Manila Standard - 2018 January 24 - Wednesday

6.7% GDP GROWTH SPARKS OPTIMISM

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Danger zone up to 9 km; 40k flee

By Rio N. Araja

LEGAZPI CITY—The Albay provincial government on Tuesday expanded the danger zone around Mount Mayon to nine kilometers, as a fountain of lava, then ash and smoke spewed from the volcano.

Provincial officials said the buffer zone was expanded to keep locals from going back into the danger zone.

On Monday evening and early Tuesday, lava flowed out of the volcano’s crater.

In the city of Ligao and Next page

FLAMING LAVA. Mayon Volcano in Albay ejects smoldering lava as it continues to erupt Tuesday, with a giant mushroom-shaped cloud shooting up from the crater of the country’s most active volcano, darkening the sky and raining ash on surrounding communities while residents (inset) are photographed the day before carrying their belongings at the back of a truck during a forced evacuation in the nearby town of Daraga. AFP

VOL. XXXI • NO. 341 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘Break Cha-Cha impasse’ Palace weighs in on House-Senate row

CA justice hits Sereno for ‘lack of delicadeza’

By Maricel V. Cruz A COURT of Appeals associate justice on Tuesday said Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno ordered CA justices to defy the House of Representatives in connection with the “Ilocos 6” case, and said the action was “irregular” and lacking in propriety.

At the resumption of the impeachment hearings conducted by the House committee on justice, CA Justice Remedios Salazar Fernando was among the resource persons to speak about Sereno’s alleged “obstruction of justice” on the “Ilocos 6” controversy.

The impeachment complainant, lawyer Larry Gadon, accused Sereno of committing other high crimes when she met with the presiding justice and associate justices of the Court of Appeals and instructed

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Palace said Tuesday that the House and Senate should work out their differences over Charter change, but a co-founder of President Rodrigo Duterte’s party urged the Chief Executive to settle the row between senators and congressmen who are his allies.

them to ignore the show cause order from the House of Representatives and question it before the Supreme Court.

Fernando refused to say whether Sereno’s action would constitute intervention in the CA. But at the very least, Fernando said the action constituted a “lack of delicadeza, or lack of propriety.”

“Propriety dictates that it should not be the case,” Fernando said when asked if Sereno’s action was proper.

On June 20, 2017, the House committee on good government issued the show cause order against the Special Fourth Division of the CA in connection with the court’s

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JUSTICE REMEDIOS FERNANDO

Leyte Water Probe sought on Drilon’s ‘fund misuse’ a big mess, says GM

By John Paolo Bencito sion of public funds.

A TOP official of the Leyte Metropolitan Water District has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to look into the alleged irregularities in his agency to guarantee the better delivery of potable water and to address the problem of the directors in the agency.

In his open letter to Duterte, LMWD acting general manager Pastor Homeres accused the old board appointed by the Leyte governor of allegedly using dummy contractors for the office building on A. Mabini Street in Tacloban City, the purchase of vehicles, the repair of the Nulatula building office in Tacloban City, and the pipeline projects in Gacao and San Isidro, both in Palo, Leyte.

“Mr. President, I thank the people here for their continued support. Had it not been for them and for the majority of my Next page

THE Palace said that it is time to investigate members of the opposition Liberal Party after the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, Janet Lim Napoles, implicated Senator Franklin Drilon in the illegal diver-

“Now is the time for Janet Lim Napoles and the people from the Liberal Party that she implicated to answer for what they have done and to begin the process of filing cases against them,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in Filipino over

state-owned Radyo Pilipinas on Monday.

Without offering any proof, Roque also insinuated that the LP might also be the ones behind the recent controversies involving the P16 billion frigates contract in which Special Assistant Next page

Both chambers have been at loggerheads over how to amend the Constitution, with the House, led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, insisting that it can bypass the Senate, approve amendments on its own and go directly to the people.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace would let Congress resolve its issues.

The Congress is independent of the Executive, so we will leave it to them to resolve their disagreements on this issue. The Executive will implement what Congress agrees on,” Roque said in Filipino.

But former Senate president and cofounder of Duterte’s PDP-Laban party, Aquilino Pimentel Jr., said Duterte needs to step in and settle the row between his allies in Congress.

He also took Alvarez to task for suggesting that the Constitution can be amended without the Senate.

I will just say that he should again read the Constitution because that is not what is envisioned in the Constitution.,” said Pimentel, a strong supporter of federalism.

When you talk about Congress as a body to revise the Constitution by three-fourth vote of its members, you are talking about two houses… not the House of Representatives only,” Pimentel added.

SC orders release of car plates

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Benham Rise a non-issue at India summit—Duterte of Southeast Asian Nations summit in New Delhi which he will be attending this week, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said PRESIDENT Rodrigo Tuesday.

“What’s there to discuss Duterte will not raise the Benham Rise issue dur- on the Benham Rise issue?

Next page ing the India-Association

By Vito Barcelo, Macon RamosAraneta and Bill Casas

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court on Tuesday finally lifted the temporary restraining order it issued in June 2016 ordering the release of 300,000 pairs of license plates for motor vehicles and 400,000 plates for motorcycles earlier seized by the Bureau of Customs and donated to the Land Transportation Office last April.

The 15-member bench dismissed the petition

Pimentel pointed out that the Constitution mandates that members of both the Senate and the House should propose amendments to the Constitution, He said voting should be done separately, or “the Senate’s voice would be drowned out by the nearly 300-member House.”

Asked about the House plan to amend the Constitution without the Senate, Roque said Congress should reach a consensus.

From my brief experience in Congress, Congress is not just deliberative, it’s consensual. You need to build consensus and... the same consensus-building will have to be resorted to between the House and the Senate on the issue of how to move forward with constituent assembly,” he said.

The House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 9, seeking to convene Congress into a constituent assembly in which congressmen and senators will vote jointly on constitutional amendments.

Senators, however, believe that the Senate and the House should vote separately, as joint voting would render their 23 votes insignificant against the 292 votes in the House.

After the Senate said it would boycott the House-initiated assembly, Alvarez declared

Anti-TRAIN petitions mount COOL IT. Anti-coal activists from Subic, along with members of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and members from Aeta tribes from Mampweng, Iram and Trala-la troop to the Court of Appeals ground Tuesday to file a case to stop Subic coal plant. Norman Cruz facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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THE Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered Malacañang, the Senate and the House of Representatives to comment on the two petitions assailing the constitutionality of Re-

public Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

High court spokesman Theodore Te said the Court en banc had issued Next page

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Ex-Comelec chief snubs Senate, gets subpoenaed

By Macon Araneta TO COMPEL his attendance during the next hearing on Feb. 12, the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies chaired by Senator Francis Escudero issued Tuesday a subpoena to former Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista.

Bautista was a no-show at the resumption on Tuesday of the committee hearing in connection with possible violation of the anti-money laundering law.

Under the subpoena, Bautista is commanded and directed to appear on the next hearing.

The subpoena noted that failure to attend the hearing would compel the Senate to hold him in contempt and move for his arrest under Section 18 of the Rules Governing Inquiries in Aid of Legislation, according to Escudero.

At the same time, Escudero has asked the Bureau of Immigration to provide the committee with all the travel information of the former poll chief from August 1, 2017 to date.

The committee has sent invitations to all of Bautista’s three known addresses since the inquiry began in August. Tuesday’s hearing would have been the third and was also the third time that Bautista had failed to appear.

Leyte...

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employees, I would not have been here to expose what is happening to my directors at the Leyte Metropolitan Water District who had been appointed by the Leyte governor,” said Homeres who heads the LMWD, a government-owned and -controlled corporation.

“For years I kept mum about the dark side of the office, but now that more than the majority of the employees of Leyte Metropolitan Water District have withdrawn support from the Board of Directors appointed by the Leyte governor, I now have the courage to expose to the public the pressing concerns of the office.”

Homeres said the immediate response of the President would help accomplish the “clamor of the consuming public for an improved water supply in Tacloban City and some municipalities [of Leyte], which for years had not been properly attended to, the problem of water supply to the Tacloban North permanent resettlement area which, to date, had already about 10,000 families, and the pipeline rehabilitation and water loss of the LMWD which were not being supported properly.

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filed by Representatives Jonathan dela Cruz and Gustavo Tambunting questioning the legality of Customs’ move to donate the plates to the LTO. The high court unanimously declared as constitutional the use of the appropriation under the Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver’s Licensing Regulatory Services in the General Appropriations Act of 2014 for the implementation of the LTO Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program of the Department of Transportation.

“The Court ruled that the 2014 GAA included an appropriation for the program and the use of the appropriation is constitutional,” high court spokesman Theodore Te, said in a media briefing.

Te said the high court took into consideration two issues raised in the petition: Whether the 2014 GAA included an appropriation for the MVLPSP and whether the use of the 2014 appropriation was constitutional.

The Court noted that it already ruled in the case of Jacomille v.

Abaya on April 22, 2015, on the legality of the procurement of the MVPSP intended to supply the new license plates for both old and new vehicle registrants.

News

7.9 quake strikes off Alaska A

POWERFUL earthquake of magnitude 7.9 struck off the coast of Alaska early Tuesday, prompting tsunami warnings or watches as far away as California.

The quake struck at 0931 GMT in the Gulf of Alaska, 280 kilometers (175 miles) southeast of the town of Kodiak, the US Geological Survey said, revising a preliminary estimate of 8.2 magnitude. The epicenter was 10 kilometers under the seabed.

Tsunami warnings were issued for south and southeast Alaska and the west coast of Canada, the National Tsunami Warning Center said.

Less-ominous tsunami watches were issued for the US west coast—the entire coasts of California and Oregon and part of Washington state—and Hawaii out in the Pacific.

Heather Rand, who was 360 miles away in Anchorage, told CNN it felt like the longest

earthquake she had ever experienced.

“It was a very long, slow build up. Creepy, more than anything.

Definitely the longest, and I was born here,” Rand said, adding the only damage was cracks in the wall.

In Alaska, authorities urged coast dwellers to seek safety.

“If you are located in this coastal area, move inland to higher ground,” the Anchorage Office of Emergency Management said.

“Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is possible or is already occurring. Tsunamis are a series of waves dangerous many hours after initial arrival time.

The first wave may not be the largest.”

UST group sets emergency meeting over Mocha award

By Bill Casas

‘Break...

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that the House can go it alone, propose and approve amendments to the Constitution with three-fourths of all lawmakers, and take the results directly to the people in a referendum, a move that has been criticized as unconstitutional.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, a member of the opposition, said the House leader’s plan to propose amendments without Senate concurrence would be legally void. ‘‘Any result there will be void.

It has no legal effect because it is a blatant violation of the Constitution,” said Lagman at a news conference.

“That also goes [for] the Senate.

Their resolution that they should meet separately as a constituent assembly is also against both the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” he added.

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also rejected the House’s push for Charter change to effect federalism and urged the House leadership to concentrate instead on bills that would benefit the people.

When the Constitution states that amendments may be approved by three-fourth of all members of Congress, that includes the Senate, Lagman said.

He added that the issue would ultimately be settled by the Supreme Court.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, warned of a constitutional crisis if the House tries to push Charter change without the Senate.

Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate committee on consti-

Probe...

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to the President Christopher Go has been accused of wrongdoing.

The Palace spokesman said they are ready to face the new destabilization efforts by the “yellows”—referring to the LP. “This is not politics. This is accountability,” Roque said.

Drilon said he would not comment on the “fake news” that Napoles gave him P5 million in campaign funds for the 2010 elections.

In an interview on Monday, Drilon denied receiving any campaign contribution from Napoles.

“We have submitted our Statements of Contributions and

Anti-TRAIN...

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issued a resolution giving the respondents 10 days to submit their comments on the petitions and the applications for a temporary restraining order.

The high court also ordered the

tutional amendments, said the House move appeared to be a strategy “to force the issue and have the Supreme Court to step in and decide in their favor.” ‘‘The administration has bullied the political opposition, its critics, the chief justice, the media, selected business interests, and now it wants to bully the Senate,” Pangilinan said. “The bullying of the House is an abuse of those in power; we should not let it pass.” ‘‘If the Senate allows itself to be bullied, then our democracy and respect for the law will be thrown out the window and anyone can be a victim of the abuses of those in power,” he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Charter change cannot be done by the House of Representatives alone because the Constitution vests the decision on Congress, which is composed of the House and the Senate. ‘‘Thus, the House of Representatives alone cannot constitute themselves as a constituent assembly and by its own three fourths vote, cannot amend the Constitution. They cannot do it without the other house which is the Senate,” Drilon said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said “those who insist that the House alone can constitute itself into a constituent assembly do not know what Congress means.”

Lacson then cited Article VI, Section 1 of the Constitution, which states that “the legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

For their own sake, Lacson said congressmen should not allow themselves to look pathetic and

worse, ridiculous. ‘‘They pride themselves as lawyers in good standing but it only takes a layman who knows how to read and understand simple words and literature in order to appreciate what is right and wrong,” Lacson said.

Lacson also said that even if the House goes it alone, a budget would have to be set aside for the plebiscite, but this appropriation would not be possible without the Senate.

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno said the Supreme Court could ultimately step in to break the impasse over how the two chambers of Congress should vote.

Puno warned that a joint vote would have “an anomalous result” because this would render the Senate irrelevant and said Alvarez’s reading of the Constitution as “literal.” ‘‘That is not the way to interpret the Constitution,” the retired chief justice said.

The group Movement Against Tyranny said Alvarez’s claim that the House could move to amend the Constitution without the Senate was “a new low as far as respect for democratic institutions and process are concerned.” ‘‘The Movement Against Tyranny totally opposes the House leadership’s distorted and undemocratic interpretation of the Constitution and will muster the strongest and broadest opposition to such an insidious ploy. We call on the Senate not to take this lightly and immediately reject the House resolution for a constituent assembly and similar measures to amend or revise the Constitution,” they also said. With Bill Casas and Vito Barcelo

Expenditures, which are open for public scrutiny,” he said.

Interviewed on a program that aired on government-owned PTV-4, Napoles said she contributed P5 million to Drilon’s campaign kitty.

“He [Drilon] knows me. In fact, I gave donations last election, when he ran in the 2010 elections,” Napoles said.

Roque said this allegation should be investigated.

“Leave it to the DoJ [Department of Justice] but there should be an investigation. Let the process of accountability begin,” he said.

On Tuesday, Roque said the government would cancel the passport of former Department of Budget and Management undersecretary Mario Relampagos, who is facing more than 300 pork barrel and Malampaya

fund scam-related cases, if he continue to hide in the United States.

“If he’s in the US, there would be no problem because he can be extradited,” Roque said in Filipino during a press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday.

Roque appealed to the former DBM official to come back and clear his name if he is really innocent.

“Flight is evidence of guilty,” he said.

The Sandiganbayan has already considered Relampagos a “fugitive from justice” because of his failure to return to the country on Jan. 1, 2018.

The Sandiganbayan has ordered his immediate arrest after he failed to return from a trip to the United States with the court’s permission.

consolidation of the second petition filed by Laban Konsyumer Inc. on Monday through its president, former Trade Undersecretary Victor Dimagiba, to the first petition filed by Representatives Antonio Tinio, Carlos Zarate and Ariel Casilao.

Aside from assailing the constitutionality of TRAIN, both

petitions are seeking the issuance a temporary restraining order to stop its implementation.

In its petition, Laban Konsyumer Inc. assailed the imposition of excise taxes on petroleum products and coal under the new tax measure, claiming that would further burden the poor families. Rey E. Requejo

THE UST Alumni Association Inc. is now thinking whether or not they would revoke the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service given to Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson after receiving a backlash.

In a television interview, USTAAI president Henry Tenedero said he could not unilaterally revoke the award, adding the board of alumni had to convene in an emergency meeting that would be called within this week.

“We are just fixing the schedule, but definitely within two days time, there will be an emergency meeting, and all will be discussed because I cannot unilaterally revoke the award because I have to respect the board,” Tenedero said.

“But one thing I could say is we have a listening board, listening with heart, ears and mind

whatever the board wants will be followed,” Tenedero said.

Former and current students of the University of Santo Tomas, as well as its official publication The Varsitarian, have criticized the alumni association’s decision to give the award to Uson.

Calls for the USTAAI officials’ resignation were also demanded.

Tenedero said the alumni association’s officials would be willing to resign.

The official student publication of the University of Sto. Tomas, The Varsitarian, has issued a statement calling for the resignation of alumni association officials for giving the “Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service” to Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson, the controversial assistant secretary of the Presidential Communications Operations Office. AFP

Danger...

CA...

the towns of Camalig and Guinobatan, work was suspended in both private and public offices due to heavy ashfall from the volcano.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert level to 4 on Monday after Mayon spewed out a column of ash and smoke 10 kilometers high. The agency has warned of a hazardous eruption in the coming days.

On Tuesday, Phivolcs said the rumbling sounds emanating from the volcano came from rocks falling from the lava fountain.

The activity was weaker than Monday’s sporadic explosions, however.

Phivolcs said Mt. Mayon was still swollen, and that it could spew more gas, ash, magma, rocks and lava materials.

Volcanologists said there were no indications that a violent eruption could happen similar to the eruptions in 1814 and 1987, but added they were not dismissing the possibility of a huge eruption.

The Albay provincial government ordered preemptive evacuation of about 40,000 residents within the nine-kilometer extended danger zone in case of a hazardous eruption. With Joel E. Zubano and PNA

order to release six Ilocos Norte officials that the committee ordered detained for refusing to cooperate with its investigation.

Fernando said that on June 21, 2017 CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes called the CA justices to an emergency meeting and told them that he had just come from a meeting with Sereno where they talked about the case of the Ilocos Norte officials.

“According to our presiding justice he was given an assurance by the CJ that the SC will protect the CA,” Fernando said.

“According again to our presiding justice, in his talk with the Chief Justice, she advised the 3 (CA) justices to file a petition before the Supreme Court with a TRO and she would take care of it. And everybody was silent about it,” she added.

The three CA justices of the special Fourth Division who handled the habeas corpus case of the Ilocos Norte officials were Associate Justices Stephen Cruz, Edwin Sorongon and Nina Antonio-Valenzuela.

Fernando said the committee could confirm her testimony once fthe ormer CA presiding justice testifies before the panel.

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Benham...

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There’s no dispute that we have sovereign rights over Benham Rise,” Roque said, despite Chinese officials’ repeated pronouncement that it is not owned by the Philippines and will conduct scientific research there.

The Benham Rise, officially known as the Philippine Rise, is a seismically active undersea region and extinct volcano in the Philippine Sea approximately 250 kilometers east of the northern coastline of Dinapigue, Isabela.

“There is no controversy in Benham Rise, there is no country disputing that we have

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sovereign rights over Benham Rise,” he said.

In related developments: • The Philippines has jurisdiction over Benham Rise, now the subject of a marine research by the Chinese government, and other islands being contested by China, including Scarborough Shoal and the Kalayaan Group of Islands, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. said Tuesday.

Speaking during the Senate joint hearing on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, Pimentel said ”even as discussion in this particular forum is focused on BBL, our people should not forget that if we talk about BBL, that applies to the Republic of the Philippines.”

