Manila Standard - 2017 December 16 - Saturday

WORLD BANK RAISES PH GROWTH FORECAST

(STORY ON B1)

TS ‘Urduja’ threatens more rain in Visayas THE weather bureau on Friday warned the residents of Eastern Visayas, particularly the Samar provinces, to brace for more rain as Tropical Storm “Urduja” continued its slow movement as it crossed the central Philippines.

“Eastern Visayas, particularly the Samar provinces, will be in danger because Tropical Storm Urduja is moving slowly and bringing moderate to heavy rain,” said weather specialist Loriedin De la Cruz.

In other developments: * Tacloban City was placed under a state of calamity Friday following the devastation caused by Urduja, which dumped nearly two months’ worth of rainfall in a 24-hour span.

The Tacloban City Council declared the state of ca-

lamity around 2:25 p.m. as the heavy rain brought by Urduja continued to flood parts of the city.

The rain fell heaviest in nearby Guiuan, Eastern Samar, which saw 780 mm of rainfall from 8 a.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday, state weather bureau Pagasa said.

Guiuan’s normal monthly rainfall is 440 mm.

Making it worse, Pagasa forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said, was that Urduja has stayed “quasi-stationary” or virtually parked in Eastern Visayas, unlike faster tropical storms. * A P245-million standby fund is ready to finance relief efforts amid Urduja’s expected landfall in Eastern Samar this weekend, the Social Welfare Department said Friday.

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URDUJA’S WRATH. Nearly 8,500 people are stranded (right photos) in ports nationwide over the country due to the effects of Tropical Storm ‘Urduja’, with weathermen warning residents of Eastern Visayas, particularly the Samar provinces, to brace for more rain as Urduja continues its slow movement (above) while crossing the central Philippines. Coast Guard says affected ports include those in Bicol, Eastern and Western Visayas, and even the port of Manila.

Mass murder raps vs Aquino, Garin

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

VOL. XXXI • NO. 302 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

FORMER Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director Augusto Syjuco Jr. filed on Friday a complaint of mass murder and plunder against former President Benigno Aquino III and former Health secretary Janette Garin before the Office of the

Ombudsman for the approval of the P3.5-billion procurement of Dengvaxia vaccines.

He said Aquino and Garin must be held culpable for the mass vaccination of 733,000 school children.

As far as the mass murder complaint is concerned, he said a boy in Bataan died last year who was inoculated with Next page Dengvaxia shots but died.

China outposts expand PDP-Laban Islets equipped with air/naval infra—AMTI told: Pitch for By John Paolo Bencito HINA has quietly built infrastructure in the Spratly and Paracel islands federalism in the West Philippine Sea or South China Sea in a bid to equip its larger

By Macon RamosAraneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte says his party mates in the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan should lead the charge in promoting federalism in the country.

Duterte, who is also chairman of PDP Laban, made the comment during his speech at the PDP Laban Christmas Benefit Dinner for Marawi at the Next page

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outposts for potential air and naval bases in the disputed waters, the latest satellite imagery from the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative showed Friday.

The group said the buildup happened during the entire year, covering 72 acres or 290,000 square meters, despite assurances to the contrary given by Chinese President Xi Jinping to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has played down reports of Beijing’s military build-up in the disputed waters.

Greg Poling, the transparency initiative’s director, said China had seized a “diplomatic open-

ing” amid Duterte’s conciliatory stance toward Beijing over their territorial dispute.

“It’s gotten off the front pages, but we shouldn’t confuse that with a softening in China’s pursuit of its goals.

They are continuing all the construction they want,” Poling was quoted in an Associated Press interview.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, however, downplayed the issue,

saying the Chinese are “not occupying new areas.”

“We’ve never said tumigil lahat or walang gumagawa [everything has stopped and no one is building anything]. What we are saying is, they are not occupying areas that are not habited, meaning, they are not occupying new areas,” Cayetano told reporters at the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Christmas lunch for the media Next page at Pasay City.

Rodrigo Duterte, the Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says Beijing has seized a ‘diplomatic opening’ in face of Duterte’s conciliatory stance toward China over their territorial dispute and quietly built infrastructure in the Spratly and Paracel Islands in the West Philippine Sea during the entire year, covering 290,000 square meters.

Terrorists tap social media to recruit members—AFP

CHR yields to Du30’s prerogative

By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz THE Commission on Human Rights on Friday said it respected the prerogative of President Rodrigo Duterte and the majority vote of both the Senate and Congress to extend martial law in Mindanao.

“We, however, continue to stress the need to address accounts of human rights violations on the ground,” said Jacqueline Ann de Guia, the agency’s Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office Next page director.

DIPLOMATIC OPENING. Despite the reported assurance of Chinese leaders to President

PRE-DEBUT PHOTO SHOOT. Fashion and wedding events observers as well as celebrity

stylists and make-up artists have shuffled feet at the riverside Malacañang for the pre-debut photo shoot of Isabelle Duterte, daughter of Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, who turns 18 on Jan. 26, 2018. (Story on A2) John Paolo Bencito

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TERRORISTS continue to tap social media, along with the promise of fabulous pay, to recruit new members to their cause of building up a caliphate in Southeast Asia, the military said Friday.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also assured they will not tolerate human rights abuses with the extension of martial law in Mindanao until Dec. 31, 2018.

Giving martial law another year is necessary given the continuous “pocket support” from the Middle East that may push some radicals to fund terrorist groups in the country, Foreign Affairs Sec-

retary Alan Peter Cayetano also said on Friday.

Cayetano said that although the security situation in Mindanao has calmed down, the Duterte administration has been receiving reports from its different embassies of a possible threat and the return of the jihadists who attempted to take over Marawi City in May. “So hindi na nagtatanong bakit kailangan ng martial law doon kasi sila mismo nagsasabi sa atin na you have to take measures [Residents in Mindanao are not asking why martial law is still needed there because they themselves are telling us],” he added in explaining why the Department of Foreign Affairs has been quiet about the extension of military rule. Next page

ADB kicks in $380 m for road network

By Julito G. Rada THE Asian Development Bank will provide a $380-million loan to the Philippine government in its effort to help strengthen the road network and further spur economic development in Mindanao.

In a statement Friday, ADB said the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project— ADB’s biggest infrastructure investment in the island region―sought to improve about 280 kilometers of national roads and bridges in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island with Next page

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Sereno takes pride in court work A

By Rey E. Requejo

MID the impeachment proceedings against her, beleaguered Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday highlighted the reforms and achievements in the judiciary since she became the top magistrate of the Supreme Court in 2012.

Sereno even exhorted the employees of the judiciary to disseminate the reforms being implemented in the judiciary aimed at speeding

up the trial system and the programs intended to improve their welfare.

She was referring to the phase-by-phase roll-out of

CHR...

Roque said “there would be no return of a dictatorial government” and human rights violations would not be repeated under President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law—in reference to martial law from September 1972 to January 1981 imposed by then President Ferdinand Marcos under the 1935 Constitution.

Pamalakaya said Harry Roque was only deodorizing the extension of Mindanao martial law to mind-condition the Filipino people on the possible declaration of a nationwide martial rule.

“Martial law is martial law; no matter how they sugarcoat it, it is still the same Marcosmilitary rule that suppressed the civil and liberty rights of the Filipino people, and paved the way to a blatant plunder of public coffers,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairman, said in a statement.

“The Presidential Spokesman is deodorizing the Mindanao martial law in order to make it appear acceptable to the people and to prepare the public for a nationwide authoritarian rule; something that the Filipino people will not let happen,” Hicap said.

De Guia said there was also a need to investigate allegations of looting by the military, unlawful/arbitrary arrests, military presence in IDP camps, cases of profiling, military harassment, enforced disappearance, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

“We also urge the government to hold to account both state and non-state actors responsible for the atrocities committed against the local residents,” she noted. With Bill Casas

From A1

The commission admitted the communities in Marawi “still bear the damage and consequences of the armed conflict despite recent reports on the situation in Marawi City now being normal,” she said.

“Internally displaced persons continue to occupy shelter sites in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, as well as other areas in Northern Mindanao, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and even Metro Manila,” she added.

In related developments: • Opposition lawmaker Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano warned that an extended martial law in Mindanao might lead to military abuse.

“I trust them [military] to perform their mandate professionally,” Alejano, a former Marine captain, said.

“But we should not expose them to the principle that civilian authority isn’t working.

Their view on civilian authority becomes weak,” he said.

Alejano claimed that “abuses cannot be avoided if their is prolonged combat” among government troops.

“They get hurt in battle and are unable to go home, there’s really a possibility of abuse,” he said.

• Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque earned the ire of the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas for “sugar-coating” the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao and its possible nationwide declaration.

PDP-Laban...

From A1 Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City on Wednesday night.

“It will be a disaster... it is a disaster kung hindi PDP Laban ang magdala. But kung ang PDP mag-dala [it is] because my duty and their duty to their country is to protect the Filipino and maintain and preserve the Republic of the Philippines,” Duterte said.

Touching on the topic of martial law, Duterte said the best way to stop the spread of Islamic extremism was to fulfill his campaign promise to shift to a federal system of government.

“The best way really for PDP... is to fulfill the campaign promise,” Duterte said.

He said the aim of the PDP Laban “is really to get a consensus” on what particular federal structure was best for the country.

Aside from federalism, Duterte also urged his party mates to lead his campaign against corrupt government officials and vowed he would not spare the corrupt.

“PDP is growing big. I welcome the members there… I’m just pointing out how our idealism should move forward [to stop corruption],” Duterte said.

That same night, the Senate under the leadership of Senate president and Party president Aquilino Pimentel III ratified the bicameral report on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN bill, which is aimed at financing the Build, Build, Build program and the social service programs of the government.

Pimentel also presided over the Senate passage of the joint resolution increasing the base pay of military and uniformed personnel, another campaign promise of President Duterte, during the same session.

TS...

From A1 “We have already activated the disaster “response cluster,” officer-in-charge Emmanuel Leyco told reporters.

“We’ll continue to monitor the movement of the storm and we will respond accordingly.”

• A red-alert status was raised over Sorsogon on Friday as Urduja slowly approached Eastern Visayas, leaving at least 3,196 passengers stranded at the Matnog Port.

Local government units have alerted residents on their possible evacuation and readied personnel and vehicles for rescue operations.

• Sixteen domestic flights were canceled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Friday due to bad weather, the Manila International Airport Authority said Friday.

The agency said eight flights of Cebu Pacific Air, six of Philippine Airlines, PAL Express and two others from Skyjet Airlines were canceled.

As of 1 p.m. Friday, Urduja was spotted 230 km east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar and packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

Urduja is forecast to move northwest at 5 kph and is expected to bring moderate to heavy rainfall in the areas within its 500-km diameter.

The weather bureau said Urduja was likely to make landfall Saturday morning or afternoon over Northern Samar or the Eastern Samar area.

Scattered to widespread rain will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and is likewise expected to prevail over the Bicol region and the rest of the Visayas within 24 hours.

John Paolo Bencito

Duterte lass takes debut pics at Palace

electronic courts or eCourts and the Automated Hearing, the implementation of the continuous trial in criminal courts and the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases, which raised the ceiling for claims that will be handled through summary procedure.

Sereno also cited the contributions made by her colleagues―Associate Justices Mariano Del Castillo and Estela Perlas-Bernabe―in the implementation of judi-

cial reforms.

She praised Del Castillo’s handling of the high court’s outreach programs and Bernabe’s lead role in formulating the rules for commercial courts, including financial rehabilitation and insolvency and addressing the infrastructure problems of the courts.

“Tell this to our people so that they can be proud of our judiciary,” Sereno said.

But she also urged the judiciary’s employees to

always set what she called the “gold standard for public service.”

The embattled chief magistrate also expressed hope that other stakeholders in the justice system, such as prosecutors, defense lawyers and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, would follow the high court’s example.

Despite the moves in Congress to oust her through impeachment, Sereno said she was grateful that “we have a fantastic

year ahead of us again.”

“We should always be thankful and happy. Are we thankful and happy? Then let’s say thank you Lord!

Praise the Lord!” Sereno said.

“We look forward to more things to report to the nation and we look forward to continually take care of each other because the judiciary is one family that takes care of each other’s needs and concerns all in the service of the nation.”

China...

“Guided by such spirit, our two countries have taken concrete actions to advance our pragmatic cooperation in such priority areas as infrastructure, production capacity, investment, commerce, trade, agriculture and people-to-people exchange,” he added.

China, Tan said, had “every reason to synergize our development strategies” with the Philippines “and carry forward our win-win cooperation, so as to open up a broader and brighter vista” for the partnership.

The envoy delivered the speech late Thursday at a Christmas reception with local media, saying how Duterte met with Xi twice this year to thaw previously frosty ties between the Philippines and China under the previous administration of Benigno Aquino III. They first met during the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in China in May, and again in November during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Vietnam.

Satellite images released Dec. 14 in Washington showed Chinese workers completing much of the larger hangars, communications facilities,

hardened shelters and large underground tunnels for ammunition and other storage in the Fiery Cross, Subi, and Mischief Reefs in the Spratlys, and North, Tree, and Triton Islands in the Paracels.

Smaller-scale work had continued in the Paracel Islands, including a new helipad and wind turbines on Tree Island and two large radar towers on Triton Island, Poling’s group added.

Woody Island, China’s military and administrative headquarters in the South China Sea, saw two first-time air deployments “that hint at things to come at the three Spratly Island air bases farther south,” the report said.

At the end of October, the Chinese military released images showing J-11B fighters at Woody Island for exercises, while on Nov. 15, AMTI spotted what appeared to be Y-8 transport planes, a type that can be configured for electronic surveillance.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival from the Apec Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, Duterte said Xi gave him “specific answers” to his queries about China’s intentions in the disputed waters, assuring him that the

increasing militarization in the South China Sea is “nothing.” “[Xi] knows that if he goes to war, everything will blow up.

He acknowledged that war cannot be promoted by anybody, but it would only mean destruction for all of us,” the President said last month.

Duterte said he believed Xi’s explanation, and was assured that China will not impede the freedom of navigation in the disputed waterway.

The Chairman’s statement of the ten-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc for its 31st Summit held in Manila took a soft stance towards China’s militarization of the disputed waters, only referring to the vague need for “non-militarization and self restraint.”

Last Nov. 13, China already agreed to start negotiations for a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, 15 years after they signed the Declaration of Conduct, a non-biding edict, in 2002.

The Asean and China decided to adopt “in its entirety” the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the challenged waters adopted by the foreign ministers of Asean member countries and China last August.

THE country’s seat of power became the venue of a pre-debut photo shoot for President Rodrigo Duterte’s granddaughter, Isabelle, who will be turning 18 on Jan. 26 next year.

Isabelle, the daughter of Davao Vice Mayor Paolo and his estranged ex-wife Lovelie Sangkola Sumera, shone in her debut teaser photos that were posted on Instagram on Friday.

Malacañang’s Reception Hall, usually filled with government leaders, turned into the presidential granddaughter’s private catwalk in an elaborately-beaded crimson gown by Dubaibased designer Garimon Roferos, with the presidential seal prominently seen on the carpet.

Isabelle was also photographed wearing a cream Rosenthal Tee gown embellished with leaf designs while posing with the presidential seal and Philippine flag as her background in a private study, and a floral off-shoulder piece by Rica Rico while running at the Palace grounds.

The shoot was managed by the Rita Neri Event Planners and stylist Jeff Galang, make-up artists Bacierto and Winn Ramos and photographer Lito Sy. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque saw nothing wrong with the presidential granddaughter’s pre-debut photo shoot, saying it was a non-issue.

ment activities within the “immediate vicinity” of Marawi, the site of the five-month-long siege that saw nearly a thousand terrorists slain.

“They have offered financial remunerations like this. And of course they continue to use social media in their recruitment activities,” Arevalo told reporters in a Palace news briefing.

Remnants of the Maute group, Arevalo said, had not stopped their recruitment even after state forces were able to kill their leaders.

Cayetano also claimed that although the main group of terrorists have been neutralized, there is “a pocket of support and developments in the Middle East that may push some to fund terrorist groups.”

Congress on Wednesday night voted to extend martial law in Mindanao, following an appeal from President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the military killing the two top terrorists in the Marawi siege.

“The whole world knows the

threat of terrorism, despite criticisms why [martial law] takes so long in Marawi,” Cayetano said.

Arevalo said that while jihadist recruitment isn’t being done out in the open, the AFP continues to receive reports that such activities prevail on the ground.

“Well, there are recruitment videos. I’m sure you have also come across this,” he said, adding that the military has yet to communicate to Facebook to take down the videos.

Relatives of slain jihadists and the youth are among the easy targets of the militants, noting that these sectors of the society are the most exposed and vulnerable to extremist ideologies.

Arevalo also assured that military operations will continue to ensure that their activities “will not succeed.”

Cayetano assured the diplomatic community he will brief them about martial law together with the AFP and the Department of National Defense.

“Having said that, the proof of the pudding is in the eating,

so the assessment is–the international community is looking more at why, how is it going, etc. Definitely we will be scheduling a briefing with them once our AFP and DND get everyone together to share more info with them,” he said.

Social media and encrypted messaging apps were known to be a main tool for Islamic State militants to spread propaganda and virtually guide homegrown terrorists thousands of miles away.

In other countries, recruits are told very specific ways— from how to pledge allegiance to the terrorist organization or to how to proceed with ‘lone wolf attacks’—to kill innocent victims and advance their cause.

Recently, a widow of a slain Islamist militant leader was charged for allegedly using social media to recruit IS sympathizers to join the siege of Marawi.

Hundreds of local and foreign gunmen who had pledged allegiance to IS rampaged through Marawi starting in

May, sparking the nation’s longest urban war that claimed more than 1,100 lives.

Last June, the military asked Facebook to close dozens of accounts linked to Islamist militants, saying they were being used for propaganda.

At that time, the AFP social media unit uncovered 63 Facebook accounts belonging to the jihadists and their supporters.

Cayetano also boasted that the Philippines has been receiving praise “around the world” for quashing the Marawi terrorists.

“We’re getting congratulations around the world for acting upon it decisively, and a war of that magnitude to be actually solved,” he said.

The foreign affairs chief cited how the Islamic State was able to “slowly and effectively took over Iraq and Syria” while our situation is now calm.

“We [also] see certain countries around the world that two governments are fighting with each other,” he added.

From A1

He explained Duterte’s strategy in the territorial dispute, saying: “The intention of the President is to lower the temperature and go back to the COC (Code of Conduct).”

“We might win international cases and have international support, but China will continue building more structures,” Cayetano said. “Have we lost land during the Duterte administration? No. But we have lost a lot of land during previous administrations.”

Curiously, a Chinese envoy to Manila reaffirmed Beijing’s support for the country under the Duterte administration, citing the improved ties between the two nations despite the lingering dispute over the West Philippine Sea. Under the “strategic vision” and “concerted efforts” of Xi and Duterte, Tan Qingsheng, the Chinese Embassy political counsellor, said relations between the nations “have been building on the historic turnaround and ushering in a new era, or better known as another ‘Golden Era.’”

Terrorists...

From A1

In a news briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero said the public should expect intensified operations against possible security threats, especially in areas where suspected communist rebels are located.

“In other parts, particularly in NPA [New People’s Army]affected areas, they can expect more of the actions that are being taken by the military, perhaps with intensified scope and coverage,” Guerrero said.

“They can expect more of patrols, checkpoints, especially in population centers because we aim to establish our visibility and presence, to deter terrorist actions,” he added.

Despite the liberation of the city from the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group last October, Armed Forces acting spokesperson Col. Edgard Arevalo said the military has monitored recruit-

ADB...

From A1 about 20 million people.

“The project, which is also the first Mindanao-specific loan granted by ADB in 16 years, will help the transport system better deal with the effects of climate change through features such as elevated pavements, enhanced slope protection, and better drainage,” it said.

“It will benefit women by improving their access to basic infrastructure, social services, and economic or financial resources or opportunities. Communities will also benefit from road safety awareness campaigns to be conducted under the project,” ADB said.

In related developments: • Last Wednesday, Congress, voting in a joint session approved President Rodrigo Duterte’s request extending the validity of martial law for another one year or until Dec. 31, 2018.

Duterte declared martial law last May 23 after an estimated 1,000 ISIS-inspired

Mass...

From A1 “There is only one death so far but one death is one death too many,” he added.

“I file this complaint for the crimes of mass murder and other related and resultant crimes through reckless imprudence, and negligence, and plunder, and graft and corruption, for and on behalf of 733,000 school children who were inoculated with the deadly vaccine Dengvaxia through apparent recklessness and negligence, and their apparent anxiety to spend P3.5 billion of public funds,” Syjuco’s complaint read.

Maute Group members occupied Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said: “The cover of martial law would embolden elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to indiscriminately attack and kill perceived ‘enemies of the State’ and conduct warrantless arrests, searches and seizures even against innocent civilians while courts are functioning to judiciously issue such warrants.”

• The Social Welfare Department announced it had lifted some of the requirements needed by Marawi City households to qualify for subsidies under the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) until December next year.

“We have suspended the conditionalities that will allow them to receive funds even if they are not attending school or not going to health clinics, or not even attending the family development sessions,” DSWD officer-in-charge Undersecretary Emmanuel Leyco told reporters in a Palace news briefing.

