Manila Standard - 2017 December 21 - Thursday

WEATHER

Pagasa tracking 3 weather disturbances THREE weather systems are affecting the country, which is preparing for Christmas Day on Monday next week, the state weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

In its 24-hour weather forecast, a trough of a low pressure area continues to affect the eastern section of Mindanao, bringing scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in that part of the country while the tail-end of a cold front is affecting the eastern section of northern and central Luzon.

In a related development, families affected

by Tropical Depression “Urduja” have now hit the 281,902 mark, equivalent to 1,090,725 persons, the

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National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said in its Wednesday update.

The affected families are from 1,706 barangays from Mimaropa and Regions V, VI, VII, and VIII and Caraga, NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said.

Of the figure, 11,715 families or 53,497 persons are still being served inside 235 evacuation centers while another 43,314 families or 171,411 individuals are being served outside.

Jalad said 64 persons were reported injured in Samar and Leyte while two missing in San Fernando, Romblon.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways is preparing the Next page

Rody bares ‘considerable’ pay hike for cops, soldiers SNAP TO ATTENTION. President Rodrigo Duterte pays homage to fallen Police Officer 3 Wilfredo Gueta (left) who earned the Order of Lapu Lapu Kalasag Medal, slain in a drug buy-bust operation in Pasig City. Earlier, the President also pays in this file photo his last respects to fallen Army Capt. Rommel Sandoval (right) before the body was flown to Manila from Cagayan de Oro City. Sandoval, company commander of the 11th Scout Ranger Company, was killed in action while rescuing a wounded soldier in Marawi City during the known Marawi siege which started in May. Malacañang Photo

Duterte declares truce with Reds Joma belittles 10-day Christmas ceasefire, calls it a ‘farce’

Use budget fast or lose it, agencies told

By John Paolo Bencito GOVERNMENT agencies that are slow to use their budgets will need to justify their underspending before President Rodrigo Duterte or risk having their allocations removed, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned Wednesday.

In a media forum, Diokno reported that as of Nov. 30, the government is on its Next page

By John Paolo Bencito

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday declared a unilateral ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, despite branding them as “terrorist organizations” earlier this month.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the suspension of military operations (SOMO) would begin Dec. 24 and end Jan. 2, 2018.

He said the government hoped the CPP-NPA would make “a similar gesture of goodwill.”

CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said

he doubted the sincerity of the government’s unilateral ceasefire.

“If it is true that the AFP and the PNP will not launch offensive actions, then the NPA has no one to attack,” Sison told Manila Standard.

“But it seems this SOMO is a farce. The NPA will remain on alert against attacks Next page

Canada, US host summit on NoKor nuke crisis OTTAWA―Canada and the United States announced Tuesday they will host a summit of foreign ministers in Vancouver on Jan. 16, including envoys from Japan and South Korea, to seek

progress on the North Korean nuclear crisis.

The so-called Vancouver Group will also include Australia, Belgium, Britain, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Greece, Luxembourg, The

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Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand and Turkey.

“We believe a diplomatic solution to the crisis is essential and possible,” Canadian Next page

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By John Paolo Bencito ONLY President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature is needed before the base pay of the police and the military can be increased across the board on the first payday of 2018, the Budget Department said Wednesday.

“The Senate President and House Speaker signed yesterday the joint resolution increasing the pay of military and other uniformed personnel in government,” Diokno said during the ‘Breakfast with Ben’ media forum in Manila.

“So by January that should start,” he said, noting that the President is expected to sign the joint resolu-

tion this week.

The President, during the 82nd Anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Wednesday, once again vowed to increase the pay for uniformed personnel beginning January 2018.

“There is a considerable increase in your salary,” Duterte said.

“I promised you I will double your salary. I told Congress to fulfill my promise because if that does not pass, I will resign,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

He also assured the soldiers that their children would get funding support for education until college.

“The government will support all your endeavors as Next page

Opposition solons decry zero infra outlay

By Rio N. Araja THE constituencies of at least 24 opposition lawmakers will not receive any allocation for their infrastructure projects under the 2018 General Appropriations Act, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said Wednesday.

“Zero allocations are projected to punish and silence opposition legislators even as it is their constituencies who are

deprived of the benefits of infrastructure development,” Lagman said.

He said the projects had been approved on third reading and were part of the 2018 budget but removed in the bicameral conference committee.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez confirmed that critics of President Rodrigo Duterte have been given no funding for their infrastructure projects, saying the

Navy chief sacked for ‘insubordination’ THE commander of the Philippine Navy was sacked for “insubordination” after he jeopardized a P15.5-billion ($308 million) project for two new warships, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Wednesday.

Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado was abruptly removed from office on Tuesday with mili-

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tary officials saying only that the surprise move followed “instructions from higher authorities.”

Lorenzana told reporters Wednesday he obtained permission from President Rodrigo Duterte to remove Mercado owing to the frigate project, which has been awarded to a South Korean shipbuilder. Next page

Next page DIOKNO

Top DAP executive gets the boot MALACAÑANG terminated on Wednesday the holdover appointment of Elba Siscar Cruz as president and CEO of the Development Academy of the Philippines, amid allegations of corruption hurled against her by her own employees.

“Considering that your Term of Office expired on 30 June 2017 and that you have been serving in the DAP Board in a holdover capacity, we now wish to inform you that, upon instructions of the President, your

service in such holdover status is hereby discontinued effective immediately,” letter addressed to Cruz.

Cruz was also directed “to turn over all official documents, papers, and properties in [her] possession to the proper office of the DAP.” Following her removal, the employees’ union thanked Duterte for “finally terminating” Cruz, saying it was the “best Christmas gift” they Next page could receive.

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Sandigan reduces bail of Napoles children

By Rio N. Araja THE Sandiganbayan has granted the appeal of two children of alleged pork-barrel-scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to reduce their bail and cut it to P5.57 million each from P22.3 million each.

The anti-graft court’s Third Division approved the consolidated motion filed by Napoles’ daughter Jo Christine and son James Christopher along with their uncle Ronald Francisco Lim on Dec. 15.

“The court, without underestimating the gravity and the number of the crimes herein charged, may exercise its discretion to fix or reduce the amount of bail bond based on the nature and the circumstances of the crimes charged to give substance and meaning to the constitutional right of the accused to bail,” the court said.

But the court rejected the plea of Napoles’ children and Lim to revoke the warrants for their arrest.

The Napoles siblings and their uncle were slapped with 97 counts of graft and 997 counts of misuse of public funds through the falsification of documents in connection with the P900-million Malampaya fund scam.

Earlier, the three respondents urged the anti-graft court to set their bail at P690,000 each, which would have been 97 percent lower than the recommended bail.

The court then reduced the bail for each count of graft to P7,500 from P30,000.

‘Aid rejected over HR criticisms’

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE West’s criticism of the government’s human rights record and not its efforts to rebuild Marawi City was the reason why the Philippines decided to drop its application for a second compact assistance from an independent American aid agency, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said Wednesday.

Diokno, a member of the President’s economic team, rejected the claims of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano who said the government wanted to channel resources instead for the war-torn city instead of implementing American for-

eign grants-in-aid aimed at reducing poverty.

“Marawi had nothing to do with the Millennium Challenge Grant,” Diokno told reporters.

At its quarterly meeting on Dec. 19, the board of the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation selected Timor-Leste for a

compact―MCC’s five-year grant program designed to spur economic growth and reduce poverty. It is MCC’s smaller grant program focused on policy and institutional reform.

MCC noted that the Philippines decided not to move forward on a second possible grant.

“The government of the Philippines has decided not to move forward with the development of a second MCC compact,” the US aid agency said in a statement posted in its website.

“MCC is proud of the achievements of our first compact with the Philippines, and both MCC and

TURNOVER. Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti (left) hands over a

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check worth P2,064,334,589.95 to the Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay. The amount represents the basic tax for real and other properties acquired of Pag-IBIG Fund.

leadership must give priority to projects of their allies who supported the President.

This approach is not new, Alvarez added, saying the previous administration did the same thing.

But Lagman scored what he said was a policy of vengeance.

“Vengeance, plus caprice equals zero allocations for authentic opposition representatives and other targeted legislators in the House of Representatives.

Steadfast critical dissent and perceived waywardness have left the respective constituencies of two dozen solons destitute of infrastructure projects under the 2018 GAA,” he said.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., also a member of the opposition, also lamented the zero-budget allocation.

“The unilateral removal of projects already approved

by Congress on third reading is an assault on democracy which rests on critical checks and balances,” he said.

“My constituents in Ifugao are taxpayers, too. The allocations would have improved the national roads to the rice terraces and poor upland communities. We in the opposition are not in Congress to obstruct, but rather our role is to raise a howl when [something] wrong is being committed and give praise when it is warranted.”

Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said the move “serves as fair warning to the rest of the House members that all must obey and support the move for a constituent assembly, no elections in 2019, and a shift to constitutional authoritarianism.”

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From A1 way to fully meeting its spending targets for the year at 94.5 percent, which “has not been done before,” but nonetheless admitted that there have been “laggard” agencies despite the government’s vow to eradicate underspending.

“I have submitted the list to the President,” the Budget chief said during the bimonthly ‘Breakfast with Ben’ forum in Manila. “Let’s see.

Part of it who are the hall of

nos without stress,” he said during the wake of a slain soldier in Pasig City.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the military would follow President Duterte’s directive regarding the suspension of military operations against the NPA. “I was actually adamant (on that), I did not recommend the cessation of military operations against the (NPA) but if the President declared (that)... we are going to implement and abide by the directive of the President,” he added.

The Philippine National

Police said it too will abide by the order as soon as it has officially received a directive from Duterte to stop police operations against the CPP-NPA. “The corresponding memo circular will be issued soonest so that all PNP units, offices and stations will be guided accordingly,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said.

The suspension of offensive military operations has been a customary move by both sides since the launch of formal talks in the late 1980s.

we realize a more resilient government. Your children will continue to go to school until college,” the President said.

The resolution will double the base pay of a police officer (PO) I in the Philippine National Police, a private in the Department of National Defense, and equivalent ranks in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Public Safety College, Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority.

Overall, the salary adjustments will result in a 58.7 percent average increase for all uniformed

personnel effective Jan. 1, 2018.

The Budget Department has already allotted more than P64.2 billion under the 2018 national budget.

Increases, however, are rank-sensitive, Diokno said, adding that the joint Congress resolution had clauses preventing the increase in pension rates, which will remain in their 2016 rates.

The proposed base pay hike is on top of the second tranche of the Salary Standardization (Executive Order No. 201, s. 2016), which increases the compensation of government employees, including military and uniformed personnel, Diokno said.

The net take-home pay will be much higher than the previous arrangement

since the Longevity Pay is tax-exempt, while the interim allowances (provisional and officers’ allowances) are subject to income tax. Tax-exempt collateral allowances (e.g., flying pay, sea duty pay, instructor’s duty pay, etc.) are expected to increase as well.

The increase in the compensation will be funded from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and from any available allotment in the respective budgets of the agencies concerned.

In 2016, the PNP and AFP received greater benefits due to an increase in the allowances through Executive Order No. 3, increasing the combat duty pay and combat incentive pay of soldiers and policemen.

famers and who are the hall of shame.”

Those who would belong to the negative list has a lot of explaining to do, Diokno said.

“They have to justify to the President because his instruction is you should use it or lose it,” Diokno said. “If you were given the budget and you did not spend it, you’ll lose your budget.”

From 2014 to 2016, the government failed to spend P302 billion (13.3 percent), P328 billion (12.8 percent) and P96.3 (3.6 percent) billion, respectively, Budget department data

showed.

President Duterte’s predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III, had been criticized for underspending that has in part held back growth.

In the same news briefing, Diokno said Duterte spent his confidential and intelligence funds “better than the past administrations,” as he defended the P2.5 billion intelligence and confidential funds lumped in the budget of the Office of the President.

“Previous administrations had some P500 million allocation. PNoy [former President

Benigno Aquino III] had P500 million as well. But at least President Duterte had more activities, don’t you think?” Diokno said.

“I think in terms of effectiveness, Duterte is more effective than the past administrations [in using the funds],” he added.

Diokno, however, turned to the President for queries on how he is spending his intelligence and confidential funds.

The Budget chief also gave assurances that the OP remains accountable to the Commission on Audit in its usage of the discretionary funds.

from the AFP and the PNP,” Sison added.

In a chance interview early Wednesday morning, Duterte said that he was considering the declaration of a Christmas truce “so Filipinos could celebrate Christmastime without stress.”

“Look, if I declare a ceasefire, it is not addressed to the NPAs. Rather, I would want to celebrate Christmas with the rest of humankind or Filipi-

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the United States are proud of our longstanding positive relationship.”

Diokno said the government had more than enough money to finance Marawi’s rehabilitation, but insisted it would continue to object to donors attaching conditions to their grants. “[The President] doesn’t want anything that would mean interference, imperialism with aid as they call it in the past,” Diokno said.

On Tuesday, Roque and Cayetano denied the move to withdraw their MCC application was due to concerns about the country’s spotty human rights record since Duterte took

office in 2016, nor a move to preempt a coming decision by MCC not to renew the Philippines for a fresh grant.

“Well, it’s not a loss,” Diokno said.

“If they don’t want [to give as a grant], fine, we have more than enough money,” he said in jest.

Diokno said had the government continued with its application, “it would be the people of Northern Luzon who would have benefited” from the grant.

The announcement for MCC’s second cycle of grants this month comes after the Philippines’ scores on rule of law and

corruption significantly dropped and received low scores in “controlling corruption” and “ensuring the rule of law.”

The MCC, an independent American aid agency created by the US Congress in 2004, annually comes up with a scorecard for each MCC candidate country, rating it in three policy categories: Ruling Justly, Investing in People, and Encouraging Economic Freedom.

The first MCC grant to the Philippines, amounting to $434 million, was allotted for infrastructure projects and took effect in May 2011 until May 2016.

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The DPWH advised travelers from Tacloban to take the Biliran-Cabucgayan-Caibiran-CulabaKawayan-Almeria-Naval Route in going to Naval and vice versa.

In Leyte, four road sections are still impassable which include BagahupiBabatngon-Sta. Cruz-Barugo-Carigara Road due to landslide; Jaro-Dagami-Burauen-Lapaz due to damaged spillway; Libungao-Matag-ob-Palompon Road and Kananga-Tungonan Hot Spring Road due to damaged pavement caused by flooding and landslide.

Nineteen incidents of landslides were reported along with 14 flooding and one capsized vessel in Mimaropa, Regions V, VI, and VIII. Jalad said 50 incidents of power outage were reported in 50 cities and towns in Calabarzon, Regions V, VII, VIII and Caraga.

Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Rizal and Northern Quezon, including Polillo Island will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms caused by the tail-end of a cold front.

Caraga and Davao region are affected by cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorm due to trough of LPA, while Ilocos region will have cloudy skies due to the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhille, “Urduja” is now at 540 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa, Palawan with maximum winds of 65 km/h and gusts of up to 80 km/h. PNA, Vito Barcelo

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program of works and reconstruction plans for the damaged roads and bridges in Leyte due “Urduja” but the agency is confronted where to source the P600 million for the repair and restoration projects.

A public works official who requested anonymity admitted the department had only P200 million remaining emergency fund for the quick restoration and reinstatement of roads and structures affected by calamities for 2017.

The DPWH said the estimated damage to national roads, bridges under DPWH was placed at P569.72 million which covers P541.7 million in Region 8; P26.5 million in Region 4-B; P1 million in Region 5; and P520,00.00 in Region 11.

In a press statement, the DPWH said roads in Mimaropa Region and seven road sections in Region 8 remain impassable after “Urduja” triggered landslide, damaged roads and bridges and spillway.

The DPWH is still clearing the affected section of the Sibuyan Circumferential Road in the province of Romblon which was closed due to washed-out Tinimbawan Bridge Detou, it said.

In Biliran, still closed to traffic due to landslide is the Naval-Caibiran Cross Country Road and BiliranNaval Circumferential Road due to four damaged bridges namely: Catmon, Caray-caray, Santol and Busali Bridges.

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From A1 Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland told a joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Tillerson said the meeting would seek to further increase pressure on North Korea to come to the table to negotiate an end to its nuclear program.

This could include “other steps that could be taken to put additional pressure on the regime in North Korea,” as well as preparing for the prospects of talks, he said.

“We [will] continue to find ways to advance the pressure campaign against North Korea,” Tillerson said, “to send North Korea a unified message from the international community that we will not accept you as... a nuclear weapons nation, and that all of us share one policy and one goal―the full complete verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.”

“It’s all intended to lead to talks. Otherwise we wouldn’t need to do this. We would just go straight to the military option,” he said.

“The White House supports diplomatic talks,” Tillerson added, dismissing suggestions of a rift between US President Donald Trump and his chief diplomat.

Freeland said Canada and the United States “are aligned with the rest of the world in our position that these provocative and illegal

acts cannot be tolerated. We fully support regional and international efforts to address the North Korean threat and the work of the UN Security Council.”

Throughout the afternoon, Tillerson and Freeland also discussed Canada-US border security, North American defense, energy and environmental cooperation, and the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which binds the two countries with Mexico to form the world’s second-largest trading bloc after the EU. They also discussed the plight of the Rohingya in Myanmar and “the potential for a peacekeeping mission” in Ukraine.

Freeland will travel to Ukraine to meet with government officials on Wednesday.

As well, said Freeland, she and Tillerson considered “the crisis in Venezuela and what actions we can take individually, together and in cooperation with the Lima group... to address the deteriorating political, economic and humanitarian situation there.”

Canada hosted foreign ministers of 12 countries of the Americas in October to try to find ways to cool the fierce power struggle that had been raging for months between President Nicolas Maduro’s left-wing nationalist government and the center-right opposition.

Later Tuesday, Tillerson was to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before heading back to Washington.

AFP

“I had to do it because he (Mercado) was jeopardizing the project,” said Lorenzana, who swore in a temporary navy flag commander in Mercado’s place on Tuesday.

The government signed a contract last year with Hyundai Heavy Industries to build two frigates to be delivered to the Philippine Navy in 2020 and 2021.

Lorenzana said the project was already several months behind schedule because the navy had failed to complete on time a “critical design review” on the vessels before the contractor could start work.

He alleged the Navy chief was delaying the project in order to force the government and Hyundai to award a separate contract for the warships’ “combat management system” to another foreign company.

“To me that is tantamount to insubordination,” Lorenzana added.

Mercado made it known he preferred a system offered by another company for operational reasons, Lorenzana said, while adding that the admiral is not under investigation for corruption.

Mercado, who has been reassigned to a subordinate navy post, has not responded to Lorenzana’s allegations in public.

The Philippine Navy has become run down in recent decades and even featured US craft from World War II until Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, begun a modest modernization program in 2010.

Manila has since acquired two former US Coast Guard cutters and three landing craft from Australia as the country became embroiled in a dispute with China over waters and islands in the South China Sea. But Duterte has since backed away from asserting his country’s maritime claims and focused on repairing ties with Beijing.

AFP, with Francisco Tuyay

Top...

From A1 Among the allegations they cited as reasons in their petition was her unauthorized organizational restructuring of the DAP that had resulted in additional costs and displacement of permanent Civil Service Commission appointees; her continuing threats to remove employees and personnel and to silence anyone who dared to question her policies and actions; and her alleged frequent personal and official travels.

The former DAP president was appointed to “serve the unexpired Term of Office that began on July 1, 2016 and ended on June 30, 2017.” John Paolo Bencito

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ISIS will not succeed in PH –Du30

By John Paolo Bencito

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IHADIST Islamic State fighters will not succeed in founding a “wilayat” or province in Southeast Asia, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed on Wednesday.

