Manila Standard - 2018 March 20 - Tuesday

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NAPOLES LAWYER ‘CONSULTED’ PALACE MEN

By Maricel V. Cruz

BARONIAL BEAUTIES. Newly crowned Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2018 model Catriona Gray in her long gown during the grand coronation Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The other winners (above, from left)—Michelle Gumabao (Globe), Eva Patalinjug (Grand International), Astisa Manalo (International), Jehza Huelar (Supranational), and Karen Galliman (Intercontinental)—blow kisses to the crowd. Sonny Espiritu

MALACAÑANG knew about the move to transfer alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles from a regular jail to a safe house, her lawyer said Monday.

Napoles’ lawyer, Stephen David, said he met with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in March, and even with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre III for their legal advice on the matter.

“If I were to be candid, there was a discussion with the Executive Secretary that the Department of Justice shall take custody of Mrs. Napoles,” David said at Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 37 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

House draws up six CJ ‘impeachable sins’

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE impeachment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno drew closer Monday as the House committee on justice approved its report finding probable cause to impeach her, and the 56-page articles of impeachment.

Ex-Miss World finalist vies for Miss U crown

By Eton B. Concepcion FIL-AMERICAN model Catriona Gray bested 39 ladies and took home the most coveted Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 title at the glittering Binibining Pilipinas 2018 grand coronation Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Gray, a 24-year-old model and songwriter, stood out in almost all departments, bagging special awards including best in evening gown, swimsuit and national costume.

She was captivating in a gorgeous Mak Tumang evening gown and won the Pitoy Moreno National Costume Award with a MuslimSingkil-inspired costume designed

by Jearson Demavivas.

The new Binibining Pilipinas queen is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and an NGO volunteer for the children of Smokey Mountain.

Next page

‘‘

The writing is already on the wall. It will not be difficult to obtain the one-third vote [to impeach Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno].

—Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali

CHAFFING CALL. Members of the Akbayan party-list group wearing evocative wigs call Monday for the resignation of Secretarty of Justice Vitaliano Aguirre II, President Rodrigo Duterte’s law classmate at San Beda College, from his post. But Aguirre called his critics ‘ignorant’ for calling for his resignation and accusing him of bungling the complaint which led to the dismissal of the drug case against businessman Peter Lim, self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa, convicted drug lord Peter Co, and several others. Norman Cruz

Fake justice? Opposition senator seeks DoJ chief’s ouster CALLS for Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to resign mounted Monday as public anger simmered over his decision to place alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles under the government’s Witness Protection Program.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros

described Aguirre as “a reliable friend of criminal masterminds, extrajudicial killers and drug lords,” and called for his resignation.

Hontiveros accused Aguirre of having transformed the Department of Justice into his personal kitchen.

“He has been cooking there fake news and fake cases against the opposition. He has also been cooking there the acquittal of murderers, big-time plunderer and drug peddler,” she said, referring to a recent Justice department decision to dismiss Next page

By Vito Barcelo

Next page

Next page

Sereno: I can’t wait to face trial

By Rey E. Requejo

Fake news? SAP draws flak over bogus endorser SPECIAL Assistant to the President Christopher Go’s publicity stunt drew flak after the Presidential Communications Operations Office admitted that a live radio interview with President Rodrigo Duterte endorsing Go to run for a Senate seat in the 2019 elections was “fake.”

President Duterte has publicly endorsed his trusted close-aide Bong Go and Presidential spokesman Harry Roque as his senatorial candidates in next year’s elections.

But the radio interview with Bong Go and “Duterte” raised eyebrows after learning that the endorser was a Duterte “voice impersonator.”

In an official PCOO transcript, President Duterte told radio dzRH radio

“We have made history here,” said Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, the panel’s chairperson.

The approved committee report and articles of incorporation will be sent to the House committee on rules, which will decide within 10 session days when to calendar their plenary deliberation.

In plenary, the House will have 60 session days to vote whether or not to send the complaint on to the Senate for trial.

Umali said the six articles of impeachment that the committee has prepared “will be the foundation in prosecuting this impeachment case before the Senate, as an impeachment court.”

Out of the 27 allegations of the impeachment complainant, lawyer Larry Gadon, 24 were included in the six articles of impeachment against Sereno for alleged betrayal of public trust, corruption, other high crimes and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The first article of impeachment said Sereno committed a culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust for the alleged non-filing and non-disclosure of her sworn statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Sereno, the committee said, misled the Judicial and Bar Council in 2010 when she claimed it was not possible to retrieve her SALNs from 1996 to 2006.

She is also accused of failing to declare in her 2011 SALN the 2.24 hectares of land in Mariveles, Bataan, registered under her and her husband’s name, worth about P44 million.

Similarly, the House justice panel said Sereno failed to declare in her 2006 and 2009 SALNs the amount of P13.8 million, which is part of the more than P32

BLAZE KILLS 5. Firefighters inspect the burnt out Manila Pavilion Hotel and Casino after fire struck the 22-story hotel Sunday, with at least five reported to have died and 24 others injured. The listed operator of the hotel, say stock observers, took a beating on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Monday, a day after a fire. Firemen said the smoke inside the hotel was too thick, preventing firefighters from immediately entering.

Norman Cruz

Manila Pavilion fire: Death toll rises to 5 FIVE people have perished in a raging inferno that tore through a hotel and casino complex in Manila, authorities said Monday, after firefighters battled more than 24 hours to douse the flames.

Rescuers said billowing smoke, some-

times so dense it obscured the 22-floor Waterfront Manila Pavilion, had hampered their efforts to contain the blaze which started Sunday morning.

The dead were all casino employees, Next page

THE camp of Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has asked the House of Representatives to speed up the transmittal of the articles of impeachment against her to the Senate for trial.

The call came after the House committee on justice approved on Monday the six articles of impeachment to be submitted for deliberation by the plenary for filing in the Senate.

Lawyer Josa Deinla, one of Sereno’s spokespersons, said Sereno is now eager to answer the charges in impeachment trial before the Senate.

“The chief justice eagerly awaits the transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate where she is ready to defend herself against the unfair, unjust and malicious allegations, which are the bases of the obviously biased impeachment proceedings conducted by the House committee on justice,” Deinla said.

She said the House panel should expedite the process and prove their case before the Senate, which, together with the House, has the “exclusive authority to discipline all impeachable officers for Next page any impeachable offense.”

News

A2

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palace braces for jeep strike MALACAÑANG may suspend classes in all levels in Metro Manila for a week if the transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide goes ahead with its strike, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Monday.

Piston, the biggest transport group in the country, on Monday threatened to stage a much bigger strike to protest the government’s plan to phase out jeepneys.

But Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member Aileen Lizada on Monday warned that the licenses of jeepney drivers who will join transport strikes will be canceled.

She told a radio interview that the LTFRB had canceled the licenses of drivers and franchises of operators who joined past jeepney strikes.

“We have canceled franchises,” Lizada said.

Meanwhile, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday ordered all courts nationwide to dismiss staff earlier than usual as a result of the jeepney strike, Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said.

Te said the high court, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan and trial courts were ordered to end work at 2 p.m.

The executive judges in the trial courts and front-line offices in the other mentioned courts were ordered to maintain a skeleton force, he said.

Some schools in Metro Manila were suspended after Piston struck to protest the jeepney modernization program.

And when Piston pushes through with its threat to continue its nationwide strike, despite its unsuccessful staging today, we will call for a class suspension in Metro Manila starting tomorrow, March 20, until Friday, March 23, Roque told reporters.

But he said it was up to the other local government units affected by the strike to suspend classes in their respective areas.

Vito Barcelo

Napoles...

From A1 a Sandiganbayan hearing presided by Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

David made the response after CabotajeTang questioned why the Justice department refuse to co-sign Napoles’ motion for a transfer at a safe house.

David said when he consulted Medialdea about the matter, he told him “to file a motion.”

David said the matter reached the Palace, through Medialdea.

“We are in a situation where we don’t know what to do. Is she being immediately taken out of the facility, or shall we file a motion? That’s why we have to consult people in authority as to what to do, “ he added.

He clarified that he never spoke with President Rodrigo Duterte on the issue.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, meanwhile, asked Napoles to show proof of the supposed harassment and death threats against her in connection with her petition seeking her transfer to a Justice Department safe house.

“You say there was a threat, where are the records?” Associate Justice Rafael Lagos, the anti-graft court’s division chairman, asked Napoles’ legal counsel, Carlo Acasili.

“Where is the evidence? Why is it that you are filing this motion?” Lagos asked.

Acasili said the “DoJ may be in the best position to answer this matter” and the proceedings on the request of Napoles are “confidential.”

“But you already alleged it. What was confidential about that? You have no proof to support your allegation of reported harassment?” Lagos asked.

The Sandiganbayan has given the Justice department and the Ombudsman 10 days to comment on the matter.

Aside from Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, the First and and Third Divisions will also hear a similar petition where Napoles is also facing a plunder case.

An official of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Monday called on the Department of Justice to justify the provisional admission of suspected pork barrel scam architect Janet Lim Napoles into the government’s Witness Protection Program.

Abdiel Fajardo, president of IBP, stressed that there is no provision in the Witness Protection and Security Benefit Act for a provisional or temporary coverage.

“I look at the law and there is no provision about provisional acceptance so I want to hear from the DoJ what they mean by that,” Fajardo said, in a television interview.

“The law said accept or not only. If they are saying there are threats to her life, well, she is already in custody,” the IBP president added.

Fajardo said it is possible for Napoles to be used at a witness, but this did not mean she would be a credible one.

“She was a major witness since she started the JLL Corp. that allegedly started and created these supposed non-government organizations that turned out to be bogus NGOs. It’s possible but possibility is different from credibility,” he said.

Fake justice?...

From A1 drug charges against Cebu businessman Peter Lim and self-confessed drug distributor Kerwin Espinosa.

Also on Monday, members of the party-list group Akbayan—some of them

House resets May polls, lets Senate complete job

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE House of Representatives on Monday insisted on postponing the May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections by passing a bill to that effect on third and final reading by a vote 164 to 27.

The House is expected to transmit to the Senate House Bill 7378 before it goes on a Holy Week break beginning March 23. But the Senate’s leaders say there may not be enough time to enact the measure as no counterpart bill has yet to be filed at the Senate.

Lawmakers say the postponement is intended to give way to the proposed

shift to federalism being advocated by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The bill was approved despite stiff opposition from opposition lawmakers led

by Rep. Lito Atienza, who says the proposed postponement is “wrong” as the people should be given the chance to vote and choose their leaders.

Rep. Edcel Lagman, a member of the House minority bloc, also opposed the postponement.

“Village elections are held to assure that barangay and youth officials are periodically fortified by the requisite electoral mandate for definite terms of office,” Lagman said.

“Twice the barangay and SK elections have been postponed by the present administration for no overriding reason, even as in the past village polls were also repeatedly reset.”

The House committee on suffrage and

electoral reforms led by Rep. Sherwin Tugna says the postponement of the May 2018 village and SK elections will be a “cost-saving” move.

Duterte’s allies in Congress want to hold a plebiscite for the proposed new federal charter simultaneously with the May 2018 Barangay and SK elections.

But they find it more feasible to have it conducted in October of the same year.

The Barangay and SK elections have been postponed since 2013.

This will be the third time the local elections will be postponed if the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms’ decision is approved by the chamber in plenary session and later carried by the Senate.

Earlier, Congress enacted Republic Act 10853 resetting the October 2017 Barangay and SK elections to May 2018.

Duterte bucks divorce; solons unmoved

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

ROYAL VISITOR. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte gives a token gift to Saudi Arabian Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif during the latter 's courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on March 19, 2018. Presidential Photo

Saudi prince offers to help fight terror PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday welcomed a Saudi Arabian prince who is visiting here and his offer to help the Philippines fight terrorism and violent extremism, an official said.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte welcomed Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, who is also Saudi Arabia’s minister of the Interior, in Malacañang.

“The Prince conveyed the personal and warm wishes of His Majesty and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to the President,” Roque said.

He said Abdulaziz conveyed Saudi

Arabia’s readiness to combat violent extremism and terrorism in the Philippines.

In turn, Duterte thanked Abdulaziz and reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

He said there was a need to expand cooperation across many fields―especially in security, trade and investment and in promoting the rights, safety and well-being of Filipinos.

Abdulaziz reaffirmed the importance of the Philippines to Saudi Arabia, which is host to more than 1.5-million Filipino workers. Vito Barcelo

House...

From A1 million she earned from the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. cases.

Moreover, the committee said Sereno should be removed from office for non-filing of her SALN 17 times: for 1987 to 1997, for 1999 to 2001, and 2003 to 2005.

The committee also accused Sereno of tax fraud.

In the second article, Sereno was charged with corruption and betrayal of public trust for allegedly misusing a total of P18 million in public funds in the purchase of a brandnew Toyota Land Cruiser, hiring of an IT consultant for a fee of over P11 million, and using Shangrila Boracay for the meeting of Asean chief justices.

Under the third article, Sereno was accused of arrogating the collegial power of the Supreme Court en banc by issuing resolutions and orders without the approval of the body, or contrary to what was agreed upon by the court en banc.

In the fourth article, Sereno was accused of deliberately and maliciously abusing her position as chief justice and ex officio chairman of the Judicial and Bar Council to exclude then Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza from the short list of nominees to a vacant Supreme Court post at the time, among others.

The fifth article accuses Sereno of deliberately undermining and violating the principle of separation of powers among the three branches of government when, among others, she interfered in the investigation of the House on the misuse of tobacco excise tax funds by the Ilocos Norte government by asking Court of Appeals justices to challenge the House order by elevating the issue to the Supreme Court.

Lastly, the panel charged Sereno with betrayal of public trust by willfully and delib-

erately failing to “Sereno should answer all these Articles of Impeachment after ignoring the committee,” said Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu. “The committee report and the Articles of Impeachment are products of serious scrutiny of all the allegations presented against her,” said Abu, an ex-officio member of the House justice committee.

Umali said he was confident there were enough votes in the House to approve the articles of impeachment in plenary and send the case to trial before the Senate.

“The writing is already on the wall. It will not be difficult to obtain the one-third vote [in favor of the articles of impeachment against Sereno]. This will probably happen after the [Lenten] break,” Umali said at a press conference.

“You can safely conclude we will overwhelmingly approve this committee report and the accompanying articles of impeachment,” Umali added.

Under the rules on impeachment, a vote of one-third, or at least 98 lawmakers, of the total number of House members is needed to send the impeachment complaint to the Senate.

Earlier, the House justice committee voted 33-1 to approve its 45-page committee report finding probable cause to impeach the chief magistrate, as well as accompanying 56page articles of impeachment detailing the charges against her that would be elevated to the Senate for trial.

Asked about the pending quo warranto case against Sereno before the Supreme Court, Umali said the impeachment proceedings will be rendered “functus officio” should her appointment be deemed invalid.

“That should ease up the process and unburden the country of a dysfunctional chief justice,” Umali said.

He said they are nonetheless ready for a possible impeachment trial and that they have a “very strong case” against Sereno.

With PNA

wearing wigs to mock Aguirre, who wears one—trooped to the Justice department head office in Manila to call on the Justice secretary to resign.

Aguirre rejected calls for his resignation.

“We respect the valid exercise of freedom of assembly and expression. However, I will remain for as long as I enjoy the

trust and confidence of the President,” he said in a text message.

He branded those calling for him to resign “ignorant.”

Aguirre earlier said that he would only quit if the President would ask him to do so, or if he felt he had lost his trust in any way. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

VOTING 134-57-2, the House of Representatives on Monday night approved on third and final reading House Bill 7303 or the Absolute Divorce Act of 2018 amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s opposition to it.

In other developments: • President Rodrigo Duterte is against the proposed divorce law, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte believed approving divorce in the Philippines would be bad for the children of separated couples and spouses seeking legal action against their respective partners.

“The President is against divorce,” Roque told reporters in Camarines Sur. • Senator JV Ejercito said Monday the Philippines is still 80-percent Catholic and most of its people are against divorce.

“It appears that at this point in time it would be very hard for us to pass the Divorce Bill,” said Ejercito as he aired his support to Duterte’s opposition to the Divorce Bill.

Senators Gringo Honasan, Migz Zubiri and Joel Villanueva are also opposed to divorce.

• Rep. Lito Atienza on Monday welcomed Duterte’s position to the passage of the Divorce Bill.

“We welcome and fully appreciate President Duterte’s stand against the divorce law,” Atienza said.

The President has saved the Filipino family with his strong position against divorce, which has been passed on second reading in the Lower House. We strongly agree with the President that divorce would be very detrimental to mothers and children.

Ex-Miss...

From A1 During the Q&A portion, US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim asked her, “After the devastating war, Marawi is now on its way to recovery. What is your message to the young women of Marawi?”

Gray replied, “My message is for the women of Marawi to be strong. As women, we are the head of the household, we have amazing influence not only on our own families—as mothers, sisters, and friends— but also on our community.

“If we could get the women to stay strong and be that image of strength for the children and the people around them, once the rebuilding is complete, the morale of the community will stay strong and high.”

Gray was widely predicted to become the Philippines’ second Miss World winner but lost to Puerto Rico’s Stephanie del Valle in a controversial decision in Miss World 2016.

Nonetheless, the 5-foot-10 beauty was still determined to represent the Philippines again on an international beauty pageant stage by joining Binibining Pilipinas and aiming for the highest title.

This year’s new set of Binibining Pilipinas queens are Ma. Ahtisa Manalo, Bb. Pilipinas-International, Karen Gallman, Bb Pilipinas Intercontinental, Michelle Gumabao, Bb. Pilipinas Globe, Eva Psychee Patalinjug, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International, and Jehza Huelar, Bb Pilipinas Supranational. Vickie Marie Milagrosa Rushton and Samantha Bernardo were named first and second runners-up, respectively.

Miss Universe Philippines 2017 Rachel Peters made her traditional farewell walk and relinquished her crown along with former queens Bb. Pilipinas International Mariel de Leon, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Katarina Rodriguez, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Nelda Ibe, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Elizabeth Durado Clenci and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Chanel Olive Thomas.

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Richard Gutierrez and Nicole Cordoves acted as hosts of the pageant night, telecast on ABS-CBN.

Sereno:...

From A1

Deinla said the articles of impeachment approved by the committee chaired by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali “consist of allegations that do not even constitute impeachable offenses.”

Voting 33-1, the House panel approved the six articles of impeachment against Sereno after earlier voting to find probable cause in the charges.

The committee wants the chief justice impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption, and other high crimes based on the six grounds, including the alleged nonfiling of and non-disclosure of assets in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth and misuse of government funds in purchasing her P5 million Land Cruiser service vehicle.

Deinla pointed out that the Chief Justice has not done anything unconstitutional or impeachable to merit her removal from office, saying the truth is on her side.

“Our chief justice is ready to prove that there is no basis for those articles of impeachment. She believes she would be able to defend judicial independence with the support of the people,” she said.

Also on Monday, Sereno asked her colleagues in the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition for quo warranto filed by the Office of the Solicitor General seeking her removal as top magistrate for allegedly failing to comply with all the requirements when she applied for the position in 2012.

In a 77-page comment, Sereno through her lawyers led by Alexander Poblador sought the dismissal of the petition for lack of jurisdiction and merit.

Sereno argued that the SC has no authority to remove her from office through a quo warranto action because the 1987 Constitution specifically enumerated the officials that can only be removed by impeachment.

Sereno cited Section 2, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that impeachable officials, which include all members of the Supreme Court, may only be removed from office upon impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court. The Court itself has consistently applied this provision as a limitation on its power to remove public officers.

Manila...

From A1 while another worker was still in critical condition. About 20 people were injured.

Some 300 guests and staff were evacuated safely, hotel and fire officials said in a press conference.

“We are hoping no one was left behind in the rooms. Our firefighters have not yet gone up all parts of the building,” Metro Manila Development Authority acting chief Jojo Garcia said.

Some firefighters were treated after inhaling the dense smoke, which shrouded the chaotic scene on Sunday.

“The smoke was so big, so you can just imagine, there was zero visibility and our firefighters had difficulty breathing. Even outside the building there was zero visibility and it was much harder to operate inside,” Manila district fire marshal Jonas Silvano said in a radio interview.

Deadly blazes break out regularly in the Philippines, particularly in slum areas where there are virtually no safety standards.

The deadliest in recent years was in suburban Manila where 72 people died in 2015 at a factory which makes rubber sandals.

But more modern buildings have also gone up in huge, deadly blazes. In December, 38 people died in a fire at a fourstorey shopping mall in the southern city of Davao.

Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras has called for a probe on the cause of the fire that gutted the hotel.

Paras said the probe will determine if there were violations of labor laws, including occupational safety in the workplace, by the owners and operators of the establishment.

“The employer is mandated by law to maintain occupational safety in its workplace and if the fire was due to unsafe and unhealthy workplace, the Labor department is supposed to file the proper charges if warranted,” he said. AFP with Vito Barcelo

Fake...

From A1 anchors Deo Macalma and Cherryl Adami that “he [Bong Go] enjoys so, you know, the trust and confidence, he has the full blanket authority from the President.”

However, the PCOO said there was a mistake in sending the title of the transcription, which read as “The transcription titled ‘Interview with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’ by Deo Macalma and Rica Herrera over dzRH on March 19, 2018 should read ‘Interview with Impersonator of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’”.

In the interview, Go said he was glad the President called the radio station and thanked the “President” for his support.

PCOO observed that Go was really looking forward to run in the 2019 elections as he allowed himself to use a “fake boss” to endorse him openly over radio interviews.

Supporters of Go officially launched in Intramuros, Manila a movement encouraging him to stand in the 2019 elections.

The campaign, dubbed “Ready, Set, Go!” is not a launch of Go’s candidacy but a campaign for him to join the senatorial race next year, according to PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar.

News

Bautista arrest warrant remains, says Escudero

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE arrest warrant against former Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, a no-show in Monday’s Senate hearing, stays, pending his submission of a sworn affidavit answering all the allegations lodged against him before the panel, said Senator Francis Escudero.

Escudero issued the statement after lawyer Anacleto Diaz, Bautista’s counsel, said the former poll chief was begging the committee to recall the order of arrest issued against him.

Diaz attended the hearing and represented Bautista during Monday’s resumption of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies hearing in the Anti-Money Laundering Act chaired by Escudero.

