Manila Standard - 2016 December 23 - Friday

VOL. XXX • NO. 314 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

SUCKLING PIG. Choosy buyers of the much-publicized Filipino lechon in Quezon City’s La Loma district pick out what they feel is the prime roasted option for the Christmas Eve family dinner during the weekend. Lino Santos

Pro-poor budget signed Duterte: P3.35-trillion spending plan suits clamor for real change

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon R. Araneta

Support for Rody dips, says pollster

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday signed into law a P3.35-trillion national budget, the first spending plan under his administration, promising huge increases in infrastructure spending, free education at state universities and colleges, universal health care, rice allowances for the poor, and free irrigation for farmers.

By John Paolo Bencito SUPPORT for President Rodrigo Duterte slipped in all regions except in Luzon but he maintained his “excellent” trust rating, the Social Weather Stations fourth quarter report showed.

The survey, conducted among 1,500 respondents, showed that 81 percent of Filipinos expressed “much trust” in Duterte, less than six months into the presidency while nine percent said that they have “little trust” Next page

ON A ROLL. Senators and congressmen hail President Rodrigo Duterte, flanked by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, as he signs the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2017 at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall Thursday.

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P18-m bribe Du30 vows to whack money sent anti-laundering execs to police

By John Paolo Bencito

By Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja and Rey E. Requejo EMBATTLED Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente did not return the P18 million in alleged bribe money to the Justice Department as ordered, but turned it over to the Philippine National Police) to be used as Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday called for the resignation of three officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat whom he called “corrupt” for allegedly obstructing his efforts to pin down the connections of the top officials in the illegal drug trade.

In a speech after signing the P3.35-trillion national budget, Duterte warned that the three of-

P53.3B

ficials would be treated as “drug addicts” if they failed to resign immediately.

“I’m warning again central bank for the second time…I’m going to charge all of you there, criminally.

I’ll count one to three and if you don’t resign, I will treat you as a drug addict,” Duterte said.

“If they can corrupt everybody―We have now the money laundering report. But I am warning again central bank for the

P45.2BP18.7B P9.8B

P544.1B P454.7B

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Justice ordered to swoop Wet Xmas down on online gambling threatens as Nina brews

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to investigate the proliferation of online gambling operations and called for their closure because the country does not benefit from their operations.

Aguirre told reporters that the President ordered for a more thorough investigation after gambling tycoon Jack Lam, who owns the

Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga, used the Philippines as a hub for online gambling, where some 1,316 undocumented Chinese workers were recently apprehended by Immigration agents.

“I was given a marching order to investigate the Peza and online gambling… I have talked with [Executive Secretary Salvador] Medialdea and [Special Assistant to the President] Bong [Go], they

TROPICAL Storm Nock-ten continued to barrel toward the country and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on early Friday morning when it will be called “Nina,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Thursday.

The state weather bureau said the storm, with maximum Next page

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The 2017 budget is 11.6 percent higher than the 2016 budget and is being positioned as a “pro-people, pro-investment and

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

P148B P96.3B

137.2B

P128.3B

Govt declares truce; Reds torch bus

By John Paolo Bencito THE government has declared a unilateral truce with communist rebels and urged them to “go down from the mountains” for

thestandard.com.ph

Christmas, but a recently bought passenger bus was torched by suspected members of the communist New People’s Army at the national highway in Barangay Morales, Koronadal City on

Wednesday night.

Local authorities said the bus, the fourth to be torched by armed men in the province and the sixth attack against bus companies Next page

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

'Mocha' named film festival envoy

By Joel E. Zurbano

A

CTING Chairman Thomas Orbos of the Metro Manila Development Authority said Thursday there was nothing wrong naming sexy actress and controversial blogger Mocha Uson as ambassadress of the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival.

“People get mad at her but at the same time there are 10 more that would love her and we hopefully want to achieve that as well,” said Orbos who admitted he was the one who recommended Uson to be the MMFF ambassadress.

Orbos made the statement in reaction to the critics and bashers of Uson in social media. He said she was chosen “in that position because she is a big and avid supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte.”

He said Uson “embodies the change that we need. Change should not be limited to a certain sector of society, it should be allencompassing. Mocha cuts across all sectors as proven by what she’s done in the past election.”

Uson aside, the MMFF executive committee also considered boxing champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao as the film festival’s ambassador.

“It’s more of an advocacy, advocacy to see what is purely Filipino.

Pro-poor...

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tion.

The Internal Revenue Allotment for local government units will be increased as well, with local governments getting additional transfers such as the Local Government Support Fund.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government will get P148 billion, which will be used to help the Philippine National Police campaign against illegal drugs, to build new jail facilities and to increase the subsistence allowance for prisoners.

The Department of National Defense will get P137.2 billion for territorial defense, the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and security services.

The Department of Agriculture will get a budget of P45.2 billion while the Department of Agrarian Reform will get P9.8 billion.

Both departments are expected to intensify their support to agrarian reform communities and to redistribute agricultural lands to farmers.

Through an increased subsidy to the National Irrigation Authority, irrigation fees that farmers used to pay will now be provided without charge.

The government will also grant crop insurance to 1.3 million subsistence farmers and fishermen to minimize the effects of damage from typhoons and other natural calamities.

Senator Loren Legarda, chairman of the Senate committee on finance, hailed the 2017 budget for its increased support for education and other social services.

“We have provided funds to ensure universal health care coverage, free irrigation for farmers, free tuition in state universities and colleges, additional allowance for teachers, police and military, rice allowance for conditional cash transfer beneficiaries, creation of drug rehabilitation centers, increase in prisoners’ subsistence allowance, pension for post-World War II veterans and centenarians, among many others,” Legarda said.

Under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P100 million will be granted to centenarians and additional funding is provided for supplemental feeding programs. Moreover, the 4.4 million beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfer or 4Ps program are now also entitled to a rice allowance in the form of cash grants.

Additional funding will also go to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to train and equip firefighters and to support the campaign of the Philippine National Police to fight illegal drugs.

Funds have also been allocated to increase the subsistence allowance of prisoners and to rehabilitate and build more jail facilities.

Defense spending will also increase to cover the repair of the Veterans Center and to expand the veterans hospitalization program.

Special provisions for climate and disaster resilience are also part of the 2017 budget, Legarda said.

The Department of Agriculture will get the needed funding to undertake disaster-resilient infrastructure projects, while the Department of Agrarian Reform will promote sustainable farming methods.

pro-growth” spending plan designed to improve social services and to lift Filipinos out of poverty.

“The General Appropriations Act of 2017 is the embodiment of the Filipinos’ clamor for real change and the call for an honest and compassionate government,” Duterte said after signing his first budget in Malacañang.

“The signing of the GAA affirms the national government commitment to support the needs of our people.”

Among government agencies, the Department of Education once again gets the biggest chunk of the budget among all executive agencies with P544.1 billion to provide and maintain basic education facilities, create teaching and non-teaching positions as well as to develop and provide learning resources to more than 20 million Filipino students¬ .

The increased budget will cover a higher cash or chalk allowance for teachers, from P1,500 to P2,500.

Deserving students will be given access to tertiary education through a P58.72-billion allocation for state universities and colleges (SUCs) and an P18.7-billion allocation for the Commission on Higher Education.

The increased allotment of P8 billion for the Higher Education Support Fund means students enrolled in state universities and colleges will not need to pay tuition.

Congress has also approved extra funding for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide education and skills training to recovering drug addicts.

Highlighting the push to increase infrastructure spending, the 2017 budget provides the Department of Public Works and Highways with a budget of P454.7 billion, and the Department of Transportation with P53.3 billion, increasing their budgets by 18.3 percent and 25 percent over their 2016 allocations, respectively.

The 2017 budget allots more than P850 billion to building roads, bridges, transport infrastructure and other public works.

This will raise infrastructure spending to at least 5 percent of gross domestic product.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development will get P128.3 billion, a significant portion of which is the conditional cash transfer program, whose 4.4 million beneficiaries will now also get a rice subsidy in cash.

The Department of Health will get P96.3 billion to modernize health facilities and expand services. An additional P1.5 billion has been allocated to the department’s Doctors to the Barrios program, which aims to deploy competent and dedicated physicians to serve municipalities that do not have doctors.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will get a budget of P53.22 billion to fund universal health care for all Filipinos.

Indigent patients, under the No Balance Billing policy, will receive completely free service from government hospitals.

DOH Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers will also be built in provinces that lack such facilities through a P2.646-billion alloca-

Wet...

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sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 95 kph, was spotted 1,320 kilometers east of Mindanao at 4 p.m. Thursday and is moving west northwest at 23 kph.

Pagasa forecast cloudy skies

with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms over the Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Davao regions while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains is expected over the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thun-

She’s [Uson] not the only one. Di namin nahabol si Pacquiao, another is Mia Concio who used to head (PTV) Channel 4,” said Orbos.

“I asked the Execom to name their own. I named two and I was the one who suggested but it was brought to the Execom.”

In a post on her social media account dated December 17, Uson said the government didn’t pay her for the position as MMFF ambassador. She also denied that this role was given to her for her staunch support for President Duterte.

“Para naman sa mga TROLL at BASHERS—wala po itong bayad at hindi po ito ibinigay sa akin dahil sa aking suporta sa Pangulo, kung tutuusin po ay marami akong naka-meeting na taliwas ang paniniwala sa akin.

Ngunit pagdating po sa pagbabagong ito, kami po ay handang magtulungan para mas maiangat

ang antas ng pelikulang Pilipino,” Uson said.

Orbos earlier said he was supporting the decision of the members of the MMFF executive committee for thoroughly selecting “new faces” and “non-traditional” set of films for the 2016 festival which will run starting on Christmas Day. “With the kind of films that we have so-called artist films, I fully support the decision of the selection committee and even without looking at the revenues na maaring dumagdag o mawala, we don’t even know, the mere fact na ito yung decision nila, ito’y ikakabuti ng movie industry given the fact na, tawag nga nila renaissance of Filipino films. Then, we just have to support it,” Orbos said.

The MMDA supervises the MMFF while its chairman is the concurrent head and organizer of

EVIDENCE SUBMITTED. Former Criminal Investigation and

Detection Group Sr. Supt. Wally Sombero turns over Thursday to the Ombudsman what authorities describe as evidence money worth P2 million as part of the alleged bribe money at the Bureau of Immigration scandal. Manny Palmero

evidence in the filing of graft charges against two sacked Immigration deputy commissioners, Al Argosino and Michael Robles.

Morente said that he no longer has jurisdiction over former intelligence chief Charles Calima after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II dismissed him from the service on December 13, for his alleged involvement in an extortion scandal.

Meanwhile, former police officer Wally Sombero turned over to the Office of the Ombudsman his P2 million share from the P50-million bribe that Macaubased gambling tycoon Jack Lam allegedly gave to Argosino and Robles.

Sombero’s lawyer, Ted Contacto, said the money will be used as evidence in the graft case he filed against the two former Immigration officials.

Sombero also filed a supplemental affidavit to his graft complaint against Argosino and Robles.

“In response to your directive, may I respectfully inform you that Gen. Calima has been terminated… [t]hus, I have no jurisdiction over him. However, Gen. Calima has appraised me that he has filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Philippine National Police, for plunder against the two associate commissioners,” Morente said in a memo to Aguirre.

“Together with his filing, he turned over the two paper bags to the said office, which, after counting, revealed the amount of P18,000,000. The custody over the evidence is with the CIDG, hence the undersigned could no longer turn over same to the honorable secretary,” Morente said.

Aguirre did not accept Morente’s explanation, and said he would ask the CIDG to turn over the money to the Justice Department or the National Bureau of Investigation.

Reports said Calima turned over the money to the CIDG on December 21, the same day Aguirre ordered Morente to turn over the money to the Justice Department.

Aguirre insisted that the money should have been turned over immediately to the Justice Department.

“I authorized Morente to do all things necessary to secure the

money. Before I terminated Calima, Morente should have asked Calima to turn over… everything that is to be turned over,” Aguirre said.

Both Argosino and Robles has earlier filed complaints for corruption of public officials and violation of anti-wiretapping law against Lam, Sombero, Calima and Lam’s two Chinese interpreters.

The two BI officials allegedly accepted P50 million in payoffs from Lam in exchange for the release of 600 out of 1,316 Chinese illegally working at the Fontana Leisure Parks and Casino in Clark, Pampanga.

They were caught on video accepting the money from Sombero.

Both denied the allegations against them, saying they were investigating Lam’s corrupt activities.

Argosino and Robles are facing plunder and graft complaints filed by Calima before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In his complaint, Calima said Argosino and Robles must be held criminally and administratively liable for bribery and extortion.

Calima said the bribery of the two deputy commissioners was just an entrapment operation at the City of Dreams in Parañaque City on November 27.

He said Sombero called him up on November 25, informing him that immigration officials were trying to extort money from Lam for the release of the 1,316 overstaying Chinese nationals.

In the complaint, he said he requested Sombero to identify the officials and to give him their contact numbers.

During their meeting at the City of Dreams, Argosino and Robles left him two paper bags supposedly containing money.

He added that it was Argosino who told him he was able to get P50 million from his “new connection” and that another P50 million would be distributed to other immigration officials.

Calima denied any involvement in the extortion attempt, saying Argosino and Robles left a paper bag for him, but he did not even open it.

Among the pieces of evidences were printouts of text message exchanges with Sombero, and a police memorandum for the temporary custody of the P18 million that Calima got from the two immigration deputy commissioners.

derstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, Pagasa added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s Pre Disaster Risk Assessment Core Group ameets in preparation for Nock-Ten. The NDRRMC is continuously monitoring weather updates as TS

Nock-Ten moves closer to PAR and alerted people living in lowlying areas against possible landslides and flash floods.

Sea travel is risky over the northern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon due to the surge of the Northeast Monsoon.

Communities with volcanoes in affected areas are likewise warned

P18-m...

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the annual event.

“I’m not saying the likes of those [films] who failed to enter [the MMFF] are not of good quality. Maybe, all things change and this is just one example or one area that there are changes. While this is happening, we can also describe this as an answer to the public clamor to have movies to watch like Heneral Luna which is socially relevant,” Orbos said.

He said he was optimistic they would meet the revenue targets during the week-long film festival.

This year’s official entries includes “Die Beautiful” starring Paolo Ballesteros; “Kabisera” featuring Nora Aunor, Ricky Davao, JC De Vera, Jason Abalos and Victor Neri; “Saving Sally” top billed by Rhian Ramos and Enzo Marcos; “Seklusyon” featuring Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe

Walker, Elora Espano, Neil Ryan Sese, Ronnie Alonte, Lou Veloso, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman and JR Versales; “Sunday Beauty Queen” starring Hazel Perdid, Maylyn Jacobo, Cherry Bretania and Leo Selomenio; “Vince & Kath & James”” stars Julia Barretto, Joshua Garcia and Ronnie Alonte; “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2: Forever is Not Enough” top billed by Eugene Domingo and Chris Martinez; and “Oro” starring Joem Bascon.

Last year, The MMFF earned P1.020-billion total gross, which is more than P15 million the festival earned in 2014.

The MMFF beneficiaries include the Movie Workers Welfare Foundation Inc., Motion Picture and Anti-Film Piracy Council, Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Optical Media Board.

Support...

from September.

Support for Duterte stayed excellent in urban areas with +73 this December, but support in rural areas slipped to +71 from +77.

The Palace shrugged off any slip in public support, saying the President still received an overall “excellent” rating.

“We thank the Filipino people for the continued trust. Net public confidence in the President stays excellent at +72 during the fourth quarter,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Andanar said that the continued trust given on the President is a testament of the people’s firm belief in him and his presidency, particularly his agenda of ridding society of illegal drugs, crime, and corruption.

“This gives the President and members of his team all the more reason to pursue with greater resolve the President’s goal of a Philippine free from the drug scourge, crime incidents, and malfeasance in public service,” he added.

The fourth quarter survey, conducted from December 3-6, has a ±3 sampling margin of error for national percentages.

Justice...

line in the Philippines; but the betting outside, we have no mechanism against it,” he said.

Duterte had previously vowed to stop the proliferation of online gambling during his administration’s first Cabinet meeting on June 30.

Duterte singled out Roberto Ongpin, former chairman of listed gaming technology firm PhilWeb Corp., as among the oligarchs who must be weeded out of the government. Ongpin has since sold controlling stake in the company.

Following the President’s directive, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. decided not to renew the licensing deal with PhilWeb despite last-minute talks.

But in August, the President indicated he had a change of mind, saying he would allow online gaming companies to operate again should they pay taxes correctly and avoid locations near schools and churches.

With Duterte’s latest pronouncement, the future of online gambling is again uncertain, even after state gaming regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. started accepting applications for offshore gaming licenses.

From A1 in his leadership. Another 10 percent remained undecided.

While maintaining an “excellent” +72 trust rating, Duterte slipped four points from his +76 score in the third quarter survey.

Duterte’s trust ratings continued to slip from a +79 in the survey conducted days before his inauguration on June 30.

The drop in Duterte’s trust rating declined in major geographic regions—Metro Manila, the Visayas and Mindanao despite his steady score in the Balance Luzon.

Most significant was a 11-point drop in Metro Manila from +76 in September to +65 in December.

It also fell by a grade and four points in the Visayas from an “excellent” +73 in September to a “very good”+69 by December.

In his home region, the President’s trust rating in Mindanao stayed “excellent” but slipped seven points from September’s +92 to a +85 in December.

His rating in Balance Luzon was “very good” at +69 in December

From A1 are now drafting the scope of my authority to investigate online gambling,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said he would personally oversee the probe.

In his speech during the signing of the 2017 national budget, Duterte said he wants all forms of online gaming closed as the country does not benefit from it.

Duterte said his new order was related to the online gambling operations discovered at the Fontana resort operated by Lam. “I ordered the arrest of Jack Lam. My grandfather is a Lam. That’s my problem. Maybe they’re cousins,” he said.

At the moment, he said, the government has no way to strictly monitor online gambling.

He cited the weak leadership at the Philippine Export Zone Authority, which deals with online gaming operators that set up in export zones.

“You know, I want them closed because of what they’re doing. I’ll have a white paper written by somebody but I’ll make it public. It’s on-

Govt...

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since November 13, was heading for General Santos City from Cotabato City via Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat and Tacurong City when the incident happened around 7:15 pm.

Eight armed men asked the passengers to disembark before dousing the bus with gasoline and setting it on fire before escaping.

Reports said the passenger bus owned by the Mindanao-based Husky Bus Lines cost P5 million.

It was the second attack on the Husky Bus Lines since November 27 when gunmen burned another Husky bus in Tantangan, South Cotabato.

The buses of Yellow Bus Lines were also torched by men who claimed they were communist guerrillas in Tupi and Sto Niño towns and in Kiamba, Sarangani province, and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur last November.

Duterte announced Wednesday the declaration of the end of hostilities with the communist rebels from December 3 to January 2.

for possible debris/lahar flow.

All Regional and Local DRRM Councils likely to be affected has been advised to take precautionary measures as necessary.

The public is advised to stay vigilant this holiday season, heed to the advice of LGUs and monitor weather updates through radio, television and social media.

Du30...

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second time. It was not until I burdened at them during the NBI, National Bureau of Investigation anniversary and I was there. And I was told by the director that until now, there’s no report of this Amla.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said Duterte was referring to AMLC Executive Director Julia Baccay Abad, Vincent Salido, AMLC Deputy Director, and Rafael Echaluse, Bank Attorney IV and Head of the Compliance and Investigation Division as those being asked to resign.

“He was referring to the people implementing the law, the one in the Office of Executive Director, then her Deputy, and the head of investigation,” Aguirre said in a chance interview with reporters.

“The last two, they were brods of Senator De Lima.”

Salido and Echaluse belonged to the Lambda Rho Beta fraternity and were thus fraternity brothers of De Lima, who is a Lambda Rho Sigma sorority sister.

De Lima, a former Justice secretary, allegedly protected drug syndicates inside the national penitentiary in exchange for funds for her 2016 election campaign, an allegation she has repeatedly denied.

Duterte accuses AMLC officials of engaging in politics for being difficult to deal with as the Department of Justice complained it had yet to receive additional documents related to the drug transactions inside the national penitentiary.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Free irrigation farmers’ victory

By Sandy Araneta

TRAFFIC TAILBACK. Different types of vehicles create a standstill along Edsa in Kamuning, Quezon City, with passengers rushing to market to buy items for their traditional family dinner on Christmas Eve—the Noche Buena—while others are dashing to bus terminals for the trip to their respective provinces for the Christmas holiday. Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF DFA condemns murder of Russian envoy DAYS after the incident, the Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday released a statement condemning “in strongest terms” the heinous attack on Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov.

In a statement, the DFA expressed sympathy and unity with the Russian Federation over this tragic killing of Karlov, a career diplomat with 40 years of public service.

“The Philippines condemns, in the strongest terms, the heinous attack on Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrey Karlov,” the DFA stated.

“Ambassador Karlov will be remembered and honored for his dedication to his country,” it added.

On Monday, Karlov was shot dead in front of a crowd at an elite art gallery in the capital of Ankara.

Karlov, 62, was delivering his speech and was halfway with his statement when a man in a dark suit who stood directly behind him shot the envoy in the back from close range several times Sara Susanne Fabunan

US Embassy closed during holidays MANILA—The Embassy of the United States in the Philippines and its affiliated offices will be closed to the public on Monday, December 26, in observance of a special non-working day for Christmas Day. The embassy and its affiliated offices will also be closed on Friday, December 30, in observance of Rizal Day, a Philippine holiday and on Monday, January 2, a special non-working day for New Year’s Day. PNA

THE Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Thursday said farmers would make sure there would be no more collection of irrigation service fees in 2017.

“Free irrigation in 2017 is a significant result of farmers’ decades of assertion and struggle for free irrigation. It’s actually long overdue,” said Antonio Flores, secretary general of KMP. “NIA [National Irrigation Administration] must not collect anymore payment and the farmers must not pay anymore starting next year,” said Flores.

“We claim this as an initial victory for farmers. Farmers and irrigators associations have launched a nationwide campaign for free irrigation and formed the Pambansang Ugnayan para sa Libreng Irigasyon at Patubig to assert free irriga-

tion services. Free irrigation is a necessary government support service to genuinely develop agriculture and foster rural development,” Flores said.

The national government announced an additional P2.3 billion was allotted to the National Irrigation Administration in the ratified P3.35-trillion budget that is due for signing by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The additional fund for NIA will be on top of the P30.4-billion allocation for construction of new irrigation systems and restoration and rehabilitation of existing irrigation facilities.

“Additional budget for NIA will relieve farmers from paying irrigation services fees, which is among the highest in Asia. We expect the NIA to issue operating guidelines and memorandum circular on free irrigation in the soonest possible time,” the peasant leader said.

TUCP not accepting new contractualization policy

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE big labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa on Thursday insisted that it would not accept the Department of Labor and Employment’s Dept. Order 30 that would set new policy on contractualization scheme.

It said this was opposite to President Rodrigo Duterte’s commitment to the labor sector to ban contractualization in the country.

“We are urging President Duterre to disapprove the current [order] and ask DoLE to make the [order] aligned with his promise to the Filipino peo-

ple to end contractualization,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

“The draft department order will not lead to the ultimate end but rather to the further strengthening of the legal standing of contractualization in the country,” he said.

Labor Secretary Silvestre

Bello III said the department would release Dept. Order 30 on Dec. 28, 2016, which would slowly wipe out the “endo” and illegal contractualization.

But the TUCP maintained the new Dept. Order would still allow contractualization scheme being practiced by big companies, by employing the services of manpower agencies.

“Why can’t big companies directly hire workers and still get the service of manpower agencies? It’s because they can easily remove the worker and point the blame to the manpower agency,” the TUCP said.

However, the labor chief said the government would conduct another round of discussion with labor groups and other stakehold-

ers to modify or amend the draft Dept. Order.

He said the department was on track with the objective of eliminating “endo” and other forms of illegal contracting arrangements.

“In fact, a total of 32,437 workers are now enjoying job security after their employers and contractors converted their employment into regular status,” he said.

Of this figure, 28,772 workers were regularized after the conduct of 186 consultations and meetings with 9,100 establishments.

About 3,665 workers were regularized after the DOLE Regional Offices inspected 17,147 establishments and contractors.

Meanwhile, some companies that committed to regularize their workers are those in the pri-

ority industries.

“Some companies volunteered to regularize their workers, seven manpower agencies in Luzon became the first recipients of the cease-and-desist orders from the labor department,” he said.

Bello said some 1,123 displaced workers in the mining industry were already provided with P3,200,550 emergency employment by the department under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.

“This is just temporary employment for displaced workers who were affected by our campaign against “endo.” We will also be providing them with livelihood or skills training,” Bello added.

GMA wants to give Veterans hospital juridical personality FORMER president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo wants to give the Veterans Memorial Medical Center its own juridical personality and modernize it to serve the medical needs of Filipino veterans, retired soldiers and their dependents.

Arroyo has filed House Bill No. 1240 which seeks to protect any sale or disposition of VMCC and provide it greater flexibility and autonomy in its operations to serve its mission.

“Recognizing the invaluable sacrifices and services of our veterans and military retirees, it is only imperative that a medical facility dedicated to serve their medical needs as well as their dependents must be

provided stability, viability and ample resources to ensure that they receive quality medical and health services,” Arroyo said.

VMMC is under the control and supervision of the Department of National Defense, receiving one percent of DND’s annual budget.

VMMC does not have its own charter and no other source of income to support the free care and treatment of veterans, retirees and their dependents unlike other government hospitals.

Arroyo’s bill proposes to give VMMC a corporate entity which shall be governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by the DND Secretary and vice-chaired by the hospital’s medical director.

Other members will be the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Defense and Security; Chairperson of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and Welfare; Secretary of Health; Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; Chairman of the Philippine Veterans Bank; President of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines; and three appointive members who are distinguished veterans in their professions.

While the board may approve the implementation of contracts, mechanisms and financial instruments to give the hospital the flexibility to generate revenues and other resources from land grants and other properties, such arrangements shall sustain and

protect the hospital in accordance with law and be exclusive of the medical core zone of the hospital, she noted. “[Any] mechanism and arrangements shall not conflict with the medical or health services and academic mission of the hospital; and any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real properties entrusted to the hospital shall be consistent with the hospital mission and orientation as a vehicle to extend health services to veterans and their dependents,” she said.

