Manila Standard - 2018 July 30 - Monday

House revamp: Five panel heads at stake

By Rio N. Araja THE House of Representatives on Sunday said a revamp, including the election of a new majority floor leader and four to five committee chairpersons, will start today.

Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya Jr., however, did not identify who would succeed Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

“Four to five committee chairpersons will have to be replaced,” he told radio dzBB.

SUPER HEROES.

Cos-player in ‘Superman’ outfit lifts a jeepney at the Super Toy Collection, an exhibit of toys and memorabilia at the Ocean Park Manila during the weekend. Below, participants don their costumes of comic book heroes leaving the crowd in awe during the 4th AsiaPop ComicCon held at the SMX in Pasay City. Norman Cruz and Ey Acasio

He also said House Secretary General Cesar Strait Pareja and House sergeant-at-arms (ret.)

Lt. Gen. Roland Detabali would have to be go.

“Those are the positions that have to replaced,” he said.

A congressional source said Andaya and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, a cousin of Fariñas, were being considered for majority leader.

Two of the five committees that would be revamped are those on justice, headed by Oriental Mindoro Reynaldo Umali, Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 165 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Duterte sets caucus to unify PDP Laban

By Nat Mariano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will call a caucus to unite factions within his PDPLaban, his top aide, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, said Sunday.

NBI joins hunt for four ex-lawmakers THE National Bureau of Investigation will help in locating and serving arrest warrants issued by a lower court against former party-list representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna, Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis and Liza Maza of Gabriela.

“As a law enforcement agency the NBI will help, in compliance with a warrant duly issued by the court,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, referring to the warrants signed by regional trial court Judge Evelyn Atienza-Turla of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija on July 11.

“All warrants of arrest are addressed to all law enforcement officers, including the NBI, commanding them to arrest the person accused wherever the latter may be found,” Guevarra said.

Maza is the incumbent chairperson of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, while Mariano was a former secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Mariano as his first DAR secretary after his election in 2016 but the Commission on Appointment rejected his appointment on Sept. 6, 2017.

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Poland seeking labor deal with PH

A WARM BOWL OF SOUP FOR THE RAINY DAYS LIFE C1

WARSAW―Poland, whose rightwing government opposes taking in migrants, may have to look to Filipino workers to cover a growing labor shortage hurting the economy, a senior official said Saturday.

“We are on course to conclude an agreement. I hope that in the autumn we will be able to at least sign a preliminary accord” with the Philippine authorities, Deputy Labor Minister Stanislaw Szwed said according to a PAP news agency report.

Szwed said Poland and the Philippines were both Roman Catholic countries and so shared many cultural values.

Poland was in particular looking to attract qualified workers in the IT, medical and construction sectors, he said.

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On Friday, a breakaway faction held an unauthorized assembly to elect Rogelio Garcia as president, Abbin Dalhani as executive vice president, Willy Talag as secretary-general and Go as auditor.

“It was only yesterday that I learned of the faction,” Go said. “When they asked me about the assembly and [told me] I was chosen [as the auditor], I told them that I was already the interim national auditor, but this time around this [was] another faction.”

The breakaway group maintained Duterte as chairman.

“I mentioned this to the President. I said, ‘Mayor there are factions in this. You are chairman in this faction and chairman in the other. I, too, am auditor in this faction and auditor in the other faction’,” Go said.

He said the President was taken by surprise at the development.

The group removed Senator Aquilino Pimentel III as party president and Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as secretary-general, but the established party leaders dismissed the move as an unauthorized action by rogue or expelled members.

“This is the party that took the President to the presidency, so it would be a pity if we don’t do anything about it,” Go said of the rift within the PDP-Laban.

Pimentel on Sunday warned against saboteurs who were out to sow havoc and destroy the ruling PDP-Laban.

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Cash transfers seen in excess of P150 billion CAMARINES Sur and Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya Jr. on Sunday said government cash transfers—conditional and unconditional—could reach the P150-billion mark in 2019.

He said the budget proposed for four cash transfer programs—the 4Ps or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (P88.1 billion), the Unconditional Cash Transfer (UCT) from TRAIN Law (P37.6 billion), the Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (P23.2 billion), and Pantawid Pasada Program for Public Utility Vehicle drivers (P3.9 billion)—is at P152.8 billion in 2019.

“But if we will compute other entitlement programs that will provide subsidy to certain sectors, which will not be coursed directly to them, but they will benefit from, the total funding could reach double that amount,” he said.

Even if the cost could be that high, he said, “it is justified because this is retail spending which improves public welNext page fare.”

President Rodrigo Duterte

Garcia

Pimentel

JBC vows no repeat of Sereno

By Rey E. Requejo THE Judicial and Bar Council will ensure that the next chief justice will be eligible and will meet all constitutional and documentary requirements before being shortlisted for the most coveted post in the judiciary, an official said Sunday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC, said the seven-member council would have to make sure that the nominees

to be shortlisted for top judicial post left vacant by the removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno were not only qualified and eligible but also honest to prevent a repeat of the Sereno ouster through quo warranto proceedings.

Guevarra said the JBC members would be more circumspect in vetting the aspirants to the post, and would make sure the nominees met all constitutional and documentary requirements, Next page

Indonesian quake kills 14, injures 162 LOMBOK, Indonesia—A powerful earthquake which struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday killed at least 14 people, injured scores and damaged thousands of homes, officials said.

Five children were among those killed by the shallow 6.4-magnitude earlymorning quake, which sent people running outside in panic and triggered landslides on popular mountain hiking routes.

Scores of aftershocks sparked fear among survivors. More than 120 were

recorded, the biggest with a magnitude of 5.7, Indonesia’s meteorology agency said.

Local officials have declared a threeday state of emergency. President Joko Widodo is due to visit the island Monday morning, his spokesman said.

“Based on reports, 14 people died, 162 were injured and thousands of homes were damaged,” Indonesian disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement, adding that five of the dead were children. Next page

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News

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

3 accused lose bid to turn witness in massacre case

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained its decision disallowing three of the accused in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre case from being used as state witnesses.

The court’s Special Former Special Thirteenth Division denied the partial motion for reconsideration filed by government prosecutors seeking the reversal of its May 27, 2015 decision.

That decision upheld the ruling of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221, where Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes, who was trying the Maguindanao massacre case, turned down the motion of the Justice department to drop Police Insp. Rex Ariel Diongon, PO1 Rainier Ebus and Mohammad Sangki as accused in the case and turn them into state witnesses.

“The arguments raised by petitioner in its motion have already been judiciously considered before we rendered our judgment, as these were among the issues presented in their petition,” says the court’s resolution written by Associate Justice Ramon Cruz.

“The motion has not raised any new substantial legitimate ground or reason which would warrant a modification, much less a reversal, of our decision.”

The appellate court said the decision whether to admit or not an accused as a state witness relied solely on the judge handling the case.

It said that while the prosecution had control over the witnesses it would present and the application for the discharge of the three accused, the trial court had already acquired jurisdiction over them upon their arraignment.

Besides, the appellate court said, the discharge of the accused to become state witnesses was not necessary.

It agreed with Judge Reyes that their testimonies were substantially the same with witnesses Raul Sangki, Norodin Zailon Mauyag, Akmad Abubakar Esmael and Lakmodin Saliao.

The court also gave credence to the findings of the lower court that there were other prosecution witnesses who could testify on the commission of the crimes and the participation of the other accused mentioned by the three supposed witnesses.

“It must be emphasized that the RTC may till reconsider the discharge of accused Mohammad Sangki, PO1 Ranier Ebus, and P/Insp. Rex Ariel Diongon once all the prosecution’s witnesses have been presented and there is absolute necessity for the testimonies of the aforementioned accuse,” the appellate court said.

Rice smuggling cases probed

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USTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would personally inquire into the number and status of the rice smuggling cases pending before the Justice Department after President Rodrigo Duterte warned traders to stop operating rice cartels.

Guevarra made the assurance follow- smuggling cases being investigated,” ing the appeals to file charges against Guevarra said. rice smugglers to deter them from con“The DoJ will evaluate all available tinuing with their illegal activities. evidence and will act accordingly.”

“I’m checking if there are other riceSenator Cynthia Villar recently

urged the Justice department and the Philippine Competition Commission to sanction at least one rice smuggler to show that the government is serious in implementing the laws against rice smuggling.

Villar, head of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, echoed Duterte’s warning to smugglers to “stop messing with the people” during his third State of the Nation Address.

One of the latest rice smuggling cases filed before the Justice department

“We are not affected. We will just proceed with our preparations for 2019, federalism will proceed and the development of political maturity will continue. Just look at the programs of the government and not politics,” he further stated He emphasized that his ouster as party president last Friday during a gathering in Quezon City was the work of “rogue members.”

PDP-Laban information committee officer, Ronnie Munsayac, said the rogue members would be dealt with in accordance with party rules.

“We have already expelled some of them and after a thorough investigation will expel a few more,” he said. He said there is no need to expel the others because they aren’t legitimate party members.

“Because there is a process in joining the party and many of them failed to complete the process,” he said.

He said anyone can go to the Commission on Elections and see that Duterte is the chairman, Al Cusi is vice chairman, Pimentel is president, and Alvarez, the secretary-general of the PDP-Laban.

But Garcia said his group had opposed Pimentel and Alvarez’s move to swear

in some 300,000 PDP-Laban members across the country in recent months, without going through seminars on the party’s goals, said Garcia.

“That’s what the traditional political parties do. People will join a party even though they don’t understand the party goals. That is why PDP-Laban was established—to discipline and correct the mistakes of the past,” Garcia said in Filipino on radio dzMM. Garcia said he has been a PDP-Laban member since 1982. Duterte appointed him as director of the Development Bank of the Philippines last year, he said.

Garcia also said he tried to air his faction’s concerns but Pimentel snubbed his requests for a meeting.

He also denied Pimentel’s contention that many of those at the assembly were members who had been expelled.

“I dare them to show us that letter of expulsion,” he said.

He also said Pimentel had never been elected to the position, having taken over from former vice president Jejomar Binay when he quit the party in 2007.

The senator, he added, never called for a national assembly to confirm his presidency.

Duterte...

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“Once they succeed in their plot, they will jump [ship],” said Pimentel who noted that he spent his political life in the party founded by his father, former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel II. The younger Pimentel said PDP-Laban is the only party for him and he has been a member for the last 36 years.

He likened the party’s saboteurs to a businessman who buys a brand name of another business only to kill it.

“We should be wary of this kind— those who just joined the party [PDPLaban] and then, we do not know the motive... now, they’re so influential, they will mimic the goals of the party, and then, they do not care if the party will be destroyed. So we should closely watch these politicians,” Pimenel said.

The senator also called on their legitimate members to think about the best interest of the party and minimize the drama and side show. He also noted that majority of those sabotaging the party are non-members and others are not highranking officers,

Cash...

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“If we give fiscal incentives and tax holidays to the rich, and call these foregone revenues a necessary expense, then how can subsidies that will help the poor, and fund their growth, be deemed unproductive?“ he said.

He said to fund free college education could never be deemed a bad investment.

“How can paying for universal health coverage be fiscally irresponsible?

Among the other social protection expenditures for 2019 are the P67.4 billion that government will pay the Philippine Health Insurance for the insurance coverage of poor households and seniors, and the P3.5 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s feeding program for almost 1.9-million children,” he said.

“Other subsidies are in the form of investments. The biggest of which is in the development of the nation’s human capital—education,” he added.

“For basic education, there is a P32.1billion outlay for the government assistance to students and teachers in private schools, in which government buys seats in private schools for students in areas where there is a shortage of public schools.”

Andaya said the free public college will be covered by the P51-billion allocation for the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education. Rio N. Araja

Poland...

From A1

According to analyst forecasts, Poland by 2030 will be short of four-million workers, partly the result of continued emigration of its own workforce to other EU countries and partly due to a low birth rate.

Up to now, Poland has relied on neighboring Ukraine to fill the gap, with a million Ukrainians in the country already and up to another 300,000 expected in the next few years.

The Philippines is a major exporter of workers, with millions employed abroad in every line of work and sending home billions of dollars crucial to the economy. AFP

is the complaint filed by the Bureau of Customs on July 26 against Santa Rosa Farms president and general manager Jomerito Soliman, chief financial officer Dolores Opancia, directors Mary Grace Cayanan and Marileen Avañez.

Also named respondent was the reported licensed customs broker Diosdado Santiago.

They were alleged to have illegally imported 200 container vans of rice from Thailand that arrived at the Manila International Container Port. PNA

House...

From A1

and good government and public accountability, headed by Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

Andaya, meanwhile, said the majority bloc would not interfere in the bid by several groups to become the new minority bloc.

The members of the majority cannot interfere with how the minority will choose their leaders, he added.

Following the election of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as speaker, several groups have vied to become the minority bloc of the House, including the Liberal Paty, with Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo as their leader; the group of ousted speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, and the incumbent minority bloc led by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.

The leftist Makabayan bloc is also said to be in talks with the LP. Quimbo on Sunday said choosing a genuine opposition group to lead the minority bloc would be a good start under a new Speaker, since this would guarantee checks and balances.

Quimbo, an outgoing deputy speaker, said House rules that have also been upheld by the Supreme Court are very clear that only those who abstained from electing former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo as Speaker must belong to the minority bloc.

“I call on [Quezon] Rep. [Danilo] Suartez to give Speaker Arroyo a good start. She has been quiet for a long time.

This is [now] the chance for her to lead us effectively. She should prove to us why she deserves to replace Speaker [Pantaleon] Alvarez,” he said.

“This is an important or great opportunity for the former president. If she really wants to start it right, let us not make things difficult for her. Let us just follow the rules and that is the best start of all things we should do,” he told radio dzBB. Quimbo said his group would be constructive in its role as the new minority bloc.

“We will show her that we will not be obstructionist. We will be constructive.

During the Bangsamoro Organic Law [deliberation and passage], we supported it 100 percent,” he said.

NBI...

From A1

Turla reportedly issued the warrant of arrest based on the case filed in 2006 during the time of former president and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed in 2006 before the Palayan City RTC arising from allegations that the respondents were involved in the killings of farmers Danilo Felipe, Carlito Bayudang and Jimmy Peralta in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Rey E. Requejo

JBC...

From A1

IN A RUSH. Taking advantage of the good weather, DPWH workers lay asphalt on a pothole-ridden portion of Maria Orosa Avenue corner T.M. Kalaw following three typhoons that spawned moonsoon rains. Lino Santos

Indonesian...

From A1

One Malaysian was killed and six injured, the Malaysian foreign ministry said.

“All of them were at the foot of Mount Rinjani when the incident happened,” it said, referencing the spectacular volcano that dominates the island.

The 30-year-old victim was inside a restroom when the entire building collapsed and crushed her, the New Straits Times quoted another Malaysian climber, Khairul Azim, as saying.

Khairul said his own group was unable to leave the Sembalun area because many roads including the main one had been damaged.

The constant aftershocks sparked terrified shouts among scores of people made homeless in the eastern village of Sembalun in the district of the same name, an

AFP reporter said.

Some 200 people from 35 families whose house were damaged or destroyed had pitched tents there. The roof of a health clinic had collapsed and its walls had cracked.

“People are traumatized and too scared to return home for fear the aftershocks could destroy their homes completely,” the reporter said.

“Every time there is an aftershock they cry out in fear and tremors can still be felt constantly.”

Evacuees told AFP they badly needed blankets and instant food because there was no time to bring anything when they fled their homes.

Popular trekking trails on Mount Rinjani were closed because of landslides, according to the disaster agency.

One local trek organizer described how rocks rained down on two Spanish hikers and their guide as they were caught on a mountain trail.

“My trekking guide who was accompanying two tourists from Spain suffered from minor injuries during the jolt. They were hiking from Segara Anak Lake to Plawangan and rocks were falling on them during the quake,” said Karyadi, the owner of a guesthouse where the pair were staying.

The two Spaniards were also slightly hurt.

“Our guests were in shock because of the incident,” said Karyadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

The epicenter of the earthquake struck 50 km northeast of Lombok’s main city Mataram, the United States Geological Survey said, far from the main tourist spots on the south and west of the island.

USGS said two of the aftershocks measured more than 5-magnitude.

The jolt was felt some 100 km away in the bustling holiday island of Bali, although there were no immediate 1.7reports of damage there. AFP

particularly the requirement on the submission of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth that had cost Sereno’s removal through a quo warranto petition

by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

“There is no new substantial requirement but there will be a more careful screening this time,” Guevarra said.

He said all nominees and applicants would undergo scrutiny by the sevenmember council tasked to vet the nominees for judicial posts, particularly on their proven integrity.

“Surely, the Sereno quo warranto case has taught us many lessons from which we in the JBC can draw guidance in future deliberations not only for the chief justice position but also for all judicial positions that require utmost honesty and impeccable integrity,” he said Sereno was ousted from the top judicial post after the Supreme Court ruled with finality in June to invalidate her appointment in 2012 and grant the quo warranto petition by Calida.

The high court ruled that she was disqualified from the post due to her failure to submit all required SALNs when she was teaching law at the University d the Phillies and during her application for the post, effectively reversing the finding of the JBC when it shortlisted her for the post.

News

Monday, july 30, 2018

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Military chief gets two-year tenure under draft Charter THE draft Constitution endorsed by Malacañang to Congress proposes a minimum 24-month tour of duty for the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.

“We welcome the proposal, which is somewhat similar to our bill seeking to give the AFP chief of staff a fixed 36-month tour of duty,” said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, House national defense and security committee member.

In the draft Constitution, Pimentel said the AFP chief of staff’s tour of duty “shall not be less than two (2) years and not more than three (3) years from the time of appointment, unless sooner removed by the President for loss of trust and confidence.”

At present, Pimentel said the 1987 Constitution does not specify a minimum or fixed tour of duty for the chief of staff, other than it “shall not exceed three years,” except when extended by the President in times of war or other national emergency.

“In any case, we will insist on a flat three-year term for the military’s chief operating officer because it offers greater constancy,” Pimentel said.

Since the 1986 People Power Revolution, or over a 32-year period, the AFP has had 32 chiefs of staff serving an average of less than a year, largely because many of them were appointed within a few months before reaching the military’s compulsory retirement age of 56 years.

The incumbent chief of staff, Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., who assumed office only in April, is expected to serve less than eight months. He is due to retire in December.

Pimentel’s House Bill 3402 sets a stable three-year term for the chief of staff. When he or she reaches 56 years old before completing the fixed term, his or her statutory forced retirement would be deferred.

The bill affirms the President’s absolute power, as commander-in-chief of all armed forces, to remove the chief of staff “at will”—or at any time before the end of 36 months.

P100-b coco levy bill up for finetuning THE congressional bicameral conference committee will try this week to reconcile conflicting provisisions in the proposed measure that will create the P100-billion coconut levy trust fund, Senator Cynthia A. Villar said on Sunday.

Despite substantial differences between the versions of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Villar expressed “confidence that members of the panel will be able to find a common ground.”

“It will not be very difficult to convince our colleagues to agree on provisions that will make sure that benefits from the coconut levy fund will be protected, maximized and will directly go to the 3.5-million coconut farmers themselves,” Villar said.

Senate Bill 1233 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Act was among the priority legislative measures President Rodrigo Duterte pushed during his third State of the Nation Address.

The bill is among Villar’s pet measures to address the need to develop the coconut industry as it has the highest potential for growth through productivity enhancement, diversification, and industry value-adding.

Villar noted that reforms are urgently needed given that the Philippines has the lowest yield in coconut production among Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, with only 4.4 metric tons as compared to 9.6 MT of Vietnam, 5 MT of Thailand, and 6.5 MT of Indonesia.

During the Senate interpellations on the bill, Villar introduced amendments gathered from her consultations with industry stakeholders, among them are provisions safeguarding the coconut levy funds and making its earnings available to support the livelihoods of small coconut farmers.

Villar pushed for a provision that will mandate “the investment of the trust fund only in Philippine government securities to ensure the safety of the fund and for assured returns.”

PEDAL POWER. A boy joins over 400 bikers at the second SM Pedal Faculty 2018 BIKEcation and Fun Ride held at the SM Marikina led by mall manager Don Edward Vijandre and Marikina Vice Mayor Jose Fabian Cadiz. The event celebrates the hobby and promotes its benefits and healthy lifestyle. Norman Cruz

House panel starts P3.7-t budget hearing

By Rio Araja

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he House of Representatives will begin deliberations on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget as scheduled on Tuesday, July 31, Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Karlo Nograles said on Sunday, stressing that the new House leadership recognized the importance of the immediate passage of the General Appropriations Act. “The lifeblood of government is its budget, and as legislators we are aware that we have both the power of the purse and the responsibility to wield this power wisely and judiciously,” said the three-term congressman from Davao.

“A smooth transition was promised by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and in line with this we are proceeding as planned with the per-agency debates on the P3.7trillion 2019 national budget, which commence on Tuesday,” Nograles said.

“Our objective is to pass the GAA on time and to make sure it addresses the needs and concerns of all Filipinos, especially those in the provinces who need more of everything, like social

services and infrastructure,” said the Mindanaoan solon The lawyer-legislator has confirmed officially receiving the Malacañang’s proposed National Expenditure Program from Speaker Arroyo’s office.

Submitted by the Palace to Congress last Monday, the NEP will serve as the basis for the 2019 GAA. Under the proposed 2019 GAA, Education remains the top priority of the Duterte administration, followed by the Public Works department and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of National Defense, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department

Nograles

of Health, the Department of Transportation, the Agriculture department, the Judiciary, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Among the first budgets to be scrutinized by the Nograles panel are those of the Department of Budget and Management, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of Finance, and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The proposed 2019 national budget will be adopting cash-based budgeting instead of the traditional, multi-year obligations-based budgeting system.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front members secure Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat before the consultation.

Senate okays anti-dynasty measure

By Macon Araneta The Senate committee chaired

by Senator Francis Pangilinan has approved a proposed measure defining and prohibiting political dynasties, which he said was among the reforms sought by the Filipino people.

The passage of the anti-political dynasty bill is the change wanted by the people and not election postponement, term extension, or railroaded Charter change, said Pangilinan, chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito, co-author of the bill, said the AntiPolitical Dynasty Bill should be institutionalized to encourage the Filipino people to vote for candidates based not only on their family name, but also on platform, proposed policies, and advocacies.

Ejercito said an anti-dynasty law may be a chance to improve the quality of political parties by increasing everyone’s access to political participation.

“By particularly defining political dynasty, challengers with valuable policy ideas will be given a chance to hold public office. I am proud to say that I have co-authored the SK Reform Act or RA 10742 which contained an anti-dynasty provision,” he said.

Pangilinan said Committee Report 367 or the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill provides for penalties under the Constitution.

Ejercito conceded that it was not easy to be part of a political family and a political dynasty: His father, former President Joseph Estrada is now the mayor of Manila, his mother Guia Gomez is mayor of San Juan, while his niece Janella Ejercito is vice mayor of San Juan.

“I, myself has been subject to criticisms because I have relatives in the political arena. However, this does not hinder me from filing an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill,” he said.

Filipino Muslims hope Bangsamoro law to bring ‘dream of peace’ Members or supporters of the Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group gathered in their tens of thousands on Sunday to discuss a landmark law granting them autonomy, with one expressing hope it would make their “dream of peace” a reality.

President Rodrigo Duterte last week signed the law, a key step to ending a Muslim rebellion in the south of the mainly Catholic Philippines that had claimed about 150,000 lives since the 1970s.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front members, supporters and local residents from various parts of the southern island of Mindanao, including women in headscarves and fighters carrying arms, trooped to the main MILF camp there for a consultation.

Their leaders are seeking support for the law ahead of a referendum on the measure, which creates an expanded autonomous region and is aimed at ending one of Asia’s longest and deadliest conflicts.

“This is our dream. If we end this [fighting], hopefully we can live in peace,” Nasser Samama, a 61-year-old veteran rebel fighter, told AFP inside MILF headquarters at Camp Darapanan.

“Most people want peace and so do we in the MILF forces. What the MILF has achieved is not just for our group but for the whole of Mindanao.”

Muslim rebels have long been battling for independence or autonomy in Mindanao, which they regard as their

ancestral homeland.

The law aims to enforce a historic but fragile 2014 peace deal under which the MILF vowed to give up its quest for independence and lay down the weapons of its 30,000 fighters in return for self-rule.

Under the law, a new political entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region would replace the current autonomous region created following a 1996 deal with another rebel group, the Moro National Liberation Front. AFP

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Opinion

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

Learning from Bush vs Gore intent. Is a dimpled or merely indented card sufficient manifestation of intent to vote for a candidate, and is it to be appreciated in the same way as a fully perforated card?

