Manila Standard - 2018 March 10 - Saturday

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TRUMP-KIM MEET HAILED AS ‘MIRACLE’ WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Donald Trump has agreed to a historic first meeting with Kim Jong Un in a stunning development in America’s high-stakes nuclear standoff with North Korea.

Standing in front of the White House, South Korean National Security Advisor Chung Eui-yong announced the first ever meeting between a US president and North Korean leader, which he said would take place by the end of May. Chung had recently returned from Pyongyang, where he met Kim, who, he said “expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible.”

Trump hailed “great progress” in the push to persuade Pyongyang to end its nuclear weapons program.

“Meeting being planned!” he tweeted.

In Malacañang, the Philippines lauded the acceptance by President Trump of the invitation from Kim Jong Un for them to meet this May on the issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Secretary Peter Cayetano said Friday.

“We join the rest of the international community in praying for a successful outcome of the meeting between the Next page

But pundits see summit as big ‘win’ for N. Korea

DONALD TRUMP

SEOUL—Nuclear-armed North Korea has outplayed a diplomatically naive US president with the agreement to hold a summit, analysts say, and has no intention of giving up its atomic weapons.

Donald Trump hailed the planned meeting with Kim Jong Un as “great progress” on the road to denuclearization.

But analysts warn that agreeing to a sit-down so early in the process gives Pyongyang something it desperately wants without extracting meaningful concessions in return.

“North Korea has been seeking a summit with an American president for more than 20 years,” pointed out arms control specialist Jeffrey Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

“It has literally been a top foreign policy goal.”

The US needs to talk to North Korea, he tweeted, but Kim was not seeking the meeting “so that he can surrender North Korea’s weapons.”

“Kim is inviting Trump to demonstrate that his investment in nuclear and missile capabilities has forced the United States to treat him as an equal.”

KIM JONG UN

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 27 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Pacquiao ‘underdog’ against WBA champ SPORTS A8

prevent It’sAmazon people,tonot robots, Alexa fromfalse cackling who spread news NEW YORK—False information on the Internet travels faster than the truth, researchers said Thursday. But contrary to popular belief it is largely people who spread the misinformation not robots.

The report in the journal Science is the largest of its kind to date, and it studied some 126,000 cascades on Twitter from 2006 to 2017.

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CJ to pols: Back off!

‘We are best left to settle internal problems on our own’

By Rio N. Araja FOCAP QUESTIONS. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno fields questions during a news conference Friday sponsored by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, a day after the Justice Committee of the House of Representatives found probable cause to impeach her, the 24th chief magistrate of the country. Manny Palmero

‘‘

I’m hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young people’s thoughts.

—US President Donald Trump, who pointed to video games as a possible contributing factor in American firearms violence.

New law returns subpoena powers to PNP chief, CIDG

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a bill returning the power to issue subpoenas to the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

The new law will allow the police to compel suspects to appear before the PNP-CIDG. Republic Act 10973 amends the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act and gives the PNP chief and the CIDG director and deputy director the authority to issue subpoenas.

In other developments: * A bill by Senator Panfilo Lacson seeks to upgrade the government’s capabilities against insurgencies, terrorism and other threats to national security via several measures—including streamlining the procurement process for defense equipment and prohibiting the sale of strategic defense real properties.

In Senate Bill 1734, Lacson is pushing for a stronger defense department that will implement a more credible national defense system to address threats from within and without.

“This bill is envisioned to update national defense policies, principles and Next page

Rights watchdog slams govt’s ‘terrorists’ list A RIGHTS group on Friday branded the administration’s petition to have more than 600 people tagged as terrorists a “virtual government hit list” as the UN human rights chief said President Rodrigo Duterte was in need of “psychiatric evaluation.”

“The Philippine government is putting at grave risk more than 600 people— among them a United Nations human rights expert and dozens of leftist activists—by labeling them as members of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA),” said Carlos Conde, head of the Asia division of Human Rights Watch.

“The Justice Department petition is a virtual government hit list,” he said.

“There’s a long history in the Philippines of the state security forces and progovernment militias assassinating people labeled as NPA members or supporters,” he added.

The local human rights group Karapatan also denounced the Justice Department petition, calling it a move “to harass, target and criminalize persons in progressive organizations.”

The group’s secretary-general Tinay Palabay said the petition was apparently filed “to sow fear and panic among Duterte’s detractors, subjectively prepare the public for more intense political repression, and be the front act of a crackdown against the dictator wannabe’s critics.”

UN rights officials said they were shocked and concerned over the inclusion of UN special rapporteur for the rights of indigenous people Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

In a statement on Thursday, March 8, UN special rapporteurs Michel Forst and Catalina Devandas Aguilar called the move as “an act of retaliation” over Corpuz’s statements on issues concerning indigenous peoples.

“We are shocked that the special rap-

Call! Trillanes on Rody’s deposits dare

By Macon Ramos-Araneta OPPOSITION Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who exposed during the 2016 election campaign period President Rodrigo Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth amounting to over P2 billion, welcomed Duterte’s statement to let the public scrutinize his bank accounts.

“Call! Although he would not show it to me as long as he would come out with it,” Trillanes said in a statement on Friday.

But Trillanes expressed apprehension over Duterte’s latest statement. He said on several occasions, Duterte had promised to make public his bank accounts to re-

fute claims that he amassed unexplained wealth from 2006 to 2015 when he was Davao City mayor.

“But he already said that several times and he didn’t do it,” said Trillanes, a staunch Duterte critic.

If he really had no ill-gotten wealth, Trillanes said, he should come out with his bank accounts without conditions.

He renewed his challenge to Duterte to sign a waiver and show it to the public.

He has been insisting that the only way for Duterte to prove his innocence is to open his bank records. He even told the President and the public that if his allegation was not Next page

porteur is being targeted because of her work defending the rights of indigenous peoples,” they said.

“The attack against the special rapporteur is taking place in the context of widespread extrajudicial executions and ongoing attacks against voices who are critical of the current government, including human rights defenders,” they added.

UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said Manila’s actions against UN officials “make one believe that the president of the Philippines needs to submit himself to some sort of psychiatric evaluation.”

Zeid and other UN rights officials have criticized Duterte’s controversial war on drugs in which more than 4,100 drug suspects have been killed.

The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Agnes Callamard, has become a particular Duterte target over her criticism of his campaign to stamp out illegal drugs.

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UPREME Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday urged politicians not to take advantage of the internal divisions at the tribunal and said her differences with the other justices could be fixed.

“You, politicians, please don’t meddle in what we want to do. If you think you are right and you have all the evidence, bring them out. But never pressure us. That is what judicial independence means,” she said during a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

“We are best left to settle internal problems on our own.”

Asked why former President Benigno Aquino III appointed her chief justice, Sereno replied, “Look, everybody knows how independent I am. I am no stooge or lackey.”

She also played down her lack of support from her colleagues, who are considering an unprecedented quo warranto petition that seeks to remove her from office on the basis that she was not qualified for the post in the first place.

“In any organization, there will be occasions when these kinds of problems will arise, but I’m sure when the dust settles, we will all come around again,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sereno also debunked allegations she has “hidden wealth” as being insinuated by her critics, due to her failure to comply with the requirement of the Judicial and Bar Council to submit her 10-year statement of assets, liabilities and net worth when she apNext page plied for the post in 2012.

SUMMER STYLE. Models don the latest 2018 Coco Cabana Summer wear collection, a showcase featuring stylish swimwear and resort wear, with a serving of hot trends fresh off the runway.

Ey Acasio

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SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

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Over 600 Reds on DoJ ‘terrorist’ list

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE government has asked a Manila court to declare more than 600 people—including communist leader Jose Maria Sison, a UN special rapporteur, and leftist activists—terrorists under the Human Security Act. The law allows law enforcers to arrest suspected terrorists without warrant and gives them the authority to detain suspects for three days.

In a petition filed Feb. 21, the Justice department asked the Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 19, to declare as terrorists more than 600 communist leaders and left-leaning activists.

The list included ranking Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, and National Democratic Front peace negotiators Luis Jalandoni, Connie Ledesma, Randall Echanis, and Rafael Baylosis, who is already detained at Camp Bagong

Diwa in Taguig City.

The Justice department also listed former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo, Catholic priest Frank Fernandez, Ilocos environmental activist Sherwin de Vera, and UN special rapporteur for the rights of indigenous people Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Vicente Ladlad and Adelberto Silva.

The DoJ tagged Tauli-Corpuz as a member of the CPP’s Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

The Tiamzons were granted temporary liberty from detention in 2016 to join peace talks with the government.

Baylosis, an NDF consultant in the

peace talks, was arrested in January for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives, a charge he has disputed.

President Duterte had earlier ordered the arrest of the NDF consultants following the termination of the peace talks.

The DoJ filed the petition following President Duterte’s Proclamation No. 374, declaring the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army as terrorist organizations, and anyone proven to be financing these groups would be held liable under the law.

Proclamation No. 374 came a week after Mr. Duterte issued Proclamation No. 360, which cancelled government’s peace negotiations with the CPP-NPA and its political wing, the NDF. The DoJ list consisted of 461 names and 188 aliases that the government sought to have declared as “terrorists.”

Also included in the list was Jorge Madlos, the Davao-based spokesman of the NPA.

Many of those on the list were identified only by aliases such as @Boy Negro, @Kelly, @Fidel. The petition also included John Does.

Sison lashed back at Duterte, calling him the “No. 1 terrorist in the Philippines.”

“Duterte is engaged in a wild anticommunist witch-hunt under the guise of anti-terrorism. An immediate look at his list of ‘terrorists’ will show that he is running amok in slandering people as ‘terrorists.’ There are also hundreds of John Does in the list just to intimidate limitless number of people,” Sison said.

For her part, Corpuz, who served as former chairman of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues before she was named UN special rapporteur in 2014, said she will answer the baseless allegation of the government.

She was listed as an alleged member of the Ilocos-Cordillera Regional Committee.

Palace spox 23 BIFF fighters fall in Maguindanao encounter to Rappler: Unpaid taxes must be settled ing security operations in the area were fired upon by the terror group.

Reinforcements arrived to support the troops in the initial fighting.

This prompted ground commander to send attack aircrafts to support ground troops while pounding enemy positions.

Encinas said the BIFF group, estimated at around 50 armed fighters, under commander Peni of Karialan faction, suffered 12 killed in the initial exchange of heavy fighting while an army soldier was wounded.

Of the 23 slain BIFF rebels, only three were identified as Abdulljack Usop, Samad Abdul and Kasim Samaon while the others were certain Lacoste, Palusi, Ando and Kasan. One of the wounded was Faisal Solaiman.

Encinas said MG520 attack aircraft were mobilized to finish off the BIFF group.

“The casualties from the BIFF are expected to rise as they were hit heavily

by aerial and ground bombardment,” Encinas said.

Meanwhile, the AFP’s efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism in Mindanao was gaining ground with the recovery of 575 loose firearms in 2018.

Notable of these are the gains from seven municipalities in Sulu that surrendered 187 loose firearms on March 6, 2018, and other places in ZamBaSulta area which the military described as a manifestation of local government units’ cooperation in PCVE efforts of the national government.

The Western Mindanao Command reported that the municipal and barangay officials from Talipao, Parang, Omar, Indanan, Maimbung, Jolo, and Patikul, Sulu turned over nine M14 rifles, three .30 Caliber BAR rifles, nine M79 Grenade Launchers, 64 M16 rifles, three AR15 rifles, 93 M1 Garand rifles, four M203 Grenade Launchers, and two Caliber .45 pistol.

“I am confident the baselessness of charges against me will come out,” she said.

She reiterated her call to be given her day in court to defend herself against the allegations in the impeachment complaint.

“Let the people see the evidence,” she said. “I have prepared for battle with the odds against me.”

Malacañang on Friday denied that Sereno was being “bullied” by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the President has nothing to do with the call to impeach the chief Justice.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said there is no need for the President to “bully” Sereno because she is the one that did “a magnificent job” at alienating her own colleagues.

He said the President is merely allowing all legal process to remove her and the impeachment process is in accordance with the Constitution.

He also denied Sereno’s allegations that the President is the reason she is being removed from office.

“It is her colleagues who are saying

she doesn’t deserve to be there,” Roque said in Filipino.

The chief justice, who is on leave to prepare for her defense, vowed not to give in to any kind of harassment and accused members of the House committee on justice of denying her rights “If she’s being bullied’ whose harassing her? She’s the magistrate and yet no one sided on her,” Roque said.

The Palace official said her fate is now up to Congress.

Also on Friday, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso said Sereno’s failure to submit all of her statements of assets, liabilities and net worth to the Judicial Bar and Council as required was a matter of integrity.

Speaking on the ANC news channel, Veloso said the law requires government officials to “be of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence” even if candidates for the chief justice meet all the constitutional requirements.

“On the matter of integrity comes the question of SALN. It is mandated by the Constitution and the Anti-Graft Practices Act,” he said. With Rey Requejo

tendency to perform sudden about-faces—it will certainly be historic, and not From A1 to be sniffed at, argues John Delury of Yonsei University in Seoul.

No sitting US president has ever met “Engaging [North Korea] is very any of the North’s leaders, much less hard work,” he said. “This is the begingone to Pyongyang. ning, not the grand solution. But it’s a Kim’s father Kim Jong Il invited Bill very good start.”

Clinton to come after the first NorthSouth summit in 2000, but Clinton de‘Really harsh sanctions’ murred; he visited the North only after Months of raging tensions between leaving the White House to secure the the US and North Korea, involving perrelease of detained Americans. sonal insults and threats of war from Jimmy Carter, another former president, both sides, gave way suddenly this year also carried out a similar mercy mission, to diplomacy, much of it centered on the and other trips to try to broker peace.

South’s hosting of the Winter Olympics.

If the summit goes ahead—and Experts say Pyongyang was driven to Trump’s White House is marked by a make overtures to the US by the loom-

ing impact of ever-tightening sanctions on the North Korean economy and the oft-repeated warning of military action by the Trump administration.

The North’s major trade partner China was implementing “really harsh sanctions” for the “first time ever,” Andrei Lankov of the Korea Risk Group told AFP, and the economy was set to “start crumbling” within a year.

“More important is a fear of possible military operations by the US,” he added.

“North Koreans don’t want to be shot at.”

But Pyongyang will play for time for as long as it can, he said. “North Koreans are going to talk about denuclearization a lot without any intention to ever surrender their nuclear weapons.” AFP

By Francisco Tuyay

UNPAID taxes must be settled, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Friday after the Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a tax evasion complaint against Rappler Holdings Corp. and its officers on Thursday.

“Well, how else should we react if not to say that there are laws being implemented?” Roque said in a Palace briefing.

If there really are taxes that have not been paid, they should be held liable,” he added.

This developed as Rappler on Friday accused the Duterte administration of using government resources to go after it, after the National Bureau of Investigation filed a cyber libel complaint against the news site.

That was on top of the P133.84-million tax evasion case filed by the BIR against Rappler Holdings.

In a statement posted on its site, Rappler said: “The Duterte administration is mustering State resources at the risk of grave embarrassment and accusations of arbitrariness and brazen harassment. What is this government so afraid of?”

Rappler said the NBI had earlier junked the cyber complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng against them due to lack of basis, stemming from an article published in 2012.

Call!...

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true, he would walk to prison and resign from the Senate.

Duterte has said he will allow the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, which he created to run after corrupt appointees, to scrutinize his bank accounts. He also vowed to quit his post if it could be proven that his lifetime savings exceeded P40 million.

But Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Trillanes would not be allowed to see the bank accounts.

The Office of the Ombudsman, then led

by Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, investigated the Duterte family’s bank transactions as a result of the plunder complaint filed by Trillanes.

However, the Ombudsman’s factfinding probe was terminated on Nov. 29, 2017, because the Anti-Money Laundering Council did not submit any data pertaining to the bank accounts.

Rights...

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In an exchange with Manila’s envoys in the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday, Zeid referred to November media reports from the Philippines that quoted Duterte threatening to slap Callamard, while using profanity.

“This is absolutely disgraceful that the president of a country could speak in this way, using the foulest of language

It’s...

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These contested news stories were tweeted by three-million people over 4.5-million times.

To determine whether the news was true or false, the researchers relied on

AT LEAST 23 members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were slain while 24 others,including an army soldier, were wounded in a battle between the terrorist group and security forces in Maguindanao Thursday morning.

The number of deaths from the BIFF could still rise after the government gained the upper hand, the military said, adding the fighting was continuing.

Capt. Arvin John Encinas, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division said the fighting occurred at around 6 a.m. between some 50 BIFF and soldiers of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry battalion at Sitio Lapitos, Brgy. Lower Salbu, Datu Ampatuan town.

The confrontation sparked when troops under 1 Lt. Sandag and Capt. Olunan of the 2Mech Company conduct-

CJ...

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“I have absolutely nothing to hide and cannot hide anything because what is disclosed in my SALNS is what there is,” Sereno said.

Working as a professor at the University of the Philippines would not make her rich or accumulate wealth, she stressed.

“You cannot accumulate wealth in UP. Their problem is unexplained poverty, not hidden wealth,” Sereno said.

At the 23rd national convention of the Philippine Women Judges Association on Thursday, Sereno discussed her impeachment case and hit out at her detractors.

Associate Justice Teresita Leonardode Castro, however, then stood up, took the microphone, and censured the chief justice for discussing her case, in violation of the sub judice rule.

Sereno again talked about her impending impeachment trial before the Senate and expressed optimism that she would clear her name.

But...

against a rapporteur that is highly respected,” Zeid told reporters on Friday.

Zeid also referred to a pending case against the UN’s special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous people, Corpuz.

According to Zeid, the Justice Department charged Corpuz in a regional court last month with terrorism.

Manila has accused Carpuz of “alleged membership of the Communist Party of the Philippines and (the) New People’s Army,” Zeid said.

Zeid said that Corpuz believes she has been targeted because of comments she made regarding the alleged killings of indigenous people in the southern region of Mindanao, where Duterte has imposed martial law in an effort to curb a jihadist threat.

“This is of course unacceptable for a special rapporteur acting on behalf of the international community whose expertise is sought by the Human Rights Council to be treated in this way”, Zeid said. AFP, Vito Barcelo

six independent fact checking organizations.

“Falsehoods were 70 percent more likely to be retweeted than the truth,” said the report, led by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology.

“It also takes true stories about six times as long to reach 1,500 people as it does for false stories to reach the same

number of people.”

Prior studies on the topic have been limited to case studies or smaller samples.

Researchers say fake stories spread faster because of the “novelty hypothesis,” which suggests people share these stories because they are more surprising than real news. AFP

New...

From A1

concepts, to institutionalize needed improvements and to codify various laws on national defense, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the civilian bureaus, with the end in view of streamlining and further professionalizing our country’s defense establishment,” Lacson says in his bill.

• The Philippine National Police is giving priority to the recruitment of members of the Special Action Force as its aims to fill up five battalions, Director Rene Aspera of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management said Friday.

