Manila Standard - 2017 April 28 - Friday by Manila Standard

BRUNEI, PH FIRM UP TRADE, CULTURE DEALS By Sandy Araneta

VOL. XXXI • NO. 73 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE Philippines and Brunei signed two agreements Thursday during a meeting in Malacañang between President Rodrigo Duterte and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. The ﬁrst seeks to promote cooperation in culture and arts by enhancing institutional networking and people-to-people exchanges, a statement from Malacañang said. The second seeks to foster cooperation in developing Halal products, reducing technical barriers to trade, and facilitat-

ing trade in Halal products. During his opening statement before the signing, Duterte welcomed Bolkiah and the delegates from Brunei. “Your majesty is the first Asean head of state to visit the Philippines under my administration and this to me imbues our meeting today with great significance,” said Duterte. “Since my state visit to Brunei in October last year, we have been looking forward to this occasion to reaffirm a Next page

PH presses for sea code Duterte sets aside decision vs China By John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta

HE Philippines will not be raising the landmark arbitration ruling that gave Manila a victory over Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday.

Saying that Manila’s arbitration victory over Beijing is a “nonissue” when he meets with nine other Southeast Asia leaders this week, Duterte said that only the thing he would be raising as Asean chair would be the Code of Conduct for Parties in the South China Sea, which Manila wants completed this year. “We cannot, on our own, enforce the judgement of the arbitral tribunal. Stop dreaming about [the] arbitral [ruling.] You cannot… Unless we are prepared to go to war,” Duterte said at the sidelines of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s state visit this year. “I will skip the arbitral ruling. It is not an issue here in the Asean,” he said, adding that the arbitral tribunal’s ruling was a matter between China and the Philippines. He added that Beijing has already decided to ignore the arbitration ruling. “If you go there and make noise, will they listen?” he said in Filipino. “China said it’s completely ignoring the arbitral. So what more can you ask of it? Make noise? For what?” the President said. Duterte made these pronouncements as the National Security

GUARD OF HONOR. President Rodrigo Duterte (left) and Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (right) salute

as they walk past a guard of honor during a welcome ceremony at Malacañang Thursday, ahead of the Asean Summit today. Below, Malaysian Prime Minister Rajib Razak arrives at the Naia Terminal 2 on board a Malaysian Airlines special ﬂight Thursday with Peace Panel Secretary Jess Dureza representing the Philippine government in welcoming the Malaysian ofﬁcials attending the Summit. AFP/Eric Apolonio

Abaya faces plunder Navy acquires over ‘unusable trains’ Korean ship for $100 only By John Paolo Bencito

Digong vows to ‘unplug’ ABS-CBN By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday he will block the renewal of the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, which he accuses of estafa for accepting payment for his campaign ads but not airing them during the elections. He said he will not renew ABSCBN’s franchise which will ex-

pire on March 30, 2020. “[The franchise] has been there for 25 years. The law says it’s okay only if you adhere to journalistic standards,” Duterte told reporters. “What did you do to us? Estafa, swindling, not only me but Chiz Escudero, many of us. Son of a bitch, you collected outright then you commit estafa.” Duterte said he will be blocking

the attempts to renew the franchise of the Lopez family-owned media giant. “So I will ﬁle a complaint. Congress, no need to renew it. But to operate is something else, so I will point this out, your garbage, then we’ll see,” he said. “If ganoon ka kaano, you’re engaged in swindling for all we Next page

FORMER Transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya will have his day in court, his successor vowed Thursday after a lawmaker insinuated that Abaya might be liable for plunder after 48 new light rail vehicles purchased under the Aquino administration would remain unusable for the next three years. “Am I calling for my predecessor to explain his side? Number one, he will have his day in court. When that moment comes, when that time arrives, then so be it. Period,” Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade told reporters. “Investigations are ongoing right now. I assure you, sir, once there are substantive proofs to justify the case, then we will do it. But these hanky-pankies, once they are proven, will not go unpunished.” In a radio interview Thursday, Senator Grace Poe said Abaya “doesn’t deserve any rest” following the onerous purchase of the 48 unusable light rail vehicles from China. She said Abaya could be held liable for plunder and graft charges. On Sunday, Tugade’s assistant secretary for rails Cesar Chavez said the 48 LRVs purchased for P3.8 billion would remain unusable until 2020 for lacking any signaling system. Tugade said he would be getting “international independent party certiﬁcates” for the 48 LRVs before the public could ride on them.

By Francisco Tuyay THE Philippines’ maritime patrols are expected to be boosted with its acquisition of a destroyer-type vessel from South Korea, Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Thursday. He said the South Korean government will donate the Pohang-Class Flight III anti-submarine corvette within the year for a token fee of $100. “The transfer will be in the form of a donation, but we will pay a token fee of 100 dollars,” Andolong said. “We have sent a letter to the government of South Korea expressing our intent to acquire one Pohang-class corvette and we are hoping to receive the vessel within the year.” The Pohang-class corvette served during the Cold War era when 24 were built. Eighteen are still in commission. During the incumbency of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, the government attempted to acquire a Pohang-class vessel, but the plans were scuttled as the ship they claimed as too old. The South Korean government has already donated two ships to the Philippine Navy that it now uses for its maritime patrols.

‘If I go to prison, so be it’ By Sandy Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday played down a complaint filed before the International Criminal Court accusing him of committing crimes against humanity. “Let him be. Nobody can stop him from filing,” Duterte said of the lawyer who filed the case. “If I go to prison, so be it,” Duterte said. Duterte said he was given a copy of the complaint filed by lawyer Jude Sabio, the legal counsel of confessed hitman Edgar Matobato, who said the President started the Davao Death Squad when he was still a mayor of the city. In a letter to the ICC, Sabio accused Duterte and 11 govern-

ment and police ofﬁcials of committing crimes against humanity for the spate of deaths under the administration’s drug war. The complaint cited testimonies from Matobato, another self-confessed DDS assassin Arthur Lascañas, and various reports from human rights groups and media organizations. Matobato and Lascañas earlier tagged the President in DDS murders, reportedly carried out during his years as Davao City mayor. Duterte has given varying answers to the existence of the death squad, but the two selfconfessed hitmen have maintained that the long-time city chief ordered killings of petty criminals, drug dealers, and even political enemies. Next page

Gina bans open-pit mining By Rio N. Araja and Anna Leah E. Gonzales

IT’S SUMMER. Filipinos know the country’s blazing season is up when melon fruits, like these ones displayed at the Edsa Market in Balintawak, Quezon City, crowd the stalls for the expected high demand, which is also experienced in hotels in the metropolis, particularly with the three-day Asean Summit starting today. Lino Santos

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Regina Lopez on Thursday banned new open-pit mining. She blamed open-pit mines for the serious degradation of the environment. “Each open pit is a ﬁnancial liability for government and for life. It kills the economic potential of the place,” she said. Her administrative order came before another hearing on her conﬁrmation by the Commission on Appointments is set on May 2, where she is expected to face strong opposition. Next page

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New rules on drug war sought By Joel E. Zurbano

GROUP of human rights lawyers has asked the Supreme Court to act on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and create a new procedure in a bid to serve justice to the victims of summary executions.

The Center for International Law or Center Law asked the high court to promulgate a policy creating a writ of contra homo sacer to ensure due process is accorded to suspected drug dealers and other crime suspects. Homo sacer refers to a class of people in ancient Rome who were treated as outlaws who had no rights and who could be killed without the killer being regarded as a murderer. In other developments: Eight drug suspects were killed and another was wounded in police anti-drug operations in Batangas, Laguna and Cavite on Thursday. Police confiscated about P2 million worth of shabu in Caloocan City on Wednesday afternoon. In Bayombong, Nueva Viz-

caya, 2015 Miss World-Philippines Hillary Parungao asked the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police to conduct an independent investigation on her father’s alleged suicide inside the police station in Solano town. Parungao said her father Edmundo, 40, who was tagged as an illegal drug user, had earlier volunteered himself to undergo drug rehabilitation and finished the program. “He sacrificed those times away from us to get clean and sober. He voluntarily surrendered to show his willingness and cooperation,” she said. Center Law believes the current administration treats suspected drug dealers and depend-

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Brunei...

know ilang kompanya dito na hindi n’yo pinalabas. If you operate, ABS-CBN, tapos manloloko lang kayo ng tao, magswindling kayo, I have to stop you, ‘di ba?” he added. Duterte also accuses ABSCBN of biased and inaccurate reporting. Two bills were introduced in the 16th Congress for the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise granted in March 1995: One by Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, filed in September 2014, and another by Baguio Rep. Nicasio M. Aliping Jr., filed in December of the same year but none were laid before former President Benigno Aquino III’s table. The proposed bills would renew ABS-CBN’s right to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines through microwave, satellite or whatever means, including the use of new technologies in television and radio systems. Recently, Duterte signed into law Republic Act 10925 extending the franchise of rival GMA Network Inc. for another 25 years. Duterte also slammed the Philippine Daily Inquirer, this time singling out columnist John Nery who is also editorin-chief of Inquirer.net. After exposing alleged back taxes in their Dunkin’ Donut franchise, Duterte scored the Prietos who own the Inquirer and vowed to recover a 2.9-hectare prime property in Makati owned by the government. The property owned by the National Power Corp. includes the Premier Cinema, Mile Long Arcade, Makati Creekside Building, the Gallery Building and Sunvar Plaza were developed in a sub-lease agreement with Sunvar Realty Development Corp., the property arm of the Prieto and Rufino families. “Ang gusto kong tanong sa inyong mga crusader na mga newspapers, bakit sila corrupt din? Answer me?” Yung Mile Long na yan, sinong may-ari niyan? Yung mga Rufino... who is Rufino? Married to Prieto,” Duterte said. “Itong Mile Long na yan, sinong may-ari? I assure you, after all of these things here, I will start to recover property. Including yung Inquirer na yan—the loudest of them all. Crusader kuno. Yun pala, crony rin. E kay Romualdez yan e. Philip Romualdez, he’s the husband of Prieto.” Benjamin Philip Romualdez, who is chairman of the Manila Standard, is married to Alexandra Prieto, who is president of the Inquirer. Romualdez, however, has no interest in the Inquirer and the Mile Long property.

partnership that continues to hold great promise,” Duterte said. Bolkiah said he observed rapid economic development in the Philippines and looked forward to enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries. In a statement later, Duterte described his talks with Bolkiah as a success. “We welcome intensified interactions and exchange between our governments and resolve to utilize the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation or JCBC, mechanisms to chart future paths to review the progress that we have made,” he said. Duterte said these include waging a committed and principled campaign against terrorism, extremism and piracy at sea, and pursuing peace and development in Mindanao. “As I recognize Brunei’s role in the peace process in the southern Philippines, I sought and received support for efforts to spur and sustain growth in Mindanao,” Duterte said. Duterte also said the Brunei Da r u ssala m-I ndonesia-Ma-

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‘I’m doing it now because I have no idea what’s going to happen on Tuesday,” Lopez said. Existing open-pit mines are not covered by Lopez’s order. “I’m banning the open-pit mining, and not the existing ones because they are already there. We just have to find a way out of it. But we are banning prospective open-pit mines,” she said. Apart from being a financial liability, an open-pit mine poses risk to the community, Lopez said. She said the prohibition does not need any amendment to the

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Sabio said Duterte had “repeatedly, unchangingly and continuously” committed crimes against humanity, and that killing drug suspects and other criminals has become “best practice” under his administration’s war on drugs. More than 7,000 have died in Duterte’s fierce anti-drug campaign, but the administration has maintained that less than half have been killed in legitimate police operations. Reuters has placed the death toll at 9,000. The Palace had earlier said the ICC case would not prosper. Duterte’s allies in Congress, as well as top government lawyer Jose Calida, also share the same position. The complaint is only a possible first step in what could be a long process at the ICC. The tri-

ents as Homo sacer. “They are reduced to mere biological existence, denied of all rights, marked for execution anytime and anywhere and subject to banishment to the realm of uncertain fate.” The group led by Joel Butuyan claims that the war on drugs initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte had already resulted in the killing of at least 8,000 people since July last year. Under its proposed writ, a new mandatory inquest procedure would be instituted to address the deaths arising from police operations as well as from vigilante-style killings. Center Law says the writ would require a full documentation of any operation on the part of the PNP. “This includes the mandatory submission of detailed reports, forensic evidence, autopsy reports and the like that comply with international standards,” the group said. “Many of these documentary requirements, while already provided under the existing rules of the Department of Justice and the Philippine National Police,

are often ignored by authorities. “The obligation of police officers to turn over records, documents and all evidence in connection with the commission of a crime as they themselves allege must be required all the more if the suspect ends up dead either at the hands of police officers or unknown assailants.” Center Law suggested to the high court to adopt international standards laid down by the United Nations Minnesota Protocol on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal Killings, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, Enforced Disappearances and Torture in crafting the new writ. The high court has already put in place the writs of Amparo and habeas data as protective remedies against the human rights abuses of law enforcement authorities. Center Law filed an Amparo petition earlier this year for a survivor and the families of four men allegedly killed by members of the Quezon City Police District in Payatas during an anti-drug operation last year. Last February, the Court of

Appeals issued a permanent protection order in favor of the victims after state solicitors hardly objected to the plea of the petitioners. The Office of the Solicitor General did not oppose the issuance of the protective order, saying it is the duty of authorities to protect the citizens. Several groups are opposing the war on drugs, saying the killings will not stop the illegal drug trade. “The illegal drug trade is only a symptom of deeper social problems like rising poverty, joblessness, extreme hunger, injustice and inequality that push people to the underworld economy out of desperation,” said Anakbayan chairman Vencer Crisostomo. The war on drugs, the group said, was bound to fail if not accompanied by deeper social change involving genuine land reform, the creation of jobs through the building of national industries, and massive social welfare for the affordable rehabilitation of parts of the population victimized by the drug menace. With Francisco Tuyay, Jun David and Ben Moses Ebreo

laysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) can be a model for bringing inclusive development to areas that most need growth to transform lives and communities. Duterte said the agreements on cooperation in culture and arts and in the Halal industry were steps in the right direction and provide the framework for the two countries to work even more closely together. Duterte also said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations would make sure that the principle of seeking a peaceful resolution of disputes will be articulated fully. “This is a collective interest that must be upheld in the implementation of the Declaration of the Code of Conduct and greater progress on the Framework of Code of Conduct in South China Sea,” said Duterte. “As we seek peace, stability and security in the vital waters of South China Sea, we must remember that we have duties as responsible members of the international community which we must abide,” he said. He thanked Bolkiah and described their talks as “open and insightful.” “Once again, His Majesty has

demonstrated that he is a true friend of the Philippines. He deserves our utmost respect and admiration,” Duterte said. Bolkiah said their meetings were an opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues of mutual interest. “We reaffirm our close and long standing partnership in various areas of cooperation. Our defense links are closer than ever through our participation in the International Monitoring Team in southern Philippines. The ongoing peace initiative will promise a prosperous future for your people and have a far-reaching impact upon our region,” Bolkiah said. “We also have a strong partnership through our people-topeople exchanges. This is underscored by the goodwill shown by the 23,000 Filipinos who are working and residing in our country,” he said. “We are grateful for their contributions and continue to welcome them as close friends,” he said. Bolkiah said they are interested to develop a partnership with the Philippines for investment and the production of Halal products. On energy, Bolkiah said they

agreed to further enhance cooperation by exploring potential downstream and upstream activities. “We also look forward to our future collaboration in addressing issues on drugs. We believe that both sides will benefit from the exchanges of expertise and best practices in this area,” he said. As close partners in Asean, Bolkiah said they extend their full support for the Philippines Asean chairmanship and look forward to a successful year under Duterte’s leadership. “We will continue working closely particularly as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Asean this year. We will take this opportunity to reflect on our past achievements and share our views on the way forward for the future,” he said. “At the same time, we also look forward to further opportunities for closer cooperation under the BIMP-EAGA. As envisioned for 2025, it is important for us to develop a resilient and competitive sub-region. I am confident that under your chairmanship we will be able to achieve our common goals for BIMP-EAGA,” said Bolkiah. Duterte will host another state visit today (April 28), by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Mining Act. “I can do it as a matter of policy. I am the Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary,” she said. Asked if her order would apply to open-pit mining that are already going through the exploration phase, Lopez just replied “no more digging at all.” She advised companies who intend to start open-pit mining to “go to another country.” Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Ipat Luna said the department has already defined openpit mining. “Quarrying is not included. Only gold, copper, I think silver because the other minerals cannot be found here,” he said.

“So mostly gold and copper are involved in an open-pit, and prospective. The way she’s going to address the current open-pits is that the water must not get acidic.” Mines that will be affected by the order include the $5.8-Tampakan Copper-Gold Project of Sagittarius Mines Inc., the $1.2-billion Silangan mine project of Silangan Mindanao Mining Company Corporated, and the $2billion King-king CopperGold project of St. Augustine Gold & Copper Ltd. “The history of mining in the country shows that most, if not all, open pits have ended up as perpetual liabilities, causing adverse impacts to the environment, particularly due to the

generation of acidic or heavy metal-laden water, erosion of mine waste dumps or vulnerability of tailings dams to geological hazards,” said Lopez. Lopez in her order said that records attest that most of the mining disasters in the country were due to tailings spills associated with open pit mining. “ Notwithstanding the provisions of the Mining Act on final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning, the fact remains that the rehabilitation of mined-out open pits shall invariably require perpetual maintenance works that shall outlive the existence of the mining companies and, thereby, leave to the unknown the fate of the environment,” Lopez said.

bunal has to first decide whether it has jurisdiction, and then rule on whether it should conduct a preliminary examination. It can then ask a judge to open an official investigation, which could lead to a trial. The office of ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda has also confirmed that it has received the complaint filed by Sabio. Bensouda’s office confirmed it had “received a communication earlier this morning by an attorney from the Philippines,” adding it would “analyze the materials submitted, as appropriate” in line with the tribunal’s guiding Rome Statute and make its decision later. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who is among the officials named, said he found the ICC complaint “amusing and baseless.” “I am both amused and disappointed. Initially, I found the filing of the case amusing. Not only are the allegations contained therein

utterly false, they are purely hearsay,” Aguirre said. Aguirre said Matobato is a discredited witness “whose lack of credibility has been conclusively and glaringly established” in the hearings before the Senate last year. “If a majority of the Filipino people did not believed him before, why should the ICC believe him now? The equation is simple, if the source is polluted, the output is likewise polluted. Does anybody, in their right mind, still believe Matobato?” he said. But opposition lawmakers said the ICC case could have a bearing on the impeachment complaint filed against Duterte. Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, who filed an impeachment complaint against the President, said Sabio’s case against Duterte for alleged “crime against humanity” would be a “big factor” when it is taken up in the House of Representatives’

committee on justice which hears impeachment complaints. Alejano wants Duterte impeached for betrayal of public trust and culpable violations of the Constitution for his administration’s war on drugs and the Davao Death Squad when he was mayor. At least 198 lawmakers or twothirds of its 293 House members are either party mates or coalition allies of Duterte under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban). With Joel E. Zurbano Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin said the ICC case would change the complexion of the impeachment proceedings. “As a highly political mechanism it is a game of numbers which unfortunately the President has in the lower chamber. But again its outright dismissal might trigger the ICC to seriously have a closer look into the [Sabio] case,” Villarin said.

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Council said that it has finished the first stage of marine scientific research in the West Philippine Sea. In a statement, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon said that the interagency effort is “purely scientific” in line with the country’s responsibilities under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. “Among the activities under the MSR includes NAMRIA’s hydrographic surveys that would aid in the formulation of a nautical map for navigational safety, and DENR/UP-MSI’s reef assessment studies of the Kalayaan Island Group, Western Palawan Shelf, and Tubbataha,” Esperon said. In the latest revision of the 20-page draft chairman’s statement proposed by Laos, excerpts of which were obtained by Manila Standard through sources, the issue of China’s reclamation and militarization of disputed land features in the disputed waters were removed despite the strong emphasis given to them during the 28th and 29th Asean Summits held in Vientiane last year. The latest draft also emphasized the “full respect for legal and diplomatic processes” without any talk of arbitral award, the same language used in the chairman’s statement during the Lao PDR chairmanship. “We reaffirmed our shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNCLOS,” drafts of the joint communiqué, expected to be finalized over the course of meetings of the Asean Summit, read. The draft chairman’s message would instead underscore the importance of “peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation,” and would urge all sea claimants to settle territorial disputes in a peaceful manner. If current discussions on the draft are any indication, the line which emphasized the leaders’ “serious concern expressed by some leaders over recent developments and escalation of activities in the area which may further raise tensions and erode trust and confidence in the region,” would also be omitted. Since Manila filed the arbitration case in 2013, Beijing has scrambled to convert rocks and reefs into man-made islands and has reportedly installed surface-to-air missiles—only to be stopped after Manila moved towards an apparent soft stance towards Beijing. China claims it owns the South China Sea—a major trading route believed to be rich in natural gas—nearly in its entirety, undermining the claims of its smaller Southeast Asian neighbors like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. In a news briefing at Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the “the situation in the South China Sea is cooling down,” saying that the 10-nation regional bloc “have returned to the right track.” “The relevant parties have returned to the right track of resolving disputes through negotiations and consultations, and are fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea [DOC] as well as actively advancing the consultation on a COC,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang said. Meanwhile, maritime law experts called on Asean leaders to cite the arbitral decision that gave the Philippines victory against China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. “It’s important that the arbitral ruling is mentioned, that it’s acknowledged and that it’s discussed,” said Professor Jay Batongbacal, a maritime law expert at the University of the Philippines who tracks the South China Sea dispute.

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20% discounts given to PWDs By Julito Rada

CHILDREN, DON’T. Philippine Coast Guard authorities are telling children Thursday to get out of the waters for a lifting summer swim on the beach near Macapagal Avenue due to the tight security imposed near the bayside Philippine International Convention Center, venue of the Asean Summit 2017. Lino Santos

IN BRIEF Wanted Chinese intercepted IMMIGRATION ofﬁcers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport held a Chinese national wanted by Chinese authorities for various crimes while about to leave the country. The foreigner, identiﬁed as Weng Wenmin, was intercepted at the Immigration departure area of the Naia 3 terminal after Immigration found out that Weng was among the many fugitives being sought by the Chinese Embassy in Manila. It was not yet clear if Weng was among the 55 Chinese fugitives earler deported by the BI who were all wanted by the Chinese government for operating an online gaming operation in Manila. Vito Barcelo

Ad Foundation hosts crisis mngt seminar THE Advertising Foundation of the Philippines, in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and Unilever Philippines Inc. hosted recently an executive seminar on strengthening risk reduction and crisis management for events. The two-day event gathered senior executives from event management organizers composed of clients, service providers, media agencies, government and other stakeholders at the Asian Institute of Management on mitigating natural hazards and disasters on events. Jun Nicdao, Advertising Foundation chairman of the Board and chairman of KBP, said the seminar provided a “rare opportunity to imbibe the accumulated wisdom from past experiences of experts from both government and private sector on risk management and mitigation.”

BoC recommends criminal charges vs importer A SHIPMENT from China declared as carbon wire by its importer turned out to be a backhoe and forklift after the container vans passed through the Bureau of Customs x-ray machine at the Port of Manila. The backhoe and forklift were clandestinely placed inside a 40-footer container van, according to Maj. Jaybee Raul Cometa, head of the BoC’s XRay Inspection Project. The bureau recommended the ﬁling of criminal cases against the importer. The shipment was owned by Upairi Trading, located on Beaterio Street, Intramuros, Manila.

‘BuCor-Tadeco agreement disadvantageous to govt’ By Joel E. Zurbano

HE Ofﬁce of the Solicitor General has come up with a legal opinion on Thursday, saying the joint venture agreement entered into by the Bureau of Corrections with Tagum Agricultural Development Co. involving the lease of 5,300 hectares of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm is disadvantageous to the government.

“The JVA entered into by Bucor and Tadeco is void as it goes against the Constitution and the Public Land Act,” said Solicitor General Jose Calida. Calida came up with the legal opinion after House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez requested the OSG, as the government’s law ofﬁce, to review the 25-year agreement between the two parties involved. In 1969, both parties entered into a JVA, where BuCor undertook to allocate areas within the Dapecol for Tadeco to develop

into a banana plantation. Another JVA was entered into by the parties in 1979, wherein they agreed to extend the joint venture for 25 years. In 2003, the JVA was renewed for another 25-year period or until 2029. But according to Calida, the 5,212.46-hectare land within the Dapecol subject of the JVA was land of public domain. This means the land belongs to the State. “It should be emphasized that

the Constitution only allows private corporations to hold lands of the public domain through lease for a total period not exceeding 50 years,” Calida said. He added: “Assuming the JVA is a lease, the initial agreement was entered into in 1969, extended for 25 years in 1979 and extended for another 25-year period in 2003. Tadeco’s use and occupation of the Dapecol lands should cease by 2019. The JVA cannot be allowed to last until 2029.” “The Constitution also provides that private corporations may only lease lands of the public domain not exceeding 1,000 hectares,” Calida said, pointing out that the JVA covers 5,212.46 hectares, which is way more than what is allowed in the Constitution. The solicitor general also said the JVA violated Commonwealth Act No. 141 or the Public Land Act. “Under the Public Land Act, agricultural public lands such as the Dapecol may be disposed of only through homestead, sale, lease, or

confirmation of imperfect title,” Calida explained. “It should be noted that BuCor and Tadeco entered into a Joint Venture Agreement. Clearly, a Joint Venture Agreement is not one of the modes by which agricultural public lands may be disposed of.” Under the JVA, BuCor is entitled to receive a “guaranteed annual production share” and a “share in the profits of Tadeco.” In turn, BuCor guaranteed Tadeco “free and uninterrupted use” of Dapecol’s land. “These stipulations clearly show that what Tadeco and BuCor entered into was not a lease, but a joint venture for the purpose of operating a banana plantation within Dapecol,” Calida said. “This is a clear violation of the Public Land Act.” “Assuming arguendo that the agreement falls under the definition of a lease under the Civil Code, the JVA would still be void because it failed to comply with the competitive bidding requirement under the Public Land Act,” Calida said.

PERSONS with disability will be entitled to at least 20-percent discount from establishments relative to the sale of goods and services under the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10754, the Bureau of Internal Revenue said. In a revenue regulation signed by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay, PWDs will also be exempted from the 12-percent value-added tax. RA 10754 is titled “An Act Expanding the Beneﬁts and Privileges of Persons with Disability” relative to the tax privileges of persons with disability and tax incentives for establishments granting sales discount, and prescribing the guidelines for its availment, which amended Revenue Regulations No. 1-2009. BIR said qualiﬁed PWD should be entitled to claim at least 20-percent discount from hotels and similar lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers; theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement; all drugstores regarding purchase of generic and branded medicine; and medical and dental services including diagnostic and laboratory fees, including Xrays, computerized tomography scans and blood tests. Also included are professional fees of attending doctors in all government facilities or all private hospitals and medical facilities subject to guidelines to be issued by the Health department, in coordination with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth. PWDs can also avail themselves of the 20-percent discount on domestic air and sea transportation based on the actual fare. For promotional fares, PWDs can avail themselves of the establishment’s offered discount or the 20-percent discount “whichever is higher and more favorable,” the BIR said. The 20-percent discount is applicable also to land transportation based on actual fare, such as buses and jeepneys, taxis, Asian utility vehicles, shuttle services and public railways such as Light Rail Transit, Metro Rail Transit, Philippine National Railways, and other similar infrastructure that will be constructed, established and operated by public or private entities.

19 cops ask for review of their case Labor nixes Palace By Joel E. Zurbano LAWMEN involved in the killing of Albuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa inside a subprovincial jail late last year appealed to the Justice department to review the criminal case filed against them. The 19 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group led by Supt. Marvin Marcos have filed a petition for review before the office of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II seeking dismissal of the murder charge against them. The policemen asked Aguirre to reverse the resolution of the prosecutors who found probable cause in the charges and approved the filing of the murder case before the Baybay City, Leyte regional trial court last month. They claimed there was intention to kill Espinosa and his fellow inmate Raul Yap, claiming they only defended themselves from the two inmates inside the Baybay City sub-provincial jail who first fired shots

at them while they were serving search warrants. All the accused also asked for the suspension of their arraignment. Judge Carlos Arguelles, of Baybay City RTC branch 14, granted their plea and reset the arraignment to June 7. The prosecutors, who investigated the case, indicted the CIDG men after the Senate released its joint committee report finding their criminal liability in the killing of Espinosa. Marcos and 10 of his men were charged with two counts of murder for allegedly being involved in the killings of Espinosa and Yap. The other accused are Senior Insp. Deogracia Pedong Diaz III, Chief Insp. Calixto Canillas Jr., Inspector Lucresito Candelosas, Senior Police Officers 2 Benjamin Dacallos and Antonio Docil, Senior Police Officer 1 Mark Christian Cadilo, Police Office 3 Norman Abellanosa, Police Officers 2 John Ruel Doculan and Jaime Bacsal, and Police Officer 1 Jerlan Cabiyaan.

JOINT RESEARCH. The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and Chamber of Mines of the Philippines recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement in Makati to engage in joint research and development projects that would develop a responsible mining industry. Included in the picture are CoMP president Philip Romualdez and CoMP EVP Nelia Halcon.

May 1 invitation By Sandy Araneta A LABOR leader on Thursday announced their group’s decision to turn down the invitation of President Rodrigo Duterte for labor leaders to attend an assembly organized by the Labor department to commemorate Labor Day in Davao City. “It is pointless to attend their assembly on the only day in the entire year dedicated to the working class, especially if the issues and concerns that gravely affect us will not even be tackled and addressed,” said Leody de Guzman, leader of the socialist Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino. “Workers are not even part of the Labor day program of Malacañang. They only intend us to be ornaments, a mere backdrop to the president as he addresses the crowd. It will seem that it is not even Labor Day if we will not even be given the chance to raise our points on contractualization, dirt wages and unemployment. There will not even be an open forum after Duterte’s speech,” De Guzman said. The assembly is intended for labor leaders and other sectors to be able to witness as the president is expected to make a “surprise” announcement for workers on Labor Day where the assembly’s theme is “Matatag na Kabuhayan tungo sa Pro-

gresibong Pagbabago.” “Malacañang cannot expect us to be eager—if his very promise remains to be meaningless. What we need and what was promised us was the end of all forms of contractual employment and not the explanation why he succumbed to the interests of capitalists,“ De Guzman added. It has been over a year when Duterte promised in the Luzon leg of the 2016 Presidential Debate in Pangasinan that he would prohibit contractualization upon assuming the presidency, said De Guzman. In a related development, De Guzman told a news conference Thursday with other labor leaders the formation of Pagkakaisa ng Paggawa (Unity of Labor), an alliance of groups once afﬁliated Kilusang Mayo Uno. Aside from BMP, the composition of Paggawa included the National Federation of Labor Unions, Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations, National Confederation of Labor and the National Federation of Labor. The groups united to demand the revocation of Department Order 174 that legalized contractual employment, the ﬁring of Silvestre Bello as Secretary of the DoLE, the issuance of an Executive Order prohibiting all forms of contractualization and the holding of a joint march and program on Monday, Labor Day, at Mendiola bridge.

Opinion

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Blame game

HE constant breakdown of the Metro Rail Transit 3 line deserves a more serious look because of the inconvenience to and the real danger faced by the riding public.

The series of disruptions in the rail line lately prompted the Department of Transportation and the MRT 3’s maintenance contractor, Busan Universal Rail Inc., to engage in a blame game that is nowhere close to resolving the problems beset-

Adelle Chua, Editor

ting the mass transport system. Busan has conceded its regular contract with the government was no longer sufﬁcient “to correct the MRT 3’s track condition.” The company claimed the system’s rails must immediately be replaced

to ﬁx the regular breakdown in train service. The current condition of the track system, according to Busan, was one of the culprits of glitches and stoppages. The train derailment on April 18, it added, was caused by track vibration, the aging system, or a maintenance lapse. MRT 3’s problem, it seems, is more fundamental. From a daily passenger capacity of 350,000, the trains system is actually serving

500,000 commuters, putting a stress on the rail tracks. MRT 3, in short, is an aging train system that requires immediate replacement because of wear and tear. The Department of Transportation, meanwhile, has threatened to cancel Busan’s maintenance contract due to the series of rail disruptions. The agency noted 116 unloading incidents at the MRT line 3 due

to technical problems from January to April 19 this year. The rail system recorded at least 586 unloading incidents in 2016. The country’s three major rail systems are the cheapest and by far the most efﬁcient form of transportation in the metropolis. Government negligence and its inability to privatize them, however, have added to the wear and tear of the aging transporta-

tion system. The government also, as in many countries, does not have the corporate culture to run a business operation due to bureaucracy and the lack of accountability. Privatizing the country’s rail assets may still be far from reality, but the government should quickly initiate the process to avoid the blame game and give the riding public the break they need. PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

The illusion of privacy WHEN you purchase an airline ticket, you disclose personal information. When you check into a hotel, the front desk officer gets to read a lot about you. When you enroll in school, apply for a job, or fill in a job application form, you disclose so much about yourself. Now, recall all those transactions that required you to fill in blanks that asked about anything—from your home address, to your parents’ names, to your mobile phone number, to your credit card number and its security code—and you start to shiver at the thought of how much personal data is floating around somewhere, how much

It has everything to do with one’s sense of worth.

Ending the madness LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES LET’S be clear on what we want, then, in the South China Sea: Do we want to escalate the conﬂict with China or do we want to mend ties with our giant neighbor? In addition, do we really want to use the ongoing leaders’ summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Manila as our soapbox from which to demand that China back away from its expanding claims in the disputed sea? Or should we not attempt to hijack the forum and focus, as Asean routinely does, on non-confrontational issues like trade instead? The new pragmatic foreign affairs policy of President Rodrigo Duterte obviously precludes any escalation of the situation in the disputed sea. The admin-

istration’s strategy is to befriend China after six years of saberrattling and deteriorating relationships, in order to secure investments, trade and tourism. It is still taking some Filipinos time to adjust to the reversal of the Aquino government’s policy of constantly calling out China over the territorial dispute, a strategy which saw the bilateral relationship between the two countries established by Ferdinand Marcos 40 years ago plunge to their lowest, most acrimonious level. But the truth is, Noynoy Aquino’s anti-China policy, while making him a favorite of Washington, resulted in no tangible beneﬁt for Filipinos. Of course, Aquino was overly proud of the UN arbitral ruling in the Philippines’ favor on the Spratlys issue. But as far as resolving the long-standing dispute is concerned, the decision has not caused one built-up reef to be demolished or one Chinese ship to withdraw from the area.