But what the US Supreme Court argued in refutation of the position of THAT was the year two presidents were the state supreme court is telling: “The sworn in, not directly by the people’s law does not refrain from searching for mandate but by fiat of their Supreme the intent of the actor in a multitude of Courts. In the Philippines, the Supreme circumstances; and in some cases, the Court upheld Gloria Macapagal general command to ascertain intent Arroyo’s assumption of office as is not susceptible to much further President of the Philippines. In the refinement. In this case, however, United States, the US Supreme Court the question is not set aside a Florida whether to believe a Supreme Court witness but how to decision that would interpret the marks or have been favorable to holes or scratches on Al Gore over George Take the an inanimate object, W. Bush. a piece of cardboard hypothesis as Bush v. Gore, 531 or paper which, it is far as it will go U.S. 98 (2000) makes said, might not have for very interesting to see if it yields registered as a vote reference in respect during the machine absurdity. to a dispute currently count. The fact-finder raging throughout confronts a thing, not legal academia: The a person. The search appreciation of ballots for intent can be for the high offices of confined by specific President and vice president. rules designed to ensure uniform The US Supreme Court clearly treatment.” underscored what the matter was: It is that last line that clearly “Much of the controversy seems to suggests that problem that arises when revolve around ballot cards designed one allows divergences from the rule to be perforated by a stylus but which, to establish “thresholds:” The equal either through error or deliberate protection clause. When one strays omission, have not been perforated from a rule on the pretext that one with sufficient precision for a machine discerns intent, then one is burdened to register the perforations. In some with having to set a standard, or face the cases, a piece of the card-a chad is unacceptable prospects that similars hanging, say, by two corners. In other are treated dissimilarly—which is cases there is no separation at all, just the most elemental formulation of an indentation.” unfairness and injustice! It is the The Florida Supreme Court succinct formulation of what it is enunciated what seems to be—and in to transgress the equal protection fact is—a salutary principle: A legal guarantee of the Constitution. vote is one in which there is a clear But, it might be protested, how indication of the intent of the voter. So relevant is Bush in a jurisdiction like we are back, or so it seems, to the always ours where, once decided, a uniform nettlesome problem of determining Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Reason for hope

T

HE enactment of the Bangsamoro Organic Law last week offers the hope that we can finally achieve lasting peace in Mindanao and realize all the social and economic dividends such a peace will bring to the troubled south.

After a brief delay as a result of a power shift in the House of Representatives, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the BOL into law Thursday night.

The law establishes the Bangsamoro region to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and end decades of fighting that have claimed more than 120,000 lives.

The new law will grant Bangsamoro its own parliament, a guaranteed 5-percent share of the national internal revenue, the right to impose sharia law on Muslim residents, and a 75-percent take of taxes collected in the area. Security and law and order, however, will remain in the hands of the national government.

The law must still be ratified in a plebiscite later this year, but the estimated five-million people in the region are expected to vote for it, paving the way for a transition authority to take charge until elections in 2022.

The significance of the new law has not been lost on the international community, which has supported peace efforts in Mindanao.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the law “a landmark achievement on the road to lasting peace in the southern Philippines.”

In a statement, he congratulated the negotiators and all parties that contributed to the passage of the law.

“The United Nations will continue to support the Philippines in the implementation of the law, and to help build the capacity of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority as an effective conduit for peace, democratic governance, and human rights,” the secretary general said.

A spokeperson for the European Union, Maja Kocijancic, said the passage of the BOL was “an opportunity for the Filipino people to embrace peace and stability after decades of strife.”

“It comes after 21 years of formal talks after the first ceasefire agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It underlines both parties’ commitment to peace and their ability to tackle a variety of complex matters through a comprehensive and inclusive law,” Kocijancic said.

She added that the European Union

remained a “staunch supporter of the Mindanao peace process” and was prepared to support the implementation of the Bangsamoro law for “long-lasting peace, development and prosperity in Mindanao and for the Filipino people.”

There is much more work that needs to be done, however, and the chosen leaders of the new Bangsamoro region must carry out their sacred duty to put the needs of their people ahead of politics. Our national leaders, too, must not waver at the first sign of difficulties that are bound to surface.

The President himself referred to such difficulties in his third State of the Nation Address last week.

“We will need loads of understanding and patience to endure and overcome the birth pangs or pains of the new beginning,” he said. “To me, war is not an option. We have been through the catastrophe in Marawi.

We have seen the horror, the devastation, and the human toll and the displacement of both Christians and Muslims alike…. We owe it to our fallen soldiers and police officers in Marawi and elsewhere to put an end to the bloodshed and seek the path of true peace—a peace that will last beyond this lifetime, and whose dividends our children will reap.”

The road ahead will not be easy, but a commitment to this vision is reason enough for hope.

Casualties organized the “day-after” PDP national assembly at Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City, is one of those faithful PDP’s sidelined by the recent megaexpansion of the “ruling” party.

But what a difference a day makes.

Clearly, PDP-Laban has become THE “revolt” of PDP-Laban originals a casualty of the stealthily executed headed by former Assemblyman yet predictable stab behind Speaker Rogelio “Bec-bec” Garcia of South Bebot Alvarez’ reign in the House of Cotabato is just the beginning of strife Representatives. within the so-called “ruling party.”

This of course was preceded by the They may be pooh-poohed as a rump lesser drama in the Senate, when Tito assemblage of political unknowns but Sotto replaced the “ruling” party’s some of them were with PDP-Laban president, Koko Pimentel. when Senator Nene Pimentel founded Now everyone and his mother in the it as the PDP, back in the mid-eighties HoR who used to sing allelujah’s to when Ferdinand Marcos was still the PDP wants to form a bee-line to Mayor authoritarian leader.

Inday Sara’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago, Bec-bec Garcia ran and won as but the mayor is wisely saying “not just the Unido candidate of a multi-party yet.” coalition, one Rigodon and among 59 musical chairs are assemblymen in the only games a 180-member trapos have B a t a s a n g acquired mastery Rigodon and Pambansa under of. musical chairs are the the dying 1973 And if there only games trapos Constitution. He is anything that was sidelined ought to be have acquired mastery when the PDP changed in the of. was co-opted present “ruling” into becoming Constitution, it is the Laban ng the non-existent Demokratikong party system.

Pilipino by a Political parties merger engineered through the influence which rise and fall according to the of then President Cory Aquino’s political fortunes of their founders and brother, Rep. Peping Cojuangco. keepers have become irrelevant. And The ideological “purity” of PDP the present Constitution forged during married into the traditional politician Cory’s time made the irrelevance support base of then Speaker Monching institutional.

Mitra and Cojuangco. Thus was the From Unido to PDP to LDP to Lakas PDP marginalized, and Senator Nene to Erap’s Lammp to GMA’s LakasPimentel went into an alliance with Kampi, thence the NUP, to the revival Senator Jovito Salonga of the Liberal of the Liberal Party, to PDP-Laban, to Party, running as the former’s vice- what next, Hugpong? presidential candidate in 1992. *** A splinter group of LDP’s however Of course, President Duterte never challenged the late Tata Monching, and played an active role in the PDPdespite their paltry numbers, supported Laban, other than to allow the party to the candidacy of Fidel Valdez Ramos. use his name as honorary chairperson.

Playing around the Laban acronym’s Unlike political operators in previous “mystique”, they called themselves administrations sanctioned if not Lakas ng Bayan.

FVR squeaked directed by the reigning president to past Miriam Defensor Santiago, but strengthen their political party, Duterte trounced the mighty LDP machinery. was above partisan politics from the Since the Salonga-Pimentel tandem beginning. also lost in the 1992 elections, PDP There are pluses and minuses became a small party of a few, most of depending on whether one values them local politicians known only in statecraft over politics more than the their bailiwicks. Bec-bec Garcia who Turn to A5

Historic Chinese town resists eviction for theme park

By Joanna Chiu A YEAR ago, customers queued round the block for Wu Ying’s red bean and coconut ice puddings, but now the 60-year-old has to vault a barricade to reach her dessert shop.

Wu is one of several dozen inhabitants of a historic section of the town of Chikan in southern China who are stubbornly holding out against government pressure to sell their properties to make way for a “heritage” theme park.

Chikan was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in June 2007 due to its

19th- and early 20th-century houses, which feature a unique mix of European and Chinese architecture, clock towers and intricate stone wall carvings.

But locals say the international attention has been a curse.

Last year, municipal authorities announced a $900-million deal with investment firm Citic Private Equity Funds to convert Chikan into a tourist attraction.

Its historic buildings will become hotels, bars, restaurants, trinket shops and cafes for visitors who pay an entrance fee.

Chen Jiewan, deputy mayor of

Kaiping city where Chikan is located, said the project aims to “protect Chikan’s cultural relics” and draw tourist spending, urging everyone to “work overtime” toward a targeted trial opening next year.

Nearly 4,000 households received government notices urging them to move out immediately, with most of them accepting compensation offers.

But at least 58 households have refused and received “final notice” letters in late May. “People were too scared to push back. It is totally absurd that they are Turn to A5

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Opinion McQueen, suicide and the dark side of the celebrity fairy tale WHEN celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion icon Kate Spade killed themselves within the space of three days in June, many couldn’t fathom the tragedy of two people who seemed to have it all.

The suicides followed a slew of similarly shocking headlines in recent years about rock stars Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, Hollywood figures Tony Scott and Robin Williams, to name only a few.

Spade’s demise, in particular, resurrected painful memories of the suicides of fellow designer Alexander McQueen, whose life and 2010 death at the age of 40 are explored in filmmaker Ian Bonhote’s new documentary, “McQueen.”

The feature-length film, which hits US theaters on Friday, combines archive footage and new interviews to arrive at an authentic portrait of a tortured artist with a singular vision.

“Though all suicides leave a trail of desperate loss and confusion in their wake, celebrity suicides make a particularly palpable imprint,” therapist and academic Denise Fournier wrote after Bourdain’s death.

“In a culture that idolizes celebrities and holds fame and fortune high on the aspirational totem pole, the notion that someone who’s reached those heights would choose to end it all is incomprehensible.”

Cool Britannia Born and raised in working-class east London, McQueen—known by his given first name Lee to friends and family—was destined to follow his father into a life of manual labor.

Instead, he was discovered by Isabella Blow, a wealthy socialite with a nose for uncovering raw fashion talent who brought his entire graduation collection when he completed his studies at the prestigious Central Saint Martins school.

An almost traditional romanticism combined with a mischievous, punky side made McQueen an icon of the 1990s-era “Cool Britannia,” a British youth culture explosion the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the Swinging Sixties.

At the height of his powers, he designed stage costumes for David Bowie, directed videos for Bjork and dressed stars from Sarah Jessica Parker and Nicole Kidman to Madonna and Rihanna.

“My shows are about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s for the excitement and the goosebumps. I want heart attacks.

I want ambulances,” McQueen once said.

From his apprenticeship at a Savile Row tailor to his final show before his suicide, McQueen reveals himself to be an unmatched creative talent.

A showman at heart, he sent models down the runway with wolves, used armor and masks to hide some of the world’s most recognizable supermodels, drenched his runway in rain and blanketed it with snow.

He experimented with nudity, constructed dresses out of electrical tape and invented the deliberately provocative “bumster” trouser, cut to expose the buttocks and base of the spine.

“He told them, ‘You’ve got to put your pubic hair in Anna Wintour’s face. It was just very naughty behavior,” Blow’s husband, Detmar, remembers.

At 27, with only eight collections under his belt, McQueen was named the creative director at venerated French house Givenchy, whose signature since the early 1950s has been genteel elegance, embodied by Audrey Hepburn.

But McQueen never really felt at home in Paris, longing for his friends, London and his dogs, while the French fashion media did not share Britain’s appreciation of the designer’s rebel spirit.

Lonely, trapped, depressed He fell out with Blow over money and she began a downward spiral that also ended in suicide.

At the same time, McQueen had transformed himself via liposuction and was abusing drugs and alcohol.

He sold a controlling stake in his eponymous label to Gucci for $50 million but couldn’t enjoy the money, feeling lonely, trapped and depressed by Blow’s suicide—and then the death of his beloved mother Joyce.

He had told friends his “Plato’s Atlantis” spring-summer 2010 ready-towear collection would be his last.

By the time it hit the high street, McQueen was dead—not lying peacefully among mourners in a funeral parlor, nor surrounded by rapturous fans, but by his own hand, alone at home.

A US government report published in June, around the time that Bourdain and Spade took their own lives, found that suicides have increased by more than 25 percent since 1999 to become the 10thleading cause of US deaths.

Some 45,000 Americans aged 10 or older—mostly with no mental health diagnoses—killed themselves in 2016, according to the report. That’s one every 12 minutes, more than double the number of homicides that year.

Celebrity suicides are unique though because they present the public health challenge of “suicide contagion”—a rise in vulnerable people taking their lives after a high-profile death.

“Celebrities, no matter how rich or famous they may be, are bound by the human condition,” Fournier, the therapist, said in a commentary for Psychology Today.

“Their external circumstances might be exceptional, but their internal experience is commonplace—they suffer and struggle like the rest of us.” AFP

Historic...

account,” said Leksa Lee, a specialist in the business of cultural heritage in China at New York University Shanghai.

Holdouts in Chikan, which is in Guangdong province, say the offered compensation of between 3,200-3,900 yuan ($472–$575) per square metre is nowhere near enough to purchase a small apartment in the area.

The average cost of new homes in the nearby provincial capital Guangzhou in 2017 was 20,000 yuan per square metre.

Wu said she and some neighbours who staged a protest last autumn were arrested and jailed for several days.

Around the same time, 60-yearold local resident Lou Kong Ho said, unidentified people broke into his family’s recently renovated ancestral home, looting valuable antiques.

“To get rid of the house would mean breaking the bonds to our family,” said Lou, as he placed small teacups and chopsticks at a family altar at his home to pay respect to the clan’s ancestors.

Referring to relatives overseas who helped fund the renovation, he added: “What reason would they have to come back? None of it will be ours anymore.”

If residents reject the deal, the

issue will “enter the judicial process” and property owners will forfeit compensation, a statement on the Kaiping city government’s website said.

Local officials did not respond to AFP’s questions.

Who would help us?

Paulinda Poon, an American flight attendant who grew up in Chikan, is among the overseas former residents who return frequently.

In 2016, she travelled to Beijing to deliver a letter to the Foreign Ministry about the “unfair” Chikan situation.

Officials there told her it was a local matter.

Poon visited Chikan again recently and was struck by how it resembled a “ghost town” compared to a visit last year.

Coming across a small group of residents on the riverfront, she asked if they had consulted a lawyer, and one man replied: “Who would help us?”

Poon later visited an elderly cousin at a temporary shelter for displaced residents. Inside the intense heat of the metal structure, her cousin broke down and cried.

Her family members had scattered and she hadn’t had a visitor in half a year. AFP

poohed even by a media that cannot see beyond the well-know names, may just be a signal for bigger events yet to morph, and quickly. *** Yet another possible casualty of the power politics in the House is the fate of charter change, particularly the shift from unitary to federal.

The traditional politicians who reign over the legislature will not give up the kind of power they exercise in a unitary set-up, let alone exorcise the evils of dynastic power they have so profoundly mastered under the present Constitution.

While it is difficult to read the President’s mind about the push for federalism at this time, many have been reading portents with the seeming downplay of the federalist push in his third Sona.

Too early to tell, with a President whose mind is most difficult to read, or predict.

*** The PCOO, through its director for content and messaging, Dennis Bryan Ting, sent us a letter to explain the circumstances behind the accomplishment report that misspelled the word “administration,” which we mentioned in our previous column.

“We may have overlooked the cover page due to time constraints. We however made the necessary corrections after having distributed [blasted] it to the Malacañang Press Corps,’ Mr. Ting wrote to this writer.

“Be that as it may, I apologize for the typographical error that may have caused the PCOO embarrassment… the office will be more careful moving forward.”

Sana nga. You guys speak and write for the highest office in the land. Utmost care and eagle eyes are always expected of the President’s press office.

The rule was clear and not debated: Full shading. The moment we start accommodating divergence, how far do we go? Should it be 50 percent or 25 percent? The question is difficult to answer because it should not even be raised at all. The rule is clear. It is not a question of literalism. It is rather a question of risking arbitrariness and compromising the equal protection of the laws by allowing deviations from the rule.

But when the intent of the voter is clear, should not the vote be counted out of deference to the sovereign will?

Apparently a convincing argument— but not really! No matter how sovereign the people might be, they are sovereign in the way that the constitution and the laws allow them to exercise their sovereignty—and that cannot consist

in rewriting the laws for each voter in deference to his supposed “intent.”

Paraphrasing the Bush decision is useful: We deal not with the vagaries of a person’s intent but with an inanimate object.

In legal logic, there are two ways of testing the acceptability of a legal proposition.

First, by testing its coherence with other unquestioned and indubitable propositions of law.

The second, by drawing its entailments and corollaries and watching out for absurd consequences that signal the unacceptability of the questioned proposition.

So, if one insists that the voter’s intent should be respected once manifested, what does one take to be an acceptable manifestation of intent?

If, instead of shading the circle beside

From A4

kicking out all the people in the name of preservation,” complained Wu. Authorities have barricaded some streets, and red banners on padlocked storefronts exhort villagers not to “stand in the way of progress.”

Breaking family bonds Such situations are not uncommon in historic parts of China, with deals cut between local governments and developers.

In 1999, all residents were evicted from the ancient “water town” of Wuzhen near Shanghai, which now charges visitors 200 yuan ($30) for tickets to take canal boat tours of the town.

With vague laws offering property owners little protection, increasing forced evictions have become a major source of public discontent, according to Amnesty International.

Local officials are often under pressure to preserve heritage sites, but the resulting projects “often become so commercialized that they don’t always take grassroots perspectives into

Casualties From A4

other, but this is proof that the President is merely thankful for the support the people (and not one or any other party) gave him in 2016, and wants only to serve the limits of his gifted term. *** Note the timing of the power plays as well. It’s just two months before the 2019 mid-term election season begins. By the first week of October this year, certificates of candidacies and certificates of nomination by political parties will have to be filed with the Comelec.

The deadline is ticking by the day.

Shifts in presumed political alliances have suddenly been discombobulated by the drama in the House last Monday.

And Bec-bec Garcia’s “revolt,” pooh-

Learning....

From A4

“threshold” is applied to all contested ballots? Here, there is no problem of counties or states appreciating ambivalent results differently.

The Commission on Elections, on April 12, 2016, promulgated Resolution No. 10088 and under Section 6 amending Section 40 of the earlier Resolution No. 10057, the rule was clearly laid down: “Using the ballot secrecy folder and marking pen provided by the Commission, accomplish the ballot by fully shading the circle beside the names of the candidates and the organization participating in the party-list system of representation xxx”

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

A5

Champions fighting the #3 killer thousands to millions of pesos,” he said. It is for this reason that patients in the advanced stage choose to forego treatment. The alternative— using a life’s worth of savings for treatment—is not any better, he added.

Like Vargas, Angara believes it PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s call is absolutely critical to institute a for Congress to pass the Universal “systematic, well-organized, wellHealth Care Bill during his third coordinated, well-funded, patientState of the Nation Address last week and family-centered integrated cancer was lauded by the health sector and control programs at all levels.” health advocates all over. If enacted, Leading the charge in the Senate, the landmark law aims to provide Committee on Health Chairman adequate access to health care for all Senator JV Ejercito filed his own Filipinos. counterpart version which, after There is, however, another critical committee level hearings, has already piece of health legislation that is approved the committee report and gaining momentum in both Houses has been submitted for plenary of Congress poised to become consideration. Aside from Angara landmark legislation that is fast and Ejercito, the consolidated version gaining cross party and multi-sectoral of the National Integrated Cancer support because of the universal Control Act, Senate Bill 1850, now fear and rising risk of cancer. The has 14 more senators as co-authors: National Integrated Cancer Control Loren Legarda, Nancy Binay, Frank Bill proposes Drilon, Migz a holistic Zubiri, Ralph approach to Recto, Francis addressing the Pangilinan, long-neglected R i c h a r d Pass the cancer gaps in cancer Gordon, Grace control bill now. control that Poe, Sonny is causing the Trillanes, Win unnecessary Gatchalian, death at a rate R i s a of thousands Hontiveros, of Filipinos, Cynthia Villar, thousands of loved ones, each year. A Joel Villanueva, and Panfilo Lacson. tragic reality that is rising each year.

Outside government, the clamor Cancer is now the third leading for a cancer-specific law had gained cause of death in the country, a ground over the years, led by worrying trend that mirrors the global patient groups, medical societies, picture. The incidence of cancer and other health advocates. What worldwide is projected to increase by began as fragmented efforts, the as much as 80 percent by 2030, with Cancer Coalition of the Philippines the greatest impact in low-resource has evolved into a broad national countries like the Philippines. coalition of cancer stakeholders. Its The proposed cancer control swelling membership indicates a legislation has found many vigorous constituency that counts champions. The first version was filed supporters across the whole spectrum

by Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, of Philippine society. A manifestation who acknowledged that cancer, as a of the extensive hurt and unselective complex phenomenon, requires an menace of cancer. integrated, multi-disciplinary, multiOne of the most important sectoral, and nationwide approach. objective of CCPh’s advocacy is “Cancer poses a substantial making cancer treatment more challenge to our health systems,” he affordable, if not free. said. “It affects not just the patients To quote their position statement, but has a significant impact on their “As Cancer is a catastrophic disease families, friends, and communities.” which pushes families deeper into Rep. Helen Tan, Chairperson of poverty, the financial burden can be the House Committee on Health, overwhelming given that financial prioritized the approval of the risk protection mechanisms are consolidated version of the bill filed limited, and patients often need to

by Vargas. It is now on its way to shell out money from their own the all-important Committees on pockets to pay for treatment and other Appropriations, chaired by Rep. costs, such as medical supplies, food, Karlo Nograles, and Ways and Means, and transportation. chaired by Rep. Dax Cua. Very soon Evidence shows that after12 the bill will reach second reading months, cancer leads to the financial with 200 members of the house as co- catastrophe of more than 56 percent authors, more are expected to sign on. of households. Add to this the Senator Sonny Angara, who had overwhelming economic, social costs filed the counterpart Cancer Control and losses in productivity and income bill in the upper house, had long for both the patients and his circle emphasized the social dimension of a of benefactors. For poor and even disease like cancer. Like Vargas, he’s middle-class sectors, studies show called on the government to institute that abandonment of treatment to be “an integrated and comprehensive as high as 75 percent. approach [on cancer] to bridge the The facts are so compelling and divide between rich and poor cancer strikes a reticent fear that reminds all patients.” of us of our mortality. Fortunately, “We need to develop a system an army of cancer survivors and in which all people with cancer thousands of families affected by the have access to high-quality and catastrophic effects of the disease affordable cancer treatments,” he have found a united voice for a heroic said. While there are many medical legislative crusade that, if successful, advances in cancer treatment, such will earn the personal gratitude of as chemotherapy, Angara said their millions, a legacy beyond political costs are typically prohibitive, and lines and regimes. therefore not an option for the poor.

Let us all join the fight against Increased access to drugs for cancer cancer. Let our lawmakers know treatment and expanded coverage for that the urgency for cancer control preventive and diagnostic services, is undebatable and the decades of he said, are just among the reforms neglect must change now. Let them needed to lessen the brunt of cancer know by your letters, e-mail, tweets, on Filipinos and their families.

Facebook posts, and if you personally “Treating cancer isn’t cheap. The know a congressman, a senator or average cost for a year’s worth of even the President. Kindly tell them treatment could run into hundreds of to pass the cancer control bill now! the name of the candidate, the voter had encircled the candidate’s name, that, to me, would be a clear indication of intent, and yet, would it be counted in favor of the candidate? And the moment one allows this, will one also allow a check mark instead of a shaded circle? Or perhaps a smiley over a candidate’s name? Or even a separate sheet on which one writes the names of his chosen candidates that is attached like an allonge of the Negotiable Instruments Law to the ballot itself? If one considers these scenarios unlikely, that is not argument against the point they make because that is exactly the procedure of legal logic—in fact of all logic: To take the hypothesis as far as it will go to see if it yields absurdity.

Reductio ad absurdum was what Scholastics called it!

The moment one concedes that 50 percent or 25 percent is sufficiently indicative of the voter’s intent, one has already compromised the equal protection guarantee of the Constitution, for the only way that intent can be ascertained is its compliance with the established rule.

To repeat: If one is willing to accept 25 percent as sufficiently indicative of a voter’s intent, why not a check mark? Why not a circle around the name of the candidate? Why not a cheerful smiley? One can very well be as much an expression of the intent as the other—and when one makes an arbitrary choice over another, then certainly, that one has applied the law unequally is undeniable.

The only guarantee that the law is applied equally is to apply the law!

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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News

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solon pushes for disaster response bill Invitation to Submit Proposal for the Supply of Power to Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. 1. Bid Information Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (“DLPC”) is a duly franchised distribution utility engaged in the distribution of electricity within its franchise area in Davao City and the City of Panabo, and Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, province of Davao del Norte. DLPC is in need of the supply of electricity for its peaking requirements to meet the demand of its customers.

