Manila Standard - 2018 January 09 - Tuesday

‘All-time high ratings’ Pinoys heap praises on Du30—survey

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 326 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has maintained his majority trust and approval ratings, which remain at an all-time high, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey which also showed Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno getting the highest disapproval and distrust rating in a survey on top government officials.

Duterte’s trust and approval ratings still remain afloat with an 80 percent approval rating and trust rating of 82 percent, according to the Next page

SWS labels Rody ‘better than Aquino’ SEVEN out of 10 Filipinos believe President Rodrigo Duterte is way better than his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III—the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed Monday.

In a survey conducted from Dec. 8 to 16, 2017—70 percent of Filipinos believe Duterte’s performance is better compared to that of his predecessor, while only eight percent believe otherwise.

Some 22 percent of the respondents, meanwhile, said the Next page

President Rodrigo Duterte

3 more justices lined up vs Sereno

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rey Requejo

BRAVING THE HEAT. Devotees,

including the unidentified woman (above), of the Black Nazarene brave the 75-degree F heat Monday and a chasing drizzle for a closer glimpse of the statue on the eve of the annual ‘Traslacion’ or passage of the Nazarene from the bayside Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica, more than 2 kilometers away, in Quiapo while an elderly (below) pass by thousands for the traditional ‘pahalik’ before today’s procession. Ey Acasio, Norman Cruz

‘Traslacion’ rolls on amid admonitions

By Bill Casas and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Manila Police District said Monday it will shut down mobile phone signals as part of the security measures during the annual Traslacion or Black Nazarene Procession today, Jan. 9.

“We will have signal jamming, and we are asking for patience from our people since we are considering their safety and

PAO ties 3 kids’ deaths to Dengvaxia THE Public Attorney’s Office on Monday was monitoring the deaths of three children previously inoculated with Dengvaxia vaccine.

Erwin Erfe, PAO forensic consultant, noted a pattern on the deaths of Anjielica Pestilos, 10; Zandro Colita, 11, and Lenard Baldonado, 10, whose bodies were exhumed and examined.

He said the children died within six months after the administration of Dengvaxia, and he

END OF THE LINE. This undated handout from the 6th Infantry Division-Philippine Army released on Jan. 8 shows troops standing next to the still unclaimed bodies of Bangsamoro Islamic Federation Fighters after an armed clash with government troops in Datu Unsay town in an undisclosed date, where five rebels and a soldier were killed . AFP

Senate most trusted among 3 agencies

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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By Rio N. Araja

THREE more Supreme Court officials, led by senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, are expected to testify in the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno conducted by the House of Representatives’ committee on justice, a House official said on Monday.

The committee chairperson, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, said Carpio, Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin and Diosdado Peralta would be in-

observed similar findings on their deaths.

He cited the enlargement of different organs and bleeding on several parts of the body, such as the lungs, stomach and mouth.

The children had no previous history with dengue before being injected with Dengvaxia.

Erfe said the children’s parents sought their forensic expertise.

At least 19 children died due to Dengvaxia.

“Right now, we are collating the results of the examinations.

Awards group kicks in $2m for press freedom

By Nickie Wang THE organization behind the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday announced $2 million to a journalism consortium and a media rights group as it hoped to combat growing threats to press freedom.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which

runs the first gala of the awards season, announced that it would donate $1 million each to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The association’s president, Indian journalist Meher Tatna, said that the group

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vited by his panel to attend the impeachment proceedings to provide their testimonies that would center on the rules and regulations and procedures of the SC in connection with the alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust allegedly committed by Sereno.

“The impeachment team just met and we agreed to invite Justices Carpio, Bersamin and Peralta to testify in our hearings,” Umali said.

The House justice panel will resume its impeachment hearings when Congress resumes sessions on Jan. 15. Next page

ONLY the Senate registered majority approval and trust scores among the three coordinate and key government institutions, the latest Fourth Quarter Ulat ng Bayan survey showed Monday.

The upper chamber of the national legislature managed to get small majority approval and trust ratings in December 2017 at 55 percent and 56 percent, respectively.

Indecision towards the Senate’s performance is at 35 percent, while 10 percent disaproved of its performance.

Nearly half of Filipinos, at 50 percent and 49 percent, respectively, do approve and trust the performance of the Lower House.

Level of distrust on Congress, meanwhile, ranges at 12 percent.

Almost half or 48 percent have a positive opinion about the Supreme Court’s work but around the same percentages Next page

Second anti-martial law petition filed

By Rey E. Requejo LAWYERS, lawmakers and some Mindanao residents on Monday filed a second petition asking the Supreme Court to reject the congressional approval of one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

The lawyers belonging to the National Union of People’s Lawyers, along with party-list representatives Carlos Zarate of Bayan Muna, Arlene Brosas and Emmie de Jesus of Gabriela, Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis, Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, and Sarah Elago of Kabataan Next page

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace weighs in on Ortega case

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE Palace on Monday vowed to exhaust all legal remedies to overturn a Court of Appeals ruling clearing former Palawan governor Joel Reyes who was accused of murdering journalist and environmentalist Gerry Ortega.

Calling the appellate court’s decision “alarming” and a “travesty of justice,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the ruling was a “sad development” for press freedom in the Philippines.

“This is a very sad development for freedom of the press in this country given that the murder of Ger r y Or tega is a classic case of extralegal killing,” Roque, who used to be a lawyer for the Ortega

family, told reporters.

“We will exercise all legal options to reverse this decision by the CA,” he said.

Roque made his statement even as the Office of the Solicitor General will have to determine whether or not Reyes is already off the hook in the killing of Ortega in Puerto Princesa in January 2011.

But Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II declined to give a definitive answer on whether the prosecution could still pursue an appeal to its case against Reyes because the

government would still have to look into the legal implications of the recent Court of Appeals decision exonerating Reyes in the case.

Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte had given him permission to speak on the ruling on a personal capacity, and that the ruling’s reversal was the official position of the Duterte administration.

“I find it alarming that the CA decision, number one, overruled an earlier Supreme Court decision and, number two, arrogated its own judg-

ment for that of the Regional Trial Court that had the opportunity to physically accept the evidence, observe the demeanor of the witnesses and concluded there was, in fact, probable cause,” Roque said.

“The government will exhaust all remedies, including the filing first of a motion for reconsideration having said that there was a prior Supreme Court decision that it is up to the Regional Trial Court to determine the existence of probable cause, which was already determined.”

In a 24-page decision promulgated Thursday last week, the appellate court ruled to nullify and set aside the Puerto Princesa City RTC’s March 27, 2012 Omnibus Motion and August 29, 2013 Order dismissing the murder case against Reyes and barring the trial court from proceeding with the case.

The CA said Reyes was “merely implicated” by a certain Rodolfo Edrad as a coconspirator in the killing of Ortega. Edrad, the CA said, was not a credible witness.

With Rey E. Requejo

Teco: Cocaine didn‘t come TRAIN impact on prices manageable—Finance chief from Taiwanese vessel

In effect, those with a taxBy John Paolo Bencito in 2018 of which, food prices owing to hefty cuts in the perable annual income of P250,000 sonal income tax rates. may increase by up to three and Julito G. Rada

By Sara D. Fabunan TAIWAN on Monday denied that the ship which sank off Norther Samar and was reported to be carrying a 24-kilogram cocaine contraband, was a Taiwanese vessel, saying that the vessel has long been purchased by an African company in 2000.

In a press conferences, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines representative Gary Song-Huann Lin also pointed out that the Jing Ming No. 16 cargo ship has set sail from Hainan, China Mainland and was supposed to travel to Chile.

“The so-called Taiwanese documents submitted to Philippine authority by the captain [a Mainland Chinese] are actually faked and forged by him, not true and authentic documents,” Lin said.

“The so called Jin Ming No. 16 cargo ship is not a Taiwanese ship. As per records of Taiwanese relevant authorities, the so called ‘Jin Ming No.16’ is not registered in Taiwan, and there is no database existing in Taiwan,” he added.

Lin said that ship was sold to the Togolese Republic in

Africa in 2000.

Lin cited the ship’s document which was provided by the Philippine authorities which confirms the true owner of the vessel which is Togolese.

The Teco chief also said that his office found out that the captain is a Chinese national, while the crew include two from Hong Kong, and one Taiwanese engineer.

He added that due to geography and climate, Taiwan, like the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Japan, are not suitable to grow cocaine.

“It can only be produced in South America, or in the triangle of South East Asia,” he added.

Manila and Taipei have no formal diplomatic ties since the Philippines acknowledge the One-China Policy.

The Teco represents Taiwan, which acts as its de-facto embassy in the country.

On Jan. 2, the Jing Ming No. 16 sank in the Philippine waters at the height of Tropical Depression Agaton, where it was reported to be carrying a $120 million worth of cocaine.

SWS...

From A1 performances of Duterte and Aquino were just the same.

The same survey also showed 69 percent of respondents saying Duterte’s actions were “appropriate” for a President, while 18 percent believed otherwise as “inappropriate”—resulting into a net rating of +51.

Indecision, meanwhile, is at 13 percent.

Across geographical regions, Duterte got the highest approval from those surveyed in his home region, Mindanao, at 86 percent, followed by those in Metro Manila at 73 percent, Visayas at 64 percent, and Luzon at 63 percent.

Aquino’s highest approval, meanwhile, came from respondents in Metro Manila at 10 percent, followed by those in Luzon and Visayas (9 percent) and Mindanao (3 percent).

In the same survey, 86 percent of respondents believe the country is in the right direction under Duterte, while 12 percent say otherwise.

This is seven points higher than the 79 percent recorded in September 2017.

The latest survey, fielded among 1,200 respondents, had sampling error margins of ±3 percent. John Paolo Bencito

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and some Mindanao residents urged the high court to nullify the extension for its alleged lack of factual basis as required by the 1987 Constitution and because of the absence of rebellion in the south.

They made their petition even as Malacañng and Congress asked the Supreme Court to dismiss for lack of merit the first petition filed by a group of opposition lawmakers led

by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman seeking to nullify the one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao.

In a comment, the executive and legislative departments through the Office of the Solicitor General said the petitioners failed to fulfill their burden of proving by evidence that there was no factual basis for extending martial law in Mindanao.

Solicitor General Jose Calida said the extension of martial law was simply necessary.

According to the petitioners, President Rodrigo Duterte had even admitted that the government had achieved victory over the ISIS-linked Maute terror group in October last year after a nearly five-month campaign to drive them out from Marawi City.

“Hence, by the government’s own admission, there actually exists no factual or legal basis to support the extension of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao,” the petitioners said.

The committee also expected the presence of SC Associate Justices Samuel Martires, Mariano del Castillo and Andres Reyes Jr. to testify in the hearing.

From the Supreme Court, Sereno’s camp said it was expecting an intensified vilification campaign against her after efforts to pin her down on numerous charges failed during the several hearings conducted by the House of Representatives last year.

Sereno’s spokesperson Jojo Lacanilao stressed not a single impeachable offense was proven during the hearings, although four incumbent and retired Supreme Court justices had testified before the House committee on justice.

“We expect her detractors to intensify their smear campaign against the Chief Justice to cover

Awards... had been founded to cover entertainment but had expanded its mission to defend journalists amid rising attacks on their work.

“As artists, you bravely tell stories that enable us to see the world through the eyes of another. These stories are our best hope of reflecting the kind of world we want to live in,” she said.

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, a Washington-based network that supports indepth cross-border probes into corruption and abuse of power, said the grant would support “the public’s need for

tenths of 1 percent; and transportation will be up probably one tenth of 1 percent. This is rather manageable, especially when compared to the savings from the lower personal income tax,” Dominguez said, adding that the TRAIN marks the first time that the government had pushed a tax reform package not in response to a financial crisis or an external conditions imposed by other institutions, but to strengthen its programs meant to attack poverty and correct income inequality.

It would also be the first time the government, through the initiative of the Duterte administration, is lowering personal income tax rates to make these more equitable, Dominguez said.

He added that 99 percent of the country’s individual taxpayers would benefit from TRAIN,

Dominguez said the implementation of the TRAIN fulfills a campaign promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to institute tax reform, which includes PIT exemptions for those earning at least P20,000 and below.

This means that aside from minimum wage earners who are already exempted from the PIT under the law, those with annual taxable income of P250,000 and below would no longer pay any PIT starting this year.

Thus, employees such as clerks earning P15,000 a month and previously taxed P7,000, and call center agents with a monthly salary of P21,000 who used to cough up P22,000 a year in taxes would pay zero tax and effectively increase their take home pay beginning this January, Dominguez said.

would be able to take home additional income equivalent to one-month’s pay per year.

“Let me first emphasize that this reform is an important milestone in our economic history. This is the first time that we are doing a tax reform not because of crisis or because it was imposed by external forces,” Dominguez said at the Palace briefing.

“It is also the first time that the main purpose of the reform is to reduce poverty and inequality, and not because of deficit or debt reduction,” he added.

“TRAIN is the first step to once and for all correct our unfair, complex, and inefficient tax system” after 20 years of non-adjustment of the PIT rates while ensuring that more people comply with their obligation to pay taxes, he said.

latest Fourth Quarter 2017 Ulat ng Bayan survey conducted from Dec. 10 to 15 and 17.

Filipinos are least inclined to disapprove of and distrust Duterte, at 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Duterte’s scores were only slightly higher than those received by his predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, around the same time, Pulse Asia president Ronald Holmes said.

Meanwhile, administration lawmakers welcomed Duterte’s consistently high trust and approval ratings.

Reps. Raneo Abu of Batangas City, LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Rodolfo Albano of Isabela and Gus Tambunting of Parañaque City said the survey result affirmed the President’s strong political will and no-nonsense style of governance.

“President Duterte’s consistently high trust and approval ratings was an affirmation of his good governance and strong

political will to address the country’s pressing problems, such as poverty and corruption,” Abu said.

In the case of Sereno, currently facing impeachment woes—her disapproval and distrust ratings were highest among top government officials, at 26 percent and 33 percent, respectively.

Ambivalence remains as the plurality sentiment toward Sereno’s performance at 40 percent, while practically the same percentages of Filipinos either distrust her or express indecision on the matter of trusting or distrusting her (33 percent versus 38 percent).

Vice President Leni Robredo and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III also continue to enjoy majority ratings in the last quarter of 2017.

Robredo’s approval rating is at 59 percent, while her trust ratings is at 58 percent.

Pimentel, meanwhile, received an approval rating of 57 percent, while his trust rating is at 53 percent.

House Speaker Pantaleon

Alvarez, on the other hand, received almost the same approval and indecision ratings, at 42 percent and 37 percent, respectively; while his indecision is the prevalent sentiment on the level of trust of Filipinos, at 43 percent compared to 37 percent trust.

In a television interview, Holmes said indecision as the prevalent sentiment for the performance and trust ratings of the House Speaker and the Chief Justice were traditionally higher than the other top government officials, since they were not as “nationally prominent.”

The slide in Sereno’s numbers may continue “until such time that the Chief Justice would be able to present her own side” in the ongoing impeachment hearings against her.

“Much of what has been presented in the Committee on Justice have come from both the complainant...there have also been testimonies from justices of the Supreme Court, which do not necessarily put the Chief Justice in a good light,” Holmes told ANC. “As the committee hearings

proceed, once the side of the Chief Justice, once the evidences (sic) in support of the Chief Justice would be presented, this might tick the balance in favor of the Chief Justice,” he added.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, meanwhile, welcomed the release of the latest survey, saying this showed “that our people are aware of and recognized the significant strides that the President undertook in his one year and a half month in office.”

“We assure our people that he will continue to discharge his duties with the nation’s interest foremost in his mind,” Roque said in a Palace news briefing Monday.

“With that, we call on everyone to put this appreciation into action by standing as one and helping the government as we continue to address the problem of poverty, illegal drugs, criminality and corruption,” he added.

The latest survey, fielded among 1,200 respondents, had sampling error margins of ±3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

up for the fatally defective impeachment case. It is our position that if there is a strong case against the Chief Justice, it should have long been elevated to the Senate for trial,” Lacanilao said.

The lawyer expressed optimism that not even the testimonies of the justices, which pertain to differences in opinion with respect to internal processes of the Supreme Court, were enough to prove that the Chief Justice committed an impeachable offense that would warrant her removal from office.

The presence of these six SC Associate Justices would bring to nine the incumbent magistrates who would be testifying in the impeachment process against Sereno.

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

He said De Castro may return to his panel and continue with her testimony.

Retired SC Associate Justice Arturo Brion also appeared before the Umali panel.

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

Lacanilao also criticized Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for making it appear that it was Sereno’s choice not to participate in the impeachment proceedings.

“We have to remember that the Chief Justice accepted the invitation of the committee to attend the hearings through her counsel, which is her right under their own rules and the Constitution, but the committee did not allow her to be represented by her counsels of choice and to cross examine the complainant and the witnesses through her lawyers,” Lacanilao stressed.

‘Traslacion’... security,” MPD spokesman Erwin Margarejo said.

About two-million devotees are expected to join the annual procession in Manila, the police said.

The procession will start at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and end at the Quiapo Church.

In 2017 around 1.4-million people attended the Traslacion, which lasted around 22 hours, one of the longest in the procession’s history.

It will be the 11th time that the procession will start outside Quiapo Church.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered the suspension of classes at all levels and city government work in Manila today.

Estrada said the suspension

of work in national government offices in Manila would be left to the decision of their respective heads.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded the devotees who are not feeling well to seek immediate help from any of the 14 medical teams deployed along the route of the procession.

“We appeal to the devotees to take care of their health if they are joining the Traslacion. Should you feel any symptom of sickness or suffer an injury as may happen in large crowds, go to our medical teams who are ready to help.” Duque said.

He said all Health Department hospitals will be on ‘Code White’ alert status, which refers to the readiness status of hospital manpower to respond to any emergency situation.

openness and transparency.”

“This generous donation will allow us to bring scrutiny to repressive and dangerous regimes and to systems designed to channel more and more of the world’s resources into the hands of the rich and powerful,” the consortium’s director Gerard Ryle said in a statement.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, which defends the rights of journalists worldwide, also voiced gratitude for the donation.

The Golden Globes come amid growing concern over the preservation of a free press, with President Donald Trump incessantly denouncing “fake news” and journalists facing an array of dangers as they report out of conflict zones.

“The Post”—one of the nominees for best drama at the Golden Globes—depicts The Washington Post’s publication in brazen defiance of then president Richard Nixon of The Pentagon Papers, the US Defense Department’s secret history of the Vietnam War. As expected, Hollywood’s biggest celebrities and A-list stars descended on The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California Sunday night (in the US) for the 75th edition of the Golden Globes.

The red carpet was a sea of black gowns, a symbolic statement of solidarity with #MeToo campaign and Time’s Up movement. #MeToo, represented by its founder Tarana Burke who

walked the red carpet accompanied by “All the Money in the World” star Michelle Williams, is an online awareness that encourages victims of sexual misconduct to speak up, while “Time’s Up” stems from the Harvey Weinstein scandal that rocked Hollywood in October last year.

While a handful of male attendees wore pins that read “Time’s Up,” no male winner or presenter spoke about the global movement during the ceremonies, probably leaving everything to program host Seth Meyers.

“Good evening, ladies and remaining gentlemen. There’s a new era under way. I can tell because it’s been this long since a white man has been

nervous in Hollywood,” the host started.

“It’s time to address the elephant not in the room: Harvey Weinstein is not in the room tonight. I’ve heard rumors he’s crazy and difficult to work with. He’ll be back in 20 years when he’s the first person booed during the In Memoriam. For the men in the room, this will be the first time in three months where it won’t be terrifying to hear your name read out loud.”

A-list actresses, from Natalie Portman to Jessica Chastain, served up jokes about gender inequality in their industry. Portman, presenting the award for best film director, made a point of saying all the nominees were men. With AFP

DESPITE the staggered increase of the oil excise tax within the next two years—transportation, food, and oil prices will remain “manageable” amid the passage of the first package of the administration’s tax reform program, the Finance department said Monday.

In a Palace news briefing, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III sought to downplay the effects of “moderate” increases on the price of basic commodities, since the middle class would take home more from the lowered income taxes, while the poor will be protected through government dole-out programs.

“Our analysis shows that the overall inflation might be increased by seven tenths of 1 percent due to higher oil prices

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Pump prices rising

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE oil companies raised diesel prices by P0.55 per liter and kerosene by P0.30 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday but did not move gasoline prices.

“PTT Philippines to hike the price of diesel by P0.55 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday, January 9, 2018. No movement on gasoline prices,” PTT said in its advisory.

PTT aside, Eastern Petroleum, Flying V, Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Seaoil Philippines and Pilipinas Shell also raised their pump prices, while the other oil companies were expected to follow suit.

Meanwhile, the oil firms vowed to comply with the Department of Energy’s order not to raise prices on their old inventories that were not levied the new excise taxes under the TRAIN law.