“We will not allow those who subscribe to the Daesh ideology to succeed. We will never allow the Islamic State to make the Philippines its regional center,” Duterte said during the 82nd anniversary celebration of the Armed Forces of the

Philippines.

The President cited the killing of Abu Sayyaf leader and supposed emir of ISIS in the Philippines, Isnilon Hapilon, as a major milestone in the government’s fight against terrorism.

“The success, along

with the recent neutralization of Isnilon Hapilon and his followers, further bolsters this administration’s firm thrust towards eliminating all terrorist groups in the country,” said Duterte.

While the government has already began rebuilding efforts of Marawi City, Duterte said he will be needing their help in purging the southern region of terror groups.

“Our fight is far from over. We will remain vigilant as we continue to intensify military operations

against the remaining terrorist groups,” he added.

He also thanked the military, police, and other uniformed personnel for their sacrifice to ensure the liberation of Marawi City, held for five long months

by ISIS-inspired terrorists.

“I now return the favor to our troops who made the supreme sacrifice, suffered injuries and went beyond the call of duty. Be assured that the government will support all of your endeavors as we realize a stronger and more resilient govern-

ment,” the President said.

“Do not worry about your families. Do not kill yourself just thinking of what will happen tomorrow,” he added.

Duterte, in his request to Congress for the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao for one more year, vowed for a “total eradication” of Islamic State-insipired terrorists and communist rebels, including their coddlers, supporters and financiers.

Remnants of Da’awatul Islamiyah, or the DIWM and their allies have been

monitored towards continuing with their plan to build a “wilayat” or province for the Islamic State in Southeast Asia—activities including recruitment and reorganization in Central Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of Maguindanao and North Cotabato and also in Sulu and Basilan,” Duterte said, as he cited continuing threats posed by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and Abu Sayyaf group carrying out acts of terrorism in various parts of the island.

‘More revenues up Subway project to start third quarter of 2018—DBM for priority projects’

By John Paolo Bencito

BUDGET department on Wednesday remained confident that it will be able to secure additional revenues for the administration’s priority projects, despite lowered target revenues to around P92 billion following the passage of Republic Act No. 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, the first phase of his administration’s comprehensive tax reform package (CTRP).

In a news briefing, Diokno said that should Congress passes the remaining provisions in the tax reform package include tax amnesty, tax administration, and amendments to the bank secrecy law—the government will be able to raise enough funds for the gov-

ernment’s infrastructure and human capital development initiatives.

“We are not really concerned about that, kasi nga there will be a package that will be tackled and we expect that to be approved in the first quarter of 2018,” he added.

On Tuesday, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said that Congress is set to pass a balance of one-third is expected to be passed by Congress in early 2018—involving provisions on the estate tax amnesty, a general tax amnesty, the proposed adjustments in the Motor Vehicle Users Charge and amendments to the bank secrecy law and automatic exchange of information.

METRO Manila’s first-ever subway project is expected to start its implementation as early as the third quarter of 2018, the Budget Department said Wednesday.

In a news briefing, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that feasibility studies for the 25.3-kilometer subway, connecting Quezon City to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City is already

being finalized and will start construction at the soonest time possible.

“The DOTr is expected to commence the project implementation of the Metro Manila subway project Phase 1 as early as third quarter of 2018,” said Diokno in the bi-monthly ‘Breakfast with Ben’ forum in Manila.

“The way we will do this is through design-and-build as these are among the few projects which will be not completed under Duterte’s term because

it takes about several years. But at least we can look forward to having a subway,” he added.

Financed through a Japanese Official Development Assistance, the P355.6-billion MMSPPhase 1 will comprise 13 stations, including a station in Naia, expected to cut commuting time by 31 minutes.

The subway is expected to accommodate around 370,000 passengers on its first year of operations.

Diokno said that the subway

is expected to start partial operations by the 4th quarter of 2025, while its target completion would be on 2027.

The subway project, among the key highlights of the administration’s ambitious “Build Build Build” program, includes 31 roads and bridges, 12 rail and urban transport, six air transport, four water transport, four flood management projects, 11 water supply and irrigation, four power projects, and three other public infrastructure projects.

Manila City Hall quizzed on ‘statue’

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Department of Foreign Affairs has formally asked officials of Manila City Hall and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to explain why a “Comfort Woman” statue was erected along Roxas Boulevard.

In an “extremely urgent” letter dated Dec. 12, DFA Assistant Secretary Millicent Cruz-Paredes asked the background and actual process before why and how the bronze statue was erected.

“Taking into account the sensitive nature of the comfort woman issue both domestically and bilaterally with Japan, the department requests for background information regarding the monument,” Paredes wrote.

Zubiri urges House to delay impeachment proceedings SAYING that the Senate needs to prioritize the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, Senator Miguel Zubiri asked the House justice committee to postpone the impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno until the second quarter of 2018.

The senator made the statement after the first hearing of

the Senate subcommittee on the BBL, which he chairs.

“I’m a bit nervous dito sa impeachment proceedings. I spoke to Cong. Umali the other day and I said ‘Chairman Umali, baka naman puwede n’yo na— kung magkakaroon talaga ng impeachment—na i-delay ninyo hanggang second quarter kasi napakarami pang mga batas ang kailangan natin pagdebate-

han,” he said.

Zubiri has committed to conduct marathon hearings to be able to submit the BBL AS A priority measure for plenary approval by March.

“Sabi niya [Umali], mukhang March naman daw talaga nila matatapos ‘yong hearings on the impeachment of Chief Justice Sereno so I said if that’s the case, we’ll fast track the hearings and

debates here in the Senate,” Zubiri said, referring to Oriental Mindoro Representative Reynaldo Umali.

Umali, chairman of the House justice committee, has been conducting hearings on the impeachment proceedings against the chief justice.

If Sereno is impeached by the House, the Senate would have to convene as an imment court.

Zubiri’s subcommittee is slated to conduct its next hearing on Jan. 18 next year. He expects that more Cabinet members will attend the deliberations.

He said he was “surprised” with the turnout of Cabinet members during the first hearing. .“I was of the feeling that this was a priority measure. The President mentioned this in all of his speeches,” Zubiri said.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Budget wise

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HE national budget is a complicated matter, and attempts to simplify it for the common man’s comprehension involve likening it to balancing finances for the household. In some cases the comparison is apt; in others, not quite so.

Certainly, there is virtue in underspending—using less money than programmed for a particular expense. An economical family always uses less money than it makes, resulting in savings which could be allotted for worthier pursuits or even an occasional, much-deserved luxury.

We were raised to believe that we should temper the urge to spend and save for a rainy day, which is bound to come one way or another.

The previous administration of President Benigno Aquino III appeared to take this matter to heart. Proclaiming that it championed fiscal prudence and transparency, it prided itself in spending even less than what was planned.

As a result, for instance, a pitiful fraction of Public-Private Partnership projects ever materialized. Instead of strengthening the tools it could use to prevent corruption at the bidding stages, in that regime chose to not go through with the projects altogether, compromising crucial infrastructure gains.

And then, funds that were saved

were repurposed into other means.

The trouble was that “worthy” was relative—what was good for some sectors were detrimental to others.

It is perhaps a tad self-serving, but Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte has been “more effective” in spending, specifically the confidential and intelligence funds. Of course, many would wonder -- what activities exactly are involved? Again, discretion is everything.

Another comparison would be in providing budget allocations to lawmakers for them to spend for their constituents. Opposition lawmakers however decried they did not get allocations from the signed 2018 budget. They characterized the move

as an “assault to democracy” and a combination of “vengeance plus caprice.”

This happens all the time, of course, but just because we are used to it does not make it any more right. Again, in comparison to a household, a conscientious parent does not give one child less financial support just because the child is not a favorite, or tends to disagree with the parents.

The budget is supposed to lay down the priorities of an administration. However noisy the politics, or controversial the policies, the budget brings a semblance of sobriety and order into government. Our officials should try to prevent it from being taken hostage by partisanship or by misguided beliefs.

EVERYMAN

What’s ‘fake news’?

By Armand Dean Nocum

Upsides and downsides TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO WITH the enactment of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, wage earners can expect a bigger take-home pay, but also bigger expenses on fuel, fares and goods.

That’s on the downside— critics have warned that the higher value-added tax on fuel and other goods stipulated in the TRAIN would offset whatever savings people would derive from lower income tax.

To me, the bottom line is that TRAIN would create a much-needed middle class and fund the administration’s Build Build Build program. It would really bring the change that we have been clamoring for.

The Duterte administration should conduct a massive information program.

Reforms are not all sweet —they also entail sacrifices.

I think the new, simplified and fairer income tax system would greatly ease the financial burden of millions of Filipinos and put a bit more money in their pockets.

For this I commend Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and all the lawmakers who finally came up with a tax reform program— a milestone for the country. *** I tend to agree with the view of some lawmakers that civil unions and partnerships are a more feasible option than same-sex marriages endorsed by President Duterte.

They are right in saying that same-sex marriage

is banned by the Family Code and the Philippine Constitution. The Civil partnership Bill filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez recognizes the civil and

offend religious sensitivities.

Most Filipinos are Christians/ Roman Catholics. I think that even if President Duterte pushes for it, he would not get to first base.

But civil partnerships would make them covered by the Family Code which respects conjugal rights, The inheritance and custody of the adopted children. It will government needs to conduct also penalize them if they commit adultery and cona massive cubinage. information *** Since my next column campaign on won’t appear until Tuesday, the tax reform Dec. 26, I want to share here program.

The Tale of the Son upon the request of many who have read it before, A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare legal rights of the LGBT works of art. They had evecommunity. rything in their collection, For one thing, legalization from Picasso to Raphael. of same-sex marriage would They would often sit to-

gether and admire the great works of art.

When war broke out, the son was called to battle. He died rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and he grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.

A young man stood with a large package in his hands.

He told the old man: “Sir, you don’t know me but I am the soldier for whom your son gave up his life.

He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart, and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your shared love for art.”

The young man held out the package.

“I know this isn’t much.

I’m really not a great artist,

but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was the portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that soon he was crying. He thanked the young man and offered to pay for the painting.

“Oh no, sir. I could never repay what your son did for me.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Everytime visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son.

A few months later, the father died. There was to be an auction of the paintings owned by the old

‘FAKE news’ has become a commonly used jargon nowadays to describe fictitious and sometimes sensational stories published in mainstream media or circulated in social media.

It has since evolved into something that is frequently used to label a story which is seen as damaging to an agency, entity, or person.

Simply put, when a legitimate news story or hardhitting commentary is not well received, it is immediately considered a “fake news.” Political stories are the most prone to this unfair labelling.

The series of hearings led by Senate committee on public information and mass media has thoroughly discussed the issue of fake news, its negative impacts, and possible means to stop it, and yet it miserably failed to get to the heart of the matter first, and that is knowing what fake news is.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines fake news as “false stories that appear to be news, spread on the internet or using other media, usually created to influence political views or as a joke.”

The Collins English Dictionary, on the other hand, described it in even simpler terms: “false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting.”

And yet here we still do not have a clear and precise legal definition of what fake news is, subjecting legitimate news outlets and journalists to unjust labelling and name-calling.

In the mainstream media, a news story that has factual errors or discrepancies caused by incompetent reporting is also tagged as fake news. Such is the case of the news story of the seven senators who complained to have

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Opinion Japan’s bounce is a parable of these economic times

By Daniel Moss IN A year of economic surprises, mostly good ones, Japan is right up there.

The decades since the country’s asset bubble burst in the early 1990s have seen many false dawns, so no one was rushing to call this a new day. But it’s time.

A fair number of economists are now forecasting that the Bank of Japan will begin formally withdrawing from the huge stimulus deployed to combat first deflation and, more recently, too-low inflation. A stealth taper has already occurred: Asset purchases under the BOJ’s quantitative easing program totaled about 60 trillion yen in the year through November, short of the annual target of 80 trillion yen.

This one seems to have crept up on us. All of us. I’ve raised the topic of Japan with central bankers, current and former officials, and investors, and the refrain has always been: “Well, of course, Japan is the outlier; Fed first, then ECB and BOE and, as you know, Dan, Japan is a special case.”

True, its problems aren’t trivial: Chiefly, a shrinking and aging population and inflation that’s about half the 2-percent target. But that is all well documented (translation: the country’s many detractors harp on it constantly). Let’s look at what is going right: Confidence among big manufacturers is the highest in a decade, exports have increased every month for a year and companies are dusting off their capital-spending plans.

So isn’t it time Japan joined the global “stimulus withdrawal party”? (That’s the more sober after-party once the punch bowl has been watered down. But it is cause for celebration in its own way!) Japan’s QE will continue, for sure, but that may obscure a big shift in the outlook. Purchases will likely decrease to about 44 trillion yen next year, according to a Bloomberg survey of economists. More than a third of the economists also expect the BOJ to raise its target for the 10-year bond yield from the current zero.

Perhaps the surest sign that change is coming is the central bank itself. Governor Haruhiko Kuroda set hearts aflutter in Zurich last month when he indicated that interest rates set too low can harm financial institutions, hampering the conduct of monetary policy.

Kuroda tried to walk back any suggestion that such a phenomenon applied to Japan right now.

Not everyone is convinced. Kuroda rarely misspeaks.

He knows the value of trial balloons and how investors are likely to respond. He has also spoken about the tactical value of surprising people. After all, he once occupied one of the most sensitive posts in international finance: vice minister for international affairs at Japan’s Ministry of Finance. That was in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Japan intervened regularly in currency markets. It rarely happens now. The famed “Mr. Yen,” Eisuke Sakakibara, was his immediate predecessor.

So the world economy ends the year not just with a synchronized upswing in growth, but with the makings of a synchronized exit from easy money. As I have written, trajectories will differ, as do the starting points. It’s direction that’s important. Each day it becomes clearer and clearer. Bloomberg

What‘s...

From A4

a news parody, news satire, and propaganda, all of which can easily pass off as a news story and misinterpreted by many as facts.

In journalism, satire pokes fun at the news, or uses parody portrayed as conventional news.

While satirical news is defined by its comedic nature, using deadpan humor to create what is called “fake news,” its underlying objective is to make statements about real people, events, and trends, often with the intent of influencing change, according to Marisa Lubeck’s “A Satire of News.”

In conclusion, efforts to stop the proliferation of fake news and misinformation in the social media will not be effective unless our policymakers can come up with a definition of what constitutes fake news.

The definition and differentiation could mean the difference between preventing the spread of false information and suppressing the people’s Constitutionally-protected freedom of expression.

been excluded in the signing of Senate Resolution No. 516 condemning the extrajudicial killings of minors, for which the “Silent No More” Facebook page criticized them for “purposely” refusing to sign the resolution.

Furiously, the aggrieved senators claimed it was fake news.

The controversial blog, however, cannot be considered fake news based on the accepted definition of what fake news is because it was an opinion piece which is subject to the writer’s prejudice, interpretation, and motivation. It is not news, which means it cannot be called “fake news.”

Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson has also complained she was a victim of fake news when the news item she complained about merely failed to get her side and clarify an information provided by a news source.

Moreover, the problem is not only about definition but differentiation.

Armand Dean Nocum is Fake news is clearly a world’s away distinct from a former journalist.

Upsides...

From A4

man. Many influential and wealthy people gathered.

The bidding started with the portrait of the son. The auctioneer asked: “Who wants to bid for this?” But the people said they wanted to see the great works of art.

“Skip this one!” they said.

But the auctioneer continued: “The Son! Who will take the son?”

A man made a bid for $10, and the crowd wanted to continue with the auction. But the auctioneer said the bidding was over.

He said there was a secret stipulation in the will of the father. Only the painting of the son will be auctioned, and whoever bought the painting would get the entire estate.

With this message, I wish to greet my readers a blessed and happy Christmas.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

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TRAIN is here OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ ON TUESDAY happened a momentous event in our country’s history as President Duterte finally signed into law, the 2018 General Appropriations Act, or the 2018 national budget, and the first ever tax reform, also known as, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion.

With the 2018 national budget worth P3.7 trillion approved, the Duterte administration is now ready to get the ball rolling for next year. Furthermore, TRAIN’s passage means having additional source of revenue to finance the administration’s programs, particularly the Build

Build Build infrastructure development program. The tax reform will generate P130 billion in additional government revenues.

One of the key provisions of the tax reform is the personal income tax exemption of workers earning P250,000 and below a year. With this, minimum wage earners will benefit from the use of their full earnings.

The tax exemption for 13th month pay and other bonuses was also raised to P90,000. With the implementation of TRAIN, about 6.8 million out of the country’s 7.5-million individual income taxpayers will be tax-exempt.

To compensate for the loss due to the broadening of the value-added tax base and increasing

personal income tax exemptions, excise taxes of several goods, such as fuel and automobiles were raised. The tax on tobacco products was also raised from P30 per pack to P32.50. A much higher increase on sin taxes has been proposed by the Department of Finance, which will be submitted as part of the second package of the tax reform to Congress early next year.

While the tax reform if promising, its effectiveness will still depend on the collection efficiency of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs. BoC’s target collection for 2017 is P468 billion; but as of November 2017, it has only collected P390 billion.

On the other hand, BIR’s

target collection for 2017 is P1.829 trillion, but has only collected P1.306 trillion as of September 2017.

The BIR and BoC under the previous administration have an unpleasant practice of adjusting their collection targets halfway through the year when there’s a shortfall or when they feel that they cannot reach their respective targets before the fiscal year ends. This is a sign of collection of inefficiency. Hence, I propose that all collection ports of the BOC and all Revenue District Offices of the BIR be given collection targets quarterly and be required to report them regularly.

I am also looking forward to the promise of DOF Secretary Sonny Dominguez to strictly im-

plement the Lateral Attrition Law by 2018, to help improve the government’s collection efficiency. It is about time that we reward government officials and staff who perform well in tax collection and penalize those who are underperforming.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee projected a collection of P637.1 billion for the BoC and P2.005 trillion for the BIR, including the additional revenues from the implementation of TRAIN on 2018. Should these collection agencies meet, or even exceed their targets, the fruition of the government’s ambitious plans and programs for 2018 will be possible. A better Philippines is finally within reach.

Maybe the free world doesn’t need a leader

By Leonid Bershidsky WHO is the leader of the free world? Important as the question sounds, I’m beginning to wonder if it’s better left unanswered.

The US president is no longer the obvious choice.

Even the new US National Security Strategy, filled with bombastic statements such as “the whole world is lifted by America’s renewal and the reemergence of American leadership,” acknowledges growing competition among powers.

And of course “America first” is the slogan of a national, not a global, leader.

So who, if not Donald Trump, qualifies for the job? Let’s first consider its history.

The origin of the term “leader of the free world” is somewhat uncertain.

Dominic Tierney of the Atlantic tracked it back to a 1948 New York Times article, in which British economist Barbara Ward called upon the US to lead the West in fighting the Communist threat. But a Google Books search suggests the title was first used during World War I and has made regular appearances in Englishlanguage books since the late 1930s. In any case, its

use surged at the peak of the Cold War in the early 1960s (when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev began referring to “the free world” with heavy irony), declined toward the detente of the mid-1970s, then gained again through the Soviet Union’s collapse and up until its last peak in 2007, just before the global financial crisis.

Typically applied to the US president, the title has acquired a bitterly ironic flavor since the election of Trump, who studies suggest is broadly mistrusted in democratic countries.

As a result, some pundits have been discussing whether a more globally respected politician, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel, could take over the role. As recently as September, Hillary Clinton called her “the most important leader in the free world right now.”