The sad truth is, territorial disputes like the ones we have with China (and which China has with other countries claiming various other parts of the sea) can never

Only Filipino pili nuts, brown on the outside but white on the inside, pine for a return to the Cold War-like days of Aquino. be resolved without armed conﬂict. And in a real battle between China and the Philippines, the US will surely stay away, thus

ensuring our complete and humiliating defeat. The 2012 incident in Scarborough Shoal, when a Philippine Navy vessel returned home after engaging in a brief, humiliating stare-down with a small ﬂotilla of Chinese ships, is the template here. When it became clear to Aquino and all the other hawks in the Philippines that the US will not come to our aid in a conﬂict with China, Mutual Defense Treaty or no, the escalation option became void. It is still void today, despite the presence of the favorable arbitral ruling. And when Duterte assumed the presidency, he made it clear that he was not going to war against China; after a visit to Chinese President Xi Jin Ping in Beijing, Duterte made it plain that he was for deescalation of tensions and more trade and investments. The warlike madness had ended and sanity returned to Philippine foreign policy. Only the unreconstructed pili nuts in

the Philippines, who are brown on the outside but all-American white on the inside, still pine for a return to the Cold War-like days of Aquino. The territorial dispute will drag on for a long time. But meanwhile, we can have better relations, promote trade and even improve tourism with the Chinese. This is a more realistic, more mutually beneﬁcial and less America-centric approach to crafting an independent, Filipino-ﬁrst policy. And after six years of empty, fruitless jingoism, it is surely a breath of fresh air. *** Regarding the prescription of some that the Philippines, as host of the current Asean Summit, should rally regional support against China in the disputed sea, little more needs to be said except that this would be insulting to our neighbors and opportunistic in the Turn to A5

information you have disclosed about yourself has been processed and is in the hands of others. You can keep your window shutters tightly shut and your doors doubly locked. You can use heavy draperies or tint your windows heavily—but privacy will just be an illusion, given all that you have already disclosed. And you start to shiver and quake even more when you read about how dreadful phishing can be, and that cracking and hacking can bring about your ﬁnancial ruin, and identity theft make a mess of your life and all but wreck your future! And yet, The Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) remains unsung and unheralded. In their haste with getting things done, people hurriedly answer questions that elicit personal data— whether orally or in writing and seldom, if ever, does it occur to them that the information, in the wrong hands, could result in bank accounts bled dry or unwanted transactions bringing one to the brink of penury. The law does two things: It legislates the guarantee of privacy in respect to information about oneself that one Turn to A5

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Opinion FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

Asean FOR many people, the gathering of Association of Southeast Asian Nations members now being held in Manila means only a couple of things: stay away from Makati traffic, color coding is suspended, and hooray for another long weekend with Labor Day coming up right behind. The novelty is wearing off from this annual event. But it would be too bad if we missed certain things about this year’s summit, hosted by the Philippines as chairman, that promise to make it more memorable than usual. This year may well be remembered as the start of the regionalization of the “Duterte point of view,” as well as the beginning of realignments to new realities being pushed by the two 800-pound gorillas in the room, China and the US. *** 1. Go easy on China—The first draft of the “chairman’s statement” to be read at the end of the summit will not make Duterte squirm on the podium. According to various wire agencies, it neither mentions China directly nor refers to the arbitral decision in our favor. Instead, it simply expresses “serious concerns by some leaders over recent developments and escalation of activities in the area.” It should be noted in this regard that three other Asean countries—Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam—plus Taiwan also have maritime claims contested by China. But none of them apparently have been as vociferous as the Philippines, which, according to a satirical matchup online, boasts a million keyboard warriors on the issue versus none in China. This did not dissuade former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario from pressing on with his old pugnacity. “The draft…is deeply disappointing,” he thundered, “and…would manifest an absence of the desired leadership.” What’s unclear from him is how he proposes to change the minds of the nine other Asean members who, from the very start under PNoy, have been happy to let the Philippines lead the charge, all by its lonesome. Perhaps those million keyboard warriors of ours should be redeployed to stir up support in the other Asean capital cities. An unnamed former government official involved in foreign policy—thought by some to be a dead ringer for del Rosario— even went so far as to say that “we are now acting like China’s lackey.” I imagine this was intended to be an insult, compared to being charged with, say, being an American lackey. *** 2. To each his own on drugs— Heading into the summit, international human rights watchdog Amnesty International all of a sudden took a hitherto unknown

interest in regional integration and called on the Asean members to gang up on Duterte, the summit’s chairman and their host. I don’t expect these crusaders to understand simple hospitality, nor do I begrudge my respect for the thankless work they do. But I cannot for the life of me fathom a very simple problem: why AI keeps on using some humongous number in the thousands— now up to 9,000—as its total estimate for alleged victims of EJK’s in our anti-drug war. This number is simply not true, as the PNP itself keeps repeating to its exasperation. The actual number does not exceed 2,000. But, hey, nine thou sounds better than two, so if you’re going for the big lie, why not go all the way? AI’s recidivist mendacity on something as simple as a number can only call into question the rest of their evidence, the quality of their reasoning, and the innocence of their intentions behind this smear campaign. Unfortunately for AI, none of the Asean members have indicated an interest even just to be briefed by the Philippines on the EJK issue. According to DFA, this lack of interest simply echoes the alliance’s formal position from last year that “reaffirmed the sovereign right and responsibility of each country to decide on the best approach to address its drug problem, taking into consideration the context and norms of its society.” *** 3. Let’s trade!—Thus, instead of meddling in each other’s affairs, the Asean countries have decided to deal head-on with the problems posed by the newly protectionist stance of the United States under its new President. The original Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) project predictably tanked after Trump pulled the US out of the deal. In its place, and with China’s reported backing, Asean members now intend to push through instead with plans for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). This pact is expected to aggressively tear down trade barriers among the Asean countries and the region’s heavyweights: China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia/New Zealand. If it also prompts liberalization of investment, credit, and labor flows across these borders, a new global powerhouse may be looming on the horizon. This is what Asean was always intended to be: a partnership of equals, not a pack of meddlesome busybodies. If the partnership comes out of its Manila meetings this year even stronger, that would be worth the inconvenience of added traffic—though not nearly as good, of course, as the extra week-end days. Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

Ending... From A4 extreme. Regardless of what our government and Filipinos feel in general about our dispute with China, our chairmanship duties certainly do not include forcing our neighbors to adopt our position as their own. And Asean has always taken a policy of non-intervention in disputes such as the continuing one in the Spratlys, preferring to focus instead on economic issues of mutual beneﬁt and on regional harmony. For some to describe the leaked draft , which only makes very general, Asean-like mention of the South China Sea problem, as “weak” is to call to stampede the regional grouping into taking a position that does not even concern members of the association that do not have claims in the area. Let other countries that also have claims in the disputed sea stake their claims and ventilate their views during the summit, in much the same way that Duterte himself has used regional forums to express his policies and direction. For the Philippines to do so while it is chairman of the summit is in poor taste and an insult to the other members of Asean. Of course, everyone knows where the warlike talk and the calls to make a stronger, uncharacteristic Asean stance on the Spratlys come from. They emanate from the remnants of the proUS Aquino regime, who would also like nothing better than to embarrass Duterte as he hosts his ﬁrst big international meeting. But these people are allowed to make their fake-tough statements and their calls to convert Asean into some kind of military alliance against China. The rest of the region and majority of Filipinos know madness when they see it and will dismiss it as such.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The Godzilla of all earthquakes BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO IT HAS been referred to as “the big one” but in this day and age of super bombs, the next earthquake to hit Metro Manila could well be called the “mother of all temblors.” We don’t mean to sow panic among the populace by painting a scary scenario of the destruction and havoc that would ensue if and when a plus 7 or 8 magnitude earthquake erupts along the West Valley fault. The “Fault” as seismologists and geologists call it runs along Bulacan, Marikina, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Makati, Pasay and all the way to nearby Laguna towns of Biñan and Sta. Rosa. Casualties could run into thousands and the destruction widespread. Bridges spanning the Pasig River connecting Quezon City, Mandaluyong and San Juan to Makati would probably collapse. Condominium towers and ofﬁce buildings in the Makati central business district where I live would probably sway and shake. Let’s all pray this does not happen. This shock-and-awe message was not the intent of the two-day forum at the Manila Polo Club by the organizers—Carlos

P. Romulo Foundation, Zuellig Family Foundation, The Manila Observatory, Philippine Disaster Resiliency Foundation and SM Prime, the Sy Family corporate responsibility arm. San Miguel Corp., the Villaraza and Angangco Law Firm and AIG also contributed to the forum on “Building a Disaster Resilient Philippines.” The forum’s theme is to “prepare, adapt and transform.” Senators Loren Legarda, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, Panﬁlo Lacson and Rep. Ronaldo Zamora were invited by forum organizers to talk about their propose legislation to mitigate earthquake destruction and government response. But they did not come either due to lack of interest or earlier commitments and appointments that could be canceled anymore. Only Senator Paulo “Bam” Aquino showed up and together with former Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro more than made up for the other senators’ absence... Teodoro as chairman of the then National Disaster Coordinating Council advocated for reforms and more funds for disaster mitigation reduction and recovery in the aftermath of natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes. The United States embassy in Manila sent Maj. Eric Panjetti, its key ofﬁcer in the Joint United States Military Group that coordinates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He talked about Jus-

mag’s role and coordination with the AFP in implementing a quick response team in the event of a major earthquake. This has been done during the devastating Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in Leyte and Eastern Visayas provinces of Samar and Leyte. Taiwan’s Dr. Wen Sen Li, Japan’s Shingo Kochi and Dr. Satoru Nishikawa shared their respective countries experiences in dealing with the aftermath of a major earthquake. Taiwan, it will be recalled, suffered several devastating earthquakes. But it was Japan’s 1995 quake that took 5,520 lives in Kobe and left a massive swath of destruction that will be long remembered. Our then Consul General Victor Garcia, his wife Connie and their children recalled the temblor happened in the morning which sent them scurrying out of their home. They had to stay in their car for two days because of the series of aftershocks. The damage to the Philippine consulate building forced Garcia to relocate it to Osaka where it has remained up to now. Kobe and Osaka are two Japanese cities where there is a large concentration of overseas Filipino workers. Dr. Nishikawa and Mr. Kochi discussed Japan’s quick response in the wake of the Kobe quake. Rescue, relief and recovery for the city’s economic life were swift

as Japan is a country that has gotten used to earthquakes. But even before the earthquake struck early in the morning—commuter trains, including Japan’s world- famous Bullet Train, were immediately shut down following the 15-second alert signal on TV, radio and personal cellphones. We do not expect the Metro Rail Transit nor the Light Rail Transit to be shut down. They are not running most of the time anyway with their daily breakdown. Before and after Kobe and the more recent Fukushima quake that spawned a monster tsunami. A building code to reinforce structures was legislated. An earthquake is a fearsome, faceless force of nature. While typhoons and hurricanes can be predicted and tracked, one cannot do the same with an earthquake. Geologists may be able to detect faults in the earth’s underground and surface, but they cannot tell exactly when an earthquake of epic proportion will occur. But if the series of earthquakes that struck Bohol, Lanao, Surigao and more recently Batangas is any indication, the “big one” might just be around the corner. Chile has been hit with several earthquakes including a recent one this week. Like the South American country facing the Paciﬁc Ocean, the Philippines sits in the so-called Ring of Fire.

IMF and EJKs VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ THE International Monetary Fund does not seem bothered by the spate of so-called extrajudicial killings in the Philippines. What is important, according a top economist of the IMF, is the focus on inclusive and robust growth that provides the best environment for opportunities and prosperity for the country’s young and growing population. At a briefing on April 22, the IMF’s top Asia officials were asked this question by a newsman: The Philippines is one of the fastest-moving economies in the region. However, external shocks and domestic political noise particularly on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs has resulted to capital outflows and a weak peso. How do you think this would affect the economy going forward and what are your recommendations to preserve the strong growth? Dr. Kenneth Kang, a deputy director of the IMF’s Asia Pacific department, replied: “The Philippines as you point out growth in our view is expected to remain robust at around 7 percent in both this year and next year led primarily by domestic demand, but also recovery in exports. Our view is that the stance of policies remains sound. Fiscal policy is appropriate focusing on inclusive growth and promoting social expenditures and infrastructure. “We also welcome the tax reform proposal which should aim to improve the income tax and VAT systems and create the space needed for the government’s social and developmental needs. Monetary policy is also on track given that inflation remains within the central bank target range. “So overall we don’t see signs

that investors have lost confidence at all. In fact, if anything, investor confidence remains strong as reflected in the positive credit rating outlooks that the Philippines has. “I can’t comment on the political and security issues. But just to say that when we look across countries in the world, we do find that economic policies that focus on inclusive and robust growth provide the best environment for providing the economic opportunities and prosperities for a young and growing population like in the Philippines.” President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s cabinet has just launched what it calls DuterteNomics—the program to ramp up spending for infrastructure up to 7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product by 2022, his sixth year. “Dutertenomics,” says Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, is “having a better, safer, fairer, more beautiful, and more prosperous Philippines.” NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) estimates that the unprecedented infrastructure buildup will create 106,824 jobs in 2017; 823,696 jobs in 2018; around 1.12 million in 2019; 1.23 million in 2020; 1.399 million in 2021; and 1.705 million by 2022. “Dutertenomics” is actually the President’s economic strategy to dramatically raise funds—in large part through his proposed tax reform program—and to spend big on infrastructure, human capital formation, and social protection to sustain the growth momentum, attract investments and create jobs, achieve economic inclusion and transform the Philippines into a high middle-income country by 2022, by which time poverty incidence will have been reduced to 14 percent, from 21.6 percent. By 2040, the Philippines will become a high-income economy. Backstopping Dutertenomics are the country’s sound economic fundamentals (expect economic growth of 7 percent per year un-

til 2022), crucial policy reforms (like overhaul of taxes under the CTRP), and political will and efficient implementation. Duterte is using Tokhang mentality in getting things done on the economic front. He has no choice. Unless he delivers on rice, galunggong and jobs issues, he risks being overthrown and his administration confined to the dustbin of history. The support of the World Bank and the IMF for his economic policies contrasts with the hostile attitude taken by so-called human rights groups for his vicious war on drugs. The IMF endorses the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP) as being “net revenue positive with due attention paid to equity.” The World Bank says CTRP proposals can become “game changers” that could improve transparency, monitoring and efficiency in tax administration, which could in turn further expand the tax base. Meanwhile, Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Philippines’ investment grade sovereign credit rating at ‘BBB-’ along with a positive outlook on this rating. Fitch projects economic growth of 6.8 percent this year and 6.7percent in 2018, driven in part by an increased spending on infrastructure. Infra spending is a record P847.2 billion this year, 5.3 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) or the total value of output of goods and services in a year. From 2017 to 2022, cumulative infra spending could reach P9 trillion. Fitch noted that “macroeconomic performance has remained strong” and “domestic political stability has been maintained” despite Duterte’s illegal drugs war. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III says “Fitch Rating’s latest affirmation of its positive outlook on the Philippines only means that the political chatter emanating from certain quarters has failed to

dent the country’s sustained-growth narrative resulting from its strong economic performance, continued political stability and aggressive infrastructure and human capital investments under the Duterte presidency.” Dominguez says that, ‘to maintain broad policy continuity, the Duterte administration will continue to pursue its 10-point socioeconomic agenda on high—and inclusive— growth, with a focus on closing the infrastructure gap, improving the ease of doing business to attract more investments, and attacking poverty by spending big on human capital formation.” “Given the positive outlook of Fitch Ratings and other institutions,” the DOF points out, “the government has more reason to highlight on the country’s growth story by moving ahead on such policy reforms as its Comprehensive Tax Reform Program to ensure the ﬁnancial sustainability of its ambitious program to eradicate poverty and transform the Philippines into a high-income economy. The CTRP aims to do “several things in one blow.” These include lowering personal income taxes to strengthen the purchasing power of consumers while encouraging investors to come in, and supporting the government’s ambitious program to accelerate spending on infrastructure and social investments, especially in training “a large demographic wave of young Filipinos” to be globally competitive. The CTRP, Dominguez said, would make sure the government could carry out these goals without endangering the country’s ﬁscal sustainability. “In order to achieve our infrastructure goals, our fiscal policy needs to be expansive,” Dominguez says. “While we may accept a certain level of deficits, those must be properly managed. A robust revenue stream will ensure that public borrowing will not spiral out of control.”

The illusion... From A4 discloses but it also provides for the legitimate processing, handling and storing of information. Audiatur et altera pars...let the other side be heard. We do need information—about others. It is because national and transnational intelligence agencies keep databases and profiles that terrorists are ferreted out and apprehended before they can unleash their maniacal force. Thanks to police data and fingerprint files (more and more replaced by biometrics) cases may still take time to solve but do not so easily turn cold any longer. So privacy cannot and should not mean the exclusion of all data-gathering. One key guarantee of the law is that the data-subject is given intelligible information about the purpose that he is asked for data about himself, that the purpose be legitimate and that the data obtained be limited to what is necessary for the fulfillment of such a legitimate purpose. As important is the requirement that it imposes on handlers of data (think banks, universities, hospitals, employ-

ers, etc.) to keep the data conﬁdential and to disallow the free exchange of transmission of personal information. Earlier than this law, however, the Supreme Court promulgated a rule that institutionalized the writ of habeas data. A person who believes his life, liberty and security to be compromised by information that others have about him, keep and maintain—whether these individuals be agents of the State or not—may seek the privilege of the writ that will give the aggrieved party access to the threatening data, or cause the destruction, modiﬁcation or correction of data already amassed. But while we can be very assertive about the right to privacy, the public-ness by which we live our lives—largely through social media—does raise the question whether or not privacy is such a precious commodity after all! Facebook is a free source of information on so many details of other people’s lives who do not seem to mind going public about such minutiae as the things they eat, and the

thrills of dates, and even the movements of the bedroom calisthenics in which they engage! One Supreme Court case put it very well: When a person goes on Facebook, even when she sets privacy at “friends only”— one of the most restrictive of settings—such a person has a greatly diminished (if not inexistent) expectation of privacy—precisely because of the nature of the medium and the fact that not even Trump can put up walls in cyberspace! Why should we be private anyway? There are, philosophers think, some “irreducibles”. Colors are irreducible in the sense that you cannot talk about yellow by using other colors or hues. Shame is one such feeling, and the compulsion to privacy comes with it. It is, in other words, a concomitant of subjectivity. And indeed it has everything to do with one’s sense of worth! What can be said then of an era that claims so much in the name of privacy, but also exposes more of private space to an often anonymous public?

News

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

File SALN truthfully—Ombudsman der oath of assets (i.e. land, houses, cash, etc), liabilities (i.e. personal or institutional loans), and the business and financial interests, of a government official, spouse, and unmarried children under 18 years old still living in the household. Those who serve in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers, however, are exempted from the SALN requirement. Failure to file the SALN or dishonesty in doing so, warrants suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense. The SALN has been an effective investigatory and discovery measure in determining ill-gotten wealth as it includes a waiver authorizing

By Rio N. Araja

MBUDSMAN Conchita CarpioMorales on Thursday urged all government ofﬁcials and employees to be truthful in the accomplishment of their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and to ﬁle ahead of the April 30 deadline. “The annual filing of SALN is a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant in any branch, subdivision, instrumentality or agency of the government, including government-owned and controlled corporations and their subsidiaries,” she said in a statement. Pursuant to the 1987 Constitu-

tion, Section 8(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees requires the filing of SALNs within 30 days after assumption of office on or before April 30 of every year thereafter and within 30 days after separation from the service. The SALN is a declaration un-

the Ombudsman or his authorized representatives to obtain documents from any government agency or financial institutions that may show assets, liabilities, net worth, business interests, and financial connections of a government official or employee. Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the threemonth suspension of two highranking officials from the Mindanao State University over their failure to promptly act on a faculty member’s request for an update on his Government Service Insurance System. Macapado Muslim, university president, and Papala Masorong, chief accountant, were found guilty of simple neglect of duty and violation of Section 5(a) and

(d) of the Code of Conduct and February 2015, all to no avail. Ethical Standards for Public Of“It is established that there was ficials and Employees or Republic undue delay in the response and Act No. 6713. action made on the request of comThe Ombudsman directed the plainant. Respondents do not disCommission on Higher Education pute the fact that starting Decemto implement the suspension order. ber 2014, complainant had been Investigation showed the com- sending various letters to them replainant—Ranao Datu-Dacula— garding his unremitted GSIS conwas a faculty member who retired tributions. However, it was only on from the service in May 2015 after 12 October 2015 that MSU adminserving the school since 1992. istration, through its Legal Service Sometime in 2014, he found out Office, took action,” the Ombudsthat his GSIS contributions started man’s resolution read. only in March 2003. “The length of time of almost Because of such, he wrote letters eight months from the first letter to the university’s administrators of respondent and when an acrequesting for an update, reconcilia- tion was finally made, is unjustition and payment of unremitted con- fied. It is absurd that the simple tributions from 1992 to 2003. referral to the GSIS by the MSU Four other follow-up letters took eight months to happen.” were made in December 2014 to With Herand Pandaan CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard GOVERNMENT SERVICE INSURANCE SYSTEM

TODAY

GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1308 GSIS ACQUIRED ASSETS FOR DISPOSITION

PROVINCE

District/Subdivision

City/Municipality

Property Location

TCT/CCT No.

Lot Area (sqm) Offer / CMV ( ₱ )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74

Metro Manila Metro Manila Metro Manila Metro Manila Metro Manila Metro Manila Metro Manila Cavite Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan Bulacan

EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan EP HOUSING PROJECT, Western Bicutan SOLDIERS HILLS IV, Molino ROCKA VILLAGE II, Tabang ROCKA VILLAGE II, Tabang LAS VILLAS DE STO. NIÑO, Perez STALLION HOMES, Brgy. Guijo STALLION HOMES, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Mulawin FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Narra FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal FRANCISCO HOMES I, Brgy. Yakal

Taguig City Taguig City Taguig City Taguig City Taguig City Taguig City Taguig City Bacoor Plaridel Plaridel Meycauayan San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City San Jose Del Monte City

B002 L071 Ph 2 Road Lot 23 B002 L080 Ph 2 Rd Lot 23 B002 L096 Ph 2 B003 L021 Ph 2 Road Lot 23 B007 L013 Ph 1 B013 L017 Ph 1 B022 L006 Ph 2 Road Lot 9 B012 L020 Ph 4 Almond Drive B015 L012 Ph 7 St Francis St. B016 L020 Ph 7 St. Paul St. B004A L015 Ph 3A (1) St. Anthony/St. Vincent St. B002 L014 Ph A2 B002 L002 Ph B B004 L001 Ph O B001 L011 Ph E2 B001 L014 Ph E2 B001 L021 Ph C1 B001 L031 Ph C1 B002 L012 Ph E2 B002 L018 Ph E2 B002 L024 Ph E2 B003 L012 Ph E2 B003 L032 Ph C1 B004 L001 Ph E2 B004 L010 Ph E2 B005 L009&L010 Ph E2 B005 L011 Ph E2 B005 L014 Ph F1 B005 L016 Ph F1 B004 L011 Ph O2 B005 L011 Ph O2 B001 L003 Ph C1 B001 L017 Ph E2 B001 L019 Ph C1 B001 L020 Ph C1 B001 L022 Ph E2 B001 L025 Ph E1 B001 L030 Ph C1 B002 L002 Ph D B002 L005 Ph D B002 L008A Ph D B002 L010 Ph E2 B002 L011 Ph D B002 L011 Ph E2 B002 L021 Ph E2 B002 L022 Ph E2 B002 L035 Ph B B003 L009&L010 Ph E2 B003 L014&L015 Ph E2 B003 L019 Ph C1 B003 L030 Ph C1 B005 L005 Ph E2 B005 L006 Ph E2 B005 L008 Ph E2 B005 L015 Ph E1 B005 L017 Ph E1 B005 L018 Ph E1 B006 L001 Ph E2 B006 L007 Ph E2 B006B L003 Ph D B007A L004 Ph D B007B L004 Ph D B007B L005 Ph D B007B L007 Ph D B001 L019 Ph F1 B003 L009 Ph F1 B005 L017 Ph F1 B006 L020 Ph F1 B004 L002 Ph O2 B004 L012 Ph O2 B004 L015 Ph O2 B004 L016 Ph O2 B005 L013 Ph O2 B006 L002 Ph O2

6681 6688 7052 7062 23255 23306 6783 T-361969 T-129954 T-124073 T-59.892 (M) T-347440 (M) T-343113 (M) T-77.819 (M) T-187669 (M) T-191474 (M) T-156434 (M) T-156877 (M) T-191485 (M) T-187681 (M) T-187683 (M) T-203848 (M) T-148781 (M) T-203877 (M) T-203886 (M) T-203840 (M) & T-203841 (M) T-281829 (M) T-15383-P (M) T-15111-P (M) T-17421-P (M) T-17435-P (M) T-153803 (M) T-191477 (M) T-167837 (M) T-161730 (M) T-191481 (M) T-281796 (M) T-183592 (M) T-185291 (M) T-185294 (M) T-191463 (M) T-191483 (M) T-186012 (M) T-191484 (M) T-191488 (M) T-187684 (M) T-281799 (M) T-203838 (M) & T-203839 (M) T-203863 (M) & T-203864 (M) T-153824 (M) T-148779 (M) T-203850 (M) T-203844 (M) T-203842 (M) T-281841 (M) T-281824 (M) T-281827 (M) T-191489 (M) T-191495 (M) T-175967 (M) T-183619 (M) T-169850 (M) T-167854 (M) T-167855 (M) T-15693-P (M) T-15397-P (M) T-15612-P (M) T-15386-P (M) T-17425-P (M) T-17411-P (M) T-17406-P (M) T-17427-P (M) T-17408-P (M) T-17433-P (M)

100.00 100.00 129.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 122.00 104.00 106.00 248.00 150.00 121.00 166.00 90.00 100.00 126.00 113.00 90.00 90.00 100.00 96.00 128.00 85.00 90.00 203.00 100.00 120.00 120.00 146.00 155.00 133.00 90.00 131.00 258.00 114.00 93.00 187.00 130.00 136.00 214.00 90.00 120.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 180.00 199.00 204.00 137.00 110.00 90.00 90.00 90.00 150.00 150.00 150.00 127.00 114.00 147.00 214.00 148.00 120.00 116.00 221.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 81.00 141.00 126.00 181.00 121.00 81.00

Minimum Acceptable

Property Classification

Occupancy Status

Bidding Date

2,640,000.00 2,713,333.33 3,528,600.00 2,633,333.33 3,066,000.00 3,048,000.00 2,620,000.00 950,000.00 683,733.33 898,266.67 2,198,400.00 783,600.00 660,000.00 1,157,666.67 632,000.00 892,000.00 638,466.67 605,900.00 492,000.00 562,000.00 618,000.00 628,400.00 1,105,200.00 454,500.00 627,000.00 944,900.00 546,000.00 622,666.67 624,000.00 685,800.00 1,191,500.00 1,449,700.00 520,333.33 1,788,300.00 1,174,466.67 1,073,000.00 534,500.00 863,366.67 853,000.00 677,600.00 974,066.67 540,333.33 667,200.00 488,500.00 445,000.00 723,000.00 1,264,000.00 977,500.00 1,098,000.00 845,766.67 579,666.67 765,000.00 765,000.00 828,000.00 732,000.00 1,149,000.00 761,000.00 642,766.67 656,866.67 752,100.00 993,400.00 684,133.33 593,333.33 595,466.67 1,051,800.00 726,000.00 702,666.67 859,000.00 537,300.00 702,966.67 638,466.67 928,300.00 616,966.67 464,966.67

House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot House & Lot

Unoccupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Unoccupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Unoccupied Unoccupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Unoccupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied Occupied

13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 13-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17 20-Jun-17

Place of Bidding

Level 8, Narra Room, GSIS Building, Financial Center, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

GENERAL GUIDELINES: 1.

Disposal of GSIS Investment Properties – Retail Units (IP-RUs) is through a competitive public bidding process. Acceptance of Purchase Offer shall start on the scheduled bidding date and time.

Dropping of bid envelopes inside the designated bid box will be on the date of auction from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Opening of Bids will immediately follow.

Disposal of GSIS IP-RUs is on “As-Is Where-Is” basis. Interested bidders are enjoined to personally inspect the GSIS IP-RUs for sale. “As-Is Where-Is” is defined as the present physical condition of the retail unit that GSIS is selling and the buyer is buying, “with all attendant faults, if any,” whether or not immediately apparent and without any express or implied warranty. The buyer takes this condition at his or her own risk, without recourse against the GSIS as to their condition. This includes knowledge by the buyer of the presence of occupants in the retail-unit being purchased.

Strictly, “One bidder, One specific property” only, which means that a bidder cannot submit two (2) or more bids for one property. A bidder may submit one bid each to as many properties as he wants to buy, as long as, he posts a bidder’s deposit for each property in an amount provided below. The bidder must present valid government IDs upon registration on the date of public bidding.

Purchase offer may either be in Cash or through External Financing Institution.

A downloadable bid form shall be properly accomplished with the following data: a. Name and complete address of the bidder b. Exact address of property you are interested to bid c. Transfer Certificate of Title No. d. Amount of bid (in numbers and in words) e. 10 % Bidder’s Deposit equivalent to 10% of the total amount of Bid Offer f. Signature of the bidder/representative

Bid proposal shall be written in words and in figures and shall not be lower than the Minimum Bid Price of the property published in the newspaper or posted in the GSIS website. Should there be a difference in the amount in words and in figures, the amount in words shall prevail.

Bidders’ deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer shall be in the form of MANAGER’S CHECK payable to the Government Service Insurance System

The following shall be inserted in the sealed bid envelope: a. properly accomplished Bid Form (form can be downloaded from www.gsis.gov.ph) b. Manager’s Check payable to Government Service Insurance System representing deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the Bid Offer c. duly notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA), if the bidder is an authorized representative d. pre-conditional approval from PBCOM, if applicable

10.

The following information shall be clearly written outside the sealed bid envelope (mailing envelope)

Name of Bidder: Mailing Address:

11.

Interested bidders planning to purchase the GSIS property through External Financing Institution (EFI) shall first secure certification from accredited banks stating that he/she is qualified to avail of a loan from External Financing Institution and insert inside the bid envelope.

12.

The existing tenant or occupant or his duly authorized representative through a valid Special Power of Attorney (SPA) has the right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, provided: a. he/she is present during the bidding b. participated in actual bidding c. presently occupying the property subject of bidding supported by the following proofs of occupancy: c.1 Barangay certificate that he/she is occupying or residing in the subject property c.2. Any valid government identification document with his/her address similar to the address of the property he/.she is bidding.

13. If the occupant will exercise his/her right to match the offer of the declared highest bidder, he/she need not secure another bank pre-qualification corresponding to the matched offer. Instead, he/she shall pay the equity in cash as stated in Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS). The equity shall be computed as the difference between the Letter of Guarantee from the bank and the offered bid amount. 14.

The declared highest/winning bidder shall submit within the day of the actual bidding, the following documents: a. duly accomplished Personal Profile/Company Profile/Corporate Profile, whichever is applicable (form can be downloaded from www.gsis.gov.ph); b. photocopies of two valid IDs (one should be a government-issued ID); c. Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, By-Laws and current General Information Sheet, for corporation/partnership, if applicable; d. Registration Certificate from SEC for corporation/partnership, DTI for sole proprietorship and CDA for cooperatives, or any proof of such registration, if applicable; e. current Mayor’s permit issued by the city or municipality where the principal place of business of the winning bidder is located, if applicable.

15.

A Notice of Approval of Sale (NOAS) shall be issued to the highest/winning bidder on the day of bidding. In case the bid is thru EFI, the equity shall be paid in cash within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of Letter of Guarantee (LOG) by the GSIS. The equity is the amount corresponding to the difference between the LOG and the Offered Bid Amount.

16.

Upon issuance of the NOAS to the highest/winning bidder, the Bidder’s Deposit of the other non-winning bidder/s shall be returned immediately.

17.

Non-compliance with the terms and conditions stated in the NOAS shall result in the forfeiture of the bidder’s deposit.

18. In case the highest/winning bidder fails to comply with the requirements within the specified time, the GSIS shall write the second highest bidder to confirm if he/she is still interested to acquire the property. If still interested, GSIS will require him/her to pay the non-refundable deposit equivalent to ten percent (10%) of his/her previously submitted bid amount and will be issued NOAS. GSIS reserves the right to waive any formality or to reject any or all bids received. The list of properties available for sale may be updated without prior notice.

20.

For inquiries, you may call Real Property Accounts Management Department at telephone nos. 479-3536 or 976-4619.

