Manila Standard - 2018 January 23 - Tuesday

VOL. XXXI • NO. 340 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Mayon spews 10-km high

ash, steam

By Rio N. Araja

LEGAZPI—A 10-kilometer-high column of steam and ash shot up from Mayon volcano on Monday, darkening the skies and raining ash on communities where tens of thousands have fled after warnings of an impending eruption.

Mayon volcano’s new activity prompted state volcanologists to raise the alert level one notch higher than the initial warning scientists issued last week, meaning a hazardous eruption is possible within days.

Fine ash and sand fell on Legazpi, a city of about 200,000 people, and nearby areas after the midday explosion of Mount Mayon, forcing motorists to turn on their windshield wipers and headlamps, an eyewitness report said.

Live local television footage and photographs showed the ash column rising several kilometers above the volcano, blotting out the sun in a largely agricultural region some 330 kilometers southeast of Manila.

MAYON’S WRATH. A giant

mushroom-shaped cloud rises into the Albay sky from Mayon Volcano, seen from the highway in the agricultural town of Camalig, only 10 kilometers from volcano’s foothills, on Monday, causing a dark dome over the province and raining ash on communities where tens of thousands have fled what might be an impending eruption. AFP

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Zero-budget threat only a joke, Alvarez claims

By Maricel V. Cruz IT WAS only a joke.

This was the explanation of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez offered after he was assailed for threatening to withhold funds to provinces that do not support the administration’s push to establish a federal form of government.

“In a speech, you need to crack some jokes, right?”

Alvarez said in Filipino during a TV interview. “That’s all it was. I don’t know why they took it seriously.”

Alvarez made the zerobudget remark during a speech on Jan. 18 before thou-

sands of Iloilo officials who had taken their oath as new members of the ruling Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino.

Alvarez said the supposed threat was actually empty words, because any decision to give zero budget to a province does not rest with the House of Representatives alone, and would need Senate approval.

“How can you make a threat if you know you can’t do it?” he added.

Alvarez also recalled that during the deliberation of the proposed 2018 national budget the House of Next page

House Cha-Cha leaves out Senate

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday said the House of Representatives would no longer seek to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly but propose amendments on its own and have these submitted directly to the people in a referendum.

Alvarez again said the House does not need the Senate to amend the Constitution.

“What assembly? Where is it in the Constitution? We are already starting,” Alvarez told reporters at a news conference, saying that the House had already begun amending the Charter at the committee level.

The House committee on constitutional amendments, chaired by

Sanofi OKs payment for vaccine casualties

By Macon RamosAraneta

DENGVAXIA INQUIRY. (From left) Former Health secretary Janette Garin, incumbent Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and former Health secretaries Rosalyn Ubial and Enrique Ona testify in Monday’s resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee inquiry into the Dengvaxia vaccination program. Ey Acasio

Hamas-linked Iraqi nabbed in Pampanga

By Francisco Tuyay

Taja Mohammad Al Jabori

THE government said Monday it would deport an elderly Iraqi man described as a scientist for Hamas who has been accused of helping the Palestinian militant group lob missiles at Israel.

Iraq tipped off the Philippines about the presence of Taja Mohammad Al Jabori,

64, who was arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga, on Sunday, Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa told reporters.

The arrest was due to visa problems rather than any evidence of militant activity, the police chief said.

“He’s an illegal alien, his visa is expired so he has to be deported right away,” Dela Rosa said. Next page

LTFRB told: Explain limit to Uber, Grab units

By Macon RamosAraneta

and Regulatory Board to explain its basis for limiting the number of Grab, Uber SENATOR Grace Poe on and other ride-sharing units Monday urged the Land at 45,000 in Metro Manila, Transportation Franchising 500 in Metro Cebu and 200 twitter.com/ MlaStandard

in Pampanga.

She said she was not questioning the LTFRB’s order, but she wanted it “to explain the scientific basis of their decision.”

Next page facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

TRAIN ups pump prices by 50c/liter

FRENCH pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur on Monday vowed to shoulder the cost of any death “scientifically proven” to have been caused by its dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.

“Should there be any case related to the vaccination, death or any other case, we will shoulder the cost if there is a causality that has been demonstrated through scientific evidence,” Sanofi vice president for Asia-Pacific Thomas Next page

Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado, divided his panel into four subcommittees to work on the proposed amendments.

Alvarez, principal author of House Concurrent Resolution 9, said the House would no longer take the constituent assembly route to effect the shift to federalism. He said having authored the concurrent resolution could Next page have been a “mistake.”

Two Iloilo ‘narco-pols’ cleared, join ruling party

By Vito Barcelo TWO mayors from Iloilo who were once included in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of “narcopoliticians” took their oaths as new members of PDP-Laban, the majority party where Duterte belongs, Malacañang said Monday.

Alex Centena of Calinog and Mariano Malones of Maasin were among the “narcopoliticians” previously tagged

by Duterte but who had been cleared by the police, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

“We will not knowingly allow any drug lord to join the administration party,” Roque told reporters.

“I think they were cleared by the police agencies be-

cause it is the police agencies that provided the drug list.”

Roque made his statement even as a report said the government’s drive against illegal drugs netted more than 119,000 suspected drug pushers and addicts while nearly 4,000 drug suspects were killed since Duterte declared an all-out war against illegal drugs.

The consolidated report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Customs said a total of 81,919 anti-drug operations had been conducted, 119,361 drug users or pushers were arrested, and 3,987 drug users or pushers died during the antidrug operations. Next page

By Alena Mae S. Flores PUMP prices will go up by as much as P0.50 per liter starting today, Tuesday, for the fourth consecutive price increases for the month of January.

The oil companies raised gasoline prices by P0.35 per liter and diesel and kerosene by P0.50 per liter to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

“Flying V will implement price movement on the following: gasoline, Next page

manilastandard.net

JUSTICE FOR FARMERS. After three decades and a year, chants of justice for 13 farm-

ers killed in Mendiola in 1987 during the presidency of Corazon Aquino echo Monday near Malacañang from the protest launched by the Peasant Movement Group from Central Luzon and Southern Luzon. Norman Cruz

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

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3.6-m families went hungry—SWS

By John Paolo Bencito

T

HE proportion of Filipino families saying they have gone hungry rose in the last three months of 2017, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey released Monday.

In the latest poll conduct- 3.6-million families, ex- three months of 2017—4.1 ed from Dec. 8 to 16, some pressed they experienced in- points above the 11.8 percent, 15.9 percent, or an estimated voluntary hunger in the last or the 2.7-million families re-

corded in September 2017.

The latest figure is also the highest recorded value for hunger since the 17.2 percent in December 2014.

Some 12.2 percent, or an estimated 2.8-million families, said they experienced Moderate Hunger, while 3.7 percent or an estimated 841,000 families said that they had severe hunger.

Both Moderate Hunger and

House...

VOLCANIC FIREWORKS.

From A1

Red-hot lava flows from the crater of Mayon Volcano, prompting volcanologists to raise the alert level and warning that a hazardous eruption may be imminent.

In 2014, at least 63,000 people have evacuated when lava flowed out from the volcano's crater.

Mark Navales

AFP chief groomed for Marina post

By Vito Barcelo ARMED Forces of the Philippines chief General Rey Guerrero will be named as administrator of the Maritime Industry Authority when he retires on April 24, according to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Guerrero, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1984, was supposed to retire in December last year after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

The President made the announcement during the launch of the Tienda Farmers and Fisherfolks Outlet in Camp Mauel T. Yan Jr., Uburan, Mawab, Compostela Valley.

Guerrero, known as “Jagger,” was the former head of Eastmincom that carried out military operations against the New People’s Army. He belongs to the Army Special Forces and was previously a member of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Presidential Security Group.

“Jagger will take over Marina,” Duterte told his audience.

Guerrero will replace former Marina chief Marcial “Al” Amaro III who was fired by Duterte for allegedly making excessive foreign trips.

Two...

From A1

PDEA spokesman Derrick Arnold Carreon said the drive against illegal drugs resulted in the confiscation of 2,577.05 kilograms of methamphetamine or shabu with a street value of P13.24 billion, an increase of P114.16 million from the previous period last month.

“Also, we have confiscated dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, essential chemicals and laboratory equipment worth 19.34

TRAIN...

From A1 increase by P0.35 per liter, biodiesel, increase by P0.50 per liter and kerosene, increase by P0.50 per liter,” the company said in a statement.

The other oil firms that raised prices as of press time included Eastern Petroleum, Seaoil Philippines and PTT Philippines.

The oil firms also raised pump prices by P0.80 per liter of gasoline and P0.55 per liter of diesel

Severe Hunger increased for the past two quarters, the SWS noted, after it worsened by a total of 6.4 points from the near recordlow 9.5 percent in June 2017 to 15.9 percent in December 2017.

Across geographical regions, hunger rose in all areas, with 17.7 percent, or an estimated 1.8 million families in Balance Luzon saying that they have gone hungry—the highest in the country.

Zero-budget...

From A1

Representatives gave zero budget to some agencies, such as the Commission on Human Rights, but these agencies eventually received funding after the deliberation of the bicameral conference committee.

Nevertheless, Alvarez said that it was a different matter with respect to the House as the leadership could give zero budget to lawmakers opposed to Charter change for federalism.

Alvarez noted that this was ac-

Mayon...

From A1

“I had to stop because my helmet had filled up with ash,” local housewife Girlie Panesa, 39, said as she parked her motorcycle by the roadside in nearby Ligao town.

She asked for water from bystanders to wash the cementgrey ash off her helmet visor and said she plans to drive home despite the hazardous conditions because her teenage daughter was alone in their house.

“We expect the explosions to continue,” Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Renato Solidum told a news conference in Manila.

“There is a possibility of a dangerous eruption, the start of which we are already witnessing,” Solidum added.

Even more dangerous because of its reach would be the flow billion pesos, which is an increase of P222.5 million compared to the previous period,” Carreon said.

Centena and Malones transferred to PDP-Laban in a mass oathtaking ceremony last week.

It was Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. who told PDP-Laban secretary-general and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez that Centena and Malones wanted to join the ruling party.

Defensor said he got clearance from Alvarez that both Centena and Malones could join the ruling party despite being tagged as “narcopoliticians.” and kerosene on Jan. 16.

They also raised diesel prices

by P0.55 per liter and kerosene

by P0.30 per liter on Jan. 9 but left gasoline prices unchanged.

And on Jan. 2, the oil firms raised kerosene prices by P0.75 per liter, diesel by P0.65 per liter and gasoline by P0.20 per liter.

Consumers also experienced higher pump prices this month due to Republic Act 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act, which exacted higher excise taxes on petroleum products.

tually done in the past Congresses but in a different manner: The opposition lawmakers were provided funding in the budget but the administration withheld the release of the funds.

Alvarez said he was confident his “joke” would not hurt his credibility as a public official.

Opposition lawmakers hit back at Alvarez, saying a threat to withhold funding was no joking matter.

In a statement, Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao said it was hard to believe Alvarez’s clarification, which he compared to the ever-changing statements of

President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It’s difficult to believe in those kinds of reports, like President Duterte who keeps changing his position, but in the end, it is what he wants that is followed,” he said.

“It is not a joke to act like you are giving away government funds,” Casilao said.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said it was sad that the budget for his province had been cut, but more painful to realize that all this had started from a joke.

“It is not a joke to make taxpayers suffer a zero budget because the powerful want to threaten the opposition,” he said in Filipino.

of lahar, a slurry of pyroclastic material, rocky debris, and water, that would affect rivers, lakes and their tributaries and residents around them, Solidum said.

“The damage of lahar flow would reach that far,” he said. “I hope it won’t rain.”

He also said ash fall was a volcanic hazard to could go well beyond the eight-kilometer danger zone if the series of eruptions continues.

“Protect yourself against ash fall. Please wear a gas mask or [cover your nose with a handkerchief],” he said.

Solidum advised local officials to evacuate more areas around the crater, expanding the danger zone from six kilometers to eight kilometers.

More than 40,000 people had fled in the past week, the civil defense office in Manila said Monday.

Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda appealed for re-

lief assistance and donations for Mayon Volcano evacuees, now housed in government evacuation centers around the province, to augment limited resources of local communities.

Salceda said there’s a need for steady supply of relief goods— food and drinking water—especially since no one can tell when the calamity would end, as in the past Mayon eruptions when evacuees stayed for months in evacuation centers.

As of Jan. 18, there were 6,973 families or 26,971 persons, housed in evacuation centers based on reports from municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

Mayon, a near-perfect cone, rises 2,460 meters above Legazpi and is considered the most volatile of the country’s 22 active volcanoes.

With Joel E. Zurbano and AFP

LTFRB...

transportation network company or TNC. “The policy on a common supply base for TNVS was envisioned to create a distinct denomination for this type of public transport service and not defined by the individual business models of the TNCs, thus giving the Board a more focused regulatory function on such service,” LTFRB chairman Martin Delgra III said in a statement over the weekend.

Poe said “some formula would have been used because the figures, which were important to the riding public, should not have been plucked from thin air.”

With PNA

From A1

“What was the math used in this decision? What were the parameters? Poe said.

She made her statement even as the LTFRB said its decision to set a common supply base for transportation network vehicle services or TNVS units was aimed at creating a distinct denomination for the transport service that would facilitate the regulation of the ride-sharing industry.

The agency said the initiative was derived from the current practice of TNVS drivers who are accredited by more than one

Sanofi...

From A1

Triomphe said during a joint Senate hearing into the P3.5billion dengue vaccination program.

Triomphe said Sanofi was committed to shouldering the medical expenses of those whom

the Department of Health considered to have died due to severe dengue.

However, he said the victims should have no record of dengue virus infection prior to their vaccination of Dengvaxia and should have been declared by health authorities to have died due to Dengvaxia Senator Risa Hontiveros

The Senate had earlier said it would boycott the House-initiated assembly because it would have congressmen and senators vote jointly, rather than separately, on constitutional amendments. The 23 senators oppose joint voting because they would be overwhelmed by the 292 House members.

But Alvarez said Monday the House would merely propose amendments to the Charter and have them approved by threefourths vote of all members of Congress—or 237 lawmakers—and have them submitted to the Commission on Elections for a referendum or plebiscite.

Alvarez said he expects a plebiscite to be held on May 14, simultaneous with the barangay elections, or on May 13, 2019, in time for the midterm elections.

Because the House can muster 237 member of Congress, Charter change will push through even without the Senate, Alvarez said.

He said the Constitution does not specify that Congress needs to convene to amend the Constitution, and does not spell out the need for a constituent assembly.

“There was no need to convene [the House and the Senate]. Where does it say in the Constitution that we need to convene?” said Alvarez.

Despite his latest maneuvers, Alvarez said the House was not railroading Charter change to shift to a federal form of government.

He said while the original target was to submit a proposed constitution to the people in time with the Alvarez on Monday clarified that the House of Representatives was railroading Charter change for a shift to a federal form of government.

Alvarez said anti-federalism forces are trying to present a complicated interpretation of the Charter change provision of the Constitution.

Alvarez said the House and the Senate could conduct their sessions separately and vote separately on ordinary legislation but amendments to the Charter did not require separate voting.

He said as long as the threefourths vote requirement is met, amendments can be considered and adopted, even without the participation of the Senate.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Monday conceded

Hamas-linked...

This is followed by 15.3 percent, or an estimated 802,000 families in Mindanao; 14.7 percent, or an estimated 457,000 families in Metro Manila; and 13.3 percent or an estimated 589,000 families in the Visayas.

The latest survey, fielded among 1,200 adults nationwide, had sampling error margins of ±2.5 percent for national percentages.

that efforts to convince the senators to support the proposed shift to a federal form of government have been derailed due to question on how Congress should vote on any amendments or revisions to the 1987 Constitution.

But Pimentel said he is not giving up hope on senators who were turned off by the House insistence on joint voting.

He also said not all senators are amenable to federalism.

He said he was still trying to win them over, but these efforts were derailed by the focus on procedure.

“Many were turned off with the procedure. But I’m not losing hope,” Pimentel said.

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri warned of a possible “legislative stalemate” if the senators and congressmen would not stop the word war over Charter change.

He remembered that former House speaker Jose de Venecia also pushed for Charter change, which resulted in lengthy debates.

“This is what will happen, even our legislative agenda may suffer,” he said. “When there is a legislative stalemate, who will suffer? The Filipino people.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the goals of federalism can still be met without the need to spend much time and resources to amend or revise the 1987 Constitution, if his Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment bill is passed into law.

Lacson said the BRAVE bill, which is similar to federalism as it empowers local government units by giving them funding for their development projects, even gained the support of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr. The BRAVE bill, one of the first proposed measures Lacson filed in 2016, is pending at the committee level. It aims to give local government units meaningful autonomy to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities.

It also seeks to end the culture of mendicancy and political patronage, and in turn, help the country realize the elusive inclusive growth.

Lacson said that when he first presented the details of his bill to Evasco, a former mayor of Maribojoc in Bohol, Evasco said President Rodrigo Duterte might even forget federalism because BRAVE can meet his goals of ending the “dole-out mentality.”

“He admitted being a member of Hamas. He’s a chemist and he has been responsible for improving the rocket technology of Hamas in firing their missiles from their area towards the other side, for Israel.”

The suspect will be deported to Iraq.

The police chief said it was the first time Philippine authorities had dealt with an alleged member of Hamas, a group labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union and Israel.

The Islamist movement does not recognize Israel, with which it has fought three wars, and has vied with the rival Fatah movement for control of Palestinian territory.

The handcuffed detainee did

not speak while being made to stand beside the Philippine police chief at a press conference.

Dela Rosa said it was unclear at present why the alleged Hamas chemist had traveled to the Philippines.

Police said he arrived last year as troops battled militants loyal to the Islamic State group for control of the southern city of Marawi.

Al Jabori, however, mostly stayed in Manila and nearby provinces and told police he had no intention of committing any terror act in the Philippines, the police chief said.

Records showed that Al Jabouri arrived in Manila from Istanbul, Turkey, on Aug. 17, 2017.

During questioning, Al Jabouri revealed that he served as a consultant for Hamas in Damascus, Syria and moved to Istanbul, Turkey sometime in 2012. With AFP, PNA

welcomed Sanof i’s assurance.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Triomphe,” Hontiveros told the Senate panel led by Blue ribbon chairman Senator Richard Gordon.

“Finally, Mr. Chairman, we have, on the third and final attempt to ask this question, we have a final confirmation.”

There were 18 countries that availed themselves of Dengvaxia, but it was only in the Philippines where a procurement controversy broke out.

At the resumption of the hearing, Gordon repeatedly slammed what he called the “undue haste” that the dengue vaccine was approved even if it was still in its developmental stage.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Dutertes question veracity of data

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera and John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte once more questioned the truthfulness of the data shown by Senator Antonio Trillanes alleging her undeclared joint account with her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, amounting to P2.2 billion.

On Monday, Mayor Duterte said the issue revolving in the Internet about her alleged undeclared wealth was just the same issue thrown against her and her father during the 2016 presidential election.

“Even before, I already questioned the truthfulness of the data of Senator Trillanes, I challenged him before to produce his source to validate the information; however, until now, he did not disclose his source,” she said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang challenged investigative group VERA Files to prove the authenticity of bank documents under its possession alleging that President Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio had “omitted” to fully disclose their joint deposits and investments at the Bank of the Philippine Islands, which conservatively exceeded P100 million.

Saying the bank documents used by VERA files were “rehashed,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque dismissed the report, released Sunday as mere “hearsay.”

WORK BEGINS. Metro Rail Transit workers put up a signage as construction work starts on the North Avenue segment in Quezon City of the MRT 7, expected to cause traffic gridlock during the construction period. Manny Palmero

Du30 threatens to slap Sison

By John Paolo Bencito and Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday once again resorted to what observers call cheap potshots against his former professor, Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Maria Sison, saying he would slap him in the face once they meet eye-to-eye.

Speaking to soldiers at Mawab, Compostela Valley, Duterte vowed Sison would not be coming home without getting a taste of his ire, after he recently called on communist cadres to emulate the riots of the “First Quarter Storm” to overthrow the Duterte administration.

“Let’s meet, Sison. I’ll slap you. You’ll see. No jokes. Son a bitch, I’ll really slap you. Conceited demon,” Duterte said in his speech in

Tagalog.

Duterte slammed the communist rebels for harboring a “bankrupt” ideology, adding “You think you are god…you just kill people.”

The President said the communist party was getting desperate “because there is no second echelon in your organization now.”

The Palace likewise shrugged off Sison’s call for the youth to stage protests

against the administration, hoping the CPP founder had enough grandkids to heed his call for mass action.

“Again, we don’t attach too much importance on Joma Sison. I hope he has enough grandchildren to heed this call,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said at a Palace briefing.

“The problem with Joma Sison is he is stuck in history. He never moved beyond the First Quarter Storm,” he added.

The First Quarter Storm refers to the series of mass action protests against then President Ferdinand Marcos during the first three months of 1970, shortly after his landslide victory against Sergio Osmeña Jr., son of a former

Rappler CEO appears at NBI

By Rey E. Requejo RAPPLER executive editor and CEO Maria Ressa showed up on Monday at the National Bureau of Investigation for an initial hearing on the complaint for violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng about an article in 2012.