Earlier, Escudero set conditions for lifting the warrant of arrest against the former Comelec chief.

He requested two conditions for lifting the warrant—either he submits a bank waiver or submit a detailed affidavit answering questions against him.

In Monday’s hearing, Escudero said the affidavit should be submitted to the Senate panel on March 26 and only after that could the committee issue a recommendation lifting the warrant of arrest.

However, Escudero said this would only be possible if the Senate president and the majority of the senators who voted in favor of the warrant agreed

to recall it.

“If an affidavit was submitted, it means Bautista is cooperating and answering questions through his lawyer,” said Escudero, When this happened, Escudero guaranteed he would recommend the lifting of his warrant but he would have to pass through a process.

“It should be supported by a majority of senators who agreed to the issuance of a warrant and should be signed by Senator Pimentel,” Escudero said, referring to the Senate president.

Instead of executing a waiver of the secrecy of bank deposits for his 33 bank accounts at the Luzon Development Bank, which are the subject of the committee’s probe, Bautista implored that he be allowed to submit a detailed affidavit on all the questions on his alleged unexplained wealth and possible violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act. The committee chairman said he was expecting that Bautista would be addressing all the issues and questions raised during the previous committee

Senate approves measure for national ID system WITH 17 affirmative votes, two negative votes by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Francis Pangilinan and no abstention, the Senate approved on third and final reading on Monday a measure which provides for a national identification system.

Senate Bill No. 1738, or the Philippine Identification System Act of 2018, seeks to harmonize, integrate and interconnect “countless and redundant” government identification cards.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, sponsor of the bill, said the system would allow the public to “easily” transact with government and private institutions. It will also help deter criminality, he added.

The measure, Lacson said, also intended to institute a single official identification for all citizens and foreign residents in the country.

He noted there were 33 different forms of “functional” identification cards issued by various government agencies.

“The huge number of government-issued IDs may lead to duplication of efforts, wastage of resources, and uncoordinated identity approaches,” he added.

Lacson, who headed the Philippine National Police from 1999 to 2001, said the establishment of a National Reference System could help law enforcers deter criminality and terrorism by facilitating the processes of apprehension and prosecution.

Under the bill, a foundational ID system will be in place. This will have the so-called PhilSys number, PhilID and PhilSys Registry.

The PhilSys Number is a randomly generated identification number for each individual, to be incorporated in all identification systems of government agencies.

PhilID is a non-transferable card with the PSN, full name, facial image, date of birth, address, and fingerprints of the bearer.

Under the proposed measure, the Philippine Statistics Authority is mandated to act as the PhilSys Registry.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Diesel prices raised but kerosene’s rolled back

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL players raised diesel prices by P0.40 per liter but rolled back prices of kerosene by P0.55 per liter effective 6 a.m. Tuesday.

The oil firms, however, did not move gasoline prices.

“Seaoil will adjust its pump prices per liter effective 6 a.m., 20 March 2018 as follows: Gasoline no change, diesel increase of P0.40 per liter and kerosene rollback of P0.55 per liter,” the company said in its advisory.

Seaoil said this reflected movements in the international petroleum market.

Aside from Seaoil, PTT Philippines, Phoenix Philippines, Flying and Eastern Petroleum also implemented the price adjustments effective Tuesday.

World oil prices moved continuing increase in demand inspite of the strong global production output and reports of a rebound of the US manufacturing sector.

Speculations that Russia may out of its production cut deal with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries at the end of the year also impacted on prices.

Last March 13, the country’s oil firms cut pump prices by P1.20 per liter for kerosene, P0.55 per liter per diesel and P0.35 per liter for gasoline Year to date adjustment stands now at a net increase of P1.05 per liter for gasoline, P1.55 per liter for diesel and P1.35 per liter for kerosene.

Gasoline ranges from P46.87 to P56.77 per liter, diesel from P36.20 to P42.95 per liter and kerosene from P42.90 to P53.45 per liter.

hearings, as the committee had furnished them a copy of all the transcripts of the past hearings.

“The affidavit should be evaluated before being weighed. If the anwers are lacking, we will ask for them in the next hearing. If there is none, we will prepare to come out with a committee report,” he said.

The Committee on Banks, Financial institutions and Currencies has ordered the arrest of Bautista after he failed to attend the previous hearings, the last of which was last Feb. 12, even after the committee has issued a subpoena against him.

Bautista’s counsel maintained that his client’s inability to appear in the previous hearing “is not due to any willful, knowing or deliberate act and/or omission on his part to disobey the subpoena issued by the committee or to ignore, evade, skip or snub the proceedings.”

Escudero said they were not compelling Bautista to personally appear before the committee since he was currently out of the country, but Escudero was anticipating his full cooperation in the succeeding proceedings through his counsel.

Moreover, Diaz said Bautista was not able to submit the affidavit during Monday’s hearing because he was still reviewing the documents and files “stolen” by his estranged wife Patricia Bautista that were recently returned to him by writ of habeas data issued by the Makati City Regional Trial Court.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council is also conducting its own separate investigation on the matter.

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Dela Rosa admits Espinosa outwitted law enforcers NATIONAL Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Monday admitted that self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa had outplayed law enforcement authorities when the drug trading charges against the latter were dismissed.

“We were really outsmarted, but you Kerwin might have outwitted us now,” he said in Tagalog, then added in English “but you cannot won (sic) us all the time, mark my word Mr. Kerwin Espinosa, you cannot won (sic) us all the time, some time we will be the one to won you...not you winning us.”

Dela Rosa said they exerted all means to strengthen the case against Espinosa, businessman Peter Lim and all other drug personalities.

Dela Rosa said Espinosa did not cooperate with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group when he was asked to “reduce into writing” his confession during a Senate hearing, where he admitted to transacting illegal drugs with earnings reaching P40 million to P50 million annually.

They were only able to attach in their complaint newspaper

clippings in relation to Espinosa’s confession which they thought sufficiently supported their case, Dela Rosa said.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II earlier said the CIDG submitted a weak complaint as they were not able to submit the transcript from the Senate inquiry where Espinosa admitted to being involved in illegal drug trade.

A 41-page resolution approved by Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan and dated Dec. 20, 2017, said the “uncorroborated statements” of the complainant’s witness, Marcelo Adorco, could not be admissible evidence against the respondents.

The resolution described Adorco as an “evidently selfserving witness.”

Aguirre has formed a three-man panel of prosecutors to handle the motion for reconsideration filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

In Department Order 152, Aguirre also ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the state prosecutors who composed the panel that dismissed the charges.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

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Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL EVERYMAN

Old age: Do I need to prepare for it?

By Arpee Lazaro MANY people in their 20s and 30s have no thought of preparing for their senior years. At the height of their careers, many people plan to buy cars and houses, go on vacations, but very few ever think of preparing for life in their senior years. Some decide that their children will take care of them, which others believe is the obligation of their children. Sadly, not all children will take it upon themselves to prepare for their parents’ old age.

Before we dismiss the importance of preparing for old age, we need to know which issues will we be encountering and which ones will become our stumbling blocks to a fulfilling and comfortable retirement. To better appreciate the importance of such planning, here is a list of concerns you may want to think about as you are at the cusp of becoming a senior citizen.

1. Mind your health.

Your body may still be strong now, but there will come a time when you are too sick to even take care of your own medical bills. While you are young and able-bodied, you will need to make sure that you delegate the management of your finances, even paying your bills, to someone you trust so that when the time comes that you will need someone to release payments for your hospital bills and maintenance medication, someone will be able to do it promptly without fail, while you are recuperating.

It is advantageous to prepare a living will, a statement that details your preferences regarding medical treatment in cases where you are no longer able to express your consent, for example if the person is in an ICU situation and will consent to a donot-resuscitate directive.

2. Write your will.

While you are still of sound mind, it is important that you prepare who gets what after your demise. A will may preempt possible legal squabbling among your children regarding their inheritance. A great many families have fallen into this trap and because their parents have left no will, some of the children will deem it unfair that all siblings get the same percentage of the estate especially those who have helped grow the family business. Your estate might be drained by lawyer’s and litigation fees after a protracted legal battle among the children.

3. Prepare for the possible costs of long-term care.

As you reach your golden years, your physique will not be as golden as it used to be. You will start suffering from basic disabilities, such as inability to see very well, inability to move around independently and to make informed decisions. Lucky are those who have children who will take care of them in their twilight years. However, those who do not have children, or those who have children who are not willing to take care of them, should be preparing for the cost of hiring someone to take care of them or for the cost of managed senior care.

4. Prepare your home.

Disability may be coming to you, like it or not. Eventually, stairs will be a hindrance to your mobility. If you are able to do so, renovate your home if home is the place where you intend to retire. Build ramps, in case you ever see the need to permanently or occasionaly use a wheelchair. Have your room moved to the ground floor and have the restroom doors adjusted so that a wheelchair can fit in. Luckily for us Filipinos, we almost always have someone in the family ready to help assist us in our daily life. However, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to try to prepare for independent living. Being dependent on a caregiver may not always bring the best results. There are seniors who pass away before their time because of accidents or that their caregivers might have been temporarily unavailable, such as running an errand or Turn to A5

Y

A recurring problem

ET again, classes were suspended Monday and some government offices closed earlier than usual because of the transportation strike mounted by various groups. As of press time it is not yet known whether the suspensions will continue Tuesday and the rest of the week.

The Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide has organized a nationwide transport strike to protest the phasing out of jeepneys under the public utility vehicle modernization program of the government.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has warned it would cancel the franchises of jeepneys joining the strike. Top officials

of the transport group are also facing charges for violating the Public Service Act. The modernization program intends to do away with old, dilapidated and smoke-belching jeepneys that supposedly put passengers’ and other pedestrians’ health and safety in danger.

This is not the first time this has happened. Striking jeepney drivers and operators know best how to throw their weight around—by punishing not the government that they believe makes their lives difficult, but the hapless students or workers who rely on them, having no other option.

Of course the drivers and operators have valid grounds for protest. Many of them will find themselves mired in debt if they replaced their old units by acquiring new ones, even

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

if they took out loans from the government.

But the government, too, has the obligation to keep its citizens safe.

What the strikers forget is that their trade is imbued with public service, instead of only the principles of economics.

They must therefore consider that they are doing the public harm when they act petulant.

Meanwhile, the government should have looked for more palatable ways to implement its modernization program so that the age-old strikes, and the resulting loss of educational opportunities and productivity, can be avoided.

This week’s rumblings may be temporarily quelled, but they will show themselves again in the future, yet again, until a decisive and acceptable compromise is reached.

Robredo, Trillanes don’t understand constitutional law POLITICIANS who do not understand constitutional law should refrain from commenting on constitutional issues.

Their hollow, unfounded commentaries only underscore their incompetence on the subject.

Not all lawyers are adept in constitutional law. Self-respecting lawyers who know their limitations in this field avoid making public statements on controversial constitutional issues. The others regularly pass off their unsound legal opinions on an unsuspecting public, as if being a lawyer is synonymous to expertise in this highly specialized area of legal competence.

Worse, there are many politicians who are non-lawyers but who think they understand enough constitutional law. They pass off their "legal opinions," usually solicited from their underpaid legal assistants, as if what they say is gospel truth.

The same can be said of numerous newspaper columnists and broadcast personalities who, despite their slippery grasp of the subject, dish out commentaries as if they are very knowledgeable about the Constitution and the pertinent jurisprudence.

There is nothing seriously objectionable about a politician or a media personality commenting on constitutional issues even if they are not lawyers, much less experts in consti-

They should just refrain from commenting on such issues.

Character building: Taiwan’s presidential calligraphers

By Amber Wang DEEP in the high-ceilinged corridors of Taiwan’s presidential office, calligraphers craft messages on behalf of the island’s leaders as they seek to keep the traditional art alive.

Both the president and vice president appoint a personal scribe who creates everything from small notes to large scrolls, delivering congratulations and condolences to residents.

Yang Shu-wan is President Tsai Ingwen’s calligrapher, selected after applying for the position in 2016 when Tsai came to power.

Her workshop is hung with large swathes of red or white sheets, freshly decorated with traditional Chinese ink strokes and drying over metal racks.

“The style of characters should mirror the personality and I want to show the frank and unpretentious side of the

president,” Yang, 59, told AFP. She explained that she had met the president a number of times and spoken with her shortly after the leader took office, when she praised how beautifully Yang wrote her name.

“I also think she is personable and I want to show that other side of her through the calligraphy, using a script that is spirited and vivacious,” Yang said.

tutional law, as long as they clarify to their audiences that their opinion is not that of an expert on the subject.

Misleading commentaries made by prominent political personalities are the last things the Filipino people need during exceptionally confusing times.

Leni Robredo, the purported vice president of the Philippines, and Antonio Trillanes IV, the troublesome senator currently facing criminal raps (inciting to sedition) for his alleged unparliamentary statements at the Senate, are illustrative examples. They do not understand constitutional law, as seen in their separate press statements about the anticipated Senate impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

It will be recalled that two weeks ago, two justices of the Supreme Court told the justice committee of the House of Representatives that the appointment of Sereno as chief justice in 2012 is void ab initio (from the very start) because Sereno failed to comply with certain documentary requirements set by the Judicial and Bar Council, which screens all applicants for judicial posts.

According to the two justices, among the documentary requirements Sereno failed to submit to the JBC are her statements of assets and liabilities for the past 10 years. That period, it was learned, covers the years Sereno taught at the University of the Philippines College of Law, which is public employment, and her two-year stint as an associate justice of the Supreme Court.

Taking his lead from the two justices, Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a petition for quo warranto in the Supreme Court against Chief Justice Sereno. Calida's petition posits that Turn to A5

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there is no chief justice for the Senate to try and to remove from office in the first place. Therefore, assuming that Sereno's appointment as chief justice is void, quo warranto, and not impeachment, is the correct legal remedy to pursue against Sereno.

Robredo and Trillanes, however, have issued separate but similar statements to the news media, saying quo warranto can never be used against a sitting justice of the Supreme Court, and that impeachment is the only legal resort.

As for Robredo, it's either she does not understand the basis of Calida's quo warranto petition despite her being a lawyer, or her legal advisers fed her wrong legal opinion. Evidently, her press statement was nothing more than a clumsy attempt on her part to obtain free political publicity.

Last week, Robredo announced that she is open to the idea of running for president in 2022. That's sad news, because a vice president ought to be aware of the law. If Robredo can't even distinguish between quo warranto and impeachment, a Robredo presidency will not be good for the republic.

Like Robredo, Trillanes suspects that President Duterte is behind the impeachment case against Sereno.

He is not a lawyer, and he can hardly pass off as a constitutionalist. Those are probably the main reasons why Trillanes came out with that legally untenable press statement.

The intention of this essay is to underscore the inability of some highranking public officials like Robredo and Trillanes to understand the basic difference between quo warranto and impeachment. It is not intended to favor Calida's quo warranto petition. That topic will be discussed in this column next week.

Old...

From A4

buying something from the pharmacy, etc. In time, you must be able to do basic chores on your own and that you should be able to maintain your mobility as much as possible.

5. Plan your own funeral.

This sounds rather macabre, but the reality is that at the time of your passing, your children and dependents might be overwhelmed with grief in that they might not give you the funeral you want. Best to decide now and, at the very least, issue general directives regarding your preferences on how you want your last rites to be handled. The last thing you want to see before traveling to the pearly gates is your family members squabbling over how the funeral should go, to bury or cremate you, etc. Give them instructions now, even better if you make your own preparations.

6. Maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

While you are still strong and able, it is always best to stay fit and to see your doctor for regular checkups. While it may be inevitable for disability to set it, it will

most certainly stay away if you eat healthily and have yourself checked every three to six months.

Seeing the doctor is never a regular thing for most senior citizens, but having a blood chemistry done every three to six months is a good way to ensure that whatever illness or medical condition you might have is managed early on.

Part of a balanced lifestyle is your sprucing up your social life.

Many seniors whose partners pass away ahead of them, stop living and just wait for their time. There are a good many years to go and these years can still be happy and productive. Keep your social circles growing by continuing to make new friends and learning new things. The end goal is always to live a good, fulfilled life, to love and be loved. And to leave the legacy of your good name to your heirs.

Mr. Lazaro does reputation management, brand development, social advocacy and political campaigns.

Character...

From A4

Yang’s brush set varies from thick to fine tips, enabling her to make bold or delicate marks on paper spread across a large wooden table, working with unwavering concentration.

Members of the public apply for the messages to mark birthdays from 80 and above, wedding anniversaries from 50 years as well as deaths of loved ones aged 70 or older.

Temples and schools also ask for the calligraphy tributes from the president, which are all sent out free of charge, to commemorate anniversaries and achievements.

More than 11,000 such messages were issued by the presidential office last year.

Inner calm Like most Taiwanese students, Yang practised calligraphy when she was at school but did not take it up seriously until 20 years ago, when she was a stay-at-home mother.

Through practising rigorously for hours a day she began to win competitions and teach the art.

Yang says one of her most memorable messages on behalf of the president, who is an animal lover, was a tribute to a golden retriever named Cherry that toured schools to promote animal protection before dying of an illness.

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Wrong premises of ICC withdrawal

Robredo...

Sereno's appointment as chief justice is void ab initio, precisely for the reason cited by the two justices. As such, Calida said, Sereno cannot lawfully claim to be the chief justice. In legal theory, therefore, Calida argues that Sereno never became chief justice.

The Solicitor General is authorized by law to file a petition for quo warranto to challenge the validity of the election or appointment of any public official.

The petition is filed in the name of the Republic of the Philippines.

Calida's contention, however, opens a can of worms as far as the anticipated Senate impeachment trial of Sereno is concerned.

The Constitution mandates that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is among those public officials who may be removed from office through the impeachment process. Jurisprudence further provides that during his incumbency, a member of the Supreme Court cannot be removed from office except through the process of impeachment provided in the Constitution.

Impeachment, however, pertains to the removal from office of an impeachable public official whose election or appointment is valid to begin with. Therefore, if the election or appointment of the public official is void ab initio, an impeachment proceeding is not the legal remedy, but quo warranto.

Take the case of Senator Grace Poe who won in the 2013 senatorial derby.

In 2015, it was argued that Poe was not a natural-born Filipino citizen, which is a continuing requirement for membership in the Senate. Consequently, her incumbency as a senator was challenged in the Senate Electoral Tribunal through a petition for quo warranto.

If, as Calida argues, Sereno never became chief justice to begin with, then

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

She describes how her work gives her inner calm and balance, and helps accumulate good karma.

“I write condolences for a person who passed away at 112 years old and congratulate a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary,” she told AFP. “I have come to realise that there is no constant in life and we should cherish every moment.”

Yang sees calligraphy as one of the island’s most important cultural assets and teaches the art to students as young as five.

Her views are echoed by Susan Huang, official calligrapher of Vice President Chen Chien-jen, who says the art helps cultivate patience and persistence in children.

The retired maths teacher, now 72, met Chen at the Catholic church they both attend.

She says her characters are “balanced and calm” to reflect what she describes as Chen’s gentle nature and that she writes them as if they were for her own family, seeing herself as a bridge between the government and the people.

“It gives me a great sense of accomplishment,” she told AFP. “I hope when people receive the messages I write, they will feel pleased or comforted.” AFP

IN A 15-page press release, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his decision for the Philippines to withdraw “immediately” from the International Criminal Court, the court established by the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on July 17, 1998. This decision, now implemented with the delivery of a letter of withdrawal to the United Nations, was clearly in response to the decision of the Special Prosecutor of the ICC to open a preliminary examination into alleged crimes against humanity committed in Duterte’s war on drugs.

In his statement of withdrawal the President laid down a number of justifications or grounds for the drastic move by his administration. The main argument raised is the supposed lack of effectivity and unenforceability of the Rome Statute for lack of publication required by domestic law. Another argument raised is the alleged fraud in entering into such agreement when the Philippines was made to believe that the principle of complementarity shall be observed; that the principle of due process and the presumption of innocence as mandated by our Constitution and the Rome Statue shall prevail.

With this column, I start a series of articles on the Philippines’ withdrawal from the ICC, beginning with my thoughts on the two grounds mentioned above, i.e. lack of publication and the alleged fraud.

Is publication in the Official Gazette a condition sine qua non to make the Rome Statute valid and effective? Most definitely not.

Justice Isagani Cruz has described the usual steps in treaty-making process, namely, negotiation, signature, ratification, and exchange of the instruments of ratification. Publication is not one of them. The treaty may then be submitted for registration and publication under the United Nations Charter, although this step is not essential to the validity of the agreement as between the parties.

In our jurisdiction, ratification, the formal act by which a state confirms and accepts the provisions of a treaty, is done by the president but must be concurred in by the Senate. Thus, Section 21 of the 1987 Constitution categorically states that the concurrence by 2/3 of all the members of the Senate or 16 votes out of the 24 senators is the operative and final act that makes a treaty or international agreement valid and effective. Had publication been an essential requirement to make the treaty effective and valid, the Constitution should have explicitly made it an indispensable requisite. But it does not.

The Guidelines in the Negotiation International Agreements and its Ratification or Executive Order 459 issued by President Fidel Ramos requires for all

treaties to be transmitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs after signing for preparation of the ratification papers, then submission of a copy to the president for his ratification and finally, submission to the Senate for concurrence in the ratification by the president. By its concurrence, the Senate transforms the treaty or international agreement into law enforceable in the Philippines by virtue of the prin-

A treaty or international agreement does not belong to the same classes of laws in the enumeration.

Duterte statement involves various presidential decrees, letters of instructions, general orders, proclamations, executive orders, letters of implementations and administrative orders.

Extant jurisprudence consistently requires treaties to be ratified by the executive and concurred in by the senate but makes no mention of complying with the publication requirement for its validity.

In Pimentel v. Executive Secretary, the Court tackled the issue of whether to compel the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Executive Secretary to send the signed copy of the Rome Statute to the Senate so it could concur with ratification. While the ponente Justice Puno discussed the steps for treaty making, he made no mention of publication; an authoritative if not conclusive indicium that the Court does not consider publication one of the requisites.

Accepting this argument that publication is required for treaties to take effect would result in the absurd conclusion that we are not a party to any international agreement from the United Nations Charter to the Mutual Defense Treaty to the WTO Agreements to the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement on climate change because none of these, as far as I know, were published in the Official Gazette or in newspapers of general publication.

