Manila Standard - 2018 March 03 - Saturday

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

manilastandard.net

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net

VOL. XXXII • NO. 20 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

White House in Moro land BULUAN, Maguindanao—The latest of Maguindanao’s Capitol buildings in the last four decades is inspired by the architectural design of the White House in Washington D.C., Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said on Thursday.

“I asked Architect Evan Torollo if he could design our Capitol Building the way I’m inspired by a childhood dream to Next page

WHITE HOUSE DOWN SOUTH. This perspective photograph supplied to the Standard of the Maguindanao Capitol, which is still under construction in Buluan town, shows the US White House-inspired architectural design

of the seat of power of the province in Mindanao. Designed by Architect Evan Torollo, the new two-story Capitol Building will have a total floor area of 6,000 square-meters, and stands on a 5.5-hectare lot set aside for the Provincial Government Complex. Nash Maulana

Sereno: Give me my day in court

By Rey E. Requejo

GOLDEN SHAME. A gold sculpture

of Harvey Weinstein on his infamous casting couch holding an Oscar statue is on display in Hollywood, California on Thursday (Friday in Manila), where artists Plastic Jesus and Joshua Monroe displayed their creation days before the 90th Oscars Awards on Sunday, March 4. AFP

Lamudi, Manila Standard ink deal as media partners

‘‘

HOME/DESIGN B4

Mr. Chair, it is evident from the last hearing, that this meeting is being used as a venue for personal squabbles of our PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office] officials, which frankly doesn’t need attention of the public.

— Davao del Sur Rep. Mercedes Cagas at a hearing at the House of Representatives.

C

HIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday challenged the House of Representatives to immediately transmit the impeachment complaint against her to the Senate for trial if they find probable cause.

“Give me my day in the Senate impeachment court or admit that there is no probable cause,” Sereno said before a gathering of judges, lawyers and law students at the University of Baguio.

“If they were so sure of their evidence even to the point of perjuring themselves with baseless accusations that they can prove that I committed a harvest of sins against the people, why not bring it to the Senate?” she said in her first public appearance since going on indefinite

leave on March 1 to prepare her defense.

Instead of immediately resolving the impeachment case against her, she said, there was an “additional terribly injurious spectacle where court and Judicial and Bar Council officials are being threatened with administrative and criminal cases.”

She again rejected calls for her resignation and appealed to her critics “to respect the impeachment process,” which includes her looming trial in the Senate.

“I owe the people the duty to tell my story,” she said.

She also vowed to fight for judicial independence.

“It is when hope seems to be at its dimmest that you must be at your bravest,” Sereno said.

“I am hopeful that after the impeachment trial, days of renewal for the Supreme Court can still be forged, united by the common desire to serve our people and protect their constitutional rights especially in these troubled times,” the chief justice said.

On Thursday, Sereno apologized for the confusion created by conflicting statements made by her lawyers regarding her leave of absence.

She also said her decision to go on leave did not mean she was contemplating resignation.

Next page

Despite rejection, EU allots €3.8 m for drug rehab

By Francisco Tuyay, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rio N. Araja THE European Union said Friday it will provide the government €3.8 million (about P241.6 million) to finance the drug rehabilitation centers in the Philippines.

The money will be given to tthe Department of Health despite the Duterte administration’s decision to decline aid from the EU, said Stefano Maservisi, the European Commission’s director general for International Cooperation and Development.

The €3.8 million is part of the €260-million development assistance intended for

the Philippines, and is primarily for the Mindanao peace process, job creation and renewable energy projects.

“This is the last important component of this program that we will disburse in the next days,” Maservisi told reporters.

In other developments: * The Philippine National Police’s campaign against illegal drugs has so far pinned down 102 drug suspects in various operations months after the relaunch of project “Tokhang,” which triggered the surrender of 3,173 suspected drug dependents nationwide.

Records from the Directorate For Operations showed that 102 drug suspects

died in 6,477 drug- enforcement operations while 10,088 drug suspects were arrested.

PNP spokesman John Bulalacao said the 102 drug suspects were killed after allegedly putting up a fight against the arresting officers. * Two senators said Friday the Interior Department should ensure there will be no drug money to bankroll the candidacy of candidates running in the coming barangay elections in October.

“Intelligence, intelligence, intelligence. As early as today, let us nip the potential problem in the bud,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said.

Next page

‘Nanlaban’ killings should be proven, rights body insists

By Vito Barcelo, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the police and military not to cooperate in any investigation to be initiated by the United Nations on the administration’s war on drugs amid the international calls for an external probe of the controversy.

He gave the order on Thursday after Malacañang officials said they were open to an investigation by the UN of the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines but it should not be conducted by special rapporteur Agnes Callamard.

“Don’t answer if asked by human Next page

CHERISHED MEMENTO. A local tourist, standing beside an elaborately decorated jeepney at the center of Manila’s Fort Santiago beside the Pasig River has her picture snapped as part of the month-long Manila Biennale, which has been inspired by the Venice Biennale.

There are art exhibits from Feb. 3 to March 5, with more than 30 local and international artists participating in the festival under the theme ‘Open City.’ Lino Santos

Palace: China must earn Filipinos’trust

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday said it is up to China to improve relations with the Philippines after a poll showed that most Filipinos continue to trust the United States more than China, which has encroached on Philippine territory.

According to a December 2017 Social Weather Stations survey, 75 percent of Filipinos said they have “much trust” in the United States.

This gave the US a “very good” net trust rating of +68.

In contrast, China’s +20 score in the same survey gave it a “neutral” trust rating—which was up from a “poor” -13 score in September 2017.

SWS said this was only the ninth time China had a positive score in 45 surveys since it was included in its survey in August 1994.

Roque said the Philippines started to build friendly relations with China and strengthened the ties after President Rodrigo Duterte met China’s Xi Jinping during the recent Asia-Pacific meet in Vietnam.

He said the warmer ties reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability, freedom of navigation

Next page

Rody says threats persist, tells cops, soldiers to be alert

By Vito Barcelo DESPITE the defeat of terrorists in Marawi, threats will persist and the people will depend on law enforcers to keep them safe, President Rodrigo Duterte told the military and police during the opening of the National Special Weapons and Tactics Challenge in Davao City in which 60 teams of police and military personnel competed.

“I am urging our military and police to continue their sworn duty to defend the country from all kinds of criminality and terrorism,” Duterte said.

“Let us remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our people, especially now that we are intensifying our fight against enemies of the state here in Mindanao,” President Duterte said.

“Never lose sight of the fact that notwithstanding our resounding success in the liberation of Marawi, the decreased crime incidence nationwide and the growing public trust in our institutions, threats will persist and our people will depend on you, our law enforcers, to Next page

A2

News

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Despite scare over vaccines, dengue cases drop 41.38%

By Macon Ramos-Araneta A TOTAL 10,980 new dengue cases, which included 51 deaths, were reported in the first six weeks of the year as Health Secretary Francisco Duque inspected government hospitals Friday to ensure they have special queues for children vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

The DoH Dengue Disease Surveillance Report also showed that the number of dengue cases was 41.38 percent lower than the 18,731 cases reported within the same period last year.

It also indicated that 23 percent of those afflicted with dengue were 10-14 years old.

Furthemore, the report showed majority of the dengue cases were recorded in areas where the mass dengue vaccination program was implemented.

The Calabarzon area covering the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces listed, 2,503 dengue cases.

It was followed by Central Luzon with 1,964 cases and the National Capital Region with 1,820 cases.

Except for the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Calabarzon, all other regions in the country were found to have a decreasing number of dengue cases.

The Ilocos Region reported a 121-percent inc:rease in the number of dengue cases. There was a 55 percent increase and 25 percent increase in the CAR and Calabarzon, respectively.

As this developed, Duque went to San Lazaro Hospital and Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center as part of the DoH’s monitoring of the health of over 800,000 children who received the controversial anti-dengue vaccine.

Duque suspended the implementation of the mass vaccination after giant French drug firm Sanofi Pasteur divulged that Dengvaxia should be administered to those who had already been afflicted with dengue.

Duque, meanwhile, said they would continue to strengthen their Dengue Prevention and Control Program and collaborate with other agencies of government such as the Department of Education, and Local Government Units to safeguard the welfare of the vaccinated children.

He said they also partnered with the Philippine Red Cross to provide immediate transport and referral of dengue patients to health facilities and ensure the adequacy of blood supply.

Despite...

From A1

Senator Win Gatchalian expressed hope that the DILG had already neutralized the alleged 40 percent of the narcobarangays two years after the first postponement of the village elections.

• The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday called on other government agencies to help clear the 24,424 villages of illegal drugs by 2022.

“PDEA cannot do it alone. We need these agencies to step up,” PDEA head Aaron Aquino said.

“PDEA’s goal to clear the remaining 24,424 drug affected barangays or 58.10 percent out of 42,036 barangays in the country by 2022 can be achieved with the combined efforts of all concerned agencies,” he said.

• Body cameras for anti-illegal drug operations by the Philippine National Police will arrive by June or July, PNP spokesman John Bulalacao said Friday.

Bulalacao made the announcement after revealing the latest figures from anti-illegal drug operations and the relaunched Project Tokhang.

A staunch critic of his government’s bloody war on drugs, the EU has been accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of interfering in the country’s domestic affairs, prompting him to reject the bloc’s €6-million aid last year.

Duterte has repeatedly lambasted the EU for attaching conditions to its assistance, such as imposing human rights regulations in exchange for money.

The EU is one of the country’s top donors and is a major trading partner.

Maservisi, who is on official visit to the Philippines, denied imposing “unilateral conditionalities” in its aid, saying their action was governed by the framework of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) that promotes human rights.

It was signed between Manila and the EU in 2012 and was ratified by the Philippine Senate in January this year.

“Our assistance is subject to no unilateral condition or whatsoever nature,” Maservisi said.

He said EU development projects would continue but could be subject to discussions with Philippine government officials if they had objections.

Villar: Shut down biz, not whole Boracay for 60 days

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

On the other hand, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara said the government should ensure that the workers affected by the closure of their establishments should be given assistance.

Another official said government workers found guilty of neglect resulting in the island resort’s pollution would be charged in less than six months.

Eduardo Año, officer in charge of the Interior Department, said they will file the charges with the Ombudsman.

“The Ombudsman is helping us. The Ombudsman will decide because they have the authority,” Año told reporters Thursday night.

“We will provide all the available information and the facts to the Ombudsman.”

Boracay, known for its white sands and crystal-clear waters, attracts more than two million tourists a year and brings in P56 billion in annual revenues.

Villar, head of the Senate’s environment committee, said those establishments found non-compliant with government rules should be closed while those found compliant should be allowed to operate.

Villar led other senators and some Cabinet officials in an inspection in Boracay following reports its waters are being polluted.

She said all the establishments there

must secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Environment Department and a permit from the local government before they could operate.

She also said the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority should make sure the establishments in Boracay followed all the laws.

The Interior Department recently announced it would propose a six-month state of calamity and two-month commercial shutdown in Boracay to hasten its rehabilitation.

Labor groups in Western Visayas have expressed fears that almost 19,000 formal and informal workers could lose their jobs with Boracay’s shutdown.

“While we fully support the immediate rehabilitation of Boracay, we can’t turn a blind eye to the possible displacement of thousands of workers. Thousands of families will be affected,” Angara said.

He has called on the stakeholders to take advantage of the Green Jobs Law that gives incentives to the providers of jobs that contribute substantially to the preservation and restoration of the environment.

Giving...

at the House and the question on Sereno’s qualifications “have caused deep division and dissension in the bench and bar.”

Lozano’s petition is the second legal move seeking to oust Sereno outside of the impeachment process.

Last month, suspended lawyer Eligio Mallari asked the Office of the Solicitor General to initiate quo warranto proceedings against Sereno, saying she was not qualified for the job.

Mallari argued that Sereno had no legal right to her position after she failed to submit the requirements in her application for the position of chief justice before the Judicial and Bar Council.

Also on Friday, the Psychological Association of the Philippines criticized the use of Sereno’s psychological tests during the impeachment hearings at the House, saying that any psychological assessment

should be used only for the purpose it was intended, and not for “damaging a person’s character.”

“To use a psychological assessment conducted in 2012 [which was for the purpose of Chief Justice Sereno’s appointment] for the current legislative proceedings is a misuse of those results,” the group said.

While it claimed it was neither favoring nor opposing issues involving Sereno, the PAP said it “condemn[s] the unethical practice of using confidential psychological information for purposes of discrediting or damaging a person’s character.”

In his impeachment complaint against Sereno, lawyer Lorenzo Gadon alleged that Sereno is “unfit” for the position she was appointed to in 2012 because of her low score in the psychological test.

S

ENATOR Cynthia Villar on Friday rejected the government’s plan to shut down Boracay for 60 days and insisted that the businesses polluting the island should be closed temporarily during the resort’s rehabilitation.

From A1

“I have not resigned and I will not resign. This indefinite leave is not a resignation. I will devote my time to the preparation of my Senate defense and work on the cases in my docket,” Sereno said in a statement.

“It is unfortunate that my plan of making use of an already approved wellness leave in relation to an indefinite leave was inaccurately conveyed for which I apologized,” the embattled chief justice added.

Meanwhile, lawyer Oliver Lozano, a Marcos loyalist, prodded the Supreme Court to nullify Sereno’s appointment because she did not comply with the legal requirements for her position.

Lozano said the impeachment hearing

Palace:...

From A1

in and over-flight above the South China Sea, as well as freedom of commerce and other peaceful uses.

In a press briefing, Roque said the survey, was no longer surprising as the US, along with Japan have been long-time allies of the Philippines.

“Let us give China the chance to fulfill their promise with regards to the territorial dispute,” Roque said.

He said it is up to China if it wants to further improve its ties with the Philippines, adding that Manila has already reached out to Beijing by setting aside the maritime dispute.

Roque said the government will continue to raise the “good faith of China” that it would not conduct further reclamations and work on islands that it had already reclaimed.

“We want to trust China but China must also prove herself to be trustworthy,” Roque added.

Roque, meanwhile, said the government is considering at least two areas in the South China Sea for joint exploration

by Philippine and Chinese companies.

“We are still in the process of negotiating with China,” Roque said, referring to service contracts 57 in Northern Palawan and 72 in the disputed Reed Bank.

Critics have said joint exploration would be an acknowledgement of China’s claims to disputed territories in the South China Sea, contrary to an international arbitration court’s finding that dismissed China’s claims as excessive.

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio weighed in again Friday, saying there is no way the Philippines will give up its claims to China. He also rejected any

White...

From A1

be able to visit the White House one day,” Mangudadatu said.

Mangudadatu said the new two-story Capitol Building, constructed with a total floor-area of 6,000 square meters, stands on a 5.5-hectare land set aside for the Provincial Government Complex here.

The P200-million capitol building funded through a loan program with the Land Bank of the Philippines is expected to be completed by summer.

In the edifice’s current stage of construction, no visible hints yet are in sight as to formation of an “east wing” or a “west wing” and on whether it will have similarly a space for an “oval office.”

Once finished, its façade to the northeast would be much visible to travelers along the Davao-Cotabato-Maguindanao National Highway, said Provincial engineer Abbie Hasim.

But Mangudadatu said young people who had similarly dreamed of visiting

joint ventures unless they are governed

by Philippine laws.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte said joint exploration with China could be likened to co-ownership of the disputed area, a view the Palace later played down.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, meanwhile, said oil exploration in Philippine territory should be open to all as long as it complies with the Constitution and there is no surrender of sovereignty.

He noted that gas and oil exploration are usually joint ventures among countries, citing the Malampaya gas field off Palawan, which is a collaboration among Philippine, Dutch and British firms.

“If it’s not China, there’s really a foreign partner. If not the Americans, there’s Europeans because they have the technology and the capital,” he said.

He backed plans for the Philippines to jointly prospect for oil in the West Philippine Sea with “China and other countries” for as long as it is “between private parties and that we won’t be giving away the deed to the area.”

The energy exploration in the WPS, he said, must be under “a constitutionallycompliant win-win arrangement.”

He said the search for domestic sources of fossil fuel becomes more urgent with the projected end of Malampaya’s production by 2024.

“If Malampaya, which supplies 45 percent of Luzon’s power, runs out of natural gas in six years, then the search for ways to secure our energy future becomes urgent,” Recto said.

“We have a growing energy appetite to satiate. We are buying close to half a million vehicles a year. In five years, we will be adding 8 million to our population, each of whom will consume electricity, from charging cell phones to watching TV.” the White House someday, might instead wish to visit Maguindanao one day.

Mangudadatu said his childhood dream of visiting the White House may soon come true with an official foreign trip slated for Washington D.C. He did not elaborate.

Meanwhile, Land Bank of the Philippines President Alex Buenaventura said the bank and the provincial government of Maguindanao have had a long track record of development partnership.

A cornerstone was also laid Thursday for the P100-million “mixed-used” building, also funded by LBP loan facility, which would house a Business Process Outsourcing center here.

The four-story building with 2,400 square-meters in aggregate floor area will also partly serve as the town’s second hotel.

The new hotel will be managed by the provincial government and part of its income will help fund the province’s scholarship program for children of families displaced by armed conflict, Mangudadatu said. Nash B. Maulana

Rody...

From A1

keep them safe and secure at all times,” he added.

The President commended the security forces for their skill and bravery and asked them to work closely to successfully fulfill their task of protecting the nation.

“As we continue our work of maintaining peace and order across the nation, I direct the PNP, the AFP and other law enforcement agencies to work towards interoperability in your operations, professional training and capability development,” he said.

“A coordinated approach at law enforcement will certainly ensure the success of all your missions and minimize government and civilian casualties in all your operations,” he added.

The President said he would protect and support the military and the police for as long as they are performing their duties.

Citing continuous threats government forces are facing from their enemies, President Duterte pledged to equip all soldiers with a handgun by July for their protection.

“By July, every soldier will have a handgun,” he said.

Duterte also renewed his commitment to ending the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, two leftist lawmakers rejected the administration’s proposal to tap the military reserve force and graduates of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in the fight against terrorism terrorism.

ACT Teachers Party-list Representatives Antonio Tinio and France Castro said President Duterte’s proposal to provide reservists with high-powered firearms.

“The statement of President Duterte is a dangerous proposal,” Tinio said. “He will be permitting armed civilians to kill suspected terrorists and continue to ignore judicial procedures,” he added.

He said the President’s idea was akin “ to a more sinister Oplan Tokhang.”

“This time with the civilians shooting and just about anyone who could be labelled a ‘terrorist,’” Tinio said.

Castro said “arming ROTC troops, army reservists and eventually civilians will only intensify his wars against the people and would only do more harm than good.”

“President Duterte has launched many wars against the people, with his war on drugs, the war in Marawi against the Moro people and the war in Mindanao,” Castro said.

“He matches societal issues with military interventions and calls those who fight for the people’s rights as terrorist.

He, in effect, is terrorizing the Filipino people who struggle for their rights and just and lasting peace,” she said.

Du30: Solons to decide on barangay, SK poll shelving PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has left Congress to decide if the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections should be postponed again, as he warned about local officials that would use drug money to influence the polls.

The President said he told Special Assistant Christopher “Bong” Go to tell lawmakers his position on the postponement.

“It’s their choice. Hardly if it’s ours. If we add our input they’ll just say... [we’re] dictatorial, we don’t want an election,’” he said in a speech late Thursday in Davao City.

Duterte blamed the “bright minds” for the doubt over the polls scheduled for May 14.

“They think we’re the only stupid ones. So I said, election, okay. It’s your decision,” he added.

Duterte reminded the public the country’s drug situation remains “very alive and vicious.”

He warned that if the barangay captains backed by drug money win, it would lead to more battles with criminals and deaths.

“I have not said whether there will or will not be an election. But I will never, never until the end of my term, to the last day, allow a government official to use his power or position as a platform to engage in criminality, especially drugs,” the President said.

Originally scheduled in October 2016, the barangay and SK elections were postponed to the next year. Congress then moved it to May this year, which Duterte signed into law in October 2017.

However, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel has filed a bill to move the elections this October, while Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said the local polls can be held simultaneously with the May 2019 midterm elections.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the House supermajority wants to get rid of the elections and allow for an extension of their term of office through Charter change, which congressmen would supposedly “railroad” and submit it to a plebiscite together with the barangay and SK elections in October or November. Vito Barcelo

‘Nanlaban'...

From A1

rights [people]. Do not bother,” Duterte told the military and the police.

“Why would we be answering? who are they? And who are you to interfere in the way I would run my country?

You know very well that we are being swallowed [up] by drugs.”

But the Commission on Human Rights on Friday again challenged the Philippine National Police to prove in court that the killing of suspects in the war against drugs were made in selfdefense.

Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR spokeswoman, said the commission was reiterating its call to investigate all cases of suspects allegedly resisting arrest and fighting back.

“All cases invoking self-defense should be proven in court―especially those involving state-agents or police officers, De Guia said.

“Where police officers kill alleged criminals on the ground of self-defense, the validity of such must be established in proper court proceedings.”

Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Duterte’s order to policemen and soldiers to snub the UN’s human rights probe was a clear sign of guilt.

“That’s an illegal order,” Trillanes said.

He said that order would make policemen and soldiers liable for administrative and criminal sanctions later on once Duterte was out of power.

The International Criminal Court had earlier said it would open a preliminary examination of a complaint accusing Duterte and top officials of crimes against humanity in the antidrugs campaign.

Duterte welcomed the complaint and said he was willing to “rot in jail” to protect the Filipinos from the menace of illegal drugs.

Human rights advocates have said many of the police killings in the war on drugs were executions, but the Philippine National Police rejected the charge and said it had to use deadly force because the suspects were armed and had resisted arrest.

In his speech, Duterte said the drug situation in the country was still vicious.

He told the police to do their job and snub the international investigators, assuring them and the military that he would take full responsibility.

News

A3

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Mayor Abby bats for more anti-crime operations MAKATI Mayor Abby Binay has reiterated her directive to the Makati police to intensify anti-crime operations in the city following the arrest last Wednesday of the city’s Most Wanted Person in an Oplan Sita operation conducted in Barangay Rizal at dawn.

The suspect, Allein Hussein Sumadlayon y Bebera, a.k.a. Bryan Malanlayon, a resident of Barangay Carmona, Makati, was also identified by Intelligence operatives as the Second Most Wanted Person for the whole Southern Police District, according to Makati Police chief PSSupt. Gerardo Umayao.

“With the arrest of the city’s most wanted—tagged as the prime suspect in a growing list of crimes—we expect the city police to continue pursuing lawless elements until they are brought to justice,” Binay said.

The mayor also urged Makati residents to be vigilant and promptly report to the authorities any suspicious individuals or activities in their neighborhood, or any unlawful acts they may witness. “The ratio of law enforcers to city residents is still far from ideal, so our local police need the help and cooperation of citizens in crime prevention and in bringing criminals to justice,” Binay said.

According to a police report, Sumadlayon, 27, is the suspect in the shooting incident last July 4, 2017 along Curie St., Barangay Palanan, Makati, which led to the death of a call center agent, Leonille Zara. He was also tagged as the suspect in the killing of two dentists in Makati in 2016.

The suspect also has outstanding cases of Illegal possession of firearm, robbery with homicide, carnapping and rape in Metro Manila, and more cases are expected to be filed against him after his arrest.

PCSO issues being used for personal gain—lawmaker “MR. CHAIR, it is evident from the last hearing, that this meeting is being used as a venue for personal squabbles of our PCSO [Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office] officials, which frankly doesn’t need attention of the public.”

This was the opening statement and manifestation of Davao del Sur Lone District Rep. Mercedes Cagas during the continuation of the House Committee on Games and Amusement hearing last Wednesday.

Cagas believes much has already been said on the issue of Small Town Lottery operations of PCSO, and the primary concern of the hearing is to deliberate on the failure of PCSO to generate the projected income resulting to failure of the process on the part of the national government.

“On the part of PCSO, the termination and revocation of license to operate is one. On our part, in aid of legislation, we should propose amendments to the charter of PCSO for a more strengthened and balanced system in monitoring all the operations of PCSO,” said Cagas, addressing committee chairman Parañaque City 2nd District Rep. Gus Tambunting.

In the said hearing, Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves and juetengbagwoman-turned-whistleblower PCSO director Sandra Cam engaged in a heated argument where Cam accused the former of being an STL operator.

Teves vehemently denied the accusation and challenged Cam to present legal documentary evidence on the next hearing. If she cannot prove her claims, Teves said Cam should resign as PCSO director. Otherwise, Teves said he will do the same.

PDP-Laban exec says party event in QC Circle a ‘fake’celebration

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

AT THE ZOO. Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco (right) and Malabon City firemen celebrate the Fire Prevention Month and World Wildlife Day, together with a six-month-old lion named ‘King Lion Digong’ and ‘Queen Lion Malabon,’ Easter Bunnies and Giant Philippine Reticulated Python held at the Malabon Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden. Andrew Rabulan

BoC exceeds revenue collection in February

By Vito Barcelo

T

HE Bureau of Customs exceeded its revenue collection target for the month of February posting a surplus of P1.965 billion as the majority of ports exceeded their revenue goals.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said that based on the initial collection report from the agency’s Financial Service, the BoC collected a total of P43.674-billion revenue against the P41.709-billion collection target. This is P12.82 billion or 41.5 percent higher than the P30.854billion collection on the same period last year.

The increase in February collection is attributed to the improved collection of the majority of the BoC ports, notably by the revenues generated by the Manila International Container Port, Port of Manila and Batangas.

The MICP collected P13.438-billion revenue, up by 4.49 percent against the P12.861-billion target collection. The port was able to hit a surplus of P577 million.

The POM posted P6.529 billion in

revenue exceeding its target of P6.27 billion by 4.1 percent and with the surplus reaching P259 million.

The Port of Batangas, on the other hand, collected P9.982-billion revenue with P326-million surplus or 3.4 percent higher than the P9.656 billion revenue goal.

Lapeña said there are 11 other ports that contributed to the notable increase in BoC collection, including the Port of Limay which collected P2.544 billion, or 0.2 percent higher than the P2.538-billion revenue goal, Port of Cebu collected P2.084 billion, or 10.9 percent higher than the P1.879-billion revenue goal; Port of Davao collected P2.067 billion, or 54.4 percent higher than the P1.339-billion revenue goal; Port of Cagayan de Oro collected P1.668 billion, or 41.6 percent higher

than the P1.178-billion revenue goal; Port of Subic collected P1.509 billion, or 0.5 percent higher than the P1.501billion revenue goal; Port of Iloilo, collected P373 million, or 65 percent higher than the P226-million revenue goal.

Other ports includes port of San Fernando collected P293 million, or 28 percent higher than the P228-million revenue goal; Port of Clark collected P142 million, or 29.1 percent higher than the P110-million revenue goal; Port of Tacloban collected P81 million, or 324.6 percent higher than the P19million revenue goal; Port of Legaspi collected P53 million, or 166.9 percent higher than the P20-million revenue goal; and Port of Aparri collected P27 million, or 579.6 percent higher than the P4-million revenue goal.

The Port of Davao is notable for its consistent collection performance in 2017, and continues to perform well in January and February 2018.

“Majority or 14 out of the 17 ports of the Bureau of Customs exceeded their collection target for the month and this is mainly because of the intensive campaign against corruption and smuggling,” said Lapeña.

Passage of ‘Ease of Doing Business Act’ hailed

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairman of the House committee on appropriations on Friday hailed the passage of the bicameral conference committee’s approval of a measure that will relax rules that will govern the conduct of business transactions in the country.

Senators and congressmen consolidated House Bill 6579 and Senate Bill 1311, now titled “The Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.”

The measure seeks to amend Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the “Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.”

“Nothing attracts foreign

investors to a country like having the government’s assurance that the processing and release of licenses and permits would be fast, hassle-free, and efficient. Even local businesses are bound to thrive with this new law in place,” said Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the panel chairman.

Nograles was part of the House contingent in the bicameral conference committee that approved the consolidated version. He was also the principal author of HB 6579, which was approved on third and final reading by the House in November 2017.

The consolidated bill covers business-related transactions (and other transactions specified by the Act) from all government offices and

agencies including local government units, government-owned or controlled corporations and other government instrumentalities, whether located in the Philippines or abroad.

“In a lot of ways, the spirit of the measure reflects the culture of efficiency that President Rodrigo Duterte promoted when he was still Davao City mayor. He has repeatedly said that it’s his pet peeve to see people standing in long queues, so it makes sense that he would want the same level of efficiency from all over the country,” Nograles said.

A key amendment being proposed is the “zero-contact policy” provision, which in the harmonized version is designated as Section 7.

JV pushes Universal Health Care bill SINCE 54.2 percent of current health expenditures were shouldered by Filipinos while the government shares only comprise 34.2 percent of the total health expenditures in 2016, Senator JV Ejercito said this would soon be remedied with the passage of the Universal Health Care before the end of the year.

He said Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that Filipinos spent additional P505.00 in 2016 for health in the same year.

“Our committee is close to wrappingup our public consultations and will consolidate the inputs we gathered so far,” said Ejercito, chairman of the Senate committee on health and demography.

The UHC, Ejercito said, is a priority measure of the Duterte administration.

He has been conducting a series of public hearing on the UHC bills. On Thursday, he went to Legazpi City for regional

consultation, which he considered as a meaningful move on the part of the Senate to show its full support to the President.

The Legazpi hearing was the third to be held outside the Senate, following the ones held in the cities of Cebu and Davao last month.

“The Committee is committed to reach as many Filipinos and stakeholders as possible as we work for the immediate passage of the Universal Health Care bills. The law must be a product of our constituents’ inputs and reflective of their actual needs,” Ejercito said.

Among those who attended the public hearing were district representatives, officials from the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays of the region as well as health officers and practitioners including barangay health workers.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

LANGUAGE PROGRAM. Education through Communication for the Community, a comprehensive lifelong learning institution in Osaka City, Japan, has teamed up with the University of Perpetual Help to provide Japanese language program in the Philippines. Shown in photo are, (from left): Toshimi Izumi, manager of Nihongo Project, Anthony Jose M. Tamayo, University of Perpetual System Dalta president, Daisy M. Tamayo, UPHSD vice president, Masahiro Hanafusa, ECC executive vice president, Noriaki Okamura, general manager of New Product Development and Alfonso Loreto, UPHSD school director. The officials linked arms during the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and ECC Nihongo Japanese Blended Learning Program Partnership launch and the MoA signing ceremony held in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

PDP-LABAN Public Information Committee Chairman Ronwald Munsayac on Friday said the 36th anniversary of the ruling party at The Peninsula Manila was the “real one” and branded as “fake” the celebration at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

He also criticized the organizers of the “fake event,” specifically Rogelio Garcia and Cesar Cuntapay.

“Rogelio Garcia is not the National Council Chairman. President Rodrigo Duterte is the National Chairman of PDP Laban. Garcia’s membership is suspended pending an investigation of the Party,” Munsayac said.

He said the event in Quezon Memorial Circle was spearheaded

by Cuntapay, a PDP-Laban member expelled for not following party discipline; Garcia, and other critics of House Speaker and Party SecretaryGeneral Pantaleon Alvarez.

“Our Chairman, President Rodrigo Duterte, delegated the day-to-day management of the party to the party President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, the party secretary-general Pantaleon Alvarez, and vice chairman Alfonso Cusi,” said Munsayac.

He accused Garcia of usurping the rightful place of the President and also defying the Party’s duly constituted leader.

Duterte, through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, has said that he will defer to the leadership of the Party.

BI to deport Chinese fugitive IMMIGRATION authorities ordered the deportation of a Chinese fugitive wanted for economic crimes in Bejing, China.

Jiang Yabo was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 by operatives as he went to airport to send off his parents who were leaving for China.

“We will deport him for being an undesirable and undocumented alien,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The BI chief said the Chinese Embassy in Manila sought the bureau’s help in locating the fugitive as his passport was cancelled by the Chinese government.

BI intelligence officer and FSU head Bobby Raquepo said Jiang has been on the wanted list of the Chinese police since August 2016 by the Jianye branch of the municipal public security bureau in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China. Vito Barcelo

Marijuana seller nabbed in Parañaque A MAN suspected of selling the illegal substance of marijuana was arrested following a buybust operation in Parañaque City.

Michael Nordan yielded P450,000 worth of dried marijuana leaves amounting to six kilos when searched by operatives from the Metro Manila drug enforcement unit.

In a television interview, Chief Inspector Jose Aradia said Nordan admitted he had operated as a buyer and seller of marijuana he allegedly sourced from Kalinga in northern Luzon for the past three months.

He said that he bought the dried marijuana for P6,000 per kilo and sold it for P10,000 per kilo. But police believe he earned P50,000 to P70,000 per kilo after repacking contraband.

Meanwhile, authorities last Thursday seized a shipment of e-cigarettes laced with marijuana oil worth P300,000 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, following a tip from the United States Drug Enforcement Agency.

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

How healthy is your world?

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

A tarnished Supreme Court TO BEGIN, let me categorically say that I believe that the ongoing impeachment hearings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is part of a bigger scheme for this administration to totally control the three supposed to be independent-from-each-other branches of government.

The powers that be want Sereno out.

It is no secret that there is no love lost between President Rodrigo Duterte and the CJ. Duterte has hit Sereno several times since he assumed the presidency. It is also a fact that Sereno’s voting records will show that she went against the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao, Marcos burial in the Libingan ng Mga Bayani, and martial law extension. These are issues important to Duterte himself.

As it is, Duterte already controls the executive and legislative branches.

While he has been winning in the Supreme Court, it remains a fact that unlike Congress, the SC is not headed by someone he can control. Perhaps this does not sit well with the President.

It should also be noted that if Sereno is not removed, because of her age, she will still be the CJ even after the terms of office of Duterte and his men are finished. Perhaps they want someone friendlier in the Court that will most probably decide on cases likely to be filed against them in the future.

Thus, the impeachment case against Sereno is not simply about her person but about the independence of judiciary. This is the premise why my disappointment with how the Supreme Court has been acting runs deep.

S

OCIAL media site Twitter this week sought to assess its own health amid the alarming use of its platform to spread disinformation, propaganda and provocation.

“We aren’t proud of how people have taken advantage of our service, or our inability to address it fast enough,” said co-founder and chief executive Jack Dorsey.

The company will partner with experts to measure the impact of spam, abuse and manipulation, and to determine the site’s health by the quality of debates, conversation and critical thinking.

In fact it had already begun looking into what are known as bots, described as having the ability to artificially amplify a person or cause and which manipulated social networks in the 2016 elections in the United States.

“This is not who we are, or who

we ever want to be,” Dorsey said.

It’s good initiative shown by a social media platform. Twitter’s acknowledgment of its role is a definite move forward from social media companies’ opposition to governments’ moves to contain the spread of fake news.

For example, when Germany proposed the idea of imposing a fine on companies that do not remove hate speech, incitements to violence, and other “obviously illegal” content from their platforms, critics feared this would give social media companies undue power to determine what people can say online. Social media companies also said they were just that—platforms, who had no business meddling with content.

Indeed fake news—an oxymoron, as some have pointed out—is a global scourge.

Here, one of the most socialmedia active countries, disinformation, hatred and empty chatter pollute an environment that was, in the first place, created

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

to strengthen relationships, push legitimate information and encourage informed discourse.

As one of the largest social media companies takes stock of the health of its environment, it’s a good idea to do something similar. Evaluate whether our personal or professional profiles serve the purpose for which they were created. Or, have we allowed them to take on a life of their own, driven by all the things that give technology a bad name? Do the advantages of staying connected still outweigh the toll it takes on our world view, or even mental well-being?

Are we even sure our personal relationships are safe from the malice and venom spewed by bots or bot-like users among our network?

These days, critical thinking almost always falls prey to manipulators’ ill design.

Responsible users will ensure that their knowledge and their opinions are fed by legitimate sources, not sinister ones.

The justices have exposed themselves as people with the same frailties and vulnerabilities as ordinary persons.

Edsa Revolution aftermath Part 2 THE first installment of this essay discussed how then-President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino failed to deliver on the promises she made on the campaign trail when she was running for the presidency in early 1986. It also stressed that Aquino’s regime was more corrupt than the authoritarian administration of President Ferdinand Marcos it replaced. In addition, the Aquino regime pretended to be honest and benevolent. It was likewise an incompetent administration.

For instance, the Presidential Commission on Good Government created by an Aquino decree was empowered to order the sequestration of properties believed to be ill-gotten wealth of President Marcos and his family, and of officials identified with them.

Many corrupt PCGG agents extorted money through the indiscriminate issuance of writs of sequestration.

Almost all top posts and seats in the governing boards of corporations sequestered by the PCGG were given to corrupt individuals with close ties to the PCGG—often to spouses of officials with links to Aquino and her relatives. Many of them did not even have the slightest experience in corporate management.

As Marcos’ successor, Aquino enjoyed the goodwill of the United States government and those of other countries. Aquino could have easily convinced American and other foreign creditors to condone a substantial percentage of Philippine debts which she blamed on President Marcos, but Aquino refused to do so.

The Cory Aquino regime pretended to be honest and benevolent.

In a statement, 13 Associate Justices of the Supreme Court said that the statement of chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s spokepersons “seriously damaged the integrity of the Judiciary in general and the Supreme Court in particular.” The Justices were referring to lawyer Jojo Lacanilao’s statement that CJ Sereno was advancing her already scheduled “wellness leave.”

This was after the said Justices confronted Sereno during an en banc meeting about her allegedly missing Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth covering years before she worked at the SC. The 13 asked her to take an indefinite leave of absence though some reports said that what they really wanted was for her to resign.

What the 13 Justices wanted was for Sereno herself, not her spokespersons, to make the announcement that she was going on an indefinite, not wellness leave. The CJ, in her Feb. 28 letter addressed to the Deputy Clerk of Court indicated that she was taking an indefinite leave to prepare for the anticipated Senate impeachment trial.

She also said that a portion of the leave is to be charged against her approved wellness leave.

Curiously, later on that same day, a letter surfaced and was circulated within the high court asking Sereno to resign. There is no information as of yet as to who started and who signed such letter.

Sereno and her spokesperson have since apologized for the confusion that may have been caused by the wellness leave announcement.

I agree with the 13 Justices that the integrity of the Supreme Court has been damaged. However, with apologies to Turn to A5

Scrubbing the dirtiest river THE scabies on Indonesian rice farmer Yusuf Supriyadi’s limbs are a daily reminder of the costs of living next to the “world’s dirtiest river”.

Supriyadi depends on the Citarum’s murky waters—a floating carpet of household rubbish, toxic chemicals and animal feces—to irrigate a small rice plot in West Java that sustains his family of six.

The farmer’s rice yield is now down by two-thirds in the rainy season as textile factories dump more and more industrial waste into the river. But he has few other options.

“There are floods during the rainy season. My hands get itchy and the harvest is damaged,” the 54-year-old tells AFP.

“Pollution makes my rice hollow. If I keep going I’ll lose money, but if I don’t, I’ll have no other job,” he adds.

Now faced with a health emergency after decades of failed cleanup efforts, Jakarta is stepping in with a seemingly impossible goal: Make the Citarum’s water drinkable by 2025.

Using this polluted water is a risky calculation for many of the 30 million people who rely on it for irrigation, washing and even drinking water—including around 80 percent of residents in the sprawling capital Jakarta.

At nearly 300-kilometres long, the river is also a key source for hydroelectric power for Indonesia’s most populated island Java and tourism hotspot Bali.

The World Bank declared it the mostpolluted river in the world a decade ago, an description widely picked up by media and environmentalists.

Waste levels can vary depending on how pollution is measured and the time of the year.

But the Citarum is dangerous by almost any standard.

Previous research has shown it has alarming levels of toxic chemicals— including 1,000 times more lead than the US standard for safe drinking water.

It regularly appears on most-polluted lists alongside India’s Ganges river, the Mississippi river in the United States and China’s Yellow river.

Turn to A5

Aquino released the leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines who were detained under the administration of President Marcos, including Jose Ma. Sison. Soon thereafter, Sison escaped to The Netherlands where he currently enjoys a luxurious lifestyle while his communist cadres continue to kill Filipino soldiers in the countryside, even up to present times.

The task of drafting a constitution is best left to a constitutional convention composed of delegates elected throughout the country. Instead of calling for a constitutional convention to draft a new constitution for the country, Aquino created the 1986 Constitutional Commission for that purpose. The individuals composing the commission were appointed by Aquino. With the exception of a few independent-minded commissioners like ex-Labor Secretary Blas Ople, those appointed to the commission were staunch Aquino supporters or sycophants.

After about a year, the commission came out with a tediously long draft charter with numerous inherent defects. Those defects were discussed in a series of essays published under this column last month.

The draft charter was ratified in a plebiscite held in 1987. It wasn’t much of a choice for the people—either an indefinite dictatorship under Aquino, or a government operating under a defective constitution.

In 1987, Aquino’s brother, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., won a seat at the House of Representatives, representing Tarlac province. Because he was the president’s brother, Cojuangco easily became the most powerful politician in the country. Even House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. was viewed by political observers as a glorified Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager OIC-Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Edsa...

From A4

minion of Cojuangco.