Ressa, accompanied by her lawyers led by UP professor Jose Jesus Disini Jr., said she was complying with the subpoena issued by the NBI Cybercrime Division to discuss the cyber libel complaint filed by Keng who was the subject of an investigative report by Rappler in May 2012, or four months before RA 10175 was enacted.

The NBI also subpoenaed former Rappler writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. and

businessman Benjamin Bitanga but they did not appear Monday.

Bitanga was an incorporator of Dolphin Fire, which is a shareholder in Rappler Holdings but does not sit on the board of Rappler Incorporated.

However, Ressa said Rappler was not given a copy of the complaint when the NBI served the subpoena.

“We have nothing to hide.

As you all can [see] I’m right here. We don’t have a copy of the complaint, so I don’t know what kind of questions they will ask of me but we are not afraid,” Ressa said, in an interview before she proceeded to the office of the NBI Cyber Crime Division.

The subpoena was dated Jan. 10, a day before the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered the revocation of Rappler’s registration.

In its order, the SEC said Rappler should be held liable circumventing constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership.

Ressa later told reporters that the discussion was about the 2012 article of Rappler.

She added the discussion was cordial but declined to give further details, saying it was confidential.

NBI Cybercrime Division chief Manuel Eduarte said the article published by Rappler which was used as basis

by Keng to sue Ressa was still covered by RA 10175 even if it was published before the said law was enacted.

Eduarte cited the theory of continuous publication that could be applied in the case, explaining that Keng could be presumed to have seen or read the article only after the enactment of RA 10175.

president.

Duterte insisted the communist movement has become irrelevant, adding the public had been questioning the sincerity of their cause.

Duterte and Sison were supposed to have a private phone conversation “within the week,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said, but reiterated it “should not be a precondition to the resumption” of the

peace talks.

Peace negotiations between the CPP’s political arm, the National Democratic Front, and the government collapsed in November last year, branding the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, as terrorist organizations.

The government’s peace initiatives talks with the communist rebels appeared doomed after President

Duterte said he wanted the communist movement destroyed.

In his speech in Compostela Valley, the President likened the communist insurgency in the Philippines to illegal drugs which has been causing suffering to the Filipino people.

Duterte said he wanted the communist movement destroyed akin to what the government was doing

against the proliferation of drugs in the country.

The President appeared to have been agitated by Sison’s call for the youth to hold mass protests similar to the 1970 rally.

“When I said ‘destroy, destroy.’ That’s the rule of war,” he said “The communist insurgency was causing suffering to the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

Manila

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TODAY

Republic of the Phil ippines LEYTE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT LMWD Compound. Brgy. 74. Nulatula, Tacloban City Contact Nos.: 321-8006 / 832-5736 / 321-2480/325-1197 Website: www.Imwd.gov.ph E-mail Add: Imwd.ogm@yahoo.com / pr@Imwd.gov.ph

AN URGENT APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. DUTERTE Mr. President, I thanked the people here for their continued support. Had it not for them and for the majority of my employees, I should not have been here to expose what I know of what is happening to my Board of Directors of Leyte Metropolitan Water District that had been appointed by the Leyte-governor.

For years I kept mum on the dark side of the office, but now that more than majority of the employees of Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD) have withdrawn support from the Board of Directors appointed by the Leyte governor, I now have the courage to expose to the public the pressing concerns of the office, namely: 1.

perpetrated corruption in the projects and transactions being facilitated, the first four (4) of which using dummy contractors, to mention some of which are: a. The office building at A. Mabini St., Tacloban City b. Brgy. Gacao, Palo, pipeline project c. Brgy. San Isidro, Palo, pipeline project d. The repair of the Nulatula Building office, Tacloban City e. Purchase of vehicles

If we can get rid of these, then we can successfully accomplish the: 2.

clamor of the consuming public for an improved water supply in Tacloban City and some municipalities, which for years have not properly attended;

3.

problem of water supply to the Tacloban North permanent resettlement area which to date has already about 10,000 families residing;

4.

pipeline rehabilitation and water loss of LMWD which are not properly given appropriate support;

Mr. President, anchored on the recently decided case of the Supreme Court, Hon. Kristina Romualdez exercised her mandate and appointed a new set of Board of Directors for LMWD which has already assumed their duties and functions as such, and was given due recognition and full support by the employees and the undersigned.

Pray for BBL passage—Shar’ia ruling

With the insistence of the old Board appointed by the Leyte Governor to still be legitimate BODs, peace and order have continued to be disrupted.

THE influential Bangsamoro Dharul Ifta (House of Opinion) has issued its Shar’ia ruling (fatwa) calling on all Muslim brothers to continuously pray to Allah, amid the uncertainty clouding the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law still languishing in Congress.

The three-paragraph Fatwa No. 2 or ruling was signed by Bangsamoro Mufti Abuhuraira Abdurahman Udasan on Saturday, Jan. 20, but was made available only on Monday, Jan. 22.

“In view of the uncertainty of the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law,

Years before, blood had been shed with the killing of one of the employees, Mr. Eleazar Josep, an active member of the employees’ union who tried to expose the questionable transactions of the office. And I am afraid this will happen again to us, having known some of Board maintaining gun-for-hire followers out to seek chaos.

the Bangsamoro Dar-AlIfta issued this Shari’ah ruling [fatwa] reminding the entire Bangsamoro people to get ready to face any eventuality in this respect,” the ruling read.

“The Bangsamoro people are urged to get more closer to Almighty Allah by having more do’aa and doing the ‘Qunoot’ in their five times daily prayers, citing the Qur’anic verse “And your Lord says: Call on me, I will answer your prayer (Gafir:60).”

Qunoot is the name of a du’aa’ (supplication) offered during prayer at a specific point while standing read in the last rak’ah of each of the five daily obligatory prayers

in the midst of a calamity (naazilah), until Allah relieves the Muslims of that calamity.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that he would pass an executive order creating a Bangsamoro region in Mindanao, should Congress fail to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Previously, the MILF warned of a possible leadership vacuum in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao if government failed to pass the long-awaited Bangsamoro Basic Law―a campaign promise of his― before the year ends.

John Paolo Bencito

LMWD is a public water utility serving 36,000 families which should not be deprived of a 24/7 water supply service, and we cannot compromise this at any given time.

President Digong, amo gihangyo ang imo bulig nga unta dili mahitabo ang samok diri sa opisina, aron makab-ot ang amo-ang gusto nga: 1.

mahatagan namo ang hingyap ng mga consumidor ug maayong serbisyo sa tubig; ug

2.

ato tagan ug hag-id nga imbestigasyon kadtong corruption sa opisina.

Unta hatagan mo kami ug pagtagad sa amoang problema, Mr. President.

Daghang salamat.

Pastor A. Homeres Acting General Manager

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Opinion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Through the stomach

T

OWARD the end of the previous year, 3.6 million Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger. This represents almost 16 percent of the population.

More significantly, the latest hunger numbers are the highest recorded since December 2014. Incidence of hunger rose across the country.

Respondents characterized their hunger as moderate or severe.

Hunger is perhaps most felt nearing the Christmas holidays, when there is increased The number is 4.1 percent- economic activity and artiage points higher than the 11.8 ficial prosperity. Those who percent recorded in the third barely have enough to shop with, much less eat, will likely quarter of the same year.

feel more deprived.

The hunger data is also best viewed over a long time, with attention to the quarterly shifts in sentiment. The numbers will vary every three months, of course, but one would always observe an underlying trend if one stepped back and looked at how many Filipinos felt hungry over many years —and yes, across administrations.

It is a common tendency to focus on headline-grabbing an-

nouncements, or bickering, in government. Look, now, how we pay attention to incendiary remarks or scandalous conduct by this or that official. See how we spend an inordinate amount of time debating legalities or finding a way to bring down an enemy or a critic.

We very easily forget that the ultimate test of whether an administration is doing is by how fewer Filipinos think of themselves as hungry, destitute— hopeless.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Dead in the water

AT THE rate some imbeciles at the House of Representatives are trying to ram constitutional change down our throats even without Senate participation, President Rodrigo Duterte may just find his dream of having a federal-parliamentary system of government dead in the water.

Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution, that part on amendments and revisions, states that “any amendment to or revision of this Constitution may be proposed 1) by the Congress upon a vote of three fourths of all its members, or 2) a constitutional convention.

The word “Congress” refers to both chambers, not the House alone.

The best example of this is during the State of the Nation Address by the President. Both the House Speaker and Senate President are behind the President. They both pound the

The Speaker is so blinded by his own interests.

Leni in the dark LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I’M TRYING very hard to understand where Vice President Leni Robredo is coming from when she made one of her usual speeches last weekend— with a real twist, this time.

This is what Robredo said, during the 72nd anniversary of the Liberal Party, of which she is titular head: “Darkness envelops us,” she said, sounding to me like the besieged Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies, lacking only the strange haircut in the earlier installments of that cinematic series. “But we should not lose hope.”

See, I want to know if the darkness that Robredo is talking about refers only to her now-shrunken party

or to the nation at large. If the first, then that is pretty much self-evident; if the second, I will have to agree with Malacañang that Robredo is terribly out of touch with reality.

I am certain that even someone as dense as Robredo need not publicly state the obvious political penury of her once-mighty party, whose “stalwarts” have been leaving in droves for the new ruling group. She must be referring, then, to the country at large, under the government of Darth Vader—I mean President Rodrigo Duterte.

But the darkness that Robredo is warning us about simply has no basis. The economy, to cite just one but very important aspect of the lack of darkness, is surging like never before—especially if compared to the time of the Yellow Luke Skywalker, I mean Noynoy Aquino.

The stock market index, which Aquino and his chorus of propagandists used to trumpet as the surefire indicator in investor confidence and economic growth, just breached 8,950

I want to know if the darkness Robredo is talking about refers only to her party or to the nation at large.

points, compared to a high of 8,000 in Noynoy’s time.

Direct foreign investments, the other kind of hard, actual brick-and-mortar vote of

confidence in the national economy, hit $8 billion last year—double the annual figure in Aquino’s reign.

The country’s gross domestic product is expected to hit 7 percent in the last quarter of 2017. The fourth quarter and full-year GDP figures, expected to be released today, are higher than any figure under Aquino—and most likely higher than that of any other economy in Asia, including China.

The people’s confidence and trust in Duterte and optimism in the future is concerned, if the various surveys conducted by yearend last year mean anything, are also at all-time highs for a president about to complete his second year in office. Robredo’s “darkness” theory is also thoroughly exposed as fiction by these indicators.

As for the supposed scan-

dals that Robredo’s party have repeatedly tried to link Duterte and his officials to, none of them have really gained traction. The non-stop efforts of the LP to throw shade on (or to envelop in darkness, if you will) this government’s actions have been repeatedly repulsed, from cursing to alleged killing to supposed corruption.

Robredo remains very much in the dark, that much is clear. As far as the people who have rejected her party are concerned, the LP is the dark side—and if Leni is their only hope, then their defeat seems so complete that there will be no need for any sequel. *** I also don’t get why some anti-Duterte groups are raising a fuss about the decision of the University of Santo Tomas alumni association to give an award

for public service to Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson. It’s not like Uson was given star treatment as the subject of a fluff piece in the New York Times, like one newspaper’s Filipino of the Year, Jover Laurio.

A sense of proportion would really help here. As the anti-Dutertes themselves have pointed out, it’s not as if UST itself gave Uson, a graduate of the university, the honor.

As the editorial of this newspaper pointed out yesterday: “Awards are freely and subjectively given. When somebody is recognized for service, that is because members of a selection committee thought he or she deserves it. For the rest of us non-Thomasians, this is neither universally binding—nor absolutely true.”

Turn to A5

gavel at the beginning and the end of the address. And yet, both members of the Senate and the House are in joint session.

Any man in his right mind will see that while both the Senate and the House members are present in “joint session” to listen to the Sona, the chambers are in fact separate and must thus vote separately.

My gulay, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is so blinded by his own interest in revising the charter.

Think again, Mr. Alvarez (and his minions in the so-called super-majority).

The framers of the Constitution instituted the check-and-balance system precisely to prevent abuse of power.

I can only laugh when Alvarez and company say they can do all this on their own. Shall we just stand by and allow this to happen?

Some say the question is not justiciable, and thus the Supreme Court cannot have jurisdiction Turn to A5

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Opinion

THE recent decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission to revoke the corporate license of Rappler, an online news media outlet in the Philippines, has triggered a controversy.

Rappler is a known online media critic of President Rodrigo Duterte. President Duterte’s dislike for Rappler is public knowledge.

The Office of the Solicitor General is mandated by law to challenge the legality of the ownership and investor profile of any corporation in the country. Pursuant to that mandate, the OSG asked the SEC to investigate the corporate personality of Rappler. The SEC is authorized to revoke the license of a corporation which operates in violation or circumvention of the Constitution or the laws.

According to the OSG, Rappler has alien ownership and management interests, which is in violation of the constitutional mandate that ownership and management of mass media in the country shall be limited to Filipino citizens, or to business entities fully owned and managed by Filipino citizens. If the OSG is correct, then the SEC should revoke the corporate license of Rappler.

Once Rappler loses its corporate license, it will have no legal existence, and all its transactions will be illegal. Operating it as an unincorporated organization is impractical, considering issues of wages and tax liabilities. Unlike a corporation where the financial liability of its stockholders is limited to their proportionate investments in the corporation, an unincorporated organization will have unlimited financial liability to its creditors.

Last week, the SEC revoked the corporate license of Rappler, precisely on the ground cited by the OSG. The SEC said that although Filipino citizens own all of the stock of Rappler, the enterprise issued Philippine Depository Receipts to certain American business entities based abroad that want to invest in Rappler.

According to the SEC, the terms governing the PDRs provide that Rappler cannot amend its articles of incorporation and by-laws without the prior approval of the holders of those PDRs. The SEC also stressed that since the PDRs are owned by alien investors, then Rappler misused its corporate existence to circumvent the constitutional ban against alien ownership and management of mass media in the Philippines.

Although the SEC revoked the corporate license of Rappler, it did not prohibit Rappler from continuing with its news dissemination. After all, the SEC has no authority to regulate the dissemination of news. The revocation order is not yet final because Rappler can still file a motion for reconsideration.

Rappler denounced the SEC directive as a curtailment of press freedom through economic sanctions.

Rappler adds that the timing of the SEC order is suspicious because it comes in the wake of President Duterte’s public expression of his disdain for Rappler.

Although Rappler admits that it issued PDRs to American business entities wishing to invest in its trailblazing online media operations, Rappler denies that the alien holders of the PDRs have a say in its operations. Rappler says that all the PDR holders can do is to make suggestions to the Rappler

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in a political issue. Wrong! The Constitution says the High Court should interpret it—why should it shy away from this mandate?

If the Supreme Court does not assume jurisdiction, then President Duterte as president

management, and if those suggestions are not heeded, the PDR holders can opt out of the enterprise anytime.

Likewise, Rappler disclosed that two of the biggest television networks in the country also issued PDRs to alien investors, and that a big law firm processed the legal documentation for both Rappler and one of those networks.

Rappler also lamented that the SEC did not give it a chance to be heard before it issued the revocation order.

For its part, the SEC denies that the revocation order was for the purpose of silencing Rappler and disabling its news dissemination operations.

Not everyone in the media community agrees with Rappler. Even the Commission on Human Rights has issued an equivocal statement on the issue. Foreign institutions, however, have expressed support for Rappler.

To fully understand the controversy, the legal restrictions on media ownership and management in the country must be discussed.

Under Section 11 (1), Article XVI of the Constitution, “the ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and managed by such citizens.”

In other words, the mass media industry in the Philippines is one-hundred percent nationalized, which means that aliens are not allowed to have anything to do with the operations of any medium of mass communication in the country.

There is also the legal principle that what cannot be done directly, cannot be done indirectly. This means that any circumvention of the Constitution, even by any clever means, should not be tolerated by the State.

Under Philippine law, aliens may lend money to a Filipino-owned corporation.

In most instances, the lender is given a say in the operations of the debtor corporation in order to safeguard the interests of the lender.

The situation is different when the corporation concerned is in the mass media industry, which is fully nationalized. While an alien may lend money to a media corporation, the alien creditor should not have a say in the management and operations of the corporation. To allow otherwise is a circumvention of the constitutional prohibition against aliens.

No creditor in his right mind will lend millions of pesos to a corporation without having a say in the way that corporation will be managed and operated.

Moreover, lending money to a corporation is an investment in that corporation, and investment in a corporation is a badge of corporate ownership.

It is, therefore, very difficult to believe that holders of PDRs issued by a media corporation have no investment interest or control in the management of that media corporation. Also, the fact that media corporations in the Philippines other than Rappler have issued PDRs to aliens does not justify the practice.

At the very least, the ongoing Rappler-SEC controversy has invited public attention to the PDR as a possible vehicle for circumventing the Constitution. Therefore, it’s time for the SEC to rethink its policies on this controversial corporate instrument. and chairman of PDP-Laban, the party in power, must intervene.

It’s Speaker Alvarez, its secretary-general, who is creating the problem.

Would the people choose a constituent assembly over a constitutional convention?

Amendments cannot be introduced just like that. We should not allow this to happen.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

From the economic front

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

The Rappler-SEC controversy

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

FORMATION GARY OLIVAR NOT surprisingly in a country obsessed with entertainment and politics, the headlines have been hogged by the tantalizing tiff between the grand poohbahs of the House and the grander poohbahs of the Senate.

I’m amazed by the rancor that’s developed between both chambers despite being thoroughly dominated, both of them, by the ruling PDPLaban party. Even on an issue as important to Duterte as federalism and charter change, they still can’t seem to get their act together over how to proceed.

Con-Con or Con-Ass? Joint or separate voting? If their institutional and personal egos can’t abide what after all are simple procedural differences, how can the honorable legislators be trusted to tackle more serious matters of true import to the future shape of the Constitution and the Republic?

Time’s running out on these bickering mandarins. If they end up being sidelined by history for the greater good, that will be exclusively on them. *** It’s from the economic front these days where we’re getting news that’s generally upbeat.

For starters, from SWS’ 4th quarter 2017 survey last December, it seems that poverty is abating a bit faster. Thirty-

one percent of the respondents said they had escaped poverty within the last four to five years, which is measurably higher than the 26.6 percent with a similar response in the September survey.

This bit of good news puts an interesting frame on the latest report that the farmgate prices of local rice rose by 7 percent at the start of the new year. Remember that rice accounts for 10 percent of consumer budgets here.

What can be done to mitigate the impact of such price increases especially on our poorest households?

The BSP’s redoubtable deputy governor, Diwa Guinigundo, offers an interesting solution from macroeconomics: Replace the current policy of quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice imports, implemented through NFA’s monopoly of that trade, with a policy to open up the rice import market to everyone, subject only to a 35-percent border tariff.

Guinigundo estimates that this “tariffication” policy could shave as much as one percentage point off the general inflation rate. Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran adds that the retail price of rice could drop by up to P7 per kilo, while government collects an additional P27.3 billion of tariff revenue over the next six years.

Of course, nothing’s free in economics. In this case the likely losers are local rice farmers, who will no longer be able to enjoy the NFA subsidies and other government protections that let them

compete against imported rice that costs half as much.

Unfortunately for them, democracy means paying attention to the economic as well as political interests of the majority, not the minority. Instead, what government can do for our rice farmers is to invest most of the additional tariff revenues in programs that can augment their incomes, improve rice productivity, move them into higher-value crops or even non-farming activities, and otherwise ease their transition pains. *** Another piece of potential—not yet actual—good news is the generally positive report from the European Union, one of our biggest trading partners, about the progress we’ve made on various social and political issues that determine if we’ll still be eligible for preferential trade treatment under their GSP+ program.

The EU approvingly noted our progress in the areas of gender equality, human trafficking, labor rights, health, education, socio-economic rights, anti-corruption, and environmental protection.

Only two areas were marked up for concern.

One has to do with pending legislation to restore the death penalty and lower the age of criminal responsibility. Personally, we’re not confident about the prospects of these controversial bills, which have been languishing in Congress for a while and have now been overtaken by the big to-do over Cha-Cha. The other area, predictably,

concerns drug-related killings, perhaps the only consistently sore point between our country and the West. We hope the grand poohbahs in the EU will take note of the following points on this issue: Duterte himself has repeatedly said there is no official policy of so-called EJK’s.

Suspicious killings from the past are now being slowly but surely investigated and tried, including the killings of two teenagers in Caloocan City. In this particular case, we have Persida Acosta of the Public Advocate’s Office to thank for spearheading the official inquiry.

Hundreds of rogue cops have already been dismissed by the PNP, including the entire Caloocan organization and an entire Manila precinct.

Among other reforms implemented: body cameras, limiting the number of cops authorized for anti-drug operations per precinct, closer coordination with barangay officials.

The entire war on drugs has been placed under the leadership of the PDEA, a non-police agency.

Any policy conclusions by the EU on this issue ought to be prospective, not retrospective, because we’re talking about maintaining a relationship going forward, not backward. If they pay greater attention to what lies ahead, and if they value a balanced scorecard, we ought to be seeing the continuation of what Claude Rains in Casablanca called “a beautiful friendship.” *** Lastly on the infrastruc-

ture front, we now count as many as three private sector groups who want to take the problem of rehabilitating and operating Naia off government’s hands.