Merkel, however, probably doesn’t fit the bill.

Weakened by the last election, she has found herself embroiled in the longest coalition talks in Germany’s post-World War II history. Even if she’s back on top by Easter, global leadership will be pretty far from her mind as she settles into what’s

likely to be her last term in power. She doesn’t even have an obvious successor in her party. Besides, she has always shown much more interest in shaping the European Union to Germany’s benefit than in leading the world, free or otherwise.

Other European leaders don’t qualify, either.

Almost all lead precarious, painstakingly built coalitions with domestically-focused agendas, while others—mostly in Eastern Europe—aren’t interested in being part of any liberal order. The only notable exception is French President Emmanuel Macron, mockingly called “Jupiter” and compared to the Sun King by his compatriots. But, at 40 and in his first year as an elected official, he’s unproven. Also, France has been in the doldrums for too long and has too many institutional and economic problems to be a credible global leader.

Top EU officials could take a shot. The European project unites most established democracies, is the world’s biggest trade bloc and has a consistent track record of defending liberal values. But European Commission President

Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk, besides being something of a comical pair, have proven powerless even to bring the EU closer together.

They’re negotiators and compromise makers, not leaders. And the EU, for all its economic power, is a peace project, so its role in resolving global conflicts will remain minimal.

One could make a case for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He’s a liberal favorite, branded “the free world’s best hope” by Rolling Stone. He acts the part, stressing his differences with Trump on immigration, climate change and gender equality. He has also boosted Canada’s military spending. But it wouldn’t be easy for Canada to emerge from the US shadow, and Trudeau isn’t particularly popular with Canadians (his approval rating just slipped below 50 percent).

There still is a free world, in which citizens elect political leaders rather than tolerate authoritarian succession like in China or Russia. It doesn’t, however, appear to have a credible leader -- one who would be both powerful and committed to clear,

attractive values.

Moreover, it’s hard to see where one would come from. The US will be eyed with mistrust after Trump.

Its values are in flux and hard for outsiders to understand, and its military power is not necessarily relevant to modern conflicts, as Europe’s Middle Eastern refugee crisis has demonstrated. Germany, for its part, is weighed down by its history and held together by a rebuilt communitarian tradition, in which leadership-hungry politicians are unlikely to flourish.

The question, then, is whether the free world needs a leader. Perhaps the path forward requires collective decisions and compromises, inclusiveness and consensus, negotiation and civilized debate. It sounds boring, even weak, and the outcomes may often appear suboptimal, but freedom and strong leadership have always been a little at odds.

Quiet, soft power as practiced by European nations, Canada and Japan might work better as an advertisement for democracy than US assertiveness has since the end of the Cold War. Bloomberg

The reasons for the season AS YOU make the round of Christmas parties, prepare traditional dishes for Noche Buena, and wrap gifts to put under the tree, spare a thought for the overseas Filipinos scattered all over the world who are pining to be in the Philippines this holiday season.

First, a note on who they are—overseas Filipinos (Pilipino sa ibayongdagat) are those who live outside the Philippines, whether as contract workers, students, or permanent residents or citizens of a different country. In 2013, the Commission on Overseas Filipinos estimated that there are 10.2-million Filipinos living or working abroad.

Of these, the overseas contract workers are those who most long for a Pinas Christmas because they are not free to travel when they want to, unlike migrants who can plan their vacations.

What’s in their thoughts during this season? What’s so special about a Christmas in the Philippines

when they can spend it in the country they’re in? I asked my sister Aileen Ortuoste, who spent 13 years as an OFW in Dubai and has now lived five years in the US. She said: “Christmas is so much more enjoyable in the Philippines than elsewhere. It’s so festive, there’s always something happening. Christmas for Pinoys is big, compared to Americans, ang malaki sa kanila Thanksgiving.

When the ‘ber months start, Pasko na. We miss the food, but not the traffic.

“But most of all, we miss our family. Those who left kids and spouses behind, they bring them pasalubong even if they go into debt. Because when they buy gifts, especially grocery items, credit card iyon. It’s not without hardship, all the things that they do.

“Christmas in the Philippines is so lively, masaya wherever you go. Gastos ka nga lang ng gastos [you keep spending]. But it’s worth it when you spend.

You always want to make sure you’ve given everybody their gifts, you’ve taken them to eat out and go shopping. You go home satisfied, then you work

another year and do it all over again.

“It isn’t always a happy holiday for some, like those who have suffered a death in the family during the season. But you go on with the celebration regardless.

“The role of the OFW is to provide for and support their family. Most OFWs are not well-to-do, so they have to provide big time for their families. Christmas is a time for them to share what they have—the fruits of their labor.

“Now they can say, we can prepare a feast, I can bring gifts or groceries. If they can’t go home, they send balikbayan boxes via LBC as early as October or September to make sure they arrive before Christmas. Sometimes the Christmas presents are already in there too.

“Most of what’s in the boxes are grocery items like canned goods—Argentinian corned beef, white chunk tuna—as well as basics like cooking oil, laundry detergent, Downy, nuts, chips, candy, chocolates, anything you see in the supermarkets, especially for families in the provinces. Clothes, shoes, bags are from sales like the Dubai Summer

Sale.

“When the OFWs go home, sad again. Back to the grind on the Monday after their trip. The main purpose of working for the next 365 days is para mapasaya nila pamilya nila (so that they can make their families happy).

We’re not even counting the money that’s sent monthly. Christmas is a special thing.”

Aileen clarifies, “Not everyone is able to go home every year. Some wait two, three, five years because their employers don’t let them go home just like that, or it depends on their contract. I was fortunate I was able to because I was with good companies.

“Maawa ka sa mga domestic, drivers, waitresses [You should feel sorry for the domestic workers]— they can’t go home on a regular basis. Their salaries are small, not enough to buy themselves a ticket, and they’d rather send that money back home. You see their pain that they can’t go home to be with their families.

“OFWs sacrifice a lot.

Don’t take them for granted. Their salaries aren’t that high, but they’re really saving up to provide for

their families. Be thankful and grateful.”

Again, Aileen reiterates: “The main goal is: mapasaya ang pamilya at kaibigan [to make family and friends happy]. When they do, they feel good about it. They miss their families so much, especially those who have children. You put that in your column, ha, about missing their kids!”

Her parting words are just like her, very practical: “My concern is our airport, the Naia. To the thieves and extortionists, stop targeting passengers.

Wag naman, sobra na nga hirap namin. We’ll be excited that our loved one will get this gift, tapos ninakaw sa baggage.”

Family, love, sacrifice —these are what drive the determination and perseverance of many OFWs, and also, these are the reasons for the season. That’s something to bear in mind and keep in heart.

From Aileen and I in the diaspora, we send you and your family our warmest Christmas greetings from across the seas.

Dr. Ortuoste is a California-based writer. FB: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senators push BBL passage

By Bill Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATORS on Wednesday pushed for the swift passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law following a hearing to discuss the provisions of the measure.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, chairman of the chamber’s subcommittee on the BBL, and Senator Loren Legarda presented the current provisions of the measure and ways on how it could be passed faster.

Senator Sonny Angara also said the BBL is an “affirmative action” toward attaining regional stability and economic development in Mindanao.

Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus Dureza, Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser

Nabil Tan, members of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and members of the security sector attended the hearing, with another one scheduled on Jan. 15 next year.

Zubiri urged his colleagues to have the provisions of the proposed law “be presented in an executive session with the Cabinet members concerned so that they are aware.

Because us lawmakers, we’ll do our part.”

“Most of our colleagues here truly understand the plight of our Moro brothers

and sisters… Rest assured that we have full support when it comes to social justice for our brothers and sisters in Moro land,” he added.

Legarda stressed the importance of finalizing the autonomous region’s budget for the smooth implementation of the new Bangsamoro political entity. She also called for a financed-focused hearing so that the budgetary computations could be foreseen.

“I recognize first, the importance of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Second, [the law is] definitely so urgent and important that we have to fund it,” Legarda said.

The senator emphasized she’s willing to work with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, led by Dureza, for the BBL’s

immediate passage.

“It’s about time that we give true, authentic, genuine autonomy to our brothers and sisters in the South. And we should not differentiate creed, color, culture, and that there should be a socially, and economically inclusive Bangsamoro Basic Law,” Legarda said.

“I’m willing to work with our chairs, and peace process friends Secretary Jess Dureza and Undersecretary Nabil Tan who have been working for peace for decades now,” she said.

Angara, chairman of the Senate local government committee, said President Rodrigo Duterte has seen the urgency and the need for BBL, and the senators agree.

“But we must remember that we must build an autono-

mous region based on justice.

We will approach the BBL with sensitivity and awareness of historical injustices,” he said.

“It must be within bounds of the Constitution, and a product of national debate and consultations. We urge our colleagues to hear all concerns and balance the interests of various groups in the region to ensure a more inclusive BBL,” Angara added.

The Senate BBL sub-committee earlier conducted a hearing on Senate Bills 1608 and 1635.

The President has asked lawmakers to make the proposed BBL conform with the Constitution and to hasten its approval to avoid more trouble from secessionist groups in Mindanao.

The BBL is the enabling measure of the peace compact signed by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in 2014. It aims to create a Bangsamoro political entity with enhanced autonomy.

The proposed measure failed to pass in the previous administration because of the bloody Mamasapano clash, where 44 elite cops were killed.

“If not for the Mamasapano [incident] where our brave soldiers and policemen lost their lives, this could have already beena law,” said Angara.

“Let us not forget their sacrifices. Let’s proceed with fervor and passion to give justice to the sacrifices of all the men, not just those who died on that day, but also our forebears,” Angara said.

Medal of Valor to fallen captain THE commander of the 11th Scout Ranger Battalion— who died trying to save a wounded comrade in the battle of Marawi City —received the Medal of Valor posthumously from President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday.

The widow of Army Capt. Rommel Sandoval, Maria Ana Rosario Sandoval, received the award from the President during the 82nd founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Sandoval received the medal for “acts of conspicuous courage, gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of the 11th Scout Ranger Battalion,” the AFP said in a statement.

The captain also posthumously received the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Magalong Medal), awarded to “officials and personnel of the government and private individuals who have rendered extraordinary service or have made exceptional contributions to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the President.”

Sandoval was among the 165 government troops and more than 1,000 persons killed in the five-month war between government and Islamic State-linked Maute terrorists in Marawi City.

Duterte also bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu (Kampilan and Kamagi medals) to 27 other soldiers who fought in Marawi.

Meanwhile, two months since the end of the armed conflict in Marawi, thousands of displaced residents remain unable to return home and are in need of help and attention, the International Committee of the Red Cross lamented Wednesday.

Sara Susanne Fabunan

Secretary Jesus Dureza (left), Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, makes a point to the Senate subcommittee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law chaired by Senator Miguel Zubiri (right), as Senator Sonny Angara (beside Zubiri) listens intently during the hearing on Wednesday. Lino Santos

‘Residents in path of storms should evacuate when told’

By Rio N. Araja RESIDENTS in landslide and flood-prone areas should evacuate if told to do so, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said Wednesday, following the effects of Typhoon “Urduja” that left 41 dead.

“If told to evacuate, evacuate,” Cimatu said, adding that people should heed government warnings and emergency alerts, as some parts of the country brace for more severe weather effects.

He cautioned those living along the path of storms, particularly in the eastern seaboard of the country, to stay alert and follow warnings from concerned national and local government agencies.

“We are particularly appealing to those living in areas that have already been identified as highly susceptible to landslides and floods

to please evacuate as soon as you are told to, so that we can achieve zero casualty,” Cimatu, a former Armed Forces Chief of Staff who has supervised many evacuations, said.

A storm could quickly and unexpectedly change its direction, speed and intensity, therefore those staying along the vulnerable areas must ensure the safety of their family before “it becomes too dangerous to do so” and it is too late, the environment secretary added.

“Lives are more important than property. Let us all remain safe and alive, especially during this Christmas season,” he said.

Cimatu reacted to the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration that a low pressure area could possibly develop into a tropical cyclone to be named “Vinta.”

REWARD. A tipster codenamed ‘Toffee’ (left) raises his bundle of cash worth P1.8 million

received from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency led by Director General Aaron Aquino (right), as the agency rewarded three other informants for a total of P4.8 million as part of the government’s anti-allegal drugs drive. Manny Palmero

PDEA gives P4.8m in rewards to 4 informants FOUR informants received a total of P4.83 million in cash rewards from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday.

In a simple ceremony at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City, the informants received the incentive, which falls under the PDEA Operation: Private Eye (OPE), a reward and incentive scheme designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activity in their community.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino commended the civilian informants identified only through their codenames—Toffee, James, Cold Ice and Basti—for providing information that led to the arrest of several drug per-

sonalities, the confiscation of huge amount of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and the dismantling of a large-scale clandestine laboratory used in manufacturing shabu.

“The informants wore masks during the ceremony in order to protect their anonymity. All information we receive through OPE are being handled with utmost confidentiality,” Aquino said.

He added that the OPE Rewards Committee, whose members are from the academe, non-governmental organizations, law enforcement, religious and business sectors, has approved a resolution granting the rewards to the informants following careful deliberations.

“Toffee” received the big-

gest reward of P806,846.60.

The information he relayed resulted in the dismantling of a clandestine shabu laboratory and the seizure of 248,413.11 liters of liquid shabu, 21 liters of hydrochloric acid, and 3.79 liters of acetone during the implementation of a search warrant conducted by combined elements of PDEA-Central Luzon and the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group Special Operations Unit 2 in Villa Dolores Subdivision, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Angeles City, Pampanga on May 31, 2016.

“James” received P1,516,672.96 after providing information that led to the confiscation of 20,596 grams of shabu and the arrest

of two drug suspects during a buy-bust operation conducted by joint operatives of PDEA-National Capital Region, Manila Police DistrictPS11, and Station Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operation Task Unit along Tambacan St., Sta. Cruz, Manila on Nov. 4, 2016.

Informant “Cold Ice” received P1,019,758.40 for providing information resulting in the confiscation of 19,673.81 grams of shabu and the arrest of two suspected drug personalities following an entrapment operation conducted by the NCR Police’s Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group along Green Meadows Ave., Barangay Ugong Norte, Quezon City on March 21, 2016. PNA

Pass bill on rationalizing fiscal incentives, Drilon urges govt

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon urged the administration to push for the immediate passage of legislation rationalizing the grant of fiscal incentives to business enterprises in the Philippines.

“I call on the President to exercise strong political will. He made a company pay the unpaid airport fees of P6 billion. He was able to collect from a cigarette company P26 billion. We applauded such political will. We would like such political will being applied in order to make the taxes more equitable,” Drilon said.

Drilon said the continued inaction on the measure is an affront to Filipinos who would be adversely affected by the Tax Reform Acceleration and

Inclusion law.

He said that the foregone revenues from the lowering of income taxes is compensated by the TRAIN by, among others, imposing steep taxes on fuel, which can trigger an increase in the prices of basic commodities.

He added that “The TRAIN burdened the poor with higher taxes on fuel. It’s about time that we review the incentives granted to companies to see if such incentives are necessary and continue to serve the purpose for which they are granted.”

He added that “it is utterly unfair” that the poor would have to share the burden of raising revenues for the government under Republic Act 10963 or the TRAIN law, while the rich companies would continue to enjoy all forms of tax perks and tax holidays.

‘Corrupt, abusive’ police warned

By Joel E. Zurbano METRO Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday directed all commanders to discipline and relieve their subordinates if found to be corrupt, abusive, and remiss in their work.

Albayalde also ordered the relief of Police Officer 2 Junjay Peñaloga Namuag, who was caught sleeping on duty at a hotel during the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit last month.

Namuag’s immediate superior, Senior Insp. Jose Pelingon, was also ordered relieved.

Albayalde tapped the five district directors from the Northern, Southern, Eastern, Manila and Central Police districts to place all erring cops under training at the FORM (Focused Reformation/ Reorientation and Moral Enhancement for Police Officer) program.

The program is in line with “internal cleansing efforts” of the Philippine National Police, he said.

Albayalde acted following a letter sent by a concerned citizen who personally witnessed and took photos of the sleeping cop.

In the letter, the informant stated he was roaming at a mall near the hotel when he found out the police officer was sleeping on duty, prompting him to take photos as evidence.

Albayalde reiterated his orders that he will never tolerate any misdeeds of police officers. He also stated that chiefs of police will also suffer the consequence if they do not take full responsibility over their personnel.

Lanao officials sacked VICE Mayor Diarangan Dipatuan of Bacolod-Kalawi in Lanao del Sur and town treasurer Rasad Dumarpa have been found guilty of grave misconduct and ordered dismissed from service by the Ombudsman.

Both were also meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for re-employment in the government service.

Habib Tarosan, who filed the complaint against Dipatuan and Dumarpa, narrated that in December 2015, he went to the GSIS office in Iligan City to secure a record of his contributions.

Based on the records, his supposed contributions were under-remitted. Instead of declaring his actual salary, the vice mayor and treasurer underdeclared his salary, resulting in lower monthly premium contributions.

Based on the record of 2012 remittances, Tarosan’s declared salary was only P14,179 per month instead of his actual salary of P20,367 per month.

“As a result, the monthly premium computed was lower because of the incorrect salary factor. This only proves that there was a failure, refusal, or delay in the payment, turnover, remittance or delivery of the correct premium contributions to the GSIS using the formula provided in the GSIS Act,” the Ombudsman said in a statement.

The Ombudsman said the respondents “are the accountable officers for the collection and remittance of the correct premiums to the GSIS. Clearly, they must be held liable for the manifest underremittance of complainant’s GSIS contributions for January to December 2012.” PNA

Sports

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Blazing finish keeps Superal ahead S ILANG, Cavite—Princess Superal birdied the last three holes in impressive fashion as she saved a two-over 69 and tied a charging Yupaporn Kawinpakorn of Thailand in the second round of the ICTSI South Forbes Ladies Invitational at the South Forbes Golf Club here yesterday.

That scorching finish on a hot, windy day at the upand-down par-67 layout enabled the Filipina ace to rally from three down in the last three holes and grab a share of the lead at one-over 135 as Kawinpakorn put in a tournamentbest two-under 65.

Kawinpakorn, four behind Superal after the first 18 holes, pulled to within two

with an even 33 start then stormed ahead with a huge three-shot swing on No.11 and another two-shot swing on the next. But she failed to match Superal’s fiery windup and missed gaining the upperhand heading to the last 18 holes of the seasonending P750,000 championship sponsored by ICTSI. Still, she kept Thailand’s

bid for a sweep of the last two legs of the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour after a 1-23 finish by her compatriots in the recent Philippine Ladies Masters at The Country Club.

Dottie Ardina recovered from a 70 with a 68 although the LPGA and Symetra Tour campaigner stood three strokes off the joint leaders with a 138 for joint third with another Thai Chonlada Chayanun, who started the round just a stroke off Superal but hobbled with a 71.

But no lead is safe at the short but challenging layout, guaranteeing a wide open battle for the top P150,000 purse, not just among the

frontrunners but also for those just four or five strokes behind.

That includes Cyna Rodriguez, who dominated the first three seasons of the country’s first and premier ladies golf circuit organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., who missed closing in on the leaders with a faltering finish. She double-bogeyed No. 15 and holed out with a bogey on the 18th for the second straight day and ended up with a 70 for solo fifth at 139.

After moving to within two at the turn, Kawinpakorn grabbed the lead with a birdie on the par-3 11th as Superal holed out with

a double-bogey for a threeshot swing. The Thai cashed in on her top form and birdied the next, another par-3 hole, and pounced on Superal’s poor iron game that saw her yield another stroke with a bogey.

