Manila Standard - 2018 January 12 - Friday

Unaware of facts, Carpio skips CJ impeach move

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairman of the House committee on justice on Thursday confirmed having received a letter from senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio declining to testify in the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said the committee would respect Carpio’s decision.

“As far as I am concerned, my questions to Justice Carpio were already addressed. But I will still ask my colleagues if they still have questions for him,” Umali added.

Umali said Carpio declined to testify because he has no personal knowledge on the alleged irregularities attributed to Sereno.

Aside from Carpio, Umali

said his panel has invited Associate Justices Samuel Martires, Lucas Bersamin, and Diosdado Peralta to the impeachment hearings.

It also extended invitations to Associate Justices Mariano del Castillo and Andres Reyes Jr. to testify against Sereno.

The panel will resume its hearings on Monday, Jan. 15.

Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Noel Tijam and Francis Jardeleza had already testified against Sereno on her failure to abide by internal procedures and consult the full court on various matters.

Similarly, retired SC Associate Justice Arturo Brion also appeared before the Umali panel.

Umali also said that his panel also invited Court of Appeals acting Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando.

VOL. XXXI • NO. 329 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Duterte defuses Diokno’s ‘bomb’ Roque speculates, Diokno denies, President confirms

Diño’s first salvo: List of drug suspects

By Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENTIAL Spokesman Harry Roque on Thursday said he was only speculating when he said President Rodrigo Duterte wanted to double the salaries of public school teachers, in the same way he did for the police and soldiers.

By John Paolo Bencito THE Palace on Thursday said it sees nothing wrong with newly appointed Interior Undersecretary Martin Diño’s order for all barangay captains to submit a “nacro list” in their respective villages, a move human rights lawyers condemned as unconstitutional.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that Diño, who was appointed to the job of undersecretary for barangay affairs was simply doing his job.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong for as long as it will entail conduct of an investigation,” Roque said during a Palace news conference.

“It’s just a request to come up with names so they could conduct investigations. It always begins with an investigation.”

“That’s the mandate of the DILG because they have the jurisdiction over local governments.

Roque insisted that critics should allow the DILG to fulfill its duty to maintain peace and order in the country, and said investigations would be conducted to verify allegations against the names on those lists.

Roque added that the public has the right to know who among the members of their communities are allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

“What’s wrong with that? Because people should know, by way of general reputation, who are involved in drugs. I think communities know but it’s not enough for anything. You have to investigate on the basis of these leads,” he said. Next page

“What I said was.. I am not sure how much the increase [would be]….

Judging from the military and police... [it] could be doubled… No mistake there since I said I do not know how much and speculated only,” Roque said, a day after Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said raising pay for teachers was not a priority.

But Roque countered Diokno’s

THE Justice Department on Thursday ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to find an immigration officer who tried to help a Chinese businessman leave the country after being linked to smuggling in of P6.4 billion worth

DoJ reopens Aegis Juris hazing probe

By Rey E. Requejo

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TEACHERS’ PAY. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque (top left) says Thursday President Duterte (top right) asked his Cabinet on Monday to find ways to increase the salary of teachers—aptly represented by statues representing the torch of light in front of the Philippine Normal University and devoted teachers fronting the National Teachers College, on the same day the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-National Capital Region threatened to storm the Budget office in Manila to dramatize their protest against Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno (top middle) for being ‘teacher’s enemy no. 1.’ File Photos

Immigration officer in hot water over P6.4-b shabu mess

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

assertion and said public school teachers would get their pay hikes “soon.”

He reiterated that the President had asked his Cabinet members during their Jan. 8 meeting to find ways to increase the salary of teachers.

“I’m unequivocally stating that the President ordered everyone to

of shabu.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said the immigration officer, whom he did not name, tried to assist Chen Julong, alias Richard Tan board his plane bound for China.

Immigration officers at Clark International Airport, however, stopped Tan from leaving after

his name appeared in the Bureau of Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order list.

Tan , the owner of a warehouse in Valenzuela City where the shabu shipment was seized, tried to leave the country several times, the last time through the Clark in Pampanga.

Aguirre said that several per-

sons tried to lobby for Tan leave the country, including the immigration officer who is now absent without leave.

He said the Justice Department has already asked the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court to reconsider the dismissal of the criminal case against Tan and several others in

CALM DEMEANOR. A horse-drawn carriage on Tuesday passes by a memorial statue for World War II ‘comfort women’ made sex slaves for Japanese troops during the conflict. The Philippine government was left in an awkward position after Japan criticized its southern trade partner and key aid recipient for authorizing the memorial near the Japanese embassy in Manila. AFP

THE Department of Justice has reopened its preliminary investigation on the fatal hazing of University of Santo Tomas law student Horacio Castillo III by members of the Aegis Juris fraternity.

This was revealed on Thursday by Assistant Prosecutor Wendell Bendoval, member of the DoJ panel hearing the charges of murder, hazing and obstruction of justice against the fraternity members, saying the preliminary investigation would

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Palace: President’s hands tied in Veloso drug smuggling case

By John Paolo Bencito and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan FILIPINO domestic helper Mary Jane Veloso cannot expect any help from President Rodrigo Duterte despite her earnest appeal to testify before Philippine courts against her recruiters in a bid to overturn her death sentence, the Palace said Thursday.

“I don’t understand what exactly the President can do in this regard,” Palace spokesman Harry

THE Public Attorney’s Office on Thursday cited a pattern in deaths of people injected with Dengvaxia vaccine following the death of the fifth victim of dengue from Bataan.

Dr. Erwin Erfe, PAO forensic expert, said the fifth child examined showed the same pattern of severe internal bleeding, enlarged twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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manilastandard.net

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PAO forensic expert sees strong ‘pattern’ in 5 Dengvaxia deaths

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Roque said of Veloso, who is still languishing in Indonesian death row.

Recently, the Court of Appeals’ denied Veloso’s appeals to stand witness against her recruiters Maria Cristina Sergio and her livein partner Julius Lacanilao, after they supposedly tricked her into transporting illegal drugs to Indonesia in 2010.

Roque maintained that Veloso “is detained in foreign soil because of breach of Indonesian

organs and petechial rashes.

“There is bleeding in the head, brain, heart, lungs and intestinal tract. Basically, we have the same findings,” he told a television interview over dzMM. The autopsy of the bodies of at least four children exhumed showed a pattern after having been inoculated with Dengvaxia vaccine.

At the Department of Health, Next page

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Solons seek SC relief on TRAIN law

By Rey E. Requejo

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AWMAKERS on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or TRAIN law.

In a 34-page petition, the lawmakers led by Rep. Carlos Zarate sought the immediate issuance of a temporary restraining order to stop the TRAIN or Republic Act 10963 and subsequently declare the new tax law unconstitutional.

They made their petition

even as the Office of the Solicitor General on Thursday slammed the petition.

“Lack of quorum of Congress is that all you have to nullify the TRAIN Law? Thank you, your Honors, for making my job easier,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said in a post on his Twitter

it implements the Constitution,” the lawmakers said in their petition.

They said only around 10 lawmakers, including the petitioners, were present during the ratification stage.

“There having been no quorum during the last three minutes of its December 13, 2017 session, the House of Representatives cannot legitimately and validly conduct any business, much less validly ratify the TRAIN Bicameral Conference Committee Report,” the petitioners said.

They also claimed that

there was a grave abuse of discretion on the part of President Rodrigo Duterte when he signed the law that was not properly ratified by Congress.

“There having been no valid ratification of the TRAIN BCC Report, there was consequently no valid presentment to the President of a bill for his enactment,” the petitioners said.

The petition named Duterte and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other House leaders as respondents, but did not include the

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connection with the P6.4billion shipment of illegal drugs last year.

State prosecutors filed a motion for reconsideration dated Dec. 27, 2017 asking Valenzuela City RTC Branch 171 presiding Judge Maria Nena Santos to reverse her ruling dismissing the criminal case against Tan or Richard Chen; Li Guang Feng, also known as Manny Li; Dong Yi Shen Xi, also known as Kenneth Dong Yi or Yi Shan Dong; Mark Ruben Taguba II; Eirene Mae Tatad; Teejay Marcellana; Chen I-Min; Jhu Ming Jyun; Chen Rong Huan; and three other still unidentified respondents.

Aguirre said the dismissal of the case would not affect the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department has prevented a bid to gain temporary freedom for four Chinese nationals arrested in July 2016 for operating a floating shabu laboratory in Subic.

This came after the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court, Branch 75, turned down the motion for bail filed by the four accused from Hong Kong—Win Fai Lo, Shu Fook Leung, Kam Wah Kwok and Kwok Tung

Chan.

In a resolution dated Dec. 22, but released only on Thursday, Judge Raymond Viray ruled “there is no clear showing that the prosecution’s case is weak as to entitle the accused to bail.”

The court said the presence of equipment used in manufacturing shabu was “prima facie proof of [the] manufacture of [the] dangerous drug.”

“In addition, shabu in its finished product was found inside the boat, which leads the discussion to the other charge of drug possession,” the ruling said.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera, head of the DOJ prosecution team handling the case, welcomed the court decision.

Records showed that authorities arrested the four Chinese off the municipal waters of Barangay Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales on July 11, 2016 aboard a 50-meter fishing vessel which was found to be a laboratory used for the manufacture of shabu. Half-a-kilo of shabu worth P2.5 million was seized from them.

They were indicted for violations of Section 8 (Manufacture) and 11 (Possession) of Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

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pendent review of medical charts of children who may have experienced serious adverse events or died following immunization.

Last Wednesday, Erfe said more than 800,000 children who have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia were at risk, following the findings of a “strong” pattern in the deaths of four children with dengue symptoms.

PAO chief Persida RuedaAcosta said two of the 21 children who got the vaccines and manifested high fever and rashes were still at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, while the rest had been discharged.

“These two are in toxic,” she said.

She insisted those involved in the procurement of the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia vaccines for the mass school-based immunization program for public school pupils must be held culpable.

“The teachers, the doctors, the nurses and the others are not liable since they were just receiving instructions,” she said.

Duque said their panel of independent experts and

the PGH had been tasked to monitor adverse events following immunization and determine whether they were related to the vaccination.

“We see PAO’s efforts as complementary to our own and we would like to see the results of their probe,” Duque said.

The Health chief also assured the public of a credible and impartial investigation on the alleged deaths by following strict protocols in the selection and vetting of independent experts.

“We made sure that each member of the expert panel has no financial or intellectual ties to Sanofi Pasteur,” he added.

He said experts from the PGH who were tasked to review the medical chart were carefully vetted by PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.

“We want to preserve the integrity of this expert as panel and, like everyone else, we are after the truth,” Duque emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Health chief clarified reports he was hired as a consultant by former secretary Janette L. Ga-

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and subscribe to his affidavit.

The respondents would also be given copies of the affidavit and required to submit their comments in the next hearings.

In his six-page affidavit submitted to the DoJ last October, Ventura revealed that 23 members of their fraternity were present during Castillo’s initiation rites held in their library last Sept. 17.

Ventura, who participated in the hazing but now under the witness protection program, gave nine new names—Edric Pilapil, Zach Abulencia, Daniel Ragos, Dave Felix, Sam Cagalingan, Alex Cairo, Luis Kapulong, Kim Cyrill Roque and Ged Villanueva.

He also confirmed the participation of their fraternity president Arvin Balag, master initiator Axel Munro Hipe and 12 other members already charged before the DoJ-Ralph Trangia, Oliver John Audrey Onofre, Mhin Wei Chan, Daniel Hans Matthew Rod-

rigo, Karl Matthew Villanueva, Joshua Joriel Macabali, Marcelino Bagtang, Zimon Padro, Jose Miguel Salamat, Leo Lalusis, Alex Bose and Robin Ramos.

Ventura also recalled a female companion of Bose present in the library during the initiation rites.

The witness said the initiation rites started at 2 a.m. with a prayer so that nothing untoward would happen during the process.

He said they required Castillo to do some stretching before proceeding with the rites.

Ventura said frat members then started the hazing by punching Castillo’s arms.

He said they then used spatulas in tapping Castillo’s arms to reduce the swelling and calm the muscles, before hitting him with paddles.

After the third hit, the initiators asked Castillo if he could still endure the process to which he answered yes, according to the affidavit.

account, noting that such argument was a flimsy excuse.

According to the petitioners, the TRAIN law should be considered void because the House of Representatives approved it without a quorum as required in the Constitution.

“There was grave abuse of discretion on the part of the respondent House leaders when they had the TRAIN Bicameral Conference Committee Report ratified despite the glaring lack of quorum and several other violations of the Constitution and the House Rules insofar as

Licuanan thumbs down resign calls

By Rio n. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz COMMISSION on Higher Education head Patricia Licuanan said Thursday she will not resign her post despite her vertigo.

She told ANC’s Headstart she was in the pink of health and ignored Iligan City Rep. Frederick Siao’s suggestion that she step down.

“Whatever vertigo I have occasionally is definitely under control,” Licuanan said.

She made the statement even as a lawmaker urged her to consider early retirement following her allegedly excessive foreign trips and the non-release of billions of pesos in allowances for K-12 scholars.

“The mismanagement of the P5.275-billion K-to-12 Transition Program under the Office of Chairperson Patricia Licuanan is a preview of the implementation of the Free Higher Education Act,” Rep. Jericho Nograles said Thursday.

He vowed to investigate the issue.

Licuanan insisted she had a fixed term following her appointment to her

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Penal Laws” but “continues to be alive despite being meted the death penalty.”

“But there is such a a thing as sovereignty and the matter is completely in the hands of the Indonesian government, although I think the Indonesian government by not carrying out the punishment of death penalty has shown clemency on a daily basis,” he added.

But while Malacañang was expressing any inability for presidential succor, the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines was reiterating its a firm commitment to give Veloso the best legal assistance through the DFA legal assistance funds.

In a text message, the DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Raul Dado however noted the assistance did not include a benefit where the accused’s family was entitled to visit their loved one yearly.

“In the case of Mary Jane, even if her family is not entitled to visit her yearly, the Philippine government and the DFA is (sic) still committed to giving her the best legal assistance through the generous use of the Legal Assistance Funds,” Dado said.

He said the DFA would continue to help Veloso by financing and hiring a lawyer for her, through the use of assistance funds.

“We are treating all death penalty cases similarly, and in this case, no one is entitled to yearly visits,” he said.

“The contemplation of the visits is once or twice after the conviction but not yearly,” he added.

The family of Veloso has visited her during the past five years.

On her birthday last Jan. 9, Veloso sent an appeal to Duterte to allow her to testify in the trial of Sergio and Lacanilao, in the hope she would be given the chance to testify in court and prove her innocence.

“President Duterte, my supposed execution was reprieved

post.

“My term is over on July 20th, 2018. I’m doing my job. Just let me finish it. It’s just six months. Why can’t people wait?” she said.

“I don’t know... many [want my job].”

Siao told Licuanan to make a graceful exit, saying her vertigo could “be precursors to accidents,” and that could make her inefficient.

But Licuanan said she saw no compelling reason to do so.

She blamed dismissed executive director Julio Vitriolo as the one behind the call to leave CHED before she finishes her term.

“I think he [Vitriolo] may have encouraged lawmakers to look into me and continue the campaign to get me out,” Licuanan said.

She said there was a power struggle inside CHED over Vitriolo’s attempt to unseat incumbent executive director Karol Mark Yee, who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 14.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier dismissed Vitriolo in relation to the 1996 agreement between because Christina [Sergio] and Julius [Lacanilao] have pled (sic) their guilt and that I am innocent and had no knowledge of the drugs found in the luggage I brought.”

Veloso, a mother of two, was convicted for bringing 2.6 kilograms of heroin to the Yogyakarta Airport in 2010.

Her execution by firing squad was put on hold in 2015 to allow her to testify against the recruiters in the Philippines who allegedly duped her into bringing the illegal drugs to Indonesia.

But in an 18-page decision, the Former Eleventh Division reversed the ruling of Judge Anarica CastilloReyes of the Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija Regional Trial Court that allowed Veloso to testify against Maria Cristina Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao.

The court said Reyes made an error in allowing the deposition of Veloso on April 27 in Yogyakarta Prison, saying the inmate must be present in the Philippines for the court to admit her testimony subject to a cross examination.

Duterte had only told Indonesian President Joko Widodo to follow their own laws, amid reports the President had given the green light for Veloso’s execution.

Veloso is one of 73 Filipinos bound for execution abroad, according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.

Dado said the assistance funds were not only being used for overseas Filipino workers in death row but also for the repatriation of distressed Filipino nationals, medical repatriation, emergency evacuation and the needs of millions of OFWs worldwide.

“Since these are public funds, the DFA is committed to an equitable use of these funds for all OFWs in need, giving a fair chance to all,” he pointed out.

Both Veloso and her parents have sought the help of Duterte in allowing her to testify in the trial of Veloso’s recruiters.

the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and National College of Physical Education to operate diploma programs using PLM’s facilities.

Such arrangement was found to be irregular, and that caused Vitriolo’s dismissal from the service for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, incompetence and inefficiency.

The Court of Appeals’ 12th Division, however, overturned the Ombudsman’s decision and ordered the reinstatement of Vitriolo as CHED executive director.

Licuanan said the appellate court’s order was not final, and therefore the executive director was still Yee and not Vitriolo.

“According to legal advice, we cannot reinstate him [Vitriolo]. He is there physically,” she said.

“We found a [new] room for our new executive director. We appealed to Malacañang, [and it said] no for now unless [the court order is] final and executory.”

“We are trying to continue our work and ignore unnecessary distractions.”

Secretary Francisco Duque III welcomed an ongoing probe initiated by the Department of Justice and the Public Attorney’s Office since the DoH was after the truth.

“We received news that the forensics unit of the Public Attorney’s Office has conducted autopsies on fatalities purportedly related to the dengue vaccine program. We welcome PAO’s probe and we are willing to extend any help in unveiling the truth,” Duque said.

The DoH has convened an independent panel of experts to review the latest evidence on Dengvaxia generated from the five-year observation period in clinical trials as well as the data available to the DoH through the postmarketing surveillance of the Food and Drug Administration and the surveillance of adverse events following immunization at the DoH Epidemiology Bureau.

DoH has also partnered with the Philippine General Hospital to conduct an inde-

resume after it had been submitted for resolution.

Bendoval said the panel had received the affidavit of Marc Anthony Ventura, one of the 37 respondents who turned witness, from the DoJ’s witness protection program last Jan. 3.

During the earlier hearings, Ventura did not submit his sworn statement, which provided the details on what took place during the Aegis Juris initiation rites, which led to the death of Castillo last September 17, 2017.

“It’s material evidence we have to consider. So, we have to reopen the preliminary investigation. We can’t resolve the case if the evidence is incomplete,” he stressed.

For this purpose, the panel will resume the hearings at 2 p.m. today (Friday) when Ventura, a member of the fraternity, is expected to appear

senators who approved the law in the list.

The lack of quorum in the House was the main argument of the petitioners, who said they would have to still study the legality of the key provisions of the TRAIN law and file a separate petition if necessary.

They said the tax reform law, which slashes personal income tax rates while raising additional revenue for infrastructure and social services, was actually not beneficial to the public.

With PNA

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study how to increase the salary of teachers,” he said.

Diokno on Wednesday said raising teachers’ pay would cost the government an additional P500 billion.

The government needs the money to fund its massive infrastructure projects under its “Build, Build, Build” program, Diokno said.

Roque insisted, however, that the President would keep his promise.

“The President wants to increase the salary of teachers. The intention is there. It will not be taken back,” Roque said.

“It will take time but it will happen during his administration,” he added.

Diokno on Wednesday said it would be better to carry out a pay raise in 2020 with the full implementation of the Salary Standardization Law. He said the law will raise the pay of government workers, including public school teachers, by an average of 15 percent to 16 percent this year. Another round of pay hikes will be carried out next year.

He added that public school teachers are already paid more than their private sector counterparts.

At present, an entry-level teacher in a public school earns P20,000, excluding allowances and bonuses. rin in 2015.

“I was never a consultant.

I was just invited to chair a committee that would evaluate the nominations for the appointments of undersecretaries, assistant secretaries, and board members of specialty hospitals and attached agencies to the DoH in my capacity as former Chair of the Civil Service Commission and opted not to receive any compensation.” Duque said.

“My professional engagement was limited only to being part of the selection committee and I was never involved in any policy making decisions during that time. It had absolutely nothing to do with the decision of then Secretary Garin to implement the Dengvaxia School-Based Immunization that began in March 2016,” he said.

In light of the ongoing investigations on the dengue vaccine, Duque reiterated that the Department was more focused on the concerns emanating from the administration of the dengue vaccine to more than 830,000 children.

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Lawyer Gilbert Andres of the Center for International Law (CenterLaw) however, slammed the new order, since it is dangerous for a state to label some of its people as suspected law offenders.

He also said the order violates the Constitution, which states that all suspects must be presumed innocent.

CenterLaw—the same group whom Roque helped found before running for Congress in 2016—said they are considering legal actions against Diño’s directive before the Supreme Court, since only the courts can say if an offender is a criminal or

’I won't be a fugitive again’ — Joel Reyes FORMER Palawan governor Joel Reyes said Thursday he will not flee the country after he was cleared by the Court of Appeals in the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega in 2011.

“I will not leave. I’m here,” Reyes told reporters after attending his court date at the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division.

“I believe in the rule of law, and it saddens me that I have just left prison after a very serious case. I am here to face this case,” Ortega said, referring to his graft case.

The appellate court cleared Reyes last week of his involvement in the killing of Ortega, ruling that the Regional Trial Court of Puerto Princesa committed grave abuse of discretion in finding probable cause to order his arrest.

The prosecution attempted to block Reyes’ release by filing an urgent motion to cancel his bail bond and order his immediate arrest out of fear he will flee following his conviction over the anomalous renewal of smallscale mining permits.

The prosecutors made their point by citing the arrest of Reyes and his brother, former Coron mayor Mario Reyes, in Thailand in 2015.

Joel Reyes said he fled the country after receiving seveal death threats, but he eventually returned to face the charges against him.

During the proceedings, the prosecution urged the Sandiganbayan to order the arrest of Reyes despite the lack of a formal reply.

Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang chided the prosecution for barring the comment of Reyes through his lawyer Demetrio Custodio.

“The court understands your concern given past events that he [Reyes] fled, but he is also entitled to be heard. Fair is fair,” Tang said.

Tang also asked Custodio to guarantee the attendance of Reyes, who was seen kissing the crucifix of a rosary during the hearing, in future hearings of the Sandiganbayan.

“As an officer of the court, can you guarantee that the accused will not flee until the court has resolved the pending motion?” she said.

“Yes, your honor,” Custodio said.

Tang gave Custodio until Monday next week to submit their written reply on the omnibus motion, while the prosecution was given until Wednesday for their opposition.

not.

