World
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
C3
Trump sacks FBI director Comey W ASHINGTON― President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired FBI director James Comey, ousting the man heading a wide-ranging investigation into whether his aides colluded with Russia to sway last year’s US election.
In a shock move that drew comparisons to the Watergate scandal that brought down Richard Nixon, Trump told Comey the FBI needed new leadership and he was being “terminated” with immediate effect.
Under Comey’s leadership, the FBI concluded that President Vladimir Putin approved a multi-faceted campaign to tilt the vote in Trump’s favor. His snap dismissal, ostensibly for mishandling a probe into Hillary Clinton’s emails, sparked rare criticism from Republicans and allegations of a cover-up from seething Democrats who demanded an independent inquiry. The high-stakes gambit also prompted comparisons to the ill-fated firings that sped the collapse of Nixon’s presidency. Trump’s decision to fire the FBI director is virtually unprecedented, only one director has previously been fired in the bureau’s century-long history. In a letter circulated by the White
House, Trump told Comey: “You are hereby terminated and removed from office, effective immediately.” “It is essential that we find new leadership for the FBI that restores public trust and confidence in its vital law enforcement mission.” Trump also used the letter to try to distance himself from the ever-deepening scandal over Russia’s involvement in the election. “I greatly appreciate you informing me, on three separate occasions, that I am not under investigation,” Trump wrote. The White House said the search for a new FBI director was to begin right away. FBI directors are appointed for a single 10-year term. The 56-year-old Comey, who is popular among rank-and-file
agents, was appointed four years ago. The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said Trump had made a “big mistake.” “This does not seem a coincidence,” he said. Unless the administration appoints an independent special prosecutor to probe the Russian meddling, Schumer added, “every American will rightly suspect that the decision to fire director Comey was part of a cover-up”. Trump fired back on Twitter: “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, ‘I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.’ Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp”. Republicans, many of whom have fallen into line behind Trump after initial reluctance, also sought to distance themselves from the president.
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 EMERGENCY REPLACEMENT OF ONE (1) 83MVA POWER TRANSFORMER AT BALINTAWAK SUBSTATION,
Power Transformer Bank No. 6 may not be fully maximized for the benefit of customers. The new power transformer with OLTC will be subsequently installed given the limitations of the currently installed power transformer with NLTC. This will ensure the reliability and quality of electric service to customers in the affected areas. 17. Shown below are the projected loadings of the affected power transformers with and without the replacement of the defective Balintawak Power Transformer Bank No. 6.
ERC CASE NO. 2016-166 RC
MANILA ELECTRIC COMPANY (MERALCO), Applicant. x--------- --- --- --------x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:
Notice is hereby given that on 01 September 2016, Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) filed an Application seeking the Commission’s approval of its plan to replace one of its 83 MVA power transformer in MERALCO’s Balintawak Substation.
Table 1: Without Project Parameter Under Consideration Loading of Balintawak 83-MVA Bank No. 5
78%
Loading of Grace Park 83-MVA Bank No. 1
72%
Loading of Kaybiga 83-MVA Bank No. 2
60%
System Loss
1. Applicant is a private corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office located at Lopez Building, Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Ugong, Pasig City. It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated herein.
Retrospective charts 50 years of Pink Floyd LONDON―From guitars to sketches for iconic album artwork, an immersive Pink Floyd retrospective at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum traces the half-century career of the famous British band. Featuring around 350 objects including instruments, musical scores and album covers, the show is the “biggest exhibition ever” about the group, curator Victoria Broackes told AFP. The “Pink Floyd, Their Mortal Remains” retrospective, running from May 13 to October 1, has been timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the band’s album: “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. It was 1967 and the world was awakening to the progressive rock created by the foursome: Roger Waters, Richard Wright, Nick Mason and Syd Barrett, who was replaced in 1968 by David Gilmour. The band’s early days form the first part of the exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, taking in the scene of the British capital in the sixties. On the wall of a room illuminated by psychedelic colors and patterns, visitors can see a poster advertising a Pink Floyd gig at the UFO club, a short-lived underground music venue. “We were living the hippy life, experimenting with LSD, we were smoking cannabis, reading Kerouac,” said Aubrey “Po” Powell, the band’s creative director who helped visualize the exhibition. “They were playing whatever, call it an amateurish way, but in a very English way, a very eccentric way... they were the darlings of the London underground scene,” Powell told AFP, recalling Pink Floyd playing at the UFO club. “I never envisioned for one minute that 50 years later, we’d