News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PCSO @P52.9B sa 2017 sa ilalim ng gobyerno ni PANGULONG RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE Sa taong 2017, nagbayad ng buwis sa gobyerno ang Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ng halagang: Ito po ang mga sumusunod:

P7,797,931,023.16

Final Income Taxes Creditable Income Taxes (Expanded) Value Added and Other Percentage Taxes Documentary Stamps Tax Taxes on Compensation Taxes on Horse Race Winners DST-Chattel Mortagage Fringe Benefit Tax

P1,428,496,586.61 P 538,039,336.55 P 305,042,768.52 P5,298,392,920.87 P 225,343,980.21 P 1,815,000.00 P 14,000.00 P 786,230.32

Ang buwis ay galing sa kita ng PCSO mula sa:

Lotto Keno Sweepstakes Small Town Lottery

P 31,358,987,200 P 5,357,611,520 P 22,500,000 P 15,747,421,671

Bukod sa binayarang P7.7B, binayaran din ng PCSO ang pagkakautang ng nakaraang administrasyon mula 2011 hanggang 2014 sa Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) na nagkakahalaga ng:

P903,279,789.91

Eto pa, para po sa kaalaman ng mamamayang Pilipino, nagbibigay din ang PCSO ng MANDATORY CONTRIBUTIONS (sang-ayon sa mga batas na ipinasa ng Kongresos) sa iba’tibang ahensiya at organisasyon ng gobyerno na ilan sa mga ito ay hindi health-related o hindi swak sa mandato ng Republic Act 1169, o ang Charter ng PCSO. Sa taong 2017, ang kabuuang kontribusyon ng PCSO ay nagkakahalaga ng :

P955,054,974.25 Ang benepisyaryo ng kontribusyon ay ang: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), 5% share para sa Local Government Units (LGUs), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Nutrition Foundation of the Philippines (NFP), at Quezon Institute (QI).

Ang RA 1169 (PCSO) ay naglalayong lumikom ng pondo sa pamamagitan ng mga lottery game nito gaya ng Lotto, Keno, Sweepstakes at Small Town Lottery (STL) upang mapondohan ng gobyerno ang kanyang kawanggawa sa mamamayang Pilipino na may sakit at nangangailangan ng ayudang medikal gaya ng gamot, konsultasyon sa doktor, ospitalisasyon, operasyon, at iba pa.

Ang PCSO ay nasa ilalim ng OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Dangerous changes

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HE more things change, the more they stay the same.

This epigram from the 19th century French journalist, critic and novelist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr might well be applied today to the Duterte administration, which came to power in 2016 on the promise of change.

For many voters who chose Rodrigo Duterte as President, change meant a departure from the hubris, patronage politics, official incompetence and insensitivity of the Aquino administration.

Therefore, it is disconcerting, to say the least, to see leaders of the incumbent administration begin to exhibit the mannerisms and attitudes of their predecessors.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, for example, now says that he was only joking when he threatened to cut off funding to

provinces that did not support the administration’s push to institute a federal system of government. But he did this after drawing heavy fire—as he well should—for acting as if the National Treasury were his own personal bank account to write checks or withhold them as he pleased.

Now everyone, including the good Speaker, ought to know that nobody can really do that without violating the Constitution so we will give him the benefit of the doubt.

But even as a joke, the threat to withhold funding to those who disagreed with the administration was a particularly odious one that reminded us of how previous administrations punished their political opponents by simply delaying the release of funds by the Budget department. The offhand manner in which he made his “joke” also recalls the insensitive and dismissive manner in which the immediate past president told a Tacloban businessman, in the aftermath of Super Typhoon “Yolanda,” not to worry

about looting with these reassuring words: “You’re still alive, aren’t you?”

Another odious practice that seems to have survived the change of administrations is the habit of blaming one’s predecessor for all the ills that beset the country.

Now, in agencies such as the Land Transportation Office, it is also being used as an excuse for the lack of action.

But even more alarming, perhaps, is the way this administration is “improving” on its predecessor’s expertise in manipulating the news.

All of us recall the shameless trial by publicity engineered by President Benigno Aquino III against the hapless Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was crucified in the press well before he was convicted and ousted by the Senate.

With some sense of irony, this administration is going after the incumbent chief justice in much the same manner—but going one dangerous step further.

Now allies of the administration in the House of Representatives want to rewrite Section 4 of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution that protects free speech and freedom of the press by adding three seemingly innocuous but truly terrible words (in italics): “No law shall be passed abridging the responsible exercise of freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

The addition of these three words open the door to state interpretation on what constitutes responsible and irresponsible journalism and with it, the power to shut down its critics on a whim. This throws out the all-important concept that a free press, as a watchdog of government, has a key role to play in a democracy. This kind of change is not what we signed up for and must vigorously oppose—before the gags are applied and we are all silenced.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Blame Alvarez should federalism fail I DO not know what House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was up to when he threatened local government units with a zero budget if they did not toe the line in the Duterte administration’s pursuit of a federal system of government.

Perhaps he was trying to be cute, imitating the President who also likes to make threats. The law however says that the Speaker cannot just deprive LGUs of their budget. They also partake of the revenues of the national government.

And now Alvarez says he was just joking. But why joke on a matter of national interest?

Here lies Noynoy LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES THE late Senator Joker Arroyo was correct when he once said that the eyepopping anomalies perpetrated during Noynoy Aquino’s term lead directly to the former president’s doorstep. The Dengvaxia scandal is one such terrible scandal that goes straight to the Aquino family home’s residence on Times Street.

It took guts for former Health Secretary Enrique Ona to call out his ex-boss Aquino for lying to the Senate about Ona’s alleged presence in Beijing during a meeting between Aquino and executives of French pharmaceutical giant Sano-

fi. By the time the meeting was held on the sidelines of a regional summit, Ona told the Senate, he had already quit as health secretary and wasn’t anywhere near Beijing.

Ona’s testimony before Senator Richard Gordon’s Blue Ribbon committee last Monday is the most damning against Aquino so far.

If, after all, Aquino cannot even be trusted to remember who was with him when he met with Sanofi executives who were selling the controversial antidengue vaccine Dengvaxia to the Philippines, how are we to trust him when he says that everything about the P3.5-billion purchase was above-board?

I say that Ona’s declaration was gutsy because so

far, all of Aquino’s former top officials who have been linked to the vaccine scandal have not spoken a word against the ex-president even after his testimony

ia purchase was railroaded right before Aquino’s term ended and could in all likelihood not have proceeded had the president himself not leaned hard on his people involved in the scandal, led by Ona’s replacement, Secretary Janette Garin.

It was truly unfair for Garin Aquino to implicate Ona, and others the well-respected medilinked to the cal professional, in the Dengvaxia Dengvaxia purchase. After all, Ona’s removal from scandal should the Cabinet in late 2014 is not allow their believed to be the direct reputations to result of his opposition to be destroyed to the Dengvaxia rollout program, which eventually led protect Aquino. to the vaccination of up to 830,000 children who may have been been put in danbefore the Gordon commit- ger of contracting severe tee. This despite the clear dengue after being given evidence that the Dengvax- the vaccine.

It took Garin to push through with Aquino’s vaccination scheme, with the help of a bunch of senior health officials involved in the testing, evaluation and final greenlighting of Dengvaxia, beginning in January 2016, just days after Aquino and his budget officials were able to find the funds for the program.

What made the vaccination even more of a headscratcher was that dengue, while endemic in the Philippines, is not even among the top 10 leading killer diseases in the country.

The alacrity that attended the rollout of the Dengvaxia program, I will insist, required a full-court press from Aquino’s office.

Aquino may claim that he had the best interests of his

countrymen in mind when he pushed for the vaccine’s rollout in the last few months of his term—but he will never be able to escape culpability for the deaths of children that have been linked directly to the use of Dengvaxia, which was not yet cleared for public use at the time.

Ona has already shown the way for Garin and others who are directly linked to the Dengvaxia scandal.

They should not allow their careers and reputations to be destroyed simply because they have to protect Aquino, who masterminded the whole sorry and sordid Dengvaxia affair. *** There’s nothing like an upcoming “people power” Turn to A5

Were the framers of the 1987 Constitution joking? I don’t think so.

If he did this just to grab headlines, well, he certainly succeeded. But it came at the cost of his credibility.

Was Alvarez also joking when he said that the House would go it alone in amending the 1987 Constitution? He says they do not need the Senate. They would just have the people ratify the proposed charter in a plebiscite called for the purpose.

It’s a joke all right. He and his minions in the socalled supermajority are treading on thin ice. The Constitution is clear that Congress is composed of Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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Opinion ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

THE crescendo of complaints and criticisms against the House-initiated revision of the Constitution under a constituent assembly continues to rise. Lending his voice to the current controversy over Con-ass AND parliamentary/federalism form of government was former senator Juan Ponce Enrile. As a resource person at Monday’s Samahang Plaridel breakfast news forum, Enrile made it clear at the outset that even if the Senate and House went into joint session, voting must be done separately.

No ifs and buts.

“The legislative power in our country is vested in a bicameral Congress composed of two houses--the Senate and the House of Representatives. Neither the Senate nor the House is a Congress. Both the Senate and the House are essential to exist and operate as a Congress.

Both must operate and act separately even if they are brought together in a joint session,” said Enrile.

One has to take the word of the man as teaching from a guru. Enrile at 93 is gifted with a sharp mind and uncanny memory. Steeped in the law, he has a grasp of both versions of the 1935 and 1987 Constitutions. He has seen it all aside from being in the vortex of major political events in this country. Enrile was the architect and implementor of martial law as defense and justice secretary during the Marcos regime.

His last landmark role was as Senate president and presiding judge in the impeachment trial and conviction of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Thrust into the limelight once again because of the various divergent views whether the Senate and the House should vote separately on the issue of a revised Constitution, Enrile ‘s legal opinion is timely and considered by his peers as the word coming from the mountaintop. And why not—when the others are being expressed by legal pygmies?

As someone once asked “how can you soar like an eagle when you are surrounded by turkeys?”

We are not talking about House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez here who’s bent on running the chacha train with or without the Senate. He has also backtracked on his threat of a zero budget for the Senate and local governments who oppose the proposed parliamentary/ federalism in the revised charter.

“I was only joking when I said that.” said

Here...

From A4

anniversary to get a rise out of the anti-Duterte forces collectively known as the Yellows. Ahead of next month’s annual Yellow party, the supporters of the Aquino family and its remnants among the political and

Alvarez when he drew sharp rebuke from all quarters. Rep. Tom Villarin said it’s not a laughing matter when the supposed leader of the House would joke about a serious subject that would adversely affect public works project for constituents.

Enrile cautioned the proponents of Con-ass resulting in a flawed charter revision that “revolution is intrinsic in every society and the people will do the change they cannot get from elected leaders.”

The Senate, however, has seen through Alvarez’s ploy to abolish the Senate by merging it under a parliamentary setup where the 24 senators’ power would be clipped by the sheer number of nearly 300 other MPs aligned with the ruling party.

As members of parliament, the outnumbered former senators will be emasculated when voting is held on the floor to pass key legislative measures.

Former Senate president Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was the other guest at the Manila Hotel news forum. He and Enrile were on the same page on most of the issues discussed except on federalism which has long been the advocacy of Pimentel. Although he conceded federalism is not a panacea to all the ills confronting the country, Pimentel believed that his proposal would free the other regions from the grip of “imperial Manila.” He said that to devolve the revenue-earning of local governments from being remitted to the national treasury, a more equitable way of revenue sharing is for the LGUs to retain a certain portion of the funds for their own development.

Enrile, on the other hand, warned that federalism might become messy as it could lead to warlordism. Provinces and regions would compete against each other. There’s really nothing wrong with competition but provinces and regions with smaller revenue could be dominated by neighboring areas with a higher income coming from mining, logging and agriculture.

Pimentel suggested that the president and vice president must be elected together as a tandem team and not separately. This he said would preclude the Vice President from just waiting for the President to die so he or she can take over. He also urged the people to vote for political candidates with a literacy requisite and not just to know how to read and write. economic elite have already been working overtime in a bid to show to Filipinos and to the world that they have not, in fact, already been reduced to complete and utter irrelevance.

To start the year, the Yellows have already staged the “non-closure” of their favored but financially

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BizNewsAsia Top 1000: Boom year in 2016; 2017 is even better

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Separate votes

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

THE Philippines’ 1,000 largest corporations have combined 2016 revenues of P21.74 trillion, up P1.661 trillion or 8.2 percent from the previous high of P20.08 trillion in 2015.

The BizNewsAsia 1000 profits jumped much higher, by 22.85 percent to P2.766 trillion, from P2.25 trillion in 2015.

The BNA 1000 returned 11.22 percent to stockholders in 2016, a marvelous jump from 0.12 ROE in 2015.

Return on sales in 2016 was 12.72 percent, a massive turnaround from 0.10 percent in 2015.

San Miguel Corp. is again the Philippines’ largest in sales, P685.31 billion, and among private companies, also the largest in profits, P52.24 billion.

2017 marked the 10th year since SMC launched its ambitious diversification.

“For your company, it has been a period of great transformation,” said SMC chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. Added SMC President Ramon Ang: “Today, we are more resilient because of our entry into businesses like power, infrastructure, oil refining, and petrochemicals. We have more diverse income streams, improved profitability, and more paths to growth than ever before. The changes to our organization and our portfolio have also helped us grow in confidence in terms of what we can achieve, and allowed us to constantly raise the bar on our performance.”

In 2016, SMC turned in a record year—“our biggest by far,” says Cojuangco. “We registered consolidated revenues of P685.3 billion and operating income of P99.7 billion, a 24-percent increase over the previous year.

Our net income reached P52 billion, an 80-percent jump from 2015. Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization was also at its highest—P130.9 billion, representing a 19 percent growth over the previous year.”

Like many Philippine companies, SMC benefited from substantial tailwind gains: growth

Blame...

in gross domestic product, electionspending, low fuel prices, and higher remittances from overseas Filipino workers. These factors raised real disposable incomes and consumer spending, and in turn, our performance. Yet we realize we are where we are not so much from these external factors as from how well each of our businesses were able to implement our strategies over the last decade.

“Now that our core and new businesses are running sideby-side at the same accelerated pace, we are finally starting to realize their combined revenue potential. And with the advantages of experience, track record, and better resources now firmly under our belt, we are in a much better position to pursue the new opportunities that diversification has opened up for us,” Ang said.

“Ten years ago, when we set out to expand, our aim was to build a company that could grow faster, perform more consistently, and contribute meaningfully to national development. Then as now, we have constantly sought a balance between our growth and helping our country grow.” *** “Our core businesses delivered robust growth driven by the country’s strong economic development and our unrelenting commitment to sustainable expansion,” said Henry Sy Sr. in their report to stockholders.

Since its listing in the PSE in 2005, SMIC has continued to outperform the average returns for companies listed on the PSE. “We remain optimistic about continued development in the Philippines supported by government investment plans and we will continue to prioritize expansion in underserved regions across the country,” he said.

In 2016, SMIC posted consolidated revenues of P362.8 billion, up 9 percent, while our consolidated net income increased by 8.1 percent to P31.2 billion. This was driven by the strong performance of our core investments, namely property, banking and retailing, which contributed 39.1 VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

percent, 37.1 percent and 23.8 percent of our earnings respectively. *** For Petron, 2016 was an exceptional year; “We stayed well ahead of competition in every aspect of our operations—from our upgraded refining capabilities to our enhanced value chain to our innovative products and customer services—as we strived to anticipate the needs of our customers. Along the way, we established new records and milestones in the industry, in es-

sence, setting the bar even higher as we sustained our unparalleled leadership,” said Petron Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco and President-CEO Ramon Ang. Petron posted a consolidated net income of P10.8 billion in 2016, a 73 percent increase from the previous year’s earnings of P6.3 billion. Operating income grew by 31 percent to P23.8 billion from P18.1 billion in 2015.

This is the best performance in Petron’s 80-year plus history. biznewsasia@gmail.com

two chambers: The Senate and the House of Representatives.

Were the framers of the 1987 Constitution just joking when they came up with this provision? *** Perhaps realizing that amending the 1987 Constitution to pave the way for a federal-parliamentary system of government is the ultimate dream of his boss, Alvarez and his minions are stepping back from the plan to hold a plebiscite simultaneous with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14.

He wanted to save on funds, he said.

“But if, for example, we are not able to comply with the requirements of the law in time, then we will adjust the timetable,” he added. Did he just say he would railroad constitu-

tional amendments in pursuit of Duterte’s dream?

Can we still ever believe Alvarez?

He is the best argument against the House tinkering with the Constitution.

Does not the President realize this just yet? *** On the part of President Duterte, we all know his style of making threats he does not really mean. He even says atrocious things when he is angry or dismayed. We are all familiar with his ways now.

This, when he ordered security forces to shoot him if he remained in office beyond his six-year term, did he mean that literally?

I have been a journalist for 70 years and have seen 10 presidents come and go. I can easily say right now that Mr. Duterte was not speaking literally.

He also threatened to slap Jose Ma. Sison. It’s just hyperbole.

I have learned early on

to not interpret the President’s words literally. His words make good newspaper headlines, but it would be unfair to judge Mr. Duterte on what he says during his many rambling speeches. *** The Social Weather Stations showed no less than 3.6-million families experiencing involuntary hunger.

This is ironic since the country has been labelled as the fastest-growing economy in Asia with forecast GDP growth of 6.7 percent for 2017. So while the economy is supposed to be growing strong, the growth is not inclusive at all.

The Philippines is still at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to per capita income, foreign investments and business competitiveness. Easing poverty was the President’s foremost promise, but when? Poverty is the reason we have problems in illegal drugs, criminal-

ity and corruption. *** Sanofi Pasteur, the giant pharmaceutical company from France, has agreed to refund over P1 billion worth of unused Dengvaxia vaccine. This is in connection with the P3.5-billion deal entered into by the Aquino administration nearing the 2016 elections.

Sanofi has also agreed to pay for the expense causing the ultimate death of those who have been vaccinated.

All this is welcome news, but we should not forget that the issue was caused by the Aquino government, particularly by BS Aquino III who negotiated the P3.5-billion deal just before the 2016 polls to boost the stock of Mar Roxas, his candidate.

It was also shown that former Health Secretary Janette Garin was at fault for implementing the deal, and even personally meeting with Sanofi executives.

Finally, former Budget secretary Florencio Abad violated Commission on Audit rules and regulations when he used “savings” to fund the deal.

These former officials should be made culpable for what they have done. *** There is now a controversy about the award given by the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association to Communications assistant secretary Mocha Uson. The student council has denounced it and the university has distanced itself from the alumni group’s decision.

If I were Mocha, I would not have accepted the award. The university itself did not recognize it. It has zero value.

Malacañang is elated.

But of course!