Aspera said they were concentrating on the recruitment for the elite unit of the PNP instead of the regular recruitment as President Rodrigo Duterte had

Honeylet’s cousin back in government at HUDCC PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed former Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor commissioner Melissa Avanceña Aradanas as deputy secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

The appointment papers of Aradanas were released by Malacañang Friday, as she replaced Patrocinio Jude Esguerra III at the HUDCC. Duterte also appointed Monica Teodoro, former Tarlac representative and spouse of former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, as special envoy of the President to the United Nations Children’s Fund.

Teodoro’s term as special emissary to Unicef will expire on Sept. 27, 2018.

The President also picked Bruce Concepcion as special envoy on Transnational Crime.

Duterte’s decision to fire all the top officials of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor also affected Honeylet Avanceña, Duterte’s partner and Aradanas’ cousin.

Duterte himself referred to her as Honeylet’s cousin in a speech at the Malacañang Press Corps Christmas party on Dec. 12.

“I also fired her but I told my wife, ‘You call your cousin and say they have to leave,’” Duterte said.

Sources said Aradanas had not hidden that connection and even mentioned it to those she worked with. Vito Barcelo

TRUMP-KIM...

From A1

two leaders. This is a bold and unprecedented move that we hope would lead to reduced tensions in the Asia-Pacific Region,” Cayetano said in a statement.

“We are also encouraged by developments related to the inter-Korean dialogue initiative arising from the recent high-level visit of a delegation from the Republic of Korea to Pyongyang last Monday and Tuesday,” he added.

The Philippines hopes that this would lead to a tangible movement towards addressing the Korean Peninsula issue, Cayetano said.

“The Philippines reiterates its readiness to play a constructive role in contributing to peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula,” he stressed.

“Kim Jong Un talked about denuclearization with the South Korean Representatives, not just a freeze. Also, no missile testing by North Korea during this period of time.”

“Great progress being made but sanctions will remain until an agreement is reached.”

News of the summit, which South Korean President Moon Jae-in said was “like a miracle,” is the latest step in a quickening diplomatic detente.

North and South Korea exchanged envoys as Pyongyang sent a delegation to the Winter Olympics in the South, which Seoul had dubbed the “Peace Games” and which saw the two countries marching under a unified flag.

The thaw came after a period of extreme tension between Washington and Pyongyang that sounded like the growing drumbeat of war.

Just months ago, Trump mocked Kim by calling him “little rocket man.” Kim returned the favor by describing Trump as “mentally deranged” and a “dotard.”

The United States and North Korea were foes throughout the Cold War and fought on opposite sides of a bloody war in the 1950s.

In the last two decades, they have been engaged in what is perhaps the world’s most dangerous nuclear standoff, with 30,000 US military personnel stationed just over the border in the South. ordered the creation of an additional five SAF battalions to counter terrorism and battle communist rebels.

R.A. 10973, authored and sponsored

by Lacson, will further build the capability of the PNP-CIDG in investigations, the handling of evidence and the prosecution of people distributing illegal drugs because of the low conviction rate in drug-related cases in the Philippines.

A subpoena will compel suspects to appear before the PNP-CIDG, while a subpoena duces tecum will force the presentation of documents.

Refusal to do so would allow the PNP-CIDG to file a case for indirect contempt before a Regional Trial Court.

Both Senators Franklin Drilon and Lacson agreed that the subpoena powers should be limited to the PNP Chief, the CIDG director and deputy director and that those powers may not be delegated to other officers.

News

‘DoJ panel may have overlooked coverup’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Friday said that based on the evidence gathered and presented in the Senate, the Department of Justice panel might have overlooked or disregarded the coverup angle in the fatal hazing of Horacio “Atio” Castillo III in September last year.

He expressed dismay over the decision of the DoJ to indict only 10 members of the Aegis Juris fraternity and to dismiss the charges against the 12 others linked to the hazing of Castillo.

Castillo, a freshman law student, succumbed to “severe blunt traumatic injuries” after attending the “welcoming rites” of the Aegis Juris fraternity September last year.

Lacson noted that the pieces of evidence in the killing like the authenticated contents of the group chat participated in by clearly identified members and officers, the video footages and other documents should have been enough for the DoJ to find probable cause to also charge them for being accessories after the fact at the very least.

After the conduct of public hearings, the Senate public order committee, chaired by Lacson, has also asked the Supreme Court to immediately initiate disciplinary action or even disbarment against University of Santo Tomas Law Dean Nilo Divina and other alumni of the Aegis Juris Fraternity due to Castillo’s death.

His report described as “grossly immoral conduct” and are “against the decency expected from lawyers and a mockery of the legal profession” the actions committed by the members.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Lawmakers rally behind Alvarez amid ouster plot

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HREE lawmakers on Friday said President Rodrigo Duterte’s reaffirmation of support for Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was expected, being Malacañang’s pointman of its legislative agenda.

Reps. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Winston Castelo of Quezon City and Reynaldo Umali of Oriental Mindoro acknowledged Alvarez’s stewardship in passing Duterte’s priority measures, such as death penalty, tax reform law and national budget, the martial law extension and suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Mindanao until the end of the year, and even the finding of a probable cause to impach Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Alvarez won the respect of his peers “because of his brilliance and judicious stewarsship of the affairs of the House,” Albano, majority leader for the House of Representatives’ contingent to the Commission on Appointments, said.

Albano also played down the rumored ouster plot against Alvarez, saying it

was “a non issue.”

“Speaker Alvarez is a long time and honored friend of [President Rodrigo Duterte]. And the President values loyalty,” Albano said.

Umali said said Duterte had seen Alvarez as a hardworking and nononsense leader in instituting reforms and discipline among members of the House of Representatives.

“I never doubted that President Duterte through Secretary [Harry] Roque would reaffirm support to Speaker Alvarez being his most trusted and long-time ally,” said Umali, chairman of the House committee on justice which voted Thursday to find probable cause impeaching Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Castelo, for his part, described Alvarez as “the cornerstone of

Malacañang’s legislative agenda.”

“He [Alvarez] delivers effectively and promptly because he commands the respect and support of almost all factions in the House. He is indispensable in bringing the campaign promise of the President into reality,” Castelo, chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier appealed for a stop to sowing intrigue on Alvarez’s leadership, saying the Speaker was the most trusted and long-time ally of Duterte.

Earlier, Alvarez shrugged off the reported ouster plot against him even as he declared he still had the support of the House majority coalition led by the PDP-Laban where he is the secretary general.

Alvarez made his comment on reports that former president turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would replace him.

Just recently, Alvarez had a misunderstanding with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for allegedly calling the President’s daughter, “part of the opposition” for founding a local party Hugpong ng Pagbabago in Davao.

Alvarez denied this.

Villar: Only erring establishments to be closed THE recommendation of not totally closing down the entire Boracay Island but only erring establishments there, is a consensus among senators, said Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.

“We reached a consensus that it is really not fair to close all the establishments in the area, but only those who violated the rules or did not comply with the law. They should be penalized and the compliant ones rewarded,” stressed Villar.

Villar’s committee, jointly with the Senate committees on Tourism and Local Government, conducted a public hearing in Boracay on March 2 to discuss the environmental woes plaguing the island.

Prior to the hearing, Villar also went around Boracay and inspected the establishments and facilities.

She added it was also the clamor of the people in Boracay who were afraid all of them would lose their sources of income or livelihood.

The senators were greeted by banners

and posters requesting them to save the island and not close it down.

“We do not want our fellow Filipinos there to suffer unnecessarily by losing their livelihood. In any situation, we always try to come up with a solution that will minimize inconvenience and lessen adverse repercussions,” Villar said.

The senator said the fact that her family owned a property in Boracay did not in any way affect her role in the Senate inquiry into Boracay, as some had maliciously insinuated.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Duterte to troops: Practice control

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Reodrigo Duterte has urged soldiers to limit their children to two or three and “practice control” so they could live comfortably in the new houses being built for them by the government.

“Three kids are enough,” the President said at the groundbreaking of a new housing project for the military and police in Tarlac.

According to the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, from the year 2012 to 2016, there had been an increase of 6.29 million in the past five years.

Every year the population increases by 1.258 million, thus the population of Philippines in 2017 was estimated to be 103 million.

The President said the rising population was making life harder for every Filipino family.

“That was the universal complaint when I became a President,” he said.

Duterte said soldiers and police also complained that the houses given to them were small which discouraged the soldiers or police to move in, saying “so I thought that I’d make it bigger this time.”

“With the new houses built with three rooms, that would be enough for a family of three to four,” he said.

Duterte admitted that he was worried about the troops and their large families whenever they are injured in operations.

He learned that some soldiers and cops had more than six kids.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Trump meeting a win for Kim of North Korea SEOUL—Nuclear-armed North Korea has outplayed a diplomatically naive US president with the agreement to hold a summit, analysts say, and has no intention of giving up its atomic weapons.

Donald Trump hailed the planned meeting with Kim Jong Un as “great progress” on the road to denuclearization.

But analysts warn that agreeing to a sit-down so early in the process gives Pyongyang something it desperately wants without extracting meaningful concessions in return.

“North Korea has been seeking a summit with an American president for more than 20 years,” pointed out arms control specialist Jeffrey Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

“It has literally been a top foreign policy goal.”

The US needs to talk to North Korea, he tweeted, but Kim was not seeking the meeting “so that he can surrender North Korea’s weapons”.

“Kim is inviting Trump to demonstrate that his investment in nuclear and missile capabilities has forced the United States to treat him as an equal.”

No sitting US president has ever met any of the North’s leaders, much less gone to Pyongyang.

Kim’s father Kim Jong Il invited Bill Clinton to come after the first NorthSouth summit in 2000, but Clinton demurred; he visited the North only after leaving the White House to secure the release of detained Americans.

Jimmy Carter, another former president, also carried out a similar mercy mission, and other trips to try to broker peace.

If the summit goes ahead―and Trump’s White House is marked by a tendency to perform sudden aboutfaces―it will certainly be historic, and not to be sniffed at, argues John Delury of Yonsei University in Seoul.

“Engaging (North Korea) is very hard work,” he said. “This is the beginning, not the grand solution. But it’s a very good start.”

Months of raging tensions between the US and North Korea, involving personal insults and threats of war from both sides, gave way suddenly this year to diplomacy, much of it centred on the South’s hosting of the Winter Olympics.

Experts say Pyongyang was driven to make overtures to the US by the looming impact of ever-tightening sanctions on the North Korean economy and the oft-repeated warning of military action by the Trump administration.

The North’s major trade partner China was implementing “really harsh sanctions” for the “first time ever”, Andrei Lankov of the Korea Risk Group told AFP, and the economy was set to “start crumbling” within a year.

“More important is a fear of possible military operations by the US,” he added. “North Koreans don’t want to be shot at.”

But Pyongyang will play for time for as long as it can, he said. “North Koreans are going to talk about denuclearisation a lot without any intention to ever surrender their nuclear weapons.”

According to the South Korean envoys who carried the message from Kim to Trump, the North Korean leader said he was “committed to denuclearization” and expressed his willingness to meet Trump as soon as possible.

And he promised to halt nuclear and missile tests while talks are underway.

But the North already possesses rockets capable of reaching the US mainland, and last year detonated what it said was an H-bomb. It has long described itself as a full-fledged nuclear power, and Kim has already declared the development of his nuclear forces complete.

Trump’s sudden decision to meet Kim was “a major strategic gamble”, said Evan Medeiros, the former Asian affairs director of the National Security Council under president Barack Obama.

There had been no clear indication Kim was willing to abandon his nuclear weapons, he said, adding the North had long been “a skillful manipulator.”.

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The shortest longest streak

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TRANSPORT official was in a self-congratulatory mood last week, trumpeting the fact that for seven days between Feb.21 and Feb. 28, they recorded no glitches whatsoever in the Metro Rail Transit 3.

The media officer, Aly Narvaez, said this was the longest streak since the Maintenance Transition Team replaced Busan Universal Rail Inc. There was a significant decline, she said, in service interruptions, unloading incidents and train removals.

Spare parts for the coaches had started arriving, she said, and they had begun installing these without disrupting operations.

More replacements will be done later this month, during the Holy Week.

Narvaez had glowing words

for the agency: “This shows that we do not sacrifice the quality of our operational and maintenance services while in parallel, we work on urgent action plans and solutions such as procurement of spare parts, capacity expansion, and the mobilization of our new rehab and maintenance service provider.”

Alas, she spoke too soon.

On rush hour Monday, March 5, a southbound train again unloaded passengers because of a vague cause called “system failure.”

Specifically, worn-out automatic train protection sub-components, particularly the sensor, caused the disruption.

Soon after, it was reported that there were only eight trains running that day.

The public has had way too many and too horrible experiences with the MRT that any selfserving statements will be deemed premature and bound to fail. We have lost count of the times the

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

trains encountered some failure, inconvenienced passengers if not put them in danger.

The deterioration did not happen overnight. Rather, it was the result of a series of ill-advised and suspicious decisions across several leaderships.

In the same way, fixing the MRT will also not happen instantly.

Perhaps this administration took the first step and booted out a patently incompetent contractor.

We understand that the current crop of officials are finally doing something—even as they should really have started upon appointment, without waiting for the public’s outrage.

These efforts will take time to bear fruit. Thus, announcement of small achievements realized over a short period of time will only sound silly and self-serving.

Transport officials must know that big words no longer inspire confidence among us—only steady results will.

Lifting term limits PRESIDENT Xi Jinping of Communist China wants to be a modern-day emperor of his country.

From all indications, he wants to rule for life. Those indications are his supposed “willingness” to stay in office for life if term limitations in the nation’s constitution are abolished, and extensive state propaganda alleging that the Chinese masses want Xi to be president for life.

As expected, the country’s rubberstamp parliament, euphemistically called the National People’s Congress and composed of legislators handpicked by the ruling politburo dictated upon by Xi, is set to approve the amendment of the constitution to accommodate Xi’s imperial ambitions.

Despite the Communist Party’s insistence that the amendment of the constitution has the “unanimous support” of the masses, the commentaries of Chinese nationals on the social media reveal otherwise, that is, until they were deleted by state censors.

Despite Beijing’s shameless clampdown on dissent, many businessmen, teachers, religious figures, and retired government officials were able to disseminate their opposition through the international news media. Even a retired editor of the state-owned newspaper publicly denounced the measure and called it “sowing the seeds of chaos.”

A legally mandated limit on how long a leader, even an elected leader, may stay in office, is a very important component of a functioning democracy.

The fighting Angel for women’s rights POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO IS CAR washing in underwear a talent? No. If someone can do a proper car wash in 10, even 15 minutes, that is a talent. But one does not need to just be in underwear to showcase that talent.

In fact, as Vice Ganda said on the show Pilipinas Got Talent, even if one wears a pajama or a veil, if one has talent, it will be noticed.

I am talking about the PGT episode where the group Playgirls tried to show

their “talent” of washing a car clad only in black underwear. They actually did not wash the car (because they poured all the sudsy water on their bodies) but instead did a sexually provocative dance number.

This is a time when misogyny is strong in our country.

Angel Locsin, one of the judges, hit the buzzer just a few seconds into the performance. This meant that as a judge, she had seen enough to say no, and wanted it to stop. The three other judges, Robin Padilla, Vice Ganda, and Freddie Garcia allowed the group to finish their number.

After the performance, Vice asked the Playgirls what talent did they show the public. One of the girls said “carwash” and another added, “with dance.”

Locsin for her part explained that she cared too much for the girls to allow them to continue. She did not want the girls to be objectified and ogled by men.

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Xi will inevitably get what he wants, and when that happens, Communist China will have a modern-day emperor in the mold of Mao Zedong, the father of Chinese communism who ran his country with an iron fist from 1949, when he seized power, and for the entirety of his life, which ended almost three decades later.

When a nation’s leader gets to rule for life, that country is certainly headed for an absolute dictatorship despite official claims to the contrary.

If that happens, that country should relinquish any claim to being a republic and assume the designation of an absolute monarchy, or a hardline communist state.

World history provides many illustrative examples.

To repeat, immediately upon seizing power in 1949, Mao installed a communist government in China.

A centralized command economy was quickly set in place by Mao to showcase agricultural achievements under the communist yoke, but it ultimately led to a massive famine in the countryside and death for 30 million peasants.

This was followed by Mao’s deadly “cultural revolution” that lasted for several years and which purged the Chinese mainland of artists and scientists and threatened its cultural heritage. Fundamental freedoms like free speech and press freedom did not exist under Mao, who ruled until his death in 1976. Incidentally, Mao’s physician later revealed that Mao did not observe dental hygiene.

Joseph Stalin was the dictator of the now defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. He sanctioned the mass murder of millions of his people whom he suspected to be enemies of his regime. Stalin ruled with an iron hand until his death some three decades after he took power.

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Opinion Trade, tariff and the US dollar

Trumph...

From A4

“Kim was likely able to secure the meeting with Trump by taking advantage of Trump’s vanity as the self-professed world’s best deal maker and South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s fervent desire to achieve peace with North Korea through dialogue.”

The White House, which is short on regional expertise-there has been no ambassador in Seoul for more than a year― will be going into any eventual summit without even rudimentary diplomatic

groundwork in place.

“However skillful a negotiator Trump believes himself to be, there are few people in his administration with experience managing such a complex process with such a wily counterpart,” said Medeiros.

Abraham Denmark, director of the Wilson Center’s Asia programme, predicted: “Kim will accomplish the dream of his father and grandfather by making North Korea a nuclear state, and gain tremendous prestige and legitimacy by meeting with an American President as an equal.

“All without giving up a single warhead or missile.” AFP

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

God’s way of thinking

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

IF A dollar commands P52, ergo it subsidy, high tariff and even fines for could buy more goods but could sell the slightest failure to comply with the less. This is the inverse way to measure agreement.

This resulted in the unmitigated rise the value of the commodity outside the law of supply and demand. One could in the value of the US dollar. The US see that it is the cost of money that dic- dollar became expensive if used to purtates the value of exchange. This also chase good and pay services within the explains why modern-day transactions US. That began the migration of factocreditors would lend borrowers with lit- ries to other countries; that it is cheaper tle amount of interest, yet make money. to consign production abroad than manAlthough this system has been go- ufacture them locally. US corporations ing on in international trade, countries took the high value of the US dollar as seldom feel the difference when gold is an opportunity to use their surplus capused as an independent arbiter to meas- ital to invest abroad and intensify their ure the value of the commodity. In that, campaign for globalization.

Some warned that the continued both the seller and the buyer rely on the value of the gold to determine the in- soaring in the value of the dollar could lead to the US economy’s own downtrinsic value of the commodity.

This mercantilist’s theory of relying fall. The situation led to unmitigated on gold as medium of exchange some- importation resulting in huge trade how earned the trust of many countries deficit. Because the mighty dollar was for centuries. If some became richer, competing against the earnings of the it was the result of their acquisition of average Americans like the increasthe precious metal by their brisk sale of ing cost of living and rise in consumer piece index, many of the welfare progoods in the international market.

The disparity in the value of goods grams instituted during the Roosevelt was not dictated by the value of the era were dismantled and real wage currency but by depreciating its value stagnated since 1970.

