Manila Standard - 2018 February 02 - Friday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 350 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘Facebook ban’ fake news, wrong—Poe

By Macon RamosAraneta SENATOR Grace Poe on Thursday described as “fake news“ the talk that she is proposing to ban Facebook in the country.

“That’s fake news. That’s not true,” Poe said in a television interview.

“First of all, that’s counterproductive. It’s wrong.

That’s disinformation.”

While the “trending” Facebook video―which had been spliced to make it appear that the senator wanted to ban Facebook―was made to discredit her and the ongoing hearings on the proliferation of fake news, Poe said they could not stop what was being spread online.

“Those that came out [in the social media], of course,

we will not prevent them. I am also on Facebook, even my children. Many of our countrymen get their news from Facebook,” Poe said.

During the hearing on Jan. 30, Poe was asking a law expert about the extent of the government’s reach in blocking hate speech and expressions online that bordered on criminal liability.

“Not that we’re going to do this. I’ll be the first to disagree if they do,” said Poe, head of the Senate committee on mass media and public information, which has been conducting a Senate inquiry on fake news.

“But let’s say, can you block a particular company like Facebook from being accessed in the Philippines?” she said.

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Palace dares Ombudsman’s deputy to quit

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN CUSTODY. Left-leaning National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rafael Baylosis (above) and a companion are in custody after their arrest Wednesday afternoon during a surveillance operation by police and security authorities at the corner of Aurora Blvd. And Katipunan Ave. in Quezon City. Officials say recovered from them were two 45 cal. pistols, 14 ammunition, and two magazines.

CHIEF Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo on Thursday asked Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang to resign to spare the Office of the Ombudsman from further embarrassment.

He told a television interview Carandang should also step down to save his

superior from being dragged into a quarrel with the Executive branch.

“If I were Deputy Carandang, just to stop all these, maybe I should resign,” Panelo said.

“What he did was to drag the Ombudsman into this mess. [He violated an] administrative rule that you cannot reveal confidential documents.”

But at least two senators on Thursday warned of a constitutional crisis

if the Supreme Court would not intervene to resolve the conflict between Malacañang and the Office of the Ombudsman over Carandang’s suspension by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The Supreme Court should immediately intervene. Otherwise, there could be a constitutional crisis as there is a conflict and a clash between two independent constitutional offices― Next page

NPA leader arrested Baylosis top rebel to fall after terrorist tag on Reds

By Vito Barcelo and Francisco Tuyay

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TOP communist guerrilla was arrested in Quezon City in the first swoop on the rebel leadership since President Rodrigo Duterte ended peace talks in November 2017, security forces said Thursday.

Police said they arrested Rafael Baylosis and another armed man, said to be a member of the New People’s Army, on Katipunan Avenue and Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City Wednesday afternoon. Both are detained in police headquarters in Camp Crame.

Baylosis headed the Communist Party of the Philippines during the 1980s peak of the insurgency to overthrow a capitalist system that has created one of Asia’s biggest rich-poor divides.

Police described the 69-year-old as the “acting secretary” of the communist party’s guerrilla wing, the NPA, which the military says has shrunk to 3,800 members from a high of more than 20,000.

Talks to end the conflict, which the military says has

claimed 30,000 lives, were conducted sporadically over three decades.

The military said Baylosis was the first high-profile insurgent arrested since Duterte called off efforts to broker a political solution to one of Asia’s longestrunning communist insurgencies.

The Palace said the arrest of Baylosis was legal because the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees signed by the government and the communist rebels was no longer in effect after the President scrubbed peace talks in November last year.

Security officials said they were executing an arrest warrant for Baylosis over a series of 1985 purges for which he and several other top rebel leaders were charged with murder.

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COPPERY RED. The ‘super blue blood moon’ is seen behind a discerning Mayon Volcano Thursday as it spews ash near the provincial capital city of Legazpi.

Skywatchers had stayed out Wednesday night for a rare lunar eclipse that combined three unusual events—a blue moon, a super moon and a total eclipse— which made for a large crimson moon seen in many countries. AFP

Comelec’s acting chairman retires, Parreno takes over LPG prices

By Joel E. Zurbano cheaper and Macon RamosAraneta

by P35/kilo that Commissioner Al Parreño would replace acting chairman Christian Robert Lim, who is retiring today THE Commission on Elec- (Friday). tions announced Thursday The poll agency’s spokes-

By Vito Barcelo

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automated elections system program.

In October, Lim became acting chairman after President Rodrigo Duterte accepted Next page

Customs fixer in P6-b shabu case wants to turn witness

Du30 assures bishops: No to extended term PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has assured church leaders that he would follow the rule of law and that he had no intentions of remaining in power beyond his term, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday.

“We understand the sentiments of the Catholic bishops for their aversion to Charter change and federalism. We, however, assure our bishops that the President has no interest to

man, James Jimenez, also said that the Comelec en banc has designated Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. as head of the Project Management Office, which is in charge of the

TAGUBA TAKEN. Customs fixer Mark Taguba (center) is presented by the National Bureau of Investigation-Anti Organized and Transnational Crime Division on Thursday, a day after he was arrested. He is implicated in a shipment of 600 kilos of shabu worth P6.4 billion from China last year. Norman Cruz twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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CUSTOMS fixer Mark Ruben Taguba II said Thursday he will consult his lawyer about turning state witness in the case involving the P6.4billion shabu shipment that slipped past port inspections in May last year.

“My lawyer and I will discuss this. I’ll consult him,” Taguba said at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila, where he was presented in a press conference following his arrest on Wednesday night.

An accused can only turn state witness once he has satisfied the requirements under the law, such as the absolute necessity for the accused’s

testimony, lack of direct evidence for the proper prosecution of the case, and the accused should not appear to be the most guilty in the case.

Taguba made his statement even as a Customs official on Thursday cried foul after he was named one of several people using the name of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to extort money to facilitate the release of shipments from the bureau.

Customs officer Richard Rebong denied the allegations he was using Lapeña’s name as he had been on a “floating status” since 2013.

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THE oil companies on Thursday cut the price of cooking gas by as much as P3.18 per kilo or P34.98 per 11-kilogram tank.

They also cut the price of autoLPG by P1.75 per liter.

“Petron will implement a P3.15/kg [cut] in Gasul and Fiesta Gas prices effective 12:01 a.m., on February 1,” the company said in its advisory.

“We will likewise decrease Xtend AutoLPG [prices] by P1.75/liter at the same time. These reflect the international contract price of LPG for the month of February.”

Isla Petroleum, which sells the Solane brand of LPG, also announced that it cut the price of its products P3.18 per kilogram inclusive of the value-added tax effective at 6 a.m. on Feb 1.

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More evidence on DAP filed

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Department of Justice on Thursday received more evidence purportedly claiming to pin down officials of the previous administration led by former President Benigno Aquino III to the alleged anomalies involving the use of the multi-billion-peso Disbursement Acceleration Program.

The coalition of anti-pork barrel groups, led by former Manila councilor Greco Belgica, turned over additional documents to the DoJ for buildup of possible criminal cases against Aquino and other officials of his administration.

Belgica, recently appointed commissioner of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, revealed that the new pieces of evidence they gathered would show a conspiracy between the Aquino administration and some lawmakers for alleged misuse of the controversial DAP funds.

Among the documents submitted by the group to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II were memorandum on DAP signed by Abad, official transcript of Senate committee on finance hearing—both on Oct.12, 2011—and other pertinent records of the Department of Budget and Management on the DAP expenditures during the previous administration.

“These documents would prove the magic of DAP—that in one day (Oct. 12, 2011) DAP was presented to the Senate, signed by

PNoy [Aquino] and printed out in the official gazette and DBM [Department of Budget and Management] website,” Belgica said when interviewed by reporters.

“This is a clear conspiracy of Aquino, [former Budget secretary Florencio] Abad, [former interior secretary Mar] Roxas, [former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio] Abaya, [senators Franklin] Drilon, [Antonio] Trillanes and [Francis] Pangilinan,” the PACC official stressed.

Belgica said they were able to gather information from several witnesses showing what they described as anomalies in the DAP. He called on the DoJ to expedite the probe, believing that the evidence gathered so far would already suffice to charge the former officials in court.

He lamented how the anomalies in the previous administration were being muddled by some quarters to fabricate the

allegations against special assistant to the president Bong Go in connection with the allegedly anomalous purchase of two frigates for the Philippine Navy.

“The investigation being prepared by the Senate on the allegation against Secretary Bong Go is nothing but character assassination and a coverup for their own crimes. To destroy Secretary Bong Go is to destroy President Duterte,” Belgica pointed out.

In September last year, Belgica submitted documents on DAP and formally asked the DoJ to conduct a fact-finding investigation.

He said the evidence showed a discrepancy of P2.6 billion from the DAP spending, asking the DoJ to pursue cases of malversation of public funds with aggravating circumstances against Aquino, Abad and former DBM undersecretary Mario

Relampagos.

The documents also showed that P6.5 billion from the P144billion DAP funds of the previous administration was allocated to various local projects not itemized in the budget, he further revealed.

He said the evidence they gathered were a result of years of investigation as part of their advocacy against pork barrel system in government.

The former councilor disclosed that the anomalies included ghost projects funded by DAP, citing for instance projects involving lamp posts and bridges given DAP funds but were not actually built upon verification.

He also cited the reported admission of detained former senator Jinggoy Estrada that they were given DAP funds for the ouster of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona in impeachment trial in 2011.

ON CHA-CHA. Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas (right) attends the Senate hearing on the issue of constitutional amendments along with former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, former SC Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna, and former Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza. Lino Santos

Du30...

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extend his term nor will he push for no elections,” Roque said in a press briefing.

In a pastoral statement, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines said the lack of public participation, lack of

transparency, and perceived promotion of self-interests contravened the lawmakers’ claims that Charter change would be for the common good.

“When the move for Charter change becomes self-serving, such as when it calls for ‘No-El’ [no elections] and pushes for an extension of terms of office, it is to be expected that citizens would

Ex-PCA chief takes Uson’s seat at Movie-TV board

By Vito Barcelo FORMER Philippine Coconut Authority administrator Avelino Andal was appointed member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, replacing former board member Mocha Uson who is currently assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

The appointment of Andal, whose term will expire on Sept.

30, 2018, was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on Jan. 30, 2018, but was only released Feb. 1.

Andal’s appointment coincided with reports that another top official of the Commission on Higher Education stepped down, just two weeks after former chairman Patricia Licuanan was forced to resign by Malacañang.

Karol Mark Yee left his post as executive director on Jan. 31.

According to Yee, he has been receiving numerous threats and

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Rebong’s name was mentioned in an online article together with one Ronald Sanchez, lawyer Jimmy Patri-

harassment since President Duterte appointed him in July 2017, replacing dismissed Julito Vitriolo.

Yee did not say who were making the attacks against him.

Despite the “legal and political challenges,” Yee said he focused on strengthening CHED’s internal systems and processes after his appointment.

Uson was appointed assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office last May 2017.

Andal was removed as PCA chief after he was found guilty of illegal collection of P1.50 per board foot of coconut lumber harvested in some areas, which could reach up to P90 million in illegal fees.

He was replaced by current PCA administrator Romulo J. dela Rosa.

The MTRCB currently has 30 board members excluding the chairman, vice-chairman and executive director. cio, one “Col. Mapalo,” Teofilo Bacud and one “Col. Divina,” who were allegedly had been dropping Lapeña’s name to hasten the release of imported shipments in exchange for an amount of money.

Taguba said he had no regrets

react with suspicion, astonishment and exasperation. In addition, the feeling of a creeping dictatorship is conjured by past experience,” the bishops said.

But Roque said creeping dictatorship was far-fetched because the 2019 elections will push through.

“President Duterte has been clear and unequivocal. As an ad-

vocate of the rule of law, he will follow the Constitution and finish his term on the noon of June 30, 2022.”

Meanwhile, a former Supreme Court justice, Vicente Mendoza, said the new Constitution should include a self-executory provision banning family members from occupying elective positions simultaneously.

While the 1987 Constitution already bans political dynasties, Congress has passed no law to carry out that provision.

Also on Thursday, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said the ruling PDP-Laban is open to guest candidates in the 2019 mid-term elections, but said all bets must support federalism.

diately, the House declared the impeachment case moot and academic.

In 2014, then President Benigno Aquino III appointed Parreño along with Luie Guia, both lawyers, to replace commissioners Rene Sarmento and Armando Velasco who retired in February 2013.

Parreño was a board member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board since July 2012.

Before his work in the government, Parreño represented human rights groups in legal cases, in-

cluding human trafficking cases.

He also prepared a legal audit of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, analyzed the state of EJK in the country and recommended improvements in the judicial process.

He even warned military and police officials under the Aquino administration they may face criminal cases before the International Criminal Court because of the extrajudicial killings of militants and journalists.

Parreño is a founder and partner of the Diaz, Parreño and Caringal Law Firm.

the Solicitor General could raise the issue before the Supreme Court “for mandamus/certiorari or the Ombudsman via an injunction/certiorari.”

He supported Drilon’s stance that the high court is the final interpreter of the law.

Senator Francis Pangilinan said the Ombudsman was sim-

ply enforcing a high court decision that says the President cannot suspend the Ombudsman or his or her deputies.

Asked if Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales would continue to refuse to implement Carandang’s 90-day suspension, Panelo warned that Morales risked facing criminal or administrative cases.

raised the price of diesel and kerosene by P0.50 per liter, respecFrom A1 tively, and gasoline by P0.45 per liter―the fifth consecutive price On Tuesday, the oil firms increase for the year.

On Jan. 23, the oil firms also raised the price of diesel and kerosene by P0.50 per liter and gasoline by P0.35 per liter.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Comelec’s...

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the immediate resignation of Andres Bautista.

Lim replaced Bautista through a unanimous vote in an en banc session of the six commissioners.

Bautista, who had been impeached by the House of Representatives over allegations of corruption, submitted his resignation to the President on Oct. 11. After the President accepted the resignation effective imme-

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the President and the Ombudsman,” said Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon.

“The Supreme Court must rule as the final arbiter.”

Senator Francis Escudero said

LPG...

about revealing what he knew about the P6.4-billion shabu shipment and the corruption at the Bureau of Customs, even as he declined to comment on who should be charged for the shabu shipment.

The 26-year-old also ex-

pressed conf idence he would win the dr ug importation case, saying they had prepared a “good defense” to the case f iled by the Justice department against him and eight others before the Manila Regional Trial Court

Branch 46.

Taguba earlier said he had no knowledge on the contents of the shipment.

He also said only the importer and the consignee could be held liable for illegal importation.

Vito Barcelo

NPA...

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Baylosis pleaded not guilty to the charge in 2016 and was bailed, after which the rebels said he acted as a consultant in the peace talks.

The communists denounced the arrests Thursday, saying Baylosis enjoyed immunity under the terms of the peace negotiations. They demanded the immediate release of the two men.

Duterte had blamed the NPA for deadly attacks against soldiers and police despite the peace talks. In December, he designated the party and its armed wing “terrorist organizations.”

The election of the self-declared socialist in 2016 initially revived hopes for successful negotiations as Duterte said it was his “dream” to forge peace in the country.

Various leftist groups led by Karapatan condemned Baylosis’ arrest and called for his immediate release in line with the government’s obligations under Jasig.

But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said JASIG was no longer operative because peace talks had already been cancelled.

“Why do they cry Jasig now?” he said.

He also disputed allegations by the managing counsel of the Public Interest Law Center, Rachel Pastores, who said there was no pending arrest warrant against Baylosis.

But Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Baylosis was arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

Police confiscated two cal.

45 pistols, 14 bullets, two magazines, cellphones and assorted documents from Baylosis and his companion, a Guillermo Roque.

Police said they were acting on a tip when they made the arrest.

Dela Rosa rejected claims by leftist groups that the government is harassing National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultants.

“There is no politics here.

They are enemies of the state and we have to prevent them from just wandering [around], creating problems in the country,” Dela Rosa said.

Luis Jalandoni, senior adviser of the NDFP negotiating panel, said the arrest violated the Jasig.

“President [Rodrigo] Duterte must be held accountable for this trampling upon a valid peace agreement that assures all consultants and those participating in peace negotiations immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive action,” he said in a statement.

Baylosis is a member of the NDFP reciprocal working group on political and constitutional reforms. With AFP

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“Of course, that would spark a revolution and we know that.

But what I’m saying is this: They’re banking on their popularity but we should also assert their accountability to us,” Poe had said in reference to the accountability of the social media giant for its failure to address offensive speech.

She appealed to netizens to make a critical examination of the information they receive and “cross-check” facts from lies.

“We should be able to inform the citizens that they should be able to cross-check information that they get online,” Poe said.

Poe wants to compel the the attendance of Facebook executives in the next hearing to discuss the “algorithms” that they use to control what information appears in a user’s news feed.

“What we’re trying to do is how we can encourage Facebook to be able to cooperate with us,” Poe said.

She added the governments in the European Union had initiated a crackdown to fight fake news and compel social media sites to flag illegal, hateful, defamatory and racist expressions within 24 hours.

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DOTr has no technical experts—BURI

By Darwin G. Amojelar

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USAN Universal Rail Inc., the former maintenance provider of MRT Line 3, said on Monday that the Department of Transportation has no technical experts to maintain the rail system.

BURI spokesperson and legal counsel, lawyer Maricris Pahate said the DOTr hired technicians of BURI who lack the skills needed to spearhead the operations.

“The technicians of BURI were very good if instructed by the managers but failed miserably because of lack of initiative and supervision. The so-called MRT 3 transition team is headed

by Director Capati, who came

from nowhere and has no clue on rail maintenance operations,” Pahate said.

“All the engineers of MRT 3 are on contractual basis, therefore are incapable and lack a sense of accountability,” she added.

Pahate said with no supervision from the expert managers of BURI, the technicians had no idea how to properly maintain the MRT 3.

"BURI maintenance operations

was supervised and managed by experienced Korean rail engineers complemented by Filipino rail experts with vast experience in the industry not only in the country but from various countries. Each of the Filipino managers of BURI had 25 years of experience tagged to them,” she added.

Pahate said the entire MRT3 system has become not only unreliable but have put to great risk the lives and limbs of the

riding public.

In a separate statement, DOTr said more than 50 railway engineers and experts from Japan International Cooperation Agency has started the due diligence and system audit of the MRT 3.

The system audit is a necessary step to determine all the rehabilitation and restoration works needed on the MRT 3 system, which will be done by a Jica-nominated reha-

bilitation and maintenance provider that will be mobilized in May. A Japanese company designed and built the MRT 3 system from 1998 to 2000, and maintained it from 2000 to 2012.

“We obviously need all the help we can get and we are very grateful that the Japanese Government answered our call for assistance to rehabilitate and restore the MRT 3 system,” said OIC Undersecretary for Railways TJ Batan.

Passport crisis a cover for printing scam —lawmaker

By Maricel V. Cruz

MASTER PLAN. MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco (right) and Architect Jun Palafox together with water officials present the ‘The Palafox Masterplan’ for MWSS Eco Tourism Hub during an unveiling presentation held at the Main Office of MWSS in Quezon City on Thursday. Manny Palmero

House panel tackles Alvarez measure seeking abolition of ERC

By Maricel V. Cruz A JOINT panel in the House of Representatives has tackled a measure filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez seeking to abolish the Energy Regulatory Commission and have it replaced with a Board of Energy as an attached unit of the Department of Energy.

The joint committees on

government reorganization and energy deliberated on House Bill 5020 in the wake of controversies of alleged corruption hounding the ERC. At a congressional hearing, ERC chairperson and chief executive officer lawyer Agnes Devanadera echoed Alvarez’ view on the need to create a system of effective accountability and

ensure the protection of the interests of the government and the public.

Alvarez said his proposal will ensure the new Board of Energy shall function as the regulatory arm of the government and, specifically, within the direct control and supervision of the President.

The bill provides for the creation of a quasijudicial regulatory body

to be named as the BoE. The Board shall be under the control and supervision of the DoE, and shall compose of a chairperson and two members to be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Energy.

The Board shall compose of technical and supportive staff—as the chairperson— may appoint for effective,

efficient, and economical discharge of its powers and functions. The existing ERC shall hereby be abolished, and the Board shall hereby perform the functions of the ERC as provided in the proposed Act. In filing the bill, Alvarez questioned the integrity of the ERC following the mysterious death of ERC Director Francisco Jose Villa Jr.

US Embassy launches P18.5m ‘#For Mindanao’ campaign

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

AS PART of its continuing response to the Marawi crisis, the US Embassy in the Philippines has launched a P18.5 million #ForMindanao campaign supporting 37 projects throughout Mindanao led by

Filipino alumni of US government-sponsored exchanges.

In a statement released on Thursday, the US Embassy said that the fresh monetary assistance will address educational enrichment, economic development, and the pyschosocial effects of conflict, among other pressing needs in

the region.

“The US-Philippine Exchange Alumni has already played a crucial role in responding to humanitarian needs in Marawi and surrounding areas,” the embassy in Manila said.

The embassy said the #ForMindanao campaign

will run for a year and will impact an estimated 13,500 Filipinos, composed of outof-school youth, university students, madrasa students, and women in Mindanao.

Since 1948, the US government has sponsored people-to-people exchanges that have built the leadership

and professional capacities of more than 8,000 Filipinos from across the nation.

Upon their return, many US exchange alumni collaborate with their fellow alumni and with the US Embassy to strengthen the bilateral relations between the United States and the Philippines.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker Thursday said the issues surrounding the current passport appointment system are being used as diversionary tactic to cover up anomalies in the printing contract with what he said was “unqualified” private printing firm.

At a congressional hearing conducted by the House committee on foreign affairs, Bayan Muna Party-list Carlos Zarate said the root cause of passport appointment system backlog would be the alleged questionable passport printing contract between the governmentowned APO Production Unit Inc. and the United Graphic Expression Corp.

Zarate said the private firm subcontracted by APO is incapable of addressing the current backlog in passport production.

“The backlog in the passport appointment system proves that the UGEC is incompetent and incapable of printing passports,” Zarate said.

Zarate, who authored House Resolution 1608 that seeks to investigate the passport appointment system controversy, said that “while there are other factors that contribute to the backlog of passport printing, it is the printing contract with the UGEC that makes it worse.”

In filing his resolution, Zarate also raised the issue of alleged syndicate that sells passport appointment slots allegedly in cahoots with DFA employees.

“Such illegal activity has reportedly resulted to perennial shortage of slots in the online scheduling system,” Zarate said “The DFA has kept on saying there is no problem with regard to passport appointment system when in fact the problem has gone worse with passport applicants having a hard time securing appointment slots. The DFA says there was nothing wrong with the contract between UGEC and APO, but the problem exists,” Zarate said.

THE Bureau of Customs has asked the Department of Justice to prosecute two Davaobased companies for the illegal importation of prohibited used clothing and rags valued at more than P4 million.

The BoC filed on Thursday separate complaints against GJoyce Enterprises and Zainar General Merchandise, for violation of Section 1400 in relation to Section 1401 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, Republic Act 4653 or "An Act to Safeguard the Health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit Commercial Importation of Textile Articles commonly known as Used Clothing and Rags," and Section 172 of the Revised Penal Code.

"Two counts of smuggling charges were filed against Zainar while one to G-Joyce for their attempt to smuggle ukay-ukay at Port of Davao," Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said in a statement.

Govt holds travel ‘expo’ for PH agencies LOCAL travel agencies will again have the capacity to expand their network and offer more services to the public as the 3rd International Travel Trade Expo opens on Feb. 9 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The business-to-business component of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association’s annual Travel Tour Expo will showcase more than 80 sellers from 16 countries that will hold one-on-one meetings with 216 travel agency buyers from across the country.

TTE chairperson and PTAA president Marlene Dado Jante said the iTTE will be able to generate more partnerships for travel agencies while creating a new path for marketing the Philippines as a prime tourism destination. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

De Lima tops list of jailed Asean politicians

37k Pinoys barred from leaving PH due to dubious papers

By Macon RamosAraneta

By Vito Barcelo MORE than 37,000 Filipino travelers were barred from leaving the country, most of them victims of illegal recruiters and human trafficking syndicate to illegally work abroad, the Bureau of Immigration said Thursday.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said a total of 37,857 Filipino passengers were stopped from leaving the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other ports in the country for failure to comply with government regulations and requirements, many of them presented dubious travel documents and fake working visas.

Naia-BI Port Operations Chief Marc Mariñas said the passengers’ departures were “deferred” pending their compliance with government requirements for departing Filipino tourists as spelled out in the revised guidelines on departure formalities issued by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking.