All these just tell us that awards are subjective and may be given to anybody, whether or not they deserve.

destitute online-only news organization, Rappler, which continues to troll for anti-government stories despite the revocation of its official business registration documents. By painting the order of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which only performed its mandate as

regulator of Philippine corporations, as an attack on free expression, Rappler attempted to skirt questions about its insolvency and its failure to file proper documentation like any other firm; of course, Rappler’s recent rally may have flopped miserably, but that doesn’t mean

that its sympathizers will stop falsely accusing the government of President Rodrigo Duterte of suppressing their unabated (and unfounded) attacks.

Then there’s that other manufactured (and totally laughable) Yellow controversy about the bestowing of an award by the University

of Santo Tomas alumni association on popular blogger Mocha Uson. The Aquino fanboys and -girls want to make a federal case out of such a trivial thing—an action that will make sense only if taken in the context of the upcoming Edsa rites.

I expect more gimmickry and invented scandal

from the Yellows as their increasingly irrelevant anniversary approaches. Desperate times, after all, require desperate measures, especially now that—as Leni Robredo recently remarked—darkness threatens to envelop the flatlined and totally discredited Yellow movement.

From A4

News

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF PH to become a ‘faith tourism’ hub THE Department of Tourism is planning to make the Philippines a “religious pilgrimage destination” as it gears up to restore and develop old churches and historical shrines nationwide.

“The Philippines’ diversely-rich religious culture, though predominantly Roman Catholic, provides a strong catalyst for ‘faith tourism’, a promising niche of this country’s booming tourism industry,” said Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo. To boost faith-based tourism in the country, Teo disclosed that the DoT will propose a budget for the restoration and development of historical shrines and old churches all over the archipelago, which serve as tourist attractions.

The proposed project will be part of preparations for 2021 commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in Cebu, marking the introduction of Christianity in the Philippines. Bill Casas

CA asked to reverse ruling vs Reyes

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Court of Appeals to overturn its earlier decision and instead order the rearrest of former Palawan governor Joel Reyes who was released from detention early this month after it cleared him of liability in the killing of broadcaster-turned-environmentalist Gerry Ortega seven years ago.

In filing the motion for reconsideration, Solicitor General Jose Calida argued that the CA’s Fourth Division committed an error when it ruled last Jan. 4 that the Puerto Princesa City Regional Trial Court, Branch 52, committed grave abuse of discretion in finding probable cause to issue the warrant of ar-

rest against Reyes.

Calida argued that the RTC did not abuse its discretion when it issued the order, noting that the appellate court imposed its own standards of probable cause different from that required by law.

The chief state lawyer also appealed that the CA should

reconsider giving weight to the testimony of prosecution witness, Rodolfo Edrad Jr. alias Bomar. Edrad is a former bodyguard of Reyes who was allegedly directed by the latter to form a team to kill Ortega.

“It bears repeating that the admissibility of evidence, their evidentiary weight, probative value and the credibility of witnesses are matters that are best left to be resolved in a full-blown trial. In finding no probable cause to arrest Reyes, the Court of Appeals unfortunately conducted a fragmented analysis of the evidence before it, isolating each piece of evidence and concluding that it alone does not prove probable cause,” the Solicitor General said.

Calida added that the CA

also erred when it considered all these evidentiary matters and then resorted to calibration of rules of evidence in determining the existence of probable cause.

“In order to determine the existence of probable cause, it suffices that it is belied that the act or omission complained of constitutes the very offense a respondent is charged,” Calida said.

The Solicitor General argued that the CA failed to consider a ruling of the Supreme Court on the case in 2016 when it ruled that Edrad’s testimony is already considered a judicial admission that is admissible in evidence against those it implicates.

The OSG also pointed out that the SC also said that the

Govt warned vs ‘eco-fires’ SENATOR Nancy Binay yesterday called for stricter implementation of environmental policies to avoid a repeat of the fire that recently struck Mt. Pulag.

She said the DENR and the local government should strictly enforce policies to avoid a fire and other accidents in tourist spots like Mt. Pulag.

She added that climbers also have a responsibility to safeguard and protect the mountain.

“We benefit from the rich nature and beauty of Mt. Pulag, but it is our responsibility to protect it,” said Binay, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

risk, citing the fact that the former governor and his brother, former Coron town mayor, Mario Reyes, had fled the country after a warrant of arrest was issued against them.

They were arrested by the Thai police and returned to Manila in September 2015.

“His flight from the country is a strong indication of his guilt that should have been taken into consideration by this Honorable Court,” Calida said.

Calida also cited the dissenting opinions of Associate Justices Marie Christine Azcarraga-Jacob and Maria Filomena Singh who argued that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses Dennis Aranas and gunman Marlon Racamata indicated that Reyes masterminded the murder of Ortega.

House OKs consolidated version of anti-hazing law

By Maricel V. Cruz

Ex-Leyte mayor charged with graft THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of a graft case against ex-mayor Anlie Apostol of Leyte's Carigara town with the Sandiganbayan for the questionable rehabilitation of a small water impounding system project in 2010.

Based on the findings of the Ombudsman’s field investigation office in Region 8, the municipality received P6 million to fund the project for the repair of the small water impounding system in barangays Binibihan, San Isidro and Paglaum.

A total of P5,417,852.82 was paid to New Leyte Ever Hardware Co. for construction materials and supplies.

Investigators said the supposed construction was a ghost project since there was no actual delivery of supplies for such purpose. Rio N. Araja

RTC had already acquired jurisdiction on the case and had even made its determination of probable cause against Reyes.

“It was grave error for this Honorable Court to dismiss the present case. It made the brazen declaration “no evidence, no conviction” in its Jan. 4, 2018 ruling. This conclusion is clearly premature.

It bears repeating that the absence or presence of conspiracy is factual in nature and involves evidentiary matters for trial,” Calida argued Calida said the CA decision eroded the faith and trust of the public reposed in the CA to render a decision that is just and fair.

The Solicitor General also insisted that Reyes was a flight

TALKING BBL. Senate Sub-Committee on the Bangsamoro Basic Law chairman Juan Miguel Zubiri huddle with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., former Senate President Nene Pimentel and Office of the Political Adviser head lawyer Francis Tolentino on Tuesday, Jan. 23, before the start of the consultative hearing on the BBL. Esperon had opposed the creation of a Bangsamoro Military Command under the proposed BBL. He cautioned that a separate command will be used by leaders ‘for their own interest.’ Ey Acasio

Government elated as PH retains EU export perks THE Philippines Tuesday hailed the retention of duty-free privileges for most of its exports to the European Union despite concerns over alleged “extrajudicial killings” in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The European Commission announced on Monday that Philippine shipments worth an estimated P120 billion ($2.35 billion), about 66 percent of annual exports to its number two trading partner, would carry no duties.

The decision followed a fraught review in which the Europeans raised the issue of Duterte's anti-crime crackdown. This has left nearly 4,000 drug suspects dead and drawn criticism from human rights monitors that he was mounting a crime against humanity.

“We are elated that GSP [Generalized Scheme of Preferences]+ was retained,” Duterte spokesman Harry Roque told AFP on Tuesday.

The GSP+ review, held every two

years, hinged on Philippine compliance with its obligations under 27 international conventions, including on human rights.

The duty-free privileges covered 1.67 billion euros' worth of Philippine exports to the EU in 2016, the commission said.

The commission concluded Monday that the Philippines had made progress on labor rights, environmental protection, gender equality, people trafficking, health, education, socialeconomic rights and the fight against corruption, an EU statement said.

“However, extrajudicial killings, in particular in the fight against illegal drugs, related impunity, as well as the possible reintroduction of the death penalty and the lowering of the age of criminal responsibility are of serious concern.”

Philippine authorities said Monday they had killed 3,987 suspects in antidrug operations since Duterte came to power in mid-2016. AFP

THE House of Representatives on Monday night approved on third and final reading a consolidated bill that seeks to repeal Republic Act 8049 or the Anti-Hazing Law of 1995.

House Bill 6573 prohibits all forms of hazing conducted during initiation rites in all fraternities, sororities and similar organizations in campuses and communities.

The Lower House unanimously approved the bill with 210 lawmakers voting for its passage.

HB 6573 also provides for the regulation of all forms of initiation or initiation rites as requisite to gaining membership in fraternity, sorority and other organizations.

It mandates the registration of fraternities, sororities and community-based organizations in schools and local government units.

Parañaque City Rep. Eric Olivarez, one of the bill's authors, said the bill differentiates initiation and initiation rites from hazing, as the former refer to “ceremonies, practices, rituals and other acts that a persons must perform to take part in order to be accepted into a frater-

nity, sorority or organization.”

Hazing, under the measure, is prohibited at whatever stage of the intiation rite and practice.

The act includes pressuring or coercing an individual into violating the law, undergo any brutality of a physical nature; be sub jected to unnecessary prolonged exposure to the elements, forcibly consume any food or substance and other activities that would unnecessary risk the individual to physical, or psychological harm.

Olivarez said the bill proposes to increase penalty to 20 years to life if the acts committed against the victim result to death, suicide, rape, sodomy or mutilation.

Under the measure, administrative sanctions shall be imposed on the accused even before their conviction.

It also mandated faculty adviser of a fraternity, sorority and other school- or community-based organizations to monitor their activities.

The bill also provides that the presence of any person during the hazing will be considered a prima facie evidence of participation unless that individual undertook measures to prevent the commission of the crime.

BI foils syndicate involved in human smuggling

By Vito Barcelo and Bill Casas BUREAU of Immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport foiled an attempt of a syndicate to smuggle four illegal aliens to the United Kingdom and Canada, using Manila as a jump-off point.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the intercepted foreign passengers includes two Congolese nationals, a Pakistani and a Chinese, who were detained at the bureau’s detention facility pending deportation proceedings.

BI Port Operations Chief Marc Red Mariñas said prevented from boarding their plane were

Waheed Zeeshan, a Pakistani and Chinese national Bo Hong, while the Congolese passengers were identified as Naty Kanda Mizidi and Caleb Mizidi.

Morente said the bureau continues drive against human smuggling was responsible for thwarting the human smuggling operations involving the foreigners who attempted to gain illegal entry to the West, using spurious travel documents given to them by the syndicate.

He said the apprehensions were the latest in a series of botched attempts by human smuggling syndicates to use Manila as a transit point for their operations this year.

“Thanks to the vigi-

lance of our immigration officers at the airport, they have frustrated the nefarious activities of these syndicates,” the BI chief added.

Zeeshan was apprehended upon his arrival from Kuala Lumpur and after BI fraud examiners certified that the British passport he presented was bogus.

Zeeshan reportedly planned to leave Manila for London using two Pakistani passports in his luggage.

Hong, on the other hand, was stopped from leaving for Toronto after he tried to leave by presenting a fake Mexican passport. The Canadian embassy later certified that the Canadian visa

sticker on the passport was counterfeit.

The Africans, meanwhile, attempted to leave for Vancouver but were offloaded after it was found that the Canadian visas on their passport were also fake.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (on Tuesday said operatives of NBI-Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division arrested two Chinese nationals on Friday evening last week in Pasay City.

NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the suspects as Su Jianshui, alias Ah Sin; and Chenwin Bin. The case stemmed from a report that suspects were involved in an illegal activity.

SSS allots P2.55b for ‘Vinta’ and ‘Urduja’ victims STATE-RUN Social Security System said they have allotted P2.55 billion in calamity relief assistance for nearly 200,000 active members and pensioners who were affected

by Tropical Storm “Urduja” and “Vinta” last year.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said members can avail of calamity loan, a three-monthn worth of advanced pension and Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan starting Jan. 23.

“It is unfortunate that these back-to-back disasters hit the country during the holidays. We are extending financial help to our members and pensioners in the affected areas given the extent of damages,” Dooc said.

The Calamity Loan Assistance Program is a separate loan window from regular salary loan program where members can borrow up to P16,000, depending on their SSS

monthly salary credit, which is the basis of the amount of their contributions.

“This particular loan is payable in two years in equal monthly installments with an annual interest rate of 10 percent and one percent monthly penalty for late payments.

To eliminate additional expenses on the part of our member-borrowers, we decided to waive the one percent service fee,” Dooc added.

CLAP is available to all members with home address or property in a declared calamity area by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. A total of at least 36 monthly contributions, of which six were paid within the 12-month period preceding the date of application is required for them to qualify.

The SSS chief also reiterated that qualified OFW members may assign a representative to file for their application, provided an authoriza-

tion letter is presented.

Based on SSS data, about 667,513 paying members of the pension fund were affected by Typhoons Vinta and Urduja, which hit the country on Dec. 12 and 21, 2017, respectively. Of the total members affected, SSS identified over 66,000 potential borrowers with an average monthly salary credit of P10,000.

Dooc, however, clarified that members who still have outstanding loans under the Loan Restructuring Program and previous CLAPs, as well as those receiving pensions for total permanent disability and retirement are not qualified under this new CLAP. Aside from CLAP, calamitystricken members with damaged homes can also avail of the Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan with reduced interest rate of six percent per annum and waived processing fee.

STILL GRIEVING.

The immediate families of the Fallen 44 SAF Mamasapano Massacre policemen still seek justice after three years. Shown in photo is Dexter Danao, brother of massacred SAF Walner Danao and nephew Justy as they remember the third anniversary of the Mamasapano Massacre. Dave Leprozo Jr.

Sports

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Cousins stars in Pelicans’ win

ABAP kicks off training for Asiad

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THE Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines has started its earnest preparations for the Asian Games slated for Jakarta, Indonesia in August this year.

ABAP Secretary-General Ed Picson disclosed that boxing president Ricky Vargas has given the go-signal for several teams to embark on tune-up tournaments and training camps in the coming weeks to evaluate the boxers and to ensure they are in top competition form.

“We also launched a local “Battle ofChampions”caravantype tournament where national boxers match up against each other in exhibition fights in different local venues to get them used to competition conditions and also to assess their capabilities. The first leg was in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan last month,” said Picson.

This Saturday, January 27, six boxers will participate in the Indian Open, a 25-team tournament with 350 boxers.

ABAP’s Karina Picson was appointed by the Asian Boxing Confederation as tournament supervisor for the event to be held in the Indian capital of New Delhi.

On the same date, 8 boxers will fly to Bangkok, Thailand for a multi-nation, two-week training camp at an isolated and vast training center in the hills of Muaklek, a suburb 1.5 hours from Bangkok.

Fil-British boxer John Tupas-Marvin, who won the light-heavyweight (81 kg) gold in the SEA Games last year in Kuala Lumpur, arrived from London January 15 and has been training in the PSCABAP Training Center in Baguio before traveling with the team to the Thai camp.

EW ORLEANS—DeMarcus Cousins had a triple double in New Orleans’ 132-128 double overtime win over Chicago, becoming the first player since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to have 40 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.

Cousins finished with 44 points, 24 rebounds and 10 assists as he combined with Anthony Davis, who scored 34, to spark a Pelicans’ comeback in regulation before they pulled off the marathon victory against the Bulls on Monday.

Cousins scored seven points in the second overtime on a three-pointer, a turnaround jumper and two free

throws with eight seconds left in front of a crowd of 17,100 at Smoothie King Center arena.

He became the first NBA player since Hall of Famer Abdul-Jabbar in 1972 to achieve the feat. The others who have done it are Wilt Chamberlain (six times), Oscar Robertson and Elgin Baylor. All four players are in the hall of fame.

Chamberlain had one of

the greatest games in history when he scored 51 points, 29 rebounds and 11 assists against Detroit in February 1963.

“I’m just glad we won,” Cousins said. “It wouldn’t have really meant (much) if I didn’t get a win.

“It’s cool to be in company with a guy like Wilt. He was a guy who put up video-game numbers his entire career.

Just to have a little game like his, it’s pretty cool.”

Cousins said he was physically drained after playing a career high 52 minutes.

“My strength coach had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to lift after this game. I almost lost it. If I had

some energy, we would’ve fought,” he said smiling.

E’Twaun Moore scored 15 points, including a three in the second overtime, to help the Pelicans win for the fifth time in six games.

Meanwhile, The Houston Rockets aren’t the type of team to rest on their laurels.

Just two days after beating the reigning league champion Golden State Warriors, Houston quickly refocused on Monday night with a 99-90 victory over the Miami Heat in a battle of first-place NBA teams.

James Harden scored a team-high 28 points while Chris Paul had 16, six rebounds and six assists for the

Elsewhere, Malcolm Brogdon scored a careerhigh 32 points as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns 109-105 just hours after sacking head coach Jason Kidd.

Kidd was replaced by assistant coach Joe Prunty who was promoted to interim head coach until a full-time replacement can be found.

Khris Middleton, who scored a team-high 35 points, had high praise for his former coach.

“It’s tough for me,” Middleton said. “He took my game to another level. He took this team to a whole other level.

Today was a tough day.”

Oddsmakers pick Patriots despite Brady, Rob injuries

DeMarcus Cousins of the New Orleans Pelicans beats Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen and Jerian Grant to the rebound at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. AFP

Bulls’ forward is Nokia’s newest brand ambassador HMD Global has signed a long-term co-operation agreement with Finnish NBA player Lauri Markkanen, who is playing his first season in the NBA as power forward for the Chicago Bulls.

The newest brand ambassador for Nokia phones, Markkanen embodies HMD Global’s core values of persistence, winning together and Finnish sisu (guts), and will be sharing his rookie season with NBA followers using the Nokia 8.

“Lauri Markkanen is an incredible talent and an excellent brand ambassador for us,” says Pekka Rantala, Executive Vice President and CMO for HMD Global. “He knows what he wants and is willing to work hard to achieve his goals. We look forward to following Lauri’s career and are pleased to offer devices such as the Nokia 8, with which he can share moments from the NBA and his day-to-day activities with his fans around the world.”

Rockets, who are blasting through one of the toughest stretches of their season.

The Rockets, who are first in the Southwest Division, improved to 33-12 on the season by overcoming a sizeable early deficit against the Heat.

Their last three wins have all come over first-place teams, Golden State, Miami and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Houston welcomed both Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green back to their rotation after they served suspensions for trying to get into the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room following a physical game at Staples Center arena.

- Sun rises without Kidd -

Lauri Markkanen, who was born 1997, played college basketball representing Arizona Wildcats of the University of Arizona in the 2016-17 season before joining the Chicago Bulls. Despite being a rookie, he is starting to make a name for himself, sinking 56 successful three-point throws in his first 25 games, earning him the description ‘sensational player’ from the media.

“I am very proud of this opportunity to work with a big Finnish brand. I hope to use this opportunity to let more people learn more about Finland. It is cool to be part of the team working for Nokia phones,” says Markkanen.

Richer mobile experience With its Dual-SightTM mode, the Nokia 8 lets basketball fans live stream games, special moments and other day-to-day activities as #bothie content on social media using both the front and back cameras simultaneously.

The Nokia 8 also delivers a truly immersive audio experi-

ence, which means watching every basketball game feels like being there. The phone’s OZO AudioTM technology features top-level spatial 360° audio and provides great audio to complement 4K video on any device. This means NBA enthusiasts can hear the clarity of Lauri’s fans cheering whenever he sinks in yet another three-point shot.

“As a human brand, Nokia resonates with the character of Lauri Markkannen in terms of hard work and persistence to always perform at best,” Shannon Mead, HMD Global Philippines country manager shared.