“It is dangerous for the state to make a list of people and label them as suspects,” he said in Filipino.

“The state cannot say, ‘Hey, you’re a criminal’ because only the court can do that.”

Diño, who was eased out his post as chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority after being embroiled in a leadership tug-of-war, said barangay officials would have to submit their lists or face possible dismissal.

“I will ask all the barangays to submit a list of suspected drug pushers, suspected criminals in their respective barangays. This time, there will be a sanction if they don’t submit their lists,” he said.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI alarmed over Indians selling illegal drugs

China vows more aid to PH under ‘Belt and Road’

By Vito Barcelo

BESIDES deepening its bilateral relations, China has also vowed to intensify its development assistance to the Philippines through its so-called Belt and Road Initiative.

In his keynote speech before the gathering of the administration Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan in Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila on Thursday, Meng Xiangfeng, a member of the central committee of the Communist Party of China and executive deputy secretary of the Working Committee for Organs under the CPC central committee, made the assurance that China will continue to provide assistance to the Philippines and other developing countries to achieve modernization, by “offering a new option . . . (and) to speed up their development while preserving their independence.”

“As a Philippine proverb goes, seize today and you will not lose tomorrow.

China is willing to work with the Philippines to seize the day and press on. We will carry forward the Silk Road Spirit featuring peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win to further deepen China-Philippines friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation. Jointly, we will create a better future for China-Philippines cooperation,” Meng told PDP-Laban officials and members led by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, who is the party president.

The CPC official also said that China will not meddle in the country’s affairs or impose its will while working hand-in-hand with the Philippine government in implementing various infrastructure projects under the auspices of the Belt and Road Initiative.

THE Bureau of Immigration expressed alarm over the rising number of Indian nationals linked to illegal drugs following the arrest of three Indians selling illegal drugs in Iloilo province.

I m m i g r a t i o n Commissioner Jaime Morente has instructed lawyer Sherwin Pascua, BI intelligence division chief, to dispatch a team of BI operatives to areas in the provinces where the police have arrested Indians peddling illegal drugs.

“We are alarmed over these reports of Indians allegedly engaged in the illegal drug business.

Aliens engaged in such nefarious activities should be apprehended and punished for violating our laws,” Morente said.

BI intelligence officer Jude Hinolan identified the three Indians as Amandeep Tangri, Joginder Pal Tangri and Tehal Singh. All three have been illegally staying in the country as their visas have already expired a long time ago.

Morente said the Indians, who are now in the PDEA’s custody, will be charged with violating immigration law and will not be deported until they have served their sentences, if convicted by the courts.

Meanwhile, in a joint operations with Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and Region 7 Provincial Police Office, the BI invited 31 Indian nationals for verification of their immigration status.

“A certain Parmjeet Singh who was ordered deported by the BI for committing fraud and misrepresentation, was the only one detained,” the BI said.

Metro crime went down in 2017 —Albayalde

By Joel E. Zurbano THE crime rates in Metro Manila went down in 2017, according to National Capital Region Police Office chief Oscar Albayalde.

“For 2017, our accomplishments on arrests have exceeded that of the previous year [2016) with crimes against person decreasing by 13.87 percent from 8,841 to 7,305 and crime against properties by 20.58 percent from 13, 200 to 10,483,” said Albayalde.

The Crime Clearance Efficiency, he added, increased by 4.27 percent from 82.88 percent to 86.42 percent.

“The 8-Focused Crimes have also shown significant decrease comparing 2016 and 2017,” said Albayalde.

He said cases of murder went down by 23.38 percent from 1,976 to 1,514; homicide by 26.69 percent from 577 to 423 incidents, while physical injury decreased by 7.62 percent from 4,830 to 4,462, and rape cases down by 17.49 percent from 1,098 to 906 incidents.

The NCRPO also recorded 3,025 incidents of robbery in 2017, 16.04 percent lower than the 3,603 incidents in 2016 while crime against property decreased by 19.92 percent from 8,059 to 6,454 incidents.

By Rey E. Requejo

ADVOCATES. Gabriela, a national alliance of Filipino women, held a press conference at the Kamuning Bakery’s Pandesal Forum in Quezon City. The group is led by its general secretary Joms Salvador (right) and Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Party-list (left) which advocates fighting for the full redress of still unheeded grievances of Asian women forced by the Japanese imperial army to serve as wartime sex slaves. The group challenged President Rodrigo Duterte to demand a thorough apology, reparations and recognition from the Japanese government on the issue. Manny Palmero

Lacson wants Senate to convene as Con-Ass

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Panfilo Lacson said he would file next week a resolution that would allow the Senate to convene itself into a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) as the Senate tackles discussions on the proposed amendment of the 1987 Constitution next Wednesday.

Lacson also said he is contemplating to file a resolution to constitute the Senate, into a Constituent Assembly and wait for the lower house to do the same, if they wish.

Lacson said such resolution is aimed at ensuring a systematic evaluation of the 1987 Constitution and also guarantee that the Senate will not be rendered “irrele-

vant” when it comes to making changes in the charter.

“Papayag ba yung Senado na papasok kami sa isang joint session with the lower house, knowing na 24 lang kaming mga senador… Ano pang saysay ng Senado?

Wala kaming boses dun, ibig sabihin tatango na lang kami, iiling,” [Will the Senate agree to a joint session with the lower house

knowing that there are only 24 senators? What purpose will the Senate have? We will have no voice there. It means we will just nod or shake our heads.] he said.

Lacson’s proposal was in direct contrast to the call of the House of Representatives, which wants to form a constituent assembly and eventually vote jointly on amendments to the charter as proposed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

But Lacson said the Lower House’s plan will only “dilute” the voice of senators.

Lacson said that by convening the Senate as a constituent assembly, people can directly hear each senator’s thoughts on provisions in the charter.

Under Lacson’s resolution, each amendment will also require three-fourths vote of the existing 23-man Senate.

Alvarez had wanted the

House and Senate to convene as a constituent assembly to discuss charter change and then form technical working groups thereafter.

Lacson said he hopes the Supreme Court could intervene and issue a “declaratory relief” and decide whether the House and the Senate should vote jointly or separately on charter change.

Asked to comment on Lacson’s plan, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he has not yet talked to Lacson.

“But from the reports, I gathered that we may have the same idea. We just have to wait then compare what we filed.”

Under the resolution, Lacson said the Senate sitting as a Con-Ass will propose and vote on any amendments to the Constitution by a threefourths vote.

He added that the Senate will sit down and tackle the proposal with its counterpart, the House of Representatives, to reconcile their disagreeing proposals after voting on the amendments.

He said both chambers should vote separately on any amendments to the 1987 Constitution before presenting it to the people via a plebiscite.

“I hope majority of my colleagues will support the resolution that I intend to file next week,” he said.

Lacson said the Senate decision—whether to adopt it or not—could be used as a basis to bring the issue before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said the Senate is ready to tackle charter change after it ended the deliberations on the P3.767trillion national budget for 2018 and the new government tax program TRAIN.

LP senators slam Marcos for accusing PET of bias LIBERAL Party senators scored former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for questioning the credibility of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, who he accused of being unfair in his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

LP president Senator Francis Pangilinan said it is not good to question PET if its decision was not in his favor.

LP vice president Senator Franklin Drilon said Marcos must learn to accept the decision of the PET,

whether adverse or in his favor.

“It’s part of our judicial process. Sometimes, we may get the short end of the stick, but that’s the way court processes go and as a former lawmaker, he should know better,” said Drilon.

Senator Bam Aquino, for his part, said it is unfair for Marcos to cast doubt on the integrity of the PET, which is composed of Supreme Court justices, when decisions do not go his way.

In September, Marcos’ camp lauded the PET after it

denied with finality the bid of Vice President Robredo to reverse its earlier ruling finding sufficiency in Marcos’ election protest.

But on Wednesday, Marcos bewailed the “obvious bias” of Supreme Court Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, the ponente of his election protest which is now pending before the PET against him and in favor of former Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

Marcos said the series of decisions issued by the PET

on his election protest clearly demonstrated the bias of Caguioa against him.

“It has now become fairly obvious that his resolutions are biased against me and biased in favor of my oppositor,” he said.

Caguioa was appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III. They were classmates from elementary to college at the Ateneo De Manila University.

While the PET is a collegial body composed of 15 justices of the Supreme Court, Marcos said it is

Caguioa, who was assigned to the case, who decides and issues the minute resolutions regarding his protest.

Marcos then enumerated some of the orders issued

by Caguioa which showed his alleged one-sidedness in favor of Robredo.

Marcos said that as early as April 2017, the PET gave him only two working days to pay his initial P36million protest fee and the order was made during Holy Week of last year when all the banks were closed.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Six Clark Airport personnel suspended for ‘pilfering’ SIX individuals working at the Clark International Airport were suspended and placed under investigation for their involvement in the alleged pilferage of luggage that went viral on social media.

But Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer Alexander Cauguiran temporarily withheld the name of those involved pending the ongoing investigation and the filing of cases against them.

He, however, said the suspects in the luggage pilferage are employees of Miascor Ground Handling Corp.

“Six suspects who are employees of Miascor were placed under preventive suspension for the pilferage

of the luggage of one Jovenil Delacruz of Pandi, Bulacan whose experience was posted in Facebook and went viral,” said Cauguiran Miascor is the ground handler under contract with airlines that service flights in Clark and handle baggage of passengers.

“I will also recommend to Miascor the termination from employment of these suspects,” said Cauguiran.

He said preventive measures are being undertaken with airlines and ground handlers to ensure that the incident will not happen again.

Meanwhile, Miascor has compensated the passenger for the lost items in the luggage amounting to P84,000.00.

Joel E. Zurbano

KAPASIGAN FIRE. A total of 200 families lost their homes as 100 houses were destroyed after a fire broke out in a residential area along Blumentritt St. in Barangay Kapasigan in Pasig CIty last Jan. 11, 2018. A total of P1 milion worth was destroyed in the fire that reached the 4th alarm.

Authorities have yet to investigate the cause of fire. Manny Palmero

Palace ignores Japanese exec’s reaction to ‘statue’ MALACAÑANG remained unperturbed after a Japanese official expressed displeasure over a “Comfort Woman” statue erected along Roxas Boulevard, saying it would not affect the country’s ties with Japan.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the country’s bilateral ties with Japan remain strong even after Japanese Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Seiko Noda told President Rodrigo Duterte that “it’s regrettable for this kind of statue to suddenly appear” during their meeting in Manila.

The Malacañang official said the President would not act on it since he has no participation in the project.

The controversial statue was a project of the local government of Manila and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to memorialize Filipino women forced to be sex slaves of the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. “It’s not something the President will act on himself. We didn’t erect the statue so it’s not a presidential project, so to speak,” Roque said.

He suggested that the media address their questions to the NHCP or the Manila City Hall.

Vito Barcelo

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Environmental degradation

I

LLEGAL tree cutting again is being blamed for the flash floods and mudslides in Zamboanga Peninsula after Typhoon “Vinta” lashed across Mindanao in December last year. Time and again, irresponsible logging companies cause destruction to the country’s forests and mountain areas with deadly consequences.

The man-made disaster prompted Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to order a review of all the 104 companies that received integrated

forest management agreements, or IFMAs, to prevent a repeat of any “environmental degradation” in Zamboanga.

The official vowed to go after grant holders that violated their forest agreements with the government, after receiving reports of illegal poaching in IFMA sites. The illegal logging operations and the flash floods and mudslides that ensued killed dozens of people and damaged agricultural lands in four towns of Zamboanga del Norte on Dec. 22 at the height of Typhoon “Vinta.”

The flash floods also swept the homes of fisher folk in in Barangay Anubgan, Sibuco town. Logs from

the mountains rampaged through the isolated coastal community.

Companies that obtained IFMAs, according to Cimatu, should be accountable if they committed violations in what are supposed to be their obligation to help manage the forest. The government granted 40 IFMAs in Luzon, 13 in the Visayas and 51 in Mindanao.

IFMA companies, by the very nature of the agreement, should manage the forest through industrial tree plantations from which they can harvest. They are required to reforest the harvested areas to make their operations sustainable and prevent degradation or denudation.

Picop Resources Inc., which op-

erates in Bislig, Surigao del Sur province, was a model company that took care of the environment.

It was once the largest integrated wood and paper milling company in Southeast Asia, until cheap imports shut down its operations in 2001.

Cimatu’s review should take into account the experience of Picop in managing the forests of Bislig, Surigao del Sur. As in other concession agreements, the government must be firm in enforcing the contract with private companies. It should not also hesitate to rescind the contract at the slightest misstep of the concessionaire. Environment protection is paramount and should not be compromised.

EVERYMAN

What’s ruining Venezuela?

By Eric Jurado

Unspokesmanlike speculation LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I’M TOLD that lawyers, when they appear in court, aren’t allowed to speculate like, say, newspaper columnists. They’re supposed to present evidence and argue their case before a judge on the basis of that.

Having said that, I think I can be allowed to speculate that Harry Roque, the presidential spokesman, should stop speculating because, after all, too much of that could be bad for Roque’s political career. To say nothing of the deleterious effects of unspokesmanlike speculation on his boss, the president.

Roque yesterday admitted that he merely “speculated” that President Rodrigo Duterte would double the salaries of public school teachers. He said he assumed, in

a palace briefing, that the President wanted to do for the teachers what he did for soldiers and policemen.

No less an authority on public spending than Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno shot down Roque’s speculations in a press conference. And now, some people are letting Diokno have it for correcting Roque’s speculative statements on the supposed plan to double teachers’ pay.

(Here I must say that the media outlets that ran with the story of Diokno allegedly rejecting the salary-doubling plan were as guilty of cluelessness as Roque was. Diokno, for all his gifts, does not have the power to reject any outlay as budget secretary—all he does is prepare the national expenditure program from the various departments and agencies, consult with the president and his other finance managers on prioritizing these requests for

money and implement the provisions of the Congressand palace-approved national budget.)

As Diokno explained it, the President expressed in a Cabinet meeting his desire to increase the teachers’

Roque can’t shoot himself in the foot too often by speculating on what Duterte meant when he doesn’t. pay. Duterte, according to Diokno, never said that he wanted their pay doubled like he did for the men in uniform; that was entirely, by his own later admission, Roque’s speculation.

Before Diokno denied the

spokesman’s purely speculative assertion, people assumed that what Roque said was truly what the president wanted. But that was not the case.

Diokno said doubling the teachers’ pay was “impossible” because the government would need P337 billion—nearly 10 percent of the entire budget—just to give it to 880,000 teachers.

And yes, Diokno said, the teachers already have pay hikes included in the 2018 budget and more in 2019.

“That was the context,” Diokno, ever the great teacher and explainer, said.

“The President never asked to double the teachers’ pay; Harry Roque just interpreted it that way, based on the doubling of the soldiers’ salaries, which had to be done because their pay was so low to begin with.”

The first irony is that Diokno, who merely wanted to correct Roque’s erroneous statements, has now been

vilified for being against increasing state teachers’ salaries. The second irony is that a Cabinet member who actually knows what he’s talking about needs to call a press conference just to clarify what the presidential spokesman—who is supposed to understand what he’s putting out in the press—said.

Roque’s indulging in speculation is not at all ironic. That’s just unfortunate, unbecoming of a lawyer and—of course, I’m just speculating here—bad for Roque’s own ambitions down the road. *** Roque, while he admitted to speculating, did not accept that he was in error.

What the spokesman basically said was that the media erred by not making it clear that he was speculating, when he had already clearly admitted that he was.

“My statement was, ‘I am not sure how much [is] the

increase... judging from the military and police... could be double,” Roque said, according to a report by ABSCBN. “No mistake there since I said I do not know by how much and speculated only.”

On Tuesday, Roque said Duterte instructed the budget department to find means to increase teachers’ pay as the government prepares for the submission of its second tax reform package to Congress. “[Duterte] did not say how much but he says that they will have to be tangible results of any implementation of the second tax reform package and he said that that should be the increase in teachers’ salary.”

And then, the money shot: “But judging by what he wanted for the PNP and the AFP, it could be that he is also aiming to double the entry salary for teachers,” Roque said.

THERE is a South American country that has won the most beauty pageant titles. It had a promising future. It had a functioning democracy, a rapidly developing economy, and a growing middle class.

All the important indicators, including education, health care, and foreign investment, were pointed in the right direction.

It was far from perfect, but the mood was hopeful—and with good reason.

But now all that promise is gone. The country is a failed state, a hollowed-out shell of its former self.

Services like power and water are sporadic.

The most basic consumer goods, from bread to toilet paper, are in chronically short supply. Crime has skyrocketed. Freedom of the press is almost nonexistent. Democracy has been replaced by a virtual dictatorship.

The country is, sad to say, Venezuela.

I can tell you what happened to it in one word: Socialism.

In 1999, then-candidate for president Hugo Chavez promised to lead the people of Venezuela to a socialist paradise.

His theme was “Esperanza y Cambio”—“Hope and Change.” “Venezuela is a nation of great wealth,” Chavez said, “but it’s being stolen from its citizens by the evil capitalists and the evil corporations.” This wrong would be righted, he assured the voters, if they elected him.

And they did.

To their everlasting regret.

Chavez drew inspiration from his mentor, Fidel Castro. Like his mentor, he enjoyed giving speeches—some that lasted as many as seven hours! He even gave himself his own weekly television show where he would spontaneously break into song.

Here’s a rule: When your nation’s leader starts singing on national television, you’re in trouble.

Under Chavez, the government of Venezuela took over industry after industry. The government,

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Opinion

IN THE 12-month period ending yesterday, Jan. 11, 2018, the share price of San Miguel Corp. rose 38 percent to P132.30 per share, from its low of P95.50 in January 2017.

At P132.30 per share, San Miguel’s shares outstanding of 2.378 billion are worth P314.67 billion ($6.29 billion) today, an increase of P87.58 billion ($1.75 billion) from the January 2017 market capitalization of P227.09 billion ($4.54 billion). For consistency, I use a constant P50 to $1 to convert from pesos to dollars.

With 32.58 percent ownership in SMC, its president and vice chairman, Ramon S. Ang is worth P102.52 billion or $2 billion based on his San Miguel holdings alone. He also owns 86.57 percent of listed Eagle Cement Corp., the Philippines’ most integrated, most efficient and most modern cement complex and which has a market cap of P77.5 billion. So 86.57 percent of P77.5 billion is P67.09 billion or $1.34 billion.

Add the $2 billion from SMC and $1.343 billion from Eagle Cement and Ramon Ang has wealth of $3.34 billion, making him one of the Philippines’ ten richest individuals. Eagle Cement, RSA reckons, makes P7 billion a year.

RSA turns 64 on Jan. 14.

Last weekend, he accompanied SMC Chair and mentor Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. for a medical checkup abroad. ECJ is 82. RSA looks very healthy. So you can see that RSA will have a long reign at San Miguel.

In terms of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation), SMC is easily valued at P500 per share, which implies that the country’s largest corporation in sales and profits is actually worth P1.189 trillion ($23.78 billion), probably more, in terms of the value of its cash flow earnings.

What is 32.58 percent of that? P387.37 billion ($7.74 billion).

The stock market has only recently begun to appreciate how profound has been the impact of Ang’s strategic moves and his management of colossal San Miguel Corp. and Eagle Cement.

RSA’s rise to enormous wealth seems to cap his nearly half century of entrepreneurship and deal making. Still, he doesn’t seem to have even begun.

Tremendous, if not unlimited, prospects are clearly ahead for SMC. He began doing business as a teener in short pants in what is now upscale (for business) Jose Abad Santos in Tondo, Manila, helping manage his father’s auto parts shop. His most valuable tool then was the once ubiquitous and ponderous PLDT Telephone Directory.

Young Ramon would gently nag clients interested in buying parts and other supplies and he would scan the phone directory for suppliers who could provide him what the customer wanted. He would borrow the parts and sell them to his client, even at a small profit. But then, he did not employ capital because, in effect, he was selling by consignment.

In January 1999. Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. recruited RSA to become San Miguel’s vice chairman. In 2002, Ang became vice chairman, president, and chief operating officer. In 2008, he uncorked a major expansion and diversification program for SMC. RSA transformed San

Miguel in ways no one could have imagined or have done better.

No Philippine company or conglomerate has transformed itself so dramatically and radically in the last half decade as has San Miguel.

Even while growing and strengthening its traditional core businesses like beer, foods, and packaging, SMC went into petroleum refining and marketing, power generation, infrastructure, airports, mining, mass transit, and airline.

RSA disrupted the business of utilities, power generation, and infrastructure.

SMC moved into these businesses far ahead of the others.

Under RSA, during 2008 to 2013, SMC revenues were doubling every 24 months while assets were doubling every 2.5 years.

The frenetic pace somewhat slowed after 2013 as San Miguel paused to digest its acquisitions, expansion and diversification projects. Still, growth rates remain robust.

Today, San Miguel is the Philippines’ fastestgrowing conglomerate, the largest in annual revenues, profits, and diversity of businesses.

In December 2017, a super consortium of seven large conglomerates was formed to battle Ramon Ang in the airport business.

The seven rich families (Zobel de Ayala, Gokongwei, Aboitiz, Gotianun, Lucio Tan, Andrew Tan and Manuel V. Pangilinan) will bid to repair and manage the ageing Naia airport.

They will modernize the mess that is the Naia which has four terminals operating on a single runway and all of them decrepit and past their useful life.

Ang’s answer to them: A brand-new airport, built from the ground up on at least 2,500 hectares of raw land in Bulacan province, just north of Manila. Ramon is already building the infrastructure to connect this new airport to the old Naia and the Makati business district. He has the 24-km Magallanes to Balintawak connector road which will be operational by late 2019.

Of course, RSA has the 88.85-km Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway that cuts travel time from Clark to La Union by at least two hours. In the south, he has the 69-km South Luzon Expressway that connects Makati to Batangas. In effect, Ang a high-end infra network that will run from Batangas to Baguio with a first class international airport in between, complete with four runways and a terminal that can handle 100-million passengers a year (three times Naia’s capacity).

In Bulacan, Ang has other aces. San Miguel is Luzon’s biggest electricity producer. It has offered cheap electricity to industries in Bulacan and nearby provinces. The new airport will be surrounded by industrial estates. So Ang can offer cheap factory sites.

Cheap land, cheap electricity, modern infrastructure giving easy access to major markets and sources of raw materials for industries. What do you have? Massive industrialization, massive growth, massive employment.

“Our business,” chuckles Cojuangco, “is progress.”

No wonder seven large companies or dynasties bandied together to fight one man and his vision. biznewsasia@gmail.com

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Contradiction

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

San Miguel and seven against one

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Manila would file a diplomatic protest against Beijing for reneging on its promise not to continue its military buildup in the West Philippine Sea. Lorenzana’s statement was in stark contrast to the statement of Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque that “we have to trust China’s good faith “ in dealing with the territorial dispute in the South China Sea. You decide who’s talking more sense between the two officials of government.

