Manila Standard - 2017 March 02 - Thursday

Lopez’s allies lose to foes, 3 to 5

By Lance Baconguis and Julito G. Rada

CONFIRMATION OPPOSED. Pro-mining groups stage Wednesday a picket outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources head office in Quezon City, calling for the rejection of DENR Secretary-designate Gina Lopez’s confirmation by the powerful Commission on Appointments. Ey Acasio

Senate rid of caucus woes after shakeup

By Macon RamosAraneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson said Wednesday the removal of Liberal Party senators from key positions in the Senate solves the problem of having members of the so-called super majority who almost always vote with the minority.

“We could not have a caucus as a majority in the Senate because we had colleagues with reservations about the legislative agenda, [and] we had colleagues of the so-called super majority who almost always vote with the minority,” Lacson said.

In one instance, he said, then Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon manifested that the issue of bribery and extortion be referred to the committee on civil service and government reorganization chaired by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a member of the minority.

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 20 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

GROUPS opposing and supporting the appointment of Environment Secretary Regina Lopez held separate rallies Wednesday, but her confirmation hearings were postponed to next week because of a reorganization in the Senate.

Lopez’s supporters—estimated to be at 3,000—gathered outside the Senate and held a Mass marking Ash Wednesday, while groups opposing her appointment—about 5,000—held a rally outside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources central office in Quezon City.

Some of the protesters came from as far as Mindanao, where most of the mining companies that Lopez ordered closed operate.

Jacob Arroyo, a mine worker from Dinagat, where Lopez closed down seven large-scale nickel mines, said he is not used to attending rallies but that he was compelled because his job is at stake.

“Dinagat was a declared mineral land since 1939, so who is Gina Lopez to deprive us of the only livelihood we know?” said Arroyo. Next page

‘Death bill targets threat to Speaker’

By Maricel V. Cruz

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PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez has imposed a policy to sanction House leaders who vote against the death penalty bill to neutralize the threat he perceives from former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a source said Wednesday.

The source said Alvarez did not aim to sideline Liberal Party congressmen, but to neutralize the group of Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. who is pushing to install Arroyo as speaker.

The source said the shakeup at the Senate “may not be the case at the House.”

Maybe the Speaker has an ax

to grind—to get rid of [Arroyo] maybe,” the source added.

Signs of a falling out between Alvarez and Arroyo first appeared last December, when the former president denied rumors that she was being groomed to replace Alvarez.

“It has come to my attention that rumors have been circulating that I will soon be replacing

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez,” Arroyo said in a statement. “I categorically deny that. I don’t have any plans of taking his place.”

As of Wednesday, there were no signs of a revamp in the House, as congressmen were busy proposing amendments to House Bill 4727 or the watered-down death penalty bill.

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Du30 inks climate pact, urges Senate to ratify it

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon RamosAraneta DESPITE his earlier misgivings, President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday signed the Instrument of Accession to the Paris Climate Change Treaty, which was delivered to the Senate for its concurrence.

Duterte said he now supported the agreement that gives countries options on how to reduce their greenhouse emissions.

“Now, therefore, be it known that I, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, President of the Republic of the Philippines... hereby accede to each and every article and clause [of the treaty],” Duterte said in the Philippines’ Instrument of

Accession.

Senator Loren Legarda said Wednesday she would actively shepherd the Senate’s immediate concurrence on the treaty signed

by Duterte.

Legarda, head of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UN Global Champion for Resilience, received the Instrument of Ratification for the Paris Agreement from Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Meynard Guevarra.

Once the treaty was fully ratified, she said, the Philippines would become part of the succeeding meetings on the Paris Agreement.

“Our ratification would allow us access to the Green Climate Fund,” Legarda said. Next page

AGRARIAN CONCERN. President Rodrigo Duterte presides Tuesday over the 36th Presidential Agrarian Reform Council at the State Dining Room in Malacañang, with problems of farmers as well as flaws and loopholes in the existing agrarian reform law expected tackled. Malacañang Photo

Irrigation chief ousted amid extort raps

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has asked his former campaign spokesman, Peter Tiu Laviña, to “quietly leave government” as the administrator of the National Irrigation Administration over allegations of extortion in the agency.

Laviña, a former Davao City councilor and personal aide of Duterte, was asked to resign from

his post after he allegedly asked for 40 percent in kickbacks for NIA projects.

NIA spokesperson Pina Bermudez said that Laviña tendered his resignation “sometime last week” but it took effect only Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Estrella Icasiano, a career official, would temporarily replace Laviña as administrator, Bermudez Next page Peter Laviña said.

By Rey E. Requejo

Witness backs Aguirre claims vs De Lima

By Sandy Araneta and Rey E. Requejo THOU ART DUST... Catholic faithful nationwide have their foreheads Wednesday marked by a parish priest with cross sign of ashes from burnt palm fronds—‘Memento, homo, quia pulvis es, et in pulverem reverteris.’—marking the start of Lent in predominantly Christian Philippines. Ey Acasio

THE National Bureau of Investigation has supported the claim of an informant on the alleged P100-million bribe offer to highprofile convicts to retract their testimonies against Senator Leila de

Lima that she had been ambushed and that her wound had not been self-inflicted.

In a press briefing Monday night, witness Lalaine Madrigal Martinez also claimed she had evidence to back her claim about the bribe offer.

And NBI spokesman Ferdinand

Jee killing: 3 NBI men summoned

Lavin affirmed that Martinez’s gunshot wound was not self-inflicted.

“The abrasion is consistent with the findings of our medico legal and the shot was made from more than three feet,” Lavin said.

He made his statement even as Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre Next page

THE three National Bureau of Investigation officials implicated in the abduction and killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo in October last year are expected to appear before the Justice department today to answer the charges against them.

This developed after the department summoned former NBI deputy director for investigation services Jose Yap, former National Capital Region director Ricardo Diaz, and former Task Force against Illegal Drugs head Roel Bolivar to appear before its preliminary reinvestigation of the case.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace seeks to suspend conversion of agri lands

By John Paolo Bencito and Rio N. Araja

fael Mariano earlier said the EO will be applied to all awarded lands under Republic Act 6657, Presidential Decree 27, and other agriculture reform laws but is facing staunch opposition from members of the economic cluster.

But on Wednesday, Mariano directed the department’s land use planning and conversion team and its regional offices in Central and Eastern Visayas to instead prioritize applications for land conversion necessary for the construction of resettlement areas for those affected

by Super Typhoon “Yolanda.”

“Three years after the onslaught of Typhoon “Yolanda,” majority of the affected families are yet to be relocated in safe resettlement areas. Many relocations sites are yet to be developed. That’s why it is necessary to issue this order of extension. The DAR will prioritize these resettlement areas

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HE Palace on Wednesday said that it was about to complete the review of the draft executive order declaring a two-year moratorium for conversion of agricultural lands in the country.

“The fourth version is already with the Executive Secretary [Salvador Medialdea], and that is under study and should come out soon,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said barely five months after President Rodrigo Duterte first met with the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council.

“Agricultural lands with notices of coverage issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform, irrigated and irrigable lands, prime agricultural lands, retention areas of the

land owners which are tenanted, and agricultural lands with presence of agricultural activities that are being cultivated by the farmers individually or collectively are also covered in the EO implementation,” Abella added.

The PARC is tasked to work on an EO that will place a moratorium on the processing and approval of all applications for all land-use conversion of agricultural lands for non-agricultural uses.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Ra-

‘Death...

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The approved House version limits the crimes covered by the death penalty to drug-related offenses.

The source said Alvarez began to feel insecure about Arroyo, who holds the position of deputy speaker, when he had a falling out with Floirendo, the biggest campaign financier of President Rodrigo Duterte, and who reportedly supported Alvarez’s bid to become speaker.

The source did not say what had come between Alvarez and Floirendo, but reports said Floirendo was trying to get close to Arroyo.

Alvarez, who served as Transport secretary during the Arroyo administration, denied he held any personal grudge against his former boss.

But Alvarez is determined to sanction the administration allies who will not toe the line.

Alvarez earlier said House leaders would be stripped of their posts if they vote against the passage of the Palacebacked death penalty bill.

“We cannot do anything about it. We will find their replacements,” he said Monday.

Arroyo has maintained her position against the death penalty.

Alvarez, meanwhile, has sought a

congressional probe into allegations that Floirendo’s banana exporting company was shortchanging the government in its profit-sharing scheme.

He also sought an audit of the export transactions made by banana firm Tagum Agricultural Development Inc., owned by Floirendo.

Floirendo was said to have contributed P75 million to the Duterte campaign last year, making him the biggest donor, based on a Commission on Elections report.

Alvarez has also said Congress could look into possible violations of the antigraft law by Floirendo.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has reportedly ordered a review of the 25-year lease contract that will lapse 12 years from now between the Bureau of Correction and Tadeco after receiving complaints that the company’s annual payments—both lease and profit sharing—were reportedly only a fraction of the prevailing market rate.

Alvarez said his position against Floirendo showed the firm resolve of the Duterte administration to investigate even its allies.

Alvarez said he will also look into the veracity of the reports about the lease agreement where the government would get a guaranteed payment of P26.542 million per year for using the Davao Penal Colony’s 5,308 hectares of land, or P5,000 per hectare.

Irrigation...

Lopez’s...

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In a speech during the launch of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission in his hometown, last Friday, Duterte referred to Lavina as the appointee from Davao City whom he “fired” the night before “for simply making a remark.”

In a text message to Duterte, Laviña apologized for embarrassing him amid the allegations of corruption in his agency.

“I’m sorry that these intrigues have affected his crusade against graft and corruption. I did not do anything to harm this drive to reform government,” the message read.

He denied that he was extorting money from anyone and hinted that his name was tarnished to put him in bad light.

“I have been vilified in the past; my name used, abused and maligned. Recently, there had been efforts to discredit me again.

There are rumors circulating that I have asked money from NIA contractors. These are not true,” Laviña said in his Facebook post.

“To spare the President from these embarrassing stories, particularly in these times of intensified attacks on him, I have quietly left government. I have neither personal vested interest in it nor ill intent towards NIA and the whole government, which we are trying to reform,” he added.

He, however, insisted that he did not betray the President, amid his warning that he won’t tolerate corruption under his watch.

“Thank you for the opportunity to serve the government, especially to President Duterte, whose trust I have never betrayed,” he said.

“I have proven in the past that one need not be in government to do public service or work for the common good. I will likely continue to do so in media, civil society and the business sector where I have been involved before,” he added.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who serves as his immediate superior as one of the 12 anti-poverty agencies under his watch, confirmed Laviña’s resignation.

Arroyo also blamed Lopez’s chief consultant, Leo Jasareno, for supposedly influencing Lopez on her decision to close down the mines “without due process.”

Jasareno is the former director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau who was axed by President Rodrigo Duterte but retained by Lopez as a principal adviser.

Dulmar Raagas, president of the Chamber of Mines-Caraga Region Inc., who also led a contingent of mining workers in the DENR protest, said Lopez was unfit to hold the position because of her “inability to separate her mindless advocacy from her role as a regulator.”

“A conscientious regulator is impartial and objective, weighing things according to existing laws and not based on her feelings,” said Raagas, who came all the way from Surigao City.

In Caraga alone, 20,589 mining jobs are at stake, according to Evelyn R. Ramos, regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-Caraga).

Roger de Dios, regional director

Senate...

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“When we voted on it, they all voted that it be referred to the civil service committee instead of going along with the majority to have it referred to the Blue Ribbon committee,” Lacson said.

He said in many other instances, the Liberal Party senators would vote with the minority.

When issues were taken up on the floor, Trillanes would often consult the Liberal Party senators instead of the other members of the minority.

“Why would he [Trillanes] consult certain members of the majority?” Lacson asked.

Lacson said he was part of a bloc in the Senate that hatched the plot to remove LP senators from the super majority during a meeting at the Makati residence of Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The other members of the socalled macho bloc were Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III and Senator Gregorio Honasan II. Senator Loren Legarda also joined them.

Senate President Pro Tem-

of MGB-Caraga said the closures would hurt some 300,000 individuals in Caraga Region.

The figure, De Dios said, includes regular and seasonal mine workers and their dependents, as well as employees of mine suppliers, subcontractors and the service sectors that cater to mining firms.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Wednesday issued a statement denying that he was siding with the mining companies, but was merely ensuring that due process was followed and that contract obligations are respected.

“Secretary Dominguez himself has stressed in a Tuesday news briefing at Malacañang that the only position he supports is that of President Duterte, which is to follow due process and honor all contracts in dealing with all kinds of activities in government,” a spokesman for Dominguez, Finance Assistant Secretary Paola Alvarez, said.

Alvarez said that it was only natural for Dominguez and several Cabinet members to be concerned about the impact of the DENR’s actions on local employment and finance, considering that estimates by the DOF-attached Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) show

Du30...

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“This is what we have been waiting for―for the developed countries that are the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases to aid vulnerable, low-emitting nations like the Philippines.”

Duterte asked Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and the other senators to ratify the treaty.

Climate Change Vice Chairwoman Vernice Victorio said a Declaration will accompany the country’s Accession documents to “ensure that our national laws and priorities will be upheld”―a key factor that made Duterte signed the deal.

Included in this Declaration is an assertion of the supremacy of Philippine laws and a statement laying the groundwork for the comprehensive review of the Philippines’ Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, which was submitted in October 2015.

“The review will include a wider

over other applications for land use conversion,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mariano issued an administrative order extending for another year the rules on land use conversion to expedite the process of resettlement and construction of houses for the victims of Typhoon “Yolanda” in the Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

The order also expanded the authority of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s regional directors and the regional center for land use, policy, planning and implementation to decide on land use applications and to process applications for the same, from five hectares to 15 hectares.

According to Mariano, a land use conversion clearance from the DAR is one of the requirements needed by the National Housing Authority to set up relocation sites for the victims.

“This AO would cover more

pore Ralph Recto, who replaced Drilon, said if he were the Senate President at the time when detained Senator Leila de Lima was removed as chairman of the Senate committee on justice and human rights, he would have just asked Drilon to give up his post.

“If I had my way, if I were the Senate President at that time, and there were problems with the members of the majority, I would just tell Senator Drilon that I think we cannot work together’ you should just resign,” said Recto, who is still a member of the LP. Recto, who used to be minority leader, said he had nothing to do with Drilon’s ouster and the removal of Senators Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Risa Hontiveros as chairmen of their respective committees.

“I had nothing to do with that.

Remember, I was with the minority, I was the minority leader.

We cannot interfere with the majority,” Recto said.

Recto also dismissed rumors of a destabiliation plot against President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I think we should dial back the talk on conspiracy theories

that the closure and suspension orders will cost 17 affected cities and municipalities in 10 provinces over P821 million annually in foregone revenues.

Three of these municipalities— Carrascal in Surigao del Norte, Tagana-an in Surgao del Norte and Tubajon in Dinagat Islands—will lose revenues representing over 50 percent of their current operating income if the affected mine sites are shut down or forced to suspend operations.

BLGF estimates show that Carrascal will lose P198.3 million of its mining revenues, which represent 62.3 percent of its total operating income, while Tagana-an will lose P70.3 million or 54 percent of its total operating income. Tubajon will shed P38 million, or 55.4 percent of its total operating income if the DENR order is implemented.

Of this amount, local collections of the affected LGUs from mining firms amounted to P340 million, comprising real property taxes (RPTs) of P53.54 million, P263.13 million from business tax, fees, charges and other local charges, and P23.29 million from provincial revenues.

The share of the affected LGUs from mining taxes collected by the national government account for

consultation on the previously submitted conditional emission reduction pledge of 70 percent towards the development of the Nationally Determined Contributions and will take into consideration our capacity to implement such contribution, the support received from developed countries for climate action, and our development pathway,” Victorio said in a statement.

The Philippines’ Intended Nationally-Determined Contribution to the Paris climate pact says the Philippines intends to reduce its carbon emissions by 70 percent by the year 2030, provided there is aid from the international community.

Climate Change Commission Chairman Emmanuel de Guzman welcomed Duterte’s decision to sign the agreement.

“I am overjoyed with the President’s ratification of the Paris Agreement.

The Philippine delegation’s hard work to lobby the 1.5-degree climate goal during the Paris negotiations has finally paid off,” he said in a statement.

lands and speed-up the processing of land use applications before it expires on March 5, 2018,” he said.

On Nov. 10, 2014, DAR issued AO No. 9 of 2014, containing special rules on applications for land use conversion for the construction of resettlement areas for Typhoon “Yolanda” victims.

During the President’s meeting with the PARC, the President said that he would need to review requests to certify the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill or House Bill No. 555, a ‘pet’ legislation of the Left as urgent, which advocated for “free land distribution.”

The President likewise ordered the strengthening of the PARC Secretariat per Committee’s Resolution No. 2713507, but its budgetary requirements will be studied by the Budget department, to be increased from 15 million to 30 million. because there are none,” Recto said.

“Whoever is whispering on the ear of the President to beware of the Ides of March, or April, or November, of December, is only whispering lies,” he said.

Recto said policy disagreements should be seen as a sign that democracy is working, and therefore be welcomed.

“When we start interpreting differences in opinion as destabilization moves, the exchange of ideas needed to better public policy or service suffers,” he said.

“This is the kind of labeling that destroys civil discourse and poisons dialogue,” Recto added.

Pangilinan, national president of the LP, said they no longer questioned their ouster from their posts because recent events made it untenable for them to stay with the super majority in the Senate.

In a statement, Pangilinan noted that the writing was on the wall.

“It was just a matter of time and the time did come,” he said.

Because of this, Pangilinan said they did not resist the shakeup and left willingly and without debate.

P481.17 million.

Aside from the two Surigao provinces and Dinagat islands, the other provinces affected by the closure or suspension orders are Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Cebu, Bulacan, Zambales and Eastern Samar.

BLGF’s estimates do not include yet the projected income losses of the LGUs that host 75 mine sites whose MPSAs were ordered canceled by the DENR. Early last month, Lopez announced the closure of 23 mining companies and suspension of five others, citing the results of a mining audit that she has not made public. The move would throw 19,000 workers out of work, and affect tens of thousands of others who indirectly benefit from these mining operations.

Dominguez said earlier the sustainability of the economy, aside from employment and local government finances, would be affected by the DENR decision.

On Feb. 9, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said President Duterte and his Cabinet would observe due process before shutting down or suspending the operations of 28 mining sites located in 10 provinces.

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The three were required to submit their counter-affidavits on the charges of kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention with homicide, robbery, carjacking and obstruction of justice filed by the Philippine National Police.

All three were tagged by Supt. Rafael Dumlao, an official of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group who allegedly masterminded Jee’s kidnapping. They were earlier ordered relieved from their posts by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Also named respondents are five employees of Gream funeral where Jee’s body was cremated and disposed of. They are Epephany Gotera, Teodolito Macato Tarepe, Kevin En-

riquez, Robert John Tobias and Bernardo Maraya.

The hearing of the case has been set at 2 p.m.

In an earlier complaint filed before the Angeles City regional trial court, the police only named Senior Police Officer 2 Ricky Santa Isabel, Senior Police Officer 4 Roy Villegas, and Ramon Yalung as respondents along with four others who were only named “Sir Dumlao, Jerry, Ding and Pulis.”

The case was initially kidnapping for ransom with homicide.

RTC Branch 58 Judge Irineo Pangilinan Jr. ordered the reinvestigation of the case on Santa Isabel’s plea who pointed to Dumlao as the brains in Jee’s kidnapping and killing.

In the amended complaint, the police also named Dumlao as a respondent along with Gerardo Santiago and Jerry Omlang.

Power users gain relief from SC THE Supreme Court has taken up the cudgels for consumers and industries with its decision stopping the Department of Energy and Energy Regulatory Commission from enforcing their regulatory issuances on retail competition and open access.

This was the reaction issued by the Alyansa ng mga Gurong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan and Federation of Philippine Industries following the high court’s ruling on the issue.

“If a TRO was not issued, customers who have not yet found a supplier of their own choice or those who were constrained to sign a contract with a supplier under duress and unfavorable terms would have suffered clear and irreparable damage because the ERC Resolutions would have had the effect of increasing their cost of electricity. This would have also effectively restricted and shackled free competition, which would have in turn placed them in an unfavorable and disadvantaged position,” Agham president Angelo Palmones said, in a statement.

The group said the relief from the high tribunal prevented a situation placing industries and consumers in such unfavorable and disadvantaged position, if the assailed regulatory policies are not stopped.

Because of this, the party-list group pleaded the SC to take a swift action making the injunction permanent “to safeguard against the clear and unmistakable effects of restricting competition and curtailing customer choice.”

“At the end of the day, AGHAM believes that choice competition and our free market system should be allowed to operate without any government intervention. This is clearly enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines,” Agham said.

FPI welcomed the granting of the TRO by the Supreme Court against the implementation of these ERC resolutions and DoE circular.

FPI had also questioned the same ERC Resolutions and DoE Circular before the Pasig RTC and the SC in a separate case, for being anti-consumer, anti-competition, and anti-poor, contrary to the spirit and intent of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. FPI stressed that these resolutions are unconstitutional and run counter to “the spirit of free market and competitive environment as espoused by Epira, and will have the effect of increasing the cost of electricity to consumers.” Rey Requejo

Witness...

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II insisted that the high-profile inmates who implicated Senator Leila de Lima in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison when she was Justice secretary had been offered P100 million to recant their testimonies against her.

“The bribe [offer] is true,” Aguirre said.

He said officials of the National Bureau of Investigation had already gathered evidence on the bribe offer, including records of the supposed mobile phone used for it.

He earlier tagged former Senator Jamby Madrigal and Biñan City Rep. Marlyn Alonte-Naguiat as the people behind the alleged offer that was coursed through Lalaine Martinez, wife of inmate Noel Martinez. Both have denied the allegation.

Lavin said the NBI had examined Martinez’s vehicle, and the test showed that the bullet fired on it came from outside.

Before the press conference, NBI officials brought Martinez to the Santa Ana Racetrack in Makati City where the supposed ambush took place.

During the press conference at the National Bureau of Investigation Monday night, Martinez appeared before the media with her face covered due to fears for her safety.

Her right arm was on a sling as a result of the gunshot wound.

“I have evidence and I have a recording,” said Martinez, the wife of Noel Martinez who is one of the convicts who testified against De Lima.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF No recorded strikes last January—DoLE THE industrial climate in the country remained peaceful with no recorded strikes in the first month of the year, the Department of Labor and Employment said Wednesday.

The Labor’s National Conciliation and Mediation Board said last January was considered very peaceful, compared with the same month last year.

“Although a total of 53 notice of strike or lockout cases were filed during the first month of 2017, no new strike was declared in January,” according to NCMB executive director Shirley Pascual.

She said of the 53 cases, 16 were new while 37 were pending cases spilled over from last year, while 19 were settled.

“There were 101 preventive mediation cases handled by the NCMB. Of the said cases, 46 were settled for a 46 percent settlement rate resulting [in] P661,565 monetary package to 330 workers. The average duration of settlement is 36 days,” she said.

There were seven grievance machineries institutionalized, of which six were from unorganized establishments.

Vito Barcelo

Solons ask Du30: Save Jennifer THE Gabriela Women’s Party on Wednesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to seek executive clemency for an overseas Filipino worker facing execution in the United Arab Emirates.

In filing House Resolution 829, Gabriela Representatives Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas said 30-year-old Jennifer Aresgado Dalquez from Mindanao was sentenced to die by a trial court after she killed, in self-defense, her employer who attempted to rape her.

“It is unfortunate that we welcome the women’s month today with a Filipina migrant worker begging for her life. President Duterte should do whatever he can to save Dalquez from execution in UAE,” De Jesus said in the resolution.

“Circumstances like this should make President Duterte rethink the push for death penalty, as it weakens our grounds to save OFWs from the death row,” De Jesus added.

The two Gabriela lawmakers filed the resolution together with the parents of Jennifer who flew from General Santos City.

Gabriela noted in the resolution that Dalquez was doing cleaning services for households on the side while working as an assistant to a doctor in the UAE. On Dec. 7, 2014, an Arab local contacted her to clean their home.

The local attempted to rape her at knifepoint. She fought back to defend herself and accidentally killed the aggressor, it noted. Maricel V. Cruz

LAW OF EVIDENCE. Marines dig Tuesday an unmarked ground in a forested area in Indanan town in Sulu as they look for the body of German national Jurgen Kantner, allegedly beheaded by Muslim bandits, after a tip off from military informants. President Rodrigo Duterte has apologized for failing to save the elderly German hostage. AFP

KMP urges Congress: Rev up okay of irrigation measures

By Sandy Araneta

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HE militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Wednesday urged the House of Representatives to expedite the approval of free irrigation bills in Congress, amid the controversy after National Irrigation Administration head Peter Laviña was fired by President Rodrigo Duterte due to corruption allegations.

“What happened to the government’s promise of free irrigation? We need to be assured that there will be no collection of ir-

rigation service fees from farmers and irrigators associations,” said KMP secretary-general Antonio Flores in a statement.

“We urge Congress to fast-track the approval of the free irrigation bills which has gathered strong support from farmers, legislators, irrigators associations and even government agencies,” said Flores.

“In the absence of a law on free irrigation, the NIA should issue clear-cut guidelines on non-collection of irrigation service fees,” Flores said.

Last year, the Department of Agriculture and the NIA announced that irrigation services would be free starting 2017.

Congress alloted an additional P2 billion for the NIA this fiscal year to cover the ISF collected by the agency from farmers’ irrigators associations.

The allocation would be used to cover the operating requirements of NIA and the maintenance of existing irrigation facilities which were previously funded out of the collections from ISF. The KMP said it would launch actions in the coming weeks to press for long-overdue free irrigation.

Laviña was fired by Duterte, a labor leader said Wednesday.

Federation of Free Workers president Sonny Matula said Duterte told labor leaders during their dialogue last Monday in Malacañang that he removed Laviña to demonstrate that he meant business against corruption.

