Manila Standard - 2018 January 20 - Saturday by Manila Standard

NO TO CORRUPTION.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his speech Thursday during the inauguration of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) at the Postbank Center in Liwasang Bonifacio, reiterates his strong dislike for corruption during his presidency. Malacañang Photo VOL. XXXI • NO. 337 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘Voters mostly illiterate, need tutor on Cha-cha’ A PALACE ofﬁcial said Thursday that most Filipino voters are illiterate and need to be educated before they can properly decide on Charter change. In a radio interview, Chief Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo returned to a point he made during a Senate hearing on Charter change on Wednesday. “If Filipinos cannot understand or are not educated because a majority of our voters are illiterate, then we need to give them a formal education before we change the Constitution,” he said in Filipino. “Otherwise they

will end up voting without understanding.” Panelo said it was irrelevant how the Constitution is amended because in the end, it is the people who have the ﬁnal say through a plebiscite. President Rodrigo Duterte and his political allies in Congress want to amend the Constitution to shift the country to a federal form of government. Eleven members of the commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution said Charter change and federalism would not solve the country’s problems. Next page

Senate to probe warship deal, Bong Go to attend By Vito Barcelo SPECIAL Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go on Friday said he is ready to attend a Senate hearing to address allegations that he intervened in the Navy’s P15.7 billion frigate acquisition program. “Yes, I will attend,” Go told Palace reporters Friday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque welcomed the

Senate investigation, saying this was an opportunity for President Rodrigo Duterte’s trusted aide to clear his name. The frigate acquisition project was started during the time of former President Benigno Aquino III and continued under the Duterte administration, which signed the notice of award to the winning Next page

LGUs told: Back Fed or no budget By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

OUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the government would withhold funding for provinces that do not support the administration, even as he and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel pushed for a federal system where such centralized control would not be possible.

“Provinces that don’t support us will get zero budget,” Alvarez said in Filipino. “If you don’t want to join, that’s okay. I’ll respect your right. But you also have to respect my right to give you a zero budget,” he said in a speech in Iloilo Thursday. Alvarez urged new PDPLaban members to support the party’s push for federalism, saying the current cen-

tralized system has left the provinces behind. “They don’t want to change the system because they want to control the provinces,” Alvarez said. “What the leaders in Manila want is for them to be the one to say whether we progress or not.” He said centralized governance restricted the ﬂow

Zubiri: Pass BBL to test benefits of federalism By Macon RamosAraneta

CONGRESS should give priority to passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) instead of amending the Constitution because the creation of a Bangsamoro autonomous state would be a “good model to see if federalism works,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said Friday. “We have a big stake here. This will dictate whether we will have war or peace in Mindanao. This is a way to see if this (federalism) will really work on a smaller scale,” said Zubiri, chairman of the Senate subcommittee on the BBL.

ENDANGERED SPECIES. Among the critically endangered species in the Philippines (clockwise from top) are: black spotted turtle; dumerils boa; Bengal monitor lizard;Philippine crocodile; radiated tortoise; and Philippine forest turtle. File photos

31% of Pinoy families ‘out of poverty’

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN. Workers install 44 pieces

Facebook top site for wildlife trading

of the trricolors at the People’s Power Movement along Edsa in Quezon City in preparation for the 3rd anniversary on Jan. 25 of the massacre of 44 members of the government’s police Special Action Force. Manny Palmero

Duterte blasts baggage thief Cops charged for 2 drugs slay cases

By Vito Barcelo and and transport ofﬁcials on Thursday to terminate the Joel E. Zurbano

By Rey E. Requejo

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has said he will not hesitate to ﬁre transport and airport ofﬁcials if another luggage is pilfered at the airport. He ordered airport

THE Department of Justice has ﬁled criminal cases against Caloocan City policemen implicated in the twin deaths of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” De Guzman in

contract of aviation service provider Miascor after one Jovenal Dela Cruz complained that his luggage was pilfered when she arrived at the Clark International Airport last Next page week. twitter.com/ MlaStandard

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August last year. The DoJ charged Police Ofﬁcer 1 Jeffrey Perez and Police Ofﬁcer 1 Ricky Arquilita with murder before the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court after the panel of prosecutors found probable cause to hold them

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liable for the death of the two teenagers. Perez and Arguilita were also charged with torture and planting of evidence under Section 29 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act Next page

FACEBOOK has emerged as the top site for wildlife trafﬁcking in the Philippines, a watchdog said Friday, with thousands of endangered crocodiles, snakes and turtles illegally traded in just three months. Monitoring network TRAFFIC said Facebook had not done enough to shut down the trade, which saw more than 5,000 reptiles from 115 species put up for Next page

By John Paolo Bencito

WHILE one out of three Filipino families have escaped poverty, one out of 12 fell into it, the latest Social Weather Stations survey revealed Friday. In a survey from Dec. 8 to 16, some 31 percent of Filipino families expressed they have escaped poverty —consisting of 17 percent who said they were usually non-poor and 14 percent newly non-poor. The 14 percent rating is the highest rate of newly Next page

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Mayon explosive eruption unlikely By Rio N. Araja DESPITE Mayon Volcano continuing to spew ashes, gases, thick smoke, rocks and lava, its activity may not lead to an explosive eruption, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Friday. Research analysts from Phivolcs recorded a quiet lava effusion from the new summit lava dome and lava collapse events “characterizing Mayon Volcano’s eruptive activity in the past 24 hours.” At least 24 rockfall events and one volcanic earthquake were recorded by the seismic monitoring network. Rockfall events were generated by the collapsing lava front and margins of the advancing lava flow on the Miisi Gully and by shedding from the summit dome onto the Bonga Gully, Phivolcs scientists said. But the lava flow, tremor, ground deformations and gas emission may be categorized as a “non-explosive” eruption, the agency said. Residents have been warned against mudflow and lahar flow from Mt. Mayon due to rains. Phivolcs said there is a threat of a hazardous eruption “within weeks or days,” as alert level 3 remained over Mayon.

‘Black Friday’ protest backed By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja

ALACAÑANG said Friday it supports the Black Friday Protest by members of the media in Quezon City, which was triggered by the Security and Exchange Commission’s order revoking the license of online news agency Rappler. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque denied that the decision to revoke Rappler’s business registration was to suppress media freedom in the country. In other developments: • The National Bureau of Investigation said Rappler could still be liable for cyber-

Winchelle Ian G. Sevilla of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology points out the lava flows from Mayon Volcano on a monitor on Friday during an update for the media at the Philvolcs office in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

LGUs... From A1

non-poor families since the 13.8 percent recorded when the question was first asked in December 2014. Meanwhile, 12 percent of Filipino families said they fell into poverty. Of this number, 6 percent said they were usually poor, while another 6 percent said they were newly poor. Of the 56 percent which rated themselves as nonpoor, meanwhile, some 25 percent said they have never experienced poverty (“always non-poor”). The SWS had earlier reported the percentage of Filipinos believing they were poor slightly went down by three points to 44 percent, or an estimated 10 million families from the previous quarter; while the proportion of non food-poor steadied at 32 percent or an estimated 7.3 million families in September 2017.

of funding to the countryside—even as he threatened to do just that to uncooperative provinces. He said in a federal system, the provinces would retain what they earned and merely contribute to the national government. Alvarez urged the PDP-Laban members to help President Rodrigo Duterte amend the Constitution to enable a shift to a federal system of government. Pimentel, meanwhile, said all candidates running under the PDP-Laban banner must support federalism. “The party will have to field candidates who believe in and are advocates of federalism. All candidates from senators to councilors,” Pimentel said in a text message to reporters. He said believing in their party’s federalism advocacy is a “basic requirement for party

Duterte ordered Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade and airport officials to investigate the case and warned he would not hesitate to fire them if it happened again. “One more incident and all of you will go. Look for another job,” Duterte said during the launch of OFW Bank in Lawton, Manila. In other developments: * Duterte on Thursday berated Clark International Airport officials following the theft of the luggage of a returning Filipino worker in Canada and urged them to have the culprits killed. “Just have them [the culprits] killed. Just contact the police there,” Duterte told Clark International Airport Corp. Acting President Alexander Cauguira, who said the suspects had been charged with theft but wre out on bail. * All baggage handlers and security providers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are now required to wear body cameras while on duty to prevent baggage theft. This developed as the Manila International Airport Authority came up with a decision not to renew its lease and concession agreement with Miascor Ground Handling Corp. after some of its employees got involved in baggage pilferage not only in NAIA but also at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga. Tugade summoned airport officials, airport ground handling companies, manpower service providers and security managers on Friday following Duterte’s warning over baggage theft at the airports.

concerning in the context of press freedom. CHR spokeswoman Jacqueline de Guia said. “However, if the ruling of the Securities Exchange Commission is upheld, Rappler must face the consequences as provided by law.” But De Guia said the CHR was hoping that the SEC’s decision against Rappler was not an attempt to curtail press freedom. • The Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday rejected claims that its decision to cancel Rappler’s incorporation papers was politically motivated. “You know, if they have proof that that’s the case, they better present it. It’s so unfair to us,” SEC Commissioner Teresita Herbosa told reporters. “We’re only doing our job. We just come out with whatever the law requires us to do.” Roque insisted that the SEC decision

ERUPTION WATCH.

31%... From A1

Duterte... From A1

crime even if a law it allegedly violated was not retroactive. NBI Cybercrime Division Chief Manuel Antonio Eduarte said Wilfredo Keng’s cyber libel complaint against Rappler stemmed from an article posted in May 2012. Rappler’s former investigative reporter, Reynaldo Santos Jr., wrote then that Keng allegedly lent his SUV to the late former chief justice Renato Corona, raising questions about ethics and propriety. Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, was signed into law in September 2012. • Rappler must face the consequences if it is guilty of violating a law, the Commission on Human Rights said Friday. “If the statement of Rappler is true with regards to its ownership and control, as well as that due process was not observed, then this is indeed something that is deeply

‘Voters... From A1 In an open letter, they said acknowledged that the Constitution was not perfect, but key questions needed to be answered before amendments are introduced. The letter was signed by Felicitas Aquino-Arroyo, Adolfo Azcuna, Teodoro Bacani, Florangel Rosario Braid, Hilario Davide Jr., Edmundo Garcia, Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Christian Monsod, Ricardo Romulo, Jaime Tadeo, and Bernardo Villegas. “Before we move further into uncharted territory, the prior question seems to us, to

Zubiri:... From A1 He said the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) proposes the creation of two substates—one covering Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and the other covering the mainland autonomous state made up of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. Zubiri said he hoped the Senate would pass the BBL on second and third reading

Senate... From A1 bidder, South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries, on Aug. 18, 2016. Roque said the Senate probe would determine if the Aquino government committed any anomalies in the bidding. The Senate committee on national defense and security and the congressional oversight committee on the Armed Forces of the Philippines Mod-

membership.” Both Alvarez and Pimentel, top officials of the PDP-Laban, are pushing for federalism but disagree on how this will be done. Alvarez insists that the House of Representatives, with 292 members, and the Senate will vote as one, which would marginalize the vote of 24 senators. Pimentel and his colleagues in the Senate believe the House and Senate should vote separately. Alvarez earlier said that the House would like to finish its work on the draft of the proposed federal constitution so it could be submitted for ratification through a plebiscite simultaneous with the May 2018 barangay elections. But Alvarez said that was not a hard-and-fast deadline. Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, proposed a summit between leaders of both chambers, after senators agreed to boycott the House-initiated constituent assembly.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, however, said each chamber should conduct public hearings separately and firm up their respective positions on four issues: the need to amend the Constitution; which provisions to amend; what mode to take; and if voting should be done jointly or separately. “Until these issues are settled, I do not see the point of a summit,” Drilon said. He added that before the public gets behind federalism, a more detailed plan must be in place that will take into account elections, term limits, and checks and balances. Senator Francis Pangilinan warned the House of Representatives that pushing an illegal form of Charter change would anger not just the senators but the public. Earlier, the House approved Resolution No. 9, which seeks to convene Congress into a constituent assembly that will introduce changes to the Constitution. Alvarez has said that

the House is ready to go forward even without the participation of the senators. Pimentel said the Senate will continue with its own committee hearings on Charter change. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said the Constitution cannot be amended by violating it. He noted that the 3/4th voting formula, to be exercised by one chamber alone, is wrong because the Constitution establishes a bicameral legislature. Both Senators Joel Villanueva and Grace Poe cautioned that federalism was not a magic pill that would solve the country’s problems. Senator Panfilo Lacson said the insistence of Alvarez on joint voting only confirms his suspicion that the House of Representatives wants to render the Senate’s vote irrelevant. “It also justifies my suggestion to expel any member of the Senate who will go astray and betray the institution [to which] he belongs,” Lacson said.

be: Do we need a new Constitution at this time? Is federalism the answer to address the critical concerns of our people? What in fact are our priorities?” They said the “undiscerning haste” to create a new Constitutions would distract the nation from its priorities such as solving mass poverty and inequality, eliminating political dynasties and addressing the blatant disregard for the rule of law. They also said that the Constitution “is not the problem” but part of the solution. Instead of amending the Constitution right away, they said, the Local Government Code could be amended to further decentralize power and al-

locate resources more fairly. They also warned that federalism could result in a bloated bureaucracy and “reinforce the power of political dynasties and landed elites.” Also on Friday, retired chief justice Reynato Puno said the provisions of the Constitution can be interpreted in different ways, but these must be consistent with the intent and spirit of the Charter. In an interview on the GMA News program Unang Balita, Puno also said it was important to take individual provisions in the context of the entire document. For example, he said, the issue of whether the two chambers of Congress should vote

jointly or separately on constitutional amendments must be taken in the context of the Charter’s establishment of a bicameral legislature. In his opinion, he said, this meant the House and Senate should vote separately. The dean of the San Beda Graduate School of Law, meanwhile, said the Supreme Court can break the deadlock on joint or separate voting. “It is a justiciable question because it calls for an interpretation of the Constitution. This is the dividing line,” Fr. Ranhilio Aquino, also vice president of Cagayan State University and Manila Standard columnist, said in an interview on radio dzMM.

by March, after the BTC has removed provisions that are seen to be unconstitutional. He conceded, however, that some provisions would remain contentious, such as the creation of a parliamentary government. “But why not give them a chance to run it as a parliament?” Zubiri said. “I’m willing to give this a chance. This is, of course, a very big leap [from]... the status quo, but I’m willing to give this a chance especially because

extremism is on the rise again,” he added. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, on the other hand, pressed Finance and Budget officials to compute the “price tag” of the BBL, saying that a “clear fiscal picture” will pave the way for BBL’s passage. “We are all for financing peace. I prefer a costly peace than a cheap war. But the nation must be told how heavy the burden on the taxpayers will be. How many billions of

pesos are we talking about? And how long would we keep paying?” Recto said in a mix of English and Filipino. Recto said debate on BBL will center on “constitutionality and cost.” “It is not that hard to make the bill constitutionally-compliant, which is what President Duterte wants,” Recto said. “But what I think might be contentious is where to source the money required to implement the bill.”

ernization Act said they would investigate the allegations and get updates on the contract. Roque said the Palace is confident that Go “can stand his ground that he did not intervene.” Go, a top Duterte aide, denied interfering in the selection of the Navy’s weapons system supplier, and challenged reporters to find proof of his involvement, saying he would resign if the allegations are proven true. Roque said it was the Aqui-

no administration that undertook the bidding and chose the winning bidder. “This administration only issued the notice of award, which was ministerial. That made it impossible for Go to intervene,” Roque said. In a text message to reporters, Go said the accusations were false. “I have nothing to hide,” he said in Filipino. “I’m not hiding anything and I don’t know anything about that issue.” Duterte again slammed

Rappler for carrying citing documents that supposedly showed Go intervened in the selection of the weapons system for the Navy’s ships, saying the online portal peddles fake news. Rappler reported that Go gave Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana a white paper endorsing a South Korean company, Hanwha, to provide the combat management system (CMS) for the Navy’s new frigates.

against Rappler was due to constitutional violations committed by the online media outlet, which was being operated and owned by a foreign company. “The protest is proof that freedom and democracy are very much alive in the Philippines,” Roque said. “The Palace position on the matter remains clear and consistent: We allow public displays of constructive criticism as part of the full exercise of the protesters’ right to express their grievances.” Roque said the decision to revoke Rappler’s business registration was not intended to suppress media freedom in the country. Earlier, Roque said Rappler reporters were not prevented from exercising their duty as journalists in the light of the SEC decision, saying the reporter of Rappler continued to attend Malacañang press briefings.

Sereno debunks charge of irregular SC funds use By Rey E. Requejo THE camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday debunked allegations of irregularity in the use of the Supreme Court’s funds for her business class travels, use of a presidential villa in Boracay, and purchase of a security vehicle by the high tribunal. In a statement, Sereno’s spokesperson Jojo Lacanilao said there was “nothing irregular, illegal and extravagant” in the use of the SC funds. “All transactions pertaining to the purchase of the security vehicle, use of the presidential villa and business class trips of the Chief Justice were above board and went through the correct procedures,” Lacanilao said. He said the chief magistrate has been “very prudent in handling the judiciary’s resources” and there is no truth to allegations she has been living a luxurious life using public funds. Lacanilao noted that the SC rules recognize the necessity of allowing the Chief Justice to travel on business class. “This is in recognition of her position and the need to

Cops... From A1 9165 and Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, and two counts of torture in violation of Sections 4 and 14 of RA 9745, the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. In a 35-page resolution dated December 18, 2017, but released to media only on Friday, the DoJ three-man panel of prosecutors led by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Maria Emilia Victorio found probable cause to indict Perez and Arquilita for murder, planting of evidence, in connection with the handgun found with Arnaiz; two more counts of planting of evidence in violation of RA 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, due to the shabu and marijuana found with Arnaiz. “The panel finds the same to be matters of evidence that should be ventilated in a fullblown trial before the court. For purposes of determining

Facebook... From A1 sale on its discussion groups from June to August 2016 alone. “Facebook is the platform of choice for illegal traders in the Philippines because of its popularity and insufficient internal monitoring enforcement,” the report said. “This magnitude of commerce in live wild animals online is just mind-boggling,” said Serene Chng, TRAFFIC’s programme officer for Southeast Asia. The groups where live reptile advertisements were posted had more than 350,000 members when the study began, with numbers growing 11 percent in three months. Most transactions were completed using Facebook’s Messenger service, the report said, adding that trading continues on the platform despite periodic government raids. Over half the species bought and sold were protected internationally and by the Philippines’ wildlife act, which carries jail terms and fines.

provide her with the resources to ensure that she is fully prepared for all her international and local speaking engagements,” he pointed out. Lacanilao said the SC Human Resource Manual, which was approved by the Supreme Court en banc through A.M. 006-6-1-SC on Jan. 31, 2012 —or barely four months before Sereno assumed the top judiciary post—allows the Chief Justice to travel on “full business class.” “It was the SC that created the rules on the official travels of the Chief Justice and other SC justices. In fact, the rules were recently amended to benefit all the justices, and it was the Chief Justice who introduced the amendment to the rules on official travels to give other justices the same privilege to travel on business class,” Lacanilao said, citing an en banc resolution dated July 11, 2017. The lawyer-spokesman also justified the use of the presidential villa in Shangri-la Boracay during the gathering of the ASEAN chief justices in March 2015, saying the budget was approved by the 15-member SC en banc. the existence of probable cause in this preliminary investigation, the quantum of evidence required to charge them in court has been sufficiently met in the instant case,” the resolution stated. Besides Victorio, the resolution approved by Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr., was also signed by Assistant State Prosecutors Gilmarie Fe Pacamarra, Alejandro Daguiso and Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon. The body of Arnaiz turned up in a morgue on August 28, 10 days after he supposedly died in a shootout with the policemen who allegedly apprehended him for robbing taxi driver Tomas Bagcal. The Public Attorney’s Office named Bagcal as respondent in the complaints, but the DoJ investigating fiscal dismissed them for lack of basis. Examinations conducted by the PAO forensic laboratory showed handcuff marks around Arnaiz’s wrists and traces of bruising all over his body. The radiated tortoise, black spotted turtle, Bengal monitor lizard, and Dumeril’s boa—all threatened with extinction — were among them, as well as the critically endangered Philippine crocodile and Philippine forest turtle. In one transaction, a trader also used an unnamed ridesharing service to deliver wildlife to a buyer. “This small snapshot reinforces how social media has taken over as the new epicentre of wildlife trade,” Chng said. A statement from Facebook’s PR firm said the site does not tolerate wildlife trade and is working with TRAFFIC to tackle the problem. “Facebook does not allow the sale and trade of endangered animals and we will not hesitate to remove any material that violates our community standards when it is reported to us,” it said. TRAFFIC’s regional spokeswoman Elizabeth John said that Facebook was “seeking additional information in order to take action” and that the watchdog was helping it liaise with Philippine authorities.