But after a birdie-bogey stint on Nos. 14 and 15, the former US Girls Juniors champion and many-time LPGT leg winner as an amateur and pro struck back with those late birdies to stay in the title hunt.

Chihiro Ikeda, winner at Forest Hills last month, failed to recover from a 69 start and stumbled with a 71 for a 140 while amateur Samantha Dizon of Team

TCC, after putting herself into the mix with an opening 67, groped for form with a nine-over card after 16 holes before drilling in a pitch-in eagle at the par-4 17th for a 74 and a 141.

Kristine Torralba, also an amateur, rebounded with a 70 after a 73 for a 143, Numa Gulyanamitta, also of Thailand, carded a 71 for a 144, and Thai Sarinee Thitiratanakorn bounced back with a 70 to tie Marv Monsalve, who limped with a 76, at 146 in the event backed by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.

ABS-CBN S+A airs football’s ‘El Clasico’ live on Saturday THE most anticipated match in the world of club football will finally be on free TV in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN will be airing the classic duel between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona featuring football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi LIVE from the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday at 7:50 p.m. on S+A. The upcoming Clasico will be the first for the 2017/18 season for two of the most popular football clubs in the world. Messi’s Azulgrana side took the most recent Clasico early 2017 last April, leading the Catalans to a 3-2 victory behind a brace from their star center fielder.

Making the event more special is the impending showdown of two of this generation’s finest football players in Ronaldo and Messi. The duo both have five Balon d’Or trophies, an honor given to the

best male football player of the previous year. Both also hold various scoring records in the teams and leagues they play in.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, is coming off a successful titleretention bid in the 2017 Club World Cup, beating Brazilian side Gremio, 1-0. The Los Blancos is the first team in the history of the Club World Cup to repeat as champions. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona is stitting atop the La Liga table once more and looks to pounce on its Champions League draw to try and dethrone Real Madrid, and look to draw strength from their midfield play to capitalize on their two-headed monster up front with Messi and Luis Suarez.

ABS-CBN Integrated Sports announced its partnership with Hong Kong-based holdings company Triple CH last November for the live telecast on free television of top-quality

Princess Superal and Thai Yupaporn Kawinpakorn (above) brace for a shootout for the season-ending LPGT crown.

Seeded bets make Dagitab Final 4 THE PPS-PEPP Dagitab Tennis Festival Open charts went according to form as the top four seeded bets in both the men’s and ladies singles rolled into the semifinals at the City of Naga tennis courts in Naga City, Cebu yesterday.

Reigning champion Johnny Arcilla stopped Eric Jed Olivarez, 6-3, 6-3, to seal a Final Four showdown with long-time rival and fellow Davis Cup veteran Patrick John Tierro, who subdued ITF Phinma junior winner Arthur Pantino, 7-6(3), 6-2, in their side of the quarterfinal duel in the season-ending Open tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and the LGUs of Naga City led by Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong.

Second seed Jeson Patrombon fought back from one set down and stamped his class over recent PCA Open titlist Byran Otico, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, to arrange a semis clash with No. 4 Leander Lazaro, who thwarted sixth-ranked Ronard Joven, 6-3, 6-3, in the lower half of the 32-player draw.

No. 1 Khim Iglupas and second seed Shaira Rivera also moved closer to forging a showdown for the ladies crown in the week-long event backed by Asia Traders Corp. and official ball Slazenger with the former foiling Erika Manduriao, 6-3, 6-2, and the latter holding off Elizabeth Abarquez, 6-4, 6-3.

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

Ravena, Fonacier steer NLEX past Kia

By Jeric Lopez

Making his presence felt in his first-ever pro game, NLEX’s Kiefer Ravena beats the defense of Kia’s Eric Camson in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Road Warriors, 119-115.

Court nullifies POC polls for president, chairman

By Peter Atencio

B

OXING chief Ricky Vargas gets another chance to seek out the top post of the Philippine Olympic Committee by February next year.

This was after Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang of Branch 155 of the Pasig Regional Trial Court declared the election for the position of POC president and chairman as null and void in a decision released last Dec. 1.

Vargas earlier questioned the decision of the POC electoral body, disqualifying him from participating in the POC polls

Karate funds accounted for, says official FUNDS spent by the national karatedo squad that went to Germany before the 2017 Southeast Asian Games for training has been accounted for.

A top official of the Philippine Karatedo Federatation said it was properly managed and used for the nutrition and food expenses of the national squad for the duration of their stay there.

Secretary general Raymund Lee-Reyes explained this to Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez following a visit at his office yesterday morning.

“Hindi lang naintindihan kung paano ginamit iyung funds. But the money was properly managed,” said Lee-Reyes.

Lee-Reyes said this following allegations that the Philippine national karatedo team received only a fraction of their training allowances.

Ramirez and Executive Director Sanna Privaldo are now looking into the allegations forwarded by team skipper Eugene Stoner Dagohoy.

Dagohoy claimed that members of the national squad Ireneo Soriano Jr., Mae Soriano and Jayson Macalalang went to Germany before the 2017 Southeast Asian Games for training. Peter Atencio

held Nov. 25, 2016.

According the two-page decision, the POC Election Committee acted beyond the scope of its power and authority that was granted by the POC executive board.

The POC poll body, according to the decision, “violated its own election rules when it motu propio disqualified Mr. Vargas and Mr. (Abra-

ham) Tolentino from its list of candidates for the 2016 elections for president and chairman.”

The court has also ordered that new elections be held on Feb. 23, 2018 for the position of president and chairman, and that Vargas and Tolentino should be included as candidates.

“Finally, we have obtained justice,” said Vargas, who as president of the Alliance of Boxing Associations in the Philippines, was qualified to run in the polls.

But his and Tolentino’s absence from regular meetings of the POC General Assembly were the main reason why the

election committee disqualified them from the POC elections.

POC bylaws contend that for one to seek an elective post, the official must be physically present in the regular POC General Assembly.

Before the elections were held, Vargas already sought, but failed to secure a temporary restraining order to stop the polls, allowing incumbent POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. to run unopposed.

The post of POC Chairman was left vacant after triathlon’s Tom Carrasco was also disqualified.

In a resolution sent to all par-

ties concerned before the polls, International Olympic Committee representative Frank Elizalde explained that physical attendance was main requirement for an official of a national sports association to be made eligible to run for a post in the POC elections—a requirement he said Vargas failed to meet.

Elizalde headed the POC poll body with Bro. Bernie Oca of De La Salle University and Rep. Conrado Estrella III, chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

The POC has yet to receive a written copy of the court’s decision.

LARRY Fonacier converted on a four-point play with over a minute left to help NLEX squeak past pesky Kia, 119115, in a tight, high-scoring game as the Raod Warriors earned their first victory in the 2017-18 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Flying V Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The game was knotted at 113-all heading into the final minute, but Fonacier broke the deadlock after hitting a cold-blooded triple in the right elbow off a perfect dish from JR Quinahan and was fouled in the process. He completed the four-point play to give the Road Warriors the leverage they needed, 117-113.

NLEX joined San Miguel Beer as the early tournament leaders with their 1-0 slates, while Kia started its campaign at 0-1.

Guiao was satisfied with the hard-fought win and was likewise pleased with the play of his prized newbie—Kiefer Ravena.

“We’ll take this win no matter how hard it was,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao. “Kiefer (Ravena) played well for us.

I had no doubt he can lead the team as a rookie and that’s what he did. He is going to be a very special player in this league.”

The much anticipated pro debut of No. 2 overall pick Kiefer Ravena finally took place as he started for the Road Warriors.

He was actually named the Best Player of the Game, tallying a team-highs of 18 points and 12 assists on top of seven rebounds in a rousing debut as he lived up to his hype in his first game.

Ravena made his presence felt right away in his team’s first four field goal conversions, making first two shots right away from downtown for six points and assisting on NLEX’s two other baskets to start the game.

At the half, Ravena already had 13 points and seven boards.

The game was as close for most part as it featured an astounding 37 lead changes and 11 ties.

Kevin Alas and Michael Miranda added 14 points each to provide support to Ravena, while four others scored in double-figures for NLEX.

Philracom charity races net P2M for Senate Spouses, Marawi THE Philippine Racing Commission is donating a total of P2,097,834.60 to the Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi and the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. as a result of its 10 charity races at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite on Sunday.

The Office of the President’s Rehabilitation of the City of Marawi will get P1,048,917.30 as its share from the charity races, while the Senate Spouses Foundation will receive the same amount.

Gracing the races on behalf of the Senate Spouses Foundation Inc. was Neil Llamanzares, husband of Senator Grace Poe, and Josephine Llorca, from the office of Senator JV Ejercito.

Llamanzares and Llorca also led the simple awards

rites of the Philracom-MJCI Charity Trophy Race 4, attended by Philracom Commissioner Andrew A. Sanchez, commissioners Niles, Santillan, Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino and MJCI Racing Manager Jose Ramon Magboo.

“It’s the Philracom’s own humble contribution to the Office of the President in its efforts to rehabilitate the City of Marawi and to the noteworthy programs of the Senate Spouses Foundation Incorporated. We know this will go a long way,” said Philracom Chairman Sanchez.

Shoo In, ridden by jockey FM Raquel pulled off a coast-to-coast victory over the distance of 1,500 meters, followed by Johnny Be Good (JB Hernandez). Metamorphosis (Pat Dilema) clinched third.

Race 6, the other highlight

race, was won by Mystic Award (Jockey JD Juco), followed by War Dancer (OP Cortez) and Medaglia Espresso (JP Guce).

The 10 charity races were all conducted in accordance with the Philracom’s RatingBased Handicapping System, which is a result of the commission’s affiliation with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, whose mission is to promote good regulation and best practices on international matters pertaining to the sport.

The undertaking at the San Lazaro Park was the fourth special event held by the Philracom for Marawi this year. The first three were held at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Park in Carmona, Cavite (Aug. 13), the Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park (Aug. 20) and the Manila Metro Turf in

Horse owner Bingson U. Tecson (sixth from left) of the winning Horse “Shoo In” displays his Philracom-MJCI Charity Trophy. He is joined by (starting 2nd from left) MJCI Racing Manager Jose Ramon C. Magboo; Philracom Executive Director Andrew Rovie Buencamino; Commissioner Jose Santillan; Neil Llamanzares, husband of Sen. Grace Poe; Josephine Llorca, from the office of Senator JV Ejercito; Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez; and Commissioners Bienvenido Niles Jr. and Lyndon Guce.

Malvar, Batangas (Aug. 27).

As a member of IFHA, Philracom is ready to embrace the world standards

set by the international body, such as the rating-based handicapping system, equine drug-testing and transfer of

technology, thereby making sure that horseracing in the Philippines is held at the highest level.

Giannis stars as Bucks stun Cavaliers; Kings rally to beat Sixers WASHINGTON—Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo capped a 27-point performance on a threepoint play with 5.9 seconds remaining Tuesday to spark the Milwaukee Bucks over visiting Cleveland 119-116 in an NBA thriller.

The Cavaliers were led by 39 points from LeBron James as Cleveland made a furious fourthquarter rally only to fall short at Milwaukee’s Bradley Center.

The Bucks (16-13) snapped a three-game losing streak overall

and had dropped their past five meetings with Cleveland, which used a 24-2 run to battle back.

Dwyane Wade had 14 points and Jeff Green 13 but each had nine in the fourth quarter.

Eric Bledsoe added 16 points for Milwaukee, which trailed 113-112 after James scored six points in a row late in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee’s Tony Snell followed with a 3-pointer and Antetokounmpo added a 3-point play to help deliver the victory.

“You’ve got to play to the last minute. I got the ball in my hands and I was able to do it,” the Green standout said.

“We wanted to play tough defensively and move the ball offensively. That’s what we did and that’s why we got the win.”

Australian guard Matthew Dellavedova returned to Milwaukee’s starting lineup after missing 15 games with left knee tendinitis.

Sacramento forward Zach Randolph took advantage of the ab-

sence of Philadelphia scoring and rebound leader Joel Embiid to produce 27 points as the visiting Kings rallied to defeat the 76ers 101-96.

The Sixers fell to 14-16 and 1-6 without Embiid, who is struggling with a sore lower back.

Sacramento’s Buddy Hield scored 10 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter for the Kings, who erased a 16-point third-quarter deficit to end a two-game losing streak.

Robert Covington scored 17

points to lead the Sixers, who lost their third in a row and seventh in eight games. Jerryd Bayless added 15 points for Philadelphia while Australian Ben Simmons had 13 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Bradley Beal scored 26 points and Mike Scott added 24 to power the Washington Wizards over visiting New Orleans 116-106. John Wall added 18 points and 10 assists for the Wizards while Anthony Davis led the Pelicans with a gamehigh 37 points.

MPIC gets P10-b loans from BDO, Union Bank

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Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

B1

BoP posted $44-m gap in November

By Julito G. Rada THE balance of payments registered a deficit of $44 million in November, lower than the $1.671-billion shortfall a year ago, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

The November deficit was also lower than the $368-million deficit in October.

Data showed that in the first 11 months, the BoP which represents the country’s transactions with the resort of the world, ran a $1.8-billion deficit, compared to the $206-million shortfall recorded in the same period last year.

“Outflows in November 2017 stemmed mainly from payments made by the national government for its maturing foreign exchange obligations during the month in review.

These were offset by the net foreign currency deposits of the national government and income from the BSP’s investments abroad,” the Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

It said the higher cumulative BOP deficit was brought about largely by the big reversal in foreign portfolio investments, from a $1.3-billion net inflow in the first 10 months of 2016 to $770-million net outflow in the same period this year.

“The BoP position reflected the final GIR [gross international reserves] level of $80.3 billion as of endNovember 2017. The GIR level remains adequate as it can cover 8.2 months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. It is also equivalent to 5.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity,” the Bangko Sentral said.

A BoP deficit indicates that foreign exchange outflows exceed inflows. It affects the value of the peso against the US dollar and eats into the country’s gross international reserves.

The Bangko Sentral adjusted the projected BoP deficit this year to $1.4 billion, from an earlier estimate of $500-million mainly because of the widening trade deficit.

CLARK GROUNDBREAKING. Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive Alexander Cauguiran announces the successful groundbreaking for the Clark International Airport Terminal 2 Project. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex in Clark Freeport Zone are Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (fourth from right), House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (sixth from right), Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III (second from right), Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade (fifth from right) and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon (seventh from right), along with members of the Senate and the House of Representatives and officials of Pampanga, Tarlac and Bulacan provinces.

PLDT spending over P50b in 2018

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P

LDT Inc. said Wednesday it will spend “north of P50 billion” in 2018 for mobile and fixed-broadband network expansion in preparation for the entry of a third player.

“We will announce a historic high in capex [capital expenditure] next year, north of P50 billion. We want to make a statement as well,” PLDT chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan told reporters.

PLDT programmed P38 billion in capex in 2017

to improve its mobile and fixed-broadband networks.

When asked about the possible entry of a third player, Pangilinan said “we’re waiting for that to happen and trying to get ready in case it happens in the first quarter [of 2018] because that’s what the

president wants to happen.”

“We’re trying to get ready,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to approve the applications and licenses of China Telecom along with its Filipino partner within the first quarter of 2018.

“It’s difficult to predict what China telco wishes to do here. There are some people saying they are going to focus on fixed line

broadband. Until it happens, we don’t know,” Pangilinan said.

Globe senior vice president for corporate communications Yoly Crisanto said her company was ready to compete with another telco player, especially if this would pave the way for a more active participation in developing the telecom industry.

“If the entry of a new player can increase the density of cell sites in the country, existing players like Globe also stands to ben-

efit,” she said.

“Time and again, we have maintained that the biggest hurdle in delivering consistently good internet service is the cumbersome permitting and right of way issues that prevent us from building the last mile connectivity,” Crisanto said.

She said similar to how spectrum were distributed to existing players, the allocation of frequencies should be commensurate to the number of customers served by each player.

Philippine Telegraph &

Dennis Uy buying H2O of Jolly Ting for P328m

ERC asked to correct data on renewables

By Jenniffer B. Austria UDENNA Development Corp., the real estate arm of businessman Dennis Uy, is acquiring a controlling stake in Philippine H2O Ventures Corp., a listed water company led by businessman Jolly Ting.

The move could pave the way for the possible backdoor listing of one of Uy’s growing businesses.

Jolliville Holdings Corp., the investment company of Ting who owns a number of night clubs in Metro Manila, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its affiliates agreed to sell their combined 62.006-percent stake in H2O to Udevco, or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates for P327.7 million.

One of the conditions to the sale is the spin off by H20 of all its existing businesses and assets, including shares and interests in Calapan Waterworks Corp. and all other interests in other corporations.

H2O will also collect all receivables, settle all its obligations, assign its contractual interests, transfer or reassign all of its employees and settle and dissolve its retirement fund.

The spin off will leave the listed firm H2O a shell company, thereby allowing Udevco to infuse any of its assets under it.

IN BRIEF Voyager vows to help MSMEs VOYAGER Innovations said it is extending its digital transformation program to help equip micro-, small- and medium-sized companies in the Philippines to become more competitive in the growing digital economy.

Under its Voyager DX for MSMEs, the company is setting up DigiHub, a physical facility in its Launchpad headquarters in Mandaluyong City that entrepreneurs can use as a space for consultation, mentoring, learning and sharing.

Through DigiHub, Voyager aims to foster collaboration, accelerate learning and catalyze best practices among industry leaders, big enterprises and MSMEs. It will be fully operational by the first quarter of 2018 with industry and trade partners.

For MSMEs that will sign up for the program, Voyager is offering a special Digital Plus package that includes its platforms and solutions.

For P15,000, a business owner can avail of services from Hatch such as digital marketing tools in Facebook, SMS broadcasts and website landing page; online store from TackThis!; and PayMaya digital payment solutions.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Investors swarm BSP auction

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said the auction for P40billion worth of seven-day term deposits was oversubscribed on investors’ strong demand for short-term instruments.

Data showed that total tenders reached P46.212 billion, but Bangko Sentral awarded only P40 billion. The deposits fetched a weighted average accepted yield of 3.4 percent.

For the first time since the middle of 2016, the Bangko Sentral auctioned without the 28-day instruments on Wednesday, citing less excess liquidity to be mopped up from the financial system.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said earlier the regulator decided to trim its open market operations “lest we see tight market conditions. Banks continue to demand very short-term instruments like the seven-day TDF to allow them greater flexibility in servicing the needs of their clients and deploying the rest of their funds.”

The BSP reduced the volume of the TDF auction for the

LAGUNA WATER STANDARDS. Laguna Water receives a radioactive material license for liquid scintillation counter and accompanying radioisotopes from the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, making it the first private institution to offer radiological analysis for drinking water. A Laguna Water laboratory analyst demonstrates how to load sample for Alpha-Beta Radioactivity Determination equipment. Radiological analysis is one of the primary parameters under the 2017 Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

Petron investing $5b to expand refinery

By Alena Mae S. Flores put up another 90,000 bpd, by a continued focus on high-

fifth time from P80 billion to P40 billion on Dec. 20.

Julito G. Rada

2 schools eyed as tax academy THE Finance Department plans to tap public universities and colleges such as the University of the Philippines and University of Makati to set up the first tax academy in the country next month.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in a report to Secretary Carlos Dominguez III the main campus of the Philippine Tax Academy would be located at UMak in Makati City while the UP College of Economics in Diliman, Quezon City was being eyed to offer executive program certificate courses to interested DoF employees.

