Manila Standard - 2018 January 31 - Wednesday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 348 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Maute doctor faces charges SALIC, 53 MORE CHARGED. The Department of Justice has filed criminal charges against 54 suspected Maute members, including Dr. Russel Langi Salic (center) before a regional trial court in Lanao del Sur. The 54 are suspected of being members of the Maute terrorist group. The DoJ filed four counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention and two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with murder against the 54.

Mudflows threaten Mayon areas

CABINET CONVENED. President Rodrigo Duterte convenes Monday his Cabinet and local government officials of the Bicol Region to discuss the situation of Mayon Volcano which has reached Alert Level 4 at Camp Gen. Simeon Ola in Legazpi City.

Malacañang Photo

By Rey E. Requejo

LEGAZPI CITY―The threat of catastrophic mudflows is building on the slopes of the erupting Mayon Volcano where nearly 90,000 residents have been moved out of harm’s way, authorities said Tuesday.

They made the statement even as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sent 100,000 masks and hundreds of goods to the evacuees.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu created the Operation Mayon 2018 to look after the needs of the evacuees.

Operation Mayon 2018 is a collaborative effort among officials and employees of the department, the Environmental Management Bureau, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and industry partners in Bicol.

Mount Mayon has spewed millions of tons of ash, rocks, lava and debris in less than three weeks, much of it loosely lodged on its slopes and which experts warn could be dislodged by heavy rain.

Activity continued overnight with “energetic lava effusion,” while previously extruded lava was also collapsing on the crater, only to be pushed out again as debris, the state volcanology office said in its latest bulletin.

Loud booming sounds, like that of thunder, accompanied the eruptions, an AFP photographer near the mountain said.

“The public is strongly advised to be vigilant and desist from entering the eight-kilometer-radius danger zone, and to be additionally vigilant against pyroclastic density currents, lahar and sediment-laden stream flows,” the bulletin said.

Pyroclastic currents are the superheated clouds of gas, ash and other volcanic debris that burn everything in their path as they speed down the slopes of the 2,460-meter (8,070-foot) mountain, located 330 kilometers southeast of Manila.

The institute said these materials are building blocks for “lahar”―mammoth debris flows that could find their way into streams and rivers and mow down surrounding communities.

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Body cameras for ‘Tokhang’ cops sought

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HE Justice Department has filed criminal charges before a regional trial court in Lanao del Sur against 54 suspected Maute group members, including a doctor linked to the Islamic State-inspired terrorist group for their involvement in the abduction and beheading of sawmill workers in 2016.

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The DoJ filed four counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention as well as murder before the Malabang, Lanao del Sur Regional Trial Court, Branch 11, against Dr. Russel Langi Salic and 53 other people suspected of being members of the Maute terrorist group.

“Criminal liability exists notwithstanding non-participation in every detail in the execution of the crime…Where conspir-

acy has been established, it is unnecessary to pinpoint who among the accused inflicted the fatal blow…The inaction of a respondent where he could have prevented the crime only reveals his complicity,” said a Dec. 12 resolution signed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong released to the media Tuesday.

Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Next page

Gambling lord offered PCOO usec P200-m bribe—PCSO owns up to

By Maricel V. ‘fake news’ Cruz on Pacquiao GAMBLING tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang offered P200 million to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office sometime last year to take full control of small town lottery operations across the country, PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan told a congressional hearing Tuesday.

“It’s Mr. Atong Ang your honor,” Balutan told lawmakers when Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo asked

By Macon R. Araneta

ALEXANDER BALUTAN

PRESIDENTIAL Communications Operations Office Undersecretary and Spokesperson Lorraine Badoy on Tuesday apologized to Senator Manny Pacquiao for sharing on Facebook a photo of a house she claimed was owned by the senator’s mistress.

During the second Senate panel hearing on fake news, Badoy apologized after Pacquiao Next page

Faeldon stays in jail over Graft buster’s sacking no bully tactic—Roque contempt raps Next page ATONG ANG

By Macon R. Araneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Tuesday said policemen who conduct what their leaders promise as a nonlethal tokhang campaign should not just be clutching religious items but should also be wearing bodycams, Earlier, a police general said the policemen who would “knock and plead” at the homes of suspected drug users will be carrying Bibles and rosaries.

He said body cameras should be part of tokhang’s reinvention.

Justice files kidnap-murder raps vs CDO surgeon, 53 other Maute

‘KARAMAY NG KADAMAY.’ The Metro Manila Development Authority and the Manila

City Hall Department of Public Service dismantle Tuesday tents set up at the Chino Roces Bridge in Mendiola—between San Beda College and Centro Escolar University—by members of Kadamay after 1,000 families were evicted at the Pasig floodway. Norman Cruz

High court drops ethics complaint vs justice ciate Justice Teresita Leon- Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, ardo De Castro accusing her a highly placed source said.

THE Supreme Court has of leaking confidential docuDuring its en banc session dismissed the administrative ments, in aid of the impeach- on Tuesday, the SC voted complaint filed against Asso- ment complaint against Chief Next page

By Rey E. Requejo

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

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manilastandard.net

By John Paolo Bencito

DESPITE jurisprudence that interfering with the Office of the Ombudsman is unconstitutional, the Palace said it went ahead and suspended Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang anyway, hoping to get a reversal from the Supreme Court.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque denied accusations that penalizing Carandang was a “bully tactic,” as Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said, and urged the President’s critics to file an impeachment case against him.

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By Macon RamosAraneta FORMER Bureau of Customs chief Nicanor Faeldon was transferred to the Pasay City Jail Tuesday morning after the senators unanimously declared he would remain charged with contempt over his behavior in last Monday’s Blue Ribbon committee Next page

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News

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Noy gets fair treatment—Gloria

By Maricel V. Cruz

F

ORMER President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has said her successor Benigno Aquino III is not subjected to persecution and is instead being given fair treatment in the investigation of the cases against him by the Duterte administration.

Arroyo, now a member of the House oif Representatives representing her district in Pampanga, in a speech at the 4th General Assembly of the Association of Retired RTC Judges of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel last Saturday, said Aquino was being treated fairly, adding, “I am not saying that political figures should be immune from prosecution, but I’m saying that the process should be fair and evenhanded—as I believe the cases

against Noynoy Aquino and his allies now are undergoing a fair and even-handed due process.”

Arroyo said she was grateful to President Rodrigo Duterte for “providing the enabling environment that freed the judiciary from the reign of fear.”

Arroyo talked about how the past―Aquino―administration set the stage for her conviction before Aquino would step down from office.

Quoting a newspaper report, Arroyo said Aquino was “set to

appoint a Sandiganbayan magistrate to the SC as a reward for the conviction of Arroyo” but it failed to materialize because “the high court intervened and issued a status quo ante order in October last year (2015) stopping the proceedings….”

Arroyo said her political persecution continued despite an opinion released in October 2015 by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that her detention was arbitrary and in violation of her human rights.

The international human rights body urged the government to free Arroyo from detention, but the Aquino administration rejected the call.

She then thanked the Supreme Court for granting her Demurrer

to Evidence which, according to legal experts, is tantamount to an acquittal on a vote of 11-4.

She noted that of the 11 justices who voted to acquit her, three were Aquino appointees which, in her opinion, “reflects the strength of the argument that I was innocent of the charges filed against me.”

She said she does not hold any personal grudge against her political enemies but had misgivings about how the justice system was used for political persecution.

She said it should stop and it should end with her.

“Many ask how I feel about the persecution I underwent. Any rancor I have is not personal. My rancor is more against the whole system of persecution using the justice system. I don’t wish what happened to me (to happen) on my

worst enemy. The whole thing of using political power to persecute political enemies using the justice system must stop. Let me be the last victim,” Arroyo said.

She then enumerated some of the laws enacted during her administration that improved the salaries and working conditions in the justice system such as RA 9227 which increased salaries and other benefits of judges; RA 9279 which increased the take home pay of our prosecutors and state counsels through special allowances; RA. 9282 which created the Court of Tax Appeals which had a special jurisdiction and wider membership; and RA 9285 which “institutionalized one of my personal advocacies, mediation as an alternative means of dispute resolution.”

Grumbling Mayon sparks off-season tourism boom LEGAZPI CITY―With chiliflavored “lava ice cream” in demand and awestruck tourists packing onto viewing decks, the erupting Mayon volcano is sparking a local business boom in an impoverished region of the Philippines where tens of thousands of others have fled for their lives.

Albay province has built its image around the picture-perfect, cone-shaped Mayon Volcano whose periodic activity offers both boundless opportunity as well as enduring misery.

Since Mayon began shooting out lava two weeks ago, restaurants and hotels just outside a nine-kilometer “danger zone”― some complete with volcano branding―have enjoyed an offseason tourism bonanza.

“We are thankful because we have many guests, but it also makes me guilty because so many people are affected,” Purita Araojo, front desk officer at the Vista Al Mayon Pensionne,

told AFP. Nearly 90,000 people living around the volcano have fled to overcrowded relief camps where authorities have warned of a worsening sanitation crisis.

The largely farming region is still bracing for a potentially explosive eruption, though experts are convinced everyone is now out of reach of the 2,460-meter (8,070-foot) Mayon’s threat.

With its 52nd eruption in about 400 years, Mayon is the most active of 22 volcanoes in the Philippines, a country that is itself part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” of islands formed by volcanic activity.

But its rumblings are also a spark of inspiration for tourismoriented businesses, which have fashioned spicy menus while prominently displaying volcano photos and logos.

A bestseller at a local restaurant is the “Mayon Hot Lava”― Mayon-shaped ice cream scoops topped with bits of chili and

Gambling...

But Cam denied Balutan’s claims.

“He’s lying through his teeth.

Atong Ang and President Duterte are friends. The P200 million Atong was talking about was the total amount of STL revenues on a daily basis,” she said, relating it was Duterte’s close aide Christopher Go who told her to meet the PCSO officials.

Ang earlier denied allegations that he was set on taking over STL operations.

Cam, for her part, has been told by Duterte to stop quarrelling with Balutan, whom she accused of throwing a lavish Christmas party for PCSO employees across the country.

Balutan challenged Cam to file corruption charges against him if she can prove that he misspent PCSO funds.

“This is the first time somebody has accused me of corruption. If they have proof, then why don’t they file it in court?”

Balutan said.

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him to identify the person who offered him the bribe.

Balutan, a retired Marine major general, said Ang was accompanied by now PCSO board member Sandra Cam when he made the offer.

He testified that Ang and Cam claimed that they were sent by President Rodrigo Duterte, but he turned down the bribe.

Balutan told the House committee on games and amusements that he could prove that the bribe took place because he had CCTV footage and photos.

He added that he personally reported the incident to the President.

“He told me: Don’t bend your rules. Just follow your rules.

Just follow your rules, even if it involves my own son,” Balutan quoted the President as saying.

PCOO...

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said she owed him an apology for spreading what he described as “fake news” while he was campaigning for a Senate seat in February 2016.

Her Facebook post at the time said: “Guess what I saw when I went on a run this morning in my village? Manny Pacquiao’s campaign car in front of his mistress’ house.” The house turned out to be owned by a member of Pacquiao’s staff.

“I still cannot forget what you did to me last election. I’m sure you remember that,” Pacquiao

Faeldon...

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resumption of the Senate probe into the P6.4-billion shabu shipment.

The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms escorted Faeldon to the Pasay City Jail inside the Pasay City Hall

told Badoy. “That’s fake news.

What you did was fake news.”

Badoy apologized, but said she posted that because she was “very hurt” when Pacquiao compared gays to animals.

“What you said about the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community was very hurting to me. It really, really hurts me because a lot of people close to my heart belong to that community…” she said. “We do affect each other very much so when you put hate out there, you’d better ready for that to come back.”

The PCOO spokesperson said that she was “very sincere” in her apology and was trying her best to take the hate out of her posts. PNA compound from the Senate detention facility where he had been jailed since September last year.

During that time, Faeldon was jailed for his repeated refusal to atfend hearings of the Blue Ribbon committee chaired by Senator Richard Gordon.

“I just wanted to make it for-

BOOM AND GLOOM. Residents watch as Mayon Volcano spews ash at a tourist spot near Cagsawa ruins in Daraga in Albay province, on Jan. 30, 2018. With chili-flavored ‘lava ice cream’ in demand and awestruck tourists packing onto viewing decks, the erupting volcano is fueling a local business boom in an impoverished region where tens of thousands of others have fled for their lives. AFP spicy syrup.

High-end hotels provide live TV streaming of Mayon’s eruption, while out-of-town journalists and tourists are also corralled into “volcano-view” rooms with windows looking out onto the slowly unfolding

disaster.

Albay saw a 10-percent growth in tourist arrivals this month from a year earlier, the local tourism office said, as travel agencies and tour guide services cashed in on what is normally a slow period after Christmas.

The forlorn top of the old church belfry of Cagsawa town―jutting out of the grass more than two centuries after Mayon buried 1,200 of its residents alive in a catastrophic 1814 eruption―is the most popular draw.

Maute...

Sur on April 4, 2016.

Two of their co-workers identified by the authorities as Jaymart Capangpangan and Salvador Janubas were beheaded six days after the kidnapping.

The complainants alleged that Salic was with the Maute terror group members who abducted them.

The complainants also claimed that they also saw Salic talking with Cayamora and Farhana Maute, the parents of the leaders of the Maute group.

Salic has been detained at an NBI cell in Manila since April this year. Salic has denied the allegation, saying that on the date

cited by the complainants, he was working as a resident physician at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

He said on April 5, 2016, he attended the 26th Philippine Orthopedic Association MidYear Convention in Palawan and that he returned to Cagayan de Oro City on April 10 of the same year.

In the resolution, the DoJ prosecutor ruled that after a review and evaluation of the evidence submitted by both parties, found probable cause exists to indict Salic and the other respondents.

presidential appointees.

Carandang had been ordered suspended for 90 days and charged with grave misconduct and grave dishonesty for misuse of confidential information and disclosing false information in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Carandang was also charged “for divulging valuable information of a confidential character acquired by his office or by him on account of his official position to unauthorized persons or releasing

such information in advance of its authorized release date.”

The Palace has repeatedly said the bank records produced against the President were all fake.

On Sept. 27, 2017, Carandang announced that the Office of the Ombudsman has started a probe on the wealth of Duterte and other members of his family based on the complaint of Trillanes. The Palace repeatedly dismissed the claims as untrue.

With Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

Nothing conveyed good intentions better than an equipment that would record one’s best behavior. ‘‘In this age of Facebook Live, and when dashcams are sold on the sidewalk, there’s no excuse why our policemen still do not have what is standard police

gear in many countries, more so if there are already funds for their purchase,’’ Recto said.

He made his statement even as the families of the thousands of people victimized by President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs again feared for their lives as the Philippine forces relaunched their bloody “Oplan Tokhang” or “kneel and plead” campaign, a priest said on Tuesday.

Rise Up for Life and for Rights spokesman Gilbert Billena related his conversation with the families of the victims fearing that they might face the same fate as their loved-ones.

“This is our advocacy in Rise Up together with the mother, father and children of those who were killed [by the government’s anti-drug campaign]),” Billena said.

mal that the Senate unanimously declared that Mr. Faeldon will remain charged with contempt and he will now be remanded to the custody of the Pasay City Jail upon order of commitment by the Senate President. And it was agreed upon unanimously, Mr. President,” Gordon said.

Official sources said Faeldon would remain in the Pasay City detention after he failed to secure immediate relief from the Supreme Court.This came after the 15-member bench was not able to tackle his petition seeking his immediate release from detention as ordered by the Senate for his defi-

ance to cooperate in the legislative inquiry on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment in May last year.

An SC insider revealed that the petition filed by Faeldon last Monday was not included in the agenda of the SC justices during their regular en banc session Tuesday. With Rey Requejo and Vito Barcelo

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Catalan and OIC-Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Amor L. Robles approved the resolution recommending the indictment of Salic and 53 other suspected Maute members.

The cases stemmed from the complaints of Gabriel Tomatao Permitis, Alfredo Sarsalejo Cano-os, Esperanza Permitis, Adonis Antipisto Mendez, and Julito Permitis Janubas who were all abducted by the Maute group while they were working in a sawmill in Butig, Lanao del

Graft...

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“Go ahead. File impeachment.

Do it ASAP,” Roque told Trillanes, who said the move against the deputy ombudsman was aimed at bullying democratic institutions into submission.

Roque said Carandang is free to seek legal remedies before a competent court, but insisted that the President had broad powers to discipline all non-impeachable

Body...

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VAT cut eyed in TRAIN’s aftermath

By Macon Ramos-Araneta TO address the negative effects of the recently passed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, Akbayan Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday filed a bill that seeks to reduce the Value-Added-Tax rate to 10 percent from 12 percent.

Senate Bill 1671, otherwise known as the “Bawas VAT” bill, seeks to provide relief to the low-income earners.

The measure also seeks to align the country’s tax system with the Asean region’s.

The bill says that, once the collections from a VAT rate of 10 percent reaches 4.5 percent of the GDP, which represents an amount exceeding the revenue being generated by Thailand’s VAT rate of 7 percent, there is ample room to further reduce the VAT rate to achieve full alignment with the Asean norm of 8 percent.

“The government said that the TRAIN law will be beneficial in the long term. The people must make short-term sacrifices for long-term gains,” Hontiveros said.

“But the truth is, the TRAIN law has a big uncompensated impact on large families and individuals earning less than the minimum wage.

“We are asking people who have already suffered and sacrificed so much in life to make more uncompensated sacrifices. This is simply unjust and unsustainable.”

Hontiveros said it was time to strengthen the people’s purchasing power, time for the public to cut clean from regressive taxation, and time to cut the VAT.” Hontiveros, the lone dissenter to the Senate version of the TRAIN law when it was passed on third and final reading in the Senate, said once her bill was passed, the measure would enforce a progressive reduction in the VAT rate by immediately reducing it to 10 percent effective Jan. 1, 2019.

High...

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unanimously to dismiss the ethics complaint filed in November last year by Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment, a newly formed group supposedly advocating good governance and recently expressed support for Sereno.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that both Sereno and De Castro inhibited from participating in the deliberation of the case. The SC Public Information Office has yet to release copy of the ruling.

The source said De Castro’s colleagues in the tribunal found no basis to further investigate FATE’s allegations against her.

In its complaint, the group accused De Castro of violating Rules 9 and 10 of the SC Internal Rules and Section 9, Canon 4 of the New Code of Judicial Conduct pertaining to the confidentiality of information acquired by jurists in their judicial capacity.

Mudflows...

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An earlier Mayon eruption passed without any casualties in 2006, but four months later a typhoon unleashed an avalanche of volcanic mud from its slopes, killing about 1,000 people.

On Saturday the volcanology institute issued its first “lahar” warning on Mayon this year due to incessant rain that is usual in the region at this time of year.

A day later, the institute made a video recording of lahar flowing down a river near Daraga town south of the volcano, though it did not cause any damage or casualties. AFP with Rio N. Araja

News

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘Officials connive with passport fixers’

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

A

POLITICAL diplomatic appointee on Tuesday claimed the National Bureau of Investigation was looking into a probability of government officials and even employees in collussion with passport fixers.

In an ambush interview at the sideline of a Congress hearing, Foreign Undersecretary Jose Luis Montales claimed there were some “high profile” officials or employees of the government who receive money in exchange for appointment slots made by

fixers.

“Remember that we have to accommodate endorsement from the government agencies. So these fixers pay some govrnment employees... to get endorsements to use the courtesy lane,” he said.

“Some of them even

occupy high positions, not knowing the slot was being sold by a fixer,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association dismissed the idea that clients were being required to purchase tickets from them on top of the passport services—

following the issue of canceled passport appointment slots for travel agencies.

According to PTAApresident Marlene Dado Jante, travel agencies said it was their duty to assist in passport processing without forcing clients to avail themselves of any additional

travel tickets or packages from their respective members.

Jante said the current difficulty in getting passport appointment slots could have been avoided had the Department of Foreign Affairs maintained the current 1,000 daily slots for travel agencies.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines starts pre-order of the all-new XPANDER

THE all new Mitsubishi XPANDER has taken the Indonesian market by storm after its world premiere at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) last year.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) is pleased to announce that the Philippines will be the next country to launch this new cross multi-purpose, sport utility vehicle.

With the all-new XPANDER’s distinctive styling and features that combine both functionality and an adventurous SUV-like character, the Philippine automotive market have been eagerly waiting for the Philippine debut of this all-new model. Produced in Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s (MMC) new factory in Indonesia, the all-new XPANDER will be introduced in the country in 4 variants – starting from GLX Manual Transmission (MT), GLX Plus Automatic Transmission (AT), GLS AT and top of the line GLS Sport AT. To commence the year with great excitement, MMPC announces the all-new XPANDER Pre-order. Beginning January 24 until April 30, 2018, MMPC will start accepting reservation for the all-new XPANDER. Customers who want to be among the first to drive home the all-new XPANDER can already place their reservation. To pre-order, simply visit the all-new XPANDER special webpage at www.xpander. mmpc.ph, register to access the page and fill-out the preorder form. A reservation fee of only ten thousand pesos P10,000 must be paid in your preferred Mitsubishi Motors dealership to complete the pre-order.

ABOUT THE ALL-NEW XPANDER The all-new XPANDER is powered by the 1.5L DOHC 16-valve with Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control

System (MIVEC) engine. It boasts of the best in class interior dimensions for a spacious cabin which can seat comfortably seven adults complemented by a generous luggage space. As for the safety features, the top variant GLS Sport is equipped with Hill Start Assist (HSA), Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) Body, Active Stability Control (ASC), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Anti-Locking Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The exterior flaunts a unique bumper design embedded headlamps, the Mitsubishi proprietary Dynamic Shield Concept front fascia from the Montero Sport and high ground clearance that give it an SUV characteristic. The all-new XPANDER will be offered in five colors for the GLS Sport and GLS variants: Red Metallic, Titanium Gray Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Quartz White Pearl and Diamond Black Mica while the GLX Plus will be available in Titanium Gray Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Quartz White Pearl and Diamond Black Mica and the GLX MT will be available in Titanium Gray Metallic, Sterling SilverMetallic, Diamond Black Mica. Best value for money is what you expect from the all-new XPANDER with its indicative price tag of PHP 900,000 for GLX MT, PHP 990,000 GLX Plus AT, PHP 1,050,000 for the GLS AT and PHP 1,100,000 for GLS Sport AT. Pre-order now to be the first to drive home the all-new XPANDER! To know more about the all-new XPANDER, visitxpander.mmpc.ph.

Note: MMPC reserves the right to change specifications and prices without prior notice.Please get in touch with us forclarifications.

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

An inspiring example

U

S CIRCUIT Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina delivered a powerful statement last week to former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar before sentencing him to 175 years behind bars for sexually abusing more than 150 young girls under his medical care.

“I just signed your death warrant,” Aquilina said, addressing Nassar.