The US never anticipated that the era called “devaluation” or appreciating it called “revaluation.” The value of to- of currency manipulation would come day’s currencies is based on how one to an end too soon. Notably, in the 50s, country would measure the other’s cur- the US economy dominated the producrency, and the US being the dominant tion of manufactured goods producing economic power would prefer to main- nearly 50 percent of the world’s export of manufactured tain a high value goods, while toof its currency. day it barely repIn its eagerness resent 20 percent. to dominate the The greatest world’s currenWhile the dollar irony is, while cies, the US first the dollar comdecoupled the commands high value, mands high value, dollar from the that situation has that situation has gold in 1973 viocreated a deep lating the Bretton created a deep wedge wedge between Woods Agree- between the super-rich the super-rich and ment that led to and the poor in the US. the poor in the US. the creation of the The middle class World Bank. By has been wiped the sheer strength out. It seems the of its economy, US dollar today is the US made the dollar a universal foreign currency fighting against itself. The creation of the Eurodollar was an attempt to break based on its GNP. Those with low-value currency can from that dominance. With the US buy less while those that enjoy high dominating the world’s currency, forvalue could buy more. But as they say, eign investment became the fad in the human need is borne out of necessity, global trade.

When direct investment soon filled and those that suffer low currency value were able to compensate their in- up the global market because of glut in ability to purchase by processing and world production, they resorted to portmanufacturing raw and semi-processed folio investment or the operationalizamaterials. The game remains that he tion of the “casino economy.” The evowho could sell the cheapest will com- lution of foreign investment to purely mand the market. Initially, they offered speculative investment came in various incentives like tax exemption, begin- forms to synthesize the task of the tradning with their opening of trade zones. ers, bankers and speculators all believThose who subscribe to the theory ing that there is still enough room to of a strong dollar believe the US would adjust the value of the US dollar.

Some economists say that it was be able to pay more workers to produce more to allow their consignment the US that forced many countries to abroad. They reason out that cheap la- fast-track their economies to engage bor would rake in profit and treat those in manufacturing much that US comcountries as huge factories. Those panies have shifted in favor of capitalthat could see the flaw objected to the intensive and high-tech products. Togranting of preferential treatment to US day, many of the emerging economies brands being manufactured abroad, ar- are exporting an array of manufacguing that they already lost their jobs tured goods and slowly their currency and they cannot now enjoy the premi- is gaining strength, a trend that pose a um of reduced tariff that would favor serious threat to the dollar and to the the exporting countries to earn even by US economy as a whole. The US held on to their conceited myth of maintainmarginal profit.

The dominance of the US dollar to an ing their economic and technological almost-universal currency forced na- superiority.

But as we now know, when the US tions to adopt the floating rate system, thereby abolishing their anti-usury law suffers from serious trade deficit, it or the fixing of interest rate for loans. demands that countries enjoying trade Since the dollar was no longer denomi- surplus to revalue their currency. That nated on the value of the gold, the US decision could immediately result in was able to manipulate its value against the increase in the price of their exports other currencies, while forcing coun- and wages.

Countries that gave in to the pressure tries to either devalue or revalue their saw the decline of their exports. But currencies.

The US and many highly-developed the gap resulting from the revaluation economies overlooked the drawback of the currency could not be filled in by in this approach. The unilateral and the US. Other countries such as China, often arbitrary valuation of currencies South Korea, and India easily filled in drove underdeveloped countries to set their place. In fact, Japan, to resuscitate their goal toward becoming a manu- its exports from a long drawn depresfacturing economy. Marx was explicit sion had to relocate many of its factothat production is the one that creates ries, and China experiencing a windfall wealth. Many underdeveloped econo- of increased production and technology mies like China initially suffered diffi- transfer. culties imposed through various forms rpkapunan@gmail.com of restrictions such as the export quota,

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

THE evangelist John in the Gospel for the fourth week of Lent introduces to us Nicodemus, a secret follower of Jesus. He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews. He was moved

by Jesus’ teachings and miracles. One night, he furtively approached Jesus, evidently afraid of what the Pharisees would think of him if they saw him associating with the Rabbi, regarded by the Pharisees as an impostor.

After Jesus taught him how to gain eternal life, Nicodemus expressed his puzzlement over this statement. Jesus then explained that only by believing in the Son of Man can anyone gain eternal life. No one had ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Nicodemus failed to understand what Jesus was saying because his faith in him was not wholehearted. He may be a follower of Jesus but he was not ready to profess his faith in Jesus to all, much less to his fellow Pharisees for fear of ridicule or being antagonized by them.

Much like Nicodemus, it is when we do not fully pour out our hearts and minds, our whole being to Jesus when we fail to comprehend the will of God. Often, it is when faith is half-hearted and laden with all sorts of conditions that people easily lose their bearings and slip into sinfulness. This sin blinds us from recognizing the path of righteousness and the Holiness of Christ. Many of us would follow Christ on the condition that we are not burdened by heavy crosses; when the path to salvation is well-paved and laden with roses but would readily abandon the faith when faith becomes burdensome and demanding. Jesus spoke strongly against those whose faith is lukewarm, saying because “you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

But tradition holds that Nicodemus had a change of heart. It was Nicodemus who reminded the Sanhedrin that Jesus had the right to a trial. Together with St. Joseph of Arimathea, he prepared Jesus’ body and placed him in the tomb. Eventually he began to boldly profess his faith in Jesus Christ and for his faith, according to tradition, he was martyred.

Lifting...

From A4

Nicolae Ceacescu and his greedy wife held power in post World War II Romania for more than 40 decades until they were overthrown and lynched by their own exasperated people. They led ostentatious lives while their fellow Romanians lived in fear and poverty.

Since its inception in 1945, communist North Korea has been ruled by three generations of absolute rulers from one family—the Kim family—each one succeeding the predecessor upon the former’s death. North Koreans are systematically brainwashed, and they live in constant fear.

North Korea’s current juvenile population is severely malnourished. Famine constantly stalks the countryside because the nation’s money is used in developing nuclear weapons and maintaining one of the l argest standing a rmies in t he world.

African dictators who ruled for life and who ran their respective countries to the ground include Idi Amin of Uganda, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Jean-Bedel Bokassa of the Central African Republic.

Amin brutally persecuted Ugandans who did not belong to his tribe, and al-

The fighting...

From A4

She said that what the show was looking for was talent, not bodies and as far as talent was concerned, this was not it for her.

Angel and Vice voted no while judges Padilla and Garcia said that they were entertained and voted yes. The Playgirls did not make it to the next level.

Before the voting, an interesting exchange happened between Padilla and Locsin. Padilla asked the girls if they did what they did voluntarily to which Angel retorted that no one was thinking that the girls were forced. Robin continued and asked the girls if they enjoyed what they did and if they liked being “admired” by men. Angel was obviously aghast and said, “Are you serious?” Padilla did a turn around and explained to the girls that they should listen to Angel’s point as she was only protecting their rights.

Social media exploded because of what Locsin said and how she handled the situation. Most netizens lauded her but she was also lambasted for allegedly “slutshaming” the girls. Not to let it go, Angel retorted by tweeting, “There are no sluts or non-sluts, there are only women.”

Two of the Playgirls also hit Locsin via Facebook because according to them, she did not like what they did but she ap-

In the Gospel, Jesus tells Nicodemus the importance of faith in him. Faith means following his will and commandments manifested in charity. Of the three essential gifts of the Spirit listed down in the Scriptures namely faith, hope and love, the last one— love—is the greatest. It is love that impelled God to send his only begotten son Jesus Christ into the world to suffer and save us from death. Love is the greatest because it is the very essence of God. Faith without love expressed through charity is empty. The Bible says that one might have faith so that he could move mountains, but if one has not love, it is nothing. Without God’s love, manifested through Jesus Christ, we are nothing.

St. Paul, teaching about spiritual gifts, emphasizes the essential importance of faith with love. He said: “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body

When we help a fellow human being but do not love, it is hypocrisy.

buried the still unglorified body of the Savior when even the apostles and other disciples were cowering in fear after Jesus’ crucifixion. Nicodemus is a true personification of three theological virtues of faith, hope and love.

In his first Lenten homily this year Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher of the Pontifical Household, reflects on this first virtue. Using text from the Letter of Paul to the Romans, he exhorts us: “In a society in which everyone feels called to transform the world or the Church, this word of God breaks in inviting people to transform themselves: ‘Do not be conformed to this world.’ After these words we would expect to hear, “but transform it!” Instead it tells us, “Transform yourselves!” Transform the world, yes, but the world that is within you before thinking you can transform the world outside of you.

Cantalamessa continues with practical advice: “Let us focus for a bit on the significance of what follows: being transformed in the deep recesses of our minds. Everything in us begins in the mind, with thoughts. There is a wise maxim that says: “Watch over your thoughts because they become words.

Watch over your words because they become actions. Watch over your actions because they become habits. Watch over your habits because they become your character. Watch over your character because it becomes your destiny.”

Where then does conversion begin?

Prior to our works, according to Cantalamessa, change must come first in our way of thinking, that is, in our faith: “There are many causes at the origin of worldliness, but the principle one is the crisis of faith. In this sense the apostle’s exhortation is only repeating Christ’s exhortation at the beginning of his preaching: “Repent and believe”; repent, that is, believe! Change your way of thinking; stop thinking according to the “human way of thinking,” and start thinking according to “God’s way of thinking.”

As Lent concludes, let’s continue to ask for this grace of faith and conversion, to think as God did, to love our neighbor as fully and unconditionally as our Lord showed us, to forgive each other for whatever hurt we have done and have received—and yes, to love even our enemies.

to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” He then explains that charity is by suffering long, and is kind; not envious; not proud; is not easily provoked, does not think evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

When we help a fellow human being but do not love, it is hypocrisy. There is no love when we help a neighbor to commit sin or by silence we allow him to sin, such is the opposite of charity and love.

The life of Nicodemus and his encounters with the Messiah tells us a valuable lesson. While at first he was overcome with fear, but by tenaciously clinging to his faith in Jesus, Nicodemus became a true disciple, not a lukewarm one, and backed up his faith through works of mercy when he boldly Facebook: Professor Tony La Viña or defended Christ before his enemies and deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs lowed Arab terrorists who hijacked an Israeli airliner sanctuary in his country. He was known to eat parts of the anatomy of his murdered enemies.

Mugabe, who was in power for 40 years, lived a life of scandalous luxury with his equally vain second wife. His people have lived in endless poverty and squalor. The military ended his dictatorship a few months ago.

Bokassa crowned himself “emperor” of the Central African Republic, and spent used up his nation’s annual budget for his “coronation.” When Bokassa ran out of food for his “royal” reception, he had several political prisoners executed, cooked, and served to his unsuspecting guests.

He was eventually kicked out of power by an angry military establishment.

Arab leaders like Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and Hosni Mubarak of Egypt also ruled for life.

Gaddafi used his country’s oil export revenues to finance world terrorism, and his sons raped many women, often on a daily basis. He was eventually killed by his own people in an uprising.

Mubarak shamelessly enriched himself in office until he, too, was forcibly ousted from power.

For almost two hundred years, the Constitution of the United States did

not impose any limitation on the number of terms the president can be elected to. Despite the absence of such a limitation, no American president held office for more than two terms. The only exception was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was elected to an unprecedented four terms from 1933 until his death in 1945.

Roosevelt was president during most of the years constituting World War II. Although he was a very able leader, his political opponents insisted that he was overstaying in office.

In 1951, the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States limited the election of a president to a maximum of two terms. This measure effectively prevented popular politicians from monopolizing high elective office in America.

Like their American blueprint, the 1935 Constitution and the present charter of the Philippines have term limitations on the presidency.

In fine, a legally mandated limit on how long a leader, even an elected leader, may stay in office, is a very important component of a functioning democracy.

Lifting term limits on elective public office does not encourage growth in the nation’s political leadership.

peared as Darna and her costume was also a two-piece bathing suit.

Truth be told, if the Playgirls were upfront, they should have said that their talent was sexy dancing, not car washing.

They were out to do a sexually provocative dance number. It may be a talent for adult shows but not for PGT. I agree with Vice Ganda when she said that what the girls were wearing should be irrelevant.

If they were comfortable and if what they wore was their form of self-expression, then it should not be a problem. The operative word there is “should.” There are societies where this is no longer a big issue.

The Philippine situation is different.

We remain backwards in terms of how we look at sex and sexual expression. Sexy women, especially those who flaunt their sexiness are often objectified and considered as “cheap,” sluts. Angel Locsin’s words and actions should be taken within this context.

Locsin is a women’s rights advocate and she showed this during this PGT. She showed a deep understanding of the issue of objectification of women’s bodies. She did not want the Playgirls to go on teasing men by their sexy dancing. No, she did not slut-shame the Playgirls. She actually tried to prevent them from being slutshamed and disrespected.

At a time when misogyny is quite strong in our country when no less than highranking government officials habitually

churn out sexist remarks, turn rape as a joking matter, and violate women’s rights, it is refreshing to have an Angel Locsin standing her ground. The way she responded to Robin Padilla’s remarks showed that she is not to be cowed into silence.

In truth, Locsin does not gain anything from advocating women’s rights. She is among the biggest names in Philippine show business. She is made and does not have anything else to prove. She can very well just enjoy her fame and money. However, one can easily see that she has this genuine concern for women’s rights and well-being. This makes her say and do things in the defense of women.

She wants to raise women’s and the public’s awareness about what women’s rights are about. She knows that because she is Angel Locsin, she will be listened to. She is lending her name and voice for the protection and respect of women’s rights and this is commendable. I am very happy to have Angel as a sister in the movement for women’s empowerment.

Surely, there are others like Angel.

Hopefully, they will also say their piece and be heard.

For now, the Angel fights for women’s rights. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

News

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SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

20 injured in collision involving 8 vehicles AT LEAST 20 persons were hurt following a collision involving eight vehicles and two motorcycles along the northbound lane of Airport Road in Parañaque City Friday morning.

The incident, which happened around 8:58 a.m., slowed down vehicle traffic along Roxas Boulevard, Coastal Road and Cavite Expressway for at least three hours, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Those injured—mostly public transport commuters—sustained minor head and body injuries. They were rushed to the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City.

The vehicles involved were two buses, one of which belongs to Classic Leisure Tour Bus; four public utility jeepneys, a UV Express, a taxicab, and two motorcycles.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said the incident affected the flow of traffic in the areas of Roxas Boulevard, Airport Road, Sucat Road, Coastal Road and Cavitex.

“The traffic situation on the northbound of Cavitex to Roxas Boulevard and Airport Road is moderate to slow moving.

Those injured were assisted by MMDA personnel and village officials,” she said.

Initial investigation showed that the Classic Leisure bus with registration plate TYT 831 lost its breaks and hit the vehicles in front.

Traffic bureau officer Jerry Niño Franco said the bus driver, whom he did not identify, is now in their custody and will be placed under investigation.

Just recently, the MMDA conducted a forum on road safety in a bid to stop the increasing numbers of road accident in the metropolis.

The agency urged motorists to observe discipline and courtesy while driving to prevent road accidents.

Based on the MMDA's latest Road Crash Statistics Report, the agency recorded 52,872 road accidents in the National Capital Region during the first half of 2017.

Of this number listed from January to June 214 were described as fatal; 7,670 non-fatal and 44,988 resulted in damage to properties. Joel E. Zurbano

DTI’s Lopez lauds QC’s Bautista on one-stop shop

By Rio N. Araja TRADE and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez on Friday lauded Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista for the establishment of a one-stop shop for “ease in doing business.”

At a news conference at the Quezon City Hall, Lopez commended the local government for the implementation of a one-stop shop system in the registration of new business permits, and issuance of locational clearances and fire safety permits.

“The basic principle [here] is you file [an application] and just sit down, [then] you will be called to pay [the fees]. You can have free coffee, too,” he told reporters.

“That is a priority of President Rodrigo Duterte. That is what he wants—to ensure doing business in the country,” he said.

Bautista, for his part, thanked Guillermo Luz of the National Competitiveness Council and Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of the Interior and Local Government for their assistance.

“We will continue to improve our system in the registration of new businesses and land titles, and applications for building permits. With the help of the NCC, DTI, DILG and other concerned agencies, we [the city] were able to cut short the process,” he said.

Bautista earlier issued Executive Order Nos. 11 and 11A to create a one-stop shop “complete with concierge assisting all new business applicants from start to finish.”

Ex-PNP chief Purisima seeks 11-day US leave

By Maricel V. Cruz

ARRESTED. NBI operatives arrest Anselmo Ico, a suspect in exploiting five minors, including a baby, a two-year-old and a 16-yearold which were rescued in Malolos, Bulacan last March 8, 2018, following an entrapment operation led by Malolos PNP, Norwegian police and the US Homeland Security. Norman Cruz

MMDA says online news on no contact policy ‘fake’ T

By Joel Zurbano

HE Metro Manila Development Authority on Friday branded as fake news the reports that traffic enforcers will no longer flag down traffic violators in place of the agency’s “no contact apprehension” policy.

Under the no contact policy, traffic violations are recorded using the CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras strategically placed along Metro Manila roads.

MMDA acting general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. appealed to the public to ignore and disregard the erroneous report that circulated online and rely only to official MMDA social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter as source of information.

The report that circulated online stated that the “no contact” policy shall be enforced starting this month and no MMDA traffic enforcer will flag down driver for any traffic violation on the road. It also said registered car owners will be informed of their violation via post mail and will be given only five days to contest the violation.

“It’s fake news. We deny this report. It

is not true there’s no more ground apprehension,” said Garcia, in a press briefing held at the MMDA main office in Makati City.

Garcia said the no contact policy, under the leadership of Chairman Danilo Lim, is being strictly implemented.

Aside from being an effective tool in catching erring motorists, the policy also lessens opportunities for corruption, bribery and even confrontation between the apprehended motorist and the traffic enforcer, he added.

“We want to remind the drivers that there is an eye in the sky monitoring you.

They cannot just violate traffic rules even if they do not see any traffic enforcer on the road,” said Garcia.

More than 100,000 erring motorists were cited for various traffic violations for the last three months under the no

contact apprehension system.

The agency also use the no contact scheme in apprehending violators of the Anti-Distracted Driving Act, a law prohibiting public utility and private vehicle drivers from using their phones and other mobile devices while on the road.

Most of those caught by the CCTV were drivers who violated the speed limit, illegal parking, disregarding the no loading and unloading zone, beating the red light, swerving, blocking intersections, disregarding traffic signs, making illegal turns, illegal overtaking, entering the yellow lane, defying the closed-door policy and bus segregation scheme, motorcycle lane, among others.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said under the policy, the MMDA will send summons or notice to the vehicle’s owner or operator to identify the driver of the vehicle during the time the traffic violation was captured by the CCTV camera.

The notice which will be sent to the owner or operator contains the date, time, location and traffic violation. It also contains a statement that the motorist has the right to contest before the MMDA-Traffic Adjudication Division within seven days upon receipt of the summons.

FORMER National Police chief Alan Purisima has asked the Sandiganbayan’s permission to allow him to travel to the United States for 11 days to attend the annual meeting of a fraternal organization.