By Joel Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority has deployed numerous tow trucks to Baclaran in Pasay City to enforce the no-parking policy and maintain the smooth flow of traffic in the area. “A number of tow trucks are in the area to remind motorists that the area is a tow-away zone,” said MMDA general manager and acting chairman Thomas Orbos. Orbos said despite the thousands of faithful going every Wednesday to do their weekly devotion at the place of worship, stakeholders continue to follow what have been agreed upon to maintain orderliness and cleanliness in the place. “People still comply with what we have agreed on when we started clearing the service road of obstructions for an unhampered travel of motorists and pedestrians alike. This is proof that it is possible to instill discipline to ease traffic in the area,” he said. Orbos said the agency will install an outpost to make sure that fixtures in the area remains in order. Aside from clearing the service road on Roxas Boulevard—from C. Rivera Street up to the corner of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue— of obstructions, MMDA personnel, in cooperation with the local governments of Parañaque and Pasay, also cleaned the area previously occupied by illegally parked vehicles and numerous stalls. MMDA has also placed plastic barriers to allow vendors to temporarily do their business on the first two lanes near the sidewalk while waiting to be relocated at a more conducive vending area. Prior to the clearing operations last week, MMDA offi-

cials led by Orbos conducted a series of consultations with the stakeholders such as vendors and business establishments along the service road and Baclaran area. “We have been informing them of President Duterte’s directive to decongest not only Roxas Boulevard but also the rest of the roads and streets in Metro Manila to ease the traffic condition,” Orbos said. With all the road obstructions and structures cleared, Orbos said motorists can now use the four lanes of the service road. MMDA plans to clear the whole stretch of the service road, from Baclaran to T.M. Kalaw in Manila, which is about six kilometers long. The clearing operation is part of a short-term solution to ease traffic in the metropolis pending the approval of both Houses of Congress to the emergency power to be given to President Rodrigo Duterte to solve the worsening problem on road congestion. Orbos admitted that the continuing increase of the number of private vehicles was the main cause of monstrous traffic in Metro Manila. He cited that more than 5,000 vehicles enter the Batangas port daily and most of them are for distribution in Metro Manila. The MMDA said that the affordable price of brand new cars is also a factor. Orbos said the volume of vehicles on the road can no longer be accommodated by the limited road network in Metro Manila. Some analysts said to solve traffic congestion in Metro Manila, the government must focus on the development and improvement of the public transport system. They also recommended the strict regulation of car ownership, of a no garage, no car policy and higher fees on parking areas.

CebuPac exempts OFWs from paying terminal fee By Darwin G. Amojelar

(Address of Property you want to bid) Block No. ______ Lot. No. ______ Phase No.____ Name of Subdivision Address of Subdivision TCT NO. _______ Mode: __________ Cash __________ thru External Financing Institution

19.

MMDA deploys tow trucks in Baclaran

(MS-APR. 26/27/28, 2017)

CEBU Pacific said its overseas Filipino worker passengers are now exempted from paying airport terminal fee. “After months of working with the MIAA on the details, Cebu Pacific is very proud to be the first carrier to make available such a benefit for our OFWs,” said JR Mantaring, CEB vice president for Corporate Affairs. “We are pleased to offer our kababayans working abroad the convenience of not having to go through a process of reimbursement for fees they are already exempted from under the Migrants Workers Act,” he added. Starting April 27, OFWs flying with Cebu Pacific to their job site do not need to pay for the P550 Naia Terminal Fee. Aside from OFWs, pilgrims with authorization from the Philippine Sports Commission, and guests who have been issued MIAA exemption certificates are also exempted from paying the IPSC, provided valid documents are presented. Recently, Cebu Pacific passengers have been given the option to pay for the travel on international f lights of P1,620, plus a handling fee of P89 when they book their flights. The Gokongwei-led airline carrier said net profit went up by 122 percent to P9.8 billion last year from P4.39 billion in 2015. Total revenues, which include wholly-owned subsidiary Cebgo, jumped 9.6 percent to P61.9 billion, higher by 9.2 percent from P46.6 billon in 2015. Cebu Pacific flew 19.1 million passengers in 2016, up 4.1 percent from 18.4 million passengers carried in 2015.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Lascuña eyes 2 straight title nd

Po seals title duel with Jolo REED-THIN Peter Tyler Po knocked off top seed Rupert Zaragosa with a near-impeccable game then bundled out last year’s champion Noel Langamin to crash into the finals against No. 2 Jolo Magcalayo in the Philippine Amateur Open Match Play Golf Championship at the Orchard Golf and Country Club’s Player course in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday. While top seed Yuka Saso and No. 2 Harmie Constantino scored a pair of expected romps to arrange a showdown for the women’s crown, the ninthranked Po came away with unexpected victories to gain a rare crack at the men’s crown in the country’s premier match play event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation. The 17-year-old Cebuano, who needed an extra hole to edge Kristoffer Arevalo in the Last 16 Wednesday, birdied No. 15 to move up then pounced on Zaragosa’s struggle on No. 17 to clinch a 2&1 victory in the morning quarters. The Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu student then sustained his form and tripped Langamin, 3&2, in the afternoon semis to barge into the finals of the tournament held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour. “I didn’t expect to beat Rupert. The chance to play with him is already a big opportunity but beating him is an honor,” said Po, a club junior titlist still in search for a national championship.

ONY Lascuña shoots for a second straight Philippine Golf Tour victory next week in Tarlac but faces a formidable cast of local and foreign rivals in his title-retention drive in the ICTSI Luisita Championship slated May 3-6 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club.

MAYORS’ SPOUSES GOLF TOURNEY CHAMP. Businessman Robert Reyes won low net top honors at

the Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation Inc. held last Wednesday at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf and Country Club in Tagaytay. Awarding the trophy and cash prize were MMMSFI president Ms. Janet Olivarez (3rd from right); Edna Calixto, MMMSFI treasurer; MMMSFI VP Melissa Sison Oreta; event organizer Dan Salvador; Paranaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez (right); and Paranaque Rep. Eric Olivarez (left). Allan Alegre bagged the low gross category, while businessman Miguel Perlas won the Texas Eagle golf car during the rafﬂe draw.The tournament raised funds to support the foundation’s medical missions performed by volunteer doctors from the PGH and other civic-oriented hospitals in the metropolis.

Lewis vows to avoid Sochi screw-up SOCHI—Lewis Hamilton will arrive in Sochi ahead of this weekend’s Russian Grand Prix determined not to lose any more ground in his tightlycontested battle with Sebastian Vettel in this year’s title race. The three-time world champion knows that even the smallest of errors, by driver or team, can decide the outcome after revealing that he suffered from a minor issue in Bahrain that may have cost

him pole in qualifying. The Briton said his Mercedes car had a slight problem with the engagement of its Drag Reduction System (DRS) during the decisive session and this may have handed his team-mate Valtteri Bottas his maiden pole position. “It’s painful,” said Hamilton, talking about his realisation that just a fraction of a second may have been so costly in that race.

“I lost two tenths from Turn 10 to 11 when the DRS didn’t engage in qualifying and I lost half a tenth out of the last corner. So, I should easily have been on pole.” Hamilton’s pain was moderated by the knowledge that four-time champion Vettel was faster in the race in his Ferrari, even though his advantage was only marginal as the Englishman stormed after him in the closing laps. AFP

The veteran Davaoeño shotmaker is brimming with confidence heading to the $60,000 event, which also features a crack roster of international players. Not only did he break the Luisita jinx with a two-stroke victory over Korean Park Jun Hyeok last year but also ruled the last PGT stop at Eastridge last month, also his first at the Binangonan layout. “I think I’m good and confident heading to Luisita,” said Lascuña, who campaigned in Japan during the month-long break on the local circuit sponsored by ICTSI. “But the field is strong with a number of talented foreign players competing.” They include Brett Munson of the US, former PGT winner Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand, veteran Indonesian Rory Hie and regular PGT campaigners Nicolas Paez, Jack Jackson and James Bowen of the US, South African Mathiam Keyser, Swede Oskar Arvidsson, Aussie David Gleeson and Jake Shepher of England. But Lascuña, who racked up five victories to regain the PGT OOM crown last year, isn’t only wary of the visiting crew but also of the local challenge, headed by former Philippine Open champion and OOM winner Miguel Tabuena, former OOM champion Jay Bayron, veteran Frankie Miñoza, Elmer

PPS netfest starts in Tacloban, Tagum ACTION in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Visayas-Mindanao summer tennis tour heats up beginning Friday with simultaneous age-group tournaments in Tacloban and Tagum, Davao del Norte. Close to 200 entries are vying in the Visayas stop with Bless Coderos, Trexie Sumapig, Lyra Repollo, Hazel Coderos, Krissel Borinaga and Selena Olo bannering the field in the girls’ 18- and 16-and-under categories. Vhon Tudtud, coming off a victory in Mactan last week, guns for a second straight boys’ 18-U plum while Carlo Olo gains the top seeding in the 16-U side and Allain Ocat is fancied in both the 12- and 14-U

divisions of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger. Repollo, meanwhile, heads the cast in the girls’ 14-U section while Pristine Bernales and Mae Dizon are the top two seeds in the 12-U category and Brenz Dulfo, Argenzalo Garcia, Marion Gonzales and Gabriel Miralles are expected to slug it out for the 10-unisex crown in the five-day tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and the new Unified tennis group, led by PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s and B-Meg. Fierce action is also expected in the Mindanao leg with Janus Ringia raring to score a follow-up to his victory in last week’s Gen. Santos

stage and Carlyn Guarde fancied in the girls’ side of the premier 18-U division. “This is going to be another exciting summer season for these young players seeking ranking points with tournaments on tap week after week,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro. “Through this series of tournaments will emerge the country’s next superstars.” Baybay City in Leyte will host the next Visayas leg on May 3-7 then action moves to Maasin the following week. For details, call PPS-PEPP Regional Age Group Tennis Event organizer and Sports Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

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Clash of Heroes gives way to UAAP finals IN deference to the finals of the Dawn Macandili and rising star University Athletic Association Kim Kianna Dy of La Salle as women’s volleyball tournament, well as Kat Tolentino and Maddie the organizing PSC-POC Media Madayag of Ateneo would be afGroup and Larong Volleyball sa fected if the organizers would not Pilipinas, Inc. decided to reset reset the Clash of Heroes. “These players are our futhe Clash of Heroes to May 15 at the Filoil Flying V Center in ture,” Cayco said. “We want to give them the opportunity San Juan. LVPI acting president Peter to compete against the veteran Cayco said they want players of players in the pool and fight for both Ateneo and La Salle to focus their slots in the national team.” Former Ateneo superstar on winning the UAAP title before shooting for a slot in the 18-wom- Alyssa Valdez, former La Salle an national roster headed for the sensation Mika Reyes and veterans Rachel Anne Daquis, Jovelyn 29th Southeast Asian Games. A fund-raising project for the Gonzaga, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, foreign training and exposure of Rhea Dimaculangan, Jaja Santhe national men’s and women’s tiago and Aby Marano lead the volleyball teams, the Clash of women’s national pool under the Heroes was initially set today mentorship of Francis Vicente. On the other hand, reigning (April 28), few days before the Lady Eagles and Lady Spikers National Collegiate Athletic Asformally open their best-of- sociation MVP Johnvic de Guzman as well as former national three titular showdown. “Holding the event to a later team members Peter Torres, date is very sound and logical,” Ran Abdilla and Mark Alfafara said Cayco, who was authorized banner a star-studded cast in by LVPI president Joey Romas- the men’s side to be handled by anta to spearhead the formation Sammy Acaylar. of the national squad that will campaign in the biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur this August. “Aside from giving Ateneo and La Salle players the chance to set their at00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ tention on winning the title, this will also allow fans to enjoy the UAAP 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ finals and cheer for the national team. This move DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 is a win-win solution for all of us.” FIVB Women’s Club DIGITS 00-00-00 World Championship veteran Kim Fajardo, EZ2 00-00 Philippine Superliga Most Valuable Player

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 6/42 6 3 2

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MA. CHRISTINA CARANDANG DELA FUENTE who died intestate on 01 January 2016 at Lipa City, Batangas Province and left: (1) one fourth (1/4) share in the ownership of the paraphernal property at Tanauan City, Batangas Province covered by TCT No. T-53969 with improvements; (2) one half (1/2) conjugal share in the in the ownership of the property at Las Piñas Municipality covered by TCT No. S-49102 with improvement; (3) one half (1/2) conjugal share in the in the ownership of the property at Las Piñas Municipality covered by TCT No. (S-49586) T-11126-A with same improvement as #2; and (4) One half (1/2) share in the in the ownership of the capital property at General Trias, Cavite Province covered by TCT No. 1247471, has been extrajudicially settled by and among heirs as per Doc No. 288; Page No. 59; Book No. II; Series of 2016 before Notary Public Atty. Karen Kate C. Pascual of Makati City. MS- APR. 28, MAY 5 & 12, 2017)

at the Second Floor, Rm. 237, Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City at which date, time and place, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and show cause, if any, why said petition IN RE: PETITION FOR CHANGE should not be granted. Let this Order be published at OF NAME IN THE CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MARY JANE the expense of the petitioner in a newspaper of general circulation in MAGSIGAY UNDER REGISTRY the Philippines once a week for three NO. 95-6866 WITH PRAYER (3) consecutive weeks, to be selected by raffle pursuant to P.D. 1079. The FOR THE CANCELLATION OF Office of the Clerk of Court is directed AFFIDAVIT OF LEGITIMATION: to report to the Court the result of the raffle, with notice to petitioner within ten MARY JANE MAGSIGAY a.k.a. (10) days from receipt thereof. MARY JANE MAGSIGAY The National Statistics Office, the MADELO, Office of the Solicitor General and Petitioner, any person who has any opposition - versus hereto may file the same, within fifteen (15) days from notice of the petition, SP PROC NO. R-QZN-17-02539-SP or from the last date of publication of such notice. EPIFANIO IDO MADELO, MERCY Furnish a copy of this Order and SILMOGAN MAGSIGAY petition to the National Statistics Office, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City and the Office of the Solicitor General. AUTHORITY, represented by SO ORDERED. LISA GRACE S. BERSALES, and THE CIVIL REGISTRAR OF Quezon City, Metro Manila, March 23, 2017. QUEZON CITY, represented by

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 216, Quezon City

RAMON MATABANG, Respondents. x----------------------------------------x

ORDER The petitioner, Mary Jane Magsigay a.k.a. Mary Jane Magsigay Madelo, filed a verified petition praying for the following in her Certificate of Live Birth issued by the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City, to wit: a) to cancel the annotation on legitimation appearing on the right top corner of the Certificate of Live Birth of Mary Jane Magsigay Madelo; b) to correct the entry for Item No. 1, “Name of Child” from “Mary Jane Magsigay” to “Mary Jane Magsigay Madelo”; The Court hereby sets the Petition for hearing on May 22, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court sitting

(Sgd.) ALFONSO C. RUIZ II Presiding Judge

Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI 2nd Floor, Conference Room, LANDBANK Building Corner Cottage Road and Gatuslao Streets, Bacolod City Telefax No. (034) 435-0167

INVITATION TO BID The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK), through its Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) VI now invites bids for Services of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program for Negros Occidental. Delivery of service is for six (6) payouts which shall commence from May 2017 to March 2018 Payouts, One (1) Lot for the total approved budget contract (ABC) of Twelve Million Eight Hundred Fifty Four Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Six Pesos Only (P12,854,256.00) ITB No. 2017-001 Service of Conduits in the Distribution of Cash Grants to Beneficiaries of DSWD’s Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program payouts for the period May 2017 to March 2018 in Negros Occidental for the number of payouts as indicated hereunder: City and Municipality

Office of the Local Civil Registrar of Quezon City Quezon City Hall, Diliman, Quezon City Atty. Jesus Christopher PB. Belandres Counsel for Petitioner 11th Flr. Ever Gotesco Corporate Center 1958 C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila Philippine Statistics Administration East Avenue, Quezon City Mary Jane Magsigay Madelo N-029, Mahabang Layon, Sinagtala Brgy. Bahay Toro, Project 8, Q.C.

(MS-Apr. 28, May 5 & 12, 2017)

Number of Households

Service Fee

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Bago Binalbagan Cadiz City Calatrava Candoni Cauayan City of Escalante City of Himamaylan Hinoba-an (Asia) Isabela La Castellana Manapla Moises Padilla (Magallon) Murcia Pulupandan Salvador Benedicto San Enrique Valladolid TOTAL

REGULAR CCT (OFFSITE) 452 Php 103,056.00 492 112,176.00 67 15,276.00 5,566 1,269,048.00 1,359 309,852.00 6,227 1,419,756.00 2,132 486,096.00 4,102 935,256.00 3,337 PhP 38.00 760,836.00 2,932 668,496.00 836 190,608.00 1,909 435,252.00 840 191,520.00 3,616 824,448.00 820 186,960.00 1,242 283,176.00 615 140,220.00 991 225,948.00 37,535 Php 8,557,980.00

Bacolod City (Capital) Bago Binalbagan Cadiz City City of Escalante City of Kabankalan City of Sipalay City of Talisay City of Victorias Enrique B. Magalona (Saravia) Hinigaran Ilog La Carlota City La Castellana Moises Padilla (Magallon) Pontevedra Sagay San Carlos Silay City Toboso TOTAL

833 3,498 1,418 239 1,698 580 1,017 328 376 2,290 2,581 3,004 1,763 1,793 1,747 1,883 440 1,040 597 1,873 28,998

Number of Payouts

Six (6) Payouts

REGULAR CCT (ONSITE)

City of Himamaylan Isabela TOTAL

Php

PhP 24.00

MCCT IP (OFFSITE) 384 207 PhP 34.00 591

119,952.00 503,712.00 204,192.00 34,416.00 244,512.00 83,520.00 146,448.00 47,232.00 54,144.00 329,760.00 371,664.00 432,576.00 253,872.00 258,192.00 251,568.00 271,152.00 63,360.00 149,760.00 85,968.00 269,712.00 Php 4,175,712.00 Php Php

78,336.00 42,228.00 120,564.00

Six (6) Payouts

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, with an amount of at least 50% of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Further, must secure Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as to the eligibility to bid. All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post Qualification and Awarding of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs). The schedule of activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

3. Opening of Bids

Cc: Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

Salvador, Jhonnel Ababa, Cassius Casas, Orlan Sumcad and youngsters Jobim Carlos, Justin Quiban and Ira Alido. Manila-based Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands, KoreanAmerican Micah Shin and Japanese Toru Nakajima are also in the fold, completing what promises to be a star-studded cast chasing the top $10,500 purse in the four-day championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. But the elite field will not only be showcasing their shotmaking and putting skills but will also tackle a tight, hazard-laden course spruced up to championship condition not to mention the extreme heat at this time of the year. “There are so many factors to win a top-level tournament. From the field, the course and the weather condition. I just hope to be able to endure all these and get another shot at the crown,” said Lascuña. The Luisita leg, the third stop of this year’s PGT, actually kicks off a four-stage swing for the month with Orchard hosting the next tournament on May 10-13 before Manila Southwoods takes its turn on May 17-20.

5. Post Qualification / Pilot Testing 6. Issuance of Notice of Award

SCHEDULE May 2 to 19, 2017 May 5, 2017 - 10:00 AM 2nd Floor, Conference Room, LANDBANK Building Corner Cottage Road and Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City May 19, 2017 - 2:00 PM 2nd Floor, Conference Room, LANDBANK Building Corner Cottage Road and Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City Deadline of Submission: May 19, 2017 - 12:00 PM May 22, 2017 May 25, 2017

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P25,000.00) to the LANDBANK Cashier. LANDBANK reserves the right to (a) reject any and all bids at any time prior to the award of the contract; (b) waive any minor formal requirements in the bid documents; (c) accept such bids, it may consider advantageous and beneficial to the Bank, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. REGIONAL BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Region VI - Negros Occidental Area

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Sports

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

Ilustre earns fifth gold By Peter Atencio SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—It was his elder sister’s birthday and Maurice Sacho Ilustre was very tired. It showed in the bluish rings under his eyes. But he still earned his fifth gold medal yesterday at the Binirayan Sports Complex here. In what became a friendly race with teammate Andrei Pogiongko, the 17-year-old Ilustre still found the energy to finish ahead in 57.68 seconds to win the secondary boys 100-meter butterfly. “Yes, that’s for her,” said Ilustre whose sister Sabrina celebrated her 22nd birthday. This put him closer to becoming the most bemedalled athlete of the 2017 Palarong Pambansa. Ilustre, an 11th grader at La Salle Zobel, had already broken four records in his previous races this week. This was also close. It was 15/100ths of a second over the old record of 57.56 second that he set in 2015. “Halfway na. Sobrang nakakapagod. As in, nararamdaman ko na since the first day. Pero dahil first place ako, worth it na rin yung pagod,” said Ilustre. So far, Ilustre won the 200-meter butterfly, the 100-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle and helped teammates win the 4x100 meter medley relays in record-breaking fashions. He will compete in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x100 meter freestyle to be able to finish his secondary school days with a bang. On day three of the swim meet, University of the East bet Jerald Jacinto broke another record twice, this time in the secondary boys 200 meter backstroke, first in the preliminaries in 2:11.49, and then with lower time of 2:09.87 in the finals. He rewrote the previous mark that belonged to Ryan Arabejo in 2005 (2:12.61) by more than two seconds. This allowed him to finish his campaign with four golds and bronze. Kalibo, Aklan bet Kyla Soguilon collected her fourth gold medal after she ruled the elementary girls 50-meter backstroke.

DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH. Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas (4) dribbles past Chicago Bulls center Brook Lopez (8) during Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterﬁnals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 26, at TD Garden in Boston. AFP

Wizards, Celtics grab lead over Hawks, Bulls W

ASHINGTON—The Washington Wizards regained control of their ﬁrst round NBA playoff series, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 10399 Wednesday with the help of a 27-point performance by Bradley Beal. John Wall delivered 20 points and 14 assists as the fourth seeded Wizards lead the best of seven Eastern Conference series three games to two. In a later game, the Boston Celtics used a fourth quarter run to defeat the Chicago Bulls 109-97 and take a 3-2 lead in their series. Isaiah Thomas scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and Avery Bradley also scored 24 for the Celtics who won their

third consecutive game. Al Horford finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the top seeded Celtics. After losing the first two games Boston can advance to the second round with a win Friday in Chicago. Dwyane Wade had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for the Bulls. Jimmy Butler and Robin Lopez added 14 points apiece for the Bulls, who were without

injured point guard Rajon Rondo. Isaiah Canaan got the start in only his second career playoff game and finished with 13 points for the Bulls. Otto Porter scored 17 points and sank nine of 10 free throws for the Wizards, who offset another poor shooting night from the three point line by making 22 of 27 free throws. The Hawks, who won games three and four at home by an average margin of 14 points, host game six on Sunday. The Wizards are seeking to become the first road team to win a game this series. “We know that we just gave up two games (in Atlanta),” Beal said. “At home we have a different edge about ourselves and we’re more locked in. We have to have the

same approach down in Atlanta.” Dennis Schroder had 29 points and 11 assists for the fifth-seeded Hawks. Paul Millsap finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds and Tim Hardaway scored 15 points for the Hawks, who shot 41 percent from the field and 14 of 21 from the free throw line. The Wizards game plan was to double team Millsap, who still managed to score at least 19 points for the fifth straight game. “We tried to put pressure on him,” Porter said. “We definitely wanted to get it out of his hands early and go from there.” Schroder’s fifth three-pointer cut the Wizards’ lead to 101-99 with 70 seconds remaining, but Wall answered with a jump shot on Washington’s next possession.

The Hawks missed their final two attempts from the field. Bradley had a career-defining game on both ends as he led the Celtics with 24 points while guarding Butler throughout the game. Bradley and the Celtics fought the Bulls into the ground, establishing their defensive prowess in the fourth quarter to shove the Bulls to the brink. “It’s kind of been the story of our team, being able to fight through our adversity,” Bradley said. “No matter what we’ve been through, being able to overcome it. We believe in one another. We went to Chicago knowing we were going to win those games. Not hoping.” Stevens kept Bradley on the floor with Butler the entire game. Bradley won that battle at +11 in 39 minutes. AFP

Bouchard wants ‘cheater’ Creamline Sharapova banned for life targets PVL crown

Russia’s Maria Sharapova returns the ball to to Italy’s Roberta Vinci in their ﬁrst round match at the WTA tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, on April 26. AFP

ISTANBUL, Turkey—Eugenie Bouchard attacked Maria Sharapova as a “cheater” over her return from a drugs ban and suggested the Russian should be kicked out of tennis for life. Bouchard said the Women’s Tennis Association was sending the wrong message in allowing the fivetime Grand Slam-winner to come back from her 15-month suspension. Russia’s Sharapova—the world’s highest-paid female athlete for more than a decade until last year, according to Forbes—won on Wednesday on her comeback after testing positive for meldonium. “I don’t think that’s right. She’s a cheater and so to me, I don’t think a cheater in any sport should be allowed to play that sport again,” Canada’s Bouchard, the world number 59, told TRT World in Istanbul. “It’s so unfair to all the other players who do it the right way

and are true. So I just think the WTA sends the wrong message to young kids: you know, cheat and we’ll welcome you back with open arms. “So I don’t think that’s right. She’s not someone I can say I look up to any more because it’s definitely ruined it for me a little bit.” Sharapova, 30, has pleaded that she had been taking meldonium for medical reasons for 10 years and didn’t know it had been added to the list of banned substances last year. Her return on a wildcard in Stuttgart, where she beat Roberta Vinci on Wednesday, has proved divisive with both criticism and support from her fellow players. Sharapova will learn on May 16 whether she will receive a wildcard for the French Open, the year’s second Grand Slam which she won in 2012 and 2014. AFP

PBA All-Star Spectacle swings to Lucena By Jeric Lopez FOLLOWING a successful showcase in Cagayan De Oro the other night, the scene shifts to Quezon for Leg 2 of the week long 2017 Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Week. The PBA and the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National team take their act back to Luzon in the second of three exhibition All-Star games. For tonight, it’s the turn of the PBA’s Luzon All-Stars to test and challenge Gilas Pilipinas in their 7 p.m. tiff at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena, Quezon. Prior to this main course, the skills challenges will first take center stage.

The Obstacle Challenge, ThreePoint Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest take place starting 4 p.m. Defending champions Maverick Ahanmisi (Obstacle), Terrence Romeo (Three-Point Shootout) and Rey Guevarra (Slam Dunk) will defend their respective crowns against a crop of challengers. San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, who is a native of Quezon, will call the shots for the Luzon selection. Austria’s squad is composed of Marc Pingris and Paul Lee of the Star Hotshots, LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar and Mark Caguioa of Barangay Ginebra, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos of San Miguel Beer, Jayson Castro and Ranidel De ocampo of TNT

KaTropa, Calvin Abueva of the Alaska Aces and Stanley Pringle of GlobalPort Batang Pier. They will go up against coach Chot Reyes’ National team. For this leg, Reyes will have Mike Tolomia and Raymund Almazan (Rain or Shine), Almond Vosotros, Ed Daquioag and Jonathan Grey (Meralco), Allein Maliksi (Star), Matthew Wright and Norbert Torres (Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters), Kevin Ferrer (Barangay Ginebra), Carl Cruz (Alaska), Bradwyn Guinto (NLEX) and Arnold Van Opstal (San Miguel). In the first leg the other night in Cagayan De Oro, the Mindanao All- Members of the Gilas Pilipinas team acknowledge the cheers of the Stars and Gilas Pilipinas engaged in a crowd during the Cagayan De Oro leg of the week-long 2017 PBA Allvery competitive battle. Star Spectacle.

WITH the best local player and a pair of talented imports, Creamline is eyeing no less than a crown right in its first stint in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference unfolding Sunday (April 30) at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan. Alyssa Valdez, a many-time conference MVP in the league where it all started, former Oregon State star Laura Schaudt and Thai national player Kuttika Kaewpin make up probably the fiercest triumvirate in the upcoming league and with a slew of youth and veterans as backups, the Cool Smashers are indeed in for an explosive debut in the Reinforced Conference. “With Alyssa around and with Pau Soriano and a mix of youth and veterans, I think we have a fighting team,” said assistant coach Oliver Almadro. “But what’s important is the teamwork. Even if you have a strong lineup, what’s important is the teamwork and the camaraderie and the positive outlook of the team.” Their strength will be tested right in the opener when Creamline slugs it out with the Perlas side composed of former UP and Ateneo stalwarts and backstopped by Brazilian Rupia Inck and Japanese Naoko Hashimoto in the 6 p.m. main game. But focus will be on the crispspiking Valdez, long considered as the country’s premier player who honed and toughened up for the event with a stint with 3BB Nakornnont in the Thailand league early this year. Almadro said Valdez, who has seen action with BaliPure and Customs, has been sharing her expertise with her new teammates and will remain as the team’s leader as they mix it up with five other teams in the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Market falls; Petron up B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

IN BRIEF

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing April 27, 2017

Abacus to launch online trading site

8500 8000

STOCKBROKERAGE ﬁrm Abacus Securities Corp. is set to launch MyTradePhilippines, its newest trading platform that aims to offer investors faster and more reliable trading platform. Abacus vice president for research Raymond Niel Franco said in a news brieﬁng MyTradePhilippines would provide online traders the latest technology coupled with the best market information available. “We believe that our research is ahead of the curve. We believe that our research capability will give investors an edge when they invest in the stock market,” Franco said. Abacus aims to corner at least 10 percent of the 300,000 total online investors over the next couple of years, making it a strong second among current online trading providers. Franco said the real key in getting online trading clients was in the area of customer service. A common complaint against the existing online trading companies is their failure to deliver the level of customer service that clients feel they deserve. Jenniffer B. Austria

7500 7000 6500 6000

7,661.01 65.44

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing APRIL 27, 2017 45.00 46.50 48.00 49.50

Growth likely eased to 6% in 1st quarter

GROSS domestic product growth in the first quarter likely settled between 6 percent and 6.3 percent, slower than the actual 6.8-percent expansion a year ago, amid the sluggish growth in government spending, ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said Thursday. “The good news is that revenues are rising faster than spending, resulting in a more moderate fiscal deficit. Core spending growth in March improved to a 7.1 percent YoY growth from a mild YoY contraction [-0.6 percent in February],” Cuyegkeng said in a statement. He said core government spending growth was slow and would likely affect overall first-quarter GDP growth. “The three months’ moving average growth rates for key fiscal categories also show the improvement in revenue generation and the slowdown in fiscal spending. The task to improve over last year’s performance is difficult when considering the high base on which this year’s spending would be compared,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Densan buying 5% of CIS Bayan Center

JAPANESE company Densan System Co. Ltd. is set to close the acquisition of a f5-percent stake in Manila Electric Co.’s CIS Bayad Center in May. Bayad Center, Meralco’s whollyowned subsidy, signed a business cooperation agreement with Densan last year. The partnership shall leverage leverage on each party’s competencies and strength, with Densan providing the information technology expertise to enable Bayad Center to tap more convenience stores as payment outlets. Densan has a strong presence and track record with convenience stores in Japan as payment platform or channel. “It’s just small. I think they should close by next month. Only a small percentage,” Meralco chairman, Manuel Pangilinan said. Meralco announced in December they were exploring talks with a Japanese payment service provider for a possible investments in Bayad Center. Alena Mae S. Flores

BSP tightens digital authentication rules

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the amendments to existing rules mandating its supervised ﬁnancial institutions to adopt multi-factor authentication techniques for certain transactions. Bangko Sentral said in a statement the latest development was in response to the increasing propensity and sophistication of cyber-attacks involving fund transfers, payments and other transactions via online channels. “With the ongoing migration to EMV [Europay Mastercard Visa] technology, cyber-attackers face reduced fraud opportunities in traditional schemes which require customers to physically present their payment cards or the so-called “card present transactions” in ATM and/ or POS terminals,” it said. “Similar to the experience of other countries that have adopted EMV technology, the BSP is then expecting an upsurge of cyber-attacks targeting cardnot-present [CNP] transactions in the Philippines,” it said. All BSP-supervised ﬁnancial institutions are expected to implement the multi-factor authentication by Sept. 30, 2017. The board said the new policy mandated stronger authentication controls and measures to protect online customers and address the increasing cyberthreats. Julito G. Rada

HYUNDAI Asia Resources Inc., the ofﬁcial distributor of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, recently launched the P2-billion Hyundai Assembly Center, the company’s foray into car manufacturing at Laguna Technopark in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Hari president and chief executive Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said the company was optimistic the new investment would make way for more Hyundai vehicles to be manufactured locally. “We take quality and excellence seriously at Hyundai. And it could not be more evident than in our operations at the Hyundai Assembly Center, where quality and excellence are a standard by which all workmanship is shaped. This is how we are able to guar-

P49.950 CLOSE

51.00

HIGH P49.840 LOW P49.980 AVERAGE P49.900 VOLUME 787.900M

FIRST DOLLAR SECURITIES LISTING. Del Monte Paciﬁc Ltd. listed the very ﬁrst dollar-denominated securities on the Philippine Stock

Exchange. DMPL listed the securities under the stock symbol ‘DMPA1.’ Shown during the bell ringing ceremony at PSE are (from left) DMPL marketing head Eileen Michele Asuncion, treasury head Augusto Cesar Garcia, chief compliance officer and secretary Antonio Eugenio Ungson, chief financial officer Parag Sachdeva, chief corporate officer Ignacio Carmelo Sison, executive director Edgardo Cruz Jr., chief operating officer Luis Alejandro, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, PSE director Emmanuel Bautista, president and chief executive Hans Sicat, treasurer Omelita Tiangco, chief operating officer Roel Refran and director Alejandro Yu.

San Miguel studying 388-km Bicol toll road By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE infrastructure unit of San Miguel Corp. and state-run Philippine National Construction Corp. plan to build a 388-kilometer expressway at a cost of P700 billion that will connect Quezon, Bicol provinces and Northern Samar.

PNCC president Mario Espinosa told reporters that the staterun company and partner San Miguel Holdings Corp. would jointly study the development of an expressway from Lucena City to Matnog, Sorsogon and a bridge to Northern Samar. Espinosa said once completed, the project would cut travel time from Manila to Bicol to four hours from 10 hours at present.