In her statement, the judge also read parts of a letter Nassar had written in court to defend himself.

“I was a good doctor because my treatments worked and those patients that are now speaking out were the same ones that praised and came back over and over and referred family and friends to see me,” the judge said, quoting Nassar’s letter. “The media convinced them that

everything I did was wrong and bad.

They feel I broke their trust. Hell hath not fury like a woman scorned.”

Dropping the letter with obvious disgust, the judge told Nassar: “It was not treatment, what you did. It was not medical.”

“You do not deserve to walk outside a prison ever again,” she told Nassar as she passed sentence upon him. “You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to those most vulnerable.”

The sentence capped a grueling 16-month case, including seven days of hearings in a Michigan courtroom where more than 150 women and girls—many confronting him face-to-face--recounted how they were abused by Nassar.

When the hearing ended, the courtroom broke out into applause, with victims and prosecutors embracing in the belief that justice had been done.

The case was remarkable and instructive in so many ways, including how so many victims were able to directly confront their abuser, and how unambiguous the judge was in passing sentence.

By local standards, where trials can drag on for years, the 16 months the Nassar case took seem swift in comparison.

But even more remarkable in this instance was the role a free press played in bringing Nassar to justice.

After the sentencing, a Michigan prosecutor said Nassar would still be sexually abusing girls if not for the work of an Indiana newspaper that helped to expose the abuse.

“We as a society need investigative journalists more than ever,” Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis told the judge at Nassar’s sentencing hearing.

The case began with a 2016 Indianapolis Star investigation of how USA Gym-

nastics handled sexual abuse allegations against coaches. That prompted former gymnast Rachael Denhollander to alert the newspaper to Nassar’s abuse.

Povilaitis told the judge that without Denhollander and the newspaper, Nassar “would still be practicing medicine, treating athletes and abusing kids.”

“We know federal law enforcement did not stop him, nor did trainers or coaches or dean or medical supervisors… But thank God we have these journalists and that they exposed this truth and that they continued to cover the story,” Povilaitis said.

In this country, too, we need investigative journalists more than ever, given the Duterte administration’s goal of bringing corruption to an end. The President’s misguided allies, who are itching to muzzle the press by monkeying with the Constitution, should keep that in mind.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Cheating for Leni?

WITH all the revelations from the camp of former senator Ferdinand Marcos that the Liberal Party engaged in massive cheating during the 2016 elections to get Vice President Leni Robredo elected, I recall a statement from an insider of the Aquino camp that “something had to be done” to make Leni win.

This was at a point when the votes kept on coming for Marcos and Robredo was far, far behind.

I was told by the insider that Aquino summoned them to Malacañang. And while my source never told me what was discussed there, it was apparently enough to make Robredo overtake Marcos. I then called my source to congratulate him.

I hope the electoral tribunal does not take much longer in deciding who the duly elected vice president is.

Did Martin invent socmed?

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES HOW quickly we forget.

“Weaponizing” the Internet and social media for political purposes, especially by government communications officials using state resources, was not invented by people like Martin Andanar and Mocha Uson.

Indeed, the whole point of the plea of the Aquino-influenced online thought leaders (as they like to call themselves) to “take back the Internet” after Uson and others had successfully used social media to help President Rodrigo Duterte win in 2016 is premised on this belief: That the Yellows had so completely lost their dominance of the online conversation that they needed to retake it.

It was Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate committee on information that is

conducting an investigation into so-called fake news, who asked the question yesterday.

“Have you ever considered— and I will ask this and I hope you will answer in all candidness—that since [Uson’s] private blog is also a way of expressing and communicating, that this is indeed overlapping with her official functions?”

Poe asked Communications Secretary Andanar.

Andanar must also have forgotten all about how the Yellows dominated the online conversation during the Noynoy years, judging from his reply. He never mentioned how official propagandists like Edwin Lacierda, Manuel Quezon III and Abigail Valte all used various online platforms —using their own names and presumably the government’s assets—to spread the news, fake or real, about their boss during his own six-year term.

I don’t remember anyone taking Poe’s line of questioning during those years. And the only time that a member

of Congress asked about the supposed online “troll army” organized, funded and maintained by yet another Aquino-era propagandist, Ramon “Ricky” Carandang, her pork barrel funds immediately dried up.

No one, as far as I can tell, has accused Andanar, Uson or

Unless I am terribly mistaken, democracy is what happened (and still happens) online. anyone heading up the government propaganda machinery of supplying their online trolls with Blackberrys (remember those?) and Macs in order to perform their online skulduggery, either. And yet that is

what Carandang was supposed to have done, according to Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay in her investigation, which was quickly aborted by the Noynoy-influenced Lower House.

If that sounds familiar, as well, you’ve have to go back even further. Back to when presidents first discovered that they needed Congress to shut down any opposition, something Aquino did with a lot of panache—and boatloads of pork barrel and Disbursement Acceleration Program funds.

I really wonder if Poe has forgotten all of these things, since she’s been around long enough and was actually in the Senate already for half of Aquino’s term. I certainly hope that she is not one of those who believes that the Yellows have an unassailable, God-given right to direct and dictate the national online conversation, which Uson and so many others seized from them with the democratization of social media platforms.

“Democratized” is rooted in “democracy,” after all. And unless I am terribly mistaken, democracy is what happened (and still happens) online. *** Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista finally called me yesterday after my repeated attempts to reach him and his spokesman on reports about the planned closure of Times Street since Monday ended in failure. According to “Bistek,” this is the real score: The huge Times Street gates, which will prevent entry into that stretch of road that includes the house of Noynoy Aquino, will not be closed except for “national security” reasons. Bautista defined this as “unruly” protest rallies in front of the home Ninoy built for Cory and where Noynoy now lives.

According to Bautista, the gates were requested by the local barangay chairman, who died recently. The village head, in turn, was acting upon

the urging of his constituents in the neighborhood, who have noted the increasing number of protest actions in front of the Aquino home, especially since Noynoy stepped down as president.

Bautista added that neither Noynoy nor his sister Kris, with whom the mayor is very friendly, asked that the gates be built.

The gates will be ordered closed only by barangay officials of West Triangle and their volunteer forces, not by the police or private security guards, whenever they think a rally is in the offing, according to the mayor. These neighborhood leaders and their watchmen alone will decide when such a threat exists.

As for the humongous iron gates themselves, Bautista said he requested that they be designed in accordance with the overall aesthetic of the upscale neighborhood. But the mayor admits that he hasn’t seen the Turn to A5

I knew that the Liberals would feel compelled to “do something” to make Robredo win if their presidential candidate, Manuel Roxas II, did not win.

The Yellows tried their best to make him win, but the 1.6-million margin of Rodrigo Duterte was just too big to overcome.

As for Roxas placing second to Duterte, I, like many others wondered how that happened since survey after survey said he would have to settle for fourth place. He overtook Grace Poe and Jejomar Binay—a miracle!

Now everything seems to point to the likelihood that the Yellows, together with their cabal at the Commission on Elections and Smartmatic, cheated for Robredo and tried to cheat for Roxas.

The Marcos camp has found many pieces of evidence of poll fraud in Camarines Sur and Negros Oriental after they secured soft copies of ballot images from the Presidential ElecTurn to A5

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Opinion

WRITING a New Year message to the Zobel-Ayala believers in Ayala Corp., chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala tackled five issues which he said “are the most relevant and that have had a disproportionate impact on our societies in 2017.”

These are: One, populism and economic inequity; two, globalization and technological advancement; three, retooling the work force; four, the need for infrastructure; and five, the private sector’s role in society.

On rising populism, JAZA said: “The heightened social tensions we are experiencing in various parts of the world have revealed a frustration with the status quo and a diminished faith in traditional institutions, both public and private, in providing solutions to our many needs as societies.”

He relates: “The UK’s vote to withdraw from the European Union was, in large part, attributed to migrants taking jobs away from British citizens.

Similarly, the rise in US protectionism was driven by the loss of domestic jobs to cost-competitive markets. Here at home, we all know how the election of President Duterte, an unorthodox leader for the Philippines, was fueled by the frustration of many citizens over their desire for employment, for an upgrade in the many services they expect from the private and public sectors, and for their desire to participate more formally in the economic growth of the country.”

These events, JAZA points out, “represent a frustration on how the perceived benefits of a growing and expanding global economy have not been equally distributed to citizens. Lack of sufficient opportunity, uneven wealth and income gaps, and a desire for fair progressive employment seemed to be shared themes across many nation states.”

Meanwhile, unlike in the developed world where globalization is a problem, JAZA says: “Globalization has, in many ways, been a boon for the Philippines. A McKinsey study cites that with the global flows of goods, services, finance, data, and people, world GDP is over 10 percent higher, than if economies had remained closed.”

“The Philippines is an excellent success story of how the liberalization sector and the overseas Filipino service sector phenomenon that have been consistent drivers of our economic growth over the past decade.”

JAZA says “like the businesses we manage, globalization encourages the most efficient allocation of resources; including labor, capital, and land and it has created both winners and losers in the process. Skilled workers in developed economies have suffered the most from the offshoring of jobs to more cost-competitive

markets like ours.”

“Winners, in turn, in this scenario have been the factory and service sector workers in countries that have benefited the most from the geographical reorientation of manufacturing and technology driven services over the past few decades; these include China, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, India and even the Philippines, among others. This has led to strong criticism of globalization creating stark inequalities among geographies, with high productivity and income concentrated in specific centers and regions.”

“The Philippines has been a winner in navigating some of these disruptive trends, it is also important to note that a much more critical trend driving the disruption of employment around the world is technological advancement. Robotics, mechanization, advanced telecommunications, digitalization and artificial intelligence are gaining traction in various industries not only for their ability to enable or perform routine physical tasks faster and more cost effectively, but also for their increasing cognitive competency.”

“Research conducted

by MIT cites that globalization is accountable for only half of the five-million factory jobs lost in the US since it started trade with China in the 2000s.

The remaining jobs disappeared as a result of automation. Strikingly enough, US manufacturing even posted an annual growth of 2 percent from 2006 to 2013. On the other hand, companies that invested in automation have doubled their productivity, implying that the manufacturing sector has increased productivity without employing more people.”

“On the positive side, analysts believe that while some jobs are threatened by redundancy, a host of new occupations will be created. The concern about labor displacement stems largely from the mismatch between prevalent skills today and the skills needed for disruptive jobs. The situation may have also been exacerbated by the accelerated pace at which technology has developed in the past decade alone.”

On the third point, retooling the work force, JAZA says: “We can navigate the employment challenges brought about by technological disruptions by retooling and reskilling our labor force, while also re-examining our existing educational curricula.”

“As upskilling begins on the level of basic, secondary, and tertiary education, there is a need for strong involvement of all stakeholders to ensure that the required proficiency in technology, science, engineering, and mathematics, as well as the emphasis on creativity and critical thinking are all embedded in our curricula.”

More later. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Did...

From A4

actual construction site, although he intends to visit soon.

Bautista explained that the city doesn’t really have jurisdiction over Times Street, which is a national road that is managed and maintained by higher government agencies like the Metro Manila Development Authority.

I forgot to ask Bautista why Noynoy’s neighbors, if they really hated the idea of seeing protesters on their street, didn’t ask the former president to move out instead. Or why the city had to build gates that will practically never close.

A5

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Cheaper medicines

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Ayala and global trends

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO

ous years to get PhilHealth personnel to observe and be trained on Taiwan’s health insurance system, and Taiwan was very willing to assist and give free training. But , PhilHealth wanted Taiwan to shoulder even the airfare of its personnel, claiming nonavailability of funds.

Yet if you hear the horror stories about how PhilHealth funds are being milked dry by racketeers in the medical profession and their cohorts, you wonder why they could not even provide airfare for personnel to be trained for free. Oh well.

The problem with our country is that oligarchic interests prevail in almost every industry, be it media, or telecoms, or basic services like power and water, practically everything, including life-saving medicines.

The President is right about sourcing cheaper medicines elsewhere. And our physicians and medical practitioners should also wean themselves away from their purely Western orientation.

But that’s another story.

WHILE on his visit to New Delhi, the President expressed interest in cooperating with India in order to provide cheaper medicines to our people.

India is one of the world’s largest producers of medicines, and compared to how much Western-labeled medicines in the Philippines, these are way, way below in price.

As every medical drug needs certification of its efficacy and validation of its claims from the Food and Drug Administration, people’s prejudice against “unknown” brands should be allayed.

Here in Taiwan, most medicines are about a third of the price of the same generic medical prescriptions as in the Philippines, some even less. And their health insurance system, enjoyed even by our OFWs, takes care of prescription drugs, free of charge.

I discussed the wonders *** of Taiwan’s health insurance While we are not into and health care system in a previous article, and indeed, absolving anyone on the Dengvaxia mess, especially it is one of the world’s best.

Our office tried in previ- those who either by sheer in-

competence or even corruption, or both, are involved in it, we also have to condemn those purveyors of panic who are blaming the mass inoculation of the vaccine for practically every death.

Let us wait for the experts among our scientific community before jumping to conclusions that every child inoculated with the Sanofi vaccine died of dengue complications attributable to the drug.

Worse, it is easy to see that those who dream of becoming senators of the realm in the scheduled 2019 elections, or who want to become the next health secretary are the ones stoking the flames of panic into the hearts of the people.

The irresponsibility of these scare-mongers has caused a deadly problem.

So many parents now refuse to have their kids inoculated against other types of diseases, even if these are not for dengue. You can imagine the dire effects of this phenomenon on our children’s future.

If buying an untested vaccine and rushing the use of the same by our children is criminal enough, especially if politics or money influenced the decision during the waning days of the previ-

ous administration, so is using the Dengvaxia scare for “pogi” points and political mileage.

Is there nothing sacred enough in this country for personal, vested and political interests to spare? *** Speaking of elections, there will be one to elect 12 senators and a host of local officials come May of 2019, under the terms of the 1987 Constitution.

The timeline initially proposed by House leaders is too tight, which would have the people vote in a plebiscite by May of 2018, simultaneous with the barangay elections. As of now, with the leaders of the Senate and the House agreeing to sit together to discuss commonalities of amendment proposals and putting the contentious issue of voting jointly or separately in the back-burner, and the President finally appointing 19 of 25 commissioners in a consultative commission for Charter change, the likelihood is, and this is still a big IF, that ratification of the proposed amendments can only be done simultaneous with the 2019 mid-term elections.

Remember that with our computerized voting system, candidates for the 2019 elections need to file their certificates of candidacy by October of this year. By that time, the proposed “constituent assembly” will not have been able to agree on the amendments, let alone agree on the mechanics of revision.

Also, there is the national budget for 2019 to consider, for one. There is TRAIN Part Two. There is the Rice Tariffication Act to replace the quantitative restrictions we have been imposing, and which has expired June 30, 2017 after several extensions. All these are urgent.

Which is probably for the better. While this writer agrees that the unitary form has not served the country well, especially those in the countryside, rushing a systemic change with all its contentious ramifications, could be a recipe for disaster.

But the process must begin, and the president we elected in 2016 on a promise of genuine and meaningful change, should be cloaked with the vast powers currently given under the 1987 Constitution to proceed with his reforms.

Meanwhile, let us all participate in the debate.

Everything is illuminated

By Marianne Barriaux and Gabriel Bouys SAN Bartolome de Pinares, Spain—The legendary war photographer Robert Capa once said, “if your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” I wonder if he’s ever photographed the Las Luminarias festival in Spain.

The ritual has unfolded on the cobbled streets of San Bartolome de Pinares for hundreds of years. On the evening of Jan. 16, bonfires are lit throughout the streets of this village nestled in the mountains. Riders guide their horses through the flames, which are believed to purify the animal and protect him from harm. The next day, the bonfires are lit again to smoke up the streets in honor of Saint Anthony, the protector of animals.

It is just one of the countless age-old ritual and festivals that take part in towns and villages across the country and it was our first time covering this particular one.

After arriving at the village, we head to a small

restaurant in front of city hall to meet Marianne’s contact and it’s here that I understand the danger in this assignment is not only going to come from the horses. The Spaniards are a welcoming lot and it would be unthinkable not to clink and have a drink with them.

Around 17:00 we watch the preparations.

I’m taken aback by the love and devotion the riders are showing their animals. The whole tradition seems to me to be so brutal for the animal that seeing the affection for them is surprising.

Marianne: As a horse lover, I have to say I’m slightly jealous of these riders. Their horses are magnificent, really elegant, arched necks, the works... And it’s true they’re lovingly tended, very well kept. The horse of one of the riders is called Fiel (loyal) and he’s a jittery one. He pulls back in fright when I try to pat him. Weirdly though he’s fine going through the flames...

How can I be more scary than a raging bonfire?!

Gabriel: The villagers begin to light the bonfires

around 20:00. There are a ton of people, lots of photographers. According to tradition, the riders share some wine before setting off. There doesn’t seem to be much organization, just a general sense of merriment.

The wood used to light the fires is damp (it snowed the week prior), so the smoke is thick and fills up the streets quickly. Many spectators wear masks to protect themselves from the fumes. I don’t see the first horse arriving and I wonder to myself if the rider and his steed will see me as they leap out of the flames.

But to get a good photo you have to be close…

For my first spot I choose a point high in the village.

It’s been nicknamed “AFP flame” by colleagues because a few years back one of our photographers in Madrid had a foot broken by a horse in this spot.

A bit ominous, but it offers a good view.

The first horse arrives, goes through the flames.

I click away. A few more horses pass, destroying the bonfire. There is smoke everywhere. I can hardly see anything,

except the silhouettes of horses emerging from the flames. There are lots of horses making their way through the various bonfires set up throughout the village.

Marianne: The advantage of being a text reporter is I don’t have to take Capa’s advice and get so close. I look out for Gabriel from a safe distance but can’t spot him through the crowd and smoke. For me, the most impressive thing is the sound of fast approaching galloping hooves, shouts of “cuidado” (careful) to those who are quickly crossing the street, and the sudden appearance of the horse and rider darting through the smoke.

That’s quite something.

I see a couple of horses career into onlookers, one man hobbles away.

By and large though, I’m astounded there aren’t more injuries.

Gabriel: I choose another spot, this time on the town square, the site of the largest bonfire in the village. The crowd is dense here and I take my place next to the villagers who are feeding the bonfire. The spectacle is

winding down, I feel safe in my new spot, next to a guy who’s had a bit too much red wine. And of course at that precise moment a horse bolts toward us as it leaps through the flames. This happens often during the spectacle.

The villagers around me get up, none of them seems too worse for wear (the red wine must have helped ease the pain).

But I tell myself that I’ve been close enough to the action and move back a bit. I’m all for getting the shot, but let’s not tempt fate.

Marianne: Animal rights activists hate this tradition, they feel it terrifies the horses. It’s honestly hard to say. Locals tell me they would never put their beloved animals in danger and I believe them. They tend to them so well, why would they? I personally didn’t see any injuries or burns, they seem to go through the fire way too quickly for that to happen. For me it’s not so much the flames but the fear that one of them will fall and break a leg on the cobbled streets. Thankfully that doesn’t happen. AFP

Cheating...

From A4

toral Tribunal.

In some of the images, even when two or more candidates were shaded in the vice presidential race, the votes still went to Robredo instead of being counted as “overvote.”

My gulay, there were also some ballots for Bongbong that were not counted and were regarded as undervotes. This explains why undervotes for the vice presidency went up to as many as three million. Robredo’s margin over Bongbong was 263,472 votes.

Ballot images were square instead of oval which voters shaded for their choice for that particular choice.

When will the PET end this protest and decide, once and for all, who the duly elected vice president is?

I have seen decisions on protests being handed down with only a few days or months before the next election comes. This is the biggest injustice of all!

In the case of Bongbong, I pray he does not wait too long. There are ifs and buts in his case, with no less than Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa, former classmate of President Benigno Aquino III, as the ponente of the would-be deci-

sion on the protest.

Rappler argued that SEC had no Because of this, many things can findings that Omidyar Network, still happen. one of the two US firms holding Rappler PDRs, ever exercised its *** veto power and control over the I have read the 70-page petition media outfit. of Maria Ressa’s Rappler to seek Come again? When a foreign indeclaratory relief from the Court vestor holding PDR has veto powof Appeals with regard to the deci- ers over a Philippine firm, isn’t that sion of the Securities and Exchange control?

Commission to revoke their certifiThe most ludicrous claim of Rapcation of registration. The SEC said pler however is that it is not in mass Rappler violated the constitutional media, being the first all-digital news provision that says mass media organization. But digital or not, Rapshould be 100-percent owned and pler is media! It has reporters all over. controlled by Filipinos.

They cover Malacañang and all other The Rappler petition was filed by beats. its lawyers—ACCRA, one of the most prestigious law firms in the *** country. I can just imagine what the In an earlier column, I said that acceptance fee was. the upcoming indictment or former So how can Rappler afford AC- President Aquino for the deaths of CRA? 44 Special Action Force members in They allege that the SEC’s deci- Mamasapano, Maguindanao was his sion was not arrived at through due comeuppance. process. There was a lack of formal I can say the same regarding investigation and Rappler was not Dengvaxia. This is his second mortal given the opportunity to be heard. sin against the people. No less than Didn’t Ressa know Rappler had 830,000 school children and adults been under investigation for a time were put at risk, and at a cost of P3.5 now because of its Philippine deposi- billion, all in an effort to boost the tory receipts? candidacy of Roxas.

Sanofi Pasteur itself has admitted that those who received the vaccine would be at risk if they had no prior experience with dengue. They were made guinea pigs!

Sanofi Pasteur may have returned P1.0 billion for the unused medicine, but it cannot return the lives of the 26 who died.

Aquino, former Health secretary Janette Garin and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad should be charged criminally.

To me this is another comeuppance. *** The best argument against government undertaking something against its role as regulator is the management and operation of MRT 3.

Clearly the government has no business being in business. Look at the daily glitches encountered by the MRT. What I find difficult to understand is that there is an unsolicited proposal from Metro Pacific to manage, operate and provide service. Why is the Transportation Department taking its sweet time?

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of commuters suffer every day.

News

A6

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Graft raps vs solon, mom junked

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Sandiganbayan Second Division has dismissed the graft charges filed against Leyte Rep. Jose Carlos Cari and his mother, Baybay City Mayor Carmen Cari in connection with P2.94-million fertilizer fund scam, citing unreasonable delays in the Ombudsman's investigation.

The anti-graft court, in its 10-page resolution dated Jan. 8, said the delay for almost 11 years on the part of

the Ombudsman to carry out the investigation violated the Caris’ right to the speedy disposition of their cases.

The court included the fact-finding investigation

by Task Force Abono from February 2006 to October 2012 in dismissing the case for “inordinate delay.”

The graft and malversation charges stemmed from the alleged procurement irregularities in the purchase of 600 gallons of liquid fertilizers from Castle Rock Construction from April 2004 to January 2005.