Based on Purisima‘s travel motion submitted to the anti-graft court’s Second Division Thursday, Purisima said he will travel to Biloxi, Mississippi, on April 23 to May 9 for the 2018 National Book of the Play and Annual Meeting of the Royal Order of Jesters.

Purisima, through his lawyers, said he will travel to the US on April 23 via San Francisco where he will also meet his family. He will fly back to Manila on May 9.

Purisima said his attendance to the event was significant as would be the first time that a Philippine representative was invited to the annual meeting since its Manila chapter was created last year, he said.

“Accused Alan was elected by the Manila Court No. 198, which was established in November 2017, as the country’s representative to the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Royal Order of Jesters.

This is the first instance that a member of the Manila Court will attend an Annual Meeting,” his travel motion said.

The Ombudsman charged Purisima with eight counts of perjury, as defined and penalized under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, for not being truthful in his declarations of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth for 2006 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014.

Prosecutors said Purisima failed to declare the property of his wife, Maria Ramona Lydia Purisima, covered

by Certificate of Land Ownership CA25916, in his SALNs for 2006 and 2007.

In 2008, the number of undeclared properties of Purisima’s wife increased to three: properties covered by CLOA VOS-28452 and a deed of donation dated May 12, 2008.

In his 2009 SALN, Purisima also did not declare another property covered by CLOA VOS-28012. Similarly, in 2011, Purisima was accused of not declaring two firearms in his SALN: a Bushamaster assault rifle and an STI .40-caliber pistol.

Marawi kids get food packs from Makati

MAYOR Abigail Binay led the turnover of food packs and school supplies donated by the Makati City government to the Department of Education for the benefit of thousands of school children affected by the armed conflict in Marawi City last year.

In a simple ceremony held at City Hall on Thursday, the mayor signed the Deed of Donation together with Education Secretary Leonor Briones who represented DepEd and the City of Marawi.

Aside from the 2,500 food packs, the city government also donated 5,000 pairs of school shoes; 10,875 school uniforms; 1,946 P.E. jogging pants; 5,594 P.E. T-shirts; 358 boy’s polo; 331 girl’s blouse; 202 boy shorts; 50 skirts; and 1,009 pants for distribution to elementary and secondary school children of the war-torn city in Mindanao.

“Through this donation, we aim to PRINCIPAL SPONSOR. Philippine Constitution Association and former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (3rd right) is one of the principal somehow alleviate the plight of school sponsors to the wedding of Enrique Antonio Filamor (5th right) and Jofel Kristine Marie Samonte (5th left) during the wedding ceremony at children in Marawi and, at the same time, Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Tagaytay City. Other principal sponsors are, (from left) Ma. Asuncion Eusebio, Norma Ocido, Susana Acosta, recognize their perseverance in pursuing Joanna Santos-Ocampo, Iñigo Zobel, Lorenzo Tan and Glen Ocido. Ver Noveno their education despite their traumatic experience,” Binay said. BLACK CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW The donation was made under the Manila Adopt-a-School Program of the DepartStandard ERRATUM: ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY ment of Education-Makati, which was authorized by the Makati City Council Effective March 07, 2018 ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid Promo Offer KAPAMILYA UNLI through Resolution No. 2018-004 upon CHAT 10 (KUC10) which enables customers to enjoy all-day chat and calls to Viber, the recommendation of the Makati City We Chat, Line and WhatsApp and 30 texts to all networks will no longer be offered to School Board chaired by Mayor Binay. subscribers.

Meanwhile, Barangay San Lorenzo chief THE Office of the Ombudsman has respondents were able to use P1.5 milErnesto Moya also attended the ceremony indicted a former mayor from Misamis lion in public funds to develop a once Meanwhile, existing and new subscribers will have the option to subscribe to IWANTVSUPER10 Oriental and her husband for graft in barren agricultural land. and signed a memorandum of agreement to continue to enjoy access to socials and iWant TV: “Respondent-spouses were public connection with the questionable and deed of donation with Briones for the utilization of P1.5 million in govern- officers who had direct financial interbarangay’s sponsorship of “Build a ClassIWANTVSUPER10 est in the contract. Under the MoAs, their ment funds to develop an idle farm. room for the Children of Marawi” Project in Price PhP 10 Ex-Jasaan mayor Grace Jardin and property would be developed by the muthe amount of P4.66 million.

• 200MB for all-day iWant TV access her husband, ex-municipal administra- nicipality at its own expense, while the The said project is intended to help Promo Inclusion • 150MB for Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Viber Chat tor Redentor Jardin, are set to face trial management of the park in Barangay Corbuild new classrooms for thousands of and Twitter for violations of Section 3(e) and 3(h) of rales would be subsequently turned over to displaced children in Marawi, where the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices them upon refund of the municipality’s inValidity 1 day schools were heavily damaged during the Act or Republic Act No. 3019 before the vestments,” the Ombudsman’s decision read.

To subscribe Dial *128# or text IWANTVSUPER10 to 2135 five-month siege.

“As to the San Isidro demo farm, Sandiganbayan.

In June last year, Binay directed the In 2015, the Sangguniang Bayan the municipality would essentially be Service subscription available for ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid subscribers only. ABS-CBNmobile administration of the city-run University respondent-spouses’ issued Resolution Nos. 67 and 79, au- developing of Makati to accept transferees and grant Prepaid subscribers may also opt to subscribe to other available promo offers by dialing thorizing Jardin to enter into memo- property without cost to them. On the full scholarship to displaced students of *128#. randa of agreement for the implemen- other hand, as to the Corrales ecotourism Marawi and to children of slain soldiers. tation of an agricultural demo farm in park, [they] would be benefited by the In July lat last year, 19 students from Purchase an ABS-CBNmobile SIM via sari-sari store and telco tiangge nationwide. Please Barangay San Isidro and an ecotourism share that the municipality was obliMarawi City have transferred and were see flyers for details. gated to put in the investment, which they park in Barangay Corrales. granted full scholarships at the University Upon closer scrutiny of the agree- would otherwise have to secure on their of Makati. Joel E. Zurbano ment, the Ombudsman discovered that own elsewhere.” Rio N. Araja

Ex-Misamis Oriental mayor, husband indicted for graft

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

Sports

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.

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.

“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.

A7

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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

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

A8

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

Southwoods in control, but surprise team Luisita in 2nd

By Peter Paul Duran

Sean Jean Ramos (left) fired a 31 to help Luisita score 128 for a 256 total as the squad continued to make heads turn after practically being labeled as an outside bet in the Southwoods-Canlubang rivalry in 71st PAL Men’s Interclub in Bacolod City. At right, Nico Sevilla produced 27 points at the Binitn course to help Sherwood Hills jump to second spot with a 209 total in the Aviator Division. Lino Santos

Ang is PSA Exec of Year

SAN Miguel Corporation president and chief operating officer Ramon S. Ang was recently named as Executive of the Year for his unstinting support to Philippine sports in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Annual Awards night at the Manila Hotel.

The country’s oldest sportswriting fraternity bestowed the honor to Ang, also known as RSA, mainly due to his three teams in the Philippine Basketball Association. These are the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings and the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots which are the three most popular teams in the PBA. He also threw his support to women’s volleyball in recent years through his Petron Blaze Spikers in the Philippine Super Liga. He is also behind the success of his son, Jacob Ang, who has been dominating the karting scene here and abroad.

He also supported the training of skater Michael Martinez, who recently completed in the Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

In 2005, RSA and SMC were instrumental in leading the Philippine team to the overall championship in the Southeast Asian Games. The hosts won a total of 290 medals composed of 112 golds, 85 silvers and 93 bronzes.

It can be remembered that RSA assigned PBA legends and other SMC officials as team managers to various Philippine teams in the 2005 SEA Games like archery, rowing, wushu, athletics, wrestling, karate, traditional boat race, judo, dancesport, boxing, muay thai, baseball, and petanque.

Pablo graces volley finals FORMER National University star player Myla Pablo will grace the finals of the 22nd Women’s Volleyball League championships set Sunday at the San Beda University courts.

Pablo will witness four final events in as many divisions of this tournament organized by the award-winning Best Center, the country’s pioneer in scientific sports clinics, sponsored by MILO and supported by Rain or Shine and Chris Sports.

Holy Family School and St. Paul CollegeMakati dispute the 13-Under Developmental Division crown at 8:15 a.m., shortly after the 8 a.m. tiff-off for third place between School of the Holy Spirit and Assumption College in an adjacent court.

A close battle is expected between Escuela de Sophia and Colegio San Agustin-Makati at 9:15 a.m. for the 13-Under Competitive Division title. San Beda-Alabang and De la SalleZobel clash at 9 am for third place.

Pacquiao ‘underdog’ against WBA champ

M

ANNY Pacquiao is to fight Argentina’s World Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse in Malaysia on June 24, the Philippine ring legend has announced.

The 39-year-old will be co-promoting the bout after rejecting an offer to fight in Las Vegas on an undercard to his recent conqueror Jeff Horn, who will be facing Terence Crawford on April 14.

Pacquiao said he considers himself the “underdog” against the brawling Matthysse, 35, who has 39 wins—all but three of them via the short route— against four losses.

“This is going to be a tough fight. Matthysse is also a knockout artist. But I’m excited to fight and be a world champion again,” he said in a statement

announcing the bout late Thursday.

“I’m the underdog in this fight but I’m used to it. It serves as a big motivation for me to train and fight hard to win the crown,” said Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions.

“I like his aggressive fighting style.

That’s what I want, to entertain the boxing fans,” said the elected Philippine senator, adding that the Argentine was “not a dirty fighter”.

The Filipino’s trainer Restituto Pacquiao

Matthysse

Dutchman grabs ICTSI lead as Bayron crumbles GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Guido Van der Valk battled back from five down and moved two-up as Jay Bayron faded in windy condition at the finish after a scorching start, putting the Dutchman in the threshold of a breakthrough victory in the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Challenge at the Faldo course here yesterday.

Van der Valk hit three birdies against a bogey in the last five holes to card a 71 then watched Bayron fumble with three straight

bogeys from No. 15 for a 76 in a flight behind, finding himself 18 holes away from finally ending a long quest for the elusive Philippine Golf Tour crown.

“My putting just clicked since it’s hard to get par and very easy to get a bogey here,” said the 38-year-old Manila-based native of Lelystad, the Netherlands, whose best crack at the PGT title was foiled by Tony Lascuña in a three-man playoff with Korean-American Micah Shin in Bacolod in 2016.

He actually came into the P2.5 million event brimming with confidence, having churned out a pair of third place finishes in The Country Club Invitational and the Solaire Philippine Open the last three weeks.

Now two ahead of Bayron with an even 216 aggregate, Van der Valk hopes to put it all together on a tough course that continues to bedevil the games of the rest of the surviving 40-man field in the kickoff leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by ICTSI.

Oranza keeps hold on lead

A bunched finish, topped by Go for Gold ‘s George Oconer marked Ronda Pilipinas’ Stage 6.

Probinsyano tries to extend 3YO Stakes Race dominance ANOTHER exciting racing weekend, highlighted by the 2018 Philippine Racing Commission 2nd leg 3YO Local Fillies and Colts Stakes Race, is slated this Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

With the prizes higher this time, a 10-horse cast will shoot for bragging rights in the stakes race to be ran in 1,500 meters and offering a total of P1,000,000 in prizes.

First-leg winner Probinsyano with jockey Mark Angelo Alvarez aboard, will shoot for a second straight win against an elite field out to deny him the top purse of P600,000.

Fernandez said he expects the Kuala Lumpur bout, co-staged by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, to be “a real brawl because Matthysse is an aggressive fighter.”

Pacquiao, winner of 59 bouts against seven losses and two draws, lost his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title to Australia’s Horn last year.

The Filipino southpaw, who has enjoyed a glittering, 23-year pro career, retired briefly in 2016 but made a comeback to retake his WBO title from Jessie Vargas just months later.

The last of his 38 knockout wins came more than eight years ago.

The Napoleon Magno-owned Probinsyano will try to score a more emphatic victory this time around, after fending off the late charge of the field as he pulled off an exciting half-a-length win in the 1st leg of the 3YO Local Fillies and Colts Stakes Race last month in the same venue.

Gunning for the top prize are colts Here’s To Life (jockey EP Nahilat and owner Jose Quiros), Sotogrande (JA Guce, Dennis C. Tan) and Wonderland (Val R Dilema, Hermie Esguerra), together with fillies Easy to Win (MM Gonzales, Bingson Tecson), Perlas ng Silangan (Pat R. Dilema, Hermie Esguerra), Polilio Island

(JB Hernandez, Wilbert Tan), Royal Signal (JB Guce, Peter Aguila), Smart Candy (KB Abobo, SC Stockfarm) and Misha (FM Raquel Jr., Leonardo Javier Jr.), who nearly beat Probinsyano the last time around.

Second placer in the stakes race receives P225,000, with the third and fourth placers getting P125,000 and P50,000, respectively.

A breeder’s purse of P30,000 is also allotted to the winning horse.

“The country’s best three-year-old horses will be at it again on Sunday to give racing aficionados another exciting race offering,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez.

TARLAC—Ronald Oranza of Navy-Standard Insurance kept his stranglehold on the overall individual lead as he finished second behind George Oconer of Go for Gold in the 111.8-kilometer Stage 6 of the Ronda Pilipinas 2018 presented by LBC that started in San Jose, Nueva Ecija and ended at the Provincial Capitol here yesterday.

Oranza, 26, finished second behind the stage winner Oconer with identical clocking of two hours and 37.04 minutes that kept the former comfortably perched on top in the overall individual race with an aggregate time of 20:17:12.

The proud son of Villasis, Pangasinan, however, hurt his knee and left thumb after he figured in a crash in Camiling, Tarlac, where he was bumped from behind by Go for Gold Developmental team’s Roel Quitoy, who in turn got hit by a motorcycle-riding marshal.

Oranza will continue to don the red LBC leader’s jersey in today’s Stage 6 individual time trial that starts at 8 p.m. at the provincial capitol and ends at the Monasterio de Tarlac situated on top of a mountain in San Jose, Tarlac.

“It hurts a lot, I hope it gets better in the coming stages,” said Oranza.

For the 25-year-old Oconer, it was his first lap triumph of the 12-stage race, which is presented by LBC and supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Filinvest, CCN, Petron, Versa.ph, 3Q Sports Event Management Inc., Boy Kanin, Franzia, Standard Insurance, Bike Xtreme, SH+, Guerciotti, Prolite, Green Planet, Maynilad, NLEX Sports, Lightwater, LBC Foundation and PhilCycling, staking a whopping P1 million to the champion.

BACOLOD CITY-Midway through the hostilities of the 71st PAL Interclub here in Binitin and by current indications, it looks like four-peat seeking Manila Southwoods would take the competition by the scruff of its neck.

The fancied team is inching closer to history as the first team to win four straight times in the country’s oldest, largest and most prestigious golf team competition.

Southwoods pushed their tally to 279 and went 23 points over surprise second placer Luisita and 29 over fierce rival Canlubang.

The Carmona-based team now only has Luisita to consider as chief threat to its date with destiny.

Even Luisita non-playing skipper Jeric Hechanova was surprised at the prime spot they are right now.

“I’m very surprised with the results because we did not expect to be in this position,” Hechanova said as his “developmental” team tallied 128 points in both Marapara and in Binitin to wrap up the halfway mark of the competition.

“Everybody expected Southwoods and Canlubang fighting at the top, nobody expected us to be in second place. And we’re happy about that,” he added.

“We were just trying to see if we could at most land at 3rd, but then the players played better in the back nine and I think we’re the surprise team right now,” said Hechanova The father-son tandem of Eddie and Leandro Luis Bagtas led the Tarlac-based team after the younger Bagtas scored 36 points in the opener, while his father Ed-

Magnolia, NLEX start semis duel

By Jeric Lopez ONE IS back to a very familiar place, while the other looks forward to a whole new achievement.

It’s experience against youth when Magnolia and NLEX open their intriguing best-of-seven semifinals clash in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Game 1 is scheduled today at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with both teams looking to have an early jumpstart.

While the Hotshots are back in familiar territory, the Road Warriors had actually just made their first appearance in the semis since joining the league in 2014.

Being a veteran and consistent team, the Hotshots are very used to being in this stage.

In fact, this is actually the fourth straight conference wherein they made the last four. They are hoping that this time around, they can finally get over the hump and enter the finals, something they haven’t done for quite sometime now.

“It’s about learning from our experiences last season. We’re hoping to finally get it right in the semis and make the finals this time,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

For semis newcomer NLEX, it is hoping that the first time is the charm as veteran mentor Yeng Guiao hopes to continue the magic his team is tasting in its historic campaign thus far.

“The players really wanted this. They wanted to be here in the semifinals and I’m expecting them to continue showing the hunger even against a veteran and tough team like Magnolia,” said Guiao.

Olivarez five surprises De Ocampo in Game1 OLIVAREZ College squandered a 16-point lead in the fourth period, but recovered its bearings in overtime to escape with an 8986 win over De Ocampo Memorial College Friday in Game 1 of the best-of-three series of the Sta. Lucia Land-NCRAA 25th season at the OIivarez College Gym. The Sea Lions got their second wind in the extra period as a backbreaking trey from guard Pruvil Bermudes carried the squad to a 1-0 lead in the series and within striking distance of winning the championship.

Dahrell Caranguian had a chance to send the game to second overtime, but his shot at the corner came a split second too late in this event presented by Sta. LuciaLand and supported by Max’s Restaurant and Bread Talk with LGR serving as the official outfitter.

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

IN BRIEF

DTI eyes higher cap for foreign retailers

THE Department of Trade and Industry and the Board of Investments plan to raise the proposed cap on the paid-up requirement for foreign retailers to $500,000 from the current proposal of $200,000.

BoI director for legal and compliance service Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego said the government would push for refinements on the proposed revisions in the Retail Trade Liberalization law by placing a cap on the required paid-up capital in exchange for scrapping the $2.5-million investment threshold.

“We actually support the liberalization of retail trade, but we are very concerned for the protection of MSME so we looking at fortifying certain measures that we deemed will help our local MSMEs,” Samaniego said in a forum on retail trade liberalization conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines.

She said the bone of contention among foreign retailers was not the issue on paidup capital but on the per store investment of $830,000 per branch or around P40 million.

“That’s the burdensome area foreign retailers are crying about, for us to lower that hurdle. It is important for the government to secure a safeguard measure for our MSME especially the smallest ones or the micros, so that the little sari-sari stores or the ‘mom and pop’ shops will continue their existence as a legitimate source of livelihood for most Filipinos,” said Samaniego.

Othel V. Campos

Business

RCBC sees profit rising 10% in 2018

RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the ninth largest lender in terms of assets, said it expects a conservative net profit growth of 5 percent to 10 percent this year, on sustained expansion of core businesses such as loans and deposits.

“It is mostly lending business... and we will track the industry loan growth,” RCBC president and chief executive Gil Buenaventura said in a news briefing in Makati City Friday.

RCBC posted an unaudited consolidated net income of P4.3 billion in 2017, up 11.4 percent from P3.9 billion in 2016, on higher loans and deposits.