The bill also stipulates that the VMCC’s core zone “shall not be sold, transferred, ceded, conveyed, assigned and encumbered.” PNA

Manila

Banks to open select branches during weekends MANILA—Several banks will open select branches during the holidays to continue to cater to their clients and the general public.

In an advisory, Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. said “mall and non-mall branches will do business on shortened banking hours on December 24, 30, and 31; while on December 26 and January 2, only the branches in malls will be open until 4 p.m. to accommodate clients’ banking transactions.”

“Regular banking hours, on the other hand, will be implemented on December 27 to 29,” it said.

“BDO’s ATM [automated teller machine] network is ready to handle clients’ transactions during this period,” it said as it encouraged clients to visit the bank’s website, www.bdo.com. ph, and Facebook page, www. facebook.com/BDOUnibank, for other information.

Several branches of the Gutianun-led EastWest Bank will also open during the holiday weekend, specifically on December 24, 26, 30, and 31, 2016 and on January 2, 2017. PNA

SBMA seizes P8 b worth of smuggled sugar

Standard

TODAY

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said Thursday it recently confiscated P8 billion worth of smuggled sugar from Thailand.

In a statement, SBMA said the shipment appeared suspicious and lacked proper documents.

SBMA said the shipment of 200,000 metric tons of refined white sugar from Thailand was scheduled to arrive today at the Subic Bay Freeport.

SBMA Chairman Martin Diño has directed Trade Facilitation & Compliance Department officer-in-charge Robert Bana to recall the certificate of eligibility and admission permit issued in favor of Subic Bay Free Trade Center, Inc., an SBMA locator and importer of the prime commodity.

“Let me emphasize that I will have zero tolerance for any form of smuggling during my watch here at SBMA. Don’t mess with me. This is more than what a local sugar refinery can produce in one milling season,” Diño said.

Diño said under the prevailing landed price of P2,000 per sack, the shipment of some four million sacks would easily be worth P8 billion in the domestic market.

“Smuggling is pure and simple economic sabotage.

The Duterte administration needs all the revenues it can raise to fund an aggressive infrastructure development program and more efficient delivery of vital social services, especially education and health, to the disadvantaged sectors of the population,” he said.

Wong Chu King Foundation in partnership with San Juan Lions Club. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) and International Lions Club San Juan recently orchestrated a medical and dental mission in Barangay UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City that consists of more than 36,000 residents. WCKF volunteers and scholars took part in providing children and adult medicines and vitamins at the barangay hall. In photo are (clockwise, from center) WCKF volunteers Camelo Noel H. Navarro, Atty. Alex Calderon, WCKF coordinator Cristina Villanueva, WCKF volunteers Angelo Ico, Sophia Gonzalo, Michelle Murriel, Janet Francisco, Roxanne Roca, Marian Vinluan, Jean Ferrer, WCKF scholars Patricia Magistrado and Frances Tolentino, Lions Club president Vincent Dy-Buncio together with other Lions Club officials and volunteers.

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Notoriety

T

HE Philippines is receiving worldwide attention for the wrong reason.

A week after a US foreign aid agency deferred a grant to Manila on concerns about “rule of law and civil liberties,” Grammy award-winning singer James Taylor canceled his February 2017 concert in the Philippines in protest of the alleged extrajudicial killings in the brutal drug war waged by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Taylor lauded the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, describing dependence on them as a scourge and a worldwide prob-

Adelle Chua, Editor

lem. But the singer was deeply alarmed at the reported executions of suspected offenders without trial or judicial process and called

them “unacceptable to anyone who loves the rule of law.”

Millennium Challenge Corp., an innovative and independent US foreign aid agency helping lead the fight against global poverty, was equally disturbed about the thousands killed under questionable circumstances. The agency gave the Philippines a negative scorecard amid the savage killings to send a clear message on the impor-

tance of democracy to good governance.

MCC may not be the last donor to give the Philippines a negative scorecard, while Taylor’s protest may reverberate through the world entertainment industry.

President Duterte’s government, unfortunately, is not hearing the protests of MCC and Taylor. Instead of launching serious investigations into the alleged extrajudicial

killings, the government is dismissing them as mere opinions and unfounded accusations.

The state should initiate a probe into the obvious summary executions of petty drug users and dealers, many of them killed under the guise of a shootout with the police. Many of those killed in the government’s drug war were small fry who were silenced by death squads

or assassins to prevent them from ratting on.

United Nations human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein already demanded similar investigations into the “shocking number of killings that have occurred across the country since Duterte became president.”

The Philippines will carry a stigma and keep its notoriety in the civilized world, unless it redresses the injustice and uphold the rule of law.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Jose de Venecia at 80

Breaking away BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO JUDGING from recent events, President Rodrigo Duterte is not just separating from the United States. he has completely broken away from the Philippines’ traditional and longtime ally.

Speaking to foreign ambassadors assigned in Manila, Duterte insulted the US again, calling it “a land of hypocrites” for criticizing his war on drugs even as the same battle rages in major US cities.

The foul-mouthed Philippine President, in total disregard of diplomatic protocol, ranted against the US for withholding millennium funds meant for the country’s anti-drug campaign. The US reason for

not releasing the funds was its concern that Duterte’s narcotics war was not observing due process. Aside from the US, the United Nations has also expressed the same concern over the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects.

The new US ambassador, Sung Kim, who was among the ambassadors present at the Malacanang event, simply smiled to disguise his discomfiture at the Philippine president’s acerbic words. The US envoy’s smile could also convey his amusement at a head of state making a fool of himself.

Following this diplomatic incident, US Assistant Secretary of State for Asian Affairs, Daniel Russell, did not make a courtesy call on the President.

A visiting US official like Russell who is Washington’s top tesy call on the head of state. diplomat for Asian affairs nor- The US Embassy in Manila mally would have paid a cour- said no request for a courtesy

This is unsettling for many Filipinos, not only for those who have settled in the US but also for those whose attachment to America is beyond Hollywood and its influence on Filipino psyche and culture.

call was made. This can be seen as a snub to convey displeasure over Duterte’s constant verbal abuse of the US. But of course. Why call on Duterte and subject yourself to more insults and indignities?

The last US envoy to Manila, Philip Goldberg, was insulted

by Duterte even as he was already leaving his post. Diplomatic protocol does not allow a departing ambassador and his successor to be in the same capital.Thus Kim, an American of Korean descent, could not presented his credentials while his predecessor is still in town.

Russell said there was no need to ask President Duterte to explain his remarks against the US—that Duterte already said it all at the Malacañang event in front of all the foreign envoys.

Duterte on another occasion

also said he was going to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States. These allow Filipino soldiers to carry out war exercises with American troops.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana has expressed a dissenting view on the matter, giving rise to speculation all is not well between Malacanang and the military establishment.

Many officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines studied in the US military academy West Point and naval school at Annapolis. Others trained at Fort Bragg, home of the Green Beret special forces The soldiers are not saying how they feel about this break from the US. Reprisal and observance of the chain of command are keeping their lips sealed.

Turn to A5

ON DECEMBER 26, my friend Jose de Venecia turns 80.

At 80, the Philippines’ fivetime speaker of the House has chalked up remarkable life story. And public service record.

A journalism graduate of Ateneo, Joe was a pioneering diplomat and entrepreneur in his early life. He was the one who conceived the idea of a government program to tap overseas remittances by Filipino expats. In the mid1970s, he became becoming the country’s first billionaire oil man and labor exporter.

Better than that, Joe was a visionary legislator, authoring most of the greatest pieces of political, social and economic legislation ever conceived. In between, he is an accomplished local and global peacemaker. He is not done yet.

Man of JdV’s accomplishments can be gleaned from his biography, “Global Filipino,” penned by former US Wall Street Journal editor Brett Decker, and episodes listed by writer Charlson Ong. Here are highlights of JdV’s enviable saga of eight decades. He: 1. Conceived and implemented the historic Philippine dollar remittance program since 1967, which now earns the Philippines some $25 billion to $28 billion a year, dramatically enriching the Central Bank foreign exchange reserves and which killed the then rampant blackmarket, finance the economy and countless homes for Filipino overseas worker families nationwide, and which has become a model for many Third-World countries.

2. Pioneered Filipino projects as prime contractor in Saudi Arabia, the Arab world and North Africa, which led to the employment of millions of Filipinos from the mid1970s up to now. De Venecia has earned numerous decorations from the Central Bank, Labor and international organizations.

Turn to A5

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Opinion FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

SILENCE...sleep.

These —foreordained because it figure prominently in the privileged them—the wise Christmas song that is among took to paths unknown, folthe first all of us learned: Si- lowing a star and the counlent night, holy night, and sel of Wisdom in search of a despite the fact that it is child. dished out shabbily by chilThe Philippines has been dren caroling (harassing?) at a very noisy place lately, malls, street-corners, even at and there is no doubting that busy cross-roads, it remains there is so much restlessness, a beautiful song that captures restiveness, apprehension one of the most powerful and uncertainty. People fall lines in Scripture from the asleep in weariness, when Book of Wisdom: “For while they want to be oblivious of gentle silence enveloped all the dire straits they are in, things and night in its swift or they are asleep, in serencourse was now half gone, ity and true repose, when your all-powerful word leapt they are secure in their trust. from heaven, from the royal Heaven’s peace is always ofthrone, in the midst of the fered us, but, like the shepland that was doomed...” herds, we must hearken to The notion of divine inspi- the angels, and not tremble at ration cannot be distended the word of the boastful and so implausibly to support the the arrogant, for these never claim that the sacred author ever announce good news. was thinking of the Philip- What the Philippines needs pines in this wintry season of is to echo the eternal doxolour history. What the infalli- ogy: Gloria in excelsis Deo... bility of Scripture does teach, Glory to God in the highest. however, is that the Word of But that is an acclamation God has a that finds validity that its rightful is for all place only time. God’s when, in the Executing powerf ul, silence of the creating night, and in six condemned and renewthe silence men a day? ing Word, of humjudging and ble hearts, Extirpating the redeemwe take lawless elements ing in the our placof our society and es around same breath, leaps from flushing them out the peaceheaven and ful scene of every corner of descends of a mothupon lands er, a Godthe archipelago and people appointed by firepower? that so often guardian, doom themand a child selves, be—Wisdom ing obdurate whom leapt and headstrong in their own from God’s heavenly throne words! to be part of our troubled We need quiet. Joseph was world. asleep when he was told by Executing six condemned the Angel that Mary, who men a day? Extirpating the was betrothed to him, was to lawless elements of our sobe the new Ark of the Cov- ciety and f lushing them out enant. But because he spoke of every corner of the archino boastful words of his own, pelago by firepower? No, it he listened to the Angel, did is not threats of death and as he was told, and God’s doom, of the raw exercise of plans came to pass. And the power and the naked visitaworld of rulers and poten- tion of brutality that will tates, of the wealthy and the be our salvation, but God’s power-brokers were sound Word that comes from heavasleep while the shepherds en to undo the damnation kept watch over flocks—and that we cast upon ourselves... heard the angels sing. And on a silent night, holy night! while humanity slumbered in its ignorance, the major- rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph ity content with that in which rannie_ aquino@ sanbeda . they took comfort as the edu.ph foreordained order of things rannie_aquino@outlook.com

Breaking...

From A4 Clearly, the Duterte administration is not just drifting away from the US. It has broken away from Washington even as Duterte locks himself in the embrace of China.

This is unsettling for many Filipinos, not only for those who have settled in the US but also for those whose attachment to America is beyond Hollywood and its influence on Filipino psyche and culture.

Who was it who said the Philippines was influenced by 100 years under colonial Spain but more so by 50 years of Hollywood?

Duterte is also seeking an alliance with Russia whose ambassador to Turkey was assassinated three days ago by a lone gunman who shouted “remember the victims of Aleppo!”

Aleppo is the rebel-held Syrian city where thousands of

civilians have been killed by bombs of President Bashar al Assad’s regime, which is supported by Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

The UN, which also came under fire from Duterte for being useless in the face of human crises, has been unable to stem the tide of human suffering in the five-year Syrian civil war.

Evacuees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan gave rise to the flood of migrants who cross the Mediterranean to Greece and Turkey then trek to Western Europe in search of a better life.

The new wave of migrants now poses a strain on the economies of Germany, France and the United Kingdom and the cohesiveness of the European Union. The UK, which is not receptive to hosting new immigrants, is no longer an EU member after the Brits voted in a referendum to leave the Union.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Less food on our tables

PENSEES

Sleep in heavenly peace!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO WITH our pensions eroded further by the recent devaluation of the peso by at least 10 percent relative to the American dollar, we pensioners of the Social Security System will have less food on our tables on Christmas Eve tomorrow.

But the optimists among us still anticipate receiving the much-delayed P2,000 pension increase early next year. In fact, they’re definitely certain they’d come before the end of President Digong Duterte’s term of office in 2022.

They’re sure that the new SSS officials would at least keep their initial promise to release the P1,000 first tranche early next year before the start on January 28 of the Chinese Year of the Red Fire Rooster.

At P1,000, the increase is 30.6 percent from the September pension average of P3,273. It is huge by SSS officials’ standards who find it enough basis in projecting the agency’s immediate bankruptcy.

But to pensioners, the P1,000 isn’t much considering that their pensions had only been increased sporadically. It would not be enough to cover for inflation in the years when their pensions were not adjusted.

Until now, SSS officials still worry about granting the Congress-approved P2,000 increase that President Benigno Aquino III vetoed after last year’s

EVERYMAN

Christmas holidays.

Thus, his anointed presidential candidate had to carry last May the burden of this veto’s unpopularity while his opponents, including eventual winner Mayor Digong Duterte, favored its granting and even promised to release it immediately upon elected.

But really, could he have fared better had he agreed to its grant?

The pessimists among us are still betting that no increase would be given, even before Easter Sunday on April 16 or Labor Day on May 1.

Firstly, the American social security program—our default public pension model—would be reviewed and subjected to reforms by the incoming American president and his fellow Republicans who control both houses of Congress. Note that in the November election, they openly criticized their pension system and its reserves which are estimated to be depleted by 2035.

They are now expected to reduce pensions—except those of the needy—and increase contributions. Also, they might try again to privatize social security and repeal the Affordable Care or Obamacare Act. Here in the Philippines, President Digong practically ignored big business when he kept out of his new SSS board all senior officers of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, contrary to the long-standing tradition of tripartite representation in the board that the SSS charter mandates.

We thus expect employers

THE van stopped on the side of the road near the village where he lived. Then five men emerged from it and waited. He was coming from the cockpit on his motorbike, and when he made the turn on the road and drew near they opened fire. The first volley pitched him to the blacktop.

Then the men approached him and resumed firing. He was already dead, but two of the men kept firing as if in a trance.

I learned about his death from four of my former neighbors―his neighbors― during a get-together they hosted for me.

They said he’d been a ninja cop, a rookie with a group of other rookies who went after drug dealers―and not so much to arrest them as to seize their stash and then sell it. He was on the job for less than two years, they said, but already he had five motorized tricycles and five passenger jeeps to his name. He was cocky before he became a policeman, and after he became one and got involved in the drug trade he grew even cockier.

They didn’t know what kind of job he had before he became a policeman. All they knew was that he and his family moved into the village―a middle-class neighborhood―four years ago and very quickly made their neighbors realize they had the sensibilities of cavemen.

His father ran a blacksmith shop―a veritable pigsty―just outside the gated

3. As a 30-year-old young diplomat, Minister and Economic Counselor during the Vietnam War, then based in Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City, pushed the creation of the first Philippine Helicopter Squadron and first Armalite Battalion in the AFP with his friendship with the then famed US Military Commander, Lt. Gen. Creighton Abrams, after whom the US Abrams Tank was named.

4. In UN speeches, pushed the Christian-Muslim and Inter-faith Dialogues approved by the United Nations to reduce politico-religious tensions and conflicts in various parts of the world. This was a breakthrough because interreligious issues were before taboo in the UN system. Today an Inter-Faith unit functions in

sioners” and “privately employed individuals” while the rest of taxpayers bear the fiscal burden.

And as if they were three truly wise men, they declared that “matching additional benefits with increase in contribution is the best action government can take from a fiscally sound and equitable standpoint.”

Then, acting as if they were also the SSS board, they recommended specifically to increase the contribution rate from “11 percent to 17 percent upon the implementation of the pension hike.”

They “do not believe it is unfair to ask for this increase as pensions have increased 22 times while the contribution rate has only increased three times” since 1980.

Their final recommendation is to release the P1,000 increase only after Congress has approved the first package of their own economic proposal, the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program.

What has the controversial CTRP got to do with the P1,000 pension increase? This precondition makes the increase tentative again because that CTRP is uncertain of being passed by Congress.

Thus, with all these sweet but hardly inspiring statements, arguments and recommendations about the pension increase, we pessimists no longer expect any in the next six years.

We just have to make do with less and less food that our stagnant SSS pensions could bring to our tables.

The Ninja Cop

By Cesar Barrioquinto

Jose...

From A4

to oppose more vigorously any SSS pension increase that would require or even hint of increasing contributions.

Conveniently, they would use as analogy— albeit wrongly—the present uncertainties in America’s welfare programs.

In fact, we can emulate how Americans shore up their pension fund. As what they’d done, we could increase the maximum contribution base from P16,000 to P50,000 and raise the minimum qualifying age for retirement pensions to 65 years old. Anyway, we now have our age discrimination in employment law that should allow workers to work beyond 60 years old.

Secondly, after six months in office and being quiet, the president’s Three Economic Musketeers composed of the finance, budget and economic planning secretaries have bravely recommended jointly the increase in SSS contributions “to save the pension fund from bankruptcy amid a looming P2,000 pension hike.”

Their justifications are no longer new—“the proposed pension hike would unduly jack up the unfunded liabilities of the SSS from P3.5 trillion to P5.9 trillion…cut the actuarial life of the pension fund by 14 to 17 years” and bankrupt the SSS “with no funds for other members in the future.”

They have added that this bankruptcy would “adversely affect” the country’s credit rating, even disapproved any government subsidy since it would “benefit only 2.2 million pen-

village. Their dogs roamed and polluted the area, and near it he usually had two or three fighting cocks tethered on the sidewalk.

He loved to go binge drinking with tricycle drivers outside the village gate, where he had a table and stools set up without permission from the homeowners’ association. Late at night, drunk, his drinking buddies gunned their motors and revved them up to rouse the residents before driving off.

He also loved to have a pig slaughtered near the entrance to the blacksmith shop two days before Christmas, and by a minion who didn’t have the training to do it properly. He told an elderly resident who complained about it once that, perhaps, he should try bringing the animal back to life if he was too concerned about its suffering.

Things came to a head after he acquired the jeeps and tricycles. He had no place to park them, so he parked them on the side streets leading up to the village and to another village nearby, making it difficult for the residents of both villages to get in and out with their vehicles.

His neighbors complained to the head of the village council, and quickly the council’s chairman urged him to do something about the problem, but he ignored him. About three weeks later the chairman phoned the president of the homeowners’ association and told him

the Office of the UN Secretary General.

5. As a congressman, designed and authored the conversion of the US military bases Clark Field, Subic Naval Base, Camp John Hay in Baguio City, Camp Wallace in San Fernando, La Union, into free ports or special economic zones, and simultaneously converted the Filipino military camps in Fort Bonifacio and Nichols Air Base, into major business cities under one classic law, a dramatic successful “game changer” for the Philippines, the Bases Conversion Law. 6. Initiated the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) and is president of the Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI) and Co-Chairman of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization (IESCO), based in New York and Beijing, and which enjoys Consultative Status in

their problem would end soon: The ninja cop was as good as dead because of his illegal business.

One month before he was killed three men dropped by to know exactly where he lived. And a week before he was killed five police officers armed with a search warrant searched his home but found nothing.

Two of my hosts disagreed over the reason for his murder. One said his superior, a participant in the drug trade, had him killed to stop him from singing like a canary once he was exposed. The other said he most likely double-crossed someone who later hired assassins to hunt him down.

They quoted two witnesses who said the first shots slammed him to the blacktop and sent his bike sliding toward a drain. Then the men―all five of them― approached him and resumed firing. He was dead as a doornail, but two of them kept firing as if mesmerized, stopping only after the man who appeared to be their leader ordered them back to the van and the van moved out. The people who approached his body said his stomach was open, his mouth was gone and his right eye was missing from its socket.

He left behind a wife and two daughters aged three and two. He was 28 years old.

Cesar Barrioquinto is a copy editor.

the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

ICAPP’s management 4-man Bureau, includes Cambodian Vice-Premier Sok An, ViceChairman, South Korean Chung Eui-Yong, Co-Chairman and Secretary General, and Pakistan Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defense, as Special Rapporteur.

7. Negotiated the ceasefire with the RAM-YOU rebel leaders Col. Gregorio Honasan, then in the underground, General Abenina, Commodore Calahate, both in prison, which led to the final peace agreement, ending RAM’s many coup attempts; he crossed the Sahara Desert twice with wife Gina, for peace talks with Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and MNLF leader Nur Misuari in North Africa, ending in the 1996 peace pact; and was

the first Christian leader to enter the MILF mountain lair at Camp Abubakar for initial talks with MILF Chair Hashim Salamat and his Deputy, now MILF Chairman Gen. Ebrahim Murad. He was accompanied

by Deputy Speaker Simeon Datumanong. Final peace with MILF is still pending.

In 1998, Joe ran for president but was trounced by the hugely popular Vice President Joseph “Erap” Estrada. In a fine gesture of sportsmanship, as speaker, Joe proclaimed his arch rival, the duly elected president of the Philippines. Erap served only for 30 months. He was succeeded

by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who served for nine consecutive years. Joe prospered as a politician and statesman—and businessman—under Arroyo.

Happy birthday, Joe. Biznewsasia@gmail.com

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 A6 Standard TODAY Manila

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MMDA: Prepare for film fest traffic

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority has advised motorists and commuters to brace for heavy traffic in the metropolis, the last Friday and working day before Christmas, due to the influx of lastminute shoppers and people going to provinces.

“Heaviest traffic happens during the last Friday [before Christmas] because of the influx of shoppers. People are also going to provinces, so expect huge crowd at the airport and bus terminals,” said Noemie Recio, head of the MMDA Traffic Engineering Center.

But last Friday, according to Recio, the flow of traffic along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue was light to moderate.

“We didn’t expect that. What we expected was a standstill on Edsa but the traffic is moving and fast. Maybe because the people are afraid to go out and anticipating heavy traffic that day,” said Recio.

MMDA officials also advised the people to do their Christmas shopping early and try to avoid holiday rush and suggested that shoppers to visit commercial centers nearest to their homes to avoid being trapped in traffic jams.

They explained that shopping malls and other commercial establishments are traffic generators during the Christmas holidays.

Mall operators earlier agreed with the MMDA proposal to have staggered business hours to ease road congestion during the peak buying season.

Recio said the agency will deploy 600 traffic enforcers in three shifts to manage traffic on seven identified choke points on Edsa.

The MMDA earlier declared that there will be no number coding scheme in Metro Manila in anticipation of the Holiday exodus.

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.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Graft court acquits JV IN BRIEF T HE Sandiganbayan acquitted Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito of charges that he, while mayor of San Juan City, illegally diverted P2.1 million in city funds to purchase high-powered firearms for the local police.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division, comprised of Associate Justices Roland Jurado, Rafael Lagos and Maria Theresa Arcega, granted Ejercito’s demurrer to evidence¸ noting the absence of evidence to prove firearms supplier HK Tactical Defense System Inc. enjoyed any special advantages.

“HKTDSI could, therefore, not have been given any advantage by the accused bids and awards committee members because it was not the exclusive distributor of DAEWOO guns and there is no evidence that the accused manipulated the elimination of other DAEWOO suppliers,” the court said.

Ejercito’s acquittal was penned by Associate Justice Roland Jurado but the senator still has a technical malversation suit before the Sixth Division in connection with the deal.

In their complaint, Ombudsman Conchita Morales accused Eercito of unlawfully using the city’s calamity fund to

buy the firearms which was allegedly procured in haste without competitive bidding and examining the qualifications of HKTDSI. But the court said the Ombudsman failed to prove that Ejercito and his coaccused city administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, treasurer Rosalinda Marasigan, attorney Romualdo delos Santos, budget officer Lorenza Ching and engineer Danilo Mercado conspired to grant HKTDSI special advantages.

In fact, the court noted the city council passed a city ordinance allowing Ejercito to buy the firearms for the city’s police department and Ejercito approved the purchase.

The firearms bought using the city’s calamity fund include three units of model K2 cal. 5.56mm sub-machine guns and 17 units of Daewoo model K1 cal. 5.56 mm sub-machine guns.

Last August, the court ordered the suspension of Ejercito from his Senate duties for 90 days pending the resolution of the case.

Meanwhile, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang said both houses of Congress cannot stop the implementation of preventive suspension orders on legislators.

Tang said the Sandiganbayan is dutybound to put a public officer charged with graft under preventive suspension, as mandated by section 13 of the AntiGraft Law, and Congress is compelled to carry out the suspension order.

The Supreme Court had already defined congressional suspension powers “as a penalty as a member of the legislature itself” but “a preventive suspension issued by the Sandiganbayan is not a penalty, it is something that emanates from the fact of this public officer being charged before the court.”

“The Supreme Court has been very consistent on this, na mandatory iyung preventive suspension. I don’t believe that either house of Congress has the discretion not to implement the suspension order,” Tang said.

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT City of Makati Branch 60 IN RE: PETITION FOR RECONSTITUTION OF THE ORIGINAL COPY OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 217906,

ORDER Petioners SPOUSES RICHARD O. AFATEN AND MIRIAM ANDREA C. ESPIRITU-AFATEN filed this PETITION which the Court received on November 14, 2016 for the reconstitution of the Original Copy of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 217906 registered in the name of Cynthia Espiritu married to Jose Marie De Castro, Dulce C. Espiritu, Belinda C. Espiritu, Edwin C. Espiritu and Petitioner Miriam Andrea C. Espiritu-Afaten of the Makati City Register of Deeds.

Attached the PETITION were the following: 1) Photocopy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 217906 (Annex “A”, Expediente pp. 6 to 7); 2) Photocopy of the Declaration of Real Property (Annex “B”) pp. 8 to 10); 3) Certification from the Office of the Barangay Captain, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City (Annex “C” pp.12); 4) Deed of Absolute Sale dated April 25, 2016 (Annex “D” pp.12 to 14) and 5) Certification from tha Land Registration Authority dated August 30, 2016 (Annex “E”).

