Manila Standard - 2017 December 08 - Friday by Manila Standard

Lifestyle check on BIR, Customs By Julito G. Rada THE Department of Finance, through its Revenue Integrity Protection Service, plans to conduct lifestyle checks on at least 70 more employees in the main ofﬁce and its attached agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Internal Revenue, before the end of the year in line with the

Duterte administration’s goal of weeding out corruption in the government. Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin, who oversees the RIPS, said the investigation will cover ofﬁcials and employees who have acquired real estate and personal properties with amounts not commensurate to their annual salaries. Next page

VOL. XXXI • NO. 294 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Sanofi liable —Health chief

TOURISM GEM. Jannie Loudette Alipo—on Wednesday is crowned in Johor Bahru, Malaysia as Miss Tourism International, beating 46 other beauty titlists to bring home the fourth Miss Tourism International Crown for the Philippines—after Esperanza Manzano (2000), Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2012) and Angela Dione Gomez (2013). She was crowned by outgoing queen Ariel Pearse from New Zealand.

PH to sue French firm over vaccine deaths By Macon Ramos-Araneta and AFP

HE government intends to sue Sanofi after officials suspended the pharmaceutical giant’s anti-dengue vaccine and began investigating reports that some children had died after receiving Dengvaxia shots. Regulators froze the world’s first public dengue immunization program last week and suspended all sales of the vaccine on Monday after Sanofi said Dengvaxia could worsen symptoms for vaccinated people who contracted the disease for the first time. “Eventually it’s the court of law that is going to decide insofar as the liability of Sanofi is concerned,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in a TV interview. Duque also said the Health Department was investigating reports of deaths, but did not name 10-year-old Christine Mae de Guzman in Mariveles, Bataan, who died allegedly due to severe dengue six months after being given the Dengvaxia vaccine.

“This is subject to validation… I have yet to see the full documents,” Duque said, referring to the reported deaths. Duque, who said Sanoﬁ’s statements on Dengvaxia were “confusing,” said he had talked to Bataan Rep. Joet Garcia, who had informed him of the reported deaths. However, Duque noted that health ofﬁcials said these might have been caused by pre-existing conditions. De Guzman’s parents told the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption that their

Cafgu to protect miners from NPA raids proposed By John Paolo Bencito, Macon Ramos-Araneta and F. Pearl A. Gajunera MINING companies under the mercy of extortion by the communist New People’s Army should seek military help in repelling them, a senior Palace ofﬁcial

said Thursday. In a radio interview, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said that mining companies can counter extortion attempts by armed communist rebels by organizing their own Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu)’s— which could be a “good

Cops resume war on drugs, seize 14 kilos House, Senate raise tax exemption cap on bonuses of ‘shabu’ By Macon RamosBy Joel Zurbano and Rey E. Requejo SANOFI TO BE SUED? This file photo, taken on

Dec. 4, 2017, shows the logo of French multinational pharmaceutical firm Sanofi on a screen at its Val de Bievre campus in Gentilly, near Paris. The Philippines intends to sue Sanofi after authorities suspended the phramaceutical giant’s anti-dengue vaccine in response to the company warning the drug could lead to severe infections in some cases, the Philippine health secretary said. AFP

Duterte extends AFP chief’s term ’til April THE term of Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero will be extended up to April 2018 despite his reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 on Dec. 17, Malacañang said Thursday. “This is to announce that the Executive Secretary, by authority of the President, has signed yesterday, December 6, the extension of

the service of Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Rey Leonardo Guerrero,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in statement. “AFP chief of staff General Guerrero will reach his age of compulsory retirement on Dec. 17, 2017, and the President has extended his service to April 24, 2018, as per Republic Act No.

OZAMIZ City police seized some 14 kilos of shabu in Misamis Occidental, signaling the return of the Philippine National Police to the government’s war on drugs. In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Ozamiz City police chief Jovie Espenido said the drugs were old stock from the family of Ozamiz Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, who was killed in July in an antidrug operation. “That’s old stock that they hid away when I arrived in Ozamiz,” Espenido said in Filipino. “They’re bringing it out now because they need money and their father is dead.” The National Bureau of Investigation, meanwhile, said it would resume its anti-drug operations, too after

Araneta and Othel V. Campos

MEMBERS of the bicameral conference committee on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill have agreed to increase the

tax exemption cap of 13th month pay and other bonuses to P90,000, said Senator Juan Edgardo Angara. “Now that it’s Christmas, we have agreed in the bicam to increase again the amount of 13th month pay and other bonuses without deducting

taxes,” Angara, chairman of the Senate ways and means committee, said. Under the current law, the 13th month pay and other beneﬁts, including productivity incentives and Christmas bonuses, are exempted from tax if they do not ex-

ceed P82,000. The Senate version of the TRAIN retained the P82,000 tax-free cap while the approved version of the House of Representatives raised it to P100,000. As compromise, members Next page

... lock horns over coal tax hike provision in TRAIN By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives will not allow the inclusion of the coal tax in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion as it will increase the price of electricity,

speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said on Thursday. “Deﬁnitely, we will not allow it, “Alvarez said in a radio interview as he bared the House leadership’s position on the controversial coal tax. The coal tax is among the

contentious issues in the deliberation of the bicameral conference committee on the provisions of the respective versions of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the TRAIN. The Senate approved a

3,000-percent increase in coal taxes to be collected in three tranches until 2020, which means the current P10 excise tax will be raised to P100 in 2018, P200 in 2019 and P300 by 2010. No such Next page

Ground commanders back martial law By Francisco Tuyay TOP ground military commanders in Mindanao will unanimously recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte to extend martial law in the region by another year, a reliable source in the Armed

Forces of the Philippines told Manila Standard on Thursday. “The recommendations from the ground commanders went straight to the Chief of Staff of the AFP. Almost all ground commanders are in need

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of martial law at this time to ﬁnish off their problems there when it comes to terrorism,” the source said, requesting anonymity. The recommendations, the Standard source added, came from security experts Next page

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SIR, YES, SIR. President Rodrigo Duterte, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, congratulates one of the newly appointed generals and flag officers Wednesday after taking their oath before the President during a ceremony in Malacañang. Presidential Photo

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LTO vows: Car plates issued in March '18 By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Land Transportation Office said Thursday it will proceed with the procurement of license plates in time for their delivery by March next year. In a statement, the agency said Assistant Secretary Edgar Galvante was on top of the situation and proceeding with the procurement of license plates with dispatch and in accordance with the procurement laws. The matter was raised during the meeting of the House of Representatives’ committee on transportation on Wednesday, but which Galvante was unable to attend due to his hospital confinement. The 2013 procurement of Motor Vehicle/Motorcycle plates was questioned before the courts and the Commission on Audit, and those cases remain pending. The procurement should have covered the supply of license plates from ‎ 2014 to 2018. Moreover, in June 2016 the high court issued a temporary restraining order preventing the LTO and the Department of Transportation and Communication from releasing and distributing 700,000 license plates turned over by the Bureau of Customs after the plates’ supplier-importer failed to pay the required customs duties. The LTO said that when the current administration took over in July 2016, there was no budget allocation for the procurement of license plates for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Galvante, unconvinced that the procurement of license plates was dependent on the resolution of the cases involving the previous procurement, requested for additional funds to be included in the LTO’s 2017 budget in the amount of P400 million in order to proceed with the procurement of license plates.

‘Drug war forges on despite critics’ By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said that he will not listen with whatever the international courts will say even if cases are filed against him for allegedly being a “mass murderer” because of his bloody war on drugs. In a speech at Clark, Pampanga, Duterte said that he will not listen to his critics just to make good on his promise to rid the country of illegal drugs. “Give me a little bit of time,” the President said. “I will finish it to the last mile. I do not care what the other people say. I do not give a shit what the international court of justice [will say],” Duterte said, possibly referring to the International Criminal Court. “For at the end of the day, if my country collapses to the wake of drugs, you will not be here to help the Filipino,” he added. He also said the drug war will be a policy of his “until the dying days” of his administration. “Leave us alone, we will solve our own problem. We do not enjoy killing. It is not a good policy but we are besieged [by] something which is very terrible,” Duterte told his critics. On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Philippines might withdraw from the International Criminal Court if it continues to meddle in the country’s domestic affairs. Roque insisted that state parties should agree to the principle of complementarity “that the court will only exercise jurisdiction if our courts are unwilling or unable to exercise jurisdiction on any crime recognizable by the International Criminal Court” or Manila will consider its withdrawal from the ICC.

CJ to judiciary: Focus on job By Rey E. Requejo

HIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday appealed to her constituents in the judiciary to focus on their duties despite the impeachment process against her in Congress. “To the men and women of the judiciary, please continue to focus on your work. Nothing should distract us. There is much to be done for this country,” Sereno said in her speech during the 14th Metrobank Foundation Professorial Chair Lecture in the Supreme Court. “Continue your work undistracted professionally and excellently as you have been doing in the past. Sereno made the appeal after Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and other ranking high court officials testified

Sanofi ... From A1 daughter had no prior dengue history when Sisiman Elementary School gave her the dengue vaccine on April 6, 2016. Nelson, the father of De Guzman, a Grade 5 student, said they sought the help of the VACC, which has asked the Justice Department to examine the bodies of three children believed to have died after being given Dengvaxia shots. He said those resposible for the death of their daughter should be held liable. The previous administration of President Benigno Aquino launched the P3.5-billion vaccination program last year, making the Philippines the first nation to use Dengvaxia on a mass scale. About 830,000 schoolchildren had received at least one dose of the vaccine, Duque said on Thursday. Previously the government said more than 733,000 people had been vaccinated. The announcement last week caused great concern, particularly among the parents of those vaccinated. The French company on Monday sought to allay concerns, saying Dengvaxia would not cause anyone who was immunized to die and would not cause a dengue infection. Duque said he may ask Sanofi to refund P1.4 billion ($27.6 million) worth of unused Dengvaxia supplies. He added the government might also demand Sanofi set up an “indemnity fund” to cover the hospitalization cost for children vaccinated under the public program who would fall ill. Sanofi was not immediately available to comment on Duque’s remarks. Asked if the government would sue Sanofi if allegations of a lack of transparency were proved, Duque said: “I’m sure it’s going to get there.”

Cops... From A1 a two-month hiatus when the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency exclusively took over the administration’s war on drugs. In a department order, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II told the NBI to resume its anti-narcotics operations. “The NBI through its director, Dante Gierran, is directed to submit a monthly report… on its current activities related to implementation of this order,” Aguirre said. The Justice secretary said,

Cafgu... From A1 alternative” against predatory attacks by the NPA. “I talked with one miner, big mining company. He said what they were doing was to seek help from the Armed Forces of the Philippines to give them the authority to organize their own Cafgu,” Panelo said. He said once the Cafgu was organized, New People’s

Ground... From A1 familiar with the current situation in Mindanao before and after the attack on Marawi City sparked by the combined Islamic State-inspired Abu Sayyaf Group and Maute Group terrorists last May 23. However, the source down-

before the impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives justice committee, and as three or four more magistrates are expected to appear in the hearings next week. Sereno said it was also necessary for the members of the judiciary to “monitor and watch and be on the lookout for the hallmarks of independence, integrity and dignity of the judiciary to be preserved.” “It is most important to me that the dignity and independence of the judiciary is preserved. and that has been the principle I have been observing in my conduct in all of these times,” she said. Sereno also insisted on her innocence over the charges in the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon. “I have submitted myself to this process according to the rights that are accorded in my position. And I hope that you have taken it in good faith that my intent is to defend the dignity and independence of the judiciary,” Sereno said.

“In various fora, I have already tried to encapsulate in very, very brief form why the charges against me should bear no sufficient basis.” Sereno said she opted not to attend the impeachment hearing against her in the House and decried the decision of the House justice committee to deny her lawyers the opportunity to cross- examine the witnesses summoned by the panel, calling it a violation of her constitutional rights. Apart from De Castro, Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam and Samuel Martires and retired Associate Justice Arturo Brian are expected to testify in the impeachment hearings next week. De Castro testified on some of the 27 allegations raised by Gadon in his impeachment complaint against Sereno, including the administrative case involving Sereno’s order creating a regional court administration office in Cebu without the high court’s collegial approval.

He added: “If it’s found out that (Sanofi) withheld material information that would have changed the outcome of all of these problems and the decision makers of the Department of Health in the previous administration, then they are liable.” Duque said congressional hearings into the issue would start next week. In another radio interview, Duque said he received a report from a hospital in Pampanga that a child, whom he did not name, had received the required three shots of the vaccine in March and October 2016 and in August 2017, but still got dengue. The child was confined at the JB Lingad Hospital in Pampanga and has since recovered. Duque said Sanofi had assured them that the vaccine would provide protection from dengue for at least 30 months, but they were seeing cases where infections developed as early as 20 months. The Health secretary said Aquino should shed light on the vaccine mess. “I think the former President should himself come forward and as this is what happened and this is what I agreed to based on some recommendation that I followed because somebody had advised me,” Duque told the ANC news channel. Aquino met with executives of pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, who paid him a courtesy call in Paris on Dec. 1, 2015. A few weeks after the meeting, the Philippines became the first Asian country to approve the commercial sale of Dengvaxia. Aquino approved the vaccination program, which started in April 2016, with free vaccination of children 9 years and older, from public schools in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the Calabarzon region. Aquino and former Health secretary Janette Garin reportedly approved the P3.5billion program without certification from the World Health

Organization. In Thursday’s regular “Kapihan sa Senado,” Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on health and demography, said they would hold an inquiry into the vaccination program in January 2018. The Justice Department earlier said it would open its own investigation, which would also look at the possible liability of Aquino and Garin. In a statement released earlier this week, WHO said that their position paper did not include a recommendation to countries to introduce the dengue vaccine into their immunization programs. “Rather, WHO outlined a series of considerations national governments should take into account in deciding whether to introduce the vaccine, based on a review of available data at the time, along with possible risks,” the WHO said. Senator Grace Poe called on health officials to closely monitor children who have received the anti-dengue vaccine. “It is important to account for children who received the vaccine amid new developments on its effects. Strict surveillance must be established to monitor any adverse effects and ensure that proper assistance will be given to those affected,” Poe said. Poe also filed a resolution calling for a full-blown Senate inquiry into why the inoculation program was hastily approved even though the vaccine was still undergoing trials. Poe said the government should be ready to create a comprehensive database of people who have been injected with Dengvaxia, including those who have not been infected and those who have had prior exposure, and determine any adverse effects following the immunization. “We also seek the assistance of local government units in disseminating information coming from the DOH and other government agencies. If any

of these initiatives would entail costs, the government should be ready with the funds and resources because at stake here are the lives of our children,” Poe said. Senator Leila de Lima, detained on drug charges, said the press conference of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Jimenez and lawyer Ferdie Topacio, was a lesson on how not to manage a public health crisis. “Citing nothing but anecdotal data and malicious speculation on the effects of the vaccine, the alarmist tact of these three stooges managed nothing but sow panic among the public. What is funny about this presscon is that not one public health expert or DOH official was present to corroborate the scientific reliability of the anecdotal data of these clowns,” De Lima said. De Lima, Justice secretary in the Aquino administration that approved the vaccine program, said Aguirre’s statements were “irresponsible, alarmist, speculative and even malicious.” The VACC has said it is studying the culpability and involvement of Garin, Aquino and other DOH officials who approved the P3.5-billion procurement of Dengvaxia. “Someone must be held liable for the mass vaccination of over 733,000 children who received the Dengvaxia shots,” Jimenez told the Manila Standard.”I am pretty sure the people would storm the Aquinos once the truth comes out.” “Can you imagine how many children are now at risk?” He said other allies of the past administration inside the Health Department are trying to cover up the corruption during the procurement of the vaccines. “We will all know once the Senate investigation starts,” he said. He said their lawyers are studying the possibility of filing a class suit. With Rio N. Araja

however, that PDEA will remain the overall lead agency in all drug operations. Apart from the PNP and NBI, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Customs, and Philippine Postal Corp. will also resume their operations to support the war on drugs. On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte issued a memorandum ordering the PNP and the other agencies to rejoin the government’s war on illegal drugs as supporting agencies to PDEA. The directive superseded the President’s memorandum last October, which directed

the “NBI, PNP or any and all anti-illegal drugs task force to yield to the PDEA as the sole agency in the conduct of operations of all those who are involved in, or connected to illegal drugs.” The President noted that while PDEA has made significant strides in the government’s anti-illegal campaign, the agency “has been seriously hampered in performing its huge mandate by lack of resources, specifically agents, and operatives who can penetrate drug-infested areas down to the municipal and barangay levels.” Duterte, under fire for the

deaths of several teenagers in police anti-drug operations, had put the PDEA exclusively in charge of the war on drugs in October. Since the implementation of the war on drugs by the Duterte administration in July last year, the PNP has recorded about 3,900 deaths of drug suspects during its anti-narcotics operations. But human rights groups have estimated the drug war killings at about 13,000. PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa, in a speech before Filipinos in New York, said he hoped no one would be killed as the police return to the war on drugs, GMA News TV reported.

Army fighters would not be able to enter their area. “Maybe that’s a good alternative,” Panelo added in Filipino. “They can create their own security force around the perimeter of their mining companies so that no NPA can enter.” Duterte had earlier threatened to shut down mining companies which give “revolutionary taxes” to the NPA. The government said these “taxes” were tantamount to

extortion. On Tuesday, Duterte designated the Communist Party of the Philippines, as well as its armed wing, the NPA, as a “terrorist organization” following the collapse of the peace talks. President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday took more shots at CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, saying he was directing the communist insurgency in the comfort of his political asylum in the Netherlands.

In his speech at Clark, Pampanga, Duterte challenged Sison to return to the Philippines and engage him in a brawl. He also slammed the rebel leader, who is acting like he had dignity and importance. “Para kayong senyorito [You are acting like you are entitled],” he said. The President also discouraged the youth of the leftist movement to continue the armed struggle that was started by their cowardly elders.

played the expansion of martial law to the rest of the country, saying only Mindanao “would be needing such tool to suppress terrorism and other similar threats.” On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana revealed, without providing details, that his office had already submitted a recommendation to Malacañang related to extend-

ing martial law in the region. The one-year extension of martial rule in Mindanao, the commanders cited in their proposal, would enable “vital mechanisms” such as the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, the source added. “That is the important component, because we cannot arrest the supporters and financiers of the IS-inspired terrorists

without martial law extension,” the source said. The military has been extensively monitoring a potential tactical alliance between IS terrorists and the communist New People’s Army, which could aggravate the security environment in Mindanao in case lawless elements launch hostile acts against the government.

Besides this issue, De Castro also testified on the temporary restraining order in the case involving a disqualification case of Senior Citizens party-list group in the elections. She also testified on the merits of the decision she penned that declared unconstitutional the clustering of shortlisted nominees made by the Judicial and Bar Council last year in connection with the vacancies in the Sandiganbayan. De Castro has also been authorized by the Court to discuss the merits of her separate concurring opinion in the August 2014 ruling that voided the JBC’s decision not to include the name of then Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza on the shortlist of nominees for high court justice post after Sereno raised an integrity issue against him. De Castro was joined by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez in testifying before the impeachment hearing. He discussed the administrative processes in the high court.