Net income in the fourth quarter surged 146 percent to P904 million from P368 million a year ago, led by a 27-percent growth in net interest income and a 19-percent expansion in non-interest income.

Buenaventura said the bank was on track and ready to take advantage of the opportunities expected from the favorable business environment in 2018. Julito G. Rada

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

B1

BPO RECRUITMENT HUB.

Power rates increased in March

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P

OWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Friday power rates will increase by P0.85 per kilowatt-hour this month on higher generation charges and taxes and the impact of the weaker peso.

This would translate into a P170 increase in the monthly bill of a typical residential household consuming 200 kilowatt-hours.

Meralco said the actual increase should be P0.97 per kWh in March, but it decided to defer the remaining P0.12per-kWh adjustment to April to cushion the impact on consumers.

The adjustment brought Meralco’s overall rate to P10.32 per kWh in March from February’s P9.47 per kWh. Meralco said that of the P0.7424 per kWh increase in the generation charges, it will only reflect an increase of

P0.6414 per kWh k in March. The difference will be implemented in the April billing.

Generation charges went up to P5.2962 per kWh from P4.6548 per kWh in February.

Meralco said charges at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market went up

by P1.4441 per kWh because of tighter supply conditions in Luzon.

WESM is the country’s trading floor of electricity. Meralco sourced 19 percent of its requirements from WESM. “The demand for power in the grid grew by around 366 MW in February due to warmer temperatures, while around 1,000 MW of generating capacity went on scheduled maintenance outage,” Meralco said.

Cost of power from Meralco’s independent power producers also increased P0.2814 per kWh following the annual scheduled maintenance outage of Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. in February and continued depreciation of the peso.

Meralco purchased 35 percent of its power requirements from the IPPs. Charges from power plants under

power supply agreements with Meralco, however, decreased by P0.3634 per kWh on improved average plant dispatch. These PSAs provided 46 percent of Meralco’s total energy requirement.

Transmission charges increased by P0.0503 per kWh on higher ancillary service charges billed by grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

Taxes and other charges went up by P0.1583 per kWh this month.

Meralco’s distribution, supply and metering charges have remained unchanged for 32 months.

Meralco said it was not earning from the pass-through charges, such as the generation and transmission charges.

Payment for the generation charges goes to the power suppliers, while payment for the transmission charges goes to NGCP. Taxes and other public policy charges like the feed-in tariff allowance are remitted to the government.

Meralco, which has over six million customers, advised consumers to practice energy efficiency with the onset of the dry months.

Chelsea submits unsolicited offer to operate Davao, Panglao airports

Aboitiz Group posts P21.6b in net income ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc., the holding company of the Aboitiz family, said Friday it posted a net income of P21.6 billion in 2017, down 4 percent from P22.5 billion in 2016.

AEV said minus non-recurring losses, core income climbed 5 percent to P23.9 billion last year from P22.8 billion in 2016.

The company recognized non-recurring losses of P2.3 billion in 2017 on asset impairment and debt prepayment costs which were partially reduced by a one-off recognition of lower interest expense from an acquired loan.

AEV said consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose to P57 billion in 2017 from P48.1 billion in 2016.

“While we faced challenges that tested the resilience of our portfolio, these results still showed the underlying strength of our core operating businesses, prompting our optimism on the long-term fundamentals of our businesses,” AEV president and chief executive Erramon Aboitiz said.

The biggest income contribution came from power business (69 percent), while banking and financial services, food, land and infrastructure strategic business units contributed 18 percent, 7 percent, 3 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

AEV’s power arm Aboitiz Power Corp. saw its net income increase 2 percent to P20.4 billion in 2017 from P20 billion a year earlier.

“Our bottomline was definitely affected with our decision to cease the operations of Aseagas. But looking at the actual performance of our operations, we have continued to grow in 2017, thanks to the improved reliability and availability of our plants,” said Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza.

Aboitiz Power said without the one-off adjustments, the company’s core net income grew 13 percent last year to P23.3 billion from P20.6 billion in 2016.

Alena Mae S. Flores

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Teleperformance, a leading provider of outsourced omni-channel customer experience management services, unveils a bigger and better recruitment center at the company’s business site along Ayala Ave. corner Amorsolo St. in Makati City. Shown during the ribboncutting ceremony are (from left) Teleperformance Philippines vice president for recruitment George Dy, Labor Department chief of staff Louie Biraogo, Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines executive director Genny Marcial, Teleperformance vice president Don Sausa, Department of Information and Communications Technology program manager Emily Lou Delfin, Teleperformance vice president Michael Kim, managing director Travis Coates, Board of Investments senior investment specialist Anna Karenina Buenafe, Teleperformance Ayala site director Romaflor Lico and Teleperformance Philippines senior vice president Jeffrey Johnson.

Star completes toll road upgrades

STAR Tollway Corp., the operator of the Star toll road, said it completed work on upgrades on parts of the 42-kilometer expressway stretching from Sto. Tomas to Batangas City.

The company said it was looking to add new lanes at two of the busiest toll plazas.

The operator said it completed the widening of the Sto. Tomas exit ramp from one lane with shoulder to two lanes. The exit ramp is critical for trucks and buses headed to Quezon province, and the expansion would significantly improve traffic flow in the area.

The widening also benefits the growing number of pilgrims exiting at Sto. Tomas to visit the Shrine of Padre Pio in the municipality, the operator said.

STC said it also completed the refinishing of the shoulder of the tollway’s main alignment, to improve usability in emergency situations. It also widened the vehicle inspection post in Batangas City.

Darwin G. Amojelar

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

By Darwin G. Amojelar

MARKET OUTLOOK. Citi Philippines holds the Citigold 2018 Annual Market Outlook Briefing with the theme “Navigating A Maturing Bull Market” attended by more than 600 Citi customers in the cities of Taguig, Mandaluyong and Cebu. Shown during the briefing are (from left) Citi Philippines consumer business manager Manoj Varma, chief executive Aftab Ahmed, retail bank head Rene Aguirre and Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines Inc. investment product head Ramon Tejero.

Uber selling Asean business to Grab SAN FRANCISCO—Uber is selling parts of its Southeast Asian operations to local rival Grab, getting a piece of the action in the process, according to US media reports.

Grab is on the cusp of buying Uber’s business in some Southeast Asia markets in a deal that would give the Californiabased smartphone-summoned ride service a stake in its competitor, reported Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.

The size of the stake could be around 20 percent or more than 30 percent, according to the reports, which cited unnamed sources.

Uber did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

The US ride share titan faces fierce competition in Asia, not only from Singapore-based Grab but from Ola in India, and Chinese rival Didi Chuxing.

Japanese financial titan Softbank has invested billions of dollars in Uber, Didi, Ola and Grab, and is known for seeking synergies between companies in its portfolio.

Didi and Uber ended a ferocious

battle in the surging Chinese market in 2016 with a tie-up along the lines of the reported deal with Grab.

Southeast Asia’s top ride-hailing firm Grab launched services in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh late last year as it looked to lock down regional domination against main rival Uber.

Grab, which launched in 2012, has poured money into expanding its regional fleet and now has more than 2.1 million drivers in Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

Competition between ride-hailing apps has been heating up in Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding market, which is forecast to grow more than five times to $13.1 billion by 2025, according to a 2016 report by Singapore investment firm Temasek.

While ridesharing giant Uber is the largest firm of its kind with a presence in more than 600 cities, the US-based company has been rocked by scandals and is facing fierce competition from rivals in Asia and Europe. AFP

CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp., a company led by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, submitted an unsolicited offer to the Department of Transportation for the bundled development, operation and management of Davao and New Bohol (Panglao) International airports for 30 years.

“We will modernize both Davao and Panglao international airports into world-class airports without government subsidy by implementing the development in three phases with an estimated total project cost of P67 billion,” CLC president and chief executive Chryss Alfonsos Damuy said.

“However, for economical viability of the project, the succeeding works after the development of Phase 1 shall be subject to the traffic growth requirements and compliance with the minimum performance standards,” he said.

The proposal was submitted to the DOTr on Feb. 5, 2018.

CLC proposed to operate and maintain all existing and project assets of the two airports, with the exception of those that would remain within the control of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, while undertaking the necessary development works to meet future passenger and aircraft movements.

The DOTr said in an acknowledgement letter that it was evaluating the unsolicited proposal as required under Republic Act No. 7718 and its implementing rules and regulations.

CLC said with the projected airport traffic growing to 8 million to 15 million passengers in Davao and 1.5 million to 2.1 million passengers in Panglao by 2050, bundling these two airports would create opportunities for improved domestic connectivity and international tourism.

Allies, rivals hit Trump’s trade tariffs

UNITED States trading partners, led

by Asian powerhouses China and Japan, lashed out Friday at controversial tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum signed off by President Donald Trump, as fears grew of a global trade war.

Close ally Japan warned the tariffs of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminium “could have a grave impact on the economic relationship” between the world’s top and third-largest economies.

Japan’s top government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said the move could harm the global trading system and the entire world economy and said Tokyo would urge the US to give the country an exemption.

The world’s second-biggest economy, China, was also vocal in its opposition, deriding the tariffs as “a serious attack on normal international trade order.”

In a sharp reversal from decades of a US-led drive towards more open trade, Trump declared on Thursday that America had been “ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices.”

“It’s really an assault on our country,” he blasted, announcing the tariffs on the metals used in everything from cars to construction, roads to railways.

Trump said the tariffs—which will come into effect after 15 days— will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, and that close partners on security and trade could negotiate exemptions.

Canada was the single-largest US source of steel last year, followed by Brazil, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

The US neighbor to the north was also by far the largest supplier of alumina and aluminum, followed by China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward “real friends,” and during the signing confirmed Canada and Mexico would be exempted permanently if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

But both Mexico and Canada rejected Trump’s linkage of the levies to ongoing NAFTA talks.

Canada’s foreign affairs minister termed the two things “separate issues” while Mexico’s economy ministry said “the negotiation of the NAFTA should not be subject to conditions outside the process.”

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely carveouts, as a “great country” and “longterm partner.”

However, he took aim at Germany, reviving a longstanding gripe that European NATO allies do not pay their fair share.

“Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and on the military are our allies, as they call them,” he complained. AFP

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Business

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market declines; First Gen up

S

TOCKS fell for a second day, as fears of a global trade war grew when Asian powerhouses China and Japan lashed out at controversial tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum signed off by President Donald Trump.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, dropped 9 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 8,372.51 Friday, as four of the six major sectors declined.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also retreated 12 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 5,052.79, on a value turnover of P6.6 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 125 to 82, while 54 issues were unchanged.

Six of the 20 most active stocks ended

in the green, led by Prime Media Holdings Inc. which jumped 50 percent to P1.68. Power producer First Gen Corp. climbed 7.6 percent to P16.68, while MRC Allied Inc. rose 4 percent to P0.78.

Meanwhile, news that Donald Trump had agreed to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sent other Asian stock markets surging and the yen tumbling Friday.

South Korea said the two leaders would hold an unprecedented summit by the end of May, raising hopes they can broker an agreement on Pyongyang’s nuclear program that has fueled tensions on the peninsula.

A senior South Korean security official said Kim had “expressed his eagerness to meet President Trump as soon as possible”, while the US leader tweeted that “great progress” had been made in persuading the North to end its nuclear program.

The news provided a springboard for Asian markets, with Seoul surging 1.1 per-

cent and Tokyo ending 0.5 percent higher.

Hong Kong added more than one percent, Sydney and Singapore each rose 0.3 percent, and Shanghai jumped 0.6 percent. Taipei, Wellington and Mumbai were also higher.

The development came just months after a period of extreme tension and bellicose rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang that sounded like the growing drumbeat of war as the North carried out a series of missile and nuclear tests.

“It’s a big deal—there’s no question this is a positive move,” Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group, a politicalrisk research and consulting firm in New York, told Bloomberg TV. “But also there is the possibility that it could go badly, that Trump could be embarrassed that they make an agreement that Kim Jong Un could backslide on.”

Hopes that the two could reach some sort of agreement also led to a plunge in

the yen, which is considered a go-to safe currency in times of volatility and uncertainty. The dollar jumped to its highest level in a week.

Also Thursday, Trump signed off on controversial tariffs for steel and aluminum imports, which have been met with anger across the world and from within his own Republican Party, while raising the specter of a global trade war.

He said Mexico and Canada had been exempted from the levies while they held talks on a new trilateral free-trade agreement, and invited other countries to discuss carve-outs.

However, analysts warned the issue could still blow up down the road and dealers remain on edge on concerns over a possible trade war, which sparked a global sell-off last week.

Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader, said: “For the moment, fears have been eased in the immediate term. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 117.5 1,278,110 3.34 87,000 149 933,410 1.85 376,000 35.1 345,700 8.5 1,000 15.5 3,700 30.35 564,800 3.5 85,000 8.82 6,700 0.65 4,000 1.65 9,000 900 10 0.55 439,000 96 12,549,490 1.43 1,374,000 56.8 2,260 248.8 25,880 125 67,090 88.5 80 46.85 26,700 250 462,470 1,930 95 90.75 69,630 1.21 7,000

150,431,897 280,250 140,613,903 686,100 12,120,685 8,500 57,270 17,020,285 289,420 60,064 2,600 14,690 9,000 238,150 1,204,812,017.50 1,931,810 129,891.50 6,409,758 10,728,311 7,080 1,251,205 115,433,906 183,350 6,318,185.50 8,470

-60,992,405 -5,303,838 6,680 5,523,115 11,414,810 -2,600 -7,422,759.50 116,060.00 1,130 -2,460,240 -192,305 417,455 25,863,536 5,590,834 -

39.05 13.44 0.56 1.28 18.74 0.216 150 3.7 17.18 355 50.3 34 70.5 103 1.92 5.45 10.12 11.8 14.2 11.02 7.4 5.58 15.66 62.8 27.8 9.55 19.4 2.45 292 53 4.73 3.15 18.18 27 16.54 20.65 325 0.191 7.96 2.62 5.02 9.1 6.15 8.3 1.53 12.3 54.55 6.01 613 4.84 2.63 3.37 2.45 15.62 5.22 0.133 1.04 149.4 2.77 2.03 23.6 1.1

INDUSTRIAL 39.15 1,217,700 13.8 2,444,700 0.58 426,000 1.38 2,420,000 18.98 30,200 0.226 4,310,000 200.2 19,930 3.83 3,475,000 17.3 1,893,800 398 450 50.95 664,160 36 778,500 79 156,840 115 10,470 1.96 2,335,000 5.71 7,437,700 10.5 6,400 11.94 1,381,700 14.46 352,100 11.1 3,554,200 7.52 153,600 5.68 2,787,400 16.68 4,917,400 65 415,900 28 60,900 9.85 24,400 19.7 669,900 2.81 17,211,000 292 352,590 53 5,000 4.75 388,000 3.25 781,000 20 42,000 27.35 2,339,100 16.68 191,300 20.9 1,945,700 327.2 223,200 0.2 3,360,000 7.97 8,000 2.71 274,000 5.04 172,600 9.18 1,283,700 6.2 392,500 8.3 15,900 1.55 805,000 12.82 226,800 54.9 189,850 6.01 6,100 620 42,190 4.85 3,955,000 2.75 277,000 3.67 24,000 2.46 2,093,000 15.92 686,100 5.43 34,500 0.139 600,000 1.04 10,000 150 222,170 2.77 6,000 2.1 22,670,000 24 4,200 1.1 18,940,000

47,751,760 33,227,024 244,730 3,234,970 571,624 946,390 3,917,761 13,211,900 32,663,592 178,810 33,969,826 30,049,975 13,749,101.50 1,436,767 4,684,430 46,007,046 66,112 16,517,986 5,060,602 39,431,070 1,150,521 15,731,765 80,359,270 26,641,225 1,701,085 239,229 13,205,046 46,564,970 103,686,130 268,735 1,869,130 2,713,750 876,211 64,035,000 3,189,502 40,707,540 73,198,616 666,620 63,740 737,160 871,881 11,760,608 2,437,491 132,007 1,239,890 2,867,228 10,412,638 37,201 26,060,955 19,181,710 750,110 83,550 5,227,640 10,919,924 182,980 81,040 10,460 33,370,017 16,620 47,570,470 100,270 21,189,440

-36,828,795 4,539,298 116,000.00 -45,150 89,100 590 1,486,380 18,220,132 4,184,576.50 -1,174,115 -4,910 30,660 76,821 20,960 11,372,350 1,438,914 -18,821,130 -62,859 -8,880,904 42,167,022 5,199,940 150,805 -932,656 313,150 -16,071,760 -150,420 -23,335 -9,846,480 -33,726 31,381,610 -20,032,188 20,200 346,130 -16,128 1,804,441 1,890 324,360 1,237,810 -5,107,739 -751,400 9,656,350 -32,260 82,440 -2,496,464 -2,839,705 -441,080 -

0.33 75 14.7 0.96 7.5 0.67 0.68 1,041 7.2 13.32 7.58 5.49 0.205 1,330 7.23 66 5.13 5.23 5.41 0.69 5.45 20.05 0.365 5.95 3.5 0.045 1.68 3.57 143 2.57 958 0.84 1.88 820 280 0.255 0.2 0.27

0.31 74 14.5 0.9 7.45 0.64 0.66 1,020 7.12 13.12 7.4 5.48 0.195 1,310 7.23 65.4 5.13 5.23 5.4 0.65 5.17 19.7 0.315 5.75 3.5 0.043 1.15 3.42 140 2.57 945 0.8 1.71 594 278.4 0.245 0.189 0.21

HOLDING FIRMS 0.31 3,060,000 74.3 545,720 14.58 6,486,700 0.95 243,000 7.48 72,500 0.67 18,473,000 0.68 835,000 1,020 167,800 7.17 4,293,300 13.22 8,389,700 7.42 1,700 5.49 1,000 0.204 180,000 1,320 25,335 7.23 300 65.95 914,330 5.13 500 5.23 1,500 5.4 2,000 0.69 478,000 5.3 535,100 19.7 2,950,100 0.33 1,660,000 5.75 24,339,100 3.5 2,000 0.044 17,000,000 1.68 129,961,000 3.43 5,224,000 143 343,120 2.57 50,000 958 106,480 0.81 55,000 1.82 6,072,000 750 13,550 278.4 400 0.246 820,000 0.196 5,850,000 0.23 13,770,000

964,800 40,602,861.50 94,638,406 226,300 542,014 12,063,520 555,780 172,100,415 30,728,620 111,068,258 12,760 5,485 36,290 33,468,850 2,169 60,161,248 2,565 7,845 10,815 315,870 2,834,125 58,390,968 569,950 141,674,840 7,000 753,100 205,857,680 18,078,220 48,844,706 128,500 101,644,600 45,320 11,154,900 9,705,990 111,588 202,620 1,143,260 3,373,700

16,100 6,191,154 -36,491,442 37,500 392,840 -118,561,420 -9,867,436 -46,347,464 -1,950 2,335,790 -2,867,856 1,945,913 -45,894,921 -61,837,742 54,340 359,420 20,757,750 15,427,460 -

7.05 1.17 16.24 2.15 0.92 41.9 4.05 4.95 6.2 6.2 6 0.445 1.07 1.06 0.305 0.485 32 0.65 0.13 1.82 1.42