“In our meeting last Monday, he said to the workers group that he

Comelec junks Lim’s election protest

By Sandy Araneta THE Commission on Elections has dismissed the petition filed by defeated mayoralty candidate and former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim seeking to nullify the proclamation of former president and current Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada as duly elected mayor of Manila last May elections.

In a 14-page resolution issued by the Comelec’s First Division, the poll body held that Lim’s petition seeking to disqualify Estrada from running in the mayoralty post was filed out of time.

It also junked Lim’s claim in seeking the annulment of Estrada’s proclamation on grounds that the City Board of Canvassers conducted its canvass of votes illegally through manual uploading of results.

The Comelec held that Lim’s petition for

disqualification based on Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code was filed out of time since it was filed on May 18, 2016 or eight days after his proclamation.

“When a petition for disqualification is filed before the proclamation of winners there are still candidates to disqualify. After the proclamation of winners, the parties are technically no longer candidates because the winners are already formally determined,” the Comelec ruled.

“The petition before us was filed on May 18, 2016. Estrada was proclaimed winning Mayor on May 10, 2016. Clearly, the petition was filed outside the period provided under Section 3, Rule 25 of Comelec Resolution No. 9523,” it added.

Likewise, the Comelec held that Lim failed to present evidence to prove illegal proceedings on the part of the CBOC in counting the votes.

In his petition, Lim claimed that prior to the elections the Manila City government distributed over 7,000 tablet computers to public school teachers in April.

These tablets, according to Lim, were used

by Board of Election Inspectors to manipulate or alter the dates in the secure digital cards before surrendering them for uploading to the Consolidation and Canvassing System.

“Lim failed to substantiate his claim that the BEIs used the tablets to manipulate, alter or modify the data in the SD cards before surrendering them for uploading to the CCs,” the resolution stated.

“Although he was able to present affidavits narrating factual circumstances pertaining to the canvassing proceedings, the affiants did not categorically state that they witnessed the BEIs manipulating, altering or modifying the data in the SD cards through the tablets,” it added.

Binay asks Senate: Probe defective MRT coaches

By Macon Araneta

EJK VICTIMS. A priest blesses Wednesday photos of victims of extrajudicial killings in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war during a gathering on the grounds of a Catholic Church in Manila. The President has said he will recall police to fight his campaign, a month after he withdrew them and denounced the force as ‘corrupt to the core.’ AFP

SENATOR Nancy Binay filed Senate Resolution 304 urging the Senate to look into the alleged dysfunctional and defective new coaches of the Metro Rail Transit-3 system.

“An inquiry [into] this matter is necessary to improve the MRT’s provision of safe and efficient public transport to thousands of Filipinos every day,” Binay said.

According to news reports, the new MRT coaches were not working and 12 of them had cracks.

If these reports are true, Binay said “this is a new burden to our commuters because it would further delay the introduction of the trains’ service.”

She cited the need to ensure the safety of passengers and efficiency of the MRT operation because many people were riding them every day.

The new coaches were part of the 48 bought from the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corp. for P3.8 billion in 2013 by the then Department of Transportation and Communication.

The delivery of the new coaches started in January 2016, three months after the original October 2015 schedule.

She also assailed the delayed delivery of the defective MRT coaches, which were supposed to replace the old coaches that were prone to breakdowns,” Binay said.

Binay also decried the reported delays in the existing MRT service due to breakdowns in the present system.

“She also recalled that last October 2016, there was no MRT service to the public for two hours due to communication and power supply problem [and then] last December, there was a technical problem,” Binay added.

takes seriously his campaign commitment. Top priorities in his list are corruption, crime/drugs, and contractualization,” Matula said.

“The President said last Monday that Laviña was removed two days ago,” he added.

Laviña on Wednesday said he “left” NIA to spare Duterte from embarrassing corruption accusations.

“To spare the President from these embarrassing stories, particularly in these times of intensified attacks on him, I have quietly left government. I have neither personal vested interest in it nor ill intent towards NIA and the whole government, which we are trying to reform,” Laviña said in a post on Facebook.

DoJ’s Aguirre heaps praise on predecessor Datumanong JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday extended condolences to the family of Maguindanao second district representative and former Justice secretary Simeon Datumanong who passed away on Tuesday night, describing him as one who has many talents and admirable traits. ”We join the nation in mourning the sudden demise of former Justice secretary Simeon A. Datumanong last night. A man of many talents and admirable traits, he ably served the nation as the Justice secretary from Jan. 16, 2003 to Dec. 23, 2003,” Aguirre said in a statement. ”We lost a legal luminary but heaven gained the soul of a good man. Let us all pray for his soul.

I request everyone to include him in all your prayers. May Allah bless his soul,” he added.

Aguirre said “Datumanong distinguished himself as a public servant in both the legislative and the executive branches of our government, his love for our country and for the Filipino people was very much evident in his thoughts and more so in his actions.”

Datumanong, 81, passed away at 9:42 p.m. Tuesday at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City due to complications caused by diabetes and kidney problems.

Datumanong was a Muslim politician who held different government positions including as a representative of the lone district of Maguindanao.

Datumanong entered politics when he was elected as Vice Governor (1963–1967), then as Governor (1967–1971) of Cotabato.

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Finally, Mr. President

W

E HAVE said many things against President Rodrigo Duterte, and we have disagreed with and disapproved of his words and actions countless times.

But we commend him today for finally moving for the ratification of the Paris Agreement—a pact among nations of the world to bring down their levels of greenhouse gas emissions to prevent warming the globe at more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.

Projections tell us that an increase of 2 degrees or higher will have catastrophic effects on weather patterns, leading to more frequent, erratic and devastating storms.

Just after his election, Mr. Duterte said he would reject the Agreement because it is the developed countries that have caused climate change with centuries of industrial activity. Other countries like the Philippines should not be prevented from producing energy from the most costeffective sources, specifically coal.

He also cursed the United Nations and branded it a hypocrite—the annual global gathering on climate change is called the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Over the next few months, however, numerous groups tried to get through the President and get him to appreciate why acting in concert with the rest of the world was important. They highlighted that the Paris Agreement operated on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and that the global nature of the problem

called for the widest possible cooperation of all countries.

Finally, it is not just about emissions reduction but a commitment to enhance adaptation and climate resilience, especially since the effects of climate change are already upon us and are being felt by vulnerable groups in the most vulnerable countries, the Philippines included.

Succeeding steps showed the President was not impervious on the matter. In January, he convened the Climate Change Commission which he chairs by virtue of his presidency— something his immediate predecessor never did, not once throughout his term.

And then on Wednesday, he signed the instrument of accession and transmitted it to the Senate, which has the ultimate task of concurring to and ratifying the treaty.

That climate change is a global menace and that something must be done to stem

its effects are no longer the question. At this point, the issue is whether what must be done is being done soon enough, and adequately enough.

As the Philippines grapples with the dilemma of responding to its energy requirements the most inexpensive way on one hand, and scaling down its dependence on coal and increasing its use of renewable energy on another, we are reminded that there are no clear-cut solutions to problems as big and as far-reaching as global warming.

There are, however, decisions to be made if we must do something tangible and measurable to protect the next generations.

With the Duterte administration taking this step, the next important act to watch is whether we would actually make good on these commitments by shifting, gradually but decisively and consistently, to cleaner energy sources.

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

To mine or not to mine

Exhibit A LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES MAYBE people have forgotten all about President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to rid the government of corruption. Well, the President just made an example of an official who is perceived to be very close to him, perhaps simply to remind them of just how serious he is.

Peter Tiu Laviña, the campaign spokesman of Duterte who was also once a Davao City councilor, has been fired as administrator of the National Irrigation Authority. Duterte was supposed to have removed Laviña for demanding commissions from private contractors doing business with the agency he heads.

Laviña himself has denied engaging in corruption, saying that he quit to spare the President from embarrassment. He promised to continue supporting Duterte even outside of government.

I don’t know if Duterte will have any more use for Laviña, now that he has made him Exhibit A of his anti-corruption campaign. All I know is, the people who want to use their closeness to Duterte for personal gain will now think twice before doing so.

Perhaps Duterte thought that he needed to fire Laviña because people remained unconvinced that he was against corruption when he dismissed two associate commissioners of the Bureau of Immigration who were his fraternity brothers, after they had gotten involved in an extortion scandal.

Al Argosino and Michael Robles, after all, had no direct links to the President, even if they were Lex Talionis members like Duterte.

But Laviña is no stranger to Duterte. Firing him must have been a little more difficult for the President, even if he really had no choice in the matter, given all his tough talk against corruption.

I’m sure that it crossed Duterte’s lawyer’s mind that it would be unfair to judge Laviña right away without according him a proper

trial. But he understood that he had to send a clear message that he would not allow “even a whiff of corruption,” as he said, to taint his administration—which was why he had to let his former spokesman go.

But it’s truly refreshing to have

It’s refreshing to have a President who believes friendship is less important than fighting corruption. a President who believes friendship is less important than sending a message about fighting corruption. Especially since we had just come from an administration that

never removed anyone from a government post simply because the president then had absolute faith in all of the people he appointed.

Think of it: If Noynoy Aquino had only let go of his elementary school, firing range and Congress smoking-area buddies when they had gotten into trouble, maybe a lot more people had believed that he was truly as pure as the driven snow. But Aquino always protected his people no matter what, because he believed that they could do no wrong.

To the officials of the Duterte administration, the firing of Laviña should make them understand that corruption will be dealt with very harshly. And that the promised campaign against corrupt officials—like the earlier vows to go after illegal drug syndicates and criminality— just got real. *** Manolo Quezon’s latest explainer ran under the headline “President Duterte’s honeymoon may be ending” in the Washington Post. In the article, Quezon

described the pro-Duterte rally at Manila’s Rizal Park last Saturday and came to the conclusion that the president’s appeal may be waning because of the sparse crowd that attended it.

“Despite his best efforts, Duterte suddenly finds himself facing a sobering reality,” Quezon wrote. “The critics aren’t going away, and his supporters aren’t as easily mobilized as he had hoped.”

It was a wonderfully written piece of selective observation.

After all, as Quezon conveniently failed to point out, the Luneta rally was just a hastily called response to the much better organized (but definitely more attendance-challenged) Yellow mass action on the corner of Edsa and White Plains Avenue.

In a sense, Quezon’s article was just like its introduction, which described him as a journalist with both a television show and a newspaper column. It only told half of the story instead of giving the complete picture, like even the most recently hired reporter is always ordered to Turn to A5 come up with.

ONE of the burning issues of the day is whether or not to allow mining at all in this country.

What is at stake in this intense debate is huge. One side, led by the Chamber of Mines, wants to exploit the potential richness of our mineral deposits to provide jobs and propel the country to prosperity. To them, it is a question of economics like jobs and investments.

The Chamber is also working hard to block the confirmation of Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez. They are hoping that if it is successful, their problem would be solved.

On the other side are environmental groups led by the crusading Lopez. They argue the need to preserve the environment for the benefit of future generations.

Both sides, to be sure, have powerful arguments. There is probably no simple and right answer to this raging debate. But the most important voice—the President’s—has not yet been heard even as he hinted at being on the side of Lopez on the issue of destruction of watersheds as a result of mining.

Otherwise, he has kept his true position close to his chest. This is perhaps due to the realization that jobs and investments are also important.

Others in the periphery of the debate advocate what they term as responsible mining. What this group probably means by responsible mining is the extraction of mineral deposits with minimal destruction to the environment.

But is there really a mining operation that will not damage the environment? I for one would really like to see one.

The Philippines is one of the 10 most mineralized countries in the world. The amount of mining done to the country since the turn of the 20th century is staggering.

If we continue to open the country to mining, it is safe to assume that in the not too distant future, there will be nothing left in the country.

I grew up in the mining city of Baguio. In the early 50s, there were still a lot of mines operating in the city. At that time, the city was the fourth-largest goldproducing area in the world. But it is no more. Only Philex Mines is operating and was fined substantially a couple of years ago because a dam containing mineral waste burst, contaminating Turn to A5

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Opinion TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Why Martial Law was declared WHEN the nation marked the done discreetly and confiden31st anniversary of Edsa 1, sev- tially,” Marcos supposedly told eral questions came up. What Enrile, and allowed the latter to triggered the imposition of enlist whomever he needed.

The next day, Enrile asked Martial Law by the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos? Was it Efren Plana, his brilliant assisreally just to perpetuate himself tant at the Justice Ministry, to help him. Plana also suggested in power?

If Martial Law were not im- they ask Minerva Gonzaga posed in 1972, what would have Reyes to help them. Plana and happened to us? Would we have Reyes were both magna cum continued to live in a democrat- laude from the UP College of Law. ic space?

Only one copy of the research Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, now in re- was prepared.

Soon, Enrile was called to the tirement, recalled the events surrounding Martial Law at a Palace. Marcos them asked him recent speech. He is now 93. I to draft the necessary impleam truly amazed at his sharp menting documents to install martial law. memory.

Enrile recalls he had to work Enrile was first appointed as undersecretary at the Finance alone, mostly at night and at Ministry, tasked to supervise home. “The only one who the revenue-raising activities joined me, with the knowledge of the government. He was also and consent of the President, named chairman of the Philip- was Simplicio Taguiam, my pine National Bank. Concur- private secretary.”

At that time, law and order rently he was also acting commissioner of Insurance and of had completely deteriorated.

Local police forces were overCustoms.

Enrile stayed there until De- stretched. The capacity of govcember 1968. He then moved ernment was just 60,000 men to the Justice Ministry. There —most of whom were deployed he became acquainted with the in Central Luzon to fight comlaw and order problem in the munist insurgents. Commucountry, specifically the ideo- nists have infiltrated not only Congress but logical activities of the milmedia, the academe, labor, itant groups. the Church.

In 1969, Another inMarcos won Violence was cident took a second term place in Conas President. widespread in gress, when Around this Metro Manila and Marcos was time, political set to deliver opposition, ac- elsewhere. his State-oftivists, Leftists the-Nation and plain opportunists exploited Address. every event and Members of the so-called Parliament of the issue to bring down Marcos.

Communism and a lot of oth- Street threw a cardboard coffin er “isms” were the wave of the at the President.

Indeed violence was so widefuture.

Another incident triggered spread, in Metro Manila and by the so-called Parliament of elsewhere.

In effect, the government was the Streets was the Agrifina Circle incident. Enrile recalled waging battle on two fronts: that at this time, he first en- The communists and the Muscountered the machinations, lim rebels.

And then there was the Plaza the ire and the arrogance of street parliamentarians. “It was Miranda bombing.

But what broke the camel’s there I initially pitted my mind and will against people who es- back was when ammunition poused the ‘isms’ that cause so came from China. This was much personal and social pain, discovered by government bloodshed, destruction and suf- forces in a deserted ship. fering in the world and in our Marcos was alarmed at the entry of war material into the country.”

Marcos and Enrile were country. The subversives had the real targets in the Agri- succeeded in opening a supply line! fina incident.

Marcos then called a comAnother incident was the massacre on Oct. 8, 1963 on a desert- mand conference where he ed road between Capas, Tarlac said he would not allow the and the US naval radio station at problem tp get out of hand. “I Camp O’Donnell in Pampanga. will nip it in the bud,” he said.

The victims were civilian se- Enrile said: “The thought in curity guards, and the Liberals my mind was that Martial blamed the military. The fol- Law was nigh.”

Anarchy became a daily exlowing day, Ninoy Aquino demanded the arresr of Geronimo perience. In Mindanao, vioForonda, who was allegedly re- lence among Muslims, Chrissponsible for flagging down the tians and indigenous tribes rose to a high. massacre victims .

Thus, Marcos proclaimed Enrile eventually became Defense Minister. Marcos Martial Law. Martial Law broke the back asked him to study the limits of his power under the 1935 Con- of the communist insurgency. stitution. Marcos had foreseen No wonder the communists the escalation of violence and hate Marcos and Enrile.

The rest is history. disorder. “The study must be

Exhibit A From A4 If you had only read Quezon’s article and never heard of why the Luneta rally was staged, you would not know that the Edsa gathering was even more of a disaster for the pro-Aquino crowd. In fact, by substituting “Aquino” for “Duterte” in the passage I quoted and dividing the crowd in attendance by at least a factor of 10, you could use the same words to accurately describe the pitiful Yellow gathering on that day.

But I’m really glad that Quezon seems to be making a lot of headway in his career as a publicist and a partner of that new “strategic communications” outfit called DDI. His WaPo story was, in large part, a defense of Leila de Lima as much as it was about the Luneta rally—and the anti-Duterte US paper just swallowed the half-explainer that it would never allow its own journalists to write.

Oh, and Quezon describing himself as a TV journalist and a newspaper columnist is just like saying the same thing about Martin Andanar, if Quezon ever was a real journalist, which Andanar once was.

But Quezon is really just half a journalist—the Yellow half—and a full-time publicist for the pro-Aquino crowd.

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Laguna Lake: One more chance OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ FREE access to clean, potable drinking water is an indispensable, basic human right, recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations. The geographical location of the country offers an abundance of sources of water. Sadly, most, if not all, of our bodies of water are polluted and are unsuitable for human consumption.

In early 2010, the PGMA administration entered into an P18.7-billion deal with Baggerwerken Decloedt En Zoon (BDZ), for the Laguna Lake Rehabilitation Project. This project aimed to dredge Laguna de Bay, including the Napindan Channel, which is the only outlet to

Manila bay via the Pasig River, and deepen it up to 2.5 meters.

It also intended to create additional navigational channels, build 12 ferry stations, and rehabilitate the wetlands around the lake. This was regarded a “presidential priority” after Ondoy severely flooded the area and affected families living near the lake. The project also envisioned restoring the lake as a possible source of potable water.

For some reason, this project was canceled and abandoned by the PNoy administration on the mere suspicion that everything entered into by its predecessor was tainted with corruption.

The previous administration breached the contract without justifiable cause, despite being twice declared as legal and binding by two DoJ secretaries: Arroyo-appointed Alberto Agra and Aquino-appointed Leila de Lima.

As a consequence of the government’s cancellation, the BDZ brought the dispute before the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for binding arbitration. The ICSID ordered the government to pay P800 million to BDC. The consequences of the tribunal award against the government go beyond legal expenses. Our country’s reputation as a reliable investment partner was tarnished. We must maintain a fair, and stable legal framework, to encourage and protect investments in our country, regardless of the present dispensation.

While our country was in a long, drawn out, embarrassing legal mess that could have been avoided, the pollution levels of Laguna Lake continued to increase. Half a million of the surrounding population is reported-

ly dumping domestic waste and sewage in the Lake. Heavy metals and toxic pollutants make the water unsafe. The rate of sedimentation makes the waters very shallow. Laguna Lake is a dying body of water, and the government has to accept a measure of accountability for this.

What are we to do now? The Duterte administration expressed its concern for the Laguna Lake rehabilitation during the first Sona. The President also promised that contracts that are entered into validly will be honored. With this, I recommend revisiting the project and renegotiating with the BDZ. In light of contribution of this project to the safety and welfare of the communities and the environment, it will be a crime of negligence and omission on our part if we were to allow the opportunity to rehabilitate Laguna Lake to pass.

The spirituality of poetry

WE LIVE in troubled and parlous times.

Many countries around the world are engulfed in political, economic, and cultural crises; dissension, famine, conflict, disease, war.

If only one could tell the world to stop so one can get off! One thing we can do is to reach for something that will remind us of the good in each other, of the humanity that can strive for the highest and the best while the rest descends into fear and chaos.

This is where art is important, because it can connect people to each other and communicate the spirituality that restores calm and some measure of peace. Poetry is one of the vehicles that allow for such a respite of the mind’s noise, particularly mystical poetry of the sort written by the famed maulana, or master—Rumi.

Jalal ad-din Muhammad Rumi was a 13th-century Persian Sunni

Muslim poet, Sufi mystic, Islamic scholar, theologian, and jurist. His passionate and earthy poems are often shared and enjoyed by couples, but his poetry’s deeper meaning and purpose is connected to Divine Love.

He founded the famous Whirling Dervish sect that uses dance to enter into trance-as-worship. Rumi was inclusive in his appeal, in one poem declaring “All religions. All this singing. One song. Peace be with you.” When he died in 1273, it is said that people of five faiths mourned him.

According to Professor Coleman Barks, whose translations made Rumi’s poetry popular in the West, says “Rumi’s message can be stated in many ways. It is the core of the core of every religion. It is the longing in a human being to live in unlimited freedom and joy, to move inside beauty, that most profound need of the human soul to flow with the namelessness that animates, luxuriates, burns, and transpires through form, enlivening what is as steam, mist, torrent, saliva, blood, ocean, cloud, coffee, wine, butterfly, tiger, hummingbird, energy, and delight...”

My favorite of Rumi’s poems is “Like This,” and I invite you to Google it and read it. Meanwhile, here’s a sample from another poem that seems apropos to our country’s situation: “Never lose hope, my heart, miracles dwell in the invisible. If the whole world turns against you keep your eyes on the Friend.”

Other faiths have their own mystics. For Roman Catholics, the most famous is possibly St. Teresa of Avila. She dwelt on medieval readings written by Francisco de Osuna, St. Ignatius of Loyola, and St. Peter of Alcantara. Through mystical or contemplative prayer, St. Teresa practiced “devotions of ecstasy” that led her to understand the nature of sin and the “necessity of absolute subjection to God.” This echoes Rumi’s wholehearted surrender to love—of each other, and of God. The next time the news is too much for you, reach for a book of poetry, meditate, and practice love.

will be staging “Rumi: In the Arms of the Beloved,” a special celebration of the poetry written by the mystic Rumi on March 12.

Special guests who will be doing readings are poets and writers Lourd de Veyra, Nerisa del Carmen Guevara, Tweet Sering, Carlomar Daoana, Rem Tanauan, and Marjorie Evasco, as well as film director Jim Meer Libiran.

To give the audience a better appreciation of Rumi’s background, classical guitarist Gabriel Ramos will be playing the oud, a Middle Eastern stringed instrument, while philosophy professor Dr. Raj Mansukhani will play the drum.

The event starts 5PM at the TSP headquarters, 1 Iba St., Quezon City. For more details, email Ime Morales at rumipoetrynight@ gmail.com or text/call (0915)1974773. Tickets were sold out as early as Feb. 28, but you can send inquiries whether there will be a sequel.

Walk-ins cannot be accommodated if the venue is full.

*** Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based For those who would like to know writer. Follow her on Facebook: Jenny more about Rumi’s poetry, The The- Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, osophical Society in the Philippines Instagram: @jensdecember

Trump strikes a better tone—so what?

By Jonathan Bernstein DONALD Trump finally gave a first-class nomination acceptance speech. Unfortunately, he’s running about eight months behind what he needs to be doing now.

After 40 days of presiding over a remarkably dysfunctional and chaotic administration, Trump didn’t spend (much) time rehashing the election, bashing the media, or ad-libbing nonsense. There were a few whoppers, but my guess (before the fact-checkers do their work) is that for a convention speech addressed to partisans and curious independents, most of the exaggerations and misstatements were relatively normal.

That, along with a couple of days without nutty stuff on Twitter, offers good news for those worried about his selfdiscipline.

The bad news is it isn’t sum-

To mine...

From A4 the river. Benguet Corporation, one of the biggest gold mines in the country is now only a shell of itself.

One can still see what happens to the environment once a mine stops operating. At the foot of Kennon Road remains what used to be a mine. There is nothing there anymore except the skeleton of buildings and the destruction of the river that runs along the 36-kilometer road. And who can forget what happened to the Marcopper mine in Marinduque in the 1990s, when the tunnel containing mine waste burst? The toxic waste spilled into the Boac River, virtually killing it.

The Canadian owners of the mine never came back to repair the damage to the environment. In fact,

mer 2016, and Trump isn’t a candidate sketching out broad themes and aspirations. He is the President of the United States of America. For a president giving one of his few major speeches in support of his legislative agenda, substance matters. Trump came up as short as ever. Whether it was taxes, health care, immigration, or infrastructure, the speech wasn’t just light on details; it was almost entirely lacking in them.

Which would be okay if Trump already had, say, a health care and a tax plan. Or, for that matter, if Republicans in Congress were moving ahead solidly on one or more of his legislative priorities.

But none of that is true.

Governing, the old saw says, is choosing. To the joint session of Congress, Trump made no choices at all. It was an hour plus of cotton candy.

I suspect it’ll get excellent

reviews; a lot of pundits who have been brutal to Trump will welcome the chance to praise him, and I suspect everyone is pleased to have the president toss aside his clown act, at least for one night.

But it’s a sugar high, and there won’t be much if anything remaining of it after a few hours.

There was simply nothing in this speech to break the deadlock Republicans in Congress are facing on health care. Nothing to reconcile Trump’s instincts for promising huge tax cuts and huge new spending with budget realities, let alone with his complaints about the debt. He talked big on infrastructure, but we know the Republican leadership in Congress has already indicated they have no interest, and it’s hard to see anything in this speech to change that. And the immigration section followed a

day of flipping and flopping around on the topic.

Meanwhile, there was hardly anything on foreign and national security policy. Or trade policy. Oh, he used the words “radical Islamic terrorism,” and he complained as always that everyone is taking advantage of the United States on trade. But he didn’t, for example, say anything about what new trade deals he might want, or how he would propose to fix the ones he considers unfair. On Islamic State, he merely said he had asked the Pentagon for a new plan to defeat it.

At best, this speech, in which Trump declared that the “time for trivial fights is behind us,” could be heard as a promise to make up for the time he lost during the campaign, the transition, and during his first month. Or at least not to lose any more time.

We’ll see soon if that’s a promise he’ll really keep. Bloomberg

the Canadians have also not taken back the tons of toxic garbage.

I really still have to see a mining operation that will not destroy the environment. How, for instance, can a whole mountain be restored when the preferred method of extracting minerals is open-pit mining? The trees, the soil and the wildlife in these mountains can never be brought back.