Beltran said the DoF also planned to open regional campuses of PTA in the Visayas and Mindanao with the main site in Region 10 following a request by the Bureau of Local Government Finance for the renovation of its Northern Mindanao regional office in Cagayan de Oro City to a PTA Center.

The planned PTA Training Center will provide provincial employees of BLGF, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs continuing professional education and training on improving tax collection competence and efficiency. Julito G. Rada

Ayala bonds receive award THOMSON Reuters’ International Financing Review Asia named Ayala Corp.’s $400-million fixed-for-life perpetual bond as the Philippine Capital Market Deal for 2017. IFR Asia is the leading source of fixed income, capital markets and investment banking news and commentary.

IFR Asia, in a special report, Review of The Year 2017, cited how the Ayala deal drew strong demand from both offshore investors and domestic institutions flush with dollar liquidity, managing to close multiple times oversubscribed with final orders of over $2.5 billion.

IFR Asia’s citation lauded Ayala Corp.’s issuance of a US dollar-denominated perpetual bond in September that set a precedent in the Philippines for fixed-for-life bonds.

The report cited that Ayala’s first offshore issue since 2003 attracted heightened demand from investors looking for quality Philippine exposure and how Ayala was primed to respond, upsizing the issue and accelerating launch of the deal in the middle of its investor roadshow. The Ayala bond was the first ever Asean corporate fixed for life perpetual.

Telephone Corp. earlier signed a memorandum of agreement with Chengdu Zhongxing Tiantong Technology Corp. to explore the feasibility of engaging in a project to provide free wireless broadband services in designated public areas before, during and after the occurrence of disasters in any part of the country.

PTT, which secured a franchise extension last year for another 25 years, offers fixed broadband to residential and business establishments in Metro Manila.

OIL company Petron Corp. is embarking on a $5-billion refinery expansion that will bring the capacity of its Bataan facility to 360,00 barrels a day in three years.

Petron president Ramon Ang said the expansion of the existing facility would be done in phases at 90,000 barrels per day for each phase.

The first phase is expected to be completed in 2019 and the next phase by 2020. “[For] the next expansion of our refinery, we will be adding another 90,000 bpd so from 180,000 bpd, we will be hitting 270,000 bpd,” Ang said.

Petron owns the existing 180,000 bpd refinery in Limay, Bataan.

“We can start [the first phase] in 2018, to be completed in 2019. We forecast an increase in income,” he said.

Ang said the first phase would cost $1.5 billion while the second phase would require $3.5 billion. He said the expansion would help produce more petrochemical products.

“The next one, we will

but it will no longer be $1.5 billion. It may be around $3.5 billion because the first phase [would involve] just de-bottling necking and for electricity and steam, but the other 90,000 bpd [would be] totally new,” Ang said.

Petron announced in November that it was studying the next phase of its refinery upgrade and expansion aimed at increasing the production of high-margin fuels and petrochemicals.

Petron earlier invested $2 billion to upgrade its Bataan refinery to make it at par with the most advanced refineries in the region.

The project, dubbed Refinery Master Plan-2, allowed Petron to produce higher-value products such as gasoline and petrochemicals while eliminating negative margin fuel.

Petron reported a consolidated net income of P11.8 billion in the first nine months of 2017, or 58 percent higher than the previous year’s earnings of P7.4 billion.

Petron said the strong financial performance was driven

value segments and sustained sales volumes in the Philippines and Malaysia.

Combined sales volume hit 80.2 million barrels in the first three quarters of the year, slightly higher than 79.3 million barrels sold in the same period in 2016.

The company said that sales volumes would have been higher if not for scheduled maintenance. Petron’s Bataan refinery ran on maintenance mode below optimum capacity for 35 days in the second quarter and 18 days in the third quarter.

Malaysia grew volume by 9 percent during the period.

Consolidated sales revenues in the first nine months of 2017 reached P313.5 billion, up 27 percent from 2016’s P247.8 billion. Operating income grew 31 percent to P22.1 billion from P16.8 billion.

“We will definitely have another banner year as we reap the benefits of our strategic programs. These have given us more diverse income streams and improved profitability,” Petron chairman Eduardo

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure that accurate data are used in calculating the feed-in tariff allowance to lessen the burden on consumers.

Meralco said in a filing with the ERC that some solar developers in Luzon reportedly generated output during night time. “To illustrate, several solar generation facilities registered output when the sun was not visible, as shown in the Philippine Electricity Market dispatch reports,” it said.

Meralco also noted a discrepancy between the installed capacity of some biomass and runof-river developers that could avail of the feedin tariff rate.

“It becomes imperative that consumers and other stakeholders such as herein intervenor Meralco be assured that only correct, pertinent and accurate information be considered in calculating FIT-All and be well informed at all times of any data/information used in calculating the FIT-All as well as the FIT paid to RE developers. It is only by doing this that consumers are assured that the FIT rates are just and reasonable,” Meralco said.

The National Transmission Corp. has a pending petition with the ERC to increase the feed-in tariff allowance by another P0.1051 per kWh for 2017.

Alena Mae S. Flores

B2

Business

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks end flat; PLDT, Semirara bounce back THE stock market closed virtually flat Wednesday, as investors took a breather following recent gains.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 3.35 points, or 0.04 percent, to 8,362.61 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 110 to 84, with 50 issues unchanged.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, declined 1.2 percent to P97.80, while Security Bank Corp., the fifth-largest bank, fell 1 percent to P251.40.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, rallied 2.1 percent to P1,480, while Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the largest coal producer and a major power generator, rose 2.6 percent to P37.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly fell on Wednesday, while US senators voted for a controversial tax overhaul which traders expect to boost corporate profits.

Equities have been on a broad upswing since last week when holdout Republican senators said they would back Donald Trump’s signature tax legislation. The president has promised that the changes will fire up an already healthy US economy.

After months of uncertainty the Senate narrowly passed the deal, which slashes taxes across the board. AFP

Meralco sells majority stake in insurance firm

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

IONEER Insurance & Surety Corp. invested in a 51 percent stake in Republic Surety and Insurance Co. Inc. that will bring the holdings of Manila Electric Co. to a minority.

Republic was a whollyowned non-insurance subsidiary of Meralco prior to the entry of Pioneer. Republic underwrites Meralco’s risk exposures and addresses all its insurance

needs, including those of its subsidiaries.

“We believe Pioneer will be a good partner. The combined strength of Republic will further strengthen to effectively compete in the

market,” a Meralco official said.

Meralco on Friday disclosed that it signed a shareholders’ and subscription agreement with Pioneer and Republic Insurance.

Under the agreement, Republic Surety will issue 2,900,000 shares or new shares out of its unissued capital stock to Meralco and Pioneer.

Meralco will subscribe to 18,500 new shares, while Pioneer will subscribe to 2,881,500 new shares.

Meralco is the country’s

biggest power distributor with over six million customers in its franchise.

“The subscription will result in Pioneer owning 51 percent and Meralco 49 percent of RSIC,” the electricity retailer said.

Meralco early this week approved the creation of a wholly-owned subsidiary to engage in the operation of electric vehicles and charging stations.

Meralco said in a disclosure the subsidiary would “engage in the business of

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.36 48,000 59.5 6,090 104.7 1,431,530 3.83 3,000 151.4 2,102,730 1.97 410,000 33.1 181,400 15.7 78,700 31.8 412,700 7.68 2,500 1.82 1,322,000 0.58 392,000 97.8 698,470 0.97 1,777,000 56.95 51,350 233.2 830 100 180 87 1,510 55.25 72,540 251.4 433,510 1,900 995 86.8 38,600 1.21 14,000

159,520 362,178 149,526,246 11,490 317,828,070 801,230 6,033,005 1,222,000 13,162,125 19,226 2,529,630 223,450 68,323,121.50 1,710,190 2,925,905 194,186 18,000 131,490.50 4,016,280 109,151,232 1,890,600 3,346,813 16,940

327,250 -60,120,542 -143,273,967 -49,280 1,137,390 236,095 15,360 5,722,220.50 305,200 -1,918,450 75,200 2,506,850 -41,021,224 471,936.50 -

39.75 12.28 0.61 1.35 17 0.213 120 4.72 16.14 184 43.55 20.4 63.55 62.45 1.9 5.3 11.24 10.94 14.64 11.24 7.25 5.56 1.64 16.9 62.3 26.8 10.9 17.98 2.31 243.8 69 4.09 3 19.9 27.9 18.1 17.98 323.8 0.198 8.6 2.3 5.93 9.31 7.22 8.38 1.53 12.5 60.15 6.5 530 4.9 1.95 13.36 5.41 0.141 1.2 150.4 2.8 1.8 24.85 0.78

INDUSTRIAL 40.2 647,700 12.6 1,734,200 0.62 1,850,000 1.36 279,000 17.5 49,700 0.22 940,000 159 4,680 4.89 2,078,000 16.18 67,800 193.8 390 44.7 535,400 20.95 6,700 65.85 10,120 64.5 2,610 1.95 95,000 5.63 2,400 11.24 1,300 11.02 4,149,000 14.64 187,300 11.4 437,500 7.26 354,700 5.6 6,241,200 1.74 22,000 16.94 992,500 62.4 18,350 26.8 470,100 11 81,100 18.08 617,300 2.37 1,487,000 243.8 736,850 69 750 4.09 20,000 3.1 38,000 20.85 8,800 27.95 5,092,400 18.2 330,700 18.2 3,742,500 325 148,420 0.209 1,030,000 8.9 53,000 2.35 1,094,000 5.95 86,000 9.31 986,400 7.45 5,690,400 8.4 95,900 1.54 372,000 12.9 970,300 60.9 398,620 6.5 900 535.5 75,560 4.95 116,000 1.98 117,000 13.4 857,500 5.46 82,000 0.141 74,850,000 1.25 223,000 151 784,920 2.8 38,000 1.82 17,078,000 24.9 400 0.79 88,000

26,033,415 21,637,210 1,130,700 376,950 876,922 201,170 684,344 10,090,980 1,096,902 73,414 23,962,455 139,940 667,698 168,523 182,110 13,440 14,616 45,723,082 2,746,158 4,985,912 2,575,616 34,907,164 37,180 16,836,090 1,144,991.50 12,931,220 891,280 11,138,526 3,493,830 181,744,272 51,750 82,020 119,530 178,075 142,723,020 6,018,864 68,357,518 48,322,272 210,440 459,453 2,630,490 515,856 9,234,699 49,803,702 805,492 571,810 12,357,270 24,301,671.50 5,850 40,549,050 570,950 232,400 11,519,400 446,988 11,226,230 277,100 118,533,184 107,200 31,185,330 9,945 68,790

-2,175,660 6,658,246 183,000 324,660 1,053,214 2,119,040 -6,155,382 434,678 1,990,440 -2,096,590 -13,140,788 -3,480 -4,049,594 -404,920.50 40,200 -323,376 -8,360,382 -117,000 -16,614,836 1,378,915 2,331,414 2,405,750.00 22,603,260 44,440 -417,210 24,000 -2,731,808 -4,007,557 -4,224,800 -21,197,828 -27,364,595 295,070 -55,640 6,211,424 356,390 33,169,329 -8,939,190 -

0.3 68 15.9 0.93 7 0.425 0.435 1,010 7.67 14.1 7.8 0.18 1,269 70.9 6 0.67 5.56 18.5 6.62 3.32 0.044 1.08 2.04 2.6 110 2.87 970.5 1.56 277 0.226

HOLDING FIRMS 0.31 300,000 68.9 205,550 15.94 1,280,800 1.01 223,000 7.04 10,900 0.435 11,420,000 0.455 9,850,000 1,018 85,480 7.74 6,351,200 14.16 3,892,700 7.8 1,100 0.183 1,670,000 1,280 51,055 72 369,580 6.37 536,100 0.7 275,000 5.64 562,000 18.7 1,838,700 6.71 14,360,700 3.32 33,000 0.046 3,000,000 1.26 1,501,000 2.04 332,000 2.9 1,454,000 110.8 331,410 2.95 109,000 973.5 166,440 1.6 1,421,000 283 8,850 0.226 80,000

92,800 14,209,748.50 20,425,248 222,810 76,332 4,924,750 4,399,650 86,957,235 49,086,069 55,154,174 8,580 304,800 65,363,145 26,501,180 3,501,490 187,050 3,173,245 34,407,050 96,246,641 109,640 134,400 1,908,250 680,400 5,770,850 36,937,394 319,810 161,990,700 2,243,330 2,475,004 18,080

270,996.50 4,114,206 1,283,350 36,559,035 5,202,632 2,038,262 118,320 26,620,885 5,321,214 -6,370 2,567,805 13,074,692.00 -8,195,724 2,635,507 -55,037,340 9,360 -

22,533,254 3,334,380 14,795,352 586,450 107,088,170 2,052,040 12,243,470 770,651 7,200 918,400 5,500 540,130 180,900 7,815,125 1,621,860 24,550 7,612,980 1,796,750 52,970 86,847,176 22,274,050 104,500 14,469,420

-7,445,842 42,088 -8,117,000 -803,380 2,384,950 -595,090 76,750 666,705 -1,310,420 903,460 6,920 -1,438,966 5,021,150 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.2 58 104.8 3.83 150.4 1.95 33.25 15.4 32 7.7 1.79 0.58 99 1 57.5 234 100 88.5 56.3 255.4 1,900 86.9 1.21

3.36 59.5 104.8 3.83 152.8 2 33.3 15.7 32 7.7 2.02 0.6 99 1.02 57.5 235 100 88.5 56.3 255.8 1,901 86.9 1.21

3.2 58 104 3.83 150.4 1.93 33.1 15.4 31.8 7.68 1.79 0.56 97.7 0.91 56.9 233 100 87 55 249 1,900 86.65 1.21

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 EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

39.9 12.38 0.61 1.35 17.94 0.214 129 4.82 16.18 184 44.95 20.4 66 65 1.92 5.3 11.26 11 14.8 11.24 7.28 5.58 1.64 16.96 63 29 11 18 2.34 246.4 69 4.09 3.33 20.05 28 18.16 18.2 326 0.209 8.8 2.42 6 9.31 10.8 8.38 1.54 12.5 60.15 6.5 539 4.94 1.96 13.48 5.41 0.163 1.26 150.4 2.85 1.82 24.85 0.78

40.3 12.7 0.62 1.36 17.96 0.22 170 4.94 16.2 193.8 44.95 21 66 65 1.95 5.63 11.26 11.1 14.8 11.44 7.28 5.61 1.74 17.02 63 29.25 11 18.14 2.39 248.8 69 4.24 3.33 20.85 28.5 18.5 18.46 326.8 0.209 8.95 2.46 6.14 9.42 10.8 8.4 1.55 12.9 61.1 6.5 539.5 4.95 2 13.5 5.55 0.168 1.27 151.5 2.85 1.86 24.9 0.79

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG

0.31 68 16.08 0.98 7.04 0.425 0.44 1,016 7.67 14.2 7.8 0.185 1,293 71.5 6.3 0.71 5.77 19.4 6.7 3.33 0.045 1.08 2.05 3.9 120 2.95 975 1.61 283 0.226

0.315 69.5 16.1 1.05 7.04 0.44 0.455 1,023 7.74 14.24 7.8 0.185 1,294 72 7.7 0.71 5.77 19.4 6.74 3.33 0.046 1.38 2.05 5.85 120 3.01 975 1.62 283 0.226

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

6.36 1.01 26 0.88 43.6 3.8 4.7 5.88 6 0.48 1.1 0.208 0.455 38.9 0.65 0.136 1.84 1.42 0.73 5.15 0.335 0.365 0.6

6.48 1.01 26 0.88 43.65 3.88 4.73 5.88 6 0.485 1.1 0.212 0.46 38.9 0.66 0.138 1.86 1.44 0.74 5.15 0.36 0.365 0.64

6.1 0.98 13.32 0.87 43.05 3.77 4.6 5.5 6 0.48 1.1 0.208 0.45 37.8 0.64 0.136 1.82 1.41 0.73 5.08 0.33 0.36 0.6

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

5.41 21.85 2.23 3.14 36.7 1.03 18 0.88 5.93

5.49 21.85 2.27 3.2 36.95 1.03 18.44 0.88 5.93

5.21 21.2 2.1 3.14 36.5 1.02 9 0.88 5.86

5.49 21.2 2.22 3.2 36.7 1.03 10.08 0.88 5.93

1,753,700 723,100 2,306,000 57,000 1,928,700 525,000 187,100 1,000 1,434,100

9,377,740 15,437,160 5,030,470 182,280 70,716,855 538,880 2,837,615 880 8,478,871

449,420 -10,330,495 -13,546,350 10,500 -653,255

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL NOW CORP PAL HLDG PAXYS 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

19.9 34.8 1.46 0.475 0.043 12.18 4.66 10.82 0.07 96.8 8.9 2.66 60 1,830 5.73 17.62 15.08 4.72 2.75 105 12.5 8.35 0.143 1.4 3.34 15 4.09 1.18 22 0.52 4.27 7.5 3.8 2.44 5.1 3.58 118 7.9 1,460 1.27 0.34 50.25 92.1 5.78 3.18 1.67 3.3 4.01 0.99 8.1

20.3 34.8 1.5 0.475 0.044 12.18 5.69 11 0.071 98.5 9.02 2.85 60.95 1,830 5.75 18.26 15.2 4.8 2.75 105 12.5 8.35 0.143 1.4 3.5 15 4.15 1.18 22.6 0.52 4.33 7.5 3.93 2.62 5.65 3.58 118 7.95 1,486 1.32 0.34 50.5 93.95 5.95 3.32 1.69 3.35 4.14 1.02 8.14

19.3 34.65 1.4 0.465 0.041 12.18 4.66 10.82 0.07 96.8 8.79 2.5 20.6 1,798 5.69 17.62 15 4.6 2.62 104.2 12 8.33 0.14 1.34 3.08 14.9 3.9 1.18 21.95 0.52 3.8 7.31 3.8 2.4 5.1 2.94 117 7.73 1,460 1.26 0.34 49.5 91.5 5.78 3.18 1.64 2.82 4 0.97 8.01

SERVICES 20.1 34.65 1.4 0.465 0.042 12.18 5.39 10.86 0.07 97 8.96 2.65 20.6 1,798 5.74 18.26 15.2 4.67 2.62 104.8 12 8.35 0.14 1.37 3.3 14.9 3.9 1.18 22.35 0.52 3.95 7.45 3.93 2.62 5.33 2.96 117 7.8 1,480 1.31 0.34 49.5 92.8 5.95 3.32 1.65 3 4.14 0.99 8.09

142,900 18,500 503,000 2,140,000 47,000,000 800 4,372,000 2,021,000 7,220,000 1,900,670 1,061,400 484,000 1,517,500 10,400 367,600 9,800 11,800 2,449,000 125,000 321,090 205,300 319,000 3,450,000 2,458,000 303,000 5,800 2,376,000 141,000 1,251,400 15,000 3,238,000 1,383,000 1,880,000 4,377,000 385,600 1,853,000 8,830 1,015,500 102,005 2,773,000 80,000 1,128,700 298,630 21,300 1,450,000 13,543,000 21,917,000 389,000 4,268,000 7,541,500

2,856,422 642,420 738,630 995,250 1,971,400 9,744 23,481,600 22,066,446 505,720 185,491,019 9,467,008 1,263,340 38,729,940 18,898,780 2,098,205 177,832 178,944 11,469,970 328,830 33,660,512 2,463,782 2,663,323 486,770 3,333,010 984,360 86,500 9,396,920 166,380 27,808,890 7,800 12,699,310 10,285,198 7,230,050 11,222,530 2,077,691 5,690,150 1,039,254 7,941,392 150,734,980 3,608,800 27,200 56,391,253.50 27,713,436 124,754 4,710,840 22,377,610 66,656,110 1,583,110 4,265,560 60,908,187