On the allegation fraud, suffice it to say that the Philippine negotiators acting on behalf of the state, the President and the Senate together presumably performed their functions with regularity and in the exercise of due diligence, mindful of the interest of the state in signing and ratifying the agreement. That none of the 120 signatories with the exception of the Philippines, is seeking to invalidate the agreement on the ground of fraud is most telling.

The Special Prosecutor has yet to formally open the preliminary examination to determine whether there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation. It is merely in the process of collecting relevant data.

There is as yet no proof that the president or any individual for that matter is now being considered a suspect, much less have been pronounced guilty without being given the opportunity to be heard.

Neither is complementarity violated when notwithstanding the functioning courts, there is conspicuous absence of genuine national proceedings to seek justice for alleged victims of extrajudicial killings; when there is no reasonable ground to believe that one is forthcoming considering that the president and other actors who initiated and are implementing the controversial campaign on drugs are still holding the reins of power.

In the next column, I will elaborate on the consequences of the ICC withdrawal to a potential case against President Duterte and other officials. I will end this series. I will end the series reflecting on the question of whether we should have stayed in the ICC and why the Duterte decision must be reversed for the national interest.

ciple of transformation recognized by our Constitution. Again, nowhere does it mention publication as an essential requirement.

What then is the significance of the New Civil Code that requires the publication of a law in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation to make it effective and enforceable?

Section 24 of the Administrative Code of 1987 lists down the classes of legal documents that need to be published in the Official Gazette. Thus, it includes legislative acts and resolutions of a public nature, executive and administrative issuances of general application; decisions or abstracts of decisions; documents or classes of documents that the law requires to be published to be published by law; and such documents or classes of documents as the President shall determine from time to time to have general application or which he may authorize so to be published.

A cursory reading of the above provision will readily tell us that a treaty or international agreement does not belong to the same classes of laws in the enumeration. A treaty, which is an international agreement entered into by the Philippines, requires ratification by the president and concurrence by the Senate. It forms part of the law of the land by virtue only of transformation, a principle recognized by international law.

An international agreement or treaty is not strictly an executive act, although it requires ratification by the president. It is formally an act between state parties with the intervention of governmental institutions like the executive or legislature. It is not per se a legislative enactment that is, a statue emanating from the legislature, although again in our jurisdiction it needs Senate concurrence and becomes a law only by reason of transformation. It is for this reason that our Constitution provides for specific steps in order to make international agreements effective and valid.

Facebook: Professor Tony La Viña or The case of Tanada vs. Tuvera cited in the deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

Drought-stricken Cape Town counts the cost

By Gregory WALTON SOUTH African winemaker Marlize Jacobs looks out across the parched brown earth that sustains her award-winning vines, surveying the effects of the water crisis ravaging Cape Town and surrounding areas.

"It's the strangest thing—I think vines like to suffer. When the berries are shrinking, there's more concentration of flavours," she told AFP, describing the impact on her crop of the worst drought in 100 years.

The Western Cape region has gone without significant rains for more than three years, forcing South Africa's second city to slash residential water consumption by more than 60 percent.

Wine flavours may benefit, but waterintensive businesses like Marlize's farm, 35 kilometres (20 miles) east of Cape Town, have borne the brunt of the water crisis.

"It's the fourth year in a row that we're having lower production and there is a shortage of wine," said Marlize, 48.

"Water costs have increased by about 100 percent. We're absolutely only giving water to keep the vines alive -- not any more than that."

So perilous is Cape Town's economic situation that credit rating agency Moody's warned in January that if the crisis worsens, it could lead to the city losing its investment-grade status.

Western Cape province said in its economic forecast for 2017 that the growth outlook was "soured... by the persisting drought which also threatens employment".

The 'Day Zero' threat The city was granted a narrow escape earlier this month when the dreaded

"Day Zero"—the date when taps will run dry—was finally pushed back until next year after months of growing public panic.

If Day Zero does arrive, individuals will be forced to queue at public standpipes to collect daily 25 litre (6.6 US gallons) rations.

The famed winelands, responsible for 11 percent of the region's economic output, also bring millions of visitors to the region annually and the Western Cape tourism sector alone sustains 300,000 jobs.

But tourists have been found to use up to eight times as much water as locals.

The construction industry—another major employer—has not been spared drastic consumption cuts.

Some building projects have had to rely on expensive imported water with others postponed indefinitely because of shortages—in a region where one in ten jobs are in construction.

The Rabie Group, a large construction company, uses treated effluent water to make concrete and wash equipment on its Cape Town sites.

"Obviously these factors all have a price tag which will invariably push up construction prices," warned Rabie director Miguel Rodrigues.

In 2016, 94 percent of the region's companies flagged water as a risk to their operations.

Companies have not yet faced a blanket limit, but instead struck agreements with officials—often at huge costs.

"You want to avoid creating the crisis within the crisis... the construction industry is already very fragile, cutting off their water risks creating job losses," councillor J.P. Smith, who is responsible for safety in the city, told AFP.

The city council is even working with behavioural scientists and the University of Cape Town to determine the best way to "nudge" businesses and residents to slash consumption.

Cutting consumption Cape Town's success in cutting domestic consumption—by 60 percent in three years—is expected to be highlighted during World Water Day on March 22.

Christopher Smith, a senior engineering assistant at the Koeberg nuclear power station outside Cape Town, said that the plant has developed its own desalination system in response to the drought.

"I don't see any option, we just have to bite the bullet," said Smith, 60, as he stood in line for water at the Newland Spring collection point beside the SAB Miller brewery.

The beer giant, owned by AB InBev, declined to comment on the drought's effect on beer production, but others in the drinks industry told AFP that if "Day Zero" happened, it would be catastrophic.

"If we run out of water, the whole industry will be mucked up," said Raphael Clistini, 28, a South African-born entrepreneur who travels the world opening temporary bars.

His most recent venture was the Gin Dock, a pop-up bar that overlooked the city's famed Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and the iconic Table Mountain.

Clistini serves gin distilled in the city —but the water may soon have to be brought in from Johannesburg, 1,400 kilometres away.

"It's going to raise the price. Everything is going to cost more," he said. AFP

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PNP ‘deputizes’ Grab drivers vs riding-in-tandem THE 500-strong Grab drivers on Monday has been ‘deputized’ by the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group as road safety marshalls, and part of their new mandate is to report sightings of the elusive members of riding-in-tandem criminals.

In his remarks during the oathtaking ceremony held Monday, March 19, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has urged Grab drivers to assist the police in apprehending the riding-in-tandem shooters.

“Bantayan ninyo ’yan [riding-intandem shooters]...1,000 eyes and ears, makalusot pa kaya ang ridingin-tandem diyan?”

(Look out for them. With 1,000 eyes and ears, would there still be riding-intandem incidents?)

The PNP has decided to use Grab drivers in its ongoing war against motorcycle-riding shooters after noting the rise in homicides and murders involving these criminals during the first two years under President Rodrigo Duterte.

The PNP intensified its campaign in September 2017 after the police were temporarily taken out from the administration’s war on drugs.

The PNP said the Grab drivers, as road safety marshalls, should report any irregularity they see while plying Metro Manila roads.

These include road obstructions and unruly drivers along major roads, and shootings committed by motorcycleriding suspects, especially along narrow streets in the metropolis.

The Grab drivers are encouraged to simply text a special hotline set up by the PNP-HPG, and cops will respond.

But at the same time, PNP-HPG director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal, warned that Grab drivers cannot use the title of road safety marshall to defend themselves from arrest if they themselves commit a traffic violation.

‘PNR south railway rehab done before DU30’s term ends’ CHINA has promised to finish the Philippine National Railway’s south railway rehabilitation and restoration project before President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends in 2022, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the assurance was made by Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua during their meeting two weeks ago.

“I’ve talked to the ambassador of China and he told me that the term [of President Rodrigo Duterte] will not be finished without the revival of the south railway,” Roque said in a press conference in Camarines Sur. Roque said the construction of the PNR’s South Line Manila to Legazpi City in Bicol has been awarded to China.

“So be patient, the south railway will be finished and even the President had said he will not leave without fulfilling this promise,” Roque said.

The revival of the PNR’s south railway stretching from Paco, Manila to Matnog, Sorsogon will be funded by a loan from China reportedly worth PHP175 billion payable in 20 years at 2-percent interest per annum.

The South Line is one of the flagship projects under the Duterte administration’s “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.

The 683-kilometer South Line will have nine train stations in Paco, FTI, Los Banos, Lucena City, Gumaca, Pili/Naga, Legazpi/ Camalig, Sorsogon City and Matnog.

Meanwhile, Roque welcomed the signing of a loan agreement with Japan worth PHP51.3 billion for the construction of the initial phase of flagship subway system project. PNA

IN BRIEF Temporary shelters risky, NHA warns

UPMG INDUCTION. Undersecretary Jose Joel M. Sy Egco (left) administers the oath of office on the newly elected UPMG Officers and Board of Directors. From left: President- Barbie L. Atienza, Head-External Affairs of Manila Bulletin; Vice President-Jay R. Sarmiento, Corporate Communications Manager of The Philippine Star and Sales and Marketing Head of BusinessWorld; Corporate Secretary– Angel V. Guerrero, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Adobo Magazine; Treasurer-Vivienne A. Motomal, AVP for Advertising of Philippine Journalists Inc.; Director-Rene Reinoso, COO of Philippine Daily Inquirer; Auditor-Annie F. Grefal, Treasury Manager of Manila Standard; PRO-Jacinto G. Aluad, Advertising Manager of Pilipino Star Ngayon; CRB Head-Sherly O. Baula, Credit and Collection Manager of Chinese Commercial News. Director-Marvin N. Estigoy, VP for Advertising Sales of Business Mirror; Felipe R. Olarte, SVP and Group Sales Head of Inquirer Group of Companies and Department of Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick M. Alegre, UPMG advisers. Not in photo: Director-Danny G. Ocampo, VP for Sales and Marketing of The Manila Times.

Anti-drug dragnet kills 10 in Cotabato, 32 arrested A

T LEAST 10 alleged illegal drug personalities were killed and 32 were arrested in a province-wide, two-day operation in Cotabato City.

The operation was conducted in various municipalities in Cotabato last Friday and Saturday, according to the Cotabato Police Provincial Office.

The report said that in Tulunan municipality alone, eight were killed— with four killed on Friday four more on Saturday.

The other two were killed in Barangay Plang in the municipality of Kabacan.

The report said the suspects attempted to fight it out with the police.

In Tulunan, police recovered from the slain suspects a .38 cal. revolver, a .45 cal. pistol, a homemade pistol,

BONGBONG IN FOCUS.

Senator Bongbong Marcos answers question from the media while forum moderator Ms, Jullie Yap Daza listens in during the Samahang Plaridel Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on Monday, March 19, 2018. Marcos discussed among others his opinion on the latest issues hounding the government.

Norman Cruz

Lawmaker urges CHED mandatory review of civil engineering curriculum

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives has adopted a resolution urging the Commission on Higher Education to conduct the mandatory review of the Civil Engineering curriculum to integrate relevant academic subjects on earthquake design safety which will help ensure the structural integrity of Philippine building and civil works.

In House Resolution 1767 authored by Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Ann Hofer, chairperson of the committee on higher and technical education, the resolution also directed the House committee on higher and technical education to conduct an inquiry into the appropriateness and relevance of the Civil Engineering curriculum in offering a longterm response to the threats of earthquake and seismic magnitudes greater than intensity 7 on the Richter scale.

three hand grenades, and at least 10 sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu.”

In Kabacan, Chief Inspector Ronnie Cordero, Kabacan Police chief, reported that they recovered from one of the slain suspect's hideout a pistol, .38 cal.revolver, and several sachets of shabu.

The Kidapawan City Police also arrested on Friday one Quincy Glen Villanueva Adlaon, 25, for alleged drug trafficking, aside from doing cybersex inside his hideout in Barangay Lanao.

Another suspect, identified as Maribeth Montejo Parba, 41, from

Barangay Lanao, was also among those arrested in Kidapawan City.

In Makilala town, the police arrested two employees of a banana processing company in a surprise raid on Friday. They were identified them as Marvin Chatto Tigao, 24, and Sherwin Grabe, 37. Seized from the suspects were seven sachets of shabu.

The police also arrested five more suspected drug personalities from the towns in Midsayap, Antipas, President Roxas and Arakan during the two-day anti-drug operation.

Other most wanted persons arrested since Friday were involved in illegal possession of firearms, illegal gambling, homicide, frustrated homicide, attempted homicide, physical injuries, rape, and violation of Anti-Violence Against Women and Children.

The resolution acknowledged the spate of recent strong earthquakes that hit many parts of the world in series, which include Haiti, New Zealand, Japan and areas within the Pacific Ring of fire, raising the fear of a looming earthquake far beyond intensity 7.

The current factor of safety for building designs is pegged to withstand a 7.2 magnitude only.

The resolution states that relevant engineering interventions should now be put in place to ensure the structural integrity of existing structures to enable them to withstand strong earthquakes.

The strict compliance and integration of the National Structural Code of the Philippines 2010, and the National Building Code of the Philippines in the Civil Engineering curriculum should be enforced, the resolution said.

THE National Housing Authority will remove 5,000 families in Manila’s Vitas temporary shelters in Tondo and other over 1,500 families in two tenements considered “ruinous and dangerous” to live in.

At a news conference at the NHA central office, Elsie Trinidad, agency spokesperson and resettlement and development services department manager, said the Department of Public Works and Highways had inspected the Vitas temporary housing in Tondo, Fort Bonifacio tenement in Taguig City and Punta tenement in Sta. Ana, Manila, and recommended that occupants of these structures must be evacuated to safer sites.

“The government has recommended a preemptive evacuation since these facilities are unsafe and disaster-prone,” she said.

“The two tenements put up 53 years ago have already outlived their economic life based on the DPWH and local governments' assessment,” she told the Manila Standard.

“Fort Bonifacio and Punta units are condemned and dangerous to live in,” she said.

On the other hand, the Vitas temporary shelter units had been occupied by illegal dwellers when residents of the condemned Vitas tenement were resettled to San Jose del Monte, Bulacan five years ago. Rio N. Araja

‘Govt should get serious vs smuggling’ SAYING the government lost over P423 billion from 2012 to 2016 in uncollected duties and VAT due to the variance in the total importation from China, Senator Richard J. Gordon said it is time to pull the plug in the country’s smuggling.

He said this move would ensure that the government would have funds for development projects and to provide for the country’s needs, among others.

He stressed that the government incurred losses because of the variance arising from technical smuggling by misdeclaration or undervaluation of goods.

“China is a big souce of variance. It wil be difficult for exporters to deceive China because it gives rebate to exporters with the right export,” said Gordon.

Gordon, who chairs the Senate Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations or Blue Ribbon, pointed out that total collection from the variance in Chinese importation alone could have solved some of the country’s problems such as the shortage in classrooms, strengthening the military’s capability and others. Macon Ramos-Araneta

SSS breaches 2017 target revenue STATE-RUN Social Security System on Monday said it breached its 2017 target revenue, with P200.5 billion in total earnings from members’ contributions and investment and other income last year.

SSS’ unaudited financial performance showed that its total revenues for the period January to December 2017 increased

by P26.04 billion from P174.46 billion in 2016, and were 5.6 percent higher than the P189.79-billion target.

“We achieved good numbers in 2017 on the back of our intensified campaign to increase our collections. We are pleased that the efforts of the SSS management and employees paid off,” SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel F. Dooc said.

Contribution collection, which comprised the bulk of the pension fund’s revenue for 2017 was at P159.72 billion, up 10.6 percent or P15.36 billion from P144.36 billion in 2016. The remaining P40.78 billion in total revenues came from investment and other income, which soared 35.5 percent from P30.10 billion in 2016.

Similarly, expenditures of the pension fund for the period, which included benefit payments and operating expenses, jumped 26.5 percent to P180.2 billion from P142.46 billion in 2016.

PCCI concerned over plans to close Boracay island

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed concern over the government's plan to close the shores of Boracay for one full year.

While the group said it fully supports the government’s efforts and political will to clean-up all major tourism destinations in the country such as Boracay, it is apprehensive that the move might negatively impact on Philippine economy.

Chamber director for Tourism Samie Lim said that “there should not be a complete shutdown of the island,” instead close one station at a time for rehabilitation.

“Phasing is important so we are able to protect the interest of all parties concerned, especially the local residents whose income are dependent

on Boracay’s economic activity,” he said.

In 2017, the tourism industry was the third biggest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product and 20 percent of the total income generated by the industry comes from Boracay.

According to the Tourism department, over two-million local and international tourists visited Boracay in 2017, accounting for an increase in island arrival of 16 percent from 2016.

It also generated a total of 17,737 direct tourism jobs accounting to 66 percent of the entire Western Visayas region.

Also at risk is the P56 billion worth of tourist spending that will be lost once the imminent rehabilitation of the island starts.

Moreover, it will also have on impact

on the whole Philippine tourism product offering as the island is the most prominent beach and leisure destination that is included in the majority of tour packages sold overseas.

The Chamber believed that the situation in Boracay is a wake-up call for the government and private sector on the need to work together to ensure that Philippine islands and tourist destinations are protected and sustained through comprehensive master planning that enables the right balance between economic growth and environmental preservation.

“PCCI is willing to spearhead and facilitate a dialogue between the local government of Malay, national government agencies, private sector and civil to support our agenda for the inclusive business,” said Chamber president Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco

Sports Modern sports complex to rise in Maguindanao

A7

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Thunder end Raptors’ streak L

OS ANGELES—Russell Westbrook’s fifth straight triple double helped the Oklahoma City Thunder end the Toronto Raptors 11-game NBA winning streak on Sunday, as the Portland Trail Blazers rumbled to a 13th consecutive victory.

By Nash B. Maulana BULUAN, Maguindanao—Overwhelmed residents welcomed here the prospect of having a modern sports complex to host significant sports events in the near future.

Maguindanao Governor Esmael Mangudadatu said President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the allocation of P 100 million for the construction of a multi-level sports complex here.

Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, who together with Mangudadatu laid the corner stone of the proposed sports complex on March 8, said the Department of Budget and Management has released the fund through the region.

The sports complex is envisioned to win more young people into the right track of human development through sports and proper education, Mangudadatu said to the applause of residents witnessing the ceremony.

The seeming expansion of the province’s development here eastward, is a welcome development even to natives of this town—Edd Usman, a journalist, who for decades has lived with his family in Metro Manila, and Ibramim Kamensa, a government worker.

Mangudadatu said education is almost an emerging slogan in his government’s continuing call upon the youth to assert their role in the pursuit of human and community development in a world fast-changing.

In the record of the Maguindanao Peace Program (MagPeace), which offers study grant fund, many of the indigent students it has helped send to school, have become professionals in their own chosen fields of endeavor.

Hataman said another program allocation also for P 100 million would pertain to continuity of the Buluan River Development and Flood-Control Project, which will be opened for bidding by the region’s Department of Public Works and Highways.

Provincial Engineer Hadji Abdulwahab Tunga said the sports complex, considered a presidential gift of a lifetime to young Moros, will have a 10-lane indoor pool for swimming competition events, while other sections will be partitioned for board-floored basketball and volleyball courts. The rest of its external space on a 1.8 hectare area will be allotted for other sports facilities like track-and-field oval, tennis courts and baseball field.

Resident Rasul Bedtekan, a young professional, said this now poses the challenge on the Moro youth to literally make or break in a “season of peace,” which many hope the Moro people will achieve with a timely passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law by Congress.

“In a long journey to peace, Maguindanao residents would have reason to rejoice as they ponder on the prospect of having such modern sports facilities that both the old and the young generations would experience and enjoy playing on,” Mangudadatu said.

Engineer Abdulrahman Asim, provincial administrator, said Senator Manny Pacquiao had also committed to help allocate fund for a boxing training center which would form part of the sports complex.

PH Jr Amateur Open golf set THE country’s top and rising players from the junior ranks prime up for a grueling summer campaign here and abroad, setting out for another spirited battle in the Philippine Junior Amateur Open Golf Championship set April 3-6 at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite.

Registration is ongoing with fees pegged at P3,000 for local players and P4,000 for foreigners (for the championship and 18-and-above) and P2,500 for locals and P3,500 for foreigners (for the 12-and-under).

Deadline for listup is on March 30 at 5 p.m.

For details, call NGAP at telefax 027065926 or email ngap2009handicap@ yahoo.com or at Sherwood Hills at (049) 4190578.

Tom Kim is expected to lead the cast in the annual event, organized and conducted by the National Golf Association of the Philippines for 17-years-old-andbelow with the young Korean gunning for a follow-up to his victory in the RVF Cup in Canlubang last month.

Harmie Constantino, runner-up last year, is also tipped to head the chase in the girls’ side of the 72-hole championship sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour.

Spicing up the event are the Special Divisions for 18-years-old-and-above to be played over four rounds and 12-yearsold-and-below set over 54 holes.

The NGAP said practice round will be on April 2. The top 40 players after 36 holes (boys) will advance to the final two rounds while the top 20 in the girls’ division will qualify for the last two rounds.

Christian Tio holds the Philippine flag as he receives his trophy after topping the Kitesurfing Youth Olympic Qualifiers Asia/Oceania in Thailand and earning the lone Asian berth in the Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games.

Tio clinches Youth Olympic Games kiteboarding berth CHRISTIAN Tio defied the odds and bested a tough field to top the Iconic Kitesurfing Youth Olympic Qualifiers Asia/Oceania in Pranburi, Thailand Sunday, clinching the lone Youth Olympic Games berth in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October.

Tio, one of the country’s rising kiteboarding stars from Boracay Island, put up superb and consistent performances in the last two days of the five-day event which drew the best 15-18-year-old kiteboarders in the continent.

The Filipino ace finished with 26 points after 20 elimination rounds to beat Chinese Haoran Zhang (34 points) and local favorite Sarun Rupchorn (41), who took control in the early going but faltered in the last two days.

“It’s been a tough week,” said Tio, who will turn 17 tomorrow. “It’s been a goal to get to the Olympics and we’ve been waiting for kiting to get into the Games for sometime, so it feels pretty good to qualify and have the honor of representing my country.”

“Now I’m it, I’ll do my best to win it,” added Tio, son of pro kiteboarders Chris Mohn and Liezl Tio, and who honed his talent and skills in the annual Philippine Kiteboarding

Association Tour.