DLPC needs a qualified supplier that can supply 50MW of power to commence October 26, 2018, which date for the start of supply shall be subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission.

2. Minimum Requirements of Supply DLPC, through its Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (“TPBAC”), is inviting proposals with the following Minimum Requirements of Supply (“Bid” ): 1.

Required Contract Capacity

Supply of 50 MW Maximum Energy of 438,000MWh

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Reason for Generation Source Plant Description Term of Contract Start of Supply Historical Plant Availability Factor (AF) and Reliability Factor (RF) Load Factor

8.

Start Up and Shut Down Capability 9. Receiving Point 10. Plant Outage Allowance & Replacement Power

Minimum Energy Off-take of 0MWh Peaking requirements

By Rio N. Araja

L

EYTE Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez on Sunday assured the swift passage into law of a consolidated bill that would create a new department that will focus solely on disaster response under the speakership of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Romualdez is one of the authors of 43 pending measures on the creation of a disaster management department.

“I am very much certain that this measure will pass the House of Representatives un-

der Speaker Arroyo,” she said, adding such could help expedite the massive reconstruction in Marawi City.

Under the proposed measure, the rehabilitation of destructed areas caused by war and terrorism is covered.

“The mandate of the proposed department also covers rebuilding of areas ruined by armed conflict and terrorism, just like what had happened to Marawi City,” Romualdez said.

“The Philippines cannot continue to have a disaster organization that only has coordinative functions given its too much exposure to disasters,” she added.

President Rodrigo Duterte already appealed to Congress to pass the measure immediately.

“As I had stated last year, we must learn from the experiences from the Super Ty-

phoon “Yolanda,” and other mega disasters, and from global best practices. We need a truly empowered department characterized by a unity of command, science-based approach and full-time focus on natural hazards and disasters, and the wherewithal to take charge of the disaster risk reduction; preparedness and response; with better recovery and faster rehabilitation,” the President said.

“Hence, we, in the Cabinet, have approved for immediate endorsement to Congress the passage of a law creating the Department of Disaster Management—a high-priority measure aimed at genuinely strengthening our country’s capacity for resilience to natural disasters. I fervently appeal to Congress to pass this bill with utmost urgency. Our people’s safety requirements cannot wait,” Duterte added.

Peaking Three (3) years, subject to theright of DLPC to terminate on an annual basis October 26, 2018, subject to ERC Approval AF is greater than or equal to 95% RF is greater than or equal to 95% Can sustainably operate at low load factor, at 30% or lower.

Capability for at least three (3) times per day DLPC Metering Points Annual planned outage allowance of no more than five (5) days or one hundred twenty (120) hours.

Forced Outage Allowance of five (5) days or one hundred twenty (120) hours.

Replacement power required only during outages beyond outage allowance at the option of DLPC (at contract price) 11. Connection Scheme and other Proponent must submit a diagram of its plant`s Technical Characteristics Connection Scheme with the Transmission Grid,which will be part of the over-all evaluation.

Plant technical specifications to ensure the reliability of the plant and its capability to be an immediate source of replacement power during outages of base load power plants: i.

Physical location and proximity to DLPC Metering Points

ii. N-1 connection to the grid Philippine Peso Price for Generation must be broken down into Fixed Capacity Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, and Energy Fees, or their equivalent including the applicable indexation and taxes.

12. Form of Payment 13. Tariff Structure

14. Other Cost Items 15. Taxes 16. Performance Security 17. Other Terms and Conditions

Evaluation of price offers shall consider delivered cost at any of DLPC’s receiving points.

Other cost not enumerated in Tariff Structure that will be charged to DLPC Bidder to indicate applicable taxes PhP100,000,000.00 As set out in the power supply agreement

3. Pre-Qualification Requirements Parties intending to bid (“Prospective Bidders”) shall STRICTLY comply with the following prequalification requirements (“Pre-Qualification Requirements”): a. (i)

(ii) (iii) (iv)

submission of: duly notarized Secretary’s Certificate showing the excerpt of the Board Resolution authorizing the Prospective Bidder to participate in the bidding bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages; duly notarized expression of interest to participate in the bidding in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages; duly notarized non-disclosure undertaking in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative and witnesses on all pages; and duly notarized written acceptance of the TOR in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages [collectively, (i) to (iv) shall be referred to as the “Pre-Qualification Documents.”]

b. payment of non-refundable bid processing fee of PhP100,000.00.

4. Instruction to Bidders Prospective Bidders may obtain a copy of the forms of the Pre-Qualification Documents at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy Sr. Street, Davao City, or by sending an email request to dlpc.csp.secretariat@aboitiz.com on or before 5:00 p.m. of August 10, 2018. Prospective Bidders shall submit the PreQualification Documents and the proof of payment of the non-refundable bid processing fee at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy Sr. Street, Davao City on or before 5:00 p.m. of August 14, 2018 (the “Pre-Qualification Deadline”).

On or before August 16, 2018, the TPBAC shall notify a Prospective Bidder whether it meets the PreQualification Requirements for timeliness, completeness and conformity.

Only Prospective Bidders that have complied with the Pre-Qualification Requirements on time may be allowed to participate in the bidding and to obtain the bid documents, including the detailed terms of reference and bid procedures.

The TPBAC reserves the right to declare a failed bidding in the event that less than two (2) Prospective Bidders comply with the Pre-Qualification requirements. Further, the TPBAC reserves the right to reject a proposal or not proceed with an award that is reasonably determined not to redound to the benefit of the consumers of DLPC and cancel the bidding process at any time without liability to the TPBAC and DLPC. 5. Indicative Schedule Availability of Bid Documents Deadline for Submission of Comments and Questions on the Bid Pre-bid Conference Issuance of Bid Bulletin/s, if required Deadline for Submission of Bids (“Bid Submission Deadline” ) Opening of Bids Evaluation of Bids DecIaration of Winning Bidder Issuance of Notice of Award

August 16 to September 7, 2018 August 27,2018 August 29, 2018 August 29 to September 4, 2018 5:00 p.m. of September 12, 2018 September 14, 2018 September 17, 2018

Any amendment to the Schedule will be announced through Bid Bulletins.

Unless otherwise expressly specified in writing, all references to times and dates shall refer to Davao time. Unless otherwise expressly specified In writing, the venue of all the above shall be at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy, Sr. Street, Davao City.

For further information, please refer to: MARK A. VALENCIA Chairman, Third Party Bids and Awards Committee Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. Rondez Engineering Complex J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City Tel No. (082) - 2293537 Fax No. (082) - 2213082 Without any imposed formalities, conditions or incurring any liability to any affected proponents, DLPC reserves, at any time, the right to reject any or all submissions, waive any minor defects therein, decide or resolve matters arising from the bid, as it deems most advantageous to DLPC’s customers.

THIRD PARTY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. By:

MARK VALENCIA Chairman, TPBAC

July 30, 2018 (MS-JULY 30 & AUG. 6, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, assisted by Brgy. Chairman Benedict Antimano (right), inspects the ongoing construction of a tide embankment at Brgy. Candahug in Palo, Leyte.The tide embankment—the first line of defense against possible storm surges -- covers the coastal areas of Tacloban City, Palo, Tanauan and Tolosa, Leyte. Ver Noveno

P0.88-m illegal drugs confiscated in Negros Occ. BACOLOD CITY—Eleven people were arrested while P888,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized in three separate operations in the cities of Bacolod and Silay in Negros Occidental over the weekend.

In Bacolod, Andresito Palabrica Jr., one of Western Visayas’ high-value targets under the Prevendido drug group, and

his common-law wife Joan Villasor, were apprehended in a buy-bust operation.

During the operation, the couple sold P1,000 worth of suspected shabu to an undercover cop.

Authorities were able to recover about 25 grams of the prohibited substance with a street value of P300,000.

Meanwhile, operatives of Po-

lice Station 7 arrested five persons in a buy-bust at Bacolod’s Abada-Escay relocation site Saturday evening.

Police identified the suspects as Jessie de la Cruz, 46; Felicidad de la Peña, 53; Alfredo Fernandez, 53; Reize Derla 56; and Rolly Comcom, 30.

Operatives seized nine sachets of suspected shabu, valued at

P78,000, from the group.

Also on Saturday, four persons were arrested while P510,000 worth of illegal drugs were seized in a raid conducted by joint anti-drug and police operatives at a residence in Silay City.

The police identified the four as Alma Aguirre, Alson Aguirre, Rodjilyn Santosidad, and Bryan Serrano. PNA

Mayor survives Murder of PDEA agent condemned grenade attack CAMP Siongco, Maguindanao— Military and police units have been mobilized to hunt down two men who hurled grenades—one at the house of Mayor Ramon Abalos of Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat and another at the compound of the local police office on Saturday.

Lambayong Councilor Carlos Abalos and his cousin, Richard Abalos, town public supervisor, sustained minor injuries following the grenade attack inside the residential compound of the mayor.

The victims were immediately brought to a hospital in Tacurong City.

Minutes after the explosion at the mayor’s home in Purok Pagasa, Barangay Poblacion, the same motorcycle-riding suspects tossed another hand grenade at the compound of the Lambayong municipal police office.

Nobody was hurt in the attack.

Mayor Abalos believes the grenade attack may have been related to his campaign against illegal drugs in his town.

Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, and Chief Supt.

Marcelo Morales, police director for Region 12, said they have already directed their respective field units to help hunt down the suspects who could be members of the outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

Lambayong town is adjacent to Maguindanao province where the BIFF operates. PNA

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Sunday condemned the killing of one of its agents in an ambush incident by unidentified gunmen in Cebu City.

PDEA Dir. Gen. Aaron Aquino identified the victim as Investigation Agent III Earl Rallos, 48, a resident of Labangon, Cebu City.

Aquino expressed his sincerest

condolences to the family, and assured that “his death will not pass without worth as we will continue our fight against the illegal drugs industry.”

“For those who seek to harm us, we vow that for every life you take, we will grow stronger by tenfolds. We will not rest until this is over and we will not be threatened by your criminal

acts,” the PDEA chief added.

Rallos was assigned at PDEA Regional Office VII as Deputy Chief of Operations.

Rallos, who was driving on his way home Friday afternoon, was gunned down by two unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants while traversing Villalon Street, Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City. PNA

BACK-BREAKING WORK. Farmers hold a ‘bayanihan rice planting’ in Brgy. Talogtog in Pangasinan.

Manny Palmero

Du30 to destroy smuggled luxury cars

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will lead the condemnation and public destruction of contraband luxury vehicles at Port Irene in Cagayan province today.

“I will go to Port Irene to de-

stroy the Lamborghini and other sports cars there,” Duterte said in a recent speech.

He said that wrecking illegally imported vehicles is one of his ways to show authority over unlawful and corrupt people.

“As they [cars] arrive and

if there is no consignee or the consignee is fictitious, unknown, AKA [also known as], or aliases, all of them will be destroyed. Those behind their importation have already grown rich from that trade,” the President added.

Sports

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MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sweet revenge for Cargo Movers D

ESPITE all the successes they had, head coach Ramil de Jesus still didn’t stop pushing F2 Logistics to achieve excellence.

His never-ending support and encouragement bore fruit as the Cargo Movers dominated Petron to capture the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference crown before another banner crowd Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center.

It was such a sweet revenge for the Cargo Movers, who marched to war zone eager to gain redemption from a heart-breaking setback in their title duel in the Grand Prix earlier this year.

De Jesus didn’t call the shots to attend to De La Salle University’s University Athletic Association of the Philippines title run, but was still unhappy seeing the Cargo Movers surrender to the Blaze Spikers in a thrilling three-game series.

“I’m here to guide the players and push them to their limits,” said De Jesus, shortly after booking a 25-18, 23-25, 25-23, 25-18 win over Petron to formally clinch the title in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, SOGO Hotel and UCPB Gen with ESPN5, Hyper HD and AksyonTV as broadcast partners.

“When there is a room for improvement and something is missing on their perfor-

PCSUPT Edmund Gonzales of PNP

Ombudsman, PNP dispute UNTV crown TOP seed Philippine National Police and second-ranked Ombudsman dispute the 2nd UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off title as they clash in a winner-take-all match today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The PNP Responders, who completed a seven-game sweep of the elims, hope to use their massive 8358 win over the Graft Busters in the elims as an added motivation in their 8:30 p.m. before an expected huge crowd.

It was Supt. Peter Limbauan, who struck hardest for the Responders with 16 points, six rebounds and three steals.

Aside from Limbauan, the Graft Busters should also put the clamps on Anthony Padua and Joey De Mesa, who were doing great as of late.

Padua and De Mesa combined for 35 points in the team’s 78-61 drubbing of the Senate Sentinels in the semis.

Expected to lead the Graft Busters are Nikki Laure and lawyer Armando Sanchez, Jr. The chosen charity of the champion team in the event put up by UNTV through its president and CEO Daniel Razon will receive P1 million. The runner-up gets P500,000.

“It’s our way of helping various charities,” said Razon, who expects an exciting end to the event for public servants.

The winner will join Armed Forces of the Philippines in the list of champion teams.

Meantime, an exhibition game will be held at 7 p.m.

mance, we are here to help them.”

True enough, the Cargo Movers were on fire in this battle that also has Senoh, Mikasa, Mueller, Grand Sport and Asics as technical sponsors.

Despite losing to Petron to surrender the outright semifinal berth, F2 Logistics quickly bounced back and crushed Sta. Lucia Realty in the quarterfinals before clobbering erstwhile unbeaten Cignal in the Round of Four.

They kicked off Game 1 of their best-ofthree title series on a sour note, prompting de Jesus to light a fire under these Cargo Movers.

“I keep on reminding them when their performance is declining. All of my players have already created a name in Philippine volleyball and I don’t want their level to go down,” said de Jesus.

It turned out that F2 Logistics was just warming up.

After escaping Game 1 by the skin of their teeth, the Cargo Movers erupted in Game 2 as they neutralized hotshot Sisi Rondina while allowing Ara Galang and Aby Marano to do damage.

Members of the champion F2 Logistics’ team flash the no. 1 sign.

Galang, who emerged as Most Valuable Player, unleashed 11 kills, three blocks and 17 receptions while Marano punched six blocks to finish with 15 points in what could be one of the most masterful performances of F2 Logistics this conference.

“We rarely win the first set against Petron so it was really surprising to win the first set only to collapse in the second,” de Jesus said, admitting that head coach Shaq Delos Santos always does a great job motivating his aces like Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Frances Mo-

Frayna makes Spain Top 10 GOLF QUEEN.

Taiwanese Ching Huang (third from left) holds her trophy as she poses with (from left) Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. executive director Narlene Soriano, Cheng Mei-chi, chairlady of Taiwan LPGA and Tagaytay Midlands golf director Rhoneil Cousart after winning the ICTSI Champion Tour, the final leg of this year’s Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, at Tagaytay Midlands last Friday.

MPBL Muntinlupa-Navotas game reset due to broken rim MUNTINLUPA and Navotas battled in a tense match that went to an extra five-minute stretch. But the game will have to be settled until the final day of the elimination round of the MPBL Datu Cup. A broken rim at the Navotas Sports Complex forced MPBL officials to halt the game between the two squads with still 1:35 left in the first overtime with the Angelis Resort-backed Cagers leading, 98-95. Since the court is not playable, MPBL commissioner decided to reschedule the game and continue the remainder of the match on the final day

Baker rips 100m swim world mark IRVINE (AFP)--Kathleen Baker set a world record of 58.00sec Saturday to win the 100m backstroke at the US swimming championships.

Baker, silver medalist in the event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, improved on the world record of 58.10 set by Canadian Kylie Masse at the World Championships in Budapest on July 25 of last year.

Baker, who tied for first with Regan Smith in the 200m backstroke this week, clocked a blistering 27.90sec over the first 50m and held on for the victory.

She notched the first world record of the championships, the selection meeting for next month’s Pan Pacific Championships in Tokyo. The two meets together are the qualifiers for the World Championships in South Korea next year.

The top three finishers all broke 59 seconds, with Olivia Smoliga second in 58.75 and Smith third in 58.83. AFP

lina to have a strong start.

“But my players did not lose their composures. They never gave up. It all boiled down to the heart and mental toughness of our team and our desire to win that led us to this victory.”

De Jesus noted that his familiarity with his wards like former Lady Spikers Galang, Marano, Kim Fajardo, Dawn Macandili, Majoy Baron and Kianna Dy is a huge advantage to their campaign this conference.

Still, he credited this win to one key ingredient: Their heart of a champion.

of the elimination round.

“Bukod sa nasira ‘yung rim, madulas rin ‘yung sahig. Safety of our players should be given more importance.” Duremdes said.

Duremdes added that if in the final day of the eliminations the match won’t have any more bearing with the two teams, they will no longer continue the match.

“Kung may bearing pa, let’s say both teams are vying for a quotient or placing for the playoffs, we will continue the match with the remaining time and upholding the same score,”

added Duremdes.

He added they will issue a memo to the team owners of the Navotas Clutch to improve the playing venue.

“They have to improve the playing venue. Otherwise, we will not hold any more games here,” added Duremdes.

“If madulas ‘yung sahig, ‘yung mga players mag-iingat. It could either result to injuries or dahil sa kakaingat nila, magsa-suffer ‘yung quality ng games natin.”

The game, which went to overtime, was halted in the last 1:35 of the first OT, when a three-point shot by a

Navotas hit the back of the rim and got broken. Michole Sorela’s putback that was contested by a Muntinlupa player, who partially held onto the net, caused more damage to the rim and the MPBL officials decided that the Navotas Sports Complex gym is not completely playable.

This is the second straight game that Muntinlupa’s match was rescheduled.

More than a week ago, the Cagers were supposed to play the Pasig Pirates, but the match was postponed due to continuous heavy downpour and flooding in the metropolis.

Mighty Sports donates P150k to para athletes

NEW ALLY. Mighty Sports officials (from left) Gen. Melito Mabilin (ret.), Caesar Angelo Wongchuking and Dr. John Edwin Sy are shown with PPC executive director Dennis Esta, para-athletes Edwin Villanueva, Roland Sabido and RufoTablang during the turnover of cash donation. The Caesar Wongchuking-led Mighty Sports Apparels and Accessories, Inc. has donated P150,000 to the Philippine Paralympic Committee, formerly Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled.

THE country’s differently-abled athletes found a new ally in time for their campaign in the 2018 Asian Para Games this October in Pelambang, Indonesia.

The Caesar Wongchuking-led Mighty Sports Apparels and Accessories, Inc. has donated P150,000 to the Philippine Paralympic Committee, formerly Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled.

The cash donation came from Mighty Sports’ championship winnings in the 2018 Republika Cup held in Bulacan last April.

A simple turnover ceremony was held at the PPC headquarters in Pasig recently with Executive Director Dennis Esta and para-athletes Edwin Villanueva, Roland Sabido and RufoTablang in attendance.

Local athletic apparel manufacturer Mighty Sports was represented by Caesar Angelo Wongchuking, Dr. Edwin John L. Sy and Gen. MelitoMabilin (ret.).

“This donation will be a big help for our para-athletes in their upcoming participation in Indonesia,” said Esta.

THE Philippines’ first Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna vanquished International Master Santiago Beltran Rueda of Spain to secure a spot in the Top 10 after the eighth and penultimate round of the 44th Open Internacional d’Escacs Vila De Sitges in Spain Saturday night.

Frayna, 22, leapt to a seven-player group at seventh place with 5.5 points, a full point behind solo leader of a threeman group and top seed GM Gadir Guseinov of Azerbaijan and half a point from the five-player chase pack headed

by Russian GM Sergey Volkov with six points each.

Frayna, who is using this European campaign as part of her preparation to play the top board for the national team in the World Chess Olympiad this September in Batumi, Georgia, was playing countryman IM John Marvin Miciano, who battled Shrivatri Anuj of India 34 moves of a Gruenfeld Defense to improve to 5.5 points, in the ninth and final round at press time.

The win also kept a flourishing record for Frayna, who is backed by The Philippine STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte, the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and Philippine Sports Commission.

GM Jayson Gonzales caught up with Frayna and the 17-year-old Miciano after he pulverized Saha Neelash of India to likewise hike his total to 5.5 points.

Ram Christian Agustin

US’ Garcia unifies lightweight belts LOS ANGELES—American boxer Mikey Garcia unified the WBC and IBF lightweight titles late Saturday by overpowering Robert Easter in a 12-round battle of undefeated champions.

The 30-year-old Garcia retained his WBC title and grabbed Easter’s IBF belt with a unanimous decision victory at Staples Center arena in downtown Los Angeles.

“It is a great accomplishment. Now we are back,” said Garcia. “I prepared for the best. He gave a great fight but I was in control most of the fight and did what I had to do to win.”

Garcia seized control of the fight early, flooring American Easter in the third round with a left hook to the chin. It was just the second time in his career that Easter was knocked down.

“We wanted to land that right hand.

It was a perfect punch around the chin,” he said.

Easter recovered from the knockdown but failed to mount a sustained attack outside of using his jab, and was almost knocked down again in the ninth round. AFP

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Sports

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

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MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

Brownlee or Balkman will be PBA best import

By Jeric Lopez THE Best Import for the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup will either be Justin Brownlee or Renaldo Balkman, fittingly.

The race for the award is down to the two of them as both prolific reinforcements were able to carry Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel to the finals despite atrocious starts.

It is expected to be a tight battle between the two good pals, who teamed up to lead Alab Pilipinas to its first crown in the Asean Basketball League just over two months ago.

At the moment, Brownlee leads Balkman in statistical points.

Barangay Ginebra import Justin Brownlee (right) and San Miguel Beer counterpart Renaldo Balkman battle for ball possession during their PBA championship match. PBA The resident Ginebra import was able to compile 54.46 SPs as he led the Gin Kings to their third finals stint with him at the helm.

Balkman isn’t far behind, though, norming 51.03 SPs. It is expected to go down-the-wire as both do-it-all players continue to lead their team as they battle in the best-ofseven championship series with Ginebra second catching error to finish the bot- will surely have a big chance to reach the EMET, California—Defending champion Team currently ahead 1-0. tom of the first inning with a command- finals and maybe win as back-to-back Manila–Philippines showed fine form as it Brownlee helped his bid for his first ing 7 – 0 lead.

Champions,” said Team Manila Softball Best Import award after exploding for And it was at the bottom of the sec- President Rafael “Che” Borromeo. outclassed anew Moreno Valley California, 12 42 points in Game 1 of the finals Friday ond when the Big City Softbelles, “Syempre masaya tayong lahat sa – 0, yesterday in the final day of group competition in night. backed by Manila Mayor Joseph Es- panalo dahil crucial ito at must win the 2018 edition of the PONY World Series 18-U Girls In Ginebra’s last three games, Browntrada and the International Container situation para umabot sa semi-finals. lee has scored over 40 twice.

Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) scored Kukunin na natin ang panalo laban Softball Championships at the packed out Diamond Rain or Shine import Reggie Johnthree straight runs led by Romero- sa Riverside Laces,” said head coach Valley Park inside the sprawling Valley-Wide Recreation son actually had the lead previously but Salas, pitcher Glory Alonzo and third Anna Santiago. with the Elasto Painters bowing out in District here. baseman Madaelene Dumaog, that left The Manila Softbelles, who leads the semifinals, his chances went down the Valley batters, which earlier won Group C with an unbeaten slate, will the drain as well.

Top pitcher Alma Tauli, after a day’s Shortstop Angelu Gabriel started the over High Desert Quakes, in awe with battle the Riverside County Laces, The award will be given prior to the rest, again delivered a stellar perfor- onslaught with a run off a base hit by first a quick 10 – 0 deficit. which outlasted the Coachella Valley start of Game 4 this coming Friday, mance with five strike outs in two no- baseman/pitcher Cleofe Magsayo, who At the bottom of the third, the tan- Chaos, today, to determine the brackalong with the Best Player of the Conrun innings and a couple of fine defen- likewise scored via a steal off a catching dem of second baseman Mary Joy Ma- et’s front-runner for the Finals, while ference where June Mar Fajardo leads sive stops as the 17-year-old native of error, followed by a base hit by outfielder guad and Romero-Salas again scored the other semi-finals match-up is bethe race.

Norzagaray, Bulacan limited the More- Alexandria Romero-Salas, who also had two runs off an RBI by outfielder/first tween West Zone Champion Central Fajardo is expected to win yet anothno Valley batters to a few hits to lead a run off a hit by centerfielder Khrisha baseman Karen Chavez to complete a Hemet Xplosion and the San Bernardier BPC plum despite a good challenge Team Manila to a semifinals berth for Cantor then another by left fielder Jojielyn 12 – 0 win for an abbreviated match. no Blake also to determine which team from Alaska’s Vic Manuel and Globalthe second straight year and boost their Lim off a single by catcher Aliza Pichon, “If we keep our composure, limit our will play in the Championship game, Port’s Stanley Pringle. bid to defend the crown. capped by a stolen run by Gabriel off a errors, and maintain our momentum, we which has also been set today.