“Our retail stations will apply the new excise taxes on fuels only when their old inventories are fully consumed,” Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi earlier said the additional excise tax on fuel under TRAIN should not affect the prices of the oil firms’ old stocks, including their stocks under the 15-day Minimum Inventory Requirement.

Cusi said the oil companies had agreed to submit their stock inventories as of the cutoff date (Dec. 31, 2017) under a notarized document to be submitted to his department.

The oil companies were also ordered to share their data regarding their sales to their dealers/retailers to determine which stocks should be applied with the excise tax.

Senate...

From A1 were ambivalent (39 percent) or distrustful of the high court (16 percent).

The latest survey, conducted from December 10 to 15 and 17, was fielded among 1,200 respondents and had sampling error margins of ±3 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

In the Senate, Senafe President Aquilino Pimentel III said a nationally elected official was logically expected to have a higher national rating compared to a locally elected official.

“Hence [there is] nothing out of the ordinary when you compare my rating with that of the speaker,” said Pimentel, referring to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

“But I should point out that for a locally elected official, the ratings of the speaker are very high and very impressive. Hence, congrats to the Speaker,” he added.

Pimentel was sought for his comment about his 57 percent national approval rating, a 53 percent trust rating ompared to Alvarez’s 42 percent approval and 37 trust ratings in last month’s Pulse Asia’s nationwide survey.

Asked if he expected an impressive mark from the public amid the issues being raised by some groups against the administration—like exytrajudicial killings, charter change and the TRAIN law, he said the Senate was different, adding the Senate always investigated allegations of any crime done.

“Hence that willingness to investigate, fight and put an end to abuse and/or allegations of abuse, helped me and the Senate with our ratings,” he said.

PAO...

From A1 We noted a pattern of their illnesses before the children passed away,” Erfe said.

The Food and Drug Administration suspended the sale of Dengvaxia for a year and imposed a fine of P100,000 on the French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur for failure to comply with post-marketing authorization requirements for the vaccine.

The agency also ordered the pullout of Dengvaxia vaccines in the market.

The Department of Health began its mass dengue immunization program for public school students in 2016.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Misuari’s graft trial suspended

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HE Sandiganbayan’s Third Division has suspended the trial of graft and malversation cases of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of P115-million “textbook scam” in 2000 to 2001.

The anti-graft court, in a minute resolution dated Dec. 6, ordered the suspension of graft and malversation trial of Misuari after it approved his motion for preliminary investigation in November.

“The motion to order preliminary investigation

is granted considering that the prosecution did not object thereto, and the motion defer the scheduled arraignment is noted,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“Let the proceedings in these cases be suspended with respect to accused Nur P. Misuari only until the said preliminary inves-

tigation against him shall have been terminated,” it added.

Misuari, who served as governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, was charged with three counts each of graft and malversation by falsification for allegedly conspiring with his co-ac-

cused to give “unwarranted benefits, advantage and privilege” to three private companies.

The Ombudsman found that “no such materials were delivered” by MBJ Learning Tools, CPR Publishing, and White Orchids Printing and Publishing House.

Nobody can dictate ‘Cadres’ told to hasten Du30’s downfall on the Senate—Ping

By John Paolo Bencito

By Macon Araneta DEFENDING the Senate from the recent assault of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Senator Panfilo Lacson on Monday said that the Senate President or even the President of the Republic of the Philippines cannot dictate on the senators.

“Nobody, not the Senate President and even the President of the Republic can dictate on us,” said Lacson in a text message to reporters.

Lacson was referring to Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and President Rodrigo Duterte, the president and chairman, respectively of the ruling PDP-Laban, while Alvarez is its secretary-general.

Lacson explained that the Senate works differently from the House in that “we think and act more independently as individual members.”

He also said Alvarez’s “assault” on the Senate “is at the very least uncalled for and smacks of unparliamentary conduct.”

Senator Win Gatchalian, meanwhile, reminded Alvarez that is not about quantity but more importantly quality of the legislation that should positively affect the lives of the people.

“By design of the constitution, the Senate and the House perform check and balance on each other in order to assure the

public that all laws passed are meticulously scrutinized,” he said.

Alvarez has recently criticized Senate, calling it “mabagal na kapulungan” for supposedly failing to act on measures already approved by the House of Representatives.

But Pimentel reminded Alvarez that the Senate is not a subordinate of the House of Representative.

“The Senate is not a subordinate of the House; and that is also true the other way around. A measure before it becomes law must pass both chambers. That is the basic principle. We have to respect the decision of each chamber,” Pimentel said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Alvarez’s remark that the Senate is “slow” proves Alvarez’s “deliberate” attempt to weaken the upper chamber in a bid to slowly “abolish” it.

“I am very alarmed and concerned about this continued attack on the Senate. It appears to be part of deliberate and sustained efforts to weaken and embarrass the Senate as an institution,” Drilon said.

“For me, these attacks are meant to demean the Senate in order to lay the groundwork for the abolition of the Senate and pave the way for a unilateral congress,” he added

Lawmaker urges Sereno to stop ‘TRO for sale’ racket A HOUSE leader on Monday appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to refrain from using the impeachment case leveled against her as an excuse to abandon efforts to weed out the alleged corruption in the judiciary, such as “TRO for sale” racket of some of its officials.

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnulfo Teves revealed that a Court of Appeals division is set to issue a temporary restraining order to block the execution of an antigraft court order dismissing a provincial governor.

Teves alleged that a CA division is involved in the “TRO for sale scheme.’’

“The chief justice must continue to carry out her pledge to cleanse the judiciary. SC should check on allegations of

TRO for sale in the Court of Appeals and other lower courts,” Teves, vice chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said as he claimed having received numerous information about corruption in the issuance of TROs. “According to the grapevine, a governor from one province outside Luzon will soon benefit from a TRO of a dismissal order issued by an anti-graft body,” Teves added.

“If this becomes a norm, then corruption in the judiciary will never stop.”

Teves said Sereno should not be distracted in pursuing her house cleaning of the judiciary being part of her advocacy despite the impeachment complaint filed against her by lawyer Larry Gadon.

Maricel V. Cruz

Win rejects postponement of polls for ‘Charter Change’ SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Monday described as “unacceptable” any timetable proposing the postponement or cancellation of the scheduled May 2019 national and local elections to give way to the Duterte administration’s shift to a federal form of govenrmenr.

He said the democratic functions of our government should not be put on hold for any reason, not even for Charter Change.

“The May 2019 elections must go ahead as scheduled,” also said Gatchalian, a member of the majority bloc.

He asked the leadership of both chambers of Congress to present a “realistic and workable timetable” for the push for Char-

ter Change which would pave the way for the country’s shift to a federal form of government.

“Based on their pronouncements last week, Senate President Pimentel and Speaker Alvarez will start to lay the groundwork for discussions of this once the session is resumed on January 15,” Gatchalian said.

“But they first need to produce the timetable, a realistic and workable one, to get us going,” he said.

Gatchalian said he wants a meticulous look into its details since the idea of federalism being floated over the news is still broad. “We need to be clear with the details and not rush the process,” he added.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Communist Party of the Philippines on Friday has called on its cadres to work towards the downfall of President Rodrigo Duterte to protect the people from his “dictatorial” ambitions.

In a Jan. 7 editorial of the CPP’s official publication, Ang Bayan, communist rebels predicted that Duterte would become “increasingly isolated” from the people because of his alleged fascist policies and has called on revolutionary forces to work towards his downfall.

“Ang pagpapabagsak kay Duterte ang pinakaimportanteng tungkulin sa ngayon ng mga rebolusyonaryong pwersa.

Krusyal ang pagtupad nito sa mabilis na paglakas at paglawak ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan para ipagtanggol ang

mamamayan sa walang habas na mga atake ng rehimen,” the editorial read. [‘‘The downfall of (President Rodrigo) Duterte is the most important task of the revolutionary forces,” crucial both to the rapid strengthening and expansion of the movement and to defend the people from the unrelenting attacks of the regime.’’]

Cadres should likewise work towards building an alliance with anti-Duterte groups, “even those with the biggest contradiction with the revolutionary forces” just to bring down the President and launch campaigns, “both armed and unarmed, to deal serious blows to the regime and weaken it until it falls.”

The CPP scored the many contradictions in the Duterte regime, among which, the continued killings in both his war on drugs and the

counterinsurgency campaign, the predicted increase in the prices of basic necessities brought about by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, or TRAIN, law, and the push for Charter change and federalism— including the possible scrapping of the 2019 elections.

The CPP said that government proposals towards a no-election scenario in 2019 is a way to establish another dictatorship.

“Para kontrahin ang papalawak na paglaban ng mamamayan, tiyak na patitindihin pa ni Duterte ang mga gerang mapanupil laban sa mga sektor at organisasyong tumututol sa kanyang mga pasistang ambisyon [To counter the widening resistance of the people, Duterte is certain to intensify the wars of suppression against sectors and organizations opposed to his fascist ambitions],” the editorial read.

The CPP likewise reiterated that the government’s move to declare them as “terrorist organizations” targets the “open democratic movement and the legal opposition” as much as the armed rebels.

The move followed Duterte’s termination of negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which represents the communist rebels in peace talks.

Only foreign multinationals and their local “bureaucrat-capitalist” cohorts dictated by “neoliberal policies” would benefit from present efforts to supposedly improve the economy, and could only worsen poverty and backwardness present today.

The CPP added that the Duterte regime had failed to end labor contractualization, agrarian reform and free irrigation which “have totally disappeared from Duterte’s vocabulary.”

A4

Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

W

An uncharitable tussle HAT is happening to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office is a cause for concern.

PCSO, with its humanitarian mandate and lofty objectives, now finds itself at the center of controversy involving one of its directors, Sandra Cam. Cam has lost no time in discrediting the agency.

Any constructive criticism by anyone on anyone is always most welcome, so long as the objective is to

highlight areas for improvement.

But why go to town with one’s observations if one is already within the organization, and in a position to change the status quo? A healthy, open discourse supported by facts will be enough to start reforms.

Cam, however, appears to know which

media buttons to push so that the PCSO, as an institution, is questioned despite its recent gains, like its substantial increase in income from P37 billion in 2016 to P51 billion in 2017.

Cam also griped that the agency had rejected her request for rice and groceries for a supposed gift-giving activity over the holidays. The motive was suspect, however, because the areas were not even under a state of

calamity.

Cam’s name—and associations with one Charlie Ang—simply carry too much baggage. It has never been a secret that PCSO turned down Ang’s company’s bid to operate Small Town Lottery, and for good reason. Authorities are looking at probing Ang and this company for possible tax evasion.

Talk about thinly veiled vested interests.

STL has proven itself

an effective alternative to the illegal numbers game jueteng. Revenue from this legal activity has allowed the agency to fund medical services such as payment for hospital bills, dialysis and chemotherapy treatments of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, most of them from farflung areas.

Aside from illegal drugs, illegal gambling is a menace so widespread in the

country. It takes away from government money that is rightfully its own to fund programs that would help the poor and marginalized.

This mess must be sorted out, pronto, and characters’ real agenda soon exposed.

The hapless Filipino, whose needs the PCSO must respond to, immediately, should not find himself or herself in the middle of this senseless storm.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Pushing the country to the edge WE ALL saw it coming, Santa Banana!

I refer to the plan of Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution, through constituent assembly, to pave the way for a federal form of government. This would replace the present republic and unitary system that we have.

The plan is to have both the House of Representatives and the Senate voting jointly to amend the Constitution any way they like, with the present lawmakers extending their terms of office.

Are we really letting Congress get away with this?

Silence as affirmation LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES THE silence is deafening. And yet it speaks volumes.

The performance of the stock market has always been used as an indicator of this country’s economic health.

After all, why would anyone invest in local listed companies, if they weren’t worth anything?

The Philippine Stock Exchange went on an all-time record tear last week, scaling heretofore unheard-of highs for eight consecutive days.

The PSE index went beyond 8,750 points for the first time last week before retreating slightly

yesterday on what stock analysts described as a “technical correction.”

But you never heard anyone talk about the stock market’s phenomenal rise, especially from the people who used to point to the bourse’s performance in order to describe just how great Noynoy Aquino was when he was president.

It was as if, for the critics of the current government, the stock market’s great improvement was fake news that no one should touch.

(The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte wasn’t making any noise about what was happening in the PSE, either. Its spokesmen, it seems, were too shy to take the credit grabbed with such alacrity and

regularity by the drumbeaters of Aquino, or too distracted to see what was really going on.)

I still remember that day in April 2015 when

The critics of Duterte will never concede that he is good for the economy—or for anything.

the PSE Index first hit 8,000 during Aquino’s term. Noynoy was so awed by that event that he went to the stock market to congratulate the

brokers and traders on the floor.

“I cannot help but think: How times have changed,” Aquino said at the time, claiming full credit for the market’s rise. “And might I add: For the better.”

Then Aquino predicted that the bellwether index would break 10,000 points during his term.

The market responded the following day by quickly taking a beating in a huge selloff; Aquino never went near the market again and never repeated his bold prediction to anyone, ever.

But it is a testament to just how toxic the political environment has become that any good news that could somehow be credited to the government is studiously ig-

nored by critics and the press. And any bad news that can be ascribed to the current rulers is very quickly blamed on Duterte, and then some.

Take, for instance, the expected and already noticeable increase in the prices of some goods because of the approval of the Duterte government’s tax reform program known more popularly as TRAIN. The debate over the tax program has already been hijacked by the leftists and the opposition Liberal Party as an anti-poor package of unjust impositions, even if it also includes tax breaks for millions of long-suffering Filipinos whose taxes have not been adjusted in two decades.

Why did a program

that seeks to raise funds for much-needed infrastructure projects while lowering income taxes become anti-poor? Why should anyone who doesn’t consume more fuel than is necessary or more sugared drinks than is healthy fear increased taxes on these goods?

What’s really going on is unfounded fearmongering that is motivated by a desire to see this government fail in the all-important job of improving the economy.

Especially because all indicators, like the stock market, unequivocally point out that Duterte is succeeding in that area, as well.

I don’t believe that the critics of Duterte will ever concede that he is

And, with some 10 to 11 years for the transition period, the President in effect would become a dictator!

This is like making Dracula manager of the Blood Bank!

The effect? There would be no elections in 2019.

The cat came out of the bag when both Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez floated the idea of no-el, and the plan to have a Con-ass instead of a Constitutional Convention with elected delegates.

The supermajority in both chambers of Congress said no to Concon because that would entail expenses of P10 billion.

And yet, members of Congress can afford to

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Opinion From A4

*** The Department of Information and Communications Technology reports that the third-party player in the telecommunication industry will arrive this March. The new player, China Telecoms, is set to break the duopoly of Globe and Smart in the telecom industry.

This does not mean other foreign telcos are not interested in competing with Smart and Globe. There are also reports that a local company is in in the advanced stages of negotiation with a Korean telco.

The Duterte administration must be sure that the Chinese company does not get involved in national security issues. It is, after all, owned by the Chinese government.

This third player may as well be the Trojan horse that resulted in the fall of Troy. *** According to communications secretary Martin Andanar, President Duterte has already fulfilled four of his election promises except the adoption of a federal form of government.

Those promises, Andanar said, were the elimination of poverty, corruption, illegal drugs, and the restoration of peace and order.

I cannot blame Andanar for claiming the success of the President. That’s his job. But to say that the Duterte administration has erased poverty, corruption and illegal drugs is just too much. *** The passing of Jake Macasaet is a personal loss.

He was a dear, dear friend.

I truly respected and admired Jake. He will sorely be missed.

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR “RING out the old, ring in the new!”

That’s the familiar phrase with which many people have long bade farewell to the old year while greeting the new one. And as people start making their way back to their first full week of work post-holidays, we can take note of a number of brave new melodies being chimed on the national carillon. *** The biggest one of course is Charter change, thanks to the bell-ringers among the administration’s allies in Congress who’ve promised to make it job number one this new session.

The main theme is federalism, of course, but there are also important secondary themes: Fusing, instead of separating, executive and legislative powers in a parliamentary system overseen by a strong but limited presidency; Introducing proportional rep-

THE FIRST week of the New Year has been a time of reunions for me.

It was good to meet up with people I have mentored—Pauline Caspellan who introduced me finally to her husband Mark (three years late as I was an absentee ninong at their wedding in 2014) and my brilliant former students Joanne Dulce and the Roxas twins Ata and Adet. Joanne conceptualized the climate change program of Ateneo School of Government but was not there to see it grow and the team expand from just the two of us in 2009 to a dozen by Paris in 2015. Ata joined that team in 2011 right after graduating from college and stayed until she went to graduate school in Europe. Adet, upon my advice and recommendation, worked at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources before moving on to the private sector. We updated each other about our professional and personal lives, amazed always at how we still continued to converge in many ways.

I was also happy to be reunited with Undersecretary Mario Villaverde who is back in the Department of Health and helping returnee Secretary Francisco Duque run this key Department.

Duque always does excellently whatever assignment and appointment, whether as PhilHealth president, DoH secretary during Arroyo and now, or as Civil Service Commission chairman during the time of PNoy. Mario likewise always delivers, whatever his job is.

lowed. And so the Yellows have started trotting out other lies as well, both big ones and little ones: *** The 2019 elections will be canceled in order to extend the terms of present officials by 10 years. As a matter of fact, 10 years actually refers to the period of time which the “regions” under a federal set-up are given in order to come up with their own “organic acts” or regional constitutions. And provincial and municipal officials who may be asked to govern the regions in a transition capacity during that period are still subject to the electoral cycle, including the May 2019 elections.

The President will be given extraordinary powers to appoint officials and make laws.

This is found nowhere in the proposed new Charter drafted by the President’s own PDPLaban party. Its source is clearly just the febrile imagination of the yellows.

The Senate will be abolished. The opposition is agitated by the good-natured exchanges between the Senate President and the House

Speaker, both of whom at the end of the day are still partymates. The most change that may be expected in the Senate will be the election of senators by region, as well as a redefinition of their powers in order to remove duplication of the Lower House’s prerogatives in the law-making process.

The economy will be thrown wide open to Chinese investors. This is the most primitive kind of nativist, protectionist, and xenophobic sentiment. Opening up the economy is intended to make us more competitive in the world and attract more investors, whether local or foreign, and not just the Chinese. *** What we think may actually be problematic is the prospect of an impeachment trial of CJ Sereno in the Senate in May. This would sorely conflict with the urgency of drafting a new Charter in time for a plebiscite referendum by no later than the May 2019 elections.

This is a problem that Sereno herself can solve—if she’s feeling patriotic enough—by simply stepping down from office. Right

now, the majority of the 15 associate justices of the Supreme Court may end up testifying against her.

It’s no longer a question then of who’s right or who’s wrong, but whether or not she can still lead the High Court. When the majority no longer has your back, how can you claim to have any kind of mandate?

Luckily for the President, he doesn’t that kind of a mandate problem. In the latest SWS quarterly survey last December, 70 percent of the respondents said that Duterte has done a better job after less than two years in office, compared to his predecessor’s full six-year term.

Twenty percent said they performed about the same, while only 8 percent thought that PNoy had done a better job in the presidency.

Those results mightily pleased a Duterte fan and friend of mine, whose colorful reaction was: “Mabuti na lang, wala pang 10 percent ang mga engot at bobong dilawan pala sa Pilipino!”

Of course I could never endorse such sentiments. Such language, such profanity— que horror!

Readers can write me at

I first met Mario in 1996 when as environmental health division chief he represented DoH in the Pollution Adjudication Board which I chaired. He was brilliant, diligent, and committed to do the right thing then and was my ally in all major fights against polluters. When the opportunity arose, I invited him to be the Associate Dean of the Ateneo School of Government. He was actually just looking for an opportunity to teach when I made him an offer he could not refuse. It is to Mario that I credit the growth of our academic program during my tenure as dean, including the institutionalization of many measures. The DoH is so lucky to have him back as Secretary Duque’s chief of staff.

The reunion with Mario was occasioned by the birthday and retirement of Dr. Mary Jean Caleda as Associate Dean of the Ateneo School of Government.

Jean, hands down, has been my closest collaborator in the last 20 years starting when she was my chief of staff at the DENR from 1996-1998. Before she joined me and before I was appointed by President Ramos, I had met Jean only once in a public forum on access to genetic resources. Jean impressed me with her knowledge and more importantly because she was one of the few who stood up to me and questioned my proposals. On my first day in the DENR, I offered the job of chief of staff to her and luckily for me she accepted.

Since then, Jean and I have converged many times. We collaborated when she was in Hawaii working on marine issues.

We collaborated on reforming the national biosafety framework of the Philippines to make

it consistent with the Cartagena Protocol. We never stopped working together on protected areas and wildlife; Jean, being from Davao City, is a Mindanawon like me—we love our mountains, seas, and yes, the Philippine Eagle.

When I returned to the Philippines in 2006, I asked Jean to join the ASoG to help me run our big policy shop of 60-70 researchers working on a wide range of topics—from the familiar like climate change, disaster risk reduction, energy, and biological diversity to new areas such as social accountability, the bottom of the pyramid development approach, social entrepreneurship, and road safety.