Duterte... From A1 8186, or six months since he assumed office as AFP chief of staff,” Roque added. Guerrero took his oath of office just last Wednesday, as his predecessor, current Interior Undersecretary Eduardo Año, had his term as AFP chief likewise extended by President Rodrigo Duterte. The decision follows the joint command conference of the military and the police attended by Duterte himself, held at Malacañang. Guerrero thanked the President in a statement read by Colonel Edgard Arevalo, AFP public affairs office chief. He said he was “profoundly grateful to the President for the latter’s continued trust and confidence in his capability to lead the AFP.” Arevalo said the term extension will give the AFP chief more time to implement important plans and programs, especially that the nation faces threats from foreign and local terrorists and the communist rebels. “Further, the extension also gives General Guerrero the

Lifestyle... From A1 “For instance, there is one that we are investigating―in 1996 his annual salary was P80,000, he was able to buy a lot worth P40,000. Then in 1997, he [reported that his] annual salary was P126,000, but he was able to buy a lot for P150,000. His annual salary is not even enough to pay for that lot,” Agabin said. RIPS executive director Ray Gilberto Espinosa said his office added at least 10 more personnel covered by lifestyle checks every month. “So we started actively initiating investigations last January, and we are targeting around 70 plus by the end of the year,” Espinosa said. The RIPS, which is the anti-corruption arm of the department, forwards cases for further investigation and resolution to either the Office of the Ombudsman or the Civil Service Commission. From January to September

House,... From A1 of the bicam, who are tasked to reconcile the differences between the two versions, have agreed to raise the tax-exempt ceiling to P90,000 effective starting 2018. Bicam members have also agreed to exempt P250,000 annual taxable income of all individual income taxpayers. Angara said this would mean workers could bring home P340,000 to their families without having any taxes deducted. The original proposal from the Department of Finance

... lock horns... From A1 tax is included in the House version of the TRAIN. Alvarez said the House will not allow the inclusion of the tax in coal, which is being used by many power plants. An increase in the tax on coal will result in higher electricity rates, Alvarez added. “Let us look at this objective-

opportunity to fast-track the upgrade of the AFP capability as it aspires to be a world-class Armed Forces that is a source of national pride,” Arevalo said. Leftist groups, however, lambasted the Commission on Appointments’ confirmation of Guerrero and the promotion of 40 other military officers. “Guerrero’s confirmation as AFP chief is a both a reward and a task from Duterte, especially now with the fascist government’s all-out war against the CPP and NPA which was recently declared by Duterte as ‘terrorists’ based on Proclamation 374,” the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said in a statement as its members protested outside Camp Aguinaldo, the AFP’s headquarters. Guerrero’s confirmation “will give him the more power and authority to unleash the most vicious attacks and abuses against the people under the guise of invoking the rule of law, Oplan Kapayapaan and Proclamation 374. The CA’s confirmation of Guerrero definitely has Duterte’s approval,” said KMP Secretary General Antonio Flores. John Paolo Bencito, Francisco Tuyay and Bill Casas 2017, decisions were promulgated by the Ombudsman and CSC finding several employees and officials of Customs and the BIR guilty of Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty and finding anomalies regarding the accomplishment and filing of their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth reports, the RIPS said in a recent statement. In the administrative cases filed by RIPS, the penalty of dismissal from the service was imposed on two BIR employees and three BOC employees that carried penalties of forfeiture of benefits, perpetual disqualification to hold public office and a bar to taking the Civil Service Examinations. Judith Pacana, chief revenue officer IV of the BIR Iligan City, was guilty of Serious Dishonesty and Grave Misconduct by the Ombudsman in its Decision dated 06 June 2017, holding that “[Pacana’s] failure to disclose a significant number of her assets and liability in several SALNs.” sought to scrap the 13th month pay tax exemption and to make it part of the all-inclusive P250,000 income tax exemption. Under the law, the 13th month pay should be given to private sector employees not later than Dec. 24. It must be equivalent to one-twelfth of the basic salary of an employee within a calendar year. The senator reminded employers that they must pay their rank-and-file employees a 13th month pay regardless of the nature of their employment and whatever the method their wages are paid, provided they worked for at least one month during a calendar year. ly from the point of view of the consumers. If we impose additional taxes in coal-powered plants, industry players will not find it acceptable and will have the increase passed on to consumers,” Alvarez said. He said it would not take a rocket scientist to know that electricity prices would go up if Congress agreed to impose the new tax on coal and that this would create a ripple effect on the prices of goods and services.

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

MMDA enforcers to wear body cams

Treaties with EU countries under way SENATOR Loren Legarda on Thursday said she is ready to sponsor treaties with the European Union, Germany and Sweden before the Senate goes on break next week. Legarda, chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, held a hearing to discuss concurrence in the Philippines’ ratiﬁcation to three treaties. She said these are the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation Between the Philippines and the European Union (PH-EU PCA); the Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany on Social Security (PHGermany SSA); and the Agreement on Social Security between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Sweden (PH-Sweden SSA). She said the PH-EU PCA will serve as a general framework of relations between the Philippines and the EU and will allow better cooperation between the two parties on political, economic and development issues. Macon Ramos-Araneta

CHR to probe deaths of priest, 14 ‘NPA rebels’ THE Commission on Human Rights has launched a probe into the killing of activist priest Father Marcelito “Tito” Paez and 14 alleged members of the New People’s Army who ﬁgured in a clash with soldiers in Batangas. “There was a priest in Nueva Ecija, Fr. Paez who was killed and...actually the commission sent immediately a fact-ﬁnding team and we’re awaiting the report of that killing but he was killed in cold blood, it was an assassination and we raised the question, was he assassinated because of his activism? His work for justice? Is this going to be a pattern?,” CHR chairperson Chito Gascon said in a press conference. Paez, 72, a resident of Barangay Baloc, Santo Domingo town, was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Jaen, Nueva Ecija on Monday night.

Add ‘teaching code’ in K-12 program —Koko By Macon Araneta SENATE President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has called on the Department of Education to include teaching code, also known as computer programming, in the K-12 program, especially in elementary schools. Currently, computer programming is offered only as an option in senior high school, under the Information and Communications Technology strand of the Technical Vocational Track. “Coding is now an essential skill due to the prevalence of computers in our daily lives. It should be treated like reading, writing, and arithmetic, not just as a career option,” said Pimentel. Pimentel, who graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in B.S. Mathematics, said that coding is a way to introduce concepts such as logic and mathematics to children.

By Joel E. Zurbano

WARM WELCOME. Philippine Constitution Association president and former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (3rd right) and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd right) warmly welcome presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte (left) during the Pampanga Food Festival at the Fontana Convention Center in Clark City in Pampanga. Ver Noveno

Negros Or gov dismissed for ‘grave misconduct’ By Rio N. Araja

HE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday issued a dismissal order anew against Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo for grave misconduct in connection with the anomalous use of the province’s 2012 budget. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales directed Secretary Catalino Cuy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the order. The Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, Commission on Audit and Government Service Insurance System were provided with the copies of the decision of the Ombudsman. The dismissal order carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualiﬁca-

tion from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking the civil service examination. Morales also ordered the filing of charges against Degamo for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019. In October 2012, Degamo submitted to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the proposed budget for 2013, including an item for in-

telligence expenses of P10 million. On Jan. 15, 2013, the provincial board approved the appropriation ordinance, but deleted the P10-million intelligence. In response, Degamo tendered his veto on the “questionable deletion or non-inclusion of the item on conﬁdential/intelligence fund, which veto was not overridden by the SP.” On April 15, 2013, Degamo issued a memorandum, directing the release of the P10-million intelligence fund “without further delay.” A day after, a cash advance for the payment of expenses of different activities related to intelligence operation in the amount of P10 million was released to Degamo. CoA said the “cash advance was made in the absence of an approved appropriation ordi-

nance in violation of Section 305(a) of the Local Government Code and Section 4(1) of the Government Auditing Code of the Philippines.” “As appropriation ordinance no. 1, series of 2013, does not contain any item on conﬁdential/intelligence fund, the release of the cash advance in the amount of P10 million was not supported by the necessary appropriation,” the Ombudsman said. “This violates the Local Government Code and Government Auditing Code,” Morales said. She added that the law “provides that no money shall be paid out of the local treasury except in pursuance of an appropriations ordinance or law. Degamo’s act of insisting for the release of the cash advance despite the apparent absence of the necessary appropriation is thus a

clear badge of willful intent to violate the laws and established rules.” Last January, the Ombudsman indicted Degamo for 11 counts of graft for the illegal disbursement of calamity funds used to pay for the province’s infrastructure projects in 2012. The charges stemmed from the illegal use of the P480-million calamity fund intended for the repair, rehabilitation and construction of structures damaged by natural calamities. Last March 29, Degamo ﬁled a graft complaint against the Ombudsman-Visayas ofﬁcials and accused them of partiality when he was ordered dismissed for corruption twice. In addition, the Sandiganbayan earlier ordered the arrest of Degamo for graft and malversation charges.

MMDA official in hot water for ‘offensive joke’ THE Presidential Task Force on Media Security has stepped into the controversial “joke” made by a Metro Manila Development Authority ofﬁcial last Wednesday who said journalists who would write negative stories about the agency will be the subject of “tokhang.” Task Force executive director Joel Egco said he will call the attention of the involved MMDA ofﬁcial to remind him of Administrative Order No. 1, which created the special unit tasked

to handle cases regarding violation of the right to life, liberty and security of members of the media. “A reporter I have known for years brought this to my attention. Before I publicly call on the ofﬁcial and lecture him on Admin Order no. 1, or ‘red ﬂag’ him for such a horrible joke, I’d like to ask other reporters who were there to verify via PM to me. Thank you. Surely, my informant claimed they felt the chill. He started a joke... let’s see who starts

crying,” said Egco in his ofﬁcial Facebook account. Egco, a former journalist and was a reporter for Manila Standard, added “Even President Duterte does not do that, sir. Just do your job.” Reports showed that on Wednesday, MMDA assistant general manager for planning Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. invited members of the media to attend a press conference regarding the agency’s latest policies and other issues related to trafﬁc improvement in Metro

Manila. But before the news conference started, Garcia made a joke with the newsmen and told them off about writing “negative” stories about the MMDA. The newsmen asked Garcia who was the media personality he is referring to, but instead of answering he kept on talking about the supposed negative stories about the MMDA and that was when he threatened journalists. “Nasaan na yung 45 ko,” Garcia said, referring to the cal. 45 pistol. “Ipatokhang

natin yan,” he added. President Rodrigo Duterte signed his ﬁrst administrative order creating a Presidential Task Force on Media Security. Section 2 of the order said the task force “shall have the mandate of ensuring a safe environment for Media Workers.” The AO stated that the task force would invite the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman as observers and resource persons. Joel E. Zurbano

House approves salary upgrade for AFP personnel, policemen THE HOUSE of Representatives on Wednesday night approved on reading a joint resolution increasing the salary of armed and other uniformed personnel. Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairperson of the House committee on appropriations, said the approved House Joint Resolution shall modify the existing base pay of 381,381 armed and uniformed personnel nationwide. The joint resolution raises the monthly base pay of a Police Ofﬁcer (PO) I in the Philippine National Police or a Private in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and equivalent ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine

Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority from P14,834 to P29,668, representing a 100 percent increase in the base pay effective Jan. 1, 2018. For the other ranks, Nograles said the increase in base pay will be adjusted resulting in an average increase of 58.70 percent for all ranks. “This is in recognition of the critical role of the military and police in maintaining national security and peace and order, as they exercise their duty to ensure the safety of our citizens being exposed to various high peril environments and life-threatening risks, in the discharge of their functions,” Nograles said. Maricel V. Cruz

BODY CAMS. Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim turns over body

cameras to traffic constables at the MMDA headquarters in Guadalupe, Makati City to help traffic enforcers in implementing traffic laws. The cameras were donated by PCWorx company. Norman Cruz

TRAFFIC enforcers of the Metro Manila Development Authority will be equipped with body cameras to be used in dealing with erring motorists and prevent extortion activities. MMDA chairman Danny Lim said a businessman donated 20 body cameras intended to be used by the agency’s traffic personnel for monitoring and recording purposes, particularly of operations and apprehensions, along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. “These [cameras] will be a big help to our men in the process of performing their duties,” said Lim. The agency wants traffic enforcers to start wearing the device to help them in dealing with erring motorists, as well as prevent them from engaging in bribery and extortion while doing their job. Lim admitted that some MMDA traffic enforcers were involved in extortion and bribery cases, and some motorists apprehended for violating traffic rules were also the ones offering money to the enforcers to avoid facing penalties. “Motorists can take videos of traffic enforcers participating in unlawful activities, why not traffic enforcers? Body cameras can serve as proof or evidence on what really happened between a traffic enforcer and a motorists being apprehended for a traffic violation,” he said. Ferwin Lao, vice president of Worx Group of Companies, said they offered the 20 units of cameras because “traffic is a big headache of the MMDA and we want to help by giving them body cams somehow, it will help to resolve traffic.”

House seeks review of bill on registration of imported cars By Maricel V. Cruz A PANEL in the House of Representatives has formed a technical working group to finetune a bill seeking to expedite the registration of imported motor vehicles. The House of Representatives’ committee on transportation, chaired by Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, is expected to approve soon House Bill 6455 authored by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Sarmiento. One enacted, Alvarez said the Land Transportation Office shall be mandated to speed up its process of registration of imported automobiles. The committee has referred the bill to a TWG in which stakeholders and resource persons from the industry will be enjoined to share their insight on the matter. The bill mandates the LTO to issue a certificate of registration of imported motor vehicles within 48 hours from the date of submission of requirements. It also mandates the LTO to coordinate with the Bureau of Customs for the electronic transmission and access of accurate and timely certificate of payment on taxes, customs duties, and other importation documents necessary pursuant to Executive Order 482, s. 2015.

Opinion

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

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EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Car plate backlog

BACKLOG of 7 million car plates suggests something is amiss at the Land Transportation Office and that somebody at the helm of the Land Transportation Office is not doing his job. House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, a former chief of the Department of Transportation, demanded the resignation of LTO chief Edgar Galvante for his failure the address the agency’s car plates problem that resulted in the huge

backlog. Mr. Alvarez was predictably piqued by the LTO inaction—the non-issuance of car plates was one of the issues raised by President Rodrigo Duterte when he was campaigning for the presidency. Mr. Duterte had noted that it took years before car owners could obtain their license plates. In fairness to the LTO, the agency was stymied earlier by a Supreme Court restraining order that prevented it and the Department of Transportation from releasing and distributing 700,000 license plates turned over by the Bureau of Customs, after the plates’ supplier-

importer failed to pay the required customs duties. Funding was also a problem. The LTO had no budget allocation for the procurement of license plates for 2016, 2017 and 2018 after the new government assumed power. The LTO finally received a funding this year to procure the license plates in time for their delivery by March next year. Vehicle owners, in the meantime, felt cheated by the LTO after paying for a car license plate that would have formally registered their vehicle. Vehicle owners, in sum, went through the tedious process of registering their units with

the LTO, only to be told that the registration proof they paid for was not yet available. LTO’s failure to quickly resolve the issue is a big disservice to the public it is supposed to serve. A number of government agencies rendering public service in the Philippines have been dismal in their performance and LTO is one such agency that failed to perform its mandate. Government agencies must be accountable to the public, especially those that charge fees. They should exert their best effort in delivering the services to the public and offer no excuses for their failure to do the job. VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Felipe ‘Henry’ Gozon

Getting their comeuppance BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO I WOULD like to belie the notion that this column often criticizes President Rodrigo Duterte because we are pro-Liberal Party and wish to see the return to power of Noynoy Aquino and his bunch of bunglers. It’s easy to label the President’s critics as cardcarrying members of the “Yellow Army.” As hard as it may seem to Digong’s DDS (Duterte’s Devoted Supporters), the source of these criticism is President Duterte himself who is his own worst enemy. His expletives against critics and political enemies make

good copy for mainstream media. But let’s ease the pressure off the President. This column is supposed to put former President Noynoy Aquino and his cabal to public pillory. Aquino, during his incumbency, was immune from suits. I said then that the line of people who want to file charges against Noynoy Aquino had already formed even before he had stepped down from office. Aquino is also facing charges for the massacre of the 44 Philippine National Police Special Action Force commandos in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. The relatives of the victims blame Aquino for not sending in reinforcements to the SAF commandos who were left exposed in

an open cornfield. Noynoy is also facing a slew of other charges. These charges include doling out to certain senators millions of pesos under the illegal Disbursement Acceleration Program conceptual-

What goes around, comes around. ized by then Budget Secretary Abad. Nine other Cabinet members have been charged with graft and plunder related to the anomalous maintenance contract related to servicing the Metro Rail Transit 3. Former Transpor-

tation Secretary Mar Roxas and his successor Joseph Emilio Abaya were tagged as “principal conspirators” in the P3.8 billion deal awarded to a Pangasinan company without any track record in train maintenance. Also named in the charges filed with the Office of the Ombudsman were former Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, former Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, former Science and Technology4 Secretary Mario Montejo, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. That there are nine, yes nine men and not one spoke out against the grossly disadvantageous deal former MRT manager Al Vitang-

col signed with the firm owned and operated by a relative. Clearly, it showed the gravity of this crime against the Filipino people—the daily train commuters who suffer from the MRT’s constant breakdown. Passengers of the MRT do not know whether they will reach their destination alive. That they do take the train is a leap of faith and a testament to the Filipino’s fatalism. So far the worst MRT accident was a derailment that injured several people a few years ago. We pray that no major mishap happen that will result in a high casualty count. The MRT maintenance contract cost the government P3.8 billion. Yet, there is no semblance some of that amount went

to maintaining an efficient mass transport system. This has given rise to speculations most of that money went into the Liberal Party coffers to fund the presidential bid of LP standard bearer Mar Roxas. Vitangcol was also accused by Belgian Ambassador Josef Rychtar for an alleged $30 million extortion attempt on the Belgian firm Inekon which was bidding to supply 50 additional trains for the MRT Line 3. While things are going the full karmic cycle of what goes around comes around, a lifestyle check on Noynoy Aquino’s brothers-in law—Manolo Abellada and Eldon Cruz—is perhaps in order. If Abellada and Cruz pass the lifestyle check, well and

TODAY, Dec. 8, a good friend, Felipe “Henry” L. Gozon celebrates his 78th birth anniversary. Henry’s has been a fulfilling life. He is today the best and most accomplished broadcast CEO in Asia. He parlayed a money-losing (for 12 straight years) second-rate ramshackle television station in Manila, RBS 7, into the biggest (in audience share and ratings), most credible, most respected, most influential, and yes, most profitable, broadcast network in the Philippines. GMA Network had its best year in 2016. Profits hit a record P3.646 billion, up 71.5 percent, on revenues of P16.697 billion, up 21.5 percent. 2017 is another good year with profits likely to exceed P2.6 billion. In 16 years of savvy management and visioning, the man with cherubic looks delivered P27.95 billion in cumulative profits on revenues of P167.33 billion. Thrilling, considering that the now renamed GMA Network, Inc. started, in the years before that, with zero profits and scarce resources in equipment, manpower, and influence. Gozon has plans to go digital plus a convergence with cellular phone service. That will enable GMA Network to leapfrog over the competition and reaffirm its claim that indeed, it is the No. 1 TV network. In 2016, per its own data, GMA remained the No. 1 television network, both in household ratings, 15.3 percent, and audience share, 43.2 percent. ABS CBN had 10 percent household ratings and 28.3 percent audience share. ABS CBN is the Philippines’ first TV network to be established. GMA makes more money per P100 of revenue—P21.80. That is

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Opinion

By Fr. Ranhilio Callangan Aquino TALK impeachment, and immediately, all reference is to Article XI of the Constitution on the accountability of public officers —and of course, the provisions on impeachment are there. But somewhere, tucked into Article VIII on the Judiciary is Section 11 that starts with the clause: “The members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall hold office during good behavior xxx”. While, for some time, it was debated in the US whether or not this provided a distinct ground for impeachment—and it is now agreed that it does not—it certainly leaves no doubt that “good behavior” is a continuing requirement for members of the Bench and, for Supreme Court justices, in particular. And so, while it is certainly legitimate to concern ourselves with what are impeachable offenses, this requirement of “good behavior” is not to be dismissed as rhetorical flourish. It should have juridical entailments. James Madison thought impeachment to be indispensable to defend the community against “the incapacity, negligence or perfidy of the Chief Magistrate.” He was of course referring to the President of the United States, but under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, the grounds for impeachment of impeachable officials are the same. Benjamin Franklin, for his part, thought that impeachment did the President a favor, because against a Chief Executive who had made himself “obnoxious to the public”, without impeachment, the only recourse would be an assassin’s bullet! Culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes or betrayal of public trust—these are the grounds that the Constitution textually provides. They are purposely broad and are not defined like the Revised Penal Code sets forth the elements of crimes.

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2.6x ABS CBN’s P8.40 for every P100. The latter’s profit to sales ratio of 8.4 percent is supposed to be an improvement; in 2015 and 2014, profit ratio was just 6 percent. GMA has EBITDA of P6.77 billion, up 45 percent over 2015 P4.679 billion, which was up 60 percent over 2014. At end-2016, ABS CBN showed EBITDA of P9.853 billion, up 24 percent from 2015’s P7.94 billion which was up just 6.2 percent over 2014. GMA has no long-term debts. ABS CBN has P20.11-billion long-term debts. Gozon has a master of laws at Yale and was a topnotch aviation and telco lawyer before focusing on television. With the P27.65 billion in profits, Gozon delivered for the past 16 years, the troika that owns GMA has collected prodigious paybacks. Gilberto Duavit owns 28.5 percent of GMA Network, Nards Jimenez 27 percent, and Henry Gozon 25.6 percent. So the profits collected by the three families in 16 years: Duavit P7.965 billion; Jimenez P7.546.5 billion; and Gozon, P7.155.2 billion. In the last five years, from 2012 to 2016, GMA Network revenues swelled from P11.83 billion to P16.67 billion, a record. The increase in five years was 40 percent, equivalent to 8.2 percent annual gain. Profits rose, from P1.6 billion in 2012 to P3.64 billion, a record, and an increase of 125 percent, or an average jump in profitability of 25 percent per year.

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Culpable violation of the Constitution

FEATURE

Felipe...