One is San Miguel Corporation, the country’s biggest conglomerate by revenue size. The second is a joint venture between SSS and construction giant Megawide. And the third is a “super consortium” among seven of our biggest business groups, perhaps in partnership with Singapore’s venerable Changi airport.

That’s a lot of business interest. And that’s why, despite the administration’s reservations about doing a lot of public private partnerships (PPP), we do hope that an exception will be made for Naia.

It’s a project that could cost up to P700 billion. That’s a lot of money for any government to shell out, especially when there’s so many other infrastructure projects also on the drawing board, and when getting the necessary tax reforms past Congress is like squeezing the proverbial camel through a needle’s eye.

I stumbled across an online item yesterday about Vietnam aggressively seeking out private foreign investment for its economic growth plans. Why should we be more statist and nativist than that nominally still-communist country?

Even today, when we really ought to know better, that is still, unfortunately, the 64-dollar question about us.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

How to change the Constitution also discussed the implications of our choices in designing a federal system.

I would oppose any dilution of the bill of rights, for example to add the qualifier “responsible” to the great freedoms of speech and press. In fact, I support an expanded bill of rights that would also spell out the rights of OFWs and explicitly recognize environmental rights (which should include enumerating the rights of displaced persons and disaster survivors, as well as a recognition of the inherent rights of nature).

I hope to see also an expanded article also on social justice, as poverty intensified by inequity, is still the biggest scandal of this country. The political and economic elite of this country should be ashamed of themselves (that includes me) for allowing this state of our society to persist. The social justice article should put the state squarely in favor of workers, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, urban poor, and vulnerable women, youth, and children, and include sections that would specifically outlaw labor-only contracting, land grabbing, and eviction of the poor.

There must be constitutional provisions that would be unmistakably clear about abolishing the pork barrel and unrestricted presidential discretion over public funds so that the PDAF and DAP anomalies are not repeated.

There should be sections that would enshrine the best practices of social accountability and inclusive development so a prosperous, just, and happy society is attained.

The independence of the judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Independent Constitutional Commissions (which should

include an upgraded Commission on Human Rights) should be strengthened.

Safeguards to prevent the weaponization of impeachment, as in the case of former Chief Justice Renato Corona and now with Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, should be provided.

Mandatory annual increases in their budgets should be provided for in the Constitution, an improvement over the current provision which only guarantees that there be no reduction in their budgets from the previous year.

Finally, practical clauses on petition, initiative and referendum should be provide.

These would allow the people to directly participate in governance without the current restraints that make it almost impossible to do successfully.

As to the mode of changing the Constitution, it is clear to me now that a constitutional convention with a combined elected (one per province and city) and appointive (25-50 by the President) members is the way forward.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a constitutional convention may be called by Congress by: 1) a vote of two-thirds of all its members; or, 2) a resolution, by a majority vote of all its members, to submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention. Once assembled a constitutional convention, like Congress, possesses in all its plenitude the constituent powers. Its powers cannot be limited or restricted by the legislature.

With this power, the Constitution is opened up for examination and amendment in its entirety. This mode was used to draft the Malolos Constitution of 1899, the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions. Con-con members are elected for the sole purpose of amending or revising the Constitution. If

chosen well, they are likely to be competent, independent-minded, non-partisan and visionary. Sectors that do not have representation in Congress may be given opportunity to sit in the Concon and to participate in the drafting of the new charter.

This mode is less controversial and politicized. Conversely however, a Con-con is an expensive process relative to the others. It is more difficult to manage and the least divisive modality.

In a Constituent assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate constitute themselves to perform a non-legislative or super-legislative function that inherently belongs to the people, the repository of the sovereignty in a Republican State.

Once both houses adopt the resolution or pass the bill, they become a constituent assembly that can start crafting the amendment to or revision of the Constitution.

They can meet as one body or separately as they do with normal legislation. The proposals will then be subject to a vote by its members and are deemed approved upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members with each chamber voting separately. A plebiscite will then be held within the prescribed period.

Constitutional amendments via constituent assembly happened under the 1935 Constitution during the presidencies of Manuel L. Quezon and Manuel Roxas. It is the most expedient and less expensive mode. The Joint Resolution that will create the constituent assembly can prescribe the limits of the agenda of amendments; hence, it is easier to manage.

The members of the constituent assembly are elective officials whose constituents can hold them accountable especially in the next elec-

tions. Conversely, if the two houses voted jointly, the assembly might be dominated by members of Congress who have narrow or parochial interests. Moreover, considering its membership, it is fraught with conflict-ofinterest issues because the representatives or senators may be tempted to propose changes to the Constitution which would benefit their political careers, like redistricting or lifting of term limits.

The last but not the least mode is via people’s initiative. The use of this mode, however, is limited to amendments to the Constitution and cannot be utilized to revise the charter. Thus, a people’s initiative cannot be used to propose, for example a shift to a federal form of government since this shift is not a simple amendment.

And because of the requirements the Supreme Court has imposed on its exercise, laid down in the case of Lambino vs. Comelec, the people’s initiative, however, is too unrealistic and too cumbersome for ordinary citizens and their organizations.

Of the three modes, the constituent assembly will likely encounter a high level of distrust from the citizenry.

A constitutional convention, notwithstanding its high financial cost, is generally more acceptable to ordinary citizens and more conducive for a circumspect constitutional drafting process.

More than anything else, constitutional change, in whatever mode, ought to be an offshoot of the citizenry’s demand for and participation in good governance.

We can change the Constitution for the better. Let’s do it right.

My own belief is that some members of the UST community simply cannot accept that Uson is recognized in any way, shape or form, by any group that can be remotely associated with the school.

And by their alma mater, no less,

“the oldest Philippine university and the only pontifical university in Asia.”

But here’s the thing: If UST’s reputation was really of supreme importance to the school, why don’t they fire or otherwise punish the head of their law school (or as they call it on España, the Faculty of Civil Law), Nilo Divina?

Divina, in my view, has been even more worthy of censure than Uson ever will, having been linked not only to the recent fraternity hazing death of Horacio “Atio” Castillo, but also as the legal counsel (and enabler, by many accounts) of impeached former Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista.

Divina has not even been given a

slap on the wrist by the school or called out by any UST-associated group, as far as I know, except for one minor law fraternity that condemned Divina for allowing the use of his name as dean to entice students like Castillo to join the Aegis Juris fraternity and for turning a blind eye to his violent hazing death.

It’s fitting, by the way, that the

media entity pushing hard against Uson’s recognition by the UST alumni was the same one that picked Laurio over the soldiers who repulsed the terrorists in Marawi last year. I guess they are incensed because the newspaper will now need to give Laurio yet another award, in order to assuage their imagined wounds over the recognition given to Mocha.

This is why I believe in Concon, which is composed of delegates elected by the people. *** There is furor over the supposed violation of press freedom with the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission on Rappler. I maintain my position however that the issue is not press freedom but violation of

the Constitution. The law says mass media should be owned and controlled, 100 percent, by Filipinos.

There should be 0-percent ownership and control by foreigners.

But Rappler took advantage of Philippine depository receipts to attract foreign investments and introduced a questionable condition.

PDRs are also found in the articles of incorporation of ABS-CBN and GMA. Both PLDT-Smart and Ayala-Globe also have PDRs but they did not violate the Constitution as what Rappler did. Rappler Holdings and Rappler Inc. had a condition that Omidyar Network could veto matters.

Maria Ressa insists that there was suppression of press freedom.

But this freedom is not absolute. I am always free to say what I want about anybody, but I am limited by the law on libel.

Logic tells us that Omidyar’s veto power amounts to control.

Still, I think that media ownership this should form part of charter amendments. We all need technology to go with the times.

*** The House Committee on Justice believes that the articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno could be brought to the Senate by March.

Sereno’s lawyers say otherwise, but their client has indeed failed the test of moral rectitude.

Public trust is so broad a concept; anything could fall under it.

FOR the record, as I have written in this column before, I am in favor of constitutional change. But it must be done properly.

I would like a shift to a federal and a bicameral parliamentary system which, consistent with federalism, would have a regional senate. The federal system, which in my view is essentially a form of regional governance, should allow entities like the Bangsamoro to exist without constitutional restraints.

There must be an immediately executory anti-dynasty provision that is the broadest possible. A dual district and party-list system should be established to allow the development and maturity of political parties.

I also think that going federal should be a decision made by the provinces and cities that will form a region or state and that provinces and cities should be allowed to opt out of a federal region or state if they prefer so.

An important decision to be made in designing a federal system is how resources and revenue will be shared and allocated. It cannot be a simplistic formula that allows regions to retain most income. That would favor the wealthier regions and could economically depress the poorer regions. Decentralization would become a driver of further underdevelopment in those regions.

Many of these elements are already in the PDP-Laban proposal and only need further consultation and refinement. The Handbook on Federalism, published by the Ateneo University Press,

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI earns record-high P4.75 b in fees in 2017

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Immigration earned a record high of P4.75 billion from fees it collected from the transacting public, mostly from foreigners in the country, 18 percent higher compared to 2016.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the bureau’s revenue income was P894.6 million or 18 percent higher than the P3.86 billion the agency earned in 2016.

Morente said the bureau managed to register record high revenues despite the frequent declaration of holidays and work suspensions as well as the numerous resignations of BI personnel nationwide last year due to financial difficulties arising from the drastic reduction of their take home pay in 2017.

“This is a tribute to the men and women of the bureau who persevered and opted to remain in their jobs even in the face of financial adversities. They are the unsung heroes of our bureau

DSWD told to fix its lack of manpower

who deserve our deepest appreciation and gratitude,” the BI chief said.

Morente said he is optimistic that the BI will surpass its 2017 record and remit a bigger amount to the national coffers this year as its employees are doubly inspired and motivated to work harder with the restoration of their benefits by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Scores of BI workers had quit their jobs last year due to the drastic reduction of their salaries and their low salary grades. This happened after the Palace vetoed the use of their express lane collections in paying for the overtime services of its regular employees and salaries of its contractual personnel.

The President, however, reinstated the same benefits this year saying that he recognizes the hard work and sacrifices of the BI personnel and that their present salary grade is very low and needs to be augmented until a new Immigration law is passed addressing their compensation.

By Macon R. Araneta

TRAIN EFFECT. Prices of goods and other basic products, including sacks of rice were affected by the price increase in Bocaue, Bulacan due to the TRAIN Law. Andrew Rabulan

Ex-MRT GM to face accusers

By Maricel V. Cruz

“Further, to allow the prosecution to present both witnesses would not violate the accused's substantive and constitutional rights. They will be given the opportunity to object to the questions propounded on them during direct-examination of the said witnesses, confront and conduct a cross-examination of the said witnesses,” the resolution read.

The Ombudsman accused Vitangcol of using

T

HE Sandiganbayan Third Division has allowed former Czech ambassador to the Philippines and current ambassador to Chile Josef Rychtar and Inekon board chairperson Josef Husek to testify against former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 general manager Al Vitangcol III.

In a six-page resolution promulgated on Jan. 10, the anti-graft court said the testimonies of Rychtar

and Husek would not violate Vitangcol’s rights as the latter’s defense counsel could question them.

his authority “to dictate the proponents invited for the preliminary negotiations” of the maintenance services and deliberately not disclosing his relationship with his uncle-in-law Arturo Soriano of PH Trams.

Vitangcol is facing graft charges over his alleged attempt to extort $30 million from representatives of Inekon.

But as far as Vitangcol is concerned, the testimo-

nies of Rychtar and Husek would be irrelevant and hearsay. He added that the Czech national was not listed as a witness in the pre-trial order.

But the Sandiganbayan believed otherwise. The anti-graft court added a PTO is only “primarily intended to make certain that all issues necessary to the disposition of the case are properly raised.”

“The accused cannot suc-

cessfully claim that their presentation as prosecution witnesses will cause surprise or violate their rights to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against them,” the Sandiganbayan said.

“In fact, the accused failed to point to any stipulated fact/s or document/s in the pre-trial order which will prejudice them should Rychtar and Husek be allowed to testify,” it added.

‘Killers’ of Italian missionary charged

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has been asked to prosecute individuals implicated to the murder of Italian missionary Fausto “Pops” Tentorio in October 2011 after a DoJ factfinding panel recommended a reinvestigation of the case.

In a complaint filed with the DoJ, National Bureau of Investigation-Central Mindanao accused Lt. Col. Joven Gonzales and Major Mark Espiritu, and alleged members of the Bagani Special Force, a paramilitary group, for murder.

Also named respondents were Jimmy Ato alias “Ian Mateo” and “Jimmy Intar;” Robert Ato alias “Roberto Ato” and “Roberto Intar;” Jan Corbala alias “Johnny Corbala,”

“Jhon Corbala;” “Jun Karbala,” and “Kumander Iring;” Nene Durado alias “Nene Dorado;” “Kaing Labi”; Joseph Basol; Edgar Enoc; Romulo Tapgos; William Buenaflor alias “WB”; alias “Katong” and several unidentified individuals including 20 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducting a “bayanihan” activity near the Arakan Central Elementary School on the day Tentorio was killed.

The respondents will undergo preliminary investigation to be conducted by the DoJ prosecutors to determine the existence of probable cause for the filing of criminal charges against them in court.

Last month, the DoJ’s factfinding panel withdrew the murder and attempted murder

complaints pending before the North Cotabato Provincial Prosecutor's Office against brothers Jose Sultan Sampulna and Dima Sampulna.

The six-member panel headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong cited statements from witnesses showing the lack of evidence of complicity of the Sampulna brothers in the crime.

Tentorio, a member of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, was shot dead on Oct. 17, 2011 inside his parish in Arakan town in Cotabato. Students and teachers attending a flag ceremony at the Arakan school reportedly heard gunshots and later saw the suspected gunman walking away from the church compound.

PCSO chair to employees: Prove detractors wrong

“’YUNG mga exposé, we’ll just have an open mind. Let’s prove them wrong.

It’s not always from the chairman, not from GM (General Manager)—it starts from all of us here. Kailangan ipakita natin na we are not that kind of breed na sinasabi nila.”

This was how Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Anselmo Simeon Patron Pinili addressed the agency during the Change of Command ceremony on Monday morning.

Pinili believes that public service is serving the people and serving them well.

“We should not be oppressive and [much more] think we are somebody.

Kasi ’yung aking experience sa trabaho sa mga problemadong lugar, nakita ko ’yung shield pala para ’di

ka magkaroon ng disgrasya is to be able to serve the people well. And I think it will be our shield if we serve the people well,” said Pinili.

Pinili, a retired general, served under the Philippine National Police and was the head of the Office of the Special Envoy on Transnational Crime, prior to his appointment at PCSO. He replaced Jose Jorge Elizalde Corpuz, a member of PMA “Sandigan” Class ’82, who resigned due to health reasons.

“Paano ba serbisyuhan ang mga mamamayan natin? Madali lang yan!

Kapag ang serbisyo mo nasa puso wala ng sasabihin pa,” said Pinili.

Pinili emphasized that he serves at the pleasure of the President, “We can defend our President if we follow his marching order: To stop or end corruption.”

CHARTER CHANGE. Former Senate presidents Juan Ponce Enrile, right, and Aquilino ‘Nene’ Pimentel Jr. exchange views on Charter change and Federalism over yesterday’s Samahang Plaridel Kapihan news forum at the Manila Hotel. Ey Acasio

UST student council slams giving of award to Uson

By Bill Casas THE University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council on Sunday condemned the awarding of the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service to Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, saying the government official is the main purveyor of politically motivated propaganda against known members of the government opposition as well as an avid spreader and citer of “fake news.”

“Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson, a graduate of Medical Technology in the University, was recently

given an award by the UST Alumni Association Inc. for her service under President Rodrigo Duterte’s government. The university of Santo Tomas, in pursuit of preserving its motto, ‘Veritas in Caritate’ or ‘Truth in Charity,’ has emphasized the University’s high regard for truth as graced with charity,” said the student body said in a statement.

The statement said the UST Central Student Council, the highest student government of the university shares the same aspirations and beliefs in this case.

"However, the UST-CSC strongly denounces the UST Alumni Association

Inc’s action of honoring Mocha Uson the Thomasian Award for Government Service," the student body said.

"Mocha Uson, who is widely known as the main purveyor of politically motivated propaganda against known members of the government's opposition, an avid spreader and citer of fake news," the statement read.

“Uson is also known to utilize her following to initiate blatant personal attacks against her critics and the government’s, including students and members of the press, all under the guise of fake nationalism

and freedom of speech,” the statement read.

"We express our dismay over this event as Mocha Uson does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian, and with all due respect, Ms. Esther Margaux ‘Mocha’ Justiniano Uson does not deserve an award that was supposed to be meant solely for outstanding Thomasian alumni," the statement added.

Uson was given the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service along with other government officials from the House of Representatives, the Senate, the judiciary branch and the executive branch.

EU cites PH gains on labor, climate change, people trafficking

By Sara D. Fabunan DESPITE expressing serious concerns on human rights violations in the Philippines, the European Union took a huge consideration on the country’s initiative to improve labor rights of the Filipino employees by abolishing the so called “endo” scheme, improvents in protecting the environment, gender equality, people trafficking and anti-

corruption drive, among others.

With the improvements, the Philippines can still enjoy the zero-tarrif benefit to the EU market or the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP+) as the country was able to export local goods worth of €1.67-billion to the EU under GSP+ preferential treatment.

“Thanks to completely removed duties for most products, the Philippines' exports to the EU grew by over 21 per-

cent since last year,” EU ambassador Franz Jessen said.

An estimated P120 billion worth of exports were benefiting from GSP+ trade preferences, especially in the food and agricultural sector, Jessen said.

Exports of the Philippines to the EU under GSP+ increased from EUR 584-million in the first half of 2015 to EUR 903-million in the first half of 2017.

EU said 2017 garnered the largest

increases including for animal products which increased by 64-percent; fish and related products, +71-percent; prepared foodstuffs, +60-percent; edible fruits, 39-percent; automotive parts, 71-percent; leather, +77-percent; textile with 145-percent increase; and footwear with +74-percent increase.

Moreover, foreign direct investments from the 28 EU member states represent the largest FDIs in our coun-

try, supporting over 500,000 Filipino jobs.

“This makes the EU the Philippines' second largest export partner, after Japan and before the US and China,” Jessen said.

As part of the Philippines's commitment under GSP+, the EU and the Philippines have an ongoing dialogue on the implementation of 27 international conventions on human and labour rights, the environment, and good governance.

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development must fix first its lack of manpower before it can take in 5.5-million new families who would be enrolled in the TRAIN rebate scheme, said Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Monday.

Recto said the 5.5-million households, who are not listed in the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program, will get P200 per month from the government to help them weather the impact of new taxes on the cost of living, He said they will join the 4.5 million presently enrolled CCT families whose monthly stipends will also be increased by P200— bringing to 10 million the number of families who will be aided so they could cope with TRAIN-triggered hikes in the prices of goods.

While the 2018 national budget lodges the P24.5 billion in TRAIN rebates with the Land Bank of the Philippines, “we all know that it is just being parked here.”

“The Land Bank has no capacity to identify who will receive The DSWD rank-andfile will have a say on how it will be disbursed,” he said.

But Recto warned DSWD —who will in effect serve at least 55 million clients this year—“will have so much on its plate that it will be hardpressed to serve more people.”

“The identification of beneficiaries alone is already a major production. The delivery of financial aid is not included here,” he said.

Recto said the agency only has 2,842 regular employees to serve a clientele base of 28 million, on whom P137.5 billion will be spent this year.

“Since 2010, the budget of DSWD has ballooned eightfold, but its manpower grew by 10 percent only,” Recto said.

“Due to the TRAIN beneficiaries, which are more than the CCT enrollees, those being helped by DSWD was doubled. Huwag nating sabihin na walang impact ito sa organizational capacity nito,” Recto said.

Ex-mayor faces raps on SALN

By Rio N. Araja A FORMER mayor from Lanao del Sur is in trouble after the Office of the Ombudsman indicted her for non-filing of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth in 2007 to 2010.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge former Saguiran mayor Rasmia Macabago with three counts of violation of Section 8 of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao issued an Oct. 20, 2016 certification stating “there are no available SALNs on file of respondent.”

In a counter-affidavit, Macabago claimed “that she did not know that she ought to file a SALN since she did not know of any local officials who filed the same.”

“This area office’s certification affirming the nonavailability of respondent’s SALNs from calendar years 2007 to 2010, coupled with her admission, suffices to indict respondent for violation of RA No. 6713," the resolution read.

“That respondent did not know of her duty to file her SALN cannot be given credence, as taking part of public service carries with the bounden duty to uphold the law.”

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Sports

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Magic stun Celtics; Pacers score

W

ASHINGTON—The Orlando Magic parlayed a big third quarter into a 103-95 upset of the Boston Celtics on Sunday, their third win in 20 games coming against the NBA’s Eastern Conference leaders.

Elfrid Payton scored 22 points for the Magic, who had lost their last 14 games in Boston in a skid stretching back to February 2010.