Another good example of this is what happened to the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru. In its heyday, the island was a huge producer of phosphate and had one of the highest per-capita incomes in the world. But phosphate extraction basically destroyed the topography of the country. The environmental destruction caused by phosphate mining could no longer be restored. Now the country is back to

square one.

Money, however, is a powerful argument for those who advocate mining.

In the end, maybe what is more important is not the immediate benefits that the country can derive from mining but what will happen to the country in the future especially in this age of global warming and climate change.

As to the question whether the country can progress without mining, we only have to look at tiny Singapore and Japan to see that progress can be achieved without the benefit of mining.

Japan imports everything that it needs to power its industries like oil, lumber, and other minerals. Its mountains and rivers however, remain pristine for the Japanese people to enjoy. Japan is

also the third-largest economy in the world. Singapore on the other hand is so tiny it is devoid of any mineral to be exploited. But it has harnessed technology and finance to make the country possess one of the highest standards of living in the world.

So, there is a way out of our predicament if we really strive for it.

We should not be so dependent on commodity exports to progress.

These resources that the country has buried on the ground are not infinite. Besides, there is the future to think about.

Will Lopez be confirmed? We have not seen the end of this debate. It will continue into the future. Hopefully the debate will not be so acrimonious and contentious so that the debates can be conducted intelligently.

A6

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Du30 to meet jeep drivers P

By John Paolo Bencito

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is set to meet with jeepney operators and drivers who went on strike last Monday to protest the government’s plan to modernize the country’s jeepney fleet, reduce carbon emissions and improve Metro Manila traffic, the Palace said Wednesday.

“The President assured the workers group that he will be holding a separate meeting with the jeepney strikers, who held a national strike on the controversial plan to phase out old jeepneys,” Presidential

Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters.

Abella said the meeting is part of the President’s “assurance that he would also listen to them because their own concerns were different” from the concerns of

labor groups who met with him on Monday.

The meeting was set after transport group Piston led about 600,000 drivers and 200,000 operators in a nationwide transport strike against the modernization plan.

But the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said transport group leaders were misleading their members because there is no plan to phase out jeepneys but only to modernize the fleet.

The LTFRB said the government is also preparing plans to provide financial assistance through the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to

jeepney operators and drivers as the agency pursues the implementation of the jeepney modernization program.

LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lizada backed the proposal of transport groups to use the Pantawid Pasada, or fuel subsidy cards for public-transport operators and drivers, be utilized as a seed fund to facilitate access to loans from banks and other financial institutions.

Furthermore, she suggested that a financial-literacy program be established in order that PUJ operators and drivers are able to manage and further increase their income.

She said the LTFRB is coor-

dinating with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance for the implementation of the financial mechanism for the jeepney modernization program.

The DoF, on the other hand, has said it will allocate P8 billion for the Pantawid Pasada to offset the impact of rising fuel prices due to the planned excise tax on petroleum products and the jeepney modernization program in line with the tax reform initiatives of the government.

Under the Pantawid Pasada program, the government plans to extend cash cards to public transportation drivers which they can use whenever they buy fuel.

CNN hit over bias for Leila THE Palace on Wednesday cried foul over a CNN International report claiming that the arrest of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima smacked of political persecution.

‘We call the attention of CNN International on its report aired today saying that the arrest of Philippine Senator Leila de Lima smacked of political persecution,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella claimed.

“We challenge CNN International to provide the proper context in its telecasts in the interest of fairness and truthfulness in reporting,” the Palace official added.

The Palace official insisted that a lower court ordered the arrest of Senator De Lima for drug trafficking charges and for allegedly receiving money from drug dealers at the National Penitentiary, which has been conducted by the Senator when she served as secretary of Justice in the past administration.

“To even insinuate that De Lima’s arrest is political in nature contradicts established facts and mocks the country’s commitment to due process and the rule of law,” Abella said.

“Three other former senators —Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon Revilla, and Jinggoy Estrada —met the same fate in 2014 on plunder charges. Not one of them had the temerity to invoke political persecution,” he added.

Abella insisted that Philippine courts had found “sufficient probable cause for the issuance of the Warrants of Arrest” against her last Feb. 23, along with prison official Rafael Marcos Ragos and erstwhile driver Ronnie Palisoc Dayan.

Both men are being held liable for witnesses’ claims that, on behalf of Senator De Lima’s electoral bid last year, they collected money from the incarcerated drug lords, he added.

Earlier, European politicians also tried to weigh in on the criminal cases filed against De Lima and urged the European Union to take action against the Philippines “where there is no respect for the law whatsoever.”

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has resumed its campaign cleaning up clogged creeks and open waterways to prevent severe floods in the metropolis in time of the rainy season.

The MMDA led by acting chairman Thomas Orbos officially relaunched the agency’s flood mitigation activity dubbed “Estrero Blitz” project on Wednesday when hundreds of MMDA personnel from Flood Control And Sewerage Management Service started the cleanup activity at the Estero Tripa de Gallina in Malate, Manila.

Despite the regular cleanup, Estero Tripa de Gallina has always been swamped with domestic waste materials coming from the upstream as well as mid-stream areas of the waterway.

The MMDA attributed the problem from residents living along and near the creek.

Among the waterways scheduled

LPG prices down P3.50 COOKING gas prices declined

by P3.50 per kilogram starting Wednesday to reflect the lower contract price of liquefied petroleum gas for March.

Consumers using an 11-kilo tank will experience lower LPG price of P38.50 per tank. The price of autoLPG also declined

by P0.20 per liter.

“Petron will implement a P0.35 per kg rollback in Gasul and Fiesta prices effective 12:01 a.m., March 1. We will likewise decrease the price of Xtend autoLPG by P0.20 per liter at the same time. These reflect movements in the international contract prices of LPG for the month of March,” Petron said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said that based on the Oil Industry Management Bureau’s international price monitoring, the contract price for March amounts to $564 per metric ton which is $9 lower than the contract price in February of $573 per MT. Cusi urged the buying public to always check every LPG cylinder to ensure that it is of the right quantity and quality.

“Aside from determining the right price, I encourage the public to also look closely at the quantity of the LPG cylinder by assuring that it is the correct and accurate weight. The quality of the tank should also be taken into consideration especially if it poses certain safety risks,” Cusi said.

The department has issued the following guidelines for LPG to ensure that consumers are protected.

The department urged the public to buy LPG cylinders with proper markings (brand name, tare weight, etc.) from authorized outlets only.

Customers should also check the LPG cylinder for excessive rustiness and dents and ensure that the collar and footring are smooth and properly-welded.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Pinoy sailor’s family to get cash benefits

DRUG SUSPECT. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Isidro Lapena (left) presents arrested Gambian national Yusuph Bayo, alias KC and Kachi, who is believed to be a member of a West African drug cartel operating in the country. Manny Palmero

Trillanes amnesty under Palace review CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo on Wednesday said he will review the amnesty granted to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over his involvement in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny and the 2007 Manila Peninsula seige.

“There are some legal quarters expressing uncertainty or doubt on that. I’ll go over the case. Then, I’ll give you my proper response,” Panelo told reporters in Malacañang.

“Anything that is not the law can be a precedent. It is always in the context of the law. So if the amnesty was wrong, then it is invalid,” Panelo said, stressing however that he had to review the facts of the case.

Panelo said there could also

be violations of the conditions contained in the amnesty that former President Benigno Aquino III granted to Trillanes in 2010.

Trillanes, who was then only a Navy lieutenant senior grade, rose to national prominence when he led the Oakwood Mutiny in July 2003 and the Manila Peninsula siege in November 2007.

He was incarcerated but won a seat in the Senate in 2007 despite being detained for complicity in a failed coup d’état. He was in jail for over seven years until Aquino’s amnesty.

In May 2016, the Court of Appeals found Senator Antonio Trillanes guilty of indirect contempt and fined him

P30,000 for claiming that two members of the bench received bribes in exchange for a temporary restraining order in favor of dismissed Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Jr. The contempt charge is under appeal in the Supreme Court but CA Associate Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Francisco Acosta filed an ethics complain against Trillanes for the bribery accusation.

Another ethics complaint was filed against opposition Trillanes IV on Tuesday, according to Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III. Sotto said the new complains was filed by lawyer Abelardo de Jesus, who also filed the first ethics complaint against Senator

Leila de Lima.

Sotto said the complaint is based on two reasons—the Court of Appeals’ indirect contempt of Trillanes following his bribery allegations against two CA associate justices, and the senator’s public declaration that President Rodrigo Duterte is a “murderer.”

Sotto said he has yet to read the entire complaint and will not distribute copies among the committee members, due to the recent Senate reorganization.

Trillanes was unaware that a complaint was lodged against him but he said he remains unfazed despite threats to pin him down, and vowed to continue criticizing the Duterte administration.

John Paolo Bencito

MMDA resumes cleanup of ‘esteros’

By Joel E. Zurbano

IN BRIEF

to be cleared from March to July are Pasig River Basin in Port Area, Manila; Estero de San Miguel, Estero de Quiapo, Estero de Magdalena, and Estero de Maypajo also in Manila; Lapu-lapu/ Spine Open Canal and Letre Open Canal in Malabon City; Pasong Malapad Creek and the lagoon in Caloocan City; Walingwaling Creek and Tanque Creek, Sta. Lucia Creek and Villa Creek in Quezon City; Pinagkatdan Creek in Pasig City; Balanti Creek in Marikina City; Pinagsama Creek in Taguig City; Sto. Rosario-Silangan River in Pateros; Estero Tripa de Gallina-Buendia Outfall in Makati City; Sto. Nino Creek in Pasay City; Dahlig Creek in Las Piñas City; Pasong Diablo River in Muntinlupa City; Coastal Open Canal in Parañaque City; and Libertad Retarding Pone in at Libertad Pumping Station in Pasay.

Armed with heavy equipment, such as crane, dump trucks and spider backhoe, the MMDA men have started cleaning up the creeks.

CLEARING OPERATIONS. The Department of Public Works and Highways and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority resumed road and waterway clearing in the metropolis Wednesday. Norman Cruz

THE family of a Filipino seaman who died in a freak accident onboard a cruise ship in New Zealand will receive more than P250,000 in cash benefits, the Department of Labor and Employment said.

The victim, Allan Navales, worked as a fitter mechanic on board M/S Emerald Princess, was reportedly killed when a lifeboat launcher gas canister that he was refilling exploded.

He died on the same day from multiple traumatic injuries. He was hired by a manning agency, the Magsaysay Maritime Corp.

Navales was an OWWA active member and his family is entitled to P220,000 as death benefit; P20,000 as burial assistance, scholarship for one child, and livelihood assistance of P15,000 for the surviving spouse. These benefits are on top of the assistance he will get from Magsaysay agency. Vito Barcelo

Clark airport back to BCDA PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order reversing an Aquino administration order and reverted the Clark International Airport Corp. as a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Executive Order No. 14, signed

by Duterte on Feb. 28, orders the restructuring of the CIAC, currently an attached agency of the Department of Transportation, back to the BCDA “to ensure the development of the [Clark Civil Aviation Complex] remains parallel with the development of the [Clark Freeport Zone] as a premier investment and promotion destination” within 30 days.

“The DOTr is hereby ordered to facilitate the transfer and conveyance of the shares currently owned by the Republic of the Philippines, as well as those shares held in the name of its nominee stockholders, in favor of BCDA and its nominees,” the EO read.

“Any delay in the execution of such documents of transfer and conveyance of the shares of stock of CIAC shall not, in any event, delay, hinder or deter the immediate exercise of ownership rights over CIAC

by BCDA,” it added.

The EO, however, provided that the Transportation Department would maintain its policy supervision and operational control over the CIAC. John Paolo Bencito

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Navy’s Morales tries to pull away in Ronda

Miguel Tabuena (left) and Angelo Que have predicted an exacting four-day battle against the subtle terrors from the wind-raked Tom Weiskoph-designed layout which underwent a major renovation to conform to world standards in time for 99th staging of the PH Open.

Mosquera, Suace eye repeat in Capiz tilt UNRANKED Marben Mosquera and second seed Avril Suace hope to keep their win run going as action in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis tournament shifts from Dumalag to Roxas City in Capiz starting today (Thursday).

The Iloilo bets shared top honors in the 14-and-under class last week with the duo all geared up for a repeat against a field out to foil their bid in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president and CEO Bobby Castro and presented by Slazenger.

Over 220 entries are seeing action in the five-day tournament sanctioned by Philta and backed

by Asiatraders Corp., including 32-player draws in all four age categories in the boys’ side and the 10-unisex side, as the circuit continues to attract huge numbers week-after-week.

“This only underscores the circuit’s pull from among the youth and this inspires us to hold more tournaments as part of our commitment to help in the talentsearch,” said Castro.

Tracy Llamas, meanwhile, seeks to build momentum heading to the next PPS-PEPP stop in her hometown in La Carlota, Negros Occidental next week as she guns for twin titles in the girls’ 16and 18-U classes that also feature Averille Sacapano, Jana Salcedo, Louise Clavaton and Suace.

Out to foil Suace’s bid in the 14-U section are top seed Alexa Milliam, Dana Castro and Abigail Sacapano with Milliam and Abigail Sacapano headlining the cast in the 12-U side along with Mae Fullo and Sophia Gazo.

ILOILO CITY—Navy-Standard Insurance’s Jan Paul Morales tries to put a distance between himself and teammate Rudy Roque as the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017 resumes today with the Individual Time Trial Stage 12 in Guimaras.

Morales, 31, is currently atop the heap with an aggregate time of 37 hours, 25 minutes and 56 seconds, or about two minutes ahead of fellow Navyman Rudy Roque, who has a total time of 37:28:11.

A strong finish in today’s 40km ITT could very well seal the deal for Morales.

“If I do good in the ITT, I think I will win this,” said Morales, who is seeking to become the first-ever back-to-back winner of this annual cycle race considered the biggest in the country, in Filipino.

The 25-year-old Roque, for his part, said he will be more than contented just finishing second behind Morales.

Cash-rich PH Open begins S

TA. ROSA, Laguna—With a crack international field going up against the local aces and a tough layout sporting new-look and challenges expected to be compounded by gale-force wind, the Solaire Philippine Open offers a dash of suspense right in the opening round of the $400,000 event at The Country Club here today (Thursday).

No less than the two Filipino Open champions and the reigning local Order of Merit champion have predicted an exacting four-day battle against the subtle terrors from the wind-raked Tom Weiskoph-designed layout which underwent a major renovation to conform to world standard in time

for 99th staging of the Asia’s oldest championship.

“It’s quite difficult to win this tournament in under-par. The course is notorious for its strong wind, so I think a 10-over would be the winning score. But it would really depend on the condition in the

next four days,” said Miguel Tabuena, who posted a winning 13-over 301 total when the TCC re-opened for the Razon Cup three weeks ago.

Tabuena won this rain-shortened event in 2015 at Luisita in Tarlac, capping a breakthrough season but the young Olympian remains wary of his chances for a repeat given the depth of the competing field and the course condition.

Angelo Que, coming off an emphatic nine-stroke romp at Anvaya Cove Invitational two weeks ago, backed up Tabuena’s forecast, saying 8- to 10-over would clinch it depending on the wind condition.

“In golf, the wind condition is always the determining factor. You cannot tell or make prediction with

regard to the winning score. I respect this course so much and I don’t believe those who say that they can win here in under-par,” said Que, who also won this event in 2008 at Wack Wack, his third on the Asian Tour.

Meanwhile, Tabuena, who posted a winning 13-over 301 total when the TCC re-opened for the Razon Cup three weeks ago, kicks off titleretention drive in the event, backed by title sponsor Solaire Resort and Casino and held in cooperation with Meralco and PLDT, at 7:20 a.m. on No. 1 with Thai Poom Saksansin and Japanese Masahiro Kawamura.

Que, 38, drew a rather late start at 11:30, also on the first tee, with Johannes Veerman of the US and Thai Jazz Janewattananond, currently at

Women’s volley finals set March 5 at SBC gym THE finals for the much-awaited 21st season of the Women’s Volleyball League, one of the country’s biggest and longest-running volleyball tournaments for girls, is finally near.

Organized by the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center and sponsored by Milo, the finals will be held on March 5 at the San Beda College Gym. Saint Pedro Poveda College and St. Paul College Makati will be competing in the 17 and Under Developmental Division, while King’s Montessori School Team A and San Pedro Relocation Center National High School will face each other for a championship victory in the 17-and-Under Competitive Division.

Qualifying for the 13-and-Under Development Division are Colegio San Agustin Team A and School of Saint Anthony.

Another team from Colegio San

Agustin will try to thwart King’s Montessori School in the 13-andUnder Competitive Division.

The finals will also hold a tournament to determine WVL’s 3rd and 4th placers, as well as a championship consolation game for 17-and-Under Competitive Division, wherein King’s Montessori School Team B will play against St. Scholastica’s College Team A. “Another season has come and we are very excited to see a lot of young girls showcase their passion for volleyball,” said BEST Center founder Nicanor Jorge. “WVL serves as a great venue for these girls to test their skills and abilities in volleyball and it enables them to gain confidence in playing for major competitions. We are looking forward to producing more promising young girls who will someday be representing our country in big leagues.”

CAGE CHAMPS. Xavier

School defeated La SalleGreenhills, 80-52, to win the title in the PRADA tournament.The team was led by coaches John Edwin Sy and Daniel Donato, assistant coach Jojo Imutan, and players Paulo Rodriguez (31 points), Vance Ong (17), Ian Chua, (14) and Brent Tiu (8). Other players are Kurt Oranga, Ramon Climaco, Hugo Ramirez, Nicco Tan, Gavin Chen and Javi Lim.Norman Cruz

siblings John Renest Sonsona and Steven Sonsona squared off for the boys’ 18-under crown with John Renest emerging champion with a 6-4, 6-2 win. Abarquez, who has had her share of titles the past years, went home winner in the girl’s 16-under by defeating Oriental’s Merkisslyn Ubay-ubay, 6-4, 6-4, while in the boys’ side of the age group, John Steven Sonsona had an easy 6-2 , 6-3 victory over Andrei Cuevas of Lanao del Norte.

“As we have committed, we will

continue supporting tennis for the years to come and seeing these young kids honing their games year after year tells us we are truly in the right path of developing tennis at the grassroots level,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and the one who initiated this developmental program 11 years ago.

Other familiar names among the tournament winners were Zamboanga del Norte’s Sydney Ezra Enriquez, who posted a no pressure 6-1, 6-2 win over Rovie Baulete rep-

No. 17 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit ranking.

Focus will also be on the elite veteran group of former Phl Open champions Frankie Miñoza and Mardan Mamat of Singapore and 2013 Solaire Open winner at Wack Wack Lin Wentang of Chinese-Taipei, who will be teeing off at 6:50 a.m. on No. 10.

Tony Lascuña, actually the hottest local player with four OOM titles in the last five years, begins his chase for the elusive Phl Open diadem at 8:10 a.m. on No. 1 with American Paul Harris and 2014 champion Marcus Both of Australia.

“I think, a four- to eight-over total will win it. It’s a tough course and it will take a lot of patience to win here,” said Lascuña.

PH netters blank Iraq in ITF meet

BEST Center is nationally renowned for its great contribution to sports development in the Philippines.

Locals, old faces dominate Cebuana Lhuillier tennis FAMILIAR names and faces dominated the recent 5th leg of the Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series in Cagayan de Oro, even as local bets ruled four of the 10 categories contested, particularly in the younger age groups.

Perennial winner Mary Aubrey Calma from the host city finished the local bets’ campaign on a high note as she beat 16-under champion Elizabeth Abarquez from Cebu in the finals of the girls’ 18-under, easily winning, 6-3, 6-1, while

“I always dream of becoming champion of a race as big as this but finishing second will also be enough for me,” said Roque, whose best finish here was a ninth-place effort in the inaugural Stage 6 years ago.

The last three stages have turned into a two-man race between Morales and Roque as the next best rider, Kinetix Lab-Army’s Cris Joven, is a little over 11 minutes off the pace with a time of 37:37:03.

Go for Gold’s Bryant Sepnio is at No. 4 with 37:41:33 while RC Cola-NCR’s Lionel Dimaano is at No. 5 with 37:46:05.

Ilocos Sur’s Ryan Serapio and Navy’s Daniel Ven Carino and skipper Lloyd Lucien Reynante resurfaced in the Top 10 at Nos. 6, 7 and 8 with 37:47:16, 37:48:28 and 37:48:43, respectively.

Navy’s Ronald Lomotos and Kinetix Lab-Army’s Reynaldo Navarro completed the Top 10 with 37:48:45 and 37:49:49.

resenting Iligan City in the finals of the girls’ 14-under; Brent Sigmond Cortes from Lanao del Norte carving out a 6-0, 6-1 win in the boys’ group over Oroquieta City’s Liam David Digal in the tournament supported by Dunlop as the official ball.

Previous leg winners Nash Agustines from Oroquieta and local bet Casey Padilla ruled the 12-under age-group, with Agustines having a walk-over victory over Heinz Asian Carbonilla, while Padilla had to sweat it out a little before defeat-

ing Lanao del Norte’s Kristin Guia Bandolis, 6-4, 6-1.

Local bets Kian Sanchez and Jeff Marian Bracero provided Cagayan de Oro’s other victories as Sanchez had a close 5-3, 4-2 win over Bukidnon’s Al Rasheed Lucman in the 10-under finals, while Bracero was extended by Dumaguete bet Lucas Recalde before pulling out a 4-1, 2-4, 4-2 win in the 8-under category.

Nazareth Lawn Tennis Club in CDO hosted the fifth leg of the series.

Color Manila goes to Clark COLOR MANILA, currently the most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer in the country today, is setting its sights on its next big event at Clark, Pampanga on March 19, 2017.

The last event of COLOR MANILA at Clark, Pampanga saw a sold-out event with 6,000 participants.

The upcoming CM Challenge Run, which will be held at the Clark Parade Grounds, will have the runners this time go through obstacles,

color stations and mazes.

“We would like to invite runners and non-runners alike to join this exciting event, the CM Challenge Run. We have customized a unique race route just for this run, with obstacles and challenges to make it more exciting, apart from being very colorful. Of course, participants can also look forward to the after-party; we have invited DJ Franco Zarate to spin for us,” said Justine Cordero, VP for COLOR MANILA.

ALEXANDRA Eala led the Philippine Under-14 girls’ team to another 3-0 rout as they prevailed over Iraq in Day 2 the 2017 International Tennis Federation Team Championships for boys and girls in New Delhi, India.

Eala, who is ranked 12th in Asia, scored the decisive points for the Filipinas in the second singles and the doubles.

Her contributions came after teammate Carmencita Carlos put away Zalal Khalil, 6-0, 6-0.

The 12-year-old Eala, who is the highest-ranked Filipina in age category, outplayed Lava Rasul, 6-0, 6-0.

Teaming up with Gaby Zoleta, they trounced Naba Al-Luhabi and Rasul, 6-0, 6-0, in the doubles.

This allowed them to sweep Group A and progress to the semifinals, where a knock-out competition decides the champions.

In Group A, Jordan eked out two wins, first with a 3-0 blasting of Nepal and then a 2-1 swamping of Singapore.

The tournament is known as the Asia/Oceania pre-qualifying event for the World Junior Tennis Championships 2017.

The number of Asia/Oceania countries entering the competition will determine the number of participants at the pre-qualifying events.

Twelve teams of each event from Asia will qualify automatically to the WJTC Final Qualifying event to be held in Bangkok from March 20 to April 1.

The top 2 performing teams will be promoted to the final qualifying event in each category.

The participation of the national squad, which is coached by Tom Falcis, is bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission. Peter Atencio

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

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

A8

Sports

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

By Jeric Lopez

Raul Minoza of Del Monte Golf Club blasts out of the bunker going to hole no. 10 during the first day of 70th Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament at the Apo Golf and Country Club in Davao. Inset shows Kristoffer Arevalo of the leading Manila Southwoods team studying his approach in the same hole with his caddy. Lino Santos

Manila Southwoods lives up to billing, leads by 11 D

AVAO—Manila Southwoods lived up to its team-to-beat billing as it pooled 136 points at the tree-lined Apo Golf here for an 11-point lead over Canlubang after the first 18 holes of the 70th Philippine Airlines Interclub Men’s Championship yesterday.

Young Carl Corpus fired a oneover-par 73 worth 35 points, the veteran Jun Jun Plana and Jets Sajulga accounted for 34s and Kristoffer Arevalo completed the balanced attack with 33 as the Carmona-based par-busters got their “three-peat” bid off to a riproaring start.

“Yes, this is the start that we

want,” non-playing skipper Thirdy Escano said after congratulating anchor Plana on the ninth green, the team’s last hole. “But this is just the first round. We need to continue playing well.”

Jolo Magcalayo matched par for 36 points, Luis Castro fired 34 and Jakey Yulo accounted for 29 to make up for the bulk

of Cangolf’s 125. But the Sugar Barons had to count the 26 of JP De Claro, who couldn’t bounce back from a bum start.

So efficient was Southwoods that it had to throw away the 29 of Tom Kim, while Cangolf’s struggles were highlighted as lanky Fernando Zaldarriaga accounted for only 24.

“We were not expected to win this anyway,” Cangolf owner Luigi Yulo said. “This is a good effort on the part of the boys and there’s still a lot of golf left to be played.”

Action shifts to Rancho Palos Verdes for the second and third rounds and Cangolf will be sending out the multi-titled Rupert

Zaragosa to lead its second five and help stop the bleeding.

Luisita was 21 points after a 115 built around the 32 of Josh Jorge, while Del Monte pooled 111 after Noel Langgamin fired a 32 and Mel Cubillo 31.

“The important thing for us is to not allow (Canlubang) to gain ground (in the second round),” Escano, a member of several champion Southwoods teams in the past, said. “I still expect scoring to be very close at Palos (Verdes) and we must keep them at bay.”