Secretary Lorenzana’s planned protest is based on aerial surveillance photos of Fiery Reef (Kagitingan) showing Chinese military installation complete with an air strip, garrison and placement of a missile system. The United States is concerned the military installations in the South China Sea would impede

the free flow of international cargo vessels which pass through the SCS. Roque’s “trust in China’s good faith” remark is based on pure and simple naivete.

Roque these days is speaking more and more like himself, instead of speaking for and enunciating the president’s policy. Come to think of it, isn’t international relations the job of Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and not Roque’s?

Magdalo Party-List Rep. Gary Alejano decried the government stance of subservience to Beijing despite overwhelming military intelligence showing China’s artificial island-building is meant to advance its interest in the region.

Roque’s remark sounds more like he’s now speaking for China. We miss former Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella with his sound, sober statements.

Too bad he was transferred to the DFA as Cayetano’s undersecretary.

We are quite sure though Abella is an asset to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Thank God we still have

a Lorenzana and an Abella in government. Philippine sovereignty is a serious matter. The international arbitration court in The Hague has already ruled in our favor. We need not flaunt this ruling using offensive language. But responsible officials should refer to The Hague decision in defense of our sovereign rights in territorial waters declared ours under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Our government officials should speak with one voice, particularly the key person speaking for the President. This, or the Chinese cabal in Beijing will continue laughing at us whenever it gets the report from its ambassador in Manila on how we simply fawn over China in our foreign policy.

Just throw those Filipinos lots of funds for infrastructure projects and feed them lavish lauriat dinners. and you can have them eating out of our hands seems to be the appeasement approach of China. The Chinese used to call the “American im-

perialists running dogs” during the Cold War. Are they now behind our back calling Filipinos as “lapdogs?”

Cimafranca at Consular Ambassador Frank Cimafranca, DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, explained how the department is dealing with an average of 15,000 passport applicants a day. He said that to prevent a backlog that would swamp consular employees, the DFA has set up satellite offices in strategic places like shopping malls. But these satellite passport offices can only handle 100 applicants and cannot cope with thousands of walk-in applicants. Cimafranca suggested that applicants instead go to the main Asean consular office on Macapagal Avenue to apply for new passports.

He pleaded with applicants not to renew their passports too early as this would only add to the number of passport processing.

He said, however, that the consular office, on a caseto-case basis, will issue a passport as in an urgent

need to travel because of a death in the family or if an Overseas Filipino Workers’ contract calls for a fiveyear valid passport.

Cimafranca pointed out that this problem has been addressed with the implementation of the 10-year validity of the Philippine passport. During a few times I had to help a relative or a friend apply for a new passport, I was impressed by the orderly processing of passport applications. The crowd at the Aseana main consular office is still teeming with thousands of applicants. But this is handled well by courteous consular staff. People line up but are immediately served once their numbers are called.

Those who have online appointments can have their applications processed in less than an hour.

Cimafranca, who is due for foreign posting, will be missed Someone of lesser stuff would be overwhelmed with the sheer number of passport applicants daily. Not him, who runs a tight ship at the consular office.

The #MeToo movement has worked

By Megan McArdle ME TOO. Me too. Me too.

When our friends and colleagues are the accusers, when our neighbors and peers are the accused, the problem stares us in the face from a proximity so intimate that we cannot dismiss it with a simplistic response. All that’s clear is that the problem is real, and the solutions will not be simple.

In early October, the New York Times and the New Yorker published allegations that Hollywood power broker Harvey Weinstein had spent decades aggressively sexually harassing women he worked with— and women he might be willing to work with, if only they would first hold still while he mauled them.

By early November, allegations were breaking left and right about men in all walks of life that offer even a little bit of fame: politicians, journalists, and even Ryan Lizza and Glenn Thrush, who worked for the publications that had broken the Weinstein story.

We got a hashtag, #MeToo; we got people proclaiming confidently that we were seeing the dawn of a new era. And then, scant months into the revolution, we got a backlash. Did we really need to destroy so many men?

A group of 100 Frenchwomen, including the actress Catherine Deneuve, published an open letter

What‘s...

From A4

he assured everyone, would run these businesses better than private enterprise, and the profits would be “shared” by the people.

With great fanfare, he tore up contracts with multinational oil and gas companies and demanded that they pay much higher royalties.

When they refused, he told them to leave. They did.

His image was burnished

by Hollywood celebrities who flocked to see the great work he was doing— taking money from the rich and giving it to the poor.

Progressive politicians

this week that basically said: Yes, we have gone too far—lumping merely flirtatious men together with rapists.

Daphne Merkin eloquently raised the troubling questions in a recent article.

“What happened to women’s agency?” she writes.

“That’s what I find myself wondering as I hear story after story of adult women who helplessly acquiesce to sexual demands. … And what exactly are men being accused of? What is the difference between harassment and assault and ‘inappropriate conduct’? There is a disturbing lack of clarity about the terms being thrown around and a lack of distinction regarding what the spectrum of objectionable behavior really is.”

But Merkin’s plea suffers from the same flaw as many of the entries in this genre (and I include my own): She is no clearer than the people she criticizes about where the line should be drawn. What exactly are the boundaries we are supposed to inculcate in the next generation? What should we tell them to do and not do?

The pontificators (again, including me) are struggling to articulate solutions. For the first time, we must grapple with crime not just as a social problem, but also as a social matter —as something that affects large numbers of the nation’s content generators as both accusers and accused.

Coincidentally, I read Merkin’s piece just as my Twitter feed was lighting up with outrage about Thrush, the New York Times reporter who was suspended for hitting on young women in the industry and then was restored to work. This apparently became the focus of a panel on gender inequity and sexual misconduct in American newsrooms, which was covered by the Atlantic. Carolyn Ryan, an assistant managing editor at the Times, defended the still controversial decision as a matter of “nuance,” which met with derisive scorn But Ryan apparently said something else which caught my attention: “The people who worked most closely with Glenn in the bureau—men, women, young, old—were supportive of him and did believe that he could contribute and hadn’t seen the kind of behavior that had been described. … I keep kind of dancing up to the line here, but I think this is a conversation that not only are we having more broadly at The New York Times, but that we had as we were trying to figure out the punishment.”

This mirrors earlier reporting about the fissure at the Times over the case: He was supported by the Washington bureau, who knows him personally, while millennials in New York, who didn’t, were calling for his head. What a vast difference it makes whether you

actually know someone.

I vividly remember discovering that a man who lived in my building had been arrested for possession of child pornography.

He was a nice guy. I babysat for his family (and no, never had any inkling).

And knowing him, knowing what he’d done, really changed the way I thought about his crime.

By which I don’t mean that I decided society should rethink its tough stance against child porn. It is a vile crime, and it should be punished accordingly.

But knowing someone who had committed a terrible crime forced me to see him as a human being rather than a statistic, or a figure on the news. He was a criminal, but that wasn’t all he was. His life was more than his crime.

Whether they come from a tough-on-crime Republican or a bleeding-heart, “close all the prisons” Democrat, discussions of criminals in the media tend to have a detached quality; we are arguing over policies that affect other people, not people like us.

That’s the intended effect of the #MeToo movement: Demonstrating that sexual predation is ubiquitous, not distant and rare. This is an offense that we cannot view from a safe distance.

Consider the failure to delineate acceptable behavior: The chattering class knows that whatever lines are drawn and penalties

are applied could wreck the lives of our friends, our relatives, our spouses, ourselves. And yet, if they aren’t applied, people like us will also suffer. Perhaps we are getting an inkling of the complex attitudes about crime and policing in minority communities that are eager to reduce crime, but also, somewhat paradoxically, to protect the lives of the husbands and brothers and sons who commit it.

It’s an opportunity for a sheltered elite to make a broad reassessment of how we think about all sorts of malefactors. The discussion of sexual harassment and campus rape neatly inverts the normal ideological stances on justice: Conservatives suddenly become very worried about what overzealous enforcement might do to the lives of the accused, while feminists— who in all other areas can be counted on to defend the rights of the accused against the power of the state—suddenly forget tedious niceties like due process. In both cases, these positions are driven by empathy, which is commendable. But in both cases, the empathy remains one-sided; they have merely switched the side they care about.

People who live among both criminals and victims don’t have the abstract luxury of hoarding all their empathy for one side of the discussion. And as it turns out, we all are those people.

Bloomberg

from the US and Europe also praised him lavishly.

Here’s another rule: When Hollywood celebrities visit your country to praise your leader, you’re in trouble. When the leader sings on national television and is praised by Hollywood celebrities, you’re doomed.

Socialism always works in the beginning, so people are fooled...in the beginning. It’s easy for governments to confiscate money, but eventually there’s no more money to confiscate.

In the case of Venezuela, I mean that literally: People who could get money out of the country, did. Many left the country altogether—nearly two million,

according to Venezuelan sociologist Tomás Páez.

The wealth creators continued to create wealth, but they created it somewhere else—Miami or Madrid and other places around the world.

When Chavez first ran for President in 1999, he said he would leave in two years if people weren’t happy with him. But, like Castro, Chavez never had any intention of giving up power. He died in office in 2013, replaced by his vice president, Nicolas Maduro.

Maduro is Chavez without the charisma or the voice.

The country is now a pariah, shunned by the world and isolated. It’s so bad that many international airlines

refuse to fly there. People stand in line for hours just to get food. Sometimes they walk away empty-handed.

A recent survey found that 75 percent of Venezuelan adults lost weight in 2016— an average of 19 pounds.

This national weight-loss program is known cynically as “the Maduro diet.”

Still, Maduro holds onto power. Opposition leaders and journalists who report the truth are jailed.

Venezuela is a cautionary tale.

Once a country goes down a socialist path, there’s no easy way back.

And the longer a country stays socialist, the harder it is to reform it. Venezuela has been socialist for two

decades.

If you don’t think it can happen here, whether “here” is the Philippines, the United States, or Europe or anywhere else, you’re fooling yourself.

When people get used to depending on the government—no matter how poor they remain—that dependency is hard to break.

That’s why you should never buy the socialist lie.

Socialism is a drug. And like a drug, it feels great— at first. But eventually it will ruin your country.

Just like it ruined Venezuela.

Unspokesmanlike...

From A4

What’s painfully obvious is that Roque did not only not have the right information, but he proceeded from having wrong information to

speculating on the basis of that. And that’s a surefire way to fail at your job as a spokesman of anybody, especially of the president of the republic.

How difficult would it be for Roque to not to say anything if he’s unsure of what he’s going to say, after all?

Whatever happened to telling the media “I’ll get back to you on that as soon as I have something more definite”?

Right now, I think I must say that I have precious little evidence that Roque accepted the spokesman’s post because he intends to leverage

Eric Jurado is an independent investment banker and economic strategist.

it in a run for the Senate next year.

But if that is really Roque’s plan, he can’t shoot himself in the foot too often by speculating on what Duterte meant when he doesn’t —and that, I think, is not just idle speculation.

TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hitmen, NPA recruiter nabbed in N. Cotabato TWO hitmen of the New People’s Army and a recruiter of the terrorist group reportedly behind the assassination of at least seven people, including a Swiss national in North Cotabato and military men, were arrested by combined police and military personnel in the province on Thursday.

1st Lt. Silver Belvis, Civil Military Operation officer of the Philippine Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, identified the arrested hitmen as Harold Adiation, also known as “Dodong,” and Ian Solis alias “Iyan,” both active members of the NPA Special Partisan Unit, and Dandan Mailan Andas alias “Dodong,” a recruiter of the rebel group.

Belvis said Adiaton was arrested by virtue of a warrant of arrest for frustrated murder, while Solis was nabbed for violation of illegal firearms and ammunition. Both are members of the NPA SPARU of Guerrilla Front 53, Southern Mindanao Regional Committee.

Andas was subdued for charges of frustrated murder and robbery, the Army spokesman added. Military records showed he is a known recruiter of the communist movement and a member of a “kangaroo court” of the underground mass base of the NPA, based on the accounts of their former comrades who recently surrendered to the authorities.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 A6 Standard Manila

Belvis said a woman, who requested anonymity, said that it was her long desire for the rebels to be apprehended, while urging family members previously victimized by the NPAs to not be afraid and surface to testify against them.

“Justice was achieved,” said Belvis, quoting the parent.

The arrest of the hitmen and recruiter, Belvis said, could shed light on several killings perpetrated by the NPA in North Cotabato in recent years.

The two SPARU hitmen reportedly had a hand in the killing of a certain Mr. Weneger, a SwissFilipino businessman residing in Makilala town, who was killed in Kidapawan City in 2012.

Adiaton and Solis were also tagged in the killings of Bantito Abanilla, who was gunned down inside the compound of a Catholic church in Arakan town last Feb. 7, 2016, and a certain Sgt. Florentino from the 57th Infantry Battalion, who was shot dead while on vacation in Tagbak, Magpet town last Feb. 22, 2017.

Lt Col. Harold Argamosa, commander of the 39th IB, said other victims of mysterious assassinations includes Valerio Birondo, a councilor of Barangay Mahoncog, Magpet, last Oct. 3; and Bebs Quino, a farmer of Barangay Balite, last Oct. 10. Francisco Tuyay

5 drug pushers slain, 95 caught in Bulacan raids

By Francisco Tuyay

F

IVE suspected drug pushers were killed and 95 drug suspects were rounded up as Bulacan police operatives launched simultaneous operations across the province on Wednesday.

The fatalities were killed in separate buy-bust operations in four areas of Bulacan.

Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat, Bulacan provincial police director, identified the slain suspects as Arwin Dave Martin and a certain “Popeye,” both killed in San Jose del Monte City; Sonny Pablo Torres, slain in Malolos City; Rommel Mercado, felled in Sta. Maria town; and Christian Abarquez, gunned down in Calumpit town.

The latest fatalities in the fight against illegal drug couriers surfaced following the renewed participation of the Philippine National

Police in drug operations on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte, but only as backedup force to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the lead office tasked to eradicate illegal drugs.

The killings also led to the arrest of the 95 drug users and pushers, as police served three search warrants, three arrest warrants, 53 buy-bust operations, and staged interdiction efforts through the operatives of 23 police stations in Bulacan.

At the height of the PNP drug operations dubbed “Oplan Tokhang” last year, particularly in August, the

Bulacan police recorded its highest number of killed drug users and pushers with 32 suspects felled in just one day—which President Duterte described as “that’s good.”

Recovered during the operations were 277 pieces of heated-sealed plastics of suspected shabu totaling 170.949 grams, 12 sachets of dried marijuana leaves weighing 21.86 grams, nine assorted firearms, 93 assorted bullets, and a hand grenade.

Provincial police continue to monitor suspected drug personalities operating in the province in an attempt to stamp out the proliferation of prohibited substances in Bulacan, Caramat said.

Last Jan. 4, a suspected drug pusher and six others were also arrested in a buybust conducted by San Jose del Monte City Police in Bulacan at Barangay San Rafael 4.

Caramat identified the suspects as Jaime Alvarado, alias “Pusa;” Marvin Padernal, Romeo Dacili, Jerome Quibral, Jovito Fernandez, Raymond Fami, and Leden Alimania, all of Block 12, Lot 53 in Barangay San Rafael 4.

Supt. Fitz Macariola, San Jose Del Monte police chief, said local police conducted the buy-bust at 2 a.m. against Alvarado with PDEA operatives as the six suspects were caught in the act during a pot session.

Seven pieces of heatsealed sachets of shabu, buy-bust money and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the suspects.

Last Dec. 22, police arrested three drug traffickers during separate buy-bust operations in Pandi and San Rafael municipalities.

Caramat identified the suspects as Sherwin Mana-

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIENTAL MINDORO C a m i l m i l, Calapan City 5200, Oriental Mindoro

Cigarette ban set in Qatar, POEA warns

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID IB No. GS-2018 - 0 3 Fo r O n e (1) U n i t o f Cr a w l e r D o z e r f o r U s e o f p r ov i n c i a l G ove r n m e n t o f O r i e n t a l M i n d o r o / Pr ov i n c i a l Engineering Office 1. The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro (P G O M) t h r o u g h t h e T h r u s t Fu n d (PD R R M FI P) i nte n d s to a p p l y t h e sum of T h i r t e e n M i l l i o n Fi ve H u n d r e d T h o u s a n d Pe s o s (P13 , 5 0 0, 0 0 0. 0 0) b e i n g t h e A p p r ove d B u d g et f o r t h e C o nt r ac t (A B C) to p ay m e nt s un d e r t h e c o nt r ac t f o r t h e Pr o j e c t , “ S u p p l y a n d D e l i ve r y o f O n e (1) U n i t o f Cr a w l e r D o z e r f o r U s e o f Pr ov i n c i a l G ove r n m e n t o f O r i e n t a l M i n d o r o / Pr ov i n c i a l E n g i n e e r i n g O f f i c e .” B i d s r e c e i ve d i n exc e s s of t h e A B C s h a l l b e auto m at i c a l l y r e j e c te d at b i d o p e n i n g.

2 . T h e P G O M n ow i nv i te s b i d s f o r t h e Pr o j e c t , “ S u p p l y a n d D e l i ve r y o f O n e (1) U n i t o f Cr a w l e r D o z e r f o r U s e o f Pr ov i n c i a l G ove r n m e n t o f O r i e n t a l M i n d o r o / Pr ov i n c i a l E n g i n e e r i n g O f f i c e .” D e li ve r y of t h e g o o d s s h a l l b e i n ac c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e D e li ve r y S c h e du l e un d e r S e c t i o n I V. S c h e du l e Re qui r e m e nt s. B i d d e r s s h o u l d h ave c o m p l ete d w i t h i n f i ve (5) ye a r s b ef o r e t h e d ate of sub m i s s i o n a n d r e c e i pt of b i d s, a s i n g l e c o m p l ete d c o nt r ac t s i m i l a r to t h e Pr o j e c t wo r t h at l e a st f i f t y p e r c e nt (5 0 %) of t h e A B C. T h e d e s c r i pt i o n of a n e li g i b l e b i d d e r i s c o nt a i n e d i n t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s, p a r t i c u l a r l y, i n s e c t i o n I I . I n st r u c t i o n s to B i d d e r s (I T B).

Item/Description

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Funding Categor y

Bid Document Fee

Plac e / Date & Time O pening of Bid

C o n s t r u c t i o n Eq uip m ent

13,5 0 0,0 0 0.0 0

Tr u st Fun d (PD R R M FI P)

Php 25 ,000.00

BAC O FFI CE Ca p i to l Co m p l ex , Ca mil mil, Ca l a p a n Ci t y, O r. M ind o ro Fe b r u a r y 05 , 2 018 a t 10:0 0 a . m .

Requisitioning O f f ic e

By Vito Barcelo

Provinc i al G ove r no r`s O f f ic e

3.Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9184 other wise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. B i d di n g i s r e st r i c te d to Fi li p i n o c i t i ze n s /s o l e p r o p r i eto r s h i p, p a r t n e r s h i p o r o r g a n i z at i o n s w i t h at l e a st s i x t y p e r c e nt (6 0 %) i nte r e st o r o ut st a n di n g c a p i t a l sto c k b e l o n g i n g to c i t i ze n s of t h e Ph i li p p i n e s a n d to c i t i ze n s o r o r g a n i z at i o n s of a c o unt r y t h a l aw s o r r e g u l at i o s of w/c g r a nt s i m i i l a r r i g ht s o r p r ev i l e g e s to Fi li p i n o c i t i ze n s, p u r su a nt to R A 518 3 a n d sub j e c t to C o m m o nwe a l t h A c t 13 8 .

The schedule of bidding BAC Activities 1. Pr e - p r o c u r e m e nt C o nf e r e n c e : Janu ar y 11, 201 8 a t 10: 0 0 a . m . a t B AC O f f i c e 2. Advertisement/Posting of ITB  Bulletin Board of the PGOM : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  PGOM Website- w w w.o r m i n d o r o.g ov.p h : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  GEPS Website- w w w.p h i l g e p s.n et : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  Newspaper of General Circulation : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018 3. Issuance of Bidding Documents : J a nu a r y 15 , 2 018 - Fe b r u a r y 0 5 , 2018 4. Pre-Bid Conference : J a nu a r y 2 3 , 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Office 5. Deadline of Submission of Bids : Fe b r u a r y 0 5 , 2018 at 9:3 0 a.m. at BAC Office 6 . Opening of Bid in sealed envelope a). Eligibility Requirements and Technical Proposal : Fe b r u a r y 0 5 , 2018 at 9:3 0 a.m. at BAC Office b). Financial Proposal : Fe b r u a r y 0 5 , 2018 at 9:3 0 a.m. at BAC Office 4. A complete set of B idding D ocuments may be ac qui r e d i nte r e ste d b i d d e r s o n J a n u a r y 15 , 2 018 f r o m t h e B i d s a n d Awa r d s C o m m i t te e O f f i c e a n d up o n p ay m e nt of a n o n - r ef un d a b l e fe e f o r t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s i n c o m p li a n c e to S e c t i o n 17. 4 of R A 918 4 a n d i t s I R R . I t m ay a l s o b e d ow n l o a d e d f r e e of c h a r g e f r o m t h e we b s i te of t h e Ph i li p p i n e G ove r n m e nt El e c t r o n i c Pr o c u r e m e nt S yste m (Ph i l G EP S) a n d t h e we b s i te of t h e P G O M , p r ov i d e d t h at B i d d e r s s h a l l p ay t h e n o n r ef un d a b l e fe e f o r t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s n ot l ate r t h a n t h e sub m i s s i o n of t h e i r b i d s.

5.Pre-Bid Conference on Januar y 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Of f ice shall be opened to all interested parties, however only those who purchased the Bidding Documents may participate in the discussion at said conference.

6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or Februar y 05, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. All bids must be accompanied by a bid securit y in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in te presence of the Bidder`s representatives who choose to at tend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7. The PGOM reserves the right to accept or reject bid to annul bidding process, and to reject all bids at anytime prior to contract award without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8 . I nte r e ste d b i d d e r s m ay o bt a i n f u r t h e r i nf o r m at i o n f r o m P G O M - B i d s a n d Awa r d s C o m m i t te e ( B AC) S e c r et a r i at a n d i n s p e c t t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s at t h e a d dr e s s g i ve n b e l ow du r i n g of f i c e h o u r s f r o m 9:0 0 a . m . t o 4:0 0 p . m .