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Even if it seems to be the most nebulous of the grounds—others like treason, bribery, graft and corruption having statutory definitions —“culpable violation of the Constitution” is not unique to the Philippine Constitution. In National Assembly v. Park Geun-hye, Case No. 2016 Hun-Na1 (March 10, 2017), the Constitutional Court of South Korea the South Korean President guilty of “violations of the Constitution”, specifically: repeatedly causing the transfer of government documents to non-government officials, assisting friends in the pursuit of personal gain, the formulation of policy favorable to cronies, infringement of the freedom and property rights of enterprises. The South Korean Constitutional Court sets the responsibility of the President in broader perspective: “In a representative democracy, a public official is entrusted by the people, the sovereigns, with the power to exercise national authority and thus must work for the benefit of public interest from a neutral position.” This is perfectly consistent with the American persuasion that impeachment is “a remedial tool to effectively maintain constitutional government by removing officials unfit for office.” Given this premise then, “culpable violation of the constitution” and “betrayal of public trust” as distinct grounds for impeachment in the Philippine Constitution need not be criminal acts. They will justify impeachment when they transgress the very foundations of a constitutional democracy, impair checks and balances and deliberately impugn separation of powers! In respect to the duties of the highest officials of the land towards the Constitution, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ( Cases CCT 143/15 and CCT 171/15, March 31, 2016), in the case against President Jacob Zuma, said of the President’s violation of the Constitution: “This requires the President to do all he can to ensure that our constitutional

In finances, GMA leads both competitors, ABSCBN and TV 5, in most key financial indicators, from gross profit margins, net income margins, to debt-equity ratios, with GMA debt free for the past couple of years. GMA says it enriches the lives of Filipinos everywhere with superior entertainment and the responsible delivery of news and information. 2016 was a singularly good year for TV because of the local and presidential elections. For GMA, election spending added P1.5 billion in advertising, while non-election spending also went up, by P2 billion. This combination increased revenues 21 percent year-on-year, making 2016 GMA Network’s best year in revenues and profits, and remaining the most profitable network. “The resurgence of the Network as the leader in terms of nationwide TV ratings buoyed revenues from regular advertising placements,” says the company. This performance increased EBITDA by a whopping 42 percent to P6.778 billion, a record. GMA Network has proven its competitiveness by grabbing the No. 1 spot in nationwide TV ratings since early 2010, posting its biggest lead over competition in 2011 and maintaining the lead in 2012. For the 2016 elections, per data from Effective Measure for worldwide audience for the period May 9 to 11, GMA News Online recorded 109,802,626 page views—the highest number of page views for three consecutive days, a feat never before achieved by any local site to date. biznewsasia@gmail.com

democracy thrives. He must provide support to all institutions or measures designed to strengthen our constitutional democracy. More directly, he is to ensure that the Constitution is known, treated and related to, as the supreme law of the Republic. It thus ill-behooves him to act in a manner inconsistent with what the Constitution requires him to do under all circumstances.” From this South African precedent, we are taught that acts or omissions that undermine constitutional institutions and that run roughshod over the workings of a democracy constitute culpable violations of the constitution. Thus far, all references have been to the impeachment of a president. Should the grounds be construed differently when the officer at the bar is the Chief Justice (or perhaps the chair of any of the independent Constitutional Commissions)? Although quite clearly, the way a Chief Justice will culpably violate the constitution is different from the way a President will be guilty of the same charge by virtue of the differences in the nature of their offices, the Philippine Constitution textually provides for the same grounds. Where the law does not distinguish, distinctions subsequently introduced are spurious! What “culpable violation of the Constitution” can further mean may very well be suggested by American precedent. A thorough study by Jared Cole and Todd Garvey of the US Congressional Research Service (October, 2015) entitled “Impeachment and Removal” includes a summary of different impeachment cases. In 1868, Andrew Jackson, the US President, was impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act and likewise for haranguing Congress and for questioning legislative authority. Nixon’s case in 1974 had to do with the supposed misuse of the powers of his office to obstruct investigation of the Watergate Hotel break-in. Then there was the wellpublicized and televised trial of

President Bill Clinton for behavior considered incompatible with the nature of the office of the Presidency. The terms of indictment should be instructive: “William Jefferson Clinton has undermined the integrity of his office, has brought disrepute on the Presidency, has betrayed his trust as President and has acted in a manner subversive of the Rule of Law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.” It is the Constitution that lays down the powers of the Chief Justice and whether or not her conduct as undermined the integrity of her office or brought it in disrepute or whether her acts or omissions have subverted the rule of law and justice all constitute the question of whether or not she culpably violated the Constitution. But it is against federal judges that the impeachment mechanism has been more frequently used. Judge Harry Claiborne (1986) was impeached and convicted for providing false information on federal income tax forms, for having brought the judiciary into disrepute by his conviction in a criminal case for perjury. In relation to his case, it was said that while it was devastating to the judiciary for judges to be perceived as dishonest, it was as devastating for the entire government for a President to perjure. And the misbehavior need not be in the regard to the performance of official duties. Judge Thomas Porteus (2010) was impeached for misconduct committed prior to his appointment to his present position—leaving no doubt that actions prior to appointment may return to haunt the respondent in impeachment proceedings. While some earlier cases are disturbing in that impeachment and removal from office after conviction seem disproportional to the offense, the relative ease with which judges are impeached and convicted is explained by the fact that in the United States, the only way federal judges can be removed from office is by impeachment.

In respect to the “political justice” that impeachment and trial mediate, Alexander Hamilton in Federalist Papers No. 65 has a clear explanation: “…those offenses which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or, in other words, from the abuse or violation of some public trust. They are of a nature which may with peculiar propriety be denominated ‘political’ as they relate chiefly to injuries done immediately to the society itself.” As to “culpable”, the point should be clear: One is punished for wrong deliberately perpetrated, but one cannot be punished for a mistake or for an opinion. If one in high office should maintain an opinion that should later prove to be wrong, disastrous even—as a mistaken command or maneuver during war, there certainly would be error, and if error is so frequent and so egregious, it may indicate incompetence, but that would not be the “culpable violation” that is required for impeachment. Rather a deliberate violation of the prescriptions and precepts, the ordering and the principles, the premises and the entailments of the constitutional order—this would be actionable and a ground to evict the perpetrator from high office. This understanding of the mechanism of impeachment and trial coupled with what American, Korean and South African precedents tell us about high office and obligations towards the constitution leave us with the conclusion that while “culpable violation of the constitution” may not be susceptible of the parsing into elements that is characteristic of common crimes, it is neither a vacuous term and one that has to do with the very nature of high office in the workings of a constitutional democracy and in the support of its institutions and vigilance over its fundamental principles. rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

Sanofi b*tch FORMATION GARY OLIVAR WHEN the news first started trickling out about something that went wrong with the country’s dengue vaccination program, I thought that something like this ought to be above petty politicking. After all, nothing less than children’s lives were at stake. As the trickle became a flood of revelations, however, it dawned on me that—as usual—politics was the reason why something like this could go so badly wrong. The cast of characters in this tragicomedy includes an avaricious and amoral President, his scheming co-conspirators and pliant subalterns, a heartless European multinational single-mindedly bent on profits, and hundreds of thousands of children needlessly put at risk from a lifethreatening disease like dengue. ** * In which plot lines and characters will we find the villainy lurking in the details? • It was Aquino himself who brokered the deal— Twice, in 2015 and 2016, no less than the President himself met with senior executives of Sanofi Pasteur to discuss purchasing the

Getting... From A4

good as it would stop all speculations about them. Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority came out with a study warning that the

dengue vaccine Dengvaxia for use in the Philippines. Photos of those meetings now litter social media. • Aquino needed to raise funds for his Liberal Party in the 2016 elections – Apparently the cash stowed away by the LP from the MRT3 mis-maintenance contract and other schemes wasn’t enough. At a total of P3.6 billion, the vaccine was overpriced by an order of magnitude compared to its prices elsewhere. Now you know why. • Sanofi Pasteur was an eager player – Pharmaceutical R&D eats up a lot of drug companies’ cashflows, making them desperate for the occasional big win. The company admitted in its latest annual report that the Philippine deal with Aquino accounted for the bulk of revenues that year in its vaccine product line. • Experts and regulations were ignored—Former Health Undersecretary Susan Mercado says the vaccine was not properly approved through a standing committee of DoH. And the World Health Organization has issued a statement denying it ever endorsed the vaccine, contrary to the claims of PNoy’s thenHealth secretary. • Children’s lives were put, and still are, at needless risk—Since the vaccine endangers patients who were not previously infected by

dengue, it should not have been administered at all to young children who, at their age, are less likely to be previouslyinfected. In fact, public health experts recommend it for use only in populations with a dengue rate of 50 percent or higher. ** * Nonetheless, Aquino went ahead to administer the vaccine to over 700,000 Filipino children. In the parlance of the streets, he really proved to be a Sanofi b*tch. I love that online photo of him grinning ear to ear, together with the rest of his yellow-shirted gang, while his health secretary injected Dengvaxia into an obviously scared child. For my money, he should be made to bend over and receive a triple dose of the vaccine, just to make sure for his own good that he never gets sick. For now, the new DOH Secretary Pincoy Duque, an affable retread from the PGMA years, has asked Sanofi Pasteur to suspend the sale and distribution of the vaccine and withdraw it from the local market “pending compliance with the directives of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)”. It’s a relief that the adults are now taking over from the student council. No children are reported to have died yet. But we’re advised to wait for six more months, and preferably un-

til end of next year, before definitively concluding that our children are out of danger. We can only keep our fingers crossed meantime. ** * Starting this Monday, the MMDA will be testing the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) concept on the monstrous vehicular traffic along Edsa. The innermost of the road’s five lanes—the one beside the MRT3 right of way—will be reserved only to vehicles with at least two passengers, including the driver. Presumably this will be enforced only during rush hours, as is the practice in other countries. And presumably there will be lots of traffic enforcers around to make sure rules are followed. With at least half of EDSA’s vehicles reportedly carrying only one unaccompanied driver, this new concept ought to work wonders, by reserving one lane for the rest of us who don’t mind company in the car. MMDA may even want to increase the minimum number of HOV occupants to three, to encourage carsharing. That’s the number used in the more crowded states of the US northeastern region, which like us have comparatively more people and narrower highways. MMDA might also consider extending the test period to year-end, capturing a lot more data from the

holiday shoppers and travelers who make December the busiest traffic month of the year. Where we drivers can do our part is to follow the rules and not squeeze our singleoccupant cars into the HOV lane. This will only force traffic enforcers to flag us down, thereby disrupting traffic flow and inconveniencing other drivers. Now would be a good time to show the world that, at least on the road, we are not simply the “child people” that US President McKinley patronizingly made us out to be. * ** I want to close this piece by bidding farewell to Ma’m Charito Planas, who passed away yesterday. As one of the storied Planas sisters, Charito’s colorful life included escaping martial law aboard a rickety kumpit bound for Malaysia, spending years with the exiled opposition in the States, coming back home to local politics including a stint as QC vice mayor, and joining me as a spokesman for former President Arroyo. Her sorority sisters in Sigma Delta Phi are planning their farewell rites for her tonight 7 PM at the Loyola Chapels in Marikina. She will be truly missed by many.

deadliest time for drivers in the city is between 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. This is the period when the streets are cleared of vehicular traffic. Why then should it be the deadliest time for driving or just being a passenger? The reason is simple enough. This is the

time when with the roads cleared that some drivers with delusions of being in a Formula One race track step on the gas and unleash all that pent-up frustration of being stuck in traffic during the daytime. The result of this bottled-up fury is a dis-

aster waiting to happen. Then too, this is the time when the crazies are out on the road. These are the habitual drunk driver or someone who’s showing off to his date how fast his new sports car can go. The scary scenario is death to the driver and his girl-

friend. The MMDA also reported that Quezon City has the most number of motor vehicle crashes with 33, 717 cases record by the police and hospitals. Commonwealth Avenue is the most notorious of roads for vehicle collisions.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

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Standard FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 A6 TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Napoles, 2 in Malampaya fund scam By Maricel Cruz

HE Ombudsman has ﬁled with the Sandiganbayan 97 counts of graft and malversation cases against two former Cabinet ofﬁcials of the Arroyo administration and detained businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles over the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam.

Charged were former Budget chief and incumbent Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. and former Agrarian Reform secretary and now Masui City, Lanao del Sur Mayor Nasser Pangandaman for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds through falsiﬁcation of public documents. The respondents are ac-

cused of diverting P900 million from the Malampaya fund allocated by DBM to DAR between 2009 to 2010 and in the process using 12 Napoles-led non-government organizations as conduits to the fraud. Andaya allegedly approved the request of DAR and signed the Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation requested by Pangandaman

even prior to the review of the DBM’s budget and management bureau. Andaya Jr. immediately expressed hope he would be acquitted from the downgraded criminal charges, telling reporters “I welcome the ﬁling of the case, conﬁdent that at the end, when my side will be fully heard and the evidence I submit will be appreciated, truth will prevail and I shall be

acquitted of the charges against me.” He added: “I have full faith in our justice system even as I wish that the case will proceed in a fair and fast manner.” Andaya said the charges were downgraded after the Ombudsman only ﬁled graft and malversation through falsiﬁcation of public documents instead of plunder cases.

“Let me note that the charges have been downgraded from plunder to malversation, which means that the original indictment actively sought has been debunked,” Andaya said. Andaya was charged with conspiring with former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in tapping the Malampaya funds for the rehabilitation of Ondoy-damaged areas.

Libya to PH: Reevaluate Tripoli ‘crisis alert level’ By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Libyan Charge d’ Affaires Ahmed Eddeb on Thursday called on the Philippine government to re-evaluate the security risk in his country and lift the deployment ban so it could hire new Filipino professionals. He stressed majority of hospitals in Libya were in “greatlneed” of nurses, technicians, construction workers, among others. In a press brieﬁng, Eddeb urged Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to visit Libya, check the security situation, and downgrade the Crisis Alert Level for Libya from 2 (Restriction Phase) to 1 (Precautionary Phase). “There is a great need of (sic) Filipino nurses in Libya,” Eddeb said, citing majority of hospi-

tals were requesting for Filipino medical practitioners. “The problem we are facing now [is] plenty of job orders in Libya, the Filipinos are very well-respected workers in Libya, and because of the [employment] ban, companies could not hire new contract workers,” he lamented. He said he has been sending diplomatic letter to the the Department of Foreign Affairs addressed to the Secretary like “almost every day” since 2016 but up until now the agency had yet to send Security Assessment Team to Tripoli and check the security situation. “We did our best in contacting the ofﬁcial to lift the ban. We understand that they are very worried about the safety of the Filipinos and the situation in Libya,” Eddeb said.

PREVENTING HOLITRASH.

EcoWaste Coalition teams up with Quirino Elementary School in Quezon City to drum up public awareness on the need to cut down on the holiday trash (holitrash) by applying the the 3 Rs—reduce, reuse, recycle and other practical steps to decrease the volume of garbage to zero. Manny Palmero

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 InvItatIon to BId for the Supply, Delivery and Installation of Furniture at the Department of Finance Roof Deck Level

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 Invitation to Bid for the Renovation of the Department of Finance Building – Package 4 1.

The Department of Finance (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2017, intends to apply the sum of SIXTY SIX MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THIRTY TWO THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY FIVE PESOS AND 20/100 (P66,832,495.20) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Renovation of the Department of Finance Building – Package 4 includes Architectural Works, Sanitary/Plumbing Works, Fire Protection Works, Mechanical Works and Electrical Works as maybe applicable for the DOF 8th Floor EDPC Building Renovation.

LOT No. 1 2

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2.

The DOF now invites bids for the Renovation of the Department of Finance Building – Package 4. Completion of the Works is required in 120 calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Prospective bidders must have been at least 10 years in the Construction Industry with a PCAB Size Range of Medium B and License Category A.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat at the address given below during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders starting on (December 8, 2017 up to December 27, 2017) at the BAC Secretariat, 7th Floor, EDPC Building BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. However, due to volume and size of files, the Technical Specifications and detailed plans may only be secured by interested bidders from the BAC Secretariat, 7th Floor, EDPC Building, Roxas Boulevard corner Pablo Ocampo St., Roxas Boulevard Manila.

The DOF will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 3:00 p.m., December 15, 2017 at the PMT Conference Room, 3rd Floor DOF Building, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:45 a.m. on December 27, 2017. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on 3:00 p.m. December 27, 2017 at the PMT Conference Room, 3rd Floor DOF Building, Roxas Boulevard, Malate, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use the non- discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Failure to submit the required document under the bidding documents or the submission of a document which does not comply with the legal formalities shall be rated “failed”.

ACTIVITY 1. Advertisement and Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Availability of Bid Documents 3. Pre-bid Conference 1. Request for Clarification 2. Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin 6. Submission and Receipt of Bids

7. Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE December 8, 2017 December 8, 2017 December 15, 2017, 3:00 p.m. PMT Conference Room 3rd Flr, DOF Building December 17, 2017 (by email) December 20, 2017 December 27, 2017, 9:45 a.m. BAC Secretariat 7th Floor, EDPC Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Malate Manila December 27, 2017, 3:00 p.m. PMT Conference Room 3rd Floor, DOF Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Malate Manila

10. For further information, please refer to:

ABC PhP 1,910,416.00 Php 1,100,092.00 PhP 3,010,508.00

The DOF now invites bids for Supply . Delivery of the Goods is required within Sixty days (60) days upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders starting on December 8, 2017 up to December 27, 2017 at the BAC Secretariat Office, 7th Floor, EDPC Building, BSP Complex , Pablo Ocampo St. cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount as follows LOT No. 1 2

Description Wooden Furniture Metal Furniture Total

ABC PhP 1,910,416.00 Php 1,100,092.00 PhP 3,010,508.00

Amount Php 5,000.00 5,000.00 Php10,000.00

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 6.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. BAC Secretariat, Procurement Management Division 7th Floor EDPC Building, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St. Cor. Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila

Bid opening shall be on 4:00 p.m., December 27, 2017, at the PMT Conference Room, 3rd Floor DOF Building, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. Schedule of Activities

ACTIVITY 1. Advertisement and Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Availability of Bid Documents 3. Pre-bid Conference 4. Clarification 5. Issuance of Bid Bulletin 3. Submission and Receipt of Bids

4. Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE December 8, 2017 December 8, 2017 December 15, 2017, 4:00 p.m. PMT Conference Room 3rd Flr, DOF Building December 17, 2017 December 20, 2017 December 27, 2017, 9:45 a.m. BAC Secretariat 8th Floor, EDPC Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Malate Manila December 27, 2017, 4:00 p.m. BAC Secretariat 8th Floor, EDPC Building BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd. Malate Manila

The DOF reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Liceria A. Te BAC SECRETARIAT Department of Finance 8th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street cor. Roxas Boulevard Malate, Manila Telefax No. 526-4786 Email address: bac@dof.gov.ph

BAC Secretariat 7th Floor EDPC Buidling, BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street corner Roxas Boulevard Malate , Manila Telefax No. 526-4786 Email Address : bac@dof.gov.ph

(MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

Description Wooden Furniture Metal Furniture Total

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (RIRR). The schedules of activities are as follows:

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for CY 2017 intends to apply the sum

(SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and BAC Chairman

(MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

(SGD) GIL. S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and BAC Chairperson

Natl ID system creation sought

By Macon Ramos-Araneta is still no ID, we do not know SENATOR Win Gatchalian has called for the creation of a National Database System to address P6 billion worth of leakages in the delivery of social services (about 10 percent of the total allocated) brought about by the lack of a uniﬁed database, among others. He said his proposed Senate Bill No. 1267, or the National Database System Act, would establish a National Database Authority under the supervision of Department of Information and Communications Technology. “In the tax reform and budget bills we are giving close to P60 billion to people in dire need of social services, but since there

where they live, where they transferred, and what are their names. It’s very difﬁcult to track down every single poor family in the country,” he said. The bill, he said, will streamline the delivery of government social services and simplify the process of obtaining common ofﬁcial documents such as NBI clearances and driver’s licenses. “The objective of the bill is really to collate all this personal information in one single database – the national ID is only an offshoot of the merging of the database. What is important here is to align what the other proposals tend to create – a single database with a single reference number,” said Gatchalian.

Iligan bishop Galido dies of cancer—CBCP By Vito Barcelo ILIGAN Catholic Bishop Elenito Galido died recently due to liver cancer, according to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. The 64 year-old bishop of the Iligan diocese in Lanao del Norte died Tuesday at the Intensive Care Unit after being in a coma at the Mercy Hospital in Iligan City where he was rushed last week. The bishop had been undergoing medication after he was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver few years ago. Galido was born April 18, 1954 in Managok, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. After ﬁnishing his theology study at the St. Francis Xavier Regional Major Seminary in Davao City, he was ordained a priest on April 25, 1979. In March 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him as bishop of Iligan, becoming the fourth prelate to hold the post. Up until his death, he was serving as the chairman of the Commission on Culture of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. Galido was also among those in the forefront of the Church’s efforts to help thousands of families displaced by the war in Marawi City.