Southwoods still has Yuto Katsuragawa, Aidric Chan, Ira Alido, Liam Cully and Jama Reyes kept in the freezer in the first round and this five could be

more explosive than the one that came out yesterday.

Escano, though, refused to say who will see action for the second day while stressing the need to come up with a scheme that would allow him to field his finest five for the final day on Saturday, which will also be at Apo Golf.

“This is where the tournament will be decided. I have no doubt about that,” he said. “Big (point) swings can take place here.”

The 70th PAL Interclub Platinum sponsors are Mareco Broadcasting Network, A&E Networks Asia, RMN Networks, The Manila Standard, Fox Networks Group, Rolls-Royce, TV5, MasterCard, TFC and Business Mirror.

All tossers get playing time in new Superliga format

By Peter Atencio ALL the members of every team joining will have a chance to play.

This is what’s in store for those seeing action in 2017 Belo-Philippine Super Liga Invitational Voleyball Tournament when it starts this Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.

Organizers have introduced four innovations, among them is to let the first six players of a squad to be fielded in the first set.

In the second set, the second six will get in the court, before a mix of players can be introduced in the third and the succeeding sets.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said this will give every spikers to showcase their skills as the season progresses.

“We are introducing innovations that will allow everybody to have a chance to play and have playing time,” said Suzara during

Devance: No pain, no gain for Gin Kings

The head coaches and team captains of the participating teams in the 2017 Belo-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference Grand Prix are presented during the media conference yesterday at the Centerstage at the MOA Arena. The coaches and team leaders for each team are Obet Javier and Michele Gumabao of Cocolife, Francis Vicente and Gen Casugod of Generika, Shaq delos Santos and Frances Molina of Petron, Macky Carino and Djanel Cheng of Sta. Lucia Land, George Pascua and Jheck Dionela of Cignal, and Moro Branislav and Dindin Manabat of Foton, some of whom were represented by their officials and teammates.

yesterday’s press conference at the Center Stage of the Mall of Asia.

Other changes are being introduced on substitutions, the warm up areas and the team moppers.

Aside from the Coco Life Asset Managers, the Sta. Lucia Realty Lady Realtors will also debut as a new team on Saturday.

They will fight it out with the likes of the Foton Tornadoes, Cignal HD Spikers and the Petron Blaze Spikers.

The top three teams that get past the preliminaries and the classification round will advance to the finals and battle it out for the crown with a visiting Japanese team, from Shinwa University in Kobe.

The Lady Realtors are made up mostly of players coming from the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, who finished as runners-up in the recent 92nd season of the NCAA. Their team owner Paul Michael

Rivera: PAL Interclub a wonderful experience

By Randy Caluag CELEBRITY Ariel Rivera rued about his “terrible golf” but said nice things about the game that has become his passion for many years.

“My golf is terrible,” said the singer-actor after his first-ever stint in the Philippine Airlines Interclub that opened on Monday at the Apo Golf and Country Club and Rancho Palos Verdes here.

“I’ve been playing golf for 20 years, but it doesn’t show,” he added, grinning.

Rivera, who popularized hit songs like “Sana Kahit Minsan” in the 1990s, played for the first time as a member of the Tagaytay Midlands in the Aviator Division of the an-

nual tournament that celebrates its 70th year.

He was quick to admit that “it was not good,” as he shot a 26-over-par that was worth 10 points. His scores still counted though in the five-toplay, four-to-score format.

He played alongside Richard Tan, who tallied 23 points, Raymond Unlay (14), Orven Rivera (12) and Joey Solis (9). Other members of the Tagaytay Midlands are Sonny Bitong, Louis Borja, Jang won Kim, Jonas Magcalayo and Yancy Siladan.

Each player has to play at least two in the four-day tournament that put together 90 seniors’ teams and 82 regular teams based locally and abroad.

For Ariel, golf is a passion that

has become his escape and respite from pressures associated with his job. He may not be good at it, but there’s no substitute for the joy that it brings.

“Golf is really cut out for individual skills. But now playing in a team, iba ‘yung camaraderie. It’s a wonderful experience,” he said.

Ariel described it like he just got reunited with long-lost friends.

“I set out there today in a flight with players from different clubs and after the 18 holes, it felt like I met my long-time friends again after a long while. It was exciting and I’m very thankful to my good friend Jimmy for inviting us here. I love it,” he said, referring to PAL president/CEO Jimmy Bautista.

Ariel Rivera

Robles said the team has heart and is expected to do well at the start of the season.

Coach Macky Carino expects the team to go all the way to the finals and take on the challenges offered by many experienced rival teams.

“The players are familiar with each other. This will help when the plays get aggressive.” said Carino.

Showing the way for the Lady Realtors are Janine Navarro, Cindy Imbo, Rachel Anne Austero, Ma. Lourdes Clemente, Djanel Cheng, Melanie Torres, Shyra Mae Umandal, Necelle Gual, and Rica Jane Enclona, Rialen Sante, Danne Henson, Jonah Sabete and Ranya Musa.

The Generika-Ayala Lifesavers are also expecting a podium finish. Three good hitters in Fiola Mae Ceballos, Patty Jane Orendain and Angeli Araneta will bring their experience to the team.

JOE Devance doesn’t mind playing through lots of pain, especially in the finals of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. In pain for already more than three weeks and counting, Devance just refuses to be on the sidelines knowing Barangay Ginebra continues to need him the most in its war against San Miguel.

The versatile Gin Kings forward, who is playing through a torn plantar fasciitis in his left ankle, takes pain-killing injections 30 minutes before every game to be able to play and help his squad.

Devance repeatedly said that there’s no way he will miss a beat despite all the pain he is feeling day in and day out.

“My team is in the middle of a war and there’s no way I’ll be sidelined. I’ll continue to play on and help the team, though obviously I’m far from 100 percent,” said Devance.

Despite his handicap, Devance still managed to lift his team in a big way, scoring the game-tying basket in Game 2 to send it to overtime and allow Ginebra to equalize the best-of-seven finals at 1-1.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone knows Devance brings more than his talent, clutch plays and versatility to the team.

“Joe gives us a lot of emotional boost and we need every bit of that. We’re just grateful for all his sacrifices for the team,” said Cone.

Devance suffered his injury in Ginebra’s do-or-die battle with Alaska earlier this month with the last semifinal ticket at stake.

Since then, he’s playing in excruciating pain.

As of this writing, the Gin Kings and the Beermen are going at it again in Game 3 to see who gets an important upperhand in the championhip showdown.

Once again, Devance has a heavy load on his shoulders as another Ginebra frontcourt player Jervy Cruz suffered a shoulder injury in Game 2.

Martinez in Top 10 of Asian Winter tilt MICHAEL Martinez continues his journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics as he placed 9th in the Men’s singles division of the2017 Asian Winter Games held in Sapporo, Japan from Feb. 19 to 26.

Finishing with 135.43 points in the Free Skating competition and 76.53 points in the Short Program, Winter Olympian Michael Martinez garnered a total score of 211.9 points, placing him 9th in the overall results of the games.

Other top Filipino figure skaters such as Jules Alpe, Samantha Cabiles, and Shayanne Casapao joined Martinez in the competition and finished 17th, 15th, and 19th in their respective categories.

Japanese figure skater Uno Shoma dominated the Men’s singles category with a total of 281.27 points, followed by JinBoyang (280.08) and Yan Han (271.86), both from China.

A tournament sanctioned by the International Skating Union or ISU, the Asian Winter Games is an international multi-sport competition held for the 32 member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Following the Asian Winter Games, Martinez is set to compete in the coming World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki, Finland from March 29 to April 2, which will determine his shot at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Pilipinas Shell’s profit surges 105% to P7.4b B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

B1

MPIC’s airport partner pulls out

By Darwin G. Amojelar

M

etro Pacific Investments Corp. said Wednesday its foreign airport partner for the bidding of five provincial airports pulled out after the Transportation Department unbundled the airport projects.

“Our foreign partner has notified us that they’re pulling out of the airports because the unbundling resulted in the individual airport being too small. If they win just one of the smaller airports, it would place them in a difficult situation because they would not

be able to get the returns they need but at the same time difficult to operate,” MPIC president and chief executive Jose Ma. Lim said.

“Rather than take that risk, they decided to withdraw,” Lim said.

Metro Pacific teamed up with

Aeroports de Paris Management SA for the provincial airports.

Lim said the company was looking for a new foreign airport operator partner to bid for the five regional airports.

The unbundled five provincial airports include the P20.26-billion Bacolod-Silay International Airport and the P30.4-billion Iloilo International Airport, the P14.62-billion Laguindingan Airport, P2.34-billion New Bohol (Panglao) Airport and P40.57billion Davao International Airport.

The National Economic and Development Authority board approved on Nov. 14, 2016 the

unbundling of the airport PPP deals.

Aside from MPIC, the Transportation Department earlier pre-qualified Maya Consortium led by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, San Miguel Holdings Corp.-IIAC Airport Consortium, GMRMegawide Consortium and Filinvest-JATCO-Sojitz Consortium for the project.

The Transportation Department said aside from the previous pre-qualified bidders, the project was now also open to new bidders.

Meanwhile, MPIC said core net income went up 17 percent last year to P12.1 billion from

P10.3 billion in 2015.

MPIC allocated P79 billion for 2017 capital expenditures, or nearly double the P40.5-billion capex last year as the group plans to accelerate the expansion of power, tollways, water and hospital businesses.

Metro Pacific chief finance officer David Nicol said in a news briefing said the group budgeted P24 billion in capital expenditures for Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., P22 billion for Manila Electric Co., P13 billion for Maynilad Water Services and the remainder for other units including hospital, railway and logistics.

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing March 1, 2017

8000 7600 7200 6800 6400 6000

7,170.70 41.39

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing MARCH 1, 2017 46.50 48.00

P50.280 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P50.235 LOW P50.320 AVERAGE P50.291 VOLUME 429.800M

P471.00-P690.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.80-P48.90 Unleaded Gasoline P27.90-P33.80 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG

INDIAN TRADERS. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Inc. holds a forum on “Asean Integration: How Will Philippine Business

Benefit?” at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City. Shown during the forum are (from left) FICCI corporate secretary Ravi Samtani, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries president George Barcelon, FICCI president Rex Daryanani, panel moderator Caroline Howard, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, presidential adviser on entrepreneurship and Asean Business Advisory Council chairman Joey Concepcion and FICCI vice president for internal affairs Lal Chatlani.

PAL to start 7 direct flights to Middle East

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, March 1, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.2550

Japan

Yen

0.008904

0.4475

UK

Pound

1.241200

62.3765

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128818

6.4737

Switzerland

Franc

0.995917

50.0498

Canada

Dollar

0.752955

37.8398

Singapore

Dollar

0.713725

35.8682

Australia

Dollar

0.766700

38.5305

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

133.3059

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266752

13.4056

Brunei

Dollar

0.711187

35.7407

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.028666

1.4406

UAE

Dirham

0.272331

13.6860

Euro

Euro

1.059700

53.2552

Korea

Won

0.000882

0.0443

China

Yuan

0.145588

7.3165

India

Rupee

0.014993

0.7535

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.225327

11.3238

New Zealand

Dollar

0.720000

36.1836

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032582

1.6374 Source: PDS Bridge

Zalora expects higher revenues ONLINE fashion retailer Zalora Philippines expects to increase topline revenues following the investment announced by the Ayala Group.

Zalora Philippines increased topline revenues by more than 300 percent from the 2014 level.

Zalora Philippines president and chief executive Paulo Campos said Wednesday the online retailer was pleased with the partnership with Ayala Group, as both expressed interest to expand the local e-commerce space and raise the Zalora platform by attracting more brands.

Campos said the synergy between Zalora and the Ayala Group was not a form of buy-out, but more of a primary investment where Ayala would provide a sizable capital infusion allowing it to own a 49-percent stake in Zalora Philippines for an undisclosed amount.

“This is a big vote of confidence for us. We are still fleshing out the initiatives but we are totally excited to be part of one of the biggest key market players in the industry. We’ve been working with three of its biggest portfolios for sometime. We mutually explored this partnership together. Working togehter is something we talked about,” Campos said.

He said among the initiatives being considered was the payment space in collaboration with Bank of the Philippine Islands and Globe Telecom. Zalora is also working out an arrangement with Globe to allow free access to the Zalora website and enhanced digital connectivity. Othel V. Campos

Philab appoints Berberabe as CEO

45.00

49.50

IN BRIEF

PHILIPPINE Airlines said Wednesday it will start direct flights between Manila and seven cities in the Middle East on March 26.

PAL said it would fly non-stop from Manila to Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Dammam and Riyadh.

PAL said the Manila-Dubai flights would operate seven times weekly; Manila-Doha and Manila-Kuwait, four times weekly each; Manila-Jeddah and Manila-Abu Dhabi, thrice weekly each; Manila -Dammam, five-times-a-week; and ManilaRiyadh, seven-times-a-week.

PAL is currently flying to Ku-

wait and Jeddah via Dubai, while the Manila to Doha flight is via Abu Dhabi.

“The non-stop service will give us a better product to offer our kababayans, our overseas Filipino workers,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.

The current operating aircraft for the Middle East is PAL’s all-economy 414- seater Airbus A330.

The shift to the bi-class A330, with full-flat beds on business class, will take place on June 15 for Dubai; July 15 for Abu Dhabi and Doha; Aug. 15 for Riyadh; and Sept. 15 for Kuwait and Jeddah.

“The shift to bi-class service across all Middle East routes gives our passengers the flexibility to choose between regular economy, premium economy and business class service,” Bautista said.

PAL said with the non-stop operations to and from Manila, travelers from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia would now have direct and non-stop travel to the Philippines and connections to other international destinations where PAL has operations.

PAL expects to carry 15 million domestic and international passengers this year, up from

13.5 million passengers last year.

The airline, now whollyowned by tycoon Lucio Tan after he bought back a 49-percent stake that San Miguel Corp. purchased from him in 2012, posted a comprehensive income of P2.96 billion in the first nine months of 2016, lower by 54.8 percent than the previous year’s P6.55 billion.

Revenues in January to September rose 3.5 percent to P85.35 billion from P82.48 billion a year ago.

The airline’s total operating expenses increased 8.9 percent to P76.21 billion.

Darwin G. Amojelar

SC ruling frustrates electricity consumers

SPECIAL LAMPS. The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts teams up with furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue and Habitat for Humanity Philippines to support the renowned designer’s project First Light or special edition lamps designed as delicate houses and sculpted in metal that come in sets of three, with each lamp able to hold one tealight candle. Shown during the launch at The Bellevue Manila’s Tower Wing Lobby are (from left) BH&R chairman Johnny Chan, The Bellevue Manila managing director Patrick Chan, HFHP ambassador Kenneth Cobonpue and B Hotels managing director Ryan Chan. Proceeds generated from the sale of First Light lamps will go towards HFHP’s project of rebuilding houses for families affected by typhoon Yolanda.

HOUSEHOLD consumers, counting on their long-delayed dividends from energy sector reforms, found themselves empty-handed this week after the Supreme Court gave way to lastditch efforts to derail retail competition and open access in the electric power industry, according to a nongovernment organization advocating consumer welfare.

Jake Silo, spokesperson of Action for Consumerism and Transparency in Nation Building, said consumers were hoping that the onset of mandatory contestability on Feb. 26 would result in lower electricity prices.

The group said this might no longer proceed, following the issuance of a temporary restraining order by the Supreme Court en banc on Feb. 21 against the implementation of RCOA. Mandatory contestability advances RCOA in the electric power industry, as it vests the competitive retail electricity market with volume demand from large power consumers or those whose average peak demand is at least 1 megawatt.

Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, all large power consumers were supposed to migrate to the CREM on Feb. 26, when they would be free to choose from among licensed retail electricity suppliers. Their migration has been voluntary since 2013, when RCOA officially started.

The SC decided to grant the TRO sought by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which led the last-ditch efforts to prevent the mandatory migration of large users of electricity from the captive market to CREM. “The interests of rich industries have won over the interests of millions of household consumers once again. We have seen this play out over the past 12 years that RCOA has stalled. With the vigorous push coming from the Energy Regulatory Commission led by its head Jose Vicente Salazar, this year is the closest we came to the goal, so to be denied our victory feels like an injustice. How much longer must we wait until the promise of Epira is finally realized in the lives of ordinary Filipinos,” said Silo.

PHILAB Holdings Corp., a local health sciences enabling company, announced the appointment of lawyer Darlene Marie Berberabe as the new president and chief executive.

Berberabe, who served as president and chief executive of the state-run Home Mutual Development Fund or PagIBIG since 2010 before joining Philab, was recognized as the ‘Asia CEO of the Year Award for Public Sector Leadership’ and awarded as one of ‘The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service for Government Service’ by the Towns Foundation in 2013.

“Philab’s mission of making healthcare a priority—viable and affordable to everyone regardless of their wealth or lack of and stature in life, appealed to me, and I thought, I want to be part of this,” Berberabe said.

Berberabe graduated summa cum laude from UP Diliman with a degree in BA Philosophy in 1989 and was salutatorian of the class 1999 of the College of Law in the University of the Philippines where she also taught from 1988 until 2008.

Prior to pursuing law, she secured a Master of Arts Degree in Philosophy in 1995 in the same institution. In 1989, she finished her undergraduate course (Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy).

She replaced Tom Navasero who now sits as the chairman of the board.

“Philab has always been committed towards pioneering life sciences and healthcare. I am confident that this new leadership will continue what my father had envisioned and that Philab will continue to grow and contribute to the healthcare industry in the Philippines,” said Navasero.

SM Group posts P31-b net income

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM INVESTMENTS Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, said Wednesday net income rose 8 percent in 2016 to a record P31.2 billion from a year ago, on sustained growth of core businesses.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the property business accounted for 39 percent of total earnings, while banks comprised 37 percent and retail, 24 percent.

“Our core businesses performed well and continue to grow in line with the country’s strong economic development. We are optimistic about continued development and that government plans for infrastructure, agriculture and tourism in particular will enable broader regional growth.

SM continues to prioritize regional investment and our nationwide expansion plans are focused on effective execution,” SMIC president Harley Sy said.

Revenues climbed 9 percent to P362.8 billion last year, up from P332.8 billion in 2015, fueled by an 8-percent increase in retail revenues and a 12-percent growth in property revenues.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

EDC’s net income rises 24% to P9.7b

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp., the country’s largest geothermal and wind energy company led by the Lopez Group, said Wednesday net income climbed 23.7 percent in 2016 to P9.72 billon from P7.86 billion in 2015.

EDC’s core net income also rose 4 percent to P9.16 billion from P8.8 billion, on improved performance and lower operating expenses of the Negros Island and First Gen Hydro business units.

Revenues, however, declined slightly to P34.2 billion, on lower electricity prices last year.

“The Bacman and Nasulo geothermal plants were amongst the most exposed to last year’s record-low electricity spot market prices. A reported 25-percent average drop in prices for these

plants resulted in a revenue loss of over P1.4 billion full-year,” EDC chief financial officer Nestor Vasay said in a statement.

Vasay said EDC had “moved quickly to address and manage the downside from potentially low spot market prices.”

EDC lined up contracts that would cover 100 percent of Bacman’s capacity and almost 80 percent of Nasulo’s as of endDecember 2016.

The company’s 150-megawatt Burgos wind farm, the largest in the country, continued to build on its 2015 performance.

Revenues from the Burgos wind project in Ilocos Norte increased by almost P400 million as annual wind energy generation increased by 60 gigawatt-hours to 320 gWh from 260 gWh in 2015.

Peso, stock mart slide after Trump’s speech B OTH the peso and the local stocks slid Wednesday, after Donald Trump’s speech in Congress received a mixed response and two Federal Reserve officials suggested US interest rates could rise this month.

The peso closed at a new 10year low against the greenback Wednesday, as most currency markets felt the likelihood of an interest rates hike by the Fed. The peso lost seven centavos to close at 50.28 a dollar, down from 50.21 a dollar Tuesday. It was the local currency’s weakest level in more than 10 years, or

since it settled at 50.32 against the greenback on Sept. 26, 2006.

Total volume turnover reached $429.8 million Wednesday.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in an e-mailed statement that currency markets, including the Philippines, reflected the higher likelihood of a US Fed rate hike

at its mid-March meeting.

“US interest rates overnight were higher to reflect hawkish statements from key and voting members of the FOMC [Federal Open Market Committee]. The chances of a Fed rate hike this month has increased to more than 50 percent from last week’s 40 percent,” Cuyegkeng said.

Cuyegkeng also said the market took the address of President Trump in US Congress as “lacking in details about government deficit spending and tax reform. The reiteration of such intentions and objectives still resonated among investors but not as much as the higher likelihood of further tightening of monetary policy by mid-March.”

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.44 38,000 48 14,200 94.55 1,111,390 4.35 50,000 116 985,180 39.95 30,800 16 16,100 19.68 21,400 7.72 1,100 1.69 18,000 835 300 0.67 3,158,000 79.85 1,418,820 0.74 59,000 14.6 109,500 25.8 100 57 797,330 242 10 110.1 280 90 4,110 39 37,300 200.2 606,790 1,800 325 79.05 16,360 1.22 5,000

126,000 682,895 105,020,018.50 217,450 114,730,400 1,231,740 259,726 419,760 8,492 30,420 250,500 2,116,250 113,326,017 44,200 1,583,980 2,580 45,450,871 2,420 31,021 369,820 1,453,385 121,584,045 562,950 1,292,824 6,100

601,020 -15,788,275 -4,254,399 -78,596 -51,008 83,500 1,360 46,438,233 2,920 2,580 305,977.50 -1,115,715.00 -67,836,024 86,500 1,072,298.50 -

42.75 5.4 0.85 1.43 19.1 0.28 8.83 16.14 23.05 15 61.5 94 2.1 6.08 11.86 12.8 7.87 6.74 5.71 1.76 21 72.1 12.22 17 6.5 1.69 201.6 71 7.15 3.7 30.05 26.5 15.82 291 0.25 6.69 3.47 8.66 11.56 2.3 7 1.88 78 4.85 260 4.92 2.75 12.28 0.146 1.47 159.8 1.65 1.06

INDUSTRIAL 42.8 466,900 5.45 334,400 0.86 80,000 1.45 2,780,000 20.35 82,600 0.29 11,550,000 8.91 10,859,000 16.3 3,833,800 23.4 161,500 15.2 20,000 61.5 10 94.5 840 2.12 593,000 6.1 45,100 12 34,900 13 2,502,200 7.89 41,200 6.86 3,492,500 5.75 18,308,100 1.76 3,000 21.2 626,200 72.2 42,200 12.22 1,200 17 13,100 6.6 385,300 1.75 592,000 202.8 296,860 74 1,630 7.2 4,314,300 3.7 10,000 30.9 1,346,700 26.7 173,800 16.02 1,807,100 291 98,370 0.255 11,780,000 6.69 28,500 3.47 148,000 8.66 1,349,600 11.56 1,200 2.34 487,000 7 449,800 1.89 690,000 78.25 782,400 5 313,000 264 700 4.94 51,000 2.75 242,000 12.42 1,239,900 0.146 330,000 1.5 358,000 163 1,131,750 1.68 880,000 1.06 146,000

20,005,985 1,818,749 68,580 4,063,420 1,706,865 3,341,650 97,164,989 62,438,428 3,765,060 303,518 615 79,440 1,248,430 275,214 418,786 32,302,196 325,453 23,799,252 105,460,979 5,280 13,231,330 3,065,278 14,696 222,700 2,538,396 1,018,620 60,083,324 119,830 32,267,034 37,000 41,488,830 4,627,085 28,849,388 28,730,854 3,012,400 192,325 513,860 11,773,787 13,872 1,129,290 3,149,078 1,320,540 61,413,057 1,550,910 182,832 251,280 674,910 15,341,818 48,350 530,520 183,848,979 1,465,340 155,860

-15,808,320 119,978 17,100 -13,967,941 -26,795,508 -14,040 303,518 -5,737,550 -28,304 -4,041,566 -65,268,830 1,765,270 -790,536.50 210,800 887,755 3,500 -11,217,888 889,925 -14,677,115 -3,763,135 -3,768,036 -18,073,978 153,000 329,650 -4,389,127 842,740.00 -1,436,575 -91,570 -5,883,972 1,119,220.00 -26,000 -88,800 4,147,460 8,124,531 -235,020 -

0.405 73.35 12.88 1.19 6.46 0.4 0.395 788.5 8.92 12.92 7.96 0.185 1,210 6.09 77 1.22 7.9 14.88 6.98 3.11 0.058 2 108 2.64 662 1.59 269.8 0.295 0.26

0.38 72.5 12.5 1.14 6.06 0.37 0.38 784 8.8 12.72 7.96 0.184 1,201 6.09 75.05 1.12 7.72 14.68 6.76 3.11 0.053 1.99 106 2.5 657 1.51 263.6 0.295 0.255

HOLDING FIRMS 0.39 5,080,000 72.9 365,620 12.68 63,129,600 1.14 6,000 6.2 48,100 0.395 10,970,000 0.39 840,000 784 125,750 8.8 1,540,200 12.86 2,661,000 7.96 1,200 0.184 1,120,000 1,201 88,195 6.09 900 75.3 505,010 1.13 56,233,000 7.9 494,400 14.82 3,791,000 6.9 74,960,900 3.11 4,000 0.057 176,260,000 2 70,000 107 423,620 2.64 21,000 660 234,780 1.55 2,511,000 269.8 6,820 0.295 550,000 0.26 320,000

2,015,900 26,677,099.50 802,437,112 6,890 303,396 4,284,350 321,800 98,756,530 13,569,757 34,163,580 9,552 207,000 106,111,355 5,481 38,139,024 65,411,760 3,869,909 56,067,724 517,491,730 12,440 9,853,570 139,700 45,440,143 54,540 154,874,555 3,895,460 1,826,380 162,250 82,800