1,203,014 -265,050 -215,000.00 -9,744 5,716,762 -16,542,792.50 812,770 840,805 -27,070 1,281,959 28,400.00 540,000 -314,000 4,128,505 3,900 7,668,313 50,650 -436,080 33,480 -173,827 -248,145 44,427,375 81,220 -15,817,918.50 -21,372,581.50 -11,900 -1,435,580 2,587,900 4,308,960 187,330 -30,180 20,281,562

57,100 3,182,080 347,600 3,600 112,930 1,495,930 3,150 2,556,790 2,577,380 1,000,980 298,800 459,650 764,445 71,310 98,515 18,060 23,300 1,682,400 27,800 184,070 6,116,155 8,120,149 79,754,815 13,800

-215,590 -13,200 -35,200 14,742 2,900 -1,422,461 -467,599.00 10,138,685.00 -

MS

PROPERTY 6.38 0.99 13.9 0.87 43.3 3.78 4.69 5.5 6 0.48 1.1 0.211 0.46 37.8 0.65 0.138 1.82 1.41 0.74 5.1 0.355 0.36 0.63

3,563,700 3,367,000 894,900 671,000 2,476,800 538,000 2,638,000 139,500 1,200 1,910,000 5,000 2,590,000 400,000 205,500 2,499,000 180,000 4,171,000 1,269,000 72,000 17,005,300 64,060,000 290,000 23,304,000

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

0.0023 1.49 4.4 1.8 1.79 1.58 0.315 2.6 0.153 0.153 0.0097 1.69 6.15 1.51 0.405 0.91 0.013 0.012 0.012 2.08 5.5 8.05 36.3 0.0069

0.0023 1.51 4.4 1.8 1.79 1.62 0.315 2.61 0.153 0.156 0.0097 1.76 6.22 1.6 0.48 0.91 0.013 0.012 0.012 2.08 5.79 8.16 37 0.0069

0.0022 1.49 4.4 1.8 1.65 1.57 0.315 2.56 0.15 0.151 0.0096 1.68 6.12 1.5 0.405 0.9 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.01 5.5 7.91 36 0.0069

MINING & OIL 0.0023 25,000,000 1.49 2,124,000 4.4 79,000 1.8 2,000 1.65 65,000 1.58 944,000 0.315 10,000 2.6 985,000 0.15 17,160,000 0.151 6,610,000 0.0096 31,000,000 1.76 273,000 6.14 124,400 1.55 47,000 0.44 236,000 0.9 20,000 0.012 1,800,000 0.012 140,200,000 0.012 2,500,000 2.01 91,000 5.51 1,102,300 7.92 1,015,600 37 2,183,600 0.0069 2,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 SFI PREF SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

34.45 522 106 113.5 5.5 1,030 101.7 1.07 1,060 1,003 3.02 80 75.1 76.15 78.6

34.45 522 106 113.9 5.5 1,030 101.7 1.07 1,060 1,003 4.38 80 76 76.15 78.6

34.4 522 106 113 5.44 1,030 101.7 1.01 1,060 1,003 2.05 80 75.1 76.15 78.6

PREFERRED 34.4 48,100 522 20 106 200 113.9 1,220 5.44 116,900 1,030 30 101.7 4,940 1.05 164,000 1,060 1,000 1,003 100 2.08 877,000 80 13,400 76 630 76.15 10 78.6 2,650

1,656,925 10,440 21,200 138,038 642,036 30,900 502,398 172,710 1,060,000 100,300 3,054,960 1,072,000 47,430 761.5 208,290

-251,370 -642,036 5,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.44

2.6

2.41

WARRANTS 2.42 549,000

1,340,810

-

1,521,014 1,767,140 184,860 16,172,838

58,760 4,209,808

147,978

1,265

50,491 10,060 100,000

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8 3.01 3.98 5.09

8.27 3.01 3.98 5.18

8 2.89 3.9 4.8

FIRST METRO ETF

127

127.3

126.1

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.1 10.06 1

10.1 10.06 1

10 10.06 1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,089,902

INDUSTRIAL

213,409,127

HOLDING FIRMS

74,527,081

PROPERTY

141,212,996

SERVICES

150,878,218

MINING & OIL

236,305,657

GRAND TOTAL

830,540,271

8.09 2.89 3.9 5.05

SME

189,100 608,000 47,000 3,270,700

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.3 1,170 DDS 10 10.06 1

5,000 1,000 100,000

VALUE 2,140.00 (down) 3.77 761,708,073.71 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,098.60 (up) 8.87 2,320,889,618.79 HOLDING FIRMS 8,481.53 (down) 1.45 764,570,256.59 PROPERTY 3,882.82 (down) 17.29 SERVICES 1,601.23 (up) 6.87 420,865,250.025 MINING & OIL 11,330.62 (up) 128.40 863,629,103.57 PSEI 8,362.61 (down) 3.35 108,996,006.876 All Shares Index 4,893.62 (down) 8.52 5,260,457,061.56 Gainers: 84; Losers: 110; Unchanged: 50; Total: 244

owning, maintaining and operating transport service networks of charging stations, batteries and vehicles utilizing electric energy and other alternative energy sources.”

“Part of our support to create an ecosystem in EV. We see opportunity in the development of e-vehicles moving forward. At the same time, it’s pro- environment,” Meralco first vice president and head of legal and corporate governance William Pamintuan said.

Pamintuan said by investing in e-vehicles, Meralco would help reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

“It is a way towards the effort to reduce carbon emission. We also see it as an opportunity since it will also create a market of power users hoping to increase demand of electricity,” he said.

Pamintuan said Meralco would likely forge partnerships for the e-vehicle and charging stations later on, but the project was still on development stage.

“As more people adopt EV, we are hoping demand will increase exponentially.

It will initially be Meralco franchise area. We will put up charging stations, EV, provide EV public shuttles,” he said.

Meralco teamed up with Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. and the government to put up electric vehicle charging stations in four locations.

MPIC gets P10-b loans from BDO, Union Bank

By Jenniffer B. Austria INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said it secured P10 billion worth of long-term loans from two banks to finance investments in several projects.

Metro Pacific said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday it signed separate agreements to obtain a 10-year fixed-rate term loan worth P5 billion from BDO Unibank Inc and another a 10-year fixed-rate term loan for another P5 billion from Union Bank of the Philippines.

Metro Pacific plans to use proceeds from the loans to finance investment in several projects and other general corporate purposes.

The conglomerate earlier said it had no plans to raise capital through the equities market to fund programmed capital expenditures over the next five years.

Metro Pacific earlier said it planned to spend up to P820 billion to accelerate expansion of tollroads, and power and water projects in the country.

The company is spending P653 billion on pipeline projects from 2018 to 2022 and P167 billion on projects that are currently being pursued by subsidiaries in the areas of tollroads, biogas and logistics.

It has earmarked P100 billion for 2018, or nearly double than the P56-billon programmed spending for 2017.

Metro Pacific will earmark P38 billion or the bulk of the 2018 capital spending to the tollroad business, P21 billion for Manila Electric Co., P17 billion for Light Rail Manila Corp. and P6 billion each for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and the logistics and hospital units.

Business/World

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017 Standard Manila

B3

TODAY extrastory2000@gmail.com

Hurricanes, heat waves ravaged planet in 2017 MIAMI―Fierce hurricanes, heat waves, floods and wildfires ravaged the planet in 2017, as scientists said the role of climate change in causing or worsening certain natural disasters has grown increasingly clear.

It was also the year the world’s second largest polluter, the United States, turned its back on the 196-nation Paris climate deal meant to limit global warming to under two degrees Celsius (1.5 degrees Fahrenheit) over preindustrial levels.

President Donald Trump, who has dismissed global warming as a Chinese hoax, vowed to quit the 2015 Paris accord and tapped fossil fuel allies to key environmental posts.

His administration also dropped climate change from the list of national security

ONSTAGE.

Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, David Rawlings and Gillian Welch perform onstage at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on December 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. AFP

TRAIN bill rammed; Loose ends in Naia FOR all the good intentions and its overall positive impact on the economy, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, or TRAIN, is not without fault. Many consumers and certain key sectors of the economy stand to suffer by way of slower sales, and higher consumer prices and utility rates.

Even its passage is suspect. The august halls of Congress was filled with only 10 lawmakers, yet a bicameral version of the tax reform bill was ratified. The bicameral committee formed to merge the TRAIN versions of the two houses of Congress may have weaved its magic to move for its ratification. Yet, talks linger about irregularities in the bill’s approval, midnight insertions and lack of quorum.

A member of the House of Representatives, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tino, slammed what he claims was the lack of quorum during the ratification of the bicameral version of TRAIN. News reports said only 10 lawmakers were present on the floor at that time.

If the rules of the House were to be abided by, the bicameral committee was short of 137 lawmakers in order to reach a quorum. Having 10 people on the floor seems a bit of a stretch from the 147 required.

Members of PDP-Laban, the president’s party, were busy enjoying a soiree at Sofitel Plaza Hotel. The voting must have been done over Facetime or Viber, whatever suits the lawmakers.

Some senators have also cried foul over the insertion of several provisions that are different from what have been initially agreed upon by the bicameral committee. The hallways of the Senate are filled with hushed whispers of two alleged bicameral committee reports circulating—one containing what has agreed upon while the other reflects the midnight insertions made by several lawmakers.

The current administration enjoys a strong support from all sectors—from Congress to every socio-economic bracket of the population—but one can’t help but wonder why it had to discard with all the legalities and thrust its landmark tax reform program into the abyss of public doubt.

President Rodrigo Duterte has just signed into law a tax measure that will affect every single Filipino, living and yet to be born, but one that blatantly disregarded the law.

The TRAIN is a law that will affect present and future Filipinos. The Filipino people deserve a tax reform program that has been carefully reviewed and studied by the very people they elected to be their representatives.

The deep and long-term ramifications of the tax reform demands that more time be allowed for more deliberate study and analyses. Experts must be consulted for their views and, most importantly, a thorough hearing of the opinions and concerns of all the affected sectors must have been done.

Smooth transition Much has been said and written about the importance of having an efficient and impressive airport to receive local and foreign visitors.

Unfortunately, decades of neglect, incompetence and corruption have resulted in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) being ranked as the world’s worst airport from 2011 to 2013, and fourth worst in 2014. While the Naia was not listed in the top 10 worst airports in the world in 2015, it was named the eighth worst in Asia. In 2016, the country’s premier gateway to the world was named the fifth worst airport in Asia.

Fortunately, it did not make the list in 2017. Passengers have been reporting a smooth and fast experience, from landing at the airport to retrieving their bags, and even to getting a ride home.

Even as the Duterte administration seems to be doing a great job of setting things in order at the Naia, some loose ends must be tied up to allow for a smooth transition to the airport’s privatization.

Recent reports about the plan of several major corporations to band together for the rehabilitation of Naia, as well as proposals from other companies to construct new airports in Bulacan or Cavite are indeed welcome news. Just look at the vast improvement being made at the Cebu and Caticlan airports, the operations (except for the air traffic services) and maintenance of which have been privatized.

There is, of course, still much to be done.

The Manila International Airport Authority, the government agency responsible for managing the Naia, must ensure at all times that the Naia provides its passengers with excellent customer service, world-class facilities, high-quality security and safety standards. This it cannot sustain if it continues with its current practice of renewing on a month-to-month basis the contracts of all the Naia’s service providers and concessionaires.

How would these suppliers be expected to provide job security to their employees? How would these companies or concessionaires be expected to put in new investments unless their services are contracted in the usual long-term engagement?

What the MIAA should do is to ensure a smooth transition between the present set-up and the further streamlining and enhancement of Naia’s operations and management.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com, business@manilastandard.net or extrastory2000@gmail.com

threats, announced plans to auction off vast swaths of the Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling, and signed a proposal to eliminate the Clean Power Plan, aimed at limiting the release of polluting greenhouse gases.

Trump says the goal is to make America a dominant source of energy for the world, and to create jobs.

“Together, we are going to start a new energy revolution― one that celebrates American production on American soil,” Trump said in June.

In October, Trump signed a proclamation to make America a net energy exporter by 2026, reviving the coal industry and seeking to access the estimated $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil and natural gas reserves, particularly on federal lands. AFP

New film Hollywood tribute to journalism W ASHINGTON-At a time when the media is being accused of peddling “fake news,” Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are bringing Hollywood star power to a movie celebrating journalism and the virtues of a free press.

“The Post,” which comes out in theaters in the United States on Friday, recounts the nail-biting behind-the-scenes story of the 1971 publication by The Washington Post of the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the lies behind US involvement in the Vietnam War. Directed by Spielberg, whose long list of credits includes “Saving Private Ryan,” “Schindler’s List,” “Jaws” and “E.T.,” “The Post” stars Streep as aristocratic Post publisher Katharine Graham and Hanks as the newspaper’s scrappy executive editor Ben Bradlee.

The drama at the heart of the film revolves around Graham’s decision to go ahead and publish the Pentagon Papers, a move that could have had potentially fatal consequences for the family newspaper she took over eight years earlier upon the suicide of her husband.

The Pentagon Papers, leaked by whistle blower Daniel Ellsberg, were a 7,000-page classified report that determined―contrary to the public assertions of US government officials―that the Vietnam conflict was unwinnable.

The New York Times published excerpts until the administration of president Richard Nixon obtained a court injunction barring the newspaper from continuing to do so on national security grounds.

That’s where the Post stepped in, braving legal and financial peril to take up the torch.

Spielberg, Streep and Hanks attended a screening of “The Post” at the shrine to journalism, the Newseum, in Washington last week, located just a few blocks from the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Not present but looming over the event was President Donald Trump, who has waged a vitriolic campaign against media outlets he believes are unfair to him.

Trump has been particularly scathing about CNN and The New York Times but he has also repeatedly attacked the Post, calling it “dishonest,” “phony” and―his favorite― ”fake news.”

He refers to the newspaper in his tweets as the “Amazon Washington Post,” a reference to Jeff Bezos, the owner of online retail giant Amazon who purchased the Post from the Graham family in 2013.

Speaking to reporters on the red carpet at the Newseum screening, Spielberg, Hanks and Streep―once dismissed by Trump as “overrated”―were reluctant to call out the president by name and downplayed suggestions the movie was a shot across the bow of his White House.

“I think it’s very, very important that our movie is seen not as a political, partisan play on the part of what they call the liberal media or Hollywood,” Spielberg said.

“I see it not as a partisan movie,” he said, “but a movie about patriotism and a movie about the courageous media, the Fourth Estate, and what they did to be able to get the Pentagon Papers published, which then led to Watergate.”

Watergate, of course, was the subject of a 1976 Hollywood blockbuster in which The Washington Post also played a starring role―”All the President’s Men” featuring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

Despite Spielberg’s protestations, reviewers are finding parallels inescapable between “The Post” and its championing of the media and the non-stop vilification of the press by Trump. “[‘The Post’] takes you back to a time when the outcome was precarious, and the freedoms we thought we took for granted hung in the balance,” said Variety. “Just as they do today.”AFP

The five pillars of the rule of law THE long and fierce struggle to rid this country of the dictatorial regime of Ferdinand E. Marcos was led by a quarter of institutions: the Roman Catholic Church, the business community—more specifically, the Makati Business Club (MBC), the brotherhood of intrepid and savvy lawyers led by MABINI and FLAG and the group of clandestine publications that Mr. Marcos derisively called the mosquito press.

During the darkest days of the dictatorship this quartet of institutions kept alive the Filipino people’s hopes for a return to democracy, freedom and the rule of law. In the end they succeeded in doing what for so long seemed an impossibility, viz., bringing down the Marcos dictatorship.

Since July 1, 2016 the rule of law—and the rules on criminal procedure in particular – has been under attack, and today, barely thirty years after the present Constitution’s installation, there is much talk of the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, of nationwide martial law and of setting aside the Constitution to make way for a revolutionary government.

There should have been five pillars of the democracy-defense system during the Marcos dictatorship. The Supreme Court should have been the fifth pillar. Unfortunately, the nation’s highest tribunal was in no position to function as an independent institution, Mr. Marcos having filled its ranks with his classmates and close friends. And so, where the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship should have rested on five pillars, there were only four. The Supreme Court was MIA (missing in action).

How are the five pillars—the media, the legal community, the business sector, the Roman Catholic Church and the Supreme Court—performing today in the face of the renewed challenge to democracy and the rule of law?

As the institution mandated by the Basic Law with the responsibility of declaring what constitutionally is right and wrong, the Supreme Court is crucial to the effort to maintain and strengthen the rule of law. Thus far, the High Court has given no firm indication of how it intends to perform its constitutional mandate in an environment of Presidential bluster and populism, but if its decision in the Marcos burial case is any guide, the nation’s highest tribunal will probably decide controversial political and law enforcement cases with utmost caution.

Undoubtedly, the Malacanang-directed effort to dislodge the Chief Justice has had a nearchilling effect on the Supreme Court.

community and the private lawyers’ groups are the pillars of the rule of law. Malacanang may cow the business community and the lawyers’ groups into docility. But if the rest of the pillars—the Supreme Court, the Catholic Church and the media—hold firm, the rule of law will prevail in this country.

After initially trying to accommodate the legal shortcomings of President Rodrigo Duterte’s personal war on illegal drugs, the Catholic Church decided to come out swinging E-mail: romero.business.class@gmail.com against the Duterte administration and has been EXTRA JUDICIAL deploying all the moral tools in its armory in an For SETTLEMENT all-out campaign to get Mr. Duterte to order a NOTICE IS HEREBY fast ad stop to what it perceives as extra-judicial killGIVEN THAT THE ESTATE OF THE ings (EJK) directed at the poor. The Catholic results, LATE EDILBERTO M. Church brought down a dictatorship once; it BAUTISTA HAS BEEN please E X T R A J U D I C I A L LY can do the same thing again. Jaime Cardinal SETTLED WITH TRANSFER OF RIGHTS Sin’s spirit lives on. call AMONG HIS HEIRS AS As the constitutionally instituted national PER DOC. NO. 139, PAGE NO. 28; BOOK association of lawyers, the Integrated Bar NO. XXIX; SERIES OF Advertising 2017 BEFORE ATTY. of the Philippines (IBP) has the responsibilHERCULES P. GUZMAN, ity to support its members’ yearning for the NOTARY PUBLIC Department PTR#3804147; 01-04rule of law. During most of its existence the 2017.

832-5547 IBP has been a docile and inarticulate entity.

(MS-DEC. 21,28 & JAN. 4, 2018) However, of late there have been indications served together with a copy of Republic of the Philippines the petition and annexes to the of the IBP’s coming to life. The current and REGIONAL TRIAL COURT CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION Local Civil Registrar of Quezon immediate past president of the IBP have NATIONAL City; the National Statistician/ Branch 100, Quezon City Civil Registrar General of the spoken out in no uncertain terms against the PERLITA O. ALVARICO, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA); the Office of the Solicitor Petitioner, EJKs and the law enforcement authorities’ General (OSG); the City -versusinaction on them. Better late than never. The R-QZN-17-08678-SP Prosecutor’s Office of Quezon City.

IBP will gain an added measure of respect YONGDEOK LEE, THE CIVIL ET AL., Finally, let respondent Yongdeok from its members if it maintains its position REGISTRAR GENERAL, Respondents.