Finding the PETITION to be sufficient in form and substance, this Court hereby: (a) sets the case for hearing on February 21, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning. (b) orders Petitioner (1) to serve within twenty four (24) hours from receipt of this Order, copies of the PETITION and its annexes, to the Office of the Prosecutor, City of Makati, the Administrator, Land Registration Authority, East Avenue, Quezon City, the Register of Deeds of Makati, 5th Floor New Makati City Hall Bldg., Poblacion, Makati City; and (2) to show proof of said service to this Court. (c) orders all persons interested in this PETITON (1) to appear on said date and time before this Court-Regional Trial Court, Branch 60, City of Makati; (2) to show cause, if any, why the PETITION should not be granted; (d) orders the Branch Clerk of Court to furnish copies of this Order to the Petitioners, the counsel, the City Prosecutor of Makati, the Land Registration Authority and the Register of Deeds of Makati.

Pursuant to OCA Circular No. (108-2010, “Guidelines for the Temporary Replacements of Clerks of Court in the Handling Case/s from which they are Disqualified under Section 1, Rule 137 of the Rules of Court, as amended,” in relation to A.M. No-08-4-1-SC, the counsel of the Petitioner, is hereby ordered to file on or before the presentation of jurisdictional facts a written manifestation under oath, whether or not he or his clients are related to the Branch Clerk of Court, stating therein the degree of relationship by affinity or consanguinity.

Let the PETITIONER at her expense, publish this ORDER once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the intended hearing on February 21, 2017, in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen in a raffle to be conducted by the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, City of Makati.

Moreover, Linda B. Fallorin, designated Process Server to this Court is hereby directed to post this ORDER at the Bulletin Board of the Makati Hall, the Regional Trial Court, City of Makati, 11th Floor New Makati City Hall Bldg., Bulletin Board, and the Barangay Hall of bangkal, City of Makati.

The Court Process Server is directed to submit proof of posting to this Court within five (5) days after completion thereof.

SO ORDERED. Given in chambers on November 22, 2016.

NEW MARITIME ASSET. Transportation Undersecretary Felipe Judan tries his hands at the helm of the MRRV Malabrigo during its commissioning ceremony at the South Harbor in Manila. Japan minister Makoto Iyori was also at the ceremony held Thursday.

Norman Cruz

Lisbon embassy warns vs job scams

By Sara Fabunan THE Philippine Embassy in Lisbon once again reminds the public to be extra cautious in making transactions over the internet with spurious companies and individuals offering employment and issuances of entry/working visas for companies in Portugal or other countries in Europe, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The embassy noted continuing cases of Filipinos being victimized or receiving e-mails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal offering jobs

and promising to process entry/visa permits for employment through payment of fees by money transfer.

In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. These individuals require payment of fees for Entry Clearance Certificates, International Overseas Employment Certificates and Affidavits of Guarantee Fund, all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities.

In other cases, the victim is

RESERVEYOURADSPACENOW!

email us at advertise@thestandard.com.ph or call us at 832-5547

asked to transact with a designated travel agency who will process the necessary visas and paperwork required for the job contract.

“The public is hereby advised to exercise due diligence and caution in dealing with unverified parties to avoid being victimized by these scams. Be aware that business companies with international dealings rarely hire employees solely on the basis of curriculum vitae but will always require personal interviews. Prospective employees should likewise be wary of job offers from individuals who ask for monetary fees for testing or processing

THE second multi-role response vessel from Japan was commissioned Thursday in simple rites led by Japan embassy minister Makoto Iyori and Transportation Undersecretary Felipe Judan.

Christened the MRRV “Malabrigo,” the vessel is the second of 10 40-meter MRRVs Japan will donate for the use of the Philippine Coast Guard to improve its capabilities in quickly and appropriately addressing maritime operations. The remaining eight vessels will be delivered serially until 2018.

Japan has long supported the initiatives of the PCG. Other projects include the provision of rescue equipment, training facilities, communication systems, and maritime safety equipment.

In 2014, Japan extended Y1.152 billion grant aid to PCG to install a satellite-based communication system and Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) to manage vessel movement and port traffic.

An expert from the Japan Coast Guard has also been dispatched to PCG as part of technical cooperation assistance.

Through these ODA projects, it is expected that the strategic partnership between Japan and the Philippines will be further fostered and strengthened.

This is to inform the public that I have filled a petition for change of first name from Aurelio to Armando P. Marquez in accordance to R.A. 9048 at the LCRO of Manila as per Doc. No. 5, Page No. 2; Book No. 1; Series of 2016 , office of Atty.

Mae L. Bentulan with attorney’s no. 59120. ((MS-DEC. 16 & 23, 2016)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Sections 1608/1609 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the Tariff Commission will conduct a public hearing on 10 January 2017 at 9:00 A.M. on the extension of the grant of duty-free importation of capital equipment to companies registered with the Board of Investments (BOI).

Venue of the hearing is the Tariff Commission Conference Room, 5th Floor Philippine Heart Center Building, East Avenue, Quezon City.

Interested parties will be given the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence in support of their positions. For inquiries on the final product coverage and other matters, please coordinate with the Research, Investigation and International Trade Analysis Services (RIITAS) at Telephone Nos. 926-8731 or 433-5896.

Issued this 22nd day of December 2016, Quezon City, Metro Manila.

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Chairperson (MS- DEC. 23, 2016)

of documents prior to employment because this is a sure sign of a scam,” the embassy said.

The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon has been coordinating with companies in Portugal and with local police authorities on this matter.

Filipinos who wish to work in Portugal or have other transactions (except tourist visa applications which are already handled by the Embassy of Greece in Manila) may contact the Portuguese Embassy in Jakarta.

The public may also contact the Philippine Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal at filipinas.emb. lisbon@gmail.com.

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday ordered a 90-day suspension of a Southern Leyte mayor for simple misconduct.

In a decision, Saint Bernard Mayor Napoleon Cuaton was ordered suspended for three months without pay.

The Ombudsman found that in July 2013, Cuaton deliberately failed to reinstate administrative aide 1 Gerry Mencide as directed by the Civil Service Commission that ruled he was illegally terminated without cause.

“It is clear that respondent Cuaton intentionally disregarded CSC’s order of reinstatement. Instead of implementing the Decision, he issued two unnumbered office orders removing complainant from his position,” the decision read.

The Ombudsman directed the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the suspension order on Cuaton. Rio N. Araja

NOTICE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION

HON. CEZAR L. AGANON Presiding Judge ((MS-DEC. 23 / 30, 2016/ JAN. 6, 2017)

Japan delivers 2nd PCG vessel

Town mayor suspended

R-MKT-16-02667-LR

SPOUSES RICHARD O. AFATEN AND MIRIAM ANDREA C. ESPIRITU-AFATEN, Petitioners. x---------------------------------x

CYAN M

Remembering Honesto Isleta

By Ben A. Cal AS A soldier, retired brigadier general Honesto M. Isleta is remembered by his peers as a fearless psychological war expert with a soft heart, who was always the cynosure in any occasion because of his jokes and anecdotes to which he laughed the loudest.

Isleta died peacefully in his sleep last week after years of fighting a kidney problem. He was 83.

Isleta was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonfiacio, Taguig City on December 20 where he was given a hero’s burial as a soldier in rites attended by retired major general Ramon E. Montaño, retired former lieutenant general and former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and former President Fidel V. Ramos.

Unknown to many, Nes was a member of the famed Philippine Civic Action Group in Vietnam during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1969 and was the last Philcag man to be pull out of Vietnam.

It was in Vietnam where he poured his civic action expertise, together with other Philcag officers and men in alleviating the suffering of the Vietnamese, especially the civilians caught in the crossfire.

He maximized his experience in Vietnam when the Mindanao rebellion broke out in 1974 staged by the Moro National Liberation Front.

A psychological war expert, Nes was assigned to the Civil Relations Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and helped in disseminating information to the media on what was going on in the AFP’s campaign in Mindanao against the MNLF. During the peace talks initiated by the government in April 1977, Nes was assigned to give daily press briefing to members of media covering the negotiations.

This writer was one of the three Manila newsmen, who covered the localized peace talks with

Alex Allan of Daily Express and Fred Sajot of Channel 13.

The mission of government peace talk negotiators was to go directly to MNLF areas in Mindanao, including Sulu and Tawi-Tawi where the talks were held.

We knew it was a dangerous mission, but the peace panel took the risk. We rode aboard a Philippine Navy ship in going to the islands and took the helicopter in our trips to various provinces in mainland Mindanao. The peace talks lasted one month.

The most dangerous peace talks the government peace negotiators undertook was in Tuburan, Basilan where MNLF forces under Gerry Salapuddin were based.

As our ship was steaming towards Basilan, Nes, who was then a colonel, announced that the MNLF rebels would only meet with the peace panel provided no security forces would be allowed to go ashore.

“We will comply with their request. We are going there without any security forces,” Nes said.

We rode on small boats going to the seashore as it was low tide at that time. When we reached the seashore, we saw men in fatigue uniform with high-powered firearms. We presumed they were advanced army soldiers, but we were shocked to learn that they were all MNLF rebels.

Members of the press were told to wait outside the conference room. After an hour of waiting, we heard shouting inside the conference room when an MNLF rebel, a classmate of Fred Sajot as the latter was from Basilan, told us to be alert and prepare for any contingency.

We looked around and we saw two 30 caliber machine guns positioned to the right and one at the left.

At that point, we could do nothing because we were virtually trapped on the island-province. I just prayed for our safety. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN M

Sports

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Mitra gains WBC board seat

By Randy Caluag

T

HE Philippines will have more active participation in the World Boxing Council (WBC) following the appointment of chairman Baham Mitra of the Games and Amusement Board to the powerful Board of Governors of the world’s oldest and most prestigious boxing organization.

No less than re-elected WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman of Mexico announced the appointment of Mitra as Interna-

tional Secretary and the board seat that goes with it during the recent WBC Convention in Florida, USA.

‘I am very thankful for the trust given to us by the WBC. We now have two Filipino boxing officials in the WBC and this means that Filipino boxers and promoters will bigger voice in the world boxing body,” Mitra told Manila Standard on Thursday (December 22).

The other Filipino official in the WBC board seat is former GAB chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon, who retained his post as president of the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF).

Mitra, who attended his first WBC convention, was one of the

few boxing officials from all over the world who were allowed to speak at the podium.

He praised the reelection of the Sulaiman, who was acknowledged for his generous support to Philippine boxing. One of the founding fathers of the WBC was a Filipino—the late Rudy Salud, who was also former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner.

Mitra extended his invitation to Sulaiman to grace the OPBF convention which the Philippines is hosting in October, 2017 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

“We want to have a very meaningful and game-changing convention for participants in Asia and the Pacific. And we would like to have Mr. Sulaiman to be there,” said Mitra.

In an effort to make the Philippines a major player in world boxing, Mitra also announced his bid to host the WBC Convention in 2018. “We are bidding to host the WBC convention in 2018 with India as the other bidder. I’m confident that we would be given another chance to host it.”

The 2017 convention will take

place in Kazakhstan.

The Philippines was represented in the Florida Convention

by Mitra, Guanzon, GAB boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz and some Filipino boxing promoters including Brico Santig, who has been very active in promoting WBC in Asia.

“This is very good development as we look ahead to coming year for boxing. We really look forward to a very promising year for our Filipino boxers,” said the WBC Asia promoter of the year awardee.

Thai, Korean lead at ICTSI SARAPORN Langkulgasettrin flashed near-impeccable putting touch to card a 69 while Korean Lee Jeong-Hwa charged back with a 68 to force a tie but local ace Chihiro Ikeda rallied with late birdies to threaten with a second 70 in the second round of the $80,000 ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters at the Alabang Country Club yesterday.

Overnight leader Kanphanitnan Muangkhumaskul slowed down with a 73 after a 69 and dropped to fourth but Langkulgasettrin made sure to keep Thailand in the lead hunt for the top $17,000 purse with superb putting that netted her a 35-34 card, spiked by a couple of saved pars in the early going and three birdies in the last seven holes.

“It was a great round, my putting was incredible,” said Langkulgasettrin, who used her putter just 26 times on the unpredictable Alabang surface to pool a 139. “It was hot all day but I had a good feeling before the round started.”

But Lee pressed her bid for a sweep of the three Ladies Philippine Golf Tour/Taiwan LPGA Tour legs as the Korean ace hit back-to-back birdies from No. 15 to turn in the day’s best score in scorching heat and tie Langkulgasettrin at five-under overall.

Lee, who dominated the Splendido and Southwoods legs last March, also credited her solid putting as she birdied two of the first eight holes, bogeyed No. 9 but birdied No. 11 before closing out with late birdies to stay in contention for another crack at the championship

sponsored by ICTSI and co-organized

by LPGT and TLPGA. “Putting is great today,” said Lee, who vowed to close out with a five-under card to nail another win. “My goal is to win the tournament and I want to shoot a five-under tomorrow (today).”

But focus will also be on Ikeda, the former SEA Games individual gold medalist who took the cudgels for the local aces, including the Symetra Tour veterans, who continued to struggle in tough condition at the tight layout.

Ikeda, who opened with a 70 Wednesday, actually stepped up her bid early with a two-under card after three holes but the LPGT Orchard leg winner went on a rollercoaster spin the next nine holes, fumbling with three bogeys against one birdie before recovering with birdies on Nos. 13 and 16 to churn out a second straight 70 and a 140, just one stroke behind the joint leaders.

“I’m happy with my irons and I played better than yesterday although I shot the same scores,” said Ikeda, who hopes to shoot in the low 60s to contend for the crown.

Muangkhumaskul slid to 142 while Kuo Ai-Chen emerged the top Taiwanese in the elite field at 143 despite a 73 while Princess Superal, one of a slew of fancied local bets in the 54-hole season-ending championship, hardly recovered from a first round 73 with a 71, her even 144 putting the former US Girls’ Junior champion five strokes off the pace heading to the last 18 holes.

Thai Saranporn Langkulgasettrin flaunts superb form off the tee but banks on her solid putting to wrest control of ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters.

Ito has big plans for Japan MMA

Yoshiaki Ito, President of ONE Championship (Japan), wants to restore Japan’s stature as one of the premier MMA countries in Asia and the world. ONE Championship

JAPAN was once considered the apex of modern-day MMA, but it has largely lost its relevance over the past decade. With ONE Championship’s hiring of successful business magnate Yoshiaki Ito as President of ONE Championship (Japan), the country is once again poised to reclaim its position among the top MMA countries in Asia and the world.

Several traditional forms of martial arts could trace its origins in Japan and it has likewise served as one of the starting points of mixed martial arts (MMA).

In the early 1990s, MMA was growing all over the world as several locations across the globe were beginning to lay the foundation. With Brazil and the United States indoctrinating

the beauty of style versus style in the west, the sport’s stomping ground in the eastern hemisphere was in Japan.

Japan has a strong history of MMA. The nation has given birth to heaps of legendary fight promotions such as Pancrase, Shooto, DREAM and PRIDE. From fearless strikers to elite submission grapplers, it also provided the sport with a long list of extraordinary fighters.

However, the Japanese MMA scene drastically lost its luster with the fall of PRIDE and DREAM. To restore its former glory, ONE Championship plans to make its first venture into “The Land of the Rising Sun” in 2017.

ONE Championship is presently known as the largest sports property in Asia. Since its inaugural event

in September 2011, it has staged 49 fight cards. The organization is set to have a busy calendar in 2017 with the promise of 24 international shows.

ONE Championship’s live events are broadcast to over one billion homes in 118 countries and has partnered with blue-chip sponsors. In addition, the Singapore-based MMA organization has visited 11 different countries, including United Arab Emirates, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Myanmar and Cambodia.

To further cement its position as the frontrunner of MMA in Asia, ONE Championship seeks to set foot on Japanese soil. As the promotion looks to expand its global reach, ONE Championship has appointed Ito as the company’s head honcho in Japan.

Perpetual Help tries to recapture NCAA volleyball lead DEFENDING men’s champion Perpetual Help will go all out to regain the lead it lost to San Beda when the elimination round of the 92nd NCAA volleyball tournament resumes on Jan. 4, 2017 at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan City.

The Altas, who want to become the second most titled team in the league today with

11 titles or three lower than Letran’s 14, in fact, will continue to train despite the Holiday season to focus on sustaining their form in time for the final games of the elimination round.

To date, the Altas are currently tied at third place with Arellano U on 4-1 (win-loss) and trailing league leader San Beda (6-1) and No. 2 St. Benilde (5-1).

Perpetual Help’s only defeat came at the hands of San Beda in a heartbreaking 25-18, 29-27, 23-25, 27-29, 10-15 decision on Nov. 20.

The Las Pinas-based school’s final assignments will be against San Sebastian on Jan. 11, Lyceum of the Philippines U on Jan 13, Jose Rizal on Jan. 20 and Arellano U on Jan. 20.

The top four teams after the elimination round will clash in the Final Four with No. 1 and No. 2 clashing with No. 4 and No, 3, respectively, with the former two needing just a victory to advance to the best-of-three finals.

“We’re only taking a break on Christmas and New Year’s Day because we’ll be spending the rest of the holidays practicing

and training,” said Acaylar.

The second round will start on January 6 next year with San Beda clashing with Lyceum of the Philippines U, which clinched the fourth and last semifinals ticket by finishing with six points on two wins and four losses and edging Perpetual Help through goal differential, at 1 p.m.

Overachieving Blackwater joins PBA elite in standings SPORTS CENTER REUEL VIDAL BLACKWATER continues to surprise all the experts and has joined the league’s elite at the top of the standings midway through the elimination round of the 2016-2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup elimination round.

Despite a lightweight lineup Blackwater is at second place just behind the league-leading San Miguel Beermen. Trailing at third place are league powerhouses TNT KaTropa, Star Hotshots, Alaska Aces, Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters and GlobalPort.

Mac Belo, probably a shoe-in for the Rookie of the Year honors, led Blackwater to another surpris-

ing victory when the Elite subdued Terrence Romeo and the GlobalPort Batang Pier to grab second place.

Blackwater’s other young studs are pugnacious point guard Nard Pinto, collegiate star Roi Sumang who almost withered on the vine when he first joined the league but who seems to have found a home in Blackwater, as well as Art Dela Cruz an undersized big man who somehow finds ways to score underneath the goal against taller, longer, heftier defenders.

Veteran Ronjay Buenafe was on his way to retirement before getting the call up from the Elite.

Blackwater’s lineup is a curious mishmash of young studs bristling at the bridle and over-the-hill veterans trying to recapture lost glory.

Through sheer grit and determination the squad has clawed its way up the standings and is almost sure to make the playoffs.

*** Controversial calls by referees are quite common in sports competitions whether in basketball with the Philippine Basketball Association, boxing, football or the fastest emerging sport in the Philippines which is women’s volleyball.

The Philippine Super Liga got more than its fair share of controversy when a crucial call went against Petron in the fifth set of the first game of the 2016 PSL Grand Prix Championship playoff eventually won by Foton.

The call came in the middle of the fifth set after Foton scored three consecutive points to cut the Petron 3-8 advantage to just 6-8.

The replay technology is supposed to help decide controversy conclusively and without a shadow of a doubt. That simply wasn’t the case in that game.

What seemed like a wild spiking

error by Petron’s Frances Molina sent the volleyball sailing out the baseline. Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos contested the call saying the ball grazed the fingers of Foton blocker Dindin Manabat.

The replay did show Manabat’s fingers move as the volleyball passed above. The flight of the ball was uninterrupted but two fingers of Manabat clearly moved as the ball passed above.

Curiously, the officials thumbed down the challenge even when the replay clearly showed Manabat’s right index and middle fingers move as the ball sailed above.

(See the sequence at 8:00 to 8:07 of the TV5 Sports video at the link: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po46wtBuig&index=13&list=PLSHv_ e8U7Z-1-i rH kOzan h D3t mCy11HZH) Foton cut the Petron lead to 7-8 after that point. Later, riding the un-

stoppable momentum of their rally Foton would continue on to win the set 15-9 and Game 1 of their best-ofthree championship.

After winning that first game Foton would go on to win the second game as well to annex the PSL crown making that controversial call crucial.

If the call went against Foton then their rally gets nipped in the bud.

Petron would likely have won the game and could have conceivably gone on to win the PSL crown.

That controversial call raised a firestorm in social media. Petron lodged a protest but nothing came of it.

My two cents worth: at this point whether the call was right or wrong is hardly important. What’s really important is that all the attention and media mileage generated by that controversial call contribute to the growth and popularity of the sport of volleyball in the country.

JrNBA All-Stars share blessings JRNBA Philippines All-Stars Jarrell Lim (2011) and Tyler Tio (2013) dropped in at the Pediatric Ward of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) to distribute stuffed toys and lunch boxes to young heart patients in an NBA Cares activity.

The two All-Stars were accompanied by JrNBA Coach Ruben Lanot and staff of Larc&Asset PR. The three JrNBA personalities went from ward to ward to talk to the children and spread Christmas cheer. Besides giving gifts, the basketball personalities encouraged the children to continue their battle against their various conditions.

PHC Chief Nurse Raquel Tejada said the JrNBA visit did a lot to raise the morale of the children and their parents and inspired parents of previous patients to also engage in charitable works for the kids during the Holiday season. This is an on-going activity of the JrNBA players and Larc&Asset PR. Jarrell Lim, who is playing for the UP Fighting Maroons and Tyler Tio, who will soon suit up for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, said the Christmas activity was truly heart-warming and gratifying.

“We will definitely be back next year and would like to involve more JrNBA players in this simple but meaningful endeavor. The JrNBA is all about inspiring kids and reaching out to children who need cheering up the most. This is definitely part of our definition as NBA goodwill ambassadors,” said Lim. JrNBA Philippines, the grassroots program of the National Basketball Association, will be back in action on January, 2017. Boys and girls aged 1014 years old are encouraged to join the program which is now on its 10th year in the Philippines.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

Sports

Racela brothers team up at FEU

By Peter Atencio THIS time around, two brothers, Olsen and Nash, will work closely to ensure the Far Eastern University Tamaraws become a competitive team once again in the coming 80th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

New Tams coach Rodericko “Olsen” Racela said this as he accepted the responsibility handling the team when he comes aboard in the second week of January.

“Very cool. I’m very excited to take over the FEU (basketball) program,” said Racela, a day after school officials confirmed on the university’s official website his appointment as the new head coach of the Tams.

The older brother of Nash Racela said his younger sibling has not really left the team.

Nash is still around as consultant, and he was given other responsibilities since he is now coaching TNT KaTropa Texters in the PBA.

Patrimonio and Arcilla rule tennis tourney JOHNNY Arcilla completed another sweep of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Open titles, beating PJ Tierro in the Dagitab Festival finals while Clarice Patrimonio re-asserted her mastery over Khim Iglupas at the City of Naga Tennis Club in Cebu Wednesday.

Arcilla pounced on a slightly injured Tierro to pound out a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 25 minutes and cap another dominant campaign in the annual circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

The veteran Davis Cup campaigner also ruled the Olivarez Cup and the Pintaflores Festival, both against Tierro, and the TunaFest Open, where he disposed of Leander Lazaro.

Arcilla, who thwarted Ronard Joven, 6-4, 6-4, in the semis, used a variety of shots to defeat Tierro, who survived Elberto Anasta, 6-3, 7-6(1) in the Final Four but failed to counter with solid groundstrokes against Arcilla due a nagging injury in his left chest. He pocketed another P30,000.

Patrimonio subdued a game Iglupas in their side of the finals, hacking out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 triumph, likewise completing her sweep of the last three women’s Open crowns, including the TunaFest and Pintaflores over her young rival from Philippine Tennis Academy.

“Arcilla and Patrimonio continue to inspire and motivate our young players with their determination, hard work and the ability to stay in shape all-year round,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro. “As the circuit winds up the season next week in Cainta, we hope to see more new faces emerging as we kick off another tour early next year.”

Patrimonio, one of two tennisplaying daughters of cage legend Alvin, bounced back from a second set setback, outdueling Iglupas and cashing in on her rival’s miscues in their baseline game in the decider to carve out the hard-earned win in two hours and 15 minutes. She received P20,000 during awards rites graced by Naga, Cebu Mayor Kristine Chiong.

“It was a tough win. I had to turn our match to a baseline-to-baseline duel in the decider and pounced on her errors after she went for a serve-and-volley game and won the second set,” said Patrimonio, who failed to match Arcilla’s four-title sweep after losing the Olivarez Cup crown, also to Iglupas.

Olsen said this is what he learned from team owner Anton Montinola and athletic director Mark Molina the last time they met.

“Nash started a program, and I hope to continue what he started,” said the 46-year old Racela, who played for 18 years in the PBA, and was around to help win nine titles with Purefoods and San Miguel.

He was also a five-time mythical team member.

When he retired from playing, Racela became the head coach of the Energen Philippine youth basketball team from 2011-2012, and he worked closely with Nash at that time.

Olsen said that its been a long time since they last worked together.

“I will be working closely with him since the Energen days. May katagalan na rin iyon,” he went on.

The elder Olsen handled the Petron Blaze Boosters in the PBA from 2012-2013.

At the moment, he is an assistant coach to Tim Cone with Barangay Ginebra.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook (0) glides to the hoop during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 21, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

Westbrook paces OKC to victory L OS ANGELES —NBA scoring leader Russell Westbrook put on another display of offensive fireworks Wednesday, pouring in 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-110 NBA victory over the Pelicans in New Orleans.

Westbrook flirted with a tripledouble, finishing 10 rebounds and seven assists.

But Westbrook had plenty of help from the Thunder’s supporting cast. He was on the bench early in the fourth quarter when Oklahoma City’s reserves produced 11 points in a 16-2 scoring run that

broke open a close game, turning an 89-87 edge into a 105-89 lead.

Backup guard Alex Abrines scored 12 of his career-high 18 points in the fourth quarter.

The 23-year-old from Spain, playing in his first NBA season, finished with five three-pointers.

“It was one of those days where

you feel like the rim is bigger and you can score on almost every shot,” Abrines said.

Westbrook was delighted to see Abrines show in a game the longrange skills he has displayed in practice.

“He can shoot the hell out of the ball, man,” he said. “He works out every day and works on his game, and that’s the best part about him.

This is his first year and he’s going to learn the ups and downs throughout the whole season, but tonight he did a great job making shots.”

A day after their overtime win in Milwaukee, the reigning

champion Cavaliers beat the same Bucks team 113-102 in Cleveland.

Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, who both played big minutes on Tuesday, showed no sign of fatigue, Irving scoring 31 points and handing out a career-high 13 assists and James adding 29 points in the victory.

Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue admitted he thought about resting the pair, but with Kevin Love still sidelined by a sore knee and J.R. Smith out with a broken thumb, his options were limited.

Irving, for one, was glad to get another crack at the Bucks, who stunned

the Cavs 118-101 in November.

“I’m fired up to go against them every time now, for real,” he said.

“Ever since they kicked our ass in Milwaukee, it’s been personal and it’s going to continue to be personal.”

In Phoenix, James Harden scored 27 points and handed out 14 assists to help the Houston Rockets bounce back from their first defeat of December.

The Rockets drained 18 threepointers in the 125-111 triumph that came a day after a tough 102-100 loss to San Antonio ended Houston’s 10-game winning streak. AFP

Fighter sacrifices Christmas in pursuit of shot at crown SACRIFICE means giving up something cherished in order to get something even more valuable in the future. This concept also applies to mixed martial arts (MMA) as the path to becoming a world champion is paved with much sacrifice.

To set foot on the pinnacle of success, all fighters must go through blood, sweat and tears in training. Moreover, MMA athletes have to be separated from their families for months to dedicate their lives to the craft that they seek to perfect.

Australian standout Martin Nguyen (7-1) had to undergo the same process as he is slated to square off with former featherweight title contender Kazunori Yokota (25-6-3) in the co-

headliner of ONE: QUEST FOR POWER on 14 January.

“The life of a fighter is difficult, but I understand that in order to be the best, fighters have to make certain sacrifices. Spending time away from friends and family to train isn’t easy,” Nguyen said.

For his high-profile bout against Yokota, Nguyen had to give up spending Christmas and the rest of the Yuletide season with his family to fully focus on his training.

Nguyen admitted the most painful sacrifice is the separation from his family, but he knows that there is a reward waiting for him.

“It’s part of being a professional fighter. A lot of sacrifices have been made. Training in December is one of them. I have to give up Christmas celebrations

for this fight,” he stated.

“If I want to consider myself as a championship-quality fighter, I have to make that sacrifice. In the end, I will reap the fruits of my labor. Hard work cannot be denied forever,” Nguyen added.

The 27-year-old Australian prospect believes that a win over Yokota will earn him a date with Marat Gafurov for the ONE Featherweight World Championship belt.

“I think a win over Yokota should solidify my position for a title shot. To clarify, I am not in a hurry. I will let my bosses decide because they have the final say for that matter. If they will give me a shot at the ONE Featherweight World Championship title, I am ready to suit up,” Nguyen declared.

Australian standout Martin Nguyen celebrates atop the cage after winning his ONE Championship bout. Nguyen faces off against former featherweight title contender Kazunori Yokota (25-6-3) in the co-headliner of ONE: Quest for Poweron January 14, 2017. ONE Championship

Elasto Painters face former coach Guiao, Road Wariors

By Jeric Lopez

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters guard Gabe Norwood (5) passes to a teammate.

Rain or Shine faces former longtime coach Yeng Guiao and his struggling NLEX Road Warriors for the first time tonight.

THE Philippine Basketball Association takes its act to the Philsports Arena in Pasig City with a pair of very interesting match-ups in the continuing 2016-17 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. For the first time, Rain or Shine (3-2) is set to faceoff with its former longtime coach Yeng Guiao and his struggling NLEX Road Warriors (1-4) at 7 p.m. in a muchanticipated match-up tonight.

The opener is just as intense as rivals TNT KaTropa and sizzling Alaska, both at holding 3-2 slates, are set to

collide at 4:15 p.m.

After Guiao’s surprising transfer to the Road Warriors in the off-season, many are already anticipating an emotional and intense match between the Elasto Painters and their then mentor who delivered both of the two championships of the franchise.

Guiao spent six years coaching Rain or Shine before he decided to accept a coaching job at NLEX where he is trying to turn the team’s fortunes around.

Coming in, the Painters and the Warriors are still fresh from losses in their last assignments. NLEX has actu-

ally lost three in a row.

Rain or Shine got beaten

by Star, 99-91, last Sunday while NLEX got clobbered by league-leading San Miguel, 106-80, last Saturday as it suffered another defeat.

The Painters, the Texters and the Aces are all looking to score wins to be able to tie Blackwater (4-2) in second place.

Currently, those three squads, along with Star and GlobalPort, are in a five-way logjam for third to seventh places.

After losing its first two games, Alaska suddenly got its groove and is now one of the league’s hottest teams, having won three straight.

MNTC to use beep cards at expressways B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

B1

IN BRIEF BSP retains rates despite Fed’s move

SSS-CITY SAVINGS PARTNERSHIP. The Social Security System and City Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Union Bank, sign a memorandum of agreement for sickness, maternity

and employees’ compensation payment thru-the-bank program. Shown during the signing ceremony at the executive lounge of SSS main office in Diliman, Quezon City are (from left) SSS assistant vice president Jocelyn Evangelista, president and chief executive Emmanuel Dooc and chairman Dean Amado Valdez, CitySavings Bank chairman Eugene Acevedo and president and chief executive Catalino Abacan and SSS officer-in-charge of benefits administration division Normita Doctor.

Tetangco eyes BSP successor

By Clarissa Batino and Siegfrid Alegado

B

angko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco said his successor must have a background of having worked at the central bank, signaling he may decline an offer to remain in his post in favor of one of his deputies.

“For a seamless transition, the next BSP governor should be one with central banking experience,” Tetangco said in a mobile-phone message on Wednesday, in response to a question on whether he will back his deputies, Nestor Espenilla and Diwa Guinigundo, for the post that

he vacates in July. Both deputy governors said they will accept the job if offered.

Tetangco, 64, declined to say whether he turned down an offer from President Rodrigo Duterte to stay in office after his second, six-year term ends. In order to remain, the government will need to

amend a law that limits the governor’s tenure to two terms.

“The next BSP governor will have the support of a competent, dedicated and committed team focused on achieving the institution’s mandate,” Tetangco said.

Tetangco started his career at the central bank in 1974 as a statistician and first became governor under President Gloria Arroyo in 2005. He was reappointed by Benigno Aquino in 2011. He has kept inflation under 3 percent for almost two years and is set to keep the benchmark interest rate at a record-low of 3 percent on Thursday, according to all 18 economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Tetangco’s looming departure comes at time when emerging nations are bracing for capital outflows as the US embarks on a steeper tightening path. The peso is trading near levels unseen in a decade.

“It’s important that the new governor has experience in central banking and a background in macroeconomics, more so today than ever, given how complex the financial systems have become,” said Nicholas Mapa, an economist at Bank of the Philippine Islands. “Tetangco managed to weather the financial storms that came his way since he started at the helm of the central bank. It’s big shoes to fill.”

Espenilla, 58, and Guinigundo,

Closing December 22, 2016

8300 7840 7380

UNIVERSAL Entertainment Corp. chairman Kazuo Okada said the Philippine gaming market could soon surpass Singapore’s, as improved ties with China promises more tourists and raise the prospects for his upcoming $2.4-billion casino.

The Japanese gaming tycoon said in Manila on Wednesday that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to thaw relations with China as well as his efforts to fight drugs and crime will increase the number of Chinese visitors. At the same time, he sounded a note of caution about jumping into the world’s newest casino market in Japan due to its aging population.

“A lot of Chinese are coming into the Philippines, and that will improve more as improving bilateral relations between China and the Philippines increase tourism

6920 6460 6000

6,587.17 99.19

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing DECEMBER 22, 2016 43.00 45.40 46.60

P49.990

49.00

CLOSE

HIGH P49.950 LOW P49.990 AVERAGE P49.975 VOLUME 270.000M

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

OPRICES IL TODAY

Universal Entertainment Corp. chairman Kazuo Okada

Govt, 4 companies set to launch MRT station

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, December 22, 2016

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.9840

Japan

Yen

0.008509

0.4253

UK

Pound

1.236500

61.8052

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128834

6.4396

Switzerland

Franc

0.974944

48.7316

Canada

Dollar

0.746102

37.2932

Singapore

Dollar

0.692281

34.6030

Australia

Dollar

0.724800

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

132.5836

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

13.3294

Brunei

Dollar

0.689893

34.4836

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.027786

1.3889

UAE

Dirham

0.272331

13.6122

Euro

Euro

1.043300

52.1483

Korea

Won

0.000838

0.0419

China

Yuan

0.144053

7.2003

India

Rupee

0.014757

0.7376

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.223364

11.1646

New Zealand

Dollar

0.690200

34.4990

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031316

36.2284

1.5653 Source: PDS Bridge

Lawmaker seeks to ease tax burden “FOR many years, taxpayers have been unnecessarily overburdened by inequitable measures overlooking their respective capacities to pay,” a lawmaker said.

Quirino Rep. Dakila “Dax” Cua cited the proposed reduction of the personal income tax to 25 percent where those earning P250,000 below which account for 83 percent of taxpayers will initially be taxed 2,500.

At the other end of the spectrum, those earning more than P5 million will be taxed P1.45 million plus 35 percent of the excess over P5 million.

“Another measure with a similar principle is House Bill No. 4144, or the proposal to amend Section 145(c) of the Sin Tax Reform Law seeking to keep the initial twotier system instead of the impending unitary tax system by 2017,” Cua said.

Cua said the proposed two-tier measure that imposes P32 on lower-tier and P36 on higher tier is higher compared to the original provisions stated in the original sin tax law. “Now if we are going to debate about health benefits, it is obviously more discouraging to the smoking public to purchase a pack of cigarettes with a P32-tax imposition compared to the original schedule of P30,” he said in a committee hearing.

Okada: PH casinos to exceed Singapore

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX

47.80

62, both studied economics at the University of the Philippines, worked for more than three decades at the central bank and had stints at the International Monetary Fund.

Espenilla, head of banking supervision, said Bangko Sentral is doing very well in keeping macroeconomic stability and must continue reforms in the financial sector.

“The monetary policy direction is already set; it’s a question of maintaining the direction and improving the way we conduct it, in a way that’s efficient and compatible with a rapidly-developing and modernizing financial system,” Espenilla said on Dec. 19.

Bloomberg

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday kept the benchmark interest rates steady despite the action of the US Federal Reserve to increase borrowing cost.

Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a news briefing the interest rates of 3.5 percent for overnight lending, 3 percent for overnight borrowing and 2.5 percent for overnight deposits were left unchanged.

The reserve requirement ratios were also maintained.

“The Monetary Board’s decision is based on its assessment of inflation dynamics and the risks to the inflation outlook over the policy horizon,” Tetangco said.

“Latest baseline forecasts indicate that average inflation would likely settle below the target range of 2 to 4 percent for 2016. However, inflation is seen to return gradually to a path consistent with the inflation target in 2017 to 2018 due to higher oil prices and strong domestic economic activity,” Tetangco said.

He said the overall balance of risks surrounding the inflation outlook also remained tilted to the upside, owing partly to the pending petitions for adjustments in electricity rates as well as the initial impact of the government’s broad fiscal reform program.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the board also kept the average inflation forecast this year at 1.8 percent. The average forecast for 2017 was raised to 3.3 percent from 3 percent while the 2018 forecast was adjusted to 3 percent from 2.9 percent. Julito G. Rada

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Transportation Department expects to complete the construction of a common station that will link Metro Manila’s overhead train system in Quezon City by the middle of 2019, after four conglomerates agreed to the government’s proposal.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the formal signing for the construction of common station for Light Rail Transit Line 1, Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and the planned MRT Line 7 was expected before the end of the year.

“It will be a go and we will

finish it in two-and-a-half years. That has been pending for the last seven years,” Tugade said.

SM Group’s Hans Sy, Ayala Corp.’s Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang, Metro Pacific Investments Corp.’s Manuel Pangilinan and Tugade signed an agreement in September to build the common station for LRT 1, MRT 3 and the planned MRT 7.

Under the agreement, the stakeholders agreed on the final location for the unified station for LRT 1, MRT 3 and MRT 7, which should be in the vicinity of Edsa and North Avenue.

here,” said Okada in an interview ahead of a public preview of his resort, starting Dec. 21 and lasting till its official opening in the first quarter of 2017. “The Philippine gaming market will become bigger than Singapore” within years, he said, without giving a specific timeframe.

The Philippines is competing with Macau and Singapore to become a gambling hub targeting Asia’s rising middle class, even as the prevalence of highstakes Chinese gamblers has been weakened by government crackdowns on corruption and capital outflow.

Competition in the region is set to become more crowded, with Japan’s parliament passing a bill legalizing casinos Dec. 15, paving the way for billions of dollars of potential investments. Bloomberg

Malampaya repair may hike power rates

By Alena Mae S. Flores A 20-DAY maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas project early next year may increase the power rates in the franchise area of retailer Manila Electric Co. in March, the Energy Department said Thursday.

The Energy Department said in a statement based on a simulation by Meralco, power rates could increase by P1 per kilowatt-hour in March.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said the department started preparatory activities jointly with industry stakeholders to safeguard energy consumers from the possible impact on supply and prices of electricity during the scheduled maintenance activities from Jan.

28 to Feb. 16.

“My directive was clear. The Malampaya maintenance activities should pose no substantial impact to supply of electricity by using all available resources and remedies, because power is a basic necessity for our countrymen,” Cusi said.

He said plans and alternative modes should be in place and ready before the actual shutdown.

“We have to ensure that the program works for Malampaya are within the prescribed schedule given to the DOE. Historically, Spex [Malampaya operator Shell Philippines Exploration Corp.] completed its maintenance period on time. It is expected that it will do the same this time,” he said.

Spex apprised the department of the preparatory works for the Malampaya services maintenance shutdown. It said the maintenance activities would cover the repair of the sub-sea facilities, upgrades on the platform and maintenance on the onshore plant.

The department asked the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to simulate the possible power supply scenarios and the Philippine Electricity Market Corp. to conduct a simulation on the wholesale electricity spot market prices during the Malampaya shutdown.

“The simulations will be submitted to the DOE for review and evaluation, so that we will be able to accurately respond to any unwarranted power market behavior,” Cusi said.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market falls below 6,600; Ayala rises S

MNTC to use beep cards at expressways

By Darwin G. Amojelar MANILA North Tollways Corp. said Thursday it will roll out the contactless automated fare collection system at North Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway in the first quarter of 2017.

“It’s in the works. They are currently installing the system.

We are targeting first quarter of next year,” Romulo Quimbo Jr., senior vice president for legal, regulatory and government relations of MNTC told reporters.

MPTC operates NLEx and SCTEx. Rodrigo Franco, president and chief executive of MNTC, earlier said AF Payments Inc., a consortium led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., would provide the device

for the rollout of beep cards at NLEx and Cavitex.

AF Payments won the P1.72billion contract for the automated fare collection system project.

The new system uses contactless smart card technology to upgrade and integrate the ticketing infrastructure for major railways, including Light Rail Transit Line 1 and 2 and Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

The beep card is the new contactless payment solution developed to make the payment process more convenient across all three rail lines as it allows seamless transfers from one rail line to another.

The beep card uses a more powerful chip-based system and will serve as an electronic payment solution for day-to-day payments. Beep cards can now use to pay toll on Cavite Expressway.

tocks retreated Thursday, dragging the benchmark index to a new 10-month low, amid Asian market declines following a slide in US stocks.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, slid 99 points, or 1.5 percent, to close at 6,587.17.

This widened the bellwether’s losses this year to 5.2 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 49 points, or 1.2 percent, to settle at 4,036.50, on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 123 to 43, while

46 issues were unchanged.

All six sectoral indices declined, while only two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate Ayala Corp. which rose 0.4 percent to P716 and SM Prime Holdings Inc. which picked up 0.4 percent to P27.35.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. was the biggest loser among the most traded issues, as it fell 4.7

percent to P65.55.

Other Asian markets turned lower Thursday following a rare drop for this month on Wall Street, with concerns about Italy’s banking sector denting confidence.

With dealers winding down for the Christmas break business is thinning, making swings sharper while profittakers close in after the recent global rally.

Trading floors from Asia to the Americas have been humming since Donald Trump last month won the US presidential election, with dealers betting his big-spending, tax-cutting policies will ramp up growth in the world’s top economy.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.68 4,000 47.8 6,300 88.25 1,166,090 104.9 3,732,890 1.41 388,000 38 238,400 16.16 1,300 18.48 115,000 0.7 22,000 805 20 0.57 6,177,000 70.6 3,764,410 0.85 316,000 14.1 24,100 21.8 4,100 54.5 59,850 240 6,250 129.5 170 90 670 34.4 126,700 195 873,710 1,651 110 74.5 66,750

14,030 300,695 102,416,400.50 390,148,876 527,690 9,060,470 21,024 2,123,236 15,000 16,100 3,551,540 265,207,697 259,800 340,700 89,380 3,272,380 1,499,568 22,015 60,300 4,368,100 168,912,118 181,560 4,974,887.50

253,075 2,739,844 -49,452,064 8,056,000 -1,223,556.00 -16,100 -4,000.00 -49,543,058.50 814,770 -784,800 -4,242,910.00 -35,158,137 -8,255 -70,788.50

41.9 4.15 0.83 1.22 18.42 0.186 11.4 15.72 22.45 21 57 88 104 1.9 6.3 11.9 11.08 5.9 6.97 4.9 1.8 22.15 67.5 16.3 6.02 1.62 184.6 28.05 23.4 14.76 258.4 0.25 3.35 9.58 11.62 2.1 5.69 1.35 69.05 5 227 4.81 11.24 4.16 0.141 1.43 153 4.62 1.39 1.05

INDUSTRIAL 42.5 1,202,400 4.22 883,000 0.83 1,160,000 1.22 394,000 19.18 2,100 0.189 500,000 11.46 5,082,400 15.72 2,612,800 23.4 27,409,700 21.35 400 57 770 88.1 210 104 10 1.9 4,000 6.39 302,700 11.98 9,100 11.3 5,477,800 5.93 12,000 7 213,300 4.9 13,600,500 1.8 2,000 22.45 405,600 68 161,380 16.5 1,485,200 6.04 239,500 1.63 486,000 185.5 1,459,780 28.05 672,800 23.5 335,600 14.8 150,300 259 74,570 0.25 10,000 3.38 65,000 9.6 3,760,300 11.62 150,000 2.1 2,416,000 5.7 541,900 1.35 100,000 69.15 302,480 5.01 15,200 227 320 4.95 412,000 11.24 8,418,900 4.16 17,000 0.143 290,000 1.43 65,000 153 2,012,800 4.64 3,000 1.42 918,000 1.05 55,000

50,826,260 3,690,040 966,620 486,270 38,964 93,700 58,683,872 41,485,200 615,571,715 8,435 43,890 18,575.50 1,040 7,600 1,921,136 108,698 61,875,810 71,583 1,492,747 67,183,497 3,660 9,076,295 10,968,160.50 24,230,010 1,442,756 790,970 271,313,443 19,293,925 7,932,055 2,224,798 19,325,330 2,500 220,650 36,399,770 1,743,000 5,109,650 3,088,421 135,000 20,953,824.50 76,388 72,694 2,031,180 95,139,982 70,720 41,370 93,250 310,967,215 13,880 1,296,090 58,560

-38,538,440 1,325,340 -11,430 768,008 -12,912,712 -5,561 6,187,830 -801,931 -29,959,821 -2,721,385 -810,623 -2,433,992 871,932.00 -126,280 -126,853,076 -12,847,270 -5,538,630 -112,374 1,663,262 -207,160 -29,858,802 3,112,700 -2,850 2,046,484.50 657,390 9,020,940 -19,108,594 -

0.455 70.3 12.7 5.99 0.32 0.305 718 8.65 13 8.18 0.18 1,220 5.9 68.9 1.21 7.79 13 6.39 0.037 1.93 94 616 1.2 260 0.29 0.255

0.41 66.55 12.52 5.99 0.3 0.305 701.5 8.48 12.5 8 0.18 1,181 5.85 65.55 1.06 7.67 12.72 6.18 0.037 1.9 91.7 604.5 1.2 257 0.285 0.255

HOLDING FIRMS 0.41 10,320,000 68 4,455,600 12.6 5,067,400 5.99 1,500 0.3 1,440,000 0.305 140,000 716 345,280 8.5 1,339,600 12.5 12,015,700 8.18 95,800 0.18 100,000 1,214 57,310 5.85 196,400 65.55 2,023,450 1.06 12,769,000 7.79 807,000 12.96 474,300 6.18 72,868,100 0.037 9,100,000 1.92 232,000 92 557,090 608 493,770 1.2 111,000 258 5,230 0.29 400,000 0.255 80,000

4,344,550 302,279,256 64,205,074 8,985 435,200 42,700 246,002,290 11,387,634 151,460,844 783,610 18,000 69,203,115 1,158,364 133,578,938 14,208,720 6,258,510 6,138,748 453,163,000 336,700 441,170 51,431,951 300,320,075 133,200 1,349,224 114,500 20,400

-150,849,062 -7,514,772 -24,040,475 8,744,349 -98,663,826 22,353,230 -1,099,760 -70,918,208.50 -50 -2,212,518 -4,237,914 61,606,254 -18,977,487 -187,043,145 24,000 -

7.48 1.08 2.1 0.445 31.45 3.1 4.95 0.55 1.1 1.48 0.15 0.59 37.8 0.67 0.133 1.61 0.99 1.28

7.16 1.03 2.05 0.405 30.1 3.05 4.93 0.53 1.1 1.4 0.149 0.56 37 0.66 0.132 1.54 0.98 1.24

PROPERTY 7.2 203,200 1.03 1,609,000 2.1 61,000 0.405 12,290,000 30.2 9,598,100 3.1 3,636,000 4.95 183,000 0.53 6,336,000 1.1 1,000 1.4 2,344,000 0.149 790,000 0.56 12,515,000 37.5 88,500 0.66 575,000 0.132 500,000 1.55 14,826,000 0.98 823,000 1.28 336,000

1,465,484 1,687,350 125,300 5,123,500 291,490,395 11,260,170 904,220 3,403,450 1,100 3,300,990 117,810 7,172,580 3,303,055 382,960 66,120 23,205,800 807,800 426,340

-255,147 41,450 -78,267,190 -1,062,290 -755,820 14,040 2,920 -2,751,460.00 -459,000 -342,760 -13,033,290 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.45 47.8 88.3 105.3 1.39 38.05 16.32 18.58 0.68 805 0.61 72 0.84 14.14 21.8 54.5 239 129.5 90 34.8 196 1,651 74.5

3.68 47.8 88.3 105.8 1.49 38.05 16.32 18.6 0.7 805 0.61 72 0.85 14.2 21.8 55 240 129.5 90 34.8 196 1,651 74.55

3.45 47.5 87.2 103.4 1.31 38 16.16 18.38 0.68 805 0.56 69.4 0.8 14.1 21.8 54.5 238.2 129.5 90 34.4 192 1,650 74.2

ABOITIZ POWER 42.7 AGRINURTURE 4.28 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.84 ALSONS CONS 1.26 ASIABEST GROUP 18.46 BASIC ENERGY 0.189 CEMEX HLDG 11.56 CENTURY FOOD 16.36 CIRTEK HLDG 23.4 CNTRL AZUCARERA 21 CONCEPCION 57 CONCRETE A 89.05 CONCRETE B 104 CROWN ASIA 1.9 DAVINCI CAPITAL 6.77 DEL MONTE 11.9 DNL INDUS 11.36 EEI CORP 5.99 EMPERADOR 7 ENERGY DEVT 5.05 EUROMED 1.86 FIRST GEN 22.75 FIRST PHIL HLDG 68 HOLCIM 16.4 INTEGRATED MICR 6.06 IONICS 1.64 JOLLIBEE 190 MANILA WATER 29.35 MAXS GROUP 24.5 MEGAWIDE 14.9 MERALCO 260 MG HLDG 0.25 PEPSI COLA 3.4 PETRON 9.9 PHINMA 11.62 PHINMA ENERGY 2.16 PHX PETROLEUM 5.7 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.35 PILIPINAS SHELL 69.5 PRYCE CORP 5 PUREFOODS 227.6 RFM CORP 4.95 SHAKEYS PIZZA 11.7 SPC POWER 4.16 SWIFT FOODS 0.143 TKC METALS 1.43 UNIV ROBINA 155.2 VICTORIAS 4.62 VITARICH 1.44 VULCAN INDL 1.08

42.75 4.28 0.85 1.27 19.34 0.189 11.6 16.36 23.4 21.35 57 89.05 104 1.9 6.78 11.98 11.6 5.99 7 5.09 1.86 22.8 68 16.5 6.06 1.64 192 29.35 24.5 14.9 260 0.25 3.4 9.94 11.62 2.16 5.7 1.35 69.5 5.06 227.6 4.97 11.7 4.16 0.143 1.44 156.9 4.64 1.47 1.08

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV 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 ZEUS HLDG

0.455 70.3 12.7 5.99 0.305 0.305 713 8.53 12.84 8 0.18 1,181 5.9 68.1 1.18 7.67 13 6.32 0.037 1.9 94 616 1.2 260 0.285 0.255

8990 HLDG A BROWN 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

7.2 1.07 2.05 0.445 31.45 3.08 4.93 0.55 1.1 1.48 0.15 0.58 37.8 0.67 0.133 1.61 0.98 1.28

VOLUME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

3.64 0.13 0.4 3.27 25.35 1.51 3.25 27.05 1.13 6.99 0.91 4.95

3.65 0.131 0.4 3.27 25.4 1.59 3.27 27.5 1.16 6.99 0.91 4.96

3.53 0.128 0.4 3.23 24.55 1.51 3.25 26.95 1.13 6.99 0.88 4.9

3.57 0.13 0.4 3.23 24.55 1.59 3.27 27.35 1.16 6.99 0.88 4.95

31,718,000 6,410,000 100,000 118,000 2,497,800 13,000 22,000 16,426,400 1,825,000 100 9,000 605,000

113,269,900 829,240 40,000 383,420 62,236,500 19,870 71,900 448,151,850 2,091,240 699 7,980 2,986,290