PH Softbelles barge into semis H

Perez named Player of the Week LYCEUM is on another searing start to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and much of it is because of CJ Perez.

Perez fired a career-high 31 points to anchor the Pirates’ come-frombehind 82-65 win over Arellano University last Tuesday, wherein they overcame an early 16-point deficit.

The reigning MVP then flirted with a triple-double, tallying 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists three days later in a 94-81 victory at the expense of Mapua.

In two games this week, the versatile forward put up averages of 25 markers, 7.5 boards, seven dimes, and four steals in 33 minutes of action.

With his all-around effort that allowed LPU to sail to a five-game winning start, Perez earned the Chooks-to Go NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award for July 22 to 28.

The ever-humble Perez, though,

deflected credit to Pirates mentor Topex Robinson as well as his teammates.

“Syempre na-inspire ako sa pagbibigay ng kumpyansa sa’min ni coach. Hindi ko rin magagawa ‘yun kung ‘di dahil sa mga teammates ko.

‘Yung collective effort talaga ang key doon kaya ako nakakagawa ng ganoon,” said Perez.

“Syempre ‘di ko naman nagagawa ‘yung ganon (good performance) kung wala ang trust ni coach at ng mga teammates ko. ‘Yung effort na ibibigay ko this season, all out talaga.”

Robinson has nothing but praise for the leader of his crew especially after Perez led Lyceum’s comeback against the Chiefs.

“CJ is really special… You’re gonna love the guy, you’re gonna trust him,” said Robinson.

Still, Perez vowed to work on his game and give his all in his final NCAA season.

Lady Maroons in big debut FILIPINO WORLD CHAMPION. Filipino Kevin Belingon (left) connects with a kick to the side of the head of ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen. Belingon beat Nguyen by unanimous decision to claim the ONE Interim Bantamweight World Championship. ONE Championship

Philippine sprint relay team rule in Vietnam meet

By Peter Atencio OLYMPIAN Eric Cray and his teammates in the men’s 4x100 meter relays took the gold medal in the recent 25th Vietnam International Athletics Championships.

Cray, Anfernee Lopena, Christian Bautista and Patrick Unso, who are getting ready for the Asian Games, beat a team from South Korea by 9/10ths of a second, with host Vietnam taking the bronze medal.

The clocking is behind national record

of 39.11 seconds, but their victory reaffirmed the quality performance that’s expected of the team.

Southeast Asian Games sprint champion Trenten Beram will reinforce the squad by taking the place of Unso.

Unso, added another gold medal to the Philippines’ output, after taking the men’s 110 meter hurdles in 14.18 seconds.

He outpaced Xaysa Anousone of Laos by 2/100ths of a second with Hongkong Feung Cheung in third at 14.24 seconds.

Marco Vilog bagged the bronze after he competed with Sea Games conqueror— Vietnam’s Duong Van Thai, in the men’s 800-meter run, with a time of 1 minute 53.8 seconds, Vilog was 2 seconds behind Sri lanka’s Chaturangga Gallage, who snatched the silver.

Janry Ubas settled for fifth in Men’s Long jump with an effort of 7.52 meters, behind the 7.74 meters of gold medalist Pham Van Lam of host Vietnam.

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines overpowered Perpetual Help in the first two sets then rallied from five down in the third to fashion out a 25-10, 25-12, 25-23 victory and kick off its late campaign in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last Saturday.

With veteran Isa Molde on the firing end, the Lady Maroons cruised past the hapless Lady Atlas in the first two frames before relaxing in the third, enabling the Las Piñassquad to seize control three fourths of the way.

But Molde took charge and the Lady Maroons shattered the 23-all count on a drop shot and a kill, dealing the Lady Altas’ their third straight shutout loss in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Molde fired away eight kills and spiked her game-long brilliance with three aces and three kill blocks for a 14-hit output while seven other teammates scored at least four points. The incoming third year hitter also produced eight digs for the Lady Maroons, who opened their campaign one week after

the start of the two-month long tournament backed by Mikasa and Asics serving as part of the field’s preparation for their upcoming respective leagues.

The Lady Maroons also parlayed the sloppy play of the Lady Altas, who had 24 errors.

Jowie Verzosa topscored for Perpetual with seven markers.

Earlier, Adamson survived two tough sets and repulsed a tough-fighting San Beda side, 25-23, 25-21, 29-27, to notch its third straight victory in men’s play of the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mikasa and Asics.

Geoffrey Alicando and Paolo Pablico combined for 26 hits while Leo Miranda added nine markers and George Labang and Royce Bello finished with eight points piece to underscore the Falcons’ balanced attack.

Franz Amburgo anchored the team’s offense with 30 excellent sets.

The Red Spikers actually measured up with the Falcons majority of the way but just couldn’t unleash a strong finishing kick or neutralize their rivals’ endgame charge to fall to their second straight defeat despite Pat Palattao’s game-high 17 points.

IN BRIEF MB orders closure of Iloilo rural bank THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, closed another financially-ailing rural bank based in Iloilo City, the fifth lender shut down since the start of the year.

The Monetary Board barred Bangko Buena Consolidated Inc. (A Rural Bank) from doing business in the Philippines. The board ordered Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. as receiver to proceed with the takeover and liquidation of the bank. PDIC took over the bank on July 27, 2018.

Bangko Buena Consolidated is an eightunit rural bank with head office at No. 23 Valeria St. corner Rizal St., Barangay Nonoy, City of Iloilo. Its seven branches are located in Bacolod, Negros Occidental; Barotac Nuevo and Lambunao in Iloilo; Buenavista, Guimaras; Culasi and Pandan in Antique; and Dao, Capiz.

Latest available records show Bangko Buena as of March 31, 2018 had 9,845 deposit accounts with total deposit liabilities of P271.8 million. Total insured deposits amounted to P245.9 million, equivalent to 90.5 percent of total deposits. Julito G. Rada

BoI approves P26-b Skyway toll project THE Board of Investments approved a P25.72-billion tollway project that will connect Manila to the North Luzon Expressway in Balintawak.

Citra Central Expressway Corp., a unit of San Miguel Corp., obtained the approval of the BoI after the proponent completed the construction of nearly half of the project.

“They just need to hook it up to the transport system in the north,” said BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

He said the BoI registered projects even mid-way through the implementation phase based on its merit.

The Skyway 3 project is a joint venture between the Philippines’ Citra Central and PT Citra Lamtoro Gung Persad of Indonesia.

Citra owns majority of the project with a 75-percent stake while the Indonesian company holds the balance.

Originally slated to open in January this year, the project is now slated to operate by 2020.

The project will run a stretch of 14.82 kilometers on a six-lane elevated toll road and complete the last of three stages of the Metro Manila Skyway system. Othel V. Campos

Business DoTR approves Cavite’s proposed Sangley airport

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE local government of Cavite obtained the green light from the Department of Transportation to undertake the proposed $9.3-billion Sangley airpot project.

“We just transmitted that we do not object to their proposal provided there are no government guarantees. The provincial government can now proceed.

It means there is no objection from the DOTr for them to implement the Sangley International Airport,” Transportation Undersecretary Ruben Reinoso said.

Reinoso said the next step was to determine the legal framework for the project. “It’s a go. So they now have to comply with the requirements for approval,” he said.

Reinoso said the proponent of the Sangley airport project should secure an endorsement from the Philippine Reclamation Authority and approval from the National Economic and Develop-

ment Authority board for the reclamation component.

Under the proposal, the provincial government of Cavite plans to reclaim about 1,500 hectares of land and to build an airport terminal that can accommodate 75 million passengers a year in Sangley Point.

The DOTr also received an unsolicited proposal to build an international airport in Sangley Point for $12 billion from Sangley Airport Infrastructure Group Inc., a consortium composed of Solar Group’s AllAsia Resources and Reclamation Corp. and the Sy family’s Belle Corp..

The Philippine Sangley International Airport was envisioned to be a regional airport hub that could accommodate

RCBC’S NEW BINONDO BRANCH. Rizal

Dominguez upbeat on rice tariffication bill

Commercial Banking Corp. opens a new branch site in Binondo, Manila.

The Binondo branch is the first RCBC branch, inaugurated on July 1, 1964.

Shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new site of RCBC Binondo branch at 484 Quintin Paredes St. are (from left) RCBC head of retail banking Jonathan Diokno, RCBC chairperson Helen Dee, RCBC president and chief executive Gil Buenaventura and RCBC business relationship manager Sandra Lim.

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III expects the Congress to pass soon the rice tariffication bill after President Rodrigo Duterte last week declared the proposal to liberalize rice imports an urgent and priority measure.

Dominguez said over the weekend that liberalizing rice imports through the passage into law of the bill currently pending in Congress would be vital in helping lowincome households cope with inflation, given that rice accounts for 20 percent of their consumption.

He said the liberal imports would cause inflation to slow down and bring down prices of rice by as much as P7 per kilo.

“Along with a national ID system, the passage of the rice tariffication bill will complement the social mitigation measures we are implementing now to further ease the impact of inflation on poor households,” Dominguez said.

The House of Representatives appropriations committee has already approved the funding provision for the consolidated version of the rice tariffication bill. Julito G. Rada

Galaxy Entertainment, LRWC see opening of Boracay resort by 2021

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE proposed $550-million integrated resort and casino in Boracay Island of Macau-based Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and local partner Leisure and Resorts World Corp. remains on track to open by 2021 despite the implementation of a six-month closure of the island for rehabilitation.

LRWC vice president for legal affairs Katrina Nepomuceno said during the annual stockholders’ meeting Friday afternoon the planned project was not delayed by the ongoing of Boracay.

“The plan has not been delayed by closure of the island,” Nepomuceno said.

She said the company was able conduct needed tests and surveys before the closure of the island in April.

about 120 million passengers a year once fully developed.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said: “If there’s two proposals, the priority is government to government initiative.”

San Miguel Corp., meanwhile, secured an approval from the Neda board for its proposed P735.63-billion international airport in Bulacan.

The unsolicited proposal involves the construction of a terminal, parallel runways and airport toll road. It will be able to accommodate 100 million passengers per annum by its opening year of 2023.

San Miguel’s proposal involves developing an “aerotropolis” on 1,168 hectares and a city complex on a 2,500-hectare area in Bulacan.

The Naia Consortium is also set to secure an original proponent status from the DOTr for its proposed rehabilitation and upgrade of Ninoy Aquino International Airport for P106 billion over a 15-year period.

Nepomuceno said while the island remained closed, LRWC was finalizing the master plan for the project to ensure that it would be environmentally compliant.

She said the group planned to resume the development of the project once the island was re-opened later this year.

The company acquired 23 hectares of property in Barangay Manoc-Manoc in 2017 for the planned resort and casino project.

“Basically, right now... we’ve been working on the initial plans for the resort development. So continuously we’ve been discussing with Galaxy Entertainment Group, with the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and other government agencies,” she said.

Construction is expected to take two years.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

B

SMC unveils plan to build 10,000 MW of renewables

By Alena Mae S. Flores DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. plans to expand its energy portfolio by putting up around 10,000 megawatts of renewable energy projects in the next 10 years, a top official said over the weekend.

“SMC is going to invest heavily on renewable energy,” San Miguel president Ramon Ang said.

He said the investments in renewable energy would include hydroelectric, wind, battery storage and tidal power projects.

“Hydro wherever there is an opportunity, we are interested. We are looking at large hydro, maybe 1,000 MW at least per project,” Ang said.

San Miguel, however, is shying away from solar power projects given their low power generation availability.

“Cost of RE is high, only solar have gone down, but its availability is only 15 percent. In Australia, they invested heavily in solar, but [there] was a power failure everywhere today and they were forced to use gas turbine. That’s why power supply is expensive there today,” Ang said.

Ang said San Miguel already identified a possible site for its first wind project, specifically in Luzon. He did not disclose the actual location.

“We have a report of very good wind profile. Very big capacity may be installed and land for that project is already owned by SMC,” he said.

Ang also said the company was planning to put up battery storage projects.

San Miguel focuses so far in putting up base load power plants. It has completed the first phase of its coal projects in Bataan and Davao.

“We have a responsibility as a major power producer to do our share in pushing for a sustainable clean energy economy, but it has to be done in the most efficient way possible for the consumers,” Ang said earlier.

“With critical mass and better technology, I believe we should be able to strike the perfect balance between renewable and non-renewable sources in terms of the country’s energy mix,” he said.

Petron eyes arbitration to resolve PNOC dispute PETRON Corp. said it is prepared to bring its lease agreement dispute with state-run Philippine National Oil Co. to international arbitration to ensure that its rights are protected.

“We have yet to go into arbitration. I will bring that to international arbitration…[but] I will wait for the decision of the Philippine court,” Petron president Ramon Ang said.

Petron has existing lease agreements with PNOC for the sites of its $3-billion refinery in Bataan, 24 bulk plants and 67 gasoline stations. The company supplies over a third of the country’s petroleum requirements.

Petron filed a case against PNOC last year for alleged breach of a binding and compulsory sale-leaseback contract, saying it threatens to hurt the

company’s operations.

Petron obtained a temporary restraining order with the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court against PNOC. “If we win [in the court], then that’s it.

If not, we will go to arbitration,” Ang said.

He said the TRO nullified the August deadline previously set by PNOC for Petron to come out with its environmental assessment for the leased facilities which are due to expire in August 2018.

“In fact, what we are talking about today, is give back to us our land and our payment. We put that in your name for P115 million one time but now they are asking P60 million a year for 25 years.

That’s almost P1.25 billion,” Ang said.

He said PNOC wanted to remove the automatic renewable clause in the contract so it could offer the sites to other

oil companies, disregarding the rights of Petron.

“If PNOC will continue to disregard its reciprocal obligations on the conveyance of our land, then they should return the properties to us. Petron has invested billions of dollars on these properties.

PNOC’s action clearly jeopardizes the country’s fuel supply security and government’s thrust to develop key industries,” Petron said earlier.

Petron said it offered to negotiate the agreement with PNOC as early as 2016 but it was constrained to seek judicial intervention when PNOC president Reuben Lista announced plans to terminate the lease agreement with Petron on the basis of provisions in the contract allegedly disadvantageous to the government. Alena Mae S. Flores

Metro Retail weighs three regional acquisitions METRO Retail Stores Group Inc. is in talks for the acquisition of two or three regional chains that will enable the company meet the goal of doubling its gross floor area ahead of the 2020 target.

“Right now we have M&As [mergers and acquisitions] that are cooking. If these will materialize, we will probably get to our target sooner than 2020,” Metro Retail chief strategist Jonathan Juan Moreno said in a recent interview.

“Right now including stores in operations, stores under construction, sites approved for construction and sites that are about to be approved, we are at 78 percent. We are very close to our 2020 target,” he said.

Moreno said the target acquisitions were regional malls.

Metro Retail is also looking at forming joint venture partnerships to expand its product offerings. The company is particularly interested in venturing into quick service restaurants, hardware and specialty retail stores.

Metro Retail was one of the participants in the recent business matching fair conducted

by Security Bank and MUFG Bank between Filipino and Japanese companies.

Moreno said Metro Retail was interested in sourcing nice, unique and value products from companies based in Japan to expand its offerings.

“The only challenge is Japanese companies’ [products] at times are priced higher. For us, since we are catering mid to mass market, we are very

selective with our selection of products to ensure that these would not only add variety to our selection but at the same time give us healthy margins,” Moreno said.

Metro Retail is poised to open five stores this year to end 2018 with 55 stores. Another five stores would open in 2019.

Metro Retail posted a net income of P90 million in the first quarter, down six percent from the same period last year, despite the fire that damaged a department store and supermarket in Ayala Center Cebu.

First-quarter sales also went down by 12.1 percent to P7.02 billion from P7.9 billion recorded in the same quarter in 2017. Share price of Metro Retail closed at P2.70 on Friday.

Jenniffer B. Austria

PEMA OFFICERS’ INDUCTION. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. (left) inducts the officers of the newly formed Philippine e-Money Association. Inducted as PeMA officers are (from left) independent director Eduardo Jimenez; treasurer Simoun Ung of Omnipay Inc., vice chairman Zoilo Dela Cruz III of Nationlink, chairman Orlando Vea of PayMaya and president Albert Tinio of G-Xchange. PeMA was organized in November 2017 by Paymaya, GCash, Nationlink Network and Omnipay to establish, maintain and perpetuate mutual confidence and close cooperation among nonbank electronic money issuers.

B2

Business

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market to test 7,800-point level

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

HARE prices are expected to test the 7,800-point level over the near term ahead of the release of second-quarter earnings results.

Analysts said investors were now positioning ahead of the earnings results, which would also provide the outlook for the second half of the year.

Among the companies scheduled to release their results this week are Manila Electric Co., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Eagle Cement Corp.

Papa Securities trader Gio Perez said the market upward momentum was being pushed by foreign buying in the past trading days.

“The next resistance to look forward

to would be 7,800, the area of the PSEi’s high last June,” Perez said.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose for the third straight week, gaining 4.1 percent to close at 7,701 last week, stirring speculation that Asia’s worst-performing stocks might have bottomed.

The broader All Shares Index climbed 3.3 percent to 4,615.

All major sub-indices ended in green led by holding firms (5.31 percent), financials (3.78 percent), property (3.64 percent), industrial (2.66 percent), services (2.49 percent) and mining and oil (0.78 percent).

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said investors were generally pleased with President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncements during his recent State-of-the-Nation address where he pushed the passage of the second package of tax reform pro-

gram by yearend.

The second tax reform package includes the reduction of corporate income tax and rationalization of fiscal incentives.

Foreign investors were net buyers by P1.4 billion, while average daily value traded improved to P5.8 billion from last week’s average of P3.8 billion.

Weekly top price gainers were Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which jumped 13.1 percent to P10.57; Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp., which rose 11.6 percent to P6.70; and ABS-CBN Corp., which advanced 10.4 percent to P24.30.

Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were Del Monte Pacific Ltd., which declined 3.7 percent to P7.70; Manila Water Co. Inc, which fell 3.6 percent to P26.50; and Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc., which dropped 3.4 percent to P2.09.

Wall Street stocks, meanwhile, fin-

ished decisively lower on Friday after a blowout second-quarter US growth report on worries the economy has peaked.

The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index suffered the most of the major indices, shedding 1.5 percent to close the week at 7,737.42.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.3 percent to end at 25,451.06, while the broad-based S&P 500 dropped 0.7 percent to 2,818.82.

Friday’s losses also were prompted by a largely disappointing round of earnings, with Exxon Mobil, Intel and Twitter all falling significantly.

US growth expanded by an annual rate of 4.1 percent, matching analyst expectations, due in part to strong consumer spending, according to Commerce Department data.

The growth rate was the strongest it has been since the third quarter of 2014.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

JULY 23-27, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

59.95 137.00 101.00 2.76 1.54 33.2 6.68 16.32 14.52 3.99 9.61 0.63 1.61 850.00 0.550 74 1.04 11.9 19.80 48.00 88 107 202.8 30 206 1865.00 84.20 1.2

107,310 10,787,170 11,240,600 115,000 209,000 7,416,610 2,600 144,500 2,753,600 8,548,000 3,800 5,000 316,000 30 1,485,000 30,350,630 1,631,000 534,000 100 658,100 1,390 940 9,600 1,068,900 1,218,100 1,075 260,870 10,000

FINANCIAL 6,409,091.50 1,451,446,198.00 1,101,835,534.00 315,840.00 315,700.00 17,659,540.00 17,414.00 2,374,412.00 40,107,806.00 36,150,150.00 36,033.00 3,150.00 497,880.00 25,500.00 791,090.00 2,223,996,625.00 1,667,770.00 6,354,038.00 1,980.00 31,448,485.00 122,310.00 100,320.00 1,833,017.00 31,357,055.00 249,158,014.00 2,006,860.00 21,929,729.50 12,000.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

37 15.74 0.75 1.18 30.05 0.237 102 21.25 3.15 15.52 195 38.6 66.85 91.45 51.8 1.83 5.1 7.7 10.200 16 10.90 7.27 5.08 1.61 15.4 62.5 23.80 7.65 14 2.390 266.00 38.15 4.96 3.32 14.48 26.5 12.62 19.3 0.180 378.00 6.77 2.25 4.17 8.80 5.6 7.97 1.18 12.00 56.3 6.17 4.68 2.43 3.45 1.84 13.68 67.9 5.3 0.132 1.25 131 2.53 2.61 21.00 1.55

5,256,100 2,380,200 42,433,000 2,821,000 697,600 32,950,000 50 33,000 43,120,000 670,100 10 2,408,600 3,110 30 6,250 495,000 2,400 34,855 10,815,600 6,060,600 698,100 1,860,500 9,176,600 28,000 1,600,600 325,280 169,200 417,900 5,587,300 8,739,000 2,050,420 300 245,200 31,000 11,000 3,832,300 1,855,400 19,027,500 920,000 1,562,930 24,900 120,000 384,000 5,424,100 1,024,200 13,400 2,003,000 535,000 1,206,740 450,700 391,000 2,121,000 127,000 2,420,000 317,900 2,494,550 823,400 10,000 18,975,000 4,580,540 4,000 34,292,000 2,300 30,812,000

INDUSTRIAL 192,152,255.00 37,292,822.00 32,897,520.00 3,225,100.00 21,799,830.00 8,922,740.00 5,100.00 717,475.00 386,474,930.00 10,579,168.00 1,950.00 93,649,930.00 208,453.00 2,602.00 324,846.50 908,850.00 12,240.00 681,498.00 111,402,078.00 96,330,654.00 7,555,120.00 13,559,712.00 46,745,549.00 45,080.00 24,622,974.00 20,334,450.00 4,055,860.00 3,098,912.00 76,224,760.00 21,336,830.00 524,477,668.00 11,445.00 1,224,643.00 102,330.00 153,686.00 101,497,765.00 22,980,738.00 358,246,348.00 166,500.00 579,079,316.00 168,648.00 268,920.00 1,590,000.00 47,636,459.00 5,762,614.00 106,294.00 2,387,150.00 6,347,540.00 66,993,786.50 2,757,017.00 1,842,570.00 5,176,530.00 443,370.00 4,434,380.00 4,295,168.00 171,649,267.00 4,362,907.00 1,320.00 24,766,970.00 509,837,175.00 10,100.00 88,836,050.00 48,300.00 46,855,510.00

HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.247 55.00 11.90 0.99 6.03 0.860 0.890 990 6.12 11.70 4.5 4.5 7.20 0.208 974 6.73 56.00 0.62 3.73 17.5 0.700 4.54 0.0370 1.340 2.790 2.60 137.00 2.55 960.00 1.60 261.000 475.00 0.3500 0.216

8,530,000 5,922,550 41,143,700 36,000 2,907,200 207,490,000 76,705,000 1,370,350 5,901,900 16,268,000 2,000 14,000 72,400 30,000 609,220 104,900 7,313,780 1,541,000 15,348,000 21,921,100 73,269,000 197,050,000 27,700,000 4,542,000 2,888,000 51,000 928,620 33,000 1,671,750 683,000 7,910 300 91,870,000 880,000

2,122,690.00 318,039,291.00 489,715,194.00 34,800.00 17,456,020.00 167,866,450.00 64,038,590.00 1,333,000,865.00 36,067,554.00 184,200,666.00 9,000.00 63,020.00 513,699.00 6,240.00 594,199,780.00 628,566.00 395,671,574.00 899,210.00 57,486,300.00 375,122,062.00 51,532,930.00 877,700,800.00 1,040,300.00 6,031,650.00 8,041,060.00 132,600.00 126,470,414.00 84,150.00 1,565,346,950.00 1,082,710.00 2,057,044.00 140,030.00 32,639,200.00 197,230.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’

7.600 0.97 14.50 1.900 0.730 41.350 3.22 4.68 5.5 5.82 0.440 0.92 1.000 0.219 0.400 9.700 26.3 0.600 0.116 1.43 1.23 1.44 4.7 0.590 0.4500 0.500

3,160,000 5,416,000 27,500 250,000 668,000 69,267,400 3,028,000 2,856,000 94,800 4,600 33,370,000 707,000 8,135,000 21,710,000 1,640,000 4,109,200 3,098,600 2,796,000 650,000 41,457,000 5,683,000 48,127,000 127,481,000 54,105,000 10,580,000 15,628,000

PROPERTY 23,842,953.00 5,221,580.00 392,196.00 474,430.00 485,630.00 2,790,106,555.00 9,724,620.00 13,208,560.00 516,184.00 26,772.00 14,499,350.00 648,070.00 7,808,900.00 4,762,850.00 650,200.00 38,208,010.00 80,686,885.00 1,654,170.00 75,430.00 59,690,350.00 6,980,240.00 71,910,010.00 606,266,510.00 31,790,860.00 4,663,250.00 8,003,270.00