“It will surely be an exciting year ahead, especially as Filipinos are so passionate about NBA. Capturing Lauri’s story and the entire NBA season with the Nokia 8 will truly be an elevated experience.”

Priced at P29,990 SRP, the Nokia 8 comes in both steel and polished blue colors. Visit the official Nokia website for a list of the top stores nearby to get your own Nokia 8.

JENNY ORTUOSTE MOST racehorse owners dream of leaving a legacy in the sport, usually by owning a prominent horse and winning a major stakes race.

But Frank Stronach went way better and created the Pegasus World Cup (G1), the richest race in the world.

This year’s edition will be run on Saturday (Jan. 27) at Gulfstream Park over 1-1/8 meters.

The race is open to male horses four years old and older.

Under the race format, shareholders each pay $1 million to purchase one of 12 slots in the race. They may use the slot for a racehorse of their choice, or lease, contract, partner with another, or sell their slot to someone else.

The money collected is used to fund the prizes. First prize this year is $7 million, second $1.6 million, and third $1.3 million, with the rest of the money distributed to the other finishers.

This year, The Stronach Group, which runs the event, added $4 million for a total of $16 million in prizes, the largest in the world.

Nine slots were purchased before the deadline, and The Stronach Group bought the remaining three in behalf of the other shareholders. The three slots were leased to the owners of San Antonio Stakes (G2) winner Giant Expectations, 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) fourth-placer War Story, and either G1-placed Guiseppe the Great or G2-placed Game Over.

These horses will start under the lessee name “Pegasus Race Participants.”

The Stronach Group chief operating officer Tim Ritvo said last Monday that under an agreement with other shareholders, should

were 7-point favorites over Arizona nine years ago has a club been so lopsided a favorite as the Patriots, who chase their sixth Super Bowl title to match Pittsburgh’s record and their third crown in the past four seasons.

“Every year has been different and every team is different and every season is different,” Brady said. “This team earned it. If people don’t like that, it’s their prerogative. They can do whatever they want. But to get this far with this team is incredible.”

The Eagles, however, are accustomed to underdog status, to the point of players wearing dog masks to revel in the snubs, defying oddsmakers in playoff wins over Atlanta and Minnesota.

“We haven’t been talked about all year,” Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox said. “That’s the story of the Eagles. If you go back and look, we’re in the top five in a lot of categories. We keep finding ways to win and moving on. It’s our motto.

All we need is one more.”

Brady detailed his injury, which happened when his right thumb was “bent back” after he collided with running back Rex Burkhead on a handoff attempt during a workout last Wednesday.

“It was just a crazy injury in practice,” Brady said. “It didn’t look good there for a little bit.”

Brady said he “definitely wasn’t sure” last Wednesday that he could play against Jacksonville, adding, “It turned out to be a lot of good luck that it wasn’t more serious than it was. I think we’re very lucky.” AFP

Fernandez, PH karatekas PSA Forum special guests COMMISSIONER Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission and some members of the Philippine karate team will be the special guests in Wednesday’s session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Tapa King Restaurant at the Farmer’s Market in Cubao.

Fernandez will accompany the karatekas in the public sports program presented by San Miguel Corp., Tapa King, and the Philippine Gaming and Amusement Corp. to update sportswriters regarding the ongoing probe being conducted 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ by the National Bureau of Investigation within the 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M Philippine Karatedo Federation.

DIGITS 0-0-0-0 The Forum starts at 2 p.m. PSA president Dodo CataDIGITS 0-0-0 cutan of SPIN.ph. enjoins members to attend the session.

EZ2 0-0

LOTTO RESULTS

Markkanen

Stronach’s legacy: The Pegasus World Cup THE HOARSE WHISPERER

NEW YORK—Defending champion New England has been made the biggest Super Bowl favorite since 2009 over the Philadelphia Eagles despite injuries to star quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Westgate sports book in Las Vegas opened the Patriots as a 5.5-point favorite while the Wynn Las Vegas had the Eagles a 6.5-point underdog and Caesars Palace gave New England a 6-point edge with William Hill liking the Patriots by 5.

Brady said Monday on his weekly WEEI radio appearance that he will have stitches removed this week from a cut on his right hand suffered last week in practice and be fine for Super Bowl 52 against the Eagles on February 4 at Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“As the game went on, it got better and better and better,” Brady said of the throwing-hand injury in New England’s 24-20 playoff win Sunday over Jacksonville. “It won’t be a problem in a couple of weeks, which I’m really happy about.”

The Patriots were optimistic Gronkowski, who exited after a helmet-to-helmet blow in the second quarter caused a concussion, would be finished with the NFL’s concussion protocol and available for the Super Bowl, the Boston Herald reported Monday.

A record $138.5 million was wagered in Nevada sports betting on last year’s Super Bowl, when New England overcame a 25-point deficit to win in over-time.

Not since the Pittsburgh Steelers

any of these three horses finish in the top three and earn more than $1 million, the $1 million buy-in would revert to the Group and the remainder be shared 50-50 between the owner and the other participants.

For example, if one of those horses won the first prize of $7 million, $1 million would be paid back to the Group, $3 million to the winning horseowner, and $3 million to be divided among the other race stakeholders.

Included among the possible starters in this year’s Pegasus World Cup are the top four finishers of the Breeders’ Cup Classic—Gun Runner, Collected, West Coast, and War Story.

Gun Runner is likely to be named champion older dirt male and Horse of the Year, while West Coast is a contender for champion 3YO. Also likely to be entered are Toast of New York, who came back from stud duties in Qatar; Stellar Wind, an Eclipse Award

finalist; Sharp Azteca, Gunnevara, and Fear the Cowboy, who each have won at least one race at Gulfstream Park; Seeking the Soul, winner of last November’s G1 Clark Handicap; and Singing Bullet, 3rd in last July’s Amsterdam Stakes.

The Stronach Group president Belinda Stronach said that their goal for the Pegasus World Cup “is to elevate the sport of horse racing, to modernize it, and bring [it] to a whole new fan base. This race also allows some of the best horses in the world to continue racing. It’s good for the industry and good for the sport.”

Ritvo says that they would like to see more international competitors join, particularly dirt horses racing in Asia. *** Dr. Ortuoste is a Californiabased writer and researcher. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @gogirlracing and @jennyortuoste

6/55 6/45 4 3 2

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

Sports

Edmund, Mertens in huge upset wins

Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov plays a forehand return to Britain’s Kyle Edmund during their men’s singles quarter-finals match on day nine of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

M ELBOU R N E — Unseeded Kyle Edmund and Elise Mertens pulled off huge upsets to march into uncharted territory at the Australian Open Tuesday as they swept into the semifinals.

British star Edmund stunned third seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to set up last-four clash with either world number one Rafael Nadal or former US Open champion Marin Cilic, who play later.

Mertens, who is yet to drop a set, was equally convincing in blasting past world number four Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 to become the first Belgian to get so far since Kim Clijsters in 2012.

Her win sets up a battle to reach the final with either second seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki or veteran Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro.

Bulgaria’s Dimitrov had beaten Edmund only two weeks ago in the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International, but there was no repeat.

Clark facilities will be ready 2 months before SEA Games

By Peter Atencio

C

APAS, Tarlac—While three earthmoving backhoes were busy lifting soil from the ground, Foreign Affairs’ Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday made assurances that facilities to be used for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will be ready two months before the biennial meet.

Cayetano, who is the SEA Games 2019 Organizing Committee Chairman, showed to the public the area that will be made available for the Games during a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday by the Bases Conversion Development inside a 9,450-hectare farmland here.

It will be part of the P13.6billion Phase 1A of the New Clark City, which will have a track oval and an Olympic-

sized pool that will be located inside the Aquatics and Athletics’ Center.

The athletics’ stadium will have a seating capacity of 20,000, while the aquatics’ center can accommodate 2,000.

The facilities, according to Cayetano, will be up and running around October, 2019, two months before the Games get going in December.

“It will be ready a ready

a few months before the games. Having said that, (PSC chairman William) Ramirez has also identified facilities inside and outside Metro Manila (for the Games). We can see what happened to the place where they held APEC. Beautiful place. They picked the best place for APEC. But they were hit by heavy rains in some areas. So, we’re all praying the everything goes well,” said Cayetano.

“These are just two major projects. But there are a lot more sports facilities that we’re going to be building,” added Cayetano, who talked about the facilities with Sen. Joel Villanueva, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.

There are three phases in the construction of facilities inside the NCC, with Phase 1

all about the construction of a National Government Administrative Center.

Once Phase 1A is completed, Phase 1B begins with the construction of additional government facilities on a 20-hectare area.

The 200-hectare NGAC was the first to begin construction four months ago.

Cayetano, along with Chairman Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco Jr. joined high-ranking officials from the national The architect’s rendition of the 20,000-seater Olympic Stadium Randy Caluag government and the local and the ultra-modern Athlete’s Village Presidential Adviser on and Capas Mayor Reynaldo government units during the ceremony, which included a Sports Dennis Uy joined Catacutan were also in attenbamboo-planting and time- the occasion with Executive dance.

Secretary Salvador MediThe SEAG Organizing capsule burial rites.

BCDA president Vince aldea, Transport Secretary Committee is still undecided Dizon said the event marks Arthur Tugade, and Public where to hold the opening a great day with the develop- Works and Highways Secre- ceremony.

“We’re still discussing ment of a new business and tary Mark Villar.

Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap that,” added Cayetano. economic hub in the country.

Bucks fire Torrid start seen as PH Golf Tour Asia Pradera begins coach Kidd LOS ANGELES—Jason Kidd was fired as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, with franchise chiefs saying a change was needed to help the team challenge for championships.

A Bucks statement paid tribute to Kidd’s work in helping the team reach two playoff appearances soon after his appointment in 2014.

(See related story on A7) However, general manager Jon Horst said the time had come for a change with the Bucks languishing in eighth place in the Easter n Conference standings at 23-22.

“We appreciate everything that Jason has done for the Bucks organization, but we have decided to make a coaching change,” Horst said.

“We believe that a fresh approach and a change in leadership are needed to continue elevating our talented team towards the next level, bringing us closer to our goal of competing for championships.”

Kidd, an NBA champion as a player with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and a 10-time NBA All-Star pick, helped steer the Bucks to the playoffs in his first season in charge.

Bucks assistant coach Joe Prunty will take over for Milwaukee’s game against the Phoenix Suns later on Monday.

Under Kidd, the Bucks had a regular-season record of 139-152 and reached the first round of the NBA playoffs in the 2014-15 and 201617 seasons. AFP

Coming off a runaway win, Jhonnel Ababa has the momentum going into the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic.

LUBAO, Pampanga—Jhonnel Ababa has the momentum coming off a runaway win, Clyde Mondilla exudes confidence in his return while Tony Lascuña and Justin Quiban are ready for a rebound in what promises to be an explosive start of the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic here today (Wednesday).

The rest of the 83-player field have also primed themselves up for this week’s $100,000 championship, guaranteeing a shootout over a long but flat, well-maintained par-72 Pradera Verde course hoping to hold its ground against the expected charge of the men of the Philippine Golf Tour Asia.

“I feel good of my chances coming off a big win. I just hope I can sustain my form here,” said Ababa, who broke a three-year title spell with a seven-stroke victory at Eagle Ridge last week, joining the elite roster of

PGT Asia winners that included Miguel Tabuena (Southwoods), Rene Menor (Splendido), Mondilla (Riviera), Lascuña (Wack Wack) and Quiban (Luisita).

A fierce duel could indeed be in the works right in the first round as Ababa, Mondilla and Lascuña are paired in the featured 8:10 a.m. flight, each looking for a solid start and the needed momentum for their respective drive for a second crown in the circuit put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. “I’m so excited to play this week and I expect it will be four days of solid shotmaking,” said Mondilla, who vied in last week’s Singapore Open where he missed the cut but learned a lot after competing against some of the world’s leading players.

“I guess everybody is in shape and raring to go, so I expect good scoring in the

week,” said Lascuña, who beat American Nicolas Paez by two at PGTA Wack Wack but struggled to finish joint 12th in the CAT Open at Luisita last month and tied for fourth at Eagle Ridge last week.

Lascuna, the former threetime PGT Order of Merit winner, underscored his readiness by winning the pro-am tournament yesterday, leading his team that included Jay Valdez, Elimar Caranguian and Myrna Enriquez to a 17-under 55 card for a two-stroke victory over Dutch Guido Van der Valk, Dexter Pelias, Fernando Lim and Louie Inoncillo. Joenard Rates, with Nemi Pagtakhan, Pol Tolentino and Leomax Reyes, pooled a 58 to place third in the 18-hole event backed by Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology Inc.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m very happy,” said an overwhelmed Edmund, ranked 49 and in his first semi-final at a major.

“It was a hard match and I’m really trying to enjoy the moment. It was my first match on Rod Laver Arena and it’s very special.”

The 23-year-old is the only British man in the draw after Andy Murray’s injury withdrawal before the tournament, raising the prospect that it will be him, rather than the Scot, who breaks through to win in Australia.

Murray has been a five-time finalist, but lost them all.

World number 37 Mertens is on a hot streak of form, unbeaten in 10 matches after winning in Hobart this month.

She was too physical for Svitolina as she stormed into the semis, incredibly on her Australian Open debut.

“It’s amazing. I mean, it was not expected, especially today. Really tough match,” said the Belgian world number 37. AFP

Arellano closes in on volley semis slot ARELLANO University displayed championship form as it came back from the dead to edge Perpetual Help, 22-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 15-5, yesterday and close in on a Final Four spot in the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Jovielyn Prado fired 20 points to make up for a miserable three-point performance in their last game, while Andrea Marzan and Regine Anne Arocha chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively, to help the Lady Chiefs nail their sixth straight win and at least a playoff for a Final Four slot.

AU has now racked up 18 straight triumphs, including 12 last year when they ended up sweeping San Sebastian College in last year’s finale.

And now the Lady Chiefs are going for a sweep with only three teams--San Beda (5-0), St. Benilde (3-2) and San Sebastian (3-2)—left standing in their way.

“Of course, we want that because it will give us the advantage. But we need to work hard for it because we’re playing three tough teams,” said AU coach Obet Javier in Filipino.

Perpetual Help made its presence early, dominating AU in the first two sets to seize a commanding twosets-to-nothing lead and appeared headed to stealing the win.

The Lady Chiefs though battled their way back with Prado coming through with key hits to pull off the come-from-behind win.

The Lady Altas, who were led by skipper Bianca Tripoli’s 20 points and Cindy Imbo’s 19, skidded to 4-2 (win-loss).

Top teams SMB, GlobalPort clash; tailenders Kia, Meralco face off

By Jeric Lopez TWO sizzling teams and two bottom squads head on separate collision courses as the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup resumes today.

Pace-setting San Miguel Beer (4-0) wants to continue its rampage, but another streaking team stands in its way as GlobalPort (2-2) likewise aims to keep going in their 7 p.m encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In the initial game,

Meralco (1-3) and Kia (1-4), the two last-placed teams, face each other at 4:30 p.m. to open hostilities as both are in dire need of a victory.

The still unbeaten Beermen and the rejuvenated Batang Pier are both armed with respective winning streaks coming in.

The defending champion now looks forward to a possible fifth straight win, while GlobalPort, after starting at 0-2, carries a two-game streak and shoots for a third straight.

Both teams are com-

ing off impressive victories last Friday.

The Beermen withstood a highly physical game before taking down NLEX, 109-98, while the Batang Pier hardly broke a sweat as it impressed in its 101-76 annihilation of Blackwater.

As usual, San Miguel Beer will bank on its longtime championship core, while GlobalPort will rely on the tremendous 1-2 punch of Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony, who have been sensational for the Batang Pier thus far,

carrying much of the load for the team in the absence of star Terrence Romeo.

While the main event offers two teams on the rise, the first offering features teams who need to rise.

The Bolts are so far showing their old ways as this All-Filipino tournament continues to be their waterloo, having lost three straight after winning their first assignment.

They were once again routed in their last outing

by TNT KaTropa just last Sunday.

Meralco coach Norman Black, given his frustration with his team’s performance, declined interviews after the Bolts’ last setback.

On the other hand, the Picanto had finally snapped out of its long 16-game losing streak that lasted nearly eight months dating back to last season after upsetting Rain or Shine, 98-84, last Saturday.

A victory for either of them will be big boost to getting them right in the thick of things against the teams above.

Stanley Pringle

Ayala Land to keep MCT listed in Malaysia bourse B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

B1

Economy expanded 6.7% in 2017 IN BRIEF Cavitex says it posted zero fatality in 2017 METRO Pacific Tollways South, a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., ended 2017 with zero fatality in concession road Cavitex when midnight struck and a new minute began on Jan 1, 2018.

“Our commitment to our stakeholders is to prioritize safety and security. It’s always one too many when there are incidents that involve fatalities.

We aim for zero fatality because everyone who uses our toll road matters,” said CIC president J. Luigi Bautista.

Cavitex strictly implements traffic laws on anti-over speeding (RA 4136 Land Transportation and Traffic Code), Act on Anti-overloading (RA 8794), Seat Belts Use Act of 1999 (RA 8750), Limited Access Facility Act (RA 2000), Philippine Highway Act (RA 917) Animal Welfare Act (Batas Pambansa 8485) and Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003).

The traffic laws are enforced by the patrol crew who are deputized traffic enforcement agents by the Land Transportation Office.

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Philippine economy grew 6.7 percent in 2017, making it the third-fastest growing economy in Asia despite a weaker business process outsourcing industry, the government said Tuesday.

“We are glad to report that the performance of the Philippine economy remains on target, hitting a solid 6.6-percent growth rate in the last quarter of 2017. This stable performance brings our full-year growth in 2017 to 6.7 percent,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said in a news briefing in Mandaluyong City.

Pernia said the full-year performance was “a strong finish that keeps our position as one of the fastestgrowing economies in Asia after China’s 6.9 percent and Vietnam’s 6.8 per-

cent.”

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that last year’s growth was slower than the 6.9 -percent gross domestic product expansion in 2016, when consumer spending was boosted during elections that propelled President Rodrigo Duterte to power.

Growth in the fourth quarter slowed to 6.6 percent from 7 percent in the third quarter. The business processing outsourcing industry, worth $23 billion and employing 1.15 million people, was a “major

contributing factor to this decline,” Pernia said.

Among the major sectors, industry had the fastest growth at 7.3 percent in the fourth quarter, followed by services at 6.8 percent. The agriculture sector grew 2.4 percent, rebounding from 1.3-percent increase a year ago.

Construction industry in the fourth quarter slowed down to 2.8 percent from 10.7 percent a year ago.

The growth was driven by the increase in public construction but was weighed down by decline in private construction.

Pernia attributed the sluggish construction activities in the fourth quarter to “holiday feeling among Filipinos during the period.”

The Philippines’ fourth quarter growth was marginally lower than market expectations, said Sanjay

FINANCIAL INCLUSION.

Carmudi sees growth, upbeat on auto sales TOP online automotive selling platform Carmudi Philippines Inc. expects a double-digit growth across all business areas including revenue and traffic.