-8,353,609.50 -9,248,412 -95,000 -41,851,155 4,890,894 -5,559,202 -26,869,025 -20,394,006 504,000 -1,167,566 153,534 -178,992,603 171,600 5,204,858 -38,707,730 153,190 -331,432 29,500 7,650

6.7 1.03 2.6 1.48 35.75 3.54 5.05 0.52 1.07 1.32 0.161 0.56 53.4 0.7 0.165 1.68 0.99 1.27 3.74 0.163 0.32 0.59 4.83

6.59 1.01 2.5 1.33 35.1 3.43 5.05 0.51 1.03 1.28 0.16 0.55 52.55 0.7 0.16 1.65 0.98 1.22 3.63 0.16 0.31 0.55 4.6

1,312,884 220,170 3,792,760 115,006,010 125,000,310 4,695,960 278,255 2,272,290 14,790 113,120 1,192,430 1,552,530 13,686,612 700 70,100 2,892,640 1,926,350 15,140 57,958,880 944,600 211,050 11,895,010 3,531,880

-840,225 597,690 6,983,255 -2,721,120 46,920 585,750 -1,567,263 -809,620 -980,000 14,950,760 -73,950 65,720 -13,950

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.35 48.25 94 4.35 115.1 40.15 16 19.94 7.72 1.69 835 0.66 81 0.75 14.2 25.8 57.2 242 110.1 90 38.8 199.9 1,730 79.05 1.22

3.5 48.3 94.8 4.35 117.4 40.15 16.18 19.94 7.72 1.69 835 0.68 81 0.75 14.6 25.8 57.2 242 112 90 39.05 202.8 1,800 79.05 1.22

3.2 48 93.75 4.34 115.1 39.95 16 19.5 7.72 1.69 835 0.66 79.4 0.74 14.2 25.8 57 242 110.1 89 38.8 198.9 1,730 79 1.22

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

43 5.47 0.85 1.45 21.05 0.285 9.11 16.14 23.3 15 61.5 95 2.14 6.1 12 13 7.98 6.86 5.88 1.76 21.1 73.1 12.3 17 6.5 1.74 202 71 7.8 3.7 30.05 26.7 15.84 292 0.26 6.87 3.47 8.82 11.56 2.3 7.1 1.88 79 4.85 260 4.92 2.8 12.3 0.15 1.47 160.1 1.69 1.07

43.15 5.47 0.86 1.49 21.8 0.3 9.18 16.34 23.4 15.2 61.5 95 2.14 6.13 12 13 7.98 6.9 5.9 1.76 21.25 73.5 12.3 17 6.65 1.75 204 74 7.88 3.7 30.9 26.7 16.16 293.8 0.26 6.87 3.48 8.82 11.56 2.34 7.1 1.96 79 5.03 264 4.94 2.81 12.42 0.15 1.5 163 1.69 1.07

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG 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 MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG ZEUS HLDG

0.385 73.15 12.7 1.19 6.43 0.37 0.38 788 8.92 12.72 7.96 0.185 1,207 6.09 75.1 1.18 7.74 14.88 6.8 3.11 0.054 1.99 107 2.5 662 1.51 267 0.295 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 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP

6.7 1.03 2.56 1.35 35.1 3.43 5.05 0.52 1.07 1.28 0.161 0.56 53.05 0.7 0.165 1.66 0.99 1.27 3.64 0.162 0.32 0.56 4.68

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

23.7 1.62 3.35 28.9 1.02 0.89 4.66

24.1 1.7 3.35 29 1.05 0.92 4.8

23.3 1.62 3.3 28.6 1 0.89 4.65

23.4 1.7 3.3 28.7 1.02 0.92 4.8

1,867,200 178,000 27,000 4,583,800 20,512,000 73,000 2,216,000

43,776,615 301,400 89,200 131,769,115 21,192,800 65,190 10,482,480

-9,585,985 -95,854,940 701,200

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT

7.84 48 1.46 0.55 10.12 5.6 7.21 0.065 2.45 93.3 9.84 8.8 2.35 970 1,828 6.09 16.3 3.24 3.98 74.05 0.0094 9.05 0.201 1.36 3.22 13.02 3.86 3.17 2.15 5.06 3.82 2.71 11.1 5.65 3.29 8.8 1,430 1.42 0.41 46.05 81.15 6.13 2.43 1.08 3.22 0.4

7.84 48 1.59 0.55 10.84 5.6 7.45 0.066 2.52 93.4 9.84 8.89 2.47 970 1,828 6.15 16.64 3.4 3.99 75 0.0094 9.05 0.202 1.37 3.22 14.14 3.9 3.17 2.36 5.07 3.82 2.77 11.1 5.65 3.29 9.02 1,431 1.42 0.425 46.4 81.15 6.4 2.46 1.1 3.24 0.4

7.8 47 1.46 0.52 10.1 5.16 7.21 0.064 2.44 90.1 9.83 8.8 2.16 970 1,788 6.08 16.28 3.21 3.85 74.05 0.0093 9.05 0.198 1.36 3.05 13.02 3.81 3.05 2.12 4.95 3.72 2.65 11.1 5.3 3.28 8.8 1,400 1.4 0.405 46 80 6.13 2.42 1.07 3.22 0.39

SERVICES 7.84 47.1 1.47 0.52 10.26 5.16 7.45 0.065 2.51 90.4 9.83 8.85 2.16 970 1,797 6.08 16.64 3.3 3.93 75 0.0093 9.05 0.198 1.37 3.19 14.14 3.9 3.05 2.3 5 3.81 2.76 11.1 5.31 3.29 9 1,400 1.42 0.42 46.1 80 6.25 2.45 1.1 3.24 0.395

42,600 46,300 16,000 205,000 7,200 3,100 2,590,900 2,300,000 1,636,000 267,240 300 778,600 104,000 200 28,850 392,600 82,800 4,606,000 341,000 2,909,150 4,000,000 410,000 5,930,000 242,000 459,000 600 1,218,000 977,000 136,000 1,586,000 547,000 1,977,000 5,000 31,200 53,000 302,300 106,425 4,841,000 1,930,000 5,741,400 2,238,500 175,600 626,000 7,885,000 22,000 1,780,000

333,288 2,180,550 23,930 108,540 73,530 16,917 19,042,312 150,480 4,077,340 24,232,852.50 2,950 6,871,328 246,870 194,000 51,838,545 2,390,048 1,373,846 15,171,150 1,322,850 217,649,060 37,500 3,710,500 1,180,400 329,440 1,422,760 8,372 4,719,520 2,989,150 309,530 7,956,910 2,071,700 5,339,950 55,500 165,736 174,340 2,706,677 149,172,290 6,855,280 808,700 265,047,910 179,784,013 1,106,441 1,528,030 8,595,100 70,860 707,450

221,464 -6,360 -6,294,715 -24,800 -6,991,213.50 -280,070 64,800 -13,121,725.50 198,000 -3,873,340 -1,068,480 -32,320.00 -3,378,846.00 396,120 164,470 170,120 -24,901,970 -655,800 -68,490,290 640,437 -648,400 1,420,380 -

402,400 4,721,510 898,772 15,220 67,930 3,910 168,050 211,300 363,918 3,917,730 1,366,810 988,160 98,000 3,824,370 8,071,423 428,170 73,100 799,520 520,800 24,000 71,010 132,900 3,743,176 16,037,050 136,989,189 199,770 44,000

96,000 -405,300 -1,910 2,467,130 2,855,260 -3,014,371 89,516 -62,310 -47,831,329 -

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.64 1.02 2.58 1.48 35.55 3.5 5.05 0.52 1.07 1.32 0.16 0.55 53 0.7 0.16 1.65 0.99 1.27 3.73 0.163 0.315 0.56 4.75

197,600 217,000 1,498,000 81,329,000 3,518,100 1,342,000 55,100 4,426,000 14,000 88,000 7,450,000 2,822,000 258,640 1,000 430,000 1,751,000 1,959,000 12,000 15,609,000 5,870,000 670,000 20,932,000 751,000

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET A BENGUET B 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 TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0032 1.95 5.79 9.62 1.91 2 0.46 0.44 11.06 2.47 0.255 0.19 0.196 1.86 6.8 2.43 0.54 0.94 0.011 0.012 4.22 0.015 9.16 3.27 142.2 2.86 0.0088

0.0033 2.03 5.8 11.48 1.95 2 0.49 0.46 11.2 2.51 0.26 0.191 0.196 1.89 6.85 2.64 0.54 0.96 0.012 0.012 4.22 0.015 9.45 3.5 147.2 2.95 0.0088

0.0031 1.91 5.79 9.62 1.91 1.91 0.46 0.44 10.82 2.46 0.247 0.188 0.196 1.85 6.68 2.43 0.41 0.9 0.011 0.012 4.15 0.014 9.16 3.27 142.2 2.84 0.0088

MINING & OIL 0.0032 126,000,000 1.93 2,415,000 5.79 155,200 11.48 1,400 1.95 35,000 1.91 2,000 0.49 350,000 0.46 460,000 11 33,200 2.51 1,568,000 0.25 5,510,000 0.19 5,190,000 0.196 500,000 1.89 2,033,000 6.75 1,194,700 2.45 172,000 0.45 160,000 0.91 880,000 0.012 45,200,000 0.012 2,000,000 4.2 17,000 0.015 9,200,000 9.43 397,800 3.49 4,700,000 146.4 937,180 2.84 70,000 0.0088 5,000,000

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

47 529 106 104 5.84 1,040 1.04 106.7 1,110 1,021 2.06 76.95 82 76.6 78 81 78.1 79.1

47 529 106 104 5.85 1,040 1.04 106.7 1,110 1,021 2.06 77.15 82 76.6 78 81 78.1 79.1

45.65 529 106 104 5.84 1,031 1.04 106 1,110 1,020 2.06 76.95 82 76.6 78 81 78.1 79.1

PREFERRED 46.5 270,900 529 330 106 7,660 104 5,500 5.85 1,551,100 1,031 1,650 1.04 10,000 106.5 18,630 1,110 10 1,020 1,060 2.06 6,000 77.15 31,200 82 9,410 76.6 1,000 78 6,320 81 43,200 78.1 133,400 79.1 126,050

12,608,430 174,570 811,960 572,000 9,071,734 1,714,650 10,400 1,983,770 11,100 1,081,210 12,360 2,406,940 771,620 76,600 492,960 3,499,200 10,418,540 9,970,555

-7,706,645 -3,209,450.00 -

LR WARRANT

2.14

2.14

2.09

WARRANTS 2.09 398,000

843,590

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.53 2.95 7.18 8.49

3.6 2.95 7.18 8.51

3.49 2.95 6.94 8.29

3.6 2.95 6.94 8.29

811,220 126,850 2,266,794 19,511,028

35,000 -2,986,630

FIRST METRO ETF

118.5

118.5

118.1

847,224

4,740

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

8,499,790

INDUSTRIAL

85,352,112

HOLDING FIRMS

402,741,219

PROPERTY

180,681,395

SERVICES

61,915,590

MINING & OIL

214,306,175

GRAND TOTAL

956,431,044

SME

231,000 43,000 324,300 2,329,300

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.4 7,160

VALUE 1,778.80 (up) 0.30 510,821,610.90 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,047.38 (up) 33.13 864,579,829.27 HOLDING FIRMS 7,269.73 (down) 53.08 2,043,970,753.644 PROPERTY 3,234.71 (down) 17.22 SERVICES 1,402.05 (down) 26.09 557,696,212.51 MINING & OIL 12,404.92 (up) 197.18 1,016,749,584.60 PSEI 7,170.70 (down) 41.37 184,213,991.64 All Shares Index 4,347.17 (down) 21.21 5,201,595,122.564 Gainers:93; Losers: 95; Unchanged: 46; Total: 234

Cuyegkeng said the peso was expected to remain range-bound for now trading between 50.10 and 50.40 as markets awaited additional cues from US Fed chair Janet Yellen at her Friday’s assessment of the US economy.

At the stock market, the Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, dropped 41 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 7,170.70. It was the market’s fourth consecutive decline, which reduced total gains this year to 4.8 percent.

The heavier index, representing all shares, went down 21 points, or 0.5 percent, to finish at 4,347.17, on a value turnover of P5.2 billion.

Losers outnumbered gainers, 95 to 93, while 46 issues were unchanged.

Nine of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by developer Arthaland Corp. which jumped 14.7 percent to P1.48 and Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which gained 2.9 percent to P146.40.

Universal Robina Corp. advanced 1.9 percent to P163.

Meanwhile, Asian equity markets were subdued despite forecast-beating readings on Chinese factory activity and Australian growth.

In Washington President Trump’s much-anticipated address to both houses of Congress was short on detail but provided enough to keep traders mainly upbeat.

The tycoon pledged $1 trillion in public-private infrastructure spending and “massive” tax cuts for the middle class, but he did not say how any of it would be paid for.

With AFP, Bloomberg

Philex doubles profit to P1.56b

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales PHILEX Mining Corp. said Wednesday net income doubled last year, led by higher copper production, improved metal prices and favorable exchange rate.

Philex said in a statement net income in 2016 hit P1.56 billion, up by 102 percent from P776-million profit in 2015. Net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company grew 77 percent to P1.58 billion from P896 million.

Core net income also went up 83 percent to P1.65 billion from P905 million.

Philex said copper concentrate production reached 73,107 dry metric tons last year, the highest since 2008, which was generally attributed to operational improvement.

Foreign exchange rate averaged P47.80 per US dollar in 2016, down from P45.31 a greenback the previous year.

The company’s Padcal mine milled 9.4 million tons of ore last year, up from 9.2 million tons in 2015. The tonnage translated into 35 million pounds of copper produced, which was 3 percent more than the previous year’s 34.1 million pounds as copper grades improved to 0.206 percent from 0.205 percent.

Gold production dropped to 103,304 ounces last year from 107,887 ounces in 2015, because of lower grades of 0.417 grams per ton in 2016 compared to 0.438 grams per ton in the previous year.

Revenues increased 12 percent in 2016 to P10.272 billion from P9.189 billion a year earlier, with copper accounting for P3.976 billion, up by 10 percent from P3.450 billion in 2015.

Business

B3

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Renewables surge; RCOA debate rages

PH-CAMBODIA TIES. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol (second from left) welcomes Cambodia’s Secretary of State for Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ty Sokhun (third from left) during a courtesy call and meeting at the DA Central Office in Quezon City. With them are (from left) Cambodian Agricultural Research and Development Institute director Ouk Makara, International Rice Research Institute Development specialist 2 Georgina Vergara, General Directorate of Agriculture director of department of rice crops Ngin Chhay and GDA director general Hean Vanham. The Cambodian delegates visited the country, through IRRI’s program, to learn new technologies particularly seed varieties and share knowledge on rice farming.

Pilipinas Shell’s profit jumps 105% to P7.4b

By Alena Mae S. Flores

O

IL refiner and distributor Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said Wednesday net income surged 105 percent last year to P7.4 billion from P3.6 billion in 2015 despite lower oil prices, amid a retail network expansion program.

“The strong financial performance is driven by increased premium fuel penetration, strong retail volume growth, successful marketing campaigns and logistics cost savings that offset the impact of lower commercial sales volumes and extended refinery downtime in fourth quarter,” Pilipinas Shell said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Revenues, however, dropped to P136.76 billion in 2016 from P156.98 billion in 2015, mainly because of lower oil prices last year.

The country’s second biggest oil player said the premium fuel penetration increased to 27 percent from 23 percent in 2015, amid the high preference of motorists for Shellbranded premium fuels.

Pilipinas Shell owns a 110,000-barrel-aday refinery in Tabangao, Batangas.

“The growth of Pilipinas Shell’s retail network, which continues to be the nation’s most efficient in terms of throughput, underpins Pilipinas Shell’s ability to generate strong cash flows to fund its investment programs,” the company said.

Shell ended 2016 with 996 active retail sites. The company’s retail volume grew 4 percent from the prior year.

Shell said its commercial business faced some challenges in the power sector, but specific businesses such as bitumen and lubricants exhibited double-digit growth from 2015 to 2016.

The increasing number of infrastructure projects in the country supported the growth of bitumen business.

Shell said it would invest $13 million to upgrade its refinery and allow production of bitumen, a crucial component of asphalt which is used for road surfacing and roofing.

“Committed to developing smarter products, Shell Helix and Shell Advance delivered strong brand performance through innovative methods, marketing initiatives and cost management efforts that boosted the growth of Lubricants business,” Shell said.

Pilipinas Shell also paid out an interim dividend based on first-half 2016 results in August last year, amounting to P3.3 billion.

Pilipinas Shell started producing Euro-IV compliant fuels in January 2016 in line with its commitment to promote smarter mobility and smarter products in the country.

The company’s North Mindanao Import Facility in Cagayan de Oro started operations in June 2016. It is considered a game changer for the company as it is positioned to deliver significant logistics cost savings.

“Always aiming to meet current and future energy demands while contributing in creating a new energy future, Pilipinas Shell is committed to continuously grow its marketing business across the retail, commercial and non-fuel retail sectors, enabled by an efficient, safe and reliable manufacturing, supply and distribution chain and driven by strong corporate governance and world-class talent development,” Pilipinas Shell said.

Pilipinas Shell said it would continue to focus on maximizing cash generation while optimizing shareholder returns; carrying out disciplined expansion and capital allocation; and generating attractive dividends of at least 75 percent of prior year audited net income.

Power supply turns tight as 8 plants shut down NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines declared a yellow alert for the Luzon grid for three hours Wednesday, after eight power plants with a combined capacity of 3,000 megawatts went offline.

National Grid declared the yellow alert starting 10 a.m. because of thin power reserves in Luzon grid. The yellow alert was lifted 2 p.m.

The grid operator said power generation capacity for Luzon fell to 9,196 MW, while demand

reached 8,629 MW, following the tripping of San Gabriel power plant due to boiler feed pump trouble at 8:05 a.m.

The government was forced to run the second unit of the Malaya thermal power plant in Rizal with a capacity of 320 MW to augment the supply.

Around 150 MW was also transferred to the Luzon grid via the high-voltage direct current transmission line.

Power plants that were on main-

tenance outage Wednesday included the Calaca Unit 2 (300 MW), Quezon Power Philippines (509 MW), Calaca U1 (300 MW), Masinloc U2 (300 MW), GN Power U1 (300 MW), GN Power U2 (300 MW), Kalayaan U1 (177MW) and Sta. Rita U1 (265 MW).

Aside from the 414-MW San Gabriel natural gas plant which suffered boiler feed pump trouble, Kalayaan U2 (177 MW) also encountered excitation system trouble.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on Energy and officials of Manila Electric Co. expressed confidence that power supply would be adequate during the dry months.

Cusi said this would also depend on the maintenance schedule of the power plants and the anticipated temperature during the dry months.

Alena Mae S. Flores

RENEWABLES are fast making their way into the energy mainstream and could be the norm in the not-so-distant future. Even Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil producer and exporter, is turning to wind and solar to generate electricity at home.

The Middle East kingdom plans to develop nearly 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023, starting with wind and solar plants in its vast northwestern desert. The effort could replace the equivalent of 80,000 barrels of oil a day now burned for power, a Bloomberg report said. Saudi Arabia, in all, is seeking $30 billion to $50 billion worth of investment in renewables.

In the Philippines, renewables already account for about 30 percent of the country’s power mix, compared with the plan of the more developed European Union to generate 20 percent of energy from similar sources by 2020. The share of renewable energy sources is expected to further increase amid the plan of government-led National Renewable Energy Plan to triple the capacity to 15,304 megawatts by 2030.

More entering the fray A relatively new aggressive company is making its own stride in the renewables sector. Pure Energy Holdings Corp. is on the prowl to strategically acquire assets, develop natural resources that are sustainable, and be a basic service provider for the needs of the community.

Pure Energy’s existing and planned projects, under unit Repower Energy Development Corp., will have a total capacity of 153 MW, of which 123 to 125 MW will come from hydro energy. The company plans more investments in the renewable energy sector―besides hydropower ventures―to build up its portfolio to 500 MW in five years, company officials said.

Pure Energy is looking at a basket of renewable energy projects such as wind, solar and biomass to expand the portfolio, after it lists its shares in the local stock exchange. It already owns 50 percent plus one share in a joint venture named Pure Meridian Hydropower Corp., which has nine projects. These include a 10.6-MW project in Bukidnon, which has just broken ground with construction soon to start.

The company also broke ground for the second project with Manila Electric Co., a 3-MW station in the province of Quezon. Then there’s a run-of-river hydro power plant in Pulanai River, Bukidnon that is expected to generate more than 74 gigawatt-hours annually.

Aside from Meralco, Pure Energy is jointly developing a P620million hydro power plant with the Tiu-Laurel family behind the food and fishing conglomerate Frabelle Corp. The 3-MW facility will be built in the upper cascade of the Labayat River.

A recent report from Philippine Electricity Market Corp. said renewable energy investments had saved the Philippines P4.04 billion.

Renewable energy technologies have the potential to bring the Philippines to a state of energy independence.

Muddled issue The Supreme Court on Tuesday last week temporarily barred the government from implementing new regulations that compelled big consumers starting on February 26 to enter into a power supply deal with any of the retail electricity suppliers accredited by the Department of Energy and the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The TRO did not effectively stop the implementation of the retail competition and open access, or RCOA, as some misinformed sectors want to make it appear.

These groups claimed the Supreme Court order could lead to unfair competition. Not really. The TRO actually empowers customers to decide on their own, instead of favoring big generators and generatorRES. It gives consumers the power to choose and not impose on customers to abandon existing power suppliers The DoE and ERC resolutions mandated that customers who consume more than 1 MW and 750MW of power must discard their current suppliers, even if they are already satisfied with the arrangement.

Some quarters have complained that electricity consumers would be forced to buy their power only from retail electricity suppliers “handpicked” and accredited by the ERC. The local RES who were previously allowed by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to sell power to the contestable customers were disallowed by the ERC and ordered to wind down their operations.

But why force these customers to leave if they do not want to?

The SC did not not stop or delay RCOA. Consumers are still free to buy their power from the ERC-licensed RES if they choose to. They are not prevented from doing so by the SC. What the TRO prevented is the order of the ERC to force consumers to buy their power only from ERC-licensed RES. The RCOA, thus, is still in place and effective contrary to what the some sector claims.

Several customers have deferred switching their suppliers when the TRO was issued because they believe mandatory contestability is disadvantageous to them. About 140 electricity customers readily requested a delay in their RCOA switching applications.

Electricity consumers are not keen on abandoning their current suppliers, who have been providing them with efficient service, in favor of RES licensed by the DoE and ERC. Small business enterprises, the academe, power sector watchdog and electricity consumer groups have lauded the SC TRO because it gives back their right to freedom of choice as envisioned by Epira.

“We believe that our government and regulating bodies should protect our basic, constitutional right to freedom of choice. And this right should extend to all electricity consumers. If we are allowed to choose the best supplier for our needs in a market that is allowed to work freely and for the common good, then such a scenario will be most beneficial to all consumers concerned, especially those smaller scale contestable,” one consumer said.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@thestandard.com.ph or extrastory2000@gmail.com

How much weaker is peso likely to get?

THERE is a drama being played out these days in the foreign exchange market. It is not an insignificant drama and it is keeping the leadership of the BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) on its toes – and probably losing sleep. I refer to the sustained weakening of the peso.

On Feb. 17, 2017 the peso-US dollar exchange rate breached the sensitive P50 per dollar mark.

That’s the lowest level that that key exchange rate has touched since Sept. 26, 2006. For several weeks, this country’s currency has been stuck at the around P50 level and there seems to be no immediate solution to its downward drift. Some analysts, for reasons of their own – to please their friends in the government, to please clients and to make a contribution toward the calming of the foreign exchange market – have been forecasting that the peso will stay close to its present level, even become slightly stronger. Other analyses are less sanguine.

Generally, there are four key players in a country’s foreign exchange market. In the current Philippine situation those players – not in order of importance – are the perceived stability of the government, the level of the nation’s external reserves, the central bank’s competence in dealing with the foreign exchange market’s movements and the strength of this country’s balance of payments.

In 2016, the Philippines incurred a $420-million deficit in its BOP. This was caused principally by the outflow of foreign funds in anticipation of, and immediately after, the US Federal Reserve Board’s long-awaited raising of its key interest rate and by the deficit in the trade account of the BOP. Set against the size of the BSP’s gross international reserve, $420 million was absorbable.

But a country obviously cannot incur a string of large BOP deficits without reducing its foreign exchange management capability.

At end-2016 the BSP’s GIR stood at close to $86 billion. Such a reserve is capable of financing

nine months’ worth of imports. And the inflow of foreign exchange remittances by the OFW (overseas Filipino workers) has remained, so far, defiantly strong; in January the Bagong Bayani community remitted $2.6 billion to their Motherland.

While they may be at high level, the GIR should not be dissipated in a protracted effort to keep the peso strong and stable; the BSP has to think of rainy days. And let us not forget that the BSP has been known to bleed badly in its market-intervention operations.

Overall, the BSP has displayed competence and dexterity in its management of the nation’s external resources. It has managed to keep the peso’s value within economically tolerable limits over the last few months; after almost 70 years of Philippine central banking in this country it should be able to hold the fort in the time immediately ahead.

But the most important factor in the effort to prevent a further weakening of the peso is the perceived stability of the government. Put very

bluntly, it is President Duterte’s mouth. The presidential mouth is the peso’s worst enemy. Not all the best efforts of the BSP’s management, not the torrent of remittances by the OFW community, not all the strivings of this country’s exporters and BPO folk, will be able to keep the peso steady and strong if Mr. Duterte keeps on saying the things that he does and doing the things that he says. A change in Mr. Duterte’s vocabulary and in his concept of what is best for this country would work wonders for the peso.