“It feels good to get a win, especially after playing well,” Payton said. “We felt we played well against the Cavaliers and didn’t come out with the victory. So to get the win today feels good.”

Orlando spoiled the return from injury of Boston point guard Kyrie

Irving, whose 40 points couldn’t prevent the Celtics from dropping a third straight game for the first time this season.

Irving had missed Thursday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with a nagging shoulder injury.

Jaylen Brown scored 17 points and Marcus Morris finished with 12 to score in double figures for the fourth consecutive game for the Celtics.

“We haven’t played consistently on both ends for a while now,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. “I felt like they were shooting layups for the most part tonight.”

Evan Fournier scored 19 points and Aaron Gordon produced a double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic, who started the day in a three-way tie for the worst record in the league.

Orlando trailed 59-58 at halftime, but out-scored the Celtics 32-12 in the third quarter to take a 90-71 lead into the final frame.

The Magic’s upset bid appeared to be coming unstuck as they made just one of their first 16 shot attempts of the fourth quarter.

The Celtics trimmed the deficit to seven points on Al Horford’s hook shot with 1:13 remaining.

A free-throw from Payton and Fournier’s floater in the final minute stretched Orlando’s lead back to 10.

Elsewhere, Victor Oladipo delivered 19 points as the Indiana Pacers ended the San Antonio Spurs 14-game winning streak at home with a 94-86 victory.

Darren Collison tallied 15 points for the Pacers, who halted a threegame losing streak in San Antonio.

The Spurs lost at home for the third time this season and the first since Nov. 10 against Milwaukee.

The Pacers became the first Eastern Conference team in three

years to sweep a season series from the Spurs.

‘Build on it’ “We did a great job just getting stops and moving the ball,” Oladipo said. “They’re a tough team to play against. Wellcoached team, great players over there, it was a tough-fought team win. We’ve just got to build on it.”

Pau Gasol had 14 points to lead the Spurs who were minus Manu Ginobili, Rudy Gay and Kawhi Leonard because of injuries.

Tony Parker came off the bench to record 12 points and five assists.

It marked just the 14th time in 1,165 games that Parker has come into the game off the bench. AFP

Mondilla rejoins PGT Asia hunt at Pradera CLYDE Mondilla hopes to turn his brief Asian Tour stint into a positive drive as he resumes his hunt for a second Philippine Golf Tour Asia crown in the ICTSI Pradera Verde Classic beginning tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 24) in Lubao, Pampanga.

Mondilla skipped last week’s PGTA’s sixth leg at Eagle Ridge to compete in the Singapore Open against some of the world’s best players, including eventual winner and reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia. But despite missing the cut by six, the Del Monte ace remains confident of his chances heading to this week’s $100,000 event serving as the seventh leg of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI. “It was a great experience and it was really a different level.

One has to be tough and well prepared,” said Mondilla, the reigning PGT Order of Merit winner. “Though I missed the cut, I learned so many things which I’m sure would make me a better player.”

But PGTA Riviera leg winner will be up against a crack field that includes four of the five other winners of the inaugural tour, all eager to become the first two-leg champion along with a host of others seeking to join the elite circle of PGTA victors.

Jhonnel Ababa, for one, is upbeat of his bid for a second straight PGTA plum after fashioning out a record seven-stroke romp at Eagle Ridge where he emerged as the only player to shoot under-par scores in all four days.

He expects to sustain his form but also braces for an equally explosive games from the rest of the 87-player field at the long but flat Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club.

PGTA Wack Wack leg winner Tony Lascuña, Splendido champion Rene Menor and CAT Open titlist Justin Quiban are also in the fold, each gearing up for a four-day shootout in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Sta. Lucia Land golf for a cause set SLLI Global Marketing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sta. Lucia Land Inc., will be hosting its first invitational golf tournament “TOURNAMENT FOR A CAUSE” on Jan. 26 (Friday) at the Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Registration in the tournament which will use a System 36 format, starts at 5 a.m.

Tabloid scribes, eds form TOPS AS part of the continuing efforts to raise the level of the profession, sports editors, columnists and writers of the country’s leading national tabloids have banded together to form a new group.

To be called TOPS, or the Tabloid Organizations in Philippine Sports, the association hopes to contribute its share in local sports development through responsible reports and analysis in the ever-changing sports environment.

The association also hopes to work closely with established groups, such as the National Press Club and the Philippine Sportswriters Association in promoting and maintaining a high standard of sports journalism.

Leading the new association are Ed Andaya of People’s Tonight (president), Dennis Eroa of Bandera (VP Internal), Maribeth ‘Beth’ Repizo of Pilipino Star Ngayon (VP External), Nympha Manio-Ang of Bulgar (treasurer), Mae Balbuena of Pang-Masa (auditor) and Edwin Rollon of Balita (secretary).

Members of the Board of Directors are Enjel Manato of Abante/Abante 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ Tonite; Fred Nasiad of Bandera; Jeff Venancio of Police Files; Clyde Mariano 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M of Pilipino Mirror; Rico Navarro of Remate; Jessie Ong of Business MoniDIGITS 0-0-0-0 tor and Danny Simon of Hoy!—a Canada-based DIGITS 0-0-0 newspaper.

The formal induction of officers will be EZ2 0-0 announced soon.

6/55 6/45 4 3 2

ROGER Pogoy has been thriving in his off the bench role early in the season, providing the firepower for a TNT side that won back-to-back games last week.

Named Rookie of the Year this past season, Pogoy played like a grizzled veteran for the KaTropa, who hammered the Blackwater Elite and sister team Meralco respectively, to grab a share of third spot with the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Cup. Pogoy averaged 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in TNT’s two-game win streak to grab the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week.

The young Cebuano hotshot was on target against the Elite, firing eight of his 24 points off the bench in the third canto to help turn a seven-point deficit into a 65-57 lead heading to the last canto.

Clyde Mondilla is confident of his chances heading to this week’s $100,000 event serving as the seventh leg of the region’s newest circuit put up by ICTSI.

Davao and we believe this will be well received by local and foreign triathletes alike,” said Uytengsu.

“We are encouraged by the enthusiasm Davao has expressed in hosting us there and I expect we will see this race steadily grow.”

A series of activities are lined up from March 22 until race day, including the opening of the Ironman 70.3 Davao Expo at the Tent at Azuela Cove, the Meet the Pros Press Conference, the IronGirl race, and the equally exciting opening triathlon race of Alaska IronKids for 2018 on March 24.

The race begins with a one-loop swim at scenic Azuela Cove, where participants will go back for their first transition. Then they exit onto the highway for the fast, single loop bike ride all the way to the turnaround point at Tagum City. They will head back to Azuela Cove for the second transition, exit on the flat roads of JP Laurel Avenue towards the commercial district to complete the two-loop run.

LOTTO RESULTS

HOST Trinity University of Asia and San Beda College posted victories in similar fashion to continue their wining streak in their respective groups in the elimination round of the Manila Brotherhood Basketball League Association, Inc. School and Club Division at the Trinity University of Asia Gym in Quezon City, Streak-shooter Bernard de Guia found his mark in the early goings, firing relentlessly from the outside as Trinity posted a commanding 39-16 lead against De La Salle-Zobel in the Under-17 class of the league, organized

by MBBLAI president Erick Kirong of Macway Travel.

Denden Sequitin Jr. and Jay R Carrera, who added 15 and 13 each, mauled DLSZ in third and in the final quarter, highlighted by a four-point play by Jerome Dimalanta for Trinity’s biggest lead, a 40-point lead bubble at 62-22 in under 8 minutes en route to a 77-37 victory, their fourth straight in the eliminations.

Prince Alao of San Beda College used his court generalship in leading the Red Cubs’ 89-33 demolition of M. Dragons for the Lions’ fourth straight win in the 14-under category.

In the curtain-raiser, the Warriors defeated Bulacan Dreamers ,74-60, in the 12-under Club, while La Salle won over the Caloocan Supremos in the 17-under.

National University prevailed over College of St. Benilde College, 75-42, in 14-under nightcap.

TNT’s Pogoy is week’s top cager

Davao braces for Alveo Ironman at Azuela Cove DAVAO ushers in world-class triathlon in Mindanao as it hosts the Alveo Ironman 70.3 Davao event on March 25 at Azuela Cove.

The “Durian Capital of the Philippines” and home of the majestic Philippine Eagle opens its doors to the best and toughest long-distance triathletes, including pros, for a thrilling and enjoyable race through the city’s fusion of nature and urban infrastructure.

Wilfred Uytengsu, founder of the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., said Davao is fast emerging as the new triathlon destination and it’s just fitting it gets first crack at hosting the inaugural Mindanao gig of the successful 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run series.

Sunrise Events and city officials, led by Mayor Sara Duterte, are leaving no stones unturned to make sure the event that’s expected to draw over a thousand participants and other guests will run smoothly.

“We at Sunrise Events are excited to be offering a brand new race in

Trinity, SBC post similar big wins

Tee time is 7 a.m.

Organized by Trizach Events Management, the tournament aims to allow friends, suppliers and guests to participate in an enjoyable and friendly competition. This golf meet is also designed to reach out to to beneficiary Tahanang Walang Hagdan.

Section I. Invitation for Rebidding Republic of the Philippines Philippine Rural Development Project Invitation for Rebidding

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Construction of Sto. Domingo Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement

Intramuros, Manila

Identification No.PRDP-IB-R001-ILS-006-SAO-001-2016- R1 Loan No. 8421-PH

EN BANC

January 23, 2018 1.

2.

The Government of the Philippines (GoP) has received a Loan from the World Bank towards the cost of Philippine Rural Development Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this Loan to payments under the contract for the Construction of Sto. Domingo Warehouse with Multi-purpose Drying Pavement/PRDP-IB-R001-ILS-006-SAO-001-2016-R1.

The Municipality of Sto. Domingo, implementing partner of the Department of Agriculture, now invites bids for the Construction of Sto. Domingo Warehouse with Multi-purpose Drying Pavement. Completion of the Works is required by Package Description Work Duration Construction of Sto. Domingo 170 calendar days inclusive I Warehouse of 8 unworkable days Construction of Multi-Purpose Drying 94 calendar days inclusive of II Pavement 6 unworkable days Bidders should have completed, within the last five (5) years, 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 in accordance with relevant procedures for open competitive bidding as specified in the IRR of RA 9184 (R.A. 9184), with some amendments, as stated in these bidding documents and is open to all bidders from eligible source countries as defined in the applicable procurement guidelines of the World Bank. The contract shall be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during post-qualification. The Estimated Project Cost (EPC) for this project is shown below: Package I II

Description Construction of Sto. Domingo Warehouse Construction of Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement

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

ORDER

In order to give all interested parties equal opportunity to be heard on whether or not to postpone the 2018 BSKE in the whole of Mindanao in view of the one-year extension of Martial Law, the Commission En Banc hereby ORDERS, as follows 1.

To CONDUCT a Public Hearing on 23 January 2018, GRAND CAPRICE Restaurant and Convention Center, Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, at 2:00 p.m.

2.

To designate Atty. Roseller Abad, Director III, ECAD as the Hearing Officer;

3.

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

4.

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

5.

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

6.

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

EPC Php 6,722,000.00 Php 2,620,000.00

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Bids and Awards Committee Office of the Municipal Government of Sto. Domingo and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00am to 4:00pm, Mondays to Fridays.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting January 23, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the bidding documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the PRDP website (http://www.daprdp.net) provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

As part of the transparency measures being instituted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) the bidders can virtually visit the site of the above-described subproject at http://www.daprdp.net where geotagged base photographs are viewable. The DA, however, requires that all potential contractors who will be awarded contract under the project shall have undergone geotagging training provided by the PRDP Project Support Office.

5.

The Municipal Government of Sto. Domingo will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on February 09, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Municipal Hall, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur which shall be open to all interested parties.

6.

Bids must be delivered on or before February 22, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Municipal Hall, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration.

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.

7.

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

8.

For further information, please refer to:

Any interested party may file a verified opposition, on or before the scheduled hearing at the Office of the Regional Election Director of Region X, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. Premarking of evidence shall be done on 23 January 2018, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center.

SO ORDERED. Given this 12th day of January 2018, in the City of Manila, Philippines.

LUIS T. GONZALES Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Office of the Bids and Awards Committee Municipal Hall Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur

CHRISTIAN ROBERT S. LIM Acting Chairman

(SGD) LUIS T. GONZALES BAC Chairman (MS-JAN. 23, 2018)

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

(MS-JAN. 23, 2018)

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

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

Federer joins Kerber in net quarterfinals

Sports

MELBOURNE—Ice-cool Roger Federer roared into an Australian Open quarterfinal with Tomas Berdych Monday as former champion Angelique Kerber stuttered into an enticing clash with Madison Keys.

The defending champion swatted aside one-time training partner Marton Fucsovics 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 to make the last eight for an incredible 14th time.

The Swiss maestro, 36, has made at least the last eight every year since 2004, bar a hiccup in 2015.

“He played very well,” the 19-time Grand Slam champion said of the Hungarian.

“You needed to have quick ideas and execute well today.”

Second seed Federer will now play fellow veteran Berdych, a semi-finalist in 2014 and 2015 at his most successful major, who demolished Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

The 32-year-old, who is on his way back from back problems, lost to the fivetime Australian champion in the third round last year and the odds are heavily stacked again him.

Of the 13 quarter-finals Federer has contested in Melbourne, he has won the lot.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a return against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary during their men’s singles fourth round match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. AFP

Scribes to fete Austria, Melindo, Team Manila T

WO world champions and one of the country’s most accomplished coaches will be the recipients of major awards in the coming SMC-PSA (Philippine Sportswriters Association) Annual Awards Night.

Team Manila dethroned Central Hernet Xplozion, 7-1, in the title game of the World Series held at the Diamond Valley Park to become the first team from Asia to rule the tournament, according to Rodolfo Tingzon Sr., the founder of Pony in the country.

Melindo on the other hand, won the IBF title belt following his first-round upset of former champion Akira Yaegashi in their 12-round fight at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.

He subsequently defended the crown with a dramatic split decision against Hekkie Budler in a bloody, hardfought encounter at the Waterfront Casino and Hotel in Cebu.

Until he lost in his unification fight against Japanese Ryoichi Taguchi on New Year’s Eve, Melindo, 29, was a strong contender for the Athlete of the Year honor.

is the awardee for pro basketball to be handed out by the country’s oldest media organization during its traditional gala night presented

by MILO and Cignal TV. The formal affair will be held Feb. 27 at the Maynila Hall of the historic Manila Hotel.

Cager Thirdy Ravena (amateur basketball), tracksters Eric Shauwn Cray, Mary Joy Tabal, and Trenten Anthony Beram, car racer Masato Fernando (motorsports), and the racing duo of John Alvin Guce (Jockey of the Year), and Triple crown winner Sepfourteen (Horse of the Year), make up the compact list of major awardees to be recognized

Kramnik, So agree to split point

SBP chief wants a ‘physical’ PH team

RUSSIAN grandmaster Vladimir Kramnilk unravelled a complicated opening game and surprised Filipino GM Wesley So. But So quickly recovered, turned down a knight sacrifice and played Kramnik to a draw in Round 8 of the 80th Tata Steel Chess Masters Tournament.

Seeing no clear advantage following the presence of opposite-colored bishops, So settled for a draw in 28 moves of an English Opening last Sunday in Wijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands.

“I don’t think I got too many problems in the opening, and I equalized quite well. But, then he kept on looking for ways to complicate the game and get the initiative. But I think I defended well, and the position got interesting,” said So in an online interview with chessbase.com.

So, who said he remained unfazed when Kramnik used the lines of the Reti and then the Catalan in his opening moves, kept his share of second spot with Kramnik.

They have five points.

Their game was almost eclipsed by Anish Giri’s 32-move triumph over erstwhile solo leader Shakh Mamedyarov in their Uncommon Opening encounter. Peter Atencio

Melindo

in the annual rite whose major sponsor is the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Mighty Sports, Rain or Shine, Globalport, and the Philippine Basketball Association.

All of them share center stage with world champions Jerwin Ancajas, Krizziah Lyn Tabora, and Carlo Biado, who will be honored with the PSA-Tapa King Athlete of the Year awards.

By Peter Atencio TEAM Pilipinas will have to be ready for the physicality of games that will be played in the coming FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2018 in Bocaue, Bulacan.

That’s why players who will be picked to make up Team Pilipinas should be up the challenge.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said this about the competition, which will be held from June 8 to 12 at the Philippine Arena.

“It’s very different game. Very physical. We have to assess the criteria in choosing the players for Team

Philippines,” said Panlilio.

Last year, the Philippines finished 11th overall behind Kobe Paras, Joseph Quinahan, Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng.

Most of the players, he added, will most likely come from teams in the Philippine Basketball Association and the PBA D-League.

Serbia, which beat the Netherlands in the finals, anchored its games behind Dusan Bulut, Dejan Majstorovic, Marko Savic and Marko Zdero.

So far, Mongolia is the latest country to earn a ticket after making it to the Top 40 in the world rankings.

This is the first time that the Mon-

Benilde stuns stubborn EAC

For his part, Austria ran away with a third straight Coach of the Year award to become the first man to keep the Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan perpetual trophy handed out by the PBA Press Corps. The 59-yearold coach from Sariaya, Quezon came a championship short of accomplishing a rare grand slam for San Miguel Beer, which earlier won the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively.

Recognition will also be given to the choices for President’s Award, Executive of the Year Award, National Sports Association of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Mr. Basketball, Ms. And Mr. Volleyball, Mr. Golf, and Mr. Fan Favorite, as well as citations and the regular recipients of the Tony Siddayao award, and the MILO Junior Athletes of the Year plum.

Team Manila and former International Boxing Federation light-flyweight title holder Milan Melindo, along with three-time Coach of the Year Leo Austria join seven other individuals, who will be recognized for their exemplary accomplishments that left a lasting impact on Philippine sports in the year that has just passed.

Coach Ana Santiago’s team, which ruled the Pony International 18-U Girl Softball World Series in California is the major awardee in softball; Melindo is the recipient in boxing, while Austria, the humble and soft-spoken mentor of the fabled San Miguel team,

“I have no choice to choose the opponent and may the better man win,” said the 19th seeded Czech.

“I am going to get myself ready, it’s all I can do, and prepare the best I can.”

Germany’s Kerber is the only Grand Slam champion left among the women, and she was given a big fright as she chases her second Melbourne Park crown after beating Serena Williams in 2016.

After crushing Maria Sharapova in the last round, she came up against gritty Taiwanese veteran Hsieh Suwei who stunned the 21st seed by taking the first set on Rod Laver Arena.

At one point Kerber was serving to stay in the match, but she bounced back to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

“Credit to her, she played unbelievable. I was running everywhere,” said Kerber, who had a poor 2017 after starting the year as world number one.

“I was just trying to focus on every point.”

Hsieh, ranked 88, was always going to be a threat after knocking out world number three Garbine Muguruza and the dangerous Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the fourth round. AFP

COLLEGE of St. Benilde leaned on the duo of Rachelle Anne Austero and Ranya Musa in the last two sets to turn back a stubborn Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-17, 18-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-7, yesterday and get back on the winning track in the women’s division of the 93rd NCAA volleyball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.

Austero unloaded a match-best 17 hits, while Musa scattered 15, but it was their clutch hits in the fourth and fifth sets that helped the Lady Blazers escape the upset axe, claim their third victory and end a two-game losing slump.

CSB gave EAC a chance to steal the win with the former committing a whopping 48 errors.

“We really need to lessen our mistakes if we want to have a chance in this tournament,” said CSB coach Arnold Laniog, whose squad fell to San Beda, 22-25, 2624, 25-27, 19-25, and San Sebastian, 25-23, 23-25, 19-25, 23-25, last week.

The Lady Generals, in contrast, continued to plummet as they fell to their fifth straight defeat.

Interestingly, EAC’s last two outings came via the full, five-set route, including a heartbreaking 25-22, 1925, 14-25, 25-23, 13-15 setback to Perpetual Help also last week.

In men’s action, CSB clawed back from a two-set deficit to turn back EAC, 19-25, 20-25, 25-7, 25-14, 15-11, and hike its slate to 4-1.

The Generals fell to 2-3.

In the second game, San Beda College outlasted Letran, 17-25, 25-15, 25-16, 27-29, 15-12, to rejoin Arellano University at the helm with five wins apiece.

The Lady Red Spikers went to Cesca Racraquin again as the new Pocari Sweat standout made his presence felt in both offense and defense with 17 hits including 17 on attacks and 13 digs and nine receptions.

The Lady Knights slipped to 2-3.

golian national team will participate.

The team won the Asian University 3x3 Basketball Championships, which was held in Malaysia in April last year.

A total of 40 teams from 37 different countries, including defending champions Serbia and Russia, will compete in the fifth edition of the FIBA World Cup. All games will be played at the Philippine Arena with 20 men’s and 20 women’s teams at the event.

There will be three individual events, namely the men’s dunk contest, the women’s skills contest and the A PH team bannered by Kobe Paras placed 11th in the last staging of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup. mixed shoot-out contest.

NHA Builders boost bid for UNTV Cup quarterfinals

Hailed as the Best Player of the Game, Antonio Lustestica Jr. of the NHA Builders elevates for a shot during his team’s UNTV Cup game against the GSIS Furies at the Pasig City Sports Center.