Other Pinoy kiteboarders, whose YOG campaign was backed by ICTSI and Aboitiz Group’s Ming Juan, who vied in the qualifiers were Boracay locals Warner Janoya (16), Mark Magliquian (17), Remel Rentillo (16), Frean Yetyet (16) and Romblon’s Maebelle Gajisan (18).

“We’re all delighted with how our team fared in the YOG elims. This has been a triumphant moment for all of us Filipinos.

Getting a slot in the YOG was no easy task and now that we’re in, this may be our chance of winning our first-ever gold in the YOG,” said PKA president and team manager Jay Ortiz.

“Tio’s feat is the culmination of all our efforts with the PKA Tour that we’ve been organizing the past five years as we aim to promote the sport and at the same time produce local talents for international competitions,” said PKA treasurer Carlo Leongson, also one of Team Phl coaches, who included Bong Fernando, Doque delos Santos, Ken Nakor and Swede Atte Kappel.

Chinese Jingle Chen took the lone YOG spot in the girls’ side, scoring 16 points to beat compatriot Kewen Li (32) and Thai Nicharan Rodthong (43.3).

Forum tackles 2 tournaments

TWO upcoming major tournaments are the of discussion in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum today (Tuesday) at the Tapa King Restaurant at the Araneta Center in Cubao.

The FIBA U-16 Asian Championship in China and this year’s Palarong Pambansa will be featured in the session presented by San Miguel Corp. Tapa King, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios, along

with the coaching staff and some members of Batang Gilas are on hand to talk about the team’s campaign in the March 26 to April 1 meet that serves as qualifier for the FIBA U-17 Basketball World Cup. Meanwhile, Department of Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali, director Rizalino Jose Rosales, and Paulo Motita tackle the Palarong Pambansa to be held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur from April 16 to 20.

PSA president Dodo Catacutan enjoins members to attend the public sports program.

15 Luzon bets make final Jr NBA selection EIGHT boys and seven girls from Baguio, Benguet, Dagupan, Pangasinan, Ilocos, Manila, Bukidnon, Davao and Puerto Princesa will travel to Metro Manila after outclassing 1,120 campers during the North Luzon Regional Selection Camp of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska at Benguet State University on March 17 to 18.

Javier Luis R. Jugo, 13, of La Salle Green Hills; Czarlo Lorenzo V. Salvador, 12, of Ateneo de Davao University; Adrian Chu Tan, 13, of Cherished Moments School; Asher M. Vidal, 13, of Wonderland School; Rodge Aldrich Balbao, 13, and Alejandro A. Melecio III, 13, of Bukidnon Faith Christian School; and Alvin T. Collado Jr., 13, and Carl Emmanuel Velasquez, 14, Berkeley School will represent North Luzon in the boys’ division.

Crisciona Ann Bagasani, 12, of Immaculate Concepcion Academy; Aretha Belgira, 12, of Saint Joseph College Olongapo City; Tiffany Jolie Lacsamana, 12, of Palawan State University Laboratory Elementary School; Jhulliana Francesca Pagteilan, 12, of San Jose School of La Trinidad; Sarah Abigail Sacayanan, 13, of Saint Louis School Center - High School Department; and Silcia Lee Fuscalbo, 14, and Christine Nicole Venterez, 12, of Baguio City National High School will comprise the girls’ division.

In addition to their all-around basketball skills, the players exemplified the Jr. NBA core S.T.A.R. values of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, a positive Attitude and Respect throughout the camp.

All roads will lead to Don Bosco Technical Institute in Makati, Metro Manila, which will host the final Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp on April 21 to 22 and the National Training Camp on May 18 to 20. The top-performing athletes from the Regional Selection Camps in Bacolod, Benguet, Butuan, and Metro Manila will vie for 16 Jr. NBA Philippines All-Star slots that will reward them with an overseas NBA experience trip with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia later in the year.

Boys and girls aged 10-14 can still register to the free youth basketball program at www.jrnba.asia/philippines, where the program terms and conditions can be found.

“The kids here are very special as reflected in their passion and commitment to the game,” said Jr. NBA Coach Carlos Barroca. “We hope these boys and girls continue working on their craft and look forward to their growth as individuals on and off the court.”

Photo shows participants in a Metro Manila class last year starting their training.

SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Summer Class slated FUTURE taekwondo fighters are expected to be developed with the nationwide launching of the SMART/MVP Sports Foundation summer program early next month.

Organized by the Philippine Taekwondo Association, the much-awaited martial art classes will be held on April 2 to June 2 in all PTA branches and affiliates in Metro Manila, Regions 1 to 12, CAR, ARMM, CARAGA, PNP and AFP. No less than former multi-titled international campaigner and now Makati Congressman Monsour del Rosario is endorsing

taekwondo hopefuls to sign up, saying a few months they spare in learning the country’s most popular martial art event can improve and develop their personality and skills.

Congressman Del Rosario is one of the most successful products of the program crafted by the PTA, a member of the World Taekwondo Federation and Philippine Olympic Committee and recognized by the Philippine Sorts Commission.

Taekwondo is considered the best training to achieve top physical condition, alertness and self-protection, aside from preparing one for possible participation in international compe-

titions like the Olympics, world championships, Asian Games, Asian championsjips and Southeast Asian Games. Knowledge in this unarmed defense is far better than acquiring a deadly weapon.

Interested parties may contact the Phiippine Taekwondo Association at telephone numbers 5220518, 5220519, 5240457 or email philippinetaekwondo@gmail.com/ philtkd@gmail.com.

The summer program is also supported by PLDT, Meralco, Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee.

Westbrook scored 37 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and handed out 14 assists. His heroics, including back-toback baskets to break a tie with 54.9 seconds remaining, denied the Raptors the longest win streak in club history.

Toronto remained atop the Eastern Conference with a 52-18 record, but the Raptors were fuming after a chaotic end to the contest.

DeMar DeRozan, who led Toronto with 24 points, was ejected with less than 10 seconds to play for arguing with an official.

“You know the frustration, you know what it came down to,” said DeRozan, who was still angry after the game at what he said were non-calls on obvious fouls. “It was obvious, especially at the end of the game.”

Teammate Serge Ibaka was tossed moments later, then Toronto coach Dwane Casey was ejected -- although video appeared to show it was a fan behind him who yelled at the referee.

- ‘Keep your composure’ Casey was measured in his postgame comments, saying only that the Raptors are looking for “fairness and consistency” from officials and adding: “We’ll complain in the proper way.”

His reticence came on the same day that New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry and Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy were fined $15,000 apiece for post-game rants about refereeing.

New Zealand center Steven Adams added 25 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder while Paul George scored 22 points and Carmelo Anthony netted 15.

“You’ve got to be able to keep your composure through it all,” Westbrook said. “That’s what the game was all about.”

The Thunder remained two games behind the surging Trail Blazers for third place in the West.

Led by Damian Lillard’s 23 points, all five Trail Blazers starters scored in double figures in a 122-109 victory over the Clippers in Los Angeles.

CJ McCollum and Maurice Harkless scored 21 points apiece, Jusuf Nurkic added 17 and Al-Farouq Aminu chipped in 16 as Portland’s starters out-scored their Clippers counterparts 98-44.

F2 seeks 4th straight win Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre)

4:15 pm – Sta. Lucia vs Smart 7:00 pm – Generika-Ayala vs F2 Logistics

F2 Logistics aims to stretch its blazing run to shut down its first-round campaign on a high note when it clashes with Generika-Ayala in the Chooks to GoPhilippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Game time is at 7 p.m., with the Cargo Movers looking to notch their fourth straight victory to formally claim the second spot at the end of the first round of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled

by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

Smart, meanwhile, guns for an elusive first victory when it clashes with Sta. Lucia Realty in the 4:15 p.m. appetizer of this battle that also has Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

After sweeping the first round, powerhouse Petron clinched the top spot, while F2 Logistics is primed up to bag the second spot with a 5-1 win-loss card.

But the third to seventh spots still remain a toss-up among Cocolife, Cignal, Sta. Lucia, Foton and Generika-Ayala, making the next two playing days of the first round very crucial.

Based on league format, the topranked team after the first round will be bracketed in Pool A together with third, sixth and eighth seeded teams. At the same time, the second seed will join the fourth, fifth and seventh seeds in Pool B for another round of action.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Sports

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

A8

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

Magnolia’s Aldrech Ramos looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to after being hounded by NLEX’s JR Quinahan in a PBA Philippine Cup semifinal game won by the Hotshots, 87-78, to lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1.

Oranza wants 2nd Ronda title RONALD Oranza of Navy-Standard Insurance has set his sights on a second title after he recently ruled the Ronda Pilipinas 2018 presented by LBC. “We will try to win it again next year, we will give it our best to make it happen,” said Oranza, a 25-year-old native of Villasis, Pangasinan.

This early, Oranza has emerged the rider to watch out for after a dominant performance in the Stage 12 race, where he ended up with an aggregate time of 34 hours, 11 minutes and 23 seconds, blowing the competition, headed by 2016 and 2017 champion Jan Paul Morales, also of Navy, by a whopping 11 minutes.

It was a race to remember for Oranza, who seized a comfortable lead after topping the Vigan-Pagudpud Stage 2, to coast to the title.

Along the way, he won three stages and posted a total of nine podium finishes to crush the competition in the annual bike race presented by LBC and supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Filinvest, Philippine Rabbit, 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.

For his performance, Oranza won over P1 million in cash purse plus P300,000 worth of Boy Kanin franchise and the beautifully-crafted trophy, designed by architect Quin Baterna.

He will also get an equal share of the P150,000 pocketed by the Navymen for ruling the team event.

Oranza, however, said he will resume training after a two-week respite as he is set to join several international races as well as local events like the PH National Games in Cebu next month and the Le Tour in May. “We have a busy schedule this year because we will join international and local races,” said Oranza.

Meanwhile, Ronda executive project director Moe Chulani relayed the message of LBC Ronda big boss Dino Araneta that the country’s biggest cycling race will go to the Visayas and Mindanao with Stage 1 already scheduled in Davao next year.

“Yes, we will return to the Visayas and Mindanao next year and we’ll start in Davao City,” said Chulani during the awarding ceremony at The Tent in Filinvest, Alabang Sunday night.

Warriors seek equalizer; Hotshots eye finals’ seat

By Jeric Lopez

F

INALLY getting over the hump is what drives Magnolia in its quest to earn a trip to the finals, even as NLEX is desperate to force a decider in their competitive best-of-seven semifinal series in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.

Will tonight be the night that the Hotshots, ahead 3-2 in the series, return to the finals after several years of falling short?

They certainly hope so as they look to close out the series against the Road Warriors in Game 6 of their grueling showdown at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Last season, the Hotshots made the semis in all three tournaments, only to fall short of making the finals.

Now, they want to write a different story and it is in their hands.

“This is now our best chance to get out of the semifinals and make the finals,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

“We’re in this situation now and we don’t want to waste it.”

Still, Victolero knows that it is still not a done deal.

“Wala pa kaming dapat i-celebrate.

We need four wins to get to the finals and

that’s what we’re looking for.”

Magnolia moved a game away from the finals after taking the pivotal Game 5, 87-78, Sunday night in a grinder of a victory.

Star spitfires Paul Lee and Mark Barroca stepped it up to ensure their team’s success, combining for 33 points to show the way for the Hotshots.

Also, Magnolia’s stingy defense forced NLEX to shoot only 37.5 percent from the floor.

The Road Warriors are expected to fight for their lives with desperation with no more tomorrow for them should they lose.

The task might even be tougher as guard Kevin Alas, who already missed most of Game 5, might once again be unavailable due to a knee injury.

His availability will be a gametime decision.

The Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance cycling team swept the individual and team overall championships in the recent Ronda Pilipinas, with Ronald Oranza winning the individual championship and teammates Jan Paul Morales and Jun Rey Navarra, placing second and third, respectively. Morales also won the top sprint classification, while Navarra won the top King of the Mountain title. Shown in the photo with Oranza is Ernesto “Judes” Echauz (left), group chairman of Standard Insurance and Col. Noel Beleran (right), Commanding Officer of the Navy Special Service Office.

THE big men of the College of San Sebastian Staglets struck hard and fast and led the Recoletos cagers to an 84-54 smashing of Hector College-Roxas yesterday in Day 2 of the 11th season of SM-NBTC (National Basketball Training Center) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The 10th-seeded Staglets, who got their ranking after demolishing Camp DavidNew Zealand, 94-54, in Sunday’s classification match, once again drew big numbers from Damie Cuntapay and Romel Calahat.

Cuntapay banged in 13 points and seven

rebounds, while Calahat hit 12 points and eight rebounds for the Staglets in hurdling their round of 32 encounter.

“Lahat nag-stepup, kahit iyung mga seniors na paangat na,” said Staglets’ coach Melo Banua.

The Staglets moved into the “Sweet 16” second round and will meet the winner between the defending champion San Beda University Red Cubs and University of Baguio.

The Roxas City cagers, who were outrebounded, 50-12, fell behind after the Staglets limited them to just 12 points in the second period.

With Cuntapay leading the assault with seven points, the Staglets went on to enjoy a 13-point halftime spread, 37-24.

A total of 32 high school basketball teams, including champion teams from various leagues from all over the Philippines, as well as from Filipino communities based in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, are competing to stand out as the best high school team for this season.

Earlier, Cuntapay unloaded 13 points in the Staglets’ showdown with the Kiwis.

Durham of Canada also reached the Sweet 16 with the Staglets, along with UAAP champion Ateneo, Letran Knights

IF ALL goes according to plan, the newly-formed United Polo Players Association will deliver the Philippines at least three gold medals in the South East Asian Games, which the country will be hosting late next year.

“We vowed to give three of four gold medals in our sport. That’s our mission, but if we can add three more events, then we can win at least four to six golds,” said UPPA chairman and Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacmam Party-list) after getting the nod from Ricky Vargas and Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, newly-elected president and chairman, respectively, of the Philippine Olympic Committee, to stage the event that will be participated in by several rich and famous of the region, including the royalties of Brunei.

Choosing the right players for the team, according to Romero, is not much a problem since members of the association have been playing regularly here and abroad.

Romero said their biggest challenge is where the games will be held.

“That’s our challenge now. But first, the UPPA is very thankful to the POC leadership for recognizing our association. We will do everything we can to make our hosting truly a memorable one,” said Romero, who has previously led the cycling and shooting associations.

UPPA is headed by Coco Garcia, son of former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, with Hollywood film producer Jun Juban as secretary general, Tonio Veloso as executive general and Jun Eusebio as vice chairman.

The projected events, according to Garcia, are the men’s 2-4 goals, men’s 5-8 goals, men’s seniors and women’s 0-2 goal.

Adamson, UST faceoff for all the marbles Game today

(Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium) 9 a.m. – AdU vs UST (Softball Finals)

ADAMSON University and University of Santo Tomas clash one final time to determine the UAAP Season 80 softball champions today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

First pitch is at 9 a.m.

The Lady Falcons displayed tremendous poise to beat the Tigresses, 8-5, last Friday and send the best-of-three championship series to a rubber match.

UST nipped Adamson University, 4-3, in the Finals opener.

The Lady Falcons hope to hurdle their biggest test in their long reign, as the San Marcelino-based softbelles are gunning for an eighth consecutive crown.

A victory will follow up Adamson University’s title conquest against De La Salle in baseball last Friday, ending an eight-year title drought.

It was also the Falcons, who became the last that team swept the softball and baseball championship in the 2008-09 season.

With the momentum shifting to Adamson University, coach Ana Santiago hopes that all the gains it achieved in last Friday’s series-tying win won’t go down the drain.

“Sa pagkakapanalo namin (sa Game 2), mag-iiba mentality ng mga bata,” said Santiago.

It has been so long since Tigresses ruled the league since 2009-10, when Aiza dela Torre led them to their firstever title, as coach Sandy Barredo is hoping that they will finally pull through against the Lady Falcons.

“UST is still a tough team. Nasa kanila ang No. 1 pitcher in the Philippines,” said Santiago, referring to Ann Antolihao. “Kailangang mag-tama kami uli. Second, huwag bibitaw ang mga bata. Walang pahinga.”

The Lady Falcons have a bevy of batters that will pose problems for Antolihao if everyone clicked in this ultimate game.

SSC Staglets smash Hector College-Roxas in NBTC tourney

By Peter Atencio

Polo execs getting ready for ‘19 SEAG

and the Aus-Pinoy team of Australia.

The Canadians, who prevailed over the Letran Knights, 80-75, in the classification round, came up with a similar 80-75 win over University of Baguio, with Tyler Garcia shooting 28 points.

Kai Sotto unloaded 15 points for the topseeded Ateneo Blue Eaglets in their 98-47 walloping of New Ormoc City National High School, while the Knights won over Assumption College-Davao, 86-83, with Andray Guarino scoring 11 points with four others.

Danielle Mallari topscored for 21 points in carrying the Australians to an 86-79 edging of Assumption Montessori-Cagayan de Oro.

Romero

Garcia and Juban also intend to stage at least three indoor events.

For the event to push through, Juban said they need to rehabilitate the Clark Air Base and Bulacan polo fields, put up horse stables that can accommodate at least 200 horses and build an indoor polo arena in Clark.

At least P50 million, according to Garcia is needed to satisfy all the requirements.

“We have only 18 months to prepare that’s why we are doing our best to get all the support we can from the private and government sectors,” said Juban.

Superal takes aim at 2nd title PRINCESS Superal brims with confidence as she heads to Riviera Golf and Country Club tomorrow (Wednesday), ready to go for a second straight Ladies Philippine Golf Tour crown in the ICTSI Riviera Ladies Classic in Silang, Cavite.

Supeal snapped a long title spell with a record-setting 16-stroke victory over Cyna Rodriguez in windy play at Tagaytay Highlands, making her the marked player in the P750,000 event which features practically the same field she dominated last week.

“I feel good after that big win and I’m really confident going to Riviera,” said Superal, who expects the same tough condition at the par-72 Couples layout during the 54-hole championship serving as the sixth leg of this year’s LPGT. She is also bracing for her rivals’ big fightback, particularly Rodriguez, who is trying to recall the form that netted her multiple leg victories and three Order of Merit titles in the country’s premier ladies circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. Chihiro Ikeda, meanwhile, hopes to play in full strength after a minor wrist injury hampered her bid at Highlands, which she led in the first round only to falter in the last 36 holes and end up a distant third.

Meanwhile, Chouvarest Chourkittisopon, a veteran of the Ladies European Tour, hopes to get into the mix early together with compatriot Amolkan Phalajivin, the best Thai finisher at fourth last week.

A host of top amateurs are also in the fold, including last week’s topnotcher Kristine Torralba, Laia Barro, Mafy Singson, Alex Etter, Samantha Dizon, Japanese Kelly Marutani, Koreans Rho Hyun Ji, Jang Yun Ji and Kim Hui Won and Canada’s Sharon Park.

IN BRIEF AF Payments bares tie-up with Coins.ph AF Payments Inc., a consortium led by Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., teamed up with Coins.ph, the leading digital wallet and mobile payments app, to enable commuters to load their beep card using near field communication-enabled Android smartphones.

“Coins.ph provides beep cardholders the ability to load their cards anytime, anywhere just by tapping their card on their smartphone.

This added convenience means no more falling in line to add load during the busy rush hour,” AF Payments president and chief executive Peter Maher said.

The partnership is directly driving the adoption of cashless payments in the Philippines. It is also expected to inspire enterprising individuals to earn additional income by providing beep card loading services to more than four million beep cardholders to date.

Coins.ph, licensed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as an electronic money issuer and remittance and transfer company, aims to foster financial inclusion and promote mobile payments in the Philippines.

With four million customers, Coins.ph allows everyone including unbanked and underbanked customers to store value in their Coins.ph wallets, send money to family and friends, pay their bills, buy load and make payments across the Philippines directly from their phone. Darwin G Amojelar

Business

Globe says system refresh completed GLOBE Telecom Inc. completed its system refresh and opted out 100 percent of its customers with prepaid or postpaid value added service subscriptions to protect subscribers from unknown load deductions and improve overall experience.

Beginning March 10, customers were notified about the completion of the VAS system refresh and given new instructions should they wish to re-enroll to any VAS of their choice.

“As a purpose-led organization, we are committed to do what is right for our customers and provide a better connected experience.

The VAS system refresh provides all customers with prior subscriptions with a fresh start so they will have peace of mind and truly enjoy the service as originally intended,” Globe general counsel Froilan Castelo said.

On March 5, Globe started its VAS system refresh and has enforced upon its VAS providers to strictly comply with set guidelines before being able to push subscription content or fulfillment of services via load credit.

VAS providers will only be allowed to send out content that the customer actively requests following the three-step verification process. Darwin G Amojelar

THE country’s balance of payments in February 2018 posted a lower deficit of $429 million compared with the $436-million gap a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

The regulator said in a statement the outflows in February stemmed mainly from foreign exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral and payments made by the national government on maturing foreign exchange obligations.

“These were partially offset, however, by net foreign currency deposits of the NG and income from the BSP’s invest-

STANDARD INSURANCE’S 4TH AWARD. Standard Insurance

Inc., country’s leading motorcar insurance company, is awarded for the fourth time the 2017 Best General Insurance Company by World Finance, a London-based magazine on global economy, business and financial services.

Standard Insurance president John Echauz (right) receives the award from World Finance news media producer Paul Richardson at the London Stock Exchange Studio. Standard Insurance also has been accorded a national-scale claims-paying ability of A (single A ) and an international scale investment rating of BB (double B)

by Global Credit Rating Co., a highly reputable rating agency operating across four continents and whose major owners are DEG/KFW of the German government and the Carlyle Group.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

B

By Alena Mae S. Flores

BINONDO HERITAGE BUILDING. China Banking Corp. president William Whang (second from left) shakes hands with heritage architect Manuel Noche after the signing of a contract to engage Noche + Architects to restore China Bank’s original head office in Binondo. Noche is the secretary of the Heritage Conservation Society advocating for the restoration and renewal of the Binondo area.

With them are (from left) China Bank senior vice president Alexander Escucha, chairman of the Binondo Heritage Project Committee, and executive vice president Rosemarie Gan, group head of the bank’s retail banking business.