He said both companies were also planning to build a bridge from Matnog to Allen, Northern Samar. “It’s a big project, maybe 388 kilometers,” he said. Espinosa said the project could be completed in eight to 10 years. “We are still studying it,” he said. MHC and PNCC are joint venture partners in Citra Cen-

tral Expressway Corp. and Citra Intercity Tollways Inc., the concession companies of Skyway Stages 3 and 4, respectively. Through its legislative franchise, PNCC has the authority to construct, maintain and operate the South Luzon Expressway and Skyway Stages 1, 2, 3 and all extensions, linkages or stretches from any part of the existing toll roads. “We will together pursue more expansion,” San Miguel president Ramon Ang said. SMHC and PNCC earlier signed an agreement to jointly undertake the expansion of toll roads under the existing joint venture. The expanded road network will include extension of the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3

project and the Metro Manila Expressway, or C6/Skyway Stage 4. Under the agreement, SMHC and PNCC will build San PedroC6 Laguna Lake Road, extending the South Luzon Expressway from San Pedro, Laguna and passing along the shores of Laguna Lake and ending at C6 in Taguig. Other projects are TanauanTagaytay Expressway or Sky 8; TR5 which will extend SLEx from the end of TR4 in Pagbilao, Quezon to Matnog, Sorsogon; Sky 7, which will connect Taguig to Commonwealth Ave. in Quezon City; Buendia Interchange and Ramp Extension to Macapagal Boulevard; and Sky 9 or the Pasig River Alignment which will included ramps to Buendia, Pioneer and Bonifacio Global City.

P480.00-P700.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.75-P49.56 Unleaded Gasoline P29.23-P33.96 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P32.85-P41.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, April 27, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States Dollar

1.000000

Japan

Yen

0.009004

49.7130 0.4476

Pound

1.283500

63.8066

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128550

6.3906

Switzerland

Franc

1.006543

50.0383

Canada

Dollar

0.736703

36.6237

Singapore

Dollar

0.717463

35.6672

Australia

Dollar

0.753200

37.4438

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

131.8682

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266674

13.2572

Brunei

Dollar

0.714898

35.5397

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029087

1.4460

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

13.5355

Euro

1.093000

54.3363

Korea

Won

0.000889

0.0442

China

Yuan

0.145241

7.2204

India

Rupee

0.015550

0.7730

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.228885

11.3786

New Zealand

Dollar

0.694500

34.5257

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033192

1.6501 Source: PDS Bridge

NGCP, govt agencies in talks for national broadband plan By Alena Mae S. Flores NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines is closely coordinating with the Information and Communications Technology and Energy Departments for a possible partnership to bring high-speed internet nationwide, a top executive said Thursday. NGCP president and chief executive Henry Sy Jr. said discussion with the government for a national broadband plan began in the past administration. “As early as 2012, we were already exploring the broadband potential of our

facilities with the Department of Science and Technology, which was the lead agency for the project at that time,” Sy said. “Under the current administration, talks have been ongoing for the past six months. We’ve given the DICT and DOE all the information they need to put this project forward,” Sy said. He said NGCP informed relevant government agencies that the current transmission facility would be able to support the broadband network envisioned by the government. “NGCP’s wide ﬁber optic network and

related resources are sufﬁcient to support this priority program under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. We are just waiting for details from our government partners,” Sy said. National Grid operates the country’s sole power transmission network under a concession agreement with the government. “Allegations by TransCo [National Transmission Corporation] that ‘there are communication facilities which are installed in the transmission building without [TransCo’s] permission,’

Hyundai unveils PH assembly plant By Othel V. Campos

antee seamless methods, efﬁcient service, and products of superior value―the very things that every Filipino deserves,” she said. Perez-Agudo said seamless production and expert workmanship would be the hallmarks of the assembly plant, where over a hundred technical experts manning cutting-edge equipment would ensure the production of vehicles that conform to the highest quality standards. Hari said the facility would be producing two models―the topselling Eon and the H350, a light commercial van that is versatile and classy. Production of Eon started in March 2017 through a temporary leasing agreement with Star Motors Manufacturing. Production of H359 will start assembly this month.

CODE OF ETHICS ADVOCATES. Ofﬁcers of the Philippines Association of Executive

Search Professionals Inc., Code of Ethics advocates, elect their 2017 ofﬁcers. Shown are (seated from left) director Mario Biscocho of John Clements Consultants and president Jun Gil of Amrop Philippines. Behind them are (from left) director Cesar Ginete of The People At Work, vice president Babes Guevara of H.I.R.E. Inc., treasurer Stella Guilatco of George Garrett Guilford & Associates, director Rubi Benitez of RGF Executive Search Philippines and secretary Patty Gallardo of Amrop Philippines.

and that the same constitutes a violation of our Concession Agreement, are simply untrue,” Sy said. TransCo earlier asked NGCP to explain the use of transmission facilities for “communications” without the consent of the agency.

Business

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Philex’s net income grows 3% to P432m By Anna Leah E. Gonzales the realized foreign exchange PHILEX Mining Corp. said Thursday net income grew 3 percent in the ﬁrst quarter to P432 million from a year ago, on higher metal prices and better foreign exchange rate. Philex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange core net income also increased 18 percent in January to March to P458 million from P389 million a year earlier, as consolidated revenues improved to P2.542 billion from P2.39 billion. Philex said the copper price averaged $2.77 per pound in the ﬁrst quarter, up from $ 2.25 per pound a year ago, while the average realized gold price rose to $1,264 per ounce from $1,239 an ounce. The mining company said

rate of 50.32 a dollar in the first quarter this year, compared to 46.90 a dollar in the same period last year, also made a positive contribution to the bottomline. Philex said revenues from copper went up to P1.094 billion from P946 million, while revenues from gold was flat at P1.426 billion. Revenues from silver also rose to P21.9 million from P16.8 million as average realized price went up to $18 an ounce from $15. The company’s Padcal mine milled 1.998 million metric tons in the first quarter, down from 2.325 million tons in 2016 because of less operating days and equipment availability issues this year.

Market falls; Petron up S TOCKS retreated Thursday to end a ﬁveday rally, as the Bank of Japan cut its inﬂation forecast while keeping stimulus unchanged and investors assessed a plan to overhaul US taxes. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 65 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,661.01, as all six sectors declined. This trimmed total gains this year to 12 percent. The heavier index, representing all shares, also slid 33 points, or 0.7 percent, to settle at 4,579.20, on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 122 to 72, while 52 issues were unchanged. Only two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led

by Petron Corp. which climbed 1.8 percent to P9.11. East West Banking Corp. rose 0.9 percent to P21.45. Meanwhile, most Asian markets reversed earlier losses Thursday as the US said it would renegotiate its free-trade deal with Canada and Mexico, soothing fears of a trade war after reports said President Donald Trump was considering leaving the pact. Equities across the region started the day in the red following four days of gains and as traders assess the chances of Congress

passing massive tax cuts unveiled Wednesday. The White House said all three countries would revise the 22-yearold North American Free Trade Agreement swiftly. The news fueled relief on trading ﬂoors as the tycoon has previously hit out at the agreement -- calling it a “disaster” that has killed American jobs -- as well as other deals the US has signed globally. Jitters about a possible trade war were heightened this week when Washington slapped 20 percent tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber imports. “It is my privilege to bring Nafta up to date through renegotiation,” Trump said in a White House statement. “I believe that the end result will make all three countries stronger and better.” The Mexican peso and Canadian

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

NAME

OPEN

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.02 43,000 48.6 4,700 104.8 1,054,110 4.17 7,000 119.9 1,766,710 1.25 13,000 35.3 671,100 10 2,500 16.2 3,490,700 21.45 11,622,700 0.72 452,000 1.7 13,000 0.67 2,186,000 84.5 1,052,850 0.74 70,000 16.2 51,700 65.2 268,170 240 106,280 115 230 54.45 1,497,700 213.2 192,480 1,690 285 79.75 52,200

130,390 228,360 110,465,851 28,960 211,979,147 15,710 23,742,415 24,185 55,852,998 249,544,030 326,240 22,100 1,470,980 89,022,769 50,620 840,582 17,468,372 25,507,214 25,190 81,551,342.50 41,090,758 482,700 4,162,902

208,980 -21,976,112 12,510 -15,326,988 1,260 4,748,740 -800,160 -157,379,955 -1,324,174 10,800 489,000 3,452,109.50 10,495,182 -29,851,950 -231,426 137,193.50

42.2 5.64 0.8 1.4 18.66 0.246 96.55 7.32 16.5 165.2 23.3 14.12 74 81 1.89 5.7 11.9 12.78 9.75 6.35 6 1.75 21.5 72.3 12.32 15.4 7.7 1.59 210 36.2 4.91 3.74 24.25 31.8 23 17.98 280 0.244 6.22 3.7 8.95 11.38 2.14 8.47 1.97 72.8 5.3 295.4 4.82 2 13.66 4.45 0.148 1.37 172 1.62 32.95 1.02

INDUSTRIAL 42.5 1,711,900 5.76 1,856,700 0.83 902,000 1.41 4,702,000 18.68 3,700 0.275 30,680,000 96.55 40 7.34 18,269,400 16.5 3,047,900 165.2 30 23.5 265,600 14.12 3,100 74.05 830 84.5 330 1.89 828,000 5.7 332,000 12 13,600 12.8 1,129,400 10.1 8,524,400 6.39 1,807,600 6.03 10,142,000 1.75 1,000 21.5 728,800 72.5 247,480 12.38 2,800 15.4 99,900 7.7 781,400 1.6 230,000 210 478,890 36.2 120 4.98 359,200 3.75 9,000 28.55 1,000 31.95 577,500 23.25 304,100 18.48 1,343,600 280 214,620 0.255 54,700,000 6.33 6,500 3.7 195,000 9.11 18,534,000 11.4 33,900 2.15 628,000 8.5 3,839,600 1.98 553,000 73.5 994,730 5.5 1,634,200 300 5,390 4.84 16,000 2 1,000 13.72 719,400 4.47 62,000 0.148 760,000 1.37 73,000 172 1,646,310 1.63 5,475,000 32.95 300 1.02 117,000

72,820,385 10,602,085 728,450 6,741,980 69,656 8,156,290 3,862 135,701,002 50,747,328 4,956 6,225,570 43,860 61,456.50 27,153 1,587,240 1,892,402 162,510 14,507,132 85,306,675 11,553,225 61,168,317 1,750 15,764,510 17,975,257 34,560 1,545,884 6,044,461 371,970 101,337,870 7,518 1,781,432 33,720 26,615 18,449,770 7,160,485 24,710,028 60,267,740 13,875,130 40,883 723,140 168,162,234 386,266 1,352,340 32,767,584 1,093,600 72,683,378.50 9,063,750 1,616,738 77,320 2,000 9,883,422 277,080 113,390 100,110 284,078,198 9,005,860 9,885 119,340

20,209,645 229,397 -2,893,170 -133,150 -52,809,189 -11,621,196 -4,956 -103,400 -14,069.50 23,900 2,935,476 -1,380,545 5,867,079 3,835,642 -3,856,390 -3,373,777 -1,035,514 2,775,739 33,288,504 197,200 -848,925 -5,663,960 3,513,392 -27,005,434 -48,670 354,690 -837,756 22,800 -296,738 32,032,090 445,421 24,200 5,855,000 8,940 133,041,786 174,250 -

0.37 77.5 14.92 1.13 6.22 0.45 0.435 880 8.41 13.06 7.9 0.21 1,266 6.47 84.9 4.33 4.9 1.01 7.75 16 0.405 6.7 0.058 1.04 1.9 110 2.87 732 0.85 1.42 181.1 294 0.32 0.205 0.26

0.365 75.9 14.64 1.1 6.2 0.41 0.42 865 8.16 12.78 7.85 0.201 1,241 6.34 83.75 4.27 4.9 0.99 7.69 15.88 0.405 6.58 0.056 1.04 1.88 108.2 2.77 725 0.85 1.4 181 292.8 0.29 0.189 0.26

HOLDING FIRMS 0.37 1,950,000 76.8 599,620 14.8 5,466,300 1.1 63,000 6.2 3,900 0.42 33,950,000 0.425 11,980,000 866.5 128,170 8.16 1,825,000 12.86 9,565,900 7.85 274,900 0.202 880,000 1,260 76,525 6.35 110,400 84.2 573,380 4.27 12,000 4.9 100 1 1,129,000 7.69 418,000 15.96 1,649,500 0.405 300,000 6.58 27,475,900 0.056 74,470,000 1.04 251,000 1.88 106,000 110 134,900 2.8 22,000 728 200,180 0.85 30,000 1.42 16,000 181 100 294 7,300 0.305 9,450,000 0.205 550,000 0.26 20,000

713,450 46,080,468.50 80,919,476 69,330 24,200 14,352,050 5,088,400 111,111,690 15,026,384 123,135,142 2,164,589 180,240 96,098,990 701,012 48,305,391 51,750 490 1,119,590 3,223,485 26,323,768 121,500 182,730,218 4,265,960 261,040 201,280 14,699,462 62,430 145,836,070 25,500 22,520 18,105 2,144,838 2,858,500 109,490 5,200

7,300 29,868,033.50 9,407,270 -484,550 -10,305,305 -9,032,906 4,808,908 997,735 20,626,745 12,338,497.50 1,839,443 11,601,076 53,400,295 -74,520 574,776 43,905,820 14,000 -426,250 25,800.00 2,600

6.97 1.2 2.37 1.48 35.75 4.12 5.27 0.495 1 1.4 0.175 0.54 52.85 0.75 0.183 1.75 0.99 1.09 4.15 0.445 0.375

6.79 1.12 2.3 1.38 35.3 4 5.27 0.485 0.96 1.34 0.162 0.53 51.5 0.71 0.176 1.72 0.97 1.05 4.06 0.41 0.32

1,866,014 10,563,380 761,530 26,929,960 439,975,210 12,480,230 527 2,553,100 175,840 343,220 10,077,230 1,045,620 23,359,590 2,369,850 196,010 7,353,230 4,056,830 3,217,000 76,090,200 110,344,350 3,804,500

441,619 -100,050.00 162,610 -38,250 -39,731,485 7,556,200 -220,650 -60,000 69,490 8,021,534 -72,000 4,759,980 -4,999,760 993,250 -108,900

HIGH

LOW

AG FINANCE 3.07 ASIA UNITED 48 BANK PH ISLANDS 104.9 BDO LEASING 4.18 BDO UNIBANK 120.6 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.26 CHINABANK 35.5 CITYSTATE BANK 8.53 COL FINANCIAL 16.1 EAST WEST BANK 21.5 FIRST ABACUS 0.69 IREMIT 1.7 MEDCO HLDG 0.67 METROBANK 85.5 NTL REINSURANCE 0.72 PB BANK 16.3 PHIL NATL BANK 65.95 PHIL STOCK EXCH 241.8 PHILTRUST 110 RCBC 54.4 SECURITY BANK 214 SUN LIFE 1,720 UNION BANK 79.75

3.07 48.6 104.9 4.18 120.7 1.26 35.5 10 16.2 21.8 0.73 1.7 0.68 86 0.74 16.36 65.95 241.8 115 54.6 214.2 1,720 79.8

3.02 48 104.5 3.93 119.6 1.2 35.25 8.53 15.9 21.3 0.69 1.7 0.66 84.25 0.72 16.2 65 239.6 109 53.9 212 1,690 79.5

ABOITIZ POWER 42.8 AGRINURTURE 5.8 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.83 ALSONS CONS 1.52 ASIABEST GROUP 18.98 BASIC ENERGY 0.247 BOGO MEDELLIN 96.55 CEMEX HLDG 7.84 CENTURY FOOD 16.78 CHEMPHIL 165.2 CIRTEK HLDG 23.35 CNTRL AZUCARERA14.2 CONCEPCION 74 CONCRETE A 81.9 CROWN ASIA 1.95 DAVINCI CAPITAL 5.71 DEL MONTE 12.1 DNL INDUS 12.98 EEI CORP 9.82 EMPERADOR 6.45 ENERGY DEVT 6.11 EUROMED 1.75 FIRST GEN 21.5 FIRST PHIL HLDG 73.45 GINEBRA 12.34 HOLCIM 15.6 INTEGRATED MICR 7.82 IONICS 1.59 JOLLIBEE 214 LIBERTY FLOUR 65.1 LMG CHEMICALS 5.08 MABUHAY VINYL 3.74 MACAY HLDG 24.25 MANILA WATER 32 MAXS GROUP 24 MEGAWIDE 17.98 MERALCO 283.2 MG HLDG 0.245 PANASONIC 6.22 PEPSI COLA 3.73 PETRON 9.02 PHINMA 11.4 PHINMA ENERGY 2.16 PHX PETROLEUM 8.5 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.97 PILIPINAS SHELL 73 PRYCE CORP 5.48 PUREFOODS 301.8 RFM CORP 4.82 ROXAS AND CO 2 SHAKEYS PIZZA 13.86 SPC POWER 4.45 SWIFT FOODS 0.15 TKC METALS 1.37 UNIV ROBINA 174.5 VITARICH 1.68 VIVANT 32.95 VULCAN INDL 1.02

42.8 5.8 0.83 1.52 18.98 0.28 96.55 7.84 16.8 165.2 23.5 14.2 74.05 84.5 1.95 5.71 12.1 12.98 10.26 6.45 6.11 1.75 21.85 73.7 12.4 15.6 7.82 1.64 214 65.1 5.08 3.75 28.6 32.1 24.25 18.8 284 0.26 6.35 3.77 9.18 11.44 2.17 8.64 2 73.5 5.77 301.8 4.84 2 13.9 4.47 0.152 1.38 174.5 1.68 32.95 1.02

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 JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.365 76.9 14.92 1.13 6.2 0.445 0.435 879 8.41 13.04 7.9 0.201 1,266 6.35 84.9 4.33 4.9 0.99 7.75 15.96 0.405 6.66 0.058 1.04 1.88 109.5 2.83 731 0.85 1.4 181.1 294 0.29 0.2 0.26

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

6.92 1.12 2.36 1.38 35.75 4.11 5.27 0.49 1 1.4 0.175 0.53 52.85 0.71 0.176 1.74 0.98 1.08 4.15 0.44 0.32

VOLUME

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL REALTY 0.63 PRIMEX CORP 4.69 PTFC REDEV CORP 27.5 ROBINSONS LAND 26.35 ROCKWELL 1.79 SHANG PROP 3.29 SM PRIME HLDG 29.85 STA LUCIA LAND 1 SUNTRUST HOME 0.9 VISTA LAND 5.28

0.64 4.72 27.5 26.4 1.79 3.3 30 1.01 0.9 5.29

0.62 4.56 27.5 25.65 1.76 3.25 29.75 0.99 0.9 5.21

0.62 4.6 27.5 25.65 1.76 3.25 29.8 1.01 0.9 5.29

5,990,000 256,000 200 1,162,500 161,000 255,000 4,879,800 1,965,000 50,000 4,397,200

3,753,670 1,187,450 5,500 30,064,550 284,860 831,750 145,603,275 1,969,280 45,000 23,134,284

-7,557,710 6,500 -70,056,440 -4,861,129

2GO GROUP 12.84 ABS CBN 46.2 ACESITE HOTEL 1.53 APC GROUP 0.52 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.044 ASIAN TERMINALS 11.5 BERJAYA 5.54 BLOOMBERRY 9.35 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.086 CALATA CORP 2.01 CEBU AIR 108.1 CENTRO ESCOLAR 10.3 DFNN INC 8.54 EASYCALL 3.8 GLOBE TELECOM 2,100 GMA NETWORK 6.19 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.22 HARBOR STAR 3.28 IMPERIAL 3.57 INTL CONTAINER 89.1 IP EGAME 0.0093 IPM HLDG 8.95 ISLAND INFO 0.184 ISM COMM 1.4 JACKSTONES 3.74 LBC EXPRESS 15.2 LEISURE AND RES 4.3 MACROASIA 4.83 MANILA JOCKEY 2.35 MELCO CROWN 7.5 METRO RETAIL 3.69 NOW CORP 2.92 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.7 PAL HLDG 5.4 PHIL SEVEN CORP 173.9 PHILWEB 7.8 PLDT 1,794 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.57 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.42 PUREGOLD 41.8 ROBINSONS RTL 79.6 SBS PHIL CORP 5.91 SSI GROUP 2.31 STI HLDG 1.08 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.92 TRAVELLERS 3.26 WATERFRONT 0.485 WILCON DEPOT 5.45

13.2 46.2 1.53 0.52 0.045 11.5 5.54 9.35 0.095 2.01 108.3 10.3 8.79 3.8 2,100 6.2 16.3 3.35 3.65 89.4 0.0093 9 0.184 1.4 3.75 15.66 4.33 4.86 2.52 7.65 3.71 2.92 11.7 5.5 173.9 7.8 1,794 1.57 0.42 42.05 79.75 5.99 2.31 1.08 2.2 3.36 0.54 5.56

12.84 45.85 1.53 0.51 0.044 11.5 5.34 9 0.085 1.93 107.5 10.3 8.53 3.53 2,074 6.15 15.82 3.26 3.56 88.75 0.0093 8.95 0.181 1.35 3.58 15.2 4.22 4.77 2.35 7.21 3.65 2.85 11.68 5.31 165 7.73 1,759 1.53 0.415 41.7 79.25 5.88 2.27 1.06 1.9 3.24 0.485 5.39

SERVICES 12.9 1,206,600 45.85 9,600 1.53 13,000 0.52 356,000 0.044 47,600,000 11.5 6,000 5.34 44,200 9 12,521,700 0.093 474,320,000 1.94 2,734,000 108 222,910 10.3 300 8.79 226,900 3.53 13,000 2,078 80,235 6.15 224,500 16.3 44,000 3.31 1,887,000 3.63 65,000 89 751,760 0.0093 15,000,000 9 344,000 0.182 2,830,000 1.37 371,000 3.58 34,000 15.58 5,100 4.22 752,000 4.85 126,000 2.5 12,000 7.36 19,487,500 3.65 1,091,000 2.85 2,306,000 11.68 8,100 5.5 8,200 168 180 7.73 434,200 1,770 103,215 1.56 5,188,000 0.415 1,040,000 41.7 1,049,700 79.4 302,960 5.99 122,500 2.29 1,529,000 1.07 1,142,000 2.1 111,000 3.3 2,548,000 0.49 10,610,000 5.42 29,237,200

15,695,432 441,025 19,890 183,830 2,106,100 69,000 242,868 114,066,669 43,538,550 5,353,530 24,064,441 3,090 1,978,311 47,320 166,899,800 1,384,696 711,408 6,268,190 232,860 66,935,301.50 139,500 3,092,900 515,430 508,690 125,520 79,640 3,209,790 606,710 29,470 143,725,728 4,000,800 6,607,940 94,610 44,155 30,090 3,365,227 182,914,885 8,061,860 435,150 43,875,155 24,085,559.50 723,292 3,500,030 1,219,040 225,890 8,389,460 5,406,150 159,604,929

3,123,472 -3,478,794 -125,240 -37,000 14,156,830 1,069,461 -56,146,740 8,000 -28,316,423.50 37,200 422,000 -143,760 28,661,982 -517,150 -54,150 -4,796 16,800 -1,477,562 -1,109,365 2,386,630 210,000 -19,320,030 2,810,380 -371,060 224,200 -4,241,620 193,000 41,350,879

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING 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

0.0034 1.53 5.36 1.75 0.92 0.43 9 2.61 0.25 0.182 0.193 0.011 0.012 1.76 6.31 2.13 0.45 0.87 0.01 0.011 4.07 0.013 8.75 3.12 149.6 2.8 0.0088

0.0034 1.53 5.36 1.75 0.92 0.435 9 2.61 0.255 0.182 0.193 0.012 0.012 1.76 6.32 2.14 0.45 0.87 0.012 0.011 4.08 0.013 8.82 3.16 149.8 2.8 0.0088

0.0033 1.48 5.25 1.7 0.9 0.42 8.37 2.54 0.248 0.182 0.19 0.011 0.012 1.7 6.2 2.09 0.445 0.87 0.01 0.011 4.06 0.013 8.71 3.12 148.9 2.69 0.0088

MINING & OIL 0.0033 5,000,000 1.49 2,748,000 5.26 41,800 1.73 99,000 0.91 5,481,000 0.42 1,420,000 8.81 4,900 2.55 669,000 0.255 130,000 0.182 470,000 0.192 53,410,000 0.012 43,800,000 0.012 700,000 1.7 45,000 6.25 3,746,100 2.14 57,000 0.45 310,000 0.87 14,000 0.011 1,200,000 0.011 200,000 4.06 21,000 0.013 1,800,000 8.82 743,100 3.14 1,045,000 149 1,714,130 2.77 12,000 0.0088 27,000,000

16,700 4,105,660 220,193 168,500 4,991,320 603,650 42,382 1,715,490 32,370 85,540 10,150,890 482,800 8,400 78,600 23,441,984 119,920 139,250 12,180 13,200 2,200 85,380 23,400 6,517,610 3,284,230 255,610,535 33,120 237,600

6,800 10,570 -52,985 -2,365,910 -42,250 768,960 -17,360 38,400 10,560 -5,771,993 2,945,200 -83,218,374 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

46.2 520 526 108.4 112.3 530 5.75 1,040 108.2 1,072 1,145 1,019 105 77.75 81 79 79 78.5 78.1

46.2 533 526 108.4 112.3 530 5.75 1,045 108.2 1,072 1,145 1,019 105 77.75 81 79.9 79 78.5 78.3

45.95 520 525 108.4 104 530 5.72 1,040 108.2 1,072 1,145 1,019 105 77 81 79 78.85 78.2 78.1

PREFERRED 45.95 1,600 533 20,250 525 25,880 108.4 3,000 104 20 530 20 5.75 613,600 1,045 1,000 108.2 500 1,072 20 1,145 500 1,019 22,500 105 10,000 77 2,340 81 20,760 79.9 150,600 78.85 1,540 78.2 108,640 78.3 27,600

73,545 10,530,130 13,587,960 325,200 2,163 10,600 3,527,991 1,044,900 54,100 21,440 572,500 22,927,500 1,050,000 180,330 1,681,560 12,002,544 121,585 8,515,718 2,158,920

0 3,527,991 -31,350 -385,560 -82,160 -

60,000

136,020

248,000 51,300 1,230,100

933,510 343,576 11,626,802

2,153,595

110,756

11,448

NAME

OPEN

PROPERTY 6.96 272,900 1.15 9,201,000 2.3 327,000 1.42 18,805,000 35.3 12,417,100 4.1 3,048,000 5.27 100 0.49 5,220,000 1 180,000 1.34 252,000 0.162 60,500,000 0.53 1,969,000 52 449,990 0.71 3,291,000 0.18 1,090,000 1.73 4,247,000 0.98 4,170,000 1.05 3,016,000 4.06 18,598,000 0.42 257,130,000 0.35 10,820,000

WARRANTS

LR WARRANT

2.27

2.32

2.26

SME ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

3.83 6.7 9.6

3.83 6.75 9.69

3.7 6.65 9.35

3.83 6.65 9.38

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 127.4

TRADING SUMMARY

127.4

FINANCIAL

25,868,033

INDUSTRIAL

179,841,503

HOLDING FIRMS

187,064,416

PROPERTY

434,157,247

SERVICES

639,405,906

MINING & OIL

152,462,136

GRAND TOTAL

1,620,329,677

127.2

870

VALUE 1,887.1 (down) -8.98 1,003,699,199.68 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,307.59 (down) -114.28 1,390,147,105.795 HOLDING FIRMS 7,814 (down) -53.04 1,001,171,960.055 PROPERTY 3,326.25 (down) -30.65 1,615.3 (down) -20.41 944,827,808.165 SERVICES MINING & OIL 12,070.72 (down) -24.83 1,090,354,390.55 PSEI 7,661.01 (down) -65.44 312,246,571.329 All Shares Index 4,579.2 (down) -33.6 5,755,462,448.67 Gainers: 72; Losers: 122; Unchanged: 52; Total: 246

dollar bounced back from early selling after the Nafta announcement. On equity markets Tokyo ended the day 0.2 percent lower after a four-day rally, with dealers unmoved by the Bank of Japan’s decision to lower its inﬂation target and stand pat on its monetary easing program. Airbag maker Takata plunged 20 percent after a report said it was considering ﬁling for bankruptcy protection and then rolling its key businesses into a new company. But Hong Kong climbed 0.4 percent in the afternoon for a sixth-straight gain, while Sydney added 0.2 percent, and Singapore and Seoul each put on 0.1 percent. Shanghai ended 0.4 percent higher and Wellington was up 0.3 percent. In early European trade London fell 0.4 percent, while Frankfurt and Paris each slipped 0.3 percent. The White House unveiled plans to slash corporate and individual rates Wednesday but there were few details and several questions over how the measures will be paid for. With AFP, Bloomberg

Holcim’s Q1 profit declined to P939m By Jenniffer B. Austria CEMENT maker Holcim Philippines Inc. said Thursday net income in the first quarter dropped 37.5 percent to P939.4 million from P1.5 billion in the same period last year, on lower public infrastructure spending, increased competition and higher production expenses. Holcim Philippines said in a disclosure to the stock exchange sales declined 12 percent to P8.8 billion in January to March from P10.06 billion in the first quarter of 2015 from the combined effects of lower volume and price. Margins were also depressed mainly by rising cost of production inputs from rising fuel prices and a weaker peso. The company, citing internal estimates, said cement demand in the country contracted 2 percent year-onyear in the first quarter in the absence of pre-election spending this year. The cement manufacturer, however, said it remained positive about the outlook for the rest of the year. “Infrastructure and innovation are cited as pillars for the country’s 2017 productivity growth forecast at 6.4 percent GDP growth. These pillars are strengths of Holcim Philippines that we believe will buoy the company and make a big difference for customers. This region has been showing strong growth, giving us the optimism to continue to transform and serve our customers even better,” Holcim Philippines chief operating officer Sapna Sood said. Holcim Philippines said it was implementing transformative initiatives to address current and anticipated challenges. These included initiatives to further improve customer services levels and the introduction of innovative construction solutions to help the country build better in response to the government’s infrastructure drive. A member of the LafargeHolcim Group, Holcim Philippines operates cement manufacturing facilities in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Davao and mobile concrete ready-mix facilities.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE FEEDIN-TARIFF ALLOWANCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2017 PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE AND DISBURSEMENT OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FUND, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FOR 2017 17. TransCo has computed a FIT-All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.2481 for 2017, determined using the formula provided in Section 1.3 of the Guidelines, as follows: FIT-All=

FIT-All

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 1 December 2016, National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) filed an application dated 28 November 2016 seeking the Commission’s approval of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance for Calendar Year 2017 pursuant to the Guidelines for the Collection of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance and Disbursement of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance Fund, with prayer for provisional authority. TRANSCO alleged the following in its Application: THE APPLICANT TransCo is a government ins trumentality created pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at TransCo Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road , Diliman, Quezon City, where it may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Commission. NATURE OF THE APPLICATION 2.

This Application is being filed by Applicant TransCo in its capacity as FIT-All Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/administration and disbursement/ settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) of the FIT-All Fund pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012 issued on 19 November 2012 and on the bases of relevant laws, rules and regulations as will be discussed hereafter. On 16 December 2008, R.A. No. 9513 entitled “An Act Promoting the Development, Utilization and Commercialization of Renewable Energy Resources and for other purposes” (RE Law) was enacted to ( 1) accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources to achieve energy self-reliance by reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and thereby minimize the country’s exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets; (2) increase the utilization of renewable energy by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives; (3) encourage the development and ut iliza tion of renewable energy resources as tools to effectively prevent or reduce harmful emissions and thereby balance the goals of economic growth and development with the protection of health and the environment; and (4) establish the necessary infrastructure and mechanism to carry out the mandates specified in the Act and other existing laws. To achieve these state policies, Section 7 of the RE Law mandates the establishment of a Feed-in Tariff System (FIT System) for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-ofriver hydropower and biomass. The FIT System is an incentive scheme that, among others, grants priority connections to the grid, priority purchase and transmission of, and payment for, electricity generated, and fixed tariff for a period not less than twelve (12) years to be determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)1 for eligible RE generation . On 12 July 2 010, the ERC, in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) and other stakeholders, issued Resolution No. 16, Series of 2010 entitled Resolution Adopting the Feed-in Tariff Rules (FIT Rules) where it established, among others, the FIT System, the method of establishing and approving the FIT and the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FlT-AIl ).

Under the FIT Rules, the FIT System guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement to the applicable FITs for a period of twenty (20) years.2

Further, Section 2.2 of the FIT Rules provides that the ERC shall approve technology-specific FITs based on such FITs to be recommended by the NREB. Accordingly, on 27 July 2012, the ERC issued its “Decision” in ERC Case No. 2011-006 and “Resolution No. 10, Series of 2012” entitled “Resolution Approving the Feed-in Tariff Rates” where it approved the following initial FIT Rates:

TECHNOLOGY

ERC-APPROVED FIT RATES (PhP/kWh)

ERC-APPROVED DEGRESSION RATES

WIND

8.53

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

BIOMASS

6.63

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

SOLAR

9.68

6% after year 1 from effectivity of FIT

HYDRO

5.90

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

On 27 March 2015, the ERC issued Resolution No. 06, series of 2015 entitled “Resolution Adopting the New Solar Feed-In Tariff Rate” setting a new Solar FIT Rate of PhP8.69/ kWh (herein referred to as “Solar FIT 2”). The Solar FIT 2 was issued as a result of the revised installation target for solar energy generation from 50 MW to 500 MW and shall be applied to new Solar Plants that have been commissioned after th e effectivity of said Resolution and until 15 March 2016. On 06 October 2015, the ERC likewise issued Resolution No. 14, series of 2015 also known as “Resolution Adopting the Wind Feed-in Tariff (Wind-FIT2) Rate” setting a new Wind FIT Rate of P7.40/ kWh (herein referred to as “Wind FIT 2”). The Wind FIT 2 shall only be applied to three (3) wind power projects namely: San Lorenzo, Nabas and Pililia Power Projects which have already commenced commercial operations as certified by the DOE.