Newly-appointed Carmudi Philippines managing director Juan Gregorio Syquia said the company saw bigger strides in 2017 anticipating a “potential surge” in pre-owned car sales in 2018.

“Demand will still be there for new and used cars. I can see a bigger traffic for used car sales this year. We don’t see TRAIN (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) affecting our business. TRAIN is not a threat to us,” he said.

Carmudi at any given time has about 30,000 listings of pre-owned cars for sale, about three-fourths of the total on its platform. The rest are brand new cars.

About one million unique customers also use the platform every month, and traffic has been increasing, said Syquia.

Carmudi also announced Tuesday that it had raised P10 million to fund improvements in the system. Othel V. Campos

Duterte’s infra plan feasible with TRAIN THE Duterte administration’s massive infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program is feasible now following the signing into law of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion that will ensure a steady revenue flow for the government totaling P786 billion over the medium term, a highranking Finance official said.

Finance Undersecretary Grace Karen Singson assured the public in a forum of the financial sustainability of the Duterte administration’s ambitious “Build, Build, Build” program that is designed to modernize the country’s infrastructure backbone by rolling out 75 flagship projects worth a combined total of $36 billion in investments.

Singson said along with prudent fiscal management and declining debt service payments, the ambitious infrastructure buildup was financially feasible now. Julito G. Rada

Globe seen to sustain revenue hike

A LARGE foreign investment house expects Globe Telecom Inc. to sustain its double-digit revenue growth for its data business until 2019.

In its “Asean Telcos 2018 Outlook,” Morgan Stanley forecasts Globe’s data revenues to grow at an 11.5 percent compounded annual growth rate from 2016 to 2019 driven by strong growth in mobile data traffic from a low base, and improved data monetization as a result of lower mobile competition in the market.

Morgan Stanley forecasts data revenues to account for 73 percent of wireless revenues by 2020, up from 54% in 2015.

Morgan Stanley also posted its positive outlook for the Philippine telco sector and Globe Telecom in particular for 2018.

Morgan Stanley noted that “Globe has been winning market share from competition in the mobile and broadband segments, which has resulted in Globe outperforming competition by 6 percent in 2017.”

Darwin G. Amojelar

Mathur, chief Southeast Asia and India economist for ANZ Research, adding the trade balance in the last two months of 2017 also deteriorated.

“The prospects for growth in the Philippines remain solid,” Mathur said, citing the passage last month of Duterte’s tax reform program designed to raise funds for infrastructure spending.

Pernia said the government remained confident it would hit its growth target range of 7 percent to 8 percent this year, powered

by Duterte’s vow to raise spending on transport, energy and water supply infrastructure.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said he also expected the economy to expand faster this year now that the Duterte administration’s programs to modern-

Voyager Innovations Inc. president and chief executive Orlando Vea (left), PLDT Inc. and Voyager chairman Manuel Pangilinan (second from left) and FINTQ managing director Lito Villanueva (right) present the Inclusive Digital Finance Report Vol. 2 to Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (second from right) at Conrad Hotel during FINTQ Disruptors’ Ball. The event gathered partners of FINTQ, the financial technology arm of PLDT’s Voyager Innovations, under its KasamaKA initiatives. Leaders in the banking, finance, financial technology and innovations space reaffirmed support to accelerate financial inclusion programs in the country.

ize public infrastructure and sustain the growth momentum started falling into place.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said the fourthquarter and the full-year growth confirmed the underlying strength of the economy that rested on increasingly balanced foundation.

“This gives BSP ample policy space to stay focused on meeting its inflation target and pursuing ambitious financial sector reforms,” Espenilla said.

Pernia said the implementation of big-ticket infra projects under the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program would enable the economy for a much higher growth trajectory going forward as these undertakings would create multiplier effects in terms of job creation that

Converge ICT signs deals with foreign companies

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CONVERGE ICT Solutions Inc. said Tuesday it signed several agreements with foreign partners to boost Internet broadband nationwide.

“We’ve already been called the ‘disruptor’ because I want to bring different avenues for telco services and we are bringing more new technologies. We even have a construction company that will take care of building the infrastructure so we don’t have to outsource the construction because we can do it ourselves,” Converge ICT president and chief executive Dennis Anthony Uy said.

Uy, said the plan was to cover the entire Luzon this year and launch a sub-sea cable that would connect the entire Philippines.

He said the company would continue the extensive rollout of subsea cable and underground backbone, starting in major provinces such as Cavite, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga and Pangasinan and would continue to build its fiber-to-the-home business.

Uy said the company also aimed to invest in applications and cloud services particularly for government agencies to help provide better services to the people.

Energy revises rules on awarding of petroleum service contracts

By Alena Mae S. Flores publication to facilitate the by other parties.

ENERGY Secretary Alfonso Cusi signed a new circular that revises the process in awarding petroleum service contracts.

The circular, DC 201712-0017, adopts the Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program of awarding petroleum service contracts and creating the review and evaluation committee.

“The DoE desires to implement a simpler and faster public contracting program by nomination through

acceptance of applications for PSCs from interested applicants at any given time which is deemed to be more responsive if the development of the country’s petroleum resources is to be intensified,” the circular stated.

Under the circular, applicants will nominate the areas of their interest. Once approved by the review and evaluation committee, the applicant will publish its nominated area.

The nominated area will then be subject to challenge

Upon publication of the nominated area, interested parties will have 60 days from the date of publication to submit their respective applications for the said area.

The committee will open the submissions one day after the 60 day deadline of submission.

The applicants will be ranked basked on the following criteria; legal qualification, work program, technical qualification and financial qualification.

“In case of two or more

applications over the same area, the highest ranking application who meets the legal, technical and financial requirements shall be selected,” it said.

State-run Philippine National Oil Co. or subsidiary PNOC-Exploration Corp. has the option to take a 10-percent interest in service contracts with one or more Filipino participants and up to 15 percent in service contracts with no Filipino participants.

Cusi earlier said the department was looking at a

Swiss Challenge program to replace the traditional energy contracting round where the government offers the petroleum areas to investors for exploration and development under the Philippine Energy Contracting Round.

“What makes it different is, before, you wait for DoE for the announcement that we’re going to open this area for exploration for contracting, so development is slow. Right now, some have started studies and they want to explore that area,” Cusi said.

BPO sector’s growth likely reached a plateau—officials FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III asked the business process outsourcing industry to level up its services to avoid a plateau in terms of growth.

Dominguez made the statement as investments in the BPO sector fell last year as more customer services became automated and as US President Donald Trump tried to convince American companies to bring back jobs to the mainland.

Data showed the BPO sector grew 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter, slower than 3.8 percent in the third quarter.

“The biggest challenge for the BPO sector is not the tax but artificial intelligence.... That is why they are ‘plateauing’,” Dominguez said.

The Finance Department submitted the second package of tax reforms to Congress which contains proposed changes in tax incentives granted to companies, including BPOs. Dominguez said BPO incentives should be time-bound.

He said some companies were getting tax incentives for the past 40 years.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the slowdown in BPO growth could be a sign of the maturing sector which meant it should move to a higher level of skills and value-added services.

“BPO remains a high-performing sector but we are seeing some plateauing... It has reached some steady state,” Pernia said. Julito G. Rada

would push domestic consumption and spending further.

Pernia said with the country’s projected population of 105.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, per capita GDP and per capita GNI grew by 5.1 percent and 4.7 percent, respectively.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said there was a good chance that the fast pace of economic activity since 2012 could be sustained with proper execution of government programs to stimulate the economy.

“The economic environment engendered by policies of the previous administrations has made it easy for this administration to bring the country to a faster pace of growth,” Cuyegkeng said. With AFP

GLOBE-SHELL DEAL. Globe Telecom Inc. president and chief executive Ernest Cu (left) and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. president and chief executive Cesar Romero shake hands after the signing of a memorandum of agreement in Taguig City which calls for the installation of GoWifi hotspots at an initial 13 Shell retail stations. Lino Santos

Maynilad spends P2b to replace old pipes

By Othel V. Campos WEST zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. said it spent P1.92 billion in 2017 to replace 286 kilometers of old, leaky pipes in various areas of its concession area.

“Replacing old pipelines was a priority project that enabled us to provide reliable water supply to our customers. But our work does not stop there, as we aim to renew 100 percent of the old pipe network by year 2023,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.

The 2017 pipe replacement projects―done in portions of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Parañaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas, Kawit and Noveleta in Cavite province―allowed Maynilad to recover some 32 million liters per day of potable water, or enough to supply around 55,000 households.

Maynilad said that since its re-privatization in 2007, it already replaced almost 2,000 km of old and damaged pipelines, which is about the same distance between Manila and Bangkok, Thailand.

This is about 40 percent of the distribution network Maynilad inherited in 2007 that included the oldest water system in Asia, with some portions dating back to the Spanish era.

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ayala Land to keep MCT listed in Malaysia bourse

By Jenniffer B. Austria MAJOR property developer Ayala Land Inc. plans to keep Malaysian development and construction company MCT Bhd listed with the Malaysian stock exchange after its takeover.

Ayala Land-led Regent Wise Investment Ltd. said in a takeover notice it would maintain MCT’s listing on the Main Market of Bursa Securities and comply with the 25 percent public ownership on Malaysian firms.

“In the even MCT does not comply with the public spread requirements pursuant to the offer, the offerer (RWIL) will, together with MCT, explore various options or proposals within three months from the closing date, or such extended timeframe as relevant to the authorities may allow, to facilitate MCT’s compliance with the public spread requirement,” RWIL said.

“Nevertheless the action taken to address the public spread requirement may require approvals of relevant authorities and/or its shareholders. The actual course of action to be taken will depend on, among others, the circumstances as well as the prevailing market conditions at the relevant time,” it added.

Stocks extend gains; PSEi nearly hits 9,000 T HE stock market climbed Tuesday, joining a global advance at the start of 2018 with the Philippine Stock Exchange Index a whisker away from touching the 9,000-point mark.

The PSEi rose 48.40 points, or 0.5 percent, to an all-time high of P8,999.02 on a value turnover of P8.5 billion. Gainers beat losers, 125 to 84, with 47 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. added 0.9 percent to P45.60, while

to P23.50.

Tokyo and Hong Kong, meanwhile, were among the Asian markets chalking up gains of more than one percent Tuesday, with traders optimistic heading into the earnings season.

While there were limited concerns about its likely economic impact, a deal in Washington that ended a US government shutdown also removed uncertainty and provided further support.

Democrats on Monday agreed to a Republican

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy increased 2.3 percent to P1,095.

Conglomerate San Miguel Corp. advanced 3 percent to P140.90, but LT Group Inc. of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan dropped 4.1 percent

deal that brought an end to the three-day federal shutdown―the first since 2013.

The agreement, which keeps the government running until February 8, gave an extra nudge to Wall Street’s three main indexes, which all set new records by the end of trade.

But Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA, said the deal was “a matter of kicking the can down the road.” He added that given the partisanship in Congress, “we should expect another contentious

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.47 178,000 59.5 16,960 121 2,489,390 3.83 39,000 159.5 3,202,140 1.94 292,000 36.75 517,700 15.5 23,400 30.95 755,800 9.22 600 1.72 17,000 985 20 0.56 230,000 100.1 3,485,550 1.29 12,014,000 13.62 92,300 57 126,890 241 16,860 104.2 390 55.65 184,300 251.2 911,490 1,950 280 88.4 64,700 1.24 104,000

622,530 1,002,040 302,269,925 152,070 509,343,294 562,210 19,104,415 362,214 23,411,720 5,532 29,890 19,700 129,520 348,646,286.50 14,678,710 1,234,920 7,214,795.50 4,020,942 40,723 10,256,736.50 228,863,152 549,985 5,785,924.50 129,460

357,800 19,306,243 -104,426,060 8,710,600 -5,211,015 28,793,892 -580,270 -65,190 -2,994,472.50 -3,347,402 -7,094,279.50 8,200,640 -490,059.50 -

41.4 11 0.62 1.3 17 0.211 4.63 16.1 186 53 18.56 61 1.89 5.6 10.62 12.2 15.06 12.76 8 5.59 1.72 16 62.25 31.05 10.06 17.4 1.91 279.8 4.07 3.11 27.9 18 19.38 331 0.195 8.83 2.66 4.81 9.15 6.6 8.2 1.79 12.12 64.1 6.2 600 4.7 2.05 3.95 1.65 15 5.45 0.131 1.14 168.1 2.9 2.02 25.25 0.81

INDUSTRIAL 41.8 1,226,700 11.22 981,700 0.62 146,000 1.3 279,000 17.3 6,700 0.212 860,000 4.68 5,273,000 16.14 1,524,400 186 140 55.5 556,490 18.56 13,300 62.95 277,440 1.92 138,000 5.6 6,000 10.9 7,400 12.36 4,328,000 15.08 1,243,500 13 907,000 8.74 7,501,600 5.59 15,185,300 1.72 20,000 16.14 656,800 62.5 154,840 32.5 741,500 10.32 626,300 17.8 1,339,400 1.97 2,055,000 282.2 1,179,360 4.1 111,000 3.11 11,000 28.25 275,900 18.1 111,500 19.68 6,710,900 336 237,600 0.202 1,390,000 8.84 11,900 2.75 13,999,000 4.82 185,000 9.15 1,955,900 6.63 597,600 8.3 57,900 1.88 3,706,000 12.48 368,200 64.25 2,664,620 6.3 105,000 609 93,070 4.71 101,000 2.1 14,000 3.96 50,000 1.69 2,205,000 15.5 1,441,600 5.45 62,400 0.132 1,600,000 1.16 418,000 169 1,143,820 2.9 406,000 2.05 1,417,000 27.45 1,200 0.81 445,000

51,052,620 10,953,876 90,760 363,250 115,678 181,690 24,773,970 24,595,642 26,040 30,419,808 247,078 17,093,319 263,380 33,600 78,786 53,802,860 18,805,978 11,761,648 62,712,197 85,665,697 34,910 10,591,870 9,722,055 23,835,955 6,474,744 23,560,742 3,994,070 331,227,704 452,430 34,290 7,766,490 2,017,550 132,102,744 79,180,298 277,730 105,362 38,509,080 893,170 18,000,195 4,119,869 477,941 6,866,430 4,511,358 173,258,493.50 653,000 56,777,465 475,700 28,850 198,260 3,737,950 22,032,750 340,851 211,690 490,260 193,196,047 1,178,590 2,900,140 30,520 360,550

-10,873,095 -79,000 1,260 5,239,960 21,458,056 3,720 -1,621,163 10,502,180 3,880 35,157,990 3,410,788 -2,596,498 11,592,043 4,598,747 445,716 1,880,220 -357,400 -2,358,978 -5,488,108.00 3,920 38,211,856 -3,886,325 19,910 -15,191,106 23,729,338 17,889,370 4,900 -1,946,380 364,670 -325,950 37,455,416 311,500 2,765,070 -339,120 -2,393,220 6,237,902 38,315 -3,930 4,760 41,553,283 -208,060 4,150

0.295 75.4 15.88 0.94 7 0.395 0.45 1,031 1,051 7.42 14.8 7.5 4.61 0.2 1,350 7.58 77.25 5.8 0.66 5.57 22.55 0.31 6.71 3.58 0.041 1.2 2.12 2.51 136.9 2.61 1,057 0.78 1.62 280.2 0.223 0.19

HOLDING FIRMS 0.3 320,000 77.5 893,880 16.02 6,482,500 0.96 115,000 7 2,100 0.395 2,100,000 0.45 2,290,000 1,045 398,515 1,053 10 7.5 1,657,900 14.84 3,258,700 7.67 5,000 4.61 2,000 0.2 140,000 1,371 90,860 7.58 4,600 80.5 1,214,070 5.8 11,000 0.68 530,000 5.57 1,915,200 23.5 8,595,300 0.31 80,000 6.81 17,668,600 3.58 60,000 0.042 8,900,000 1.3 549,000 2.22 2,855,000 2.51 15,000 140.9 983,980 2.61 1,000 1,095 323,630 0.78 50,000 1.62 636,000 283.6 2,530 0.26 2,760,000 0.19 10,000

95,500 69,073,050.50 103,483,164 110,540 14,715 830,900 1,046,450 416,266,925 10,520 12,474,588 48,509,442 37,725 9,220 28,450 123,793,470 35,140 96,651,522 63,800 356,620 10,717,510 202,348,545 25,100 119,659,843 218,780 365,400 722,510 6,318,350 37,680 137,431,100 2,610 347,113,410 39,000 1,043,530 715,910 687,830 1,900

3,000 51,220,483.50 -3,367,174 703,400 -218,765,185 -3,059,817 20,637,524 -8,502,650 20,232,141 5,104,123 -11,279,555 19,400,008 4,200 48,460 6,255,735 -70,829,095 -578,412 -

12,445,881 2,498,880 304,438 1,926,450 2,539,310 648,758,990 1,572,130 1,861,760 417,412 2,453,750 6,800 41,240 2,238,220 1,567,150 6,946,460 166,170 10,350,100 6,051,600 35,230 4,880 137,235,615 14,718,850 266,500

-3,517,271 95,792,340 -702,150 212,080 42,994 -416,100 4,560 10,900 1,778,695 -4,246,890 1,305,670 4,620 4,880 8,356,094 -3,186,100 -

NAME

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LOW

CLOSE

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

3.55 58.5 122.5 3.91 159 1.93 37 15.32 30.9 9.22 1.77 985 0.56 100.1 1.15 13.02 56.7 241 108.9 55.5 251 1,975 91 1.25

3.6 59.9 123 3.91 160 1.96 37 15.5 31.05 9.22 1.77 985 0.57 100.5 1.31 13.68 57.25 241 108.9 56.4 252 1,997 91 1.25

3.46 58.5 120.4 3.83 158.2 1.92 36.7 15.32 30.8 9.22 1.72 985 0.55 99.7 1.12 13.02 56.65 237 104 55.5 250.8 1,950 88.4 1.24

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

41.5 11.18 0.63 1.31 17.8 0.211 4.8 16.1 186 55 18.58 62 1.9 5.6 10.8 12.32 15.28 12.76 8.01 5.68 1.78 16 62.85 31.05 10.06 17.54 1.96 282.6 4.07 3.19 28 18 19.5 331.8 0.2 8.91 2.69 4.83 9.28 6.79 8.2 1.8 12.16 66 6.2 602 4.71 2.05 3.95 1.8 15.3 5.48 0.131 1.17 169 2.94 2.06 25.25 0.81

41.8 11.22 0.63 1.32 17.8 0.212 4.85 16.16 186 55.5 18.58 63 1.94 5.6 10.9 12.54 15.28 13.12 8.74 5.72 1.78 16.18 63 32.65 10.7 17.88 2.01 283 4.1 3.19 28.5 18.1 19.88 336 0.202 9 2.82 4.97 9.28 7.13 8.39 1.88 12.48 66 6.3 620 4.71 2.1 4 1.8 15.74 5.48 0.134 1.2 169 2.98 2.06 27.45 0.83