28,167,410 129,500 -29,286,870 -148,752,970 936,520.00 -882,860

2GO GROUP 7.78 ABS CBN 43.5 ACESITE HOTEL 1.33 APC GROUP 0.485 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.041 BERJAYA 5.2 BLOOMBERRY 6.11 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.065 CALATA CORP 2.53 CEBU AIR 92 DFNN INC 8.6 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.39 FAR EASTERN U 950 GLOBE TELECOM 1,446 GMA NETWORK 6.21 GOLDEN HAVEN 15.38 HARBOR STAR 2.19 IMPERIAL A 15.5 INTL CONTAINER 70 IP EGAME 0.009 IPM HLDG 9.05 ISLAND INFO 0.209 ISM COMM 1.32 LBC EXPRESS 15 LEISURE AND RES 4.99 MACROASIA 2.4 MELCO CROWN 3.9 METRO RETAIL 3.97 MLA BRDCASTING 17.3 NOW CORP 2.49 PAL HLDG 5.02 PHIL RACING 9 PHIL SEVEN CORP 135.2 PHILWEB 11.92 PLDT 1,314 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.17 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.45 PUREGOLD 36.95 ROBINSONS RTL 74 SBS PHIL CORP 5.2 SSI GROUP 2.56 STI HLDG 0.95 TRAVELLERS 3.27 WATERFRONT 0.33

7.78 44.5 1.33 0.485 0.042 5.2 6.21 0.066 2.54 92.7 8.7 2.39 950 1,449 6.22 15.98 2.25 15.98 70 0.009 9.05 0.21 1.34 15.9 4.99 2.4 3.98 4.2 17.3 2.5 5.18 9 135.2 11.92 1,341 1.17 0.465 38.7 74 5.42 2.56 0.96 3.3 0.33

7.5 43.5 1.32 0.485 0.04 5.15 5.73 0.061 2.33 90.05 6.7 2.39 950 1,428 6.19 15.22 2.19 14.9 67.2 0.009 9.03 0.202 1.3 15 3.96 2.39 3.84 3.97 17.3 2.38 5.02 9 135.2 7 1,310 1.13 0.445 36 72.8 5.2 2.53 0.93 3.24 0.33

SERVICES 7.5 2,300 43.5 15,600 1.32 4,000 0.485 150,000 0.042 30,700,000 5.15 7,500 6.02 4,122,900 0.063 33,240,000 2.38 3,201,000 90.05 36,710 6.7 1,741,900 2.39 1,000 950 60 1,441 102,295 6.19 64,700 15.98 386,700 2.23 1,235,000 15.5 5,900 70 1,283,030 0.009 5,000,000 9.03 460,000 0.202 7,570,000 1.34 902,000 15.8 82,600 3.97 4,037,000 2.4 47,000 3.95 2,027,000 4 15,310,000 17.3 700 2.38 608,000 5.18 1,000 9 1,000 135.2 250,000 8.3 3,188,300 1,341 48,645 1.16 9,564,000 0.455 2,130,000 36 2,742,200 73 706,810 5.42 164,000 2.54 286,000 0.93 5,234,000 3.27 586,000 0.33 110,000

17,614 678,700 5,310 72,750 1,247,300 38,650 24,437,547 2,076,560 7,666,960 3,326,523.50 13,629,830 2,390 57,000 147,272,420 401,326 6,167,332 2,762,520 92,086 88,174,490 45,000 4,154,000 1,555,330 1,175,740 1,267,770 17,253,900 112,600 7,972,740 61,908,300 12,110 1,481,740 5,164 9,000 33,800,000 29,025,052 64,354,985 10,991,710 964,150 99,703,535 51,754,760 884,120 726,730 4,888,750 1,919,030 36,300

-25,400 450,982 343,300 1,699,954 154,800 48,961,970 -11,150 -27,237,263.50 42,730 122,200 1,527,200 -3,009,630 1,527,970 -2,470 5,164.00 0 -280,452 -13,197,500 -625,790 -46,000 -21,471,620 875,518 -15,220 1,419,380 -1,102,910 -

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

0.0034 2.78 4.9 0.51 0.48 11.32 3.2 0.275 0.193 0.2 2.5 7.95 2.88 0.475 1.11 0.012 0.012 4.1 0.012 8.59 3.53 131.9 0.0089

0.0034 2.78 4.97 0.51 0.48 12 3.21 0.275 0.195 0.2 2.73 7.95 2.88 0.475 1.12 0.012 0.012 4.1 0.012 8.68 3.53 131.9 0.0089

0.0033 2.7 4.9 0.5 0.46 11.1 3.11 0.27 0.193 0.2 2.49 7.64 2.7 0.475 1.08 0.011 0.011 4.1 0.012 8.59 3.4 129.1 0.0085

MINING & OIL 0.0033 30,000,000 2.7 180,000 4.95 15,000 0.51 79,000 0.47 770,000 11.68 23,800 3.11 1,536,000 0.27 1,270,000 0.195 2,200,000 0.2 290,000 2.5 4,388,000 7.77 2,007,900 2.7 140,000 0.475 10,000 1.08 995,000 0.011 12,400,000 0.011 33,300,000 4.1 43,000 0.012 13,700,000 8.59 223,200 3.44 867,000 130 690,800 0.0085 4,000,000

99,200 492,620 73,760 40,230 360,800 268,788 4,847,070 343,250 427,950 58,000 11,445,150 15,536,962 383,590 4,750 1,082,450 142,500 366,400 176,300 164,400 1,921,314 2,978,520 90,094,888 34,900

14,910 -158,940 -17,650 -620,945 -13,320 459,392 34,986,456 -

ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

44.6 103.7 6 1,016 1.05 80.55 77.5 79.5 77.5 77.2

44.7 104.1 6 1,016 1.05 80.55 77.5 79.5 77.5 77.2

44 103.7 5.89 1,016 1.05 80.55 77.5 79.5 77.2 77.2

PREFERRED 44 30,200 104 21,460 5.9 57,600 1,016 100 1.05 540,000 80.55 1,660 77.5 9,000 79.5 3,150 77.2 2,080 77.2 500

1,345,300 2,228,900 341,474 101,600 567,000 133,713 697,500 250,425 160,795 38,600

228,800 -120,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.3

2.31

2

WARRANTS 2.2 705,000

1,530,620

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

11.6 3.3 2.83 8.4

12.48 4 2.83 8.4

10.7 3.3 2.83 7.6

SME 10.8 3.67 2.83 7.9

1,973,352 3,967,600 28,300 78,324,733

6,760 -219,340 -23,953,077

111

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 109.5 109.5 30,200

3,323,644

-

SHARES

VALUE

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

OPEN

FIRST METRO ETF 111

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

17,094,107 84,914,317 135,568,295

PROPERTY

126,488,038

SERVICES

138,735,994

MINING & OIL

109,993,159

GRAND TOTAL

624,012,110

175,400 1,060,000 10,000 9,941,500

1,621.10 (down) 17.44 957,398,827.77 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,326.35 (down) 211.22 1,906,567,626.10 HOLDING FIRMS 6,696.08 (down) 119.47 1,845,005,110.81 PROPERTY 2,946.01 (down) 33.16 SERVICES 1,268.42 (down) 8.78 986,611,528.97 MINING & OIL 11,908.25 (down) 140.68 697,971,041.81 PSEI 6,587.17 (down) 99.19 131,359,584.09 All Shares Index 4,036.50 (down) 49.94 6,612,536,921.75 Gainers: 43; Losers: 123; Unchanged: 46; Total: 212

That has also fueled a surge on US markets, with all three main indexes clocking up record closes in December.

However, the Dow slipped for just the fourth time this month, having hit multiple all-time highs and bearing down on the key 20,000-point mark.

And in early trade Asian markets followed their US counterparts’ lead.

Tokyo ended down 0.1 percent, having risen for 10 of the previous 12 sessions.

“Moderate losses on Wall Street, underpinned by the fall in oil prices, are providing little inspiration for Asian markets today,” Jingyi Pan, a strategist at IG Asia in Singapore, told Bloomberg News.

“Thin volumes are also providing little momentum for trade into the end of the year.”

Hong Kong lost 0.8 percent in the afternoon, putting it into a correction—a 10-percent drop from its recent high seen on Sept. 9.

Singapore fell 0.7 percent and Seoul was 0.1 percent lower, while Taipei, Mumbai, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur also retreated.

But Sydney closed 0.5 percent higher and Wellington climbed 0.7 percent after data showed the New Zealand economy grew more than expected July-September.

Shanghai reversed early losses to end up 0.1 percent.

Financial firms fell on worries over Italy, where the world’s oldest bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena plunged more than 12 percent as it struggles to stay afloat under massive debts.

The lender’s troubles mirror a wider problem in Italy’s banking industry, which is buckling under bad loans, prompting parliament to approve a 20 billion euro ($20.9 billion) support package.

With AFP, Bloomberg

Premiere sells stake in Palawan project

By Jenniffer B. Austria PREMIERE Horizon Alliance Corp., a listed holding company, said Thursday said it completed the sale of a 15-percent interest in a wholly-owned subsidiary that is developing a 576-hectare master-planned resort community in Palawan.

PHA said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the sale of the 15-percent interest in West Palawan Premiere Corp. was worth P800 million. The company will be left with an 85-percent interest in WPPC. PHA said WPPC also finalized the purchase of additional 5 hectares of beach front property located in Nagtabon Beach and was in the process of putting together a tourism development plan for the area.

Nagtabon Beach is 40 minutes away via cemented national roads from the Puerto Princesa International Airport, which is expected to open in March 2017.

West Palawan Premiere is the mountain and beach side lifestyle community development of PHA in Puerto Princesa City covering 576 hectares.

The development will be highlighted by themed clubs, amenities and facilities that will make West Palawan Premier a prime tourist destination in Palawan targeting foreign and local tourists.

Motoring

Ferrari J50’s world premiere

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

AND that’s what we call limited edition.

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Ferrari in Japan, the Prancing Horse revealed a new strictly limited series of bespoke cars, the J50.

The J50 is a two-seater, mid-rear-

B3

engined roadster that marks a return to the targa body style evocative of several well-loved Ferrari road cars of the 1970s and 1980s. Only 10 examples of the J50 will be built and, in the spirit of Ferrari’s fuori serie tradition, each one will be tailored specifically to the customer’s requirements.

How reliable is your car?

N

ew data from CarMD ranks Toyota as the marque least likely to have a ‘check engine’ light flashing on its dashboard and reveals that if you drive a Hyundai, it’s going to cost the least to repair.

The CarMD 2016 Vehicle Health Index is based on repairs carried out in the US over the past 12 months made on cars built between 1996 and 2016. And as

such provides a comprehensive picture of individual make and model reliability as well as average repair costs.

Based on this approach, the top

automotive brand for reliability is Toyota, whose cars had the lowest repair frequency over the past year. Honda is in second place and an all-Japanese top three is rounded off by Nissan.

Audi is the highest ranked European marque (fourth place) just ahead of parent company Volkswagen in fifth. Three US brands have made the top 10. Unfortunately, the highest ranked is Mercury in seventh place (one behind BMW), a brand that was completely wound down in 2011.

Nevertheless it ranks higher than Buick (eighth) and Jeep (ninth).

Hyundai finishes off the top 10 but also comes first in the CarMD list of car brands with the lowest average repair costs.

Mazda is the second cheapest brand in terms of repairs and Kia is in third place. There is good news for owners of American cars though. By and large they dominate the remainder of the affordable repairs list taking every place from fourth to 10th. Chevrolet is the cheapest US brand

when it comes to repairs, followed

by Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, GMC, Ford and Buick.

“This continues to be the only annual Index to rank makes and models using actual in-use check engine failures and recommended repair costs, which has been shown to help make vehicle manufacturers, parts providers, owners and used car buyers aware of trends to help minimize repair costs and maximize reliability,” said Ieon C. Chen, CEO of CarMD.com Corp.

As for individual models, the 2012 Honda CR-V is currently the most reliable car on US roads, followed by the 2014 Toyota Tundra, 2015 Toyota Camry, 2015 Toyota Corolla and the 2014 Ford Explorer.

According to CarMD at any one time, 10% of all cars on the road in the US have the ‘check engine’ warning light flashing on their dashboards. What’s more, the vehicle most likely to have its check engine light flashing is a Model Year 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck. AFP

RCG/Uratex takes part in CARS program Mitsubishi Motors Phils. recognized 25 local automotive parts manufacturers as the country’s leading companies to participate in manufacturing one of its models enrolled in the government’s Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) Program recently. One of the participating companies is Roberts Automotive and Industrial Parts Manufacturing Corporation (Roberts AIPMC), an RGC/Uratex Group company. RGC/Uratex Group of Companies has always been one of the leading providers of automotive parts in the country. The group has a long partnership of more than 40 years with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. to which RGC Group provided body parts, mufflers, radiators, leaf springs, car seats and and foam pads to name a few.

Eddie Gallor, the Executive Vice President of the RGC/Uratex Group received the Certificate of Participation from MMPC on behalf of Roberts Automotive, which also markets Evercool Radiators and Tiger Leafsprings to the aftermarket.

The Philippines had once a leading industry in manufacturing automotive parts, but the industry took some blows to its production because of several economic crises that hit it and has been trying to recover ever since. With the implementation of the CARS Program signed by former President Benigno Aquino, Jr. last year, the automotive industry is

given a better fighting chance to revitalize its industry and elevate the country as a regional automotive manufacturing hub, much like its ASEAN neighbors.

The CARS Program also aims to improve the industry’s parts-making capabilities to ensure that parts makers will meet quality standards as demanded by automotive manufacturers. One of which is MMPC, who recently recognized the country’s leading automotive parts manufacturers as a participant to its Local Parts Manufacturing Program for the Mitsubishi Mirage and Mitsubishi Mirage G4 models enrolled under the CARS Program. ‘‘We have decided to produce the Mitsubishi Mirage in the Philippines because we believe that this product is perfect for the country’s present demand for small car segment,’’ MMPC President and CEO, M new and exciting features appealing for today’s generation and it will soon be a proudly Philippine-made, or proudly Pinoy product. MMPC shall help source local parts manufacturing and help the country to become an automotive manufacturing hub that exports quality vehicles and automotive parts.’’

CARS Program is expected to attract investors and consequently create more jobs for Filipinos. As local production increases, this program will only contribute to the country’s economic growth in the years to follow.

From left: MMPC Executive Adviser for Purchasing Department, Yasuo Koyama; MMPC Senior Vice President, Yasuki Maruyama; RGC/Uratex Group of Companies Executive Vice President, Eddie Gallor; MMPC First Vice President and Corporate Secretary, Dante Santos; MMPC President and CEO, Yoshiaki Kato; and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation General Manager for the Philippine Business Office, Ken Kataoka.

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen PH reaps 14 awards ONLY on its 3rd year of operations in the country, Volkswagen Philippines has already been awarded and recognized a total of 14 times this 2016 for its various models and CSR efforts, making this a landmark year for Volkswagen PH in motoring industry and public relations’ awards.

This roster of awards started on February 26 when its Child Safety Initiative campaign (CSI) was accorded the Silver Anvil Award in the Public Relations Programs: Specialized Advocacy Campaign by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) during the 51st Anvil Awards ceremony.

The CSI campaign was recognized once more on November 24, when it won Best in Road Safety Advocacy during Top Gear Philippines’ 2nd Stig Awards, for its second successive win for the campaign for Top Gear Philippines’ annual awards.

The CSI campaign, launched in April 2015, is part of the global CSI strategy of the German automaker rolled out in various countries, and aims to introduce early childhood safety awareness to children 4-8 years of age, while imparting important road safety habits to their parents. To date, CSI has been participated in by 7,527 children and 5,690 parents/guardians at 36 different locations in Luzon and Visayas.

In September, the Volkswagen Golf and Passat won for their respective categories (Premium Compact and Executive Sedan) at the 2016 C! Awards, the annual motoring industry recognition program of C! magazine.

On October 13, Volkswagen PH bagged eight victories in the Media’s Choice com-

The Child Safety Initiative campaign received the Silver Anvil Award in the Public Relations Programs: Specialized Advocacy Campaign by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines during the 51st Anvil Awards ceremony in February and recognized once more in November, when it won Best in Road Safety Advocacy during Top Gear Philippines’ 2nd Stig Awards (second successive win for the campaign for Top Gear Philippines’ annual awards).

ponent, spread over three categories, in the 2016-2017 Auto Focus People’s Choice and Media’s Choice Awards (AFMCA). These were: Best Engine Performance for the Golf GTI, Touran and Passat; Best Value for Money for the Golf GTI, Touran, Passat, and Touareg, and; Best Design for the Golf GTI. The 2016-2017 AFMCA is a key component of Sunshine Television Venture’s (STV’s) automobile industry merit program. Volkswagen PH’s wins in the Media’s Choice meant the winning models received at least 51% or more of the total votes cast by active members of the Philippine motoring media in that model’s specific performance category. This year, only 49 of the 88 award categories had a winner.

Capping off Volkswagen PH’s awardwinning year was the Passat’s recognition as the Car Awards Group Inc.’s (CAGI’s) choice in the Luxury Mid-Size Car Category, announced on November 21 during the Car of the Year-Philippines awarding ceremonies. CAGI, composed of local motoring journalists who organize the annual Car of the Year-Philippines, has been holding the COTY-P since 2004. On the same occasion, the Passat also received special citation from the Metro Pacific Tollways for Best Safety Award.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Edi tor DIN O DIREC TO III A ss t . Edi tor

B4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

Motoring

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

D

ash cameras are now regarded as vital tools for the everyday driver. We have all seen Youtube videos of dash cams capturing on video acts of road rage and fender benders whose footage can be used for insurance claims or crucial evidence that can used by law enforcement to prosecute or file charges against an offending party. It is due to this technology that das cams are becoming popular, most of them being manufactured by small or little known manufacturers.

With the sheer number of dash board cameras flooding the market, consumers are at a lost on which model is best for you. Although I have tested quite a few dash cams, here are two dash cam models that have struck a cord for me; the Blaupunkt BP 2.0 FHD and BP 3.0 FHD and the Poloroid C200 up to the C270T. Blaupunkt DVR Dash Camera A relatively new brand for the ‘plug and play’ dash cam market, this dash camera is from the wellrespected German manufacturer Blaupunkt, the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 FHD Is worth considering due to its unbelievable price of just P3,150 for the entry level BP 2.0, sleek and compact design; and it weighs only only 50 grams.

Measuring at just 63 x 58 x 30 mm, both the the DVR BP 2.0 and 3.0 are discreet but still manages to record in full crystal clear 1080p HD. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker.

The Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD also has a superb 120 degree ultra wide viewing angle; making it ideal for capturing large amounts of action from the road ahead. Storing the footage is easy as the camera accepts micro SD cards up to 32GB and with this units excellent loop recording facility it will allow for continuous recording so you’ll never have to

worry about missing that all important video evidence.

Another important feature of the Blaupunkt DVR BP 2.0FHD is its internal G-sensor, this sensor is fully adjustable and can be set at a high, medium or low level.

This will ensure that in the event of a collision or harsh braking the motion G-shock sensor will automatically activate the cameras emergency recording mode.

These video files are then fully protected and saved and can’t be overwritten by the loop recording function and can therefore be watched back at a later date and possibly used as evidence against another driver.

Poloroid C200 and 270T Exclusively distributed locally

by Blade Autocenter, Poloroid dash cams are in-car camera compact units that comes with everything you need to record your road trips or your daily commute to work. Poloroids C200 to 270T line comes with a USB cable which can be used for charging, and is long enough to allow the user to mount the dash camera somewhere else other than the front windshield. The mount feels very secure and the cradle has been designed for quick removal which makes it perfect if you wish to hide it from “basag kotse” elements when taking a break or

Your third eye on the road

The Blaupunkt dash cam is compact and more affordable

parking the car overnight.

Like the rest of the Poloroid family of dash cams, the two-inch LCD display in every unit is very useful in setting up the dash camera, ensuring you’ve gotten the best

view possible. There are only a few buttons on these units so it should be easy to use, but actually the multi-functionality of the buttons can prove to be a bit fiddly, it’s not always obvious what you’re meant

Protecting the windshield SOME of you may have neglected it, but one of the most integral part of your car is the windshield. Protecting and caring for it is also important because having a squeaky clean glass windshield does bnot only make you see better, it also makes your car look good.

Atoy Llave, the man who popularized bodykits and custom vans in the country has introduced a new liquid repellent and glass protectant. Nano4Life is a global brand from Europe that has been in the market since 2008.

Using nanotechnology in their coatings, Nano4Life products are made in Germany and is ISO certified.

Nano4Life products, particularly Nano4-Car Glass, are being used and has proven to be effective in over 35 countries worldwide. The advancement in technology that Nano4Life is using makes Nano4Car Glass a superior product. It is not just a regular glass protectant or liquid repellent. The coating is

nano-thin and is highly durable. It is made from high grade silicon dioxide that is extremely hydrophobic and oleophobic.

During rainy days, even with the minimal use of the wiper, the Nano4-Car Glass coating helps improve the driving visibility of the

driver. On sunny days, the coating gives UV protection. Nano4-Car Glass, unlike other coatings for the windshield, can withstand car shampoos, high temperatures and

it will not make your wiper skip.

It will not yellow or chip overtime and it even helps minimize the blurring on the windshield caused by the 1 Nano4-Car Glass by Nano4Life constant wiping of the glass. Nano4-Car Glass will also make cleaning your windshield easier because it helps prevent water & acid rain marks and stains (which is expensive and difficult to remove). What makes Nano4-Car Glass even more special is it’s simple application process and it requires no special maintenance to preserve its effectivity.

Nano4-Car Glass is reasonably priced at P900/20ml. It already comes with a corresponding 20ml PreClean solution that is used to clean the microscopic pores of the glass and prep the surface before applying the Nano4-Car Glass.

The 20ml solution is enough to treat 2 to 3 regular sized windshields and the duration of protection from a single application can last up to 12 months.

Poloroid has struck gold with their sleek dash camera.

to press to do what you want. There are a good range of options, and the Poloroid C200 to C270T are easy to use out of the box.

For just 5,999, the Poloroid dash cam also have a host of features

like File auto protect; auto-on and off; loop recording; motion detection; idiot proof, built-in speaker and microphone; and has good image quality that has a 120-degree angle of view.

Blazing a trail: Petron launches Euro 5 fuel

Petron president Ramon S. Ang

AFTER successfully launching a full range of locally-produced Euro 4 fuels almost a year ago, Petron Corporation marked another breakthrough in fuels technology with the introduction of the Blaze 100 Euro 5 – the first Euro 5 standard fuel in the country.

Blaze 100 Euro 5 contains has significantly less sulfur, 10 ppm (parts per million) compared to other Euro 4 fuels (50 ppm). It is 500% cleaner than standard Euro 4 fuels. It also has less benzene (less than 1% of volume) – a

known carcinogen – compared to the Philippine standard which allows up to 2% by volume in gasoline. It is now available nationwide.

High sulfur levels in fuel, when combined with water vapor, can harm the environment and cause corrosive wear on valve guides and cylinder liners, leading to premature engine failure.

With significantly low sulfur content and advanced additives technology, the high-performance Blaze 100 Euro 5 delivers the following benefits: Optimal power and acceleration due to extremely high octane and performance additives; Exceptional engine cleanliness because of its high quality base fuel and fully synthetic detergent additive; Better fuel economy due to its friction modifier and combustion improver additives; and Lower emissions and longer catalytic converter life.

While Blaze 100 Euro 5 is recommended for high-end, highperformance vehicles, other vehicles will get the same power and improved fuel economy because

of its special formulation.

“Petron is proud to introduce another revolutionary fuel specially formulated for Philippine driving conditions,” Petron President and CEO Ramon S. Ang said. “With the highest octane rating but the lowest sulfur content, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 5 is the best gasoline in the market by far in terms of power, efficiency, and reduced emissions.”

Ang vowed to “continue to innovate and lead in fuels technology so we can put more savings in our customers’ pockets while improving air quality across the nation.”

Petron’s Blaze 100 Euro 5 was “road-tested” recently as the official fuel of the Philippine Leg of the 2016 Formula 4 South East Asia (F4/ SEA) Championship at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga.

First introduced in 2010, PETRON BLAZE 100 is the first gasoline in the country with a Research Octane Number (RON) of 100. With 100 octane, it has exceptional resistance to “engine knocking” that results in uneven fuel burn, greater fuel consumption, and even engine damage.

Cuban health system copied SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga —The Cuban healthcare system is being replicated here as the provincial government launched the Preventive Health Management System on Thursday.

Health Assistant Secretary Leoniga Gorgolon said Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda was the first to answer President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to local government leaders to emulate the Cuban system of giving medical assistance to indigents and marginalized persons in their respective areas of responsibility.

Gorgolon said the program concentrates on prevention instead of medication, as proven effective in Cuba, whose health system is recognized worldwide for its excellence and its efficiency. Duterte has sent Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial to the communist country to study its healthcare programs in detail.

The PHMS, Gorgolon said, consists of ophthalmology, hearing, cervical cancer, breast examination, dental, ECG, hematology, X-rays, surgical and medical services, including free consultation and medicines.

Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab said the launching of the comprehensive program in her town was highlighted by a medical mission with provincial and private practitioners, who treated about 1,200 indigent patients from barangays Del Paz, San Pedro, Palkarangan, San Pablo 1st and San Pablo 2nd.

During the program’s launch, second district Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the former president, said the provincial health workers will be bringing medical aid to the barangays instead of the people going to them.

Romeo Dizon

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

C1

Quezon City eyes ‘green route’ TOY IN SEASON.

A street vendor demonstrates how to use a string puppet dubbed ‘Big Bird’ along Malate in Manila. The toy is worth P200, but the vendor said parents are snapping it up for their children as a Christmas gift.

Lino Santos

CRDA to pave way for ARMM’s development THE Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the rest of the island-region can expect greater development after the successful consultation for the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda, which President Rodrigo Duterte launched in October.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Guiling Mamondiong on Thursday said residents of ARMM and Regions 9, 10 and 12—conflictaffected areas in Mindanao—will see their lives uplifted with the CRDA program.

The areas that will benefit from CRDA, Mamondiong said, are the towns of Jolo (Sulu), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi), and Marawi City (Lanao del Sur), and the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao.

Aside from the ARMM areas, other beneficiaries of the initiative are Zamboanga City, Ipil (Zamboanga Sibugay), and Pagadian (Zamboanga del Sur) in Region 9, Tubod (Lanao del Norte) and Lanao del Norte

province in Region 10, and Isulan (Sultan Kudarat) and the cities Kidapawan (North Cotabato), Koronadal (South Cotabato) and General Santos City in Region 12.