“We have some 12,000 households

In related developments: • Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed dismay over the manner in which the . Senate investigation into the Dengvaxia fiasco was being handled, saying it should be done in a “more participatory and democratic manner.”

The Senate blue ribbon committee, chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, has been conducting hearings on the anti-dengue vaccine first implemented during the time of Aquino III. “Personally, I had a hard time asking questions because there was not enough latitude and flexibility. Despite that, I attended all the hearings, tried to be very patient and asserted my right to ask my own questions,”

who are members of our Pantawid and, therefore, we’d like to make sure that the funds are delivered to them,” he added.

Families who are not qualified as 4Ps beneficiaries will be offered livelihood projects, Leyco said, adding the DSWD is also considering enrolling more 4Ps families upon evaluation.

Conditionalities were initially suspended just until March of next year, but the DSWD’s recommendation to extend it until the rest of the year has just been approved, Leyco added.

It said all project roads would be geotagged with information accessible on the Internet, so the public could monitor road investment projects throughout the project life cycle, including procurement and construction.

Additionally, the assistance will help finance the detailed design of 300 kilometers of national highways in Mindanao, which will be constructed through other projects.

Institutionally, it will help the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve the long-term planning, fiscal accountability, and human resource

said Hontiveros.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the government might tap the President’s social fund should Filipino children who were given a dose of the dengue vaccine develop severe cases of disease.

According to him, officials defied experts’ advice in pursuing the dengue immunization program.

PhilHealth may cover about P8,000 to P10,000 for mild dengue cases, while a P16,000 coverage may be granted to those who will contract severe dengue, Duque said.

In 2016, the government procured P3.5 billion worth of Dengvaxia vaccines for 1 million Filipino public school students.

By John Paolo Bencito

management in the transport sector in Mindanao and the rest of the country.

The total project cost is estimated at $503 million, with the government of the Philippines contributing $123 million.

“Improving roads in Mindanao will support the development of economic opportunities in areas such as agribusiness, ecotourism, and logistics, and improve access to markets, jobs, education, and health facilities,” said Jeffrey Miller, principal transport specialist at ADB’s Southeast Asia Department.

Efficient road transport is crucial for the Philippines’ economic growth, but the sector has not kept up with population growth.

About 23 percent of the national road network is in poor condition, due to various reasons including inadequate funding, lack of maintenance, and the impact of climate change, such as flooding.

Mindanao’s road network is less developed than the national average, with only 70 percent of the roads paved, compared with 82 percent in Luzon and 89 percent in the Visayas. With Maricel V. Cruz and John Paolo Bencito

Last month, French drug maker Sanofi Pasteur announced that administering the vaccine to those who never had dengue might lead to “more severe cases.”

As of November, Dengvaxia was given to at least 800,000 Filipino children under the government’s expanded vaccination program.

Syjuco said the mass vaccination of Dengvaxia could be compared to the botched police operation of the Special Action Force to go after international terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir alias Marwan on Jan. 25, 2015 that led to the death of 44 of its troops.

He likened Aquino to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

“Mr. Aquino is the same ‘sick-o’ who had committed the same murder through reckless imprudence and negligence in the military fiasco that brought about the murder of 44 soldiers in the same kind of wild abandon by an incompetent who placed little or no value in the lives of our people,” the complaint read.

He slammed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for her failure to act on the criminal charges filed against Aquino.

The Department of Health stopped its vaccination program after Sanofi Pasteur said its Dengvaxia vaccine might be potentially harmful to people not previously exposed to dengue virus.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH tourism gears up for readiness, resiliency IMPROVING the tourism industry’s resiliency in dealing with natural and man-made disasters was discussed during the Tourism Crisis Management Symposium organized by the Department of Tourism at the Diamond Hotel Manila on Tuesday.

“Given all the structural advantages, it is not hard to envision the Philippines being the number one travel destination in Asia and the world,” DoT Secretary Wanda Teo said.

“The DoT continues to face challenges of uplifting tourism amidst perceived security and safety problems. Another factor is the perception of the Philippines as the center of natural calamities such as typhoons flash floods and earthquakes,” Teo said.

Addressing these issues, Teo said, is imperative and thus a shared responsibility among stakeholders in order to guarantee safety and security throughout the country.

DoT Undersecretary Alma Rita R. Jimenez also encouraged stakeholders to be involved by learning the ways of prevention, management and mitigation in the events of crises.

According to Jimenez, since the tourism industry banks on the economic impact of the marketed destinations, it is imperative to identify hazards and risks and consider their implications on tourism facilities and the economic sector in general.

The tourism industry recently contributed almost 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In order to sustain this, the DOT identifies factors that might affect its performance in the long run.

Speakers include Dr. Donald Patrick L. Lim, CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Philippines, who discussed the role of digital communication tools in countering negative news affecting digital marketing and certain ways of getting the public engaged in prevention.

Leveraging on technology is highly effective in creating compelling stories, thereby stirring curiosity and excitement among the target audience, Lim added.

Furthermore, the use of viral marketing, as well as inviting influencers to support a promoted cause, is also seen as an effective marketing strategy.

Meanwhile, Philippine Red Cross secretary general lawyer Oscar Palabyab discussed the impacts of disasters on tourism and also addressed the apparent shortage of trained personnel for emergency response in establishments.

One of the points highlighted in Palabyab’s lecture was the need to have a risk-informed sustainable infrastructure development for every aspect of tourism.

Dr. Ted “Everest Doc” Esguerra, Operational Medicine Instructor from the International Disaster Response Network, advocated the creation of a crisis team in line with the RA 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010) and Sendai Platform which will serve in the frontlines of disaster management for every tourism establishment. Also presented were the best practices in disaster risk management. Bill Casas

Mimaropa steps up malaria campaign

By Macon Araneta

AT THE HELM. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte takes a seat in front of the Pakistan Navy Ship Saif’s helm during a tour inside the vessel docked at Pier 15, Port Area, Manila on Dec. 14, 2017. Presidential Photo

MWSS, water firms outline quake plan A PROPOSED Water Service Recovery Plan in the event a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits Metro Manila has been prepared by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in collaboration with Manila Water, Maynilad Water and government agencies such Environment and Local Government departments.

MWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco said that together with its two concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad, a Disaster Preparedness and Contingency Management Plan has been put in place

in the event a major disaster strikes like the dreaded 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

Both water companies also conduct company-wide regular earthquake drills.

Given the worst scenario when the Big One occurs at

9 p.m. where reservoirs are in their lowest supply level, 20 percent of water supply of the 60 operational reservoirs are reserved for fire suppression.

Major damage on the upstream of water supply would affect 15 million of the NCR population.

There would be 100 percent interruption in water distribution, low manpower availability of MWSS and its concessionaires, and dehydration would occur due to absence of safe drinking water.

According to Velasco, the Metro Manila Water Service Recovery Plan aims to ensure water supply using alternative sources to 80 percent of survivors within 10 days after

the earthquake and to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Preparedness for the Big One involves provision of operational guidelines in the use of alternative sources of water supply and water distribution as well as ensure the accountability and collaboration of all stakeholders in the implementation of the Service Recovery Plan.

“In the business of water and water security, there must be strategic foresight and plan and that no limit must be set on water supply sources given the growing population, and, God forbid the occurrence of the Big One in our lifetime,” Velasco

said. At least 95.6 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water supply mostly come Angat, Ipo and La Mesa dams.

Aside from the dike strengthening on Angat Dam, Velasco expressed the need for additional water sources. “Water supply must be secured through additional water sources. We cannot depend solely on the Angat Dam especially when the ‘Big One’ or a 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes,” he said.

MWSS is pursuing the Laiban and Kaliwa water dam projects to ensure adequate, steady and sustainable water supply for consumers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in the next 25 to 50 years.

Church-decreed annulment clears House hurdle

By Maricel V. Cruz A PANEL in the House of Representatives has approved a substitute bill which seeks to recognize the civil effects of churchdecreed annulment.

The House committee on population and family relations, chaired by Rep. Sol Aragones of Laguna, passed the unnumbered bill with Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of Leyte as one of the authors.

The approved bill was substituted to House Bill

1629 authored by Reps.

Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu titled “Legalizing Church Annulment Or Dissolution Of Certain Marriages” and HB 3705 by Romualdez titled “Recognizing The Civil Effects Of Church Declaration Of Nullity, Annulment, And Dissolution Of Marriages.” Aragones is also one of the authors of the substitute bill.

Romualdez said the Family Code of the Philippines recognizes as valid a marriage solemnized under the laws of the Church.

“If marriages so solemnized are recognized by the State, it is only proper that the very church that solemnized the marriage should also have the power to rule that attendant infirmity that rendered a marriage null, and its effects binding on the State. This is also same to all other established churches and religions,” said Romualdez.

The bill, also known as the “Church Decreed Annulment,” provides that whenever a marriage, duly and legally solemnized by

a priest, minister, imam, rabbi or presiding elder of any church or religious sect in the Philippines is subsequently annulled or dissolved in a final judgment or decree in accordance with the canons or precepts of the church or religious sect, the said annulment or dissolution shall have the same effect as a decree of annulment or dissolution issued by a competent court.

The bill provides that the final judgment or decree of annulment or dissolution

issued by the proper church or religious sect shall be recorded in the appropriate civil registry within 30 daysfrom issuance of said final judgment or decree of annulment or dissolution.

It also notes either of the former spouses may marry again after complying with the requirements of the preceding paragraph and Article 52 of Executive Order 209 or the Family Code of the Philippines, otherwise, the subsequent marriage shall be null and void.

Naia beefs up security measures amid xmas rush THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport has put in place new security measures as tourists rush to the airports for their vacation.

Naia said people will have to go through facial recognition on a camera, and have their right index finger scanned along with their passports.

Airport authorities said these measures were put in place to hasten the identification of passport holders in the national database and speed up the immigration process.

Manila International Airport Authority general

manager Ed Monreal added that they are waiting for the awarding of the contract for 1,500 new CCTV cameras that will augment the existing security cameras around Naia.

“May mga facial recognition na ho yung mga cameras. We have different types of cameras already,” Monreal said.

He reminded airport employees to be careful with their greetings so that would not sound like they were asking for gifts.

e-TITLES more secure. Land Registration Systems vice president Ernesto Camarillo Jr.

underscores the value of electronic land titles (or e-Titles) before the representatives of banks, held at the Sulo Riviera Hotel, Quezon City as part of the nationwide road shows led by the land agency. He advised all banks around the country to encourage their depositors and borrowers to convert their manually prepared paper land titles to digitized titles, because they are easily stored and retrieved in cyber space, and are protected from loss, theft and destruction. LARES is the computerization partner of the Land Registration Authority. The roadshows, addressed to LRA’s stakeholders, are part of its nationwide launch of the Title Upgrade Program. LRA is discussing and holding consultations with banks, real estate developers and government-owned and –controlled corporations on enhanced security and safety of land titles in e-Titles. The upgrade program is being implemented by 24 registry of deeds all over the country.

HEALTH Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo of Mimaropa has vowed no let-up in the campaign to eradicate Malaria in the region, especially in the province of Palawan.

“We have to strengthen our strategies and approaches in the elimination of malaria in the region, first is that community intervention must be sustained such as regular cleanup drives and information dissemination activities,” said Janairo.

He said both public and private schools must be protected and fitted with Olyset-treated nets and third, all individuals must be tested by blood to confirm whether an individual is malaria carrier or not,” Janairo emphasized.

According to the 2017 Provincial Malaria Data of Palawan, the top five municipalities with the most number of cases are Rizal with 1,294; Balabac with 686; Bataraza–656; Brooke’s Point–360; Quezon–142; and Puerto Princesa City with 91 cases.

From January 1 to November 30, 2017, there are a total of 3,360 positive cases out of the 146, 256 patients tested in Palawan.

A significant decrease of 45.21 percent from the 6,132 cases reported for the same period last year.

“This figure is a great improvement in our fight against malaria, but then again these are all figures. Data speaks but it does not mean anything unless you go down to the affected communities and personally see to it that there are no existing malaria cases,” Janairo said Marinduque in 2008 and Romblon in 2012 are the only two out of five provinces in Mimaropa which are declared Malaria Free. Oriental Mindoro has zero case since 2012 and for assessment at the end of this year.

Anti-narcs uncover Antipolo shabu lab A “SHABU laboratory” was uncovered by THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday in Antipolo.

PDEA agents arrested five suspects, and seized suspected shabu, marijuana, and cocaine worth some P500,000 in a raid on a house in Cogeo, Antipolo City in Rizal province.

GMA News’ Raffy Tima on “Unang Balita” on Friday said that operatives nabbed siblings Junjie, Junrel, and Jansen Chavez, as well as Malome Amahan, and Jess Christopher Marcaida.

The house looked ordinary outside, but when PDEA Special Enforcement Service operatives shoved a bed out of the way, a “secret passage” leading to what the unit’s Director Levi Ortiz said was a “shabu laboratory” emerged.

PDEA agents also seized half a million pesos.

Much of the confiscated marijuana were ready to be sold, PDEA added.

PDEA surveillance information suggested that the suspects―which Ortiz said may be “connected” to armed groups in the north―had been operating long before Thursday’s raid got them.

PDEA also arrested drug suspects in a buy-bust operation in Taguig City on Thursday.

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Life as they know it

T

HE nightmare that started in Marawi City on May 23 officially ended with neutralization of the remaining terrorists that stalked the once-thriving city.

The rest of us, hundreds of kilometers away, could only speculate about the horrors that the residents endured during the months-long siege. There was

death and fighting, and for the others who managed to avoid the crossfire, uncertainty about how much longer it would be before they could resume life as they knew it.

Thankfully Marawi has been freed from the terrorists, but this is just where it all begins.

Precious funds are now pouring in for the rehabilitation of the city, damaged and razed to the ground. Martial law, which was supposed to last until the end of this year, has been ex-

tended—the mayor of Marawi has expressed support for this decision.

There is a task as daunting as the need to rid the city of terrorists. It is building up structures anew and repairing the people’s spirit broken by violence and displacement. It is ensuring nothing of the sort happens again. It is enabling the people to rise amid the rubble and realize their potential.

Of course, Marawi is just one of the many fronts of our battle against terrorism and against all

other ills that plague our nation.

The rebuilding must be done alongside other efforts against poverty, corruption and many others. But we will always watch how Marawi is rebuilt and fortified.

Behind it all is the people, who must take great pains to accept their loss before they can proceed. We look forward to seeing —no, marvelling at—how they have picked up from where their daily, mundane routines were disrupted.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Doy Laurel in Philippine history (Second of three parts)

attaining zero unmet need for modern FP. It mandates that the DBM “may realign and augment appropriations in accordance with applicable budgetary and auditing laws, rules and regulations.”

The President has a contingent fund of P13 billion in 2018. We are earnestly requesting the President to prioritize the release from his contingent fund the necessary amounts to implement in 2018 the RH Law and Executive Order No. 12. The President must walk the talk to fully back up his commitment for RH and family planning.

Articulation is good but appropriate funding is paramount.

Our continuing campaign for the full implementation of the RH Law can be

LATER on, President Marcos made it difficult for Doy Laurel to get included in the NP senatorial line up for 1967. It didn’t help Doy that the First Lady saw him as a potential troublemaker for the Marcos administration. Marcos even offered Doy the Justice Department portfolio, if Doy agreed not to run for senator. Laurel refused and he later got the party nod for his senatorial run.

He placed fourth among eight winning senatorial candidates.

Laurel was a vigorous debater at the Senate, and he crossed party lines to support worthwhile legislation. As usual, President Marcos was displeased.

A rift between President Marcos and Speaker Laurel ultimately pushed the Laurel brothers to become staunch critics of the Marcos administration. Only Ninoy Aquino was more critical of the regime.

In 1971, student activists in the University of the Philippines (UP) campus in Diliman erected a barricade around the campus and declared their opposition to Marcos. In response, troops from the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (PC-Metrocom) prepared to attack the campus.

When Senator Laurel and Senator Kalaw learned that PCMetrocom troops planned to attack UP from its eastern gate, Laurel and Kalaw went to the campus and convinced the troops to hold back for the sake of sobriety.

Although some PC-Metrocom operatives still entered the campus from other gates, the Laurel-Kalaw initiative gave then UP President Salvador P. Lopez time to negotiate with President Marcos for a peaceful dismantling of the barricades.

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Continuing saga and relevance of RH and family planning POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO DECEMBER 12 is an important day for RH advocates. This is the day when the RH bill, after more than a decade of relentless advocacy and heated debates, was passed on Second Reading by the House of Representatives.

This year marks the fifth year of the RH law. It is but fitting to honor two distinguished RH champions on this day—Dr. Esperanza I. Cabral, former Health secretary and now chair of the National Implementation Team (NIT) for the RH Law for the Human Development Policy Leadership Award, and the father of the RH law himself, Albay

Rep. Edcel Lagman for the Human Development Legislator Lifetime Achievement Award.

I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to work with and learn from these two exemplary public servants.

For this piece, I yield my space to Rep. Edcel’s Response and Keynote Address delivered when he received the said award.

May we learn from his experience, knowledge, and wisdom.

“My family and I truly appreciate and are immensely thankful for the singular recognition which the PLCPD has bestowed on me tonight: The Human Development Legislator Lifetime Achievement Award. I am inspired to no small measure by this award even as I am hum-

bled by this honor.

I am sharing this recognition with all the RH champions and advocates who helped immensely in the passage of the law. But the burden and responsibility which this recognition impliedly imposes, I alone

Here are the words of Rep. Lagman.

shall bear. It is comforting, however, to know that kindred spirits will always lend a helping hand in our continuing crusade to have the RH Law fully implemented and constantly safeguarded from diminu-

tion by adverse legislative amendment or repeal.

With the Supreme Court TRO deemed lifted with the recertification by the FDA of all 51 contraceptive products, we have again scuttled another obstacle to the implementation of the RH Law. Thanks to Neda Secretary Ernie Pernia who helped tremendously in assuring the certification.

The bright horizon is dimmed, however, by the failure of the bicameral conference committee on the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2018 to augment the budget for the procurement and distribution of contraceptives which has been pegged at only P318.5 million next year.

This is grossly inadequate because I am informed by POPCOM ExecutiveDirector Juan Antonio Perez III

that the DoH needs P1.9 billion more for 2018 and the PopCom an additional P114 million.

I have always warned that the sourcing of funds for RH through the national budget can be a serious quagmire. Perforce, we must avoid this budgetary obstacle early on. For the next year’s budget, we must begin at the starting line, and not falter at the finish line. We must endeavor early enough to have the Executive provide for a more adequate appropriation for contraceptives in the President’s National Expenditure Program which is the basis of the General Appropriations Bill.

But all is not lost. The President is an ardent RH advocate who issued Executive Order No. 12 on

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From A4

Unlike Ninoy Aquino, Doy Laurel was not among those arrested by the military in the aftermath of martial law in September 1972. Laurel, Roxas, Kalaw and two other senators from the political opposition tried to convene the Senate in January 1973 but Senate President Gil Puyat refused to cooperate.

As a result, the 1973 Constitution overtook events.

Since the 1973 Constitution called for a unicameral legislature called the National Assembly, it was the 1973 Constitution, and not martial law, which abolished Congress. Anyway, the unconvened National Assembly was replaced with the Batasang Pambansa in 1976.

In 1978, Marcos convinced Laurel to run for a seat in the Interim Batasang Pambansa as an NP candidate for the southern Tagalog region under the pro-administration political umbrella called the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL). Laurel won but he was in for a disappointment—almost every member of the Batasan was a KBL man, and the sole “opposition party” in the assembly, the useless Pusyon Bisaya, was just for show.

In 1980, the Laurels left the KBL and reorganized the NP as a political opposition party. Under Assemblyman Doy Laurel, the NP won the gubernatorial races in Batangas and Misamis Oriental.

The NP victory in 1980 prompted Doy Laurel to organize the fragmented political opposition under one group—the United Democratic Opposition led

by Jose Laurel Jr. from the NP and Gerry Roxas from the LP. Later, the group was renamed the United Nationalist Democratic Organization or UNIDO. After Roxas passed away in 1982, Doy Laurel was installed as its undisputed leader.

On Aug. 21, 1983, Doy Laurel organized a mammoth crowd to welcome Ninoy Aquino at the Manila International Airport.

Sadly, Ninoy was assassinated upon his arrival at the airport.

Laurel tried to denounce the assassination in a privilege speech at the Batasan, but the assembly refused to let him do so. In disgust, he resigned from the Batasan to focus his attention to unifying the opposition.

Ninoy’s assassination made Doy Laurel the visible leader of the opposition. He was also its logical leader because everyone who knew Philippine politics was aware that Marcos owed a debt of gratitude to the Laurels.

Moreover, Laurel was incorruptible, and the fact that he chose to oppose Marcos rather than join his administration—Laurel could have had any post he wanted from Marcos, and

Continuing...

From A4

mobilized better if we go back to the basics and not lose grip of the orientation, anchorage, direction and objectives of the RH Law. The law is: (a) rights-based; (b) health-oriented; and (c) human developmentdriven. These are the anchor and goals of the RH Law which is predominantly a pro-women legislation.

Access to and availment of RH and FP services are inalienable human rights.

This inherent truism was affirmed in the Proclamation of Teheran in 1968, to

could have been the heir apparent to the strongman —confirmed it.

When Laurel was asked why he willingly risked his life and the safety of his family each time he spoke against martial law, he replied, “during times of national crisis, it is better to be silenced than to be silent.”