NATIONAL Housing Authority’s hope for a slot in the semifinals lives on as the Builders defeated the GSIS Furies, 9988, in the UNTV Cup Season 6 Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Season 4 Most Valuable Player Antonio Lustestica Jr. was Hailed as the Best Player of the Game as he had 27 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and a block.

With the loss, the Furies dropped to a 5-5 record, while the Builders upped their slate to 7-2.

In the second game, Season 5 champion PNP Responders kept their chance to defend the title alive as the cops overpowered the Judiciary Magis, 90-57.

Anton Tolentino led the Responders with 19 points, 7 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals, enough to net him the Best Player of the Game award.

“Nag-usap-usap kami before January. Mawawala na lamang ba ng ganoon ang pagiging champion namin? Kaya mula first quarter, ti-nao namin ‘yung guard, kasi ‘yun ang nawala sa amin, depensa,” Tolentino said.

With the victory, Coach Artemio Marquez’s side now tote a 5-4 mark.

“Nagkaroon ng sagot ‘yung puspusan naming practice noong mga nakaraang araw, so nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord, buti nanalo kami. ‘Yung buong

Games on Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. PDEA vs AFP 3:30 p.m. Senate vs Judiciary 5 p.m. PNP vs Malacañang

team nabuhayan,” Marquez said.

The Responders are set to face Malacañang-PSC Kamao Sunday.

If the cops win the match, they will advance to the quarterfinals, but if they lose, the GSIS Furies take the slot instead.

In the main game, Malacañang-PSC Kamao defeated the Senate Defenders in a neckand-neck battle, 63-59, and now holds a big chance to gain the twice-to-beat advantage in the

semifinal round with seven games won and two games lost.

The Palace hoopsters’ strong defense limited Senate’s big men Jeffrey Sanders and Marlon Legaspi to only 8 and 4 points, respectively.

“Tiwala lang sa mga players ko, dahil paglabas namin sa dug-out, nag-usap-usap sila na defense lang talaga para makuha namin itong game na ito,” said Coach Raffy Gonzales.

Christian Luanzon was named the Best Player of the Game with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.

The Kamao’s next meeting with the PNP Responders is an anticipated do-or-die match for the cops.

Chelsea hires Kegoya to build passenger ship B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

B

6m wage earners freed from taxes

By Alena Mae S. Flores

IN BRIEF

M

ORE than six million or 86 percent of compensation earners with taxable income of P685 a day or P20,833 a month and below are exempted from paying the personal income tax starting this month under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.

Mindanao coffee grower gets perks

THE Board of Investments Extension Office in Davao City granted incentives to the coffee farm of Pistacia Mindanao Coffee Export Inc., the first micro and small enterprise approval under the export activities of the 2017 Investments Priorities Plan.

The P1-million project aims to produce fermented coffee and cacao beans with a capacity of 2.25 metric tons and 750 kilograms a year, respectively, all for export to Japan. Pistachia Mindanao is an 80-percent Japaneseowned company.

The firm will engage coffee growers under a contract agreement and provide technical assistance in terms of growing, sorting and harvesting.

The company specializes in producing high-quality agricultural crops, especially fermented coffee and cacao beans secured from smallholder farmers..

The project also aims to increase and sustain farmers’ yields, income and eventually improve their quality of life.

The project is located in Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur. Commercial operation is set to begin this month. Othel V. Campos

WESM to get independent operator soon THE Energy Department vowed to install an independent market operator for the wholesale electricity spot market, the country’s trading floor of electricity, by June.

“By February... there will be already be a president of PEMC (Philippine Electricity Market Corp.) and by June 2018, the IMO (independent market operator) is in place,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 mandates the transfer of WESM’s operations to an independent entity after the electricity spot market was established. WESM started operations in Luzon in 2006.

PEMC currently operates the WESM but has not yet transitioned into an IMO. “I had a meeting with my transition team and we have agreed on the timeline. We have agreed the way to implement it. The articles of incorporation (is completed),what is lacking is who are the people that we are going to make incorporators,” Cusi said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Consumer group bucks TRAIN Law PRO-CONSUMER advocacy group Laban Konsyumer Inc. sought Monday a temporary restraining order against the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN), noting that the tax hike on basic commodities are not pro-consumer at all.

The group in a petition before the Supreme Court said the TRAIN law should be nullified because of its negative effect on millions of Filipino consumers, especially those from lowincome and poor families.

Pro-consumer group president Victorio Dimagiba opposed the unwarranted increases in excise taxes on coal, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene which form part of basic commodities, like coal for electricity, diesel for transportation, LPG for food and transportation, and other products and services.

The group claimed the current tax reform was a violation of the Philippine Constitution, calls for an equitable and progressive taxation. Othel V. Campos

UNIONBANK-VISA FUND TRANSFER. Union Bank of the Philippines becomes the first Philippine bank to join Visa B2B Connect, a cross-border business-to-business payments platform of global payments technology company Visa using the blockchain architecture. UnionBank aims to simplify and reduce the cost of cross-border payments for 500,000 small and medium enterprises in the country. At the launching of the new digital platform are (from left) UnionBank senior vice president and chief transformation officer Henry Aguda, head of business group’s financial technology Ramon Vicente de Vera, chairman Justo Ortiz, Visa head of B2B partnership in Asia Pacific Vikram Kshettry, UnionBank president and chief executive Edwin Bautista, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson and UnionBank senior vice presidents John Ong and Ramon Duarte. Roderick T. dela Cruz

PNR buying 2 Indonesian trains for P485m

By Darwin G. Amojelar STATE-RUN Philippine National Railways said it signed a P485.3-million contract for the purchase of two train sets from P.T. Industri Kereta Api, an Indonesian governmentowned company.

“I hope this project will grow and blossom into other projects in our desire to expand the country railways system from what it is today―77 kilometers. We hope that during the term of President Duterte,

we can finish 1,900 kilometers railway system,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.

“It’s been almost 40 years that PNR organically procured its own train sets that is not donated nor part of a loan package. This is a reflection of Secretary Tugade’s leadership in the railways sector,” PNR general manager Junn Magno said.

The two new Diesel Electric Multiple Units form part of the reliability and avail-

ability program of the PNR. The two trains are expected to be delivered in the Philippines in the third quarter of 2019 for commissioning and testing.

PNR currently has 21 train sets, but only six train sets are running.

The Transportation Department earlier said it would procure a contractor for the construction of PNR Clark Phase 1 by the second quarter.

Phase 1 of the PNR Clark

Project entails the construction of the rail system along the 38-kilometer segment from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos in Bulacan.

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

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

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the Train Law’s provisions would benefit clerks, call center agents earning P21,000 and below and public school teachers with the rank of Teacher I with a basic salary of P20,179 and up to Teacher III with basic pay of P22,149.

Train, the first package under the Duterte administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, exempts compensation earners and self-employed individuals with annual taxable income of P250,000 and below from paying the personal income tax.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue issued on Dec. 28, 2017 an updated withholding tax table reflecting the new PIT provisions.

BIR commissioner Caesar Dulay directed all internal revenue officers to ensure that starting Jan. 1, “everyone making compensation payments to their respective employees shall deduct and withhold from such compensation a tax determined in accordance with the revised withholding tax table.”

Under the Train, a clerk in a government office or an entry-level worker in the private sector with a monthly pay of about P15,000 a month will be exempted from the PIT. This means that the work-

er now gets to take home the PIT of P18,457 that he or she used to pay annually under the old tax law and translates into a pay raise of P1,538 per month.

A call center agent earning P21,000 a month with two dependents, will also get to take home the P22,590 he or she used to pay in taxes or an effective increase in pay of P1,882 a month.

Dominguez said 99 percent of the country’s individual taxpayers would benefit from Train due to the hefty cuts in the PIT rates.

Those with a taxable annual income of P250,000, on average, would be able to take home an extra income equivalent to a substantial one-month’s pay per year.

Those with taxable income of more than P250,00 but not above P2 million would pay between 20 and 30 percent PIT. A doctor working at government hospital with two dependents and earns P73,299 a month, will take home around P58,484 more per year starting 2018 because of the adjustments in the PIT brackets and rates.

Those earning P2 million annually but not above P8 million are taxed 32 percent. The 35 percent tax are reserved for those earning P8 million taxable income and above.

Netherlands to develop Manila Bay master plan THE Netherlands agreed to design a master plan for the development of Manila Bay area, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Marion Derckx signed a memorandum of understanding for the sustainable development and management of the Manila Bay area.

Under the agreement, the two governments will work together toward the formulation of the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan which aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the sustainable development and management of the entire Manila Bay area.

The master plan is envisioned to guide future decisions on programs and projects to be undertaken within the Bay area.

“We are fortunate to have the Dutch with us in this endeavor. Their extensive knowledge and experience in implementing programs and projects that protect vulnerable coastal zones are unparalleled,” Pernia said in a keynote speech.

Living at or below sea level, the Dutch are known for their integrated and innovative solutions in coastal management that mimic natural systems instead of working against them.

BANKERS’ NIGHT. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. (third from left) leads the toast during the BSP’s annual reception for the banking community. With Espenilla are (from left) Monetary Board members Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Dr. Felipe Medalla, Peter Favila, Dr. Antonio Abacan Jr. and Atty. Juan de Zuñiga Jr.

Globe opposes proposed ‘common tower’ policy GLOBE Telecom Inc. is opposing the government’s proposed ‘common tower’ policy that will prohibit telecommunication companies from building their exclusive cellular towers.

“The exclusivity should not be an issue. What is difficult to implement is telcos cannot build their own towers. I don’t see how that [common tower policy] actually hastens the progress of building connectivity in this country,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“More cellular sites the better, more sites in the areas that we could acquire the better,” he said.

Cu said, however, that Globe was open to sharing cell sites with other telecom

companies.

The Department of Information and Communication Technology earlier adopted a common tower policy to speed up the deployment of cell sites nationwide.

A common tower policy means that operators will no longer be allowed to build towers but should instead lease space from a tower company.

The tower companies will concentrate on rapidly deploying towers to cover the entire Philippines, adequately freeing up the telecom operators.

The Philippine needs at least 50,000 cellular towers to have the proper coverage and provide adequate service. The country only has around 16,000 cellular

towers, covering only 8,000 locations.

The government estimated that building a tower would cost an average of $100,000 per tower and would need $50 billion to roll out 50,000 towers nationwide.

Globe said its initiative to expand its network infrastructure was hampered by permitting challenges. At least 25 permits are needed to put up one cell site and the permitting process takes at least eight months to complete, barring major concerns from various agencies, including local government units, homeowners associations among others.

Globe teamed up with Pilipinas Shell Petroleum

Corp. to build a robust and reliable network for its customers’ expanding data needs.

“This collaboration with Shell is breath of fresh air considering the enormous challenges we encounter in establishing network infrastructure such as cell sites,” Cu said.

The two companies identified 14 Shell service stations as target sites, most of which are located along major thoroughfares and major areas of coverage, significantly improving mobile experience in surrounding areas.

Globe is spending P210 million to build cell sites in 14 Shell service stations nationwide.

Darwin G. Amojelar

The Bistro Group expects to open 80th store in March THE Bistro Group said it plans to expand its network of restaurants this year by adopting a two-pronged strategy that includes franchising international brands and building homegrown concepts.

The restaurant operator said it ended 2017 on a high note, following the opening of more branches in December such as Bulgogi Brothers in Evia Lifestyle Center; TGI Fridays in Southwoods; Denny’s in Eastwood; and TGIFridays in Cebu.

The Bistro Group also launched the sub-franchising of five of its concepts including Bulgogi Brothers, Denny’s, Baker & Cook, Ka Tunying’s Café and Fish & Co. The company said that in 2018, it was setting its sights on more locations and more branches in Metro Manila and key cities in the country. Already in the pipeline in the first quarter are the store openings of Denny’s in Cebu and Naia Terminal 1 and Fish & Co. in Uptown Mall BGC and Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill with the target of reaching 80 stores by March 2018.

The Bistro Group also acquired four franchises of local brand Hukad sa Golden Cowrie.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market advances; LT Group climbs

T

HE stock market rose Monday on expectations the economy may have expanded by over 6.7 percent in 2017, after the government revised the third-quarter GDP growth rate to 7 percent from an initial estimate of 6.9 percent.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 34.70 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,950.62 on a value turnover of P8.1 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 128 to 99, with 52 issues unchanged. The government is scheduled to release the fourth-quarter gross domestic product figures today.

LT Group Inc. of airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan climbed 6.5 percent to P24.50, while unit MacroAsia Corp., which provides aviation-related services, rallied 9.6 percent to P23.95.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. advanced 4.3 percent to P11.18, while San Miguel Pure Foods Company Inc. climbed

6.4 percent to P596.

The rest of Asian equities reversed early losses Monday to build on last week’s rallies, while the the euro was boosted by hopes Chancellor Angela Merkel will be able to form a new German government.

While a shutdown of the US government looks unlikely to be resolved immediately, analysts said investors remained upbeat due to the strong global economic outlook and healthy corporate earnings.

The morning saw a more cautious tone after Hong Kong hit new all-time highs and Tokyo’s Nikkei cracked 24,000 for the first time in 26 years.

However, with the earnings season about to go into full swing and data showing economies across the globe continuing to improve, prices rebounded in most parts of the region in the afternoon.

Hong Kong rose 0.4 percent to a new record and Shanghai added 0.4 percent by the end of trade, while Tokyo was slightly higher

on late bargain-buying.

Singapore gained 0.2 percent, while Wellington and Taipei tacked on healthy gains.

However, Sydney eased 0.2 percent and Seoul lost 0.7 percent.

There is little concern over the midnight Friday shutdown of the US government, which came after lawmakers failed to agree a funding bill with Democrats in the Senate holding out for Republican concessions on immigration issues.

The two sides remain locked in talks to resolve the issue but expectations are for the shutdown to continue for some time, with a planned vote on Sunday evening delayed until noon Monday.

Still, analysts were not too concerned for the time being.

“Due to the limited economic impact, markets should be largely unaffected,” Poul Kristensen, portfolio manager at New York Life Investment Management, told Bloomberg News. With AFP

Chelsea hires Kegoya to build passenger ship

By Jenniffer B. Austria CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. said it signed a deal with Japan’s Kegoya Dock Co. Ltd. for the construction of one brand new passenger ship with an option for additional three units.

Chelsea president and chief executive Chryss Alfonsus Damuy said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the deal involved the delivery of ships in 2019 to 2020 in line with the company’s thrust to become country’s leading shipping and logistics company.

“Shipping and logistics business is a

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.6 280,000 59.95 7,700 123.4 4,421,210 3.91 4,000 159 2,139,820 1.92 560,000 37 527,600 10 2,900 15.5 5,400 30.9 506,900 9.29 2,100 0.68 31,000 1.77 18,000 985 120 0.55 1,754,000 100 2,482,810 1.13 13,853,000 13.42 31,900 26 1,400 56.6 497,330 241 6,140 104 410 88.1 290 55.8 268,860 250.6 459,940 1,970 460 91 18,560 1.24 295,000

997,160 461,175 545,215,640 15,640 340,388,638 1,074,130 19,495,630 29,000 83,960 15,644,215 19,509 21,080 32,000 118,200 967,510 248,733,358.50 16,443,050 428,018 36,360 28,122,990 1,476,910 43,390 25,778 15,080,611.50 115,260,730 915,445 1,679,161.50 365,640

23,340 430,376 64,427,568 15,640 -21,186,921 15,920 7,391,545 29,000 15,680 2,684,210 19,509.00 19,720 24,890 19,700 21,830 54,588,549 505,440 16,104 15,600 -8,874,680 776,240 16,350 16,087 -1,684,997 -11,620,244 9,975 566,177 21,120

41.2 10.9 0.61 1.3 16.8 0.211 134.7 4.73 16.02 186 52 18.5 60.05 58.5 100 1.9 5.59 10.62 12.32 15.2 12.7 7.86 5.67 1.78 15.86 62.25 30.5 9.99 17.72 1.95 279.6 58.45 4.05 3.03 20.8 27.9 18 19.2 329 0.192 8.83 2.52 4.81 9.11 6.29 8.2 1.78 12.02 65.8 6.25 565 4.6 2.13 3.95 1.74 15.14 5.4 0.13 1.13 167.2 2.93 2 25.25 0.81

INDUSTRIAL 41.5 1,090,100 11.2 1,260,400 0.61 148,000 1.3 936,000 17.28 40,600 0.211 2,700,000 135 560 4.8 3,852,000 16.1 344,000 186 1,010 55 565,860 18.54 2,200 60.05 1,070 59.4 1,000 102 460 1.93 154,000 5.59 13,000 10.8 13,000 12.32 2,256,300 15.28 364,900 12.76 1,033,300 8 1,190,200 5.68 5,277,500 1.78 23,000 16 661,900 62.85 58,300 31 659,900 10.02 1,651,500 17.88 2,144,000 1.96 2,575,000 283 1,001,520 65 440 4.07 128,000 3.11 38,000 20.8 1,000 28 238,700 18 746,000 19.48 4,010,100 331.8 192,620 0.2 2,310,000 8.91 65,200 2.64 6,675,000 4.81 194,000 9.28 1,926,100 6.79 416,900 8.39 6,100 1.79 2,342,000 12.14 615,900 66 693,050 6.25 107,600 596 394,850 4.71 237,000 2.15 9,000 3.95 40,000 1.79 396,000 15.4 1,127,800 5.42 91,300 0.13 2,710,000 1.14 103,000 169 846,840 2.93 14,000 2.03 5,578,000 25.25 2,100 0.81 162,000

45,157,055 14,016,618 2 91,260 1,220,550 691,264 573,720 75,543 18,497,520 5,538,180 191,010 30,496,232.50 41,978 64,964 59,045 46,260 295,350 72,750 139,658 28,080,546 5,576,794 13,227,798 9,531,381 29,977,756 40,940 10,537,964 3,655,891.50 20,505,360 16,554,913 38,281,634 5,044,220 282,607,838 29,783.50 520,770 117,330 20,800 6,707,810 13,471,466 78,054,336 63,936,704 451,270 603,261 17,466,810 936,330 17,800,310 2,701,998 50,800 4,203,840 7,549,840 45,949,452.50 672,810 234,244,350 1,108,180 19,400 158,600 696,220 17,559,172 495,270 354,140 117,310 143,074,819 41,050 11,327,670 1 57,125 132,220

5,732,550 ,410,437.9999 33,120 120,340 16,020 19,350 20,250 2,935,690 5,311,048 18,900 -2,428,048 17,910.00 16,740 44,220 15,360 44,800 69,420 6,566,198 2,655,780 -5,129,892 4,592,786 2,504,728 16,020 3,495,532 -258,892.50 15,250 -1,859,030 -14,103,616 15,760 99,549,418 19,933.50 20,900 46,650 16,640 1,849,350 -446,512 -153,378 33,067,478 20,400.00 6,856,140 14,580 -1,342,444 424,846 16,780 2,786,710 95,202 -4,543,420 641,510 -117,010,000 -181,980 15,120 16,400 -149,020 9,731,600 17,435 26,550 16,520 9,941,987 14,680 ,045,959.9997 16,800 17,000

0.305 78.8 16.2 0.99 7.05 0.405 0.46 1,055 1,465 7.65 15 7.67 5 5.5 0.215 1,391 7.78 79 6 5.4 5.98 0.69 5.7 24.5 0.35 6.83 3.63 0.042 1.24 2.11 2.63 136.9 2.75 1,075 0.81 1.65 201 283.8 0.223 0.19 0.192

0.295 75 15.9 0.94 6.9 0.395 0.445 1,032 1,465 7.41 14.6 7.5 5 5.5 0.215 1,363 7.75 77 5.45 5.4 5.97 0.67 5.61 23.05 0.345 6.77 3.26 0.04 1.24 2.08 2.52 133.2 2.61 1,053 0.78 1.6 201 279.4 0.223 0.182 0.192

HOLDING FIRMS 0.295 590,000 75 967,450 15.9 2,936,500 0.99 19,000 7 7,500 0.4 2,940,000 0.46 2,860,000 1,050 311,655 1,465 10 7.45 826,000 14.9 3,445,100 7.66 32,300 5 82,000 5.5 3,700 0.215 920,000 1,391 99,690 7.75 3,400 78.8 1,049,520 5.52 6,400 5.4 3,500 5.97 4,600 0.68 617,000 5.62 511,100 24.5 23,009,200 0.345 80,000 6.79 11,844,400 3.26 7,000 0.042 78,200,000 1.24 141,000 2.11 389,000 2.52 22,000 136.8 830,940 2.61 9,000 1,070 431,300 0.78 82,000 1.64 876,000 201 80 283.8 1,770 0.223 130,000 0.185 680,000 0.192 100,000

175,950 74,885,409 46,985,994 18,760 52,810 1,168,650 1,279,900 326,791,020 14,650 6,179,277 51,245,388 243,274 410,000 20,350 197,800 137,819,405 26,413 82,632,511 36,945 18,900 27,497 415,090 2,900,519 552,811,775 27,700 80,484,953 24,580 3,152,700 174,840 816,240 56,100 112,786,206(6, 24,570 460,075,980 64,740 1,424,460 16,080 497,236 28,990 126,470 19,200