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‘New wage adjustments for teachers set next year’

Loren: Better healthcare for govt workers up

By Maricel V. Cruz Teachers and other nonuniformed personnel will be the priority in the implementation of the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law, a House official said on Friday. Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, chairperson of the House committee on appropriations, said the fourth round of the salary adjustments granted for government employees including teachers will be completed next year and by then, the government should already have enough funds for a new round of wage increases. “Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno was just being candid about the present status of our financial situation but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. We still have the 4th round of the salary standardization law which also covers our teachers,” Nograles said. “After that, we should be ready for a new cycle of financial packages not only for our teachers but for other government workers as well, “ he added. “For 2018, we have also increased the monthly allowances of public school teachers - from P2,500 previously, they will now receive P3,500 per month. So we are always looking for ways to add to the benefits of our teachers,” Nograles added. He pointed out however that if and when a new cycle of salary adjustment is carried out after SSL4, this should also cover all other government workers except those belonging to the uniformed service. “Kung bibigyan natin ng dagdag sweldo ang mga teachers, kailangan kasama na din ang ibang mga government workers. Tulad ng Salary Standardization Law, which benefitted government workers, not only teachers, we would want to come up with another comprehensive law that will provide another round of salary increases beyond 2019,” Nograles said.

DOH sends nedical teams, assistance to Palawan town By Macon Araneta DEPARTMENT of Health ( D O H ) — M I M A R O PA (Oriental/Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo has dispatched various health teams to the municipality of Balabac to bring medicines and medical assistance to affected residents of Barangay Mangseein Palawan, one of the most devastated areas during the onslaught of Typhoons Vinta and Agaton. The regional ofﬁce dispatched various teams that includes mental health and psychosocial support staff; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); disease and surveillance; health promotion; health and medical personnel from the Palawan Provincial Health Ofﬁce and the National Nutrition Council. They will remain in the area for 7 days. “These teams will provide health assistance to the affected residents of Balabac, assist and monitor the status of the water supply in these areas such as those in deep wells and water pumps to avert the growing cases of diarrhea and cholera in the islands,” Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.

TONDO DEVOTEE. A devotee carefully grooms Sto. Nino images that are being sold at Tondo days before the feast of Sto. Nino on January 21, 2018. Norman Cruz

Duque: PNoy given wrong advice on Dengvaxia vaccine

EALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Friday said former President Noy Aquino may have been given the wrong advice in procuring dengvaxia in its mass immunization program. “Sa tingin ko, dapat na magsilbi ito na leksyon. Sa tingin ko, minadali ito ng nakaraang administrasyon. Sa tingin ko hindi naman nila hangarin na makapagbibigay ito ng perwisyo. Sa tingin ko po nabigyan ng maling abiso ang dating Pangulong Aquino,” Duque said. Speaking before local government units ofﬁcials and health workers at the Provincial Dengue Summit in the City of SaFernando in Pampanga, Duque said that the previous administration may have not foreseen the problems that may arise as

a result of the vaccination program. But while defending Aquino’s administration of any ill-motive in the procurement of the anti-dengue drug, Duque said that if it were up to hi, he would would not have pushed for the vaccination of that big a number of recipients. The vaccination program began in April 2016, just a few weeks before the May 2016 elections. “Baka naging malabo ang kanilang isip, pagpapasya at pagsasagawa ng Dengvaxia program dahil malak-

ing populasyon at bilang ng estudyante ang kanilang pinaplano na turukan ng Dengvaxia—one million,” Duque said. “Madalas ko pong sabihin na kung ako po ang secretary ng DOH [Department of Health] nu’n ay hindi ko po papayagan na turukan ang malaking bilang ng estudyante. It is always good to err on the side of caution. Hindi na bale na magkamali ako, basta nasa panig ng kaligtasan lalo na kung ang mga bata, ang buhay nila ang nakasalalay,” he added. Duque said the problem should serve as a lesson. “Kaya dapat hindi na ito maulit pa ang ganitong pangyayari. Kaya kami ay nandito para nang sa gayon ay magbigay liwanag sa isyu na ito.” As per DOH records, at least 830,000 public school students have been vaccinated with Dengvaxia in Central

Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Cebu. The vaccination program was halted after Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur issued an advisory tht the vaccine should not be given to patients who have not had dengue in the past as it may cause severe diseases in the long run. Sanofi Pasteur has since been fined P100,000 and its Dengvaxia registration certificate suspended. Meanwhile, the deaths of 14 children who were given Dengvaxia vaccine are being investigated. As this developed, dengvaxia was discovered to be not 100 percent effective, prompting a panel of experts from the Philippine General Hospital has to recommend the the suspension of the dengue vaccination program. According to the panel, the vaccine’s efficacy rate is only

at 60 percent, which is considered low as compared to the cost of the vaccine. The study was reported by Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo in a press conference on Friday. Domingo said the panel reported that the funds allotted for the vaccination program may be better used in other anti-dengue measures such as cleaning of environment and ensuring that dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not grow in number. At the same time, however, the panel noted that even if the use of Dengvaxia caused problems, it remains to be effective against dengue for those who have had the disease before. As for the deaths among schoolchildren adwho have been inoculated with Dengvaxia, the panel recommended further study to determine if there was a correlation with the said vaccine.

BI arrests 19 overstaying Russian women, two Koreans By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration rounded up 19 Russian women suspected of being prostitutes, that caters mostly to rich men and foreigners in a nightclub in Pampanga, for working without employment visas. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that two Koreans believed to be the women’s recruiters and employers, were also arrested during the operation conducted by BI intelligence agents in Angeles City.

The pretty Russian women are all high-class escorts and are hard to keep track of, as some of these ladies are customers of some local politicians and businessmen in the country. The girls also use modern technology to find new customers to keep themselves in business. Morente said the arresting team caught the Russian women in flagrante or in the act of working as escort girls and guest relations officers (GROs) inside the Club Angel in Clark Field,

Angeles City. The Koreans, identiﬁed as Jeong Seonghun, 30, and Lee Kyurak, 30, were working as the club’s cashier and manager, respectively. The BI said the Koreans facilitated the women’s entry into the country. “They will all be deported for working without visas and for other immigration offenses,” said Morente, adding that those arrested are undesirable aliens engaged in prostitution that catered to customers who were charged an hourly rate

of P1,500 for the women’s services. BI intelligence ofﬁcer Jude Hinolan, who led the arresting team, reported that the two Koreans are both overstaying aliens who arrived several months ago and did not bother to extend their stay as tourists. Hinolan said that all of the 19 Russian women also arrived as tourists and that nine of them were also overstaying in the country. “We have recommended that charges for violating the anti-trafﬁcking persons in act

be ﬁled against the two Koreans as they were the ones who supposedly facilitated the entry of these women into the country,” Hinolan added. The Philippine immigration act strictly forbids foreigners from engaging in gainful activity without applying for work permits and visas. All 21 foreigners were later brought to the BI detention facility in Camp Bagong Diwa where they are conﬁned pending deportation proceedings that will be initiated against them.

Farmers troop to AFP, assail ‘mercenary’ killings of 126 PEASANT group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) on Friday trooped to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Headquarters to assail the mercenary AFP and its paramilitary auxiliaries that are responsible for the killing of over a hundred farmers, peasant women, ﬁsherfolks, agricultural workers and indigenous peoples. “These killings are statesanctioned and carried out under the government’s Oplan Kapayapaan counter-insurgency program,” said Antonio Flores, secretary general of KMP, in a

statement. The group said tht an estimated 126 politicallymotivated extrajudicial killings across the country were documented by human rights group KARAPATAN from July 2016 to December 31, 2017 under the Duterte regime. KMP said 106 of the victims were male and 20 were female. Out of the 126 EJK victims, 109 werefarmers. “These killings were perpetrated by the AFP, PNP and their masked assassins,” said Flores. Bill Casas

RANDOM. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena (left) leads the random inspection at Manila International Container Port in Tondo, January 19, 2018. Norman Cruz

SENATOR Loren Legarda today said that all employees under the Executive Branch of the Government will receive healthcare benefits comparable to the health insurance plans currently enjoyed by employees of the Legislative Branch. Legarda, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, said that P3.5 Billion was allocated under the budget of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to cover the cost of supplemental health benefits, which shall cover services ranging from preventive and curative, inpatient and outpatient, and other medical expenses in excess of contributions-based case rates. “Government workers in the Executive currently have the standard PhilHealth coverage for hospitalization. However, they shell out for check-up, laboratory procedures, and other preventive healthcare procedures—expenses that are already covered in the healthcare plans of employees of the Senate and House of Representatives. There should be parity with the healthcare benefits extended to all government employees. This will now happen through PhilHealth Plus,” Legarda said. “The Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) should expedite the drafting and finalization of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of PhilHealth Plus so that the budget can be utilized the soonest time possible,” she added.

Ex-OFW nabbed for illegal recruitment By Bill Casas OPERATIVES of the National Bureau of Investigation-Criminal Intelligence Division (NBI-CRID) have arrested a man for large scale illegal recruitment, during an entrapment operation in Manila recently. NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the suspect as Rico Paguio, a former OFW who worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a resident of Dagupan St., Tondo, Manila. The case stemmed from a complaint of six persons against the suspect who had been recruiting victims for work abroad, specifically in Saudi Arabia on the pretext that he was connected to Sunergeous Mapower Services Corporation, when in fact he has resigned from the said company since February 2017. The suspect had obtained from the victims a total of P 98,200 allegedly as down payment for processing their overseas employment. Police said more or less 50 victims have been recruited by the suspect. A Certification from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) revealed that the suspect is not licensed nor authorized to recruit workers for overseas employment. With this information, an entrapment operation was conducted inside a mall in Manila last January 11 resulting in the arrest of the suspect.

Opinion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

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Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Finally, a modern bus terminal

HE trafﬁc snarl in Metro Manila may partially be solved once the construction of the Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange project is ﬁnished by 2020.

The Department of Transportation early this week said work on the Taguig ITX project, a partnership with Ayala Land Inc., would start in the second half of the year. The project, a six-story building on a 5.57-hectare property inside the FTI compound, will house a passenger concourse, a centralized ticketing area and several business and retail

establishments. It will have a provision for 1,200 public utility buses and vehicles’ bays and parking. The modern and strategic bus terminal is expected to house around 4,000 buses and accommodate 160,000 passengers daily. It will also feature a pedestrian walkway connection to the Philippine National Railways’ FTI station and a proposed subway system. Taguig ITX will essentially serve all provincial buses plying the south of Luzon, Visayas and Mindandao destinations. The bus terminal, unlike those situated in several areas of Metro Manila, aims to ease traffic congestion

along busy thoroughfares. The current bus stations, especially those in Cubao in Quezon City and Pasay City, contribute much to the traffic in the capital region. Provincial buses and their undisciplined drivers, for instance, often clog half of the driving lanes in Edsa when they make their exit from their respective terminals, resulting in huge jams in the adjacent roads. The Taguig Terminal, meanwhile, set to be built along the ManilaCavite Expressway in Parañaque City, is designed to provide seamless transfers between different modes of transportation. It will offer a more comfortable and efficient

facility for commuters and operators and will help lessen travel time between Cavite and Metro Manila. The terminal will accommodate provincial and metro buses as well as other public utility vehicles. The mixed-use development will also feature a mall and office spaces for the convenience of passengers. Now is the time to modernize the transportation system in the Philippines. Along with the upgrade of the jeepneys and the construction of more rail networks and toll roads, the bus terminal including the one in Quezon City should offer commuters a big relief from their hideous daily travel. HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Trump’s ‘sh*thole’ remark

Defending press freedom is defending democracy POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO THE Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the revocation of Rappler’s license for being “liable for violating the Constitutional and statutory Foreign Equity Restrictions in Mass Media enforceable through rules and laws within the mandate of the Commission.” The SEC ruled that Rappler is foreign-owned and controlled, which is a violation of the Constitution. Rappler is known to be critical of the Duterte administration and the administration does not take criticisms well. President Duterte himself in his State-of-the-Nation Address openly lambasted

Rappler and threatened to have the online news agency investigated for being foreign-owned. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque denied that the Palace had a hand in the investigation of Rappler. However, in an interview, SEC’s Armand Pan said that what started the investigation was a formal request from the Office of the Solicitor General. Mention of such formal request was actually made in the SEC decision which said in part, “On 22 December 2016, the Commission En Banc received a letter dated 14 December from the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) requesting an investigation into Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corporation for any possible contravention of the strict requirements of the 1987 Constitution with regard to issuances of Phil-

ippine Depository Receipts to NBM Rappler, LP, and Omidyar Network Fund LLC in 2015.” Clearly, therefore, despite Roque’s denial, the fact is that the investigation was sought by the OSG

All these events point to the obvious.

which is under the Executive Department headed by the President. SolGen Jose Calida was also reported to have said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will also investigate Rappler for possible criminal charges under the Anti-Dummy Law or Com-

monwealth Act 108. This law makes illegal foreign intervention in the operation, administration, and management, or control nationalized businesses, whether as officers or employees, with or without compensation. For his part, DOJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe Rappler’s possible violation of the Constitution and other laws. Aguirre’s Department Order 17 authorized the NBI to do a case build-up against Rappler. On top of these, Rappler’s Chief Executive Officer and Reynaldo Santos Jr., a former reporter of the online news site, were issued subpoenas and summoned by the NBI over a complaint by businessman Wilfredo Keng under the cybercrime law.

Ordering the closure of a media outfit has not been done in the history of a democratic Philippines. The last time something like this happened was during the time of the Marcos dictatorship. All the events point to the obvious that this administration wants Rappler out of its way. This is a grave affront against freedom of expression, a hallowed right under our present Constitution, the same Constitution that this administration wants to change. If they succeed in closing Rappler down, it will set a very dangerous precedent. What is being done to Rappler can be done to other media practitioners and outfits that are critical of this administration. This sends a chilling effect to all media. It will be remembered that

prior to the Rappler issue, Duterte also went after the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Moreover, the President subjected ABS-CBN and the Lopezes to repeated tirades. Will they be targeted next? I have said in previous pieces that it seems that this administration wants total control of the country and is doing everything to get it. Critical voices from within and outside government are being silenced. Cases are filed against the opposition as exemplified by what they did and are doing against Senator Leila de Lima. Budgets are withheld from opposition

Representatives like Edcel

Lagman, Kaka Bag-ao, and Teddy Baguilat. Recently, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also said that he is removing the budgets of provinces whose governors do not

PRESIDENT Donald Trump of the United States has consistently antagonized many people outside of his country— and that does not mean he had not been the subject of vilification from his own countrymen. Trump’s recent controversial comment is about what he believes is a problem involving immigrants to the United States, particularly those from Africa. He referred to Africa as a “sh*thole,” which is obviously a derogatory word. As expected, leaders and spokesmen of many countries in the African continent protested President Trump’s remark, and called it a racist remark. They are demanding an apology from the American president. Trump’s remark was uncalled for, not only for the defamatory character of what he said, but particularly because he is the leader of what is arguably the most influential country in the world. His statements are disseminated by the international media. Understandably, African nations which have friendly ties with the United States were offended by what Trump said. The social media indicate that President Trump has supporters in America who believe that, the “sh*thole” statement, aside, Africa has always been a problematic continent in recent history. They cite, among others, the civil wars that ravage the continent, and other reasons. For instance, Rwanda’s civil war, which has caused famine and deprivation in that country, is a result of the intense rivalry among its many tribes. Relief goods sent to Rwanda by international charitable agencies and meant for everyone in Rwanda regardless of tribal affiliation are held by a tribe in power, and are not given to other tribes. Many of Rwanda’s leaders even prefer to destroy relief goods rather

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Opinion

THE certification for the siege, the net effect is that passage of the Bangsam- they won the war by techoro Basic Law by Presi- nicality, at a price of more dent Duterte as urgent than a hundred of our solis perplexing and dis- diers killed. heartening. The President Despite the bloody seshould be reminded that cessionist war they waged the government won de- from 1974 to 1976 and cisively against the band sporadically onward, that of terrorists who tried led to the creation of an to hostage the country’s autonomy in Region IX biggest Muslim-dominat- composed of the proved city, resulting in the inces of Basilan, Sulu death of 114 soldiers and and Tawi-Tawi, and Zamnow costing the govern- boanga del Norte, Zamment about P10 billion to boanga del Sur and the reconstruct. In addition, cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, 240 were killed, 242 in- Pagadian and Zamboanga, jured and 118,819 of our and in Region XII comown people, mostly Mus- posed of the provinces of lim, were displaced. Thus, Lanao del Norte, Lanao granting autonomy at this del Sur, Maguindanao, point is something of a bit- North Cotabato and Sulter pill for many Filipinos tan Kudarat, while the to swallow. cities of Cotabato, Iligan There are several rea- and Marawi that did not sons why this column is help stabilize the situation against the granting of au- because they simply have tonomy, more so if the pro- their own agenda on what posal would be sealed by a they want to do. Constitutional guarantee. The Cory Aquino ConFirst, the cry for autono- stitution even created two my is based on their claim autonomous regions but of discrimination and for did not bring about the dethe search of a cultural sired peace. First, the two identity of their own. But major Muslim groups, the such is not the case. Politi- Tausugs, on one hand, and cal agitators, demagogues the Maranaos and Maguand foreign-manipulated indanao, on the other hand, zealots have their own dif- do not share the same culferent motives. Some want tural and historical heritto satisfy the demands of age or speak the same vertheir foreign brokers who nacular language. Second, are interested in seeing the Tausugs still maintain this countheir loyalty try disto the Sulmembered. tan of Sulo A f t e r while the Political failing to M a r a n a os agitators and win in their prefer closer demagogues b l o o d y ties with rampage, Malaysia. ride on the they now the issue, expecting Third, take a step Maranaos they would be backward are more by demandf u nd a menable to cash in ing the pastalist and on that idiotic sage of an openly anproposal. autonomy nounce their law. Politilinks to the cal agitainternationtors and al Islamic d e m a terrorists gogues ride on the issue, groups wanting to form expecting they would be an Islamic state, while the able to cash in on that Tausugs are more secular. idiotic proposal. It is their Fourth, there have been ambition that is goading few instances where the them to secure the pas- two have been united hissage of a custom-tailored torically, except for that autonomy. They are not interlude of fighting Marinterested in nationalism cos as proxy for Malaysia. to unite us as Filipinos. Most stupidly, the MILF They just want to segre- is urging President Dugate themselves which in terte to give in to their fact is a reverse form of demand for a wider audiscrimination. tonomy even after their Discrimination against disastrous defeat. This is our Muslim brothers has fraud, not to mention that never been an issue in this many of the proposed procountry. Rather, discrimi- visions in that unheralded nation has been their clev- BBL are contrary to the er way to justify their sep- Constitution. Noticeable aratist instinct to which no is the fact that the MILF sane Filipino will agree. has not mentioned anyMuslims are not discrimi- thing to revise some of nated in their quest for their demands if only to education, in seeking em- satisfy the constitutional ployment or in aspiring requirement, notwithfor public office, in eating standing that the Filipino in a restaurant, in going to people would have to ratpublic places, or traveling ify the constitution that to any part of the Philip- will equally affect them. pines. In fact, the govern- Otherwise, it will be selfment even subsidizes their serving and downright annual Haj to Mecca, and stupid if only the people act which it does not ex- in the area ratify the BBL. tend to other religions. There are two possible To be sure, it is the Phil- scenarios under this proippine government that posal: One, to give them has been accommodating a much wider area or stick them just to buy peace. to the same boundary givThese political dema- en them under the existing gogues and zealots are autonomous law. Two, to simply engaged in agitat- offer them a smaller area ing the people knowing consequent to their defeat. they could easily sway It does not matter whether the mind of the ignorant. it was the Maute group The grant of autonomy at or the MILF that was dethis point is like telling feated. Nonetheless, both the whole world that this formulas remain difficult country is ruled by stu- to resolve much that these pid people. If one would demagogues and zealots take the area demanded by will stick to their original them compared to the area demand. they managed to tempoTo be candid, even Musrarily occupy during the lims residing in Marawi

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How not to change the Constitution

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

About to win what they lost

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

I AM for constitutional change, but it must be done properly. Changing the Constitution without full debate and deliberation, uninformed by study and analysis of the impact of our governance options, and without following the right procedures will be disastrous for the country. The 1987 Constitution served the country well for the last 30 years. However, it is a product of a historical moment - the ouster of a dictatorship and the experience of the Marcos regime. Thus, review and revision are justified. Among others, we have: a presidency that has consolidated most governmental power and consequently separation of powers has been seriously compromised; a unitary system unable to accommodate the demands of the peace process with Moro revolutionary organizations and keeps some regions perpetually underdeveloped; and, finally, intensified sustainable development and social justice challenges, including persistent poverty and inequality. When President Duterte was elected, I was excited that constitutional change could finally happen. I would like to see in a new constitution some form of federalism, defined as regional governance, and an expanded bill of rights to include explicitly rights of indigenous peoples, overseas Filipino workers, children, persons with disabilities, and women. But now I advise caution. We will squander this opportunity if constitutional change is not done properly. In governance and policy making, as it is in medicine, the first rule must be to do no harm. Right now, we could be on the road to inflicting serious harm to our country and its future.