Together with Kalaw, Laurel united political opposition groups in the country under the UNIDO for the 1984 Batasan elections. Only Jose Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada and Joker Arroyo opted to boycott the polls.

Despite the odds, the UNIDO won one-third of the Batasan seats. This victory confirmed Laurel was ready to run against Marcos if the latter called for a surprise presidential and vice presidential election.

In June 1985, the UNIDO proclaimed Laurel its candidate for president at the party’s national convention at the Araneta Coliseum—the biggest indoor political gathering in Philippine history. It was clear that Laurel was ready to run against Marcos, even on short notice.

Laurel was authorized by the UNIDO to select his running mate for vice president. Manila Assemblywoman Eva Estrada Kalaw, who won in the 1984 Batasan polls, was the likely choice.

In November 1985, President Marcos called for a special election for Feb. 7, 1986—about a year and a half before the expiration of his current term. To warrant the special election, Marcos submitted to Batasan Speaker Nicanor Yñiguez a letter where he announced his “resignation,” and his decision to continue discharging the powers of the presidency until his “successor” shall have been elected.

In view of that “resignation,” the Batasang Pambansa paved the way for this “snap election.”

Several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court questioning the constitutionality of the snap election on the ground that there is no vacancy in the presidency to warrant the special poll. Among the petitioners were Philippine Bar Association Eduardo Hernandez, and public interest advocate Louis Biraogo.

Despite those petitions, Laurel was determined to run against Marcos. To Laurel’s surprise, Ninoy’s widow, Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino, decided to run for president, too. Since Aquino had no campaign machinery, many saw her as a nuisance candidate who will divide the votes of the opposition.

Doy Laurel asked Aquino to run for vice president under UNIDO to avoid dividing the votes of the opposition. To Laurel’s disappointment, Cory insisted on running for president.

To be continued which the Philippines is a signatory, that “Parents have a basic human right to determine freely and responsibly the number and the spacing of their children.”

The RH Law mandates the State to promote universal access to RH and FP with particular emphasis on the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged quintiles. Any derogation of this right by design or neglect is abhorrent. We must act as vigilant sentinels in promoting and protecting this inalienable right of parents and couples.

Reproductive health and its major component on family planning are crucial

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

A5

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Gaudete Sunday TOMORROW is the third Sunday of Advent. It is also known as “Gaudete Sunday,” a name taken from the entrance antiphon of the Mass, which is: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” “Gaudete” is Latin for ‘rejoice.”

There is a reason for such rejoicing.

In the Gospel Reading tomorrow, for the second week in a row we find ourselves in the company of John the Baptist baptizing beside the river Jordan. He was preaching to all who care to listen to prepare a way for the coming of the God’s anointed one, the Messiah. And the people were filled with expectation, asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John was clear about this, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.

He will baptize you with

the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

With his forceful message, people began to notice.

To the tax collectors, he said “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” And to the soldiers, he counseled them “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

John the Baptist was a fearless preacher. He advocated social justice when the concept was not even invented yet. He was willing to earn the ire of the Pharisees, the soldiers, tax collectors and all other public sinners to bring the good news of Christ. In the end the Gospel tells us that he had to pay for his boldness with his life.

The contemporaneity of John’s message is remarkable. Two thousand years ago, he exhorted conversion and encouraged people to mend their crooked ways. Today, his message rings true and takes urgency more than ever.

When society is bedeviled by corruption in all echelons of government and authorities run roughshod of the law and the rights and moral sensibilities of the people, a John the Baptist would, in a forceful, bold and candid manner, rebuke and admonish in a way that people would notice, take stock and seriously consider his message of conversion.

When the Pharisees asked John who he was, he answered then: “Then why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”

John answered, “I baptize you with water, but among you stands one whom you do not know; although he comes after me, I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal.”

John’s answer reveals his missions that is, that he came as a witness to testify to the Light, i.e., Jesus. The overall purpose of John’s message is to highlight the historical and theological significance of Jesus’ origins as “Word,” “true Light” and the “only Son.” Jesus is the cause for rejoicing as he removes dark-

ness from the world. Life may not be easy, but we should all be glad and rejoice because Christ Jesus has come to cast the Light of the world and overpower darkness.

As we share in Jesus’ light, we must radiate it and illuminate the dark lives of others around us.

Christmas is a joyous season. The darkness that envelops our society at times need not prevail over the light of Christ, the king of peace. His coming is a continual reminder to heed his call for hope, forgiveness, compassion and love. Many may refuse to even acknowledge his presence and invitation, but in the end His message of love and peace will prevail no matter what.

Pope Francis says of Gaudate Sunday: “In the liturgy, the invitation to rejoice, to arise, resounds repeatedly, because the Lord is near, Christmas is near.

Like a mother, the Church encourages us to follow faithfully the spiritual path in order to celebrate the feast of Christmas with renewed exaltation.”

“The joy of the gospel is

not just any joy,” the Pope pointed out. “It is the joy that comes from knowing you are welcomed and loved

by God.” And because of its divine origin, “this joy truly remains even in suffering, because it is not superficial, but goes down to the depths of the person who commits himself to God and trusts in Him. Our joy is Jesus, his faithful love is inexhaustible!”

“Joy is the fruit of this intervention of salvation and of the love of God,” the Pope continued, adding: “A Christian who is not joyful—something is missing in this Christian, or he is not a Christian. The joy of the heart, the joy within that brings us forward and gives us courage. The Lord comes, he comes to our lives as the liberator, he comes to free us from all interior and exterior slaveries. He is the one who indicates to us the path of fidelity, of patience and of perseverance, because, at his arrival, our joy shall be complete.”

So rejoice! The Lord is near!

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Blind and misguided nationalism

CURRENT interstate relations and trade practices bear the truth that ownership by foreigners of lands and certain industries will never diminish our sovereignty. Sovereignty as an element of the state refers to an act of the state. Our interpretation of nationalism has nothing to do with patriotism or love of country. Rather, ours is centered on property ownership and that gives the impression that it is good because it excludes aliens.

But whether our people will have a chance to benefit from it is a big question.

It is an open-ended promise one can only realize if he has the capital. Otherwise, it will just be a sort of ideological elixir to revive our fervor for nationalism.

For nationalism to have meaning, the government must democratize the economy by allowing the greatest number of our people to reap the fruits of progress. Only through that process can the state promote and instill the value of nationalism. It is their material interest that gives them the determination to identify themselves with this country.

Admittedly, foreign investment is necessary and we have to accept that.

Let us stop syllogising the ideology of Marxism like asking which comes first, the workers or capital, or whether it is the workers who create capital or that capital provides employment. Let us just concentrate on how capital creates

industries just as money allows us to buy our basic needs.

Capitalists who come to invest are obligated to develop the land, build industries, hire workers to produce goods and generate revenue for us. They can never repatriate those lands and industries to their country of origin. Moreover, the productive use of the land leaves little room to make money out of land speculation which many of the local oligarchs own through mere inheritance By confining ourselves to the wonder how we could use foreign investment to extract minerals, convert idle agricultural lands to productive plantations, build various infrastructures like bridges, factories, dams, irrigate lands, build power plants, wharves, airports, network of superhighways and railroad tracks, hospitals, offices, etc., only then could we reconcile the truth that they provide and generate employment, improve our people’s standard of living, and increase their purchasing power and consumer spending.

Instead, the oligarchs are encouraging the entry of dubious money. Preventing others to contribute their talent and capital to help us develop is not nationalism.

On the contrary, limiting foreign investment serves to reinforce the control and monopoly of the greedy oligarchy. What gives the ordinary Filipinos the impression that nationalism is good is the exclusionary rule, but they can never benefit from that rule without first democratizing the national economy.

Democratizing the economy is different from

promoting socialism. For instance, the creation of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) is not meant to collectivize the forces of production to build a classless society. It is simply meant to maintain an economic and social equilibrium in society. Any instance of extreme equality or inequality will always result in political instability. This is how progressive societies came out with their formula of placing economic democratization ahead of nationalism.

Under this new paradigm, nationalism is stretched to

and major health measures, particularly for women and infants in poor communities. The overriding goal is to reduce risky unintended pregnancies which result to high rates of unsafe abortions, maternal death, and infant mortality, all of which increase public spending for pregnancyrelated health issues.

The correct and consistent use of effective contraceptives does not only save lives, but also saves government funds. In fact, government savings offset and outpace government expenditures on contraceptives.

In a study conducted in 2008 by the Guttmacher In-

stitute in partnership with Likhaan, it was empirically documented that: “By taking on the cost of providing contraception, the Philippine government could avoid much greater expenses down the road, including those for maternal and newborn services, treatment for pregnancyrelated complications and life-long services for millions of additional people.

The savings could be invested toward improving public services and encouraging economic development.”

The DoH validates the foregoing findings in its Costed Implementation

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN Part III

one of democracy. Political rights become an economic right, not as the Marxist would propose but for the people to enjoy the fruits of capitalism itself. It is different from Marxist socialism because it does not seek to impose control but widen public participation. In socialism, people are alienated because the mechanism on how to generate capital/ wealth is merely transferred from the oligarchs to the State. They remain disenfranchised because as capitalist slaves called “pro-

letariat,” they remain state proletariats.

Today’s SOEs operate within the paradigm of free enterprise of sink-or-swim to survive through the rigors of open market competition. Among private corporations, economic democratization means encouraging public participation to residually spread the wealth, and avoid the capitalist cycle of recession. It is a sort of utilitarianism of spreading economic opportunities to the greatest number of people and invariably dismantle the feudalistic practice of setting up family corporations.

Here, nationalism has been used to reinforce and strengthen the class position of the oligarchy to the exclusion of the vast majority of our people. What is sad is that our local oligarchs play the role of brokers for the imperialist using the vehicle of nationalism to deter foreign investment. Because of the stringent conditions imposed by the Constitution, they facilitate the entry of dubious foreign capital by serving as dummies, fronts and proxies. They help shady foreign investors to get around with the law on capital limitations, in not declaring some of their remittance and even in the avoidance and non-payment of taxes. Remember, it was during the heydays of neocolonialism where oligarchs monopolized our sugar export by their partnership with the US under the Laurel-Langley Agreement.

The local oligarchs in the tradition of double-speak selectively welcomed foreign investors on condition they dictate the terms in areas that favor them. They create a system of interlocking corporations that would

not expose their tie-up with syndicated foreign investors. Thus, instead of an honest-to-goodness system where the books of account and financial statements are open to the public, the local oligarchs end up as facilitators of illegality.

The local oligarchs also exploited the misguided sentiment of the radical Left. They cultivated the support of the communists, socialists and other selfstyled patriots because the success of the grand deception is dependent on the mass support of the people.

They could not discern that this version of nationalism, and accidentally supported by the hypocritical Church, is the reason why blueblooded communists avoid associating with them.

Marxism is focused on its solidarity with all the working class, while the nationalists segregate themselves to justify their autarkic control of the economy using sovereignty as their disguise. Further, while the Marxists would insist in changing the system, the self-styled nationalists insist in the exclusivity of the nation’s patrimony to themselves.

Hence, when the Left opted to side that murky cause of the nationalists, they unwittingly joined the league in supporting the cause of the oligarchs.

In fact, anybody who has been exposed to ideology and other progressive ideas are puzzled why the oligarchs sometimes act as anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist. The common man overlooked the fact that the interest of the oligarchs is different from their own.

Plan on family planning.

It is estimated that annual savings will be generated to the tune of P28.3 billion or a total of P113.5 billion from 2017 to 2020, consequent to significant reduction of huge government health expenditures related to unintended pregnancies, not counting private sector savings. Clearly, RH must be a priority agenda where government saves as it spends.

Population and development are inexorably linked.

No human development agenda is likely to succeed if the government fails to address simultaneously and positively the problem of

population.

The RH Law recognizes the linkage between population and development because the issue of population directly affects human development indicators on health, education, food security, employment, mass housing and the environment. Family planning improves the economic wellbeing of families and communities and is widely recognized as one of the most cost-effective health interventions.

I am puzzled why fiscal and policy implementors refuse to understand that among the country’s priority agenda, RH is the

least expensive in budgetary outlays even as it is the most productive, reaches more beneficiaries and favorably impacts on other national goals.

Taking stock of the orientation, anchorage and direction of the RH Health Law on rights, health and human development, provides us with the requisite understanding and enhanced impetus to maximize our zeal to shepherd this momentous law to its fullest potential and ultimate fulfillment.”

The government must democratize the economy by allowing the greatest number of our people to reap the fruits of progress.

rpkapunan@gmail.com

bethangsioco@g mail. com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

News

A6

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Observe pay rules, employers told

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Department of Labor and Employment reminded employers in the private sector to observe proper pay rules for Christmas, New Year, and Rizal Day, and to give their employees their 13th month pay on or before December 24.

The department said employers should give the 13th month pay to their employees who have worked

for at least a month in the current year, regardless of the type of job or the manner by which the salary is

being given.

Under the Labor Code, all rank-and-file employees are entitled to receive 13th month pay, which is equivalent to the total basic salary earned during the year divided by 12 months.

The department also advised workers who are not being paid the 13th month pay to go to the nearest DoLE field office and file a request for assistance.

In a statement, the DoLE said that President Rodrigo

Roa Duterte declared December 25 and 30, 2017, and January 1, 2018 as regular holidays Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello II said the government is winning the war to eliminate laboronly contracting and other forms of illegal contracting arrangements.

Citing a year-end report from Bureau of Working Conditions, Bello said that 125,352 workers are now benefitting from regular

employment status, including those set for regularization towards the end of the year.

“We are ending this year with more workers enjoying stable employment status through our intensified labor inspections and voluntary regularization of collaborating establishments. As President Duterte has committed, we are pursuing the campaign to stop this pernicious practice with more vigor,” Bello said.

Based on the BWC report, 40,903 workers were regularized through regular labor assessments, and 27,144 more workers are set to be regularized based on Compliance Orders that had been issued.

BWC also reported that 8,697 workers have secured regular employment status through voluntary regularization while 48,286 other workers are expected to be regularized by their employers by yearend.

Four S. Tagalog mayors stripped of police powers THE National Police Commission has stripped four more Southern Luzon mayors of supervisory and control powers over their respective police forces for alleged involvement in the illegal drug activity and other grave offenses.

Officer in Charge Catalino Cuy of the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Lucena City Mayor Roderick Alcala’s police powers was removed under Napolcom Resolution 2017-611.

Others affected by the resolution were the mayors of Bay and Los Baños, Laguna and Ibaan, Batangas.

But the DILG did not divulge the factors that resulted in the mayors’ recall of police powers.

The Napolcom previously recalled the police control authority of five Southern Tagalog mayors over drug trafficking allegations.

The Napolcom Resolution 2017611 also named Mayors Juan Toreja of Ibaan; Bruno Ramos of Bay and Ceasar Perez of Los Banos who were stripped of their powers to supervise their police force in their jurisdictions.

The Napolcom has the authority to sanction local executives accused of involvement in illegal narcotics trade and other offenses, including frequent unauthorized absences.

Alcala's connection to illegal

drugs was mainly due to persistent reports that he took over the drug operations of his uncle, Cerilo “Athel” Alcala, tagged by the PNP as Quezon’s top drug lord.

Cerilo’’s son, Sajid who was also charged with a drug-related offense, is now under recognizance custody to his uncle, Rep. Vicente “Kulit” Alcala.

Last year, the Quezon provincial police absolved Alcala of any link to illegal narcotics.

The Alcalas belonged to a politically powerful clan in Quezon headed by Alcala’s uncle, former agriculture secretary Proceso Alcala.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier issued an order to perpetually ban from holding any public office the older Alcala for involvement in two procurement fraud cases.

Mario Guanzon, DILG's Public Affairs and Communications Service chief, said local executives linked to illegal drugs have taken attempts to have their names stricken off the Napolcom shame list.

He said some mayors even go as far as asking barangay units where they reside to vouch for their characters, securing clearances from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and making personal appeals to the Office of the President.

CHRISTMAS TRAIN. Metro Pacific Investment Corp. launched on Friday five Light Rail Transit-1(LRT-1) train coaches decorated with Christmas theme showcasing traditional Filipino value. Called ‘Biyaheng Pasko’ the designs highlight Filipino holiday events such as 'Simbang Gabi' and others. Manny Palmero

Fake goods Dela Rosa sorely needed at BuCor—DoJ’s Aguirre seized in Pasay THE Bureau of Customs seized hundreds of fake branded shoes and other commodities worth P521.93 million in a warehouse along Cuneta Avenue, Pasay City.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and Enforcement and Security Service uncovered fake goods stored inside the 10 units of Warehouse 142 at Cuneta Avenue, Pasay City, customs commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

Found inside the warehouses were big boxes of fake branded apparel such as Lee, Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, and Vans, including fake fitflop, and crocs sandals. Other items seized were non-branded watches and comfort shoes without the required import permit.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Ricardo Quinto said they received information from a concerned citizen that fake products are stored in a warehouse in Pasay City.

A certain Lita Liao who is said to be the warehouse administrator claimed the units were leased by certain Mr. Ang, Mr. Gee, and Mr. Ty— not their real names. No one was arrested because the unit owners were not on the premises when the raid was conducted. Vito Barcelo

PHILIPPINE National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is the right man for the job as Bureau of Correction director.

This was according to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, who on Friday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to name Dela Rosa as the next Bucor head after the latter retires as PNP chief.

The DoJ chief said Dela Rosa's experience as PNP chief will be “very useful in addressing the problems” in the BuCor. Bucor is an attached agency of the Department of Justice tasked to supervise the country’s penal colonies including

the New Bilibid Prison from where gang leaders allegedly conduct 75 percent of the country’s drug transactions.

“I was consulted several months ago on his forthcoming appointment as BuCor chief. I wholeheartedly agreed and supported it,” Aguirre said.

“BuCor needs the kind of caliber of General Bato to solve its very difficult problems” Dela Rosa is supposed to retire on Jan. 21 next year when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56, but Duterte said he would extend the PNP chief's term of duty by two to three more months.

Aside from the NBP, BuCor

also supervises the Abuyog Penal Colony in Leyte, Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City and the Davao Prison and Penal Farm.

As this developed, Dela Rosa expressed gratitude to the President to the PNP’s supposed “many victories” and for overcoming trials in the service in 2017.

“Lubos ang aking pasasalamat na nalampasan natin ang mga mabibigat na pagsubok sa kapulisan nitong nakaraang taon at inilayo tayo sa

panganib sa pagsulong natin ng kapayapaan at katahimikan sa ating mahal na bayan,” the PNP chief said.

“Higit sa lahat, lubos ang aking pasasalamat na binigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng pagkakataong maglingkod sa sambayanang Pilipino bilanf mga alagad ng batas at tapagtanggol ng mamamayan,” he added.

“We end 2017 with deep gratitude in our hearts for the countless blessings and many victories we have achieved during the year and we look forward to 2018 with great optimism as we receive from the good Lord the gift of another year of service,” Dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said the Christmas season is an opportunity

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander F. Balutan (right) received a warm of applause from Ifugao Gov. Pedro G. Mayam-O as he was introduced to give his inspirational message at the opening and blessing of the PCSO 63rd branch in Old RHU Building, Poblacion West, Lamut, Ifugao on Dec. 12, 2017.

Joseph Muego

THE Quezon City Development Council, headed by Mayor Herbert Bautista, has approved 43 priority projects to be rolled out from 2017 to 2020.

He identified some of projects under the comprehensive development program and local development investment program

as the formulation of a drainage master plan in coordination with other local governments, updating of disaster risk reduction management plan, drug rehabilitation facility development program, development of lowcost mass housing projects for low-income earners, educational support program, replacement of existing old and undersized

PASIG River Rehabilitation Commission executive director Jose Antonio E. Goitia delivered his Yearend State of the Pasig River Address at the Asia Leaders Forum in Makati Shangrila Hotel on Dec. 14 and proudly announced that only in President Rodrigo Duterte’s term that the Baseco and Napindan pig pens polluting the historical river with untreated animal wastes were raided and dismantled, a problem neglected for the past 19 years.

Goitia, who took oath before President Rodrigo R. Duterte last June 29, 2017, and had 25 years of public service experience under his belt in addition to his proven track record in business, highlighted the commission’s unprecedented achievements.

He said almost 20,000 informal settler families living along the banks of the Pasig River and its tributaries had been relocated.

Private properties were also not exempted. To date, over 300 privately-owned structures encroaching the legal easement were dismantled at no expropriation cost to the Philippine government.

In addition, PRRC transformed 14 polluted tributaries into environmental preservation areas with walkways, vegetable and herbal gardens, and solar lamps.

“Through strong implementation of projects and efforts that will help revive the Pasig River and its environs into a condition conducive for transport, recreation, and tourism,” he said. “By 2022 and beyond, we expect that the properties near the Pasig River will rise in value, and that the people will enjoy hassle-free commute to the South with our dream Pasig RiverLaguna de Bai multimodal express transportation.”

“Together with PRRC and the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, we are able to bring together the country leaders and experts from both the private and government sectors to discuss what could be the future landscape of real estate based on statistics, research, and master plans,” said Tag Media’s Chief Operations Officer Grace B. Nicolas.

“Real estate is not just about buildings but also about technology, innovation, and environment like the Pasig River—the lifeline of our nation,” she added.

PAL to add new routes, services

PCSO 63RD BRANCH.