“Most of the passengers were stopped at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the rest were offloaded in the ports of Mactan, Clark, Kalibo, Iloilo, Davao, and Zamboanga,” he said.

Customs files smuggling raps vs ‘ukay’ firms

POLL AUTOMATION. Senator Chiz Escudero, chairman of the joint congressional oversight committee on automated election system, and chairman of the House committee Rep. Sherwin Tugna, throw questions at acting Commission on Elections chairman Christian Robert Lim during a Senate hearing on Comelec Advisory Council Report on the 2016 Elections at the Senate office in Pasay City. Lino Santos

OPPOSITION senator Leila De Lima, who has been detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over alleged drug charges, topped the list of five political detainees in Southeast Asia.

De Lima has decried the alarming trend of incarcerating government critics and opposition members in Southeast Asia as she vowed to continue fighting for justice and human rights across the world despite her continued ‘unjust’ detention.

A known human rights defender, De Lima topped the Asian Correspondent’s list of five prominent Southeast Asian leaders and human rights defenders who are facing charges for defying the norm.

She noted that intimidating leaders who hold on to their independence and impartiality is a desperate tactic of some politicians to disarm dissent and eventually strengthen their political machinery.

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Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Sensitive aid provisions

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INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III strongly delivered a message to the European Union for the bloc’s penchant for tying up its financial assistance to human rights and the rule of law. Dominguez is no diplomat but he discussed in clear terms why the Philippines, and President Rodrigo Duterte for that matter, was sensitive to the explicit provisions contained in the financing agreements with the EU. Dominguez referred to the general terms and conditions of the EU financing agreements calling for the bloc to suspend the assistance “if the partner country breaches an obligation relating to respect on human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law, and in serious cases of corruption.”

The finance chief noted that other development partners including individual European nations, in contrast, had no such provisions in their respective grant agreements.

The Department of Finance, he said, pushed for parity and respect for sovereignty, but “the EU stubbornly refused to see our point, choosing to maintain the provision that is unacceptable to President Rodrigo Duterte.”

The Philippines has pleaded with the EU to remove the sensitive provisions in writing, similar to the financing arrangements with Australia, Canada and even the United States.

“You know all we are saying is that why don’t you just be like everybody else. They don’t put it there.

What we can accept is a statement like this: I will give you the grant until it is illegal for me to give you the grant. That is okay because there are some laws in other countries that don’t allow them to give you a grant [for] some reasons...,” says Dominguez.

The Philippines last week refused to accept a financial assistance from the EU worth 6.1 million euro or around P380 million after the bloc insisted on the controversial provision.

President Rodrigo Duterte may have his own reasons for rejecting the EU’s aid, however substantial and however helpful it promises to be. As chief executive he is well within his rights to do that, especially since he insists that his policies do protect human rights and do observe the rule of law.

Some quarters may disagree with the President’s position. Indeed the financial help would do much to rebuild communities and make the country more competitive. We have expressed openness to support Mr. Duterte’s rejection of foreign “meddling”—so long as he did it consistently, regardless of which country he is speaking with.

For now, for good or bad, we are bound by his decisions. We must be ready to live with this choice to show it was done out of principle, not out of spite.

Nepal losing out to China as Everest operators cross mountain

By Annabel Symington

Trump on North Korean threat BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO UNITED States President Donald Trump, in his first State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress painted a picture of social, economic and political progress in his first year in power. Trump appealed for unity in a year marked by divisiveness of his own making by stoking partisan lines between the ruling Republicans and the opposition Democrats.

Trump’s campaign theme of “America first” also created a ripple of resentment in some parts of the globe.

His policy to make America strong again through protective economic policy has drawn criticism even as he defended his immigration

reforms on keeping out undocumented aliens from Mexico and potential terrorists from certain Middle East and African countries.

Trump also served warning to Pyongyang that the United States won’t be complacent in the face of North Korea’s threat to unleash its intercontinental ballistic missiles on American cities. Trump’s military option on the table came even as Pyongyang plans to display its missiles arsenal at a military parade this February. The foreign press was not invited to the big parade of North Korean military power. Is Nokor leader Kim Jong-un’s boast of missile firepower all bluster?

I suppose we will never know but his threat to push the button is inviting a preemptive strike by the US whose warships are deployed in the Korean pen-

insula. A fusillade from the US warships could wipe off Pyongyang from the map of the world. Most armed conflicts are borne out of a word war that prompts one party to react for self-preservation.

Is Kim Jongun’s boast of missile firepower all bluster?

Concerns rise on Benham In the meantime, concerns are being raised that the Philippine government is allowing Chinese navy to explore the depths of the sea in Benham Rise. Renamed as Philippine Rise after the

United Nations awarded the area to the Philippines in 2012, these territorial waters are on the other side of the archipelago, much too far from China’s covetous design. Benham Rise is rich in prospective oil, gas and minerals much like the South China Sea which Beijing has practically claimed entirely despite conflicting claims from the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. Will our splayed-legs foreign policy toward China allow the interlopers to gain a foothold in waters that are clearly ours?

We have lost Scarborough Shoal to the Chinese despite the ruling of The Hague international arbitration court China has no legal basis for claiming territorial waters within other countries’ 200mile exclusive economic zone as mandated in the United Nations Convention

on the Law of the Sea. The Philippine government of Duterte, however, has invoked neither the Unclos nor The Hague tribunal’s favorable decision. Why? Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said “ let’s trust in the good faith of China.” I have never heard such hogwash or equine manure from a lawyer posturing as presidential spokesman. We have seen how the Chinese built artificial islands in the Spratlys, other disputed areas and turned the shoals, reefs and protruding rocks into military installations.

Trusting China is like sleeping with a snake or swimming with sharks.

This is not completely China’s fault. Our local officials did not undertake due diligence on the carriages bought from the Chinese company Dalian. The wheels of the new carriages

do not fit the rails of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, adding to commuters’ woes.

Bought during the watch of the Aquino administration by then Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, China has not made any announcement it would refund the millions of pesos paid to Dalian or whether the firm would replace the misfitted wagon wheels.

Trust China? The P6.5billion shabu shipment smuggled through the Bureau of Customs came from China. Cocaine and shabu are manufactured locally by Chinese drug lords. Chinese nationals nabbed by the police and the Drug Enforcement Agency are merely deported to China. There is no feedback that China, where drug traffickers are executed, meted the death penalty on the deported nationals.

POOR regulation and overcrowding are pushing Everest climbers away from Nepal to China, which is investing millions to boost a rival path to the top of the world.

Veteran climbing outfits, fed up with what they regard as a lax attitude to safety on Nepal’s southern flank of the 8,848 metre (29,029-foot) peak, are starting to shift operations to Everest’s north side in Tibet.

“The south side is way too overcrowded with inexperienced people,” Phil Crampton, a seasoned Everest hand who announced in January his company Altitude Junkies would shift to China, the third such outfit to abandon Nepal in recent years.

The exodus could dent a long-standing source of revenue for the cashstrapped Himalayan nation—Kathmandu raked in more than $4 million in Everest permits fees alone in 2017.

A growing chorus of foreign-led Everest operators in Nepal are demanding greater scrutiny of low-cost outfits that have mushroomed in recent years, offering cheap expeditions up the fabled summit.

These budget players are luring hordes of amateur climbers chasing the thrill of Everest but also risking death and injury, climbing experts say, warning that some expedition leaders are ill-equipped to tackle the peak.

Seven of the 10 climbers who died on Everest’s south in the last two years were summiting with budget operators, according to information from the Himalayan Database.

“What has happened over the last few years on the south side is absolutely intolerable,” said Lukas Furtenbach, whose company Furtenbach Adventures relocated to China

Turn to A5

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Opinion New wave of Iranian globetrotters hits the road

By Ali Noorani A TRAVEL frenzy is gripping young Iranians, who are inspiring each other through social media to overcome traditional constraints and expand their horizons.

The exploits of young Iranian travellers, hitchhiking and backpacking their way around the globe, have become immensely popular on Instagram and Telegram, the most widely used apps in Iran, with some gathering more than 200,000 followers.

Iran has long had a globetrotting elite thanks to the large diaspora that fled to the United States and Europe after the 1979 revolution, but now it is the turn of the emerging middle class to stretch their wings, overcoming cultural barriers and parental worries in the process.

Sara Louee, 31, grew up thinking that holidays were a family trip to the northern coasts of Iran.

But two years ago, she met a group of foreigners through the website couchsurfing.com and joined them as they hitchhiked to the ancient city of Yazd.

She was unprepared: “I had absolutely no equipment. I was wearing flimsy girly shoes and had borrowed a backpack from a friend,” she told AFP. But her mind was opened to a world of possibility and she was soon saving for a 40-day trip around Europe, even if it meant battling with her conservative-minded parents.

Tehran, Iran | AFP | Wednesday 1/31/2018 18:13 UTC+8 | 690 words A travel frenzy is gripping young Iranians, who are inspiring each other through social media to overcome traditional constraints and expand their horizons.

The exploits of young Iranian travellers, hitchhiking and backpacking their way around the globe, have become immensely popular on Instagram and Telegram, the most widely used apps in Iran, with some gathering more than 200,000 followers.

Iran has long had a globetrotting elite thanks to the large diaspora that fled to the United States and Europe after the 1979 revolution, but now it is the turn of the emerging middle class to stretch their wings, overcoming cultural barriers and parental worries in the process.

Sara Louee, 31, grew up thinking that holidays were a family trip to the northern coasts of Iran.

But two years ago, she met a group of foreigners through the website couchsurfing.com and joined them as they hitchhiked to the ancient city of Yazd.

She was unprepared: “I had absolutely no equipment. I was wearing flimsy girly shoes and had borrowed a backpack from a friend,” she told AFP. But her mind was opened to a world of possibility and she was soon saving for a 40-day trip around Europe, even if it meant battling with her conservativeminded parents.

“My family didn’t accept it easily or overnight. I went through a lot of pain. But I gradually proved I could do it with shorter trips and gained their trust,” said Louee,

who now blogs regularly about her travels.

“These days, if I stay home at the weekend, my dad comes over and asks if something is wrong,” she added, laughing.

‘Strangers in your room?!’

Other young Iranians, particularly women, say they had been taught that travelling alone was dangerous.

“When I told people I stayed in a hostel in Europe, Iranians would be shocked and say ‘You mean there were strangers in your room?! Didn’t they do anything to you?’” said Mahzad Elyassi, another travel blogger.

She only heard about hitchhiking for the first time in 2015 but has since traveled to all 32 of Iran’s provinces and 20 countries.

“We’ve proven that Iran is really safe for such trips.

It’s become a trend.

“One woman said she used my Instagram page to convince her husband, saying: ‘If she can do it alone, so can we.’”

Last year, Iran recorded 9.2-million departures, a 38.5-percent increase on the previous year and almost double the numbers a decade ago.

The trend has been helped by President Hassan Rouhani, who came to power in 2013 promising to improve Iran’s relations with the world.

Iranians are not welcome everywhere: The United States this year banned them from entry unless they have close family, and European countries have strict and laborious procedures for tourists designed to weed out poor people.

But much of the rest of the world is welcoming Iran’s tourist boom, with 38 countries now waiving visas for Iranians.

They include Georgia, Russia, Turkey and Malaysia, and talks are reportedly under way with India.

Tech support That has helped encourage travel among those outside of the rich elite by putting the focus on cheaper countries.

“Maybe Iranians don’t have enough dollars or euros to travel to Europe but they can explore places like southeast Asia,” said Elyassi.

Technology has also been crucial.

“When I started, Google Maps didn’t exist. People couldn’t just easily travel and share their experiences,” said Reza Pakravan, 43, one of Iran’s best-known travellers after he broke the world record for crossing the Sahara on a bike.

Alireza Zafari, 38, has spent two years on the “Herculean task” of documenting the whole of Iran for travellers, a project he expects will take another eight years to complete.

He hopes to encourage more Iranians and foreigners to visit Iran’s beauty spots rather than the default option of popping across the border to Turkey, still the top choice for Iranians with 2.1 million visits last year thanks to cheap package tours and the availability of booze.

“The reason behind the travel wave is that people have become aware of the world, and technology gives them easy access to the information they need,” Zafari told AFP. AFP

EVERYMAN

By Dean Arturo M. De Castro I wish to comment on the objections of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide to the Charter change by Congress to shift to Federal Form of Government through constituent assembly.

1. Former Chief Justice Davide opines that the people would be burdened with double taxes by the Federal National Government and the Federal State.

With due respect, he is grossly mistaken in fact and in law. There would be no double taxation under the generally accepted principle of preemption in Taxation becasue the matters already subject to taxes of the Federal National Government cannot be taxed anymore by the Federal State. The principle of pre-emption is well-enshrined in Philippine case law and in the present Constitution that prohibits double taxation.

The assumption of the

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Some thoughts on Charter change former Chief Justice that there would be double taxation is grossly unfounded.

2. Former Chief Justice Davide further opines that the Federal form of Government would be divisive and would promote Political Dynasties.

Precisely, these are the evils sought to be solved by revising the Constitution by shifting to Federal form of Government. a. The Federal States shall not be independent but autonomous states within the sphere of their internal affairs to govern themselves and develop their economies under the general guidelines and supervision of the Federal National Government so that what a federal state earns would remain within itself for its own further economic, social and political development. b. One of the salutary goals of shifting to Federalism form of Government is precisely to

address the problem of political dynasties not effectively governed by the present Constitution under its provisions which are not self-executing but dependent upon the discretionary act of Congress for its implementation.

I limit my comments on the objections of Former Chief Justice Davide in his interview at CNN Philippines tonight (Jan. 31, 2018). I shall discuss the benefits of Federal Form of Government as it excellently works in the United States, in some European Countries and our neighboring countries at the proper forum.

I hope, in view of the current national interest involved, that I am not violating the rule against subjudice in regard to my pending Petition in the Supreme Court on whether the voting in the constituent assembly is separate or joint in light of the clear language of the present Constitution that Congress in a joint

session may propose revisions of the Constitution by a vote of 3/4 of all its members. When the senators join the constituent assembly to propose revisions of the Consitution, the senators become members thereof. In the absence of the qualifying phrase “each house voting spearately,” the 3/4 vote of the members of the Assembly clearly means that each member has one (1) vote, whether a senator or congressman, who are both members of the constituent assembly voting in the capacity as members thereof.

The senators are wearing hats not as senators but as members of the constituent assembly.

There is no question that it would be more economical than a constitutional convention to amend the Constitution through Congress acting as a constituent assembly as assisted by the wisdom of veteran framers of the Constitution in the constitutional commission created

by the President.

Former Chief Justice Davide and other objectors to the constituent assembly as a mode to revise the Constitution and to the shift of Federal form of Government itself should hold their breath, wait and see, and even participate in the public hearings on the Constitutional Amendments and Revisions to be conducted by the constitutional commission and by Congress itself acting as constituent assembly to propose revisions of the Constitution.

After all, it would be for the people to decide, in the exercise of their sovereign will, on the shift to Federal form of Government and other changes in the Constitution when the new Constitution is presented to the people for ratification.

The Consititution should be by the people and for the people in whom sovereignty resides and from whom all government authorities emanate.

Singapore durian-themed cafe smells winning combination

By Nicholas Yeo A SINGAPORE eatery centered around the pungent tropical fruit durian has caught a whiff of success as patrons f lock to the cafe in droves for a bite of its exotic offerings.

The spiky fruit long regarded as a delicacy in Southeast Asia has left a divisive trail—you either love it or hate it— and its odour means it is banned in most hotels and metro trains.

Detractors often de-

scribe its intense smell as a mix of gym socks and onions, while enthusiasts liken the creamy texture and intense aroma to blue cheese.

While the bittersweet fruit is usually eaten on its own or as dessert, the Mao Shan Wang cafe in Singapore’s Chinatown district has a special menu with durian in all dishes, even savory ones.

Customers can opt for chicken nuggets with a durian dip, pizza topped

with durian flesh, fries with a side of durian sauce, all washed down with coffee—durian infused, of course.

“Durian is [usually] eaten by itself and as sweets or treats, but what our company wanted to do was put it with savory stuff like fries and nuggets,” company spokesman Lance Lee told AFP. “We will be looking to expand the offerings as well, with maybe rice, pasta and other things.”

Mao Shan Wang, Chi-

nese for Cat Mountain King, refers to a strain of durian from Kelantan state in neighboring Malaysia distinguished by its bittersweet taste and small seeds.

When AFP visited the cafe on a weekend afternoon, business was brisk.

While many opted for durian ice cream to beat the muggy tropical heat, the more adventurous customers, most of them tourists, were seen trying the strongsmelling fruit—while

wearing gloves.

Many were also waiting in line to buy durian-f lavored confectionery, and even freshly cut up fruit conveniently sealed in vacuum packs for their plane journey.

American tourist Michael Capps, who had been trying fresh durian straight from the husk, said he was a convert.

“It’s hard to explain the taste to it, but it actually has like a sweet taste to it and it’s very good.” AFP

Octopizzo: Rap king from Nairobi slum inspiring Kenyan kids

By Fran Blandy LIKE most youngsters in Nairobi’s largest slum, Henry Ohanga grew up believing he would never amount to anything.

Making it big, even leaving Kibera: these weren’t things that happened to an orphan who once robbed people to buy food.

Now 29, he is Octopizzo, one of East Africa’s most recognised hip-hop stars, and is using his success to break down stigma around the

Nepal...

From A4

last year citing safety concerns.

Those pushing for change want to see permit numbers curbed and greater oversight of guides and operators.

Nepal introduced new laws in late December barring solo climbers, blind mountaineers and double amputees from scaling Everest, restrictions it said would make the peak safer.

But many mountaineers say the rules miss the mark.

“Nepal needs mountaineering rules and regulations. But for the operators, not for the climbers,” said Furtenbach.

Nepal has been criti-

slum and inspire kids in a world devoid of successful role models.

Clad in a black Adidas tracksuit, with bling in his ears, a gold-coloured watch on his arm and a large dazzling pendant of Jesus around his neck, Ohanga gestures over the undulating hodge-podge of corrugated iron roofs where he grew up.

“It’s everything, everything I rap about...

I feel like if I wasn’t born here I probably wouldn’t be a rapper,” he told AFP in Kibera,

where most of his friends and family still live.

Kibera stretches over an area of about 2.5 square kilometres (one square mile), a poor ethnic melting pot wedged among richer areas of the Kenyan capital where its residents work, mostly as casual laborers.

The slum’s population is subject to heated debate, with the old NGO slogan of “the biggest slum in Africa” challenged in recent years by a government cen-

sus and other independent studies which say between 170,000 and 250,000 people live there.

While for some a byword for misery and poverty, to Octopizzo, Kibera is the place he loves “more than anything else in the world” and it features in every one of his hits, with some of his slick, foreign-produced videos racking up more than a million views on Youtube.

In Kibera it is not the rubbish packed into

dirt or debris-choked streams that strike Ohanga.

Rather he is inspired by the “uniquely beautiful vibe,” children in brightly coloured uniforms making their way to school, music blaring from speakers around every corner, the whirr of sewing machines set-up in open air, the rhythm and beat of the hustle.

“I don’t blame the people. If you look at Kibera this is the definition of a failed system,” he said. AFP

cised as reluctant to introduce much-needed regulations because it fears harming an industry that spins money for the impoverished nation.

Climate change threat Meanwhile, China is sending a message that Everest’s north is open for business, investing in climbing infrastructure vital for a safe ascent to the summit.

It is building a mountaineering training centre in Lhasa and plans to allow helicopter rescues on Everest’s north from 2019, according to Chinese state media. Currently helicopter rescues are only possible in Nepal.

It also fixes ropes to Everest’s summit at the beginning of each climbing season, an industry standard on most major peaks

around the world—but missing on the southern face in Nepal.

“China is addressing the issues in a way that Nepal has just struggled to... There is no system in place to actually enforce the rules,” said Adrian Ballinger, who was the first operator to move exclusively to Everest’s north in 2015.

Until a decade ago, a roughly even number of climbers attempted the summit from the northern and southern sides of Everest.

But China’s reputation took a hit when authorities closed the Tibetan side of Everest without warning in 2008, fearing protests ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

Many companies abandoned the north saying the

political situation in Tibet was too unpredictable.

But that is changing due to what many in the industry see as a deteriorating situation in Nepal.

Ballinger expects more companies to move north in the coming years, especially as the Khumbu Icefall presents an increasingly avoidable danger on the south.

The icefall—a treacherous, ever-shifting expanse of glacial ice that all climbers must cross to reach Everest’s summit from Nepal—is becoming more unstable as temperatures warm due to climate change, and has claimed 23 lives in the last five years.

Nepal’s tourism department, which oversees the mountaineering industry, defended its position on

Everest safety.

“We cannot respond to every comment people make. Every year we have more people coming to climb Everest,” said department head Dinesh Bhattarai.

For now Nepal remains the most popular choice —just 155 foreign mountaineers attempted to summit Everest from Tibet last year.

An ever-growing number of Indian climbers are drawn to Nepal by its proximity to home and cultural ties. Indians outnumbered all other climbers on Everest’s south in 2017 bar Americans.

Many Chinese adventurers also prefer Nepal as laws back home require they summit an 8,000-meter peak before trying Everest from Tibet. AFP

News

A6

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PCSO in good hands, says chairman Pinili “I

’M HERE not as an obstructionist but a team player.”

This was the message of Anselmo Simeon Patron Pinili, newly appointed chairman of the board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office amid the continuing vilification campaign in the media against the PCSO leadership.

Pinili is a retired police general of the Philippine National Police and a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Matikas” Class 1983.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him as PCSO chairman after retired police general Jose Jorge

PCSO grow and be an office of the people.”

Pinili said one of his priorities was to improve and enhance the delivery of quality service to patients.

“I’m really sad when somebody [patient] complains at the Lung Center of the Philippines. The poor are outside of the building in a hot area waiting to be called, while the rich and privileged are waiting inside an air-conditioned room. I hope these concerns could be addressed by our office. It is the desire of our President to make a government for the poor,” he said.

He added: “We are here to extend help, I hope our AGMs could look into this so that we could be closer to the

Elizalde Corpuz resigned due to health reasons.

During a flag raising, Pinili said he and PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan would bring the agency “to greater heights.”

“GM Alex Balutan is my classmate and I know he means business so I know PCSO is in good hands,” he said in a statement released later.

“Don’t be mad or feel slighted if I have a strong voice, my wife said I naturally have a strong and highpitched voice, that is my normal tone,” he told employees during the flag-raising ceremony.

“I hope everyone keeps supporting PCSO and let’s try to make

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF BINMALEY Province of Pangasinan

MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE NO.06, S-2017

Sponsor: SBMELLEN F. ALIPIO and SBM LIGA PRESIDENT DOUGLAS R. DELOS ANGELES Co-sponsored by: ALL SANGGUNIANG BAYAN MEMBERS

4.30

SECTION 2. SCOPE/COVERAGE- The provision of this Ordinance shall govern, prescribe, control, regulate and supervise the operation, administration, zoning/sectioning and regulation ofBinmaley Commercial Arcade located at Poblacion, Binmaley, Pangsinan.

SECTION 3.DEFINITION OF TERMS.As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean as follows: 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7

Right to Occupy- authorized stall occupant given to a person after payment of fees as stipulated in the contract of lease.

Lessee in good standing – refers to a lessee who has no delinquencies, defaults and/or deficiencies in its payments to the Municipal Government ofBinmaley and/or has no records of violating the provisions of this Ordinance and/or the Contract of Lease.

Goodwill Fee – refers to the one time payment to be made by the first and original stall occupant as a premium for the privilege of renting the arcade stall/s, to show good faith and ensure faithful occupancy of the stall. It is non-refundable.

Transfer Fee – refers to the fee or charged paid to and collected by the Local Government from a transferee as a result of the transfer of the privilege over the stall/s made by the transferor and that the transfer was approved by the Commercial Arcade Committee .

Transferee – refers to a person who acquires the privilege over a fixed stall/salesbooth from an awardee of such.

Transferor – refers to an awardee of a fixed stall or salesbooth who relinquishes his privilege over such to another person.

Municipal Treasurer’s Clearance – is a clearance issued by the Municipal Treasurer or his/her authorized representative certifying therein that the winning applicant is not delinquent in the payment of taxes, fees and other charges due to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan and that he/she has complied with all the existing laws, rules, regulations and ordinances prior to the effectivity of this Ordinance.