6.96 1.1 15.5 2.06 0.9 41.5 3.8 4.85 6 6 6 0.43 1.06 1.04 0.29 0.46 30.8 0.64 0.13 1.77 1.37

5,836,581 18,734,440 154,474 45,610 1,600,310 404,063,845 6,949,590 4,238,360 251,430 96,458 600 4,574,700 69,250 340,110 11,346,900 162,050 11,367,355 401,660 143,000 13,529,070 7,474,590

-1,058,412 -673,470 32,372 -160,714,335 1,632,710 501,170 258,000 -23,110 3,646,305 -308,500 -2,688,950 97,410

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

117.8 3.2 152.8 1.7 35.1 8.5 15.5 29.85 3.4 9.34 0.65 1.61 900 0.54 97.35 1.41 56.75 247 167 88.5 47 245.4 1,930 90.7 1.21

118 3.38 152.8 1.9 35.1 8.5 15.5 30.35 3.56 9.34 0.65 1.65 900 0.55 97.35 1.46 57.8 249 220 88.5 47 251 1,930 90.9 1.21

117.3 3.19 149 1.67 35 8.5 15.34 29.85 3.35 8.72 0.65 1.61 900 0.54 95.9 1.38 56.75 247 120 88.5 46.7 245.4 1,930 90.6 1.21

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN 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 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VIVANT VULCAN INDL

39.2 13.46 0.58 1.28 19.28 0.216 179 3.75 17.2 403 50.7 48 83 140.5 1.95 5.45 10.5 11.8 14.26 11.02 7.45 5.66 15.8 63 28 9.96 19.9 2.51 297 54.15 4.8 3.15 20.2 27.3 16.98 20.9 330 0.192 7.96 2.62 5.1 9.18 6.41 8.3 1.56 12.32 54.9 6.1 620 4.85 2.77 3.38 2.6 15.62 5.38 0.133 1.05 149.4 2.77 2.12 24 1.19

39.5 13.8 0.58 1.38 19.3 0.227 265 3.85 17.34 418 52 48.5 105 168 2.09 7.3 10.68 11.98 14.46 11.4 7.8 5.68 16.68 65 28.05 9.96 19.94 2.97 297 56.95 4.94 3.9 23 28 16.98 21.1 330.4 0.205 7.98 2.71 5.1 9.21 6.41 8.31 1.56 12.84 55 6.1 620 4.85 2.77 3.67 2.6 16 5.44 0.139 1.05 151.9 2.77 2.14 24 1.19

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

0.33 74 14.64 0.93 7.47 0.65 0.67 1,038 7.17 13.3 7.58 5.48 0.195 1,330 7.23 66 5.13 5.23 5.41 0.69 5.17 20.05 0.315 5.9 3.5 0.045 1.15 3.51 141 2.57 954 0.8 1.83 700 280 0.245 0.2 0.21

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

7 1.14 15.5 2.15 0.91 41.5 3.82 4.86 6 6 6 0.435 1.07 1.06 0.3 0.485 31 0.64 0.13 1.82 1.39

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.71 4.83 0.77 0.39 0.54 4.31 42 20.7 2 3.23 35.4 1.02 22.9 0.82 6.35

0.88 4.83 0.82 0.405 0.56 4.32 42 20.7 2 3.23 35.9 1.03 25.3 0.83 6.35

0.7 4.76 0.76 0.375 0.54 4.05 32 19.82 1.95 3.23 35.4 1 22.55 0.8 6.27

0.77 4.8 0.78 0.385 0.54 4.23 36 19.82 2 3.23 35.9 1.03 23.15 0.8 6.35

7,020,000 17,218,000 306,522,000 8,830,000 3,570,000 833,000 23,900 773,200 792,000 237,000 1,714,100 953,000 454,800 832,000 7,096,600

5,548,290 82,625,930 240,883,470 3,432,550 1,954,260 3,494,240 887,495 15,626,551 1,551,480 765,510 61,158,645 962,260 10,925,825 674,200 44,974,142

246,500 -1,474,170 -1,788,560 435,890 93,145 -6,376,389 371,480 4,254,345 172,730 23,200 -21,626,642

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL 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 BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

17.84 29.75 1.4 0.57 0.062 4.9 14.6 0.07 99.95 8.98 7.65 9.49 2.47 40.45 1,710 6.44 329 5.2 2.65 109.9 13.3 8.3 0.129 1.54 3.4 5.35 1.04 28 0.5 5.33 7.97 3.29 17.9 13.5 10.4 11 2.97 110 7.24 1,559 1.18 0.38 53.95 93.25 9 2.68 1.47 0.51 3.48 1.04 11.34

18.4 30.3 1.44 0.61 0.063 4.9 14.6 0.071 100.7 9 7.96 9.54 2.47 41.5 1,710 6.46 392 5.52 2.7 110.2 13.3 8.31 0.131 1.55 3.4 5.76 1.15 28 0.5 5.36 8.11 3.29 17.9 14.14 10.4 11 2.97 111 7.25 1,567 1.19 0.42 53.95 94 11.8 2.7 1.47 0.52 3.54 1.09 11.6

17.84 29.7 1.3 0.57 0.058 4.9 14.3 0.069 99.85 8.71 7.61 8.4 2.38 38.8 1,685 6.4 321.6 5.17 2.65 108.7 13.3 8.25 0.129 1.49 3.2 5.34 1.03 26.95 0.5 5.32 7.7 3.25 16.42 13.16 10.18 10.62 2.84 110 6.92 1,531 1.17 0.38 53.15 93.2 8 2.67 1.45 0.5 3.48 1.01 11.22

SERVICES 18 30 1.35 0.59 0.059 4.9 14.52 0.07 100.7 8.71 7.95 8.7 2.47 38.9 1,705 6.43 322 5.47 2.68 109.9 13.3 8.31 0.131 1.52 3.22 5.61 1.03 27.2 0.5 5.34 8.11 3.26 17.88 13.3 10.4 11 2.84 111 6.95 1,540 1.18 0.405 53.25 94 8.9 2.68 1.45 0.51 3.48 1.03 11.22

11,500 30,900 922,000 15,874,000 53,320,000 2,000 5,423,700 23,710,000 81,930 17,400 1,780,200 1,384,300 61,000 154,600 15,295 429,000 252,270 5,171,200 67,000 682,280 15,100 35,500 1,680,000 408,000 322,000 13,058,500 2,408,000 5,018,800 500,000 200,500 4,391,200 1,385,000 400 9,173,800 700 3,600 4,000 3,480 2,028,100 23,695 3,405,000 2,740,000 327,490 472,150 23,353,700 2,433,000 10,427,000 22,114,000 299,000 23,578,000 1,723,300

207,652 922,745 1,248,880 9,396,140 3,214,470 9,800 78,608,512 1,654,500 8,224,929.50 156,405 13,953,386 12,624,478 146,730 6,065,780 26,043,520 2,761,510 86,390,316 28,180,357 178,000 75,016,295 200,830 293,655 217,520 614,020 1,046,850 73,478,769 2,612,100 137,147,010 250,000 1,069,077 35,106,551 4,517,060 6,862 123,256,688 7,258 39,562 11,490 383,796 14,286,236 36,529,360 4,014,830 1,128,550 17,549,756.50 44,163,521 242,200,552 6,533,340 15,125,220 11,318,700 1,046,810 24,426,680 19,561,566

-6,000 4,200 43,988,508 5,143,595 664,208 9,490 -50,625 -3,736,635 233,192 27,948 16,264,937 13,000 -9,474,395.00 -74,377,455 130,104 2,522,043 2,177,640 4,799,732 1,062 -439,633 -1,490,510 -49,320 9,078,140 -5,852,889.50 -1,103,749 1,911,810 305,840 -797,640 -289,600 10,597,648

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

0.003 1.79 5 17.2 1.75 1.8 1.7 0.31 7.2 2.44 0.24 0.15 0.153 0.0091 1.52 6.05 1.3 0.47 0.92 0.012 0.013 2.31 6.04 15.48 33.8 0.0067

0.0031 1.79 5.09 17.2 1.75 1.8 1.71 0.32 7.32 2.48 0.25 0.152 0.154 0.0091 1.54 6.21 1.4 0.495 0.93 0.012 0.013 2.32 6.08 15.6 33.8 0.0068

0.0029 1.72 5 17.2 1.75 1.8 1.68 0.3 7.19 2.41 0.225 0.149 0.153 0.0091 1.52 6.02 1.28 0.45 0.88 0.012 0.012 2.31 6.01 15.24 33.5 0.0066

MINING & OIL 0.003 1,197,000,000 1.73 2,973,000 5 107,000 17.2 1,200 1.75 2,000 1.8 13,000 1.71 254,000 0.3 3,230,000 7.22 3,600 2.43 8,098,000 0.225 2,310,000 0.152 2,370,000 0.154 520,000 0.0091 1,000,000 1.52 166,000 6.16 3,099,000 1.34 668,000 0.49 1,310,000 0.91 24,000 0.012 151,900,000 0.012 50,400,000 2.31 25,000 6.01 212,800 15.36 1,342,800 33.55 2,167,400 0.0068 7,000,000

3,479,900 5,175,340 535,495 20,640 3,500 23,400 430,220 981,500 26,197 19,808,890 537,660 356,760 79,860 9,100 252,740 18,950,873 888,550 622,550 21,720 1,822,800 617,400 57,780 1,283,701 20,700,538 72,757,775 46,900

475,550 -17,501 -17,100 457,720 -3,060 6,769,256 3,900 -327,024 2,284,356 -20,268,870.00 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

29.5 507 514 101 6.24 1,002 1.06 990 104.9 110 75.1 79.95 74.5 76.4 77 77.1

29.5 507 514 103 6.28 1,002 1.06 999 104.9 110 76.65 80 74.5 76.4 77 77.1

29 507 514 101 6.2 1,002 1.06 990 104.9 109 75 79.95 74.5 76.4 77 77.1

PREFERRED 29 393,100 507 20 514 50 102.5 11,030 6.28 955,400 1,002 300 1.06 1,000 999 60 104.9 100 109 190 76.65 20,450 80 150,110 74.5 13,400 76.4 133,400 77 21,350 77.1 1,200

11,592,645 10,140 25,700 1,131,360 5,925,631 300,600 1,060 59,670 10,490 20,760 1,534,291.50 12,008,755 998,300 10,191,760 1,643,950 92,520

1,688,005 -1,500,269 -

LR WARRANT

4.09

4.22

3.82

WARRANTS 3.98 6,612,000

26,784,780

-76,150

13,564,306 11,440 435,280 108,424,680

-10,677 3,410 -58,604,440

896,271

12,810

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.03 1.12 16.24 2.08 0.92 41.75 3.93 4.85 6.2 6.2 6 0.445 1.06 1.04 0.3 0.48 31 0.64 0.13 1.8 1.41

833,600 16,502,000 9,600 22,000 1,759,000 9,678,300 1,762,000 867,000 41,900 16,000 100 10,500,000 65,000 325,000 38,050,000 350,000 367,100 619,000 1,100,000 7,516,000 5,379,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.85 2.86 3.41 3.77

6.1 2.86 3.54 3.9

5.74 2.86 3.37 3.65

FIRST METRO ETF

128

128.3

128

USD TECH B2

1.03

1.03

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

19,199,019

INDUSTRIAL

122,222,525

HOLDING FIRMS

253,620,529

PROPERTY

458,688,491

SERVICES

252,700,354

MINING & OIL

1,437,045,999

GRAND TOTAL

2,574,935,725

1.02

5.85 2.86 3.48 3.7

SME

2,314,800 4,000 127,000 29,001,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 128.1 7,000 1.02

DDS

348,740

356,202.20

-

VALUE 2,180.75 (down) 5.65 1,719,079,439.20 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,473.02 (up) 30.50 1,037,879,709.676 HOLDING FIRMS 8,376.84 (down) 17.46 1,231,038,199.00 PROPERTY 3,774.07 (up) 26.84 1,755.36 (down) 6.92 1,045,563,631.28 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,521.45 (down) 16.74 1,272,884,037.12 PSEI 8,372.51 (down) 9.34 149,517,983.1878 All Shares Index 5,052.79 (down) 12.69 6,579,314,317.93 Gainers: 125; Losers: 82; Unchanged: 54; Total: 261

DMCI’s profit climbed 16% to P12.7b in 2017

By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Holdings Inc., the investment company of the Consunji family, said net income climbed 16 percent in 2017 to P14.8 billion from P12.7 billion in 2016, on higher profit contributions of coal energy, real estate, construction and nickel mining businesses.

The company said excluding a onetime gain of P111 million from the sale of a 10-percent stake in Subic Water and Sewerage Co. in 2016, core net income rose 17 percent year-on-year from P12.6 billion to P14.8 billion.

Consolidated revenues increased 18 percent last year to P81 billion from P68 billion in 2016.

“2017 was a challenging year for us but we were able to meet our earnings target of double-digit growth,” said DMCI chairman and president Isidro Consunji.

“For 2018, our financial performance will likely be more modest because of tapering electricity rates and the unresolved issues in our nickel mining and water businesses. But we see strong growth from our coal production and real estate segments,” he said.

Net income contributions from Semirara Mining and Power Corp., which accounted for 54 percent of the total, jumped 15 percent from P6.9 billion to P8 billion, led by a 20-percent increase in average coal prices and 21-percent rise in gross electric output.

Record real estate sales also resulted in a 47-percent surge in net earnings for DMCI Homes, from restated earnings of P2.4 billion in 2016 to P3.6 billion in 2017.

Reservation sales of DMCI Homes surpassed its P28-billion target to reach P41 billion last year.

Net income contributions from core business D.M. Consunji Inc. increased 11 percent from P938 million to slightly over P1 billion. Lower operating costs, favorable settlement of pending claims and earlier-than-expected completion of some minor projects accounted for the growth.

DMCI Mining Corp. returned to profitability in 2017, after a significant drop in operating costs and shipping 525,000 wet metric tons of nickel ore from its old inventory. From a net loss of P65 million in 2016, the nickel company recorded P113 million in net earnings the following year.

Atlas incurred a net loss of P1.97b in 2017 ATLAS Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., a gold and copper mining firm owned by the Sy and Ramos families, said it incurred a net loss of P1.97 billion in 2017, larger than the P879-million net loss in 2016.

Atlas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange provisions for mark-to-market losses for copper price hedges and for effective interest rates on certain loans affected the bottom line.

It said without these mark-to-market provisions, the underlying net loss would have been P745 million.

Consolidated gross revenues dropped 1 percent to P11.9 billion in 2017 from P12.07 billion in 2016 on lower gold revenues mitigated by higher copper sales.

Copper revenues improved 5 percent to P10.7 billion last year, as average copper prices increased 26 percent to $2.78 per pound while average gold prices remained stable at $1,259 an ounce.

Unit Carmen Copper Corp.’s average daily milling rate dropped 15 percent to 39,004 dry metric tons from 45,678 DMT because of unusually high level of rainfall experienced in the first quarter of 2017 which restricted mine operations.

Copper concentrates output dropped 23 percent to 134,551 DMT from 175,700 DMGT in 2016 while gold yield decreased 35 percent to 21,979 ounces from 33,958 ounces.

Operating expenses also declined 3 percent to P10.1 billion on lower costs incurred for waste stripping, materials and supplies, fuel, power, labor and smelting charges.

Atlas said the provision for mark-tomarket loss represented the accounting valuation of outstanding copper price hedges as copper price increased above the hedge price at the end of the current year.

This provision changes as the copper price changes and the final variance is determined at the month of settlement.

Jenniffer B. Austria

World Cuban vote begins end of Castro era

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

Elusive peace in Syria tests UN U

NITED NATIONS―A ceasefire resolution for Syria has failed to take hold as Syrian forces, backed

by Russia, make gains in Eastern Ghouta. The question is arising: What is the United Nations doing?

HAVANA―Cuba on Sunday designates the 605 members of its National Assembly, an electoral process without surprise since there are as many candidates as seats.

But one of them will succeed President Raul Castro in April, marking the first generational change of leadership under the island’s communist rule.

For the first time in nearly 60 years, after the era of the Castro brothers, the presidency of Cuba will go to someone who did not fight in the revolution of 1959.

His name will be known on April 19, the 57th anniversary of the failed CIAbacked invasion of the Bay of Pigs, known in Cuba as Playa Giron and considered on the island as “the first defeat of Yankee imperialism in Latin America.”

Raul Castro, 86, officially became president in 2008 after two years as interim leader, and following his ailing brother Fidel who had governed since seizing power during the revolution. Fidel died in 2016.

More than eight million Cubans are eligible to vote for provincial assembly delegates and the 605 chosen for the National Assembly, a list screened by the country’s only party, the Communists.

Candidates may be either members of the Cuban Communist Party or not, and may also belong to trade unions or be students.

“Political parties don’t participate.

Campaigns are not financed. The designation of candidates is based on merit, abilities and the commitment of the people,” Raul Castro said in 2017. AFP

Anti-Rohingya monk released from prison YANGON―An ultra-nationalist Myanmar monk was released from prison on Friday after serving time for inciting unrest in an anti-Rohingya protest in 2016, a rare punishment handed to one of the country’s hard-line Buddhist clergymen.

Parmaukkha, who was handed a threemonth jail term, has helped peddle a fiery brand of Buddhist nationalism and Islamophobia in Myanmar, a country accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against Rohingya Muslims.

The monk was arrested in November over a rally he held outside the US Embassy in Yangon in April 2016 to protest against America’s use of the word “Rohingya”.

The Buddhist-majority nation refuses to recognize the Rohingya as citizens, referring pejoratively to the community as “Bengalis” and insisting they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

On Friday several dozen supporters cheered and scattered petals in front of Parmaukkha as he walked out of Yangon’s notorious Insein prison at dawn before heading to pray at the city’s iconic Shwedagon Pagoda.

“He has work to do...I love everything he does for religion and the nation,” said Aye Lay, a 32-year-old supporter.

Anti-Muslim hate speech has been brewing in Myanmar for several years, often spilling over into bouts of bloodshed. AFP

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

WILD RIDE. An Indian army soldier and member of the ‘Tornadoes’ motorcycle display team rides through tube lights during a combined display at an officer training academy in Chennai. AFP

Spanish women stage unprecedented strike for rights MADRID―Spain marked International Women’s Day Thursday with an unprecedented strike by women in defense of their rights that saw hundreds of trains canceled and massive protests held in Madrid and Barcelona.

Called by 10 unions to demand gender equality, particularly where salaries are concerned, the 24-hour strike dominated headlines with famous female presenters noticeably absent from radio or television shows.

“This should be a starting point to change things. We are far from real equality,” Maria Angels Pina, a teacher in her 60s, told AFP at an evening march in Barcelona attended by around 200,000 people according to municipal police.

In Madrid tens of thousands of people, many wearing purple or holding up purple balloons―a color long associated with gender equality―marched along the central Gran Via boulevard, chanting and holding signs that read “Justice!” and “Revolution”.

Smaller protests were held in dozens of cities across the country as women hung aprons on their balconies in a prearranged sign they were ditching domestic chores for the day.