By Joel E. Zurbano

QC development council OKs 43 priority projects for 4 years

By Rio N. Araja

for the PNP to “renew and strengthen” their commitment as law enforcement for the coming year, as well as “reflect” on the significance of Jesus Christ’s birth in their lives.

“We must remember that Jesus Christ is the ultimate public servant whose selfless service and the sacrifices he made for mankind must inspire us as we perform our duties to serve and protect our country,” he said.

“Bilang ama ng PNP, hangad kong maging maligaya at makabuluhan ang Paskong ito para sa lahat at maging mapayapa ang pagsalubong natin ng bagong taon,” he added.

‘Pasig River is future of MM transpo’

drainage pipes and road network development program, among others.

The council was created to encourage the participation of sectors in the development of the city as part of its efforts in participatory governance.

Meanwhile, the city government, through the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office,

joined the nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill yesterday at 2 p.m.

The city's DRRMO simulated mass evacuation of city hall’s buildings, including its 15-story high-rise structure; fire suppression, high-angle rescue, collapsed structure search and rescue, evacuation camp management and management of the dead.

FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines has announced that it would come up with new routes, expand its fleet and innovate its products and services in its bid to become a certified four-star airline next year.

The destinations— Bacolod, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro and Virac—have been added to PAL route network this mid-December out of the airline’s hub at Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

The airline said the inauguration of these new routes marked a significant investment by the flag carrier in the development of Clark as a major airline gateway.

PAL’s Clark hub now provides passengers from central and northern Luzon direct access to a total of 13 domestic points as well as to Seoul, South Korea.

Build-up of operations at Clark, as well as in Cebu, Davao, and re-

cently Tagbilaran aimed to significantly enhance travel convenience and connectivity for Philippine domestic travelers, while also serving to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.

The PAL flights are also expected to boost tourism and make it more attractive for foreign tourists to visit multiple destinations throughout the country.

On Friday, PAL opened a four-times weekly service to Bacolod and daily flights to Tagbilaran in Bohol.

PR859 (Clark-Bacolod) leaves Clark International Airport at 7 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. PR860 (Bacolod-Clark) departs Bacolod at 8:45 a.m.

PR2871 (Clark-Tagbilaran) leaves Clark at 3:00 PM every day. The Tagbilaran-Clark is operated in the morning, departing Bohol 6:40 a.m., landing at Clark 8:00 AM. On Saturday, a three times weekly service to Cagayan de Oro (PR833)

begins, leaving Clark every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6 a.m.

The return flight (PR834) departs 8:20 a.m. from Laguindingan International Airport serving Cagayan de Oro. PAL is using the 199-seater Airbus A321 on the flights to Bacolod and Cagayan de Oro, and the 156-seater A320 to Tagbilaran.

On Dec. 18, PAL will mount three times weekly flights to Virac, capital of the island province of Catanduanes, leaving Clark Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 6 a.m.

The Bombardier Q400 will be used on the ClarkVirac-Clark route.

On top of the four new routes, PAL flies to nine domestic destinations out of Clark: Basco, Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Masbate and Puerto Princesa.

Early next year, Naga will be added to the list.

The airline is evaluating the possibility of operating more new routes from Clark in due course.

Sports

Philracom sets 10 charity races

PH Rugby arranges final duel with HK THE Philippine National Development XV, is set to take on the Hong Kong’s Senior Warriors in their final match Saturday, 12 noon at the International School Manila.

The Philippine National Development team, sponsored by Transcom, will be looking to secure the series for the first time.

The Transcom Development Series has been held in Manila for three consecutive years, with the Philippineslooking to change the script for this year’s event.

“Last year we had a tough outing against a very disciplined and organized Warriors side, but a year has passed and our veteran players know the expectations to win. We have been preparing well. For a few of our players this will be their first taste of international rugby, but they’re ready to take the challenge,” said Manuel Olondriz, Team Captain.

The National Development XV features some of the best local Filipino heritage players. This year, 10 clubs from across the Philippines will represent the makeup of the national team. The team will be coached and led by Ai Den Ng. “The series gives local players the opportunity to shine. Hong Kong is a powerhouse nation in Rugby, we both have a great relationship, and they want to develop the game locally, so do we. Both have agreed development is the key to sustaining a growing game in Asia. Hong Kong will select a full Chinese heritage team with no expatriates.

We have also committed to select only Philippine players based locally in the Philippines. No players from overseas will be flying in for this match,” said Jake Letts, Director for Philippine Rugby.

A7

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

T

HE Philippine Racing Commission will be holding 10 charity races at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite on Sunday for the Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and the Senate Spouses Foundation Incorporated’s Charitable Programs.

The 10 charitable races will all be using a ratingbased handicapping system as a result of the Philracom’s affiliation with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Standout Race 4, a Phi-

racom-MJCI Charity Trophy Race, is bannered by Johnny Be Good, which will try to extend the winning streak of SC Stockfarm this year, highlighted by its Triple Crown Sweep via Sepfourteen.

Standing in the way

of Johnny Be Good, to be ridden by Jockey HB Hernandez, are Star Belle (J Flores), Shoo In (FM Racquel), Metamorphosis (Pat R. Dilema) and Pangalusian Island (KB Abobo) in the race offering a guaranteed prize of P300,000, with an additional P30,000 being awarded to the winning horseowner.

“Increasing our prizes and implementing a new rating-based handicapping system as a result of our recent membership with IFHA, together with

our marketing campaign have contributed to the steady increase in racing revenues,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, whose commission adopted IFHA’s mission to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.

“And with these charity races, racing enthusiasts have a better reason to troop to San Lazaro, because they are contributing immensely to worthy causes,” added Sanchez.

Race 6, another standout offering, will have Anino (Jockey FM Raquel), Hidden League (PJ Guce), Medaglia Espresso (JP Guce), Sky Hook (JB Cordova), Gintong Lawin (JB Guce), Mystic Award (JD Juco), Lollipop (RA Base) and War Dancer (OP Cortez) all gunning for the lion’s share of the guaranteed prize of P290,000. An additional purse of P20,000 goes to the winning horseowner.

“Based on past ratings races, it will surely give

List of Russian doping suspects sent to federations LAUSSANNE—The World Anti Doping Agency gathered chiefs of sports federations and Olympic committees in Lausanne on Thursday and pases on information on athletes suspected of having benefitted in Russian state sponsored doping.

As investigations are ongoing, WADA has not publicly released the list of suspects.

Intelligence from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database of the former WADA-accredited Moscow Laboratory was handed over to 60 international officials at the meeting.

Wada has “forensically reconstructed the database; determined its authenticity; uncovered and analysed its hidden content; and, determined what valuable intelligence could be shared,” a press release said.

The Philippine Rugby Team links hands before a game.

Women’s Softball Championship lures 27 teams

THE 2017 Cebuana LhuillierASAPHIL 18-Under National Women’s Softball Championship got off to to rousing start Friday morning with a total of 27 teams, divided into three groups and coming from all over the country joining the tournament organized by ASAPHIL and hosted by the city government of Marikina in its twin softball fields in Sto.Niino and Barangka.

“The number of teams is a big jump from last year’s edition, where we had only 20 teams. I believe that the recent second place finish of the Blu Girls in the Asian Women’s

Softball Championship in Taiwan is a big factor in the increase in number of participants. This is an annual grassroots program of ASAPHIL to broaden the base of players in women’s softball,” said an elated Jean Henri Lhuillier, ASAPHIL President and whose group of companies is backing the weeklong tournament.

ASAPHIL Executive Vice President Atty. Rolly Rivera, who did the ceremonial pitch together with ASAPHIL SecGen Denis Dueno, at the simple opening ceremonies said: “It is important that we sustain the momentum after our recent

successful international stints in various tournaments including the World Cup and the Canada Cup earlier this year and where we beat world ranked teams.”

In the absence of defending champion Bacolod, top seed is last year’s runnerup Tanauan, which opened its campaign with a lop-sided 12-0 win over Saranggani in Group A, where it was joined by other opening-day winners in the same group.

Manila, which dealt Saranggani another loss, won, 13-6, while Cabuyao had an impressive 15-0 victory over Tacloban.

Makati A, meanwhile, outscored Cabuyao, 10-2, in the tournament sponsored by Cebuana Lhullier, Cebuana Pera Padala, Cebuana Microloans, Cebuana Micro Inc, Cebuana Savings Bank, and the Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation.

In Group B, Naga City posted a 15-1 victory over Abra; Tanauan B blanked Sit Cebu, 8-0; Pasig debuted with a masterful 13-3 win over Cavite Province; and ILLAM was likewise impressive in blanking Binan, 7-0.

All games in Groups A and B were played in Sto. Nino.

Visiting team Cabiao showed

a lot of class in whitewashing Taguig, 18-0, in Group C; Rizal matched it with a 15-0 victory over Mindoro; seeded team Sta. Maria, Bulacan emerged an 8-0 winner over Dasmarinas; while Cebu City-Abellana bombarded a hapless Taguig team for a 19-0 win in the opening-day games of the tournament, also backed

by Le Soliel de Boracay, Palm Rock, One Hagdan, and Just Jewels.

“Next summer, we will hold our annual inter-collegiate tournament again to support ASAPHIL’s grassroots program,” said ASAPHIL Operations Manager Jun Veloso.

NHA Builders shock Responders, 83-77 ANOTHER shocker in the second round rocked the UNTV Cup Season 6 as the NHA Builders stamped their run-and-gun game on the PNP Responders at the Upper Deck Sports Center recently.

The dynamic duo of Anton Lustestica and Alvin Vitug provided the offensive firepower for the NHA Builders, who withstood the PNP Responders’ fight back in the payoff period with a 6-point windup to score an 83-77 win.

Vitug hit 25 points, while Lustestica scored 20 to pace NHA. Julius Criste had his best game this conference for PNP with 11 markers,

the racing public or the bayang karerista, exciting and well-balanced races,” said MJCI Racing Manager Jose Ramon Magboo.

In September, the Philracom finalized its rating-based handicapping system based on IFHA standards with the help of international expert Michael Wanklin.

It was the third time this year that the Philracom has brought experts from abroad to improve the level of horse-racing in the country.

Games Tuesday

(JCSGO Gym) 2 p.m. -- PDEA vs PNP 3:30 p.m. - AFP vs Malacanang-PSC

whereas Olan Omiping fired 15 points.

In the second game, the AFP Cavaliers continued their winning ways as they subdued erstwhile frontrunner Judiciary Magis, 74-62.

The trio of Boyet Bautista, Jeffrey Quiambao and Winston Sergio led the team’s early balanced attack, both offensively and defensively.

Chester Tolomia paced the Magis with 24 points, while fellow

ex-pro Don Camaso contributed only five.

In the main game, it was a showcase of rising star Rene Boy Banzali, who singlehandedly carried the GSIS Furies into a huge 8981 victory over the PDEA Drug Busters.

Banzali tallied 31 points, one rebound and three assists as he exemplified his brilliant all-around game.

Rob Sanz paced PDEA with 25 pts.

UNTV Cup Season 6 will welcome 2018 with a slam-bang, second-round encounters, featuring the PDEA Drug busters against the PNP Responders and the AFP Cavaliers against the Malacanang PSC Kamao.

Chester Tolomia’s 24 points and 2 assists were not enough to carry the Judiciary Magis past the aggressive AFP Cavaliers as they fell, 62-74, in the UNTV Cup Season 6.

2 Chiang Kai Shek teams reach WBL finals; QC Academy vs New Era HS CHIANG Kai Shek College sent two teams to the finals of the 30th Women’s Basketball league organized by the Best Center on Sunday at the Jacinto Tiu courts in Xavier School.

A very young CKSC dribblers drubbed their counterparts from Miriam College, 61-26, over the weekend to make the 13-and-Under

championship match against De La Salle-Zobel, which escaped past St. Paul CollegePasig, 44-41, in the other semifinal match of this tournament sponsored by Milo and backed by Rain or Shine, Chris Sports and Sklz.

They square off for the trophy at 12:15 p.m. at the Jacinto Tiu Commpetition Court.

Chiang Kai Shek College’s 18-and-Under team also made the final of the Competitive Division via a 62-36 rout of De La Salle-Zobel in the semis. It will face La Salle College-Antipolo, which clobbered Pasig National High School, 45-24, for the crown at 9:45 a.m.

Quezon City Academy clipped St. Stephen High

School, 33-28, for the right to face New Era High School, which edged La Salle College-Antipolo, 25-24, in the 18-and-Under Developmental Division final at 11 a.m.

Polytechnic University of the Philippines defeated our Lady of Fatima University, 52-46, in the semis and will face Philippine Women’s University, which zapped

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, 61-42, in the final game of the 25-and Under category.

La Salle player Andrei Caracut, a Best Center graduate from Lucena City who is now making his name in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, will hand out the trophies to the champion teams.

Results of thousands of individual athlete samples— a number of which relate to Presumptive Adverse Analytical Findings (PAAFS), were shared with the relative federations.

In violation of WADA rules, the Moscow Laboratory would report all PAAFs on home athletes to the Ministry of Sport, who would then decise to “save” or “quarantine” the concerned athlete.

“International Federations can consider WADA as their collaborative partner in pursuing their investigations,” said Gunter Younger, WADA’s chief intelligence officer.

“It is now over to them to diligently follow up on this new intelligence. We will be available to advise and guide each Federation in the handling of their respective cases,” Younger said. AFP

Elastroscribes take on Spurs for PGBL crown DEFENDING champion Rain or Shine Elastoscribes subdued the Dymons, 8076, last Monday night to grab the second finals berth in the PGBL Season 4 Willie Caballes Cup at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Cedelf Tupas of Inquirer tallied 30 points, 13 assists and five rebounds, while fullcourtfresh.com’s Diego Dela Paz finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds for the Elastoscribes, who will face unbeaten Globalport Spurs in the title match on Monday.

Already assured of a finals’ spot, the Spurs completed a six-game sweep of the elimination round after turning back the Best Center Pioneers, 53-48.

Rookie Paolo Poblador of Tiebreaker Times had a breakout game with 24 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, while MVP contender Jerome Lagunzad of Tempo/Manila Bulletin had another double double of 10 points and 16 rebounds.

It was the second straight loss by the Pioneers, who were nipped by the Elastoscribes for the finals spot due to an inferior quotient after both teams finished with identical 3-3 records.

Reuben Terrado of spin.ph came up big for the undermanned Pioneers with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while top rookie Arnold Cagang added 15 points and five assists.

Christian Cortez of Malaya fired 20 points built on six triples and photographers Paul Ryan Tan and Kevin Dela Cruz added 19 and 14 points respectively, but they couldnt prevent the Dymons from falling to their sixth loss.

The tournament, participated in by sportswriters and photographers from print and online media, is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Basketball Association and Rebel.

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

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

A8

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

Planning for SEAG hosting underway

Sports

By Peter Atencio DISCUSSION on the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019 are finally moving forward.

Foreign Affairs Secretary and SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman Allan Peter Cayetano said a threemember body—composed of Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and himself—have resolved issues concerning infrastructure and the venues that may be tapped for the Games.

Cayetano admitted that they have started quite late. But, talks with officials of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and Department of Public Works and Highways early this week gave them an insight of the things that should be done.

“We agreed on the basics, and we agreed to meet again,” said Cayetano following a meeting on Wednesday evening with Cojuangco and Ramirez, along with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the BCDA and the DPWH. Talks, according to Cayetano, are now shifting to the preparation and training of Filipino athletes and which facilities can be made available.

The body, which met at the SM Aura in Taguig with volleyball sports official Ramon “Tats” Suzara facilitating the talks, is now set to schedule a series of meetings with the national sports associations over their training program.

“We will meet with the NSAs. It’s a work in progress. We are late because we have not been focusing on the organizational part for the last two months,” said Cayetano.

The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan could serve as the main venue of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Talks have been shaping up over the role that will be given to the facilities which have been put up by the church of Iglesia ni Kristo in Ciudad Victoria back in 2014.

From there, the other venues of the Games’ events can be spread out to Subic Bay, Olongapo, Clark Field in Pampanga and Manila.

Carlo Biado holds up a cue stick after winning the WPA World 9-ball title. Bo Bader

Hard work pays off for 9-ball champion

By Ted Lerner

D

OHA, Qatar—For the last 12 years the Philippines’ Carlo Biado did everything he needed to do to put himself on the road to being a champion. He dedicated endless hours in practice, money games, tournaments and worldwide travel all in the hopes of one day reaching the top of the sport. And he also endured plenty of massive disappointments and near misses in big time events, including in more than a few world championships.

Those hard knocks and long days and nights finally paid off on Thursday afternoon in Doha, and in the biggest way possible, as Biado captured his very first WPA World 9-ball title, after a relatively easy 13-5 victory over fellow Filipino

Roland Garcia in the final.

One could easily see the sense of relief and triumph on Biado’s face as the last nine ball fell and he realized he had finally accomplished his long cherished goal.

Only two years ago, Biado came within a whisker of

winning the World 10-ball crown in the Philippines, only to lose right at the wire to Taiwan’s Ko Pin Yi. The humble and smooth shooting Filipino kept at it, however, and dedicated himself even more. He finally got his US travel visa and honed his skills in the States. Earlier this year, he achieved his biggest triumph to date when he won a gold medal at the World Games in Poland.

It was clear all week in Doha that the win in Poland this summer had infused the Filipino with the type of confidence that would soon take him all the way to the pool mountaintop. With a dead-eyed, smooth stroke, cool demeanor and fast pace,

the 34-year-old Biado has all the tools and time to take this win to even further heights of greatness in the coming years.

Biado’s semifinal opponent, Wu Kun Lin, has, over the last six months, established himself as the new man to beat among a plethora of incredible Taiwanese talent. The 22-year-old from Taipei had recently grabbed semi-finals spots at the China Open and the World Pool Series and looked primed for a possible finals spot. But several racks into their match were enough to show who was boss. Biado’s experience was telling and he grabbed an early lead, pounced on several of Wu’s errors, and played brilliant 9-ball to win

By Jeric Lopez

going away, 11-6.

With two Filipinos going for the title, the intensity and drama that is usually associated with a World 9-ball final seemed to be missing even before the race to 13, alternate break match began.

The great Filipino players always travel together, and all of them are friends. And while each dearly wanted to be crowned world champion, the match seemed to proceed at a more casual pace than otherwise would have been.

Afterwards, as he posed for photos and celebrated with the many overseas Filipinos who live and work in Qatar, the new World Champion couldn’t help but think back on what had brought him to this very moment.

EVEN with its leadership crisis not yet fully resolved, the Philippine Basketball Association is ready to launch a brand new season.

The 43rd season of the PBA unreels tomorrow as two teams which had opposite results last season collide to kick off the opening 20172018 Philippine Cup. Three-time defending champion San Miguel Beer begins its title defense against the hungry and retooled Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters at 6:45 p.m. in the lone game of the opening play date Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Prior to that, the league, despite limited time to prepare due to the impasse it continues to face involving Chito Narvasa, will also present the traditional parade of teams and opening presentation to officially open the season.

“There are a lot of plans,” said incoming PBA chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX. “Meron tayong opening and parade of teams pa rin,” said Media Bureau Chief Willie Marcial.

San Miguel Beer is the heavy favorite once again. Its championship core of fourtime reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter and Arwind Santos remains intact and ready for yet another run at the crown.

On the other hand, the Fuel Masters are hoping that the changes they made in the off-season can help turn the tide in their favor.

Phoenix is now coached

by Louie Alas and assisted by deputy Topex Robinson.

“We are determined to win. We have two bright coaches and we made some enhancements in our lineup,” said Phoenix alternate governor Raymond Zorilla.

Ramirez leads launch of boxing cup

Armstrong returns to cycling PARIS, France—Disgraced former American cyclist Lance Armstrong is controversially set to attend next year’s Tour of Flanders as a guest of the famed cobbled classic, race organizers said on Thursday.

Armstrong was stripped of his record seven Tour de France titles won between 1999 and 2005 for a reign of doping that badly tarnished cycling’s credibility.

But officials for the prestigious ‘Monument’ race said the 46-year-old will be an invited guest and a keynote speaker at the Tour of Flanders Business Academy ahead of the April 1 classic in Belgium.

“Lance Armstrong is delighted to be visiting Flanders to tell his story and experience his favorite one-day race live. To him, this will also be a return to cycling and, as far as I am concerned, he is very welcome!” said race organizer Wouter Vandenhaute.

“Lance Armstrong is and remains a great champion. I have felt for many years now that he was above all punished for his arrogance.

“I met Lance Armstrong in Washington last October and found him to be a chastened man who has made peace with his fate.”

The UCI, cycling’s governing body, told AFP it was unwilling to comment on Armstrong’s possible return to the sport.

Armstrong has largely been shunned by the cycling world since being exposed as a doping cheat. He was issued with a lifetime ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in 2012. AFP

PBA unreels season despite uncertainty

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez (right) and Senator Manny Pacquiao inspect the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila Tuesday, December 12. PSC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY —Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez is keynote speaker as the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup kicks off at Robinson’s Place here today, Saturday, December 16.

Ramirez said the General Santos City leg serves as the launch of the joint grassroots boxing program of the PSC and Senator Manny Pacquiao in coordination with the Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) and Amateur Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap).

Ramirez and Pacquiao, in a recent press conference in Manila, both have high hopes that boxing can bring home the country’s first Olympics gold medal.

The PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup hopes to discover promising amateur

boxing talent in the periphery, which is the mantra of President Rodrigo R. Duterte who directed the PSC chief last year to bring grassroots sports to the countryside.

“The PSC, through the PSI, is focused on grassroots sports although PSI is also helping elite athletes in their high performance training with PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco spearheading the special ops for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” Ramirez said during last month’s annual assessment with PSI coordinators at PhilSports Complex.

Qualifying rounds will be held from December 16 to April 7, 2018 in different venues. Preliminaries will be held on April 14 and 15 in Mandaluyong City while the quarterfinals are slated April 21 and

22 in Bohol next year. Tagum City in Davao del Norte will host the semifinals on April 28 before the program returns to General Santos City for the finals on May 5, 2018.

National champions will have the opportunity to train in the national team or developmental pool.

Meanwhile, General Santos City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member Alberto D. Pacquiao will welcome participants during the opening rites while Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera will share a message of support to the program. ASBC 2015 best boxer Criz Sander Laurente will lead the oath of sportsmanship.

Senator Pacquiao is expected to witness some of the bouts during the two-day competition. PSC-PSI

James’ triple-double powers Cavs over Lakers LOS ANGELES—Cleveland star LeBron James tied Larry Bird for sixth all time in NBA triple-doubles Thursday as the Cavaliers beat the Los Angeles Lakers 121-112.

“King” James scored 25 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists for the 59th tripledouble of his 15-season career.

Cleveland’s Kevin Love led all scorers with 28 points, while Jose Calderon added a season high 17.

Lonzo Ball, the Lakers rookie playing against James for the first time, finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Brandon Ingram scored 26 points to lead the young,

energetic Lakers, who seized an early lead before the Cavaliers found their range.

Cleveland scored 100 points for the 22nd consecutive game, winning for the 16th time in 17 contests.

James helped put the game away, his dunk with 2:20 remaining and short shot with 1:38 to play putting the Cavs up 117-108.

“Tonight the difficult challenge was the way they were kind of spreading the floor, running up and down,” James said.

“But if we defend, if we share the ball, move the ball, we’re going to give ourselves a good chance to win every night.”

In other early games, the

New York Knicks lost star forward Kristaps Porzingis with a left knee injury in the third quarter but held on for a 111-104 victory over the Nets in Brooklyn.

With their Latvian star off the floor, the Knicks briefly surrendered the lead late in the third, but came through down the stretch.

Lee came within three points of his career high. Michael Beasley, who replaced Porzingis, added 15 points, while Turkish center Enes Kanter contributed 13 and nine rebounds.

Although they were just across town from their Madison Square Garden Arena,

for the Knicks it was a much needed road win—just their second of the season.

Courtney Lee scored a season high 27 points for the Knicks. Michael Beasley, who replaced Porzingis, added 15 points and Turkish center Enes Kanter added 13 points with nine rebounds.

The Detroit Pistons, called out by coach Stan Van Gundy after dropping their seventh straight game on Tuesday, snapped their skid with an emphatic 105-91 victory over Hawks in Atlanta.

Andre Drummond scored 12 points, pulled down 19 rebounds and handed out nine Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) tries to drive past Los Angeles Lakers counterpart Kyle Kuzma. AFP assists for the Pistons. AFP

Hedcor signs supply pact with Surigao cooperative

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Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

B1

WB also raises growth target

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE World Bank raised its growth projection for the Philippines this year to 6.7 percent from the previous estimate of 6.6 percent after a stronger-than-expected 6.9-percent expansion in the third quarter.

“Continued global economic recovery gaining steam has led to higher than expected export growth for the Philippines and an encouraging upturn for the third quarter of 2017,” Birgit Hansl, World Bank lead economist for the Philippines, said in a statement Friday.

“Following a stronger-than-expected growth of 6.9

percent in third quarter and a revision of GDP growth for the second quarter, from 6.5 to 6.7 percent, the World Bank projects 6.7 percent growth for 2017— higher than its previous forecast of 6.6 percent,” Hansl said.

The World Bank updated its 2017 growth projection for the Philippines, as part of its quarterly forecast exercise to reflect recent economic trends.

Hansl said the simultaneous recovery in major advanced and developing economies was boosting global trade. For the Philippines, she said it meant stronger import demand from the country’s main trading partners, such as the United States, Japan, and Europe.

However, the multilateral lender kept the growth projection for 2018 at 6.7 percent.

“If investment growth accelerates faster along with increased spending in public infrastructure, economic

expansion can be even higher in 2017 and 2018 and exceed the current projection of 6.7 percent,” Hansl said.

On Wednesday, the Asian Development Bank also raised its growth forecast for the Philippines in 2017 and 2018, on strong infrastructure spending and consumer demand.

The ADB said in a supplement to its Asian Development Outlook Update 2017 report that it raised its 2017 gross domestic product growth forecast to 6.7 percent from 6.5 percent and the 2018 outlook to 6.8 percent from 6.7 percent.

“This outlook assumes that growth in the government’s infrastructure program will accelerate, supported by improvements in budget execution, with more large investment projects under way,” the Manila-based multilateral lender said.

The economy expanded 6.7 percent in the first three quarters of 2017 on accelerating investment and robust consumption. The economy expanded 6.9 percent in 2016.

“The government is on track to achieve its target of spending 5.3 percent of GDP on public infrastructure this year. Meanwhile, household consumption remained strong despite moderating slightly from last year,” the ADB said.

It noted that net exports turned positive in the first nine months, reversing a deficit in 2016. On the supply side, services generated nearly 60 percent of GDP growth, spurred largely by trade, business process outsourcing, finance and real estate services.

Manufacturing contributed about 30 percent of the expansion in GDP, with food processing a major contributor.

Remittances grow by 8.4% to $2.275b

POWER SUPPLY DEAL. Surigao del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative Inc. signs with Aboitiz Power Inc. unit Hedcor Bukidnon a supply agreement to buy 2 megawatts of clean and renewable energy. Sealing the deal at the Surseco 1 main office in Bislig, Surigao Del Sur on November 9, 2017 are (from left) Surseco 1 general manager Joceler Moralda, Surseco 1 president Pacinta Saligumba, Hedcor vice president for operations and maintenance Rolando Pacquiao and Hedcor Bukidnon grid manager Galen Alova. Story on B2.

Fitch’s rating upgrade boosts ’18 global bond offering of PH THE move of major credit watchdog Fitch Ratings to upgrade the Philippines’ sovereign rating to “BBB” from “BBB-“ augurs well for the planned bond offering of the government in 2018, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said Friday.

De Leon said in a statement said the development provided a resounding endorsement of the Duterte administration’s economic strategy anchored on a comprehensive tax reform plan and an unprecedented infrastructure modernization

program.

The Bureau of the Treasury is currently preparing for the country’s next global bond offering next year while maintaining the borrowing mix at 80 percent from domestic sources and 20 percent from foreign markets.

“We welcome this latest favorable action from Fitch, which is a resounding testament to the country’s sustained strong economic fundamentals and favorable growth trajectory. This augurs well for our next global

bond offering even as the market has priced our bonds much tighter than our ratings,” De Leon said.

She said the primary focus of the Duterte administration’s economic team was “on delivering results to create more jobs and improve the lives of our people.”

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said the upgrade was the result of a stronger public sector finance outlook for the Philippines “brought about by improved tax administra-

tion and the expected passage of tax reforms, along with a prudent monetary policy in the face of global financial volatility.”

“Also, we have unveiled a ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program, sectoral reforms and a list of Ease of Doing Business programs that will enhance the competitiveness of domestic industries and boost GDP growth to seven to eight percent in the medium term,” Beltran said.

Fitch’s upgrade of the Phil-

IN BRIEF

SIX AWARDS.

The SM Group bags six corporate awards from Hong Kong magazine, The Asset.

SM Investments Corp. received the Platinum Award for Excellence in Environment, Social and Corporate Governance for the ninth year in a row to lead the SM Group. Also cited as Platinum awardees are SM’s banking arm BDO Unibank Inc. and property conglomerate SM Prime Holdings Inc., which have been awarded in this category for the 8th consecutive year. Franklin Gomez, senior vice president for finance of SM Investments Corp., receives the awards.

Auctioneer completes LMG buy

THE group of United Auctioneers Inc. founder and chief executive Dominic Sytin has completed the acquisition of a 65.92-percent stake in LMG Chemicals Corp. for P405 million.

LMG said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday Sytin and Robinson Siao completed the acquisition of 127,583,458 common shares equivalent to 65.92 percent in the company owned by Chemical Industries of the Philippines Inc. of the Garcia family.

LMG Chemical said the minority investors snubbed the tender offer conducted by Sytin and Siao as no shares were tendered at the end of the offering period on Dec 11.

Sytin and Siao offered to acquire the remaining 65.96 million common shares held by minority investors at the purchase price of P3.17439 apiece.

United Auctioneers is a premier industrial auction company in the Philippines. Jenniffer B. Austria

Meralco unit tapping Irish firm

MERALCO PowerGen Corp., the generation unit of Manila Electric Co., is set to finalize an operations and maintenance agreement with ESB International of Ireland for the 1,200-megawatt Atimonan coal-fired power plant.

“They are into new tech. The agreement with them is we are going to finalize an agreement for them to operate Atimonan once we get all of these approvals, with an understanding that it is a 10-year engagement so that we can, after 10 years, run the plant ourselves,” Meralco PowerGen president and chief executive officer Rogelio Singson said.

Singson said the company had expertise in a wide range of energy business, which Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan appreciated.

“They are into a wide range, e-vehicles, batteries, smart grid. We have also started asking Meralco to start to them for electric vehicles,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Globe: Cable capacity enough

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said its international cable system capacity of more than 16 Terabits per second (Tbps) is sufficient to service the bandwidth demand in the country and satisfy the market’s hunger for faster internet services.

The Ayala-led company seeks to correct the separate public pronouncements made by the Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Eliseo Rio and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon, who placed the industry’s combined capacity at 2 Tbps.

“Our biggest hurdle in delivering consistently good internet (service) is the cumbersome number of permits and right-of-way issues that prevent us from building the last mile connectivity that would allow world class internet services to be enjoyed by the ordinary household or any person using a mobile phone,” Ernest Cu, president and chief executive of Globe, said. Darwin G. Amojelar

ippines’ credit rating was the first since March 2013, when it gave the Philippines its very first investment grade.

Its rating for the Philippines is now at par with those of S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said earlier several international banking institutions, including European banks, had expressed interest in the Philippines’ planned $1 billion dollar-denominated global bond float early next year. Julito G. Rada

MONEY sent home by overseas Filipinos in October 2017 grew 8.4 percent to $2.275 billion from $2.099 billion a year ago, the fastest in seven months, fueled by the increase in remittances from both land- and sea-based workers, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

Data showed the top countries that contributed to the increase in total cash remittances during the month were the United Arab Emirates and United States.

The amount brought cash remittances in the first 10 months to $23.056 billion, up 4.2 percent from $22.124 billion a year ago.

“The increase was boosted by the increase in remittances from land-based workers and sea-based workers, which both grew by 4.2 percent compared to the level posted a year ago,” Bangko Sentral said.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also posted their fastest expansion in seven months since March by 9.7 percent to $2.552 billion from $2.326 billion on year. The figure brought personal remittances in the

first 10 months to $25.717 billion, up 5.2 percent from $24.434 billion a year ago.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more including other household-to-household transfers recorded an increase of 4.2 percent, while those from sea-based and land-based OFWs with work contracts of less than one year increased 4.1 percent from January to October.

Bangko Sentral in June kept a conservative 4-percent growth target for remittances this year amid the improving trade and rosy outlook of the global economy.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the 4-percent expansion would translate into a record $28 billion in total value of remittances from $26.9 billion posted in 2016.

Bangko Sentral in December last year projected remittances to grow by 4 percent in 2017. The regulator reviews the growth target for remittances, alongside other economic data, twice yearly in May and November.

Julito G. Rada

Uber: Data breach affected 171,000 passengers, drivers

By Othel V. Campos UBER Philippines told National Privacy Commission the data breach that occurred in 2016 was limited to the registered name, e-mail address and phone number of about 171,000 Filipinos.

“We were informed that around 171,000 Filipino citizens consisting of drivers and passengers were affected by the breach,” said NPC Commissioner Raymund Liboro.

NPC asked Uber to further disclose related information on the breach to make the necessary action to protect affected people or at least warn them of the situation so they can also ward off potential threats using their personal information.

“We are looking now at the processes and procedures that Uber claims they have taken to ensure that this matter never happens again,” Liboro said.

The Commission is placing more focus on the steps Uber has taken to ensure data breaches in the future will not be concealed from regulators and affected data subjects.

“In line with this, we have summoned Uber to appear before the Commission to further explain their data processing operations particularly the organizational, technical and physical security measures Uber Philippines is implementing to protect Filipino drivers and riders,” Liboro added.

The NPC reminded the public that the concealment of data breaches involving sensitive personal information or data was a criminal offense.

Group warns higher coal tax to increase cost of business

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PRO-CONSUMER advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc. expressed concern over the higher excise tax on coal and urged Malacañang to veto the implementation to protect consumers from its adverse impact.

LKI president and former Trade Undersecretary Vic Dimagiba opposed an increase in the excise tax of coal “since it violates the Constitution, and the possible spike in electricity rates

that will put additional burden to every household.”

Congress has agreed to raise the coal excise tax from the current P10 a metric ton to P50 a metric ton in the first year of implementation, P100 in the second and P150 in the third and succeeding years.

LKI appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to exercise his veto power to immediately stop the increase in tax.

LKI estimates that at P50 per metric ton, the in-

creased coal tax will multiply spending of industries and consumers as an indirect impact.

While the excise tax on coal is lower than the Senate version, Dimagiba said the violation applies since even though there is a coal tax now, Congress did not initiate the amendments.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion bill will take effect on January 1, 2017 once the President signs it by the middle of this month.

“We might be optimistic now, but next year we will all have to watch for the actual effects of TRAIN, the implementation of which is imminent in January. I think there will be a belttightening. Consumers can be smart by using their right to choose what they buy,” Dimagiba said in a statement.

Aside from the impending increase in electricity rates, prices of cement will also be affected by the reform on coal tax.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, November 15, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

0.848176

1.000000

Japan

Yen

0.007557

0.008910

UK

Pound

1.139271

1.343200

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.108634

0.128080

Switzerland

Franc

0.859000

1.012761

Canada

Dollar

0.665184

0.784252

Singapore

Dollar

0.630521

0.743384

Australia

Dollar

0.650551

0.767000

Bahrain

Dinar

2.252075

2.655196

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.226181

0.266667

Brunei

Dollar

0.628186

0.740631

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000063

0.000074

Thailand

Baht

0.026098

0.030769

UAE

Dirham

0.230997

0.272346

Euro

Euro

1.000000

1.179000

Korea

Won

0.000779

0.000919

China

Yuan

0.128327

0.151297

India

Rupee

0.013185

0.015545

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.207734

0.244918

New Zealand

Dollar

0.592706

Taiwan

Dollar

0.028288

0.698800 0.033351 Source: PDS Bridge

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall; power firms skid

T

HE stock market skidded Friday on profit taking, as investors assessed messages from Federal Reserve and European Central Bank meetings this week and concerns about the Republican tax overhaul package lingered.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 124.02 points, or 1.5 percent, to 8,337.04 on a value turnover of P10.7 billion. Losers beat gainers, 123 to 81, with 38 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy declined 4.8 percent to P36, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest bank in terms of assets, fell 3.2 percent to P103.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the largest coal producer and a major power

generator, slumped 5.1 percent to P35.10 after Congress approved a bill raising the tax on coal. Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., whose unit Aboitiz Power Corp. also operates coal-fired plants, tumbled 3.9 percent to P67.50 The rest of stocks in Asia declined and the dollar headed for its first weekly loss this month.

Hong Kong and Chinese equities paced a region-wide slide, while Tokyo shares were little changed, paring earlier declines.

India’s equity benchmark had the biggest gain in the region and the rupee climbed after a crucial local election.

The greenback remained under pressure after Republican Senator Marco Rubio threatened to opposed the tax legislation unless Senate leaders agree to a larger child tax credit. The euro held onto a retreat after the ECB remained cautious about the pros-

pects of reaching its inflation goals, even as it reiterated a pledge to keep stimulus in place.

Uncertainty surrounding the fate of US tax reform is threatening to sour what’s been a stellar run for equities in 2017, as money managers dial back their appetite to take risk amid signs that the eightyear stock rally may not be far from its end. Pacific Investment Management Co. sees the good times rolling on in 2018 as global economies grow in sync, but the bond giant warned investors to brace for a downturn.

ECB President Mario Draghi sounded cautious about the prospect of inflation picking up even as economic growth remains robust. Draghi stopped short of saying the ECB will meet its 2 percent inflation goal in 2020 as he unveiled updated economic projections that showed continued

growth over the next three years. The Fed earlier this week raised rates and kept its projection for three hikes next year, while saying it’s closely monitoring inflation developments.

Nader Naeimi, head of dynamic markets at AMP Capital, said that inflation will eventually pick up with global growth, given that there are signs of wages growth in places like the US and Japan.

“2017 was the first year that we’ve had synchronized global growth and inflation is a lagging indicator and now with developed market unemployment rate at a 40year low, it’s a matter of time,” Naeimi told Bloomberg Television. “Not only investors, but the central banks, will be surprised that inflation will appear sooner than expected.

It would be quite complacent to give up on the idea that with growth there will be inflation at some point.” With Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.38 87,000 59.95 3,070 103 3,105,220 157 2,499,880 2.02 1,253,000 33.25 272,900 15.4 2,600 32.45 1,815,600 7.62 1,800 0.71 29,000 1.88 4,631,000 0.6 1,567,000 98.3 3,449,560 0.92 6,446,000 12 5,500 59.9 756,780 237.8 5,140 55.1 1,172,530 255 532,710 86.65 3,790 1.26 2,000

284,090 184,046.50 321,576,846 390,729,469 2,480,550 9,079,180 40,150 59,344,125 13,716 20,680 9,359,570 953,010 339,052,770 6,071,960 66,000 43,520,469.50 1,213,188 63,072,833.50 135,094,014 328,491.50 2,520

-124,619,440 82,123,057 4,313,695 6,869,165.00 27,280 -12,400 22,848,987 -226,760 10,978,707.50 47,100 4,383,226 40,399,514 -133,432.50 -

39.4 12.3 0.63 1.35 17 0.218 113.6 4.85 15.82 162.4 44 19 63.7 61.9 1.89 5.32 11.24 11.2 14.62 11.4 7.17 5.58 17.04 62.35 23.95 11 18.04 2.3 244.2 58.5 4.05 3.18 28.05 17.92 17.7 319 0.193 2.4 5.8 9.22 6.62 8.45 1.52 11.9 59.95 6.4 531 4.95 4.46 2.05 13.02 5.4 0.133 1.17 148.9 2.86 1.82 0.76

INDUSTRIAL 39.4 4,172,800 12.34 726,000 0.64 398,000 1.39 571,000 17.18 18,700 0.218 2,720,000 113.7 80 4.93 11,598,000 16.18 1,132,500 163 670 45 664,300 19.08 18,800 63.7 28,850 61.9 30 1.92 144,000 5.34 5,400 11.24 1,100 11.4 4,296,600 14.76 222,900 11.52 9,405,400 7.17 10,469,900 5.61 19,812,000 17.52 2,363,800 63 185,540 25.2 342,300 11 217,800 18.1 419,300 2.4 3,988,000 246 1,612,560 59 5,540 4.05 191,000 3.18 10,000 28.2 1,598,900 17.92 127,600 17.7 2,951,200 325 923,380 0.198 430,000 2.4 803,000 5.85 143,000 9.3 4,700,400 6.78 5,612,200 8.45 2,900 1.54 2,256,000 12.3 400,800 61 306,200 6.65 197,700 540 14,170 4.97 36,600 4.66 4,000 2.09 109,000 13.1 431,900 5.4 150,800 0.135 2,200,000 1.2 1,172,000 151 1,534,360 2.9 7,000 1.87 5,866,000 0.78 648,000

164,755,750 9,021,320 254,090 781,150 322,234 609,530 9,091 57,688,520 18,202,530 124,612 29,539,685 365,420 1,837,745 1,921 273,750 28,757 12,384 48,769,602 3,290,214 108,976,506 75,122,942 111,696,999 41,304,280 11,685,897.50 8,602,675 2,427,646 7,605,560 9,435,770 395,680,022 329,642.50 789,190 32,090 45,076,705 2,343,996 52,507,362 299,098,818 83,720 1,978,300 834,588 43,646,488 38,165,818 24,505 3,464,120 4,873,516 18,565,038.50 1,312,050 7,613,505 182,079 18,240 226,590 5,679,642 817,487 303,220 1,463,840 231,626,046 20,120 10,890,470 496,140

-35,675,950.00 478,050 2,560 4,170 -6,727,870 9,067,014 6,695,525 6,370 -11,260 4,083,590 1,516,160 -1,578,374 -72,851,270 -64,117,140 31,212,684.00 6,876,980.50 6,552,175 -2,005,362 -1,982,538 -30,960 25,075,474 -10,241,485 -1,011,624.00 33,502,436 109,516,474 50,180 54,540 140,962 -13,604,233 -22,390 -22,815 1,216,580 -35,160 7,395,412.50 -117,631 436,815 -23,000 8,360 2,988,932 27,050 14,140 15,797,450 -2,421,170 -