New IDs now available for OFWs By Vito Barcelo THE new iDOLE OFW ID Card is now available to all returning overseas Filipino workers or Balik-Manggagawa, the Department of Labor and Employment said. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the limited issuance of the ID Card in the initial implementation of the Integrated Department of Labor and Employment (iDOLE) eServices was intended to further test and secure the features of the system. “This is only the ﬁrst phase of implementation and will cater ﬁrst

to our Balik-Manggagawa until the system is ready for all OFWs. We are doing this to secure the database and for further improvements in the system,” Bello said. Balik-Manggagawa, or those vacationing OFWs, are required to log in on their BM Online accounts to apply for the ID, which they can use to avail themselves of travel tax and terminal fee exemptions. They can now log in and create an account with the iDOLE. ph or the iDOLE One-Stop Online Facility/Portal and apply for the OFW ID by putting their latest and valid Overseas Employment Certiﬁcate Number.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Thai wrests control with a 69 S TA. ROSA, Laguna – China LPGA campaigner Renuka Suksukont sizzled in the first four holes then survived a rollercoaster round to seize a one-stroke lead over Taiwanese Hanna Chen with an eagle-spiked 69 as the local aces faltered at the start of the $80,000 ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters at The Country Club here yesterday. Suksukont, who has posted two top three finishes in the CLPGA this season, rattled off three straight birdies from No. 2 in benign condition in morning play then

bounced back from a bogey and a triple-bogey mishap in the next two holes with a birdie and an eagle on Nos. 7 and 8, respectively. The 22-year-old Thai ace then

hit two more birdies against a bogey at the back for a 3435 card. A slew of late starters from half of the 99-player field took aim at matching or bettering Suksukont’s threeunder card but all failed with Taiwanese Hanna Chen birdying Nos. 11 and 12 to fall by one at 70. “My aim was to hit the fairways and the greens and it’s a good thing my game plan turned out well,” said Suksukont, who drained three straight birdies inside six feet to gain early control. But she found the Tom

Weiskoph-designed layout’s surface too sleek to handle in the next two holes, including the par-3 No. 6 which she missed and four-putted for a 6. “I just couldn’t control my putt,” rued Suksukont, who struck back with a birdie on No. 7 then hacked a solid 6-iron second shot from 174 yards to within six feet for eagle on the eighth. Earlier, Cyna Rodriguez and amateur Yuka Saso looked headed to dominating the first round action in the $80,000 event sponsored by ICTSI after the former gunned down three birdies

in the first eight holes and the latter matching Renuka’s two-under 34 start in the event that drew top players from the China and Taiwan LPGA Tours and the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour. But they stumbled at the tougher with Rodriguez, a former three-time LPGT Order of Merit winner, hobbling with a four-over card in the last four holes ruined by a double-bogey finish for a 73. Saso, on the other hand, flubbed a couple of birdie putts and muffed a par-putt from six feet, settling for a 71 for joint third with Taiwan-

ese Wu Yi-ching and Lee Tai-ling, Thai P. Wirairungreung and fellow amateurs Hung Jo-hua of Taiwan and Hwang Min-jeong of Korea. Despite a shaky finish, Saso said she was more than satisfied with her opening round game and expressed confidence of a big rebound in the last 36 holes of the three-day championship co-organized by the LPGT and the China and Taiwan LPGAs. “I played relatively good. The fairways are long and the greens are tough to read. But I had no problem with my game.” said Saso.

4-way tie ends 9-stag Pitmasters Cup at RWM THE 2017 World Pitmasters CupMaster Breeder Edition 2 culminated with a four-way championship tie with teams garnering eight points each during the 4-stag grand finals held on Nov. 25 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. Emerging as co-champions were R Star RJM (RJ Mea, Boyet and Grace Sison), Hilicapvilli (Larry Villacorte), San Roque BB2 (Joey and Buboy Delso Santos; Muroy Dolorico) and Lieteros VMP San Isidro (Glenn Adao and Vladimir Palis) who will split the guaranteed Php15,000,000 prize purse for the derby. Organized by businessmen and cockfighting aficionados Charlie “Atong” Ang, Gerry Ramos, Engr. Sonny Lagon, Governor Eddiebong Plaza and RJ Mea, with assistance from Eric Dela Rosa and Ka Lando

Luzong, this year’s Master Breeders Edition featured some of the best breeders and handlers in the country with over 300 entries vying for the top prize. Leading the way in showcasing the best stags and champion local breeders in the country, the World Pitmasters Cup staged four topnotch derbies this year in RWM with the 9-cock International Derby in January, the Fiesta Edition in May, and the 9-stag Master Breeder Edition 1 and 2 in September and November respectively. “The venue is totally different from your ordinary ‘sabungan’. It counts for a lot along with the quality of the fights because it offers hotels, a shopping mall, restaurants— places where our participants can also bring their families and enjoy the facilities,” said organizer and businessman Gerry Ramos.

World Pitmasters Cup organizers Sonny Lagon (right); Charlie “Atong” Ang (2nd from right); and RJ Mea (4th from left, standing) award one of the four champions of the 2017 Master Breeder Edition 2 R Star RJM. With them is event sponsor Resorts World Manila’s Assistant Director for Business Development Rusky Fernandez (2nd from right, standing).

La Salle, San Beda crowned champions THE Manila teams were favored and they didn’t disappoint. La Salle Greenhills won its third straight SBP division national championship at the 32nd SBP Passerelle Tournament, backed by Milo by hacking out a 6651 win over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu at the Cebu Coliseum. San Beda College, making its first trip to the national finals since 2006, also won convincingly, dousing the upset hopes of Holy Child College of Davao, 6851, to win the Passerelle division national title. La Salle led from start to finish, going to its vaunted full-court pressure defense to take an early lead, never to look back despite the tough stand of the home team. Lorenzo Competente, who had a game-high 25 points, led a first quarter five that gave the Greenies a 23-9 lead with a lot of points coming off turnovers caused by a crippling press. They built a 42-20 halftime lead, again relying on its defense, this time controlling SHS-Ateneo ace Jared Bahay in the second quarter. The lead ballooned to 27 points in the third period, before it was cut to 54-36 going into the fourth period.

Manila

Olongapo dominates Cebuana netfest LOCAL bets, led by Althea Fay Ong and siblings Czarina Jean and Jonas Joseph Silva, dominated the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series leg held at the Subic International Tennis Center in Olongapo City, Zambales, winning six individual titles and sharing in four doubles. Ong went home with the girls’ 16-under and 18-under crowns and shared with Aira Tolentino the 18-under doubles’ title to emerge as top performer in the leg backed by Dunlop as the official ball. She started her run by ruling the 16-under with an easy 6-2, 6-1 romp over Martina Naredo from Quezon City and followed it with an equally effortless 6-2, 6-3 victory over Chenly Mae Parong from Iba, Zambales. Ong then punctuated her masterful performance with an 8-2 win with Tolentino over Naredo and Parong for the 18-under doubles’ crown. Czarina Jean Silva posted a straight-

set win over Ashley Gabriela Ajito, 6-2, 6-2, for the girls’ 14-under title and partnered with her opponent Ajito to defeat Mary Love de Guzman and Rizelle Devera, 8-0, for her second tile. Her older brother Jonas Joseph was not threatened at all by Brian Oliveros in the finals of the boys’ 18-under as he took his first title following a 6-2, 6-1 victory. He followed this up with a share of the boys’ 18-under doubles’ crown as he and partner Edgar Bongco had an 8-2 win over Oliveros and Virgel Callanta. “I give credit to the tennis community in Subic and Olongapo. This partnership between us sponsors and local stakeholders encourages us to sustain this grassroots tennis developmental program now on its 11th year,” said Cebuana Lhuillier President/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier. Other individual winners in the leg that saw Cebuana Lhuillier local officers Mylene Cortes, Area Manager, and Jessie Sasota, Area Technical Supervisor, awarding the trophies, were Calasiao, Pangasinan’s

Charles Torres, who subdued Oliveros, 6-3, 6-4, in the boys’ 16-under finals; local bet Axl Lajon Gonzaga in the boys’ 14- under after beating visiting player Rainier Anselmo Selmar from Bacoor, Cavite, in the finals, 7-6, 6-2; Darwin Cosca Jr. also from Olongapo, who edged out Ralph Adrian Selmar, 6-7, 6-2, 10-8, for the boys’ 12-under crown; and Manila bet Jose Ma. de Leon, who took the measure of Urdaneta’s John Prince Lim, 4-2,4-2 in the finals of the 10-under unisex category. In the distaff side, Ajito ruled the girls’ 12-under with an easy 6-0, 6-1 win over Devera. Gonzaga also shared with Cosca Jr. the boys’ 14-under doubles’ title after the duo posted a close 8-6 win over Nathan Novilla and Ralph Adrian Selmar. Losing finalist in the unisex category, John Prince Lim contented himself with a share of the 10-under unisex crown with partner Kriz Roque Lim as they beat Yuan Dorig and Lancelot Lesaca, 8-1, in the finals.

NBA marathon on ABS-CBN, Sports + Action CHRISTMAS has come early for Filipino basketball fans as ABS-CBN Sports will be airing National Basketball Association games every day starting Dec. 15, highlighted by the Christmas Day battle between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the defending champions Golden State Warriors. The special December marathon fires off on Dec. 15, 7 a.m. on S+A and S+A HD with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Cleveland Cavaliers playing host to the youngsters of the Los Angeles Lakers led by second overall pick Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Fil-Am star Jordan Clarkson. After

that, it’s Russel Westbrook and the OKC Thunder versus Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 16 at 8 am on ABS-CBN Ch. 2, then the coverage shifts back to S+A with the LA Clippers - Miami Heat game on December 17 at 9 am, and the Cavs versus the Washington Wizards game on December 18 at 7 am. Also to watch for this month is Steph Curry and company taking on the LA Lakers on Dec. 19 at 11:30 a.m., followed by the showdown of two athletic freaks in Lebron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Cleveland – Milwaukee game on Dec. 20 at 9 a.m., both on S+A and S+A

HD. This special NBA marathon serves as a countdown to the muchanticipated Christmas Day battle between the revamped Cleveland Cavaliers versus the 2016-2017 NBA titlists Golden State Warriors, which will also air live on S+A and S+A HD on Dec. 26 at 4 a.m. Back in 2016, the Cavs beat the Warriors on their home floor thanks to a Kyrie Irving game-winner, reminiscent of his own dagger in the 2016 NBA Finals. Other teams that will be showcased in the marathon, which will continue until the end of December include Memphis, Boston,

Standard Republic of the Philippines TODAY Department

of Transportation

TOLL REGULATORY BOARD

2nd Floor, Integrated Bar of the Phililippines Bldg., Dona Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City

NOTICE OF TOLL RATE IMPLEMENTATION TARLAC - PANGASINAN - LA UNION EXPRESSWAY In accordance with the Toll Concession Agreement by and among the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and Private Infra Dev Corporation, the following pre-accepted rates for Segment 7 (Binalonan to Pozorrubio) of the TPLEX, inclusive of VAT will be collected starting December 27, 2017 at 12:01 a.m. Class 1

Php 35.00

Class 2

Php 88.00

Class 3

Php 106.00

The updated toll matrix for TPLEX (La Paz - Pozorrubio) follows: La Paz-Pozorrubio Toll Rates (VAT Inclusive) CLASS 1 (Cars & jeepneys, including taxis, vans, pick-ups, etc. or vehicles with 2 axles and an overall height of up to 7 feet) ENTRY/ EXIT

La Paz

Victoria

Gerona

Paniqui

Moncada

Carmen

Urdaneta

La Paz Victoria

30.00

Gerona

58.00

28.00

Paniqui

79.00

49.00

21.00

Moncada

99.00

69.00

41.00

20.00

Carmen

164.00

134.00

106.00

85.00

65.00

Urdaneta

216.00

186.00

158.00

137.00

117.00

Binalonan

235.00

205.00

177.00

156.00

136.00

71.00

19.00

Pozorrubio

270.00

240.00

212.00

191.00

171.00

106.00

54.00

52.00

35.00

CLASS 2 (Buses & trucks with 2 axles & a height of more than 7 ft.; Light Vehicles with more than 2 axles & a height of up to 1 ft. (vehicles with trailers) ENTRY/ EXIT

La Paz

Victoria

Gerona

Paniqui

Moncada

Carmen

Urdaneta

Binalonan

La Paz Victoria

76.00

Gerona

145.00

70.00

Paniqui

197.00

122.00

52.00

Moncada

247.00

171.00

102.00

50.00

Carmen

410.00

334.00

264.00

213.00

163.00

Urdaneta

540.00

464.00

394.00

343.00

293.00

130.00

LEBRON JAMES

Binalonan

587.00

511.00

441.00

390.00

340.00

177.00

47.00

New York, New Orleans, Orlando, Brooklyn, San Antonio, Utah, and Houston. It will close with a LIVE airing of the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 31 at 9:30 a.m. on S+A.

Pozorrubio

675.00

599.00

530.00

478.00

428.00

265.00

135.00

88.00

Urdaneta

Binalonan

CLASS 3 (Trucks with 3 or more axles and a height greater than 7 feet) ENTRY/ EXIT

La Paz

Victoria

Gerona

Paniqui

Moncada

Carmen

La Paz Victoria

91.00

Gerona

175.00

84.00

Paniqui

237.00

146.00

62.00

Bullpups, Eaglets remain undefeated LOTTO RESULTS

Moncada

296.00

206.00

122.00

60.00

Carmen

492.00

401.00

317.00

255.00

Urdaneta

648.00

557.00

473.00

411.00

351.00

156.00

NATIONAL University and Ateneo continued to dominate the UAAP Season 80 juniors’ basketball tournament with two playdates remaining in the first round. With perfect 5-0 records, the Bullpups and the Blue Eaglets are the only remaining undefeated teams. Over the weekend, NU bested defending champion Far Eastern University-Diliman, 80-68, while Ateneo overpowered University of Santo To-

Binalonan

704.00

614.00

530.00

468.00

408.00

213.00

57.00

Pozorrubio

810.00

719.00

635.00

573.00

514.00

318.00

162.00

mas, 94-63. Determined to rebound from last season’s Finals loss to the Baby Tamaraws, the Bullpups are making strides behind Rhayyan Amsali, who is posting double-double averages of 14.4 points and 10 rebounds per contests. Terrence Fortea (13.4 points), Miguel Oczon (12.6 points), Matthew Manalang (11.6) and Michael Malonzo (10.2) are also averaging in double figures for NU.

Binalonan

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

195.00

106.00

Any interested expressway user shall have the right to file, within a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication of this Notice, a petition for review of the applicable toll rates for Segment 7 (Binalonan to Pozorrubio) with the TRB at the 2nd Floor, Integrated Bar of the Philippines Building, Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, Ortlgas Center, Pasig City. By Authority of the Board:

Date of First Publication: December 8, 2017 (MS-DEC. 8/15/22, 2017)

(SGD.) ENGR. ABRAHAM P. SALES Executive Director II / Hearing Officer

Sports

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

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Beermen, Fuelmasters kick off PBA season By Jeric Lopez THE stage is finally set for the coming 43rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association. After some doubts and misgivings, the league finally formalized its scheduled opening of the coming season on Dec. 17. Opening the Philippine Cup will be four-peat seeking San Miguel Beer and retooled Phoenix Petroleum two tango in the lone game of the first play date at 6:45 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Prior to the initial game of the season, the traditional opening ceremony and parade of teams will first be conducted. Winners of the All-Filipino conference for three seasons in a row, the Beermen are now bound to shoot for their fourth straight crown as they begin their quest and title defense against the unpredictable Fuelmasters. As usual, San Miguel, the tournament’s perennial favorite, will once again parade its championship core composed of four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross. In the other corner, Louie Alas will make his debut as Phoenix’s new coach as he tries to turn the Fuelmasters’ fortunes around. Aside from Alas, No. 4 PBA Draft pick Jason Perkins will likewise debut for Phoenix. On the second play date on Dec. 20, it’s the turn of highly-touted No. 2 PBA Draft pick Kiefer Ravena to have his baptism as his NLEX Road Warriors take on the Kia Picanto in the first game of the season’s first double-header at the San Juan Arena. Following that will be a renewal of rivalry between the Magnolia Hotshots (formerly Star) and the Alaska Aces at 7 p.m.

Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) tries to protect the basketball against Charlotte Hornets counterpart Michael Kidd-Gilchrist during their game at Spectrum Center on December 6, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. AFP

Durant powers GS Warriors to victory; James rules Kings Blue Eagles L set to rebuild OS ANGELES – Kevin Durant finished with 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his ninth career triple double on Wednesday as the undermanned Golden State Warriors defeated the Charlotte Hornets 101-87. The Warriors won their fifth straight and the seventh in their last eight games despite playing without superstar Stephen Curry and forward Draymond Green. Durant had 16 points in the first quarter, quickly setting the tone for the game at the Spectrum Center arena. He finished 13 of 28 from the field and hit three three-pointers. Durant said his teammates did a good job of picking up the slack with Curry and Green out. “I think everybody just rallied around each other, from the coaches to the players to the trainers, everybody,” Durant said. “The defense was on point

tonight and we got off to a good start.” Elsewhere, LeBron James nailed a clutch three-pointer with 16 seconds left as Cleveland won a record-tying 13th straight game with a 101-95 win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. James ﬁnished with 32 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as the win equaled a Cleveland franchise record. There were about ﬁve seconds left on the shot clock when time was called with 20 seconds left and Cleveland clinging to a twopoint lead. Coach Tyronn Lue said he intended to call a different play in

the huddle, but James wanted “Chicago,” a play named for James’ turnaround jumper at the buzzer in game four of the 2015 conference semifinals against the Chicago Bulls. “So I said, ‘OK,’” Lue said. “We got it to him, and he made a big shot. That was a huge play for us to put us up five.” The Cavaliers can set a franchise record win streak on Friday against the Indiana Pacers. In New Orleans, DeMarcus Cousins had 40 points and 22 rebounds and Jrue Holiday tallied 27 points and seven assists to lift the New Orleans Pelicans to a 123-114 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Pelicans, who were playing without forward Anthony Davis, erased an early 10-point deficit by getting the ball inside to Cousins. Davis missed his third straight game with a strained adductor. Cousins finished just short of his season high with 41 points

and 23 rebounds he recorded in a 114-106 road victory over Sacramento on October 26. The Nuggets were led by Gary Harris with 24 points, but they dropped to 3-9 on the road. The Pelicans put the game out of reach with a 13-0 run in a three-minute span in the fourth quarter to take a 114-96 lead with 6:38 left. Golden State coach Steve Kerr was impressed with the way Durant carried the team to victory. “What a luxury to be able to just throw him the ball, especially with Steph out,” Kerr said. “He took over. It wasn’t really scripted, it was just a natural product of Steph being out, Draymond being out. “He was attacking from the start. It was like a ‘I’ve got this’.” The Warriors cruised to a 4822 lead in the second quarter and never trailed, improving to 20-6 on the season.

By Peter Atencio WHEN celebrations are done after the Ateneo Blue Eagles won the men’s basketball crown, preparations for the next season will commence. And this time, it will be about the Blue Eagles’ title defense in the 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament. It’s early and the coaching staff has not yet thought about the new players coming in and those who will ﬁll in spots that will be available when veteran cagers Kris Porter, Vince Tolentino and Chibueze Ikeh leave the team when they graduate. But, so far, coach Sandy Arespacochaga said there are six candidates who will make team A next season. “More recruits, and those guys (from Team B and the juniors) who can help us. But, we’re not (yet) thinking about next year. We’re just enjoying this,” said Arespacochaga.

Luisita makes successful return to Fil-Am Golf Korean uses

Members of the Luisita Golf & Country Club team stand together after completing a sweep in the premiere Championship flights to make a successful return to the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament.

BAGUIO CITY—Luisita Golf & Country Club completed a sweep in the premiere Championship ﬂights Thursday, a successful return to the Fil-Am Invitation Golf Tournament and a grand slam of sorts in the two biggest amateur team competitions. “Mission accomplished, we came back to the FilAm and even swept the top ﬂights,” cried Luisita team captain Jeric Hechanova as his Fil Championship team romped off with the crown at the Camp John Hay golf course and the Am squad avoided a melt down and stayed CJH at the Baguio Country Club layout. It was double victory of a rejuvenated Luisita GCC under a new management which won the PAL Interclub title earlier this year. Eddie Bagtas had a tournament best four under for 40

points and Rodel Mangalubnan churned in a two under for 38 points to power Luisita to a closing round of 141 and 507 total for a 30 point win in the Fil Championship over Manila Southwoods. “We expected that,” Hechanova said of his players who will all deliver at the longer CJH course. Jingy Tuazon collected 34 points and Chito Laureto submitted a 29, both like Bagtas and Mangalubnan are “meant for CJH than BCC because they are long hitters.” After a so-so back nine where he made two birdie against a bogey and a pick up at the ninth, Bagtas collected ﬁve birdies including a back too back at the 8th and the difﬁcult ninth. Raul Minoza had an even par for 36 points to pace Southwoods’ 122 for a 477 total. Scorers for the team were: Bong Sison (34), Judd

Roy (29) and Sang Jin Lee (19). Minoza had a two under or 146 on rounds of 36, 35, 39 and 36, to take the individual title. Megaﬁber had 107 points and 437 total to stay at third place. Hechanova and the Am squad nearly faltered when they moved to BCC on day three where they lost four points to CJH. But the players survived as “it brought out the experience of the players especially Benjie Sumulong and Raffy Garcia,” said Hechanova. In fact the Am squad even padded the margin to 10, thanks to the 30 points of Sumulong, the pair of 28s from Garcia and Alan Alegre and 25 of Dennis Canoy for 111 points and 452 aggregate. Hechanova made 24 and did not count.

Meralco Manila, Global Cebu battle for survival MERALCO Manila battles Global Cebu in a blockbuster Saturday night battle for survival. The match set for 7 pm on December 9 at Rizal Memorial is the second leg of a two-legged, aggregate goals semifinal encounter to decide who makes the Philippines Football League final on December 16. Global has the slimmest of leads thanks to a first-leg 2-1 conquest last December 2.