JULY 16-20, 2018 Close Volume

Value

59.8 132.00 95.50 2.75 1.52 33.05 6.68 16.5 14.58 3.65 8.60 0.67 1.63 825.00 0.530 70 1.03 11.9 19.78 47.70 88 110 190 28.3 206.6 1900.00 84.10 1.19

40,350 4,030,280 3,787,850 216,000 45,000 995,900 200 68,200 1,104,200 1,063,000 4,100 202,000 1,380,000 610 1,314,000 24,157,990 3,762,000 93,400 100 929,100 10,480 1,170 9,900 456,200 1,959,840 5 32,600 70,000

2,405,980.00 521,465,216.00 362,375,363.50 579,530.00 68,560.00 32,928,355.00 1,336.00 1,123,794.00 16,202,280.00 3,727,880.00 35,168.00 135,310.00 2,303,460.00 502,655.00 682,140.00 1,688,727,589.00 3,839,810.00 1,111,550.00 1,978.00 43,195,260.00 914,234.00 129,014.00 1,883,578.00 13,012,850.00 413,889,962.00 9,500.00 2,760,686.50 83,740.00

37.15 15.9 0.72 1.15 32 0.265

4,420,400 2,503,500 81,739,000 740,000 952,400 28,990,000

161,782,795.00 39,445,956.00 58,324,170.00 858,690.00 30,838,260.00 7,434,840.00

21.55 3.17 15.8

38,000 9,633,000 44,100

841,990.00 30,930,780.00 694,556.00

39.15 66.8 90 52 1.87

2,283,900 20,310 180 1,354,820 135,000

95,349,930.00 1,461,072.50 15,688.00 70,450,856.00 252,290.00

8 10.200 15.9 10.80 7.33 5.13 1.62 15.46 62 23.90 7.34 12.9 2.400 250.00

16,400 11,323,000 1,933,300 82,100 2,951,700 10,098,700 14,000 2,509,400 205,430 124,500 281,800 6,917,000 10,457,000 1,407,720

128,842.00 114,122,518.00 30,718,042.00 881,736.00 21,550,122.00 52,412,199.00 22,680.00 38,092,726.00 12,582,761.50 2,964,150.00 2,082,946.00 90,624,120.00 24,805,960.00 352,600,036.00

5.13 3.29 13.78 27.5 11.72 18 0.182 357.20 6.99 2.3 4.12 8.79 5.63 7.90 1.19 12.00 54.2 5.93 4.65 2.36 3.28 1.8 13.24

21,100 19,000 9,300 862,800 341,200 49,609,900 960,000 526,470 27,600 15,814,000 70,000 2,436,900 2,314,100 13,900 1,800,000 197,000 3,018,520 88,600 466,000 3,510,000 63,000 1,450,000 285,500

106,861.00 62,710.00 125,382.00 23,305,080.00 3,902,486.00 881,000,872.00 178,650.00 187,915,908.00 186,773.00 35,578,930.00 286,530.00 21,404,999.00 12,940,820.00 109,991.00 2,204,030.00 2,359,960.00 169,849,944.50 526,632.00 2,150,020.00 8,063,110.00 207,840.00 2,577,570.00 3,773,876.00

5.3 0.131 1.31 132.5 2.5 2.5 21.20 1.42

888,300 1,260,000 22,906,000 3,756,590 73,000 26,387,000 6,400 32,710,000

4,713,332.00 159,890.00 28,034,820.00 489,191,148.00 183,120.00 65,416,550.00 134,800.00 47,894,350.00

0.245 50.80 11.88 0.99 6.02 0.780 0.780 960 6.1 11.00 4.5 4.5 7.28 0.208 950 5.95 54.00 0.62 3.56 17 0.730 4.3 0.0380 1.330 2.780 2.65 136.80 2.55 890.00 1.57 260.600 490.00 0.3350 0.225

3,730,000 5,147,740 14,917,600 1,000 355,200 105,061,000 17,910,000 878,430 32,650,400 10,889,600 31,000 34,000 337,300 1,140,000 352,740 64,500 6,101,600 3,654,000 6,937,000 19,613,100 38,769,000 129,776,000 16,100,000 8,602,000 3,290,000 55,000 1,107,350 311,000 909,580 1,764,000 20,900 210 300,850,000 290,000

914,710.00 270,646,565.00 453,303,974.00 990.00 2,138,964.00 77,009,440.00 13,312,070.00 841,457,240.00 200,514,098.00 119,835,474.00 139,310.00 156,100.00 2,395,320.00 238,470.00 332,186,935.00 385,234.00 324,530,485.50 2,237,630.00 24,853,070.00 337,602,402.00 27,115,880.00 576,883,700.00 609,400.00 11,247,630.00 9,163,330.00 145,780.00 150,658,844.00 794,090.00 819,466,535.00 2,796,390.00 5,429,722.00 102,240.00 107,628,850.00 65,100.00

7.800 0.96 14.40 1.860 0.710 38.900 3.18 4.59 5.36 5.82 0.425 0.93 0.900 0.218 0.395 8.800 25.1 0.600 0.116 1.46 1.21 1.44 4.6 0.600 0.4400 0.500

4,396,200 6,510,000 18,400 188,000 1,093,000 28,815,900 951,000 1,785,000 163,200 100 9,180,000 106,000 1,270,000 7,690,000 600,000 1,878,700 3,606,300 1,007,000 270,000 19,880,000 5,175,000 39,737,000 26,282,000 215,161,000 11,130,000 6,334,000

33,361,056.00 6,197,950.00 263,392.00 359,550.00 779,020.00 1,093,231,865.00 3,014,650.00 8,251,810.00 878,328.00 582.00 3,946,700.00 96,020.00 1,124,180.00 1,690,160.00 239,000.00 16,607,320.00 90,454,030.00 606,210.00 31,320.00 28,890,990.00 6,288,670.00 57,490,820.00 120,175,450.00 131,561,990.00 4,902,800.00 3,163,590.00

STOCKS

JULY 23-27, 2018 Close Volume

JULY 16-20, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

30.00 3.67 19.64 2.05 3.25 38.05 1.15 7.57 0.770 5.970

500 7,540,000 13,191,900 1,374,000 187,000 28,596,300 14,758,000 2,687,900 144,000 15,958,900

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

14.6 24.3 1.35 0.475 0.046 13.56 5.05 10.58 0.0580 70.9 8.55 7.13 7.20 2.15 27.70 930 1820 5.39 279.00 12.60 3.58 83.55 2.20 13.68 7.90 0.137 3.0000 3.55 14.74 4.25 1.04 24.50 17.74 0.460 4.9 6.7 2.70 2.35 2.35 9.160 11.1 8.70 3.15 117.60 5.59 1351.00 0.350 0.920 45.60 86.00 8.60 2.05 1.110 0.57 5.14 0.760 11.740

93,200 161,600 306,000 12,660,000 32,000,000 91,800 118,300 60,249,000 443,170,000 1,333,100 1,900 5,285,500 16,200 17,000 907,800 210 139,955 219,500 16,710 3,400 4,014,000 8,818,350 225,000 1,700 81,000 33,240,000 38,931,000 253,000 9,715 2,606,000 2,407,000 6,543,800 6,200 20,000 1,702,000 30,029,900 4,064,000 3,388,000 379,000 8,842,000 46,100 218,800 195,000 186,310 7,058,000 307,590 550,000 75,444,000 10,100,100 2,317,450 462,400 43,016,000 6,908,000 212,360,000 23,660,500 8,614,000 9,015,800

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0025 1.43 3.86 20.95 1.6000 1.4600 1.9 0.310 7.55 2.090 0.217 0.123 0.127 0.008 0.0080 1.56 4.39 1.2 0.5300 1.1000 0.0130 0.0120 4.50 10.90 0.0120 2.9800 31.60 0.0061

MINING & OIL 149,000,000 374,300.00 5,667,000 8,175,890.00 466,000 1,815,880.00 50,300 1,052,070.00 15,000 24,390.00 3,000 4,380.00 7,332,000 14,043,440.00 2,890,000 878,500.00 27,600 202,082.00 197,826,000 414,970,170.00 3,980,000 895,400.00 11,980,000 1,462,130.00 2,590,000 328,510.00 2,000,000 15,900.00 13,000,000 104,000.00 894,000 1,383,680.00 2,516,000 11,104,800.00 1,167,000 1,381,280.00 239,000 128,190.00 10,009,000 10,910,030.00 3,001,400,000 38,364,500.00 62,100,000 805,300.00 762,000 3,389,470.00 6,189,500 67,104,904.00 152,700,000 1,726,700.00 728,000 2,129,080.00 7,507,400 241,899,240.00 1,000,000 6,100.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

22.95 101.6 502 102 104 505 5.25 970 970 100.3 1.04 102.5 1030 1043 101 108 976 76 80 75.05 76.7 77 75.3 75.5 75.65 1.98

117,800 400 7,280 157,390 3,280 3,480 168,600 10 6,000 36,140 73,000 10 200 70 15,710 160 26,920 381,500 339,790 647,580 89,230 46,570 147,180 156,480 334,870 5,000

LR Warrant

2.510

WARRANTS & BONDS 1,838,000 4,798,320.00

Italpinas Xurpas

5.27 3.24

6,042,100 3,991,000

First Metro ETF USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

15,000.00 26,859,050.00 257,936,266.00 2,817,130.00 608,170.00 1,065,141,205.00 16,875,000.00 20,218,552.00 109,030.00 95,031,421.00 SERVICES 1,323,280.00 3,705,230.00 413,100.00 5,987,850.00 1,420,100.00 1,235,798.00 597,466.00 625,302,163.00 26,337,450.00 93,651,034.00 16,245.00 38,021,542.00 113,904.00 36,550.00 25,705,865.00 191,400.00 249,969,435.00 1,182,394.00 4,639,544.00 39,350.00 14,379,190.00 719,472,422.00 480,700.00 22,878.00 639,205.00 4,509,720.00 114,584,470.00 900,070.00 145,372.00 11,142,030.00 2,531,670.00 160,585,470.00 109,574.00 9,200.00 7,978,830.00 203,168,103.00 10,895,920.00 7,360,420.00 803,590.00 82,058,511.00 512,188.00 1,801,055.00 652,000.00 21,924,645.00 40,358,442.00 417,043,310.00 193,150.00 70,771,130.00 455,238,545.00 192,327,483.50 3,915,918.00 85,320,490.00 7,736,950.00 117,302,000.00 120,777,695.00 6,422,260.00 105,658,542.00

PREFERRED 2,539,350.00 40,660.00 3,656,450.00 15,945,362.00 341,960.00 1,756,465.00 886,986.00 9,700.00 5,820,000.00 3,609,014.00 75,320.00 1,025.00 206,000.00 72,860.00 1,590,744.00 17,190.00 26,430,560.00 28,994,108.00 27,146,237.00 48,602,207.00 6,755,461.00 3,564,209.00 11,079,218.50 11,814,190.00 25,214,735.00 9,900.00

Value

3.74 19.70 2.02 3.26 37.00 1.14 7.31 0.780 6.000

11,833,000 2,658,300 446,000 73,000 17,686,100 5,746,000 7,208,300 158,000 18,179,400

34,530,910.00 52,335,704.00 899,500.00 234,050.00 651,274,670.00 6,289,170.00 54,526,355.00 119,480.00 108,905,451.00

13.4 22 1.33 0.465 0.044 13.56 5.05 9.43 0.0530 69.9 8.42 6.95 7.35 2.15 27.50 920 1730 5.37 279.00

142,100 494,000 80,000 17,530,000 44,500,000 271,900 5,600 18,266,700 30,670,000 618,940 6,300 7,897,100 14,300 50,000 4,929,700 1,180 67,460 395,300 21,030

1,969,754.00 11,481,260.00 106,260.00 8,524,000.00 1,939,900.00 3,542,258.00 28,370.00 175,250,849.00 1,647,790.00 43,985,224.00 54,359.00 53,357,914.00 96,432.00 103,750.00 144,382,315.00 1,074,100.00 115,665,195.00 2,125,819.00 5,807,632.00

3.71 79.6 2.09 12.98 7.89 0.137 2.9100 3.54 15.14 4.30 1.03 24.15 17.38 0.435 4.39 6 2.62 2.00 1.97 9.150 11.1 8.80 3.45 115.00 5.51 1372.00 0.345 0.880 46.40 83.00 8.28 1.90 1.140 0.57 5 0.750 11.200

8,344,000 3,176,850 56,000 3,200 98,000 29,440,000 24,210,000 722,000 1,800 5,402,000 1,384,000 2,984,000 6,900 50,000 496,000 14,508,400 8,262,000 3,035,000 686,000 17,217,400 13,300 31,800 170,000 13,580 3,950,700 211,380 1,710,000 41,163,000 1,576,900 1,118,270 117,600 140,562,000 2,757,000 439,867,000 7,647,100 14,129,000 13,837,200

30,228,720.00 253,937,758.00 117,050.00 40,948.00 775,970.00 4,040,620.00 68,627,540.00 2,612,450.00 26,546.00 23,296,970.00 1,420,860.00 72,851,735.00 116,978.00 21,800.00 2,144,750.00 84,303,194.00 21,547,160.00 6,334,800.00 1,442,380.00 161,601,044.00 147,360.00 278,260.00 576,400.00 1,598,606.00 21,943,143.00 286,812,950.00 590,700.00 36,353,250.00 72,146,120.00 92,742,073.50 961,032.00 283,669,430.00 3,134,740.00 232,765,025.00 38,080,302.00 10,480,610.00 156,939,462.00

0.0025 1.42 3.92 21.20 1.4500 1.4600 1.9 0.305 7.70 2.160 0.210 0.122 0.126

386,000,000 4,922,000 125,000 70,700 77,000 284,000 15,854,000 3,370,000 5,200 24,245,000 5,530,000 12,290,000 230,000

964,400.00 6,987,460.00 491,550.00 1,500,615.00 111,150.00 419,190.00 29,207,690.00 1,035,600.00 39,437.00 52,513,420.00 1,196,270.00 1,501,820.00 29,280.00

1.5 4.5 1.21 0.5600 1.1400 0.0120 0.0130 4.30 10.22 0.0120 2.8600 31.55

490,000 1,719,000 2,620,000 2,326,000 20,685,000 524,200,000 20,400,000 1,225,000 3,244,300 102,100,000 4,509,000 4,349,800

730,430.00 7,516,040.00 3,151,450.00 1,295,040.00 23,841,530.00 6,797,300.00 252,900.00 5,290,610.00 32,820,527.00 1,194,800.00 13,770,330.00 137,326,980.00

20.7

1,772,000

35,042,019.00

501 101.2 107 501 5.15 998 970 99.5 1.04 102.5 1030 1040 101.8

9,200 95,310 430 2,690 279,800 10,410 4,570 25,610 1,521,000 17,970 1,900 250 2,250

4,631,400.00 9,653,245.00 46,010.00 1,347,785.00 1,440,595.00 10,392,250.00 4,437,905.00 2,545,303.00 1,564,180.00 1,835,340.00 1,958,530.00 260,000.00 230,250.00

76.15 79.25 75.3 75.3 77 75.3 75.45 76 1.98

312,740 80,470 39,570 20,600 85,280 170,020 138,520 59,800 5,000

23,648,285.00 6,357,285.00 2,974,213.00 1,553,840.00 6,500,910.00 12,799,171.00 10,315,535.00 4,507,335.00 9,900.00

2.530

2,173,000

5,571,560.00

SME 32,123,769.00 12,705,940.00

5.35 3.18

4,577,000 11,378,000

23,818,116.00 36,587,470.00

114.4

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 45,160 5,076,843.00

110

26,200

2,889,536.00

10.1 10.1 1.01

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 22,350 225,449.00 14,950 150,217.00 37,200 37,572.00

10.18 10 1.01

35,750 10,200 23,800

360,894.20 102,000.00 24,148.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. `A’ Boulevard Holdings Transpacific Broadcast ATN Holdings A Ferronickel Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Philodrill Corp. `A’ Abra Mining Megaworld Wellex Industries

VOLUME 3,001,400,000 443,170,000 212,360,000 207,490,000 197,826,000 197,050,000 152,700,000 149,000,000 127,481,000 91,870,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Metrobank SM Investments Inc. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Bank of PI SM Prime Holdings Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

I.C.T.S.I. Bloomberry

VALUE 2,790,106,555.00 2,223,996,625.00 1,565,346,950.00 1,451,446,198.00 1,333,000,865.00 1,101,835,534.00 1,065,141,205.00 877,700,800.00 719,472,422.00 625,302,163.00

MPCala set to close P25-b loan with six local banks

By Darwin G. Amojelar MPCALA Holdings Inc., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., said it expects to close a P25.3-billion loan from six local local banks by next month to fund the Cavite-Laguna Expressway Project.

“We are anticipating to close the financing by next month. That’s around P25.3 billion from local banks, around six of them,” MPCala president and chief executive Luigi Bautista said.

Bautista said the company would use the loan proceeds to finance the construction of both the Laguna and Cavite sides of the project. “… part of the Laguna side... we’re already using equity, as you know we have started already,” he added.

MPCala earlier tapped Leighton Holdings of Australia to build the Cavite side and local contractor DMCI Consunji Inc. to construct the Laguna side.

Calax, one of the largest publicprivate partnership projects, involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a fourlane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting Cavitex (Manila–Cavite Expressway) and South Luzon Expressway.

The P34.5-billion expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEx-Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2020, while operations and maintenance are set from 2020 to 2050.

MPCala also secured an original proponent status from the Department of Public Works and Highways to build the P22.43-billion Cavite-Batangas Expressway.

CTBex is a 50-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu, with another spur road to Tuy, Batangas.

The CTBex project is expected to start construction by 2020 and completed by the first half of 2022.

Baiyin of China acquires 5.48% of Global Ferronickel BAIYIN International Investments, a unit of China state-owned company Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co. Ltd., has acquired a 5.48-percent stake in Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. The acquisition is expected to further strengthen the partnership of the two companies after signing a supply contract agreement and a deal for a planned $700-million steel manufacturing facility in the Philippines.

Global Ferronickel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange that Baiyin now owned 307.82 million shares equivalent to a 5.48-percent interest in the local nickel mining company.

Baiyin International said the acquisition was for investment purposes.

Based on Global Ferronickel’s closing price of P2.09 per share on Friday, Baiyin International’s 5.48-percent stake in the nickel mining firm was worth P643.3 million.

Global Ferronickel’s subsidiary Platinum Group Metals Corp. in May signed a supply contract with Baiyin International covering 1.1 million wet metric tons of nickel ore throughout 2018.

The purchase agreement covers a full range of products from low grade ore (with nickel content of 0.90 percent and iron content of 49 percent) to high grade ore (with nickel content of as high as 1.8 percent and iron content of less than 20 percent).

The pricing will be set monthly based on prevailing market prices.

Parent Baiyin Nonferrous is principally engaged in the production and sale of non-ferrous metals and operation of smelting and chemical businesses. It has a total asset value of over RMB45 billion (US$7 billion) and produced over 5.5 million tonnes of base metals over the past six decades.

Global Ferronickel in 2016 also signed a tin cooperation agreement with Baiyin Nonferrous for the possible construction of a $700-million stainless steel plant in the Philippines with an annual capacity of one million tons using lower grade nickel ore in the Philippines.

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Humans HE was the jeweler of celebrities.

REAL In 2013, Nirav Modi appeared CARPIO SO out of nowhere to land on Forbes’ list of Indian billionaires. In a 2017 issue of GQ India, Modi was praised for his “imperious, ballsy core” and his “razor-sharp PR strategy.”

These resulted in his jewelry being placed “on the necks and ears of Hollywood’s leading actresses as they walk the prestigious red carpets.” Modi was attempting to take on an industry that is dominated by jewelry houses of Europe. He was quoted saying, “We’re an Indian luxury brand going global. That’s the opportunity.”

She was named as the “youngest self-made female billionaire in the world.”

First profiled in 2006, Elizabeth Holmes was praised to have designed “a device with the goal of saving the estimated 100,000 people who die each year from adverse drug reactions.” Her device was simple. It was supposed to have the ability to run 30 lab tests with a single drop of blood. She was named by President Obama as Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. She was also invited to be a member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows.

Manila Manilayear, Nirav Modi was accused of orchestrating the bigThis Standard gest banking scam India has ever witnessed. According to reTODAY ports, he took advantage of gaps within the state-owned Punjab National Bank and perpetuated fraudulent transactions worth almost $2 billion. He is now the target of a global manhunt.

Early this year, Elizabeth Holmes was sued by “the US Securities and Exchange Commission for fraudulently raising more than US700 million… through false or exaggerated claims.”

Months after, she was indicted by a “federal grand jury on multiple counts of fraud and conspiracy.”

Business moralists have used similar stories to teach ethical behavior in business. Modi and Holmes, no doubt, will be immortalized as specimens for subsequent “See, I’ve told you” academic sessions. As a discipline, ethics in business has been in existence for at least three decades. Concepts and theories have been developed to explain the rationale and benefits of “good” behavior. These are backed with cases and evidences. A quick search in Google scholar generated at least two million research papers related to the discipline. Universities have programs and departments dedicated to the propagation of “doing good” in business.

In a 2016 academic study, authors Boda and Zsolnai declared that “business ethics as a movement and as a practice has failed to deliver the expected results.” In ‘The Failure of Business Ethics,’ they cited a previous study that likened the mission of business ethics to providing cannibals with forks. The objective is to teach businessmen to “eat their victims” in a more civilized and nicer way.

To induce the expected behaviors, regulations are created as needed to temper and control “bad” business behaviors. At the same time, economic benefits and incentives are granted to those who comply and exhibit “good” behavior. When both carrot and stick are used, it acknowledges that the desired behavior is unnatural and will probably be faked.

Humans rarely behave and act without self-interest. When they act in consideration of others, the intent can be placed immediately under suspicion. This is especially true when there is a corresponding reward for the act. In the case of Modi, the flaws and loopholes in the Indian banking system were too tempting not to exploit. The connivance of bank officials was a natural progression and eventuality. The board members of Holmes’ Theranos is a veritable list of who’s who in US public service.

To believe that every single one of them was misled by Holmes is not plausible. For Holmes, the silence of most, acting out of self-interest, is a tacit signal that she was doing fine.

When success stories are published, they are read as sources of inspiration. And we lap them up. No one ever asks if crucial details were omitted in these stories. An article on livemint.com asks, “What if success is often the consequence of unspoken or inglorious or even unknown and mysterious causes? What if corruption, or even luck, is not merely a contributor to success but more fundamental than that?”

And when these stories turn out to be “frauds,” we become cruel and start heaping vitriol.

I cannot blame Modi and Holmes. Would I have done it differently? Yes, I’ll make sure I don’t get caught.

GREEN LIGHT

Real Carpio So lectures at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He is an entrepreneur and a management consultant. Comments are welcomed at realwalksonwater@gmail.com. Archives can be accessed at realwalksonwater.wordpress.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Department Department of of Transportation Transportation and and Communications Communications CIVIL CIVIL AERONAUTICS AERONAUTICS BOARD BOARD IN IN RE: RE: PETITION PETITION FOR FOR ISSUANCE ISSUANCE OF OF CERTIFICATE CERTIFICATE OF OF PUBLIC PUBLIC CONVENIENCE CONVENIENCE AND AND NECESSITY NECESSITY TO TO OPERATE OPERATE DOMESTIC DOMESTIC NONNONSCHEDULED SCHEDULED (AIR (AIR TAXI) TAXI) AIR AIR TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION SERVICES SERVICES CAB CAB Case Case No. No. EP-183894-HED072018-099-0 EP-183894-HED072018-099-0 MAGNUM.AIR MAGNUM.AIR (SKYJET), (SKYJET), INC., INC., Petitioner.

Petitioner. x-----------------------------------------------x x-----------------------------------------------x NOTICE NOTICE OF OF HEARING HEARING Pursuant Pursuant to to the the provisions provisions of of RA RA 776, 776, as as amended, amended, Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that MAGNUM.AIR MAGNUM.AIR (SKYJET), (SKYJET), INC. INC. has has filed filed with with the the Civil Civil Aeronautics Aeronautics Board Board aa petition petition for for issuance issuance of of Certificate Certificate of of Public Public Convenience Convenience and and Necessity Necessity (CPCN) (CPCN) to to Operate Operate Domestic Domestic Non-scheduled Non-scheduled Air Air Transportation Transportation Services.