There was also Nicanor de Guzman Jr., a congressman known for his close ties to Cojuangco. De Guzman was convicted for violating the firearms law.

Despite being a Marcos hater, Aquino copied many of the practices of her predecessor.

For example, during his authoritarian regime, President Marcos exercised executive power, as well as legislative power. Marcos, however, shared his legislative power with the Batasang Pambansa. For her part, Aquino abolished the 1973 Constitution so that she can exercise executive and legislative power. Unlike Marcos, however, Aquino did not share her legislative power with a legislature. Thus, Aquino was both a chief executive and a one-woman super-legislature.

Starting in 1973, it was inevitable that the justices of the Supreme Court were all Marcos appointees, owing to the eight years Marcos had been in power. On the other hand, Aquino demanded the mass resignation of the justices of the Supreme Court right after she seized power. Like Marcos before her, Aquino filled the Supreme Court with her appointees, but unlike Marcos, Aquino did so immediately upon assuming the presidency.

In 1983, when Ninoy Aquino opted to end his exile in the United States and to come home to Manila, the Marcos administration canceled Ninoy’s passport and refused to issue him a new one. Six years later in 1989, when Marcos planned to return to the Philippines from his exile in Hawaii, the vindictive Aquino government did the same—it

A tarnished...

From A4

them, such damage has been inflicted not by the wrong announcement by CJ Sereno’s spokesperson but by certain acts by Court officials themselves.

These have diminished the Court’s image in the eyes of the people.

This Supreme Court is unlike those that preceded it. This Court has been engaging in acts never before seen done by those who are supposed to embody justice and rule of law. The SC has always been shrouded in “mystery” because of all government branches, it is the least seen, heard, and known by the people. The Court usually does its work without fanfare and much publicity. We only hear about its decisions.

Members of the Court, though rarely seen, are highly respected. They are not ordinary beings like you and me. Thus, no one expected Justices to wash the Court’s dirty laundry in public as they did when some of them chose to speak in the impeachment hearings against Sereno.

They exposed the Court as not being above politics but steeped in it.

They exposed themselves as people with the same frailties and vulnerabilities as ordinary persons. Perhaps without meaning to, they made public their jealousies and gripes not just against Sereno, but her getting the highest position in the Court.

The SC is exposed as another

Scrubbing...

From A4

Not playing around In January, Jakarta yanked responsibility away from local government, and vowed to get tough on business owners who ignore waste-disposal rules.

Factories that fall short could have operating permits revoked.

And CCTV cameras are to be installed along the river’s banks to keep an eye out for offenders dumping waste in the early morning hours to evade detection.

Meanwhile, dredging equipment will be used to clean up the filthy river, said Djoko Hartoyo, a spokesman for the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

“We are not playing around this time,” he added.

“We’re going in with a holistic approach so we are optimistic we can make Citarum clean again, just like it was 50 or 60 years ago.”

In the 1980s, a new industrial zone sprang up around the small town of Majalaya, about 170 kilometers east of Jakarta, and things quickly changed for the pristine river.

Some 2,000 area textile factories have provided much-needed jobs, but it came with a heavy cost: about 280 tons of industrial waste are dumped into the river each day, according to government and environmental group data.

Making matters worse, many locals think nothing of tossing their household waste into its toxic waters.

“When it rains and my house gets flooded, the smell is awful,” Achmad Fachrureza said from inside an inflat-

refused to issue a passport to Marcos.

The Aquino government also acquiesced in the removal of the American military bases in the Philippines without bothering to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines. As a result, the AFP became and continues to be the weakest military force in Southeast Asia.

Despite the separation of Church and State mandated by the Constitution, Aquino allowed her favorite friar, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, to play an influential role in national politics, including the appointment of high-ranking officials. Sin’s influence in the Aquino government encouraged many priests and nuns to get involved in political affairs.

Citizens have the right to criticize the government because the taxes they pay finance the operations of the government. On the other hand, the post-Aquino regime Catholic Church clergy keep on meddling in national politics, without paying taxes.

Aquino’s publicists repeatedly claim that she restored press freedom in the country, but they fail to mention that Aquino is the only Philippine president to file libel charges against two veteran journalists—Louie Beltran and Maximo Soliven. The libel case was ultimately dismissed by the Court of Appeals.

Also, Aquino’s publicists deliberately failed to mention that the Aquino regime was marred by numerous coup attempts, the last of which almost succeeded had it not been for the intervention of American war planes.

It is also worth mentioning that in the exercise of her legislative power, Aquino abolished the Department of Energy. That blunder made the Philippines the power outage (brownout) capital of the world. Her goof-up had to be undone later on by Congress. “snakepit.” Even before the Justices came out with what was done in the en-banc, leaks were already being reported by media. This is unethical to say the least. The worst by far is the claim by Justice Committee Chair that certain Justices reported to him what actually transpired in the en banc.

Since when did the SC report to the House?

The Justices ended up playing the political game of the House of Representatives. The Supreme Court has lost some of its luster. It is a tarnished Supreme Court.

Lest we forget, the Associate Justices are public servants just like anyone in government. They are ACCOUNTABLE to the people. Since they have started talking, it is time to demand that they also tell the people their motives for what they are now doing.

Why did they “force” Sereno to go on an indefinite leave? What was the legal basis of their action?

Are the Justices going to go after those who leaked information to the media and the Justices who “reported” to Umali?

The Supreme Court should be transparent and accountable to the people.

The Supreme Court, this tarnished Court, is playing a very dangerous game. It will be hard to trust its decisions unless the Justices show the country that they deserve the trust, again. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook able dingy, as he navigated the river’s styrofoam containers, fabric, empty cans, plastic bottles and garbage bags.

The 57-year-old villager said he was sacked from his job as a textile factory security guard after asking questions about the firm’s waste disposal system.

Factory pipes dump waste directly into waters bubbling with chemical dyes used in textiles, creating an overwhelming stench.

“Most factories here have a waste disposal system, but they don’t work properly because it’s just a formality,” said Deni Riswandani from local environmental group Elingan.

It was so clean That poses a serious health risk, especially for the five-million people living in the river’s basin.

Many locals suffer from skin diseases like scabies and dermatitis, as well as respiratory infections from inhaling factory pollution.

“The number of people going to the health clinic is very high,” Riswandani said.

“We keep reporting these issues to the government, but we never get a solution.”

He and other frustrated activists have blocked some waste pipes with rocks and concrete, but the factories usually remove the blockage right away.

Locals hope Jakarta’s new goals can be achieved. But they’re also sceptical given the scale of the task and endemic corruption that could see factory owners try to buy their way out of trouble.

“I long to see the Citarum like it was when I was young,” Fachrureza said.

“I could swim in it and drink the water. It was so clean.” AFP

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Healing our toxic politics THIS Sunday’s Gospel, on the third Sunday of Lent, bring us to Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman. It is a powerful lesson on how we should regard those who are rejected and those belonging to the so-called fringes. It also gives us a lesson about our toxic politics and points us to how we can heal.

In the gospel story, Jesus, together with his disciples, reached the well. It was a hot midday, and Jesus was weary and thirsty from traveling. He sent his disciples to buy some food in the Samaritan town. It was at this point that a Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water. It was this woman whom Jesus asked for water, and it is no wonder that she was surprised, because he was a Jew who hated her people as polluted outcasts and betrayers of Judaism.

The hostility between the Jews and the Samaritans can be traced centuries earlier, when the Assyrians held captive Jewish slaves who, according to the traditional Jews, betrayed their heritage by intermarrying with the Assyrians, thus creating a “mongrel race” called the Samaritans. By the time the Samaritan Jews returned to their homeland, their views of God had been greatly contaminated; hence they were considered outcasts and betrayers of the Law. To make matters worse, the Jews destroyed the Samaritans’ holy temple at Mt. Gerizim temple in 128 B.C. Many Jews would travel around Samaria rather than polluting themselves with Samaritan dust.

Yet in the Gospel, Jesus set aside his prejudices and converses with the Samaritan woman, saying to her: “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” The woman eagerly expresses her interest to receive this living water that Jesus is talking about.

In the course of the conversation, he prophetically says that a time is coming when there will be no more Jews and Samaritans but all will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. This Gospel episode speaks about the all-embracing love of the Father. His children will include all who worship Him and the truth irrespective of one’s status in life.

What Jesus did was unthinkable. He converses not only with a Samaritan, considered by the Jews as heretics but with a Samaritan woman, who in Jesus’ time was considered a second-class citi-

zen. It was inappropriate for a man to converse with a woman in public, even with his wife, let alone a stranger. But Jesus destroys these cultural barriers when he asks a favor from an outcast.

In a world pervaded with discrimination, biases, judgment and condemnation because of religion, economic condition, ethnicity, creed, sex and color or because people do not conform with conventional moral, political and social norms, the encounter with the Samaritan woman teaches as a valuable lesson.

Christ teaches us that personal differences should not be enough reason to maltreat, hate and reject anyone.

I will extend these to political differences. In our country today, we judge people according to the labels we give them—dilawan, DDS, reds, etc. These are very harmful categorizations. In the case of red-baiting for example, people have actually been killed because of those labels.

We must take a cue from Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman.

ers and accept others as they are, just as Jesus did.

Just as Jesus did not allow the woman’s status, past, attitude, or anything else to obstruct his ability to love the Samaritan woman, so too should we love and understand those who we believe are beneath us, which concept is all but a myth in the first place; for all individuals, irrespective of one’s personal ascriptions in life, are created equal. That’s includes people with whom we have political differences.

Jesus did not view this woman as an outcast. Rather, He saw her as a child of God, whom he loved deeply. Although He was aware of the character of this woman Jesus did not hesitate to relate with and offer her salvation, the living water. His love runs deeper than the scars of failures and weaknesses. Jesus offers salvation to all people. He knows our sins and failings, yet He never tires offering his love and mercy to each and every one and at every opportunity knocks on our hearts to reveal himself to us to manifest His pure and unconditional law. Christ’s love goes with us wherever life turns. As the Holy Scripture goes, no power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. When we realize this, we will reach out and love our enemies. And we will find out that, in fact, we have no enemies.

Last week, I was in South Korea doing technical work on climate change.

This technical work plus the teaching I do in 10 learning institutions (I assume my students will be the decision makers 10-20 years from now and they will do better than we are doing now) allowed me some distance from and objectivity on the events unfolding in the country.

That is why, even as I am squarely on the side of Chief Justice Sereno, believing that the accusations against her are not impeachable, I welcome her indefinite leave from the Supreme Court. In retrospect, she should have offered to do this voluntarily. It’s not only that she needs to focus on the Senate trial. It also allows everyone in the Court some breathing space from the antagonism that have been prevailing these past few months. The animosity has become personal, has reached a breaking point in some cases. It does not help anyone— not the Chief Justice, not the other Justices of the Court, not the country—to exacerbate them.

If we follow the example of Jesus in the way he approached the Samaritan woman, we would heal our politics and have a better country.

The testimony of Dr. Geraldine Tria about the so-called psychological incompetence of Chief Justice Sereno is an example of the kind of labeling that has no place in rational discourse. Many psychologists are upset with her statements, based mainly on news coverage and without benefit of meeting Sereno.

Tria should be held liable for her statements. Legislative immunity comes does not cover ethics violations and condemnation by her peers for malpractice.

Each one of us is given a mission just as Jesus did to the Samaritan woman, to be the fount of the living water; the source of enlightenment. He calls on us to become instruments of peace and harmony, not discord; understanding, not intolerance; compassion and not hatred. The myriad cases of humanitarian suffering brought about by intolerance resulting from Islamic fundamentalism, racism against immigrants, sexism and xenophobia, discrimination, religious persecution and a host of other forms of discrimination are all brought about by the scourge of intolerance. Intolerance rears its ugly head even in situations when we meet people who do not share Facebook page: Professor Tony La our own convictions, opinions and beliefs. We need to learn to be open to oth- Viña (deantonylavs) Twitter: tonylavs

Sovereign right and sovereignty BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN OUR policy makers should analyze the meaning of sovereignty from sovereign right. Only by understanding the fine difference between the two can we understand the problem that is being hyped up to keep alive the wedge between China and this country. I am referring to the issue in Benham Rise.

This column calls it an issue, not a dispute, because China is not claiming that vast expanse body of water, west of Luzon.

There can be no dispute because the United Nations has already declared the area to be a part of the Philippine continental shelf. The UN Commission on the Limits of Continent Shelf has already approved the country’s position stating that it forms part of an extinct volcanic ridge located off the coast of Dinapigue, Isabela.

The problem is that the US-guided local media is rather quick to put things in black and white ignoring that beyond the 12-mile limit, we can only exercise limited sovereign right, it being part of the country’s continental shelf. This means, while we enjoy prior right to exploit or develop the natural resources in the area, it does not vest in us the exclusive right to exclude other states from exercising certain rights recognized under UNCLOS, foremost of which is the right of innocent passage for maritime navigation.

The most lucid analysis on the issue is the explanation made by our own Ambassador Jose V. Romero in his column, to quote: “Before we lose our cool over the issue, let us first understand what exclusive economic zones are all about. These vast areas are not part of the territorial waters of this country which is only 12 miles from land. It does, however, grant the country less than sovereign rights to exploit resources thereto without preventing other nations from doing the same.

In short, UNCLOS, by awarding it as an exclusive economic zone, is not making the area part of the archipelago. It merely awards sovereign [not territorial] right for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources of the area. It does not, however, in any way, allow this country to restrict freedom of navigation or right of innocent

passage [even of warships] or prevent other nations from fishing and doing things enumerated below.”

“In sum, under UNCLOS, all states enjoy the rights of innocent passage which include: a) freedom of navigation; b) freedom of overfight; c) freedom to lay submarine cables and pipelines; d) freedom to construct artificial island, and other installations permitted under international law and conditions laid out by the convention; e) freedom of fishing, subject to conditions; and f) freedom of scientific research.”

Surprisingly, Justice Antonio Carpio, an arch China basher, earlier came out to squelch the fear of the local Sinophobe that China is about to corral the country from east to west of Luzon, and to quote what he said, “Other states, like China, have the right to conduct in Benham Rise (1) fishery research because the fish in the ECS (extended continental shelf) belongs to mankind; (2) surveys on water salinity and water currents because the water column in the ECS belongs to mankind; and (3)

These are two different things.

depth soundings for navigational purposes because there is freedom of navigation in the ECS. If the Chinese vessels were looking for submarine passages and parking spaces, that would be part of freedom of navigation and the Philippines has no reason to complain.”

Carpio even went as far as to concede that countries that have submarines can navigate through that ridge of the continental shelf to hide or seek shelter to avoid satellite and sonar detection. This is to elaborate on his statement that one cannot impose sovereignty over a body of water.

If Chinese submarines are now exploring the area, as Carpio insinuates, there is no way we can prevent them under UNCLOS. Maybe, China can toss the same question why we have not done anything to prevent US submarines and naval ships from crisscrossing the archipelago on their way to South China Sea. Not a single instance did the US sought our permission to allow both its surface and underwater

warships to enter the Philippine archipelago. Understanding our precarious position, President Duterte explained that the Philippines only exercises sovereign rights over Benham Rise, not sovereignty.

This clarification made by the President failed to calm down the misplaced anxiety of those people who have been seeking to create a wedge between China and this country. Reuters quoted China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, “China will respect the Philippine maritime area rights over the Benham Rise. On this point, there has not been, is not at the moment and will not be a dispute between China and the Philippines.” Note that China used the term “maritime right over the Benham Rise.”

China’s policy makers are not naïve as their counterpart here not to realize the implication should they claim that area.

There is absolutely no basis whatsoever for them to claim the area unless China insists that the Philippines was once a part of the Chinese empire, and by implication, pursue the line that Benham Rise is part of the Philippines’ continental shelf. Such outlandish assertion could surely trigger an avalanche of political shockwaves. It means that China is now redrawing its geographic map to include all the countries in the Pacific Ocean.

Failing on this issue, these media trolls now focus their attention to the renaming of five portions in the Benham Rise area with Chinese names. Specifically these are: Jinghao Seamount and Tianbao Seamounts, both located some 70 nautical miles east of Cagayan; Haidonquing Seamount further east at 190 nautical miles; Cuiqiao Hill and Jujiu Seamount, both form the central peaks of the Philippine Rise undersea geological province itself.

According to Jay Batongbacal, the International Hydrographic Organization has approved last year the naming of these areas with Chinese names.

They see this as the weak point to castigate President Duterte. But nobody is contesting that. It does not signify anything like ownership by China of the area. Maybe they have their reason which is to serve as guide to Chinese scientists conducting research, but definitely we cannot prevent them. If we are annoyed, we can do our renaming of those areas, and surely nobody can prevent us just like that political stunt made by Noynoy to change of South China Sea to West Philippine Sea. rpkapunan@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

News

A6

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION Pacific Center Building San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF APPLICATION THE FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES P R O C U R E M E N T AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SAN ROQUE POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2017-113 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SAN ROQUE POWER CORPORATION, Applicant. x - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 13 December 2017, the applicants National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) filed an Application dated 05 December 2017 for the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

Applicants NGCP and SRPC alleged the following in their Application: Applicants NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP) and SAN ROQUE POWER CORPORATION (SRPC), by counsel, respectfully state: NATURE OF THE CASE 1.

7.1

3.

“H”

Letters regarding WESM Registration

“I”

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP invited and negotiated 18. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of with generation companies capable of providing ancillary electric power (Section 2b, EPIRA). With this end services, including SRPC. in view, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system reliability. As 9. In December 2012, NGCP and SRPC had entered into mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure an ASPA (the 2012 ASP A) with a term of five years and the required AS. However, the Honorable Commission in January 2013, NGCP and SRPC filed an application must first approve the ASPA before the same could be docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-009RC before the implemented.

Honorable Commission for the approval of the 2012 ASP A, which was provisionally approved through an Order 19. SRPC must continue to provide the current contracted dated 4 March 2013. ancillary services beyond the term of the 2012 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based on the 10. In view of the need for SRPC to continue providing current levels of available contracted AS in the Luzon ancillary services from the San Roque Power Plant, the Grid, the firm contracted AS have not yet met the required Applicants have executed a new ASPA (the 2017 ASPA) levels under the ASPP. A copy of the relevant actual data with a term of five years and with the same ASPA rates and its corresponding graphical presentations showing as the 2012 ASPA. Similar to the 2012 ASPA, NGCP the required and available levels of AS in the Luzon Grid agreed to procure and SRPC agreed to provide, Ancillary and the impact of the AS contribution of SRPC to the Services in the form of CR, RR and DR under firm and Luzon Grid entitled: Luzon AS Availability with SRPC non-firm arrangements. A copy of the 2017 ASPA is Contribution is attached as Annex” J”. attached as Annex “A”.

11. NGCP had conducted several tests on Units 1, 2 and 3 of 20. NGCP must be guaranteed of available AS on a daily basis to ensure reliability of the grid. Thus, it is the San Roque Power Plant, and certified that the Units necessary for the Honorable Commission to approve met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services the procurement by NGCP from SRPC firm capacities Technical Requirements of the System Operations and to provide AS under the 2017 ASPA. are capable of providing Contingency Reserve Service (100 MW/unit under Governor Control Mode), Regulating Reserve Service (100 MW lunit under Governor Control 21. Also, as the demand for power in Luzon increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability Mode) and Dispatchable Reserve Service (145 MW/unit). and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity A copy of the Ancillary Services Accreditation Certificate of the system is essential to protect the interests of the with Accreditation No. 2017-L012 issued by NGCP is public. The absence of system reliability and stability will attached as Annex “B”. certainly discourage investments and growth.

22. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by the Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the present reliability and security of the Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP 12. Under Schedule 1 of the ASPA, the following AS shall be submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lizaflor provided to NGCP: Bacani-Kater, which is attached as Annex “K”.

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA) between the NGCP and SRPC, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC, entitled: “In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (ASCRMJ of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority.”

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95111 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage backbone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes.

The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

Applicant SRPC is a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Philippines with principal office address at Barangay San Roque, San Manuel, Pangasinan. It may be served with 13. orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel. It is the owner and operator of the 3X145 MW San Roque Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pangasinan which was certified and accredited by NGCP as capable of providing Contingency Reserve (CR), Regulating Reserve (RR) and Dispatchable Reserve (DR) under Accreditation Certificate No. 2017L012.

3.1

SRPC is a generation company authorized by the Honorable Commission to operate the San Roque Power Plant under a Certificate of Compliance dated 11 August 2014.

3.2

SRPC had been certified by NGCP as a qualified Ancillary Services provider after undergoing the accreditation process and is a qualified generation company that the System Operator may enter into an ASPA with pursuant to the Ancillary Services 14.

Procurement Plan (ASPP) approved by the Honorable Commission through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253.

15.

