pa kami o ano, (After my shoot for that day, I heard nothing.

Nobody informed us on whether we will come back or what?). Nabalitaan ko na lang pinalitan na nga ako (I only got to know that I was replaced).”

What we heard next was the bad rumors on Ate Guy’s collecting the full amount of her talent fee and never reported for work at all, thus her being replaced?

For sure Ate Guy doesn’t want that kind of intrigue, that’s why she spoke up and answered what she believed was the truth.

Oro’s producers could have explained, rebutted or clarified the rumors on such “replacement and money issue,” but they decided to keep their distance and just ignored it.

Tsk. tsk, sayang! It could have been a more spicy promo. **** Wheww, let me just clarify this to LIZQUEN fans who continue to pester us.

When I co-hosted papa Jobert Sucaldito on Dec.16 in DZMM’s Mismo teleradyo show, an item about Enrique Gil (Quen) was discussed.

The issue was about Karla Estrada’s social media posting of a groupie where Quen was deleted/ edited. The supposed group was composed of Piolo Pascual, Zanjoe Marudo, Daniel Padilla, John Lloyd Cruz and Enrique (in that order).

LIZQUEN fans bashed Karla for that and called her names and raised the issue to Daniel-Quen.

I reported the item as to how it came out in the papers and the social media,

including netizens’ reactions and Karla’s explanation (where I even said, was hard

to believe.).

Papa Jobert gave his opinion and yes, for him, it should not be an issue because he felt, Daniel is ahead of Quen. And, that for him, Daniel should be on the same level as James Reid.

That’s his opinion and not the show’s, neither mine!

I only sighed and said my piece about my support to Quen, Daniel and James, whom this showbiz considered as the top three hottest young male actors today.

End of the teleradyo discussion but not for the unhappy LIZQUEN supporters who even included me in their tirades and name-calling.

Wow! Since day one of the LIZQUEN tandem, I was there for the team. I just could not understand how shallow some of these fans could get when their expected stuffs are not heard.

Did they expect me to quarrel papa Jobert in his own show? Or did they want me to defend Quen like the way they defended him?

Nakakaloka lang! Paging Quen. Can you tell some of your supporters to be more open-minded and not so emotional?

Chill lang, **** Kris Aquino and her sons are reportedly spending the Christmas Holidays in the USA. Well, but how come nobody seems to care? Not too long ago when she has the power and influence, even the tiniest of detail of her whereabouts enjoys quite a following.

Has Kris popularity really gone down and nobody seems interested anymore about her gimmicks and repetitive pronouncements?

Poor Kris.

But what disturbs us is this news on her (or her camp’s) alleged auditioning for the Miss Universe cohosting job in 2017?

According to “chismis,” the Miss Universe organization has been sent copies of Kris’ hosting chores as if they were her audition pieces.

But reports also said that the Miss Universe organization allegedly paid no interest and gave a very “cold” reception to such a feeler?

“Dumating na siya sa ganung punto?” many asked. If this is true, poor Kris times two!

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2016

E

verything is merry and magical as SM Megamall recently welcomed the holiday season with the Sky Of Snow: A Christmas Circus Show at the Mega Fashion Hall Atrium. The visually stunning show thrilled mall guests with breathtaking acrobatic tricks, colorful sets, and enthralling costumes that kids of all ages will love.

Sky Of Snow: A Christmas Circus Show is an original performance by the Aurora Borealis Production from New Jersey, United States of America. It is a group of nine professional performers from different countries, joined together to bring one of a kind entertainment to the shoppers.

The performers include Cirque Du Soleil artist, Danila Bim; Marina Curci and Michele Giovanni Ferrandino from Universal Studio Entertainment; the Wild Four Sports Acrobats from Ukraine namely: Danil Biriukov, Yuriy Skits, Roman Onysko, and Dmytri Osin; Anna Natalia Filipowska and Patryk Ernest Nieklan from Poland.