SECTION 4. ZONING/SECTIONING OF STALLS AND THE CORRESPONDING GOODWILLAND RENTAL FEES.Zoning/sectioning of stalls and their corresponding goodwill and rental fees shall be as follows: 4.1

Arcade stall No. BA 1 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Retail Store, Electrical and Hardware Supply, General Merchandise, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.2

Arcade stall No. BA 2 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.3

Arcade stall No. BA 3 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.4

Arcade stall No. BA shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.5

4.31

Arcade Stall No. BA 31 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.32

Arcade Stall No. BA 32 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

4.33

4.34

Arcade Stall No. BA 34 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Chairman Vice Chairman Members Duties and Functions:

To conduct the opening of bids for the goodwill fee of the vacant stall/s adjudicated in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade.

b.

To make a study of the transfer of stallholders from one section to another or from one stall to another.

c.

To make a study of all phases on commercial arcade matters and to submit, comment on, and recommend such study to the Sangguniang Bayan; and

d.

SECTION 7. APPLICATION- No person or partnership shall be permitted to engage in any form of business in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade without first securing an application from the Market Specialist or his duly authorized representative and having said application duly approved by the same; provided that the lease award granted to stallholders shall constitute a permit or privilege to do business and the basis of collection of the fees as herein provided.Filipino citizens and residents of Binmaley shall be given preference in the award of the commercial stalls. All applications for the award of stalls shall be filed at the Office of the Market Specialist in the prescribed form and in triplicate copies.

Arcade Stall No. BA 5 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, Canteen and General Merchandise;

Arcade Stall No. BA 6 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop,Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 7 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 9 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 10 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 11 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 12 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 13 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 14 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, wedding and bake shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 15 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, wedding and gift shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 16 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, coffee shop, flower shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 17 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 18 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 19 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 20 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 21 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 22 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 23 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 24 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 25 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

4.29

Arcade Stall No. BA 29 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Those convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and

3.

Those convicted for any acts prohibited or made unlawful by any ordinance affecting local market ordinance, rules and regulations.

Grounds for Revocation of Contract- The following are grounds for the revocation of the Contract of Lease: 1.

Failure to comply with other requirements provided under the existing ordinance, rules or regulation affecting the administration and management of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade;

2.

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract herein mentioned; and

3.

Violation of the provision against sub-leasing and other prohibited acts defined and covered by this ordinance.

SECTION 8. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 8.1

Terms and conditions for the commercial stalls: a.

g.

j. k.

l. m. n. o. p. q. r.

s. t. u. v. w. x. y. aa.

ab.

ac.

ad.

ae. af.

Goodwill fee shall be paid in one-time payment by the winning applicant.

Failure of the winning applicant to pay in full the goodwill fee will lead to the cancellation/revocation of the contract.

Monthly rental fee shall be paid every 20th day of the following month.

Failure of the lessee to pay the monthly rental will subject him to payadditional 25% surcharge/penalty plus 2% interest per month but not to exceed 36 months.

Goodwill and rental fees shall be paid to the Office of the Municipal Treasurer.

In case the lessee is no longer interested in doing business in the stall, the lessee may turn over the said stall to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Upon the occupancy, the lessee shall operate his business in accordance with the approved Municipal Ordinances and existing laws relative to zoning, sanitation and security.

All persons engaged in the sale or handling of food shall be provided with appropriate Health Certification valid for six (6) months from the date of issue of Municipal Health Officer or his duly authorized representative.

Any person who has been awarded the right to lease a stall in accordance withthe provisions of this Ordinance shall personally occupy and administer the same.

No alteration or changes shall be made by the lessee on the stall. In case of any improvement thereon, a written permit shall be obtained from the Municipal Mayor thru the recommendation of the Municipal Engineer and such improvement shall be at the expense of the lessee. Any improvement thereon shall become the property of the municipality of the contract.

The use of any stall as living quarters and/or sleeping quarters is strictly prohibited. No vendor or stallholder is allowed to remain inside the Binmaley Commercial Arcade beyond the market hours.

The Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan shall not be responsible for any damage to the physical structure of the stalls caused by theft or robbery. All articles or merchandise left in the stall shall be at the risk of the stallholders or owners at all times. The Office of the Market Specialist shall encourage stallholders to provide provisions to safeguard their commodities.

The Municipal Government of Binmaley,Pangasinan shall not be liable for any loss or damages which the stallholder/s and/or any third party may incur and/or suffer in the operation and/or management of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade.

It is prohibited for any person to resist, obstruct, annoy or impede any market employee or personnel in the performance of his/her duty.

No merchandise or article shall be sold, offered for sale or exposed for sale in the public market premises unless the same has been legally acquired by the vendors and/or stallholders.

Stallholders/vendors shall keep and maintain their stalls in clean and sanitary condition. They shall likewise be responsible for the cleanliness of the passageways, alleys, or spaces immediately in front or behind or by the side of their stalls, booth or spaces.

It shall be the responsibility of the stallholders and vendors to dispose the wastes they generate before closing time daily to the temporary depository facility.

All water supply lines within the stall booth space shall shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided, a written consent from the Office of the Market Specialist shall be secured before installation takes place.

All telecommunication lines, cables and electrical lines shall conform to the National Building Code, Philippine Electrical Code and other applicable laws. All telecommunication lines within the stall, booth or space shall be shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided a written consent from the Market Administrator’s Office shall be secured before installation take place.

All power supply lines within the stall, booth or space shall be shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided, a written consent from the Market Administrator’s Office shall be secured before installation takes place.

Stallholders are likewise required to provide and place at least one (1) fire extinguishers or fire fightingequipments themselves in their stalls.

In case of fire/conflagration in or near the vicinity it shall be the duty of stall occupants to report such incident to the proper authorities.

It shall also be the duty of stallholder/vendor or his/her representative to report to the Office of the Market Specialist and police station any untoward incidents, accidents or crimes that may occur within or near his/her vicinity.

Storing of any flammable materials, explosive materials or substance and toxic materials, such as agricultural insecticides and similar toxic chemicals, firecrackers and pyrotechnics, are prohibited in all stalls.

No awardee shall sublet or sublease the stall awarded nor shall any privilege acquired sold. Any person other than the stallholder found selling in the latter’s stall be considered prima facie evidence of subleasing and shall subject the stallholder to outright revocation of his/her lease award.

Transfer the privilege over stalls maybe allowed provided that transferor must first seek the approval of the Commercial Arcade Committee in which case a transfer fee must be paid by the transferee.

The revocation of contract of lease of stallholders shall be effected for causes as provided in the contract of lease and those pertinent provisions of this Ordinance. In addition, should for any reason a stallholder discontinue his business or stall is non-operational or closed for four (4) consecutive months without informing the Office of the Market Specialist, or is not paying his rental for four (4) consecutive months, such stall shall be considered vacant and its occupancy shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed in this Ordinance.

Upon the death of the stallholder, if the deceased leaves a surviving spouse or legal heirs who are not disqualified under the provisions of this Ordinance and who desire to continue the business of the deceased, the contract of lease may be transferred to the deceased’s spouse or legal heirs upon application therefore; provided, that the Office of the Market Specialist shall be notified within thirty (30) days after the death of the original stallholder/lessee of the desire of the spouse or legal heirs to succeed and upon payment of all necessary rents or lease due at the time of the original lessee provided that no transfer fee shall be exacted to the transferee up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity; provided further, that the name of the qualified, preferred relative of the stallholder/lessee, whether surviving spouse or legal heirs mentioned in his/her contract of lease.

Living within the enterprises/premises/buildings shall not be allowed. Likewise, no stallholder shall remove, construct and alter the stall, booth or space, including electrical ring or water connection without prior permit from the Office of the Market Specialist and approvalof the Municipal Engineer. Any unauthorized/illegal construction shall immediately be subjected to demolition/removal by the Office of the Market Specialist.

All items, commodities or merchandises shall be displayed in the stalls or market commodity or merchandise shall be displayed in the stalls, so as not to hamper, obstruct or impede the passage of aisles or to convenience of the market goers, and shall be arranged and displayed in a manner which shall not hamper the regular cleaning of the market premises.

The use of Video karera in any portion of the stalls shall be prohibited. Gambling of any kind and manner is strictly prohibited in the stall.

Drinking of liquor or any intoxicating beverage within the stall premises is prohibited.

SECTION 9.FINES/PENALTIES/CANCELLATION/REVOCATION OF STALL RIGHTS.Any violation of this Ordinance shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred pesos (Php 2,500.00) and/or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both at the discretion of the court and shall be sufficient cause for the cancellation or revocation of a stallholder’s lease right or vendor’s privilege to occupy a stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade and his/her ejectment therefrom.

Any such stallholder whose lease right or privilege of occupancy has been cancelled or revoked shall be banned from leasing or occupying any stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade in the future.

SECTION 10. NO CONTEST PROVISION. Any stallholder who is cited for violation of this Ordinance and does not wish to contest the violation but is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed upon him/her prior to the filing of formal charges with the proper court shall be allowed to pay the imposed fine with the Municipal Treasurer’s Office to avoid being prosecuted within seven (7) calendar days from the day he/she was cited for violating any provision of this Ordinance, otherwise, a case shall be filed against the violator.

SECTION 11. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE- Should any provision of this ordinance be subsequently declared by a competent authority to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not so declared shall not be affected by such declaration and shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. REPEALING CLAUSE- Any Ordinance/s or any provision/s thereof found to be inconsistent with this Ordinance is/are hereby deemed modified, amended and or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVITY- This ordinance shall take effect upon favorable review by the SangguniangPanlalawigan of Pangasinan and after its publication pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160.

ENACTED and PASSED this 12th dayof October, 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan.

WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN (SGD.) HON. ROLANDO D. FERRER

(SGD.) HON. VIOLETA P. SALAZAR

(SGD.) HON. VISMARK V. VALERIO

(SGD.) HON. ELLEN F. ALIPIO

(SGD.) HON. URBANO C. DELOS ANGELES III

(SGD.) HON. JOEL JOSE A. CARRERA

(SGD.) HON. FRANCO C. FRANCISCO, LL.B.

(SGD.) HON. JOCELYN V. BAUTISTA (SGD.) HON. DOUGLAS R. DELOS ANGELES Attested: (SGD.) HON. EDGAR C. MAMENTA Municipal Vice Mayor And Presiding Officer

This Contract of Lease consisting of____________ pages has been by the parties and their witnesses on each and every page thereof;

Arcade Stall No. BA 27 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Delinquent stallholder;

BEFORE ME, a notary public, this __________ day of _____, 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan personally appeared _________________, Municipal Mayor and __________________ with the Residence Certificate Nos. As indicated below their respective names, both made known to me and to me known to be same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me oath that the same is their free act voluntary deed.

Arcade Stall No. BA 26 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 28 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

____________________________

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) MUNICIPALITY OF BINMALEY. . .) S.S PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN……………)

Witness my hand and notarial seal on the day place as herein above indicated.

Doc. No.____________ ; Page No. ____________; Book No.____________; Series of 2017.”

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.28

Res. Cert. No. Issued On Issued at

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF: _____________________________

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.27

______________________________ Municipal Mayor (LESSOR)

Res.Cert.No. ______________ Issued on ___________________ Issued at ___________________

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.26

The transferee may acquire a stall from an awardee after complying with the requirements setforth by this Ordinance and after payment of the transfer fee in the amount of five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) only.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF BINMALEY by:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.25

b.

2.

i.

______________________________ LESSEE

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.24

The awardee may relinquish or transfer his/her privilege over the stall/s to another provided that there is an approval from the Commercial Arcade Committee and that proof of payment of the transfer fee is presented/submitted to the said Committee.

1.

h.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this ___________ day of ______________ 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.23

7.7

a.

Disqualification: The following are disqualified from being a stallholder in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade:

The Municipality of Binmaley, Province of Pangasinan, Philippines, a public corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines herein represented by __________________________________, Municipal Mayor of Binmaley, Pangasinan, hereinafter called the LESSOR, and ___________________, of legal age, Filipino and with postal address at ____________________ hereinafter called the LESSEE. WITNESSETH:

1. That the term of the lease is for a period of Five (5) years from ____________ to ____________, and must be renewable provided that the lessee is a lessee in good standing. However, this contract may be terminated by either party by giving a written notice of termination at least thirty (30) days in advance.

2. That no building structure, stall, booth, or improvements of any nature shall be introduced within the leased premises without the written prior consent of the LESSOR and unless the same is in accordance with the kind of specifications approved by the Municipal Ordinance. All improvements so introduced without prior approval or done in violation hereof shall become property of the Municipality of Binmaley.

3. Goodwill fee shall be paid in full payment upon signing of the contract by the winning applicant. Failure of the winning applicant to pay in full the goodwill fee will lead to the cancellation/ revocation of the contract; 4. In case the lessee is no longer interested in doing business in the stall, the lessee may turn over said stall to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan; 5.The LESSEE shall pay the monthly rental of the leased stalls every 20th of the month without express demand by the LESSOR. Delay in payment of monthly rental for four (4) cumulative months shall ipso facto cancel or revoke the contract; 6. That the monthly rental of the leased stalls as embodied in this Municipal Ordinance shall be payable to the Municipal Treasurer or his/her duly authorized representative; 7. In the event of failure to pay aforementioned rental within due time as herein prescribed, subject LESSEE shall be required to pay an additional 25% surcharge from the monthly rental fee, as the case may be; 8. That the LESSEE agrees and warrants that the leased stall shall be used by him/her exclusively for the purpose for which it leased and that he/she is prohibited from using the said premises for any other purpose. Further, it shall not be used as dwelling place or sleeping quarters by of the LESSEE or his/her employee, guests or customers; 9. That the LESSEE may assign, transfer or convey his/her rights of lease over the stall under lease or any portion thereof to his relative of the second degree of consanguinityor by affinity together with the written consent of the LESSOR. 10. That the LESSOR reserves the right to change the amount of rentals over the stalls under the Lease Contract and it can only be done by way of an ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan; 11. Any damage or injury on the stall herein leased due to the fault of the LESSEE or his/her helpers and/or other third persons who may have gained access to the leased stall, shall be repaired promptly at the expense of the LESSEE under the supervision of the LESSOR and that the LESSOR shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage which the LESSEE may sustain in the premises during the repair; 12. The LESSEE shall comply with all conditions, rules and regulations which have been or may hereunder be promulgated by duly constituted authorities and maintain the leased stall and its premises in a clean and sanitary condition and dispose of all rubbish or trash thereat only thru the means places indicated by the LESSOR or his duly authorized representatives; 13. The LESSEE shall pay and defray all the expenses of his/her consumption of electric current and such other utility services that may be connected to the lease stalls, and he/shelikewise bear the expenses for the repair of such facilities; 14.The LESSEEshall not claim any loss or damage on account of ordinary repairs that the LESSOR may order to be done on the building that may interrupt the use of the leased stall; 15. The LESSEE shall be responsible at all times for act done by his/her employees,agents, or other persons entering the leased stall; 16.The LESSOR shall not be responsible for any loss or damage which LESSEE may sustain on the leased stall due to any fortuitous event or force majeure; 17. Upon the termination or expiration of this contract, the LESSEE shall promptly surrender to the LESSOR the leased stall. Failure to surrender the same, said LESSEE shall be responsible to the LESSOR for all damages that they might occur by reason of said failure and/or refusal; 18. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Contract, the LESSOR hereby authorizes the LESSEE to remove from the stall, improvements of any nature introduced by the LESSEE on the leased premises if such could not produce any damage to the property, and to deposit all personal belongings of said LESSEE in a bodega where the latter shall bear all costs of transfer and storage; 19. The LESSOR and/or his/her duly authorized representative shall have the right to enter and inspect the leased stall at any reasonable time of the day to ensure compliance with the terms of this Contract; 20. The LESSEE hereby acknowledges and confirms that he has seen and inspected the premises herein and that it is in good condition and is suitable for the purpose for which it is leased and he/she agrees to surrender it peacefully, also in good condition upon the expiration or termination of this Contract; 21. The operation of Binmaley Commercial Arcade shall be opened at 4 o’clock in the morning and closed at 10 o’clock in the evening. However, on the 24th day to 31st day of December of every year, the Binmaley Commercial Arcade may be opened 24 hours. Any request for the extension of time should be subject to the approval of the Market Specialist; 22. The segregation of solid waste shall be made daily. Segregation should primarily be conducted by the LESSEE of the stall. Individual stall owners shall keep and maintain their stall in clean and sanitary condition. The LESSEEis required to have individual garbage cans. All garbage cans must be properly covered.

23. The failure of the LESSOR to insist upon the strict compliance with any of the terms and condition herein stipulated shall not deemed a relinquishment or waiver of any rights or remedy he may have, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of the terms, conditions and covenants herein contained whichshall be deemed to have made, unless expressed in writing and signed by the latter; 24. In case of litigation for the collectionof any unpaid of fees or enforcement of any of the conditions of this contract, the LESSEE shall be liable for damages,and attorney’s fees apart from the costs and other expenses incidental to the suit.

Arcade Stall No. BA 8 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.22

7.6

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the LESSOR lets and leases unto the LESSEE and the latter hereby agrees and accepts to lease a commercial stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade located at Poblacion, Binmaley, Pangasinan, in Arcade Stall No.__, zoned/sectioned as ______________ intended for the sale of ___________________ under the following terms and conditions:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.21

7.5.1 TRANSFER FEE for Transfer of Privilege over the Stall/s.

f.

“CONTRACT OF LEASE

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.20

Awards and Contract – The Commercial Arcade Committee shall make the corresponding awards of the different arcade stalls herein mentioned within one (1) month from the approval of this ordinance and shall enter a contract with winning applicants immediately thereafter.

Contents of the Contract of Lease: The contract of lease between the Municipality of Binmaley as represented by its Municipal Mayor and the stallholder shall be prepared in quadruplicate copies shall be worded as follows:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.19

Priority 3.Other interested parties.

7.5

d. e.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.18

Priority 2. Actual vendors residing outside Binmaley and doing business in Binmaley

The Market Specialist shall acknowledge receipt of the duplicate copy and keep a record book for such purpose. The triplicate copy shall be retained by the applicant.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.17

Applicants shall be prioritized as follows:

b. c.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.16

Adjudication of the stalls shall be by module and then by stalls, which shall be undertaken by the Commercial Arcade Committee through public bidding.

b)

The application shall be signed by the applicant in person or by his/her attorney-in-fact, with three copies of his/her picture, each to be pasted on the application if the same is approved.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.15

a)

Priority 1: Original occupants/stall holders of the old commercial building.

To recommend changes, modifications or amendments in the zoning/sectioning of stalls, in case there is any, at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade for approval by the Sangguniang Bayan.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.14

Municipal Administrator Market Specialist Local Finance Committee President of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade Stallholders Association NGO Representative

a.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.13

Adjudication of the stalls in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade be made through the following procedures:

SECTION 6. COMMERCIAL ARCADE COMMITTEE- There is hereby a Commercial Arcade Committee created for this purpose and under this Ordinance which shall be composed of the following:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.12

7.4

SECTION 5. ZONING/SECTIONING AND NUMBERING OF STALLS- In consonance with the provisions of this Ordinance, the Market Specialist shall make the corresponding numbering of the different commercial stalls and their respective Sections as zoned under this Ordinance which will be in uniformed sizes and colors and be painted immediately beneath business name of the stall owner in the following manner:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.11

Bids shall be written in the bid forms numberedand prescribed by the Commercial Arcade Committee.

It shall decide which stall shall be open for bidding first. The winning bidder and the correspondingstall number shall be announced after every bidding.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.10

7.3

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.9

Bidding for all stall shall be conducted by the Commercial Arcade Committee. Notice of public bidding shall be posted in three (3)conspicuous places in the Municipal Hall Compound. The Commercial Arcade Committee may at its option cause the publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Municipality of Binmaley. In this notice shallbe specified the number of the stall or booth, the section where located, and the last day of filing of said application for occupancy thereof. The same notice shall remain where it is posted for a period not less than ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of the bidding.

Arcade Stall No. BA 33 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.8

7.2

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.7

3. DTI permit/license 4. Mayor’s Permit 5. Municipal Treasurer’s Clearance

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.6

people. A patient remembers even just a single smile and that patient would treasure that smile and will never forget this simple gesture,” he said.

Pinili recalled the President’s speech during an oath of office ceremony at the Palace on Dec. 6, 2017.

“It was about the painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci.

The painting took the artist Leonardo six long years to complete. When he was about to paint his subjects, he looked for a picture of Jesus Christ in Google, everyone laughs. So, he hired this model who looked like Jesus and painted the apostles/disciples, but couldn’t finish it because he had no photo of Judas Escariot,” he said.

Arcade Stall No. BA 30 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Binmaley, Pangasinan in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “An Ordinance Prescribing the Rates of Goodwill and Rental Fees of the Commercial Stalls at the BinmaleyCommercial Arcade, Providing its zoning/sectioning and regulations thereof”, also known as Binmaley Commercial Arcade Ordinance of 2017.

der restricted custody at the SPD and will be charged SOUTHERN Police District with robbery extortion bedirector Tomas Apolinario Jr. fore the Pasay City Prosecuhas ordered the relief of 17 tors Office.

Investigation showed that cops assigned to the Special Operations Unit after five per- the policemen arrested Genorga sonnel of the unit got involved while collecting bets on the in alleged robbery extortion in evening of Jan. 30 in Merville, Pasay City.

Pasay City last Tuesday.

The cops confiscated P153 Apolinario made the directive following a complaint cash collection of Genorga, her filed by the family of Roselyn booklet and a ball-pen she used Genorga, 55, an illegal num- in collecting “lotteng” bets bers game bet collector, who from her clients.

SPD spokesperson Supt. accused five police officers of demanding P200,000 in ex- Jenny Tecson said while interrogating Genorga at the SPDchange for her freedom.

The five policemen―Po- SOU office, the five policemen lice Officer 3 Simon Respi- allegedly demanded she and cio, PO2 Jimmy Abadines, her family produce money in PO1 Randy Mangubat, PO1 exchange for a favor of dropKervilyn Dugwaye, and PO1 ping the filing of criminal case her. BLACK Moli Esmael―are now un- against CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW

By Joel E. Zurbano

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN “AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING THE RATES OF GOODWILL AND RENTAL FEES OF THE COMMERCIAL STALLS AT THE BINMALEY COMMERCIAL ARCADE, PROVIDING FOR ITS ZONING/SECTIONING AND REGULATIONS THEREOF”, ALSO KNOWN AS BINMALEY COMMERCIAL ARCADE ORDINANCE OF 2017.

17 cops in alleged extort in Pasay City face raps

7.1

NOTARY PUBLIC

No applicant shall be awarded a market stall unless he complies with the following: a) b)

Applicant is not delinquent in the payment of taxes, fees and other charges due to the Municipal Government.

Applicant must secure a clearance from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office.

Applicant must submit, together with his application, the following:

1. Community Tax Certificate (Residence Certificate) 2. BIR/TIN (Tax Identification No.)

I hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Bayan during its regular session on October 12, 2017.

(SGD.) LIEZL V. CAMACHO Secretary to the Sanggunian

Approved: (SGD.) HON. SIMPLICIO L. ROSARIO Municipal Mayor (MS-JAN. 31 / FEB. 1 & 2, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

StandardRepublic of the Philippines TODAY

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS OFFICE OF CITY ELECTION OFFICER Puerto Princesa City

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO RECALL LUIS M. MARCAIDA III AS VICE MAYOR OF PUERTO PRINCESA CITY PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 69 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE, R.A. NO. 7160, AND COMELEC RESOLUTION NO. 7505 FOR LOSS OF CONFIDENCE.

chance to elect a vice mayor who is competent and able to LEAD the City of Puerto Princesa, MEET their necessities, and MOVE forward.

14. Facing circumstance of disappointment and frustration, “The best cure for the ills of democracy is more democracy.” Ergo, it is but a truism that a recall election is designed to afford relief from popular dissatisfaction with the conduct of a public officer, whom they want to be removed, thus, a valid revocation of the people’s embodiment of their will to the subject public official.

65

Tanglaw

208

2443-2461

19

66

Tiniguiban

1758

2462-2583

121

67A

Assorted I

4595

2584-2942

360

67B

Tagburos II

351

2943-2966

24

67C

Assorted II

777

2967-3019

53

TOTAL

39,768

15. On this note, the effects are inevitable leading to an overwhelming dearth of hope and trust on the public official’s leadership. Verily, the sole ground for recall is LOSS OF CONFIDENCE, in accordance with R.A. No. 7160, which states that: CHAPTER 5: RECALL

PRC NO.