ANTECEDENT FACTS

CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATES AND IMPACT SIMULATION

AS Type

Firm Contracted Capacity

Non-firm Contracted Capacity

Contingency Reserve

One unit, 100MW, Peak hours referred to in schedule 2

All available capacity not scheduled under firm arrangement, not more than 100 MW/unit

Regulating Reserve or Contingency Reserve

One unit, 75 MW, Peak hours referred to in schedule 2

All available capacity not scheduled under firm arrangement, not more than 100 MW/unit

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission: a)

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the 2017 ASPA, to take effect upon expiration of the 2012 ASP A;

b)

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the 2017 ASPA.

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief under the premises.

Finding the said Application to be sufficient in substance, with the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 22 March 2018 at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at Ruperto’s Inland Resort, The capacities contracted under Non-Firm arrangement Barangay Linmansangan, Binalonan, Pangasinan. are the maximum that can be offered by SRPC. However, for clarity, the basis for the AS Provider’s nomination and All persons who have an interest in the subject matter scheduling shall be the capacities listed in its valid AS of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Certificates.

Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements Schedule 4 of the ASPA provides for the formula for under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, the computation of the Ancillary Services Fees and the indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and applicable hourly rates (ASPA Rates) for the firm and stating the following: non-firm contracted capacity covered by the ASPA, as follows: 1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject Firm Contracted Capacity: matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved Fixed Fee Hourly Rate in the proceeding; and Regulating Reserve: PhP2.25/kW /hr 3) A statement of the relief desired.

Contingency Reserve: PhP1.50/kW/hr All other persons who may want their views known to the Non-Firm Contracted Capacity: Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage Maximum Hourly Rate of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to Regulating Reserve: PhP3.00/kW /hr the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice Contingency Reserve: PhP2.25/kW /hr and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment Dispatchable Reserve: PhP1.50/kW/hr is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: Applicants submit that the ASPA Rates represent a reasonable recovery of the opportunity cost in making 1) The name and address of such person; available generation capacity to provide the procured AS. 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; The ASPA Rates were subjected to a simulation by NGCP and with the following results: 3) The grounds relied upon.

Indicative Rate/ All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application Impact AS may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the Type (P/kWh) (P/ same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are month kWh) hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject CR 18.7568 0.0381 to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

RR 14.6395 0.0297 Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the DR 15.9204 0.0323 standard office hours.

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation for SRPC with a WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES brief discussion on how NGCP derived the proposed VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioner ancillary services rates is attached as Annex “C.” ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, and Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, th expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the this 20 day of February 2018 in Pasig City. procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Luzon Grid.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION: SRPC respectfully submits copies of the following documents: Dispatchable reserve

N/A

4.

Republic Act No. 9136 provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code (PGC), adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission; and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system2.

5.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid Ancillary Services and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges 16. and Ancillary Service tariffs to the ERC3.

6.

Ancillary Services (AS) as defined in Section 4b of the EPIRA “refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility 17. practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act.” These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and Document consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in ERC Certificate of Compliance and the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

Certification on technical specifications In order to implement and regulate the procurement of Summary of Existing Power Supply AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Agreement Services Procurement Plan (ASPP) through its Order Articles of Incorporation of SRPC dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services Cost Recovery Mechanism (ASLatest General Information Sheet CRM) through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in filed by SRPC with the Securities and ERC Case No. 2006-049RC. Exchange Commission

7.

Latest Audited Financial Statements of SRPC

8.

THE PARTIES 2.

Under Section 4.3 of the ASPP, NGCP, in its capacity as the System Operator, may use reasonable endeavors to procure and enter into “Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement” with qualified generation companies to provide sufficient ancillary services to the Grid.

All available capacity not scheduled under firm arrangement, up to 145MW/unit

Annex

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

“D” and “D-1 “E” “F” “G”

1

2 3

An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes; Section 9 (c) and (d); 2007 PGC, Section 6.3.1.2; (MS-MAR. 3 & 10, 2018

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

A7

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Vargas to settle disputes

Lady Red Spikers sweep games

By Peter Atencio SETTLING disputes among several national sports associations which have leadership issues is among the first things that is on the agenda for newly elected Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas.

Squabbles in swimming, shooting, lawn tennis are among the priorities that need to be settled, and this will be in the agenda when the executive committee of the POC meets for the first time on Monday with Vargas at the helm.

“Ang gusto kong mangyari, maayos lahat ng NSA disputes. At hindi maayos, let us select the best athletes to represent the country,” said Vargas.

So far, new polls have been held in swimming, shooting and lawn tennis.

As far as swimming is concerned, officials of the sport are still questioning the authority of Mark Joseph to call for new polls.

As for shooting, outgoing Philippine National Shooting Association president Richard Fernandez is questioning the procedures in the recent polls that installed former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson as their new head.

As for lawn tennis, the new leadership of lawyer Antonio Cablitas needs to resolve ongoing unification talks with the group of businessman-sportsman Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Vargas believes that the disputes should not affect the selection and training of national athletes who are competing in international meets.

In Monday’s meeting, preparations for the Asian Games as well as the 2019 SEA Games and the 2020 Olympics will be tackled.

Getting a new secretary general that will take the place of Steve Hontiveros and have a chief of staff in the POC will also be discussed.

There is also the possibility of replacing Hontiveros with Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines vice president Patrick Gregorio as the new secretary general.

He added that there’s a need to get the membership committee up and running, and that’s aside from putting a new arbitration committee in place.

Wilder calls out Joshua

NEW YORK—Undefeated heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder compares rival champion Anthony Joshua to a cow in calling out the unbeaten British heavyweight ahead of the American’s Saturday title defense against Luis Ortiz.

Wilder, 39-0 with 38 knockouts, defends his World Boxing Council crown against Cuban Ortiz, 28-0 with 24 knockouts, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

A Wilder-Joshua showdown figures to be the biggest bout the heavyweight division has seen in more than a decade—if it ever comes off.

Wilder claims promoter Eddie Hearn fears a Joshua loss to Wilder would end the stadium-filling slugger’s big money spectacles.

“Most definitely, he (Eddie Hearn) is so terrified of me, he’s nervous,” Wilder told AFP. “He don’t want that fight to happen. He wants to milk the cow.

“Joshua is Annabelle and he is pumping that milk out of there, as much as he can, trying to make that money from his man until the time comes. He’s going to continue to do his tactics of getting lower opposition in there because if the British fans buy it, he’s making money.”

Joshua, the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association heavyweight champion, faces New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, the World Boxing Organization champion who is 24-0 with 18 knockouts, on March 31 at Cardiff, Wales.

“The British fans allow him to do this but once they stop entertaining this little cycle they got going on then we’re going to find out. Let them keep doing it... all that will come crashing down soon.”

That’s because Wilder is counting on having his chance to fight Joshua and the time might be right if a unification showdown for an undisputed crown is the prize awaiting the winner.

“I must prove to myself and the people who is the best in the world,” Wilder said. “He’s young so we can have a double fight, or we can have a trilogy.” AFP

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dribbles past Cleveland Cavaliers defender Larry Nance Jr. (22) on March 1, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

Philadelphia 76ers rout Cleveland Cavs, 108-97

L

OS ANGELES—The Philadelphia 76ers led wire-to-wire in a 108-97 victory over the Cavaliers in Cleveland on Thursday, perhaps the perfect sales pitch if they want to lure LeBron James to Pennsylvania next season.

The 76ers, who had lost 11 straight games to the Cavs, were fueled by 22 points from shooting guard JJ Redick, who connected on seven of 11 shots from the floor, including four three-pointers.

It was a rare road win for the Sixers, who notched just their second win in their last eight away games.

Joel Embiid added 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for Philadelphia.

Ben Simmons finished with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists.

In Miami, Los Angeles point guard Isaiah Thomas scored a season-high 29 points in the Lakers’ convincing 131-113 victory over the Heat.

“It was beautiful to watch Isaiah in the fourth quarter again,” said Lakers coach Luke Walton. “It was flashback to what

he did to everybody last season. It was a lot of fun to watch that, see him do his thing.”

The Lakers won in Miami for the first time in a decade, halting whatever momentum the Heat had built with wins over the Memphis Grizzlies and the 76ers.

Veteran Dwyane Wade, who drained the game-winner against the 76ers on Tuesday, delivered another vintage performance in his seventh game back with the Heat since he was traded from Cleveland.

But his 25 points weren’t close to enough against a Lakers team untroubled by any defensive effort Miami, who gave up the most points they have allowed this season.

Julius Randle scored 25 points for the Lakers and Brandon Ingram added 19 before a premature departure with a left hip flexor strain -- the only downside for the Lakers on the night.

“We’ll know more tomorrow,” Walton said.

The Lakers are now 4-0 since the All-Star break.

In Portland, the Trail Blazers rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-99, moving within half a game of the T’Wolves for third

place in the Western Conference.

Portland struggled from three-point range for most of the game. But trailing by six in the fourth quarter they reversed the trend to produce a 20-4 scoring run.

All-Star guard Damian Lillard scored 35 points and the Trail Blazers withstood a 34-point performance from Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns to record their seventh win in eight games.

James, who said he was flattered by three billboards rented by a Pennsylvania company in the Cleveland area urging him to consider a move to the Sixers as a free agent next season, led all scorers with 30 points.

That included a short jump shot in the first quarter which came after James escaped a double-team by dribbling behind his back and through the legs of teammate Tristan Thompson.

He added nine rebounds and eight assists but Cleveland, who closed within one point with 2:25 remaining after trailing by as many as 13 in the fourth quarter, were never able to get in front.

“Looked like we had some heavy legs tonight,” James said. “We fought back but it’s been a tough stretch for us playing every other day the last four weeks. AFP

SAN Beda’s Maria Jezelia and Maria Nieza Viray routed Letran’s Miracle Mhae Mendoza and Marie Charlemagne Simborio, 21-15, 21-8, yesterday to complete a ninegame elimination round sweep and clinch a twice-to-beat edge in the 93rd NCAA women’s beach volleyball tournament at the Boardwalk in Subic Bay, Zambales.

The Virays thus finished with a perfect 9-0 (win-loss) record after the elims and will clash with St. Benilde’s Jan Arianne Daguil and Melanie Torres in the Final Four needing just a win to advance to the one-game finals.

Daguil and Torres made it through by beating San Sebastian’s Alyssa Eroa and Daurene Santos and Jose Rizal’s Shola Alvarez and Dolly Grace Versoza via tiebreak.

Tied with 5-4 records, Daguil and Torres garnered 1.227 quotient points as against the 0.990 by Eroa and Santos and 0.817 by Alvarez and Verzosa.

Emilio Aguinaldo’s Jaylene May Lumbo and Glyka Mariz Medina sealed the No. 2 seed and the other twice-to-beat edge with an 8-1 card and will play No. 3 Perpetual Help’s Marijo’s Medalla and Bianca Tripoli, who wound up with a 6-3 slate.

The league has done away with the rule of a team advancing straight to the finals with an elimination round sweep.

Paulo Cezar Lim and Joshua Mina also swept the men’s side with nine wins and will play Letran’s Christopher Cistina and Bobby Gatdula, who edged CSB’s Isah Arda and Rubince Arbot for the last spot to the Final Four.

No. 2 Perpetual Help’s Joebert Almodiel and Rey Taneo tangle with Lyceum of the Phl U’s Jhonel Badua and Joeward Presnede with the forming owning the twice-tobeat edge.

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

Republic of the Philippines Mariano Marcos State University Batac City, Ilocos Norte 2906 INVITATION TO BID 2018-09 1.

The MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY (MMSU) through the General Appropriations ACT of 2018 intends to apply the sum of Seventy Five Million Pesos (P75,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Design and Build Scheme for the Construction of National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center Building, MMSU, City of Batac. Bids in excess of the ABC will be automatically rejected.

2.

The Mariano Marcos State University now invites bids for the Design and Build Scheme for the Construction of National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center Building, MMSU, City of Batac. Completion of the works is required within 240 calendar days. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid, and whose value, must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

Prospective bidders must submit their pre-qualification documents on or before March 13, 2018 to the BAC Secretariat.

VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS. The Xavier School volleyball team celebrates its victory over Don Bosco Makati for the Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA) Aspirants Volleyball Championship.

They are, standing from left: assistant coaches Paolo Martinez, and Alex Fung; players Beau Go, Rafa Dy, Kang Lee, Harry Yap, Jean Sarino, Neimann Adano, Jet Chua, Josh Ng, and head coach Albert Hao. Sitting from left are players Vince Co, Enzo Vinarao, Ravi Reyes, Rohan Reyes, Kevin Co and Nico Nenedicto. Not in picture are players Nicolas ocampo amd Lennex Oxales.

F2, Petron collide in PSL volleyball action F2 LOGISTICS and Petron collide in another slambang battle today in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Game time is set at 6 pm with both the Cargo Movers and Blaze Spikers looking to remain unbeaten in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

Resurgent Cocolife, meanwhile, guns for its third straight victory when it clashes with Foton in the 4 pm appetizer in this event that also has Mikasa, Mueller, Asics Senoh, Grand Sport and LGR as technical sponsors.

After tallying a pair of impressive wins over Sta. Lucia Realty and Cignal, the Blaze Spikers went on to dominate Smart late Thursday, 2512, 25-14, 25-17, to chalk their third victory and tighten their hold of the lead.

But that streak is now threatened as Petron faces F2 Logistics, the same squad that frustrated it in an emotional best-of-three finals showdown last year.

Despite losing La Salle standouts like national team members Kianna Dy and Dawn Macandili, the Cargo Movers remain a strong force to be reckoned with following the return of Most Valuable Player Maria Jose Perez of Venezuela and Kennedy Bryan of United States.

F2 Logistics also recruited a Japanese libero in Minami Yoshioka while adding six-footer Lourdes Clemente, Ara Galang and Michelle Morente into the mix.

“Although I have seen them only once this year, I think they remain strong because their core is still intact,” said Petron coach Shaq Delos Santos, who is expected to bank on imports Hillary Hurley and Lindsay Stalzer as well as local stars Frances Molina, Mika Reyes and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.

3.

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

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from MMSU and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address below anytime during work hours.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be secured starting March 6, 2018 at the address below, upon payment of the corresponding fee as above indicated.

Bid Documents may also be downloadedfrom the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and at the website of MMSU, provided the corresponding Bid Fee are paid prior to the submission of the bid.

6.

The MARIANO MARCOS STATE UNIVERSITY, will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 15, 2018, at 2:00 PM. At the Conference Room, FEM Hall, MMSU, City of Batac, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 2:00 PM, April 3, 2018, including a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in Clause18.

Bid opening shall be on April 3, 2018 2:00 pm at the Conference Room, FEM Hall, MMSU City of Batac. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: AGNES L GABRIEL Office of the MMSU BAC Secretariat FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University City of Batac, Ilocos Norte Tel. No. 077-600-0461 Email: aslgabriel@yahoo.com (SGD) AMI RUTH R. COCSON Chair

(MS-MAR. 3, 2018)

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

A8

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

S

UBIC BAY—Philippine Sailing Association team, helmed by Emerson Villena, is so far ahead in the new class known as the FarEast 28R after six races of the Subic Bay Regatta Cup in the freeport zone and will win the competition.

Villena, a former 470 dinghy champion, has the most experience. He won all the six races and has a firm grip on proceedings with two more races left Friday morning in the race presented

by Standard Insurance Inc. “The PSA team is now the eventual FarEast 28R champion even if they do not compete in the remaining two races. They are leading by eight points against second place since the races started last Monday,” according to event administrator Zed Avecilla.

To promote keelboat sailing in the country and in preparation for coming international regatta competitions, the sail boat was first introduced in the Philippines this year. It is a welldesigned, easy to handle and high performance uniform class racing sailboat.

The PSA team has five total points with one drop, Avecilla said. On the other hand, Alan Chua’s Centennial II and Bernice Foo’s Singapore Sailing/ Singapore Maritime University are neck to neck.

After six races, Centennial II garnered 13 points while Singapore Sailing has 14 points. They are tied with 11 points at second place last Wednesday, in the race backed by Tanduay Rum, Pepsi Cola, Broadwater Marine, Nano Fixit and JC and organized by Subic Sailing Club.

Team Japan skippered by Yukie Ikawa and Sean Michell’s Subic Sailing are tied with 20 points after six races and sit at fourth and fifth places, respectively.

Although the Keelboat Association of Taiwan Team captained by Joser Hsieh is back markers placing last they are gaining in every race from the experience.

Frivaldo resigns LAWYER Sannah Frivaldo has quit her post as executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Deputy executive director Rachel Dumuk has taken over her post, which Frivaldo gave up her early this week.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez confirmed that the PSC is now looking to fill Privaldo’s shoes.

Among the things that Frivaldo handled before she left was the probe on allegations that several national karatedo athletes did not receive their full allowances during their 20-day training stint in Germany last July.

As Dumuk temporarily came aboard, the PSC made an overhaul of its allowance scheme of athletes.

Officials said the prioritization program for national athletes that was implemented over the last six years was not doing well.

And this became the main reason why board members of the Philippine Sports Commission decided to craft a new allowance scheme for national athletes.

“Dati, may prioritization program.

Pero, sinet aside namin. The past administration admitted that it did not work,” said Dumuk.

So far, with the new scheme, the agency has reduced the number of athletes that it is supporting from 939 last December to 730.

Under the prioritization scheme, athletes who sign a contract, are required to become full-time athletes.

Under such a scheme, athletes who won medals in the Olympics, Asian Games and Southeast Asian will get a higher allowance of P43,000, P33,000 and P27,000 for gold, silver and bronze.

Peter Atencio

Sports

Members of the Philippine Sailing Association (PSA) team, helmed by Emerson Villena, stay at their positions while their yacht slices through the water during Subic Bay Regatta Cup.

Luisita seizes lead at PAL Seniors Interclub first round leader Canlubang at the windswept Binitin.

Garcia made 50 and Luis Laureta added 47 as Luisita totalled 149 for a two-day total of 295.

Canlubang, which opened with 150 points at Marapara, managed only 143 with none of the four players fielded by nonplaying captain Tony Olives scoring 50

GRAPPLING VICTORY. Danny Kingad (on top) submits opponent Eugene Toquero with an arm bar during the fight at ONE: Age of Domination. ONE Championship

By Peter Atencio RELIVING memories of season 77, the Ateneo Blue Eaglets repeated over the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups in a similar manner to claim the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines Junior Basketball crown yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.

Big man and finals MVP Kai Sotto and SJ Belangel came up with big plays at endgame, paving the way for the Blue Eaglets’ 63-58 beating of the Bullpups in Game 3 of their best-of-three finals series.

This will the second time since 2014 that the Blue Eaglets have won a crown at the Bullpups’ expense, and after both team went the distance again.

With the count tied at 58-all, Sotto grabbed a rebound off Enrico Manuel’s miss, and his putback put the Blue Eaglets ahead, 60-58.

The Bullpups, ahead by six in the last period, had a chance to tie the match for the last time. But Miguel Oczon bungled an attempt, and Sotto grabbed the rebound.

In the next play, he Blue Eaglets gained a four-point edge after Belangel converted two charities off Rhayyan Amsali’s foul with 9.8 ticks left, 62-58.

The seven-foot-one Sotto finished the game with 19 points and 13 rebounds, including seven points in the final period.

“I just told the boys to stay composed. Yun din ang lamang ng NU sa amin because they know how to play a finals series. So I told them to stay composed and we’ll fight back,” said Blue Eaglets coach Joe Silva.

Belangel shot 16 points, while Sean Ildefonso hit 13 for the Blue Eaglets.

The Bullpups, getting a game-high 17 points from Terrence Fortea, stayed close, 48-45, at the start of the fourth period.

After the Bullpups took the lead off Amsali’s layup, Ateneo fought their way to a 54-all deadlock off Sotto’s threepoint play with 3:30 left in the fourth.

RJ Minerva made 13 while Matthew Manalang added eight for the Bullpups.

Manalang’s two treys in in the last 3:04 allowed them to stay within range, 2932, and after Ateneo took a nine-point edge, 32-23.

PSA rules Subic Bay Regatta Cup

BACOLOD CITY—Eddie Bagtas and Rafael Garcia carried the day for defending champion Luisita which seized the lead halfway through the 32nd Philippine Airlines Senior Interclub golf team championships Friday.

Bagtas mixed three birdies with three bogeys and a double bogey to finish with 52 points as Luisita took a two-point lead over

Blue Eaglets grab junior hoops crown

points or better.

Dave Hernandez was Canlubang’s top scorer with 49 with Abe Avena and Rolly Viray contributing 48 and 46, respectively.