For further information, please refer to: MR. JULIO R. ICAL Head, BAC Secretariat Provincial Capitol, Camilmil, Calapan City Tel. (043) 286-7120 (043) 286-7447 (S g d .) ENGR. ELMER V. DILAY Provincial Engineer BAC Chairman

(M S-J A N . 12 , 2018)

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF ORIENTAL MINDORO C a m i l m i l, Calapan City 5200, Oriental Mindoro

INVITATION TO BID IB No. GS-2018 - 01 C o n s t r u c t i o n o f N e w Pr ov i n c i a l J a i l C e n t e r a n d Fa c i l i t i e s (Ph a s e 1) a t B r g y. Pa g - a s a , B a n su d , Oriental Mindoro 1. The Provincial Government of Oriental Mindoro (P G O M) t h r o u g h t h e G e n e r a l Fun d C A 2 017 G e n e r a l A p p r o p r i at i o n s A c t i nte n d s to a p p l y t h e sum of S eve n t y Two M i l l i o n S eve n H u n d r e d Fi f t y S eve n T h o u s a n d Fi ve H u n d r e d Two Pe s o s & 0 5 /10 0 (P 72 ,75 7, 5 0 2 . 0 5 ) b e i n g t h e A p p r ove d B u d g et f o r t h e C o nt r ac t (A B C) to p ay m e nt s un d e r t h e c o nt r ac t f o r t h e Pr o j e c t , “C o n s t r u c t i o n o f N e w Pr ov i n c i a l J a i l C e n t e r a n d Fa c i l i t i e s (Ph a s e 1) a t B r g y. Pa g - a s a , B a n su d , O r i e n t a l M i n d o r o.” B i d s r e c e i ve d i n exc e s s of t h e A B C s h a l l b e auto m at i c a l l y r e j e c te d at b i d o p e n i n g.

2 . T h e P G O M n ow i nv i te s Ph i l g e p s r e g i ste r e d c o nt r ac to r s to b i d f o r t h e Pr o j e c t , “C o n s t r u c t i o n o f N e w Pr ov i n c i a l J a i l C e n t e r a n d Fa c i l i t i e s (Ph a s e 1) a t B r g y. Pa g - a s a , B a n su d , O r i e n t a l M i n d o r o.”

C o m p l et i o n of Wo r ks i s 6 5 6 c a l e n d a r d ays. B i d d e r s s h o u l d h ave c o m p l ete d w i t h i n te n (10) ye a r s b ef o r e t h e d ate of sub m i s s i o n a n d r e c e i pt of b i d s, a s i n g l e c o m p l ete d c o nt r ac t s i m i l a r to t h e Pr o j e c t wo r t h at l e a st f i f t y p e r c e nt (5 0 %) of t h e A B C. T h e d e s c r i pt i o n of a n e li g i b l e b i d d e r i s c o nt a i n e d i n t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s, p a r t i c u l a r l y, i n s e c t i o n I I . I n st r u c t i o n s to B i d d e r s (I T B).

Item N o.

D ESC RI P TIO N

Q t y/ Unit

I II III IV V VI V II V III IX X XI X II X III XI V XV X VI X V II X V III XI X XX X XI X X II X X III

Billboard Bunk house Embank ment w/ Spreading & C ompac tion L ay- out Str uc ture E xc avation & Bac k f ill Foundation Fill w/ C ompac tion Reinforc ing Steel C onc rete Wor ks M asonr y Wor ks (CH B) C ement Plaster Finish Steel Tr us s Pre - Painted M et al Fo of ing C eiling D rainage Canal w/ Catc h Basin Tilewor ks w/ C onc. Topping Plumbing Septic Tank (3 mx 6 mx 2m) C ester n Tank (3 mx3 mx 2m) Shelves, Cabinet s & Loc ker Fab. Inst allation of window gr ill & Railings D o or s & W indows Elec t r ic al Wor ks Painting

1.0 0 unit 1.0 0 unit 319 5 c u.m 2 9 92 sq.m 7 79 sq.m 6 4 c u.m 15 5.6 62 kgs 1,0 01.0 0 c u.m 5, 5 07.0 0 sq.m 9,713.0 0 sq.m 6 3,0 0 6.0 0 kgs 2,425.0 0 sq.m 218 0 sq.m 1.0 0 lot 15 62.0 0 sq.m 1.0 0 lot 4.0 0 units 2.0 0 units 1.0 0 lot 20 0 0.0 0 sq.f t 1.0 0 lot 1.0 0 lot 1.0 0 lot

‘HEPA LANE’ CLEANUP. Department of Public Services personnel, assisted by Manila City Health Department workers, clear structures and vending stalls along the so-called ‘Hepa Lane’ along R. Papa and Morayta streets used by illegal vendors to ensure the safety and health of students in the nearby University Belt area. Norman Cruz

Ombudsman suspends Escalante vice mayor

By Rio N. Araja

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Bid Document Fee

Plac e / Date & Time O pening of Bid

Php 5 0,000.00

BAC O FFI CE Ca p i to l Co m p l ex , Ca mil mil, Ca l a p a n Ci t y, O r. M ind o ro M a rc h 2 6 , 2 018 a t 10:0 0 a . m .

3.Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the revised Implementing Rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” B i d di n g i s r e st r i c te d to Fi li p i n o c i t i ze n s /s o l e p r o p r i eto r s h i p, p a r t n e r s h i p o r o r g a n i z at i o n s w i t h at l e a st s i x t y p e r c e nt (6 0 %) i nte r e st o r o ut st a n di n g c a p i t a l sto c k b e l o n g i n g to c i t i ze n s of t h e Ph i li p p i n e s a n d to c i t i ze n s o r o r g a n i z at i o n s of a c o unt r y t h a l aw s o r r e g u l at i o s of w/c g r a nt s i m i i l a r r i g ht s o r p r ev i l e g e s to Fi li p i n o c i t i ze n s, p u r su a nt to R A 518 3 a n d sub j e c t to C o m m o nwe a l t h A c t 13 8 .

********************************************************************************************************************** The schedule of bidding BAC Activities 1. Pr e - p r o c u r e m e nt C o nf e r e n c e : Janu ar y 10, 201 8 a t 2: 0 0 p. m . a t B AC O f f i c e 2. Advertisement/Posting of ITB  Bulletin Board of the PGOM : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  PGOM Website- w w w.o r m i n d o r o.g ov.p h : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  GEPS Website- w w w.p h i l g e p s.n et : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018  Newspaper of General Circulation : J a nu a r y 12 , 2 018 3. Issuance of Bidding Documents : J a nu a r y 15 , 2 018 - M a r c h 2 6 , 2018 4. Pre-Bid Conference : Fe b r u a r y 2 6 , 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Office 5. Deadline of Submission of Bids : M a r c h 2 6 , 2018 at 9:3 0 a.m. at BAC Office 6 . Opening of Bid in sealed envelope a). Eligibility Requirements and Technical Proposal : M a r c h 2 6 , 2018 at 10:0 0 a.m. at BAC Office b). Financial Proposal : M a r c h 2 6 , 2018 at 10:0 0 a.m. at BAC Office **********************************************************************************************************************

4. A complete set of B idding D ocuments may be ac qui r e d i nte r e ste d b i d d e r s o n J a n u a r y 15 , 2 018 f r o m t h e B i d s a n d Awa r d s C o m m i t te e O f f i c e a n d up o n p ay m e nt of a n o n - r ef un d a b l e fe e f o r t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s i n c o m p li a n c e to S e c t i o n 17. 4 of R A 918 4 a n d i t s I R R . I t m ay a l s o b e d ow n l o a d e d f r e e of c h a r g e f r o m t h e we b s i te of t h e Ph i li p p i n e G ove r n m e nt El e c t r o n i c Pr o c u r e m e nt S yste m (Ph i l G EP S) a n d t h e we b s i te of t h e P G O M , p r ov i d e d t h at B i d d e r s s h a l l p ay t h e n o n r ef un d a b l e fe e f o r t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s n ot l ate r t h a n t h e sub m i s s i o n of t h e i r b i d s.

5.Pre-Bid Conference on Februar y 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at BAC Of f ice shall be opened to all interested parties, however only those who purchased the Bidding Documents and invited obser vers may participate in the discussion at said conference.

6 . B i d s m u st b e d e li ve r e d to t h e a d dr e s s b e l ow o n o r M a r c h 2 6 , 2 018 a t 9:3 0 a . m. A l l b i d s m u st b e ac c o m p a n i e d by a b i d s e c u r i t y i n a ny of t h e ac c e pt a b l e f o r m s a n d i n t h e a m o unt st ate d i n t h e I T B C l au s e 18 . B i d s w i l l b e o p e n e d i n te p r e s e n c e of t h e B i d d e r`s r e p r e s e nt at i ve s w h o c h o o s e to at te n d at t h e a d dr e s s b e l ow. L ate b i d s s h a l l n ot b e ac c e pte d.

7. The PGOM reserves the right to accept or reject bid, to annul bidding process, and to reject all bids at anytime prior to contract award without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8 . I nte r e ste d b i d d e r s m ay o bt a i n f u r t h e r i nf o r m at i o n f r o m P G O M - B i d s a n d Awa r d s C o m m i t te e ( B AC) S e c r et a r i at a n d i n s p e c t t h e B i d di n g D o c um e nt s at t h e a d dr e s s g i ve n b e l ow du r i n g of f i c e h o u r s f r o m 9:0 0 a . m . t o 4:0 0 p . m .

For further information, please refer to: MR. JULIO R. ICAL Head, BAC Secretariat B i d s a n d Awa r d s C o m m i t te e O f f i c e Pr ov i n c i a l C a p i to l C o m p l ex Camilmil, Calapan City, O r i e nt a l M i n d o r o Tel. (043) 286-7120 (043) 286-7447 (S g d .) ENGR. ELMER V. DILAY Provincial Engineer (M S-J A N . 12 , 2018) BAC Chairman

laysay, alias ‘Putol,’ 35, of Rosal St.., Bgy. Sto. Niño, Pandi; James Daniel Santos ,28, of 21 Manuel G. Santos St., Bgy. Poblacion, Pandi; and Precious Joy Trinidad, 18, jobless, of Bgy. Tambubong, San Rafael.

Caramat said Manalaysay was arrested by undercover officers of the Pandi Police Drug Enforcement Unit under Chief Insp. Manuel de Vera Jr. in his neighborhood at 7:45 p.m. Thursday.

Seized from the suspect were a plastic sachet containing P500 worth of shabu and the marked P500 bill paid to him by a poseur.

Trinidad was arrested after she sold a packet of shabu to an undercover officer under Supt. Laurente Acquiot at 11 p.m. She yielded five plastic sachets of shabu.

They are now facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, said Caramat.

THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday directed Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to implement its one-year suspension order on Vice Mayor Santiago Maravillas of Negros Occidental’s Escalante City.

Escalante was found guilty of two counts of abuse of authority and oppression.

Based on the Ombudsman’s investigation, Maravillas, then as acting mayor, terminated the services of Florencio Lauron and Francisca Pabuaya. who held positions as heavy equipment operator II and administrative aide II, respectively.

Maravillas issued a Jan. 12, 2016 termination letter dated to Lauron, while Pabuaya was excluded from the payroll starting Jan. 1, 2016.

“Respondent’s act of terminating

the services of complainants [Lauron and Pabuaya] without cause and without due process is a clear display of excessive use of authority,” the Ombudsman’s resolution read.

Summarily dismissing complainants violates Section 36(a), Article IX of Presidential Decree No. 807 (Civil Service Decree of the Philippines) and Section 46, Chapter 7, Title I, subtitle a, Book V of Executive Order No. 292 (Administrative Code of 1987).

Both laws provide in part that no officer or employee in the civil service shall be suspended or dismissed, except for cause as provided by law and after due process, the Ombudsman noted.

On Sept. 15 last year, the Ombudsman also ordered a six-month suspension for Maravillas for the illegal termination of a livestock inspector.

The Ombudsman accused Maravillas, again as acting city mayor, of illegally dismissing Angel Sinadjan

in January 2016 despite the victim having a permanent position at the City Veterinarian’s Office.

“Respondent’s act of terminating [Sinadjan’s] services and of the more than 70 employees without affording them due process is evident of respondent’s ill-motive,” the Ombudsman said.

In 2015, Maravillas took over as the city mayor when the Ombudsman also suspended Mayor Melecio Yap Jr. for misconduct, owing to the latter’s unauthorized issuance of a check and voucher.

According to the Negros Daily Bulletin in a report on Jan. 14, 2016, Maravillas terminated three executive assistants of Yap because their positions were “of trust and confidence.”

“Those EAs who are willing to work with me were retained,” Maravillas said in the report, adding he also terminated several city employees.

THE Philippine Overseas Employment Administration warned Qatar-bound overseas Filipino workers and Filipino visitors not to carry or bring cigarettes or tobacco products into the Middle Eastern country following its stricter implementation in banning all tobacco products there.

In an advisory, the POEA said Qatar has banned all tobacco derivatives, equipment, and other materials related to tobacco usage.

Among the banned items are chewing tobacco in any form; electronic cigarettes, electronic shisha, and any product similar to it or made in any form of tobacco; Swaika (a substance made from tobacco products that can be taken by absorption, chewing or inhalation); cigarette machines; and advertising, promotion, or sponsorship materials that seek to introduce any tobacco product.

The new law follows crackdowns on tobacco in other Gulf countries. Last year, Saudi Arabia banned smoking in most public places and implemented stricter regulations on the sale of tobacco products, with violators facing fines of up to 20,000 Saudi riyals ($5,331 or around P268,000).

The National Tobacco Control Committee of the United Arab Emirates also announced it is pushing for a blanket ban on smoking in public.

Within the UAE, different emirates have varying regulations for controlling smoking in public and the sale of tobacco. At the start of the year, Sharjah even implemented fines for smoking shisha in public.

House bill aims to shield irrigable lands from non-agri conversion

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives’ committee on agrarian reform has approved a substitute bill that prohibits the conversion of irrigated and irrigable lands for non-agricultural purposes.

Bohol Rep. Rene Relampagos, the panel chairperson, said the bill, which shall be submitted for plenary action, seeks to address threats to food security in the country by amending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988 or Republic Act 6657.

The law was enacted to promote social justice, sound rural development and industrialization, and encourage land owners to cultivate economic-size farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture, Relampagos said.

Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARP backed by RA 6657, farmers are provided opportunity to own land

they can till to improve their lot and provide adequate food for their fellow countrymen.

But the same law allows reclassification or conversion of agricultural land and its disposition if the land ceases to be economically feasible or fit for agricultural purposes, after five years lapses from the time of award, or if the area becomes more urbanized and thus more economically viable for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes.

The bill carries a penalty consisting of imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years, and/or a fine of P200,000 to P1 million imposed against violators.

The bill also intends to curb corruption in the lower levels of government.

“Recognizing that elements within the government bureaucracy may contribute to unchecked conversions, the substitute bill lodges the exclusive power of land conversion to the Congress itself,” Relampagos said.

RECALL ANSWERS. San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez answers questions from the media regarding the recall election petition filed by former vice mayor Francis Zamora during a press conference at the mayor’s residence in San Juan. Manny Palmero CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH cycling stars join national tilt T HE stars of Philippine cycling descended in Subic as they vie in the PhilCycling National Championships for Road, which fires off today with the massed start race on an out-and-back course in Subic and Bataan.

Led by Marella Vania Salamat, Marc Galedo and the ageless Alfie Catalan―all former Southeast Asian Games gold medalists―the races in the men and women elite, under 23 and men junior will flag off at 9 a.m. from the

Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

The men’s race will cover 138.27 kms marked by a treacherous 7-km climb on an average 7 percent gradient atop the Dambana Ng Kagitingan giant cross on Mount Samat.

The women’s race, on the other hand, will be staged simultaneously with the men and will cover 96.55 kms of circuit racing inside Subic.

“We are expecting a tough race considering that the courses for both events are technical,” Race Director Ian Alacar said.

The races are highlight the PRU Ride PH 2018, a cycling festival staged annually by Pru Life UK. Pru Life UK Senior

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga led the ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday at the SBECC with top-ranked FilipinoAmerican female cyclist Coryn Rivera gracing the occasion.

Rivera will ride behind the race column as part of her training for 45 races she is set to take part in this season.

She is one of the world’s foremost women elite riders, having won the Tour

of Flanders in Belgium last year and leading the US team in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The event is sanctioned by the PhilCycling headed by its president, Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Chairman Alberto Lina and will award the winners the coveted national champions’ jerseys.

The individual time trial on Saturday, on the other hand, will test the men on a 30.12-km

route and the women on a 21.94-km distance.

The national championships will conclude with the Criterium races on Jan. 21 at McKinley West in Taguig City.

Also joining the fray is Ariana Domingo, a twotime Southeast Asian mountain bike champion who is testing her strength in the road discipline and former Tour champion Santy Barnachea, George Oconer, Ronnel Hualda and Junrey Navarra.

Olivarez, TIP on a roll; New Era in upset win OLIVAREZ College and Technological Institute of the Philippines continued their winning ways in the Sta. Lucia Land-NCRAA men’s basketball tournament by scoring contrasting victories, even as New Era pulled off a huge upset in the first game of 2018 at the TIP Gym. New Era University stunned last season’s runner-up De Ocampo Memorial College, 73-71, to barge into the win column.

Trailing by five entering the final two-minute mark, the Hunters unleashed a telling 7-0 run to complete the come-from-behind victory.

Jeff Comia and Richard Velchez conspired in that blistering rally that allowed the Hunters to barge into the win column.

Comia led all scorers with 25 points and seven assists, while Velchez, who stepped up in the second half, finished

with a double-double of 14 points and 12 boards to go with four blocks.

Also pulling off a similar hard-earned win was Olivarez College, which outlasted St. Francis of Assisi College, 60-54.

It was the second straight win by Olivarez College, which joined host Technological Institute of the Philippines on top of the standings of Group A. TIP blasted University of Luzon, 62-52, in the other game.

Leading the way for Olivarez was the hot-shooting Jayboy Solis, who scattered 18 markers. He was backed up by John Uduba with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Uduba hit all of his five shots from the field as Olivarez College’s inside-out game was enough to outplay St. Francis.

PSBA dumped Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, 86-66.

NEW ADVENTURES FOR CLEANFUEL. Cleanfuel starts the year right by continuously expanding their outlets and supporting the sports industry through the National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association, an organization affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, the world governing body for motorcycle sports and the duly recognized national sporting authority for motorcycle sports by the Philippine Olympic Committee. In relation to this on Jan. 14, Cleanfuel will support JBS Kawasaki-Cleanfuel Team in an Invitational Motocross race at San Jose, Tarlac City, spearheaded by Kenneth San Andres, the reigning 2017 Philippine National Motocross Rider of the Year and a multiawarded rider. For more information about Cleanfuel and its other locations, call (02) 655-6407 and (02) 655-9219 or visit their website atwww.cleanfuel.ph.

Clouds lift as North Korea boosts Pyeongchang Olympics SEOUL—Pyeongchang Winter Olympics organisers are entering their final preparations with renewed confidence after neighbouring North Korea ended months of speculation by confirming its attendance, immediately easing fears over security and ticket sales.

With one month to go, the outlook is suddenly much brighter for the “Peace Olympics”, which had been rocked by the drugs ban on Russia’s team and concerns over potential disruption by the nucleararmed North.

North Korea, which boycot-

ted the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, this week agreed to attend its first Olympics in the South, during talks which defused soaring tensions over its nuclear programme and missile tests.

France, Germany and Austria had all voiced fears about competing in Pyeongchang during the stand-off with North Korea, which lies just 80 kilometres (50 miles) away from the Olympic site across a heavily fortified border.

“Security concerns over the North’s nuclear threats during the Pyeongchang Olympics

have evaporated at a stroke,” Park Sung-Bae, a sports industry expert from South Korea’s Hanyang University, told AFP. “No one would now think the North could lob nuclear bombs over the heads of its own athletes.”

‘Army of beauties’ North and South Korea’s Olympic officials will meet at the International Olympic Committee’s headquarters in Switzerland next week to hammer out the details of the North’s participation.

The North Korean delegation is expected to run into the

hundreds, even though figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik are their only two athletes who qualified to compete —and subsequently missed a deadline to register for the Games.

The IOC has said it will consider offering wildcards to North Korean athletes. Crosscountry skiers and speed skaters are understood to be among those who could benefit.

According to reports, the North Koreans—including its “army of beauties” female cheering squad—could be accommodated on a cruise ship

off the nearby coastal city of Sokcho.

“There has been plenty of speculation on whether North Korea would participate or not, but now that it’s been confirmed, we’ll have to be prepared that much more,” said Lee Hee-Beom, head of the organizing committee, according to Yonhap news agency.

“Accommodation for athletes and other officials is all ready. Since the cheering and performing squads will also make their way, we’ll have to make our preparations accordingly.”

Nadal top seed; Djokovic is 14th M ELBOU R N E — Si xtime champion Novak Djokovic will lurk as 14th seed for next week’s Australian Open in Melbourne, with Rafael Nadal seeded top, organisers said on Thursday.

Nadal heads defending champion Roger Federer at the top of the men’s seedings, with Simona Halep and Caroline Wozniacki seeded one and two in the women’s competition.

The seedings have gone largely according to the ATP world rankings, although Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori are out injured and women’s champion Serena Williams opted not to play after giving

birth in September.

Djokovic made a winning return on Wednesday after six months out with an elbow injury, declaring he felt “great” after beating world number five Dominic Thiem 6-1, 6-4 at the Kooyong Classic.

It was the 12-time Grand Slam winner’s first competitive outing since losing a Wimbledon quarter-final to Tomas Berdych last July.

The Serbian former world number one had pulled out of a warm-up tournament in Abu Dhabi, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of the year’s opening Grand Slam.

Federer, seeded second, and will bid for his 20th

Grand Slam title in the bottom half of the draw.

Former winner Stan Wawrinka, who hasn’t played since Wimbledon but said he has recovered sufficiently from a knee injury, is seeded at nine.

In a women’s field notably missing 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, there appear to be many chances of a new Australian Open champion this year.

Seven-time champion Williams announced last week she wouldn’t defend her title, saying she was “super close” but not quite ready to compete so soon after becoming a mother. AFP

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return during his match against Dominic Thiem of Austria at Kooyong Classic tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Bouchard puts buttock pain behind her for first triumph of year MELBOURNE—Struggling star Eugenie Bouchard won her first match of the year Thursday, posting a 6-2, 6-0 defeat of Australian teen Destanee Aiava at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

The Canadian had gone down in three group matches last week at the Hopman Cup in Perth, where she suffered a buttock injury, and was eliminated in the first round at Hobart on Monday, denting her

Australian Open preparations.

“I was happy to be out there in a pretty official-feeling match,” said the 23-year-old. “There were stands, a crowd, and an umpire. It was like a practice match but kind of real.”

With time running out for her to be ready for the opening Grand Slam of the year, the 2014 Wimbledon finalist, now ranked 83rd after a dismal last season, eagerly accepted a late invitation for a hit-out at Kooyong, a non-

tour event.

Bouchard, who made the Australian Open semi-finals in 2015 and the quarters a year later, said her game was a work in progress after changing her routine and coaches in the offseason.