PH begins sale of Panda bonds worth P12b—BSP T HE Philippines will issue its inaugural 1.46-billion (approximately P12 billion) worth of renminbidenominated bonds, or Panda bonds, on March 20, 2018, the Investor Relations Office of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

The Panda bonds, with a three-year tenor, will be issued in the onshore Chinese bond market today (March 20), with settlement set on March 23.

“We are upbeat about this activity because of the significant interest from the market based on the inquiries and feedback we have received,” National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said in a statement.

The issuance follows an international deal roadshow by the Philippine delegation led by de Leon and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo. The delegation in the roadshow held from March 14-16 met potential investors in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China to expound on the terms of the bond issuance and to provide updates on the Philippine economy.

The Philippine delegation’s economic briefing received overwhelming partici-

pation, especially from onshore investors in Beijing.

“The issuance will be taking advantage of the Bond Connect scheme, which allows offshore investors to participate.

Demand from both onshore and offshore investors will allow the Republic to secure a favorable rate upon pricing date,” the IRO said.

Backed by the Philippines’ strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the bonds are rated “AAA” by China’s Lianhe Credit Rating Co. Ltd. The Philippines is currently rated “Baa2” by Moody’s Investors Service and “BBB” by Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, all one notch higher than the minimum investment grade for sovereigns.

The IRO said the Panda bonds issuance was part of the Philippine government’s efforts to diversify its investor

base. The RMB proceeds will be deposited with the Bangko Sentral. Once converted, the peso proceeds will help fund government infrastructure projects and other financing requirements.

“The Panda bonds issuance is very timely given the sustained strengthening of the Philippines’ credit profile, which is a result of long history of vital structural reforms. Investors have been encouraged to invest because the Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in the region with a strong record in inflation management.

Moreover, the country enjoys resilient external payments position, improving debt dynamics, and stable banking system,” Guinigundo said.

De Leon and Guinigundo also cited during the roadshow the Philippines’ robust growth outlook over the medium term on the back of the government’s massive infrastructure program, which comes amid continued observance of fiscal discipline. They stressed the public spending program on human capital development to realize the country’s demographic dividend from its young population. Julito G. Rada

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. on Monday reported a net income after tax of P10.37 billion in 2017, up 39 percent from P7.44 billion in 2017, despite aggressive competition and the two-and-ahalf-month maintenance shutdown of its Tabangao refinery in Batangas.

Pilipinas Shell said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the robust earnings were driven by strong retail volume growth following a network expansion and sustained uptake of its world-class V-Power fuels, strong regional refining margins and inventory holding gains.

“Pilipinas Shell delivered P10.4 billion in net income and generated P10.7 billion of cash from operations in 2017, 39 percent and 26 percent higher than the prior year. This is a testament to the company’s commitment and continuing focus towards robust cash generation at optimal returns,” said Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive officer Cesar Romero.

Romero said the higher earnings in 2017 would allow the company to sustain its commitment to high dividend payout at industry-leading dividend yields.

“We are proud to reward our shareholders with a P5.14 dividend per share. This represents a superior dividend yield of close to 9 percent based on the share price at the time of our dividend announcement, making SHLPH one of the highest dividend yielding stocks listed on the PSE. We see this as an attestation of our drive and aspiration to be valued as a worldclass, and strategic long-term investment opportunity,” he said.

Sales reached P169.47 billion in 2017, higher than P136.78 billion in 2016. Retail sales volume rose four percent, underpinned by high premium fuel penetration at 27 percent.

V-Power Diesel and V-Power Gasoline uptake increased 17 percent and 7 percent, respectively, due to the successful introduction of V-Power with the breakthrough DYNAFLEX technology.

Subic investments decreased by 46% to P3.63b last year

By Othel V. Campos

BoP in February registered lower deficit of $429m

By Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Pilipinas Shell says ‘17 profit topped P10b

Pilmico buys corn from Bukidon co-op PILMICO Foods Corp., the food and agribusiness unit of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., has teamed with a local farmers cooperative for an inclusive sourcing project for corn—a primary ingredient in producing animal feeds products.

Pilmico under the program will directly secure corn from the Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers Cooperative, a farmers’ cooperative organized in Mantibugao, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

MARBFC actively pursues various projects and ventures to assist its 300 members gain access to improved production resources, facilities and livelihood opportunities. The beneficiary cooperative was selected through the support of the Department of Agriculture Corn Program Team and the Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon local government unit.

The partnership was formalized during a ceremonial signing held recently at Cagayan de Oro City, witnessed by Manolo Fortich Mayor Clive Quiño and DA Region 10 Director Carlene Collado.

This is the first time Pilmico, which has been producing high quality animal feeds products for more than 20 years, has ventured in an inclusive sourcing program with a local farmers group.

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

ments abroad during the month,” it said.

The February figure brought the BoP position in the first two months of the year to a deficit of $961 million, up from $445 million year-on-year.

“The higher cumulative BoP deficit for the first two months of the year may be attributed partly to the widening merchandise deficit in January 2018 (based on Philippine Statistics Authority data) as well as higher net outflows of foreign portfolio investments (based on BSPregistered transactions) for the first two months of the year,” the Bangko Sentral said.

The BoP position reflected the final gross international reserves level of

$80.4 billion as of end-February 2018.

At this level, the GIR represents more than ample liquidity buffer and is equivalent to 7.9 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It is also equivalent to 5.6 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.1 times based on residual maturity.

The Bangko Sentral said the current account, one of the main components of the balance of payments, more than doubled to $2.5 billion in 2017 from the $1.2-billion deficit a year ago on the back mainly of the widening trade-ingoods deficit.

Calaca coal-fired power plant unit back in operation

By Alena Mae S. Flores SEM-Calaca Power Corp. on Monday announced the resumption of operations of unit one of its 600-megawatt, coal-fired power plant in Calaca, Batangas.

Sem-Calaca, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Semirara Mining and Power Corp., operates the 2 x 300MW coal-fired thermal power plant in Calaca.

The company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange unit 1 was synchronized to the grid on March 17 and produced an average load capacity of 250 MW starting Monday.

Sem-Calaca earlier said unit 1 of SCPC went on an unplanned outage to give way to boiler slags removal.

Sem-Calaca disclosed early this month that Unit 2 was also undergoing a planned outage to include the thorough assessment/inspection of the unit prior to the final phase of the rehabilitation (life extension program) in 2019.

“Unit 2 is expected to be back online by end of the month,” Sem-Calaca said earlier.

Sem-Calaca unit Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. reported that Unit 1 of its 300-MW power unit in Batangas was put on unplanned outage since Tuesday due to abnormal equipment vibration.

SLPGC operates Unit 3 of Calaca power plant complex. Unit 3 is located adjacent to SCPC’s 600 MW coal-fired power plant.

INVESTMENT commitments registered by the Subic Bay Freeport in 2017 dropped 46 percent to P3.63 billion from P6.71 billion in 2016.

Data from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority showed that investments from new investors fell 60 percent to P6.35 billion from P2.54 billion a year ago despite a 66-percent increase in the number of new locators.

The data showed the free port reported 239 new investors in 2017, up 66 percent from 144 in 2016.

The number of expanding projects also rose 70 percent to 63 in 2017 from 37 projects a year ago.

Despite a surge of 203 percent in investments from expanding locators to P1.09 billion from P0.36 billion in 2017, total employment in 2017 fell 1.8 percent to 4,309 workers from 4,389 in 2016.

The SBMA said Philippine exports from the port increased to $2.33 billion from $1.69 billion while imports climbed 11 percent to $1.17 billion from $1.6 billion.

The SBMA also reported that revenues increased 4 percent to P3.08 billion from P2.95 billion.

The Subic Bay Freeport gets income from leases, port services, regulatory fees, environment and tourism administrative fees, common usage service area fees, tourism and others.

Leases in the free port contributed the biggest share in total revenue source. It rose 6 percent to P1.52 billion in 2017 from P1.44 billion in 2016.

The free port in 2017 generated 70,650 jobs in the services sector, 33,593 in shipbuilding, 15,303 in manufacturing and 8,621 in construction.

The Subic Bay Freeport remitted P20.22 billion to the national government and the provincial government of Zambales in 2017.

B2

Business

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks dip slightly; Now tumbles

T

HE stock market fell slightly at the close of trading Monday after last-minute buying capped losses in early trading ahead of the monetary policy meeting Thursday of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 2.61 points, or 0.03 percent, to 8,235.54 on a value turnover of P8.5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 168 to 62, with 37 issue unchanged.

Speculative issue Now Corp., which is bidding to become the country’s third major telecommunications company, sank 22.3 percent to P9.87, while MRC Allied Inc. tumbled 17.6 percent to P0.56.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp., the biggest coal miner, slumped 6.7 per-

cent to P30.15, while casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. dropped 3.6 percent to P14.32.

Tokyo, meanwhile, sank on Monday as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s political future hangs in the balance over a cronyism scandal, while Asian traders moved cautiously before a crucial US Federal Reserve meeting.

Among other markets Shanghai ended up 0.3 percent. Earlier, it emerged that reformer and US-educated Yi Gang was the only nominee to take over as governor of the People’s Bank of China.

Yi recently said the central bank would work to push through reforms that will bring about “equal treatment for domestic and foreign investors.”

Hong Kong was up 0.2 percent in the afternoon. But CK Hutchison Holdings was down 1.5 percent after the city’s richest person and investment “Superman” Li Ka-shing announced Friday he

would step down as chairman.

CK Asset Holdings fell 0.4 percent.

Elsewhere Sydney added 0.2 percent, but Singapore fell 0.1 percent and Seoul dropped 0.8 percent. There were also losses in Bangkok, Jakarta and Wellington.

After fluctuating last week on worries about a possible global trade war and Donald Trump’s removal of moderate voices in his cabinet, regional equities are struggling to maintain a run of gains.

Investors are also keeping an eye on Washington after another outburst by Trump against a probe by special counsel Robert Mueller into claims of Russian meddling and collusion with the tycoon’s campaign in the 2016 presidential election.

There are fears in some quarters that Trump is planning to fire Mueller. Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader warned that if he did, then “all

heck could break loose on markets.”

In Japan, the Nikkei finished 0.9 percent lower as Abe and Finance Minister Taro Aso are embroiled a scandal over the cut-price sale of government land to a supporter of the prime minister to open an elementary school.

The finance ministry has admitted altering documents related to the deal.

A weekend poll by the Asahi Shimbun daily found public support nosediving 13 percentage points from a month ago to 31 percent, the lowest since Abe took power in December 2012.

Abe denies any wrongdoing.

The key event this week is the Fed’s next policy meeting, which will be the first for new boss Jerome Powell. The bank is expected to raise interest rates again but Powell’s remarks will be closely followed for clues about future increases, with some predicting another three this year in light of an improving economy. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.6 4,360 115 990,270 3.1 114,000 149 1,296,930 1.67 157,000 35.1 215,100 15.5 5,000 30.3 675,800 3.41 42,000 0.65 20,000 1.64 9,000 900 90 0.57 1,267,000 87.55 7,639,590 1.12 4,188,000 12.6 60,000 23.45 6,100 56.35 39,100 241 7,900 106 2,430 87 100 46.15 43,900 254 433,040 1,925 105 90.75 7,960 1.21 71,000

259,838 113,015,574 363,320 191,002,085 266,720 7,567,540 77,450 20,650,965 142,700 13,000 14,380 81,800 701,090 668,375,826 4,838,670 756,000 132,835 2,206,611 1,907,874 256,308 8,700 2,026,120 106,434,730 202,375 720,050 85,910

234,842 -31,085,743 3,240 -30,110,612 5,100 1,030,705 -1,771,355 3,280 -8,836,385.50 784,900 -1,897,512.50 125,528 15,299,854 471,287 -

38.55 13.92 0.57 1.29 18.98 0.22 170 3.74 17.4 290 50 24 61.2 74 86.1 2.04 5.45 10.14 11.36 14.54 10.74 7.38 5.65 16.3 64.1 25.5 9.47 17.5 2.24 295.2 51.15 4.8 3.05 18 26 16.48 20.25 328.8 0.189 7.88 2.76 4.91 9 6.05 8.05 1.53 12.12 60 6.1 614 4.7 2.38 3.4 2.3 15.3 5.28 0.136 1 144 2.66 1.95 0.8

INDUSTRIAL 39 916,000 14.04 1,267,700 0.57 703,000 1.3 774,000 19.28 10,200 0.227 2,090,000 178 4,790 3.77 3,221,000 17.6 581,000 300 430 52 415,520 24.15 277,000 61.2 6,270 76 37,480 101 2,060 2.04 4,473,000 5.45 54,000 10.4 27,200 11.78 752,300 14.7 99,300 10.8 1,705,800 7.39 21,700 5.71 1,206,500 16.6 985,000 64.1 538,680 25.7 57,700 9.5 32,200 17.5 4,657,000 2.36 15,709,000 298 531,280 51.15 470 4.84 376,800 3.27 67,000 18 2,200 26.45 549,500 16.48 49,900 20.25 476,700 329 145,640 0.195 9,540,000 7.88 60,100 2.76 1,837,000 5.08 1,654,400 9.05 1,046,200 6.07 195,200 8.1 28,200 1.53 1,065,000 12.14 260,100 60.95 1,894,360 6.1 10,100 617 14,030 4.7 18,000 2.4 270,000 3.4 41,000 2.3 5,414,000 15.32 91,000 5.33 86,000 0.136 470,000 1.02 358,000 151 438,870 2.81 2,000 2.03 26,402,000 0.86 22,778,000

35,716,025 17,756,012 408,230 1,005,260 193,960 475,000 883,500 12,232,920 10,203,406 133,430 21,108,204.50 6,961,670 383,808 3,138,874.50 226,572.50 9,505,960 295,633 276,044 8,702,020 1,452,540 18,712,974 162,142 6,889,244 16,289,532 34,809,817.50 1,477,300 306,015 83,932,742 38,099,400 157,765,092 24,040.50 1,822,642 206,120 39,740 14,531,195 824,390 9,739,030 47,968,054 1,856,960 480,583 5,241,880 8,289,393 9,453,990 1,183,015 228,748 1,631,860 3,191,102 115,483,214.50 61,610 8,657,450 84,600 654,640 139,500 12,749,240 1,394,908 458,886 64,060 361,920 65,234,631 5,470 54,326,300 19,640,850

1,661,205 2,406,810 290,000.00 -38,700 -161,900 615,830 8,793,136 625,178.50 -1,007,240 -16,608 6,240 -43,650 0 1,166,766 -94,900 11,298,834 -54,893 3,277,613 727,156 -2,126,417.50 5,100 -53,200 -23,800,882 953,540 23,835,774 9,960 64,520 -2,121,940 -140,356 -1,611,320 8,557,520 230,000 2,815,200 856,135 -1,564,220 4,866 504,900 -673,140 -42,748,222.50 -42,230 14,460 -30,610 -177,912 9,630 27,275,085 98,830 9,780

0.315 72.05 14.6 0.94 7.5 0.63 0.65 1,010 1,700 7.42 13.68 7.57 0.209 1,316 7.24 64.6 5.47 0.68 5.26 19.9 0.84 5.61 3.31 0.048 1.23 3.25 2.54 140.5 2.57 941 0.82 1.81 600 275 0.247 0.204 0.219

0.3 69.85 14.32 0.91 7.38 0.58 0.6 995 1,450 7.38 13.42 7.2 0.191 1,289 7.19 62.2 5.47 0.64 5.16 19.12 0.59 5.53 3.31 0.046 1.13 3.13 2.54 138 2.57 933 0.82 1.7 481 273 0.237 0.19 0.21

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 770,000 71.55 1,568,960 14.38 2,414,700 0.93 415,000 7.5 187,700 0.58 24,590,000 0.6 16,323,000 1,010 185,980 1,450 20 7.38 2,554,900 13.66 2,100,600 7.56 82,900 0.199 870,000 1,296 72,065 7.21 1,600 63.5 6,735,990 5.47 100 0.66 823,000 5.16 440,200 19.46 4,097,900 0.73 89,028,000 5.55 33,077,600 3.31 1,000 0.046 25,000,000 1.18 3,210,000 3.13 2,074,000 2.54 4,000 139.5 233,040 2.57 2,000 940.5 264,190 0.82 57,000 1.7 1,650,000 500 3,840 273 690 0.237 1,130,000 0.191 3,720,000 0.21 2,430,000

231,950 111,301,490.50 34,852,728 378,790 1,402,583 14,700,970 10,131,420 186,478,355 32,500 18,915,909 28,481,218 603,776 168,280 93,271,655 11,546 423,117,387.50 547 528,740 2,273,754 79,522,378 65,041,350 183,681,422 3,310 1,165,200 3,758,590 6,571,840 10,160 32,473,494 5,140 247,848,745 46,740 2,861,250 1,948,599 189,038 272,280 718,780 516,350

-49,713,956.50 5,769,112 6,613,860 27,952,595 6,528,765 8,237,072 3,680,205 -99,751,921.50 -1,705,453 11,492,566 8,105,920 5,741,274.00 65,710 -1,391,368 -1,995,410 89,600 -16,580 214,500

7.01 1.07 19.8 2.1 0.88 41.5 3.78 4.9 6.3 6.99 7.69 0.45 1.12 1.02 0.28 0.475 34 0.65 0.128 1.75 1.4 1.01 4.9

6.9 1.01 18.4 2.06 0.85 40.85 3.71 4.78 6.13 6.22 6.2 0.425 1.06 0.99 0.26 0.45 32.1 0.64 0.126 1.73 1.37 0.93 4.77

8,763,552 8,457,610 10,144,420 208,660 3,460,820 578,470,575 1,024,310 10,738,020 860,323 170,607 79,571 19,149,700 205,140 376,080 17,305,100 302,750 27,099,865 170,900 174,660 31,627,370 3,367,030 6,283,400 268,108,980

-1,323,737 223,560 -2,333,132 4,000 -58,872,390 -342,400 2,306,000 92,946 5,383 -1,200,700 20,000 -285,700 -200 -253,930 -6,805,240 -1,390 574,110 237,521,970

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.6 114.4 3.24 148 1.65 35.2 15.6 30.8 3.55 0.65 1.64 910 0.56 89 1.2 12.6 22.05 56.4 244 111 87 46.1 246 1,930 90 1.21

59.6 115 3.24 150 1.77 35.5 15.6 30.9 3.55 0.65 1.64 910 0.58 89.45 1.21 12.6 23.45 57.4 244 111 87 46.2 254 1,930 91 1.21

59.3 113.5 3.1 146 1.65 35.1 15.46 30.2 3.38 0.65 1.56 900 0.55 86.7 1.12 12.6 21.55 56.3 240 105 87 46.1 243 1,925 90 1.21

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

39.4 13.98 0.6 1.31 19 0.22 180 3.74 17.68 300 51 28.2 62.4 90 124.8 2.1 5.45 10.5 11.76 14.78 11 7.38 5.65 16.74 66.8 25.5 9.6 17.82 2.53 299.6 51.15 5.05 3.34 18.16 27.15 16.8 20.8 332.4 0.203 8.05 2.8 5.12 9 6.1 8.11 1.57 12.52 60 6.1 618 4.7 2.48 3.41 2.45 15.3 5.45 0.138 1.04 149.9 2.66 2 0.99

39.4 14.04 0.6 1.31 19.4 0.237 200 3.9 17.68 340 52 28.2 62.4 90 124.8 2.21 5.5 10.5 11.78 14.78 11 7.75 5.89 16.78 66.8 26 9.6 18.4 2.64 299.6 51.15 5.05 3.34 18.16 27.15 16.8 20.8 332.4 0.203 8.05 2.89 5.12 9.1 6.17 8.13 1.57 12.52 61.15 6.1 619 4.7 2.51 3.41 2.54 15.4 5.45 0.139 1.04 151 2.81 2.1 0.99

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

0.315 72 14.38 0.93 7.5 0.62 0.65 995 1,650 7.41 13.5 7.57 0.194 1,297 7.24 64.6 5.47 0.68 5.17 19.9 0.62 5.6 3.31 0.048 1.13 3.24 2.54 140.5 2.57 940.5 0.82 1.71 600 275 0.247 0.195 0.219

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 IRC PROP MEGAWORLD

6.99 1.06 18.9 2.1 0.87 41 3.78 4.9 6.3 6.69 7.69 0.43 1.06 1.01 0.275 0.455 34 0.65 0.128 1.75 1.38 0.97 4.9

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.67 0.44 0.55 4.3 20.7 2.08 3.24 34.9 0.99 22 0.83 6.49

0.67 0.44 0.55 4.3 20.7 2.08 3.29 35 1.02 22 0.86 6.5

0.56 0.39 0.52 4.17 20.15 1.95 3.24 34.4 0.99 18.06 0.82 6.3

0.56 0.39 0.53 4.2 20.5 2 3.29 34.5 1 18.5 0.86 6.4

608,865,000 17,150,000 1,624,000 854,000 840,000 893,000 613,000 9,036,800 559,000 429,000 231,000 3,950,000

370,762,980 6,942,150 860,950 3,590,230 17,098,030 1,781,800 2,000,630 312,546,460 560,940 8,426,691 190,370 25,122,265

-5,646,520 566,500 1,794,150 271,300 -9,720 63,784,515 20,078 -8,044,276

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

0.052 0.066 0.128 0.435 0.52 0.53 0.59 0.9 1.02 1.17 1.3 1.47 1.48 2.41 2.65 2.66 3.14 3.22 3.3 3.41 4.82 5.05 5.6 6.34 6.39 7.01 7.44 7.5 7.75 8.28 8.48 8.96 10.64 11 11.3 11.98 12.62 13.1 13.28 14.66 15.5 16.84 18 27.1 29.2 33.4 53.3 84.5 100 107.5 109 320 1,520 1,675

0.055 0.066 0.129 0.45 0.52 0.56 0.61 0.92 1.03 1.19 1.3 1.51 1.53 2.53 2.65 2.66 3.14 3.3 3.54 3.44 4.82 5.2 5.6 6.38 7.49 7.01 7.45 7.6 7.75 8.28 8.88 8.96 10.64 11 11.32 11.98 12.7 13.1 13.28 14.66 15.5 18.3 18 27.25 29.2 33.7 53.45 85 100 109 118 323 1,523 1,675