COMES NOW, Main Petitioner, Oscar D. Lapida Jr. by himself, together with the supporting petitioners, unto this Honorable Office, most respectfully alleges THAT: PREFATORY STATEMENT 1. The right to recall is complementary to the right to elect or appoint. It is included in the right of suffrage. It is based on the theory that the electorate must maintain a direct and elastic control over public functionaries. It is also predicated upon the idea that a public office is “burdened” with public interests and that the representatives of the people holding public offices are simply agents or servants of the people with definite powers and specific duties to perform and to follow if they wish to remain in their respective offices.1 2. The power of recall for loss of confidence shall be exercised by the registered voters of a local government unit to which the local elective official subject to such recall belongs.2 3. Loss of confidence is the formal withdrawal by an electorate of their trust in a person’s ability to discharge his office previously bestowed on him by the same electorate.3

17. Section 6 of COMELEC Resolution No. 75057 provides:

SEC. 69: By Whom Exercised. – The power of recall FOR LOSS OF CONFIDENCE shall be exercised by the registered voters of a local government unit to which the local elective official subject to such recall belongs.

OSCAR D. LAPIDA JR. Main Petitioner

PETITION

COMPLIANCE WITH PERCENTAGE REQUIREMENTS SUFFICIENT TO RECALL

Section 6. Supporting petitioners in a petition for recall.

– the supporting petitioners in a petition for recall shall be the registered voters of the local government unit concerned, who are registered as such during the election in which the local official sought to be recalled was elected, and whose total number shall comply with the following percentage requirements:

16. In view of the foregoing, the people were compelled and left with no choice but to oust and recall Vice Mayor Luis M. Marcaida III of the City of Puerto Princesa due to loss of confidence. Taking into account the significant number of signatories that DIVULGED the support of residents of Puerto Princesa in effectively recalling their incompetent Vice Mayor, below is the summary of the number of supporting Petitioners6 on a per Barangay basis and reflecting likewise the number of corresponding page number and number of pages:

NO.

BARANGAY

NO. OF SUPPORTING PETITIONERS WHO HAVE AFFIXED THEIR SIGNATURE and/or THUMBMARK FOR THIS PETITION FOR RECALL AGAINST VICE MAYOR MARCAIDA

PAGE NUMBER

NUMBER OF PAGES

Voting Population of Local Government Units Concerned

Required Percentage or Minimum Number of Petitioners

Not more than 20,000

At least twenty·flve per cent (25%)

At least 20,000 but not more than 75,000

At least twenty per cent (20%) But not less than 5,000

At least 75,000 but not more than 300,000

Atleastftfteen percent (15%] But not less than 15,000

Over 300,000

At least ten per cent (10%) But not less than 45,000

18. In the instant case, the main and the supporting Petitioners have complied with the above percentage requirement, thus:

1

Babuyan

495

1-35

35

2

Bacungan

803

36-90

55

3

Bagong Bayan

234

91-108

18

4

Bagong Pag-Asa

49

109-112

4

5

Bagong Sikat

1056

113-191

79

6

Bagong Silang

808

192-251

60

7

Bahile

417

252-284

33

8

Bancao–Bancao

1653

285-416

132

9

Binduyan

289

417-440

24

10

Buenavista

254

441-458

18

11

Cabayugan

571

459-507

49

THE PARTIES

12

Concepcion

197

508-523

16

6. The main Petitioner of this case is OSCAR D. LAPIDA JR. who is of legal age, Filipino, married, and a resident of Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City. He is a registered voter of said Barangay in Precinct No. 0181A as evidenced by the hereto attached certification and voter’s records duly issued by Mangombaya S. Madale, Acting City Election Officer, Puerto Princesa City, herein marked as ANNEXES “A” to “A-1” hereof.

13

Inagawan

90

524-530

7

14

Inagawan–Sub

1062

531-607

77

15

Irawan

951

608-676

69

16

Iwahig

138

677-687

11

7. The supporting Petitioners are also all of legal ages, residents and registered voters in their respective precincts from barangays of Puerto Princesa City as indicated in the attached FOLDERS (per Volume) containing the signatures and/or thumb marks in the COMELEC prescribed form with their addresses marked as ANNEXES “B” to “B-66C” to form an integral part of this Petition.

17

Kalipay

101

688-694

7

18

Kamuning

498

695-729

35

19

Langogan

292

730-753

24

20

Liwanag

291

754-782

23

21

Lucbuan

316

783-805

23

22

Luzviminda

775

806-859

54

23

Mabuhay

278

860-878

19

GROUNDS FOR RECALL

24

Macarascas

484

879-917

39

9. As the famous dictum states, “Salus populi est supreme lex” –the will of the people is the supreme law—this Petition is in the nature of upholding the paramount will of the people, particularly, the residents of Puerto Princesa City.

25

Magkakaibigan

75

918-922

5

22. In view of the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that this Honorable Office cause the submission of the instant Petition together with all the supporting documents appended thereto with the Honorable Commission for appropriate action.

26

Maligaya

36

923-925

3

PRAYER

27

Manalo

459

926-959

34

28

Mandaragat

1602

960-1083

123

29

Manggahan

107

1084-1091

8

30

Mangingisda

1167

1092-1176

85

WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Office that after verification of the Petitioners’ names, addresses and signatures and FINDING the same to be in order and sufficient in form and substance, a favorable recommendation be SUBMITTED to the Honorable Commission seeking its concurrence and fixing the date of the recall election.

31

Maningning

85

1194-1200

7

32

Maoyon

270

1201-1223

23

33

Marufinas

110

1224-1233

10

34

Maruyugon

178

1234-1248

15

35

Masigla

95

1249-1255

7

36

Masikap

80

1256-1262

7

37

Masipag

445

1263-1292

30

38

Matahimik

700

1293-1342

50

What is more, Vice Mayor Marcaida just recently was tagged as one of the HIGH VALUE TARGETS in the city per report of the Puerto Princesa City Police Office to the Philippine National Police-Regional Office for MIMAROPA as shown in the herein document marked as ANNEXES “C” to “C-1.” All of which are punishable under the Revised Penal Code and other related laws. Truly, these misdeeds affect the entire peace and order in Puerto Princesa City, as evidenced by drastic increase in crimes related to illegal drugs within the locality.

39

Matiyaga

74

1343-1348

6

40

Maunlad

598

1394-1395

47

41

Milagrosa

401

1397-1428

32

42

Model

30

1430-1431

2

43

Montible

75

1432-1438

7

Vice Mayor Marcaida’s involvement in illegal drugs is not only disturbing but also puts the lives of his constituencies in danger.

44

Napsan

241

1439-1457

19

45

New Panggangan

139

1468-1478

11

46

Pagkakaisa

389

1479-1508

30

47

Princesa

99

1511-1517

7

48

Salvacion

222

1522-1541

20

49

San Isidro

262

1542-1559

18

4.

Moreover, as held in Dunham vs. Ardery 4:

“We understand that the principle underlying the recall of public officers means that the people may have an effective and speedy remedy to remove an official who is not giving satisfaction – one who they do not want to continue in office, regardless of whether or not he is discharging his full duty to best of his ability and as his conscience dictates. If the policies pursued do not meet the approval of a majority of the people, it is the underlying principle of the recall doctrine to permit them to expeditiously recall the official, without form or ceremony, as provided for in the charter.”

NATURE OF THE ACTION 5. The instant petition is filed pursuant to the provision of Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A. No. 7160) and the implementing guidelines promulgated by the Honorable Commission on Elections through Resolution No. 75055 dated June 6, 2005.

8. The name of the official sought to be recalled is VICE MAYOR LUIS M. MARCAIDA III (“Vice Mayor Marcaida”), the Vice Mayor of Puerto Princesa City. Vice Mayor Marcaida was elected during the May 9, 2016 elections and had assumed office on June 30, 2016. He may be served summons and other processes of this Honorable Office at the Office of the Vice Mayor, New City Hall Complex, Bgy. Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City.

10. Vice Mayor Marcaida is subjected to recall for LOSS OF CONFIDENCE. The people of Puerto Princesa City clamor for a change of leadership in the Office of the Vice Mayor owing to the following reasons: Vice Mayor Marcaida has not proven himself commendable to be the vice mayor of Puerto Princesa City.

He has not shown any sign of competence, transparency and integrity as the people of Puerto Princesa has been expecting from him Worse, the public is well aware that he is involved in drugs and once tried to facilitate the release of an arrested drug pusher (Arvin Clavecilla) in Puerto Princesa City. He is also involved in corruption when he, without any authority from the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Puerto Princesa, allowed the employees under him to accept donations through checks given by a private foundation, which checks were not remitted to the City Treasurer of Puerto Princesa. These are clear manifestations of his lack of moral integrity and fiber to govern and lead by example, to the detriment of the constituents of Puerto Princesa City..

11. In addition, Vice Mayor Marcaida has not made, at the very least, any commendable projects and programs for his constituents, to date, as he is hounded by (a) corruption and greed to grab political power which work against public interest and the general welfare; (b) lack of respect for the clamor of the people of Puerto Princesa who hate illegal drugs; (c) lack of regard for the laws and public officials like the President who is a known enemy of drug lords and anyone who peddles illegal drugs, which is conduct unbecoming of a public official and speaks of his lack of integrity and ascendancy to lead.

50

San Jose

1874

1560-1694

134

12. Provided hereunder are the manifestation of Vice Mayor Marcaida’s lack of integrity and ascendancy to lead and stay as vice mayor of Puerto Princesa City:

51

San Manuel

1402

1695-1796

102

52

San Miguel

964

1797-1867

71

PEACE AND ORDER

53

San Pedro

1654

1868-1986

119

For not helping the authorities in their campaign against illegal drugs and instead, it was he who tried to protect and coddle drug pushers by attempting to facilitate their release from the hands of the PDEA/police officers who arrested them; even worse is the fact that Vice Mayor Marcaida himself is a HIGH VALUE TARGET, hence the proliferation of illegal drugs and illegal drug trade in Puerto Princesa City;

54

San Rafael

353

1987-2013

27

55

Sicsican

1466

2014-2116

103

56

Simpocan

226

2117-2133

17

57

Sta. Cruz

264

2134-2151

18

PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST

58

Sta. Lourdes

868

2152-2214

63

For closing his eyes to corruption committed by his employees or even consenting to such corruption when he allowed them to accept checks which proceeds were not remitted to the City Treasurer of Puerto Princesa, which acts he did not bother to investigate, revoke, or censure thus robbing the City Government of Puerto Princesa of money that rightfully belongs to it

59

Sta. Lucia

89

2215-2220

6

60

Sta. Monica

1165

2221-2331

111

61

Tagabinet

438

2332-2361

30

62

Tagburos

952

2362-2419

58

13. All of the foregoing recitals indubitably show that Vice Mayor Marcaida is remiss in the performance of his sworn duties and responsibilities which eventually resulted to LOSS OF CONFIDENCE by the constituency of the City of Puerto Princesa. Perforce, Petitioners are constrained to initiate the instant Petition so as to give the people another

Total Voting Population of the City of Puerto Princesa based on the 2015 census (18 years old and above) 8 Percentage required per the rules.

Tagumpay

125

2420-2428

9

64

Tanabag

198

2429-2442

14

15% required

24,113

Total number of main and supporting Petitioners in this Petition for Recall.

39,768

Total number of equivalent to 15%

Petitioners

Undoubtedly, with the total number of 39,768 Petitioners, this Petition is, therefore, OVERWHELMINGLY supported by more than what is required by law.

19. Moreover and in compliance with Section 10 of the same rules, the Provincial Statistics Office of Palawan through its Supervising Statistical Specialist (Officer-in-Charge), Ms. Evelyn O. Apellido, issued a LetterReply/Certification dated August 10, 2017, attaching therein the latest TOTAL POPULATION BY AGE GROUP AND SEX in the City of Puerto Princesa based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015) which shows that the latest number of voting population thereat (18 years old and above) is 160,747. Copy of the said Letter-Reply/Certification with the attached 2015 Census are hereto appended and marked as Annexes “D” to “D-1”.

20. With regard to the date of assumption to office of Vice Mayor Marcaida, it is shown that he took his oath of office as vice mayor on June 30, 2016 and assumed said position the next day or on July 1, 2016. Copy of the letter issued by the City-DILG of Puerto Princesa, dated August 25, 2017, with the attached Oath of Office, and the Service Record issued

by Human Resource Management Office of Puerto Princesa are hereto appended and marked as ANNEXES “E” to “E-2”.

21. Penultimately, herein Petitioners have tendered the requisite filing fee of THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS (PhP 30,000.00)9 in the form of Manager’s Check (Check No. MC 0000009618) payable to the Cash Division of this Commission in compliance with Section 9 of the same rules before the City Election Officer of Puerto Princesa City who is tasked by law to remit said sum to the Cash Division of the Commission on Elections at Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila.

OTHER RELIEFS, which this Honorable Office may deem just and equitable, are likewise prayed for.

Puerto Princesa City, August 30, 2017.

OSCAR D. LAPIDA JR. Petitioner Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City

VERIFICATION and CERTIFICATION of NON-FORUM SHOPPING Republic of the Philippines) CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA) Ss. I, OSCAR D. LAPIDA JR., Filipino, of legal age and a resident of Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City, after having been sworn to in accordance with law, hereby depose and state that: 1.

I am the PRINCIPAL PETITIONER in the above-captioned case;

2. I have caused the preparation of the foregoing PETITION FOR RECALL, the contents thereof and the facts stated therein are true based on our own personal knowledge and on authentic records/documents; 3. Pursuant to and in compliance with Supreme Court Administrative Circular No. 04-94, we hereby certify that we have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or different Divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; that to the best of our knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending with the Supreme Court, the Court of appeals, or different Divisions thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; and that if we should thereafter learn that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before the above tribunals or agency, we hereby undertake to report that fact within five (5) days therefrom to the Court or agency wherein the original pleading and sworn certification contemplated herein have been filed.

AFFIANT FURTHERSAYETH NAUGHT.

OSCAR D. LAPIDA JR. Affiant Barangay Irawan, Puerto Princesa City SSS ID No. 03-9786893-9 SUBSCRIBED and SWORN to before me this 30th day of August 2017 at Puerto Princesa City, Philippines. Affiant personally appeared and exhibited to me his SSS ID No. 03-9786893-9/Voter’s Identification Certificate with VIN: 5316-0181A-K1162ODL10000-2. He is the same person who personally signed before me the foregoing Verification and acknowledged that he executed the same. I hereby certify that I have personally examined the affiant and I am satisfied that he voluntarily executed and understood his Affidavit.

MANGOMBAYA S. MADALE Acting City Election Officer Commission on Elections Puerto Princesa City 1 2 3

63

160,747

4 5 6 7 8 9

Evardone vs. COMELEC, G.R. No. 94010 December 2, 1991 Section 69, Chapter 5, R.A. 7160 Supra note 1 43 Okl. 619, 143 P. 331 Rules and Regulations for the Recall of Elective Local Government Officials as Provided for Under the Local Government Code, as Amended.

Please see Annex “B” and series Supra note 5 Please refer to Annex “C”.

Please see attached Acknowledgment Receipt issued by the Election Officer of Caramoan, herein marked as Annex “E” hereof.

(MS-FEB. 2 / 9 / 16, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

A8

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

Hotshots battle Elite for solo lead in PBA

Sports

By Jeric Lopez MAGNOLIA Hotshots gun for leadership when they go for a fifth straight win in the continuation of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The Hotshots (5-1) can take solo leadership should they continue to roll but skidding Blackwater Elite (2-4) stands in its way in their 4:30 p.m. encounter at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Shortly after, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-3) and the Meralco Bolts (2-4), teams who are struggling to find consistency, meet each other in a critical tussle at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.

Magnolia and the defending champion San Miguel Beermen are currently tied for first place.

The Hotshots can overtake the Beermen with another win.

After splitting its first two games, Magnolia suddenly went on a surge as it put up a four-game winning streak.

Hotshots coach Chito Victolero credits his team’s rise to his wards’ enhanced defense.

“We’re able to improve our defense and everything starts from there. We’re winning and we’re hoping to continue to move closer to the playoffs,” said Victolero.

Magnolia victimized TNT KaTropa last Saturday, 91-83, while its next foe, Blackwater, dropped an 84-88 decision to Alaska on the same day.

The Elite is on a tail-end of a three-game losing streak and it hopes to get out of its slump to get back into the thick of things.

An important win to improve their respective stands is what the Painters and the Bolts are after in their encounter.

Both squads are currently having an up and down campaign thus far.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes to the basket against the Miami Heat on January 31, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

Lady Spikers remain favorites Games tomorrow: (Mall of Asia Arena) 8 a.m. – AdU vs NU (Men) 10 a.m. – DLSU vs UST (Men) 2 p.m. – AdU vs NU (Women) 4 p.m. – DLSU vs UST (Women)

GUNNING for a threepeat, De La Salle University remains the team to beat but the rest of the league looked solid as the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament opens tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Only setter Kim Fajardo graduated, as sophomore Michelle Cobb will be given the task of orchestrating the plays for the 10time winners Lady Spikers.

Kim Kianna Dy and multi-awarded libero Dawn Macandili are hoping to leave De La Salle as champions in their swan song, while reigning MVP Majoy Baron, Tin Tiamzon and Aduke Ogunsaya are expected to deliver their usual numbers.

Runners-up in the last two years, Ateneo hopes to do well despite the decision of veteran playmaker Jia Morado to skip her fifth and final year.

The Lady Eagles also lost opposite hitter Michelle Morente, who moved to the Lady Spikers and is currently undergoing residency, as well as Kim Gequillana due to an offseason knee injury.

New skipper Maddie Madayag, Jho Maraguinot, Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino and last year’s top rookie Jules Samonte will try to bring Ateneo back to the Promised Land, while setter Deanna Wong will try to fill the huge void left by Morado.

Cavaliers cool Heat L

OS ANGELES —LeBron James scored 24 points and came up with a crucial late block as the Cleveland Cavaliers edged the Miami Heat 91-89 on Wednesday in a duel for third place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

“King” James prevented James Johnson from getting a shot off at the final buzzer as Cleveland held on for the win in their first game since Kevin Love was sidelined with a broken hand.

Love is expected to miss six to eight weeks—just more bad news in a tough January for the Cavs, who finished the month with a 6-8 record.

“I just wanted to keep the ball between me and the basket,” James said of his late-game stop.

“That’s just the rules I’ve always been taught and I was happy to be able to

get that last stop.

“It’s a good win for us.”

Jae Crowder drained a three-pointer from a James assist with 1:21 left to play to give Cleveland a threepoint lead.

Miami’s Josh Richardson answered with a floater with a minute remaining before Cleveland’s Isaiah Thomas made two freethrows to build the margin to 90-87 with 18.8 seconds to play.

Kelly Olynyk’s layup trimmed the deficit to one point with 12.1 seconds remaining. With seven left Cleveland’s Kyle Korver

made the first of two free throws and Johnson, with James defending him, was unable to release the potential game-tying jump shot before time expired.

“We needed a win like this, where we win a game on our defense,” said James.

The Cavs entered the contest as the NBA’s worstranked defensive team but limited Miami to 3-of-28 from three-point range.

They harried the Heat into 20 turnovers as they held an opponent to less than 90 points for the first time since November.

“It’s a good step in the right direction,” James said.

Meanwhile, it was a blowout in Boston, where the Eastern Conferenceleading Celtics overcame

the absence of Kyrie Irving to down the New York Knicks 103-73.

The Celtics, up by five midway through the third quarter, more than doubled that lead in less than two minutes, seizing an 11 point lead and never letting the Knicks get within single digits again.

Terry Rozier, making his first career NBA start, produced his first career tripledouble with 17 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds for Boston, adding two steals and two blocked shots.

In Portland, C.J. McCollum scored 50 points to lead the Trail Blazers to a 124-108 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

McCollum scored 28 points in the first quarter, a club record for a quarter and the most in a single period in

the NBA this season.

McCollum joined Houston’s James Harden as the only players to score 50 points in just three quarters this season.

In Phoenix, a horrifying broken left ankle to Suns reserve guard Isaiah Canaan overshadowed the hosts’ 102-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Canaan had slashed to the rim for a layup in the waning seconds of the fist quarter and came down awkwardly, his left leg twisting beneath him.

He sat still on the court awaiting aid from medical staff and was eventually taken off on a stretcher as shocked teammates and opponents looked on.

The Suns quickly issued a brief statement saying he had a broken ankle. AFP

No Federer, no Nadal but plenty at stake in Davis Cup PARIS, France—Just five days after the conclusion of the Australian Open, tennis shifts its attention to the Davis Cup this weekend.

France are the defending champions and start their campaign at home to the Netherlands while the United States, the record 32-time champions, travel to Serbia.

The sport’s “big five” are all missing from this week’s first round. Australian Open champion Roger Federer and injured compatriot Stan Wawrinka, key men in Switzerland’s 2014 title success, miss the trip to Kazakhstan.

Also nursing injuries are Novak Djokovic, who sits out Serbia’s home tie with the US while Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray miss the clash between Spain and Britain.

However, world number three Marin Cilic, the runner-

up to Federer in Melbourne, leads Croatia’s challenge at home to Canada. Cilic can equal Ivan Ljubicic’s record for most Davis Cup matchwins by a Croatian player if he wins three rubbers this weekend. He has a 33-16 win-loss record in doubles and singles.

Hungary face 2017 runnersup Belgium looking to reach the World Group quarterfinals for the first time and record their best Davis Cup result. The Hungarians have won nine of their last 10 ties with successive promotions in 2014-15, rising from Europe/Africa Zone Group III to Group I by 2016, before winning promotion to the World Group last year.

Ben McLachlan was born in Queenstown, New Zealand but the 25-year-old switched his allegiance in

2017 due to his Japanese mother and is in the squad for the home tie against Italy.

McLachlan made his debut in the World Group playoff victory against Brazil in September. With Japan missing the injured Kei Nishikori, McLachlan could have a crucial role having made the semi-finals of the doubles at the Australian Open alongside Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

He may be 36 years old and officially retired but former world number one and Wimbledon and US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt could still feature in the doubles for Australia in their home tie against Germany.

Hewitt, the team captain, was rejuvenated at the Australian Open where he made the quarter-finals with compatriot Sam Groth. AFP

Switzerland’s Roger Federer holds the Australia Open trophy at Government House following his win in the Australian Open in Melbourne. Federer defeated Croatia’s Marin Cilic in their men’s singles final match of the Australian Open tennis tournament. AFP

Fernandes defends ONE crown against Nguyen

ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes defends his crown against Martin Nguyen.

ONE Championship

ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes of Brazil will defend his title against ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen of Sydney, Australia at ONE: Iron Will on March 24, 2018 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship announced the exciting card in Bangkok.

“I am super excited to announce another huge world title bout as reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion Bibiano Fernandes will face two-di-

vision ONE Featherweight and Lightweight World Champion Martin Nguyen. It’s a tremendous matchup, and one that the whole world wants to see. I have no doubt that these two warriors will be putting on a great show,” said Sityodtong.

Fernandes of Brazil is the reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion, and widely considered one of the best martial artists in the world regardless of promotion. He made his ONE Championship debut back in 2012 and captured the bantamweight world title in 2013. Since then, Fernandes has remained unbeaten inside the ONE Championship cage,

showcasing tremendous striking and grappling ability, and an unwavering will to win.

In his most recent bout, Fernandes made quick work of top contender Andrew Leone, submitting the American with a rear-naked choke in the very first round.

Nguyen is one of the most highly-regarded martial arts champions in the world. With an impressive 10-1 professional record, which includes three submissions and seven knockouts, Nguyen’s all-around skill set allows him to perform at the highest level of competition. All of Nguyen’s wins have come by exciting finish.

Arellano leads elims ARELLANO University overcame a sloppy start as it turned back San Sebastian College, 19-25, 36-34, 2516, 25-21, yesterday to seize a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the 93rd NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Jovielyn Prado pumped in a team-high 17 points while Regine Anne Arocha, skipper Mary Anne Esguerra, Necole Ebuen and Carla Amaina Donato also contributed 16, 15, 14 and 13, respectively. The Lady Chiefs grabbed the No. 1 seed and the important playoff edge with an 8-1 (win-loss) mark.

It was also a win that soothed the pain of a 21-25, 20-25, 25-19, 12-25 defeat to College of St. Benilde Monday that spoiled AU’s sweep bid.