Feminist groups also called on women not to spend money, particularly on items such as deodorant whose versions created for women often cost more.

Spain’s two main unions―the CCOO and UGT―were not part of the grouping that called the 24-hour strike but

asked their members to stop work for just two hours on Thursday.

They estimated that 5.9 million men and women had observed the short stoppage.

The strike was attempting to emulate Iceland’s 1975 work shutdown, when women took a day off in October to demonstrate their vital contribution to the country’s economy and society.

Pilar Lahoz, a 35-year-old office worker who carried a sign that read “Without us the world stops” at the protest in Madrid, said she has struggled to change jobs because potential employers rule her out when she says she is planning on having children.

“While we have advanced a great deal there is still much to do,” she told AFP. AFP

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the failure to stop the bloodshed in Syria could be “the graveyard of the United Nations”, which was founded on the ashes of World War II. Not everyone shares that view.

While the Security Council has failed the people of Syria, this does not mean the end of the global organization, said British Deputy Ambassador Jonathan Allen.

The council adopted on February 24 a resolution calling for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria where hundreds have died in a fierce government attack on the rebelheld enclave of Eastern Ghouta.

It was the latest in a series of dark chapters in the seven-year war that the United Nations has been largely powerless to stop.

The resolution called for lifting sieges to allow humanitarian aid deliveries, but only two convoys have been authorized by the Syrian government this year to besieged areas.

UN expert Alexandra Novosseloff said it was unfair to lay the blame for the failure to end the fighting on the United Nations, which she said was a “tool” in the hands of its 193 member states.

The world body leads a massive humanitarian aid effort on the ground, which requires cooperation from Syrian authorities.

“You have to blame the states, some states, not the UN in its entirety,” said Novosseloff.

UN expert Richard Gowan of the European Council for Foreign Relations also said the guilty finger should not be pointed at the United Nations for the failures of the Security Council.

“A lot of UN officials, and indeed a lot of diplomats inside the council, have wrecked their nervous systems trying to end the war,” said Gowan.

The council is to meet on Monday to hear a report from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and try to plod on with a bid to turn the ceasefire voted in New York into a reality on the ground in Syria.

A closed-door meeting called by France and Britain on Wednesday was aimed at piling pressure on Moscow― which is supporting Syria militarily―to give civilians a reprieve.

Human Rights Watch UN director Louis Charbonneau said the council stands to lose the little credibility it has left on Syria if it fails to get the ceasefire resolution enforced.

“The UN Security Council doesn’t have much credibility on Syria, though it’s been slightly better on the humanitarian side,” said Charbonneau.

“But if the council isn’t going to enforce its own resolutions.. .it’s going to lose what few shreds of credibility on Syria that it has left.”

The United States meanwhile blames Russia for failing to force its ally in Damascus to halt its offensive in Eastern Ghouta.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley accused Russia of foot-dragging for days before the resolution was adopted to buy time for the Syrian military operation. AFP

Vaccine against flu a high-stakes gamble PARIS―It is a high-stakes gamble with thousands of human lives on the line.

Yet twice a year, every year, the UN’s World Health Organization bets on the flu―which virus types are likely to dominate in the coming season? On this basis, a vaccine is prepared months in advance.

“We cannot say for sure which virus will be circulating,” Wenqing Zhang, head of the WHO’s global influenza program, told AFP. “What we’re doing is based on the best possible surveillance information and analysis, and basically to bet, or to

project, what viruses will likely be circulating.”

The flu virus is constantly changing its outer coat to avoid detection by the human body’s immune system. Each subtype, however slightly altered, requires a targeted vaccine.

Every year, the WHO recommends a cocktail covering three or four bases at once―usually two subtypes of the Influenzavirus A species, and two types of Influenzavirus B. The closer the mix mimics the viruses that end up being in circulation, the better it will be at protecting people from infection. AFP

Peruvian to hang over 2015 killing spree

MOORE HONORED. Demi Moore, right, and daughters Scout laRue Willis and Tallulah Willis listen to the poet Gina Loring during Visionary Women’s honoring of activist and actress Demi Moore in celebration of International Women’s Day in Beverly Hills. AFP

TOKYO―A Peruvian man found guilty of murdering six people in Japan during a killing spree in 2015 was sentenced to death on Friday, a court spokeswoman said.

Vayron Jonathan Nakada Ludena was arrested in 2015 after six people were found stabbed to death in a residential neighborhood near Tokyo.

The Saitama district court found him guilty of killing a 41-year-old mother and her two daughters, aged 10 and seven, as well as an 84-year-old woman, and a

couple in their 50s.

The bodies of his victims were all found in their homes in the usually quiet suburb of Kumagaya, northeast of Tokyo.

The 32-year-old apparently embarked on the killing spree after managing to flee a police station where he was being questioned on charges of trespassing.

His lawyers had demanded his acquittal in the murder trial, arguing that he suffers from schizophrenia and was not mentally competent for trial, according to public broadcaster NHK. AFP

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

HLURB-LAMUDI TIE-UP

HOUSING and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) and online real estate portal Lamudi Philippines recently joined forces to improve real estate practices in the country, and encourage transparency in the industry. The signing was was attended by HLURB chief executive officer and commissioner Atty. Lloyd Christopher A. Lao; commissioner Atty. Melzar P. Galicia; Lamudi Philippines managing director Bhavna Suresh; and Lamudi Philippines director for brand and communication Ken Lerona.

With the partnership, readers of the Lamudi real estate magazine will get thought leadership pieces from Atty. Lao, on topics ranging from the rights of buyers of real estate, to the verification of brokers, projects, and developers. HLURB will also use the Lamudi platform to address frequently asked questions, including those about options for financing, procedures and remedies afforded to aggrieved buyers and developers, and even who to approach or look for when paying a visit to their office.

HLURB’s website will likewise be integrated with the Lamudi website so property seekers will find it easy to search for registered brokers, as well as projects that have been issued license-to-sell numbers.

MPIC’s Shore It Up to hold 3-day festival to thank stakeholders, supporters BALINESE LIVING BY THE FAIRWAY. DMCI Homes’ Fairway Terraces

condominium development in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City continues to stay on track for turnover in February 2019. The 19-storey single tower development was topped off in the last quarter of 2017, and is shaping up as a unique architectural work along the South Luzon Expressway. DMCI Homes, adhering to the elements of the development’s Balinese architectural theme, is devoting 60 percent of the 5,000 sq.m. land area of the development to green spaces and resort-inspired amenities (Seen here). . The units with gross floor area ranging from 28 to 80.50 square meters (sq.m.) make for a sound investment at P3.7 million onwards. Accessible from Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and the rising business hub of ASEANA City, Fairway Terraces has been a hit so far among end-users, as well as investors.

‘BIG DREAMS START IN SMALL STEPS.’ Photo contest finalist Lance Churchill Lipio celebrates the dreams of Siarga-

onon children who dream of being professional surfers.

Event to feature talks by environmental experts, photo contest, fashion show, to mark nationwide program’s 10th year

S

HORE It Up! (SIU), the environmental awareness initiative of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), will hold a three-day event to thank its stakeholders and supporters, and celebrate its 10th year of coastal and underwater conservation and restoration activities all over the Philippines.

To be held at The Gallery in Greenbelt 5 mall in Makati city, the event will be from March 15 to 17, and will be shored up by talks from environmental experts on how to best protect the country’s coastal and underwater treasures. The culminating event will feature a photo contest and exhibit, an SIU t-shirt fash-

ion show, and merchandising bazaar for SIU paraphernalia.

The event caps a series of simultaneous nationwide environmental advocacy events that kicked off last March 2 to underscore the company’s cause to rescue, restore and revive the Philippines’ seas, coastline communities and marine resources.

Environmental heroes “The event will train the spotlight on the heroic efforts of thousands of volunteers patrons, sponsors and local government units, who continue to make this program a success,” said Melody Del Rosario, president of the Metro Pacific Investment Foundation (MPIF).

SIU is the country’s longest-running, corporate-backed environment program, together with its partner local

government units (LGUs) in Alaminos, Pangasinan; Mabini, Batangas; Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Cordova, Cebu; Del Carmen, Siargao; Medina, Misamis Oriental and Province of Surigao Del Norte Alongside coastal and underwater clean-up campaigns, SIU and its partner LGUs carried out activities like mangrove planting, runs for the mangroves, poster-making contests, seminars and forums to makeweight to SIU’s holistic take to promoting environmental awareness.

To date, SIU has 71, 147 volunteers, 2500 Junior environmental scouts, 5,000 hectares of protected mangroves, 768 volunteer divers, 355 partner organizations, 137 families assisted, 10 partner sites, 7 eco-guides, 3 mangrove centers.

INNOVATIVE BUILDER. Engineering and infrastructure firm Megawide Construction Corporation (Megawide) and Gaisano-

led Midland Development Corp. recently signed a contract for the development of Taft East Gate Phase 1. The project is a 43-storey building to be built on an 82,816 square-meter land in Cardinal Rosales Ave., corner Pope John Paul II Ave., Cebu City. It will have two office levels, 31 residential floors, retail areas, and several essential amenities and facilities. Megawide built other buildings in the city, including the Philam Life Cebu Tower, One Manchester Place, and Tower One Plaza Magellan. It is also developing the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, with the Terminal 2 opening in June 2018. “This is our first project with the Gaisano Group,” said Ronald Paulo, Megawide executive vice president and construction group head. “We look forward to a successful partnership with them.” At the signing were (left to right): Artemio Dy, Jack Gaisano, Ronald Paulo (Megawide), and Edward Gaisano.

DESIGN THINKING. Micro-D International, Inc. (MDI), a technological design organization, is billing itself as the leading catalyst of the Digital Transformation (DX) movement in the Philippines. “The challenge for businesses today is how they can integrate their back-end with their front to bring their brand aspirations to life,” said MDI chief executive officer (CEO) Myla Villanueva (shown in photo). “Like other innovation pioneers such as Apple or GoPro, every groundbreaking technology today should take into consideration the human element and interaction and how it complements its surroundings.” For the past 30 years, MDI has partnered with the country’s leading corporations to do just that: recreate spaces and embrace the DX Trinity, ensuring that their brand’s promises are manifested across all contact points with their customers. One example is the work MDI did for Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank). “The ARK is a bridge between the real-world banking experience and the digital experience, which we have made possible by teaming up with our partners, led of course by MDI,” said Ana Aboitiz-Delgado, deputy center head for consumer finance of UnionBank.

SOUTHERN OPTION. Property developer, Elanvital Enclaves Inc. (EVE) is expanding. With the success of their 13 hectare flagship project Nostalji Enclave, EVE is opening up a suburban enclave for families set on building a home in the south.

The newest offering of EVE for 2015 is Tradizo Enclave in Imus Cavite. Spanning a total of 8.5 hectares, the project has inventory worth approximately P1.3B, or around 500 units, at price ranges from 2.3M to 3.3M. EVE offers a 5% lowest downpayment scheme payable in 5 months. Elanvital Enclaves Incorporated is part of a conglomerate with various business ventures which includes Asia United Bank, Republic Biscuit Corporation (REBISCO) Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg, and Crystal Jade.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

travel and leisure

@mstandardLIFE saturday, march 10, 2018

C1

Island Cove opens new attractions UPGRADED. The Mediterranean-inspired rooms at Island Cove and Hotel Leisure Park are now equipped with USB charging ports, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, flat screen TVs, and modern bathrooms.

By Mae Gianina C. Pascual

a

S a resident in the south, I would always hear about Island Cove, a long-time, sought-after hotel and leisure park in the historic town of Kawit, Cavite. The 36-hectare resort has been a popular weekend getaway since its establishment two decades ago due in part to its holistic attractions that cater to every member of the family.

But the aggressive competition in the local tourism industry has prompted Island Cove to present new offerings to the public.

“We strive to keep things interesting and exciting by offering something fresh all the time,” shares Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park managing director Gilbert Remulla. “We also make sure that our facilities are up-to-date and continue to cater to the changing needs and wants of our market.”

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Island Cove upgraded its rooms with uSB charging ports, Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, flat screen televisions, and modern bathrooms, without losing that distinct Mediterranean feel.

It also opened a 3,200-square meter animal zone called Island aviary, which houses Brahminy Kite, peacocks, parrots, and many other bird species, and

offers family-friendly activities such as rabbit and ostrich feeding. Those who are feeling a bit more adventurous can take their souvenir photos while carrying a 200-pound Burmese python. a zookeeper will guide and share valuable information about the animals to the guests. Entrance to the animal zone is only P50 per person.

Keeping kids and kids-at-heart entertained are the new activities in the resort, including Go Karts, which costs P100 for 15 minutes of pedaling around the premises; King Crawler, a vertical urban play structure; and Mermaid swimming lessons.

Furthermore, Island Cove opened the 170-seater Bayside Deck, its new airconditioned function area overlooking Manila Bay. aside from the newly launched activities and attractions, Island Cove houses

Go karting is a new activity available at the leisure park.

For P50, guests can mingle with animals as well as feed rabbits and ostriches at the Island Aviary.

the Oceania Swim & Splash Park where kids can have fun with water, and the Island Spa for relaxation. It also has a fully equipped gym, a paintball arena, a basketball court, a tennis court, a 1.4-kilometer jogging path, billiard and tennis tables, and a game room.

The leisure park also offers a variety of dining options from its four food and beverage outlets headed by Executive Chef Vill Purificacion. The Fishing Village is a Filipino-themed restaurant with 21 bamboo huts over the water facing Manila Bay. The restaurant is a great venue for entertaining balikbayans as it offers Filipino fare, including dishes unique to Cavite, as well as allows diners to go fishing and have their catch cooked.

For quick bites and desserts, iCafe offers coffee, shakes, quick meals, and sweet treats, including its bestselling sisig buns. Sangley Point, on the other hand, serves Western-style cuisine.

Finally, the Bayside KTV serves picapica for long evenings of singing.

One of Island Cove’s best features is its pet-friendly environment where guests availing an overnight stay can bring along their pet dog or cat. For a minimal fee of P1,500 per night, their additional family member will have a dog/cat bed, food and water bowls, disposable poop scooper and poop bag, and two diapers. The fee also comes with maintenance service.

The new activities and attractions expanded further Island Cove’s market reach; catering to different kinds of guests. But if there is anything that remained constant at their establishment, it is the quality of service that makes Island Cove a promising destination for vacationers.

“We are most proud of our ability to be consistent in delivering excellent service. We make an effort to fulfill our mission to satisfy our guests and partners, and go the extra mile to help them,” enthuses Remulla.

To extend its gratitude for the support of its clients in the past 20 years, Island Cove offers checkedin hotel guests up to 15 percent discount plus a pitcher of iced tea Turn to C2

Anya Resort’s impressive main entrance

The refreshing pool beckons the stressed out city dwellers

A gracious Tagaytay weekend mercury rising

By BoB zozoBrado

In RuSSIa, the word “Anya” means something “gracious,” and to those living in northern africa, the same word means “rhythm or melody.” But it doesn’t really matter which part of the world you are in because, having had the opportunity to stay for a weekend at anya Resort in Tagaytay, I can easily affirm that the property symbolizes both denotations—gracious living in a harried world, with facilities that provide a beautiful rhythm to one’s senses.

It had to take the wedding of my youngest son for me to discover the “gracious life” that this resort property offers. Since he wanted everyone in the family to have accommodations near the church and reception venue, he booked all of us at this newly opened resort. anya Resort Tagaytay is a project of Roxaco Land Corporation, a subsidiary wholly owned by Roxas and Company, Inc. It is managed by anya Hospitality Corporation and was recently accepted as a member of the Small Luxury Hotels In The World, having passed their strict criteria.

Small Luxury Hotels in the World (SLH) is a group of small, independent luxury hotels and resorts all over the globe that ensures guests of truly authentic luxury travel experiences. The SLH Board of Directors must first approve every establishment before they can join the brand and only the very

best are accepted. Once the hotel or resort is taken in, a team of mystery inspectors visit it at least once a year, to ensure the property maintains that consistently high standards of quality.

Frankly, I originally told my son of my apprehensions in staying at a newly opened facility because the service level of the staff may not have yet reached the desired level of excellence expected of them. But, when I visited the property on an ocular several months before my son’s wedding, I immediately fell in love with it.

The facilities match, if not, surpass those I saw in similar properties in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Balesin, or amanpulo. I was excited by the fact that a property as attractive as this one is going to be another tourism “jewel” that our country can be proud of.

The Veranda Suite I was in has large windows which offer a very relaxing view of the beautifully landscaped surroundings and its lush foliage. The room’s interior has a very attractive mix of traditional Filipino and modern design. It uses authentic abaca, bamboo, and hardwood, juxtaposed with stateof-the-art accoutrements that further enhance the room’s appeal.

What I also liked about anya Resort is the cool mountain air that sweeps through the entire facility all throughout the day. I don’t really know if that happens only at this time of the year but I found my stay there very comfortable and refreshing.

I wanted to experience more tranquility by spending time in the woodscented shade of the bamboo groves, then indulge in a milk-and-rose bath at the spa, but it was impossible for me to break away from my family commitments which were the reason why I was there in the first place.

Turn to C2

Life

C2

saturday, march 10, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

frequent flyer

Skyjet Airlines offers an Island Hopper bundle promo for P18,000

Island hopper promo

MANILA’s boutique airline skyjet Airlines offers a bundle promotion that lets you travel to Boracay, Coron, and siargao for P18,000.

The 18k Island Hopper Bundle promo can also be availed for other destinations where skyjet flies.

Rachel Grant explores Angel Cave, an uncharted cave in Bani, Pangasinan.

Former ‘Bond Girl’

uncovers the beauty of the Philippines

T

RAVEL they say makes one wiser. For Rachel Grant, wisdom came with the eye to see beyond the beauty in her birthplace, the Philippines.

Actress Grant, famed as a Bond Girl who starred opposite Pierce Brosnan in the movie Die Another Day, is on a mission to show the beauty of the Philippines, one destination at a time.

Born in Luzon and raised in the United Kingdom, Grant’s tour of the Philippines is documented by storia, a unique social multimedia platform that curates and creates user-generated contents that entertain and inform.

Grant’s partnership with storia gives birth to a 12-part video series entitled “Fun in the Philippines.”

Through storia, Grant extols exotic beaches, unique dining spots, and tourist attractions.

In one of the released videos, Grant sips coconut juice as she gets “boiled” inside a large wok filled with spring water, local herbs, and flowers.

In another, she plays footsie at the

Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant. Located at Villa Escudero in Tiaong, Quezon, the restaurant lets diners enjoy local cuisine at the base of a waterfall.

In her Hundred Islands National Park tour, she explores hollow caves and other underwater adventures.

The former “Bond Girl” also visits a coconut palace; the Calabeng Falls in Bani, Pangasinan; and Angel Cave, an underground cave system which Grant helped discover.

Go to Storia’s Facebook page to watch Grant’s Philippine adventures.

skyjet’s fleet of 90-seater British Aerospace Jets flies three times daily to Coron via Busuanga in Palawan, three times to Boracay, and daily to Batanes and siargao.