Trump‘s... From A4

than distribute them to their rival tribes. The same problem exists in Sudan, as it did in Uganda under the despot Idi Amin, who ruled his country with an iron fist, and who afforded privileged treatment to members of his tribe. Idi Amin was known to eat the body parts of some of his enemies. When Arab terrorists hijacked an Israeli airliner and held it at Entebbe Airport in Uganda, Amin openly supported the terrorists who made hostages of the Israeli airline passengers. After Israeli commandos rescued the hostages at the Entebbe Airport days later, a furious Amin ordered the execution of an elderly Israeli woman who was being treated in a local hospital and was left behind after the rescue. Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic

Defending... From A4

support the move to federalism. Impeachment raps have been filed against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who is also known to have her own mind and who is supposed to stay in office even after are now having second thoughts in handing jurisdiction of their city to these zealots fearing that any attempt to oppose would again result in bloodshed and their city reduced to ashes. Others argue that even if the terrorists have

In 2012, I co-authored a book entitled “The 1987 Constitution—To Change or Not to Change.” This was written with Joy Aceron, Edgar Bonto and Benedict Nisperos, edited by Dr. Dennis Gonzalez, and published by Anvil Publishing. Based on studies we conducted at the Ateneo School of Government, it was designed as a guidebook on how to change the Constitution. Among others, we explained why past and recent charter change attempts had ended the way they had—when outcomes were successful, when constitutional change was done illegitimately and only caused harm, and when it failed. There are three lessons from the Philippine historical experience on constitutional change. First, it must be done transparently, in a participatory and inclusive manner. This is exemplified through the 1935 Constitution, adopted through an elected constitutional convention, and the 1987 Constitution, drafted by commissioners that had representatives from sectors and the opposition who went all over the country for consultations. Second, the President must not be too involved. He must allow the constitutional convention or constituent assembly to do its job without interference. The 1973 Constitution was originally drafted by a convention of elected delegates but President Marcos hijacked the process and we ended up with an illegitimate outcome. Third, the constitutional procedure ordained by the Constitution must be strictly followed and not manipulated to ensure a pre-ordained result. The passage of the parity rights amendment that favored US citizens and corporations, adopted via constituent assembly after World War II, was achieved by expelling from the House

of Representatives the members of the Democratic Alliance. That led to civil war in Central Luzon and doomed our country to underdevelopment for the next three decades. Last Wednesday, January 17, the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws superbly chaired by Senator Francis Pangilinan, in tandem with other relevant Senate committees, conducted a public hearing on the issue of how to do charter change properly. Attending were former Chief Justices Hilario Davide, Jr and Reynato Puno, Justice and former 1986 Constitutional Commissioner Adolf Azcuna, retired Senator and federalism champion Nene Pimentel, 1986 Constitutional Commissioners Florangel Braid and Ed Garcia, several executive branch officials led by Presidential Counsel Salvador Panelo, and finally a few academics and experts, including Ateneo School of Government Dean Ronald Mendoza, political analyst Mon Casiple, veteran lawyer and my UP Law classmate Al Oxales, and myself. In that hearing, the independent statesmen and experts were one in making the following recommendations: First, the best mode of changing the constitutional is still through the constitutional convention route. It may be costlier but we can afford it and we should spend for it, the constitution being the most important law of the land. Chief Justice Puno is right, “To say that lawmakers should resort to a constituent assembly because it would be cheaper is a cheap argument.” On costs, in another context but in the same hearing, Senator Loren Legarda said that the government has money, “a lot of money”; in my view, we can certainly afford a constitutional convention.

Second, all the independent resource persons agreed that we must study and deliberate on our options. Although constitutional law is not an exact science, we must still seek to be evidence-based in making decisions on the economic provisions and the form of government. Senators Win Gatchalian, Sonny Angara, and Legarda pointed out that the bottom line is the impact of the constitutional changes on the everyday life of our people and the priority issues affecting our country. In this regard, I endorse the book recently published by the Ateneo University Press, “Debate on Federal Philippines: A Citizen’s Handbook.” I also recommend a serious look at the PDP-Laban proposed charter which is well-thought and has several good ideas. In the next column on this series, entitled, “How to change the constitution,” I will use these materials as well as the 2012 book we wrote. Third, as articulated by Chief Justice Puno, there must be also be no conflict of interest in the drafting of a new constitution. Politicians and political dynasties must not dominate in the process as the result could be contrary to national interest Fourth, and last, if the mode chosen is constituent assembly, the voting must be done separately and not jointly. Our Congress is bicameral, and unless otherwise explicitly stated in the Constitution, every decision must be taken by each house separately. Like tango, the chacha needs two to dance. The leaders of the House of Representatives reject this and is insisting on joint voting. It has even been proposed that the House alone can amend the Constitution as long as the three fourths of all the members of Congress (the members of the House and the Senate combined) vote for the change. That num-

ber could be reached without any senator voting. This interpretation cannot be supported constitutionally, legally, logically. It also would not do, policy-wise. But the fact that it has not been challenged by most members of the House means that this is likely the interpretation that will prevail in that chamber. I am confident that the Supreme Court will not justify a constituent assembly without the participation of the Senate. Otherwise, it will lose legitimacy. Moreover, a constitution that comes out in such a process will be seriously impaired with illegitimacy from the very beginning; it will be aborted at birth. An agreement to vote separately—and that is embodied in the joint resolution—will not mitigate the danger. My educated guess is that the Comelec, tasked to conduct the plebiscite for a new constitution, and the Supreme Court, the ultimate arbiter of constitutional decisions, will likely apply the political question doctrine and allow a vote on a new constitution no matter how flawed the process of drafting and adopting it. The Senate should not agree to a constituent assembly and propose instead a constitutional convention as the best way forward to changing the Constitution. The Senate should also be hardline and expel members that participate in a House-only constituent assembly. The railroading of a new constitution will render it illegitimate. When political fortunes change, as it surely will, the future leaders and the people will quickly revoke such a charter. Such a constitution is the recipe of disunity, of instability. Let’s not go there. That is the perfect example of how not to change the Constitution.

once renamed his country the Central African Empire. In 1976, he had himself crowned emperor in a lavish ceremony that obliterated his country’s treasury. A publication revealed that when the food during the coronation banquet proved insufficient, the emperor ordered the execution of several political prisoners, had them cooked, and eventually had them served to his unsuspecting guests. Nigeria is currently run by a military dictatorship. It used to be Africa’s richest nation due to its large deposits of diamonds, but the military dictatorship ran the economy to the ground. The military does not tolerate dissent, and harsh punishment awaits anyone who opposes the military dictatorship. In the 1990s, many Nigerians engaged in international scams to entice greedy individuals, including many Filipinos, to participate in get-rich schemes. A victim is notified by electronic communication by a

Nigerian who claims that he has access to millions of dollars of government funds held by a Nigerian bank which will release the funds only to a legitimate overseas investor. The Nigerian racketeer then tells his prospective victim that the latter can get about twenty percent of the entire fund, provided the victim pretends to be a legitimate businessman, and provided further that the victim will wire some funds to a Nigerian bank account, which will be used to prepare “the needed documentation” to facilitate the release of the funds. As soon as the money is wired by the victim, the Nigerian ceases all communications. Late last year, Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s overstaying dictator since 1980, was finally ousted from power by a military coup. During his reign, Mugabe kept his people in dire poverty while he and his wife lived in unconscionable luxury. His top political ri-

val was beaten up in public prior to an election. For several years now, pirates based in the southeast side of the continent harass oil tankers going to and coming from the Middle East. These pirates seize the tankers and hold the crew hostages. Their piracy contributes to the high cost of gasoline today. The African continent also hosts a number of Arab nations like Egypt and Libya. Egypt had its own dictatorship in the person of Hosni Mubarak, who succeeded President Anwar Sadat in 1981 after the latter was assassinated by the military. Mubarak made himself president for life, and his son practically owned every viable business in the country. Libya had its Muammar Gaddafi, an overly ambitious army colonel who seized power in a military coup in 1969. He became a dictator and used his country’s vast petroleum resources to eliminate political opposition, and to

finance terrorist organizations the world over. In the 1970s, the Libyan dictator financed the Muslim insurgency in Mindanao. He was also behind the highly publicized bombing of an airliner which ultimately crashed over the United Kingdom, when he was at the height of his absolute power. Gaddafi’s sons were notorious for abusing their power. They raped many women, who were often abducted on sight in the streets of Tripoli, the Libyan capital. A revolution finally toppled Gaddafi and his family in 2011. The dictator was executed by a very angry mob. Many Arabs were pleased to see him go. The problematic events in Africa, however, do not justify the “sh*thole” remark which President Trump made in public. If Trump was callous enough to do that, it is possible that he may eventually make some nasty remarks about the many Filipinos in America.

the incumbent officials have finished their terms. Duterte’s administration most probably wants to put someone “friendlier” to them. And now they are going after independent media. The issue is not only against Rappler but against all of us who hold the right to freedom of speech and expression. This issue goes to the very heart of our

democratic way of life. If they succeed in scaring other media outfits, and closing down those who go against their questionable moves, where will people get factual news from? How are we going to form informed opinions? How are we to demand transparency and accountability from public servants? The Filipino people need

to wake up and see that our freedoms and rights are being eroded. We have the right to information. We have the right to express our opinions whether pro or against anyone without the threat of being harassed and/or abused. We do not want our media to be controlled by the powers-that-be. A controlled media is a controlled nation. And a controlled

nation is not a democracy. Control the media and you kill democracy. We are the sovereign Filipino people and we must assert this sovereignty. Defend freedom of the press. Defend democracy.

from the Republic. The MILF’s chief peace negotiator is not saying anything except to demand that we ratify the BBL. According to Mohagher Iqbal, once the basic law is ratified, the MILF will dissolve and become an

NGO operating and having powers parallel to that of the Philippine government which cannot be done because there can be no two states within a state.

their valid grievance, they should have chosen their battleground outside the city, to minimize if not spare it from destruction and prevent the displacement of a large number of their own people. But it seems the terrorists indi-

rectly sought the destruction of their city and let their own people suffer. Finally, it is not even clear whether the MILF is in fact demanding autonomy or wants the creation of a sub-state preparatory to their formal secession

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Cayetano not keen to return p’port slots By Sara D. Fabunan FOREIGN Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano may not be too keen to return the 1,200 passport appointments allotted to the accredited travel agencies, despite receiving P128,000 membership fee from 256 travel companies. In a press conference, Cayetano said allowing them might bring a bad precedent to others as they would also start requesting for allotments and exceptions. “I’m sorry we cannot do that because by law, those given priority are specified,” Cayetano said. “These are people with disability, the pregnant, women accompanied by children below seven years old, or with offspring below 10 years old, single parents, senior citizens and overseas Filipino workers or OFWs,” he said. On Tuesday, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association appealed to Cayetano to reimpose their allotted slots for passport renewal and application processing. PTAA president Marlene Dado Jante said when the DFA came up a decision on July 31, 2017,

when it temporarily removed their allotment, the agency still asked them to pay P500 each for a total of P128,000 membership fee and additional P200,000 surety bond for passporet processing. She also cited Section 6 of the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 which stated that “In case of renewal the application may be filed by any licensed travel agency duly accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs: Provided, that the agent shall be responsible for the authenticity of the supporting documents being presented to meet the requirements for the application of passports”. However, in an interview with a DFA insider who refused to be named said Cayetano was firm to remove the passport appointment slots permanently. “He [Cayetano] is pretty consistent on removal of slots,” the official admitted. As of press time, Jante has yet to comment on the development. He feared that if the DFA would allow them to have their previous allotment, several individuals would follow through and might ask for exceptions.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan Municipality of LIMAY INVITATION TO BID PROVISION OF Manpower SERVICES FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY 1.

The Bids and Awards Committee, Municipality of LImay, through the General Fund intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item:

The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay, intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item:

Item

Item / Description

Location

Provision of Manpower Services for the Municipality of LImay

Limay, Bataan

Sources of Contract Fund Duration

GEN FUND

12 Months

Approved Budget for the Contract

Cost of Bid Documents

37,586,188.52

40,000.00

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 3.

The Bid and Awards now invites bids for the Provision of Security Services for Municipality of Limay, National Road, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan. Delivery ofthe Goods is required on the date indicated in the Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from January 18, 2018 to February 7, 2018 before the deadline of the submission of bid from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents.

The Bids and Awards Committe will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Conference Room, Municipality of Limay, which shall be open toprospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before February 7, 2018, 9:00 AM, BAC Office, 2nd Floor, Limay, Municipal Building, Limay, Bataan. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptableforms stated in ITB Clause 18.

TOP TAXPAYER. Reghis Romero II of Philippine Ecology Systems Corporation accepts the plaque from Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco as one of the top 20 taxpayers of the city during the 112th founding anniversary of Navotas City on Jan. 12 at Hotel Sofitel in Pasay City. Norman Cruz

Deployment of workers to Kuwait is suspended By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and John Paolo Bencito

why he wants a study on the ban,” Cayetano told a news briefing on ABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III suspended the sidelines of the official launch the passport appointment porFriday the deployment of workers to Kuwait in of tal for first time Overseas Filipino the light of the deaths of seven OFWs. Workers. In weighing the matter, CayTo effect the order, he directed the cause of deaths of the following etano said he had a meeting with the Philippine Overseas Overseas Overseas Filipino Workers in Ku- the Kuwait ambassador this week Employment Administration to wait, namely: Liezl Truz Hukdong, to raise the country’s concern, “I’m expecting a good response stop the processing of overseas Vanessa Karissha I. Esguerra, employment certificates or OECs Maria Fe Saliling Librada, Arlene from the ambassador but of course of all Kuwait-bound workers, Castillo Manzano, Devine Riche we have to see the response transDoLE spokesman Rolly Francia Encarnacion, Patrick Sunga, [and] lated into action, meaning protection of our OFWs,” Cayetano said. said in a Facebook post. Mira Luna Juntilla.” Duterte on Thursday said he The order, issued late afterEarlier on, despite President noon, took effect immediately, Rodrigo Duterte’s warning, For- was considering a total ban on the Francia said. eign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano deployment of OFWs to oil-rich DOLE Administrative Order said while he supported his former Kuwait following what he called No. 25, Series of 2018 directed election running mate’s concern, the “unacceptable” deaths of four the POEA “to suspend the pro- Cayetano said they were not seek- Filipinas there. “We have lost about four Filipicessing of OECs for deployment ing any total ban “for now.” in Kuwait.” “The Chief Diplomat is always no women in the last few months. This was made “in the interest of the President, because he deter- It’s always in Kuwait,” Duterte justice, pending the investigation of mines the foreign policy. That’s said said.

Bid opening shall be on February 7, 2018, 10:00AM at Conference Room, Limay Municipal Building, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’representatives who chooseto attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Municipality of Limay, reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

10. For further information, please refer to:

Intramuros, Manila

MR. ROLANDO C. GOMEZ BAC Secretariat Office Limay Municipal Building Limay, Bataan (SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC CHAIRMAN

(MS-JAN. 20, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan Municipality of LIMAY INVITATION TO BID PROVISION OF Manpower SERVICES FOR LIMAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Bids and Awards Committee, Municipality of LImay, through the Special Education Fund intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item:

The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay, intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item: Item 1

Sources of Fund

Item / Description Location Provision of Limay, M a n p o w e r Bataan Services for Limay Public Schools

SEF FUND

Contract Duration

Approved Budget for the Contract

Cost of Bid Documents

12 Months

12,963,173.40

15,000.00

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 3.

The Bids and Awards Committe will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 24, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Conference Room, Municipality of Limay, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before February 7, 2018, 10:00 AM, BAC Office, 2nd Floor, Limay, Municipal Building, Limay, Bataan. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptableforms stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on February 7, 2018, 11:00AM at Conference Room, Limay Municipal Building, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’representatives who chooseto attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE CONDUCT OF A PUBLIC HEARING FOR DETERMINATION OF FACTUAL BASIS TO SUSPEND THE MAY 14, 2018 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS (BSKE) IN THE WHOLE OF MINDANAO. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

In view of the Resolution of Both Houses No. 13 (For Further Extension of the Proclamation of Martial Law and the Suspension of the Privilege of Writ of Habeas Corpus of the Whole of Mindanao for a period of one year from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 or for Such Other Period), the Commission En Banc hereby ORDERS, as follows: 1.

To CONDUCT a Public Hearing on 22 January 2018, Garden Orchid Hotel, 7000 Gov. Carmins Ave., Zamboanga City; and on 29 January 2018, Alnor Hotel and Convention Center, Alnor Commercial Center, Sinsuat Ave., Cotabato City, at 2:00 p.m.

To direct the Office of the Clerk of the Commission to NOTIFY the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Youth Commission, Liga ng mga Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, NonGovernmental Organization, Civil Society Organizations and accredited citizens’ arms of this Order;

To direct the concerned field offices to POST this Order immediately in conspicuous places.

To direct the Office of the Clerk of the Commission to FURNISH the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) copy of this Order; and

To direct the Education and Information Department (EID) to PUBLISH this Order in three (3) newspapers of general circulation once a week for two consecutive weeks.

Any interested party may file a verified opposition, on or berfore the scheduled hearing at the Office of the Regional Election Director of Region IX, Zamboanga City, and at the Office of the Regional Election Director, ARMM, Cotabato City. Pre-marking of evidence shall be conducted by the Office of the Clerk of the Commission, as follows:

DATE

TIME

VENUE

22 January 2018

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Garden Orchid Hotel

29 January 2018

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Alnor Hotel and Convention Center

SO ORDERED. Given this 20th day of December 2017, in the City of Manila, Philippines. FOR THE COMMISSION

MR. ROLANDO C. GOMEZ BAC Secretariat Office Limay Municipal Building Limay, Bataan (SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC CHAIRMAN

(MS-JAN. 20, 2018)

E.M. NO. 17-010 (BRGY)

ORDER

10. For further information, please refer to:

CHRISTIAN ROBERT S. LIM Acting Chairman (MS-JAN. 20, 2018)

MMDA resumes road reblocking and repairs By Joel E. Zurbano

EN BANC

Cayetano said Duterte had instructed him that Kuwait and other countries would make sure that Filipinos working there were protected. “Basically, his instruction to me is to make it clear to the world Filipinos are happy to work for you, happy to serve you, happy to be in your country. We will endeavor… but treat us humanely, humanely means as human beings,” Cayetano said. “We are not property. We are not inanimate things.” he said. Based on the DFA data, there are more than 250,000 Filipinos in Kuwait and majority of them work as household service workers. More than 2.3 million Filipinos opted to work abroad and of that figure 8-million were already residing there. Majority of these figures were working in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

THE Metro Manila Development Authority announced on Friday the resumption of road reblocking and other repairs along major thoroughfares in the metropolis. The Department of Public Works and Highways resumed the road works Friday night after the MMDA lifted last Jan. 16 the moratorium it imposed on diggings and repairs in anticipation of a monstrous traffic in Metro Manila during the recent holidays. In its advisory, the MMDA public information office stated that the DPWH National Capital Region Office would undertake road reblocking and repairs starting 11 p.m. of Jan. 19 until Jan. 22 in these areas: Quezon City 1. Southbound middle and inner lanes of A. Bonifacio Avenue from Bulusan Street to Calavite Street 2. Northbound inner lane of Visayas Avenue in front of NFA 3. Northbound 5th lane of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue from

Howmart to Oliveros 4. Northbound 3rd lane of Congressional Avenue Extension, Miranilla Gate 5. Northbound intermittent 2nd lane of C.P. Garcia Avenue from P. Castañeda Street to Pook 6. Northbound 1st lane of Congressional Avenue from Edsa to Cagayan, and 7. Northbound inner lane of Quirino Highway near Sacred Heart of Jesus; and Caloocan City 8. Northbound lane of Bonifacio Monumento Circle “All affected roads will be fully passable by 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22. Motorists are advised to avoid the said areas and use alternate routes instead,” the MMDA-PIO advisory said. Last November, the MMDA imposed a moratorium prohibiting road diggings in the National Capital Region to provide relief to commuters and motorists during the holiday season when traffic was expected to be heavy.