0.315 70.2 16 7.04 0.41 0.425 1,017 7.45 14.36 7.8 1,272 7.39 73 0.73 5.88 18.68 0.345 6.72 3.69 0.047 1.06 2.07 111.6 3.2 986.5 0.78 1.8 280 0.24 0.194

0.305 67.5 15.82 6.95 0.38 0.39 999 7.41 13.86 7.7 1,250 7.39 71.85 0.69 5.62 18.24 0.33 6.49 3.53 0.045 1.04 2.06 109.7 2.9 963 0.78 1.7 279 0.24 0.182

HOLDING FIRMS 0.315 210,000 67.5 3,903,320 15.96 4,630,800 7.02 56,800 0.39 19,850,000 0.4 5,420,000 1,006 480,780 7.45 14,527,200 13.86 15,753,700 7.79 54,800 1,271 228,020 7.39 120,200 72.85 2,476,740 0.7 721,000 5.88 2,106,500 18.24 7,661,500 0.33 2,820,000 6.53 60,404,500 3.53 88,000 0.046 10,300,000 1.05 237,000 2.07 34,000 110.2 250,640 3 410,000 974.5 851,120 0.78 16,000 1.7 4,941,000 279 640 0.24 60,000 0.194 60,000

64,900 264,407,910 73,873,142 398,636 7,839,200 2,200,700 484,460,140 108,222,579 220,011,016 424,638 289,540,645 888,278 180,288,448 500,980 12,259,247 140,052,256 939,550 394,910,087 311,950 468,500 249,120 70,250 27,593,140 1,234,740 830,261,205 12,480 8,582,100 178,890 14,400 11,400

3,150 -108,403,494 32,758,068 4,050 -40,048,780 -91,178,144 -34,531,604 -7,700 181,576,115 110,850 28,188,310 6,526,301 -33,934,726 -129,200 -19,149,214 -52,500 11,605,728 -117,871,095 -286,740 16,798 1,940

5.76 1.06 13 2.3 0.93 43.3 3.98 4.74 5.5 0.495 1.23 0.212 0.465 39 0.66 0.141 1.89 1.43 0.78 5.25 0.355 0.375 0.59 6.2 34.25

5.68 1.02 12 2.26 0.89 42.25 3.79 4.69 5.3 0.485 1.15 0.209 0.465 38.5 0.65 0.137 1.83 1.42 0.72 5.15 0.345 0.37 0.57 6.1 34.25

5,082,893 3,713,400 707,262 95,720 2,310,790 982,374,140 10,407,750 5,954,460 284,717 1,213,100 80,570 1,476,820 60,450 8,630,480 983,420 119,700 27,304,830 3,524,670 450,700 212,561,818 18,516,350 543,800 1,921,590 3,298,267 3,425

-3,218,883 8,320 35,018 4,650 -305,087,240 8,384,680 2,006,900 121,744 -253,450 -210,500 2,422,605 -952,570 17,764,680 918,740 -81,264,793 17,750 -96,200 610 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

3.31 59.95 105.1 155 1.99 33.3 15.5 33.2 7.62 0.73 1.78 0.63 98.55 0.91 12 56 236 55.95 248 86.6 1.26

3.4 59.95 105.1 157 2.02 33.3 15.6 33.3 7.62 0.73 2.15 0.63 98.8 0.98 12 59.9 237.8 55.95 255 87.3 1.26

3.22 59.95 103 154.7 1.95 33.1 15.4 32.45 7.62 0.71 1.78 0.6 97.9 0.91 12 55.65 236 53.6 248 86.6 1.26

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A 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 LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

40.5 12.7 0.64 1.39 18.32 0.223 113.6 4.85 16.24 194.1 44.45 19.8 63.7 65.1 1.89 5.32 11.26 11.34 14.78 11.58 7.28 5.77 17.04 62.5 23.95 11.3 18.7 2.37 245.2 58.5 4.2 3.45 28.1 18.96 17.82 323.4 0.193 2.47 5.85 9.35 6.66 8.45 1.55 12.2 60.05 6.5 545 4.95 4.46 2.09 13.16 5.55 0.133 1.17 151.5 2.86 1.9 0.77

40.5 12.7 0.64 1.41 18.32 0.226 113.7 5.1 16.24 194.1 45 19.96 63.7 65.1 1.92 5.34 11.26 11.4 14.8 11.8 7.28 5.78 17.54 63 25.3 11.3 18.7 2.43 246.2 60 4.35 3.45 28.4 18.98 17.96 325 0.198 2.48 5.89 9.38 6.95 8.45 1.57 12.3 61 6.65 545 5 4.66 2.09 13.22 5.55 0.143 1.3 152.5 2.9 1.9 0.78

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

0.315 70.2 16 7.04 0.39 0.405 1,015 7.45 14.28 7.76 1,270 7.39 72 0.73 5.7 18.68 0.34 6.7 3.69 0.046 1.05 2.07 111.6 3.04 986 0.78 1.79 280 0.24 0.182

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

5.68 1.06 12 2.27 0.93 43.3 3.83 4.72 5.5 0.495 1.19 0.209 0.465 39 0.66 0.138 1.89 1.42 0.78 5.25 0.355 0.375 0.58 6.18 34.25

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

21.7 2.37 3.19 37.75 1.02 10.18 0.85 5.9

21.8 2.42 3.2 37.75 1.04 10.18 0.88 5.99

21.25 2.24 3.19 36 1.02 7.9 0.85 5.89

21.25 2.24 3.2 36 1.04 8.9 0.88 5.99

2,125,100 5,095,000 2,000 22,984,300 407,000 9,300 101,000 2,422,900

45,454,145 11,746,630 6,390 833,067,245 419,230 82,102 88,250 14,436,933

-25,503,885 -240,142,750 2,604,465

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

20.05 34.7 1.52 0.465 0.042 5.12 11.2 0.073 99.2 9.38 8.97 6.8 3.1 15 1,755 5.76 18.1 10.14 5.18 3.04 105.4 8.36 0.168 1.87 3.06 15.5 4.5 1.19 22.4 0.53 4.8 7.38 3.89 16 2.78 11.08 4.82 8.99 133 8.01 1,484 1.3 0.365 49.1 93 5.81 3.36 1.69 3.38 3.99 1 8.24

20.05 34.9 1.58 0.485 0.044 5.28 11.2 0.074 101 9.38 9.08 6.8 3.45 18.32 1,775 5.76 18.18 10.14 5.18 3.39 105.5 8.37 0.169 1.87 3.23 15.5 4.62 1.22 22.7 0.53 5.1 7.47 3.92 16.5 2.79 11.08 4.82 8.99 133 8.02 1,500 1.3 0.37 49.55 93 5.81 3.4 1.69 4.1 3.99 1.01 8.25

18.48 34.55 1.44 0.465 0.042 4.8 10.86 0.071 98 9.38 8.75 6.65 3.05 14 1,746 5.71 18.1 10.14 4.81 2.88 104 8.3 0.143 1.44 3.06 14.8 4.3 1.18 22 0.52 4.31 7.2 3.88 15 2.7 11.08 4.8 8.36 120.2 7.95 1,484 1.28 0.355 49.1 92 5.79 3.21 1.64 3.31 3.85 0.97 8.15

SERVICES 19.2 34.55 1.44 0.48 0.043 4.8 11 0.071 98 9.38 8.99 6.65 3.24 18.32 1,763 5.72 18.18 10.14 4.81 2.88 105 8.35 0.145 1.5 3.22 14.8 4.42 1.19 22.15 0.52 4.42 7.35 3.88 16.5 2.7 11.08 4.82 8.36 123 8.02 1,500 1.28 0.355 49.2 92.25 5.8 3.21 1.66 3.85 3.98 0.97 8.2

114,900 45,600 1,102,000 3,130,000 13,000,000 542,300 12,634,400 10,290,000 241,700 1,000 2,274,200 80,200 1,179,000 1,196,100 57,360 190,000 6,300 100 15,410,800 506,000 1,895,240 383,200 77,830,000 23,103,000 174,000 38,100 2,096,000 223,000 1,542,700 212,000 4,503,000 4,264,800 369,000 6,100 2,779,000 1,000 6,000 2,200 27,040 941,900 150,640 1,776,000 590,000 1,555,000 343,480 17,400 1,319,000 10,558,000 56,869,000 770,000 13,801,000 1,164,200

2,225,643 1,578,735 1,648,440 1,487,350 558,200 2,853,960 139,098,664 736,580 23,898,074.50 9,380 20,177,859 535,396 3,788,710 20,400,238 101,110,840 1,087,124 114,448 1,014 75,991,400 1,523,530 199,235,907 3,200,783 12,128,380 38,021,510 547,630 570,630 9,318,170 266,100 34,134,380 110,610 21,113,210 31,418,152 1,435,740 94,100 7,535,110 11,080 28,860 19,085 3,410,018 7,530,089 225,641,650 2,290,060 211,450 76,504,105 31,742,848 100,923 4,307,890 17,477,930 218,134,760 3,043,420 13,553,080 9,536,652

357,380 319,550 2,602,218 3,650.00 -3,711,058 4,684,692 16,900.00 -11,669,370 -234,019 25,030,230 1,067,070 31,880 1,222,580 -9,000 948,709 -124,470 -298,100 -1,952,634 -653,724 -19,501,475 -1,947,150 -7,939,365 -12,137,355 58,000 -783,630 -6,184,010 -57,051,500 7,860 261,080 746,713

213,400 4,766,570 3,735,150 39,640 101,520 2,389,180 71,300 18,392 3,613,860 13,000 1,063,750 143,480 29,800 138,010 23,009,230 444,290 26,350 201,960 6,000 218,400 63,650 9,317,259 32,488,872 428,072,775

3,120 15,680 357,770 172,180 67,200 5,036,101 134,300 -1,113,941 -1,011,055.00 -242,569,860

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 5.76 1.04 13 2.27 0.89 42.4 3.98 4.71 5.48 0.49 1.21 0.212 0.465 38.6 0.65 0.137 1.84 1.43 0.73 5.19 0.345 0.37 0.58 6.1 34.25

890,500 3,581,000 55,900 42,000 2,575,000 23,136,400 2,669,000 1,267,000 52,700 2,490,000 67,000 7,020,000 130,000 223,100 1,509,000 870,000 14,563,000 2,481,000 607,000 40,946,100 52,930,000 1,460,000 3,318,000 538,700 100

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

0.0022 1.55 4.45 1.71 1.99 1.6 0.31 7.39 2.63 0.212 0.162 0.164 0.01 1.77 6.33 1.6 0.44 0.91 0.012 0.011 2.12 5.91 8.12 37

0.0022 1.56 4.5 1.75 1.99 1.61 0.31 7.39 2.66 0.241 0.162 0.164 0.01 1.8 6.47 1.6 0.44 0.91 0.012 0.012 2.13 5.98 8.13 37

0.0022 1.52 4.43 1.7 1.95 1.58 0.31 7.15 2.6 0.211 0.154 0.16 0.0099 1.77 6.1 1.5 0.435 0.88 0.012 0.011 2.12 5.71 7.88 35.1

MINING & OIL 0.0022 97,000,000 1.54 3,116,000 4.43 840,000 1.7 23,000 1.95 52,000 1.6 1,502,000 0.31 230,000 7.23 2,500 2.64 1,370,000 0.241 60,000 0.157 6,820,000 0.164 890,000 0.0099 3,000,000 1.79 77,000 6.16 3,675,200 1.59 294,000 0.435 60,000 0.88 226,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 19,000,000 2.13 30,000 5.75 1,599,500 7.9 4,077,200 35.1 12,081,200

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

34.5 540 106.5 109.8 5.45 1,030 101.9 1.1 106.9 1,004 103.2 77.5 82.1 76.6 79.2 79.35

35 540 106.5 109.8 5.46 1,030 101.9 1.1 106.9 1,004 103.2 77.5 82.1 76.6 79.2 79.35

34.45 540 106.5 109.8 5.44 1,020 101.9 1.1 106.4 1,003 103.2 77 82.1 76 79.2 79.35

PREFERRED 35 47,400 540 10 106.5 100 109.8 420 5.44 289,500 1,030 2,020 101.9 10 1.1 75,000 106.4 500 1,004 85 103.2 2,200 77 19,500 82.1 120 76 16,000 79.2 30 79.35 33,000

1,658,845 5,400 10,650 46,116 1,576,889 2,060,730 1,019 82,500 53,222 85,330 227,040 1,507,265 9,852 1,220,440 2,376 2,618,550

1,277,600 -1,518,003 51,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.94

3

2.81

WARRANTS 2.84 807,000

2,334,640

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8.28 3 3.9 4.77

8.28 3 4.24 5.35

7.5 3 3.62 4.6

7.85 3 4.17 5.29

17,856,914 6,000 893,780 56,272,820

-17,652 406,180

FIRST METRO ETF

128

128

126.8

166,561

25,400

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10 10.6

10 10.6

10 10.24

50,000 230,862

102,400

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL

SME

2,249,600 2,000 227,000 11,065,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 126.8 1,310 10 10.3

DDS

SHARES

VALUE

27,744,575

1,406,085,507.45

INDUSTRIAL

112,770,522

1,961,370,304.53

HOLDING FIRMS

158,873,741

3,099,371,929.626

PROPERTY

198,903,803

2,296,357,426.945

SERVICES

272,649,365

1,377,274,706.76

MINING & OIL

156,764,574

510,203,222.455

GRAND TOTAL

941,260,890

10,725,905,002.79

5,000 22,470

FINANCIAL 2,167.39 (down) 3.45 INDUSTRIAL 11,127.42 down) 59.84 HOLDING FIRMS 8,431.32 (down) 141.48 PROPERTY 3,833.28 (down) 109.50 SERVICES 1,604.03 (down) 5.11 MINING & OIL 11,181.86 (down) 419.70 PSEI 8,337.04 (down) 124.02 All Shares Index 4,870.43 (down) 68.11 Gainers: 81; Losers: 123; Unchanged: 38; Total: 242

Apex gets proceeds of P2.5-b loan from PNB

By Jenniffer B. Austria APEX Mining Co. Inc. said Friday it drew down P2.5 billion from a seven-year term loan facility with the Philippine National Bank.

Apex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would use proceeds from the loan to immediately prepay the company’s outstanding short-term loan of P2.25 billion from BDO Unibank, Inc. “This effectively converts part of the company’s short-term bank loan obligations into long-term, thereby improving the company’s financial position,” the mining firm said.

Apex Mining to date has other outstanding shortterm bank loans with Union Bank of the Philippines amounting to $8 million (P407 million) and with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. totaling P405 million.

Apex registered a consolidated net income of P305 million in the third quarter of the year, up five percent from P291 million year-onyear on higher mineral production.

Revenues reached a record P3 billion during the period, up 11 percent from P2.7 billion on year, as the Maco mine in Compostela Valley topped it previous record in milling throughput to 428,146 tons, or a daily average of 1,659 tons.

Apex is rehabilitating the Sangilo mine of ItogonSuyoc Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.

Hedcor signs supply pact with Surigao cooperative

By Alena Mae S. Flores HEDCOR Bukidnon, a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., signed a supply agreement with Surigao del Sur 1 Electric Cooperative Inc. (Surseco) 1) that will diversify the cooperative’s energy supply.

Hedcor Bukidnon will supply two megawatts of clean and renewable energy to the electric cooperative’s customers in 2018.

Surseco 1 general manager Joceler Moralda represented the electric cooperative while Rolando Pacquiao, Hedcor vice president for operations and maintenance, signed for the power generation company.

“We take pride in adding AboitizPower’s Cleanergy to our energy supply mix.

Like them, we also believe in balance. We are confident that by having a reliable partner like AboitizPower, we will continue to provide efficient electric service to our members-consumers, and to continue to support economic development in our franchise areas” said Moralda.

Surseco 1 is serving 138 barangays from the municipalities of Lingig, Bislig, Tagbina, Barobo, Hinatuan, Lianga, and San Agustin in the province of Surigao del Sur. Surseco 1 is the seventh electric cooperative to choose Hedcor’s renewable energy in Mindanao. Hedcor was also the power generator of choice of Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperatives 1 and 2, Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative, Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative, Siargao Electric Cooperative, and Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative.

World North Korea discussed in phone call WASHINGTON―Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump discussed the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear program in a phone call Thursday, in which the US president took the unusual step of thanking his Russian counterpart for praising America’s economy.

The two heads of state discussed “the situation in several crisis zones, with a focus on solving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula,” the Kremlin said in a statement, without elaborating.

The White House said the two “discussed working together to resolve the very dangerous situation in North Korea.”

But Trump’s thanks to Putin took top billing in the US statement.

“President Trump thanked President Putin for acknowledging America’s strong economic performance in his annual press conference,” it said.

Earlier in the day, Putin told his press conference: “Look at how the markets are reacting, they are growing. This shows confidence in the American economy. With all due respect to (Trump’s) opponents, these are objective facts.”

The pair have lavished praise on each other in the past, with commentators describing their cozy relationship as a “bromance.” AFP

B3

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

National sex-abuse inquiry says Australia failed its children SYDNEY―Australian institutions “seriously failed” children in their care with tens of thousands sexually assaulted, the final report from a five-year inquiry said Friday as it recommended that celibacy among Catholic priests be voluntary to help curb abuse.

The government ordered the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2012 after a decade of

pressure to investigate widespread allegations across the country.

The commission was contacted by more than 15,000 survivors who detailed claims of child abuse involving churches, orphanages, sporting clubs, youth groups and schools, often dating back decades.

It heard horrific stories during often confronting and emotionally exhausting public and private hearings.

In total, more than 4,000 institutions were accused of abuse, with many of them Catholic-managed facilities.

“Tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions. We will never know the true number,” the final report said.

“Whatever the number, it is a national tragedy, perpetrated over generations within many of our

most trusted institutions.”

It said abuse occurred in almost every place where children resided or attended for educational, recreational, sporting, religious or cultural activities.

And it was not a case of a few “rotten apples”.

“Some institutions have had multiple abusers who sexually abused multiple children,” it said.

“Society’s major institutions

Separatists keep the faith B

ARCELONA―Voters like David Hornos drove separatist parties to success in Catalonia’s last election in 2015, giving them an absolute majority of seats in the Spanish region’s parliament for the first time.

But even though the Catalan government failed to achieve independence as promised―and some of its leaders ended up in jail or left the country because of their efforts― he still plans to vote for a separatist party at the elections set for Thursday.

“I understand that some may feel disappointed but no one said it would be easy,” Hornos, 50, a teacher of Spanish to foreigners in Barcelona, told AFP. “Maybe they should have been more realistic and had more foresight to anticipate the strong reaction from the Spanish government. But I am not going to point the finger at the (separatist) leaders, especially when they are in jail or in exile.”

Hornos is not alone in sticking by separatist parties.

Polls put support for Catalonia’s three separatist parties at around 45 percent, down just slightly from the 47.8 percent

‘Weinstein smeared actresses’

W E L L I N G TO N ― O s car-winning director Peter Jackson on Friday accused Harvey Weinstein of orchestrating a smear campaign decades ago against actresses who have since come forward to accuse the disgraced producer of sexual harassment.

Jackson worked with Weinstein and his brother Bob early in the development of “The Lord of the Rings”, saying the pair acted like “secondrate Mafia bullies”.

The New Zealand director said he had no direct knowledge of the sexual misconduct allegations against Weinstein but the producer pressured him not to hire Ashley Judd or Mira Sorvino.

Both actresses were among the first to publicly accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct. AFP

have seriously failed. In many cases those failings have been exacerbated by a manifestly inadequate response to the abused person.

“The problems have been so widespread, and the nature of the abuse so heinous, that it is difficult to comprehend.”

More than 2,500 referrals have been made to police, with 230 prosecutions under way. AFP

CONCERT. Fans attend the “Live at the Atrium” Holiday Concert Series in Partnership with KIISFM Presented by Westfield Century City in Century City, California. AFP

score in the 2015 election.

That would give them 66 to 67 seats in the 135-seat Catalan regional parliament, one short of the absolute majority of 68 seats needed to control the assembly. They won 72 seats in the 2015 election.

Madrid ejected Catalonia’s regional government and called new elections after the parliament’s October 27 declaration of independence―a move no country has recognized.

Most of the Catalans who in “good faith believed separatism was possible, continue to believe in it and will take time to react” to the failure of the independence drive, said Joan Botella, dean of politics at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

The separatist cause has “two million supporters and they will not be converted overnight; it is very hard for people to admit they were tricked,” he said. AFP

South Korea outraged by journalist’s beating in China War-crimes judges to award SEOUL―South Korean news media on Friday expressed outrage after Chinese security guards beat and severely injured a South Korean photojournalist covering President Moon Jae-In’s visit to Beijing.

Opposition parties and internet users joined in, saying the incident epitomized the Asian giant’s attitude towards its smaller neighbor.

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party urged Moon to call off his four-day state visit and return home immediately, saying the violence was a “terror attack against the whole of South Korea”.

The photographer was thrown to the floor and kicked, reportedly suffering fractured facial bones and ruptured vessels in an eye, as Chinese security personnel stopped South Korean photographers following Moon’s delegation at a trade show.