Even as we are both retired from Ateneo de Manila, I am sure Jean and I will continue to work together. Just the same, I will still take this opportunity of a transition to thank Jean for her brilliance, problem-solving skills, passion for planet and people, integrity, and for 20 years of friendship.

Finally, last Saturday I had a happy reunion lunch with the lawyers and close-in staff I worked with when I was in the DENR from 1996-1998. More than 20 came to the gathering, the biggest of our reunions in 10 years. There were more than 30 of us at some point in the DENR, the biggest group up to now that joined a government agency as a team (and doing that without major complaints from the bureaucracy).

It’s been two decades now since we worked together and all of us had moved on—some to higher positions like DENR Undersecretary Ana Teh, working internationally like Socky Manguiat now based in Nairobi with

the United Nations Environment Programme after years working for the climate convention in Bonn, heading big environmental foundations as Onggie Canivel is doing, steering the secretariat of the special committee on climate change of the House of Representatives which Rommel Reyes does as its secretary, running the mediation office of the Supreme Court as Bjay Angeles has been appointed to do, and leading the work on human rights and other justice issues of Asia Foundation which is Carol Mercado’s mandate. We of course have practicing lawyers like Dan Calica, Pancoy Saavedra, and Red Guzman, government lawyers like Ipe Arevalo and Eunice Agsaoay-Sano (who came with husband Yeb), and policy and governance lawyers like James Kho, Jojo Garcia, Lolly Bisquera-Sheen, Babes Benavidez, Arnie Rabe-Manuel and Gia Ibay.

Jean, of course, my secretary Chari Cruz, and administrative assistants Lea Antonio dela Cruz, and Rowena Rosales Ganibi were there, too. We recognize that the legal eagles could not have flown without their ground support.

We missed Cecile Dalupan who now runs a renewable energy company, George dela Cuesta who is now RCBC’s chief lawyer, human rights lawyer and access to justice champion Ingrid Gorre, practicing lawyers Markus Hernandez and Irwin Ambal, corporate lawyer Arlene Mendoza Wilkerson, law of the sea expert Suzette Suarez based in Hamburg, Germany, international lawyer and OFW leader Florida Almodiel based in The Hague, Deedee Perez San Juan who is based in Cebu City, and GMA 7 lawyer Jose

Vener Ibarra.

It would have also been great if Bert Mondragon, my deputy chief of staff, our then NGO liaison and now international development worker Maria Baylon and legal assistant Jocelyn Lobrino coould have joined us.

They were mostly in their mid- and late twenties when they worked with me in the DENR. This year, many of them celebrate their 50th birthday. Some were colleagues in environment and human rights organizations; many were my students in UP Law and came straight to my office right after their bar exams. All wanted to be part of an adventure to make a difference; everyone asked me to be their mentor.

I suppose that was a good time in our lives —when we were young and poor but happy and full of hope, ready to take on anyone and anything for people and planet. And that’s why we continually relive that time.

I write about these reunions because it reminds me about what matter most in life that is worth sharing to a bigger audience. It is the advice I give to all my students: Do not work for money, power or for success as that guarantees an unhappy life. But do something for a big cause, one that is worth dying for, one worth dedicating decades of a life to: country, nature, justice, a faith mission.

According to Pope Francis: “Dear brothers and sisters, let us imitate the Magi: looking upwards, setting out, and freely offering our gifts.” And as you go forth, never forget that you have family and friends that accompany you in your journey.

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Ninoy Aquino from a new perspective

From A4

*** Of course, Duterte doesn’t need any more affirmation that what he’s doing has the people’s approval: The results of surveys released by the two biggest polling outfits, Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia, just confirmed that for him.

In both surveys conducted in the last quarter of last year, Duterte kept his stratospheric approval and trust ratings across all major areas of the country.

Not bad for a president who is just about ready to start his real term using a budget of his administration’s crafting and a tax program that several of his predecessors wanted to implement but couldn’t, out of fear of the political cost.

Here it must be pointed out that the members of the political opposition, most notably Senator Antonio Trillanes, predicted that Duterte’s popularity was headed for a precipitous fall by yearend of 2017. The people, according to the surveys, must have wholeheartedly disagreed.

I don’t know what else the opposition has lined up for the new year in their never-ending campaign to destroy Duterte in 2018 and, beyond that, in 2019, when the president will be subjected to a virtual referendum that is the midterm elections. But after witnessing everything that has been tried against Duterte so far, I think it’s much safer to predict that his popularity among Filipinos will only continue to rise, if that’s at all possible.

The man seems impervious to all the attacks against him. And his critics, no matter how hard they try, always seem to end up with egg on their faces.

resentation, laws against dynasties and turncoatism, and other reforms intended to strengthen our political parties; Reforming the judiciary from the Supreme Court down; and Opening up the economy to market competition and foreign investment These are important reforms that are long overdue.

And perhaps because they’re difficult to challenge, the yellow opposition has fallen back on their old bag of tricks—red herrings, false alarms, scare tactics, “the big lie”—to try and sabotage them.

The most familiar red herring, of course, is accusing the current head of state of using Charter change to extend Presidential tenure. This was the accusation thrown at former Presidents Ramos and Arroyo that doomed previous efforts to modernize a 1987 Constitution obsessed with little else than erasing all remnants of the Marcos years.

This time, though, the scare tactic won’t stick, simply because Duterte’s entire body language betrays his singular desire to—if anything—leave office even earlier than he’s al-

Happy reunions

Silence... good for the economy—or for anything, for the matter of that. But when they fall into stony silence and ignore the excellent news that’s going on, I think that’s the same as confirming what everyone knows is true: Duterte knows what he’s doing as far as making the economy grow is concerned. Even if no one, not even his own people, will say it.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ring in the new

Pushing... spend billions of pork-barrel money among themselves.

Will the people just stand by and do nothing?

Thank goodness President Duterte said he did not want an extended term. I have no reason to doubt him.

It seems, however, that the people are not protesting this plan of their so-called representatives.

This is the greatest tragedy of our time. Maybe it is because there is no single personality who can be a rallying point.

The greatest danger with what Congress is planning to do is that changing the Constitution could be a free-for-all. Lawmakers may introduce amendments for their personal gain.

This year could be the acid test for the Duterte administration to stop his allies from monkeying around with the Constitution. They mock the sanctity of the fundamental law of the land!

It’s not yet too late to protest this latest move of Congress.

This hangup with changing the form of government, which the President says will improve the lives of the people in Mindanao, raises questions.

First of all, with a federal form of government, political dynasties will be enhanced. Regions are often ruled by dynasties. According to studies, they number over a hundred.

A federal form of government can only strengthen the hold of political clans.

There is also fear that there will be greater inequality. There are rich regions and there are poor regions. The poorer regions will continue to depend on the richer ones.

These two arguments alone cannot be challenged by advocates of federalism.

I think we should have an information campaign so people would understand.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA IT’S BEEN 50 years since Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was elected to the Senate.

He was the youngest candidate of the Liberal Party (LP) and the only one in the party to make it to the winning eight in the senatorial race held in November 1967.

Aquino placed second in that election.

Ninoy’s Senate victory wasn’t a walk in the park.

The 1935 Constitution provided that a candidate for the Senate must be at least 35 years old “at the time of his election.” Ninoy was days short of 35 years on election day, but he would have been 35 by the time of his proclamation. Thus, Ninoy’s lawyers argued that he would have been 35 “at the time of his election,” on the premise that the word “election” means proclamation day, and not election day.

Having won in the election, Ninoy faced a disqualification case before the Senate Electoral Tribunal, lodged by then ex-Labor Secretary Emilio Espinosa Jr., the Nacionalista Party candidate for senator who placed ninth in the derby.

The tribunal voted 5-4 in Aquino’s favor. Two of the

three justices of the Supreme Court sitting in the SET voted for Espinosa, while one voted for Aquino. As expected, the three LP senators in the SET sided with Aquino. Fortunately for Aquino, however, only two of the three NP senators in the SET voted for Espinosa.

One voted for Aquino. That truant NP vote came from Senator Rodolfo Ganzon of Iloilo.

From the start, Ninoy Aquino was a young politician in a hurry. His first stint at politics was a run for mayor of Concepcion, his hometown in Tarlac. Ninoy won, but he was unseated because he was days short of the minimum age for the post.

Years later, Aquino became vice governor of Tarlac. When the incumbent governor resigned to assume another government posting, Aquino became the provincial governor.

Aquino was originally a member of the NP. He moved to the LP only when then President Diosdado Macapagal of the LP refused to release funds for Tarlac unless Governor Aquino joined the administration party.

A senator at 35, Ninoy Aquino’s ambitions knew no bounds. In his first month in the Senate, he became a staunch critic of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Ninoy exposed Opera-

tion Jabidah, the administration’s attempt to send special forces to seize Sabah from Malaysia and get back territory which, under international law, justly belongs to the Philippines. At that time, Malaysia’s military was not strong enough to resist a pocket invasion in North Borneo. The late 1960s was an opportune time for Manila to move.

Admittedly, the invasion plan backfired because the commandos who were supposed to invade Sabah were not properly compensated and, according to the news reports back then, many of them were killed in Corregidor after they mounted a mutiny. One survivor was able to report the incident to Aquino.

Ninoy’s exposé, however, put Malaysia on alert and compelled Malaysia to establish a military contingent in Sabah to repel any future invasion from the Philippines. His revelation also effectively ended what turned out to be the only feasible chance for the Philippines to get back Sabah once and for all.

Aquino’s early months in the Senate also saw him criticize Marcos’ plans to construct the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on reclaimed land along Roxas Boulevard in the bay area of Pasay City. He called the project an ostentatious

undertaking done to honor the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Despite Aquino’s criticism, the construction of the CCP was completed in 1969.

Since then, the CCP has been the venue for many worldclass performances by artists from here and abroad.

The big irony came in 1983. Months after Aquino was assassinated at the international airport that now bears his name, a memorial service in his honor was held at the CCP by artists known to be hostile to the Marcos administration.

Another irony came in late 1972. Ninoy exposed on the Senate floor Marcos’ plans to place the country under martial law sometime in the third week of September that year. Aquino was right, and when Marcos did place the nation under martial law, Aquino was one of the first prominent opposition figures arrested and detained at a military stockade.

At the time of his arrest in September 1972, Ninoy Aquino was two months shy of age 40. He was to remain in detention at Fort Bonifacio in Makati until 1980, when he suffered a heart attack and President Marcos allowed him, for humanitarian reasons, to leave for Texas in the United States for a triple-heart by-pass surgery.

Aquino admirers contend

that if Marcos did not resort to martial law in 1972 and the presidential elections pushed through in November 1973 as provided in the 1935 Constitution, Aquino would have been the LP standard bearer.

In 1973, President Marcos would have finished his second term, and since the charter prohibited him from seeking a third consecutive term, the NP would have to field somebody else, possibly Mrs. Marcos. That notwithstanding, Aquino admirers were certain Ninoy would have won over anybody fielded by the administration party.

For them, Ninoy would have been president in 1973, had it not been for martial law.

There may be some truth to that statement, but then, what would “President Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr.” have done after, say, two terms as president, beginning in 1973 up to 1977, and then from 1977 up to 1981?

By November 1981, Aquino would have been only 49 years old. The 1935 Constitution would not allow him a third consecutive term.

Where would the ambitious, always-in-a-hurry Ninoy Aquino go at the peak of his political career in 1981, and at the prime of his political life at age 49? Would he retire, or would he have extended his term like Marcos did? Hmmm...

News

A6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

More foreign fugitives caught

By Vito Barcelo

A

T LEAST 232 foreign fugitives—one a Kuwaiti bomb maker and suspected ISIS member—who hid in the country to evade prosecution and sentencing for crimes they committed in their homelands were arrested

by Bureau of Immigration operatives in 2017.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said 97 more foreign fugitives were caught last year, compared to the 135 wanted

men arrested in 2016.

The aliens were arrested in various operations conducted by operatives of the BI Fugitive Search Unit

headed by BI intelligence officer Bobby Raquepo in various places throughout the country.

The captured fugitives were already deported to their respective homelands and are now being tried or are serving their jail sentences.

“They were also placed in our blacklist of undesirable aliens to make sure that they do not return to the Philippines and pose a

risk to our public safety and security,” Morente said.

Raquepo said some of those captured were classified as “high value targets” due to the nature and gravity of their crimes.

They included Hussein Aldhafiri, the Kuwaiti bomb maker and ISIS member, who was arrested in Taguig City last March for his foiled attack on a mosque and a military base in his country.

Aldhafiri was arrested in the company of a Syrian woman named Rahaf Zina, alleged widow of the late Abu Jandal, former ISIS leader in Iraq.

Also arrested was American Yoshikoson Umeko Haddon, who was wanted in Virginia for capital murder, killing for hire, and solicitation of an adult.

Immigration records showed that of the 232 aliens, 178 were arrested

on the strength of mission orders issued by Morente, while 41 were subjects of deportation warrants issued on orders of the BI board of commissioners. The rest were either turned over, have surrendered, or were intercepted at the airports.

Chinese nationals topped the list of fugitives arrested with 131, followed by Koreans (61), Taiwanese (36), and Americans (11).

IN BRIEF DoH bats for MAP bureau DEPARTMENT of Health Mimaropa Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo on Monday vowed to push for the creation of a bureau for the DoH Medical Assistance Program to address the medical needs of patients in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

Speaking during a DoH-MAP reorientation for health coordinators of Calabarzon, Bicol, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and the National Capital Region in Puerto Princesa City, Janairo cited the need to establish a Public Assistance Bureau.

The bureau will provide a more streamlined, consolidated and standardized system of service delivery network for patients in need of medical assistance, Janairo said.

“We need to create a permanent agency not just a stop-gap solution that could be dissolved anytime. And one that does not restrict the use of MAP funds,” he added.

The DoH medical assistance program is created to provide financial support to indigent patients seeking medical examination, consultation, treatment and rehabilitation.

It is made available to all government hospitals and selected private health facilities duly approved by the DoH. From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, 2017, DoH Mimaropa MAP recorded a total of 20,624 patients who were given medical assistance in the province of Palawan; 4,774 patients in Oriental Mindoro; 3,186 in Occidental Mindoro; and 152 in Marinduque.

A total of P92,779,584.45 was paid in hospital bills coming from DoH MAP and congressional allocations.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

DoH: ‘Cracker cases down 27% NO DEATHS, cases of fireworks ingestion or stray bullet injuries were reported over the recent Christmas holidays, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday.

Overall, the Department of Health recorded a 27-percent decrease in fireworksrelated injuries, or a total of 463 cases nationwide, for the period from Dec. 21 to Jan. 5.

Duque said the DoH is not letting its guard down and is on the lookout for tetanus cases.

“We are reminding all those who have incurred some form of injury due to fireworks to please consult your nearest health facility for proper wound care and management,” said Duque, adding that tetanus is a serious complication from fireworks injuries, which may lead to death.

“Again, we thank President Rodrigo Duterte for the passing of Executive Order No. 28, the local government units, nongovernment organizations and other government agencies who have supported the DoH anti-firecrackers campaign,” the health chief said.

To reduce the number of injuries during the New Year festivities further, Duque said DoH will continue its advocacy against illegal firecrackers and target the youth, who comprise the majority of victims.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

CRACKDOWN. The Inter-Agency Council for Traffic, led by council chief Tim Orbos (right in barong), flags down old, road-unworthy and smokebelching public utility vehicles near Boni Avenue along Edsa in compliance to the presidential directive under the ‘Tanggal Bulok,Tanggal Usok’ program on Monday. Manny Palmero

I-ACT warns old jeeps, PUVs

By Joel E. Zurbano MORE than 250 drivers of old public utility vehicles were flagged down and warned on Monday in connection with the government’s program to modernize public utility vehicles.

In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to take out unroadworthy public transport beginning January this year, the InterAgency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) launched the campaign dubbed “Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok” (Remove Inferior and SmokeBelching Vehicles).

As of Monday afternoon, I-ACT personnel in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority apprehended a total of 255 PUVs, most of them caught with defective parts and accessories and for smoke belching along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

Most of those apprehended were jeepney and bus drivers who were also caught not wearing proper uniforms.

I-ACT is also composed of personnel from the MMDA, Land Transportation Office, the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, together with various traffic enforcement units of Metro Manila local government units.

“We will be strictly enforcing the on-road inspection of public transport vehicles,” said Thomas Orbos, MMDA general manager and I-ACT chief.

“All public transport that we see not roadworthy will be stopped and will be issued a subpoena for them to undergo the Motor Vehicle Inspection System,” Orbos added.

Barangay, SK polls to be postponed anew Hermogino named new

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja AN OPPOSITION leader in the House of Representatives on Monday raised the possibility that Congress may again propose to postpone the May 14, 2018 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to later this year to accommodate the planned plebiscite for the proposed shift to federalism.

Deputy minority leader and ABS party-list Rep. Eugene de Vera said the plebiscite for the proposed Charter change by mode of a constituent assembly simultaneously with the barangay and SK polls this May will be “facing time constraints.”

“If Congress would really want to save on money, probably for practical reasons, and in the event that a plebiscite would not be available in May, we could probably postpone the barangay and SK elections to another later date to have held simultaneously with the plebiscite and to save money,” De Vera said at a news conference.

Although he failed to specify the possible new date for the village and youth polls this year, de Vera said there was no discussion yet on their

postponement, saying: “Nothing official, but it is like an idea right now to consider.”

Meanwhile, former Metro Manila traffic czar Francis Tolentino, in the weekly Quezon City Press Club forum, said the Commission on Elections must not involve any foreign-owned electronic voting technology and services to handle the elections in 2019.

He said the government must consider the option of introducing local voting technology “purely” owned by Filipino inventors and corporations, instead of tapping foreign-owned Smartmatic Phils. Inc. which has helped run the local and national elections since 2008.

“Why not offer such to other qualified service providers? Congress must initiate a move to look into the capability [of Smartmatic]. There are many qualified bidders at the local government [level]. Why is the national government singling out only one provider?” asked Tolentino, who barely missed a seat in the Senate in the 2016 elections.

“Just like what President Rodrigo Duterte did offering telecommunications services to a third player, why can’t we do it as far our elections are

concerned? India and the United States [of America] have a better technology,” he said.

Moreover, Tolentino said government must adopt a hybrid election system in 2019, a mixture of the old and the new school under the precinct automated tallying system for “transparent, clean and honest elections.”

The scheme Tolentino is proposing would have voting and counting to be done manually in the polling precincts, and for canvassing, consolidation and transmission of election results to be automated Earlier, Congress enacted Republic Act 10853 that rescheduled the October 2017 barangay and SK elections to May 2018.

The law provides that incumbent barangay officials shall remain in office until their successors shall have been duly elected. Subsequent synchronized barangay and SK elections shall be held on the second Monday of May 2020 and every three years thereafter.

The postponement of the barangay and SK elections last year came after President Duterte demanded it, as he claimed local officials would use drug money to influence the elections.

Coast Guard commandant

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Elson Hermogino as the new commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard, Malacañang announced Monday.

Hermogino, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, was the Maritime Safety Service Commander before becoming Commandant. He replaces Commodore Joel Garcia, who was the PCG officer-in-charge for 12 months. “[The] PCG will support Hermogino and thanks the President for the appointment of a regular Commandant,” PCG spokesman Armand Balilo said.

Other officials who were promoted to Rear Admiral by Duterte were Hermogino, Garcia, Rolando Legazpi, and Leopoldo Laroya.

Hermogino assumed leadership of the Maritime Safety Services Command based at Sangley Point, Cavite City in November 2014. Prior to that assignment, Commodore

Hermogino was the former Commander of Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog.

Last September, the Coast Guard inked a deal with a French shipbuilding firm for the acquisition of five shipping vessels for maritime security.

The contract effectiveness agreement was signed by Department of Transportation Undersecretary for Maritime Felipe Judan and OCEA director of maritime safety and security Fabrice Weinbach, witnessed by Secretary Arthur Tugade and French Embassy representative Laurent Estrade.

The signing paved the way for the implementation of the Philippine Ports and Coast Guard Capability Development Project. It also marks the first major vessel acquisition for the PCG under the Duterte administration.

The project involves the supply, delivery and maintenance of four brand new 24-meter fast patrol boats and one 84-meter offshore patrol vessels to be purchased by the DOTr for the use of the Coast Guard. With PNA

BoC seizes P12.9-m goods at MICP

VACCINE RASH? Public Attorney’s Office Chief Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta checks the rashes on the body of 12-year-old Jamaica de Vera, who was injected with the Dengvaxia vaccine, during a press conference with the users of the controversial anti-dengue vaccine at the PAO office in Quezon City. (Story on Page 1) Manny Palmero

THE Bureau of Customs has seized imported onions, potatoes, used clothing, and Korean-made cigarettes worth at least P12.9 million at the Manila International Container Port.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the smuggled shipments arrived at MICP on different dates, and were ordered seized for lack of import permits.