Services. The The above-entitled above-entitled case case is is scheduled scheduled for for hearing hearing on on August August 7, 7, 2018 2018 at at 10:00 10:00 AM AM at at the the CAB CAB Conference Conference Room, Room, Old Old MIA MIA Road, Road, Pasay Pasay City City before before the the undersigned, undersigned, wherein wherein the the applicant applicant shall shall present present relevant relevant evidence. evidence. Pre-marking Pre-marking and and comparison comparison of of documents documents to to be be presented presented during during the the hearing hearing shall shall be be on on July July 31, 31, 2018 2018 at at 10:00 10:00 AM, AM, three three (3) (3) days days thereafter, thereafter, Applicant Applicant shall shall submit submit the the marked marked documents documents together together with with the the scanned scanned copy copy to to Hearing Hearing Examiners’ Examiners’ Division Division (HED) (HED) in in accordance accordance to to CAB CAB Resolution Resolution No.6 No.6 (BM (BM 01-01-27-2016) 01-01-27-2016) dated dated January January 27, 27, 2016, 2016, otherwise otherwise known known as as Less Less Paper Paper Transaction Transaction of of CAB. CAB. The The applicant applicant is is hereby hereby required required to to have have this this Notice Notice of of Hearing Hearing published published at at least least once once aa week week for for three three (3) (3) consecutive consecutive weeks weeks in in aa broadsheet broadsheet newspaper newspaper of of national national circulation. circulation. The The Notice Notice of of Hearing Hearing and and the the Application Application shall shall be be served, served, by by this this Office, Office, to to all all concerned concerned parties/airlines, parties/airlines, either either by by facsimile facsimile or or electronic electronic mail, mail, in in compliance compliance with with CAB CAB Board Board Resolution Resolution No. No. 97 97 (2003).

(2003).

Parties Parties opposing opposing the the said said application application shall shall file file its its manifestation manifestation not not later later than than the the pre-marking pre-marking and and comparison comparison of of documents, documents, on on July July 31, 31, 2018 2018 and and its its written written opposition opposition on on or or before before the the date date of of hearing, hearing, furnishing furnishing aa copy copy of of the the same same to to the the applicant applicant or or appear appear at at the the hearing hearing with with such such evidence evidence as as may may be be proper proper under under the the premises. premises. Failure Failure on on the the part part of of any any interested interested party party to to file file their their opposition opposition on on time time or or appear appear at at the the hearing hearing shall shall be be construed construed as as aa waiver waiver of of their their right right to to be be heard heard and and the the Civil Civil Aeronautics Aeronautics Board Board shall shall proceed proceed to to hear hear and and decide decide the the application application on on its its merits. merits.

Let Let aa copy copy of of the the petition petition and and this this Notice Notice be be posted posted at at the the CAB CAB Bulletin Bulletin Board Board beginning beginning today. today.

09 09 July July 2018 2018 Pasay Pasay City, City, Philippines Philippines

B3

Nazis, racists and bigots running in 2018 election

W

ASHINGTON―Arthur Jones is an avowed Nazi. John Fitzgerald says the Holocaust is a myth. Rick Tyler wants to “make America white again.”

Their fringe ideas are reminiscent of another age, but the unapologetic men who espouse them are all on US election ballots in 2018.

Extremism and bigotry, even outright white supremacy and anti-Semitism, have found new lives in 21st century US politics and the era of President Donald Trump, beyond just the toxic rhetoric of a few little-known cranks.

They have received more exposure this year on the national stage than at any time in recent memory. And the mainly conser-

vative proponents of hate running for office are proving to be a major embarrassment for the Republican Party.

In Illinois, Jones, who called the Holocaust “the biggest, blackest lie in history” and once ran a newspaper ad with a large swastika in the middle, is the Republican candidate for Congress, after he won the party primary by running unopposed in a largely Democratic district.

Russel Walker, running for a seat in North Carolina’s state house, proclaims “there is nothing wrong with being a racist”

Cambodia election features no opposition candidates PHNOM PENH―Cambodians voted Sunday in an election set to extend strongman premier Hun Sen’s 33 years in power after the only credible opposition party was dissolved, effectively turning the country into a one-party state.

Hun Sen, who came to power in 1985 in a country still plagued by civil war, has cracked down on dissent in the run-up to the poll, pressuring civil society, independent media and his political opponents.

The 65-year-old, a one-time defector from the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, has pointed to stability and growth as gifts of his rule―a message that resonates with his base.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen is the savior of the country,” said voter Sim Chantha. “I voted for him and the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).”

Ruling party spokesperson Sok Eysan predicted a landslide

victory and said people “flocked to vote”.

But there was also despondency and indifference to the predictable poll, with many closely watching the turnout for signs of a snub to the premier.

“I did not go to vote. I slept at home,” said Khem Chan Vannak, a former commune chief elected with the now-banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

“A lot of my friends did not go to vote.”

Western governments have withdrawn their assistance from the election, citing its lack of credibility, with rights groups and the opposition describing it as a knockout blow to the democratic process.

Nineteen small―or hitherto unknown―parties are competing against Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party in the absence of the CNRP. AFP

Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines Province Province of of Northern Northern Samar Samar MUNICIPALITY MUNICIPALITY OF OF LAOANG LAOANG 6411 6411 E. E. Lagrimas Lagrimas St. St. Barangay Barangay Guilaoangi, Guilaoangi, Laoang, Laoang, N. N. Samar Samar Invitation Invitation to to Bid Bid forthe forthe Proposed Proposed Construction Construction of of LIETCO LIETCO Commercial Commercial Complex Complex Phase Phase 22 (Multi-Purpose (Multi-Purpose Hall) Hall) 1.

1. The The Local Local Government Government Unit Unit of of Laoang, Laoang, through through funds funds from from the the DOF-MDFO DOF-MDFO intends intends to to apply apply the the sum sum of of Nineteen Nineteen Million Million Sixty Sixty Three Three Thousand Thousand Two Two Hundred Hundred Three Three and and 79/100 79/100 Pesos.

Pesos. (Php19,063,203.79) (Php19,063,203.79) being being the the Approved Approved Budget Budget for for the the Contract Contract (ABC) (ABC) to to payments payments under under the the contract contract for for the the Proposed Proposed Construction Construction of of LIETCO LIETCO Commercial Commercial Complex Complex Phase Phase 22 (Multi-Purpose (Multi-Purpose Hall).

Hall). Bids Bids received received in in excess excess of of the the ABC ABC shall shall be be automatically automatically rejected rejected at at bid bid opening. opening.

2.

2. The The Local Local Government Government Unit Unit of of Laoang Laoang now now invites invites bids bids for for the the Proposed Proposed Construction Construction of of LIETCO LIETCO Commercial Commercial Complex Complex Phase Phase 22 (Multi-Purpose (Multi-Purpose Completion of of the the Works Works is is required required within within Two Two Hundred Hundred (200) (200) Hall).

Hall).11 Completion Calendar Calendar Days.

Days. Bidders Bidders should should have have completed completed aa contract contract similar similar to to the the Project.

Project. The The description description of of an an eligible eligible bidder bidder is is contained contained in in the the Bidding Bidding Documents, Documents, particularly, particularly, in in Section Section II. II. Instructions Instructions to to Bidders.

Bidders.

3.

3. Bidding Bidding will will be be conducted conducted through through open open competitive competitive bidding bidding procedures procedures using using non-discretionary non-discretionary “pass/fail” “pass/fail” criterion criterion as as specified specified in in the the 2016 2016 Revised Revised Implementing Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations (IRR) (IRR) of of Republic Republic Act Act 9184 9184 (RA (RA 9184), 9184), otherwise otherwise known known as as the the “Government “Government Procurement Procurement Reform Reform Act.” Act.” Bidding Bidding is is restricted restricted to to Filipino Filipino citizens/sole citizens/sole proprietorships, proprietorships, cooperatives, cooperatives, and and partnerships partnerships or or organizations organizations with with at at least least seventy seventy five five percent percent (75%) (75%) interest interest or or outstanding outstanding capital capital stock stock belonging belonging to to citizens citizens of of the the Philippines.

Philippines.

4.

4. Interested Interested bidders bidders may may obtain obtain further further information information from from LGU LGU Laoang Laoang Bids Bids and and Awards Awards Committee Committee and and inspect inspect the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents at at the the address address given given below below from from 8:00AM 8:00AM to to 5:00PM. 5:00PM. 5.

5. A A complete complete set set of of Bidding Bidding Documents Documents may may be be acquired acquired by by interested interested bidders bidders on on July July 30, 30, 2018from 2018from the the address address below below and and upon upon payment payment of of the the applicable applicable fee fee for for the the Bidding Bidding Documents, Documents, pursuant pursuant to to the the latest latest Guidelines Guidelines issued issued by by the the GPPB, GPPB, in in the the amount amount of of Nineteen Nineteen Thousand Thousand Pesos Pesos (Php19,000.00).

(Php19,000.00).

ItIt may may also also be be downloadedfree downloadedfree of of charge charge from from the the website website of of the the Philippine Philippine Government Government Electronic Electronic Procurement Procurement System System (PhilGEPS) (PhilGEPS) and and the the website website of of the the Procuring Procuring Entity, Entity, provided provided that that bidders bidders shall shall pay pay the the applicable applicable fee fee for for the the Bidding Bidding Documents Documents not not later later than than the the submission submission of of their their bids. bids.

6.

6. The The Local Local Government Government22 Unit Unit of of LaoangBids LaoangBids and and Awards Awards Committee Committee will will hold hold on August August 08, 08, 2018 2018 (Wednesday) (Wednesday) 10:00 10:00 a.m.atthe a.m.atthe aa Pre-Bid Pre-Bid Conference Conference on nd Floor, Floor, New New Executive Executive Building, Building, E. E. Lagrimas Lagrimas Street, Street, Conference Conference Room, Room, 22nd Bgy. Bgy. Guilaoangi, Guilaoangi, Laoang, Laoang, N. N. Samar,which Samar,which shall shall be be open open to to prospective prospective bidders. bidders.

7.

7. Bids Bids must must be be duly duly received received by by the the BAC BAC Secretariat Secretariat at at the the address address below below on on or or before before 10:00 10:00 o’clock o’clock in in the the morning, morning, August August 22, 22, 2018 2018 (Wednesday).

(Wednesday). All All bids bids must must be be accompanied accompanied by by aa bid bid security security in in any any of of the the acceptable acceptable forms forms and and in in the the amount amount stated stated in in ITB ITB Clause Clause 18.

18.

Bid Bid opening opening shall shall be be on on 10:00 10:00 o’clock o’clock in in the the morning, morning, August August 22, 22, 2018 2018 at at nd Floor, Floor, New New Executive Executive Building, Building, E. E. Lagrimas Lagrimas St., St., theConference theConference Room, Room, 22nd Bgy. Bgy. Guilaoangi, Guilaoangi, Laoang, Laoang, N. N. Samar.Bids Samar.Bids will will be be opened opened in in the the presence presence of of the the bidders’ bidders’ representatives representatives who who choose choose to to attend attend at at the the address address below. below. Late Late bids bids shall shall not not be be accepted. accepted.

8.

8. Interested Interested bidders bidders may may obtain obtain further further information information from from LGU-Laoang LGU-Laoang BAC BAC Secretariat Secretariat at at cellphone cellphone number number 09175792525 09175792525 during during office office hours. hours.

9.

9. The The Local Local Government Government Unit Unit of of Laoangreserves Laoangreserves the the right right to to reject reject any any and and all all bids, bids, declare declare aa failure failure of of bidding, bidding, or or not not award award the the contract contract at at any any time time prior prior to to contract contract award award in in accordance accordance with with Section Section 41 41 of of RA RA 9184 9184 and and its its IRR, IRR, without without thereby thereby incurring incurring any any liability liability to to the the affected affected bidder bidder or or bidders. bidders.

10.

10. For For further further information, information, please please refer refer to: to:

and that Jews are “descendants of his campaign billboards read: of Satan.”

“Make America White Again.”

In Wisconsin, Paul Nehlen, the Experts say there is an unprecleading Republican running to edented number of openly bigotfill the seat in Congress currently ed candidates this year, and that held by retiring Speaker of the their chief enabler may well be House Paul Ryan, has emerged the president of the United States as a leader of the alt-right move- himself. ment, someone who critics warn “Trump’s unorthodox use of wants to provide white national- racism-related and anti-Muslim ists and anti-Semites a stronger stuff―all of that bigoted lanfoothold in US culture and poli- guage―has opened a door in tics. politics that wasn’t there before,” And the campaign website for Heidi Beirich, who as an expert Tyler, a Trump supporter run- at the Southern Poverty Law ning for Congress in Tennessee, Center (SPLC) has been trackdepicts the Confederate flag fly- ing hate groups since 1999, told CYAN One MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ing atop the White House.

AFP. AFP Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines ENERGY ENERGY REGULATORY REGULATORY COMMISSION COMMISSION San San Miguel Miguel Avenue, Avenue, Pasig Pasig City City IN IN THE THE MATTER MATTER OF OF THE THE APPLICATION APPLICATION FOR FOR THE THE APPROVAL APPROVAL OF OF THE THE SALE SALE OF OF VARIOUS VARIOUS SUBSUBTRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION LINES/ASSETS LINES/ASSETS OF OF THE THE NATIONAL NATIONAL TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION CORPORATION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) (TRANSCO) TO TO MANILA MANILA ELECTRIC ELECTRIC COMPANY COMPANY (MERALCO), (MERALCO), AS AS COVERED COVERED BY

BY A A CONTRACT CONTRACT TO TO SELL SELL DATED DATED 23 23 DECEMBER DECEMBER 2015, 2015, ERC ERC CASE CASE No. No. 2016-199 2016-199 RC RC NATIONAL NATIONAL TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION CORPORATION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) (TRANSCO) AND AND MANILA MANILA ELECTRIC ELECTRIC COMPANY COMPANY (MERALCO), (MERALCO), Applicants.

Applicants. x----------------------------------------------x x----------------------------------------------x NOTICE NOTICE OF OF PUBLIC PUBLIC HEARING HEARING TO TO ALL ALL INTERESTED INTERESTED PARTIES: PARTIES: Notice Notice is is hereby hereby given given that that on on 15 15 December December 2016, 2016, the the National National Transmission Transmission Corporation Corporation (TRANSCO) (TRANSCO) and and Manila Manila Electric Electric Company Company (MERALCO) (MERALCO) filed filed an an Application Application dated dated 04 04 October October 2016, 2016, seeking seeking the the approval approval of of the the sale sale of of various various sub-transmission sub-transmission lines/assets lines/assets of of TRANSCO TRANSCO to to MERALCO MERALCO as as covered covered by by the the Contract Contract To To Sell Sell dated dated 23 23 December December 2015.

2015.

TRANSCO TRANSCO and and MERALCO MERALCO alleged alleged the the following following in in their their Application: Application: 1.

1.

TransCo TransCo is is aa government-owned-and-controlled government-owned-and-controlled corporation corporation created created and and existing existing by by virtue virtue of of R.A R.A No. No. 9136, 9136, otherwise otherwise known known as as the the Electric Electric Power Power Industry Industry Reform Reform Act Act of of 2001 2001 (EPlRA), (EPlRA), with with principal principal office office address address at at the the TRANSCO TRANSCO Main Main Building, Building, Quezon Quezon Avenue Avenue corner corner BIR BIR Road, Road, Diliman, Diliman, Quezon Quezon City.

City. ItIt may may be be served served with with pleadings, pleadings, notices, notices, orders orders and and other other documents documents through through its its undersigned undersigned counsel. counsel.

2.

2.

MERALCO MERALCO is is an an electric electric distribution distribution utility utility (DU), (DU), organized organized and and existing existing under under the the laws laws of of the the Republic Republic of of the the Philippines Philippines with with principal principal office office address address at at the the Lopez Lopez Building, Building, Ortigas Ortigas Avenue, Avenue, Barangay Barangay Ugong, Ugong, Pasig Pasig City.

City. ItIt is is duly duly authorized authorized to to construct, construct, operate operate and and maintain maintain an an electric electric power power distribution distribution system system within within its its franchise franchise area area as as delineated delineated by by its its legislative legislative franchise franchise (R.A. (R.A. No. No. 9209).

9209). ItIt may may be be served served with with pleadings, pleadings, notices, notices, orders orders and and other other documents documents through through its its undersigned undersigned counsel. counsel.

3.

3.

By By virtue virtue of of Section Section 88 of of the the EPIRA, EPIRA, TransCo TransCo assumed assumed the the electrical electrical transmission transmission functions functions of of the the National National Power Power Corporation Corporation (NPC) (NPC) and and itit was was authorized authorized and and made made to to assume assume the the responsibility responsibility of of NPC NPC for for the the planning, planning, construction construction and and centralized centralized operation operation and and maintenance maintenance of of high high voltage voltage transmission transmission facilities, facilities, including including grid grid interconnections interconnections and and ancillary ancillary services. services.

4.

4.

Section Section 88 of of the the EPIRA EPIRA and and Rule Rule 6, 6, Section Section 88 (e) (e) of of the the EPIRA-Implementing EPIRA-Implementing Rules Rules and and Regulations Regulations (lRR) (lRR) also also mandate mandate the the segregation segregation of of the the transmission transmission and and sub-transmission sub-transmission functions functions and and assets assets for for transparency transparency and and disposal, disposal, and and authorize authorize TransCo TransCo to to negotiate negotiate for, for, and and to to transfer transfer such such sub-transmission sub-transmission assets assets (STAs) (STAs) and and facilities facilities to to qualified qualified distribution distribution utility/ies/Philippine utility/ies/Philippine Economic Economic Zone Zone Authority Authority (PEZA)-authorized (PEZA)-authorized entities. entities.

5.

5.

Pursuant Pursuant thereto, thereto, this this Honorable Honorable Commission Commission promulgated promulgated the the “Guidelines “Guidelines to to the the Sale Sale and and Transfer Transfer of of the the TransCo’s TransCo’s Sub-transmission Sub-transmission Assets Assets and and the the Franchising Franchising of of Qualified Qualified Consortiums” Consortiums” (ERC (ERC Guidelines) Guidelines) dated dated 17 17 October October 2003.

2003.

6.

6.

Consistent Consistent with with the the ERC ERC Guidelines, Guidelines, TransCo TransCo has has adopted adopted its its own own Guidelines Guidelines on on the the Sale Sale of of Sub-transmission Sub-transmission Assets Assets (Trans (Trans Co Co Guidelines) Guidelines) [Annex [Annex “A”], “A”], as as approved approved via via TransCo TransCo Board Board Resolution Resolution No. No. TC-2003-067 TC-2003-067 dated dated 28 28 November November 2003 2003 [Annex [Annex “A-1”], “A-1”], as as further further amended amended by

by TransCo TransCo Board Board Resolution Resolution No.TC-2004-009 No.TC-2004-009 dated dated 16 16 March March 2004 2004 [Annex [Annex “A-2”].

“A-2”].

7.

7.

On On 06 06 July July 2011, 2011, this this Honorable Honorable Commission Commission issued issued Resolution Resolution No. No. 15, 15, Series Series of of 2011 2011 entitled: entitled: “A “A Resolution Resolution Adopting Adopting the the Amended Amended Rules Rules for for the the Approval Approval of of the the Sale Sale and and Transfer Transfer of of TransCo’s TransCo’s Sub-transmission Sub-transmission Assets Assets and and the the Acquisition Acquisition by by Qualified Qualified Consortiums.”

Consortiums.”

8.

8.

In In accordance accordance with with the the aforesaid aforesaid ERC ERC Guidelines, Guidelines, and and based based on on its its thorough thorough evaluation, evaluation,TransCo TransCo has has determined determined that that the the following following assets assets are are sub-transmission sub-transmission assets: assets: (a) (a) Bolbok-Mahabang Bolbok-Mahabang Parang-Concepcion Parang-Concepcion 13.8 13.8 kV kV Line; Line; (b) (b) Dasmariñas Dasmariñas S/S S/S Equipment; Equipment; and, and, (c) (c) Biñan Biñan 115kV 115kV Switchyard.

Switchyard.

Copies Copies of of the the Report Report on on the the nature nature of of the the assets, assets, List List of of sub-transmission sub-transmission assets assets for for sale sale and and the the Electrical Electrical Diagram Diagram are are attached attached as as Annexes Annexes “B”, “B”, “C” “C” and and “D,” “D,” respectively. respectively.

9.

9.

MERALCO, MERALCO, as as the the buyer buyer of of the the subject subject sub-transmission sub-transmission assets assets possesses possesses the the technical technical and and financial financial qualifications qualifications to to acquire, acquire, operate, operate, maintain, maintain, expand expand and and upgrade upgrade the the said said STAs STAs within within its its franchise franchise area. area.

Copies Copies of of the the Audited Audited Income Income Statements Statements and and Balance Balance Sheet Sheet of of MERALCO MERALCO as as of of 31 31 December December 2014 2014 are are attached attached as as Annexes Annexes “E” “E” and and “F”, “F”, respectively. respectively.

Also, Also, copies copies of of the the Technical Technical and and Financial Financial Qualification Qualification Evaluations Evaluations conducted conducted by

by TransCo TransCo as as well well as as the the Description Description of of the the Franchise Franchise Area Area being being served served by by the the subject subject assets assets are are attached attached as as Annexes Annexes “G”, “G”, “H” “H” and and “I,” “I,” respectively. respectively.

10.

10. TransCo TransCo has has negotiated negotiated and and concluded concluded aa Contract Contract to to Sell Sell with with MERALCO MERALCO dated dated 23 23 December December 2015 2015 [Annex [Annex “J”] “J”] covering covering the the said said sub-transmission sub-transmission assets. assets.

11.

11. Under Under the the terms terms of of the the said said Contract, Contract, the the total total purchase purchase price price of of TWO TWO HUNDRED HUNDRED FOUR FOUR MILLION MILLION ONE ONE HUNDRED HUNDRED SIXTY SIXTY TWO TWO THOUSAND THOUSAND ONE ONE HUNDRED HUNDRED NINETEEN NINETEEN AND AND 75/100, 75/100, Philippine Philippine Currency Currency (Php204,162,119.75) (Php204,162,119.75) shall shall be be paid paid by

by MERALCO MERALCO in in cash cash or or in in the the form form of of manager’s manager’s or or cashier’s cashier’s check check within within sixty sixty (60) (60) calendar calendar days days from from its its receipt receipt of of the the Notice Notice of of the the ERC’s ERC’s final final approval approval of of the the contract, contract, plus plus value value added added tax tax (VAT), (VAT), documentary documentary stamp stamp tax tax and and other other transaction transaction taxes, taxes, fees fees or or duties duties incurred incurred in in connection connection with with the the execution, execution, delivery delivery and and annotation annotation of of the the said said contract. contract.

12.

12. The The subject subject sub-transmission sub-transmission assets assets are are valued valued in in reference reference to to the the Sinclair Sinclair Knight Knight Merz Merz (SKM) (SKM) valuation valuation [Annex [Annex “K”] “K”] pursuant pursuant to to ERC ERC Resolution Resolution No. No. 01, 01, Series Series of of 2009, 2009, as as amended. amended.

13.

13. MERALCO MERALCO is is the the only only DU DU utilizing utilizing the the subject subject assets assets and and there there are are existing existing directly directly connected connected customers customers thereto thereto [Annex [Annex “L”).

“L”).

14.

14. Furthermore, Furthermore, TransCo TransCo and and MERALCO MERALCO respectfully respectfully submit submit the the Draft Draft Deed Deed of of Absolute Absolute Sale Sale (Annex (Annex “M”) “M”) as as part part of of the the requirements requirements provided provided in in the the ERC ERC Guidelines.

Guidelines.

15.

15. The The proposed proposed sale sale has has satisfied satisfied all all of of the the requirements requirements and and criteria criteria set set by by the the EPIRA EPIRA and and its its IRR, IRR, as as well well as as the the ERC ERC and and TransCo TransCo Guidelines Guidelines on on the the Sale Sale of of Sub-Transmission Sub-Transmission Assets.

Assets.

16.

16. The The approval approval by by this this Honorable Honorable Commission Commission of of the the instant instant Joint Joint Application Application shall shall pave pave the the way way for for the the attainment attainment of of aa reformed reformed electricity electricity industry industry under under the the EPIRA, EPIRA, which which would would ultimately ultimately best best serve serve the the interest interest of of the the consuming consuming public. public.

17.

17. Finally, Finally, in in support support of of the the prayer prayer for for the the approval approval of of this this Joint Joint Application, Application, attached attached as as Annex Annex “N” “N” is is the the Judicial Judicial Affidavit Affidavit of of Engr.

Engr. ROBERTO ROBERTO D. D. ISIP, ISIP, JR. JR. (Manager, (Manager, Network Network Asset Asset Planning Planning Office Office of of MERALCO), MERALCO), to to emphasize emphasize the the benefits benefits that that the the public public would would enjoy enjoy as as aa result result of of the the approval approval of of the the instant instant Joint Joint Application.

Application.

