Manila Standard - 2018 February 14 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 3 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Feb. 14 bad day to get hitched

By Bernadette Lunas COUPLES planning to tie the knot today might want to reconsider as the 14th day of February is an inauspicious day to get married, according to a feng shui almanac.

Lillian Too’s Feng Shui Almanac 2018 indicates, among other things, the auspicious and inauspicious activities on each day of the year, with Feb. 14 marked as a bad day to get married as well as to travel and renovate. Next page

Black Panther fever rekindled NEW YORK, United States— Marvel Studios brought “Black Panther” fever to New York Fashion Week, inviting designers to showcase clothes inspired by the Next page

Fewer takers for Health’s vaccination programs

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Health is alarmed that more and more parents are refusing to avail themselves of the government’s various vaccination programs in the wake of the Dengvaxia mess.

“Only about 60 percent of Filipino children are getting their scheduled vaccines, when the DoH’s annual vaccination rate target is around 8 percent,” the DoH said.

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines, meanwhile, assured the public that the vaccines administered to Filipino children are safe, saying 90 percent of children who received vaccination strengthened their immunity and health systems, despite the controversy over the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

Next page

Trillanes graft case vs Duterte junked

By Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, F. and Pearl A. Gajunera

I

NVESTIGATORS from the Office of the Ombudsman had resolved to terminate the complaint filed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV against President Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly amassing ill-gotten wealth and for violating anti-money laundering laws as early as November 2017, the government’s top lawyer said Tuesday.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said in response to his query on the status of the case, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang said in a Feb. 12 letter that the Trillanes complaint was deemed closed on Nov. 29, 2017.

“My first reaction is why did she keep this to herself?” Calida said, referring to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“Perhaps you can ask her that question.”

“This case involves the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Why are you withholding this information? When this case was filed, a press conference was even conducted. Three months after the termination of the case, the public has still no knowledge that the evidence sup-

porting the allegations of Trillanes is without merit,” he said.

In a press conference, Calida furnished the media copies of a letter signed by Carandang dated Feb. 12, responding to his inquiry on the status of the Trillanes case against the President.

Carandang’s letter said that the senator’s complaint was “already closed and terminated.”

“Based on the record, the recommendation to terminate the in-

vestigation was approved by deputy ombudsman Cyril E. Ramos on 29 November 2017,” the Ombudsman’s letter said.

Calida said the Senate should stop the hearing on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth because these allegations were based on the complaint Trillanes file before the Ombudsman.

“Knowing that this frivolous case was terminated by the Ombudsman, Senator Trillanes now seeks to have another Senate hearing on the matter to convince the public about his garbage junked by the Ombudsman,” Calida said. “The Senate should stop this nonsense investigation.”

Next page

Davide leads anti-Cha-Cha coalition

‘‘

Do not take the President literally, but take him seriously.

— Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on the President’s order for the military to shoot female NPAs in the vagina

A RETIRED chief justice and a former elections commissioner who drafted the 1987 Constitution formed a coalition with lawyers and activists to campaign against Charter change and to warn against the administration’s push to shift to a federal system of government.

Leading Tuesday’s launch of the “No to Cha-Cha” Coalition in UP Diliman were former chief justice Hilario Davide and former elections commissioner Christian Monsod, both of whom had helped draft the 1987 Constitution during the term of President Corazon Aquino.

Other members of the coalition are former senator Rene Saguisag, former Supreme Court Next page

MALASAKIT LAUNCHING. President Rodrigo Duterte launches Monday the Malasakit Program at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City, the project to be spearheaded by the Office of the Presidential Assistant to the Visayas. The Malasakit Center, which has a dedication plaque, is the first of six centers eyed to be opened in government hospitals in Cebu and Bohol and is funded by the batchmates of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Mike Dino belonging to Sacred Heart School Batch ’85 Foundation. Malacañang Photo GOLDEN DEBUT. US Chloe Kim competes in a run of the women’s snowboard halfpipe final event at the Phoenix Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 13, 2018 in Pyeongchang. Kim won a gold.

(Story on Sports A8 ) AFP

Ash Wednesday ushers in time of remorse

By Honor Blanco Cabie TODAY, Feb. 14, Catholic and Aglipayan priests in many towns of this predominantly Christian Southeast Asian archipelago, including the cities of Manila and Makati in the national capital, will separately intone before their parishioners “Remember, O man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

In many Ilocano towns up north, like Pinili in Ilocos Norte and Binalonan in Pangasinan, the priests will say “Tao, sika ket tapok, ket iti tapok agsublikanto.”

In Bayambang, Pangasinan, the Catholic priest will say in Pangasinense “Tuo,

sika et abo, umpawil ka ed abo.”

In Cabagan, Isabela and other Ibanagspeaking towns where the Mass will be said, the priest will tell the faithful “Y tollay ay naggafu ta davvung ay manoli ta davvung.”

In Minglanilla, Cebu, the Catholic priest will himself declare “Ikaw tao gikan ka sa abu ug mabalik ka sa abu.”

Separately, the priests will be echoing, in at least four regional languages, what the Benedictine priest at the Our Lady of Montserrat Abbey near Malacañang or what the parish priest at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Brookside, Cainta in Next page

‘Basyang’ triggers landslides: 4 dead FOUR people were killed in Mindanao Tuesday as a tropical storm unleashed heavy rain, triggered deadly landslides and forced the suspension of 18 domestic flights, police and airport authorities said.

Tropical Storm “Sanba” (local name “Basyang”) slammed the east coast of Mindanao with gusts of 75 kilometers an hour.

Eighteen domestic flights were suspended because of the bad weather condition brought by “Basyang,” the Manila International Airport Authority announced on Tuesday.

Those canceled, according to MIAAMedia Affairs Division, include six Philippine Airlines flights to and from Butuan and Dipolog; 10 from Cebu Pacific Air and its sister airline CebGo flights Next page

SYMBOL OF GRIEF. A Catholic faithful has her forehead marked with ashes today, the first day of Lent in what many say is a symbol of grief that man has sinned. It marks the first day of fasting, repentance, prayer and self-control, which takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is chiefly observed by Catholics, although many other Christians observe it too.

News

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

ICC dared to visit Manila and find out real score

MALACAÑANG said Tuesday only con-

By Vito Barcelo

Only Congress can suspend Garcia—Palace gress had power to suspend House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia and not Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“We respect the decision of Ombudsman Morales to dismiss the Cebu congresswoman for grave misconduct, but [she] should be reminded that only the House of Representatives have the power to suspend her,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.

“While we respect the findings of the Ombudsman based on the merits of the case, only Congress may suspend or remove a member based on the former’s antigraft and corruption rulings.”

Roque made his statement even as Garcia said she will “exhaust all legal remedies” to challenge the Ombudsman’s order to dismiss her owing to the purchase a piece of property when she was a provincial governor.

“She [Morales] has made it a personal crusade against us Garcias even before, going beyond what is established jurisprudence,” Garcia told a radio interview.

She said the dismissal order was “politically motivated” and that the intention was to discourage her from running for governor in May 2019 elections, or at most to disqualify her from running from any public office.

“She’s calling me guilty of grave misconduct and wants me to be perpetually disqualified from holding public office a few months before the filing of candidacies this October,” Garcia said.

“So that’s another suspicious timing, [because] it seems there are people who would want me to run for governor of Cebu [again].”

Garcia served as Cebu governor from 2004 to 2013, and she may still run for a third term at the House of Representatives in the 2019 elections, being a second-term lawmaker in the 17th Congress.

Black...

From A1 iconic movie, already winning rave reviews ahead of its Friday release in the United States.

More than a thousand people packed the Welcome to Wakanda presentation in the West Village that featured the work of 10 labels, including Chromat, Cushnie et Ochs and LaQuan Smith.

“The inspiration for me was female empowerment,” Smith told AFP. “I wanted to create something that really just connected to the characters and the film... embodying power, and feminity, and strength and sensuality.”

Reviews following Monday’s premiere of the movie that stars Hollywood’s first black superhero to get his own standalone film were electric, calling the picture “iconic” and “astonishing.”

“I think what made Black Panther more fashionable than other superhero films was really about the cast, the attitude that the cast really embodies,” said Smith. “I hope it inspires young boys and young girls.”

Otherwise here is a quick roundup of the best of Fashion Week day five, before the global 2018 fall/winter season shifts to Europe.

Caribbean cruise American fashion elder statesman Ralph Lauren escaped to Jamaica in troubled times, both politically and business-wise, for spring, his latest collection adhering to a see-now, buy-now concept.

On a drab February morning, the 78-yearold transported his guests to a set evoking his stunning villa in Jamaica with a blue infinitypool effect runway watched by actresses Hilary Swank and Rachel Brosnahan.

It opened with a calypso Caribbean beat as models walked bare foot dressed in delicate blue and white floral dresses with full skirts and flirty necklines, before Bella Hadid strode out in a denim cocktail dress with feather finish and clothes segued into classic maritime. AFP

‘Basyang’...

From A1 going to and from Cagayan, Tagbilaran, Roxas, Tablas and Masbate; and two Skyjet flights to and from Siargao.

In a statement, the Cebu Pacific Air management said the airline canceled the flights because of the unfavorable and unsafe weather conditions caused by “Basyang.”

“Cebu Pacific will be mounting below additional flights on Feb. 14, Wednesday, to accommodate affected passengers. Guests will also be notified regarding their new flight schedules,” CEB officials said The airline offered the affected air travelers to avail options of rebooking their flights within 30 days (free of charge), reroute to alternate station within 30 days without penalties, (and if beyond 30 days charge fare difference), get a full refund or place the cost of the ticket in a Travel Fund for future use.

“We also encourage guests who booked through a travel agent or any other third party to provide us with their own contact details so we can advise them directly for any flight changes,” CEB added.

The heavy rain triggered landslides that hit mountain villages outside the mining town of Carrascal—760 kilometres south of the capital Manila—killing four people, municipal police chief James Alendogao told AFP. AFP with Joel Zurbano

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed to continue his fight against illegal drugs and challenged the International Criminal Court to come to the Philippines to conduct its investigation, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“The war on drugs will continue despite the communication filed against him at the international tribunal,” Roque said.

In a related development: • Solicitor General Jose Calida questioned the authority of the Commission on Human Rights to assist in the ICC’s initial review of drug war-related allegations against Duterte and several senior government officials.

“They [CHR] are bragging that they will do the investigation. Where did they get this authority? Is the CHR a different branch of government? As far as I know there are only three: Executive, legislative, and judiciary,” Calida told

reporters at a press briefing.

He was reacting to CHR chairperson Chito Gascon’s statement the commission was “ready to assist in any way with the process of” the ICC’s preliminary examination if requested.

In a statement, CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said the Philippine government was “duty-bound to fully cooperate” with the ICC’s preliminary examination.

“The problem with CHR [is] it’s too politicized,” Calida said. “The chairman, Gascon, was a stalwart of the Liberal Party. And apparently they are using their powers to put down the president.”

“I will not advise the CHR. Let them do their worst and we will see,” he added.

In Malacañang, Roque said the President was firm in his stand to rid the country of illegal drugs, saying the war versus drugs would continue until Duterte’s last day in office.

In a speech during the oath taking of newly appointed officials, Duterte repeated he would face the ICC. “If they want to indict me and convict me, fine. I will gladly do it for my country...I would love to experience what Rizal experienced, too,” he said. “ I like to address myself to the International Court of Justice and to the prosecutors coming here to investigate. The war, or the drive against drugs, will not stop. And it will last until the day I step out,” the president insisted.

“If I go to prison, I go to prison. If you want to execute me, look for a country that allows prisoners to be executed by firing squad,” the President said.

Palace chides Aussies to test freedom of navigation feminists over ‘vagina’ remark PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was serious when he said the female members of the communist New People’s Army should be shot in the vagina to render them “useless,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said on Tuesday.

“You should be familiar with the President,” Roque said.

“I will tell this over and over again: Do not take the President literally but take him seriously.”

Duterte, in a speech in front of former NPA rebels in Malacañang, said women, especially those with children, should never join the New People’s Army because he would likely order soldiers to shoot them in the vagina to render them “useless.”

“The public should already know by now the Chief Executive’s way of talking. He’s serious,” Roque said.

He dismissed the allegations that Duterte was sexist and a misogynist.

“You know, sometimes, these feminists are really a bit OA [overacting],” Roque said.

“I mean, that’s funny. Come on, just laugh.”

Roque said if Duterte disrespected women, he would not have ordered a ban in deployment of Filipino women as domestic workers to Kuwait, where the corpse of a Filipina was recently found in a freezer.

“It is also strong message to the rebels that there is no longer a chance for the peace talks because the CPPNPA just show betrayal, and we will return to war against the NPA and we will win,” Roque said. Vito Barcelo

Fewer...

From A1 The DoH suspended a massive anti-dengue vaccination program in December 2017, after Dengvaxia’s manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, said it could increase the risk of severe dengue in those who had not yet been exposed to the disease. By then, more than 800,000 schoolchildren had already been innoculated with the vaccine.

But the PIDSP said vaccines save lives because they prevents the spread of numerous diseases.

Dr. Lulu Bravo, cxecutive director of the National Institutes of Health of UP Manila and professor of pediatric infectious and tropical diseases at the UP College of Medicine, said vaccines save millions of lives each year from infectious diseases, such as hepatitis, rabies, measles and polio, but expressed dismay with the sudden decrease in number of parents allowing their children to be vaccinated.

“Thousands of children in the country are not fully immunized against these threats and vulnerable to numerous diseases,” the PIDSP official said.

She said vaccines have been used safely

Davide...

From A1 associate justice Vicente Mendoza, Bishop Deogracias Ynigues and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares.

Davide reiterated a warning that he offered last month before the Senate, that Charter change would only keep political dynasties in power and lead to feudalism, not federalism.

He also urged senators and congressmen not to allow themselves to “become a party to the mangling” of the Constitution, which he once described as “the best in the world.”

President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, rejected a suggestion that he lead a transition government if the push to shift to a federal system succeeds.

Duterte said he was “in a hurry” to step down from the presidency and would even once his administration manages to establish

SYDNEY, Australia―A British warship will sail from Australia through the disputed South China Sea next month to assert freedom of navigation rights, a senior official said Tuesday in a move likely to irk Beijing.

China claims nearly all of the resourcerich waterway and has been turning reefs and islets into islands and installing military facilities such as runways and equipment on them.

British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson said HMS Sutherland, an antisubmarine frigate, would arrive in Australia later this week.

“She’ll be sailing through the South China Sea [on the way home] and making it clear our navy has a right to do that,” he told The Australian newspaper after a two-day visit to Sydney and Canberra.

He would not say whether the frigate would sail within 12 nautical miles of a disputed territory or artificial island built by the Chinese, as US ships have done.

But he said: “We absolutely support the US approach on this, we very much sup-

port what the US has been doing.”

In January, Beijing said it had dispatched a warship to drive away a US missile destroyer which had “violated” its sovereignty by sailing close to a shoal in the sea.

Williamson said it was important that US allies such as Britain and Australia “assert our values” in the South China Sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which US$5.0 trillion in trade passes annually.

“World dynamics are shifting so greatly. The US can only concentrate on so many things at once,” he said.

“The US is looking for other countries to do more. This is a great opportunity for the UK and Australia to do more, to exercise leadership.”

China in December defended its construction on disputed islands, which are also claimed by its Southeast Asian neighbors, as “normal” after a US think tank released new satellite images showing the deployment of radar and other equipment. AFP

WET HEART‘S DAY. Weather forecaster Ariel Rojas shows where Tropical Storm ‘Basyang’ made landfall in Cortes, Surigao Del Sur. ‘Basyang’ has already weakened into a tropical depression. Manny Palmero and effectively for decades, but because of the Dengvaxia controversy, a significant number of Filipino parents are now increasingly skeptical of the mandatory vaccinations.

Another group of doctors, the Philippine Society of Pathologists, led by its president, Dr. Bernadette R. Espiritu, called for prudence in the dissemination of information about Dengvaxia.

The group added that it is committed to support the Philippine Medical Association and the Department of Health in their efforts to reach out to the Dengvaxia vaccine-recipients and their families, and to help alleviate their plight as a result of the Dengvaxia scare.

The group took to task the Public Attorney’s Office for fueling fears about Dengvaxia.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Justice said it will investigate criminal charges filed against former President Benigno Aquino III and 19 others for their role in the Dengvaxia mess.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the DoJ would soon start the preliminary investigation on the joint complaint filed by anti-corruption groups Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. and Dr. Francisco Cruz even if there is an ongoing fact-finding investigation on the Dengvaxia mess. a federal government ahead of his term’s expiration in 2022.

“If there can be a federal setup in 2020, I’m going to step down. I don’t want any transition position. I don’t have plans of perpetuating myself in power,” Duterte said.

Also on Tuesday, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara urged the Palace to include an expert on fiscal policy in the consultative committee that is reviewing the Constitution.

Such an expert could address the question of resource sharing and tax jurisdictions, he said, and prevent any constitutional complications when the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed.

Duterte has created a 19-member consultative committee chaired by former chief justice Reynato Puno, whose task is to review the Constitution and come up with recommended changes, which the President will submit to Congress for consideration.

Macon Ramos Araneta

Ash...

From A1 Rizal will be saying from the book of Genesis, at about the same time.

Feb. 14, 2018 is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, its official name being “Day of Ashes,” so called because of the practice of rubbing ashes on one’s forehead in the sign of a cross.

Theologians say that since it is exactly 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter Sunday, it will always fall on a Wednesday—there cannot be an “Ash Thursday” or “Ash Monday.”

Religion scholars say the Bible never mentions Ash Wednesday—fact is, it never mentions Lent.

They add Lent is intended to be a time of self-denial, moderation, fasting, and the forsaking of sinful activities and habits.

Among Catholics and Aglipayans—the Aglipayans are basically Catholics except that they confess directly to God and their priests can get married—Ash Wednesday commences the period of spiritual discipline.

Fr. Jaime Padilla, the 55-year-old parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in the middle income subdivision Brookside Hills, says putting of the ash on the foreheads of the faithful “is a reminder to us that we are all human beings, of flesh, dust and sin, and we ought to change and improve from out sinful ways.

“We ought to listen to the Lord, turn away from sin, be sorry for our sin, make sacrifices and turn to holiness instead of remaining in sin and dust… Ash Wednesday is a wake-up call for us Catholics who live our faith.”

He adds, during an interview with the Manila Standard, “At the start of Lent, we are reminded to do prayer, fasting and almsgiving—the three pillars of good Christian life—which prepares us for the commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord.

“But what is important is not the outward sign of having the ashes imposed on the foreheads. It is more essential to have the cleansing of the soul, the cleansing of the person within.”

Trillanes...

From A1 Sought for comment, Trillanes said: “If his evidence against President Rodrigo Duterte was garbage, then why are they panicking?”

“And why can’t Mr. Duterte just accept my challenge for him to sign a waiver [of bank secrecy rights] and if I am wrong in my allegations then I would resign immediately as senator and voluntarily walk into any jail of his choice?” he added.

Reacting to reports that he has been declared persona non grata by local officials of Davao City for saying it had the highest incidence of murder and the second highest in rape, Trillanes said: “The truth definitely hurts.”

“The people of Davao either know it but tolerate it out of fear or they’ve actually believed the lie that was fed to them that Davao City is the safest city in the world,” the senator added.

Earlier, Trillanes filed a resolution calling for a Senate probe on alleged possible violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act by the President himself and daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The resolution had been referred to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Senator Richard Gordon, and the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies headed by Senator Francis Escudero.

The resolution has been referred to the Senate committee on rules after Gordon suggested the complaint should be investigated either by the House in an impeachment proceeding or the Office of the Ombudsman, but not the Senate.

In Davao City, the city council also declared Filipino-American businesswoman Loida Lewis persona non grata for her tirades against President Duterte.

In an open letter to Duterte, Lewis denied his claim that she had a hand in the decision of the International Criminal Court to begin examining allegations of crimes against humanity against him.

“There is absolutely no truth to the story given to you by ‘another country’ that I was in any way involved in the International Criminal Court’s decision to investigate the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.”

Lewis was reacting to Duterte’s claim he knew in advance of the ICC prosecutor’s intention to open a preliminary examination into the charges through a recorded phone conversion supposedly handed him “by another country.”

“I was already listening to the tapes of their conversation. It was provided by me by another country but the conversation was somewhere Philippines and New York. Loida was one of them. And there was this, ‘See you in the headquarters when the case is filed,’” Duterte said in a speech over the weekend.

But Lewis, in the letter she posted on social media, said “any supposed transcript of a recent phone conversation is bogus.”

She also called Duterte’s “headquarters” reference “laughable,” pointing out that the US Pinoys for Good Governance group she belongs does not even have a headquarters.

“We use the internet for communications and teleconference,” she said.

The only time she said she may have mentioned a headquarters in connection with their activities “was in 2013, when the USPGG organized a rally in front of the UN Headquarters to show their support for the Philippine delegation who filed the case against China The Palace congratulated the Davao city council for its move.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesman Harry Roque smiled when asked about the Davao City resolution.

“I do not know how you want me to react because I speak for the President, and I cannot say anything other than congratulations to Davao City,” he said. With Vito Barcelo

Feb. 14...

From A1 Icons referring to each activity are in color black “Activities undertaken on days with black icons indicate obstacles for the activities,” according to the almanac, adding “refrain from doing the activities indicated on [the] inauspicious day.”

Filipino feng shui practitioner Olay Aninion, who studied under Lillian Too, said in an interview that while this year’s Valentine’s Day was not a good day for marriage, couples who want to celebrate the occasion may do so without a hitch.