The fertilizers were allegedly bought without public bidding,

while the procurement documents specified the brand name Bio-Nature, violated the Government Procurement Reform Act. The elder Cari was the district’s representative while her son was the city mayor at the time the alleged illegal act was committed.

Field investigators came up with a formal complaint on Oct. 18, 2012 after six years of gathering evidence.

But the preliminary investi-

gation ended upon the filing of the charges in the court last Aug. 1.

Given this, the antigraft court said the performance of the Ombudsman “should not only be gauged by the quality of the assessment but also by reasonable promptness of its dispensation.”

The court noted the Ombudsman itself “acknowledged” the “seriousness of the delay and prejudice suffered by the accused,”

since the passage of time made it difficult to secure witnesses and evidence in their defense.

Aside from the Caris, also cleared were Baybay City accountant Evelinda Oppus and treasurer Paquita Austero.

The resolution was penned by Associate Justice Lorifel L. Pahimna and concurred in by Associate Justices Oscar C. Herrera Jr. and Michael Frederick L. Musngi.

Bill seeking to allot P10-b crop insurance for farmers OKd THE House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading a proposed law seeking to allot P5-billion to P10-billion crop insurance to guarantee immediate assistance of farmers affected by calamities, like the eruption of Mt. Mayon despite the absence of the so-called total wipe-out situation.

The Lower House passed House Bill 6923 with 197 lawmakers in favor of the measure.

“We urge the Senate to also consider approving this very important proposal that would extend immediate assistance to farmers who are the constant casualties of climate change despite the absence of a total wipe-out situation,” Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap, chairman the House committee on economic affairs, said at a news conference.

HB 6923 seeks to strengthen the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. by expanding its coverage and allowing it to engage in index-based insurance and reinsurance was approved on third and final reading.

With the eruption of Mt. Mayon, Yap said “farmers will immediately get the needed re-

lief” under his proposal even without the calamity damaging the entire area.

Yap said the measure seeks to overhaul the crop insurance system of the Philippines by allowing it to provide indexbased direct insurance and reinsurance policies.

“The ability to pay out cash early, at different stages of an unfolding calamity, without having to wait for a total wipeout, is what will give our farmers and our vulnerable poor, the chance to save what they can and prevent more losses and damages,” said Yap. Yap said the bill intends to encourage private insurance companies to offer index based insurance as one of their products.

Index-based insurance is an innovative and technicallysound approach to manage risks especially for our poor and highly-vulnerable farmers in the Philippine rural countryside, Yap said in his bill.

At present, “millions of farmers are just exposed to the ravages of climate change,” citing the practice in Africa where “pay-outs are what prevents farmers from selling their livestock and moving to cities.” Maricel V. Cruz

FORMER Supreme Court associate justice Adolfo Azcuna on Tuesday said the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law being tackled by Congress would not violate the 1987 Constitution, as it remains “democratic” in nature.

Responding to BBL subcommittee chairman Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri query on the bill’s constitutionality, Azcuna noted that it “complies with the Constitution.”

“I maintain that the proposed BBL complies with the Constitution. The governor is still elected by the parliament; indirectly elected by the people and directly elected by the parliament,” said Azcuna during the 5th joint committee hearing of the Senate on the BBL draft.

Azcuna also said the approval of the expansion of the new autonomous region should be subject to a plebiscite, “with the entire consent of the political unit affected.” He said the entire province affected should vote, not just the local municipality that wants to be part of the Bangsamoro territory.”

“This is not in the Constitution but that is jurisprudence. As long as majority of that geographic area

SSS vows faster claims process THE Social Security System on Tuesday gave its 14 million active members the assurance of a faster processing of claims and real-time posting of contribution-payments under its automated or electronic collection system in the first quarter of 2018.

At a news conference, president and chief executive operator Emmanuel Dooc said the SSS is addressing complaints from members over delayed posting of their contributions and payments affecting the application and release of their loans and package of benefits for qualified retiring members.

"The real-time posting of member contributions will significantly improve our services to the public," he told reporters.

Chairman Amado Valdez said under the real-time posting scheme, "our account manager will get in touch with a member who is about to retire one year from now so the SSS could inform exactly or update the member of his or her latest or total contributions, needed documents for submission and even the data and requisites needed from the employer." Rio N. Araja

Unruly Indian national deported

SHABU SHIPMENT. Bureau of Customs, headed by Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, formally turns over the confiscated 18 kilos worth P90-million shabu shipment seized from BoC Port of Clark via parcel shipment in Pampanga to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency led by Region III director Joseph Ladip (center) at the BoC office in Clark Field, Pampanga. Manny Palmero

Ex-SC justice says BBL ‘democratic in nature’ Six NPA propaganda unit

By Macon R. Araneta

IN BRIEF

approves to be member, it will be a member,” he added.

At the start of the hearing, Zubiri said that under the draft BBL of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, the new Bangsamoro government would consist of 80 members of the parliament.

He said 50 percent of the parliament would be comprised of party representatives, 40 percent district or geographical representatives, while the remaining 10 percent would be composed of sectoral representatives.

But Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon said the country have failed to develop a strong political party system as he acknowledged the crucial role of political parties in the parliamentary type of government being proposed in the BBL “This is the fact we have to face.

We have failed to develop a strong political party system which is essential in a parliamentary system of government,” Drilon said.

He warned of a “no confidence vote” as always a possibility if the government keeps on changing political parties.

Drilon even referred to the recent activities of the ruling political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan.

“We witnessed that in contemporary political scene, you know just to make a reference, the Inquirer cited the changing political scene in Iloilo because all those who attended the Dinagyang festival were suddenly members of the political party,” he said.

Drilon then asked Azcuna whether a parliamentary system would work for Mindanao.

“I think we should give a chance to our friends in the proposed Bangsamoro to prove themselves because this is what they’ve been practicing,” Azcuna replied.

“Secondly, we should begin somewhere… I think, as the late Senator Diokno used to say, we have to start now if we want to get somewhere. I think we should give them a chance to prove themselves, if necessary let us let them make mistakes necessary in the beginning in order to learn,” he added.

But Azcuna also said this is not an argument against the system and its constitutionality, and that he’s still in favor of adopting the BBL. The proposed BBL seeks to establish a parliamentary form of government in Mindanao, replacing the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

cadres yield to military

By Francisco Tuyay SIX members of the propaganda unit of the New People’s Army, including a female cadre whose life in the underground movement became miserable as the military claimed, surrendered to authorities in Bislig City Tuesday.

The six NPA rebels were part of the Samahang Yunit Propaganda 3 of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee that operates in the hinterlands of Surigao province.

Army Lt. Michael Pascua of the Civil Military Operations office identified the six NPA surrenderees as Jonathan Navarro, alias Rigor; Selbert Camarillo, alias Keneth; Edelberto Navarro, alias Joross; Merelena Navarro, alias Lhea; Joebert Camarillo, alias Rey and Jomar Camarillo, alias Roy. Pascual said the rebel returnees voluntarily yielded to Army troopers of the 75th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Jaime Datuin in Barangay Maharlika, Bislig City.

Lt. Pascua said aside from experiencing hardship, the NPAs also feared of possible engagement with government forces that prompted

them to yield and return to the mainstream society.

The rebels also brought along with them an AK47, a piece of M16 rifle, one improvised M14 rifle, a homemade shotgun, a unit of cal.

357 pistol and two hand grenades.

The surrender of the six cadres came after their respective families persuaded them to resurfaced and avail the Comprehensive Local Integration Program of the government.

“The surrenderees were convinced by their families and through the continuous information and disseminations conducted by the unit in coordination with the LGU on the plans and programs of the government to return to the folds of the law,” Pascua said.

The latest surrender of NPA rebels came as the military increased its pace in hunting the rebels on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte following the collapse of peace talks with the communist.

Over a hundred rebels and a couple of soldiers have already died in various confrontation in the countryside after the military launched focused operations against the communists, prompting the President to label the NPA as a terrorist group.

AUTHORITIES deported an Indian national who became unruly while on board a Cebu Pacific Air flight from Dubai to Manila last Saturday.

Reports from the Manila International Airport Authority showed that the foreigner—Kalathiparamba Kunjipappu Sarinkumar— also went out of control, breaking two glass panel at the Immigration arrival area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 3.

The crew of Cebu Pacific flight 5J-15 initially complained Sarinkumar of being arrogant during their flight from Dubai on Jan. 27. They said the foreigner consumed a bottle of wine and got drunk making other passengers in panic.

Upon arrival in Manila, the airline management asked officials of the Bureau of Immigration based in Naia to prevent the foreigner from entering the country.

Joel E. Zurbano

House looks into e-gamer A PANEL in the House of Representatives has asked PhilWeb Inc., the dominant service provider for internet cafes of the Philippine Gaming Cor p., to submit its financial statement for the last five years in the next hearing of the committee, in view of the underremittance to the government by Pagcor.

Per the Commission on Audit 2015 Annual Audit Report on the Bureau of Treasury, Pagcor’s remittance to the BTr fell short by 24.053 billion from 2011 to 2014, which is well within the operative years of PhilWeb Inc’s Intellectual Property License and Management Agreement with Pagcor.

Pagcor attributed the under-remittance to the varied interpretation of “gross earnings’ by the COA and Pagcor. Maricel V. Cruz

Pag-IBIG Fund chair to report record growth in 2017

TRANSFERRED. Former BoC commissioner Nicanor Faeldon is escorted by Senate Sergeant-at-Arms personnel to the Pasay City Jail during his transfer of detention cell on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. Norman Cruz

PAG-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees chairman Eduardo D. del Rosario is set to give a public report on Pag-IBIG Fund’s record-breaking growth in 2017.

Del Rosario, also the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, will deliver the “2017 Chairman’s Report” before Pag-IBIG Fund stakeholders, industry partners, officers, and guests on Feb. 8, 2018 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

He will focus on PagIBIG Fund’s highestever gross and net income, members’ savings collections, housing and shortterm loan disbursements and collections, and sale of acquired properties, among others.

“It is with pride that we report Pag-IBIG Fund’s unprecedented feats in 2017. This is also in keeping with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s directives on good governance and transparency. We have a huge responsibility laid on our

shoulders. Providing our members with a decent home and guaranteeing their future through savings are our twin tasks. We are not allowed to fail,” Del Rosario said.

Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti added, “2017 was the best year ever for PagIBIG Fund. And we’ve done it with flying colors! We’ve set so many new records as we continue to bring PagIBIG Fund to far greater heights!”

“It is customary for

the HUDCC chairman to deliver his annual report on the state of the Fund every year.

As chairperson of the Pag-IBIG Fund Board of Trustees, Secretary del Rosario is given the privilege to present the report that covers PagIBIG Fund’s programs, targets and accomplishments, and service delivery in 2017,” Moti said.

The 2017 Chairman’s Report will be Secretary Del Rosario’s first since he assumed office as HUDCC chairman on July 17, 2017.

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

SC Stockfarm leads Philracom awardees S ANTA Clara Stockfarm reaped the fruits of its historic 2017 campaign, highlighted by the Triple Crown triumph of its star horse Sepfourteen, by garnering four major awards during the Philippine Racing Commission’s 2017 Horse Racing Top Industry Players Awards last Sunday at the Chantilly Bar and Bistro, San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite Owner Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez personally received the awards for SC Stockfarm as Stakes Race Horse Owner of the Year (376 points) and Horse Breeder of the Year (200 points) in simple rites at the Chantilly Bar. The youthful owner also received the two titles of his prized horse Sepfourteen as Top Earning Horse of the Year with total prizes amounting to P6,730,000.00 and Stakes Race Horse of the Year with 156 points.

“Last year was a historic one

for SC Stockfarm, we were truly blessed. The task now is how to at least duplicate that achievement. It will be very difficult, but the challenges are what keeps us going,” said Velasquez.

Sepfourteen’s trainer Tomasito Santos also shared the spotlight with Velasquez after garnering the Stakes Race Horse Trainer of the Year award with 352 points, while the Triple Crown winner’s jockey John Alvin Guce was named Stakes Race Jockey of the Year with 256 points.

Based on gross earnings, it was Narciso O. Morales, who earned the Top Earning Horse Owner of the Year, with a whopping total 2017 purse of P66,438,950.54. His son Kennedy Morales received the award on his father’s behalf.

The Top Earning Trainer of the Year award, on other hand, went to veteran Ruben S. Tupas, whose horses trained pocketed a combined total of P75,609,649.80, while O’Neal P. Cortez was the Top Earning Jockey of the Year (P43,648,942.02).

The 9th Mayor Bagatsing Cup was awarded the Most Successful Racing Festival of 2017 following total earnings of P40,008,998.00, with former Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing on hand to receive the award.

On the other hand, the Metro Manila Turf Club in Malvar, Batangas was judged as Racing Club of the Year with gross sales

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines MUNICIPALITY OF BINMALEY Province of Pangasinan

Arcade Stall No. BA 30 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

4.31

Arcade Stall No. BA 31 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

4.32

Arcade Stall No. BA 32 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7

Right to Occupy- authorized stall occupant given to a person after payment of fees as stipulated in the contract of lease.

Lessee in good standing – refers to a lessee who has no delinquencies, defaults and/or deficiencies in its payments to the Municipal Government ofBinmaley and/or has no records of violating the provisions of this Ordinance and/or the Contract of Lease.

Goodwill Fee – refers to the one time payment to be made by the first and original stall occupant as a premium for the privilege of renting the arcade stall/s, to show good faith and ensure faithful occupancy of the stall. It is non-refundable.

Transfer Fee – refers to the fee or charged paid to and collected by the Local Government from a transferee as a result of the transfer of the privilege over the stall/s made by the transferor and that the transfer was approved by the Commercial Arcade Committee .

Transferee – refers to a person who acquires the privilege over a fixed stall/salesbooth from an awardee of such.

Transferor – refers to an awardee of a fixed stall or salesbooth who relinquishes his privilege over such to another person.

Municipal Treasurer’s Clearance – is a clearance issued by the Municipal Treasurer or his/her authorized representative certifying therein that the winning applicant is not delinquent in the payment of taxes, fees and other charges due to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan and that he/she has complied with all the existing laws, rules, regulations and ordinances prior to the effectivity of this Ordinance.

SECTION 4. ZONING/SECTIONING OF STALLS AND THE CORRESPONDING GOODWILLAND RENTAL FEES.Zoning/sectioning of stalls and their corresponding goodwill and rental fees shall be as follows: 4.1

Arcade stall No. BA 1 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Retail Store, Electrical and Hardware Supply, General Merchandise, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.2

Arcade stall No. BA 2 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.3

Arcade stall No. BA 3 shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.4

Arcade stall No. BA shall be zoned as Auto/Motor Parts, Drugstore, Sari-sari Store, School/Office Supplies; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.5

4.33

4.34

Arcade Stall No. BA 34 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 8 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Chairman Vice Chairman Members

4.10

Arcade Stall No. BA 10 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

a.

To make a study of the transfer of stallholders from one section to another or from one stall to another.

c.

To make a study of all phases on commercial arcade matters and to submit, comment on, and recommend such study to the Sangguniang Bayan; and

d.

To recommend changes, modifications or amendments in the zoning/sectioning of stalls, in case there is any, at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade for approval by the Sangguniang Bayan.

SECTION 7. APPLICATION- No person or partnership shall be permitted to engage in any form of business in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade without first securing an application from the Market Specialist or his duly authorized representative and having said application duly approved by the same; provided that the lease award granted to stallholders shall constitute a permit or privilege to do business and the basis of collection of the fees as herein provided.Filipino citizens and residents of Binmaley shall be given preference in the award of the commercial stalls. All applications for the award of stalls shall be filed at the Office of the Market Specialist in the prescribed form and in triplicate copies.

4.16

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 16 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, coffee shop, flower shop;

“CONTRACT OF LEASE

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) Arcade Stall No. BA No. 17 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.18

Arcade Stall No. BA 18 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.19

Arcade Stall No. BA 19 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.20

Arcade Stall No. BA 20 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.21

Arcade Stall No. BA 21 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop; Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.22

Arcade Stall No. BA 22 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 23 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 24 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 25 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 26 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.29

Arcade Stall No. BA 29 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

2.

Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract herein mentioned; and

3.

Violation of the provision against sub-leasing and other prohibited acts defined and covered by this ordinance.

SECTION 8. GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 8.1

Terms and conditions for the commercial stalls: a.

g.

j. k.

l. m. n. o. p. q. r.

s. t. u. v. w. x. y. aa.

ab.

ac.

ad.

ae. af.

Goodwill fee shall be paid in one-time payment by the winning applicant.

Failure of the winning applicant to pay in full the goodwill fee will lead to the cancellation/revocation of the contract.

Monthly rental fee shall be paid every 20th day of the following month.

Failure of the lessee to pay the monthly rental will subject him to payadditional 25% surcharge/penalty plus 2% interest per month but not to exceed 36 months.

Goodwill and rental fees shall be paid to the Office of the Municipal Treasurer.

In case the lessee is no longer interested in doing business in the stall, the lessee may turn over the said stall to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan.

Upon the occupancy, the lessee shall operate his business in accordance with the approved Municipal Ordinances and existing laws relative to zoning, sanitation and security.

All persons engaged in the sale or handling of food shall be provided with appropriate Health Certification valid for six (6) months from the date of issue of Municipal Health Officer or his duly authorized representative.

Any person who has been awarded the right to lease a stall in accordance withthe provisions of this Ordinance shall personally occupy and administer the same.

No alteration or changes shall be made by the lessee on the stall. In case of any improvement thereon, a written permit shall be obtained from the Municipal Mayor thru the recommendation of the Municipal Engineer and such improvement shall be at the expense of the lessee. Any improvement thereon shall become the property of the municipality of the contract.

The use of any stall as living quarters and/or sleeping quarters is strictly prohibited. No vendor or stallholder is allowed to remain inside the Binmaley Commercial Arcade beyond the market hours.

The Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan shall not be responsible for any damage to the physical structure of the stalls caused by theft or robbery. All articles or merchandise left in the stall shall be at the risk of the stallholders or owners at all times. The Office of the Market Specialist shall encourage stallholders to provide provisions to safeguard their commodities.

The Municipal Government of Binmaley,Pangasinan shall not be liable for any loss or damages which the stallholder/s and/or any third party may incur and/or suffer in the operation and/or management of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade.

It is prohibited for any person to resist, obstruct, annoy or impede any market employee or personnel in the performance of his/her duty.

No merchandise or article shall be sold, offered for sale or exposed for sale in the public market premises unless the same has been legally acquired by the vendors and/or stallholders.

Stallholders/vendors shall keep and maintain their stalls in clean and sanitary condition. They shall likewise be responsible for the cleanliness of the passageways, alleys, or spaces immediately in front or behind or by the side of their stalls, booth or spaces.

It shall be the responsibility of the stallholders and vendors to dispose the wastes they generate before closing time daily to the temporary depository facility.

All water supply lines within the stall booth space shall shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided, a written consent from the Office of the Market Specialist shall be secured before installation takes place.

All telecommunication lines, cables and electrical lines shall conform to the National Building Code, Philippine Electrical Code and other applicable laws. All telecommunication lines within the stall, booth or space shall be shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided a written consent from the Market Administrator’s Office shall be secured before installation take place.

All power supply lines within the stall, booth or space shall be shouldered by the stallholder such as its bills and installation costs, provided, a written consent from the Market Administrator’s Office shall be secured before installation takes place.

Stallholders are likewise required to provide and place at least one (1) fire extinguishers or fire fightingequipments themselves in their stalls.

In case of fire/conflagration in or near the vicinity it shall be the duty of stall occupants to report such incident to the proper authorities.

It shall also be the duty of stallholder/vendor or his/her representative to report to the Office of the Market Specialist and police station any untoward incidents, accidents or crimes that may occur within or near his/her vicinity.

Storing of any flammable materials, explosive materials or substance and toxic materials, such as agricultural insecticides and similar toxic chemicals, firecrackers and pyrotechnics, are prohibited in all stalls.

No awardee shall sublet or sublease the stall awarded nor shall any privilege acquired sold. Any person other than the stallholder found selling in the latter’s stall be considered prima facie evidence of subleasing and shall subject the stallholder to outright revocation of his/her lease award.

Transfer the privilege over stalls maybe allowed provided that transferor must first seek the approval of the Commercial Arcade Committee in which case a transfer fee must be paid by the transferee.

The revocation of contract of lease of stallholders shall be effected for causes as provided in the contract of lease and those pertinent provisions of this Ordinance. In addition, should for any reason a stallholder discontinue his business or stall is non-operational or closed for four (4) consecutive months without informing the Office of the Market Specialist, or is not paying his rental for four (4) consecutive months, such stall shall be considered vacant and its occupancy shall be disposed of in the manner prescribed in this Ordinance.

Upon the death of the stallholder, if the deceased leaves a surviving spouse or legal heirs who are not disqualified under the provisions of this Ordinance and who desire to continue the business of the deceased, the contract of lease may be transferred to the deceased’s spouse or legal heirs upon application therefore; provided, that the Office of the Market Specialist shall be notified within thirty (30) days after the death of the original stallholder/lessee of the desire of the spouse or legal heirs to succeed and upon payment of all necessary rents or lease due at the time of the original lessee provided that no transfer fee shall be exacted to the transferee up to the 2nd degree of consanguinity or affinity; provided further, that the name of the qualified, preferred relative of the stallholder/lessee, whether surviving spouse or legal heirs mentioned in his/her contract of lease.

Living within the enterprises/premises/buildings shall not be allowed. Likewise, no stallholder shall remove, construct and alter the stall, booth or space, including electrical ring or water connection without prior permit from the Office of the Market Specialist and approvalof the Municipal Engineer. Any unauthorized/illegal construction shall immediately be subjected to demolition/removal by the Office of the Market Specialist.

All items, commodities or merchandises shall be displayed in the stalls or market commodity or merchandise shall be displayed in the stalls, so as not to hamper, obstruct or impede the passage of aisles or to convenience of the market goers, and shall be arranged and displayed in a manner which shall not hamper the regular cleaning of the market premises.

The use of Video karera in any portion of the stalls shall be prohibited. Gambling of any kind and manner is strictly prohibited in the stall.

Drinking of liquor or any intoxicating beverage within the stall premises is prohibited.

SECTION 9.FINES/PENALTIES/CANCELLATION/REVOCATION OF STALL RIGHTS.Any violation of this Ordinance shall be penalized with a fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred pesos (Php 2,500.00) and/or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both at the discretion of the court and shall be sufficient cause for the cancellation or revocation of a stallholder’s lease right or vendor’s privilege to occupy a stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade and his/her ejectment therefrom.

Any such stallholder whose lease right or privilege of occupancy has been cancelled or revoked shall be banned from leasing or occupying any stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade in the future.