Taken were P5.4 million worth of yellow onions and fresh potatoes inside three abandoned containers from China, consigned to ZIDP Trading that were declared as fresh apples.

The used clothing came from Korea and was declared as assorted wear-

ing apparel, with the shipment consigned to R.L. Son Trading.

Customs agents also found P2 million worth of Chunghua soft cigarettes inside an overstaying cargo van from Korea, which was consigned to Maxafrica Mfg. Pvt. Ltd. The consignee failed to present the corresponding permit from the National Tobacco Administration.

Also confiscated were compressors and water pumps declared as used motorbikes, consigned to Japare International Trading.

MICP district collector lawyer Ruby Claudia Alameda said the seized motor bikes will be auctioned to the public to in-

demnify the government of the duties and taxes due on the shipment.

The cigarettes, onions, used clothing, and potatoes will undergo condemnation as provided by the applicable provision in the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act or Republic Act 10863.

“This is a good way to start the year. How our bureau personnel conduct their jobs and the available technology we have, the x-rays—his is a good combination to safeguard our ports and our consumers and even legitimate traders from smuggled products.

This year, the BoC will really give the smugglers their most difficult time,” Lapeña added. Vito Barcelo

Sports

A7

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Johnson scores dominant win at Tournament of Champions L

OS ANGELES —World number one Dustin Johnson powered to an eight-shot triumph at the US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions in Hawaii on Sunday.

Johnson’s masterful display off the tee at the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua included a near hole-in-one at the par-four 12th hole—where his drive left him a six-inch tap-in for eagle.

He carded an eight-under par 65 for 24-under 268 and his 17th US PGA Tour triumph, seemingly impervious to the wind and intermittent rain throughout the round.

“I knew I was playing well and it’s a golf course that I’m really confident on,” Johnson said.

“I’ve really been driving the ball [well] this week,” added the American, who has a new driver in his bag. “I knew as long as I could keep doing that I was going to play well.”

Spain’s Jon Rahm was second after a 69 for 276 and is projected

to rise from number four to number three in the world thanks to his runner-up finish.

Brian Harman, who started the day two shots behind Johnson atop the leaderboard, closed with a one-under 72 for sole possession of third place on 277.

It was a further stroke back to Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (66) and Americans Pat Perez (69) and Rickie Fowler (70).

Matsuyama played his last seven holes in five-under par with the aid of an eagle on the par-five 15th, where he landed his approach shot 10 feet from the pin.

But Johnson had put himself out of reach of all pursuers in the elite 34-player event for 2017 tournament winners.

He raced away from the field with four birdies on the front nine.

His only miscue of the day was at the par-three 11th, where he was in a bunker off the tee en route to a bogey.

He responded in magnificent style with his monster drive setting up his eagle at the 12th, and he padded his lead with three straight birdies at 14, 15, and 16.

His eight-shot margin of victory was the biggest of his career.

The win was especially satisfying after his final-round collapse at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai in October, when Johnson led by six through three rounds but stumbled to a closing 77 to finish tied for second behind Justin Rose.

“After China, where I struggled a little bit on Sunday, I didn’t want to back down,” Johnson said. “Even when I made the turn, I think I was 20-under I told myself to get it to 25.

I kind of just kept the pedal down.”

Johnson, who seized the world number one ranking last February, has now won at least one US tour title for 11 straight years. AFP

Thais boost PH Ladies Open cast THREE scratch players from Thailand gear up for a threeday shootout with the cream of the country’s crop and a slew of other foreign aces in the 2018 Champion Infinity Philippine Ladies Open 2018 which reels off tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 10) at the Orchard Golf and Country Club’s Palmer Course in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Onkanok Soisuwan, Kultida Pramphun and Pinkaew Trachuentong hope to play to their true potential as they try to reclaim the crown won by their compatriot Pimnipa Panthong at Wack Wack in 2015.

The Thais actually made it a 1-2 finish then with Kanyalak Preedasutthijit taking runner-up honors but the Filipinas ruled the next two editions of the country’s premier championship organized and conducted by the Women’s Golf Association of the Philippines with Princess Superal edging Yuka Saso by one at Tagaytay Midlands in 2016.

Bianca Pagdangangan then set a record 16-under 200 total, also at Wack Wack, last year. The University of

Arizona mainstay, however, hopes to shake off a struggling stint in the Philippine Amateur Open where she ended up ninth at Riviera’s Couples course last Sunday.

Aside from the Thais, other foreign bets tipped to contend for the crown in the 54-hole championship backed by Champion Infinity, Eva Air, San Miguel Corp., Metro Pacific, Atty. Gilberto Duavit, Inquirer, Alveo Land, G&W Clubshares, Inc., Crimson Hotel Filinvest and NGAP are Singapore’s Shannon Tan, Hailey Loh and Callista Chen, Michela Tjan of Indonesia, Hei Nam Leung of Hong Kong and Pimkwan Chookaew, also of Thailand.

But focus will be on redhot Saso, who primed herself up for this week’s event by winning a pro tournament – in dominant fashion – at Ayala Greenfield last week.

Joining the Fil-Japanese Canlubang bet in the hunt are former national champion Harmie Constantino, Sam Bruce, Tomi Arejola, Nicole Abelar, Kristine Torralba, Sophia Legaspi, Felicia Medalla, Annika Cedo and Junia Gabasa.

FIL-AM GOLF WINNERS. Team Surigao-Omnipharma members (from left) Justin Magsino, Santino Laurel, Hebert Magsino,

Steve Kisling and Cong. John Bertiz are shown after winning the title in Division E of the Fil-Am Golf Tournament held recently at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club.

Antonio bows to Elorta at Blitz Face Off GRANDMASTER Rogelio “Joey” Antonio Jr. lost to Fide Master David Elorta in the firstever Philippine Chess Blitz Online Face Off Series last Sunday at the Alabang Hills Village, Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Elorta asserted his dominance over Antonio, the 13-

time Philippine Open Champion, winning, 7-3, in the race-12 blitz (five-minute time control) chess affair.

“When you’re playing GM (Rogelio) Antonio, you have to bring your A-game. Otherwise, it will be very, very hard to beat him,” said Elorta, who honed

his chess skills at the Tarrasch Knight Chess Club in Guadalupe Mall in Makati City.

“I did my best but FM Elorta was the better player,” said Antonio, who is Vice Champion of the 27th World Senior Chess Championship 2017 (50+ and 65+ Open-men and

women) held in Acqui Terme, Italy last November.

In another match, International Master Chito Garma of Manila trounced Bength Largo of Iligan City, 6.5-1.5.

Earlier, Largo beat National Master Efren Bagamasbad of Quezon City, 6.5-1.5.

China bans speed skater for doping SH ANGH AI— China’s Winter Olympic preparations were thrown into controversy after it banned a speed skater for two years for failing a drugs test, the second such case to hit the national team in quick succession.

With the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea a month away, it was “a wake-up call” for China’s athletes, the China Skating Association said.

Shi Xiaoxuan has been struck off the national team for the Olympics after she tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol on December 14, the association said in a statement posted on the website of China’s General Administration of Sports.

Clenbuterol is a perfor ma nce - en ha nci ng substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“There are loopholes in our education campaign against doping and we will take more measures and responsibility,” the skating association said in the statement, suggesting that Shi accidentally ingested the substance having “dined out without permission”.

The 21-year-old is the second Chinese speed skater to face sanction for doping in recent times.

On December 12, the country’s anti-doping agency said that Shi’s team-mate Li Yanzhe, the gold medallist in the 500m at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games, had been banned for four years for a violation earlier in the year.

China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Nadal, Djokovic to test injuries at Kooyong Classic in Melbourne Indigenous sports MELBOURNE—Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will use the Kooyong Classic starting Tuesday as a convenient emergency stop to gain much-needed match practice as the pair return from injury in time for the Australian Open.

Not since the glory days of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras nearly two decades ago and more recently Roger Federer, has the long-time exhibition event hosted as distinguished a field.

The upcoming edition will feature five of the world’s top 10,

including ATP Finals runner-up and two-time Kooyong champion David Goffin, Austrian Dominic Thiem, Croat Marin Cilic and Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Under the ad-hoc rules, late additions Nadal and Djokovic will be playing practice matches.

World number one Nadal, who missed the warm-up Brisbane International last week with a knee injury, is set for just one appearance on Tuesday when he faces France’s Richard Gasquet.

Djokovic, who hasn’t played competitively since a right el-

bow problem forced him to quit Wimbledon in the quarterfinals in July, is due on court on Wednesday to play Thiem.

“The addition of both Novak and Rafa changes our schedule and the way we will run the four days but that’s what Kooyong is all about, we are here to help the players get ready for the Open,” said tournament director Peter Johnston.

The women’s draw, now into a second season after being introduced in 2017, includes new Hopman Cup champion Belinda

Bencic of Switzerland, German Andrea Petkovic, Aussie teen Destanee Aiava and young Chinese star Wang Xinyu.

Pat Cash, the 1987 Australian Open winner who now coaches American CoCo Vandeweghe, serves as official ambassador for the event and said it would be good preparation for Djokovic and Nadal.

“Everyone will be watching Rafa’s legs and Novak’s arm,” he said.

“It can make for a very exciting week of tennis. Both guys

had good preparation, they just suffered setbacks. But when those come within a couple of weeks from the Australian Open, it’s a bit of a worry.

“They have to be absolutely ready, players can be quite anxious about it all.”

The first day of play features four matches, with Nadal against Gasquet, Goffin facing Carreno Busta and wayward Australian Bernard Tomic taking on Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

Among the women, young Australian Aiava plays Petkovic. AFP

Abra holds international motocross competition

By Robbie Pangilinan

Top freestyle riders are coming over to the JB Bernos International Freestyle Motocross at the Namagpagan Motocross Track, Poblacion, La Paz, Abra.

THE much-awaited Congressman JB Bernos International Freestyle Motocross will be held on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Namagpagan Motocross Track, Poblacion, La Paz, Abra.

In its seventh year, the competition promotes motocross tourism in the country with 12 race categories plus the freestyle exhibition.

“Every year, we invite big stars of freestyle moto-

cross, such as international riders from America. This year, we will bring the top freestyle riders of the world,” said SELJ SPORTS President and Hari ng Motocross Jay Lacnit, the partner of Bernos in the event.

International freestyle riders who are coming to the Philippines include Tom Robinson, Harry Bink, Steve Mini, Scott Fitzgerald, Blake Bilko Williams, and Emma Mcferran.

Legendary celebrity riders Jack McNeice, Corey Creed, and Denis Stapleton will also grace the competition.

“All our kababayan here in La Paz look forward to this grand tournament. We are proud to bring sports motocross tourism in the Philippines,” said Congressman JB Bernos.

Mayor Ching Bernos also expressed pride that Abra has been a big fan of motocross because of the event.

PH Ching Yuen Athletic Association begins basketball tourney BASKETBALL competitions will kick off the fifth season of the Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association, which begins Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Four matches in the 19-under division and one in the girls’ high school category will kick off the fifth season of the PCYAA. Title contenders Grace Christian College and Jubilee Christian Academy start the schedule in the boys’ juniors’ division

Games Sunday

(Flying V Arena) 11 a.m. – Grace Christian College vs. Jubilee Christian Academy (Boys Juniors) 12:30 p.m. – Uno High School vs. Jubilee Christian Academy (Girls High School) 2 p.m. – Uno High School vs. Makati Gospel ChurchNew Life Christian Academy (Boys Juniors) 3:30 p.m. – Saint Stephen’s High School vs. Saint Jude Catholic School (Boys Juniors) 5 p.m. – Philippine Cultural College vs.

Pace Academy

competitions at 11 a.m., followed by the match between reigning three-time champion Uno High School and Jubilee Christian Academy, two teams which slugged it out in the 2016 and 2017 finale of the girls’ high school division.

Uno High School and Jubilee Christian will square off at 12:30 p.m.

The Lady Uneans have not lost since the tournament’s inception in 2015 and carry a 31-game winning streak heading

to this new year, but Jubilee Christian is out to spoil that big run.

Three more matches are also in store in the boys’ juniors’ division as Uno High School tests the mettle of rebuilding defending champion Makati Gospel ChurchNew Life Christian Academy at 2 p.m.

St. Stephen High School, the league’s newcomer, takes the floor at 3:30 p.m. against St. Jude Catholic School, winner of the 2015 and 2016 staging.

to get more focus

PHILSPORTS—Indigenous sports will get more focus from the Philippine Sport Commission this year as the agency’s chief William Ramirez announced during the PSC’s Directional Meeting which started yesterday that the board shall continue the conduct of the Indigenous Games in more areas around the country.

Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey, oversight commissioner for the Indigenous Games, proposed the institutionalization of the project by making it a regular item in the annual plans and programs of the agency.

This was outrightly approved by the members of the board who were all present in the meeting.

“The law mandates us to nurture our culture. This is a perfect way to merge sports and culture,” explained Ramirez.

He cited the late Mona Sulaiman, a Cotabato native who made her mark in athletics during the 60s; Bana Sailani – a Badjao, who bagged bronze in three Asian Games, and Igorot Jason Balabal, who is a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, as among those athlete achievers who hailed from different indigenous groups.

The first events of the Indigenous Games’ 2018 edition will be held in Mindanao for the first quarter of the year. Events in Visayas and Luzon will follow in the next quarters.

Maxey explained that the IG is aimed to promote the rich cultural heritage of our indigenous people as well as preserve their traditional sports and games.

The games was held last year in Ifugao as part of the gender equality program of the PSC under the Office of Commissioner Celia Kiram.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

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

A8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

Sports

Josh Hart of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers snapped a nine-game NBA losing streak with a 132-113 victory. AFP

Jose Rizal U spikers stun SSC Lady Stags in 5 sets A

CAREER effort from Shola Alvarez allowed Jose Rizal University to do the unthinkable—stun San Sebastian College, 27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 16-25, 1512, in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

triumph this season.

“I’ve heard we’ve never won against San Sebastian College even before I became coach here five years ago,” said JRU coach Mia Tioseco. “And we’re happy we made history.”

It was also San Sebastian’s first defeat in the elimination round the last two seasons when it swept its way straight to the finals, where they eventu-

ally lost to St. Benilde two years ago and Arellano University last season.

For the 20-year-old Alvarez, who is on her fifth and final year, all she wants is to make the Final Four for the first time.

“This is my last season and I hope I could get to play in the Final Four,” said Alvarez, a native of Masbate.

San Sebastian College, in contrast, fell to 1-1 (win-

loss) as it absorbed its first defeat in the elimination round after sweeping its way to the finals in the last two seasons.

Ironically, the Lady Stags lost to the St. Benilde Lady Blazers and Arellano University Lady Chiefs in the finals.

Earlier, Letran likewise snared its first win in two starts with a 25-22, 25-17, 25-19 win over Mapua.

Lakers whip Hawks, arrest 9-game slide LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a nine-game NBA losing streak on Sunday with a 132-113 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Brandon Ingram scored 20 points to lead the Lakers, who hadn’t won a game since a December 20 victory over the Houston Rockets.

The victory quieted some of the noise growing around the embattled young team, including comments by outspoken basketball patriarch LaVar Ball—father of Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball—who told ESPN that coach Luke Walton had lost the confidence of his players.

“I would disagree with that,” Walton said at shoota rou nd on Su nd ay mor ning, telling reporters that even as the defeats piled up his players were playing hard.

The difference against the Hawks, Walton said after the much-needed win, was a defensive commitment that set up the Lakers’ transition offense.

“I think it triggered everything for us tonight,” Walton said. “Once we got engaged and we were crashing back on the glass and able to get out

and run ... it was good to see the guys get back to that mode where defense anchors what we do offensively.”

Lonzo Ball, playing just his second game after missing six with a shoulder sprain, was under scrutiny after his father’s latest remarks.

He scored 13 points and pulled down 10 rebounds while handing out six assists.

When he departed the game with 2:53 remaining, along with Kyle Kuzma, Larry Nance Jr. and Julius Randle they were cheered by fans—a turnaround from the boos heard during a loss to Charlotte on Friday.

At 12-27 the Lakers remain at the bottom of the Western Conference. But they avoided matching the longest losing streak in franchise history.

Walton, while encouraged, said he wasn’t expecting smooth sailing for his young players, but he said insisted their growing pains wouldn’t tear them apart.

“The team’s been fine,” he said. “We’ve got guys and a group that are still figuring things out. It’s nothing new when young teams that are trying to get better go through hard times.” AFP

It’s official: Ayo is new UST coach

By Peter Atencio ALDIN Ayo’s passion for discipline and hard work were among the key reasons why school officials of University of Santo Tomas sought to get his services.

UST authorities said this after they confirmed the appointment of Ayo as the new head coach of the Growling Tigers men’s basketball team.

“UST sought his services for two key reasons. First, the basketball program he espouses is based on discipline that gives primary importance to the life of student-athletes, believing that student-athletes who are hardworking in their studies are likewise those who are able to handle themselves properly both on and off the court,” said university officials in an official statement released on their official website.

Ayo takes the place of Boy Sablan after the Growling Tigers finished last in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball season with only one win to show after 14 games.

UST believes in Ayo “as a well-accomplished coach who is likewise more than willing to accommodate the university’s modest salary scheme.”

That Ayo “demonstrated his desire to provide proper guidance to his players in this educative process outweighs everything else,” said the UST officials.

The 20-year-old Alvarez, who sharpened her skills playing for Pocari Sweat in the Premier Volleyball

League, fired 28 points, 24 on spikes and the other four on blocks, as the Lady Bombers posted their first

Dormitorio deep into training

Local stars eye redemption as Ladies PH Golf Tour unfolds

PREPARING for highlevel competitions is in the works for current Asia Mountain Bike Series champion Ariana Dormitorio, who is deep in training for this year’s World Championships and Asian Games.

She is leveling up her game after competing for two straight years and dominating the annual Asia MTB Series.

With the help of her father-coach Donjie, Dormitorio is finalizing plans to join races in two or three World Cups in Europe.

After that, and Dormitorio gets ready for the Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia in August, before joining another big event in September--the World Championships in Switzerland.

For now, local races are up for Dormitorio, such as the 10-leg Asia Series.

Her first stint in Series will be in the Philippines, hosted by Timberland Homes in San Mateo, Rizal on March 9 to 11.

Opportunities to get to know her opponents in the Asiad comes when Dormitorio goes to the Asian MTB Championships set in Cebu this April.

Sports officials said a long-term training program has been designed Dormitorio by her father.

This will involve the development of power and skills, in accordance to the level of races that she will join. Peter Atencio

SYMETRA Tour campaigners Dottie Ardina, Cyna Rodriguez and Princess Superal set out for the ICTSI Beverly Place Ladies Classic beginning today (Tuesday, Jan. 9), all fired-up for a victory that has eluded the country’s leading players in the last two legs of the 2017 Ladies Philippine Golf Tour and in the kickoff stage of this year’s circuit at Ayala Greenfield last week.

For one, Ardina has stressed the need for a strong finishing kick as she leads the locals’ bid against the expected charge of a crack Thailand contingent that swept the last two legs of last year’s edition of the country’s premier ladies circuit sponsored by ICTSI. The Thais also took the top prize in last week’s Ayala Greenfield event ruled by FilJapanese amateur Yuka Saso as Ploychompoo Wilairrungrueng beat LPGT Order of

Merit winner Pauline del Rosario by five.

Wilairrungrueng won’t be around this week as she and del Rosario will play in the Taiwan LPGA opening leg also slated this week. But the Thais remain a tough bunch to beat with South Forbes leg winner Yupaporn Kawinpakorn and Tiranan Yoopan bannering the squad that also includes Alisara Wedchakama, Ananya Vitayakonkomol, Aunchisa Utama, Chitawadee Duangchan, Hathaikarn Wongwaikijphaisal, Jaruporn P Na Ayutthaya, Pimpadsorn Sangkagaro and Sarinee Thitiratanakorn.

But Ardina, Superal and company are all ready to get back at their perennial regional rivals and stamp their class at the short, flat but tight, bunker-laden Beverly Place layout in Mexico, Pampanga.“At Greenfield, I struggled in the last four holes as I kind of relaxed a bit, so I need to come

up with a stronger finish,” said Ardina, also a conditional player on the LPGA Tour.

“But we have made the necessary adjustments over the weekend.”

Though she missed the Top 10 in last week’s event, Superal also exudes confidence of a strong showing this week where she expects to figure in the fight for the top P150,000 purse in the 54-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed

by Custom Clubmakers, BDO, Meralco, Sharp, KZG, PLDT, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and K&G Golf.

“My game actually improved in the last two days at Greenfield and I hope to sustain it,” said Superal, who has dominated the local circuit with victories as an amateur and pro. “But I still have to fix and fine-tune some aspects of my game and hopefully, I can recall my form this week.”