“We were fortunate to come out on top. The wind was blowing strong all day. The last two rounds would definitely be a grind,” said Luisita skipper Jeric Hechanova.

The third round will again be played at Binitin before Luisita, Canlubang and Del Monte return to Marapara for the final round at Marapara.

“It will boil down to the last four holes at Marapara wherein the contest shifts to matchplay,” Hechanova predicted.

The Founders division is also bound to go down the wire.

Cebu Country Club amassed 132 points at Marapara to take a five-point lead over Alabang Golf which returned with 129.

Defending champion Orchard was 10 points behind CCC after amassing 126. In fourth spot was Manila Golf at 261.

In the Aviator bracket, Villamor built a 21-point lead over Alta Vista after scoring 124 points at Binitin for 249 overall.

Alta Vista had 120 for 228 with Socal Redhawk taking third spot with 214 after a 114.

Veterans Golf Club retained the lead in the Sportswriters division after collecting 119 points at Binitin course for a two-round total of 230.

Two points adrift was Rancho Palos Verdes which tallied 120 points. Running third was Taotaomona Guam with 218 points.

Meesawat posts one-stroke lead STA. ROSA, Laguna—Miguel Tabuena grabbed the lead with a 71 but lost it later on a rule infraction, enabling Prom Meesawat to regain a one-stroke edge despite a 74 heading to the final round of what could turn out to be a grudge war in the 100th Solaire Philippine Open at The Country Club here yesterday.

American Nicolas Paez, the third man in the last flight, raised the issue after Tabuena checked a rollercoaster finish with clutch pars in the last three holes, claiming the Filipino ace hit a loose impediment (leaf) on his backswing on a bunker on the par-3 No. 11, incurring a two-stroke penalty.

Tabuena took it in stride, change the “3” entry on his scorecard to “5,” signed it and left in a huff.

“Sorry, I can’t,” said Tabuena when asked for his comment on the infraction that could prove crucial to his title bid in the record $600,000 event put up by Solarie Resort and Casino.

That enabled Meesawat to reclaim the lead at 217 after a 74 marred by two bogeys on the last four holes with Tabuena slipping to second at 218 with pars in the last three after a birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey ride from No. 12.

“It was tough today. It was windy and to finish with two-over par, I was already pleased with my round,” said Meesawat.

It also kept Guido Van der Valk in the hunt for the top $108,000 purse despite a wobbly finish of three bogeys in the last eight holes as the Dutchman pooled a 219 after a 74 in another wind-blown day at the dreaded Tom Weiskoph-designed layout.

Phoenix Fuelmasters turn back GlobalPort challenge

By Jeric Lopez PHOENIX Petroleum Fuelmasters will live to fight another day.

Playing with desperation to stay alive, the Fuelmasters showed the necessary grit to withstand a last-minute rally and trip GlobalPort, 104-100, in the last play date of the elimination round to keep their hopes of making the quarterfinals of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup alive at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Gunner Matthew Wright exploded for his best outing thus far, scattering a season-high 32 points, including four triples, to lead the Fuel Masters and save them from outright elimination.

As a result, Phoenix stayed alive after finishing its campaign at 5-6, tied for seventh and eighth places with GlobalPort, TNT

KaTropa and Blackwater, currently.

The Fuel Masters would still have to wait for the result of the last elimination round game between Barangay Ginebra (5-5) and Rain or Shine (6-4) to know where they’ll eventually land.

The same can be said for the Batang Pier, who could’ve clinched a berth in the quarters had it won.

The Gin Kings need a victory to secure a spot in the top eight, otherwise, a defeat will have them join the mentioned logjam.

As of now, San Miguel Beer, Magnolia, Alaska, NLEX and Rain or Shine are the five teams already through to the next round.

Swinging for the fences, Phoenix orchestrated a blistering start to gain the upper hand right away as it took a 16-point advantage, 32-16, right off the bat at the end of one quarter.

At the half, Phoenix was already hold-

ing a huge 28-point cushion, 63-35, after a total domination.

The Fuelmasters pounded the Batang Pier for most of the way before the latter had a last-ditch effort and threatened in the last minute.

Despite trailing big for most part, GlobalPort stubbornly fought its way back and managed to inch within just four, 98102, with 25 seconds left after a 13-3 run.

However, the Fuelmasters had just enough to hold on in the dying seconds to preserve the win and their campaign.

Phoenix also spoiled the awaited season debut of GlobalPort star guard Terrence Romeo.

After a significant layoff due to a knee injury, Romeo played his first game of the tournament and of the season and managed to score a team-high 20 points for GlobalPort.

GlobalPort Batang Pier big man Bradwyn Guinto (left) grabs the rebound against three Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters, from right: Matthew Wright, Joseph Eriobu and Doug Kramer. PBA

IN BRIEF

DoubleDragon’s profit surges 72%

THE net income of DoubleDragon Properties Corp. surged 71.8 percent to P2.53 billion in 2017 from P1.47 billion in 2016 on the significant growth of recurring revenues.

DoubleDragon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange total revenues jumped 78 percent to P6.6 billion as recurring revenue expanded 3.76 times to P1.31 billion in 2017 from just P347.6 million in 2016.

Recurring revenue now accounts for 19.8 percent of the company’s total revenues as it continues to expand the leasing business to achieve the company’s target of 90 percent recurring revenue by 2020.

DoubleDragon as of end 2017 completed 332,500 square meters of leasable space. It expects to complete over 50 percent of its leasable portfolio target and that it should start contributing substantially to the company by 2019.

DoubleDragon also expects 50 completed community malls under its CityMalls brand in 2018. Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Govt debt up 1.1% to P6.7t in January

THE government’s outstanding debt as of end-January 2018 increased 1.1 percent to P6.726 trillion, or P73.66 billion from the end-December 2017 level of P6.652 trillion, due mainly to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

Data also showed the end-January debt level increased 10 percent compared to P6.115 trillion in the same period a year ago.

Of the total stock, 34.1 percent or P2.295 trillion were obtained from external markets, while 65.9 percent or P4.430 trillion came from domestic creditors.

“Domestic debt amounted to P4.430 trillion, 0.2 percent or P10.47 billion lower from the end-2017 level. For the month, the reduced level of domestic debt were due to net redemption of government securities amounting to P11.17 billion which were partially tempered by peso depreciation that increased the value of onshore dollar bonds by P0.70 billion,” the Treasury said.

On the other hand, the external debt of P2.295 trillion was 3.8-percent or P84.14 billion higher than the end-December 2017 level. Julito G. Rada

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

B1

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. launches the all-new Mitsubishi Xpander in an exclusive motor show and test drive event starting Friday until March 4 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Gracing the event are (from left) Froilan Dytianquin, first vice president for vehicle sales and marketing, MMPC; Mutsuhiro Oshikiri, president and chief executive of MMPC; Takaaki Kishi, chief product specialist, Mitsubishi Motors Corp; Tsunehiro Kunimoto, corporate vice president of MMC; and Shigeru Oguro, executive vice president for vehicle sales and marketing of MMC.

Japan to fund six infra projects

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Japanese government, through its official development assistance, will help fund six of the 13 infrastructure projects earlier approved by the National Economic and Development Authority board.

Of the six new projects—the total cost of which amounts to a combined P715 billion-five are related to transportation while one is flood management.

“Japan is one of our long-time and most trusted development partners. We recognize its commitment to technical excellence in infrastructure,” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said during last week’s 36th Joint Meeting

of the Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation Committee of the Philippines and Japan.

“Our focus on the transportation sector is part of the bigger mission to decongest Metro Manila, and bring development to the regions, which is embedded in our National Spatial Strategy,” Pernia said.

The six projects are the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, Arterial Road Bypass ProjectPhase III (formerly Plaridel Bypass Road Project), Malolos-Clark Railway Project (PNR North 2), Maritime Safety Capability Project II, Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP)–Phase 1 and PNR South Commuter and South Longhaul Project.

Pernia said the government was acting to ease traffic congestion in the mega cities of the country following Jica’s study that estimated the cost of traffic in Metro Manila at P3.5 billion.

“This estimated economic loss in daily traffic is massive, and we must act

fast. We are looking at this problem in a comprehensive way. We recognize that transportation is the enabler and driver of socioeconomic development, that is why we have the National Transport Policy approved by the Neda board,” Pernia said.

The Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning and the Neda Board Cluster on Infrastructure would review plans, projects and programs for the long-term development of the transport sector, he said.

He said the government’s transport vision was “a safe, secure, reliable, efficient, integrated, intermodal, affordable, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable, and people-oriented national transport system that ensures improved quality of life of the people.”

“Let me reiterate that infrastructure is crucial. It is a sine qua non in development. What we aim is an infrastructure boom that serves not just the economy but, more importantly, the Filipino people,” Pernia said.

Eastern eyeing auto assembly plant in Cavite

Meralco-Solar power supply deal approved THE Energy Regulatory Commission granted interim relief to electricity retailer Manila Electric Co. to implement its power supply agreement with Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp.

“The grant herein of an interim relief in favor of applicants Meralco and SPTC will ultimately redound to the benefit of the consumers,” the ERC said in its decision.

Solar Philippines offered to supply Meralco a rate of P5.39 per kilowatthour for 20 years. The ERC approved the rate but “not subject to adjustment or escalation.”

Under the supply agreement, Solar philippines will supply 50 megawatts of capacity to Meralco from its solar farms in Tananuan, Batangas and Naic, Cavite.

“The simulated delivered price under the PSA would be P5.59 per kWh, resulting in a reduction of Meralco’s generation charge by about P0.0118 per kW,” the ERC said.

It said Solar Philippines’ application rate was inclusive of the costs associated with the dedicated point-to-point facilities for the two plants, but without prejudice to the evaluation to be made on the point-to-point application by the Commission.

The ERC also said the final generation cost that could be recovered would be determined by the commission in its decision on the application.

“In the event that the final rate is higher than that granted in the interim, the resulting additional charges shall be collected by SPTC from Meralco. If the final rate is lower than that granted in the interim, the amount corresponding to the reduction shall be redounded

by SPTC to Meralco,” the regulator said. Alena Mae S. Flores

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

NEW MITSUBISHI EXPANDER.

BSP: Businesses less upbeat in Q1

THE outlook of businesses on the economy turned less optimistic in the first quarter of 2018 compared to a quarter ago, due to the usual slowdown in business activity after the holiday season and in part to the impact of the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

Based on the latest Business Expectation Survey for the period, the overall business confidence index declined to 39.5 percent from 43.3 percent in the last quarter of 2017.

According to respondents, their less upbeat quarter-on-quarter outlook was due primarily to the lesser business activity and moderation of consumer demand after the holiday season and harvest seasons.

Other reasons cited were the rising fuel prices that were largely influenced by higher international prices of crude oil and the increase in excise tax on petroleum products, and stiffer business competition. Julito G. Rada

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor

By Alena Mae S. Flores

GRAB IN CLARK AIRPORT. Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand transport provider, officially launches its service from the Clark International Airport Friday. Leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Meeters’-Greeters’ Area Friday are Clark International Airport Corp. chief Alexander Cauguiran (second from right); and Grab Philippines country manager Brian Cu (third from right). With them are (from left) Maria Theresa Busmente, Grab head of business development; Cindy Toh, Grab marketing head; Grab public affairs head Leo Emmanuel Gonzales; and CIAC assistant vice president for for legal governance Josep Jepri Miranda.

Belle’s net income rises 13% to P3.5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Belle Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy reported a consolidated net income of P3.5 billion in 2017, up 13 percent from P3.1 billion in 2016, boosted by growth in the gaming business.

Minus capital gains on sales of noncore investments and extraordinary items, Belle’s recurring net income of P3.3 billion for 2017 was 58 percent higher than P2.1 billion in 2016.

Belle said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues grew 27 percent to P8 billion for 2017 from P6.3 billion in 2016.

Belle, through its gaming subsidiary Premium Leisure Corp., booked a 59-percent increase in its share of gaming earnings from City of Dreams Manila to P2.6 billion from P1.6 billion a year earlier.

Belle’s real estate business also

contributed to the banner year with P3.1 billion in revenues, up 10 percent from P2.8 billion in 2016. About P2.3 billion of the revenues came from Belle’s lease of land and buildings to Melco Resorts and Entertainment (Philippines) Corp., comprising of City of Dreams Manila. About P823 million was contributed by real estate sales and property management activities at the Tagaytay Highlands and Tagaytay Midlands residential and leisure complexes.

Belle said the strong 2017 results enabled it to declare a regular dividend of P0.12 per share on Feb. 23 February for a total dividend payment of approximately P1.3 billion, payable on March 23 to shareholders of record as of March 9.

Meanwhile, PLC reported that its board approved a P500-million share buyback program.

THE Eastern Petroleum Group plans to put up a vehicle assembly plant in Cavite province in the next two to three years for Russia’s GAZ Group’s commercial vehicles.

“We have just entered into a partnership with Russia’s largest vehicle manufacturer Gaz Group, which offers a variety of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles and buses which fits perfectly in the Philippines’ fast growing economy,” Eastern Petroleum chairman and chief executive officer Fernando Martinez said.

GAZ Group, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles in Russia, and Gazelle Motors Corp., GAZ Group’s official distributor in the Philippines, launched this week GAZelle NEXT minibuses and GAZelle NEXT Citiline framed buses.

Gazelle Motors is a subsidiary of Eastern Petroleum, a large Philippine diversified business group that is actively participating in the modernization of public transport.

“Eastern Petroleum is proud of to enter vehicle distribution and ultimately assembly business which can create best value for our tour, logistics, public and business owners,” Martinez said.

The cooperation agreement between GAZ Group and Eastern Petroleum was signed in September 2017 as an offshoot of President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Russia.

The companies agreed to supply the commercial vehicles to the country, as well as multi-functional, reliable and modern buses of the GAZelle NEXT family, which fully meet the requirements of the Philippine government’s Fleet Modernization Program.

The vehicles are equipped with Cummins diesel engine ISF 2.8l and will be sold through the own dealer centers network of Gazelle Motors.

BSP not changing inflation rate goal BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas is not considering changing its current inflation target of 2 percent to 4 percent to maintain the trajectory of the economic growth, Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said Friday.

“I don’t think we need to change our targets because no matter how you measure inflation, no matter what base year you use, 2 to 4 percent inflation target makes sense given our stage of development as well as the inflation dynamics,” Guinigundo said in a briefing.

“If you lower it by one percent or two percent, you will tighten monetary policy and you will affect the trajectory of economic growth,” Guinigundo further said. “So 2 to 4 percent, we believe, continues to be appropriate,” he said.

Bangko Sentral earlier said inflation in February likely accelerated to as high as 4.8 percent from 4 percent a month ago due mainly to higher power rates and the impact of higher excise taxes on petroleum and sugarsweetened products.

The Bangko Sentral’s Department of Economic Research projected the February 2018 inflation could settle within the 4.0 percent-to-4.8 percent range.

“Higher electricity rates and food prices, along with the full pass-through of higher excise taxes on petroleum products and sugar-sweetened beverages, could lead to upward price pressures for the month of February,” the DER said.

The Department of Finance said the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law could potentially increase inflation by up to 0.7 percentage points in 2018 due to higher oil prices.

The DoF further said food prices might increase by up to 0.3 percentage points, and transportation by up to 0.1 percentage points.

But the DoF said the increase could be “very minimal and manageable—especially compared to the savings from lower income taxes.”

The government is scheduled to release early next week the February inflation report.

The Philippine Statistics Authority last week made 2012 as the base year to determine the consumer price index from 2006. The March CPI report, which will be released on March 6, will have 2012 as the base year, PSA said.

“The rebasing of the CPI from 2006 to 2012 is in consonance with the recommendation of the PSA Board... to reflect the latest composition of goods and services consumed and availed of by households across provinces of the country,” the agency said. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market dips; JG Summit leads drop

T

HE stock market, along with the rest of Asia, fell Friday after Donald Trump’s controversial decision to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as the move fueled fresh fears of a global trade war.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 7.20 points, or 0.1 percent, to P8,458.57 on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 141 to 74, with 41 issues unchanged.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei dropped 5 percent to P64.70, while PXP Energy Corp., a unit of Philex Mining Corp., lost 4.8 percent to P15.04.

MRC Allied Inc. gained 5.5 percent to P0.77, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, rose 1 percent to P98.

Meanwhile, Asian traders, already on edge owing to worries about rising

interest rates, followed their US counterparts in heading to the hills after the president imposed levies on the commodities as part of his “America First” policy.

The news, which was even opposed by elements inside the White House, was met with anger from key allies including the EU and Canada. China has previously warned it would be forced to act should Trump push through such measures.

The tycoon had campaigned on a protectionist platform, saying the US was being taken advantage of by other countries, and promised to throw up barriers to protect jobs at home.

And analysts said there could be more to come.

“With the elevation of (trade hawk) Peter Navarro this week traders, markets, and business leaders are likely going to have to get used to these types of views continuing to shape policy,” Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at Ax-

iTrader, said in a note.

Navarro, a trade hawk and presidential aide, was by Trump’s side as he made his remarks.

Wall Street’s three main indexes ended sharply down for a third day, and those losses filtered through to Asia, where Tokyo ended 2.5 percent down while Hong Kong sank 1.5 percent and Seoul was one percent off.

Shanghai shed 0.6 percent, while Sydney and Singapore each gave up 0.8 percent.

Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were also well down.

Aluminium and steel firms took a hit across the region, while firms that use the products—such as electronics and auto makers—were also much lower.

“Traders are selling pinpointed steelmakers and automakers today in the wake of the remarks by Trump, at a time when sentiment has been hit by worries over US interest rates,” Hikaru Sato, senior technical analyst at the investment

strategy section at Daiwa Securities, told AFP. However, he added: “But the selling pressure on them may not drag for a long time as the impact of Trump remarks in general are often short-lived.”

Japanese giant Toyota warned the car sector would be hurt and the measures would “substantially” increase the price of cars sold in America The announcement overshadowed a second day of congressional testimony by new Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell, who struck a softer tone than Tuesday, when his championing of the US economy fanned expectations of sharp rate hikes.

Appearing before lawmakers Thursday, he emphasized future interest rates would be gradual and allow the economy to expand.