be having an exhibition here.” The early years were also marked by the erratic behavior of Barrett, with his sensitive personality, fragile health and drugtaking, which combined did not respond well to Pink Floyd’s growing popularity. Included in the exhibition is a 1967 letter from the BBC, demanding the band explain his “unexplained” disappearance while recording a program. Thought up as an “immersive” and “multi-sensorial” experience, the exhibition allows visitors to don headphones with music and audio which changes as they walk through different rooms. Passing through a room dedicated to the 1975 album “Wish you were here”, the headphones switch between interviews by Waters and Gilmour explaining how they came up with the song of the same name. The track is one of the group’s most celebrated and was written as a tribute to their former bandmate Barrett. “[It’s a] very simple sort of country song. Still, because of its resonance and the emotional weight it carries, it’s one of our best songs,” said Gilmour. A centerpiece of the exhibition is a huge installation dedicated to Pink Floyd’s 1979 album “The Wall”, over which hangs the terrifying schoolmaster who terrorized children in the band’s celebrated rock opera. The exhibition concludes in a vast room dedicated to the band’s last concerts as a full line-up, in 2005, with 25 speakers giving visitors the feeling they are at the heart of the show. The Pink Floyd exhibition follows the Victoria and Albert Museum’s hugely successful 2013 show dedicated to David Bowie, which embarked on a global tour and has been see by 1.8 million people. AFP
Parameter Under Consideration Loading of Balintawak 83-MVA Bank No. 6
46%
2. Applicant has a legislative franchise to construct, operate and maintain an electric power distribution system for the conveyance of electric power to the end-users in the cities and municipalities of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, and certain cities/municipalities/barangays in Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and Pampanga, pursuant to Republic Act No. 9209.
Loading of Balintawak 83-MVA Bank No. 5
53%
Loading of Grace Park 83-MVA Bank No. 1
59%
Loading of Kaybiga 83-MVA Bank No. 2
52%
3. Applicant seeks the Honorable Commission’s approval of its emergency CAPEX project for the replacement of the defective Balintawak Power Transformer Bank No. 6.
System Loss
4. The two main project components of the emergency project are: (a) temporary installation of an 83-MVA, 115 kV–34.5 kV, three (3)-phase power transformer with NLTC; and (b) permanent installation of a new 83MVA, 115 kV–34.5 kV, three (3)-phase power transformer with OLTC.
was awarded the Best actress prize for the film “Le saut dans le vide” directed by Marco Bellochio, during the closing ceremony of the 33rd Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southeastern France. AFP
5,398,578 kWh Table 2: With Project
MERALCO, likewise, alleged the following in its Application:
POSE. French actress Anouk Aimee poses with her trophy after she
“I am troubled by the timing and reasoning of Director Comey’s termination,” said Senator Richard Burr. Congressman Justin Amash, a fellow Republican, described parts of Trump’s letter to Comey as “bizarre” and announced “my staff and I are reviewing legislation to establish an independent commission on Russia”. Comey played an outsized -- and controversial -- role on the American political stage over the past year, lobbing one bombshell after another that rankled both parties in Washington. The stated reason for his dismissal -- according to a memo from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein -was for mishandling the probe into Clinton’s emails, which the Democrat blames for trashing her chances of becoming president. AFP
5. The Application is filed pursuant to the Honorable Commission’s Resolution No. 26, Series of 2009, entitled: “Resolution Amending the Rules for Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects”. Emergency Capital Expenditure projects are those that require immediate implementation during an event that is not a force majeure or fortuitous event in order to maintain safe, reliable, secure and efficient operation of the power system. 6. However, for purposes of recovering the capital cost of the emergency project through the DU’s rates, the same will go through the process of evaluation by the Honorable Commission during the regulatory reset of the DU, unless there is basis for a rate-reopening in the current regulatory period, in accordance with the Rules for the Setting of Distribution Wheeling Rates (RDWR) for DUs.
18. In view of the foregoing, there is a need to implement the emergency project for replacement of 83-MVA Power Transformer in Balintawak substation. 19. The cost for the temporary installation of power transformer with NLTC is Php 1,045,219.20. The same includes the installation of the available 83-MVA, 115 kV – 34.5 kV, three-phase power transformer with NLTC and costs for transformer oil and trucking services. While the cost for permanent installation of power transformer is Php 55,796,508.15. This includes the cost of new 83-MVA, 115 kV – 34.5 kV, three-phase power transformer with OLTC and costs for transformer oil, taxes, duties, brokerage, trucking services and installation. 20. Thus, the total cost for the emergency replacement of power transformer in Balintawak Substation is Fifty Six Million Eight Hundred Forty One Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Seven Pesos and Thirty Five Centavos (PhP56,841,727.35). 21. In further support of the Application, attached hereto are the following documents:
BACKGROUND
• Annex “A” – Emergency CAPEX Project Information Summary with supporting documents: (i) Technical and Economic Analysis, (ii) Cost Estimates; (c) Expenditure Summary; (iii) Cost Benefit Analysis Calculation; and (iv) Gantt Chart;
7. The Balintawak Substation is located at Lot 1, EDSA, Brgy. Apolonio Samson, Balintawak District, Quezon City. The Power Transformer Banks in said substation are Power Transformer Banks Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 7,which have a rating of 230kV-115kV, and Power Transformer Bank Nos. 4, 5 and 6, which have a 115kV-34.5kV rating. However, Power Transformer Bank Nos. 4, 5 and 6 are only drawing power from Bank Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 7.