SECTION 10. NO CONTEST PROVISION. Any stallholder who is cited for violation of this Ordinance and does not wish to contest the violation but is willing to pay voluntarily the fine imposed upon him/her prior to the filing of formal charges with the proper court shall be allowed to pay the imposed fine with the Municipal Treasurer’s Office to avoid being prosecuted within seven (7) calendar days from the day he/she was cited for violating any provision of this Ordinance, otherwise, a case shall be filed against the violator.

SECTION 11. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE- Should any provision of this ordinance be subsequently declared by a competent authority to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not so declared shall not be affected by such declaration and shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. REPEALING CLAUSE- Any Ordinance/s or any provision/s thereof found to be inconsistent with this Ordinance is/are hereby deemed modified, amended and or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 13. EFFECTIVITY- This ordinance shall take effect upon favorable review by the SangguniangPanlalawigan of Pangasinan and after its publication pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7160.

ENACTED and PASSED this 12th dayof October, 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan.

WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN (SGD.) HON. ROLANDO D. FERRER

(SGD.) HON. VIOLETA P. SALAZAR

(SGD.) HON. VISMARK V. VALERIO

(SGD.) HON. ELLEN F. ALIPIO

(SGD.) HON. URBANO C. DELOS ANGELES III

(SGD.) HON. JOEL JOSE A. CARRERA

(SGD.) HON. FRANCO C. FRANCISCO, LL.B.

(SGD.) HON. JOCELYN V. BAUTISTA (SGD.) HON. DOUGLAS R. DELOS ANGELES Attested: (SGD.) HON. EDGAR C. MAMENTA Municipal Vice Mayor And Presiding Officer

This Contract of Lease consisting of____________ pages has been by the parties and their witnesses on each and every page thereof;

Arcade Stall No. BA 27 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Arcade Stall No. BA 28 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Failure to comply with other requirements provided under the existing ordinance, rules or regulation affecting the administration and management of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade;

BEFORE ME, a notary public, this __________ day of _____, 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan personally appeared _________________, Municipal Mayor and __________________ with the Residence Certificate Nos. As indicated below their respective names, both made known to me and to me known to be same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me oath that the same is their free act voluntary deed.

Witness my hand and notarial seal on the day place as herein above indicated.

Doc. No.____________ ; Page No. ____________; Book No.____________; Series of 2017.”

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.28

1.

____________________________

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) MUNICIPALITY OF BINMALEY. . .) S.S PROVINCE OF PANGASINAN……………)

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.27

Res. Cert. No. Issued On Issued at

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF: _____________________________

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.26

______________________________ Municipal Mayor (LESSOR)

Res.Cert.No. ______________ Issued on ___________________ Issued at ___________________

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.25

Those convicted for any acts prohibited or made unlawful by any ordinance affecting local market ordinance, rules and regulations.

Grounds for Revocation of Contract- The following are grounds for the revocation of the Contract of Lease:

i.

______________________________ LESSEE

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.24

Those convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; and

3.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF BINMALEY by:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.23

The transferee may acquire a stall from an awardee after complying with the requirements setforth by this Ordinance and after payment of the transfer fee in the amount of five thousand pesos (Php 5,000.00) only.

Delinquent stallholder;

h.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands this ___________ day of ______________ 2017 at Binmaley, Pangasinan.

b.

2.

The Municipality of Binmaley, Province of Pangasinan, Philippines, a public corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines herein represented by __________________________________, Municipal Mayor of Binmaley, Pangasinan, hereinafter called the LESSOR, and ___________________, of legal age, Filipino and with postal address at ____________________ hereinafter called the LESSEE. WITNESSETH:

1. That the term of the lease is for a period of Five (5) years from ____________ to ____________, and must be renewable provided that the lessee is a lessee in good standing. However, this contract may be terminated by either party by giving a written notice of termination at least thirty (30) days in advance.

2. That no building structure, stall, booth, or improvements of any nature shall be introduced within the leased premises without the written prior consent of the LESSOR and unless the same is in accordance with the kind of specifications approved by the Municipal Ordinance. All improvements so introduced without prior approval or done in violation hereof shall become property of the Municipality of Binmaley.

3. Goodwill fee shall be paid in full payment upon signing of the contract by the winning applicant. Failure of the winning applicant to pay in full the goodwill fee will lead to the cancellation/ revocation of the contract; 4. In case the lessee is no longer interested in doing business in the stall, the lessee may turn over said stall to the Municipal Government of Binmaley, Pangasinan; 5.The LESSEE shall pay the monthly rental of the leased stalls every 20th of the month without express demand by the LESSOR. Delay in payment of monthly rental for four (4) cumulative months shall ipso facto cancel or revoke the contract; 6. That the monthly rental of the leased stalls as embodied in this Municipal Ordinance shall be payable to the Municipal Treasurer or his/her duly authorized representative; 7. In the event of failure to pay aforementioned rental within due time as herein prescribed, subject LESSEE shall be required to pay an additional 25% surcharge from the monthly rental fee, as the case may be; 8. That the LESSEE agrees and warrants that the leased stall shall be used by him/her exclusively for the purpose for which it leased and that he/she is prohibited from using the said premises for any other purpose. Further, it shall not be used as dwelling place or sleeping quarters by of the LESSEE or his/her employee, guests or customers; 9. That the LESSEE may assign, transfer or convey his/her rights of lease over the stall under lease or any portion thereof to his relative of the second degree of consanguinityor by affinity together with the written consent of the LESSOR. 10. That the LESSOR reserves the right to change the amount of rentals over the stalls under the Lease Contract and it can only be done by way of an ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Bayan; 11. Any damage or injury on the stall herein leased due to the fault of the LESSEE or his/her helpers and/or other third persons who may have gained access to the leased stall, shall be repaired promptly at the expense of the LESSEE under the supervision of the LESSOR and that the LESSOR shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage which the LESSEE may sustain in the premises during the repair; 12. The LESSEE shall comply with all conditions, rules and regulations which have been or may hereunder be promulgated by duly constituted authorities and maintain the leased stall and its premises in a clean and sanitary condition and dispose of all rubbish or trash thereat only thru the means places indicated by the LESSOR or his duly authorized representatives; 13. The LESSEE shall pay and defray all the expenses of his/her consumption of electric current and such other utility services that may be connected to the lease stalls, and he/shelikewise bear the expenses for the repair of such facilities; 14.The LESSEEshall not claim any loss or damage on account of ordinary repairs that the LESSOR may order to be done on the building that may interrupt the use of the leased stall; 15. The LESSEE shall be responsible at all times for act done by his/her employees,agents, or other persons entering the leased stall; 16.The LESSOR shall not be responsible for any loss or damage which LESSEE may sustain on the leased stall due to any fortuitous event or force majeure; 17. Upon the termination or expiration of this contract, the LESSEE shall promptly surrender to the LESSOR the leased stall. Failure to surrender the same, said LESSEE shall be responsible to the LESSOR for all damages that they might occur by reason of said failure and/or refusal; 18. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Contract, the LESSOR hereby authorizes the LESSEE to remove from the stall, improvements of any nature introduced by the LESSEE on the leased premises if such could not produce any damage to the property, and to deposit all personal belongings of said LESSEE in a bodega where the latter shall bear all costs of transfer and storage; 19. The LESSOR and/or his/her duly authorized representative shall have the right to enter and inspect the leased stall at any reasonable time of the day to ensure compliance with the terms of this Contract; 20. The LESSEE hereby acknowledges and confirms that he has seen and inspected the premises herein and that it is in good condition and is suitable for the purpose for which it is leased and he/she agrees to surrender it peacefully, also in good condition upon the expiration or termination of this Contract; 21. The operation of Binmaley Commercial Arcade shall be opened at 4 o’clock in the morning and closed at 10 o’clock in the evening. However, on the 24th day to 31st day of December of every year, the Binmaley Commercial Arcade may be opened 24 hours. Any request for the extension of time should be subject to the approval of the Market Specialist; 22. The segregation of solid waste shall be made daily. Segregation should primarily be conducted by the LESSEE of the stall. Individual stall owners shall keep and maintain their stall in clean and sanitary condition. The LESSEEis required to have individual garbage cans. All garbage cans must be properly covered.

23. The failure of the LESSOR to insist upon the strict compliance with any of the terms and condition herein stipulated shall not deemed a relinquishment or waiver of any rights or remedy he may have, nor shall it be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of the terms, conditions and covenants herein contained whichshall be deemed to have made, unless expressed in writing and signed by the latter; 24. In case of litigation for the collectionof any unpaid of fees or enforcement of any of the conditions of this contract, the LESSEE shall be liable for damages,and attorney’s fees apart from the costs and other expenses incidental to the suit.

The awardee may relinquish or transfer his/her privilege over the stall/s to another provided that there is an approval from the Commercial Arcade Committee and that proof of payment of the transfer fee is presented/submitted to the said Committee.

1.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

That the LESSOR lets and leases unto the LESSEE and the latter hereby agrees and accepts to lease a commercial stall at the Binmaley Commercial Arcade located at Poblacion, Binmaley, Pangasinan, in Arcade Stall No.__, zoned/sectioned as ______________ intended for the sale of ___________________ under the following terms and conditions:

a.

Disqualification: The following are disqualified from being a stallholder in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade:

f.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.17

7.6

Contents of the Contract of Lease: The contract of lease between the Municipality of Binmaley as represented by its Municipal Mayor and the stallholder shall be prepared in quadruplicate copies shall be worded as follows:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) Arcade Stall No. BA No. 15 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, wedding and gift shop;

7.5.1 TRANSFER FEE for Transfer of Privilege over the Stall/s.

d. e.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.15

Awards and Contract – The Commercial Arcade Committee shall make the corresponding awards of the different arcade stalls herein mentioned within one (1) month from the approval of this ordinance and shall enter a contract with winning applicants immediately thereafter.

The Market Specialist shall acknowledge receipt of the duplicate copy and keep a record book for such purpose. The triplicate copy shall be retained by the applicant.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 14 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop, wedding and bake shop;

Priority 3.Other interested parties.

7.5

b. c.

Arcade Stall No. BA 12 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

4.14

Applicants shall be prioritized as follows:

The application shall be signed by the applicant in person or by his/her attorney-in-fact, with three copies of his/her picture, each to be pasted on the application if the same is approved.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

Arcade Stall No. BA No. 13 shall be zoned as Photo/Videography Shop, Pawnshop, Financial Institutions, Party Shop, Internet Shop;

Municipal Administrator Market Specialist Local Finance Committee President of the Binmaley Commercial Arcade Stallholders Association NGO Representative

b.

Arcade Stall No. BA 11 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

4.13

b)

Priority 2. Actual vendors residing outside Binmaley and doing business in Binmaley

7.7

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.12

Adjudication of the stalls shall be by module and then by stalls, which shall be undertaken by the Commercial Arcade Committee through public bidding.

To conduct the opening of bids for the goodwill fee of the vacant stall/s adjudicated in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.11

a)

Priority 1: Original occupants/stall holders of the old commercial building.

Duties and Functions:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) Arcade Stall No. BA 9 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

Adjudication of the stalls in the Binmaley Commercial Arcade be made through the following procedures:

SECTION 6. COMMERCIAL ARCADE COMMITTEE- There is hereby a Commercial Arcade Committee created for this purpose and under this Ordinance which shall be composed of the following:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.9

7.4

SECTION 5. ZONING/SECTIONING AND NUMBERING OF STALLS- In consonance with the provisions of this Ordinance, the Market Specialist shall make the corresponding numbering of the different commercial stalls and their respective Sections as zoned under this Ordinance which will be in uniformed sizes and colors and be painted immediately beneath business name of the stall owner in the following manner:

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum)

4.8

Bids shall be written in the bid forms numberedand prescribed by the Commercial Arcade Committee.

It shall decide which stall shall be open for bidding first. The winning bidder and the correspondingstall number shall be announced after every bidding.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Arcade Stall No. BA 6 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop,Canteen;

Arcade Stall No. BA 7 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, and Canteen;

7.3

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Arcade Stall No. BA 5 shall be zoned as Bank/Financial Institutions, Law Office, Clinic, Drugstore, Grocery, School/Office Supplies, Internet Shop, Canteen and General Merchandise;

4.7

Bidding for all stall shall be conducted by the Commercial Arcade Committee. Notice of public bidding shall be posted in three (3)conspicuous places in the Municipal Hall Compound. The Commercial Arcade Committee may at its option cause the publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the Municipality of Binmaley. In this notice shallbe specified the number of the stall or booth, the section where located, and the last day of filing of said application for occupancy thereof. The same notice shall remain where it is posted for a period not less than ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of the bidding.

Arcade Stall No. BA 33 shall be zoned as Coffee Shop, Parlor/Barber Shop, Pawnshop, Internet Shop, Flower Shop, School/Office Supply, Gown, Laundry Shop, Repair/Electronic Shop;

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 3,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 250, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.6

7.2

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

SECTION 2. SCOPE/COVERAGE- The provision of this Ordinance shall govern, prescribe, control, regulate and supervise the operation, administration, zoning/sectioning and regulation ofBinmaley Commercial Arcade located at Poblacion, Binmaley, Pangsinan.

SECTION 3.DEFINITION OF TERMS.As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall mean as follows:

3. DTI permit/license 4. Mayor’s Permit 5. Municipal Treasurer’s Clearance

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

Be it ordained by the Sangguniang Bayan of Binmaley, Pangasinan in session assembled that: SECTION 1. TITLE – This Ordinance shall be known as “An Ordinance Prescribing the Rates of Goodwill and Rental Fees of the Commercial Stalls at the BinmaleyCommercial Arcade, Providing its zoning/sectioning and regulations thereof”, also known as Binmaley Commercial Arcade Ordinance of 2017.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum)

“AN ORDINANCE PRESCRIBING THE RATES OF GOODWILL AND RENTAL FEES OF THE COMMERCIAL STALLS AT THE BINMALEY COMMERCIAL ARCADE, PROVIDING FOR ITS ZONING/SECTIONING AND REGULATIONS THEREOF”, ALSO KNOWN AS BINMALEY COMMERCIAL ARCADE ORDINANCE OF 2017.

Sponsor: SBMELLEN F. ALIPIO and SBM LIGA PRESIDENT DOUGLAS R. DELOS ANGELES Co-sponsored by: ALL SANGGUNIANG BAYAN MEMBERS

Top awardees of the 2017 Horse Racing Top Industry Players Awards, namely (front, from left) Kennedy Morales (for father Narciso), Ruben Tupas, Tomasito Santos, John Alvin Guce, Oliver Velasquez, Atty.

Alfonso Victorio Reyno III, O’Neal Cortez, Rep. Amado Bagatsing and Atty. Alexander Carandang, display their awards and are joined by Philracom officials.

Monthly Stall Rental --------------------------- Php 2,500.00 Goodwill Fee ------------------------------------ Php 200, 000.00 (Minimum) 4.30

OFFICE OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN MUNICIPAL ORDINANCE NO.06, S-2017

of P2,476,727,344. Atty. Alexander Carandang, head of Metro Turf’s Corporate Affairs and Member of the Board of Directors, received the title.

Lastly, the Manila Jockey Club Inc. in Carmona, Cavite, was named Racing Club of the Year Based on Prizes with an Average Horse Prize of P135,223.78. MJCI president and CEO Atty. Alfonso Victorio G. Reyno III received the award.

In the same event, which coincided with the Japan Cup, Japanese Racing Authority officials Sadamichi Imabayashi, Kazuhiro Youfu, Hiroyuki Koezuka and Masashi Shojualso presented their recommendations on how the three premier race tracks—MJCI’s San Lazaro Park, Philippine Racing Club’s Santa Ana Park and Metro Turf can improve the conditions of their race courses.

7.1

NOTARY PUBLIC

No applicant shall be awarded a market stall unless he complies with the following: a) b)

Applicant is not delinquent in the payment of taxes, fees and other charges due to the Municipal Government.

Applicant must secure a clearance from the Municipal Treasurer’s Office.

Applicant must submit, together with his application, the following:

1. Community Tax Certificate (Residence Certificate) 2. BIR/TIN (Tax Identification No.)

I hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Bayan during its regular session on October 12, 2017.

(SGD.) LIEZL V. CAMACHO Secretary to the Sanggunian Approved: (SGD.) HON. SIMPLICIO L. ROSARIO Municipal Mayor (MS-JAN. 31 / FEB. 1 & 2, 2018)

Sports A8

Court of Appeals: POC election must go on THE Court of Appeals denied on Tuesday a request for a Temporary Restraining Order filed by the Philippine Olympic Committee on a decision by a Pasig court for the POC to hold elections anew for the positions of President and Chairman of the said organization.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh of the Eleventh Division of the Appellate Court and concurred in by Division Chairman Justice Ramon M. Bato Jr. And Senior Member Justice Edwin D. Sorongon, the Court said: “The court finds no ground for the issuance of a TRO.” The case stemmed from the disqualification of Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Ricky Vargas and Cong.

Abraham Tolentino of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines as candidates for president and chairman, respectively, in the 2016 elections of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

This allowed former Rep. Jose Cojuangco Jr. to run unopposed for the presidency.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

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

GRIFFIN TRADED TO PISTONS. The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade Blake Griffin (right) to the Detroit Pistons in a multi-player deal that features a package of NBA players and draft picks, the US media reported Monday. Griffin, who spent his entire career with the Clippers, goes to Detroit along with guard Willie Green, forward Brice Johnson and a second round pick, US television broadcaster ESPN reported. The Clippers will receive guard Avery Bradley, forward Tobias Harris, centre Boban Marjanovic and a first and second round pick. The deal comes as a surprise because Griffin signed a five-year contract in the offseason to stay with the Clippers. The Clippers are ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 25-24.

There was no qualified candidate for chairman.

Vargas and Tolentino went to court to challenge their disqualification which was based on the provision in the POC by-laws requiring a candidate to be an “äctive member of the General Assembly.”

Vargas claimed that the POC Committee on Elections erred in their interpretation of the clause. The committee had said that active membership meant attending the General Membership meetings.

The Pasig court under Judge Ma. Gracia CadizCasaclang ruled that not only was the interpretation wrong, but that the committee on elections had no authority to interpret the by-laws. They were only supposed to organize and supervise the elections.

The court further ordered elections for president and chairman to be conducted on Feb. 23, 2018.

The POC then went to the Court of Appeals since the lower court’s ruling is immediately executory. Their only relief was an appeal and a possible TRO.

PSA honors former members

71st PAL golf starts March 1 in Bacolod

T

BACOLOD —Marapara and Binitin, old layouts here that vary very much in character but offer the same stern tests of golf, will host the 71st edition of the PAL Senior’s and Men’s Regular Interclub championships starting March 1.

Now known as the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club and the Bacolod Golf and Country Club, respectively, these two courses will take centerstage as Luisita and Manila Southwoods shoot to extend their respective reigns in the Senior’s and Men’s divisions of the country’s unofficial team golf championship.

And unlike in the past, the Men’s championship will see a Sunday ending this year as tournament organizers have decided to give the field three official practice rounds leading to the opening skirmishes on March 8.

Jaime J. Bautista, the indefatigable president of the country’s flag carrier, is expected to hit the ceremonial drive and signal the start of Senior play on Feb. 26, Monday, at Marapara.

Canlubang is again listed as the chief threat to Luisita even if the multititled Tommy Manotoc is again expected to miss play owing to some family commitments in the United States.

The Senior field will also have three days to sample both courses, though early reports have it that the Luisitans have already come over to test both layouts and not leave anything to chance.

WO former sportswriters who carved a name for themselves in other fields will share a memorable evening with Filipino athletes and sports personalities when the SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards is held next month at the Maynila Hall of the Manila Hotel.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pinol and Philippine Journalists Inc. editor-in-chief Augusto ‘Gus’ Villanueva will be among the top luminaries gracing the Feb. 27 event staged by the country’s oldest media organization.

Pinol will be the special guest speaker of the twohour, formal rites presented

by MILO and Cignal TV representing President Duterte, while Villanueva is going to be the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the very same group he once served as president.

“It’s a huge honor for the

PSA to acknowledge and recognize two former sports writing colleagues who rose from the ranks to become the distinguished personalities they are known today,” said PSA president Dodo Catacutan of SPIN.ph.

Pinol and Villanueva will be there to join the country’s sports writing fraternity in honoring the best of 2017 led by boxer Jerwin Ancajas, bowler Krizziah Lyn Tabora, and billiards player Carlo Biado, who will be the recipients of the PSA-Tapa King Athlete of the Year awards during the ceremony which counts the Philippine Sports Commis-

sion as its major sponsor, and is backed by Mighty Sports, the Philippine Basketball Association, Globalport, and Rain or Shine.

Before he went full time into public service in 1995, Pinol worked as senior copy editor and sports columnist of Tempo. He was also a popular boxing analyst on television, and served as editor of the Philippine News Agency for four years.

A product of University of Southern Mindanao, he began his media career in 1976 as a disc jockey for DXCM, the radio station of the University of Mindanao, and later, as radio journalist and news writer at DXMS in Cotabato City.

Pinol first entered government service as public relations officer of the National Grains Authority in 1978 and once served as writer for Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III and President Ramos.

He ran and won as mayor in 1995 as substitute to his father, former Cotabato provincial board member Bernardo Pinol Sr. in their hometown of M’Lang, Cotabato. Three years after, he was elected provincial governor, a position he held for three consecutive terms, before he became vice governor in 2007, when he was barred from seeking another term.

In 2016, Pinol was appointed by President Duterte as secretary of agriculture.

Villanueva is just as distinguished.

Fondly called Gus in media circles, Villanueva began as a sportswriter in 1955 at the young age of 17 under then Manila Times sports editor Ricky Llanos. One of his great contemporaries was the late sports editor Tony Siddayao, acknowledged as the Dean of Philippine Sportswriting.

Villanueva was an original

of the defunct Times Journal, which hit the streets a month after Martial Law was declared in 1972 and where he served as sports editor. He was also at the helm when popular tabloids People’s Journal and People’s Tonight were established in 1978 and 1979, respectively.

He was also president of the PSA in the late 1970s and was the first to introduce the weekly PSA Forum.

Currently, he is publisher and editor-in-chief of the Journal Group of publications.

Villanueva is in great company as recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the PSA, whose past winners include Grandmaster Eugene Torre, the 1973 Philippine men’s basketball team, cage icons Carlos Loyzaga, Carlos Padilla, and Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan, and baseball great Filomeno ‘Boy’ Codinera, among others.

Alaska fights Phoenix, shoots for 5th straight win

By Jeric Lopez

Calvin Abueva (right) is expected to lead the Alaska Aces, who will try to chalk up win no. 5 when they play Phoenix today at 7 p.m.

Air Force, UST rule volley tour THE Air Force duo of Judy Caballejo and Coyah Abanto and UST Thunders Henry Pecaña and KR Guzman claimed the first leg of the third “BVR On Tour” season held in Ilocos Sur from Jan. 27 and 28, and livestreamed on the ABS-CBN Sports Youtube at http://youtube. com/abscbnsports.