0.051 0.063 0.127 0.425 0.495 0.44 0.54 0.88 1 1.11 1.22 1.47 1.47 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.86 3.19 3.27 3.4 4.82 5.04 5.21 6.29 6.35 6.81 7.26 7.4 7.6 8.28 7.8 8.96 10.64 10.3 11.1 11 9.54 12.22 13.28 14.3 14.16 16.84 17.92 26.8 28.7 28.5 53.15 83.8 98.2 107.5 107.5 306.4 1,520 1,653

SERVICES 0.051 0.064 0.127 0.445 0.495 0.45 0.55 0.9 1.02 1.13 1.29 1.48 1.49 2.42 2.63 2.6 2.87 3.19 3.3 3.4 4.82 5.1 5.36 6.3 7.06 6.9 7.26 7.45 7.6 8.28 8.12 8.96 10.64 10.9 11.18 11.2 9.87 12.5 13.28 14.32 14.56 17.78 18 26.95 28.8 28.8 53.35 84.6 99 108.9 107.5 318 1,521 1,669

104,960,000 108,360,000 4,850,000 4,660,000 140,000 128,044,000 23,029,000 47,627,000 1,397,000 11,122,000 1,676,000 4,214,000 857,000 29,000 2,424,000 75,000 109,000 210,000 3,710,000 232,000 3,200 170,700 3,344,100 307,600 39,091,900 1,187,000 1,134,800 138,600 1,640,800 10,000 1,813,500 2,500 100 5,100 1,789,600 379,500 53,803,500 22,100 800 9,420,100 44,400 3,200 30,200 2,577,400 165,300 239,900 1,003,330 1,773,260 23,030 750,410 9,110 40,060 122,705 39,515

5,464,630 6,957,590 616,890 2,044,650 69,825 62,728,550 13,006,920 42,728,410 1,405,540 12,732,250 2,121,210 6,257,200 1,263,570 71,350 6,331,850 197,000 314,320 673,560 12,488,400 790,250 15,424 870,884 18,115,502 1,942,314 272,091,947 8,146,188 8,338,655 1,032,704 12,610,751 82,800 15,026,203 22,400 1,064 53,438 20,074,524 4,265,234 576,409,760 278,568 10,624 135,671,090 648,774 55,184 542,464 69,570,500 4,810,785 7,209,535 53,525,911 149,799,789.50 2,276,505.50 81,616,782 1,017,459 12,576,504 186,690,515 65,796,775

-50,440 278,200 -43,000 2,392,960 -20,740 31,740 20,200 -288,930 1,058,040 5,171,470 -46,800 3,140 834,170 10,170 -46,759 -472,701 118,307 16,397 18,325 1,081,335 2,961,322.00 4,480 8,521,116 5,218,501 54,945,004 14,209,885 8,040 36,599,191.50 -19,704,835.50 -799,198 18,863,754 -159,330 -159,450 41,594,095 1,047,820

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

0.0037 0.0069 0.0095 0.012 0.012 0.15 0.155 0.212 0.31 0.45 0.96 1.17 1.5 1.61 1.66 1.68 1.69 2.22 2.59 4.86 6.1 6.25 7.16 13.68 16.12 32.3

0.0038 0.0069 0.0095 0.012 0.012 0.15 0.155 0.226 0.325 0.45 0.96 1.19 1.58 1.62 1.66 1.68 1.69 2.23 2.59 4.9 6.13 6.3 7.16 13.68 18 32.95

0.0035 0.0067 0.0094 0.012 0.011 0.148 0.155 0.212 0.305 0.44 0.89 1.15 1.5 1.57 1.63 1.63 1.66 2.21 2.51 4.85 6.06 6.16 7.16 11.74 16.12 30.15

MINING & OIL 0.0037 2,920,000,000 0.0067 3,000,000 0.0094 26,000,000 0.012 500,000 0.012 28,400,000 0.15 1,270,000 0.155 1,560,000 0.223 360,000 0.31 1,640,000 0.44 110,000 0.91 2,123,000 1.18 429,000 1.58 154,000 1.58 6,247,000 1.63 29,000 1.63 3,344,000 1.66 18,000 2.21 36,000 2.52 3,063,000 4.88 79,000 6.06 149,000 6.2 809,600 7.16 200 11.78 9,186,200 18 5,500 30.15 4,392,400

10,550,900 20,300 246,100 6,000 340,600 189,940 241,800 76,960 507,400 49,300 1,926,040 504,970 240,510 9,933,850 47,810 5,538,950 30,250 79,940 7,748,860 385,930 907,082 5,025,599 1,432 115,705,416 90,916 136,375,415

-226,000 6,900 4,800 -9,300 4,680 474,670 114,970 1,111,510 -4,870 42,737 2,980,777 -39,713,988 -49,368,620.00

LR PREF GMA HLDG PDR ABS HLDG PDR SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2I SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2C HOUSE PREF A DD PREF FGEN PREF F PNX PREF 3A ALCO PREF B PNX PREF 3B AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 PF PREF 2 GTCAP PREF A

1.06 6.1 28.5 75.5 76 76.9 77.4 77.5 78.25 101 102.1 102.6 104.9 107 110 510 514 1,000 1,009

1.07 6.29 28.5 75.5 76 76.9 78 77.5 78.5 101 102.2 102.6 104.9 107 110 518 514 1,009 1,009

1.06 6.1 28.25 75.5 76 76.4 77.4 77.5 76.55 101 102.1 102.6 104.9 107 110 510 512 1,000 1,009

PREFERRED 1.07 128,000 6.26 7,300 28.25 279,200 75.5 50 76 29,870 76.4 11,800 77.5 4,300 77.5 2,400 76.55 91,030 101 4,500 102.1 8,500 102.6 20 104.9 200 107 490 110 330 518 70 514 7,270 1,000 500 1,009 100

136,650 45,745 7,931,515 3,775 2,270,120 901,584 333,800 186,000 7,102,145.50 454,500 867,909 2,052 20,980 52,430 36,300 36,180 3,722,600 503,510 100,900

45,135 -743,475 -3,775 -978,120 -7,023,248 -

LR WARRANT

4.14

5.15

4.14

WARRANTS 4.87 29,577,000

134,647,320

-651,380.00

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.88 3.12 3.31 3.5

5.89 3.12 3.39 3.6

4.95 3.1 3.2 3.24

5.19 3.1 3.31 3.27

36,176,509 24,880 1,042,770 18,316,560

1,298,828 -320,480 -77,720

FIRST METRO ETF

125.9

126.2

124.7

1,431,947

20,020

630 10,200

-

MS

PROPERTY 7 1.02 19.3 2.06 0.85 41.5 3.71 4.8 6.29 6.26 6.22 0.45 1.12 1 0.26 0.475 32.1 0.64 0.126 1.73 1.39 0.96 4.83

1,257,100 8,177,000 535,000 101,000 4,054,000 14,074,200 275,000 2,230,000 138,800 25,800 11,000 43,700,000 192,000 375,000 65,030,000 660,000 826,400 267,000 1,370,000 18,258,000 2,430,000 6,446,000 55,496,000

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.5 10.2

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

10.5 10.2

SHARES

18,413,213

INDUSTRIAL

254,058,372

HOLDING FIRMS

231,605,334

PROPERTY

871,125,969

SERVICES

604,020,677

MINING & OIL

3,014,170,246

GRAND TOTAL

5,005,981,885

10.5 10.2

SME

6,712,600 8,000 321,000 5,528,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 125.2 11,420 10.5 10.2

DDS

60 1,000

VALUE 2,152.56 (up) 10.73 1,264,761,849.36 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,500.72 (down) -118.7 1,015,343,341.558 HOLDING FIRMS 8,208.06 (up) 4.79 1,862,435,827.6 PROPERTY 3,708.55 (down) -4.48 1,719.87 (down) -9.36 1,747,961,150.065 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,702.84 (down) -519.99 2,233,784,295.25 PSEI 8,235.54 (down) -2.61 296,796,396.386 All Shares Index 4,948.8 (down) -33.7 8,478,100,691.48 Gainers: 62; Losers: 168; Unchanged: 37; Total: 267

Megaworld turning over P30-b condo units in 2018

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp. of tycoon Andrew Tan said it is ready to turn over P30 billion worth of residential projects in Fort Bonfacio, Taguig this year, its biggest handover to date.

Megaworld said in disclosure to the stock exchange it would deliver 2,300 residential units to buyers from five condominium developments within three townships projects in Fort Bonifacio.

“This is so far our biggest inventory for turnover in Fort Bonifacio within a year. These projects are primarily located in our three bustling townships where demand for residential projects continues to go up, primarily fueled by the migration of several corporate offices within the Fort district,” said Megaworld senior vice president for sales and marketing Noli Hernandez.

Residential projects ready for turnover include Florence Tower 1, Viceroy East Tower and The Venice–Giovanni Tower in McKinley Hill; St. Moritz Private Estate in McKinley West; One Uptown Residence; and Uptown Ritz in Uptown Bonifacio.

Viceroy East Tower, The Florence and the Venice Luxury Residences boast of their strategic location surrounding the iconic Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill.

The three residential developments are also within walking distance from educational institutions, such as Enderun, Chinese International School and Korean International School, as well as from several office towers where companies like United Health Group, Wells Fargo, Samsung, Abbott and Concentrix hold operations.

One Uptown Residence and Uptown Ritz, meanwhile, are strategically linked to Uptown Mall and Uptown Parade in Uptown Bonifacio, while St. Moritz Private Estate is the first residential tower development to rise in McKinley West.

Megaworld in 2017 also delivered 1,000 residential units in Makati Central Business District with a total sales value of P9 billion. These projects include the 30-storey Paseo Heights and the 50-story Three Central, both in Salcedo Village in Makati CBD.

Pure Foods likely to postpone huge share sale to Q3 SAN Miguel Pure Foods Co. Inc. may move its planned share sale worth between P100 billion and P150 billion to the second half of the year given the successive fund raising activities in the market capital markets.

A highly placed banking source the Pure Foods follow-on offering, which would be the largest equity offering in the the history of the stock market in the Philippines, might have to take place in the third of quarter of 2018. The source noted that the market was currently flooded with companies raising funds from the equities and debt market.

“We need to give market a time to rest,” the source said.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., San Miguel Global Power Holdings Inc. and San Miguel Corp. have issued fixed rate bonds equivalent to a combined P43 billion since the start of the year. NLEX Corp., meanwhile, plans to offer bonds worth P6 billion.

Two companies—Robinsons Land Corp. and the Philippine Stock Exchange—completed their right offering worth a combined P23 billion.

In the pipeline are the rights offerings of two of the country’s biggest banks, namely Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. of the Ty family, which is looking to raise P60 billion, and Bank of the Philippine Islands of conglomerate Ayala Corp., which plans to raise another P50 billion.

Two more companies plan to conduct their maiden share offering in the first half of the year—Del Monte Philippines Inc and DM Wenceslao and & Associates Inc.—worth P16 billion and P17 billion, respectively.

Sources said two local investment banks, namely BPI Capital Corp. and BDO Capital and Investments Corp., and three foreign banks—JPMorgan, UBS and Morgan Stanley-will arrange the huge Pre Foods transaction.

If the P150-billion ($1.5 billion) share sale of Pure Foods pushed through, it would be the largest equity deal in the local bourse and easily surpass the P38billion ($912 million) follow-on offering of airline and tobacco billionaire Lucio Tan’s LT Group Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

World

TODAY

IN BRIEF Suu Kyi scraps public appearance SYDNEY―Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday pulled out of a public speech and question-and-answer session in Sydney because she was “not feeling well”, the event’s organizers said.

Suu Kyi has been under fire internationally for her public silence about a military crackdown in Myanmar’s Rakhine state that has seen nearly 700,000 of the Muslim Rohingya minority flee to Bangladesh.

Suu Kyi, who attended an special AseanAustralia summit on Friday-Sunday, was in Canberra for talks with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull Monday. She had been due to make a keynote speech at the Lowy Institute think-tank in Sydney Tuesday.

The speech and subsequent Q and A session would have been the only public comments the Nobel Prize winner would have made during her Australia trip.

“This afternoon the Lowy Institute was informed by the Myanmar embassy that the State Counselor will no longer be able to participate in this event as she is not feeling well,” a spokeswoman for the think-tank said in a statement.

“Accordingly, the event is now canceled.”

The Rohingya humanitarian crisis was one of the key topics at the special summit between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Australia, with other leaders quizzing her about the issue during a gathering Sunday, Turnbull said.

Malaysia’s leader Najib Razak had warned Saturday that the issue could threaten regional security since those victimized could fall prey to extremist groups like the Islamic State. AFP

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, World Editor

Experts head to Britain to collect toxin samples

L

ONDON―International chemical weapons experts were due to arrive in Britain Monday to collect samples of a nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy as London accused Moscow of stockpiling the toxin used in the attack.

The poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in the English city of Salisbury on March 4 has triggered a crisis with Britain and Russia expelling diplomats in tit-for-tat measures.

London and its allies have blamed Moscow for the attack that left the Skripals in critical condition after exposure to a nerve agent.

Technical experts from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will visit Britain on Monday to collect samples of the toxin, which London says is a Soviet-designed military grade nerve agent called Novichok.

“These will then be dispatched to highly-reputable international laboratories selected by the OPCW for testing with the results expected to take a minimum of two weeks,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in a statement.

President Vladimir Putin has rejected

the allegations Russia was behind the attack.

“It’s complete drivel, rubbish, nonsense that somebody in Russia would allow themselves to do such a thing ahead of elections and the World Cup,” Putin told supporters Sunday after winning a fourth term as president.

“We have destroyed all chemical weapons,” he said, adding that Russia was ready to take part in the investigation.

Putin’s comments came after British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson accused Russia of stockpiling the nerve agent used in the attack.

“We actually have evidence within the last 10 years that Russia has not only been investigating the delivery of nerve agents for the purposes of assassination, but has also been creating and stockpiling Novichok,” Johnson told the BBC’s

Russia’s Putin wins 4th term with record vote

Andrew Marr Show.

Johnson said Britain would target wealth linked to the Kremlin in response to the poisoning of the former Russian double agent.

“Where people have obtained wealth by corruption and where we can see a link with the Kremlin, with Vladimir Putin, it may be possible to have unexplained wealth orders and other sanctions on those individuals,” he said.

Johnson said the government was considering something similar to the US “Magnitsky Act” which was adopted in 2012 to punish Russian officials accused of human rights violations.

The act imposed a visa ban and froze the assets of Russian officials implicated in the death of lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, a tax fraud whistle blower who died in Russian custody in 2009.

Johnson accused the Russians of “smug sarcasm and denial” in response to the accusations, and said the international community was behind Britain.

Moscow’s “malign, disruptive behavior” internationally was the reason why allies were “inclined not to give Russia the benefit of the doubt,” he added. AFP

MOSCOW―Russia is on Sunday set to elect Vladimir Putin to a historic fourth Kremlin term, as the country faces increasing isolation over a spy poisoning in Britain and a fresh round of US sanctions.

Putin, who has ruled Russia for almost two decades, is polling at around 70 percent and is sure to extend his term to 2024 despite a lackluster campaign.

In the run-up to the election, he and a compliant state media have sought to reinforce his image as the man who restored stability and national pride after the humiliating collapse of the USSR. Putin has sought to emphasize Russia’s role as a major world power, recently boasting of its “invincible” new weapons and doubling down on Moscow’s support for the Syrian regime in a bloody civil war.

Rising tensions with the West over the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in Britain, and new sanctions from Washington over alleged election meddling, strengthen the impression of a Russia at loggerheads with the rest of the world.

“In America and Europe, they are trying to make us bend over and kneel, but we’re still standing,” Sergei Babayev, a 55-year-old transport manager, told AFP in central Moscow shortly ahead of the vote. AFP

Notice is hereby given that on 08 March 2016, Power Systems R&D Philippines, Inc. (the “Corporation”) approved its dissolution by shortening its corporate term up to 31 March 2016 only.

‘Magic tree’ slowly coming back to life DIBULLA, Colombia―The guaimaro, a highly prized tree bearing nutritious fruit, once abundant throughout South America, is slowly being coaxed back from near extinction in Colombia.

Widely adaptable, the tree is resistant to drought―though not, sadly, to man.

Deforestation has decimated the bountiful tree, whose leaves and fruit have for centuries sustained animals and humans alike.

“Without trees, there is no water, and without water, there are no trees.

People cut it, burn it for cultivation, for their livestock. Wood is scarce and the rivers are drying up,” lamented Manuel Duran.

With a weary hand, the 61-year-old farmer raised his straw hat and wiped the sweat from his brow.

A searing sun beat down on the dry forest near Duran’s home outside Dibulla, in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. Here, in Colombia’s northeastern Guajira region, new life is being breathed back into stocks of the beloved tree.

More than 900 kilometers away, in Medellin, hundreds of global experts are gathered around the planet’s sickbed this week. The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services will make its diagnosis later this month on the health of the world’s fauna, flora and soil.

Conscious of the damage caused by rapacious agricultural practices, Duran has joined in a reforestation program run by a French-Colombian NGO. “The guaimaro is a magic tree,” said Daisy Tarrier, the 39-year-old director of the NGO Envol Vert. She enthusiastically lists the qualities of its fruit, a sort of orange nut rich in nutrients.

Brosimum alicastrum, to give the tree its scientific name, grows from Mexico to Brazil. Depending on the country, it is known variously as ramon, campeche, ojoche, mewu or, in English, as maya nut. AFP

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All persons having claims against the Corporation are requested to contact Franchette M. Acosta, its Corporate Secretary, with address at 11th Avenue corner 39th Street, Bonifacio Triangle, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

This announcement will serve as a notice to all parties concerned regarding the closure of the business of the Corporation.

(MS-MAR. 6,13 & 20, 2018)

Invitation to Bid for Procurement of three (3) Years Janitorial service for casino filiPino cebu and its satellites under itb no. Pb18-02-002ceb The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Procurement of Three (3) years Janitorial Services for Casino Filipino Cebu and Its Satellites under ITB No.PB18-02-002CEB. Brief Description

IN BLOOM. This photo taken on March 17, 2018, shows a crowd of people with umbrellas looking at cherry blossoms at the Wuhan University in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province. AFP

North Korea in talks to free US detainees SEOUL―North Korea is in talks with the US and Sweden to release three Americans held in the North, reports said, as diplomatic activities gathered pace ahead of Pyongyang’s planned summits with Washington and Seoul.

The release of the three Korean-Americans― all held in the North after being separately charged with unspecified “hostile acts” against the regime―is under discussion through multiple channels almost two weeks after President Donald Trump agreed to meet the North’s Kim Jong Un, reports said.

While Pyongyang has yet to confirm it even made the summit offer―relayed by Seoul envoys who had met Kim in Pyongyang―the stunning announcement has triggered a race to set a credible agenda for what would be historic talks between the two leaders.

Seoul-based MBC TV station reported Sunday that Pyongyang and Washington had “practically reached” a final agreement on the release of Kim Hak-song, Kim Sang-duk and Kim Dong-chul.

“They are hammering out details over the tim-

ing of the release,” it quoted an unnamed South Korean diplomatic source as saying.

The negotiation was held through the North’s mission to the United Nations and the US State Department―an unofficial avenue of communication dubbed the “New York channel,” the source said.

CNN said the prisoners’ release was also discussed at three-day talks in Stockholm between the North’s Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho and Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom that ended Saturday.

Sweden represents Washington’s interests in talks with the North. It raised the issue of American detainees to “move things in the right direction,” CNN quoted one source as saying.

“Any movement on the issue of these detainees would be a huge deal for the US,” said the source.

Kim Dong-chul, a South Korea-born American pastor, has been detained by the North since 2015 when he was arrested for spying. He was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor in 2016.

AFP

Build Build Build’s road and rail projects ALL that has been said and written about the Duterte administration’s Build Build Build program—the “golden age of infrastructure”—has centered on the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the expansion of a number of other major airports and the construction of the nation’s first subway system. But these projects by no means constitute the total of infrastructure projects to be implemented between 2018 and 2022 under the Build Build Build program. The program includes a number of major road and rail projects.

These road and rail projects are Philippine National Railways (PNR) North Rail, PNR South Rail, the Luzon Spine Expressway and Mindanao Rail. These and the rest of the Build Build Build projects are estimated to cost P3.6 trillion and raise the contribution of infrastructure spending to GDP (gross domestic product) from an estimated 5.4 percent in 2017 to 7.4 percent in 2022.

PNR North Rail, which has a price tag

of approximately P225 million, will connect Manila’s Tutuban Station to Pampanga’s Clark International Airport, a distance of 100 kilometers. The 350,000 passengers who are expected to use the line daily will complete the Tutuban-Clark journey in 55 minutes.

PNR South Rail, which will connect Manila with the Bicol region, will be made of two stretches. The first stretch, from Manila to Los Banos - a distance of 75 kms – will be able to accommodate up to 400,000 passengers daily upon its completion in 2022.

The Luzon Spine Expressway is a more ambitious undertaking, for it will start in La Union and end in the Bicol region. It will encompass road projects that are already underway – including the project that will link NLEX (the North Luzon Expressway) and SLEX (the South Luzon Expressway).

When the Luzon Spine Expressway is completed, travel time between La Union and the Bicol region will be reduced to under 12 hours.

Mindanao Rail will be a colossal project.

For one thing, there is the distance that it will cover: the 2,000 miles between Tagum and the cities of Davao and Digos. For another, there is the project’s price tag: P32

billion. Expected to be completed in 2021, Mindanao Rail will be able to carry 117,000 passengers daily. The travel time between Tagum and Digos will be reduced to just an hour.

These road and rail projects are ambitious but necessary overdue. They will do much to increase the pace of economic development in the areas that they are intended to cover. This is particularly true of Mindanao Rail, which will operate in an area that so badly needs a massive injection of economic stimulus.

The timetables – completion by 2021 in most cases – are scary. The project costs are even scarier. Adequately financing the projects will require heavy borrowing – domestically as well as externally – of both the hard and the concessional kind.

Will the Duterte administration be able to deliver on the roads-and-rails component of its Build Build Build program? I very much doubt it. Infrastructure projects require long planning-and-startup periods, and the bigger the projects, the longer the needed planningand-startup periods.

There are only four years left in President Duterte’s term, and the last years will be highly charged politically.