The Lady Chiefs had to shrug off a sluggish start as they fell in the first set and trailed, 33-34, in the high-scoring second set but recovered the groove by seizing the last three points of the set including a kill by Esguerra to snatch the set.

That was the wake-up call AU needed to dominate the final two sets.

The Lady Stags slid to their fourth defeat against five wins and may be out the magic four and closer to elimination.

In the other game, CSB slammed Mapua, 25-18, 25-15, 25-17, to likewise stay in contention with a 5-3 slate.

QC, Bulacan beat MPBL rivals MALOLOS—On a night Quezon City outplayed the Gary-David led Bataan squad, preseason champion Bulacan showed its strong title aspirations by whipping visiting Imus in the resumption of the MPBL Anta-Rajah Cup at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium.

Quezon City drew a solid performance from Andrew Estrella, who dished out the league’s first ever triple-double showing by any player. The spitfire guard finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to power the Capitals to an 87-69 victory over the Bataan Defenders.

David, the illustrious, former scoring champion of the PBA, who joined the squad put up by his native province, led the way for the

Defenders by pouring in 21 points while struggling on 5-of-18 shooting from the field.

But the Defenders lack the production from the bench as Quezon City’s relievers outscored Bataan, 48-9.

Aside from Estrella, the Capitals, who are being handled by coach Vis Valencia, also had four other players in double figures.

Former D-league player Jessie Collado finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Ex-La Salle stalwart Peejay Barua contributed 12. Jomas Santos chipped in 11 and Hesed Gabo had 10 for Quezon City, which jumped the gun early by leading 16-8 and padded its advantage to 44-25 at the half.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard TODAY

Stocks, peso continue to drop TODAY

B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

B1

SM, Goldilocks cancel purchase talks

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

M RETAIL Inc. said Thursday it cancelled its plan to acquire bakeshop chain Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. following the “changes in the general business environment.”

“Regarding the proposed acquisition

by SM Retail of Goldilocks, both SM and Goldilocks have jointly agreed not to pursue the transaction given changes in the general business environment,” SM Investments Corp., the parent company of SM Retail, said in a statement.

Goldilocks president Richard Yee also confirmed the breakup of the deal and said it was a mutual decision by both parties not to pursue the deal.

“This was a mutual decision, which was jointly agreed upon after a friendly and productive dialogue,” Yee said.

The Philippine Competition Commission which looked into the deal said it was also informed about the cancellation of the transaction.

PCC commissioner Stella Quimbo said both parties made known their decision after considering the “commercial environment” of Goldilocks that led for both parties to refrain from the consummation of the transaction.

“It is unfortunate that it ended this way. We were actually quite pleased that they volunteered to address the concern that they have come to an agreement at a certain point. However, it is a business decision that we obviously respect,” she said.

The commission approved last month the acquisition by SM Retail of Goldilocks after the parties submitted their commitment to address potential competition issues in the transaction.

The SM Group submitted a compre-

hensive undertaking on Dec. 22 after a cused on our plans and strategies which accessible to our customers,” Yee said. series of hearings and discussions and have allowed us to achieve double-digit SM group first made known its plan ultimately, the final undertaking on Dec. growth in the past few years. We have for possible investment, joint venture 28 to address the identified competition now over 600 stores to serve our cus- agreement or cooperation agreement concerns. tomers nationwide and we will contin- with Goldilocks in August 2017.

Yee said there were changes in the ue this expansion in order to be more With Othel V. Campos business environment that compiled both parties to Manila NOTICE OF SALE OF OFFICE FURNITURE Standard withdraw from the deal.

AND EQUIPMENT OF VENTECH PHILS. INC. TODAY Notice is hereby given that in accordance to Section 13.3 (D) of the Contract of Lease with Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd., the “Since we first began talks personal properties of VENTECH PHILS., INC. located at 23/F Tower 1, Insular Life Corporate Centre, Insular Drive, Filinvest Corporate with SM, so much as hapCity, Alabang, Muntinlupa City will be placed in public bidding. All interested bidders may call Lester or Carol at 582-1818 local 2331, Monday-Friday, 7:00 am – 4:00 pm, or email mljacinto@insular.com.ph for the walkthrough, registration procedures and requirements. pened in the marketplace Schedules of Walkthrough: • Jan. 31,2018 - Feb. 2, 2018 and many changes have • Feb. 7, 2018 - Feb. 9, 2018 occurred in our respective • Feb. 13, 2018 - Feb. 15, 2018 Sealed bids will be accepted on or before February 23, 2018, Friday until 4:00 pm. business environments. This OFFICE FURNITURE, FIXTURE & EQUIPMENT (1 lot): Minimum Bid Price is P2,581,000.00 caused us to re-evaluate our Arm Sofa Mobile Pedestals Laptop (Lenovo, Aces, Toshiba) position, and to arrive at a Digital Biometric Machine Stand/Floor/Tower Fan Wifi Extender Phone Receiver Lateral Cabinets Computer Server decision that we feel is best Visitor Chairs Papertrays Server Cabinet Executive/Staff Arm Chair Electronic Typewriter (Brother) Locker Cabinet for both companies,” he Mobile Pedestals Foldable Table Conference Table with Chairs Desktop Computers & peripherals Partition Conference Telephone said.

Printers (Brother, Kyocera) Whiteboard Video Conferencing System Corkboards Fire Extinquishers HDD/DVD Player Yee said Goldilocks would Wooden Shelves/Cabinets UPS-APC TV Stand now continue focus on store Paper Shredder (Dahle) LED Monitors Projector Screen Office Tables Storage Rack Coffeemaker expansion. “We remain foBinder Machine (DSB) Trash Bin Ethernet Desktop Switch Paper Cutter Push Cart Executive Table MagazineTable Personal Refrigerator

International visitor arrivals in PH hit record 6.6m

By Othel V. Campos INTERNATIONAL visitor arrivals in the Philippines climbed 11 percent in 2017 to hit a record 6.62 million from 5.96 million in 2016, the Tourism Department said Thursday.

“We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all the tourism stakeholders who worked hand in hand with the Department of Tourism in achieving another milestone for the country,” said Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. Teo said the 2017 tourism growth was faster than the average regional Manila growth of 6 percent in Asia and the Standard TODAY

Pacific and 8 percent in Southeast Asia, based on the latest United Nations World Tourism Organization World Tourism Barometer.

Teo said the record arrivals were achieved despite a series of political noise, security concerns and travel advisories against the country last year.

“We overcame these challenges with the innate resiliency of the Filipinos and the cooperation of everybody. And for that we are very thankful,” Teo said.

Improved air routes and more cruise calls together with travel infrastructure development, travel

facilitation, product development and tourism investments drove the industry’s growth in 2017.

South Korea remained the country’s top source market with 1.6 million Korean tourists visiting the country. Boracay and Cebu were the top destinations of Koreans last year.

China followed with 968,447 arrivals as improved relations between the Philippines and China, added air routes and the Visa Upon Arrival option for Chinese nationals convinced more Chinese visitors to experience the Philippines. Arrivals from China jumped 43.3 percent.

Balance Sheet (Head Office and Branches) As of December 31, 2017

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS

Previous Quarter

1,159,624,602.52 43,845,443,813.75 791,335,909.08 14,728,835,261.67 16,146,448,058.52 13,149,000.00 207,358,625,537.16 34,551,560,000.00 108,039,821,182.32 66,403,016,378.52 1,635,772,023.68 1,166,108,807.98 227,434,200.00 946,927,107.00 4,852,508,271.51 291,236,440,569.19

1,443,481,252.44 61,926,854,885.51 1,058,114,423.01 25,386,314,345.73 15,942,360,655.57 13,149,000.00 192,732,565,416.65 19,055,625,000.00 102,217,630,824.12 73,037,189,838.68 1,577,880,246.15 1,058,704,102.37 227,434,200.00 895,007,046.81 4,155,599,598.55 304,839,584,926.64

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES

760,893,072.15 194,814,366,353.49 26,404,085,047.37 6,657,784.82 6,657,784.82 8,038,416,095.41 14,360,514,640.86 28,307,324,994.30 272,692,257,988.40

617,018,620.45 191,393,846,143.59 33,877,328,271.01 3,009,732,754.07 3,000,000,000.00 9,732,754.07 8,430,348,062.75 18,534,256,693.05 31,457,288,792.81 287,319,819,337.73

5,286,155,500.19 98,179,589.48 13,159,847,491.12 18,544,182,580.79 291,236,440,569.19

4,261,738,508.31 98,179,589.48 13,159,847,491.12 17,519,765,588.91 304,839,584,926.64

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

270,728,161.50 2,433,139,786.56 869,159,294.05 1,518,897,811.35 137,183,686,040.00 18,398,935,588.38 402,849,944,560.11 48,677,625.67 48,677,625.67 90,170,701,260.70 377,941,230.56 654,121,811,358.88

230,859,910.38 2,535,974,328.65 736,768,093.92 621,771,989.88 134,710,690,871.00 15,206,522,599.97 366,355,219,149.02 49,008,683.12 49,008,683.12 88,761,851,733.54 298,593,522.58 609,507,260,882.06

211,330,388,200.94 2,335,990,640.10

196,401,565,772.92 2,091,120,110.12

932,256,279.91 0.44 (1,403,734,360.19) (0.66) 426.04 250.57 5,321,780,255.74 98,213,595.62 0.05 8.09 0.02 19.68 17.71 16.94 16.94 -

886,570,461.17 0.45 (1,204,549,648.95) (0.61) 413.84 235.87 4,517,316,576.08 98,416,967.24 0.05 42,547.51 0.00 9.08 0.02 20.01 17.63 16.91 16.91 -

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 ratio (%) Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

-

-

Republic of the Philippines) Republic of the Philippines) MAKATI CITY ) s.s.

We, Don Mark Rances and Martin John McLeod of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD) DON MARK RANCES Country Controller

(SGD) MARTIN JOHN McLEOD Country Chief Financial Officer

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 26th day of January 2018 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their Driver License No. E04-04-066348 valid until October 7,2018 and Passport ID No. M8728214 issued in Australia valid until, June 02, 2018 respectively.

Doc No. 170 Book No. I Page No. 35 Series of 2018

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

001177

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. THOMAS J.T.F. DE CASTRO Notary Public for Makati City Appt. No. M-159 until December 31, 2018 7th Floor Citibank Center Paseo de Roxas Makati City IBP No. 020334, 1/4/2018 Makati Chapter PTR No. 6615346, 1/4/2018 Makati City Roll No. 57068 MCLE Compliance No. V-0019955 valid 04/15/16 to 04/14/2019

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to CHINA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

14. My character witnesses are CLAUDINE JENNIFER TING NG and HEIDY RYANNA GUEVARRA both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 24 BEECHCRAFT ST., CONCORDE VILLAGE, PARAÑAQUE and 1249 MASANGKAY ST., STA CRUZ, MANILA respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF DENISE CAI YANG to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares:

Current Quarter

Photocopying Machine PABX System AVR Video Splitter Working Table Wide Format Printers (Kyocera) Mobile Compactor (Moem, mechanical type, 6 bays)

(MS-JAN. 26, FEB. 2 & 9, 2018)

CITIBANK N.A.

ASSETS

Central Processing Unit (Acer) Scanner Safety Vault Refrigerator Contoured Folding Chairs File Cabinets

1. My full name is DENISE CAI YANG, but I have also been known since childhood as N/A or I have been judicially N/A . authorized to use the name(s) LIST OFalias OFFICERS 2. My presentAFTAB placeAHMED of residence is 2673-C RAFAEL ALUNAN ST., INTERIOR Citi CountryROAD, Officer MALATE City/Municipality of MANILA Province of METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) PAUL RAYMOND FAVILA Markets Head

(1998-2009) GREENEREY TOWER, UNIT 1402, GALERIA DE ABHIJIT BINONDO, NUMANCIA ST.,KUMTA BINONDO, MANILA Country Operations & Technology Head ST., INTERIOR ROAD, (2009-PRESENT) 2673-C RAFAEL ALUNAN MALATE, MANILA MARTIN JOHN MCLEOD

Financial Officer 3. I wasCountry born onChief JUNE 4, 1998, in MANILA, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, VIKRAM SINGH I am a citizen or subject of CHINA. Corporate and Investment Banking Head

4. My father's name is YANG, HUA HUANG and he was born on SEPTEMBER 1965, in CHINA. He is a citizen SARAB14, SINGH or subjectCountry of CHINA. mother's name is CAI, JI RU and HumanMy Resources Officer she was born on APRIL 21, 1971 in CHINA. She is a citizen or subject of CHINA. ARNOLD SAN GABRIEL ICG Risk Manager

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of ERWIN WIRIADI Risk Manager N/A , inclusiveGCG of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful NETHERCOTT N/A and from which she derives an average occupation is ARLENE Treasury & Trade N/A . Solutions Head annual income of P PIA LACSON (Where theANGELICA above does not apply): I am exempt from Country Legal Counsel the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years JEANETTE LIM because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) Public Affairs Officer degree obtained: N/A, (2) name of school: N/A and (3) whoCASTILLO cannot practice my profession years graduated: MARIAN/A JUDITH (the practiceCountry of which requires a government licensure Compliance Officer examination) by reason of my citizenship.

DOM MARK RANCES

I was married on N/A in N/A. 6. My civil status is SINGLE, Country Controller My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on FADUL a citizen or subject of N/A and presently in N/A. She/he is EDITH Country ORM Head resides N/A

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: NBI CLEARANCE, OFFICE OF THE CITY PROSECUTOR CLEARANCE, RTC CLEARANCE, MTC CLEARANCE, POLICE CLEARANCE,BARANGAY CLEARANCE, AFFIDAVIT OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF PARENTS WITH CERTIFICATE OF EMPLOYMENT , INCOME TAX RETURN OF PARENTS

FELICIAseparated PAMELA BENGZON 7. I am legally from my spouse; my marriage Risk Manager was annulled, Market per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular NASIR court which granted the KHAN same). I am a widower/widow and Internal Auditor in N/A. my spouse diedChief on N/A

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 5th day of DECEMBER, 2017.

Name N/A

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

Residence N/A

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School UNO HIGH SCHOOL UNO HIGH SCHOOL

Place of School TONDO, MANILA TONDO, MANILA

Dates of Highest Grade Study Completed 2003 to 2010 PRIMARY 2010 to 2014

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

DENISE CAI YANG Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 2673-C RAFAEL ALUNAN ST., INTERIOR ROAD, MALATE, MANILA Telephone Number: 567-0000 ext. 7007

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

SECONDARY

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: TAGALOG

Name of Child

PRAYER

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S. I, DENISE CAI YANG of legal age and a resident of 2673C RAFAEL ALUNAN ST., INTERIOR ROAD, MALATE, MANILA after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

DENISE CAI YANG Name and Signature of Petitioner

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at QUEZON CITY, this 05 day of DECEMBER 2017. __________________________________ Official authorized to administrative oaths/ Notary Public

(MS-DATE)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks, peso continue to drop S

TOCKS fell for a third day, dragging the benchmark index to a four-week low, as investors continued to take profit from last month’s substantial gains.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, shed 25 points, or 0.3 percent, to close at 8,738.72 Thursday. This trimmed the index’s gains this year to 2.1 percent.

The heavier index representing all shares rose 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to settle at 5,130.92, on a value turnover of P7.3 billion. Advancers outnumbered losers, 113 to 88, while 54 issues were unchanged.

Seven of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by National Reinsurance Corporation of the Philippines which jumped 19.7 percent to P1.52 and MacroAsia Corp. which climbed 10.3 percent to to P23.50.

Meanwhile, the peso declined to a

three-month low against the US dollar on the possibility that the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates more rapidly than expected given the improving economy.

The peso lost P0.29 to close at 51.58 a dollar Thursday, from 51.295 a dollar Wednesday. It was the local currency’s weakest level in three months.

Reports from the US mainland said the Fed might be forced to raise rates more rapidly this year than the market was anticipating due to “accelerating economic conditions.”

A survey conducted by the CNBC showed that gross domestic product growth in the world’s largest economy would increase 2.9 percent from last year.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the local currency would remain resilient, supported by the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals.

“The peso is just fine. Demonstrating flexibility reflecting day-to-day market conditions. There will be volatility, runs and corrections, and the public should plan accordingly and factor in exchange risk in their decisions,” Espenilla said.

He said the peso was not expected to melt down because the underlying economic fundamentals of the economy were healthy.

“We are very far from any foreign exchange crisis given our large GIR [gross international reserves] buffer and secondary buffers as well as investment-grade rating that guarantees ready market access for any official and commercial financing requirement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the dollar ticked up in Asian trade Thursday on expectations the Federal Reserve will speed up interest rate hikes this year.

Eyes are now on the release of US jobs data later in the day, with another strong

reading likely adding fuel to talk that US borrowing costs will continue to rise.

After Janet Yellen’s final meeting as governor, the Fed’s policy board said while it remains below target, the bank expects inflation to move up this year and noted economic growth, investment and unemployment were all going in the right direction.

“There was a subtle and distinct upgrade to the language around the expansion in the US economy with employment, household spending, and business fixed investment said to ‘have been solid’,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at CFD and FX provider AxiTrader.

The Fed’s comments provided a lift the dollar, although it is still under pressure against most of its peers in recent weeks as central banks around the world look to tighten monetary policy more in line with the US. Julito G. Rada with AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.59 303,000 59.5 6,300 119.9 671,990 3.75 394,000 152.5 2,596,100 1.81 664,000 36 96,000 10 1,200 15.6 10,500 29.05 800,400 9.5 37,200 0.68 4,000 1.67 8,000 1,005 5 0.53 489,000 98.6 1,633,170 1.52 75,153,000 13.4 60,300 58.85 25,080 245.4 16,310 107 180 50.5 203,070 245.2 260,180 1,950 200 90.55 8,930 1.23 546,000

1,093,490 372,827.50 80,646,916 1,477,590 395,818,687 1,234,180 3,465,765 11,920 161,400 23,352,790 345,137 2,690 13,460 5,025 263,920 160,976,454 120,220,790 808,920 1,478,601.50 4,004,042 19,260 10,308,284.50 63,819,796 390,000 810,434.50 671,580

21,960 216,276.50 4,662,044 -218,599,566 580,695 5,427,780 -33,557,315.50 -2,219,350 225,164.50 1,462,584 -1,385,216 -43,880,848 -54,102.50 -

40.5 12.48 0.62 1.3 18.6 0.222 114.6 4.22 15.54 49 18.62 62.5 59.9 1.91 5.59 10.52 12 14.74 12.28 7.9 5.6 1.65 15.8 60.75 29.5 10.5 18.6 1.83 284.6 52 4.11 28.25 17.98 21.4 330.6 0.191 8.43 2.87 4.86 9.56 6.04 8.08 1.62 12.4 62 6.29 611.5 4.83 3.95 1.56 14.96 5.4 0.131 1.1 159.2 2.8 2.03 0.82

INDUSTRIAL 40.6 1,035,400 12.68 990,200 0.63 704,000 1.32 111,000 19.14 35,300 0.23 31,550,000 114.6 140 4.26 7,317,000 15.8 525,100 50.95 386,580 18.62 2,100 62.5 8,080 59.9 800 1.91 75,000 5.6 6,000 10.6 7,300 12.1 452,500 14.8 570,400 12.32 128,500 7.9 1,231,600 5.6 1,839,900 1.65 20,000 15.82 635,700 61 123,770 30 386,000 10.54 78,400 19.88 5,211,800 1.87 627,000 287.2 512,760 55 2,700 4.2 31,000 28.4 125,200 18 155,900 21.65 4,515,300 333 332,140 0.195 570,000 8.43 9,400 2.91 1,231,000 4.89 37,000 9.75 5,584,800 6.5 206,600 8.29 13,300 1.66 117,000 12.58 263,600 62.25 313,030 6.29 1,000 630 32,180 4.9 431,000 3.95 1,000 1.62 552,000 15.24 375,100 5.4 380,100 0.131 4,500,000 1.1 92,000 160.5 1,759,540 2.81 282,000 2.08 3,318,000 0.82 35,000

42,382,585 12,522,440 443,570 145,850 683,904 7,465,720 16,048 31,311,290 8,268,390 19,317,495 39,142 505,000 47,920 143,710 33,554 76,924 5,473,402 8,440,228 1,581,606 9,908,769 10,382,737 33,000 10,061,090 7,581,348.50 11,485,440 823,880 102,195,226 1,168,580 147,365,562 144,513 128,550 3,554,895 2,816,116 98,470,910 110,699,018 110,390 81,144 3,574,440 182,440 54,479,245 1,318,878 108,307 192,410 3,345,580 19,497,486.50 6,290 20,225,210 2,117,140 3,950 887,000 5,699,828 2,059,567 598,300 101,460 281,789,596 793,420 6,863,610 28,700

-5,969,015 3,673,252 16,380 -3,996 -11,597,040 -522,290 -370,222 -2,500 -24,196 1,840,206 1,705,512 -188,594 -662,682 8,861 -2,725,968 -2,378,869.50 109,795 111,300 -34,274,002 1,850 -16,100,528 1,089,770 26,860 29,128,145 -57,285,366 19,500 205,380 2,257,663 -52,764.00 -1,700,278 -7,671,804 243,995 942,270 -195,830 1,562,216 -73,895,628 530,360 102,000 -

0.295 75.25 15.18 0.98 6.9 0.495 0.55 1,035 7.22 14.38 7.5 1,340 7.25 76 5.41 5.35 0.69 5.51 21.85 0.345 6.49 0.042 1.26 2.5 2.62 143 2.6 1,018 1.61 278 0.245 0.18 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 0.295 550,000 75.25 872,690 15.24 6,902,900 0.98 2,000 6.91 14,800 0.52 148,219,000 0.56 38,666,000 1,038 235,595 7.41 355,800 14.46 6,256,400 7.51 68,400 1,345 68,415 7.25 34,200 76 1,648,050 5.41 1,400 5.35 1,000 0.77 4,327,000 5.51 439,600 22.5 1,831,800 0.345 50,000 6.5 11,502,400 0.043 30,100,000 1.26 411,000 2.61 2,298,000 2.62 1,000 144.9 378,870 2.6 6,000 1,024 438,220 1.61 351,000 281 1,950 0.26 790,000 0.18 320,000 0.2 550,000

162,450 66,197,539.50 105,647,608 1,960 102,220 81,650,790 22,905,880 245,669,530 2,615,662 90,600,814 513,641 92,250,960 249,561 126,068,430.50 7,574 5,350 3,225,420 2,422,795 40,766,890 17,250 75,231,322 1,285,400 520,110 5,980,260 2,620 54,914,716 15,600 452,351,150 565,740 546,540 200,100 57,610 109,980

-27,853,496 -15,096,886 -100,824 1,924,660 -33,583,630 1,328,405 -46,274,102 -286,391 -3,639,165 -71,466,523 602,267 -11,416,630 -1,485,913 -20,960 10,223,217 -208,515,370 80,500 12,500 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.66 59.5 119.2 3.8 151.5 1.88 36.3 9.8 15.3 28.9 8.27 0.65 1.69 1,005 0.52 99.45 1.3 13.46 59 245.4 107 51.2 250 1,950 90.05 1.23

3.68 59.8 122 3.8 154.2 1.9 36.3 10 15.6 29.5 9.5 0.68 1.69 1,005 0.55 99.45 1.87 13.46 59.15 247 107 51.25 250 1,950 91.45 1.23

3.5 58.2 119.2 3.72 150.5 1.8 36 9.8 15.3 28.9 8.27 0.65 1.67 1,005 0.52 98 1.24 13.4 58.85 245.4 107 50.25 244.4 1,950 90.05 1.23

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD 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 MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

41.5 12.68 0.64 1.3 19 0.225 115 4.22 15.6 50.05 18.64 62.5 59.9 1.92 5.59 10.52 12.18 14.74 12.3 8.16 5.61 1.65 15.94 61.6 30.1 10.5 19.2 1.83 284.8 52.05 4.2 28.5 18.2 21.4 338.6 0.2 8.77 2.9 4.9 9.61 6.1 8.29 1.63 12.64 62.6 6.29 620 4.83 3.95 1.56 15.4 5.48 0.133 1.11 159.7 2.9 2.06 0.82

41.5 12.68 0.65 1.32 19.98 0.247 115 4.36 15.8 50.95 18.64 62.5 59.9 1.92 5.6 10.6 12.2 14.9 12.38 8.2 5.68 1.65 15.94 61.9 30.25 10.54 19.9 1.9 289 55 4.2 28.5 18.5 22.15 338.6 0.2 8.77 2.93 4.99 9.84 6.54 8.29 1.66 13 62.6 6.29 631 4.95 3.95 1.65 15.4 5.48 0.135 1.11 161 2.9 2.1 0.82