“It’s progressing,” she said.

“I was just focusing on myself and the things I have to work on throughout the match.”

The Canadian, who said her buttock injury was now

fine, added that she was keen to eliminate all memories of a poor 2017 campaign.

“I don’t want to feel any continuation of 2017, it really wasn’t a good year for me. I worked hard in the off-season, changing some things,” she said.

In other matches at the exhibition event, France’s Richard Gasquet won his second match, overcoming Australian Matthew Ebden 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

“It was perfect in these con-

ditions,” the 31-year-old said.

“I’m preparing my game to be ready for the Open and to perform there.”

Gasquet, who has never gone past the Australian Open fourth round, added: “I’ll keep up the training. I have no injuries and am feeling great.”

World number five Dominic Thiem, meanwhile, withdrew from his scheduled match as he recovers from illness, disrupting his Grand Slam plans. AFP

Thomas fined for chop on Wiggins LOS ANGELES— Cleveland Cavaliers star Isaiah Thomas was fined $20,000 (16,725 euros) on Wednesday following his ejection for a stiff-arm challenge on Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins, the NBA announced.

Thomas was tossed as the Cavs were mauled 127-99 by the Timberwolves on Monday when he flung an arm out at Wiggins in the third quarter.

The Cavs playmaker’s chop connected with Wiggins’ throat, earning him a flagrant two foul and an ejection.

Thomas later insisted he had not meant to strike Wiggins in the neck.

Meanwhile, the NBA said Miami Heat forward James Johnson and Toronto Raptors counterpart Serge Ibaka had been suspended for one game without pay for throwing punches at one another.

The two players came to blows during the Heat’s 90-89 victory over the Raptors at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday.

The suspension means Johnson will miss Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers.

Ibaka will serve his suspension on January 11, when the Raptors face Cleveland in Toronto.

The NBA has also fined the Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan $25,000 and Miami’s Goran Dragic $10,000 for a separate scuffle at the end of the game. AFP

Ayo selects Luib to be his deputy; UST names 3 more assistant coaches

By Peter Atencio MCJOUR Luib, who used to play for the Letran Knights during Aldin Ayo’s time there as coach, will be be one of his deputies with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

Ayo coached the Knights to the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 2015, with Luib as one of his players.

Luib was formally presented with three other veteran coaches in Bonnie Garcia, Rene Bayna and Kristoffer Co, who will all act as Ayo’s deputies with the Tigers. Garcia is an assistant coach of the junior cage team.

The four were picked a week after the school formally welcomed Ayo as the new UST Tigers’ head coach.

Ayo came in place of Boy Sablan, who steered the Growling Tigers to a 1-13 (wonlost) finish in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

The Growling Tigers are looking for a better finish in season 81.

University officials said they chose Ayo because of his discipline-based basketball program and his accomplishments as head coach.

“His basketball program supports the image we in UST wish to draw in the canvass of our student-athletes,” said school officials in a letter to the UST community.

After Letran’s title conquest, Ayo moved to the La Salle Green Archers, who he steered to a UAAP crown in 2016. The Archers lost the title to the Ateneo Blue Eagles the following year.

Ayo is also a product of a Dominican institution and played for the Letran teams that won back-to-back crowns in 1998 and 1999.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

New Pradera 9 now ready for Ladies’ Challenge WITH its length, bunkers and a new nine, the Pradera Golf and Country Club is ready to challenge the field clashing in the second Pradera Verde Ladies Challenge beginning Monday (Jan. 15) in Lubao, Pampanga.

Organizers said the brand-new third nine of the sprawling Pradera Golf and Country Club will provide a different kind of test for the competing cast especially if the wind come into play in all three days of the championship pitting the country’s leading jungolfers and amateurs against the top players from neighboring SEA countries in a Ryder Cupstyle format event.

“The first nine is long but flat and will require long iron shots. The greens, however, are protected by bunkers,” said Mike Singgaran, designer of the gem of a layout which sits on the 700-hectare Pradera Verde in Barangay Prado Siongco.

He added that the third nine is relatively short, except for two holes, but the fairways have a lot of movement and the greens are a little bit smaller, thus giving premium to accuracy.

“The Nos. 4 and 8 are very long par-4s and most of the time, they play against the wind,” said Singgaran, who predicts a thrilling battle among the young and the veteran campaigners from both sides.

Yuka Saso and Harmie Constantino banner Team Philippines out to even things up with Team Southeast Asia, which dominated the host in last year’s inaugural stating of the event put up by Archen Cayabyab, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and coach Norman Sto. Domingo to help boost the country’s junior and amateur golf program.

The brand-new third nine of the sprawling Pradera Golf and Country Club will provide a different kind of test for the competing cast especially if the wind come into play in all three days of the championship.

Gin Kings battle Elite, seek 3rd straight win

By Jeric Lopez

B

ARANGAY Ginebra eyes solo leadership as it goes for its third straight victory in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

The Gin Kings (2-0) want to keep the ball rolling as they get tangled with Blackwater (1-1) at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.

In the other game, Rain or Shine (1-1) and GlobalPort (0-2) battle each other at 4:30 p.m.

Ginebra is currently tied with San Miguel Beer at No. 1 and another victory will

give it sole possession of the top spot.

The last time out, the Gin Kings first had a difficult time before they picked it up late to take a 104-97 comefrom-behind win over the Batang Pier last Sunday.

Though his team remained unbeaten, Ginebra coach Tim Cone wasn’t too pleased with his wards’ performance the last time out.

monsters numbers offset their slow start. Slaughter scored 18 points, hauled 9 boards and rejected 5 shots, while Aguilar had 21 points, 9 rebounds, 6 blocks and 4 assists The Kings also had a nice boost from LA Tenorio, who poured in 17 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, while Scottie Thompson had a near triple-double of 9 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists.

Sean Anthony led Globalport with 29 points and 9 rebounds. He was ably backed by by Stanley Pringle, who had 23 points and

10 rebounds, but GlobalPort still fell short, visibly still feeling the effects of star Terrence Romeo’s absence.

Romeo has yet to fully recover from his knee contusion injury and a February return is possible.

Just like Ginebra, the Elite likewise picked up a win in its last assignment.

Blackwater dispatched the Elasto Painters, 92-87, last Dec. 29 and it hopes it can carry over its luck to 2018.

Both coming of losses, the Elasto Painters and the Batang Pier are desperate to list wins when they go head to head.

Hot-putting Fortuna blitzes past Saso, up by 3 at Orchard

St. Benilde tossers grab share of lead COLLEGE of St. Benilde fought back from two sets down to escape with a 22-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-13, 15-10 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University yesterday to seize a share of the lead with defending champion Arellano University in the 93rd NCAA women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Klarisa Abriam and Rachel Anne Austero fired 18 and 16 points, respectively, while making crucial plays in the last three sets when the Lady Blazers, who routed the Letran Lady Knights, 25-22, 25-11, 25-20, last week, completed a dramatic comeback to post their second straight win.

It was a career effort for Abriam after she finished with eight in their team’s first win, while Austero duplicated her opening-day effort.

Marites Pablo, younger sister of Premier Volleyball League MVP Myla, and Ranya Musa scattered 12 and 11 hits to help the cause.

“The girls just didn’t give up,” said CSB coach Arnold Laniog.

Earlier, defending men’s champion CSB likewise nailed its second win in a row by trouncing LPU, 2518, 25-22, 25-18.

In juniors’ play, CSB-La Salle Greenhills almost blew a two-set edge but showed tremendous poise in the fifth and final set to carve out a 25-23, 25-23, 15-25, 14-25, 9-15 triumph over LPU.

He hopes that his squad can regain its tenacity.

“It was actually disturbing. The guys only played and turned it on when they needed to in our last game,” said Cone.

“We need to get rid of this bad habit and get back to playing at a high level consistently. I’m not happy.

I’m okay with the win, but I’m not happy about the way we played. We need to be better if we’re going to make some noise in the All-Filipino.”

The Kings had to squeeze the best from their Twin Towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, whose

Mikha Fortuna shows top form off the mound

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite —Mikha Fortuna flashed near-impeccable touch on the greens and came away with a bogey-free sevenunder 65 to storm past Yuka Saso by three in the second round of the 2018 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open at the Orchard Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Rebounding from a bogeybogey finish that cost her the first round lead and enabled Saso to take charge Wednesday, Fortuna buckled down to work and birdied the first three holes from 10 feet. She stayed hot from there, coming through with solid approach shots and hot putting to string another threebirdie feat from No. 12.

The 17-year-old The Country Club spearhead then capped her explosive round with another birdie on the 18th, impressing flight-

mate Saso no less.

“My short game and putting came in very hand today (yesterday). I made a lot of one putts and it felt great,” said Fortuna, who is coming off a sixth place finish in last week’s Philippine Amateur Open.

With a 136 aggregate, Fortuna built a three-stroke cushion over Saso heading to the final 18 holes of the country’s premier championship organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines.

“Mikha was so good with her putting and I have to match that tomorrow (today) to get a chance,” said Saso, seeking to add the PLO crown to her pro victory at Ayala Greenfield last week.

While Fortuna sizzled with her putter, the 16-yearold Saso struggled with hers, bogeying the opening hole on a three-putt miscue

to drop off the leaderboard.

The Fil-Japanese ace did fight back with birdies on Nos. 2, 6, 9 and 14 but settled for pars the rest of the way to finish with a 69.

She dropped to second with a 139 while Thai Trachuentong Pinkaew fired an eagle-aided 68 to move to solo third at 140.

Pinkaew, who eagled No. 6, actually kept Fortuna within sight with a six-under card after 11 holes. But she stumbled with a missed green bogey on No. 14 and three-putted No. 17 for a four-under card.

Bianca Pagdanganan, who routed the field by nine to reign at Wack Wack last year and tied Fortuna and three others here in the first round, also groped for her putting form and missed a number of birdie opportunities. She hobbled with a 73 and slipped to fourth at 144, now eight shots behind Fortuna.

Report on karate probe out next week

By Peter Atencio THE probe on allegations that several national karatedo athletes did not fully receive their allowances during their 20-day training stint in Germany last July is almost over.

A report is expected to be out in a week’s time.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who is monitoring the progress of the investigation, said this and added that the Philippine Sports Commission expects its legal department to come up with its own findings.

“Maybe in a week’s time we’ll have a report from our lawyers or task force or the NBI with regards to the investigation of karatedo,” said Fernandez.

He added that there are a few more athletes from other national sports associations that are coming out with their complaints.

“But we’re not ready to divulge them yet pending the investigation. We’re looking at the financial assistance that we have given to all NSAs and checking at the veracity of the reports of the other athletes’ (complaints),” Fernandez said.

National Bureau of Investigation agents are in an ongoing probe, questioning athletes, coaches and PKF officials to find out what happened to funds amounting to P3.217 million.

The money was supposed to be spent for the seminars and tournaments joined by the national karatedo team, its accommodations, meals and allowances while the karatekas were in Germany from July 20 to Aug. 9.

Durant reaches milestone, but Dubs fall to Clippers LOS ANGELES—Lou Williams scored a career-high 50 points as the Los Angeles Clippers spoiled a milestone night for Kevin Durant with a 125-106 victory on Wednesday.

Durant became the 44th player in league history to score 20,000 career points, reaching the achievement with a pull-up jump shot late in the second quarter.

NBA finals MVP Durant needed 25 points to get to 20,000 and that is the number

he finished on at the end of the first half. At age 29 he is the second youngest to do it behind LeBron James.

“He is one of the all-time greats,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr of Durant, who finished with 40 points.

“There is going to be another one (milestone) in a month.

“He’s Kevin Durant. The second youngest to do it ...

Who is the youngest? LeBron, not bad company.”

Williams tallied 27 of his 50 points in the third quarter

for the visiting Clippers who beat Golden State for the first time in more than three years.

Williams also had eight three pointers and seven assists and rookie Tyrone Wallace came off the bench to score a season-high 22 points.

“It was hard to stop him,” Durant said of Williams. “His pull-up three is a cash shot.

We were too loose on him and let him go where ever he wanted.”

Elsewhere, Jimmy Butler finished with 26 points and

eight assists on as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated struggling Oklahoma City 104-88, handing the Thunder their third consecutive loss.

Center Karl-Anthony Towns tallied 18 points and 12 assists for the Timberwolves who are playing some of their best basketball of the season and have three straight resounding home wins in a row.

“When we start to compete on the defensive end like that we are tough to beat,” said Butler. AFP

Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the LA Clippers at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Phoenix completes FamilyMart acquisition

Meralco sales up by 4.9% in 2017

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. said Thursday electricity sales increased 4.9 percent in 2017 from a year ago, on strong demand by all customer groups.

The annual growth, however, was slower than the 8.1-percent rise registered in 2016.

“All the sectors have been showing hefty growth. Surprisingly, industrial has shown significant growth so with commercial. All of them, on average [posted a growth of] around 4.5 percent,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said.

The power retailer expects a growth at 2.5 percent to 4 percent in the first half of 2018, with supply seen adequate to meet demand.

“We have the installed capacity to meet summer demand. It’s a question of there being no confluence of scheduled and forced outages, or any Malampaya shutdown,” Reyes said, referring to the Malampaya natural gas project off Palawan province.

Reyes said the regulatory approval of Meralco’s pending power supply agreements would be critical to future power supply.

“I think, what are pending in terms of PSAs are the earliest COD [commercial operations date] for mid-2019. We don’t have PSAs or any interim PSAs that will be required for this summer. But of course, even if that’s the case, early action is needed because as you push or delay action on this, it will impact on the timing and availability of power in 2019, 2020, 2021,” he said.

Meralco’s power generation arm Meralco PowerGen Corp. is set to start construction of the 1,200-megawatt Atimonan coal plant in Quezon and the 600-MW Subic coal plant in Zambales.

Meralco is waiting for the approval of the power supply agreements by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

B1

Sy’s son ventures into cement

By Othel V. Campos

B

IG Boss Cement Inc., a new company majority-owned by a son of retail tycoon Henry Sy, is spending at least P2 billion in cement production.

The company, led by Henry Sy Jr., said the amount would be invested for the first phase of a cement plant in Porac, Pampanga.

Big Boss Cement president Gilbert Cruz said the

company would start producing 1.5 million bags a month of pozzolan cement in March 2018. Cruz said Sy Jr., and not the SM Group, invested in the company. Sy Jr. is often referred to as the ‘Big Boss’

in the SM Group.

“While the local industry continues to expand production, we believe that there’s still room for more players since a big part of the local supply is imported. We want to deal with imports by offering competitive retail pricing,” Cruz said.

The company plans to eventually upgrade the first plant to fives times its current capacity and build two other facilities in Luzon.

Cruz, an engineer and

industrial chemist, said the company would use a new technology and a revolutionary manufacturing process that would not release carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

The process uses readily available material other than clinker. Patent approval is still pending but the process is proven to produce high-quality cement without using extreme heat for cement curing, he said.

Cruz said once Big Boss Cement achieved stable

production, it planned to penetrate the Asian market, before making its way to the US and European markets.

He said the investment for the new plant would be about 80 percent cheaper than a traditional cement plant.

“We noticed that all existing suppliers cannot cope with the rise in demand.

That’s why we are prepared to undertake the creation of several plants to contribute to the volume needed for

construction and infrastructure projects,” he said.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property development unit of the SM Group, is one of the largest consumers of cement in the country.

The cement industry forecasts a 13.6-percent growth in cement production to 25 million metric tons this year from 22 million MT in 2017.

Demand is expected to reach 40 million MT in the next 5 years.

Shakey’s to open 20 stores this year

SMART-HUAWEI DEAL. PLDT Inc., along with mobile unit Smart Communications, signs a P1.4-billion partnership agreement with global ICT leader Huawei to enhance the telco’s wireless service delivery platforms. Signing the contract are (from left) Huawei South Pacific Region vice president Bruce Li, Huawei Carrier Network Business Group president Nicholas Ma, PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan, PLDT Group chief corporate services officer Ray Espinosa and PLDT Group chief business transformation officer Victorico Vargas.

Anchor Land set to build P1.5-b dormitory complex

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Anchor Land Holdings Inc. launched its dormitory business with the unveiling of the P1.5-billion Cosmos Suites in Pasay City.

Anchor Land said in a statement the twin-tower development, with 3,000 beds in over 800 units, would offer affordable, high-quality bed spaces to young employees looking for ways to outsmart the challenging commute in Metro Manila.

“Cosmo Suites aims to help improve the quality of life of employees. It becomes their halfway home near their workplace, allowing them to spend their time on more productive activities instead of being stuck in traffic for around three to four hours,” said Anchor Land chief executive Steve Li. “We help them achieve work-life balance,” Li said.

The project is strategically located in Pasay City, one of the fast-rising hubs for business process outsourcing firms.

“Cosmo Suites will cater to the continuously increasing demand of BPO employees for quality, yet affordable urban dwelling spaces. We will limit the rental rates equivalent to 25 percent of the average income of BPO employees,” said Li.

IN BRIEF NLEX spending P19b in ‘18

NLEX Corp. said it budgeted P19 billion this year for the construction of new expressway projects to help solve Metro Manila’s traffic bottlenecks.

NLEX president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said the bulk of the company’s 2018 capital expenditure would be used to construct the urban portions of North Luzon Expressway such as the Harbor Link Segment 10 (including the R10 Section in Dagat-Dagatan, Navotas City) and the NLExSLEx Connector Road project.

The tollway company said the planned investment assumed the satisfactory resolution of the tariff adjustments. It was still subject to review and adjustment depending on the results of the discussions on the tariff, it said.

Expected to be opened this year, Harbor Link Segment 10 is a 5.7-kilometer elevated expressway traversing NLEx from Smart Connect Interchange and cross over Mac Arthur Highway in Valenzuela City with down ramps along C3/5th Avenue Interchange in Caloocan City.

When Harbor Link is fully completed, travel between the Ports of Manila and NLEx is expected to take only 10 minutes, providing direct expressway access for commercial vehicles, specially heavy trucks. Darwin G. Amojelar

Govt loses P300b in tax perks

THE government lost over P300 billion in potential revenues annually because of the income tax holidays and other incentives with no time limits enjoyed by large companies, a Department of Finance official said Thursday.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua, citing 2015 data, said income tax holidays and special rates accounted for P86.25 billion of the revenue losses, while custom duty exemptions contributed P18.4 billion.

Chua said exemptions from paying the value-added tax on imports led to P159.82 billion in foregone revenue, while local VAT contributed P36.96 billion, although part of the tax would eventually be refunded because these were imposed on exporters.

Chua these incentives totaling P301.22 billion did not yet include exemptions from the payment of local business taxes and the estimates on tax leakages. He said in terms of income tax incentives, the government effectively gave away P61.33 billion to companies in 2011 and P88.17 billion in 2014.

Customs duty exemptions dropped from P82.97 billion in 2011 to P38.04 billion in 2014 owing to the various free trade agreements signed by the Philippines with other countries.

“So on average, we gave away up to 1.5 percent of our GDP in income tax and custom duties exemptions,” Chua said. Julito G. Rada

Peza pushes 2 new ecozones

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources agreed to develop two new economic zones to align similar industries and encourage the specialization of manufacturing zones.

“We had a meeting with DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and soon we will have a MOA signing for the two types of ecozones we are promoting. First is the agro-processing ecozone and the other is the mineral processing ecozone,” said Peza director-general Charito Plaza.

The specialized economic zones will be strategic to reviving the wood sector and create value-adding to mineral products in the case of mineral processing economic zone.

Peza said the wood sector lacked the support needed to create a bustling industry capable of supplying even the demand for imports especially on furnitures.

Plaza said prefabricating factories in the Philippines resorted to importation to fill up the required inventory for manufacturing. “They are importing at least 10,000 cubic meter of wood per year. We cannot provide the volume, it is still illegal to cut trees unless within a legitimate plantation,” she said. Othel V. Campos

Cebuana insures 8m Filipinos

MORE than eight million Filipinos are now covered by microinsurance through Cebuana Lhuillier.

This accounts for 30 percent out of 26.6 million Filipinos covered by some form of microinsurance product, based on Insurance Commission data in the first quarter of 2017.

Cebuana Lhuillier, a top microfinancial solutions provider, also managed to settle over P180 million in claims, providing every day Filipinos with financial security and protection during times of natural calamities and personal tragedies.

The company said it was now a key contributor of the government in ensuring all Filipinos had access to microinsurance. No other distribution channel in the country has achieved Cebuana Lhuillier’s wide market reach when it comes to microinsurance, it said.

“Cebuana Lhuillier firmly supports the government’s thrust for wider microinsurance penetration in line with its war against poverty. We are proud to be of help to the Insurance Commission reach its goal of having 60 percent to 70 percent of the population covered by microinsurance by 2020,” Cebuana Lhuillier president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier said.

RECORD RIDERSHIP. Passengers line up at a station of LRT 1 line. Light Rail Manila Corp., the operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, posted a record ridership for the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9. LRMC reported a 14-percent increase in throughput from 494,323 passengers on the same day last year, to 565,928 this year. There was also zero incident for that day with 96 light rail vehicles comprising 30 trains on the line.

RESTAURANT operator Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. said Thursday it plans to open 20 new stores in 2018 to bring its total network to 228 outlets.

Shakey’s said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it opened 24 stores in 2017, which marked its first year as a listed company.

“It has been a banner year for Shakey’s―our maiden year as a publicly listed company – as this is the fastest we’ve grown in terms of store network. We have a strong belief in our brand and our strategy, and are keeping pace with the accelerating growth of our economy,” Shakeys president Vicente Gregorio said.

“We will continue to take advantage of the positive consumer sentiment in the Philippines and hope to open even more stores, including those outside the typical first-tier cities,” he said.

The pizza chain penetrated new markets last year, as it opened a number of stores outside Metro Manila including in Iligan City, Puerto Princesa City, Antique, Gapan in Nueva Ecija and Palo in Leyte.

It started to roll out redesigned interiors for newer branches which took the American family casual dining concept to another level.

“As the Filipino is now looking for more premium dining experiences, we are driven by our mission to consistently ‘wow’ them.

This includes upgrading our look, launching innovative products and emphasizing a high quality of service,” said Gregorio.

Jenniffer B. Austria

German firm tapped to inspect Chinese trains for MRT 3

By Darwin G. Amojelar Federation of Inspection Agencies. Other similarly THE Department of Trans- qualified firms that participortation tapped a German pated in the bidding were company to evaluate and TUV SUD and Bureau make recommendations Veritas. on the 48 light rail veBatan said the DOTr hicles that were delivered assured the IAA that it

by CRRC Dalian of China would not interfere or infor the Metro Rail Transit fluence the assessment on Line 3 system. the 48 LRVs. Transportation Under“We will not in any way secretary for railways TJ try to influence their indeBatan said the DOTr-MRT pendent assessment of the 3 team met with TUV 48 cars from Dalian, and Rheinland, the winning we would decide based on independent audit and as- their recommendation. If sessment consultant for they said the LRVs could the new LRVs. be immediately deployed, TUV Rheinland, a Ger- we will consider,” Batan man firm established in said.