Back to the title of this column. How much weaker is the peso likely to get? In my view the peso is likely to continue losing strength in the weeks and months ahead. How much loss, it is difficult to say because the foreign exchange market, like almost all markets, is to a large extent driven by sentiment. In the case of the Philippine foreign exchange market, that sentiment is largely formed

by President Duterte’s mouth.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Business

Trump pledges $1t for US infra

W

ASHINGTON—US President Donald Trump pledged Tuesday to bring one trillion dollars in public and private investment to rebuild what he called America’s crumbling infrastructure.

Trump made the promise in a high-stakes speech to a joint session of Congress, moving to make good on one of his main campaign pledges—rebuilding America’s roads, bridges, airports and other public structures.

“To launch our national rebuilding, I will be asking the Congress to approve legislation that produces a $1-trillion investment in the infrastructure of the United States—financed through both public and private capital—creating millions of

new jobs,” Trump said.

He gave no details on how the money would be spent.

Trump said the United States had spent six trillion dollars in the Middle East—he did not say on what or over what time period—while US infrastructure deteriorated.

“With this six trillion dollars we could have rebuilt our country—twice. And maybe even three times if we had people who had the ability to negotiate,” Trump said, reiterating his argu-

ment that his new administration will be better than previous ones at defending US interests when it comes to making a deal.

Again without giving details, Trump promised to introduce a “historic” tax reform.

He said this will cut corporate taxes on US companies “so they can compete and thrive anywhere and with anyone. At the same time, we will provide massive tax relief for the middle class.”

He also repeated a promise to impose taxes on imports of foreign products so as to protect US industry.

“Currently, when we ship products out of America, many other countries make us pay very high tariffs and taxes—but when foreign companies ship their products into America, we charge

them nothing or almost nothing,” Trump said.

He said he had a recent meeting with officials from HarleyDavidson who, he said, told him their motorcycles, in one particular unnamed country, are slapped with 100 percent taxes.

“They weren’t even asking for change. But I am,” Trump said.

“I believe strongly in free trade but it also has to be fair trade.”

Trump’s plan to spend big on infrastructure, meanwhile, may determine whether the US and China end up slugging it out in a trade war.

The link between those seemingly independent variables all comes down to jobs. If a splurge on airports and rail networks boosts employment and growth in the US, there’ll be less need to deliver on promises to deal with the China

trade issue, said Michael Pettis, professor of finance at the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University in Beijing.

“It might be enough to turn attention elsewhere,” said Pettis, former head of emerging markets at Bear Stearns Cos. in New York. “For the world, that’s definitely the best-case scenario.”

There is no choice but to spend on infrastructure, Trump said Monday in remarks made in Washington before an address to Congress Tuesday. His campaigning featured pledges to level the playing field on trade with China, which he has accused of “raping” the US with job-destroying currency and trade policies that amounted to “the greatest theft in the history of the world.” AFP, Bloomberg

China’s factory activity expands BEIJING―Chinese factory activity expanded in February, data showed Wednesday, the latest sign of stability in the world’s number two economy.

The figures come days before the country’s leadership meets for its rubber stamp parliament that will set its goals for the year, with an eye on a difficult realignment of economic priorities.

Beijing’s official purchasing managers’ index (PMI), which gauges conditions at factories and mines, came in at 51.6 in February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said, beating the 51.2 forecast in a Bloomberg News survey and up from the previous month’s 51.3.

A figure above 50 indicates growth while anything below points to contraction.

The rise was driven by a pickup in domestic and overseas demand, with sustained improvement in production of high-tech equipment, NBS analyst Zhao Qinghe said in a statement.

“The upbeat momentum may last throughout the first quarter,” Tommy Xie of OCBC Bank told Bloomberg News.

But he added that accelerating factory activity will increase inflation pressure in China, where prices for goods at the factory gate have been rising for five straight months and are sitting at more than five-year highs.

“There’s certainly an upside risk to growth,” said Raymond Yeung, chief greater China economist at ANZ research, adding that “a strong infrastructure pipeline and better-than-expected exports bode well for the near-term economic outlook.”

The readings follow data showing exports beat expectations in January, while economic growth also beat forecasts in the last quarter of 2016, although it expanded only 6.7 percent over the year―its weakest rate in a quarter of a century.

The stronger external demand backing China’s factory activity is not likely to be sustained, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a note, adding that growth is expected to wane in the country’s major trading partners.

“Domestic demand growth in China, which appears to have plateaued recently, will slow in the coming quarters as a tighter monetary and fiscal stance continues to weigh on credit growth and infrastructure investment,” he added.

The Purchasing Manager’s Index compiled by Chinese financial magazine Caixin, which focuses on smaller manufacturers, also showed a recovery, hitting 51.7 in February, up from 51.0 the previous month, the magazine said in a joint statement with data compiler IHS Markit.AFP

Workers are seen at a construction site in the Central Business District of Sydney on March 1, 2017. Australia’s economy rebounded strongly in the December quarter, growing 1.1 percent to dodge a technical recession on the back of buoyant exports, government investment and household spending. AFP

Australia economy escapes recession SYDNEY―Australia’s economy rebounded strongly in the December quarter, growing 1.1 percent to dodge a technical recession on the back of buoyant exports, government investment and household spending, data showed Wednesday.

The stellar bounce-back followed a shock contraction of 0.5 percent in the three months to September―the worst result in eight years, largely due to bad weather hampering construction and mining.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said the annual rate of growth was a faster-thanexpected 2.4 percent, from 1.8 percent in the previous quarter.

Analysts had been expecting quarterly growth of 0.8 percent and annual expansion of 2.0 percent.

It meant Australia, which is transitioning from a mining investment boom to broader growth, avoided a technical recession―when the economy goes backwards for two quarters in a row.

“Our growth continues to be above the OECD average and confirms the successful change that is taking place in our economy as we move from the largest resources investment boom in our history to broader-based growth,” said Treasurer Scott Morrison.

“While this growth result is welcome, we must continue to remember that our growth cannot be taken for granted and is not being experienced by all Australians in all parts of the country in the same way.”

The Australian dollar jumped to 76.87 US cents from 76.45 US cents prior to the numbers being released.

ANZ said in a note that the result “confirmed that the weakness in Q3 was only temporary, and underlying momentum in the economy remains solid.”

Capital Economics chief Australia economist Paul Dales said the economy was firmly “back on track.”

“The decent rebound in real GDP in the fourth quarter doesn’t just dash any lingering fears that Australia was in a recession, but it also boosts hopes that the surge in commodity prices will trigger a rapid recovery,” he said. AFP

YouTube challenges cable TV, unveils streaming service

By Glenn Chapman SAN FRANCISCO―YouTube on Tuesday unveiled a streaming television service offering bundles of live channels, in a direct challenge by the Google-owned network to traditional cable and pay TV. YouTube TV was tailored for younger generations seeking news, films and more programs without subscribing to cable or satellite service, according to YouTube chief executive Susan Wojcicki.

The new service will allow subscribers in US markets to get access on any connected device to networks such as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, along with “sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks,” according to YouTube.

Set to launch in coming months, YouTube TV will cost $35 monthly, with six user accounts allowed per subscriber, positioning itself to compete against so-called “skinny bundles” from Dish Network’s Sling TV and AT&T’s DirecTV Now. “YouTube TV is designed specifically for the needs of a new generation of TV fans who want to watch what they want, when they want, how they want without commitment,” Wojcicki said during a press briefing streamed from YouTube offices in Southern California.

YouTube TV will also combine user-created content from the Google-owned online video sharing service, with delivery customized for viewing screens from smartphones to big-screen televisions.

The service will launch first in major US markets where local television content can be provided, with YouTube working to

quickly expand availability, according to Wojcicki.

YouTube TV will also allow limitless recording of shows on servers hosted in the internet cloud, so they can be saved for streamed viewing when convenient.

YouTube TV will be accessible on internet-linked mobile devices, and can be streamed to television screens using Google Chromecast.

YouTube certainly has the online video muscle to push a television service, but will also need focus, according to analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group.

“At the end of the day, I think this is going to come down to Google’s ability to maintain attention,” Enderle said of YouTube TV’s prospects.

“Which is huge, because it seems at times that Google has the attention span of a 4-year-old on sugar.”

TV channels changing The complexity of licensing content from television or film studios has been a longtime bane for online streaming services that want to provide popular content while avoiding accusations of piracy.

“We’ve been on a 10 year journey with all the content providers, from being sued by quite a few around the world to embracing fingerprinting technology,” YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl said.

“We’ve evolved our relationships with media companies all around the world to incredibly constructive ones.”

YouTube a while back implemented technology that “fingerprints” copyrighted shows or films so software can automatically identify unauthorized uploads to the service.

YouTube TV is also making

A man watches the livestream of French presidential election candidate for the far-left coalition “La France insoumise,” Jean-Luc Melenchon speaking live on his YouTube internet channel. AFP

its debut as the television industry sees a trend toward “skinny bundles” in which people opt for preferred selections of channels instead of paying big fees to cable providers for myriad channels, many of which they don’t really want.

The pending mega-merger of AT&T and Time Warner has been billed by the head of the US telecommunications giant as a way to “make a different kind of competitor in the ecosystem.”

At a prestigious WSJD Live conference in California late last year, AT&T chief executive Randall Stephenson said that a goal of the merger is to create a competitor to cable service, and

depicted a not-to-distant future in which set-top boxes are obsolete because viewers get their content directly from the internet.

He buttressed his point by highlighting a new AT&T DirecTV Now streaming service in the US that costs $35 monthly, comes with unlimited streaming to mobile devices, and boasts more than 100 channels.

Along with its free videos, YouTube has a Red subscription service priced at $10 monthly.

Netflix and Amazon Prime are ramping up how much they spend on original shows, investing billions of dollars in content.

Sony last year expanded its

PlayStation Vue internet-based television service to the entire US market, with an aimed of luring consumers away from cable subscriptions.

The PlayStation Vue offers streamlined “bundles” for as little as $30 a month without long-term contracts.

“The difficult part about getting cord-cutters is getting all the channels they want,” Enderle said, referring to video viewers who sever cable services in favor of watching content on the internet.

“Global distribution is a nightmare; the cable companies have the networks pretty locked up right now.” AFP

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

C1

RED HEDGE. A restaurant along Session Road in Baguio City uses poinsettias as a hedge for its customers who preferred to dine outdoors at the height of the Panagbenga Festival over the weekend. Dave Leprozo

Makati goes after ex-mayor T

By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Makati City government on Wednesday asked the Commission on Election to file a case against former mayor Romulo Peña Jr. for violating the election ban on appointments, promotions and transfers of personnel.

In a letter to Comelec Law Department head Norina TangaroCasingal, the city government said the personnel movements made by Peña were done without prior authority from the poll body.

“Thus, we are of the firm opinion that Peña’s actions constitute Election Offense under Article XXII, Section 261, par. (h) of the Omnibus Election Code,” lawyer Michael Arthur Camiña, head of the Makati Le-

gal Department, said.

“Accordingly, we request your assistance on the matter, and trust that you will file the necessary actions to sanction Peña’s disregard of the law,” he added.

The letter, dated Feb. 15, was received by the Comelec last Feb. 22.

If found guilty, Peña faces a penalty of imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years, and shall not be

subject to probation. In addition, he faces disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right of suffrage.

The said provision prohibits any transfer of personnel to a different designation, office, or agency, made by any head and/or appointing authority during the election period without any prior authority from the Comelec.

Camiña said during his short stint as acting mayor, Peña appointed, promoted and transferred city government personnel but most of these have been invalidated by the Civil Service Commission as they were made during the Election Period.

He also pointed out that the Notices of Disallowance issued by the CSC affirm the lack of prior authority from the Comelec

on personnel movement made by Peña during the election period.

An investigation conducted by the Human Resource Development Office under the administration of Mayor Abigail Binay also revealed that only a few of the promotions, appointments or transfers complied with legal requirements.

Camiña informed the Comelec that among those illegally promoted, hired or transferred were Annabelle S. Cerrado, from Local Legislative Staff Officer II, Office of the Vice Mayor to Administrative Assistant III, International Relations Department; Charina C. Macadaeg, from Executive Assistant I, OVM to Administrative Assistant III, IRD; and Mary Jane E. Pide, from Administrative Officer V, Accounting Department to Supervising Administrative Officer,

Internal Management Control Office. The said personnel were issued Letters of Appointment by Peña on March 1, 2016.

Other personnel named by Camiña were Bernadette H. Garcia, from Administrative Aide VI, Accounting Department to Administrative Assistant II, Finance Department; and Bernadita R. Jaculba, from Bookkeeper III, Accounting Department to Administrative Officer III, Finance Department. Both were issued Letters of Appointment on March 16, 2016.

Other illegal personnel movement at the Ospital ng Makati, Makati Health Department and other offices and departments will be referred to the Comelec in the coming weeks upon comTurn to C2

Swindler nabbed, faces 58 victims

By Jun David SCORES of complainants from different areas in Metro Manila flocked the Valenzuela Police Station after a female suspect, who allegedly victimized them, was arrested Tuesday afternoon.

Supt. Freddie Colico, deputy chief of police for administration, identified the suspect as Beatriz Bondial, 52, of Block 2 Lot 8, Thunderbird Street, Zabarte Subdivision. She had been pursued by her alleged 58 victims—all irate upon seeing her at the police station.

Bondial supposedly took money from the victims, ranging from P52,000 to P420,000, in exchange for lots in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Valenzuela City, and Caloocan.

The action was discovered after the suspect’s arrest by virtue of a warrant for estafa case issued by Valenzuela Regional and Municipal Trial Court Branches 270 and 81, respectively.

The subpoena was served by SPO4 Donaldo Britana to Bondial while she was at Silver 8 Subdivision in Caloocan City.

The victims then went to the police station in Valenzuela, where Bondial was taken. Among those supposedly victimized are Juanito Alquiroz, 67, who said he paid the suspect P140,000 for a 32-sqm lot in Leano, Caloocan City; Remy Quing Quing, who paid P420,000 for three lots in Sto. Cristo, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan; and Roberto Simbulan, 68, who gave P52,000 for a lot in Bulacan.

MANGROVE PROJECT. Employees of Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc. recently helped plant 10,000 mangroves in Barangay Tapilon, Daanbantayan, Cebu, in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress. Also present were Taiyo Yuden Philippines president Kiyoshi Tambo; Environment, Health, and Safety Management Representative Yu Mikami; and Environmental Management Representative Hiromi Kihata. The company funded the project to help rehabilitate and nurture the coastal communities of Daanbantayan after the town was destroyed by Super Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ in 2013. Manny Palmero

Sueno: Drug suspects to be ‘shepherded’

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—Drug suspects in numerous barangays nationwide will be “shepherded and taken care of” by the government and their neighborhood officials, Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno said here Monday.

While their activities “will not be condoned,” Sueno said drug suspects will still

be catered to by the government agencies concerned, contrary to the perception of international human rights organizations who are against the on-going “stickering” of houses of residents not involved in the illegal drug trade.

Sueno was the city’s guest of honor and speaker during the grand float parade for the annual Panagbenga Festival of flowers. He said the “shepherding” was part

of the “overall synchronized approach” to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

If there are 20 households in a certain area and 15 households are considered uninvolved in drugs, Sueno explained, “then drug free stickers will be placed on their residences,” while those five households that have been pinpointed to be involved in illegal drugs will not receive stickers.

Muntinlupa celebrates Charter Day with marker MAYOR Jaime Fresnedi led the celebration Wednesday of Muntinlupa City Charter Day, declared as a special non-working holiday in the city, and the unveiling of the Centennial Avenue Marker.

Fresnedi, other officials and local government employees, attended Mass at the Muntinlupa City Hall Quadrangle in the morning to start the day’s activities.

Following the mass was a parade by city government personnel and barangay staff to Centennial Avenue in Laguerta, Tunasan for the unveiling of the marker. Fresnedi was joined by Rep. Ruffy Biazon and other city officials.

In the afternoon, the Top Ten Taxpayers of the city were recognized for their unwavering support to the local government of Muntinlupa, as development partners in the advancement of the city’s programs and projects.

The awardees were, in order, Ford Group Philippines, Inc., Manila Electric Company or Meralco, Filinvest Alabang, Inc., Concepcion-Carrier Air Conditioning Co., Amkor Technology Phils, Inc., Toyota Alabang Inc., Alabang Commercial Corp., Filinvest Land Inc., AIG Shared ServicesBusiness Processing Phils. Inc., and Zuellig Pharma Corp.

Fresnedi also delivered his State of the City Address, the City Government’s accomplishment reports, and Muntinlupa’s developments for the past years.

His administration’s highlights include a scholarship program for over 50,000 beneficiaries from elementary to college and graduate school students; construction of additional school buildings and facilities, improvement in barangay health centers; and upgrading Ospital ng Muntinlupa’s services and medical equipment.

The city under Fresnedi’s watch has also offered zero-interest loans up to P100,000 for 5,000 micro-entrepreneurs, established the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Satellite Office, and collected taxes worth P1.84 billion.

Clark ready to take diverted Naia flights

By Romeo Dizon CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga— Commercial flights affected by the Tagaytay radar upgrading and maintenance work will be accommodated at the international airport here to prevent

the discomfort of their passengers.

Alexander Cauguiran, president and CEO of the Clark International Airport Corp., on Wednesday said they are more than willing to accommodate flights diverted here from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport during the main-

tenance and upgrading period of the Tagaytay radar from March 6 to 11.

Cauguiran said the agreement was finalized during a meeting with all airport managers of airlines operating at Naia, called the Airlines Council Manila, on Tuesday.

He assured airline managers that in case of flight diversions, Clark Airport can accommodate them, as it has ample parking lots even for bigger airplanes, apart from hotels, transportation facilities, emergency and technical services to serve passengers.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

LGUs

Standard

C2

TODAY MARCH 2, 2017 THURSDAY,

Lanao Sur wants out of ‘poor’ list C

By Lance Baconguis

Arnell Ignacio, Pagcor AVP for Community Relations and Services (fourth from left), hands the symbolic key of the new threestory, 18-classroom building in Bernardo D. Carpio National High School to Principal Zenaida Milando (fourth from right). Witnessing the turnover are lawyer Raul Nadela from the City Government of Davao (left), Rep. Mylene GarciaAlbano (third from left) and DepEd and school officials.

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the provincial government are mapping out an anti-poverty strategy that would remove Lanao del Sur from the list of poorest provinces in the country within two years.

Philippine Statistics Authority Data In 2015 showed Lanao del Sur has the highest poverty incidence in the country at 74.3 percent.

During a special ARMM cabinet meeting and executive consultation with top officials of the regional and provincial governments, Lanao del Sur line agency heads presented the status of their ongoing projects and accomplishments for fiscal year 2016.

ARMM Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr., who presided over the meeting, discussed areas where they could improve and focus better in the coming months.

This is the first in a series of provincial consultations this year covering the five ARMM provinces.

Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mamintal Adiong, Anak Mindanao Representative Atty. Makmod Mending Jr., and the province’s local chief executives were also present during the meeting.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman encouraged Lanao del Sur’s Department of Agriculture to work on expanding agriculture and making the province rice self-sufficient by 2019.

Hataman also urged officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development to expedite the bidding process for a partner firm that would speed up the cash payout process of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

The two districts of Lanao del Sur, with combined 92,191 PPP program beneficiaries, have not received the amounts due them since last year.

Provincial social welfare officers of Lanao del Sur’s two districts said this was owing to the absence of a partner conduit to serve the beneficiaries.

DSWD-ARMM Assistant Secre-

tary Pombaen Karon Kader said no bidder participated in last year’s call, which was why the agency’s central office has not downloaded the program’s funds for the province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health-ARMM, through the Integrated Provincial Health Office, reported improvements in health statistics for Lanao del Sur citing the period 2009 to 2016.

The maternal mortality rate in the region dropped from 81 in 2009 to only five in 2016; infant mortality rate went down from four to 1.46; malnutrition among children dropped from 15.20 percent to 5.65 percent; tuberculosis cure rate increased to 83 percent; and immunization for children was up to 86.84 percent, the highest in the region.

Regional Health Secretary Kadil Sinolinding said these improvements in the health sector are due to improved facilities and increased deployment of health professionals in all the region’s provinces.

The Humanitarian Development Action Plan was also discussed during the consultation as a special program to cover the province’s conflict-affected town of Butig.

ARMM-HDAP is a program of the regional government under the Hataman administration that implements various government initiatives.

These include relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of both “horizontal”—referring to school buildings, houses, and health centers—and “vertical” infrastructures (roads and bridges).

It also covers livelihood projects that will promote peace and order and help improve the economic situation in calamityaffected communities, specifically in 15 Maguindanao towns.

Makati...

From C1

pointments, one reemployment and one original appointment.

A personnel review audit conducted by the new administration immediately upon assumption into office revealed that the Peña administration had bloated the city payroll with over 1,300 hirees. From July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, they hired a total of 1,218 additional casuals, 22 contractuals and 78 consultants.

pletion of the investigation.

As of November last year, the Human Resources Department had recorded a total of 326 ‘midnight appointments’ issued

by Peña revoked by the CSC for violating the Election Ban. These included 114 promotions, 175 regularization, 29 casual ap-

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Pagcor gives schools 32 classrooms FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Patrick Jadli had always wished the situation in his class would be much better.

Sitting in a makeshift classroom with no ceiling, Patrick recalled how he and his Grade 7 classmates at Palina East National High School in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan endure their decrepit and poorly ventilated classrooms.

On rainy days, the classrooms become muddy and flooded due to lack of decent flooring.

Because of this deplorable condition, Patrick and his classmates could not focus on their lessons. Fortunately, the sorry state of the classrooms caught the attention of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. or Pagcor.

Pagcor recently turned over newly-constructed two-story, eight-classroom school building to PENHS. It also awarded a one-story, six-classroom structure to Palina West National

High School.

With 14 additional classrooms, both schools will have spacious, decent and comfortable classrooms when they start offering Senior High School next school year.

“This is a big blessing to our school. More than receiving new classrooms that are spacious and strong, this Pagcor school building has given us the opportunity to offer senior high school classes here,” said PENHS principal Senen Esmeralda.

Prior to the construction of the Pagcor school building, Esmeralda would sometimes see students going out of their makeshift classrooms as they could no longer bear the heat. But by the next school year, over 400 Grade 7 and 11 students of PENHS will use the new Pagcor classrooms.

Meantime, PWNHS expects a surge in enrollment next school year after it received six new Pagcor classrooms which can accommodate over 200 students.

By Ben Moses Ebreo

ARCHANGEL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC., (POEA LICENSE # 228-LB121815-R) HAS MOVED ITS BUSINESS OPERATIONS PREVIOUSLY AT 7B/8B, ATHERTON PLACE, #1 TOMAS MORATO COR ROCES AVENUE, QUEZON CITY 1103 TO ITS NEW BUSINESS ADDRESS AT 3RD FLOOR, FSS BUILDING, 89 SCOUT CASTOR STREET, BGY LAGING HANDA, QUEZON CITY (MS-MAR. 2, 2017)

February 27, 2017 PPA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 04 - 2017 :

SUBJECT :

All Port Managers, Port Users And Others Concerned SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES TO PPA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 03-2017 ENTITLED “AMENDMENT TO PPA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 03-2016 ENTITLED PORT TERMINAL MANAGEMENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK”

PPA Administrative Order No. 03-2017 which took effect on February 25, 2017 was issued to ensure the continuous and efficient provision of cargo handling services in all ports, while the bidding documents for the Terminal Management Scheme are being finalized for implementation.

For clarity and uniformity of implementation, the following situations shall be covered in the issuance of Holdover Authorities (HOAs): 1. Cargo Handling Operators (CHOs) with expired permits to operate (PTO)/contracts without validly-issued Holdover Authority (HOA) but have been allowed to continue operating; 2. HOAs issued that have been granted but have already expired anew; 3. CH contracts due to expire in CY 2017.

All HOAs shall be valid until February 25, 2018 or upon award of the Terminal Management Agreement, whichever comes first.

All HOAs shall be issued and signed by the Port Manager concerned.

For guidance.

(Sgd.) JAY DANIEL R. SANTIAGO General Manager (MS-MAR. 2, 2017)

crease in enrollment due to the K-12 Program, they had to implement a shifting schedule to fit in all students.

“We only have 25 classrooms shared by over 2,000 students.

The fact that many of these classrooms are no longer safe for our students worsens the problem. That is why I am very glad that Pagcor took notice of our school. This multi-story building will help us respond well to the educational needs of our students,” Milando added.

To date, Pagcor has already built 482 classrooms in Pangasinan alone while 295 classrooms in 54 sites in the Davao Region had been completed.

All in all, Pagcor’s school building program has turned over a total of 6,921 classrooms in 53 sites nationwide. Apart from these, 2,404 classrooms in 220 sites are under construction while 173 classrooms in 22 sites are under procurement.

Villagers gain work via mine forest jobs

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

TO

According to PWNHS school head Gemma Prestoza, the Pagcor school building that will be used

by Grades 10 and 11 students, is much bigger than their existing classrooms. The new facility will also serve as library and information technology center where students can do research work.

In Buhangin, Davao City, students and teachers of Bernardo D. Carpio National High School felt extremely blessed when Pagcor turned over the newly-constructed three-storey, 18-classroom building to the school.

BDCNHS principal Zenaida Milando said many of their students who come from far-flung barangays enroll in their Senior High School program. “Most of them come from low-income families but many of them are very talented and driven. It is just proper that we provide them with the best that they deserve,” she said.

The school, however, has its limitations. Because of the in-

MILESTONE. San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez leads in the ground-

breaking ceremony this week for the P250-million Hall of Justice at the old Post Office along Pinaglabanan Street, a stone’s throw away from the city’s Government Center, witnessed by officials including Vice Mayor Janella Estrada. Gomez said the project took five years in the planning stage because there was no lot available for the building but Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told the LGU the Supreme Court would allocate funds for this.