However, Manila also has an advantage. Despite the fact that stadium unavailability forced both games to be played in Manila, the Cebuanos were still technically the “away” team, and Tahj Minniecon’s goal for Meralco last Saturday counts as an away goal. Thus a 1-0 result this coming Saturday means a 2-2 aggregate score and the Sparks gaining a berth in the Final on away goals.

A 2-1 win by Meralco on Saturday means the match will go into extra time and if necessary, penalties. Apart from that score, every other result on Saturday means the series will be concluded after 90 minutes. In the other semiﬁnal this Saturday, Ceres Negros, who edged Kaya Makati 1-0 in their ﬁrst leg last Saturday, are the hosts for leg 2, also at 7:00 pm.

The Sparks are determined to make amends for the late meltdown last Saturday that saw late strikes by Wes Dos Santos and Hikaru Minegishi give Cebu the win. “We ﬁnished on top of the league for a reason,” says defender Joaco Cañas. “They scored two goals but overall we were the better team. If we can ﬁx the mistakes and read the game better then we can make

it to the ﬁnal, but it won’t be easy.” Captain Simon Greatwich also expressed his frustration but was pleased with the performance of the squad as a whole. “I was happy with how we played. The work rate, the heart. We just didn’t kill the game off, so we were punished.” Greatwich was coy about the strategy Manila would approach for the contest.

toes to win at eSports

SHANGHAI, China—A showboating eSports star dubbed “the Korean Conor McGregor” played part of a one-sided ﬁnal using his bare toes, provoking a furious response from his humiliated Chinese rival. South Korea’s Lim Hong-Gyu at another point folded his arms and pretended to sleep as he thrashed Luo “Legend” Xian in their StarCraft: Remastered showdown in the United States. The bout – which pitted the two players against each other in a hugely popular sci-ﬁ strategy game – was watched by thousands of fans online and sparked debate about whether Lim was arrogant or brilliant. Luo consequently branded Lim – better known by his playing nickname “Larva” and likened to the brash and colorful Irish MMA star McGregor -- “a clown”. US organizers were not amused by Lim’s antics during the Zotac Cup Masters event on Sunday. “It is unfortunate that the behavior of one of the players may have caused an uproar in the professional gaming community, however, it does not speak for nor does it represent Zotac or the Zotac Cups,” a statement read. It added: “Hereby we sincerely apologize to our fans, the Zotac Cup community and any players or persons impacted by the incident.”

Cirtek raises $67m in share sale B2

Business

Foreign reserves fell to $80.3b in November

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 2017

GO HOTELS IN TIMOG. Go Hotels,

one of the Philippines’ leading budget hotel chains, opens its worldclass amenities with 219 rooms on Timog Ave., considered as the central business district and entertainment hub of Quezon City. At the opening ceremony are (from left) Go Hotels area operations manager Grace Bartolome, RoxacoVanguard Hotel Corp. president and chief executive Santiago Elizalde, Robinsons Hotel and Resorts general manager Elizabeth Kristine Gregori and Roxas & Company Inc. assistant vice president Julio Jude Montinola. Manny Palmero

By Julito G. Rada GROSS international reserves fell for a fourth straight month in November, on lower precious metal prices that affected the value of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ gold holdings. Data from the Bangko Sentral showed the GIR declined slightly to $80.3 billion in November from $80.4 billion in October, as the government also settled maturing foreign exchange obligations. The November ﬁgure also dropped from $81.45 billion worth of reserves registered a year ago. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier said in statement one reason for the decrease in reserves was the revaluation adjustments in gold holdings resulting from the lower prices of the precious metal in the world market. “These were partially offset by the net foreign currency deposits of the national government and income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” Fonacier said. She said the end-November reserves remained adequate as it could cover 8.4 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It was also equivalent to 5.4 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity. Net international reserves, which refer to the difference between GIR and total short-term liabilities, decreased by $0.1 billion to $80.3 billion as of end-November, from the October NIR level of $80.4 billion. Reserves hit an alltime high of $86.139 billion in September 2016. Reserves ended 2016 at $80.69 billion, nearly unchanged from $80.66 billion in 2015. The Bangko Sentral expects reserves to end 2017 at $80.5 billion, on expected balance of payments deﬁcit of $500 million.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, December 7, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency Unit US Dollar Peso United States Dollar

1.000000

50.6760

Japan

Yen

0.008913

0.4517

Pound

1.338600

67.8349

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128002

6.4866

Switzerland

Franc

1.010407

51.2034

Canada

Dollar

0.781555

39.6061

Singapore

Dollar

0.741180

37.5600

Australia

Dollar

0.756100

38.3161

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653012

134.4440

Saudi Arabia Rial

0.266667

13.5136

Brunei

Dollar

0.738443

37.4213

Indonesia

Rupiah 0.000074

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

1.5545

0.030675

UAE

Dirham 0.272301

13.7991

Euro

1.179700

59.7825

Korea

Won

0.000914

0.0463

China

Yuan

0.151183

7.6613

India

Rupee

0.015499

0.7854

Malaysia

Ringgit 0.245519

New Zealand Dollar

0.687400

Taiwan

0.033268

Dollar

12.4419 34.8347 1.6859 Source: PDS Bridge

Malampaya to last 10 more years By Alena Mae S. Flores

he Malampaya natural gas ﬁeld in northwest Palawan, which supplies fuel to three major power plants in Batangas, is expected to continue producing for the next 10 years, an executive of the consortium operating the ﬁeld said Wednesday night.

Shell Companies in the Philippines chairman Cesar Romero said the natural gas ﬁeld could provide fuel until 2027 or 2029. Reserves in

the gas ﬁeld were originally expected to be depleted by 2024. SCIP chairman Cesar Romero told reporters the

life of the Malampaya gas project would depend on the drawdown. SCIP includes Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. which owns a 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project which fuels power plants with a combined capacity of over 3,000 megawatts. “Based on what we know, it depends on the drawdown. I think there is still gas until 2027 to 2029. That range. So [by] 2024, it’s not ﬁnished, zero,” Romero said. He said Spex was in discussions with the government on the extension of service contract 38 or the Malampaya

gas project which was set to expire by 2024. “We’re in discussions with government on how it goes… It’s so difﬁcult to think about these things [with] the CoA [Commission on Audit] case still pending. It’s difﬁcult to make concrete plans until you are able to sort out CoA,” Romero said. Spex has a pending arbitration case against the government over the computation of corporate income tax of the Malampaya project. The case stemmed from the Commission on Audit’s issuance of a notice, asking the Energy Department to collect

around P151 billion from the Malampaya consortium for the period 2002 to end June 2015 arising from COA’s tax interpretation that corporate income tax should not form part of the government’s share in the Malampaya project. “What is challenging, any action we think about at the moment, is put on hold because we have to sort out CoA ﬁrst… It would be nice to be able to plan and look forward. But for the moment, our priority is to be able to sort out CoA,” Romero said. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said government would

Nomura upgrades PH growth outlook to 6.9% JAPANESE ﬁnancial holding company Nomura said it expects the Philippine economy to grow near 7 percent annually over the next two years, on the back of strong exports, global recovery and robust domestic demand. Nomura said in a report Thursday it raised slightly its 2018 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.9 percent from an earlier projection of 6.8 percent on brighter prospects of the economy. Nomura said GDP growth could even pick up further to 7.1 percent in 2019. “We still view the growth outlook as solid, and raise our 2018 GDP growth forecast slightly to 6.9 percent from 6.8 percent earlier and from 6.7 percent in 2017. We also expect growth to rise further to 7.1 percent in 2019,” it said. “A pick-up in global growth and the tech cycle, which looks

IN BRIEF Cargill opens $12-m PH plant CARGILL said it opened its ﬁrst animal nutrition premix plant in the Philippines to meet increasing demand from medium and large livestock farms and feed millers in Southeast Asia. Cargill said it invested $12 million to open the plant at First Bulacan Industrial Park in Malolos, Bulacan where 50 local employees would produce animal nutrition premix solutions, made available to customers under the Provimi brand. An opening ceremony was held today at the plant, located in First Bulacan Industrial Park in Malolos, Bulacan. “The Philippines and Southeast Asian countries are seeing increased consumer demand for meat products, especially pork and chicken. This is great news for the growth potential of local livestock farms and feed millers,” said Noel Kim, general manager of Cargill Provimi, Philippines. “At our premix plant, Cargill can now manufacture the animal nutrition products these producers need to sustainably deliver high quality, safe, affordable meat to consumers,” Kim said. Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad said Cargill’s presence in the area would be a boon for the local community. “The City of Malolos is appreciative of Cargill’s presence, a big boost to our cities’ economic and employment opportunities. We hope to reciprocate by providing all the needed assistance and better business ambience to make Cargill’s project a success,” Natividad said.

Manila Water bags Leyte deal MANILA Water Co Inc. said it won a water project in Leyte province. Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received the notice of award from the Leyte Metropolitan Water District for the implementation of the joint venture project for the design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, operation, ﬁnancing, expan-

CA ruling to increase electricity charges

like it can remain on an upswing longer than we initially anticipated, should supplement already strong domestic demand conditions,” it said. Nomura said electronics exports, mostly semiconductors, accounted for the about 50 percent of total goods exports and, while high in import content, they contributed about 1.4 percentage points to headline gross domestic product growth in 2017 on a net basis. “For next year, despite a likely increase in political noise, we expect the government’s focus on reforms to remain strong, alongside its drive to raise infrastructure spending further, which will be boosted by the reconstruction in Mindanao following the prolonged antiterrorism military operations in Marawi,” Nomura said.

Julito G. Rada

sion, and management of the water supply and sanitation facilities and services. Under the notice of award, a special purpose vehicle will be formed to implement the project under a contractual joint venture with the LMWD. “Upon completion of the conditions precedent speciﬁed in the Notice, the SPV and the LMWD shall enter into a joint venture agreement that will grant the SPV, as contractor to perform certain functions and as agent for the exercise of, the sole and exclusive right to manage, operate, maintain, repair, refurbish and improve, expand and as appropriate, decommission, the facilities of LMWD in its service area, including the right to bill and collect tariff for the provision of water supply and sanitation services in the service area of LMWD,” Manila Water said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Firms to build recycling plant THE Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability will build a recycling facility for sachets as a part of a comprehensive approach to address postconsumer waste which puts a strain on the environment, particularly waterways. The P25-million recycling facility will employ clean technology that can process more than 150 metric tons of waste per year, to be converted into products such as pallets, school chairs and other high-value plastic products. Parms is a multi-stakeholder partnership supported by the National Solid Waste Management Commission and a multi-sectoral coalition composed of top corporations in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. “Parms is premised on developing and implementing a holistic and comprehensive program to increase resource recovery and reduce landﬁll dependence, leading toward ‘Zero Waste’,” said Parms founder Crispian Lao, who is also an ofﬁcial of the NSWMC. The commission oversees the implementation of appropriate solid waste management plans by end-users and local governments. Parms supports the various sustainability programs of its members ranging from education, collection, to conversion, and supports private-led initiatives reducing environmental impact. Othel V. Campos

still aggressively pursue the planned $2-billion integrated liqueﬁed natural gas facility even if there would still be available gas at Malampaya beyond 2024. “If there is still gas, we have to [pursue LNG]. That’s part of the security,” Cusi said. Cusi earlier said he wanted the Philippines to become the hub of LNG in Southeast Asia. He said the government aimed to roll out the Batangas LNG terminal by 2020 to safeguard against the anticipated depletion of the Malampaya gas facility by 2024.

CHRISTMAS CHEER. Globe Telecom Inc.’s International Business Group, together with Philippine Airlines and Manila International Airport Authority hold a special Christmas surprise for arriving overseas Filipino workers and tourists as a way to spread cheer and make them feel the spirit of the holiday season. Shown are representatives from MIAA, Globe and PAL welcoming passengers of PR 659 from Dubai who landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

December power rates decline on peso recovery ELECTRICITY rates declined P0.3785 per kilowatt-hour in December, on lower generation charges amid a stronger peso and softer prices at the spot market. Meralco said a typical household’s overall rate would go down to P9.2487 per kWh from last month’s P9.6272 per kWh. This would translated into a reduction of around P76 in the December bill of a customer consuming 200 kWh. “The lower December rate is mainly due to a P0.3035 per kWh reduction in the generation charge,” Meralco said in a statement.

Meralco said the generation charge went down to P4.6045 per kWh in December from P4.9080 per kWh in November because of the peso’s appreciation against other currencies and the lower Wholesale Electricity Spot Market charges. Charges from the WESM went down by P0.4658 per kWh despite a slight increase in the demand for power in Luzon. Meralco said power supply situation improved from October, when the grid experienced three instances of yellow alerts due to thin reserves. Meralco

sourced 12 percent of its power requirements from the WESM in December. Charges from independent power producers and power supply agreements also registered declines of P0.2191 per kWh and P0.3244 per kWh, respectively, mainly due to the strengthening of the peso against the US dollar. Meralco said the pesodollar exchange rate affected around 97 percent of IPP and 60 percent of PSA charges. Meralco sourced an equal 44 percent of its requirements from IPPs and PSAs. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Thursday it will ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider its order reinstating the higher charges at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the trading platform for power suppliers. “The ERC received the decision of the Court of Appeals and has until Dec. 12 to file a motion for reconsideration,” ERC spokesman Floresinda Digal said. The ERC earlier voided the high prices at WESM for the electricity sold during the supply months of November to December 2013. The CA, in a decision on Nov. 7, 2017, effectively overturned the ERC order and reinstated and declared valid the prices of the November and December 2013 supply months. Digal said the ERC was finalizing a motion, because the CA decision could “result in an increase in the generation charge.” The CA decision reinstated the higher charges at the WESM which was due to the Malampaya shutdown compounded by the shutdown of other power plants. “The ERC’s unilateral decision voiding the WESM prices and imposing regulated prices in its stead and patently without basis and defies due process in all forms,” the decision said. The ERC order was based on the ground that the prices were exceptionally high. CA 15th Division associate justice Soccoro Inting ruled that the ERC issued the orders without due process. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Roxas Holdings posts 18% growth in income By Jenniffer B. Austria SUGAR and ethanol producer Roxas Holdings Inc. said Thursday net income in the ﬁscal year ending September 2017 climbed 18 percent to P120 million from P102 million recorded in the same period last year, driven by the strong performance of sugar business. The listed company said without the non-recurring expenses of P120 million, core net income hit P240 million, a 135-percent improvement from a year ago. Consolidated net income with interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization reached P1.6 billion in the sugar ﬁscal year, or 23 percent higher than a year earlier, marking the second straight year of

sustained growth. RHI chairman Pedro Roxas said the sustained improvement in Ebitda was a result of the long-term initiatives undertaken by the group. Revenues from the sugar business, which accounted for 67 percent of consolidated revenues, declined 7 percent to P7.3 billion from P7.8 billion in the same period last year, as average sugar prices went down by 15 percent The group’s sugar business milled 3.461 million metric tons of cane in the period, up 26 percent from last year’s 2.748 million TCM. It also produced 6.497 million 50kg bags of sugar for the period, surpassing last year’s production of 5.102 million bags.

Market rises; Semirara, Meralco lead advancers

TOCKS rose Thursday, following gains in other Asian markets as a bout of proﬁt taking apparently came to a halt before the end of the week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 45 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 8,174.93, as ﬁve of the six major sectors advanced. The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 19 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,800.59, on a value turnover of P5.9 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 97 to 93, while

47 issues were unchanged. Eleven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by coal miner Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which jumped 7 percent to P38 and power retailer Manila Electric Co. which climbed 3.6 percent to P319. Conglomerate SM Investments Corp. rose 2 percent to P978. Meanwhile, Asian equities were mixed, with stocks

rising in Japan, Hong Kong and Australia and falling in China and South Korea. Tokyo stocks rallied Thursday after three days of losses, while technology ﬁrms saw some muchneeded buying in Asia but regional markets were dogged by political concerns, the latest being Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Equities plunged on Wednesday, led by tech ﬁrms as investors cashed out following a year-long surge in the sector. However, strong gains in

stocks including Amazon, Facebook and Google parent Alphabet in New York provided some buying impetus for the sector in Asia. Tencent jumped 3.2 percent and AAC technology climbed three percent in Hong Kong while Sony rose 1.8 percent and Samsung was 1.4 percent higher. But energy ﬁrms, which also dived Wednesday, suffered again after a plunge in oil prices overnight fueled by disappointing US stockpiles data. Crude was ﬂat Thursday. Tokyo ended 1.5 percent

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.2 164,000 59.7 9,920 102.9 924,460 3.7 13,000 146 1,101,660 2.06 373,000 33.2 392,200 9.06 200 15 4,044,500 33.65 485,000 1.7 10,000 969.5 10 0.56 348,000 94.3 1,957,030 0.82 306,000 11.86 10,100 55.05 282,690 239.8 1,090 99 60 56.05 35,280 244 830,840 87 14,720 1.25 516,000

532,040 589,679.50 94,845,326 48,130 160,064,263 767,740 13,052,155 1,812 60,671,960 16,416,200 17,000 9,695 193,400 183,262,426.50 252,220 120,186 15,609,054 256,622 5,930 1,981,011.50 199,876,436 1,281,968 645,030

532,804 8,021,891 -48,130 -22,066,912 3,979,715.00 15,000,000 -480,195 10,652,584 -14,672,972 -330,004 -16,063,848 -432,440 -

38.3 12.16 0.68 1.34 16.66 0.213 4.75 15.7 41.5 19.9 1.89 5.3 11.04 11.42 14.7 10.6 7.2 5.62 17.06 61.5 23.6 11.32 17.1 2.13 243 4.1 28.25 17.82 16.74 308 0.194 8.06 2.39 5.93 9.3 7.76 8.7 1.55 11.58 59.6 6.3 535 4.85 2.23 4.51 2.12 12.96 5.38 0.138 1.15 135 3.19 1.88 0.61

INDUSTRIAL 38.55 1,938,700 12.62 2,812,800 0.68 678,000 1.34 206,000 17 6,200 0.22 2,570,000 4.76 10,374,000 15.96 206,000 42 500,000 20.2 21,600 1.9 256,000 5.4 24,900 11.04 1,700 11.7 7,086,000 14.88 150,100 10.96 1,097,400 7.25 161,500 5.68 5,419,800 17.08 472,300 61.6 74,340 24.05 251,700 11.34 12,400 17.26 553,600 2.19 4,664,000 246.8 319,960 4.1 19,000 28.65 1,364,700 17.86 67,600 17 2,287,100 319 1,663,240 0.195 1,120,000 8.39 21,800 2.45 21,000 6 86,000 9.37 4,034,100 7.77 5,000 8.7 13,300 1.56 1,932,000 11.7 116,000 60.1 1,438,880 6.63 109,700 550 70,850 4.98 269,000 2.24 9,000 4.7 17,000 2.15 1,205,000 13 412,900 5.49 441,100 0.138 40,000 1.18 172,000 136 1,142,250 3.19 5,000 1.9 2,054,000 0.65 339,000

74,709,020 35,016,794 463,330 276,900 104,152 553,190 51,155,400 3,286,504 20,884,810 435,346 486,280 132,020 18,768 82,604,648 2,221,928 11,961,974 1,168,381 30,621,952 8,070,028 4,585,934.50 6,094,775 141,078 9,593,496 10,219,080 78,891,494 78,710 39,169,900 1,207,566 38,595,260 525,230,470 217,400 179,024 50,510 517,316 37,828,781 38,820 116,425 3,001,550 1,370,818 86,844,710 704,502 38,682,050 1,328,280 20,120 77,890 2,627,540 5,384,776 2,398,138 5,540 202,570 155,307,592 15,950 3,893,000 217,450

-12,714,200.00 4,100,882 680 -2,680 10,650 -2,536,190 816,858 73,950,562 -241,266 -9,276,436 -202,585 3,948,315 13,956 -795,247.50 -590,546 42,400 15,198,716 -5,531,800 -92,878 -30,434,494 395,902,836 23,400 -9,800 16,856 -27,852,206 1,448,940 -141,052 7,046,750.50 -395,476 -477,110 369,130 1,502,702 -450,487 -32,860,655 -1,656,860 -

0.3 67 15.44 0.92 6.99 0.365 0.365 1,000 1,486 7.33 14.02 7.8 5 5 1,129 7.36 66.55 5.12 5.35 0.6 5.5 18.44 6.31 3.76 0.045 1.08 2.05 108 2.54 958.5 1.95 280 0.23 0.18

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 2,130,000 69 681,560 15.58 4,954,100 0.92 6,000 7 6,500 0.365 2,490,000 0.38 490,000 1,000 296,565 1,486 5 7.42 2,461,100 14.26 5,496,100 7.9 900 5 35,000 5 1,700 1,130 85,550 7.86 1,600 66.55 788,980 5.5 17,200 5.7 2,100 0.61 379,000 5.6 1,358,200 18.7 2,052,800 6.34 22,140,100 3.9 91,000 0.046 10,600,000 1.12 142,000 2.05 114,000 109.9 320,380 2.71 102,000 978 220,030 1.96 34,198,000 280 7,890 0.23 60,000 0.18 180,000