• Annex “B” – Documents showing the results of tests conducted on Power Transformer Bank No. 6; and • Annex “C” – Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Mario delos Reyes, Manager and Head of Applicant’s Substation Services Asset Management Office.
8. On 20 June 2016, Balintawak Power Transformer Bank No. 6 was tripped out by transformer differential relay through its lockout relay due to exploded secondary bushing (X3). 9. On 21 June 2016, the power transformer was immediately subjected to initial test after replacing H1, H2, H3 and X3 bushings, secondary lightning arresters and insulators from both the transformer and 34.5kV switchgear which were damaged due to electric arc and shrapnel during explosion. The test results showed critical low insulation level between Primary Winding to Ground and between Secondary Winding to Ground. As a remedial measure, the power transformer was subjected to hot-oil circulation from June 22 to June 26, 2016 so as to improve its performance and condition. 10. On 27 June 2016, final confirmatory electrical test was conducted. Based from the results of the tests, the power transformer was no longer safe to be energized and was declared for replacement due to the following significant findings: (a) High % Insulation Power Factor (IPF) on H-G and X-G windings; (b) Increased in dielectric watts loss of H-G and X-G winding insulations; (c) Low insulation resistance on H-G and X-G windings; (d) Low insulation resistance between core and ground; and (e) Increased in primary excitation current in all phases as compared to the previous test results. 11. Accordingly, from 20 June to 28 June 2016, the loads of Balintawak Transformer Bank No. 6 had to be transferred to adjacent power transformers with 115kV-34.5kV rating namely, Balintawak 83-MVA Bank No. 5, Sta. Mesa 83-MVA Bank Nos. 5 and 7, Bagbaguin 83-MVA Bank No. 1, Diliman 83-MVA Bank No. 3, Kamuning 83-MVA Bank No. 2, Grace Park 83-MVA Bank No. 1 and Kaybiga 83-MVA Bank No. 2. 12. However, when Banawe Substation was commissioned on 29 June 2016, Banawe power transformer bank was able to permanently accommodate at normal load level the portion of loads of Balintawak Transformer Bank No. 6 that were previously transferred to Sta. Mesa 83MVA Bank Nos. 5 and 7, Bagbaguin 83-MVA Bank No. 1, Diliman 83-MVA Bank No. 3, Kamuning 83-MVA Bank No. 2. 13. Nonetheless, there was still a need to temporarily shift the other remaining portion of loads of the Balintawak Power Transformer Bank No. 6 to adjacent power transformers particularly, Balintawak 83-MVA Bank No. 5, Grace Park 83-MVA Bank No. 1 and Kaybiga 83-MVA Bank No. 2. 14. With such a set-up, Balintawak Bank No. 5 at and Grace Park 83-MVA Bank No. 1 were operating at critical level at 78% and 72% respectively. With the critical loading of the said power transformers, any outage of these power transformers may result to prolonged and massive interruption in the affected areas. In particular, the same will adversely affect the supply of electricity to customers in said areas which include Universal Steel Smelting Corp., Inc., Trinoma North Triangle Depot Commercial Corp., Light Rail Rectifier Substations, Maynilad and Manila Central University Hospital. 15. Considering the adverse effect of shifting the loads of said failed power transformer to the adjacent power transformers, a stop gap measure had to be undertaken. Hence, Applicant was constrained to use an available 83-MVA Power Transformer with No-Load Tap Changer (NLTC) to temporarily replace the defective transformer, pending the acquisition of a new power transformer with OLTC from abroad. The temporary replacement power transformer was energized on 10 July 2016. 16. However, there is a need to replace the power transformer with NLTC with a new power transformer with OLTC considering that the same is incapable of providing flexibility for tying and carrying the feeder loads served by the adjacent power transformers. Hence, voltage regulation problems may be experienced by customers and the load capacity of
4,989,142 kWh
PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed to this Honorable Commission that the Applicant’s emergency replacement of power transformer at the Balintawak Substation be APPROVED. Other relief just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for. The Commission has set the said Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 24 May 2017 at one o’clock in the afternoon (1:00 P.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i.
The petitioner’s name and address;
ii. 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 iii. A statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR,and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALEASIRIT,and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,Energy Regulatory Commission,this 6thday of March 2017 at Pasig City. ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO (MS-APR 27/MAY 4, 2017)