Contract Duration (for general support services) Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction:

Source of Funds:

Procurement of Three (3) years Janitorial Services for Casino Filipino Cebu and Its Satellites under ITB No. PB18-02-002CEB To commence the Three (3)-year contract within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed by the winning contractor.

The ABC for the project is in the amount of SeventyThree Million Seven Hundred Seventy-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Fifteen Pesos and 80/100 (Php 73,778,815.80), for Three Years, Vat Exclusive, Zero rated Transaction.

Twenty-Four Million Five Hundred Ninety-Two Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-Eight Pesos and 60/100 (Php 24,592,938.60) for One (1) Year, Vat Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction Corporate Budget for CY 2017

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

PAGCOR will hold a Pre-Bid Conference, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of bidding activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference

Date, Time and Venue March 20, 2018 to April 10, 2018 March 28, 2018,3:00pm 3rd Level, Conference Room, Casino Filipino Cebu Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Salinas Drive Lahug Cebu City

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of April 10, 2018, 2:00pm Bids 3rd Level, Procurement Section, Casino Filipino Cebu Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Salinas Drive Lahug Cebu City 4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids April 10, 2018, 2:01 pm 3rd Level, Conference Room, Casino Filipino Cebu Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, Salinas Drive Lahug Cebu City

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Procurement Section (PS), acting as the BBAC Secretariat, of PAGCOR and/or inspect the Bidding Documents at 3rd Level, Casino Filipino Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Salinas Drive, Lahug Cebu City during office hours of PAGCOR from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 50,000.00) Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the applicable fee of the Bidding Documents not later than the deadline for the submission and receipt of bids.

Prospective bidders should present to Casino Filipino Cebu’s Finance Section located at the Third 3rd Level, Casino Filipino Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Salinas Drive, Lahug Cebu City or the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Fee Slip which may be secured from PD/PS or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents.

Bidders shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of his bid, and PAGCOR will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the bidding process.

Bidders should note that PAGCOR will accept bids only from those that have paid the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18..

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

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 062005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) shall use a nondiscretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.

The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

PAGCORreserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Please address all communications to the Branch Bids and Awards Committee thru PS, 3rd Level, Casino Filipino Cebu, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Salinas Drive, Lahug Cebu City, Tel No.: 032-2329888 local 5265 or 032-2684989.

JOEL G. CANTOS (Sgd) Chairman Branch Bids and Awards Committee (BBAC) CF-Cebu

(MS-MAR. 20, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

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Estrada orders anti-rabies drive, free vaccines for pets in Manila

LoCaL GoVeRNmeNt uNIts

tuesday, march 20, 2018

By Vito Barcelo CRASH AFTERMATH.

Coffins are closed at the wake of the family of Noel dela Rosa (inset, being interviewed by a TV crew) at the Parokya ni Santiago Apostol Chapel in Barangay Lumang Bayan, Plaridel, Bulacan.

They were the family that perished when a sixseater Piper light airplane crashed into their home while they were having lunch on Sunday. The crash also killed all five of the plane’s passengers, including pilot Capt. Ruel M. Melloria and Chief Mechanic Romeo Huenda (inset). Orlan Mauricio

In BrIef NV BIR exceeds 2017 tax target BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— The Bureau of Internal Revenue here has exceeded its tax collection mark from the previous year by 21.54 percent, officials said.

Cesar Balangatan, BIR Revenue District Officer, said their total tax collection last year was P1.098 billion, surpassing their 2016 revenue collection and making Nueva Vizcaya one of the biggest contributors in taxes in the country.

For 2018, their tax goal is at P2.039 billion, as Nueva Vizcaya needs to achieve or surpass a tax goal of P1.294 billion, compared to their 2017 tax target of P1.054 billion, Balangatan said.

He expressed optimism on some of the amendments in the present tax system from the previous Republic Act 8424 and the new RA 10963, especially on individual income tax and excise tax, which will boost their tax collection in the province.

“While the new rate in excise tax wherein the excise tax on mineral products is common in the province.

The BIR will now collect 4% from the extraction of sand and gravel from quarry which is 2% higher from the past rate,” the BIR official added in a recent flag raising program at the provincial capitol.

Governor Carlos Padilla also expressed support to the BIR and assured their compliance on their tax collection programs and policies.

Ben Moses Ebreo

SBMA looks for more space in 2 provinces

By Romeo Dizon

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LARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it is now negotiating with the local government units in the two provinces to solve the lack of land for its industrial expansion program.

Wilma T. Eisma, SBMA chairperson and administrator, said she is now negotiating with the governments of San Antonio, Castillejos, Subic, and San Marcelino, all in Zambales; and Hermosa, Dinalupihan, and Morong, all in Bataan, for an additional 5,000 hectares of land for its expansion.

During a media forum here, Eisma said the negotiations with the local governments, through council resolutions, are now going smoothly, as the SBMA

is very interested to provide additional hectares for the Freeport’s expansion.

A town adjacent to the Freeport has already provided nine hectares of land, but it is good for tourism purposes and not for industrial use, Eisma said.

“What I need is an additional 5,000 hectares of land for the industrial development,” she added. “Due to a lack of space, we are now holding the expansion program of Freeport until such time we solve our problem, in coopera-

NEW GEAR.

Makati Mayor Abigail Binay speaks during the formal turnover on Monday of 17 new disaster response vehicles and firefighting equipment to the city police headquarters and the Bureau of Fire Protection at the Central Fire Station in Makati City.

Lino Santos

Joy: QC mayoralty bid depends ‘on God’s will’ QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said Monday her plan to run for mayor in the 2019 elections depends on “God’s will.”

“If my becoming mayor would achieve my goal to improve the people’s welfare, well and good. But if it is not the will of God, that would just be fine with me,” said Belmonte, who turned 48 last March 15.

Quoting Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Belmonte said a true public servant must not dream of getting a high position simply for “selfish reasons.”

“We must not only think of ourselves, but of the betterment of the people,” she said. Rio N. Araja

QC to acquire Baesa land for housing project THE Quezon City Council has authorized Mayor Herbert M. Bautista to acquire through negotiated sale a parcel of land for the development of an onsite Socialize Housing Project for Informal Settlers Families in Barangay Baesa.

The area identified as lot 1023-B, PSD-38414 in Barangay Baesa, consists of about 2,000 square meters.

The land was covered by Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) no. 0042017005888 registered under Francisco C. Reyes and spouse Benilda.

City Resolution 7185-2017, introduced by Councilor Marivic Co-Pilar, is expected to benefit around 102 ISFs presently occupying the property.

The task force on Socialized Housing and Development of Blighted Areas said it aims to provide affordable and decent housing to informal settlers in Quezon City.

tion with the local government units.”

The Freeport recently rejected additional locators and investors, mostly Taiwanese and Japanese, she added.

Created under Republic Act 7227 on March 13, 1992, the SBMA occupies 65,000 hectares, land that is mostly mountainous and beach areas. It is currently occupied by 1,500 locators and investors with total investments of $3 billion, employing 128,000 people from Bataan, Zambales, and Pampanga.

According to Eisma, the Freeport earned P800 million in net income last year.

During the forum, the administrator also said she closed five firms—four of them schools—who are not paying their dues, while she warned five others they would be shut down if they fail to pay their financial obligations to SBMA.

Navotas hospital gets nod from DoH chief Duque

By Jun David

THE Navotas City Hospital has earned the approval of the Department of Health after the latter’s inspection of its facilities.

In his surprise visit to the NCH, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III lauded the city government for the notable quality of the hospital.

“I was impressed with the quality of the hospital. I wish other public hospitals would have the same quality of facilities as the NCH,” Duque said.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco welcomed the health secretary’s compliment and vowed to continue pursuing projects to improve the services of the NCH and other health facilities in the city.

The NCH opened to the public in 2015 with a 50-bed capacity. It offers services such as internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, ophthalmology/eye clinic, anesthesiology, community and out-patient services, laboratory, x-ray, ultrasound, and dental services.

Last year, five units of hemodialysis machines were installed at the NCH to

Chua one of 22 outstanding mayors MAYOR Dino Reyes Chua of Noveleta town in Cavite was adjudged as one of 22 Most Outstanding Mayors for 2018 by Superbrands International during the awarding rites held at City Club Makati.

Harry Tambuatco, President and CEO, and Karl Mclean, Chair of Superbrand Marketing International, handed over the prestigious plaque and coffee table book to the town chief executive.

Superbrand recognized the “eccentric projects” Chua has done to the locality in his one year in office as chief of the smallest town in the province.

Superbrand noted the “Doc to Door” clinic on wheels, the E-Trike

garbage collection “Oplan Tokbang Katok Basura,” the town’s regular monthly job fair, freebies for Noveleta senior citizens, and the revival of its Long Beach Tourism projects.

The 35-year-old Stanford University-trained Chua is also the president of the boutique airline Skyjet and owns hotels in Cavite, Makati, Boracay and Coron, Palawan.

Other mayoral awardees were Herbert Bautista of Quezon City, Oscar Malapitan of Caloocan City, Bernard Faustino Dy of Cauayan City, Isabela Province, Chevylle Farinas of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Maynard Sabili of Lipa City, Batangas, and Lani Mercado-Revilla of Bacoor City, Cavite.

serve up to 15 patients daily.

The city government plans to build an additional building that will increase the hospital’s total bed capacity to 100.

Navotas will also soon have a medical and wellness center that will replace the current Navotas Emergency and Lying-in Clinic.

This medical hub will offer drug testing, community-based rehabilitation and physical therapy, animal bite treatment, clinical laboratory, and diagnostic services such as ultrasound, ECG and x-ray exams.

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered the city’s Health department to conduct a massive free anti-rabies vaccination in Manila as part of the observance of the Rabies Awareness Month and to make the city rabies-free.

Estrada, who is seeking a third and last term in office, also ordered the department to go after stray dogs and cats to put them in city’s impounding ground and have them vaccinated with anti-rabies.

At the same time, Manila Health department chief Dr. Benjamin Yson encouraged pet owners to have their pets vaccinated to ensure their dogs and cats would not put residents in danger.

Records from the Department of Health showed that animal bite deaths rose from 200 to 300 yearly due to rabies infections.

The high incidence of rabies deaths was blamed on the rising number of stray dogs in the city’s streets and because some owners allowed their pets to roam freely, making them susceptible to rabies that may be transmitted to humans.

In 1999, during his incumbency as president, Estrada signed Executive Order No. 84 declaring March as National Rabies Prevention Month.

To prevent more deaths due to rabies, Estrada urged all barangay leaders to cooperate with the city’s antirabies program.

He said dog and cat bite victims does not cause instant death unless they did not seek immediate medical attention.

“But once you are bitten, as a precaution, go see a doctor right away and get anti-rabies vaccines,” Estrada said.

Since dogs and cats are common household pets and constantly have contact with humans, Estrada urged owners to have their pets vaccinated to protect them from infection.

The mayor also directed Yson and the Veterinary Inspection Board to conduct free deworming, spaying and other pet-related activities in all barangays in the city.

Jobs empower Tacloban’s women via CLEP program

By Robbie Pangilinan IN CELEBRATION of Women’s Month, the City Government of Tacloban is serious in making the 2017 to 2022 Women’s Month theme, “We Make Change Work for Women” truly work in the city.

Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez is making sure that Taclobanon women are active contributors and claimholders of development in the city.

She has pushed state-of-the-art infrastructures for women such as the Women’s Shelter Haus, a temporary shelter for violently abused women and children of Tacloban.

Women of Tacloban are also empowered through opportunities to earn an income for themselves and their families through the Cristina Learn and Earn Program.

Founded by Romualdez in 2008 when she was a city councilor, CLEP is a comprehensive livelihood entrepreneurial program that offers training courses year-round.

“Ten years ago, I looked at mothers here in Tacloban and saw that their free time can be a good opportunity for them to earn a living if trained with skilled courses,” said Mayor Cristina.

DUTERTE’S JOY.

President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte (right) at the opening of the Organic and Natural Expo Mindanao at the SMX Convention Center in Davao on Saturday. Belmonte, who is running for Mayor under Duterte’s PDP-Laban Party in next year’s elections, personally promoted her Linea Etnika business venture, which aims to provide sustainable livelihood to Yakan weavers from Mindanao.

Manny Palmero

Life

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

health and environment

@mstandardLIFe tuesday, march 20, 2018

Striking a balance between fitness and fashion

By Bernadette Lunas

M

ULTIFUNCTIONAL objects are a gem these days. If you can use the same item to do two or more different tasks or wear the same outfit to different occasions and locations, then you’ve struck gold.

This is where the athleisure trend comes in strong. Merriam-Webster defines athleisure as “casual clothing—like yoga pants, sweat pants, and hoodies—that are designed to be worn both for exercising and for doing (almost) everything else.”

The demand for sports leisure style continues to pick up because comfortable and durable clothing, the ones usually worn for physical activities, is now stylish. Individuals who lead an active lifestyle are spoilt for choice when it comes to outfits they can wear in the gym and beyond.

As brands and retailers continue to feed this trend, American footwear label Keds expands further its collection of athleisure shoes made of breathable and functional materials, and feature clean and feminine designs.

The Keds Studio collection is made of lightweight jersey and Dri-Freeze technology for ultimate breathability, molded foot beds and contoured arch shapes for support, padded neoprene at the heels for cushion, lightweight EVA foam with breathable perforations, and added arch support with channels for ventilation.

Keds focused on using breathable and lightweight materials to make each pair of Studio comfortable to wear all day.

Members of the press and bloggers join a yoga class at yoga+ in Makati.

“You can use them for your gym class or yoga class. But primarily, they are for your everyday errands—when you’re going to class, or dinner, or lunch break,” senior marketing associate for Keds Danica Enerio told Manila Standard.

Enerio however clarified that while Keds Studio shoes are inspired by fitness studio culture, they are not made for high intensity workouts or physical activities The collection is composed of two styles: the Studio Leap, a CVO upper pattern with fixed gore laces; and the Studio Liv, a slip-on iteration. Both Studio styles come in neutral shades of black and gray, as well as seasonal colors such as peony pink and coral.

Keds Studio aims to empower women to have a well-rounded lifestyle, to find the perfect balance between style and function, to go and get what she wants without sacrificing function or fashion.

“Our ladies are our main source of inspiration,” Keds president Gillian Meek said in a statement. “We know she’s looking for equal parts fashion and function, so we’ve created a collection that finds that balance and works with her modern style.”

Meek continued, “Whether she’s heading to a studio class after work or brunching with friends on the weekend, we want to offer a collection of shoes that takes her where she needs to go, and feels as good as it looks.”

A pair of Keds Studio is available for P3,495 at Keds stores nationwide. Go to keds.com.ph for more information.

Studio Liv Diamond Mesh in peony pink and Studio Leap in coral

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Keds Studio is evisioned to be the go-to shoes for light workouts and everyday errands.

(Inset) Each pair of Keds Studio is made of lightweight and breathable materials.

Asian Breast Center founder and president D.r Norman San Agustin (center) with (from left) Teresa Conde-Bilbao, Holly Reines, Sharon Horsman, and Terri Cutts.

Women’s clubs unite against breast cancer ThE gracious ladies of the Philippine chapters of British Women’s Association, American Women’s Club, and Australia New Zealand Association banded together to promote breast cancer awareness.

It all started when Sharon horsman, president of the British Women’s Association of the Philippines, discovered the newly opened Asian Breast Center at Centuria Medical Makati and met its founder Dr. Norman San Agustin.

Dr. San Agustin led a special talk, which the three groups organized, about a pressing issue concerning women. Seventy-five guests of the women’s clubs as well as British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce attended the morning Pink Tea event.

Asian Breast Center is the first freestanding for-profit-for-charity ambulatory comprehensive breast cancer center in Philippines. The center prides itself as a fully equipped, onestop specialty unit for the management of breast conditions. It provides holistic, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary approach to breast care including prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

The center hopes to be the first comprehensive ambulatory breast center outside the US to be recognized and certified by the American College of Surgeons. It strictly adheres to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s guidelines, which assure patients that they are getting the same quality and standard of care as when they go to leading breast cancer hospitals in the US. Upon learning about the breast center, horsman, American Women’s Club of the Philippines president holly Reines, British Women’s Association of the Philippines vice president Teresa Conde Bilbao, and Terri Cutts paid the Asian Breast Cancer

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy at Asian Breast Center

a visit in February to turn over cash donations.

“We were inspired by Dr. San Agustin’s story of giving back—of how a renowned doctor in the US specializing in breast cancer decided to come home and put up a for-profit-for-charity breast cancer facility to help his countrymen. That is a cause we believe in and support,” said horsman.

Among the services Asian Breast Center offers are: consultation, medical oncology, radiation oncology, minor breast surgeries, breast reconstruction, digital mammography, breast ultrasound, scintigraphy, and biopsy.

Reines, an early-stage cancer survivor, flies back to the United States annually to see her oncologist and undergo tests—a routine that she knows is important and yet “tedious and very expensive.”

“I was relieved when I found out about the services that Asian Breast Center offers because I don’t need to go to the US for my regular breast checkup,” shared Reines.

The center also offers the latest breast cancer therapy for early stag-

Turn to C2

Life

C2

tuesday, march 20, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Organic farming’s health

and environmental benefits

Sante New Zealand is one of the leading large scale organic farms and is the largest in New Zealand.

O

rGANIC farming is one of the key buzz words today among the health-conscious. But perhaps what most people don’t know is that the benefits of organic farming are more far-reaching than we think.

“Organic farming is not only profitable but is appealing as a way to a healthier diet,” said Peter hope, managing director for Santé New Zealand Limited and one of the leading authorities in organic farming. he added, “Organic farming has benefits for both health and environmental reasons.”

Organic fruits, vegetables, and grains are produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which usually has high doses of metals that may contain carcinogens.

For example, the commonly used herbicide roundup has been classified as a “probable human carcinogen,” while the insecticide chlorpyrifos has been associated with developmental delays in infants. Studies have also suggested that pesticide residues—at levels commonly found in the urine of kids in the US—may contribute to ADhD prevalence; they’ve also been linked to reduce sperm quality in men.

A 2014 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Nutrition found that organically grown crops were not only less likely to contain detectable levels of pesticides, but, because of differences in fertilization techniques, they were also 48 percent less likely to test positive for cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the liver and kidneys.

A nine-year study conducted by the US Department of Agriculture-Agriculture research Services showed organic farming builds up organic soil matter better than conventional no-till farming.

Moreover, not only does organic farming build healthy soil, it helps combat serious soil erosion. Organic farming also helps conserve water, as organic farmers spend time amending soil correctly and using mulch—these practices help conserve water.

As a holistic system, organic production is designed to improve the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-system that include the soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people. Ultimately, the goal of organic farming is to develop enterprises that are sustainable.

Organic practices in New Zealand began on a large scale back in the

Barley grass powder claims to be very potent in fighting free radicals that can cause damage to health

Women’s...

From C1

es, one of these is the Intraoperative radiation Therapy, an advanced breast cancer treatment for stage 0 to 1. Unlike other radiation therapies that radiate the whole breast, IOrT targets mainly the specific area wherein there’s cancer.

Traditional radiation therapy radiates the whole breast daily for 61/2 weeks or 33 treatments a few weeks after surgery whereas, the center’s IOrT radiates only the tumor cavity for 30 minutes or less at the time of the lumpectomy.

When the patient wakes up from

When not in tapings or events, Kim Chiu helps out in their family business.

1980s and has since grown into an important food segment among the market. In 2013, 17.15 million or 40 percent of farmlands have been designated as organic farms. This grew to 42 percent in 2014. Today, organic farming and the demand for organically-grown or produced foods is growing globally in many countries in Oceania, europe, Asia and North America.

“Santé New Zealand is one of the leading large scale organic farms and is the largest in New Zealand,” said hope.

“We produce the best organic barley that goes into all of our product lines.”

Santé International distributes organic wellness products. The company trades products that do not have synthetic, harmful ingredients while serving as a mounting venue for entrepreneurs. Among its flagship products is Santė Barley, a supplement made of 100 percent young barley grass that is grown in the Canterbury Plains of New Zealand and is certified organic by BioGro. Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare) has one of the most balanced nutrient profiles.

It has a combination of micronutrients which includes vitamins, amino acids, minerals, alkaline minerals, proteins, phytonutrients, antioxidants, chlorophyll, and enzymes. Barley grass powder claims to be very potent in fighting free radicals that can cause damage to health.

“We only use the fresh shoots as the key ingredients when we produce our products. Once we have harvested these, we re-plant the entire crop ensuring that our products use only young barley,” shared hope.

To know more about Santé and its products, visit its official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/santeofficial.ph or its website at www.santebarley.com.

surgery, the radiation therapy is completed, and she may get back to work in a few days.

For diagnosis, the Asian Breast Center has the Molecular Breast Imaging machine that can accurately detect cancer even on dense breasts which are common among Asian women.

“Most women diagnosed with breast cancer are afraid—I mean, we all are—but it is treatable especially when caught early on,” said horsman.

“With the world-class facilities and the standard of care that Asian Breast Center at Centuria Medical Makati has, it is comforting to have your treatments done here rather than go abroad.”

The Asian Breast Center is located on the 8th floor of Centuria Medical Makati at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue cor. Salamanca St. Makati City.

The Medical City-Clark boasts its own team of expert doctors

5 facts about OPCAB surgery The Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass surgery or OPCAB is considered a faster, safer, and less costly surgical procedure for heart patients. It is a proven surgical procedure that has successfully treated many patients with coronary heart diseases. And it is offered at The Medical City-Clark’s Cardiovascular Center.

To shed some light on OPCAB, experts from TMC-Clark share these five facts about the surgical procedure.

High-risk patients are eligible for It costs less this operation OPCAB requires fewer anesthehigh-risk cardiac operations are now managed with expertise. The heart-lung machine used in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgeries could be harmful since it increases the risk of a heart attack, more commonly in high-risk patients, as it needs to arrest the heart. On the other hand, OPCAB performs the procedure while the heart is still beating, overruling the need to use a heart-lung machine.

sia and without the added cost of the heart-lung machine, it cuts down the expenses of the patient. Since the recovery time is also shorter, there is less hospital room costs. TMC-Clark also offers the best package for catastrophic illnesses including coronary bypass graft with the Philhealth Z Benefit, which lowers the cost to ₱650,000, with PhilHealth shouldering ₱550,000. This means the patient only needs to pay a It results to a faster recovery time total of ₱100,000 for the operation.