Dottie Ardina has stressed the need for a strong finishing kick as she leads the locals’ bid against the expected charge of a crack Thailand contingent.

Judiciary snaps GSIS’ win streak

Four Judiciary Magis, including Justice Midas Marquez (1) gang up on GSIS Furies’ Aaron Sunga in the UNTV Cup.

UNTV Cup two-time champion Judiciary Magis squelched the GSIS Furies’ winning streak during Sunday’s double header of the UNTV Cup Season 6 at the Olivarez gymnasium in Parañaque City.

Judiciary Assistant Joey Yabut said defense was the key to the Magis’ 90–81 victory over the Furies.

“Gumanda ang depensa sa sona,” Yabut said.

The Furies’ performance, on the other hand, was below par.

GSIS Coach Myk Sa-

guiguit said: “Parang extended vacation pa rin ‘yung game nila kanina.

Lagi kaming may lapses sa depensa, parang ang bagal ng reactions namin.

Everytime nag su-swing ‘yung bola, sa wing meron kami rules, kaso ang bagal ng recovery kaya lagi sila nakaka-shoot sa labas.”

Judiciary’s Don Camaso was hailed as the Best Player of the Game with 19 points.

In the second game, UNTV Cup fans witnessed a thrilling overtime game as the NHA

Builders nipped the Senate Defenders, 104-100 The Defenders dominated the first to third quarters of the ball game.

However, the Builders stepped up in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter with Alvin Vitug, Marvin Mercado and Antonio Lustestica leading the attack.

“Hindi bumigay ‘yung mga players ko. ‘Yung puso nila nandoon na, kahit na anong mangyari kailangan nilang maglaro at kailangan nilang lumaban,” NHA Head Coach

Silverio “Bennett” Palad III said.

Vitug was hailed as the Best Player of the Game with 35 points.

Only three weeks are left in the second-round elimination of the tournament for the eight remaining teams to battle for the top six spots.

The top two teams will automatically ease to the semifinal round, while the quarterfinals will see the sixth-to eighth placers going head to head.

The bottom two will exit the league.

Megawide bags P2-b Maynilad deal B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

B1

IN BRIEF Govt set to choose Clark Rail builder

THE Department of Transportation said it will hire the contractor that will build the Philippine National Railways Clark Phase 1 stretching from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan by the second quarter.

“DOTr understands the need to complete this project faster. That is why we pursued these works parallel with the procurement of the general contractor, which is scheduled to be selected by the second quarter of 2018 for PNR Clark Phase 1,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark Project involves the construction of the rail system along the 38-kilometer segment from Tutuban to Malolos.

Once completed in 2021, it will have 10 stations and is expected to service around 340,000 passengers daily.

The Japan International for Cooperation Agency handed the detailed engineering design of the project to DOTr, signaling the project’s transition from planning to actual construction.

The new railway will also use Japanese seismic designs to ensure commuter safety low emission electric trains for sustainability. Darwin G. Amojelar

FNI reduces price offer to P4 a share

NICKEL miner Global Ferronickel Holdings Inc. reduced by more than half the size of its planned share sale to P1 billion, after trimming the offer price to P4 per share.

GFNI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it amended its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, indicating an offer size of up to 250 million at up to P4 per share.

The company in its December 2016 filing indicated plans to offer 250 million common shares at an offer price of up to P8.10 per share. Share price of GFNI dropped 0.4 percent Monday to P2.65.

Abacus Capital and Investments Corp. is the sole underwriter and issue manager for the deal.

Net proceeds from the offering will be used for partial payment of the outstanding loan of subsidiary Platinum Group Metals Corp. from Taiwan Cooperative Bank and for working capital of Cagdianao mine in Surigao del Norte.

Offer period was tentatively set on Feb. 7 to 13 while listing date was set on Feb. 23. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH tops global list in sustainable energy

THE Philippines ranked first in the World Energy Council’s World Energy Trilemma Index 2017 for the third consecutive year for having the best energy environmental sustainability among 125 countries, the Energy Department said Monday.

“Environmental sustainability, energy security and energy equity form part of the country’s energy development program,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

WETI ranks countries according to three criteria: energy security, energy equity and environment sustainability called “trilemma.”

“We welcome the good news that the Philippines for the third straight year landed number one in the World Energy Council’s World Energy Trilemma Index 2017 on environmental sustainability,” Cusi said.

WEC defined environmental sustainability as the holistic achievement of supply- and demand-side energy efficiencies and development of energy supply from renewable and other low-carbon sources.

Energy security is the effective management of primary energy supply from domestic and external sources, reliability of energy infrastructure and ability of energy providers to meet current and future demand. Energy equity is the accessibility and affordability of energy supply across the population.

Cusi said the Renewable Portfolio Standards, which mandates energy distribution utilities to source a minimum portion of their energy from eligible renewable sources, is proof of the national government’s thrust towards energy sustainability. Alena Mae S. Flores

Singapore firm tapped to help design Clark City

STATE-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority and the Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development or Join teamed up with Surbana Jurong of Singapore to develop New Clark City.

Surbana Jurong will help BCDA and Join prepare the detailed design standards and guidelines for New Clark City.

These include the refinement of the detailed urban and infrastructure design, financial and business advisory, review of the development of the Public-Private Partnership framework for provision of utility services such as water and power, and the framework for the long-term operation of New Clark City.

Surbana Jurong is focused on urban, industrial and infrastructure projects. It has grown to be one of the largest firms in Asia with over 120 offices in countries such as China, India and Myanmar.

The 9,450 hectare development is envisioned to provide an alternative city to major metropolis in the country.

New Clark City will rise within Clark Special Economic Zone in Tarlac province. Othel V. Campos

VICT is ICTSI’s first entry into Australia and the larger Oceania region – extending the Company’s portfolio of managed ports to 30 terminals in 18 countries.

Yuchengco, Ayala plan to merge education units

By Jenniffer B. Austria

T

HE Yuchengco and the Ayala groups announced Monday a plan to merge their education businesses, a deal that could be finalized in the first quarter.

The Yungchengco group’s iPeople Inc. and Ayala Corp.’s AC Education Inc. executed a non-binding term sheet for their potential merger, both parties said in separate disclosures to the stock exchange.

Under the non-binding term sheet, the two parties agreed to an exclusivity period to complete due diligence and finalize the terms and conditions of the proposed merger within the first quarter.

The Yuchengco group’s iPeople will be the surviving entity.

The potential merger would bring together the educational institutions of

the Yuchengco group’s House of Investments and Ayala Corp. with a combined population of over 40,000 students.

The potential merger would include iPeople and subsidiary Malayan Education System Inc. which operates Mapua University, Malayan Colleges Laguna and Malayan Colleges Mindanao.

Mapua is a leading private engineering and technical university in the country, a world ranked QS-3 star university and the school with the most centers of excellence in engineering in the list of the Commission on Higher Education.

Ayala Corp.’s AC Education Inc. will put in University of Nueva Caceres, one of the oldest and largest universities in Bicol and Apec Schools, the largest stand-alone chain of private high schools in the country.

“We are looking forward to this potential merger. Mapua’s reputation as a leading private engineering and technical university in the country, together with AEI’s ability to provide quality

education leading to enhanced employability, at an affordable price, would enable the Yuchengco Group of Companies and Ayala Corp. to jointly contribute to the improvement of the quality of education in the Philippines, for the benefit of all sectors of society,” said House of Investments chairperson Helen Dee. Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said the potential combination of iPeople and AEI “would create significant synergies that would enable us to better equip students for compelling futures.”

All terms and conditions of the proposed merger, including the involvement of House of Investments and Ayala Corp. in the management of the surviving entity, iPeople, will be presented for approval by the parties’ respective boards of directors and merging parties’ stockholders.

The transaction is also subject to regulatory approvals.

Metro Pacific completes due diligence on MRT 3

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific Investments Corp. completed the due diligence for the takeover of Metro Rail Transit Line 3, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Monday.

Tugade said the Department of Transportation was now evaluating the offer of MPIC, although he did not disclose the specific bid.

MPIC president and chief executive Jose Maria Lim earlier said the required amount of investment for MRT 3 could reach P20 billion, including the equity component.

MPIC already secured an original proponent status from DOTr in September for the expansion and rehabilitation of MRT 3.

The company also plans to buy out the stake of the government and private investors in MRT 3.

The government through Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines own a combined 80-percent economic interest in MRT 3. The balance is held by creditors of Metro Rail Transit Corp.

MPIC in 2011 offered to buy out the shares of LBP and DBP in MRT 3 for $1.1 billion. MPIC submitted a proposal to the department in 2011 to invest $524 million to rehabilitate and upgrade the line.

The Aquino administration, however, rejected MPIC’s offer that would involve raising commuter fares.

MRT 3, which runs along Edsa from North Avenue in Quezon City to Taft Avenue in Pasay City, serves over 500,000 passengers a day, beyond its rated capacity of 350,000.

The line has a fleet of 73 Czech-made air-conditioned rail cars.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Megawide bags P2-b Maynilad deal

By Jenniffer B. Austria

M

EGAWIDE Construction Corp. has bagged a P2-billion contract from Maynilad Water Services Inc. to build a water treatment facility.

Megawide said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday it received a contract to design and build Maynilad’s newest water treatment facility in Las Piñas City.

This will be Megawide’s first water treatment engineering project and its first with Maynilad, the water concessionaire for the west zone of Metro Manila.

“The Megawide construction business will continue its expansion this year, starting with Maynilad’s 88 MLD Las Piñas facility,” Megawide chairman Edgar Saavedra. “We are actively seeking more projects outside the residential and commercial types to expand our portfolio.”

The water treatment facility will allow Maynilad to recover some 88 million liters per day of potable water, or enough to supply 88,000 households.

Megawide teamed up with Toshiba Group’s UEM India Pvt. Ltd. and local company LinkENERGIE Industries Co. Inc. to deliver the project’s design and construction components.

“We partnered with UEM and LinkENERGIE to ensure delivery of the highest quality standards. UEM brings solid international experience in creating water treatment facilities and we are looking forward applying their world-class standards to this project,” Saavedra said.

UEM is an international environmental services company that specializes in water and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal. It has a solid presence in the US, Trinidad & Tobago, and India. It was acquired by the Toshiba Group in 2015.

Saavedra said Megawide would look for projects with a big impact on nation building

following its multi-year diversification plan “This is a project that will greatly benefit Greater Manila and adjacent provinces,” said Saavedra. “We are proud to be a partner of Maynilad in this endeavor and we are looking forward to pursuing more projects in this industry.”

Saavedra said the group hopes to get more construction projects. “Our construction business is off to a great start this year. We have a number of exciting new projects that we will announce very soon,” he said.

Design and other pre-construction work on the Las Piñas facility will begin this month.

Megawide is currently among the country’s leading contractors for residential, commercial, hotel and mixed-use projects.

The government in December awarded to Megawide-GMR Consortium the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the Clark International Airport new terminal building, the state’s first hybrid infrastructure project under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program.

Stocks end 8-day rally; PLDT, Megaworld drop THE stock market fell Monday on profit-taking to snap an eight-day rally that saw the Philippine Stock Exchange Index surging to new highs.

The PSEi lost 24.88 points, or 0.3 percent, to 8,745.12 on a value turnover of P7.1 billion.

Losers overwhelmed gainers, 128 to 75, with 43 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 2.3 percent to P156.30, while Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of of-

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.3 139,000 59.95 5,620 113.8 1,524,890 3.91 91,000 156.3 3,388,350 1.97 232,000 33.3 229,000 15.7 2,500 31.85 1,059,700 0.66 20,000 1.7 2,000 950 1,180 0.57 494,000 107.8 2,691,740 1.19 16,904,000 12.48 4,700 57 54,510 237 660 112 20 87.15 110 55.4 155,040 249 1,003,270 1,900 370 87.5 149,270 1.26 226,000

453,680 336,920 173,476,535 355,480 532,052,528 456,760 7,635,785 39,202 33,845,700 13,280 3,400 1,123,045 282,680 290,154,660 18,821,720 55,960 3,104,336.50 156,476 2,240 9,586.50 8,625,865 249,884,110 703,100 13,029,371 285,530

299,750 13,776,276 -32,141,354 -42,000 610,050 -2,196,135 151,072,300 325,000 -2,671,571.50 -2,638,074.50 115,248,670 190,000 7,296,108.50 -

41.2 9.44 0.62 1.34 16.96 0.217 126.1 5.21 15.54 182 53.05 19.1 62.5 60 1.9 10.8 11.26 14.82 12.4 7.75 5.57 1.7 15.86 62.15 27.25 10 17.8 2.04 253.4 4.12 3.01 18.4 28.45 18.2 17.66 327 0.2 8.31 2.18 5.89 9.34 5.52 8.22 1.75 13.34 62.4 6.75 517 4.86 2.12 3.88 1.85 13.16 5.4 0.132 1.16 162 2.85 1.95 0.78

INDUSTRIAL 41.55 742,700 10.46 5,815,800 0.62 520,000 1.34 100,000 17.82 17,900 0.217 10,000 126.1 70 5.3 9,325,600 15.68 25,200 182 160 54.6 601,760 19.1 1,800 62.5 501,110 61.9 500 1.93 170,000 10.84 22,300 11.4 3,374,500 15.14 5,179,100 12.5 940,800 7.82 2,488,000 5.59 13,786,600 1.7 31,000 15.9 3,155,900 62.5 44,180 27.5 3,112,100 10.08 213,500 17.96 723,900 2.04 3,612,000 256 840,630 4.24 57,000 3.01 11,000 19.9 500 28.5 933,300 18.2 69,900 17.7 1,385,600 328 205,820 0.204 130,000 9.6 426,700 2.19 847,000 6.08 216,300 9.35 1,957,100 5.52 522,100 8.3 88,900 1.75 3,111,000 13.8 1,107,100 63.6 157,360 6.75 23,000 519 65,160 4.95 31,000 2.2 42,000 4 13,000 1.89 556,000 13.38 128,800 5.49 241,100 0.132 950,000 1.17 138,000 165 2,228,720 2.85 86,000 2.02 8,421,000 0.85 3,990,000

30,778,470 61,736,042 323,140 135,140 311,844 2,170 8,948 49,886,501 396,208 29,436 32,752,744.50 34,780 31,321,010 30,202 326,540 241,518 38,510,440 78,458,150 11,847,330 19,634,277 77,014,530 54,390 50,636,364 2,765,486.50 91,677,275 2,168,320 13,000,546 7,452,730 216,069,242 243,300 33,960 9,650 26,859,175 1,274,262 24,594,506 67,554,342 26,120 3,983,442 1,861,260 1,294,840 18,322,130 2,920,184 740,931 5,461,370 15,167,156 10,006,180 155,582 34,218,590 151,840 90,600 51,260 1,044,130 1,714,938 1,311,643 126,080 160,860 367,746,173 246,470 16,816,860 3,319,950

11,377,280 -1,344,332 2,480 40,200 -3,745,258 -132,540 -618,922 -15,625,000 -57,900 10,914,496 19,503,144 7,506,904 10,538,890 -29,485,075 -9,484,928 1,023,219.50 -900,435 -1,046,138 -5,022,082 250,200 3,059,720.00 14,194,015 -5,478,684 26,598,782 -1,139,570 45,600 7,243,587.00 3,514,000 9,596 6,822,810.50 5,681,555 8,800 -224,840 372,954 2,700 209,356,572 7,226,640.00 -

0.315 76.1 16.5 1.03 6.98 0.43 0.48 1,066 7.7 14.94 7.64 1,375 7.69 78.5 5.75 0.71 5.86 20.9 0.33 6.72 0.046 1.16 2.08 2.51 122.5 2.57 1,050 1.81 287.8 0.183 0.192

0.315 74.55 16.1 1.03 6.98 0.415 0.45 1,048 7.48 14.5 7.61 1,349 7.6 77.5 5.74 0.69 5.74 18.98 0.305 6.66 0.045 1.14 2.08 2.51 118 2.55 1,020 1.74 281 0.182 0.192

HOLDING FIRMS 0.315 30,000 75.95 497,880 16.24 5,038,200 1.03 4,000 6.98 21,600 0.425 5,220,000 0.48 3,150,000 1,057 226,530 7.66 2,827,300 14.5 5,851,500 7.61 38,800 1,361 139,460 7.69 28,000 78.5 921,130 5.74 2,100 0.71 179,000 5.75 1,023,500 20.9 4,991,300 0.305 140,000 6.7 12,646,400 0.046 3,400,000 1.16 33,000 2.08 36,000 2.51 4,000 121.5 608,440 2.57 13,000 1,025 444,825 1.81 2,045,000 287.8 3,830 0.182 30,000 0.192 250,000

9,450 37,676,520.50 82,296,920 4,120 150,768 2,225,350 1,477,700 240,311,900 21,663,242 85,917,244 295,372 190,378,030 214,416 72,108,381.50 12,069 124,930 5,916,303 100,481,135 42,950 84,698,707 153,800 37,760 74,880 10,040 73,741,480 33,290 458,243,170 3,665,030 1,096,226 5,480 48,000

9,376,987 5,894,640.00 -101,500 67,415,755 -106,028 2,771,280 -69,407,905 34,806,123 3,076,079 -5,170,338 25,000,758 14,064,445 33,930,925 28,454 -

6.49 1.06 12.44 2.4 0.89 45.7 3.87 4.76 5.75 0.485 1.1 1.17 0.224 0.44 42 0.65 1.9 1.44 0.79 4.8 5.3

6.06 1.02 12.1 2.31 0.87 45.2 3.86 4.72 5.53 0.48 1.1 1.14 0.221 0.43 41 0.64 1.87 1.41 0.75 4.8 5.17

22,218,410 3,824,850 94,332 128,290 438,640 386,499,935 1,236,880 3,451,020 517,584 1,052,250 11,000 907,360 947,600 731,500 37,935,060 252,150 20,984,330 3,495,360 974,960 14,400 102,718,239

-9,382,086 37,204 197,502,670 286,140 1,207,180 254,787 -76,650 111,500 3,729,195 -32,500 1,425,560 -435,940 -8,945,445

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.42 60 113.9 3.89 160.1 2 33.4 15.7 32.4 0.7 1.7 1,018 0.58 106.9 1 11.8 57 237 112 87.15 56 248 1,900 86.9 1.28

3.42 60 114 3.91 160.1 2.06 33.4 15.7 32.5 0.7 1.7 1,018 0.58 108.3 1.2 12.7 57 239.8 112 87.15 56.45 251 1,901 87.6 1.28

3.2 59.95 113.5 3.89 155.2 1.95 33.3 15.3 31.85 0.66 1.7 945 0.57 106.6 1 11.8 56.55 237 112 87.15 55.2 247.4 1,900 86.75 1.26

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE 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 VULCAN INDL

41.45 11.44 0.62 1.34 17.9 0.217 137.7 5.24 15.54 189.9 53.05 19.5 64 60 1.93 10.84 11.26 14.9 12.6 7.75 5.6 1.73 16.2 63 29.55 10.28 18.2 2.13 257.4 4.29 3.2 18.4 29.1 18.3 17.88 329 0.2 8.99 2.18 5.9 9.34 5.61 8.41 1.76 13.68 62.5 6.76 530 4.9 2.2 3.95 1.9 13.16 5.5 0.132 1.18 163.9 2.88 1.97 0.78

41.6 11.44 0.63 1.37 17.96 0.217 137.7 5.41 15.9 189.9 56 19.5 64 61.95 1.93 10.98 11.5 15.32 12.7 7.99 5.6 1.78 16.42 63 31 10.28 18.2 2.13 259 4.36 3.2 19.9 29.1 18.3 17.88 329.6 0.204 10 2.2 6.08 9.4 5.77 8.41 1.77 13.82 63.8 6.8 535 4.95 2.2 4 1.91 13.38 5.51 0.135 1.18 167 2.9 2.03 0.86

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

0.315 76.05 16.4 1.03 6.98 0.415 0.455 1,065 7.67 14.88 7.64 1,370 7.69 78.05 5.75 0.71 5.86 18.98 0.33 6.71 0.045 1.14 2.08 2.51 118 2.55 1,043 1.81 287 0.183 0.192

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD

6.35 1.05 12.42 2.31 0.88 45.55 3.87 4.72 5.53 0.485 1.1 1.15 0.224 0.44 41 0.65 1.9 1.42 0.76 4.8 5.3

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

0.37 0.36 0.61 5.6 32 21.4 2.13 3.22 39.5 1.02 8.81 0.83 6

0.375 0.36 0.61 5.6 32 21.6 2.14 3.22 39.65 1.04 9.1 0.88 6.04

0.36 0.35 0.57 5.38 32 21 2.06 3.16 37.8 1.01 8.7 0.83 5.98

0.36 0.35 0.57 5.54 32 21.3 2.14 3.17 38.4 1.03 8.95 0.88 5.99

48,900,000 100,000 22,549,000 499,500 1,000 4,956,600 1,181,000 40,000 11,202,800 1,219,000 2,400 2,000 2,968,100