PRAYER PRAYER WHEREFORE, WHEREFORE, itit is is most most respectfully respectfully prayed prayed to to this this Honorable Honorable Commission Commission that that the the instant instant Joint Joint Application Application for for the the approval approval of of the the sale sale of of TransCo’s TransCo’s subsubtransmission transmission assets assets in in favor favor of of the the Manila Manila Electric Electric Company, Company, under under the the terms terms provided provided in in the the Contract Contract to to Sell Sell dated dated 23 23 December December 2015, 2015, be be APPROVED. APPROVED. Applicants Applicants also also pray pray for for other other just just and and equitable equitable reliefs. reliefs.

The The Commission Commission has has set set the the Application Application for for determination determination of of compliance compliance with with the the jurisdictional jurisdictional requirements, requirements, expository expository presentation, presentation, Pre-trial Pre-trial Conference, Conference, and and presentation presentation of of evidence evidence on on 10 10 August August 2018 2018 (Friday) (Friday) at at ten ten o’clock o’clock in in the the morning morning (10:00 (10:00 A.M.), A.M.), at at the the ERC ERC Hearing Hearing Room, Room, 15th 15th Floor, Floor, Pacific Pacific Center Center Building, Building, San San Miguel Miguel Avenue, Avenue, Pasig Pasig City.

City.

All All persons persons who who have have an an interest interest in in the the subject subject matter matter of of the the instant instant case case may may become become aa party party by by filing filing with with the the Commission Commission aa verified verified Petition Petition to to Intervene Intervene at at least least five five (5) (5) days days prior prior to to the the initial initial hearing hearing and and subject subject to to the the requirements requirements under under Rule Rule 99 of of the the 2006 2006 ERC ERC Rules Rules of of Practice Practice and and Procedure, Procedure, indicating indicating therein therein the the docket docket number number and and title title of of the the case case and and stating stating the the following: following: I.I. II. II. III. III.

The The petitioner’s petitioner’s name name and and address; address; The The nature nature of of petitioner’s petitioner’s interest interest in in the the subject subject matter matter of of the the proceeding proceeding and and the the way way and and manner manner in in which which such such interest interest is is affected affected by by the the issues issues involved involved in in the the proceeding; proceeding; and and A A statement statement of of the the relief relief desired. desired.

All All other other persons persons who who may may want want their their views views known known to to the the Commission Commission with with respect respect to to the the subject subject matter matter of of the the case case may may file file their their Opposition Opposition or or Comment Comment thereon thereon at at any any stage stage of of the the proceeding proceeding before before Applicant Applicant rests rests their their case, case, subject subject to to the the requirements requirements under under Rule Rule 99 of of the the 2006 2006 ERC ERC Rules Rules of of Practice Practice and and Procedure.

Procedure. No No particular particular form form of of Opposition Opposition or or Comment Comment is is required, required, but but the the document, document, letter, letter, or or writing writing should should contain contain the the following: following: 1) 1) 2) 2) 3) 3)

SALVADOR SALVADOR P. P. ACEBUCHE ACEBUCHE BAC BAC Secretariat Secretariat Municipal Municipal Planning Planning and and Development Development Office Office 2nd 2nd Floor, Floor, New New Executive Executive Building Building Laoang, Laoang, Northern Northern Samar Samar Cell Cell phone phone No.09175792525 No.09175792525 bac_lgu bac_lgu laoang@yahoo.com laoang@yahoo.com

The The name name and and address address of of such such person; person; A A concise concise statement statement of of the the Opposition Opposition or or Comment; Comment; and and The The grounds grounds relied relied upon. upon.

All All such such persons persons who who wish wish to to have have aa copy copy of of the the Application Application may may request request from from Applicants Applicants that that they they be be furnished furnished with with the the same, same, prior prior to to the the date date of of the the initial initial hearing. hearing.Applicants Applicants are are hereby hereby directed directed to to furnish furnish all all those those making making such such request request with with copies copies of of the the Application Application and and its its attachments, attachments, subject subject to to the the reimbursement reimbursement of of reasonable reasonable photocopying photocopying costs. costs.Any Any such such person person may may likewise likewise examine examine the the Application Application and and other other pertinent pertinent records records filed filed with with the the Commission Commission during during the the standard standard office office hours. hours.

(SGD) (SGD) ENGR. ENGR. LEO LEO KARL KARL EB EB SERRONA SERRONA Chairman-Bids Chairman-Bids and and Award Award Committee Committee MARIA MARIA ELBEN ELBEN SL. SL. MORO MORO Hearing Hearing Officer Officer

(MS-JULY (MS-JULY16, 16, 23 23 && 30, 30, 2018) 2018)

Business/World

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

1.1.

AAbrief brief description description of of the the scope scope of of Works Works should should be be provided, provided, including including quantities, quantities, location location of of project, project, and and other other informainformation tion necessary necessary to to enable enable potential potential bidders bidders to to decide decide whether whether or or not not to to respond respond to to the the invitation. invitation.

2.May 2.May be be deleted deleted in in case case the the ABC ABC is is less less than than One One Million Million Pesos Pesos (PhP1,000,000) (PhP1,000,000) where where the the Procuring Procuring Entity Entity may may not not hold hold aa pre-bid pre-bid conference. conference.

(MS-JULY (MS-JULY30, 30, 2018) 2018)

WITNESS, WITNESS, the the Honorable Honorable Chairperson Chairperson and and CEO, CEO, AGNES AGNES VST VST DEVANADERA DEVANADERA and and the the Honorable Honorable Commissioners Commissioners ALFREDO ALFREDO J. J. NON, NON, GLORIA GLORIA VICTORIA VICTORIA C. C. YAP-TARUC, YAP-TARUC, and and GERONIMO GERONIMO D. D. STA. STA. ANA, ANA, Energy Energy Regulatory Regulatory Commission, Commission, this this 14th 14th day day of of June June 2018 2018 in in Pasig Pasig City.

City.

JOSEFINA JOSEFINA PATRICIA PATRICIA MAGPALE-ASIRIT MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Oversight Commissioner Commissioner for for Legal Legal (MS-JULY (MS-JULY23 23 && 30, 30, 2018 2018

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor lgu@manilastandard.net editor.lgustandard@gmail.com

B4

Local government units

monday, july 30, 2018

Aguilar rallies Las Piñas chiefs vs illegal drugs Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar recently gathered officials from the city’s 20 barangays for a two-day seminar to work out with a more comprehensive approach to address the problem on the use and abuse of illegal and prohibited drugs.

Aguilar rallied members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council to prove their commitment to rid the communities of illegal drugs.

She said the use of illegal drugs is a serious threat to well-being, health and national security. The continuous proliferation of prohibited and illegal drugs is a hindrance to the overall development of the country.

Aguilar stressed the activation of Badac will ensure there is a convergence of efforts among barangay leaders to carry out the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the community level, citing that as the first line of defense, barangay chairmen should lead the fight against illegal drugs.

Beyond the usual activities such as the sports activities and seminars for the rehabilitation of drug dependents and livelihood trainings, all barangay health centers will be open for counselling and rehabilitation as immediate relief, Aguilar said.

On top of the medical and psychological intervention, the mayor said Badac will conduct a weekly rehabilitation and prevention program for illegal drug users.

Under this activity, Aguilar expressed hope that illegal drug dependents will come out in the open to seek help and avail the government’s rehabilitation program, counselling and physical activities to totally free them from the vice and lead a new life.

Aguilar also urged barangay officials to conduct strict monitoring of illegal drug activities in their respective jurisdiction and closely coordinate with the local police to ensure peace and order in their area by ridding the drug menace.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Luis Bustamante, head of Las Piñas Anti-Drug Abuse Council, urged Badac officials to strengthen the information and education campaign on illegal drug demand reduction and monitor the disposition of drug-related cases filed.

He said being frontliners in ensuring the overall peace and security situation in the community, barangay officials must be proactive in implementing the laws as their mandate, including the campaign against illegal drugs as reiterated by President Rodrigo Duterte in his recent State of the Nation Address.

The projected mayoral candidates for the 2019 elections in Malolos city are (from left) Provincial Board Member Therese ‘Ayee’ Ople, Vice Mayor Gilbert ‘Bebong’ Gatchalian, former councilor Laurens Jan ‘Didis’ Domingo, and Councilor Len Pineda, with Councilor Nino Bautista considered a strong candidate for vice mayor.

Orlan Mauricio

Estrada to MPD: Keep Manila safe from crime

M

anila Mayor Joseph Estrada has instructed the Manila Police District to take full charge of enforcing all laws, ordinances, and other regulations to keep peace and order in the city in a bid to attract tourists and foreign investors.

Estrada, who assumed the mayoralty in 2013, vowed to help Manila regain its glory and restore the confidence of investors by maintaining peace and order and clean the city of trash and illegal street vendors.

The Manila chief executive appealed to residents for their cooperation since he could not do it alone, to realize his

vision of making Manila the center of business and tourist destination.

Estrada’s battlecry “Forward Ever, Backward Never” is gaining support from newly elected barangay and youth officials to bring back the glory of Manila by keeping their respective areas free from illegal drugs and all forms of criminality.

He had repeatedly said a country or

city would find it hard to achieve progress without peace and order.

Mayor Estrada said Manila is a business-friendly city and inviting investors to set up businesses in the city would create more jobs for the residents.

The former president said since he became the city mayor, Manila is now a safer place not just for tourists but for its residents.

Estrada admitted he would run for a third and final term as Manila mayor in 2019 to continue to pursue his dream of regaining the “lost pride and glory” of Manila.

DISTRESSED OFWS.

Three overseas Filipino workers who were rescued from a prostitution den in Malaysia received help from Senator Cynthia Villar (right), a known advocate of the rights and welfare of migrant workers.

They thanked the senator for the financial assistance and the sari-sari store start-up kit given to them when they met in the Senate. Radio dzRH referred the OFWs case to Villar and the Villar SIPAG foundation, where the lawmaker sits as director. Villar asked the OFWs to avail of free trainings from Tesda, farm schools, and other learning sites for livelihood opportunities.

75 Pampanga artists to hold exhibit in Clark

By Romeo Dizon CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga— Clark is now the cradle of art and culture of Pampanga as 75 inspiring and professional artists will showcase their different creations during an exhibition at Clark Museum next month.

Andy Alvis, a consultant on art and culture of the Clark Development Corp., said the booming Clark must be interwoven with art and culture to stimulate the spirits and the mind.

Alvis, an artist himself, said different artists and craftsmen will showcase their creations in paining with different styles like oil, abstract, contemporary, woodcarving, drawings, sculpture, photography, design, fashion and jewelry.

He said mural paintings are needed most because they will decorate wall surfaces as an expression of ideas, emotions and beliefs in the rich culture of the province.

Avis said for the second time, artists in the different cities and municipalities will hold their exhibition under one roof, which aims to help them not only to market their products but also to serve as venue to improve their styles, techniques and creativity through a panel discussion of the latest trends and medium in the world of arts.

“This is the golden age of Pampanga artists,” Alvis said.

According to him, the artists found their patron in Noel Manankil, president and CEO of CDC, who believes the ongoing multibillion-peso development projects inside the Freeport must also be shared by everybody, specially the local artists whose works enhance spirits.

Cavite treasurers, assessors elect new officers GENERAL TRIAS CITY—A new set of officers of the Regional Association of Treasurers and Assessors Region 4-A Cavite Chapter was recently elected by its members from 23 towns and cities at Bayleaf Hotel function room in Barangay Manggahan here.

Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer IV administered the oath of office of the new set of officers led by GenTri Assessor head Nelda Moral as the new association president.

Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis ‘Jon Jon’ Ferrer IV (left) administers the oath of office to the new set of officers of the Regional Association of Treasures and Assessors Region-4A Cavite Chapter, led by Nelda Moral of General Trias City as new president, held at Bayleaf Hotel Function Room in Manggahan, General Trias City. Also in photo are Edwina Ledesma of Carmona as vice president, Arlene Martel of Magallanes as secretary, Susan Fenol of Alfonso as treasurer, lawyer Edtih Napalan of Bacoor City as auditor, engineer Reynaldo Hapa of Imus and Marlito Anico of Amadeo as sergeant at arms, and Cecille Tan of GenTri as muse.

Edwina Ledesma of Carmona was elected vice president along with Arlene Martel of Magallanes as secretary, Susan Fenol of Alfonso as treasurer, lawyer Edtih Napalan of Bacoor City as auditor, engineer Reynaldo Hapa of Imus and Marlito Anico of Amadeo as sergeant at arms, and Cecille Tan of GenTri as muse.

“On you depends on the development of a town. If your department [Treasurers and Assessors Office] doesn’t work hard, a town or city won’t prosper,”

Mayor Antonio Ferrer said.

Rep. Ferrer added that towns or cities can also achieve progress through the help of their local assessors and treasurers, which is why he and Mayor Ony were solidly behind them.

“For example, when I was mayor of GenTri, our funds were only P200 million, but now it’s at P1.6 billion with Kuya Ony as mayor with the help and assistance of our city treasurer and assessor,” the lawmaker added.

4-way mayoral battle looms for Malolos seat

By Orlan L. Mauricio

(First of two parts) MALOLOS CITY—No one wants to budge in. “Walang kumukurap [Nobody’s blinking].” Everyone is holding their ground firm.

Three months before the filing of candidacies for the May 13, 2019 elections, four aspirants are now busy consolidating their grassroot followers to their pursue dreams of becoming the next mayor of this historic capital of Bulacan.

The four—known by their nicknames Ayee, Bebong, Didis and Len—are the hottest item in barber shops, tricycle lines, and on social media, which have been abuzz with all sorts of political speculations and re-alignments as the October deadline nears.

On the list is incumbent Vice Mayor Gilbert “Bebong” Gatchalian. He is a natural shoo-in candidate owing to his three terms as partner of City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, dubbed the “Agila ng Bulacan” (Eagle of Bulacan) who is eyeing the governor’s seat next year.

However, Gatchalian’s public image, minus the phenomenal popularity of Natividad, has not been very convincing, even to his close associates at city hall, Manila Standard learned.

Whether he can survive the grueling battle of wits, propaganda, and, logistics—his credentials lack this—is anybody’s guess. It will be up to the survey results, some two or three months before the 2019 elections, if Natividad’s magical charisma on Malolenyos can stick with Bebong come election day.

Gatchalian’s face is rarely seen on street banners, but a Standard source claims he has cornered juicy tarpaulin-banner contracts of the city government since 2010.

Another candidate is opposition stalwart Laurens Jan “Didis” Domingo, a former city councilor and nephew of six-term former mayor Danny Domingo. Just a year after his loss to Natividad in 2016, his tarpaulins had become a semi-permanent fixture on almost all electric posts in the city’s suburbs.

Didis’ face is seen on almost anything and any occasion there is to greet the public.

Worth noting is that this cycle of year-round routine greetings somewhat follows the tarp cycle of Bulacan’s top provincial officials led by OIC-Governor Daniel Fernando.

This time, Didis’ father and constructioncontractor Ambet vows, they will bet all in and win at all costs. Like the notion shared by all their loyal supporters, the elder Domingo believes that without the soaring ‘Agila’—the archnemesis of their family’s quest to reclaim city hall—there is no stopping Didis in 2019.

This, they say, is a visa that will entitle Didis not only the seat last occupied by his uncle Danny but also the fame and glory of being the first (full-time) occupant of the new five-storey Malolos City Hall being built at the sprawling government center along McArthur Highway in Barangay Bulihan.

Ironically, the P350-million structure is a flagship project of Natividad. Whether it will be completed before the year ends is a big question.

For the Domingos, the scent of Didis’ victory is the sweetest revenge for the election setbacks of their staunch ally, philanthropist-businessman Al Tengco and running mate Dennis Domingo San Diego in the 2010 elections, Danny’s stunning loss in a rematch with Natividad in 2013, and Didis’ crushing defeat in 2016.

Their successive losses have also deprived them of using the newly constructed P150-million Malolos Sports and Convention Center—a project of former-mayor Danny during his last term—that is considered the biggest public structure in Bulacan. Its doors opened barely weeks before the May 10, 2010 elections.

MSCC’s massive indoor capacity was put to maximum use during the game-changing miting-de-avance of eventual President Rodrigo Duterte, and became a strategic vantage point for Natividad in launching a systematic people-oriented and cutting-edge sports activities for his next political target: the Provincial Capitol.

It’s a priceless multi-purpose center given on a silver platter for the exclusive political propaganda of Natividad for nine long years, becoming his launching pad to conquer the Capitol.

(To be continued)

Joy: Promote Filipiniana, wear local clothing

By Rio N. Araja TO actively promote traditional clothing and the Filipino heritage, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday urged government officials and public servants to lead in wearing Filipiniana-inspired attire as an example to their constituents.

“As a public servant, I do like wearing Filipiniana and I think it is one of our duties to promote and preserve our local traditions,” Belmonte said.

Her iconic Filipiniana-inspired attire has become a mainstay during her official functions, speaking engagements, and even barangay visits.

According to Belmonte, she is wearing her own line of ready-to-wear Filipiniana clothing from a brand called Linea Etnika, which she manages with business partner Looie Lobregat, daughter of Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat.

“People don’t know that we conceived this social enterprise while seated next to each other on a bus during a Lakbay Aral a few years ago as a way to incorporate Filipiniana motifs, particularly handwoven Yakan weaves, into modern clothing,” she said.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

food

monday, july 30, 2018

C1

A warm bowl of soup for rainy days T

he past few days had many Metro Manila and nearby Luzon provinces residents cooped up in their homes due to heavy rains that led to work and class cancellations. While a gloomy, nippy weather can easily put a damper on a day meant to be fun and productive, a warm bowl of delicious soup offers a great salvation.

Since the rainy season is expected in the country for a couple more months, a brand of well-loved baking mixes and kitchen essentials shares recipes for hearty, pick-me-up bowls that are easy to make.

Maya presents Maya Kitchen’s recipes for Chicken Tinola Cream Soup; Potato, Bacon, and Beer Cheddar Soup; and Orange Beef Stew.

Chicken Tinola Cream Soup Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 tbsps olive oil 1 pc medium-sized onion, sliced 3-4 pcs cloves of garlic, minced 1 pc thumb-sized ginger, chopped 1-2 tbsp fish sauce 250 g chicken breast fillet, chopped 4 cups chicken stock or water ½ pc small green papaya or sayote, sliced 3 tbsps butter 4 tbsps Maya All-Purpose Flour

chili or sili leaves, as needed

salt and pepper to taste Procedure: 1. Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until fragrant.

2. Add in the fish sauce and chicken breast fillet. Give a few stir until lightly cooked.

3. Add in the stock and papaya. Season to taste and bring to a boil until chicken is cooked and papayas are soft. Turn-off heat. Set aside a little amount of chicken and papaya pieces for toppings.

4. Cool then process the chicken tinola mixture into the food blender or processor until smooth. Set aside.

5. From the same pan, melt butter then add flour and mix until well blended. Pour the smooth liquid back into the pan and continue cooking in a simmering stage.

6. Keep stirring until soup is thick. Add cream into the soup, just before removing from heat.

7. Serve soup with chicken, papaya, chili leaves on top, and drizzle some olive oil before serving.

The Chicken Tinola Cream Soup offers the same flavor of this beloved Filipino dish but made creamier and richer. Meanwhile, the Potato, Bacon, and Beer Cheddar Soup is a rich and flavorful dish that can be served to kids as well—as beer’s alcohol content lessens as it cooks. The Orange Beef Stew is a complete meal on its own what with its vegetables, fruit, and meat ingredients.

Potato, Bacon, and Beer Cheddar Soup

Orange Beef Stew

Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 200g picnic bacon, cubed 2 tbsps olive oil ¼ cup butter 1 pc large onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp garlic, minced 200g potatoes, diced or cubed 1/3 cup celery, chopped 1/3 cup carrots, diced or cubed 1 bottle 320 ml pale pilsen beer 3-4 cups beef or chicken stock ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated ½ -3/4 cup cheddar cheese spread ½ cup all-purpose cream

parsley, finely chopped Procedure: 1. In a medium sauce pan, cook bacon in olive oil until lightly brown then set aside half of the portion of the bacon as toppings.

2. From the same pan, add butter, onions, garlic, potatoes, celery, and carrots. Sauté until potatoes are lightly soft.

3. Pour in the beer and half of the stock then continue cooking over medium heat, bring to a boil then to a simmering stage until the liquid has been reduced and the taste of the alcohol in beer becomes slightly less intense in taste.

4. Then add the rest of the stock. Put the two cheeses and cook for another 5-10 minutes.

6. Just before turning off the heat, stir in the cream. Serve with bacon and parsley on top and a slice of bread on the side.

Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 500g beef sirloin, cut into cubes ¼ cup Maya All-Purpose Flour ¼ cup olive oil 1 pc large onion, finely chopped 1 tbsp garlic, minced ½ cup celery, chopped 2 pcs potatoes, quartered 2 pcs carrots, coarsely chopped 1 pc bay leaf, crushed 3 tbsps tomato paste 5-6 cups beef stock or water 1/3 cup red wine 1 tbsp chili powder or paprika powder (optional)

zest of two oranges

sprig to thyme

salt and pepper Procedure: 1. In a bowl, season beef with salt and pepper then dredge in flour. Remove any excess flour then pan fry seasoned beef in hot oil until lightly brown.

2. Add in the onions and garlic until fragrant and onions become translucent. Add celery, potatoes, carrots, bay leaf, and tomato paste. Cook and stir frequently until the mixture is covered and well blended with tomato paste.

3. Add the stock and thyme. Bring to a boil and let it boil for 3-5 more minutes and put into a simmering stage for another 2-3 hours.

Make sure you put the lid on and stir occasionally.

4. After 1 ½ hours, pour in the red wine and the orange zest. For extra color and extra kick in taste, put chili or paprika powder. Keep cooking in a simmering stage for another hour and a half until the beef is tender.

Riding the wave of success, one giant squid at a time Level kiosk at The Yard food park in Pasig City. They serve their giant squid skewered on two sticks and spread like a butterfly.

It was an instant hit on Facebook— with a photo of the “giant flying squid” garnering more than 250,000 likes in just a week.

“Other restaurants serve their squid calamares-style. We are the only ones who serve squid this way. And it is so tender that you can just use your hands to take a piece,” he said.

The couple’s gamble paid off—from their first food park kiosk in January 2017, they were able to open five more in other food parks, followed by two stand-alone restaurants in Taytay and this. We used our pocket money—it was on Maginhawa Street in Quezon City. not much, around P200,000 only—but According to Mark Vidal, franchise it was our hard-earned money.” manager of Above Sea Level, as early Because the couple both loved to eat as a month after opening the first kiosk, seafood, they decided to serve squid with a twist in their first Above Sea Turn to C2 Baconwrapped Prawns

Above Sea Level’s iconic Giant Butterfly Squid

This is a classic “no guts, no glory” story.

Polsan Pangindian is a millennial who is no stranger to making ends meet—he worked as a barista, service crew, call center agent, and banker to provide for his family. He was on the verge of leaving the country with his wife to seek greener pastures in Dubai in 2016 when they took the biggest risk of their lives.

“I know I was not earning enough, and we already had a kid so we thought

of taking a chance in Dubai as overseas Filipino workers. We already had our tickets and visa,” he said.

He continued, “But we saw an available space in a food park. We made inquiries and decided to take a chance on

Life

C2

monday, july 30, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Sweet treats

for Friendship Day 2018 Friends, they say, are the family we choose. As the world celebrates Friendship Day today, chocolate brand Toblerone comes up with cute and colorful way for friends to express their gratitude to those who are always there for them.

Toblerone continues its special series of limited edition packs made specifically for the most memorable occasions. The brand has released four personalized packs designed by Filipina illustrator and calligraphist Louise Anne Dimagmaliw.

This season’s Toblerone packs use colorful animal-themed illustrations to depict thoughtful statements about friendship. A cute pair of bees on Toblerone 100g dark chocolate says “I love BEE-ing friends with you,” while a trio of pandas on the 200g milk chocolate variant exclaims “You’re the BEARy best!”

Cute pun is also on Toblerone 100g white chocolate with its three dolphins saying, “You’re DOLPHINately a great friend!”

The chocolate brand’s 100g milk chocolate variant has a lovely pink sleeve with flamingo illustrations and a very apt message: “Birds of the same feather flock together.”

Each limited edition pack has a blank side where givers can write their personalized message.

The limited edition Toblerone Friendship Day packs are available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

Japanese

curry dishes

Chef Hiro of Kitsho Japanese restaurant whips up his delectable curry dishes.

Toblerone presents its limited edition Friendship Day packs designed by Louise Anne Dimagmaliw.

sip

Tea for 10th anniversary Luxury tea brand TWG celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special blend of tea.

The Number 10 Tea is an aromatic green tea thick with the fragrance of dewy blossoms.

Bright chamomile and heather accentuate the blend with flavors of wild honey. The combination produces an addictive and delicately fruity aftertaste.