Caballejo and Abanto’s Air Force 1 outlasted 11 other teams in the Women’s Division, beating the tandem of Beach Volleyball Republic founder Bea Tan and former Adamson Lady Falcon Amanda Villanueva of Team DIGITS Perlas 2 in the finals with the score of 2115, 23-21.

DIGITS Babylove Barbon and Genesa Eslapor EZ2 of Team UST, meanwhile, finished third.

Over at the Men’s Division, Pecaña and Guzman of the UST Alumni beat Team Univ. of Visayas (UV) 1 made up of Jade Bacaldo and Fort Libres for the trophy 21-18, 21-13, while the international pair from Hong Kong of Brian Nordberg and Giovanni Musillo settled for third.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 6/45 4 3 2

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AS one of the league’s hottest teams, Alaska hopes to stay hot and shoots for a fifth straight victory as it resumes its ascent in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. For the Aces (4-2), staying on track is their goal when they take on unpredictable Phoenix (3-3) at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

In the appetizer, TNT KaTropa (3-3) still seeks consistency as it gears up to face cellar-dweller Kia (1-5) at 4:30 p.m.

Along with co-league leader Magnolia, Alaska is the league’s hottest

team, having racked up four wins in a row after a 0-2 start to its campaign to climb to second place.

Aces coach Alex Compton credited his teams’ rise to improved chemistry and defense.

“I think we’re able to develop our defensive identity as we went along.

Once our chemistry got better, our overall game got better,” said Compton of his squad’s sudden rise.

Alaska’s last victim was Blackwater when it took an 88-84 grinder last Saturday as the core of Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel, Jvee Casio and rookie sensation Jeron Teng continued to lead the way.

Those chargers from

the Aces will face a fresh challenge from the Fuel Masters’ capable core of Rj Jazul, Matthew Wright, rookie Jason Perkins and recent PBA Player of the Week, Willie Wilson.

The Fuel Masters are likewise coming off an impressive showing, listing their biggest victory after tripping Barangay Ginebra, 87-82, last Friday.

The Tropang Texters are yet to find any sort of rhythm as they have alternated wins and losses thus far.

They hope to gain steam once more as they are favored against the Picanto, winner of only one game in its six outings thus far.

Family of late SSC star player needs help THE family of Ulysses Tanigue, the former San Sebastian College star and Purefoods guard who passed away recently due to a lingering illness, is in dire need of financial help.

This was relayed by Frank Gusi, retired athletic director of San Sebastian College, where Tanigue used to play in the 1990s and who is now Perpetual Help’s NCAA Management Committee representative, yesterday after the late guard’s wife, Emelyn Tanigue, intimated that their family is neck-deep in debt.

“They desperately need money because of the bills that mounted when Buboy (Tanigue) was hospitalized because of leukemia, they desperately need help,” said Gusi in Filipino yesterday.

Gusi pleaded to Tanigue’s friends to send in assistance via Emelyn’s Land Bank Puerto Branch in Cagayan de Oro with account number 3537-0196-29.

“For those with generous hearts, please help Buboy’s family,” said Gusi.

Tanigue was best remembered as the starting guard of the San Sebastian team that won a five-peat feat from 1993-97. It was a team that also included Romel Adducul, Banjo Calpito, Brixter Encarnacion and Jasper Ocampo.

He made the pros with Purefoods but didn’t last long due to personal matters and went on to suit up in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association and some small leagues.

ESPN, TV5 offer new digital gateway for PH fans COVERAGE and inside stories happening around the PBA, fresh updates from the NBA rumor mill from Adrian Wojnarowski, US NCAA basketball games leading to March Madness, Gilas Pilipinas games in the FIBA World Cup and bouts of new Filipino boxing sensation Jerwin Ancajas.

They’re all here, ready to be shown in TV5 and ESPN’s latest collaboration.

It’s now official: TV5 and ESPN have agreed with the multimedia licensing and co-branding of the local ESPN5, as well as the subscription of sports streaming service ESPN player that can be accessed by sports fans beginning today.

This means that Filipino sports fans all over the world can now get up to date developments of what’s going on in Philippine sports as well as the usual streaming of major international sports events being shown on ESPN. The latest step in the agreement between TV5 and ESPN means collaboration of both TV and digital platform, which will now be known as ESPN5.

The new co-branded webtie will deliver digital access to sports fans in the Philippines, directing multi-sports streaming service to consumers.

Sports fans will now have an exciting new digital gateway for all the latest

news, scores, video and more from the Philippines sporting scene and around the world—anytime and anywhere.

“We have made some changes to the network and we launched it in October, our partnership with ESPN. Part of that partnership is going 360-degree about our coverage of sports and content. We’re announcing the ESPN5.com, the local website replacing Sports5,” said TV5 CEO and President Chot Reyes.

Driven by their love for sports, ESPN decided to tie up with the Philippines thru TV5, which has become a dedicated sports channel and Joyee Biswas, Head of Southeast Asia ESPN, wants to build that

strong connection to the Filipinos.

“ESPN has a strong connection with fans around the world because we are fans ourselves, driven by a similar obsession for sports,” said Biswas. “The launch of our new cobranded digital multi-sports products for Philippine sports fans showcases our digital leadership and offers sports fans outstanding news, features and video experiences around top sports of interest to Filipino sports fans. These new products perfectly complement TV5’s recently launched ESPN5 channel and reinforce our signature ‘Game around the Game’ analysis across platforms.”

Although ESPN5 will

Reyes

not be able to show NBA games as coverage of the NBA games are licensed in another channel in the Philippines, the new digital platform will be able bring up to date NBA developments from the widely acknowledged NBA writer, Adrian Wojnarowski.

PH, Asian stock markets tumble after profit-taking

B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

B1

LandBank starts PDEx due diligence

By Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

L

AND Bank of the Philippines president Alex Buenaventura said Tuesday the state-run lender started the due diligence on the proposed acquisition of a 66.67-percent stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp., the operator of the bond exchange.

BF Life up for liquidation THE Insurance Commission said BF Life Insurance Corp., a company identified with the prominent Aguirre clan of Banco Filipino, is now in the process of liquidation.

The agency informed claimants, creditors and all other parties with claims against the company that they have until July 23, 2018 to file their claims.

The commission said after this date, those with claims against BF Life would no longer be entertained and would not be allowed to participate in any way in the disposition, partition, distribution and settlement in the liquidation proceedings.

It placed the company under receivership in March 2017 and suspended all its business transactions. It prohibited BF Life from selling policies, transferring, disposing or encumbering its properties, or from paying claims without the consent of IC’s appointed receiver or conservator.

Claimants against BF Life were advised to get in touch personally or by mail with the commission’s appointed liquidator, lawyer Iris Sylvia Lucero Bonifacio at the Pacific Center Bldg., San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Business Center in Pasig City.

BF Life is part of the Banco Filipino group of companies majority-owned or controlled by the Aguirre family which is now led

by Albert Aguirre, former vice chairman of the Banco Filipino Savings and Mortgage Bank.

BSP issues rules on basic deposits THE Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved a new circular setting out the framework for banks to offer a basic deposit account.

The board said the move would promote account ownership among the unbanked individuals in the country.

“Ownership of an account provides Filipinos the tool to save and transact money in a safe, convenient and affordable manner. It can unlock access to a wider range of financial services to meet their various needs, including credit, insurance and investments,” the board said.

The World Bank Global Findex (2014) estimated that only 31.3 percent of Filipino adults had formal accounts. The usual barriers included costs, lack of money, lack of documentary requirements and perceived low utility of a bank account, among others.

The basic deposit account framework addresses these observed barriers. The minimum key features of the account include simplified know-your-customer requirements; an opening amount of less than P100; no minimum maintaining balance; and no dormancy charges.

Koreans eyeing PH infra deals SOUTH Korean investors are exploring the Philippines for opportunities in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Asean-Korean Center secretary general and investment mission head Young-sun Kim led a group of 12 of Korean engineering and construction companies to look for opportunities in the Philippines.

“The Philippines is an important trade partner. Among the Asean countries, Philippines is the one nearer to us,” he said.

The visiting South Korean firms included Seohyun Eenrgy, CNNET Co. Ltd., Aju Corp., Ye Won Co. Ltd., GS E&C, Pyunghwa Engineering Consultants Ltd., K-Water, Daelim E&C, Soosung Engineering Co. Ltd., CJ Huaman Tech Co. Ltd., Kepco Philippines Corp. and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction.

Most of these companies expressed interest on the ongoing New Clark City project of the Bases Conversion Development Authority which is the future site of the P13.16-billion National Government Administrative Complex.

The mission members also expressed interest in infrastructure projects on energy, water treatment, construction and ICT. Othel V. Campos

ePLDT offers security solutions PLDT Inc. said unit ePLDT Inc. is now offering a suite of solutions to help small and big local businesses in combating cyber attacks.

“At PLDT we are committed, as the country’s leading technology provider, to making innovations as accessible as possible to our clients. That includes ensuring they are properly equipped against the ever-evolving cyber threat landscape of today,” Jovy Hernandez, senior vice president and head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Group, said.

“In the world we live in, businesses cannot afford to view this as ‘optional’. Together with ePLDT, it is our goal to provide customers with an end-to-end cyber security framework specifically for their needs, to anticipate, mitigate and prevent damages to their business and reputation,” Hernandez said.

The company’s cyber security portfolio is a suite of solutions that cover homegrown expertise, globally-recognized frameworks and best-of-breed platforms to defend enterprises from multiple security risks, evolving threats, and malicious software attacks.

Through its Cyber Security Laboratory and Security Operations Center, ePLDT combats cyber threats using a security framework. Darwin G. Amojelar

PROPERTY BRIEFING. Rick Santos (second from right), chairman and chief executive of Santos Knight Frank, expects the Philippines to remain a leading real estate market in the region in 2018, following its impressive performance in 2017.

With Santos during a news briefing at the Makati Shangri La Hotel in Makati City (from left) are SKF senior director for occupier services and commercial agency Morgan McGilvray, senior director for research and consultancy Jan Custodio and associate director for investment and capital markets Kash Salvador. Lino Santos

Peso seen stable in the medium term—Espenilla BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said Tuesday he expects the peso to be stable over the medium term, even as the local currency tumbled to a three-month low.

Espenilla said in an interview with the New York-based GlobalSource Partners Inc. the peso’s “controlled” depreciation was expected amid the growing imports, suggestive of a bullish economy.

The peso dropped 0.5 percent Tuesday to close at 51.42 against the US dollar, its weakest in three months.

Espenilla said concerns over the depreciation of the peso were “overdone.”

“The peso’s moderate and controlled depreciation mirrors bullish economic growth supported by strong imports demand, residents’ increased direct and portfolio investments abroad for expansion and risk diversification,” he said.

“The movements of the peso are fully consistent with our flexible exchange rate policy that allows us to absorb market shocks and avoid the buildup of imbalances,” he said.

Espenilla said the Bang-

ko Sentral did not make any exchange rate targeting but was ready to manage excessive volatility particularly if these reflected speculative activity.

“Nevertheless, the peso is expected to be broadly stable over the medium term, backed by strong underlying economic fundamentals, ready market access and robust international reserves,” Espenilla said.

He said as of endOctober 2017, the country’s gross international reserves stood at $80.42 billion, enough to cover

Tax reform to hike February power rates

By Alena Mae S. Flores we still need to await fi- chise, they were exempted.

POWER rates of Manila Electric Co. are expected to increase in February on higher generation charges and following the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

“We may recall that the January generation charge reduction was largely due to lower capacity fees following the annual reconciliation of outage allowances. As in prior years, we expect capacity fees of PSAs [power supply agreements] to normalize in February,” Meralco head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said.

“Hence, we see an uptick in the generation charge next month, though

nal supplier bills to see the effect of such factors as WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market] charges, forex [foreign exchange] rate, fuel prices and others,” he said.

Meralco earlier said its power rates would likely go up by P0.08 per kilowatt-hour in February because of the Train law which lifted the tax exemption enjoyed by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and a higher excise tax on coal.

“For NGCP, the Train is in effect Jan. 1, so with their January bill to us, we expect them to apply the VAT [value added tax] on transmission wheeling charges. Before, there was no VAT. Under their fran-

At 12-percent VAT, the estimate is [an increase of] P0.07 per kWh,” Fernandez said earlier.

“If NGCP incorporates it in their January billing, we should expect by February that it will be effective,” Fernandez said.

Under Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9511, NGCP should pay only a franchise tax equivalent to 3 percent of all gross received from its operation.

Payment of the concession fees to the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. “under the concession agreement shall not be subject to income tax and value added tax.” The said tax exemption was repealed under Section 86 of RA 10963.

more than eight months worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

He said the amount was 5.5 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.8 times based on residual maturity.

Julito G. Rada

LandBank’s plan is expected to derail the Philippine Stocks Exchange’s attempt to acquire PDSHC and merge the fixed-income and equities markets. PDSHC operates the Philippine Dealing Exchange.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, who serves as LandBank chairman, earlier blamed PSE for the slow development of the capital markets. Dominguez cited PSE’s failure to comply with the provision of the Securities Regulation Code on the allocation of their shares to other shareholders.

“The development of the capital market is being slowed down by the PSE’s protracted compliance with the law.

The Duterte administration will no longer tolerate private institutions thwarting the goal of achieving a robust and inclusive financial system,” Dominguez said.

LandBank started consulting the SEC on its proposed acquisition of PDSHC.Buenaventura said in a statement he had a “very fruitful meeting” with the Securities and Exchange Commission to discuss the procedure for applying for a petition for exemptive relief with the regulatory body.

The meeting was held five days after Buenaventura wrote to the SEC, requesting for a meeting to discuss the application process for seeking an exemption under Section 33.2 of Republic Act 8799, or Securities and Regulations Code.

“The LandBank board, on Jan. 23, 2018, approved in principle the acquisition of at least 66.67 percent, or a controlling interest of PDSHC. With the board approval, the only thing left to do is to finish our due diligence and report to the board,” Buenaventura said.

“We thank the SEC for accommodating our request, even on short notice. Rest assured that we will comply with all applicable laws in acquiring PDS,” he said.

LandBank currently owns 1.56 percent of PDS through the Bankers Association of the Philippines.

“On June 15, 2017, BAP signed a share purchase agreement allowing the Philippine Stock Exchange to purchase 1,488,902 common shares equivalent to 23.8 percent of the total outstanding stock of PDS for P476,448,640 or at P320 per share. This implies a valuation of P2 billion for PDS and a PE ratio of 8.10x based on 2016 PDS earnings,” Buenaventura said.

Manila

Standard

Form 2B (Revised June 2014)

TODAY 16th to 19th Floors, Fort Legend Towers 31st Street corner 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634 Statement of Condition (Head Office and Branches) As of December 31, 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

AMOUNTS ASSETS

CURRENT QUARTER

PREVIOUS QUARTER

Cash and Cash Items PhP Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Other Assets-Net

452,374,266.22 3,492,925,784.40 879,092,879.79 416,129,670.83 1,057,882,388.30 1,110,295,691.00 9,501,704.98 12,440,816.63 31,324,159,574.30 4,411,580,075.57 27,079,298,845.61 206,518,118.00 373,237,464.88 152,782,830.44 201,781,919.90 109,776,237.56 821,940,233.87

359,915,803.76 4,995,592,869.76 1,393,556,449.39 772,839,138.15 815,932,950.08 840,643,619.16 12,627,031.72 12,440,816.63 30,202,302,374.93 3,023,670,047.61 27,049,241,799.74 500,000,000.00 370,609,472.42 121,825,642.04 207,969,532.82 118,119,831.95 1,187,721,301.90

TOTAL ASSETS

PhP

40,041,083,998.22

41,041,487,362.29

Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Bills Payable a) Interbank Loans Payable Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities

PhP

63,147,488.07 26,701,899,073.71 4,284,822,838.00 4,284,822,838.00 0.00 413,723,363.64 1,544,152,836.95

19,317,045.82 29,708,593,265.02 1,571,758,765.00 1,571,758,765.00 0.00 522,916,143.62 2,121,073,374.30

TOTAL LIABILITIES

PhP

33,007,745,600.37

33,943,658,593.76

Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings

PhP

2,533,200,985.17 133,073,181.66 4,367,064,231.02

2,533,200,985.17 197,563,552.34 4,367,064,231.02

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

PhP

7,033,338,397.85

7,097,828,768.53

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

PhP

40,041,083,998.22

41,041,487,362.29

Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts Derivatives Others

PhP

1,875,916,798.27 110,799,367.09 746,397,748.24 3,308,601.46 0.00 1,348,041,969.60 1,666,699,761.65 736,278,012.90 930,421,748.75 12,136,118,520.98 1,824,158,374.86

1,959,176,250.02 145,214,856.74 845,980,300.41 12,249,717.98 989,780,000.00 1,757,216,355.92 1,627,591,742.83 709,925,255.83 917,666,487.00 8,664,483,654.22 872,566,752.17

TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

PhP

19,711,441,142.15

16,874,259,630.29

PhP PhP

32,101,403,440.39 404,006,401.21

30,930,205,257.47 357,293,410.12

PhP PhP

402,002,888.64 1.25% -2,003,512.57 -0.01% 193.34%

427,998,126.17 1.38% 70,704,716.05 0.23% 170.07%

100.50%

83.48%

PhP

646,955,432.06

571,415,909.32

PhP

21,633,867.51

21,310,915.89

PhP

0.07% 0.00

0.07% 0.00

LIABILITIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS

MR. JACK LEE Chairman MR. WILLIAM B. GO Vice Chairman DIRECTORS MR. PETER WEI MR. YI HUANG MR. CHIH-CHUNG HUANG MR. EDWIN B. VILLANUEVA MR. NG MENG TAM EXECUTIVE OFFICERS MR. PETER WEI President and CEO MR. ISMAEL R. SANDIG Senior Executive Vice President MS. JAMIE WANG Executive Vice President MR. OLIVER D. JIMENO Executive Vice President MS. MA. GRETCHEN S. MACABASCO Senior Vice President MS. CECILIA E. TABUENA Senior Vice President MR. EDGARDO A.M. MENDOZA, JR. Senior Vice President MR. JIMMY ARSENIO Y. SAMONTE Senior Vice President MR. JOSEPH B. ESTAVILLO Senior Vice President MR. RAFAEL V. RUFINO III Senior Vice President MR. REMO ROMULO M. GAROVILLO JR. Senior Vice President MR. MARVIN I. TIBURCIO Senior Vice President LOLITO RAMON A. CERRER, JR. Senior Vice President

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DIGITAL PAYMENTS. Residents of Malolos, Bulacan can now make digital payments at sari-sari stores using PayMaya QR. PayMaya Philippines, the country’s leading payments technology company is now deploying payments via Quick Response code technology down to the grassroots level. Shown are (from left) Smart Padala regional business lead for Luzon Joshua Deomano, Smart Padala agent Lilian Lising and PayMaya chief operating officer and managing director Paolo Azzola.

Gross Total Loan Portfolio (TLP) Specific Allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPL (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPL (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Ratio of DOSRI Loans and receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to TLP (%) Gross Non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivable to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis a. Total CAR (%) b. TIER 1 Ratio (%) c. CET 1 (%)

0.00%

0.00%

2.81% 3.33% 3.01%

3.08% 4.40% 3.80%

19.40% 18.53% 18.53%

19.46% 18.59% 18.59%

I/ We hereby certify that all matters set forth in this Published Balance Sheet are true and correct, to the best of my/our knowledge and belief.

(Sgd.) ANDREW A. FALCON Chief Finance Officer (Signature Over Printed Name)

(Sgd.) WEI, ERH - CHANG (a.k.a. PETER WEI) President and CEO (Signature Over Printed Name)

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

RCBC board okays stock rights offer to raise P15b

By Julito G. Rada RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninth-largest lender in terms of assets, will conduct a stock rights offering in a bid to raise up to P15 billion in fresh common equity Tier 1 capital.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday the board approved the planned stock rights offer at a regular meeting held Jan. 29, 2018.

“While current capital ratios of RCBC are above the BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] requirements, the bank expects the proceeds of the rights offer to further strengthen its capital ratios under the Basel III standards and to support its asset growth,” it said.

The bank’s consolidated common equity Tier 1 ratio and capital adequacy ratio as of Sept. 30, 2017 stood at 12.4 percent and 15.5 percent, respectively.

RCBC said it was well positioned to capitalize on economic growth in the Philippines, which it expected to be conducive to further loan expansion across industry segments and consumer spending.

PH, Asian stock markets tumble after profit-taking

T

HE stock market slumped Tuesday on profit-taking as investors took profits following recent rallies and awaited a deluge of company and economic announcements.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 1.6 percent to 8,910.48 on a value turnover of P10 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 151 to 58, with 55 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy dropped 3.2 percent to

P37.85, while conglomerate Ayala Corp. lost 3 percent to P1,050.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. tumbled 4.1 percent to P12.26, while Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack maker, fell 4 percent to P163.40.

Meanwhile, trading floors across Asia were awash with red on Tuesday tracking a slump in global markets.

Higher US bond yields weighed on sentiment while investors were also cautious ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting Wednesday and a host of major earnings reports, including from technology heavyweights, due this week.

All three major US indices fell Monday, in one of the few down days of 2018, as Paris and Frankfurt also

edged lower.

Asia extended the global sell-off into Tuesday, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Jakarta all tumbling more than 1 percent.

Shanghai, Sydney and Singapore also retreated.