The comments eased concerns about tighter US monetary policy, adding to selling in the dollar, which was also rattled by the tariffs move. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.35 5,660 118.2 3,498,530 3.48 211,000 155 1,410,230 1.58 253,000 35 168,200 15.4 2,600 28.4 355,500 3.6 711,000 8.65 2,500 0.65 2,000 1.62 36,000 900 50 0.52 1,122,000 98 821,730 1.65 2,508,000 23.9 500 57.1 68,360 246 11,450 86 1,410 47 74,200 247.2 278,270 1,915 150 91 58,750 1.2 13,000

334,929.50 413,461,828 736,450 215,633,027 401,100 5,891,125 40,094 10,100,960 2,514,320 21,705 1,300 58,320 45,000 601,310 79,801,351.50 4,089,360 11,390 3,895,885 2,830,506 121,170 3,469,845 68,503,012 287,000 5,346,017.50 15,600

86,665 -22,383,662 3,500 -44,157,072 230,680 928,320 3,900,015 -2,160 506,199 -32,400 3,538,655 215,880 482,770 1,937,250 4,244,208 -

38.3 12.74 0.56 1.26 19 0.214 3.7 16.1 250 51 21.5 53 99.9 1.88 5.24 10.4 11.5 14.14 11 7.8 5.57 1.8 14.4 62 28 9.9 18.1 2.1 295 4.46 18.56 26.7 16.64 20.7 326 0.188 7.9 2.7 4.85 9.07 6.25 7.99 1.53 12.52 56.05 6.01 620 4.8 2.81 3.4 2.22 15.62 5.2 0.133 1.01 148.5 2.6 1.86 1.61

INDUSTRIAL 39 2,312,800 12.86 600,900 0.56 190,000 1.28 336,000 19.28 68,400 0.216 1,890,000 3.74 1,872,000 16.2 880,000 340 1,210 51.65 470,690 22.95 7,500 53 950 99.9 30 1.89 183,000 5.24 5,000 10.4 75,500 11.54 2,226,400 14.18 105,800 11.14 114,200 7.88 2,516,700 5.75 7,283,200 1.8 4,000 14.48 4,366,600 62.15 876,030 28 268,600 9.9 18,600 19.2 3,826,300 2.19 2,853,000 298 735,080 4.55 846,000 19.8 800 26.7 2,165,900 17 68,100 21 2,285,900 334.4 161,310 0.188 740,000 7.98 10,600 2.72 710,000 4.9 351,000 9.16 2,533,100 6.28 1,753,000 8 42,700 1.55 681,000 12.8 68,900 56.7 306,500 6.2 42,200 628 18,990 4.85 163,000 2.93 716,000 3.4 3,000 2.3 3,288,000 15.8 221,700 5.21 23,400 0.133 800,000 1.06 223,000 153 646,500 2.74 520,000 1.9 3,454,000 1.62 6,475,000

89,132,840 7,712,774 106,730 426,150 1,312,898 405,310 6,991,470 14,254,744 365,050 24,263,760.50 167,380 51,027.50 2,997 345,550 26,200 792,200 25,672,280 1,503,848 1,272,538 20,025,730 41,601,072 7,270 63,258,220 54,319,895 7,603,310 184,921 71,584,488 6,260,390 218,598,742 3,891,860 14,972 57,868,425 1,146,300 47,821,410 53,229,190 140,240 84,580 1,952,240 1,738,177 23,108,707 11,696,796 341,515 1,051,850 879,086 17,361,442 259,797 11,829,385 788,690 2,136,770 10,200 7,468,160 3,511,816 122,621 107,490 233,750 96,942,046 1,353,510 6,539,230 10,677,870

-28,659,885 -178,382 56,000 46,140 9,560 -2,150 -838,620 963,236 -1,053,913.50 14,855,828 192,660 518,464 5,926,377 6,316,457 13,329,660 591,982 -613,160 10,000 7,560,810 17,440 24,896,558 30,900.00 -32,911,905 -65,396 9,025,620 4,281,996 44,560 54,408 -1,756,128 -48,252 -70,164 -6,481,936 3,801,045 532,690.00 3,000 96,870.00 -80,282 2,100 -908,218 936,000 -12,860 -1,588,700

0.315 73.8 14.62 0.95 7.32 0.64 0.65 1,038 1,152 7.28 13.22 7.38 4.51 1,306 7.24 63.05 5.25 0.67 5.21 21.2 0.31 5.58 0.043 1.1 3.24 139.1 2.6 941.5 1.58 200 279 0.242 0.175 0.185

HOLDING FIRMS 0.325 4,040,000 75.5 904,340 14.9 2,669,800 0.95 1,000 7.48 258,600 0.68 154,109,000 0.69 35,789,000 1,050 168,785 1,155 20 7.3 2,062,300 13.24 5,461,100 7.5 26,100 4.51 10,000 1,330 52,210 7.24 1,200 64.7 8,201,660 5.25 200 0.69 37,000 5.21 151,000 21.7 3,641,400 0.33 240,000 5.75 10,153,500 0.045 13,000,000 1.11 77,000 3.5 7,057,000 140 264,150 2.6 29,000 970 213,210 1.6 77,000 262.8 5,130 282 4,540 0.242 1,980,000 0.175 210,000 0.185 930,000

1,304,200 67,629,713.50 39,547,408 950 1,943,141 107,347,430 25,120,220 176,744,970 23,070 15,034,162 72,880,250(49 192,858 47,150 68,831,100 8,688 533,272,500 ( 1,050 25,190 788,455 79,149,570 74,600 57,579,333 573,700 86,540 24,283,440 36,966,664(14 75,670 204,620,635 122,000 1,221,782 1,272,596 489,490 37,070 172,160

-33,286,187 75,664 383,130 -54,898,910 181,576 ,809,694.0004) -17,825,505 25,866,207.5) -21,914 40,211,240 -1,123,977 -13,200 -425,000 ,991,954.0004) -41,454,535 6,518 167,988 -

3,902,771 13,567,460 527,760 144,180 1,320,800 524,254,980 1,225,940 1,947,360 1,099,039 59,104 10,477,300 11,880 66,560 174,072,500 164,800 6,021,150 18,600 64,000 26,969,680 1,010,250 308,780 49,484,900 473,317,470 317,250 1,046,190

-25,650 -19,470 16,750 6,020 -229,517,010 -195,780 27,870 61,700 -1,413,150 74,070 3,840 -973,890 2,431,460 1,023,090 -20,800

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 118.1 3.48 153 1.62 35.2 15.52 28.7 3.6 8.69 0.65 1.62 900 0.55 96.65 1.68 22.5 57 245 85.55 46.5 245.2 1,910 91 1.2

59.35 118.5 3.5 155 1.62 35.2 15.52 28.75 3.67 8.69 0.65 1.62 900 0.57 98 1.68 23.9 57.1 248.6 86 47 248.8 1,915 91.05 1.2

59 118 3.45 150.2 1.58 34.85 15.4 28.1 3.53 8.65 0.65 1.62 900 0.52 96.05 1.61 22.5 56.8 245 85.55 46.5 245 1,910 90.95 1.2

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA 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 LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

38.7 12.94 0.56 1.29 19.12 0.215 3.79 16.1 355 52.85 23 53.75 99.9 1.89 5.24 10.5 11.64 14.4 11.34 7.91 5.58 1.8 14.5 62 28.8 10.26 18.8 2.25 297.6 4.78 18.56 27 17 21.3 327.2 0.191 7.98 2.84 5.02 9.25 6.25 8.2 1.53 12.62 56.8 6.01 620 4.85 3.18 3.4 2.38 16.06 5.2 0.137 1.05 149 2.63 1.96 1.67

39 12.94 0.58 1.29 19.38 0.216 3.81 16.2 355 52.85 23 53.8 99.9 1.91 5.24 10.5 11.64 14.4 11.44 8.05 5.75 1.87 14.52 62.5 28.95 10.26 19.3 2.3 298.4 4.8 19.8 27 17 21.35 334.4 0.191 7.98 2.85 5.02 9.27 7.01 8.2 1.58 12.8 56.85 6.2 630 4.85 3.18 3.4 2.38 16.06 5.3 0.137 1.08 153 2.74 1.96 1.71

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 GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.315 74 14.96 0.95 7.32 0.65 0.65 1,041 1,152 7.28 13.72 7.39 4.81 1,310 7.24 68 5.25 0.69 5.3 22.4 0.31 5.63 0.046 1.1 3.42 140.7 2.83 950 1.58 200.6 280 0.25 0.184 0.187

0.33 75.5 14.96 0.95 7.6 0.75 0.74 1,050 1,155 7.3 13.72 7.5 4.81 1,330 7.24 68 5.25 0.69 5.3 22.4 0.33 5.75 0.046 1.19 3.54 140.7 2.83 970 1.6 262.8 282 0.26 0.184 0.187

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

6.83 1.07 17.12 2.04 0.86 42 3.7 4.67 6.1 7 0.43 1.08 1.03 0.315 0.455 32.45 0.62 0.128 1.78 1.3 0.75 4.8 0.72 0.315 0.51

6.83 1.08 17.12 2.04 0.88 42.05 3.78 4.74 6.1 7 0.46 1.08 1.07 0.355 0.465 32.45 0.62 0.128 1.78 1.32 0.75 4.85 0.78 0.315 0.52

6.7 1.01 16 2.03 0.85 41.2 3.7 4.57 5.9 6.32 0.43 1.08 1.03 0.31 0.455 31.5 0.62 0.128 1.74 1.3 0.71 4.76 0.66 0.305 0.5

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.12 34.95 19.38 1.9 3.21 35.35 1.02 25 0.83 6.43

4.15 35 19.48 1.94 3.23 36 1.02 26.9 0.83 6.5

4.03 34.95 18.62 1.89 3.19 35.05 1 23.8 0.8 6.32

4.12 35 19.26 1.94 3.23 36 1 24.1 0.83 6.36

1,361,000 1,900 2,197,000 215,000 73,000 6,321,200 45,000 745,700 175,000 9,332,900

5,588,130 66,490 41,735,848 413,200 233,390 223,898,840 45,020 18,930,805 141,140 59,359,834

-222,750 -396,880 130,500 -70,324,890 -73,920 65,930 -20,975,684

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 GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 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

18.2 31.6 1.35 0.58 0.061 11.04 4.51 14.22 0.069 100 8.71 7.31 9.71 2.52 51.8 1,757 6.26 323.2 5.15 2.63 108.1 13.16 8.31 0.143 1.6 3.12 4.39 1.01 28.9 5.47 7.84 3.32 17.96 13.7 10.46 11.2 115 6.8 1,541 1.25 0.36 52.2 93.2 6.05 3 1.4 0.55 3.41 0.92 11.02

18.4 31.6 1.35 0.63 0.063 11.04 5 14.22 0.071 100.2 8.71 7.52 10 2.58 51.8 1,758 6.34 343 5.35 2.72 110 13.2 8.31 0.143 1.62 3.13 4.39 1.02 28.9 5.48 7.86 3.39 17.98 14.7 10.46 11.2 115 7 1,541 1.27 0.39 52.5 93.2 6.05 3 1.4 0.56 3.56 0.92 11.28

18.2 31.3 1.33 0.52 0.057 11.04 4.51 13.9 0.067 99 8.71 7.31 8.88 2.4 44.5 1,709 6.26 310 5.13 2.6 107.9 13 8.31 0.124 1.58 3.12 4.2 1 27.95 5.24 7.6 3.25 17.96 13 10.38 10.2 110 6.7 1,522 1.22 0.36 51.4 91.2 5.8 2.88 1.38 0.51 3.41 0.89 10.5

SERVICES 18.4 31.5 1.33 0.63 0.058 11.04 4.87 14.2 0.068 100 8.71 7.45 8.88 2.58 45.1 1,745 6.28 314 5.24 2.69 110 13.02 8.31 0.13 1.59 3.12 4.26 1.02 28 5.33 7.6 3.25 17.98 13.08 10.38 10.98 110 6.95 1,540 1.22 0.39 52.2 93 6 2.88 1.4 0.53 3.44 0.9 10.66

42,500 61,000 10,000 94,180,000 284,990,000 100 32,800 6,704,900 24,650,000 125,480 26,400 568,000 2,715,000 202,000 388,640 23,295 577,300 104,590 2,767,100 152,000 400,730 51,700 30,000 12,930,000 772,000 76,000 2,545,000 397,000 3,250,400 783,200 787,800 1,283,000 1,000 26,146,000 200 8,200 6,470 1,306,900 42,800 7,454,000 3,030,000 1,662,830 527,150 48,300 762,000 2,410,000 66,972,000 576,000 3,652,000 5,633,700

778,706 1,922,910 13,420 55,316,230 16,934,380 1,104 153,125 94,724,322 1,677,140 12,491,280 229,944 4,208,855 26,262,649 2 493,570 18,065,428.50 40,366,235 3,627,883 33,762,760 14,499,104 399,500 43,745,092 675,848 249,300 1,678,030 1,226,100 237,240 10,881,350 397,480 91,337,820 4,161,610 6,019,391 4,220,440 17,972 361,492,156 2,084 86,042 714,739 8,966,991 65,578,485 9,223,280 1,149,550 86,750,222 48,658,653 ( 284,450 2,216,710 3,364,290 35,663,030 2,009,780 3,291,460 61,339,084

-54,600 120,620 252,000 53,935,074 68,000 6,198,198 -1,488 ,171,473.0002 -325,779.50 -2,103,055 1,479,824 -143,532 1,221,623 3,948 -1,610 1,112,300 25,000 -49,324,790 196,753 -1,950,218 -1,833,280 -12,994,496 1,098 164,086 2,239 -9,884,875 584,100 37,656,820 18,744,093.5) 127,810 2,011,430 -247,550 1,063,450 6,500,932

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK 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

0.0028 1.64 4.99 16.98 1.73 0.305 7.42 2.3 0.24 0.147 0.152 0.0091 0.0094 1.44 6.16 1.37 0.45 0.88 0.013 0.012 0.012 2.3 6.25 15.92 37 0.0067

0.003 1.66 5.05 17.78 1.73 0.305 7.42 2.35 0.27 0.148 0.152 0.0091 0.0094 1.44 6.28 1.37 0.45 0.9 0.013 0.012 0.012 2.3 6.25 16.7 37 0.0067

0.0026 1.6 4.99 16.98 1.69 0.3 7.19 2.3 0.236 0.144 0.152 0.0089 0.0094 1.39 6.13 1.32 0.45 0.87 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.16 6.08 14.46 36.35 0.0067

MINING & OIL 0.003 2,504,000,000 1.61 11,040,000 5 294,700 17.78 1,100 1.69 1,454,000 0.3 250,000 7.4 1,200 2.3 1,781,000 0.255 9,050,000 0.147 18,890,000 0.152 70,000 0.0089 18,000,000 0.0094 22,000,000 1.4 157,000 6.18 658,100 1.37 3,000 0.45 20,000 0.9 65,000 0.012 1,500,000 0.012 100,000 0.012 21,800,000 2.25 86,000 6.09 179,400 15.04 19,452,600 36.7 3,874,900 0.0067 4,000,000

6,952,300 17,879,480 1,473,624 18,758 2,473,460 75,150 8,672 4,119,200 2,323,370 2,739,750 10,640 161,800 206,800 220,500 4,058,116 4,060 9,000 56,840 18,200 1,200 243,200 190,470 1,096,953 299,412,252 142,006,595 26,800

162,000 40,580 -17,496 -15,150 -16,380.00 -52,000 8,640 301,581 -106,830 -17,911,280 -70,513,755 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3A 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

30.6 510 514 107 103.1 107.9 111 505.5 6.01 101.4 1.06 105 2 77.5 80 76 77 80.3 78 78.05 77.7

30.8 510 514 107 103.3 107.9 111 505.5 6.02 101.4 1.07 105 2 77.5 81 77 77 80.8 78 78.05 77.7

30.4 510 514 107 103 107.9 110.8 505 6 101.3 1.06 105 2 77.2 80 76 76.6 80.3 77 78 77.7

PREFERRED 30.6 77,700 510 100 514 50 107 400 103.1 25,570 107.9 230 110.8 29,800 505 200 6.02 468,600 101.3 10,500 1.06 1,307,000 105 10 2 4,000 77.2 14,100 80.25 8,550 77 8,950 76.6 306,800 80.3 54,220 77 1,200 78 61,840 77.7 33,550

2,378,530 51,000 25,700 42,800 2,634,587 24,817 3,302,208 101,010 2,816,598 1,064,650 1,385,490 1,050 8,000 1,089,516 685,037.50 683,915 23,503,040 4,374,766 92,600 4,825,152 2,606,835

-2,240,090 -1,435,168 -756,500 -388,000 -3,232,000 15,600 -

LR WARRANT

3.05

3.57

3.05

WARRANTS 3.25 2,990,000

9,905,790

570

14,076,358 1,074,190 5,366,510

-1,994,839 -1,673,940

2,660,311

34,460

80,640

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.79 1.03 16.5 2.03 0.87 41.5 3.78 4.71 6.05 6.36 0.44 1.08 1.06 0.33 0.465 31.8 0.62 0.128 1.75 1.31 0.73 4.83 0.77 0.315 0.51

576,600 13,072,000 32,400 71,000 1,528,000 12,627,100 327,000 418,000 184,100 9,200 23,530,000 11,000 63,000 524,290,000 360,000 189,600 30,000 500,000 15,358,000 774,000 430,000 10,261,000 651,841,000 1,030,000 2,048,000

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

6.19 3.4 3.4

6.19 3.51 3.4

5.89 3.31 3.31

FIRST METRO ETF

129.7

129.7

127.5

USD DMPL A2

10.4

10.4

10.3

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

11,843,236

INDUSTRIAL

69,100,286

HOLDING FIRMS

261,749,199

PROPERTY

1,301,079,629

SERVICES

568,469,419

MINING & OIL

2,650,409,203

GRAND TOTAL

4,866,932,803

6.09 3.44 3.31

SME

2,335,900 318,000 1,601,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.9 20,810 10.3

DDS

7,800

VALUE 2,215.43 (up) 13.03 845,072,937.89 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,511.90 (up) 74.43 1,109,374,705.77 HOLDING FIRMS 8,484,16 (down) 62.24 1,730,916,427.92 PROPERTY 3,760.28 (down) 19.07 1,745.14 (down) 2.43 1,719,742,757.335 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,905.19 (down) 124.87 1,284,333,537.35 PSEI 8,458.57 (down) 7.20 533,641,675.3722 All Shares Index 5,065.34 (down) 12.29 7,246,280,933.30 Gainers:74; Losers: 141; Unchanged: 41; Total: 256

ABS-CBN obtains P6b in BPI loan to refinance debt

By Darwin G. Amojelar ABS-CBN Corp. on Friday said it borrowed P6 billion from Bank of the Philippine Islands to refinance debt.

The Lopez-led multimedia company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it would use proceeds of the the loan to refinance maturing debt and for other general corporate requirements. The loan has a term of seven years.

ABS-CBN earlier reported a net profit of P2.3 billion in the first nine months of 2017, down 20 percent from last year’s P2.85 billion.

Advertising revenues fell 3 percent in the nine-month period to P15.3 billion, net of election-related spending.

The company’s profit guidance for 2017 was between P2.7 billion and P3 billion.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN registered an average national audience share of 46 percent in February or 13 points higher than GMA’s 33 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN commanded the ratings game in areas such as Metro Manila, where it recorded an average audience share of 40 percent against GMA’s 28 percent, in Total Luzon where it got 42 percent against GMA’s 35 percent, in Total Visayas where it garnered 56 percent against GMA’s 27 percent, and in Total Mindanao where it hit 52 percent against GMA’s 31 percent.

ABS-CBN also scored the most number of viewers on its primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight), where it hit an average audience share of 51 percent, or 20 points higher than GMA’s 31 percent.

Rival GMA Network, meanwhile, said it posted an average of 43.6 percent total day people audience share in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement toppling ABS-CBN’s 37.9 percent based on the Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

The network registered a solid 42.5 percent people audience share versus ABS-CBN’s 33.7 percent in the morning block in NUTAM, while GMA posted an even bigger lead in the afternoon block with 48.4 percent versus competition’s 35.3 percent.

Holcim’s profit dropped 65% to P2.4b in 2017

By Jenniffer B. Austria HOLCIM Philippines Inc. said net income fell 65 percent in 2017 to P2.4 billion from P6.9 billion in 2016 on weak demand and higher input cost.

Holcim said a disclosure to the stock exchange revenue decreased to P34.7 billion, down 13.9 percent in 2016 arising as a result of the combined effect of lower sales volume and price amid the tighter market competition.

The company said although there was a steady increase in public spending in the second half of 2017, the sluggish growth of the construction industry led to a decline in cement demand.

“Despite a challenging 2017, we pursued initiatives and continued investments that prepared us for the opportunities ahead in one of the bestperforming economies in the region,” Holcim president and chief executive Sapna Sood said.

“The construction growth slowdown, tighter competition and increased input costs affected our financial performance in 2017. But we reacted swiftly to mitigate these challenges. We launched projects to strengthen customer focus, improve the efficiency of plant and logistics operations, manage costs, and offer more innovative building solutions. We expect these to improve our business performance and allow Holcim Philippines to have an even more positive impact on the country’s development,” she added.

Holcim in the third quarter of 2017 began a P3-billion expansion project that will raise its cement production capacity by two million metric tons in preparation for the projected rise in demand as government ramps up infrastructure spending across the country.

It engaged stakeholders in the road infrastructure sector, showcasing innovative building solutions that enable them to deliver projects faster and more efficiently.

World Citizens count the personal cost of Brexit LONDON―Frustrated by Brexit negotiations, angry at Brussels or simply afraid of the future, ordinary Britons and other Europeans are already taking lifechanging decisions a year before Britain leaves the EU. Office workers, farmers and radio hosts are taking on new nationalities, relocating their businesses or looking forward to lucrative alternative trade deals, as politicians struggle to come up with a plan.

“Other people my age, they are starting settling down, they make more long-term plans with their lives,” said 32-year-old Matt Davies, a British expat in Madrid.

“It’s very difficult for me to plan anything beyond March 2019 because you just have no idea what is going to happen,” the call centre worker said.

British and EU diplomats resumed negotiations in Brussels in February and are hoping to agree in March on a postBrexit transition period.

But the shape of future relations between Britain and the EU is far from certain and the British government is deeply divided over how to proceed.

That uncertainty is even more pressing for the three million EU nationals living in the UK, many of whom are now questioning their future there.

Brexit affects “every part of our lives”, radio presenter Gosia Prochal, one of nearly a million Polish citizens living in Britain, told AFP. The 25-year-old is based in Peterborough, a city in eastern England that has seen a sharp rise in immigration in recent years and voted 61 percent in favor of leaving the EU in the 2016 referendum.

AFP spoke to five EU nationals and five Britons in the UK, as well as five British citizens living in continental Europe about their hopes and fears ahead of the expected Brexit date of March 29, 2019.

William Lynch, from Northern Ireland, farms oysters in Lough Foyle.

He faces having to move his business two kilometers downstream to the Republic of Ireland―across a currently invisible boundary―if customs tariffs come in after Brexit. “I can’t really leave it till the last minute to do that,” the 63-year-old ex-fireman said.