This anniversary tea is packaged in Secret Tea Tin Ten, which is carefully crafted by hand and painted in vibrant hues of emerald and gold.

The Number 10 Tea is priced at P635 per 50g, while the Secret Tea Tin Ten costs P1,295 each.

Fruit-flavored refreshments Powdered juice drink brand Tang introduces more flavors.

Aside from the most popular orange flavor, Tang also has pineapple, dalandan, pomelo, guyabano, apple, calamansi, grape, strawberry, melon, sweet orange, and mango; blends like four seasons, honey lemon, orange mango, orange pineapple, and mixed berries (a mix of grape, strawberry, and raspberry flavors); and iced tea variants in apple and lemon flavors.

According to Mondelez Philippines, the maker of Tang, each serving of the powdered juice drink is fortified with vitamins A, B3, B6, Folate and Iron, and is a high source of vitamins B2 and C. Tang powdered juice drink is available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

A

Japanese restaurant in Manila spices up August with its lineup of curry dishes available at discounted prices.

Curry, which was originally introduced to England during its colonization of India, came to Japan during the Meiji era, at a time when India was under the colonial rule of the British Raj. As a culinary pastime, curry has evolved into one of Japan’s most beloved dishes, eaten at least once a week on average. Kitsho Japanese restaurant serves its curry dishes of pork, chicken, beef, and seafood, as well as Katsu-Curry (katsu) and Curry Nabe (hotpot) to diners looking for meals that will spice up their day.

For the entire month of August, all curry dish orders enjoy 20 percent off. In addition, diners get 15 percent discount on a la carte dishes, except lunch set menus.

Katsu-Curry is a breaded, deep-fried cutlet that’s usually pork (or chicken) and smothered with curry sauce.

Call (02) 994-3623 or 795-8888 extension 2312 for inquiries and reservations.

Coffee blend for diabetics

Coconut sugar is known as the better alternative to refined sugar. It has become a favorite of health conscious individuals because of its low fructose content and low glycemic index. It also contains beneficial minerals and antioxidants.

Coconut sugar is not refined or chemically altered and contains no artificial ingredients or synthetic substances. It is not a direct derivative of coconut. It is the boiled and dehydrated sap of the coconut palm which is collected in a container.

It looks and tastes like brown sugar with a hint of caramel which makes it the perfect sweetener for Kaffea healthy coffee.

Diabetics need give up the pleasure of having a hot drink of deliciously sweet coffee because there is Kaffea coffee.

Kaffea with coconut sugar helps regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. It promotes a healthy digestive system as well.

Thaddeus Querubin, department manager of corporate planning and MIS department of the Philippine Reclamation Authority has been a regular Kaffea coffee drinker for almost two years.

Querubin recommends Kaffea to fellow diabetics especially those with high blood pressure. However, he still advises them to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, and get plenty of rest.

Kaffea is available nationwide at Rustan’s, Shopwise, SM Hypermarket Bazaar, SM Market Street, SM Kultura, CityMall GoLokal stores, and online at lazada.com.ph and beautymnl.com. Call (02) 477-9920 for inquiries.

Riding...

“At least 25 percent of our Luzon branches are kiosks and restaurants inside malls. And some of our franchisees had multiple branches—one franchisee has nine branches. We had to open two commissaries, one in San Ildefonso, Bulacan and another in Caloocan, to keep up with the operations,” he added.

And this unprecedented business expansion—reminiscent of how Mang Inasal franchised branches sprouted one after the other in 2005—is not about to slow down anytime soon. Above Sea Level is targeting to reach 200 branches by the end of the year.

“We will start franchising in Visayas next month. Our plan is to have one branch each in all municipalities in the Visayas. We are also planning to expand to Mindanao by early 2019,” said the franchise manager.

From C1

there were already several inquiries on possible franchise deals.

By June 2017, Above Sea Level inked its first franchise contract. And to say that business is booming would be an understatement—in just over a year, the restaurant now has 120 franchised branches across Luzon, or about 10 new branches opening every month.

“The decision to offer franchise contracts was demand-driven. When we began franchising, we did not even have a standard design for the kiosks, a standard design for signage. But we decided to give it a go—to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak,” said Vidal.

Thaddeus Querubin of Philippine Reclamation Authority

Above Sea Level is proving to be in for the long run, with none of their franchised branches closing down since they began operations. The menu has also been expanded to include seafood festival (their version of seafood paella), ramen, sushi, squid fries, and bacon-wrapped prawns.

A franchise for a food cart costs about P500,000, which already covers the equipment, training for the service crew, and P50,000 worth of products. The stand-alone restaurant franchise is more expensive at P950,000, Vidal said.

“Our goal is to be recognized as the first seafood fast food chain in the country,” said Vidal.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Entertainment

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

New travel show premieres on Metro Channel GET ready to witness the glitz and glamour of a well-styled life with Metro Society magazine editor-in-chief (EIC) Raul Manzano and now television host for EIC on the Move, the newest travel show airing on Metro Channel today.

Raul takes viewers to his exclusive travel, fashion, and food escapades here and abroad in this exciting show. With the debonair editor as a guide, viewers get a feel of VIP treatment in his personalized accommodations and trips to Michelinstarred restaurants, and a glimpse of today’s most luxurious places and hottest fashion trends.

“The EIC On The Move is your passport to everything luxury. I shall be taking you to luxurious hotels, biggest bedrooms, restaurants and excellent dishes, and behind-the-scenes,” shared the lifestyle icon.

Meanwhile, in Show Me The Market’s latest episode, Chef JP Anglo and Marketman Joel Binamira find themselves in two separate markets in Manila —Joel explores AANI Weekend Market, his weekly go-to bazaar, and JP discovers the Arranque Market, Binondo’s source of Chinese exotic goods. Manila may be their comfort zone, but JP and Joel will learn how little they know about their own backyard.

Metro Channel also features international gastronomic adventures with the seventh season of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. In this show, viewers get introduced to people and places near and far, through authentic food and travel experiences of the late Anthony Bourdain, the bestselling author-turnedgourmet adventurer.

Chefs Gordon Ramsay and Aarón Sanchez return with restaurateur Joe Bastianich as judges in the great cooking challenge Masterchef. In the US show’s latest season, the three judges each select eight contestants to give aprons to and

then mentor their respective contestants throughout the competition.

Watch the premiere of EIC On The Move tonight at 9:00 o’ clock. Catch Masterchef and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations every Friday at 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., respectively. Don’t miss the new episode of Show Me The Market on July 31 (Tuesday), 10:00 p.m. on Metro Channel.

Available on SKYcable ch. 52 and ch.

174 on HD, Metro Channel is the new home of chic living from the country’s authority in style, Metro.

From left: ABS-CBN president and chief executive officer Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN chairman Mark Lopez, Iza Calzado, Amy Perez, Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Robin Padilla, ABS-CBN chief operating officer for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, and ABS-CBN TV Production head Laurenti Dyogi.

SOLID KAPAMILYA

Amy, Mariel, Iza, Robin renew ties with ABS-CBN

I

Metro Society magazine editor-in-chief Raul Manzano

Score dining deals when you watch at Bonifacio High Street Cinemas IT’S RAINING blockbusters this August and Bonifacio High Street is giving moviegoers a special treat with the new “Watch and Dine” rewards promo.

Every single purchase of four movie tickets at Cinemas 1 to 3 will earn a customer P500 worth of gift cards from Italianni’s at Bonifacio High Street. Purchases of 12 tickets or more will earn customers a maximum of three GCs. This offer is valid for those who purchase any movie tickets at onsite ticket booths or online via the BGC app or at https://www.sureseats.com/ from Aug. 1 to 31. To redeem the free GCs, just present the purchase receipt at the BHS Cinemas ticket booth from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m..

Among the much-anticipated

movies showing this August are the movie adaptation of the international bestselling book Crazy Rich Asians, the live action version of The Little Mermaid, and the animated film Hotel Transylvania 3.

BHS Cinemas is also participating in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, a nationwide week-long celebration which will exclusively screen Filipino films from Aug. 15 to 21.

Bonifacio High Street Cinemas, with four state-of-the-art movie theaters in Dolby Atmos, Recliner Seats, 3D, and 4DX, is located atop Central Square at 5th Avenue corner 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City.

For more details, visit BGC’s official Facebook pages at https://www. facebook.com/bonifacioglobalcityph/ and https://www.facebook. com/BoniHighStreet/

Bonifacio High Street cinema

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, July 30, 2018

ACROSS 1 “A Doll’s House” playwright 6 Ricelike pasta 10 Playwright — Coward 14 Dupe 15 Quick look 16 Mountain range near China 17 Machu Picchu founders 18 Brainstorm 19 Aria performer 20 Whistle-stops 22 Tremble 24 Pasture grazer 25 Pleasure 26 Curve shape 27 Decorate, as leather 31 Prince Valiant’s wife 33 Saddle horse 34 In a fervent manner 38 Retail center 39 Damp 40 Bangkok native 41 Naval Academy site 43 Charley horse 44 Devout 45 Makes a poem 46 Golf bag item 49 Almost grads

50 Frazier of boxing 51 Honda rival 53 3 and 7 58 Prudish person 59 Liverpool poky 61 Video screen dot 62 She, to Marie 63 A Great Lake 64 Ms. Verdugo 65 Colored 66 Knights’ titles 67 Hold up DOWN 1 Tall flower 2 Aptitude 3 Pet lover’s gp.

4 Latin I verb 5 Snoopiest 6 Speculate 7 Tulip colors 8 Alphabet ender 9 Unclearly 10 Nothing, in Baja 11 Popeye’s girl 12 Where icicles hang 13 Truth benders 21 Startled cries 23 A law — itself 25 Stops a train 27 Austen novel 28 Eerie sound 29 Toast too long 30 Pub sign

(2 wds.)

31 Patronage 32 Singing cowboy 34 Bantu people 35 Phony 36 Glittery fabric 37 Puppy noises 39 Parking places for ships 42 Word of contempt 43 Twittered 45 Gypsy gent 46 Used a keyboard

47 Before expected 48 Rousseau novel 50 Verne of sci-fi 52 Developed 53 Roulette color 54 Tick off 55 Skater’s leap 56 Olin or Horne 57 Leave laughing 60 Uris hero

T WAS rather a short but sweet event when Amy Perez, Mariel RodriguezPadilla, Iza Calzado, and Robin Padilla all gathered with ABS-CBN’s bigwigs when they each signed a one-year contract with the network.

Head Cory Vidanes, and Entertainment TV Head Laurenti Dyogi.

“It feels wonderful to be a part of the lives of our Kapamilyas every day,” said Amy who is a daily mainstay in Umagang Kay Ganda and is one of the hosts of It’s Showtime, along with Mariel.

Meanwhile, Iza, who hosts ANC’s new show State of the Art, said she is excited for her upcoming shows, which details will be revealed in the coming months.

Robin, on the other hand, is one of the stars of the daytime The contract sighting that happened on Wednesday was at- teleserye Sana Dalawa ang Puso, along with Richard Yap tended by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak, Chairman and Jodi Sta. Maria. He thanked ABS-CBN for its efforts to of the Board Mark Lopez, Senior VP and Broadcast Content help rebuild Marawi.

Simply...

From C4

Rainforest Lumina, a first in Southeast Asia Singapore’s award-winning wildlife attraction celebrates its 45th year since it first opened in 1973 with a new, illuminated multimedia night walk on the wild side that promises a sensory feast for visitors.

Chan Chun Sing, Minister for Trade and Industry, unveiled Rainforest Lumina­—the first such seasonal event to be staged in Southeast Asia—in a special preview event.

The one-kilometer stretch within the zoo’s tropical rainforest awaken the senses as visitors walk through 11 different zones and meet the Creature Crew, a group of unlikely heroes who will take visitors on a whimsical adventure along the paths of their enchanted world.

Created by award-winning multimedia entertainment studio Moment Factory and set up with careful consideration to minimize disturbance to the park’s animal collection and native wildlife, Rainforest Lumina will take visitors on an immersive journey as they encounter interactive and mesmerizing installations and uncover a side of the zoo that has never been seen before.

With the overarching theme “We are one”, Rainforest Lumina seeks to drive home the message that humans, animals and nature are inter-connected, with each having a vital role to play to sustain life on earth. The transformation of the Singapore Zoo into a magical landscape of lights and sound, coupled with the interaction with

the Creature Crew, will take guests on the spellbinding journey that will spark inspiration at every turn and nurture empathy for nature and wildlife.

Opening as one of the world’s first “open-concept” zoos, the Singapore Zoo started with a modest collection of about 300 animals. Today, the Singapore Zoo welcomes 1.9 million visitors each year and is home to over 2,400 animals representing more than 300 species, of which 34 percent are threatened in the wild. The Zoo has also been successful in breeding critically endangered species and has established itself as one of the best zoos in the world, gaining worldwide recognition.

Adding to an already well-rounded experience, the Singapore Zoo will make use of immersive technology to provide visitors with a fresh experience. It will include Rainforest Lumina’s innovative use of light, multimedia and interactive elements, as well as an engaging narrative to heighten the night walk experience.

Mike Barclay, Group CEO of Mandai Park Holdings, said, “We have been redefining experiences and storytelling since the Singapore Zoo opened its doors to our first visitors in 1973. We observed that walking through the zoo’s rainforest setting at night awakens all your senses and we wanted to find an innovative way to allow all our guests to also enjoy this exciting experience. Rainforest Lumina is an interactive and illuminated night walk that leads visitors on a multimedia-enhanced journey designed to celebrate the wonders of the natural world.”

“It has been a great collaboration between Moment Factory and Wildlife Reserves Singapore as we developed a new,

unique multimedia experience for guests at the Singapore Zoo”, said Jonathan StOnge, general manager, Lumina Series, Moment Factory. “Rainforest Lumina is the latest addition to our Lumina series and is inspired by Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s mission and the zoo’s unique landscape. Rainforest Lumina uses interactive elements, projection mapping, lights and a soundscape to create an immersive attraction that will allow guests to rediscover the zoo at night and to reconnect with nature in a magical way.”

Carrie Kwik, executive director, Attractions, Entertainment and Tourism Concept Development for the Singapore Tourism Board said, “We are excited to support the Rainforest Lumina as part of the Singapore Zoo’s 45th anniversary. The Zoo, which has won several regional and international accolades, is an iconic attraction in the region for both visitors and Singaporeans. Its constant software enhancements play an important role in refreshing our diverse offerings and enhancing Singapore’s appeal as an attractive tourist destination with new and varied experiences to look forward to with each visit. We hope the Rainforest Lumina experience will attract even more visitors to the Zoo during this special season.”

Barclay adds, “Beyond being a multimedia attraction, the deeper message of Rainforest Lumina is a call for everyone to come together to protect and preserve the wildlife we share our planet with.”

Rainforest Lumina is a seasonal attraction that runs between 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. each night. More information on Rainforest Lumina can be found at www. rainforestlumina.sg

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018

ISAH V. RED

Tarlaqueño songwriter’s ditties in ‘BAKWIT BOYS’

'Bakwit Boys' director John Paul Laxamana with composer Jhaye Cura

FILM directors wanting to cash in on popular music would normally lace up their films with pop tunes then compile them onto an album and sell it alongside the film.

But, film director Jason Paul Laxamana (Babagwa and 100 Tula Para Kay Stella), does the inverse.

In his new film, Bakwit Boys, which will be on the big screen next month during the weeklong Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) on Aug. 15 – 21 under the auspices of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) through the initiative of Liza Diño-Seguerra, CEO and chairman, Laxamana is featuring six songs written by a Tarlac-based songsmith, Jhaye Cura, to tell the film’s audience that music is being made not only in Metro Manila but in other parts of the country as well.

In fact, the film is about four brothers who after a typhoon ravaged their place in a community in Isabela to their grandfather’s place in Pampanga where they meet a rich city girl who discovers their musical talent and helps them reach success.

The four boys started playing gigs and earning some dough and decided to call themselves “Bakwit Boys” (a pun on the popular American boyband Backstreet Boys, but more because they are considered evacuees, known in the local jargon as “bakwit.”

The premise is close to Laxamana’s heart, inspired by his own experiences as a survivor of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

“I’m a survivor of the Pinatubo eruption and the succeeding lahar catastrophe. Dumaan din po ako, ‘yung family ko sa Pampanga, sa pag-rise from the ashes. Isa rin ‘yon sa mga inspirasyon ko kung bakit gano’n ‘yung backstory ng Bakwit Boys,” said Laxamana in a media conference.

Laxamana used to collaborate with several musicians nationwide. But because local radio stations mostly prefer Manila-based songs, sharing their music has always been a challenge.

This is why songs by Jhaye Cura are in the movie’s soundtrack, as well as two pop renditions by Jay-R and Kyla.

Laxamana also cast actors film audiences are not familiar with, like Vance Larena, a theater actor who plays the eldest son among the siblings.

Likening himself to a painter, the director said, “Mas comfortable ako working with a blank canvas, gusto ko kasi ‘yung mga pelikula ko, ang magdadala is ‘yung kuwento more than the cast.”

The director’s heart has a soft spot for struggling but competent actors.

“Kapag may mga lumalapit sa ‘kin na actors na nafu-frustrate sila kasi feeling nila magaling sila but they don’t get the break, medyo may soft spot ako para sa mga gano’n. Na-experience ko rin kasi. I struggled to be where I am now,” he revealed.

Larena, who appears in plays produced by Philippine Stagers Foundation, said he could relate to the story of Bakwit Boys.

“Ang istorya kasi ng Bakwit ay mga unknown (sila) talaga eh, wala silang pangalan sa industriya. Nung ni-release ‘yung listahan ng mga entries sa PPP tapos nakalagay ‘yung directors and cast, nung tiningnan ko medyo nanginig ako. Kasi katulad ng pakiramdam ng mga batang ‘to, wala akong pangalan pa sa industriya, at sana dumating ‘yung panahon na katulad ng mga bakwit, magkaroon din [ako] ng pangalan sa susunod na panahon,” he expressed.

The film also stars Nikko Natividad, Ryle Santiago, Mackie Empuerto, and Devon Seron.

The romantic musical is produced by T-Rex Entertainment. Continued on C3

A

LDEN Richards is starring in Victor Magtanggol, an actiontanggol packed television series that is making a big splash on primetime this evening.

The character, which Alden described as a young man, a hard working person who puts his family first, a loyal friend who will never let you down, and a brother and a good son who can be your companion either you are at the highest or lowest point of your life.

It’s safe to say that the 26-yearold star made a conscious effort to study the role and to make people see the character as someone relatable even though he’s a superhero.

In an exclusive interview with Manila Standard Standard, Alden confessed that he’s very fortunate to be given a chance to play a role inspired by his childhood dream to become someone who prioritizes others before thinking of his own needs and convenience. And with that, he said that apart from honoring real-life modern-day heroes like OFWs, the character is also a tribute to his father whom he considers as his own personal hero.

“I can say that my dad is my own tagapagtanggol, he’s my defender in a lot of ways. I’m not really vocal about it and I guess this is the first time that he’s going to hear it from me. He’s always there whenever I call on him. There was no instance in my life where I needed help and my dad wasn’t there. He’s always there,” the bedimpled actor chimed.

Alluding to his character, Victor is a very simple man, and just like himself, he is hardworking and sets aside his personal necessities by prioritizing others. And Alden doesn’t see anything wrong with that.

“When I see other people happy because of my work or something that I’ve done for them, that’s an eternal happiness for me. Because of the sacrifices I’ve done for my family and seeing them happy, that gives me so much joy, that’s priceless. And that’s one of the things I’ve learned from my father.”

Childhood dream fulfilled Alden treats playing Victor Magtanggol as another milestone in his career. And his thankful to GMA for their generosity and continued assistance in ensuring that he gets the best projects. In return, the actor feels motivated to work and deliver.

“I take every project that I have as blessing that’s why I always treasure every opportunity that comes my ways.

Every milestone, I always treasure it because it’s already part of my history book, history ng buhay ko. And I’m thankful to GMA because they’ve been there since day 1 of my career,” Alden said.

Growing up, Alden was a superhero fan. In fact, he has a massive collection of Ironman memorabilia and action figures.

“It’s a childhood dream to be a superhero. I have a collection of Ironman. In line with that collection, well Ironman is a superhero, and I am given a role to play a superhero that’s basically a childhood dream fulfilled by this project,” Alden said.

In the series, Alden’s character works as an OFW who is looking for his mother Vivienne (Coney Reyes). The story also highlights the struggles of OFWs and according to Alden, they wanted to give it a different treatment.

“There have been a few shows that tapped this kind of struggles that OFWs but here in Victor Magtanggol we wanted to showcase the choices Filipinos abroad have to make for their family and loved one just to sustain their lives overseas and the life of their families back in the Philippines,” he said.

A grand superhero series The new series, which director Dominic Zapata described it as the biggest series and the most expensive television project GMA Network has ever produced, is

Alden Richards with dad Richard Faulkerson, Sr.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

Yuan Francisco as Meloy, the first one to know the secret iden- Alden with leading lady Janine Gutierrez in a scene from the superhero drama. tity of his uncle Victor.

Alden with Andrea Torres who plays Sif, the last wife of In the series, Coney Reyes is Vivienne, the mother Thor and the golden-haired goddess of love and family. of Victor who got separated from him after a long time.

already making a big impression, not to mention the buzz that it created as soon as the trailer hit social media.

According to Alden, people should really watch the show to understand what the story is all about and that it’s not just another cheap copycat of a Hollywood superhero film.

“We can’t blame those people who already made a premature judgment. We are confident that we’ve crafted a series that wouldn’t make the viewers feel that they’ve been shortchange. That’s the promise that we can make to answer those people who criticize the series even before its airing,” Alden affirmed.

Referring to how Victor becomes a superhero, Alden narrated that in the story his character becomes friends with Magnus (Miguel Faustman), the curator of the museum where he works for.

Magnus’ life will be jeopardized because of Loki (John Estrada). Victor will find out that Magnus is not a mortal being and he is the god Magni and one of Thor’s sons. Before Magnus dies, he will give Victor a magical compass that will lead Victor to a mysterious mountain. Victor will find an iron gauntlet that will allow him to use the Mjolnir, the powerful hammer of Thor (Conan Stevens).

Victor comes home to the Philippines and becomes Hammerman, the courageous superhero of his town. In his adventures, he battles monsters and form alliances with Norse gods in order to protect the people he loves from the schemes of Loki.

Making the series even grander are the actors in the mythological world: Andrea Torres as Sif, the last wife of Thor and the golden-haired goddess of love and family who trains Victor how to control his powers and use the Mjolnir; Pancho Magno as Modi, Thor’s son and the god of battle who will eventually be one of Victor’s greatest rivals; Miguel Faustman as Magni/Magnus, the other son of Thor who kept the Mjolnir and with the special participation of Conan Stevens as Thor, the god of thunder and owner of the powerful hammer, Mjolnir.

Joining the powerhouse ensemble are the important characters in Victor’s life: The Magtanggol Family of Victor with Al Tantay as Tomas Magtanggol, a loving father to Victor and his siblings; Chynna Ortaleza as Lynette Magtanggol-Domingo, the strict yet caring older

sister of Victor; Dion Ignacio as Perci Domingo, the devoted and funny husband of Lynette; Lindsay De Vera as Anne Magtanggol, the kikay cosplayer and younger sister of Victor; Reese Tuazon as Honeylyn, Anne’s best friend; Yuan Francisco as Meloy Domingo, the sole child of Lynette and Perci and the first one to know the secret identity of his uncle Victor.

Playing equally vital roles are the members of the Regalado Family: Eric Quizon as Hector Regalado, the ambitious and hungry for power politician; Freddie Webb as Renato Regalado, the father of Hector; Maritoni Fernandez as Alice Regalado, the second wife of Hector; Kristoffer Martin as Lance Espiritu, the brooding and enigmatic stepson of Hector; and Janine Gutierrez as Gwen Regalado, Hector’s daughter who becomes a field reporter covering news about Hammerman. Eventually, she falls in love with him.

The creative team of the TV series is composed of headwriter Denoy Punio with writers Glaiza Ramirez, Ken De Leon, brainstormers Marlon Miguel, Erwin Bravo and concept creator Jules Katanyag.

Leading the team are creative director Roy Iglesias, creative consultants Suzette Doctolero, and Dode Cruz.

This original series, created by the GMA Drama group, is headed by the SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Manager Nini Matilac and Executive Producer Mona Mayuga.

Singing the theme song “Superhero Mo” is popular rap group Ex Battalion featuring Alden Richards.

Dominic Zapata, who has helmed top-rating GMA programs such as Mulawin, Darna, Captain Barbell, My Husband’s Lover and Alyas Robin Hood, directs Victor Magtanggol.

Witness the action-packed journey of the newest modern day superhero Victor Magtanggol beginning tonight on GMA Telebabad.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www. gmapinoytv.com.