646,100 46,623,631 77,297,936 5,520 45,504 909,250 180,900 298,831,785 7,430 18,231,259 78,223,616 7,098 175,000 8,500 97,599,480 11,878 52,652,998.50 92,438 11,935 231,250 7,637,978 38,069,708 140,819,133 349,480 481,300 155,860 233,700 35,044,365 266,820 212,800,765 69,569,160 2,216,930 13,800 32,400

-20,392,432 -29,128,582 -17,617,765 -4,261,789 -3,568,314 -3,950 -18,764,550 -34,422,587.50 5,357,335 -1,385,366 -83,456,070 -123,000 21,286,853 -37,844,980 1,674,740 5,670 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK CITYSTATE BANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

3.2 59 102 3.71 145.5 2.06 33.35 9.06 15.4 33.45 1.7 969.5 0.55 94.7 0.82 11.9 55.3 239.8 98 56.95 240.8 87 1.26

3.35 59.7 103 3.71 146 2.1 33.5 9.06 15.4 34.1 1.7 969.5 0.56 94.7 0.84 11.9 55.35 239.8 99 56.95 245.6 87.3 1.26

3.2 57.6 101.4 3.7 143.5 2.02 33.2 9.06 15 33.45 1.7 969.5 0.55 93 0.82 11.86 55.05 235 98 55.7 236 87 1.25

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

38.3 12.16 0.68 1.35 17 0.213 4.97 16 41.9 19.9 1.95 5.3 11.04 11.6 14.84 10.6 7.27 5.65 17.1 61.5 24.05 11.4 17.14 2.27 243 4.17 28.8 17.82 16.86 308.2 0.194 8.06 2.45 5.93 9.48 7.76 8.85 1.55 12 61 6.64 538 4.85 2.23 4.6 2.15 13 5.5 0.14 1.19 136 3.19 1.9 0.63

38.8 12.64 0.69 1.37 17.02 0.22 5.08 16.08 42 20.2 1.95 5.4 11.04 11.74 14.88 11 7.3 5.68 17.12 62 24.8 11.48 17.48 2.27 248 4.17 28.8 17.9 17.14 319 0.195 8.39 2.45 6.06 9.49 7.77 8.85 1.57 12 61 6.7 558 5 2.24 4.7 2.25 13.12 5.56 0.14 1.2 136.5 3.19 1.92 0.65

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FJ PRINCE B GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS

0.315 67 15.5 0.92 7.05 0.365 0.37 1,010 1,486 7.42 14.06 7.94 5 5 1,140 7.36 66.8 5.12 5.35 0.61 5.7 18.6 6.45 3.8 0.045 1.1 2.05 109.9 2.6 958.5 2 282 0.23 0.18

0.315 69 15.76 0.92 7.05 0.375 0.38 1,015 1,486 7.42 14.38 7.94 5 5 1,152 7.86 67.6 5.89 5.7 0.62 5.72 18.7 6.48 3.9 0.047 1.12 2.05 109.9 2.71 978 2.1 285 0.23 0.18

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED

5.69 1 10.88 2.33 0.89 42.6 3.7 4.8 5.4 0.47 1.12 1.15 0.206 0.45 38.25 0.67 0.138 1.75 1.36 0.72 5.13 0.355

5.72 1 10.88 2.33 0.89 42.65 3.7 4.8 5.4 0.475 1.12 1.15 0.208 0.46 38.4 0.67 0.14 1.8 1.39 0.73 5.21 0.37

5.67 0.98 10.88 2.3 0.88 42.1 3.58 4.65 5.4 0.46 1.12 1.15 0.205 0.45 37.05 0.65 0.138 1.75 1.35 0.7 5.11 0.35

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.37 0.57 6.28 21.8 2.43 3.15 35.6 0.84 5.58

0.37 0.63 6.41 22.15 2.45 3.19 36.3 0.87 5.6

0.365 0.56 6.2 21.65 2.3 3.14 35.6 0.83 5.52

0.365 0.63 6.29 22.1 2.3 3.19 35.85 0.87 5.55

1,230,000 35,248,000 1,392,200 1,120,300 3,288,000 19,000 7,126,900 308,000 10,043,500

454,800 21,470,580 8,803,792 24,659,480 7,801,980 59,790 256,344,440 256,720 55,822,933

-14,800 174,360 -248,864 -3,201,215 38,419,325 167,000 -34,709,086

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

18.2 35.2 1.41 0.47 0.045 4.6 10.4 0.07 99.85 8.8 8.51 7.06 2.77 4 1,000 1,771 5.84 18.14 4.69 103.2 8.35 0.141 1.34 3.04 4.07 1.21 21.1 0.52 6 7.39 3.94 2.79 10.98 4.73 3 136 8.42 1,498 1.3 0.335 49.3 91.95 5.8 3.17 1.74 4.01 1.04 8.13

18.3 35.2 1.41 0.49 0.046 4.6 10.4 0.072 100.1 8.8 8.73 7.08 2.91 4 1,000 1,790 5.89 18.14 4.77 105 8.35 0.143 1.34 3.07 4.62 1.24 21.7 0.52 6.5 7.39 3.94 2.85 11 5.07 3 140 8.53 1,533 1.3 0.35 49.45 91.95 5.94 3.17 1.76 4.04 1.06 8.24

17.52 34.6 1.41 0.47 0.045 4.6 10.2 0.069 99.7 8.8 8.51 7.04 2.77 3.5 1,000 1,751 5.78 18.12 4.42 102.9 8.34 0.141 1.34 3.04 3.98 1.21 20.95 0.52 5.76 7.02 3.88 2.77 10.98 4.73 3 136 8.39 1,498 1.29 0.335 48.6 89.95 5.78 3.02 1.71 3.95 1.01 8.12

SERVICES 17.94 34.6 1.41 0.49 0.045 4.6 10.4 0.07 99.85 8.8 8.6 7.08 2.9 3.64 1,000 1,762 5.82 18.14 4.53 104 8.34 0.143 1.34 3.07 4.48 1.23 21.15 0.52 6.45 7.1 3.92 2.79 11 4.79 3 136.1 8.5 1,516 1.3 0.35 49.3 91 5.91 3.06 1.75 4.03 1.02 8.13

110,800 138,400 63,000 360,000 19,600,000 10,000 9,897,600 14,800,000 127,840 28,400 957,700 20,900 63,000 84,000 15 30,430 129,800 10,000 23,889,000 434,840 374,700 1,010,000 10,000 38,000 10,342,000 516,000 903,200 259,000 5,998,800 3,434,800 519,000 2,641,000 2,200 22,400 2,000 3,400 435,600 184,475 1,480,000 360,000 756,500 2,003,130 65,400 2,252,000 11,530,000 648,000 7,102,000 1,388,400

1,988,974 4,842,280 88,830 175,200 882,700 46,000 102,646,786 1,032,810 12,765,259.50 249,920 8,267,707 147,582 178,770 298,040 15,000 53,770,140 753,329 181,394 109,332,800 44,998,767 3,128,220 142,690 13,400 115,550 44,613,550 631,100 19,151,730 134,680 37,151,239 24,591,726 2,031,420 7,404,770 24,180 106,436 6,000 463,962 3,680,081 280,380,760 1,916,100 123,850 37,287,695 181,080,419 380,917 6,900,730 20,148,120 2,588,470 7,363,670 11,293,841

1,172,236 2,095,564 -5,852,639 -262,762 -30,029,655 -90,700 173,210 -12,342,708 7,050.00 358,490 3,630 48,430 253,162 2,799,224 1,225,640 -90,710 44,913 -105,560,020 592,360 5,234,685 -134,051,219 450,400 5,328,470 67,830 64,620 1,328,182

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET A BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PHINMA PETRO PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING

0.0024 1.6 4.65 1.71 1.71 1.7 0.31 7.23 2.61 0.225 0.152 0.01 1.63 6.01 1.53 0.88 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.04 5.88 8.71 36.3

0.0024 1.63 4.65 1.71 1.71 1.7 0.325 7.59 2.62 0.235 0.152 0.01 1.72 6.2 1.53 0.9 0.012 0.014 0.012 2.04 6.03 8.95 38.5

0.0023 1.58 4.63 1.71 1.71 1.6 0.31 7.23 2.59 0.222 0.151 0.01 1.63 6 1.44 0.88 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.02 5.88 8.44 35.5

MINING & OIL 0.0023 102,000,000 1.62 3,453,000 4.65 35,000 1.71 3,000 1.71 80,000 1.65 17,185,000 0.325 90,000 7.3 2,300 2.61 1,310,000 0.235 140,000 0.151 1,980,000 0.01 7,000,000 1.7 170,000 6.2 1,647,700 1.51 146,000 0.89 151,000 0.012 2,500,000 0.013 204,800,000 0.011 7,000,000 2.02 19,000 6.01 202,400 8.44 4,650,300 38 7,602,100

236,100 5,533,140 162,730 5,130 136,800 28,030,300 28,500 16,679 3,419,430 31,390 299,120 70,000 289,280 10,099,500 212,810 134,700 30,000 2,862,500 80,300 38,560 1,205,283 39,984,093 288,449,910

6,900 -55,780 338,360 6,500 -529,250 -849,506 -2,600 -182,871 -3,128,688 -84,495,905

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

34.5 107.8 105 109 115.6 522 5.5 1,025 101 1.08 1,174 1,004 103 76.5 78.2 81.4 79 79.5

34.9 107.8 105 109 116 522 5.5 1,025 101.4 1.08 1,174 1,004 103 76.5 78.2 81.45 79 79.5

34.3 107.8 104.7 103 115.5 522 5.4 1,020 100.1 1.08 1,174 1,002 103 76.5 78.2 81 79 78.1

PREFERRED 34.3 3,131,400 107.8 1,200 105 225,960 108 2,040 116 34,400 522 100 5.41 345,900 1,020 445 101 15,610 1.08 100,000 1,174 25 1,002 460 103 300 76.5 9,200 78.2 6,470 81 38,750 79 390 78.1 116,250

107,560,040 129,360 23,724,051 214,076 3,978,224 52,200 1,872,594 453,950 1,576,524 108,000 29,350 461,105 30,900 703,800 505,954 3,146,300 30,810 9,178,665

-2,321,475 -1,846,518 -

LR WARRANT

2.62

2.89

2.45

WARRANTS 2.82 6,329,000

17,312,530

28,200

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

9.9 3.23 3.45

10.96 3.23 3.46

9.9 3.01 3.31

SME 10.28 3.23 3.43

29,368,642 520,770 6,095,360

-23,900 -305,500 -2,037,570

FIRST METRO ETF

124

123.5

1,475,915

4,960

USD DMPL A1

7,800

NAME

PROPERTY 5.69 0.99 10.88 2.32 0.89 42.1 3.61 4.72 5.4 0.47 1.12 1.15 0.206 0.45 37.05 0.65 0.14 1.79 1.38 0.73 5.15 0.37

198,900 1,766,000 1,500 317,000 683,000 5,628,000 1,686,000 1,905,000 34,600 3,830,000 10,000 27,000 7,170,000 250,000 86,800 1,763,000 110,000 9,343,000 13,119,000 289,000 20,577,100 55,630,000

1,132,029 1,747,600 16,320 731,180 603,150 238,336,060 6,116,860 8,971,320 186,840 1,798,000 11,200 31,050 1,472,450 114,300 3,266,570 1,163,140 15,300 16,437,870 18,077,090 206,800 106,278,807 20,192,450

-340,138 -29,700 -67,581,130 -1,327,640 924,800 40,500 1,202,550 -508,225 -918,060 1,400 -11,970,190 -9,141,500 -28,737,412 106,500

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

11,820,352

INDUSTRIAL

84,959,346

HOLDING FIRMS

92,168,780

PROPERTY

186,534,555

SERVICES

135,104,692

MINING & OIL

362,337,052

GRAND TOTAL

877,690,013

2,786,400 167,000 1,798,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 124 11,920 10

DDS

780

VALUE 2,086.20 (up) 9.07 750,541,363.98 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,832.83 (up) 99.93 1,505,171,267.727 HOLDING FIRMS 8,281.00 (up) 44.29 1,193,544,558.633 PROPERTY 3,799.31 (down) 7.23 1,599.28 (up) 1.58 915,640,716.465 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,695.73 (up) 448.98 1,162,486,175.737 PSEI 8,174.93 (up) 45.31 381,385,231.28 All Shares Index 4,800.59 (up) 19.19 5,946,236,407.58 Gainers: 97; Losers: 93; Unchanged: 47; Total: 237

higher, while Hong Kong added 0.3 percent—the two benchmark indexes had plunged around two percent on Wednesday. Sydney and Wellington were each up 0.5 percent. But Shanghai shed 0.7 percent while Singapore and Seoul both slipped 0.5 percent. In early European trade London and Paris were ﬂat while Frankfurt added 0.2 percent. “Asia equity investors found themselves standing in a sea of pain at yesterday’s market close and are likely breathing a sigh of relief that both EU and US equity investors appear a bit more level-headed for the time being,” said Stephen Innes, head of AsiaPaciﬁc trading at Oanda. After a blockbuster year for most global markets— helped by bets on Trump’s promise to cut taxes and ramp up spending—geopolitical worries and dealers winding down for the year’s end have put them on course for a painful December. Trump’s controversial decision on Jerusalem drew swift global condemnation and fanned fears about the overall prospects for stability in the Middle East. That followed news this week that one of the president’s former close advisers had admitted lying to investigators in a probe into Russian meddling in the US election, bringing it closer to the White House. Britain’s struggles to hammer out a deal with the EU on the Irish border question have left Brexit talks in limbo, meaning the second phase of the negotiations—on trade—cannot go ahead. With AFP, Bloomberg

Cirtek raises $67m in share sale CIRTEK Holdings Philippines Inc. said Thursday it raised $67 million in fresh capital from the issuance of dollar-denominated preferred shares. Cirtek said in a disclosure to the stock exchange a total of 67 million dollar preferred shares were subscribed at the end of offer period on Nov. 29. The company earlier planned to raise $200 million from the sale of 200 million preferred shares with a base offer of 120 million and another 80 million shares for oversubscription. After a book building process, the offer size was reduced to 140 million shares, of which 60 million was the base offer and another 80 million for oversubscription. The preferred shares carry a dividend rate of 6.125 percent to be paid quarterly in the first five years. If the preferred shares are not redeemed in five years, the dividend rate will rise to 9.125 percent. The shares were offered at $1 each at a minimum subscription of $1,000, and thereafter, increments of $100. Tentative listing date on the Philippine Stock Exchange was set on Dec. 8. BPI Capital Corp. and RCBC Capital Corp. are the underwriters of the deal. Cirtek said net proceeds from the fund raising activity would be used to pay debt incurred when it acquired USbased Quintel and to fund strategic acquisitions to substantially drive revenues of the US-based station antenna manufacturer in the next five years. Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

Same-sex marriage approved in Australia SYDNEY―Gay couples will be able to legally marry in Australia after a same-sex marriage bill sailed through parliament Thursday, ending decades of political wrangling. There were loud cheers, hugs and sustained clapping in the 150-seat lower House of Representatives when all but four MPs voted in support of marriage equality, after the upper house Senate passed the bill 43-12 last week. “What a day for love, for equality, for respect! Australia has done it,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told the House. “Every Australian had their say and they said it is fair, get on with it!” The historic reforms will commence on Saturday, when same-sex couples can a lodge a notice to marry. They will then have to wait a month before tying the knot. Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten hailed the passing of the bill as a uniting moment for Australia, adding: “Now is the time for healing”. “A time to build, a time to love, and is now at last a time for marriage equality,” he said. Same-sex marriage campaigners converged outside parliament in the nation’s capital Canberra to celebrate the historic occasion, which sees Australia join more than 20 other countries in recognizing such unions. The bill was tabled in parliament by the conservative government after Australians last month endorsed the reforms in a controversial voluntary postal vote. AFP

Indignation over Jerusalem W

ASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital prompted an almost universal diplomatic backlash and fears Thursday of new bloodshed in the Middle East.

Trump’s defiant move―making responsible”, and said it goes against good on a pledge made during his the “historical and permanent rights 2016 presidential campaign―ends of the Palestinian people.” seven decades of US ambiguity on Palestinian president Mahmud the status of the Holy City, which Abbas said Trump’s “deplorable is vociferously claimed by both Is- and unacceptable” move meant that raelis and Palestinians. the United States was withdrawing Trump said this marks the start as a sponsor of the peace process. of a “new approach” to solving the Through gritted teeth, Britain Israeli-Palestinian conflict. described the move as “unhelpful” “Israel is a sovereign nation and France called it “regrettable.” with the right like every other sov- Germany said plainly that it “does ereign nation to determine its own not support” Trump’s decision. capital,” he said in a White House Eight countries including Britspeech on Wednesday. ain, France and Italy pressed for “It is time to officially recog- an emergency meeting of the UN nize Jerusalem as the capital of Security Council in response to the Israel,” he said, urging calm and move, which was set for Friday. “the voices of tolerance to prevail The leaders of Muslim nations over the purveyors of hate.” meanwhile deployed ever-harsher But immediately the move rhetoric to describe Trump’s decision. sparked anger among Palestinians Turkey and Iran, both vying for and their supporters. regional influence, tried to give The Palestine Liberation Or- voice to the anger felt by many ganization announced a strike in across the Muslim world. protest across the West Bank on Ankara called the decision “irThursday, while Hamas―the Pal- responsible” and illegal. Tehran CALL FOR UPRISING. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya gestures in Gaza City on December 7, 2017 as he delivers a estinian Islamist movement that said it would “provoke Muslims speech over US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Haniya called for a new Palestinian intifada, or uprising. “This Zionist policy supported by the US cannot be confronted unless we ignite a runs the Gaza Strip―called for a and inflame a new intifada.” “day of rage” on Friday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip new intifada,” said the head of the armed Palestinian Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip. AFP Hamas warned that Trump had Erdogan called for a summit of the opened “the gates of hell on US in- Organization of Islamic Cooperaterests in the region.” tion, the main pan-Islamic body, Although welcomed by Israel’s in Istanbul next week to display Prime Minister Benjamin Netan- joint action over Jerusalem. yahu as a “courageous and just deJordan and the Palestinians also PHNOM PENH―Cambodia’s The dissolution followed the ar- ington’s opprobrium on rights as cision,” Trump’s move left many requested an emergency meeting government on Thursday laughed rest of CNRP leader Kem Sokha he looks to extend his 32-year grip angry US allies struggling to find of the Arab League. off the efforts by Donald Trump’s for treason. Dozens of other party on power. a diplomatic response. Trump also kicked off the proadministration to punish it over a members have fled the country in “If Cambodian people cannot Saudi Arabia on Thursday blast- cess of moving the US embassy clampdown on democracy and hu- a snowballing crackdown on the go to US, it is ok, it is not a probed the move as “unjustified and ir- from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. AFP man rights, as the kingdom effec- critics of the prime minister. lem,” government spokesman Sok tively becomes a one-party state The State Department said its Eysan said, shrugging off the State under strongman Hun Sen. move was a “direct response to the Department threats. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC The State Department said Cambodian government’s series of “If we can not join any meetings Wednesday it would bar Cambo- anti-democratic actions”. in the US, there are many other Please be informed of the following dian officials deemed to have been Hun Sen, one of the world’s long- meetings outside the US that we New Set of Directors/ Corporate Officers of “undermining democracy” from est serving leaders, has used the can join.” BOURBON MARINE SERVICES MANILA entry to the US. kingdom’s pliant judiciary to smothThe State Department did not effective 20 November 2017 That came after Cambodia’s Su- er his critics as the elections loom. disclose which Cambodian ruling preme Court last month dissolved The ties between the two na- party officials would be affected MARK HENRICK F. HILVANO the opposition Cambodia National tions have withered in recent by the restrictions but said in cerPresident / Chairman Rescue Party (CNRP) and redis- months with Hun Sen preferring tain instances, their relatives could RENATO M. SANTELICES tributed its seats to factions allied Beijing’s no-questions-asked offer be also be barred from entering the Director / Treasurer with Hun Sen’s ruling party. of loans and investment to Wash- US. AFP SIMOS VARIAS

Cambodia laughs off US threats over democracy

Director EDIZER A. ENRIQUEZ (NEW) Director KAREEN FE PIOQUINTO-ENRIQUEZ (NEW) Director / Corporate Secretary

For fast ad results, please call

Advertising Department 832-5547

Republic of the Philippines Province of Rizal MUNICIPALITY OF JALAJALA

ARCANGEL CHRISTIA R. MARCOS – Asst. Corporate Secretary / Administrative Officer

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND AUTOMATION (CLIMA) PROJECT (Design, Development and Installation of an Integrated Fully-Customized GISbased Comprehensive LGU Automation Facility/ Establishment of a LiDARbased Geographic Information System/ CLUP Review and Updating)

For more information: CALL US at 720-1000 or VISIT US at 8F Sage House 110 V.A. Rufino St. Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines

In The Name Of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM MINDANAO PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF BASILAN BIDS AND AWARDSCOMMITTEE Provincial Capitol Bldg., Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300

1. The Provincial Government of Basilan intends to apply part of the sum of ONE MILION ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED ONE PESOS (P1,126,201.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment for the contract for the Supply and Delivery of Construction Materials for the Construction of the Provincial Area Coordination Center, Phase I, Provincial Compound Valderosa st ,Isabela City, Basilan of the procurement under the Office of the Provincial Engineer ; Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

3. 4.