The oysters he lays down this year, largely for export to France, will not be harvested until after the UK has left the EU. AFP

TODAY

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Legislature to give Xi free rein B

EIJING―When President Xi Jinping attends the National People’s Congress, he will swear an oath to uphold China’s constitution. But first, he will remake it in his own image, legally formalizing his almost limitless mandate to bend the nation to his will.

DRAGON DANCE. This photo taken on March 1, 2018 shows people performing a dragon dance with dragon lanterns ahead of the Chinese lantern festival in Yunhe in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. AFP

Antarctica’s sea ice shrinks for the second straight year SYDNEY―The sea ice cover in Antarctica has dropped to its second-lowest on record, Australian authorities said Friday, adding that it was not yet clear what was driving the reduction after several years of record-highs.

The report came as scientists said earlier this week that the Arctic region was seeing record high temperatures, with sea ice covering the smallest area in winter since records began more than half-a-century ago.

The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) said the latest satellite data showed a total 2.15 million square kilometers surrounding the icy continent during the lowest point in February during the summer season.

The minimum record was set in March last year, when a summertime reading of

2.07 million square kilometers was recorded, the AAD, which manages Australia’s Antarctic program, said.

Last year also saw near recordlows for the wintertime maximum sea ice cover, at 18.05 million square kilometers.

“Since August 2016, the sea ice coverage has been tracking well below the long-term average,” Bureau of Meteorology Antarctic scientist Phil Reid said in a statement.

“In 2017, the wintertime maximum sea ice extent was the second-lowest on record at 18.05 million square kilometers following closely on the heels of successive record highs in 2012, 2013 and 2014.”

Reid said the variations were a “significant departure” from the overall increas-

ing trend in Antarctic sea ice of about 1.7 percent each decade since 1979.

After reaching its lowest point in summer, the sea ice―which is created when the ocean surrounding the continent freezes―reforms in autumn and expands around Antarctica.

AAD scientist Rob Massom said researchers were still trying to determine what was driving the changes and the variability in the sea ice cover, and said understanding the processes was a “high priority”.

“The ice cover plays a crucially important role both in the global climate system and as a key habitat for a wide range of biota from micro-organisms to great whales,” he added in a statement.

“Sea ice conditions also have a major impact on shipping and logistical operations in the Southern Ocean.” AFP

Myanmar defends US sees hope for negotiated end to Afghan war troop buildup on Bangladesh border YANGON―Myanmar on Friday defended deploying fresh troops to a border zone with Bangladesh where thousands of Rohingya refugees are camped, blaming a militant threat as Dhaka called for an immediate retreat to lower the tensions along the troubled frontier.

The increased security presence this week has centered around a strip of “no man’s land” between the two countries where some 6,000 Rohingya sought shelter after fleeing a brutal Myanmar army crackdown last August.

The military campaign drove some 700,000 Rohingya across the border in total, with most traveling on to sprawling refugee settlements in Bangladesh’s southeastern border district of Cox’s Bazar.

The UN has accused Myanmar of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Muslim minority.

Yet Myanmar has staunchly defended the crackdown as an effort to snuff out Rohingya militants who raided police posts last year.

The recent spike in security along the border is a response to new intelligence about the movement of Rohingya militants, said Myanmar government spokesman Zaw Htay.

“We acted this way based on the information we got regarding terrorism, especially the ARSA movement,” he told AFP, using an acronym for the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, a militant group, and declining to elaborate further.

“It was not aimed at antagonizing Bangladesh,” he added.

On Thursday Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said it summoned Myanmar’s envoy to call for an “immediate pullback of Myanmar security forces along with military assets from the area.”

In recent weeks the Rohingya living in the no man’s land strip have faced growing pressure from Myanmar soldiers, who have stepped up patrols along the barbed-wire border fence near the camp and ordered the group to leave over loudspeakers. AFP

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

Manila

Standard

WASHINGTON―The United States dared to permit itself renewed hope Thursday that the longest war in its history may be closer to a negotiated settlement, after the Afghan-led talks went better than expected.

After 17 years of guerrilla conflict and several diplomatic false starts, American officials take nothing for granted―and they still expect the spring thaw to herald more fierce fighting.

But they were pleased, both publicly and privately, by this week’s international conference in Kabul, which they see as a step towards talks between President Ashraf Ghani’s government and the Taliban.

Ghani played his role to a tee, holding out his hand to the Taliban and suggesting that if they join talks they could be recognized as a political party with a legitimate role in Afghanistan’s future.

Washington, even under war-skeptic President Donald Trump, will not seek a unilateral deal with the Taliban to extricate itself from a long, inconclusive conflict, but will instead encourage an Afghan dialogue.

And, just as US policy makers have concluded the still improving US-backed Afghan military can not win a decisive victory, they now believe the Taliban must understand it will never retake Kabul. AFP

ERRATUM There was an error in the BOI Notice of

PHILIPPINE POWER AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

last March 1, 2018 it should (0.70 MW be read as

Balugbog Hydroelectric Power Project) in Nagcarlan, Laguna and not

as published.

On Monday, nearly 3,000 delegates from around the country will gather in Beijing for what could become the nation’s most consequential annual legislative session in decades.

They are expected to rubber stamp major constitutional amendments providing the legal framework for elevating the authority of the Communist Party and its most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.

The two-week session will hand Xi a second five-year stint as president, but it will also likely scrap the constitution’s limits on holding the office, clearing the way for him to rule for life.

The meeting is “very important”, Beijing-based political scholar Hu Xingdou told AFP. “It’s opening at the most critical period for reforming the party and national system,” he said.

The constitutional amendments, he added, will help Xi usher in his “new era”, where a resurgent China, under the guidance of the Communist Party, will regain what many see as its rightful place at the center of world affairs.

Achieving that goal―which will be written, along with Xi’s name, into the constitution―requires a strong leader and a strong party, Chinese state media has argued.

But the possibility that Xi could rule for life, like Mao before him, has sparked a public outcry, prompting party censors to furiously stamp out dissenting voices on social media.

The anxiety is understandable, according to Trey McArver, founder of Beijing-based research firm Trivium China.

“This seems like a pretty clear dismantling of some of the important institutions put into place to make a more robust administration.”

The current constitution has been altered four times since its adoption in 1982, when it replaced a previous version written in 1978 in the lead up to the start of the country’s reform period. AFP

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published.

We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE InvItatIon to BId for the Procurement of the constructIon of PresIdentIal securIty GrouP (PsG) statIon hosPItal, Phase I IB no. cW-2018-001 1.

The Department of Health (DOH )through the General Appropriations Act of 2018 intends to apply the sum of One Hundred Nine Million Nine Hundred Eighty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Five Philippine Pesos and Ninety One Centavos (PhP109,989,955.91) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of the Construction of Presidential Security Group (PSG) Station Hospital, Phase I under IB No. CW-2018-001. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned project.

Completion of the Works is required within the period specified under Section VI. Technical Specifications and Scope of Works. Bidders should have completed a single contact local or international that is similar to this Project, equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

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

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on March 5, 2018 to March 26, 2018 from the address above and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP50,000.00).

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

6.

The DOH will hold a Pre-bid Conference on March 12, 2018; 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manilawhich shall beopen to all interested bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-D Secretariat at the address below on or beforeMarch 26, 2018; 9:00 A.M. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on March 26, 2018; 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

Eligible Bidders shall submit a Certified True Copy of valid PCAB licenses for Size Range – at least Medium B, License Category – at least A, General Building.

9.

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

10. For further information, please refer to: COBAC-D Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

CREMATION. A sarcophagus will be burned during the cremation of a member of the royal family in

Ubud on Bali island in Indonesia. AFP

(SGD) HERMINIGILDO V. VALLE, MD, MPA Undersecretary of Health Chairperson, COBAC-D (MS-MAR. 3, 2018)

‘BUILD, BUILD, BUILD!’ ACCORD BETWEEN LAMUDI, MANILA STANDARD. Lamudi

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

PH oceans get a break, thanks to MPIC’s Shore it Up

Environmental awareness program celebrates 10th year

A

LL over the country are quaint coastal towns, unknown to many people in Metro Manila, despite their rich biodiversity and exceptional beauty.

Philippines recently inked an agreement with the Manila Standard to come up with cutting edge content and comprehensive service offerings for millions of overseas Filipinos, as well as international and local buyers, eyeing investments in the burgeoning real estate scene.

With the government’s growing partnership with the private sector to build crucial infrastructure that would further drive the local property, including home and design, boom, the agreement between Lamudi and Manila Standard is significant as it will generate synergy in terms of content in the publication’s print and online portals, respectively.

Manila Standard will likewise be Lamudi’s media partner for all its major events for 2018. At the signing ceremonies were Lamudi CEO Bhavna Suresh and Manila Standard publisher Rolando Estabillo. With them were Lamudi brand & communication director Ken Lerona and Home and Design editor Joel Lacsamana.

Alveo targets P40B in projects this year

WORKING WITH THE LGUS.

A marine biologist briefs community leaders on coral reef monitoring techniques.

(Inset) SIU volunteers touch base with the local police.

From Alaminos, Pangasinan to Mabini, Batangas; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro to Cordova, Cebu; Del Carmen, Siargao to Medina, Misamis Oriental, all the way to the province of Surigao Del Norte, are shoreline destinations whose lush mountains are untainted, almost untouched.

Viewed from the sea, the ranges are a various mix of green hues patched with a few brown spots.

But what these coastal gems really offer is a plethora of underwater treasures: a wide array of healthy corals, both soft and hard; and a diverse population of marine life.

But despite being marine-protected areas (MPAs), many of the reefs and beaches there are prone to threats—such as chemical pollution and eutrophication, fisheries operations, habitat alteration, invasion of alien species and global climate change.

Preserving reefs Now on its tenth year, the Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF) , the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), is stepping up its efforts to preserve and conserve these reefs.

This March 2 to 4, Shore It Up! (SIU), MPIF’s environmental awareness initiative, will celebrate its anniversary with simultaneous underwater and coastal clean-up drives with the organization’s local government unit (LGU) partners in Alaminos, Mabini, Puerto Galera, Cordova, Del Carmen, Medina, and Surigao Del Norte.

The SIU program kicked off in 2009 to “shore up” the environment, “as a small step towards environmental awareness.”

“When Ondoy hit us in 2009, it became a wakeup call for us,” said Melody Del Rosario, MPIF President. “Our environment is deteriorating. We had to start somewhere.

And with the Philippines surrounded with bodies of water, underwater and coastal clean-up, together with marine life conservation, became a good starting point for the SIU program.”

Starting with just 20 divers, Shore It Up! held its first underwater and shore clean-up activity in Anilao, Batangas.

SIU has since then been the longestrunning corporate-backed environmental awareness program.

“Easier said than done” At a clean up held last year in Misamis Oriental, 2,120 volunteers—almost a hundred of whom were representatives from the MVP Group of Companies — collected 787 kilograms of garbage from the three dive sites, and from 7 km

of coastline.

“Medina is the birthplace of the first batch of Marine Protection and Inspection Custodians,” said del Rosario said, referring to the volunteers.

Experts, like Jake Miranda, a scubadiving instructor who specializes in cave diving, shared their knowledge in marine protection to the locals.

Miranda led the assembly and deployment of marker buoys to allow boats to dock near the reef without the need for an anchor, which may damage corals.

“The fight to preserve the environment is easier said than done. It is a life-long quest. In a small way we started protecting our marine biology in Medina,” Mayor Donato Chan said. During its three-day program, Metro Pacific led the investiture of 200 junior environmental scouts, which are young ambassadors of change in their respective communities.

Volunteers from MPIC taught students about the significance of putting prime importance to rescuing, restoring and reviving the country’s bodies of water.

Coral “center” Being an archipelago, the Philippines boasts of a rich marine biodiversity. It sits at the apex of the Coral Triangle, recognized as the global center for marine biodiversity, along with Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.

As the apex of such a coral “center”, the Philippines is home to a diverse species of corals, seagrass beds, mangrove and beach forests, fisheries, invertebrates, seaweeds and marine mammals.

These are home to at least 2,000 species of fish 5,000 species of clams and other mollusks and crustaceans; 22 species of whales and dolphins; more than 900 species of seaweed; and more than 400 species of corals.

For the past ten years, MPIC has taken the cudgels to help rehabilitate these precious marine resources. Shore It Up, the country’s longest-running corporate-backed environment program, has helped remove tons of garbage from Philippine waters—from Batangas to Subic, to Siargao, among others—and set up mangrove centers in the country.

It has also ventured into giant-clam rearrangement, seeding and artificial-reef restoration.

“Over the years, Shore It Up had 75,000 volunteers, 3,000 junior environmental scouts and two mangrove centers,” del Rosario said. “We’re making sure that we have a contribution that is lasting—that is sustainable.”

DIVERS WITH HEART.

Putting importance to rescuing, restoring and reviving the country’s bodies of water.

SUSTAINING MOMENTUM. “(This) 2018 is all about raising our game” - Alveo president Jenylle Tupaz.

B

ONIFACIO Global City, Taguig - Ayala Land (ALI) subsidiary, Alveo Land, announced this week that it will expand to new territories this year, including areas in North Luzon and Mindanao.

The developer has several residential, commercial and office projects set to attract both local and foreign buyers alike. It expects to launch over P40 billion worth of new projects nationwide.

“We always consider our consumer’s needs and lifestyle when planning and developing our projects,” said Jennylle S. Tupaz, Alveo Land president. “Our continuous commitment is to deliver consumer-relevant innovation in all our products, and provide a dynamic portfolio of real estate solutions all over the country.”

High sales take up Alveo recently concluded its 15th year performance with a high sales take up. Boosted by launches in areas like Makati, Ortigas/Pasig, Quezon City, Cavite and Taguig, it successfully introduced signature properties within ALI’s sustainable estates. This includes developments in Circuit Makati, Alviera in Pampanga, Vertis North in Quezon City, and Evo City in Cavite, among others.

Alveo also saw sales take-ups of

HOW GREEN IS ALVEO’S VALLEY. Mondia Nuvali central park residential and office projects rise the past year, especially in Circuit Makati.

Alveo properties in the area include condo developments Solstice and Callisto, as well as office-for-sale The Stiles Enterprise Plaza. Signature subdivision The Residences at Evo City in Cavite, on the other hand, sold out completely in one day.

Alveo turned over seven completed projects in 2017. These are specifically, One Maridien at High Street South and High Street South Corporate Plaza (Tower 1) in BGC, Lumira in Nuvali, Westborough Town Center in Laguna, Kasa Luntian in Tagaytay, Solinea

Tower 1 in Cebu, and Abreeza Tower 1 in Davao.

This 2018, horizontal projects in the form of residential lots are expected to account for 64 percent of Alveo’s total launches in terms of volume and 42 percent in terms of sales value.

“Majority of our projects are integrated within key Ayala Land mixed-use estates all over the country, which is a great advantage that we always take into consideration. Being in such highly strategic locations provides the best overall investment value for our customers in the long-term.” Tupaz said.

ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR POWER TOOLS POWER tool-maker Bosch recently inaugurated its first one-stop-shop in the Philippines that offers the brand’s lineup of products.

The Bosch shop in Quezon City is designed to be the ultimate pit stop for professional contractors and handymen looking for end-to-end power tools solutions.

The facility was established in collaboration with Bosch-authorized dealer, Panda Construction Supply Inc. The construction industry—marked by the government’s “Build, Build, Build” campaign alongside with the property development boom—has driven increasing customer demand for power tool products.

Add to this the growing need for electricians and construction workers, according to the Department of Labor and Employment. Bosch will be focusing in the National Capital Region where the construction segment is highly concentrated.

The Bosch shop will be a hub for end-users in the region who can look through and experience the brand’s wide range of tools, from heavy-duty requirements to accessories. At the opening of the QC shop were (from left): William Go, Bosch Philippines country sales director and Philip Sy of Panda Construction Supply.

RESORT-INSPIRED LIVING.

DMCI Homes is bringing its signature resort-inspired living and expansive public spaces along Aurora Boulevard in Quezon City, with the Infina Towers.

The development features two towers —the north and the south, just a stone’s throw from the LRT 2 Anonas Station.

Infina Towers offers a good place for startup families with its easy access to educational institutions such as University of the Philippines-Diliman, Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University, as well as bustling businesses in nearby Araneta Center in Cubao area.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

travel and leisure

@mstandardLIFE

C1

saturday, march 3, 2018

IN FULL BLOOM. The 23rd Panagbenga Festival featured grander floats, more street dance participants, and bigger stars during its two major events on Feb. 23 and 24.

Why people keep coming back to

Panagbenga Festival

By Bernadette Lunas

W

hen you have been to Panagbenga Festival before, you would think there is nothing new and more to see when you come back. Besides it is the same thing as in the previous years: flower-bedecked floats, children in traditional costumes dancing to engaging music of drum and lyre bands, and a handful of celebrities waving at and taking selfies with the cheering crowd.

I should know; I’ve been there thrice in my lifetime.

But there is something that continues Master Siomai took home the grand to pull tourists, me included, to Baguio prize in the Big Float category. city, even after 23 years since the festival’s first staging.

While flowers undeniably are a big draw for Panagbenga, the festival is more than just the colorful blooms it showcases.

The Panagbenga Festival, which was founded in 1995, was only meant to “bring back tourists and the glory of Baguio” following the 1990 Luzon Earthquake, according to Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. cochairman Federico alquiros. alquiros admitted that “it was not conceived to be a pure cultural event— there was no pretensions.”

Panagbenga Festival, more than a cultural event, is a celebration of cordillera region’s ornamental flowers and its peoples’ culture, tradition, creativity, and talent. Perhaps there are only a Turn to C2

The glorious and world-class Boracay sunset

Restoring and Upgrading Boracay

mercury rising

By BoB zozoBrado

Boracay is our country’s most popular beach destination, attracting visitors from the four corners of the world all year round. This 10.32-square kilometer island paradise is nestled between the Sulu Sea and the Sibuyan Sea, and is composed

and is now practically a Hall of Famer in Condé Nast Traveler’s readers’ choice awards. It has helped put our country on the map of fun-loving travelers. In fact, quite a number of foreign nationals I meet, when I attend international conferences abroad, immediately mention Boracay when they know I’m from the Philippines.

Visitors, totaling around 2 million yearly, are drawn to Boracay, any time of the year, for sun-and-beach holidays, water sports, scuba diving, and other water-based adventures.

Their expenditures contribute to the country’s coffers approximately P50 billion in tourist receipts.

Maybank bagged the top spot in the Small Float category

GMA stars (from left) Ruru Madrid, Jak Roberto, Glaiza de Castro, Megan Young, Mikael Daez, and Matt Evans on the GMA Regional TV’s float

The pristine Boracay shoreline many decades ago, before the onslaught of tourists

Panagbenga hotties draw loud cheers from the crowd

University of the Cordilleras Senior High School was named Street Dance champion in the High School division

of three barangays: yapac, Balabag, and Manoc-Manoc, belonging to the municipality of Malay, aklan, and with an aggregate population of 34,000.

It has been cited many times as one of the most beautiful islands in the world

Unfortunately, this paradise island’s success story is currently hitting a snag.

The continuous influx of domestic and foreign tourists through the years has resulted in some environmental issues Turn to C2

Life

C2

saturday, march 3, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

travel gear

Quiksilver x Pacsafe collaboration

Yoga above the clouds The Travel Well with Yoga videos are now available across all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon routes

I

T ISN’T really a wonder why travelers are often “bent out of shape,” so to speak. Sitting down for long periods of time have fliers expecting to alight from their flights with some stiffness and strain.

Cathay Pacific’s philosophy of creating “Life Well Travelled” experiences has ensured that its inflight amenities—from its seats, food, to entertainment options—provide passengers with a convenient and comfortable journey.

But the premium airline is not stopping there and has in fact gone the extra mile to help with travelers’ over-all wellness.

Its new inflight well-being program uses yoga and meditation exercises and tips for frequent flyers and international passengers to counter the effects of extended periods of sitting. Yoga techniques combine mindful movement, with attention to breathing and bodily

sensations that not only reduces stiffness but also helps calm the mind and eases stress or anxiety.

Cathay Pacific teamed up with Pure Yoga to launch Travel Well with Yoga.

Developed by esteemed Pure Yoga instructors, the program includes six easy-to-follow videos of yoga and meditation routines that can be done before, during, or after a flight.

The exercises are demonstrated by founding teacher Patrick Creelman and senior instructor and co-founder Almen Wong. The routine was designed to improve circulation, enhance joint mobility, and keep travelers relaxed and com-

A Pure Yoga instructor demonstrates relaxing breathing techniques

fortable throughout their journey.

“We all know that sitting still for a long period of time can be uncomfortable. The need to get up, move and get your blood pumping is important during a flight,” said Cathay Pacific Entertainment, Platforms and Connectivity manager Simon Cuthbert.