Lee be served with a copy of this x-------------------------------------------x Order and a copy of the Petition on the EJK issue. at his address at 61 Sungcheol-ri ORDER Gojeon-myeon, Hadong myeon, President Duterte from-Day-One onslaught This is a verified petition praying Gyeongnam, South Korea by against the media has succeeded in intimi- unto the Honorable Court that a registered mail and also through decision be rendered as follows: private courier, both at the dating some press and broadcast entities, but expense of the petitioner.

That the judgment of Divorce others have refused to be cowed by the scare bya. Agreement Confirmation of The compliance to the Order issued by the Judge dated 11 September 2017 filed by tactics of the former city mayor. Mr. Duterte Intention Lee, Hye Seon in the Republic of petitioner is hereby Noted. has a problem with an influential part of the Korea, be judicially recognized; b. Directing the Public SO ORDERED. media, which wears with pride the scars of its Respondents, namely, the Civil Quezon City, Metro Manila, General and the Local November 8, 2017. long fight against the Marcos dictatorship. The Registrar Civil Registrar of Quezon City, to annotate the Judgment of Divorce problem is not about to go away.

(Sgd.) EDITHA G. MINA-AGUBA on the Marriage Certificate Presiding Judge Truth to tell, the biggest disappointment among of Yongdeok Lee and Perlita Alvarico; Copy furnished: the five pillars of the rule of law has been the c. Declaring that Petitioner, Alvarico has the capacity Perlita Alvarico-petitioner business community. Wallowing in the benefits Perlita No. 106 B. del Pilar St., Brgy. Santolan to remarry.

Malabon City conferred by the “sound economic fundamenFinding the Petition to be Julie Racquel c. Malicdem-Counsel tals” bequeathed by the Aquino administration to sufficient in form and substance, Atty for the petitioner notice is hereby given that the Sedigo and Associates its successor, the business community has been petition shall be heard before Suite 506, ITC Bldg., 337 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave., Court sitting at Room 217, deafeningly silent on the excesses created by Mr. this Makati City Hall of Justice Bldg., Quezon City Compound, Quezon City on Office of the Solicitor General-134 Duterte’s war on illegal drugs and his unsettling Hall January 25, 2018 at 2:00 o’clock Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, actions in the diplomatic arena. Yes, even the in the afternoon at which date Makati City and time, all persons interested National Statistician/Civil Registrar Makati Business Club has been MIA. One won- may appear and show cause in The General-Phil. Statistics Authority, 3rd why the petition should not floor, NSO-CVEA Bldg., East Ave., ders whether it will take another high-level politi- writing be granted.

Diliman, Q.C. cal assassination for the business community to The Local Civil Registrar of Quezon Let a copy of this Order be City-Quezon City Hall Complex, rediscover its moral compass. published once a week for three Diliman, Quezon City consecutive weeks in a These five institutions – the Supreme Court, (3) newspaper of general circulation Office of the City Prosecutor, Quezon the Catholic Church, the media, the business chosen by raffle, and further City (MS-Dec. 7, 14 & 21, 2017)

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

thursday, december 21, 2017

WINNING KIDS. Student dancers from CAA Elementary School, CAA Elementary Annex, and Gatchalian Elementary School perform a number during the Las Piñas 12th Parol Festival 2017 and Street Dance competition at the Villar Sipag Hall along C5 Extension in Las Piñas City. Senator Cynthia Villar was the guest of honor at the event. Lino Santos

‘Palero’ sacked for catcalling student Magastos mambastos sa Quezon City (It’s costly to misbehave in Quezon City).

A garbage collector learned this the hard way after he was fired by the hauling contractor who hired him for harassing a female student who was waiting for a ride in Barangay Bagumbuhay in Project 4.

According to the Quezon City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department, the garbage collector or “palero” was initially reprimanded and later terminated by the management of OMNI Hauling Services Inc. The hauling contractor likewise issued a stern warning to its garbage collection teams to be aware of Quezon City’s anti-catcalling ordinance (City Ordinance 2501-2016), which penalizes sexual harassment in public places, and Republic Act 9170, the Magna Carta for Women.

“The company wants to remind all concerned that you should control your paleros because you hire them directly,” the OMNI memo read. Rio Araja

NV eyes energy project with Belgium city

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— A proposed energy project is being worked out here between the provincial government and officials of West Flanders City in Belgium.

A delegation of Belgian officials led

by West Flanders Deputy Director Jean de Bethune recently visited the province and met with Gov. Carlos Padilla, Vice Gov. Lambert Galima Jr. and other provincial officials.

Padilla said the visitors also toured possible sites for the proposed energy project, which is expected to be built in partnership with five local government units of the province.

During the Belgians’ three-day visit, the project was discussed with the recipient and partner LGUs, St. Mary’s University, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Agrizkaya’s store processing center and demo farm, and officials of the Munguia Multipurpose Cooperative in Barangay Oyao in Dupax del Norte town.

“The Belgians will soon discuss their accomplishments and the preparatory stage of the synergy project, which is targeted in a three-year program,” Padilla said.

An agreement will also be finalized and signed among the sponsor, recipient LGUs, academe, provincial government, and civil society organizations, he added.

P50k for Cebu cops hit

By Junex Doronio

C

EBU CITY—PDP-Laban stalwart Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has opposed the plan of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to give P50,000 to policemen who kill criminals in the ongoing war against illegal drugs.

“This pronouncement from the honorable mayor, for me, pursues a cultivation of an environment where order is attained not through the means enshrined in our legal institutions but through impunity

and disregard for the sanctity of life,” Labella said.

Labella, who took his oath as member of the administration party last Nov. 17, delivered a privileged speech on the issue during the Cebu City Council session last week.

Labella is the highest elected official of Team Rama—Osmeña’s political rivals in the last elections— to take an oath as a PDPLaban member before House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in a 50,000-strong assembly organized by Presidential Assistant Mike Dino.

Team Rama’s leader, former mayor Mike Rama, could not join Labella and other members in pledging allegiance to the administration party after President Rodrigo Duterte himself identified Rama as a

drug lord protector.

On Dec. 12, Osmeña announced his plan to give P50,000 financial assistance to policemen who kill criminals while doing their jobs after Duterte brought back the Philippine National Police into the war on illegal drugs.

The President’s drugs war has met criticism from various sectors here and abroad, especially human rights groups and remnants of the Liberal Party, the political opposition.

“Suit or no suit, there will always be legal and other expenses, and I want the police to know that the city government will always have their back,” Osmeña said.

Fellow members of the opposition, like Councilors Raymond Garcia and Joel Garganera, said providing policemen with lawyers would be a better idea.

But Osmeña stressed on helping the police financially in their anti-drug campaign.

“Believe it or not,” he said, “shooting a person is a life-

changing experience, and the vast majority of policemen—especially Cebuano policemen—are not bloodthirsty killers. Police who end up having to perform the tragic side of their duty deserve support, and support is what we will give them.”

In a related development, Commission on Human Rights director Arvin Odron also expressed apprehension the “anti-drug war reward” dangled by Osmeña might lead to violations of human rights.

In BrIef P200k for info on gentri killings

LENI IN ‘MUNTI.’ Vice President Leni Robredo celebrates with the people of Muntinlupa City during their 100th Centennial Anniversary at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Villar unveils P365-m flyover in south Bacolod BACOLOD CITY—Public Works Secretary Mark Villar led the inauguration of the P365-million AranetaMagsaysay flyover in this city on Tuesday.

The road structure, located in the southern part of the city, is the second flyover in Bacolod after the first in the north on Lacson Street in Barangay Bata.

Villar said the Department of Public Works and Highways fast-tracked the

completion of the flyover to make the Bacoleños happy this Christmas.

“We assure you this is only the start. We have more projects to be implemented here,” he added.

Villar was joined by Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and District Engineer Abraham Villareal during the inauguration rites, which included a ceremonial drive-

through on the flyover.

The secretary said Bacolod is fortunate to have officials facilitating the infrastructure projects for the city.

The Araneta-Magsaysay flyover’s total project cost was converted into economic construction cost of P321.2 million, using the standard economic conversion factors.

The structure is a doublelane pavement with five spans

of modular steel technology of Matierre S.A.S. under the French Government assistance program. It has four piers with a total length of 195 lineal meters, and road approaches of 280 meters.

Villar said the DPWH is also conducting a feasibility study for additional flyovers in Bacolod. The city is one of the recipients of the “golden age” infrastructure program of President Rodrigo Duterte, he added. PNA

N. Vizcaya pine trees dressed up for Christmas GENTRI TREE. General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer, Vice Mayor Morit Sison and city councilors lead the ceremonial lighting of the 30-foot-high Christmas Tree at the city plaza as Team GenTri welcomed the Yuletide season.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—Provincial officials have allowed the use of pine trees within the provincial capitol here to be transformed into giant Christmas trees as part of its holiday attractions and celebration.

The transformation of the pine trees along the provin-

cial capitol’s pathways was also offered among the 15 towns, provincial government offices, and national government agencies here as their entry to the Christmas Tree Make-Over Contest.

The deadline was set last Dec. 15, including its judging.

Maybelle Blossom Dumlao-Sevillena, head of the contest committee, said the activity is part of the team building activity of all Nueva Vizcaya offices and national government agencies.

“A committee through the organization of Chris-

tian leaders in the province oversees monitoring and output of all entries, making sure they would really be the product of teamwork or unity among government employees of government offices, not only during Christmas but in our daily lives,” she said. Ben Moses Ebreo

GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite—Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer has offered a P200,000 cash reward for any information that could help solve the killing of a mother and daughter in a subdivision in Barangay Navarro here.

Police Superintendent Sandro Jay Tafalla, Chief of Police of the General Trias Component City Police Office, said Ferrer and the city government offered the bounty for the immediate arrest of killers of Ruby Gamos, 37, and her daughter Shaniah, 7.

Local police have identified at least four persons of interest and for interrogation.

The victims were found lifeless in their house in Barangay Navarro last Dec. 10, a few days after relatives failed to contact them.

Qc on yellow alert for holidays STARTING Dec. 22, the Quezon City Disaster Action Team will be on Yellow Alert in anticipation of any emergencies during the holidays.

According to QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Karl Michael Marasigan, emergency medical services and search and rescue teams are ready to respond any time during the holidays. Also, six new ambulances were recently added to QCDRRMO’s fleet that will be on alert.

“This is a busy activity for us. On Dec. 22 we will be raising the alert level to Yellow. All members of the Disaster Action Team will be on-call alert status so anytime we need warm bodies, they are here,” Marasigan said. Rio Araja

Life

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

shopping

thuRsday, decemBeR 21, 2017

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Decorative Christmas tree table top candles add a classic charm to this dining set-up

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Home for the holidays

t’s Our Home for the Holidays as the home lifestyle store celebrates the season with the Philippine school of Interior Design, showcasing contemporary Christmas interiors styled by PsID alumni and stylists.

“Our Home for the Holidays brings the best of the Yuletide season as it presents varied ways of celebrating the season of joy, peace and love,” says PsID Dean Jie Pambid. “Our Home presents the best of the holiday season in furniture, furnishings, and accessories as we creatively style six different Holiday vignettes as curated by the best designers and stylists from the Philippine school of Interior Design Alumni Association.” these vignettes include Industrial, scandinavian, Neo-Baroque, Modern, traditional Classic, and Mid Century Modern themes for different personalities and lifestyles. the Industrial theme centers on the use of iron, concrete, wood, and bricks. Raw and rough with a certain penchant for a vibe that is urban and cosmopolitan, the Industrial style is for those with a strong personal style and who are not afraid of thinking out of the box. to create this look, PsID designers put together pieces like the leather sofa and cast iron accent table of Our Home creating a look that is personal and individual. simplicity, functionalism and minimalism characterize the scandinavian design movement that started making waves in the 1950s. Furniture pieces

HOLIDAY HOME. A pop of colors makes a Mid Century Modern Christmas themed room festive. that have been labeled as stylish and have a timeless feel for the classy and modern with a very distinct retro vibe the functional. make this design trend a staple in inteNeo-Baroque expressions highlight rior design especially with people who the details that made the baroque style

famous in the 17th and 18th century; that is – the opulence and extravagance, the use of gold and crystals and the lavish look that is characterized by exces-

sive carving. the “neo” version though employs the use of achromatic tones, with the same love for crystals and mirrors and a lot of tufted furniture like that of Our Home’s furniture and accessories.

Modern styles transcend timelines and present a fresh and novel way of mixing and matching pieces that describe an urban and cosmopolitan way of life. these are statement pieces that evoke a lifestyle that is hip and stylish, sophisticated and eclectic bordering on unique and individual. Modern styles often are a reflection of personality, tastes and refinements, delving on a certain way of life – fast paced, utilitarian and chic. traditional Classic styles and pieces that have withstood the boundaries of time – timeless, elegant and with a certain old-world charm. strongly influenced by a solid historical and period basis, these are pieces reserved for those with discerning tastes, with a critical design palate and for those who value a sense of nostalgia.

Mid Century Modern styles were brought about by an iconic design development from 1933 – 1965. the movement highlights furniture pieces that have become mainstays of tasteful, current and trendy interiors and have brought back the class and elegance of vintage styles. Mid Century Modern designs have been the hallmark of designers with excellent palates in avantgarde designs.

Check out the Our Home for the Holidays vignettes at Our|Home branches in SM Bacoor, Mall of Asia, Megamall, Fairview, North Edsa, Southmall, BF Parañaque, San Lazaro and in Virramall Greenhills.

Do your last minute Christmas shopping and more at RWM

By Jamil E. Desma MORE than holding the distinction of being the country’s first integrated entertainment and tourism destination, Resorts World Manila (RWM) is also a mecca for shoppers boasting a wide range of global brands housed in its very own Newport Mall. Taking up four floors of retail space, RWM’s plush lifestyle arcade serves as your one-

stop, nonstop destination for all your Christmas shopping needs.

The fashion-conscious will be spoilt for choice with household names such as Lacoste, Mango, Guess, and Giordano to choose from. Newport Mall also offers gift ideas on current styles in shoes and sportswear with ResToeRun, Hush Puppies, Call It Spring, Lacoste Footwear, Michael Antonio, and Planet Sports.

For that personalized touch, renowned brands such as Montblanc and Pandora offer something that can be given for Christmas and kept for posterity, while specialty stores like Sunglass Hut and Art of Scent serve up great ideas for the more discerning shopper. Wine and whiskey connoisseurs will love the variety on display at Duty Free Philippines and the prestige of the scotch on offer at The World’s Finest Liquor.

Alternatively, members may also use their points earned from gaming activity to redeem products and services from RWM dining outlets, hotels, parking facilities, participating merchant partners, and the RWM Redemption Store. Among the premium items you may purchase using points at the RWM Redemption Store are the latest smartphones, RWM apparel, and handsome luggage sets that

all make for the perfect Christmas gift.

To cap off your Christmas shopping spree, RWM guests will be treated to an evening of music and magic with a Christmas Day Show at The Plaza in Newport Mall.

The angelic voices of the UP Singing Ambassadors will fill the air with traditional Christmas hymns, while “Diamond Soul Siren” Nina will enchant audiences with contemporary carols. Santa Claus will also be on hand to delight children of all ages. Newport Mall parking is also offering free parking for every P500 single or accumulated purchase in any retail or dining outlet.

Life

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thursday, december 21, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Joe Fresh introduces a collection featuring classic leopards, romantic florals and ombre plaid inspired by the spirited style of London

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London calling he storied, spirited style of London inspires a Fall collection vibrant with poetic patterns, sophisticated color stories, and distinctive details.

From the vintage-tinged romance of Portobello to the polished appeal of Mayfair, a sense of eclecticism influences prints that range from Art Nouveau florals to leopard spots and ombré plaids. Smart wear-to-work essentials

are complemented by bolder designs like oversized cardigans, modern moto jackets in unexpected hues and statement parkas ranging from stylishly shrunken to classically quilted.

Quintessentially British lace accents

add a refined touch to tunic dresses while a luxe sense of early holiday shimmer is found in iridescent thread details. This season, there’s no need to cross the pond for a fresh take on english style.

In the Philippines, Joe Fresh is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., and is located at Shangri-La Plaza Mall and TriNoma Mall.

Season for a holiday blend and festive treats The holidays are coming up, and that means we’re going to be in for all of the season’s celebratory treats. But we don’t have to wait for Christmas day to indulge in some of our favorites. Popular Japanese convenience store FamilyMart is spreading the warmth and happiness with holiday goodies you can enjoy any time of the day.

Christmas coffee has definitely become part of the most wonderful time of the year. You can enjoy a warm cup of the rich and buttery Toffee hazelnut Latte for only P75 for 8oz and P85 for 12oz.

The taste of the toffee hazelnut flavor is also great with Santa-worthy Christmas Cookies. You can grab one of these delectable cookies for only P22. But, when you purchase a Toffee hazelnut Latte, you can get your hands on a tasty cookie just by adding P10.

Get into the spirit of the holidays with delightful treats only for P39 like the Cinnamon Roll with Almond Caramel, the Cinnamon Roll with Chocolate, and the Christmas Chocolate Cupcakes.

Visiting FamilyMart might even win you a special holiday gift. From now un-

Accessories made using traditional materials

Native bags made from woven pandan leaves

Almond Caramel Cinammon Roll

Cinammon Roll with Chocolate

til Dec. 31, every minimum spend of P50 on a single receipt earns you an entry to the Let it Snow! Christmas Raffle Promo 2017. Who knows, you might be one of the lucky winners who will receive the prize of a trip for two to hokkaido, Japan, Seoul, Korea, or Beijing, China.

What are you waiting for? Feel the warm and joyful spirit of Christmas by heading over to FamilyMart any time and any day for a tasty Toffee Nut Latte and

your favorite go-to meals at great prices.

For store locations or more information on FamilyMart Philippines, log on to www.familymart.com.ph.

FamilyMart is the second largest convenience store chain in the world with over 18,000 stores across Asia.

In the Philippines, FamilyMart has branches in Makati, Fort Bonifacio, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pasay, Alabang and Laguna.

Robinsons Supermarket’s ‘Give’ promo inspires people to share wellness gift BeLieViNG that everyone is capable of giving and receiving, especially the gift of health, Robinsons Supermarket culminates its Route to Wellness campaign with its “Give” promo. The program aims to show people exciting ways to win prizes, get freebies, and share their blessings with other people.

The Route to Wellness yearlong campaign encourages Robinsons Supermarket customers to switch to a healthy lifestyle by providing nutritious food options to Filipino families through exciting and rewarding promos.

UntilDec. 31, the Give Wellness promo will reward customers with a P100 off coupon when they spend P3000 worth of items inclusive of P500 worth of purchases from participating brands such as enfagrow A+ Four, CDO, Selecta, Purefoods, Del Monte, Ceelin, Kojiesan, Promil Gold, Unilever, and P&G. To officially kick-off the festivities, Robinsons Supermarket invited shoppers and their families to the “Give Wellness” event at the eastwood Mall Open Park in Libis, Quezon City.

Gifts & Graces at LRI Holiday Sale ThiS holiday season, aspire to make a positive difference in sharing holiday cheers with these gifts from the collection of Gifts and Graces Fair Trade Foundation that give back.

The Gifts and Graces 2017 collection highlights handcrafted products painstakingly created by marginalized craftsmen and artisans from all over the Philippines using traditional, up-cycled materials. These handicrafts can certainly be excellent gifts for family, peers and colleagues this Christmas Season. it’s because each product carries a meaningful story of Filipino women featuring authentic, thoughtful designs. holiday gifts include various products made from T’boli such as dinner bell, keepsake box, card holder, agung, bell charm, prayer bell, brass gift

set; t’nalak pillows, Justiano Asuncioninspired pillows, and an array of native bags made from woven pandan leaves.