Schedules of bidding activities:

ACTIVITY DATE/S Submission of Letters of Intent, Eligibility Requirements December 19, 2017, 10:00 AM, Office of the and Pertinent Company Information Documents BAC Secretariat, Jalajala Municipal Hall January 04, 2018, 10:00 AM, Office of the Pre-Bid Conference BAC Secretariat, Jalajala Municipal Hall Deadline for Purchasing of Bid Documents in the January 09, 2018 , 10:00 AM, Office of the Amount of Php 25,000.00 BAC Secretariat, Jalajala Municipal Hall Deadline for Bid Submission and Opening of Bid January 16, 2018 10:00 AM, Office of the BAC Secretariat, Jalajala Municipal Hall

2. The Provincial Government of Basilan now invites bids for Procurement of Goods for the Supply and Delivery of Construction Materials for the Construction Provincial Area Coordination Center, Phase I at Provincial Capitol Compound Valderosa st. Isabela City, Basilan . Said Procurement shall be chargeable against the existing appropriation of the Basilan Provincial Government . Bidders have completed within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipts of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instruction to Bidders.

Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion. Short-listing of Proponents shall be conducted on December 20 - 26, 2017 immediately after the deadline for submission of Letters of Intents, Eligibility Requirements and pertinent company information documents. Complete sets of Bid Documents will be available for issuance starting December 27, 2017 at the Office of the BAC Secretariat, Municipal Hall Building, Jalajala, Rizal upon payment of non-refundable fee of PhP 25,000.00.

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. 4. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders may obtain further information from The Provincial Government of Basilan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5pm. 5. A complete Bidding Documents may be purchased in the amount of Five Thousand pesos (P5,000.00) for the procurement of the contract by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fees for the Bidding Documents and ONE THOUSAND PESOS (P1,000.00) for Letter of Intent .It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later that the submission of their bids. 6. The Provincial Government of Basilan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 10:00 am, December 12, 2017 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province, which shall be open to all interested parties. 7. Bids must be delivered on Bid Opening to the address below on or before 10:00 am, December 20, 2017 at BAC Office, Provincial Capitol, Isabela City, Basilan Province. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. 8. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. 9. The Provincial Government of Basilan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. 10. For further information, please refer to: The BAC CHAIRPERSON LGU- BASILAN Bids and Award Committee C/O BAC Secretariat Ground Floor, Provincial Capitol Building, Isabela City, Basilan Province, 7300 Fax No.: 062 200 3416 & 062 200 3417 (SGD) INTAN GORDANA A. ABUBAKAR Chairperson, Bids and Award Committee

The Municipal Government of Jalajala, Rizal now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for Comprehensive Land Information Management and Automation (CLIMA) Project which shall include the following minimum modules: Design, Development and Installation of an Integrated GIS-based Comprehensive LGU Automation Facility B. Establishment of a LiDAR-based Geographic Information System (GIS) C. Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) Review and Updating Location of Project : Jalajala, Rizal

FOR

Deadline for submission of duly accomplished Bid Documents shall be on January 16, 2018 before (10:00 AM) at the Office of the BAC Secretariat, Municipal Hall Building, Jalajala, Rizal. If the date declared a non-working day, the deadline for submission shall be moved to the next working day immediately following the said date. Late submission and/or incomplete shall not be accepted. 5.

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted eligibility documents and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of at least 1 prospective bidder who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: a) Company Background b) Previous Engagements of the Company vis-a-vis the requirements of this Project c) Other relevant information on the company.

(MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

The Municipal Government of Jalajala, Rizal, through the Term Loan Facility with Landbank of the Philippines, intends to apply the sum of PhP 30,000,000.00, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the payments under the contract for Comprehensive Land Information Management and Automation (CLIMA) Project. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected.

INvITaTION TO BId SUPPLY aNd dELIvERY OF CONSTRUCTION MaTERIaLS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PROvINCIaL aREa COORdINaTION CENTER PHaSE I aT PROvINCIaL CaPITOL COMPOUNd, vaLdEROZa ST, ISaBELa CITY, BaSILaN. UNdER BaC PUBLICaTION 0013-2017

(MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Based Evaluation procedure. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

The contract shall be completed within 12 months from receipt of the winning bidder of the Notice to Proceed.

The Municipal Government of Jalajala, Rizal reserves the right to reject any and all bids, annul the bidding process, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. For further information, please contact to: Terezina Dela Vega Vidallo BAC Secretariat Municipal Government of Jalajala, Rizal Tel. No. 401-48-79

(MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

(SGD) ENGR. OFELIA R. CANDELARIA BAC Chairperson

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004 INVITATION TO BID The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF) through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites PHILGEPS registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the following projects in the Department of Finance. Hereunder is the list of items for bid with the corresponding Approved Budget for the Contract and price of each bid documents. ITB No. 2017-33-G 2017-34-G 2017-35-G

Project Provision of Manpower Services in the Department of Finance for CY 2018 Provision of Janitorial Services in the Department of Finance for CY 2018 Provision of Security Services in the Department of Finance for CY 2018

Approved Budget for the Contract

Price of Bid Documents (Non-refundable)

56,800,000.00

50,000.00

14,220,761.66

15,000.00

20,489,112.00

21,000.00

A complete set of individual Bidding Documents shall be available at the BAC Secretariat, Procurement Management Division, 7th Floor, EDPC Building, BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Malate, Manila starting December 8, 2017 upon payment of non-refundable fee indicated above not later than the submission of their bids. The schedule of bidding activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES

Advertisement/ Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Request for Clarification Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission of Bids Opening of Bids

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES Provision of Manpower Provision of Provision of Security Services in the Janitorial Services Services in the Department of Finance in the Department of Department of Finance for CY 2018 Finance for CY 2018 for CY 2018 December 8, 2017 December 8, 2017 Dec. 15, 2017 10:00 am

Dec. 15, 2017 11:00 am

Dec. 15, 2017 12:00 pm

December 17, 2017 (by email) December 20, 2017 Dec. 27, 2017, 9:45 AM Dec. 27, 2017 10:00 am

Dec. 27, 2017 11:00 am

Dec. 27, 2017 12:00 pm

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184 otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Act”. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate sealed envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address. “LATE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED” Interest bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat at telephone numbers 526-4786 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given during office hours. DOF reserves the right to waive any formality in the responses to the eligibility requirements and to invitation. DOF further reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, or declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract, and makes no assurance that contract shall be entered into as a result of this invitation without thereby incurring any liability in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations. (SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF – BAC Chairperson (MS-DEC. 8, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

friday, december 8, 2017

LGUs

Gen. Trias marks 269th anniversary and cityhood

LocaL government units

Planas passes away, 87 By Rio N. Araja

ORMER Quezon City vice mayor Rosario “Charito” Planas passed away on Thursday. She was 87.

“It is with a heavy heart that in behalf of the people of Quezon City, I announce the passing of our dear former vice mayor, Charito Planas,” Mayor Herbert Bautista said. “Vice Mayor Planas was our loving mentor, tita (aunt), leader and friend.

Vice Mayor Planas only had the best interest of the city and nation in mind in all her endeavors as a city official and freedom fighter during the dark days of our nation’s history,” Bautista added. Planas served as Quezon City vice mayor from 1992

to 1995, and as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s spokesperson, with the rank of undersecretary in the Office of the President, from 2010 to 2011. Planas’ last public appearance was during Bautista’s eighth State of the City Address last October. A necrological service will be held in her honor on Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Carlos Albert Hall, Quezon City Hall. Planas was born April 28, 1931 in Tondo, Manila.

Her sister, Carmen, was the first woman city councilor of Manila. Charito Planas was a staunch opposition leader during the Marcos dictatorship. She led the campaign against the ratification of the 1973 Constitution, and was among the opposition leaders arrested after the declaration of martial law in 1972. She was later drafted in the Lakas ng Bayan (Laban) slate, led by then-Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., in the 1978 interim Batasan elections.

Planas fled the country after the elections to join the anti-Marcos forces in the United States, and returned to the country after the 1986 People Power revolution. Meanwhile, the Quezon City government’s pride council is expecting 10,000 supporters and participants from different lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities to join its annual pride march on Dec. 9. Quezon City is the only locality in Metro Manila that has enacted an ordi-

nance focused on gender equality and sensitivity. Mayor Bautista signed the Anti-Discrimination Policy of Quezon City Ordinance in 2014. In another development, the 32-member Quezon City Council passed a resolution authorizing Bautista to extend financial aid to 137 informal settler families to be affected by the construction of the University of the Philippines’ employees housing project in Barangay UP.

The new Caloocan Sports Complex, which will be inaugurated today by officials led by Mayor Oscar Malapitan, sits on 16,773 square meters with two basketball courts (pictured inset)—one that can sit 2,500 fans—and other facilities. Jun David

Caloocan to inaugurate its first sports complex on Friday CALOOCAN City Mayor Oscar Malapitan will lead the inauguration of the city’s first-ever sports complex on Friday. Malapitan will be joined by other elected city officials, department heads, employees, guests, students, and delegates from

sister city Dong-Gu in Incheon, South Korea. The dome sits on a 16,773sq m lot located in Bagumbong. It is five kilometers northeast of Novaliches and 10 km north of SM Fairview. It has two covered basketball courts with digital scoreboards, bleachers, ticketing

office, locker rooms, and movable floorings. The dome can accommodate about 2,500 seated spectators, officials said. The complex, aside from the dome, has a semi-Olympic size six-lane swimming pool, 12 gazebos, open basketball and badminton

courts, and a jogging path. The sports compound has enough parking spaces for buses, cars, and motorcycles, and provides parking for persons with disabilities. According to Malapitan, it has long been his dream to come up with a sports complex in Caloocan. “The

dream is now a reality. This complex will serve as a training ground for our local athletes and a venue for different sports competitions,” he said. A Thanksgiving mass will start the stadium’s inauguration, followed by the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Jun David

P’sinan rolls out greening project

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan―The provincial government rolled out the 2nd leg of the Pangasinan Onward Greening Initiative (POGI) “Adopt a Mountain” project, a brainchild of Governor Amado I. Espino, III, recently at barangay Cayanga in Bugallon. Hundreds of volunteers from community disaster volunteer groups—Delta Force, Magdalo Group, and Pangasina Bikers Association—took part on the greening project facilitated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. The tree-planting activity was conducted on the 20-hectare lot situated in the mountainous Cayanga village, which was adopted by the provincial government as a reforestation area. Espino, during the launching of the greening project last August 10, said the reforestation activity will be sustained by the provincial government to “green the mountains of Bugallon.” Dexter A. See

Quezon Gov. David C. Suarez (center) leads the ribbon cutting to open the new rehabilitated Block 1 of the Perez Park at the Capitol compound in Lucena City. Assisting Suarez are businesswoman Lydia Suarez Reyes, San Andres Mayor Popoy Emprese, and Pitogo Mayor Ka Ino Sayat. Benjie A. Antioquia

GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite ―Colorful activities were lined up at the city grounds to mark the start of the weeklong celebration of the 269th founding anniversary of the historic San Francisco de Malabon and the 2nd cityhood anniversary of General Trias, with this year’s theme “Gentriseno: Magkakaagapay sa Pagusad at Pag-unlad.” (Gentrisenos Moving Forward Toward Progress). Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer, together with GenTri Tourism Officer Michelle Pozas and Local Investment and Promotion Head Romel Olimpo, presented the programs for the weeklong celebration and spearheading the festival. Ferrer said the event was made to promote cultural awareness, to celebrate the importance of “true blue Gentriaseños,” and to attract investors to the city and tourists to come and witness the festivities. On Dec. 13, local officials led by Mayor Ferrer and Cavite 6th District Rep. Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV will lead the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of late Vice President and General Mariano Trias in Barangay Bagumbayan at 8 a.m. After the Holy Mass at historic St. Francis of Assisi Church, 33 barangay captains will parade their respective entries at the 5th Valenciana Festival at the City Esplanade, where the valenciana dish will be judged by the best of the city’s ancestry, who trace their roots to the Spanish period. In the evening, Team GenTri will light up the 15-foot-high Christmas tree, kicking off the Parol-making contest at the City Plaza.

SBMA: P19-m Comteq debt is ‘indisputable’ SUBIC BAY FREEPORT―The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has clarified misinformation about the ejection of the defaulting Comteq Computer and Business College from the building it previously occupied here, pointing out that the P19.97 million the school owed the agency in terms of unpaid rentals was indisputable. In a statement, the SBMA said Comteq has occupied Bldg. Q-8131 since 2011 and collected tuition fees from students studying in the premises, but “has not paid even a single cent” from the use of the building. “Bldg. Q-8131 is government property and rent is due for such use,” the SBMA said, reacting to a statement attributed to Comteq president Danny Piano that the P19.97-million back rentals they owed the SBMA was “debatable.” It added that the need to pay rent for property used and profited from was not debatable, as there was nothing in writing between the parties that said the use of the facility was “rent-free.”

The Subic agency peacefully took control of Bldg. Q-8131 on November 25 after the Comteq management failed to settle its hefty financial obligation with the SBMA. As early as April this year, the SBMA Legal Department already sent Comteq a “Notice to Vacate with Demand to Pay” because the school administration has been operating without securing any lease agreement or business registration for the school. Following the takeover, officials of the debtridden school blamed the SBMA for not issuing a lease agreement and a Certificate of Registration and Tax Exemption (CRTE), and claimed this prevented them from paying rent over the years. However, the SBMA said it cannot issue any lease agreement and CRTE then because the Comteq management “did not submit the required payment scheme proposal for it to be able to settle its accounts” and instead asked the SBMA to give them a “rent-free period” from 2011 to 2015. Butch Gunio

Quezon governor leads reopening of historic Perez sunken garden park

By Benjie A. Antioquia LUCENA CITY―The provincial government of Quezon has fully restored a sunken garden at Perez Park at the capitol compound here since it was first established 90 years ago. Governor David Jayjay Suarez led the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the

5,000-square-meter Block 1 of the park, which signaled its opening for public use and enjoyment, especially for children. “This is just one of the improvements we will make for our province. What’s important for me is to fulfill my dream for this place to become a venue for all of you to spend your moments with

your families and friends, bonding and enjoying one another and especially the children who will be at play here,” said Suarez. Even the slides and the see-saw placed at the center of the park, first built in 1927 after its donation by Don Felimon Perez to the province when it was still called Tayabas, were restored for the

kids’ enjoyment. The governor walked around the park with his wife, Alona party-list Rep. Anna Villaraza-Suarez, and his mother, former 3rd District Rep. Aleta Suarez, as families poured into the park to enjoy its facilities. A 60-foot-tall Christmas tree was also unveiled at the park.

Suarez said it was a dream of his administration to restore the historical significance and value of the whole Perez park for the appreciation of the new generation of Quezonians about the real beauty of the old park. He said it is about time for Quezon residents to recall and enjoy the old park which they used to walk lei-

surely around. “This is a big deal for the people of Lucena. It brings back great memories of our childhood and the generosity of Don Filemon Perez and his family. Perez Park is one of the landmarks of Lucena and Quezon and is the only sunken garden of its size in the whole country,” Suarez said.

T ALL started with 195 young artists/students and a single dream. They dreamed of winning the plum prizes at the recently concluded Global Art Philippines National Art Competition. Working around this year’s theme “My Dream City,” these budding artists drew and painted their ideal city or place.

Life

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

culture and media

fRIday, decemBeR 8, 2017

Global Art Philippines

Seven of them were adjudged grand champions and will represent the Philippines at the Global Art International Level Competition in Kuala Lumpur this month. The competition had two main categories based on the medium used. The first category was Creative Drawing. here, participants were further divided into four age groups: Category A (4-6 years old), Category B (7-9 years old), Category C (10-12 years old), Category D (13 and above). They had to draw and color using color pencils, oil pastel, or poster color paint. An Acrylic Painting Category was opened for the first time. This was divided into three age groups: Category 1 (7-9 years old), Category 2 (10-12 years old), and Category 3 (13 years old and above). Named grand champions for Creative Drawing Category were Benno Julian Sy Ang (Category A), Kirsten Mirielle Go (Category B), Reina Nagoshi (Category C), and Hannah Ong (Category D). Champions for the Acrylic Painting Category were Francesca Arcilla (Category 1), Ashley Gomez (Category 2), and Kelly Reese Martin (Category 3). “Art adds color to my life. Through it, I can express my thoughts and emotions louder than I can with my voice,” 13-year old Martin said. Paris, her dream city, was the inspiration for her winning work. “We visited the place last summer and I was awed by its beauty and grandeur.” Like Martin, eight-year-old Go, also appreciates the benefits she gets from art lessons at Global Art. her piece was an artwork of her dream city, Candy Land. Arcilla, 9, feels more confident about her art and style after winning at this year’s event, “Studying at Global Art taught me to use my imagination and appreciate the colors of life.” Ang and Nagoshi are both excited to compete STARTING THEM YOUNG. Global Art Philippines offers an avenue for young artists to develop their artistic skills through art enrichment programs, mentorship, and competitions. at the International Level. “Art is just like writing stories,” Nagoshi mused. “And I’m going to prepare for it by constantly practicing what I love to do and that is, drawing.” Ong, 13, knows that winning means a new set of challenges are underway but she is more determined than scared of these challenges. “The competition is an opportunity for me to be exposed and grow as an artist,” she said. “At Global Art Philippines, we encourage and unleash the individual creative potentials of toddlers, teenagers, and even adults. We have art enrichment programs, mentorship, and competitions like these to further inspire students and to give them opportunities to boost their artistic talent,” Yenny Saw, Global Art Country Manager, said. Global Art’s main goal is to see young artists step up their artistic skills through these competitions. These seven grand champions showcased their artistic flair and won a chance to represent the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur. “Clearly, this learning experience has not only taught them to paint but also to get ready to live their dreams,” Global Art grand champions for Creative Drawing and Acrylic Painting Young artists unleashing their creative potential during the competition Saw concluded.

grand champions to Kuala lumpur

Music for a cause

Catarman’s singing priests in Manila this Christmas The singing priests of the Diocese of Catarman invade Manila to perform at Skydome, 7 p.m. in cooperation with SM North edsa and Sinag Arts Foundation on Dec. 11. Known as Muziklero, they are from various parishes with a common love for music

that inspired them to form the group whose aim is to spread their love for music. They also use music to recruit youth in the service of God and the community. They have also used their passion to help and serve the community and the elderly priests.