“It’s not necessarily an inauspicious day for couples who want to celebrate. If it’s just a date or a dinner out, it doesn’t have any effect,” clarified Aninion.

Aninion, who owns Bikram Yoga Manila studio, has been practicing feng shui for about six years.

To those who want to follow feng shui, Aninion suggested they should get married tomorrow which is an auspicious day.

The feng shui practitioner also advised couples to observe the occasion in church “so you’ll get [the priest’s] blessing.”

This year’s Valentine’s Day coincides with the observance of Ash Wednesday, the first time in 73 years.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of the 40day Lenten Season. On this day, Catholics 14 years old and above are encouraged to abstain from meat; individuals aged 18 to 60 must fast today.

“Fasting and abstinence are acts of love.

The food we do not eat or the meat we abstain from must be given to those who practically fast everyday due to extreme poverty, enduring inhuman danger,” Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said Tuesday during his Homily Guide for Ash Wednesday.

The former Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines president urged the Filipino faithful to consider celebrating true love instead of “cheap love.”

“Let us relocate love from romanticism to heroism. Let us move...from Cupid with his arrow to Jesus Christ on the Cross. Let us move from cheap love to true love,” said Villegas. With Sara Susanne Fabunan

News OFWs returning to Kuwait barred from departing Naia

By Joel E. Zurbano, Vito Barcelo AUTHORITIES at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport starts preventing the departure of overseas Filipino workers going to Kuwait following the ban on the deployment of OFWs imposed by the government.

On Tuesday, around 100 passengers, who came from vacations with their families in the Philippines and have existing work contracts in Kuwait, were not allowed by Immigration personnel to get on board Philippine Airlines flight PR-668 at Naia Terminal 1.

“All Immigration officers had been directed to prevent the departure of all OFWs bound for Kuwait,” said Naia chief immigration officer Marc Red Marinas.

He said even the returning OFWs to Kuwait are also covered by the ban.

But on the night of Feb. 12, the day government officials formally signed the deployment ban order, more than 200 passengers with scheduled departure from Manila were allowed to board their flights bound for Kuwait.

A television report said that Philippine Overseas Employment Administration officials gave clearance to the passengers after showing their overseas employment certificate.

Prior to their flight, some of the OFWs expressed alarm on the new government policy initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying not all OFWs are being maltreated by their employers.

“Why find another job if you have a good employer? [My employer] is good and they treat me nice there,” said Evangeline Daniel, who worked in Kuwait as domestic helper for seven years.

Daniel was seconded by Bibinil Bicoy, who also worked for 13 years in Kuwait. “My employer treat me as a sister and member of the family.”

PCSO says P6.4 -m Christmas party expenses ‘appropriate’ PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan on Tuesday maintained that the state lottery agency’s P6.4-million Christmas party was “appropriate” as it was meant to reward the employees for their hard work for chalking up a record-high revenue last year.

“I think considering our current situation, with ‘yung presyo po kasi ngayon medyo mataas na rin, I think it’s appropriate [party expenses],” Balutan, a former Marine general, told a congressional hearing conducted by the House committee on good government and public accountability chaired by Surigao City Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

Balutan made the statement in response to the query raised by Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. if the Christmas party held by the PCSO was acceptable.

Balutan reported to the committee that PCSO’s income reached P52 billion last year compared to P37.4 billion in 2016.

“Siguro nga may karapatan din sila na kahit papano mamantikaan ‘yung nguso nila at katawan nila, makatikim naman ng aircon dahil mahihirap din po itong mga empleyado and they deserve that,” said Balutan. “Kung titingnan natin anong ginawa nila sa isang taon, ilang bilyon ang kanilang naiakyat so it’s a booster for the morale and welfare of our employees,” Balutan said. Maricel V. Cruz

President wants peaceful, efficient SSS board—Roque THE Social Security System will be more efficient without quarreling among members of its board, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Tuesday.

Roque made this remark a day after President Rodrigo R. Duterte decided not to renew the appointments of SSS Chairman Amando Valdez and Commissioner Jose Gabriel “Pompee” La Viña.

“Sa tingin ko, kaya pinalitan ’yan ni Presidente, ay dahil nakikita niya na mas magiging efficient ang SSS kung walang hidwaan sa board ng SSS [I think, the reason why the President replaced them, is because he can see that the SSS would be more efficient if there was no quarreling among its board members],” Roque said in a press conference in Tabuk, Kalinga.

Roque assured that operations at the SSS would continue even as the Palace has yet to find replacements for the two officials.

“Yung management ng SSS hindi nabago, patuloy naman ang trabaho diyan sa SSS [The management of the SSS has not changed, operations continue at the SSS],” he added.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 wants to file raps vs ‘Bora’ resort owners

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte threatened on Tuesday to charge local officials of Boracay for neglect of duty for the environmental disaster in one of the worlds’ most popular beach resorts.

The President said he was holding the local government and Boracay residents responsible for being “overzealous” with development, allowing structures to be built, some of them near the beach without proper sewage and water treatment facilities.

“I will charge you for serious neglect of duty for making Boracay a fishpond or a sewer pool,” he said.

“There will be a time that no more foreigners will go there.”

“It’s a shame that Boracay, which has repeatedly been recognized by prestigious travel magazines as the world’s most beautiful island, may yet end up a paradise lost if water contamination continues,” the president added.

During his speech in Cebu, Duterte slammed Boracay local officials and business executives for building structures overlapping the coastlines and already reaching the water which is not really allowed.

“You allowed buildings constructed without proper sewer or sewerage.

That is yours. You created a disaster there,” he said.

Duterte has earlier ordered DENR

Secretary Roy Cimatu to clean Boracay in six months or close it down.

“They say it earns millions. The structures are worth billions. But I don’t give a shit. Either they will clean it up or I will close it permanently,” Duterte added.

As this developed, Cimatu also warned establishments which are polluting Boracay to “shape up or face closure.”

He gave commercial establishments two months to stop the release of untreated waste water and sewage into the waters of the world-famous island and to adopt other remedial and corrective measures.

Two months have been given to the business operators to either connect to the sewage treatment plant of the Boracay Island Water Co. or install their own wastewater treatment facilities.

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is giving them two months to comply with the law.

Otherwise, we will close them,” the agency chief said.

Duterte earlier directed Cimatu to find ways to end problems besetting Boracay, describing the islands as a “cesspool.”

He gave Cimatu six months to clean up Boracay, “or else the entire island will be shut down.”

According to Cimatu, around 50 to 60 percent of all establishments in Boracay are compliant to Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

“All the rest direct their pipes to the canals which drain to the sea,” he said.

He invoked Republic Act 9275 mandating establishments and households to dispose their septic wastes to a treatment facility.

A notice of violation will soon be issued to establishments that are illegally connected or are not connected at all to

the sewage treatment plant, he said.

“We will give these establishments three to five days to respond.

Otherwise, we will cut their water connections,” he cautioned.

Apart from the sewage problem, Cimatu said the DENR will also go after resort owners who have constructed buildings within areas classified as forestlands.

“Forestlands are no-build zones.

What they have done is against the law,” he said, referring to Presidential Decree No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

The DENR had already issued a directive that no new environmental compliance certificates or ECC will be issued in Boracay to prevent the construction of new buildings there.

“For me, the law is the law. This is a different battle but this is our chance to rehabilitate Boracay. Once all these problems are fixed, it will be a better Boracay,” Cimatu said.

At yesterday’s launch of the Green Film Festival at Cinema 2 of the SM North-Edsa in Quezon City, Cimatu met college and high school students and representatives of the Commission on Higher Education and SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings Inc. In accordance with his mission to clean up Boracay, Cimatu also inspected the waste water treatment system of the SM North Edsa to give him an idea on how to properly implement a proper waste water treatment facility in the island.

He asked SM North Edsa how many comfort rooms does it have, noting that it has over 40 clusters with waste water facility treating waste water before going to the lines of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and its two water concessionaires [for further processing.

Opposition solon backs Alvarez’s divorce bill

By Maricel V. Cruz AN OPPOSITION leader in the House of Representatives on Tuesday backed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s bill to introduce divorce as another option for couples in failed and irreparable marriages.

Opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, head of a technical working group tasked to consolidate four divorce bills, said he sees no hindrance in the approval of the proposed divorce measure.

“Before March 8, the International Day for Women, this bill will be already taken up in the plenary,” Lagman said at a news conference, saying he sees no stiff opposition to the measure.

Alvarez authored House Bill 6027, or “An Act Providing For Grounds For The Dissolution Of A Marriage,” which proposes that a marriage may be dissolved based on irreconcilable differences or severe and chronic unhappiness of the spouses which caused the irreparable breakdown of the marriage.

In his bill, Alvarez proposed chronic unhappiness, as one of the two grounds for allowing a court to dissolve marriage.

But Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said divorce may not be the right prescription for troubled marriage.

Alejano said divorce destroys the sanctity of marriage and weakens the family as an institution.

“Mas marami ring maghihiwalay because divorce will be very convenient.

Kawawa diyan ang mga anak,” Alejano said.

The House committee on population and family relations chaired by Rep. Sol Aragones of Laguna earlier created a technical working group, headed

by Lagman, whose task would be to consolidate all four bills on divorce namely, HBs 116, 1062, 2380, and Alvarez’s HB 6027.

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL Be my Olympic Valentine:

Pyeongchang becomes dating hot spot

By Peter Stebbings

THE Pyeongchang Winter Olympics are freezing cold but they might just be the hottest dating spot on the planet right now—no wonder organizers dished out a record 110,000 condoms.

Competitors and support staff have put their profiles on dating/hook-up app Tinder, along with visiting journalists and many others in South Korea for the Olympics.

After the closing ceremony on the last night of the Olympics is notoriously the time when the nearly 3,000 competitors—most of them young and in prime physical condition—are particularly eager to celebrate.

Organizers did not want to be caught with their trousers down and handed out the equivalent of 38 condoms per competitor, the largest number of free condoms given out at a Winter Games.

Rubber manufacturer Convenience Co donated most of the condoms, and a spokesman said coyly in the lead-up to the Olympics: “We don’t expect the athletes to use them all.”

Skeptics may say they should be concentrating more on winning medals, but with time to kill between their events, some male and female competitors appear to have gone looking for a match on Tinder.

Alysia, 29, says on her profile: “Just your basic Canadian chick who spends the winter travelling the world racing my toboggan.

“I work hard but play even harder.”

She adds: “I’m in Korea for a couple of weeks for what some people would say is a pretty important race, and I couldn’t be more excited to be here.”

An American speed skater is also among the athletes on Tinder, but several other competitors appear to have taken down their profiles after news spread that Olympic competitors were using the app.

Pyeongchang, something of a backwater hardly famed for being a dating hotspot, suddenly finds itself just that.

One Tinder user, going by the name Beulah, aged 32, wrote on her profile: “Yahoo says Tinder is super blowing up in Pyeongchang right now so I added the app because what do you think...

“I’m also fun and stuff and could go for a drink and watch some curling.”

T

Unqualified

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

HE impeachment hearings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno before the House committee on justice have uncovered a disturbing detail of her appointment in 2012: Her failure to comply with the documentary requirements of the Judicial and Bar Council.

According to testimony of her fellow justices, Sereno had submitted a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth for only three years, not the 10 required by the JBC rules.

“I believe that a grave injustice was done to us, the other applicants, for the position of chief justice,” said Associate Justice Teresita de Castro.

Her view was supported by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, who testified that he was not aware of a letter Sereno had submitted to the JBC asking to be exempted from the 10-year rule as she no longer could locate her SALN for the years she was an associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Law. Peralta, who presided over the JBC proceedings for the nominees for the position vacated by impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona, said Sereno’s letter was not presented to the council en banc.

“I think the minutes will bear that out. Likewise the certificate of clearance attached to the said letter was also not included for deliberation in the JBC en banc when we consid-

ered the candidates for voting,” he said.

Had he known about Sereno’s letter and her failure to comply with the SALN requirements, he would have opposed her selection, Peralta added.

Annaliza Capacite, executive director of the JBC, confirmed to the House panel that Sereno had not submitted a complete set of SALN. But she said the JBC member representing the Senate, Senator Francis Escudero, made the manifestation that “the attempt” to comply with the requirements was enough.

A spokesperson for the chief justice said that Peralta, who had endorsed the shortlist of candidates to the Office of the President, could not now wash his hands of the decision to include Sereno. The spokesperson failed, however, to address the possibility that Sereno’s failure to comply with the SALN requirement was hidden from some JBC members.

This particular point, as Peralta suggests, can easily be sorted by going to the minutes of the JBC proceedings.

Nor does the Sereno camp address the point raised by

De Castro—the reason candidates for the position of chief justice submit SALNs and waivers to bank secrecy rights is to enable the JBC to compare their statements with the bank records. But if the SALNs are not complete, what comparison can be made?

At the very least, the revelation about the missing SALN suggest the need for the JBC process to be more transparent. At worst, it suggests that the JBC process can be manipulated to favor certain candidates like Sereno, who had the strong support of then President Benigno Aquino III. This also might be an opportune time for Senator Escudero to explain why he felt that an attempt to comply with requirements can be seen as “substantial compliance.” The suggestion sounds as ludicrous as the notion that universities ought to grant diplomas to all students who tried to study.

If this rule were applied to all government positions, public office would be packed with people who are, at the most basic level, unqualified.

From puzzling to ridiculous TODAY, Feb. 14, is doubly significant.

It is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. They have one thing in common—love.

Today is the season for lovers, who give presents to each other.

Ash Wednesday reminds us Catholics of the start of the Lenten Season. It is the season when Jesus died on the cross, and resurrected on Easter Sunday.

As for me, I always give my wife flowers, something I have always done since we got married. She always says it’s a waste of money, but I don’t think men should believe their wives or loved ones when they object. *** Last week, I wrote about how tragic it is that Atio Castillo’s death from hazing has been diverted to another issue —that is, the call for the disbarment of UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina. By the way, I do not know him personally.

Is this because his is a prominent name among those implicated in the case?

The Castillo family has been urged to take their grievances to the Vatican, because UST is a Catholic university. Is this a joke?

The idea was first proposed by Senator Migz Zubiri, and supported by the Castillos’ lawyer, Lorna Kapunan.

Will someone please provide sensible advice to Atio’s parents? They have suffered enough!

The move to disbar some of those who have been implicated was odd. Ka-

The Castillo family has been told to bring the issue of their son’s death to the Vatican.

punan seems to be doing everything in her power to disbar Divina.

Still, the idea of going to the Vatican is gaining support. I am sure the Vatican can pressure the UST...but to what end?

Any distraction is a disservice to Castillo. *** Now they are talking. According to Supreme Court Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro and Diosdado Peralta, the Judicial and Bar Council executive committed “grave injustice” for deeming Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno qualified for her post. Sereno did not submit all her yearly statement of assets, liabilities and net worth even if this was the requirement.

Santa Banana, she got special treatment from the JBC! To think that the late Chief Justice Renato Corona was convicted and ousted when he failed to include his dollar account in his SALN. I can agree with the observation that in effect, Sereno’s appointment by former President Aquino should be declared null and void. She became chief justice even though many other justices were more senior than she was—just because she was Aquino’s favorite.

The submission requirements are clear, and especially in Sereno’s case because she is the head of the judiciary.

Coming right down to it, Sereno committed a betrayal of public trust as provided for by the 1987 Constitution.

No ifs, no buts.

If Corona was ousted, how can anybody justify what Sereno has done?

Going for Gold Tinder confirms there has been a massive surge in use in the Pyeongchang area.

The matchmaker, launched in 2012, says it has made its usually paid-for Tinder Gold upgrade free to athletes and users in the Olympic Village for the duration of the Games.

And it cites data saying that Americans are the top users of its “Passport” feature, which allows them to match with people in the Olympic athletes’ village, even if they themselves are back in the US. The timing of all this seems particularly apt with Valentine’s Day approaching on Wednesday. Even US ski “queen” Lindsey Vonn, who dated golf former number one Tiger Woods for more than two years, is on the lookout.

The 33-year-old revealed in Pyeongchang that she turns to top male Norwegian skiers Aksel Lund Svindal and Kjetil Jansrud for dating advice.

“Hopefully they can find me a guy now,” she said soon after arriving at the Games, before quickly adding: “Just kidding.

“But maybe...” AFP

*** A friend asked me: What is the greater sin of former President Aquino to the people? Mamasapano, or Dengvaxia?

I thought for a while. Three years ago, I thought that the death of the SAF44 was so serious that Mr. Aquino should be charged with treason. He was, after all, commander in chief of the Armed Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion

SECTION 1, Article XVII of the Philip- and act as distinct bodies in furtherpine Constitution provides two ways to ance of Congress’ role under the constitutional scheme. amend the Constitution: Further, in Sanidad v. COMELEC, By: (1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or (2) A the Supreme Court held that the power to propose amendments and revisions constitutional convention.”

This provision does not specify wheth- to the Constitution, is but a part of leger Congress is to vote jointly or sepa- islative powers. Hence, inasmuch as the manner of voting in the exercise of legrately.

At the celebration by Philconsa of the islative powers is done separately, the Constitution Day on Feb. 12, Solicitor exercise of constituent powers should General Jose Calida spoke on the nu- likewise be voted on separately.

Last, ut magis valeat quam pereat. ances and ramifications of this provision, and whether voting should be jointly with The Constitution is to be interpreted as the Senate as a single body, or separately, a whole. A reading of the 1987 Constitution reveals that it is only in Section with the Senate voting by itself.

The SolGen came to Philconsa with 18, Article VII that Congress was exconsiderable gravitas. He has never lost pressly allowed to vote jointly, that is, in a Supreme Court case, he told his jam- revoking or extending the proclamation packed audience. He sent Senator Leila of martial law and the suspension of the de Lima to jail. He got SC approval to privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. extend martial law until the end of 2018. By the maxim of expressio unius est He got 100 in Criminal Law, 90 in two exclusion alterius, it is therefore, only other subjects. He would have landed in under said section that Congress votes the Top Ten but he was very sick during jointly, not separately.

The arguments for voting jointly (that the bar exams.

The Senate insists on separate voting. is the Senate vote of 24 being diluted by The House of Representatives prefers more than 200 members of the House: • The words employed by Section 1, joint voting, and thinks it can proceed without the Senate and still obtain the Article XVII are unambiguous. It states “any amendment to, or revision of this needed supermajority.

Some even believe that the question is Constitution may be proposed by the political in nature, hence cannot be set- Congress, upon a vote of three-fourth of all the Members.” tled using a legal framework.

The word “Congress” plainly means In his Philconsa speech, SolGen Calida narrated a credible, reasonable and both houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. thoughtful interpretation of both sides.

A “vote of threeWhile concedfourths of all its ing that the issue of voting jointly or Members” pertains separately could be to both houses of Congress. It does a political question, Calida narrated a not need any furCalida said his pother interpretasition “is that it is credible, reasonable tion. Calida says actually a legal one and thoughtful requiring “a vote of or, at the very least, three-fourths of all a justiciable ques- interpretation of both its Members” signition.”

Meaning, sides. fies “joint” voting. the Supreme Court There is nothing should vote on it, for there which even or against.

The arguments remotely suggests for voting separatevoting separately.

Moreover, the 1987 Constitution employs ly: • Voting separately is the norm for precise language in laying down the functions and duties of the two houses of Congress.

In all but one of the provisions where Congress.

Even if the present Constitution had the manner of voting is specified, Congress is made to vote separately. This been initially drafted with a unicameral may lend credence to the argument that legislature in mind, the provisions of the two houses of Congress should vote the 1987 Constitution as ratified by the separately when it comes to other matters Filipino people have been sufficiently adas well, such as when they propose Con- justed to reflect the shift to bicameralism where it is relevant. Several provisions stitutional amendments or revisions.

• The general rule is that the Houses of in Article VII demonstrate this, such as Congress should vote separately, in line Sections 4, 9, and 18 which all specify the with the bicameral nature of our Legis- manner of voting.

• The omission of the phrase “voting” lature.

• It is more appropriate to turn to the separately” in Section 1, Article XVII, three principles of constitutional con- when other provisions in the Constitution struction in the attempt to arrive at an specify such requirements, indicate the intent of joint voting. answer.

• The bicameral nature of Congress is First, verba legis, that is, wherever possible, the words used in the Con- principally meant for its legislative funcstitution must be given their ordinary tions. Per Justice Isagani Cruz, when meaning except where technical terms Congress convenes as a “Constituent Asare employed. Guided by the plain sembly,” it is performing a function not meaning rule, it may be argued that legislative in nature.

In Gonzales vs. COMELEC , when the term Congress under Article XVII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution members of the Senate and the House should be interpreted as referring to the exercise their powers to propose Constitutional amendments or revisions, two separate bodies of Congress.

Second, where there is ambiguity, re- they act not as members of Congress sort to ratio legis est anima. The words doing legislative work but as members of the Constitution should be interpret- of a Constituent Assembly drafting ed in accordance with the intent of its proposals to amend or revise the Conframers. It appears that the intent of the stitution.

Acting therefore as members of the framers was for Congress to vote separately when proposing amendments Constituent Assembly and not as legislaand revisions to the Constitution. In tors, Congress should vote jointly, as in Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council, the implied from the phrase “all members of Congress,” insists Calida.

Supreme Court ruled, More later.

[T] he exercise of legislative and constituent powers requires the Senate and House of Representatives to coordinate biznewsasia@gmail.com

From puzzling...

From A4

Forces which could have saved the men.