The Sky of Snow presentation included children – friendly circus acts like Mr. Bunny and friends, the Red Lady in the Aerial Silk Act, the Magical Love Birds in the Roller

Brazilian artist Danila Bim from Cirque Du Soleil, Quidam in the "Lady Fairy in the Aetial Hoop" act

MEAN CATS. An exciting feral production by the Wild Four Sports Acrobat from Ukraine, Flic Flac Circus performers in Germany and Spain Barcelona Circus Gala of Huawei

A sky of snow

CHRISTMAS

Jellyfish and Hand Balancing Equilibre Contortion prod by Polish artist Ania Filipowska

Skate Act, the Mean Cats by Wild Four Sports Acrobat, the Jellyfish and Hand Balancing Equilibre Contortion Act, Boy Fairy in the Cyr Wheel Act, and the The Lady Fairy in the Aerial Hoop Act. The event also launched the mall’s 30-foot gleaming Christmas centerpiece, a much-awaited attraction of the season. The dazzling Christmas tree is adorned by nine gold mannequins, which features masterpieces designed by the country’s top fashion designers: Ivar Aseron, Rhett Eala, Jun Escario, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran, Dennis Lustico, Yvette, Choc Religioso, Joey Samson, and Cary Santiago.

In the season of sharing, SM Foundation’s Bears of Joy 2016: Share a Bear this Christmas project also took center stage.

The project aims to share a toy bear to SM Megamall’s beneficiary, Nayon ng Kabataan Orphanage. For every purchase of a toy bear, you can donate another one for only P200 until Dec. 25 at Christmas Toy Fair Booths in selected SM Supermalls nationwide. All collected bears will be given to the mall’s chosen beneficiary.

The magical Sky of Snow: A Christmas Circus Show is one of the many exciting events at SM Megamall.

Aurora Borealis Production performers with choreographer Livia Paccagnella dos Santos

Own Bea Alonzo and James Reid’s FAVORITE INSTAX AND MIRRORLESS CAMERAS IT WILL be a very busy Christmas for Bea Alonzo and James Reid. The two are FUJIFILM Philippines brand ambassadors.

There are no specifics yet but both have been making plans for the long holiday season. You can bet that both popular stars will be bringing along to wherever the spirit moves them their reliable and stylish FUJIFILM cameras.

FUJIFILM’s impressive line of mirrorless cameras is ideal for travel junkies like Bea who, young and beautiful, is understandably out to see the world. “It’s a must that I have a camera that will capture the beauty of what I see,” says the ABS-CBN star. Vividly alive, mirrorlesstaken snaps can also be readily transferred from the camera to phone for Bea to post on her social media accounts.

The mirrorless cameras appeal to James Reid for their functionality, style, lightness, and gamut of features. He is also a fan of the instax instant cameras because they bring about physical copies of moments spent with family, friends, and reel and real life sweetheart Nadine Lustre. “It’s nice to have these mementos that you can give to people,” shares James.

Instax serves its best purpose for Bea when she is hosting a party. And this Christmas, she will be throwing quite a number of get-togethers. “The

prints also serve as a perfect give-away after the party.”

People who have been inspired by Bea and James’ photographic journeys are in for a treat this Christmas.

Have yourself a merry mini instax Christmas

with the FUJIFILM Instax Gift Package. When you buy the Mini 8 Package, you’ll save P659 at the discounted price of P4,999. Get the Mint Green Limited Edition Color at P5,299 and save P659. Other packages include the Mini 70 Package for P6,999 with savings of P1,939 and

Kapamilya stars James Reid and Bea Alonzo share tips on best gift ideas this holiday season

you get the following items for free – mini glossy film, album, acrylic case, and rechargeable CR2 batteries; the Share SP2 Package at P10,999 which saves you P1,213; the Mini 90 Package at P8,999 with P1,505 savings; the Mini Hello Kitty package at P5,999 and save P899; and the WIDE 300 Package where when you buy it for P7,399 you save P2,079. The promo runs from November 21, 2016 until January 31, 2017.

The Limited Edition Mini 8 Mint Green can also be availed at P3,999 in authorized FUJIIFLM dealers nationwide.

If you’re raring to have your own mirrorless camera this yuletide season, FUJIFILM is serving up discounts and premium promo for you. Get an X-Pro2 (Body Only) for 90,990 and you win free XF35mm F2 R WR worth P20,990. For every purchase of FUJIFILM X-E2 worth P47,990, you get a P5,000 discount while if you dream of having a FUJIFILM X-T10, you get P6,000 cash discount.

If you’re purchasing ol the camera, you can get it for P37,990. If it includes XC16-50mm, it’s priced at P42,990 and with the XF18-55mm film, it’s pegged at a slashed price of P53,990. More discounts are in store for FUJIFILM holiday shoppers. For very purchase of FUJIFILM XT100T worth P54,990, you get a P10,000 cash discount and for every purchase of X70 worth P31,990, you get a P5,000 cash discount.

This promo will be good until Dec. 31.