Closure of Tacloban airport won’t affect 8 PAL flights THE Philippine Airlines has announced the scheduled closure of Daniel Romualdez Airport in Tacloban from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. beginning Friday until Wednesday next week will not affect eight PAL flights to and from Manila and Cebu during that period. The PAL flights operating from Jan. 19 to 24 are PR 2981 with estimated time of departure (ETD) from Manila at 4:45 a.m. and estimated time of arrival (ETA) in Tacloban at 6 a.m.; PR 2987 Manila—Tacloban (ETD 2:20 p.m./ETA 3:35 p.m.); PR 2988 Tacloban—Manila (ETD 6:40 p.m. /ETA: 7:55 p.m.); PR 2236 Cebu —Tacloban (ETD 8:30 a.m./ETA: 9:15 a.m.); PR 2237 Tacloban—Cebu (ETD 9:35 a.m./ETA 10:20 a.m.); PR 2238 Cebu—Tacloban (ETD 4:30 p.m./ETA 5:15 p.m.), and PR 2239 Tacloban—Cebu (ETD: 5:35 p.m./ETA 6:20 p.m.). PAL Corporate Communications Department officer and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said the following flights would not affect the scheduled closure of the Tacloban Airport imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. “The following flights from Jan. 19 to 24 are operational,” she said. The runway closure in Tacloban is being carried out to give way to runway repair and rehabilitation. “We will provide updates on the Tacloban runway as we seek the understanding of the flying public on the current situation,” said Villaluna. CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said the agency ordered the scheduled closure on the said dates to give way for the emergency repair of damaged runway and ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers. “CAAP ordered the closure to repair potholes on the runway due to the degradation of surface caused by continuous rain in the past weeks,” he said. Joel Zurbano

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

James, Curry captain All-Star teams L OS ANGELES—LeBron James and Stephen Curry led the voting for NBA All-Star Game starters announced Thursday and will serve as team captains in the league’s new-look mid-season exhibition on February 18. Cleveland Cavaliers superstar James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, was the top vote-getter among fans in the Eastern Conference and overall, garnering 2,638,294 votes. He will therefore get to choose first when the

captains pick their teams from the 10 starters named Thursday and the reserves to be selected by NBA coaches. Golden State Warriors star Curry led the balloting in the Western Conference with 2,379,494 fan votes.

“Captain huh? Really Appreciate all the votes from the fans, media and players! Honored to be an All-Star,” Curry tweeted shortly after the starters were named. The captains can choose players from either conference as the game moves away for the first time from its East versus West format. The new approach adds some intrigue, with James having first dibs, for instance, on Curry’s teammate Kevin Durant

or his own former teammate Irving. But the selection process won’t be held in public, the NBA opting to hold that schoolyard-style process behind closed doors and announce the results. Among the starters named Thursday, James will be making his 14th consecutive All-Star appearance. Other Eastern Conference players elected in voting by fans, players and a media panel are the Milwaukee Bucks’ Greek

star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Australian-born American Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics, the Toronto Raptors’ DeMar DeRozan and the Philadelphia 76ers’ Cameroonian star Joel Embiid. Embiid edged out New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia and Celtics center Al Horford from the East for the final frontcourt spot. Joining Curry in gaining starting nods from the West are Golden State

teammate Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets star James Harden and two New Orleans Pelicans players—Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins beat out Warriors Draymond Green and San Antonio Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge for a frontcourt spot. NBA coaches will name the reserves on Tuesday, and the teams will be announced next Thursday, after the captains make their selections. AFP

Rockets topple Wolves; Cavs win LOS ANGELES—Eric Gordon scored 30 points and James Harden added 10 in his return from injury as the Houston Rockets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 11698 on Thursday. Harden was back in the lineup after missing seven games with a left hamstring strain and finished with 10 points on threeof-15 shooting. He played 26 minutes and also had seven assists, two steals and two blocks. Chris Paul had 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and Clint Capela added 20 points in the win. Houston has won 15 of the past 17 meetings with Minnesota, including a 10game winning streak at home. Coming into the NBA contest, Harden was leading the league in scoring (32.3 points) and ranked third in assists (9.1). He suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of a double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 31.

Harden also extended his streak of double-digit scoring games to 227, the second-longest active streak behind Cleveland’s LeBron James (834). Gordon’s three-pointer helped the Rockets finish the third quarter on a 16-4 run to take an 89-70 lead into the fourth with their largest advantage of the game. With Rockets forward Trevor Ariza sitting out the first part of a two-game suspension for a postgame locker room incident on Monday in Los Angeles, Luc Mbah a Moute started in Ariza’s spot, scoring 14 points. Along with Ariza, guard Gerald Green was also serving the first of a two-game suspension for the altercation with the Clippers. Jimmy Butler led Minnesota with 23 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 16 rebounds and five blocks. Andrew Wiggins finished with 16 points. AFP

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Isaiah Thomas of the Cleveland Cavaliers react to a foul against the Orlando Magic at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

Ariza, Green banned for 2 games NEW YORK—Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza and guard Gerald Green were each suspended two games by the NBA on Wednesday for a hostile confrontation with rivals in their opponents’ locker room. The incident took place after the Los Angeles Clippers beat the visiting Rockets 113-102 on Monday. A league investigation that included more than 20 interviews with coaches, players staff and executives from both teams plus arena personnel determined Ariza and Green entered the Clippers’ locker room just after the game and engaged in what an NBA statement called “a hostile, verbal altercation” with several Clippers players. The probe also concluded that fellow Rockets players James Harden and Chris Paul, a former Clipper, followed Ariza and Green into the corridor outside the opposing locker room in a bid to calm the situation and will not face disciplinary action. Ariza and Green will be suspended for Thursday’s Houston home game against Minnesota and a Saturday home showdown against the defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors. They can return for a Monday home game against Miami. The bans mar a weekend feature matchup pitting the Warriors, with the NBA’s best record at 36-9, against their nearest Western Conference rival in the Rockets, who are 30-12.

Galaxy Battles headline massive sports weekend on S+A Ateneo renews

IT’S going to be another slammin’ and bangin’ weekend for Kapamilya sports fans as ABS-CBN S+A delivers the biggest sporting events from local and international basketball to mixed martial arts, European club football, and eSports. Alab Pilipinas goes for another streak Firing off all the intense action on Saturday (Jan. 20) will be the ASEAN Basketball League match between the CSL Knights Indonesia and Tanduay-Alab Pilipinas, airing LIVE from the GOT Kertajaya Surabaya in Indonesia on S+A and S+A HD starting at 8 p.m. Fans can expect ABL reigning MVP Bobby Ray Parks and world import Justin Brownlee to lead Alab Pilipinas in getting another winning streak going after their huge win against one of the league’s best scoring teams, Thai-

land’s Mono Vampire basketball club last Sunday (Jan. 14). Alab’s 114-87 beating of the 2015 Thailand Basketball League champion and current number two team in the ABL, surely sent a warning to the other teams in the ABL on what coach Jimmy Alapag’s boys can do to their opponents. Catalan aims for 1st Pinoy win in ONE Championship for 2018 After the hardcourt action, we head into the cage as ONE Championship’s latest fight card, dubbed “Kings of Courage,” goes LIVE from the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia this Saturday (Jan. 20) at 10 p.m. On the line for the card’s main event will be the inaugural Women’s Strawweight World Championship which will be contested by Singapore’s unbeaten Tiffany “No Chill” Teo (7-0, 2 KOs) and

China’s Jingnan “The Panda” Xiong (10-1, 7KOs). Meanwhile, Filipino Rene Catalan (3-2) looks to open the year on a winning note for the Pinoy fighters when he goes up against Chinese fighter Xuen Peng (1-1) in the undercard. EPL and La Liga fever continues On the other hand, things will heat up in England on Sunday (Jan. 21) as Manchester City and Manchester United take on different foes to improve their respective standings in the EPL table. The Sky Blues will take the field first in Etihad Stadium against a visiting Newcastle side, as they try to further their lead which stands at 12 points clear of the Red Devils, LIVE on S+A at 1:25 a.m. Meanwhile, Man U’s match against Burnley will be telecast

right after the Man City-Newcastle tiff at 3:30 a.m. In “La Liga,” also catch Cristiano Ronaldo as he tries to lead Real Madrid back to its winning ways against Deportivo also on Sunday (Jan. 21) at 11:10 p.m. LIVE on S+A. Battle of NBA powerhouse teams From world-class football, fans can shift to elite basketball action with the Golden State Warriors facing off once more with the Houston Rockets in what can be a preview of the Western Conference Playoffs this Sunday (Jan. 21), with the game airing LIVE at 9:30 a.m. on S+A and S+A HD. The last time the two teams went at each other, the Warriors’ swissarmy knife star Draymond Green dropped a triple-double in a 124114 victory. Replays of the game will be aired at 12 noon.

eSports arrives on free TV Last but not the least, is the groundbreaking LIVE airing of the “Galaxy Battles: Emerging Worlds” DoTA 2 tournament finals later in the afternoon at 3 pm LIVE from the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. The eSports spectacle has the entire gaming community of the Philippines waiting in bated breath to see popular international DoTA 2 teams like OG and our very own TNC squad in a battle of tactics, brains, and concentration in the virtual battleground. Shoutcasters like Nico “Kuyanic” Nazario, Jaz “Heneral Tuna” Comoda, and Bianca “Biancake” Yao, who are regularly seen on WomboXcombo, will be on deck in the event that is the fruit of ABS-CBN Integrated Sports’ and gaming talent agency Tier One’s partnership to bring eSports to free TV.

World Slasher lures huge cast OVER 300 hundred entries and counting are registered and ready to rumble in this year’s first edition World Slasher Cup (WSC) to be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum from Jan. 29 to Feb. 7. Excitement is brewing among top gamefowl experts and breeders as to which of their prized bloodlines will bring home the prestigious title and the hefty pot money along with it. Hosted by the Pintakasi of Champions and supported by B-Meg, Thunderbird, Petron, and Excellence Poultry and

Livestock Specialists, WSC is the most prestigious international derby known to aficionados as the Olympics of Cockfighting. Top local breeders and their foreign counterparts will soon be introduced to the public in the upcoming press conference at the deluxe businessman’s hotel, Novotel Manila-Araneta Center. Passionate participants, the best breeds, and clean fights—these are still the landmark characteristics that make the WSC a cut above the rest. Past champions have signed up for the upcoming derby, as

well as cockfighting enthusiasts and breeders from California, Utah, Tennessee, Georgia, Washington, and Alabama are the latest contenders from the United States. For participants, this year’s World Slasher Cup 9-cock invitational derby begins with the 2-cock Eliminations from January 29-31. Qualifiers will them move on to the 3-cock SemiFinals set on Feb. 1 to 3. Individual entries with scores of 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5 points qualify for the 4-cock Pre-Finals. Entries with scores of 4, 4.5 and 5 will compete for the top

Passionate participants, the best breeds, and clean fights—these are still the landmark characteristics that make the WSC a cut above the rest.

prize in the 4-cock Grand Finals on Feb. 7. For those who want to catch the fights, tickets to the 2018 World Slasher

Cup are now on sale at the Ticketnet Box Office beside the Yellow Gate at the Araneta Coliseum Circle. For ticket inqui-

ries, call 911-5555. For more information, visit www.worldsashercup.ph, or @WorldSlasherCupOfficial on Facebook.

Responders face Magis in UNTV Cup

The PNP Responders’ Rodel Ongutan collars the rebound during their game against the AFP Cavaliers.

THE DEFENDING champion PNP Responders and two-time champion Judiciary Magis clash on the UNTV Cup hard court in the second game on Sunday, 3:30 p.m. at the Pasig City Sports Center,. “Alam naman natin ang PNP kailangang magpapanalo. Ang susunod naming game PNP, so kailangan naming magpanalo ng straight para maka-no 2 or 3 spot kami,” said Judiciary coach Joey Yabut. The Magis will try to

Games On Sunday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. - GSIS vs NHA 3:30 p.m. - Judiciary vs PNP 5 p.m. - Malacañang-PSC vs Senate

stop two-time Most Valuable Player Ollan “The Sniper” Omiping and Season 5 Finals’ MVP Harold Sta. Cruz. “Si Omiping pa rin. Macontain namin siya, siguro malaki ang chance namin. Pati si Sta. Cruz, dapat mastop,” Yabut added.

The Responders, with a 4-4 win-loss standing, are on the verge of being kicked out of the competition. If the cops win against the Magis, they will still have to face runner-up team Malacañang-PSC Kamao next. If the PNP fails to win any of its two remaining games, it will be goodbye for the Responders. In other games, GSIS takes on NHA at 2 p.m., while Malacanang-PSC battles Senate at 5 p.m.

rivalry with UP in UAAP football ATENEO renews its rivalry with University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 80 men’s football tournament on Feb. 4 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The back-to-back title-seeking Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons clash in the final offering of the opening matchday at 4 p.m. In other games, Far Eastern University clashes with University of Santo Tomas at 9 a.m., while National University takes on University of the East at 1:30 p.m. The opening match will feature two of the top national under-22 players in Ateneo’s Jarvey Gayoso, last season’s MVP, and UP’s King Miyagi. Gayoso was the lone goalscorer when the Eagles won the championship at the expense of the Tamaraws last year, while Miyagi’s hat trick powered the Maroons to a 4-1 romp of Ateneo two seasons ago. Action resumes Feb. 8 at the same Malate venue, with the Thursday televised matches between De La Salle and FEU at 4 p.m., and UP and UE at 2 p.m. Adamson University and UST collide in the morning match at 9 a.m. The first meeting between fierce rivals Ateneo and De La Salle will be on Feb. 15—a televised duel at 4 p.m. The Finals’ rematch between the Eagles and the Tamaraws will be on March 4 at 1:30 p.m. Women’s division hostilities will kick off on Feb. 3, as UP tackles Ateneo at 9 a.m. followed by FEU-UST tussle at 2 p.m. De La Salle drew an opening-day bye, as the Lady Archers open their titleretention bid against the Lady Maroons at 3 p.m. on Feb. 10.

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

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

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

Sports

BITE MY DUST TOPS COMMISSIONER’S CUP. Veteran jockey Jesse B. Guce steers Bite My Dust to a commanding six-length win in the Philippine Racing Commission’s first big salvo for the year—the 2018 Philracom Commissioner’s Cup at the Philippine Racing Club Inc.’s Saddle & Clubs Leisure Park in Naic, Cavite Sunday. The win in the stakes race held in honor of former Philracom Commissioner and Executive Director Francisco Paulino V. Cayco was worth P900,000 for owner Nicomedes Cruz.

GlobalPort overwhelms Blackwater 5, 101 to 76 By Elmer Manuel

Games today (Cuneta Astrodome) 4:30 p.m. – Kia vs. Rain or Shine 6:45 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Magnolia

LOBALPORT got back to its winning ways as it blasted Blackwater, 10176 in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Pier’s game last night that Cuneta Astrodome last night. they afforded to bring in their Fresh from a 78-70 victory over Rain or Shine in their last outing, the Batang Pier notched their first back-to-back win despite still missing the services of Terrence Romeo. They improved to a 2-2 winloss record. The Elite, on the other hand, suffered their second straight loss and fell to a 2-3 card. An explosive first half was all Globalport needed to put away Blackwater for good, erecting a com-

San Beda gains share of volley lead CESCA Racraquin unleashed a triple-double performance as she powered San Beda College to a 25-23, 25-14, 22-25, 25-15 win over Mapua yesterday and into a share of the lead with reigning women’s titlist Arellano University in the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City. Racraquin was all over the place as she unloaded 19 hits, including 17 on kills while coming through with 17 digs and 13 receptions for her third triple-double of the season that helped the Lady Red Spikers nail their fourth straight triumph and the joint lead with the Lady Chiefs. Ma. Nieza Viray, Trisha Paras, Satriani Espritu and Maria Jiezela Viray contributed 14, 13, 10 and 10 hits, respectively, to provide Racraquin, who honed her playing by playing both spiker and libero positions for Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League, the needed back up. The Lady Cardinals skidded to their fourth loss in a row. In men’s action, the Red Spikers trounced the Cardinals, 25-18, 28-26, 26-28, 25-20, to zoom to solo second with a 3-1 record behind co-leaders Perpetual Help and Arellano University, which are both unbeaten in four outings. Mark Christian Enciso uncorked a match-best 25 points, including 22 off kills. Mapua fell to 2-2.

manding 61-37 advantage at the break with Sean Anthony, Stanley Pringle and Kelly Nabong taking charge for the Batang Pier’s offense, while limiting the Elite to only 14 points in the second period. That breakaway by Globalport proved to be the turning point as it sustained the lead in the second half against a visibly weary Blackwater squad, who played its third game in seven days. So strong was the Batang

second stringers—and all of them delivered points. Anthony topscored for Globalport with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Pringle, on the other hand, turned in a doubledouble performance of 17 points and 11 rebounds and was the biggest factor in the Batang Pier’s offensive run. Nabong chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds. Globalport coach Pido Jarencio noted the string of games Blackwater played this week and they just took

advantaged of it. “Naglaro sila ng back-toback-to-back, so we just kept on running,” said Jarencio. “We pressured them.” “We hit our target, just played good defense all the way, and yan ang result,” added Jarencio, as the Batang Pier recorded their second largest winning margin in franchise history, just a shade below their 108-78 rout of NLEX last June 2015 in the Governors’ Cup that year, also under Jarencio. Mac Belo and Mike Digregorio were the only Blackwater players in double figures, finishing with 17 and 15 points, respectively. Meanwhile, the Philippines is looking to make waves by parading the best

team possible when it hosts the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup on June 8 to 12 at Philippine Arena. With still a few months to go before tournament, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is already in the process of coming up with a competitive roster. The scores: Globalport (101)—Anthony 22, Pringle 17, Nabong 16, Grey 8, Taha 7, Juico 6, Gabayni 6, Flores 4, Guinto 4, Arana 4, Elorde 4, Sargent 3. Blackwater (76)—Belo 17, Digregorio 15, Sena 9, Pinto 8, Erram 8, Jose 8, Palma 6, Javier 3, Cruz 2, Cortez 0, Banal 0, Sumang 0, Marcelo 0, Neypes 0. Quarterscores: 28-23, 61-37, 79-54, 101-76.

Vargas’ lawyers ask court to direct POC to hold polls LAWYERS for Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines President Ricky Vargas Friday filed a motion before Judge Maria Gracia Cadiz-Casaclang of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 155 asking it to direct the Executive Board of the Philippine Olympic Committee to conduct Special Elections for the positions of president and chairman on Feb. 23. Vargas and Rep. Abraham Tolentino of Cycling, filed their candidacies for president and chairman, respectively, for the 2016 POC elections but were disqualified by the POC Comelec composed of chairman Frank Elizalde and members Bro. Bernard Oca andCong. Conrado Estrella III. This allowed then incumbent president Jose “Peping”Cojuangco Jr. to run for re-election unopposed. The position of chairman had no other candidate. Vargas and Tolentino filed and won a decision from the same court dated December 1 declaring the election held on Nov. 25, 2016 null and void. Judge Cadiz-Casaclang said the interpretation of the term “active member,” a requirement for candidates by the POC Committee on Elections, was erroneous and that the said committee had no right to interpret the by-laws in the first place. Lawyers from the Angara, Abello, Concepcion, Regala and Cruz Law Firm, representing Vargas, also said that since the initial order of the judge was immediately executory, there was nothing else to do for the POC but conduct elections on Feb. 23 for the positions of president and chairman only. ACCRA lawyer George SD. Aquino said “we requested the court to already direct the POC executive board and the election committee to do all necessary acts to effect the election. We believe this is a ministerial act of said POC committee to follow a court order and we are confident said elections will be held forthwith.” The POC board announced Wednesday that they will appeal the original decision before the Court of Appeals, but Vargas’ lawyers said the decision is still “immediately executory” even if such an appeal is filed.

P1B budget set for SEAG venues By Peter Atencio A BUDGET reaching the P1-billion mark will be allocated for repair, renovation and construction of facilities that will be used for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Sen. Joel Vilanueva said this is because facilities that will be used for the Games must meet international standards. As vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Villanueva said they have managed to augment the budget after coordinating with the Philippines Sports Commission. “We are looking into this and coordinating with Secretary (Allan Peter) Cayetano,” said Villanueva. Villanueva, who is from Bulacan, said this is exciting development for his province since the Games will be held mostly in the Central Luzon area. He talked about the Philip-

pines’ SEAG hosting following Thursday’s launch of the FIBA 3x3 World that will also be held in the Philippine Arena. Cayetano, the SEA Games 2019 Organizing Committee chairman, recently tasked working group member Julian Camacho to join an ocular inspection last Monday in Clark Field,Pampanga. “We are capitalizing on Clark, Subic and the Philippine Arena when it comes to infrastructure,” added Villanueva. So far, a track oval and an aquatic center are now being constructed. They are expected to be finished by the end of the year. Camacho was in Pampanga to visit the venues of the Games with Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia.

Ababa seizes 2-shot ICTSI lead GEN. TRIAS, Cavite – Jhonnel Ababa tamed the wind at the back and battled back from three down with a two-under 70 then watched Elmer Salvador crumble in a gusty finish to grab a two-stroke lead in the third round of the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational at the Aoki course here yesterday. Tied with his fellow Davaoeno halfway through the $100,000 event, Ababa fell by three as the former hit three birdies in a fivehole stretch from No. 6 but the latter struck back with a third straight birdie on No. 12 then made a tap-in on the par-5 16th to draw level. He played through the wind in the last two holes and came up with pars, including a bunker-save on the 17th, while Salvador came in ruffled by the gusts, missed the last two greens and made bogeys, enabling Ababa to seize control at

209, moving 18 holes away from snapping a long title spell and joining the elite Filipino circle of winners on the inaugural Philippine Golf Tour Asia. “The wind was strong and blowing from all direction so I just played it through and went for pars,” said Ababa, who after an even 36 at the front birdied No. 12 for the third straight day then barely missed an eagle on the 16th. In contrast, Salvador, after a strong start, wavered in tough condition and lost his putting touch, bogeying No. 12 then failing to recover and fumbled with those closing birdies. He turned in a second straight 72 and dropped to second at 211. “My putting went off at the back and it was tough out there with the strong wind,” rued Salvador, who looked headed for an explosive round after birdying

Nos. 6 and 10, both for the third time, that sandwiched his other birdie feat on No. 8. Justin Quiban, who moved within two of the erstwhile leaders with a 69 Thursday, stayed within striking distance despite a run of pars after seven holes. But the recent CAT Open winner at Luisita triple-bogeyed No. 8 and limped at the back with a38, finishing with a horrible 77 to slip to joint sixth at 218 with Tony Lascuña and Thai Tommy Mansuwan, who also hobbled in exacting condition that saw only three players break par with 74 and 75, respectively. That reduced the battle for the top $17,500 purse in the sixth leg of the PGT Asia put up by ICTSI to Ababa and Salvador as the now third-running Joenard Rates, runner-up to Quiban at Luisita, lay four strokes off Ababa at 213 after a 71.