He continued, “Yoga is an innovative way to do this. There are a series of exercises that can easily be done from an economy class seat while other moves are suitable for after the flight in your hotel.”

Passengers of all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon routes can access the series, which is available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese, through the Lifestyle section on their inflight entertainment screens.

Travel Well with Yoga videos are now available across all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon routes.

The series teaches exercises on increasing circulation

From C1

few festivals in the Philippines where participants spend more money than they could ever win.

all for the honor

Better floats, more street dancers, bigger stars

“The quality of floats this year was better [than in the previous years].

Even the hall of famers—such as Baguio Country Club, SM Baguio, and NLEx—did a lot of improvements on their entries,” enthused Domogan.

Ang Probinsyano cast, led by Coco Martin, aboard the ABS-CBN float

Master Siomai’s charming flowerand-siomai float bagged the grand prize in the Big Float category, while the colorful floats of M. Lhuillier and Sitel took home the second and third spot, respectively.

The tiger of Maybank’s flower float made a roaring return this year clinching the first place in the Small Float category, followed by Saleng Metro Pacific in second spot and Coca-Cola in third place.

Adding more color and cheer to the Grand Float Parade were GMA stars Glaiza de Castro, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Mikael Daez, Matt Evans, Jak Roberto, and Ruru Madrid who came in full force aboard the GMA Regional TV’s float; Ang Probinsyano cast, led by the singing Coco Martin, on ABS-CBN’s float; Empoy Marquez aboard the winning M Lhuillier float; Dionesia Pacquiao waving at the crowd while on Palawan Express float; and the NLEx Road Warriors cagers marching ahead the NLEx float entry.

The presence of celebrities and other noted personalities in the festival surely made the audience’s wait worth their while—huge crowd and traffic, notwithstanding.

The 2018 edition of Panagbenga Festival also saw its largest number of Grand Street Dance competition participants to date. Eight groups joined in the Elementary School division, five in High

School division, and 14 in the Open category, which is open to other schools and groups outside of Baguio City and the entire Cordillera region—in a bid to make the festival an inclusive event.

Bagging the first prize in the three divisions were Baguio Central School (Elementary), University of the Cordilleras High School (High School), and Saint Louis University (Open).

Festival for all

The month-long festivities were once again successful and orderly, thanks to the festival’s generous supporters, participants, and more than 8,000 volunteers.

Panagbenga is the perfect example that a festival, no matter how grand the showcase or how strictly cultural the intentions, will only truly be successful with the support of the whole community.

“Volunteers are honored and they feel that this is their festival so they contribute what they can,” said Domogan.

At the end of the day, when the floats have been decked with all the colorful blooms available and the dances have been performed, the most important thing is community participation— when people, from Cordillera or not, are honored to be part of and witness the festival.

That, I believe, is the reason why people keep coming back to Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival.

(P8,390) is good for both wet adventurers and city travelers. Its multiorganizational storage allots ample and secure spaces for laptops, tablets, and other gadgets, while safety features such as the PopNLock security clip allows travelers to anchor the bag to fixed object such as a table leg or post, to prevent the bag from being stolen.

All Pacsafepioneered security features are shared by both models, along with Quicksilver’s striking “Heavy Water” board shorts lining.

Pacsafe is available at Urbanize and Pacsafe stores in Glorietta 5, SM Mall of Asia, The Block SM North Edsa, and SM Seaside Cebu. It is also available at all Travel Club and Rustan’s branches as well as Fashion Rack NAIA 3 and Duty Free.

The Quiksilver x Pacsafe bag is perfect for adventurers

Restoring...

Why people...

Twenty-four big and small floats decked with colorful blooms paraded from Panagbenga Park to Melvin Jones football grounds on Feb. 24.

Participants in the Grand Float Parade competition, composed of public and private entities, BFFFI officials said, had to spend from P150,000 to P350,000 (Small Float category) and from roughly P500,000 to P800,000 (Big Float category) to mount their respective floats. The grand prize, meanwhile, for the winning float is P500,000 for the Big category and P200,000 for the Small category.

Even participants in the Grand Street Dance competition have to dig from their own pockets. Despite the P60,000 government subsidy to each participating group in the Elementary School division, students and their parents have to chip in to fund themselves.

According to Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, the winning team this year spent P400,000 for their props and costumes, choreographer’s fee, and other expenses. Despite this, the children, said Alquiros, still fight for their slots in their respective contingents.

“Actually, it is a sacrifice for them to join, because they spend more than they can win,” said Domogan.

And yet they did and still do, all for the honor of being part of the only Philippine festival accredited by the International Festivals and Events Association that continues to grow bigger and grander every year.

AUSTRALIAN brand Pacsafe is popular for its roster of bags that will carry all your essentials and keep them safe, too.

In keeping with its adventurous spirit, Pacsafe partners with board sports brand Quiksilver to launch two bags made for any kind of traveler, especially those who love to go on adventures.

The Quicksilver x Pacsafe 40L Anti-Theft CarryOn Pack (10,690) has unique safety and convenience features such as a removable dry bag, heavyduty tarpaulin pockets, and storage space for the board rider with lots of gear to go. Anti-theft technology such as an eXomesh slashguard, Carrysafe slashguard straps, and secured zip tabs make it theft-proof, perfect for adventures sans the fear.

Meanwhile, the Quicksilver x Pacsafe 25L Anti-Theft Backpack

and Local Government, Department of Justice, and Department of Public From C1 Works and Highways, to immediately address the island’s woes. which should have been attended to imThe Tourism Infrastructure and mediately by past government leaders. Tourism Zone Authority (TIEZA), the The island now has to deal with sea- infrastructure arm of DoT, has commitwater pollution, street flooding, lack of ted to pour in P400 million for Phase 2 proper garbage disposal, and violations of the ongoing drainage project, to alof the building prohibition 30 meters leviate flooding in the island’s heavily from the shoreline. populated tourist areas.

Over 60 establishments, including a Until such time when the DoT will five-star resort, have reportedly been announce the start of the island’s rehadumping untreated sewage water into bilitation and how it will be done, it is the sea. There has also been the alarm- business as usual on the island. Booking recurrence of flooding in most parts ings are still pouring in. In fact, some of the island’s tourist hub, particularly establishments notice an increase in adthe flash flooding that occurred during vance reservations. the typhoon last December.

At a Consultative Meeting called Guidelines on proper garbage dis- by the DoT the other day, heads of the posal have not been followed by some country’s tourism organizations were establishments, and overcrowding has given a chance to voice out their compushed some beachfront establishments ments on the planned rehabilitation efto extend their properties too close to forts, as such will directly impact their the shoreline. respective businesses.

It is indeed very surprising that, in We learned from DoT officers that spite of the island being a major source more of these meetings will be conductof tourism ed with the revenues, the hotel/resor t powers that owners, their YOUR weekend CHUCkLe be in the preSales and vious adminM a r k e t i ng ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: istrations teams, and They don’t talk about other people. did not put other groups across seriwhose livelious solutions hood will be to these problems. Nothing was heard affected by whatever move the governfrom the local government units either. ment will make towards fixing the isI’m glad that President Rodrigo Du- land’s damaged ecosystem. terte has taken a bold step in responding Tourism Secretary Teo is batting for to Boracay’s current situation. He has the strict enforcement of responsible ignited a full-scale government effort tourism as the only way to support a to restore the popular beach destina- sustainable and inclusive Tourism Protion to its former glory, towards further gram. Tourism Undersecretary for Pubupgrading the island’s appeal to visitors lic Affairs Katherine de Castro is craftfrom all over. ing a Communications Plan to keep the Our current set of government offi- world updated on Boracay. cials also moved quickly and immediWith all these decision-makers acately embarked on “Oplan Save Bora- tively involved in implementing meascay,” a multi-agency program headed ures to regain our much valued island by our Department of Tourism Secre- paradise, there’s no doubt the world will tary Wanda Tulfo-Teo. continue to see Boracay as one of the A joint administrative order is now world’s most beautiful islands. being forged with other line agencies: Department of Environment and NatuFor feedback, I’m at ral Resources, Department of Interior bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Sinesaysay Film Doc Competition deadline extended

Power Mac Center and LaCie brand ambassadors Director Brillante Mendoza (eft) and Shaira Luna

POWER MAC collaborates with

Brillante Mendoza, Shaira Luna P

OWER Mac Center has always been all-out in supporting technologyassisted creative expression. Just recently, the premier Apple partner gathered young creative, mostly photographers and videographers, in an event called Lounge to help them build connections in the industry, get to interact and learn first-hand from professionals like Director Brillante Mendoza and Shaira Luna, and discover powerful devices to boost their craft.

In partnership with LaCie, a French brand of digital storage solutions, Power Mac Center was able to get internationally acclaimed Director Brillante Mendoza to talk about his experience in the film industry and give the young creatives tips in filmmaking.

“I use several cameras on the set. I use three to four cameras on the set. 4K lahat so mabibigat yung mga files so on the set, we make sure na right after the shoot or even during the shoot actually, kailangan tina-transfer and LaCie is really very useful in that aspect,” Mendoza told his audience.

An independent filmmaker through and through, Mendoza enjoys the full creative freedom to tell his story the way he wants to. His biggest challenge though, was sourcing for funds. So in order to secure his hard work, which is the film itself, Mendoza makes sure to invest in equipment that are reliable and provide him with complete peace of mind.

Meanwhile, for her part, professional fashion and advertising photographer Shaira Luna talked about what drives her to follow her passion in photography and how LaCie complements her on-the-go lifestyle and keeps her file transfer speedy and protected.

“I’m very thankful that I have LaCie to back me up. I just have so many pictures if only you know. I’ve started organizing my Instagram into color themes because I just have that many photos,” Luna said.

Luna loves being a photographer because it allows her to travel and meet a lot of people, especially creative minds she gets to work with in the process.

“Power Mac Center shares LaCie’s commitment to support the creative community. More than anything, we provide solutions to the demands of the industry from creatives of today,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

An evening of fun, learning, and discovery, the Lounge event was meant to bring creatives together and “lounge” with industry movers to share/brew ideas. LaCie will continue to hold such pocket events for its new products this 2018.

STUDENTS and aspiring documentary filmmakers may still submit their application to the Sinesaysay Film Documentary Lab and Showcase until March 31.

Sinesaysay is organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in partnership this year with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to encourage documentary filmmakers to explore Philippine often-unvisited historical events that helped shape the country today.

Starting on the second quarter of the year, Sinesaysay will be divided into two categories: the Bagong Sibol Documentary Lab and the Feature Documentary Showcase.

Bagong Sibol is open to emerging filmmakers working on their first or second documentary full feature films. Six projects and its fellows will undergo a series of workshops and consultations in developing their short documentary films.

From these applications, two projects will be awarded a Php 700,000 grant to develop the full feature versions of their project.

For the Feature Documentary Showcase, interested filmmakers who have worked on at least two documentary full feature films will submit a 5-10 pitch trailer of the given topics. Four filmmakers

will be given a co-production grant of P 1 Million to produce a documentary full feature project aligned with the themes of the program.

A school campaign to promote the Showcase and Docu Lab was held this February around Metro Manila, including Asia Pacific Col-

lege, De Las Salle College of Saint Benilde, Mapua, University of Sto. Tomas, University of Asia and the Pacific and Ateneo de Manila.

Visit https://www.fdcp.ph/ sinesaysay/ for the detailed requirements and mechanics or contact FDCP at (02) 256 99 08 local 103.

Twist continues in ‘The Good Son’ THE investigation on Victor’s (Albert Martinez) death takes an unexpected turn now that his brother Anthony (John Estrada) has been officially named a suspect in his murder in the Kapamilya primetime series The Good Son. The twist in the case emerged after Anthony revealed to the investigators that he and his brother had gotten into an argument hours before Victor died.

However, the police’s suspicion on Anthony’s motive to kill his own brother also strengthened after he recounted how he despised his brother growing up for being over-controlling and how he envied Victor’s success.

However, Anthony suddenly disappears as the evidence against him solidifies, which will only boost speculations about his involvement in the crime. Olivia (Eula Valdez),

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, March 3, 2018

ACROSS 1 Stiff pleated collar 5 Wild guess 9 Leave out 14 Ship’s position 15 Slow time 16 Inert gas 17 Troublesome bug 18 Fashion magazine 19 Gibe 20 Briefcase 22 Medieval knight 24 Own 25 Food storage place 26 Cracker go-with 29 Rub out 31 Cook slowly 32 Fibber, plus 33 Talk hoarsely 37 Gore and Capone 38 Tartness 41 Notch’s shape 42 Japanese clog 44 Harbinger 45 Musical drama 47 Auto-racing family 49 Towers over 50 Faucet 53 Bagpiper’s wear 54 Oath 56 Holds a grudge

60 Troubadour instruments 61 Kid 63 Carrie’s “Star Wars” role 64 Lacking significance 65 — slaw 66 Frilly 67 Course finales 68 Believed 69 Scroll holders DOWN 1 Dust collectors 2 Radius neighbor 3 Hero’s deed 4 Sells for 5 Record protector 6 Evening-gown fabric 7 Winner’s take 8 Spent unwisely 9 Bit players 10 Pupil 11 Mukluk wearer 12 Generous one 13 Ingress 21 “— la vista!”

23 In reserve 26 Rugged cliff 27 Burrow 28 Part of SEATO 29 Comforter stuffing 30 Wet forecast

32 Whitewash component 34 Declare 35 Feudal worker 36 Green veggies 39 Is priced at 40 Cries out in pain 43 Make larger 46 Knee bone 48 Loud sounds 49 Slimmed down 50 Banana — 51 Dried fruit 52 Wee bits 53 Crustaceans

eaten by baleen whales 55 Work with acid 57 In the vicinity of 58 Sharp, repeated sound 59 Voices an opinion 62 Grievous affliction

on the other hand, will see this as an opportunity to absolve Calvin (Nash Aguas) from the case and will cull more evidence to prove that Anthony is the real mastermind behind the murder.

Did Anthony really kill his own brother?

The Good Son airs weeknights after La Luna Sangre in ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida.

John Estrada in a scene from the primetime drama, 'The Good Son.'

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018

JAMES, JONA, SARAH lead

nominees for Myx Music Awards

Suspended midair, Kristel gracefully interpreted the song “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Miserables.

Pop stars James Reid, Jona and Sarah Geronimo are nominated in five categories in this year's Myx Music Awards.

THE most highly anticipated music award show in the Philippines – the MYX Music Awards – is finally happening on May 15.

Now on its 13th year of recognizing the hottest hit makers on the OPM scene, the MYX Music Awards 2018 is the biggest one yet as more fans will get the chance to witness the starstudded spectacle live at the Araneta Coliseum, and leading this year’s contenders are James Reid, Jona and Sarah Geronimo who are nominated in five categories each.

“Cool Down” by James, “Ano Nga Ba Tayo” by Jona, and “Kaibigan Mo” by Sarah and Yeng Constantino compete for Song of the Year along with “Sa’Yo Pa Rin” by Glaiza de Castro and “Titibo-Tibo” by Moira dela Torre.

Among the nominees for Music Video of the Year are “C@ll” by Bamboo, “Cebuana” by Karencitta, “Misteryo” by Sarah, “Sa’Yo Pa Rin”

by Glaiza, and “The Life” by James which was co-directed by girlfriend Nadine Lustre.

Singer 2018 contender KZ Tandingan received four nominations including Artist of the Year where she’s up against Sarah, James, Iñigo Pascual, and last year’s winner Darren Espanto. Also receiving

multiple nods were BoybandPH, IV Of Spades, and Quest.

Meanwhile, teen favorites Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber - who appeared as guest VJs on the #1 music channel - are both in the running for MYX Celebrity VJ of the Year along with Kisses Delavin and Marco Gallo, McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, Kim Chiu, Empoy, and more.

Other sought-after awards in the MYX Music Awards include Female Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, New Artist of the Year, Mellow Video of the Year, Rock Video of the Year, Urban Video of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Remake of the Year, Media Soundtrack of the Year, Music Video Guest Appearance of the Year, International Video of the Year, and MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year.

Fans can vote for their favorites on myxph.com/myxmusicawards until May 8 at 11:59 p.m.. The public’s vote will account for 60 percent of the final tally while the remaining 40 percent will be decided by fellow artists.

Watch MYX on Skycable channel 23, log on to www.myxph.com, like @MYX.Philippines on Facebook, and follow MYX on Instagram (@myxph) and Twitter (@MYXPhilippines) for updates on ticket prices.

World Premiere of Lupe Fiasco’s ‘Beat N Path’ WITH the challenges faced in pursuing one’s passion, it is rare to find someone like Grammy award-winning rapper and martial artist Lupe Fiasco who’s brave enough to chase more than one.

On its world premiere on March 8, KIX presents the new docu-series Beat N Path where Lupe Fiasco strikes the balance between his love for music and his love for martial arts.

Watch as he fuses the polar worlds of expression and discipline together to come up with something surprisingly intriguing.

Beat N Path offers a flavorful taste of creative synthesis.

Dubbed as the “King of Lyrical Trickiness,” Lupe Fiasco manages to blend in both worlds of art and action as he drops everything in his hometown and goes on a purposeful journey to Shaolin, China.

In his quest, he travels throughout the country to connect and train with different Kung Fu masters. While he lives out his little-known passion for martial arts, he also takes the opportunity to explore and discover more of China’s burgeoning hip-hop scene. Being an artist in both fields, Lupe Fiasco uncovers that amidst their contrasting cultures, there is still great connection between music and sports.

Beyond being a talented musician, Lupe Fiasco is also a skillful martial artist. At the age of 10, he obtained the first of his three black belts. His love for the sport has since developed into a passion. Fiasco grew up training martial arts with his father, and

is still practicing on a daily basis.

Beat N Path is produced by Studio SV, a Los Angeles and Hong Kong-based production outfit co-founded by Lupe Fiasco and Bonnie Chan Woo, its marketing and media executive. Studio SV is a cross-cultural entertainment company that caters to global audiences. Fiasco explained that along its pursuit to bring together different cultures, it is also Studio SV’s mission to provide audiences experiences that inspire, intrigue and transform.

Catch the world premiere of Beat N Path exclusively on KIX on March 8, 9 p.m.. Show runs every Thursday. Watch KIX on Cablelink Ch.54, Cignal TV Ch. 133, Destiny Cable Ch.63, Gsat Ch. 18 and SKYcable Ch.63.

Impressed with her performance, Vice Ganda pressed the Golden Buzzer for Kristel which guaranteed her a place in the semi-finals.

VIRAL

Spiral pole dancing act in ‘PGT’ earns

GOLDEN BUZZER

Kristel De Catalina of Antipolo wows PGT judges with her Golden Buzzer performance

By Nickie Wang

I

F YOU missed the powerful and emotion-filled performance of a 32-year old spiral pole dancer and single mom in Pilipinas Got Talent, then it’s about time for you to watch it on YouTube and or search for the video on Facebook.

Grammy award-winning rapper and martial artist Lupe Fiasco

As of this writing, the act, which earned a standing ovation from judges Robin Padilla, Angel Locsin and Freddie M. Garcia, and a golden buzzer from Vice Ganda, has amassed more than 3 million views being a top content on the popular video steaming site.

“You made something difficult look so easy. You are so graceful and I wanted to thank you for sharing your talent with us. ‘Yan ang Pilipinas Got Talent,” Angel mused after the stunning performance.

The 11-minute clip that encapsulated an emotion-filled performance of a strong and talented woman can be compared to watching Maalaala Mo Kaya only it had a happy ending.

Kristel De Catalina, who dedicated her performance to her young kid, wowed the judges as she gracefully interpreted the

song “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical Les Miserables and danced on a rotating spiral pole suspended in midair. The performance was so moving that it even ‘healed’ Vice, who was sick while doing the shoot.

“You are a very powerful performer. You were so good that you were able to heal me. It’s not just a dance for me, I think it’s full of symbolisms. I saw your story there as a mother.

You’ve struggled all the way to the top just for your son,” Vice told Kristel while showing his sweaty palms to the camera.

“Your talent, your act, your performance, your message, your inspiration for me deserves…” Vice continued before finally pressing the Golden Buzzer.

Kristel was elated with the unexpected turnout of her first audition on national television.

“I can’t believe it because this is the first time I joined a competition on national TV. Normally people are not aware that I join or win international competitions. Through PGT, more Pinoys now know what I can do,” said Kristel during a post-performance interview at the backstage.

Only one act can get the coveted Golden Buzzer in the coming weeks and it will be picked by hosts Billy Crawford and Toni Gonzaga.

The sixth season of Pilipinas Got Talent airs every Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively on ABS-CBN.