1872, met the high quali“If they said the LRVs fications given its ISO could be deployed with 17020 and ISO 17065 cer- necessary adjustments, we tifications and member- will consider, of course, ship in the International [but] not at our expense.

And if they said the LRVs should be returned, then we would return them,” Batan said.

Concerns were earlier raised on the compatibility with the MRT 3 system of the 48 LRVs procured by the Aquino administration for P3.8 billion. Not a single LRV from Dalian was put into operation so far.

The Chinese LRVs, weighing 49,700 kilograms each, exceeded the weight prescribed in the terms of reference at 46,300 kg. Compatibility with the MRT-3’s maintenance facilities and signaling system also became an issue.

Batan said that with the current fleet of Czechmade trains, MRT-3 could

operate up to 20 three-car trains. If the 48 LRVs were cleared to run, the number could be increased to 20 four-car trains.

“The original design capacity of MRT 3 at peak hours is 20 three-car trains, running at 60-kph, with a 3-minute headway,” Batan said.

“At the same time, MRT-3 was also designed to be expandable to 20 four-car trains, running with a 2-minutes headway. That is our target,” he said.

Spare parts for the maintenance of MRT-3 will start arriving in tranches from February to June.

Batan said the system would conduct general maintenance works during the Holy Week.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

ICTSI set to raise $400m to fund growth strategy

By Darwin G. Amojelar be consolidated and form a single PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. is raising $400 million from the issuance of senior perpetual capital bonds to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions.

The company led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said unit Royal Capital BV on Jan. 10 successfully priced a $350-million offering of senior guaranteed perpetual capital securities, guaranteed by ICTSI and structured to constitute equity.

It said ICTSI on Jan. 11 reopened the books for an additional tap of $50 million thatwere priced at par to yield 5.875 percent per annum, bringing the total offering to $400 million.

Royal Capital’s board approved the guarantee of the additional securities which would

series with the $350-million, 5.875 percent senior guaranteed perpetual capital securities.

The proceeds of the bonds would be used to finance acquisitions and capex and for general corporate purposes, the company said.

“We are pleased with the success of the new issue of fixed-for-life senior perpetual securities. This transaction is part of our strategy of prudent and value accretive capital and risk management, while further extending the duration of our liabilities to be in line with our concessionary assets.

It similarly provides additional liquidity in the context of ICTSI’s growth strategy,” ICTSI senior vice president and chief financial officer Rafael Consing Jr. said.

Stock market retreats; PLDT, Ayala Land drop

T

HE stock market declined Thursday as the rally that greeted 2018 gave way to profit-taking.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 107.04 points, or 1.2 percent, to 8,813.25 on a value turnover of P7.7 billion. Losers beat gainers, 120 to 88, with 54 issues unchanged.

Major property Ayala Land Inc. fell 2.9 percent to P44.35, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, tumbled 3.4 percent to P1,400.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, and hospitals lost 3.2 percent to P6.61.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. bucked the trend, rising 3.1 percent to P132.

The rest of Asian markets saw further losses on Thursday, with Tokyo hit by a weaker dollar and Hong Kong coming off a 12-day surge.

The stronger yen hurt Tokyo-listed exporters, sending the Nikkei index 0.3 percent down.

Hong Kong was slightly lower after an outstanding 12-day unbeaten run, but Shanghai ended up 0.1 percent, pushing a winning streak to 10 straight days.

Sydney and Seoul each lost 0.5 percent, Singapore eased 0.1 percent and Wellington tumbled 1.4 percent.

US traders sent all three of New York’s main indexes falling for the first time this year as they were spooked

by a report saying Canadian officials increasingly expect Donald Trump to call time on the decades-old NAFTA free-trade pact.

That came after Bloomberg News said Chinese authorities reviewing foreignexchange holdings have recommended slowing or halting purchases of US Treasuries.

The greenback sank against most of its peers soon after the news on fears that a huge amount of foreign demand for dollars would dry up.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.1 168,000 59.6 12,880 117.4 2,221,040 3.86 35,000 165 3,500,240 1.96 268,000 36 1,286,700 15.68 14,400 31.35 1,223,900 0.7 1,500,000 1.76 53,000 970 190 0.58 195,000 108 2,613,500 1.17 6,251,000 12.76 144,400 24.5 600 57 77,890 238 590 107 10 88.95 3,580 55.5 268,910 254.2 609,400 1,901 285 89.9 7,880 1.26 584,000

511,230 767,165 257,740,934 135,150 577,364,501 519,200 46,020,235 224,592 38,391,570 1,050,000 93,120 184,300 113,370 280,173,617 7,370,760 1,824,830 14,700 4,424,515 140,562 1,070 318,441 14,926,197.50 154,947,346 542,285 696,920.50 735,840

715,200 -46,569,779 14,698,146 -48,250 7,430,490.00 6,871,495 67,107,589 242,500 -3,147,256.50 33,450 744,058.50 74,690,698 190,350 -129,118 -

41.2 10.82 0.63 1.34 16.98 0.214 113.4 5.2 15.5 51.5 19.18 62.5 59.1 1.9 5.4 10.82 11.5 15.36 12.74 7.83 5.55 1.65 15.94 62.2 27.85 9.98 17.8 1.99 253.8 58.25 4.15 3.21 19 28.65 18.18 17.72 325 0.2 9.36 2.18 5 9.16 5 8.3 1.78 12.34 63.1 6.4 547 4.9 2.07 4.14 1.76 13.6 5.49 0.133 1.15 165 2.87 2.04 23.45 0.81

INDUSTRIAL 41.7 670,700 11.06 727,200 0.64 807,000 1.35 33,000 17.72 14,300 0.219 1,450,000 113.4 200 5.29 3,085,300 15.54 634,900 53 568,760 19.48 3,500 62.5 230 59.15 420 1.92 150,000 5.4 100 10.9 2,800 11.6 1,630,700 15.72 5,896,300 12.94 1,860,000 7.9 885,100 5.55 3,949,300 1.65 20,000 15.98 1,536,000 62.4 39,850 29.1 388,800 10 191,600 18 440,700 1.99 959,000 255 681,780 58.55 2,490 4.2 18,000 3.21 1,000 20.3 1,500 29 444,400 18.18 80,000 17.72 2,581,600 325 213,050 0.205 320,000 9.38 5,600 2.2 1,414,000 5.02 263,800 9.3 2,611,300 5 170,800 8.3 67,000 1.8 2,434,000 12.34 1,137,700 63.9 147,150 6.4 7,500 570 117,730 4.95 62,000 2.1 15,000 4.14 1,000 1.76 794,000 13.68 241,200 5.5 159,400 0.135 530,000 1.17 141,000 167.5 1,589,620 2.87 177,000 2.06 5,850,000 23.45 300 0.83 148,000

27,827,740 8,037,588 516,320 44,440 247,440 310,990 22,680 16,251,501 9,865,788 30,464,942.50 67,742 14,424.50 24,831.50 285,720 540 30,304 18,933,904 92,351,204 24,161,564 7,024,301 21,991,662 33,050 24,533,162 2,493,522.50 11,186,235 1,915,981 7,912,560 1,925,360 173,818,308 145,501.50 75,310 3,210 29,650 12,813,080 1,455,540 45,876,726 69,476,954 64,520 52,558 3,110,560 1,331,911 24,029,813 864,860 560,930 4,387,930 14,350,628 9,405,607 48,000 66,636,410 304,450 31,470 4,140 1,412,080 3,324,146 876,660 71,180 164,510 265,479,399 513,070 12,096,780 7,035 122,570

-7,599,240 2,039,662 -664,732 2,438,632 -3,261,911 -13,797 6,720,388 13,982,740 197,050 1,100,258 -8,735,599 -1,091,142 1,499,784 -102,060 -1,554,000 -5,089,414 2,631,776 476,590 -5,626,066 -7,938,526 349,720 5,250 -11,178,311 238,830 3,132,920 -27,896 2,882,385.50 -40,163,165 24,500 -289,210 1,550,472 6,720 11,268,284 1,146,400.00 -

0.315 76.7 16.26 0.97 7.04 0.47 0.5 1,060 7.71 15 7.6 4.51 0.185 1,450 7.8 79.1 5.5 0.7 5.73 21.6 0.305 6.83 0.045 1.2 2.07 2.5 133.2 2.53 1,040 1.8 285 0.22 0.182

0.3 72.8 15.94 0.97 7 0.45 0.49 1,030 7.66 14.32 7.5 4.51 0.185 1,360 7.8 75.9 5.5 0.69 5.66 20.85 0.305 6.56 0.044 1.15 2.07 2.5 125.9 2.53 1,012 1.73 281 0.21 0.182

HOLDING FIRMS 0.315 30,000 75.4 714,070 16.14 4,617,400 0.97 136,000 7 38,700 0.45 5,880,000 0.49 2,370,000 1,050 213,605 7.66 1,281,400 14.64 9,749,600 7.6 46,400 4.51 1,000 0.185 50,000 1,450 122,035 7.8 900 76.85 1,756,080 5.5 2,700 0.69 118,000 5.67 177,300 21.35 561,100 0.305 50,000 6.61 26,581,200 0.044 8,300,000 1.15 92,000 2.07 11,000 2.5 2,000 132 1,728,040 2.53 14,000 1,024 761,265 1.73 1,416,000 285 5,000 0.211 2,100,000 0.182 20,000

9,300 53,398,429 74,405,392 131,920 270,940 2,693,400 1,169,050 222,898,100 9,864,440 142,726,572 349,047 4,510 9,250 171,273,710 7,020 134,732,579 14,850 81,480 1,010,004 11,906,490 15,250 176,734,552 365,500 107,050 22,770 5,000 224,493,898 35,420 776,448,165 2,478,110 1,416,212 444,120 3,640

-18,834,252.50 -9,277,398 -107,800 -232,650 -10,083,435 621,656 -58,356,200 97,805,910 -69,253,384.50 -253,895 -853,895 -83,966,504 5,064,150 -347,318,380 8,750 28,470 -422,800 -

6.37 1.13 13.5 2.35 0.97 45.4 4.02 4.85 5.76 6.09 0.485 1.1 0.223 0.46 41.1 0.65 0.139 1.89 1.41 0.85 5.22 0.36 0.355 0.61 5

6.06 1.06 12.54 2.29 0.89 44 3.86 4.76 5.62 5.7 0.475 1.1 0.216 0.43 40.5 0.64 0.138 1.87 1.37 0.82 5.05 0.35 0.345 0.59 4.74

3,660,854 14,090,220 97,630 25,340 12,874,220 1,035,063,135 3,420,760 3,126,640 513,856 73,646 956,300 16,500 684,310 524,900 5,751,475 1,427,960 106,450 32,423,860 10,139,720 898,390 190,733,428 7,105,950 675,800 2,814,780 10,512,331

-396,803 28,400 169,500 -271,694,970 363,460 480,000 212,955 -91,200 46,200 2,425,370 -564,850 5,851,330 537,870 -33,772,781 -3,600 71,000 -1,079,074

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.05 59.5 119.3 3.91 165.2 1.93 35.3 15.7 31.1 0.7 1.72 970 0.57 106.8 1.15 12.58 24.5 56.65 238.8 107 88.95 55.2 254 1,900 90 1.26

3.1 59.6 119.3 3.91 165.9 1.98 36 15.7 31.7 0.7 1.76 970 0.59 108 1.24 12.76 24.5 57.3 239 107 88.95 56 255.6 1,905 90 1.26

3.03 59 115.1 3.86 163.8 1.93 35.2 15.32 31.1 0.7 1.72 970 0.57 106.3 1.13 12 24.5 56.5 238 107 88.95 55.2 253 1,900 88 1.26

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

41.45 11.1 0.64 1.34 16.98 0.217 113.4 5.2 15.86 55.4 19.6 62.75 59.1 1.91 5.4 10.82 11.9 15.5 13 8.05 5.58 1.66 16 62.2 28.6 10 18.28 2.01 255.4 58.55 4.15 3.21 19 29.3 18.2 17.8 334 0.204 9.4 2.2 5.25 9.17 5.25 8.39 1.81 12.72 63.9 6.4 560 4.9 2.1 4.14 1.82 13.8 5.5 0.135 1.15 171 3 2.07 23.45 0.84

41.7 11.16 0.65 1.35 17.8 0.219 113.4 5.32 15.86 55.4 19.6 62.75 59.15 1.92 5.4 10.9 11.9 15.86 13.28 8.05 5.6 1.66 16.1 62.75 29.2 10 18.4 2.05 256 58.55 4.29 3.21 20.3 29.3 18.26 18.08 334 0.205 9.4 2.2 5.25 9.3 5.25 8.39 1.82 12.98 64.5 6.4 572.5 4.95 2.1 4.14 1.82 13.86 5.5 0.135 1.19 171 3 2.09 23.45 0.85

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

0.3 75.95 16.24 0.97 7.01 0.46 0.5 1,060 7.7 14.98 7.55 4.51 0.185 1,384 7.8 79.1 5.5 0.7 5.73 21.5 0.305 6.83 0.044 1.17 2.07 2.5 128.4 2.53 1,040 1.8 284.8 0.215 0.182

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

6.37 1.07 12.54 2.35 0.89 45.4 4.02 4.77 5.62 5.76 0.485 1.1 0.22 0.435 41.1 0.64 0.139 1.88 1.41 0.85 5.2 0.36 0.345 0.6 4.99

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

21.3 2.24 3.19 39.15 1.04 8.3 0.85 5.94

21.4 2.28 3.2 39.2 1.04 8.3 0.87 5.95

20.7 2.17 3.18 38 1.03 8.2 0.85 5.92

21.05 2.19 3.18 38.5 1.04 8.3 0.87 5.95

3,856,900 1,564,000 320,000 6,195,500 713,000 27,000 43,000 3,882,800

81,456,690 3,450,570 1,023,550 237,673,115 735,890 223,284 36,820 23,065,691

-26,458,000 44,250 -44,851,150 -11,767,296

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

21.4 34.6 1.42 0.45 0.045 11.58 4.92 11.12 0.07 102 8.8 8.42 7.93 2.15 15.14 1,727 5.96 21.5 12 4.62 2.62 112 14.8 8.33 0.141 1.37 3.07 15.5 3.86 1.15 22.8 0.53 4.6 8.43 3.66 18.98 2.86 10.96 2.8 110 7.18 1,450 1.3 0.38 53.8 96.6 5.77 3.1 1.58 2.66 4.09 0.98 8.61

22.2 34.7 1.43 0.45 0.047 11.58 4.95 11.46 0.071 102.3 8.8 8.58 7.95 2.3 15.8 1,745 6.02 21.95 12 4.64 2.63 112 14.8 8.35 0.141 1.4 3.12 15.5 3.88 1.15 23 0.53 4.6 8.66 3.72 19 2.98 11.14 2.9 110.2 7.19 1,455 1.3 0.38 53.95 98.95 5.77 3.12 1.58 2.66 4.09 1.02 8.7

21.2 34.4 1.42 0.435 0.045 11.58 4.92 11.12 0.07 100 8.8 8.4 7.26 2.15 15 1,710 5.96 21.5 12 4.52 2.62 109.6 14.78 8.33 0.139 1.36 3.07 15.3 3.8 1.12 22.5 0.53 4.32 8.29 3.65 18 2.78 10.94 2.8 109.1 7.08 1,394 1.29 0.365 53.3 96.6 5.75 3.08 1.56 2.61 3.97 0.98 8.42

SERVICES 21.4 34.45 1.43 0.435 0.047 11.58 4.95 11.4 0.07 100.5 8.8 8.42 7.35 2.3 15.16 1,723 6 21.95 12 4.54 2.63 110.7 14.78 8.34 0.141 1.4 3.12 15.3 3.88 1.15 22.8 0.53 4.32 8.29 3.72 18 2.98 10.94 2.9 110 7.18 1,400 1.29 0.365 53.65 98.5 5.75 3.1 1.56 2.63 4.02 1.01 8.65

387,800 168,800 12,000 4,910,000 54,900,000 3,000 3,400 7,386,900 11,770,000 293,620 1,200 1,789,000 83,200 33,000 23,100 48,505 651,700 40,200 600 1,015,000 8,000 1,320,530 1,200 142,000 920,000 384,000 71,000 4,600 472,000 259,000 1,811,100 2,000 280,000 5,153,700 284,000 3,600 13,581,000 58,400 31,000 67,650 1,212,500 125,445 1,527,000 390,000 3,193,320 1,437,560 3,600 331,000 1,271,000 320,000 1,922,000 6,990,000 4,467,200

8,420,655 5,823,240 17,110 2,169,650 2,496,700 34,740 16,800 83,153,490 823,930 29,492,371 10,560 15,088,176 645,857 74,700 350,970 83,471,925 3,910,193 878,975 7,200 4,631,570 20,990 146,327,617 17,756 1,183,980 128,530 523,730 218,110 70,620 1,799,050 292,190 40,990,405 1,060 1,226,910 43,414,693 1,042,450 67,084 38,667,240 646,810 89,100 7,441,349 8,678,660 176,255,490 1,982,290 146,750 171,274,893.50 141,210,562.50 20,755 1,024,920 1,987,380 840,690 7,703,530 7,000,200 38,268,980

-21,350 74,000 -513,354.00 -1,400 3,082,178 1,777,774 10,370,820 22,840 30,966,921 -8,340 0 9,006,680 2,835,030 121,780 -20,167,250 -5,154,126 -3,642 -27,817,905 -704,270 40,177,331.50 11,250,604.50 -9,160 414,220 1,114,200.00 570,840 21,835,646

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

0.0022 1.58 4.91 13.8 1.74 1.73 1.59 0.33 7.36 2.69 0.196 0.154 0.158 0.0094 1.69 6.75 1.48 0.445 0.93 0.013 0.013 0.011 2.08 6.41 7.9 38.25 0.0069

0.0022 1.6 5 14.78 1.74 1.73 1.6 0.33 7.74 2.7 0.197 0.157 0.159 0.0095 1.72 6.79 1.48 0.445 0.94 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.1 6.64 8.3 38.4 0.007

0.0022 1.56 4.91 13.8 1.74 1.73 1.59 0.315 7.2 2.63 0.194 0.153 0.157 0.0094 1.69 6.64 1.43 0.435 0.93 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.05 6.4 7.9 37.75 0.0069

MINING & OIL 0.0022 35,000,000 1.58 2,824,000 5 116,000 14.78 400 1.74 8,000 1.73 83,000 1.59 523,000 0.32 1,540,000 7.36 34,300 2.64 1,455,000 0.197 390,000 0.156 6,790,000 0.159 3,290,000 0.0095 3,000,000 1.7 38,000 6.7 7,818,700 1.48 102,000 0.435 170,000 0.93 174,000 0.012 1,000,000 0.012 361,600,000 0.012 32,800,000 2.09 89,000 6.56 1,247,600 7.91 1,681,900 37.85 1,877,300 0.007 2,000,000

77,000 4,461,100 571,670 5,618 13,920 143,590 832,890 491,250 252,892 3,895,790 76,230 1,057,820 522,310 28,300 64,910 52,470,573 145,960 75,450 162,020 12,400 4,339,300 362,500 185,600 8,156,371 13,621,777 71,246,535 13,900

-79,500 -24,570 26,450 15,800 2,468,017 -1,300 -439,525 749,879 -16,970,335 -

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

34.1 518 104.4 106 110.9 529.5 5.75 1,046 1,030 102.1 1.05 106 1,070 1,150 1,003 76.6 80 76.5 76.5 78.25 78

34.1 518 105 106 110.9 530 5.78 1,046 1,030 102.2 1.05 106 1,070 1,150 1,003 76.6 80 76.5 76.5 78.25 78

34.1 518 104.4 100 110.7 529.5 5.71 1,007 1,030 102 1.05 105.6 1,070 1,149 1,000 76.6 79 75.55 75.8 77.55 78

PREFERRED 34.1 57,500 518 50 104.4 35,010 100 10,000 110.7 20,000 530 40 5.75 539,500 1,007 9,300 1,030 100 102 8,210 1.05 76,000 105.6 25,080 1,070 5 1,149 15 1,000 5,310 76.6 190 79 13,410 75.55 1,050 76 8,230 78.25 65,660 78 5,450

1,960,750 25,900 3,655,054 1,011,193 2,215,027 21,185 3,103,176 9,365,485 103,000 838,248 79,800 2,648,894 5,350 17,245 5,314,170 14,554 1,068,090 79,375 625,834 5,137,769 425,100

-1,943,700 5,180 115,440 -2,882,416 106,288 27,300 10,560 50,000 114,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.37

2.39

2.37

WARRANTS 2.37 168,000

399,130

-

17,783,176 85,390 4,330,071

-66,142 1,603,274

1,701,042

126,895

72,511.40 184,680

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.15 1.09 13.26 2.29 0.95 44.35 3.87 4.77 5.76 6.09 0.48 1.1 0.222 0.445 40.7 0.65 0.138 1.89 1.38 0.84 5.14 0.35 0.355 0.6 4.77

587,900 12,868,000 7,700 11,000 13,716,000 23,354,700 875,000 652,000 90,500 12,700 1,990,000 15,000 3,140,000 1,180,000 140,600 2,214,000 770,000 17,289,000 7,336,000 1,064,000 37,180,400 20,080,000 1,930,000 4,704,000 2,179,400

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8.45 3.51 5.02

8.5 3.6 5.17

7.9 3.51 5

FIRST METRO ETF

135

135

132.6

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.12 10.26

10.5 10.26

10.12 10.26

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

21,042,056

INDUSTRIAL

50,552,406

HOLDING FIRMS

69,163,909

PROPERTY

173,270,006

SERVICES

134,967,145

MINING & OIL

467,036,317

GRAND TOTAL

919,102,043

7.99 3.6 5.1

SME

2,180,300 24,000 852,400

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 132.7 12,780 DDS 10.12 10.26

7,140 18,000

VALUE 2,317.47 (down) 3.25 1,389,293,234.72 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 1,575.95 (down) 115.19 1,083,169,198.162 HOLDING FIRMS 8,989.44 (down) 106.29 2,132,008,521.89 PROPERTY 4,005.12 (down) 77.54 SERVICES 1,618.95 (down) 17.09 1,836,963,014.17 MINING & OIL 11,896.71 (up) 34.19 1,115,725,335.07 PSEI 8,813.25 (down) 107.04 163,319,589.37 All Shares Index 5,101.41 (down) 42.76 7,744,381,733.78 Gainers: 88; Losers: 120; Unchanged: 54; Total: 262

But it bounced on Thursday after China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange refuted the report, saying in a statement on its website: “We think this story could be quoting a mistaken source or it could also be a piece of fake news.”