But now with the Dengvaxia controversy, where hundreds of thousands of school children were given a vaccine that had not been certified, I believe that Aquino and his Secretaries Janette Garin and Florencio Abad should be charged with homicide and plunder.

In both cases, Mr. Aquino was responsible and culpable. He should answer to the Filipino people. There is no doubt about his culpability.

guarantee the PCSO at least P60 billion if the agency took full control of STL operations.

No doubt, gambling lords are lording it over when it comes to the PCSO’s operations.

In Central Luzon alone, a well-known jueteng lord is also an STL operator.

What Ang was proposing, actually, was for him to operate the PCSO’s STL. Yes, he can raise revenues. But at what price, and under what conditions?

*** Charlie “Atong” Ang stated the obvious when he told the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement that the Small-Town Lottery operated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office that operates similar to jueteng is doomed.

Why? The PCSO is controlled by well-known gambling lords nationwide.

Ang told the Senate that the government was losing at least P4 billion a month to gambling lords. Atong also said he could

*** In my column yesterday I asked whose fault it was that Boracay has degenerated to its current state.

I was told that while the local government has installed a drainage and sewage system to which establishment owners can connect, most of them do not.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, as well as the Department of Tourism, must do some damage control.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A gridlocked mentality

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Voting jointly or separately

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO HOW do you solve Metro Manila’s monstrous traffic problem ? President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters think the only way is to grant him emergency powers. But looking at the larger picture, the extreme measure of granting the President emergency powers is gridlocked mentality itself.

Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza believes emergency power should only be granted to the President after all alternatives have been exhausted.

“Emergency powers for the President to deal with the traffic problem in the metropolis could open avenues for corruption,” said Atienza. He said emergency powers would give an excuse for suspending the process of public bidding and procurement of equipment and services related to easing the traffic flow. He said that bottlenecks at major intersections are often caused by traffic enforcers themselves. Worse, sometimes, these traffic enforcers pull over drivers at the slightest or minor violation to fleece and extort money from them.

Citing an example, traffic on Ayala Avenue is already bumper to bumper and yet Mapsa or MMDA traffic enforcers do not have the initiative or foresight to redirect traffic to Paseo de Roxas as an alternative route for motorists going to Glorietta mall.

The result is that the intersection box is clogged The computerized traffic lights can be recalibrated so the sensors can tell when to switch from red

to green.

Atienza said redirecting vehicle flow on major road like Edsa to side streets is not a solution because most of these artery roads are being used by residents in the area as parking for vehicles and sometimes as basketball courts. Even the sidewalks on these side streets have been taken over by vendors and car repair shops. Again , it’s a matter of law enforcement that barangay officials do not do. Why? Because some of these vehicle owners, including jeepney opera-

Have all alternatives been exhausted?

tors, are their constituents and friends.

Traffic enforcers are hardly visible in nearby Hong Kong and Singapore and yet the flow of vehicles is smooth and orderly, Atienza pointed out as he raised the issue or driver discipline in these cities.

The Land Transportation Franchise Review Board, said Atienza, is also to blame for the widespread colorum buses plying city roads. He said the LTFRB keeps granting franchises to buses more than city roads can bear. The LTFRB, Atienza added, is also not enforcing the rule against provincial buses from entering Metro Manila .

The former three-term Manila mayor said provincial buses should unload their passengers at the boundaries of Metro Manila where they can transfer to city buses and public utility jeepneys. Instead, these provinces buses have been granted permits to even con-

struct terminals right within the city.

Atienza pointed to the bus terminal of Laguna bus company JAM which was allowed to have a terminal right at the corner of busy Buendia andTaft Avenue . The result is traffic backed up all the way to Osmeña Highway.

Opening up the main road in gated communities in Metro Manila is not also the solution, Atienza said. These people bought their homes in the upscale neighborhod at a high cost to have a less polluted air emitted by the sheer volume of motor vehicles in roads and streets outside their gated community. The children of the homeowners in these gated communities are also more confident their children who sometimes play on the streets would be safe from reckless public utility drivers.

The sale of motor vehicles, according to the Department of Trade, went down by 4 percent in the last quarter .

This was not due to the number coding scheme of the Metro Manila Development Authority. Nor it is the hopeless Metro Rail Transport Line 3 suddenly becoming efficient overnight. The decrease in the number of vehicles sold was due to the increase in the excise tax levied on sales.

A livable city is something close to Atienza’s heart. A native Manilan, he agrees with American Chamber of Commerce president John Forbes’ observation that traffic in the country’s urban areas has become unbearable and Metro Manila consequently uninhabitable..

While Atienza appreciates the Administration’s construction of elevated highways in the metropolis, he urged that these infrastructure projects be fast forwarded from work in progress to work completed before the end of President Duterte’s term.

Cebu SO I SEE LITO BANAYO TODAY or tomorrow, depending on flight arrangements from Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan to Tuguegarao in Cagayan, and from there to Abulug in the northern part of the province, the remains of Melody Albano Castro will be brought to her home.

Melody is the 28-year-old caregiver who was one of the tragic victims of the massive earthquake that hit Hualien in the eastern seaboard of Taiwan, the only Filipino casualty at that. She returns to Abulug some eight or nine days since her body was discovered, having been pinned down by a cabinet at the height of the close-to-midnight tremor that shook Hualien and caused liquefaction of the ground upon which the building stood.

She was the sole breadwinner in a family where her husband was paralyzed in a vehicular accident some four years back, leaving a six-year old daughter orphaned. Her father is a marginal farmer in Abulug. Her death was thus such a tragic loss for her loved ones.

We at the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, along with the labor and welfare officers who rushed to Hualien the morning after the midnight quake, were all hoping against hope that she would yet be found alive.

On the morning of Day Two, our hopes were boosted when several occupants of the building were rescued alive, albeit injured and traumatized. The Hualien and Taiwan government as well as volunteer groups worked feverishly, hampered by strong aftershocks that caused the affected buildings to tilt precariously more.

Melody’s lifeless body was found at half past five in the afternoon, some 41 hours after the 6.4 intensity earthquake. By six that evening, our staff made phone contact with her father in Cagayan to relay the sad news.

While the life of a person, a poor Filipina OFW at that can never be measured in terms of whatever benefits her family would receive, we are thankful for the immediate assurances coming from the Department of Labor and Employment under Secretary Bebot Bello and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration under Administrator Hans Cacdac that despite Melody’s inability to renew her OWWA membership, her family would get all the benefits the law could provide. The DFA also assured us that repatriation costs would be borne by them. The employer and the recruitment agency, as well as the Pilipino Manpower Association in Tai-

wan solicitously assisted. The mayor of Hualien and the Ministry of Labor, as well as business groups in Taiwan and the Philippines, immediately responded in gestures of humanitarian and charitable concern.

Particularly touching was the offer of amount by a businessman-friend who wants to remain anonymous which he phoned in to me while I was in Cebu awaiting the President’s arrival to inaugurate a “Malasakit” center at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital.

The most maddening problem to an occasional visitor is the traffic situation.

But then again, nothing could really compensate the loss of a human life in a sudden and unexpected act of Mother Nature. We are relieved that the kind of cruelty experienced by our OFW in Kuwait which got the President so justifiably incensed did not happen to our kababayans in friendly Taiwan. *** I have always been overly fond of Cebu. At an early age, the passenger vessels we would take for Butuan would dock here to unload passengers and huge volumes of cargo. The furlough would allow us to savor the good food in downtown Cebu which were within walking distance from the pier.

Cebu has good feng shui, my halfChinese mother would always say.

Even during the worst economic crises of the country, it survived with little damage. Its people are industrious and friendly. They know what value-for-money means. They are not spendthrifts but they are not too frugal, either.

I have seen it grow through the years, from the sixties to the present. From the downtown pantalan to the reclamation, to the growth of its “uptown” which eventually became downtown when the former airport in Lahug was privatized and became a mixed-use area, while sadly, it’s old and historic Cebu around Colon, the oldest street in the Philippines, turned seedy and decayed. I have witnessed how neighboring Mandaue and Lapu-lapu, and even Talisay and Consolacion burgeoned into thriving economies.

But success has brought problems, and the most maddening to an occasional visitor is the traffic situation.

The trip from the airport to Lahug on

Sunday evening was pretty quick, but the trip from uptown Cebu to Mactan International Airport took close to an hour. Sure it was raining, but even on sun-drenched days, I have been through similar if not worse traffic.

It’s just that the roads built through time were not wide enough for the vehicular volume and the population explosion. A staff member of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas told me that he is no longer bothered by the traffic on Edsa each time he comes to NCR. Years ago he could not stand our metropolis; experiencing similar gridlock now in the narrow streets of Metro-Cebu has desensitized him to the traffic in Metro Manila.

Mega-Cebu needs a new rail masstransport system quickly. The President, whose paternal forebears are from Cebu, should see to its fruition during his term.

You cannot widen the roads. You can only do so much more expensive reclamation upon which to put up a peripheral road network. The soon-to-be-built South Reclamation to Cordoba road will ease the volume of pass-throughCebu traffic from Talisay and southwards direct to the airport, but it clearly is not enough.

Cebu is choking with vehicles both private and commuter. A World Bankapproved Bus Rapid Transit system will only compound the traffic, because it would dedicate two lanes for exclusive use of the BRT. Doing mental calculations of the passenger volume vis-àvis the bus capacities and the time and motion intervals required would show it is not at all workable. It would be a sheer waste of money, loanable through a sovereign guarantee of the national government.

I passed by Escario St. from Lahug to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital. It is a four-lane road which would effectively become single lane contraptions coming and going. What if a vehicle is stalled on one lane? That would tie up traffic in knots because the dedicated BRT lanes cannot be utilized.

When I passed Escario the other day, several fire trucks were rushing to some fire somewhere. How would that be if you only had a lane upon which to pass? Or think of emergency situations, ambulances perhaps.

If we can do a subway system to connect QC through Mandaluyong and Makati to Taguig and the southern bus terminal, thence to the airport, why not a similar subway system for Cebu?

If Boracay, which the President has labeled a cesspool, is choking from over-construction and wastewater pollution, Cebu, also a premier tourist destination and business hub, is now choking from sheer population density and unplanned carrying capacity.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 A6 Standard TODAY Manila

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate okays proposal abolishing Road Board

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill that would abolish the Road Board and transfer the management of the road user’s tax to the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation to streamline the bureaucracy and improve delivery of services to commuters.

Sherwin Gatchalian, the bill’s co-sponsor.

Pacquiao said the bill, once approved, would effectively abolish the Road Board created under Republic Act 8794, and would affect “the manner in which the collection of monies from all motor vehicle owners and its distribution would be carried out.”

The Road Board was mandated to “implement the prudent and efficient management and utilization of special funds,” including the Motor Vehicle User’s Charge collected under RA 8794.

Under the new bill, Pacquiao said the management of the funds would be transferred to the DPWH and the DOTr, and that all funds collected under the existing law “should be deposited to special trust ac-

Senate Bill No. 1620 was authored and sponsored by Senator Manny Pacquiao, chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Works, and was passed with 18 affirmative votes, no negative votes and no abstentions.

“It is high time to abolish the Road Board to further right-size the government and appropriate the agency’s funds directly to the implementing agencies, the DPWH and the DOTr, to best deliver the services to which the road user’s tax is rightfully allocated, as prescribed by law,” Pacquiao said.

Apart from Pacquiao, SBN 1620 was co-authored by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joseph Victor Ejercito, and

counts in the national treasury.”

“One major difference between the old law and this proposed legislation is the distribution of collected funds into these special trust accounts. We deem it proper to highlight the need to support local and city roads,” he said.

Under the proposed bill, MVUC collections would be distributed under the following: Special Road Support Fund (80 percent), the Special Local Road Fund (5 percent), the Special Road Safety Fund (7.5 percent) and the Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund (7.5 percent).

“The Special Road Support Fund, the Special Local Road Fund and the Special Road Safety Fund will be under the DPWH, while the Special Vehicle Pollution Control Fund will be under the DOTr,” he added.

According to Pacquiao, the bill would also require the DPWH and DOTr to submit annually a report on the utilization of the MVUC, “provided that there shall be pre-audit and post-audit rules for the prevention, improper application, and disallowance of illegal, irregular, extravagant, excessive, unconscionable and unnecessary use” of the tax fund.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION

MANDALUYONG CITY

that certain land situated in City of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines bounded and described as follows:

OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF

BATAAN SHIPYARD & ENGINEERING COMPANY INC. (BASECO) 967 A. Maceda St., Sampaloc, Manila INVITATION TO BID BASECO, through the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) invites interested parties/suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the procurement of two(2) motor vehicles with the following minimum specifications: a. Gasoline Engine displacement not exceeding 1500 cc b. At least seven (7) seat capacity c. Automatic transmission d. Overall (4,190 x 1,660 x 1,695) Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P2,200,000.00. The BAC is conducting the public bidding in accordance with Republic Act No. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

The schedule of procurement activities are shown below: Activities 1. Issuance of Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Submission & Opening of Bids

Date & Time February 13, 2018 to March 5, 2018 February 21, 2018 2:00 p.m.

March 5, 2018 2:00 p.m.

Place 967 A. Maceda St., Sampaloc, Manila

Bidders shall pay a non-refundable fee of P5,000.00 for the Bidding Documents.

BASECO hereby reserves the right to reject any or all bids, declare failure of bidding or not to award the contract without disclosing any reason, to waive any minor defects of infirmities therein, and to accept such bids as may be advantageous to BASECO. For particulars, please contact BASECO thru Ms. Michelle Pobre, telephone no. 5437864.

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

“A parcel of Land (Lot 20, Block No. 11, of the cons. subd. Plan Pcs-2473 being a portion of the consolidation BPI FAMILY SAVINGS BANK, INC. of lots Nos. 1,6,7,8,9 & 10 Block 340; Mortgagee, Lot Nos. 4.5.6.9. to 21, incl., 23 & 24, Lots Nos. 1 & 3 to 20 incl., Block -versus342; lot nos. 2,3, & 4, Block 343; Lot File No. FRE-MC18-1000 No. 5, Block No. 344; lot No. 3, block For: “Extra-Judicial Foreclosure of Real 345; lot 2 to 7 incl. Block No. 346; Lot Estate Mortgage Under Act No. Nos. 9,10,11,13 & 14, described on 3135, As amended by 4118” plan psd-3188; lot 2-b, Block No. 342; SPOUSES ROLANDO Y. PADAOAN described on plan psd-8550; lot no.

AND LINDA AVILES A.K.A. LINDA 1-5, Block No. 343, described on plan A. PADAOAN psd-18249; Block…” is registered in Mortgagors, x-----------------------------------------x accordance with the provision of the property Registration Decree in the NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE name of ROLANDO Y. PADAOAN, of legal age, Filipino, married to LINDA Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale AVILES, Filipino with postal address under act 3135 as amended by Act at No. 353 Wayan St., Mandaluyong, 4118 filed by BPI FAMILY SAVINGS Metro Manila xxx BANK, INC., Mortgagee, against SPOUSES ROLANDO Y. PADAOAN “In the event the public auction AND LINDA AVILES A.K.A. LINDA should not take place on the said A. PADAOAN, Mortgagors with postal date, it shall be held on April 12, address at Lot 20, Blk. 11, No. 353 2018 or soon thereafter without Wayan St., Barangka, Mandaluyong further notice.”

City, to satisfy the mortgaged indebtedness which as of December Prospective bidders or buyers are 13, 2017, amounts to FOUR hereby enjoined to investigate for HUNDRED NINETEEN THOUSAND themselves the title of the said real NINETEEN THOUSAND NINETY property and the encumbrances THREE & 71/100 (Php 419, 093.71) thereon, if any there be.

ONLY Philippine Currency, inclusive Mandaluyong City, Philippines, of interest, penalty charges and February 12, 2018. expenses incidental thereto, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong (Sgd.) ATTY. ERWIN N. BARATA or his duly authorized deputy will Clerk of Court VI & Ex-Officio Sheriff sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH (Sgd.) CRISPIN D. SADIA, JR. Sheriff IV OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on March 23, WARNING: 2018 at 9:00 A.M. or soon thereafter It is absolutely prohibited to remove, in front of the main entrance of the deface, or destroy this Notice of Hall of Justice Building, Maysilo Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Circle, Mandaluyong City, the Auction Sale under penalty of the law. following condominium unit with all Copy Furnished: the improvements existing thereon to wit: 1) BPI FAMILY SAVING BANK, INC. Dela Rosa St., corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE - 47326 2) SPOUSES ROLANDO Y. PADAOAN Registry of Deeds – Pasig, AND LINDA A. PADAOAN Metro Manila Lot 20, Blk. 11, No. 353 Wayan St., Barangka, Mandaluyong City IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED (MS-Feb. 14, 21 & 28, 2018)

INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS

IB No.

Name of Contract

ABC (PHP)

IB No. 2018072

Procurement of 16GB Tablet (Black)

11,496,000.00

25,000.00

IB No. 2018081

Consolidation of DOH Network Security Infrastructure for DOH Public Server

20,000,000.00

25,000.00

TOTAL

Single Largest Completed Contract Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the ABC.

By Ben Cal THE Philippines is practically “sitting on a mountain of gold,” with untapped hydrocarbon deposits estimated at US$26.3 trillion, mostly found in the disputed Spratly chain of islands—more than enough to free the country from the shackles of poverty, a retired Air Force general said in a thesis for an advanced course he took while still in active service.

The oil deposits have been there for centuries, yet have remained untouched despite the potential to produce a thousand barrels of oil a day, said Retired Brig. Gen. Eldon G. Nemenzo, a pilot and former deputy commander of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force based in Zamboanga City.

“This is sad because these oil deposits could have been tapped for the economic development of the country,” said Nemenzo, who made thorough research on the subject as his thesis when he took the advanced course at the Command and Staff College of the PAF in Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

“If finally tapped, the Philippines would not have to import expensive oil. In fact, the country would be an exporter of oil products and at the same time answer the unabated rising of gasoline prices almost every week,” he added.

The retired airman said the vast oil reserves of the Philippines are found in various parts of the archipelago, specifically the

Request foR expRession of inteRest foR Procurement of Consultancy Services for Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design of the Quirino Provincial Convention Center (QPCC) Contract No. PB-CS-2018-001

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2018 intends to apply the sum of Thirty One Million Four Hundred Ninety Six Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP31,496,000.00) for the projects listed below. Bids received in excess of each ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening: Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

‘$26.3 trillion of untapped oil reason to upgrade Air Force’

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

1.

TOXIC LOVE. Students from Manila Science High School stage an advocacy pageant dubbed ‘Miss Toxic Pretty 2018’ in collaboration with the EcoWaste Coalition to promote critical reflection and thinking on the purchase and use of personal care and cosmetic products. Norman Cruz

February 14,2018 1.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the General Fund-PGO(5-02-11-030 & Pre-Constructionintends to apply the sum of P6,100,000.00 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for PB-CS-2018-001 Procurement of Consultancy Services for Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design of the Quirino Provincial Convention Center (QPCC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

2.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now calls for the submission ofeligibility documents for Procurement of Consultancy Services for Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design of the Quirino Provincial Convention Center (QPCC). Eligibility documents of interested consultants must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat on or before February 21, 2018, 2:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino.

Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/ fail” criterion.

31,496,000.00

2.

The DOH now invites Bids from eligible Bidders for the procurement of the above-caption projects. Delivery of the Goods is required within the specified period under Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the specified years from the date of submission and receipt of bids a contracts similar to each of the above-cited procurement projects stated in the Bidding Documents. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

3.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirinoand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on February 14, 2018 to March 12, 2018 from the address belowand upon payment of P6, 000.00.

5.

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of Three (3) prospective bidders who will be entitled to submit bids. BAC shall evaluate the Eligibility of prospective bidders using Quality Based Evaluation:

4.

5.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg.

6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 14 February 2018 – 07 March 2018 from the address above and upon payment of an applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB in the amount specified above.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) provided that Bidders who are interested to participate shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

7.

Applicable Experience of Consultant Qualification of personnel to be assigned to the job (education, work experience, number of years in firm, etc.)

Current workload relative to capacity

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference and the Submission and Opening of Bids at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall be opened to all interested parties on the schedule given below: IB No.

Name of Contract

IB No. 2018-072

Procurement of 16GB Tablet (Black)

IB No. 2018-081

Consolidation of DOH Network Security Infrastructure for DOH Public Server

Activity (Date & Time) Submission and Pre-bidding Conference Opening of Bids 21 February 2018; 10:00 AM

6.

07 March 2018; 09:00 AM

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat at the address stated below. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

9.

The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and it IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC B Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

(SGD) MARIA ROSARIO S. VERGEIRE, MD, MPH, CESO IV Assistant Secretary of Health COBAC –B Chairperson

30%

-

50% 20%

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

7.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality Based Evaluation/ Selection (QBE/QBS) procedure. . The criteria for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

8.

The contract shall be completed within 180 Calendar Days.

9.

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

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

-

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Dencio A. Pagbilao Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee +639175007275 (MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

(SGD) ENGR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO BAC Chairman

Reed Bank —the largest of them all—and the Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands called by the Philippines as the Kalayaan Island Group.

“The Philippines is like a blind beggar sitting on a mountain of gold. Within the country’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone are potential recoverable hydrocarbon deposits worth an estimated US$26.3 trillion. This is more than enough to lift the country from the centuries-long morass of poverty and underdevelopment,” Nemenzo said.

The huge untapped oil deposits of the country may have attracted other nations like China and the United States to this God-given mineral, he noted.

China has been aggressively constructing infrastructures in the Spratlys, apparently to lay claim to these contested chain of islands also claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.