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—A mining firm’s environmental protection program of a mining firm here has provided additional income among indigent villagers.

FCF Minerals Corp.’s Mining Forest Project, introduced in 2007, has now expanded with 163.66 hectares of idle lands reforested, giving additional income for at least 35 families in barangay Runruno, where the company operates the goldmolybdenum mine.

Through the MFP, families living within the areas covered were tapped to maintain the plantation areas and harvest fruits from the trees to augment their income.

Tomas Guzman, 57, of Sitio Kinalabasa, has been harvesting rambutan, longgan and lansones through his 1.5-hectare integrated reforestation project, selling the fruits in the nearby town of Solano.

Other fruit trees such as pomelo, durian, mangosteen, coffee, cacao and lychee also thrive in other MFP lots.

“We now have source of additional income for my family while we serve as guardians of fruit trees managed by the mining company,” Guzman said.

Other MFP areas are also

planted with forest tree species such as GMelina, Mahogany, Benguet Pine, Narra, Mangium, Ipil-ipil, Balobo, Talisai and Raintree.

MFP was required by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through Administrative Order No. 22 series of 1989. Reforesting seeks to aid in slope stabilization, rehabilitation and development of abandoned cultivated areas, grassland and brush lands, and to establish forest and erosion preventive and control measures by employing strategies adaptive to existing environmental and social condition of the affected areas.

FCF’s MFP is constantly visited and validated by officials of DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau to check their compliance on the national criteria and rating system of the agency’s MFP National Executive Committee.

MGB regional director for Cagayan Valley Mario Ancheta said the firm’s MFP has been reaping awards such as First Runner-up for Best Mining Program for the years 2008 to 2012.

It grabbed the top Mining Forest Program rank in 2013.

Last year, it was included in the 23 shortlisted entries for the 2016 Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award for Best MFP.

Long-term transition in BAPTC operation LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—Rep. Ronald M. Cosalan said concerned stakeholders need a longer period of transition to adjust to the new policies of the Project Steering Committee in the full-blast operation of the multimillionpeso Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center, built for the benefit of vegetable farmers in the region.

The three-term lawmaker, a member of the PSC, said something must be done by the BAPTC man-

agement to make the facility operational and prevent it from becoming a white elephant in the future.

“We need to sustain our efforts to consult with the concerned stakeholders to win their hearts in patronizing the operation of the facility so that farmers will directly benefit from its full blast operation. We have to work out possible solutions that will lead to the operation of the facility to maximize its potentials for the benefit of our

farmers,” Cosalan stressed.

He expressed confidence new BAPTC officials will be able to convince farmers and disposers to use the facility in their future transactions so that the facility will be maximized in addressing the needs of the farmers wanting to earn added income to uplift their living condition.

The facility will not be able to operate if BAPTC management will continue to be held hostage by

the demand of disposers who continue to dictate upon the farmers to prevent them from transferring to the facility, Cosalan said.

The BAPTC was built to serve as the central vegetable trading center of semi-temperate vegetables produced in Benguet, Mountain Province and Ifugao to make sure that famers will directly benefit from their produce whereby they will earn more income from the trading of their produce. Dexter A. See

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World IN BRIEF US soldier’s widow honored WASHINGTON―Republican and Democratic US lawmakers had plenty to disagree over in President Donald Trump’s maiden speech to Congress Tuesday, but upon hearing the name Carryn Owens, they rose to their feet as one.

The young blonde woman, seated next to Trump’s daughter Ivanka in the House of Representatives visitors gallery, is the widow of slain US Navy SEAL Ryan Owens, who was killed last month during a special forces operation in Yemen against extremist group Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

“Ryan died as he lived: a warrior, and a hero -- battling against terrorism and securing our nation,” Trump told hundreds of lawmakers and millions of Americans watching the prime time TV broadcast.

Throughout the House chamber, people rose in unity to give a standing ovation to Owens, who appeared nearly overcome by the gesture. Ivanka Trump offered quiet comfort at her side.

The commander-in-chief explained that the operation was described to him by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis as “a highly successful raid that generated large amounts of vital intelligence.” AFP

Cambodian man on trial for murder PHNOM PENH―An unemployed former Cambodian soldier went on trial Wednesday for the brazen daylight murder of government critic Kem Ley, a killing that sparked widespread grief in a country with a dark history of political assassinations.

Oeuth Ang, 39, was arrested shortly after he allegedly shot Kem Ley in the head while his victim was having a morning coffee at a Phnom Penh gas station in July last year.

Tens of thousands turned out for Kem Ley’s funeral in scenes that rattled the government of ruling strongman Hun Sen. His more than three decade rule has seen multiple critics murdered in rarely solved cases, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The government vowed to pursue anyone responsible for Kem Ley’s killing.

As the trial got underway in Phnom Penh, prosecutors read out the police report detailing the alleged motives of Oeuth Ang. “(It was) because he cheated me out of $3,000 and he promised to build a concrete house for me,” the police report quoted Oeuth Ang as saying, adding that “nobody ordered me” to do the killing.

He has said he acted alone.

But his motive has been questioned by Kem Ley’s wife, who has since fled to Thailand and is seeking asylum in Australia, as well as friends of both the victim and alleged perpetrator. AFP

2 hurt in gun accident at Hollande event VILLOGNON, France―A policeman providing security for Franacois Hollande accidentally fired his gun as the French president was giving a speech on Tuesday, injuring two people in the VIP area of the crowd, an official said.

Hollande was inaugurating part of a high-speed rail line in the southwest of the country when the mishap occurred.

“It was an accidental shot by a police officer which injured two waiters, or at least one waiter and an (event) employee. The injuries aren’t life threatening,” local government chief Pierre N’Gahane said.

“The bullet grazed one person’s calf and then lodged in another person’s leg,” he said, adding that the victims were in a VIP area next to where Hollande was speaking.

The officer, who was helping to provide security for the president, was standing on an elevated point, N’Gahane said.

He made a “mistake in handling while changing positions”, an informed source told AFP. Video from the incident shows Hollande halting his speech after a bullet shot is heard in the background, with the president saying, “I hope there’s nothing serious” and holding his hands up to the crowd. AFP

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

C3

Trump offers a compromise W ASHINGTON― President Donald Trump suggested a new merit-based system to regulate entry to the United States on Tuesday as he tried to square his hard-line campaign rhetoric with the goal of broad immigration reform.

Addressing Congress, Trump stood by his plan to subject travelers from certain countries deemed a risk to extreme vetting, insisting: “We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America.”

But—alongside this promise of “strong measures to protect our nation from radical Islamic terrorism”—he held out the prospect of a merit-based immigration system that might win cross-party support.

Arguing that mass immigration by unskilled workers costs the US taxpayer billions of dollars and depresses the wages and job opportunities of the working poor, Trump urged lawmakers to get behind reform.

“If we are guided by the well-being of American citizens then I believe Republicans and Democrats can work together to achieve an outcome that has eluded our country for decades,” he argued.

A merit-based system—such as those in use in Canada and Australia—would, he argued “save countless dollars, raise workers’ wages, and help struggling families—including immigrant families—enter the middle class.”

“It is a basic principle that those seeking to enter a country ought to be able to support themselves financially,” Trump told lawmakers.

“Yet, in America, we do not enforce this rule, straining the very public resources that our poorest citizens rely upon,” he added.

US lawmakers, encouraged by the previous administration under president Barack Obama, have long sought to agree a broadbased package to provide roughly 11 million undocumented migrants with a path to legal residency.

But Republican members, in particular, faced opposition from their electoral base to any measure that smacked of an “amnesty” for illegal immigrants -- a sentiment that Trump played up to during his campaign.

Vowing to build a wall on the Mexican border to keep out migrants he branded drugdealers, murderers and rapists, Trump gave every appearance of planning a still tougher line on immigration.

But his attempts to introduce a visa ban on visitors from seven mainly-Muslim countries deemed seedbeds of terror have been halted by the courts, and he faces opposition from influential quarters to tougher general controls.

Silicon Valley software giants, with their huge lobbying reach, rely on recruiting foreign engineers—particularly from the Indian sub-continent—and Republican backers in construction and agriculture employ millions of migrants.

Federal officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and from Customs and Border Protection have set about enforcing existing immigration law with renewed vigor—but their dragnet has triggered popular protests.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump suggested in a meeting with television news anchors that he was open to a deal that would legalize millions of undocumented immigrants as part of a bipartisan compromise.

That would mark a dramatic shift in policy. AFP

PREMIERE SCREENING. Actress Jessica de Gouw attends the after party for WGN America’s ‘Underground’ Season Two Premiere Screening at Baltaire Restaurant on February 28, 2017 in Brentwood, California. AFP

Barack, Michele Obama sign book deal NEW YORK―Barack and Michelle Obama have signed a deal to publish their memoirs with the New York-based Penguin Random House, in a coveted contract reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars.

America’s first African American president is already the author of two memoirs and a children’s book.

He has frequently declared himself to have a “writer’s sensibility” and has said he does not want to write a conventional blow-by-blow account of his time in the White House.

Michelle Obama’s memoir is likely to be just as eagerly anticipated.

A descendant of slaves, she became the first African American first lady and

garnered high approval ratings—to the point where she was arguably one of the country’s most respected and popular women.

Penguin Random House said in a statement it has “acquired world publication rights for two books, to be written by president and Mrs Obama respectively.”

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but bidding for the high-profile double book deal topped $60 million, a record sum for US presidential memoirs, according to the Financial Times.

Until now, the record for a US presidential memoir was $15 million paid for Bill Clinton’s “My Life,” released in 2004.

George W. Bush received $10 million for “Decision Points” in 2010.

Hillary Clinton reportedly received a $14 million advance for “Hard Choices,” her account of her time as secretary of state under Obama.

The Obama deal was negotiated by Washington super-lawyer Robert Barnett, who represented both the Clintons and Bush.

As part of the agreement, the company will donate one million books in the Obama family’s name to First Book, a charity, Penguin said.

“We are very much looking forward to working together with President and Mrs Obama to make each of their books global publishing events of unprecedented scope and significance,” said Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle. AFP

HK rebel lawmakers fight parliament ban

ASH WEDNESDAY RALLY. A participant of the traditional Ash Wednesday rally of the German Christian Social Union holds up his beer mug in Passau, southern Germany, on March 1, 2017. During the traditional “political Ash Wednesday” German politicians let rip at their rivals and deliver acerbic speeches at beer-fueled events on Ash Wednesday, which also marks the end of carnival. AFP

HONG KONG―Four rebel Hong Kong lawmakers were in court Wednesday to fight a government bid to disqualify them from parliament, a move criticized as an attack on democracy under pressure from Beijing.

Hong Kong’s unpopular leader Leung Chun-ying and the justice department have brought the case against the pro-democracy legislators who they accuse of failing to properly take their oaths of office during their swearing-in last October.

It comes as fears grow that Beijing is increasingly interfering in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, sparking calls by some activists for self-determination or even independence for the city that have angered China.

“What’s happening today would never happen in a democratic society,” said one of the four targeted lawmakers, Leung Kwok-hung, known as “Long Hair”, as he entered Hong Kong’s High Court.

Two pro-independence lawmakers have already been banned

from office by the High Court after they inserted expletives and draped themselves with “Hong Kong is not China” flags during the swearing-in.

That decision followed a special “interpretation” of the city’s constitution by Beijing that effectively prevented them from taking up their seats because of the way they took their oaths.

The four legislators in court Wednesday are not staunchly proindependence but two of them have advocated self-determination for Hong Kong.

All four altered their oaths during the swearing-in, which requires lawmakers to repeatedly describe Hong Kong as a “special administrative region of China”.

Unlike the pro-independence activists, they were allowed to take up their seats. But the government is now seeking to remove them retrospectively.

Prosecutor Johnny Mok questioned whether their oaths met requirements, including “solemnity and sincerity”. AFP

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

World

S. Korea, US kick off annual military drills S EOUL―South Korea and the United States kicked off their annual, massive military exercises on Wednesday as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered his troops to prepare for a “merciless strike” against the enemy forces.

The drills always raise tensions on the divided Korean peninsula and this year they come after the North’s recent ballistic missile test and the assassination by nerve agent of Kim’s half brother in Malaysia.

Participation in the joint exercises -- known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle -- is similar to last year, a United States Forces Korea spokesman said.

The 2016 drills involved 300,000 South Korean and around 17,000 US troops, as well as strategic US naval vessels and air force assets.

The spokesman said 3,600 US troops have been deployed for the Foal Eagle exercises, the first of

the two drills that stretch over two months, but declined to provide a total figure.

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-Koo “stressed the need to bolster the drills” in a phone call with his US counterpart James Mattis, who vowed “effective and overwhelming response” against any use of nuclear weapons, Seoul’s defense ministry said in a statement.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Seoul on Wednesday protesting the start of the exercises, claiming they would “bring the peninsula sharply closer to the brink of a nuclear war”.

Pyongyang has long con-

demned the joint drills as provocative rehearsals for invasion, while Seoul and Washington insist they are purely defensive in nature.

Visiting the headquarters of an army unit, the North’s leader Kim praised his troops for their “vigilance against the US and South Korean enemy forces that are making frantic efforts for invasion”, the state-run Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday.

Kim also ordered the troops to “set up thorough countermeasures of a merciless strike against the enemy’s sudden air assault”, it said.

South Korea’s acting president said Wednesday the country would respond with strong actions against any provocations made by the North and seek tougher UN sanctions against the isolated state.

“The government will strive to make the North realize the uselessness of its nuclear weapons” through a stronger alliance with the US, including the deployment

of a US missile defense system, Hwang Kyo-Ahn said in a speech marking the anniversary of the country’s independence movement against Japanese colonial rule.

The two allies agreed last year to install the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to counter growing nuclear and missile threats by the North, a plan that has angered Beijing, which fears it will undermine its own ballistic capabilities.

The South’s defense ministry signed a land swap deal with retail giant Lotte on Tuesday for the stationing of THAAD and said it would push for its deployment this year.

China’s foreign ministry said THAAD “jeopardizes the strategic security interests” in the region and warned of “consequences” against Seoul and Washington.

Last year the impoverished but nuclear-armed North staged two atomic tests and a number of missile launches. AFP

Bloody IS video puts China in cross-hairs BEIJING―Islamic State militants from China’s Uighur ethnic minority have vowed to return home and “shed blood like rivers”, according to a jihadisttracking firm, in what experts said marked the first IS threat against Chinese targets.

The threat came in a halfhour video released Monday by a division of the Islamic State in western Iraq and featuring militants from China’s Uighur ethnic group, said the US-based SITE Intelligence Group, which analyzed the footage.

China has for years blamed exiled Uighur “separatists” for a series of violent attacks in its western Xinjiang region -- the Uighur homeland -- and warned of the potential for militants to link up with global jihadist groups.

In the video, a Uighur fighter issued the threat against China just before executing an alleged informant.

“Oh, you Chinese who do not understand what people say! We are the soldiers of the Caliphate, and we will come to you to clarify to you with the tongues of our weapons, to shed blood like rivers and avenging the oppressed,” according to SITE’s translation.

A traditionally Muslim group, many Uighurs complain of cultural and religious repression and discrimination by China.

It appears to be the Islamic State’s “first direct threat” against China, Dr. Michael Clarke, an expert on Xinjiang at the National Security College of Australian National University, told AFP. “It is the first time that Uighurspeaking militants have claimed allegiance to IS,” he added.

The video showed China is now “very firmly a target of jihad-

ist rhetoric,” Clarke said, marking a shift from years past when it rarely figured in statements by global jihadist groups.

But Clarke said it also could indicate a possible split among Uighur fighters, as it includes a warning to those fighting with the al Qaeda-aligned Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in Syria.

China maintains tight security in Xinjiang but a drumbeat of deadly unrest has continued. A knife attack last month left eight dead, including three attackers, police said.

The video was released the same day that China held the latest in a series of mass rallies of military police in Xinjiang meant to indicate Chinese resolve in crushing security threats.

More than 10,000 officers gathered Monday in the region’s capital Urumqi -- the fourth such rally this year in Xinjiang.

Chinese authorities have tightened controls in the region, beefing up police checkpoints.

In one violence-wracked corner of Xinjiang, authorities are offering rewards of up to 5 million yuan ($730,000) to those who expose terror plots or “struggle, kill, wound, or subdue” any attackers.

The Islamic State video showed fighters, including heavily armed children, giving speeches, praying, and killing other “informants”.

It also featured images of Chinese riot police guarding mosques, patrolling Uighur markets, and arresting men in what appears to be western China. The Chinese flag is pictured engulfed in flames.

Clarke said the hints of a Uighur split could “intensify the threat to China” as it indicates Uighur militants may be able to tap into the capabilities of both the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.AFP

Two women charged in Kim murder SEPANG, Malaysia―Two women were charged Wednesday with the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of North Korea’s leader, after his assassination at a Malaysian airport last month.

Indonesian Siti Aisyah, 25, and Doan Thi Huong, 28, from Vietnam, were surrounded by a heavy police presence as they were charged in court over the February 13 killing involving a deadly nerve agent.

Siti, wearing a red T-shirt, was brought in first to hear the murder charge read out before being taken away. Huong, also dressed casually, then heard the charge in Vietnamese.

The handcuffed women were both told they faced the death penalty if found guilty.

Neither woman was asked to enter a plea and their trial is not expected to begin for several months.

However, after hearing the charge, Huong’s lawyer S. Selvam said she told the court in Vietnamese: “I am not guilty.”

Selvam added his client was “nervous as she is facing a murder charge”.

The suspects, who claim they thought they were merely taking part in a prank video, remained composed throughout the brief hearing.

They appeared to be wearing bulletproof vests as they were escorted from the building, with Huong looking tired as she was lead away.

Indonesia’s acting ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said Wednesday he had met Siti in court and said she was “calm”.

“We told her to take care of her health as it will be a long trial process,” he said.

Police accuse the pair of having wiped the VX nerve agent into Kim’s face at Kuala Lumpur airport. The deadly poison is classed as a weapon of mass destruction and banned around the world.

Kim was dead within 20 minutes of being attacked and would have suffered a “very painful death” as his organs shut down, Malaysia’s health minister has said.

The suspects were brought to the isolated courthouse on the outskirts of the capital under heavy security, and bundled into the building through a media scrum.

More than 100 heavily armed police wearing balaclavas and wielding automatic weapons had secured the entrance to the court.

The spectacular killing sparked an international probe and lurid stories of Pyongyang’s Cold War-style tradecraft.

Seoul says its isolated neighbour was behind the assassination, and claims the North’s agents engaged two outsiders to carry out the murder.

North Korea has not acknowledged the identity of the dead man but has insisted Malaysia hand over the corpse, and says it does not accept the findings of an autopsy. AFP

FIRST VISIT. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo walk in heavy rain at the presidential palace in Bogor, West Java ,on March 1, 2017. Cheering crowds welcomed King Salman on March 1 as he began the first visit by a Saudi monarch to Indonesia for almost 50 years, seeking stronger economic ties with the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. AFP

Tiny Benin looks to tourism to boost its economy OUIDAH, Benin―With its palm tree-lined beaches, unique heritage and wildlife parks, Benin can hold its own against the best African holiday destinations.

But tourism revenue accounts for just 0.7 percent of its gross domestic product and there were only 240,000 visitors in 2014, according to World Bank figures.

That compares to an average of one million visitors a year in Senegal, which is one of the most popular destinations in West Africa.

Now Benin’s government wants to change the situation.

“We’ve got 200,000 people without doing anything. Imagine what we could do with a bit of

effort? We could double that,” said the head of the national tourism agency, Jose Pliya.

The agency, which was set up several months ago, is the focus of President Patrice Talon’s new drive to boost tourist numbers and as a result the wider economy.

“Our aim between now and the end of (Talon’s) five-year term is to reach 700,000 tourists,” Pliya told AFP. Some 600 billion CFA francs ($968 million, 913 million euros) will be pumped into the sector over five years, notably through a World Bank loan.

In his small office in the former Portuguese fort of Ouidah, the head of the town’s museum, Bertin-Calixte Biah says it is

an “unprecedented effort” and is happy that the state is finally putting in the money.

“We’ve got to take stock of our heritage, train guides, put in place a policy of cultural promotion... It costs a fortune,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said he was “waiting to see the pledges become a reality”.

Ouidah is a small town on the Atlantic coast and a former West African slave port to the New World. Under the government’s new plan, it will be the country’s tourist hub.

The town has the same Portuguese colonial architecture as Salvador de Bahia in Brazil, but it is more worn.

Ouidah’s beaches, however, stretch for miles and there are

villages dotted around the lagoon, colonial-era forts as well as a strong culture of the voodoo tradition.

It is also the home of subSaharan Africa’s first museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary African art.

Groups of Germans, Belgians, Italians and French come to Ouidah to take photos of themselves with pythons wrapped around their necks, unclear whether they should be terrified or enjoying it.

“Don’t worry,” says the guide.

“They’re sacred. They won’t do you any harm!”

The head of the town’s tourist office, Modeste Zinsou, described the town as “a living museum”.

“Tourism has a direct eco-

nomic impact on the population.

It pays for hoteliers, but also villagers, canoe drivers and fishermen. The problem is that Benin is not very well known.”

One of the main problems facing Benin is getting there in the first place.

The government has in response lifted visa restrictions for citizens of 30 African countries to encourage business travel from across the continent.

“As a general rule Africans don’t do leisure tourism, which is a lot more Western,” said Pliya.

“Now our aim is change the situation, so those who are business travelers will spend a day or two at leisure. We want to create new tourists.” AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

HEALTH & WELLNESS

D1

Get to know the stories of each product of agriprenuers at the 4th Philippine Harvest event

The 4th Philippine Harvest

features Madrid Fusion 2017 agripreneurs

A

RTISANAL products will be showcased by Filipino agripreneurs participating in the 2017 Madrid Fusion Manila—Our Sustainable Gastronomic Planet (MFM 2017) in April.

MFM 2017 is an international gastronomic event in the Philippines that brings together the most prestigious and innovative chefs from all over the world to share their knowledge and expertise on traditional and latest trends on food. It is the only Asian edition of Madrid Fusion celebrated annually in Madrid, Spain since 2003 and aims to promote, coordinate and enhance culture, tourism and commerce between the Philippines and Spain.

The 4th Philippine Harvest offers the chance to see and buy agricultural products rarely found in the Metro, among these are flower vegetables, organic meat and vegetables, dried fish, and fresh local fruits.

Committed to be the no. 1 salesman of local produce, Department of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol reiterates his support to agricultural entrepreneurs across the country through the promotion of organic, artisanal, natural and indigenous food products. The trade fair is expected to open new windows of opportunities to local farmers in showcasing agricultural products, and linking them to the private sector for possible partnerships and collaborations. Local agripreneurs will have a chance to share with consumers and potential investors the “stories” behind their products.

Metro Manila residents will get a chance to buy agricultural products rarely seen in any city in NCR at the 4th Philippine Harvest in April

The trade fair will open windows of opportunities to local farmers and food suppliers to showcase their organic, artisanal, natural and indigenous products

‘Work-and-play’ culture in a BPO LEADING BPO company Telus International Philippines (TIP) is keen on building a culture of work-and-play in the workplace, by opening various special interest groups or clubs for its team members. One of which is the TIP Football Club.

Established in the second quarter of 2014, TIP’s Football Club came to be after several Cameroonian Telus team members decided to apply to expand the company’s existing Special Interest Groups, to include a Football Club. The said members have played for professional football teams from their respective countries such as Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Congo. TIP’s Special Interest Group program is run independently by team members such as photography, water sports, running, dance, music, gaming, mountaineering, chorale and drama club.

TIP’s Football Club started with 14 members, but in two years, has grown to 60 comprising currently employed team members and those who have left the company. It is home to TIP team members from across the metro’s five sites either amateurs or professionals in the sport, all working hard to balance their day job with their other passion.

“Our club includes team managers, operations managers, team leads and business analysts,” says TIP trainer Ian Iturralde, presently TIP’s Football Club captain.

“It’s nice being surrounded by people who have the same goal of doing more and bettering themselves not just in work, but also in sports.”

vates personal development among its members.

“What we are at the club aligns with TIP’s core values: finding the courage to innovate, believing in spirited teamwork, developing passion for growth, and embracing change and in initiating opportunity,” says Iturralde.

“We innovate by boosting work-life balance. We foster teamwork by functioning as a family. We discuss issues and allow each other to grow with no badmouthing. We are also an accepting club that embraces change and opportunities, with no barriers whatsoever. The club, for example, has around 10-12 females in the group and that’s no issue.”

Apart from the football club, TIP also has clubs focused on mountaineering, biking, mixed martial arts, billiards, and even singing. Iturralde thus appreciates TIP’s efforts in building and maintaining interest groups in a busy working environment like that of BPOs. “The BPO industry is a busy workplace, with many of its employees juggling other things like school and sports. We always need ‘therapy’ especially after a stressful workday. While we have a gym at TIP, the football club lets us play sports and keeps us fit.”

“We at the club are athletes who look for challenges every day,” says Iturralde, who prior to joining TIP more than a year ago, played football for 12 years at San Beda College.

An inclusive, all-loving group “The winning attitude is always in Like the rest of the company’s spe- someone but TIP gave us the strength cial interest groups, TIP’s Football to be more and realize that we could Club values inclusivity and culti- always be better versions of ourselves.”

Legit athletes

TIP’s Football Club doesn’t limit its members to just appreciation of the sport. Hence, it also engages its members in real action by sending them out to tournaments.

The club has been an active contender at the Call Center Olympics (CCO), an annual multi-sports tournament among BPOs in the country.

Despite an emerging club, the club has won second runner-up in 2015 and first runner-up this year.

The club has also participated and succeeded in other major competitions and exhibitions. It won first runner-up honors at the 2015 Corporate Football League’s Yuppies Cup, apart from starring in the Escapada Cup—a La Sallesponsored league inviting teams from different areas in Luzon for friendly matches.