17,858,500 35,250 13,169,290 2,729,671 32,000 105,520,515 2,494,450 127,950 430,303,535 1,250,390 21,350 1,710 17,805,706

-83,000 -50,210 53,611 -62,164,175 54,615,985 -51,500 -3,808,605

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

20.3 35 1.39 0.46 0.042 11.52 11.4 0.071 100.1 8.7 6.7 2.37 16.3 1,819 5.95 21.8 11.5 4.68 2.81 108 14.06 8.31 0.141 1.36 15.8 3.95 1.18 22.7 0.57 4.59 8.02 3.75 18.4 2.92 10.94 2.76 112.5 7.5 1,470 1.28 0.355 49.6 94.1 5.53 3.13 1.54 2.63 4.11 1 8.22

20.6 35.7 1.43 0.465 0.043 11.54 11.66 0.071 100.5 8.78 6.7 2.37 16.4 1,819 6.05 22 11.5 4.68 2.81 109.2 16.5 8.33 0.141 1.38 15.8 4.01 1.18 23 0.57 4.59 8.56 3.75 19.5 2.96 10.94 2.8 112.5 7.53 1,475 1.3 0.36 50.35 96 5.53 3.3 1.54 2.72 4.12 1 8.48

19.3 34.9 1.39 0.46 0.041 11.52 11.28 0.07 99.7 8.56 6.68 2.3 15 1,699 5.93 21 11.26 4.45 2.62 107.6 14.06 8.3 0.14 1.36 15.5 3.89 1.15 22.15 0.57 4.37 8.02 3.62 18 2.83 10.9 2.76 108.9 7.28 1,388 1.28 0.355 49.6 93.6 5.45 3.11 1.5 2.6 4 0.98 8.16

SERVICES 20 34.9 1.43 0.465 0.042 11.54 11.58 0.07 99.7 8.61 6.7 2.31 15.7 1,720 5.94 21.9 11.5 4.46 2.62 107.8 14.88 8.33 0.14 1.38 15.5 3.89 1.16 22.5 0.57 4.48 8.55 3.7 18.78 2.96 10.9 2.8 110 7.4 1,412 1.28 0.36 50.35 96 5.46 3.2 1.51 2.65 4.07 0.98 8.48

199,500 93,800 88,000 280,000 3,800,000 10,100 11,332,900 2,960,000 190,340 422,000 31,500 89,000 36,100 63,180 727,500 147,200 2,200 2,754,000 25,000 675,840 263,400 147,100 1,230,000 772,000 2,900 663,000 164,000 2,097,900 2,000 767,000 20,304,500 5,950,000 17,600 7,446,000 61,200 123,000 13,400 2,427,300 269,010 2,859,000 3,130,000 2,112,900 234,030 24,200 579,000 4,554,000 777,000 391,000 2,357,000 7,575,300

4,041,425 3,290,570 124,320 129,000 157,900 116,552 130,784,372 207,900 19,035,314 3,640,943 210,820 207,230 572,682 109,545,615 4,353,991 3,218,295 25,144 12,457,580 66,390 72,949,817 3,852,852 1,223,361 172,210 1,050,810 45,120 2,617,250 190,090 47,197,775 1,140 3,416,610 171,286,412 22,011,760 324,286 21,522,160 668,180 341,150 1,487,839 17,779,240 379,922,710 3,675,960 1,111,200 105,784,100 22,060,179 132,978 1,856,980 6,877,610 2,064,580 1,584,060 2,322,340 63,415,115

61,402,818 2,171,974.50 258,100 -133,900 -8,000 -7,367,280 417,500 -2,809,230 13,796,589 -14,125 -10,880 3,410 19,375,360 123,242,959 -2,670,930 565,000 8,400 -839,824 -196,227 42,948,025 -1,887,830 64,006,640 -11,849,607 201,680 1,587,200 32,050 40,981,279

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

0.0022 1.56 5 13.8 1.6 0.35 7.08 2.69 0.2 0.154 0.155 0.0093 1.71 6.58 1.47 0.445 0.93 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.19 6.38 8.12 36.8

0.0023 1.57 5 14.9 1.61 0.355 7.26 2.72 0.208 0.154 0.155 0.0096 1.77 6.65 1.47 0.475 0.93 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.19 6.48 8.2 36.95

0.0022 1.55 4.9 13.8 1.59 0.32 7.08 2.61 0.2 0.152 0.155 0.009 1.7 6.45 1.4 0.445 0.92 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.19 6.3 7.93 36

MINING & OIL 0.0022 479,000,000 1.55 1,705,000 5 442,200 14.88 5,700 1.61 277,000 0.32 1,660,000 7.09 300 2.65 1,147,000 0.205 370,000 0.152 3,220,000 0.155 190,000 0.0093 20,000,000 1.7 211,000 6.5 1,425,700 1.41 43,000 0.445 120,000 0.92 908,000 0.012 1,100,000 0.013 149,000,000 0.012 600,000 2.19 3,000 6.38 671,200 8 1,228,000 36 2,775,100

1,055,800 2,653,800 2,207,058 83,628 444,180 551,800 2,143 3,045,480 75,260 492,280 29,450 181,900 364,600 9,284,172 60,880 53,700 835,370 13,200 1,937,000 7,200 6,570 4,309,939 9,882,266 101,082,470

-400,000 14,400 42,330 2,850,617 -7,200 846,728 -399,048.00 -1,987,480.00

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

35.2 517 511 107.1 104.5 5.78 1,007 1.05 1,099 1,003 76.75 80.1 78.7 78 78.55 79.5

35.4 517 511 107.1 105 5.78 1,007 1.05 1,139 1,003 76.75 80.1 79 78 79.35 79.8

35.2 517 511 107.1 104.5 5.59 1,007 1.05 1,098 1,003 76.6 80.1 78.65 78 78.55 77.9

PREFERRED 35.4 2,200 517 100 511 960 107.1 16,400 105 1,560 5.75 610,900 1,007 5,000 1.05 2,296,000 1,098 10,950 1,003 150 76.6 3,430 80.1 40,000 78.7 24,000 78 1,000 79.35 27,550 77.9 40,750

77,500 51,700 490,560 1,756,440 163,170 3,484,571 5,035,000 2,410,800 12,024,030 150,450 262,799.50 3,204,000 1,888,749 78,000 2,186,052.50 3,197,085

-14,140 -3,236,806 -3,204,000.00 -

LR WARRANT

2.49

2.49

2.4

WARRANTS 2.42 305,000

739,360

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

11.3 3.55 5.1

11.72 3.64 5.3

11.02 3.49 4.93

11.1 3.49 4.94

18,442,254 363,560 11,324,479

15,402 1,356,272

FIRST METRO ETF

133.4

133.4

132.3

5,918,080

-35,937

USD DMPL A2

10.1

10.1

10.1

244,420

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.23 1.02 12.44 2.4 0.89 45.2 3.86 4.73 5.75 0.48 1.1 1.16 0.221 0.435 41.7 0.65 1.89 1.41 0.78 4.8 5.22

3,529,600 3,672,000 7,700 54,000 502,000 8,511,000 320,000 729,000 90,900 2,190,000 10,000 784,000 4,260,000 1,690,000 907,600 391,000 11,110,000 2,469,000 1,269,000 3,000 19,697,700

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

28,645,829

INDUSTRIAL

86,537,093

HOLDING FIRMS

53,016,958

PROPERTY

156,651,846

SERVICES

98,139,747

MINING & OIL

667,705,401

GRAND TOTAL

1,094,703,078

SME

1,636,400 103,000 2,221,100

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 132.3 44,580 10.1

DDS

24,200

VALUE 2,242.2 (down) -11.28 1,365,130,867.13 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,529 (up) 28.87 1,498,703,458.73 HOLDING FIRMS 8,975.44 (up) 34.76 1,502,540,873.32 PROPERTY 4,040.97 (down) -55.25 1,600.73 (down) -5.92 1,217,163,291.24 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,493.44 (down) -106.05 1,314,457,962.84 PSEI 8,745.12 (down) -24.88 138,699,200.402 All Shares Index 5,065.77 (down) -10.55 7,072,748,594.06 Gainers: 75; Losers: 128; Unchanged: 43; Total: 246

fice spaces, slipped 1.5 percent to P5.22.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications company, declined 2.3 percent to P1,412, while rival Globe Telecom Inc. slumped 4.7 percent to P1,720.

Most Asian markets, meanwhile, rose on Monday following yet more records on Wall Street but Hong Kong turned lower after nine days of gains.

Hong Kong was marginally down in the afternoon after a run of nine straight gains that have taken the Hang Seng Index to its highest level since late 2007.

Shanghai rose 0.5 percent, Sydney added 0.1 percent and Singapore was 0.2 percent higher, while Seoul put on 0.6 percent as officials from North and South Korea prepare to hold talks for the first time since 2015.

Taipei, Jakarta and Bangkok were also higher but Wellington dipped.

Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

Traders in New York pushed all three main indexes ever higher on Friday, unperturbed by a wellbelow-forecast jobs reading.

Analysts said the figures indicated the employment market was tightening.

With the corporate earnings season about to begin, global equities continue to see in the new year on a positive note, with optimism boosted by a strong US economy. With AFP

Petron okays sale of $750-m securities

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of Petron Corp. has authorized the company to issue US dollar denominated unsubordinated capital securities to refinance $750 million in outstanding undated subordinated securities.

Petron said in a disclosure Monday it was embarking on a tender offer to holders of its $750 million, 7.5 percent undated subordinated capital securities.

“The tender offer is being made in connection with a concurrent offering of senior perpetual capital securities (the new securities) by the company,” the oil refiner said.

Petron used the previous debt of $750 million to partly finance the $2-billion upgrade of the Bataan refinery to make it at par with other facilities in Asia The company has completed its $2-billion Refinery Master Plan-2 (RMP-2), which allowed Petron to produce more higher-value products such as gasoline and petrochemicals while eliminating negative margin fuel oil.

Petron said the company will accept up to $350 million under its tender offer.

“The tender offer is part of the company’s active management of its capital structure and is intended to be funded by the issuance of the new securities,” Petron said.

Petron set the tender offer deadline on January 16, 2018.

The company retained The HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., Singapore Branch as the sole global coordinator, along with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., DBS Bank Ltd., Deutsche Bank AG, Singapore Branch, Standard Chartered Bank and UBS AG Singapore Branch as joint dealer managers for the tender offer.

Business/ World

B3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Seoul seeks family reunions on agenda

CENTER OF ATTENTION. This picture taken on January 6, 2018 shows macaque monkeys looking at a man’s camera during a snowfall at the Wulongkou Nature Reserve in Jiyuan in China’s central Henan province. AFP

Top stars declares war on sexual misconduct

L

OS ANGELES―Hollywood spoke with one voice at the Golden Globes on Sunday to declare war on the film industry’s culture of sexual harassment and abuse, as it kicked off its annual awards season on a rare serious note.

The crime drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” was the big winner of the night with four trophies, giving it momentum ahead of the allimportant Oscars in March.

But the awards podium played second fiddle at times to the clarion call coming from many stars about the need to heal and

move forward.

“Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have,” actress and media powerhouse Oprah Winfrey told the audience at the Beverly Hilton as she accepted a lifetime achievement award.

“For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak

the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up!” she added, earning a standing ovation.

The industry’s elite turned the red carpet black for the Globes, eschewing bright colors in a fashionable repudiation of disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein and others ensnared in allegations of misconduct.

And fittingly, it was a big night for movies and TV shows telling women’s stories, such as “Three Billboards” and coming-ofage tale “Lady Bird” on the film side, and TV juggernauts “The Handmaid’s Tale” and

“Big Little Lies.”

The overall message at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s champagnedrenched annual prize-giving was a call for continued change.

“People are aware now of a power imbalance. It’s led to abuse in our industry... It’s everywhere,” Meryl Streep, who was nominated for her work in the media drama “The Post,” said on the red carpet.

Seth Meyers, making his debut as Globes host, opened the show with joke after joke about Hollywood’s postWeinstein reckoning.

“It’s 2018, marijuana is finally allowed and sexual

harassment finally isn’t. It’s going to be a good year,” the late night NBC funnyman said.

“For the male nominees in the room tonight, this is the first time in three months it won’t be terrifying to hear your name read out loud.”

Leading the pack by the end of the night was “Three Billboards,” Martin McDonagh’s searing film about a mother who battles local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder.

It picked up trophies for best drama, screenplay, actress for Frances McDormand and supporting actor for Sam Rockwell. AFP

Booze alert as young come of age

AFTER PARTY. Elisabeth Moss attends the FOX, FX and Hulu 2018 Golden Globe Awards After Party at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018, in Beverly Hills. AFP

TOKYO―Dazzling in colorful kimonos and wafting clouds of hairspray in their wake, thousands of young Japanese women marked their entry into adulthood Monday― before hitting a bar to celebrate.

Formal “Coming of Age” ceremonies, which began as a rite of ancient samurai families, were held across Japan for its 20-yearolds, reminding them of their responsibilities after becoming old enough to legally drink and smoke.

Their male counterparts looked more like they were attending job interviews as most opted for the kind of plain business suit they will wear as “salarymen” in the future.

“I’ll definitely be having a few drinks tonight,” Arisu Oshida told AFP, wrapped in a salmon-pink kimono and expensively made-up with cherry-red lips and gold flakes in her hair.

“It will probably taste a little different knowing it’s legal to drink alcohol.

I expect to be somewhere between tipsy and smashed by midnight.”

Huddled against the chill wind, crowds of new adults offered prayers at Tokyo’s Meiji shrine, while many more flocked to Disneyland just outside the capital to ride roller-coasters and pose for photos with Mickey Mouse and friends.

Celebrated on the second Monday of the year from snow-swept northern

Japan to the subtropical south, Coming of Age Day includes those who turned 20 the previous year or will do so before March 31.

There were an estimated 1.23 million new adults as of January 1―largely unchanged from the previous year and half the 1970 peak of 2.46 million, according to government figures―mirroring Japan’s shrinking population.

“My parents warned me not to go mad tonight,” said Makoto Kusaka, sporting a dark suit and a pair of gold earrings.

“I suppose I have to be more responsible now I’m officially an adult. But I’m not confident that I won’t be very drunk later tonight.”

AFP

SEOUL―South Korea will seek discussions on resuming the reunions of separated families at this week’s inter-Korean talks, Seoul’s top delegate said Monday, as the North trumpeted the importance of achieving reunification.

The two Koreas agreed last week to hold their first official dialogue in more than two years and will meet Tuesday at the border truce village of Panmunjom.

The talks will largely focus on the North’s participation in next month’s Winter Olympics in the South, but the two sides are also expected to bring up their own issues of interest.

“We will prepare for discussions on the issue of separated families and ways to ease military tensions,” Unification Minister Cho Myoung-Gyon told reporters, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Because the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty, the two Koreas remain technically at war.

Tensions soared last year as the North made rapid progress on its banned weapons programs, launching ballistic missiles it said were capable of reaching the United States and carrying out its sixth nuclear test, by far its most powerful.

Their tentative rapprochement comes

after North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un warned in his New Year speech that he had a nuclear button on his desk―but also said Pyongyang could send a team to the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Seoul responded with an offer of talks, and last week the hot line between the neighbors was restored after being suspended for almost two years.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha said the North’s participation in Pyeongchang would strengthen the Games’profile as “a peace Olympics”, Yonhap reported, and could lead to further progress.

North Korea’s state media has stopped condemning the South and instead called for “independent reunification” without relying on other countries such as the United States.

“The master of improved inter-Korean relations is not the outsiders but the Korean nation itself,” the North’s official Korean Central News Agency said at the weekend.

“The flunkeyism and idea of dependence on outside forces are the venom which makes the nation slavish and spiritless,” it added.

US President Donald Trump said at the weekend that the rare talks between the two Koreas would go “beyond the Olympics” and that Washington could join the process at a later stage. AFP

Mahathir, 92, eyes political comeback at his successors. When allegations emerged that huge sums were looted from a sovereign wealth fund set up by current Prime Minister Najib Razak, he broke from the ruling party and established a new political outfit to try and oust a man who was once his protege.

The US Justice Department alleges $4.5 billion was stolen from the investment vehicle, 1MDB, in a campaign of fraud and money-laundering. Najib denies any wrongdoing and has cracked down hard, purging critics from his government and curbing domestic investigations.

The most remarkable aspect of Mahathir’s return to front line politics has been a rapprochement with his former nemesis and jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, a dramatic shift after the pair’s falling out dominated the political landscape for two decades.

Anwar was heir apparent to Mahathir until the premier sacked him in 1998 over political differences, and was then jailed for six years on sodomy and corruption charges.

After being released Anwar led the opposition to its best-ever showing in 2013 elections, but said that agencies of the government was imprisoned again “cannot be deprived of their inherent in 2015 under Najib’s authority to assess reasonable fees in government. Anwar the provision of their services”; in has condemned the case of the BI fees, he adverted his convictions as to the “plight of the employees at politically motivated. the Bureau of Immigration,” which After Mahathir apparently has been experiencing cut ties with ruling a large number of resignations and party the United impairment of front-line services because of “extremely low (pay) rates.”

Malays National These were the GAA provisions Organization he that President Duterte’s legal adsought to mend his visers brought to his attention for broken relationship being violative of the Constitution with Anwar, with the and existing law. This begs a quespair meeting in 2016 tion. What about the other unconstifor the first time in 18 Manila tutional or illegal GAA provisions years.

AFP Standard that were not brought to President TODAY Duterte’s attention? The answer is, KUALA LUMPUR―At the age of 92, Malaysia’s one-time strongman Mahathir Mohamad is again seeking the leadership, but this time at the helm of the opposition that he crushed while in power.

Mahathir was named the opposition’s prime ministerial candidate Sunday after weeks of infighting, in an extraordinary turnaround as his heirs in government face a massive financial scandal.

He will be the world’s oldest leader if the coalition backing him wins a general election due by August, although analysts believe this is unlikely.

The authoritarian leader known for his acid tongue ruled the country for 22 years until 2003, making him Malaysia’s longestserving premier. He jailed opposition members without trial on security grounds in 1987 and was seen as an authoritarian figure who trampled over human rights.

Even in retirement, he could not resist sniping

Why some GAA provisions are vetoed THIS country’s system of government is underpinned by the principle of separation of powers. This principle reserves to the legislative branch of government the power to make laws but allows the Executive branch to refuse to act on newly approved laws or veto General Appropriations Act (GAA) provisions that it considers unconstitutional or illegal and permits the judicial branch to decide questions relating to the constitutionality or illegality of laws.

Thus are the powers of government distributed.

The Executive has to have the means to curb the spending appetite of the legislature—more specifically, the House of Representatives —which has the power of the purse.

The means provided by the Constitution is the Presidential veto. The President of the Philippines can veto any appropriation measure in its entirety, or parts thereof, if in the opinion of his legal advisers the measure contravenes the Constitution or existing law.

Last month President Duterte signed into law the General Appropriations Act for 2018 minus five provisions that he had vetoed. On what Constitutional or legal grounds did the Chief Executive exercise his veto power?

One of the vetoed provisions related to the P22.88 million allocated to the Department of Education for DepEd’s MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses). The GAA provision would have allowed DepEd to use the said allocation to fund “items that may be classified as capital outlays.” The Presidential veto message stated that agencies of the government are “(not) allowed to augment their capital outlay needs —or to construct new facilities and purchase new equipment—with funds earmarked for MOOE requirements.” The message further stated that “(such) modification must first comply with the requirements under (GAA’s) general provisions on augmentation of funds.”

Another of the vetoed provisions

related to the P413.6 million GAA allocation for the operational requirements of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The vetoed provision would have allowed ERC to use its income to augment its operational requirements. Allowing such use of ERC income would have resulted in double-programming, the Presidential veto message stated. “(ERC) should make efficient use of its budget and automatic appropriations,” the message said.

Most of the rest of the Presidential veto message was directed at the prevention of double-programming of operational resources for several government agencies. The agencies were the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).

DOST’s use of its income for its research and development institutes and DDB’s use of its collections for drug rehabilitation activities were al-

lowed conditionally. MTRCB was prohibited from granting “monitoring expenses” to the Board’s members, who already receive honoraria or per diems. CHED was required to harmonize its cash-grant program for medical students with the Preservice Scholarship Program of DOH. And the release of supplemental benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s benefits program was made conditional upon the full utilization of the P3.5 billion allocated for expanded benefits under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund.

But not all the Presidential vetoes were disadvantageous to agencies.

The Chief Executive Mr. Duterte vetoed a provision that prohibited the DFA from collecting fees related to the retention and reacquisition of Philippine citizenship and a provision that prohibited the creation of a trust fund – to be built with express lane fees and charges – out of which the overtime pay of Bureau of Immigrations personnel would be paid. In the case of the DFA fees, Mr. Duterte

they have simply been added to the long list of appropriations that over the years have successfully hurdled the scrutiny of those who bear the responsibility of ensuring that the GAA signed by the Chief Executive is a Constitutionally trustworthy document.