Consultation with Mindanao’s residents was the first phase of the CRDA program, the Tesda chief said. The second phase involves infrastructure development, while the third phase focuses on economic development, he added.

Various government agencies are helping the poor residents of Mindanao, Mamondiong said. Through the CRDA, the national government could easily identify the projects in the region that need funding under the General Appropriation Act from 2016 to 2022, he added.

Coordinating with the CRDA are the local government unit heads and representatives, planning officers, engineers, people’s organizations, ARMM region heads, and the academe, among others. Jun David

Davao ‘Torotot’ Festival bigger on its fourth year

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The city will continue to celebrate New Year’s Eve in its unique way through the Torotot (Horn) Festival in partnership with Smart Communications for the fourth year in a row.

This year’s edition is “the grandest compared to the last three years’ festivals,” Arnold Dellosa, Smart’s Regional Sales manager said.

The telecommunications firm said it will continue to support Davao’s advocacy for zero casualties on New Year’s Eve—by using horns and noisemakers instead of fireworks—and the city’s anti-smoking ordinance through this activity, Dellosa said.

“Through the Torotot Festival, we can celebrate New Year’s Eve with no pollution but in a very fun way,” he added.

Dellosa said Smart is hoping the festival will be part of Davaoeño culture and will be a yearly activity.

City Tourism Officer Gene Rose Tecson said Davao will only cover costs for the venue and the security measures for the entire event, since Smart will handle all the prizes during the festival.

“The city will not shoulder any prizes since Smart has been generous enough to cover all of it. Our counterpart will be securing the entire event,” Tecson said.

For this year’s festival, Smart has doubled the prizes from P25,000 to P50,000 for the best horn design, costumes and hip-hop dance contest, while it put up P15,000 for the Zumba-inspired “Torotot” competition.

The event will start at 4 p.m. with a parade, with the program proper lasting from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Dellosa hopes next year the Torotot festival will go nationwide, since the former mayor of Davao City—Rodrigo Duterte— is now the President. He has long banned fireworks and cigarette smoking in all public places in Davao.

T

HE Quezon City government is looking for ways to tap renewable energy sources and green transport initiatives that would mitigate the ill effects of air pollution and improve public health and safety.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said the city has partnered with Meralco Energy Inc. for the city’s e-vehicle program, designed to help lessen the Quezon City transport sector’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Highlighting the program launch, the mayor turned over two e-vehicles to the city’s Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, headed

by Frederika Rentoy, for its pollution control efforts to be used by January next year.

Bautista called for the development of QC’s green route, where the city plans to harness renewable energy sources for the transport sector, reduce its carbon footprint, and improve the city’s overall environmental quality.

The mayor is considering the use of bio-diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, and solar energy for the soonto-be-developed green route.

To date, Quezon City is participating in the global community’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its impact by supporting various international commitments such as the Compact of Mayors, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the Paris Pledge of Action, Bautista said.

Based on the greenhouse gas emissions inventory the city conducted recently, emissions from the transport sector was identified as the biggest contributor. Rio N. Araja

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

10k CL workers regularized S

OME 10,212 workers were voluntarily regularized by 92 establishments across Central Luzon after undergoing a series of consultations and assessments by the Department of Labor and Employment.

DOLE Regional Director law- cent this year, and abolishing yer Ana Dione said the regional it entirely by next year,” Dione office took less than six months said. to achieve this scorecard in reIn August, DoLE Central Luducing illegal contractualiza- zon targeted 235 firms across the tion, “endo,” and labor-only con- region to determine if they aptracting. plied end-of-contract and LOC “We continue to rise to the practices in their workplaces. challenge set by our Labor Sec- The labor office wanted to reach retary [Silvestre Bello] as part at least 118 firms or principals of the DoLE’s priority commit- for consultation by the end of the ments to President Rodrigo Du- year, Dione said. The rest would terte to reduce illegal forms of be completed within the first work arrangements by 50 per- half of 2017, she added.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP NAT. CASE NO. 16-0016-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ORDER In today’s hearing on the Motion to Reset filed by the counsel for the petitioner, Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan manifested that the reason why a second Motion to Reset was filed is because as per information provided to him the Bureau of Printing, the first available printing of Official Gazette will be on January 16, 2017 and pursuant to the law it requires that the same be set at least six (6) months after the last publication. Finding the merit in the Motion to Reset, the same is hereby granted. Let the initial hearing of this petition be reset to August 24, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. as prayed for.

SO ORDERED. Marikina City, this 24th day of November, 2016.

(Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO Judge Copy Furnished: Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Counsel for the Petitioner Manpreet Kaur Pabla Petitioner Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry, Marikina City Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP NAT. CASE NO. 16-0016-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ORDER Acting on the Motion to Reset Hearing filed by the petitioner through counsel on November 7, 2016, finding the merit thereof, the same is granted. The hearing set on February 9, 2017 is hereby cancelled and reset to June 29, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. SO ORDERED. Marikina City, this 10th day of November, 2016.

(Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO Judge Copy Furnished: Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Counsel for the Petitioner Manpreet Kaur Pabla Petitioner Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry, Marikina City Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (Also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner, x-------------------------------------------------x

1.

Petitioner is MANPREET KAUR PABLA, an Indian national, single, fondly called DAISY by her friends, a bona fide resident of the Philippines, specifically residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, where she may be served with copies of pleadings, motion, summons, orders, resolutions, judgment, decisions and other court processes; 2.

She was born in Chandigarh, India on 28 December 1984, and is now 31 years old. Copy of her authenticated Certificate of Birth is hereto attached as Annex “A” to form part thereof; 3.

Her personal description is: racial color Indian; complexion, brown; height, 165.1 cm.; weight, 54 kg.; color of hair, black; color of eyes, black; other visible distinctive marks scar on the chin. Copies of her two (2) photographs is hereto attached as Annexes “B” and “C” to form parts hereof; 4.

Prior to petitioner’s transfer to No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, she and her parents were living at No. 20-E Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, Marikina City from 1985 to June 1994; 5.

She migrated to the Philippines from Del-Delhi, India, when she was barely 5 month old, via AF-AIR FRANCE through the passport of her mother, Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port of Manila on or about 26 May 1985 as shown by the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration which shows her lawful entry for permanent residence in the Philippines.

Copies of the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Alien Certificate of Registration as Annexes “D” and “E” to form parts hereof; 6.

Although petitioner entered the Philippines under her mother’s passport, she was allowed to use the surname PABLA because it is allowed under Indian law. Subsequently, her parents used the same surname, PABLA. Copies of petitioner’s parents Marriage Certificate, Passports and pertinent portion thereof, Alien Certificates of Registration and Affidavits of Publication are hereto attached as Annexes “F”, “G”, “H”, “I”, “J”, “K” and “L” to form parts hereof; 7.

She took and finished her Elementary and Secondary Educations at Infant Jesus Academy situated at Russet Street, Rancho Estate IV, Marikina City, where Philippine history, government and civics are being taught and one of the requirement to finished the course. Copies of her True Copy of Grades for Elementary and High School issued by Infant Jesus Academy are hereto attached as Annexes “M” and “N” to form parts hereof; 8.

She also studied and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University situated in MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, where Philippine history, government and civics are likewise being taught and one of the requirements to finished the course. Copies of her Official Transcript of Records and Diploma issued by Our Lady Fatima University are hereto attached as Annexes “O” and “P” to form parts hereof; 9.

Petitioner continuously resides in the Philippines since she arrived on 26 May 1985, and never left the Philippines, except for short vacations and tours, to wit: Date of Departure 4 April 1989 27 March 1996 6 April 1998 6 April 2004 9 March 2007 16 November 2010

Copies of petitioner’s travel record issued by the Bureau of Immigration and pertinent portion of her Passport are hereto attaché as Annexes “Q” and “R” to form part hereof.

Date of Departure April 4, 1989 March 27, 1996 April 6, 1998 April 6, 2004 March 9, 2007 Nov. 16, 2010

Date of Return to the Philippines May 8, 1990 May 27, 1996 May 31, 1998 June 11, 2004 March 12, 2007 Nov. 23, 2010

Petitioner is not an anarchist, polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. Petitioner has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor is she suffering from any mental alienation or incurable contagious disease. Petitioner had filed and submitted to the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines her verified declaration of intention to become a Filipino citizen in compliance with Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, as amended. Petitioner is willing, upon being admitted to Philippine citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potente, state, or sovereignty, and particularly India, of which at this time she is citizen or subject. Petitioner practically grew up in the Philippine and was raised as a Filipino and have mingled socially with the Filipinos and she have learned to love and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos, and she believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. Petitioner is a person of good moral character, good repute and morally irreproachable. Petitioner declares that she possesses all the qualifications for the grant of Filipino citizenship, being not less than 21 years of age, has been residing in the Philippines continuously for more than ten (10) years, of good moral character, believes in the principle underlying the Philippine Constitution, conducted herself in a proper and irreproachable manner during her entire residence in the Philippines, never been convicted nor charge criminally, owner of a real property in the Philippines worth not less than five hundred thousand pesos, studied in school were Philippine history, government and civics are taught as part of the school curriculum during her entire residence in the Philippines, socially mingled with Filipinos and able to speak and write Pilipino and English, and none of any disqualifications. Petitioner prays that the Court grant her Filipino citizenship and all the rights, duties and responsibilities and obligations appertaining thereto.

Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that the said petition will be heard by this Court sitting at the 3rd floor, Justice Hall Building, Marikina City on February 9, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. at which place, date and time, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and to show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales— The SM Foundation has renovated the Naval Education and Training Command Station Hospital here, the 15th military health facility made over by the mall operator’s social responsibility arm.

The NETC Station Hospital now boasts of a better environment to address the health and medical needs of men and women in uniform. It includes a consultation room, emergency room, male and female observation wards, radiology room, officers ward, a pharmacy, a delivery and labor room, pantry, supply room, washrooms with shower, and an ad-

ministration office.

The NETC is the Philippine Navy’s learning institution, providing education and training to naval personnel for them to advance their naval careers.

SM Foundation has been improving and refurbishing military and police health facilities to pay tribute to the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police personnel.

Other facilities the foundation has renovated are the Heroes Ward and Orthopedic Ward of the AFP Medical Center (V. Luna Hospital); the Air Force General Hospital in Pasay City; the NAVSOG Sick

(Sgd.) ATTY. RASSEL A. DINGLASAN Counsel for the Petitioner Unit 441 Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City IBP Lifetime Membership No. 04338 Quezon City Chapter PTR No. A-2966337; 4 MAY 2016; Taguig City; Roll No. 43756 MCLE Compliance No. V-0022609 Issued on 29 June 2016

SWORN IN. Members of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Regional Legislative Assembly cast their votes and confirm the

VERIFICATION / CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, MANPREET KAUR PABLA, also known as Daisy K. Pabla, is of legal age, Indian citizen, single, and with residence and postal address at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby deposes and says, that:

appointment of Myra Mangkabung (sixth from left) as Department of Science and Technology-ARMM Secretary before RLA-ARMM Speaker Roonie Sinsuat (fourth from left) on December 14 in Cotabato City. Mangkabung was first appointed to the post in July 2013 by ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman. Omar Mangorsi

1.

I am the petitioner in the above-entitled case; 2.

I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing petition and the allegations contained therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and/or based on available authentic records; 3.

I hereby certify that I have not commenced any action or petition involving the same issue in any court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or petition is pending therein, and if I should thereafter learn that the same or similar action or petition has been filed or pending, I shall report such fact to this Honorable Court within five (5) days from knowledge thereof.

IN BRIEF

(Sgd.) Manpreet K. Pabla (a.k.a. Daisy K. Pabla) Petitioner SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, in the CITY OF MAKATI, this AUG. 30, 2016 day of ______ 2016 the affiant to me her Philippine Bureau of Immigration Alien Certificate of Registration No. E304907 Cert. of Res. ICR-248162 issued on 04-0202012 and valid until 04-02-2017.

Doc. No. SI Page No. 13 Book No. XII Series of 2016.

Office of the Solicitor General Of the Philippines Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village Makati City

ANNEXES ANNEX “B” ANNEX “C” ANNEX “D”

ANNEX “F” ANNEX “G”

ANNEX “G-1”

InvItatIon to BId PURCHASE OF 3 UNITS HEAVY EQUIPMENT FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS The LAOAG CITY, through the SP/DRRMO intends to apply the sum of TWELVE MILLION PESOS (PhP12,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 2016-161. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The LAOAG CITY now invites bids for

Copy furnished:

ANNEX “A”

2 dead, 1 critical in Biñan shooting

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

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby affix my signature this AUG. 20, 2016 day of ________ 2016 in CITY OF MAKATI.

ANNEX “H”

Equipment/Description

ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “I”

Delivery Date

ABC

1

unit

Bulldozer Swampy

5,650,000.00

1

unit

Hydraulic Excavator

4,025,000.00

1

unit

Wheel Loader

2,325,000.00

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on December 14-16, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of P25,000.00.

ANNEX “I-1”

ANNEX “J”

ANNEX “K” ANNEX “L” ANNEX “M” ANNEX “N”

ANNEX “O” ANNEX “O-1”

ANNEX “P”

ANNEX “Q” ANNEX “Q-1”

ANNEX “R” ANNEX “S” ANNEX “T” ANNEX “U” ANNEX “V” ANNEX “W”

The LAOAG CITY will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 16, 2016 at City Conference Hall, City Hall Annex, Laoag City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before December 27, 2016, 2:00PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB. Bid opening shall be on December 27, 2016, 2:00PM at City Conference Hall, City Hall Annex, Laoag City,. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The LAOAG CITY reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

ANNEX “X” ANNEX “Y” ANNEX “Y-1” ANNEX “Y-2” ANNEX “Z”

ANNEX “AA” TO “AA-4”

ANNEX “BB” TO “BB-5

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

NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ANNEX “BB” TO “BB-5

APPROVED:

ANNEX “CC” ANNEX “CC-1”

(SGD) RUBEN J. DOMINGO BAC Chairman

PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION COMES NOW, the petitioner, through the undersigned counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers that:

Bay in Sangley, Cavite; Air Force City Hospital in Clark, Pampanga; Camp General Aguinaldo Station Hospital in Quezon City; and Fernando Air Base Hospital in Lipa City.

The Police National Training Institute in Canlubang, Laguna; Camp Nakar Station Hospital in Lucena, Quezon; Fort Magsaysay Station Hospital in Cabanatuan; Pediatric Ward of the AFP General Hospital in Pasay City; outpatient ward of the Villamor Hospital in Pasay; the Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital in Baguio City; and Convalescence Ward of the AFPMC also gained SM Foundation’s support.

22 August 2016, Makati City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO Judge

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY

Naval school facelift finished

SANTA ANA, Cagayan— Some 7,271 children of indigenous families received school supplies from the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority in its yearly Christmas treat for 16 barangays here.

The government-owned firm in the northernmost tip of Luzon island, about 620 kilometers north of Manila, conducted its annual Christmas treat this time through Eastern Hawaii Leisure Company Limited, giving school materials in 22 elementary and secondary public schools.

Dubbed “Pamaskong ManilaHandog,” a monthlongStandard gift giving and amusement program, TODAY Ceza officials said it has become a tradition of sharing the message of Christmas to those who have less in life, and who recently suffered the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Lawin.”

Joyce Jayme-Calimag, Ceza public relations chief, said the treat includes activities to honor and amuse indigent children with gift giving, shows and parlor games.

“We have guest clown magicians who performed magic tricks and a bubble show, while mascots of fastfood restaurants staged dance numbers,” Calimag said.

A Ceza “Santa Claus” also gave out gifts, bringing smiles to the children of the barangays. Brenda Jocson

Other reliefs, just and equitable, under the law are likewise prayed for.

SO ORDERED. Marikina City, this 3rd day of October, 2016.

Copy Furnished: Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Counsel for the Petitioiner Manpreet Kaur Pabla Petitioner Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry, Marikina City OCC-RTC, Marikina City Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)

were likewise regularized.

The regional office and its field offices adopted two strategies in eliminating illegitimate work arrangements. Dione said.

First, it consulted with firms of various industries and encouraged them to voluntarily regularize their workers who are under the illegal work arrangements.

Second, some 21 LLCOs assessed establishments, business owners and contractors to see which practiced prohibited working arrangements leading to illegal contractualization, ‘endo,’ and LOC. Firms found to be engaging in labor-only contracting were subjected to mandatory conferences and were assisted in complying with GLS and OSH standards.

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully unto to the Honorable Court to grant the petitioner FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP and all the rights, duties, responsibilities and obligations appertaining thereto.

Let this Order be published, at the expense of the petitioner, for three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation, and a general notice of hearing posted in a public and conspicuous place where petitioner’s residence is located.

Petitioner is likewise directed to cause the service of this Order together with the copy of the petition and its annexes to the Office of the Solicitor General. Let a copy of this Order be sent to the Local Civil Registry of Marikina City, the petitioner and her counsel.

rangements and thereafter regularizing workers.

Industries operating inside and outside Central Luzon’s Freeport and economic zones were covered by the Department’s consultation programs.

Of the workers regularized, 3,939 were voluntarily regularized by 54 firms upon assessment visit by the LLCOs at plant level, Dione said.

The remaining 6,580 workers were voluntarily regularized through conferences at the Technical Support and Services Division for Labor Relations and Labor Standards of the regional office.

It was also noted in Dione’s report to Bello that around 956 workers in 31 companies engaging in bilateral work arrangements,

10. Petitioner is not an anarchist, polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; 11. She has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor is she suffering from any mental alienation or incurable contagious disease.

Copies of her Barangay Clearance, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Court Clearance, Fiscal (Prosecutor’s) Clearance and Bureau of Immigration Clearance are hereto attached as Annexes “S”, “T”, “U”, “W” and “X”; 12. One year prior to the filing of the instant petition, petitioner had filed and submitted to the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines her verified declaration of intention to become a Filipino citizen in compliance with Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, as amended. Copy of the said document duly received by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), through its Docket Management Service, on 17 August 2015, with file No. 6660, as well as the Official Receipt issued by the OSG, are hereto attached as Annexes “Y” and “Z” to form parts hereof; 13. Petitioner is willing, upon being admitted to Philippine citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly India, of which at this time she is a citizen or subject; 14. Thus, petitioner practically grew up in the Philippines and was raised as a Filipino and have mingled socially with the Filipinos and she have learned to love and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos, and she believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitutions; 15. Petitioner is a person of good moral character, good repute and morally irreproachable. Copies the Affidavits of Vice Mayor JOSE FABIAN I. CADIZ, Filipino citizen, a resident of Marikina City, Philippines, with postal address at Office of the Vice Mayor, Legislative Building, Marikina Cityhall, Brgy. Sta. Elena, Marikina City, and KARL VINCENT B. ALMENARIO, Filipino citizen, with postal address at No. 69 Santan Street, San Isidro Village, Concepcion 1, Marikina City, attesting to petitioner’s good moral character, good repute and irreproachable morality and she is a resident of the Philippines since her childhood and has all the qualifications and none of the dis-qualifications are hereto attached as Annexes “AA” and “BB” to form part hereof; 16. Petitioner possesses all the qualifications for the grant of Filipino citizenship, being not less than 21 years of age, has been residing in the Philippines continuously for more than ten (10) years, of good moral character, believes in the principle underlying the Philippine Constitution, conducted herself in a proper and irreproachable manner during her entire residence in the Philippines, never been convicted nor charge criminally, owner of a real property in the Philippines worth not less than five hundred thousand pesos, studied in schools where Philippine history, government and civics are taught as part of the school curriculum during her entire residence in the Phillippines, socially mingled with Filipinos and able to speak and write Pilipino and English, and none of any of its disqualifications.

Copy of the Certificate of Condominium Title is hereto attached as Annex “CC” to form part hereof;

ORDER Before this Court is a verified Petition for Naturalization filed by petitioner MANPREET KAUR PABLA, through counsel Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan. Petitioner alleged that she is an Indian national, single, fondly called Daisy by her friends, a bona fide resident of the Philippines, residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, where she may be served with copies of pleadings, motion, summons, orders, resolution, judgment, decisions and other court processes. Petitioner was born in Chandigarh, India on December 28, 1984, and is now 31 years old. Petitioner’s personal description is Indian racial color; brown complexion, brown; 165.1 cm. height; 54 kg. weight; black hair color; black eye color with other visible distinctive marks scar on the chin. Prior to petitioner’s transfer to NO. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, petitioner and her parents were living at No. 20-E Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, Marikina City from 1985 to June 1994. Petitioner migrated to the Philippines from Del-Delhi, India when she was barely 5 months old, via Af-Air France through the passport of her mother, Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port of Manila on or about May 26, 1985 as shown by the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration indicating lawful entry for permanent residence in the Philippines. Petitioner entered the Philippines under her mother’s passport, she was allowed to use the surname PABLA because it is allowed under Indian Law. Subsequently, her parents used the same surname, PABLA. Petitioner took and finished her elementary and secondary educations at Infant Jesus Academy situated at Russet Street, Rancho IV, Marikina City, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and one of the requirements to finish the course. Petitioner also studied and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University situated in MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, where Philippine History, government and civics are likewise being taught and one of the requirements to finish the course. Petitioner continuously resides in the Philippines since she arrived on May 26, 1985 and never left the Philippines, except for short vacations and tour, to wit:

Date of Return to Philippines 8 May 1990 27 May 1996 31 May 1998 11 June 2004 12 March 2007 23 November 2010

“We have surpassed our target firms subjected for consultation and assessment because we have seized in every forum to intensify our information campaign, by urging establishments operating in the region to regularize their workers in consonance with our goal to stop contractualization, ‘endo,’ and LOC in all forms,” Dione explained.

DoLE Regional Office 3 also trained and dispatched its labor laws compliance officers and its technical inspectors on how to determine these illegal work arrangements, and how they could help firms voluntarily comply with not only general labor standards and occupational safety and health standards, but adopt allowable employment ar-

Sta. Ana children get gifts via Ceza

(MS-Dec. 23, 30, 2016 & Jan. 6, 2017)

BIÑAN, Laguna—Two persons were killed while another was in critical condition after two unidentified assailants shot them during the Simbang Gabi Wednesday night at the San Antonio Parish Church in Barangay San Antonio here.

Allan Fernandez and Christine Joy Sailog died from their gunshot wounds while Rowena Flores was still in hospital, Biñan City Chief of Police Supt. Serafin Petalio said. Fernandez was on the police drug watchlist, he added.

Fernandez, a security guard, was watching over the church during the evening Mass when the attackers shot him. Sailog and Flores were hit by the stray bullets, and along with Fernandez were rushed to Biñan Doctors Hospital and Perpetual Help Hospital. But the two were declared dead on arrival. Roy Tomandao

Homicide suspect nabbed in Carmona CARMONA, Cavite—A construction worker wanted for a homicide charge in Oriental Mindoro was arrested by joint elements of the Carmona and Bansud municipal police stations late Tuesday here.

Edwin Mortel, 38, was wanted for a homicide case filed in September 2013 and was collared on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Recto A. Calabocal of the Regional Trial Court Fourth Judicial Region Branch 42.

Police Chief Insp. Rey G. Ochavo, Carmona MPS Chief of Police, said Mortel was arrested at his home in Barangay Milagrosa here, and will be turned over to the Bansud MPS in Oriental Mindoro. Benjamin Chavez

(MS-DEC. 23, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines

switches or sectionalizer, fault current indicators, and tree wire and line markers; and (vi)Typhoon Failure Containment for 69kv and 13.8 kV lines.

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

8.3. The “Rotten Poles and Transformer Replacement” Project, which involves the replacement of rotten poles with steel poles together with distribution transformers with pole top hardware and accessories in order to protect the public from the hazards posed by the possible collapse of said rotten poles. This project at the same time aims to maintain reliability and reduce service interruptions due to dilapidated poles and overloaded transformers.

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2016, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, ERC CASE NO. 2016-171 RC DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. (DLPC), Applicants. x-----------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

8.4. The “New Application” Project, which involves securing additional transformers, poles, wires, line hardware and other distribution apparatus needed for providing service to new applicants. This project enables DLPC to effectively cater and supply new applicants with their energy requirements.

8.5. The “Rural Electrification” Project, which relates to the new line extension to rural areas with transformer additions and capacitor or voltage regulator installations. This project will contribute in providing reliable and continuous supply to the areas in need within DLPC’s Franchise Area.

Application permanent.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

On the other hand, DLPC alleged the following in its Supplemental Application: 1.

DLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is the grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to operate the electric light and power distribution system in the Cities of Davao and Panabo, and in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “Franchise Area”).

2.

On 15 September 2016, DLPC filed an Application dated 9 August 2016 for the Approval of its Capital Expenditure Projects for calendar year (CY) 2016. However, there is a need to include an additional CAPEX Project to Applicant’s CY 2016 CAPEX Projects to adequately and reliably serve the power requirements of the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT). As such, DLPC now submits an additional project to its CY 2016 CAPEX Projects.

8.6. The “Substation Rehabilitation and Maintenance” Project, which involves the replacement of defective, non-SCADA, non-recording and old meters, relays and annunciators. The replacement will enable DLPC to remotely control relays through SCADA. Further, the additional data recording feature enables event logging for post-fault analysis. There will likewise be installation of additional CCTVs in DLPC’s substations. Furthermore, old oil circuit breakers will be replaced with new SF6 circuit breakers, old and defective 69kV and 15kV disconnect switches will be replaced with new ones and construction of new control room will be undertaken to accommodate protection and control requirements. A shift will likewise be made from runto-failure mode of maintenance to condition-based maintenance. Lastly, critical spare inventory for major equipment will be undertaken especially to those items that have long acquisition lead times.

3.

This additional CAPEX project is named the “New Switching Station, DICT” project. It involves the construction of an SF6 type power circuit breaker forming a ring bus configuration at DICT compound. The project includes the purchase and installation of 3 units SF6 type power circuit breaker, current and voltage transformers, construction of fence, gate, canal and other civil works.

The project is necessary as the SF6 power circuit breaker will serve as a circuit interrupter at the connection point of the customer, a compliance to Philippine Distribution Code (PDC). The ring bus configuration which composed of 3 units SF6 power circuit breaker and other electrical equipment is a feature that is beneficial to the end-user and distributor. In case one of the sources is interrupted, the customer can still be served by other incoming sources. Also, in the event of fault at the load side of DICT, system reliability will not be compromised.

1.

DLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at C. Bangoy Sr. St., Davao City. It is the grantee of a legislative franchise under Republic Act No. 8960 to operate the electric light and power distribution system in the Cities of Davao and Panabo, and in the Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, Province of Davao del Norte (the “Franchise Area”). DLPC may be served with orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below.

9.

“Other Networks Projects” are listed in Table 1. A major component under this category is the “Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters” Project, which involves the installation of new electronic meters and also the replacement of defective or electromechanical meters, including accessories, for residential consumers. This pro-active service maintenance program aims to shorten the continuing meter replacement from 20 years into 6 years. In this manner, the end-consumers are not inconvenienced by the existing reactive approach as regards meter replacement.

5.

Below is the list of Applicant’s CY 2016-= CAPEX Projects including the New Switching Station, DICT project. With the inclusion of this project, the total estimated cost of DLPC’s 2016 CAPEX is now Php1, 222,740,671.25.

2.

DLPC’s Third Regulatory Period (3rd RP) covers the period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018. However DLPC must still undergo the reset process and is currently awaiting the final rules to govern the filing of its 3rd RP reset application.

10. The projects under the category “Non-Network Projects” are likewise listed in Table 1. The major components of this category are:

Notice is hereby given that on 15 September 2016, Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (DLPC) filed an Application seeking the Commission’s approval of DLPC’s capital expenditure projects for calendar year 2016, including therein, a prayer for grant of provisional authority.

Subsequently, on 11 November 2016, DLPC filed a Motion for Leave to file a Supplement to the Application dated 09 August 2016 attaching therewith a Supplemental Application. In the Supplemental Application, DLPC sought the Commission’s approval for the construction of a new switching station to serve the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT).

In the Application, DLPC alleged the following:

3.

This notwithstanding, Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”), under Section 23 thereof, obligates a distribution utility, such as DLPC, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any end-user within its franchise area consistent with the distribution code. Further, distribution utilities share in the objective of the EPIRA to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power.1 4.

Thus, for DLPC to pursue its mandate under its franchise and the EPIRA, it is necessary for DLPC to continuously invest in the improvement of its system and services to better serve its customers.

5.

As such, DLPC, in pursuit of its duty to better serve its customers, and in accordance with Section 20 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 1462, hereby applies for the approval of the Honorable Commission to implement its Capital Expenditure Projects (CAPEX), which for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2016.

6.

DLPC’s 2016 CAPEX program is categorized as follows: a. b. c. d.

Substation Projects; Upgrading of Distribution Lines Projects; Other Network Projects; and Non-Network Projects.

7.1.1. This project is connected to the following complementary projects: 7.1.1.1. The 138 kV Line New DRA from NGCP Bunawan to DRA Substation Project, which involves the construction and installation of a new 1.8 km, 138kV, singlecircuit #795 MCM ACSR subtransmission line from NGCPBunawan to Don Ramon (DRA) substation, together with the necessary accessories. This project will aid in providing capacity and reliability on the 138 kV supply of the DRA substation, especially when the 100MVA additional capacity becomes operational. Notably, this new line will increase the transmission capacity for the DRA substation, which will aid in avoiding overloading of the existing line.

7.1.1.2. The 69kV Line New DRA1 from DRA Substation to Panacan (Landmark GOABS) Project involves the construction and installation of a 69 kV line, poles, line accessories, disconnection switches and other materials and equipment from the Panacan (Landmark GOABS) to DRA substation. This project is necessary to provide much needed capacity for a looping system between ERA and DRA substations. Without this in place, the ERA-DRA loop system between the two substations will not be realized and will negatively impact the supply continuity of the served area.

7.2. The New Panabo Substation Project involves the construction of an indoor type, 25 MVA, 4 feeder, 69/13.8 kV substation in the Panabo area. This project is essential as this will answer for the load growth in Panabo City.

7.2.1. This project is related to the following complementary projects: 7.2.1.1. The 13.8 kV Line New, PBO1, New Panabo Substation take off to Panabo Bus Terminal Project relates to the construction and installation of a feeder, poles, and associated materials and equipment, for the proposed New Panabo Substation. This new feeder will be interconnected with Bunawan Feeder 2.

PROJECT SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

PROJECT SUMMARY COST

SUBSTATION PROJECTS Php94,790,016

New Panabo S/S

Php94,489,000

In-Out , R.Castillo Substation (1st Phase)

Php36,938,000

New Switching Station, HOLCIM

Php50,068,955

UPGRADING OF DISTRIBUTION LINES New Lines Project

Php203,304,330

138kV Line New DRA from NGCP Bunawan to DRA substation

Php17,338,398

69kV Line New DRA1 fr DRA Ss to Panacan (Landmark GOABS)

Php53,220,925

69kV Line New DRA2 fr Ilang Highway to Holcim Switching Station

Php4,556,132

69kV Line New, DRA4, Steel Asia to Bunawan Public Market

Php3,870,244

69kV Line New,ERA2, RCastillo Ss In and Out Line

Php1,036,328

69kV Line New, Puan Switching Station Take Off

Php2,454,499

13.8kV Line New, MAT 4 to Crossing Langub

Php1,078,048

13.8kV Line New, PBO1, New Panabo Ss Take off to Panabo Bus Terminal

Php955,461

13.8kV Line New, PBO2, New Panabo Ss Take off to UM Highway

Php472,097

13.8kV Line New, RCA5, fr Holy Cross of Agdao to Agdao flyover

Php1,322,617

13.8kV Line New, Tug 4 from Tugbok Ss to Calinan downtown

Php8,887,275

13.8kV Underground Distribution System (2nd of 5 phases)

Php100,000,000

Line Upgrade

Php12,608,627

69kV Line Upgrade, Era 1, Roxas 3-way GOABS to P. Reyes S/s

Php1,326,932

69kV Line Upgrade, Era 2, Citi Hardware Bajada to Pampanga S/s

Php94,489,000

In-Out , R.Castillo Substation (1st Phase)

Php36,938,000

New Switching Station, HOLCIM

Php50,068,955

New Lines Project

Php203,304,330

138kV Line New DRA from NGCP Bunawan to DRA substation

Php17,338,398

69kV Line New DRA1 fr DRA Ss to Panacan (Landmark GOABS)

Php53,220,925

69kV Line New DRA2 fr Ilang Highway to Holcim Switching Station

Php4,556,132

69kV Line New, DRA4, Steel Asia to Bunawan Public Market

Php3,870,244

69kV Line New,ERA2, RCastillo Ss In and Out Line

Php1,036,328 Php594,456

13.8kV Line New, Maa 4 from Jade Valley to Juliville

Php2,454,499

13.8kV Line New, MAT 4 to Crossing Langub

Php1,078,048

13.8kV Line New, PBO1, New Panabo Ss Take off to Panabo Bus Terminal

Php955,461

13.8kV Line New, PBO2, New Panabo Ss Take off to UM Highway

Php472,097

13.8kV Line New, RCA5, fr Holy Cross of Agdao to Agdao flyover

Php1,322,617

13.8kV Line New, Tug 4 from Tugbok Ss to Calinan downtown

Php8,887,275

13.8kV Underground Distribution System (2nd of 5 phases)

Php100,000,000

Line Upgrade

Php12,608,627

69kV Line Upgrade, Era 1, Roxas 3-way GOABS to P. Reyes S/s

Php1,326,932

69kV Line Upgrade, Era 2, Citi Hardware Bajada to Pampanga S/s

Php7,002,258

69kV Line Upgrade, STA 1, from Sta. Ana S/S to Davao Central Warehouse

Php1,007,750

13.8kV Line Upgrade, TAD2, from TAD S/S to PN 0775876

Php2,538,879

13.8kV Line Upgrade, Tad 4, Route to Camiling

Php594,456

13.8kV Line New, Maa 4 from Jade Valley to Juliville

Php94,790,016

New Panabo S/S

69kV Line New, Puan Switching Station Take Off

11. The total estimated cost of DLPC’s CY 2016 CAPEX is Php 1,180,063,191.00 and the complete list of DLPC’s 2016 CAPEX, together with its estimated cost, is as follows:

Substation upgrade, DRA S/S, additional 100 MVA

Substation upgrade, DRA S/S, additional 100 MVA

UPGRADING OF DISTRIBUTION LINES

10.2.

The “Computer Equipment” Project is for the implementation of the Human Capital Management (HCM), Meter Data Management (MDM) and replacement of old computer units and other related IT related equipment. HCM is critical to the delivery of safe and efficient service to the customers. The HCM optimizes the DLPC workforce to provide efficient, cost-effective services in order to respond quickly to changing business needs. The HCM ensures that the DLPC workforce is highly competent and well-prepared. The MDM serves as the data repository and date mart for the planned Automatic Meter Reading/Advance Metering Infrastructure (AMR/ AMI). This goes hand in hand with the aim of DLPC to replace the electromechanical meters to electronic smart meters. Lastly, old and obsolete computer units and other related IT equipment will be replaced in order to mitigate the risk of systems failure which may lead to disruption of services.

DESCRIPTION

COST

SUBSTATION PROJECTS

10.1.

The “Repairs and Expansion of Office Buildings, Equipment and Utilities” Project pertains to the expansion, construction and repairs undertaken of office, office utilities, health, safety and security systems together with the acquisition of associated furniture and fixtures. This project is for the purpose of providing safe, healthy and ambient working environment to DLPC’s employees and visiting customers.

7.

The CAPEX projects under the category of Substation Projects are as follows: 7.1. The Additional 100 MVA, DRA Substation Upgrade Project involves the purchase and installation of an outdoor type, 100 MVA, 138/69kV three phase transformer, associated breakers and equipment.

This project is necessary as the current 2 x 50 MVA power transformers in the DRA Substation will soon reach critical levels. The said project will provide additional capacity and will aid in carrying the incoming load growth in the northern part of DLPC’s franchise area.

4.

The estimated cost of the New Switching Station, DICT project is Php42,677,480.25.

Php732,808

Line Rehabilitation/Maintenance

Php57,489,398

Line Reclosers

Php18,277,792

Emergency

Php8,771,935

Rotten Pole and Transformer Replacement

Php31,109,885

Voltage Correction

Php12,045,213

New Application

Php141,071,275

Rural Electrification

Php32,044,532

Subdivision Electrification

Php7,760,805

Substation Rehabilitation and Maintenance

Php34,541,432

OTHER NETWORK CAPEX Street Lights and Signal Systems

Php14,495,008

Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters

Php23,751,917

Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters

Php170,051,439

NON-NETWORK CAPEX Telecommunication

Php16,961,096

Php7,002,258

Tools and Work Equipment

Php11,810,120

Transportation

Php10,599,000

69kV Line Upgrade, STA 1, from Sta. Ana S/S to Davao Central Warehouse

Php1,007,750

Php16,840,000

13.8kV Line Upgrade, TAD2, from TAD S/S to PN 0775876

Php2,538,879

Acquisition of Land - For New Binugao Substation which construction will start in 2017 and additional area for Victoria Substation which upgrading and re-configuration will also start in 2017

13.8kV Line Upgrade, Tad 4, Route to Camiling

Php732,808

Line Rehabilitation/Maintenance

Php57,489,398

Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures and Miscellaneous Equipment

Php52,405,352

Line Reclosers

Php18,277,792

Computer Equipment (Software & Hardware)

Php35,355,914

Emergency

Php8,771,935

NETWORK REQUIREMENTS- SUBSTATION PROJECTS

7.2.1.2. The 13.8 kV Line New, PBO2, New Panabo Substation take off to UM Highway Project involves the construction and installation of a feeder, poles, and associated materials and equipment. It intends to tie up Panabo and San Vicente substations to cater load transfers between the two substations.

Rotten Pole and Transformer Replacement

Php31,109,885

New Switching Station, DICT

Voltage Correction

Php12,045,213

TOTAL

New Application

Php141,071,275

Rural Electrification

Php32,044,532

7.2.2. Without these complementary projects, the risk exists that a large number of customers will experience power interruption during contingency situations affecting Bunawan, San Vicente and Panabo, or during scheduled maintenance undertakings.

Substation Rehabilitation and Maintenance

7.3. The New Switching Station-Holcim Project involves the construction of structures and installation of In and Out ring bus breakers, switches, controls and other equipment in the proposed Holcim Swithching Station. This Project will enable related substations to receive power supply from two sources in a loop through SCADA remote operation. Through this, the automatic switching of sources during switching scenarios is achieved and the outage duration of Holcim and adjacent substations will be minimal.

7.3.1. This project is connected to the complementary 69kV Line New-DRA2 From Ilang Highway to Holcim Switching Station Project, which involves the installation of a 69 kV line, poles, and associated materials and equipment. This complementary line project is a pre-requisite in completing the 69kV loop for the Industrial North Area served by the DRA substation. This 69kV Line New project will provide additional incoming 69kV source for HOLCIM and other customers connected in the 69kV loop. Without this project, there is a risk that Holcim, and other customers connected to the loop, will have no access to supply in the event that the NGCP-Bunawan is in contingency situations or during scheduled maintenance activity.

7.4. The R. Castillo Substation In-Out Project involves the construction of structures and installation of In and Out ring bus breakers, controls and other equipment in the proposed R. Castllo Substation. This project will enable related substations to receive power supply from two sources in a loop through SCADA remote operation. With the project in place, the automatic switching of sources during switching scenarios is achieved and the outage duration of the R. Castillo Substation during fault conditions will be minimal.

7.4.1. This project is related to the complementary 69kV Line New ERA to R. Castillo Project, which involves the installation of a 69 kV line, poles, and associated materials and equipment. This complementary line project is intended to supplement the intended utilization of the proposed In-Out breaker scheme for the R.Castilo.

8.

As regards the “Upgrading of Distribution Lines Projects” category of the 2016 CAPEX program, these projects involve the rehabilitation or upgrade of existing lines, poles and equipment, and/or installation of new lines, poles and associated equipment in various areas within DLPC’s Franchise Area. The projects under this category are necessary to boost the reliability and flexibility of the system by providing additional line capacity between the interconnected substation and feeder system of DLPC. Further, the projects herein will provide additional safety to customers by re-conductoring the existing bundled line construction that traverses private properties to a single wire upgraded rating capacity modified to avoid line hazard and obstruction. The projects under this category is listed in Table 1, including the complementary projects of the aforementioned Substation Projects.

The major components of this category are: 8.1. The “13.8kV Underground Distribution System – 2nd of 5 phases” Project, which basically involves the conversion of overhead lines, located in the downtown area, to an underground distribution system. This project is aimed at minimizing safety hazards contributed by power and communication overhead distribution lines. This is a continuation of Phase 1, covering the seat of local government of Davao City.

8.2. “Line Rehabilitation/ Maintenance,” which involves (i) Replacement of old wooden or dilapidated 138kV structures and fixtures; (ii) Replacement or relocation of various 69kV structures and fixtures, with wires and accessories, including those works upon the request of the Department of Public Works and Highway; (iii) Replacement of various primary and secondary structures and fixtures with wires and accessories for maintenance; (iv) Conversion or Upgrade of various rural distribution line structures and fixtures with wires and accessories; (v) Installation of new and replacement of leaking insulators and arresters, load break

Subdivision Electrification

Php7,760,805 Php34,541,432

OTHER NETWORK CAPEX Street Lights and Signal Systems

Php14,495,008

Installation, Replacement and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial Meters

Php23,751,917

Installation and Replacement of Residential Meters

Php170,051,439

NON-NETWORK CAPEX Telecommunication

Php16,961,096

Tools and Work Equipment

Php11,810,120

Transportation

Php10,599,000

Acquisition of Land - For New Binugao Substation which construction will start in 2017 and additional area for Victoria Substation which upgrading and re-configuration will also start in 2017

Php16,840,000

Buildings and Improvement, Office Equipment, Furniture and Fixtures and Miscellaneous Equipment

Php52,405,352

Computer Equipment (Software & Hardware) TOTAL

Php35,355,914 Php 1,180,063,191.00

Table 1: 2016 CAPEX Projects 12. The detailed justifications, technical analysis, economic analysis and alternatives considered, if availing, for DLPC’s CAPEX program for CY 2016 are discussed in detail in Annex “A” of this Application.

Table 1: 2016 CAPEX Projects 6.

The detailed justification, technical analysis, economic analysis and alternatives considered, for the New Switching Station, DICT are discussed in detail in Annex “A” hereof.

7.

The proposed CAPEX for CY 2016, including the New Switching Station, DICT project will not have a direct impact on the current rates of DLPC until included by the Honorable Commission as part of DLPC’s Regulatory Asset Base in the next applicable Regulatory Period.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission approve the DLPC’s Capital Expenditure Projects for Calendar Year 2016, including the New Switching Station, DICT project.

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application and Supplemental Application for determination of compliance with jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-Trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 05 January 2017 at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at the Energy Regulatory Commission Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Building, Monteverde Avenue corner Sales Street, Davao City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i. ii.

13. The proposed CAPEX for CY 2016 will not have a direct impact on the current rates of DLPC until approved by the Honorable Commission as part of DLPC’s Regulatory Asset Base in the next applicable Regulatory Period.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 14. Public interest and necessity requires the immediate implementation, without delay, of the subject CAPEX projects. The loading and reliability constraints of the current substations are reaching critical levels, necessitating the upgrade and/or construction of the relevant substations. Aside from these, in the event that the CAPEX projects are not immediately implemented, the consumers may suffer from prolonged power interruptions and additional load coming from existing and new customers may likewise not be accommodated.

These negative consequences, which are detrimental not only to the economy of the areas covered by DLPC, but also to the livelihood and everyday lives of the consumers may be mitigated by the immediate approval of the DLPC 2016 CAPEX projects.

Php42,677,480.25 Php 1,222,740,671.25

iii.

The petitioner’s name and address; The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure.

No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

15. Thus, pending final approval, there is an urgent need for a provisional authority for DLPC to immediately implement its proposed 2016 CAPEX projects.

In support of the prayer for the grant of a provisional authority, attached as Annex “B” is the Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Reynold B. Felix, Assistant Vice President of DLPC for Engineering-Support.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application and Supplemental Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and Supplemental Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and Supplemental Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

16. The foregoing CAPEX for CY 2016 are indispensable for the systematic and economic expansion and rehabilitation of DLPC’s distribution facilities and ensuring compliance with safety, performance and regulatory requirements. The benefit arising from these CAPEX projects will ultimately redound to the endconsumers of DLPC in terms of continuous, reliable and efficient power supply.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 1st day of December 2016 at Pasig City.

PRAYER ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, DLPC respectfully prays that this Honorable Commission: 1.

Pending trial on the merits, immediately issue a PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY authorizing DLPC to implement its Capital Expenditure Projects (CAPEX) for Calendar Year (“CY”) 2016.

2.

After due hearing, render judgment making the approval of the

1 2

Section 2 (b) of the EPIRA. Public Service Act. (MS-DEC. 16 & 23, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

C4

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

World

Mexico probes fireworks explosion TULTEPEC, Mexico―Mexico worked Wednesday to identify the charred bodies left by an explosion that killed at least 33 people at its biggest fireworks market, as authorities investigated what caused the multi-colored salvo of destruction.

Rescue workers were still searching for bodies -- or survivors -- in the smoldering wreckage of the San Pablito market in the Mexico City suburb of Tultepec.

Dazed family members wandered outside the tightly guarded blast site, seeking information on their relatives.

Concepcion Hernandez said she had no news from her mother, 65, and brother, 29, since the Tuesday afternoon explosion.

“They came to buy fireworks for their store. It was their first time here,” she said through tears.

“We don’t know anything.”

Another family was looking for two missing children whose mother and grandmother were killed in the explosion.

At the time of the blast, the market was packed with customers buying pyrotechnics for traditional year-end festivities.

Christmas and New Year parties in many Latin American countries often wrap up with a fireworks free-for-all.

But the holiday season took a horrific turn.

“I thought we were all going to die,” said Luis Hernandez, 26, at the shop where he has assembled fireworks for the past 12 years.

“People were running. Children were shouting. Lots of burned people were walking around, not knowing what to do. And we didn’t know what to do either, because we were afraid the explosions would start again.”

Other survivors described hellish scenes of people on fire, including children, running from the market as blue, red and white explosions lit up the sky.

Of the 60 people injured, 40 were still hospitalized, said Mexico state interior chief Jose Manzur.

Homes and vehicles nearby were also severely damaged.

“I thought my house had collapsed,” said resident Artemio Aguilar as he cleaned up firework remains littering his street. AFP

IN BRIEF 58,000 Chinese killed on the roads in 2015 BEIJING―Chinese roads saw 58,000 deaths in more than 180,000 traffic accidents in 2015, authorities said, adding that poor enforcement of traffic laws still posed a threat to road safety in the country.

Deaths on Chinese roads have dropped from more than 107,000 in 2004 to 58,000 in 2015, according to a report posted on Wednesday on the official website of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the Chinese parliament.

The number of road accidents declined from 518,000 to 188,000 during the same period, it said.

Fatal road accidents are a serious problem in China, where traffic regulations are often flouted.

The country’s frequently overcrowded long-distance buses are prone to accidents, with individual incidents regularly causing dozens of deaths.

Traffic law violations caused almost 90 percent of the road accidents where people died or were injured in 2015, with the total number of such infractions reaching an astonishing 442 million, it said.

The report also highlighted overloaded trucks and poor road and safety facilities in rural areas as two major contributors to the high frequency of road accidents. AFP

155,000 cops to secure Indonesia

WAITING. An Indian shop owner waits for customers as Christmas decorations are displayed for sale at a shop in Chennai on December 22, 2016. AFP

Aleppo’s fall shines a harsh light on UN U NITED NATIONS―The warning from the UN envoy could not have been starker: Pounded by a near-daily barrage of air strikes, Aleppo would be totally destroyed by Christmas unless the United Nations stopped the carnage.

During the weeks that followed Staffan de Mistura’s distress call in early October, there was a global outcry as Syrian forces, backed by Russia, tightened their grip on the city, but little action at the United Nations.

Two Russian vetos at the Security Council blocked attempts to halt the bombing and spare civilians as UN statements professing that there can be no military solution to the devastating five-year war rang hollow.

With the fall of Aleppo, the world body founded on the postWorld War II promise of “Never Again” is once again facing questions about its ability to confront

conflicts.

“The fall of Aleppo is the single greatest crisis for the UN since the Iraq war,” says Richard Gowan, a UN expert at the European Council on Foreign Affairs.

“It has created an enormous crisis of trust in the Security Council.”

Diplomats point the finger of blame at Russia, accused of providing diplomatic cover while its Syrian ally waged an all-out assault on Aleppo.

But there are also recriminations against Western powers, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the broader UN system that has been unable to bring humani-

tarian aid to one million Syrians under siege.

Alarmed by UN reports that Syrian militias had executed dozens of civilians in east Aleppo, France, Britain and the United States called for observers to be dispatched to monitor the situation on the ground.

It took four days for the council to finally adopt a resolution on deploying UN observers and two days later, the teams had yet to set foot in the eastern districts of Aleppo.

Amnesty International lamented that “this important measure has come far too late”, and warned: “The world is watching how the UN responds to the plight of Aleppo.”

Ban, who steps down next week after 10 years as UN chief, has defended the world body’s handling of the Syria crisis even though the war escalated under this watch.

In a recent interview with AFP, Ban said divisions among world powers, regional players and

among Syrians themselves had created a “perfect storm” that allowed the war to rage on, killing more than 310,000 people.

“If there is any criticism, I am ready to accept this,” he said.

“But sometimes, a situation just develops beyond my control, beyond the control of the United Nations.”

Ban has appointed three envoys to lead UN efforts to end the war, with De Mistura taking up the mission in July 2014 after former secretary-general Kofi Annan quit as did his predecessor, veteran diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi.

After nearly six years of conflict, there is no international investigation under way of war crimes in Syria after Russia, backed by China, used its veto in 2014 to block a request to the International Criminal Court.

Contrary to other conflicts such as South Sudan and Yemen, no UN sanctions have been imposed on those deemed responsible for the bloodshed. AFP

Expert says sex with robots soon a reality

IN REPOSE. This NASA photo shows former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn as he lies in repose, under a United States Marine honor guard, in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus,Ohio, on December 16, 2016. AFP

LONDON―Sex with robots is “just around the corner”, an expert told a global conference in London this week featuring interactive sex toys and discussions on the ethics of relationships with humanoids.

“Sexbots” are a staple of science fiction -- the idea of robots as sex partners is explored, for instance, in recent films and television series like “Ex-Machina” and “Westworld.”

But some specialists believe the first animated lovers made of metal, rubber and plastic, programmed to provide sexual bliss, will take a step into reality just months from now.

“Sex with robots is just around the corner, with the first sexbots coming... some time next year,” artificial intelligence expert David Levy told the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots at Goldsmiths, University of London.

US California-based company Abyss Creations next year will start marketing sex robots that are billed as life-like, with the ability to talk and move like humans.

Ultimately, Levy said, people should entertain the thought of marriage with robots as early as

2050.

The conference in London showcased some of the latest developments in robotic sex toys, such as gadgets which allow couples to kiss, no matter how far apart they are.

The “Kissenger”, which attaches to your mobile phone, contains sensors to detect the pressure of a kiss and transmit it to your partner’s device in real time. It has been under development for several years.

Now students at Tokyo’s Keio University are developing the “Teletongue”, aimed at providing “remote oral interaction” and designed to be “kinky”, according to co-creator Dolhathai Kaewsermwong.

It allows couples to send licking sounds and sensations through cyberspace using a “lollipop”, creating an “immersive experience”, she explained.

Lynne Hall, of the University of Sunderland’s school of computer science, in northeast England, said that robots could create “a fantastic sexual experience”.

“There are lots of benefits to sex with robots... it’s safe, you never catch any disease, you can control it,” she told the conference. AFP

JAKARTA―Indonesian police on Thursday announced plans to deploy some 155,000 personnel to secure the country during Christmas and New Year holidays, a day after police foiled plans for militant attacks.

Police on Wednesday foiled plans by an IS-linked group for a Christmas-time suicide bombing after they discovered a cache of bombs in a house on the outskirts of Jakarta, killing three suspected militants in the process.

Following the raids, national police chief Tito Karnavian said security would be boosted at churches, entertainment venues and public gatherings during the Christmas and New Year celebrations across the sprawling archipelago.

“Police will beef up security after these [raids]”, intensifying intelligence-gathering efforts and the monitoring of social media, national police spokesman Martinus Sitompul told AFP. Deployment of large security personnel at year-end celebrations is an annual exercise for police in the world’s most populous Muslim country.