The high stakes and level of competition thus invite the members to train like real athletes. Every Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m., they’re at the Ascom Football Field in Taguig City getting their feet dirtied with Coach Remi Ndeh and Iturralde taking charge.

“We have a more frequent training schedule when it’s the season,” adds Iturralde.

The club, however, also finds time to bond by “spending a little time for dinner or a quick movie, or going bowling after every training.”

The Telus International Football Club works hard and plays harder

A Globe employee volunteer conducts a Digital Thumbprint Program workshop for high school students

#CyberPinoy

cyberwellness campaign

promotes online health and safety NEARLY half of Philippine Internet users are at risk of falling prey to cybercriminals due to online habits that make them highly-vulnerable to attacks, prompting leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom to launch the #CyberPinoy cyberwellness campaign which promotes safe and inspiring digital nation.

“Being in the forefront of digital innovations—from providing reliable mobile and broadband connections to world-class content offerings, global partners and more, Globe continuously seeks solutions that will support its sustainability philosophy to allow it to operate in a socially responsible way. Thus, we believe that being a purveyor of digital lifestyle, it is also our responsibility to promote online health, safety, and positive digital citizenship for all,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe senior vice president for Corporate Communications.

As an advocate of safe and responsible use of the Internet, Globe came up with #CyberPinoy to unify all its efforts to embrace a digital nation such as Protech101, Stop Spam, and more recently, the Digital Thumbprint Program.

ProTech101 is an online information drive that seeks to inform netizens of the dangers of online crimes by reminding them to keep their accounts and valuable information safe while Stop Spam is an initiative to address the proliferation of spam and scam messages through a Globe channel (www.globe.com.ph/stopspam) where

customers can report such incidents.

With the youth being greatly represented in the online community, Globe has also decided to adopt the Digital Thumbprint Program (DTP) of Optus and Singtel in Australia. DTP is an award-winning program that teaches high school students to understand the impact of their online behavior and how to be safe and responsible for their online activities. Through three workshops, the students learn how to discern proper online behavior, be aware of technology’s impact on their social activities, and develop skills on how to use technology to help them achieve life goals.

While the Internet provides wonderful experiences, it is also home to unscrupulous persons such as scammers, fraudsters, bullies and sexual predators who are out to harm or take advantage of other people.

Online scam topped the list of complaints received by the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) from 2013 to 2015 with a total of 366 incidents, followed by online libel with 240 cases, online threats with 129, identify theft with 127 and anti-photo and video voyeurism with 89.

Likewise, the 2014-2015 Cybercrime Report of the Department of Justice’s Office of Cybercrime showed that cyberespionage attacks or intellectual property theft is on the rise with 31 percent of the 614 recorded attacks directed against small businesses while 33 percent involved internet/ATM fraud and identity theft.

Life

D2

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

VRP Medical Center’

IMPROVEMENTS

for 44th anniversary I

N ITS commitment to serving healthcare to as many as possible, VRP Medical Center (VRPMC) is on the road to achieving another milestone in its 43 years of providing accurate, humane and affordable healthcare, by opening 43 new rooms, composed mostly of private rooms.

This is to address the public clamor for heightened privacy and the strengthened spending capacity of patients.

These new rooms are on the fifth floor of the main hospital building and span all the way to the 10th floor. They feature meticulously select-

ed color palettes for the walls and the fixtures, to maintain a calming sense of comfort and tranquility for patients.

Each room’s layout and contemporary design has been painstakingly conceptualized and fabricated to consider both functionality and

for the patient’s ease and comfort. When guests and patrons walk in, the immediate feeling is like walking in a modern, condominium unit.

With the addition of the new rooms, new conveniences are also in place for the patients and patrons. Free WiFi access across all hospital floors is now available, making their stay with VRPMC as pleasurable as possible. Energy conservation, a major consideration in the planning of the new rooms, was also actualized by installing LED lamps and inverter type air conditioners, estimated to cut down electrical consumption by as much as 60 percent. In terms of water conservation, low flow valves were installed.

VRPMC Engr. Stephen Mercaida, Gen. Services Division head and over-all in charge of con-

Aside from new rooms, free WiFi access across all hospital floors is now available

struction said, “We’re also making huge improvements on the 11th floor of VRPMC. Once finished, it will house our brand new chapel, four clinical department offices, and an open wellness area.”

VRPMC CEO and President Ma. Victoria Vergel De Dios says, “Patients may enjoy the view and walk around while recuperating at the hospital. It is hoped that considering the many amenities we have to offer, it will make their stay pleasurable while being attended with their medical needs.”

Correspondingly, VRPMC’s Physician Center is also geared for improvements. The hospital added a whole new floor, designed to accommodate additional clinics and slated for physicians who would like to be part of the VRPMC family.

The reconstruction of the VRP Hall was also part of the hospi-

tals renovation efforts. Now up to date, expanded, and fashionably furnished, the VRP Hall will be the staple venue of VRPMC’s various events, gatherings and programs. Rona Vergel De Dios Garcia, VRPMC Hospital administrator said, “We are excited to organize conferences and invite other companies and hospitals to have their seminars and events here at VRPMC. Our hall is not just stylish and functional, but it can now accommodate a large number of participants compared to the previous hall.”

To encapsulate all these improvements and showcase it to the public, the hospital refreshed its entire facade.

Amidst the turmoil and hubbub of Edsa, VRPMC has stood as a landmark of healthcare for all walks of life, and a rebirth of its facade sets the tone for its renewed commitment to premium quality healthcare that is humane, accurate yet affordable. As mentioned by Director and Chairperson of the construction Committee, Buenaventura Vergel De Dios, “As we unveil the new and improved rooms and amenities, we also made sure that the facade also represents the new and improved VRP Medical Center”.

For more inquiries, visit the VRP Medical Center located at 163 Edsa, 1501 Mandaluyong City or call (02) 464-9999 or like their Facebook page through www.facebook.com/vrpmedicalcenter.

VRP Medical Center in Mandaluyong City celebrates its anniversary by opening 43 new rooms

YOUTH

join ‘Young Leaders Build’

CAMPAIGN

HOUSING organization, Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP), announced the 2017 launch of Young Leaders Build. The campaign is Habitat’s largest youth movement in the Asia-Pacific region. Organized for the sixth consecutive year, the regional campaign is driven by dynamic and socially responsible youth to ensure decent housing for all in a region where one in eight people live in slums, according to the United Nations. The annual campaign rallies young people to speak out, raise funds and build decent homes The Philippines is currently facing a housing crisis with 5.5 million Filipino families lacking access to their own safe, decent home.

“At Habitat, we aim to serve these families in need by partnering with others to build better communities, and a better nation – together. We believe the best way to face this crisis is work alongside the next generation of empowered youth leaders who are socially conscious and energetic to volunteer, fundraise and advocate for poverty alleviation,” Charlie Ayco, said HFHP managing director and CEO. HFHP has engaged more than 1.2 million volunteers in the past fiscal year, which garnered more than 2.5 million volunteer hours. The organization looks forward to engaging, even more youth volunteers through the Young Leaders Build campaign in the coming months. The Young

Leaders Build was first pioneered more than a decade ago by Alexandra Eduque, founder and chairperson of the Habitat Youth Council, who kickstarted the project as a national effort.

Now, due to the campaign’s successes, it is now a global youth movement.

“We look forward to this year’s Young Leaders Build to be more empowering to the youth and more transforming for the families and communities we serve,” Ayco added.

In the coming months, youth, celebrities, schools and corporate supporters will volunteer, raise funds and lend their voices to help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Events planned across the region include workshops, rallies, runs, volunteer trips, a youth forum, an advocacy grant program and a Twitter party.

The multi-month Young Leaders Build campaign will culminate on April 22 with thousands of young people taking part in simultaneous activities across Asia-Pacific. These include house building, school cleaning, fundraising events, and advocating for decent housing on social media.

The campaign in the past year saw a record 2,448,914 supporters from 16 countries and one Special Administrative Region in the Asia-Pacific region.

Volunteers worked on 420 houses and served 7,620 families. The campaign raised US$ 1.6 million to enable families to have a decent place to live.

Scholarships in five state universities GINEBRA San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) has launched a program that will provide full scholarship grants to select graduating students in five state universities nationwide.

The five state universities include Pangasinan State University in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; Central State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Intramuros, Manila; Batangas State University in Batangas City, Batangas; and Negros Oriental State University in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

The GSMI Scholarship Program will

provide full scholarship grants to students of B.S. Mechanical Engineering and B.S. Chemistry who are in their final year. Upon passing their board examinations, scholars are also considered for employment opportunities in the company’s facilities.

“GSMI has always been committed to helping secure a better future for the youth by providing free education and employment opportunities.

The scholarship program combines the company’s corporate social responsibility thrust of building better communities and the goal of devel-

oping a talent pool for the company’s cadetship and traineeship programs.

With the company’s numerous plants and facilities located in different regions of the country, opportunities for our scholars are countless,” says GSMI Human Resources Manager Roxanne Millan.

GSMI is the producer of the world’s no. 1 selling gin Ginebra San Miguel and other quality liquor products including Vino Kulafu, Ginebra San Miguel Premium Gin, GSM Blue, GSM Blue Flavors, Antonov Vodka and Primera Light Brandy.

GSMI Scholarship Program provides full scholarship grants to BS Mechanical Engineering and BS Chemistry students

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

HOW CAN YOU TELL

if a person lies?

E

XPERTS have taken their cue from a study at the University of California Los Angeles, which states that effective communication is 55 percent dependent on non-verbal behavior, 38 percent on tone of voice, and only seven percent on words— all of which must be congruent when conveying a message.

Here are some of the red flags identified by experts, including former agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Eyes People experience stress and discomfort when they lie. As a result, their eyes tend to blink rapidly, stay shut for more than a second, or dart back and forth.

These gestures are either a defense mechanism or a subconscious attempt to find a way out of an unwanted situation, according to former FBI agent Mark Bouton in his book How to Spot Lies Like the FBI. Bouton added people who lie tend to look to their right. He said when right-handed people look to the left, they are trying to recall incidents, sounds, smells, and sensations. When they look to the right, however, they are trying to access their imagination and invent stories.

Former NCIS star Michael Weatherly (center) as Dr. Jason Bull in legal-dramedy television series, "Bull."

Mouth Liars may try smiling to feel less tense. The smile, however, comes off forced and insincere. Bouton noted that a genuine smile causes the skin around the eyes to wrinkle.

Liars also tend to purse their lips to keep their mouths from drying— another physical effect that comes with the pressure of concealing the truth.

Voice and Speaking Body language experts use a method called norming to identify how people naturally speak or behave. During this process, patterns in body language, facial expression, and talking speed are identified. According to FBI criminal profiler and crime analyst Gregg McCrary, voice or demeanor changes when a person is not telling the truth.

Arms Touching the face in certain ways are among the telltale signs of dishonesty according to former

CIA officers Philip Houston, Michael Floyd, and Susan Carnicero in their book Spy the Lie. Covering the eyes and nose, for instance, is an attempt to cover up lies.

Relationship therapist Barbara Mitchell also identified unnecessary physical action, such as cleaning one’s glasses and tidying up one’s surroundings, as signs of restlessness among people who lie to loved ones.

Face and Head Sweat appearing on the forehead, cheeks, or nape can give away deception, said Bouton. The way the head moves can also show the disconnection between a person’s words and thoughts. When people tell the truth, they will often nod in agreement to what they say.

Otherwise, they might shake their head to disagree with themselves.

Body language, verdicts, justice Reading body language is a

valuable lesson that trial consultant Dr. Jason Bull, protagonist of the American legal drama Bull, knows all too well.

In the episode “The Necklace,” Bull warned his client that the jury might charge him guilty if he kept on dressing up like a punk at court.

The client was also cautioned against hiding information in the courtroom, where being proven a liar even by partly concealing the truth could seal his fate for the worse.

Dr. Bull’s unfolding saga continues to expose the many twists and turns of the American justice system. In each case he handles, he finds himself working at the backstage to help his clients appear as convincing as they are truthful on the witness stand.

Bull airs every Wednesday, 9 p.m., same day as the US, first and exclusive on RTL CBS Entertainment.

Sony Channel ups the ante in primetime viewing this March with the captivating legal drama ‘Chicago Justice’ MARCH 8, Wednesdays at 8:50 p.m. with double-episode premiere, same week as the U.S. telecast, a new breed of legal heroes are on the rise to uphold the law at all times in the brand new legal drama, Chicago Justice, which premieres on Sony Channel.

This fourth installment from executive producer Dick Wolf’s Chicago franchise stars Carl Weathers (Rocky) as State Attorney Mark Jefferies, Philip Winchester (Strike Back) as Assistant State Attorney Peter Stone, Jon Seda (Chicago P.D.) as Chief Investigator Antonio Dawson, Monica Barbaro (UnReal) as Assistant State Attorney Anna Valdez, and Joelle Carter (Justified) as Investigator Laura Nagel.

Together at the Cook County State Attorney’s Office, this

The cast of legal drama "Chicago Justice"

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, March 2, 2017

ACROSS 1 No blabbermouth 5 Old wives’ tales 9 Oater backdrop 13 Snert’s master 15 NASDAQ kin 16 Disney head Robert — 17 Sherlock’s lady 18 Bivouac 19 Vanessa’s sister 20 Rotter 21 Herr’s refusal 23 Roll by 25 Welcome benefit 26 Heathcliff’s creator 27 New swimmer 30 Yada yada ...

31 Grant applicant 32 Dionne Warwick hit (3 wds.)

37 Front of the calf 38 Fizzing 40 Butler’s haunt 41 Flower vendor’s “shop” 43 Purse holder 44 Tease 45 Points of view 47 Four-door models 50 Tusked animal 51 Seeing red?

(2 wds.)

52 Trailing 53 Sun, in Acapulco 56 Billion, in combos 57 Long-billed wader 59 — nous 61 Sign on a door 62 Celebrity 63 Take forcibly 64 Lipstick shades 65 Schmoozes 66 Piccadilly statue DOWN 1 Snazzy 2 Zhivago’s love 3 Like prime steak 4 Chess piece 5 Fastening 6 Arabian Sea gulf 7 Dream acronym 8 Like a pro 9 La Scala city 10 Tut’s turf 11 Have a premonition 12 Drury Lane composer 14 “The Bathers” painter 22 Geological period 24 Wrestling hold 25 Combine

26 27 28 29 32 33

Shaft of light Knife wound Job-safety org.

Surface layer Angkor — Web-footed mammal 34 DEA operative 35 Neighbor’s kid 36 Barks shrilly 38 Passing out 39 Regal symbols 42 Seafood entree 43 Sudden outpouring

45 Cheapens 46 Brillo rival 47 Shore bird 48 Went slowly 49 Faculty honchos 51 Borodin prince 52 Swing’s support 53 Cooler or jug 54 Ricelike pasta 55 Wine sediments 58 Sheepish comment 60 Born as

dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators engage in heated arguments in their fearless pursuit of justice as they handle high profile and sensational cases while trying to find the balance between politics, power struggles, and public opinion.

Armed with their unwavering passion for the law, they must face one controversy to the next, proving their point in every case, as they hurdle through the legal system and eventually become a part of Chicago’s finest.

Chicago Justice airs every Wednesday at 8:50 p.m. with a double-episode premiere same week as the U.S. telecast.

Sony Channel is available on SKY Cable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 120, Global Destiny Cable Channel 62, and Cable Link Channel 39.

No sympathy for fellow

BICOLANO

AS A kapwa Uragon (Bicol term for “smart, wise, exceptional, etc), I should have felt pity for what happened to Senator Leila de Lima.

But, I was surprised that it did not happen. I was even asking myself, “How come I could not sympathize with her, neither could I believe her?”

Like any other citizens of this country who have followed her stories and controversies, scandals and the way she handled them, “pity” would be the last word I could give her.

Maybe, I saw her so gallant and very powerful especially during the height of those issues, when she always had this brave front and talked like she is Ms. Perfect—the most righteous one and has committed no mistake.

“Lahat na ng mga taong isinangkot siya sa mga isyung naging dahilan ng kanyang pagkakakulong ay pinalabas niyang mga sinungaling, maliban lang sa kanya.”

Perhaps, that is the very core of what I am feeling for her right now. Bicolanos are known for being so brave and yet so humble in times of seeking truth. More so, Uragons’ manner of displaying gallantry is based on a peaceful heart and a calmer soul.

In this very cynical world where no one is spared of being pre-judged or misjudged, Senator de Lima is no exception as she yet seems to continue to be living and believing her own laws.

What a pity! **** That is why we fully understand what former Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada had posted in their social media accounts on De Lima’s controversial surrender.

Sen. Jinggoy’s livid reaction wasn’t surprising when de Lima made a request from the authorities that would serve her warrant to let her stay in the Senate first. It was even accommodated by Senate President Koko Pimetel. Those actions also sparked citizens like us to wonder why.

“Why do you have to seek refuge in the Senate? We never sought for refuge when you had us arrested!! Who are you to demand where you want to be jailed? We never did that during your time! We surrendered even before the warrant of arrest was served. We went to Crame immediately. Can’t you do the same? SHAME ON YOU,” were Sen. Jinggoy’s words.

“Ngayon naramdaman mo na rin kung ano ang naramdaman namin at ng aming pamilya,” reacted Sen. Bong.

While Sen. Jinggoy’s questioned legalities, technicalities and morals of serving the warrant and surrender, Sen. Bong’s hit de Lima’s emotions and conscience.

And now that she is placed almost in the same vicinity where these two good leaders are detained for three years now, everybody is looking forward as to how de Lima will utilize her feistiness and intelligence.

For now we can only agree with Sen. Bong’s message to her that states, “Senator De Lima, you should welcome this development as an opportunity to face the serious allegations against you in the proper forum. Be strong and hold on to your faith. It is the only thing that keeps me going everyday while in detention. God has a way of meting out His Divine Justice.”

Yun na! **** On the showbiz front, we watched and enjoyed “Tawag ng Tanghalan’s” last quarterfinal round on It’s Showtime.

We were so impressed by the showcase of very talented contenders who sang like professionals.

Various genres and styles were heard and seen, and we could not agree less on the judges’ decision to campaign for fellow Bicolano Froilan Canlas who truly sings songs that are not even for contest and yet appears like he is already a champion.

But, since text votes are part of the whole elimination process, Froilan never made the cut. His fellow semifinalists Carl Montecido of Visayas and Sam Mangubat of Luzon are now qualified to compete in the grand finals.

But in a manner of putting surprise, It’s Showtime management decided to give a break and last chance to those semifinalists from first, second, third and last quarters in a “wild card round”, where the last two grand finalists will be chosen.

Yes, this coming week, TNT will feature all the 14 contenders in a battle that can be called grand finals of the semifinalists!

Whewww! Kung sa iilan pa nga lang ay nahihilo na kami, sa ganun pa kayang kadaming sobrang huhusay kumanta?

Only in It’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan.”

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

ISAH V. RED

I

T’S a double cinematic treat this month when Star Cinema releases two of last year’s most talked about Cinema One Originals Festival entries - Baka Bukas and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.

Baka Bukas, a finalist in the narrative category in last year’s Cinema One Originals Festival and recipient of its coveted Audience Choice Award, marks the feature film directorial debut of Samantha Lee who also received critical acclaim both locally and internationally because of her riveting documentary titled Agos (Waves).

Baka Bukas stars Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Louise Delos Reyes, two of today’s most promising young actresses. The film offers a fresh take on significant issues that have always been part of the lives of today’s youth – from complicated relationships to career struggles, as well as their whirlwind journey of acceptance from their families, friends, and most especially, themselves.

Jasmine, who also starred in Transit, the official Philippine entry to the 86th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, bagged the Best Actress award for her role as Alex in. She captivated audiences in her role as a twenty-something lesbian working multiple jobs secretly in love with her best friend.

Louise, on the other hand, captures the complexities of a typical millennial trying her hardest to find, and not lose, her true self in the process of chasing her dreams as Jess.

2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten by Petersen Vargas took home the Best Picture award in last year’s Cinema One Originals Festival.

It is the fruition of Vargas’ translation of writer Jason Paul Laxamana’s powerful words into compelling cinematic imagery. As a young director, he currently has four nominations and a win under his belt in different film festivals and award-giving bodies.

Featured in the ensemble cast of 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten are Jameson Blake, Ethan Salvador, and Khalil Ramos.

Salvador is a Top 40 finalist in Pinoy Boyband Superstar and a Star Magic artist. Salvador was nominated for a Best Supporting

Ethan Salvador, Khalil Ramos and Jameson Blake in a gay-themed film about young boys confronted with love and gender issues.

BACK-TO-BACK OPENING OF

2 Cinema One Originals films

Way Again,” a duet with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano.

Jona is produced by Patty Mayoralgo and Jonathan Manalo. It will be available at all leading music stores starting tomorrow and can be downloaded worldwide beginning Saturday. *** Glaiza de Castro and Kristoffer Martin signed exclusive contracts anew with the Kapuso Network on Feb. 21.

De Castro said she is very happy with the way GMA is handling her career all these years. “More than 10 years na ako sa GMA and masasabi ko na hindi ako nagkamali talaga ng decision to stick with the Network kasi dito ako nag-grow as an actor and as a person.

Sobrang grateful ako kasi hindi lahat nabibigyan ng chance to do roles as diverse tulad ng ginagawa ko. Natutuwa ako na hindi ako nakakulong lang sa isang role. GMA has been giving me the chance to play with my characters.”

She is currently starring in the country’s No. 1 primetime series Encantadia as Sang’gre Pirena. She is very grateful to GMA for entrusting her one of the important roles in the hit telefantasya. “Nakakatuwang isipin na yung Encantadia is running for almost a year now.

At itong show na ito ay nagbigay talaga ng maraming breaks sa akin. Ako, as Pirena, ang haba ng tinakbo ng character ko.

Ngayon mabait na siya pero after that, napakarami pang aabangan na kahit ako ay nagaabang din what’s next for me,” the singer-actress said.

Meanwhile, Martin said he is very pleased to renew his contract with the Kapuso Network, “I’ve been with GMA for six years now and I am so happy kasi sila yung nagbigay sa akin ng opportunity na ipakita yung talent ko. Sila yung kasama ko since nag-start ako hanggang sa ngayon. Actually work-wise, wala akong masabi sa kanila kasi lahat ng ibigay nila sa akin na projects, talagang happy ako.”

Martin was last seen in the successful Afternoon Prime series Hahamakin Ang Lahat with his perennial love team Joyce Ching. Aside from acting, the home-grown Kapuso actor also dabbles in singing as well.

He performed the theme song “Sa Piling Mo” in the top-rating drama series Alyas Robin Hood.

“Tuwang-tuwa ako talaga.

Hindi ko na-imagine na kakagatin ng viewers at marami yung magkakagusto sa kanta.

Every time na may mall show ako, eto yung palaging nirerequest na kantahin ko.”

Jasmine Curtis-Smith (center), the lead star of the romantic indie drama "Sana Bukas."

Actor award for his role as Magnus Snyder.

Ramos, a Star Magic artist and a Star Music recording artist, received a Best Actor nomination for his role as Felix.

A second placer in Pilipinas Got Talent, Khalil’s Talent Star Cinema film credits include A S e c o n d Chance and The Achy B r e a k y Hearts.

Hearts Blake, a former Pinoy Big Brother housemate a n d currently a member of It’s Showtime’s Hashtags boy group, a l s o received a Best Supporting A c t o r nomination for his role as Maxim

Snyder in the film.

Both films are hip, fresh, risky, adventurous, and hopeful. Baka Bukas and 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten pose the question to every millennial: how much do you love your best friend?

The characters in both movies dare to love their best friends even if it is complicated, even if it means waiting, and ultimately even if it means risking their friendships.

Witness the limitless bounds that true friendship could surpass in these two films that every millennial and movie aficionado should not miss.

Bukas Bukas is now showing in cinemas nationwide , while 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten opens nationwide on March 15. *** Kapamilya singer Jona is set to impress listeners with her amazing vocals as she finally releases her first and much-awaited album under Star Music.

After being welcomed into her new home, the power belter has gained new fans and achieved several milestones in her career – interpreting a song from Himig Handog P-pop Love Songs 2016 (“Maghihintay Ako”), recording a song for the 25th anniversary compilation album of MMK (“Because You Loved Me”), staging her first-ever major solo concert as a Kapamilya (Queen of the Night: Jona), and becoming one of the Birit Queens in ASAP. “My first year with ABS-CBN has

been colorful. I’ve done many firsts in my career. And now, finally, I am releasing this album that I’m very proud of. I consider it a dream come true,” said Jona.

Her self-titled album features original love songs that will surely tug at listeners’ heartstrings, such as the album’s carrier single “Ano Nga Ba Tayo?,” “Matibay,” a duet with Asia’s Song Bird Regine Velasquez, “Till the End of Time,” “Ano Bakit Paano,” and “Last Message.”

The album also includes her renditions of TV and movie theme songs such as “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” from Barcelona: A Love Untold,, “You” from My Ex and Whys, and “Maghihintay Ako,” the song she interpreted for Himig Handog 2016.

Completing the album’s track list are three bonus tracks “Ano Bakit Paano” (cinematic version), “Till the End of Time” featuring BoyBandPH, and “I’ll Never Love This

*** Cristine Reyes, Arci Muñoz, Sue Ramirez, and Pokwang will prove they can do anything to entertain viewers in the newest talent-variety program I Can Do That, soon on ABS-CBN. The four Kapamilya stars are the first celebrity challengers that will complete and perform unique talents they have never done before with only one week of training. In the end, only one will be hailed as the Greatest Entertainer.

Who are the male celebrities joining the girls?

What challenges will force them out of their comfort zones?

I Can Do That, developed by Israel’s Armoza Formats, has local versions in 20 countries, including the United States, which named singer Nicole Scherzinger its first Greatest Entertainer.