China has long invested heavily in US bonds as a way of controlling the value of its own yuan currency and Bloomberg News estimates it currently holds around $1.2 trillion in Treasuries, an amount that has doubled over the past 10 years.

“US Treasuries are often used during the political ping-pong match when trade tensions escalate,” said Stephen Innes, head of trading for OANDA in the Asia Pacific.

“It’s entirely possible that China could take measure to rebalance their reserve as they have done in the past,” Innes said.

But markets quickly realized “it’s highly improbable China will stop buying US Treasuries”.

Innes added that while the dollar is up against the yen, it is still struggling, “suggesting the market remains on guard against a quicker pace of BoJ tapering.”

The yen was already making inroads against the dollar after the Bank of Japan on Tuesday said it would cut back on its purchasing of bonds as part of its huge stimulus program. AFP

Phoenix completes FamilyMart acquisition

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHOENIX Petroleum Philip-

pines Inc., a company led by businessman Dennis Uy, said Thursday it completed the acquisition of the entire shares of SIAL CVS Retailers Inc., FamilyMart Co. Ltd. and Itochu Corp. in Philippine FamilyMart CVS Inc. “A new exclusive area franchise agreement of the Family Mart branch of convenience store in the Philippines was granted to Philippine FamilyMart CVS Inc. under the management of the company,” Phoenix said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

The Philippine Competition Commission approved the transaction on Jan. 3.

Phoenix is a publiclylisted corporation that trades petroleum products on the wholesale and retail basis and operates gas stations, oil depots, storage facilities and allied services. The ultimate parent of Phoenix is Udenna Corp.

Philippine FamilyMart is a domestic corporation engaged in the business of operating convenience stores under the trademark “Family Mart.”

Phoenix earlier said the potential acquisition of PFM would complement its retail fuel business, with 518 stations nationwide, and marked its entry into the fast-growing domestic convenience retail market. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.

The Mergers and Acquisitions Office of PCC found that the transaction would not result in substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market.

The PCC said there was no ability or incentive for the firms to engage in foreclosure after the acquisition. The antitrust commission also said there were sufficient competitive constraints from other players in the same market after the transaction.

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Trump, Moon ready to talk with N. Korea

W

ASHINGTON―President Donald Trump is open to the US holding talks with North Korea “under the right circumstances,” the White House said Wednesday after South Korean President Moon Jae-In signaled a willingness to sit down with Kim Jong-Un. Signs of a potential cooling following months of red-hot tensions on the Korean peninsula came the day after Pyongyang reached a landmark agreement to send athletes to the Winter Olympics in the South, a move the international community broadly welcomed.

In a phone call with Moon, Trump expressed his openness to talks with Pyongyang “at the appropriate time, under the right circumstances,” the White House said.

The two leaders also “underscored the importance of continuing the maximum pressure

campaign against North Korea,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders added in a statement confirming a South Korea account of the call.

The Olympics in Pyeongchang next month have long been overshadowed by geopolitical tensions, with the North repeatedly test-firing missiles it says are capable of reaching the US mainland, and detonating its most powerful nuclear device to date.

But Pyongyang―which boycotted the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul―agreed Tuesday to send athletes and officials to

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

the Games as the North and South held their first formal talks in two years at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone.

“It is only the beginning,” Moon told a press conference. “Yesterday was the first step and I think we had a good start.”

“Bringing North Korea to talks for denuclearization is the next step we must take.”

He was willing to hold a summit “at any time,” he said, “but it cannot be a meeting for meeting’s sake. To hold a summit, the right conditions must be created and certain outcomes must be guaranteed.”

Moon has long supported engagement with the North to bring it to the negotiating table over banned weapons programs that have alarmed the US and the global community, and seen Pyongyang subjected to multiple sets of United Nations sanctions.

But the US has said the regime must stop nuclear tests if negotia-

tions with Washington are to take place.

“We have no difference in opinion with the US,” Moon insisted, saying they shared an understanding about security and were working together.

But he stressed the aim was to bring Pyongyang to talks, and “stronger sanctions and pressures could further heighten tensions and lead to accidental armed conflicts.”

Seoul had no plans to ease its unilateral sanctions at present, Moon said.

Trump, who has a much closer relationship with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe than with Moon, has claimed credit for the North-South talks.

“If I weren’t involved, they wouldn’t be talking about the Olympics right now, they’d be doing no talking,” Trump said at the weekend.

Moon acknowledged his efforts Wednesday. AFP

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Fate of Iran nuke deal again in Trump’s hands WA S H I N G T O N ― A n o t h e r deadline is looming and the world is again wondering: Will President Donald Trump tear up the deal Iran signed with world powers to curtail its nuclear program?

What is at stake and why is the issue back in the headlines?

On Friday, Trump is expected to announce that he continues to regard remaining in the Iran nuclear deal not to be in the interests of the United States.

He first announced this in October last year and under the US Iran Nuclear Agreement Act (INARA) of 2015 he is supposed to inform Congress every 90 days.

After he has made his decision―or leaves his previous decision in place―Congress may decide to re-impose some sanctions and modify INARA to end the 90-day cycle.

Does this mean new nuclear sanctions are imminent? Not necessarily.

The sanctions imposed on Iran to punish it for pursuing nuclear weapons were never lifted by the US Congress.

Instead, former president Barack Obama and so far Trump have temporarily canceled them with a waiver in order to meet the

US side of the bargain.

Starting this weekend and over the next week, the waivers on the most important packages of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil and financial industries come up for renewal.

If Trump does not act to renew them, the sanctions “snap back” and Iranian businesses and foreign banks and traders who deal with them will once again be sanctioned.

Trump has made it clear that he is no fan of the Iran deal, and he has complained bitterly in the past when obliged to renew waivers on the sanctions packages.

But his most senior advisors, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, are said to be urging him to once again renew the waivers.

Washington’s European allies, including deal signatories Britain, France and Germany are also desperately lobbying Trump to keep faith with the agreement.

On Wednesday, senior officials told AFP they “expect” Trump will grudgingly renew the waivers, but no-one in Washington is certain what the mercurial president will say. AFP

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Notice of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Flaviano Sarte Evangelista, consisting of real property (Lot 28,Blk. 25 of the subdivision plan, PSD-80465) was extrajudicially settled and acquired

by George Churchell A. Roluna, by means of a public document executed on 10th day of July 2017, before a Notary Public in Las Piñas City, Philippines, under Notary Public Atty. Millicent C. Smith, with Document No. 304, Page No. 62, Book No. I, Series of 2017.

(MS-JAN. 5,12 & 19, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bohol MUNICIPALITY OF SEVILLA 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CELEBRATION. From left, Mark Bridges, Paul Thomas Anderson and Vicky Krieps and models attend Vanity Fair And Focus Features Celebrate The

Film ‘Phantom Thread’ with Paul Thomas Anderson at the Chateau Marmont on January 10, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. AFP

INVITATION TO BID The Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol through its Bids and Awards Committee, (BAC), invites Bidders/Contractors to apply for Eligibility and to Bid for: Name of Project : CONSTRUCTION OF EVACUATION FACILITY Location : Cambagui, Sevilla, Bohol Contract Duration : 150 Calendar Days Approved Budget for the Contract : Php3,000,000.00 Fund Source : 2017 LGSF-ADM Bid Documents Fee : Php 5,000.00 Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedure using non-discretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9184 known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. Only bids from Bidders who pass the eligibility check will be opened.

Prospective bidders should possess a current and valid PCAB License applicable to the Contract, have completed a similar contract with a value of at least 50% of the ABC within the last five (5) years, have key personnel and equipment (listed in the eligibility forms) available for the prosecution of the contract and meet the other minimum eligibility requirements stated in the eligibility documents.

All particulars relative to the Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulation.

The schedule of BAC Activities is as follows:

BAC ACTIVITIES Newspaper Publication Posting of Invitation to Bid at PHILGEPS Pre-Bid Conference

California mudslide Anguish in Mexico over murdered girl toll hits 17 as search for victims continues MONTECITO―Rescuers used dogs and helicopters to search for victims on Wednesday of powerful mudslides that left at least 15 people dead in a southern California community that is also home to major celebrities including Oprah Winfrey.

Heavy rains on Tuesday sent rivers of waist-high mud and debris flowing from the hills into Montecito and other towns in Santa Barbara County northwest of Los Angeles, which are still recovering from last month’s ferocious wildfires.

At least 25 people were injured, authorities said, while first responders were able to airlift around 50 residents and rescue dozens more from the ground.

The US Coast Guard released footage of a couple, their two young children and two dogs being plucked from their roof and hoisted up to a helicopter in baskets.

Yellow bulldozers were clearing the roads of tons of sticky brown mud in Montecito and other towns as utility workers restored downed power lines.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has been touted this week as a possible 2020 candidate for the White House, was among those affected by the mudslides.

Winfrey posted a video of herself outside her Montecito mansion wading through nearknee deep mud.

In some neighborhoods still bearing the scars of the Thomas Fire, houses were completely destroyed while others nearby were untouched.

“Part of the problem with this is the fire created a situation where the dirt was able to wash down,” said Richard Targonia, a resident of nearby Carpinteria.

“Had we still had all the vegetation on the hills it would not have been as much of an issue,” Targonia said.

“I have lived here my whole life,” said Melissa Ausanka-Crues, 29, a nurse. “My family has had a house here for 30 years and never seen something like this.”

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was another Montecito resident impacted by the storm. AFP

MEXICO CITY―Kneeling at four-year-old Lupita’s grave, Mexican activist Veronica Villalvazo spoke to the murdered girl as if she had known her all her short life.

“Hey girl,” she said, laying flowers on the earth.

In reality, Villalvazo never met the child long known only as “the little girl in the red socks.”

But she was determined not to let her be just another anonymous statistic in the wave of violence against women and girls in Mexico.

Lupita’s semi-naked body, beaten and sexually assaulted, was found in a Mexico City suburb on March 18.

No one came forward to claim her, and for months, she was known only by the clothing she had on when locals found her in a vacant lot: a pair of bright red socks.

Villalvazo, a 47-year-old journalist and women’s rights activist, first read about the case in the local newspapers she monitors every day in an attempt to document Mexico’s epidemic of violence against women.

The problem, which has lingered for years,

exploded into the headlines again in 2017, when 7.5 women were murdered per day, according to statistics from the United Nations and the government―a new high after three years of decline.

Villalvazo, who goes by the pseudonym “Frida Guerrera” (Frida the Warrior), did not want the girl’s case to end as just another unsolved homicide in a country where 99 percent of violent crimes are never punished.

She asked authorities for a picture that could help identify the girl. But she never received an answer.

“The authorities’ silence is a touchy subject.

The message they send is, ‘We don’t care.

We’re not going to do anything,’” Villalvazo told AFP. “In Mexico, it’s no big deal―you can kill a woman, a girl, rape her, torture her, kidnap her, and absolutely nothing will happen to you, because they don’t investigate. Because it doesn’t concern them.”

Finally, a confidential source passed Villalvazo a bloody crime scene photo, which she was able to use to create a composite sketch of the girl. AFP

Availability of Bidding Documents

January 31, 2018 @ 9:30 in the morning c/o BAC Secretariat LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Deadline of Submission of Bids

Date: January 31, 2018 Time: 10:00 A.M. Venue: Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, 2nd Floor Main Municipal Building Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol February 1-2, 2018 February 5-9, 2018

Opening of Bids Bid Evaluation Post-Qualification

6.

7.

8.

9.

SCHEDULES January 12, 2018 January 12-18, 2018 Date: January 18, 2018 Time: 9:00 A.M. Venue: Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall, 2nd Floor Main Municipal Building Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol January 18-30, 2018

Prospective bidders can secure the Bidding Documents during office hours on the period indicated above at the BAC Secretariat, Office of the Municipal Accountant, Ground Floor, Municipal Hall, Sevilla, Bohol upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00)only.

Prospective bidders are required to secure a “Certificate of Site Inspection” to be signed by the Municipal Engineer. The said document shall form part of the Technical Requirements.

Implementation of the Project shall commence upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed issued by the Head of the Procuring Entity.

The Municipal Government of Sevilla, Bohol reserves the right to accept or reject any bid or to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award. Likewise, the LGU assumes no responsibility or liability for any and all costs associated with the Bidder’s Participation in the bidding process regardless of its result.

Bids and Awards Committee.

(SGD.) ARTEMIO D. PERIN BAC Chairman Municipal Hall Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol 09988846108 (MS-JAN. 12, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bohol MUNICIPALITY OF SEVILLA INVITATION TO BID Location/Project Description: Region VII Improvement of Sevilla Level III Municipal Waterworks System Bid Documents Fee:Php5,000.00

Contract Duration

Approved Budget for the Contract

180 calendar days

Php4,350,000.00

1.

The Local Government Unit of Sevilla, Bohol has availed a grant fund from the Department of Interior and Local Government under the Local Government Support Fund – Aid to Disadvantaged Municipalities (LGSF-ADM) CY 2017 to be appropriated for payment under the contract for the Improvement of Sevilla Level III Municipal Waterworks System to be implemented under the Design and Build Scheme. Approved Budget for the Contract is Four Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand (Php 4,350,000.00) Pesos, Philippine currency. Completion of the Work is one hundred eighty (180) calendar days reckoned from the date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed.

2.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedure as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184), otherwise known as Government Procurement Reform Act. Subject to exceptions stated in the Bidding Document, only bids from Bidders who pass the eligibility check will be accepted.

The Bidder who passed the technical requirements and complied with the required performance specifications and parameters will be considered for financial evaluation

3.

Implementation of the Project shall commence upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed issued by the Head of the Procuring Entity.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents in English may be purchased by any interested Bidders or his duly authorized representative from the BAC Secretariat upon payment of a non- refundable fee of Five Thousand Pesos(Php 5,000.00)only which shall be available during office hours from January 18, 2018 to January 30, 2018.

5.

The Municipal Government of Sevilla will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested Bidders on January 18, 2018 at 2:00o’clock in the afternoon at the SB Session Hall, 2nd floor Municipal Building, Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol.

6.

Qualification requirements include successful experience as prime contractor in the design and build contract (as solo, joint venture/consortia) of at least one (1) work of a nature and complexity equivalent to the works in the last three (3) years with single works cited to at least fifty percent (50%) of value of the estimated contract cost of works under Bid.

7.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II – Instruction to Bidders.

8.

Interested Bidders must submit their bids at the BAC Secretariat on or before January 31, 2018 @ 12:00 noon. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form indicated in the Bid Documents. LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Bid opening shall be at 1:00 P.M. on January 31, 2018 at the SB Session Hall, 2nd floor, Municipal Building, Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol.

9.

The Municipal Government of Sevilla, Bohol reserves the right to accept or reject any bid or 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.

Bids and Awards Committee.

(SGD) ARTEMIO D. PERIN BAC Chairman Municipal Hall Poblacion, Sevilla, Bohol 09988846108 (MS-JAN. 12, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

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LocaL government units

friday, january 12, 2018

FOR PUBLIC ORDER. Mayor Mel Aguilar (third from left) is pushing for a reinforced public safety and order program in Las Piñas City this 2018. In photo, she confers with Senior Supt. Marion Balonglong, Las Piñas Police Chief (second from left) to discuss priorities like public security, traffic management and disaster resilience. Also present during the meeting (from left) Councilor Mark Anthony Santos and representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection in Senior Insp. Irwin U. Alejo, Senior Insp. Michelle S. Borlagdan, and Insp. Arvin G. David.

PCSO gives P2.5-m flood aid to Davao victims of ‘Vinta’

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has extended aid to the victims of Tropical Storm “Vinta” here.

On Wednesday, representatives from the agency headed by lawyer Elvie Ann TizonUy, PCSO Davao Branch OIC manager, turned over a check for P2.5 million to the city government.

“This is one way of giving back to the people,” Uy said. “PCSO is a charity office, we help people, cities and municipalities through assisting them in times of needs.”

Thirty percent of PCSO’s income is allotted to the charity events, such as helping flood victims, said Uy. The City Government showed its gratitude to the generosity of PCSO, as City Social Services and Development Office head Maria Luisa Bermudo noted the agency has helped the city whenever it is in great need.

“This donation will be allocated to the rehabilitation of the more than 22,000 affected families. This is a big help for them and the City Government is very thankful to the PCSO,” Bermudo said.

Three weeks after the flood that put 25 barangays under a state of calamity, hundreds of residents remain in some of the evacuation centers owing to the damage brought by “Vinta.”

Subic port hits P1.2-b income

By Butch Gunio

S

UBIC BAY FREEPORT―The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has recorded nearly P1.2 billion in seaport revenue last year, surpassing its 2016 record by three percent, thanks to a 12-percent increase in the port’s containerized cargo volume.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said that figures from the SBMA Seaport Department indicated a total income of P1,173,720,042 in January

to December 2017 last year, compared to the P1.137 billion revenue collection in 2016.

“The continuing effort of the Seaport Department to upgrade its process flow

minimized transaction time and attracted more and more importers and exporters to use the Port of Subic,” Eisma noted.

The volume of containerized cargo grew to 139,980 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2017 from just 124,707 TEUs in 2016.

This increase in containerized cargo offset a sixpercent decrease in the volume of non-containerized cargo in 2017, which fell to only 6,646,322 metric tons

as against 7,071,444 metric tons in 2016.

The SBMA Seaport Department processed 66,172 TEUs of imported containerized products in 2017, nine percent higher than the 60,593 TEUs processed in 2016.

Meanwhile, the department processed 25,007 TEUs of exported containerized products last year, six percent higher than the 23,527 TEUs in 2016.

The increase in importexport volume that passed

through the Port of Subic led to a significant increase of containerized cargoes transshipped in the Freeport: 1,462 TEUs in January to December 2017 against 368 TEUs in 2016, or an increase of 297 percent.

Jerome Martinez, head of the SBMA Seaport Department, said much of the increase in revenue was due to the growth in imported products like vehicle parts

by Foton Motor Phils. Inc.; paper materials by Trust

International Paper Corp.; and rubber by Yokohama Tire Phils. Inc., which were all sourced from Japan.

The growth in export revenue was attributed to increased export of tires by Yokohama Tires Phils. to Japan; Juken Sangyo Phils. for veneer lumber also to Japan; and HLD Clark Steel Pipe Co. for steel pipes to the United States.

Another factor in seaport revenue growth was the implementation of Republic Act

Al-ag takes Paolo’s VM seat

Solon hopes ‘dole out’ mindset gone

By Ayunan G. Gunting-Al-Haj An ASSEMBLYMAn in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is campaigning to change the mentality of the Meranao electorate, from looking for candidates who dole out funds to choosing the most qualified and competent men or women to represent them in Congress and other electoral bodies.

“It is my advocacy to elevate the political consciousness of the Meranao electorate, vis-a-vis qualification versus dole out, in line with what the recent incident in Marawi City had taught us,” said Assemblyman Abol Alam Padate, who represents the 2nd district of Lanao del Sur in the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly.

“Our people are crying for someone who could bring their voice to the halls of Congress and Malacañang, and let the cry of the agonizing Meranaos be heard loud and clear,” Padate said.

“I still see hope in the Meranao electorate that this time they would prefer a qualified and competent candidate, that is a representative to both houses of Congress,” he added.

Padate spoke from experience, as he managed to win a seat on the RLA over wellfinanced candidates who belonged to big, well-known political clans in Lanao despite being a political neophyte.

A lawyer from a family of lawyers who admittedly did not fare well in local politics, Padate said his desire to help and serve his fellow

Bangsamoro, and the belief that as a lawyer he could do something good for ARMM, pushed him to run for office.

“I thought that I might be able to contribute in bringing ashore the dreams of our fellow Bangsamoro through viable legislative options, that kept my spirit alive to continue the task,” he said.

A public prosecutor for more than nine years, Padate said the dole-out culture “became a normal practice” in Lanao del Sur. “In fact, with all due respect, people tend to care more about how much a candidate would give in exchange for their votes, rather than qualification and platform. It became a qualification to run for a public office, to have much money, at least in my province,” he said.

Assemblyman Abol Alam Padate represents the 2nd district of Lanao del Sur in the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly.

Accessible bypass surgery Baybay City awarded DILG good governance seal at Ospital ng Muntinlupa FOLLOWInG its feat of staging the first open heart surgery in a local government hospital last month, the Ospital ng Muntinlupa now hopes to make the service more accessible to the public.

OSMUn director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac said the city government-owned hospital aims to have the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting surgery as a routine service for qualified patients.

Dimatatac explained that while the surgery is performed routinely at tertiary level private hospitals and national government institutions such as the Philippine Heart Center and Philippine General Hospital, the logistics and discipline involved in the service in an LGU-owned hospital setting remains almost impossible to deliver.

However, he added that OSMUn has attracted the much-needed roster of specialist doctors and health

professionals to affiliate with the local hospital, enabling compliance with the requirements of PhilHealth to be a contracted hospital for its Z-benefit CABG package.

“Ospital ng Muntinlupa has applied as contracted hospital for PhilHealth’s Z-benefit CABG package, and when approved by the PHIC Board, Muntinlupa residents may need not to travel elsewhere for the surgery and may need only to co-pay a very minimal and much lower amount compared to other hospitals,” Dimatatac said.

The OSMUn director also noted that the local hospital will also provide the PhilHealth CABG package without any copay for qualified “no Balance Billing” patients.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has committed to support this initiative in bringing quality health care service to Muntinlupeños.

10668, also known as the Foreign Ships Co-Loading Act, which allowed arriving or departing ships to carry a foreign cargo to its Philippine port of final destination, after being cleared at its port of entry or exit, Martinez added.

“This law tends to decrease, in some instances, vessel activities going to the Port of Subic, particularly in the importation and exportation of goods,” he said. “However, transshipment activities increase.”

THE City of Baybay in Leyte was recently awarded the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its excellence in the core areas of financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection, and peace and order.

A recipient of the SGLG award in 2015, Baybay also passed this year’s more stringent assessment criteria in the essential areas of business friend-

liness and competitiveness, tourism, culture and the arts, and environmental protection.

The barangays of the city were also declared drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Of the 145 charter and component cities subjected to the SGLG assessment, only 61 were certified, which gave them access to the DILG’s Performance Challenge Fund to finance their local development initiatives.

As the agro-industrial hub of Leyte province and its biggest town, Baybay was declared a component city on June 15, 2007 by virtue of Republic Act 9389.

Earlier this year, it was also granted by the Department of AgricultureBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources P2 million worth of fishing boats and fishing paraphernalia as part of the agency’s Coastal Resources and Fishery Management Office.