Jhonnel Ababa hits a superb bunker shot to save par on No. 17 on his way to grabbing a 2-shot edge over Elmer Salvador

Edmund passes physical test to reach Final 16

Britain’s Kyle Edmund hits a return against Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili during their men’s singles third round match on day five of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2018. AFP

M E L B OU R N E — B r i tain’s Kyle Edmund came through a gruelling physical test to reach the round of 16 for the first time at the Australian Open Friday, admitting the match took a lot out of him. The 49th-ranked Edmund fought back, taking the last two sets in blistering heat to win 7-6 (7/0), 3-6, 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 in 3hr 34min on Show Court Two against Nikoloz Basilashvili. “It’s really hard to put if it’s the best win or not. For sure, the physical test was a great win for me,” Edmund said.

“Best-of-five sets in that kind of heat, really good for my career and my confidence going forward, for sure. “Physically and mentally that type of match takes a lot out of you. Just to keep fighting and chipping away. The heat zaps the energy out of you.” Edmund turned the match by coming out on top in a marathon 20-minute second game in the fourth set, which ebbed and flowed for 15 deuces with the British player taking it on his eighth break point. From there he powered on and edged out the Geor-

gian in a tight fifth set. “Yeah, probably the longest game in my career,” Edmund said. “I mean, sets get played as quick as that. That game actually worked out to be a very key game, because that game was a set from him.” Edmund, who upset 11th seed Kevin Anderson in the opening round and followed it up with a win over Denis Istomin, will now face Italian Andreas Seppi in Sunday’s fourth round. “It’s a fresh match. Doesn’t really matter about head-to-heads or what their number is in the bracket next

to their name,” Edmund said of his next challenge. “There are a lot of seeds that have gone out. I have to be ready for battle. That’s the way I look at it.” Edmund, the only British man in the main draw after Andy Murray’s injury withdrawal, reached the round of 16 at the 2016 US Open where he fell to Novak Djokovic. The British player hit 20 aces among his 70 winners and broke Basilashvili’s serve seven times from 27 opportunities for his second career win over the Georgian. AFP

8990 sees P2-b sales from its 2nd Cebu condo

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

Govt raises $2b from US bonds By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Philippines successfully sold Friday $2 billion worth of 10-year US dollar bonds due 2028 in the international market, garnering strong support from investors.

The Finance Department said in a statement the transaction marked the ﬁrst time the Philippines issued a 10-year US dollar bond since 2014. “The strong support that this 10-year global

bond ﬂoat has received in the international capital markets is a testament to the deepening investor conﬁdence in the country’s newfound status under the Duterte presidency as one of the world’s

fastest-growing economies,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said. The new bonds were priced at par with a coupon of three percent against the initial guidance of 3.3 percent. The bonds received an investment grade rating from Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s. “The capital raised from this bond ﬂoat plus the additional revenue take from the newly-implemented

TRAIN Law will help bankroll President Rodrigo Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program to modernize the country’s infrastructure, sharpen its global competitiveness and sustain rapid—and inclusive— growth as well as ﬁnancial inclusion for all Filipinos,” Dominguez said. Citigroup and Standard Chartered Bank acted as dealer managers for the Switch exercise and acted as joint global coordina-

tors for the New Bond issuance. Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered Bank, and UBS acted as joint deal managers and book runners for the issuance of the New Bonds. “The settlement of the new bond offering is expected to occur on Feb. 1, 2018,” the Treasury earlier said. Proceeds are expected to help cover the govern-

AYALA-ETON PARTNERSHIP.

Ayala Land Inc. and partner Eton Properties Philippines Inc. hold a groundbreaking ceremony for a mixeduse sustainable estate— Parklinks. Located in Pasig and Quezon City, the 35-hectare development is envisioned to be the property developers’ greenest urban estate, with 50 percent of the total land area devoted to open spaces. A the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) EPPI chief operating officer Jess Lucas, EPPI president Bong Tan, ALI president and CEO Bobby Dy, ALI chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala, LT Group CEO and chairman Lucio Tan, LT Group president and COO Michael Tan, ALI senior vice president and Strategic Landbank Management Group head Meean Dy, LT Group CFO Che Che Olives and ALI SVP and CFO Toti Bengzon.

LandBank keen on acquiring majority of bond exchange By Darwin G. Amojelar LAND Bank of the Philippines said it is keen on acquiring a majority stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp., the country’s ﬁxed-income trading platform. LandBank president and chief executive Alex Buenaventura recommended the acquisition of at least 66.67 percent of the PDS in a letter to the bank’s board. LandBank currently owns 1.56 percent of PDS through the Bankers Association of the Philippines. “On 15 June 2017, BAP

signed a share purchase agreement allowing the Philippine Stock Exchange to purchase 1,488,902 common shares equivalent to 23.8 percent of the total outstanding stock of PDS for P476,448,640 or at P320 per share,” Buenaventura said in his letter to the board. The price implied a valuation of P2 billion for PDS and a PE ratio of 8.10x based on 2016 PDS earnings, he said. “Research on the ﬁnancials of comparable market infrastructure enterprises in the region and globally

show that such businesses trade at an average LTM PE ratio of 34.1x and 35.8x, respectively ,” Buenavetura said, This indicates that at a price of P320 per share, PDS is undervalued and purchasing PDS shares could be a profitable investment for LBP, he added. Buenaventura said Land Bank would benefit from stable recurring cash flow from the various fees PDS charges to market players as the country’s central securities depository and fixedincome exchange.

He said over 70 percent of the income of PDS was derived from the provision of services as a depository, registry, and financial intermediary and over 20 percent of revenues came from trading services, the latter an area of opportunity as the local bond market matures. “The maturation of the domestic fixed income market, improved financial sophistication of local investors, Asean financial integration, and a high growth economy underpinned on infrastructure development

make PDS an attractive business model. We also foresee potential synergies with LBP’s treasury operating activities as a government securities eligible dealer,” Buenaventura said. Buenaventura requested from the LandBank board an authority to formally engage the Development Bank of the Philippines as the ﬁnancial advisor for the transaction to facilitate the acquisition. “The engagement of DBP is a vital preparatory act to initiate the acquisition process,” he said.

IN BRIEF

OFW Bank formally established

THE government established Friday the first-ever bank dedicated to the needs of overseas Filipino workers that will help unlock investment opportunities. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Overseas Filipino Bank was envisioned to provide a wide array of financial services to overseas Filipinos, especially the country’s migrant workers, so that they would no longer be vulnerable to expensive remittance services and investment scams. Dominguez said in a statement the OFB would handle remittances, support investments made by overseas-based Filipinos, and help build their financial literacy as well as “financial sophistication.” Dominguez asked the office of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to instruct Philippine embassies across the globe to help disseminate the good news about the OFB to overseas-based Filipinos. Alena Mae S. Flores

PPA’s income increases 16%

STATE-RUN Philippine Ports Authority said net income rose 16 percent in the first 11 months of 2017 on higher port revenues. The port authority said net income amounted to P8.31 billion in the January-to November period last year from P7.16 billion yearon-year. “The performance of the PPA is way above expectation as we were able to eclipse almost all forecasted levels of the financial facet of the agency,” PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said. “We expect an even bigger margin when our December figures start to come in. Not only for December but for the entire 2017 considering that we overshoot our targets by at least 10 percent every month until the end of November,” Santiago said. Total revenues during the 11-month period, meanwhile, grew 6.7 percent to P13.846 billion from P12.976 billion collected a year ago. Darwin G. Amojelar

Security Bank revamps IT network

SECURITY Bank Corp.’s digital drive continues to produce practical and innovative banking solutions at par with the evolving business landscape and ﬁnancial behavior of customers. The bank has revamped its entire I.T. network, including the customer-facing front-end, which was redesigned by a group of millennials hired for the purpose. “We intend our efforts to be inclusive so that our services cut across our customers’ proﬁle. We design our digital solutions in such a way that they will cater to the needs of both older-generation clients who prefer to transact over-the-counter and the younger-generation clients who prefer to transact online,” said Security Bank president and CEO Alfonso Salcedo Jr.

OFW BANK LAUNCHED. The Overseas Filipino Bank launched Thursday by President Duterte will provide financial products and services benefiting the needs of Filipinos abroad, specially for their small and medium enterprises. Bacoor, Cavite Rep. Stike Revilla (center), who filed a House Bill 3829 seeking to establish a bank that will address the needs of overseas Filipino workers leads the bank launching. With him are (from left) Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Caesar Dulay, Land Bank of the Philippines president Alex Buenaventura, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Gov. Nestor Espenilla Jr. and Secretary Bong Go. The Bank is located at the Postbank Center in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.

ment’s budget deficit which is expected to account for 3 percent of the gross domestic product this year. Moody’s Investors Service assigned a provisional (P)Baa2 senior unsecured rating to the bond offering. “The rating mirrors the government of the Philippines’ issuer rating of Baa2 with a stable outlook,” the debt watcher said. The government posted a budget deficit of P243.5 billion in the first 11

months of 2017, behind the P482.1-billion deficit target for the year. The government set a record P3.77-trillion budget for 2018 which would help finance major infrastructure projects. Moody’s said improved debt affordability would give the government fiscal space for higher infrastructure spending, which was expected to increase to more than 7 percent of GDP by 2022.

Agriculture production rose by 3.95% in 2017 By Roderick dela Cruz AGRICULTURE production rose 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter, bringing the full-year growth to 3.95 percent on record rice production, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show. The 2017 growth of 3.95 percent was an improvement from a 1.4-percent contraction registered in 2016. Agriculture and fisheries account for about a tenth of the country’s gross domestic product whose full-year data will be released on Jan. 23. Gross value of agriculture production hit P1.71 trillion at current prices in 2017, up from P1.57 trillion in 2016, according to the statistics agency. The PSA said the crops, livestock and poultry subsectors grew last year, while the fisheries sub-sector declined. Crops production increased 6.7 percent in 2017, supported by a 9.4-percent growth in rice harvests and 9.6-percent gain in corn output. Rice harvests reached a record 19.28 million metric tons in 2017, up from 17.63 million MT in 2016. Corn output also increased to 7.9 million MT from 7.2 million MT. Livestock output rose 1.1 percent last year, while the poultry sector expanded 4.6 percent. The fisheries sector sank 1.7 percent. The PSA said the crops, livestock and poultry sub-sectors also grew in the fourth quarter, while the fisheries sub-sector declined. “At current prices, gross value of agricultural production amounted to P500.4 billion [in the fourth quarter], up by 9.27 percent from the previous year’s record,” the agency said. The crops sub-sector recorded a 2.66-percent increase in production and contributed 51.2 percent to the total agricultural output in the fourth quarter.

PH bares common tower policy to improve telecom THE government adopted a common tower policy that will speed up the deployment of cell sites nationwide in a bid to improve the telecommunication services in the country. Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs and ICT Ramon Jacinto said the government decided to implement a common tower policy to roll out more cellular base stations nationwide. A common tower policy means operators will no longer be allowed to build towers but instead lease space from a tower company (TowerCo.). Jacinto said these Tower Cos. would concentrate on rapidly deploying towers to cover the entire Philippine, adequately freeing up the telecom operators. “TowerCo’s are not a new concept around the world and is in fact a policy in many countries, including the US, Indonesia, India and many others. In each country, it has proven to improve the deployment of cellular towers and improve cellular services and coverage,” Jacinto said. “We need a win-win solution that takes away the biggest obstacles of telcom operators as well as removes the headache of obtaining land, permits and constructing and managing cellular towers away from the telecom operators so that they can concentrate on their core businesses—providing the proper service to the Philippine public,” he added. Jacinto said the government was looking at three to four TowerCo’s to roll out cellular towers nationwide. The government’s move came after PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. experienced difﬁculty in constructing cellular towers nationwide. Darwin G. Amojelar

Ayala restructures energy business, creates two holdings companies THE board of Ayala Corp. on Friday approved the restructuring of its energy business that will result in the creation of two whollyowned platforms, namely renewable energy and thermal energy. “We recognize that renewables and conventional power are two distinct businesses that attract different types of investors. This move therefore provides AC Energy a sharper proposition and greater ﬂexibility

in the event that we broaden our investor base for our platforms,” said AC Energy chief executive ofﬁcer Eric Francia. The restructuring will involve the creation of a new holding company—AC Renewables Inc.—the transfer of renewable assets to AC Renewables Inc. and renaming the existing thermal holdings company to ACE Thermal Inc. “These (renewable and thermal) are two distinct businesses, even the sources

of capital which we would need. We view this in a very differentiated manner,” Francia said. He said the company is looking at investing more in renewable energy both locally and internationally in the next three years. “RE that’s where we need to do a lot of heavy lifting, we’re just under 300 MW attributable both locally and internationally. We would like to scale that up to 1,000 MW by 2020,” he said.

Francia said the company’s thermal capacity was around 1,300 megawatts with the financial closing of the second unit of the 1,336-megawatt, coal-fired power plant in Dinginin, Bataan. Ayala has stakes in GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. and GNPower Kauswagan Ltd. Co., which owns the 540 MW coalfired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte. Ayala, meanwhile, will retain AC Energy, which earlier served as the holding

company, as the umbrella brand for its energy group of companies. AC Energy will primarily consist of AC Renewables Inc. and ACE Thermal Inc. “AC Energy has scaled up rapidly over the last ﬁve years, and we believe that having these two exciting platforms will enable focused strategies and accelerate our growth”, said AC Energy chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks rally; BPI leads gainers

HE stock market rallied Friday on selective bargain hunting and on news that the Philippines successfully sold $2 billion in 10-year bonds amid strong demand from international investors.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 95.18 points, or 1.1 percent, to P8,915.92 on a value turnover of P10.02 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 127 to 105, with 54 issues unchanged. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the thirdbiggest lender in terms of assets, surged 7.4 percent to P123.50, while Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of ofﬁce spaces, gained 3.6 percent to P5.13. GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty climbed 6.3 percent to P1,392,

while Wilcon Depot Inc. advanced 4.4 percent to P9.03. The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly rose Friday after another positive week across trading floors but investors’ appetite was being tested by profittaking and worries about a possible US government shutdown. Wall Street came off record highs to end lower as Washington lawmakers bicker over a federal funding deal, which must be passed by midnight on Friday US time. The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday but there are increasing concerns the Republicans do not have enough votes in the Senate to send the budget to President Donald Trump’s desk. Failure to find agreement—with Democrats looking for concessions on immigration—would see various parts of government shut down. Trump told

reporters a closure “could very well” happen. An extended shutdown in 2013 hit the US economy and led to a downgrade of its sovereign debt rating, though analysts are not too concerned at the moment. “As usual, the focus is back on Washington,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Paciﬁc trading at OANDA. “Of course, a government closure will have minimal impact on the US economy and the sun is sure to rise on Monday, but the markets will temporarily wobble in predictable unthinking fashion if lawmakers fail to table a last-minute agreement.” With an eye on developments in Washington, Hong Kong, which has broken to record levels this week, was 0.1 percent lower, while Sydney was down 0.2 percent. Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta all fell.

However, Shanghai climbed 0.4 percent a day after data showed China’s economy grew a forecast-busting 6.9 percent last year, which was much better than the government’s target and the ﬁrst annual increase since 2010. Tokyo ended 0.2 percent higher, while Seoul was 0.2 percent up and Singapore added 0.5 percent. There were also gains in Taipei and Wellington. Unease over Washington’s uncertainty is adding to pressure on the dollar, which is down against its major peers as well as most high-yielding currencies. While the US economy is purring, the greenback has fallen in recent weeks on expectations central banks around the world—buoyed by a global pick-up—are moving towards winding back stimulus measures put in place during the ﬁnancial crisis. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.83 179,000 59.95 11,250 123.5 9,941,610 3.89 27,000 159.5 3,168,840 1.97 1,070,000 36.8 486,400 10 200 15.68 800 31 526,400 9.29 200 0.69 10,000 1.75 134,000 980 240 0.56 1,293,000 100.2 8,853,460 1.23 12,133,000 13.08 60,200 25.9 100 56.65 112,390 241 11,150 109 20 89.3 450 55.65 1,020,880 250 1,165,890 1,976 540 89.1 19,000 1.24 113,000

687,090 671,125 1,195,741,701 104,850 504,953,319 2,132,010 17,975,320 2,000 12,544 16,299,245 1,858 6,970 228,150 235,200 728,340 887,284,447.50 15,585,760 784,756 2,590 6,376,194 2,688,756 2,180 40,190 57,484,405.50 291,503,150 1,066,820 1,694,382 140,140

3,830 553,127 154,794,757 3,910 -51,209,292 3,970 6,072,945 2,000 1,568 5,769,425 1,858.00 0 20 1,770 -141,145,107.50 600,920 -127,404 2,590 -3,899,224 699,750 2,180 1,786 2,217,421.50 -148,747,050 387,790.50 2,500

40.8 10.9 0.62 1.3 17 0.214 128 4.76 16 171.9 53.7 18.8 62 58.5 95 1.89 5.58 10.62 12.36 15.34 13.06 7.95 5.68 1.76 15.88 62.05 29.5 9.99 17.6 1.97 275.2 58.45 4.1 3.01 20.5 27.65 18.1 19.12 326.8 0.2 8.81 2.4 4.81 9.1 6.21 8.2 1.79 12.2 65.5 6.3 546 4.79 2.17 4.08 1.73 15.5 5.4 0.13 1.13 166.6 2.89 2.08 25.15 0.81

INDUSTRIAL 41.5 2,067,200 11.14 1,106,000 0.63 48,000 1.33 306,000 17.62 31,700 0.215 1,710,000 137 3,160 4.8 15,635,500 16.18 1,456,400 171.9 10 54.8 1,622,400 18.8 4,600 62 733,530 58.5 2,150 100 20 1.89 93,000 5.59 21,400 10.92 7,800 12.76 10,074,200 15.34 834,000 13.08 741,000 7.97 493,000 5.68 689,800 1.76 4,000 15.9 2,909,800 62.25 82,680 31.3 1,811,700 10 741,600 17.98 1,887,700 1.97 1,534,000 280 560,060 58.45 40 4.1 177,000 3.03 80,000 20.5 100 27.9 2,273,200 18.12 300,000 19.5 3,518,200 330 180,950 0.2 210,000 8.83 15,500 2.47 15,619,000 4.85 233,000 9.13 1,848,600 6.6 774,500 8.25 1,700 1.81 1,006,000 12.48 270,700 66.2 728,410 6.3 15,500 560 208,670 4.8 66,000 2.17 1,000 4.08 1,000 1.75 534,000 15.7 2,021,400 5.4 171,200 0.13 6,220,000 1.15 146,000 170 780,370 2.9 250,000 2.12 15,079,000 25.15 3,300 0.81 248,000

85,224,800 12,264,890 29,920 399,580 551,584 367,690 412,306 76,978,851 23,573,234 1,719 89,033,298.50 87,000 45,478,860 126,180 1,950 176,430 119,511 85,164 126,904,870 12,845,478 9,794,720 3,931,043 3,924,608 7,060 46,254,172 5,182,541 55,887,930 7,420,335 33,833,626 3,042,210 155,387,768 2,338 725,800 244,780 2,050 63,310,560 5,452,944 68,074,194 59,673,594 42,800 137,389 38,475,950 1,132,180 16,877,181 5,218,964 14,038 1,813,760 3,376,118 48,144,182 97,665 116,359,265 316,870 2,170 4,080 941,240 31,606,988 925,245 815,190 166,730 132,351,138 725,070 31,961,540 91,135 204,140

12,680,555 -26,730 14,890 1,330 10,960 -264,876 18,817,586 1,719 -631,971 1,900 33,047,860 1,950 1,930 1,674 -31,900 98,565,766 2,451,602 -2,462,942 1,821,800 2,042,659 1,770 -15,336,922 1,897,190.50 -464,305 -3,033,531 -13,497,564 1,990 80,820,836 1,753.50 4,200 82,160 2,050 -37,741,800 -374,446 -15,186,924 21,598,888 10,060 4,162,690 90 -3,753,931 1,935 1,678 789,410 4,964 -3,093,204.50 1,905 -23,693,230 4,810 2,170 4,080 -681,370 14,635,670 17,844 9,340 2,300 26,887,532 2,900 2,262,530 2,800 1,660