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

0.305 76.95 15.34 0.98 6.97 0.6 0.65 1,040 7.22 14.56 7.52 1,346 7.25 76.5 5.41 5.35 0.7 5.65 22.35 0.345 6.5 0.042 1.35 2.6 2.62 144 2.6 1,018 1.61 281 0.255 0.18 0.2

0.305 76.95 15.5 0.98 7.05 0.62 0.66 1,058 7.45 14.56 7.59 1,359 7.3 77.5 5.41 5.35 0.77 5.65 22.5 0.345 6.64 0.044 1.35 2.65 2.62 147 2.6 1,046 1.62 281 0.265 0.181 0.214

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

6.18 0.95 15.4 2.16 0.89 44.25 3.83 4.63 5.88 0.465 1.11 1.13 0.238 0.435 38.1 0.66 1.88 1.32 0.77 4.95 0.345 0.335 0.56 4.8 32.1 20.55 2.02

6.28 0.95 16.94 2.16 0.91 45.5 3.83 4.7 5.89 0.465 1.14 1.13 0.255 0.45 39 0.67 1.88 1.35 0.79 5 0.345 0.34 0.56 4.86 34 21 2.02

6.18 0.93 15.4 2.15 0.88 44.25 3.78 4.62 5.8 0.46 1.1 1.09 0.238 0.43 38 0.66 1.85 1.31 0.76 4.9 0.32 0.335 0.54 4.68 32 20.55 1.98

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.23 36.95 1.03 14.38 0.83 6.97

3.25 37.5 1.03 18.8 0.86 6.97

3.23 36.5 1.02 13.1 0.83 6.64

3.24 36.5 1.02 17.78 0.86 6.9

114,000 15,959,300 6,000 2,440,300 7,000 46,131,800

369,590 586,100,695 6,170 41,182,032 5,840 316,772,699

-135,760 -380,121,885 -20,062.00 -202,720,890

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN 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 PACIFIC ONLINE 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

20.3 32.5 1.34 0.445 0.048 11.6 5.16 12.26 0.067 99.15 8.62 9.32 8.13 2.7 47 1,885 5.88 98 4.62 2.77 112.7 13.2 8.3 0.145 1.75 3.36 15.6 4.1 1.03 21.3 0.52 4.5 8.51 3.72 5.95 10.72 10.3 2.76 106 6.69 1,579 1.22 0.36 54.3 95.4 5.59 3.07 1.51 0.59 3.97 0.91 9.28

20.3 32.7 1.39 0.455 0.05 11.6 5.16 12.72 0.069 99.35 8.8 9.53 8.95 2.86 52 1,903 5.91 145 5.28 3.2 112.7 13.2 8.32 0.157 1.77 3.36 15.6 4.17 1.12 23.5 0.52 4.73 8.76 3.72 6.3 10.72 10.3 2.86 109.9 7.26 1,579 1.23 0.365 54.5 96.8 5.76 3.08 1.52 0.68 3.97 0.95 9.64

19.5 32.4 1.34 0.445 0.046 11.6 4.95 11.98 0.067 99.15 8.62 9.1 8.13 2.6 44.55 1,856 5.85 95 4.62 2.77 110 13.1 8.3 0.142 1.62 3.33 15.12 4 1.01 21 0.51 4.5 8.5 3.65 5.81 10.72 10.02 2.76 104 6.5 1,555 1.22 0.345 52.5 94.6 5.59 3.04 1.5 0.52 3.88 0.9 9.28

SERVICES 20.2 32.7 1.39 0.455 0.049 11.6 4.95 12.3 0.068 99.25 8.8 9.1 8.8 2.75 48 1,900 5.87 128 5.24 3 110.8 13.18 8.32 0.151 1.66 3.36 15.5 4.08 1.11 23.5 0.51 4.67 8.7 3.68 5.85 10.72 10.06 2.86 105 7.1 1,556 1.22 0.365 53 94.6 5.72 3.04 1.51 0.57 3.88 0.94 9.3

93,100 23,200 19,000 2,000,000 34,700,000 1,700 2,000 10,544,600 20,190,000 126,100 1,300 2,776,300 244,900 66,000 375,900 19,140 167,800 444,290 11,710,000 121,000 1,096,440 2,000 35,000 64,860,000 3,800,000 9,000 17,000 1,478,000 298,000 7,385,100 210,000 401,000 2,338,000 333,000 30,257,600 1,300 31,000 19,000 14,850 2,808,700 36,645 1,422,000 80,000 1,198,150 694,480 15,900 1,073,000 889,000 514,852,000 942,000 4,533,000 5,054,700

1,852,980 754,925 26,260 900,250 1,670,200 19,720 10,089 130,233,150 1,357,690 12,516,101 11,422 25,555,249 2,156,886 180,620 18,292,545 36,315,325 987,928 54,428,277 59,275,420 359,720 121,881,705 26,370 290,599 9,776,800 6,450,540 30,150 260,494 6,030,420 322,410 166,371,080 107,880 1,859,970 20,220,198 1,227,130 182,237,797 13,936 312,692 52,940 1,562,463 19,630,630 57,348,310 1,743,180 28,100 63,537,803 66,163,540 90,571 3,277,900 1,342,380 310,698,250 3,668,670 4,192,660 47,703,700

-9,990 277,500 42,501,040 151,620 8,372,310 53,448 -14,100 9,239,120 41,691 385,360 -31,792,772 -37,359 205,390.00 332,000 41,300 6,090 88,907,225 13,700 5,411,061 364,390 539,091 -628,054 -690,100 5,482,450 -363,050 -8,386,823.50 -38,468,981 670,170 -3,757,820 -110,410 1,718,469

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

0.0022 1.51 4.8 1.68 1.71 1.59 0.32 7.23 2.56 0.189 0.153 0.157 0.0093 0.0095 1.7 6.65 1.42 0.475 0.92 0.012 0.012 2.16 6.69 8.9 37.9

0.0024 1.53 4.9 1.75 1.71 1.62 0.32 7.77 2.6 0.193 0.154 0.16 0.0093 0.0095 1.7 6.67 1.42 0.475 0.92 0.012 0.012 2.16 7.05 9.25 37.9

0.0022 1.5 4.8 1.68 1.66 1.59 0.32 7.23 2.54 0.189 0.153 0.156 0.009 0.0095 1.64 6.57 1.33 0.475 0.91 0.012 0.011 2.16 6.69 8.9 37.25

MINING & OIL 0.0024 1,178,000,000 1.51 2,639,000 4.9 122,000 1.75 2,000 1.66 138,000 1.61 734,000 0.32 20,000 7.25 9,500 2.56 476,000 0.19 170,000 0.154 6,280,000 0.16 1,520,000 0.009 27,000,000 0.0095 8,000,000 1.65 393,000 6.57 1,353,600 1.39 235,000 0.475 500,000 0.91 65,000 0.012 2,100,000 0.012 46,800,000 2.16 30,000 6.77 484,900 9.07 908,900 37.25 4,277,300

2,722,400 3,979,560 594,650 3,430 230,920 1,178,960 6,400 69,252 1,215,270 32,380 965,380 237,560 245,500 76,000 647,790 8,934,221 316,500 237,500 59,200 25,200 534,000 64,800 3,308,140 8,289,504 159,623,070

-91,000 -4,870 -156,050 -28,500 829,420 1,100 77,731 -127,265 -11,076,565.00

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

32.5 510 515.5 109 104.5 5.6 1,007 1,010 101.3 1.05 107 1,061 1,146 1,002 104 108.5 77 81.2 80.35 78.5 78.5

32.5 520 515.5 109 104.5 5.6 1,007 1,010 101.3 1.05 107 1,061 1,146 1,002 104 108.5 77 81.2 80.95 79 78.5

32.5 510 515.5 109 104.2 5.57 1,007 1,003 101.3 1.04 107 1,061 1,146 1,002 104 108.5 77 81.2 80.35 78.25 78.5

PREFERRED 32.5 29,700 510 1,360 515.5 140 109 1,330 104.2 3,430 5.57 524,700 1,007 5 1,003 255 101.3 1,000 1.05 106,000 107 370 1,061 10 1,146 5 1,002 340 104 650 108.5 300 77 140 81.2 1,830 80.95 31,110 79 19,600 78.5 14,160

965,250 693,705 72,170 144,970 357,453 2,933,383 5,035 257,200 101,300 110,300 39,590 10,610 5,730 340,680 67,600 32,550 10,780 148,596 2,513,049.50 1,539,675 1,111,560

71,500 144,970 -2,905,533 145,348 -

2.4

WARRANTS 2.45 120,000

291,290

-

21,942,837 17,120 11,622,250 1,472,770

316,360 -58,700 -125,570

3,677,276

86,645

24,874

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.22 0.94 16.38 2.16 0.91 45.35 3.8 4.66 5.89 0.465 1.1 1.09 0.25 0.45 38.8 0.66 1.87 1.34 0.79 4.9 0.33 0.34 0.55 4.76 32.05 20.85 2.02

115,900 1,746,000 69,700 166,000 2,748,000 12,665,400 1,684,000 1,281,000 85,300 2,600,000 49,000 800,000 106,160,000 620,000 134,200 156,000 7,864,000 850,000 247,000 14,921,000 58,060,000 540,000 1,063,000 204,000 1,400 3,337,200 374,000

723,867 1,641,610 1,133,724 357,320 2,437,040 572,799,565 6,411,940 5,951,140 501,698 1,202,900 54,720 884,080 26,322,890 270,950 5,210,235 103,420 14,648,640 1,130,590 191,840 73,646,430 19,339,850 182,100 585,870 977,920 45,105 69,612,580 744,400

-206,335 4,320 9,040 159,923,540 -1,098,360 2,571,560 -106,050 23,150 -86,700 -150 571,640.00 54,780 -2,721,870 -21,986,070 1,039,400.00 317,770 11,283,580 203,200

LR WARRANT

2.43

2.45

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

7.3 2.86 4.95 4.33

8.13 2.86 5.25 4.51

7.3 2.85 4 4.29

FIRST METRO ETF

132.8

133.6

132.8

USD TECH B2

1.05

1.06

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

SHARES

85,879,539 79,879,068 259,068,151

PROPERTY

301,534,553

SERVICES

732,745,459

MINING & OIL

1,283,031,101

GRAND TOTAL

2,747,838,051

1.05

7.7 2.85 4.15 4.42

SME

2,790,900 6,000 2,528,000 338,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 133 27,590 1.06

DDS

23,500

VALUE 2,219.96 (down) 4.02 1,126,915,735.71 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,770.55 (down) 20.01 1,061,635,419.25 HOLDING FIRMS 8,916.90 (down) 40.91 1,586,066,105.002 PROPERTY 3,957.54 (up) 17.98 SERVICES 1,706.22 (down) 4.51 1,817,716,135.53 MINING & OIL 11,870.35 (down) 67.60 1,515,110,722.36 PSEI 8,738.72 (down) 25.29 193,632,385.4834 All Shares Index 5,130.92 (up) 6.09 7,339,852,599.52 Gainers: 113; Losers: 88; Unchanged: 54; Total: 255

IN BRIEF Metrobank’s income hit P18.2b in 2017

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the country’s second largest lender in terms of assets, said consolidated net income rose slightly in 2017 to P18.2 billion from P18.1 billion in 2016.

Metrobank president Fabian Dee said in a statement the strength of deposit franchise continued to support loan growth, particularly in the commercial space as the bank helped finance the expansion plans of customers.

“Our momentum continues to build up, and we are well-positioned to accelerate our growth plans moving forward,” Dee said.

Total resources closed at a new high of P2.1 trillion as deposits reached P1.5 trillion, with low-cost deposits increasing 12 percent to P950 billion.

The loan portfolio expanded 19 percent year-on-year to hit P1.3 trillion. The commercial segment, mainly the middle market and SMEs, led the growth with 20 percent while consumer loans increased 17 percent.

Metrobank ended 2017 with 952 branches and 2,352 ATMs nationwide. Julito G. Rada

DoubleDragon to build biggest Boracay hotel

DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Inc. and businessman Enrique Gonzalez formed a joint venture to build a 1,001-room hotel within a 150-hectare township in Boracay.

DoubleDragon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Hotel101 Resort-Boracay would soon rise on a two-hectare lot within Boracay Newcoast of Global Estate and Resorts Inc. and was expected to the the biggest hotel in the Philippines in terms of room count.

Hotel101 Resort-Boracay is a joint venture project of Hotel of Asia Inc., a subsidiary of DoubleDragon and Gonzalez-led Newcoast South Beach Inc. As a masterplanned tourism estate development, Boracay Newcoast is envisioned to become the new side of Boracay as it hosts its own commercial, retail and boutique hotel districts, residential condominiums, residential villages, hotels and resorts, surrounded by its own golf course. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH elections vulnerable to cyber attacks

THE Philippine election system is vulnerable to cyber attacks as the government is not prepared to fight hackers, according to a cybersecurity expert.

Marc Goodman, author of the best-selling book Future Crimes and founder and Future Crimes Institute and chairman of Policy, Law and Ethics at Silicon Valley’s Singularity University, said hacking was going to get more sophisticated because of the exponential growth of technology.

Goodman said governments like the Philippines were not well prepared to cope with such growth in cybercrime.

“Cybercrime has been growing exponentially but our governments, policy makers are on plateau,” Goodman said during the PilipinasCon 2018, a forum on cybersecurity and the Internet of Things, at the Enderun Colleges on McKinley Hill in Taguig City.

He noted the vulnerabilities of the election system especially in the age of automation where it is easier to cheat with just a press of the button in the voting machines. He said hacking the elections were reported not only in developing countries like the Philippines but even in developed countries such as the United States. Darwin G. Amojelar

LRT Cavite set to start construction

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp., a joint venture of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and Ayala Corp., said it expects to start the construction of Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite extension project by the middle of the year.

LRMC president and chief executive Juan Alfonso said the company signed an engineering, procurement and construction contract with Bouygues Travaux Publics for the LRT 1 Cavite extension project.

“We’ve actually already signed with an EPC contractor which means we are committed. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. We want the actual construction to start if we can, by the middle of this year,” Afonso said.

LRMC won the bidding for the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension project and took over the operation of LRT Line 1 on Sept. 12, 2015. The Cavite extension will connect into the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran station and will extend to Niog, Bacoor, Cavite.

Darwin G. Amojelar

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK Manila Manila

Standard Standard TODAY

World

TODAY

It’s booming, but the time spent on it is dropping SAN FRANCISCO―Facebook on Wednesday reported a big jump in profits even though people are spending less time on the world’s biggest social network.

The company said its priority is to encourage personal interaction among users, rather than simply boost the number of hours they spend on Facebook.

Co-founder Mark Zuckerberg said the changes enacted by Facebook cut time spent on the site by some 50 million hours per day. But Facebook’s chief operating officer argued that having users engage more with friends’ posts could lead to further financial opportunities for the company.

“Helping people connect is more important than maximizing the time they spend on Facebook,” Zuckerberg said during an earnings call.

“We can make sure the service is good for people’s well-being and for society overall.”

He said that in the last couple of years, content from viral videos or posts by businesses have grown to a point where it is “crowding out the connections people value most.”

Facebook is giving posts from friends and family priority over content that is not as likely to engender genuine personal interactions, according to Zuckerberg.

“We made changes to show fewer viral videos to make sure people’s time is well spent,” Zuckerberg said.

“In total, we made changes that reduced time spent on Facebook by roughly 50 million hours every day.”

Chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said getting people to engage with more posts by friends actually ramped up opportunities for the social network to make money. AFP

Catalonia at an impasse

B

ARCELONA―Ousted president Carles Puigdemont, in self-exile in Belgium, had hoped to be re-appointed as Catalan leader this week but the region’s parliamentary speaker Roger Torrent postponed a vote to formally sweep him back into office.

Torrent insisted Puigdemont was still the candidate after separatist parties maintained their absolute majority in December regional polls, låed by the separatist leader’s grouping.

But he faces arrest as soon as he steps back into Spain over his role in the failed independence bid, and Madrid has vowed to block his return.

Meanwhile, the separatist camp is in disarray over Torrent’s decision to delay the vote and Puigdemont’s resolve appears to be foundering.

So what next?

Under electoral rules, the Catalan parliament had until Wednesday this week to hold its first ses-

sion at which lawmakers would re-appoint Puigdemont, the only candidate for the presidency.

And if they failed to agree on him or pick a new president in the following two months, new elections would be called.

But that countdown has been put on hold as Torrent waits for the Constitutional Court to decide whether to examine Madrid’s request to block Puigdemont from being re-appointed -- a decision due in the coming weeks.

If the court rejects it, the countdown will start over.

If it accepts it, the situation could remain paralysed for months as the court examines the issue in depth and decides wheth-

er or not to block his candidacy.

During that time, Catalonia would continue under the control of the central government, which imposed direct rule on the wealthy semi-autonomous region on October 27 after the Catalan parliament declared independence.

Catalonia’s president from January 2016 to October last year, when he was sacked by Madrid, Puigdemont maintains that he is the only candidate to lead the region again.

Torrent’s decision to delay his appointment severely deepened divisions within the separatist camp.

Torrent is a member of the separatist ERC party, an ally of Puigdemont’s Together for Catalonia grouping.

Puigdemont and his grouping want to breach Catalan parliamentary rules by having lawmakers re-appoint him even in absentia, a move that Madrid fiercely opposes.

But ERC would rather avoid another frontal clash with Madrid and form an operational regional government that would lead to the lifting of direct rule.

“It was going to generate chaos and wasn’t going to go anywhere,” an ERC source who requested anonymity told AFP, justifying the delay of Puigdemont’s appointment.

“We can’t be swept along by those in Belgium, we need to stop and look at how we can have a government for real.”

But even if separatist parties end up reaching a deal, that would not be the end of Puigdemont’s problems.

If he comes back to Spain, he faces arrest and jail. Any attempt to be re-appointed by video link

from Belgium will be contested by Madrid and probably suspended by the courts.

And the clock is also ticking for him.

If the probe into separatist leaders for rebellion and sedition goes to trial, those charged -- including Puigdemont -- could be barred from office as a precautionary measure.

The central government and anti-independence parties in Catalonia are increasingly calling for an alternative candidate to be considered to lead the region.

“Torrent must open a round of talks [with parties] to save the situation generated by Mr. Puigdemont,” Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria said Wednesday. AFP

InvItatIon to to BIdBfor thethe Procurement of of SecurIty ServIceS forfor Lto regIon Iv-a InvItatIon Id for Procurement SecurIty ServIceS Lto regIon Iv-a 1. 1. The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A, through thethe CYCY The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A, through 2018 General Appropriations ActActintends to to apply thethe sum of of FOURTEEN MILLION NINE 2018 General Appropriations intends apply sum FOURTEEN MILLION NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE THOUSAND EIGHTY NINE PESOS AND ELEVEN CENTAVOS HUNDRED EIGHTY THREE THOUSAND EIGHTY NINE PESOS AND ELEVEN CENTAVOS (PHP 14,983,089.11) being thethe Approved Budget forfor thethe Contract (ABC) to to payments under (PHP 14,983,089.11) being Approved Budget Contract (ABC) payments under thethe contract forfor PROCUREMENT OFOF SECURITY SERVICES FOR LTO REGION IV-A with contract PROCUREMENT SECURITY SERVICES FOR LTO REGION IV-A with Specific Identification Number LTO-RIVA-2018-01.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be be Specific Identification Number LTO-RIVA-2018-01.

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

2. 2. The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A now invites bids The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A now invites bids forfor PROCUREMENT OFOF SECURITY SERVICES FOR LTO REGION IV-A with Specific PROCUREMENT SECURITY SERVICES FOR LTO REGION IV-A with Specific Identification Number LTO-RIVA-2018-01.

Delivery of of thethe Goods and/or Services is required Identification Number LTO-RIVA-2018-01.

Delivery Goods and/or Services is required forfor a period of of Ten (10) Months which shall start upon effectivity of of NOTICE TOTO PROCEED. a period Ten (10) Months which shall start upon effectivity NOTICE PROCEED. Bidders should have completed, within FIVE (5)(5) YEARS from thethe date of of submission and Bidders should have completed, within FIVE YEARS from date submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project.

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

3. 3. Bidding Biddingwillwillbe beconducted conductedthrough throughopen opencompetitive competitivebidding biddingprocedures proceduresusing usinga anonnondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as as specified in in thethe 2016 Revised Implementing Rules discretionary “pass/fail” criterion specified 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of of Republic ActAct (RA) 9184, otherwise known as as thethe “Government and Regulations (IRR) Republic (RA) 9184, otherwise known “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or or organizations with Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, organizations with at at least sixty percent (60%) interest or or outstanding capital stock belonging to to citizens of of thethe least sixty percent (60%) interest outstanding capital stock belonging citizens Philippines, and to citizens or or organizations of a thethe laws or or regulations of which grant Philippines, and to citizens organizations ofcountry a country laws regulations of which grant similar rights or or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183. similar rights privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from thethe LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE Interested bidders may obtain further information from LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE REGION IV-A and inspect thethe Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 AMAM to to REGION IV-A and inspect Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00 5:00 PM. 5:00 PM. 5. 5. A complete setset of Bidding Documents may be be acquired by by interested Bidders starting January A complete of Bidding Documents may acquired interested Bidders starting January 30,30, 2018 from thethe address below in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 2018 from address below in the amount of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 25,000.00).

25,000.00).

It may also be be downloaded free of of charge from thethe website of of thethe Philippine Government It may also downloaded free charge from website Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and thethe website of the Procuring Entity, provided Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall paypay thethe applicable feefee forfor thethe Bidding Documents notnot later than thethe submission that Bidders shall applicable Bidding Documents later than submission of their bids. of their bids.

6. 6. The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A willwill hold a Pre-Bid The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A hold a Pre-Bid 3 3 Conference on on February 2, 2, 2018, 2:00 PMPM at at LTO Regional Office No.No. IV-A Conference Conference February 2018, 2:00 LTO Regional Office IV-A Conference Room, Old City Hall Compound, B. Morada Avenue, Lipa City, which shall be open to to Room, Old City Hall Compound, B. Morada Avenue, Lipa City, which shall be open prospective bidders. prospective bidders.

PROTEST. Farmers from the FDSEA union drive their tractor at slow pace on January 31, 2018, on the Toulouse ring road during a go-slow operation, protesting against the future single-use land zoning that they fear may reduce the number of municipalities eligible for certain European aid. AFP

Galapagos hosts nursery for new tortoise species PUERTO AYORA, Ecuador― Crowded under a rock in the Galapagos archipelago, the baby tortoises wait for the sun to go down to leave their shelter.

Nothing disturbs these eastern Santa Cruz tortoises (scientific name Chelondis donfaustoi), which were determined just two years ago to be a new species native to the Ecuadoran islands that inspired Charles Darwin.

Kept safe on Santa Cruz island and raised in captivity, their nursery is one of three centers in the archipelago’s national park where 12 species of giant tortoises, unique in the world, are bred.

Stretching their necks and poking their heads out of tiny shells, they nibble on nutritious, starchy leaves of tropical plants brought in from the continent 1,000 kilometers away. Digestion plunges them into afternoon slumber.

“We let them stay a little hungry. That way, when they return to the wild they go looking for their food,” the director of the national

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

park, Walter Bustos, told AFP. It’s not yet time to let the tortoises go free.

For that, their shells have to be 23 to 25 centimeters (nine to 10 inches) long, meaning around four or five years of age. That’s an insignificant span for these reptiles that can live up to a century and a half, reaching up to two meters (over six feet) long and weighing up to 450 kilograms (1,000 pounds).

The eggs hatched several months earlier in the center, with several broods. In all, the park now has 120 of the eastern Santa Cruz tortoises born in captivity, joining the better-known Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra) on this string of volcanic islands in the Pacific.

Giant tortoises arrived in the Galapagos around three or four million years ago, and it appears ocean currents likely scattered them across the islands. They developed into 15 species, of which three are extinct, each adapting to its territory. AFP

Manila Manila

NOTICE NOTICEOF OFDISSOLUTION DISSOLUTION Standard Standard

ERRORS ERRORS&& OMISSIONS OMISSIONS

TODAY

In InClassified ClassifiedAdsAdssection section must be brought to must be brought toourour attention attentionthetheveryverydaydaythethe advertisement advertisementis published. is published.

WeWewillwillnotnotbeberesponsible responsible forforanyanyincorrect incorrectadsadsnotnot reported reportedto us to usimmediately. immediately.