10. The FIT-All, on the other hand, is a uniform charge (in PhP/ kWh) billed to all on-grid electricity consumers who are supplied with electricity through the distribution or transmission network. The FIT-All shall be established and set by the ERC on an annual basis and taking into account the following: the forecasted annual required revenue of the Eligible RE Plants; previous yea r’s over or under recoveries; administration costs; forecasted annual electricity sales and such other relevant factors to ensure that no stakeholder is allocated with additional risks in the implementation of the FITs.3 11. On 19 November 2012, the ERC issued “Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012” designating TransCo as the FIT-All Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/ administration and disbursement/settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) of the FIT-All Fund. 12. The imposition, collection and disbursement of the FIT-All is further covered by the “Guidelines on the Collection of the Feed-in Tal”iff Allowance (FIT-All) and the Disbursement of the FIT-All Fund” (Guidelines) issued and approved by the ERC in its Resolution No. 24 dated 16 December 2013. 13. Under the FIT-All Guidelines, TransCo has to make an annual determination of the FIT-All rate and file its application with the ERC not later than end of July of each year for the FIT-All rate that will be implemented for the following year. 14. On 18 December 2015, TransCo filed the application for the 2016 FIT-All Rate4. Correspondingly, on 16 February 2016, the ERC granted TransCo’s application for Provisional Authority to implement a 2016 FIT-All rate of PhP/kWh 0.1240 which was implemented starting the Apri l 2016 billing period. 15. For the 2017 FIT-All Rate, TransCo was supposed to file its application by the end of July 2016. However, due to change in the national administration by virtue of the national election and in order to give the new members of the TransCo Board ample time to study the present application, TransCo requested the ERC for an extension of time within which to file the 20 17 FITAll Rate Application which the latter favorably granted. 16. Therefore, by and pursuant to the RE Law, Resolution No. 16 Series of 2010 (FIT Rules), as amended by Resolution No. 15 Series of 2 0J2, in connection with the Guidelines and other pertinent laws, rules and regul ations, the instant Application is submitted to the Honorable Commission for its due consideration of the herein applied for FIT-All Rate for the year 2017.

is the Feed-in Tariff Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP/ kWh, as provided for in the FIT Rules and the Guidelines.

is the estimated Total FIT Differential required for Yeart+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.1 of the Guidelines.

WCA

is the estimated Working Capital Allowance required for Yeart+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.2 of the Guidelines.

is the Administration Allowance to be implemented in Yeart+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines.

is the Disbursement Allowance to be implemented in Yeart+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines.

FNS

is the Forecast National Sales, in kWh, to be applied for Yeart+1 and as further described in Section 1.4 -4.2 of the Guidelines.

is the year the application for setting the FIT-AlI is filedwith the ERC.

t+1

is the year following t

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

18. Whenever Yeart+1 (implementation year) is used in any formula in the present Application, the same shall refer to the year 2017. Correlatively, the Yeart+1 whenever used in any formula in this Application shall refer to the year 2018. COMPONENTS OF THE FIT-ALL I.

Forecast National Sales

19. The Forecast National Sales (FNS) is the denominator in the FIT-All formula. The estimated level for 2017 is presented first since it is best to present the determined value of the other FITAll components in terms of PhP/kWh, where this FNS is the kilowatt-hours (kWh) denominator. 20. The FNS refers to an estimated total kilowatt-hours of electricity billed to consumers who are supplied with electricity in all OnGrid areas in the Philippines for a given year. 21. The FNS, in kWh, shall be equal to the latest available Electricity Sales as stated in the Philippine Power Statistics, excluding Utilities Own Use and Power Losses, or as otherwise certified by the DOE, and as adjusted by the historical growth rate published for the immediately preceding three (3) years. 22. From the historical data sourced from the Philippine Power Statistics until 2015 5, TransCo computed for the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of Electricity Sales for a 3-year period using the formula:

2012-2015

2016

2017

2018

280,005

589,077

954,272

968,110

93,271

118,029

244,438

520,223

Solar

155,694

657,899

778,824

775,546

Wind

776,988

993,882

1,082,943

Total

1,305,957

2,353,887

3,060,478

3,346,823

II.2. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate and Forecas FIT Revenue 35. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate refers to the prevailing ERCapproved and published schedule of rates in PhP/ kWh for each emerging renewable energy technology, as degressed by the relevant degression rates, if applicable, and adjusted for Consumer Price Index (CPl) and Foreign Exchange (FOREX). in accordance with Section 2.10 of the FIT Rules.11 36. Currently, the prevailing FIT Rates are based on the ERC Decision dated 27 July 2012 in ERC Case No. 2011-006 RM, ERC Resolution No.6 series of 2016 for Solar FIT 2 and ERC Resolution No. 14 series of 2015 for Wind FIT 2. 37. TransCo has made its interpretation of Section 2.10 of the FIT Rules rega rding adjustment of the FIT rates in the absence of precedent approach from the ERC. At the same time, degression as provided in the decision under ERC Case No. 2011-006RM was applied. 38. Basically, TransCo’s approach considered that on the year the eligible RE Plants enters the FIT system, its entitlement is to the original FIT rate, unless already degressed. Adjustment for inflation and foreign exchange movements is then applied on its second year in the FIT system and beyond 12 . Table 3. 2017 Adjusted FIT Rates, Php/kWh Technology

2014-2015

2016

Year 1 Entrant

2017

Year 2 Entrant

Year 3 Entrant

Biomass Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

6.6300 7.0508 7.2574

6.6300 7.0508

6.5969

Hydropower Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

5.9000 6.4601 6.6217

5.9000 6.4601

5.9000

9.6800 9.9067 10.2550

8.6900 8.8935

8.6900

8.5300 8.9006 9.1869

7.4000 7.7215

7.4000

Solar Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Wind Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 For Bangui 1 & 2 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

5.7600 6.0102 6.2036

39. The Total FIT Revenue appearing in the formula in Paragraph 25 was obtained by multiplying the Eligible RE generation per technology summarized in Table 2 by the corresponding appropriate FIT rates in Table 3. This was done on a per plant basis. ror 2018, which is required only for the computation of the Working Capital Allowance that will later be discussed, the same Adjusted FIT-rates as for 2017 were used for simplicity of assumption. The resulting levels are given as:

Biomass

V (to)

= finish value

tn-to

= number of years

Hydropower Solar

Table 1. Forecast National Electricity Sales, kWh 2016

2017

70,942,401,477 74,375,251,500 Total FIT Differential

24. The Total FIT Differential represents the difference between: (1) the forecast applicable FIT Rate for Yeart+1 that each Eligible RE Plant is forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered, and (2) the forecast applicable cost recovery rate as determined under th e Guidelines, multiplied by the projected annual energy generation from Eligible R.E Plant for yeart+1. In setting the FITAll for Year t+1, the FIT Differential is represented by the following formula:

Where: DESCRIPTION

Forecast RE Gen x,t+1

is the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plantx (in kWh).

Forecast FIT Rate x,t+1

is FIT Rate, as degressed (if applicable) and adjusted for local inflation and foreign exchange (FOREX) as forecasted for yeart+1 , in PhP/kWh, that Eligible RE Plantx forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered.

Forecast Cost Recovery

is the applicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rate to be implemented in Yeart+1 for Eligible RE Plantx, in PhP kWh.

FD t-1 (over)/under

is the variance between the actual FIT Differential for yeart-1 (Actual FDt-1) and the FIT Differential collected for yeart-1 (Collected FDt-1). There is over recovery if Collected FDt-1> Actual FDt-1 and under recovery if Collected FDt-1, is < Actual FDt-1.

25. Alternatively, the formula in Paragraph 24 can be viewed or rewritten as: FD = TotalFITRevenue - TotalForecastCostRecoveryRevenue + FD t-1, (over)/under II.1

Hydropower

Technology

= start value

23. TransCo computed the projected 2016 level by increasing the historical 2015 level by the computed CAG R (2012-2015). Then, TransCo again computed for the rolling 3-year CAGR and so on.6 TransCo came up with the following Forecast National Electricity Sales for 2016-2017:

II.

Technology Biomass

Table 4. Total FIT Revenue by Technology, in Pesos

Where: V (to)

34. Based on the foregoing the applicable Forecast An nual Renewable Energy Generation of Eligible RE Plants (kWh) for the years 2012-2015 (lumped) 10, 2016, 2017 and 2018 are as follows: Table 2, Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation, MWh

DESCRIPTION

ERC CASE NO. 2016-192 RC

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO), Applicant. x---------------- --- --- --------x

FD + WCA + AA + DA FNS

case of Solar.

Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation

2012-2015

2016

2017

2018

1,856,432

3,952,394

6,694,332

550,889

713,274

1,520,361

6,794,063 3,147,497

1,496,775

5,875,465

7,031,112

7,001,381

Wind

6,319,167

7,999,989

9,197,749

Total

10,223,263

18,541,122

24,443,555

26,140,690

40. It is worthy to note that the implementa tion of the FIT system for th e current year 2016, no adjustment of FIT rates has been applied for eligible RE Plants so far in the absence of any ERC issuance on the matter. Computation of actual payment for actual generation in 2016 has been based on unadjusted FIT rates. II.3 Forecast Cost Recovery Rate 41. Simply put, the Forecast Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) is the projected generation ra te that the Eligible RE Plant would likely receive had it not been under the FIT System. 42. Under Section 1A.1.2 of the Guidelines, the manner by which the FCRR is fo recasted and applied to a particular Eligible RE Plant shall be based on whether or not the Eligible RE Plant operates in a Grid where the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) is operational or not. 43. Where WESM is operational, the FCRR for the Eligible RE Plant shall be equivalent to the average of the monthly system Ex-Ante Load Weigh ted Average Price (LWAP) of the WESM for the Luzon and the Visayas Grids for the thirty-six (36) months immedi ately preced ing the filing of the application for the setting of the FIT-All. 44. The FCRR to be applied for Eligible RE Plants where WESM is non-operational (Mindanao) shall be the weighted average of the generation cost of the Host Distribution Utility (Host DU) from all its other generation sources, excluding generation from any Eligible RE Plant-Non-WESM with a Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (RESA) with the Host DU, for the nearest twelve (12) months preced ing the filing of the application for the setting of the FIT-All. 45. TransCo reques ted the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) for an u pdate on the Load Weighted Average Price (LWAP) for the period May 2013 to May 201613 which the latter provided on 04 July 4 2016. 46. On October 4, 2016 PEMC provided an updated LWAP covering the months from June 2016 to August 2016 upon the request of TransCo.14 47. Consequently, TransCo came up with the fo llowi ng 36 months (until August 2016) averages for Lllzon and Visayas: Table 5. Average LWAP, PhP/kWh Luzon

Visayas

4.9331

3.5409

48. For Mindanao, Host DUs were identified from the lineup of projects and as listed by the DOE (Annex D -10): Host DU

Plant Name Tudaya Project

26. TransCo primarily used the most updated list of RE Projects that are projected to be eligible/already eligible under the FIT System in 2014-2018 and forecast data as provided by the DOE 7 . TransCo likewise tapped its own database containing his torical information and the available submissions of RE Developers on actual/ forecast generation.8

COTABATO LIGHT

15 MW BIomass Power Plant Project

Lamsan Power Corporation

COTABATO LIGHT

3 MW BIomass Power Plant Project

Philippine Trade Center, Inc.

BUSECO

Manolo Fortich 1 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

BUSECO

Manolo Fortich 2 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

FIBECO

Kibawe Solar Power Project

Asian Green Energy Corporation

SOCOTECO I

Kibawe Solar Power Project

27. With the list from DOE providing the best estimate of the timing of entry of Eligible RE Plants, TransCo aims to be able to adequately provide for the corresponding payout requirements. However, the list does not in any way give preemptive right to the identified projects to be counted under the final FIT-eligible projects. Neither does it limit the payment of FITs to these projects.

SUKELCO

3.5 GEEC MW Cogeneration System

28. For those Eligible RE Developers already billing the FIT-All Fund, TransCo generally adopted their 2016 to 2018 energy generation forecast submiss ions. (See Annexes “F” to “F-32 “.) 29. For some Biomass projects. TransCo adopted the monthly energy generation forecast provided by DOE (See Annexes “E3” to “E-10”.) 30. For Solar and Hydro plants without forecast submission. TransCo generally followed the annual projection from DOE. The same seasonality indices used as in the 2014-2015 Application were applied9. 31. The 2018 projects were also considered but only in the computation of the WCA. which requires the estimated payout for year t+2. which in this case is 2018. 32. TransCo limited the determination of the FIT-All rate to include only Eligible/ projected Eligible RE capacities up to the installation targets sel by the DOE as follows: 500 MW for Solar up to March 15, 2016. 400 MW for Wind. 250 MW for Hydropower and 250 MW for Biomass. 33. At the same time, the principle of commercial and technical indivisibility of projects was observed. Hence. the installation target could be exceeded if the last plant to complete the same renders the total to go beyond the target. This happened in the

Hydroelectric

RE Developer

DASURECO

Power

Hedcor Tudaya, Inc.

NV Vogt Philippines Solar Energy One, Inc. Biomass

Green Earth Enersource Corporation

49. TransCo used the 12 months average of the Actual Weighted Ave rage Generation Cost of DASURECO, calculated at PhP 4.2638/kWh, covering the period October 2015 to September 2016. Data were lifted from the monthly submission to TransCo of DASURECO as Host DU for Tudaya 2. 50. For the other Host DUs, TransCo reques ted the ERC for the weighted average generation cost data through a letter dated October 20, 2015. In the meantime that said information has not been received, TransCo used figures from www.kuryente. org (save for DASURECO) as follows15: Table 6. FCRR for Host DUs, PhP/kWh Host DU

Weighted Average Generation Cost

Data Source

DASURECO

4.2638

FIT-All Fund ACRR Payment of DASURECO

COTABATO LIGHT

2.8784

kuryente.org

BUSECO

3. 7339

kuryente.org

FIBECO

4.1955

kuryente.org

SOCOTECO I

4.2586

kuryente.org

SUKELCO

3.7456

kuryente.org

51. Multiplying the Forecast Annual Eligible RE Generation summarized in Table 2 by the appropriate Forecast Cost Recovery Rates (done on a per plant basis) gives the following total FCRR in pesos: Table 7, Total Forecast Cost Revenue by TechnoIogy, in Pesos Technology Biomass

2012-2015 932,054

2016 2,089,694

2017 4,191,602

2018 4,252,327

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Hydropower

310,756

466,026

1,015,839

2,064,748

Solar

675,299

2,625,451

3,349,654

3,335,885

Wind

2,400,497

3,261,646

5,025,909

Total

4,318,606

8,442,818

13,583,004

14,678,870

Similarly as for the FIT rates, the 2017 Forecast Cost Recovery Rates were adopted for 2018 since the same are merely intended fo r the determinat ion of the Working Capital Allowance, a buffer fu nd, as discussed below. 52. 2016 Under-recoveries. The last term in the formula for FIT Differential is the amount of under-recovery or over-recovery of the FIT Differential. For this Application, TransCo has determined that there will be an under-recovered FIT Differential by the end of 2016. 53. The under-recovery will arise due to the estimated collection for 2016 being less than the estimated amount of payables that will be billed to TransCo by Eligible RE Developers until the las t billing month of 2016. TransCo prepared the estimates under the assumption that the provisionally approved FIT-All rate of PO.1240/kWh will prevail until the last billing mon th of 2016. 54. By the end of the billing and payment cycle for 2016, it is estimated that the FIT-All Fund will have a deficit in terms of collection vis-a-vis payables of Php 3,576 ,811,119.08,16. 55. FIT Differential for 2015-2016 generalion charged to 2017 FIT-All Rate17. This pertains to energy generation for years 2015-2016 that are expected to be billed to TransCo for 2017. Section 4.5 of the RE Payment Agreement (REPA) provides Ihat the Eligible RE Developer shall only start billingTransCo for FIT Differential upon the REP A’s effectivity. Where months had lapsed from the Commercial Operation Date (COD) until the Effective Date of REPA, the Actual FIT Differential shall be billed to TransCo over the number of months lapsed from COD to REPA Effective Date. 56. It is estimated that total FIT Differentials for 2015 and 2016 generation, amounting to Php 551,704,914,27 and Php 1,499,355,236.46, respectively, will be due in 2017.

Biomass

2016

924,378

2017

1,862,700

67. Combining the res ults and assumptions given in Paragraphs 64 to 66, the Forecast Annual Payout for 2018 is as follows:

2,541,736

Hydropower

240,133

247,247

504,522

1,082,748

Solar

821,476

3,250,013

3,681,458

3,665,496

Wind

3,918,670

4,738,343

4,171,840

Total

5,904,657

10,098,304

10,860,551

11,461,820

Technology

Amount

2017 FIT Differential 2015 Gen

551,704,914.27

0.0074

2017 FIT Differential 2016 Gen

1,499,355,236.46

0.0202

3,576,811,119.08

0.0481

16,488,421,820.26

0.2217

2016 Under Recovery Total

59. It is worthy to note that for the 12-month period October 2015 to September 2016, the average effective Actual Cost Recovery Rate as deri ved from the FIT-All Fund database is much lower than the Forecast Cost Recovery Rate used in the2016 FIT-All Applica tion following the formula in the FIT-All Guidelines. This, thus, contributed to the projected under-recovery shown earlier. Table 10. Effective ACRR Rate vs FCRR Rate Used in the 2016 FIT Application Effective ACRR, Php/ kWh

FCCR as Applied* Php/kWh

Luzon

2.5372

5.5028

Visayas

2.8704

4.5278

Technology Wind

Solar Luzon

3.1311

Visayas

3.2244

5.5028

Biomass Luzon

2.8446

5.5028

Visayas

1.7898

4.5278

Luzon

2.6433

5.5028

Mindanao

4.2638

4.7592

Hydro

* based on 2016 FIT-All Application III.

60. The WCA is part of the FIT-All and serves as buffer to address any default or delay in the coll ection and/or remittance of the FIT-All and/ or Actual Cost Recovery Revenue (ACRR) including, but not limi ted to, the following: i. Variations between the actual and fo recasted (a) RE Generation from Eligible RE Plants resulting from overand unde r- gene ration, (b) Annual National Sales and (c) a pplicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rates and Actual Cost Recovery Revenues; ii.

The timing diffe rence of the collection and billing cycle for the FIT-All and Actual Cost Recovery Revenue; and,

8,656,332 1,095,368

85. On this bas is, TransCo most respectfully moves for the immediate issuance of a “Provisional Authority” pursuant to Rule 14, Section 3 23 of th e ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures to allow applicant TransCo to timely implement the FIT-All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.2291 effective January 201 7 without prejudice to the final and actual rate pending the final disposition of its present Application.

26,150,441,295

69. Pursuant to the Guidelines, the NREB recommended a formula for the Factor Rate in the 201 4-20 15 FIT-All Application. Using the same formula for this Application but with updated inputs, a factor rate of 7.4309%19 was derived. 70. Further, the Guidelines define the WCA Ending Balance to be the balance of the WCA component account for the immediately preceding month prior to the month of filing. However, TransCo deemed it best to project the level up to year end 2016 for a more realistic determination. Given the deficiency in the fund balance to address even the FD to date, the WCA in fact has no balance. Truth to tell, the amounts TransCo uses to augment the ACRR remittance of PEMC and the Interest Expense bill ed by Eligible RE Developers, co nstitute negative fund balance. TransCo has estimated a WCA Ending Balance of -PhP 14,170,578.64, which represents the projected deficiency for ACRR by the end of 2016. Table 13. Determination of the WCAEnding Balance, in Pesos Actual ACRR Balance, Beg

12,205,450.11

2016 Forecast CRR Pavable

8,442,818,044.00

2016 Total Estimated CRR Payable

8,455,023,494.11

Less: Estimated CRR Payment for 2016 @ 99.01% Collection Efficiency

8,440,852.915.47

86. The grant of a Provisional Authority will allow TransCo to perform its duties to make a timely payment of the FIT Rate to RE Developers to which they are ent itled thereby allowing their continued operations. 87. In support of the foregoing allegations in this Application, including those for the issuance of the provisional authority, TransCo hereby submits the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Dinna O. Dizon, Manager of Compliance Monitoring Department (CMD).24 PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commiss ion that: a. Pending hea ring on the merits of the present Application, provisional authority to collect the FlT-ALL of PhP/kWh 0.2291 effective January 2017 billing period be issued; b. TheCollection Agents - DUs, RES and NGCP be directed to bill, collect and remit the FIT-All to the FIT-All Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidel ines; c. PEMC and the Host DUs be directed to remit the ACRR to the FITAll Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidelines;

14,170,578.64

2016 CRR Deficiency

71. From th e given information, the combined buffer required for 2017, which is equivalent to the 2018 requirement multiplied by the Factor Rate less the WCA ending balance, is PhP 1,957,38 7,200.46, derived as:

d. The Factor Rate resulting from an updating of inputs in the recommended formula by the NREB under the 2014- 2015 FlT-AlI Application (ERC Case No. 2014-109RC) be approved and applied in the computation of the WCA and the FIT-All Rate for 2017;

Table 14. Determination of the WCA, in Pesos Technology

2017

Forecast Annual Payout

7.4309%

Equals: Portion of Annual Payout Less: WCA Ending Balance (Year n) Working Capi tal All owance

1,943,216,622 (1 4,170,579) 1,957,387,200

WCA, Php/kWh

0.0263

72. The table above provides the corresponding PhP/ kWh level of the WCA for 2017, which is PhP/kWh 0.0263. IV.

e. After due notice and hearing, a permanent approval for Applicant TransCo be granted to implement the FIT-All Rate for 2017 of PhP/kWh 0.2291, computed for RE Projects with at least nomination from DOE for eligibility under the FIT system, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, such other amount as may be found by the Commission to be consistent with the FIT-All Guidelines and on the basis of new and updated information not heretofore available to the Applicant at the time of the filing of the present application ;

2018 26, 150,441,295

x Factor Rate

Administration and Disbursement Allowance

73. As provided for in Section 2.5 of the FIT Rules, the FIT- All shall also take into account the Applicant’s administration costs to defray expenses of the Admini strator in connection with the performance of its functions as FIT-All Fund Administrator (Administration Allowance).

f. TransCo be exempt from payment of permit/ supervision fees, if any. Other reliefs as lllay be just and equitable under the premises are likewise most respectfully prayed for. The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues:

74. For the year 2017, TransCo proposes an Administration Allowance of Php 5,060,572.35. (Please see Annex T.) 75. A similar fee may be imposed by the designated Trustee of the FIT All Fund in accordance with the Trust Agreement approved by the ERC, to defray standard adm ini strative costs in es tablis hing and managing the actual collection and disbursements of the rIT-AlI Fund and all oth er monetary collections authori zed by the FIT Rules (Disbursement Allowance). 76. From the Trust Agreement ente red into by Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)-Trust and TransCo on 03 March 201520 and subsequently approved by the ERC, TransCo shall pay a fixed fee of P720,000 per annum plus some variable components. 77. Based on TransCo’s estimates of fund balances which will be the major basis of the variable component th at is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Supervision Fee, the Disbursement Allowance or the service fee of LBP for 2017 is PhP1,095,368.36.21 V.

Working Capital Allowance

84. It is respectfully submitted that the computation of, as well as the data used by, TransCo are all in accordance with the FIT Rules and the Guidelines issued by the ERC.

68. The Guidelines furth er provide the use of a Factor Rate that will be multiplied to the Forecast Annual Payout for 201 8.

P/kWh 0.1460

11,461,820,092

Forecast Annual Payout

Table 9,Total FIT Differential, in Pesos 10,860,550,550.44

14,678,869,504

FIT Differential Disbursement Allowance

58. The final FIT Differential for 2017 in P/kWh, inclusive of the under-recovery for 2016 and the accrued FIT-Differential for 2015-2016 generation charged to 2017, is as follows: Particulars

83. TransCo repleads the foregoing allegations insofar as they may be applicable.

2018

Foreca st Cost Recovery Revenue Administration Allowance

The 2018 levels are shown only for the purpose of computing the WCA which is discussed below.

2017 FIT Differential

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORTOF THE PRAYER FOR PROVTSIONAL AUTHORITY

Table 12.2017 Forecast Annual Payout, in Pesos

2018

2,502,730

82. The computed 2017 FIT-All rate covering RE Projects TODAY with at least nomination from the DOE as of November 15, 2016 for the FIT system is PhP / kWh 0.2291. These projects, have ongoing construction and have reached at least 80% electromechanical completion, thus, are almost sure to operate within the period under consideration, if not already operating to date.

66. For simplicity, the estimated trus tee fee/ Disbursement Allowance for 2018 is set at the 2017 level of Php1,095,368.36 as stated in Paragraph 77.

Table 8 , FIT Differential (without under-recovery and accrued 2015-2016 FIT Differential), in Pesos 2012-2015

Standard

11,461,820

65. The projected AA for 2018 IS estimated to be Php 8 ,656,332 .001518.

57. FIT Differential. Following the formula for FD in Paragraph 25 (first two terms), the total FCRR in Table 7 is subtracted from the correspondin g FIT Revenue in Table 4, on a per plant basis, and yields the following summary for 2014-2018:

Technology

14,678,870

Total

FIT-ALL RATE FOR 2017

78. Applying th e above components to the formula for FIT-All, we have the following, in PhP/kWh: FIT-All = FD + WCA + AA + DA FNS = 0.22 17 + 0.0263 + .0001 + 0.00001 = 0.2481 79. In more detail, the components and result of the FIT-All calculation may be summarized in the following table:

Is the Working Capital Allowance to be funded during Yeart+1

WCA Balance t

Factor Rate

Ending

64. Summarizing Table7 and Table 8, we have the following inputs in computing the Forecast Annu al Payou t for 2018: Table 11. 2018 Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue and FIT Differential, in Pesos. Technology

FORECAST COST RECOVERY REVENUE

FIT DIFFERENTIAL

Biomass

4,252,327

2.541,736

Hydropower

2,064,748

1,082,748

Solar

3,335,885

3,665,496

Wind

5,025,909

4,171,840

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

ERC Hearing Room 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Jurisdictional Hearing and Expository Presentation

19 May 2017 (Friday)

9:00 A.M.

ERC Visayas Field Office St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City

Expository Presentation

2 June 2017 (Friday)

9:00 A.M.

ERC Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave. cor. Sales St., 8000 Davao City

Expository Presentation

9 June 2017 (Friday)

9:00 A.M.

ERC Hearing Room 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Pre-trial Conference and Evidentiary Hearing

1) The name and address of such person;

80. However, TransCo would like to present some additional computations that show the 2017 FIT-All al different categories of FIT-eligible/-candidate RE Projects: Table16. Incremental Movement of the 2017 FIT-All for Different RE Plant/Project Categories (as of November 15 , 2016)

2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby di rected to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records fil ed with the Commission during th e sta ndard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALEASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 26th day of April 2017 in Pasig City.

Is the facto r rate approved by the ERC, upon recommendation of the NREB, reflective of funding requirements of the FITAll Fund, adjusted by (i) a period factor based on the billing and collection cycle of the Collection Agents as described in the Guidelines; and (ii) the collection efficiencies of Collection Agents. Data for the ini tial yea r shall be sourced from PSALM for its collection of the Universal Charge. Data for succeed ing years shall be based on FIT-All historical collection efficiency rate.

63. For the purpose of computing the WCA, the Forecast Cost Recovery Rates used by TransCo for 2018 were set at the same level as the 2017. The same holds for th e FIT Rates.

9:00 A.M.

All oth er persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requi rements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following:

Is the ending balance of the Working Capital Allowance account in Yeart, including any interest income earned in the WCA account and all other component accounts of the FITAll Fund; if this is not available at the time of fi ling, the ending balance for the month immediately preceding the month of filing, subject to updating by the ERC of the actual ending balance of the WCA account in Yeart, if it shall become available prior to the issuance of its Decision on the FIT-All application.

62. From the foregoing, it may be gleaned that an initial Forecast Annual Payout for the year 2018 needs to be determined since it is envis ioned th at buffer requirements for the following year should be collected and built up during the current year. Hence, aside from the 2017 levels for Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue, FD, AA and DA, the 2018 projected levels were also established.

15 May 2017 (Monday)

3) A statement of the reli ef des ired.

Where:

Is the projected amount of payables out of the FIT-All Fund for yeart+2, consisting of forecasted Total FIT Revenues, forecasted Ad ministration Allowance and forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Yeart+2. The forecasted Total FIT Revenues for Yeart+2 , is the sum of the product of the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plantx for Yeart+2 multiplied by the appropriate FIT Ratex for Yeart+2. The forecasted Administration Allowance for Yeart+2,is the Administration Allowance for Yeart+1 less any nonrecurnng expenditures such as those relating to the initial filing of the FIT-All, adjusted for forecast CPI for Year t+2 The forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Yeart+2 is the projected level of payment to the Trustee Bank in Yeart+2.

PARTICULARS

2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in th e subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

= (ForecastAnnualPayoutt+2xFactorRate) - WCAEndingBalancet

Forecast Annual Payout t+2

VENUE

1) The petitioner’s name and address;

Table 15. Summary of 2016 FIT-All Rate Computation

61. The WCA amount for collection is expressed as:

WCAt+1

TIME

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

iii. Any other collection or payment shortfall.

WCAt+1

DATE

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

COE: Certificate of Endorsement issued by the DOE Nomination-Issued by the DOE when it has validated that the RE Plant has reached 80% electro-mechanlcal completion A more detailed tabl e of the FIT-All calculation above and a listing of RE Plants/Projects per category are provided in Annexes “W’ and “X”, respectively, and made integral part of this application.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7

81. TransCo has deemed it reasonable to give more weight to plants that have already been inspected by the DOE to have achieved at least 80% electromechani cal completion. Further, under the Honorable Commission‘s Decision in ERC Case No. 2014109 RC 22 limiting the forecast RE generation included in the computation of the FIT-All to those RE plants with Certificate of Endorsement (COE) for FIT eligibility from DOE, TransCo has opted to recommend and seek the Honorable Commission’s approval of a FIT-All rate lower than the total computed level of Ph P / kWh 0.2481, considering project status. Inasmuch as there is only one additional plant (8MW) that has been issued a nomi nation for FIT eligibility by the DOE but has not ye t been issued a FIT-eligible Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the ERC, TransCo has considered at least the nomination by DOE for FIT eligibility as th e cri lerion for its recommendation.

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

See Sect ion 5. RE Law IRR. Section 4. FIT Rules. Section 2.5, FIT Rules. Docketed as ERC Case No. 2015-216 RC The DOE Memorandum dated 21 July 2015 providing for the Electricity and Sales Consumption, in MWh for years 2003 to 2014 is a ttached hereto as Annex “ A “ to “A-l “ and the DOE Memorandum dated 15 ,June 20 ,6 for the Electricity & Sales Consumption for year 2015 as “Annex B to B-1”to form an integral part hereof. The FNS computation for 2015 -2016 is attached hereto as Annex “C” to form an integral part hereof. The DOE letter dated 20 June 2016 and 16 August 2016 providing “Information/Data for filing of the 2017 FIT-All Rate Pel it ion”, including attachments, are attached hereto as Annexes “D” to “ D-8” and Annex E to E-13, respectively, to form integral parts hereof. The 2016 to 2018 energy forecast genera tion per eligi ble RE Plant are summarized in the “List of FIT Eligible Renewable Energy Developer Generation “ and its attachments marked hereto as Annexes “F” to”F-32” to form an integral part hereof. The Monthly Seasonality table used for the 2014-20 15 Application is hereto attached as Annex “G” and forms an integral part hereof. The 2012 to 2016 levels are a mix of actual and forecast values . Section 1.4.1.1 . Guidelines. Details of computation of the assumed adjusted FIT rates are hereto attached as Annex “H” to “ H-2” and form integral parts hereof. The PEMC letter dated 04 July 2016 on the “’ Data on Ioad Weighted Average Price (I.WAP) for Luzon and Visayas”, including a computer pri ntout of the data in the CD submitted is attached hereto as Annexes “I” to “I-1” to form an integra] pa rt hereof. The PEMC letter dated 04 October 2016 on the “Data on Load Weighted Average Price (LWAP) for Luzon and Visayas”, is attached hereto as Annex “J” to fo rm an integral part hereof. Printouts of DASURECO’s actual Monthly CRR Rate from Oct 2015 to Sept 2016, CLPC Effective Rate for Residential Cus tomer for the period December 2013 to November 2014, SUKELCO Effective Rate for Residential Customer for the period December 2013 to November 2014, FIBECO Effective Rate for Residential Customer for the period September 2014 to August 2015, SOCOTECO I Effecti ve Rate for Res id ential Cus tomer for the period December 2013 to November 2014, nUSECO Effecti ve Rate for Residenlial Customer for the period March 2014 to February 2015 from the website www.kuryente.org. are attached hereto as Annexes “K”, “L”, to “L-11”, “M” to “M-l1 “, “N” to “N-11”, “O” to “O-11 “, and “ P” to “ P-11”,respectively, to form integral parts hereof. Table showing the details of computation of the 2016 FIT Differential deticiency is hereto attached as Annex “Q” and made an integral part hereof. Summary of 2015- 2016 FIT Differentia l charged 1020 17 FIT-All Rate Computation is shown as “Annex R” to form an integral part hereof. Projected Administration Allowance for years 2017 and 2018 is hereto attached as Annex T to form integral pa rt hereof. Factor Rate computation using Ihe form ula recommended by NREB in its Resolution No. 3 Series of 20J4 is attached hereto as Annex “S” to form an integral part hereof. Copy of the Trust Agreement dated 03 March 2015 is hereto attached as Annex “U” to “U-23” and made an integral part hereof. Details of computation of the proposed DA is hereto attached as Annex “V” and made all integrat part hereof. In the Matter of the Application for Approval of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance for Calendar Years 2014 and 2015 Pursua nt to the Guid eli nes for the Collection of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance and Disbursement of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance Fund, with Prayer for Provisional Authority. Section 3. Action on the Motion. - Motions for provisional authority or interim relief may be acted upon with or withollt hearing. The Commission shall act on the motion on the bas is of the allegations of the application or petition ~n d supporti ng docllments and other evidences (sic) that applicant or pel’ilioner has submitted and the comments or opposition filed by any interested person, if there be any.” A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Dinna O. Dizon is attached hereto as Annex “Y” to form an in tegral part hereof. (MS-APR 28/MAY5, 2017)

Motoring

FLYING UBER 2020 timetable set U ber wants to launch a system of ﬂying

cars to move people around cities, with a goal of putting demonstration projects in place by 2020.