In his research, Nemenzo found out that the amount of hydrocarbon deposits in the country could be more than the trillions he estimated, following the recent discovery of oil reserves in the Sulu-Celebes Sea, which is within Philippine territory.

The data Nemenzo gathered are supported by findings from other sources, including a report by China’s Ministry of Geology and Mineral Resources, that the oil deposits in the Spratlys could reach 17.1 billion barrels.

Duterte: No political color in financial assistance for LGUs

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday assured all local government units they will get a fair share in terms of financial assistance or infrastructure programs under his administration, regardless of their political affiliation.

Speaking before a crowd during the launching of the Malasakit Center at the hospital in Cebu, Duterte said he has instructed Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to give financial assistance to local government officials the same way other LGU officials who belong to the administration party have.

“I told Diokno to give them all. I don’t care what party they belong to,” Duterte said.

“If there’s anything I can really do for you, personally or if you want my intervention in your governance, you’ve found funds hard to get or your money’s lacking, just tell us,” he added.

The President stressed that his priority is to fulfill his campaign promises to the people, such as eliminating corruption and illegal drugs, maintaining peace and order, and forging lasting peace in Mindanao.

Duterte also insisted he is not interested in politicking, more so in extending his term.

MWSS to unveil legacy project AS PART of the celebration of its 140 years, the Metropolitan and Waterworks Sewerage System will be unveiling one of its landmark projects—a Multi-Purpose Hall, a 775-square meter gymnasium designed for basketball enthusiasts and fans.

The hall funded by Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Co., the concessionaires of MWSS, can seat around 250 people.

According to MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco, the hall is part of his mandate of creating a professional and energized workforce to serve the people.

“This Multi-Purpose hall brings together our leaders, employees and staff for unity, camaraderie and teamwork,” Velasco said. “I would like to thank Maynilad and Manila Water for their generous support in making this happen.”

Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito IN THE photo caption S. Fernandez said: “This Multi-Purpose Hall “Final cleanup” on Page 6, is our contribution to our people in ensuring Feb. 13, 2018 issue of Mathat they stay fit and healthy to serve Metro nila Standard (both print Manila and our nearby provinces.” and online), the name of Manila Water president and CEO Fer- the company should read dinand M. Dela Cruz added: “We also take “KARCHER”, and not pride in contributing to this project because it KARCHRE. We regret serves as one of our legacy programs for this the typographical error. generation and the next to come.”

ERRATUM

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Standard

TODAY

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

High hopes for 3 PSL teams H

OPES are high on Generika-Ayala, Sta. Lucia Realty and Foton as they parade new mentors in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix starting this Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Best Player of the Game Narayan Das Javier (19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) played the best game of his UNTV Cup career to lift the Malacañang-PSC Kamao past the twice-to-beat advantaged NHA Builders at the Pasig City Sports Complex in the semifinal round of the League of Public Servants, UNTV Cup.

Kamao, Defenders stay in hunt for finals’ berth MALACAÑANG-PSC Kamao turned the tables on the NHA Builders in the fourth quarter en route to a 86-82 overtime win Sunday in the semifinals of the League of Public Servants, UNTV Cup. The Builders were in control of the game, until the President’s men took the lead in the early part of the 4th, 63-62, banking on the rally led by Javier brothers Narayan and Visnu, who combined for 37 points, along with the support of Eric Dela Cuesta, John Michael Jimenez, Joseph Besa, Ian Garrido and Roverick Abalos.

The game went into overtime at 76-all, with the Builders failing to keep at pace with the Kamao.

The NHA Builders were led

by Alvin Vitug (24 points), Waldemart Tibay (17 points) and Antonio Lustestica (11 points).

As the NHA Builders have a twice-to-beat advantage, their next game with the Malacañang-

Games on Sunday

(No Final Venue yet) 3:00 p.m. AFP VS Senate 4:30 p.m. NHA VS Malacañang-PSC

PSC Kamao on Sunday will be a sudden death one offering a UNTV Cup championship slot to the victor.

Meanwhile, the Senate Defenders overwhelmed the AFP Cavaliers, 74 – 64.

The younger and more dynamic Defenders were in control much of the game, led by ex-pro Jeffry Sanders and the hotshooting Garri Sevilla.

Sanders and Sevilla were hailed as the Best Players of the Game with a combined 25 points to lead the team in defeating the two-time champion, AFP Cavaliers.

With the win, the Defenders will try again to defeat the AFP Cavaliers for a chance to play at the Araneta Coliseum for the UNTV Cup Season 6 Finals.

Mirai Nagasu’s incredible feat THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE

I DIGRESS from my usual coverage of horseracing to an unabashed fangirl squealing over Mirai Nagasu’s flawless execution of a triple axel in Pyeongchang.

Nagasu landed the jump in the initial stages of her free skating program held at the Gangneung Ice

Arena on Feb. 12.

The reason for scheduling the triple axel that early on, she said, was so that she would have “fresh legs” for the attempt.

After successfully landing the jump, she skated the rest of the program with ease and delight, effortlessly landing a triple salchow, double axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop, and triple lutz-triple toe loop, among other figures.

Nagasu is the first American woman to land the difficult jump in the Olympics and the third woman to do so behind Japan’s Midori Ito in 1992 and Mao Asada in 2010. Nagasu is also the third American woman to perform the triple axel in international competition after Tonya Harding in 1991 and Kimmie Meissner in 2005.

Note the long gaps in time in between each skater’s achievement —that shows what a tremendous achievement landing a triple axel is for a female skater. One reason for the difficulty is that the jump starts with a forward takeoff and not the usual backward takeoff for other jumps.

What’s even more interesting about Nagasu’s story is that she was not selected to join Team USA for Sochi 2014, even after finishing third in the 2014 US Figure Skating Championships. In a controversial decision, she was passed over in favor of the fourth place finisher Ashley Wagner. It seemed that authorities at the time also failed to give weight to Nagasu’s fourth place finish in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Nevertheless, she persisted. She focused on perfecting her triple axel, made the US team this time around, and convincingly vindicated herself with a stellar performance in Pyeongchang that helped elevate the US skating team’s scores enough for them to earn bronze. *** Figure skating might be the most popular sport for spectators of the Winter Olympics. Even folks who do not understand the sport’s technicalities can appreciate the artistry and grace of the skaters, who combine dancing with enormous physical strength and control.

My favorite Olympic skate program of all time is Oksana Baiul’s short program at Lillehammer 1994. Dressed as the Black Swan, she skated to Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Her background in classical ballet was evident as she executed jumps, spins, and gestures with a dancer’s finesse. Only 16 at the time, she is, up to now, Ukraine’s only gold medalist at the Games.

Baiul won narrowly over the US. A’s Nancy Kerrigan for the gold that time, and it was her artistry that gave her the edge, said the judges.

While Kerrigan executed more technically difficult jumps, she did so with the grace of a robot. Baiul, on the other hand, danced a 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ ballet on ice and turned in an unforgettable performance.

00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M *** Dr. Ortuoste is a writer DIGITS 0-0-0-0 and communications consultant. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and @ DIGITS 0-0-0 DrJennyO, Twitter: @gogirlracing and @ EZ2 0-0 jennyortuoste

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 6/45 4 3 2

After failing to advance to the semifinals last year, the Lifesavers would be marching as dark horses after tapping Sherwin Meneses as new head coach in this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, Senoh, Grand Sport and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

Meneses, an assistant coach when Ateneo de Manila won a couple of titles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, would be making his de-

but after replacing national team mentor Francis Vicente, who opted to focus on coaching University of the East in the UAAP. He would be assisted by former Iriga City mentor Parley Tupas with Katarina Pilepic of Croatia, Kimberly Gutierrez of Mexico and Darlene Ramdin of Trinidad and Tobago as imports and Angeli Araneta, Ria Meneses, Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain filling the local front.

On the same note, a mentor with rich championship experi-

ence will be at the helm for the Lady Realtors in this tourney that also has Island Rose and LGR as official suppliers.

George Pascua, the architect of Petron’s 13-0 sweep of the AllFilipino Conference in 2015, will handle Sta. Lucia after Jerry Yee decided to join a new team in another league.

Pascua, who is also the mentor of Far Eastern University, immediately put on his magic touch as he recruited veterans Michelle Laborte and Rubie de Leon while retaining MJ Philips, Rebecca Rivera, Pamela Lastimosa and Jonah Sabete to join imports Marisa Field and Kristen Moncks of Canada and Bohdana Anisova of Ukraine.

“We want to see Micmic (Laborte) and Rubie mentoring

Republika ng Pilipinas

Republika ng Pilipinas

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Regional Office No. III

Office Address Telephone Nos. Website

: : :

our young players,” said Pascua, who is eyeing no less than a semifinal finish in this battle that will formally kick off with formal ceremonies at the Sta. Rosa City Sports Complex on Feb. 24.

“We have a promising young setter in Rebecca while MJ might see a lot of minutes at the middle with the presence of the imports.

So I want to see Rubie and Micmic take these young players under their wings.”

Foton also made some key changes in its bench personnel.

An assistant coach for Philips Gold before blossoming into a three-time champion in the other league, Rommel Abella was brought in by the Tornadoes after noted Serbian coach Moro Branislav joined Cocolife.

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467,766-4839,816-6808 www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Regional Office No. III

Email Address:nia03@yahoo.com Telefax No.: (044) 766-2467 TIN No.: 000-979-570-000

Office Address Telephone Nos. Website

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467,766-4839,816-6808 www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Email Address:nia03@yahoo.com Telefax No.: (044) 766-2467 TIN No.: 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Improvement of Canal and Various Irrigation Facilities of NMC-LMD#1, Lateral C-Extra (UMD), Lateral B –LMD # 1, Lateral C-3-A, Lateral C-Extra, Lateral B (UMD-SS), Lateral A (UMD-SS), Lateral A (UMD-NS) and Lateral A-1 (UMD-NS), Candaba, Pampanga ITB No. NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-10 1. The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested PhilGEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of Seventy Six Million Four Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Eight Hundred Twenty Three Pesos and 66/100 (P 76,463,823.66) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-10. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of Eighty Five Million Two Hundred Sixteen Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Three Pesos and 28/100 ( P 85,216,273.28) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-12. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

3. Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding

3

Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Improvement of Canal and Various Irrigation Facilities of NMC-LMD#1, Lateral C-Extra (UMD), Lateral B –LMD # 1, Lateral C-3-A, Lateral C-Extra, Lateral B (UMD-SS), Lateral A (UMD-SS), Lateral A (UMD-NS) and Lateral A-1 (UMD-NS), Candaba, Pampanga. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for (AMRIS) Dredging of Bitukang Manok Creek, Improvement of North Main Canal Baliwag and Repair/Rehab of Lateral D. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

5.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

5.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 8, 2018 to February 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday February 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Seventy Thousand Pesos (P 70,000.00).

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 08, 2018 to February 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and February 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Seventy Thousand Pesos (P 70,000.00).

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 15, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

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

Invitation to Bid (AMRIS) Dredging of Bitukang Manok Creek, Improvement of North Main Canal and Repair/ Rehab of Lateral D ITB No. NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-12

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 15, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

9.

9.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

10

All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

11

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR. 11.

12. For further information, please refer to:

For further information, please refer to:

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608 (SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman

(SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC - Chairperson

Noted by:

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

Noted by: JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

Republika ng Pilipinas

Republika ng Pilipinas

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Regional Office No. III

Office Address Telephone Nos. Website

: : :

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467,766-4839,816-6808 www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Regional Office No. III

Email Address:nia03@yahoo.com Telefax No.: (044) 766-2467 TIN No.: 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid (AMRIS) Improvement of Lateral C, C-2, C-2-A, C-2-B, C-2-C, and C-2-0, Candaba Area ITB No. NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-13

Office Address Telephone Nos. Website

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467,766-4839,816-6808 www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Email Address:nia03@yahoo.com Telefax No.: (044) 766-2467 TIN No.: 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Replacement of Pumps, Motors & Control Panel of ANBUSPA and BUSPAN, Bustos, Bulacan ITB No. NIAR3-2018-BUL-BUSPAN & ANBUSPA-11

1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of Thirty Three Million Two Hundred Fifteen Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy Nine Pesos and 45/100 ( P 33,215,979.45) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2018-BUL-AMRIS-13. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of Fifty Eight Million Eight Hundred Twenty Three Thousand One Hundred Pesos (P 58,823,100.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2018-BUL-BUSPAN & ANBUSPA-11. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

3.

Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding

3.

Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for (AMRIS) Improvement of Lateral C, C-2, C-2-A, C-2-B, C-2-c, and C-2-0, Candaba Area. Completion of the Works is required within Two Hundred Seventy (270) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Replacement of Pumps, Motors & Control Panel of ANBUSPA and BUSPAN, Bustos, Bulacan. Completion of the Works is required within Two Hundred Forty (240) calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

5.

5.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

6.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 08, 2018 to February 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and February 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Seventy Thousand Pesos (P 70,000.00).

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on February 8, 2018 to February 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday February 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Eight Thousand Pesos (P 58,000.00).

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

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 15, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

8.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 15, 2018, 3:00 p.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

9.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

1.

All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of February 28, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

11.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8.

9.

12. For further information, please refer to:

11.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

12. For further information, please refer to:

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

(SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman

Noted by: JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR.

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

Noted by:

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager

(SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC - Chairperson

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Sports

US Chloe Kim competes in run 3 of the women’s snowboard halfpipe final event at the Phoenix Park during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. AFP

Wild finish looms as TCC golf unfolds STA. ROSA, Laguna—One less of the best of the best, the elite cast slugs it out beginning today (Wednesday—all aiming for a hot start and the momentum in what promises to be an explosive launch to the new ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour season—the P5 million The Country Club Invitational at the TCC course here.

The former champions, save for one, and the top players from last year’s PGT Order of Merit ranking are all here, eager to test not only each other’s shotmaking and putting skills but also the exacting course in pursuit of one of the most coveted championships in Philippine golf.

Miguel Tabuena sees another wild finish the way it was last year when he pooled a wind-blown 13-over 301 total and snatched a one-stroke victory after three-time champion Juvic Pagunan fumbled with a bogey on the 72nd hole for his first TCC crown.

“TCC’s only defense is the wind, which creates a lot of problems for us,” said Tabuena, bracing for another grueling four-day battle of wits at the Tom Weiskoph-designed layout, which underwent a major facelift in 2015-16.

It’s a virtual mano-a-mano right from the start with the 30 players divided in twosomes, headed by the explosive match-ups between Angelo Que and Tony Lascuña, Frankie Miñoza and Tabuena, and Clyde Mondilla and Jhonnel Ababa.

Pagunsan, meanwhile, begged off at the last minute, complaining of noiseinduced hearing loss following a stint at the firing range.

Still, the depth of the field remains as talent-laden as ever and the chase for the top P1.5 million purse is expected to go down to the last shot or putt with the lesser-fancied but equally talented players all raring to prove their worth in the 72-hole championship put up by ICTSI president and chairman Ricky Razon in 2003 to honor the memory of his father and ICTSI founder Don Pocholo.

They include Micah Shin of the US, veterans Jay Bayron and Elmer Salvador, American Nicolas Paez, Japanese Toru Nakajima, and Dutch Guido Van der Valk along with young guns Keanu Jahns, Jobim Carlos and Ira Alido.

“Nobody is a sure bet to win here. The course is long and tough and the greens are so sleek and undulating. It would require a solid game overall to score and contend,” said Lascuna.

4 teams try to keep heads above water

By Jeric Lopez

T

EAMS in danger of getting booted out plunge to action as they are expected to fight dearly for their tournament lives in the resumption of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Norman Black.

Phoenix (4-4) will try to Only the top eight move its way up and keep Games Today (Araneta Coliseum) teams will advance to in step with teams above it, 4:30 Phoenix vs Meralco the quarterfinals, while while Meralco (2-6) is in 7 p.m. TNT vs GlobalPort the bottom four will be desperation mode and badly eliminated. needs a win to keep its hopes Among these four teams playing, only alive as the teams test each other out at 4:30 Phoenix is coming off a win in its last game p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The nightcap is equally as important as after it squeaked past TNT, 74-72, last week. inconsistent teams TNT KaTropa (4-5) and Meanwhile, fan voting for the PBA AllGlobalPort (3-4) also need victories to help Star spectacle begins this week to detertheir sagging chances of making the top mine the players suiting up in the annual eight when they face each other at 7 p.m. event this coming May. All four teams are currently in the lower The balloting formally opens simultahalf of the ladder and they are very much neously through online and at the various aware that a win or a loss at this point can playing venue on Friday. go a long way and might eventually dictate Voting will briefly end after the semifinals their fate ahead. of the Philippine Cup, but resumes thereaf“We’re not yet in panic mode yet, but at ter through the first week of the elimination this point, there’s no room for much error as round of the Commissioner’s Cup. well,” said TNT coach Nash Racela.

The mid-season classic goes island-hopping “I’m anxious with where we are at but it’s again this year with Luzon, Visayas, and Mindstill a fair game. We still have control,” said anao hosting a leg each from May 23 to 27.

Phoenix coach Louie Alas.

This marks the second straight time the “We’re back to the league will tour around Luzon, Visayas, drawing board. That’s and Mindanao for the All-Star week folhow we’re taking it. lowing the tremendous success of the It’s been a tough conference for us but we still have a chance,” added Meralco coach

TENIELLE Madis sustained her fierce form while Jay Balaoing matched the young Mlang, Cotabato bet’s two-title feat as they shared the MVP honors in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Dangcagan leg age-group tennis tournament in Bukidnon last Monday.

Madis clipped Jilian Manangking, 6-0, 6-1, in the girls’ 12-and-under finals then trounced Angela Buyante, 6-3, 6-1, to nail the 14-U plum, duplicating her exploits in the Cagayan de Oro stop of the circuit sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented

by Slazenger two weeks ago.

Balaoing also came away with a pair of lopsided victories, beating Andre Sing twice to claim the boys’ 14-U (7-5, 6-1) and

16-U (6-1, 6-2) titles in the Group 2 tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and Dunlop as official ball.

Other winners in the third leg of this year’s nationwide circuit sanctioned by Unified the Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, were Jazzelle Madis, also of Mlang, Cotabato, Ivy Poliquit of Maramag, Bukidnon, Jyle Martinez of Digos City, Reyman Saldivar Jr. of Kabacan, Cotabato and Ivory Malinis, also of Maramag.

“Tennielle Madis’ back-to-back sweep of two titles impresses us the most and we hope to produce more of her kind and that of Balaoing plus the other emerging stars through our year-long, nationwide talent-

search,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Jazzelle Madis trampled Andrea Buyante, 6-1, 6-1, for the girls’ 18-U plum; Poliquit held off Angela Buyante, 6-2, 7-5, for the 16-U title; Martinez crushed Bruce Hurtado, 6-4, 6-1, for the boys’ 18-U crown; Saldivar routed Michael Buyante, 6-2, 6-0, for the boys’ 12-U diadem; and Malinis swept Jose Palo, 4-0, 4-2, for the 10-unisex crown.

Balaoing actually ended up with three titles as the Koronadal City ace teamed up with Hurtado to whip siblings Vince and Yvu Dandasan, 8-2, for the 18-U doubles title. Ashley Asok and Poliquit took the girls’ crown with a tough 8-7(5) victory over Andrea and Angela Buyante.

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea— American teenager Chloe Kim and Austrian ski ace Marcel Hirscher triumphantly lit up the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics Tuesday as the Games were hit by their first doping scandal.

Seventeen-year-old Kim snatched a st u n n i ng gold med al i n t he women’s halfpipe snowboarding, while Hirscher’s long hunt for an Olympic title finally ended.

In the first doping case of the 2018 Games, 21-year-old short-track speed skater Kei Saito became the only Japanese ever to test positive at a Winter Olympics.

Austrian star Hirscher bagged an emotional Olympic gold at the age of 28 when he produced a brilliant slalom run to storm to a victory in the men’s alpine combined.

Hirscher has been the outstanding skier in his speciality for years with 55 career World Cup wins.

But one prize had always eluded him—an Olympic gold medal. His previous best was a slalom silver from Sochi four years ago.

After playing down his chances ahead of the race at blustery freezing Pyeongchang, this time he nailed it.

Making the best of a downhill run shortened because of blustery winds, he laid the foundations for victory.

Then he turned round and ran away with victory thanks to a stunning performance in his own speciality, the slalom.

After the race Hirscher said his career was complete.

“All the people expected me to win a gold medal, especially in Austria, my home country, where skiing is big,” he said.

For Chloe Kim, her debut Olympics turned golden as she romped to snowboarding halfpipe victory. Born in the United States to Korean parents, Kim burst into tears as the enormity of her achievement sunk in.

The teenager, who has melted the hearts of home fans in Pyeongchang thanks to her ever-ready smile and Korean heritage, justified her status as the hot favourite with an eye-popping top score of 98.25.

‘This one’s for Grams!’

Pumping her fists after finishing with back-to-back 1080 spins, Kim was serenaded by a pumped-up crowd chanting: “Chloe Kim, Chloe Kim!” “I’m a little overwhelmed,” she said, after composing herself.

Kim also revealed that her number one fan—her Seoul-based grandmother—had been in the crowd cheering her on. AFP

‘POC assembly will decide’

By Peter Atencio

Meralco still has a chance, says coach Norman Black.

same formula adopted last year when Gilas Pilipinas battled three All-Star teams, each parading players representing the three major islands in the country.