0.305 78 16.2 1 7.05 0.4 0.46 1,040 1,200 7.6 14.94 7.66 5.5 0.198 1,392 7.78 79.3 6 5.28 5.7 0.7 5.75 23 0.35 6.8 3.59 0.045 1.38 2.08 2.61 133 2.74 1,060 0.81 1.66 200.8 284 0.223 0.185 0.192

0.3 77 15.9 0.95 6.91 0.395 0.445 1,010 1,199 7.41 14.58 7.5 5.5 0.198 1,307 7.71 76.75 5.8 5.28 5.7 0.67 5.61 22.35 0.33 6.72 3.26 0.042 1.24 2.06 2.6 130.2 2.54 1,038 0.78 1.59 200.6 280 0.213 0.182 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.3 230,000 78 740,940 16.2 7,432,400 0.96 126,000 6.91 2,800 0.4 2,030,000 0.45 730,000 1,031 383,875 1,200 60 7.41 1,014,700 14.64 4,668,100 7.66 28,900 5.5 300 0.198 10,000 1,392 206,975 7.71 5,600 79 954,700 5.8 11,200 5.28 100 5.7 300 0.69 459,000 5.61 59,100 23 4,095,200 0.33 90,000 6.8 9,234,600 3.27 3,000 0.043 84,400,000 1.24 1,005,000 2.08 15,000 2.6 4,000 133 536,430 2.74 13,000 1,060 212,160 0.78 18,000 1.6 2,014,000 200.8 110 281 4,200 0.213 160,000 0.182 110,000 0.192 220,000

69,200 57,618,918.50 119,775,846 119,870 19,390 810,150 328,500 394,971,605 71,985 7,548,369 68,346,840 219,606 1,650 1,980 284,172,060 43,245 75,040,147 66,210 528 1,710 309,400 332,160 93,613,480 30,300 62,683,068 10,120 3,592,600 1,312,920 31,120 10,410 70,884,859 33,820 222,701,930 14,130 3,252,080 22,068 1,176,366 34,730 20,170 42,040

3,050 22,109,969.50 12,062,206 2,000 2,115 -67,400 -228,366,810 -822,765 -4,751,312 2,298 1,650 1,980 77,029,730 1,556 32,600,783 1,800 1,710 2,100 -157,575 -43,949,920 3,500 26,037,205 3,590 13,000 2,720 2,080 2,610 -11,185,911 2,740 -39,887,390 2,430 6,420 2,008 179,378 8,920 9,250 9,600

6.25 1.06 17.54 2.3 0.94 44.95 3.94 5.09 5.8 6.09 0.48 1.15 1.16 0.225 0.435 41 0.63 0.14 1.9 1.37 0.8 4.88 5.13 0.33 0.37

6.18 0.99 14.5 2.28 0.91 44.45 3.89 4.98 5.76 6.09 0.475 1.13 1.1 0.217 0.42 40.25 0.63 0.14 1.87 1.36 0.74 4.88 4.95 0.31 0.355

1,851,414 10,890,280 4,411,112 4,580 3,032,710 445,174,305 2,773,910 35,064,331 823,484 1,827 2,704,150 28,590 615,500 4,564,500 641,950 6,013,560 32,760 8,400 3,200,920 1,264,820 369,240 9,760 178,293,570 22,490,400 1,234,950

-360,211 51,460 18,680 2,280 1,880 -2,596,700 1,081,560 1,755,316 729,777 1,827 -452,250 2,300 2,320 230,980 4,350 3,557,705 -31,500 8,400 994,610 -133,260 1,580 4,880 44,575,210 -10,394,150 -69,300

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

3.83 58.4 114.8 3.91 158.2 2 37 10 15.68 31 9.29 0.7 1.7 980 0.57 98.2 1.31 12.98 25.9 57 240 109 89.4 54.7 251.6 1,975 89.9 1.24

4 59.95 123.8 3.91 162 2.04 37 10 15.68 31 9.29 0.7 1.75 980 0.59 101.5 1.38 13.08 25.9 57.05 242 109 89.4 56.5 251.6 1,976 90.2 1.25

3.6 58.4 113 3.88 158 1.97 36.8 10 15.68 30.8 9.29 0.69 1.69 980 0.56 97.9 1.23 12.98 25.9 56.5 236.2 109 89.3 54.5 249.2 1,975 88.1 1.24

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CONCRETE B 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 11.12 0.62 1.32 17.68 0.22 130 5.2 16.14 171.9 54.65 19 62 60 95 1.93 5.58 11 12.36 15.5 13.06 8.02 5.68 1.77 15.9 62.95 32.9 10 17.8 1.97 278 58.45 4.1 3.1 20.5 28.05 18.1 19.36 330.4 0.204 9.27 2.4 4.9 9.1 6.5 8.2 1.8 12.7 66 6.35 555 4.81 2.17 4.08 1.84 15.5 5.4 0.132 1.15 168.1 2.9 2.09 28.9 0.85

41.5 11.18 0.63 1.34 17.9 0.22 140 5.25 16.22 171.9 55 19 62 60 100 1.93 5.59 11 12.76 15.5 13.4 8.02 5.72 1.77 15.92 63 32.9 10.08 18.16 2.02 280 58.45 4.2 3.2 20.5 28.25 18.28 19.5 332.4 0.206 9.27 2.5 4.9 9.2 7 8.39 1.81 12.7 66.45 6.35 560 4.81 2.17 4.08 1.84 15.8 5.48 0.134 1.16 171.2 2.91 2.16 28.9 0.85

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

0.305 77 16 1 7.05 0.395 0.46 1,027 1,199 7.6 14.94 7.66 5.5 0.198 1,307 7.78 77.9 6 5.28 5.7 0.7 5.64 22.95 0.35 6.8 3.59 0.043 1.36 2.08 2.6 131 2.54 1,042 0.81 1.65 200.6 280.2 0.216 0.185 0.192

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 CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES

6.2 1.06 16 2.3 0.94 44.9 3.89 5.04 5.78 6.09 0.48 1.15 1.16 0.218 0.43 40.3 0.63 0.14 1.89 1.36 0.79 4.88 4.97 0.32 0.37

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.59 4.76 35.95 20.3 2.12 3.22 39.4 1.02 9.05 0.83 5.92

0.6 4.81 35.95 20.4 2.12 3.23 39.4 1.06 9.5 0.84 5.95

0.58 4.72 35.95 19.94 2.05 3.22 38.4 1.02 8.46 0.82 5.85

0.59 4.81 35.95 20 2.1 3.22 39 1.06 9.3 0.83 5.95

4,274,000 160,000 100 6,286,500 1,029,000 17,000 9,334,500 4,709,000 55,200 181,000 1,995,300

2,508,500 761,340 3,595 126,070,424 2,137,450 54,760 361,768,600 4,922,870 514,021 151,120 11,829,620

10,500 4,810 3,595 -66,300,780 41,710 10 -101,740,275 2,100 -211,870 1,680 -6,721,424

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 FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

20.8 34.3 1.42 0.45 0.047 11.6 5.37 10.92 0.069 99.35 8.99 8.51 7.5 2.66 56 1,000 1,729 5.97 21.95 12.2 4.74 2.62 111.7 13.62 8.34 0.139 1.4 3.4 15.7 4.09 1.21 21.05 0.52 4.6 8.24 3.65 19 2.91 10.84 10.6 2.9 9.49 107.7 7.2 1,482 1.27 0.375 53.75 99.55 5.63 3.13 1.53 3.42 4.25 1.04 8.67

21.5 34.3 1.43 0.45 0.047 12 5.37 11.18 0.07 99.5 8.99 8.6 8.48 3.05 76.5 1,000 1,745 6 23.65 12.2 4.82 2.64 112.7 13.98 8.34 0.141 1.42 3.4 15.7 4.1 1.21 22.3 0.53 4.7 8.45 3.67 19 4.19 10.86 11 2.9 9.49 107.7 7.24 1,485 1.29 0.375 54 100 5.8 3.13 1.54 3.42 4.27 1.05 9.05

20.6 34 1.38 0.44 0.045 11.6 5.04 10.7 0.069 99.05 8.95 8.42 7.5 2.65 55 1,000 1,722 5.97 21.8 11.2 4.5 2.62 111.4 13.3 8.3 0.139 1.37 3.29 15.6 4 1.14 21 0.52 4.2 8.14 3.63 16.82 2.86 10.84 10.46 2.9 9 105 7.07 1,476 1.27 0.375 53.05 96.1 5.56 3.09 1.51 2.89 4.1 0.99 8.67

SERVICES 21.2 34.05 1.4 0.44 0.046 11.6 5.04 10.72 0.069 99.2 8.99 8.42 8.28 2.86 66.4 1,000 1,725 5.97 21.8 12.18 4.57 2.63 112 13.98 8.33 0.139 1.41 3.39 15.6 4.07 1.15 21.85 0.52 4.21 8.23 3.64 18.4 4.19 10.86 10.5 2.9 9 105 7.07 1,482 1.28 0.375 53.1 98 5.8 3.1 1.51 2.99 4.12 0.99 9.03

114,300 27,300 85,000 800,000 47,800,000 3,200 2,300 13,737,100 2,940,000 424,810 3,700 811,800 827,300 1,535,000 3,133,610 5 45,625 496,400 225,000 900 5,090,000 20,000 389,140 7,200 115,400 5,600,000 659,000 3,000 1,700 469,000 804,000 3,847,300 371,000 1,794,000 5,257,700 701,000 8,500 99,236,000 5,900 36,100 1,000 3,200 184,290 956,000 100,820 1,031,000 30,000 1,569,050 522,840 72,500 369,000 1,501,000 9,964,000 2,289,000 8,427,000 30,965,100

2,415,415 931,310 119,580 353,850 2,214,700 37,200 11,707 149,981,640 202,990 42,151,500.50 33,251 6,883,093 6,710,453 4,437,540 212,815,891 5,000 78,854,315 2,966,451 5,053,015 10,378 23,682,710 52,520 43,628,102 95,992 961,649 780,230 913,570 10,080 26,580 1,885,790 929,390 83,690,255 193,110 7,971,440 43,700,782 2,554,840 149,824 350,907,630 63,962 381,448 2,900 28,898 19,521,567 6,779,417 149,367,610 1,318,580 11,250 83,827,623.50 50,904,645.50 408,040 1,143,620 2,286,420 31,350,840 9,591,830 8,503,750 276,660,158

1,955 1,420 4,500 2,400 3,627 -28,640,916 2,100 4,484,682 1,798 2,548,628 -50,444.00 -84,300 -736,823.50 5,000 -30,937,885 2,285 2,440 713,650 -13,078,708 2,796 -3,323 9,820.00 2,820 3,390 17,160 12,120 2,380 34,698,250 4,620 24,890,415 1,046,740 -6,981,500 3,252 12,780 2,900 1,898 -414,630 -26,295 70,763,745 -696,310 3,750 39,013,544 -9,943,322.50 -110,147 -58,860 552,570 29,040 -226,560 23,410 68,886,173

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

0.0022 1.56 4.95 14.76 1.71 1.59 0.34 7.6 2.58 0.198 0.153 0.159 0.0093 0.01 1.68 6.51 1.45 0.475 0.94 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.32 6.7 8.96 38.4 0.0069

0.0023 1.56 4.95 14.76 1.71 1.59 0.34 7.82 2.6 0.199 0.157 0.159 0.0093 0.01 1.7 6.65 1.47 0.475 0.94 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.4 6.85 9.12 38.7 0.0072

0.0022 1.5 4.91 13.62 1.71 1.57 0.33 7.21 2.52 0.195 0.153 0.157 0.0093 0.01 1.67 6.48 1.4 0.475 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.25 6.61 8.8 38.2 0.0069

MINING & OIL 0.0022 54,000,000 1.52 7,458,000 4.95 88,000 14.68 1,600 1.71 2,000 1.58 719,000 0.33 310,000 7.47 30,400 2.52 3,151,000 0.195 250,000 0.154 9,180,000 0.159 900,000 0.0093 2,000,000 0.01 200,000 1.67 268,000 6.5 2,648,400 1.42 626,000 0.475 20,000 0.93 122,000 0.013 2,800,000 0.013 1,700,000 0.012 64,100,000 2.25 82,000 6.73 368,200 8.84 2,650,800 38.55 999,500 0.0072 6,000,000

118,900 11,413,100 435,220 22,132 3,420 1,133,540 102,400 221,787 8,025,900 48,960 1,420,910 142,100 18,600 2,000 448,840 17,284,896 877,230 9,500 112,670 33,800 21,100 750,000 187,850 2,468,565 23,622,634 38,472,670 41,700

246,400 -24,730 2,952 32,990 3,400 2,346 166,940 17,590 7,950 2,000 1,700 8,904,979 2,840 4,750 1,880 -13,300 52,300 34,231 -588,822.00 606,920 7,200

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C 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 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

33.8 520 519 104 108 115.9 517 530 5.74 1,009 1,020 101.3 1.04 108 1,048 1,139 1,001 105.7 112 2.19 76.7 79.5 76.5 77 79 77 76.25 78.9

34.2 531 527.5 104 108 116 517 530 5.74 1,009 1,020 102 1.06 108 1,048 1,139 1,005 105.7 112 2.19 76.7 79.5 76.5 77 79 77.45 78 78.9

33.75 520 519 103.6 108 115.9 517 530 5.7 1,009 1,016 101.3 1.04 108 1,048 1,098 1,000 105.7 112 2 76.7 79.5 75.8 77 78.65 77 76.25 78.9

PREFERRED 33.75 128,500 531 1,490 527.5 30 103.6 3,560 108 20 115.9 129,270 517 10 530 640 5.7 858,200 1,009 50 1,016 9,085 101.3 4,440 1.06 363,000 108 500 1,048 905 1,098 75 1,005 605 105.7 30 112 20 2.19 11,000 76.7 500 79.5 8,780 75.8 40 77 70 78.65 140,080 77.4 9,910 78 32,700 78.9 32,930

4,337,420 775,580 15,655 370,208 2,160 14,995,293 5,170 339,200 4,905,092 50,450 9,256,560 449,800 381,740 54,000 948,440 83,970 605,050 3,171 2,240 23,710 38,350 698,010 3,053 5,390 11,023,348 767,129.50 2,540,100 2,598,177

-1,235,705 78,110 5,275 2,160 9,272 5,170 10,600 -3,665,933 40,520 9,470 9,720 5,240 5,025 3,171 2,240 2,190 2,301 2,385 2,295 2,310 1,577,370 2,322 2,340 2,367

LR WARRANT

2.54

2.4

WARRANTS 2.4 324,000

780,320

60,100

10,301,955 17,640 314,640 5,474,250

402,082 11,760 38,000 242,830

8,134,972

10,712

50,000

NAME

PROPERTY 6.18 1 14.5 2.28 0.92 44.9 3.9 5 5.8 6.09 0.475 1.13 1.1 0.22 0.43 40.5 0.63 0.14 1.89 1.36 0.74 4.88 5.13 0.315 0.36

298,800 10,756,000 273,000 2,000 3,298,000 9,958,900 710,000 7,008,600 142,300 300 5,680,000 25,000 557,000 20,770,000 1,500,000 148,500 52,000 60,000 1,693,000 930,000 494,000 2,000 35,320,000 70,820,000 3,420,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8.11 2.94 3.58 4.95

8.28 2.94 3.8 4.95

8 2.94 3.55 4.82

FIRST METRO ETF

134

134.5

133.5

USD TECH B2

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL

8.14 2.94 3.56 4.82

SME

1,270,800 6,000 84,000 1,129,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 134.5 60,860 1

DDS

VALUE

45,402,279

3,552,885,280.50

INDUSTRIAL

100,556,476

1,475,759,002.81

HOLDING FIRMS

124,613,334

1,547,983,481.93

PROPERTY

220,694,529

1,531,763,855.87

SERVICES

259,685,378

1,780,948,211.26

MINING & OIL

160,832,974

107,466,714.324

GRAND TOTAL

914,339,962

10,021,068,098.08

50,000

FINANCIAL 2,288.23 (UP) 57.13 INDUSTRIAL 11,866.53 (UP) 59.65 HOLDING FIRMS 9,143.90 (UP) 108.31 PROPERTY 4,035.44 (DOWN) 4.47 SERVICES 1,638.77 (DOWN) 6.27 MINING & OIL 12,027.82 (UP) 1.41 PSEI 8,915.92 (UP) 95.18 All Shares Index 5,151.07 (UP) 35.20 Gainers: 105; Losers: 127; Unchanged: 54; Total: 286

8990 sees P2-b sales from 2nd Cebu condo By Jenniffer B. Austria MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. expects to raise P2 billion in sales from a newly launched mid-rise condominium complex in Tisa, Cebu. The Urban Deca Homes Tisa 2 will consist of 21 four-story buildings offering a total of 1,392 units and targeting the young, working professionals and parents, as well as college students from neighboring provinces who work or study in Cebu City. Buyers have the option of choosing studio-type units with a ﬂoor area of about 26.8 square meters, selling for an average of P1.17 million per unit, or two-bedroom units of about 36.5 sq. m. with an average price of P1.58 million each. 8990 Holdings said it would spend around P800 million for the construction of the project slated for completion by 2021. 8990 Holdings president and chief executive Willie Uy said the strong take-up of its ﬁrst mid-rise condominium complex prompted the company to launch the Urban Deca Homes Tisa 2. “Urban Deca Homes Tisa 1 was well-received by the market due to its affordability combined with a great view of the mountains on one side while overlooking Cebu City and the sea on the other side,” Uy said. Uy noted that Urban Deca Homes Tisa 2 was appealing to its target market because of its close proximity to the Tisa Public Market, Tisa High School, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City Hall and Basilica Del Sto. Niño.

Lending standards in 4th quarter unchanged By Darwin G. Amojelar THE lending standards of Philippine banks to enterprises and households remain unchanged in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to a survey conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. In its Senior Bank Loan Ofﬁcers’ Survey, the Bangko Sentral said most of the respondent banks kept their credit standards for loans to both enterprises and households during the quarter. This is the 35th consecutive quarter since the second quarter of 2009 that the majority of respondent banks reported broadly unchanged credit standards. Most or 88.9 percent of banks that responded to the survey indicated that credit standards for loans to enterprises remained unchanged during the fourth quarter using the modal approach. In terms of borrower ﬁrm size, banks’ responses indicated a net easing of credit standards for loans to microenterprises while credit standards for top corporations, large middle-market enterprises and small and medium enterprises were unchanged. The survey also showed that most respondent banks or 90.5 percent kept their overall credit standards unchanged for loans extended to households during the quarter based on the modal approach. The Bangko Sentral also said most of the respondent banks or 73.7 percent indicated unchanged credit standards for commercial real estate loans in the fourth quarter of 2017.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY extrastory2000@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China prepares for N. Korea crisis D ANDONG, China―China has ramped up the security along its border with North Korea, installing new surveillance cameras, deploying extra security forces and operating radiation detectors as it braces for a potential crisis.

The bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang has raised fears in China of a conﬂict that could send millions of North Korean refugees across the 1,420-kilometer border, and of nuclear fallout that could hit Chinese towns. While the authorities have been coy about the preparations, residents have seen an increase in patrols along the frontier. Radiation monitors are running in border towns, and locals say in-

teractions with North Koreans have been discouraged. A red banner tacked to a border fence in Dandong―a major trading hub separated from North Korea by the Yalu River―has a Cold Warlike message to residents: “Citizens or organisations who see spying activities must immediately report them to national security organs.” Outside Dandong, new checkpoints dot the road running along

the Yalu River. Locals say they were installed in October. “Before, the North Koreans came to our side to fish. Now they don’t dare,” said Zhang Fuquan at his fish farm on the Chinese side of the Yalu River. “The army patrols and watches.” On the opposite bank, North Korean soldiers peered out from turquoise watchtowers and at least one warplane surveilled the territory from above. Experts said the aircraft, spotted by an AFP reporter, was a Stalinera Ilyushin Il-28 light bomber or a Chinese copy. “The North Koreans very likely are flying a patrol along the Yalu,” said Rick Fisher, a fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center, a US-based think-tank.