“Mistreatment of President Moon

and lynching of a Korean journalist ― This is the Chinese Dream”, the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea’s largestcirculation daily, headlined its editorial, referring to President Xi Jinping’s promise of prosperity and influence.

Chosun and other newspapers noted Moon had his first three meals in China without any Chinese officials on hand, with a lunch with Premier Li Keqiang unilaterally scrapped.

He was greeted by an assistant minister when he landed, while Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was welcomed last year by Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Chosun said the perceived diplomatic slight and the violence against a member of Moon’s presidential press corps were “not accidental” and were driven by “China’s arrogant and violent nature” and “Seoul’s subservient attitude”.

“This rudeness China exhibited to-

ward the South Korean presidential entourage is the very nature of the Chinese Dream,” it added.

The English-language Korea Times called it “an appalling use of force by Chinese security”.

“We are dumbfounded and enraged at such violence against visitors... We are outraged by the rude welcome”, it said.

Internet users also reacted angrily.

“China trampled upon Korea and the whole Korean people,” one said in a posting.

But others said many Korean photojournalists are overly eager to get the best possible images and often cross cordons, sparking trouble with security guards.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Thursday that while the trade show had been organized by the South Korean side, “if someone is hurt, of course we are concerned about that”. AFP

Thousands of wild boars thrive in German capital

RECORDING ARTIST. Recording Artist The Dream attends Detroit Pistons vs Atlanta Hawks game at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP

BERLIN―They have coarse bristles, huge heads with tiny eyes and protruding tusks and, occasionally, a really bad temper.

Thousands of wild boars call Berlin home, where they dig up gardens, cause road accidents and rampage through neighborhoods.

Especially on the outskirts of the leafy German capital, people have had to learn to live with the massive omnivores.

“Many people tell me: wherever I go, I see wild boars,” said Derk Ehlert, a Berlin municipal wildlife specialist.

The population is estimated to hover around 3,000, he said, but sightings are becoming more common.

While their numbers have remained steady, their behavior has “changed enormously,” he said.

There are regular reports of joggers and dogwalkers encountering the beasts that can move their bulky bodies at 40 kilometers an hour.

Wild boars have even been spotted in the very heart of the city, with two animals, possibly injured in road traffic, charging through Berlin’s busy Alexanderplatz shopping square.

Daytime sightings are becoming ever more common, said Ehlert, likely because “they are no longer so fearful.”

The metropolis, sometimes dubbed the “wild boar capital” by local media, has long been a haven for all kinds of wild animals. AFP

child soldiers compensation

THE HAGUE―International war crimes judges will hand down on Friday landmark reparations to former child soldiers conscripted into a Congolese militia about 15 years ago, who were left brutalized and stigmatized by their horrific experiences.

Warlord Thomas Lubanga, 56, was found guilty in 2012 at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of abducting boys and girls and pressganging them into his Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) in the eastern Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He was jailed for 14 years, and has been transferred to a prison in the DR Congo to serve the rest of his sentence.

The judges also ruled that Lubanga was personally liable for the compensation due his victims, who at the time of the crimes in 2002-2003 were all under 15, with some as young as 11.

But the question of how to calculate the value of a lost childhood, which descended into a fog of violence, bloodshed and chaos, is one that has bedeviled the courts.

With the passage of time, many of the victims are now in their 30s and have children of their own.

“How do you calculate a lost youth? What it is worth? A million, half a million, five thouManila

Standard

sand euros, a thousand euros?” lawyer Luc Walleyn asked the tribunal in The Hague during hearings in 2016.

Many of the girls forced into the militia’s ranks became sex slaves and returned home with babies.

The nongovernmental organization Child Soldiers International, which works to stop children being used in conflicts, said girls they had interviewed in DR Congo recounted “indescribable hardships, loneliness and terror―including daily threats of death”.

Many rehabilitation projects have focused on helping victims to become independent financially, by learning to sew or raise cattle. But they have not always proved the most efficient.

Being able to finish their schooling was “the most ardent wish of the girls, and the most powerful factor in promoting their social acceptance”, the group said in a court submission.

“The main issue for these girls were the stigmatization and rejection when they came back home,” Sandra Olsson, project manager for Child Soldiers International, told AFP. “The first thing wasn’t the fact that they needed to learn how to sew, to earn a living. The main thing was that neighbours, family, old friends would not talk to them.” AFP

GENERAL NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

OF TODAY LOURDES T. ECHAUZ HOLDINGS INC.

To the Public: Please be advised that Lourdes T. Echauz Holdings Inc., with principal office at Unit 1506, Security Bank Center, 6776 Ayala Avenue, Makati City has been dissolved as per shareholder and director Board resolution dated 14 October 2013 entered in the notarial book of Atty. Delfin R. Agcaoili, Jr. with document no.473, Page no. 48, Book No. 446, Series of 2013.

All debts owed to the corporation and all claims against the corporation, will be received

by Mr. John B. Echauz at the business address set forth above.

(SGD) JOHN B. ECHAUZ Asst. Treasurer LOURDES T. ECHAUZ HOLDINGS INC. (MS-DEC. 16,23 & 30, 2017)

Trucks &Buses

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

B4

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

The installation of speed limiter device in trucks and buses will avoid high speed crashes such as this incident which killed scores of innocent commuters

‘Govt must enforce speed limiter law’ Tata Motors opens in Isabela province

Text by Dino Ray V. Directo III

W

ITH the recent tragic accidents involving trucks and buses, the question most commuters ask is :When will the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) enforce Republic Act 10916, otherwise known as the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016?

In accordance with RA 10916, the speed of trucks and passenger buses will be reduced from 60kph down to 50kph along major thoroughfares.

Areas covered by the speed limit are EDSA, Commonwealth Avenue, Quirino Avenue, Roxas Boulevard, CP Garcia Avenue, Taft Avenue, South Luzon Expressway, Shaw Boulevard, Ortigas Avenue,

Magsaysay Avenue, Rizal Avenue, A. Bonifacio Avenue, Marcos Highway and McArthur Highway.

According to the MMDA, vehicular accidents in major roads involving trucks and buses can be attributed to overspeeding.

Covered vehicles of the Speed Limiter Act are closed vans, hauler or cargo trailers, PUV, Shuttle Service, Tanker Trucks. The Speed Limiter is a device used to limit the top speed of a vehicle through the installation of a mechanical, electronic or communications system of the combination of these systems or similar devices performing the same function.

The Metro Manila Council, composed of Metro Manila Mayors and other officials recently approved the enforcement of the speed limiter act.

However, full enforcement of the law will be next year because the resolution has yet to be signed by the Metro Manila Mayors. The MMDA will also have to coordinate with the LTO and the LTFRB regarding this matter.

The LTO and the MMDA is optimistic that with the enforcement of RA 10916 early next year will greatly decrease the incidents of accidents involving trucks and buses.

The dangers of surplus trucks and buses The tragic accident in Tanay, Rizal involving a passeger bus, and a cargo truck in Marikina also raised the issue about the reliability of second hand bus and truck units.

Investigations into the Tanay crash raised serious questions about the actual age of the Panda Bus, which opened a can of worms revealing problems in the country’s vehicle registration process. Local officials admitted that the government lacks a fully functioning motor vehicle inspection system that would ensure the roadworthiness of trucks and buses.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 1.2 million road traffic deaths occur every year globally. Road crashes are now the leading cause of deaths among young people aged 15 to 29. The University of the Philippines National Center for Transportation Studies (UPNCTS) released a study in 2014 that states bus passengers are six times more likely to be involved in a road crash than car passegers and five times more than the jeepneys, taxis and UV Express passengers.

Metal FRESH

PILIPINAS Taj Autogroup, Inc. (PTAJ), the exclusive distributor of India’s LARGEST Automaker, Tata Motors, has opened their tenth dealership.

This new dealership, operated

by Auto Ten Trade and Services, shall offer the entire product line of Tata Motors from its efficient passenger cars up to the reliable and durable trucks and buses. Tata Motors Isabela also provides after-sales support for both service and spare parts. Strategically located in Region II, this 1,500-square meter dealership has a showroom that can display four vehicles and a service workshop having six workbays.

Present in the grand opening ceremony were Auto Ten Trade and Services General Manager, Mr. Neil Carlo Federizo, PTAJ President, Mr. Jon Fernandez, Jr., Technical and Engineering Division Head, Engr. Ramil Mendoza, Parts and Service Division Head, Mr. Fidel Portillo, Vice Mayor Charlita Mariano, and Mayor Lynn Zuniega as the guest speaker.

“We at Tata Motors Isabela

Give your truck some attitude with alloy wheels Mr. Guneet Singh of Tata Motors Limited, Mr. Jon Fernandez, Jr., President of Pilipinas Taj Autogroup, Inc., Ms. Rochelle Pasis of Auto Ten Trade & Services, Vice-Mayor Charlita Mariano, Mayor Lynn Zuniega, and Mr. Neil Carlo Federizo General Manager of Auto Ten Trade and Services.

are ready to cater to not only the Isabela Province but to other provinces as well. We have dedicated personel to attend to every customer whether it may be regarding sales, service, or spare parts” shared by Mr. Neil Carlo Federizo. “The North Luzon Market has so much potential especially in commercial vehicles especially Isabela since it is the second largest province in the country. This is why we value this market

so much and decided to put up a new 3’S Tata Motors dealership. We believe our vehicles can help contribute to the livelihood of our kababayan’s here” said Mr. Fernandez.

Tata Motors Isabela is located in NCF Prime Compound, Purok 2, Brgy. Taringsing, Cordon, Isabela and is open from 8:00 to 6:00 pm Monday to Saturday. You can contact Tata Motors Isabela at (078) 6820451.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippinessecures 270unit truck deal with MetroPac Movers Inc.

From left: Koichiro Ito - MFTBC Int'l Sales Operations SEA, Tomohiro Suzuki - GM, Market Management FUSO SEA, Shigeru Ogura –MMPC EVP Marketing, MutsuhiroOshikiri - MMPC President & CEO, Atty. Marilyn A. Victorio-Aquino – MMI CEO &President, RamilBacalangco - GM MetroPac Trucking, Armand R. Alfonso –Trucking Pro President, Jerome B. Cabanos–DMC Fuso Quezon Ave. Vice President, Dante C. Santos - FUSO FVP & Deputy Div. Head

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) has recently turned over a fleet of FUSO trucks to MetroPac Movers Inc. (MMI), one of the biggest cargo transport and logistics companies in the country today. MMI, a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Investments Group has purchased a total of 270 FUSO trucks specifically 177 Canter FE71s, 23 units of the FIV1P 6-wheeler medium duty truck and 70 units of the FJY1W 10-wheeler rigid truck.

According to Mr. Armand Alfonso, President of Trucking Pro - a subsidiary of MetroPac Movers, Inc., they have chosen FUSO to be their partner in business due to its strong history of reliability and quality.

This recent purchase by MMI is an indication of the Philippines’ robust commercial vehicle industry. In fact, FUSO truck sales have increased 44% compared to the same period last year. “With this growing demand, trust that we will continue to offer superior products relevant to the needs of the market while putting customer satisfaction at the center of our goals at all times”, said Mr. MutsuhiroOshikiri, MMPC President and CEO.

ALCOA, the inventor and global leader of forged aluminum wheels, rolled out the most advanced aluminum wheel alloy in 45 years.

The new material opens the door for lighter weight wheels at increased strength with the same corrosion-resistant characteristics as the industry standard, also made by Alcoa.

“Alcoa is making truck wheel history with our innovative aluminum material,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “No manufacturer has produced a wheel with an alloy superior to Alcoa’s 6061 material. Our MagnaForce alloy wheels open the door to production of the strongest, lightest wheels to increase fleet payload, improve fuel efficiency and enhance sustainability.”

Alcoa has been the industry leader since inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948 using an alloy it had developed for the aerospace industry. In 1968, Alcoa set the industry standard again when it launched its 6061 alloy for forged aluminum wheels. Alcoa’s 6061 material provided a strong, durable alloy, resistant to corrosion that is used to this day by all major forged aluminum wheel manufacturers. During that time, Alcoa’s experts have continually met increasing demands for lighter weight wheels, engineering products that today are 10 pounds lighter than wheels from 20 years ago, using the same alloy.

About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation

Products Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged aluminum wheels, premium products such as Dura-Bright®, Dura-Flange®, LvL ONE® and M-Series™ medium duty truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modernday aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 125 years. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. It employs 1,500 people at 13 locations worldwide.

In the Philippines, Alcoa is exclusively distributed by Pioneer Truck Parts and Equipment Corporation. Its showroom is located at 341 G. Araneta Avenue, Bgy. Santol, Quezon City. For inquiries you may call (02) 7131898; 788-2190 or you may log on to www. pioneertrucks.ph

Life

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

HealtH and environment

satuRday, decemBeR 16, 2017

C1

Upgrading residents’ lifestyle PLAY AREA. Residents may bond with their kids during their leisure time at the children’s play area in Amaia Skies and Amaia Steps residential

communities.

T

he main point of residing in a condominium—in the heart of a bustling metropolis—is to be close to your workplace or school. Whether you are a young professional and family man or a student living on your own, chances are you opted for condo living to suit your fast-paced lifestyle and gain access to leisure facilities, too.

This enhanced condo living experience is made possible by a proximity to a wide array of amenities, which is one of prospective buyers’ main considerations when choosing a place to nest. This is why top-of-mind real estate developer Amaia land Corp. welcomes its new residents to Amaia Skies and Amaia Steps with new cozy interiors and functional amenities, bringing the spirit and quality of A-development to more Filipinos.

Amaia Skies Cubao Tower 1, for instance, has already a multi-purpose hall swimming

pool and children’s play area wherein residents can spend leisure time or bond with their kids. Same amenities will soon be available on Tower 2. Upcoming project is the development of a basketball court. homeowners at Amaia Steps Sucat currently enjoy regular dips in their swimming pool, while down south, residents of Amaia Steps Mandaue have a children’s playground.

Petes Gamboa, head of Amaia land’s Innovation and design Group, points out that Amaia land’s amenities stand out because

of their functionality, while the design harmonizes with the environment, giving its projects a unique and homey feel.

“The design inspiration for the newly developed amenities has always been functionality. The architectural character was stripped of “purely aesthetic” elements, resulting in simple but elegant structures. The colors are neutral and muted to give it that ‘timeless’ look that would be relevant even years from now,” Gamboa says.

“The entire community was, in fact, planned to evoke a modern style and feel, which has been well accepted by the property market. A testament to this is how major competitors have started to emulate the designs in their respective projects,” he adds.

For other inquiries, please visit www. amaialand.com, like www.facebook. com/AmaiaLand on Facebook, or call 02-531-2234.

Swimming pool at an Amaia property

First Impressions Smart Living

By Romolo V. Nati

Displaced children from Marawi receive their learner’s kits

Recovery aid

for returning families in Marawi

World Vision commits to support early recovery efforts for Marawi as thousands of its displaced families start returning to the city.

“We will continue to stand with the people of Marawi, especially with the children who are at the heart of our response,” assures Rommel Fuerte, World Vision’s national director in the Philippines.

In coordination with the government, local partners and the conflict-affected communities, World Vision continues its humanitarian efforts to address the evolving needs of the affected people.

“We have started our post conflict assessments in some areas of Marawi. our next steps will be based on the result of the said activity. We will ensure the participation of the affected population and will continue to engage local partners in the implementation of early recovery interventions,” explains Ajab Macapagat, humanitarian and emergency Affairs director. World Vision targets to help at least 1,000 families in the city, focusing on livelihood, psychosocial and education interventions.

Following the Philippine President’s declaration of Marawi’s liberation from the armed groups, which attacked the city in May, the government continues to facilitate the homecoming of families to the cleared barangays or villages.

The five-month armed conflict has displaced about 400,000 people and affected more than 80,000 school-aged children. It has also disrupted the livelihood of more than 69,000 farmers and around 118,000 workforce.

Macapagat further explains, “The early days of the response focused on homebased IdPs in Iligan City, Balo-i and Munai in lanao del norte and lumbayanague, Marantao and Piagapo in lanao del Sur.

now that the government has cleared several areas in Marawi, the response will now shift in helping the families as they reintegrate themselves in the city.” raisa, 39, is one of the many displaced mothers who now face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from the rubble. She takes care of her three children and is also five-months pregnant.

“Some people were afraid of us after the Marawi crisis started so more than the relief items, it matters that people come here, talk to us and listen to us,” shares raisa.

She has been attending World Vision’s women and young child space (WaYCS) in the outskirts of Piagapo in lanao del Sur. “The 10-day WaYCS has also been a good venue for me to mingle with other mothers and get support as I take care of my children, especially the baby inside me,” she explains. her child, Hanzela, also joined the childfriendly space and was given a learner’s kit.

To date, the organization, through its local partners ecoweb, Mindanao Tripartite Youth Core (MTYC), rawaten, lanao Youth Council and Tapukan Farmers’ Movement for Progress and Concord, Inc. has reached at least 40,000 people through its multi-sectoral interventions.

About 20,000 children were served through setting up of 14 child-friendly spaces and provision of learner’s kits while 4,000 families or approximately 20,000 people were given hygiene kits that included toothbrushes, toothpaste, underwear for both children and adults, sanitary napkin, nail cutter, malong, bath and laundry soaps and other non-food items like mosquito net, fleece blanket and plastic mat. World Vision, through the departments of education and social welfare, has provided 12 temporary learning spaces and 1,000 5-gallon water.

When I first visited the Philippines, I had no preconceived notions about it, especially as an architect encountering its building styles and designs for the first time. Media have been so pervasive nowadays that it’s easy to have preconceived notions, even subconsciously, when visiting a new place. Cities and countries are depicted in film. Many products are branded together with visuals of their country of origin, and so we are made to feel that we have glimpsed Switzerland through an advertisement for chocolate, and glanced at Brazil through an ad for trendy rubber slippers. My previous exposure, however, consisted only of friendships with Filipinos I knew from overseas, and not of any notion of what architecture and design heritage I would find.

What I encountered was a complex and multi-faceted scene that draws from the distant past, the recent past, and a dynamic present. I have now been living and working in the Philippines for nine years, and it continues to engage me. I knew immediately that the Philippines was unique when I saw the wide range of styles that coexist.

There is Spanish heritage, which resonates in church architecture, and American influence in the planning of many neighborhoods, with single-family villas laid out in suburban style. There is also the heritage of Filipino master architects like Leandro Locsin, dating from the 1960s and ‘70s, in buildings like the CCP and its siblings.

Perhaps most intriguing to me was the explosion of allusions and references that fill the spaces in between, often sharply Turn to C2 A building’s style may represent a particular time and a particular aesthetic

Jojo Leviste and the author

Life

C2

saturday, december 16, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Zoom your way to whiter teeth

By Robbie Pangilinan

W

HITENING toothpastes may not work as well as they are advertised. It only works after a teeth whitening procedure.

“But if you really want to whiten your teeth, using only whitening toothpaste might work but the change is very minimal after using it for a long period of time,” said Dr. Sina C. Dabbagh, a Filipino-Persian dentist.

Teeth become discolored because of many reasons. Certain food and drinks like coffee, tea, colas, wines, and certain fruits and vegetables (for example, apples and potatoes) can stain teeth. Smoking or chewing tobacco can also have the same effect.

Of course, poor dental hygiene such as inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque and stain-producing substances can cause tooth discoloration. Even age is a factor because as one ages, the outer layer of enamel on teeth gets worn away, revealing the natural yellow color of dentin.

“Excessive fluoride either from environmental sources, meaning naturally high fluoride levels in water, or from excessive use like fluoride applications, rinses, toothpaste, and fluoride supplements taken by mouth, can cause teeth discoloration. Also head and neck radiation and chemotherapy, as well as certain infections in pregnant mothers can affect enamel development and cause tooth discoloration in the infant,” explained Dabbagh who is a resident dentist at Global Elite Dental Clinic .

But fret not, she assured. It is possible to have very white teeth. And it is not

that difficult.

Global Elite uses the most advanced laser-teeth whitening system, Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed, the No.1 patient-requested professional whitening brand. With clinically superior results and efficacy versus other professional whitening alternatives, WhiteSpeed is one of the fastest ways to create brighter, healthier smiles that patients will want to show off. When combined with the pH booster in the whitening gel, WhiteSpeed’s advanced blue LED light-activated technology greatly accelerates the whitening process, delivering dramatic results your patients will love in just one office visit.

After Zoom teeth whitening, Global Elite gives its patients a teeth whitening kit that they can use once a week or once a month to maintain their white teeth. Patients are also advised to avoid smoking and eating food that stains teeth.

The Zoom procedure is well worth it for pearly whites that bring confidence and a fashionable smile that never goes out of style.

You can have an Elite smile with the help of Global Elite Dental Clinic, Unit 2016 Centuria Medical Makati, Century City Kalayaan corner Salamanca, Poblacion, Makati, 1210 Metro Manila. Call (02) 7938633, 0917-8993548 for inquiries and appointments.

Global Elite Dental Clinic offers WhiteSpeed, a procedure that whitens teeth

WhiteSpeed ’s advanced blue LED lightactivated technology accelerates the whitening process

BPI Sulong

empowers Filipina migrant worker

USANA sets pace for bigger and bolder 2018

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, recently launched the second run of BPI Sulong, a learning program on financial management and entrepreneurship targeting overseas Filipino workers. The event was held in Hong Kong, which has a large population of Filipina migrant workers.