ERRATUM In the INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS GOODS published last January 08, 2018 by the Department of Health should be under CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE and not as published.

LGUs

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

B4

tuesday, january 9, 2018

4 dead, 13 hurt in highway mishaps

LocaL government units

Ditch fixers, QC warns

By Rio N. Araja

A

RANKING official of the Quezon City government on Monday advised taxpayers and owners of 74,000 business establishments not to transact with fixers, especially in the season of renewal of business permits and tax payments.

“Don’t deal with fixers,” Business Permit and Licensing Office chief Garry Domingo told taxpayers.

“I have been urging the taxpayers to avoid dealing with fixers. each and every year, we have been consistent in reminding them not to do so. We are high and low finding ways to make the renewal of permits easier and efficient,” Domingo said.

He assured the public there would be no need to allow fixers to handle their business transactions with the city government.

According to Domingo, Mayor Herbert Bautista has not stopped finding ways to provide better transaction processes and services while strengthening his anti-fixing campaign.

The city is the only representative of the Philippines in the “ease of Doing Business” program of the World Bank.

The National Competitiveness Council has rated Quezon City second over-all in government efficiency in the 2016 Most Competitive City awards.

On the other hand, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry cited the city government as the most business-friendly local government also in 2016.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bau-

tista led the conferment of this year’s Tandang Sora Award to Zeneida Quezon Avancena, daughter of President Manuel L. Quezon.

The awarding was held on the 206th birth anniversary of Melchora Aquino, also known as Tandang Sora, on Saturday at the Tandang Sora Shrine at Banlat Road in Barangay Tandang Sora.

The Tandang Sora Award is given to the city’s outstanding women that exemplify the heroine’s traits of honesty, industry, service, word of honor, kindness, caring, and protectiveness.

Zeneida Quezon-Avancena was the event’s guest of honor and speaker.

Vice Mayor Joy BelmonteAlimurung led the wreathlaying ceremony along the Quezon City Council, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Rep. Kit Belmonte, Quezon City Police District Director Chief Supt. Guillermo eleazar, Division of City Schools, Knights of Columbus – Katipunan, Tandang Sora, and Melchora Aquino Assembly, Rotary Club International Distric 3780, Samahan ng mga Apo ni Tandang Sora, and the Tandang Sora Barangay Council graces the birth anniversary of our heroine.

MALABON ‘SOCA’. Malabon Mayor Antolin ‘Lenlen’ Oreta III delivers his State of the City Address or Soca on Monday at the Malabon City Amphitheater. Andrew Rabulan

In BrIef

SM ‘OPTE’ brings relief to Visayas, Mindanao

tramlines, springs for vizcaya farmers BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The Department of Agriculture regional office recently turned over tramlines and spring development projects to farmers here.

Celerina Miranda, DA provincial chief, said the agricultural resources were given to farmers’ organizations in the upland towns of Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur and Kayapa.

“Tramlines have become a fastest means of transporting agricultural products of upland farmers while springs, which are abundant in our upland villages, need to be maximized for the benefit of our farmers,” she said.

With the tramlines and spring projects, Miranda said more upland farmers will be encouraged to use vast upland areas that are open for upland farming.

“We also provided organizational and management training for the project recipients so that they will know how to manage these agricultural projects for their long-term benefit,” she said. Ben Moses Ebreo

Kalinga farmers gain water pumps TABUK CITY, Kalinga—Farmer associations and organizations of the province have received water pumps and farm implements under the El Niňo Mitigation Program of the Department of Agriculture.

The implements are just in time for the next cropping season, newly appointed DA Regional executive Director Narciso edillo said.

Assisted by Provincial Agriculturist Domingo Bakilan and corn coordinator Gerardo Banawa, edillo handed over to corn farmers the water pumps procured as part of the farm assistance program from the national government. Dexter A. See

COTABATO CITY— Four people died and 13 others, including a ninemonths-pregnant mother, were injured in three separate vehicular accidents in Kidapawan City and Maguindanao on Sunday.

At past 5 p.m. three passengers of a multicab vehicle died as it fell off a ravine in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, while negotiating a sharp curve. Six other passengers were injured.

Traffic investigators identified the fatalities as Jalila and Junaika, both surnamed Ibrahim, and students of Indangan National High School in Barangay Indangan, Kidapawan City.

Also pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital was Panda Pacatua, a local resident.

The victims were heading home from a New Year’s excursion in Lake Agco, a famous hot spring at the slope of Mt. Apo when the accident happened.

In Makilala town, also in North Cotabato, a man who was on his way to join family and relatives at the vigil of his slain grandfather died in another vehicular crash in Barangay Kisante.

Henry Peligrino, 24, of Midsayap, North Cotabato, was driving his motorbike with two other companions when they collided head on with a Toyota passenger van in Barangay Kisante at 6:15 p.m.

Peligrino died on the spot while his two companions, Adriel Lois Antonio and John Loyd Peligrino, were rushed to the hospital.

At 7 p.m. Sunday, five people were injured when the passenger jeep they were riding collided head on with a speeding Toyota Hi-Ace passenger van in Barangay Rebuken, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. PNA

A volunteer hands out relief goods in bags as SM Foundation’s Operation: Tulong Express made sure families affected by Typhoon ‘Vinta’ in barangays Pigcarangan and Taguiguiron in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, had food as they welcomed the new year.

Taguig debuts one-stop-shop office for biz

By Joel E. Zurbano THe city government of Taguig has announced the opening of its Business One-Stop Shop, where entrepreneurs and business establishment owners can process registration and renewing licenses.

BOSS is held simultaneously at the Taguig City Hall Auditorium

and at the 9th floor of the City Hall Satellite Office in SM Aura, from Jan. 3 to 20, including weekends.

Business owners are encouraged to take advantage of the annual event, which will see them enjoying a free massage, film showing and refreshments while waiting for their documents to be processed.

Tokens like umbrellas and clocks are

also provided to the first 100 attendees.

“Taxes are the lifeblood of the city’s programs and social services,” Business Permit and Licensing Office officer-in-charge Fanella Joy Panga-Cruz explained.

Taxes translate to social services that include door-to-door delivery of medicines, scholarship assistance, among others, Panga-Cruz added.

Sara aids Davao ‘Vinta’ victims

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY―Mayor Sara Duterte and the city government has extended food and financial assistance to victims of the flood brought by tropical storm “Vinta” in Brgy. Gumalang, Brgy. Lacson, Brgy. Dacudao, and Brgy. Pangyan on Monday.

Recipients of the assistance received between P3,000 to P10,000, depending on the extent of the damages to their homes and properties.

The City Social Services and Devel-

opment Office has listed down 22,911 families affected by the flood triggered by Vinta.

On Tuesday, Duterte will also visit other villages severely affected by the December flood that prompted the local government to declare a state of calamity.

The storm and flood left over P80 million in damages in infrastructure and agriculture in Davao City, officials said.

On Monday, the mayor also spoke with students of the affected barangays, encouraging them to do good in their studies.

SM Foundation recently distributed relief packs to internally displaced persons and victims of typhoons “Urduja” and “Vinta” that ravaged parts of Visayas and Mindanao during the holiday season.

With the Department of Social Welfare and Development, officers of the Foundation and SM Cagayan de Oro visited Lanao del Norte, Iligan City and the evacuation centers in Marawi City to distribute goods.

The displaced in Marawi, which suffered in the five-month siege led by terrorists, are temporarily housed in tent cities and other evacuation centers.

SM Store donated blankets and mosquito nets worth P1 million to keep them warm during the cold nights and protect them from mosquito bites, targeting 2,500 families. SM Cares’ 600 teddy bears were also distributed to the delight of the children.

In Tubod, Lanao del Norte, SM Foundation’s

Operation: Tulong express or OPTe made sure families affected by Vinta in barangays Pigcarangan and Taguiguiron had food as they welcomed the new year.

In partnership with the provincial government of Lanao del Norte led by Governor Imelda “Angging” QuibranzaDimaporo and the Provincial Social Welfare Office led by Anabel Mendez, relief goods were distributed to 1,766 families. SM SaveMore participated in the preparation and distribution of the relief packs.

OPTe volunteers were also in Biliran to distribute relief goods to 2,000 families displaced by Urduja.

Team SM Ormoc, in partnership with DSWD distributed the relief goods to five hard-to-reach barangays, with roads blocked by mud and boulders, in Naval, Biliran―Catmon (500 families), Anislagan (250), Haguikhikan (450), Libtong (350), and Villaconsuelo (450).

CHINESE SAVED.

Rescuers in Laoang, Northern Samar recently rescued a stranded Chinese merchant ship near the shoreline of Barangay 1 in Pambujan town. Nine Chinese crewmembers were safely recovered from strong waves that took the Laoang rescuers more than an hour to complete.

The rescuers were led by PO3 Bernie Madrid of the Philippine Coast Guard and PDRRM staff headed

by Eric Arandia and Alex Divinagracia.

Life

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

travel and leisure

tuesday, januaRy 9, 2018

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Traveloka and AXN celebrate Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 winner

WORKING HARD. San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Leonora C. Wong leading a meeting with members of the business community and the

people of San Simon.

town’s future

looks bright

T

ons of sterile ash and debris spewed from Mount Pinatubo in Zambales on June 15, 1991 were borne by winds that made the colors of sunsets worldwide—as reports have it-more intense, even brighter; the eruption buried san simon town in Pampanga in flood-borne lahar that rendered hectare upon hectare of farmlands, pastures and livestock production areas of Central Luzon into barren ghost towns where only sturdy stands of cane grass (talahib) struggled to sprout forth, fight for life.

Productive activity ground to a dead halt in san simon, as farmers had to seek out other means of livelihood to keep their families fed, their fading hopes kept alive. Jobs proved scarce, unemployment was rising and so was the crime rate.

Misery-wracked years crawled into decades, but despite its strategic location just along the north Luzon Expressway (nLEX), the hoped-for rebound of san simon that was emerging as steel Capital of the Philippines seemed a mirage upon the lahar-ravaged stretches of land.

But hopes were kindled anew in 2010 with the assumption into office of san simon Mayor Leonora C. Wong. Using her executive savvy gained from years of corporate work, she made it her mission to turn things around for the people of San Simon. “I wanted san simon to be a progressive town where people are productive. I

wanted to provide jobs because unemployment was a problem and that could only be achieved by more businesses in our town,” she said.

“The only thing tragedy gives us is the opportunity to rebuild our lives,” asserted author Paolo Coelho, and Wong has seen ahead and seized such opportunity for her hometown.

But first, Wong said, she had to make san simon conducive to business. “I had to address the rebels here who would make things hard for businessmen. So I talked to them and they agreed that they will cooperate for the people of San Simon,” she noted.

With the problem on the rebels addressed, she had to provide land development for businesses. “We had so many land rendered uncultivable because of lahar so I thought why not convert them into industrial land so we can put up industrial parks here?” she mused.

she also made it easier for investors to do business in san simon by reducing red tape and making all transactions in the town hall computerized.

“I made sure we were business friendly because as a corporate person, I knew that was what businesses looked for – the ease of doing business.

They can apply for permits online and they can have their permits in just a few minutes. In fact, all our services from real estate to social services are all computerized so people don’t have a hard time dealing with us. We make it easy for them using our own system and that’s when things turned around for San Simon,” Wong stated.

Indeed it has. seven years after her first assumption as mayor and now on her last term, Wong had managed to do the unimaginable in San Simon. Today, San Simon has numerous steel factories and other manufacturing business. San Simon is poised to be the steel Capital of the Philippines with the many steel plants now doing business in the municipality. Based on the most recent statistics, 60 percent of the country’s local production of steel billets was produced in San Simon.

It has not just one but two industrial parks – the San Simon Industrial Park,

TravELoka, southeast asia’s leading booking app for flights and hotels, is proud to have partnered with Asia’s Got Talent in crowning The Sacred Riana from Indonesia, the Season 2 grand winner. She bested eight other finalists, impressing the judges and audiences in the region with her extraordinary talent and grit during the spectacular results Show at Marina Bay Sands.

The sacred riana emerged on top of other finalists from around the region, including the Philippines’ own hip hop dance group DM-X Comvaleñoz (runner-up,) beatboxer Neil Rey Garcia Llanes (third place,) and another hip hop dance group Urban Crew, to win the title and chase her dreams in the international stage. As the show’s primary sponsor, Traveloka rewarded The sacred riana with a cash prize of $100,000.

“We are thrilled to have witnessed the euphoria of someone finally achieving her dream in the presence of her family and friends,” said Traveloka senior vice President Business Development, Christian Suwarna. suwarna also said that one of the main reasons Traveloka partnered with Asia’s Got Talent was because both giants were in the business of making dreams come true - aGT with regards to recognizing talent and Traveloka with connecting people to their loved ones via budget-friendly flights and hotels.

To further build on this, Traveloka rewarded the winners of the Traveloka award and the Golden Buzzer acts with

trips to Europe. Determined by public voting on the Traveloka - aGT website (www.travelokaagt.com), the Traveloka award is given to the contestant with the most inspiring story and unique talent. The audience voted for Pannawach Dechapanya of Thailand after he revealed that the reason he loved singing was because it made his mother smile despite her struggle with heart disease.

Filipino finalists in this special award are young singing protégé Fitri Cerado who reached the semi-finals, and grand finalists DM-X Comvaleñoz and Urban Crew. on the other hand, the Golden Buzzer is reserved for acts that are incredible on stage that the judges send the contestants straight to the semi-finals.. For season 2, these acts included ADEM Dance Crew, Akira, Canion Shijirbat, and Feng E. “Traveloka has been a valuable partner for aXn and Asia’s Got Talent as the team shares in our values of recognizing and furthering talent in the region. Through the strength of Traveloka’s digital platforms, vast reach, and impressive influence, we have been able to amplify asia’s Got Talent to new audiences in multiple markets. We look forward to collaborating with Traveloka again in the near future to realize the dreams of the next generation of aspiring performers in Asia’s Got Talent,” said sony Pictures Television networks asia vice President of Media and sponsorship sales, Jacqueline Tok.

Turn to C2

Asia’s Got Talent Season 2 winner The Sacred Riana with Traveloka senior vice president for Business Development Christian Suwarna

BPI, AirAsia team up to make travel goals happen in 2018

In photo are (seated) ATTA Calabarzon president Lax Mendoza, NAITAS national president Linda Tan, DTI Rizal Provincial Director Mercy Parreno, DOT IV-A regional director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit, Rizal Provincial Board Member and Tourism Committee chairman Rommel Ayuson, NAITAS Rizal president Emmylou Sison, and NAITAS national PRO Ferdinand Cruz. (Standing) Jala-Jala Councilor Ma. Salvacion Villaran, Rizal Tourism Summit chairman and Bienvenido Tours Managing director Ramon Mariñas, Rodriguez tourism officer Jomelyn Abuan, Tanay tourism Officer Jeffrey Pino, and San Mateo councilor Cristeo Cruz.

Rizal Province holds Tourism Summit

ThE National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) Rizal Chapter in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Globe MyBusiness recently held the second rizal Tourism summit at the Timberland sports and Nature Club in San Mateo, Rizal.

With the theme “Higante sa Turismo, higante sa asenso,” over 150 stake-

holders from rizal and the Calabarzon region participated in the two-day event to promote the local tourism industry.

The summit conducted business-tobusiness meetings and toured the cultural and tourist attractions in the province- – the rodriguez ancestral house in rodriguez (Montalban) town, the Diocesan shrine of the our Lady of aran-

zazu in san Mateo, the rTW garments industry of Taytay – and took part in the launch of this year’s higantes Festival in Angono.

The highlight of the event is the signing of the pledge of commitment by government and business players in upholding sustainable practices in the tourism industry.

BPI has partnered with AirAsia for an exclusive one-stop travel event for BPI Cardholders, who can enjoy discounted airfares for as low as PhP890, and up to 50 percent off on accommodations in luxury resorts. The BPI-AirAsia Travel Fair took place on Jan. 5-7 at the Grand Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza.

“We’ve collaborated with AirAsia to offer some exciting travel deals for our clients to destinations within asEan,” said Jenelyn Lacerna, BPI vice president and head of Credit Cards Business. “The beginning of the year is the perfect time to plan these dream trips, and hopefully, this tie-up will make it easier for our clients to do so.” as the first travel fair to kick-off 2018, the event offered BPI Cardholders the chance to explore top local destinations such as Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, or go on trips to hong kong, Korea, Taipei and more. These affordable local packages include luxury

getaways to Two Seasons Coron Island resort, amorita resort Bohol, Pearl Farm Beach Resort Davao, etc.

BPI Cardholders also get free Airasia Big Points equal to a roundtrip domestic and international flight for a minimum single-receipt purchase of airasia tickets using their BPI Cards.

This promo was exclusive to those with qualified cards such as BPI Express Credit (Blue Mastercard, Gold Mastercard, Petron-BPI Mastercard, BPI SkyMiles Mastercard, BPI SkyMiles Platinum Mastercard, Edge/Mini Edge Mastercard, BPI Corporate Classic, BPI Corporate Mastercard, BPI Amore Visa, and BPI Amore Visa Platinum), and BPI Family Bank Mastercard and BPI Prepaid Cards (My ePrepaid Mastercard, More Fun visa Prepaid Card, Amore Visa Prepaid, and BPI ePay virtual Mastercard Cardholders with available load).

Life

C2

tuesday, january 9, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

S

kyJeT airlines, Manila’s boutique airline launched its first direct flight from Manila to Camiguin island in December 2017 with regular flights in February.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo graced the inaugural flight saying it will boost the tourism in the area.

Camiguin, also known as the island born of fire, has captured the attention of netizens when the Camiguin Provincial Tourism Council released a viral promotional video featuring the island’s indescribable splendor. hitting more than a million views after its release, the island is now bound to become a top destination in the country.

“We will continue with our mission of serving the underserved local destinations and exploring the unexplored islands in the Philippines!” said Dino Reyes-Chua, president of SkyJet airlines.

“No more stopovers in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro. Camiguin will just be 60 minutes away from Manila,” said Congressman XJ Romualdo of the lone District of Camiguin.

Recently, newly crowned Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters of South africa and her predecessor Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere, together with 14 other beauties, toured the Philippines. Other destinations included in their tour were Batanes and Bohol.

SkyJet airlines flies daily and direct from Manila to Batanes, Siargao, Coron, Palawan and Boracay with its fleet of 90-seater British aerospace Jets, the official aircraft of Queen elizabeth and the British Royal Family.

Skyjet Airlines now flies directly to Camiguin. (Inset) Miss Universe beauties toured the Philippines aboard Skyjet

SkyJet Airlines’ new route mercury rising

BY BOB zOzOBRADO

A gem

I have always been impressed with the Diamond hotel Manila. Its 25-year-old granite façade and art deco architecture evokes elegance, style and sophistication, making it a standout among the buildings along the boulevard. This 27-story structure, with its 500 rooms, always merits a second look every time I pass by it. however, being very close to my Roxas Boulevard residence, I never had the opportunity to try the hotel’s accommodations because, when I decide to go on “staycations,” I choose hotels that are far from where I live, to give me that feeling of being “away from it all.”

Since I’ve stayed at almost all the hotels in the metro, I decided to spend Christmas eve at Diamond hotel Manila this time. as my car drove up towards the main entrance, I thought something had happened because the queue of cars I was in, which extended all the way to the boulevard, was at a standstill for almost 30 minutes. The Security Guard assured me, though, that nothing was wrong and that there were just too many motorists wanting for their vehicles to be parked by a valet.

Inside the hotel, the crowd waiting to be checked in was crisscrossing a large part of the lobby, giving me an indica- Roxas Boulevard, highlighted by the famous Manila Bay sunset, as seen from my 24th floor suite tion that the hotel must be that good, for after the anticipated Christmas the hotel made me ask myself a quesfamilies to choose it as their “home” for Mass at the hotel’s Ballroom, we wanted tion. Why does everything work in Christmas eve. I was excited. after another 30 min utes in line, I saw to have our Noche Buena at any of the this hotel? I could only attribute it to the first trademark of a good hotel: the in-house restaurants. however, I made its efficient and multi-awarded General complement of Front Desk staff serving the mistake of not making reservations Manager, Vanessa Suatengco, who was the throng of guests checking in were still early enough. Corniche, the all-day recently appointed by Tourism Secreall smiles and in a cheerful mood, in spite dining venue known for its delectable tary Wanda Tulfo-Teo as Director of the cuisine, was already fully booked, and Tourism Promotions Board, representof what they were faced with. having been served by such a pleas- my barrage of charm didn’t work on the ing the accommodations Industry. ant and efficient Team, I’m not sur- gracious receptionist who apologized Suatengco is the first Filipina to have prised that one of the hotel’s Guest Ser- profusely for not being able to accom- been appointed as General Manager of vices Officers, Jeric Sayno, was recently modate my sons and I. a 5-star hotel in the country. She knows proclaimed winner of the Industry like the palm the prestigious Mabuof her hand, having held hay awards’ Rank and various positions such as YOUR TUESDAY CHUCKLE File, Front of the house Resident Manager, Regional human Resources DirecCategory.