The ridesharing giant announced a series of partnerships to manufacture “vertical takeoff and landing” (VTOL) vehicles and put networks in place, a system dubbed Uber Elevate. The partner cities working with Uber are Dubai and the DallasFort Worth metropolis in Texas. “The goal of these partnerships is to develop a new on-demand VTOL network to enable customers in the future to push a button and get a high-speed flight in and around cities,” Uber said in a statement.

The announcement came at a summit held in the Dallas area with partners in the project. “What started as a simple question ‘why can’t I push a button and get a ride?’ has turned, for Uber, into a passionate pursuit of the pinnacle of urban mobility -- the reduction of congestion and pollution from transportation, giving people their time back, freeing up real estate dedicated to parking and providing access to mobility in all corners of a city,” said Uber chief product officer Jeff Holden.

“Urban aviation is a natural next step for Uber in this pursuit, which is why we are working to make push a button, get a flight a reality.” Uber’s goal is to have the first demonstration network in place in Dubai for the 2020 World Expo in that city, and to have “full-scale operations” in Dallas by 2023. The announcement came a day after Silicon Valley “flying car” startup Kitty Hawk, reportedly backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, released a video of its airborne prototype and announced plans for deliveries of a “personal flying machine” this year. Uber’s plans appear more ambitious, and include partnerships with US-based Bell Helicopter, Brazilian manufacturer Embraer

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

FASTLANE

and Slovenia’s Pipistrel to produce flying machines for short distance urban operations. “Uber’s Elevate network is an exciting opportunity for Bell Helicopter to help transform how cities move people and products in the future,” Bell president and chief executive Mitch Snyder said in a statement. Embraer vice president Antonio Campello said: “We share Uber’s revolutionary vision that the state of transportation in congested cities is ripe for innovative solutions.” The Uber plan also includes partnerships for “vertiports” for the flyers to take off and land, along with changing stations for the transporters, which are expected to be mainly electric-powered. AFP

One stop shop for global brands AS THE market leader in its segment, Blade offers globally recognized brands in its retail chain such as Sparco, OMP, Goodyear, Polaroid and Chupa Chups. “The brands we carry are all licensed and Blade is an official distributor of the aforementioned brands. All branded merchandise that we carry are original and licensed,” explains Albert Go of Blade. For brands such as Sparco, OMP and Goodyear, Blade caters to the consumer line of automotive products such as air compressors, seat belt pads, and car floor mats. Blade is located in all SM, Robinsons and Ayala Malls

nationwide. Blade Auto Center’s line of car accessories and gadgets are reasonably priced due to its high purchase volume. “Savings are passed on to the customers. With our network of 50 locations, Blade is able to negotiate for the lowest cost,” adds Go. Established in 2004, Blade Auto Center is the largest chain of car accessories shops in the country with over 50 stores nationwide. They have carved a niche in the aftermarket industry with its extensive line of affordable automotive accessories and car care products that ranges from car audiovideo down to air fresheners.

Ridesharing giant wants to team up with Dubai and Dallas for its ambitious project.

‘New energy’ cars recharge China

Manila celebrates driving in style BERMAZ Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country, together with Zoomhub, Incorporated, formally opens the first Mazda showroom in the city of Manila. The newly built Mazda Otis dealership is nestled along the famed automotive row in the capital city. Its 389-square meter showroom can display up to six of the latest Kodo: Soul of Motiondesigned, SKYACTIV technology-equipped Mazda models. It also has a dedicated releasing area for the convenience and comfort of its clientele. The full 3S - Sales, Service and Spare parts dealership also houses a 4,500-square meter service area that is equipped with 13 work bays. It can handle Periodic Maintenance Services (PMS), general repair and body and paint jobs. “We welcome Mazda Otis into the growing dealership network of Mazda Philippines,” says Steven Tan, president and CEO of BAP. “With the addition of this dynamic facility in the very heart of Manila, Mazda customers in this bustling city now have a new home that can address the

needs of their vehicles,” says Tan. “Convenience and ease for Mazda patrons are our top priorities and Mazda Otis is set to provide our customers with the same excellent service that has elevated Mazda to the number one ranking in the J.D. Power 2016 Customer Service Index.” Willy Tee Ten, president of the Autohub Group, which also manages Mazda Davao and Cagayan de Oro, is upbeat about the new dealership’s prospects in the city of Manila. “Through Mazda Otis, we mark the beginning of a new level of sophistication in the heart of the city by making Mazda available to the market that has always deserved the best,” says Tan. He adds, “It is the Autohub Group’s mission to grow and give our customers the best… to be one class above the rest!” The Mazda Otis showroom is open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, and up to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. Mazda owners may bring their vehicles for servicing between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays. vehicles and parts in the Philipline-up now includes the Maz-

CHINA’S electric-car market is already the world’s biggest, but a government proposal to introduce “new energy” vehicle quotas for automakers is further charging it up. With the threat of the measure looming, major manufacturers at the annual auto show in Shanghai are announcing big plans to boost their electric vehicle (EV) offerings in China. Volvo has confirmed it will introduce its first 100-percent electric car in China in 2019, while Ford will market its first hybrid vehicle in early 2018 and envisions 70 percent of all Ford cars available in China will have electric options by 2025. Industry players say the push could have a profound impact on the green-car sector, as resulting economies of scale bring down the costs of producing and buying such cars. Chinese sales of “new energy” vehicles jumped 53 percent last year to 507,000 units, fuelled by government incentives. Overall, a world-leading 24.38 million passenger cars were sold in China in 2016. “Right now, the (EV) market has been driven by regulatory and government (subsidies),” admitted David Schoch, Ford’s AsiaPacific president. “But we do believe that in the very near term, as we scale up more batteries, the cost will come down.” China has offered incentives for EV purchases to help fight chronic air pollution, but has begun scaling back those inducements this year, causing sales to stumble. Instead, the government intends to force the hand of manufacturers. A proposal published in Sep-

tember could require “green” vehicle production quotas as early as 2018, under a complex system of earned credits. Gearing up Market leader Volkswagen sold four million cars in China in 2016 but only a few hundred were “green”. The German manufacturer now plans to begin production of an electric car in China next year, in a joint venture with Chinese group JAC. VW expects to sell around 400,000 new-energy vehicles in China in 2020, said Jochem Heizmann, CEO of Volkswagen China. The quota plans have brought some pushback, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel lobbying Chinese Premier Li Keqiang over the issue. Chinese Industry Minister Miao Wei said in March that a reduction or deferral of the quotas was possible. But automakers plan to get ready. “We are fully, with all forces, working to be able to fulfil this quota system already next year,” Heizmann said. General Motors says it plans to launch at least 10 new energy vehicles in China, targeting 150,000 in annual sales by 2020. “We have a pipeline ... that is going to put us in a very good position from a fuel-economy requirement perspective” that will enable GM to meet any EV rules, said Matt Tsien, head of GM China. Irreversible trend The Chinese market is dominated by local manufacturers including sector pioneer BYD, which sold 96,000 EVs last year. Despite the reduced subsidies, “the trend of electrification is irreversible,” said BYD president Wang Chuanfu. AFP

Toyota Nueva Ecija breaks ground MARCH 17 marked the beginning of the construction of Toyota Nueva Ecija. The ceremony was attended by Josefino M. Angeles, former Municipal mayor, Santa Rosa,; Marc Carlo L. Turla, Member of the board of Toyota Nueva Ecija; Mary Evangeline F. Tan, Member of the Board Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc.; Ms. Evangeline F. Tan, Member of the Board, Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc.; Eliseo DG. Angeles, Municipal Vice Mayor, Santa Rosa; Marita C. Angeles, Municipal Mayor, Santa Rosa; Jose B. Tan, president, of Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc.; Jose Maria M. Atienza, Senior Vice President, Marketing Division of Toyota Motor Philippines; Dr. Kath-

erine Ivy F. Tan, Treasurer, Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc.; Arch. Benjamin B. Limjoco, Jr., Architect / Designer. Located along Maharlika Highway, Toyota Nueva Ecija will be the biggest car dealership in the province. With a lot size of close to 17,000 sqm, the dealership can house a total of 15 car display units. Aside from sales, in line with the brand’s plans of making its products and services more accessible to customers, the dealership is also a one-stop shop for parts availability and vehicle servicing for the convenience of people who reside or work in nearby areas. The dealership is expected to hold its inauguration within the second quarter of 2018.

From left: Joseﬁno M. Angeles, former mayor of Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija; Marc Carlo L. Turla; Mary Evangeline F. Tan, and Evangeline F. Tan (all members of the board of Toyota NE; Eliseo DG. Angeles, Vice Mayor of Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija; Marita C. Angeles, Mayor, of Santa Rosa; Jose B. Tan, president of Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc.; Jose Maria M. Atienza, Senior Vice President, Marketing Division, Toyota Motor Philippines; Dr. Katherine Ivy F. Tan, Treasurer of Toyota Nueva Ecija, Inc. , and Architect Benjamin B. Limjoco, Jr.

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

Motoring

Visual delight

Lotus Exige: The Lotus Exige V6 Cup Car of Motul was a crowddrawer.

at the Transport Show T Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

RADESHOW International, the organization behind the longest running car show in the country, recently wrote automotive history with its successful staging of the 26th Edition of the Transport Show.

Mr. Spoon: Spoon Sports Founder and CEO Tatsuru Ichishima

(right),in town for the Spoon Ph launch, poses with Standard’s Directo.

Held at the sprawling convention hall of the SMX at the SM Mall of Asia, the four-day extravaganza attracted automotive tuners, motorcycle builders and car companies to display and dazzle the guests with their custom-built rides. “From its inception in 1992 as a general automotive show, the Transport Show has evolved into a successful brand, transcending its category as just a car show to becoming part of the Filipino car enthusiast culture. This show has always

Customized: Wheel Gallery carted away major awards for their impressive display of customized SUVs.

Beetle-lover The Volkswagen Beetle is ﬂanked by (from left) Sophie delos Santos of Tradeshow International; Timmy Naval, Marketing and PR of Volkswagen Philippines; Franz Decloedt, Marketing Director of VW Philippines and Reggie See, After Sales Director of VW Philippines.

been the venue of choice for creative self-expression through their automobiles,” explains Sophie delos Santos, president of Tradeshow International, Inc. Big winners this year were Wheel Gallery, which carted away three major awards for ‘Best 4x4 Resto Mod” for a 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser BJ40; “Best Recreational SUV for a red 2011 Jeep Rubicon and second place for the “European Hatch” category with a customized 2006 Mini Cooper. Renowned tuner Spoon Sports from Japan debuted at the show with no less than Tatsuro Ichishima, Founder of Spoon entertaining questions from local fans. One of the most visited booths of the show was the Motul Ph corporate display which had a modiﬁed Lotus Exige V6 Cup car taking center stage. Volkswagen Ph showcased their eye candy Beetle, while BMW Motorrad and KTM taking the lead in bringing in excitement and passion at the motorcycle display area. This year’s best of show was a 1995 Toyota Corolla built by Vonetix Radical Creations. Another company which had a strong presence at the Transport Show was Sonax Ph, which polished, detailed and took care of the majority of show cars luster on display all throughout the four-day extravaganza.

Nissan PH introduces premium Urvan Text and photo by Dino Directo

Urvan can accomodate 15 passengers.

AS A FOLLOW-up to a successful year and a proﬁtable ﬁrst quarter for Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI), the country’s “comeback kid” aims to continue its momentum by introducing a more luxurious and spacious Urvan. A popular people mover in the domestic market, the Nissan Urvan Premium gives off a striking appearance starting from its V-shaped angle grille design with sharper headlamp clusters. The modern look of the Urvan is enhanced by the elimination of the side roof drip channel, as well as the rich surface expression around the wheel arches. This premium variant has a longer wheelbase, shorter overhand and taller structure for a more accommodating head room.

“The past year has truly been phenomenal for the brand. We have beaten our sales record in March by selling 2,094 units, with our core vehicles such as the Navarra and the NV350 Urvan performing very well, thereby contributing to the strong sales ﬁgures of the company. The NV350 sold a total of 1,651 units, accounting for 31 percent of our sales for the ﬁrst quarter of this year. We aim to continue our growth with the introduction of this new Premium version of the Urvan,” states Ramesh Narasimhan, President and Managing Director of NPI. Designed with driver convenience and passenger comfort in mind, the Premium version is wider, longer measuring at 5,230mm and has a higher body with a height of 2285mm which means more head and leg room. It has four rows of seats in the rear cabin and is capable of accommo-

dating 15 passengers with enough space for luggage and other personal effects. Adding a sense of class of tropical comfort are the suede-like tricot fabric which comes in gray, with a two-tone dashboard to compliment the interiors of the Premium Urvan. Powered by a high torque 2.5 liter turbo diesel engine, the van also offers a list of safety features such as dual front airbags and seatbelts, load tensioning valve, ABS system, Brake assist, child safety locks, front fag lamps and an innovative Door Closure Assist which allows passengers to close the massive side doors ﬁrmly without exerting extra effort. The van retails for P1,600,000 and comes in three exterior colors, Alpine White, Black Obsidian and Tiger Eye Brown. The new Premium Urvan will hit showrooms nationwide starting June this year.

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

GREEN THUMBS. The 133 participants of the SM Foundation’s Urban Gardening Program are all thumbs up during the Harvest Festival at the Taguig Baseball Stadium in Barangay Ususan, Taguig City on Thursday. The event takes off from SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Farmer’s Training Program, with MacPlas Inc. and the city government of Taguig as partners. Manny Palmero

Manila street ‘rescue’ rounds up 60 vagrants By Sandy Araneta

IXTY more vagrants were taken out of the streets of Manila since Monday as part of Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s campaign to save hundreds of street dwellers in the capital city.

Estrada reiterated he is doing this campaign primarily to ensure the well-being and safety of those homeless people who are constantly exposed to all kinds of dangers in the streets, including diseases they could easily contract. “I want them out of the streets because I’d like to give them better shelter, food, and medicines they badly need. Outside, they are susceptible to road accidents crimes, and elements,” Estrada pointed out.

Last February, Estrada issued Executive Order No. 10, directing all concerned city departments to conduct continuous operations to achieve the city government’s goal of “zero street dwellers in the City of Manila.” In sustained operations that started on April 24, 60 street dwellers were rounded up by the Manila Department of Social Welfare in and around the Plaza Raja Sulayman along Roxas Boulevard in Malate, according to department chief Nanet Tanyag.

Thirty-one of the 60 individuals were minors and out-ofschool youths, and three were “substance abusers,” Tanyag said. The MDSW chief pointed out the city’s anti-street dwelling campaign was not intended to hide the street dwellers for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit being hosted by the country. “Long before this Asean meeting, we’ve been conducting daily rescue operations,” Tanyag pointed out. “This has nothing to do with it. Mayor Estrada simply wants to help those people.” Their operations, Tanyag added, are concentrated on Districts 3 (Binondo, Quiapo, San Nicolas, and Sta. Cruz) and District 5 (Ermita, Malate, Paco, Port Area, Intramuros, and San An-

dres Bukid). Last month, MDSW rescued a total of 121 street dwellers. They have been turned over to the city-run Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina City for temporary safekeeping, where the children will be enrolled in the Fugoso Integrated School that offers Alternative Learning System for free, according to Tanyag. At the facility, she said the street people have decent shelters, clothes, food, medicines, and proper healthcare. The adults will undergo development activities such as skills and livelihood training and basic business management courses. Upon their release, the adults may also be referred to the Public Employment Service Office for job referrals, Tanyag added.

Hagedorn hoping SALN rap shelved FORMER Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn has filed a motion for the dismissal of charges against him for perjury, ethics breach and graft, over his alleged failure to declare his businesses and vehicles in his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth or SALN. Hagedorn filed an urgent omnibus motion to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division and sought the dismissal of the cases with prejudice because he had no undeclared wealth in his submitted SALNs, which all indicated the true value of his assets. The Office of the Special Prosecutor filed nine counts each of perjury and graft against Hagedorn for his failure to declare 59 residential, agricultural, and commercial properties, as well as 45 vehicles— including motorcycles, luxury vehicles such as a Volvo, Toyota Landcruiser, a BMW, and other sports utility vehicles. In their motion, Hagedorn’s

Task Force Davao lauded for service

Sendoff for cops to Asean meeting CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna—Calabarzon Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Ma. O Ranada Aplasca showed his support to the 575 Civil Disturbance Management contingent from here as he gave them pointers during their predeployment briefing and sendoff ceremony Thursday for the Asean Summit. During the ceremony, Senior Supr. Ronnie S. Montejo, Chief of the Regional Plans and Operations Division, discussed the CDM force’s standard operation procedures for the Asean meet. Supt. Ramy Tagnong, Chief of the Legal Service, tackled salient points on arrests, the observation of human rights and other matters, while Supt. Julius Cruz, Chief of the Regional Pastoral Office, led the sendoff prayer and blessed the contingents.

“Remember that this is not an ordinary event. The world and the international media is watching us so we should perform the best we can,” Aplasca said. “I hope that with the reminders you heard today, you will observe and put it to practice. I have instructed my staff to be in constant communication with your team leaders so we could easily address your concerns.” The CDM personnel from Police Regional Office 4A will augment the force that was earlier positioned in the different areas of Metro Manila, to ensure the safe and successful visit of delegates from Asean member countries—their leaders, ministers, their respective spouses, and other delegates. PRO4A CDM Contingents included personnel from the Provincial Police Offices of Cavite,

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

PASS THE FLAG. Calabarzon Deputy Regional Director for Administration Senior Supt. Israel Ephraim T.

Dickson hands over the symbolic flag of the Laguna Police Provincial Office to incoming Laguna Police Provincial Director Senior Supt. Cecilio R. Ison Jr. (right) as outgoing Provincial Director Senior Supt. Joel Pernito (left) witnesses the turnover of command on Tuesday at Camp Gen. Paciano Rizal at Brgy. Bagong Bayan in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Roy Tomandao

Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Qu- cluded personnel from the Medi- Public Information Office. The ezon, and the Regional Public cal Division, Investigation, Hu- ceremony ended with a boodle Safety Battalion 4A. It also in- man Rights Affairs Office, and fight. Roy Tomandao

Miner spends P8m for locals’ leadership program By Brenda Jocson BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The government-approved Didipio mine has spent more than P8 million in the last few months on education initiatives under its Leadership Enhancement and Attitude Development or LEAD program.

Chito Gozar, OceanaGold Philippines Inc.’s vice president for external affairs, said that since 2007, before the mine’s commercial operation in 2013, the Didipio miner had started funding education-related programs for its host communities. “The program we have helped fund is designed to give residents of

lawyers said the anti-graft court should note their client “never under-declared the value of his assets; has no undeclared wealth and all disclosures in his SALNs indicate an accurate value of his assets.” Hagedorn said the allegation that he misdeclared his wealth was “false,” especially because he filed a separate attachment to his SALN, which sufficiently complied with the required truthful disclosure of wealth. Hagedorn said he had divested his shares in the corporations he allegedly did not disclose in his SALNs, by executing deeds of trust in favor of his grandchildren. He said he should not be prosecuted for not declaring his motorcycles in his SALN because these were raffled off to his constituents and thus he no longer owned them. “He has no reason to maintain or hoard a fleet of motorcycles,” Hagedorn’s lawyers said.

our host communities the opportunity to improve their education, and equip them with the tools needed for further learning,” Gozar said. He said the P8 million is in addition to almost P100 million worth of school buildings and facilities in the host village of Didipio and its adjacent communities in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya and in

Cabarroguis, Quirino province. Gozar said OceanaGold’s LEAD program is in collaboration with Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., a not-for profit organization that aims to improve its scholars’ leadership potential. The LEAD program will provide opportunities for OceanaGold’s sponsored university

scholars to develop life skills that will help them perform better in school or university, develop responsible behavior, and prepare them to become working adults and team players, Gozar said. Rommel Yogyog who is from a community downstream of Didipio, is one of those who participated in the first batch of the LEAD training.

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte thanked and praised the men behind Task Force Davao for their sacrifices to ensure the city is peaceful and safe. Speaking during TF Davao’s 14th founding anniversary, “Mayor Inday” took note of the anti-terror unit’s vital role in maintaining the city’s peace and order. “The ultimate challenge is to mark years of living peacefully and freely, and that is something that we should always strive to attain,” she said. Speaking with the media, the mayor noted she expected only the best from the antiterror group. “Keep Davao City peaceful and terror-free,” she said, referring to her order to TF Davao. “We do not seek perfection, but we do expect them to do their best.” TF Davao was created on April 16, 2003, in response to a series of bombings in the city.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Republic of the Philippines Standard ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION WITH MOTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CEASE AND DESIST ORDER, ASIAN GREENENERGY CORPORATION Petitioner,

Hundred Eighty Six Pesos and 75/100 (PhP4,870,786.75) is currently deposited in said independent escrow account as of January 2017. 25. The Billing Statements for the billing months of April to December 2016 are attached hereto and labeled as follows: Billing Period

ERC CASE NO. 2017-001DR

Billing Statement Number

Annex

March 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000015077 dated 25 April 2016

“E”

April 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000015811 dated 3 May 2016

“M”

May 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000015890 dated 3 June 2016

“M-1”

-versus-

June 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000016569 dated 3 July 2016

“M-2”

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Respondent. x---------------- --- --- --------x

July 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000016944 dated 2 August 2016

“M-3”

August 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000017320 dated 2 September 2016

“M-4”

September 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000017320 dated 3 October 2016

“M-5”

October 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000018120 dated 3 November 2016

“M-6”

November 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000018290 dated 3 December 2016

“M-7”

December 2016

Billing Statement No. 800000018981 dated 3 January 2017

“M-8”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 10 February 2017, Petitioner, Asian Greenenergy Corporation (“AGEC”) filed a petition for dispute resolution against National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) over the latter’s System Operator Charges and Ancillary Services Charge, and alleged the following: Parties 1.

Petitioner ASIAN GREENENERGY CORP. (“AGEC”) is a power generation company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 10F VGP Center, 6772 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, and business office address at Floor 3B 111 Paseo de Roxas Bldg., Paseo de Roxas cor. Legaspi Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City.1 It may be served orders and other legal process through its undersigned counsel. Respondent NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (“NGCP”) is a private corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at the NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, where it may be served with pleadings, papers, notices and other processes of this Honorable. Commission. Statement of Facts

AGEC is a Renewable Energy Developer engaged in the exploration, development, and utilization of solar energy through its Bukidnon Solar Energy Plant Project (the “Solar Plant Project”), pursuant to Renewable Energy Service Contract SESC No. 2014- 04-074 dated 5 May 20142 for the development of a 10-49 MWp or 8.16 MWac solar power plant located in Barangay Labuagon, Kibawe, Bukidnon (the “Solar Power Plant”). The Solar Power Plant is an embedded generator located within the franchise area of its host distribution utility, First Bukidnon Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“FIBECO”), which is connected to the Mindanao Grid through the KibawePalma 69 kV line, consisting of sub-transmission assets owned by Bukidnon Sub-Transmission Corporation (“BSTC”). The Solar Power Plant will primarily supply energy to FIBECO and to the Grid. On 14 July 2016, this Honorable Commission issued a letter granting provisional authority in favor of AGEC for the operation of its Solar Power Plant.3

Upon completion of the construction of the Solar Power Plant, the NGCP issued a Certificate of Approval to Connect in favor of AGEC.4

On 08 December 2016, AGEC received a letter from the Honorable Commission granting to AGEC a Provisional Authority to Operate the Solar Power Plant under the Feed-in-Tariff System (the “PAO COCFIT”). Under the PAO COC-FIT, AGEC is entitled to feed-in-tariff rate of PhP 8.69 for a period of twenty (20) years from 13 March 2016 up to 12 March 2036.

On 25 April 2016, AGEC received Billing Statement No. 800000015077 dated 25 April 2016 from the NGCP for the Billing Month of March 2016 (“March NGCP Billing Statement”)5, for the following amounts: System Operator Charge

88,047.73

Metering Charge

3,255·00

MSP Common Charge

3,618.00

Franchise Tax

2,847.62

Ancillary Service Charge

128,541.90

Universal Charges

381,514.59

FIT - ALL Charges

43,954.29 TOTAL

26. The continuous payment of the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, albeit through deposit to an escrow account, has become too burdensome and detrimental to the Solar Power Plant’s operations. AGEC is only meant to depend on the FIT as only source of income, which did not contemplate the inclusion of disputed charges. 27. NGCP’s threat to suspend the service connection and continuous unlawful collection of System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges compelled AGEC to file this Petition and seek appropriate relief from this Honorable Commission. ISSUES I WHETHER NGCP MAY CHARGE AND COLLECT THE SYSTEM OPERATOR CHARGE AND ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES WHICH ARE NOT CONTEMPLATED BY THE APPROVED FIT RATES. II WHETHER THERE IS BASIS FOR NGCP TO COLLECT ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES FROM EMBEDDED GENERATORS. III WHETHER NGCP’S USE OF THE “SUM OF DAILY MAXIMUM” AS THE BILLING DETERMINANT FOR THE ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES AND THE SYSTEM OPERATOR CHARGE IMPOSED UPON EMBEDDED GENERATORS IS CONTRARY TO SECTION 18 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9513, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE RENEWABLE ENERGY ACT OF 2008 (THE “RE ACT”). IV WHETHER NGCP SHOULD USE THE BILLING DETERMINANT THAT WOULD YIELD THE LOWEST COST OF CHARGES TO AGEC, WHICH WOULD RESULT TO SAVINGS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY REDOUND TO THE BENEFIT OF CONSUMERS. DISCUSSION I. NGCP MAY NOT CHARGE AND COLLECT THE SYSTEM OPERATOR CHARGE AND ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES WHICH ARE NOT CONTEMPLATED BY THE APPROVED FIT RATES. 28. The RE Act provides for the State’s policy to accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources through the adoption of sustainable energy development strategies. 29. To accelerate the development of emerging renewable energy resources, a feed-in-tariff system (“FIT System”) for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river, hydropower and biomass was mandated under the RE Act. The FIT System is “a scheme that involves the obligation on the part of electric power industry participants to source electricity from RE generation at a guaranteed fixed price applicable for a given period of time, which shall in no .case be less than twelve (12) years, to be determined by the ERC.” 30. Pursuant to Section 7 of the RE Act and Section 5, Rule 2 of the RE Act Implementing Rules and Regulations (“RE Act IRR”), the Honorable Commission issued Resolution No. 16, series of 2010 adopting the Feedin-Tariff Rules (the “FIT Rules”).

651,779.13

Upon receipt of the March NGCP Billing Statement, AGEC questioned the imposition and/or manner of computation of the following: (a) System Operator Charge, particularly the Billing Determinant applied by NGCP (b) Ancillary Service Charge, particularly the Billing Determinant applied by NGCP (c) Universal Charges (d) FIT-ALL Charges

10. On 13 April 2016, AGEC met with representatives of the NGCP Revenue and Regulatory Affairs (“NGCP-RRA”) to discuss the inclusion and manner· of computation of the said charges. 11. During the said meeting, NGCP-RRA admitted its error in charging Universal Charges and FIT-All Charges and agreed to remove the same. However, to date, AGEC has not yet received the revised March NGCP Billing Statement. 12. NGCP-RRA deferred the resolution of AGEC’s objection to the imposition of the System Operator Charge and the Ancillary Services Charge, as well as its request for clarification on the Billing Determinant applied by NGCP. NGCP-RRA insisted that the said charges are computed using the standard NGCP formula. 13. In the NGCP Billing Statement for the month of April 2016, NGCP no longer included Universal Charges and FIT -ALL Charges. However, NGCP still maintained the imposition and/or manner of computation for the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Services Charge and the use of the Billing Determinant. 14. On 5 May 2016, NGCP sent AGEC a Notice of Suspension of Service6 on the ground of the latter’s supposed failure to settle an outstanding balance of Six Hundred Fifty Two Thousand Five Hundred Forty Eight Pesos and Fifty-Nine Centavos (Php652,548.59) as of 30 April 2016. 15. AGEC sent a formal Notice of Dispute to the NGCP. AGEC expressed its disagreement to the Notice of Suspension and requested for a meeting with the Senior Representatives of NGCP to resolve the Billing Dispute. 7

16. During the pendency of the dispute resolution process, AGEC acted in good faith and in full compliance with the Dispute Resolution Procedures set out in the OATS Rules. It continued to make payments for the charges not in dispute, particularly the Metering Charge and MSP Common Charge for the months of March, April, and May 2016. 17. AGEC paid under protest through an independent escrow account with the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Fund - Trust Banking Group (“Metrobank”) the amounts corresponding to the System Operator Charges and Ancillary Services Charge for the months of March, April and May 2016.8 A total amount of Nine Hundred Eight Thousand Five Hundred Ninety Pesos and 40/100 (PhP908,590.40) was deposited in said independent escrow account.9 18. On 27 July 2016, AGEC and NGCP formally met to settle the dispute regarding the Billing Statements sent to AGEC. Mr. Glen Pena, head of the Billing and Settlement and Management Division of the NGCP, and Mr. Aaron Paguio, Officer of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of the NGCP, represented NGCP, while Ms. Nerissa Cordoba and Engr. Aaron Mabini, assisted by undersigned counsel, attended on behalf of AGEC. NGCP conducted a presentation of the bases, rates formulae, and manner of computation used by NGCP for its billing statements, including those applied by NGCP to embedded generators like AGEC’s 10MW solar plant. 19. NGCP explained that it treats Embedded Generators as “Non-Firm” customers. Particularly, NGCP implements the following billing computation policies: (a) Imposition of the Ancillary Charges on Embedded Generators on the basis of injected power into the grid (b) Imposition of the Ancillary Charges even on FiT -eligible/ qualified projects (c) Use of the “Sum of the Daily Maximum” as the Billing Determinant (d) Use of the “Non-Firm” rate for Embedded Generators 20. AGEC sent a letter dated 25 August 2016, which formally requested from the NGCP further clarification on the issues it raised on the imposition of Ancillary Services Charge and the determination of the Billing Determinant for the computation of the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Services Charge (the “Clarificatory Letter”).10 In the said Letter, AGEC also requested NGCP to suspend all generation of further billing statements and/or issuances of notices of disconnection pending resolution of the dispute. 21. On 14 November 2016, AGEC received a letter dated 09 November 2016 from the NGCP responding to AGEC’s Notice of Dispute dated 12 July 2016 and AGEC’s Clarificatory Letter.11 22. NGCP noted the effort of AGEC in seeking clarification on the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Services Charge through an internal dispute resolution procedure pursuant to AGEC’s right under Section A9.1 of the OATS Rules. However, NGCP decided to maintain the status quo in billing AGEC based on NGCP’s formula for the determination of the billing determinant used to compute for the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Services Charge. 23. As a sign of good faith, AGEC still paid the Metering Charge and MSP Common Charge for June to December 2016 pending the resolution between AGEC and NGCP. 24. AGEC likewise continued to deposit in the independent escrow account with Metrobank the amounts corresponding to the System Operator Charges and Ancillary Services Charge for June to December 2016.12 A total amount of Four Million Eight Hundred Seventy Thousand Seven

30.1 The FIT Rules aim to establish the FIT System and regulate the method of establishing and approving the FIT and the Feed-inTariff Allowance (the “FIT-AIl”). 30.2 The FIT Rules provide that the Honorable Commission approve technology-specific feedin- tariffs (“FIT Rates) based on such FIT Rates to be recommended by the National Renewable Energy Board (“NREB”). 31. Pursuant to and in compliance with the RE Act, RE Act IRR and the FIT Rules, the NREB filed on 16 May 2011 a Petition to Initiate Rule-Making For the Adoption of Feed-in-Tariff dated 12 May 2011 docketed as ERC Case No. 2011-006 RM. 32. After due proceedings, in a Decision dated 27 July 2012, and Resolution No. 10, Series of 2012, the Honorable Commission adopted the following FIT Rates: Renewable Energy Resource

Proposed FIT (PhP/Kwh)

Biomass

6.63

Run-of-River Hydro

5.9

Solar

9.68

Wind

8.53

33. In Resolution No. 06, series of 2015, the ERC approved a new Solar FIT Rate of PhP8.69 per kWh. 34. In determining the FIT Rates for each renewable energy resource, the following common parameters were considered by the NREB and confirmed by the ERC: 34.1 Gross Installed Capacity. The capacity expressed in megawatts. measured at the generator output terminals of the power plant, also known as nameplate capacity. 34.2 Net Capacity Factor. The ratio of the net electricity generated, for the time considered, to the energy that could have been generated . at continuous full Gross Installed Capacity operation during the same period. 34.3 All-in Project Cost per installed kW. Expressed in USD per kW, this represents all costs incurred during the development, construction periods up to Commercial Operations Date of the project divided by Gross Installed Capacity of the power plant project. Such costs include, among others, EPC costs, plant switchyard and interconnection costs, development costs, interest and financing costs during construction, value added tax, allowance for contingency, and initial working capital. 34.4 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) per year. Costs necessary to operate and maintain the power plant in accordance with industry standards including among others, technical services, consultancy, insurance, labor cost of operating personnel. 34.5 General and administrative costs (G&A) per year. These are costs related to the administration of the project, which includes, among others, salary of office personnel, office rentals, supplies, professional fees. 34.6 Rate and Terms of Financing (i.e. interest, commitment fee, and repayment period). Pertains to generally accepted terms in project finance that includes, among others (1) interest rate on the loan obtained for a project, (ii) commitment fee payable on the balance of undrawn loan facility during construction period, and (iii) the repayment period over which the loan obtained is to be amortized or repaid. 34.7 Corporate Income Tax Rate. As provided under the RE Act, it is ten percent (10%) on the net taxable income of the RE Developer after seven (7) years of Income Tax Holiday. 34.8 Income Tax Holiday Incentive. Pertains to an incentive under the RE Act which exempts a duly registered RE Developer from income taxes for seven (7) years of commercial operations. 34.9 Duration of Construction and Operating Periods. Construction Period pertains to length of time from Financial Closing up to Commercial Operations Date while Operating , Period is the period from Commercial Operations Date up to the end of the economic life of the project. 34.10 Debt to Equity Ratio. The proportion of equity and debt used to finance project development and construction costs. 34.11 Local and Foreign Capital Ratio. The ratio of Philippine Peso (PhP) and US Dollar (USD) denominated capital cost items comprising all development and construction costs excluding financing costs. 34.12 Local and Foreign Inflation Rate. The assumed annual percentage increase in the price of local (Philippine inflation) and foreign (US inflation) goods and services which are used on estimating or projecting future Operating and Maintenance costs, General and Administrative costs and the FIT Rate, as applicable. 35. Clearly, the foregoing components of FIT rates did not include System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges. 36. Since the FIT Rates did not contemplate System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, these will be shouldered by RE Developers like AGEC. AGEC did not include System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges in its financial projections when it submitted its Declaration of Commerciality to the DOE.13 The DOE necessarily did not consider such charges when it issued the Confirmation of Commerciality for the Solar Power Plant.