The Country Club president Chito Alarilla (center) poses with last year’s Philippine Golf Tour and Ladies LPGT Order of Merit winners Clyde Mondilla and Pauline del Rosario during the formal launch of the 2018 PGT, LPGT and PGT Asia season and Drive Magazine, the yearbook of the local circuit and ICTSI’s golf program, at the TCC yesterday.

Madis, Balaoing bag PPS most valuable player titles

Gold for Kim, Hirscher as doping case rocks games

THE General Assembly has the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of matters that concern Philippine sports.

That’s why internal issues concerning elections should be decided by its members.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said this after getting advise from the International Olympic Committee.

“It’s up to the General Assembly, which has full knowledge of such matters and has the interest in the future of Philippine sports.

It’s up to them to decide,” said Cojuangco.

The POC convenes the executive board on Thursday to discuss this, alongside the conduct of the looming elections.

The official representatives of national sports associations to the POC general assembly when it holds an extraordinary meeting on Feb. 19 will also be discussed on Thursday.

Once resolved, elections can then be held on Feb. 23.

Cojuangco spoke of his thoughts on radio after Pere Miro, IOC Director General for National Olympic Committee relations, advised the POC of its recommendation, saying that it is up to the POC general assembly and not the courts which should decide on internal issues concerning elections.

Adamson, UST seek 4th spot in semis LAST year, these two teams had the misfor- games last season, ended up with the same tune of missing out on a semifinals stint. This 7-7 win-loss record with the Tiger Cubs. year, one of them will return to the semis.

The Tiger Cubs, who are seeking a The Adamson Baby Falcons and the Uni- return to the semis after a five-year abversity of Santo Tomas Tiger sence and a botched attempt Cubs fight it out in a fourth seed last year, stayed in contention Game Today (Blue Eagle gym) playoff encounter at 10 a.m. today after they won over the Baby 10 a.m. UST vs Adamson Tams, 64-62. the Blue Eagle gym in Quezon.

The winner of the showdown Baby Falcons coach Mike will earn the fourth seeding and put them Fermin said the players are out to make a into the stepladder semis of the 80th Univer- statement in the playoff, and they already sity Athletic Association of the Philippines did, with Adam Doria great performance Junior Basketball Tournament. in their game with the Junior Archers.

After getting past the La Salle-Zobel Ju“They responded (to our challenge). nior Archers, 75-51, last Sunday in their last And (Adam) Doria had a breakout game. second-round assignment, the Baby Falcons, Ngayon, basta kami, preparado lang,” said who missed the semis after forfeiting 11 Fermin. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF

DoF rejects sale of Japan property

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he is not in favor of selling the Nampeidai property of the Philippines in Tokyo, Japan, saying it must be developed instead to economically benefit the government.

Dominguez said it would be better for the government to develop the property rather than sell it.

“The first step is really for the DFA [Department of Foreign Affairs] to come up with the plan. So I said ‘you come up with the plan on the development including underground parking etc. and please give it to us because we can finance it through an issuance of bonds,” Dominguez said at the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Philippines-Japan Joint Committee on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort in Mactan, Cebu over the weekend, Dominguez said the government could construct a five-story building which could be used by the Philippine embassy’s staff, and another building for the chancery.

“I think if we have property in other countries and they are suitable for embassies, we should develop it for our own use rather than sell it. Because we are going to be there anyway forever and we might as well own our building and save from rentals,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Business Manila

Standard

TODAY

RCBC BANKARD’S AWARD. RCBC

Bankard reaps another international accolade for its outstanding credit card products, this time during the 5th International Finance Magazine Awards. IFM is a London-based publication that serves as a source of information, analysis and insights for the global finance community. RCBC Bankard chief finance officer and senior vice president Eugenio Fernandez (right) receives the Best Card Offering-Philippines award from Finance Asia during the 2017 International Finance Awards in Singapore.

PTT, Cebu Pacific sign P7-b fuel deal

OIL player PTT Philippines and budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air signed a P7-billion fuel supply contract for 2018.

PTT Philippines and Cebu Pacific renewed their jet fuel supply agreement with the former sustaining its position as the major supplier of the Gokongweiowned airline’s aviation fuel requirements.

PTT Philippines president and chief executive Sukanya Seriyothin and Cebu Air president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei signed the agreement.

“Cebu Air has been a loyal and good business partner,” Seriyothin said.

“Our partnership for more than 15 years is a testament of how it has been growing stronger for years,” she said.

PTT has been in the Philippines for more 20 years now and is also into the fuel retail business with 122 service stations spread across Luzon and Central Visayas.

It diversified into non-oil business with the introduction to the Philippine market of its coffee shop chain, the Café Amazon, that originated from Thailand. Alena Mae S. Flores

Dennis Uy tops off Udena Tower in BGC

THE Udenna Group of businessman Dennis Uy recently topped off its first office tower development in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The 24-story office project called Udenna Tower is strategically situated at the corner of Rizal Drive and 4th Avenue with a gross floor area of 14,703 square meters.

“Udenna Tower is another milestone of success for one of the country’s fastest-growing conglomerate of diverse businesses in vital industries,” said Udenna vice president for corporate affairs Adel Tamano.

Upon completion, the tower will house the corporate offices of the Udenna Group, including those of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp.

The conglomerate currently leases office space in BGC. Udenna Tower is also poised to expand the conglomerate’s portfolio of properties for lease in one of the fastest-growing business districts, as it offers more than 13,600 square meters of leasable area to other companies.

“Udenna Tower will allow us a firmer foothold in the country’s capital region, as our businesses continue to grow into significant players in their respective industries and take on bigger roles in our national economy,” said Tamano. Jenniffer B. Austria

Electronics sector expects 6% growth

THE Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc. expects the industry to grow 6 percent this year, after posting a record $32.7 billion in exports in 2017.

SEIPI president Dan Lachica said exports in 2017 were 11 percent higher than $29.4 billion in 2016.

“We’re expecting a moderately robust yet conservative growth to make sure we deliver the numbers. Demand increases but from a high base now of $32 billion. We’re also looking at technology trend of global electronics and how this will impact to Philippine electronics,” he said.

Electronic exports accounted for 52 percent of the total commodities exports of the Philippines, with main market destinations that include Hong Kong, the US, China, Singapore and Japan. Other top destinations are Germany, Taiwan, the Netherlands, Korea and Thailand.

The group said 6 sectors posted export growth in 2017, including automotive electronics with 43.06 percent; communication radar, 36.15 percent; semiconductor components and devices with 18.92 percent; office equipment with 16.27 percent; telecommunications with 7.69 percent; and electronic data processing with 6.14 percent. Othel V. Campos

Seven conglomerates submit P350-b Naia bid

By Darwin G. Amojelar

S

EVEN of the country’s largest conglomerates on Tuesday formally submitted an unsolicited proposal to the Department of Transportation to rehabilitate and expand the capacity of Ninoy Aquino International Airport at a cost of P350 billion.

The seven partners, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which have a combined capitalization of over P2.2 trillion, signed the memorandum of agreement formalizing the consortium.

The super consortium will be initially called Naia Consortium.

The project is divided into two phases, with the first phase coverin the improvements and expansion of terminals at the current Naia land area and the

second phase involving the development of an additional runway, taxiways, passenger terminals and associated support infrastructure. The group proposed a 35-year concession period.

Jose Emmanuel Reverente, the consortium spokesperson, said the group planned to spend P100 billion for phase 1 and P250 billion for phase 2.

He said the consortium tapped global premier airport operator Changi Airports International Pte. Ltd. to provide technical support in the areas of master planning, operations optimization and commercial development.

Reverente said the group was com-

mitted to the development of a modern airport complex that would meet the long-term passenger demand at Naia.

“Through this proposal, we envision a new Naia―a fully-integrated premier gateway that we Filipinos can truly be proud of, backed by the know-how of an experienced technical partner and the strong synergy of seven homegrown teams. The message is clear: we need this, and we can get this done,” Reverente said.

He said the proposal also included a people mover that would link all three terminals and connect Naia to the existing mass transport system in Metro Manila and an option for a third runway.

“The proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of Naia, upgrading airside facilities and developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhance passenger comfort and experience, and improve public perception of Naia as the country’s premier international gateway,” Reverente said.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

B

RCBC’s profit rose 11.4% to P4.3b in 2017

By Julito G. Rada RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninth-largest lender in terms of assets, said unaudited consolidated net income in 2017 rose 11.4 percent to P4.3 billion from P3.9 billion in 2017, on higher loans and deposits.

RCBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income in the fourth quarter surged 146 percent to P904 million from P368 million a year ago, led by a 27-percent growth in net interest income and a 19-percent expansion in non-interest income.

“The bank is on track and ready to take advantage of the opportunities expected from the favorable business environment in 2018. Our delivery channels are geared up with new branches and improved ATM systems supported by strengthened security measures in anticipation of the increased client activity in 2018,” RCBC president and chief executive Gil Buenaventura said in a statement.

“Competition, however, will continue to be strong. The RCBC management understands this all too well and is prepared to address this with a strong sense of urgency as we pursue our business plans, key initiatives and key transactions this year,” Buenaventura said.

Net interest margin in 2017 remained strong at 4.24 percent, an improvement of 19 basis points from 4.06 percent recorded a year earlier.

Net interest income reached P18 billion, with 15-percent growth year-onyear, as total customer loan portfolio expanded 16 percent to P353 billion.

All market segments sustained growth with 12-percent expansion in corporate loans, 39 percent in SME loans, 15 percent in consumer loans and 29 percent growth in credit card receivables.

Rizal Microbank, the microfinance arm of RCBC that provides financing requirements for micro and small enterprises, increased its outstanding loan portfolio by 39 percent, through continuous efforts to enhance its current loan products responsive to the needs of its mandated market segments.

Total gross income reached P25.1 billion with total other operating income amounting to P7.1 billion or 28 percent of gross income. Fees and commissions, which include cardrelated fees, trust fees, and fees on investment banking and loans hit P3.4 billion and accounted for 14 percent of total gross income.

UE, Soka University, SGI Phils.’ First Ikeda Symposium Set on Harnessing Values of Peace

Jollibee investing $100m in US firm

The University of the East (UE), Japan’s Soka University (SU) and Soka Gakkai International Philippines (SGI Phils.) will be launching this month the First Ikeda Symposium, the theme of which shall be “Harnessing the Values of Peace for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth.”

By Jenniffer B. Austria RESTAURANT chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said it will infuse an additional $100 million to increase its stake in Smashburger Master Llc to 85 percent to expand its business in the United States.

Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would acquire an additional 45-percent interest in Smashburger, pursuant to the amended deal finalized by both parties last year.

Smashburger Master will retain the balance of 15 percent.

Jollibee said the deal would enable it to consolidate Smashburger’s operations into the company and increase its worldwide store network by 365 stores to 4,162.

This will also expand JFC’s geographical presence from 16 countries to 21, adding Costa Rica, Egypt, El Salvador, the United Kingdom and Panama.

“The acquisition will increase contribution to our worldwide systemwide sales from 5 percent to 15 percent. JFC will be able to participate in the very large mainstream American consumer market in addition to serving Filipino-Americans there,” Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said.

“JFC believes that it will be able to profitably provide the mainstream American consumer with superior tasting products with excellent services at very good value for money as it has demonstrated in the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei and the Middle East,” he said.

Jollibee initially purchased a 40-percent stake in Smashburger for $99 million in October 2015.

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

The First Ikeda Symposium, named after 90-year-old SGI founding President and Soka Schools system Founder Daisaku Ikeda, will be held on February 24, 2018, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the SGI Philippines Manila International Peace Center on Escolta Street corner Pinpin Street in Binondo, Manila.

DIAMOND HOTEL RECOGNITION. Diamond Hotel Philippines receives the prestigious Association of Southeast Asian Nation MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) Venue Award (Hotel Setting) for its development, promotion and support to the local MICE industry. Shown during the awarding ceremony at the Diamond Ballroom are DHP general manager Vanessa Suatengco (center) and DHP director for sales and marketing Sunshine Robles (second from right) receiving the esteemed award from (from left) Department of Tourism director for market development Cynthia Lazo, assistant secretary Maria Lourdes Japson and tourism standards and regulations director Danilo Intong.

Energy issues guidelines on power purchase

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department said Monday it issued guidelines on competitive selection process and asked the Energy Regulatory Commission to come out with a template for power supply agreements.

The department issued DOE circular DC 2018-02-0003 adopting and “prescribing the policy for the CSP in the procurement by distribution utilities of power supply agreement for the captive market.”

“The ERC shall develop a PSA template that shall be used by electric power industry participants within 60 days effectivity of this policy,” the department said.

The circular, signed by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, was issued due to the need to formulate a specific CSP policy for all distribu-

tion utilities, defining a clear, transparent and fair supply procurement process to promote competition and greater private sector participation in the provision of adequate generation capacity.

The circular also aims to promote competitiveness by extending equal opportunity to eligible and qualified generation firms to participate in the CSP. It said the CSP should be a simple, streamlined and efficient procurement process applicable to the requirements of each distribution utility.

The requirements will specify the technical, economic and other parameters, whether baseload, mid-merit and/or peaking, the amount of energy delivered, type of fuel, among others.

The department said all PSAs needed to be procured through CSP, subject to certain exemptions.

Former Supreme Court of the Philippines Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr. will be the symposium’s guest of honor and inaugural speaker. The former Chief Justice will tackle “Peace: The Key to Full Human and Global Development, Progress, Security and Stability.”

The symposium’s four other, plenary speakers are Dr. Jasmin Nario-Galace, Executive Director of the Center for Peace Education of Miriam College; Dr. Maria Guajardo, Deputy Vice President of Soka University and Professor of SU’s Faculty of International Liberal Arts; Dr. Jun’ichi Kanzaka, Director of the Soka Education Research Institute and Dean of SU’s Faculty of Economics; and Dr. Tingyang Lewis Liu, Professor at Taiwan’s National Kaohsiung Normal University.

The First Ikeda Symposium has been envisioned as a venue for discourse in realizing the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), as inspired by Dr. Ikeda’s philosophy, values and teachings in line with developing a culture of peace. Through the philosophy of Dr. Ikeda, the Symposium aims to gather academic leaders from international and local higher education institutions in the promotion of peace and fulfillment of prosperity through academic discourse.

As Dr. Ikeda had emphasized, a truly peaceful society is one in which everyone can maximize their potential to lead fulfilling lives free from threats to their dignity, with peace as both a means and an end to the achievement of sustainable development and inclusive growth. And as Dr. Zosimo M. Battad, UE Caloocan Chancellor and the Co-Chair of the First Ikeda Symposium, puts it, “The importance of peace, justice and humanism in society, especially at this time, could not be overemphasized.”

For inquiries and further details on the 1st Ikeda Symposium, please email the secretariat via ikeda.symposium@ue.edu.ph or call Ms. Jackie Tillah via tel. no. (+632) 367-4572 local 180 or (+632) 361-2398, or Mr. Nobu Ota via tel. no. (+632) 921-2879.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rallies; Now, POPI advance

T

HE stock market rose Tuesday tracking another rally in New York after last week’s battering, but early gains were tempered and Tokyo ended down on lingering uncertainty and worries about further turmoil.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index climbed 82.23 points, or 1 percent, to 8,570.14 on a value turnover of P7.7 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 110 to 96, with 48 issues unchanged.

Now Corp., which is bidding to become the third telecommunications company, jumped 29.9 percent to P10.26, while Prime Orion Philippines Inc., controlled by major property developer Ayala Land Inc., advanced 3.6 percent to P3.52.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy gained 3.3 percent to P36.15, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, added 2 percent to P120.

Most Asian markets also rose Tuesday. While some stability has returned to trading floors, investors are keeping a nervous eye on the release this week of

key US inflation data, which many fear could spark another round of blood-letting.

Global markets have been sent into spasms this month as the yield on US Treasury bills has risen to four-year highs, with Federal Reserve interest rates expected to be hiked further this year owing to a purring economy and rising wages.

There are also warnings that the yield on US Tbills could spike to 3.5 percent, according to Bloomberg News, which would mark a level not seen since 2010.

But Asian traders were broadly optimistic on Tuesday, though they pared morning gains.

Hong Kong stocks ended more than one percent higher on Tuesday after a positive lead from Wall Street, making a small dent in the hefty losses suffered over the past week.

The Hang Seng Index climbed 1.29 percent, or 379.90 points, to close at 29,839.53.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.98 percent, or 30.83 points, to 3,184.96. The Shenzhen Composite Index, which tracks stocks on China’s second exchange, climbed 0.41 percent or 7.10 points to 1,730.83.

Sydney climbed 0.6 percent, Singapore jumped more than one percent and Seoul was up 0.4 percent.

Jakarta, Bangkok and Wellington were also well up.

Dealers were given a positive cue from Wall Street and Europe, where all major indexes finished more than one percent higher.

Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA, said: “Equity markets have begun the week on a somewhat positive note picking up from Friday’s rebound as bargain hunters have returned on the first sign of stability.

“The market is trying to find a positive equilibrium, and if we can get through this week’s critical US (inflation data) relatively unscathed, then it would most certainly look as if last week was little more than a corrective episode rather than the commencement of a bear market.”

However, there is concern that another strong reading could spark more frenzied selling.

And Ronald Wan, chief executive at Partners Capital in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg News the recent record highs witnessed in many cities would not be seen again for a while. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4 1,172,000 59.65 9,550 120 3,468,310 3.76 36,000 150 1,207,910 1.92 474,000 36.35 347,300 15.5 30,800 28.4 473,300 8.79 13,300 1.69 31,000 0.56 3,767,000 97.3 1,953,000 1.66 19,198,000 12.84 20,500 57.15 62,350 239.6 1,300 89.5 10 48.85 417,400 249 971,440 1,880 15 90.2 50,670 1.2 68,000

4,851,310 568,761 409,458,311 135,390 181,073,198 906,350 12,667,220 474,620 13,485,445 115,404 52,040 2,106,040 189,720,014 33,166,580 266,122 3,564,616 311,436 895 20,683,305 242,709,586 28,200 4,636,193 81,680

29,500 556,951.50 -74,515,238 -70,613,886 66,500 8,184,040 -1,083,115 116,000.00 33,693,918 2,435,680 -1,278,486.50 40,726 10,523,545 -21,227,564 1,686,698 -

39.15 12.64 0.59 1.28 18.04 0.214 108 3.97 15.3 52 18.86 61 59 2 5.53 10.8 11.46 14.58 11.2 7.44 5.52 1.75 15.52 61.7 29.35 10.04 19.52 1.89 275.6 44.05 4.13 3.05 27.3 17.6 18.8 318.8 0.19 8.26 2.71 4.78 9.26 6.15 8.15 1.54 12.5 57.55 628 4.88 2 1.76 15.92 5.45 0.132 1.03 155.2 2.79 1.88 1.13

INDUSTRIAL 39.75 1,576,100 13 1,126,500 0.6 450,000 1.28 616,000 18.68 29,800 0.223 2,470,000 108 300 4 3,813,000 15.32 588,600 52.9 576,000 19.68 7,100 63.5 746,010 61 3,260 2.03 765,000 5.53 1,500 10.9 50,800 11.5 2,022,700 14.6 372,300 11.22 148,100 7.51 547,100 5.55 10,259,800 1.86 376,000 15.92 785,200 61.75 22,090 29.35 119,200 10.08 20,900 20 3,329,900 1.92 5,532,000 277 763,250 50.9 2,280 4.14 44,000 3.16 29,000 27.3 1,527,600 17.64 289,400 18.8 5,901,500 323 185,210 0.192 2,470,000 8.82 19,500 2.75 3,966,000 4.83 117,000 9.36 1,590,300 6.15 84,200 8.15 13,500 1.55 1,401,000 12.66 2,123,400 57.75 363,140 633 32,440 4.9 135,000 2 31,000 1.85 5,547,000 16.3 1,757,900 5.45 17,400 0.138 5,550,000 1.05 475,000 156.1 674,170 2.79 9,000 1.88 4,483,000 1.3 27,033,000

62,584,880 14,503,926 266,330 791,050 549,714 533,860 32,400 15,393,940 9,011,072 30,470,680.50 134,152 46,517,411 195,720 1,540,280 8,295 555,026 23,278,638 5,449,460 1,675,530 4,133,472 56,993,103 679,250 12,351,920 1,363,952 3,506,445 210,224 66,515,928 10,834,670 213,100,904 106,834 182,090 91,530 41,947,995 5,102,552 111,648,198 59,492,640 471,740 163,800 10,958,650 562,670 14,809,034 519,796 110,445 2,194,130 27,455,096 21,007,679.50 20,650,740 660,780 62,000 10,125,930 28,474,146 95,133 760,690 495,670 105,114,321 25,110 8,467,360 34,576,130

-6,808,155 -34,158 102,700 257,660 -2,350,168 739,009 201,340 -20,150.00 -194,900 9,318,860 2,383,218 -438,438 210,993 -24,171,041 -3,453,726 -306,171.50 -4,130,603 159,020 -164,850,276 9,345 13,142,725 2,379,184 19,728,450 14,361,706 145,420 2,117,510 33,790 -7,699,311 32,670 -148 -11,690,031 3,981,325 298,420 -26,700 9,655,156 13,660 -55,959,228 8,650 192,010

0.3 73.95 15.32 1.12 7 0.72 0.72 1,033 7.5 13.74 7.58 1,330 7.29 74.9 5.02 5.39 0.73 5.35 22.7 6.22 0.04 1.29 3.82 2.5 145 2.58 992 1.62 281.6 0.246 0.192