15,250 22,803,156 -9,332,452 16,830 16,920 235,200 -26,777,555 7,325 -2,857,640 7,455,738 34,086 20,350 191,350 32,381,315 16,338 3,917,972.50 21,000 27,497 20,010.00 1,332,766 -13,936,430 20,800.00 18,839,689 18,020 36,000 21,080 -4,360 15,780 821,618.9996) 19,250 58,342,315 21,060 19,400 16,080 -319,662 22,300 20,020 19,200

6.21 1.01 14.5 2.3 0.93 45.5 3.92 5 5.8 6.09 0.48 1.15 1.16 0.221 0.44 40.5 0.66 0.147 1.92 1.37 0.8 4.88 5.13

6.18 0.99 12.24 2.19 0.9 44.9 3.87 4.78 5.76 6.09 0.475 1.12 1.1 0.217 0.42 39.1 0.64 0.146 1.87 1.35 0.73 4.88 4.97

34,099,068 4,844,870 801,986 158,660 2,759,840 303,245,610 1,679,540 6,803,199 133,256 16,443 2,491,950 20,580 102,160 1,898,770 317,700 13,099,520 166,460 32,270 47,338,940 4,137,100 212,320 14,640 79,686,966

-31,799,800 26,000 15,950 16,100 16,740 -42,279,365 35,750 752,402 102,066 16,443 -172,050 16,100.00 17,400 15,470 99,200 3,124,545 17,160 22,050 -683,080 -118,560 17,600 14,640 -25,080,003

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.89 60 119.8 3.91 159.5 1.99 36.8 10 15.68 31 9.29 0.68 1.78 985 0.59 100.2 1.2 13.42 26 56.65 240 109 89.3 56.5 250 1,995 88.4 1.24

3.89 60 123.6 3.91 160.2 1.99 37 10 15.68 31 9.29 0.68 1.78 985 0.59 100.9 1.3 13.42 26 57.3 242 109 89.4 56.5 253.2 1,999 91 1.25

3.5 58.2 119.8 3.91 158 1.9 36.75 10 15.4 30.65 9.29 0.68 1.77 985 0.55 99.9 1.13 13.4 25.9 56.5 240 104 88.1 55 250 1,970 88.4 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 EUROMED FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

41.4 11.12 0.63 1.31 17.8 0.215 135 4.8 16.18 189 55 19.9 62 60 100 1.92 5.6 11 12.74 15.3 13.06 7.97 5.68 1.78 15.88 62.8 30.5 10 17.82 1.97 280 58.45 4.18 3.27 20.8 27.9 18.12 19.5 329 0.204 8.83 2.52 4.86 9.13 6.6 8.39 1.81 12.58 66.15 6.35 565 4.79 2.16 4.1 1.75 15.7 5.63 0.133 1.18 167.2 2.93 2.03 28 0.85

41.5 11.2 0.63 1.32 17.8 0.219 135 4.92 16.18 192 55 19.9 62 60 122 1.93 5.6 11 12.74 15.36 13.08 8.1 5.7 1.78 16 62.9 31.8 10.2 17.9 1.98 286.8 70 4.18 3.27 20.8 28.9 18.12 19.58 334.4 0.204 9.29 2.66 4.86 9.29 6.8 8.39 1.82 12.58 66.5 6.35 606 4.79 2.16 4.1 1.8 15.82 5.63 0.133 1.18 170.3 2.94 2.08 28 0.85

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

0.305 78 16.2 0.99 6.9 0.395 0.46 1,032 1,465 7.41 14.64 7.66 5 5.5 0.215 1,390 7.78 78.8 6 5.4 5.98 0.69 5.7 23.05 0.345 6.8 3.3 0.04 1.24 2.08 2.63 133.2 2.75 1,059 0.81 1.62 201 281 0.223 0.182 0.192

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

6.18 1 14.5 2.3 0.93 44.9 3.92 5 5.8 6.09 0.475 1.15 1.16 0.221 0.44 40.5 0.66 0.147 1.89 1.37 0.8 4.88 5.13

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.31 0.36 0.59 4.81 20.45 2.06 3.23 39 1.06 9.3 0.84 5.92

0.315 0.36 0.59 4.89 20.7 2.1 3.23 39.6 1.06 9.3 0.84 5.95

0.29 0.355 0.57 4.55 20.1 2.04 3.2 39 1.03 8.55 0.82 5.83

0.3 0.355 0.58 4.89 20.3 2.09 3.2 39.5 1.04 9.24 0.84 5.85

121,900,000 1,660,000 4,083,000 1,492,000 2,689,900 863,000 48,000 10,019,800 400,000 16,900 107,000 2,791,500

37,012,400 594,150 2,347,860 6,980,310 55,069,920 1,776,480 154,320 395,453,265 416,270 155,852 88,570 16,354,525

-3,665,500 18,000 15,930 -5,890.00 -15,982,005 66,300 16,150 207,172,830 15,900 15,810 16,800 -11,636,897

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

21.2 34 1.43 0.445 0.046 11.6 5.35 10.74 0.069 99.25 9 8.41 8.4 2.99 65 1,000 1,730 5.97 21.8 13 4.6 2.62 112 13.98 8.33 0.14 1.41 3.41 15.7 4 1.15 22 4.3 8.23 3.64 17.2 4.5 10.84 11.1 2.9 10.9 104.8 7.06 1,480 1.28 0.375 53.1 97.8 5.8 3.09 1.51 2.9 4.12 0.99 9.08

21.5 34.25 1.45 0.445 0.046 11.86 5.35 11.22 0.07 100.2 9 8.41 9.3 2.99 72.7 1,000 1,740 6 32.5 13 4.6 2.62 115 13.98 8.33 0.14 1.42 3.41 15.8 4.07 1.17 23.95 4.55 8.33 3.64 18.5 5.44 10.84 11.2 2.9 10.9 105 7.06 1,505 1.28 0.375 54 98 5.8 3.1 1.53 3.12 4.15 0.99 9.2

20.5 34 1.38 0.435 0.045 11.6 4.84 10.74 0.069 98.95 8.99 8.3 8.3 2.57 54 1,000 1,727 5.93 21.3 11.22 4.4 2.51 111.5 13.9 8.3 0.138 1.38 3.2 15.5 3.87 1.11 22 4.13 8.11 3.62 17 4.43 10.84 10.5 2.85 9.5 103 6.8 1,480 1.27 0.375 52.3 97 5.56 3.06 1.51 2.75 4.01 0.96 8.98

SERVICES 21 34.2 1.43 0.435 0.045 11.62 4.86 11.18 0.069 100.2 8.99 8.31 9.29 2.74 61 1,000 1,735 5.95 32.5 11.22 4.43 2.51 112.8 13.98 8.3 0.139 1.42 3.39 15.5 3.93 1.12 23.95 4.43 8.2 3.63 17 4.86 10.84 11 2.85 9.5 104 6.82 1,502 1.27 0.375 54 97.8 5.56 3.1 1.51 3.1 4.08 0.97 9

151,700 34,800 577,000 780,000 12,900,000 12,100 10,400 11,709,100 6,870,000 403,310 2,300 1,539,400 1,957,900 637,000 744,480 15 56,755 627,500 601,800 2,400 3,811,000 102,000 757,810 14,000 27,800 3,400,000 828,000 17,000 2,800 952,000 763,000 10,374,100 4,487,000 9,041,200 776,000 5,100 152,197,000 1,500 3,400 38,000 3,800 38,200 1,388,300 95,285 896,000 80,000 1,214,070 108,880 28,300 493,000 1,506,000 5,716,000 759,000 10,288,000 6,986,500

3,169,025 1,186,350 817,330 339,750 587,800 140,876 53,397 128,570,154 474,040 40,254,990 20,695 12,817,247 17,414,154 1,770,130 47,229,179.50 15,000 98,443,530 3,732,428 16,120,120 29,954 16,983,330 257,680 85,534,134 195,664 231,050 471,250 1,157,390 56,270 43,748 3,785,170 863,540 242,294,270 18,828,750 74,077,295 38 2,816,910 87,288 761,750,460 16,260 37,454 108,650 38,756 3,976,105 9,631,332 142,770,985 1,139,050 30,000 63,936,773.50 10,648,362 159,084 1,516,980 2,280,400 16,870,440 1 3,077,050 10,029,340 63,619,387

-77,060.00 21,450 17,800 13,800 88,648 21,183 10,142,540 20,010 9,113,156 16,200 -542,566 247,140 14,950 -127,215 15,000 -21,847,915 179,940 22,100 572,080.00 -2,255,317 16,776 -37,443 41,680 15,510 17,050 15,750 16,000 19,550.00 71,486,310 17,200 ,770,644.0004 668,260 -5,788,430 16,260 16,700 105,750 19,620 -2,943,107 -1,063,532 69,338,665 -238,360 18,750 7,450,261.50 -7,645,752.50 16,240 -135,180 606,250 ,381,690.0001 -211,030 -48,510 23,486,688

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

0.0023 1.52 5 14.58 1.95 1.59 0.345 7.79 2.52 0.201 0.154 0.16 0.0093 0.0094 1.74 6.5 1.45 0.5 0.93 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.25 6.72 8.84 38.4 0.0075

0.0023 1.54 5 14.6 1.95 1.59 0.345 7.79 2.52 0.201 0.154 0.16 0.0093 0.0094 1.74 6.57 1.46 0.5 0.95 0.013 0.013 0.012 2.25 6.8 8.84 38.4 0.0075

0.0022 1.49 4.95 14.58 1.91 1.57 0.32 7.22 2.45 0.193 0.153 0.156 0.0093 0.0094 1.66 6.39 1.37 0.475 0.93 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.25 6.63 8.49 37.6 0.0068

MINING & OIL 0.0022 97,000,000 1.5 7,517,000 4.95 130,000 14.6 1,100 1.91 15,000 1.58 794,000 0.32 210,000 7.6 63,300 2.52 5,045,000 0.193 120,000 0.153 9,910,000 0.156 3,920,000 0.0093 5,000,000 0.0094 1,900,000 1.67 107,000 6.4 2,203,300 1.4 23,000 0.48 80,000 0.93 206,000 0.013 400,000 0.012 3,200,000 0.012 16,100,000 2.25 18,000 6.63 639,600 8.6 3,308,100 38.2 984,100 0.0068 4,000,000

214,800 11,307,900 643,650 16,056 29,090 1,252,860 68,950 458,822 12,528,300 24,010 1,517,460 612,960 46,500 17,860 179,150 14,255,991 32,780 39,100 194,580 5,100 39,900 185,900 40,500 4,267,207 28,539,760 37,542,915 28,600

20,700 -129,810 -133,500 16,056 21,450 39,450 17,250.00 21,033 25,030 20,100 16,000 -2,820 17,400 5,119,842 15,950 29,600 7,440 0 15,600 400,179 1,064,423 -5,559,970 15,000

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

34.2 530 528 107 104 108 529 5.71 1,016 101.2 1.04 108 1,099 112 2.2 76.7 79.5 75.8 77 78.65 77.4 78 78.9

34.2 530 528 108.2 104.1 108 529 5.71 1,016 101.3 1.05 108 1,099 112 2.2 76.75 81 75.8 77 79 77.4 78 78.9

33.95 530 528 107 104 108 529 5.69 1,015 101.2 1.04 108 1,098 112 2.2 76 79.5 75.8 76.8 78.65 76.4 78 77.85

PREFERRED 33.95 21,100 530 10 528 160 108.2 130 104.1 7,810 108 200 529 30 5.69 804,400 1,015 60 101.2 13,110 1.04 44,000 108 150 1,098 680 112 550 2.2 4,000 76 2,770 81 180,300 75.8 17,000 76.8 18,860 79 19,460 76.45 22,000 78 220 77.85 41,440

717,370 5,300 84,480 13,946 812,403 21,600 15,870 4,581,844 60,910 1,326,982 46,070 16,200 746,645 61,600 8,800 212,322.50 14,592,349 1,288,600 1,451,048 1,534,090 1,686,150 17,160 3,230,984

-33,950 5,300 79,200 7,560 -4,085,590 8,800 -4,860,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.39

2.39

2.35

WARRANTS 2.36 367,000

867,380

7,170

63,135,396 1,056,650 8,668,130

202,751 -173,000 -138,920

2,730,413

-

55,134

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.2 1 13.3 2.22 0.91 45.2 3.88 4.84 5.8 6.09 0.475 1.12 1.1 0.218 0.43 39.1 0.64 0.146 1.89 1.35 0.75 4.88 5

5,500,400 4,861,000 61,300 72,000 3,058,000 6,698,800 431,000 1,400,800 23,000 2,700 5,240,000 18,000 92,000 8,700,000 750,000 328,900 253,000 220,000 25,054,000 3,059,000 286,000 3,000 15,821,200

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

8.44 3.55 4.81

9.8 3.98 4.81

8.4 3.45 4.62

FIRST METRO ETF

133.9

135.7

133.9

USD DMPL A1

10.2

10.44

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

29,504,969

INDUSTRIAL

62,928,489

HOLDING FIRMS

135,648,131

PROPERTY

230,272,577

SERVICES

258,214,634

MINING & OIL

164,520,889

GRAND TOTAL

890,173,267

10.2

9.22 3.6 4.75

SME

6,900,800 300,000 1,848,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 135.7 20,200 DDS 10.44

5,350

VALUE 2,286.87 (down) 1.36 1,505,972,331.81 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,882.86 (up) 16.33 1,332,173,412.054 HOLDING FIRMS 9,181.20 (up) 37.30 2,075,485,563.86 PROPERTY 4,056.13 (up) 20.69 1,656.75 (up) 17.98 1,120,702,634.255 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,891.11 (down) 136.71 1,918,906,870.23 PSEI 8,950.62 (up) 34.70 114,125,235.122 All Shares Index 5,173.01 (up) 21.94 8,143,018,523.93 Gainers: 99; Losers: 128; Unchanged: 52; Total: 279

long term business as it takes two years to three years to acquire new ships. However, once these new vessels are put into operation, they will deliver better cash flows for the company as the brand new ships have very minimal downtime and very low maintenance costs,” Damuy said.

He said the acquisition of new vessels would speed up the company’s fleet expansion as it promised during the initial public offering in August last year.

“The newly acquired vessels and tugs, and the ‘newly-built’ vessels which are soon to be delivered, will bring Chelsea Logistics another step closer to fulfilling its commitment to growth in order to realize more value for our stakeholders, from the investors to the consumers,” Damuy said.

The shipping and logistics firm owned by businessman Dennis Uy made four significant acquisitions last year.

Chleleas’s subsidiary Trans-Asia Shipping Lines Inc. acquired a cargo vessel named “MV Orient Spirit” which can handle 700 twenty-foot equivalent units.

Trans-Asia will be operating the vessel by the first quarter 2018.

Chlesea through whollyowned subsidiary PNXChelsea Shipping also bought three vessels in 2017. The acquisitions will further boost the profitability of the company as these vessels are already in commercial operation.

Govt eases trading rules of WESM

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department and Philippine Electricity Market Corp., operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, have agreed to allow power generation companies with expired certificates of compliance or with pending CoC applications with the Energy Regulatory Commission to operate and trade in the market.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi gave assurances that he would not allow any disruption in the country’s power supply as a result of the delay in the processing of applications with the ERC, including CoC applications, due to the suspension of four commissioners by the Office of the Ombudsman.

About 26 generation companies with a combined output of 3,314.60 MW have expired or have expiring COCs in 2018.

“The move aims to protect electricity consumers by preventing disruptions in WESM transactions while the ERC issue is being sorted out,” Cusi said after approving the resolution on the agreement with the board of PEMC. “The paramount consideration is the overall protection of public interest and the security of the supply of power. This is needed for the Philippines to meet its economic targets.

This should take precedence over administrative issuances especially when an administrative body is unable to act,” Cusi said.

He also directed PEMC and the department to work closely with the ERC to ensure the continuing operations of power plants and allow power generation from new plants that will be completed.

Business/ World Manila

Standard

TODAY

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, World Editor

Turks enter Syria to fight militia

STRIKE. Striking prison guards demonstrate in front of Nice prison on January 22, 2018 in Nice, southeastern France, as part of a nationwide movement to call for better safety and wages. AFP

Hotel attack toll at least 22 KABUL―At least 22 people are now known to have died when Taliban militants slaughtered guests at a luxury Kabul hotel, Afghan officials said Monday, as fears grew that the attackers might have had inside help.

Authorities warned they were still investigating how the militants breached security, which was taken over by a private company three weeks ago, at the landmark Intercontinental Hotel late Saturday.

Guests cowered behind pillars and in rooms as gunmen sprayed bullets and set fire to parts of the six-story building. Some people climbed over balconies, using bedsheets in a desperate attempt to escape.

The attack ended after more than 12 hours Sunday with all six militants killed by Afghan forces, aided by Norwegian troops. AFP

HASSA, Turkey―Turkish troops and tanks entered Syria on Sunday to push an offensive against Kurdish militia as rockets hit border towns in apparent retaliation and the United States urged Ankara to show restraint.

Turkey on Saturday launched operation “Olive Branch” seeking to oust from the Afrin region of northern Syria the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) that Ankara considers a terror group.

But the campaign risks further increasing tensions with Turkey’s NATO ally Washington, which has supported the YPG in the fight against Islamic State jihadists and warned Ankara about distracting the focus from that fight.

In its first reaction to the offensive, the US State Department urged Turkey Sunday “to exercise restraint and ensure that its

military operations remain limited in scope and duration and scrupulous to avoid civilian casualties”.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Ankara had given Washington advanced warning of their operation, adding Turkey’s security concerns were “legitimate”.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said troops crossed into YPGcontrolled region in Syria at 0805 GMT, the Dogan news agency reported.

Thirty-two Turkish planes destroyed a total of 45 targets including ammunition dumps and refuges used by the YPG on the second day of the operation, the Turkish army said.

Turkish troops were advancing alongside forces from the Ankara-backed rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) and were already five kilometers inside Syria, state media said.

An AFP photographer saw more Turkish tanks lined up at the border waiting to cross into Syrian territory.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in televised comments several villages had already been taken in the advance.

But a YPG spokesman claimed Turkish forces seeking to enter Afrin had been “blocked” and that it had hit two Turkish tanks.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a total of 18 civilians had been killed so far in the two-day operation, including eight members of the same family sheltering in a building that was flattened by an air strike.

The YPG confirmed the deaths, sending out pictures of Kurdish Red Crescent rescuers retrieving bloodied bodies from a collapsed concrete structure. AFP

US govt shutdown continues

W

ASHINGTON―Hundreds of thousands of US federal employees will stay home without pay Monday after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on ending a government shutdown before the start of the working week.

Although leaders of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party and the opposition Democrats said progress had been made in a weekend of talks, they pushed back a vote scheduled for 1:00 am (0600 GMT) Monday for another 11 hours.

The impasse, the first of its kind since 2013, had already cast a huge shadow over the first anniversary of Trump’s inauguration as president on Saturday.

After special weekend sessions of Congress which had seen bitter recriminations traded by both parties, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to address Democrat concerns over key issues such as immigration reform in a speech to the chamber late Sunday.

The Senate’s top Democrat Chuck Schumer responded by saying he was “happy to continue my

discussion with the majority leader about reopening the government” but added that the parties were “yet to reach an agreement on a path forward.”

McConnell then called for Congress to reconvene for another vote on a stopgap funding measure at noon, a proposal which was nodded through.

Hopes that the shutdown, which began at midnight Friday, could be limited to the weekend had been raised Sunday when a bipartisan group huddled for hours on trying to end the standoff, but they ultimately failed to resolve all their differences.

Earlier in the day Trump encouraged the Senate’s Republican leaders to invoke the “nuclear option”―a procedural maneuver to change the chamber’s rules to allow passage of a budget

by a simple majority of 51 votes to end the shutdown.

But Senate leaders have been wary of such a move in the past, as it could come back to haunt them the next time the other party holds a majority.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump had spoken during the day with McConnell and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn. She did not mention Trump’s speaking with any Democrats but said White House director of legislative affairs Marc Short had been in touch with members of both parties and updated the president.

“We are continuing to work hard towards reopening the government,” Sanders said.

At the heart of the dispute is the issue of undocumented immigration.

Democrats have accused Republicans of poisoning chances of a deal and pan-

dering to Trump’s populist base by refusing to back a program that protects an estimated 700,000 “Dreamers”―undocumented immigrants who arrived as children―from deportation.

Democrats have refused to go along with the temporary federal funding request unless it addresses the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in part because they fear Republican leaders will not act to protect DACA recipients before deportations would begin in large numbers in March.

But in a signal to Democrats, McConnell committed on the Senate floor to addressing immigration in timely fashion.

“Should these issues not be resolved by the time the funding bill before us expires on February 8th, 2018, assuming that the government remains open, it would be my intention to proceed to legislation that

would address DACA, border security and related issues,” McConnell said.

But that commitment means little on the other side of the Capitol, where House Republicans told reporters they would not be bound by any agreement reached in the Senate to address immigration.

“I don’t see any of our people interested in some half-baked idea that’s produced by a self-appointed group of senators,” congressman Tom Cole said according to Roll Call.