37. AGEC is therefore left in a situation where it derives its income exclusively from the existing FIT Rates, but is liable to pay additional charges like System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, which were not contemplated by the present FIT Rates. This unreasonably deprives AGEC of a reasonable return on its investment and adversely affects the viability of its continued operations. 38. This is contrary to how the State should treat private investors. While referring to public utilities, the Supreme Court explained in Republic of the Philippines v. Manila Electric Company14 that the State should allow investors a fair return on their investment: In regulating rates charged by public utilities, the State protects the public against arbitrary and excessive rates while maintaining the efficiency and quality of services rendered. However, the power to regulate rates does not give the State the right to prescribe rates which are so low as to deprive the public utility of a reasonable return on investment. Thus, the rates prescribed by the State must be one that yields a fair return on the public utility upon the value of the property performing the service and one that is reasonable to the public for the services rendered. The fixing of just and reasonable rates involves a balancing of the investor and the consumer interests. 39. The imposition of prohibitive fees, like System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, also goes against the policy behind the RE Act, which is to encourage development and utilization of renewable energy resources. 39.1 NGCP’s continuous imposition of System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, is a material risk that adversely affects the operations of AGEC. 39.2 AGEC’s debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”) falls to 1.4 if NGCP continues to collect the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges as this will reduce its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization for 2015. This reduction on the DSCR puts AGEC at risk of breaching its covenants to its lenders. 39.3 Clearly, the foregoing effects will discourage entry of more participants in the renewable energy sector. II. NGCP’S COLLECTION OF ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES FROM EMBEDDED GENERATORS THAT NEITHER DRAWS POWER FROM NOR INJECTS POWER TO THE GRID HAS NO LEGAL BASIS. 40. Under the current regulatory framework in the Philippines, specifically, the OATS Rules, there are two types of Connected Transmission Customers: (1) Generation Customers, and (2) Load Customers. As defined in the OATS Rules, a Generation Customer is “any Transmission Customer injecting electricity into the Grid.” On the other hand, a Load Customer is “any Transmission Customer taking off electricity from the Transmission Provider’s Facilities which, for the avoidance of doubt, includes but is not restricted to, Generators only while taking power from the Grid, Distribution Utility and Direct Connect Customers.” 41. Under the Philippine Grid Code (“Grid Code”), Embedded Generators “refers to Generating Units that are indirectly connected to the Grid through the Distribution Utilities’ system or industrial Generation Facilities that are synchronized with the Grid.” 42. In general, the NGCP provides Regulated Transmission Services15 and Excluded Services16 to its Transmission Customers. Charges for Regulated Transmission Service includes 1) Power Delivery Service Charge (“PDS Charge”), System Operator Charge, and Metering Service Provider Charge (“MSP Charge”). On the other hand, charges for Excluded Services include 1) Connection Charge, 2) Residual Subtransmission Charge, 3) Technical Service Charge, and 4) Ancillary Service Charges.17 As stated in the OATS Rules, different charges apply depending on the Transmission Customer’s circumstances, such that for periods of time where the Generation Customers and Embedded Generators revert to Load customer status, the charges relevant to that customer type shall apply. 43. Under the OATS Rules, Generation and Load Customers are liable to pay all Regulated Transmission Services and Excluded and Other Services, which includes Ancillary Service Charges.18 44. On the other hand, an Embedded Generator is liable to pay only the System Operator Charges and the Ancillary Service Charges. Module F, Section F1.3A and F1.3B of the OATS Rules provides: F1.3A Embedded Generator. Embedded Generators shall pay the following charges for Regulated Transmission Services: (a) The System Operator Charge as determined by the method set out in Annex II to this Module F. F1.3B Embedded Generator. Embedded Generators shall pay the following Excluded Services and other services: (a) Any charges for technical services such as System Impact Studies, as determined by the methods set out in Annex V to this Module F. (b) Ancillary Services Charges as determined by the methods set out in Annex VI to this Module F. 45. It is understood that both Generation Customers and Embedded Generators, when drawing power from the Grid, are acting as Load Customers and should pay Ancillary Service Charges. 46. An Embedded Generator that injects power to the Grid, like a Generation Customer, should not be required to pay Ancillary Service Charges. 46.1 In its Decision on ERC Case No. 2006-049, In the Matter of the Application for The Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRMJ of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan filed by National Transmission Corporation (TransCo, NGCP’s predecessor J issued on 03 October 2007 (“ERC Decision”), the ERC approved the Ancillary Service Cost Recovery Mechanism (“AS-CRM”) proposed by then applicant TransCo, which mechanism is understood to be the present basis by the NGCP for the above-stated distinction between regular Generation Customers and Embedded Generators. ERC stated as follows: The Commission believes that the “Causers Pay” Principle may be immaterial inasmuch as the Generator Customers can always impute the (Ancillary Service) Charges as part of their operation and maintenance costs which will eventually be charged to their Load Customers. Hence, allocating 100% of the cost of the (Ancillary Service) to Load Customers would be reasonable considering that it will lessen the layers of transaction among the stakeholders and also reduces the cost of operation of TransCo as well as the Generation Customers (Emphasis supplied) 46.2 In its dispositive portion, the ERC Decision approved the proposal of then applicant TransCo with modifications, as follows: “The following changes should be incorporated on the proposed AS-CR of the ASPP: (a) The cost of procuring the Ancillary Services (AS) under the ASPP shall be recovered 100% from the load customers but only until such time that such AS is already traded in the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.” 46.3 Clearly, under the approved AS-CRM, the Ancillary Service Charges that Generation Customers are supposed to be liable for shall be recovered completely from Load Customers. 46.4 The OATS Rules should, therefore, be read together with the ERC Decision. Accordingly, Embedded Generators like Generation Customers should not be held liable to pay Ancillary Charges. This is necessary to prevent the situation of NGCP effectively collecting Ancillary Service Charges twice-from the Embedded Generators and from their Load Customers. There is no logical reason to treat a regular Generation Customer differently from an Embedded Generator. 47. An Embedded Generator that does not inject power to the Grid should also not pay Ancillary Service Charges. 47.1 Ancillary Service refers to “Support services such as Primary Reserve, Secondary Reserve, Tertiary Reserve, Reactive Power support, and Black Start Capability which are necessary to support the transmission capacity and Energy that are essential in maintaining Power Quality and the Reliability ofthe Grid.” 47.2 Accordingly, an Embedded Generator that neither draws nor injects power to the Grid does not necessitate and benefit from Ancillary Service. There is, therefore, no basis to require such Embedded Generator to pay Ancillary Service Charges. III. NGCP’S USE OF THE “SUM OF DAILY MAXIMUM” AS THE BILLING DETERMINANT FOR THE ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARGES AND THE SYSTEM OPERATOR CHARGE IMPOSED UPON EMBEDDED GENERATORS IS CONTRARY TO SECTION 18 OF THE REACT. 48. Assuming only for the sake of argument that Embedded Generators can be held liable for Ancillary Service Charges and System Operator Charge, AGEC respectfully submit that the Billing Determinant being applied for the computation of the Ancillary Service Charges and System Operator Charge by NGCP has no legal basis. 49. In computing Ancillary Service Charges and System Operator Charge, NGCP uses the “Sum of the Daily Maximum” formula whereby the maximum kW per day injected by the Embedded Generator into the Grid is summed up for the billing period (i.e., one month), This is contrary to the relevant laws and rules. 50. The Billing Determinant for Ancillary Service Charges and System Operator Charge of an Embedded Generator that utilizes renewable energy source is provided under Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9513 (the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 or the “RE Law”) and Section 17(E) of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (“IRR”) of the RE Law.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

Homeless increasing in New York

EW YORK―The Girl Scouts who meet every Friday in a New York hotel could be any other American youngsters learning life skills, but with one crucial difference. They are all homeless. Troop 6000 is New York’s first Girl Scout brigade exclusively for homeless girls, all of whom live at the Sleep Inn in Queens, where they can sleep three to a bed in a shelter for 100 families. It highlights the crushing homeless problem in New York, a city of huge wealth disparity. With more billionaires than any other city in the world, New York’s unrelenting pursuit of wealth and gentrification means that those on modest wages struggle to find affordable housing. “They’re my sisters and I love spending time with them,” says Karina Cabrera, 11, who dreams of becoming a vet or a basketball player. “I feel I can tell them anything because they understand me.” “We aren’t different,” she explains. “It’s just that we don’t have a home.” There are approximately 60,000 people in the city’s shelter system. During the 2015-16 academic year, nearly 33,000 students in city public schools lived at least some of the time in homeless shelters.

To keep as many people off the streets as possible, Sleep Inn is one of at least 80 hotels turned into shelters, housing 7,500 New Yorkers. Giselle Burgess, a single mom of five whose family was made homeless last August, was instrumental in setting up Troop 6000 in January. “At first I was a little bit worried, I only had eight girls including my three daughters and then as the weeks were going by, we had more and more,” says Burgess. Three months later, she has 25 girls aged five to 14. Burgess has taught the girls first aid, the history of women’s suffrage and financial literary. Next up? Civic advocacy. “It’s just absolutely amazing to see these girls get together and build that bond,” she said. Smart, articulate and working as a community development specialist for Girl Scouts of Greater New York, Burgess likens finding an affordable home to “a needle in a haystack” even with a steady income. AFP

Children suffering in Afghan conflict KABUL―Children account for one-third of the civilian casualties in Afghanistan’s grinding conflict in the first three months of 2017, and are paying an increasingly high price in the fighting, a UN report said Thursday in Kabul. From January to March, 210 children were killed-up 17 percent from the same period last year―and 525 injured out of a total of 2,181 civilian casualties (715 dead and 1,466 injured). The overall total is slightly down, by four percent, compared to the same period in 2016. Among women, 88 deaths were recorded, a figure that jumped 54 percent from last year, mainly due to aerial bombardments -- an increasing danger as the Afghan Air Force begins to carry out its own strikes. Overall, the report showed 148 deaths and injuries from air strikes in the first quarter, compared to 29 last year. “We are extremely concerned about the increase in the number of casualties among women and children, particularly deaths,” said the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which has documented civilian victims of the conflict

since 2009. “The 17 per cent increase in child casualties reflects the failure of parties to the conflict to take adequate precautions to protect civilians, including through marking and clearing unexploded ordnance after fighting ends,” said Danielle Bell, head of human rights for UNAMA. The main cause of casualties remains fighting on the ground, claiming up 35 percent of the victims. The number of civilians fleeing fighting hit a record high last year, said the UN, with 600,000 internally displaced―which, when added to hundreds of thousands of refugees returned from Pakistan in 2016, threatens to overwhelm already meager resources allocated to refugees. The UN blames 62 percent of civilian casualties on anti-government elements, mainly the Taliban, who are gearing up for their spring fighting season after an unusually violent winter. Unexploded mines and ammunition abandoned by fighters remained the second highest cause of civilian casualties (19 percent of the total), with attacks marking 17 percent. AFP

Fears of fresh violence in Maduro’s Venezuela CARACAS―Protesters in Venezuela plan a high-risk march against President Nicolas Maduro Wednesday, sparking fears of fresh violence after demonstrations that have left 26 dead in the crisis-wracked country. The opposition urged protesters to march on central Caracas, a pro-Maduro bastion where the seat of government is located. Previous attempts to reach the city center have degenerated into clashes between riot police and stone-throwing protesters. The center-right opposition blames Maduro for severe shortages of food, medicine and other essentials in the oil-rich country. Twenty-six people have died so far this month in violence around the protests, including four minors, according to Attorney General Luisa Ortega. Maduro put the ﬁgure at 29 deaths in a speech Tuesday evening, without giving details.

“Twenty-nine of our countrymen have been murdered, and the right-wingers are to blame. The people are demanding justice,” he said. Maduro, the heir of the leftist “Bolivarian revolution” launched by the late Hugo Chavez in 1999, says the shortages and the protests are part of a US-backed plot to topple him. The crisis deepened late last month when the Supreme Court moved to seize power from the National Assembly, the only lever of state authority Maduro and his allies do not control. The court partly backtracked after an international outcry. But the opposition was further galvanized when authorities banned senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles from politics. In just under a month of unrest, more than 400 people have been injured, and nearly 1,300 arrested, the attorney general said. AFP

57. NGCP, in its letter dated 8 July 2016, has already threatened AGEC with a Notice of Suspension of Service for failure to settle its outstanding balances.

50.1 Under Section 18 of the RE Law and Section 17(E) of the IRR, a registered RE Developer, like AGEC, has the option to use as Billing Determinant for transmission charges a per kilowatt-hour basis at a cost equivalent to the average per kilowatt-hour rate, to wit:

58. Further, despite AGEC’s dispute of the improper and baseless imposition of Ancillary Service Charges and determination of the Billing Determinant for the computation of the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Service Charges, NGCP continues to bill AGEC Ancillary Service Charges and to use the Sum of Daily Maximum as its formula in deriving the Billing Determinant.

A registered RE Developer producing power and electricity from an intermittent RE Resource may opt to pay the transmission and wheeling charges of TRANSCO, its concessionaire or its successor-in-interests on a per kilowatt-hour basis at a cost equivalent to the average per kilowatt-hour rate of all other electricity transmitted through the Grid.

59. Considering the injurious effects of the above charges to AGEC, it is entitled to a cease and desist order pending the resolution of the present dispute.

(Emphasis supplied.)

60. The Honorable Commission is empowered to grant provisional reliefs pursuant to Section 43 of the EPlRA, which provides:

50.2 Applying the daily average kW as billing determinant pursuant to the RE Law would be more reflective of the characteristics of intermittent power sources such as solar that peaks for less than an hour a day and which cannot generate electricity the entire day.

Sec. 43. Functions of the ERC. - The ERC shall promote competition, encourage market development, ensure customer choice and penalize abuse of market power in the restructured electricity industry. In appropriate cases, the ERC is authorized to issue cease and desist order after due notice and hearing.

51. Another Billing Determinant for the System Operator Charge is also provided under Section F(AII)1.4 of the OATS Rules:

xxx (Emphasis supplied.)

The Embedded Generator Billing Determinant for each embedded generating facility shall be the average of the highest twelve (12) noncoincident peak injection in kW, measured in fifteen (15) minute intervals, of that embedded generator for the Billing Period. (Emphasis supplied.)

61. Further, the Honorable Commission, which succeeded the Energy Regulatory Board created under Executive Order No. 172 (“E.O. 172”), continues to be vested with the power to grant provisional relief. Section 80 of the EPlRA clearly states that E.O. 172 continues to have full force and effect except insofar as the provisions therein are inconsistent with the EPlRA. The authority to grant provisional relief is consistent with Sec. 43 of the EPlRA. Section 8 of E.O. 172 expressly states:

51.1 Based on the Billing Statements issued to AGEC and from discussions with NGCP, such Billing Determinant is not applied because the Embedded Generators are considered NonFirm Customers.

SECTION 8. Authority to Grant Provisional Relief. - The Board may, upon the filing of an application, petition or complaint or at any stage thereafter and without prior hearing, on the basis of supporting papers duly verified or authenticated, grant provisional relief on motion of a party in the case or on its own initiative, without prejudice to a final decision after hearing, should the Board find that the pleadings, together with such affidavits, documents and other evidence which may be submitted in support of the motion, substantially support the provisional order: Provided, That the Board shall immediately schedule and conduct a hearing thereon within thirty (30) days thereafter, upon publication and notice to all affected parties.

51.2 The OATS Rules did not qualify the application of the Billing Determinant under Section F(AII)1.4 to only Non-Firm Customers. 51.3 Even assuming that Section F(AII)1.4 only applies to NonFirm Customers, Embedded Generators should not be readily classified as Non-Firm Customers. Firm and Non-Firm Power Delivery Service are defined under the OATS Rules: Firm Power Delivery Service: The provision of Power Delivery Service to Transmission Customers with (i) dispatch priority over those Transmission Customers with Non-Firm Power Delivery Service in the event of a Curtailment by the System Operator and (ii) monthly as opposed to daily billing calculation arrangements.

62. The requisites for the issuance of a preliminary injunction provided in the 1997 Revised Rules of Court (“Rules of Court”) may be applied to the present case pursuant to Section 5, Rule 1 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure.21 The Supreme Court discussed the concept of a preliminary injunction and the requisites for the grant thereof in Toyota Motor Phils. Corp. Workers’ Association v. Court of Appeals:22

xxx Non-Firm Power Delivery Service: The provision of Power Delivery Service to Transmission Customers (i) without priority dispatch over those Transmission Customers with Firm Power Delivery Service in the event of a necessary curtailment by the System Operator and (ii) with daily as opposed to monthly billing calculation arrangements.

Section 1, Rule 58 of the Rules of Court, as amended, defines a preliminary injunction as an order granted at any stage of an action prior to the judgment or final order requiring a party or a court, agency or a person to refrain from a particular act or acts. Injunction is accepted as the strong arm of equity for a transcendent remedy to be used cautiously as it affects the respective rights of the parties, and only upon full conviction on the part of the court of its extreme necessity. As an extraordinary remedy, injunction is designed to preserve or maintain the status quo of things and is generally availed of to present actual or threatened acts until the merits of the case can be heard. It may be resorted to only by a litigant for the preservation or protection of his rights or interests and for no other purpose during the pendency of the principal action. It is resorted to only when there is a pressing necessity to avoid injurious consequences, which cannot be remedied under any standard compensation. The resolution of an application for a writ of preliminary injunction rests upon the existence of an emergency or of a special recourse before the main case can be heard in due course of proceedings.

51.4 Under the OATS Rules, the Transmission Provider shall allocate Firm Power Delivery Service depending on the System Impact Study: C(AI)3 The Transmission Provider will determine whether Firm or Non-Firm Power Delivery Service will be available to meet any request for a new Power Delivery Service or an expanded Power Delivery Service for Generation Transmission Customers. The Transmission Provider will offer a Firm Power Delivery Service if it concludes as a result of the System Impact Study that there is sufficient available transmission capacity for the Generator to operate at its nominated level of output without giving rise to a transmission constraint. IV. NGCP SHOULD USE THE BILLING DETERMINANT THAT WOULD YIELD THE LOWEST COST OF CHARGES TO THE AGEC, WHICH WOULD RESULT TO SAVINGS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY REDOUND TO THE BENEFIT OF CONSUMERS.

In Heirs of Joaquin Asuncion v. Hon. Gervacio, Jr., we held that the writ of preliminary injunction is issued to prevent threatened or continuous irremediable injury to parties before the case can be resolved on its merits. We likewise held that the essential conditions for granting such temporary injunctive relief are that the material averments in the complaint appear to be sufficient to constitute a cause of action for injunction and that on the entire showing from the parties it appears, in view of all the attendant circumstances, that the injunctive relief is reasonably necessary to protect the legal rights of the plaintiff/petitioner pendente lite. The plaintiff/petitioner must establish the following requisites for preliminary injunctive relief: (a) the invasion of the right sought to be protected is material and substantial; (b) the right of the complainant is clear and unmistakable; (c) there is an urgent and paramount necessity for the writ to prevent serious damage.

52. To illustrate, different computations of the Billing Determinant applying the Sum of Daily Maximum formula, the RE Law formula, and the OATS Rules formula is presented below:

FORMULA

23-Feb 24-Feb 25-Feb 26-Feb 27-Feb 28-Feb 29-Feb 1-Mar 2-Mar 3-Mar 4-Mar 5-Mar 6-Mar 7-Mar 8-Mar 9-Mar 10-Mar 11-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 14-Mar 15-Mar 16-Mar 17-Mar 18-Mar 19-Mar 20-Mar 21-Mar 22-Mar 23-Mar 24-Mar 25-Mar BD

NGCP Computation

RE Law (Verbatim)

OATS Rules

Sum of Daily MAX1

Sum of Daily Ave. KWh2

Ave. of the highest

“NGCP BILL”

“RE LAW BILL”

12-15 min. interval3 “OATS BILL”

Get max kW D per day. Sum up all max kWD per day.

Get average kWHD per day. Sum up all daily average kWhD.

Get 12 highest kWD for the billing month. Get average of the 12 highest kWD.

240.24 4,969.44 5,982.48 5,520.48 5,822.88 7,422.24 7,702.80 8,013.60 6,397.44 7,729.68 7,973.28 7,996.80 7,995.12 7,993.44 7,991.76 7,974.96 7,981.68 7,991.76 7,995.12 7,995.12 7,991.76 7,998.48 7,995.12

2.16 289.09 410.30 488.29 624.62 365.71 418.80 586.50 363.98 397.51 472.71 631.47 602.01 547.98 626.25 610.30 564.76 581.16 614.10 578.00 627.27 550.03 590.70

163,675.68

11,543.70

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th

63. All requisites for preliminary injunctive relief are present in this case. First, the continued imposition of Ancillary Service Charges and use of the Sum of the Daily Maximum as formula for deriving the Billing Determinant have resulted in exorbitant and prohibitive charges, which are not only material and substantial but are also adversely affecting the business operations of the Solar Power Plant. Second, AGEC’s rights as a Renewable Energy Developer are clearly established and protected by the RE Act. Pursuant thereto, renewable energy developers are covered by the Feed-in Tariff System, which guarantees a fixed price for a given period of time at which electricity shall be sold and which was set without taking into consideration the extent of NGCP charges now being imposed on renewable energy developers such as AGEC. Third, there is an urgent and paramount necessity to prohibit the NGCP from actually suspending its service connection and continuing the imposition and collection of ancillary charges and the use of the Sum of Daily Maximum formula; otherwise, grave and irreparable damage will ensue and the commercial viability of AGEC will suffer.

8,013.60 8,013.60 8,006.88 8,005.20 7,998.48 7,996.80 7,996.80 7,996.80 7,996.80 7,996.80 7,996.80 7,996.80

64. In view of the foregoing, a cease and desist order must be issued against the NGCP in order to protect the rights of AGEC and to prevent serious and irreparable injury thereto. PRAYER WHEREFORE, ASIAN GREENENERGY respectfully prays that this Honorable Commission: 1.

Upon filing of the Petition, issue a CEASE AND DESIST ORDER enjoining NGCP from (i) demanding payment of the Billing Statements covering the months March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2016; (ii) issuing future Billing Statements pending the resolution of the Dispute; and (iii) issuing notices of suspension of service for non-payment of the Billing Statements.

After due hearings on the merits: a. DECLARE that NGCP’s collection of Ancillary Service Charges against AGEC IS without legal basis; b. Or, in the alternative, DIRECT NGCP to recompute the Ancillary Service Charges applying a billing determinant to be elected by AGEC, based on either the (i) Sum of Daily Average per Kilowatt-hour pursuant to Section 18 of the RE Act, or (ii) Average of the highest 12 non-coincident peak injection in kW, measured in 15 minute intervals pursuant to Section F(AlI)1.4. of the OATS Rules; and

Order NGCP to adjust the Billing Statements already issued to AGEC and paid by the latter through Escrow, and allow the release of the payments in escrow, as adjusted.

8,001.28

Computation for NGCP is apporximated only. It is not clear as to how NGCP computers the Billing Determinant for Embedded Facilities. Closest basis is the ERC Case No. 2006-049 RC regarding approval of AS-CRM. However, in said ERC Case, the Billing Determinant for Embedded Facilities are as follows: “maximum scheduled dispatch in MW of that Generation Customer for the Billing Period for which the Ancillary Services were provided. 2 Basis is Section 18 of R.A. 9513 and Section 17 (E) of the IRR of R.A. 9513 which reads: “A registered RE Developer producing power and electricity from an intermittent RE Resource may opt to pay the transmission and wheeling charges of TRANSCO, its concessionaire or its sucessor-in-interests on a per kilowatt-hour basis at a cost equivalent to the average per kilowatt-hour rate of all other electricity transmitted through the Grid. 3 Basis is F (AII) 1.4 of the 2006 OATS Rules which reads: “The Embedded Generator Billing Determinant for each embedded generating facility shall be the average of the highest twelve (12) non-coincident peak injection in kW, measured in fifteen (15) minute intervals, of the embedded generating for the Billing Period. 1

53. The figures used above are all based on the meter readings of NGCP for the generation facility of AGEC for the month of March 2016.19 53.1 Based on the computations above, by using the Sum of Daily Maximum, the Billing Determinant for AGEC will be 163,676 (rounded-up value). Taking into consideration a 3% Loss Factor, the applicable Billing Determinant will be 169,086. As can be observed, this is very close to the actual Billing Determinant used by NGCP in the Billing Statement for March 2016.20 The Billing Determinant is computed by getting the sum of the daily maximum kW for the applicable billing month. For further discussions, the Billing Determinant computed using the Sum of Daily Maximum shall be referred to as the “NGCP Bill.” 53.2 Applying the formula provided for under the RE Law, the Billing Determinant for AGEC will be 11,544 (rounded-up value). Taking into consideration· a 3% Loss Factor, the applicable Billing Determinant will be 11,925. The Billing Determinant is computed by getting the sum of the daily average kW for the applicable billing month. 53.3 Applying the formula specifically for Embedded Generators provided for under the OATS Rules, the Billing Determinant for AGEC will be 8,002 (rounded-up value). Taking into consideration a 3% Loss Factor, the applicable Billing Determinant will be 8,266. The Billing Determinant is computed by getting the average of the highest twelve (12) non-coincident peak injection in kW, measured in fifteen (15) minute intervals for the applicable billing month. 54. Based from the foregoing, it is clear that NGCP does not use the formula for computing the Billing Determinant mandated under the RE Law or the OATS Rules. This is in violation of the cardinal rule in statutory construction that when the law is clear and free from any doubt or ambiguity, there is no room for construction and interpretation. There is only room for application, NGCP has no room for construction but to apply either Section 18 of the RE Law or Section F(AII)1.4 of the OATS Rules in the computation of the SO Charge and/or the AS Charges, considering that AGEC has been consistently invoking the application of the RE Law or the OATS Rules. 55. Despite the willingness of AGEC to settle the dispute with NGCP by invoking the Internal Dispute Resolution pursuant to Section A9.1 of the OATS Rules, NGCP in its letter dated 09 November 2016 (attached as Annex “K”) decided to still apply their own formula using the Sum of the Daily Maximum in computing for the Billing Determinant applicable to AGEC. 56. AGEC is therefore left with no recourse but to seek the Honorable Commission’s clarification and guidance in determining the propriety of the amounts being charged by NGCP for the System Operator Charge and Ancillary Services Charge. Allegations in support of the Motion for Issuance of a Cease and Desist Order

CORPORATION

most

Other reliefs as may be appropriate under the circumstances are likewise prayed for. Finding the said Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, with the required fees having been paid, pursuant to Section 4, Rule 13 of the Commission’s 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure (2006 RPP), the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 17 May 2017 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the afternoon (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the Petition or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the Applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 9th day of March 2017 in Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

17 18 19 20

Copies of AGEC’s Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws are attached as Annexes “A”, “A-1” and “A-2” and made integral part hereof. A copy of AGEC’s Renewable Energy Service Contract is attached as Annex “B”. A copy of the ERC letter dated 14 July 2016 is attached as Annex “C” and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of the NGCP Certificate of Approval to Connect dated 01 March 2016 is attached as Annex “D” and is made an integl’al part hereof. A copy of the Power Bill No. 800000015077 dated 25 April 2016 is attached as Annex “E” and is made an integral part hereof. A copy ofthe Letter of NGCP to AGEC dated 5 May 2016 is attached as Annex “F” and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of AGEC’s Letter dated 12 July 2016 is attached as Annex “G” and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of the Escrow Agreement hetween AGEC and Metrohank dated 05 July 2016 is attached as Annex “H”, and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of the Official Receipt dated 5 July 2016 is attached as Annex “I”, and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of AGEC’s Letter dated 25 August 2016 is attached as Annex “J”, and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of NGCP’s Letter dated 09 November 2016 is attached as Annex “K”, and is made an integral part hereof. A copy of the Official Receipts for the months of June, July, August, September, October, November and December 2016 are attached as Annex “L” and series, and are made an integral part hereof. A copy of the Confirmation of Commerciality for the Solar Power Plant is attached as Annex “N”. G.R. No. 141314, November 15, 2002. The ERC Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (“Transmission Wheeling Rate Guidelines” 01’ “TWRG”) issued 16 September 2009 defines Regulated Transmission Services as: (a) the conveyance of electricity through the Grid and the control and monitoring of electricity as it is conveyed through the Grid (including any services that support such conveyance, control or monitoring or the safe operation of the Grid); (b) the planning, maintenance, augmentation and operation ofthe Grid; (c) the provision, installation, commissioning, testing, repair, maintenance and reading both of meters that are used to measure the delivery of electricity to Customers and of other meters that are used (for the purposes of the WESM) to measure the flow of electricity into or through the Grid; (d) until the commencement of the Second RegulatOlY Period, Transmission Connection Services; (e) the provision of Ancillary Services that are provided using assets which form part of the Gridl (excluding any such Ancillaty Services to the extent they are provided to the System Operator under contract or through a spot market established under the WESM Rules); (I) billing, collection and customer service for Customers purchasing (or seeking to purchase) any of the services referred to in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) and for persons purchasing (or seeking to purchase) any Transmission Connection Services; and (g) those services provided by the System Operator under the Grid Code, the Distribution Code or the WESM Rules in its capacity as such, but do not include such of these services as are determined by the ERC to be contestable. The TWRG defines Excluded Services as service that is provided in the ordinalY course of an electricity transmission business that is neither a Regulated Transmission Service nor a service that is contestable (for these purposes, whether or not a service is contestable is a matter that, if disputed, will be determined by the ERC). Module F, Section Fl of the OATS Rules Module F, Section Fl.l and F1.2 ofthe OATS Rules A copy of the meter readings ofNGCP for the month of March 2016 is attached as Annex “O”, and is made an integral part hereof. The Billing Determinant used by NGCP in the March 2016 Power Bill is 169,290. (MS-APR 28, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

Festival spotlights racism in France LOS ANGELES―Alexandre Amiel was alarmed when his 11-year-old son asked the day after the attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket in Paris: “Why do they hate us?” The veteran filmmaker’s answer is an unflinching exploration of racism in France at a time when the nationalist politics of presidential candidate Marine Le Pen have become part of the political mainstream, and raciallymotivated attacks are on the rise. “Why Do They Hate Us?” (“Pourquoi nous détestentils?”), which gets its US premiere on Sunday as part of the Colcoa festival of French film in Los Angeles, is a documentary with a difference. Like a non-fiction version of Mathieu Kassovitz’s groundbreaking 1995 movie “La Haine,” Amiel’s three part documentary is told from his own perspective as a Jew but also through the eyes of a black man and an Arab woman. “We did three stories with people who are not especially victims of racism, but are going to take the audience by the hand and bring them a narration with two sides,” says Amiel, 43. “First, it’s your own story and then it’s an investigation of what racism is today.” Part one was made by Lucien Jean-Baptiste, whose comedy “La premiere etoile” (2009) was nominated for best first film at the Cesars, France’s equivalent of the Oscars. The filmmaker, who has Caribbean roots, investigates how blacks are represented in French society with right wing radio host Henry de Lesquen, who wants to ban what he calls “negro music.” In part two, comedian Amelle Chahbi, who is of Moroccan descent, looks at the Maghrebian community in Paris to see if integration is working, and confronts a fascist at a march. She asks the activist how he would keep Muslim numbers down and he replies, chillingly: “We need a president leading France who is a real nationalist, who will carry out a purge.” In part three Amiel meets Jerome Bourbon, the publisher of anti-Semitic newspaper Rivarol, who asserts, matter-of-factly: “Before, when we were a Catholic country, we wouldn’t have had a Jew at the table.” AFP

NO LE PEN FANS. Students hold placards reading “Hatred against Le Pen”in front of the Victor Duruy high school in Paris on April 27, 2017, during a protest against the far-right Front National party and calling for people to vote following the results of the ﬁrst round of the presidential election. AFP

US to force N. Korea back to nuclear talks W ASHINGTON―The United States pledged Wednesday to step up the sanctions to force North Korea to resume dialogue over its nuclear program, but said it was not looking to bring Kim Jong-Un’s regime to its knees.