0.295 71.95 15.16 1.03 6.98 0.61 0.62 1,011 7.3 13.5 7.53 1,307 7.1 72.9 5 5.39 0.69 5.29 22.4 6.11 0.039 1.16 3.49 2.47 138.5 2.56 975.5 1.61 277 0.237 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.3 330,000 73.95 451,050 15.3 2,454,200 1.07 2,339,000 6.99 6,400 0.68 147,793,000 0.7 32,421,000 1,020 283,905 7.3 115,700 13.7 5,007,600 7.57 71,200 1,325 68,875 7.29 8,100 74.9 1,689,010 5 3,800 5.39 9,500 0.7 1,262,000 5.3 3,376,500 22.6 513,400 6.13 33,068,100 0.04 27,000,000 1.18 497,000 3.52 47,503,000 2.5 402,000 142 752,090 2.56 117,000 990 400,220 1.61 659,000 281.6 14,000 0.237 70,000 0.192 430,000

97,500 33,159,632.50 37,442,512 2,501,480 44,741 99,350,950 21,913,740 289,386,105 846,231 68,281,168 537,862 90,628,430 57,559 124,791,963 19,041 51,205 877,810 17,926,206 11,603,900 203,191,035 1,060,100 582,880 174,622,280 1,004,940 106,145,407 300,640 394,653,250 1,063,240 3,894,970 16,970 82,360

-16,557,630 -13,416,030 20 -1,113,000 -122,937,280 44,356 -18,819,010 124,905 14,902,170 -88,567,736 13,995,315.00 -3,681,720 -109,669,427 -2,366,740 -64,923,663 -130,468,235 -

6.79 0.95 20.95 2.15 0.9 44.1 3.69 4.63 5.8 6.03 0.455 1.09 1.1 0.245 0.5 36.9 0.63 0.137 1.83 1.34 0.76 4.95 0.35 0.315 0.54 4.05 35 20.95 2.05

6.3 0.93 18.1 2.14 0.88 43.1 3.64 4.5 5.5 5.7 0.44 1.08 1.07 0.239 0.475 36 0.63 0.137 1.79 1.32 0.72 4.89 0.33 0.305 0.52 3.81 34.1 20.5 1.99

13,465,595 3,439,810 5,379,829 491,270 1,543,890 326,681,735 1,845,360 3,041,350 302,582 120,133 3,555,150 252,080 2,375,630 9,873,920 5,968,400 17,532,455 260,820 49,320 16,233,300 3,242,590 424,360 200,083,600 28,057,800 1,725,100 3,522,010 9,093,160 30,870 11,436,300 3,058,080

75,290 1,880 342,580 -32,250 -7,797,030 -73,210 500,500.00 -576,400 1,988,250 24,050 377,950 1,404,490 -740,410 17,503,290 -1,046,650 9,450 -141,250 -447,255 757,900

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

4.44 59.45 117.9 3.77 150 1.9 36.65 15.3 28.7 8.54 1.64 0.53 98.1 1.77 13.02 57.15 239.8 89.5 49.9 250 1,880 91 1.21

4.48 59.65 120 3.77 152.4 1.93 36.7 15.5 28.95 8.87 1.69 0.59 98.1 1.82 13.02 57.45 239.8 89.5 50 251.4 1,880 92 1.21

3.88 59 117.4 3.76 149.1 1.9 36.25 15.2 28.25 8.54 1.64 0.53 96.85 1.66 12.84 57.05 238.6 89.5 48.7 247 1,880 90.1 1.2

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 MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

39.9 12.96 0.6 1.29 18.04 0.214 108 3.98 15.36 52.95 18.86 61 59 2.03 5.53 11.2 11.64 14.78 11.36 7.8 5.62 1.77 15.7 61.7 29.75 10.04 20.05 2.08 283 51 4.13 3.05 27.55 17.66 19.36 318.8 0.192 8.3 2.75 4.89 9.4 6.17 8.27 1.57 12.5 58.55 650 4.9 2 1.8 16.4 5.45 0.135 1.04 156.1 2.79 1.9 1.13

39.95 13 0.61 1.3 18.88 0.223 108 4.15 15.36 53.45 19.68 63.65 63 2.03 5.53 11.2 11.64 14.78 11.7 7.8 5.63 1.93 15.92 61.8 30 10.3 20.3 2.08 284 51 4.15 3.16 27.55 17.7 19.4 323 0.198 8.96 2.83 4.89 9.4 6.34 8.27 1.58 12.96 58.55 650 4.9 2 1.88 16.4 5.48 0.14 1.08 156.5 2.79 1.92 1.37

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 B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG ZEUS HLDG

0.3 72.4 15.32 1.04 7 0.61 0.62 1,011 7.31 13.58 7.53 1,330 7.11 73.5 5.02 5.39 0.73 5.31 22.4 6.18 0.04 1.16 3.7 2.5 144.9 2.58 980 1.62 278 0.246 0.19

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

6.78 0.94 20.5 2.15 0.89 44 3.64 4.53 5.5 5.7 0.455 1.09 1.1 0.243 0.49 36.4 0.63 0.137 1.82 1.33 0.76 4.92 0.35 0.315 0.54 3.99 34.1 20.6 2.05

VOLUME

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 35.1 1.02 18.4 0.84 6.56

3.23 36.15 1.02 18.52 0.84 6.63

3.22 35.1 1.01 17.52 0.84 6.42

3.23 36.15 1.02 17.58 0.84 6.5

93,000 11,935,500 492,000 753,700 2,000 5,782,800

299,850 426,406,260 498,820 13,499,782 1,680 37,601,924

-50,088,825 1,020 49,616 9,861,104

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

19.1 32.95 1.32 0.44 0.053 13.34 0.067 100.8 8.8 9.01 8.59 2.8 56 1,780 6.05 167.4 12.5 5.58 2.86 109.9 12.7 8.3 0.139 1.6 3.3 14.9 3.98 1.04 25 0.51 4.56 8.62 3.45 17.06 8 10.4 10.74 2.8 105.1 6.78 1,525 1.22 0.355 50.5 95 6.2 2.88 1.38 0.56 3.67 0.98 11.08

19.1 32.95 1.37 0.44 0.054 13.78 0.068 100.8 8.8 9.07 8.6 2.8 61.5 1,799 6.21 174 12.5 5.86 3.09 110.5 12.7 8.3 0.14 1.64 3.59 14.9 4 1.1 25.6 0.51 4.68 8.75 3.5 19.5 10.26 10.4 11.3 2.84 108 6.82 1,558 1.23 0.355 50.5 95.5 6.23 2.95 1.38 0.65 3.72 1 11.3

18.02 32.1 1.3 0.44 0.05 13.3 0.064 99.8 8.8 8.8 8.48 2.5 53.15 1,780 6.05 156 11.3 5.52 2.86 108.6 12.68 8.3 0.137 1.55 3.3 14.9 3.9 1.02 25 0.51 4.45 8.45 3.43 17.06 8 10 10.74 2.8 105 6.69 1,503 1.19 0.34 49.95 94.1 6.1 2.88 1.3 0.52 3.52 0.95 10.8

SERVICES 18.02 32.3 1.35 0.44 0.052 13.3 0.068 100 8.8 9 8.48 2.6 61.05 1,790 6.2 169 11.3 5.8 3.03 110.4 12.68 8.3 0.14 1.57 3.52 14.9 3.91 1.05 25.1 0.51 4.51 8.45 3.44 19.36 10.26 10.02 11.2 2.84 106 6.7 1,558 1.22 0.34 50.2 95.25 6.19 2.91 1.35 0.63 3.64 0.98 10.9

196,400 15,400 594,000 600,000 105,410,000 13,272,200 64,050,000 133,110 2,200 4,153,400 19,900 108,000 566,340 48,940 729,800 165,390 2,100 8,038,000 134,000 969,150 1,000 6,500 9,730,000 4,341,000 1,347,000 1,300 1,081,000 1,053,000 1,101,800 90,000 516,000 6,635,400 612,000 4,400 108,763,400 150,800 74,700 78,000 158,580 537,800 49,310 7,740,000 190,000 2,284,430 1,029,620 285,900 2,399,000 5,929,000 274,788,000 748,000 13,122,000 7,431,100

3,644,998 496,295 776,730 264,000 5,479,500 180,040,626 4,173,060 13,323,652.50 19,360 37,201,537 169,747 280,800 32,609,197 87,471,945 4,509,715 27,389,171 23,970 46,179,744 394,270 106,662,433 12,694 53,950 1,350,140 6,783,730 4,716,420 19,370 4,239,280 1,112,910 27,883,280 45,900 2,327,580 56,946,356 2,110,110 80,506 1,006,720,581 1,511,402 828,864 220,480 17,077,493 3,617,220 75,549,905 9,330,590 64,900 114,540,418 97,896,537.50 1,771,565 6,971,490 8,011,030 163,390,640 2,689,480 12,845,170 81,952,312

278,830 6,600 4,000 109,312,586 4,161,064.50 4,581,400 12,700 398,854 -47,402,500 1,658 2,064,789 -19,099,518 -80,620 156,000 0 2,659,960 9,040 -17,515,176.00 -721,320 5,471,537 47,163 108,610 1,720,410 -34,840 -14,784,584 -25,386,811 1,982,330 1,432,250 1,751,470 82,800 -64,680 35,253,630

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

0.0024 1.52 4.99 13 1.8 1.57 0.32 7.57 2.49 0.195 0.15 0.156 0.0091 1.5 6.31 1.41 0.445 0.88 0.012 0.012 2.1 6.5 8.51 35.5 0.007

0.0024 1.53 5 13 1.82 1.63 0.33 7.63 2.59 0.199 0.15 0.156 0.0091 1.5 6.45 1.41 0.445 0.89 0.013 0.012 2.1 6.5 9.25 35.7 0.007

0.0023 1.5 4.9 13 1.8 1.57 0.315 7.41 2.47 0.195 0.145 0.154 0.0091 1.49 6.31 1.34 0.445 0.86 0.012 0.011 2.03 6.39 8.51 35.3 0.0067

MINING & OIL 0.0024 344,000,000 1.51 3,438,000 4.9 122,000 13 3,300 1.82 26,000 1.63 1,723,000 0.32 280,000 7.47 5,300 2.51 3,152,000 0.196 180,000 0.149 21,010,000 0.155 9,940,000 0.0091 8,000,000 1.5 232,000 6.4 4,636,500 1.39 47,000 0.445 10,000 0.86 275,000 0.013 2,700,000 0.011 31,200,000 2.04 74,000 6.4 1,591,200 8.75 8,183,400 35.6 2,587,800 0.0067 5,000,000

810,700 5,201,660 608,700 42,900 47,090 2,763,570 90,450 39,644 7,961,740 35,560 3,068,490 1,531,920 72,800 347,010 29,696,930 63,560 4,450 238,120 33,100 344,300 152,850 10,186,519 73,594,218 91,934,025 34,500

-6,900 -22,650 -14,790 -48,700 -29,700 -40,480 6,342,515 -46,690.00 2,424,134 -1,330,110 -9,003,035 -

PREFERRED ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

32.25 517 107 104 110.7 5.94 1,005 1,006 101.3 1.04 1,000 104.5 1.96 76.8 80.2 75.45 77 78.85 77 78 78

32.25 518 107 104 110.7 6.04 1,005 1,015 101.9 1.05 1,000 104.5 1.96 77.2 80.2 75.45 77 78.85 77 78.1 78

32.1 515.5 107 104 110.7 5.94 1,005 1,005 101.3 1.04 1,000 103 1.96 75.75 80.2 75.45 77 78.85 76.5 78 78

32.1 518 107 104 110.7 6.04 1,005 1,015 101.9 1.05 1,000 103 1.96 77.15 80.2 75.45 77 78.85 77 78.1 78

3,070,370 2,300,030 642,000 175,760 653,130 638,764 15,075 10,080,455 571,238 64,510 1,035,000 31,050 80,360 560,513 2,406 497,970 1,155,000 171,893 2,998,320 1,447,102 1,045,200

10,685 50,250 385,000 362,384 -

LR WARRANT

2.41

2.41

2.3

WARRANTS 2.31 985,000

2,278,540

-

23,677,461 79,260 50,891,440 4,969,880

566,869 -1,046,800 -1,065,390

4,142,617

-2,580

35,700 61,680 98,940

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.5 0.94 18.2 2.15 0.88 43.7 3.66 4.6 5.8 6.03 0.45 1.08 1.07 0.24 0.475 36.1 0.63 0.137 1.81 1.33 0.73 4.91 0.335 0.305 0.53 3.87 35 20.95 2.02

2,067,000 3,658,000 276,200 229,000 1,748,000 7,501,200 505,000 670,000 53,700 21,000 7,960,000 233,000 2,211,000 40,970,000 12,170,000 483,100 414,000 360,000 9,000,000 2,444,000 575,000 40,751,000 83,660,000 5,610,000 6,698,000 2,337,000 900 550,100 1,524,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

6.16 2.86 5.02 3.9

6.45 2.86 5.69 4.1

5.8 2.8 4.61 3.9

FIRST METRO ETF

129.6

130.1

129

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 10.28 1.02

TRADING SUMMARY

10.2 10.28 1.02

SHARES

FINANCIAL

33,774,138

INDUSTRIAL

103,171,491

HOLDING FIRMS

309,329,268

PROPERTY

253,892,439

SERVICES

652,763,665

MINING & OIL

449,328,844

GRAND TOTAL

1,817,331,830

10.2 10.28 1.02

6 2.8 4.61 3.95

SME

95,400 4,450 6,000 1,690 5,900 106,800 15 10,030 5,620 62,000 1,035 300 41,000 7,330 30 6,600 15,000 2,180 38,980 18,540 13,400

3,928,700 28,000 9,818,000 1,251,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 129.5 31,950 DDS

10.2 10.28 1.02

3,500 6,000 97,000

-

VALUE 2,206.01 (up) 7.12 1,121,100,211.07 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,397.63 (down) -72.99 1,101,590,861.62 HOLDING FIRMS 8,708.78 (up) 101.17 1,706,492,892.69 PROPERTY 3,868.6 (up) 55.75 1,706.91 (up) 14.7 1,152,989,138.7 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,396.77 (up) 112.32 2,269,903,108.719 PSEI 8,570.14 (up) 82.23 123,857,617.557 All Shares Index 5,053.21 (up) 27.31 228,959,928.4535 Gainers: 96; Losers: 110; Unchanged: 38; Total: 254

Robinsons completes P20-b stock rights offer

By Jenniffer B. Austria ROBINSONS Land Corp. successfully completed its P20-billion stock rights offering on strong demand from investors.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the offering of up to 1.1 million shares at a price of P18.20 each was oversubscribed.

Robinsons Land sold 1.74 billion shares in the first round of offering and another 25.995 million shares during the second round.

Parent JG Summit Holdings Inc., which owns 60.97 percent of the company, earlier committed to purchase its entitlement of rights shares and acquire any unsubscribed portion during the offering period.

Eligible shareholders as of January 31, 2018 were entitled to subscribe to one common share for every 3.7217 existing shares owned.

Robinsons Land plans to use proceeds from the fund raising activity to fund land banking activities to support the growth of core businesses.

The property firm tapped BPI Capital Corp. as the sold issue manager and underwriter for the rights offering.

Robinsons Land as of the end September last year had 46 malls, 13 office developments in strategic locations and within central business districts, 16 hotel properties across three brand segments and over 100 vertical and horizontal residential properties nationwide.

Robinsons Land posted a net income of P4.57 billion in the first nine months of 2017, up 1.5 percent year-on-year, and consolidated revenues of P16.63 billion, down three percent, on the significant decline in residential sales.

The company as of end September last year had 600.1 hectares in its land bank that could support the growth of the company over the next four to five years.

Robinsons Land in 2016 completed the acquisition of an 8.5-hectare property in Chengdu China, marking its first international foray.

Phoenix eyes bitumen plant in Batangas

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. plans to put up a bitumen plant in Calaca, Batangas within the year as part of an aggressive expansion program.

“Yes, we are planning to put up our own plant in Calaca, Batangas together with our joint venture partner. No capacity yet. Within the year, we will be having the aspalt business in place,” Phoenix chief operating officer Henry Albert Fadullon said.

Phoenix earlier formed a joint venture company with a P275-million market capital with two investors for the operation, sale and distribution of bitumen in the country.

“Our plan with our partner is to offer different kind of technology for the construction industry and road,” Fadullon said.

Phoenix signed a joint venture agreement with TIPCO Asphalt Public Co. Ltd. and Carlito B. Castrillo of PhilAsphalt (Development) Corp. to operate, market and distribute bitumen and bitumen-related products in the country.

Phoenix and TIPCO Asphalt will each take a 40-percent stake in the joint venture while Castrillo of PhilAsphalt has 20 percent interest.

“Bitumen is the base product but I think within the bitumen phase, there is a lot of opportunity for innovation and I think that is where we see the opportunity in the Philippines...

There are a host of other applications where bitumen can be made for and be made,” Fadullon said.

TIPCO Asphalt is the leading manufacturer and distributor of asphalt products for repairing, maintenance and servicing and construction of road pavements, highways and airport runways in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.

Its asphalt products are also sold to importers and road contractors in Africa, Australia and North America.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Park friend jailed for 20 years over scandal S EOUL―The secret confidante of ousted South Korean president Park Geun-hye was convicted Tuesday and jailed for 20 years for her key role in the scandal that brought down the former head of state.

Choi Soon-sil, who became close to Park through her father, a shadowy religious figure, was vilified at the massive nationwide protests that rocked Asia’s fourth-largest economy and culminated in Park’s impeachment last year.

She was accused of colluding with Park to extort millions from giant South Korean firms including Samsung and Lotte, and using her connection with the president to meddle in state affairs.

The Seoul Central District Court found her guilty of abuse of power, bribery and meddling in state affairs.

Judge Kim Se-yoon told a packed courtroom that Choi took advantage of “long private ties” with Park to force companies to donate funds to the foundations she controlled.

She accepted a total of 14 billion won ($13 million) from telecommunications giant Samsung and retail conglomerate Lotte, he said, and “meddled in state affairs widely”.

“The guilt of the accused is heavy,” he said, adding that she had shown no repentance.

Choi, who wore a dark blue coat and a badge bearing her prison number, showed little reaction as the sentence was passed.

The verdict is a potential pointer to the decision in Park’s separate trial, as 15 of the 18 charges Choi faced mirror counts on the expresident’s own indictment.

Choi’s fellow accused Shin Dong-bin, the chairman of the Lotte group, South Korea’s fifth-biggest conglomerate, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

He was arrested in court, having been out on bail during the trial.

Former Park aide Ahn Jong-beom was jailed for six years.

Choi pleaded not guilty, claiming she never pursued any personal benefits but attempted to help Park’s work, lashing out at the prosecution for “framing” her.

Her defense lawyer Lee Kyung-jae previously said Choi fell victim to a political plot intended to topple the Park government, asserting there was little evidence she profited from the alleged corruption. AFP

Republika ng Pilipinas

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty EightMillion Six Hundred Eighty FiveThousand Thirty One&70/100 (P28,685,031.70) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Improvement of Lateral M, Lateral J-1& Lateral J-2– ITB No. R3-BANE-NIS EXTENSION-2018-BU-39. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of NineteenMillion FiveThousand Four Hundred Thirteen&64/100 (P19,005,413.64) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Rehabilitation of Lateral D& Lateral D-1UMD - NS– ITB No. R3-BANERRENIS-2018-BU-38. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Improvement (lining) of Lateral M, Laterla J-1 and Lateral J-2 locatedin Hagonoy & Pulilan,Bulacan. Completion of the Works is required within Two Hundred Forty(240) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

2.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Rehabilitation (lining) of Lateral D and Lateral D-1UMD-NSlocatedin San IldefonsoBulacan. Completion of the Works is required within One Hundred Twenty(120) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

4.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty FiveThousand[P25,000.00]Pesos.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

5.

6.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 21, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 11:30am which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of NineteenThousand[P19,000.00]Pesos.

6.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 7, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 21, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 11:00am which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 7, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on March 7, 20182:30pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

Bid opening shall be on March 7, 20181:45pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson (MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

Republika ng Pilipinas

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office (044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

Invitation to Bid forANGAT RIS (AMRIS) REHABILITATION OF CANAL LINING @ LATERAL D& LATERAL D-1 UMD - NS February 8, 2018

Republika ng Pilipinas

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

1.

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office

Invitation to Bid for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) IMPROVEMENT OF LATERAL M, LATERAL J-1& LATERAL J-2 February 8, 2018

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office : : :

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office

Republika ng Pilipinas

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

Republika ng Pilipinas

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

Invitation to Bid forImprovement of Lateral A (LMD#2) & Lateral B February 8, 2018

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

Invitation to Bid forANGAT RIS (AMRIS) SERVICE ROADS – CONCRETING February 8, 2018

1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of EighteenMillion Eight Hundred Thirty EightThousand Five Hundred Four&00/100 (P18,838,504.00) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Improvement of Lateral A (LMD #2) and Lateral B – ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS2018-BU-35. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty ThreeMillion Eight Hundred Thirty FiveThousand Eight Hundred Twenty Five&00/100 (P23,835,825.00) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) SERVICE ROADS - CONCRETING– ITB No. R3-BANEISRNIS-2018-BU-36. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Improvement (lining) of Lateral A (LMD #2) and Lateral B located San Luis, Pampanga. Completion of the Works is required within One Hundred Fifty (150) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Concreting of Irrigation Service Roads of AMRIS locatedin Plaridel, Bulacan. Completion of the Works is required within One Hundred Twenty (120) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

Invitation to Bid forANGAT RIS (AMRIS) REHABILITATION OF CANAL LINING @ LATERAL F SS & LATERAL D SS February 8, 2018 1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty EightMillion Seven Hundred TenThousand Eight Hundred Twenty Four&03/100 (P28,710,824.03) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Rehabilitation of Lateral F SS & Lateral D SS – ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2018-BU-37. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Rehabilitation (lining) of Lateral F SS and Lateral D SS located in Plaridel and Bocaue respectively, province of Bulacan.