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

0.3 75.4 15.9 0.99 7.05 0.4 0.455 1,049 1,051 7.45 15 7.67 4.61 0.209 1,380 7.75 78.8 5.8 0.69 5.62 24.4 0.34 6.8 3.62 0.042 1.24 2.12 2.52 136.9 2.61 1,070 0.78 1.62 283.8 0.223 0.19

0.3 77.5 16.08 0.99 7.05 0.4 0.46 1,052 1,053 7.57 15.06 7.67 4.61 0.209 1,384 7.75 80.5 5.8 0.69 5.64 25.3 0.34 6.81 3.69 0.042 1.37 2.32 2.52 141 2.61 1,095 0.78 1.67 283.8 0.265 0.19

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 MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES

6.2 1 13.3 2.27 0.9 45.3 3.87 4.84 5.8 0.475 1.12 1.12 0.218 0.43 39.1 0.64 1.89 1.37 0.74 4.88 5.01 0.3 0.35

6.49 1.02 13.8 2.27 0.92 45.9 3.89 4.89 5.82 0.475 1.14 1.12 0.225 0.47 39.5 0.65 1.89 1.37 0.77 4.88 5.06 0.32 0.355

6.2 0.99 13.1 2.17 0.9 45.2 3.85 4.82 5.8 0.47 1.12 1.11 0.218 0.43 39.1 0.63 1.86 1.34 0.74 4.88 4.92 0.3 0.35

VOLUME

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LOW

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.57 4.91 46 20.5 2.05 3.2 39.6 1.06 9.2 0.83 5.85

0.58 5.22 53.5 20.7 2.14 3.22 39.65 1.06 13 0.84 5.98

0.56 4.9 35.05 20.1 2.05 3.2 39.3 1.04 9.2 0.83 5.72

0.56 5.21 36.7 20.45 2.1 3.22 39.5 1.04 13 0.84 5.9

9,058,000 3,880,000 15,400 4,315,800 1,061,000 111,000 5,818,100 343,000 924,500 65,000 2,945,600

5,148,690 19,764,150 666,855 87,819,635 2,211,800 357,020 229,705,410 359,680 10,518,755 53,960 17,196,097

570,000 -1,691,970 -7,449,230 6,300 60,706,385 -881,644 -9,390,826

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

21 34.35 1.39 0.435 0.045 11.6 11.26 0.068 100.3 8.82 8.33 9.32 2.74 58 1,750 6 30.95 11.3 4.44 2.55 113.9 8.3 0.139 1.43 3.21 15.6 3.93 1.11 24 0.52 4.45 8.24 3.63 18.4 5.09 10.82 11 2.8 104.9 6.85 1,502 1.27 0.37 54 96.55 5.56 3.1 1.51 3.2 4.11 0.98 9

22.2 34.35 1.43 0.44 0.047 11.6 11.44 0.07 101 8.82 8.5 9.49 2.74 67.5 1,750 6 48.75 11.3 4.55 2.7 113.9 8.33 0.139 1.57 3.37 15.6 4.1 1.16 24.7 0.52 5.48 8.42 3.66 18.4 5.09 10.82 11 2.8 105 7 1,515 1.28 0.37 54 100.5 5.6 3.2 1.59 3.38 4.13 0.98 9.35

20.8 34 1.39 0.435 0.045 11.6 11.24 0.068 99.9 8.8 8.32 8.5 2.56 54.25 1,716 5.93 27 11.3 4.4 2.55 112.1 8.15 0.137 1.43 3.19 15.6 3.91 1.11 23.15 0.52 4.45 8.24 3.63 17 4.51 10.76 10.5 2.78 104.9 6.77 1,498 1.25 0.345 53.7 96.5 5.55 3.07 1.51 3.08 4.04 0.96 8.9

SERVICES 22 34.2 1.43 0.44 0.047 11.6 11.26 0.07 100.1 8.8 8.5 9 2.6 59.95 1,738 5.95 48.75 11.3 4.49 2.7 113 8.33 0.139 1.53 3.35 15.6 4.05 1.14 23.95 0.52 5.48 8.3 3.63 17 4.63 10.76 10.68 2.78 105 6.96 1,506 1.25 0.36 53.95 98 5.6 3.2 1.57 3.25 4.08 0.98 9.35

544,600 16,600 14,000 420,000 44,300,000 2,000,000 14,456,300 7,650,000 321,000 16,300 1,539,600 940,100 162,000 412,110 34,730 634,500 1,619,100 500 2,116,000 5,000 346,060 17,500 6,280,000 5,635,000 9,000 3,100 1,123,000 415,000 10,120,000 263,000 6,120,000 8,551,800 1,255,000 3,100 48,036,000 14,100 24,500 2,000 13,520 897,000 181,350 4,851,000 570,000 1,792,520 506,740 50,300 467,000 13,396,000 6,923,000 408,000 6,265,000 8,645,900

11,914,815 566,375 19,500 183,450 2,049,500 23,200,000 164,210,394 530,880 32,170,759.50 143,509 12,978,588 8,538,003 421,680 25,264,595 59,996,455 3,771,396 66,487,355 5,650 9,435,600 13,050 39,137,831 145,487 863,860 8,505,200 29,290 48,360 4,525,140 467,900 241,402,590 136,760 31,619,600 71,230,685 4,568,790 54,250 228,960,630 152,016 260,194 5,580 1,419,594 6,111,549 272,551,895 6,118,900 207,650 96,743,714.50 49,598,143.50 279,873 1,467,450 20,893,290 22,484,130 1,660,400 6,057,390 79,627,193

-10,800 4,700 23,200,000 24,760,990 -1,400 2,785,220.50 -564,630 -90,155 5,340 -11,563,525 -1,383,825 358,860 3,786,576 -17,205 -15,040 994,260 22,380,515 20,618,911 763,040 586,230 -5,340 -82,955 -383,929 73,504,135 -49,140 12,470,625 -11,997,568.50 12,800 4,147,880 2,941,670 -181,200 48,500 57,971,629

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

0.0022 1.5 4.95 1.71 1.58 0.325 7.24 2.5 0.197 0.153 0.157 0.0092 0.0093 1.67 6.38 1.4 0.93 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.35 6.63 8.61 38.3 0.0068

0.0023 1.52 4.95 1.71 1.6 0.33 7.5 2.51 0.197 0.154 0.157 0.0092 0.0097 1.68 6.38 1.44 0.93 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.35 6.75 9.26 38.95 0.0072

0.0022 1.49 4.91 1.69 1.56 0.32 7.23 2.46 0.195 0.153 0.156 0.0092 0.0091 1.67 6.19 1.4 0.91 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.15 6.5 8.6 38.15 0.0068

MINING & OIL 0.0022 321,000,000 1.5 3,713,000 4.91 234,000 1.69 14,000 1.6 1,263,000 0.33 140,000 7.25 4,700 2.49 1,683,000 0.195 120,000 0.153 17,950,000 0.156 1,270,000 0.0092 1,000,000 0.0097 4,000,000 1.67 54,000 6.2 4,991,800 1.42 17,000 0.91 227,000 0.013 3,900,000 0.012 600,000 0.012 231,700,000 2.15 17,000 6.65 538,100 9.2 5,865,600 38.65 1,468,900 0.0072 14,000,000

706,300 5,579,040 1,151,260 23,770 1,996,210 45,000 34,075 4,174,500 23,420 2,747,740 198,920 9,200 37,300 90,190 31,052,349 23,920 208,280 50,600 7,300 2,775,600 37,150 3,539,124 53,350,628 56,717,835 95,600

-3,287,640 -772,850 67,540 4,940 9,700 1,680 4,347,380 2,790 5,500 41,719 1,060,415 -16,923,795.00 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I

34 530 528 108.2 107.9 112 524.5 5.7 1,010 102 1.04 1,098 103.7 112 2 76.7 81 78.65 77.5 78

34 530 528 108.2 107.9 112 524.5 5.72 1,010 102 1.05 1,098 103.7 112 2.15 76.75 81 78.65 77.5 78

33.95 530 528 108.2 107.9 112 524.5 5.69 1,010 101.3 1.04 1,098 103.7 112 1.95 76.5 81 78.5 77.5 78

PREFERRED 33.95 96,900 530 20 528 60 108.2 10 107.9 150 112 8,950 524.5 5,970 5.69 554,100 1,010 2,000 101.3 7,250 1.05 33,000 1,098 300 103.7 290 112 500 2.15 29,000 76.5 1,640 81 105,000 78.5 86,460 77.5 45,200 78 13,400

3,293,180 10,600 31,680 1,082 16,185 1,002,400 3,131,265 3,156,783 2,020,000 734,998 34,450 329,400 30,073 56,000 60,910 125,814 8,505,000 6,788,209.50 3,503,000 1,045,200

-183,350 -2,982,898 313,317 -1,620,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.39

2.45

2.37

WARRANTS 2.37 183,000

442,630

-

138,020 44,084,524 2,830,160

-17,622,865 -

1,793,361

-

2,000

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.35 1.01 13.1 2.17 0.9 45.6 3.85 4.86 5.82 0.47 1.14 1.11 0.221 0.47 39.2 0.65 1.88 1.34 0.77 4.88 4.99 0.315 0.35

1,970,500 2,494,000 22,900 886,000 2,812,000 14,236,500 406,000 384,000 71,900 5,190,000 6,000 37,000 10,160,000 3,400,000 177,200 259,000 5,528,000 4,500,000 47,000 1,000 27,501,100 47,260,000 760,000

PHILAB HLDG ITALPINAS XURPAS

3.6 9.6 4.75

3.74 9.88 4.75

3.6 9.02 4.65

FIRST METRO ETF

135.7

135.7

135

USD TECH B2

1

1

1

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

24,763,981

INDUSTRIAL

89,204,794

HOLDING FIRMS

65,414,312

PROPERTY

174,447,819

SERVICES

211,702,580

MINING & OIL

616,637,493

GRAND TOTAL

1,187,563,094

3.6 9.2 4.71

SME

38,000 4,731,500 604,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 135.7 13,250 1

DDS

2,000

VALUE 2,277.02 (down) 9.85 1,478,479,001.25 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,939.40 (up) 56.54 1,555,423,289.362 HOLDING FIRMS 9,291.18 (up) 109.98 1,832,435,510.929 PROPERTY 4,072.75 (up) 16.62 SERVICES 1,665.81 (up) 9.06 1,502,724,312.60 MINING & OIL 11,968.38 (up) 72.27 1,961,124,600.33 PSEI 8,999.02 (up) 48.40 164,708,748.5276 All Shares Index 5,214.61 (up) 41.60 8,543,766,147.55 Gainers: 125; Losers: 84; Unchanged: 47; Total: 256

affair if both parties don’t resolve the critical stumbling blocks between now and then.”

Still, equity markets remain upbeat, having surged in recent weeks on the back of a strong global economy, hopes for strong corporate profits and expectations of a positive hit from Donald Trump’s tax cuts.

Sentiment was bolstered by a report from the International Monetary Fund raising its world growth outlook and predicting at least a short-term boost from the president’s fiscal policy.

On Tuesday, Hong Kong continued to hit new records, surging 1.3 percent in the afternoon while Tokyo finished 1.3 percent up at a new 26-year high.

Shanghai soared 1.3 percent and Seoul jumped 1.4 percent.

Sydney added 0.8 percent and Singapore was up 0.5 percent, while there were also healthy gains in Taipei, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.

The yen edged down against the dollar after the Bank of Japan offered no new guidance on its plans for monetary policy after earlier this month easing back on its bond-buying stimulus.

While no moves were expected from the central bank there had been hopes the board would provide some forward guidance as it edges away from its easymoney crisis-era policies to move in line with the Federal Reserve. With AFP

SEC warns the public vs S2S deals THE Securities and Exchange Commission warned investors from investing in marketing firm Secret2Success which is not authorized to solicit investments from the public.

The SEC in an advisory posted on its website said while S2S was registered with the corporate corporate regulator, it did not secure a license as required by the Securities Regulation Code to sell securities or entice the public to invest in online or through the internet.

S2S headed by Rafael Garcia de Andres, according to the information gathered by the SEC, allegedly invited people to enroll in its Online Academy by paying P250 that would entitle enrollees several benefits.

S2S also promises members income opportunities through referral commissions where a member who recruits another prospective member will earn P40 for every referral to the Online Academy and P80 per for group sales match bonus if a member matches two new recruits The maximum earnings for 12 pairs per day per member is P960.00 or P28,800 a month.

For a maximum account of 31 per member, the a member is entitled to as much as P892,800 in commission a month.

The SEC said S2S also started to promote the use of bitcoins as platform for the investment and/or distribution of commission/bonus.

“The public is hereby warned that such investment schemes whether with the use of bitcoins or money are considered as securities subject to the regulatory authority of this Commission,” SEC said.

Jenniffer B. Austria

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Goods-006-2018 006

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Special Education Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Security Services for Secondary Schools with Senior High Schools, Provincewide for the period from March – December, 2018

=P=10,281,600.00

The Provincial Government of Bataannow invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is requiredwithin 306 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

EARTHQUAKE. Indonesians wait outside an office building after a 6.4-magnitude quake hit Jakarta on January 23, 2018. The earthquake forced

the evacuation of office buildings but there was no immediate threat of a tsunami or reports of injuries, a government agency said. AFP

Turkey intensifies attack inside Syria

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

The Turkish military announced the death of its first soldier since the launch of operation “Olive Branch” on Saturday, its second major intervention in Syria’s devastating seven-year civil war.

The operation, with Turkish war planes and artillery backing a major ground incursion involving Ankara-backed Syrian rebels and Turkish tanks, aims to oust the People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia from its Afrin enclave.

Civilians in the town of Afrin, 18 kilometers from the front line, stocked up on food and medicine as they readied for a potential onslaught. Shelters were prepared and the internet was only functioning sporadically.

Turkey sees the YPG as a terror group and the Syrian offshoot of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which has waged a bloody three-decade insurgency against the Turkish state.

“We are determined. Afrin will be sorted out. We will take no step back,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in Ankara.

But the operation is hugely sensitive as Washington relied on the YPG to oust Islamic State jihadists from their Syrian strongholds and the Kurdish militia now holds much of Syria’s north.

Turkish state news agency Anadolu said ground forces had already seized 15 villages and other locations during their advance into Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkish artillery fired shells on YPG targets inside Syria and ground troops opened a new front against Afrin from Azaz, further east, state media said.

In Afrin, residents queued at bakeries and cars were on the streets as residents braced themselves for any violence.

“God willing, the war will not last long. We pray for strength and courage for the YPG,” Zuheir Hussein, 32, told AFP. Convenience store owner Ali Sourani said his shop was running low on food and the region was “surrounded”.

“We have had our shelters prepared for 10 days to hide during the fighting,” he said.

“We have difficulties with the internet which has been down for three days. We cannot communicate with our relatives.”

Turkey’s military announced its first fatality of the campaign as a soldier was killed in clashes with the YPG southeast of the border town of Gulbaba.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has said a total of 22 Syrian civilians have been killed by Turkish strikes and two more by Kurdish fire during the operation. AFP

already come forward to accuse him of sexual assault.

He was indicted in December 2015 and went on trial in June 2017, accused of drugging and molesting a former university basketball official at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

But the judge declared a mistrial when the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on three counts of aggravated indecent assault after more than 50 hours of deliberations in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The deadlock was a victory of sorts for the comedian, now frail and isolated, who risked spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

But the trial irrevocably damaged the once towering icon of US popular culture, loved by millions as “America’s Dad” and best known for his seminal role as a father and obstetrician on hit 1984-92 TV series “The Cosby Show.”

In a rambling and at times confused interview with Sirius XM radio broadcast before the trial began, Cosby said he felt he had “an awful lot to offer” in terms of writing and performing.

Jury selection for the retrial is to begin March 29. Cosby’s new defense lawyer is Tom Mesereau, the celebrity Los Angeles attorney who got Michael Jackson acquitted of child molestation in 2005.

Around 60 women have publicly accused the Emmy-winning actor of being a serial sexual predator, but most of the alleged abuse happened too long ago to prosecute, meaning that the trial last year concerned only one of the alleged victims. AFP

The Provincial Government of Bataanwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 26, 2018 at 10:00 A.MatProvincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

Bids must be delivered on or before February 09, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

INVITATION TO BID NO. 07-2018 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2018, intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million One Hundred Twenty Thousand Pesos & 08/100 (P 15,120,000.08) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) , to payment under the contract for Tubaon CIS, Silago, Southern Leyte.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) now invites bids for: Contract No. : Project Description : Work completion : Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) :

BNLSL-LCB-32-2018 Construction of Canal and Farm Level System 270 Calendar Days P 15,120,000.08

Bidding will be conducted in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification.

Interested bidders may submit a Letter of Intent together with the Class “A” documents addressed to the Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee, NIA, Biliran-Leyte del NorteLeyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

The schedules of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities Schedule 1. Issuance of Bid Documents Starting January 24, 2018 2. Pre-Bid Conference January 31, 2018 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids February 12, 2018

Time 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan ActivitiesSchedule 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

January 19 – February 09, 2018 January 29, 2018 February 09, 2018

For further information, please refer to: Ms. Aileen C. Sagun Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, BalangaCity, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN (MS-JAN. 24, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

The NIA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

January 19 – 25, 2018 Refer to date of Opening of Bids

The Provincial Government of Bataanreserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by the interested bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P25,000.00 to the Cashier.

InvItatIon to BId no. Infra -011-2018 011

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Special Education Fund intends to apply the below listed project w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC).

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

CATHERINE G. MACANIP National Irrigation Administration Marasbaras, Tacloban City (053) 888-1514

Name of Project

(Sgd.) CATHERINE G. MACANIP BAC Chairman Noted: (Sgd.) ALEJANDRO C. CULIBAR, D.M. Acting Division Manager A, IMO

Cosby performs for first time since assault charge PHILADELPHIA―Disgraced American entertainer Bill Cosby returned to the stage Monday for the first time in nearly three years, telling jokes just months before his scheduled retrial for alleged sexual assault.

The 80-year-old pioneering African-American actor and comedian spent around an hour performing at the LaRose Jazz Club in Philadelphia at an event honoring drummer and jazz great Tony Williams.

He sat on a wooden chair, in front of the jazz quartet, dressed casually in dark pants and gray hoodie inscribed with the words “Hello Friend” spelled out in multicolored capital letters.

There was no heckling and the audience was generally supportive, clapping and at times laughing, but the fewer than 50 people, filling only half a small venue, underscored how far he has fallen from grace.

For a few minutes, he sat behind the drum kit and played some drums, before delivering a very short stand-up routine, joking about getting old and going blind, interacting with an older couple in the audience.

Announcing the event only shortly before it was due to begin, his spokesman said the intention was to “honor his fans with a historic performance” at what was a public event with tickets sold on the door.