Essential federal services and military activity are continuing, but even active-duty troops will not be paid until a deal is reached to reopen the US government.

There have been four government shutdowns since 1990. In the last one, more than 800,000 government workers were put on temporary leave.

“We’re just in a holding pattern. We just have to wait

and see. It’s scary,” Noelle Joll, 50, a furloughed US government employee, told AFP in Washington.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, said that state funding would pay for the reopening Monday of the Statue of Liberty, the inspirational landmark that was among facilities affected by the shutdown.

Republicans have just a one-seat majority in the Senate, and therefore have to lure some Democrats to their side to get a 60-vote super majority to bring the stop-gap funding motion forward.

Highlighting the deep political polarization, crowds estimated in the hundreds of thousands marched through major US cities on Saturday against the president and his policies and to express support for women’s rights.

They gathered again Sunday in Las Vegas, chanting: “Power to the polls.” AFP

Reviewing the PPP approach to Build, Build, Build proach – which we are most likely going to do – we will do the projects ourselves first and then auction out or bid out the O&M – is the fastest way to do it. We get something going.”

Mr. Dominguez called this the ‘hybrid’ type of PPP. Noting that historically PPP projects have taken an average of 29 months to complete, the Department of Finance chief said that the government was looking favorably at unsolicited proposals. These proposals would have a lead time of at least 20 months. “(D)o our projects right away and then bid out the O&M,” he said. “I think that’s the quickest way to do it.”

Mr. Dominguez went on to say: “(O) pening up to unsolicited proposals is actually very good because (we in government) don’t know all the problems and we may not have identified all of them. So we are writing the (private sector) to help us do (the job).”

The government also was examining the idea of breaking up certain major projects into smaller projects, Secretary Dominguez said. Such a change in approach would yield two benefits. “It will fast-track (the projects’) completion and attract relatively smaller investors or bidders,” he said.

The Secretary of Finance has good reason for exploring all approaches to the successful implementation of the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build infrastructure program. Of the 18 major projects approved

by NEDA (National Economic and Development Authority) in 2017 most are still at various stages of development. A thorough review of all aspects of the program – particularly the financial and the administrative – clearly is in order.

That is what Carlos Dominguez is doing.

Since the start of its sovereign independent existence the government of the country has never had resources sufficient to finance all the physical infrastructure required by its development and growth. To cope with that problem the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998) developed and implemented the PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) infrastructure development concept, under which government funds and private capital cooperated to build and operate, principally on a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis, the big-ticket infrastructure projects needed by the Philippine economy.

The PPP concept, which has been designated by the administration of President Duterte as its preferred mode of infrastructure development, is made up of three elements. These are cost, completion time and O&M (operation and maintenance). In a recent meeting with the media, the head of the Duterte administration’s economic team, Secretary of Finance Carlos Dominguez III, discussed the government’s current thinking on these PPP elements.

First, the most important of the three elements, namely, cost. This is what Secretary Dominguez had to say on the matter: “(The government’s) undertaking the construction of PPP project will prove cheaper in the long run as the government can borrow at lower rates through concessional loans and (obtain) grants.”

And when the projects have been constructed?

“Later on the government will harness the private sector’s expertise in managing, operating and maintaining infrastructure projects,” Mr. Dominguez said. “(This) ap- E-mail: romero.business.class@gmail.com

(MS-JAN. 24, 2018)

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

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

LGUs

Davao City demolition to push through

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

CORN FESTIVAL. The City of Ilagan, the nation’s corn capital, dressed its official mascot as a scarecrow for the 2018 Bambanti Festival and Agri-Ecotourism Exhibit in Ilagan, Isabela. Abe Almirol

Taguig runs after land syndicates Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Taguig City government on Monday warned the public against a syndicate engaged in selling properties in the city at deceptively low prices.

Generoso Ignacio, head of the city’s Local Housing Office, cited in particular the Building Enhancement

for Livelihood and Environmental Network Inc. led by one Evelyn “Belen” Fuentes of New Lower Bicutan.

The syndicate, according to Ignacio, also victimized investors in other parts of Metro Manila such as Parañaque, Pasig and Quezon City.

He said the group’s modus operandi involves offering to individuals a “property” along Circumferential Road 6 at low prices.

To convince prospective

victims that they are indeed owners of the parcel of land measuring 80.925 hectares, members of the syndicate show a piece of paper indicating the transfer of the rights to one Belen Fuentes.

The piece of paper is signed by Fuentes and one Lorenzo Villar Elambo, who supposedly initiated the transfer.

The property, however, turned out to be part of the waters of Laguna de Bay. “These kinds of syndicates are never tolerated in Taguig.

They will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” said Mayor Laarni Cayetano.

Cayetano said Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act imposes a penalty

Negros Occ seeks P10-m crop insurance for farmers BACOLOD CITY—The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist has proposed a budget of P10 million for the insurance premium of farmers in Negros Occidental for 2018.

Provincial Agriculturist Japhet Masculino said over the weekend his office was waiting for the Provincial Board to approve the allocation.

Negros Occidental has been partnering with the Philippine Crop Insurance

Corp. in the implementation of the Negros First Universal Crop Insurance Program since 2011.

The insurance initially covered only farms damaged by calamities, such as typhoons and floods. But last December, the PCIC approved the request of Negros Occidental to include farms affected by pest and diseases in the insurance coverage.

Under the modified guidelines, the enrollment pre-

mium per cropping season remains at P840, but the whole amount will now be shouldered by the provincial government as a loan.

Previously, the province shouldered only P500, while the remaining P340 was the counterpart of the farmer-enrollees.

For January this year, the OPA has recorded about P22 million worth of damage to the crop sector due to heavy rains and floods brought by

the northeast monsoon and Typhoon “Agaton.”

Only last Friday, the OPA was validating reports of grain bug infestation in some rice farms in Pontevedra town and La Carlota City.

In November last year, grain bug infestation caused at least P8 million in damage to rice plantations in Sipalay City.

Through the NFUCIP, farmers could claim P17,000 per hectare of damaged

farms. But the OPA said “pioneer” enrollees would be given priority in the full enrollment coverage.

Farmers will pay back the province after receiving their claims.

In 2017, the province’s agricultural crops, particularly rice, have incurred a total damage of at least P80 million, mainly attributed to calamities like typhoons and floods, and pest infestation. PNA

QC hails one-day business registration

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government on Monday assured small-scale businesses that the registration process in the city will take only less than an hour.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said the city’s business one-stop shop for business registration features a concierge that assists all new applicants, “making the process very easy and convenient.”

In addition, the onestop shops houses in one location the evaluators of the Business Permits and Licensing Office, zoning for the locational clearance and Bureau of Fire Protection for fire safety inspection.

“So there is no need for applicants to go from one office to another,” the mayor said.

“The business permit application is processed while the applicant comfortably waits,” he added.

FERRY SYSTEM. The Cavite Super Ferry Transport System is launched from the historic Plaza Mexico in Intramuros. It is scheduled to open its port terminal in Noveleta in March.

of six years imprisonment or a fine of not less than P60,000 but not more than P100,000, or both, depending on the discretion of the court, to groups proven to be squatting syndicates.

“Rest assured that we are doing everything we can to prevent these syndicates from victimizing people,” she added.

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte said demolition operations in danger zones across the city will continue to ensure the safety of the people, especially those living under bridges.

The city government earlier gave a reprieve to residents of Barangay 40-D who promised to voluntarily demolish their shanties and save their belongings in the process before the city implements the demolition.

“We gave them until the first week of January for voluntary demolition. Beyond the deadline, the City Engineer’s Office will decide the date for the demolition.

Only those who voluntarily demolished their structures will receive financial assistance from the city government,” Duterte said.

Each family will receive P20,000 in financial assistance coming from the city government which they can use to pay for rent or to purchase materials for the construction of their new houses in areas outside of identified danger zones.

Duterte said the city government earlier conducted an earthquake simulation in Bolton Bridge.

“We conducted the simulation last year but we temporarily delayed the demolition operation.

After the demolition in Barangay 40-D, the Bankerohan area will follow,” she said.

The two areas were heavily affected by the floods brought by Typhoon “Vinta” in December.

SBMA signs conservation pact for Magbukun tribe

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT— The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has signed an agreement with a non-government organization for the implementation of a conservation program to benefit the Magbukun Ayta tribesmen living within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

SBMA chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma signed the accord with Betty Fielder, president of the Subic Indigenous Peoples Assistance Group.

SIPAG had launched its Indigenous Communities Conservation Area project in December under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme to help protect and preserve the indigenous Ayta environment and culture here.

The project will be implemented with the support of the local government unit of Morong, Bataan, and the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development.

The project places the Magbukun Ayta tribe at the forefront of conservation efforts since they live in the conservation site, which forms a part of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Eisma said the SBMA will give its all-out support to the project because it dovetails with the agency’s conservation and environment protection program.

“We have pledged our all-out support to this project because it strengthens our fundamental advocacy to protect the natural environment of the Subic Freeport,” she said.

“Of course, part of the effort goes to the conservation of the indigenous Ayta culture and we also support that,” she added.

Under the agreement, the SBMA allowed SIPAG to use a building at the Naval Magazine area in the Freeport for the establishment of the Ayta Cultural Skills Development and Livelihood Training Center.

Under the ICCA program, residents living within or nearby the conservation area are tasked to serve as protectors of the environment, while the local government unit takes the lead in implementing conservation and protection activities.

According to the UNDP, ICCAs are spaces de facto governed by indigenous peoples or local communities with evidently positive outcomes for the conservation of biological and cultural diversity.

Makati beefs up road clearing operations, 600 illegally parked cars impounded

By Joel E. Zurbano MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay ordered the city’s Public Safety Department to intensify its road clearing operation to further improve the flow of traffic in the city’s major thoroughfares.

Recent operation conducted in close coordination with members of the Inter-

Agency Council on Traffic from Jan. 2 to 13 resulted in the apprehension of 600 vehicles, most of them illegally parked on main streets in the city.

Parking violators were apprehended at Mantrade, Pasong Tamo, A.P. Reyes St. to Kalayaan Avenue, Malugay St. corner Ayala Avenue, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, and Arnaiz Avenue.

Other offenders were caught along Valdez St., Burgos St., and J.P. Rizal St. in Brgy.

Poblacion; S. Javier St. and Evangelista St. in Brgy. Pio del Pilar; Edison St. in Brgy.

San Isidro, and various streets in Brgys. Comembo and Bangkal.

Other violations recorded in the joint operations during the said period included driving without transport

I.D., driver’s license, seatbelt and helmet and violation of the dress code; illegal terminals and colorum tricycles; obstruction of roads; illegal counter flow; coding violation; disregarding lane markings; illegal display of signboard; and violation of the restriction on open mufflers.

Binay said the city government needed to be relentless in promoting order and dis-

cipline on the streets, given the heavy vehicular volume in the city especially during rush hours.

“As it is, our roads are already congested. We have seen how even a minor traffic offense or an improperly parked car can lead to a major traffic gridlock because of the sheer volume of vehicles. Leniency with disobedient motorists is,

therefore, not an option in Makati,” she said With the four entry and exit points of Makati— Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Circumferential Road -5, Osmeña Highway and Roxas Boulevard, around 2.7-million vehicles use the city roads daily, 78 percent of which is passing-through traffic, according to a recent study.

The Easter Magicarnival festivities are happening on the lawn of the three Disney hotels

Life

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

TRAVEL AND LEISURE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

C1

100-plus Disney characters at Disney Friends Springtime Carnival E

XPERIENCE a whole new level of magic this spring at Hong Kong Disneyland, as more than 100 Disney Friends in various forms celebrate the Disney Friends Springtime Carnival from March 15 to June 20. There’s no better place than Hong Kong Disneyland Resort for Filipino guests to enjoy the season of renewal this year. With the beautiful springtime carnival as the backdrop, the park presents to guests the all-new “We Love Mickey!” nighttime projection show debuting on Main Street, U.S.A. Also, new and longtime Disney friends will be appearing at the new Africa-themed Karibuni Marketplace in Adventureland and other locations across the park to greet guests and take photos. In addition, there will be Disney character-themed eggs to find, delicacies to taste and unique keepsakes to purchase in the park, along with exceptional dining and accommodation experiences at the three resort hotels.

Surprise party for Mickey kicks off new season at Hong Kong Disneyland

To kick off the beginning of the season, Minnie is inviting her pals to a surprise celebration for the one and only Mickey in a heart-warming projection show called “We Love Mickey!” which will be held every evening at the park starting March 15. This celebration features larger-than-life nighttime projections on the Main Street, U.S.A. buildings that pay tribute to Mickey’s major milestones.

The artistic experience features Mickey’s memorable moments, his full-color heyday, and a crazy kaleidoscope of Mickey in modern styles. These iconic images of Mickey will be played out over four chapters along Main Street, U.S.A. Afterward, Mickey will appear to thank everyone for the big surprise.

and enjoy dream-come-true meetings and photos with beloved Disney Princesses in an exquisite garden area.

Disney character-inspired snacking and shopping

A sumptuous range of mouth-watering snacks and drinks will also be ready for guests to savor the springtime bonanza. Duffy and ShellieMay Sweetie Ring, StellaLou Purple Potato Mousse will be sold at the Market House Bakery along with character cookies. Grab

SPRING AT HONG KONG DISNEYLAND. More than 30 Disney characters will show up for an encore of the popular Disney Friends

Springtime Processional.

Disney Friends join bigger and more colorful processional

More than 30 Disney Friends will show up in force for an encore of the popular Disney Friends Springtime Processional. Disney characters will appear on a flower-decorated train for the high-spirit processional every afternoon.

Duffy, ShellieMay, Gelatoni and StellaLou—wearing their spring outfits—will be joined by Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Judy and Nick from “Zootopia,” Alice and the White Rabbit from “Alice in Wonderland,” Marie from “The Aristocats,” the Seven Dwarfs, and Tigger and Piglet, along with around 50 dancers!

Birthday celebrants at Disney hotels get complimentary services as they celebrate with Disney characters

Meet, greet, and take your photos with Disney Princesses at the Royal Princess Garden

Photo opportunities abound with new Disney Friends and picturesque backdrops

Be sure not to miss all the great photo opportunities in the park. Making their park debut and greeting guests at different times from February to April will be Moana and the Marvel Super Heroes Black Panther and Groot. In Adventureland, meet Judy and Nick from “Zootopia.” In Tomorrowland, SpiderMan will return from April to June for photos with guests. The new Africanthemed Karibuni Marketplace, opening in March, welcomes guests to meet some adventurous Disney Friends while exploring the sounds and aromas of Africa and playing interactive games.

Whimsical garden scenes at the Disney Friends Springtime Garden make for adorable photo backdrops. Go on a Disney Friends Egg Hunt to find the 100plus enlarged Disney character eggs in the park and the resort hotels for more fun photo opportunities. At the Royal Princess Garden, young princesses can get a magical makeover at the park’s first beauty salon Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique,

Souvenir set includes an amenities box, Disney slippers, and door stickers

a spring-themed set menu with various colorful dishes across the park and hotel restaurants. Little ones and the young at heart can partake in hands-on DIY cupcake sessions at Royal Banquet Hall’s Spring Dining Package in Fantasyland.

Guests can choose from over 70 springtime memorabilia items to celebrate the spring carnival with friends and loved ones at home. The Duffy & Friends assortment will surely be one

‘We Love Mickey!’ is a nighttime projection on Main Street U.S.A which will be held starting March 15

of the highlights as StellaLou debuts in her spring outfit and Easter bunny-look, along with other merchandise such as stationery, apparel, pins and souvenirs.

set in each room including an amenities box, Disney slippers and a door sticker.

Different arts and crafts workshops will also be available for hotel guests. Looking for extra fun? Time the stay with the Full immersion in character hotels’ wonderful Easter Magicarnival magic for special occasions at with engaging outdoor games and acDisney hotels tivities from March 30 to April 8. The Extend the springtime joy or cel- festivities will be held on the lawn of ebrate a special day with a stay in a re- the three hotels, where guests can ensort hotel. Enjoy a collectable souvenir joy a perfect family bonding time at the

Kick off 2018 with a cool discount

at Belmont Hotel

BELMONT Hotel at Resorts World Manila (RWM) invites guests to avail of an 18 percent discount to kick off the New Year when they book a room this month of January.

Now in its third year of providing top-value accommodation to business and leisure travelers, guests who book directly through the hotel’s official website until January 31 can avail of this special offer.

Stay period is till Feb. 28 and includes an overnight stay in a Superior Room with breakfast for two. Guests can treat themselves to a good night’s sleep as they sink into Belmont’s luxurious beddings. The package also en-

titles them to use the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool and Jacuzzi, and the fitness center and sauna.

Belmont Hotel guests can avail of free shuttle services within RWM where a wide range of entertainment, shopping, and dining choices that the whole family can enjoy is within reach.

The hotel is located directly across Runway Manila, which gives travelers incomparably convenient and direct access to the Ninoy Aquino International Terminal 3.

For inquiries and reservations, call +632 318-8888 / 903-1999 or visit www.belmonthotelmanila.com for more details.

Belmont offers 18 percent discount to guests booking until end of January

Bouncy Zone, Kid Zone and Fun Zone.

Guests who celebrate their special occasions at the resort may find it even more memorable as there are complimentary heartfelt services for their precious ones. Towel folded birthday cake and birthday card will be arranged at guest rooms for birthday stars. To double the magic, guests may consider ordering a birthday cake, or celebrate over Turn to C2

Life

C2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 isahred@gmail.com

Fly from Hong Kong

C

to Washington DC nonstop

ATHAY Pacific Airways continues its long-haul expansion by connecting Asia to even more exciting locations across the globe, including a four-times-weekly service Washington DC beginning September 2018.

“We listened closely to our customers’ need for greater options and increased flexibility,” said Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg. “Much like Hong Kong, Washington DC is a vibrant and dynamic destination and we’re thrilled to be the first to offer the only direct flights between these two great cities.”

Operated by the all-new, environment-friendly Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, the nonstop flights to the US

Capital offers all a passenger needs for a life well-traveled, including Cathay Pacific’s award-winning inflight products and cabin design, and enhanced entertainment system and WiFi connectivity.

The service to Dulles International Airport, which will become the longest on the Cathay Pacific network in terms of distance at over seven thousand nautical miles, complements its existing

The Airbus 350-1000 features Cathay’s award-winning in-flight products and cabin design, as well as enhanced entertainment system and Wi-Fi connectivity

Cathay Pacific now flies directly from Hong Kong to Washington D.C.

routes to US East Coast’s main international airports.

Travellers to the US Capital will surely be drawn to the city’s rich political and social history. Washington DC also boasts of a thriving arts and cultural scene, plethora of fine restaurants, and numerous sporting attractions that have attracted visitors from around the world for decades.

The new route has been well-received by local officials, with Governor of Virginia Terry McAuliffe praising the role it would

play in helping to grow the local economy.

“We celebrate this newly forged bridge between Asia and Virginia,” said Governor McAuliffe. “With Virginia’s commitment to enriching our partnership with Asia and this Cathay Pacific air service, we look forward to welcoming the international travellers this new air service will bring to the Commonwealth.”

2018 is set to be one of Cathay Pacific’s most significant years in terms of network expansion and capac-

ity growth, as the airline also launches year-round services to Brussels and Dublin in March and June respectively.

A seasonal service to Copenhagen commences in May, while Cathay Dragon, the regional carrier of the Cathay Pacific Group, started a four-times-weekly operation to Nanning in mainland China this month. Frequencies on several of Cathay Pacific’s most popular existing routes, including Barcelona and Tel Aviv, are also being increased in 2018.

BPI strengthens partnership

with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir Lost Inside The Venetian

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has partnered once again with Singapore Airlines and SilkAir for the fifth consecutive year to provide BPI Cardholders world-class travel to Singapore and other exciting destinations with exclusive perks and installment options.

BPI together with Ayala Malls, Globe Platinum, Singapore Tourism Board, Changi Airport Group and Samsung joined the Singapore Airlines and SilkAir Showcase Travel Fair 2018 to let people experience the best in travel. BPI Cardholders can enjoy all-in round-trip discounted airfares as BPI provides exceptional offers with easy payment terms of

up to 6 months Real 0 percent installment (Terms and conditions apply.)

To kick-off the promo, BPI will hold a three-day mall event in two locations on Jan. 26-28, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Glorietta and Trinoma.

This promo is exclusive to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members, Globe Platinum customers, BPI Cardholders, as well as Glorietta, TriNoma and Ayala Center Cebu shoppers. All these exclusive deals are made possible by Singapore Airlines, BPI, Ayala Malls, Globe Platinum, Singapore Tourism Board, and Changi Airport Group. To learn more about these offers, visit www.bpicards.com.

The impressive façade of The Venetian Macau

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

Sealing the deal are (from left) Sharon Zulueta, Head of Merchant Partnerships Marketing (Usage); Jenelyn Lacerna, Vice President for BPI Credit Cards; Balagopal Kunduvara, General Manager Philippines for Singapore Airlines; and Aiza Soller-Garcia, Head of Marketing & PR for Singapore Airlines.

100-plus...

From C1

food with Disney characters at designated restaurants. Guests staying at any of the three hotels can also get exclusive privileges, including Priority Admission Passes to selected attractions, to make the magical Disney experience even more special.