“While the surge in US bond yields has factored, I suspect the busy week ahead on both corporate and economic news has investors reducing risk while banking some well-earned profits,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.58 212,000 59.6 4,050 120 1,650,720 3.75 33,000 155.5 3,723,510 1.93 625,000 36.7 216,100 15.6 1,900 28.3 1,799,100 8.95 4,600 0.65 1,000,000 1.69 76,000 1,000 20 0.55 2,187,000 100 3,599,360 1.24 7,916,000 13.5 84,300 25.95 5,000 58.9 397,330 246 8,170 103 60 50.5 1,388,990 246.8 728,810 1,945 125 91 220,240 1.23 26,000

746,920 240,062.50 196,335,281 124,600 578,048,860 1,207,320 7,926,230 29,504 51,193,875 40,510 650,000 128,920 20,000 1,176,950 359,934,681.50 9,736,240 1,133,424 129,750 23,185,505.50 2,010,024 6,180 71,376,222.50 180,770,214 243,125 20,013,718.50 31,980

56,642.50 12,765,480 -112,821,959 610,700.00 1,560 8,549,780 3,596 5,100 53,000 -40,266,536.50 -436,500 -185,620 129,750 1,640,671 612,962.50 -98,422,630 6,066,095 -

40.55 12.48 0.61 1.3 17.58 0.216 113.5 4.38 15.7 189 49.5 18.48 61.8 56.1 82 1.89 5.35 10.68 12.02 14.72 12.3 7.98 5.6 15.86 61.5 29.8 10.5 19 1.86 281 55.5 4.2 3.35 19.28 28.2 17.98 20.8 333 0.196 8.8 2.85 4.83 9.48 6.23 8 1.66 13.28 63.6 6.1 602 4.8 3.82 1.56 14.8 5.41 0.13 1.11 162.5 2.87 2.02 24.5 0.81

INDUSTRIAL 40.9 1,253,900 12.66 1,821,800 0.65 4,424,000 1.32 327,000 19 138,300 0.219 6,870,000 113.5 20 4.45 6,082,000 16 457,300 189 100 50.5 525,530 18.48 46,800 63 470 60 3,550 82 10 1.9 299,000 5.35 100 10.7 18,800 12.06 5,688,900 14.8 3,401,100 12.4 1,837,800 8.2 2,471,000 5.64 4,892,200 15.98 757,700 62.7 433,570 30.9 607,400 10.64 388,300 19.2 4,092,000 1.9 1,807,000 284.2 1,125,860 58 220 4.2 203,000 3.35 1,000 20.1 3,900 28.5 2,580,900 18.04 535,200 21.4 4,398,000 337.8 295,240 0.2 460,000 9.08 69,400 2.9 5,862,000 4.91 128,000 9.6 4,086,700 6.25 489,800 8.3 101,000 1.68 668,000 13.28 775,100 63.65 92,650 6.3 34,200 620 37,820 4.81 183,000 3.83 30,000 1.56 2,563,000 15.44 1,264,700 5.47 23,200 0.132 690,000 1.12 615,000 163.4 1,797,350 2.87 140,000 2.04 6,157,000 24.5 400 0.81 282,000

51,294,260 22,968,298 2,832,130 427,080 2,643,995 1,517,060 2,270 26,927,250 7,308,838 18,900 26,436,887 864,864 29,187 211,735 820 567,470 535 201,400 68,837,430 50,294,572 22,919,384 19,970,512 27,534,900 12,052,584 26,800,659 18,588,980 4,127,932 78,509,268 3,399,280 318,153,214 12,710 857,150 3,350 75,738 73,339,560 9,636,544 93,080,505 99,314,548 90,830 626,404 17,070,840 632,600 39,016,679 3,080,718 815,610 1,124,350 10,466,506 5,902,120.50 211,780 23,312,065 880,240 114,830 4,092,150 19,269,308 125,771 90,580 691,510 295,776,358 402,890 12,803,630 9,815 230,880

-22,212,795 2,940,830 -229,070 1,305,980 2,296,436 1,482,476 5,700 -22,720 -10,678,676 3,659,518 -5,612,766 -3,570,621 8,006,054 1,454,858 1,888,218.50 -194,470 1,122,282 -9,855,846 280,500 -88,907,102 882,765 1,378,378 33,905,870 51,118,514 1,795,190 -4,850 1,405,748.00 645 55,640 -1,646,908 75,291 5,131,685 721,500.00 -30,560 -679,590 1,746,256 -123,966,505 376,740 -42,820 -

0.295 75.55 15.04 0.94 6.97 0.415 0.455 1,046 7.37 14.16 7.5 5 0.186 1,342 7.4 75.9 5.32 0.68 5.55 22.45 0.305 6.5 3.35 0.039 1.3 2.44 2.51 142 2.6 1,073 1.61 178.4 278 0.255 0.194

HOLDING FIRMS 0.3 880,000 77.8 1,631,300 15.3 10,604,400 0.96 15,000 7.05 3,000 0.435 6,430,000 0.5 3,580,000 1,050 459,610 7.39 1,237,000 14.3 5,313,900 7.5 63,500 5 1,900 0.186 170,000 1,350 114,585 7.5 300 78 2,471,600 5.9 8,200 0.7 950,000 5.66 370,300 22.95 2,903,800 0.315 170,000 6.5 26,143,800 3.35 4,000 0.04 21,400,000 1.34 437,000 2.58 4,920,000 2.51 26,000 144.9 374,750 2.6 7,000 1,090 475,985 1.64 1,044,000 178.4 30 280 3,810 0.26 2,290,000 0.199 420,000

265,900 125,541,102.50 161,566,046 14,360 20,950 2,764,300 1,685,900 483,390,855 9,162,623 75,764,784 476,961 9,500 31,620 154,934,010 2,240 189,963,558.50 44,958 649,750 2,075,015 66,388,735 52,650 170,683,022 13,400 846,100 579,310 12,410,910 67,060 53,780,863 18,200 518,648,660 1,688,840 5,352 1,063,726 613,700 83,530

-27,859,773 -45,411,976 335,600 -218,329,275 -1,611,063 -24,971,924 -92,885,010 -95,979,766.50 594,053 -25,896,290 -99,927,989 -117,900 -313,300 16,152,568 -169,993,395 5,590 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.65 59 119.9 3.8 156 1.95 36.9 15.6 28.9 8.99 0.65 1.78 1,000 0.54 99.8 1.17 13.7 25.95 57.1 247 103 54 252 1,945 90.45 1.23

3.65 59.8 120 3.8 156 1.96 36.9 15.6 28.9 8.99 0.65 1.78 1,000 0.55 100.1 1.28 13.7 25.95 59 247.6 103 54 252.4 1,945 91.45 1.23

3.5 59 117.8 3.75 154.5 1.93 36.55 15.32 28.1 8.18 0.65 1.69 1,000 0.53 99.5 1.16 13.4 25.95 57.1 246 103 50.5 246.8 1,945 90 1.23

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

41.3 12.6 0.61 1.32 17.86 0.218 113.5 4.51 16.1 189 51.8 18.48 61.8 56.1 82 1.91 5.35 10.9 12.46 14.8 12.84 8.39 5.61 15.88 61.95 31.2 10.5 19.3 1.92 285.4 55.5 4.3 3.35 19.28 28.6 18.04 21.5 336 0.199 8.88 2.93 4.85 9.7 6.55 8.12 1.71 13.6 64.15 6.2 627 4.8 3.82 1.66 15.2 5.42 0.13 1.16 170.4 2.98 2.05 24.55 0.81

41.4 12.7 0.66 1.32 20.45 0.226 113.5 4.52 16.12 189 51.8 18.48 63 60.95 82 1.91 5.35 10.9 12.5 14.8 12.84 8.39 5.65 15.98 62.7 31.3 10.7 19.4 1.93 285.4 58 4.3 3.35 20.1 28.6 18.14 21.5 337.8 0.2 9.09 2.95 5.1 9.71 6.55 8.3 1.72 13.62 64.15 6.38 627 4.82 3.85 1.68 15.68 5.47 0.132 1.16 171 2.98 2.1 24.55 0.82

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE B FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A 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 SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG ZEUS HLDG

0.305 77.9 15.52 0.94 6.97 0.415 0.46 1,076 7.42 14.46 7.5 5 0.186 1,365 7.4 78 5.32 0.68 5.58 23.4 0.31 6.64 3.35 0.04 1.38 2.5 2.63 144 2.6 1,120 1.61 178.4 280 0.27 0.199

0.305 77.9 15.58 0.96 7.05 0.44 0.5 1,076 7.44 14.5 7.6 5 0.186 1,380 7.5 78 5.9 0.7 5.7 23.4 0.32 6.64 3.35 0.04 1.4 2.64 2.63 144.9 2.6 1,120 1.64 178.4 280.6 0.285 0.199

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 EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES

6.35 0.96 16.42 2.2 0.92 46.5 3.88 4.7 5.88 0.475 1.06 1.11 0.244 0.445 39.7 0.66 0.138 1.87 1.36 0.76 5.05 0.315 0.34

6.4 0.96 16.42 2.2 0.92 46.5 3.88 4.71 5.88 0.475 1.06 1.15 0.244 0.445 39.7 0.66 0.138 1.87 1.37 0.78 5.05 0.315 0.345

6.27 0.93 14 2.16 0.9 44.9 3.84 4.65 5.73 0.46 1.06 1.11 0.233 0.44 39.1 0.65 0.137 1.86 1.35 0.76 4.96 0.31 0.335

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

0.54 4.85 43.5 20.6 2.03 3.24 38.5 1.02 18 0.88 6.3

0.56 4.89 43.8 21 2.07 3.24 38.65 1.04 19.3 0.88 7.15

0.53 4.77 36.5 20 2 3.23 37.5 1.02 15.5 0.83 6.21

0.56 4.85 36.5 21 2.04 3.23 37.85 1.04 15.98 0.88 6.9

2,806,000 973,000 10,400 4,734,900 630,000 55,000 23,467,100 28,000 1,104,100 4,335,000 54,918,200

1,529,310 4,708,220 410,235 97,098,720 1,275,110 178,170 888,158,245 28,720 18,747,008 3,647,720 377,028,645

42,690 9,620 -34,252,740 130,000 -455,115,215 -262,620 -179,791,074

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER 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

22.1 33.1 1.37 0.44 0.049 4.93 12.66 0.068 99.05 9.12 9.65 8.9 2.99 49 980 1,896 5.9 95.55 11.26 4.98 2.82 112 8.3 0.139 1.66 3.35 15.7 4.2 1.12 22.15 0.52 4.75 8.95 3.65 17.7 6.5 10.7 10.2 2.77 107 7.04 1,566 1.24 0.35 54 98.4 5.58 3.11 1.55 0.42 4.04 0.96 9.85

22.2 33.1 1.4 0.44 0.049 4.93 12.66 0.068 99.5 9.12 9.79 8.9 3 52.95 980 1,899 5.9 100 11.26 5.08 2.95 112 8.3 0.14 1.66 3.37 15.7 4.2 1.13 22.35 0.52 4.76 8.96 3.67 18.3 6.69 10.7 10.22 2.86 107 7.04 1,580 1.25 0.35 54 98.4 5.6 3.18 1.55 0.6 4.04 0.96 9.92

20 32.8 1.35 0.43 0.047 4.93 12.1 0.067 99 8.8 9.27 8.25 2.77 45.05 980 1,800 5.86 90.25 11.26 4.82 2.8 110 8.3 0.138 1.55 3.2 15.12 4.03 1.07 21.5 0.52 4.54 8.6 3.63 17.04 6.29 10.52 10.2 2.77 103 6.88 1,510 1.24 0.34 52.9 97.2 5.58 3.09 1.52 0.415 3.98 0.93 9.35

SERVICES 20 32.95 1.35 0.435 0.047 4.93 12.26 0.068 99.2 8.98 9.34 8.27 2.77 46.8 980 1,860 5.86 100 11.26 4.9 2.85 110 8.3 0.139 1.56 3.34 15.4 4.04 1.08 22.1 0.52 4.55 8.68 3.63 17.6 6.31 10.58 10.22 2.86 105 6.9 1,573 1.24 0.34 53.75 97.9 5.58 3.14 1.52 0.6 4.04 0.93 9.42

360,000 161,200 150,000 2,290,000 50,780,000 2,000 13,326,700 9,340,000 390,770 54,400 4,483,700 284,600 424,000 397,500 60 115,250 259,400 319,800 300 8,289,000 61,000 1,229,570 2,000 4,390,000 2,475,000 11,000 12,800 2,098,000 1,020,000 1,839,500 372,000 1,681,000 6,395,800 1,296,000 5,200 38,409,500 15,000 2,700 13,000 39,960 950,000 161,280 1,270,000 200,000 902,170 528,180 78,900 580,000 1,255,000 960,400,000 942,000 5,816,000 10,437,200

7,492,690 5,318,145 204,370 987,100 2,412,450 9,860 164,217,322 634,270 38,763,170.50 479,525 42,832,159 2,444,291 1,237,920 19,403,165 58,800 213,319,835 1,524,384 30,310,190 3,378 40,971,320 172,120 135,574,889 16,600 610,360 3,920,560 36,660 196,970 8,556,360 1,114,610 40,219,715 193,440 7,710,110 55,590,969 4,724,250 92,176 246,951,936 160,194 27,544 36,460 4,186,676 6,582,740 250,940,995 1,577,420 68,300 48,047,437 51,690,480.50 440,359 1,806,600 1,918,500 506,166,200 3,769,500 5,438,730 99,809,497

44,980 21,500 13,539,718 -4,760 -8,495,463 -16,914,100 161,440 -150,240 29,591,890 -85,680 -2,059,880 -99,357,848 73,920 12,210 16,350 6,376,205 17,881,954.00 1,092,300 702,844 -3,277,031 53,197 40,331,725 -137,500 -10,311,955 -19,706,348.50 71,500 303,730 -92,945,350 1,437,890.00 -52,080 35,587,904

214,200 5,380,170 1,473,520 37,152 70,110 618,290 156,000 726,692 2,854,940 321,480 3,414,600 276,320 19,200 1,064,200 69,286,867 1,015,090 162,200 246,490 6,000 1,916,600 4,094,400 15,400 5,992,191 33,099,981 61,305,090 927,000

-1,206,290 -22,422 5,240 17,542,619 -65,000 -352,800 2,255,189 9,266,730 -

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.3 0.95 15.4 2.17 0.91 45.6 3.88 4.7 5.88 0.465 1.06 1.11 0.239 0.44 39.1 0.66 0.137 1.87 1.35 0.78 4.96 0.31 0.34

898,100 6,061,000 97,500 186,000 3,172,000 18,764,000 823,000 2,380,000 43,600 9,300,000 15,000 127,000 11,680,000 1,290,000 150,600 7,263,000 200,000 3,588,000 3,413,000 70,000 45,209,100 48,070,000 1,470,000

5,676,429 5,684,620 1,478,696 402,330 2,868,860 855,168,415 3,173,820 11,101,370 256,278 4,327,800 15,900 141,210 2,757,070 573,550 5,909,915 4,783,030 27,420 6,688,410 4,612,520 53,900 226,229,228 14,958,200 496,250

-1,158,193 -24,640 -150,985,090 343,450 871,860 43,504 -432,950 217,120 2,158,045.00 677,310 -114,900 59,828,743 -151,900 37,400

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

0.0022 1.54 4.88 13.5 1.71 1.6 0.325 7.38 2.68 0.188 0.156 0.156 0.0097 1.67 6.95 1.43 0.45 0.93 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.2 7.05 9.87 38.2 0.007

0.0023 1.54 4.9 13.5 1.71 1.61 0.325 7.54 2.7 0.188 0.156 0.157 0.0097 1.69 6.95 1.43 0.475 0.95 0.012 0.013 0.013 2.2 7.07 9.87 38.2 0.007

0.0022 1.5 4.8 13.1 1.71 1.6 0.325 7.23 2.59 0.188 0.153 0.156 0.0095 1.65 6.58 1.33 0.445 0.93 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.2 6.65 9.25 37.75 0.0068

MINING & OIL 0.0022 95,000,000 1.52 3,547,000 4.9 305,000 13.5 2,800 1.71 41,000 1.6 386,000 0.325 480,000 7.23 100,400 2.59 1,086,000 0.188 1,710,000 0.154 22,300,000 0.157 1,770,000 0.0095 2,000,000 1.68 642,000 6.6 10,368,700 1.39 747,000 0.475 360,000 0.95 265,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 159,200,000 0.012 340,200,000 2.2 7,000 6.76 883,900 9.25 3,504,600 38 1,614,000 0.007 136,000,000

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

32.55 516.5 104 105 523 5.58 1,010 1,017 102 1.05 1,098 1,002 111 2 77 81 75.7 77 80.4 78.25 79.7

32.55 516.5 104.1 105 523 5.6 1,010 1,017 102.1 1.05 1,098 1,002 111 2 77 81.2 75.7 77 80.45 78.6 79.7

32.55 516 104 105 523 5.58 1,009 1,015 102 1.04 1,098 1,002 111 2 77 81 75.7 77 78.6 78 79.7

PREFERRED 32.55 100 516 860 104.1 6,550 105 40 523 2,000 5.6 166,300 1,009 1,000 1,017 14,820 102.1 19,540 1.05 105,000 1,098 375 1,002 700 111 7,910 2 35,000 77 600 81 4,830 75.7 700 77 1,000 78.65 63,850 78.6 16,700 79.7 100

3,255 443,765 681,853 4,200 1,046,000 930,991 1,009,005 15,063,650 1,994,252 109,250 411,750 701,400 878,010 70,000 46,200 391,236 52,990 77,000 5,066,226.50 1,309,850 7,970

-822,089 -12,200,005 1,179,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.47

2.5

2.45

WARRANTS 2.45 322,000

790,640

-

22,003,161 92,740 1,316,750 5,020,640

-240,703 -13,320 191,550

29,532,009

194,435.00

102,000

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8.05 3.18 3.56 4.54

8.05 3.18 3.8 4.66

7.7 2.9 3.55 4.54

FIRST METRO ETF

137

137

134

USD DMPL A1

10.2

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

10.2

SHARES

26,351,076 85,695,794 95,265,771

PROPERTY

257,418,422

SERVICES

1,137,065,025

MINING & OIL GRAND TOTAL

783,568,104 2,389,901,411

10.2

7.74 2.9 3.77 4.55

SME

2,822,700 30,000 357,000 1,098,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 134.4 218,570 10.2

DDS

10,000

VALUE 2,244.03 ( down) -14.12 1,550,778,725.59 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,849.03 (down) -167.5 1,574,766,216.8 HOLDING FIRMS 9,189.77 (down) -173.18 2,058,830,553.14 PROPERTY 4,028.38 (down) -76.09 SERVICES 1,706.68 (down) -29.62 2,552,987,771.11 MINING & OIL 12,011.52 (down) -222.53 2,064,062,568.6 PSEI 8,910.48 (down) -148.14 194,717,350.373 All Shares Index 5,194.64 (down) -78.36 10,054,153,346.85 Gainers: 58; Losers: 151; Unchanged: 55; Total: 264

Sydney-based CMC Markets analyst Ric Spooner added that a key driver behind investor caution was Janet Yellen’s final FOMC meeting as chair.

“A hawkish Fed response to recent strong US data could extend selling in the bond markets and amplify the nervousness evident in US stock markets last night,” he said.

This week’s earnings calendar meanwhile includes tech giants Amazon, Apple and Facebook, as well as traditional blue chip companies such as Boeing, ExxonMobil and McDonald’s.

Investors have been cheered thus far by betterthan-expected results and upbeat outlooks in the wake of US tax cuts.

But after a wave of Wall Street records in the first month of the year, they are nervous that stocks “may be priced for perfection” heading into the busiest stretch of earnings season, one analyst said.

Apple slid more than two percent on Monday after the Nikkei daily reported it was slashing production of its latest iPhone model, adding to worries about the company’s earnings.

The tech giant will halve production of the iPhone X in the three-month period from January from the level envisaged at the time of its release in November, the business paper said.

Apple suppliers were among those hit Tuesday, with Sony and electronics components maker Murata both losing 1.9 percent.

With AFP

8990 signs deal to sell receivables worth P2.8b

By Jenniffer B. Austria MASS housing builder 8990 Holdings Inc. said it sold P2.8 billion worth of receivables to Dearborn Resources and Holdings Inc. 8990 Holdings said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it signed an agreement with DRHI to sell and transfer in-house contracts to sell, or CTS, receivables worth P2 billion on a nonrecourse basis.

The CTS comes from housing units involving 24 projects across the country.

The total value of 8990 Holdings’ CTS portfolio as of end-September 2017 stood at P19.7 billion comprising of over 22,000 housing units.

The group’s CTS portfolio has been going down as result of successful liquidation activities, such as migration of some accounts to National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. and sale to banks on a without recourse basis.

The mass housing developer in the third quarter of 2017 sold P1.2 billion of its CTS portfolio to BDO Unibank Inc. and Security Bank Corp.

CTS, the in-housing financing program being offered by 8990 Holdings to home buyers, is another major source of revenues for the company, contributing about 12 percent to core business revenue in terms of interest income.

8990 Holdings in the third quarter of 2017 generated P1.1 billion in interest income from CTS.

World IN BRIEF List of Russians up for sanctions WASHINGTON―The US Treasury has released a long-awaited list of Russian officials and business leaders eligible for sanctions under a law designed to punish Moscow for its alleged meddling in the election that brought Donald Trump to power.

The list published shortly before midnight Monday features the names of most of the senior members in President Vladimir Putin’s administration―114 politicians altogether―and 96 business people the US considers ‘oligarchs’ close to Putin and worth at least $1 billion each.

The seven-page unclassified list, which does not trigger sanctions right away, features Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and top officials in Russian intelligence agencies.

Also on the list were the chief executives of big state-owned companies such as energy giant Rosneft and Sberbank.

The list was widely expected to infuriate Putin and send shivers through his inner circle and Moscow’s moneyed elite, threatening to cut them off from world finance. AFP

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Crunch time for separatist

B

ARCELONA―Catalan lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on a bid

by Catalonia’s ousted separatist leader Carles Puigdemont to form a new government, setting the stage for a fresh showdown with Spain’s central government which removed him from office.

Puigdemont moved to Belgium shortly after Catalonia’s parliament declared independence in October and he faces arrest if he returns to Spain for leading the secession bid in the wealthy northwestern region that is home to some 7.5 million people.

But last week the new speaker of the Catalan parliament nominated Puigdemont to lead Catalonia

again, with the regional assembly set to begin debating on his candidacy at 3.00 pm (1400 GMT) under tight security.

Puigdemont’s supporters have been encouraged to demonstrate outside of the assembly at that time, bearing paper masks with a likeness of his face that could be downloaded off the internet.

The Catalan parliament speaker maintained

the session of parliament even though Spain’s Constitutional Court ruled on Saturday―in response to a lawsuit filed by the central government―that Puigdemont must be present at the assembly to be chosen as the region’s chief.

The court also warned that swearing in Puigdemont at a distance, by videoconference as some of his supporters have proposed, would not be valid.

And it ruled Puigdemont must ask a Supreme Court judge leading the investigation into his role in Catalonia’s independence push for permission to attend the parliamentary session.

Puigdemont appealed the ruling and the Constitutional

Court will begin considering stop the crisis by imposing won a majority of 70 seats his arguments on Tuesday at direct rule on the semi-au- in the 135-seat parliament in 1.00 pm (1200 GMT), just tonomous region, sacking its the December polls. before the investiture debate government including PuigWhile separatist parties in the Catalan parliament be- demont, dissolving parlia- won less than half the vote, gins. ment and calling snap elec- 47.5 percent, they benefited The parliament debate tions. from electoral rules which comes three months after the But in a major setback give greater weight to rural assembly’s failed declaration for the central government, areas, where support for inof independence on October separatist parties once again dependence is higher. AFP 27, which deeply divided Catalans Republic of the Philippines Department of Health and triggered CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Spain’s worst porequeSt for exPreSSIon of IntereSt litical crisis since Procurement of conSultIng fIrm for the deSIgn develoPment, Procurement aSSIStance, the country reand conStructIon management for the conStructIon of drug aBuSe treatment and rehaBIlItatIon center (datrc) In trece martIreS, cavIte turned to democreI-cS-faPS-2018-001 racy following the 1. The Department of Health (DOH), through the Japan International Cooperation Agency death of longtime (JICA) intends to apply the sum of Fifty Five Million Philippine Pesos (PhP55,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payment under the contract for the dictator Francisco Procurement of Consulting Firm for the Design Development, Procurement Assistance, and Construction Management for the Construction of Drug Abuse Treatment and Franco in 1975.

Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Trece Martires, Cavite. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposal.

Spain’s Prime 2. The DOH now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for the Procurement of Minister Mariano Consulting Firm for the Design Development, Procurement Assistance, and Construction Rajoy moved to Management for the Construction of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center

Foreigners deny dirty dancing PHNOM PENH―Ten foreigners arrested for “singing and dancing pornographically” in Cambodia last week have denied the charges against them, their lawyer said Tuesday.

The group―five Britons, two Canadians, a Norwegian, a New Zealander and a Dutch national―were arrested on Thursday during a party at a private villa in Siem Reap, the gateway to the famed ruins of Angkor Wat. The defendants, aged between 19 and 31, were charged by a Siem Reap court with producing pornographic pictures and materials, which carries a maximum one-year sentence.

But their appointed lawyer Soung Sophea told AFP his clients rejected the allegations.

Soung Sophea said they admitted wearing “sexy” clothes and singing and dancing as well as drinking during a pool party called “Let’s Get Wet”.

But their activities “did not fall under the charges”, he said. AFP

(DATRC) in Trece Martires, Cavite under REI-CS-FAPS-2018-001. Eligibility documents of interested consulting firms must be duly received by the COBAC-B Secretariat on or before February 7, 2018, 9:00 A.M. at COBAC Conference Room, G/F Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

3.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from COBAC Secretariat, COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Building 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on January 31 to March 21, 2018 from the address above upon payment of applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB in the amount of Fifty Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP50,000.00).

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

5.

The COBAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The criteria and rating system for short listing are: a) b) c)

6.

Applicable Experience of the Firm (30 %) Quality of Personnel (60 %) Current Existing Projects Workload Related to Capacity (10 %)

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of R.A. 9184.

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

Picasso painting to be auctioned HONG KONG―A rare Picasso painting on auction for the first time made its debut in Hong Kong at the start of a global tour on Tuesday and is expected to fetch $50 million, auction house Sotheby’s said.

The painting― ”Femme au beret et a la robe quadrillee (MarieTherese Walter”)―is a colorful and angular depiction of Picasso’s French lover with a dark silhouette looming behind her face.

“Of all of the artist’s styles and decades, this is the one that most epitomizes the legacy of Picasso as a portraitist of women,” said Thomas Bompard of the Impressionist and Modern Art department at Sotheby’s in London.

Walter began her relationship with Picasso as his mistress and muse when she was 17 and committed suicide in 1977, four years after his death. AFP

B3

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

7.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality-Cost Based Evaluation Procedure (QCBE). The Procuring Entity shall indicate the weights to be allocated for the Technical and Financial Proposals. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

8.

The contract shall be completed within two (2) years and three (3) months.

9.

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

For further information, please refer to:

SNOWING IN SEOUL. A pedestrian shelters from the snow as he makes his way through Gwanghwamun

square in central Seoul on January 30, 2018. AFP

Live-fire drills following tensions with China HUALIEN, Taiwan―Taiwanese troops on Tuesday staged live-fire exercises simulating a response to an invasion, as China stepped up pressure on the island’s President Tsai Ing-wen and a row over airline routes escalated.

The military sent reconnaissance aircraft to observe simulated incoming ships, and tanks fired rounds as the “enemy” landed at the eastern port of Hualien.

Attack helicopters fired flares and F-16 fighter jets launched simulated assaults, backing up the ground battle against the “enemy” troops― who wore red helmets to differentiate themselves.

The ministry did not specify that the annual drill simulated an invasion by China but said it was in-

tended to “show determination to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait and national security”.

The Taiwan Strait separates the island from China.

Tsai last month warned against what she called Beijing’s “military expansion”―the increase in Chinese air and naval drills around the island since she came to power in May 2016.

There is also a dispute about new flight routes by Chinese airlines in the strait.

Beijing sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification, by force if necessary.

Cross-strait relations have turned frosty since the inauguration of Tsai, who refuses to acknowledge self-ruling, democratic Taiwan is

part of “one China”.

The drill on Tuesday takes place annually before the Lunar New Year holiday to raise public confidence in Taiwan’s defense capabilities.

“Our combat-readiness has no holidays,” Huang Kai-sen, a lieutenant general, told AFP. “In order for our citizens to feel safe during the Chinese New Year, we are standing by and on guard 24 hours a day.”

Tensions have been growing this month since China began operating new flight routes in the Taiwan Strait without consulting the island.

Taipei slammed the move as reckless and politically motivated, adding it could threaten the island’s security and endanger flight safety.

AFP

Journalists complain about working in China BEIJING―The working conditions for foreign correspondents in China deteriorated last year, with journalists reporting being beaten, detained and harassed, according to a survey published on Tuesday.

Almost half of the more than 100 correspondents were subjected to some form of interference in 2017 while attempting to gather information, according to the report by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China.

Twenty-three percent said they were physically obstructed from gaining access to a location and

eight percent said they were manhandled or beaten.

BBC reporter Matthew Goddard told the FCCC that unknown individuals tried to smash his camera equipment after he refused to hand over footage as well as “physically punched” him.

The FCCC said the results “provide strong evidence to suggest that, from an already very low baseline, reporting conditions are getting worse”.

Reporting grew more difficult in many areas, but particularly in the vast northwestern region of Xinji-

ang, the homeland of the Uighurs― a mostly Muslim ethnic minority experiencing Chinese cultural and religious repression.

Seventy-three percent of the respondents who traveled to Xinjiang in 2017 were told by officials that reporting was prohibited or restricted, compared with 42 percent in 2016.

“I was detained in Xinjiang numerous times, in pretty much every city, on the train. I was interrogated for 11 hours and was not permitted to sleep for two nights,” the report cited a journalist from an American news organization as saying. AFP

COBAC B SECRETARIAT Department of Health 2nd Floor, Building 6, San Lazaro Compound, Sta. Cruz, Manila 1003 Tel. No. 651-7800 Loc. 1624 – 1627 & 1652; Telefax No. 711-6061 Website: www.doh.gov.ph January 29, 2018 (Date of Issue) (SGD) MARIO C. VILLAVERDE, MD, MPH, MPM, CESO I Undersecretary of Health COBAC B Chairperson (MS-JAN. 31, 2018)

InvItatIon to BId for Project no. 2017-04: SuPPly and delIvery of I.t. equIPment and Software 1. The Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), through the Corporate Budget for the Year 2017 intends to apply the sum of Two Million Seven Hundred Seventeen Thousand Pesos (Php2,717,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Project No. 2017-04: Supply and Delivery of I.T. Equipment and Software. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The SHFC now invites bids for Supply and Delivery of I.T. Equipment and Software.Delivery of the Goods is required [insert the required delivery date or expected contract duration]. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

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

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from SHFC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M..

5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on January 31, 2018from the address belowand upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php5,000.00) It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6. The SHFC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 8, 2018, 10:00 A.M. at SHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7. Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before February 20, 2018, 10:00 A.M.. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on February 20, 2018, 10:00 A.M. atSHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8. SHFC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. SHFC reserves the right to waive any or all formal requirements, so that it shall likewise not be held liable for any defects or typographical errors in all documents received by the bidder, which shall be presumed to have been read and understood by the bidders to be mere defects in form only 9. The SHFC reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

LITERARY SENSATION. Scottish author Claire McFall poses for AFP in Lesmahagow, south of Glasgow, on January 25, 2018. McFall, a small-town schoolteacher, has become an international literary sensation with more than a million sales in China and a Hollywood movie deal—but remains relatively unknown in her homeland. AFP

10. For further information, please refer to: Ethel S. Bugho BAC Secretariat Social Housing Finance Corporation 6thFloor, BDO Plaza, 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City (T) +63 2 750 6337 (loc) 732 ebugho@shfcph.com www.shfcph.com (Sgd.) ATTY. JOSE D. MELGAREJO Chairman, BAC (MS-JAN. 31, 2018)

LGUs

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

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wednesday, january 31, 2018

LocaL government units

Young girls perform an indigenous dance during Pakaradjaan, a Tausug and Yakan term for merrymaking or special event. Traditionally celebrated from March 1 to 7 this year, the Basilan provincial government has extended it to two weeks. Ayunan Gunting-Al-Haj

Makati dads hailed

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City Council made 263 local legislations in 2017, including ordinances and resolutions that promotes inclusive progress and supporting Mayor Abigail Binay’s vision of the city’s digital transformation.

The Council passed a total of 159 city ordinances and 104 resolutions in 49 regular sessions last year.

“We are fortunate to have such a hardworking Sangguniang Panlungsod which ensures that our initiatives conform to the law and uphold the best interest of our constituents,” said Binay.

Among the landmark legislations in 2017 were the amendment of the Public-Private Partnership

Code and the approval of the terms and conditions of the city’s first digital PPP venture—the Makatizen Card, a universal ID card aimed to empower residents to participate in and benefit from the fast-rising digital economy.

The Council’s support also resulted in the launching of the Makati Public Wi-Fi System through another PPP venture of the city government, the Makatizen App, and the instal-

lation of Mobile signal boosters on city-owned lampposts, among others.

Binay acknowledged the joint efforts of the Office of the Vice Mayor, the Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the city Legal Department in ensuring that all legislations passed by the local council are aligned with national laws and have gone through proper legislative process.

The mayor also noted the due diligence observed by the City Council in the passage of major policies that affect many sectors to promote inclusive progress.

“The City Council made sure to involve the concerned sectors in the process through the conduct of public hear-

ings and consultations which provided useful inputs for the enactment of responsive and beneficial policies,” she said.

In 2017, the Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod facilitated 11 public hearings and consultations for ordinances, which include City Ordinance No. 2017-098 declaring a citywide curfew for minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. and imposing the suspension of city-provided benefits on parents and guardians of curfew violators.

To date, the city Legal Department is working on the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the curfew ordinance in collaboration with the Liga ng mga Barangay, Makati Social Welfare Department and

Makati City Council for the Protection of Children.

Other ordinances promoting children’s safety include an ordinance banning the sale and possession of plastic knives and fan knives, plastic knuckles and similar toy-like objects in the city. Another one prohibits motorcycle drivers from carrying small children on board anywhere in the city.

It also regulates the conveyance of minors in tricycles by prohibiting drivers from carrying minors in front or at the back of the driver’s seat. Riding on bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and similar conveyances without a protective helmet in the city has also been declared illegal by another ordinance.

Basilan celebrates Pakaradjaan fest with Feb. kickoff

By Ayunan G. Gunting-Al-Hadj BASILAN, the largest island in Sulu Archipelago, marks its establishment with the Pakaradjaan, an annual festival of sports, culture and community service. ‘ “Pakaradjaan” is a Tausug and Yakan term for merry-making or special event. Although it is traditionally celebrated from March 1 to 7, this year, the provincial government has extended it to two weeks.

Gov. Jim Salliman Hataman will kick off Pakaradjaan with a press conference on Feb. 21 at the Garden Orchid Hotel.

The festival opens Feb. 26 with a ceremony, a trade fair and a presentation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan at the grandstand. The Governor’s Tennis Cup will be held at Isabela.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony of the provincial government board’s project and a medical mission (Feb. 27), followed by the Basilan Circumferential Road Caravan, which starts at the Maluso Terminal (Feb 28), another medical mission in Tuburan (March 1).

The weekend starts with a job fair and a series of sporting events in men’s volleyball tournament at the Capitol Ground, shooting, bowling tournament at the D’ Biel’s bowling center (March 1). The darts tournament will be followed by a Himig ng Basileño at the grandstand (March 2).

Intelligence and artistry will be challenged in Tagisan ng Talino and a poster making contest (March 3). Also, on Sunday, a badminton tournament will be held at gymnasium and a variety show, Barangay Night at the amphitheater.

The week begins with a full day of events (March 4). A fun run will span from Begang to the grandstand. Devotees will be inspired by the Qu-Ran Memorization Contest at the amphitheater. The indigenous culture will be celebrated in “Tara Na Sa Basilan” at the grandstand.

A regatta on the port, kite flying and the coronation of the Muse of Pakaradjaan will take place (March 5). The festival also has a social cause with a feeding program for children under five years old in three municipalities (March 6). An evening program with surprise numbers will be held at the amphitheater.

Finally, the festivities will climax with cultural program at the Assembly Place of the Maluso Terminal and a Basilan Night at the gymnasium (March 7).

Basilan was under the Zamboanga province in the 20th century. After the war, it became a separate city under law. In 1973, President Ferdinand Marcus issued a presidential decree to make it a province to but dampen the fighting between government and Muslim groups. For so long, the province has been hogging the headlines due to skirmishes with the Abu Sayaff.

In 2011, the provincial government organized the Pakaradjaan to honor Basilan’s Foundation Day. President Benigno Aquino declared March 7 as a special holiday to commemorate the event. The fiesta aims to promote the province as a friendly destination.

Biz still high on Davao despite ML — ECCP

FCF starts operating Runruno gold mine

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera hotel gross sales in Davao DAVAO CITY—Though Mindanao was placed under martial law it did not dampen investors’ confidence, particularly in Davao City.

No less than the founder and managing director of PRIME Philippines has noted that martial law has “minimal to no effect” on the business in Davao City.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines and real estate firm PRIME Philippines spearheaded business forum in Davao City recently. The forum was dubbed the “Mindanao Business Briefing: Updates on Security Situation, Business Resiliency and Optimism”.

“Martial law has minimal to no effect on the gross sales of residential condominiums in Davao City,” said Jet Yu, PRIME Philippines founder and managing director.

He noted the increase in

City to 100 percent in December from only 25 percent in August.

“Hotel gross sales in Davao City have increased by 25 to 100 percent from August to December 2017 after experiencing 10 to 25 percent decrease a few months after the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao,” Yu said.

In a speech read by Davao City Investment Promotions Center head Lemuel Ortonio, Mayor Sara Duterte commended the ECCP and PRIME Philippines for choosing the city as one of the event venues. The Mindanao Business Forum is also slated in Diliman, Quezon City next month.

“Today we will hear the testimonies of resiliency amid security challenges among business champions, encouraging us to continue the advancement of our economic prosperity in Mindanao particularly in Davao City,” Mayor Duterte said.

By Ben Moses Ebreo

GROUNDBREAKING. Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre [sixth from left] flashes his fist with Lucena City Mayor Roderick

‘Dondon’ A. Alcala [fifth from left] during the groundbreaking ceremony of proposed Department of Justice building at the Lucena City government complex. Also at the event were City Administrator Anaclito Alcala Jr., Councilor Vic Paolo, Councilor Benny Brezuela, Councilor Anaclito Alcala III, and DoJ officials in Quezon province. Benjie A. Antioquia

QC ordinance bans nudity in public areas

By Rio N. Araja THE 37-member Quezon City council has passed an ordinance banning residents from roaming around naked in public places.

District 2 Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica authored City Ordinance 2623-2017,

saying the measure was introduced based on propriety, and that social behavior must be acceptable, morally correct and proper.

“There are people oblivious to the senses, feelings, and emotions of others who are displaying, walking or roaming around in public

places topless, bottomless or completely naked. Naked persons in public places erode decency, exacerbates disorder, and setting a bad example to children,” the ordinance read.

The measures provide a P1,000 fine or community service in the barangay in

which the naked person lives for three days for the first offense.

For second offense, a P1,500 fine or community service for five days shall be imposed, while on third offense, a violator is sanctioned with a P3,000 fine or an imprisonment of six months.

Libertad sports new health center RESIDENTS of Libertad in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, led by its local government leaders and Department of Health officials, came together to celebrate the inauguration of the town’s newly rehabilitated rural health unit.

The community welcomed the unveiling of Libertad Main Health Center, which now has new and improved offices, consultation rooms, treatment rooms, dental clinic, laboratory, labor room, breastfeeding area and birthing clinic.

The health center also has a new play area for children complete with books and toys as well as a waiting

lounge for the comfortable use of senior citizens.

The renovation helps its doctors, nurses and midwives improve the delivery of healthcare services to a population of more than 100,000 people from 29 barangays. The rural health unit averages around 200 child births per month.

The improvements in the health center were acknowledged by local officials including DOH local health support division chief Dr. Ernesto Pareja, Butuan city health officer Dr. Joyce Hidalgo and Butuan councilor Cherry Mae Busa, who serves as the chairman of the committee on health.

This project was made possible by BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank.

Libertad Main Health Center is one of several health centers rehabilitated by the foundation in Mindanao.

BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito and BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa witnessed the blessing and inauguration of the rural health unit together with BDO Butuan-J.C. Aquino Avenue branch head Janice Arapan, BDO Butuan-Montilla branch head Marty Llorente and One The Libertad Main Health Center, recently rehabilitated by BDO Foundation, will help Network Bank Langihan branch improve the health and well-being of a catchment population of more than 100,000 individuals, including children (pictured). head Leah Mondejar.

QUEZON, Nueva Vizcaya —British-owned firm FCF Minerals Corp., which runs the gold mine in Barangay Runruno here, is now under commercial operations after getting approval from the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau based in Tuguegarao City.

Mario Ancheta, MGB regional director, said FCF Minerals Corp. went on commercial operation since the second semester of last year after submission of their Declaration of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) in September 2016, which underwent validation and debugging to ensure their compliance on mining standards.

The company’s DCCO was signed in July 17, 2017.

“FCF submitted their Declaration of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) in September 2016, but we needed to conduct validation and wait for the results of its debugging (test run),” he said.

Ancheta said they earlier issued a partial suspension on its construction works particularly on its Residual Storage Impoundment after it was being damaged by Typhoon Lando in 2015.

“We cannot allow mining companies in Cagayan Valley region to continue for lack of compliance with our existing laws and regulations in mining,” he added.

Life

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

fashion & beauty

wednesday, januaRy 31, 2018

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Guess who wore BOSS at

Alexander Skarsgård at the Screen Actors Guild Awards

i

The Golden Globes

t’S the awards season now in hollywood and every star wants to add sheen and glitter to their presence as they sashay on the red carpet of each award venue.

Recently, the world in the global telecast of the Golden Globes, considered the prelude to this year’s Academy Awards, witnessed a flurry of stars in designer gowns that did not elude the eyes of the paparazzi. the gentlemen, most of them in tuxedo, similarly attracted attention of the press photographers.

Who were these hollywood demigods?

Fans along the red carpet leading to the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 7 in Beverly hills, CA screamed their lungs out when their idol Zac Efron, a presenter and star of The Greatest Showman, turned up for the obligatory pose for the photographers covering the awards.

Efron wore a black shawl collar hugo tuxedo from the current collection.

Also, admirers of Alexander Skarsgård who won the Best Support-

Alexander Skarsgård Screen Actors Guild Awards sketch

ing Actor in limited tV series Big Little Lies wore a black double-breasted BOSS bespoke tuxedo, made from a modern wool mohair blend.

Presenter Sebastian Stan wore a black velvet BOSS bespoke tuxedo with a pointed collar.

…and at The Critics‘ Choice Awards

Some hollywood big names also walked the red carpet in BOSS to the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Jan. 11 in Santa Monica, CA. Most recognizable was Chris Hemsworth, nominated as ‘Best Actor in a Comedy’ (Thor: Ragnarok), who wore a navy blue BOSS bespoke tuxedo with a black silk shawl collar.

Again ’Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series’ (Big Little Lies) Skarsgård wore a blue BOSS bespoke three-piece suit.

Sketch of Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globe Awards outfit

Chris Hemsworth in navy blue BOSS bespoke tuxedo at the Critics Choice Awards

The bride wears shoes by Jimmy Choo With its extensive Bridal Collection and dedicated bridal services, Jimmy Choo has long been the go-to shoe to accompany brides down the aisle on their special day.

For 2018, the Jimmy Choo Bridal Collection offers a wardrobe of beautiful styles underpinned by timeless and classic elegance, from ivory satin courts to the hollywood glamor of Swarovski crystal embellished pumps, strappy single-soled metallic sandals to more fashion-forward seasonal designs. Realized in a delicate color scheme of dusty pink, ivory, and champagne glitter, with an exquisite array of details including; ethereal feathers, flowers, Swarovski crystals, lace, beading, and glitter finishes. the LANCER in ivory satin is a seductively refined pointy toe pump with delicate straps that caress and flatter the foot. Choose simple sophistication in the form of LUCY, the embodiment of a modern day pump with a fine ankle strap providing a distinctly feminine silhouette.

Classic silhouettes are given a playful touch with the stunning AURELiA sandal in ivory satin decorated with a hand crafted Orchid corsage. the CLARENCE sling back in ivory satin showcases ethereal feathered straps that wrap gracefully around the foot. those seeking something more

dramatic can find unexpected twists on classic designs such as the KAMi, which incorporates a flamboyant pleated fan on an otherwise subtle strappy sandal.

Enchanted moments become reality with the handcrafted Cinderellainspired shoe AVRiL. the iconic glass slipper is reimagined with this enchanting, Swarovski crystal encrusted style transforming the wearer into the ultimate princess bride. the timeless pointy-toe pump, ROMY in chic ivory satin has been stylishly updated for the new season finished with a crystal tiara piece which elegantly adorns the upper continuing the Cinderella theme lending a truly magical touch to the day.

Every shoe has their perfect partner in the form of be-jeweled minaudière or sleek clutch bags. the ELLiPSE in champagne sparkly lace is simple yet elegant, finished with a detachable chain strap, wear it on the shoulder or carried in hand for the ultimate bridal look. the groom is not left behind as Jimmy Choo tempts the other half with stylish designs. Feel modern and distinguished in the PENN classic with a lace-up brogue, the understated evening slipper JOhN or the double monk strap tAtE. Dress to impress with the suave FOXLEY tassel loafers, the perfect suitor for the fashion-forward bride.

For brides looking for something exceptional, Jimmy Choo’s Madeto-Order service offers an alluring suite of signature styles that can be custom-made in a myriad of colours, textures and finishes. to create the ultimate keep-sake, Made-to-Order bridal shoes can also be personalized to incorporate monogram brass initials, or a number plaque on the sole of each shoe to commemorate the wedding date. the Jimmy Choo Bridal Collection is available at all Jimmy Choo stores worldwide. in addition, select flagship stores also offer a private bridal suite; London – Bond Street, Milan - Via Sant’ Andrea, and Beverly hills - Rodeo Drive. A dedicated online bridal boutique at www.jimmychoo.com features the signature bridal collection alongside dedicated areas devoted to the Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids, Groom, guests, and honeymoon. No appointment is necessary but fittings may be scheduled online at bridal.appointment@ jimmychoo.com. the site also offers an online wedding advisory service at weddingadvisor@jimmychoo.com.