TODAY Notice is hereby given that AA MILLION VOICES Notice is hereby given that MILLION VOICES PHILIPPINES “AMV” – Branch Office with principal PHILIPPINES “AMV” – Branch Office with principal place of of business at at Rm. 210 DeDe Villa Bldg.

1153 M.H. place business Rm. 210 Villa Bldg.

1153 M.H. Del Pilar Street, Ermita, Brgy.

667, Manila willwill bebe filing Del Pilar Street, Ermita, Brgy.

667, Manila filing anan application forfor dissolution with thethe Securities and application dissolution with Securities and Exchange Commission, effective October 01,01, 2016.

Exchange Commission, effective October 2016.

Any Anyperson personhaving havingclaim claimagainst againstthis thiscompany company is is requested to to present thethe same at at BlkBlk 1414 Brgy.

649 requested present same Brgy.

649 Baseco, Baseco,Manila; Manila;Attention: Attention:MartePocholoLacson, MartePocholoLacson,forfor immediate settlement. immediate settlement.

This announcement willwill serve asas a a notice to to allall This announcement serve notice concerned of of thethe legal dissolution and cessation of of thethe concerned legal dissolution and cessation operations of of thethe Company. operations Company.

(MS-JAN. 19, 26 FEB. 2, 2018) (MS-JAN. 19,&26 & FEB. 2, 2018)

Republic of of the Philippines Republic the Philippines

Province ProvinceofofIlocos IlocosSur Sur Municipality MunicipalityofofNarvacan Narvacan

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION INVITATIONTO TOBID BID THE MUNICIPALITY OFOF NARVACAN, through itsits Bids and Awards Committee THE MUNICIPALITY NARVACAN, through Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), (BAC),invites invitescontractors contractorsregistered registeredwith withand andclassified classifiedbybythethePhilippine Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract: Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract: Name ofof Contract Name Contract : :Improvement/Concreting Improvement/Concretingof ofFarm Farmto toMarket MarketRoads Roads and Bridges (Cluster I) I) and Bridges (Cluster Location : :Barangays Location BarangaysCodoog, Codoog,Estancia, Estancia,Lanipao, Lanipao,Rivadavia, Rivadavia, San Antonio, Sucoc, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur San Antonio, Sucoc, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Brief Description Obstructions, Roadway Excavation,Subgrade Brief Description : :Removal Removal Obstructions, Roadway Excavation,Subgrade Preparation, Preparation,Aggregate AggregateSub-Base Sub-BaseCourse, Course,PCCP, PCCP, Provision of Pipe Culvert, Stone Provision of Pipe Culvert, StoneMasonry MasonrySlope Slope Protection and Embankment Protection and Embankment Approved Budget forfor Approved Budget the Contract (ABC) 42,000,000.00 the Contract (ABC) : :P P 42,000,000.00 Contract Duration Calendar Days Contract Duration : :360 360 Calendar Days Source ofof Fund : :R.A. 8240 (FY 2015) Source Fund R.A. 8240 (FY 2015) Prospective Prospectivebidders biddersshould shouldpossess possessa avalid validPCAB PCABLicense Licenseapplicable applicableto tothethe contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of of at at least 50% of of thethe contract, have completed a similar contract with a value least 50% ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the eligibility ABC, and have key personnel and equipment (listed in the eligibilityforms) forms) available forfor thethe prosecution of of thethe contract.

The BAC willwill use non-discretionary available prosecution contract.

The BAC use non-discretionary pass/fail pass/failcriteria criteriain inthetheEligibility EligibilityCheck/Screening Check/Screeningasaswell wellasasthethePreliminary Preliminary Examination Examinationof ofBids.

Bids.The TheBAC BACwillwillconduct conductpost postqualification qualificationononthethelowest lowest calculated bid. calculated bid.

AllAllparticulars particularsrelative relativeto toEligibility EligibilityStatement Statementand andScreening, Screening,Bid BidSecurity, Security, Performance PerformanceSecurity, Security,Pre-Bidding Pre-BiddingConference, Conference,Evaluation Evaluationof ofBids, Bids,Post Post Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of of RARA 9184 and itsits Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

9184 and Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The schedule of of BAC activities are asas follows: The schedule BAC activities are follows: BAC Activities / Schedule BAC Activities / Schedule 1. 1.

Issuance of of Eligibility Documents – February 02-22, 2018 Issuance Eligibility Documents – February 02-22, 2018 2. 2.

Issuance & availability of of Bidding Documents - February 02-22, 2018 Issuance & availability Bidding Documents - February 02-22, 2018 3. 3.

Pre-bid Conference – February 09, 2018 – 2:30 PM/BAC Office Pre-bid Conference – February 09, 2018 – 2:30 PM/BAC Office 4. 4.

Receipt and Opening of of Bids (includes submission Receipt and Opening Bids (includes submission of of Eligibility Requirements and Eligibility Check) 22,22, 2018 Eligibility Requirements and Eligibility Check)- February - February 2018 Office - 2:30 PM/BAC Office - 2:30 PM/BAC 5. 5.

Bid Evaluation – February 23,23, 2018 Bid Evaluation – February 2018 6. 6.

Post Qualification – February 26,26, 2018 Post Qualification – February 2018 7. 7.

Approval of of BAC Resolution/Issuance Approval BAC Resolution/Issuance of of Notice of Award – February 27, 2018 Notice of Award – February 27, 2018 8. 8.

Contract Preparation and Signing – February 28,28, 2018 Contract Preparation and Signing – February 2018 9. 9.

Approval of of Contract – March 01,01, 2018 Approval Contract – March 2018 10.10.

Issuance of of Notice to to Proceed – March 2, 2, 2018 Issuance Notice Proceed – March 2018 The BAC willwill issue prospective bidders Eligibility Forms and Bidding Documents The BAC issue prospective bidders Eligibility Forms and Bidding Documents at at thethe Office of of thethe BAC Chairman, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, upon their payment Office BAC Chairman, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, upon their payment of of a non refundable amount of of PP 25,000.00 to to thethe Municipal Treasurer’s Office, a non refundable amount 25,000.00 Municipal Treasurer’s Office, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. The Local Government Unit of of Narvacan reserves thethe right to to reject any and allall The Local Government Unit Narvacan reserves right reject any and bids, declare a failure of of Bidding, oror notnot to to award thethe contract and assumes nono bids, declare a failure Bidding, award contract and assumes responsibility whatsoever to to compensate oror indemnify bidders forfor any expense responsibility whatsoever compensate indemnify bidders any expense incurred in in thethe preparation of of their bids. incurred preparation their bids.

February 02,02, 2018 February 2018 (SGD.) ELEUTERIO G.G. INES (SGD.) ELEUTERIO INES BAC Chairman BAC Chairman

PARTY. Cassidy Wolf attends the ‘ShoeDazzle X BarbieStyle party’ on

January 31, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

NOTED: NOTED: (SGD.) ZURIEL S.S. ZARAGOZA (SGD.) ZURIEL ZARAGOZA Municipal Mayor Municipal Mayor

(MS-FEB. 2, 2018) (MS-FEB. 2, 2018)

7. 7. Bids must be be duly received by by thethe BAC Secretariat at the address below on on or before February Bids must duly received BAC Secretariat at the address below or before February 14,14, 2018, 1:00 PM. All All Bids must be be accompanied by by a bid security in any of of thethe acceptable 2018, 1:00 PM. Bids must accompanied a bid security in any acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

BidBid opening shall be be on on February 4, 2018, 2:00 PMPM at the Conference Room, LTO Regional opening shall February 4, 2018, 2:00 at the Conference Room, LTO Regional Office No.No. IV-A, Old City Hall Compound, B. B. Morada Avenue, Lipa City.

Bids willwill be be opened Office IV-A, Old City Hall Compound, Morada Avenue, Lipa City.

Bids opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Late bids shall notnot be be accepted. bids shall accepted.

8. 8. The official time forfor thethe purposes of the aforesaid schedule of activities shall be be in accordance The official time purposes of the aforesaid schedule of activities shall in accordance with LTO Region IV-A Office Bundy Clock. with LTO Region IV-A Office Bundy Clock.

9. 9. The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A reserves thethe right to to The LAND TRANSPORTATION OFFICE, REGIONAL OFFICE NO. IV-A reserves right reject anyany and all all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award thethe contract at any time prior to to reject and bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award contract at any time prior contract award in accordance with Section 41 41 of RA 9184 and its its IRR, without thereby incurring contract award in accordance with Section of RA 9184 and IRR, without thereby incurring anyany liability to the affected bidder or or bidders. liability to the affected bidder bidders.

10.10.ForFor further information, please refer to: to: further information, please refer CELSO C. C. CULIS, Head, BAC Secretariat CELSO CULIS, Head, BAC Secretariat CECILE M. M. MANGERON, BAC Sec. CECILE MANGERON, BAC Sec. Land Transportation Office, Regional Office No. IV-A Land Transportation Office, Regional Office No. IV-A J.C. Abadilla Memorial Building, Old City Hall Compound J.C. Abadilla Memorial Building, Old City Hall Compound B. Morada Avenue, Lipa City B. Morada Avenue, Lipa City Telephone No. (043), 756-6731 Telephone No. (043), 756-6731 Telefax No. (043) 702-6968 Telefax No. (043) 702-6968 (SGD) FRANCISCO P. RANCHES JR., CESO VI VI (SGD) FRANCISCO P. RANCHES JR., CESO Asst.

Regional Director/BAC Chairman Asst.

Regional Director/BAC Chairman 3

May be deleted in case the ABC is less than One Million Pesos (Php1,000,000) where the Procuring Entity may not May be deleted in case the ABC is less than One Million Pesos (Php1,000,000) where the Procuring Entity may not hold a Pre-Bid Conference hold a Pre-Bid Conference (MS-FEB. 2, 2018)

3

(MS-FEB. 2, 2018)

NOTICE OFOF DISOLUTION NOTICE DISOLUTION Notice is is hereby given that thethe Board of of Directors of ofGLOVE CONSULTANTS, Notice hereby given that Board Directors GLOVE CONSULTANTS, INC. (hereinafter referred to to asasthethe “CORPORATION”) in in a a Meeting of of thethe Board INC. (hereinafter referred “CORPORATION”) Meeting Board of of Directors thetheterm thethe Directorsheld heldonon2727November November2013, 2013,approved approvedshortening shorteningof of termof of Corporation for which the Corporation is to exist to a period up to 30 June 2014, Corporation for which the Corporation is to exist to a period up to 30 June 2014, which resolution was duly ratified byby thethe affirmative vote of of thethe stockholders owning which resolution was duly ratified affirmative vote stockholders owning and andrepresenting representingat atleast leasttwo-thirds two-thirds(2/3) (2/3)of ofthetheoutstanding outstandingcapital capitalstock stockof ofthethe CORPORATION at at thethe stockholders’ meeting held onon thethe same day.

CORPORATION stockholders’ meeting held same day.

By:By:The Board of of Directors The Board Directors (SGD.) GLUCKMAN GLUCKMAN (SGD.)THOMAS THOMAS GLUCKMAN (SGD.) (SGD.)ANDREW ANDREW GLUCKMAN (SGD) LORNA U.U. TAN (SGD.) Z. Z. LIWANAG (SGD) LORNA TAN (SGD.)MARITONI MARITONI LIWANAG (SGD.) ARNIDA VELASQUEZ (SGD.) ARNIDA VELASQUEZ REPUBLIC OFOF THE PHILIPPINES) REPUBLIC THE PHILIPPINES) Quezon City Quezon City ) S.S. ) S.S. DIRECTORS’ CERTIFICATE DIRECTORS’ CERTIFICATE WE, WE,thetheundersigned undersignedmembers membersof ofthetheBoard Boardof ofDirectors Directorsand andthetheCorporate Corporate Secretary of of GLOVE CONSULTANTS, INC. a corporation duly organized and existing Secretary GLOVE CONSULTANTS, INC. a corporation duly organized and existing under thethe laws of of thethe Philippines and currently under thethe process of of dissolution, with under laws Philippines and currently under process dissolution, with registered address at 9-A Strata 100 Bldg., Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig registered address at 9-A Strata 100 Bldg., Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, hereby certify: City, Metro Manila,dodo hereby certify: 1.The attached Articles of of Incorporation is is a true and correct copy of of thethe Articles of of 1.The attached Articles Incorporation a true and correct copy Articles Incorporation of of GLOVE CONSULTANTS, INC. asas amended byby at at least a majority Incorporation GLOVE CONSULTANTS, INC. amended least a majority vote of of itsits Board of of Directors at at a aMeeting held onon 2727 November 2013 at at 9-A Strata vote Board Directors Meeting held November 2013 9-A Strata 100 Avenue, 100Bldg., Bldg.,Emerald Emerald Avenue,Ortigas OrtigasCenter, Center,Pasig PasigCity, City,Metro MetroManila, Manila,and andduly duly ratified byby thethe affirmative vote of of thethe stockholders of of thethe Corporation and ratified affirmative vote stockholders Corporationowning owning and representing at at least 2/32/3 of of thethe outstanding capital stock of of thethe Corporation at at thethe representing least outstanding capital stock Corporation Special Stockholders’ Meeting held onon thethe same day 9-A Strata 100 Bldg., Emerald Special Stockholders’ Meeting held same dayat at 9-A Strata 100 Bldg., Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila.

Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila.

2. 2.The Fourth Article of of thethe Articles of of Incorporation was amended in in order to to shorten The Fourth Article Articles Incorporation was amended order shorten thethe term forfor which thethe Corporation is to exist to to a period upup to to 3030 June 2014, asas follows: term which Corporation is to exist a period June 2014, follows: “FOURTH: That thethe term forfor which thethe Corporation is to exist is for a period ending “FOURTH: That term which Corporation is to exist is for a period ending onon 3030 June 2014.”

June 2014.”

ININ WITNESS WHEREOF, wewe have hereunto setset ourour hands this 23rd day of of WITNESS WHEREOF, have hereunto hands this 23rd day November 2017, at at Quezon City, Philippines.

November 2017, Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD) THOMAS GLUCKMAN (SGD) THOMAS GLUCKMAN Director & Chairman of of thethe Board Director & Chairman Board TIN 121-064-682 TIN 121-064-682

(SGD) ANDREW GLUCKMAN (SGD) ANDREW GLUCKMAN President/ Director President/ Director TIN: 435-666-208 TIN: 435-666-208

(SGD.) LORNA U.U. TAN (SGD.) LORNA TAN Director Director TIN 107-762-256 TIN 107-762-256

(SGD) MARITONI Z. Z. LIWANAG (SGD) MARITONI LIWANAG Director Director TIN: 150-919-125 TIN: 150-919-125

(SGD.) ARNIDA VELASQUEZ (SGD.) ARNIDA VELASQUEZ Treasurer/ Director Treasurer/ Director TIN: 125-716-835 TIN: 125-716-835 SUBSCRIBED AND SUBSCRIBED ANDSWORN SWORNto tobefore beforememethis this23rd 23rdday dayof ofNovember November2017 2017 affiants exhibiting to to meme thethe following: affiants exhibiting following: Name Competent Evidence of of Identity Name Competent Evidence Identity Andrew Gluckman No. 561588041, issued onon April 19,19, 2017, Andrew Gluckman Passport Passport No. 561588041, issued April 2017, New York, USA New York, USA Thomas Gluckman No. 505451148,issued onon March 4, 4, 2014, Thomas Gluckman Passport Passport No. 505451148,issued March 2014, New York USA New York USA Lorna U.U. Tan Passport No. EC0169851, issued onon 3030 January 2014, Manila/ Lorna Tan Passport No. EC0169851, issued January 2014, Manila/ SSS#04-0575776-7 SSS#04-0575776-7 Arnida Velasquez No. 19309197 issued onon 0606 April 2017, Marikina/ SSS Arnida Velasquez CTC CTC No. 19309197 issued April 2017, Marikina/ SSS #03-3328875-1 #03-3328875-1 Maritoni Z. Z. Liwanag No. 26398945 Issued onon 1111 January 2017, Pasig City/ Maritoni Liwanag CTC CTC No. 26398945 Issued January 2017, Pasig City/ SSS#03-966054-78 SSS#03-966054-78 (SGD.) ATTY. BENJAMIN F. F. ALFONSO (SGD.) ATTY. BENJAMIN ALFONSO NOTARY PUBLIC NOTARY PUBLIC Doc. No. 319 Doc. No. 319 Until December 31,31, 2017 Until December 2017 Page No.64 Page No.64 PTR No. 38058401/16/2017 Quezon City PTR No. 38058401/16/2017 Quezon City Book No.12A Book No.12A IBP No. 1038379 – 11/24/2016 Quezon City IBP No. 1038379 – 11/24/2016 Quezon City Series of 2017 Series of 2017 Roll No. 13296 Roll No. 13296 ADM. MATTER NO. NP-046 (2017-2018) ADM. MATTER NO. NP-046 (2017-2018) TIN NO. 177-967-619-000 TIN NO. 177-967-619-000 ADD., NO. 3434 ASSETS ST., GSIS VILL. PROJ. 8, 8, Q.C. ADD., NO. ASSETS ST., GSIS VILL. PROJ. Q.C. MCLE NO. II-0020276 – 29 OCTOBER 2011 MCLE NO. II-0020276 – 29 OCTOBER 2011 (MS-FEB. 2, 2018) (MS-FEB. 2, 2018)

CYAN CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK

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

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friday, february 2, 2018

LGUs LocaL government units

TAAL VIEW. A variety of flowers and plants add to the always-refreshing view of Taal Lake and Volcano from one of the towns of Batangas. PNA

OsMak treats 7k with eye problems

By Joel E. Zurbano CLoSE to 7,000 residents have benefitted from the free eye treatment at the ospital ng Makati Eye Center since the city government launched the project six months ago.

“I am proud that the Eye Center has ably fulfilled its mandate of helping Yellow Card members get the best eye care without having to spend a single peso. More importantly, they don’t have to be referred to other hospitals because they can now get the treatment they need right here in Makati,” said Mayor Abigail Binay.

Binay said the eye treatment facility, located at the 6th floor of osMak in Barangay Pembo, was able to assist a total of 6,672 patients since it was opened on July 21, 2017.

The facility at the city-run premier tertiary hospital averaged 1,000 patients per month, according to its records.

It was established in line with the city’s public health program expansion, particularly for the benefit of more than 200,000 members of the Makati Health Plus Program, better known as the Yellow Card.

Binay noted that in the past, the Department of ophthalmology used to refer patients who needed laser procedures as well as visual field tests to other hospitals because they did not have the necessary equipment. The opening of the Eye Center, however, has allowed osMak’s eye doctors to treat more patients in-house.

Ceza tourism site eyed

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AGAYAN Economic Zone Authority Administrator and CEo Raul L. Lambino is in a hurry to build infrastructure that would support a gaming and tourism complex within the facility with its unique blend of sea, sand and sun, entertainment and extreme adventure.

Lambino said new and better infrastructure would enhance the investment environment in the Greater Cagayan Advanced Economic Zone and Freeport hat he is proposing before Congress.

“Cagayan already has natural beauty that is hard to resist. What we need is to show that the Freeport can be an investment jewel in Southeast and East Asia,” he said in a statement.

Port Irene in Santa Ana town, site of the Ceza headquarters in northeastern Cagayan, enjoys the advantage

of proximity to the biggest developed markets in the AsiaPacific region.

It is located along major international shipping lanes but its potential has not been unlocked because of its inadequate infrastructure and poor port conditions.

“We are now revisiting the Freeport’s master plan to update it with the changing times,” said Lambino. “our medium-term development is to be centered on building the conducive environment for investors to locate their busi-

nesses at the Freeport.”

The plan to expand the Freeport’s territorial jurisdiction, he said, is also aimed at transforming it into a major transshipment and logistics hub that would give it the name “Gateway to the Pacific.”

Lambino said a Taiwanese firm and two major investors in Ceza have expressed interest in creating a cluster of tourism attractions, among them a casino gaming complex, hotel and villas, water theme park, golf courses, a horse-riding layout and a premium dutyfree outlet shopping mall.

Palaui Island, with a 20-kilometer powdery shoreline, is the main attraction in the proposed development, including the enchanting Fuga Island, a 10,000-hectare properly that could rival popular tourist destinations in Europe when fully developed.

The island of Palui is a 7,000-hectare protected sanctuary that is also known as “Survivor Island” where a popular television reality series was filmed. CNN Travel has ranked Palaui Island the 10th best beach in the world.

Palaui has breathtaking sceneries and undulating terrain.

Among its attractions are a diverse ecosystem of flora and fauna, wide grass meadows, thick mangroves, tropical rainforest and warm blue waters.

Lambino also said the North Cagayan International Airport in the neighboring town of Lallo will be opened to chartered flights starting next month.

Domestic and international flights will start in March to make the beach and island destination accessible to tourists and junkets for players from Macau and Hong Kong.

SN ABoITIZ Power Group is pushing a program through its corporate social responsibility activities that would strengthen government-private sector partnership in community development projects.

Company officials said their CSR program took a special focus on governance in 2017 with the hydroelec-

frastructure spending are the construction of Ceza’s own corporate center, a modern medical center, and a boutique hotel that will house a duty free shop in the town of Santa Ana. Lambino visited late last year New York City and Washington, DC where he met with US officials and Fil-American businessmen to invite American firms in tourism and hotel operation, technology, aqua-agri ventures, garments manufacturing and gaming industry to locate at the Freeport.

The United States Trade and Development Administration has expressed support for feasibility studies on power and transportation development to determine the needs of Ceza and the expected heavy turnout of new investors in the tourism and aquaagri business ventures.

Davao biz tax take up 36% in January

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera that we can actually sur-

FULL FORCE. Officials campaigning for federalism flash their fists during the launching of the Liga ng mga Barangay for Federalism movement in the Calabarzon region, graced by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (third from right), on Thursday in Biñan, Laguna. Hosting the event were (from left) Laguna 3rd District Board Member Lorenzo ‘Boy’ Zuñiga Jr., national secretary general of the LNB; LNB National president lawyer Edmund Abesamis; Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Rey Umali; Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles; Biñan Rep. Lenlen Alonte Naguiat; Laguna 1st District Rep. Arlene Arcillas; and Quezon Gov. Jay Jay Suarez. Roy Tomandao

OceanaGold offers 9 college scholarships

By Abe Almirol KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya— Asia-Pacific miner oceanaGold, the operator of the Didipio Gold-Copper mine here, announced on Thursday the opening of new college scholarship grants

under the Development of Mining Technology and Geosciences program.

“There are nine available slots funded under the DMTG open for bonafide residents of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces,“ general manager

David Way of Didipio operations stated.

The DMTG program is a compliance to the provisions of Republic Act 7942, otherwise known as the 1995 Mining Act. “Applicants must take up mining-related courses, spe-

cifically Mining Engineering, B.S. Geology and Metallurgical Engineering. For these courses, a scholar is allocated a total of P170,000 annually to cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, book allowances and monthly stipend,” the firm said.

SNAP to boost hosts with LGU partnership

By Brenda Jocson

Lambino said a Koreanbased company has offered at no cost to the government a P2-billion proposal for the dredging, development and rehabilitation of Port Irene so it could cater to large post Panamax vessels and transshipment cargoes.’

The proponent has included a reclamation project to fortify the one-kilometer concrete breakwater and upgrade the existing piers and wharves for heavy traffic.

“Business activities at the Freeport will not be only seaport-driven but also airportdriven,” said Lambino.

“These are vital drivers of economic growth and development that we are committed to fully put on stream in cooperation with the private sector to bring locators and tourists to the Freeport,” he said.

Included in the proposed in-

tric power group conducting a series of intensive trainings for its host local government units and communities under a program called Sustaining Collaboration and Cooperation for Execution Excellence in Development or Succeed.

The program aims to introduce strategic management principles in development management

by LGUs.

SMUGGLED RICE. Port of Subic District Collector Fidel Villanueva, Customs Commissioner

Isidro Lapeña, Philippine International Trading Corp. president and CEO Dave Almarinez, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma (from left) inspect smuggled Thailand white rice seized at Subic’s port on Wednesday. Butch Gunio

DAVAO CITY―Following the city’s 10-percent increase in business taxes, the collection of the City Treasurer’s office has ballooned to over P1.223 billion for the month of January this year, a 36-percent rise from the same period last year.

CTo head Bellinda Tanjili said that after the city implemented the amended local revenue tax rate, their collection has increased significantly from the P899,401,801 collected in January 2017.