It was the first time Cosby performed in public since May 2015, when CNN reported that he was interrupted twice in Atlanta after a string of women had

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

A

FRIN, Syria―Turkey on Monday intensified its offensive against Kurdish militia targets in Syria as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed there would be no stepping back in a campaign that has stoked concern among Ankara’s allies and neighbors.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

(MS-JAN. 24, 2018)

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Construction of Three (3) Storey Twenty Four (24) Classroom School Building, Mariveles National High School Annex-Cabcaben, Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan

=P=41,999,945.52

The Provincial Government of Bataannow invites bids for the above listedProject.

Completion of work is within 300 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

INVITATION TO BID No. 03-2018 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Item/Description 1.

Hibulangan SRIPContract #012018– Construction of Main Canal, Canal Structures and Service Road of Hibulangan SRIP, Matag-ob, Leyte 2. Hibulangan SRIP Contract #022018– Construction of Main Canal, Canal Structures and Service Road of Hibulangan SRIP, Kananga, Leyte 3. Hibulangan SRIP Contract #032018– Construction of Main Canal, Canal Structures and Service Road of Hibulangan SRIP, Kananga, Leyte 4. Hibulangan SRIP Contract #042018– Construction of Main Canal, Canal Structures and Service Road of Hibulangan SRIP, Kananga, Leyte

Duration

Cost of Bid Docs

28,272,595.11

300 cd

30,000.00

28,611,927.99

300 cd

30,000.00

23,868,412.80

24,360,962.88

300 cd

300 cd

25,000.00

25,000.00

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: 1.

BAC Activities Issuance of Bid Documents

Schedule Starting January 11, 2018

Time 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2.

Pre-bid Conference

January 18, 2018

2:00 p.m.

3.

Receipt and Opening of Bids

January 30, 2018

2:00 p.m.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

The Provincial Government of Bataanwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference on January 30, 2018 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

Bids must be delivered on or before February 12, 2018 at 1:30 P.M. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule January 23 - 29, 2018 Refer to date of Opening of Bids January 23 - February 12, 2018 February 01, 2018 February 12, 2018

The Provincial Government of Bataan reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount of the Bid Documents to the Cashier.

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

(SGD) ESTELITA S. SUMILE BAC Chairman

For further information, please refer to: Ms. Aileen C. Sagun Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

Noted: (SGD) FERMINA B. ALING Acting Regional Manager

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman (MS-JAN. 24, 2018)

(MS-JAN. 24, 2018)

LGUs

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista leads city government officials during the turnover of the brand-new ambulances to the city’s barangays, the Bureau of Fire Protection, QC Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and different health facilities in the city. Manny Palmero

Manila: 3-wheel bikes out, e-trikes in

By Bill Casas BEGINNING this year, all gasoline-powered tricycles, “kuliglig” (motorized rickshaw), and pedicabs (bicycle with a sidecar) will be a thing of the past in all streets of Manila.

Mayor Joseph Estrada confirmed that the city government of Manila plans to remove all threewheeled motorized vehicles from the streets of Manila to make way for environment-friendly electric tricycles or e-trikes.

Estrada said he hopes that this year there will be no more such vehicles in all streets of Manila.

He said the city government wants Manila to become the e-trike capital of the Philippines.

“We want Manila to be known as a ‘green city,’ one that is uncluttered, where people can travel on e-bikes without the noise [from regular bikes], and a clean city,” Estrada said.

The “easy-breezy” etrike, the mayor said, is a seven-seater that can travel up to 80 kilometers on a single four-hour charge.

About 20,000 tricycles ply Manila’s city streets.

The city government will distribute 10,000 e-trikes to qualified tricycle drivers in Manila, Estrada said.

The e-trike will be paid through a “drive-to-own” scheme, where the operator-driver will pay P150 a day without interest and within four years.

The city government has already distributed etrikes to a number of operator-drivers in Binondo, Sta. Cruz area, Malate and Ermita. It plans to put up pickup stations and two charging stations to be made available for e-trike operators.

QC turns over 142 ambulances to barangays

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista has turned over ambulances to 142 villages as part of the city’s Barangay Emergency Response Team in mitigating disaster risks.

“To beef up the capability of our barangays, we need to equip them with what they need,” Bautista said, noting that all vehicles were painted yellow so they could easily be seen even in the dark and to prevent unnecessary use.

“A [specific] number is assigned to every vehicle, too,” the mayor added.

He said he has ordered city officials not to bear the names or faces of any politicians on any part of the ambulance as part of the government’s “anti-epal” campaign.

A global positioning system tracking device has also been installed in every ambulance that will be closely monitored by the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office’s emergency operations center.

Members of the emergency response team have been required to go through the first responder’s training course.

Bautista stressed the exclusive use of ambulances for emergency situations, and warned he would cancel the deed of donation over any violation of a recipient barangay.

PNP ‘simul’ set in Davao

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

D

AVAO CITY―The Philippine National Police will conduct its first simulation exercise in different areas of this city in the second week of February to assess the capabilities of local agencies in times of disaster and terrorist attacks.

PNP Director General for Operation Camilo Pancratius P. Cascolan said that during the simulation, the police will play the role of city officials to let them

know what they must do in times of danger.

“We will be role-playing the different local government unit members and even us, the Re-

gional Director of the PNP here and those who will be involved. This will serve as a coordination exercise that will be done by the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and the PNP,” Cascolan said.

The police will conduct counter-insurgency exercises and law enforcement operation exercises in the heart of Davao City, he added.

“This is for everybody to know what to do in case of any kind of cri-

sis,” said Cascolan.

The simultaneous exercises will challenge the security measures not only of the PNP but also the vital installations to address the lapses and weaknesses of the agencies to be tested.

“The AFP and PNP that will be involved in the simulation activity will just perform their exercises. We will give them a lot of problems so that they will be able to solve it, but one thing here is that

the members of the LGUs will be invited for them to see what they should do if they were in that situation,” Cascolan said.

The main reason of the simulation is to involve the entire community, the general added.

Cascolan also denied that the reason behind the sudden public simulation is the series of perceived failures of the PNP in Metro Manila.

“Thiis is not because of the ‘fall flat’ of our police

officers. This activity was supposed to be done last year but we just assessed the cooperation of the community for the time being,” he said.

Apart from the AFP and PNP, the Central 911, Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection and other local agencies will participate in the activity.

Cascolan’s group will proceed to Metro Manila, Cebu and back to Mindanao to conduct the same activity.

Army charm offensive via Tarlac school kids

By Francisco Tuyay

TRAFFIC FIX. Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, Jr. speaks to officials and employees of Parañaque City, led by Mayor Edwin

Olivarez, as he outlines President Rodrigo Duterte’s multi-billion highway and other infrastructure projects in Metro Manila to solve the tremendous traffic problem in the metropolis. Evasco also announced that among his office functions is to monitor different local government units and agencies in the use of their respective budgets and specific programs to reduce poverty.

Andanar lauds Munti info officers’ network SECRETARY Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office has applauded the creation of Muntinlupa Barangay Information Officers and hopes that it will serve as a benchmark practice in the country.

Andanar led the oath taking ceremony of the information group last Jan. 23 at Muntinlupa City Hall in Putatan and noted it was the

first and only active communicators’ group in the community level in the country.

The information officers’ network in the city “serves as an inspiration” to the PCOO to further improve the flow of information from the national and local government to the grassroots, Andanar said.

He also underscored the importance of face-to-face interactions in bringing in-

SN Aboitiz, NV to reforest eco-park

By Ben Moses Ebreo BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in Diadi town will soon be planted with various tree species this year through a partnership program between the provincial government and SN Aboitiz-Power Magat Inc. Through the “Plantation Establishment of Wild Food Plants for Wildlife” project, the LMETP in Barangay San Luis in Diadi town will be planted with indigenous tree species within a 10-hectare forestland area.

Tito Tanguilig, provincial environment and natural resources

officer, said the project seeks to rehabilitate the degraded and unproductive land areas of the LMET through enrichment planting and establishment of wild plants for food.

“This does not necessarily mean having an exact replica of the original forests but the effort of bringing back the structure, function, productivity and species biodiversity of the original forest ecosystem,” Tanguilig said.

Indigenous or native species were chosen because of its enticing characteristics to wild animals like birds, thereby restoring and increasing the wildlife species in the area, he said.

formation to every Filipino and having a strong communicators’ network in the barangay to counteract the spread of fake news and unverified information.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi vowed to support the PCOO in building bridges with everyone through effective communication strategies.

Muntinlupa Barangay Information Officers was piloted by the city’s Pub-

lic Information Officer Tez Navarro last 2017 with more than 50 members.

Similarly, the PCOO recently launched the Provincial Communication Officers Network (PCO Net), which aims to bring news from Malacañang to the LGUs and communities to ensure the policies and plans of the Duterte administration are communicated to every Filipino.

THE military has introduced a new dimension in its humanitarian campaign to the country’s most vulnerable sector, with soldiers directly engaging school children in at least five public schools in five towns and municipalities in Tarlac last Friday.

The paradigm shift is part of the Civil Military Operations dubbed as the “softer side” of its internal security operations and to ease the impact of the prevailing economic conditions of poor families in Tarlac.

Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, Philippine Army chief, led the initiation of the revitalized CMO by distributing gift packs to at least 805 school children in the province.

Aged 5 to 11, the children belonged to the “poorest of the poor” families in the province, where Bautista launched his military career as a senior Army officer by serving as chief of staff of the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command in 2012.

“It’s part of the efforts of the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to reach out to areas

of our country, especially to those who have been deprived of opportunities like this,” Bautista said during the gift-giving activity.

The Army chief was joined in the distribution of gift packs to school children by Nolcom commander Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat, 7th Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Felimon Santos, and Mechanized Infantry Division commander Major Gen. Gilbert Gapay.

The program was conducted in cooperation with the Tarlac Heritage Foundation and the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

Myra Joy dela Cruz, 30, who accompanied her two children studying at the San Jacinto Elementary school in San Manuel, Tarlac during the program, said it was the best and the first gift so far they have received from the government, and it came from the Army.

“Of all people, it is the soldiers who have remembered us, our children,” she said.

Irene Rabang, 40, a Grade Six teacher, said the gift giving was the first she had encountered in her 15 years at the school.

FOR THE FERRY. Noveleta, Cavite Mayor Dino Reyes Chua (third from left) leads the group of officials of the Intramuros Administration, Pasig River Administration and Noveleta during the launching of the Cavite Super Ferry Transport System held at Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila.

J

APAneSe fashion has been making inroads in fashion, particularly in the pret-a-porter (or ready to wear) segment.

Uniqlo has become a global fashion retail brand and Muji is spreading its presence around Asia and the Middle east.

What’s in store for their clients for this spring and summer?

Japanese global retail brand Uniqlo introduces the newest additions to its Jeans and Women’s blouses collections. Made in bright, pastel hues, the new pieces are a fitting choice for the summer season ahead.

Whether you need to start a wardrobe from scratch, or you’re looking to rebuild your pre-existing wardrobe, Uniqlo reveals its vibrant 2018 Spring/ Summer collection of jeans and tops that easily become the building blocks of your new year’s look. rooted in the brand’s lifeWear philosophy, each piece of clothing from the new collections are made with the best fit and fabrics to bring better comfort to Filipinos. More than just a fashion statement, Uniqlo pays extra attention to functionality with various designs and styles to suit different kinds of lifestyles.

Well-fitting jeans have always been a staple in everyone’s closet, but adding a touch of color lends the piece an on-trend appeal—available in new season colorways are the Men’s Stretch Skinny Fit Tapered Jeans and Women’s Cigarette Jeans. Apart from new colors, updates include a new feminine fit for the Women’s Slim boyfriend Ankle length Jeans. The eZY jeans are also refreshed this season with improved comfort.

Versatile as they are, the new season’s blouses offer a variety of clean and casual dressing options that easily transition from work to play or vice versa. Ideal for mixing and matching, choose from Uniqlo’s latest collections of Jeans and blouses for women to get the look that fits your individual style.

Meanwhile, as summer time begins, gone are the thick textiles as temperatures rise. Muji embraces this change

Life fashion & beauty

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

wednesday, januaRy 24, 2018

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2 Japanese labels launch spring/summer 2018

Uniqlo’s Women’s Blouses and Jeans collections for spring/summer 2018 are composed of versatile pieces made of functional fabrics

Muji Ladies’ and Men’s organic cotton series features garments with classic and versatile designs

with a new collection of clothes that are more suitable for the weather. This season, Muji 2018 Spring/Summer collection has organic cotton as its choice fabric.

With an honest mission to provide a simple and pleasant lifestyle to its customers and producers, Muji makes use of organic cotton – one of nature’s best fabric offerings. When creating products, Muji takes into consideration the relationship of human and nature.

This led to their decision of choosing organic cotton that comes from fields that are free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers for over three years. Aside from being soft, smooth, and gentle on the skin, organic cotton is also gentle to the environment and to those who live around it.

This year, Muji offers a wider selection of ladies’ and mens’ garments that feature classic and versatile designs that have endured the test of time.

Partnering these timeless silhouettes is the quality and comfort that the brand is known for. Clothes are produced from pre-washed organic cotton that makes them durable and softer on the skin. They are also exposed to less invasive color treatment and minimal washing to maintain the cotton’s natural state, making them feel smooth and ready to wear from day one.

Tory Burch’s lunar new year pieces

Make a statement with your red Fleming Convertible Shoulder Bag

In CelebrATIon of the lunar new Year, Tory burch has curated a special assortment of chic designs from its resort 2018 collection. Polished, easy—and in red for good luck— these styles are ideal for the festive celebrations and reuniting with family and friends.

The Jane Dress delivers great versatility in a silhouette that sways with every step. Made from stretch suiting, it’s fully lined in smooth georgette and features a tiered skirt that kicks out at the hem with a ruffle. Feminine and flattering, complete with a waist-whittling tie belt, the style is ideal for the holiday.

For more stylish pops of that festive color, Tory burch’s accessories can take you through the lunar new Year day, night, and beyond. ladylike quilting and chains: the link to a pulled-together look. The Fleming Convertible Shoulder bag is made of diamond-stitched leather, with a removable tassle and a strap that can be worn short or long.

An effortless alternative to heels, the lucia Flat comes in an elongating pointed-toes silhouette made from supple suede. The style is detailed with a center-split vamp and outlines in tonal piping.

Dazzling style, sealed with a double bow.

The streamlined rosalind Metallic embellished ballet Flat is timeless and chic, in silver leather with

faceted crystals and a pointed toe.

Celebrate the Year of the Dog in style—with cozy knits and small leather goods featuring some of Tory burch’s favorite furry friends.

The barkley Sweater is a charming find, made from wool with a schnauzer intarsia pattern placed in front and center. Playful, with a slightly loose fit, it’s easy to dress up or down.

The barkley Sweatshirt is another charming find, made from French terry with a schnauzer applique at the chest. Pair it with tailored separates for an unexpected twist or keep things casual with jeans.

For fun accessories, Dachshund’s small leather goods come in multiple tones of patent leather. Designed with lots of pockets, they are perfect for keeping eses sentials well organized.

The Barkley Sweater and Rosalind Mettalic Embellished Ballet Flats from Tory Burch’s Resort 2018 collection

Life

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wednesday, january 24, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

Shangri-La PLaza’S

amazing New Year shopping spree S

hangri-La Plaza welcomes 2018 with the 70 percent Off new Year Sale plus the chance to bring home a brand new Mini.

Bring out that stylish and better you with a major shopping spree at the Shang for fashionable outfits, furniture to personalize your space, items for your health and skincare goals this year, and so much more, as select brands at the Shang give you up to 70 percent off on items until Jan. 31.

Shopping for your favorite finds is even more rewarding as you could be

one of three lucky winners of a brand new Mini. Every single receipt or tape receipt worth P2500 earns you one raffle coupon and the chance to win a 2017 Mini Cooper 5-door hatch 2017, Mini Cooper 3-door hatch, or a 2017 Mini One 3-door hatch. Coupons may be redeemed until april 2 at the Concierge Counter, Level 1 of the East Wing.

For inquiries, call (02) 370-2597/98.

New Year Sale shoppers at Shangri-La Plaza have a chance to drive home a brand new MINI

Cupid strikes again

Denman and Hair Aid team up for hair cutting training/workshop in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City

aS thE experts for any concerns of the heart, tiffany & Co. rounds up a list of gift suggestions perfect for Valentine’s Day. a gift of sparkle wrapped in tiffany Blue is a must-have in every girl’s wish list. a symbol of new York’s unparalleled energy and strength, tiffany t designs are as dynamic as the city that inspired them. the graphic angles and clean lines blend to create the beautiful clarity of the wire bracelet, and the brilliant diamonds enhance this bracelet’s timeless elegance.

Beautifully crafted and carefully designed tiffany Keys radiates joy and possibility for a brilliant future. Choose a brilliant beacon of optimism and hope. the tiffany Keys star key pendant set with diamonds and rubies is a pendant that shines as bright as the night sky.

For an unexpected twist on a classic, the quintessential return to tiffany tag gets a modern lift. Choose among the iconic heart tag charms: the tiffany Blue enamel color splash for a playful take, or an etched lightning bolt for a little grit-to-the-glamour look.

Everyday is a perfect day to express love, and Valentine’s day is one perfect day to ask the very important question. Masterly crafted and flawlessly engineered, nothing says “i love you” than the Pavé tiffany Setting engagement ring. a dazzling twist on the world’s most iconic engagement ring, this ring features the center diamond to float above a brilliant pavé band—resulting in a ring so beautiful it has long been a symbol of the world’s greatest love stories.

Find the dream wedding band to complement the engagement ring with tiffany Wedding Bands, and create the perfect pair. the Pavé tiffany Setting engagement ring and the tiffany Setting band ring with pavé diamonds are perfect together. Jean Schlumberger’s 16-stone tiffany Band ring is a visionary creation, featuring brilliant diamonds alternate with golden X’s.

Make sure your loved ones feel appreciated this Valentine’s Day by gifting a spectacular piece of jewelry from tiffany & Co.

A life-changing hair cutting training

DEnMan, the renowned brand of hairbrushes, trusted by hair stylists around the world, goes beyond its business of brushes to help individuals from communities in Quezon City through its recent partnership with hair aid.

Since 1938, Denman brushes and combs have earned the trust and respect of hairdressers around the world— including hairstyling legend Vidal Sasoon—for its exceptional standards of quality, performance and innovation. Used worldwide, Denman is not only considered the “hairdresser’s hairbrush,” it enjoys prestige as a dynamic global brand. today, Denman is making another mark in the world by helping others achieve better standing in their lives.

Hair + Hope

Denman Philippines joined hair aid, a nonprofit organization, for a hair cutting training/ workshop in Quezon City, serving as host to Barangay Commonwealth, one of the seven participating communities. Denman ambassadors Jon Velasco and Anton Papa, along with a handful of hair aid volunteers, lent their expertise in hair cutting and styling, teaching interested participants the basics of their craft.

Founded by australian couple Selina Tomasich and her husband Mark, hair aid offers hair cutting training as a community program, wherein professional hair stylists teach interested citizens basic livelihood skills such as hairdressing. through these new skills, these individuals become more empowered, and are given the opportunity to earn a decent living and support their families. “hair aid has been volunteering around the world since 2010, and this is hair aid’s 15th project in Manila. Denman Philippines has been working with us since 2017, and we’re so grateful for them for lending their time and resources to this cause,” says Selina. “We love coming back here to the Philippines, because we’re always so welcomed by the community and it’s an honor to share our skills. Every time, we take away so many stories and beautiful memories.”