“As a leading Filipino financial institution, BPI—through the Foundation—is in a unique position to advance financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills among Filipinos, not just in the Philippines, but around the world,” said Maricris San Diego, executive director, BPI Foundation.

“Migrant workers, specifically domestic workers in Hong Kong, are among the most financially vulnerable sectors we have identified. Given their above-average salaries and desperation to improve the lives of their families, they are prey to loan sharks both here and abroad. We started BPI Sulong to reach out to these women and empower them with the discipline, perspective, and skills to uplift themselves as individuals and their families back home.

This way, they can make financially sound decisions, open more job opportunities for themselves, and maybe even start their own ventures here in the country, where they can be together with their loved ones.”

Since it started last year, BPI Foundation has already reached 500 overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong and 150 families in the Philippines. This year, it aims to expand to reach 1060 overseas Filipinos in Hong Kong and

their 250 families back in the Philippines.

Rowena Anggaco is a domestic worker in Hong Kong who, since having graduated from BPI Sulong, has already started her own business venture CROP Marketland Limited in her home province Kalinga, Apayao. With the financial management and entrepreneurial skills BPI Sulong has imparted to Anggaco, she is now able to handle the business while working in Hong Kong.

“I had worked in Korea and Hong Kong for several years but have never saved much,” Anggaco confessed. “Since my participation in the financial education course, I have improved my financial management and increased my savings. BPI Sulong gave me and my husband hope, financial skills, and a clearer timeline on when I can go home. Now with my business plan, we can cultivate our ancestral land for the Tanudan Tribe and make it productive.”

Anggaco designed CROP Marketland Limited as a one-stop show for agricultural needs, such as training and micro-financing of indigenous peoples. She developed her business plan while completing the BPI Sulong program and had received an award at the Sulong Entrepreneurship Business Plan Recital in Hong Kong.

Learn more about BPI Sulong program by following BPI Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BPIFoundation) or visit the official website (www.bpifoundation.org/

First...

As an Italian architect and designer now making my home in the Philippines, and as the CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation, what do I hope to contribute to all this? Perhaps this diversity of everyday architectural styles raises the question: what traits are universally desirable? In my own architectural practice, I underscore performance. A building’s style may represent a particular time and a particular aesthetic, but all built habitats ought to perform well.

As a design principle, this is not new. The bahay kubo performed by encouraging ventilation through the floors and walls.

The bahay na bato performed by melding the solidity of its stone foundations with the perforated facades of the second floor, always light and climate-appropriate even when built to be rock-solid.

Today, I believe that performance again calls for lightness and solidity. We live in a unique time when the Philippine economy’s rates of growth are the envy of the region.

Cities beyond Metro Manila will slowly but surely develop their own skylines and forge the characters of their new commercial and residential precincts. In this era, we build solidly for the future, and it often appears that the lightness is the real challenge. Can we leave a lighter footprint, not just lighter in consumption to benefit the planet, but lighter in inefficiencies, to benefit our everyday cityscape? Can we live closer to work, and yet manage the resulting density well? Can our homes and offices ventilate, shade, and power themselves? It is my hope as an architect, and a lover of the story of Filipino architecture, that smart design will answer all these questions in the positive.

From C1

USANA Philippines and Indonesia Vice President Aurora ‘Duday’ Gaston addressing the crowd at MOA Arena USANA (Usana Health Sciences, Inc.), one of the biggest cellular nutrition companies in the world, sees even bigger things happening next year.

“Two thousand eighteen will even be bigger, better, and bolder because of the launch of our newest products,” said Aurora “Duday” Gaston, USANA vice president for Indonesia and Philippines at the USANA All-Star event held at SM Mall of Asia Arena recently.

Close to 10,000 associates from all over the Philippines attended the event, which celebrated USANA’s 25 years in the worldwide market and almost nine years in the Philippines. It is also the recognition rites for outstanding associates.

In the same event, USANA also announced the Philippine launch of USANA Celavive, the premier skincare line with InCelligence Technology. USANA Celavive formulation is designed to activate the genes responsible for our body’s natural, beauty-preserving functions.

“We are excited about our most recent innovation, USANA Celavive. It is a gamechanger in the skincare industry with its groundbreaking technology that focuses on the human genes, instead of skin surface only,” said USANA Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Dan Macuga.

USANA Celavive will be available com-

USANA Celavive skincare line

mercially in February 2018.

USANA also highlighted its recent partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Sports Institute (PSC-PSI). The cellular nutrition company will provide some 300 elite national athletes with the following USANA supplements – Essentials, CoQuinone and Procosa. National athletes present at the event were triathlete Nikko Huelgas, brothers Rex (volleyball) and JC (basketball) Intal of volleyball, billiards superstar Rubelin Amit, and taekwondo athlete-coach Japoy Lizardo.

“As national athletes, it is of great importance to us to have the support of health companies like USANA - both morally and health-wise,” said Huelgas.

“We know that our company will continue to grow because of the hard work of our associates. Let us push for a meaningful 2018 for the healthiest family of all - the USANA family,” Gaston ended.

USANA is set to expand in four European countries namely Romania, Germany, Italy and Spain in 2018, increasing its global footprint from 20 to 24.

For more information, visit www.usana.com.

contrasting. Even fast food restaurants are built in starkly contemporary styles, and may share the street with a church bedecked in baroque flourishes. Some high rises may be of steel and glass, while neighboring ones are topped with cupolas or accented with Grecian columns. The colonial design heritage of many churches is often echoed

by Mediterranean influences in spaces as commonplace as commercial centers or expressway rest stops.

What can we make of this eclectic mix? Is this freedom and diversity an asset to celebrate? Or is it a disarray that begs for order? In my opinion, the matter is subjective, and there is no right answer. One possible perspective, however, is that every-day Philippine architecture has taken the same turn as painting, and many other Filipino art forms.

Visual art in the Philippines was once inspired almost exclusively by religious themes. Over time, however, this orthodoxy eroded, and the result was an explosion of different experimentations and styles, so that Filipino visual art now covers a range of disparate forms as varied as Philippine architecture. Religious art is still present, though no longer devoid of irony. The subject matter of local contemporary art is as varied as a modernist restaurant down the street from a terracotta-roofed villa and glassfronted shop. Both art and architecture are vibrant and far from regularization.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

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Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

How Baeby Baste’s Mom spends time with family K

EEPING A CLOSE Family tie is tough nowadays. Spending quality time is important to connect better with children.

Sometimes one needs to be creative to ensure a deep, strong family bond.

Mommy Sheila Granfon, mother of the cheeky child star Baeby Baste of the popular noontime show Eat Bulaga on GMA 7, said she will never compromise family time for anything else.

She shared how they usually spend a meaningful time together for all the members of the family.

“As a mom, I am always hands on when it comes to taking care of my children and husband. I make it a point that what happens in the house is always quality time,” Mommy Sheila narrated.

Home is where the Granfons spend their bonding moments. “We bake together or watch movies or videos on television. We play house.

Hindi nawawala yun,” she added.

Yet nothing is sweeter than sharing your favorite snacks with members of the family during these precious moments.

“My kids love spaghetti with toasted slices of bread.

Mommy Sheila Granfon with child star Baeby Baste share how they usually spend a meaningful time together

Spaghetti and NeuBake Super Slice go very well. ‘Yun po ang ka-partner ng spaghetti nila.

Sometimes I put butter on the bread,” she said.

Mommy Sheila also underscored the importance of education for her children.

Despite her son’s showbiz status, she makes sure that Baste goes to school like everyone else.

Just recently, Baste started to attend one-on-one sessions in a school in Quezon City. He goes to school after Eat Bulaga and

spends at least one hour and a half in the school. Then once a month, Baste would meet his classmates for recognition day.

Mommy Sheila narrated how Baste was during the first few days of school, “Baste cried. We tried to overcome his separation

anxiety. His elder brother Sam is quite independent. Some people suggest that Baste should be home-schooled, but I want him to go to a real school.

For Baste’s baon, the child star loves egg sandwich. “He enjoys NeuBake Super Slice with egg

and cheese. He’s happy with it. He also likes it when it is toasted and crunchy,” his mom revealed Mommy Sheila says NeuBake Super Slice is so affordable and convenient for her family. For a morning person like her and her husband, a casual meal consisting of Neubake Super Slice bread and coffee is enough.

“Sometimes when I’m in a hurry, I just bring a pack of NeuBake Super Slice in the car then we bring spread for the bread,” she said.

Rehearsing for Baste’s number has also become a bonding time for the family.

“While cooking, I would sing the song that Baste would perform in Eat Bulaga. Then I would repeat it several times.

For big events, Baste and I would lock ourselves in the room to rehearse so there would be no distractions.”

Baste is also a responsible gadget user, according to his mom. “He has a gadget. But when I tell him it’s time to sleep or rest, he would turn over his gadget to me.”

Mommy Sheila, however, has a different opinion when it comes to adults using gadgets. She believes that they should limit the time in using cellphones or computers when spending time with the family.

“If you think you are spending more time with your cellphones or gadgets than your family, then stop! Nawawala na yung quality time for them.

Parents should also allot a time limit for themselves when using gadgets,” she said.

Kapamilya remains network of choice

Festival of Windows at PETA Theater Center

PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION

launches weeklong advocacy festival IN CELEBRATION of its 50th anniversary, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) recently opened its doors with the Festival of Windows, a weeklong advocacy theater gathering at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

PETA brought together artists and practitioners to discuss ideas, practices and emerging trends in theater that are developing within the socio-political and cultural environment.

Magdalena de Leon, Chairperson of Theaters Arts and Production Design at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), led a dialogue on social development through the arts in cooperation with schools and communities.

In her talk, De Leon focused on the series of workshops that the

College offers for the community theater program at the De La Salle-Andres Soriano Memorial College (DLS-ASMC) in Toledo City in the island of Cebu. Under this scheme, selected faculty, alumni and students visited underprivileged schools to teach modules in dance, scriptwriting, directing, acting, and set and costume design.

“We planned how we can engage affiliate schools within the De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) to help them in terms of performing arts,” she said.

After the workshops, the DLSASMC students created their own performances and successfully mounted productions. They have likewise formed a dance troupe for the school.

De Leon said DLS-ASMC is ready to launch a Toledo Arts

Festival, with the pupils utilizing what they have gained from the modules Benilde offered. “What they hopefully learned from us, they will be able to share it to the rest of their community.”

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde also held similar sessions on theater with the wards of Asrama Butitin, a hostel complex in Nabawan, Sabah, for the underprivileged boys and girls assisted by Lasallian brothers in Malaysia.

The facility offers lodgings for 70 youths to enable them to study away from their original remote villages.

“Our students will be encouraged to apply their knowledge to help the less fortunate, and our other brothers and sisters to pursue their dreams,” she ended.

ABS-CBN is still the most watched network in the country for relevant news and values-laden stories in November after it garnered an average audience share of 46 percent, or 12 points higher versus GMA’s 34 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

The Kapamilya network beat its rival network in every part of the country, particularly in Mega Manila where it scored an average audience share of 37 percent, compared to GMA’s 34 percent, and in Metro Manila where it registered 41 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent.

ABS-CBN also captivated viewers in Total Luzon as it hit 44 percent while GMA only got 35 percent; in Total Visayas as it recorded 54 percent, compared to GMA’s 27 percent; and in Total Minadanao where it garnered 49 percent, beating GMA’s 34 percent.

Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (41.1 percent) ruled the list of the most watched programs in November as the series took the action up a notch, as Cardo (Coco Martin) prepared to face his mortal enemies to avenge his son’s death.

Viewers also tuned in to the revelations in La Luna Sangre (33.8 percent), which recently impressed audiences with the thrilling confrontation scene between Malia (Kathryn Bernardo) and Jacintha (Angel Locsin) and drew praises from netizens.

TV Patrol (33.7 percent) also remained as the most watched newscast in the country with its timely news and public service.

The talented kids of Little Big Shots also impressed viewers for the whole month as the show recorded 30.2 percent.

Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona’s comeback series Wansapanataym Presents: Jasmin’s Flower Powers (29.8 percent), which premiered last month, instantly captivated and brought lessons to viewers.

MMK 25 (27.1 percent) also remained as a source of

inspiration through the reallife experiences of its letter senders.

The gripping scenes of Wildflower (25.5 percent), on the other hand, kept audiences on the edge of their seats, as the face-off between Lily Cruz (Maja Salvador) and Helena Montoya (Zsa Zsa Padilla) continues to intensify.

Also part of the list are comedy shows Home Sweetie Home (25.3 percent) and Goin’ Bulilit (23.4 percent), which continue to bring laughter and good vibes to viewers nationwide.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also ruled across all time blocks, particularly in primetime where the Kapamilya network recorded an average audience share of 51 percent, or 19 points higher compared to GMA’s 32 percent.

ABS-CBN also ruled the morning block with an average audience share of 41percent, compared to GMA’s 31 percent; the noontime block with 47 percent, beating GMA’s 34 percent; and afternoon block with 42 percent, while GMA only got 40 percent.

RATINGS GAME WINNER. Kapamilya top-rating shows in November based on the viewership

data from Kantar Media

A ROOF OVER PIA’S HEAD Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017

8990 Holdings stays ahead of the curve

Mass housing builder sets P3-B capex for 2018 PIA Wurtzbach, Ms. Universe 2015, is now a proud Century Properties homeowner. Speaking at a recent contract signing with (from left) talent manager Jonas Gaffud; Century Properties chief operating officer Marco R. Antonio; and chairman and CEO Jose E.B. Antonio, Wurtzbach said she considers property ownership a major accomplishment after years of living in rented apartments while she worked hard to build a career in modeling, and tried her

luck in beauty pageants.

“It is definitely a milestone because this is the first time I am having a property to myself,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to decorating her new space at Century City, Makati with neutral and warm tones, just like “how she wants it to be.”

Wurtzbach joins fellow brand ambassador, actor Piolo Pascual. From 33 launched buildings since 2012 with gross floor area totaling 1.43 mil-

lion square meters, Century Properties Group has completed 16 buildings with gross floor area of 792,000 square meters as of year-end 2016.

This is on top of the 19 buildings it completed from its founding principals’ prior development firms. Recently, the company launched its first horizontal development in its leisure and tourism portfolio: the 54-hectare Batulao Artscapes in Batangas, Philippines.

PEOPLE-LISTENER. 8990 Holdings COO Willy Uy (4th from left) shares his company’s way forward to the business press.

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990 Holdings Inc. chief operating officer Willy J. Uy has always been a housing man. After working for PHINMA Corporation™ for 36 years, he learned the virtues of steady patience in the cyclical business of real estate development “The business is about striving to reach above and beyond your limits, strategizing, working efficiently to sell, producing high quality products—but most of all, it’s integrity. It comes from the heart,” he told the Manila Standard during a press lunch hosted recently by 8990 Holdings.

Latching on to the right formula “I was never an architect or engineer; I never knew anything in property development,” confessed the marketing management graduate from De la Salle University. “All I did was listen to people, attend meetings, learn from those knowledgeable people, and always, always network.

You’ll eventually find the right formula,” he said.

Uy worked in PHINMA fresh out of college at an entrylevel position, doing project studies and urban planning, before moving on to become treasurer of the PHINMA Properties holding company. In 1997, one of the company founders admired his vision for growth across the Philippines, and Uy eventually worked his way up to President and CEO. Uy moved to 8990 Holdings, a mass housing developer, in 2016 and assumed a more active role in the company’s operations when chief executive officer Januario Jesus Gregorio B. Atencio III stepped down from his post several months later.

Under Atencio’s watch, the company built a total of 50,370 housing units spread out across 50 projects. Its landbank stands at 655.55 hectares, including 191 hectares valued at P5 billion.

Acquisition binge Last year, 8990 Holdings targeted P10 billion in revenues, which generated a net income of P4 billion to P5.4 billion.

Uy said the company intends to allocate P3 billion in capital expenditures in 2018 to support the construction of its projects as well as the acquisition of land properties.

“We’re looking at P3 billion (for the whole 2018),” he said.

This is 50% higher than the P2 billion the company has allocated for projects in 2017.

8990 chief financial officer Roan Buenaventura-Torregoza said the funds will primarily be used for the construction of projects and land acquisitions.

“Mostly for the construction of high-rise. Pero on landbanking, we’ve just replenished yung land bank namin. Because our land bank strategy is 500 hectares at any given point in time. So replenishment,” Ms. Torregoza said.

At the same time, 8990 will be launching five projects

worth P60 billion in sales. These will be spread out in Cebu, Iloilo, Ortigas, and Davao with two projects lined up.

The company added that more projects may be launched next year depending on the processing of permits from regulators.

Regulatory pressure “It’s more driven by how fast the permits can come out.

Because now it’s quite long, although it’s more predictable now, it’s hard to say,” Uy said.

Uy revealed that 8990 Holdings will start selling units at its Ortigas project by the first quarter of 2018, as soon as the company secures the license to sell from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). So far, the company has signed a contract to construct six buildings within the area.

“We can start selling already. HLURB is quite strict: we just want to make sure that we have everything in place before we start accepting reservations,” Uy said.

The 8990 Holdings executive said the project will be similar in size to its Tondo development, where the company is currently constructing 13 residential buildings offering 13,212 condominium units and 2,226 parking lots.

The Ortigas project will also have a mall, which will begin construction in late 2018, as the company looks to take advantage of the market once residents start moving in the condominium.

The Ortigas avenue extension project involves the development of 33,000 condominium units in 12-storey buildings. It would have a full-sized community mall called Deca Mall.

Uy added they see potential mall developments complementing their housing projects.

“This is something we can’t wait to get into. As long as it can serve our market that’s big enough,” he said, adding the project may be replicated in other vertical developments with more than 10 buildings.

Keeping customers’ best interest at heart As 8990 Holdings’ main man, Uy’s responsibilities are maintaining the company’s progress and dealing with challenges, continuing to find growth opportunities, and looking for more places to develop properties.

With the mindset of a businessman, Uy says he constantly works on the difficult task of keeping the consumers’ best interests at heart. His company’s focus on integrity and affordability is just that, keeping in mind concerns of the high expense of real estate in urban areas, as well as the long and tedious commute city-goers often take to and from work. As leader of a major mass housing developer Uy’s work focuses on comfort over the high cost of living—making housing in the Philippines “more affordable with mass appeal.”

“With 8990 Holdings, “we build something to allow the majority of Filipinos something to truly aspire to—owning their own home.”

Queried on what foundation he bases his life and work on, Uy was quick to answer: “humility. That, and building relationships and projects with quality and integrity.”

HOLIDAY HOSTING TIPS. Designer Rocio Olbes-Ressano recently held a holiday-themed ‘At Home with Ethan Allen’ event at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), featuring various yuletide activities that bring fun to Christmas. Guests participated in holiday crafts, including customized gift wrapping, calligraphy for gift cards, and Christmas-themed centerpiece arrangements. Donors and guests got a front seat to Ethan Allen’s newest pieces and upcoming collection. A portion of the proceeds went to Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. “I love a classic and traditional holiday experience,” said Olbes-Ressano (Inset) ,who has been featured in various high-profile European publications such as Vogue Italia, Elle UK and Japan for her fashion work. “You cannot beat the classics, and the holidays are all about traditions. I do not do Christmas themes, but I simply lay out traditional décor to create the beautiful, wonderful holiday atmosphere,” she said.

CHILL SPOT IN KAPITOLYO. Rockwell

Primaries is doubling efforts to finish its first high-rise and integrated vertical development in Kapitolyo, Pasig City. The Vantage will have two high-rise towers with a mix of studio, one, two and three-bedroom formats, ranging from 29 sqm to 91 sqm. It will also have relaxing landscaping with terraces, a courtyard and a boardwalk, as well as swimming pools. And of course, the bustling ‘chill hangout’ district of Kapitolyo will be just around the corner, with its trendy dining places, spacious malls and upbeat cafes.

The Vantage will be turned over by 2020.

COOLING SOLUTIONS AT HVAC/R PHILIPPINES THE only trade show in the Philippines dedicated solely to the air cooling, ventilating, and refrigeration industry, HVAC/R Philippines, will be held from January six to nine, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, SM Mall of Asia Complex and World Trade Center Metro

Manila alongside PHILCONSTRUCT – the country’s largest construction show.

“We are excited to celebrate the 20th year of HVAC/R Philippines,” said Engr. Leandro Conti, president of the Philippine Society of Ventilating, Air-conditioning, and Refrig-

erating Engineers (PSVARE) – organizer of the event. The show started with only 10 exhibitors 20 years ago but now has thousands of participating brands not only from the Philippines, but from around the globe. One of them is Daikin (seen in photo), one of the

world’s leading air conditioning manufacturers and solution provider.

More air cooling manufacturers will be at at HVAC/R Philippines this January. Register at www.gesi.com.ph/hvacr. Online registration to visit the show is open until December 15

GREEN SPACES. Developer DMCI Homes is currently building the Celandine in A. Bonifacio

Avenue, Balintawak, Quezon City, a single 45-level tower amidst the ongoing urban redevelopment in the Cloverleaf interchange. The project combines design innovations and green spaces to give residents a breather at a time of urban living stress. These include amenities such as a linear park and themed gardens, roof garden, an expansive open lawn with grill pit areas,swimming pool complex, basketball court, gazebo, and fitness gym. To be completed in October 2021, the Celandine is one of the developments of DMCI Homes, known for building resort-inspired communities in Metro Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City.