This advocacy foundation is led by Sandy Prieto Romualdez with Victoria P. Jalandoni as executive director.

LRi Design Plaza at 210 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel Air 2, Makati City has over 40 showrooms of high end furniture at 50 percent discount on selected items. Gifts & Graces’ showroom and office is now at Rm. 323. Price range of gift items from P140. (3 pcs. woven colorful pot holders) to P4,500 (brass mug decor 4-inch high) with 20 percent discount on selected items. For further information, call Jonalyn of Gifts & Graces at 759 2525.

LRI is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

Robinsons Supermarket turns over its P100,000 worth of donations to World Vision

Through the event’s polar express theme, participants had a merry time hopping onto a train ride full of games and prizes, activities and freebies. With the goal of giving back to the community, they took part in a game where they collected golden balls with corresponding values to help Robinsons Supermarket reach its P100,000 worth of donations to World Vision, a Christian, relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

BAEBY BASTE

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HUBBYcheeked five-year-old Baeby Baste (born Sebastian Benedict Granfon) is out to prove that he’s more than just a cute little face on television and that his time has come to be in showbiz spotlight.

‘Meant to Beh’ in showbiz

This holiday season, the youngest Eat, Bulaga! host ventures into the big screen as he stars opposite seasoned actors Dawn Zulueta and Vic “Bossing” Sotto in family-comedy movie, Meant to Beh. One of the official entries to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the movie is Baste’s first foray into acting. Chris Martinez, the director, said the adorable child star did not disappoint.

“He delivered all his lines and gave us a very good performance. Baste will surprise everyone because in this movie he was able to do everything -- from singing, dancing, acting to comedy. He’s a natural born entertainer,” he said.

Sotto, who took the kid under his wing since the latter joined show business over two years ago, added that considering his age and that he is still learning to read, Baste was able to deliver what was asked of him.

He said the five-year-old was able to grasp the concept of making a movie and is already conscious of what acting is all about.

“At first we were just thinking that he’d just say a few lines and do minimal acting because he’s never had experience shooting a movie. He’s used to what we do in Eat, Bulaga! that we’ll just let him sing. I was really surprised. We were all surprised that he has a talent in acting even if he still cannot read the script.”

Credit also goes to Baste’s mother, Shiela, who tirelessly read the script and practiced her son on how to deliver and act his lines correctly. She said it was difficult at first, especially when Baste had a hard time pronouncing long Tagalog words, but everyone in the production had been patient about it.

“I had to act the script myself because he cannot read yet and will just copy what I will do. I think the pressure was more on me than on him because we have limited time. He also doesn’t want to commit mistakes while filming it,” she said.

Mommy Shiela and Baste have been inseparable since they moved to Manila from General Santos City almost three years ago.

Baste, who was just two at that time but was already musically inclined, caught the attention of netizens when his aunt posted a dubsmash video of him on Facebook.

He first appeared on television in one segment of news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho before visiting the set of the now defunct The Ryzza Mae Show, where he was among the studio audience. Ryzza Mae Dizon took a selfie with him.

Eat Bulaga creative head Jenny Ferre noticed the young and cute Baste and decided to track him down.

“Who will not fall in love with a baby like him?

I did look for Baste because at that time, Ryzza was already doing hosting and teledrama. We lack a kid in the program and we always wanted to have kids on the show because it makes the set happier,” said Ferre.

Mommy Shiela recalled that when they received the invitation from Eat, Bulaga! for a screen test, there were apprehensions at first but Baste proved he’s meant to be in front of the camera.

“He’s really ahead of his age.

At one-year-old he already learned to recite the alphabet, knows the basic colors and shapes. He sings with gusto

even if he stutters with the lyrics. We are in a new environment but he feels comfortable with the people around him,” she said.

Three years on, after that meeting with the Eat, Bulaga! team, Baste is seen regularly in the longest running noontime variety program, has launched his first single, appeared in a number of television commercials and is now part of Sotto’s newest MMFF movie.

Mommy Shiela said that Baste is more passionate now with work and entertaining people more than ever. He understands what the job entails and is out to impress not only his bosses, but also the viewing public.

“He enjoys and loves what he’s doing. He’s at that age where if he doesn’t want to do things and doesn’t like the environment he’s in, he will not be productive. But Baste has been consistent since he started three years ago. He doesn’t want to miss a single episode of ‘Eat, Bulaga!’ and never felt lazy to show up at work.”

Right now, Mommy Shiela and Daddy Sol make sure to give a well-balanced life for their son. They reward him with play dates and allow him to enjoy his favorite past time -- swimming.

“We make sure to celebrate his accomplishment even if it’s big or small. He likes to swim so that’s our constant reward to him. We also don’t want him to miss out on his childhood so we introduce him to traditional Filipino games like hide and seek and Langit-Lupa. Even in the studio, he plays with the staff.

Eat, Bulaga! has become his playground.”

Mommy Shiela said until now their family is still surprised how things panned out for Baste’s showbiz career. She said they are forever grateful to the people behind Eat, Bulaga! because if not for them, they will not get this opportunity to nurture her son’s talents and skills.

“With the help of the Lord, of our family and the good people of Eat, Bulaga!, we are so grateful to everyone because they make us feel part of a big family. My husband and I, we are so happy, we are so proud of what Baste has achieved. We are very grateful and blessed because they’ve trusted in us… in Baste. We will try to return this gift of trust.”

As for Baste, when you ask him what he loves most about being an artista, he will CHILD WONDER. Cast and director of “Meant To Beh” have tell you that he’s doing it to nothing but good words for Sebastian Benedict Granfon a.k.a. make people happy.

Baeby Baste in his first foray into movies

Save the Kids Philippines Making it truly a Season of Giving

to go beyond the difficulties they have CHRISTMAS is quickly descending on us and faced. Because of this, STK came up with everyone is rushing to finish his never-ending lists. the S.A.V.E. Program - a four-pronged To make this season of giving a truly meaningful approach towards the kids going through one, Save the Kids Ph (STK), a non-profit the rehabilitation process. In this program, organization made up of kids who want to help kids, they explore various activities such came up with the idea of Kalinisan Kits. Margarita as Skills-building, Art therapy, ValuesTe, STK’s founder and president says, “These are formation and an Educational Activity our organization’s version of ‘care packages’ and in each carefully-chosen location. The contains basic needs such as slippers, towel, soap, a absolute goal is to SAVE 10,000 kids by toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner all educating, empowering and uplifting their in one attractive and reusable drawstring bag.” lives, and helping them build a better “We’ve made the package hassle-free and future. convenient for people to give as donations to The organization is constantly looking for orphanages or street children, for example, and high school student volunteers who can help in contain a gift tag also, if you opt to give the kits their outreach programs. If you are interested to those friends or family that are a little harder to in helping end the poverty and exploitation give gifts to. They can then donate these to those plaguing our world today, or if you just who need it the most,” adds Martin Alindogan, cogenerally enjoy helping for a cause, here are founder and Vice President of Save the Kids Ph. The some things you could do: purchase of a kit, each sold at Php 200, will not only • Sponsor our Outreach Activities help Save the Kids with their outreach projects, but • Host a Goods Drive (clothes, food, books, etc.) also encourage the recipients to maintain good health • Become a Drop-off Point (for collection of donations in kind) and proper hygiene.

• Donate in Kind The initial batch of thousands of kits were immediately sold out by • Donate Your Time through: the end of November, just a couple of weeks after its launch. Truly, so Storytelling many benefactors are encouraged and willing to share their blessings Sports/Yoga/Meditation clinics this season.

Dancing/Acting/Singing workshops Save the Kids Philippines is a non-profit organization that Painting / Arts & Crafts aims to help displaced and disadvantaged Filipino kids find their Photography path towards a brighter future. The organization was established Tutorials with the belief that providing food and basic needs during the For more info, find them online at: www.savethekids.ph, #SavetheKaftermath of a devastating experience is not sufficient. The long path to recovery entails equipping them with the necessary tools idsPH, fb.com/SavetheKidsPH

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, December 21, 2017

ACROSS 1 Capricorn 5 Ease of mind 10 — de vivre 14 Groundless 15 Stadium fixture 16 Bear in the sky 17 Cameo, maybe 18 Subatomic particles 19 Fountain fare 20 Boat-repair place (2 wds.)

22 Makes possible 24 The Plastic — Band 25 Leather punch 26 They’re on top of things 30 Place with a bird’s-eye view 34 Canute’s foe 35 Alcove 37 Surrealist painter 38 Elev.

39 Robert Burns’ “— — Mouse” 40 Dangerous current 41 Manner 43 Dings a door 45 Bay 46 Mexican shawl 48 Feel the heat 50 Playing marble

51 Oklahoma town 52 Spanish coins 56 Lacking stimulating qualities 60 Lie adjacent 61 Thud 63 Nursery-rhyme trio 64 Mixer for rum 65 Roomy 66 Sufficient, in verse 67 Tight-fitting 68 Hearth residue 69 Karate levels DOWN 1 Encircle 2 Fragrance 3 Join forces 4 Hot under the collar (2 wds.)

5 Movie treat 6 Mr. Satie 7 Way back when 8 Sugar source 9 Trap 10 All mixed up 11 Kind of tradition 12 Speck on a globe 13 Packs it away 21 Wallet stuffer 23 Dazzle 26 Prowls around 27 Kukla’s friend

28 29 30 31 32 33 36 42

Shoot-’em-up Venues — the ticket!

Ouija alternative Popeye’s girl Hamelin visitor Against Convention sticker 43 Fiasco 44 More posh 45 Staked out 47 Quarry 49 Magazine execs 52 Felt boots

53 Black, to Donne 54 George Takei character 55 Criticize 56 “Picnic” author 57 — colada 58 PC screen image 59 Flower droplets 62 Scepter’s gowith

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017

Jennylyn, Derek in another romantic flick for MMFF ISAH V. RED

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ENNYLYN Mercado and Derek Ramsay were a big hit in the 2014 romantic comedy English Only, Please by Dan Villegas who directed the two in the upcoming All Of You, opening Dec. 25 during the annual Tagalog moviefest.

Jennylyn Mercado is vying for another Best Actress trophy in this year’s MMFF

According to Villegas, this movie is for mature moviegoers tired of watching the same cookie-cutter romance.

All of You is about a couple at a crossroads in their relationship after three years.

Gabby (Jennylyn) and Gab (Derek) realize they have conflicting views on love and marriage. Now, the question is where do they go from here.

“Ito po ‘yung pinakamature at pinakatotoo sa tatlo [English Only, Please, Walang Forever, and All of You]. Mas tinarget namin na talagang maging slice of life talaga yung atake ng pelikula… Very real siya kaya nga marami ‘yung love scenes. Kasi ‘di ba ‘pag bago kayo, magka-tinginan lang kayo, tapos eventually, after

Derek Ramsay and Jennylyn Mercado reunite in the 2017 MMFF entry, “All of You”

a few years, ‘pag namatay na ‘yung honeymoon stage, wala nang nangyayari.

So ganun ‘yung gusto naming ipakita,” Villegas explained.

When Derek and Jennylyn were asked about those intimate scenes, they admitted that it was uncomfortable at first.

Jennylyn, though, was all praises for Derek and Dan, saying they were very protective of her on the set and always made her feel safe.

Ramsay during the movie’s presscon said he’s sure a lot of people would be able to relate to his and Jennylyn’s characters in the

What completes Solenn’s holidays SOLENN Heussaff is the ultimate “It Girl” and the other half of the coolest couple right now. She’s married to Nico. She’s an actress, singer, painter, author, blogger, model, and make-up artist among other things. But one more thing about her is that Solenn is a true fan of Christmas. “I love Christmas!” she gushes. “Christmas decorations, Christmas songs, I love!”

“Every year para sa akin, dapat masaya ang Christmas. I make sure na I spend time with family and we eat together. Para sa akin, pinakaimportant na nandoon kaming lahat as a family” Of course, this year’s gathering won’t be complete without her favorite ham. “Kailangan nandoon ang favorite ko na ham – CDO Premium Holiday Ham!” Solenn admits, “Hindi ko alam ‘yung mga details about ham like if it has extenders or not. Pero last year, doon ko narealize na – oo nga ‘no, may difference talaga ‘yung CDO Premium Holiday Ham with other commercial hams found in the market.”

Solenn cites that it’s CDO Premium Holiday Ham’s whole boneless meat from the hind leg that makes it different from others. Since it’s made of whole meat, it can be smoked in ham nets and it definitely has no extenders. Other hams in the market are only molded from different cuts of pork.

“I hate extenders in food. I love that CDO Premium Holiday Ham has absolutely no extenders!”

Now on her second year as the endorser of CDO Premium Holiday Ham, Solenn is delighted to represent something she loves.

“Ako talaga from the start

I only endorse products I believe in.

Favorite ko talaga CDO Holiday Ham with cheese ball and pandesal, same sa ginagawa ng mom ko. It reminds me of Christmas.”

This year, like every other year, Christmas will be spent with her immediate family. “Usually, every Christmas Eve, si Erwann (Heussaff, Solenn’s brother) ang nagluluto. It’s just him, me, Anne (Curtis, her sisterin-law), my sister, my brother-in-law; very small lang kami.” This year they will also be joined by another sibling from Singapore, Solenn enthusiastically shares.

“Tapos, opening na ng gifts!”

Solenn, however, will be missing someone special this year as her outrageously funny and handsome hubby N i c o will b e in

his home country of Argentina for a month. She was all set to go with him but decided against it. “Dapat pupunta ako.

It’s part of my duty din as a wife. Pero nung makita ko ‘yung mga gagawin ko for next year, sabi ko kay Nico na it’s not yet time. May one week off ako, pero papuntang Argentina 30 hours na ‘yung trip. Not worth it na nandun lang ako ng four days.”

The two have gotten used to being apart during the Christmas holidays but still cannot help missing each other.

Fortunately, technology today makes it easier for them to communicate.

Solenn also confesses, “Okay lang naman sa amin kasi siyempre his family, nandun. And hindi naman ako selfish or possessive. Buong year nandito na siya sa akin. It’s just one month – every December.”

One thing’s for sure, Solenn’s career is anything but relaxed as as 2018 is set to be another big year for her. She has two movies in the works, her Taste Buddies lifestyle show that is still going strong, and another show called All Star Videoke that has been extended. Not to mention her sold out Kalsada painting exhibit, part of the proceeds went to the Kalipay Foundation that supports street kids. It will surely be followed by another run.

She’s currently looking into giving art lessons to abused children first quarter next year.

But one more important thing that will keep Solenn busy this 2018 is the renovation of the house she and Nico will move into soon in preparation for a baby. Surely, the new dwelling will be the site of future Christmas celebrations with her favorite CDO Premium Holiday Ham. As Solenn envisions it, “Kapag may baby na kami, I think we really need to be together na talaga especially on those special days.” Solenn will have her whole family together on Christmas day with CDO Premium Holiday Ham as the centerpiece.

movie.

Members of the press who had seen the film during its preview were one in saying the film has a huge chance in the filmfest awards.

Remember, Mercado snagged the Best Actress trophy in 2014 for English Only, Please, and many are anticipating the actress will give other stars of other movies a tight competition for the acting honors.

The actress merely shrugged those remarks and said, “I am not expecting anything. I did my best in this movie and I hope the audience would like the movie.”

Ramsay, meanwhile, said that Mercado’s performance is so deserving of an accolade that he wouldn’t be surprised if she’d snag another best actress trophy this time. And as for his performance, the actor said, “Please watch it and be the judge.” *** Because food is something many always think about, GMA News TV brings Dishkarte of the Day with Kapuso actress Jennylyn Mercado, the program is a 10-minute cooking show that is engaging and informative as it unfolds “dish-karte” and “wais” kitchen tips

that will certainly help everyone, especially mothers.

As a mom herself, Jennylyn shares her enthusiasm that despite her busy workload she still manages to cook for Jazz, her seven-year-old son.

“Dito, marami ako nalalaman na bagong recipes. Since pihikan si Jazz, yung natututunan ko ina-apply ko sa bahay.

Kahit busy ang sched ko ay nakakapagluto ako ng healthy and easy to prepare food for Jazz,” Jen cheerfully said.

Giving her a break from acting, the versatile actress also mentioned how this show helped her in speaking in front of people.

“In hosting, mas madali na ako magmemorize and spontaneous yung flow ng conversation,” she held.

On the other hand, aside from the original mouth-watering dishes, it also presents Boombae Sam YG and actorcomedian Betong as Jennylyn’s co-hosts.

According to her, apart from the celebrity guests she’ll be having, hosting this program took the stress away because she’s got cheerful company.

“Bukod sa tips and recipes na pwede nila magamit sa cooking or sa kitchen, nakakatuwa din kasi may mga co-hosts ako dito. May acting na kasama kaya masaya at mag-eenjoy ang mga viewers,” the 28-year old singer-actress said.

Dishkarte of the Day is sponsored by CDO Karne Norte.

Under the direction of Noel Añonuevo, Dishkarte of the Day airs weekdays at 8:20 to 8:30 a.m., 3:00 to 3:10 p.m. and 7:00 to 7:10 p.m.; on Saturdays at 8:20 to 8:30 a.m., 3:00 to 3:10 p.m. and 4:50 to 5:00 p.m.; and on Sundays at 12:25 to 12:55 p.m., 4:50 to 5:00 p.m. and 5:40 to 5:50pm on GMA.

Robi Domingo keeps the faith in ANC docu

In a special docu, host Robi Domingo tells the story of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the name of God

ROBI Domingo, one of the country’s finest television hosts, is taking a step outside his comfort zone as he anchors the three-part Keeping the Faith documentary about Japan’s hidden Christians on ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Known for his playful and wacky style as host of various entertainment and reality programs in ABS-CBN, Robi gets to showcase his serious side and versatility in Keeping the Faith, which airs on the country’s leading English all-news cable channel on Dec. 28, and Jan. 11, 2018 at 8 p.m..

In this three-part travelogue, Robi tells the story of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the name of God. He gets to visit to the ancient sites where the original Christians congregated to pray and worship and get to know about the Kakure Kirishitans (Hidden Christians) who went underground to practice their religion in secret.

Robi, who also hosted the Lakwatsero travel documentaries on ABS-CBN previously, said this project came at the right time in his life. “After everything that happened in my life this year, I really needed to hold on to God. It is in this trip that I became closer to Him,” he said.

He added his experience learning about the lives of Christians in their nine-day shoot reminded him of the movie Eat Pray Love, which is about faith in your God and in oneself.

“I really felt it was impossible to do that

documentary in nine days but the team is so good and there’s this power which made that all happen. There were instances that a shoot wouldn’t push through because of the weather, or snow wouldn’t fall in the mountains, but there was divine intervention that happened,” he shared.

Overall, the Pinoy Big Brother alumnus said his experience doing the documentary taught him that the more you go out of your comfort zone, the more you get to know about yourself. “You get to be immersed in different situations wherein you would not just question yourself, not just your life, but everyone’s existence. It’s not right to compare your life to another man’s life, and your place to another man’s place, but it all boils down to that ‘Wow’ feeling that everything became possible because of this one being who created everything,” he explained.

Robi said the documentary would also appeal to travel bugs and millennials because of the scenic places and great food in Japan that it showcases. “Filipinos love to travel, especially the millennials. If they watch the docu they would have a feel that they are travelling with me in that whole experience.”

The host shared viewers can also expect some “hugot” comments while he explores the beautiful places in Japan, as well as hole-in-the-wall restaurants with their secret menu which people would like to check out when they visit the country.