Completion of the Works is required within Two Hundred Forty (240) calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of NineteenThousand[P19,000.00]Pesos.

5.

5.

6.

The NIA-BANE IMOwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 20, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 4:30pm which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 15, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty TwoThousand[P22,000.00]Pesos.

6.

6.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 6, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

The NIA-BANE IMOwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 21, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 10:00am which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 6, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 21, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan at 10:30am which shall be open to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 19, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 7, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

4.

Bid opening shall be on March 6, 20183:15pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

The NIA – BANE IMOreserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8.

9.

For further information, please refer to:

9.

ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888 SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty EightMillion Three Hundred Seventy FiveThousand Seventy Nine&52/100 (P28,375,079.52) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for BAGTU-OBLIGACION CIP – ITB No. R3-BANE-SIP-2018-AU-27.

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

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Construction of Bagtu-Obligacion CIP located in Ma. Aurora, Aurora.1 Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred Sixty (360) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

: : :

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty Eight Million Six Hundred Sixty Six Thousand Five Hundred Ten & 94/100 (P28,666,510.94) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS)IMPROV’T. OF VARIOUS IRRIGATION FACILITIES @ SAN RAFAEL, BULACAN – ITB No. R3-BANE-RRENIS-2018-BU-29. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Improvement of Canal System – Lining of Canal located in San Rafael,, Bulacan..1 Completion of the Works is required within One Hundred Fifty (150) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.”

4.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 9, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty Five Thousand[P25,000.00]Pesos.

5.

6.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 20, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 10:30am which shall beopen to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 15, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

6.

7.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 5, 2018 at 9:30am. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

7.

Bid opening shall be on March 5, 20182:30pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Telefax No.: TIN No.:

(044) 766-3888 000-578-009-000

Invitation to Bid forANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Improvement of Lateral J SS and Various Irrigation Facilities in Baliwag, Plaridel&Guiguinto, Bulacan February 8, 2018 1.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office through the GAA 2018 intends to apply the sum of Twenty ThreeMillion Eight Hundred Fifty Six Thousand Six Hundred Fifteen & 26/100 (P23,856,615.26) Pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for ANGAT RIS (AMRIS) Improv’t. of Lateral J SS and Various Irrigation Facilities in Baliwag, Plaridel&Guiguinto, Bulacan– ITB No. R3-BANERRENIS-2018-BU-34. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The National Irrigation Administration – Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office now invites bids for Improvement (lining) of Lateral J SS, Lat. B NS, Lateral D NS and Lateral E SSlocated in Plaridel, Guiguinto and Baliwag, Bulacan.1 Completion of the Works is required within Two Hundred Forty (240) calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

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

3.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 9, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty Five Thousand[P25,000.00] Pesos.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty Two Thousand [P22,000.00] Pesos.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 20, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan at 4:00pm which shall be open to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 15, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

The NIA-BANE IMO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 20, 2018 at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacanat 11:30am which shall be open to prospective bidders. Site Inspection will be done on February 15, 2018 @ 9:00 a.m.

6.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 5, 2018 at 2:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

7.

Bid opening shall be on March 5, 20184:00pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The NIA – BANE IMOreserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

9.

For further information, please refer to:

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 niabaneimoes@gmail.com

4.

8.

SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson (MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

8.

9.

ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888 SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

: : :

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

9.

Republika ng Pilipinas

Invitation to Bid forANGAT RIS (AMRIS) IMPROV’T. OF VARIOUS IRRIG. FACILITIES @ SAN RAFAEL, BULACAN February 8, 2018

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

8.

SGD.ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

(Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig)

1.

4.

ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office

Invitation to Bid forBAGTU-OBLIGACIONCIP February 8, 2018

3.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

Republika ng Pilipinas

Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office : : :

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested bidders on February 12, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of non-refundable fee of Twenty TwoThousand [P22,000.00] Pesos.

Bid opening shall be on March 7, 2018 1:00pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

Republika ng Pilipinas

Office Address Telephone Nos. Email Address

4.

Bid opening shall be on March 6, 20184:00pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NIA-BANE IMO, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Bids shall be dropped on designated drop box at the address below on or before March 6, 2018 at 12:30pm. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on March 6, 20182:30pm at NIA Region 3 Conference Room, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The NIA – BANE IMO reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to: ENGR. CLARITA G. SILVERIO BAC Secretariat NIA-BANE IMO Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan 044-766-3888

(MS-FEB. 14, 2018)

SGD. ENGR. MA. BLANCA B. ALDOVINO BAC Chairperson

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

wednesday, february 14, 2018

LocaL government units

Belmonte: Socialized housing not really cheap

By Rio N. Araja

TIGERS ON THE PROWL. Street performers dressed in tiger costumes walk the streets of Mandaluyong City—which calls itself a tiger city—during its 73rd Liberation Day and 24th Cityhood Anniversary parade on Feb. 11. Andrew Rabulan

In BrIef FCF workers’ skills upgraded QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya—At least 101 workers of FCF Minerals Corp. in barangay Runruno here were recently trained and assessed by the officials of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the firm’s Human Resources Department.

Peter Storey, Runruno operations manager, said the training and assessments focused on the workers’s skills achievement of Tesda’s National Certification II, particularly on Housekeeping Management, Heavy Equipment-Hydraulic Excavation and Heavy Equipment Wheel Loader operations, Cookery and Scaffolding and Erection.

He said the program seeks to upgrade the organizational skills capability of the company’s workers.

“With this training and assessment, our workers can function more effectively and their present position by exposing them to the latest concepts, information and techniques including the development of their skills needed in their respective fields,” Storey said. Ben Moses Ebreo

GenTri anti-rabies drive has free shots for pets GENERAL TRIAS, Cavite—City Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer has ordered an intensified animal vaccination drive throughout the city to protect residents and visitors from rabies infection.

The City Agriculture Office under Neri Marquez is going around the city’s 33 barangays to conduct free rabies vaccination of dogs and cats.

The ultimate goal of the city is to have a rabies-free GenTri for the coming year, Ferrer said.

Last year, around 16,689 dogs and cats were vaccinated by the CAO. “The more cost effective way of addressing the problem of rabies is to look at the source of rabies—dogs, cats, and other animals but more commonly, 90 percent are from dogs and cats,” Marquez said.

Manila

Big agri aid package for Lanao Sur groups

By Nash B. Maulana

M

ARAWI CITY―The government has released a huge agriculture aid package to farmer groups of Lanao del Sur’s 40 municipalities to fast-track the province’s recovery from both manmade and natural disasters, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said Monday.

Lanao del Sur Governor Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong said the assistance released by DAF-ARMM would boost the province’s recovery program, after its economy stood still with the government’s five-month war against terror, mostly in this city.

Last week, the provincial government also distributed rice to families displaced by the war in Marawi City and Butig, and to victims of natural calamities when tropical storm “Vinta” hit five more towns.

“But this time, we want our farmers to help the country produce rice and corn amid fears of widespread shortage of supply,” the governor said.

DAF Regional Secretary Alexander

Alonto Jr. said a total of 3,000 bags of hybrid rice seeds with 6,000 bags of urea fertilizer were being delivered to mostly lakeshore municipalities whose farmers produce rice on vast irrigated areas.

Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said the truckloads of rice and corn seeds, along with the tons of urea, formed part of a whole recovery program designed and currently pushed for Marawi and nearby areas by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Deliveries have been ongoing since last week, Alonto said.

At least five towns of the province were also severely affected by “Vinta.”

A total of 25 persons were found dead and scores other injured when the storm

struck Lanao del Sur in December, according to the Provincial Disaster RiskReduction Management Office.

In nearby Lanao del Norte, 38 perished, and 34 others were reported dead in Zamboanga del Sur. Dr. Albert Usman, DAF-ARMM Seeds Coordinator, said 2,800 more bags of certified rice seeds, 600 bags of registered rice seeds, and 4,500 bags of OPV white corn seeds have been delivered to Lanao del Sur for its upland agricultural areas.

Meanwhile, Governor AlontoAdiong said she wanted to equip all 41 municipal DRRMO “in compliance with Martial Law Instruction No. 1… to ensure the safety of responders and the general public at all times.”

Alonto-Adiong said well-equipped MDRRMOs will enable residents up to the village level “to conduct simulation exercises” more effectively.

She said local disaster offices should also be capacitated to precisely observe weather conditions, and that they should develop capability “to report (any obtaining situation) to a larger group or organization.”

SAYING the government’s socialized housing projects do not really suit the needs of the thousands of informal settlers, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Tuesday said she is eyeing “cheaper” housing programs for its residents.

Belmonte said in most instances, a “supposedly” low-cost housing unit would cost P450,000.

“So we cannot reduce [the number of our] informal settler families because they cannot afford the socialized housing house, which is P450,000 in loan,” she added.

Most of these “poorest of the poor,” the vice mayor said, are neither members of Pag-IBIG’s Home Mutual Development Fund nor qualified to get a housing loan.

At present, Belmonte said there are about 190,000 informal settler families in Quezon City, but believes there are thousands more unaccounted for by the city government.

“The P450,000 in my personal opinion is that it’s too high and not affordable to the target market which is your informal settler families, so the ones who benefited are probably salaried employees who used to rent and cannot afford to buy condos because it is too expensive,” she said.

“So what would I do? I would explore other ways of providing cheaper housing,” she added.

Belmonte said she is looking for more affordable shelter programs “that would truly benefit the city’s poorest of the poor.”

“Actually, if you carefully scrutinize the programs, if you go through the beneficiaries of some of these housing projects, it wasn’t really the poorest of the poor. It wasn’t really the informal settlers. It was the salaried sector,” she said.

The vice mayor did not mention what particular government housing program that failed to address the needs of the informal settlers.

Belmonte said she was able to attend a conference about a socialized housing program of the Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation Inc. utilizing bamboo housing in the city’s Barangay Silangan at a cheaper cost of P300,000, but with a bigger space and sturdier built.

She said the government of Thailand is helping out housing cooperatives to provide homes to the indigent.

Army brokers ‘rido’ settlements, yields 154 high-powered firearms

ERRATUM

Standard

TODAY

This refers to the Congratulatory ad of the Members for the Minority in Congress last February 12, 2018, Manila Standard 31st Anniversary issue, the name of REP. ORESTES T. SALON, Minority Floor Leader was inadvertently omitted. OUR APOLOGIES.

Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Philippine Army 6th Infantry Division commander (center), and local government officials of Lanao de Sur receive the assorted high-powered firearms surrendered by warring clans in Malabang and Marogong towns in a ceremony that ended their ‘rido’ (clan warfare) over the weekend. Mark Navales

MALABANG, Lanao del Sur—The re- labang versus the Oting, Bacaraman and cent Marawi siege has brought to the au- Pandato families of Barangay Diragun, thorities’ attention that the proliferation Marogong, all of Lanao Del Sur. Last Dec. 30, a firefight happened of loose firearms definitely contributed to the intensity of the battles in that city. at the mountainous area of Maranao Through the initiative of the 6th Infantry Planters Inc. at Brgy Diragun that led (Redskin) Battalion, 6th Infantry (Kampi- to one death on each opposing family.

The motive of the clash, the Army said, lan) Division, Philippine Army at Barangay Matling here and the Ranao-Ragat Inter- was of retaliation of the families of a certain Agency Task Force, seven more firearms Opaw Musa of Barangay Tiongcop, who were surrendered by residents, adding to was killed in Barangay Diragun Nov. 9.

Musa was allegedly killed by a certhe 147 high-powered firearms already setain alias “Baby Orak” Mamintal of cured from warring local clans.

The economic growth and other de- Barangay Diragun, the Army said. The velopmental activities in the five coastal conflict between the clans has been on towns of Malabang, Marugong, Kapata- and off for the last 25 years, it added.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Major Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Comgan, Picong and Balabagan, have always been hampered by hostilities due to fam- mander of the 6th ID, and local government officials believe the effects ily feuds or “rido,” the Army said.

The latest rido in the area is among the of rido on peace and security, governDimatingkal, Manalocon and Cadayon ance and economic development were families of Barangay Tiongcop, Ma- overly emphasized.

Cruise ships coming to Subic Bay

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT―Cruise ships are coming to Subic Bay. Warmly welcomed by the Subic Bay community, the Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Atlantica arrived at 7 a.m. Saturday, bringing in more than 2,000 passengers, mostly Chinese, to the Freeport.

Costa Atlantica’s visit is just the first of some 15 cruise ship visits expected in this Freeport for the year.

“Subic’s time to become the next cruise ship playground of Asia has al-

ready begun,” said SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma who with agency officials and members of the Board led the community in welcoming the cruise ship at the Alava Pier.

“We are very excited,” Eisma said. “I hope that this will spark our dream of making Subic a part of the inter-island itinerary of international cruise ships.”

Costa Atlantica’s arrival is a litmus test for Subic, which is raring to draw foreign tourists to the various attractions on its shores.

ERRATUM In the Feb. 13, 2018 issue of Manila Standard, on page B4, we erred in the caption of our main photo (pictured below). The caption should have read that Senator Loren Legarda (second from right) received a plaque of appreciation from Biñan Rep. Marlyn B. ‘Len’ Alonte Naguiat (second from left) for championing arts and culture in the Laguna city by gearing it toward culture-based governance. Flanking them are Biñan Vice Mayor Gel Alonte (left) and Mayor Walfredo ‘Arman’ Dimaguila Jr. (right).

We regret the error.

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardLIfe

fashion & beauty

Alden Richards wears TechnoMarine MoonSun Black

wednesday, february 14, 2018

Liza Soberano wears TechnoMarine Cruise Ceramic

Time for a new power couple T

oday’s hottest stars alden Richards and Liza soberano have several things in common. Both are half of a soughtafter love team, both their faces are plastered on billboards all over Metro Manila, both have loyal fans and followers, and both value time like a precious piece of treasure.

With days filled with work commitments and personal affairs, Richards and soberano make sure they are always on schedule. a good timepiece that doesn’t only tell the time but is stylish as well is a must-have accessory.

Richards go from tapings to launch events wearing the stylish TechnoMarine Moonsun Black. With its 44mm stainless steel case with a push crown

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and metal dial, the timepiece exude a gentlemanly elegance.

Meanwhile, the 22mm TechnoMarine Cruise Ceramic is as chic as soberano, what with its dial made of Mother of Pearls and hour mark with a high quality diamond. This newest addition to the brand’s Cruise collection comes in lovely white color with gold details.

The two watches are perfect for individuals with distinct personalities and flare, much like Richards and soberano. They are also ideal for couples, perhaps it’s time to see these two TechnoMarine endorsers together?

The Moonsun Black and Cruise Ceramic are available at sM Mall of asia, sM Megamall, sM North Edsa, sM City Cebu, sM Lanang Premier, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3, Robinson’s Galleria, Robinson’s Magnolia, shangri-La Plaza, and at Mydiamond concept stores nationwide.

Like TechnoMarine PH on Facebook or @technomarineph on Instagram to know more.

love sparkles suRPRisE your significant other with an exquisite jewelry that shines as bright as your love.

MyDiamond Heart Stud Earrings

MyDiamond Rosita Pendant

Dazzling DiamonDs

Nothing says forever quite like a diamond. Give her something that symbolizes your everlasting love like an elegant 14k white gold Rosita pendant with nine pieces of 0.15 carat diamonds and diamond bail with 10 pieces 0.02 carat diamonds. if she prefers earrings, a pair of 14k white gold Rosita stud with 18 pieces .5 carat diamonds is the brilliant choice.

Make her shine even even brighter with larger and bolder pieces such as the 14k white gold multi-way heart pendant with three pieces .37 carat diamonds and 24 pieces .18 carat diamonds, or a pair of 18k white gold heart stud earrings with 50 pieces .29 carat diamonds and .87 carat diamonds.

These jewelry pieces are available at Mydiamond concept stores in shangri-La Plaza Mall, sM Megamall, Robinsons Place Manila, Festival supermall, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Gateway Mall, sM Mall of asia, sM aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown Mall, ayala Fairview Terraces, and sM Lanang Premier davao.

stunning zirconia

stYlE sPotting

Chloë Grace Moretz carries new Longchamp bag aMERiCaN actress Chloë Grace Moretz was recently spotted carrying the new Mademoiselle Longchamp bag from the label’s spring 2018 collection at the 2018 sundance Film Festival.

Moretz, who recently celebrated her 21st birthday, was seen carrying the structured hobo bag when she was promoting her new movie The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the aforementioned festival.

Express your lasting affection with a jewelry that symbolizes “together forever.” Thomas sabo presents a necklace and bracelet, from its Together line, that feature a heart and a ring intertwined together. some of these filigree items of jewellery of 925 sterling silver are embellished with dazzling zirconia stones, and some are engraved with the word “ToGETHER.” The special edition Together pieces are available until Feb. 14 at Thomas sabo shops in Power Plant Mall, TriNoma, alabang Town Center, sM Mall of asia, and sM Megamall.

Thomas Sabo Together Necklace

Photo from StartraksPhoto.com Thomas Sabo Together Bracelet

Mademoiselle Longchamp bag

Chloe Grace Moretz carrying Mademoiselle

Year of the Dog sneakers iF you want to usher in the year of the Earth dog in accordance to the theme or you just love dogs, this limited edition pair of sneakers is the perfect white kicks for you.

Keds releases a Lunar New year edition of its popular Kickstart sneakers made of supple leather and adorned with a removable golden dog charm.

Each pair comes with premium gold

eyelets, luxurious gold detailing, and two sets of laces: a pair of basic white and a pair of red flat laces.

The Kickstart year of the dog retails at P3,795 a pair.

Keds Kickstart Year of the Dog

Life

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wednesday, february 14, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Wireless Bra Relax utilizes AIRism material to provide support with added comfort

Comfortably supportive brassiere CoInCIDInG with the release of Uniqlo’s 2018 spring/summer Wireless Bra collection is the launch of the new Wireless Bra Rel a x . equipped with the line’s s i g nature support, the new st yle is made to feel even lighter for added comfort.

Wireless Bra Relax has a tank-top silhouette that doesn’t bite into the skin, providing the lightest feel and most stress-free comfort in the Wireless Bra series. The underbust, arm, and neck portions utilize a stretchable bonding technology for an exact fit even as the wearer moves.

The bra stays in place without constricting and offers an exceptionally relaxed feel.

The virtually seamless design and use of AIRism material further enhances its smooth texture. It best worn when relaxing at home, or for casual, everyday use.

Along with the Wireless Bra Relax, the new season also comes with updated designs and colorways for the Beauty Light and Beauty Soft wireless bra styles.

Xy. Radha, Bituin t their curvy aNDFrse enchie Dy flaun

va n i t y c o r n er

us apparel.

Escalante, and in SM Woman Pl beautiful curves

Matte coverage

Celeteque DermoCosmetics’s Dual CC Matte Powder does the job of a daily face powder as it provides enough coverage to double as ligh foundation and SPF 30 to protect the skin from daily sun damage.

The combination of its matte formula and SPF makes the Dual CC Matte Cream a conscious makeup product that beautifies while protecting the skin in the long run. It comes in a new Golden Beige shade.

The Dual CC Matte Powder retails at P399 and is available at beauty stores nationwide.

Beauty in plus size G

one are the days when a certain size means beautiful and sexy. The state of fashion has greatly evolved over the last few years from time when individuals, particularly women, are constrained to what the society deems to be pleasing.

It truly is the age of diversity; women, as well as men, are now embracing themselves, are more free to express themselves, and are more proud to wear whatever they please.

SM Woman Plus makes a fashion

Welcome the Year of the Dog USheR in the good luck as you welcome the Year of the earth Dog at the Grand Ballroom of Grand hyatt Manila on Feb. 15 at 10:00 p.m.

The Chinese new Year eve event features activities that will bring forth fortune from the loyal earth Dog. It will be led by feng shui expert Princess Lim Fernandez.

For inquiries and reservations, visit Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony at New World Hotel or call (02) 7525882 or 811-6888 ext. 3066.

statement for every woman to be able to embrace and love their bodies.

The label selected three confident, beautiful, fun, and passionate women who aren’t afraid of powering through the sartorial norm.

Power belters Bituin escalante, Radha, and Frenchie Dy showcase their talent as they flaunt their beautiful curves on stage donning SM Woman Plus’s chic and size-inclusive pieces.

The three talented women wear some of the label’s trendy and classic styles, perfect for several kinds of occasions.

SM Woman Plus is available at The SM Store nationwide. Go to SM Woman Plus on Facebook or @SMWomanPlus on Instagram to know more.

Celeteque Dual CC Matte Powder

Frenchie Dy’s date night look

Naturally beautiful brows

Style your brows in one step with Max Factor natural Brow Styler.

The brow groomer is made of the same waxes used in mascara that coat the hair, but without the color.

Combined with a twisted wire comb, hair can be brushed to create and define the desired style for a clean brow look. Its soft gel glides on with ease and stays wet long enough for styling and then dries to a natural, invisible finish.

Max Factor Natural Brow Styler is available at P695 at all Max Factor counters nationwide.

Max Factor Natural Brow Styler

Chinese New Year eve event at Grand Hyatt Manila

The Wireless Bra Beauty Light is an innovative innerwear piece that utilizes a special urethane sheet to support the bust from below with a “flat f a c e ,” mimicking the support of an underwire without the usual discomfort. This season Uniqlo expands the color range with muted pastel tones that are fitting for the summer season, along with a floral lace design.