Tanjili said for this year, the CTo targeted to collect P1.5 billion in business taxes alone.

“We are very positive

pass our target. Just for the month of January, we already have P1.2-billion collection and we still have the entire year to meet our target,” Tanjili said.

Aside from the business permits, the city’s regulatory fees and charges have also increased from 10 to 30 percent for the maintenance of the materials that Davao uses.

Tanjili said that despite the increase in business taxes, many Dabawenyos still chose to renew their business permits.

“We also conduct random examination wherein we personally open their books to check if their tax declaration in the city is correct,” she said.

Parañaque launches cleanest village search To INSPIRE its 16 barangays to keep their respective jurisdictions clean and green as foremost of their responsibilities under the law, the City of Parañaque has launched a competition with cash prizes to be awarded during the 20th cityhood anniversary celebration on Feb. 13.

The contest, a first for the local government, aims to encourage all barangays in the city to maintain and sustain cleanliness in their areas in compliance of the

provisions of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

“This contest is a big challenge to our barangay leaders, which will also motivate and inspire them in keeping their respective jurisdiction clean and green. It will also show how effective they are as community leaders,” according to Janet olivarez, wife of the city mayor and head of the city’s Cleanliness, Beautification, and Sanitation office.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife friday, feBruary 2, 2018

Culture and media

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Arts and hearts at Pasinaya 2018 PUSUAN ANG SINING. The 14th Pasinaya Festival at the CCP, happening tomorrow, features a two-part program where guests can attend workshops as well immerse themselves in various exhibits and performances.

T

He country’s biggest multi-arts festival, which since its inception has attracted young art enthusiasts, returns at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Feb. 3 to 4.

With the theme, “Pusuan ang Sining,” the 14th Pasinaya Open House Festival continues its two-part program, dubbed Palihan at Palabas.

In Palihan, happening on the first day of the festival, the guests can “workshop all they can” from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the different CCP venues.

The workshop-all-you-can only requires participants to pay-what-you-can, for a suggested donation price of P50. Participants may go in and out of the different CCP venues to attend the 30-minute workshops in various art disciplines conducted by artists, resource persons, and teachers.

For dance, the Pasinaya Palihan will include workshops in hiphop, ballroom, folk dance, ballet for kids and adults, modern ballet, and creative movement for teachers.

Theater workshops will include musical theatre, children’s, teens, and adult theater, playwriting, improv, storytelling, collaborative theater, and directing space.

Music workshops will be composed of classical guitar, rondalla, Philippine musical instruments, percussion, chamber music, solo singing, children and youth choir singing, hand-bell ringing, and ukulele. For the classical guitar and ukulele workshops, participants are free to bring their own nylon-stringed guitars and ukuleles.

During the Palabas, on the second day of the festival, the audience can watch films, immerse themselves in various exhibits, and experience various performances by the Ballet Philippines, the Philippine Ballet Theater, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Tanghalang Pilipino, the UST Symphony Orchestra, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists, and approximately 300 guests performers and artists.

All venues are “zoned” according to the art forms and genres such as music, theater, dance, film, literature, visual arts, children and family, variety, and the artists market.

The Pasinaya extends its reach and boundaries beyond the CCP Complex by partnering with 14 museums, including Casa Manila, Museo Pambata, National Museum, Met Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Bahay Tsinoy, UP Manila Museum of A History of Ideas, 98B Collaboratory and Hub Make Lab, Cinematheque, Museo Marino, Galleria Duemilla, Avellana Art Gallery, and NCCA Gallery.

For the past years, the Pasinaya has attracted thousands of spectators. In 2017, there were 26 exhibits for the viewing public—three art exhibits at the CCP and 23 in different museums. Forty-three films were screened—40 at the CCP venues and three at the Cinematheque.

Through the Pasinaya, the CCP fulfills its duty to both artists and audiences by providing a platform for the artists to showcase their talents and reach out to the audiences, while developing art appreciation and understanding among the people.

For more information on Pasinaya 2018, call the CCP Marketing Department at (02) 832-3704 or 832-3706.

Benilde stages 13th Lasalian Arts Month ARTWORkS take to the street in this year’s celebration of the Lasallian Arts Month, spearheaded by the Office of Culture and Arts of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

This year’s event focuses on the positive meanings of change and transformation as student-artists immerse themselves in the nearby communities.

The Lasallian Arts Month opens with #KalyePaghunos on Feb. 7, from 1:00 to 2:20 p.m. The various participants will gather at three points along Pablo Ocampo (Vito Cruz) Street to showcase a preview of their singing, acting, and dancing prowess.

On Feb. 12 and 13, 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., at the School of Design and Arts Theater, SDA Campus, Teatro Filipino restages Paghunos, based on Mary Zimmerman’s Metamorphosis.

Riki Benedicto directs the different tales of the Ancient Greeks through comedy and tragedy.

On Feb. 15, 7 p.m., at the SDA Theater, student-artists from the Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle in Bagac, Bataan, mentored by DLS-CSB’s artistic organizations, will showcase their talent in J, a production on personal tales of larger-than-life dreams and rising above their circumstances.

Finally, on Feb. 26 to March 2, The Greenway Square at the DLS-CSB Taft Campus transforms into BazaArt, where students will offer their select pieces and merchandise to the public.

Now on its 13th year, this annual festival is staged in collaboration with Benilde’s various cultural companies, namely, the Coro San Benildo, Dulaang Filipino, karilyo Shadowplay Team, Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company, the Cultural Promotions Team, and the State Production Operations Team.

Call (02) 230-5100 local 1528 or 1603 or email culture.arts@benilde. edu.ph for inquiries and more details.

The 13th Lasallian Arts Month features shows held in and out of Benilde's premises The Pasinaya Palihan includes workshops in ballroom, folk dance, and ballet for kids and adults, among many others.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Nickie Wang, Issue Editor

nickie.standard@gmail.com

…are talking about

PEOPLE

...are not talking about

Julie Anne San Jose She has Platinum and Diamond records under her belt, which make her not just GMA Network’s biggest recording star but one of the biggest music artists of her generation. So it’s quite intriguing when she recently staged a concert at the Music Museum. Don’t get us wrong, the concert was sold out.

For someone who had sold more than 200,000 units in the past four years, an incredible feat for any recording stars these days, it’s puzzling why she couldn’t stage a solo concert in big venues like the Big Dome or MoA Arena. Her 10th anniversary concert in 2016 was only held at the Kia Theater. In comparison, newbie singer Moira dela Torre is holding her first solo concert at the same venue for two nights. Both shows are now sold out.

Alex Gonzaga Netizens are feasting on the video clip ripped from ASAP Chillout where the host comedian suddenly pressed her fingers on the top part of Pia Wurtzbach’s left bosom. At onset of the interview, Alex said, “Didib-diban ko ‘to si Pia,” probably amazed on how gifted the former Miss Universe is.

People had mixed reactions upon seeing what Alex did – some found it funny and amusing and others though it was inappropriate. For sure she was just acting naturally, although national TV wasn’t the proper venue to be that natural and candid. But imagine if Alex and Pia were men and they started fumbling each other. This would cause a serious outrage among netizens and TV viewers.

Space action and adventure in ‘Killjoys’ THE trio of interplanetary bounty hunters are back for more fast-paced and gripping space action and adventure in the all-new season of Killjoys, premieres this February on AXN. After sustaining serious personal losses, space marshals Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), Johnny (Aaron Ashmore), and D’avin (Luke Macfarlane) band together to prepare themselves for what lies ahead as they face their toughest challenge yet.

Aneela, the daughter of Dutch’s late mentor Khlyen, is hell-bent and will stop at nothing to avenge the death of her father.

Dutch’s only hope of stopping Aneela includes convincing a motley gang of bounty hunters to go from believing “The Warrant is All” to “The War is All.” Tension and tragedy loom over their galaxy as

From left: Aaron Ashmore,Hannah John-Kamen, and Luke Macfarlane, lead cast of space adventure drama, ‘Killjoys’

Platform for emerging filmmakers SONY Pictures Television Networks (SPTN), in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, recently announced the opening of the Picture This Festival for the Planet (www.sonypicturethis.com), a short-film competition for emerging filmmakers, everyday storytellers and changemakers worldwide to showcase the positive future they see for our planet.

People from over 70 countries around the world are invited to submit videos between one and eight minutes in length inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global goals agreed upon by all 193 member states of the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and promote prosperity for all.

Andy Kaplan, President, Sony Pictures Television Networks, said: “At Sony, we are proud champions of the intersection between storytelling and innovation and are incredibly excited to spearhead Picture This.

With the support of the United Nations Foundation and our other partners, we look forward to elevating and amplifying these important development goals through the voices of emerging creatives and ac-

‘Picture This Festival for the Planet’ is an innovative new platform to connect global audiences to what is happening on the ground as people put the SDGs into action in their daily lives.

knowledge their good work in a meaningful way.”

Partners in this year’s festival are the United Nations Foundation, the United Nations Association of the United States of America, WeTransfer, Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Alpha Universe, the Environmental Media Association and leaders and environmental visionaries from around the globe.

SPTN launched a similar contest in 2016 across its channel portfolio worldwide, including its flagship brands in Asia, AXN, Sony Channel, GEM, ONE and Animax and those same channels will participate in this year’s fes-

tival.

In addition to Kaplan, the list of celebrity advocates and industry leaders who will judge film submissions includes: Megan Boone, environmental advocate and actress from the hit TV series The Blacklist; Elizabeth Cousens, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, United Nations Foundation; Marie Jacobson, EVP Programming & Production, Sony Pictures Television Networks; Tom Bernard Michael Barker, Co-Presidents, Sony Pictures Classics; Mr. N.P. Singh, MD & CEO, Sony Pictures Networks India; Glenn Gainor, President of Physi-

cal Production, Screen Gems; Debbie Levin, President & CEO, Environmental Media Association; and Damian Bradfield,President and Chief Marketing Officer, WeTransfer.

In mid-2018, eight (8) regional winners will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the Picture This Festival for the Planet for a day of networking and training alongside industry leaders and social impact partners at the Sony Pictures Studio lot, followed by a screening of the regional winners’ films.

Regional winners will receive airfare and accommodations for two nights in Los Angeles, along with a Sony RX0 Camera and a one year WeTransfer Plus account, with the grand prize winner honored with a Sony A6500 camera and a SEL1670 lens.

In Asia, the first 100 successful entries will receive a oneyear WeTransfer Plus account worth USD 120 each. The Picture This Festival for the Planet is Sony Pictures Entertainment’s latest project to bring awareness to the SDGs. Submissions for the Picture This Festival for the Planet opened on Jan. 30 and will close April 30. The contest is open to entrants from select countries worldwide.

the trio struggles to assemble an army and prepare for battle.

In the season premiere, Dutch and D’avin, with the help of an obnoxious black market dealer, are on the hunt for a weapon that will draw out the Hullen, a race of normal human beings with superhuman abilities; Johnny receives an SOS from Clara (Stephanie Leonidas), leading him into the underground world of Hackmods, humans with cybernetic implants.

Killjoys Season 3 premieres on Feb. 6, and airs every Tuesday at 10:40 p.m., first and exclusively on AXN. AXN is available on Cablelink Channel 38, Cignal Channel 121, Destiny Cable Channel 49, Dream Satellite TV Channel 20, G Sat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49.

AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

Motoring

Mazda lineup most fuel efficient—Trends

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KYACTIV Technology takes Mazda to the top of the list of the most fuelefficient automotive brands on U.S. roads for the fifth straight year. This is according to the 2017 Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends report by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the latest release of the annual report just published this January 2018, Mazda had the highest adjusted fuel economy performance among the 13 brands listed in the review. The average manufacturer adjusted fuel economy of Mazda models sold in the U.S. during the 2016 model year was 29.6 miles to the gallon (12.58 kilometers per liter) for the combined cycle. This is a 0.4mpg (0.17 km/l) increase from the previous year’s report results which Mazda also topped. The EPA report likewise reveals that at 301g/ mi (187g/km), Mazda also recorded the lowest average CO2 emissions of any carmaker.

The U.S. EPA report states that technological innovation in Gasoline Direct Injection and transmission technology played an important role in helping the automotive industry achieve CO2 emissions, fuel economy, and performance goals. Deployed throughout Mazda’s model line-up, the SKYACTIV Technology range of lightweight engines, transmissions, chassis and car bodies has been a key factor to the company leading the EPA’s list for the last five years. This achievement reflects in particular the carmaker’s efforts to optimise internal combustion in the name of real-world performance and fuel economy.

Moreover, Mazda bested other car manufacturers in the report despite not having hybrid, electric (EV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) in its current line-up. The EPA uses its adjusted figures, which are considered to closely reflect real-world values, for each vehicle sold during the model year and then averages them based on sales volumes in the U.S. market.

“Mazda has always stood for maximizing performance through efficiency,” says Steven Tan, president and CEO of Bermaz Auto Philippines, the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the country. “This is the fifth year that Mazda has topped the report’s results. The feat is a testament to the passion Mazda engineers put into the development of its products. With the current range of SKYACTIV Technology-equipped models, Filipino customers can be sure that their Mazda vehicles have the latest engine, transmission, chassis, and suspension innovations which will provide them the best value and performance for

their money.”

Bermaz Auto Philippines, Inc. is the exclusive distributor of Mazda vehicles and parts in the Philippines. Its current product line-up now includes the Mazda2 sub-compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback, the Mazda6 full-size executive sedan and sports wagon, the CX-3 freestyle crossover, the all-new CX-5 five-seater and the all-new CX-9 sevenseater premium crossovers, the MX-5 2-seater sports roadster and the BT-50 pickup truck. There are 19 Mazda 3S dealerships located across the Philippines and Metro Manila – Mazda Greenhills, Mazda Pasig, Mazda Quezon Avenue, Mazda North EDSA, Mazda Makati, Mazda Alabang, Mazda Otis, Mazda Cavite, Mazda Sta. Rosa, Mazda Pulilan, Mazda Pampanga, Mazda Dagupan, Mazda Cabanatuan, Mazda Tarlac, Mazda Negros, Mazda Cebu, Mazda Iloilo, Mazda Cagayan De Oro and Mazda Davao. Soon to open are Mazda Butuan and Mazda General Santos, both in Mindanao in the 2nd Quarter 2018.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

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FASTLANE Trail protection from Overland WITH its vast experience and knowledge of taking on the rugged terrain, Overland has been designing and engineering off-road products to protect your SUV from the harsh elements of Mother Nature, while maximizing your vehicle’s load. Overland’s line of off-road gears and equipment are designed to take on the punishment of trail driving. Their extensive line-up of 4x4 bumpers are designed to minimize vehicle damage and keep you moving. The standard Bull Bar replaces the front bumper completely with a robust steel bumper designed specifically for each application. You won’t find a more thoroughly designed and manufactured vehicle protection system than Overland’s line of front, rear and side bumper protection.

Engineering a bull bar re-

quires careful consideration of a number of factors to ensure it properly serves its purpose. Factors such as vehicle design, crush rate, air bag deployment, approach angles, accessory fitment, strength, weight and aesthetics are taken into consideration.

Overland steel bumpers are custom-fit for pick-up trucks such as the Toyota H-Lux, Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and D-Max, Ford Ranger and the Mazda BT-50. Prior to global distribution, Overland products were tested in the jungles of Thailand, Malaysia and Burma.

Protect and enhance the capacity of your SUV with Overland. It is available at Autobuff, Banawe Q.C.; WERNZ Off-road Shop; Goldcars Banawe and in dealers nationwide.

Suzuki PH shares milestone with a growing team Motul supports Daytona; F1 ex-champ makes a debut

PIONEER compact car distributor Suzuki Philippines (SPH) celebrates another successful year packed with strong sales performance and back-to-back recognitions and ushers in another exciting year with a gathering of its growing Team Suzuki Philippines family.

The event, held January 20 at the House Manila, Remington Hotel in Pasay City, brought together SPH executives and Suzuki car club members to celebrate the milestones the company achieved last year and welcome the opportunities 2018 brings. It was also SPH’s way of showing its gratitude for the support and loyalty of the growing TSP family, which now exceeds 4,100 active members. Suzuki’s accredited car clubs consist of Team Alto Pilipinas, Team Celerio Philippines, Swift 1.2 Philippines, Club Ertiga Philippines, Vitara Club of the Philippines, Team Ciaz Philippines and Suzuki Jimny 4x4 Club Philippines.

More than 100 TSP Car Club members joined the thanksgiving celebration, which consisted of games, raffles and other activities aimed to strengthen the bond among car club members.

Growing the TSP family SPH supported a number of the car clubs’ activities last year.

These activities included relationship-building and outreach programs that aimed to strengthen the relationship between SPH and car club members.

Team Alto Pilipinas organized membership gatherings and outreach programs, one for the Aeta community and a feeding program in Binangonan, Rizal. Team Celerio Philippines’ annual tree planting went hand-in-hand with its Aeta Livelihood Program and Christmas-in-a-Box project.

Team Ciaz Philippines’ activities last year included grand membership EBs and a fun run. The team’s fun run in Mt. Samat in March 2017 allowed Ciaz owners to enjoy the long drive and experience the flexibility and reliability of the fuel-efficient subcompact sedan.

In addition to the regular member meetings, Club Ertiga Philippines, Inc. (CEPI) held its annual summer family get-together last June and tapped Cottolengo Filipino Orphanage as beneficiary. CEPI also had an outreach program last December at the Hundred Islands in Alaminos, Pangasinan.

Members of the Suzuki Jimny 4X4 Club Philippines organized a Mt. Balabag Trail Day for newbie off-roaders. They joined the prestigious Rainforest Challenge Philippines 2017 as Official Marshalls.

They also donated 23 personal computers and a generator to the Sitio Cuccong Elementary School in partnership with Teletech.

Meanwhile, Swift 1.2 Philippines joined last year’s JSK Fun Run and held outreach programs, including one in partnership with No One In Need organization.

The Vitara Club organized several day trips and overnight campings at the Jungle Base, Mt. Balabag, Manipo Falls and Treasure Mountain, all in Rizal, for its members and their families. The team’s activities also included a 4x4 clinic, 4x4 outdoor challenges, tree planting and an outreach Christmas party for the kids of Sitio Maysawa, Tanay, Rizal.

Team Suzuki Philippines, established in 2015, is a non-profit organization that aims to foster camaraderie and support among owners of the different Suzuki vehicles and SPH executives. Wellrepresented by different groups, it now consists of seven car clubs.

SPH lauds the unceasing sup-

port given by the car clubs as contributing to the successes the company achieved last year, noting in particular how feedback from members helps in improving products and services. At the same time, SPH reiterates its continued support to the different car clubs and their activities for the year.

“United in one team, one spirit, one goal, our continued strong partnership with the Suzuki car clubs, collectively called Team Suzuki Philippines, is one of our major achievements this past year. The support and loyalty of the car clubs to the Suzuki brand motivates each and every one of us to work harder,” said Assistant General Manager for Automobile Cecil Capacete.

Shuzo Hoshikura, General Manager for Automobile, said: “We look forward to further growing Team Suzuki Philippines this year and reaffirm our commitment to supporting all their activities. As we gear up for an even more fruitful 2018, we are excited to further act on our mission to transform the automotive industry by delivering only quality products and services to better serve the Filipino people and bring to them the Suzuki Way of Life.”

NORTH America’s premier sportscar racing championship kicked off its 2018 season at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway in Florida for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Motul is an integral part of the event alongside some extremely well-known and successful names. Motul is the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship’s official lubricant and motor oil partner.

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso will be making his debut in a prototype sportscar for the United Autosports Team racing a Ligier JS P217, benefiting from technical support from Motul. The company has been a partner now for several years with the team in different international sportscar championships.

This year marks the 56th running of the 24-hour endurance event, and the Spanish champion – no stranger to the US racing scene following his participation in the 2017 Indy 500 – will be teamed with two young champions to form a strong, albeit inexperienced at Daytona, line up. Lando Norris (GB) is the McLaren F1 reserve, test driver and newly crowned FIA European Formula 3 Champion, and Phil Hanson (GB) is the current Asian Le Mans Series LMP3 Champion who will bring experience of the car to the trio. In the second United Autosports entry will be Motul Ambassador Bruno Senna (BR) – 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship LMP2 Champion, Williams F1 test driver Paul di Resta (GB), and young driversWill Owen (US) and Hugo de Sadeleer (CH).

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor DINO DIRECTO III Asst. Editor

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018

Motoring

The star of the night was the NISMO GTR, shown here flanked by Nissan officials

NISMO enters PH market Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

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N RECOGNITION of their achievements in 2017 and presenting their goals for this year, Nissan Philippines Incorporated, recently hosted a media thanksgiving party at the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City. With the theme, “Change the Game,” the event was a strong message to the domestic automotive market that Nissan is a major player and is ready to take on its competitors as the company claims their stakes in the highly competitive car market.

“2017 was a record-breaking year for Nissan,” shared Ramesh Narasimhan, Nissan Philippines, Inc. President and Managing Director. “Not only were we able to launch new models in competitive segments, but we were also able to expand our foothold across the country and achieve our largest sales record of 25,000 vehicles growing by 48% versus the previous year. These inspire us to set the bar higher and change the game this 2018, starting with new vehicles that will surely shake up the industry.”

“On top of the efforts of our hardworking team at Nissan, our friends from media have been integral part in our success last year.

They are our co-writers in the Nissan success story,” said Ramesh.

“We hope that this Thanksgiving celebration and launch event can inspire everyone to change their game for the better and aim for bigger goals this 2018.”

In a move to solidify their pres-

ence in the local market, Nissan launched four new vehicles during the thanksgiving party: the Nissan Urvan Premium S, developed in collaboration with Atoy Llave and dealer partners and comes equipped with a Dealer Option luxury kit including four captain seats with leather appointments, overhead compartments and entertainment system.

The new Urvan Premium S will surely provide driving and riding comfort for families; Nissan Juke N Style, now on its third installment, possesses an eye-catching and trendy red and white color combination reminiscent of the iconic NISMO colors to make it stand out even more; and the return of the Nissan Patrol Royale 7 A/T, reinforcing its title as the King of the Off- Road. The Patrol Royale comes to the fight with an upgraded engine producing an impressive 400ps power and 560Nm of torque, coupled with a new seven-speed automatic transmission.

NISMO now in PH The main event of the night was the unveiling of the 2018 GTR, which marks the official entry of the NISMO brand in the country.

With GTR Chief Product Specialist Hiroshi Tamura surprising the

guests that night, the GTR NISMO brought the house down with its innovations, power and driver excitement. NISMO is Nissan’s legendary motorsport and performance group which was established in 1984 that promises to redefine the

pleasure of driving a Nissan car, and mixing it with a perfect balance of motorsport innovations, power, and excitement in every drive.

“Nissan is excited to let the Philippine market experience the result of NISMO’s longstanding

expertise in motorsports and ultrahigh performance cars. We are starting with the GT-R NISMO and customers can surely expect other nameplates under the Nismo line up in the future.” Narasimhan closed.

GAME CHANGER. King of custom cars Victor ‘Atoy’ Llave presents his creation, the Urvan Premium S outfitter, to NPI President Ramesh Narasimhan.

SCTEX brightens up with new LED lights

ECO-FRIENDLY and energy-efficient lights are now guiding Subic-ClarkTarlac Expressway (SCTEX) motorists, following NLEX Corporation’s completion of the LED Lighting Upgrade Program. More than 2,000 units of interchange and median lighting in SCTEX replaced the traditional highpressure sodium (HPS) bulbs, with brighter, and more durable light emitting diode lights. The new lights cover portions of SCTEX, including bridges and interchanges, from Tipo, Subic to Tarlac.“LED lights boost motorists safety, especially those driving at night. Besides, LED lights make driving along the expressway better for the environment,” said Metro Pacific Tollways and NLEX Corporation President Rodrigo E. Franco.

Apart from saving energy and improving customer service, the LED lighting makes the road more visible

at nighttime. SCTEX traffic monitoring teams can better observe traffic conditions through the CCTV cameras, and thus respond to road incidents. In 2017, a modern SCTEX Traffic Control Room was unveiled at the SCTEX Toll Operations Center Building in Dolores, Mabalacat City. The SCTEX control room, features a central traffic management system that monitors 24/7 realtime traffic in key areas of the expressway. The tollway firm also increased the level of comfort and convenience of motorists last year with the completion of the rehabilitation of the entire 93.77-km SCTEX pavement from Tipo to Tarlac.

These projects are part of the continuing improvement program for the SCTEX after NLEX Corp. won the contract to manage and operate the expressway in October 2015 for the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.