Dial 8-Sk yjet for booking and inquiries.

Online Travel Express opens in Pasig TRAVEL agency Online Travel Express recently opened its physical office in Pasig City, on the back of increasing volume of daily transactions and strong clamor of its loyal customers.

Prior to the opening on Pasco Avenue in santolan, Pasig, OTE, founded by businessman and civic leader Richard Pabilona, was only operating online.

Longtime and loyal customers of the travel agency came as early as 6:00 a.m. to avail of special travel deals and promo packages; hundreds who came to the opening went home with free travel package vouchers from OTE. The opening of the Pasig office is a fitting birthday celebration for Pabilona who turned 32 last Feb. 18.

Pabilona believes that traveling should be affordable to anyone reason why his travel packages are the most sought-after online.

“We plan for your travel, all you need to do is pack and go!” enthuses Pabilona.

Loyal customers keep coming back because they appreciate the personal attention that Pabilona gives to each of his customers. He is not just a travel agent but their partner in their travel plans. He is constantly online to attend to inquiries which come at all hours of the day.

OTE announces its plan to franchise within the year.

Customers looking for exclusive travel deals and promos may log on to www.onlinetravelexpress.com.ph.

specially curated meal in the privacy of one’s suite or veranda.

From C1 For continuously harassed individuals like me who have to cope with the hustle I guess I will have to set that aside and bustle of the daily rat race, I know a for some other time when I can visit weekend at Anya Resort would be a most the property welcome again on a antidote to more leia stresssurely pace. I ful life…

YOUR weekend CHUCkLe want to fully and nothIf the Police arrest a mute, do they tell him exper ience ing could be that he has “the right to remain silent?” the service more graof their Lifecious than style Assisthat! tant who, I hear, is assigned to tailormake one’s visit, meaning, she can even For feedback, I’m at source one’s favorite soap or serve a bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

a gracious...

Rachel Grant learns how to swim like a mermaid at the Philippine Mermaid Swimming Academy in Boracay.

Painting with children at her school project.

Retracing the Death March trail ON APRIL 9, 1942, more than 78,000 Filipino and American UsAFFE soldiers surrendered in Bataan to the Japanese Imperial Army after a gallant last stand during World War 2.

The prisoners of war were gathered in Mariveles and Pilar to take on the infamous Death March where they were forced to walk 88 kilometers to san Fernando, Pampanga under the sweltering heat of the sub.

From there, they were loaded onto jampacked freight trains to Capas, Tarlac.

From the train station, they were forced to walk another seven kilometers to Camp O’Donell where they were

imprisoned until 1945. Only 54,000 reached the concentration camp, as some 10,000 died or were killed along the way in what is regarded as among history worst war crimes. Thousands more subsequently died due to famine, diseases, and poor sanitation.

Freedom-loving groups have joined hands to relive the uncommon valor of the country’s defenders during this fateful event with a unique run-ridemarch for a cause.

Dubbed Mariveles-san FernandoCapas Freedom Trail set on March 24 to 25, the commemorative march in-

Capas Freedom March is an 11-kilometer walk that will end at the Capas National Shrine

tegrates three previously independent events—the Bataan Death March Freedom Trail Relay, the Freedom Ride, and the Capas Freedom March.

The Trail is among the highlights of the Philippine Veterans Week observance which culminates with the 76th Araw ng Kagitingan rites on April 9. Themed “March for a Veteran,” the event also provides a seamless connection among the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac where the march passed through.

Bataan Death March Freedom Trail Relay is an 8-man ultra run relay, while Freedom Ride is a big bike tour which will both commence at the Death March Km 0 in Mariveles on March 24. some of the participants will carry 10-pound rucksacks containing useful food items and relief goods for victims of calamities.

Both events will converge on March 26 at the Capas People’s Park for the final leg—the Capas Freedom March, an 11-kilometer walk spearheaded by the Automobile Association Philippines and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

Co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the Tourisms Promotion Board in partnership with the Province of Tarlac and the Municipality of Capas, the CFM will end at the Capas National shrine for the commemorative program with former president Fidel Ramos as guest of honor.

Proceeds of the CFM will go the construction of the Capas Concentration Camp Replica.

The spacious bedroom and living room of the Veranda Suite

Located in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park is From C1 a quick 20-minute drive from Mall of Asia, accessible via Cavitex. when they dine in the restaurants For more information, log on to until March 15. special room rates www.islandcovephil.com or call (02) are also available this coming Holy 810-7878 or (046) 434-0210.

Week, from March 29 (Holy Thursday) to March 31 (Black saturday).

Photos by Mae Gianina C. Pascual

Island cove...

Island Aviary is a 3,200-square meter animal zone which houses different bird species, rabbits, fishes, phytons, and more.

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

DIGITAL MEDIA

New app expands services in Metro Manila

At the Sinag Maynila Film Festival 2018 launch at The Block in SM City North EDSA with key festival personalities Wilson Tieng (center), Brillante Mendoza (2nd from left) and SM Senior VP for Marketing Millie Dizon (4th from left).

SINAG MAYNILA unreels at

SM Cinemas

S

INAG Maynila Film Festival presented its 2018 lineup during a recent press conference held at Cinema 3 at The Block, in SM City North EDSA.

The festival, which began on Wednesday and runs until March 15 in selected SM Cinemas within Metro Manila, will have its “Gabi ng Parangal” on March 11 at Conrad Hotel Manila.

A joint project of Solar Entertainment, Centerstage Productions, and SM, the festival seeks to inspire, educate, and enlighten the viewing public by featuring films that reflect Filipino culture, while presenting social issues deserving of discussion among audiences here and abroad.

During the event, Sinag Maynila

CEO and Founder Wilson Tieng and acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza expressed their gratitude for the unwavering support of the sponsors, film and entertainment industry, and the media for the past four years. This has allowed more talented filmmakers the opportunity to bring their artistic storytelling to international festivals.

The season’s films in the Full Length, Short Film, and Documentary categories were likewise presented during the press conference at The Block. These included the five finalists for the FullLength Category - Abomination by Yam Laranas, Bomba (The Bomb) by Ralston Jover, El Peste by Richard Somes, Melod rama/Random/Melbourne by Matth ew Victor Pastor and Tale of the Lost Boys by Joselito Altarejos.

Cesar & Magda by Pamela Barrios, Firestarter by Jill

Urdaneta, Halusinasyon by John Agcalis, Kalye FM

by Tom Nava, Pompoms by Angelo Amar and Duwende by Odin Fernandez are competing in the Short Film category.

Finalists for the Documentary Category are Am-amma by Dexter Macaraeg, Halaga by Vandam Arambulo, Journeyman by Albert Almendralejo, Mahal by Janine Santos, Tsuper by Rina Abary and Voltaire by Jaimee Bernardo.

It was also announced that in celebration of the 100 years of Philippine Cinema, the Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival 2018 partners with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and CineLokal. Sinag Maynila and FDCP have lined up special screenings, forums, and workshops to further highlight the 100 years of film in the Philippines.

LET’S #beehonest, life in the office can get really busy, and there are always chores to do and errands to run. Even the simple task of grocery shopping takes up so much time these days, with the metro traffic and the hassles of parking or commuting. Spending hours in long lines whether at the store, the streets, or the parking lots take away more time that can be better spent on rest and relaxation or bonding with your family.

This pressing issue is being addressed by honestbee, a concierge service app that frees you from the chore of having to spend time at the stores. The success of the service has brought about an expansion, in order to deliver more convenience to more urban homes. It is now available to more areas in and around Metro Manila, including the Novaliches, Malabon, Valenzuela, Marikina, Antipolo, Cainta, and Malolos and Meycauayan in Bulacan. It has also launched its service in Metro Cebu.

“Our service is all about convenience,” says honestbee Country Manager Crystal LeeGonzalez. “We have expanded our reach as we want to enable more busy urbanites more time to enjoy their downtime instead of having to deal with the hassles of going out.

As we cover more areas, such as Cebu and Camanava, we are giving

more people the time to relax and lounge at home while we do their chores for them.”

Another exciting development is that there are more items to choose from when it comes to food shopping; honestbee has added Wet Market Concierge Services to let you choose and buy the best produce and the freshest seafood from Farmer’s Market in Cubao, the Alabang Wet Market, and the Pasay Wet Market.

Now, you no longer have to brave the crowds in order to enjoy farmfresh goodness or the seafood catch of the day. And the best part? You only need to checkout once and both your groceries and wet market orders will be delivered to you. You can order from one specialty store to another and check out once.

Apart from being your handy concierge to take away the hassles of shopping, honestbee offers value for money. Items are at the same price in Robinsons Selections and Supermarket branches and the P99 shopper’s fee and a P49 delivery fee are cheaper than what you have to pay for gas and parking.

The app can be downloaded on Google Play or the Apple Store, pin your location, and shop away for your grocery items and even food delivery from honestbee’s partner restaurants, then pay for them using your credit card or cash on delivery.

honestbee is a concierge service app that frees you from the chore of having to spend time at the stores.

GMA Network renews partnership with MMDA in airing live traffic video LEADING broadcast company GMA Network and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) have renewed their partnership in providing the public up-to-date traffic reports after they recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon and GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. signed for the Network, while former General and now MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim signed on behalf of the government agency.

The agreement will enable GMA Network to air live video of traffic choke points as well as ongoing news incidents such as accident scenes, flooding, fires, and public events such as parades and celebrity convoys.

Although GMA has been in constant

coordination with the MMDA for all its traffic reports, Atty. Gozon still underscored the importance of the renewed agreement.

“I learned that we lose P3.5 billion a day because of traffic congestion. I hope we will be able to help ease the traffic somewhat by informing the public which avenues or streets they should avoid at certain times of the day by informing them through MMDA,” Gozon said.

MMDA Chairman Lim, on the other hand, said that the partnership will enable MMDA to better do their job.

“Ang commitment ng MMDA rito ay we will make available to GMA 7 lahat ng materyales namin on a non-exclusive basis.

[Ito ‘yung] mga information tungkol sa

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, March 10, 2018

ACROSS 1 Moved through the water 5 “Star Wars” villain 10 — as it is 14 Punjab potentate 15 “So long!”

16 Alice’s chronicler 17 Oil producer 18 Fast meal (2 wds.)

20 One-seated vehicle 22 Rounded ottomans 23 Powder base 24 Curb 26 Tempestuous 28 Evolving 32 Big books 33 Semblance 34 Born as 35 Celestial bodies 36 Founder of sci-fi 37 Sunrise 38 Sweater letter 39 Walkway 40 Overpopulated 41 Monocle 43 Disney dwarf 44 Port near Mauna Loa 45 Not yours 46 Aluminum company 49 Leaseholders

52 Put back together 55 Kids’ writer Roald — 57 — at windmills 58 Runner-up 59 Ms. Falco 60 Candied items 61 Is gloomy 62 Titled lady DOWN 1 Hindu title 2 Bump on a frog 3 Barely open 4 Sea cows 5 Enormously 6 Extemporaneous (2 wds.)

7 Name in fashion 8 Always, to Poe 9 Dull routine 10 Polynesian wrap 11 Karachi language 12 Musical sign 13 — d’oeuvre 19 Express a view 21 Jalopies 24 Bonn’s river 25 Effortlessness 26 Raid 27 Fill with 28 Tresses 29 Lacking sense 30 Full of the

latest stories 31 Cowboy — Autry 32 Transport 33 Painter’s undercoat 36 Perfume bottle 37 Relied 39 False name 40 Lady of Spain 42 Spooks 43 Chef’s patrons 45 Brawl 46 Affected 47 Spunky movie

princess 48 Serene 49 Cough syrup meas.

50 “I did it!” (hyph.)

51 Thin wedge 53 “Nightmare” street 54 Cow’s sound 56 Katharine — Bates

GMA Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon (5th from right) and GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. (4th from right) with MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim (6th from left)

trapiko, tungkol sa mga baha, tungkol sa mga aksidente at anumang sitwasyon na dapat malaman ng publiko.”

GMA will also be able to stream the same video content over the Internet on

its web portal and its Facebook Live platform, so users can see the same on their mobile devices while traveling.

The MMDA operates nearly 300 CCTV cameras, many of which are in high

definition, in key locations all over the National Capital Region.

GMA’s new MOA with the MMDA is a renewal of an agreement that was first forged in 2012.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018

Martin’s advice for young singers RESPECT is the “opinion when it comes to operative word in the industry and music.” bridging the gap He was checking on between young Davao-based Chad YUGEL singers and those Borja crooning live when LOSORATA who made it before I saw him. He pushed for them. For seasoned Chad’s three-set gig of balladeer Martin standards at the high-end Nievera, there’s somewhat a lack of it in bar in line with his belief that “he should the way the younger generation is valuing have a classy place with the way he has his era’s effort in carrying the torch of come back” and that “successful artists OPM. who have not been around long enough Last Wednesday, I bumped with to get a tribute” deserve proper venues the Concert King at Solaire’s Eclipse for them to still showcase what they got. bar and we quick-chatted about OPM It’s really unfair for people to call pioneer tributes and how the local music someone a has-been especially when the landscape has changed. He related, “I still latter clearly triumphed at some point think the pioneers are the ones who will and must have laid low by choice or keep the music alive. They were the ones circumstances. Going to a gig of someone who paved the way for me.” with a classic hit or two is acknowledging On cue and without pinpointing a that artist’s accomplishment and particular culprit, he shared his thought relevance. about the glaring gap between the He tackled, “Dapat buhayin natin ulit glorious past and the flourishing present, ang pwesto (regular three-set gigs). That’s saying, “For me, I don’t think these how I learned to sing and interact with my young singers have the same feeling audience, drunk or not drunk. It’s paying about what we have done in paving the your dues. Yung ganung klaseng kayod way for them. For as long as they’re hindi alam ng ilang bagong singers.”

He must be talking about some not willing to embrace such reality and if they think they have made it here by undeserving overnight sensations or themselves, they’re not going to last in overrated prima donnas.

Hoping to do a couple of more albums this business. They have to acknowledge the pioneers. That’s why we have tributes with Polyeast Records before his contract for Basil (Valdez), Rico J. expires next year, Martin is likely to Puno, and others.” perform at Solaire’s Theater at the Martin is an end of this year. He mused, “If I stop singing, I’ll die. No such thing endorser of Solaire as small or big show. Every show Resort and Casino. deserves the same passion from the He said he was artist featured.” brought in for his

Xian Lim attended an acting and sensuality workshop with co-star Nathalie Hart (right) before doing their sexy scenes in 'Sin Island.'

‘SIN ISLAND’

screening in key cities worldwide S

TAR Cinema’s latest movie offering, Sin Island, a different kind of love story starring Coleen Garcia, Xian Lim, and Nathalie Hart, is currently screening outside the Philippines via TFC@theMovies.

Concert King and OPM pillar Martin Nievera

Oscars Best Picture in PH cinemas

THE Shape of Water, this year’s biggest winner at the recently concluded 90th Academy Awards that won top awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best in Original Score and Best Production Design is still showing in Philippine cinemas.

An uplifting, inspiring and totally entertaining movie, The Shape of Water hits home as it relates to local Pinoy folklore and romance.

Directed by Guillermo del Toro who has dedicated his life to fairy tales and fantastical creatures, his fascination with the macabre has marked all of his features since his 1993 directorial debut, Cronos. From his earliest days growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico, telling stories about escaping to realms governed by monsters was in his DNA. The Shape of Water brings its audience into a mysterious government facility where an amphibious creature (played by Doug Jones) is being studied for its unusual abilities. As Agent Strickland (Michael Shannon) demands for it to be killed and autopsied, Dr. Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) insists that the creature’s secrets can only be revealed with a lighter touch.

But it’s the facility’s quietest employee who realizes the truest connection to the creature. Mute cleaner Elisa (Sally Hawkins) feels a strange affinity with this mysterious visitor from the deep. And as the men in charge prevaricate, she resolves to release the creature from its captors, with the aid of her friend Zelda (Octavia Spencer) and her next door neighbor Giles (Richard Jenkins).

“In the ‘90s I pitched the idea of making an amphibian

man romance, but as a sci-fi movie. I cowrote a novel called Trollhunters and my co-writer,Daniel Krauss, we were having breakfast in Toronto as I was prepping Pacific Rim, and he said, ‘You know, I have this idea about secret government keeping an amphibian creature, and this janitor befriends him,’” Del Toro looks back on the birth of the movie, Del Toro said that he immediately bought the idea from Krauss.

“I bought it and I guaranteed him costory. That was four or five years ago.

I just thought it was a love story,” the director related.

The American romantic fantasy drama is still available in cinemas at S’Maison, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, Greenhills Theatermall, Powerplant, Rockwell Santolan, SM Cauayan, SM Seaside, SM Cebu, SM Rosales, Eastwood and Robinson’s Galleria.

'The Shape of Water' director Guillermo del Toro triumphs at nail-biting Oscars.

This is the first in a long time that Star Cinema produces a movie this bold. A combination of an overflow of sensuality, and the love triangle between Garcia, Lim, and Hart, Sin Island is expected to be a sizzling big screen affair.

Under the direction of Gino Santos, who is known for his unique brand of filmmaking, together with the fresh screenplay by Jancy Nicolas, Sin Island comes out as a sexy romance that seeks to find out if a marriage could truly survive two infidelities.

The story revolves around picture-perfect married couple David (Lim) and Kanika (Garcia) whose paradise will be put to the test as Kanika enters a dangerous affair, shortly after the career of David moves towards a downward spiral.

As David discovers Kanika’s transgressions, he flees to Sinilaban Island where he meets and engages in a carnal affair with a girl named Tasha (Hart).

Despite their mistakes, David and Kanika decide to rekindle their relationship but Tasha refuses to let go of David.

The film may fall under the sexy genre, but Nicolas says it is not lacking in values that the viewers could learn from.

“It talks about redeeming love, redeeming a marriage, and fighting for it. More than the sexiness and darkness of its genre, it’s a story of a marriage,” he explains.

Meantime, Garcia is successfully positioned as one of the industry’s hottest and most prized talents of her generation, whose impressive body of work both on television and in film continues to grow.

Sin Island is Garcia’s fourth movie under the direction of Santos, from Hashtag Y, Ex

with Benefits, to Love Me Tomorrow.

“This is the sexiest role I’ve done since I’m married in this film. Also, this is the bravest and hardest film that I’ve done so far,” Garcia reveals.

On the other hand, it is worth noting how Lim takes his acting skills a notch higher as he portrays the character of David in this brave film, which is his most mature role to date.

“Definitely, people will see me do scenes which are different from what they are used to see me doing in a film.

I guess I’m pushing my capabilities as an actor, and ability to tackle different roles,” Lim explains.

Also perceived to be the next big thing in the industry is Hart, who is gaining mainstream popularity of late.

Sin Island marks her first film under Star Cinema, which she says is more than just a sexy film.

“It’s not about being seductive and showing some skin - it has a story,” she explains.

Sin Island is currently screening in Papua New Guinea, U.S., Canada, and Saipan. It premiered in Singapore on March 4 and will be available in other territories soon.

Coleen Garcia turns up the heat in the sexy thriller directed by Gino Santos.