Community building through hair cutting

Denman and hair aid hosts training programs twice a year, and this 2018, they headed to Quezon City. all of the volunteers help in raising funds for the various programs of hair

Let your love sparkle with a gift from Tiffany & Co.

Volunteers teach participants the basics of hair cutting

40 Years Later, Avon is Still Blazing the Trail for Filipinas A total of 210 participants from seven communities join the hair cutting training

aid, and are always seeking new ways to help empower communities around the world. From indonesia to india and the Philippines, all hair aid initiatives are driven by the passion of the volunteers. in the Philippines, in cooperation with the Office of the Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, Denman and hair aid tapped 7 communities and took in a total of 210 participants with 30 members each. in addition to hair cutting training, hair aid offered a manicure-pedicure training program as well as a tool sharpening skills training for the men.

“For many of us, the volunteers and the partners, it’s all about making a difference. today, hair aid has over 3,800 volunteers and many of them do this out the goodness of their own hearts. they raise their own money for their airfare,

and teach others for free,” says Selina, proud of all of her team’s and volunteers’ effort. Using what they’ve learned in the Philippines, Denman and hair aid hope to take the hair aid program to indonesia, Sri Lanka, thailand and Cambodia.

“Denman has always actively sought and supported organizations such as hair aid, because we believe in giving back to the community,” shares Evangeline Bumagat, rPg Distribution Services, inc. Marketing Manager.

“Denman makes lives more beautiful as they become effective tools that help others find greater purpose and meaning in their lives.” as shown by Denman and hair aid, good will and helping others never goes out of style.

For more information, visit www. denmanbrush.com.

2018 is a huge year for avon Philippines with their celebration of 40 solid years in the country. Since 1978, the company has led the pack when it comes to women empowerment through beauty, entrepreneurship, and advocacies. now with 174 branches nationwide, avon Philippines is inspired to ignite an even bigger fire in the years to come.

For the last 40 years, the Philippines’ no. 1 Direct Selling Beauty Company has been paving the way to success and confidence for many Filipinas. aside from bringing beauty to our doors, avon Philippines also opens doors for business, specifically for the ever-present avon ladies. it is because of these ladies that the company was able to reach its milestone year.

But it’s not just about sales at avon—they care for the health and wellbeing of the women they serve. thus, advocacies such as breast cancer awareness have been a core driver in the last 40 years,

and will continue to do so in their future. For instance, Kiss goodbye to Breast Cancer opened doors to serve hundreds of thousands of Filipinas who struggle with the disease. Since 2002, avon Philippines has raised close to P24M to support the crusade. Beneficiaries include the avon Pgh Breast Care Center as well as selected provincial hospitals in key cities nationwide. to celebrate 40 years of Filipina beauty and empowerment, avon is starting 2018 with its grandest sale to date. this January, customers can enjoy up to 50 percent off on favorites from avon’s wide variety of product lines such as avon true Color, Simply Pretty, avon Care, avon naturals Body Care, and avon fragrance.

“Buy 1, get 1 FrEE” deals are also in store for avon Care Baby, avon Care, avon Skin So Soft, and avon Feelin Fresh products.

Get all these irresistible deals online at www.avonshop.ph or through any Avon Representative.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

Comic-Con for Filipino talents

T

HE inaugural Comic-Con Asia, which will happen on March 24 and 25 at the SMX Convention Center, was launched last week with a promise to put premium on local artistic potential.

Dubbed as the grandest reunion of superhero fans, it also aims to promote exceptional talents by Filipino artists.

According to Pauline Sofia Laping, the convention producer, the regional event will not only focus on the exhibitors from all over Asia.

It will also serve as a venue for local creators where they can take part in creative discourse designed specifically for them to give them the exposure and the guidance they need.

“What makes ComocCon Asia different, aside from a regional convention participated by attendees and exhibitors from all over Asia, is the way we put premium on the Filipino talents. More than an avenue for bringing home world class entertainment, it serves as a platform for growing our creators’ industry and taking it to brand new heights,” Laping shared.

The convention producer further said that local creators will have an exclusive peek into the exciting world of creative production as the event is set to host informative talks, workshops, and panel discussion led by a lineup of globally-recognized creative industry professionals including Walt Disney’s Visual Development artist Armand Serrano, award-winning toy designer Jesse Yu a.k.a.

J*RYU, LEGO’s Ian Sta. Maria, and International Journal of Comic Art publisher and creator Dr. John Lent, and other lecturers from Singapore,

Indonesia and Vietnam.

“This event will also allow comiccon-goers to interact with fandom favorites, experience the best of cosplay, get immersed in the creative trade and experience the clash of the Comic-Con creative through competition made to empower and showcase talents of the local creative landscape,” Laping said.

Organizers were also pleased to announce that Stan Lee, the legendary comic book writer known for creating the X-Men, Spider-Man and many more iconic superheroes, will come to Manila for the first time.

The 95-year-old Marvel Comics great is headlining the event, which will also see appearances from NBA star Ray Allen and Walter Jones, the original Black Ranger from the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Completing the guest lineup are music artist Yael Yuzon, cosplayers Hoku Props, Vampy Bit Me, Nana Kuronoma, Anna Redei, and

cosplay photographer Jay Tablante.

In addition to being a grand showcase of Asian and international talents, the event will also be a learning platform for avid followers of the industry, and aspiring artists and creators.

Comic-Con Asia will also hold special segments like One-Shot, where individuals can pitch ideas to major industry players for a chance to get projects and job offers, and Auction Hero, where you can bid on special collectibles.

There will also be contests, cosplay competitions, and trading activities.

Backed by the combined expertise of PSL Entertainment and Nam Entertainment Group, the first Comic-Con Asia will hold an auction to generate funds for the kin of Marawi soldiers who fought for the liberation of Marawi City.

Tickets (P800 for one-day passes and P1,300 for twoday passes) will be available starting tomorrow.

Comic-Con Asia 2018 is the grandest reunion of anime and superhero fans at the SMX Convention Center on March 24 to 25.

5 facts you probably didn’t know about ANTHONY BOURDAIN

Superpowered sisters Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup regularly save Townsville from evildoers.

‘The Powerpuff Girls’ celebrates 20 Years of Saving the World Before Bedtime CARTOON Network announced that The Powerpuff Girls would be celebrating its 20th anniversary. As the original harbingers of girl power, the iconic brand has been an inspiration to generations of girls and young women since its initial launch in November 1998. The celebration will begin in February with the global rollout of new episodes, events and products that will continue into 2019. Fourth sister Bliss will also return throughout the year.

From the moment they started to save the world before bedtime, these three superhero sisters, Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, became more than characters on a show, but a global phenomenon with a message of empowerment that continues to resonate today with the reimagined series that debuted in 2015.

The Powerpuff Girls won a 2017 Gracie Award in the “Family Series – National” category, recognizing high-quality programming for girls and women. The series has also played an important part in Cartoon Network’s overall commitment to STEAM education by inspiring children to learn coding with special episodes and programs including Google’s Made with Code GIF: The Powerpuff Girls and Scratch from the MIT Media lab.

The Powerpuff Girls is one of

the most enduring and top-grossing Cartoon Network brands of all time.

Over the years, Cartoon Network has teamed with a roster of more than 150 global licensing partners across toys, apparel, publishing and themed entertainment, among others. Those partners have included: designer Jeremy Scott and Moschino on a global fashion collaboration that was launched in 2016, Miniso, McDonalds, Ferrero, Cold Stone Creamery, Cartoon Network Amazone, and many more.

The Powerpuff Girls is produced

by Cartoon Network Studios, with Nick Jennings as executive producer and Bob Boyle as coexecutive producer. The initial run of The Powerpuff Girls, created

by Craig McCracken, premiered in 1998 in the U.S. and earned two Emmy Awards along with five nominations and other countless honors and accolades.

Catch The Powerpuff Girls on weekdays at 6:15 p.m. and on weekends at 1:45 p.m. only on Cartoon Network.

Cartoon Network is available on SKYCable Channel 43, SKYCable HD Channel 178, Cignal Channel 35, Cignal HD Channel 110, Destiny Cable (Digital) Channel 43, Destiny Cable (Analog) Channel 51, Cable Link Channel 26, and Dream Satellite Channel 15.

A HOUSEHOLD name all over the world, Anthony Bourdain is one of the first prominent chefs to transcend the four walls of the kitchen out into the world of celebrity. Notorious for his roasts- both edible and audible- and particular standard from food to even art and music, here are a few things you may not know about the captivating mystery that is Anthony Bourdain.

His first real job was as a dishwasher In a responsible attempt to avoid the influence of vices as a teenager, Bourdain headed off to Cape Cod to secure a job as a dishwasher at the age of 17. Bourdain was quoted saying that if he hadn’t become a dishwasher boy, he would’ve ended up on a “petty crime loserville and wouldn’t have made it out of his 20’s.”

Before his celebrity chef famedom, he was a mystery novelist Over the years, Anthony Bourdain has written several critically acclaimed books on food, which put him on the radar. But before all that, he wrote a mystery novel back in 1995 about a homicidal chef.

He can mince onions, garlic, and even meat…but not his words Part of Bourdain’s charisma is his well-articulated, no-holdsbarred comments. Leaving no sentiment unsaid, Bourdain almost always makes sure he gets his disapproval - and on rare occasions, his approval - across. On his disdain for juice cleanses, Bourdain writes on a Reddit post, “I don’t understand the juice cleanse.

I mean, if you’ve ever had a colonoscopy, the doctor gives

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, January 24, 2018

ACROSS 1 Wolfman — 5 Cold — — icicle 9 Ayn’s shrugger 14 In a while 15 Annoy 16 Shadow 17 Metric pound 18 Camelot lady 19 Spyri girl 20 Cheering 22 Blurred 24 Clink glasses 26 Where Terre Haute is 27 Vinegar bottles 30 The whole time (2 wds.)

35 Grammy winner — Ronstadt 36 Fiber source 37 Director — Kazan 38 Small batteries 39 Rap sessions?

42 Here, to monsieur 43 Route for BenHur 45 Crusty cheese 46 Perk up 48 Xylophone cousins 50 Hermits 51 Homey dessert 52 Nimbuses

54 Waterfall 58 Type of pudding 62 Flu shots 63 Ensure failure 65 Lump of jelly, say 66 Watch feature 67 Arizona river 68 Scoundrel 69 Bearlike animal 70 House wings 71 Voice-mail prompt DOWN 1 Copacetic 2 Indigo plant 3 Mixer for rum 4 Put on a tie 5 Hippodromes 6 Carries a tune 7 — Baba 8 Jarrett and Sparks 9 Parthenon goddess 10 Foot pedal 11 Place to hibernate 12 Staffer 13 Performed a glissade 21 Jots 23 Piglet’s creator 25 Discolor, as silver 27 Miner’s stake

28 Rodeo noose 29 Bobby of Indy fame 31 Make taut 32 Uniform color 33 More upscale 34 Obtains 36 Early movie vamp 40 Waned 41 Sailing vessel 44 Parachute part (2 wds.)

47 Deep perception 49 Marsh vapor

50 Andes ruminants 53 Ring-shaped island 54 Bloke 55 “The Mammoth Hunters” heroine 56 Wingspread 57 Brink 59 No-cholesterol spread 60 “Fargo” director 61 Adroit 64 Fix a squeak

you something that will cleanse you right quick, so I don’t really understand juice cleanses.”

He hates Billy Joel’s music According to Bourdain himself, there used to be a time when he fired employees who listened to and visibly enjoyed Bill Joel’s music in the workspace.

Oyster changed his life forever In his book Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain shares the first time he ever ate an oyster, “It tasted of seawater...of brine and flesh...and, somehow...of the future.” He recalls, “I had had an adventure, tasted the forbidden fruit, and everything that followed in my life - the food, the long and often stupid and selfdestructive chase for the next thing, whether it was drugs or sex or some other new sensation - would all stem from this moment.”

After all his adventures and accolades, Anthony Bourdain continues to fascinate and even educate.

On the 8th season of his critically acclaimed show, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unkown, viewers are taken on an exciting trip to incredible destinations including Hanoi, London, Montana, and Rome.

Join Anthony Bourdain, traveler, author, chef, and all-around rockstar, as he uncovers the little known, the off-the-road, and the deceptively familiar areas of the world.

Catch Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown every Sunday at 8:10pm on the Discovery Channel.

American chef, author, and television personality Anthony Bourdain.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

ABS-CBN wins

R&B artist Kyla celebrates her 18th year in the music business.

against pirate sites A US FEDERAL court judge has signed a default judgment awarding ABS-CBN the advertising revenues illegally earned by 32 sites that pirated its ISAH V. RED content, as well as ownership of the domain names of the sites – a landmark legal victory in the media and entertainment company’s anti-piracy efforts in the US.

ABS-CBN is the first copyright holder to have been granted advertising revenues from pirate sites through the advertising networks such as Google Adsense and MGID, according to Torrent Freak, a major publication dedicated to bringing the latest news about copyright, privacy, and everything related to filesharing.

The default judgment, signed by US District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga, also awards ABS-CBN over a million dollars in statutory trademark infringement damages and orders several of the pirate sites to pay ABS-CBN copyright infringement damages.

It also requires associated registrars and registries to hand over the domain names to ABS-CBN. “So far, several domains have been seized already, but some foreign companies have not complied, most likely because they fall outside the US jurisdiction,” wrote Torrent Freak founder and editor-in-chief Ernesto Van Der Sar. The article also noted that “the most interesting part of the order, however, is that Judge Altonaga grants ABS-CBN the previously seized advertising revenues.

“The sites in question used advertising services from a variety of wellknown networks, including Google Adsense, MGID, Popads, AdsKeeper, and Bidvertiser. None of these companies responded in court after the initial seizure order, suggesting that they did not object.”

Van Der Sar concluded, “This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a copyright holder has been granted advertising revenue from pirate sites in this manner.”

“This could be a common legal tactic going forward because, generally speaking, it is very

The Philippine media giant wins a landmark case and will be the first copyright holder to have been granted advertising revenues from pirate sites through the advertising networks.

hard to get money from defaulting defendants who are relatively anonymous, or living in a foreign jurisdiction,” Van Der Sar added. “By going after the advertisers, copyright holders have a good chance of securing some money, at least.”

Van Der Sar also praised ABS-CBN, the country’s leading media and entertainment company, for the “massive impact” of its anti-piracy efforts in the US. In the story, it was mentioned that ABSCBN has “filed a series of lawsuits against pirate sites in the US… (and) has already won several cases with damages ranging from a few hundred thousand to millions of dollars.

However, the associated injunctions in these cases are perhaps even more significant.”

“We previously covered how ABS-CBN managed to get court orders to seize domain names, without the defendants getting actively involved,” wrote Van Der Sar. “This is also the case in a recent lawsuit where a

Florida federal court signed a broad injunction targeting more than two dozen sites that offered the company’s content. The websites, including abscbn-teleserye. com, dramascools. c o m , t v n i j u a n . org, pinoydailyshows. com and weeklywarning. org, may not be known to a broad audience but their domain names have all been suspended, linking to a takedown message instead.

“What’s most interesting, however, is that the advertising revenues of these sites were previously frozen. This was done to ensure that ABS-CBN would at least get some money if the defendants failed to respond, a strategy that seems to have paid off.

“After the targeted site owners failed to respond, ABS-CBN requested a default judgment with damages for trademark and copyright infringement.”

ABS-CBN intensified and advanced its anti-piracy efforts in the last three years under former ABS-CBN Global COO Raffy Lopez (now retired and continuing as executive adviser to

the president and CEO of ABS-CBN) with the hiring of ABS-CBN’s AVP and head of Global Anti-Piracy Elisha Lawrence. *** The country’s Queen of R&B Kyla celebrates her 18th anniversary in the music industry and makes her recording comeback with the launch of her new single under Star Music entitled “Only Gonna Love You” featuring UKborn, Singapore-based international rapper REQ. Kyla’s new single was launched simultaneously with its music video, which premiered on music channel MYX on Jan. 19.

It is directed by actor John Prats with Sam Milby and Angelica Panganiban of Bright Bulb Productions.

The Cornerstone artist will likewise release her second lead single, “Fix You And Me,” on Feb. 2 (simultaneous with the premiere of its music video, which will have a connection to the just released “Only Gonna Love You” music video.

Kyla’s new singles, “Only Gonna Love You” and “Fix You And Me,” are composed and produced by Star Music’s audio content head, Jonathan Manalo.

These songs will be part of Kyla’s upcoming album which will be launched very soon.

Download a copy of the single “Only Gonna Love You,” now available in digital stores. For more details on Kyla’s singles and upcoming album, visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/ starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH. *** SKYdirect is rewarding its subscribers with free movies from Star Cinema on SKY Pay-Per-View until Feb. 2.

Prepaid subscribers with 150, 250 or 450 load and postpaid subscribers who have paid their bill can get free access on the Star Cinema movies Last Night, the reunion movie of Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga, as well as the family drama hit of 2017, Seven Sundays.

In Last Night, Carmina (Toni) and Mark (Piolo) meet at a low point in their lives, and as their friendship and attachment to each develop, they ponder on their lives and on a decision that will change everything.

Meanwhile, viewers can watch a heartwarming story for the family in Seven Sundays. Manuel Bonifacio (Ronaldo Valdez) will try to make his family whole again after being diagnosed with cancer. He sees it as an opportunity to unite his four children (Aga Muhlach, Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil, and Cristine Reyes), who will try to set

aside their differences for their father.

To avail of the free movies, visit www.mysky. com.ph/skydirectfreeppv.

For those that do not have SKYdirect yet, they can call 418-0000 or text SKY to 23668. *** Pushing its advocacy to promote Filipino performing arts a step further, the country’s premier entertainment and tourism destination Resorts World Manila (RWM) is set to stage another epic all-Filipino production this August in Ang Huling El Bimbo following Ian Fleming’s family musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which re-opens on Feb. 22.

The upcoming production, presented

by RWM with Full House Theater Company Entertainment and Productions, Inc. (FHTC), will be RWM’s ninth stage offering that will celebrate the songs of one of the

country’s most influential rock bands of all-time.

The musical also features a stellar production crew headed by one of the most respected stage directors today, Dexter Santos.

Auditions for supporting and ensemble roles are slated on Jan. 26 and 27, 3 to 8 p.m. at the rehearsal room of the Newport Performing Arts Theater, third floor of Newport Mall.

Male and female artists, aged 20 to 50 years old are welcome to audition and will be asked for their résumés with one head shot photo and one half body shot photo, and a minus one of a Tagalog pop rock song in USB or Flash Drive.

A 10-day workshop for the production’s cast starts on June 11, while rehearsals are slated on June 25 onwards. Opening night for Ang Huling El Bimbo is slated in August at RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Kyla (center) collaborates with John Prats (left) and Sam Milby in a new music video.