Muziklero, composed of singing priests from various parishes, will be performing at Skydome in SM North Edsa on Dec. 11

Mediapreneur

Muziklero, Christmas In The City is a benefit concert to raise funds to build Balay Pari for the elderly and sickly priests in their days of retirement and where they can be given proper medication. These retired priests have dedicated their whole lives serving God and the people. The performing priests are Reverends Alan Abalon Jr. - Diocesan Finance Officer; Wendel A. Rotamula - Prison Ministry Chaplain; Julius Augustus Balanguit - Parish priest of Our Lady of Angels Parish; Ronimo Tendoy Co-pastor of Our lady of Annunciation Cathedral; Jimel Valera - Rector of St. John Paul II Senior high Seminary; and Fr. Ryan Paul Opeña - Parish Priest of St. Antony Padua Parish, Fr. Gervacio Osias - Parish Priest of Our Lady’s Nativity Parish. Special guests include Madonna Decena and Renz Fernando who recently garnered medals from WCOPA, tenor Raymond Roldan, Emlyn Olfindo - stage director, singer and TV actress, from GMA 7 Talent center Nic Galano; and Cuatro Uno and Katrina Mas. The Muziklero will serenade the audience with their own rendition of hit songs, like “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Volare,’” “Thousand Years,” “Perfect Christmas,” and many more. They have been performing in neighboring towns in Samar and was well received and loved by the community. For inquiries please call Mhai Clariño of Sinag Arts Foundation at 0927-4470856

From skin to travel, and now publishing TWeNTY-TWO years ago, Leonora D. Lim and her children were just experimenting on chemical formulas in their backyard, trying to come up with an astringent friendly to Filipino skin. Now, they are the owners of a successful and still growing beauty-care empire based in Davao, RDL Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Inc. But Mercedita Lim, her daughter, wasn’t content with having just a skincare empire. She put up as well RAMS Travel Agency (based in Davao City, adjacent to the international airport terminal) to serve the travel needs of Davaoeños and those from neighboring provinces. Most recently, Mercedita, launched Mercé Boutique, a one-stop souvenir and specialty shop at D’ Leonor Resort (a facility the family owns) in Cabantian, Davao City. “I’d like to focus on the local products that I think have the potential in going global,” she told members of the press during the

launch at Seda in Quezon City. her boutique has just opened a branch in White Plains in Quezon City, she added, as she introduced the boutique’s brand ambassadors Jane de Leon and Ced Torrecarreon. More than the boutique, Mercedita was very proud to launch RDL Magazine (RDL for revitalized Davao lifestyle) with actor Paulo Avelino on the cover of the magazine’s debut issue. The magazine has been put together by a group of Davao-based writers for the millennial Davaoeños. Avelino is RDL’s brand ambassador for its skin-care line. Mercedita hopes the magazine would increase readers’ interest in Davao as a destination and the RDL’s products. Paulo Avelino graces the cover of the maiden issue of RDL Magazine

Abbygale Arenas-de Leon writes a book that helps professionals navigate workplace etiquette

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88 things every professional should know

WhAT would you do if you’re faced with a person whose name slipped your mind? Or when there are so many utensils in front of you during a business lunch and you don’t know what to do with them? Can you decline a handshake from someone who is clearly suffering from cold? From dressing up, developing rapport, navigating workplace etiquette, and business dining with manners, corporate trainer and former beauty queen Abbygale Arenas-de Leon answers all these questions and more in her book published by ABSCBN Publishing entitled 88 Things Every Professional Should Know… or else. “After having the chance to travel the world and meet people from all walks of life, I had realized that inspiring people by sharing my own stories and experience is what I wanted to do, and by writing this book, I believe I am doing just that,” wrote the 1997 Miss Universe-Philippines. She disclosed no nonsense recommendations for readers, whether for those who are starting out in their career and those in the far midst but needing cues on office etiquette. “When you are meeting someone for the first time, you only have 6-8 seconds to make a first impression,” shared the former model. She highlighted the value of first impression to the company one is representing. “The mo-

ment you are identified as part of the company, clients will see you as the whole company, and that’s great responsibility.” In a chance meeting, the author advised to say “good to see you again” and encourage conversation while trying to remember the name of a forgotten colleague. She said, “continue chatting general topics until you remember the name. If no such luck, be honest and ask for the first name.” When dealing with clients, Abby stressed the importance of posture in exuding candor. She wrote, “as a professional, you should embody credibility so that clients would trust you. You could easily project it through proper posture.” The author underlined the need to be tactful at all times in the professional setting. When there’s a need to correct someone, she suggested to “praise in public. Criticize in private. Trying to get respect by playing the bad guy or scaring your associates is an old tactic that will never work.” Being in any profession requires eagerness to learn, to contribute and to collaborate. “If you don’t have enthusiasm, do something to possess it. Make yourself realize the importance of what you are doing and the contribution you are giving,” wrote Abby. 88 Things Every Professional Should Know… or else is available at newsstands and bookstores nationwide for only P345.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017 Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

Geoff Eigenmann

Maine Mendoza

People were surprised when they learned that he’s back on GMA Network’s care. They didn’t even know that he left for a while to do some shows in the Kapamilya Network. This says a lot about his career as a television actor because not being remembered by the public is a very serious matter. It may be because the roles he played didn’t create any impact on their consciousness or his personality is just too bland people could hardly notice his existence. And we doubt changing networks would solve problem.

What do the phenomenal TV darling, K-Pop groups BTS and Seventeen, and global pop stars Justin Bieber and Camila Cabello have in common? They are all social media superstars. Maine was named ﬁfth most tweeted celebrity in the world by Twitter. So sorry Anne Curtis and Vice Ganda, but she’s the only Filipino in the top list, and this automatically makes her earn the title P h i l i p p i n e s ’s Twitter queen.

BiGuel

In an attempt to spice up the competition, the Kapuso Network is pushing Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix’s love team to challenge the stronger pair over its rival network. The result? According to AGB Nielsen, the premiere episode of their series Kambal Karibal scored a rating almost two points lower than that of La Luna Sangre’s. And we guess this doesn’t need any further explanation anymore.

Maja Salvador

The Wildﬂower star wants everything authentic especially when she’s in character as Lily Cruz. While actors often opt for a stunt double to take on their action sequences, there are a few select celebrities like her that choose to skip the double and do it themselves going the extra mile, even deciding that their physical health is worth risking, as long as it is for the audience’s entertainment. No wonder, Maja’s TV series is renewed for another season.

Hanggang Saan

The adage “lightning never strikes the same place twice” is applicable to Sylvia Sanchez’s newest soap. She may have made some serious impact among viewers in the Greatest Love but same thing cannot be said of with Hanggang Saan, which we think would just exit the small screen earlier than what most people expected. The new Kapamilya show rated two points lower than the Kapuso show, and a two-point difference in viewership is already considered a big gap.

The Good Son

Audiences seem to be switching their channel to ABS-CBN after having some dose of romantic comedy from the rival network. In the recent data released by AGB Nielsen, GMA Network’s most trusted TV ratings provider, The Good Son is ahead of the game giving My Korean Jagiya a serious competition. It only means that the Kapamilya show is putting something good on the table, but the big question is…until when the odds are going to remain on its side?

Gays in Quezon City in Pride March tomorrow

HE Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBT) will have their day on the streets tomorrow, as Quezon City, thanks to Councilor Mayen Juico, declared the day LGBT Pride March. This will be open to clans, families and organizations who want to show their support to the LGBT Filipino community. According to LGBT advocate Juico, this year’s pride march is dubbed as “Pride in QC: Safe and Free” and will feature the gay and straight community, non-proﬁt organizations, LGBT service agencies,

civic groups, LGBT organizations and churches. “Quezon City being the most gay-friendly city in the Philippines, our vision is to have the pinakakilalang pride march in the whole country,” said Juico at the press conference at Pork @ Your Own Risk Resto on Lascano St. in Quezon City. Mr. Gay World 2017 John Raspado will lead

the pride march. Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman and host Boy Abunda have been invited to the event, which will also showcase a fashion show and entertainment. Spearheaded by the Quezon City Pride Council, the 2017 QC LGBT Pride March is a testament of the city’s commitment in upholding the rights of

EMBRACING DIVERSITY. Committed to protecting the rights of its constituents, especially the LGBT community, the QC government envisions the city to be most gay-friendly city in the country

LOVEBIRDS. Ai Ai delas Alas and her soon-to-be husband Gerald Sibayan will exchange "I Dos" in a church wedding on Dec. 12

all Filipinos regardless of gender identity. The city government headed by Mayor Herbert Bautista is committed to protecting the rights of its constituents, especially the LGBT community. *** ABS-CBN’s hit action series La Luna Sangre kept its stronghold of its primetime slot as it prevailed over its new rival last Monday. Based on data from

Kantar Media, more viewers tuned in to the start of the show’s “Power Unlock” week and scored a national TV rating of 31.4 percent from combined urban and rural homes compared to the pilot episode of its rival program with only 15.6 percent. *** Soon to wed Ai Ai de las Alas and Gerald Sibayan gathered friends from the showbiz press for a

thanksgiving lunch at La Reve earlier this week. . The lovebirds will tie the knot in a Catholic ceremony on Dec. 12. Sharon Cuneta is her matron of honor, while actress Marian Rivera is the couple’s veil sponsor. Rivera, according to reports, offered to pay for Del as Alas’ bridal gown as her wedding gift. Also part of the entourage is actor Alden Richards, as

one of Sibayan’s best men. He joins De las Alas’s son Sancho, and Sibayan’s best friend, Kenneth. Delas Alas said they have a long list of principal sponsors – known locally as “ninong” and “ninang” – but did not mention their names. While she has already experienced getting married and divorced, De las Alas said this will be her ﬁrst church wedding.

Motoring

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Safety recall covers 6 variants A T LEAST 199,000 Honda vehicles are being sought for safety recall by Honda Cars Philippines Inc, the company statement said on Wednesday. The voluntary safety recall of select models of the City, Jazz, Civic, CR-V, Accord and Pilot sold in the Philippines from 2001– 2015 was issued due to a suspected defect in the airbag in-

flator of the driver side airbag. The campaign is Honda’s proactive effort to continuously ensure safety of the owners of the affected vehicles to avoid any unfortunate circumstance in the

future.So far, no accident or injuries were reported related to this concern in the Philippines, Honda said. HCPI President and General Manager, Noriyuki Takakura urged Honda customers to take action and have their vehicle checked right away. “We urge affected customers to have their vehicles repaired in any Honda Cars Dealership, as soon as possible.” he said.

The voluntary safety recall campaign for select models is FREE OF CHARGE and will only take about one (1) hour in any of the 37 authorized Honda Car dealerships and three (3) authorized service outlets nationwide. Customers can check if their Honda vehicle is affected through the recall webpage at hondaphil.com/services/vinsearch. The website has a Chassis Number consisting of 17 digits

IN LINE with the brand’s global offensive, Peugeot Philippines is set to carve inroads in the domestic automotive market with the recent unveiling of its SUV line-up. Held at its corporate HQ and dealership in Pasig, Glen Dasig, the energetic President of Peugeot Ph presented to the media the

all new 3008, the 2008 compact SUV and the all-new 5008 seven-seater SUV. “ We are excited to be unveiling these three new vehicles to the local motoring media for the first time. These three vehicles represent Peugeot’s bold move into the future,” exclaims Dasig. Peugeot’s new SUV range defies conventional standards with its euro-styling cues, dynamic performance and revolution-

ary engines. “We took inspiration from both the urban and rough terrain, and the new SUV variants possesses a confident stance with the driver at the heart of the design. Everything about each vehicle aims to enhance the driver’s experience,” Dasig adds. Admitting that the brand is a bit late in the SUV race, Dasig counters this by saying that Peugeot used the time to their

Peugeot is set to carve a niche in the SUV industry with its new model line up unveiled recently by Peugeot Ph president Glen Dasig (second from left).

advantage to come up with a model range that truly reflects the company. In designing the SUV range, Peugeot’s engineers have made some unique choices in driving dynamics that result in a more engaging experience. “The new 2008, 3008 and 5008 are unconventional SUV’s. By having a low center of gravity and the proper ground clearance, Peugeot’s SUV’s have reduced body roll that is common in tradtional SUV’s. This means a more stable drive at any speed. The Efficient Modular Platform 2 set-up greatly reduces weight with improvement on the suspension layout and an Advanced Grip Control allows the driver to tackle any terrain. Dasig is also quick to point out the revolutionary technology of its new generation engines. “The most impressive feature can be found under the hood,” he says. Peugeot’s engines have recently been hailed as the winner of this year’s International Engine of the Year in the one liter to 1400cc category. The limited edition 3008 has a retail price of P2,590M, while the 2008 is priced at P1.490M and the 5008’s pricing will be announced soon. “The Lion is awake and the wait is definitely worth it!” beams Dasig. All three SUV’s are available in dealers nationwide.

Quick getaway with the Sportage COLUMBIAN Autocar Corporatio, the exclusive distributor of Kia vehicles in the Philippines, released the latest generation of the Kia Sportage last year. While its sophisticated and dynamic style is what draws in the fans, the Sportage is also a capable SUV that enables you to live life to the fullest. It’s easy to get started with an outdoor adventure with the Sportage. With the myriad of options in and around Manila, a quick getaway is now only a short drive away. Here are some options for potential day trips that will let you maximize the capabilities of the Kia Sportage. Carry All to Caliraya Lake The standard Multi Point Injection (MPI) 2.0L gas powered Sportage has plenty power of capacity to carry all the stuff that you will want to bring for a trip to the lake, including water sports equipment and camping gear. Caliraya Lake in Laguna is a man-made lake three hours that is surrounded by the municipalities of Lumban, Cavinti and Kalayaan. It serves as an ideal location for different outdoor activities like camping and water sports. Resorts around the lake offer kayaking, wind-surfing, jet skiing and sport fishing. The compact SUV’s flexible cargo configuration enables the rear seats to fold down flat in a 60:40 split to give you almost 1,500 liters of space, making sure that you’re prepared for a night or two of outdoor fun.

Revving it to Rizal The Sportage GT-Line’s turbocharged Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) 2.0L diesel engine surely shine on the uphill drive to Masungi Georeserve. The usual route takes a satisfying and scenic trip along the Marikina-Infanta highway, snaking through the Sierra Madre mountain range, gaining over a thousand meters of elevation along wide roads with sweeping corners. The reserve offers several outdoor recreation options for visitors to enjoy. A trail that goes through the park features the region’s signature limestone formations, which have been made more accessible for casual outdoor enthusiasts thanks to their unique, web-like walkways.

The roads leading to the venue serve as the perfect showcase the power and excellent handling capabilities of the Sportage. Engaging Sport Mode and rifling through the gears of the six-speed transmission using the paddleshifters on the twisting and winding roads to Rizal will certainly put a smile on your face. Luxurious Ride to La Mesa The La Mesa Watershed may be in nearby Quezon City but that also means dealing with the city traffic. No need to worry about that while you enjoy the cool A/C and the comfortable and spacious interior of the Kia Sportage. La Mesa Eco Park and Nature Reserve is a little-known refuge in the heart of Quezon City. A bike path running through the park fea-

“We encourage everyone, if you have a friend and family member who owns a Honda vehicle, we urge you to call our hotline numbers or check our website to check if their vehicle is affected. You must take action now,” stressed Takakura. Honda said its dealers are open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday and are most willing to accommodate all affected customers.

FASTLANE

Peugeot launches SUV lineup Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

/ Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Check Tool to enable customers to see if their vehicle is affected. Customers can also call the dedicated Honda hotline numbers at 1-800-1000-HONDA (46632) or (02) 857-7240 between 8am to 5pm from Monday to Friday or through email at update@ hondaphil.com. HCPI has been doubling its efforts to get in touch with affected Honda customers.

tures light off-road sections that make it also open to trail-runners. With picnic areas for relaxing and archery or zipline facilities for the adrenaline junkie, the park has something a Sportage rider could ever want in a day trip. On the way there, enjoy tunes with the top-notch infotainment system that is paired to steering wheel mounted controls, or let in more of the outdoors from the comfort of the Sportage thanks to its panoramic sunroof. Passengers could even manage to get in their pre-workout stretches thanks to the generous headroom (front/rear - 998.2mm/993.1mm) and legroom (front/rear 1504.1mm/970.3mm) so they can arrive at the parked loose and ready to go.

Quad Parking technology from EMICOR PROTECT your vehicles from theft and maximize your real estate with the latest innovation in space saving and parking technologies from EMICOR. Regarded as the pioneer in car lifts and smart parking technology in the country, EMICOR’s Double Stackers offer protection and more space for your house or building. Aside from doubling your parking capacity, the Double Stackers smart parking can accommodate any combination of sedans, mid-size to full size SUV’s. Each Smart Parking has a lifting capacity of 2.3 tons to 3.6 tons and wach has a manual lock release; hydraulic overload protection, automatic shut off once operator release key switch; a photocell sensor to detect cars under vehicle platform to automatically stop the equipment from operating and can be used for both outdoor and indoor purposes. “This parking technology is perfect for

single houses, buildings, commercial areas, hotels, car dealerships and downtime offices which have no parking space,” says Micca De Joya of EMICOR. Double Stackers were the choice of building operators and hospitals such as Makati Medical Center, and car dealers such as Honda Cars Makati and some private car collectors who require parking spaces for their prized collections. Smart Parking will only require a minimal space equivalent to two parking slots or 32 square meters. Ingress and egress is not a problem due to an optional electric turntable that can be installed in five days, which includes machine calibration, testing and personnel operation training. Smart Paking is a technology in use in countries like Japan, Singapore, the United States, Korea and Europe for years now. The smallest unit can hold six sedans with a maximum of 16 sedans.

Spruce up your interiors with Sparco REGARDED as the country’s largest automotive accessories retail chain with 58 stores nationwide, Blade has carved a respectable niche in the aftermarket industry with its extensive line of affordable automotive accessories and car care products that ranges from car audio-video down to air fresheners and wheels. Among their popular brands is Sparco, an Italian auto part and accessory company headquartered in Volpiano, Turin, Italy that specializes in producing items such as seats, steering wheels, harnesses, racewear and helmets. In the Philippines, Blade is the distributor for Sparco’s lifestyle products such as seat covers and floor mats. Sparco floor mats are easy to clean and made from a non-skid backing material and designed to universally fit most cars and AUV’s. All of their stores carry globally recognized brands such as Sparco, OMP, Goodyear, Polaroid and Chupa Chups. “The brands we carry are all licensed and Blade is an official distributor of the aforementioned

brands. All branded merchandise that we carry are original and licensed,” explains Albert Go of Blade. For brands such as Sparco, OMP and Goodyear, Blade caters to the consumer line of automotive products such as air compressors, seat belt pads, and car floor mats. They also offer a complete line of car care products such as Blade signature products, Sonax, Mother’s, Meguiar’s and Wurth among others. Blade Auto Center’s line of car accessories and gadgets are reasonably priced due to its high purchase volume. Their automotive lifestyle stores are located in SM, Ayala and Robinson’s Malls nationwide.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor DINO DIRECTO III Asst. Editor

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Motoring

X’mas comes early at Honda Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

FTER months of waiting for their precious metals, the King of the Ring has ﬁnally been turned over to its lucky owners. In a festive ceremony held at the Honda Manila Bay dealership, Honda Cars Philippines Incorporated (HCPI) formally turned over seven units of the iconic Civic Type R to its lucky owners

The ﬁrst batch of limited edition Civic Type R’s were recently turned over to six lucky owners representing the six Honda dealerships of the Ayala corporation. Shown in photo ﬂanking the Type R are (from left) Brian James Buendia General Sales Manager of Honda Cars Manila Bay; Noriyuki Takakura, President and GM of Honda Cars Ph; Carlo Raymundo Directo, TV Commercial Director and Managing Partner of Film Pabrika and Leo Dolendo, GM of Honda Cars Manila Bay.

The seven units represented the seven Ayala owned Honda dealerships representing Makati (Magallanes and Greenbelt); Alabang, Pasig, Shaw, Bonifacio Global City and its newest and most modern dealership, Honda Manila Bay whose General Manager Leo Dolendo is an old hand in the industry. Arthur Tan, Senior Managing Director of Ayala Corporation and concurrent Volkswagen Ph CEO, led the turn over ceremonies, with other Ayala and HCPI executives led by Manny Aligada, Deputy CEO of Ayala Automotive Holdings and President of

Honda Cars Makati; Leo Dolendo, GM of Honda Cars Manila Bay. Noriyuki Takakura, President and GM of HCPI was the guest of honor. “The Type R is an everyday sports car. You can use it everyday by pressing the comfort mode, and when you race it on weekends, just push the sports mode button and its transform into a track monster,” says Tan, who is a Type R owner himself. Carlo Raymundo Directo or “Direk Olrac” to his close associates is an advertising executive and owning a Type R has always been his dream. “I have waited for this moment for a long time.

I have to pinch myself twice to believe that this is really happening,” he says. Both Tan and Takakura stated that owning a Type R is worry free because Honda has assured the availability of parts and accessories for the Civic Type R. “All Honda dealerships have received proper training to service the Type R. Owners can go to any Honda dealer nationwide for servicing,” adds Takakura. After receiving a personalized plaque and a customized allweather car cover for their Type R’s, the owners held a ceremonial drive by around the area and in

front of the Honda Manila Bay dealership. Plans are also in the pipeline for Honda to stage a track day for the Type R owners by the first quarter of next year. The Civic Type R has taken the World by a storm with its innovative technology, and performance. It has been earning accolades and awards since its launch this year. It is powered by a 2.0 liter in-line four that funnels 306 bhp down to its front wheels by way of a manual six-speed gearbox. HCPI brought in a limited number of Type R’s in the country and 100 lucky owners celebrated an early Christmas.

Gono leads TRS to victory in endurance racing YOUNG hotshoe Luis Gono, the country’s first Toyota Vios Cup champion, and ace drift racer racked up another spectacular feat at the race track as he led his

team to clinch the overall championhip at the 2017 Philippine Endurance Challenge held recently at the Clark International Speedway.

Developed by JP Tuason of Team TRS, the V1 Formula Race car is a gokart on steroids.

Gono was drafted by veteran racer and event organizer JP Tuason as one of five Tuason Racing Team drivers which competed at the eight-hour Endurance race. Team Tuason Racing School (TRS) had in its roster Bjorn Ongtiaobok, Ferdie Ong, Louis Ramirez, Mike Tuason and the young Gono as the ace in the hole. Driving a Formula V1 Spec race car which was equipped with a 1500cc Toyota Vios engine, the car compensated by way of its lightweight construction and agility which was typical of a sprint racer. “Our car was not designed for endurance racing and we even had to really push it everytime we gassed up because our gas tank only had a 20 liter fuel capacity,” explains JP Tuason. Team manager

Miguel Ramirez had to apply a strategy that would maximize fuel consumption with the most number of laps at the quickest time possible. “Since Luis Gono was the fastest among the team, we had to tweak the car which suited his driving. We strategically chose who would drive the car at this point of the race and in the end, it was the youngest who carried the team to the finish line,” adds Ramirez. “ It was a learning experience for me and my body ached after the race because I drove for four hours,” says Gono, who gamely traded paint and fought for every inch of the race track during the eight hour race. Despite having the most under powered car among the competing teams, the perserverance, experience and sheer tal-

The young Gono is carried by his teammates after a strong ﬁnish to clinch the championship

ent of the Team Tuason Racing School prevailed as their win became a footnote in Philippine Motorsports history. “It was a team effort and in the end, it all boiled down to our team’s expe-

rience and talent,” says Tuason, who is also the country’s only BMW certified racing instructor and Founder of Tuason Racing School. Dino Ray V. Directo III