For those who haven’t experienced the adventurous trip yet, come visit the resort’s newest hotel Disney Explorers Lodge and watch the lush gardens of the 750-room hotel blossom to life during springtime. The hotel’s international dining adventures and exotic ambiance are enriched by 1,000 artifacts collected from around the world. It’s the perfect place to explore this spring!

Seasonal experiences throughout 2018 by day and night

More magical moments await guests in different seasons of 2018!

From the Disney Friends Springtime

Carnival to the summer special event, Disney Halloween Time and A Disney Christmas, the park will be transformed for each festive occasion and offer an array of wonderful entertainment from day to night.

After dark, the park comes to life with the nightly “Disney Paint the Night” Parade showcasing an illuminated cast of Disney characters and brilliant performances. The beautifully lit “it’s a small world,” the iconic Cinderella Carousel and the Mad Hatter Tea Cups in Fantasyland make for romantic photo hotspots. A journey to outer space aboard Orbitron in Tomorrowland, a ride in the dark on Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars and the classic Jungle River Cruise are even more thrilling at night.

Disney Friends cordially invite guests to join them at the Disney Friends Springtime Carnival at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort! Come enjoy the nonstop Disney fun in 2018! For details, please visit https://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/a-disney-carnival-intl/.

I NEVER thought there would come a time when I would find myself going around in circles indoors, trying to find the direction I should take in getting to where I wanted to be. I mean, I just wanted to have dinner in the hotel but it I had restful nights in this very comfortable bed took me almost an hour finding my way.

It didn’t help either that one had to walk Although patterned after its sister well-designed suite which had a breathpractically “several miles” from one casino resort, The Venetian Las Vegas, taking view of the city, and hobnobbing “marker” to another just to follow the the Macau property has won the recog- with Asia’s crème de la crème and fundirections given by the hotel employee. nition of having the largest casino in the loving denizens in the entertainment The beautiful Venetian Macao is a world, and of being the largest single venues and in the restaurants.

39-storey luxury hotel and casino resort structure hotel in Asia. Its neo-classiAdvertised throughout the hotel was the in the Cotai Strip of Macau. Everything cal architecture always merits a photo Monkey King China Show at the nearby in it is big. It has 2905 tastefully deco- op from the thousands of guests who go Sands Cotai Theater that my friends were rated suites, including a Presidential Suite through its portals every day. raving about. It looked very interesting that has four bedrooms. It offers a large Since I already had the opportunity so I bought myself a ticket for a front seat. gaming area that accommodates 3400 to experience the accommodations of Of course, it was again a long trek to the slot machines and 800 gambling tables. its Las Vegas counterpart, I was excited venue, but I didn’t mind it because I wantIt boasts of an entertainment venue, the to try out the much bigger Macau prop- ed to see for myself what my friends were Cotai Arena that has seats gushing about. for 15000.

The performers were a This humongous piece mix of classical dancers YOUR TUESDAY CHUCKLE of architecture is also and acrobats, gracefully known to have Macau’s portraying various colorA man wrote to the bank: “My check was returned with biggest indoor shopping ful Chinese traditions a remark, ‘Insufficient Funds.’ I want to know whether it mall which houses 850 and beautiful scenarios. refers to the bank’s or mine.” shops, and guests can The brochure for the have a choice of a difshow says it took eight ferent menu every meal years for the cast to perfrom the hotel’s 150 restaurants. The erty. Unfortunately, nobody warned me fect the different production sequences convention and meeting facilities serve that I would be doing a lot of walking on stage, and costing a total of US$300 thousands of guests at any given time. indoors. Just to go from the Front Desk, Million to stage. No wonder I was seatAnd, living up to its name, the hotel after check-in, to my assigned suite, I ed transfixed and in awe over the show has a winding canal with serenading already reached my quota of walking as it unfolded for almost two hours. It gondoliers, singing contemporary Ital- exercise for the day. was well worth the pricey ticket. ian and English songs, in real gondolas, So, if someone asks me what I think of But, I hasten to add that my stay at carry passengers who want to experi- this hotel was a beautiful experience. It The Venetian Macau, I will readily say, “I’m ence the romance of sailing leisurely just felt great to be inside such an amaz- willing to get lost inside it all over again.” along the Grand Canal, San Luca and ing architectural wonder, being attendthe Shoppes, much like the real Vene- ed to by a caring staff, a lot of whom are For feedback, I’m at tian attraction in Italy. bobzozobrado@gmail.com Filipinos, enjoying the comforts of my

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

Taking high tech entertainment to a whole new level TCL Multimedia, the world’s third largest TV manufacturer and leading QLED TV innovator, conducted an exciting virtual racing competition, in partnership with Gameloft, makers of Asphalt Nitro, for mallgoers of the SM Mall of Asia Cyberzone Area in Pasay City.

The three-day racing event gathered hundreds of participants, who competed for the coveted daily grand prize, which is a brand new TCL 32” D2900 and a smartwatch from Gameloft.

To win the race, every participant was put in a nervewracking round of the video game, Asphalt Nitro, and try to finish the race in the shortest possible time.

The winners who emerged on top of the lever board were determined on a daily basis based on the shortest time to reach the line were Cezar C. Dela Cruz Jr., Miguel M. Rabago, and Paul Yap. The top prize can be claimed at the TCL Sun, Inc. office at 4/F Zen Towers NA Lopez St., Manila. The winners must present the notification from TCL representative (direct message on Instagram or announcement on Facebook), together with any valid ID. Redefining TV entertainment experience During the racing event, the participants enjoyed the thrilling features of TCL C2 Android TV and the TCL X3 TV. These sleek and state-of-the-art TVs promise a whole new and exciting entertainment experience with its cutting-edge innovations in connectivity, picture quality, sound, and multi-functional features.

“Today, TV is more than just for watching your favorite programs. It is an experience that encompasses everything you are looking for,” said Eason Cai, TCL CEO. “Consumers now want a TV that allows them to connect to the Internet, play their favorite games, watch live streaming programs, and even listen to their favorite tunes. TCL’s C2 Android and X3 offer multi-dimensional entertainment.”

TCL C2: The best in Android TV TCL’s C2 TV is the latest Android M-powered TV that allows users to access a wide range of content and enjoy many functions including Google Play Store, games, music, movies, TV shows, Chromecast built-in, and voice search.

The C2 TV allows users to search and install their favorite Android apps to download movies, TV shows, music, and sports programs. It is complemented by a built-in Chromecast streaming capability that allows viewers to play their favorite video games and access preferred apps from mobile devices in the TV screens.

TCL’s C2 TV comes bundled with Netflix giving viewers a wide selection of programs to choose from. The Netflix application delivers TV and movie titles of up to 4k allowing viewing of thousands of contents. Its exclusive Netflix button directs users to the site with one click and the “T” button on the remote directs users to content express where TV channels and internet

content are integrated so viewers can get what they want instantly.

Finally, TCL’s C2 Android TV delivers a stunning viewing experience with its HDR Pro, Wide Color Gamut (WCG) 4K UHD and Micro Dimming technologies. Superior sound is delivered via its front-facing Harman Kardon speakers and the Dolby Audio and Smart TV Volume that produces a studiolike sound quality.

TCL X3: TV gaming was never this exciting!

Another innovative offering is the TCL X3. Part of the premium XESS Series, this trailblazing TV combines many great features in one. It features a 65-inch Quantum Dot screen display and a curved body that highlights a sleek, modern and streamlined design that is slim and lacks edges.

It has a metal frame giving it a premium feel and look and showcases six circular Harman Kardon speakers in the front.

Some units come with a game controller and two remote controls with one having a motion sensor.

The TCL X3 allows for superior resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels that allows users to play 4K videos easily. Its Quantum Dot display technology allows for better color accuracy and higher brightness making pictures sharp and showing clearer details.

The TCS X3 runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and TV+OS 3.0 enabling users to access different applications from Google Play Store.

It also features apps like Spotify, Netflix, YouTube, T-Launcher, GoLive TV and many others.

Finally, TCL’s X3 TV is powered by a 64-bit A53 quadcore processor, Mali T860 MP2 480 MHz GPU, 2.5GB RAM and 16GB worth of internal storage giving viewers the ability to launch and navigate various applications easily and seamlessly.

“The TCL C2 Android and TCL X3 TVs are just two of our cutting-edge products that will make the best Christmas gift this season giving families the chance to create touching moments in life and bring people together,” added Cai. Founded in 1981, TCL—The Creative Life, is one of the leading global players in the audio-visual market.

The company has invested extensively in research and development to bring the best design and performance on every device.

The company was recognized

by International Data Group (IDG) as 2016-2017 Global Top 50 CE Brands and 2016-2017 Top 10 CE Brands from China.

The company also won the Global Display Tech Innovation Award of the Year for TCL Quantum Dot TV. Through its innovative products, it has successfully penetrated the global market establishing operations in 78 countries and regions around the world. TCL’s continued high-end product developments, such as the Quantum Dot, curved, 4K and large screen TVs, among others, putting it on par with other brands in the industry. In the first quarter of 2017, its LCD TV Sales Volume performance has improved by 38 percent, year-on-year.

PHILIPPINE DEBUT. Korean vampire thriller 'Orange Marmalade' and romcom series 'Warm and Cozy' and 'Oh My Lady' air on Philippine television for the first time.

J

FRESH K-DRAMAS on Jeepney TV

UMPSTART the year with stories of unexpected romance as Korean romcom series Warm and Cozy and Oh My Lady, both airing for the first time in the Philippines, and vampire-human fantasy series Orange Marmalade are on Jeepney TV. Warm and Cozy is a breath of fresh air as the 2015 series features the beautiful Jeju Island and a story of chance meeting and romance.

After losing her job, house, and boyfriend, hardworking Lee Jung-joo (Kang So-Ra) sets off to start a new life and bumps into former acquaintance, the laidback romantic Baek Gun-woo (Yoo Yeon-Seok).

Gun-woo is chef and owner of the restaurant Warm and Cozy, which he opened just because his crush lives within

Mayward and Mclisse in new book series LOVE teams MayWard, consisting of Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, and McLisse, composed of McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, debut as graphic novel characters in ABSCBN Publishing’s double-cover mangaserye He’s My Oppastar and Vlogger Girl Problems, respectively.

Take a unique look into two of today’s rising love teams as they are cartooned by manga artists in a series of books that puts a spin on traditional ways of storytelling.

Manga is a style of Japanese comics and graphic novels for readers of all ages.

Much like in real life, Maymay is the energetic Macy in He’s My Oppastar who is a solid fangirl of KPop group Miniluv. Macy is suddenly overwhelmed with excitement and confusion when her new classmate Eddie (Edward) looks suspiciously like her “oppa” Red, lead vocalist of Miniluv. She is now more than determined to

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

61 Forward 62 Roquefort hue 63 Pond scum 65 Round building 66 Iowa town 67 Flat expanse 68 Samovars 69 Vault 70 “The Velvet Fog” 71 Classy DOWN 1 Kebab bed 2 Less cordial 3 — Dame 4 Handled dough 5 Tortoise rival 6 Way back when 7 Light wood 8 Gossip tidbits 9 Border state 10 Monday, for most 11 Dry as dust 12 Statistics 13 Big hunk 21 Mao — -tung 23 Grant territory 25 Ceremonial fire 27 Old horses 29 Unit of force 30 Accomplishes 31 Ick! 32 Couples 33 Swimming-pool loc.

uncover the nonchalant student’s secrets. Is he her oppa superstar?

Meanwhile in Vlogger Girl Problems, Elisse is depicted as up and coming influencer Elaine who blogs about beauty and lifestyle.

One day changes her life when she is held up for her camera, and a mysterious guy (McCoy) rescues her. As she gets into trouble more often, the same person shows up and saves her. Naming him “Mr. Blue,” Elaine also notices glimpses of him in all her videos.

She then sets on an online/offline quest to find her knight in shining armor.

Both manga stories are connected and in the same setting.

Find out how the lives of Macy, Eddie, Elaine, and Mr. Blue intertwine in the coming books.

MayWard’s “He’s My Oppastar” and McLisse’s “Vlogger Girl Problems” books 1 and 2 are available in National Book Store and Powerbooks outlets nationwide for only P185 each.

Rising love teams McLisse (left) and MayWard debut as graphic novel characters in a double-cover manga series released by ABS-CBN Publishing

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 “Pretty in —” 5 Sister’s clothes 10 Crumples up 14 Desktop picture 15 Striped stone 16 Thermometer type 17 Lo-cal 18 007’s watch 19 Moreno or Rudner 20 Fill with fizz 22 Exactly (hyph.)

24 Astaire and others 25 Went by 26 Counting-rhyme start 28 — Warbucks 32 Did Easter eggs 35 Electric bridge 37 “Yo!” (2 wds.)

38 Ms. Thurman 39 Not clean 41 Toshiba rival 42 Sonnet stanzas 45 Belly dance instrument 46 Furniture buy 47 Given to back talk 48 Treasured 50 Buyers’ concern 54 Throws the rider 58 Stranded

the vicinity. There, he takes Jung-joo in, and the two eventually fall in love.

Meanwhile, Orange Marmalade, (Monday), is based on the webtoon of the same name and is set in a world where humans and vampires coexist, though the latter are still being feared and considered outcasts. In this series, popular school boy Jae-Min (Yeo Jin-Goo) falls in love and chases after mysterious transfer student Baek Ma-Ri (Seol Hyun).

Jae-Min soon finds out that the socially

withdrawn girl that he likes is a driven-away vampire—part of the kind he has long hated. Will Baek Ma-Ri’s secret push him away? Or will the loathing boy tame to care for her no matter what?

Viewers can also catch, Oh! My Lady on Jeepney TV this month. Starring Chae Rim and Choi Siwon, it is about a celebrity who is living with his manager, a woman trying to earn money to get custody of her child, and with him he will find new love.

Catch Warm and Cozy at 6:30 p.m. every Saturday; Oh! My Lady Mondays thru Thursdays at 9 p.m.; and Orange Marmalade, Mondays thru Fridays, 11:20 p.m. on SKYcable channel 9, Destiny Cable on Analog 41 and Digital 9.

For updates, like the Jeepney TV page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JeepneyTV) or visit www.jeepneytv.ph.

34 Absorbs, as costs 36 — -Magnon man 37 Jekyll’s other half 40 Flood residues 43 Adopt 44 Greenhorn 46 Solicits, as business (2 wds.)

49 Mr. Vigoda 51 Out of place 52 Yo-Yo Ma plays it 53 — Rice Burroughs

55 “Purple Rose of —” 56 Brick bakers 57 Wade through 58 Execs’ degrees 59 — mater 60 Lagoon protector 61 Russo of “Tin Cup” 64 Face the target

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

Young multi-media director eager to break onto the movie scene H ISAH V. RED

Educator and filmmaker Frank Lloyd Mamaril is challenging himself to take the next big steps in movie making

EARD of the name Frank Lloyd Mamaril? Bet you had, if you follow much of the events on the lifestyle scene.

Mamaril had been involved in projects like the Miss World 2013 pageant in charge of the on-air videos of the show, also the NCAA Opening TV coverage last year (his first from the production numbers to the overall execution).

The young director was also the guy behind the first major concert of Morisette, which gave him a feeling of being in the circle of major concert directors. Then it was followed

by Lani Misalucha’s Love Catcher concert that won an a Star Award for Music in 2016 as Concert of the Year.

Mamaril’s portfolio is also bursting with accomplishments in music video direction, TV Specials (for Metro Magazine) and a gig with an international TV channel (Stylist, Inc. on E!) But when you talk with Mamaril, he doesn’t have that usual attitude common to individuals that had attained a certain level of stature in their fields, talking like they are God’s gift to their profession.

Mamaril is grounded, humble and very soft spoken. Almost shy to the point that you have to egg him on to say what he really dreams of becoming despite the accomplishments that he had accumulated for his portfolio.

The former Multimedia Arts lecturer at College of St. Benilde of De La Salle University and now teaching content production at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela right in his hometown says, “I am tired of teaching at a university where everything is readily available. I challenge myself even more by teaching in a state college, proving that it is never a hindrance to be creative not having the facilities and equipment.”

Mamaril never fails to mention that it is really hard work and a great amount of courage, his failures, and faith that took him to where he is now.

All he wanted to do at the beginning was to tell stories, and this passion remains the foundation of his every single undertaking. “I create because I believe that there is something more beyond giving life to an idea or concept. It’s all about making an impact and telling a story, a good story,” he said.

FLM Creatives, Inc., the company he founded and heads, I gearing up for more projects this year. Mamaril is now preparing to launch himself as a movie director, “something I wish people would like and patronize.

He said he has a concept and story in mind and is just scouting for possible partners so he’d be able to realize his ultimate dream of being a filmmaker.

Mamaril is young. Only 32 years old, he has all the time to mold his project and himself into something the world will celebrate once he has made it into a reality. *** AiAi de las Alas, otherwise known as the Comedy Queen in local entertainment, is also a sought after product endorser.

Recently she signed with Grainsmart as the first celebrity endorser of the country’s leading rice retailer.

At Astoria Hotel where she inked the deal with the rice retailer, she was welcome by Jenny Velasco, operations manager of Grainsmart and Vic Echegoyen, Sales and Marketing Manager.

De las Alas is very happy till today she is still trusted by people, like the ones behind

AiAi de las Alas (center) with Grainsmart officers during an endorsement contract signing

Grainsmart, to help them in their business endeavors. *** From the Land of Stories itself, Czech Embassy Manila, in partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, debuts its first yearlong film festival, Czech Movie Gems.

Hosted by Cinematheque Centre Manila, Czech Movie Gems features a spectacular line-up of films spanning almost 50 years from the 1950s to the 2000s. Screening every second Wednesday of the month, 13 films of different genres from drama, comedy, romance, musical to science fiction, animation, historical and war will be screened until January 2019.

Kick-starting the festival on Jan. 10 was Academy-award winning movie, Kolya (1996) directed by Jan Sverák. Another Sverák masterpiece that will be featured in the Czech Movie Gems selection is Dark Blue World (2001) – the Czech’s answer to the US’ blockbuster Pearl Harbor.

Set during World War II which followed the intertwined fates of a group of Czech pilots fighting Nazi

Germany alongside the British arms and the love struggle of two men as they both fall for the same woman.

For the Sci-Fi fanatics, Czech Movie Gems offer the throwback movie must-watch for Star Trek avid fans, Ikarie XB-1 (1963).

Its re-mastered version recently screened as part of the Cannes Classics selection will bring to the Filipino viewers a story of spaceship travel. After its wide US release, it inspired the creators of the first Star Trek TV series.

Other films included in the Czech Movie Gems selection are: King of Šumava (1959), a black and white communist political propaganda piece with great cinematography; Rebels (2001), a musical 60s retro-movie of two star-crossed lovers; Beauty in Trouble (2006) tells the story of a young, beautiful and troubled woman falling in love with a foreigner; Markéta Lazarová (1967) a cult classic about a battle between a King and a minor clan against the backdrop of Christianity replacing Paganism during the medieval times.

FDCP Chairman Liza Dino (left) with Czech Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa, Jr.

CHIARA ZAMBRANO 2017 TOYM awardee

ABS-CBN News correspondent Chiara Zambrano is one of the brave field reporters that went to Marawi City to cover siege.

ABS-CBN News broadcast journalist Chiara Zambrano brings honor to the Kapamilya network after being named by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines as one of the The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in the Philippines for 2017.

Chiara, who is currently in the United Kingdom pursuing her studies as a British Chevening scholar, is the TOYM awardee in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication. She was cited for her work including the Di Ka Pasisiil documentary on the Marawi siege, which she covered from the war zone last year, and Spratlys, Mga Isla ng Kalayaan, another ABS-CBN News documentary.

In an interview with TJ Manotoc on ANC’s Early Edition, the journalist revealed her passion for storytelling, which

has kept her coming back to doing documentaries, her first love.

“There’s really something about documentaries that makes me happy while I’m doing it. Of course, news reporting is a different beast in itself. It has its own sense of fulfillment. But you know it’s just a matter of preference, and that’s why I decided this year to kind of take a break from all the chaos that we involved ourselves in and to revert to my first love. So, I’m out here now studying to do better documentaries and it’s been a great experience so far,” she shared.

Before becoming an ABS-CBN News reporter covering the defense beat, Chiara was working behind the scenes as part of the network’s iconic investigative program The Correspondents. She said shifting to news was a big leap for her but she is grateful now that she is able to do both news reporting and documentaries.

“Our bosses are kind enough and they trust me enough to give me the chance to do both. So, most of the time I do news I still give the space to do documentaries like ‘Di Ka Pasisiil about Marawi, the one I did with Jeff Canoy and the Spratlys documentary,” she said.

Chiara earned praises last year for her courageous coverage from the battle lines in Marawi.

She shared her insights from her experience there. “Reporting about wars isn’t so much about the weapons and the war. The clash and the bang. It’s really I think one of the most human beats that you can tell, because you are literally talking about lives lost. And lives saved.

And lies shattered by war. That’s why it works for me.”

Chiara follows ABS-CBN broadcast journalist and news anchor Karen Davila as TOYM awardee from ABS-CBN News.

Karen won in 2009.