In the Philippines, Jimmy Choo is exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc., with stores at Shangri-La Plaza East Wing and Rustan’s Makati.

Jimmy Choo Bridal Collection 2018 features classic and elegant footwear for stylish brides

Life

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wednesday, january 31, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

‘Walk Me Down To The Waterfront’ W

Wedding Expo 2017

AtERFROnt Cebu City hotel and Casino recently opened the doors of the majestic Pacific Grand Ballroom for Cebu’s biggest wedding exhibit and fashion show titled “Cebu Wedding Expo 2017: Walk Me Down to the Waterfront”. the event, a partnership between Waterfront Cebu City hotel and Casino, and Dia Gold, gathered Cebu’s most acclaimed wedding suppliers that include wedding planners, event stylists, image stylists, photographers, videographers, and the most creative fashion designers south of Manila.

the event kicked off with a showcase of bridal finery by members of the Cebu Circle of Fashion Creatives. Called “La Voilette”, the opening show featured the stunning works of designers Edwin Alba, Rei Escario, Bree Esplanada, Alejandro Godinez Jr., Pinky Magalona, Mel Maria, Lord Maturan, Manuel Tomaque, Mike yapching and Rey Humberto Villegas.

In the afternoon, the bridal finery from members of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines Cebu Chapter took center stage. “Clair de Lune” put focus on the designs of Mark

Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino general manager Anders Hallden, C&E director Sofia D’Lonsod-Ubalde, Marketing Communications manager Arnel Aparis, and Dia Gold chief executive Jennifer Ty join the designers on stage at the ‘Cebu Wedding Expo 2017’ event

Anthony So, Griffins Malazarte, Danny Booc, Brendon Val Cenon, Lemuel Rosos, Mel Maria, Hanz Coquilla and Harley Ruedas.

Demos, workshops and seminars for couples-to-be, wedding planners, designers and make-up artists were held inside the Pacific Grand Ballroom. A

basic guide for planners, calligraphy instructional and a cake design workshop, among others, were held throughout the day. Other instructional activities included a talk by designer Lord Maturan, and a makeup workshop by Janice the Beauty Fairy.

Capping the event was a bridal gala

show entitled La Relance. It featured breathtaking bridal couture from some of Manila and Cebu’s most acclaimed designers , like Avel Bacudio, JC Buendia, Mark Bumgarner, Harvey Cernit, Jun Escario, Michael Leyva, Jojie Lloren, Wendell Quisido, Philip Rodriguez, Val Taguba, Philipp Tam-

pus and Cary Santiago.

As the largest wedding exhibit in Cebu City, “Cebu Wedding Expo 2017: Walk Me Down to the Waterfront”, also highlighted the exquisite amenities of Waterfront Cebu City hotel and Casino that make it the most ideal wedding venue and honeymoon destination.

Anders Hallden, general manager, believes that the versatility of service and amenities make Waterfront Cebu City hotel & Casino the perfect venue for a romantic wedding.

“We are the only venue in Cebu that is able to handle events with guests from 10 to 4,000. With our strong ties to the best wedding and party planners in Cebu, we are able to tailor every party to suit the distinct preferences of our clients. no celebration is to small or too big for us to handle,” he explained. the array of venues within the hotel also makes it a versatile wedding reception venue. the al fresco setting of the lagoon and poolside are perfect for moderate and small, intimate receptions. the capacious Pacific Grand Ballroom, on the other hand, provide the setting for stately wedding dinners.

Its square configuration gives guests a vantage view of the stage from all positions on the floor. the yearly wedding expo also highlights Cebu’s other attractions – a bustling nightlife, some of the world’s best beaches, shopping centers, and warm people – that make for memorable and magical weddings.

Cartier celebrates Résonances de Cartier High Jewelry

Patio Victoria is a charming events venue in Intramuros that also offers complete wedding packages

Picture perfect weddings at Patio Victoria In thIs age of Facebook and Instagram, everything must be a feast for the eyes. Even the littlest detail must be visually appealing. Imagine pictureperfect weddings that will be the talk of the social media world. Experience this at Patio Victoria, the perfect venue with an old world charm within the Walled City of Intramuros.

Patio Victoria is the ideal venue for classic and elegant weddings and other occasions, with its walkways of cobblestone accented by an antique wooden gate, lush foliage, and an old-fashioned fountain. It serves exquisite food from its wide menu of local and international cuisine, especially spanish dishes like callos, paella, lasagna and lengua.

Patio Victoria can accommodate almost a thousand guests with its two gardens and the fully air-conditioned sofia Banquet hall, which is perfect for a meeting or conference of 200 guests. the sofia Garden has an air of grace and beauty mixed with a playful charm of natural and tivoli lights, a central fountain and a lavishly designed gazebo. It can accommodate 350 guests and shade them at tented areas surrounding the garden. the Diana Garden gives a feeling of sweet romance and magic with the lush foliage that surrounds the gazebo. the Acacia tree in the heart of this garden comfortably shades up to 350 guests and creates a quiet dreamy sight.

Besides offering a posh venue, Patio Victoria is also a one-stop shop for brides who want a beautiful yet worryfree wedding. It offers everything that a couple would need: bridal bouquets and flower for the entourage, flower for the church, wedding cake, souvenirs,

CyRiLLE ViGnERon, president and CEO of Cartier International, and Mercedes Abramo, president and CEO of Cartier north America, celebrated Résonances de Cartier, the house’s new high jewelry collection, with a private dinner at Governors Island.

Guests Alexandra Richards, Anh Duong, Arthur Elgort, Bianca Brandolini, Carey Mulligan, Carlotta Kohl, Carolyn Murphy, Casey neistat, Celerie Kemble, Charlotte Groeneveld, Charlotte Kidd, Derek Blasberg, Diane Kruger, Eugenie niarchos, Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, Gucci Westman and David neville, Hannah Bronfman, Jason Wu, Jessica Hart, Harry and Jill Kargman, Martha Stewart, Mazdack and Zanna Roberts Rassi, nicky Rothschild, Pat Cleveland, Sofia Boutella, Sofia Coppola, and Zoe Buckman were transported to a surprise location created and designed exclusively for the event. the new York City skyline served as the backdrop while guests en-

joyed a preview of Cartier’s exquisite jewels.

Following the cocktails, renowned Chef Dan Barber prepared a custom menu, and the evening culminated with a performance by singer/songwriter Andra Day and surprise appearance from Jon Batiste, as well as set by legendary DJ Grandmaster Flash.

Following the Gala, Cartier will celebrate over 170 years of tradition and craftsmanship in high Jewelry, with the opening of the Cartier haute Joaillerie Exhibition at its Fifth Avenue flagship. the largest ever collection of Cartier high Jewelry on display in the U.s.will be open to the public from Oct.21 to Oct. 29. the Maison will also feature an immersive Cartier Atelier experience where guests will discover firsthand the artistry and innovation behind Cartier high Jewelry creations, including some of the world’s finest gems and precious stones.

The Sofia Banquet Hall is perfect for events with 200 guests

invitations, make-up artists, bridal car, photo and video coverage, butterflies, string quartet, live band or singers, emcee, plus the wedding coordinator. the wedding packages includes use of the venue for 4 hours, selection from various menus, bottomless drinks, elegant gazebo, three-tiered fondant cake, complete mobile system, chocolate fountain, cake table with floral arrangement and skirting, torch parade or sword parade for couple’s grand entrance or cake cutting ceremony, a bottle of champagne for ceremonial toast, decorated dove cage with doves, guest book, photographic tarpaulin, complimentary use of the Cristina Ex-

ecutive suite, red carpet, flower arrangement for buffet and table, tiffany chairs with ribbons for all the guests, elegant skirting for presidential tables, location map, free food tasting for two, and reception coordination. since opening in 2001, the Patio’s services has expanded from weddings to debuts, product launchings, baptisms, anniversaries, corporate events, thanksgiving celebrations, and birthday parties. Patio Victoria is located at 5435 Gen Luna cor. Victoria Intramuros Manila Call 5278006, 523-6940 and 526-1953, email patiovictoria@gmail.com, or visit www.patiovictoria.com. Robbie Pangilinan

Australian model Jessica Hart attends the Resonances de Cartier gala dinner

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Katarina Rodriguez is Miss Intercontinental 2017 First Runner-up PHILIPPINE representative Katarina Rodriguez made the Philippines proud with her first runner up finish at the Miss Intercontinental pageant in Hurghada, Egypt on Jan. 25 (Manila time).

Katarina wowed the judges with her impressive performance in the swimsuit and evening gown portions.

Proving that she has both form and substance, she garnered tremendous applause during the question and answer portion when she said she was inspired by the Arabic word “meraki” and that the greatest lesson she learned while participating in the pageant was “to do all things with soul, passion and creativity.”

As the top Asian candidate in the competition, Katarina was also named Miss Intercontinental Asia and Oceania. Katarina also placed in the top 3 of the pageant’s online poll.

In a Facebook video posted

by Miss Intercontinental, Katarina said, teary-eyed, “Okay lang ito. I miss all of you. I miss my country. It was a tough ride – it was a lot of work, a lot of hours.

Mabuhay! Mahal kita!”

Mexico’s Veronica Salas was adjudged Miss Intercontinental 2017.

Rounding up the Top 6 were the Netherlands’ Cathelijne Heppenhuis, Brazil’s Amanda Cardoso,

Film screening tribute to National Artist Ishmael Bernal

A

Binibining Pilipinas Queen Katarina Rodriguez competed against 49 other women across the globe at the 46th edition of Miss Intercontinental.

Colombia’s Lizeth Villanueva, and online poll winner Lee Su Jin of Korea.

Katarina, whose advocacies include peace and HIV-Aids awareness, duplicated the first runner up finish of 2015 Philippine bet Christi Lynn McGarry. Last year’s representative, Jennifer Hammond, placed in the Top 15.

Katarina, along with the other Binibining Pilipinas 2017 queens, proved the Philippines remains a powerhouse in the pageant world. Nelda Ibe won first runner up in Miss Globe.

Elizabeth Clenci placed second runner up in Miss Grand International. Rachel Peters and Chanel Olive Thomas emerged in the Top 10 of Miss Universe and Miss Supranational, respectively.

WARDWINNING films by the late director Ishmael Bernal, namely Relasyon, Broken Marriage, and City After Dark, will be showcased in a mini retrospective entitled “Tribute to A National Artist.”

Organized by the Digital Filmmaking Program of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) in cooperation with Regal Films, the screenings will feature Bernal’s masterpieces made in partnership with the tandem of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon.

The festival opens today with Relasyon, Bernal’s definitive portrait of an illicit affair. Upon release, it was considered controversial for portraying the mistress as a heroine and sympathetic character. Santos won a grand slam for Best Actress trophies from the country’s four award-winning giving bodies.

To be screened on Wednesday, Feb. 7, is Broken Marriage, which follows the breakdown of a couple’s family as they actively pursue their busy careers. Santos once again scored an acting award.

Noted for his melodramas, particularly with feminist and moral issues, Ishmael Bernal directed many landmark Filipino films.

The filmmaker’s portrait of Manila in City After Dark is up on Feb. 14. Originally titled Manila

by Night, this almost did not reach public screens after then First Lady Imelda Marcos objected to the title and its seedy themes.

Named National Artist for Film in 2001, he was hailed as “the genius of Philippines cinema.”

The recognition cited him as “a filmmaker of the first order, and

Welcome good fortune with Resorts World Manila’s Imperial Festival AFTER welcoming 2018 with the grandest party at the Marriott Grand Ballroom on New Year’s Eve, the country’s premier entertainment and tourism destination Resorts World Manila (RWM) now gears up for its annual Imperial Festival celebrations to usher in the Year of the Earth Dog. Highlights lined up for this year’s festivities include the traditional Lunar New Year Lion Dance on Feb. 16 at the Newport Mall, and a Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics seminar by one of the authorities in the field, Dato Joey Yap on Feb.7, 8:30 a.m. at the Manila Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila.

Joey Yap is a best-selling author of 162 books and is chief consultant of the Joey Yap Consulting Group, which is the world’s largest and most successful Feng Shui consulting firm that works in partnership with Fortune 500 companies and A-list clientele.

Iverson Lee, a leading member of the Joey Yap Consulting Group, recently came to Manila to give a preview of the upcoming seminar Best-selling author and Feng Shui expert Joey Yap at Resorts World and teach select members of the press how to read their Bazi charts.

Manila

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, January 31, 2018

ACROSS 1 Downgrade 6 Sere 10 Character defect 14 Neato!

15 Mr. Arnaz 16 The Hawkeyes 17 Square columns 18 Letter starter 19 Razorback 20 Doctor’s payment 21 Desperado of yore (3 wds.)

24 Daunt 26 Pops 27 Kind of poodle 28 Packs it in 30 Luminous 33 Hong Kong abodes 34 Time divs.

37 Well, in Paris 38 Soft shoe material 39 Worm on a hook 40 Contractor’s fig.

41 Paris subway 42 Ritchie Valens’s “La —” 43 Mama Yokum 44 Popcorn buy 45 Makes waterproof 48 Painter Pablo — 52 Most of Earth’s

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upper crust (2 wds.)

55 Golf score 56 Pyramid site 57 Black-and-white snack 58 Petrarch beloved 60 Dismounted from a horse 61 Jazz’s home 62 Wading bird 63 Gym iterations 64 Snead and Peckinpah 65 Wolfgang’s thanks DOWN 1 Big mix-up 2 Nubby fabric 3 Over and over 4 Harper Valley org.

5 Kind of pencil 6 Stupefy 7 Get dizzy 8 Do as — —!

9 Off-road vehicle (2 wds.)

10 Nerve cells 11 Appearances 12 Be in store for 13 Precincts 22 Expert climber 23 Flimsy shelters 25 Thames school

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 41

Ask about Reverse Honest prez APO users Give permission to Projects Candied item Sternum bone RR terminal Pleasure-loving Ali of “Open sesame!”

Hammerhead kin

42 Warped 43 Kilt features 44 Muscle spasm 45 Stogie 46 Limber 47 Open a parka 48 Makes light of 49 Reject 50 Mr. Spock’s father 51 Speak publicly 53 Tijuana Ms. 54 Widen a hole 59 Khan of note

“Bazi is not fortune-telling, and it’s not as simple as identifying ‘lucky colors’ or ‘lucky numbers,’” Lee says. “It’s about understanding the natural energies of the environment and tapping into it to improve your life and overcome challenges.”

When asked about the outlook for the Philippines in the Year of the Earth Dog, Lee said we can expect a time of relative stability and prosperity.

“From what we know of the current leadership, things are looking very favorable for the country,” Lee says. “Government initiatives and plans will be largely unhindered and this will ultimately be good for the economy.”

More entertainment events at the NPAT happen during the Imperial Festival at RWM with guitar virtuoso Sungha Jung’s one-night only show on Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.; the Timeless OPM’concert featuring Filipino icons Rico J. Puno, Imelda Papin, Rey Valera, and Claire Dela Fuente on Valentine’s Day, Feb, 14, 8.m.; the benefit concert Cross My Heart’on Feb. 17; and Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro, 7 p.m. on Feb. 26.

one of the very few who can be truly called a maestro.” It added that his pieces “serve as social commentaries and bold reflections on the existing realities of the struggle of the Filipino.”

He was recognized as Director of the Decade of the 1970s by the Catholic Mass Media Awards, Best Director by the Urian Awards in 1989, 1985, 1983, and 1977, and given the ASEAN Cultural

Award in Communication Arts in 1993.

All screenings are free and open to the public at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Cinema, SDA Campus, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus is located at 950 Pablo Ocampo Street (Vito Cruz Street), Malate, Manila.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2018

Star Cinema has new

Before assuming the Managing Director post, Olive Lamasan is the head of ABSCBN Creative Department and is referred to as master director due to her expertise and excellence in her field.

ISAH V. RED

MANAGING DIRECTOR A

BS-CBN Corporation , the country’s leading media and entertainment company has justcountrty’s biggest film production company has just named has named Olive Lamasan as the new managing director of ABS-CBN Films Productions Inc. or Star Cinema, following the retirement of Malou Santos as chief operating officer (COO) of Star Creatives.

Olive, or also known as Inang Olive in the Philippine film industry, previously headed Star Cinema’s creative department.

She directed timeless and remarkable films such as Madrasta, Milan, Got to Believe, In The Name of Love, The Mistress, Starting Over Again, and most recently, Barcelona: A Love Untold.

Malou, meanwhile, will now serve as an executive adviser to Cinema, focusing on foreign film acquisitions and regional co-productions. She will also oversee Citymall cinema operations under Cinescreen, Inc. As the former COO of Star Creatives, Malou led the teams behind Asia’s longest-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya, and other world-class television dramas that include Pangako Sa ‘Yo, Princess and I, Forevermore, The Legal Wife, Dolce Amore, Lobo, Imortal, and La Luna Sangre.”

With these appointments, ABS-CBN hopes to continue to provide Filipinos all over the world with the best content on different media platforms as the company continues to transition into an agile digital company. *** Three talented women from GMA Network will come together in Dubai a day after Valentine’s to celebrate love the Kapuso way in Pusong Pinoy sa Dubai.

Carla Abellana, Aicelle Santos, and Andrea Torres will headline the event on Feb. 15, which is expected to unite the Kapuso abroad under one roof at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium.

The event also marks the first time in the history of the Filipino community in Dubai wherein the Philippine Consulate will stage a special presentation with the exclusive media sponsorship of GMA Pinoy TV and its partner carrier OSN together with Volcano Events.

Pusong Pinoy sa Dubai, GMA

Pinoy TV’s opening salvo for the region in 2018, will feature the wealth of the Filipino talents through cultural performances, food fairs, and many more. Gates open at 7 p.m. and the event starts at 8.

For more updates about Kapuso events that bring Filipinos abroad closer to home, follow GMA Pinoy TV on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @GMAPinoyTV, or visit the official website at www.gmapinoytv.com. *** ABS-CBN’s outstanding contribution to social change by upholding values in various disciplines was widely recognized in the 1st Dangal ng Bayan Media Excellence Awards by the National College of Science and Technology (NCST) as the network’s top shows and personalities raked in a total of 8 recognitions.

Each earning a Media Excellence Award were the network’s various programs including its flagship national news program “ T V

Patrol,” for News and Current Affairs; ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc.’s emergency humanitarian assistance program Operation Sagip (formerly known as Sagip Kapamilya), for Public Service; investigativedocudrama television series SOCO, for Criminology; weekly science-educational show Matanglawin, for Education; business public service program My Puhunan, for Business; and the longestrunning Philippine drama anthology series Maalala Mo Kaya, for Psychology.

The award giving body also recognized ABS-CBN personalities such as Dr. Carl Balita, host of business-oriented radio show Radyo Negosyo on ABS-CBN’s radio news channel DZMM with a Media Excellence Award for Radio Broadcasting; while primetime king Coco Martin, was given the “Model Actor for Criminology” award for his exemplary performance in primetime hit FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Launched recently in honor of the NCST’s 20th founding anniversary, the awards ceremony “recognizes the outstanding body of work of different media practitioners that correspond to the values upheld

by NCST’s current curricular offerings.” *** A B S - C B N primetime series The Good Son brought suspense to more viewers on Jan. 15 as it held on to its lead and beat its new rival show in national TV ratings.

The series recorded a national TV rating of 18.8

Jeric Raval in the ‘The Good Son’

percent, a 6.5-point lead over the pilot episode of GMA’s The One that Got Away, which only got 12.3 percent, based on data from Kantar Media.

In that episode Dado (Jeric Raval), the main suspect in the murder of a police director, remained at large after having successfully escaped the authorities who located his secret hideout – a warehouse owned by the Buenavidezes. As a result, the police have been looking into Dado’s possible connection with Olivia (Eula Valdez) after he was seen inside the premises of her property.

Despite the authorities’ suspicions, Dado and Olivia’s plans of destroying Joseph’s (Joshua Garcia) family continued as they turned Raquel’s (Mylene Dizon) birthday celebration into a disaster by putting her life in danger.

Now that Dado is in jai, what more can he do to sow fear and danger to Joseph’s (Joshua Garcia) life and family.

The Good Son airs weeknights after La Luna Sangre ion ABSCBN’s Primetime Bida. *** New Star Music artist Moira de la Torre is all ready to brave the concert stage solo as she holds her first ever show dubbed Tagpuan happening for two nights at the KIA Theater on Feb. 17 and 18.

Initially scheduled on Feb. 17 (Saturday), the concert was sold out in four days after tickets

were released. It has now opened for a repeat on the following night, Feb. 18, and Moira couldn’t helped but be thrilled with this development.

“When I prayed for a concert, I didn’t expect it to be sold out let alone have a repeat. My heart is overwhelmed,” shared the singer-songwriter on her Facebook page.

The Cornerstone artist just signed a two-year contract with ABS-CBN’s record label, Star

Music, making her one of the musicians to look forward to this 2018 with her much-awaited solo album in the works and will be out very soon.

Moira recently made waves due to her Himig Handog 2017 win as song interpreter for “Titibotibo,” as well as for her “Torete” cover which was the theme song of the Star Cinema flick Love You To The Stars and Back. She also sang “Huling Gabi,” a song included in the soundtrack of the film Last Night.

Her Tagpuan concert, named after the song she recently wrote, will be directed by actor John Prats, produced by Cornerstone Entertainment and Bright Bulb Productions. Surprise guests await the audience.

Tickets for the Feb. 18 show are still up for grabs and prized at P3,922 (VIP), P2650 (VIP), P2,120 (orchestra), P1,272 (loge), and P848 (balcony). Visit ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555 for reservation.

Catch Moira’s “Tagpuan” concert on Feb. 17 and 18 at 8p.m.

For more details, visit starmusic. ph, like Star Music on facebook. com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH.

Walt Disney and Marvel Entertainment scout for student designs, talents THE Walt Disney Company China, through its subsidiary Marvel Entertainment, held a workshop at the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB) during the recent Marvel Creative Day Out to scout for potential designs, and fresh new talents for its Manila office.

In line with the launch of the upcoming movie Black Panther, the seminar, which is also being implemented in other higher educational institutions around Asia, challenged Benilde’s Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) students to create unique merchandise that would complement the production.

Allen Au-Yeung, Walt Disney

Walt Disney China VPC Allen Au-Yeung and FDM Program Chairperson Christine Benet (both standing in the middle)

China vice president for Creative, chose viable products, such as jewelry, car accessories, jackets, and other clothing items, that follow the film’s aesthetic.

FDM Chairperson Christine Benet said the event exposed the students to various design possibilities, and even possible work opportunities without having to limit themselves to fashion brands.

Au-Yeung declared, “We wanted to try to find or search for the right talents to join our company.”

He particularly discussed with them jobs that are available at Walt Disney China’s Manila office.