Representatives of Baybay City receiving the SGLG award at the awarding ceremony held at the Manila Hotel are (from left) Sangguniang Panglungsod members Ernesto Butawan, Jorge Rebucas, Arturo Elisa Astorga, city local government operations officer Estela Creer, Mayor Carmen Cari, Edgardo Ompoy, Leoncio Asilom Jr., Filemon Avila and Vicente Velos.

DAVAO CITY—Councilor Bernard Al-ag of the 3rd District officially took his oath as the new vice mayor of Davao after Paolo Duterte resigned from the post last year.

Al-ag took his oath on Wednesday and vowed continuity of the vice mayoralty’s programs.

“I can assure the public that there will be continuity in terms of the programs that Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte started. I will also pledge that the entire city council will support Mayor Sara (Duterte) in all legislative aspects,” he said.

Al-ag said there will be a minor reshuffling in the city council since he will vacate the majority floor leader and committee on rules positions.

“Other than the two committees, there will be no revamp, we will work with our individual committees after we appoint the new heads of those two committees,” he said.

Al-ag also vowed that all staff of the former vice mayor will not be left jobless and will be transferred to other offices instead.

He said that under his leadership, the 18th City Council will try to reach out to the public more and will ensure easy access to information.

In March, the city council will implement a paperless session, wherein all members of the city will use a laptop instead as part of the city’s transition to a paperless system.

Councilors will undergo training on how to use the new system next month in the city councilor’s lounge. F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com fRIday, januaRy 12, 2018

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Culture and media

'I live for Art, I live for Love'

'Mother and Son Clown'

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OOkS on art abound, depicting both the life and the art of the artist, with the critic approaching his subject from various approaches and viewpoints: personal, formalist, Marxist, etc. and most fascinating and intriguing to the public, not surprisingly, because more relatable as humans, are the lives of the artist, often colorful, tragic or dramatic, or gossipy scandalous. Thus hollywood movies and Broadway plays have been made of the lives of such artists as Pollock (tragically dying in a car crash fueled by alcohol and rage), Marc Rothko (lying dead in a pool of blood after slashing his arm), Van Gogh (cutting off an ear to offer to a prostitute), Frieda Kahlo (struck by polio in childhood and in a horrific bus accident, impaled by an iron handrail through her pelvis), Georgia O’Keefe (she who painted giant floral petals unfolding like female genitalia, she who defied prim society by posing naked for her photographer-lover.)

With such tortured and turbulent lives, either of two things may happen: the life overwhelms the art, or it illumines the art.

The thought had occurred after meeting the “Glamorous Guru” named Grace Kalaw Katigbak – painter, sculptor, writer, dancer. With her distinguished old family background and impeccable pedigree, blessed with both beauty and brain (she is a

The life in the art of

GraCe KatiGbaK Palanca award winner), it is easy to get lost in the complex maze of her life’s journey to the detriment of the real appreciation of her art, which after all, is bound to be an inevitable reflection of her life.

Two solo exhibitions, I’d Rather Be A Butterfly… at the Ricco Renzo Gallery, immediately succeeding the first, The Glamorous Guru at Astra Gallery—in the manner of a roadshow—attest to the passion and productivity of katigbak.

In her foreword to the show, katigbak writes, “I have though very recently discovered some very transformative truths, beliefs that have empowered me even more in directing the current of my life towards what I know now to be attainable goals.

Goals that once eluded me, because I was actually afraid to set them…Now, I know I can speak up for the more vulnerable: no more shame or fear or pain, I say!”

Into her works katigbak pours the liquid lineaments of her dreams and desires, limning the underlying tensions and upheavals of her life without a trace of selfconsciousness. In so doing, she creates a species of confessional art: painting as psychotherapy. As the Mexican Frieda kahlo, in her surrealist and magic realist paintings, employed the fragmented memories of her scarred life, riddled with physical illness and emotional pain, so does Grace katigbak—but with one distinctive difference: the pain from her heart slipping down through her fingers holding the brush converges with the joy of healing, her personal redemption, that

'I’d Rather Be a Butterfly'

PPO performs at UP-PGH The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra continues its commitment to give back to the Filipino community with a free concert for the hospital patients, caregivers, health workers and visitors on Jan. 26, 10 a.m., at the Atrium of the UP-Philippine General hospital in Manila.

A resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the PPO will play classical and other popular works.

The concert aims to create a soothing synergy inside the medical facility through orchestra music. For the past years, the PPO has been performing for

the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) at the Philippine General hospital in Manila.

The free concert has been organized through the efforts of the Philippine Cancer Society, in cooperation with UP-PGh and Cultural Center of the Philippines president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the UP-Philippine General Hospital in Manila

'Outside the Box' has stayed and contained what otherwise would have been a tragic life. (As the artist herself would say, in mock dismay, but genuine relief, “There, but for the disgrace for God….”) The viewer thus participates vicariously in her life-stories opening up into shapes and lines that seem like mere inflections of the human form, for always they are in state of flux, on the way to becoming, until a glimmering of recognition takes him by surprise. It’s like looking at a painting from a sideways glance provoked by a darting restless brushstroke that changes direction in midstream. katigbak paints, as it were, flowing in a stream of consciousness…

The title piece “I’d Rather Be A Butterfly…” is a large expansive space, maintaining its fidelity to the Abstract expressionist idiom, though instead of continuous, and contiguous, color passages that expectedly cohere, katigbak opts for a dispersing aggrupation, like distraught islands separating from the archipelago in the undertow of volcanic upheaval, such as evinced by the artist’s id – that part of the psyche, residing in the subconscious that is “the source of instinctive impulses” seeking satisfaction driven by the pleasure principle. And yet, the delicate and tender allusion to the butterfly—which pertains surely to the persona of the artist—is such a warm, congenial metaphorical presence. katigbak attacks her canvas—for that is the word—with rapacious relish and gusto, an exhilarating, freewheeling, angel-maycare abandon, instinctively knowing where the lines should somersault in exuberance, or coil if only to release an increasing buildup of tension. She likes to whip up a painting into frenzy, though the dripping helterskelter lines have an unexpected wispiness.

And thence, after the throes and orgy of creation…she steps back with surprising dispassion and detachment. The painting—

like the butterfly released from its chrysalis—flutters away with a life of its own.

The other metaphor katigbak mirrors herself, is the clown. (What a delight to know that she has attended a Clown School in Paris!) That comical, carnival character—all grin and glee on the outside, but weeping on the inside—appeals to the artist who is herself no stranger to throbbing pain, emitting sobs of laughter. Thus, the work with the twin hearts alluding to the aria “Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore (“I lived for art, I lived for Love” from the Puccini opera Tosca, which the artist’s own mother, the late soprano Evelyn Kalaw once sang with the Italian tenor Arigo Pola – is at once particularly chilling and affecting.

There are more: the flamboyant “Mother and Son Clown” which is a portrait of the artist and her son Dondi, Matilda (Clown with a Hooked Nose), and Clown with Two Breasts. While these works are utterly contemporary, it must be said mentioned posthaste that clowns were depicted as early as 2,400 BC, in the ancient hieroglyphs of egypt. The sheer timelessness of the clown imagery has drawn the interest of the French expressionist Georges Roualt and our very own Ang Kiukok.

Now happily immersed in her own selfacceptance and self-love, Grace katigbak kalaw has come into her own, having found her voice and visual language. Anguish (or memories of it), as she says, she can pour into her writings, but painting for her is exultance and sheer exhilaration of the spirit, ensconced within her, by the grace of God. Of this, there can be no doubt: her life has illumined her art.

(Cid Reyes is the author of coffee-table books on National Artists Arturo Luz, BenCab, J. Elizalde Navarro, and Napoleon Abueva. He received a Best in Art Criticism Award from the Art Association of the Philippines.)

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018 Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

Jun Ho and Gia’s love story ends tonight

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FTER fans of the first Fil-Korean love pair of Heart Evangelista and Alexander Lee fell in love with the romantic comedy My Korean Jagiya five nights a week for several months, they will finally say annyeonghe gyesyo to Gia and Jun Ho, perhaps with a heavy heart.

Without a doubt, the program was a hit among Kapuso followers and netizens that devotedly followed the love story of the Korean superstar and the hopelessly romantic K-Drama Pinay fan girl.

Both Heart and Alexander expressed their gratitude to everyone who supported the series since day one.

Heart said she’s glad that people loved her character, Gia, as much as she did. “To be honest, after a really, really long time, it’s the first time that I felt that people appreciated me, and my efforts. I’m so thankful na na-appreciate niyo and naipakita ko rin ang love ko for my job. To the show, to the staff and to GMA, I just want to put it on record I fell in love with my work again because of this show. Binusog niyo ako ng bonggang bongga. Thank you to the fans, to everyone, to the writers, and thank you even to the people that pushed me to do my best and it worked.”

Alexander, on the other hand, said he has learned many things while doing the soap, which has brought laughter and good vibes to the audience, “There are too many things I learned from the show, ranging from Filipino culture, working experience, to reflection on life. I think the most important thing I learned this time is also what Jun Ho learnt: Fame and popularity do not make you happy; it’s the loved ones

around you that is more important and could bring you true happiness” Alexander added, “I think I will miss having heart to heart talks with Heart.

She really understands my feeling instantly and always gives me good advices on work and even on life. And I will definitely miss working with her because she is so easy to work with and the chemistry is just perfect.”

He recalled his first Christmas and New Year in the Philippines, saying, “Christmas, as expected, is really big here in the Philippines, but what I didn’t expect was New Year. New Year celebration here is so crazy and fun! Filipinos really know how to party and enjoy, with lots of food and fireworks around. Even though I was away from my family, I was so blessed to have my MKJ family and Ms. Janice de Belen was so kind to have me at her

place for both Christmas and New Year countdown. Had a great time together with her family and friends. Really glad to experience these celebrations here in the Philippines.

And as for his plans after MKJ, “So far I have no upcoming show yet, but I’ll be going back to Korea for a break to spend time with my family and might go back to my radio show.”

He also plans to continue his studies.

“I have two more semesters left for my undergrad degree so if possible, I’m planning to attend Spring semester this March and might be working at the same time,” he said.

Does he feel he is a better actor now? “ Definitely. After taking workshops and acting almost every day, I would say I have improved so much compared to the beginning. I find myself more flexible in acting

*** As if death-defying stunts and neon light performances aren’t enough to keep fans glued to America’s Got Talent (AGT), throw in supermodel and reality TV star Tyra Banks as host, to make Season 12 even more promising, on and off the stage.

Fierce as she is stunning, Banks brings her own brand of glamor to an already dazzling show. Here are just five of her best and craziest antics at the weekly auditions that have set up AGT fans worldwide for a sure thrill.

Golden Buzzer Moment What else could be *** Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) welcomed the New Year strongly as its pilot telecasts captivated more viewers on Jan. 6 and Jan. 7 and hit national TV ratings of 36.8 percent and 40.8 percent respectively.

The show’s much-awaited season six premiere, which trended on

more exciting for an AGT host than getting the chance to hit the golden buzzer? Tyra’s first-ever moment came after a mesmerizing performance by the Light Balance dance group that made her stop the judges from voting so she could do the honors.

Just Harmless Drool Hilarity ensued at the waiting line outside the auditorium when contestant and stand-up comedian Preacher Lawson slobbered Tyra’s arm and left her screaming and laughing. Of course, she was not going to let him get away without slobbering his face in light-hearted revenge.

Science Gone Wild Tyra striking a pose in a lab coat Twitter worldwide with the hashtag #PilipinasGotTalent, also beat its rival shows that rated only 18.7 percent and 14.5 percent nationwide on the same dates, based on data from Kantar Media.

Fans eagerly awaited the return of judges Freddie “FMG” Garcia, Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Vice Ganda, and host Billy Crawdord plus PGT’s newest host Toni Gonzaga.

So far, six acts made it through the next round that include towel dancers Mama’s Boyz, shadow play act Shadow Arts Theater

instead of just being custom to the Korean style of acting.”

Meanwhile, director Mark Reyes shared he definitely enjoyed doing the soap and he will miss working with everyone on set most especially Heart and Alexander. “This is my third project with Heart. It’s always a joy to work with her. She’s grown so much as an actress and has become more beautiful. Xander and the rest of the Korean cast are the ones I will truly miss. They’ve become family almost immediately. And I think Xander is an underrated Korean artist that I will look forward to working with again. Please allow me to thank you to all the Kapuso Jagiyas for watching us until the very end. Gomawo!”

As the series ends, will Jun Ho and Gia’s romance have a happy ending?

My Korean Jagiya’s finale tonight right after Kambal, Karibal on GMA Telebabad.

After months of trending on social media and winning the ratings game, 'My Korean Jagiya,' starring Heart Evangelista and Alexander Lee is finally bidding the small screen goodbye

complete with gloves and goggles?

Even the science-y look couldn’t hide Ty Ty’s silly side especially when science-geek contestant Nick Uhas made her breathe gas from a balloon that lowered her voice by several octaves.

TV Au Naturel Bare-naked performances aren’t unheard of in America’s Got Talent. That’s exactly what Ty Ty had to confirm—eyes wide and mouth agape—amidst the crowd’s shock and laughter when contestant Vinny Grosso took off all his clothes behind a screen as part of a comedy magic act.

Totally Fangirling A pumping performance by boy band 5 Alive just couldn’t

help but make Tyra scream backstage while fanning her face with both hands. She even got invited by the group to join their next act as their newest and lone female member a la Fergie from Black Eyed Peas.

Want to see more of Ty Ty and the entire AGT judging panel: Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel? Catch America’s Got Talent Season 12 every Sunday at 9 p.m. on Blue Ant Entertainment (SKYcable channels 53(SD) and 196(HD), SKYdirect channel 35, SKYondemand, Destiny Cable channel 53, and Cablelink channels 37(SD) and 313(HD).

Organization (SATO), dancing 67-year-old Angelisa Del Rosario, dancers Type 1 Dance Company, arnis exhibitionist Janah Jade Lavador, and extreme pole dancers Cebeco II Blue Nights.

Meanwhile, the macho men of Bardilleranz, who showcased a pull up bars exhibition act, automatically advanced to the semi-finals after judge FMG chose them as his Golden Buzzer act this season. Even netizens online were amazed by the group, whose video in PGT’s official YouTube chan-

nel tallied 1.5 million views in just two days.

This week, more exciting acts will surely captivate viewers as the seach for the most talented Filipinos continues.

The Manila leg of PGT’s live auditions were set this last Wednesday and Thursday and continues today at Tanghalang Pasigueno in Pasig City. For details on how you can watch, please contact 09378270694.

Don’t miss the talked about sixth season of Pilipinas Got Talent, Saturdays, 7 p.m. and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN.

Golden Buzzer performance of Bardilleranz

Breathtaking performance of Cebeco II Blue Knights from Cebu

Teenage Janah stuns judges with her impressive arnis exhibition

Mama's Boyz shocks audience with their funny performance

Zumba dancer Nanay Angelisa

SATO impresses judges with their inspiring shadow performance

Supermodel and 'America's Got Talent' host Tyra Banks Type 1 Dance Company brought their summerthemed performance to the "PGT" stage

Motoring

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

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Hamann’s

road bully

Photos from Hamann Press Text

by Dino Ray V. Directo, III

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AUNCHED at the 84th staging of the Geneva Motor Show, German tuning house Hamann showcased this show stopper “Limited” edition Lamborghini Aventador. Designed and engineered with the independent body concept, power according to Hamaan is around 760bhp with an eye popping 735NM of torque. It has enough grunt under the hood to make you scream like a girl once this baby is at full throttle.

Known for its perfectly tuned variants, Hamann literally grabbed the bull by the horns and has turned an average looking Aventador into a personalized masterpiece with unique design details and an impressive increase in power of almost ten per cent.

Unique in every way, the front fascia of this tuned beast boasts of custom-made carbon air vent inserts. The optical counterpart of the lightweight nostrils is the two-piece front spoiler made of the same high strength racing material, which provides for racing grade down force and gives the front wheels increased grip. To optimize the aerodynamics, the new eye-catching side skirts help

unit with plenty of cool air. Here, Hamann has integrated very high quality clear-coated carbon fibre, which allows a clear view of the Lamborghini power package.

Highlights of the customized Aventador are the alloy wheels, which go perfectly with its new look. The multi-part Hamann “Professional” is produced by a forging process, which guarantees maximum driving dynamics through lightness and the highest level of stiffness. The high-

performance wheels in sizes 9x20 and 13x21 inch bear ultra-highperformance tires in sizes 255/30 ZR 20 in front and 355/25 ZR 21 in the back.

The specialists of Hamann bumped up the performance of the potent Italian to new heights.

700 hp (515 kW) and 690 Nm were the numbers to beat – and that’s what motor racing professional Hamann clearly managed to do. The completely redesigned software of the control unit of

the twelve-cylinder in the “Limited” now reaches 760 hp (559 kW). The maximum torque of the 6.5-liter V12 increases with the identity field optimization to a raging 735 Nm*.

Hamann presents the first “Limited Lambo” in the special matt grey paint “Stealth Grey” – and “poison” green contrasted body details. And Hamann fulfils every customer desire imaginable. The highest manufacturing quality and selected materials

have been the benchmark at Hamann for over 28 years.

A special hue also makes the interior unmistakable: the threespoke multifunctional steering wheel is trimmed in green leather on the top and bottom. Intricately stitched applications on the instrument panel, the side panels and the centre console correspond excellently with other features, such the instrument panel cover and the seat tracks of the exclusive, high-speed sports seats.

calm the airflow on the underside.

The greatest optimization requirement for motorsport specialist Hamann was at the rear of the Aventador. The redesigned features were thus particularly extensive. Hamann replaced the rear apron and rear diffuser with their own designs and constructions made of ultra-lightweight carbon fibre. The adjustable rear spoiler is made of the same material, as well. Hamann also developed the sport final muffler specifically for the “Limited.” There is also a special race version available with backfire.

The voluminous air intake slots on the engine compartment lid supply the huge twelve-cylinder

FASTLANE

A fusion of style and technology

Flat free driving from Blade AVOID the hassle of running a flat tire with the smart Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). A technology once beyond the reach of consumers due to its prohibitive pricing, Blade Autocenter, the country’s automotive lifestyle store has made this technology affordable and more convenient to use.

The Blade TPMS helps you to monitor the high/low air pressure of your tires, temperature and detects air leakage from all four tires. “It is easy install and our trained technicians will install it with OEM

quality,” explains Albert Go of Blade.

The benefits of installing a TPMS in your sedan, AUV or SUV are flat tire prevention; leakage warning; tire wear due to improper tire pressure and cost effective because it will prolong the tire life. “It also the most dependable and affordable TPMS in the local market at just P6,499.00,”adds Go. The Blade Tire Pressure Monitoring System has been quality tested and approved for use as a safety and accident prevention equiptment. It is available in Blade stores in SM, Ayala and Robinsons Malls nationwide.

WHEEL Gallery, the country’s innovative and forward thinking wheel specialist company has forged a partnership with Breyton Wheels GmbH as its domestic distributor. Known as a one stop shop for wheels and tires, Breyton Wheels is a welcome addition to the brands exclusively distributed by Wheel Gallery such as Black Rhino, TSW wheels and Concept One. “This will open up new avenues for us, and it would provide the local market with more options to visually improve and up the ante of their car’s performance,” states Sam Liuson of Wheel Gallery.

Breyton offer a wide variety of fitments for Porsche, Mini and BMW cars, from

the BMW 1 Series up to the BMW M series performance sedans.

About Breyton Founded in 1986, emerging out of Edmund Breyton’s engineering office EBS which operated from Stockach since 1982, bd breyton design GmbH has since been striving to form the best driving expe-

rience for its customers, sharing a passion for high quality and outstanding design.

Breyton has accumulated expertise in wheel design and over 30 years of experience in making wheels of highquality aluminum for a perfect synthesis between sportive design and optimized driving characteristics. Brey-

ton wheels are among the strongest worldwide because of German TUV standards.

At Breyton, our designers question the present and build on their creativity to come up with new designs that are both functional and aesthetically on the cutting edge. We give all our thoughts and all our devotion, not only by what we reach, but by our customers, who care about our products as much as we do. Not by chance are increased safety, delicate design and minimal weight the expectation of every Breyton product.

Those who want to level up their game and level up your European sedan, visit the Wheel Gallery showroom in San Juan City.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor DINO DIRECTO III Asst. Editor

C4

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2018

Motoring

This 1962 Cadillac was formerly owned by Mayor Joseph E. Estrada

First Pampanga

The Americans were represented by these two clean cut muscle cars

Nostalgic car show Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A

S PART of the month long celebration of former Pampanga Governor Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, the local government of Lubao staged a unique car show that reflected the passion for cars of Pampanga locals.

Despite its age, this 1924 Durant runs on a dime

This two-door Jaguar sportscar was a crowd favorite

Last December 2017, the first Pampanga Car Show was held at the Lubao’s premier tourist destination, Pradera Verde. “We are just testing the waters and this is a pre-event for a much bigger event middle of this year,” says Paulo Nasol of Pradera Verde.

Staged across the golfing resort’s clubhouse and wake boarding facility, the first Pampanga car show attracted car enthusiasts and collectors from across the province, and local aftermarket companies from Manila.

The show had 100 plus cars, most of which were American muscle cars, vintage cars from the early 1900’s, such as the the 1924 Durant and Japanese classics which reflected how car en-

thusiasts dressed up their cars in the eighties and nineties. The highlight of the display was the car of screen icon, action King of local cinema and former President of the Republic and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. Now owned by veteran journalist and a close Estrada associate Luis “Cito” Beltran, the four-door 1962 Cadillac hard top, was the Mayor Erap’s favorite and it was the car he frequently used with the King of Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr. during their heydays in showbiz.

Also included in the display was the 1948 Buick of Iglesia ni Kristo Founder Felix Manalo, which was in preserved condition. The cars were so clean and pristine that

These original World War II era Jeeps were armed to the teeth

they looked brand new.

Also present during the car show were aftermarket companies such as Blade Autocenter, KYB Shocks, PIAA, Black Rhino, Saffiro, Overland 4x4 Ph, Foilacar and event radio partner Mellow 94.7 FM. The companies displayed the customized Isuzu MU-X, which was film wrapped in Desert Storm gray by Foilacar, equipped with Black Rhino Wheels, plus the SUV sported off-road equipment from Overland Ph. It was also equipped with

a Blaupunkt Dash Camera.

“We are very happy with the turnout of visitors and the support of the province. I was surprised that there were this so many vintage and collectible cars in Pampanga. This is just the beginning and rest assured that more tourism related events will be staged here in Lubao,” states Governor Lilia Pineda. The proceeds of the event were donated to the volunteers of Pradera Verde, which is composed of residents and natives of Lubao.

This classic Mercedes Benz sportscar is pristine inside and out

Drop tops like this 1949 Chevrolet Styline were among stars of the nostalgic car show

The aftermarket industry was represented by this spruced up Isuzu MU-X