Not using the heart-lung machine in most of the procedure will now remove It is accessible to North and its bad effects, resulting to the patient’s Central Luzon residents early recovery and early return to work. heart disease has remained one of Those who undergo the OPCAB surgery the top causes of mortality in North and usually recover within five to seven days Central Luzon. TMC-Clark has trained after the surgery. In addition to that, OP- doctors who have the same level of exCAB surgeries has the same success rate pertise as Metro Manila doctors. high as CABG surgeries, at 99 percent. quality medical services are not only found in Metro Manila, as The Medical It is performed by expert doctors City Clark offers the same high quality TMC-Clark houses a team of Thorac- surgery with less cost for the patient.

How do Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu conquer big days CeLeBrITIeS Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu, like many of us today, lead very active lives. They have days—big days—filled with physically exhausting and mentally draining activities.

What with their varied commitments and demanding schedules, every day, for them, is a big day.

Aside from his responsibilities as a local star, Avelino makes time for his passion for riding motorbikes and for his workouts to maintain his enviable physique, all while making sure to have time for date nights.

When not in tapings or events, Chiu does Muay Thai and trains for triathlon, helps out in their family business, and goes on occasional trips abroad with family and friends.

The two have enough energy to keep a healthy balance of work and “me” time with the help of Berocca.

The Vitamin B-complex in Berocca helps release the energy from the food we eat which we

ic Cardiovascular Surgeons who are locally and internationally accredited on their sub-specialties, a cardiovascular anesthesiologist, and an in-house cardiac critical care intensivist who performs OPCAB surgeries. These doctors were trained in the Philippine heart Center and are internationally recognized fellows from the American College of Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and the Asian Society of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.

need to replenish especially when doing physical challenges or when under emotional stress. Its combination is unique because aside from Vitamin B-complex, it also has vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and zinc which are clinically proven to give increased physical energy and mental sharpness to help you conquer big days.

Berocca invites everyone who wants to conquer their big days to try the new Berocca singles pack and share their experience on how they “Conquer Big Days” to get a chance to win an exciting day with Avelino and Chiu and appear with them on Umagang Kay Ganda.

Three weekly winners will also be selected, based on who visualized “Big Days” in a great way, to win a barkada adventure package, starting April 1.

To join, make a public social media post on Facebook or Instagram today until April 20 on how you “Conquer Big Days” and include the hashtags #BeroccaPH and #ConquerBigDays.

Paulo Avelino makes time for his passion for motorbikes

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Pumping up viewers’ emotions

O

N GEM this month, viewers can discover Tokyo and its surroundings like never before in the travel documentary Next Stop, Discovery.

They can indulge in dining with a twist in the reality series Gochi: Dinner is on You Tonight Season 3.

Also, they can learn how love for family and professional ethics collide in The Kitazawas: We Mind Our Own Business. Finally, it’s anything and everything under the sun in the intriguing game show Burning Questions! SP2.

Here’s the lineup on GEM this month: Next Stop, Discovery (airs every Thursday at 10:10 p.m.)

Using the stations along the railway line as destinations, the series introduces to viewers to hundreds of inexpensive, interesting, and easily reachable places within Tokyo and surrounding areas. Be captivated by the unique sights, distinct flavor and fascinating history in each neighborhood and get to know the real Tokyo from the inside out.

Gochi: Dinner is on You Tonight Season 3 (airs every Thursday at 9:00 p.m.)

DLS-CSB three-day summer dance camp poster

More laughs await in a new season of the hilarious dining competition variety 'Gochi: Dinner is on You.'

Celebrity guests get ready to indulge in a wide array of delicious treats prepared specially by world-renowned chefs. While the guests can order as many courses as they want, they have to be mindful that the total price of their dishes should not exceed their given budget. The guest who has the biggest price difference will have to be the one to pay for everybody’s meals.

The Kitazawas: We Mind Our Own Business (airs every Monday and Tuesday at 9:00 p.m.)

Shusaku is the youngest of three elite siblings and a police officer with a strong sense of justice. His brother is a heart surgeon who loves himself too much. His sister is a lawyer who has no common sense.

Raised by their headmaster father, these siblings try to prioritize their family’s happiness over common

sense or even the law. With strong personalities and opinions in the family, Shusaku is burdened with picking up the slack.

Burning Questions! SP2 (premieres on March 23, 9:00 p.m.)

Celebrity contestants’ general knowledge is put to the test with intriguing and bizarre questions, to which they must rack up the highest number of points to win and get a chance at the final challenge. But when two cunningly eloquent representatives, Mr. True and Mr. False, join in to muddle the minds of the contestants, will the celebrities be fooled? Who will emerge as the winner?

GEM is available on SKYCable Channel 116 in Metro Manila and on Channel 222 in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, and Baguio, as well as other cable operators nationwide.

Bianca Umali is all natural BIANCA Umali just laughs off the rumor she allegedly underwent nose surgery. According to speculations, her nose is so perfect now compared to her initial days in the ‘biz.

“I don’t know where they got that.

Definitely, it’s not true. I am confident and proud that this is all natural,” she exclaims.

Apart from her nose, her curvaceous figure at present is also being questioned.

This was after she recently posted in social media her photo in which she’s clad in a bikini that displayed her 22inch waistline.

“Oh, that one taken in Sorsogon?

Actually, I just found the shot lovely so I posted it. With regards to me being sexy, I achieved it through discipline and hard work. It all started when I did the fantasy series, ‘Mulawin V’s.

Ravena.’ I religiously worked out in the gym to meet the physical requirements of my character. I have my own trainer.

I also follow a strict diet. So again, it’s basically natural, no liposuction whatsoever,” she asserts.

There are comments surfacing that because she just turned 18, she is gradually shedding off her sweet image to a more daring one.

“Oh no! It’s not like that. Actually, I was in Sorsogon because I attended the wedding rites of one of my siblings.

We were on the beach so I guess, wearing a swimsuit is just normal, right? For me, it’s just a regular photo.

I never imagined that others would give a different interpretation to it,” she asserts.

How about being the cover of a men’s

magazine? “Of course not! I don’t have even the slightest of intention. M image would always be wholesome. It doesn’t mean that just because I turned 18, I’ll turn sexy already. Nope!” states Bianca.

Speaking of her recently concluded debut party, the beauteous lass is beaming with joy and pride.

“I was hands-on in the preparation.

From the invitation, food, token and yes...the gowns which I wore! I had three made by Dubai-based Filipino designer Fay Reyes. It’s truly one unforgettable event that I’ll always cherish!” For her 18 Treasures, some of the A-1 celebrities in the line-up include Marian Rivera, Vic Del Rosario, Jr., Dr. Manny Calayan, Annette Gozon and Willie Revillame. Interestingly, what’s her birthday wish? “Honestly, I hope I can travel alone to Japan and Greece,” says Bianca. *** According to Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, she’s very lucky to have Marlon Stockinger as a boyfriend.

“He’s very loving, understanding and supportive. During that time when I became Ms. Universe, he was with me every step of the way. He lets me have my moment,” she states.

Regarding her latest movie My Perfect You, the beauty queen-actress has only good words for her leading man Gerald Anderson.

“It was an amazing experience working with him! He made everything easy since he’s approachable and a perfect gentleman. Now I know why he’s well-loved by his leading ladies!”

Pia reveals that Marlon can’t attend

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, March 20, 2018

ACROSS 1 Mighty Dog rival 5 Ump’s cousin 8 The bride — white 12 Jeweler’s lens 14 Piglet’s papa 15 You said it!

16 White heron 17 Italian wine city 18 Sum and substance 19 Tobacco pipes 21 Medieval clown 23 Tint 24 Hope or Newhart 25 Dirty place 26 Engineless plane 30 Farm structures 32 Stopped a squeak 33 Concentration 37 “How’ve ya —?”

38 Oater sound effects 39 Brownish tint 40 Two-faced 42 Inflict, as damage 43 Diver’s hazard 44 Take care of 45 Do christies 48 Tulip color 49 Harmless lie 50 Straw hat 52 From Kyoto

57 Language of Pakistan 58 Signify 60 Car model 61 Sprinkle 62 House shaders 63 Port-au-Prince site 64 Census info 65 Wale 66 Riverbank growth DOWN 1 Waugh or Baldwin 2 Company emblem 3 Cat sound 4 Inaugurate 5 “ER” medic 6 Wolf, say 7 Pedro’s beans 8 Witty fellows 9 Leaves out 10 VCR button 11 Journal notation 13 Drew on glass 14 Pig movie 20 Not their 22 Poet’s black 24 Please, to Fritz 26 High desert of Asia 27 Debt securer 28 Henri’s aits 29 Durable fabric 30 Fairy tale

31 Not gentle 33 Yet to come 34 Frosted a cake 35 Thermometer type 36 Throw in the microwave 38 Sensational headline 41 Standard 42 Terre Haute’s river 44 Kind of boots 45 Goads a horse 46 Jeweler’s unit

47 Buddha’s land 49 Engine parts 51 Reunion attendee 52 Doorframe 53 At close quarters 54 Actress — Falco 55 Jade 56 Tennyson heroine 59 Inventor — Whitney

the premiere night of the movie. “He’s busy at the moment, but he’ll watch it in another time for sure,” she ends.

The much talked about photo of Bianca Umali taken in Sorsogon sparks speculation that the teen star is ready to shed her wholesome image.

Three-day dance camp with industry experts

SUMMER dance classes start early for “Dance Surge 2,” a three-day camp coached by respected performers from the industry, set to be held from March 21 to 23.

It begins with warm-ups in the form of open jam, while main classes begin at 5:30 p.m.. Members and alumni of The Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC), the official dance group of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), will mentor all workshops.

The participants will be led by successful stage performers in their respective dance genres, to include, Ballet

by Carissa Adea and Olivia Bugayong, Creative Movement and Contemporary

by Ronelson Yadao, Contemporary Dance by Cheska Vasallo, Jazz by Gian Arboleda, Broadway Jazz by Joel Angeles, Locking Choreography by Jacob Jaurigue, and Urban by Denise Uson, Nathan Escano, Paul Liggayu, Miles Soriano, Adam Alonzo, King Mistica, and Josh Vidamo.

Those interested may register per class or avail bundles of two, three or four classes. Packages come with a complimentary ticket to the dance show The Box of Amalgams and the Colors of Reality on Saturday, March 24, at the SDA Theater.

For inquiries and registration, visit SBRDC’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Simply Red...

Concept category for its show, Cast Me!, at the 5th Reality Television Awards 2017.

This was announced on Live.RTVAs. com and hosted by American Ninja Warriors host Matt Iseman. Other winners include RuPaul’s Drag Race, America’s Got Talent, Vanderpump Rules, The Price is Right, Perez Hilton, and Leah Remini.

Cast Me! aired first on Myx TV in 2016.

It is a 30-minute mash up of humor, drama and desperation set against the sizzling backdrop of Hollywood, California. In every episode, audiences see the creative thinking of DK Casting’s owner David Kang, his ferociously honest casting director Becky Wu, his hilarious Aussie import Ajay Rochester and the phenomenally flamboyant former child star Germán Legarreta, as they run castings for two very different clients and roles. The show was executive produced by Harlan Freedman, Kang, Charles Kim and Raymond Watt.

Myx TV General Manager Miguel Santos executive produced for Myx TV. Cast Me! won in the Unique Concept category. *** ABS-CBN primetime series The Blood Sisters is a certified hit among viewers nationwide as it registered a new all-time high national TV rating only weeks after its premiere.

On March 1, the Erich Gonzales-starrer recorded a national TV rating of 28.1 percent, or a 15.6-point lead versus its rival show Wowowin that only got 12.5 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Netizens also gripped on to the show’s thrilling scenes as each episode joined the list of trending topics online and received thousands of tweets.

The Blood Sister airs from Monday to Friday on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. *** Get the chance to experience Cannes!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to get funding for your film project.

This year, Philippines will be featured as one of only seven Spotlight countries which gets to showcase five film projects in development during an exclusive program attended by producers, sales agents, distributors, and film funds from all over the world.

Slots are still open to Filipino producers who have produced at least one commercially released feature film in the last three years. Said project must be previously featured in an international project market or international film lab.

To apply, send your projects decks (with a financial plan) and a two-minute video pitch to info@fdcp.ph (Subject: Cannes Producers Network Application).

Deadline of applications is on Friday, March 23.

From C4

VITTO MARQUEZ #FITBOI He surprised his mother Alma Moreno when he told her his desire to join showbiz.

The actress described her son by Joey Marquez as “shy”, but she knew he’d build his confidence under the management of Viva. In 2016, Vitto auditioned for ABSCBN’s boy group Hashtags, and a year later, he was officially launched as one of its members. To this day, Vitto is seen regularly on It’s Showtime.

In Squad Goals, he plays Tom, son of a retired basketball player and a model/ actress.

ANDREW MUHLACH #FUNNYBOI He pondered on joining showbiz when he was in high school. The desire to entertain grew even stronger when he reached college, so he decided to pursue it even with his busy schedule in school. His decision was fully supported by his family, especially his brother, Aga Muhlach. In 2016, he starred as the son of Herbert Bautista and Maricel Soriano in the movie Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin. In 2017, he worked with Jack Reid for the first time in the horror flick Darkroom.

Andrew aptly plays the role of a class clown by the name of Nat in Squad Goals.

DAN HUSHCKA #FUNKYBOI He was first known as a member of a boy group “Sugar High” in 2013. Singing was his reason for entering showbiz and his 14-year-old self once said that it’s what he’d want to do for the rest of his life. The boy turned into a young man, and now this Filipino-German is also into acting. In 2017, he was cast in Taddy Taddy Po, a family comedy on Sari Sari channel.

In Squad Goals, Dan plays Hans, a shy type music genius that keeps getting gigs as a DJ. Catch the #FBOIS on the following dates and venues: March 24-Ayala Malls Harbor Point; March 25-SM City Pampanga; April 7-SM City Tarlac; April 8-SM City Rosales; April 9-Fisher Mall; April 14Ayala Malls Legazpi; April 22 - SM City Bicutan; April 28-SM City Novaliches; and April 2 -Gaisano Starscene Davao.

Produced by VIVA Films, Squad Goals opens nationwide this summer. *** Following its nominations for Cynopsis Short Form Video Award for the shows, Discovering Routes and My Motto: Veterans Edition, Myx TV, the leading Englishlanguage Asian American entertainment network, continues its winning ways this year, winning recently in the Unique

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

New group girls will swoon over Fbois' Julian Trono (left) and Jack Reid

VIVA has gathered its young good looking men, put them together in a movie and hash-tagged them FBOIS. They are starring in this summer’s new “kilig” movie called Squad Goals that will open soon in theaters nationwide.

Who are these lads? Well, let’s meet them.

JULIAN TRONO #FLYBOI He broke into showbiz in 2009 as a host in the values-oriented children’s show Tropang Potchi. In 2010, he joined Party Pilipinas wherein he wowed the audience with his dance moves, earning him the title “Prince of the Dance Floor”.

Not one to limit himself, he tried out acting and appeared in several TV shows, such as Amaya (2011), Anna Karenina (2013), Niño (2014), Buena Familia (2015), and Dear Uge (2016).

In 2017, Julian played a significant role in Viva Films’ horror movie Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz. Not long after, he finally got his first leading role in the romantic comedy Fangirl, Fanboy, opposite Ella Cruz. And while honing his craft as an actor, Julian was

also enjoying as a recording artist with Viva Records.

His original songs include “Balang ISAH V. RED Araw, Isang Tingin,” and “Tumalon.”

This year, Julian has the pleasure of showing both his dancing and acting chops in the movie Squad Goals. He plays Benj, a student taking up engineering who is a secret dance guru called “Young D”.

JACK REID #FASTBOI He is on his third year in showbiz, and this Fil-Aussie has been working hard since to be recognized for his own capabilities and not just for being the youngest brother of James Reid.

In 2016, he was cast in the TV series Ang Panday and the game show Happy Truck Happinas. Last year, he starred in the horror flick Darkroom. His good looks and fashion sense have scored him a clothing endorsement contract.

This summer, Jack will surely have girls swooning over his character in Squad Goals. Jack plays Pads, a mass communication student who works part time as a bartender. This makes him drowse off during class. Continued on C3

Top influencers say ‘It’s time to love the sun’

SUMMER is definitely upon us, and in a tropical country like ours, we don’t have any choice but to simply just love the sun.

With all the promise of fun and good times, the one thing most of us consider as a drawback when summer comes is the sun and the potential harm that it can cause. But we don’t have to let this stop us though.

With this in mind, Watsons has tapped social media influencers Dani Barretto, Laureen Uy, and Nicole Hernandez to encourage everyone to “Love The Sun.” “Love The Sun” is Watsons’ Summer Campaign that puts out the message that one shouldn’t be afraid of the sun.

“When you stepped outside, you are already exposed to harmful elements that can damage your skin, so you have to protect yourself with the proper tool, and that’s sunscreen,” says Nicole who endorses Belo products.

Meanwhile, having skin asthma doesn’t prevent blogger Laureen to include the beach in her travel menu.

“I love having a tan. I go to the beach whenever possible but UV rays can be harmful. So, it’s good to know that there are products that you could use, not to mention that they are light and can easily be reapplied on your skin,” says Laureen.

Of course, skin isn’t the only thing that gets those rays and is prone to damage.

That’s why Watsons also has a range of hair care products available. Plus, vitamins and other health supplements are also on the shelves to help get you that “summer-ready” body.

Is it a beach trip that’s on the menu?

What about an epic road trip with friends to explore new getaways? Maybe you’re out to get your game on and play some outdoor sports? Or just kick it back on a staycation weekend? Whatever it is, you know you’ve got to have the right sun protection products in tow.

“Love The Sun” is in partnership with brands like Nivea, Banana Boat, Sunplay, Biore, Dermplus, Kojie San, Neutrogena, Solstice, Beach Hut, Hawaiian Tropic, Cetaphil, Olay, Pond’s, Snow, Celeteque, Thiocell, Shiro, Gluta-C, L’oreal, Vaseline, Creamsilk, Pantene, Vitress, Veet, Lactacyd, Dentiste, Chic, Bobbie and Body Fantasies.

Plus, all SMAC members can get a chance to win a trip for four to any of the following destinations: Japan, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

Every P500 single-receipt purchase of participating products is equivalent to 1 e-raffle entry to join the promo.

'Love The Sun' ambassadors Dani Barretto (left) and Laureen Uy

BROADCAST company GMA Network, Inc. takes a significant step in the continuous strengthening and improvement of the Network’s News Department with a P154 million investment on a Newsroom Automation System (NAS).

A signing of agreement between GMA Network and Vizrt was held on March 14 at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City. Representing the Network were GMAChairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, GMA President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., and GMA Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong, while signing for Vizrt were its APAC President Michael Namatinia and CTO Petter Ole Jakobsen.

Also present from the Network were GMA’s Senior Vice President for News

Members of the cast of ‘Bagani’ pose for the cameras during a thanksgiving press conference held at the Dolphy Theater on Thursday.

‘BAGANI’

continues to conquer primetime

T

HE lead stars of the ABS-CBN’s newest hit fantasy series— Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil, Matteo Guidicelli, Sofia Andres, and Makisig Morales—expressed their heartfelt gratitude to all the viewers who continue to support their epic journey during a press conference held at the Dolphy Theater.

The cast sent their warm messages of thanks to all Kapamilyas who watched them on free to air TV, online via iWant TV, and worldwide via The Filipino Channel that made the series a consistent top-rater on weeknights and a consistent trending topic on social media.

This week, the battle among the five tribes of Sansinukob begins. After Dakil (Christian Vasquez) threatened to kill Lakas’ (Enrique) mother, Lila (Ana Abad Santos), the young warrior was left with no choice but to betray Ganda (Liza) and let the desert region conquer the farm region.

The trade region, meanwhile, was about to conquer the farm region when the former found out that it had already been invaded by the desert region.

Lakam opted to stage a fake rescue instead, making them the heroes in the eyes of the farmers.

On the other hand, a misunderstanding occurred between the forest and sea regions, stirred by the taga-kalakal, causing the two to fight each other.

As all the chaos happened, the deity of Sansinukob, Apo (Diether Ocampo) and his brother Sarimaw (Ryan Eigenmann), watched over them.

Meanwhile, also during the press conference, the series’ director

It was revealed during the event that Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil's characters are part of the extended universe of 'Bagani,' which may have bigger and longer stories to tell.

confirmed that ABS-CBN, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) commissioner Ronald Adamat, House of Representatives Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples chairperson Rep. Nancy Catamco, and leaders of the Indigenous Peoples had a dialogue witnessed by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) last week.

All parties had the opportunity to discuss and explain their positions on the issues raised on the program.

After hearing all sides, all parties have come to an understanding that the use of “Bagani” is in good faith. In

GMA invests P154-M for Newsroom Automation System

From left: Vizrt CTO Petter Ole Jakobsen, Vizrt APAC President Michael Namatinia, GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr. and GMA Network Executive Vice President and CFO Felipe S. Yalong.

and Public Affairs Marissa Flores, News Grace dela Peña-Reyes; First and Vice President for Supply and Asset Senior Vice President for Engineering Vice President for Content and On-Air Management Vicky Arradaza.

Elvis Ancheta, First Vice President for Management Jose Severino Fuentes, The NAS will enable GMA News

continuing the use of “Bagani” for the series, all have agreed to be partners in further educating the Filipino audience about Filipino culture and its roots from Indigenous Peoples (IP).

Since it began airing on March 5, ABS-CBN has been showing a disclaimer before the airing of the program, emphasizing that the story is purely fictitious, takes inspiration from elements of Filipino mythology and folklore, and does not represent or pertain to any Indigenous Peoples in the country.

––Bagani airs weeknights after FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano on ABS-CBN. to have an integrated workflow by allowing its news teams to produce reports faster and with more details and background information matched with precise video materials and sound bites. In addition, GMA News will also have a tighter gatekeeping process for fact checking and will be able to distribute news more efficiently.

Swedish company Vizrt, underscored its well-established partnership with GMA Network.

“When you look at the clients in the Philippines, GMA is a very strong brand name. I think it represents everything that Vizrt represents. We had a long and successful partnership with GMA. It was the first channel in the Philippines to go with Vizrt so it’s natural to continue our relationship with GMA,” says Namatinia.