After briefing senators at the White House, top US officials said President Donald Trump also aimed to pursue diplomatic measures with allies and regional partners. “We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on [North Korea] in order to convince the regime to deescalate and return to the path of dialogue,” read a statement from Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats. Earlier, Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the Pacific Command, welcomed recent moves

by Beijing to defuse the soaring tensions between Pyongyang and Washington, and suggested a non-military solution remained the preferred outcome. “It’s critical that we’re guided by a strong sense of resolve, both privately and publicly, both diplomatically and militarily,” Harris said in Washington. “All options are on the table. We want to bring Kim Jong-Un to his senses, not to his knees.” During a White House luncheon with UN Security Council ambassadors Monday, Trump “was very clear that he will be the president who will deal with” North Korea and that military ac-

tion remains an option, a senior diplomat said. National security adviser H.R. McMaster told the 15 ambassadors that “there would be a military solution even if they don’t want to do it,” the diplomat said. The message was “ideally we do this peacefully and politically, which means through China. But if that doesn’t work, there is another plan, which is through the United States,” said the diplomat, who asked not to be named. Separately, a senior administration ofﬁcial told AFP that the United States is considering adding North Korea to its list of countries that are designated as “state sponsors of terrorism.” US troops in South Korea began on Wednesday deploying a contentious anti-missile system in South Korea that has infuriated China. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD system is being set up on a former golf course in the southern county of

Seongju, and its arrival was met by hundreds of protesters, some of whom clashed with police. Harris said the THAAD system “will be operational in the coming days.” China fears THAAD will weaken its own ballistic capabilities and says it upsets the regional security balance. Harris also said the Pentagon should weigh whether to install missile interceptors on Hawaii, which could be one of the first parts of the United States in range of an improved North Korean missile, in addition to existing interceptors in California and Alaska. Pentagon officials have stressed to Trump that there are no easy options for military intervention in North Korea. Senator Tammy Duckworth, a former US military helicopter pilot who lost both legs in combat in Iraq, was dismissive of what she and colleagues heard at the White House briefing on North Korea. AFP

Nine more democracy activists held in HK

ONSTAGE. Recording artist Hailey Knox performs onstage at VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s Musically Mastered Menu: Atlanta with Hailey Knox and Chef Jennifer Hill Booker at Westside Cultural Arts Center. AFP

HONG KONG―Nine democracy protesters were arrested in Hong Kong Thursday over an anti-Beijing rally in the latest swoop by police as activists say they are being persecuted. Concerns are growing that the semi-autonomous city’s freedoms are under threat from Beijing, fueling calls from some groups for greater autonomy or even a complete split from China. Pro-independence activists Yau Wai-ching and Baggio Leung were arrested and charged Wednesday over causing chaos in the legislature after being barred from taking up their seats as lawmakers last year. And last month nine pro-democracy activists―including student protesters and lawmakers―were charged for their roles in mass 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement rallies. The spate of arrests come ahead of an expected visit by China’s President Xi Jinping to mark the 20th anniversary of the handover of the city by Britain back to China in 1997 on July 1. “I believe the police have set out to arrest all street activists so they won’t dare to protest when

Xi Jinping visits,” pro-democracy leader Joshua Wong told AFP. Nine protesters were arrested Thursday over their participation in a rally in November against China’s decision to intervene in the row over whether to disqualify Yau and Baggio. That protest outside China’s liaison office in Hong Kong saw scuffles as demonstrators charged barriers and police used pepper spray to drive them back. The rally was triggered after Beijing announced it would make a special interpretation of Hong Kong’s constitution to determine whether Yau and Baggio should be prevented from taking up their seats after staging an anti-China protest during their oath-taking. Beijing’s final ruling, two days after the rally, effectively ensured the pair were barred. Two of those arrested Thursday belong to new pro-democracy party Demosisto, founded by student leaders Wong and Nathan Law, who is now a legislator. Others include members of the long-standing pro-democracy party League of Social Democrats (LSD), as well as student or former student protesters. AFP

Mother sees her baby’s murder PHUKET―The distraught Thai mother of a baby girl killed by her boyfriend in a murder he broadcast on Facebook Live has described the harrowing moment she stumbled across the video and rushed to alert police. The killing on Monday evening caused revulsion both in Thailand and around the world, sparking renewed debate about what can be done by social media giants to more quickly remove live broadcasts of violent crimes, suicides and murders. Jiranuch Trirat, a 22-year-old from Phuket, was left devastated after her boyfriend Wuttisan Wongtalay hanged their 11-month old daughter Natalie from the side of an abandoned building before taking his own life. He broadcast Natalie’s murder on Facebook Live, a video that Jiranuch came across that evening. “I was with my older brother and he was logging onto his Facebook,” she told AFP on Thursday from a Phuket temple where daily prayers were being held for Natalie ahead of her cremation on Saturday. “He was scrolling down and suddenly we saw the live broadcast. I turned to take a look and saw him [Wuttisan] drop my daughter with the rope and I couldn’t continue to watch.” The horrifying realization of what was unfolding sparked a desperate search by relatives and police, with the bodies of Wuttisan and Natalie found just a few hours later. The murder video remained on Facebook for around 24 hours, prompting cries for the social network to move more swiftly to take down clips of grisly crimes and killings. But Jiranuch said she harbored no ill will towards Facebook. “I don’t blame Facebook. They are not part of the problem, we can choose to broadcast happiness or sadness,” she said. The family has been sleeping at the temple where Natalie’s cofﬁn lies since her death to attend daily funeral prayers chanted by Buddhist monks and nuns. On Thursday Natalie’s grandmother wept as she stood before a framed photograph of the infant wearing a red dress. “I will never see your smile again,” she said as she touched the photo, which was decorated with ﬂowers and colorful lights. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

SHOPPING

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

Forever 21 launches its Festival Collection featuring singer/ songwriter Justine Skye as the face of its global campaign—connecting music and fashion

Leather off-the-shoulder jacket and Contrast Stripe Sweatpants

CELEBRATE

Teal 'Feel the Heat' Jacket and Nylon Dolphin-Hem Shorts

music and fashion M

USIC is at the heart of Forever 21’s Spring/ Summer 2017 Festival collection, which features Roc Nation singer/songwriter Justine Skye as the face of its global campaign.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Justine Skye, whose unique sense of style embodies the spirit of Forever 21,” says Linda Chang, F21’s vice president for Merchandising. “The connection between new talent, music, and fashion has never been stronger and we know our customers will be drawn to her energy and style. “Fashion has always been an important part of my life, and I am thrilled to be partnering with Forever 21, a brand that embraces fashion-forward style,

diversity and creativity,” says Justine. “This festival collection reflects my personal style, and I can’t wait for my fans to see the pieces.” With that, the California based retail giant pays tribute to the music festival season with a fresh take on urban sporty style with cropped silhouettes and oversized layering pieces in a palette of metallic silver, scarlet red, and black featured alongside offbeat pops of neon yellow and royal blue. Create a bold statement with a new

twist on ‘90s street style — graphic statement tees, metallic bodysuits, and cropped pieces that perfectly balance street and sexy styles for women. Take part in the music festival fever with neon-colored tops, distressed denim, and bright accessories. The collection for men is a play on fashion staples such as basic shirts and denim with ‘90s band tees, plaid tops and distressed denim jackets and pants. Forever 21’s Festival Collection is available at all Forever 21 branches: SM Megamall, SM Makati, North Wing of SM City Cebu, The Block at SM City North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang Premier, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, SM City Clark, SM Southmall, SM Seaside City Cebu, SM City Iloilo, SM City

Rewind Rave: VHS chain bag

Bacolod and at its newest store in Robinson’s Magnolia. Get connected with Forever 21 through forever21.com, facebook. com/Forever21PH and via Twitter: @Forever21PH and Instagram: @ f21philippines.

F21's Festival Collection reflects Justine Skye's personal style

New technological ways to pay are trending on social media

The branding teams of Smart Communications, Inc. and Vivo Philippines

Vivo forges partnership with Smart VIVO Mobile Tech Inc., a top five premium global smartphone brand, inked a partnership with Smart Communications, Inc., the country’s leading wireless services provider, on March 22 at the PLDT Ramon Cojuangco Building in Makati City. “As part of our aggressive roll-out of our LTE network across the country, we are excited to work with top smartphone manufacturers like Vivo to bring more LTE-capable devices into the local market,” said Patrick Tang, vice president and head for Smart Postpaid Brand and Device Management. “LTE gives the best mobile data experience to our customers, and more LTE devices in the market means that more people will be able to take advantage of and enjoy the powerful LTE network that Smart is putting in place,” he added. Meanwhile, Hazel Bascon, Vivo Philippines vice president and head of Sales, said this partnership means better connections for consumers. “With this tie-up, our customers will be able to make improved connections, whether on the web or with each other, because Smart has always been known for its premium service.” “The high-quality features of Vivo mobile phones, combined with Smart’s

From left: Smart Prepaid brand marketing head Gerard Milan, Smart Prepaid marketing head Miriam Choa, Vivo Philippines vice president and head of sales Hazel Bascon, and Vivo Philippines brand director Annie Lim sign the contract finalizing their partnership

exclusive promos, and speedy and reliable services, ensure a greatly enhanced smartphone experience for Filipino customers,” she added. Also present during the signing event were Annie Lim, Vivo brand director; Miriam Choa, Prepaid marketing head; and Gerard Milan, Smart Prepaid brand marketing head. In this tie-up, Smart will provide Vivo with LTE prepaid SIMs that will feature the following exclusive addons for 12 months: Free 100MB data

per month upon activation of SIM, and a reward of an additional 300MB data for every accumulated P150 worth of load within a month. The Smart LTE prepaid SIMs will be given to customers for free, for every purchase of Vivo handsets, with specific units to be announced soon. For inquiries about this promo from Smart and Vivo, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out www.facebook.com/VivoPhil, www.instagram. com/vivophil/ and twitter.com/vivo_ phil.

DIGITAL wallets continued to gain prominence in smartphones and laptops worldwide and dominated the discussion of new ways to pay, with the topic now topping 83 percent of Asia Pacific conversations and 75 percent of global conversations tracked in the 2017 edition of the Mastercard Digital Payments Study. Consumers are also showing an increased interest in the application of new technologies to make shopping faster, easier, and more secure. The topic of virtual reality generated the most positive sentiment globally and in Asia Pacific, where the Philippines is included, as shoppers imagine completing a purchase with the simple nod of their head. Now on its fifth year, the study, developed in partnership with PRIME Research and Synthesio, analyzed more than 3.5 million conversations from the past year across several social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Weibo. The report reflects insights into new mobile payments product and category trends covering 188 markets across the globe. “Technology is making the promise and the potential of a lesscash life a reality for more people every day,” said Marcy Cohen, vice president of digital communications at Mastercard. “This year’s study notes a change in the level of interest for new ways to shop and pay that only a few years ago would have seemed farfetched.” Increased acceptance of digital wallets in-store, online and inapp generated more than 2 million mentions. Beyond the payment, consumers looked forward to additional functionality like stor-

ing loyalty cards and supporting closed-loop public transportation systems. Activation of newer technologies like artificial intelligence and smart home assistants was the second most discussed payment topic throughout 2016, generating strong consumer interest as people discussed how they might shop with newer, smarter devices. Among emerging technology topics, wearables took the lead driven by partnership announcements from technology developers and payment providers. Smart assistants, virtual reality and artificial intelligence was another interest; while the hot topic of the Internet of Things becoming the Internet of Payments centered on enabling payments enabled in any connected device. In conversations, people continually noted that the success of new technologies and new ways to pay would be dependent on the security and protections delivered beyond what’s available today. Consumers expressed interest in improved authentication to deliver enhanced security, reduce fraud and move beyond traditional passwords. New developments in facial recognition and fingerprint and touch authentication drove over half of biometric/authentication conversations. In Asia Pacific, consumer excitement around new biometric and authentication technologies, particularly in India, drove positive sentiment for safety and security discussions. Facial recognition conversations focused on the Mastercard Identity Check Mobile app, Google’s Hands Free app and a Snapchat patent to incorporate a payments platform with real time services.

Life

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

LOBAL lifestyle brand Crate&Barrel is open for living, indoors and out, as it launched its Spring/Summer 2017 collection.

“The biggest trend in interior design and décor for 2017 is about inviting the outdoors in,” says Crate & Barrel US vice president for Merchandising Raymond Arenson. “This is the time of year to expand living spaces by flinging open the doors and furnishing outdoor space with indoor comfort.” “These modern outdoor living rooms break down the barrier between indoor and outdoor living – seeing the outside as not separate from the home but as an extension of it. We are calling this trend Open for Living,” he adds. With this, Crate & Barrel’s style of the season focuses on The Great Room, where one can experience relaxed modern living and entertaining, indoors and out. There’s a carefree lakeside mindset as The Great Room story continues with focus on the kitchen side. Inspired Kitchens go beyond the everyday foundations, now setting the home’s décor and style statement with color and new furniture-level dining islands that create social flow in the living side of the Great Room, whose doors now open to a Modern Outdoor Living Room. Living and entertaining, indoors and out become all fluid and seamless. Colors, on the other hand, celebrate this indoor/outdoor breakthrough. Navy’s Making Waves as the Blue theme evolves from Fall 2016, to navy in combo with crisp bright White from Outdoor collections to entertaining tabletop. Likewise, it’s Anything but Neutral as this new trend for Spring 2017 plays up texture, scale and sculptural profiles. An evolution of Fall 2016’s White Wood Warm installation, this palette anything but neutral, making a dramatic statement on its own or living comfortably with the blues. The Inspired Kitchen is an opportunity to start the year off with a Fresh Color Pop, showing the Savvy Stylist

Inviting the outdoors in Grayson Chair lends a polished presence to the living room or bedroom, while its grey-brown finished hardwood base adds modern contrast

how to re-think and re-energize the everyday Aqua and cream, blue and white, copper and marble, black and white, mint, pistachio… even white becomes a newer color with fresh texture. Check out the Crate&Barrel Spring/ Summer 2017 Collection in stores.

Each store features an incredible inventory of pieces selected to appeal to any taste. For more information, visit www. crateandbarrel.com . Crate &Barrel stores in the Philippines are located at SM Mega Fashion Hall, SM Aura Premier and SM Makati.

Jayde Vase features a cascade of beautiful turquoisetoned glaze

Win 2 premium Ducati motorbikes Shang gives mall guests the chance to get their hands on a Ducati motorbike through a special raffle promo consisting of two rounds. The first round runs until May 15 where mall guests get a chance to win a Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle as the prize; while the second round is from May 16 to June 15 with a Ducati Hypermotard 939 up for grabs. The mechanics are simple for both rounds. When you shop at the Shang during the raffle period, every P2,000 single receipt purchase earns you one raffle entry. But you can also get double entries by shopping at the East Wing, and triple entries when you shop from any store in Shang from Mondays to Thursdays. Deadline for dropping of entries are May 16 and June 16 at 9 p.m. for the first and second rounds, respectively. So, spend your time at the Shang and get a chance to take home an awesome Ducati bike. For inquiries, call 370-2597/98 or visit www.facebook.com/ shangrilaplazaofficial. Follow the @shangrilaplazaofficial on Instagram.

THRILLING experiences and surprises are always in store at Shangri-La Plaza. The metro’s top lifestyle destination welcomes summer with two exciting prizes from the maker of the world’s most attractive motorcycles, Ducati. Known for representing the Italian industry through superior quality and timeless design, Ducati bikes are every motorcycle enthusiast’s dream. With its state-of-the-art built and innovative designs, it’s no wonder that Ducati bikes have been dominating the industry in over 60 countries across the world for 90 years.

Shoppers at Shangri-La Plaza have a chance to win a Ducati bike

Robinsons ‘Explore Wellness' a healthy lifestyle destination THOSE who want to make healthy living their goal this year are in for an adventure as Robinsons Supermarket takes them on an exciting journey, with health and wellness as the ultimate destination. The country’s largest healthy retail supermarket chain has launched this year’s “Route to Wellness” campaign by inviting everyone to fasten their seatbelts for a fun-filled wellness journey with “Explore Wellness”, the first of five promo events to look forward to. At Eastwood Mall Open Park, media and customers were invited to the “Explore Wellness” event where they sampled products and tried different activities from Unilever, Kojie-

San, Selecta, and CDO Premium; and availed of discounted products and freebies from P&G, Coca-Cola, and Belo. Customers can get a three-style bag for free for a minimum single receipt of P3,000, inclusive of P500.00 worth of participating products from Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, KojieSan, Belo, Nestle, Selecta, CDO Foodsphere, Splash Corporation, Unilab and Cosmetique Asia. The three-style bag can be used as shoulder bag, backpack, and cross bag. It is also available in pink, gray, purple, army green and dark gray. Promo period is until April 30. The Route to Wellness year-long campaign is a testament to Robinsons Supermarket’s con-

tinuous commitment to strengthening its “We Love Wellness” advocacy that enables it to provide healthier food options and alternatives to Filipino families. Get ready to live a healthy lifestyle. Avail of a Wellness passport today and take-off on an ultimate journey to health and wellness by taking part in Robinsons Supermarket’s exciting and rewarding promos. Stay updated on the various activities that Robinsons Supermarket has in store and learn more about its “Route to Wellness” campaign by liking it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visiting its official website at www.robinsons-supermarket.com.ph.

One gift, a million blessings IT WAS the '90s and Eddie and Raquel Bigay had worked for the life they wanted with their kids. The pair successfully built a business in Paranaque after years of selling fish. That is until tragedy struck. Eddie died unexpectedly from a second operation to remove his cirrhosis. But even with his passing, the family man was still able to provide comfort to his grieving family. He left them the gift of starting over, courtesy of a reliable partner, Insular Life. Widowed at 33, Raquel took charge of the family and the business. “We felt that things were difficult for mama, but for us kids, life continued as it was. My sisters and I thought we would be transferred to a public school but nothing changed. Our quality of life remained,” recalled Ernie. Nothing would have prepared Raquel for his last gift—one million pesos from Eddie’s Insular Life insurance policy. It was more than enough to pay for the hospital bills and the funeral service, and she didn’t have to give up the life they have built together. Death was not going to end what Raquel and Eddie built. Instead, it gave Raquel a chance to explore other opportunities and apply her knack for business. With the insurance proceeds as back-up funds, Raquel with the help of her mother, siblings and her young children dared to continue the fish dealership /retailing. Through the years, she slowly but successfully expanded to other lines of businesses. It was Insular Life Financial advisor Marietta “Ayie” Lantican who helped Eddie prepared for whatever life gives him despite his condition. And good thing he was prepared, for he left his family’s Magandang Buhay intact. “I tell people, you can’t control everything. Even simple things, like growing old everyday, are out of their hands. Life doesn’t see them as a vendor, business owner, or chairman of the board,” said Ayie. This is why Insular Life helps them realize their unspoken dreams, including the ones they hold for their family and even grandchildren. It has been almost 25 years since Eddie left and 27 years since he took Ayie’s advice. These two women have returned his gift in manifold ways. All family members now have their own policies and are enjoying their Magandang Buhay. Now all grown up, son, Ernie works with Raquel in growing their businesses; daughters, Mary Ann works with China Bank (IT group) and the youngest, Lady is a software developer with Orbium. Despite receiving the returns from her investments, Raquel still intends to work on her next project: augment her pension earnings, become independent for all her days, and secure an even better Magandang Bukas. Blessed with the gift of life and lucrative business, Raquel confidently shares her story with Insular life.

FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

IA Group Limited (AIA or the Company), the largest independent publicly listed panAsian life insurance group and Philam Life’s parent company, announced the signing of a multi-year agreement with David Beckham, making him the Company’s Global Ambassador.

In this newly created role, Beckham will support AIA in its goal of helping people in the Asia-Pacific region live longer, healthier, better lives. Mark Tucker, AIA’s Group chief executive and president, said, “We are delighted to welcome David as AIA’s Global Ambassador. David is an incredibly successful global sporting icon, a committed family man and is hugely respected for his longstanding community and charity work; most notably as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador over the past 12 years.” Ng Keng Hooi, AIA’s Group chief executive and president designate, said, “David is a natural fit with AIA as we pursue our purpose to play a leadership role in the social and economic development of the communities we serve and in doing so, helping millions of people across the Asia-Pacific region to live longer, healthier, better lives.” Beckham, said, “Joining the AIA family was an easy decision for me. I am a

DAVID BECKHAM

bats for healthier, longer life

Global Ambassador and world-class athlete David Beckham takes an active step to promote healthy living

passionate believer in the value of wellness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and I share AIA’s commitment to encourage people to take charge of their health. “Throughout my career in elite sport, and in my role as a parent, I have always tried to be the best I can be by training hard and setting a positive example to those around me. I am looking forward to working closely with AIA and supporting the Company’s efforts to improve the quality of people’s lives across the Asia-Paciﬁc region.” Philam Life, AIA’s local subsidiary, shares the same vision of changing public perception towards life insurance. David Beckham is a global icon and having him join the AIA Family adds momentum to Philam Life’s efforts to empower more Filipinos to lead healthy

PEOPLE Darren Espanto Don’t you think it’s unfair that this teenage singer is young, talented, receives big paycheck, and able to juggle his time between work and school? Darren finished Grade 10 with flying colors harvesting medals in leadership and multiple intelligence and exemplary achievement in a chosen field. True enough, there are a lot of things that people can envy him for. His being a young achiever is just one. KathNiel The love team of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla has never lost its magic. Right on the heels of their blockbuster film, which is poised to earn more than P200 million this week, the popular screen couple has just been named Box Office King and Queen for their 2016 movie Barcelona: A Love Untold. This further cements their status as the biggest love team in local show biz. Raymond Gutierrez

KimErald Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson’s love team is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The screen couple that at on point in time also dated, surely prepared for this remarkable milestone in their career. There was even a sexy magazine cover to boost publicity. But what happened next was rather underwhelming when their reunion TV project was relegated to air in late morning instead of primetime. Kim couldn’t believe this drastic decision even herself was extremely shocked. FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano Can we still consider the series’ extension until 2018 good news? Probably for the cast and crew because it mean they are not going to be jobless at least for the next 10 months or so. But this doesn’t discount the fact that more and more viewers start to ﬁnd the action drama confusing, unrealistic, convoluted and frustrating that they wonder why they are still watching it. Andi Eigenmann For the nth time, the actress has taken her feud with her child’s biological father online. Andi and Jake Ejercito have been in an off-and-on relationship and each time they breakup, they cause nasty tremor on social media. What’s even harder to understand is that they always ask for privacy but they keep on attracting public attention by allowing people to get involved on social media. Don’t they have each other’s number and just talk like what normal people do?

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, April 28, 2017

ACROSS 1 Foulard kin 7 Chinese food additive 10 Poker cards 14 Stick together 15 GI address 16 Do a slow burn 17 Bee colonies 18 Wimple sporter 19 Scrooge’s nephew 20 Forget it! (2 wds.) 23 Primitive weapon 26 Sturdy tree 27 Carve a canyon 28 Duck or hue 29 Hosp. workers 30 Craze 31 Magazine execs 32 Ruby or Sandra 33 Green garnish 37 Prior to 38 Codgers’ queries 39 Mae West role 40 New Haven student 41 “Lonesome —” 43 No matter which 44 DDE’s org. 45 Chocolatecolored dog 46 It’s a real blast 47 Clean a counter 48 Piece of prose

will include events for our customers, agents, partners and employees. The new role has been created following the launch of AIA Vitality, Asia’s ﬁrst and only comprehensive science-backed wellness platform. It provides members with the knowledge, tools and motivation to help them make achievable steps to meet health goals and bring about long-term positive behavioral change regarding dedication to maintaining a healthier lifestyle. AIA Vitality members are encouraged and incentivised to actively engage in health and wellness initiatives and activities by offering them enhanced beneﬁts, including premium discounts, on their insurance policies and other exciting and valuable rewards from a wide variety of third party providers.

…are not talking about

…are talking about

Let’s give it to Richard’s twin brother who was once ridiculed because of his body weight. Raymond’s Instagram feed is now an inspiring statement that if a person wanted to live a better life, he just needs to exert extra effort to achieve his goal. At ﬁrst, it was a struggle for Raymond to shed those unwanted pounds, now his determination to look good has inspired even those people who looked past him because of the presence of his healthier looking siblings.

lifestyles and have a long life. “With wellness initiatives such as our recently launched Philam Vitality program, Philam Life is actively encouraging Filipinos to live longer, healthier and better lives. We have already enlisted local sports superstars Alyssa Valdez and Mika Reyes to bring out the best in every Filipino as they start their own fitness journey. David Beckham, as AIA’s new Global Ambassador, will definitely inspire more people to take active steps to improve the quality of their lives”, said Aibee Cantos, Philam Life CEO. As Global Ambassador Mr. Beckham will be present at a number of AIA’s most important community and business activities to personify and demonstrate the benefits and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. These

51 Compete for 52 Fills to the gills 53 Reviving a battery (hyph.) 56 They often clash 57 Turkish title 58 Peanut 62 Candle holder 63 Future flower 64 Busy-looking 65 Very, to Yvette 66 Take a gander 67 Took 10 DOWN 1 Vaccine amts. 2 Participate in crew 3 Gotcha! 4 Springlike 5 Armadillo’s protection 6 Dry run 7 Exaggerated fascinations 8 Grit 9 Temple feature 10 Grants 11 Antique-shop item 12 Revise 13 Papyrus is one 21 Sincere 22 With all one’s heart 23 Not gradual 24 Pitcher —

Martinez 25 Gauguin’s prop 29 Fix up an old house 30 Hard to make out 32 Composts 33 Evening star 34 Genuine 35 Flee to the JP 36 “Holy cats!” 42 Goes by, as time 46 Harangue 47 Farm haulers 48 Cockpit button

49 Diner freebie 50 It may be secondhand 51 Not explicit 52 Z’s, in cartoons 54 Keep — on 55 Mr. Stravinsky 59 Cave dweller 60 Dog days in Dijon 61 Crayola choice

Summer STAR Workshops at Benilde ENROLLMENT for Star Workshops, a summertime creative experience on music, theater, design and dance, is now on going at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB). Now on its 16th year, the lessons offered by the Office of Culture and Arts (OCA) are facilitated by certified trainers and senior student-artists. Sessions will be held for six Saturdays, to start on April 29. A concluding recital is scheduled on June 10. Available classes are Voice A and B, Ballet A and B, Hip-Hop A and B, Theater A and B, and even Advanced and Basic Guitar. Shadowplay is available for those 13 and above. It will be held Mondays, 1 to 5 p.m. from May 8 to 29. The Production and Stage Management workshop is being offered for teens 14 years and up. It covers stage and production management, design for theater (costume, lights, sets and props), and technical directing. Schedule for classes will be on May 4, 11, 18, and June 1, and 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 1 to 4 p.m. on June 3. Fees are: A Classes (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.), for children ages 8 to 12, P3,500; B Classes (1 to 4 p.m.), for students 13 and above, P4,000. To reserve a space, submit an accomplished application form with two 2x2 ID photos and a nonrefundable P500 down payment to the OCA Office. For more inquiries and enrolment, contact 230-5100 locals 1528 and 1603, or email culture.arts@benilde.edu.ph. Follow its Facebook page at FB: The Benilde Office of Culture and Arts, and its Twitter and Instagram accounts at @csb_oca. Office of Culture and Arts is located at 4/F Miguel Febres Cordero Building, De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila.

Millennial Lola Gloria Romero (center) ﬂanked by the cast of Kapuso Network's newest family-oriented show, "Daig kayo ng Lola Ko"

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 2017

MAGICAL SUNDAYS on GMA 7

EGINNING this Sunday, GMA Network spreads magic to its viewers with the launch of the kid-friendly, familyoriented show Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko.

Aiming to shape children’s values through stories, the show narrates the magical adventures of Lola Goreng, played by Gloria Romero, and her grandchildren Alice and Elvis (Jillian Ward and David Remo) who ﬁnd themselves living with Moira (Chlaui Malayao), a child they found on the streets. Adding more magic to their story is Jorrel played by Julius Miguel. Tagged as the “millennial lola” because of her previous roles, Romero is very pleased with the Network’s trust on her. “I’m ﬂattered kasi ako ay kinuha ulit sa ganitong klaseng concept na show. Who would have thought that at my age, I will play a role of a fairy, ‘di ba? It’s nice because light lang yung ginagawa namin. Ang cute, kasi nag-e-enjoy ako.” Romero is awed at how the kids show their love for their craft. “Sa totoo lang, itong mga batang kasama ko dito, ang gagaling. I can see their passion in acting. Minsan nahihiya nga ako kasi ako yung madalas magkamali. Sila, they can deliver their dialogues right away. Alam nila agad yung lines nila. They come to the set prepared. So, ako, nahihiya ako whenever nagkakamali ako,” she says. On the other hand, the kids are all smiles

as they share their working relationship with the veteran actress. Ward said that she is inspired with her stories, especially when it comes to work. “Tuwing break po namin sa set, nakakatuwa yung stories ni Ms. Gloria kasi makakahanap ka talaga dun ng inspiration para mas pagbutihan mo pa yung work mo,” the Kapuso child actress said. While Remo states Romero’s playful side, “Si Lola, nakakatuwa kasi makulit din siya at nakikipagbiruan sa amin. ” Meanwhile, Malayao says she is overwhelmed with the simplicity and kindness of Romero. “Nung una, nahihiya ako sa kanya pero super bait niya and simple sa maraming bagay.” Miguel, however, says it is his dream come true to ﬁnally work with Romero. “I am amazed na naka-work ko na siya kasi dati nababasa ko lang siya sa magazines and napapanood sa movies. Kaya I’m very happy every taping namin.” Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko will feature different stories ﬁlled with values and lessons depicted in a playful manner that children and adults alike will love. The show will also feature celebrity guests and will have Marian Rivera-Dantes as special guest for its pilot episode.

#Julianella on the rise

Dempster Samarista

Shireen Seno

Richard Somes

2017 Cinema One Originals finalists EXPECT a broader Cinema One Originals Film Festival this 2017 with seven feature films selected as this year’s competition finalists -- Nay, Nervous Translation, Throwback Thursday, Changing Partners, Historiographika Errata, Paki, and Si Chedeng, Si Apple, Si Louis Vuitton -- all chosen to deliver fresh stories with poignant, hilarious and extraordinary accounts that will touch the lives of more diverse audiences and make the festival more enjoyable than ever. Brilliant young Filipino directors are bringing in never-before-seen chronicles in the much-awaited Cinema One Originals full-length film competition. Director Kip Oebanda goes for the supernatural as he makes a film about a rich, sheltered youth who gets to be transformed into an aswang by his yaya, Nay Luisa, in Nay. Shireen Seno’s Nervous Translation is about a shy eight-year old Yaelm who lives in her own private world. One day, she discovers a pen that can translate the thoughts and feelings of nervous people. In Throwback Thursday, director Joseph Teoxon and writer Pertee Brinas highlight the misadventures of Primo, a gifted production designer unprepared for the harsh realities of the real world. While trying to make ends meet at the peak of his misfortunes, he experiences a technical glitch with his old desktop computer and gets a chance to rewrite his life.

From fantasy to reality, this year’s Cinema One Originals entries also include Changing Partners by Dan Villegas, a round robin, genderswitching falling out of love story of a GenX-er to a millennial. Written by Erlito Reyes and Vincent de Jesus, it is an adaptation of the play by De Jesus, and a realistic take on why relationships do not last. Historical mosaics will be the highlight of Richard Somes’ Historiographika Errata, a film with characters depicting the Philippines’ damaged culture such as a disillusioned and suicidal Rizal, a cross-dressing Bonifacio, an exKatipunero who joins the US army to save his own neck, and a widow whose sex-for-food errands lead her to become the first ever Makapili. There will also be two narrative films to tackle fascinating and shocking adventures of women in their twilight years. Giancarlo Abrahan’s Paki is a tale of an 80 year-old woman who decides to be an old maid and tries to face her children who forbid her to separate from her husband. In Si Chedeng, Si Apple, Si Louis Vuitton, directors Fatrick Tabada and Rae Red bring to light two women in their 60’s who are off to a hilarious adventure. In the wake of her husband’s death, Chedeng decides to come out of the closet. Her best friend, Apple, beheads her live-in partner in a fit of rage. Bound by friendship, the two

women, together with the severed head placed in a bag, set off to find Chedeng’s ex-girlfriend. Meanwhile, three finalists have been chosen for the Cinema One Originals documentary film category, and they will be taking viewers to bygone, revered and enigmatic places. Phyllis Grande’s Horror House features a closer look at Bulacan’s Bahay na Pula, one of the garrisons used by the Japanese during World War II. Here, a group of youth pays their last visit to one of the most haunted places in the country. Dempster Samarista explores what could be a bazaar peddling bizarre mysteries in Bundok Banahaw, Sacred and Profane (for the benefit of the doubt). This docu shows how Mt. Banahaw, with its array of spiritual and superstitious perspectives, might be the perfect microcosm of Philippine society. In Architecture of Belief, Jet Leyco and Camille Aragona will make a fantastic piece on the death of a scientist named Tiffany. Her former boyfriend, John, believes a sinister reason was behind the murder. Launching his own investigation, he uncovers a network of rampant government corruption, global conspiracy and the mysterious world of the illuminati. Watch out for these interesting films and their amazing characters at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival happening on Nov. 12-21.

SHOWBIZ’S rising teen dance tandem is ready to take over the local entertainment world. Online sensations Ella Cruz and Julian Trono, dubbed the Teen Dance Princess and Teen Dance Prince, respectively, for their long string of viral dance video hits, are now preparing two big projects that will further make them all-around stars. The Viva Artists Agency talents have started pre-production work on their launching movie with the working title Fanboy/Fangirl. In this lighthearted romancecomedy, Julian will take on the role of a wannabe actor and Ella will play the role of a Koreanovela dubber who will help Julian’s character improve his acting skills in order to land the breaks he has been chasing after. The movie promises to be a feel-good youth pop piece in the mold of Diary Ng Panget, the blockbuster from Ella and Julian’s home studio, Viva Films. Speaking of Diary Ng Panget adapted from a Wattpad hit, Ella and Julian’s other major project is a TV series based on another Wattpadhit-turned-bestselling-bookseries, Break The Cassanova’s Heart. The weekly series will air on network TV in the third quarter of the year. “We’re so blessed with all these opportunities,” says Julian. “Sunod-sunod ang mga projects. We’re super thankful to Viva.” Ella shares the sentiments and adds that they are both very excited and nervous at the same time. “Nakaka-tense din. (This is a) big challenge for Julian and me to prove ourselves. For sure we’ll give our all para hindi kami mapahiya sa mga fans and supporters namin.” The two total performers have been giving their all. both in their music and also in their hit dance cover videos. They released their solo singles with Viva

Records late last year, the charttopping “Tamis” and “Balang Araw,” and they recently unleashed their ﬁrst duet, “Tumalon.” All three are upbeat tracks that showcase their dancing skills as well as pop vocals. Fans can expect more collaborations between the two for their upcoming movie and TV projects. So far, Ella’s biggest video hit is her version of Fifth Harmony’s “Work It” has reached the six-million mark. For Julian, his “Fetty Dance Craze” has more than four million views. Their ﬁrst collaboration video, “Versace on the Floor,” which was released in February, has garnered over three million views. The tandem is also the featured artists, fronting the PPop Generation of new OPM artists that have been drawing huge crowds of shrieking young fans in shopping malls in Metro Manila and nearby vicinities since January. E x p e c t more from this r i s i n g tandem.