“They want to see what they can on the Chinese side” and deliberately “raise Beijing’s alarm.” Relations between China and North Korea have deteriorated as Beijing has backed a series of UN sanctions to punish its secretive ally over its repeated missile and nuclear tests. In a previously unthinkable meeting, top US diplomats and military ofﬁcials told their Chinese counterparts last year about US plans to send troops to North Korea and secure its nuclear weapons in case the regime fell. “The China-North Korea relationship has some problems at present,” said Yang Xiyu, a former Chinese negotiator on Pyongyang’s nuclear issue. “It has brought about the cur-

rent difﬁcult situation in the relationship.” At the massive Sup’ung hydroelectric dam, which provides power to both China and North Korea, surveillance cameras monitor the Yalu River. “The border is tightly controlled now,” said 75-year-old Yin Guoxie, retired from a lifetime of work at the dam. Yin said regular North Koreans are not allowed to have boats, minimising the number who try to cross. “If they do come over here, we’ll catch them and send them back,” he added. Further north in Longjing, where the Tumen River freezes over in the winter, villages have established border protection units and cadres have taught self-de-

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan Municipality of LIMAY

Woman battling South Korea’s ‘birth strike’ is childless SEOUL―The woman appointed to try to reverse the world’s lowest birth rates knows better than most why billion-dollar campaigns to encourage South Korea’s female populace to procreate have failed― she is among the millions who have chosen to remain childless in the face of traditionalist social expectations. A history professor at a Seoul university before joining the government, family minister Chung Hyun-Back says she remained single to pursue her professional

ambitions. Entrenched gender roles at home and a workaholic culture are pushing the next generation of South Korean women to follow suit, warned the 64-year-old. “It was extremely difﬁcult―if not impossible―to juggle an academic career while getting married and raising children,” she explained, pointing out that many female professors in their 50s and 60s are single. Rapid economic growth over several decades has seen South Korea’s

GDP boom, but birth rates have gone in the opposite direction. The country’s fertility rate―an average number of babies women are expected to have in their lifetime―stood at 1.17 in 2016, the lowest in the world and compared to a global average of 2.4. It is set to fall to a record low of 1.07 for 2017 after the number of newborns sank below 400,000 for the ﬁrst time. The trend, coupled with the rapid aging of its 50-million populace, casts a pall over the nation’s fu-

ture―its population is projected to start shrinking in 2050. Experts blame sky-high housing prices, the costs of raising children, and fears over unemployment. But Chung told AFP: “For years, we have overlooked the real culprit of the problem―our country’s vast gender disparity and inhumanely long working hours.” South Korea has the second-highest average working hours in the OECD but women are still expected to be children’s primary caregiver, whether they work or not. AFP

fence to residents. The local propaganda department said last year that hundreds of cameras were being installed to build a “second generation border surveillance system”. The measures are slashing the number of North Korean defectors who reach Seoul via a land route through China to Southeast Asia. Fewer than 100 North Koreans a month reached the South last year―the lowest number in 15 years―according to Seoul’s uniﬁcation ministry. Five of Pyongyang’s six nuclear tests have been carried out under Mount Mantap at Punggye-ri, some 80 kilometres from the border with northeast China, where citizens felt the accompanying earthquake. AFP

INVITATION TO BID PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES FOR LIMAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay, intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item:

Item

Item / Description

Location

Sources of Fund

Contract Duration

Provision of Security Services for Limay Public Schools

Limay, Bataan

SEF FUND

12 Months

Approved Cost of Bid Budget for the Documents Contract 23,494,750.29

25,000.00

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2.

The Bids and Awards Committe will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 24, 2018 at 3:00 PM at Conference Room, Municipality of Limay, which shall be open toprospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before February 7, 2018, 2:00 PM, BAC Office, 2nd Floor, Limay, Municipal Building, Limay, Bataan. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptableforms stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on February 7, 2018, 3:00PM at Conference Room, Limay Municipal Building, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’representatives who chooseto attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted. The Municipality of Limay, reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

MR. ROLANDO C. GOMEZ BAC Secretariat Office Limay Municipal Building Limay, Bataan (SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC CHAIRMAN

(MS-JAN. 20, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan Municipality of LIMAY

COMMEMORATION. Russian President Vladimir Putin visits the Piskarevskoye cemetery, where the victims of the World War II Nazi blockade of what was then Leningrad are buried, as he attends the 75th anniversary commemorations of the lifting of the Leningrad siege of Saint Petersburg. AFP

Rohingya protest repatriation move Battle to avert US govt shutdown now in Senate WASHINGTON―A lastditch battle to avert a looming US government shutdown moved to the Senate on Friday, where Democrats angered by the collapse of immigration talks have vowed to block a stop-gap funding bill. With the federal government set to run out of money Friday at midnight―the eve of the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration―the bill cleared the House with a 230-197 vote. But prospects appeared gloomy in the Senate, where Democrats eager for leverage on budget and immigration deals were intent on shooting it down. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said that if agreement is not reached by Friday night, there should be an even shorterterm funding measure of a few days that would “give the president a few days to come to the table.” Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican Majority

Leader, said the House bill provides for four weeks of funding, enough to allow talks to continue “without throwing the government into disarray for no reason.” Schumer wants to “hold the entire country hostage,” McConnell said. “The leader is looking to deﬂect blame, but it just won’t work,” said Schumer. House Speaker Paul Ryan called on Schumer to avoid a government shutdown, saying: “It is risky. It is reckless. And it is wrong.” Trump―who Schumer said “is like a Sphinx on this issue”-on Thursday added to the chaos gripping Washington, weighing in on the intense Republican maneuvering aimed at avoiding a politically embarrassing funding debacle. After a burst of tweets he second-guessed top Republican lawmakers and slapped down his own chief of staff, who had been leading a White House push on Capitol Hill for a budget compromise. AFP

DHAKA―Hundreds of Rohingya refugees staged protests in Bangladesh Friday against plans to send them back to Myanmar, where a military crackdown last year sparked a mass exodus. The refugees chanted slogans and held banners demanding citizenship and guarantees of security before they return to their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar. The protest came ahead of a visit by UN special rapporteur Yanghee Lee to the camps in southeastern Bangladesh where around a million of the

Muslim minority are now living. Bangladesh has reached an agreement with Myanmar to send back the around 750,000 refugees who have arrived since October 2016 over the next two years, a process set to begin as early as next week. But many Rohingya living in the crowded, unsanitary camps have said they do not want to return to Rakhine after ﬂeeing atrocities including murder, rape and arson attacks on their homes. Rights groups and the UN say any repatriations must be voluntary. AFP

INVITATION TO BID PROVISION OF SECURITY SERVICES FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay, intends to apply the sum of the following approvedbudget for the contract (ABC) corresponding to each lot/item:

Item

Item / Description

Location

Provision of Security Services for the Municipality of LImay

Limay, Bataan

GEN FUND

12 Months

16,982,591.72

17,000.00

being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for each lot/item. Bids received in excess of the ABC for each lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Procurement Office, Ground Floor, Limay, Municipal Building, and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during regular office hours. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from January 18, 2018 to February 7, 2018 before the deadline of the submission of bid from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents.

The Bids and Awards Committe will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 24, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Conference Room, Municipality of Limay, which shall be open toprospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before February 7, 2018, 1:00 PM, BAC Office, 2nd Floor, Limay, Municipal Building, Limay, Bataan. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptableforms stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on February 7, 2018, 2:00PM at Conference Room, Limay Municipal Building, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’representatives who chooseto attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

For further information, please refer to:

MR. ROLANDO C. GOMEZ BAC Secretariat Office Limay Municipal Building Limay, Bataan (SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC CHAIRMAN

CONSTRUCTION. Traffic flows down a motorway past the continuing

construction, left, of Jakarta’s new light rail transit system in the Indonesian capital. AFP

Sources of Contract Approved Budget Cost of Bid Fund Duration for the Contract Documents

(MS-JAN. 20, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Trucks &Buses

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

Tata’s heavy trucks aggressively fought for a slice of the consumer pie last year

Urban vehicles such as the Ace helped boost Tata’s sales

Tata

aims to double target this year

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo

NCOURAGED by the strong sales last year, Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Incorporated (PTAJ), exclusive distributors of Tata, India’s largest automaker aims to double their target this year. “The game changer for 2017 were the trucks and buses, where 21percent of our sales came from. For this year, the company is targeting more than double (1,200 units) since our Euro-IV and Euro-V commercial vehicles shall be introduced. To achieve this target, we shall be opening more dealerships around the country and continue with the marketing and aggressive promotions,” states Jon Fernandez, President of PTAJ.

Tata Motors Ph chalked up a record breaking 561 units sales. The 20% growth came from the commercial vehicle segment, which is 74% of PTAJ’s total sales. Sales are lead by the Super Ace followed by the Ace with both 26% and 25%, respectively. In line with their sales target, Tata Ph relentlessly expanded their dealer network last year with the opening of two strategic dealers in the Northern region of the country. Tata Motors Pampanga and Tata Motors Isabela opened at the last quarter of 2017. With the addition of these new dealerships, Tata Motors now has a total of eleven (11)

dealerships nationwide. PTAJ plans to open dealerships in Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna, Iloilo, Roxas City, and Bacolod. PTAJ is also planning to participate in the Government’s Eco-PUV Modernization Program. PTAJ General Manager, Mr. Arthur Balmadrid shared “2018 shall be a very exciting year for Tata Motors. We shall launch the all-new Ace, new 8-tonner trucks, and the affordable Ultra 914 bus soon. We shall also be introducing the new Zest passenger car. This new car is ideal for ride-sharing businesses since there will be both Diesel and gasoline variants.”

Hyundai Empowers Industries in Batangas City HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI) President Felix Limcaoco III, along with other top executives, led the groundbreaking ceremony of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas City located along Diversion Road in Balagtas, Batangas City. Mr. Limcaoco expressed the team’s strong commitment to serve businesses in the provincial city, saying, “We are ready to address Batangas City’s growing mobility needs, especially those of its logistics and transport sectors.” For HARI’s part, Ms. Agudo responded, “Batangas is in the heart of CALABARZON, and the Batangas port serves as the international gateway for industrial and commercial trade with the rest of the world, requiring vast potential for moving international cargo, local produce and people. With the valuable addition of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas to our Hyundai CV dealer network, we are empowered to move the economy further. Ang GUSTO nila, KAYA nating ibigay. KaSAMA nila tayo sa pagsulong ng maunlad na negosyo at kalakal sa Batangas City at CALABARZON.” 2017 was a banner year for Hyundai trucks and buses. On its ﬁrst full year of operations, HARI’s CV business grew by 883% from 2016, eclipsing the previous

Philtranco was established in 1914 by two Americans, Albert Louis Ammen and Max Blouse who, together, formed Al Ammen Transport Company or ALATCO – the first bus operator in the Philippines as well as in Asia.

Past & Present

At the groundbreaking of Hyundai Trucks and Buses Batangas were: (L-R) from Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) VP – Commercial Trade Jimmy Trazo, SVP – Trade Operations and Development Cluster Numeriano Cortez, Jr., EVP and CFO Ladislao Avila, Jr., and President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo; from Shaw Automotive Resources, Inc. (SARI), President Felix Limcaoco III, SVP & COO Doroteo Sornet, and VP for Operations Maria Antonietta Alonzo.

distributor’s all-time-high sales, and is poised to account for 10% of total vehicle sales in the next ﬁve years, aiming to double in scale by 2025. Moving into 2018, HARI aims to continue broadening its corporate horizon by addressing the freight, payload, and mass mobility needs of enterprises in Metro Manila and the emerging growth centers in the regions. ABOUT HARI Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI),

the ofﬁcial distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the Philippines, has been hailed four times as Hyundai Asia-Paciﬁc Distributor of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, and 2013), and twice as Hyundai Global Distributor of the Year (2010 and 2016). HARI boasts of its 42-strong dealer network, superior after-sales, dealer and customer relations support, and an enviable roster of best-selling commercial and passenger vehicles.

What started as a one auto-truck ﬂeet eventually became a pillar of the Southern Tagalog economy in 1929. By the 70s, the company expanded its services to the Eastern Visayas region. By the 80s, it expanded into ferry operations. It was in 1984 that the company formally changed its name to Philtranco Service Enterprises, Inc. Today, Philtranco has a growing ﬂeet of 250 buses that range from deluxe, premium deluxe, to executive seater bus transport services. It has forged partnerships with Jam Liner and FastCat, to provide not only an alternative to air travel but also offer a more diverse passenger experience.

of the Philippines that is Pampanga. Anyone who loves to eat and travel knows that Pampanga is a melting pot of sights and cultures. This province is home to well-loved local dishes like the sisig, tocino, and morcon, and even, to more exotic specialties like betute (frogs) or camaru (crickets). Likewise, it is an adventure’s paradise what with destinations like Mount Pinatubo, Nayong Pilipino, and numerous water and adventure parks! Truly, more than just providing a means of transportation, Philtranco makes the Philippines more accessible. As the oldest bus company operator in both the country and in Asia, Philtranco continues to connect Luzon, Visayas, and MindPhiltranco to Pampanga anao with its same company vision One of the popular routes covered of “Byaheng Masaya, Serbisyong by Philtranco is the Culinary Capital Subok Na.”

Life

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

HealtH and environment

satuRday, januaRy 20, 2018

A masterpiece of nature and modern living

LIVE AND PLAY. Property purchase at Nob Hill is bundled with membership rights at the Midlands Golf Club and access to world-class amenities and recreational activities at The Country Club.

odern living in an urban setting seems to be the ideal lifestyle these days. However, nature may be the perfect environment to complete that contemporary living with a refreshing lifestyle to boot. Such is the setting at nob Hill, where the conveniences of modern living and the beauty of nature come together to create the ideal family home.

Tagaytay Highlands presents a tranquil oasis through a 7.7 hectare residential lot community of contemporary homes set within picturesque vistas of the mountains—Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot, and the Highlands. Situated on the highest point of theGreenlands, nob Hill offers 300- to 700-square meter lots, sitting on verdant sloping hills and surrounded by lush landscapes. Tailor-made for the urbane, it is envisioned to be a commune of modern architectural themed homes with a touch of nature, characterized by minimalist elements of clean lines – natural colored stone, powder-coated metal trims, and glazing natural wood finishes. residents may build their future homes with large windows to maximize natural light, adding a relaxing touch to one’s abode through the picture perfect scenery. nob Hill is the perfect place to unwind and foster vibrant family ties amidst an in-

Nob Hill fosters vibrant family ties through the central park where exclusive amenities for both work and play can be found novative and holistic lifestyle at the heart of nature. Amenities designed for both work and play can be found at the central park which features the Palm Court, Fitness Station, Trellis, Gazebo, Children’s Play Area, Linear Park, and Jogging Path – all envel-

oped in lush trees and flora. Property purchase at nob Hill comes with membership rights at the Midlands Golf Club and exclusive access to The Country Club, which is home to an extensive selection of world-class amenities and

Homes are envisioned to be of modern architectural design characterized by minimalist elements that seamlessly blend with its natural surrounding and picturesque scenery recreational activities. experience the latest outdoor activities, Aerial Walk, Sporting Arrow, and Pedal Go Kart racing, or enjoy sports facilities such as swimming, tennis, bowling, and badminton. Tagaytay Highlands also boasts of its

specialty restaurants, the Highlander Steakhouse and Highlands China Palace, where moments can be cherished in a sumptuous feast while the Gourmet Avenue offers a wide variety of gastronomical outlets.

Assisting injured soldiers GMA network’s socio civic arm GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. (GMAKF), through the help of its key partners, recently launched the Kapuso Para sa Kawal project to provide assistance to soldiers who sustained injuries in combat operations all over the country. The project aims to serve amputee soldiers who fought terrorists and insurgents in 2017. This period covers the latest conflict in Marawi City. Kapuso Para sa Kawal aims to replace beneficiary soldiers’ lost limbs with prosthetics, rehabilitate them by providing thorough psychological and physical therapy which makes them ready both mentally and physically to use and maximize their new prosthetic limbs. Present in the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) in Makati City last month were GMAKF Founder and Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco, Makati Medical Center Foundation (MMCF) Vice Chair Judy Araneta Roxas, MMCF President and Makati Medical Center Board Member dr. Victor Gisbert, V. Luna Medical Center rehabilitation Unit Head Lt. Col. Raquel Cadisal, prosthetics provider partners Ln-4 Foundation represented by Anthony Untalan and exceed Worldwide Country Co-director Narelle Cook. Serving as hosts for the event were GMAKF eVP and Coo Rikki Escudero Catibog and MMCF consultant and former air force Brig. General Arturo Orticio.

GMA network Chairman and Ceo Atty. Felipe L. Gozon shared that he appreciates the all-out support given by MMCF’s Chair Manny V. Pangilinan despite them being leaders of competing television networks. “When it comes to recognizing and reciprocating the bravery and heroic acts of our injured soldiers, there is and ought to be no competition between us,” added Gozon. on the other hand, Pangilinan also expressed his sincerity in helping the brave soldiers get back on their feet again. “I had no second thoughts about supporting this advocacy. Signing into this partnership with GMA-7 Kapuso Foundation provides us with another golden opportunity to serve our wounded warriors,” he said. The 10 Kapuso Para sa Kawal beneficiaries, four of which are Marawi veterans, were also present in the ceremony and were greatly appreciative of the efforts spearheaded by GMAKF. “Masaya kami na mabibigyan kami ng mga artipisyal na paa at kamay,” said Private Billy Joe Siminig who had his thigh amputated during an encounter against the Maute group. “Nakita natin how hard they have worked. Ang ginagawa ng mga sundalo natin ay para sa bansa at para sa ating mga mamamayan kaya marapat lamang na gawin naman natin ito para sakanila. Kumbaga, parang tayo ay mayroong utang na loob sa mga taong ito na nagtanggol sa ating mga karapatan. Ganoon ka espesyal ang project na ito,” Mel Tiangco added. From left: LN-4 Foundation representative Anthony Untalan, Exceed Worldwide Country CoDirector Narelle Cook, Makati Medical Center Foundation (MMCF) Vice Chair Judy Araneta Roxas, Makati Medical Center Board Member and MMCF President Dr. Victor Gisbert, GMA Kapuso Foundation Founder and Ambassador Mel C. Tiangco, and V. Luna Medical Center Rehabilitation Medicine Chief Lt. Col. Raquel Cadisal.

From left: Juan P. Lozano, president, FAITH Botanic Gardens Foundation; Saturnino G. Belen, president, FAITH Colleges; Rebecca R. Labit, Regional Director, Department of Tourism Region IV-A; Hon. Hermilando Mandanas, Governor of Batangas; and Atty. Sylvia Marasigan, head of the Batangas Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office

ASEAN-themed park in Batangas A SCHooL in Batangas recently bared its plan to build a public garden that commemorates the ASeAn community’s unity and cooperation. The ASeAn Unity Park (AUP) will be located inside the future 40-hectare campus of FAITH Colleges (First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities) in Batangas Greenvale, Balete, Batangas near Lake Taal, one of the country’s premier northern destinations. An initiative of FAITH Colleges, the park is the first project of the FAITH Botanic Gardens Foundation (FBGF) and forms part of the school’s commitment to spreading awareness about ASeAn. The initial phase of the park will showcase trees and plant species common to the 10 ASe-

An countries and indigenous artworks from the association’s member countries. Prominent landmarks from each ASeAn country will also have miniature replicas in the Country Section of the park. There will also be an ASeAn Hall that will serve as a venue for exhibits, symposia, and special events that will be organized in partnership with the embassies and other like-minded institutions. The AUP launch was held at the Lima Park Hotel in Malvar, Batangas. It was graced by the officials from the department of Foreign Affairs, department of Tourism, and embassies of ASeAn member countries in the Philippines. For more information about the AUP, visit its website at www.aseanunitypark.org.ph.

Life

saturday, january 20, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

Health and Wellness talk today

eALTH advocate and staunch believer of “wellness being an effective healer of ailments” Gina Lopez returns to what she loves—“sharing with people what she does to achieve a life full of healthy benefits!” Today, Lopez leads a G Stuff Health & Wellness Talk at the Ground Floor Function Room of One Rockwell West Tower, Rockwell Center, Makati, from 9 a.m. to 12 nn. Registration fee is P200 per head. Lopez who turned 64 over the Christmas holidays doesn’t feel a day older, “I am happier and healthier than when I was 18. I had cancer and I didn’t even feel it. I must be doing something right.” This is a reflection not only of a healthy mindset and unceasing stamina, but belief in her

own mantra to do “a lot of healthy things that…if it works, it works.” Believing that eating well is a pillar of good health, Lopez will talk about the herbs she uses religiously among other things. Discussions on Oil Pulling using virgin coconut oil (VCO), and the select medicinal plants we can benefit from will interest everyone. Lopez has invited guest speakers who are proponents of health and wellness practices in their field. Her close friend Jetro, found-

Olufemi Oladu Ige

Raphael V. Domingo

er of Van Gogh Is Bipolar in Sikatuna, Quezon City will give a short talk on “Oxygen Food.” He will share how his partner was cured of stage 4 pancreatic cancer, through a simple diet that is easy to learn and apply in daily life. Frank Quilas who heads the Clairvision School of Meditation in the Philippines will talk about the Inner Space Technique, a system of releasing your emotional energy through Inner Space Interactive Sourcing. A free IST session with Frank will be raffled off to participants of the talk. Rhiza Gomez will introduce “Bulletproof Coffee,” a high-performance drink that has a massive impact on energy and cognitive function. Free samples of Bulletproof Coffee will be available from a coffee kiosk.