When wearing a bikini, women reveal 90% of their body. tor and Personnel Manager. he bested other comMen are so polite. They only look at the covered parts.

She was also a Certified petent finalists from auditor of the Department of the other hotels and Tourism accreditation Standrestaurants in the counyurakuen, the hotel’s award-winning ards, a Board Trustee for Tourism Contry, and bagged the award for his role as Guest Services Officer and Butler for Japanese restaurant, was already closed gress of the Philippines, a member of the such illustrious dignitaries as President after the Mass. looking for another Board of Directors for the hotel and ResOllanta Humala of Peru, Prime Minis- venue, we were willing to settle for the taurant association of the Philippines, and ter Nguyễn Xuân Phúc of vietnam and a la carte specialties at the popular lob- President of Personnel Managers associavietnam Foreign Minister Phạm Bình by lounge, but even that was already tion. It’s not a surprise then that she was closed after the Mass. So, what did we bestowed the 2009 Mabuhay Gold award Minh, to name a few. by the association of human Resources When I opened the door to my 24th do for our Media Noche?

My sons and I decided to order for Managers in the hospitality Industry. floor accommodation, I was even more convinced that I made the right choice. Room Service and enjoy the feast of deSo, now when I drive by Diamond My spacious executive Suite had a lectable culinary specialties in the com- hotel Manila, I look at it even with breathtaking panoramic view of Manila fort of our suite, with the colorful Roxas more admiration for its being able to Bay, which I always consider as the ul- Boulevard 24 floors below us, as back- live up to its name. What’s even more timate stress reliever. The 88-square- ground. It was a unique Media Noche gratifying is that this “gem by the bay” meter corner suite has a separate bed- for us, all in our pajamas, yet enjoying is within easy reach from where I live. room, a living room with an ample study the superb cuisine churned out by a de area, and two bathrooms. My sons and I luxe and efficient kitchen.

For feedback, I’m at were charmed by such spacious luxury.

Our pleasurable experience with bobzozobrado@gmail.com

by the bay

Melco’s Crown Towers Hotels is now NÜWA

Melco introduces NÜWA MelCO Resorts & entertainment limited (“Melco” or the “Company”), a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities, announced the launch of “NÜWa”, its new luxury hotel brand.

NÜWa will debut in Macau and Manila on Jan. 16, replacing the current Crown Towers hotels in its flagship properties, City of Dreams.

Inspired by the eponymous heroine from Chinese mythology, NÜWa represents classic asian refinement. The

new brand further exemplifies Melco’s core mission to continue providing a better guest experience. It is the first step in the preparation of the launch of phase III of City of Dreams Macau in the second quarter of 2018.

Lawrence Ho, chairman and CeO of Melco Resorts and entertainment said, “We are excited to introduce NÜWa. The new hotel brand embodies the very essence of Melco’s pursuit to provide our guests the very best in sophistication, quality and innovation.”

Town’s...

from luzon to Metro Manila and vice versa,” she stated.

With the assumption of President Rodrigo Duterte, the future is even brighter for San Simon with the influx of more businesses expressing their intention of doing business in her town.

“We are very happy because we have a lot of applications for business especially now that President Duterte is our president. We can see that they determined to do business here and we are all excited to have them here,” she pointed out.

But with the influx of investment, Wong pointed out it also comes with many challenges. “Our roads have to be ready for the arrival of more businesses here. also flooding is still a concern that should be dealt with. Infrastructure development is key which is the reason why we are appealing to the national government to help us get ready for these investments,” she said.

Indeed, local government units and even the national government could learn a thing or two from San Simon. a third class municipality showing how things should be done in this day and age – competitive, driven, service-oriented but still people-centered. like the sturdy talahib stands of San Simon that struggled on to sprout forth and grow stronger amidst barrenness, anyone can rise above the ashes to inspire others to set the pace, even set the standard in nation-building.

From C1

which houses 66 establishments and Global 1. a third industrial park is underway as it is just awaiting the approval of its permits and paperwork from the Departments of agriculture and environment and Natural Resources.

With the transformation of San Simon, they have managed to provide employment opportunities for all residents in the town several thousands more will be created once the industrial parks are fully operational, she added.

“Those who remain unemployed here are the lazy ones but all else have something for them because of the many activities here. Crime rate is down and basically we have a robust economy here,” Wong said.

Wong also credited former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the development of San Simon because it was she who provided the infrastructure that paved the way to making San Simon a better alternative to valenzuela, Metro Manila for big businesses.

“During her administration, President arroyo built the W road network, which connected Pampanga to Bulacan, Nueva ecija and Metro Manila.

San Simon was one of the recipients of such road network since made it accessible for businesses coming to and

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

Alden Richard’s birthday wish

Korean fantasy thriller on ABS-CBN L

WHEN Alden Richards recently celebrated his 26th birthday on Jan. 2, the OVE takes a new color in primetime as the much“Pambansang Bae” had awaited Korean fantasy thriller Black premiered on only one wish.

“I really hope and ABS-CBN last night. pray that hate will no longer prevail in the hearts of Topbilled by Korean stars Song ability to good use and save people people. I do believe that when we remove hate in Seung-heon (When a Man Falls in from the brink of death, which the latter our system, things will become bright and positive.

Love) and Go Ara ( Hwarang), Black agrees to.

Love Especially that it’s a fresh start for all of us, we should features the intertwined stories of Meanwhile, in a parallel universe, be grateful for all the blessings that we received the Sarah, a woman who can foresee death; a grim reaper escapes and turns into a previous year and of course, in the coming days,” he Marlon, a detective determined to fugitive, hiding inside a mortal’s body. says. save and protect lives; and 444, a grim In their world, grim reapers can inhabit The prized Kapuso heartthrob looks forward to a reaper, and how they get enmeshed in a human’s body shortly after it died. fruitful Year of the Dog. matters of life and death.

Determined to bring his buddy and “I feel that 2018 will be big for everyone. We just Sarah has always known that she is partner back, grim reaper 444 possesses have to remain focused and positive. Our happiness special. She has the ability to see the the body of a person who just died after depends on our actions. Actually, I received a timely shadow of death as it lurks near the soul being killed--- detective Marlon. text message, which is related to this thought. It said: it is about to claim, and can even see A mysterious and exciting journey ‘Do more of whatever makes you happy!’ Makes how the person will die. begins for 444 in the mortal world that sense, right?”

One day, she crosses paths with opens doors to his forgotten past and In spite of this positive stance, the handsome lad detective Marlon Han, who discovers even opens his heart to one woman who couldn’t help but get emotional when he remembers her special gift. Marlon offers her a will captivate it, Sarah. his late mom during his birthday. partnership so that they can put her Black airs after The Good Son. South Korean actors Go Ara (left) and Song Seung-heon, lead stars of 'Black' “She passed away in 2008. As a holiday present, my cousin gave me an old video of one of my Christmases with my mother. I think it was 20 years ago. Of course, Chinoy.

Mano Po 7: Chin I felt happy because it was the first time ever that I saw START the year with the heartwarming story The family gets value for their money of the Bonifacio family in Seven Sundays, that video since her demise. In fact, my dad uploaded as they can catch these five movies for the now available through the Kapamilya Box it on social media. It definitely brought warmth into Office(KBO) of ABS-CBN TVplus along with price of P30, and get and additional free my heart.”

100 tri-net texts (to Globe, Touch Mobile, other movies of different genres, which make for In remembering his late mother Rosario, it’s a budget-friendly KBOnding experience. and ABS-CBNmobile) and 50MB of data. obvious that the popular matinee idol is very close to Get two weeks’ worth of KBO for P50 with See how the Bonifacios mend their broken her.

KBOnding DUO, which also comes with 100 bonds to rally for their father who has been tri-net texts and 50MB of data.

“Every day, I always talk to her. I pray and tell diagnosed with cancer. It stars Ronaldo Valdez Register to KBO by texting KBO30 [date her that how I wish she were still here to witness and as Manuel Bonifacio, the father who sees his of airing] [BOX ID] to 2131 using your experience whatever success I enjoy right now. I’m sickness as a chance to bring together his four ABS-CBNmobile. Example, KBO30 JAN6 grateful that she has given me life. Because of her, I children, played by Aga Muhlach, Dingdong [BOX ID]. Meanwhile, text KBO50 [BOX am able to touch many people’s lives by entertaining Dantes, Enrique Gil, and Cristine Reyes.

ID] to 2131 for KBOnding DUO to register The hit family drama, which earned P271 them. So, every day, I never fail to communicate with to two weeks of KBO. Load up your ABSher and tell her that I love her as she is part of all million worldwide, will air on KBO on Jan. 20 CBNmobile sim at the SM Store, Puregold, Extra Service, Bakit Lahat Ng to 21, along with these,” ends Alden.

Ministop, Robinson’s, Globe load outlets, Gwapo May Boyfriend, Cinco, and Bekikang: ******** and sari-sari stores around the country.

At 84 years old, Gloria Romero is so grateful that Ang Nanay Kong Beki.

The cast of family drama, 'Seven Sundays' On Jan. 13 and 14, viewers can watch the she’s still active in show business.

“Oh, yes I am!” she avers. “I’m very thankful to God unusual horror love story of Ang Manananggal 23B. Jewel (Ryza Cenon) is a find their way around working for giving me a fulfilling life as an artist. I’ve been in the Sa Unit 23B living in modern Manila. She is together after their breakup. manananggal ‘biz for more than six decades already. Not every actor in search, not of food, but of someone who will Though difficult at first, they is given this rare opportunity. I’m just happy that at this love and accept her for who she is. will realize that true love will point, I remain as your Gandang Lola. Ha-ha-ha!”

Also coming back to KBO is the tandem of find a way.

As 2018 ushered in, the quintessential movie queen Laida ((Sarah Geronimo) and Miggy (John Also available on Jan.27-28, is visible on screen with her two currently running Lloyd Cruz Cruz) in It Takes a Man and a Woman are That Thing Called Tadhana, shows for GMA. on the last week of the month. The two must Villa Estrella, El Brujo, and “First, I have Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, which is doing well. I’m also in the cast of Kambal Karibal with Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix.

“It’s heart warming to know that they still don’t want me to retire. I thank the Kapuso management for always including me in their programs. I’m grateful AFTER hiding in the dark for years, the discover the Creeper’s truck filled with that despite my age, I can still memorize long lines. Creeper is back to hunt you out. Director dead bodies. Police officials decided It’s such a blessing really.

Victor Salva is back with Jeepers to bring the truck to be impounded but “For one, I still want to work with old colleagues Creepers 33, the latest installment of on the way, the Creeper retrieved his and the new blood as well, like Carmina (Villaroel) the Jeepers Creepers movie franchise. truck by killing the two officers driving whom I worked with in Palibhasa Lalake for the From the original film, Jonathan it. After the grim incident, Sheriff Dan longest time before. I think she was only 12 then. Breck reprises his role as the Creeper, Tashtego (Stan Shaw) called upon the Look at her now! She has a happy family with Zoren while Gina Philips does a cameo role townspeople to help them hunt down the Creeper and kill it once and for all.

(Legaspi) already. It’s a joy to work with her again in of her character, Trish Jenner.

Meanwhile, Gaylen Brandon (Meg The third movie takes place in Kambal Karibal now.

“This also holds true in the case of Miguel and between Jeepers Creepers and Jeepers Foster), sees a vision of his son who was Bianca. I worked with them in Niño years ago. They Creepers 2, when 23 years after the killed by the Creeper twenty three years were just babies then. But now, they’re grown-ups. I events of the first film, the police ago. He warns her that the Creeper will return soon to retrieve something buried feel happy to be working with them again in this show.” on their property. Will she be able to find Apart from television, Tita Glo was also seen in the it? Will she and the townspeople be able recent 2017 MMFF entry Ang Panday top-billed by to stop The Creeper’s killing spree once Coco Martin. and for all?

“Actually, I was surprised to learn that Coco Jeepers Creepers 3 opened in the originally had me in mind to play the role of his U.S. in September 2017 for a onegrandmother in the said flick. He really went out of his night screening only. But with the great way to get my services and adjusted to my schedule reception, a second screening date was since I have regular taping loads. I enjoyed our set later added in October 2017. During its mainly because Coco is so respectful to his co-workers limited run, Jeepers Creepers 3 grossed especially a veteran like me. I admire him for that.” over $2.3 million and debuted at no. 3 in At this point, the award-winning actress couldn’t the Tuesday Box Office ranking. ask for more when it comes to her showbiz life.

This moth, the Creeper is set to wreak “I’m simply blessed! I just wish that I’ll continue Jonathan Breck as the Creeper in the third havoc in the country in cinemas now, to be healthy in order to continue being active in the installment of 'Jeepers Creepers' from VIVA International Pictures. scene,” Tita Glo states.

‘Seven Sundays’on KBO

Third time’s the charm, 3 times the creeps

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, January 9, 2018

ACROSS 1 Lacking panache 5 Cut a wide — 10 Biggers’ sleuth 14 Moreno or Rudner 15 Mawkish 16 Roll-call yell 17 Shortly 18 Mindful 19 Low-fat spread 20 Grammar class 22 Frosty, for one 24 Mind reader’s gift 25 — with (took action) 26 Target (hyph.)

30 Clock fronts 34 Greek letter 35 Maiden-name indicator 36 Leno or Letterman 37 Least rigid 40 Daunt 42 Barracuda habitat 43 Previous to 44 Startled cry 45 Dependents 46 Really dislikes 49 Waterfowl 52 Beret 53 Shipwreck, maybe

56 Pack animals 60 Jai — 61 Maurice’s thanks 64 Asian desert 65 Horse controller 66 Yummy pie 67 Corsica neighbor 68 Freighter hazard 69 Jargon 70 Coal deposit DOWN 1 Declare boastfully 2 Queue 3 Nefertiti’s god 4 “Messiah” composer 5 Whets 6 Exclamation of surprise 7 Police-blotter info 8 Brief 9 Scavenging animal 10 Chuck-wagon call 11 Ship’s wheel 12 Kind of rug 13 Light in a tube 21 19th letter 23 Of yore 25 Joey or Kiki 26 Further down 27 City near

Syracuse 28 Weaker, as an excuse 29 So far 31 Range sizes 32 Quay 33 Tries to locate 38 Spanking 39 Come later 40 “Where Eagles Dare” actress 41 Robin’s offspring 43 Sullivan and Murrow 47 O’Hara’s “—

Joey” 48 PR concerns 50 Free tickets 51 Bow down 53 Costume 54 Not into the wind 55 Fox’s abode 57 Lawn pest 58 “Fernando” band 59 Yul’s film realm 62 Electronics mfr.

63 Dismiss

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018

ABS-CBN kicks off 2018 with new season of

‘PILIPINAS GOT TALENT’

A

BS-CBN opens 2018 with a bang as breathtaking and never-before-seen acts take center stage in the much-awaited sixth season premiere of world-class talent search Pilipinas Got Talent last Saturday and Sunday.

The worldwide hit franchise is back on Philippine television to search for the best Pinoy acts from different parts of the country with host Billy Crawford and new co-host Toni Gonzaga, and judges Freddie “FMG” Garcia, Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla, and Vice Ganda.

PGT hopefuls are surely on fire this season and are out to prove

that Filipino talent is unique, innovative, out-of-the-box, and truly world-class.

Also staging a comeback this year is the coveted Golden Buzzer that automatically puts acts through the semi-final round. For the first time in PGT, hosts Billy and Toni have the power to pick their Golden Buzzer act just like the four

Toni Gonzaga (left) joins Billy Crawford as the new host of the top rating reality talent search

From left: Vice Ganda, Robin Padilla, Angel Locsin and Freddie Garcia return as judges in 'PGT'

judges. Now, a total of five acts can get fast lane tickets to the live semis.

Last year when the Golden Buzzer was first introduced in the show, Robin’s chosen Golden Buzzer act, the Power Duo, managed to conquer the hearts of the judges and viewers round after round and even emerged as the season’s champion.

The live auditions already kicked off in Cebu last month where hopefuls from Visayas and Mindanao pulled out all the stops to impress the judges and the live audience.

Next week, it’s time for Metro Manila bets to show what they got in the live auditions to be held in Tanghalang Pasigueno.

Pinoy acts in Pilipinas Got

Talent have shown that they cannot only conquer the local stage but the international stage as well, as some of them made it to the first edition of Asia’s Got Talent. In fact, shadow act El Gamma Penumbra was named as AGT’s first grand winner.

Pilipinas Got Talent Saturday, 7 p.m. and Sunday, 7:30 p.m. on ABS-CBN.

MCAD screens films on narratives within cities THE Museum of Contemporary Art and Design (MCAD) at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) announces its monthly film screenings for 2018 with a selection of features and a documentary that focus on the cities as an integral part of the narrative.

Starting the lineup on Jan. 10, 12 and 14 is Andrei Tarkovsky’s award-winning Stalker, which won the Ecumenical Prize at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival.

Dubbed as one of the best films of the latter half of the 20th century, it ranks 29th on the British Film Institute’s poll on the 50 Greatest Films of All Time.

Based on the novella Roadside Picnic by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky, it follows two men – a writer and a scientist –escorted by their guide, the Stalker, into The Zone, a highly-guarded postapocalyptic wasteland, in search

of the mythical space The Room, which fulfills a person’s innermost desires.

Gary Hustwit’s documentary Urbanized follows on Jan. 17, 19 and 21.

With over half the world’s population now living in an urban area, some cities are experiencing explosive growth, while others are shrinking. The challenges of balancing housing, mobility, public space, civic engagement, economic development, and environmental policy are fast becoming universal concerns.

Urbanized discusses how cities are designed, and features some of the world’s foremost thinkers, policymakers, planners, architects, and builders.

Francesco Rosi’s landmark movie on political corruption in post-war Italy, Hands Over the City, will be presented on Jan. 24, 26 and 28. The film won

the Golden Lion Award at the 1963 Venice Film Festival.

A ruthless Neapolitan land developer and elected city councilor manages to use his political power for his personal profit in a largescale suburban real estate deal.

However, after the collapse of a residential building, a communist councilor initiates an inquiry on the accident.

All screenings will be held at the MCAD Multimedia Room, with two showings on Wednesdays and Fridays, at 12 noon and 3 p.m., and at 12 noon on Sundays, and are free and open to the public.

MCAD is located at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus, Dominga Street, Malate, Manila.

For inquiries, email mcad@ benilde.edu.ph or call 230-5100 local 3897.

This month's lineup of films and documentaries at Benilde's Museum of Contemporary Art and Design

TOP-RATED. The country's most watched shows, as revealed by Kantar Media: (clockwise) 'FPJ's Ang Probinsyano,' 'The Voice Teens,' 'TV Patrol,' Your Face Sounds Familiar,' 'Maalaala Mo Kaya,' and La Luna Sangre'

Kapamilya says it is most watched network in 2017 ABS-CBN claims most Filipinos tuned in to the relevant news stories and valuable lessons in 2017 as the network recorded an average audience share of 46 percent on both urban and rural homes, or a 12-point lead over GMA’s 34 percent. This is, it said, according to the full year data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN won in the national TV ratings across the country, particularly in Metro Manila where it garnered an average audience share of 40 percent versus GMA’s 29 percent.

It also beat its rival network in Total Balance Luzon where it registered an average audience share of 48 percent, compared to GMA’s 36 percent; in Total Visayas where it got 53 percent, beating GMA’s 28 percent; and in Total Mindanao as it hit 53 percent, while GMA only got 31percent.

Meanwhile, the Kapamilya network also ended the year strongly as it recorded an average audience share of 45 percent in December, while GMA only got 34 percent.

Reigning for already two years on primetime, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano remained the most watched program for 2017 and was warmly welcomed into households nationwide as it hit an average national TV rating of 38.6 percent.

Hit reality-talent show for celebrity kids

Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids also topped the list as it recorded an average national TV rating of 35.7 percent.

Viewers also witnessed the fulfillment of young singing Pinoys’ dreams in the first edition in Asia of The Voice Teens, which hit 34.4 percent.

Top-rating series La Luna Sangre (33.8percent), meanwhile, marked the most awaited comeback of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla on television and the reunion of Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez.

On the other hand, TV Patrol (31.3 percent) remained the most watched newscast in the country all year round as it brought timely news and delivered public service to Kapamilyas in different parts of the nation as it celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The young and talented kids of Little Big Shots (31.1 percent) also did not fail to impress viewers nationwide with their charm and irresistible wit that made a mark in people’s hearts.

Wansapantaym (29.8 percnet) also gave a magical treat through its values-laden stories every Sunday. MMK, meanwhile, (29.6 percent) continued to bring inspiration with the real life stories of its letter senders on its 25th year.