The militants who were killed Wednesday had planned to stab an officer at a police station and launch a suicide bomb attack around the Christmas holidays, police said.

Four other suspected militants were also arrested in separate raids on Java and Sumatra on the same day. AFP

Suicide bombers kill eight in Kabul KABUL―Eight people were killed when Taliban suicide bombers stormed the residence of an Afghan lawmaker in the capital Kabul, officials said after the attackers were gunneda down early Thursday following a nearly 10-hour siege.

Helmand MP Mir Wali survived the assault with injuries but two of his grandsons and bodyguards were among those killed in the attack, which began on Wednesday evening following a recent lull in violence in Kabul.

The Taliban in a statement said their suicide bombers raided the house to disrupt an “important gathering of officials” to address the deteriorating security situation in the lawmaker’s southern opium-rich province.

“President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemns the attack on the residence of Helmand MP Mir Wali, which killed two members of his family, a number of his bodyguards and the son of another MP from Uruzgan, Obaidullah Barakzai,” the presidential palace said in a statement.

“President Ghani termed the attack as an unforgivable crime.

Attacking the residence of national personalities cannot be justified in any religion and is against Islamic values.”

In all eight civilians and officials were killed, said Fraidoon Obaidi, chief of Kabul police’s Criminal Investigation Department. Mir Wali was hospitaliZed after he jumped from his roof to escape the attack, he added. AFP Sporadic gunfire and explosions were heard from the house early Thursday as Afghan forces cordoned off the property to launch a clearance operation. AFP

Life SHOPPING

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

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The British label's latest collection is composed of three series of themes, namely Tweed Authority, Winter Harbor and A Gentleman's Wardrobe

Hackett's A/W 2016 collection offers an inspired and contemporary update on classic pieces

T

HE Hackett London Autumn/Winter 2016 collection takes its cue from Hackett’s refined British heritage offering an inspired and contemporary update on classic pieces across its casual and formal ranges. The collection is split into a series of themes Tweed Authority, Winter Harbor and A Gentleman’s Wardrobe.

Tweed Authority is a range that modernizes distinguished items notoriously British and acknowledged within the brand. With a color palette of green, brown and beige with pops of

red and orange, the casual range highlights the classic Hackett tweed. A stand out piece is the timeless country water resistant rain coat that features a unique tweed lining, available in both navy and khaki colorways. Tweed jackets from renowned British mills Robert Noble and Lovat, in rich heather colors, feature throughout the collection.

Making the old new, the quintessent i a l ly

British Heritage

in Hackett Autumn/ Winter 2016 British waxed jacket has been reinterpreted with H a c k e t t ’s signat ure at tention to detail and luxurious finish.

Available in a coun-

try green, the jacket features a unique zipped herringbone tweed inner layer for extra warmth and metal hardware in bright gold.

The Winter Harbour range is inspired by the wild landscapes of North East England, with dark brooding skies and grey choppy seas stimulating the color palette of navy, brown and grey. Intarsia chunky knits are worn under classic peacoats and heavy parka’s teamed with thick scar ves

and denim; layering is essential within the range. Pops of color are added through chinos and knitwear.

Hackett London’s A Gentleman’s Wardrobe is a range that is built around the modern man who is effortlessly stylish not only in his work environment but in his personal life as well. Bold tailored check jackets feature in various designs; as one of menswear’s classic patterns, the check makes a strong style statement whilst being easily incorporated into any gentleman’s wardrobe.

Worn over Hackett’s new down filled lightweight quilted gilet, available in navy and olive colourways, the wool check jacket becomes the perfect outerwear piece for Autumn/Winter 2016.

Hackett London’s tailoring collection features suiting in a variety of fits, from slim to classic styles; checks add the pattern and interest in a collection dominated by navy and grey. A stand out piece is the striking grey flannel check suit from British mill Alfred Brown, worn over a lightweight quilted gilet or merino cardigan, adding extra warmth on those winter days commuting to the office.

Accessories include the new H-weave range of monogrammed luggage and leather goods; the subtle blue H is a new print for Autumn/Winter 2016, incorporating the H from the Hackett logo into leather bags and accessories with contrasting blue handles and detailing.

AC Milan chooses Diesel Diesel founder Renzo Rosso says his brand and Ac Milan's partnership is a long-time dream coming to life

LIFESTYLE brand Diesel becomes the official style partner of legendary Italian AC Milan football club. The partnership will last at least for the next three years when Diesel will be dressing the AC Milan team “off-field.”

These two Italian

icons, each with its own global presence, share many of the same values rooted in their DNA: team spirit, brave attitude and the will to win. These are matched with an unconditional passion for the sport itself, a passion Diesel and AC Milan have lived throughout their entire path, in their respective fields and that has always driven them in reaching new heights. Two brands have a worldwide solid leadership, as strong in Italy and Europe as it is in Asia and United Arab Emirates.

Thus Renzo Rosso, Diesel’s founder says, “This is a long-time dream coming to life, for me, for my family, for Diesel. The extraordinary journeys of Diesel and AC Milan are intrin-

Diesel and AC Milan share the same values of team spirit, brave attitude and the will to win

sically linked: we are two major Italian players, iconic, similar in spirit, with global resonance, and we are teaming up around a dream of pride, passion and bravery. We want to make this collaboration unique, fueled with irony, innovation and modernity.”

“I grew up with the red and black colors. I’ve always felt they were like a second skin. They’ve become my passion – the same passion that has driven AC Milan and Diesel to set up this partnership. Diesel is a dynamic, international company in the fashion world, oriented towards the younger market, the same one AC Milan appeals to and reaches out to, following the path of other top European clubs,” said AC Milan Vice President and CEO Barbara Berlusconi.

For 117 years, AC Milan has been synonymous with soccer, entertainment, emotion and success. The red and black, is one of the clubs that won the largest number of international tro-

phies in the history of soccer. Since its founding in 1899, AC Milan has won 18 League Championships, five Italian Cups, seven Champions League, two Cup Winners’ Cup, five European Super Cups, three Intercontinental Cups, six League Super Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup. Today AC Milan is a leading entertainment company producing sporting spectacles for millions of people around the world.

Diesel is an innovative international lifestyle brand, producing a wide range collection of jeans, clothing and accessories. Since its creation in 1978, Diesel has evolved from being a leading pioneer in denim into premium casual wear, becoming a true alternative to the established luxury market. Despite its growth, Diesel’s philosophy has remained the same: a brand standing for passion, individuality and self-expression.

In the Philippines, Diesel is at Bonifacio High Street Central, Greenbelt 3 and Power Plant Mall.

Life

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

All you need

From left: Mastercard Philippines Vice President Judith Dayrit, Metrobank Cards President Riko Abdurrahman and Robinsons President and COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe introduce the new Metrobank Robinsons Mastercard.

for a complete shopping experience M ASTERCARD continues to provide loyal cardholders with only the best experiences. The global payment solutions company caters to every Filipino’s passion with rewarding products and services.

This time, Mastercard and Metrobank Card have teamed up with one of the country’s largest retail operators to present a musthave for every shopper.

The Robinsons Mastercard is the one thing you need to make your shopping experience complete. The cards, which come in Classic and Gold, are replete with retail rewards, special perks and bundled promotions. It can give shoppers exclusive rewards, rebates and discounts, as well as special perks and privileges.

Earn shopping points wherever you use your Robinsons Mastercard. Get one point for every P200 spend anywhere. P200 spend in Robinsons earns Classic cardholders two points and Gold cardholders three points. Gold cardholders can also use their cards abroad and earn two points for every P200 spend.

Of course, shopping at Robinsons stores will get you even more rewards.

At Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, and other Robinsons Retail stores, cardholders get invitations to exclusive sales and, for Gold cardholders, special events, plus other year-round privileges. You can also avail of a Robinsons Rewards Card at any Robinsons Department Store or Robinsons Supermarket at 50 percent off.

To mark the release of the new cards, exciting new promos await the Robinsons Mastercard cardholders until the end of the year.

Until Dec. 31, anyone with the all new Robinsons Mastercard and existing Robinsons-Cebu Pacific (RCP) Mastercard can take part in the What’s on your Shopping List? Raffle Promo.

Contract signing with Metrobank SVP Deputy Cards Head Anna Therese Cuenco, Metrobank Cards President Riko Abdurrahman, Robinson President & COO Robina Gokongwei-Pe and Robinsons eCommerce Head Patricia Ann Famador

From left: Aileen Vallesteros, Metrobank Cards Vice President Marketing Head; Anna Therese Cuenco, Metrobank SVP Deputy Cards Head; Chris Paraiso, Mastercard Philippines Vice President; Judith Dayrit, Mastercard Philippines Vice President; Ailea Zialcita, Mastercard Philippines Vice President; and Karen Mercardo, Metrobank Card Cobrand Manager for Marketing.

Fron left: Aileen Vallesteros, Metrobank Cards Vice President Marketing Head; Gina Salcedo, VP RDS Business Center; Anna Therese Cuenco, Metrobank SVP Deputy Cards Head and Kat Yu, General Manager of Daiso Japan

Just go to the Metrobank Card Facebook page, click “like” and register through the promotion tab.

Participating cardholders should post their shopping wish list or collage with the hashtag #makeyourlist on their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.

A retail purchase with a minimum

winners of P20,000 Robinsons Shopping Credits for this raffle. Shopping credits will be credited to the winner’s Robinsons MasterCard or RCP MasterCard. Every 500 Shopping points is equivalent to a P250 cash credit.

To get rewards for your regular shopping trips, Robinsons Mastercard is

spend of P1,000 in a single receipt must be charged to their Robinsons MasterCard or RCP MasterCard within the promotion period to earn at least one entry. Every P1,000 is equivalent to one entry.

There will be one winner of P200,000 Robinsons Shopping Credits and 10

having its Payday Payback Program.

The promo, which runs until Jan. 1, 2017, allows cardholders to a 10 percent rebate for all purchases of at least P1,000 in a single receipt made in Metro Manila branches of participating Robinsons stores on payday weekends of Dec. 17 to 18 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, 2017.

Festive symbolic holiday gift boxes DO YOU want to have an inspired holiday shopping experience that brings to mind wonderful Christmas traditions?

This holiday season, you can share healthy snacks, personal products, beverages, supplements and lots of other good stuff at Healthy Options.

The Philippines’s leading natural products store presently has an inviting storefront with a “stained glass window” effect.

The symbolism behind the use of certain colors in religious stained glass has drawn the interest of many people.

Red may convey the blood of Christ, or strong emotions such as love, and may serve as a reminder of Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice. Blue may symbolize heaven, hope, sincerity and piety.

Violet conveys love, truth and passion.

White often connotes innocence and purity, and is often associated with God. Green is an indication of growth and rebirth, life over death, faith, immortality and contemplation. Yellow may symbolize divinity, power and glory, while purple has come to symbolize endurance, and has been used to depict royalty or God the Father.

All these colors can be found in the Healthy Options themed holiday gift boxes. The Healthy Options Christmas Gift Show recently held at the Glorietta 2 store showcased the festive gift boxes that accentuate traditions that have been passed down from one generation to another.

In keeping with the cheerful mood of gift-giving, the attractive “multicolored glass stain” motif in bright hues in Healthy Options’s Christmas packages add both a unique and contemplative touch to the gifts. Likewise, all Healthy Options store facades with the glass-stain theme draw the eye and

bolize everlasting life. The Evergreen Fir gift box sends the same message of long-lasting wellness and health with a collection of snacks made from allnatural ingredients.

The Christmas Angel

When Jesus was born, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds to announce the coming of the Messiah. In the same spirit, The Christmas Angel gift box is a godsend of gluten-free treats for people with celiac disease, wheat allergy, or gluten sensitivity.

The Mistletoe

While associated with kisses under its boughs, the mistletoe is an ancient symbol of love and friendship, as well as protection, healing, and new life.

Packed with travel-sized essentials, The Mistletoe gift box is ideal for anyone planning a Christmas getaway.

The Poinsettia Natural products store Healthy Options features symbolic designs in its branches and offers symbolic gift boxes for Christmas

serve as reminder of the festive Yuletide traditions.

Healthy Options gift boxes rekindle Christmas traditions. For many people, nothing can be nicer than to feel tthe Yuletide spirit and to share it by giving the gift of health to loved ones.

Healthy Options has brought back the sense of goodwill with the Healthy Options Holidays: gift boxes that infuse timeless Christmas traditions with wholesome goodness.

“That spirit of love becomes real when we help the people around us live better, healthier lives,” said Pam Suarez, marketing director of Healthy Options. Each themed gift box carries

the design of the holiday’s most popu- needy by giving presents in secret. lar and meaningful customs that have The St. Nicholas gift box also comes become symbolic of Christmas: as a surprise with delicious snacks and goodies to brighten the holidays.

The Star of Bethlehem

The birth of Jesus was heralded by the appearance of a bright star, which guided Wise Men from the East to Bethlehem where the Messiah was born. Likewise, The Star of Bethlehem gift box can start loved ones on the path to good health with gourmet selections for a healthy noche buena feast.

The Advent Candle

The St. Nicholas

The Evergreen Fir

Advent candles are traditionally used to mark the days leading to the Nativity of Christ. For a wholesome countdown to Christmas Day, The Advent Candle gift box is a welcome treat of organic goodies that families can share and enjoy.

Better known today as Santa Claus, With their leaves staying green allSt. Nicholas was reputed to help the year round, fir trees have come to sym-

In a Mexican legend, the Poinsettia blossomed forth from a bouquet of weeds offered by a poor girl to baby Jesus on Christmas Eve. Just as miraculous, The Poinsettia gift box comes with a selection of pampering essentials that are sure to make the Yuletide celebrations stress-free.

For more personalized gift giving, customers can curate their own holiday boxes by selecting from Healthy Options’ catalogue of festive food items.

If it’s the ultimate in personal care they want, Healthy Options also offers a collection of Top 10 Natural Beauty Picks for Christmas. To learn more about the Healthy Options Holidays, visit any Healthy Options branch or visit www.healthyoptions.com.ph.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

Sue Ramirez She has been named South Korea’s newest honorary ambassador for tourism, replacing another actress from the Kapamilya lot. According to Korean Tourism Organization, Sue was chosen for the position because of her interest in Korean culture and its people. Fans couldn’t agree more, apart from her genuine interest in Korean culture, Sue is also known for her down to earth attitude.

...are not talking about Ma’Rosa Just like what we have predicted, the film failed to make it among the nine shortlisted films for nominations in the Foreign Language Film category of the 2017 Oscars. We’ve been saying that in Oscars, only films with universal themes, not necessarily poverty porn, are the only ones that catch the eyes of the jury. Let’s just put it this way, Ma’Rosa was the country’s best bet for the Oscars among a sea of will-never-make-it-to-theOscars film. Let’s just wait until one filmmaker realizes what theAcademy is really looking for in a foreign language film.

PEOPLE

Jessy Mendiola It’s a pity that she had to defend herself from online trolls. She’s no longer the honorary ambassador of Korean Tourism in the Philippines. She has clarified that she had a three-year contract that the organization decided not to renew. Did she ever wonder why her service was no longer wanted? Well, tourism is all about good publicity and image, things that we can hardly associate with her.

…are talking about Anne Curtis Yes, she is getting married soon. The 31-yearold “It Girl” confirmed on It’s Showtime on Monday that she is engaged to her long-time boyfriend Erwan Heussaff. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement as if they’re the ones that scheduled the wedding of the two. The video of Erwan’s simple yet romantic proposal now circulates online and even went viral on a popular showbiz gossip site.

Pinoy Boyband Superstar No, we are not going to talk about the boy band’s well thought out band name. We are going to talk about the show’s ratings performance. The Kapamilya boy band search failed to win its timeslot on its finale night. Based on the ratings data gathered by AGB Nielsen, the talent’s search’s finale, which revealed the top five heartthrobs scored lower than its direct competition. It’s quite strange for the show, which has a strong following on YouTube.

Catriona Gray According to pageant experts, the country’s bet, along with Miss Kenya, gave the best answers in the Q and A portion of the Miss World 2016 pageant held in Washington, D.C. early this week. Surprisingly, both candidates failed to make the grade. Gray may not have won the coveted crown but she obviously won the admiration of pageant fans around the world.

Lifetime celebrates the spirit of the season FOR the most wonderful time of the year, Lifetime screens the best of the holidays with its magical line-up of Lifetime Christmas Movies. The entire season is peppered with fantastic television features that bring the spirit of the season to viewers, including two Lifetime Original Movies premieres, a brand-new show, and a marathon of an all-time favorite.

Every day will definitely be like Christmas with Lifetime’s special roster of films airing at 9 p.m..

Today, Lifetime airs The Santa Con, where small-time con man Nick takes on the job of a department store Santa, and promises a young boy that his estranged parents will get back together by Christmas. In Heaven Sent on Dec. 24, an eightyear-old runaway from heaven rekindles Billy and Maire’s troubled marriage.

On Christmas Day, audiences will enjoy the premiere of Wishin’ And Hopin’, based on the New York Times best-

Lifetime airs 'Masterchef Australia Season 6' marathon featuring celebrity kitchen masters George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan and food critic Matt Preston

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, December 23, 2016

ACROSS 1 Towers over 7 Perform a wedeln 10 Ale ingredient 14 Orange enthusiast 15 Cell habitant 16 Nose stimulus 17 $, % or & 18 Pause fillers 19 Steakhouse order 20 Fast rides (2 wds.)

23 Prickly twig 26 W-2 collectors 27 Root beer brand 28 What libraries do 29 Unser and Gore 30 Juniper product 31 — man out 32 Putter’s org.

33 Not worthy of 37 Casual farewell 38 Insect resin 39 Lennon’s wife 40 — Maria 41 Ice hockey teams 43 TDs are worth 6 44 Washboard — 45 Fruit cooler 46 Mr. Craven 47 Brood 48 Hornet organ

51 Job-ad letters 52 Watered silk 53 Mound builder (2 wds.)

56 Moffo solo 57 Canine comment 58 Sibyl 62 Livy’s route 63 Spike or Ang 64 Squab 65 Brain, maybe 66 Inc. cousin 67 Marinates DOWN 1 John — Passos 2 Like some smiles 3 Point 4 Broke in 5 Dust the cake pan 6 Bear’s advice 7 Nasty laughs 8 Waldheim and Cobain 9 Part of MIT 10 Glacial deposit 11 Robin of balladry 12 Ben on “Bonanza” 13 Snake, to Medusa?

21 Fragrant blooms 22 Zoo

heavyweights Splotches Change color Kind of card Rock tumbler stone 30 Polite blokes 32 Solemn promise 33 One prone to sheepless nights? (2 wds.)

34 Video-game pioneer 35 Caesar’s river 36 Hurry 42 Stein 23 24 25 29

46 Barked 47 Silo filler 48 Most of Iberia 49 Nut cake 50 More frosty 51 Long-plumed bird 52 Kind of raise 54 Like a sequoia 55 Gym dances 59 Bee chaser 60 Hack off 61 Coast Guard off.

selling Christmas novel by Wally Lamb. Set to be a new Christmas classic, it stars Molly Ringwald and features Chevy Chase as the narrator.

Indulge in some of the most compelling stories to set off the season with the premiere of 2 Highlights for the month also include, Season 1 of Bring It!, which started airing on Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.. Three, loud, flashy, opinionated and sassy dance coaches are taking on the kids’ hip hop dance world one dance-

off at a time. Have a blast watching each coach and their dancers do whatever it takes to win week-in and week-out.

Haven’t been able to keep up with hit series and audience favorite MasterChef? Well, here’s your chance as Lifetime airs the MasterChef Australia Season 6 Marathon on Dec. 26, Monday at 11 a.m..

Lifetime™ is available on SKYCable Ch 65 and Lifetime™ HD Ch 199; Cable Link Ch. 223; Dream Satellite Ch 28; Destiny Ch 44.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2016

ISAH V. RED

T

HE brightest stars of ABS-CBN joined forces to send love and celebrate Christmas in Isang Pamilya Tayo: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special aired in two parts last weekend.

Deafening cheers and screams filled the Araneta Coliseum as fans witnessed the biggest Kapamilya stars giving thanks to viewers for their unwavering support.

“Christmas, just like change, is permanent in our world. This season, let us come together as one family despite the changes that have happened in our society,” ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez said.

ABS-CBN Chief Content Officer Charo Santos-Concio thanked the millions of Kapamilya followers for their love and support through the years.

“I thank you all for your stories that you continue to share through MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya) for 25 years. Your stories have inspired us to be hopeful despite life’s trials,” she said.

“With the changes, trials, and misunderstandings that we went through this 2016, we assure your that there is still hope for our country and for our families.

Every Christmas is more meaningful when we celebrate it as one family,” said Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN’s president and CEO. Leading the celebration were the country’s top love teams, KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre), and LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), with the hottest Kapamilya leading men, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Zanjoe Marudo, Xian Lim, Gerald Anderson, and the rest of the dashing stars of ABS-CBN, which will surely bring kilig to viewers.

Also joining the celebration were the cast of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano led by Coco Martin with child stars Awra Briguela and Onyok Pineda. ABSCBN comedy programs also took center stage with the cast of Banana Split, Home Sweetie Home, and Goin’ Bulilit bringing fun and laughter.

Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, and the rest of It’s Showtime family did a spectacular performance that sent good vibes to everyone.

Music was also a highlight of the show with “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalists and ASAP’s Birit Queens and Soul Sessions providing world-class performances.

Aside from music, the night was also about kilig as teen idols Bailey May, Ylona Garcia, Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto, Ronnie Alonte, Jairus Aquino, Sharlene San Pedro and other most favorite teen stars make viewers giddy in their number. ***

Kapamilya stars gathered to celebrate "Isang Pamilya Tayo: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special" in a two-part musical spectacle that aired last weekend.

KAPAMILYA

stars in ABS-CBN Christmas special

‘Yung comedy sa kanya, natural. Tribute ko naman ito kay Joel. Long-time crush ko siya at matagal na niyang alam ‘yon. Habang nagkakaedad, lalong gumuguwapo!” Eugene exclaims.

If the MMFF selection committee thought ABSST2 is worthy of a slot in the Magic 8, the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB), meanwhile, gave it Grade of A with the following comments – “The multilayered film within a film was structurally creative if unavoidably self-referencing, then again this is not your usual slapstick.

And though the novelty from the first Septic Tank has worn off a bit, there’s still the tour de force performance of the lead Domingo, who takes over the film.”

“The discourse between indie and mainstream seems never ending and Septic Tank 2 elevates the issue to sublime hilarity. Satire should not always be an acquired taste, and the Rivera-Martinez tandem continues to raise the bar for situational irony, not all alien to the masses of holiday moviegoers.”

From the day its full trailer was posted online, the MMFF entry received millions of likes, views and shares. In addition to this, its music video, “Forever’s Not Enough,” by singer Jona got favorable response as well.

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2 opens on Christmas Day, a production of Quantum Films, MJM Productions, Tuko Film Production and Buchi Boy Entertainment, producers of the blockbuster and awardwinning MMFF entries English Only, Please and #Walang Forever.

"Tawag ng Tanghalan" hurados Karla Estrada, Nyoy Volantes, Rey Valera, Mitoy Yonting, Jaya, and K Brosas in a special production number showcasing their music

Superstar Duets declared Nar Cabico as the grand champion.

On his Instagram post, Nar thanked his fans that supported him during the celebrity singing competition and his home network for letting him be part of the show.

Kapamilya love teams LizQuen, KathNiel, and JaDine added zest to the grand Christmas special that featured almost 200 Kapamilya stars

Jerald Napoles, the other finalist and one of Cabico’s closest friends in the industry was happy and proud of Nar. He shared their humble and modest beginnings as artists in his Instagram account. “Raaaaaahh!! Superstar Duets Season 1 grand winner @narcab!! It’s an honor to be your 1st runner-up. 10 yrs ago naghahati lang tayo sa kanta, para lang makapagperform sa entablado reliever pa, haha kaya ngayon... deserve mo yan!! afford na natin mag tapsilog! i also wanna thank @gmanetwork for giving opportunities to theater actors like us.

Maraming salamat po sa “pagsugal”. ” *** Comedienne Eugene Domingo returns as “Eugene Domingo” in the sequel of the most successful and box-office film, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, simply titled Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 2 (ABSST2).

The funnier, zanier, braver and more exciting sequel brings us close to one of our favorite movie genres, the Pinoy rom-com.

In the sequel, Eugene’s character prepares for her “comeback” after a long respite from acting, together with director (Kean Cipriano), line producer (Cai Cortez) and new production assistant (Khalil Ramos).

The director’s new project for her is

called “The Itinerary,” an emotionallycharged story of how a couple’s marriage goes through a rocky phase so to salvage the union, they revisit Baguio City, where they spent their “honeymoon.”

Eugene liked the project but had other plans in mind. In the movie within a movie, the director’s vision collides with her idea.

Unwittingly, the director turns the supposed original script into a Pinoy romcom material about a failed relationship/ marriage.

Eugene says the Ang Babae sa Septic Tank sequel is a perfect vehicle for her big screen comeback.

“Everybody here is inspired. Ang ganda! Ang perfect ng timing! Ang perfect ng cast. Perfect ang script. It’s a perfect family movie this Christmas,” Uge states.

ABSST2 is indeed for fans of romantic comedies, which starred the likes of Bea Alonzo, John Lloyd Cruz, Sarah Geronimo and other love teams.

“Laugh trip ito. Lahat sila ay kikiligin.

Mararamdaman mong lahat kami ay in love,” adds Eugene.

Playing the comedienne’s leading man in the film are multi-awarded actors Jericho Rosales and Joel Torre.

“Jericho’s funny and cooperative.

Host and singer Nar Cabico

Bond with the family with over 90 free channels from SKY SPEND more time being one with the family with #FREESKYCHANNELS. SKY is opening access to over 90 channels for free until Dec. 31. There’s no need to register to be able to watch these additional channels on top of your plan, you just need to be a SKYcable or Destiny Cable postpaid digital residential subscriber.

With over 90 Select cable TV channels, the family won’t run out of shows and movies

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Catch The Hangover series from parts 1 to 3 alongside The Lord of the Rings trilogy and a wide selection of movies on Warner TV. You can also watch the remaining episodes of the fourth season of Vikings, fresh from the midseason break, on History Channel. Follow the story of Ragnar Lothbrok as he returns to Kattegat and try to resolve his unfinished business with King Ecbert. Subscribers with HD boxes can watch the return of this critically

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