Eli Abella will explain “Biohacking”— a method of manipulating the internal and external environment that allows practitioners to upgrade their body, mind, and life. A demonstration of biohacking with the use of specific gadgets will be part of the talk experience. Believing that health and wellness is not just physical, Lopez intimates that “it is a result of integration of psychological, emotional and even spiritual realms. Company is key. You need to be surrounded by wise, joyful, positive people who can be a supportive part of your grateful flow in life.” For reser vations, call 0905-1508990 or via email gstuff@g world.ph and hellogina@g world.ph

Gina Lopez leads a health and wellness talk

Filipino and Nigerian deaf associates selected 2018 Gallaudet Scholars THe esteemed Gallaudet University in Washington DC recently announced Filipino Raphael V. Domingo and Nigerian Olufemi Oladu Ige as the recipients of its annual Gallaudet-Nippon World Deaf Leadership (WDL) Scholarship Fund. Domingo, Head of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB)’s Learner-centered education Access for the Deaf Section, is now pursuing his Doctorate in Linguistics, mentored by Dr. Miako Rankin, an associate professor in Gallaudet’s Department of Linguistics. Meanwhile, Ige, an Administrative Officer at the Federal Ministry of environment in Abuja, is taking up his Master of Public Administration and International Development program, guided by Dr. David Penna, Chair of the Department of Government and Public Affairs. The grant covers full tuition, accommodation and board, plus provides a stipend for personal expenses. Scholars are on leave from their jobs to further their education at Gallaudet.

The WDL scholarship is funded by the Nippon Foundation in Tokyo, Japan, with the purpose of providing opportunities to students from different developing nations. The knowledge and leadership skills acquired during their stay at the university fulfill the primary requirement of empowering other deaf and hard of hearing people in their respective countries. Since WDL was founded in 2003, 16 educational subsidies have been awarded. In a statement, WDLC Committee Chair Danilo Torres said, “The WDL staff deeply appreciates the work of the steering committee and the mentors in helping select this year’s recipients. We all wish Raphael and Olufemi the best of luck and look forward to their successes at Gallaudet and upon their eventual return home as leaders in their communities.” Nippon Foundation in Tokyo is the world’s foremost educational benefactor of deaf and hard-of-hearing people. Its mission is to create a society without barriers that challenges an individual’s ability to achieve a fulfilling, productive life.

Flow Spa has two double rooms and one single room

Teaching children to live ‘green’ THe gentle 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner that will help keep your scalp and hair healthy the natural way. Love for the environment starts at home. Parents are the primary models children look up to when it comes to understanding the value of taking care of nature and appreciating the benefits of using natural products. Any parent looking to become an effective model can start by following three simple and inexpensive suggestions. One of the ways to promote green living is to give youngsters time to explore nature. Organize field trips to encourage kids to disconnect with their gadgets. Visiting parks or going on picnics are also great ways to foster love for physical activity and the great outdoors. Another way is to teach kids the importance of recycling. Parents who find creative ways to re-use old bottles or containers at home not only set themselves as good role models of resource conservation, they also reinforce what their children learn in school.

Last tip to consider is to switch to allnatural products. Parents may choose to start with their bath essentials such as soaps and shampoos. One brand that is trusted in the market is Moringa-O2. With its signature blend of natural ingredients and oils that nourish and moisturize the skin, hair, and scalp, Moringa-O2 promises to pamper both kids and adults from head to toe. The brand’s newest product is the Herbal Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner. It contains rosebay extract which acts as a soothing anti-inflammatory agent. This active ingredient decreases the scalp’s sebum production, and reduces the appearance of adherent and non-adherent flakes. To educate parents and kids about family wellness and the benefits of using allnatural products, Moringa-O2 will conduct booth and classroom activities at Smartkids Asia Philippines (SKAP) on Jan. 27 and 28 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Moringa O2’s Herbal Anti-Dandruff 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner

The spa uses Algotherm, a marine based line from France which utilizes seaweed extracts and other marine ingredients

A rejuvenating spa experience A TRANQUIL garden of serenity and relaxation, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Flow Spa offers a variety of treatments from foot reflexology, whole-body massages and rejuvenating facials by the brand Algotherm, a marine based line from France, which utilizes seaweed extracts and other marine ingredients. Flow Spa is located at the heart of the hotel’s Flow Wellness and Recreation Center that also includes a fitness center and an infinity pool. The spa features a welcoming reception and a relaxing lounge, two double rooms and one single room. The interiors of the spa already bring a relaxing touch as it is painted in soft neutral colors and accessorized with butterf ly statement pieces around the area. All spa treatments start with a relaxing foot therapy with scrubs made from the most refreshing ingredients. With therapists trained to deliver the ultimate spa experience, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila’s Flow Spa promises to sustain the highest standards of hospitality, tranquility, and luxury. The Flow Spa boasts and highlights its Flow Signature Massage which is a fusion of eastern and Western techniques using a special blend of essential oils. This stress-relief massage perfect for after-work hours also features Thai stretching and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi strokes. Flow Spa is located on the 22nd floor of Forbes Five-Star Award Winner, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, with its treatments starting at P1,800. Flow Spa is not exclusive to the hotel’s in-house guests. Flow Spa is open daily from 8 a.m. to 12 midnight, or until 2 a.m. for in-room treatments. For more information contact (02) 720 7777 or book online via www.marcopolohotels.com or email manila@ marcopolohotels.com Flow Spa offers a wide range of spa treatments that use refreshing ingredients

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

PEOPLE ...are not talking about

…are talking about Jodi Sta. Maria WE expect celebrities to be a lot of things but for some reason we don’t expect them to be highly educated. Why would someone who’s already popular and has a steady income need a college or a master’s degree? Perhaps, Jodi’s recent achievement would give us a better picture of what successful TV stars should prepare for – a fallback once showbiz no longer wants them. And as for the 35-year-old actress, she didn’t just prepare for it. She made sure she’d also excel by making it to the Dean’s list.

JaDine THERE have been nasty talks about the couple saying they have given a seasoned director a big headache after not showing up on the set. James Reid and Nadine Lustre have a ﬁlm set for commercial release late this year. But two taping days have already been cancelled due to the couple’s strange reasons. While nobody wants to reveal the real reason of the delay and the possible cancellation of the project, netizens have better resources to uncover this mystery with videos and pictures to sip[port their claim.

KathNiel THE onscreen couple’s fandom has indeed gone beyond the Philippine shores. For the second time, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla have been awarded as Favorite Foreign Actor and Actress at Vietnam’s Blue Star Awards this time for their performance in the remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo, which was dubbed in Vietnamese. For those who are not in the know, Vietnam’s Blue Star Awards is the biggest awards show in the country that honors the best and the most popular stars on TV and movies.

Asintado

The One that Got Away

ITS rival in ABS-CBN had a slight lead in the numbers game based on AGB ratings but that doesn’t mean the show already failed. The Dennis Trillo, Max Collins, Rhian Ramos and Lovie Poe starrer weeknight series is conquering the World Wide Web making great impression among viewers and netizens. The viewers applaud the series’ fast-paced storytelling, witty repartee and stunning OOTDs – perfect recipe to build more audience.

NO, it’s not just the casting. In order for a show to be a hit from day one, that ﬁrst outing often has to be something truly special to capture the viewers’ interest because it will dictate the show’s future on its timeslot. However the series didn’t quite hit the bull’s eye. The new ABS-CBN teleserye registered an AGB rating of 5 percent while its rival program in GMA-7, Impostora, registered an AGB rating of 6.2 percent.

Robin Padilla AMID all the criticism, the former action star responded that he doesn’t regret his action during an episode of Pinoy Got Talent where he berated a Korean contestant for not being able to speak Tagalog. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Robin had strange and false understanding of nationalism. And there’s no way people can change the mind of this misguided fellow who doesn’t even know how to embrace diversity.

Bb. Pilipinas 2018 official candidates chosen THE search for Bb. Pilipinas 2018 representatives to six major international pageants kicked off with the selection of the 40 ofﬁcial candidates. And judging from the early feedback, this year’s batch is one of the strongest in years. Among the 40 lovelies are Miss World 2016 top 5 Catriona Gray, Ex-Pinoy Big Brother housemate Vickie Rushton and former DLSU volleyball star Michele Gumabao. The complete list is below: #Binibini1: Vickie Marie Milagrosa “Vim” Rushton, 25, from Talisay City, Negros Occidental #Binibini2: Kathrine “Kath” Ventura, 22, from Antipolo City #Binibini3: Muriel Orais, 26, from Cebu City #Binibini4: Ana Patricia “Patrik” Asturias, 25, from Tacloban City, Leyte #Binibini5: Rose Marie Murphy, 25, from Cabadbaran City #Binibini6: Janice Roman, 25, from Manila #Binibini7: Sigrid Grace Flores, 25, from Catanduanes #Binibini8: Marie Sherry Ann “Shane” Tormes, 26, from Polangui, Albay #Binibini9: Agatha Lei Romero, 23, from Quezon City #Binibini10: Kayesha Chua, 25, from Legazpi City #Binibini11: Maria Andrea “Aya” Verdadero Abesamis, 26, from Pasig City #Binibini12: Janette Roanne Sturm, 26, from General Santos City #Binibini13: Kristie Rose “Istie” Cequeña, 26, from Santa Rosa City #Binibini14: Samantha Bernardo, 25, from Puerto Princesa, Palawan #Binibini15: Juliana Kapeundl, 26, from Balayan, Batangas #Binibini16: Annalita Vizcarra, 23, from Murcia, Negros Occidental #Binibini17: Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, 20, from Candelaria, Quezon #Binibini18: Rosantonette Mendoza, 26 years old from Bacoor, Cavite #Binibini19: Michele Gumabao, 25, from Quezon City #Binibini20: Catriona Elisa Gray, 24, from Albay #Binibini21: Anjame Magbitang, 19, from Hagonoy, Bulacan #Binibini22: Sophia Juliann C. Baino, 24, from Nasugbu, Batangas #Binibini23: Ena Louis Velasco, 23, from Bacolod City #Binibini24: Edjelyn Joy Gamboa, 25, from Oriental Mindoro #Binibini25: Jerellen Rodriguez, 25, from Nasugbu, Batangas #Binibini26: Wynonah Van Joy Baluyot, 24, from Cebu #Binibini27: Henna Kaizzelle Nicole Cajandig, 25, from Sultan Kudarat #Binibini28: Angelica Mae Corbe, 24, from Legazpi City

#Binibini29: Samantha Kaye Avestruz, 20, from Tacloban City #Binibini30: Sarah Margarette Joson, 24, from Manila #Binibini31: Jehza Mae Huelar, 23, from Davao City #Binibini32: Eva Psychee Patalinjug, 23, from Cebu City #Binibini33: Stephanie Joy Abellanida, 22, from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato #Binibini34: Mary Joy “MJ” de Castro, 22, from Davao del Norte #Binibini35: Sandra Lemonon, 23, from Pasig #Binibini36: Loren Mar Artajos, 27, from Ilocos #Binibini37: Patrizia Garcia, 23, from Cainta, Rizal #Binibini38:Karen Gallman, 25, from Ubay, Bohol #Binibini39: Trixia Marie S. Maraña, 25, from Dumaguete City, #Binibini40: Angelie Aubrey Asuncion, 24, from Tabaco City Who will be the country’s bet in Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Grand International, and Miss Globe? Your guess is as good as mine and will be known come March 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. – Eton B. Concepcion

FRONT-RUNNER. Miss World finalist Catriona Gray vies for a crown in the 2018 Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Actor-singer Xian Lim with the Paddington mascot. The Kapamilya star is tapped to be part of the international film's second installment.

Xian Lim reprises Paddington voice in sequel

THE fun and the riot continue for Xian Lim as he lends his voice anew to one of Britain’s most beloved literary bears Paddington. Xian played around and stretched his voice acting as he took front and center again in the second big-screen outing of the marmaladeloving bear in the Philippines. The Kapamilya actor’s foray as a voice talent began in 2015 when he lent his voice for the film’s first installment. In the film’s second installment, beloved bear Paddington, now settled with the Brown family, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen. “I was very happy that they chose me again for Paddington 2. Siyempre it was a surprise for me, kase I didn’t expect nga na magkakaroon ng second part,” he said. “But I’m very grateful na ako yung napili nila to play the part. It just made me so proud to be part of that project.” Although he’s no stranger to dubbing, working on the second installment, according to Xian, revealed just how much he really enjoys his newly-discovered skill. “Since it’s my first animation na di-nub, the experience was so much different, yun nga, like what I said kanina it was a lot of fun kase nga you got to play around, I got to play around with the emotions,” he said. While the first movie delved on the establishment of Paddington’s character, the second one unveiled the plucky, duffel-coated furball’s crazy side.

“For me, I enjoyed Paddington 2 more kase there’s more skits and more jokes than the first one kase parang dun nagpapakilala si Paddington sa mga tao but sa 2nd part it’s more katatawanan na talaga, pure comedy, and yung comedy niya kase is very Filipino yung pagpapatawa niya. So, it’s a lot of fun talaga,” he described. Voicing Paddington in the first installment has made Xian appreciate just how tedious being a vocal talent is. “I think yung pinakamahirap siguro is yung conserving your voice kase may mga parts na sinisigaw, may mga part na tumatawa, kase may mga ganun eh so parang dapat i-conserve para matapos yung buong film ng buo yung boses,” he ended. Now that he was able to penetrate a certain niche, Xian hopes to be able to try dubbing for other characters abroad. “And yeah oo naman, doing projects abroad it’s a plus, it’s like having another feather on my cap parang ganon,” he said. Xian hopes that the moviegoers could enjoy the pawfect, adventure-packed family movie just as much as he did while dubbing it. “All they have to do is sit back and enjoy the film kase it’s really a good film. Tatawa lang sila,” he ended. Directed by Paul King and distributed by Captive Cinema, Paddington 2 starring Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Xian Lim (voice of Paddington for Philippine release) opens in theaters on Jan. 31.

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 2018

SOME LIKE IT HOT. Chillies will take a few weeks to develop and a further couple weeks to turn from green to red.

ERBS have a certain allure and mystery to them. Humans have used herbs for thousands of years to ﬂavor and preserve food, add fragrance to a home and heal sickness.

During Medieval times, people scattered lavender in their homes because they believed it would ward off diseases, such as the plague. Turns out, lavender does have some anti-microbial properties. Chamomile has long been used as to calm troubled nerves or bring sleep. Today, most modern gardeners grow herbs for their culinary value. Whatever your motivation for planting an herb garden, you’ll ﬁnd the process easy and rewarding. Herbs among the simplest plants to grow. When choosing a location for your herb garden, consider the growing needs of individual plants. In general, Mediterranean herbs thrive in full sun. These include sage, thyme, basil, rosemary, tarragon and oregano. Most herbs tolerate poor soil, but don’t tolerate damp roots. Amend the soil before you plant your herb garden with some compost or manure. These amendments lighten clay soils and improve drainage. In sandy soils, they slow down the leaching of nutrients and moisture. Another option is to grow herbs in the vegetable garden. Some gardeners claim tomatoes taste better when planted with basil.

Whether this is true or not is debatable, but growing the two together simplifies harvesting when you want to make a marinara sauce. Herbs also adapt remarkably well to containers. Grow herbs in pots near your kitchen door for a charming kitchen garden. Savory additions to the cooking pot are just a few steps away. Basil (Ocimum basilicum). This tender annual herb is beloved for its fresh, inviting flavor. Add it to pesto, marinara sauce or salads. Basil grows quickly from seed if started indoors. Plant it in full sun in moist, well-draining soil. Pinch the plant back to encourage compact growth and don’t allow it to bloom, which causes bitter leaves. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum). This perennial belongs to the onion family and grows from bulbs. Chives have a mild onion flavor and make a great addition to salads or eggs. They grow in full sun. Their purple blossoms are edible, as well as the green stalks. Divide chives every two to three years to encourage new growth. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum). Also known as coriander, people either love cilantro or they hate it. It imparts a fresh, clean taste to salsas and salads.

SHADE OR SUN? Many herbs tolerate a bit of shade, and even prefer it in hot climates.

How green is my garden Starting your own backyard herb patch

ART, GARDENING GO TOGETHER. Herbs aren’t fussy about where they grow. Tuck a few near your favorite artwork. Many herbs have fragrant flowers and fine foliage, making them excellent additions to a perennial bed.

This tender annual grows best in slightly cool weather and moist soil. Dill (Anethum graveolens). Plant dill once and you’ll probably never have to plant it again. This annual herb is a prolific self-sower. Grow dill in full sun, and keep the soil moderately moist for best flavor. Rosemary (Rosarinus officinalis). Rosemary is an evergreen perennial in tropical climates. It thrives in full sun and slightly dry conditions. Thyme (Thymus). Thyme thrives on neglect. Plant it in full sun and water it occasionally. It will reward your small efforts with rampant growth. In fact, cut it back mid-summer to reign it in. Thymus vulgaris is the variety commonly grown for cooking. Basic herb care,

harvest In general, herbs require little care. Perennial herbs, such as thyme, mint and oregano can quickly overtake the garden. In time, they become tough, woody and shrub-like. Cut these herbs back at least once a quarter to solve both problems, and divide these herbs every two to tree years to promote new, young growth. Go easy on fertilizer. A little compost applied every two to three months is usually sufficient. Too much fertilizer promotes rapid lush growth. This growth is less flavorful and is also more prone to disease and pest problems. Harvest herbs when the leaves are small for best flavor. Cut them in the morning and use them fresh, or hang them to dry.

Changing the game

LAND FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE. Republic Cement’s Teresa plant site, a recent awardee of the Platinum Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA), recently donated 649 square meters of land, along with concreting works, for a diversion road project in Rizal province. The local government of Teresa is targeting the completion of the road by early 2018. The diversion road will address the congestion concerns of four barangays in the province including San Roque, where the Republic Cement plant is located. Photo shows (from left) Republic Cement cluster director for south Luzon Engr. Lloyd Vicente; Teresa municipal Mayor Raul Paulino; Republic Cement President Renato Sunico; Teresa Vice Mayor Jeriel Villegas, and Republic Cement Teresa plant manager Allan Ong.

AYALA Land is currently building Vermosa, a master planned community geared towards a healthy, active lifestyle. With over 700-hectares, Vermosa is currently the fourth largest mixed-use estate of Ayala Land Inc. It will be home to 6,000 households managed by four of ALI’s residential brands – Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida and Amaia. Vermosa is also setting up the Vermosa Sports Hub, a destination for triathletes and sports enthusiasts. Other components will highlight health and sports merchants for retail, while bike lanes, jogging, and biking trails will be available all over Vermosa. The facility will be

home to an Olympic-sized pool and an oval track that follows International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards. In partnership with Sante International, a global pro-

vider of organic health and wellness products and services, the Vermosa Sports Hub will be home to the 800-square meter Sante Fitness Lab. The partnership is geared

towards creating an environment where people can hone their athletic skills, with a long-term objective of nurturing athletes who can be trained for international competitions.

CUBAO HIDEAWAY.

LIVING LIKE ROBINSON CRUSOE. Real estate

developer Landco recently launched the Crusoe Cabins at Calatagan South Beach (CaSoBe). Just across Landco’s Playa Calatagan Village, Crusoe is the company’s newest venture which features 13 stand-alone beachside cabin accommodations. Crusoe has two unit configurations: “group” cabins that have two bunk beds good for six people and “family” units that have a bunk bed and a queen-sized bed that can accommodate five people. Every cabin is complete with a bedroom, a living room, kitchenette and a porch terrace. Guests can also enjoy the boardwalk, a beach promenade that features cabanas for day visits; the sands, a Filipino-themed seaside restaurant; the swing bar, an iconic statement piece surrounded by swings; and the con bar, a beer shack that serves local and international labels.

DMCI Homes is building the Orabella, a 45-level residential tower development designed to complement the Cubao district’s bustling culture and business community. Located in 21st Avenue corner P. Tuazon Quezon City, the Orabella, or “golden beauty” in Italian, offers an address in a residential hub with excellent proximity not only to the Araneta Center, but also to other business centers such as Eastwood City, Ortigas Center, and UP-Ayala Techno Hub. Unit owners can enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains of Antipolo and the skylines of Ortigas and Libis from the roof-deck. DMCI Homes’ Lumiventt design technology provides residents spacious building interiors brought about by single-loaded hallways and garden atriums. To be completed in June 2023, the Orabella is one of the developments of DMCI Homes, known for building resort-inspired communities in Metro Manila, Baguio, Boracay and Davao City.

OASIS LIVING. Botanika Nature Residences, a

community south of Metro Manila, is currently turning over units to residents with the completion of its first tower. A development by real estate brand Filigree, Botanika is located in Filinvest City, Alabang – the garden business district in metro south – which is close to establishments and services such as the Palms Country Club, Festival Alabang, Crimson Hotel, Asian Hospital & Medical Center, as well as private academic institutions like De La Salle Zobel, and San Beda College Alabang. The project recently earned a registration in the Philippine Green Building Council’s BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsible Design Excellence) certification system, guided by consultant, Ecotektonika. The architecture was conceptualized and executed by Leandro V. Locsin Partners, Architecture International, AECOM Singapore, and Miaja Design Group.