The Wireless Bra Beauty Light MultiWay, on the other hand, is made of super stretchy fabric that prevents slippage and creates a secure fit. The multi-way style has straps that can be removed or worn a variety of ways depending on your outfit.

Finally, Wireless Bra Beauty Soft features a soft cup and eliminates the back hook for added comfort.

Designed to lessen skin irritation while retaining its sufficient support, the Wireless Bra Beauty Soft uses stretchable broad straps to less the weight on the shoulders.

Visit www.uniqlo.com/ph for more information.

Bituin Escalante looks fierce in black

Radha’s chic casual ensemble

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

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Manila

Standard

and maintenance costs net of eligible subsidies. Subsidies, incentives and other Government undertakings, when so justified according to economic, environmental, and/or social grounds and allowed under existing laws, rules and regulations, shall be direct, specific and transparent.

TODAY

nickie.standard@gmail.com

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NEDA Board Resolution No.5 (s. 2017) Approving the National Transport Policy On motion duly seconded, be it resolved, as it is hereby RESOLVED, to approve, as it is hereby APPROVED, the latest version of the National Transport Policy (NTP) embodied in the NEDA Board Resolution below.

NEDA BOARD RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT POLICY 'Youtopia' is a spinoff of the top-rating primetime series, 'La Luna Sangre.'

Simply Red...

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Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Best Supporting Actress) Mary J. Blige in “Mudbound” Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Lesley Manville in “Phantom Thread” Laurie Metcalf in “Lady Bird” Octavia Spencer in “The Shape of Water” Best animated feature film of the year The Boss Baby The Breadwinner Coco Ferdinand Loving Vincent Achievement in cinematography Blade Runner 2049 Roger A. Deakins Darkest Hour Bruno Delbonnel Dunkirk Hoyte van Hoytema Mudbound Rachel Morrison The Shape of Water Dan Laustsen Achievement in costume design Beauty and the Beast Jacqueline Durran Darkest Hour Jacqueline Durran Phantom Thread Mark Bridges The Shape of Water Luis Sequeira Victoria & Abdul Consolata Boyle Achievement in directing Dunkirk Christopher Nolan Get Out Jordan Peele Lady Bird Greta Gerwig Phantom Thread Paul Thomas Anderson The Shape of Water Guillermo del Toro If you want a complete list of the nominations you visit oscars.org.

But it’s just a couple of weeks and the world will know how the members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted for the 90th Oscars. *** Binge-viewing and online streaming this 2018 has become more convenient for One SKY subscribers with their access to Netflix, HBO GO, iWant TV, and SKY On Demand, four sought after online streaming services of Filipinos.

Access to all four services gives One SKY subscribers a complete online entertainment experience as they can watch more movies and series with their family anytime, anywhere.

“Our promise to our subscribers is that everything that they need is under One SKY. Our dream is for families to conveniently bond over their favorite shows and movies whether they catch it online or on cable television,” said Jerome Almirante, SKY head of converged products and digital division.

SKY subscribers can binge the award-winning series about Queen Elizabeth II and her royal family in The Crown (Netflix), discover why the female-focused drama Big Little Lies was a big winner at the Golden Globes (HBO GO), witness stellar performances on America’s Got Talent (Blue Ant Entertainment on SKY On Demand), and follow the thrilling adventures of moonchaser Ryan Magno in the La Luna Sangre spinoff, Youtopia (iWant TV).

These streaming services are best enjoyed with One SKY’s fiberpowered unlimited broadband plans: 100Mbps at P3,899/month, 50Mbps at P2,899/month and 25Mbps at P1,899/month.

Access to Netflix and HBO Go requires separate subscriptions to these services. HBO GO is exclusive to SKY and is available to One SKY subscribers whose cable TV channel lineup includes HBO Go. Access to cable channels on SKY On Demand also depends on the channels included in their SKYcable TV channel lineup. iWant TV’s free access is available to SKY subscribers, allowing them to watch the three latest episodes of ABS-CBN programs and stream ABS-CBN, MOR and O Shopping on their devices.

Selected One SKY fiber-powered plans are available in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna,Batangas, Baguio, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos and Iloilo.

One SKY is one of the digital initiatives of ABS-CBN, which is transitioning into a digital company. SKY is the cable and broadband unit of ABS-CBN.

GMA News pillar Arnold Clavio is TOMP awardee SEASONED broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio was recognized as one of the Ten Outstanding Movers of the Philippines (TOMP) by the Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth (SAVE ME) Movement.

Clavio, who was cited for his work in the media and communications, dedicated the award to the people who continuously believe and support him.

“Maraming salamat sa SAVE ME Movement at dun sa siyam na kasama kong nabigyan ng parangal sa Palasyo ng Malacanang.

Sa inyo ‘yan, Kapuso,” he said.

A broadcast journalist for three decades now, Clavio is one of the hosts of the country’s longest-running morning show Unang Hirit. He also co-anchors GMA’s late night newscast Saksi. In GMA News TV, Clavio hosts the talk show Tonight with Arnold Clavio. He also co-anchors the weekday radio program Dobol A sa Dobol B on Super Radyo dzBB.

The TOMP Award recognizes exemplary and extraordinary deeds of Filipinos, documenting the heroic deeds of the recipients in the hope that their work will be replicated. The SAVE ME Movement is an environmental and ecological organization which aims to instill “greater awareness of, concern for, and responsibility to the imperative of sustainable life on earth.”

WHEREAS, the State recognizes the important role of transportation as an enabler and driver of socioeconomic development towards achieving inclusive and sustainable growth, and attaining the national development goals and objectives; WHEREAS, the State’s Transport Vision is a safe, secure, reliable, efficient,integrated, intermodal, affordable, costeffective, environmentally sustainable, and people-oriented national transport system that ensures improved quality of life of the people; WHEREAS, analyses of the condition of the Philippine transport system indicate recurring issues such as: (a) lack of integrated and coordinated transport network; (b) overlapping and conflicting functions of transport agencies; (c) transport safety and security concerns; and, (d) inadequate transport facilities particularly in conflict-affected and underdeveloped areas; WHEREAS, the development of the country’s transport system must be guided by a comprehen.sive National Transport Policy in order to ensure effective and efficient inter-government coordination, local government participation and stakeholders collaboration with the end in view of (a) providing intermodal connectivity among transport infrastructures. (b) effecting good governance through streamlined transport regulations, rationalized transport agency functions, policies aligned with government priorities and programs, ensured adherence to safety standards and compliance with international agreements, (c) promoting green and people-oriented transport systems, (d) creating “new” economic growth centers outside of the country’s key cities for inclusive growth through access improvement and support to tourism, agro-industry, trade and logistics, and other economic sectors, and (e) promoting transport infrastructure investments; WHEREAS, pending the passage of policies requiring legislative action, it is necessary that policy reforms, which can be administratively undertaken pursuant to existing laws be adopted and implemented to respond to the urgent transport demands and requirements of the national economy; NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Chairman and the Board, to approve and adopt the policy thrusts which shall embody the intended reforms in the transport sector, to wit: SECTION 1. National Transport Policy. To achieve the Transport Vision, the Government hereby adopts the National Transport Policy which all elements of the transport system and all sub-sectors of transportation, including passengers, shippers, service providers, investors, agencies and instrumentalities of government and those involved in the movement of people and goods and in the provision of transport infrastructure, facilities and services, shall abide by and use as guidance in transport development, management, operations, and use.

SECTION 2. Areas of Coverage. The National Transport Policy covers the following policy focus areas: (a) Resource Generation, Allocation and Cost Sharing; (b) Program and Project Selection; (c) Cost Recovery and Subsidies; (d) Regulation of Passenger Transport Services; (e) Transportation Management in Urban and Regional Areas; (f) Support to Other Economic Sectors; and, (g) Governance and Institutions.

SECTION 3. Resource Generation, Allocation and Cost Sharing. National transportation agencies and local government units (LGUs) will work together to address transport sector needs.

New investments shall be supported by regular maintenance allocations over the economic life of the asset, while asset preservation shall be accorded appropriate attention.

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and privatization of public transport operations shall be considered to augment Government resources, harness private sector expertise, gain technology transfers and operational efficiencies, and assign risks to the party best able to control or influence its occurrence or manage its consequence. The pursuit of PPP for transport projects shall be based on the parameters defined in the PPP policy to be agreed upon by the Government.

SECTION 4. Program and Project Selection. Programs and projects should be fully aligned with national development goals and priorities; compliant with international commitments; supported by adequate studies from a network perspective; convergent with comprehensive frameworks and plans; technically and economically feasible; environmentally sound with due consideration of measures to address Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change; socially acceptable; and based on public needs.

The “Philippine Transport System Master Plan” (PTSMP), which will guide the rational development of an intermodal transport network in the country through coordinated planning and operation of projects and programs as an integrated network of intermodal sub-systems, shall be formulated and periodically updated.

Environment-friendly transport systems shall be supported in order to promote environmental sustainability and protection. The use of clean and energy-efficient transport technology/fuels will be pursued. Non-motorized means to achieve inclusive mobility and accessibility shall include transit oriented development, prioritization of pedestrians, provision of support facilities that mainstream gender considerations, and inclusion of green ways network, i.e., elevated walkways, covered walkways, sidewalks and bike lanes.

Redundancy and res iliency measures shall be implemented especially in key infrastructures such as ports and airports to ensure accessibility, mobility and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian logistics under all circumstances.

Efficient data collection, management and dissemination shall be promoted through the establishment and maintenance of an open database system for all government agencies to ensure sound and coordinated transport plans and initiatives.

Broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio receives his “Ten Outstanding Movers of the Philippines” award.

SECTION 5. Cost Recovery and Subsidies. Fares and charges for transportation services, as determined by the appropriate regulatory agency, shall, as far as practicable, be cost-based and shall recover, at a minimum, the operational

SECTION 6. Regulation of Passenger Transport Services.

Transport agencies shall primarily be guided by public interest and safety in the regulation of passenger transport services.

Routes and areas for transport operations shall be determined and modified by the regulatory bodies based on the application of technical, environmental, economic and safety standards issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr). The regulatory bodies may subject the grant of the privilege to operate in a route or area through a competitive selection process such as, but not limited to, public bidding. All franchises or authorities to operate shall be guided by a clear and focused government regulation to be developed and led by DOTr. All transport agencies and LGUs operating and managing transport facilities shall strictly enforce and regularly update the standards on safety, security, level of service and environmental sustainability in keeping with DOTr and international standards and practices.

SECTION 7. Transportation Management in Urban and Regional Areas. The focus is moving more people than vehicles.

Public mass transportation in urban areas shall be given priority over private transport. High capacity public transport systems shall the preferred mode in high passenger density corridors.

Interconnectivity and multimodality within and among public transport modes shall be integrated in the development of the urban public transport system with due consideration of the appropriate public transportation hierarchy. Modal interchange areas that will facilitate the safe and convenient passenger transfer and uninterrupted vehicular movement on surrounding roads will be provided/improved.

In addressing traffic congestion in urban roads, cost-effective mobility management measures will be preferred over more expensive infrastructure facilities. Travel demand management schemes shall be implemented and traffic engineering solutions such as the use of of intelligent transport systems (ITS) in the operation and management of transport projects shall be adopted. Local development of ITS and similar technologies shall be encouraged by the State.

With the assistance of Regional Offices of transport agencies, LGUs shall periodically develop transport and traffic management plans to ensure integration with the area’s land use plans, taking into consideration external accessibility needs and alignment to regional/national development goals. They are likewise expected to implement the same and shall be monitored by the appropriate regulatory body.

SECTION 8. Support to Other Economic Sectors. DOTr shall coordinate with Government agencies and the private sector in establishing a seamless, intermodal tourism, agro-industry and trade and logistics transport network through the implementation of Convergence Programs, among others, to ensure adequate transport infrastructure support, including the efficient and unimpeded flow of people, goods, and services especially during emergencies.

DOTr shall lead the development of a single transport document and one-stop procedures to expedite the cost-efficient processing of cargo shipments while optimizing the use of available information technologies. The laws, rules and regulations on the levy of local taxes, fees, charges and other impositions on the transport of goods and passengers carried into or out, or passing through the respective jurisdictions, will be strictly enforced.

SECTION 9. Governance and Institutions. Legislative action or administrative modification shall be undertaken, as appropriate, in cases where transport agencies have overlapping or conflicting functions or possess both regulatory and operating functions.

The DOTr, in the exercise of its mandate, shall work closely with other transport agencies to ensure that all transport modes are integrated and intermodal, even those that fall within the mandates of other agencies.

All concerned agencies, the LGUs, and the academe shall work together in enhancing institutional capacities and capabilities, encouraging and supporting transparency and accountability initiatives, and effectively engaging the private sector and civil society in the development of transport projects.

SECTION 10. Implementation of the National Transport Policy. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), DOTr and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), through the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning (IATCTP) and NEDA Board-Committee on Infrastructure (INFRACOM), shall undertake the necessary measures to implement the National Transport Policy.

Departments, agencies and instrumentalities, including Government Owned and/or Controlled Corporations exercising transportation development functions shall prepare their respective plans, projects, and programs for submission to the IATCTP/INFRACOM for review in accordance with the approved methodology and procedure and the provisions of this Resolution.

Plans, projects, and programs prepared in violation hereof shall be deemed unauthorized, and any expenditure therefor shall be deliberated.

To ensure that the National Transport Policy guides the long-term development of the transport sector, NEDA, DOTr, and DPWH shall undertake appropriate measures for legislative action to achieve said purpose.

SECTION 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within thirty (30) days from the effectivity of this Resolution, the INFRACOM, through the IATCTP, shall formulate and issue the accompanying Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of this Resolution to effectively carry out its provisions.

SECTION 12. Transitory Clause. All valid and existing contracts entered into by the Government prior to the effectivity of this Resolution shall not be impaired and shall be upheld.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. Any portion or provisions of this Resolution that may be declared unconstitutional or invalid shall not have the effect of nullifying other portions or provisions hereof as long as such remaining portions or provisions can still subsist and be given effect in their entirety.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. All orders, memoranda, circulars and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Resolution, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity. This Resolution shall take effect immediately after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED. September 12, 2017.

Certified correct ERNESTO M. PERNIA Secretary of Socioeconomic Planning and Director-General, NEDA Secretariat MS-(FEB. 14, 2018)

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018

Unlocking the secrets of Wakanda

In a recent media event, Kim Chiu shared that her film 'The Ghost Bride' is currently the most watched content on iFlix.

French American actor Timothee Chalamet earns an Oscar nomination for 'Call Me By Your Name.'

Oscar nominees at the awards night on

MARCH 5

T’Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther, is the highlight of "The Secrets of Wakanda” exhibit in select SM malls.

A different kind of V -Day with

KIM CHIU

By Nickie Wang

I

F YOU are still settling for the typical home dinner and movie night combo this Valentine’s Day, Kim Chiu has an interesting idea on how to add a little twist to that routine.

'The Ghost Bride,' a film directed by Chito S. Roño, digs deeply into the mysterious Chinese tradition of ghost weddings.

“Instead of watching a date movie, why not a horror film? It’s a nice idea if you want to be a bride of a ghost,” she said in jest during an intimate media conference held recently.

The Kapamilya star was referring to her movie The Ghost Bride which digs deeply into the mysterious Chinese tradition of ghost weddings. The film also stars Matteo Guidicelli, Christian Bables, Alice Dixson, and Ina Raymundo. The horror film is now streaming exclusively on iFlix and the third film from Star Cinema to be featured on the SVOD platform.

“It’s an interesting take on Valentine’s to invite your date over to your house and watch something like that,” she added In the movie, Kim plays Mayen, a young woman trying to save her family home while taking care of her ailing father. In return for a huge sum of money, she speaks to a Chinese matchmaker (Dixson) and agrees to become a “ghost bride” to a wealthy but deceased Chinese man. But when the dead man’s ghost endangers Mayen’s family and loved ones, Mayen has to find a way to save her family, and ultimately, herself.

The actress was also excited to announce that the film is currently the top movie on iFlix toppling foreign contents from South Korea. iFlix Philippines Head of Content, Marketing and Operations, Georgette Tengco said, “The release of The Ghost Bride on iFlix is a continuation of our commitment to provide our viewers with content that is fresh and in tune with what our subscribers want to watch. It is a good way to start our 2018, as we head towards increased hyper-localization of the content we offer on iFlix.”

The Ghost Bride joins a lineup of film and TV shows that can satisfy your inner Kim Chiu fan. Among the binge-worthy choices are the TV series My Binondo Girl, Tayong Dalawa, alongside blockbuster movies Bakit Hindi Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo, First Day High, Till My Heartache Ends, I Love You Goodbye, and I’ve Fallen For You. Now available to over one billion consumers across 24 territories throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa, iFlix has established itself as the clear market leader in video streaming. Offering consumers a vast library of top Hollywood, Asian and Middle Eastern regional, and local TV shows and movies.

Maine Mendoza reveals her ‘one true love’ LOVE, indeed, presents itself in so many ways. And as February officially kicks off the romantic Valentine mood, phenomenal star and TV darling Maine Mendoza finally opens up about her long-time love affair -- with cooking, that is. After all, who says you can’t find hearty indulgence in the kitchen?

A Culinary Arts graduate from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Maine doesn’t hide the fact that she enjoys experimenting recipes in the kitchen as it is her “happy place” long before entering showbiz. Though

she might be enjoying her fame as a sought-after celebrity endorser, Maine never strayed far from her one true love, as she is also successfully running her fast food resto outlet in her hometown.

Recently, Maine also guested in The Jolly Show where she showed off her culinary skills.

“We all have that creative passion in life. Mine is cooking at home, it is definitely one of my greatest sources of joy,” she muses.

While the quintessential Adobo has many regional variations, Maine’s

version calls for a secret ingredient: Adding extra TLC using Jolly canned mushrooms.

“Adobo is my absolute favorite. It’s one of the easiest dishes that you can make any time. Whenever I cook it, I make sure that my main ingredient, the meat, is fresh, of good quality, and well-marinated to lock in flavor, aroma, and to make it delightfully tender,” shares Maine.

Maine’s heirloom “Adobo with Mushroom” is sure to make one fall as she combines classic familiar flavors with a novel twist.

TO CELEBRATE the theatrical release of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, in cinemas starting today, SM Cinema gives Marvel fans a sneak peek into the kingdom of the Black Panther, Wakanda.

Visitors can check out an immersive experience, “The Secrets of Wakanda” in select SM malls.

Step into “The Secrets of Wakanda” and be welcomed by the entrance arch, signaling the crossover into Wakanda.

A few more steps in and fans will get a glimpse of the mystical metal Vibranium in the Vibranium cave.

The controversial mineral, which is also contained in Captain America’s shield, has allowed Wakanda to take huge steps in technology, making the kingdom a target for enemies who envy its Vibranium resources.

Wakanda is fiercely protected by the Black Panther and the Warriors of Wakanda. Visitors can check out a gallery inspired by the soldiers’ traditional yet hi-tech outfits.

Cap off your tour of Wakanda by paying tribute to their leader, T’Challa, more known as the Black Panther. Fans will get the chance to take photos with a life-sized figurine of the Black Panther.

“The Secrets of Wakanda” arrived at the SM Mall of Asia on Jan. 26 and traveled to SM East Ortigas on Feb. 8, and then it will make an appearance at SM City Fairview on Feb. 22, and SM City San Lazaro on March 8. There will also be retail areas for fans to purchase Wakandainspired apparel.

To make your Marvel movie experience more exciting, SM Cinema gives away a free popcorn treat when you buy your tickets online. Free popcorn can be availed by the first 1000 people per day from today until Feb. 16 and valid in SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA and SM Megamall.

Tickets can be booked through the new website, www.smcinema. com or for an even more convenient experience, get the SM Cinema app and win tickets to the advance movie screening. Stay tuned to /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for more information.

ISAH V. RED

THE 90th Oscars® will be on March 4 in the US (March 5 in the Philippines) at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California at 5:00 p.m. Oscars fans will be able to see the ceremonies live via HBO (just make sure you’re TV sets are cabled and the service offers the movie channel, better yet in high definition (HD).

The 90th Academy Awards® nominations were announced on Jan. 23 from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theatre by actress-comedian Tiffany Haddish and actordirector Andy Serkis and joined by Academy President John Bailey.

As the home of the Oscars® (#HBOAsiaOscars2018) in Asia, subscribers across Asia can enjoy the ultimate Oscars® experience across multiple screens on TV and connected mobile devices on HBO Asia’s network of channels and online platforms. Stream the Oscars® Red Carpet ‘Live’ from 7:30 a.m. followed by The 90th Academy Awards® ‘Live’ at 9 a.m. ‘live’ on HBO GO or watch it ‘live’ and exclusively on HBO. Both programs will encore that same night on HBO at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.

Below is a partial list of nominees.

Performance by an actor in a leading role (Best Actor) Timothée Chalamet in Call Me by Your Name Daniel Day-Lewis in Phantom Thread Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out Gary Oldman in Darkest Hour Denzel Washington in Roman J. Israel, Esq. Performance by an actor in a supporting role (Best Supporting Actor) Willem Dafoe in The Florida Project Woody Harrelson in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Richard Jenkins in The Shape of Water Christopher Plummer in All the Money in the World Sam Rockwell in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Performance by an actress in a leading role (Best Actress) Sally Hawkins in The Shape of Water Frances McDormand in Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri Margot Robbie in I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan in Lady Bird Meryl Streep in The Post Continued on C3